The Elessar

[Lithian Naurwen]

To clarify, this is about the elf-stone, not Aragorn II.

In Unfinished Tales, it says the original Elessar was created by a smith in Gondolin named Enerdhil. He loved all green things that grew, and (in the words of Tolkien) "his greatest joy was to see the sunlight though the leaves of the trees." So he made a gem that had the clear light of the sun imprisoned in it, but it was a green as the leaves. It had miraculous healing powers also. Now Idril bound it on her breast and took it with her at the falling of Gondolin. Then she gave it to Earendil who bound it on his breast and ore it everywhere he went, so as a result, he took it with him when he went to Valinor. Now it says that Olorin (none other than Gandalf!) took it with him when he came to Middle-Earth, and passed it into Galadriel's keeping. Then Galadriel gave it to Aragorn. Now another version says that Celebrimbor, out of his love for Galadriel, wrought her an Elessar, except that its power was less, because the Sun was older that it was in Gondolin's time. Then he set it in a brooch in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. Now I always liked to think that Aragorn received the Elessar of Enerdhil, but evidence says that he got the Celebrimbor created. What do you think?  

[Edhellos]

Well, I like the version where Celebrimbor forged it for Galadriel, because I think that story is very sad and romantic 3nodding

There are of course, difficulties with the Celebrimbor option, in one of the versions I think Tolkien tried to make Celebrimbor a kinsman of Daeron rather than a Feanorian. Personally, I prefer him as a Feanorian heart  

[Wayfaring Stranger]

I'd like to think that Aragorn received the more powerful one. I think it would be much more dramatic and symbolic if he recieved the Elessar that was passed down through so many powerful hands. I don't have any evidence for you, though.  

[Zurgi]

I tend to follow the story with Aragorn recieving the one that had been made by Celebrimbor and given to Galadriel.

Of course, I tend to believe what's written in the Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales over something that contradicts that in the History of Middle Earth.  

[Boolean Julian]

Most likely this is one of those very grey areas, which Tolkien changed his ideas about. Clearly this would mean there is no "right" or "wrong" answer, although the one that woul generally regarded more "accurate" would be from the later of Tolkien's notes.
I have no clue what this would be.  

[Lithian Naurwen]

yeah I dunno either, I was hoping the controversial question would draw Falathrim.....but yes all your input is appreciated! Is there anything about the Elessarin any book beside LOTR and The Unfinished Tales?

EDIT: AGH! Zurgi changed her hair!!!!!! The world's gonna end! gonk  

[TenshinoHikari]

Seems like we're about even sweatdrop . I like the one with Celebrimbor best, simply because it's more romantic. Yes, I'm a sucker for Romantic stories. That's why I like fan fiction about Elrond and Celebrain *still believes it would suck to have a mother-in-law who could read your mind*  

[Zurgi]

It's probably mentioned in the History of Middle Earth, alas, I'm only on the Lays of Beleriand so I can't help you there.  

[Falathrim]

Going off memory alone, I can't recall any mention of the Elessars in HoME. But I reiterate the word memory. I have no access to HoME for the time being, so I can't really check. Pity.

I tend to believe that the latter of the two stories, that Aragorn recieved the Elessar of Celebrimbor, to be the true one. Perhaps if I could find my extra copy of UT,. I could explain why I feel this way, but I don't know where that is so oh well.  

[Lithian Naurwen]

xd thank you! I would type the essay here, but I'm too lazy! I'm more inclined to think Aragorn received Celebrimbor's and the other stayed in Valinor. But it would be cool if he got the one Gondolin no?  

[Falathrim]

Do any of you have HoME? I do, of course, but it's not with me. But, in case someone does, here's all mentions of an Elessar, be it stone or person, in the HoME Index:

Elessar (The) (VII) Elfstone. 278, 294, 362, 366, 392
Elessar (The) (IXa) Elfstone, Aragorn. 52, 58, 117, 119, 128. See Aragorn.
Elessar (VIII) (1) last King of the Line of Anarion. 153. See Earnur. (2) Aragorn. 309, 370, 390, 395, 411, 427. See Elfstone.
Elessar (XI) The Elfstone. 177; the Green Stone of Feanor 176-7
Elessar (XII) (1) Rejected name of King Earnur of Gondor. 247
Elessar (XII) (2) Aragorn II. 32, 132, 196, 202-3, 207, 211, 217, 243-4, 246, 253, 255, 258, 261, 268, 410, 419; the Elfstone 243; the Great King 414; Annals, Chronicles of the House of Elessar 243, 245  

[Zurgi]

Well, so far I've learned that information is on pp. 248 of UT. I'll check there when I'm done checking the HoME references.

HoME XI p. 177:
"A new page in the QS manuscript begins with the opening of this paragraph, and at the top of the page my father pencilled: 'The Green Stone of Feanor given by Maidros to Fingon' This can hardly be other than a reference to the Elessar that came in the end of Aragorn....It is clear, I think, that my father was at this time pondering the previous history of the Elessar....for his later ideas on its origin see Unfinished Tales pp. 248-52"

That's the only interesting one, the others are all references to Aragorn himself. Let's check the UT and see what it says now!

Well, my UT obviously isn't the same version it's referring to, considering that at page 248 it's the tale of Aldarion and Erendis. Blerg. TO THE INDEX!

Index: Elessar(1):
"A great green jewel of healing power made in Gondolin for Idril Turgon's daughter, who gave it to Earendil her son; the Elessar that Arwen gave to Aragorn being either Earendil's jewel returned or another."

Unfinished Tales p. 322 (of my copy, at least)
"In ages after there was again an Elessar, and of this two things are said, though which is true only those Wise could say who now are gone."

And then it gives both stories. So I guess it's open to interpretation.  

[SYFFER]

I'm pretty sure, since I finished reading Unfinished Tales a week ago, that Aragorn received the Ellesar made by Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor made the jewel for Galadriel and she passed it down to Arwen Undomiel. Arwen gave the Ellesar to Aragorn. The other Ellesar must have been kept in Valinor.  

[Bluering Bearer]

You may say what you want, I prefer the first version. Because Enerdhil's Elessar was given to Earendil, who is the ancester of Aragorn...It makes more sense then that Aragorn receives it.  

[Tears of the Siren]

I also have to say I like the first version better, simply because I remember no mention of an eagle shaped brooch in LotR. However, I have not read UT or HoME so its just my preference.