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Where did Earendil go when he left ME?

Earendil: One of the greatest mariners of Middle-earth, and well respected Elf, father to Elros and Elrond. Whatever happened to him?

In the song that Bilbo had sung in Rivendell in LotR:FotR, it states the Earendil did receive a Silmaril and went westwards to Valinor. But he was never at rest, and sailed on to explore lands unknown to the Eldar of Middle-earth.

My belief is that he is still out there, sailing in his silver ship, witht he Silmaril bound to its prow, exploring lands unknown to mankind.

I've never really thought about Earendil much, but now that I do, it seems unlikely that he is dead. What do you think?

Here is the Story of Earendil in short.

Quote:

The mariner who sailed the Great Sea at the end of the First Age. He long sought a way to Aman, to seek the aid of the Valar against Morgoth, but the way was hidden. After the Sons of Fëanor attacked the Exiles of Gondolin seeking the Silmaril, Elwing his wife escaped and came to him at sea, through the power of Ulmo, in the shape of a white sea-bird bearing the Silmaril on her breast.

Through the power of the jewel, it is said, Eärendil was at last able to find a way to the Undying Lands, and there stood before the Valar and begged their aid in the wars against Morgoth. The Valar listened to his plea, and sent the great force that finally conquered the Dark Lord and freed Middle-earth.

Eärendil's father was a Man, and his mother an Elf, so he and his wife Elwing and their sons were given the choice of race to which they wished to belong. Elwing chose Elvenkind, and Eärendil did so too for her sake. He now sails the high airs with the Silmaril upon his brow, shining as the morning and evening star.

Yeah, In the Chapter "Farewell to Lorien, Galadriel gives Frodo the Phial of Galadriel. She states that it contains light from their most important star, Earendil. Most assume that Earendil became the Morning and Evening star, which I believe is Venus, but modern scientist include Mercury in this classification. Actually, "evening star" or "morning star" nearly always refers to Venus, which is by far the brightest celestial object in the sky after the sun and moon. Mercury is much dimmer and only visible for a few weeks of the year.

"Space"...what's that? *lol* You must read the Silmarillion to understand. Ea, the world of Middle Earth, is not like the 'real' universe we know. The stars are 'lights' placed in the sky by Varda, the constellations were added later to provide more light for the Elves. The sun and the moon are made from the last flower and fruit of the two trees of Valinor, which had provided light for the world before they were killed by Melkor and Ungoliant. They travel across the sky in vessels made by Aule, and guided by two Maiar. It is said that Earendil sails his ship, beyond the circles of the world, guarding the gates of morning, the silmaril on his prow shining as a guiding light, the morning star.