Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (Reverted edits by 46.156.218.185 (talk) to last revision by Tik)
Line 4: Line 4:


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
After Tuor and Idril leave Middle-earth, their son Earendil grows up to become the lord of the people that lived at the mouth of the Sirion River (mostly the refugees from Gondolin and Doriath). Earendil marries Elwing and they have twin boys, Elrond and Elros. Earendil befriends Cirdan, and with his help builds his ship called Vingilot. He has 2 main purposes in life. The first is to seek out his parents, the second is to reconcile the rift between the Valar and the men and elves of Middle-earth. Both goals result in him spending much time sailing the seas.<br><br>Elwing does not accompany him, but stays at home with their people. Word gets out to Maedhros that the Silmaril is there, and a battle ensues between the last sons of Feanor and the exiles.This is the last slaying of Elf by Elf. Amrod and Amras die and Maedhros and Maglor take Elrond and Elros captive, but do not harm them. The surviving exiles join with Gil-galad and go to Balar. Elwing keeps the Silmaril and throws herself into the sea.<br><br>Earendil has a premonition of something bad happening and sets sail for home. One night he sees a great white bird bearing the Silmaril. It lands on the boat and turns into Elwing, for Ulmo had bore her out of the sea and gave her the likeness of the bird so she could fly to her lover. They returned to Middle-earth and dispaired the ruinof the havens and the loss of their sons. Earendil turns back and, with Elwing, sets sail for Valinor.<br><br>By the grace of the Silmaril, he is allowed to set foot in Valinor. He is given a chance to plead his case and wins pardon for the Noldor and assistance for the Men and Elves of Middle-earth. After he leaves, Mandros questions his fate, basically because the Valar had let a mortal man and a descendant of the Noldor come to the undying lands (something that was forbidden).<br><br>Manwe gives his judgement that Earendil and Elwing may never set foot on Middle-earth. As well, they and their sons must choose either the fate of mortal Man or immortal Elves. Both Earendil and Elwing chose to be counted among the Elves. Vingilot was hallowed and filled with a ‘wavering flame’ and brought to sail at the edge of the voids. Earendil was at the helm, with the Silmaril on his brow. Elwing stayed on land in a white tower made for her. She became like one of the sea birds,and was able to fly to meet her husband on his voyages. The movement of Vingilot was seen by the people of Middle-earth as a new star, and they called it Gil-estel (the Star of High Hope).<br><br>The Valar now went to battle along with the Vanyar and the faithful Noldor under Finarfin’s leadership. Few of the Teleri joined, remembering the kinslaying at Swanhaven. This was the Great Battle, aka the War of Wrath. They fought against Morgoth and his armies (which included many men not of the 3 houses ). Most of the Balrogs were vanquished, as well as the dragons. Ancalagon, the mightiest dragon was killed by Earendil who arrived on Vingilot accompanied by a host of birds including the eagles. Morgoth was defeated, and Eonwe took the remaining 2 Silmarils from his crown. The effect of the battle on Middle-earth was tremendous and the land was reshaped. Most of Beleriand and the valley of the Sirion were now under water.<br><br>Eonwe then called for a mass exodus of the Beleriand Elves to Valinor. . Maedhros and Maglor still bound to their oath, ask for the Silmarils to be returned to them. Eonwe says that they have given up their right to them because of all the evil deeds that they had done. They are to return to Valinor and face the judgement of the Valar. Maglor waivers, but eventually gives in to his brother. They steal the Silmarils and are let go by Eonwe, who will not slay any of the sons of Feanor. They each take one jewel, which burns them unbearably. Maedhros casts himself into a firey chasm and Maglor throws his Simaril into the sea. Maglor remains forever wandering the shoreline. The 3 Silmarils now have their final resting places - in the sky, in the earth and in the sea.<br><br>The Valar returned to Valinor, and most of the Elves of Beleriand settled in Tol Eressea. They were pardoned by the Valar and forgiven by the Teleri. The Elves of note that remained in Middle-earth were Cirdan, Celebor, Galadriel, Gil-galad. The half-elven also stayed there, though Elrond chose to be with the Elves and Elros chose to be among men. Morgoth is banished beyond the ‘Walls of the World’.
 


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 13:37, 27 August 2018