A 5th-century English mariner named Eriol stumbles upon Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle, after long years of wandering. There, our intrepid seafarer visits the Cottage of Lost Play, where he comes into contact with the Gnomes. At Eriol's prompting, the exiled Elves recount their tales. Eriol consults some dwelling in the Cottage and others around the city of Kortirion, slowly unraveling Elvish history.
After learning all that the Eldar have to tell, Eriol travels to the village of Tavrobel and records their stories. He later imbibes the magical drink limpë to restore his youth and takes an elven wife in Tol Eressëa.
