Elfstone

This article refers to the jewel. For other namesakes, see Elessar (disambiguation).

Arwen's Elfstone, given to Aragorn

The Elessar or Elfstone was a green gem set on a silver eagle-shaped brooch. It had the light of the Sun within it and those who looked through it saw everything that was aged and withered as young once more.

Origins

The elfstone was crafted by an elven-smith in Gondolin named Enerdhil, whose skill in jewel-crafting was second only to Feanor. He gave it to Idril which she bore upon her breast during the fall of Gondolin, accounting for its escape, and in turn she gave it to her son Eärendil, who bore it upon his breast on his flight to the Undying Lands.

Two versions are hereafter recorded as to the fate of the stone.

• Olorin brings the stone to Middle-earth as a sign that the Valar had not forsaken Middle-earth. He gave it to Galadriel but he prophesied that, "...it is not for you to possess. You shall hand it on when the time comes. For before you grow weary, and at last forsake Middle-earth one shall come who is to receive it, and his name shall be that of the stone: Elessar he shall be called." (Aragorn, son of Arathorn II).
• The stone remains with the Valar, and Galadriel longs to once more return to Valinor but remains under the ban of the Noldor. Thus she turns to Celebrimbor and laments to him, "I am grieved in Middle-earth, for leaves fall and flowers fade that I have loved so that the land of my dwelling is filed with regret that no spring can redress. I would have trees and grass about me that do not die - here in the land that is mine." Celebrimbor, who is in love with her, remakes the jewel and gives it to her. He learned the art of elven blacksmithing in Gondolin when he was a friend of Enerdhil and ever his friendly, competitive rival. Galadriel then passes the stone to her daughter Celebrian, who in turn gives it to her daughter Arwen. Galadriel keeps it once more in Lothlorien to pass it on to Aragorn.

Portrayal in adaptations

Lord of the Rings film trilogy

Evenstar given to Aragorn.

In Peter Jackson's films, the jewel is replaced by the Evenstar - a silver necklace with a white stone, which is given to Aragorn by Arwen in Rivendell. This jewel was probably inspired by a jewel that Arwen gives to Frodo after the destruction of the One Ring.

References

• Tolkien, Christopher (1980). Unfinished Tales. George Allen & Unwin. Paperback: ISBN 978-0-261-10215-6