In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth, the Elves are a sundered people. They awoke at Cuivienen on the continent of Middle-earth, but some time after that, they split into two groups, which were never fully reunited.
The Sundering is as follows:
- QUENDI (the Elves)
- The Avari are Those who Refused the Summons of Oromë, or simply The Unwilling. Together with the Nandor and the Sindar, they are called the Moriquendi, in recognition of the fact that they did not see the light of the Two Trees. While all of the Eldar departed Middle-earth by the early Fourth Age, it appears that the Avari stayed.
- The Eldar are those who accepted the summons. Their name, literally Star People, was given to them by Oromë. They comprise three tribes: the Vanyar, the Noldor, and part of the Teleri.
- Those of the Teleri who refused to cross the Misty Mountains, and stayed in the valley of Anduin, are called the Nandor (Valley People).
- Those of the Teleri who came to the shores of Belegaer but decided to stay there are called the Sindar (Grey People or Grey Elves).
- The Noldor, the Vanyar, and those of the Teleri who stayed with them to the end are called the Calaquendi.
- Some of the Noldor returned with Fëanor to Middle-earth, and at least some of these remained there through the Third Age.
