Meanwhile in Valinor the Valar were not idle. Being diving powers they were able to work many things with thought rather than hands. They thought of the End of the world and Middle-earth where Morgoth (Melkor) now dwelt and they lamented. "And they mourned not more for the death of the Trees than for the marring of Feanor: of the works of Melkor one of the most evil" (p. 98, The Silmarillion) Indeed, it is told by the Vanyar that Manwe wept when he heard the words of Feanor as he left Aman. Once the Noldor had departed Manwe ordered Yavanna and Nienna to put forth their powers of healing and growth toward the Trees. "Yet even as hope failed and her song faltered, Telperion bore at last upon a leafless bough one great flower of silver, and Laurelin a single fruit of gold" (p. 99, The Silmarillion).
Out of the last blooming of the Trees the Valar fashioned the Sun and the Moon. Manwe and Aule hollowed the last flower and fruit and Varda created vessels to carry the light as lamps in the heavens. While bright and fair their light was not unsullied. The only light of the Trees shining unmarred by Ungoliant and Morgoth remained in the Silmarils. Indeed, Manwe knew that the awakening of Men was drawing near. Knowing the second Children of Iluvatar were mortal the Valar wished not to attack Morgoth for fear of destroying fragile Men. The Sun and Moon were designed to thwart Morgoth whose forces thrived in darkness. The Moon was called Isil and the Sun was named Arnar and two Maiar to were selected to guide their paths. Arien was the mightier of the two and she steered the Sun while Tilion, a hunter of Orome, who loved Telperion begged to be given the Moon.
The Moon rose first and circled Middle-earth seven times before the first rising of the Sun. Indeed, at the first rising of the Moon: "...Fingolfin let blow his silver trumpets and and began his march into Middle-earth, and the shadows of his host went long and black before them" (p. 100, The Silmarillion). At the first rising of the Sun Morgoth and his servants were dismayed and retreated into the deep fortress of Angband. It was decreed by Varda the rotation of the Sun and Moon; each with it's time to reign in the sky. When that time ended the vessel would set in Valinor until pulled under the earth by the Servants of Ulmo and travelled in haste under Middle-earth and rose in the East. In case you are wondering the world was flat at this time in Middle-earth's history. "But Tilion went with uncertain pace, as yet he goes, and was still drawn towards Arien, as he ever shall be; so that often both may be seen above the Earth together, or at times it will chance that he comes so nigh that his shadow cuts off her brightness and there is a darkness amid the day" (p. 101, The Silmarillion).
Morgoth, filled with hate, attacked Tilion but could not overcome him. Arien was too bright and powerful for Morgoth since he had already given much of his strength to the building of his armies. Morgoth was now bound to Middle-earth and less like Valar. Still, seeing his attack the Valar feared his reach and proceeded to fortify Aman and effectively cutting it off from Middle-earth. They rose steep mountains and guarded passes with fortresses and sentinels. In the Sea the Enchanted Isles were placed hindering any mariner from finding their way into the Blessed Realm: "...save one only: the mightiest mariner of song" (p. 102, The Silmarillion). Now the Valar rested leaving the Noldor to contest with Morgoth. Of all the Valar Ulmo kept the exiles of Valinor in his thought.
"At the first rising of the Sun the Younger Children of Iluvatar awoke in the land of Hildorien in the eastward regions of Middle-earth; but first the Sun arose in the West, and the opening eyes of Men were turned towards it, and their feet as they wandered over the Earth for the most part strayed that way" (p. 103, The Silmarillion). Men were given many names by the Eldar: Usurpers, Mortals, Sickly, the Followers, and many others. Not much is told of Men in the First Age of Middle-earth (time passed more swiftly with the Sun and Moon than during the Age of the Two Trees); except of those who became involved in the fate of the Noldor and the Silmarils. For now Valar came to summon Men as they had with the Elves. "Ulmo nonetheless took thought for them, aiding the counsel and will of Manwe; but his messages came often to them by stream and flood" (p. 103, The Silmarillion). Men's hearts were often stirred by the sound of water even if they knew not why.
Because of the unlooked for strike of the Valar Morgoth's power was held in check by the Sun and Moon and Men had little evil to contend with during their beginning days. They befriended the Dark Elves, those of the Eldar who had never made the trip to Valinor. "Immortal were the Elves, and their wisdom waxed from age to age; and no sickness or pestilence brought death to them. Their bodies were indeed the stuff of Earth, and could be destroyed; and in those days they were more like to the bodies of Men, since they had not so long been inhabited by the fire of their spirit, which consumes them from within in the courses of time. But Men were more frail, more easily slain by weapon or mischance, and less easily healed; subject to sickness and many ills, and they grew old and died. What may befall of their spirits the Elves known not" (p. 104, The Silmarillion). I've been ordering a few of the The Histories of Middle-earth, Christopher Tolkien's mammoth work on how his father created Middle-earth and one of the books contains an eschatological conversation between an Elf and human on what happens after death. That should be an interesting read and blog post. It is told that only one Man ever returned to Middle-earth after death but his tale is not yet come.
Middle-earth timeline: End of the Age of the Two Trees to First Age 1
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 98-105
Relevant Map: Beleriand
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