We continue to journey with Eriol on this fascinating look at the beginnings of Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology. As I read through The Book of Lost Tales again I've come to enjoy the angle Tolkien took. That a sea-wandering man somehow stumbles upon the secret island of the Elves and becomes so engrossed with the Eldar that he longs for any knowledge they will give him. He would eventually (as will be seen) be able to take their histories and legends back to Men. At the moment Eriol longs to stay in Tol Eressëa.
Back at The Cottage of Lost Play Lindo graciously tells Eriol another tale from the history of the Elves. This tale would be the most grave yet and focuses on Melko's destructive actions. First Melko planted lies in the mines of the Noldoli who were gifted when it came to making jewels and other items of great value. Melko was upset they would not reveal their arts to him and he sought to create dissension in Valinor. He lied about why the Elves were brought to Valinor--simply to be used as slaves for the Valar: "'Lo, they use your skill, and to your beauty they hold fast as an adornment of their realms. This is not love, but selfish desire--make test of it'" (p. 141, The Book of Lost Tales, Volume I). And many believed such words.
Yet some held true and wished to report to Manwë what was said. This made Melko very angry and he feigned humility before Manwë first and told of what he heard the Noldoli utter. Both Melko and the Noldoli were rebuked and Melko was sentence to penitence in the Halls of Mandos once again. Having already been there "...Melko had made friends to himself of certain gloomy spirits there and perverted them to ill..." (p. 142-43 The Book of Lost Tales, Volume 1). He sent these out as spies to plan his revenge.
At a time of high feasting, Years of Double Mirth, all the Elves were gathered before the Valar. Melko timed his revenge at this time during Manwë's great speech. With his cadre of allies he sought to steal the most precious of the Noldoli's gems and leave Valinor. But his own seeds of mistruth worked against him as the Noldoli left guards of great strength watching over them, no longer trusting the Valar. A fight ensued and Melko slew Fëanor's father (here named Bruithwir) and took the Silmarils among other jewels. He then stole Oromë's fleet of black horses and sped into the cold hard north.
Messengers came to the feast and reported what had taken place but by then Melko was too far gone for capture. Amidst the turmoil Melko sent a messenger to the Valar and Manwë bid him speak. The message asserted Melko's rule of the world outside of Valinor and justification for taking the jewels from the Valar's slaves as recompense for unjust imprisonment. The Valar and Elves were outraged and Manwë sought to banish Melko forever. Certain Elves and folk of the Vali would not wait and, led by Tulkas, through the envoy from the top of a high mountain to his death.
Manwë wept at this violent act and Sorontur, King of Eagles was sent to deliver the decree of banishment to Melko. Fëanor was very bitter and began to isolate his folk at this time. Manwë began to speak to the Elves of the coming of Men which had never before been spoken of freely. This knowledge, coupled with Melko's lies, spurred Fëanor to begin speaking out against the Valar and many turned to the wayward Elf.
In the meanwhile Melko met Ungwë Lianti, the great spider, who greedily sucked up all light. With her Melko made his boldest move yet sneaking back into Valar despite the banishment and brutally slaying the Two Trees while Ungwë sucked their sap from their dying roots. One elf, named Daurin tried desperately to save the trees but after a strike to the spider she caught him in a web and Melko stabbed and took the dying Daurin's sword to slay the second tree with.
While many points can be seen that are very similar to the published Silmarillion account there are very distinct difference. Characters who were to be are not yet present. Melko lusted after the Noldoli's gems including the Silmarils rather than the Silmarils themselves. Christopher Tolkien's notes the later stories are "far superior" (p. 156) since Melkor escapes as a known enemy. Here we see the Melko is not reformed but asked to stay in the Halls of Mandos for penitence. My impression of the Valar is they are much more volatile in early writings: Tulkas leading in the death of Melko's messenger, Manwë continuing to turn a blind eye to Melko, Ossë's rebellious actions, etc. Perhaps the biggest difference is the Trees were destroyed after the taking of the jewels.
Christopher Tolkien also noted: "Of the next part of this tale (pp. 146-9) almost nothing survived" (p. 158, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume I). This would be my impetus for trying to merge what I can glean from History of Middle Earth, Unfinished Tales, etc into the published works. A tall task with many incongruities. Finally key elements, such as the Thieves Quarrel, are also absent from the early stories.
While I appreciate Tolkien's thought into how and why we would even know any legends and tales of Elves, rectifying that question with the Eriol thread, I can see that it was also rather easily dismissed. Beyond the opening paragraph stating minute details such as Lindo is now the story teller the reader quickly forgets about Eriol, The Cottage, the fireside tales and becomes engrossed in the tale being told. Essentially The Silmarillion are these tales (reworked) minus the Eriol thread. It's long been my favorite work of Tolkien's and one I wish he had been able to finish. All that to say not having Eriol involved has never hindered my ability to enjoy the work.
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