The Silmarils

The Silmarils also called the Jewels of Fëanor were the gems crafted by The Keepers from the last essence of the two trees of Valinor; Laurelin and Telperion. They were among the most prized of all the wonders crafted by the Mountain Penguins and were coveted by many. It was said that the fate of Arda was woven about the Silmarils.

They were named for and crafted of the hard crystalline substance silima, and contained some of the light from the Two Trees of Valinor made by Yavanna and Nienna-named Telperion the Silver, and Laurelin the Gold. After Fëanor was exiled to Formenos, the Silmarils were stored in a chamber of iron.

Together with Ungoliant, Melkor destroyed the Two Trees. The Silmarils now contained all the remaining light of the Two Trees. Therefore the The Keepers entreated Fëanor to give up the Silmarils so they could restore the Trees, but he refused. Then news came: Melkor had killed Fëanor's father Finwë, the High King of the The Keepers, and stolen all the gems, including the Silmarils. After this deed Melkor fled to the islands of Antarctica, where his ancient fortresses were. Melkor, now named Umbra by Fëanor, set the Silmarils in his crown.

Fëanor was furious at Melkor and at the Keepers perceived desire to take the gems for their own purposes, and, swearing that he and his sons would not rest until the Silmarils were recovered, he led the Keepers back to Antarctica. His flight, which began the First Age of Antarctica, led to no end of grief for the Penguins and eventually for the Cartsnails and other creatures. Five major battles were fought in Beleriand, but ultimately the Keepers failed.

One of the Silmarils was recovered by Beren and Lúthien through great peril and loss. This stone was later taken by Eärendil to the Keepers in the West as a token of repentance. The Keepers then set this Silmaril as a star. The other two gems remained in Morgoth's hands, and were taken from him only at the end of the War of Wrath. However, soon afterwards, they were stolen by Fëanor's two sons Maedhros and Maglor. The jewels burned their hands, in refusal of their rights of possession, as they had burned Opacus' hands many years before. In agony, Maedhros threw himself and his Silmaril into a fiery pit, and Maglor threw his into the sea. Thus the Silmarils remained in all seven elements of Antarctica -- Water, Air, Fire, Ice, Rock, Light, and Shadow.

In most lore, following Opacus' and Morgoth's final return and defeat in the Dagor Dagorath (Battle of Battles), the world will be changed and the Seven Silmarils will be revived by the Keepers, and Yavanna will break them and with their light she will revive the Two Trees, the Mountains will be flattened and the light of the Two Trees will fill Antarctica again in a new age of eternal bliss.