Silmarillion Blues : Quenta Silmarillion : XIV. Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath
In this final chapter of Quenta Silmarilion, I would like to propose we rename (or subtitle) the "Quenta Silmarillion" to "Fëanor & Sons ruin everything."
When Tuor and Idril sailed West they left behind their son Eärendil, who likewise heard the call of the sea. We also know of Eärendil to some extent because of one of his sons, the so called "Half-elven" Elrond. I'm not sure how being born of a half-elf father and an elven mother makes him a half-elf, but so be it. So with the aid of Círdan the Shipwright, Eärendil built a shift and explored the sea, leaving his wife behind.
Guess what comes next!
If you guessed Fëanor's sons ruin everything, you are correct! They go storm the castle, slaughtering the defenders and ruining Sirion. Elrond and Eros are taken captive, but Elwing is rescued by Ulmo... yet again demonstrating that no one ever listens to the powerful figures they should. Elwing, in the shape of a bird, reaches her husband, and in grief they sail towards Valinor with the Silmaril still in their posession, now worn upon Eärendil's brow. On reaching the shores of Valinor, Eärendil tells all that journeyed with him, his wife and three Mariners, to stay on the boat so that if any punishment should come for this trespass, that he alone should bear the brunt.
Eärendil and Elwing were fortunate, as both were held culpable. Eärendil they had to decide how to judge based on his heritage, but in the end they granted them life but to never return to the Outer Lands. From then Eärendil continued to journey, but sail beyond Middle Earth into the starless voids. Elwing went not on these journeys, but instead lived in a tower where she learned the languages of birds, and flies in the shape of one to greet her husband as he sails home.
With a Silmaril shining from the sea and from the shores of Valinor, the Valar prepared for battle. The hosts that clashed consumed the whole of northern Middle Earth with their battle. The Balrogs were struck down, legion of Orcs perished. Elves do not forget that even though Men fought on their side, many more fought for the Enemy. Eärendil in his exalted ship struck down the greatest of the dragons. With the defenses broken, the Valar descended into Morgoth's realm, binding him and taking back the two Silmarils from his crown.
And Fëanor's sons stay true to their oath and ask for the Silmarils. Maglor is willing to return to Valinor for judgement of his deeds, but Madehros argues against that. They acquiese only to plot to steal the Silmarils back... and when they do the stones burn them. Madehros casts himself into a chasm of fire with the Silmaril in hand, while Maglor tosses his into the sea. The host returns triumphant but diminished in the face of the loss of the Silmarils. Many Elves now returned to Valinor, but some remained, having grown fond of the lands where they had long toiled and dwelt. Elrond chose to be counted among the Eldar, but his brother chose to be counted among the Men.
As for Morgoth, he was "thrust through the Door of Night beyond the Walls of the World, into the Timeless void." This door is guarded, but the seeds Morgoth spread among the peoples of Middle Earth still endure.
When Tuor and Idril sailed West they left behind their son Eärendil, who likewise heard the call of the sea. We also know of Eärendil to some extent because of one of his sons, the so called "Half-elven" Elrond. I'm not sure how being born of a half-elf father and an elven mother makes him a half-elf, but so be it. So with the aid of Círdan the Shipwright, Eärendil built a shift and explored the sea, leaving his wife behind.
Guess what comes next!
If you guessed Fëanor's sons ruin everything, you are correct! They go storm the castle, slaughtering the defenders and ruining Sirion. Elrond and Eros are taken captive, but Elwing is rescued by Ulmo... yet again demonstrating that no one ever listens to the powerful figures they should. Elwing, in the shape of a bird, reaches her husband, and in grief they sail towards Valinor with the Silmaril still in their posession, now worn upon Eärendil's brow. On reaching the shores of Valinor, Eärendil tells all that journeyed with him, his wife and three Mariners, to stay on the boat so that if any punishment should come for this trespass, that he alone should bear the brunt.
Eärendil and Elwing were fortunate, as both were held culpable. Eärendil they had to decide how to judge based on his heritage, but in the end they granted them life but to never return to the Outer Lands. From then Eärendil continued to journey, but sail beyond Middle Earth into the starless voids. Elwing went not on these journeys, but instead lived in a tower where she learned the languages of birds, and flies in the shape of one to greet her husband as he sails home.
With a Silmaril shining from the sea and from the shores of Valinor, the Valar prepared for battle. The hosts that clashed consumed the whole of northern Middle Earth with their battle. The Balrogs were struck down, legion of Orcs perished. Elves do not forget that even though Men fought on their side, many more fought for the Enemy. Eärendil in his exalted ship struck down the greatest of the dragons. With the defenses broken, the Valar descended into Morgoth's realm, binding him and taking back the two Silmarils from his crown.
And Fëanor's sons stay true to their oath and ask for the Silmarils. Maglor is willing to return to Valinor for judgement of his deeds, but Madehros argues against that. They acquiese only to plot to steal the Silmarils back... and when they do the stones burn them. Madehros casts himself into a chasm of fire with the Silmaril in hand, while Maglor tosses his into the sea. The host returns triumphant but diminished in the face of the loss of the Silmarils. Many Elves now returned to Valinor, but some remained, having grown fond of the lands where they had long toiled and dwelt. Elrond chose to be counted among the Eldar, but his brother chose to be counted among the Men.
As for Morgoth, he was "thrust through the Door of Night beyond the Walls of the World, into the Timeless void." This door is guarded, but the seeds Morgoth spread among the peoples of Middle Earth still endure.
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