Starlight

Fingon

'Starlight' (Gil-galad)

Ereinion was the last High King of the Noldor, who inherited the title after the Fall of Gondolin in the closing years of the First Age. After the War of Wrath and the defeat of Morgoth, he ruled over the land of Lindon on the shores of the Great Sea. His rule lasted through most of the Second Age, until he joined his people to the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and marched to war against Mordor, never to return.

In battle, Ereinion wore a shining helm and suit of mail, and carried a silvered shield gleaming brilliantly with the twelve white stars of his personal emblem. To Elvish eyes, this distinctive armour shone like a beacon even at a great distance, and so he gained the name Gil-galad, which meant 'Star of Radiance'. It is by that name that he is most usually known in the histories of the First and Second Ages.

While travelling toward Rivendell, an age after Gil-galad's fall in Mordor, the conversation between Strider and the Hobbits turned to the last High King. Frodo Baggins interpreted the name Gil-galad for the others, but gave his own literal translation. Instead of 'Star of Radiance' he rendered gil ('star') and galad ('radiance', 'light') in combination as 'Starlight'.