Chronicled in Falathlorn of Ered Luin in Eriador,
On this the 13th day of Firith in the Year 3018 of the Third Age.
Twelve days have I lingered here in the hamlet of Duillond, the 'River Haven', and a haven from my recent trials it has truly been. The tranquility of the river Lhûn has brought me much comfort; the music of its waters is unlike the strong resounding song of Belegaer, the Western Sea beside which I spent my childhood, but the voice of Ulmo can yet be heard within it. And still do I find delight in the solitude of the Scholar's Enclave, that ancient vault of Eldar lore where each day I discover some new tome or manuscript that adds all the more to my learning. Indeed, Duillond has become very dear to my heart since my arrival.
And so I have sought, and found, a place of abode nearby. Amongst the noble trees of Falathlorn shall I abide, beside a sweetly singing stream. 'Estel' I will name my home, for amidst Arda Hastaina this shall be the heart of my hope and labours for Arda Envinyanta.
Perchance one day eyes that are not edhellen will read these chronicles, and so I shall here endeavour to describe the essence of 'estel' as understood by my kin, for it is a deep belief that is fundamental to Elvish thought. Thus are written the spoken words of the Elven-king Finrod Felagund in the Athrabeth:
"That is one thing that Men call "hope" [...] Amdir we call it, "looking up". But there is another which is founded deeper. Estel we call it, that is "trust." It is not defeated by the ways of the world, for it does not come from experience, but from our nature and first being. If we are indeed the Eruhín, the Children of the One, then He will not suffer Himself to be deprived of His own, not by any Enemy, not even by ourselves. This is the last foundation of Estel, which we keep even when we contemplate the End: of all His designs the issue must be for His Children's joy." 1
Thus amdir describes a concept akin to 'optimism' in the Westron tongue, while estel is best described perhaps as 'faith' and the hope that comes thereof. Similar they may be, but while amdir is based on reason, estel is more deeply based in the heart. For it refers to the belief that Eru Ilúvatar, the Creator of Eä, is virtuous and therefore his designs for his creation will be virtuous also, despite its marring by Morgoth Bauglir. Knowledge of what is to happen to us, the Edhil, beyond Arda's end has been thus far withheld by the Valar, so in estel we must surely trust.
Estel is also connected to the hope found in the Edhil that keeps us from being overcome by the anguish of Arda Hastaina. The Valar call this the ability to appreciate "the Unmarred that [we] discern in the Marred"; that is, we can see what is good about Arda in its present state, despite its corruption by Morgoth. It is estel that gives us this ability.
Now estel is one of two requirements that Eru bids his Children (the first being belief in his very existence), and it's lack is beheld as a fault in a person's fëa and can have dire consequences. This is witnessed most clearly in none other than that of Morgoth himself, whose denial of the majesty of Eru led to his malice and thus Arda Hastaina. Ultimately, most poor choices of Elves and Men come from a failing in estel.
And so here in Ennor I have chosen to remain, for I have faith that the Shadow will one day be overthrown and the healing of Arda from the taint of Morgorth will begin. And while Ennor is my home, so shall my abode be here in Falathorn in my House of Hope.
Se i mâr nîn. Dhe nathlof hi.
1 Morgoth's Ring, Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth (The Debate of Finrod and Andreth)
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