His Infernal Majesty

Éala Éarendel Engla Beorhtast

Ofer Middangeard Monnum Sended

Eärendil was the son of Tuor son of Huor, of the third house of the Edain, and Idril Celebrindal, daughter of Turgon, the king of Gondolin, and thus was of the blood of both Men and Elves. He was born in Gondolin during its last days of glory, and spent his childhood there, until the treason of Maeglin and Gondolin's fall to Morgoth's war-hosts. After a grueling escape on secret passages through the mountains, the survivors from Gondolin came to Arvernien at the mouth of Sirion, where Eärendil became a friend of Círdan and discovered his love for the sea. In time, Tuor and Idril built the ship Eärrámë and set out to find Valinor and plead the need of the peoples of Beleriand to the Valar, never to return. After their departure, Eärendil became the lord of Arvernien and wed Elwing daughter of Dior, who carried the blood of the Ainur in her veins. Their sons were Elrond and Elros, the pereldar, the brightest of mortals ever to walk upon Arda.

But Eärendil could not find peace on land, and in his ship Vingilotë he travelled across all known seas in the world, searching for his parents, who had set sail for the west, and for Valinor. But winds and mists obscured the blessed lands from his gaze. Then the sons of Fëanor fell upon the survivors in Arvernien, seeking the Silmaril which Elwing had brought with her people, and Elwing threw herself into the sea with the Silmaril, lest it would fall into their hands. But Ulmo raised her from the waters, and she came to Eärendil at sea in the shape of a white bird, Silmaril shining at her chest.

Together they set sail for Aman, finally reaching it. Once at those silent shores, Eärendil chose to face Valar's wrath alone, and set foot upon the undying lands to request their help against Morgoth's hosts, the first of all mortals to do so. A great dispute arose among the Valar at his request, but in the end Manwë decided it be granted, and all beings in Valinor prepared for the final war. Then Valar set Eärendil, his ship, and the Silmaril in the sky as a symbol of hope for the people of Middle-Earth. And great was the fear and confusion of Morgoth as he saw the Silmaril-light shine down from the heavens.

In the war to follow, which is called the War of Wrath, Eärendil fought the great dragon Ancalagon over Angband, and struck him down. The dragon fell upon the summits of Thangorodrim, which broke under his great weight. With that, the forces of the Valar entered Angband and found Morgoth. Once more, he was chained with the great chain Angainor, and brought to the feet of Manwë. And Manwë judged that Morgoth be cast out through the Gates of Night, never to return to Arda. Due to their double nature, Manwë also decided that each of the pereldar would be required to choose their fate; to share the fate of Men, or that of the elves. As he was tired of the world, Eärendil let Elwing decide first, and following her choice shared the fate of the elves, though in his heart he was closer to his father's people. Now that the war is over, Eärendil sails the skies in his ship, the Silmaril shining on his forehead, ever vigilant against the return of Morgoth.

Eärendil possessed the beauty and strength of both Elves and Men. He was smaller than most men, though swift-footed and an able swimmer. He is known as Bright Eärendil, Eärendil the Mariner and Eärendil the Blessed. As a star he is known as Gil-Estel, The Flammifer of Westernesse, Rohinzil, and to later people as Venus, the morning star. He was the star most loved by the Elves, and his light was reputed to have great power. But to himself, he was simply Eärendil Tuorion; Eärendil, the son of Tuor.