now the free noldoli at that time feared much those of their kin who had tasted thraldom , for compelled by fear and torture and spells much treachery had they wrought ; even thus did the evil deeds of the gnomes at copas alqalunten find vengeance , ' setting gnome against gnome , and the noldoli cursed the day that ever they first hearkened to the deceit of melko , rueing utterly their departure from the blessed realm of valinor .