Silmarils

2012-04-15T20:15:39Z

86.57.252.205: /* Etymology */

{{objects
| image=[[Image:Marco_-_The_Silmarils.jpg|250px]]
| name=Silmarils
| othernames=The Jewels
| derivation=
| location=[[Formenos]], [[Angband]], various
| ownedby=[[Fëanor]], [[Morgoth]], various
| maker=[[Fëanor]]
| appearance=Hard, bright crystals that glow
| references=''[[The Silmarillion]]''
|}}
The '''Silmarils''' ([[Quenya]] '''''Silmarilli''''') were three gems of immense might and beauty.
==History==
The Silmarils were created by [[Fëanor]] while the [[Eldar]] were still in [[Valinor]]. The gems were named for and crafted of the hard crystalline substance ''[[silima]],'' and contained some of the light from the [[Two Trees]] of Valinor. After Fëanor was exiled to Formenos, the Silmarils were stored in a chamber of iron.

Together with [[Ungoliant]], [[Morgoth|Melkor]] destroyed the Two Trees. The Silmarils now contained all the remaining light of the Two Trees. Therefore the [[Valar]] entreated Fëanor to give up the Silmarils so they could restore the Trees, but he refused. Then news came: Melkor had killed Fëanor's father [[Finwë]], the High King of the [[Noldor|Ñoldor]], and stolen all the gems, including the Silmarils. After this deed Melkor fled to the northlands of Middle-earth, where his ancient fortresses were. Melkor, now named [[Morgoth|''Morgoth'']] by Fëanor, set the Silmarils in his crown.

Fëanor was furious at Melkor and at the Valar's perceived desire to take the gems for their own purposes, and, swearing that he and his sons would not rest until the Silmarils were recovered, he led the Ñoldor back to Middle-earth. His flight, which began the [[First Age]] of Middle-earth, led to no end of grief for the Elves and eventually for the [[Men]] of Middle-earth. Five major battles were fought in [[Beleriand]], but ultimately the Ñoldor failed.

One of the Silmarils was recovered by [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] through great peril and loss. This gem was stored inside the dwarven pendant [[Nauglamir]] by order of [[Thingol]], and some time later it was taken by [[Eärendil]] to the Valar in the West as a token of repentance. The Valar then set this Silmaril as a star. The other two gems remained in Morgoth's hands, and were taken from him only at the end of the [[War of Wrath]]. However, soon afterwards, they were stolen by Fëanor's two surviving sons [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]]. The jewels burned their hands, in refusal of their rights of possession, as they had burned Morgoth's hands many years before. In agony, Maedhros threw himself and his Silmaril into a fiery pit, and Maglor threw his into the sea. Thus the Silmarils remained in all three elements of Arda -- in the sky, soil and water.

In most versions of the texts, following Melkor's final return and defeat in the [[Final Battle|Dagor Dagorath]] (Battle of Battles), the world will be changed and the Three Silmarils will be recovered by the Valar, and [[Yavanna]] will break them and with their light she will revive the [[Two Trees]], the [[Pelóri|Pelóri Mountains]] will be flattened and the light of the Two Trees will fill Arda again in a new age of eternal bliss.

==Etymology==

''Silmarils'' is a derivation of [[Quenya]] ''Silmarille'' (cf. ''[[silima]]'').{{fact}}

==Names==

In the [[The Etymologies|''Etymologies'']] appears the [[Noldorin]] name '''''Silevril''''', being related to [[Quenya]] ''Silmaril''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, pp. 383 (entry [[RIL]]), 385 (entry [[SIL]])</ref> [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] appears to have retained the Noldorin form in [[Sindarin]], since the name ''Pennas Silevril'' (apparently the Sindarin translation of Quenya ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'')<ref>[[Helge Fauskanger]], [http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/sindarin.htm Sindarin, the Noble Tongue: Sindarin Plural Patterns] at [[Ardalambion]] (accessed 10 July 2011)</ref> is used in later manuscripts.<ref>{{MR|P3II1}}, p. 200</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Silmarils|Images of Silmarils]]
*[[Quest for the Silmaril]]
*''[[The Silmarillion]]''
*[[Nauglamir]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Rings and Jewels]]
[[de:Silmaril]]
[[fi:Silmarilit]]

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Silmarils