The Silmarillion

Tuor, son of Huor, was born after the death of his father and fostered by Grey Elves. At 16, he was captured by Orcs and Easterlings. He spends three years as a slave before he escapes and spends his days harassing the Easterlings who captured him. After four years, Ulmo selects Tuor as “the instrument of his designs” (117). He travels to Belegaer the Great Sea and follows seven swans southwards and finds Turgon’s abandoned weapons in Vinyamar. Then, Ulmo appears to Tuor and tells him to go to Gondolin and hands him a magic cloak that will hide him from his enemies.

An Elf from Gondolin named Voronwë has his boat cast ashore and, inspired by Tuor, agrees to lead him to the hidden city. Tuor sneaks in and eventually appears before Turgon. The Elves are impressed by the man inspired by Ulmo, though Tuor warns them to leave the city and go to Sirion. After much deliberation, Turgon ignores the advice. However, he blocks the entrance to Gondolin and hears his news from the Eagles. Tuor remains in Gondolin for years and marries Turgon’s daughter, Idril Celebrindal. They have a son named Eärendil Halfelven.

While Melkor searches for the city, Idril has a secret exit built. Maeglin, son of Eöl, still lives in Gondolin and he defies Turgon’s orders and sneaks out of the city. He is captured by Orcs and reveals its location. Melkor sends a massive army and launches an unexpected attack. Most of the Elves are killed; Tuor kills Maeglin and escapes with Idril and Eärendil, leading as many survivors as they can along Idril’s secret passage. Their escape through the mountains is fraught with danger, including an Orc ambush and a battle with a Balrog, though they are saved by the Eagles.

Tuor leads the survivors to Sirion. They meet up with other survivors from Doriath, led by Elwing, Dior’s daughter. Melkor believes he has won, ignoring the Elves who have survived the falls of Gondolin and Doriath, who now live in Sirion and build ships. Tuor builds a ship and sets sail with Idril. They vanish, though legend says that he is the only human who ever joined the Elves in Valinor. 

After Tuor’s departure, Eärendil becomes lord of the Elves on the shores of Sirion. He marries Elwing and has two sons, Elrond and Elros. He wants to find his mother and father and to find the Valar and tell them of what has happened in Middle-earth. He tries and fails at both. Maedhros learns that Eärendil is alive and has a Silmaril. He and his brothers send letters asking for the return of the Silmaril. When they are refused, the sons of Fëanor attack the Elves on the shores of Sirion. After the battle, Maedhros and Maglor are the last remaining sons of Fëanor. Elros and Elrond are captured, but Elwing (with the Silmaril) “cast herself into the sea” (121), though Ulmo changes her into a great white bird with the Silmaril on her breast. She flies to Eärendil and finds his ship, changing back into her normal shape.

Eärendil sees “no hope left in the lands of Middle-earth” (121) and, with the power of the Silmaril, he can find Valinor. Eärendil and Elwing are welcomed into the house of Manwë, where he asks for pity for the Noldor. Manwë accepts his request, but makes Eärendil and Elwing choose between accepting their fate as Elves or as Men; they choose Elves. Their boat is turned into a new star, and they must remain in Valinor for the rest of time. Maedhros and Maglor notice the new star and understand that it is a Silmaril.

The Valar prepare for battle, along with many of the Elves who live with them in Valinor. They clash against Melkor’s forces in the Great Battle (also known as the War of Wrath). Most of the Balrogs and dragons are killed; many Orcs die; Men are split between the sides, with many fighting for Melkor. The dungeons of Angband are destroyed, forcing Melkor into the deepest of his mines where he begs for mercy; he is imprisoned and the final two Silmarils are taken from him by Eönwë.

The demise of Melkor’s kingdom brings a huge change to Middle-earth. Rivers, mountains, and countryside all change. Maedhros and Maglor reluctantly demand the Silmarils, but Eönwë refuses and tells the last sons of Fëanor that the Silmarils must go to Valinor, as do Maedhros and Maglor. They object and steal the Silmarils. When they escape, they take one each. Neither can hold on to their Silmaril; Maedhros throws himself and the Silmaril into a “gaping chasm filled with fire” (125), while Maglor throws his into the sea and wanders the shore forever.

Many of the Elves set sail for Valinor though some remain in Middle-earth. Melkor is banished “beyond the Walls of the World, into the Timeless Void” (125), and so, “here ends the Silmarillion” (126).