October 15, 2002

To Silmarien, Re: The Seeing Stones
Rune of Mirkwood

Thank you, for writing to me on the Seeing Stones. You are, indeed, CORRECT, in your statements on the history of the Seven Seeing Stones!!! Elaborating a bit and how they came to the different holding places, namely the Towers you named: Elendil and his sons took the Seeing Stones and divided them among themselves. Elendil took three and his sons each took two. Elendil set his three in towers you mentioned – one in a region known as “The Tower Hills” (Emyn Beraid), one at Weathertop (Amon Sul), and the other in the City of Annúminas, (Tower of the West). His two sons took their two Stones to the towers you so correctly laid out. There is also mentioned of The Masterstone, in the Tower of Avallone in Erassea (The Lonely Isle), “where is still abides”. I have not come across the name “Elendil-stone”. Interesting to me was your mention of Cirdan: it was he who entrusted Gandalf with The Ring of Fire!

As far as The Seeing Stones in the Two Towers (book and movie), I know that three are mentioned and used. As far as the other four, I suppose it will never be explained unless Peter Jackson decides to surprises us! Otherwise, I guess we will have to leave the “mystery” in the book, The Silmarillon. Until next time, “vanya sulie” (“fair winds”….)