"Of the Voyage of Eärendil" Discussion Post

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Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath

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Welcome this fortnight's chapter discussion!

Important: This is not a spoiler-free zone. It is hard to discuss any chapter in depth without referring to things that happen in later chapters. Proceed at your own risk! Furthermore, it’s perfectly fine to jump in, even if you haven’t participated in previous discussions. We don’t bite!


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Summary

In the Havens at Sirion’s mouths, Eärendil marries Elwing, who bears him two half-Elven sons: Elrond and Elros. Eärendil sails often, looking both for his parents and the way West to bring message of pity for the Valar. To this end, he builds Vingilot, but Elwing does not travel with him on these voyages, remaining at home with the Silmaril.

When word first comes to the remaining Fëanorians that the Silmaril resides in Sirion, Maedhros refuses to go after it. Eventually, the unfilled oath becomes a burden and the Fëanorians send messages of friendship and demand. Elwing and her people will not yield the jewel to them, for Beren and Lúthien had won it, Dior was slain for it, and that it causes a blessing on their houses and ships.

The Third Kinslaying comes to pass. The havens were the remnants of Gondolin and Doriath live are destroyed. Some followers of the Fëanorians refuse to take part, and others change sides. Maedhros and Maglor are the only surviving sons of Fëanor; Amrod and Amras are slain. The few survivors of the havens join themselves to Gil-galad and move to the Isle of Balar. They tell that Elwing cast herself into the Sea with the Silmaril and that Maglor and Maedhros captured Elrond and Elros.

Elwing, rather than drowning, is turned into a bird and flies to Eärendil on Vingilot. Together, they mourn for the ruin of the havens and their children, who they fear will be killed. But fortunately, Maglor cherishes Elrond and Elros.

Eärendil, now seeing no hope left in Middle-earth, decides to attempt reaching Valinor once more. The Silmaril is bound onto his brow, and it is said the jewel is the reason the passage to Valinor worked. Eärendil is the first Man to step foot in the Undying Lands, and while he tell his wife and fellow sailors to not set foot on the land so they may escape the wrath of the Valar, Elwing refuses to leave him and willingly takes on the danger. They never see their companions again.

Eärendil bids Elwing to wait on the shore and he travel along to Tirion, which he finds empty due to a time of festival. He fears some evil has come to the realm, and at last he steps foot on the road back to the sea. Eönwë, herald of Manwë finally greets him and summons him to a council of the Valar, which even Ulmo attends. During it, Eärendil asks for pardon for the Noldor and mercy upon the Men and Elves still living. His request is granted.

Once his message is heard, there is a debate on what to do with him-- whether he is a mortal who should die for stepping foot in Aman (as the son of a mortal) or an exiled Elf (son of Idril)? Manwë eventually decrees that the choice to choose a mortal fate or an Elven fate resides with both Elwing and Eärendil, and the same choice is given to their sons.

During this council, Elwing befriends the Teleri, who listen to the tales of Beleriand. Eärendil finds her there and then they go before Manwë to hear his decree. Eärendil tells Elwing to choose for both of them, and she chooses to be with the Elves-- but Eärendil’s heart lies rather with Men.

Afterward, Eärendil’s sailors are driven back East in another boat and Vingilot is hallowed. Eärendil sails this vessel in into starless voids, but is often seen in the morning or evening returning to Valinor. Elwing remains in Valinor, where a tower is built for her. She learns to fly from the birds who visit it.

The people in Middle-earth notice the new “star” and take it for a sign of hope, calling it Gil-Estel. Maglor and Maedhros recognize it as a Silmaril. Morgoth becomes worried. But he still does not expect an attack from the West.

The Vanyar and the remnants of the Noldor march beneath the white banners of the host of the Valar. The Teleri brings the army to the other shore, but do not step foot off their ships.

The meeting of Morgoth’s army and the Valar’s army is called the War of Wrath. All but a few Balrogs are destroyed and few Orcs remain to trouble the world. The Edain fight alongside the host of the Valar, but other Men fight with Morgoth. In desperation, Morgoth unleashes the winged dragons, which have not been seen before. They manage to drive back the host of the Valar until Eärendil arrives with the great birds. Eärendil slays Ancalagon, the mightiest dragon and whose fall breaks Thangordrim.

The might of the Valar descends into Angband, upon which Morgoth flees to the deepest part of his mines, where he sues for pardon. He is captured, bound with the chain Angainor he previously wore, and his crown is made into a collar for his neck. The Silmarils are removed from it and given to Eönwë.

Beleriand has been utterly changed by the War of Wrath: Sirion is no more, great chasms lie across it where the Sea enters, hills are broken, and valleys raised.

Eönwë summons the Elves of Beleriand to return to Aman and live on Tol Eressëa. Maedhros and Maglor send a message to Eönwë demanding the Silmarils. Eönwë responds that they have lost all right to them due their merciless deeds, blindness caused by their oath, and the Kinslayings in Doriath and Sirion. He will only return the jewels to them if the Valar order it and if they return to Valinor to abide for judgement.

Maglor desires to do this, but Maedhros does not. Maglor eventually yields to his brother, and they sneak into Eönwë’s camp. They find the Silmarils, and are prepared to die when the camp is raised against them. Eönwë forbids it and they flee, each with a Silmaril. Maedhros, unable to bear the pain it causes, flings it and himself into a fiery chasm. Maglor, likewise in pain, throws the Silmaril into the Sea and wanders alone on the shore, never coming back to the Elves. Thus the fate that Mandos foretold comes true: one Silmaril is found in the air, the water, and the earth.

Many Elves build ships and sail West. But their victory is diminished due to the loss of the Silmarils. The curse is lifted from the formerly exiled Elves and they make peace with the Teleri. But some Elves remain behind. Among them are Círdan, Galadriel, Celeborn, and Gil-galad. Elrond chooses to be counted among the Elves and Elros chooses to be mortal.

Morgoth is thrust into the Timeless Void and a guard is set. Eärendil likewise keeps an eye on it. But the lies, terror, and hate that Morgoth sowed are seeds that spring forth with new fruit even unto the latest of days.

Here ends the Silmarillion. If Arda Marred will be mended, only Manwë and Varda know, and such a thing is not declared in the dooms of Mandos.

Our Favorite Quotes

~ “With the aid of Círdan Eärendil built Vingilot, the Foam-flower, fairest of all ships in song; golden were its oars and white its timbers, hewn in the birchwoods of Nimbrethil, and its sails were as the argent moon.”

~ “Now when first the tidings came to Maedhros that Elwing yet lived, and dwelt in possession of the Silmaril by the mouths of Sirion, then he repenting of the deeds in Doriath withheld his hand. But in time the knowledge of their oath unfulfilled returned to torment him and his brothers, and gathering from their wandering hunting-paths they sent messages to the Haves of friendship and yet of stern demand. Then Elwing and the people of Sirion would not yield the jewel which Beren had won and Lúthien had worn, and for which Dior the fair was slain; and least of all while Eärendil their lord was on the sea, for it seemed to them that in the Silmaril lay the healing and the blessing that had come upon their houses and their ships.”

~ “For the sons of Fëanor that yet lived came down suddenly upon the exiles of Gondolin and the remnant of Doriath, and destroyed them. In that battle some of their people stood aside, and some few rebelled and were slain upon the other part aiding Elwing against their own lords (for such was the sorrow and confusion in the hearts of the Eldar in those days); but Maedhros and Maglor won the day, though they alone remained thereafter of the sons of Fëanor, for both Amrod and Amras were slain.”

~ “Thus Maedhros and Maglor gained not the jewel; but it was not lost. For Ulmo bore up Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Eärendil hjer beloved. On a time of night Eärendil at the helm of his ship saw her come towards him, as a white cloud exceeding swift beneath the moon, as a star over the sea moving in strange course, a place flame on wings of storm. Ant it is sung that she fell from the air upon the timbers of Vingilot, in a swoon, nigh unto death for the urgency of her seed, and Eärendil took her to his bosom; but in the morning with marvelling eyes he beheld his wife in her own form beside him with her hair upon his face, and she slept.”

~ “For Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor’s heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath.”

~ “But Elwing answered, ‘But would our paths be sundered for ever, but all thy perils I will take on myself also.”

~ “But Eärendil climbed the green hill of Túna and found it bare; and he entered into the streets of Tirion, and they were empty; and his heart was heavy, for he feared that some evil had come even to the Blessed Realm. He walked in the deserted ways of Tirion, and the dust upon his raiment and his shoes was a dust of diamonds, and he shone and glistened as he climbed the long white stairs. And he called aloud in many tongues, both of Elves and Men, but there were none to answer him.”

~ “'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!'”

~ “But Ulmo said, ‘For this he was born into the world. And say unto me: whether is he Eärendil Tuor’s son of the line of Hador, or the son of Idril, Turgon’s daughter, of the Elven-house of Finwë?’”

~ “Now fair and marvellous was that vessel made, and it was filled with a wavering flame, pure and bright; and Eärendil the Mariner sat at the helm, glistening with dust of elven-gems, and the Silmaril was bound upon his brow. Far he journeyed in that ship, even into the starless voids; but most often was he seen at morning or evening, glimmering in sunrise or sunset, as he came back to Valinor from voyages beyond the confines of the world.”

~ “And it is said that Elwing learned the tongues of birds, who herself had once worn their shape; and they taught her the craft of flight, and her wings were of white and silver-grey. And at times, when Eärendil returning drew near again to Arda, she would fly to meet him, even as she had flown long ago, when she was rescued from the sea. Then the far-sighted among the Elves that dwelt in the Lonely Isle would see her like a white bird, shining, rose-stained in the sunset, as she soared in joy to greet the coming of Vingilot to haven.”

~ “And Maglor answered, ‘If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.’”

~ “Yet it is said that Morgoth looked not for the assault that came upon him from the West; for so great was his pride become that he deemed that none would ever again come with open war against him. Moreover he thought that he had for ever estranged the Noldor from the Lords of the West, and that content in their blissful realm the Valar would heed no more his kingdom in the world without; for to him that is pitiless the deeds of pity are ever strange and beyond reckoning.”

~ “Then, seeing that his hosts were overthrown and his power dispersed, Morgoth qualied, and he dared not to come forth himself. But he loosed upon his foes the last desperate assault that he had prepared, and out of the pits of Angband there issued the winged dragons, that had not before been seen; and so sudden and ruinous was the onset of that dreadful fleet that the host of the Valar was driven back, for the coming of the dragons was with great thunder, and lightning, and a tempest of fire.”

~ “Then Maglor desired indeed to submit, for his heart was sorrowful, and he said, ‘The oath says not that we may not bide our time, and it may be that in Valinor all shall be forgiven and forgot, and we shall come into our own in peace.’”

~ “’If none can release us,’ said Maglor, ‘then indeed the Everlasting Darkness shall be our lot, whether we keep our oath or break it; but less evil shall we do in the breaking.’”

~ “But the jewel burned the hand of Maedhros in pain unbearable; and he perceived that it was as Eönwë had said, and that his right thereto had become void, and that the oath was vain. And being in anguish and despair he cast himself into a gaping chasm filled with fire, and so ended; and the Silmaril that he bore was taken into the bosom of the Earth.”

~ “And it is told of Maglor that he could not endure the pain with which the Silmaril tormented him; and he cast it at least into the Sea, and thereafter he wandered ever upon the shores, singing in pain and regret beside the waves. For Maglor was mighty among the singers of old, named only after Daeron of Doriath; but he came never back among the people of the Elves.”

~ “Yet not all the Eldalië were willing to forsake the Hither Lands where they had long suffered and long dwelt; and some lingered many an age in Middle-earth.”

~ “Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.”

~ “Here ends the Silmarillion. 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.”

Alternate Versions

~ Eärendil, then named Eärendel, is one of the earliest elements of the Legendarium. His first recorded appearance is in a poem from 1914. Tolkien was inspired by a line from the Anglo-Saxon poem Crist: “Éala! Éarendel engla beorhtast/ ofer middangeard monnum sended!” (“Hail! Éarendel brightest of angels/ sent over Middle-earth to mankind!”), which must have struck a nerve. Eärendil's story has undergone many changes, but some glimpses of the later Legendarium can already be seen, e.g. the Blessed Realm in the West, the Twilight Isles, the Doors of Night, the ships of Sun and Moon, and the ship of Eärendel which can journey through space. In the very first poem, Eärendel is hunted by the moon and follows the sun until his light is spent. Later poems mourn the loss of Elves and Elven lore and describe the shores of Faery. In one of them appears the name “Gondobar”, given as one of the seven names of Gondolin in “The Fall of Gondolin”; however, this Gondobar appears to be located by the sea or even on an island. (1)

~ The first “Tale of Eärendel” is incomplete and consists of various outlines and some fragments of prose text. It was meant to be told in seven parts, the first of which (and the only complete one) is the story of the Nauglafring. The second part was meant to deal with Eärendel's and Elwing's love as children. Tuor hears the conches of Ulmo and sails away in secret. Eärendel tries to find him again. In this draft, it is his ship that is named Eärámë. Eärámë is wrecked, but Ulmo in person rescues Eärendel und tells him that he must go to Kôr (Tirion).

In the third part, Eärendel was supposed to sail again. He does not actually mean to reach Kôr, but rather Mandos. He is shipwrecked in Falasquil, but rescued by the Oarni (mermaids). He returns to Sirion on foot. There he finds that Idril has now sailed away as well. The conches of Ulmo call to Eärendel, and he takes his leave of Elwing and builds Wingilot.

The fourth part was meant to deal with Eärendel's adventures on his way to Valinor, “occupying several years”, but there is no more detail than that in the first draft.

In the fifth part, sea-birds come to Kôr with tidings. The Elves are in uproar and march forth to battle. Again, no further details are given, except that Inwë dies. Sirion is raided and Elwing captured, but it is not said by whom. It appears that afterwards, the Eldar return to Valinor, but how is not made clear. However, as a result the Valar make war on Melko and bind him. Elwing dies of an unmentioned cause. Eärendel misses all of that because he is out at sea.

He was supposed to reach Kôr in the sixth part. Having found Kôr empty, he returns home; he sees the fleet of the Elves, but is carried away by a great storm. When he finally reaches Sirion, he finds it sacked. He goes to the ruins of Gondolin where he somehow learns about what has happened. Distraught, he sails back to Tol Eressëa and the Isle of Seabirds.

In the seventh part, Eärendel appears to journey to the firmament of his own strength. It is likely that he would have found the same end as he did in the first “Eärendel” poem, i.e. spent himself chasing the sun. (2)

~ Later drafts are more elaborate, adding and changing some details. Tuor sets sail in secret, but Idril now sees him (albeit too late). It is she who urges Eärendel to sail forth to find Tuor, even if it takes him to Mandos. We learn that Ossë is Eärendel's enemy, which explains the frequent shipwrecks. Voronwë is on board for the second voyage. Now, the Noldoli ask Eärendel to plead for them before the Valar, since Ulmo is sending him there anyway. Some of Eärendel's adventures on the way to Valinor are mentioned: “Driven south. Dark regions. Fire mountains. Tree-men. Pygmies. Sarqindi or cannibal-ogres. Driven west. Ungweliantë. Magic Isles. Twilit Isle [sic]. Littleheart's gong awakes the Sleeper in the Tower of Pearl.” The Tower of Pearl and the mysterious sleeper already appeared in the poem “The Happy Mariners” (1); Tolkien seems to have toyed with the idea that this might be Idril after her attempts to find Tuor himself, but the line stating this has been struck out. (2)

In (empty) Kôr, Eärendel is powdered in diamond dust so he shines brightly. He journeys east to deserts and the palace of the Sun, which set the diamong dust on fire, before he returns to Sirion, where he learns that Elwing has departed to Tol Eressëa with the other Elves, but that her ship as sunk because of the curse upon the Nauglafring. However, she has turned into a seabird. Eärendel dwells on the Isle of Seabirds, hoping that he will meet Elwing again, but she in her turn seeks him among the wreckage along all shores. After three times seven years, he journeys to Mandos, where he learns that Tuor has come into Valinor, but nobody knows what happened to Elwing or Idril. After all these frustrating events, it maybe makes sense that Eärendel ends his life chasing the Sun. (2)

~ However, in yet another draft Elwing comes to Eärendel as a seamew (gull) as he sits on the Isle of Seabirds. Here, they return home, and Eärendel only ascends to the firmament after he has become very old and, being still mortal, is likely to die soon anyway. It is also said that Tuor and Idril set sail together, and may be sailing still. The Elves have left Middle-earth, and the final “Lost Tale” ends. (2)

~ The alliterative “Lay of Eärendel” is unfinished, and even the parts Tolkien did write have not all been published. An excerpt is presented in “The Lays of Beleriand” in which Eärendel's father is named Tûr, but also Wade of the Helsings, as has been noted in the discussion post for the previous chapter. Wade himself is (probably) legendary, but the tribe of the Helsings really existed. They gave their name to some places in Skandinavia, perhaps most notably the Danish town of Helsingør (Elsinore). Whether any relation between Eärendil and Hamlet Prince of Denmark is intended is not clear. (3)

~ Notably, in all the earliest versions, the Silmaril plays no role at all. Eärendil's light comes from the diamond dust in Kôr and the light of the sun whose realm he has visited, and Elwing's misfortune is due to the curse upon the gold of the Nauglafring, not the jewel set in it. However, Tolkien then decided to give the Silmarils a more fundamental role. When he re-told the stories from the original “Book of Lost Tales”, he did so under the title “Silmarillion”, attesting to the new-found importance of Fëanor's jewels.

According to “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'”, the Valar have already been moved to make battle upon Melko in Middle-earth by Ylmir (Ulmo). Their host is led by Fionwë (Eönwë), who in this version is Tulcas', not Manwë's son. They march forth before Tuor, now accompanied by Idril from the start, ever sails west. Elwing and Eärendil are now no longer just childhood sweethearts, but explicitly married, and have a son, Elrond. It is now stated who attacks the Havens of Sirion: The sons of Fëanor, having learned about the Nauglafring. Elwing casts it into the sea and jumps after it. She can no longer turn herself into a seabird; instead, this is accomplished by Ylmir. Maidros saves Elrond. Eärendel meanwhile slays Ungoliant in the South and returns to Sirion long after its ruin. He now learns what happens from Bronweg (Voronwë), who dwells alone in a hut by Sirion. All other survivors have joined the people of Maidros. (4)

~ Eärendel still reaches Tûn upon Côr (Tirion) only after it has already been deserted. He does not dare to go further into Valinor, instead sailing to the Isle of Seabirds (no longer so named) where he builds himself a tower. His ability to sail through the air is now explained with the aid of the seabirds' wings. He searches for Elwing, but instead is scorched by the Sun and hunted from the sky by the moon. But this is no longer the end of his story: He continues his journeys as a fugitive star. (4)

~ Meanwhile, the war against Morgoth is won. In “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'”, Morgoth takes an active part in the fighting and comes forth with his dragons. Two dragons escape and survive. All others are destroyed, as are the Balrogs and most of the Orcs. The sons of the Valar summon all Elves to join them; all but the people of Maidros obey. Maidros begs Fionwë for the Silmarils. Fionwë already replies that the sons of Fëanor have lost all rights to the jewels and must submit to the judgement of the Valar. Unlike in the final version, Maidros and Maglor obey. However, Maglor has second thoughts. He steals one of the two Silmarils and flees with it. It burns him, and he casts himself into a pit. (5)

~ Morgoth is thrust through the Door of Night, though some say that he or his spirit sometimes creep back into the world. Others say that this is not Morgoth, but his servant Thû, and that the lies he sowed continue to thrive. Maidros faces the judgement of the Valar. Since one Silmaril is in the sea (the one from the Nauglafring) and one in the earth (the one Maglor stole), they decide that the third must be put in the air. Maidros is sent to Eärendel. With the help of the Silmaril, they find Elwing. Eärendel and Elwing sail the skies together. They will descend when they see the last battle gathering. Túrin with his black sword will slay Morgoth, and Maidros will break the Silmarils so that Belaurin (Yavanna) can rekindle the Two Trees. (6)

~ In the Q1 version of the "Quenta Noldorinwa," there are only few differences from the storyline of “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'”. Damrod and Díriel (Amrod and Amras) are part of the attack on the Havens of Sirion. Eärendel still reaches Valinor too late. It is Maglor who has convinced Maidros that they have no hope of fulfilling their oath if they submit, and thus have to steal the Silmarils. In the attempt, Maidros is taken prisoner, but Maglor escapes with one Silmaril. It burns him, so he casts it into a gap of fire, but does not jump in himself. Instead, he wanders and sings in pain and regret. Maidros cannot hold on to his Silmaril, either; he casts it to the ground where Fionwë takes it. Maidros kills himself before anyone can stop him. Fionwë hands the Silmaril to Eärendel, who only then becomes the Evenstar. (7)

~ In the Q2 version, the story approaches the form we know. Elwing now casts herself into the sea wearing the Nauglafring. After she has been turned into a seabird, she reaches Wingilot with her last strength. Eärendel takes the unknown bird unto his bosom, and in the next morning realises that she is his wife. He finally reaches Valinor on time to plead before the Valar for Elves and Men, and moves then to march against Morgoth. He rises as a star before the War of Wrath, and the sons of Fëanor understand that this Silmaril is beyond their reach. He also fights in the War of Wrath and slays Ancalagon the Black. Morgoth no longer fights, instead hiding in his fortress.

Maglor has become the brother who is minded to submit to Fionwë, and Maidros has become the one who insists on taking the Silmarils by force. In this version, Fionwë calls back his warriors and both sons of Fëanor escape. Maidros cannot bear the pain in his hand since he only got the one, and casts himself into a fiery chasm. Maglor casts his Silmaril into the Sea and forever after wanders along the shores, singing in pain and regret. It is said that some Elves remain in Middle-earth, Maglor and Elrond Half-Elven among them, but Galadriel is not mentioned as she does not yet exist. Mandos now foretells that Fëanor, not Maidros, must break the Silmarils at the end of the world. (8)

~ “The Earliest Annals of Beleriand” give us a timeline for these events. Elwing and Eärendel marry in 224, aged 24 years. From 210 to 225, Maidros resists the oath although it torments him and his brothers. At last Damrod and Díriel resolve to win the Silmaril. They are the driving force behind the attack on the Havens, which happens in 229. Maidros and Maglor give aid only reluctantly.

225 also sees the departure of Eärendel and the birth of Elrond, who is later fostered by Maglor, no longer Maidros. Although Elwing reaches Eärendil in 229, they do not sail for Valinor with the Silmaril on Eärendel's brow before 230. They reach Alqualondë in 233. In the coming ten years, the “sons of the Gods” prepare for war. The Teleri will not leave Valinor at all, but build a great host of ships. In 247, the Valarin host reaches Middle-earth. Ingwil son of Ingwe makes a landing in Eldorest, and a battle takes place. Fionwë summons all Elves, Men, Dwarves, beasts and birds to his banners to fight against Morgoth, but not all obey (many out of fear rather than support for Morgoth). The Great Battle, victory over Morgoth, and subsequent events take place in 250. (9)

~ The Later “Annals of Beleriand” have some minor and many significant changes. Most of the later are expansions of the text and the former are rewordings. In 540, Maedhros and Maglor (and probably their people) dwell in Amon Ereb before fleeing from Morgoth’s attacks to the Isle of Balar. In 550, Fionwë camps beside Sirion and it is much contested, but his army finally triumphs, making Morgoth flees to Angband. The fight there to have Morgoth bound has catastrophic consequences for the land and many people die due to the upheavals. The war now lasts fifty years. In 597, Maedhros and Maglor steal the Silmarils, but Maedhros dies with his Silmaril in the earth and Maglor wanders after throwing his into the Sea. (10)

~ The “Conclusion of the Quenta Silmarillion” is the basis for the text in the published Silmarillion. It was written in late 1937, shortly before Tolkien began writing LotR. Substantial parts of it are unchanged from the “Quenta Noldorinwa.” However, there are major and minor changes scattered throughout. The text begins with Eärendil’s voyage to Valinor (after Elwing arrived on-ship). Elwing chooses to stay with Eärendil in Valinor, meets the Teleri, and learns the tongues of the birds and how to fly from them. The story about Vingilot’s voyages has some subtle changes. There is no mention of the battle over the Sirion and Morgoth’s appearance there. Maglor has the last word in his debate with Maedhros about the oath. A major change is that Elwing and Eärendil could choose their fates. A related change is Elrond’s and Elros’s choices: While Elrond still lives with Maglor, it happens after he and Elros chose their separate fates. Melkor here appears for the first time in place of Melko. (11)

~ Elros' first appearance is rather difficult to find. While he is mentioned in Q2, in Christopher's notes on the first version of the "Fall of Númenor," he said Elros was written into Q2 after the Númenor legand began. (12, 13) Elros also appears in JRRT's end notes for Fall 2, as a replacement for Elrond ruling Númenor. (14) Finally, the note to QS Conclusion §28 says the Elros emerged sometime between the writing of QS "Of Men" §87 and the Conclusion. (15) So Elros may be something unique to the Conclusion that JRRT edited in later for everything written prior, or he may be a result of the Númenor material and the Conclusion is the first time Elros is deliberately part of a Silmarillion draft rather than edited in.

~ The story of Eärendil was so dear to Tolkien's heart that he snuck it into The Lord of the Rings: Bilbo makes a song about him in Elrond's house. It features some details that are not mentioned in other versions of Eärendil's tale. In particular, at Aragorn's request, Bilbo has included a green stone that Eärendil wears on his breast. (16) An explanation for this can be found in the Unfinished Tales. Here, it is said that an Elven smith named Enerdhil (later changed to Celebrimbor of Gondolin) crafted a green gem that contained the light of the sun. He gave it to Idril, who passed it on to Eärendil. The prosperity which the Elves of Sirion in later versions ascribe to the Nauglafring or its Silmaril was originally supposed to be due to the Elessar. Eärendil brings it to Valinor. According to one idea, Yavanna later asks Olórin to bring it back to Middle-earth, and he gives it to Galadriel. But there is also the possibility that the original Elessar remained in Valinor, and that Celebrimbor crafted a replica for Galadriel. (17) Another backstory for the Elessar is that it was made by Fëanor, and given to Maedhros before his death. Maedhros then gave it to Fingon as a token of gratitude; perhaps it was set in an eagle-wing brooch at that time and for that reason. It is not clear how it would have come to Eärendil, but Gil-Galad was probably involved. (18)

~ There are minor edits made to the “Conclusion of the Quenta Silmarillion” in the post-LotR timeframe. Most of them are of name changes (Fionwë to Eönwë and the like) and rewording of sentences. Beren appears in a marginal note next to the paragraph about Túrin returning. Fëanor becomes the person to break the Silmarils, and Tolkien rejected the final two sentences of §32. The change in the published Silmarillion of Elrond living with Gil-galad after the War of Wrath appears to be editorial, along with some other changes to the final paragraphs. (19)

~ The “Tale of the Years” is the last draft we have of all of this material. Version A has only two differences with the Later Annals-- in 540, Men also flee to Balar and in 600 they pass over the Sea with the Elves. Version B has the Third Kinslaying in 529, Eärendil’s arrival in Valinor in 542, the host of the Valar’s arrival in 545, the War of Wrath lasting from 547 to 587, the Silmarils are taken by the Fëanorians in 587, and the final entry of the ending of the First Age is changed to 590. Version C has Elrond and Elros born in 532 (a new listing), Eärendil’s voyages being in 534, the Third Kinslaying is in 538 (Maedhros fosters Elrond and Elros), and ends with Eärendil’s arrival in 542. Version D ends with the oath tormenting the Fëanorians in 527. (20)

~ When Tolkien recommenced his work on the “Lay of Leithian” after the success of The Lord of the Rings, he seems to have had second thoughts about the fate of Maglor. In the recommenced “Lay”, the following is said about Maelor (Maglor): “forgotten harper, singer doomed/ who young when Laurelin yet bloomed/ to endless lamentation passed/ and in the tombless sea was cast”. The wording seems to suggest that Maglor died young, and was cast in the sea, even before the death of the Trees. The exact circumstances are not elaborated. However, it might also be meant that Maglor was young when Laurelin bloomed, and died and was cast into the sea at some point later. Or perhaps Tolkien briefly envisioned that Maglor would drown himself just as Maedhros ended his life in the fiery chasm. (21)

~ There is one final story about this time period, dealing with how Elrond and Elros received their names. Letter 211 states that the sons of Fëanor carried off the infant sons of Eärendil and Elwing as a last act in the feud and that they were abandoned. Elrond was found within a cave (hence his name meaning “Elf of the cave”) and Elros playing in the water (“Elf of the fountain spray”). (22) However, this is contradicted by Letter 345, where Elrond means “the vault of stars,” and the Shibboleth of Fëanor, where Elros means “star(lit) foam.” (23, 24)


Food for Thought

~ Why do you believe Elwing acted as she did?

~ What kind of bird do you think Elwing was turned into?

~ Do you regret the absence of anything about Eärendil's adventures on strange shores, with volcanos, cannibal-ogres and his fight against Ungoliant, from the published Silmarillion?

~ Do you think that Elrond and Elros came to view Maglor as a parental figure, solely as a captor, or something in between?

~ Do you think the remaining Elves in Beleriand fought alongside the Host of the Valar?

~ Do you think the Valar fought in the War of Wrath?

~ When and how do you think Elrond came to live with Gil-galad?

~ Do you agree with Maglor when he said “less evil shall we do in the breaking [of the oath]?”

~ What do you think would have happened had Maglor and Maedhros surrendered to Eönwë?

~ Do you think the oath still holds after Maglor voluntarily gave up the Silmaril by tossing it into the sea?

~ What do you think about the Second Prophecy of Mandos?

~ What do you think happened to Maglor after the First Age? Do you ascribe to the “Maglor through the Ages” theory, do you think that he ever encountered Daeron, do you think he eventually faded, or something else entirely?

Works Cited

(1) The Book of Lost Tales 2. The Tale of Eärendel: Notes.
(2) The Book of Lost Tales 2. The Tale of Eärendel.
(3) The Lays of Beleriand. Poems Early Abandoned, “Fragment of an alliterative Lay of Eärendel”.
(4) The Shaping of Middle-earth. The Earliest 'Silmarillion', 17.
(5) The Shaping of Middle-earth. The Earliest 'Silmarillion', 18.
(6) The Shaping of Middle-earth. The Earliest 'Silmarillion', 19.
(7) The Shaping of Middle-earth. The Quenta, §§ 17 – 19.
(8) The Shaping of Middle-earth. The Quenta, §§ 17 – 19 in the Q2 Version.
(9) The Shaping of Middle-earth. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, 210-250
(10) The Lost Road, The Later Annals of Beleriand, 325-397
(11) The Lost Road, Quenta Silmarillion, Conclusion to the Quenta Silmarillion
(12) The Shaping of Middle-earth. The Quenta, §§ 17 in the Q2 Version, Note 10.
(13) The Lost Road, Part One, The Fall of Númenor, (ii) The First Version of "The Fall of Númenor," Commentary on §14
(14) The Lost Road, Part One, The Fall of Númenor, (iv) The Further Development of the "The Fall of Númenor"
(15) The Lost Road, Quenta Silmarillion, Conclusion to the Quenta Silmarillion, Commentary on §28
(16) The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two. “Many Meetings”.
(17) Unfinished Tales. The History of Galadriel and Celeborn and of Amroth King of Lórien. The Elessar.
(18) The War of the Jewels, Part Two: The Later Quenta Silmarillion, “Of the Siege of Angband”, §89 and 97
(19) The War of the Jewels, Part Two: The Later Quenta Silmarillion, The Last Chapters
(20) The War of the Jewels, Part Three: The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings Not Forming Part of the Quenta Silmarillion, The Tale of Years
(21) The Lays of Beleriand, The Lay of Leithian Recommenced. “Canto III continued”.
(22) The Letters of JRR Tolkien, Letter 211
(23) The Letters of JRR Tolkien, Letter 345
(24) The Peoples of Middle-earth, Part Two: Late Writings, “The Shibboleth of Fëanor”

Please note: We don't know everything and it's perfectly possible that we missed something. These summaries and questions are by no means supposed to be complete and exhaustive. If you have looked further into this particular topic or would like to discuss something that we've overlooked, please share it!

Also, please don't be afraid to talk amongst yourselves. We don't want this to be an echo chamber or for us to be lecturing to you. We want this to be a discussion among the community as a whole - everybody's got something to contribute!

Finally, don't forget to rec your favorite fanworks related to this chapter in the Fanworks Rec Post.

“Akallabêth” is due November 30.