Ithil
Ithil, the Moon, was one of the two celestial lights created by the Valar to bring order and illumination to Arda after the Darkening of Valinor. Born from the last silver flower of Telperion, the eldest of the Two Trees, the Moon was set into a great vessel forged by Aulë and was guided through the heavens by Tilion, a hunter from the host of Oromë. Though the Moon rose first in the skies, its coming was soon followed by the Sun, and together they marked the end of the Years of the Trees and the beginning of the Years of the Sun. Unlike the Sun, the Moon retained a deep connection to the Elves, who revered its silver light and saw it as a sign of their own kind, the Firstborn of Ilúvatar.
Lore[]
The Moon was born out of necessity, for after the Darkening of Valinor, Arda was plunged into shadow, and the Eldar feared that the world would be forever lost to darkness. When Morgoth and Ungoliant poisoned and drained the life from the Two Trees, the Valar sought to preserve what little light remained.
Summoned by Manwë, the Valier Yavanna and Nienna attempted to revive the Trees with their song and tears. Though Telperion and Laurelin could not be restored, each bore a single final fruit before perishing. From Telperion, a silver flower bloomed, and from Laurelin, a golden fruit. These remnants were gathered and hallowed by Manwë and placed in vessels forged by Aulë.
Varda, the Star-kindler, took these vessels and set them in the heavens, appointing two Maiar to guide them. Tilion, a bold but reckless hunter from Oromë’s company, was given charge of the silver flower and became the steersman of the Moon. Arien, a Maia of fire and one of the Queens of Flame, was chosen to guide the Sun.
The Moon was the first to rise, ascending from Valinor in the West, as Fingolfin and his people set foot upon the lands of Beleriand after their long and perilous crossing of the Helcaraxë.