Star of Elendil

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Emblem of Arnor with the Star of Elendil

Star of Elendil or Elendilmir was the name given to two noble star-shaped white gems. Both of these gems were set on mithril fillets.[1] Because of its association with Elendil and the royalty of Arnor, it was also referred to as Star of the North Kingdom and Star of the North.

History

The first Elendilmir

The first jewel dated back to the early centuries of Númenor, and belonged to Silmariën, the daughter of King Tar-Elendil. From her, it passed to her descendants the Lords of Andúnië.[1] The last Lord was Amandil, whose son Elendil escaped the Downfall of Númenor and became High King of the Dúnedain in Middle-earth. He wore the Star of Elendil on his brow in place of a crown, as did his son Isildur after him.[2]

Isildur had only been King for two years when he was waylaid by Orcs and lost in the Great River in the Disaster of the Gladden Fields. When he put on the One Ring to escape from the battle he became invisible but the Elendilmir did not, blazing instead like a red and wrathful star. Much later the Elendilmir was found by Saruman's trackers who had been sent to find the One Ring. They did not discover the Ring but they brought to him the Star of Elendil and other things.[1]

The second Elendilmir

The original Elendilmir was lost with Isildur, and so a copy was made by the elven smiths of Rivendell for his son Valandil. This second Star of Elendil became the royal symbol of the North-kingdom along with the Sceptre of Annúminas. After that kingdom's fall it remained an heirloom of the Heirs of Isildur and kept in Rivendell.[2] It remained in Isildur's line down to the time of Aragorn,[1] who wore it during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.[3]

After the War of the Ring, King Elessar ordered the restoration of Orthanc and then the original Elendilmir was found. As Elessar took up the kingship of Arnor he wore the original Elendilmir upon his brow. He would only wear it again on high days, whilst on other occasions he would wear the second Elendilmir that had descended to him.[4][1]

References