One evening beneath a sky ablaze with stars, Celethir, my brother, noticed me lost in thought, gazing upwards from the balcony of our home in Ithilgalen. He joined me quietly, sensing my growing concern about the spreading darkness of Mirkwood. He placed a reassuring hand gently upon my shoulder and pointed upward.
Celethir: “You gaze often at Gil-Estel, sister. But do you truly understand the depth of its significance?”
Rhovaniel (thoughtfully): “I know it guides travelers, brother, and that it shines brightest of all. But surely it is more than just a guide.”
Celethir (smiling warmly): “Much more, indeed. It carries the light of the Silmaril, borne by Eärendil himself. Do you know the tale of Eärendil?”
Rhovaniel: “Only vaguely. Tell me, Celethir.”
Celethir (voice soft with reverence): “Eärendil the Mariner was a half-elven sailor who ventured to the distant shores of Valinor to beg the Valar to aid the Free Peoples against Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. His journey was perilous, his courage unmatched. For his bravery, the Valar placed him upon a celestial vessel, Vingilótë, entrusting him to sail the heavens, bearing aloft the last Silmaril—a jewel of unparalleled light, forever illuminating our night skies as Gil-Estel, the Star of High Hope.”
Rhovaniel (softly): “Then it is truly a beacon, not merely in pathfinding but in spirit.”
Celethir: “Precisely. When our forests darken, and shadow spreads beneath the trees, look to Gil-Estel. Its brilliance serves as a reminder that even in darkness, hope endures. Eärendil’s star does not promise an easy path, but it promises guidance, courage, and perseverance.”
Throughout my adventures, especially during trials or moments of solitude, I often recall Celethir’s words. This not only fortifies my resolve but strengthens my bond with my brother, keeping his wisdom and encouragement ever-present.
(( Note: Gil-Estel (known also as Eärendil’s Star) is the brightest celestial body in Middle-Earth’s night sky, analogous to our Venus. It symbolizes hope and guidance.))