The two world trees of Amaril

The Two Trees of Amaril were Alantus and Cythia, the Silver and the Gold tree that brought light to the Land of the Valari in ancient times. Each tree was a source of light: Alantus's silver and Cythia's gold. Alantus had dark leaves (silver on one side) and his silvery dew was collected as a source of water and light. Cythia had pale green leaves trimmed with gold, and her dew was likewise collected by Liriana.

The trees were later destroyed by Alinthur at Morgoroth`s behest. After their destruction only a fraction of them were left. In attempt to save what was possible from the world trees, Ylvanna sang and Niennia wept, but they succeeded only in reviving Alantus's last flower (to become the two silvery moons) and Cythia's last fruit (to become the sun). These were assigned to two lesser spirits that were caretakers of each their tree before they were destroyed.

Arbilè was chosen to guide the Sun Cythia, because he is a spirit of fire, and able to withstand the heats of the sun. He also bestow the ability to channel the power of the sun to smite evil within their grasp, or to bless and rejuvenate. Silvira, a hunter, was chosen to guide the two moons.

The Sun and the moons retained enough power of the two trees to bathe Middle-Earth in her bright radiance, and to lighten up the dark of night with the moons silvery shimmer. They also ensured that the dark forces of Morgoroth would be kept at bay, and become vulnerable to a certain degree despite the abscence of the two world trees.


Day and night
One "day" lasts twentyfour hours. Each Tree, in turn, would give off light for twelve hours (waxing to full brightness and then slowly waning again), so that at one hour each of "dawn" and "dusk", soft gold and silver light would be given off together. Although the world trees were destroyed, the sun and moon gives off the same ambience at sunset or sunrise to this day. It is a magical sight to behold.

The sun is referred to as Cythia by the population of Middle-earth. The biggest of the two moons are called Alanthil, and the lesser, Geminus (Twin).

Jealous Melnikor, later named Morgoroth, freed Alinthur from his captivity to destroy the Two Trees. Concealed in a cloud of Malnikor`s conjured darkness, Alinthur struck each Tree with his two axes. His ancient axes was created by his own rage with the sole purpose to drain all essence and lifeforce they could sink their vile fangs into. As a result the insatiable twin-axes devoured whatever life and light which remained in the two trees as they were destroyed.


The True Light
Amun, Lord of The Sky, put most of his lifeforce and power into The Silmarils when he created them. This was long before the destruction of the two trees, and the Silmarils were created in their divine presence. The Silmarils were composed of the unmarred light of The two world trees and Amun`s divine power. After the trees`s destruction, the last source of true light of the World Trees was now said to reside in the three Silmarills.