1. Overview
Eärendil the Mariner and his wife Elwing are pivotal figures in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, particularly elaborated in The Silmarillion. They are renowned as Half-elven, inheriting the dual heritage of Men and Elves. Eärendil is celebrated for his courageous voyage to Valinor, where he successfully pleaded with the Valar for aid against the Dark Lord Morgoth, a critical moment that highlights themes of hope and inter-racial cooperation. Elwing, guardian of a sacred Silmaril, endured great trials before her miraculous reunion with Eärendil.
Their unique status as Half-elven allowed them, and their sons Elrond and Elros, to make a momentous choice regarding their destiny: to be counted among Elves and share their immortality, or among Men and embrace mortality. This choice underscores the continuity of life and destiny, as their descendants, through Elros, became the royal line of Númenor and later the kings of Arnor and Gondor, directly impacting the fate of Middle-earth in later ages. Eärendil's ultimate transformation into the Morning Star, carrying the Silmaril across the sky, symbolizes a lasting beacon of light and hope, a theme reinforced by the concept of "splintered light" throughout Tolkien's mythology. Their story, rich in philological and mythological inspirations, explores fundamental aspects of heroism, sacrifice, and the intertwining fates of different races.
2. Etymology
The name Eärendil originates from Tolkien's invented language of Quenya, meaning 'Lover of the Sea'. However, its roots extend to Old English literature, notably the line "Eala Earendel, engla beorhtastEnglish, Old" ('Hail, Earendel, brightest of angels') from the poem Crist I. Tolkien found the name Ēarendel profoundly beautiful around 1913, perceiving it as harmonious within the normal style of Anglo-Saxon, yet uniquely euphonious. He stated that the Old English uses of ēarendel consistently indicated a star presaging the dawn, specifically Venus as the morning star, shining brightly before sunrise. This interpretation directly influenced his creation of Eärendil as a mariner and herald star. Tolkien initially spelled the name as "Eärendel" before modifying it to "Eärendil".
The name Elwing is derived from the Elvish language Sindarin, meaning "Star-spray." This name connects her to the celestial light that she ultimately becomes part of, carrying the Silmaril.
3. Fictional History
Eärendil and Elwing's lives are deeply intertwined with the major conflicts and transformations of the First Age of Middle-earth, culminating in their pivotal roles that shaped the destiny of both Elves and Men.
3.1. Background and Parentage
The First Age of Middle-earth was dominated by the conflict between the free peoples (Elves and later Men) and the Dark Lord Morgoth. Central to this conflict were the three Silmarils, brilliant jewels forged by Fëanor, a skilled Elf of the Noldor. Morgoth stole these Silmarils, embedding them in his crown, which fueled a long war.
Eärendil was of Half-elven descent, born from the union of Tuor, a Man, and Idril, an Elf and daughter of Turgon, King of the hidden Elvish city of Gondolin. Elwing was also Half-elven, the daughter of Dior (himself Half-elven, son of Beren and Lúthien) and the Sindar elf-maid Nimloth. Her paternal grandparents were the legendary hero Beren (Man) and the Elf-maiden Lúthien (daughter of Thingol and Melian the Maia). Through these unions, Eärendil and Elwing were destined to become the ancestors of the Númenorean and later the Dúnedain royal bloodlines. They had two sons, Elrond and Elros.
3.2. Early Life and Trials
Eärendil spent his early childhood in the concealed city of Gondolin. When he was seven years old, Gondolin was betrayed to Morgoth by his mother Idril's treacherous cousin, Maeglin. Eärendil, along with his parents, narrowly escaped the sacking of Gondolin. His father, Tuor, saved him by slaying Maeglin during the escape. Following the fall, Eärendil and his parents settled in Arvernien, by the mouth of the Sirion, a refuge for many survivors.
Elwing, orphaned after her parents' death, came into possession of the Silmaril that Beren had previously wrested from Morgoth. She became the guardian of this sacred jewel. As an adult, Eärendil became a leader among the people of Arvernien and married Elwing, uniting their significant lineages.
Their peace was shattered when the remaining Sons of Fëanor, driven by their oath to reclaim the Silmarils, attacked the Havens of Sirion. In a desperate attempt to protect the Silmaril from capture, Elwing cast herself into the sea with it. However, the Vala Ulmo, Lord of Waters, miraculously bore her up from the waves and gave her the likeness of a great white bird. With the Silmaril shining like a star upon her breast, she flew across the water in search of Eärendil, who had been on his voyages. Eärendil, at the helm of his ship Vingilótë one night, saw her approaching as a swift white cloud, a star moving strangely over the sea. She fell from the air onto his ship, near death from the speed of her flight, and he took her into his bosom. By morning, she had regained her own form, and he found her sleeping beside him.
Hearing of the tragedy that had befalle Arvernien, Eärendil then sought after the home of the godlike and immortal Valar, Valinor, aboard the Vingilot, and he and Elwing found their way there at last. Eärendil thus became the first of all mortals to set foot on Valinor. Eärendil then went before the Valar, and asked them for aid for Men and Elves in Middle-earth, to fight against Morgoth; the Valar accepted his plea.
3.3. Choice of Fate
Due to their unique heritage as Half-elven, descending from both Elves and Men, the Valar, specifically Manwë, King of the Valar, granted Eärendil, Elwing, and their two sons, Elrond and Elros, a singular gift: the choice to determine their own fate, whether to be counted among the immortal Elves or the mortal Men. This decision highlighted their crucial role in bridging the two races.
Elwing chose to be one of the Elves, embracing immortality. Eärendil, though he would have preferred to be counted among Men, chose the path of the Elves for the sake of his beloved wife. Their son Elrond also chose elvish immortality, becoming known as Half-elven and playing a significant role in the Third Age, particularly in the War of the Ring. In contrast, Elros chose mortality, the gift of Men, establishing the line of the Kings of Númenor. This choice was critical, as it founded the royal lineage that would eventually lead to Aragorn, a key figure in the War of the Ring.
3.4. Role in the War of Wrath
Following Eärendil's successful plea, the Valar, led by Eönwë, their herald, mustered a great host and marched into the north of Middle-earth, launching the devastating War of Wrath against Morgoth. In this cataclysmic final battle, Morgoth unleashed his ultimate weapon: a fleet of winged dragons, which initially drove back the forces of the Valar.
At this critical juncture, Eärendil, aboard his ship Vingilótë (now transformed into a flying vessel), attacked the dragons. Accompanied by Thorondor and the Great Eagles, Eärendil engaged in a fierce aerial combat. He personally slew Ancalagon the Black, the mightiest of all dragons. Ancalagon's colossal body fell upon Thangorodrim, Morgoth's volcanic peaks, shattering their towers. This decisive victory turned the tide of the war, leading to the destruction of the dragons and the pits of Angband, Morgoth's fortress. Morgoth was captured, and the two remaining Silmarils were taken from his crown, finally bringing an end to his dominion in Middle-earth.
3.5. Ascension as the Morning Star
After the War of Wrath, Eärendil and his ship Vingilótë were set in the heavens. With the Silmaril fixed upon his brow, he became the brightest star, sailing "even into the starless voids" but returning at sunrise or sunset to gleam in the sky as the Morning Star. His perpetual voyage is a symbol of enduring hope and the divine light made visible. Elwing, who had chosen the fate of the Elves, was not left behind. She was granted a white tower to dwell in, a place of peace from which she could observe Eärendil's celestial journeys.
3.6. Legacy through Elros and the Human Royal Line
Elros, having chosen the path of mortal Men, became the founder of the line of the Kings of Númenor. He led the Edain (faithful Men) to the great island of Númenor, granted to them by the Valar as a reward for their allegiance in the wars against Morgoth. Elros became the first king of Númenor, taking the throne name Tar-Minyatur (Quenya for "First King"). His reign was extraordinarily long, lasting for 500 years, far exceeding the lifespan of normal Men, a blessing granted to him and his immediate successors due to his unique heritage.
Elros's descendants continued the royal line in Númenor. Though the kingdom of Númenor ultimately fell in the Second Age, Elros's lineage survived. His descendants returned to Middle-earth, establishing the northern kingdom of Arnor and the southern kingdom of Gondor. The kings of these realms, including Elendil, Isildur, Anárion, and later Aragorn (a direct descendant of Elros), continued the royal heritage, playing crucial roles in the history of Middle-earth up to the Third Age. Elros's choice of mortality thus ensured the continuation of a noble human kingship and leadership throughout Middle-earth's later ages.
3.7. Reunification of the Half-elven Line
The split destinies of Eärendil and Elwing's sons, Elrond (who chose to be an Elf) and Elros (who chose to be a Man), represented a fundamental divergence in the Half-elven lineage. However, many millennia later, their lines were symbolically reunited through the marriage of Aragorn and Arwen. Aragorn, a descendant of Elros and the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor and Arnor, married Arwen, the daughter of Elrond. This union, occurring at the end of the Third Age, brought the two branches of the Half-elven family back together, bridging the paths of Elves and Men once more and signifying a new era of peace and integration in Middle-earth. Arwen, like her ancestors, chose a mortal life for the sake of her love for Aragorn, embracing the destiny of Men after their marriage.
4. Concept and Creation
J.R.R. Tolkien's creation of Eärendil and Elwing was a foundational element of his mythology, drawing heavily on his philological interests and broader mythological inspirations, while weaving in profound thematic developments.
4.1. Origins in Tolkien's Mythology
The character of Eärendil was, in a very real sense, the genesis of Tolkien's entire mythology. In 1914, Tolkien, a scholar of Old English, was deeply inspired by a line from the Old English poem Crist I: "Eala Earendel, engla beorhtast / ofer middangeard monnum sendedEnglish, Old" ('Hail, Earendel, brightest of angels, over Middle-earth to men sent'). This single line sparked his imagination, leading him to write a poem titled The Voyage of Earendel the Evening Star.
This early inspiration was crucial as Tolkien subsequently developed the constructed language known as Quenya while studying at Oxford University. By 1915, he conceived the idea that this language required an internal history and a people to speak it, specifically Elves whom his mariner character Eärendil would encounter during his journeys. The next significant step was the composition of the Lay of Earendel, a series of poems detailing Eärendil's voyages and the transformation of his ship into a star. It was in this cycle that the mysterious land of Valinor and its Two Trees, shining with gold and silver light, were first described, marking the true beginning of the world that would become Middle-earth.
Tolkien was aware of the name's Germanic cognates, such as Old Norse Aurvandill and Lombardic Auriwandalo, alluding to these connections in The Notion Club Papers. The consistent astronomical references in these Germanic forms, referring to a star or group of stars, particularly the morning star as a herald of dawn (which was Christianized to refer to John the Baptist), reinforced his interpretation. In a 1967 letter, Tolkien explicitly stated that the Old English uses of ēarendel "seem plainly to indicate that it was a star presaging the dawn... that is what we now call Venus: the morning star as it may be seen shining brilliantly in the dawn, before the actual rising of the sun. That is at any rate how I took it [when creating Eärendil as a mariner and "a herald star"]." This linguistic and mythological inspiration also provided the foundation for the term Middle-earth itself, a direct translation of the Old English Middangeard, describing the habitable lands. Medievalists Stuart D. Lee and Elizabeth Solopova have affirmed that Crist A was "the catalyst for Tolkien's mythology."
4.2. Thematic Development: Splintered Light
The concept of "splintered light," as explored by Tolkien scholar Verlyn Flieger in her book Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien's World, is a fundamental thematic thread throughout Tolkien's writing. This theme illustrates the progressive fragmentation of divine light from the very moment of creation, symbolizing both divine creativity and the author's act of subcreation.
The journey of light in The Silmarillion begins as a unity. It is progressively divided as the myth unfolds. Initially, Middle-earth is illuminated by two enormous lamps, Illuin and Ormal, set atop tall pillars by the Valar. When these are destroyed by the fallen Vala Melkor (Morgoth's original name), the world is fragmented, and the Valar retreat to Valinor. Valinor is then lit by the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin, leaving Middle-earth in darkness.
The light's fragmentation continues when the Two Trees are also destroyed by Melkor and the giant spider Ungoliant. Their last remaining fragment of light is captured and crafted into the three Silmarils by Fëanor. A sapling from the Two Trees is also saved, eventually growing into the White Tree of Númenor, which becomes a living symbol for the later Kingdom of Gondor. Wars are fought over the Silmarils, leading to their being lost to the Earth, the Sea, and the Sky.
The last of these Silmarils, carried by Eärendil the Mariner, becomes the Morning Star as he sails across the sky in his shining ship Vingilot. By the time of The Lord of the Rings in the Third Age, Eärendil's star is the last remaining tangible vestige of that primordial light. Some of its light is later captured in Galadriel's Mirror, a magical fountain that grants glimpses of past, present, and future. Finally, a portion of this light is encapsulated in the Phial of Galadriel, her parting gift to Frodo Baggins. This Phial serves as a counterbalance to Sauron's malevolent Ring, which Frodo also carries. At each successive stage, the light becomes more fragmented and its power diminishes, yet it persists as a symbol of good. Thus, the theme of light as Divine power, fragmented and refracted through the creations of beings, remains central to the entire mythology.
The process of the splintering of created light can be charted across the ages:
| Age | Splintering of the Created Light |
|---|---|
| Years of the Lamps | Two enormous lamps, Illuin and Ormal, atop tall pillars, give light to Middle-earth, but Melkor destroys them. |
| Years of the Trees | The lamps are replaced by the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin, lighting the blessed realm of Valinor for the Elves, leaving Middle-earth in darkness. |
| Fëanor crafts 3 Silmarils with light of the two Trees. | |
| Melkor and the giant spider Ungoliant kill the Two Trees; their light survives only in the Silmarils. | |
| First Age | There is war over the Silmarils. |
| One is buried in the Earth, one is lost in the Sea, one sails in the Sky as Eärendil's Star, carried in his ship Vingilot. | |
| Third Age | Galadriel collects light of Eärendil's Star reflected in her fountain mirror. |
| A little of that light is captured in the Phial of Galadriel. | |
| The Hobbits Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee use the Phial to defeat the giant spider Shelob. |
4.3. Connections to Other Mythologies and Folklore
Eärendil's legend incorporates elements from various other mythologies and folklore traditions. Tolkien scholar Tibor Tarcsay notes that Eärendil draws inspiration not only from Old English but also from broader Indo-European and universal myths. The folklore figure Wade, who possessed power over the sea and superhuman strength, is a notable parallel. Many mythical Indo-European figures share Eärendil's association with water, a boat or horse, and the role of a herald or star, such as Surya, the sun-god of the Vedas, or Apollo with his horse-drawn chariot pulling the sun across the sky.
The name of Eärendil's ship, Vingilótë, has a literary echo in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Merchant's Tale, where Vingilot is the name of Wade's ship. Furthermore, Wade himself is mentioned in the Old English poem Widsith, and Sir Gawain's horse in Arthurian legend, Gryngolet, has a name similar to Vingilot. Tolkien himself noted the matching boat-names and affirmed that the link between Wade and Tuor (Eärendil's father) was intentional, explicitly writing "Wade = Earendel" in Parma Eldalamberon 15.
Elements of Tolkien's Eärendil legend also resemble aspects of the Welsh collection of tales, the Mabinogion, and the Christian legend of St. Brendan the Navigator, who undertook epic sea voyages to distant, mythical lands.
4.4. Character Archetypes: The Long-Suffering Woman
Elwing's character, particularly her steadfastness and patience, aligns with the literary motif of the "long-suffering woman." Her role involves staying at home while her husband, Eärendil, embarks on extensive and perilous voyages across the ocean.
The unique choice of fate offered by the Valar to Eärendil and Elwing, which ultimately led to both of them choosing to become immortal Elves, provided a significant resolution for Tolkien within his narrative. As Half-elven, neither Eärendil nor Elwing would have ordinarily been permitted to enter Valinor, nor was their ultimate destiny clear, given that in Tolkien's legendarium, Men are mortal while Elves are tied to the world's existence until its end. This divine intervention resolved several complex plot points.
The metamorphosis of the couple's existence continues with Eärendil's ship being transformed into a flying vessel, allowing him to continue his journeys in the sky rather than merely at sea. Elwing, in turn, remains in Valinor, where she is granted a white tower to dwell in, maintaining her connection to the celestial realm while Eärendil sails the heavens.
5. Song of Eärendil
The longest poem found within The Lord of the Rings is the Song of Eärendil, which Bilbo sings, and is supposedly composed by him, in Rivendell. This poem possesses an exceptionally intricate literary history, evolving through numerous versions from Tolkien's earlier, more light-hearted poem titled "Errantry".
Literary critic Tom Shippey characterizes the Song of Eärendil as demonstrating "an elvish streak... signalled... by barely-precedented intricacies" of poetry. He suggests that this stylistic complexity is derived from the Middle English poem Pearl, known for its sophisticated use of imagery and allegorical structure. The song has been recorded by The Tolkien Ensemble and featured on their 2005 CD, Leaving Rivendell.
6. Family Tree
The Half-elven family tree illustrates the intricate interconnections between the races of Elves and Men, tracing the lineages that converge in Eärendil and Elwing, and subsequently diverge into the distinct fates of their sons, Elrond and Elros, impacting the royal lines of Númenor, Arnor, and Gondor.
The tree begins with the unions of the fundamental Elvish and Human houses. On the Elvish side, Finwë of the Noldor married Indis of the Vanyar, and separately, Olwë of the Teleri fathered a line that included Thingol, who married Melian the Maia. On the Human side, the Houses of Bëor, Haleth, and Hador are prominent, with figures like Barahir and Hareth.
Lúthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian (Half-maia, Half-elf), married the mortal Man Beren, forming the first union of Elf and Man. Their son, Dior, inherited a Silmaril. Dior married Nimloth, an Elf, and their daughter was Elwing.
Meanwhile, Huor (from the House of Hador) married Rían. Their son, Tuor, a Man, became intertwined with the Elvish royal line through his marriage to Idril, daughter of Turgon (son of Fingolfin, from the line of Finwë).
Eärendil was born from the union of Tuor (Man) and Idril (Elf), inheriting the Half-elven heritage. Eärendil then married Elwing, daughter of Dior and Nimloth, further concentrating the Half-elven bloodline.
Eärendil and Elwing had two sons, Elrond and Elros.
- Elrond** chose the fate of the Elves, becoming an immortal, prominent in the Third Age as the Lord of Rivendell. He married Celebrían, daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn, and their children were the twins Elladan and Elrohir, and their daughter Arwen. Elrond and his children, being Half-elven, were also presented with the choice of their destiny. Elladan and Elrohir chose to be Elves, while Arwen ultimately chose mortality for love of Aragorn.
- Elros** chose the fate of mortal Men. He became the first King of Númenor, taking the name Tar-Minyatur. He had a significantly longer lifespan than other Men. His descendants formed the Kings of Númenor, a line that included twenty-two kings and later the Lords of Andúnië. When Númenor fell, the line was preserved by Elendil, a descendant of Elros through the Lords of Andúnië.
Elendil had two sons, Isildur and Anárion.
- Isildur** founded the Kingdom of Arnor in the North, and his descendants continued as Kings of Arnor and Arthedain, and later as the Chieftains of the Dúnedain. This line eventually led to Aragorn.
- Anárion** founded the Kingdom of Gondor in the South, and his descendants became the Kings of Gondor.
The two separated branches of the Half-elven line were symbolically reunited with the marriage of Aragorn (a direct descendant of Elros through Isildur) and Arwen (daughter of Elrond). Their son, Eldarion, became the first King of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor, and they also had several daughters, ensuring the continuity of this unique heritage.
The various lineages can be categorized by fate:
- Elves**: These include figures such as Finwë, Indis, Olwë, Thingol, Fingolfin, Turgon, Elenwë, Nimloth, Galadriel, and Celeborn.
- Men**: This category includes figures from the Houses of Hador, Haleth, Bëor, Barahir, Huor, Beren, Tuor, the Kings of Númenor, Lords of Andúnië, Amandil, Elendil, Isildur, Anárion, Kings of Arnor and Arthedain, Kings of Gondor, Arvedui, Fíriel, Dúnedain Chieftains, Aragorn, Eldarion, and his daughters.
- Maiar**: Represented by Melian.
- Half-elven**: This category includes figures of mixed heritage.
- Half-elven who chose the fate of Elves**: Such as Elwing, Eärendil, and Elrond.
- Half-elven who chose the fate of mortal Men**: Such as Elros and Arwen.