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In the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, the term Green Elves is a translation of the Quenya word Laiquendi (Sindarin form was Laegrim). These were Elves of Nandorin race who passed westward into Beleriand over the Ered Luin or Blue Mountains and came to reside in Ossiriand, The Land of Seven Rivers. It is also said that the Green Elves of Ossiriand were named so due to their forest-like attire which was green.

The Green Elves can be traced to the Telerin Elves of the host of Olwë, who coming upon the Great River Anduin and seeing the seemingly impassable peaks of the Hithaeglir or Misty Mountains, forsook the westward journey and became a separated people. These Elves followed Lenwë (in their language Dan) down the banks of the Anduin and once again became separated. Of the fate of many of these elves, that story is uncertain. What is certain though is that many wondered into the lands of Eriador, between the Eastern slopes of the Ered Luin and the Western side of the Hithaeglir. These Elves became a wild and simple people in comparison to the Calaquendi or the Sindar of Menegroth. As Morgoth's treachery began to extend eastward over the Blue Mountains, the simplistic weapons of the scattered Elves of Eriador were no match for the servants and beasts of Morgoth. Through the mediation of the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains and those passing to and from the Misty Mountains, some Elves of Eriador came to hear of the might and power of King Elu Thingol's realm in Menegroth. Hearing of the peacful territories of the King, Denethor, son of Lenwë, collected as many of his scattered people as he could and finally ventured westward over the Ered Luin, where he was accepted by the King as ancient kindred (King Elu Thingol being in fact Elwë, brother of Olwë) and were given Ossiriand to reside in. Although there are some instances where the Green Elves of Ossiriand did participate in the battles and strifes concerning Morgoth (the First Battle of Beleriand for example), they were for the most part a simple, peaceful, and reclusive people.

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Silmarillion. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. Boston * New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.