“[Melkor] had gone often alone into the void places seeking the Imperishable Flame…and it seemed to him that Iluvatar took no thought for the Void…. Yet he found not the Fire, for it is with Iluvatar.”  The Silmarillion

The Servants of the Holy Fire were a group of Elves and Numenoreans that banded together by 1600 II.  Many of the Mirdain aided Celebrimbor in the forging of rings and other crafts with knowledge gained from Sauron in disguise.  As the lore tells in Imladris, when Sauron revealed himself as lord of Barad-dur and forged the One Ring, the Three Rings were hid.  In despair of the One Ring’s power after Sauron’s assault on Eriador, one of the Mirdain, Himrent, took up the road West.  However, once he reached the shores of Mithlond, his heart swayed.  Through the prodding of Narya’s fire still secret in Cirdan’s holding, Himrent came to know another West-looking soul in that land, Annagaer.  Together they took solace in shared grief and grew to learn how to counsel one another in strength of will instead of flight to Aman.  Only a few short years they spent, under the bolstering fire of Narya, but that time not only seemed to wear away their burdens but also invigorate them with a desire to see the overthrow of Sauron.

Many messages were sent from Mithlond to other realms of Eriador during that time, for the High King Gil-Galad still reigned in Mithlond and desired deeply to remain in communion with his cousin Galadriel, and the friendship formed between the two Elves Himrent and Annagaer stood such communication in good stead.  Strong was the conviction in both their hearts, and often did each seek the other’s counsel in thought and word.  Dreams came to Himrent that a holy Fire, sparked in secret, would be necessary to see the downfall of Sauron.  He brought Annagaer into his confidence, and they both set watch for signs of such a flame.   Together they discerned that this task must need be shouldered by a small and dedicated host, dedicated to the stewardship of the holy Fire and also the safeguarding the wielder.  At the behest of Himrent, this host would also be open to Dwarves of stout heart and strong conviction, for he spent time untold with the Naugrim of Moria and grew to love them.  Annagaer affirmed that some of the Men of Numenor should also be involved in this task, as he had come to see in them the valor of the Edain, the Elf-friends of old. 

And so came to be formed the Hildrim en Ainanaur, the Servants of the Sacred Flame, named as such due in great part to a part of the Ainulindale where Iluvatar rebukes Melkor:  “And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite.  For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.” 

After the ruin of Eregion, and the establishment of Imladris, the Hildrim became a closely guarded secret kept in the Elven strongholds of Lindon and Imladris, and eventually Lorien, and their number grew but slowly.  However quiet their name became, they were not idle.  Long years did they spend in the learning of lore and the devising of means to oppose the Enemy. 

Upon the arrival of Olorin from the West, Annagaer took to walking and riding with him as he took the name Mithrandir.  Through veiled comments and half-formed glances, Annagaer began to recognize a hidden fire in Mithrandir that he would very seldom let slip.  At length, Annagaer brought Himrent and together they opened their thoughts to Mithrandir and their desire to safeguard the Fire.  Mithrandir’s eyes flashed, and committed the Hildrim to continue their work, and requested that his counsel be followed in their movements.  Hildrim moved about in even more clandestine fashion, for Olorin was rarely at rest.  They did not proclaim their number or movements loudly, and their device, a red star wreathed in white flame, was rarely shown openly.