Guide to The Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath (Ch. 24)
Chapter 24: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath
The Children of Eärendil
Eärendil and Elwing had two children: Elrond and Elros. Eärendil grew restless and longed for the sea, desiring to seek out his parents and to find the last shore and bring the message of Elves and Men to the Valar. Eärendil built a ship called Vingilot with the help of Círdan. But he was unable to find his parents or the shores of Valinor on his journeys, and his heart instead caused him to return to Elwing.
The Oath of Fëanor Still at Work
After a time, Maedhros was tormented once again by his oath and demanded the Silmaril from Elwing. But she refused because it was won by Beren and Lúthien, and because of the slaying of Dior, and because Eärendil was not at home. War broke out once more: the sons of Fëanor came upon the exiles of Gondolin and the remaining people of Doriath.
The Flight of Elwing
Elros and Elrond were taken captive, and Elwing, with the Silmaril on her breast, cast herself into the sea. But she was not lost: for Ulmo bore her up in the form of a bird.
She found Eärendil and returned to her bodily form, and they had great sorrow over the destruction of their dwelling and the captivity of her sons. However, Maglor took pity on Elrond and Elros and loved them as much as he could despite the sickness of his heart and the burden of his oath.
The Journey of Eärendil
Eärendil and Elwing sailed to the Blessed Realm, but as they got closer Eärendil decided that he had to go on alone and said to Elwing: “Await me here; for one only may bring the message that it is my fate to bear.” Eärendil came to Túna and found it bare; Tirion was empty; “and his heart was heavy, for he feared that some evil had come even to the Blessed Realm.”
When he turned at last back to the sea, he heard the voice of Eonwe: “Hail Eärendil, of mariners most renowned, the looked for that cometh at unawares, the longed for that cometh beyond hope! Hail Eärendil, bearer of light before the Sun and Moon! Splendour of the Children of Earth, star in the darkness, jewel in the sunset, radiant in the morning!”
And Eärendil went into the halls of Valimar, never to set foot again upon the lands of Men.
Eärendil’s Plea
Eärendil pleaded before the Valar: to pardon the Noldor and to have mercy upon the Men and Elves. This time, they agreed.
Manwë declared that Eärendil and Elwing should not walk again in the Outer Lands; and that they and their sons would be given the choice between mortality and immortality. Elwing and Eärendil chose immortality.
The ship of Eärendil, Vingilot, was taken and hallowed and filled with light. Eärendil was placed at its helm, with the Silmaril at his brow to journey through the sky as a star. For Elwing was built a tall tower from which she would sometimes fly as a bird to meet Eärendil.
When Eärendil arose in the sky, the people of Middle-earth were given new hope. They called the star Gil-Estel, the Star of Hope. Maedhros wondered if the star was a Silmaril. Maglor replied that if it is a Silmaril, this is good news because that means it is finally safe from all evil. The Elves despaired no longer, but Morgoth was filled with doubt.
The War of Wrath
At last, the host of the Valar prepared for their final battle against Morgoth. The Vanyar and the Noldor who had remained in Valinor with Finarfin marched with the Valar, as well as some of the Teleri.
The Changing of the World
Morgoth was bound, and the remaining two Silmarils were taken from him. Though the realm of Morgoth was ended, the world was changed entirely after this.
The remaining sons of Fëanor demanded the Silmarils, but Eonwë denied them this. They were tormented by their oath and felt it was inescapable. Maedhros and Maglor resolved, then, to take the Silmarils by force. The Silmaril burned Maedhros unbearably, and he ultimately cast himself with the Silmaril into a chasm filled with fire. The other Silmaril was so painful for Maglor to hold that he cast it into the sea.
“And thus came to pass that the Silmarils found their long homes: one in the airs of heaven, and one in the fires of the heart of the world, and one in the deep waters.”
The Doom of Mandos Laid to Rest
The Noldor were then pardoned; the Doom of Mandos was laid to rest. Elrond chose to remain in Middle-earth as an elf while Elros chose to be counted among the Men. Morgoth was sent to the Timeless Void, never to be released again.
Here Ends the Silmarillion
“Here ends the Silmarillion; and if it has passed from the high and the beautiful to darkness and ruin, that was of old the fate of Arda Marred; and if any change shall come and the Marring be amended, Manwë and Varda may know; but they have not revealed it, and it is not declared in the dooms of Mandos.”
Key Quote
"Hail Eärendil, of mariners most renowned, the looked for that cometh at unawares, the longed for that cometh beyond hope! Hail Eärendil, bearer of light before the Sun and Moon! Splendour of the Children of Earth, star in the darkness, jewel in the sunset, radiant in the morning!"
Discussion Prompts:
What is the significance of the star which gives hope to the Elves? What do they call it?
What becomes of the two Silmarils which had been on Morgoth's crown?
What becomes of the oath made by the sons of Fëanor?
Where do the Silmarils lie at the end of Quenta Silmarillion?
How does the Quenta Silmarillion End?
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE FINISHED THE SILMARILLION?!?! GIVE YOURSELF A HIGH-FIVE!
