Chapter 24 - Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath - J.R.R. Tolkien
123The Silmarillion
The History of the Silmarils - Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath
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Following the Fall of Gondolin and the Ruin of Doriath, the last major refuge of the Noldor was at the mouths of the River Sirion, where remnants of both the Noldor and the Sindar were ruled by Eärendil, son of Tuor. He married Elwing, daughter of Dior, and together they had two sons: Elrond and Elros. Elwing had with her the Silmaril taken from Doriath. Eärendil was restless, for he wished to sail west in search of his father and mother, and possibly to find the way to Aman and request the aid of the Valar.
Maedhros had heard of Elwing's survival and dwelling at the mouths of Sirion. Yet feeling guilt from his actions at Doriath, he at first did nothing. But the Oath of Fëanor weighed heavily on him, and soon he could wait no longer. He tried at first to approach in friendship, sending messengers to ask for the return of the Silmaril. Elwing refused them, refusing to give over the Silmaril won through the actions of her grandparents Beren and Lúthien.
Thus was Maedhros compelled to attack the dwellers at Sirion, and this became known as the Third Kinslaying, reputed as the cruelest of all three. Even after some of their own forces fought against them, the Sons of Fëanor triumphed, though Amrod and Amras were slain. But Elwing in desperation threw herself into the sea with the Silmaril. Her sons were taken captive by Maedhros and Maglor, though they were treated well by Maglor owing to his own guilt.
Yet Elwing did not die, for Ulmo himself bore her up out of the water and gave her the likeness of a white bird. Thus she flew across the water and eventually came to Eärendil, falling onto Vingilot in a swoon, yet still bearing the Silmaril. And in the morning, Eärendil saw that the bird was indeed his wife.
Eärendil, despairing for Middle-earth, tried once more to sail west for Aman. Using the Silmaril brought by Elwing, he was able to navigate through the Enchanted Isles and darkness defending the Blessed Realm, until at last, he came to the coasts of Aman. Upon making landfall, Eärendil left his wife and crew behind and made his way through Aman and eventually reached Tirion, which he found empty, for there was a festival going on elsewhere in Valinor.
Eönwë greeted him and bid Eärendil come to the Ring of Doom and make his case before the Powers. He did so, telling the Valar of the travails of Elves and Men and begging their pardon. He was uniquely suited for the task, having a Mannish father and an Elvish mother. The Valar said yes and began to prepare for war.
To Eärendil and Elwing were given the choice to be reckoned as either an Elf or Man, for they were among the Half-elven. If they chose to be reckoned as Elves, then they would gain the immortality of the Eldar, whereas if they chose to be reckoned as Men, they would gain the Gift of Ilúvatar, though they would also have a longer lifespan than other Men. Choosing to be numbered as Elves, Eärendil and Elwing were given immortality, and the same choice would be offered to their descendants. Eärendil himself was taken up into the Void on his ship Vingilot, and the Silmaril was fastened upon his brow. This was a new star set in the heavens: Eärendil, the Morning Star.
The Great War of Wrath is on the horizon. The Edain who survived joined with the host of the West against the forces of Morgoth. Angband was destroyed, and Morgoth was brought before the wrath of the Valar. The remaining two Silmarils were taken from him.
Beleriand itself was destroyed in the chaos. The entire land broke and fell beneath the waves, leaving only the easternmost section and a few islands remaining above the sea. Middle-earth was thus reshaped, with Eriador becoming the new westernmost part of the land.
Eönwë summoned the elves who survived in order that they might leave Middle-earth and return to Aman. Maedhros and Maglor refused the summons, however, and sent messages commanding Eönwë to give them the two Silmarils he guarded. Eönwë said that the Silmarils would return west.
Maglor desired to go west, but Maedhros convinced him otherwise, despairing of ever getting back the Silmarils if they let the Valar have them. Entering the army camp by night, both brothers slew the guards of the Silmarils and stole them, each obtaining one Silmaril a piece. They were discovered, but Eönwë did not allow them to be slain and let them depart.
The Elves were now called to go back to Valinor, and many did. Yet some of the Noldor did not return: Gil-galad became the High King of those who remained in Lindon. Galadriel too went east instead of west with her husband, Celeborn. Elrond remained also, choosing to be numbered among the Elves, but his brother Elros chose to be numbered among Men instead.
Here ends the Quenta Silmarillion.