The Firstborn Arrive

The Valar grow restless as the awakening of the Firstborn draws nigh. This concern is due to the fact that they have left Middle-earth to the dominion of Melkor. Only Yavanna and Orome walked the lands of Middle-earth. Melkor built fortifications should the Valar try to retake his Middle-earth. His lieutenant Sauron commands Angband, a fortress built to withstand the first assault of the West. Yavanna, sure the Children of Iluvatar would soon come, implores her fellow Valar: "Shall we then leave the lands of their dwelling desolate and full of evil? Shall they walk in darkness while we have light? Shall they call Melkor lord while Manwe sits upon Taniquetil?" (pg. 48, The Silmarillion). This is an interesting application point. I have plenty and I am comfortable. Do I live in it or go to those less fortunate and seek their good?

Varda sets to work and creates many a beautiful stars using the dew from Telperion. These stars were brighter than any others and designed to give the Firstborn light. Indeed, of all the Valar she is most esteemed by the Elves. Even as she finishes her work the Firstborn awake at Lake Cuivenen. The Elves originally named themselves Quendi to signify they spoke using voices. Melkor became aware of the Elves first, capturing some and sending lies and whispers among them so that they fear a mysterious hunter. Orome, who hunted the fell beasts of Melkor in Middle-earth was the first of the Valar to discover the Firstborn. Yet due to the lies of Melkor some of the Elves fled from him never to be found again.

Those Elves whom Melkor captured were broken, imprisoned, corrupted, and enslaved. Thus through Melkor's cruelty the race of Orcs became, in envy and mockery of Elves. Bitter enemies they were. This act was the most vile and hateful to Iluvatar. As it is in this life I think. To devalue and corrupt another human who bears the image of God is a grave thing indeed. And yet we (and I) do this all the time with the words of our tongues, our greed, our selfishness, pornography, etc. Indeed, the Bible discusses the sin nature in every human following the Fall in Genesis and when left to my own devices, rather than God's way, I often end up broken, imprisoned, corrupted, and enslaved. Wouldn't have pegged myself as an Orc.

Upon receiving news from Orome about the coming of the Firstborn the Valar act. Pledging to retake Middle-earth whatsoever the cost they begin war on Melkor. Once again during the fighting of mighty supernatural beings the shape of the land is changed. At last Melkor was captured by Tulkos and shackled with a chain made by Aule; imprisoned in the Halls of Mandos until his trial be renewed. Still not all evil was destroyed as many fell creatures and servants of Melkor lay hidden in the vastness of Utumno and Angband. Sauron was one such servant who was never found by the Valar. With Melkor captured Middle-earth had a long season of peace.

Now the Valar turned their attention to the Firstborn. Some, Ulmo being the chief, felt they should be able to walk freely in Middle-earth while others felt it too dangerous with servants of Melkor still abroad. It was decided the Valar would summon the Firstborn to live with them in Valinor. Orome, who called the Firstborn the Eldar (people of the stars) was sent to them. However, due to the lies of Melkor, the Eldar were afraid. Three ambassadors were chosen to go with Orome and report back: Ingwe, Fingwe, and Elwe who would become great lords of the Elves. The ambassadors were awed by the splendor of Valinor and sought to sway their kin to return with them to the realm of the Valar. However, first sundering of the Elves took place as some followed their lords to Valinor while others stayed in Middle-earth.

Elves who did not make the journey were Moriquendi, Elves of Darkness, for they never saw the light of the Two Trees in Valinor. The Elves who did make the journey were the Caliquendi, Elves of the Light. Ingwe was the most high lord of the Elves and led his people were the Vanyar or Fair Elves. Finwe's folk were the Noldor a renowned people and friends of Aule. Elwe and his brother Olwe led the Teleri and many of these people tarried on the road for the were not wholeheartedly excited about leaving Middle-earth. For example: Lenwe of Teleri led a group of Elves away from the great migration, the Nandor, and they passed out of knowledge for many years. The journey took the Caliquendi through a region named Beleriand, where much of the historical events to come take place.

Perhaps the most interesting Elf to not make the journey to Valinor was Elwe. He was one of the three original ambassadors, a leader among his people, who swayed their will to make the journey. Yet on the journey, during a time of rest, he wandered into the woods and beheld Melian. Among Lorien's people none were more beautiful, more wise, or more skilled with songs of enchantment. "It is told that the Valar would lave their works, and the birds of Valinor their mirth, that the bells of Valmar were silent and the fountains ceased to flow, when at the mingling of the the lights Melian sang in Lorien" (p. 55, The Silmarillion).

Melian was singing in the woods when Elwe first laid eyes on her. "She spoke no word; but being filled with love Elwe came to her and took her hand, and straightway a spell was laid on him, so that they stood thus while long years were measured by the wheeling stars above them; and the trees of Nan Elmoth grew tall and dark before they spoke any word" (pg. 55, The Silmarillion). His people could not find him and his brother Olwe became king leading some of the Teleri to Valinor. Others of the Teleri tarried searching and waiting for Elwe. In stories to come Elwe would be a great king for he alone among his people saw the Trees. He would be known as Elu Thingol and his people the Eldar of Beleriand, the Grey-Eleves and his queen Melian would be the wisest of the land. "And of the love of Thingol and Melian there came into the world the fairest of all the Children of Iluvatar that was or shall ever be" (p. 56, The Silmarillion).

Middle-earth timeline: Age of the Two Trees
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 47-56