While still in his early youth he wedded Nerdanel, the daughter of a great smith named Mahtan, among those of the Noldor most dear to Aul?; and of Mahtan he learned much of the making of things in metal and in stone. Nerdanel also was firm of will, but more patient than F?anor, desiring to understand minds rather than to master them, and at first she restrained him when the fire of his heart grew too hot; but his later deeds grieved her, and they became estranged. Seven sons she bore to F?anor; her mood she bequeathed in part to some of them, but not to all.
Now it came to pass that Finw? took as his second wife Indis the Fair. She was a Vanya, close kin of Ingw? the High King, golden-haired and tall, and in all ways unlike M?riel. Finw? loved her greatly, and was glad again. But the shadow of M?riel did not depart from the house of Finw?, nor from his heart; and of all whom he loved F?anor had ever the chief share of his thought.
The wedding of his father was not pleasing to F?anor; and he had no great love for Indis, nor for Fingolfin and Finarfin, her sons. He lived apart from them, exploring the land of Aman, or busying himself with the knowledge and the crafts in which he delighted. In those unhappy things which later came to pass, and in which F?anor was the leader, many saw the effect of this breach within the house of Finw?, judging that if Finw? had endured his loss and been content with the fathering of his mighty son, the courses of F?anor would have been otherwise, and great evil might have been prevented; for the sorrow and the strife in the house of Finw? is graven in the memory of the Noldorin Elves. But the children of Indis were great and glorious, and their children also; and if they had not lived the history of the Eldar would have been diminished.
Now even while F?anor and the craftsmen of the Noldor worked with delight, foreseeing no end to their labours, and while the sons of Indis grew to their full stature, the Noontide of Valinor was drawing to its close. For it came to pass that Melkor, as the Valar had decreed, completed the term of his bondage, dwelling for three ages in the duress of Mandos, alone. At length, as Manw? had promised, he was brought again before the thrones of the Valar. Then he looked upon their glory and their bliss, and envy was in his heart; he looked upon the Children of Il?vatar that sat at the feet of the Mighty, and hatred filled him; he looked upon the wealth of bright gems, and he lusted for them; but he hid his thoughts, and postponed his vengeance.
Before the gates of Valmar Melkor abased himself at the feet of Manw? and sued for pardon, vowing that if he might be made only the least of the free people of Valinor he would aid the Valar in all their works, and most of all in the healing of the many hurts that he had done to the world. And Nienna aided his prayer; but Mandos was silent
Then Manw? granted him pardon; but the Valar would not yet suffer him to depart beyond their sight and vigilance, and he was constrained to dwell within the gates of Valmar. But fair-seeming were all the words and deeds of Melkor in that time, and both the Valar and the Eldar had profit from his aid and counsel, if they sought it; and therefore in a while he was given leave to go freely about the land, and it seemed to Manw? that the evil of Melkor was cured. For Manw? was free from evil and could not comprehend it, and he knew that in the beginning, in the thought of Il?vatar, Melkor had been even as he; and he saw not to the depths of Melkor's heart, and did not perceive that all love had departed from him for ever. But Ulmo was not deceived, and Tulkas clenched his hands whenever he saw Melkor his foe go by; for if Tulkas is slow to wrath he is slow also to forget. But they obeyed the judgement of Manw?; for those who will defend authority against rebellion must not themselves rebel.
Now in his heart Melkor most hated the Eldar, both because