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thereby。 But the shapes wherein the Great Ones array themselves are not at all times like to the shapes of the kings and
queens of the Children of Ilúvatar； for at times they may clothe themselves in their own thought； made visible in forms
of majesty and dread。
And the Valar drew unto them many panions； some less； some well nigh as great as themselves； and they
laboured together in the ordering of the Earth and the curbing of its tumults。 Then Melkor saw what was done； and that
the Valar walked on Earth as powers visible； clad in the raiment of the World； and were lovely and glorious to see； and
blissful； and that the Earth was being as a garden for their delight； for its turmoils were subdued。 His envy grew then
the greater within him； and he also took visible form； but because of his mood and the malice that burned in him that
form was dark and terrible。 And he descended upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Valar； as a
mountain that wades in the sea and has its head above the clouds and is clad in ice and crowned with smoke and fire； and
the light of the eyes of Melkor was like a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold。
Thus began the first battle of the Valar with Melkor for the dominion of Arda； and of those tumults the Elves
know but little。 For what has here been declared is e from the Valar themselves； with whom the Eldali？ spoke in the
land of Valinor； and by whom they were instructed； but little would the Valar ever tell of the wars before the ing of
the Elves。 Yet it is told among the Eldar that the Valar endeavoured ever； in despite of Melkor； to rule the Earth and to
prepare it for the ing of the Firstborn； and they built lands and Melkor destroyed them； valleys they delved and
Melkor raised them up； mountains they carved and Melkor threw them down； seas they hollowed and Melkor spilled
them； and naught might have peace or e to lasting growth； for as surely as the Valar began a labour so would Melkor
undo it or corrupt it。 And yet their labour was not all in vain； and though nowhere and in no work was their will and
purpose wholly fulfilled； and all things were in hue and shape other than the Valar had at first intended； slowly
nonetheless the Earth was fashioned and made firm。 And thus was the habitation of the Children of Ilúvatar established
at the last in the Deeps of Time and amidst the innumerable stars。
VALAQUENTA
Account of the Valar and Maiar
according to the lore of the
Eldar
In the beginning Eru； the One； who in the Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar； made the Ainur of his thought； and they made
a great Music before him。 In this Music the World was begun； for Ilúvatar made visible the song of the Ainur； and they
beheld it as a light in the darkness。 And many among them became enamoured of its beauty； and of its history which they
saw beginning and unfolding as in a vision。 Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being； and set it amid the Void； and
the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World； and it was called E？。
Then those of the Ainur who desired it arose and entered into the World at the beginning of Time； and it was their
task to achieve it； and by their labours to fulfil the vision which they had seen。 Long they laboured in the regions of E？；
which are vast beyond the thought of Elves and Men； until in the time appointed was made Arda； the Kingdom of Earth。
Then they put on the raiment of Earth and descended into it； and dwelt therein。
Of the Valar
The Great among these spirits the Elves name the Valar； the Powers of Arda； and Men have often called them gods。 The
Lords of the Valar are seven； and the Valier； the Queens of the Valar； are seven also。 These were their names in the
Elvish tongue as it was spoken in Valinor； though they have other names in the speech of the Elves in Middle…earth； and
their names among Men are manifold。 The names of the Lords in due order are： Manw？； Ulmo； Aul？； Orom？； Mandos；
Lórien； and Tulkas； and the names of the Queens are： Varda； Yavanna； Nienna； Est？； Vair？； Vána； and Nessa。 Melkor is
counted no longer among the Valar； and his name is not spoken upon Earth。
Manw？ and Melkor were brethren in the thought of Ilúvatar。 The mightiest of those Ainur who came into the
World was in his beginning Melkor； but Manw？ is dearest to Ilúvatar and understands most clearly his purposes。 He was
appointed to be； in the fullness of time； the first of all Kings： lord of the realm of Arda and ruler of all that dwell therein。
In Arda his delight is in the winds and the clouds； and in all the regions of the air； from the heights to the depths； from
the utmost borders of the Veil of Arda to the breezes that blow in the grass。 Súlimo he is surnamed； Lord of the Breath of
Arda。 All swift birds； strong of wing； he loves； and they e and go at his bidding。
With Manw？ dwells Varda； Lady of the Stars； who knows all the regions of E？。 Too great is her beauty to be
declared in the words of Men or of Elves； for the light of Ilúvatar lives still in her face。 In light is her power and her joy。
Out of the deeps of E？ she came to the aid of Manw？； for Melkor she knew from before the making of the Music and
rejected him； and he hated her； and feared her more than all others whom Eru made。 Manw？ and Varda are seldom
parted； and they remain in Valinor。 Their halls are above the everlasting snow； upon Oioloss？； the uttermost tower of
Taniquetil； tallest of all the mountains upon Earth。 When Manw？ there ascends his throne and looks forth； if Varda is
beside him； he sees further than all other eyes； through mist； and through darkness； and over the leagues of the sea。 And
if Manw？ is with her； Varda hears more clearly than all other ears the sound of voices that cry from east to west； from the
hills and the valleys； and from the dark places that Melkor has made upon Earth。 Of all the Great Ones who dwell in this
world the Elves hold Varda most in reverence and love。 Elbereth they name her； and they call upon her name out of the
shadows of Middle…earth； and uplift it in song at the rising of the stars。
Ulmo is the Lord of Waters。 He is alone。 He dwells nowhere long； but moves as he will in all the deep waters
about the Earth or under the Earth。 He is next in might to Manw？； and before Valinor was made he was closest to him in
friendship； but thereafter he went seldom to the councils of the Valar； unless great matters were in debate。 For he kept all
Arda in thought； and he has no need of any resting…place。 Moreover he does not love to walk upon land； and will seldom
clothe himself in a body after the manner of his peers。 If the Children of Eru beheld him they were filled with a great
dread； for the arising of the King of the Sea was terrible； as a mounting wave that strides to the land； with dark helm
foam…crested and raiment of mail shimmering from silver down into shadows of green。 The trumpets of Manw？ are loud；
but Ulmo's voice is deep as the deeps of the ocean which he only has seen。
Nonetheless Ulmo loves both Elves and Men； and never abandoned them； not even when they lay under the wrath
of the Valar。 At times he win e unseen to the shores of Middle…earth； or pass far inland up firths of the sea； and there
make music upon his great horns； the Ulumúri； that are wrought of white shell； and those to whom that music es
hear it ever after in their hearts； and longing for the sea never leaves them again。 But mostly Ulmo speaks to those who
dwell in Middle…earth with voices that are heard only as the music of water。 For all seas； lakes； rivers； fountains and
springs are in his government； so that the Elves say that the spirit of Ulmo runs in all the veins of the world。 Thus news
es to Ulmo； even in the deeps； of all the needs and griefs of Arda； which otherwise would be hidden from Manw？。
Aul？ has might little less than Ulmo。 His lordship is over all the substances of which Arda is made。 In the
beginning he wrought much in fellowship with Manw？ and Ulmo； and the fashioning of all lands was his labour。 He is a
smith and a maste