Quenta 11 — Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
Chapter 11 of the Quenta Silmarillion
Summary
From the last fruit of Laurelin and the last flower of Telperion the Valar made the Sun and the Moon, setting Arien the maiden of the golden vessel to guard the Sun and Tilion the huntsman of Oromë to guide the Moon across the western heavens. For a time the two lights travelled apart, with the Moon following the Sun, and the world awoke under their mingled rays; but within the gates of Valinor the light grew dim. Fearing the return of trouble and the keeping of the mariners, the Valar set about the Hidden Kingdom the Hiding of Valinor: the Pelóri were raised high, the Enchanted Isles cast across the sea, and the Shadowy Seas hung with veils through which no vessel might pass. Thus the blessed realm was shut against the Noldor exiles, and the Sun and Moon themselves were doomed to travel with trembling and delay. The chapter ends with the first rising of the Sun above the waking world and the dimming hope of those who had fled the light.