I've had a thought. Valinar's mind was broken at a young age after he caused both of his parents' deaths. He has two sides, the scatterbrained childlike side that he often is in, and the adult, focused side that he takes on when necessary. These lights could represent the "other side" of him, whichever mode he is in. When he is in his unfocused state the lights shine bright, but when he focuses they dim slightly as he absorbs his more adult persona temporarily.
Any thoughts on this? Any chance the DM will let me make them permanent without concentration? I have darkvision, so they're really more of a detriment to me than anything else.