Edain (Atani, Three Houses, Aftercomers)

"They were the allies of the Eldar in war, but marched under their own leaders. Yet many of the Edain had delight in the friendship of the Elves, and dwelt among them for so long as they had leave; and the young men often took service for a time in the hosts of the kings."

- J.R.R. Tolkien. The Silmarillion. "Of the Coming of Men Into the West"

Ever loyal to the Elves of Middle Earth, the Edain (i.e. 'men' in Sindarin) are closest in both valor and splendour to the Eldar. The Edain of Middle Earth awoke among the other races of men in Hildórien, but unlike the others, these first three houses crossed over the Blue Mountains into Beleriand. The Edain were befriended by the Elves very quickly, who had heard rumor of their coming. Finrod Felagund was especially hospitable to the first Edain, and the Edain served him willfully ever after. The Edain scattered throughout Middle Earth, becoming vassals of the Elves of Beleriand, from whom they learned the ways of trade, language, and war. Therefore the Edain far surpassed all other men in the arts of war and life. After the First Age of the Sun, the Edain were rewarded for their loyalty with the island of Elenna, on which the great kingdom of