Arkenstone: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
(4 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Donato Giancola - The Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Arkenstone'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
[[Image:Donato Giancola - The Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Arkenstone'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
{{quote|That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it.|[[Thorin]]<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref>}}
{{quote|That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it.|[[Thorin]]<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref>}}
The '''Arkenstone''' was a great jewel discovered beneath the roots of the [[Lonely Mountain]] and prized by his descendants as the "'''Heart of the Mountain'''".  
The '''Arkenstone''' was a great jewel discovered beneath the roots of the [[Lonely Mountain]] during the reign of [[Thráin I]] and prized by his descendants as the "'''Heart of the Mountain'''".  


==History==
==History==
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Heart of the Mountain.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Heart of the Mountain'']]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Heart of the Mountain.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Heart of the Mountain'']]
The Arkenstone was discovered by [[Thráin I]] soon after the establishment of the [[Dwarves|dwarf]]-kingdom there, and the Dwarves used all their skill to work the gem into a shimmering multi-faceted jewel.  
The Arkenstone was discovered soon after the establishment of the [[Dwarves|Dwarf]]-kingdom in the Lonely Mountain, and the Dwarves used all their skill to work the gem into a shimmering multi-faceted jewel. In the centuries after its discovery, the Arkenstone became an heirloom of the [[Kings of Durin's Folk|Kings]] of [[Durin's Folk]].  


In the centuries after its discovery, the Arkenstone became an heirloom of the Kings of [[Durin's folk]]. It was carried away into the [[Grey Mountains]] by Thráin's son, and in time brought back to the [[Great Hall of Thráin]] under the Mountain by his descendant [[Thrór]]. When the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] sacked Lonely Mountain, the Arkenstone was lost to the Dwarves of Durin's Folk — it lay among Smaug's booty in the halls of Erebor.
Thráin's son [[Thorin I]] carried it away into the [[Grey Mountains]] where it remained for some generations, until in time King [[Thrór]] brought it back to the [[Great Hall of Thráin]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref> When the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] sacked Lonely Mountain, the Arkenstone was lost to the Dwarves of Durin's Folk — it lay among Smaug's booty in the halls of Erebor.
[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - Arkenstone]]
[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - Arkenstone]]
Many years later, when [[Thorin]] led a band of Dwarves to recover their ancient city, their companion Bilbo Baggins discovered the Arkenstone, and kept it for himself. While exploring the treasure, Thorin looked forward to find it, but despite seeing his anxiety, Bilbo decided to keep it secret.<ref name="home"/> Later, when the [[Lake-men]] and [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]] came to demand their own shares of Smaug's treasure from Thorin, Bilbo noticed Thorin's nonchalant stance. To aid the two factions, he secretly entered their camps and delivered the Arkenstone to their leaders, [[Bard]] and [[Thranduil]] to bargain with. Indeed, the next day Thorin was demanded the treasure in return for the Arkenstone.<ref name="Thief"/>  
Many years later, when [[Thorin]] led a band of Dwarves to recover their ancient realm, their companion [[Bilbo Baggins]] discovered the Arkenstone, but kept it for himself. Thorin sought for it while exploring the treasure, and swore an oath to take revenge on anyone who knowingly kept it from him, but Bilbo stayed silent nonetheless.<ref name="home"/> Later, when the [[Lake-men]] and the [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]] came to demand a share of Smaug's treasure from Thorin, Bilbo was disturbed by Thorin's unwillingness to barter. Hoping to aid negotiations, he secretly entered the camp of the Men and Elves and delivered the Arkenstone to their leaders, [[Bard]] and [[Thranduil]]. The next day a twelfth share of the treasure was demanded from Thorin for the ransom of his people's heirloom.<ref name="Thief"/>  


In the ensuing [[Battle of Five Armies]], though, all enmities were forgotten, and afterwards [[Bard]] of [[Dale]] placed the Heart of the Mountain on the breast of Thorin in his tomb beneath Erebor. So, nearly a thousand years after its discovery by Thráin I, the Arkenstone was buried once more in the depths beneath the Lonely Mountain.
After the [[Battle of Five Armies]], enmity was set aside between the leaders of the Dwarves, Elves, and Men, and Bard of [[Dale]] placed the Heart of the Mountain on the breast of Thorin in Thorin's tomb. Thus, nearly a thousand years after its discovery, the Arkenstone was buried once more in the depths beneath the Lonely Mountain.


==Description==
==Description==
The Dwarves worked the stone into a multifaceted jewel. It shone by its own pale light, but when light fell upon it, the stone "...changed it into ten thousand sparks of white radiance shot with glints of the rainbow". It was a heavy gem but small enough for [[Bilbo Baggins]] to hold in one hand, yet not so small that he could close his own small hand around it.<ref name="home">{{H|Home}}</ref>
The Dwarves worked the stone into a multifaceted jewel. It shone with its own pale light, but when outer light fell upon the Arkenstone, it "...changed it into ten thousand sparks of white radiance shot with glints of the rainbow". It was a heavy gem, small enough for [[Bilbo Baggins]] to hold in one hand, yet not so small that he could close his own small hand around it.<ref name="home">{{H|Home}}</ref>
 
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Arkenstone means roughly "precious stone", although the element *''arken'' does not exist in modern English. ''Arkenstone'' is a modernization of an ancient word which appears in the [[Edda]] as ''jarknasteinn'' and in [[Old English]] as ''eorclanstán''.  
Arkenstone means roughly "precious stone", although the element *''arken'' does not exist in modern English. ''Arkenstone'' is a modernization of an ancient word which appears in the [[Edda]] as ''jarknasteinn'' and in [[Old English]] as ''eorclanstán''.  


Note that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] used the word ''eorclanstánas'' to refer to the [[Silmarilli]] in Old English texts by [[Eriol]].<ref>{{HM|SM}}, [[The Earliest Annals of Valinor]]</ref>  
Note that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] used the word ''eorclanstánas'' to refer to the [[Silmarilli]] in Old English texts by [[Eriol]].<ref>{{HM|SM}}, [[The Earliest Annals of Valinor]]</ref> Some fans explore the possibility that the Arkenstone was one of the Silmarilli, specifically the one [[Maedhros]] threw in the chasm, until supposedly found by the Dwarves of Erebor.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=2158|articlename=New evidence for the Arkenstone-Silmaril case|dated=|website=[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ Forum.barrowdowns.com]|accessed=9 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mythsoc/message/17693|articlename=RE: Eorclanstanas (was Re: For JDR: Query on Hobbit geography)|dated=2 January 2007|website=Mythsoc|accessed=9 June 2013}}</ref>
 
==Arkenstone as a Silmaril==
 
 
Some fans explore the possibility that the Arkenstone was one of the Silmarilli, specifically the one [[Maedhros]] threw in the chasm, until supposedly found by the Dwarves of Erebor.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=2158|articlename=New evidence for the Arkenstone-Silmaril case|dated=|website=[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ Forum.barrowdowns.com]|accessed=9 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mythsoc/message/17693|articlename=RE: Eorclanstanas (was Re: For JDR: Query on Hobbit geography)|dated=2 January 2007|website=Mythsoc|accessed=9 June 2013}}</ref>
However,the last reference about the Silmarils indicates that was not the intention of Tolkien to put Arkenstone as a Silmaril. Since they would never be found until the end of the world, in the [[Dagor Dagorath]].


==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
==Other Versions of the Legendarium==

Revision as of 16:48, 28 July 2014

The Arkenstone by Donato Giancola
"That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it."
Thorin[1]

The Arkenstone was a great jewel discovered beneath the roots of the Lonely Mountain during the reign of Thráin I and prized by his descendants as the "Heart of the Mountain".

History

Ted Nasmith - Heart of the Mountain

The Arkenstone was discovered soon after the establishment of the Dwarf-kingdom in the Lonely Mountain, and the Dwarves used all their skill to work the gem into a shimmering multi-faceted jewel. In the centuries after its discovery, the Arkenstone became an heirloom of the Kings of Durin's Folk.

Thráin's son Thorin I carried it away into the Grey Mountains where it remained for some generations, until in time King Thrór brought it back to the Great Hall of Thráin.[2] When the Dragon Smaug sacked Lonely Mountain, the Arkenstone was lost to the Dwarves of Durin's Folk — it lay among Smaug's booty in the halls of Erebor.

Ted Nasmith - Arkenstone

Many years later, when Thorin led a band of Dwarves to recover their ancient realm, their companion Bilbo Baggins discovered the Arkenstone, but kept it for himself. Thorin sought for it while exploring the treasure, and swore an oath to take revenge on anyone who knowingly kept it from him, but Bilbo stayed silent nonetheless.[3] Later, when the Lake-men and the Wood-elves came to demand a share of Smaug's treasure from Thorin, Bilbo was disturbed by Thorin's unwillingness to barter. Hoping to aid negotiations, he secretly entered the camp of the Men and Elves and delivered the Arkenstone to their leaders, Bard and Thranduil. The next day a twelfth share of the treasure was demanded from Thorin for the ransom of his people's heirloom.[1]

After the Battle of Five Armies, enmity was set aside between the leaders of the Dwarves, Elves, and Men, and Bard of Dale placed the Heart of the Mountain on the breast of Thorin in Thorin's tomb. Thus, nearly a thousand years after its discovery, the Arkenstone was buried once more in the depths beneath the Lonely Mountain.

Description

The Dwarves worked the stone into a multifaceted jewel. It shone with its own pale light, but when outer light fell upon the Arkenstone, it "...changed it into ten thousand sparks of white radiance shot with glints of the rainbow". It was a heavy gem, small enough for Bilbo Baggins to hold in one hand, yet not so small that he could close his own small hand around it.[3]

Etymology

Arkenstone means roughly "precious stone", although the element *arken does not exist in modern English. Arkenstone is a modernization of an ancient word which appears in the Edda as jarknasteinn and in Old English as eorclanstán.

Note that Tolkien used the word eorclanstánas to refer to the Silmarilli in Old English texts by Eriol.[4] Some fans explore the possibility that the Arkenstone was one of the Silmarilli, specifically the one Maedhros threw in the chasm, until supposedly found by the Dwarves of Erebor.[5][6]

Other Versions of the Legendarium

In the writing of The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien halted after the capture of the Dwarves by the Wood-elves and sketched out the continuation of the story in plot notes. In these notes Bilbo stole a "gem", which became a "marvelous gem", and finally the "Jem [sic] of Girion" which the king of Dale had given to the Dwarves for the arming of his son.[7] As noted by John D. Rateliff, the Gem of Girion was to be offered by the Dwarves to Bilbo as his share of the payment,[8] thus solving the problem of how to transport Bilbo's one-fourteenth share back to Bag End.

Tolkien originally had the notion that Bilbo would kill Smaug. As his story progressed Tolkien decided that this strained credibility and so he introduced Bard as the dragon slayer and made him the heir of Girion. This led to a series of re-conceptualizations since now the Lake-men and the Elves were no longer mere opportunistic scavengers; there was one within their ranks with a legitimate claim to part of the treasure. The Gem of Girion became the Arkenstone and the one part of the hoard that Thorin would insist upon keeping. The elevation of Girion's gem led to the invention of the Necklace of Girion as the payment of Girion to the Dwarves for the arming of his son.[9]

References