Star of Elendil
| Elendilmir | |
|---|---|
| Jewels | |
 | |
| Armor Emblem with the Elendilmir by Rondador | |
| Other names | Star of Elendil, Star of the North, Star of the North Kingdom |
| Location | Andúnië, Rómenna, Anduin, Orthanc, Annúminas, Fornost Minas Tirith |
| Owner | Silmariën, Valandil, Lords of Andúnië, Elendil, Isildur, Saruman, Valandil, Kings of Arnor, Kings of Arthedain, Chieftains of the Dúnedain, Aragorn, Eldarion, High Kings of the Reunited Kingdom |
| Appearance | Two noble star-shaped white gems set upon mithril fillets |
| Creator | Númenóreans and Elves of Rivendell Númenor and Rivendell, Early Second Age and Early Third Age |
The Elendilmir, also known as the Star of Elendil, was the name given to the two star-shaped white gems set upon mithril fillets,[1] The second was borne as the token of royalty on the brows of the Kings of Arnor. As such, the second was known by the names Star of the North and Star of the North Kingdom.
History[edit]
First Elendilmir[edit]
The first jewel dated back to the early centuries of Númenor, and belonged to Silmariën, the daughter of King Tar-Elendil. From her, it passed to her descendants the Lords of Andúnië.[1] Much later, following the same custom of Númenor, the Sceptre was the main symbol of royalty in Arnor, not the crown, so they bore the Elendilmir, bound on their brows with a silver strand.[2]
Isildur had only been King for two years when he was waylaid by Orcs and lost in the Great River in the Disaster of the Gladden Fields. When he put on The One Ring to escape from the battle he became invisible but the Elendilmir did not, blazing instead like a red and wrathful star. Much later the Elendilmir was found by Saruman's trackers who had been sent to find the One Ring. They did not discover the Ring but they brought to him the Elendilmir and other things.[1]
Second Elendilmir[edit]
The original Elendilmir was lost with Isildur, and so a copy was made by the elven smiths of Rivendell for his son Valandil. This second Star of Elendil became the royal symbol of the North-kingdom along with the Sceptre of Annúminas. After that kingdom's fall it remained an heirloom of the Heirs of Isildur and kept in Rivendell.[2] It remained in Isildur's line down to the time of Aragorn,[1] who wore it upon his brow during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.[3] After the Siege of Minas Tirith, Aragorn gave the Star to the keeping of the sons of Elrond before his healing work at the Houses of Healing.[4] He used it again during his coronation, bound with a silver strand.[5]
After the War of the Ring, King Elessar ordered the restoration of Orthanc and then the original Elendilmir was found within a steel closet by Gimli. As Elessar took up the kingship of Arnor he wore the original Elendilmir upon his brow. He would only wear it again on high days, whilst on other occasions he would wear the second Elendilmir that had descended to him.[6][1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", p. 1043
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields", p. 848
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Houses of Healing", p. 861
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King", pp. 966-7
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen", Appendix (ii)
