Voyage of Eärendil

Eärendil was the lord of the refugees that had gathered at the Mouths of Sirion from the fallen cities and lands of Beleriand during the last years of the First Age. Fearing a total victory for Morgoth over the last remnants of the Eldar and Edain, Eärendil purposed to sail across the Great Sea and call on the Valar for their aid. With the help of his friend and ally Círdan the Shipwright he constructed a ship that he named Vingilot, 'Foam-flower', and with three companions he set out to cross the Sea into the distant West.

The journey was not an easy one, for the Valar had concealed their realm behind Shadowy Seas and Enchanted Isles, and after four years he abandoned the attempt and set his course for home. One night he saw a brilliant light coming out of the east, and a shining white bird descended onto Vingilot's deck. This was his wife Elwing, transformed by the power of Ulmo and bearing a Silmaril. Eärendil thus discovered that the Sons of Fëanor had ravaged the Havens of Sirion seeking the Jewel, and only by the power of the Lord of Waters had Elwing escaped.

With his home destroyed, Eärendil returned once again to his search. He bound the Silmaril to his brow, and through its power he was able to pass the snares of the Valar and come at last to the shrouded shores of Aman. Bidding his three companions Falathar, Erellont and Aerandir to remain with the ship, Eärendil and Elwing set out to travel through the Pass of Light into the Blessed Realm. The plea he made to the Valar moved them to act against Morgoth, and brought about the devastating War of Wrath that brought the first Dark Lord's reign to an end.