Moriquendi

Moriquendi, meaning "Elves of the Darkness" in Sindarin, is a term used in Tolkien's legendarium to designate the Elves who did not undertake the Great Journey to Aman (Valinor) in the far west. They are contrasted with the Calaquendi, or "Elves of the Light," who completed the voyage and beheld the light of the Two Trees.

The Moriquendi comprise all Quendi who remained in Middle-earth rather than reaching Valinor. This includes the Avarim or Avari, Elves who refused the summons of the Valar, as well as the various Elven kindreds that never reached Aman, such as the Sindar (Grey Elves) of Beleriand, the Laiquendi (Green-elves) of Ossiriand, and the Silvan Elves of the forests. The term thus covers several distinct cultures rather than a single people.

Linguistically and culturally, the Moriquendi generally did not share the Quenya-centered culture of the Calaquendi and developed their own languages and traditions, most notably Sindarin among the Grey Elves. They played pivotal roles in the histories of Middle-earth, especially during the First Age, and their societies ranged from the kingdoms of Doriath and Lothlórien to the realms of Mirkwood.

In literary usage, Moriquendi is most often encountered in The Silmarillion and related writings, where it is used to describe Elves living in Middle-earth who never saw Valinor or the Two Trees. A well-known modern example is Legolas, who is a Sindar Moriquendi from Mirkwood.