Post by alcorad on Jan 20, 2006 15:09:47 GMT -5
Of the Ainur of Illuvitar
"In the beginning Eru, the One, who in the Elvish tongue is named Iluvatar, made the Ainur of his thought, and they made a great music before him."
Eru commanded them to make music, and so each sung alone to him and it pleased him. But as they sang they began to understand each other and began to increase in harmony and unison. So they sung until Eru came out to them and showed them many things, things more great than he had yet revealed; so wonderful that all of the Ainur bowed before him and were as stone, silent. Then Ilúvuatar spoke and told them of the Theme he had showed them. He told them now that they had begun to sing in harmony that they shall now bring forth their powers in adorning this theme. With that all the voices of the Ainur began to sing the existence of the Theme. Their song went out into the void beyond the places that Eru dwelt and it was no longer empty.
Eru listened and was pleased with the music for a long time and saw that there was nothing wrong with it until the heart of Melkor began to sway. Melkor began to change the Theme with the thoughts of his own mind, for he wished to increase the power of the part assigned to him. Melkor was able to do this because he had been given the greatest of Eru's gifts. He shared in all the gifts given from Eru. So Melkor began to weave some of his thoughts into his own music, and it flowed through the air and the others heard it. They began to grow sad and their music slowed and changed to the type that Melkor had produced. But Eru sat still until it seemed that about his throne there was a raging storm, as of dark waters that made war one upon another. At that, Ilúvatar rose in all his glowing and lifted up the hand that had laid on his left side. When this happened, a new Theme began and went out into the storm, and it grew and became mighty and powerful. But at this, Melkor's song rose up and tried to fight it and war feel upon the air again. The Ainur grew weary and sung no more for they were sure Melkor was triumphant. But again, Ilúvatar stood even taller and lifted up his other hand, and out of the fight came a Third Theme and none was like it. It was more beautiful than any of the others and even more mighty. At this, he rose one last time and from him came something that had never been seen before. He raised up both hands and one chord sung out, deeper than the abyss and higher than the Firmament. With that all music ceased.
When everything was quiet and all was calm, Eru spoke these words:
"Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done."
He then spoke out against Melkor, saying,
"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."
And as Eru finished, all the Ainur were frightened and didn't understand what Illúvatar had spoken to them. And Melkor was filled with shame, and out of that shame came an anger that was not known till later. But then Eru strode forth from where he had stood and said to them:
"Behold your Music!"
And at his words a vision was laid before them, a World that was the work of their song. Its history unfolded in front of them and they looked upon it in silence. Illúvatar then spoke to them, saying that this vision is where they will find content.
Some of the Ainur saw the vision and were filled with a longing to take part in it and help it grow and to build its life. And Eru heard their thoughts and granted them their wish. He gave being to the vision and set those who loved it upon its grounds. This was the beginning of the Order of the Valar.
The number of the Order of the Valar is fourteen. There are seven Lords of the Valar and seven Queens of the Valar1. Though they have many names among Men and Elves in Middle Earth, the names set out here are in the Elvish tongue as spoken in Valinor. The names of the seven Lords are as follows: Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos, Lórien, and Tulkas. The names of the seven Queens are as follows: Varda, Yavanna, Nienna, Estë, Vairë, Vána, and Nessa.
Melkor is no longer counted among the Valar
The Valar were the ruling powers of Arda. They were given mastery over all the substances within it. Yet, even they had limitations, "...for the Children of IIúvatar were not under their ultimate jurisdiction; they were not allowed to destroy them or coerce them with any 'divine' display of the powers they held over the physical word." Since the Valar had little jurisdiction over the Children of IIúvatar, they are considered Elders and Chieftains to them rather than gods. As Elves are more like to the Ainur than Men, the Valar's chief dealings have been with them. After the Chaining of Melkor, they brought the Elves to Valinor to live with them. Yet after the making of the Sun and Moon and the coming of Men, the Valar withdrew themselves from Middle Earth's affairs. No Vala guide came to Men, and the Younger Children of IIúvatar have feared the Valar rather than loved them, for they little understand the purposes of the Powers and are at variance with them and at strife with the world.
Of Morgoth, the Dark Enemy
Melkor "he who arises in might," the mightiest of Ainur in his origin. He was given the greatest of gifts of power and knowledge among Ainur and he had a share in the powers of all of his brethrens. He wanted to bring beings of his own into existence and searched for the Flame Imperishable, but in vain, for only Eru had it. And during the great song of Ainur Melkor started to weave his own desires into the song and interfered with the original design of Ilúvatar. And the disturbance that he caused spread throughout the songs of all Ainur. But when Ilúvatar showed the Ainur the vision of Arda, the world that they created, Melkor desired to descend into it and be called Lord. The Ainur descended into Arda and worked on its shaping, and in the midst of that work Melkor said to the other Valar: "This shall be my own kingdom; and I name it unto myself!" Yet the Valar rejected his claim, for they labored as hard as he did in the shaping of Arda. Thus, the strife between the Valar arose, which resulted in the first battle of Valar. In that battle the world finally took the shape which became known to the Children of Ilúvatar. Melkor had the mastery in this war for a long time, using the power given to him to corrupt what is fair and pervert it to his own taste. It is at that time that Melkor had corrupted many Maiar that joined him during the ages of his splendor into becoming evil. The most dreadful of these Maiar were the Balrogs, the spirits of fire corrupted into demons of great might. Yet the greatest of his servants was Gorthaur the Cruel, which is known as Sauron to Elves and Men and also Alcorad, the Death Bringer, who above all desired the spirits of the living to be his own..
For long did Melkor have the upper hand in the battles against the Valar until an Ainu of great might and prowess descended into Arda; Tulkas, also known as Astaldo, The Valiant. With his help Melkor was driven back for a time, but he returned later to the dwelling of his brethrens and threw down the Lamps of the Valar, thus destroying their home of Ilmaren and the designs of the Valar, which could never be restored. Thus ended the Spring of Arda.
Yet in the tumult caused by this attack, Melkor escaped to his underground fortress in the North, Utumno, before the Valar could pursue him. There he dwelt until the coming of the Elder Children of Eru. When they awoke at Cuiviénen and before the Valar decided that the Eldar should dwell with them, Melkor's servants had stolen many of the Elder Children and he tortured them in the pits of Utumno, corrupting them into the creatures that became the predecessors of the race of Orcs that have troubled the world ever since. But when the Valar learned of this they assembled a great host and made war upon Melkor for the sake of the Elves, which Melkor never forgot. This became known as the Battle of Powers and at the time the rage of this battle was so great that the shape of the world was changed once more. Yet Melkor was defeated at this battle and was bound by the chain Angainor and was brought as a prisoner to Valinor. There, at the Ring of Doom, he sued for pardon, but his prayer was denied and he was trapped in the fastness of Mandos for three ages of the world until his cause was tried once more.
When the three ages had passed, Melkor's case was brought before the Valar again and he begged for pardon, and Nienna aided his prayer. Manwë, being himself free from evil, thought that the evil of Melkor was cured and he pardoned him. Yet he was not allowed to leave Valmar. Though Melkor was jealous of the bliss of Valinor and the majesty of the Eldar, he put on a very fair form and it seemed to everybody that he had repented of his evil ways. All that sought his counsel and help profited greatly from it, both Valar and Eldar. Seeing this, the Valar gave him leave to go wherever his wished in Aman, but they were not aware that under the fair guise of Melkor his malice increased, as did his envy. Since the Eldar trusted him, he planted lies among them; lies concerning the Valar and their plans while revealing hidden knowledge to them, which they never should have heard. And of all works of the Eldar the greatest he desired to possess were the Silmarils of Fëanor. He lusted for them and tried to gain Fëanor’s trust by telling him lies about his brothers and the plot to supplant him as the heir of Finwë and claim the Silmarils upon himself. Melkor even offered his help in guarding the Silmarils, yet Fëanor saw through his disguise and shut his door in the face of Melkor. At that time the Valar heard of the deeds of Melkor, but Melkor escaped from Valinor before they could capture him.
But Melkor did not go to Middle Earth as many had thought. He put on the form strong and terrible in which he commanded the fortress of Utumno, in which he remained ever after and went into the south of the Blessed Realm, where a spirit known as Ungoliant dwelt; a spirit that chose the shape of a great and dreadful spider that sucked all the light about her. Melkor seduced her into attacking Valinor, promising her a great reward: to give her whatever she might desire if she doesn’t satisfy her hunger during the attack. Ungoliant agreed and the duo attacked Valinor on the day of the festival. Melkor wounded the Two Trees of Valinor and Ungoliant sucked all light from them, thus darkening Arda forever. Yet the vengeance of Melkor wasn’t over. He still lusted for the Silmarils. They went to the north and attacked Fëanor’s fortress, Formenos, while Fëanor was at the festival. None dared to withstand him except Finwë, but Melkor slew him and took the Silmarils along with other jewels. It was after this crime that Fëanor cursed Melkor and called him Morgoth, meaning "the Black Enemy of the World", the name he was called by ever after. Fëanor swore a terrible oath to pursue whoever held the Silmarils, and he did until the end of his days and so did his sons who took the oath too.
Meanwhile Melkor with Ungoliant escaped from Valinor, but at the wastes of Araman Ungoliant halted and reminded Melkor of his promise. Grudgingly Melkor gave her all the gems that he stole from Formenos, but he withheld the Silmarils. Ungoliant sucked all the light out of the gems and became so powerful that even Melkor feared to look upon her. Then she entrapped him in her webs and the Silmarils would have been destroyed if it were not for the cry that Melkor uttered, which summoned the Balrogs that still lurked in the pits of his fortress. The Balrogs drove Ungoliant back with their whips and Melkor escaped to his smaller fortress, Angband, in the Iron Mountains, whose command was given to Sauron in the years before.
But the Noldor led by Fëanor followed Melkor into Middle Earth and made war on him along with the Elves of Teleri origin who remained in Middle Earth and the Edain, the three houses of Men that were Elf-Friends. Five great battles were fought against Melkor, not counting the War of The Wrath, and only once did he himself fight during these wars, against Fingolfin who had challenged him to the duel before the gates of Angband in 456 F.A. Great was that duel and Melkor was wounded seven times by the Elvish king until Fingolfin was crashed by Melkor and his body was broken. But it was saved by Thorondor the Eagle who gave Melkor a scar, which never healed, just like the wounds that Fingolfin gave him. After that only once was Melkor's fortress penetrated (except for the War of The Wrath), nine years after the duel with Fingolfin. This deed is remembered in songs of the Elves after it was performed by Beren and Luthien, who entered Angband in 465. Luthien enchanted Melkor with her singing and put him to sleep with it, while Beren cut one Silmaril from his crown. It was this Silmaril that more than a hundred years later led Eärendil to Valinor.
Though Melkor knew defeat, by the second half of the fifth century of the First Age, he had mostly victories. Most of his enemies he and his servant had destroyed; Fingon and Finrod, Turgon and Huor. But the life of Hurin and his kin he marred beyond belief. The Oath of Fëanor worked for him as well, for it caused disunion among his enemies, and the sons of Fëanor pursued the Silmarils that were stolen. His victory seemed complete after the fall of Gondolin and Doriath, and it would have remained thus if it was not for Eärendil, son of Tuor, of the House of Hador, and Idril Celebrindal, daughter of Turgon. For the sake of the Two Kindreds, Elves and Men, he sailed across the sea and came to Valinor, asking pardon for Noldor and begging for help to stop Morgoth. The Valar listened to him and changed their counsels of non-interference. They gathered a great host of Noldor and Vanyar Elves lead by Finarfin and Eonwë, the herald of Manwë. And they sailed across the sea, using the ships of the Teleri of Valinor, and they entered Beleriand, assaulting Melkor’s forces. Beleriand was then filled with flames in the year 583 of the First Age. Thus began the War of the Wrath in which Melkor's legions of Orcs perished, and the Balrogs were destroyed or fled into deep underground caves. Even the mightiest of Melkor's servants, the flying dragons were defeated with Eärendil killing the greatest of them, Ancalagon the Black, and casting him down on Thangorodrim and thus breaking it. The disturbance that this war caused was so great that Beleriand was broken, but Melkor was also defeated in that war. He was captured in the deepest pits of Angband, where he fled from the hosts of Valar. His feet were hewn under him and he was chained again by Angainor. The silmarils were taken from his crown, which was beaten into his collar. Melkor begged for pardon but to no avail, and the Valar cast him from Arda into the Void, from where he can't escape until Dagor Dagorath. But the seeds of evil that he planted among Elves and Men survived, and so did the creatures that he made: orcs, werewolves and the great dragons.
Of the Maiar
The maiar were spirits of the Ainur. They were thus of the same high order as the Valar, however lesser than the Valar in power. The Maiar most often served as people and helpers of the Valar. Very few of the Maiar have names in the tongues of the children of Ilúvatar, and they have rarely shown themselves in Middle-earth.
Of those few of the Maiar that have names in the tongues of the children of Ilúvatar, we find the two greatest of the Maiar, Ilmarë, the Handmaid of Varda, and Eönwë, the Herald of Manwë. There are also Ossë, the vassal of Ulmo, and Ossë¹s spouse, Uinen, the Lady of the Seas, whom were beloved of the Eldar. Melian was a Maia who lived in the Gardens of Lórien, and she served both Estë and Vána, until she traveled to Middle-Earth, where she married King Thingol, and the two founded Doriath. The Maia Olorin sought knowledge in both the Gardens of Lórien and in the House of Nienna and gave vision to the Elves whom he walked secretly amongst. Curunír was a Maia of Aulë, and he was both skilled in crafts and very wise. Aiwendil was a Maia of Yavanna, and just as his mentor, he had a great love for the nature and all its creations. Two more mysterious of the Maiar are Alatar and Pallando (later called Morinehtar and Romestamo); they traveled to Middle-Earth in the Third Age, but disappeared into the East, and only very little is known about them compared to what we know of the other Maiar that came with them (their story is further complicated because of many versions which Tolkien gives of the Blue Wizards, whereas the other Maiar he simply leaves much to the imagination). Arien was the Sun-Maiden; a fire-maia, most probably belonging to Vána¹s Maiar from the beginning. She guided the Sun over the sky. Tilion was Arien¹s counterpart; he was the guide of the Moon and originally belonged to Oromë.
Together with the Valar, the Maiar danced upon Almaren and in Valinor, and the people of the Ainur were most of the times happy in Arda.
However, Melkor¹s treachery reached also into the ranks of the Maiar. In ages now forgotten, many of the Maiar joined Melkor when Melkor still loved the light. In his days of glory they followed him, but when he descended down into the darkness, they remained true to him also then, and they followed him down into the dark. Other Maiar, not as easily swayed, he later attracted through lies and deceit. The most terrifying of these Maiar were the Valaraukar, demons of fire called the Balrogs.
The most powerful of the Maiar that would be to join Melkor was however not a Balrog. His name was Sauron, or Gorthaur. Sauron was originally a Maia of Aulë, but desiring to rule people after his own will, he joined Melkor; but he took a place in all of Melkor¹s crimes against Arda and its inhabitants, however small it may be. After the fall of Melkor, Sauron took his place, and rose as a new Dark Lord of Middle-earth.
After about a thousand years of the Third Age had passed, the Maiar would prove to once again become important to Middle-earth. The Valar had learnt of Sauron¹s ever increasing power in Mordor, but they did not want to intervene personally, seeing that Middle-earth needed to learn the fact that the Valar not always would come to the rescue in bad times, and seeing the fact that when the Valar intervened, great damages were caused upon the lands. The Valar would however not stand by and do nothing while Sauron took Middle-earth as his own, as they still cared for Middle-earth and its inhabitants. Thus, they sent Maiar in their places, and these Maiar would take the shapes of old men, and they would become known as ³wizards². These wizards belonged to the Istari order. Five wizards came to the north-western regions of Middle-earth, and their Maiarian names were Curunír, Olórin, Aiwendil, Alatar and Pallando. Curunír was more commonly known as Saruman. And Olorín, Gandalf; Aiwendil was Radagast. The Istari were, however. not sent to Middle-earth to battle Sauron for the peoples of Middle-earth; they were sent to guide and aid them in the battle against Sauron, and therefore the Istari were forbidden to use their powers in offensive and splendorous means.
At the end of the Third Age, only very few of the Maiar lingered still in Middle-earth, as the Third Age basically marked the end for the already few of the Maiar still present in Middle-Earth.
Of Alcorad, the Lord of Defile
At the creation of the almighty Ainur, Illuvitar placed a wary eye upon Melkor who above all else desired power and was rebellious in his dealings. And so as the Valar and their faithful followers, the Maiar, descended upon Arda, one in particular was chosen in especial to guide Melkor from his unruly ways. Irindë, one of the fairest and most beautiful of the Maiar was created with greater care and devotion than the others in the mind of Illuvitar for it was his words and mind that was so cunning, even Melkor himself could not stand against his wit. “And to you, Irindë, I bestow strength and the cunning to subdue even the most omnipotent and omniscient of my creations. You shall shine above the others so that you may be a bringer of light to those who linger in darkness, but be selfish not for those who use their powers to benefit the perversions of malice and darkness shall know naught but despair.” And so Irindë heeded not Illuvitar’s warning and descended into the world to become an emissary of Melkor himself and to suppress his vile tendencies.
"In the beginning Eru, the One, who in the Elvish tongue is named Iluvatar, made the Ainur of his thought, and they made a great music before him."
Eru commanded them to make music, and so each sung alone to him and it pleased him. But as they sang they began to understand each other and began to increase in harmony and unison. So they sung until Eru came out to them and showed them many things, things more great than he had yet revealed; so wonderful that all of the Ainur bowed before him and were as stone, silent. Then Ilúvuatar spoke and told them of the Theme he had showed them. He told them now that they had begun to sing in harmony that they shall now bring forth their powers in adorning this theme. With that all the voices of the Ainur began to sing the existence of the Theme. Their song went out into the void beyond the places that Eru dwelt and it was no longer empty.
Eru listened and was pleased with the music for a long time and saw that there was nothing wrong with it until the heart of Melkor began to sway. Melkor began to change the Theme with the thoughts of his own mind, for he wished to increase the power of the part assigned to him. Melkor was able to do this because he had been given the greatest of Eru's gifts. He shared in all the gifts given from Eru. So Melkor began to weave some of his thoughts into his own music, and it flowed through the air and the others heard it. They began to grow sad and their music slowed and changed to the type that Melkor had produced. But Eru sat still until it seemed that about his throne there was a raging storm, as of dark waters that made war one upon another. At that, Ilúvatar rose in all his glowing and lifted up the hand that had laid on his left side. When this happened, a new Theme began and went out into the storm, and it grew and became mighty and powerful. But at this, Melkor's song rose up and tried to fight it and war feel upon the air again. The Ainur grew weary and sung no more for they were sure Melkor was triumphant. But again, Ilúvatar stood even taller and lifted up his other hand, and out of the fight came a Third Theme and none was like it. It was more beautiful than any of the others and even more mighty. At this, he rose one last time and from him came something that had never been seen before. He raised up both hands and one chord sung out, deeper than the abyss and higher than the Firmament. With that all music ceased.
When everything was quiet and all was calm, Eru spoke these words:
"Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done."
He then spoke out against Melkor, saying,
"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."
And as Eru finished, all the Ainur were frightened and didn't understand what Illúvatar had spoken to them. And Melkor was filled with shame, and out of that shame came an anger that was not known till later. But then Eru strode forth from where he had stood and said to them:
"Behold your Music!"
And at his words a vision was laid before them, a World that was the work of their song. Its history unfolded in front of them and they looked upon it in silence. Illúvatar then spoke to them, saying that this vision is where they will find content.
Some of the Ainur saw the vision and were filled with a longing to take part in it and help it grow and to build its life. And Eru heard their thoughts and granted them their wish. He gave being to the vision and set those who loved it upon its grounds. This was the beginning of the Order of the Valar.
The number of the Order of the Valar is fourteen. There are seven Lords of the Valar and seven Queens of the Valar1. Though they have many names among Men and Elves in Middle Earth, the names set out here are in the Elvish tongue as spoken in Valinor. The names of the seven Lords are as follows: Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos, Lórien, and Tulkas. The names of the seven Queens are as follows: Varda, Yavanna, Nienna, Estë, Vairë, Vána, and Nessa.
Melkor is no longer counted among the Valar
The Valar were the ruling powers of Arda. They were given mastery over all the substances within it. Yet, even they had limitations, "...for the Children of IIúvatar were not under their ultimate jurisdiction; they were not allowed to destroy them or coerce them with any 'divine' display of the powers they held over the physical word." Since the Valar had little jurisdiction over the Children of IIúvatar, they are considered Elders and Chieftains to them rather than gods. As Elves are more like to the Ainur than Men, the Valar's chief dealings have been with them. After the Chaining of Melkor, they brought the Elves to Valinor to live with them. Yet after the making of the Sun and Moon and the coming of Men, the Valar withdrew themselves from Middle Earth's affairs. No Vala guide came to Men, and the Younger Children of IIúvatar have feared the Valar rather than loved them, for they little understand the purposes of the Powers and are at variance with them and at strife with the world.
Of Morgoth, the Dark Enemy
Melkor "he who arises in might," the mightiest of Ainur in his origin. He was given the greatest of gifts of power and knowledge among Ainur and he had a share in the powers of all of his brethrens. He wanted to bring beings of his own into existence and searched for the Flame Imperishable, but in vain, for only Eru had it. And during the great song of Ainur Melkor started to weave his own desires into the song and interfered with the original design of Ilúvatar. And the disturbance that he caused spread throughout the songs of all Ainur. But when Ilúvatar showed the Ainur the vision of Arda, the world that they created, Melkor desired to descend into it and be called Lord. The Ainur descended into Arda and worked on its shaping, and in the midst of that work Melkor said to the other Valar: "This shall be my own kingdom; and I name it unto myself!" Yet the Valar rejected his claim, for they labored as hard as he did in the shaping of Arda. Thus, the strife between the Valar arose, which resulted in the first battle of Valar. In that battle the world finally took the shape which became known to the Children of Ilúvatar. Melkor had the mastery in this war for a long time, using the power given to him to corrupt what is fair and pervert it to his own taste. It is at that time that Melkor had corrupted many Maiar that joined him during the ages of his splendor into becoming evil. The most dreadful of these Maiar were the Balrogs, the spirits of fire corrupted into demons of great might. Yet the greatest of his servants was Gorthaur the Cruel, which is known as Sauron to Elves and Men and also Alcorad, the Death Bringer, who above all desired the spirits of the living to be his own..
For long did Melkor have the upper hand in the battles against the Valar until an Ainu of great might and prowess descended into Arda; Tulkas, also known as Astaldo, The Valiant. With his help Melkor was driven back for a time, but he returned later to the dwelling of his brethrens and threw down the Lamps of the Valar, thus destroying their home of Ilmaren and the designs of the Valar, which could never be restored. Thus ended the Spring of Arda.
Yet in the tumult caused by this attack, Melkor escaped to his underground fortress in the North, Utumno, before the Valar could pursue him. There he dwelt until the coming of the Elder Children of Eru. When they awoke at Cuiviénen and before the Valar decided that the Eldar should dwell with them, Melkor's servants had stolen many of the Elder Children and he tortured them in the pits of Utumno, corrupting them into the creatures that became the predecessors of the race of Orcs that have troubled the world ever since. But when the Valar learned of this they assembled a great host and made war upon Melkor for the sake of the Elves, which Melkor never forgot. This became known as the Battle of Powers and at the time the rage of this battle was so great that the shape of the world was changed once more. Yet Melkor was defeated at this battle and was bound by the chain Angainor and was brought as a prisoner to Valinor. There, at the Ring of Doom, he sued for pardon, but his prayer was denied and he was trapped in the fastness of Mandos for three ages of the world until his cause was tried once more.
When the three ages had passed, Melkor's case was brought before the Valar again and he begged for pardon, and Nienna aided his prayer. Manwë, being himself free from evil, thought that the evil of Melkor was cured and he pardoned him. Yet he was not allowed to leave Valmar. Though Melkor was jealous of the bliss of Valinor and the majesty of the Eldar, he put on a very fair form and it seemed to everybody that he had repented of his evil ways. All that sought his counsel and help profited greatly from it, both Valar and Eldar. Seeing this, the Valar gave him leave to go wherever his wished in Aman, but they were not aware that under the fair guise of Melkor his malice increased, as did his envy. Since the Eldar trusted him, he planted lies among them; lies concerning the Valar and their plans while revealing hidden knowledge to them, which they never should have heard. And of all works of the Eldar the greatest he desired to possess were the Silmarils of Fëanor. He lusted for them and tried to gain Fëanor’s trust by telling him lies about his brothers and the plot to supplant him as the heir of Finwë and claim the Silmarils upon himself. Melkor even offered his help in guarding the Silmarils, yet Fëanor saw through his disguise and shut his door in the face of Melkor. At that time the Valar heard of the deeds of Melkor, but Melkor escaped from Valinor before they could capture him.
But Melkor did not go to Middle Earth as many had thought. He put on the form strong and terrible in which he commanded the fortress of Utumno, in which he remained ever after and went into the south of the Blessed Realm, where a spirit known as Ungoliant dwelt; a spirit that chose the shape of a great and dreadful spider that sucked all the light about her. Melkor seduced her into attacking Valinor, promising her a great reward: to give her whatever she might desire if she doesn’t satisfy her hunger during the attack. Ungoliant agreed and the duo attacked Valinor on the day of the festival. Melkor wounded the Two Trees of Valinor and Ungoliant sucked all light from them, thus darkening Arda forever. Yet the vengeance of Melkor wasn’t over. He still lusted for the Silmarils. They went to the north and attacked Fëanor’s fortress, Formenos, while Fëanor was at the festival. None dared to withstand him except Finwë, but Melkor slew him and took the Silmarils along with other jewels. It was after this crime that Fëanor cursed Melkor and called him Morgoth, meaning "the Black Enemy of the World", the name he was called by ever after. Fëanor swore a terrible oath to pursue whoever held the Silmarils, and he did until the end of his days and so did his sons who took the oath too.
Meanwhile Melkor with Ungoliant escaped from Valinor, but at the wastes of Araman Ungoliant halted and reminded Melkor of his promise. Grudgingly Melkor gave her all the gems that he stole from Formenos, but he withheld the Silmarils. Ungoliant sucked all the light out of the gems and became so powerful that even Melkor feared to look upon her. Then she entrapped him in her webs and the Silmarils would have been destroyed if it were not for the cry that Melkor uttered, which summoned the Balrogs that still lurked in the pits of his fortress. The Balrogs drove Ungoliant back with their whips and Melkor escaped to his smaller fortress, Angband, in the Iron Mountains, whose command was given to Sauron in the years before.
But the Noldor led by Fëanor followed Melkor into Middle Earth and made war on him along with the Elves of Teleri origin who remained in Middle Earth and the Edain, the three houses of Men that were Elf-Friends. Five great battles were fought against Melkor, not counting the War of The Wrath, and only once did he himself fight during these wars, against Fingolfin who had challenged him to the duel before the gates of Angband in 456 F.A. Great was that duel and Melkor was wounded seven times by the Elvish king until Fingolfin was crashed by Melkor and his body was broken. But it was saved by Thorondor the Eagle who gave Melkor a scar, which never healed, just like the wounds that Fingolfin gave him. After that only once was Melkor's fortress penetrated (except for the War of The Wrath), nine years after the duel with Fingolfin. This deed is remembered in songs of the Elves after it was performed by Beren and Luthien, who entered Angband in 465. Luthien enchanted Melkor with her singing and put him to sleep with it, while Beren cut one Silmaril from his crown. It was this Silmaril that more than a hundred years later led Eärendil to Valinor.
Though Melkor knew defeat, by the second half of the fifth century of the First Age, he had mostly victories. Most of his enemies he and his servant had destroyed; Fingon and Finrod, Turgon and Huor. But the life of Hurin and his kin he marred beyond belief. The Oath of Fëanor worked for him as well, for it caused disunion among his enemies, and the sons of Fëanor pursued the Silmarils that were stolen. His victory seemed complete after the fall of Gondolin and Doriath, and it would have remained thus if it was not for Eärendil, son of Tuor, of the House of Hador, and Idril Celebrindal, daughter of Turgon. For the sake of the Two Kindreds, Elves and Men, he sailed across the sea and came to Valinor, asking pardon for Noldor and begging for help to stop Morgoth. The Valar listened to him and changed their counsels of non-interference. They gathered a great host of Noldor and Vanyar Elves lead by Finarfin and Eonwë, the herald of Manwë. And they sailed across the sea, using the ships of the Teleri of Valinor, and they entered Beleriand, assaulting Melkor’s forces. Beleriand was then filled with flames in the year 583 of the First Age. Thus began the War of the Wrath in which Melkor's legions of Orcs perished, and the Balrogs were destroyed or fled into deep underground caves. Even the mightiest of Melkor's servants, the flying dragons were defeated with Eärendil killing the greatest of them, Ancalagon the Black, and casting him down on Thangorodrim and thus breaking it. The disturbance that this war caused was so great that Beleriand was broken, but Melkor was also defeated in that war. He was captured in the deepest pits of Angband, where he fled from the hosts of Valar. His feet were hewn under him and he was chained again by Angainor. The silmarils were taken from his crown, which was beaten into his collar. Melkor begged for pardon but to no avail, and the Valar cast him from Arda into the Void, from where he can't escape until Dagor Dagorath. But the seeds of evil that he planted among Elves and Men survived, and so did the creatures that he made: orcs, werewolves and the great dragons.
Of the Maiar
The maiar were spirits of the Ainur. They were thus of the same high order as the Valar, however lesser than the Valar in power. The Maiar most often served as people and helpers of the Valar. Very few of the Maiar have names in the tongues of the children of Ilúvatar, and they have rarely shown themselves in Middle-earth.
Of those few of the Maiar that have names in the tongues of the children of Ilúvatar, we find the two greatest of the Maiar, Ilmarë, the Handmaid of Varda, and Eönwë, the Herald of Manwë. There are also Ossë, the vassal of Ulmo, and Ossë¹s spouse, Uinen, the Lady of the Seas, whom were beloved of the Eldar. Melian was a Maia who lived in the Gardens of Lórien, and she served both Estë and Vána, until she traveled to Middle-Earth, where she married King Thingol, and the two founded Doriath. The Maia Olorin sought knowledge in both the Gardens of Lórien and in the House of Nienna and gave vision to the Elves whom he walked secretly amongst. Curunír was a Maia of Aulë, and he was both skilled in crafts and very wise. Aiwendil was a Maia of Yavanna, and just as his mentor, he had a great love for the nature and all its creations. Two more mysterious of the Maiar are Alatar and Pallando (later called Morinehtar and Romestamo); they traveled to Middle-Earth in the Third Age, but disappeared into the East, and only very little is known about them compared to what we know of the other Maiar that came with them (their story is further complicated because of many versions which Tolkien gives of the Blue Wizards, whereas the other Maiar he simply leaves much to the imagination). Arien was the Sun-Maiden; a fire-maia, most probably belonging to Vána¹s Maiar from the beginning. She guided the Sun over the sky. Tilion was Arien¹s counterpart; he was the guide of the Moon and originally belonged to Oromë.
Together with the Valar, the Maiar danced upon Almaren and in Valinor, and the people of the Ainur were most of the times happy in Arda.
However, Melkor¹s treachery reached also into the ranks of the Maiar. In ages now forgotten, many of the Maiar joined Melkor when Melkor still loved the light. In his days of glory they followed him, but when he descended down into the darkness, they remained true to him also then, and they followed him down into the dark. Other Maiar, not as easily swayed, he later attracted through lies and deceit. The most terrifying of these Maiar were the Valaraukar, demons of fire called the Balrogs.
The most powerful of the Maiar that would be to join Melkor was however not a Balrog. His name was Sauron, or Gorthaur. Sauron was originally a Maia of Aulë, but desiring to rule people after his own will, he joined Melkor; but he took a place in all of Melkor¹s crimes against Arda and its inhabitants, however small it may be. After the fall of Melkor, Sauron took his place, and rose as a new Dark Lord of Middle-earth.
After about a thousand years of the Third Age had passed, the Maiar would prove to once again become important to Middle-earth. The Valar had learnt of Sauron¹s ever increasing power in Mordor, but they did not want to intervene personally, seeing that Middle-earth needed to learn the fact that the Valar not always would come to the rescue in bad times, and seeing the fact that when the Valar intervened, great damages were caused upon the lands. The Valar would however not stand by and do nothing while Sauron took Middle-earth as his own, as they still cared for Middle-earth and its inhabitants. Thus, they sent Maiar in their places, and these Maiar would take the shapes of old men, and they would become known as ³wizards². These wizards belonged to the Istari order. Five wizards came to the north-western regions of Middle-earth, and their Maiarian names were Curunír, Olórin, Aiwendil, Alatar and Pallando. Curunír was more commonly known as Saruman. And Olorín, Gandalf; Aiwendil was Radagast. The Istari were, however. not sent to Middle-earth to battle Sauron for the peoples of Middle-earth; they were sent to guide and aid them in the battle against Sauron, and therefore the Istari were forbidden to use their powers in offensive and splendorous means.
At the end of the Third Age, only very few of the Maiar lingered still in Middle-earth, as the Third Age basically marked the end for the already few of the Maiar still present in Middle-Earth.
Of Alcorad, the Lord of Defile
At the creation of the almighty Ainur, Illuvitar placed a wary eye upon Melkor who above all else desired power and was rebellious in his dealings. And so as the Valar and their faithful followers, the Maiar, descended upon Arda, one in particular was chosen in especial to guide Melkor from his unruly ways. Irindë, one of the fairest and most beautiful of the Maiar was created with greater care and devotion than the others in the mind of Illuvitar for it was his words and mind that was so cunning, even Melkor himself could not stand against his wit. “And to you, Irindë, I bestow strength and the cunning to subdue even the most omnipotent and omniscient of my creations. You shall shine above the others so that you may be a bringer of light to those who linger in darkness, but be selfish not for those who use their powers to benefit the perversions of malice and darkness shall know naught but despair.” And so Irindë heeded not Illuvitar’s warning and descended into the world to become an emissary of Melkor himself and to suppress his vile tendencies.