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Elves that it lay far off in the east of Middle…earth； and northward； and it was a bay in the Inland Sea of Helcar； and that
sea stood where aforetime the roots of the mountain of Illuin had been before Melkor overthrew it Many waters flowed
down thither from heights in the east； and the first sound that was heard by the Elves was the sound of water flowing；
and the sound of water falling over stone。
Long they dwelt in their first home by the water under stars； and they walked the Earth in wonder； and they began
to make speech and to give names to all things that they perceived。 Themselves they named the Quendi； signifying those
that speak with voices； for as yet they had met no other living things that spoke or sang。
And on a time it chanced that Orom？ rode eastward in his hunting； and he turned north by the shores of Helcar
and passed under the shadows of the Orocarni； the Mountains of the East。 Then on a sudden Nahar set up a great
neighing； and stood still。 And Orom？ wondered and sat silent； and it seemed to him that in the quiet of the land under the
stars he heard afar off many voices singing。
Thus it was that the Valar found at last； as it were by chance； those whom they had so long awaited。 And Orom？
looking upon the Elves was filled with wonder； as though they were beings sudden and marvellous and unforeseen； for
so it shall ever be with the Valar。 From without the World； though all things may be forethought in music or foreshown in
vision from afar； to those who enter verily into E？ each in its time shall be met at unawares as something new and
unforetold。
In the beginning the Elder Children of Ilúvatar were stronger and greater than they have since bee； but not
more fair； for though the beauty of the Quendi in the days of their youth was beyond all other beauty that Ilúvatar has
caused to be； it has not perished； but lives in the West； and sorrow and wisdom have enriched it。 And Orom？ loved the
Quendi； and named them in their own tongue Eldar； the people of the stars； but that name was after borne only by those
who followed him upon the westward road。
Yet many of the Quendi were filled with dread at his ing； and this was the doing of Melkor。 For by after…
knowledge the wise declare that Melkor； ever watchful； was first aware of the awakening of the Quendi； and sent
shadows and evil spirits to spy upon them and waylay them。 So it came to pass； some years ere the ing of Orom？；
that if any of the Elves strayed far abroad； alone or few together； they would often vanish； and never return； and the
Quendi said that the Hunter had caught them； and they were afraid。 And indeed the most ancient songs of the Elves； of
which echoes are remembered still in the West； tell of the shadow…shapes that walked in the hills above Cuiviénen； or
would pass suddenly over the stars； and of the dark Rider upon his wild horse that pursued those that wandered to take
them and devour them。 Now Melkor greatly hated and feared the riding of Orom？； and either he sent indeed his dark
servants as riders； or he set lying whispers abroad； for the purpose that the Quendi should shun Orom？； if ever they
should meet。
Thus it was that when Nahar neighed and Orom？ indeed came among them； some of the Quendi hid themselves；
and some fled and were lost。 But those that had courage； and stayed； perceived swiftly that the Great Rider was no shape
out of darkness； for the light of Aman was in his face； and all the noblest of the Elves were drawn towards it。
But of those unhappy ones who were ensnared by Melkor little is known of a certainty。 For who of the living has
descended into the pits of Utumno； or has explored the darkness of the counsels of Melkor？ Yet this is held true by the
wise of Eress？a； that all those of the Quendi who came into the hands of Melkor； ere Utumno was broken； were put there
in prison； and by slow arts of cruelty were corrupted and enslaved； and thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the
Orcs in envy and mockery of the Elves； of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes。 For the Orcs had life and
multiplied after the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar； and naught that had life of its own； nor the semblance of life；
could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the Ainulindal？ before the Beginning： so say the wise。 And deep in their
dark hearts the Orcs loathed the Master whom they served in fear； the maker only of their misery。 This it may be was the
vilest deed of Melkor； and the most hateful to Ilúvatar。
Orom？ tarried a while among the Quendi； and then swiftly he rode back over land and sea to Valinor and brought
the tidings to Valmar； and he spoke of the shadows that troubled Cuiviénen。 Then the Valar rejoiced； and yet they were
in doubt amid their joy； and they debated long what counsel it were best to take for the guarding of the Quendi from the
shadow of Melkor。 But Orom？ returned at once to Middle…earth and abode with the Elves。
Manw？ sat long in thought upon Taniquetil； and he sought the counsel of Ilúvatar。 And ing then down to
Valmar he summoned the Valar to the Ring of Doom； and thither came even Ulmo from the Outer Sea。
Then Manw？ said to the Valar： 'This is the counsel of Ilúvatar in my heart： that we should take up again the
mastery of Arda； at whatsoever cost； and deliver the Quendi from the shadow of Melkor。' Then Tulkas was glad； but
Aul？ was grieved； foreboding the hurts of the world that must e of that strife。 But the Valar made ready and came
forth from Aman in strength of war； resolving to assault the fortresses of Melkor and make an end。 Never did Melkor
forget that this war was made for the sake of the Elves； and that they were the cause of his downfall。 Yet they had no part
in those deeds； and they know little of the riding of the might of the West against the North in the beginning of their
days。
Melkor met the onset of the Valar in the North…west of Middle…earth； and all that region was much broken。 But
the first victory of the hosts of the West was swift； and the servants of Melkor fled before them to Utumno。 Then the
Valar passed over Middle…earth； and they set a guard over Cuiviénen； and thereafter the Quendi knew nothing of the
great Battle of the Powers； save that the Earth shook and groaned beneath them； and the waters were moved； and in the
north there were lights as of mighty fires。 Long and grievous was the siege of Utumno； and many battles were fought
before its gates of which naught but the rumour is known to the Elves。 In that time the shape of Middle…earth was
changed； and the Great Sea that sundered it from Aman grew wide and deep； and it broke in upon the coasts and made a
deep gulf to the southward。 Many lesser bays were made between the Great Gulf and Helcarax？ far in the north； where
Middle…earth and Aman came nigh together。 Of these the Bay of Balar was the chief； and into it the mighty river Sirion
flowed down from the new…raised highlands northwards： Dorthonion； and the mountains about Hithlum。 The lands of the
far north were all made desolate in those days； for there Utumno was delved exceeding deep； and its pits were filled with
fires and with great hosts of the servants of Melkor。
But at the last the gates of Utumno were broken and the halls unroofed； and Melkor took refuge in the uttermost
pit。 Then Tulkas stood forth as champion of the Valar and wrestled with him； and cast him upon his face； and he was
bound with the chain Angainor that Aul？ had wrought； and led captive； and the world had peace for a long age。
Nonetheless the Valar did not discover all the mighty vaults and caverns hidden with deceit far under the
fortresses of Angband and Utumno。 Many evil things still lingered there； and others were dispersed and fled into the
dark and roamed in the waste places of the world； awaiting a more evil hour； and Sauron they did not find。
But when the Battle was ended and from the ruin of the North great clouds arose and hid the stars； the Valar drew
Melkor back to Valinor； bound hand and foot； and blindfold； and he was brought to the Ring of Doom。 There he lay
upon his f