Of Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Ents

Today we gain the first insights into some races of Middle-earth: Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Ents. But first we begin with wars between the Valar and Melkor; things looked bleak until Tulkos arrived. However, Melkor fled when Tulkos came to Arda (Middle-earth) and the land experienced peace. During this respite the Valar shaped the land. Aule constructed two great lamps to light the land and light caused the seeds and Yavanna burst forth into life. A beautiful spring in Arda. The Valar rested and feasted. Meanwhile, Melkor used this time to build a fortress, Utumno. Melkor attacked from his fortress and destroyed the two lamps and was able to escape in the darkness.

The Valar retreated to the westernmost parts of Middle-earth (Biblically speaking west signifies spiritual journey, take for instance the Garden of Eden when Adam of Eve are banished east of the Garden. They must go west to find God again--and moving West is a theme in Middle-earth as well) and built Valinor in the Land of Aman. This was an undying land across the seas: "...there naught faded nor withered, neither was there any stain upon flower or leaf in the land, nor any corruption or sickness in anything that lived..." (p. 38, The Silmarillion) Reminds me of Heaven where: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Rev 21:4). The Valar would seldom leave this land again, save Yavanna and Orome, but their thought was always on Middle-earth.

By the song of Yavanna and the tears of Nienna two great trees, Telperion and Laurelin, grew in Valinor. One waxed while the other waned each giving off great light while blossoming and closing every seven hours. With the advent of Telperion and Laurelin began the Count of Time. These trees are of paramount importance as Tolkien states: "...about their fate all the tales of the Elder days are woven..." (p. 38, The Silmarillion). Although the Valar have retreated none forgot Middle-earth. Melkor is in control of the land for the time being and Valar knew that the time for the Children of Iluvatar approaches. Here we learn more about Elves and Men. Let's start with Elves:

• Closer resemblance to the Valar
• Fairest of all earthly creatures
• Conceive and bring forth much beauty
• Great bliss in the world and bound to it
• They remain until the end of days and will not die until the world does (unless slain in battle or taken by grief)
• "...dying they are gathered to the Halls of Mandos in Valinor, whence in time they may return" (p. 42, The Silmarillion). That is a curios
• Iluvatar has not revealed His plans for the Elves at the End

Men (and tell me Tolkien does not have a grasp on humanity even in this "fantasy"):

• The hearts of Men seek beyond this world and find no rest within (see Ecclesiastes 3:11)
• They have virtue to shape their own life (free will) amid the powers and chances of the world
• Men dwell in the world only a short time and are not bound to it. Iluvatar (Eru) knows their free will coupled with turmoils and powers of the world would lead them to stray often.
• They Leave the world upon death, known as Guests or Strangers by the Elves
• Ultimately death is a great gift as Elves are bound to the world
• Melkor places a shadow on this gift casting fear on this hope 
• It is said that Men will join the Second Song of the Ainur at the End

Brilliant stuff right here. Simply brilliant. How many people, myself included at times, fear the end of this life and what comes next? How many people view death as a gift? This is counter-cultural and very profound and challenges some of my own thought processes. Next we are introduced to a most hardy folk--the Dwarves. In fact I rather like the Dwarves, especially their beginning. Aule, the Valar who's into making things, grows impatient waiting for the Children of Iluvatar appear. I feel this. It is so applicable to my life--how I often grow impatient with God's timing. Anyhow, Aule decides to make the Children; now keep in mind they were not his thought and he only saw a glimpse of them in the initial vision. Furthermore, he created them in the midst of Melkor's dominion over Middle-earth. And what Aule made are what we know as Dwarves:

• They love craft-making in the image of Aule hence their love of metal working--think Frodo's coat of mithril
• They were made in secret, i.e. in a hall under a mountain, hence their love of mines
• They were made strong and unyielding to withstand Melkor; "...they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hunger and hurt of body more hardily than all other speaking peoples; and they live long, far beyond the span of men, yet not for ever." (p. 44, The Silmarillion)
• It is said when they pass Iluvatar will give them a place along with the other Children; "Then their part will be to serve Aule and to aid him in the remaking of Arda after the Last Battle" (p. 44, The Silmarillion).

I have visions of Gimli dancing in my head. But the coolest part is the exchange between Iluvatar and Aule. Basically Aule took matters into his own hands and Iluvatar rebukes him. Aule displays the rarest of traits: true humility. He even raises his hammer to smite the Dwarves (I love Ted Nasmith's painting of this scene). It's a touching and poignant picture and I love how Tolkien captures the essence of humanity in his writings. Here is my favorite quote of the exchange, when Aule says to Iluvatar: "...the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father" (p. 43, The Silmarillion). Read that again and let it sink in. Iluvatar relents from his wrath and allows the Dwarves to exist. However, they must sleep in mountains deep until he chooses the time of their awakening.

Last but not least we get a picture of how the Ents came to be. Yavanna who loves all that grows and is chiefly responsible for grass, moss, flowers, and trees in Middle-earth begins to realize these things will never be appreciated with her reverence for them. In fact, it was foretold that the Children of Iluvatar will be given dominion over Middle-earth (another Biblical bell is ringing). It's through the making of the Dwarves that she realizes this. Aule is frank that they must eat and build, but he foresees much respect and gratitude by them for the resources they use. Yavanna is quick to note it may not be the case if their hearts are darkened by Melkor. She makes her case before Manwe who knows Iluvatar's plans best and as he meditates he is surprised to see parts of the plan he had not viewed before (for who can know the Heart of God except God alone?). Yavanna asks for trees that might speak on behalf of all that bear roots. Her desire is granted and for a season while the Firstborn (Elves) are in their power and the Secondborn (Men) are young..."in the forests shall walk the Sheperds of the Trees" (p. 46, The Silmarillion)

Middle-earth timeline: Before Time, Age of the Two Trees
Todays reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 35-46