The Marring of Valinor

Melkor passed unseen into the unwatched southern lands of Middle-earth and plotted his revenge. He enlisted the help of Ungoliant. She took the shape of a giant spider consuming all light to feed her darkness. Though powerful she had no desire to attack the Valar in Valinor. Melkor made the following vow to sway her: "Do as I bid; and if thou hunger still when all is done, then I will give thee whatsoever thy lust may demand. Yea, with both hands" (p. 74, The Silmarillion). Tolkien notes this vow was made lightly but it convinced her and together they set out for Valinor.

Knowing the Valar as he did Melkor waited for his attack until the opportune time: a feast. Manwe orchestrated high feasts praising Eru (Iluvatar) for the provisions He provided. All of the Valar, Maiar, and Elves (save the Teleri who preferred the sea and the shores) were in the main city with the bulk of Valinor unguarded. For this particular feast Manwe summoned Feanor in hopes to heal the strife in Finwe's house. Feanor came but denied the Valar the beauty of the Silmarils by leaving them locked away at his home. Finwe would not heed Manwe's call feeling himself not to be king while his son was banished. Fingolfin affirmed his mercy and did not hold a grudge against Feanor. "Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart I will be. Thou shalt lead and I will follow. May no new grief divide us" (p. 75, The Silmarillion). Feanor accepted this vow but neither brother realized what it would mean.

In that very hour Melkor and Ungoliant assaulted Valinor. He drove his spear through Telperion and Laurelin and sap, like blood, flowed form the wounds of the Two Trees. Ungoliant sucked up the sap from each Tree until they were drained completely. She thirsted still  and drinking up the wells of Varda--"Ungoliant belched forth black vapours as she drank, and swelled to a shape so vast and hideous that Melkor was afraid (p. 76, The Silmarillion). A great darkness fell on Valinor. Orome and Tulkos began the pursuit of Melkor immediately. But he was lost darkness of Ungoliant and the death of the Light of the Two Trees.

The table is now set. The Valar saw the beautiful vision of Iluvatar and for the love of His Children worked to create Middle-earth a suitable home. Melkor, one of their own, in his pride seeks to make Middle-earth his dominion and the Children his slaves. The Firstborn arrive in this tainted and fallen, if you will, world. With the help of their pride Melkor darkens Valinor and the rest of the tale shall trace the trials and tribulations of what is to come.

I was particularly moved in this reading by the vows made. Melkor makes his lightly implying he has no intentions of following through. Fingolfin makes his with good intentions but has no idea how far reaching his words will be. It's a strong challenge to think about what vows we make. Whether our intentions are true or untrue, good or evil, vows are powerful. They would seem to be more powerful than average words, if there is such a thing. It's a solemn promise to something or someone. I think we (at least I know I have) made vows too lightly myself not realizing the implications of such strong words. Indeed, the warning of Jesus rings true here. May my yes be yes. May my no be no. May that be enough.

Middle-earth timeline: End of the Age of the Two Trees

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 73-77