Henneth Annun Reseach Center

Things of Middle-earth

Narsilion

Type: Songs & Stories

Other Names:
the Song of the Sun and Moon

Description:

A song made by the dwellers of Aman about the creation of the Sun and Moon:
When the Gods heard of the flight of the Gnomes 1 they were aroused from their grief. Manwë summoned then to his council Yavanna; and she put forth all her power, but it availed not to heal the Trees. Yet beneath her spells Silpion 2 bore at last one great and single silver bloom, and Laurelin a great golden fruit. Of these, as is said in the song of the Sun and Moon, the Gods fashioned the great lamps of heaven, and set them to sail appointed courses above the world.

The Shaping of Middle-earth, HoME Vol 4, Ch 3, The Quenta

But the tears of Nienna availed not to heal [the Trees'] mortal wounds.... Yet even as hope failed and [Yavanna's] song faltered, Telperion bore at last upon a leafless bough one great flower of silver, and Laurelin a single fruit of gold.

These Yavanna took; and then the Trees died, and their lifeless stems stand yet in Valinor, a memorial of vanished joy. But the flower and the fruit Yavanna gave to Aulë, and Manwë hallowed them, and Aulë and his people made vessels to hold them and preserve their radiance: as is said in the Narsilion, the Song of the Sun and Moon. These vessels the Valar gave to Varda, that they might become lamps of heaven...; and she... set them to voyage upon appointed courses above the girdle of the Earth from the West unto the East and to return.

These things the Valar did, recalling in their twilight the darkness of the lands of Arda; and they resolved now to illumine Middle-earth and with light to hinder the deeds of Melkor.

The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 11, Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor


Notes
1Gnomes  An early name for the Noldor.
2Silpion  An early name for Telperion.

Contributors: Elena Tiriel 8Mar10

Related Library Entries

Things Search

   

Full Text Search


Character Bios

Places

No related places

Go to Places

Things

No related things

Go to Things