Breakdown: what matters and what's interesting

The climax of “The Silmarillion.” Eärendil the Mariner, son of Tuor and Idril, lives with his wife Elwing (granddaughter of Beren and Lúthien) at the haven by the Mouths of Sirion, among the last refugees of Beleriand. Elwing has the Silmaril of Doriath. The third Kinslaying. Fëanor's surviving sons, Maedhros and Maglor, demand the stone under their Oath and attack the haven; many Elves die. Elwing leaps into the sea with the Silmaril, but Ulmo turns her into a white bird, and she flies to Eärendil. The voyage West. The Silmaril on his brow lighting the way, Eärendil sails Vingilot to Aman, forbidden to mortals and exiled Noldor, and begs the Valar for mercy on Elves and Men. His plea is heard; with his ship and the jewel he is set in the sky as a star (the planet Venus, “Gil-Estel,” the Star of Hope). The War of Wrath. Valinor's host under Eönwë comes to Middle-earth: the Vanyar and faithful Noldor fight; the Teleri give ships but not warriors. Nearly all the dragons die (winged Ancalagon smashes Thangorodrim as he falls), and Beleriand sinks. Morgoth is bound with the chain Angainor and thrust through the Door of Night into the Void. The last two Silmarils burn the hands of Maedhros and Maglor, now unworthy: Maedhros leaps with his into a fiery chasm; Maglor casts his into the sea.

Salvation comes from outside. The book's central idea: Morgoth cannot be defeated by the strength of Middle-earth (the Nirnaeth proved it). What is needed is a mediator, Eärendil the Half-elven, in whom both kindreds are joined, and a humble plea rather than force. This is the motif of mercy and intercession. Three Silmarils to three elements. The ending is almost liturgical: one jewel goes into the sky (with Eärendil as a star), one into the depths of the earth (with Maedhros, into the fire), one into the sea (with Maglor). The holy things leave a world with no more room for their purity. The Oath of Fëanor is fulfilled and has turned to dust: it brought only blood and did not return the jewels to his house. Names. “Eärendil” means “Lover of the Sea” (in Quenya). “Gil-Estel” means “the Star of High Hope.” Tolkien traced the very beginning of the legendarium to this image (an Old English line about Éarendel, herald of the dawn, inspired it all). A thread to “The Lord of the Rings.” The light of this star is the very light in the Phial of Galadriel that Frodo carries into Mordor: the light of Eärendil, the star the Elves love most. So the First Age reaches out its hand to the Third. Ancalagon the Black is the greatest dragon of the legendarium; his fall is cited as a measure of destructive might.