• Chapter 1: Of the Beginning of Days
  • Overview
  • The First War and the Coming of Tulkas
  • The Ordering of Arda and the Two Lamps
    • The Creation of the Lamps
  • The Spring of Arda
    • The Isle of Almaren
  • Melkor’s Return and the Building of Utumno
    • The Feast and Melkor’s Approach
    • The Fortress of Utumno
  • The Destruction of the Lamps
    • The Catastrophe
  • The Departure to Aman and the Founding of Valinor
    • The Fortification of Aman
    • Taniquetil
    • Valinor
    • The City of Valmar
  • The Two Trees of Valinor
    • The Awakening of the Trees
    • Telperion (The Silver Tree)
    • Laurelin (The Golden Tree)
    • The Cycle of Light
  • Middle-earth in Darkness
  • The Valar in Valinor
    • Aule
    • Manwe Sulimo
    • Varda (Elbereth)
    • Ulmo
    • Yavanna
    • Orome
  • The Children of Iluvatar: Elves and Men
    • Their Unique Nature
    • Iluvatar’s Words
    • The Quendi (Elves)
    • The Atani (Men)
  • Key Themes
  • Important Names Quick Reference

§Chapter 1: Of the Beginning of Days

§Overview

This chapter recounts the earliest history of Arda (Earth) following the First War, detailing how the Valar shaped the world, the rise and destruction of the Two Lamps, the creation of Valinor, and the birth of the Two Trees. It concludes with reflections on the nature and fate of the Children of Iluvatar—Elves and Men.

§The First War and the Coming of Tulkas

The First War began before Arda was fully shaped, when nothing yet grew or walked upon the earth. During this primordial conflict, Melkor (the most powerful of the Ainur who had turned to evil) held the upper hand against the Valar.

The tide turned when Tulkas the Strong arrived from the far heavens, having heard of the battle in the “Little Kingdom.” Tulkas was a spirit of great strength and hardihood whose anger scattered cloud and darkness like a mighty wind. Arda was filled with the sound of his laughter, and Melkor fled before his wrath, forsaking Arda entirely.

Tulkas remained and became one of the Valar. However, Melkor brooded in the outer darkness, and his hatred for Tulkas became eternal.

§The Ordering of Arda and the Two Lamps

With Melkor gone, peace reigned for a long age. The Valar brought order to:

• The seas
• The lands
• The mountains

Yavanna (the Vala associated with growing things) planted the seeds she had long devised. However, with the primeval fires subdued or buried beneath the hills, there was need of light.

§The Creation of the Lamps

Aule (the smith of the Valar), at Yavanna’s prayer, wrought two mighty lamps to illuminate Middle-earth:

• Varda filled the lamps with light
• Manwe hallowed them
• They were set upon pillars far loftier than any mountains of later days
• Their light flowed over all the Earth, creating a changeless day

§The Spring of Arda

Under the light of the Lamps, Yavanna’s seeds began to sprout. There arose:

• Mosses and grasses
• Great ferns
• Trees so tall their tops were crowned with cloud, their feet wrapped in green twilight
• Beasts dwelling in grassy plains, rivers, lakes, and shadowy woods

Notable details:

• No flowers had yet bloomed
• No birds had yet sung (these awaited their time in Yavanna’s keeping)
• The richest growth was in the midmost parts of Earth, where the light of both Lamps met and blended

§The Isle of Almaren

Upon the Isle of Almaren in the Great Lake, the Valar established their first dwelling. This was when all things were young, and new-made green was still a marvel to the makers themselves.

§Melkor’s Return and the Building of Utumno

While the Valar rested and Manwe ordained a great feast, Melkor watched from afar. He had:

• Secret friends and spies among the Maiar (lesser spirits)
• Gathered corrupted spirits from the halls of Ea
• Grown strong in the outer darkness, filled with hatred and jealousy

§The Feast and Melkor’s Approach

During the great feast:

• Tulkas espoused Nessa (sister of Orome), who danced upon the green grass of Almaren
• Aule and Tulkas were weary from their labors
• The Valar did not perceive Melkor’s shadow approaching from the north, for he had grown dark as the Night of the Void

After Tulkas fell asleep, Melkor crossed the Walls of the Night with his host and came to Middle-earth in the far north.

§The Fortress of Utumno

Melkor built Utumno, a vast fortress deep under the earth beneath dark mountains where the beams of Illuin were cold and dim. From this stronghold:

• Evil and blight flowed outward
• The Spring of Arda was marred
• Green things fell sick and rotted
• Rivers choked with weeds and slime
• Fens became rank and poisonous, breeding flies
• Forests grew dark and perilous
• Beasts became monsters of horn and ivory, dyeing the earth with blood

§The Destruction of the Lamps

When the Valar discovered Melkor’s return and sought his hiding place, Melkor struck first:

• He assailed the lights of Illuin and Ormal
• Cast down their pillars
• Broke their lamps

§The Catastrophe

The destruction was cataclysmic:

• Lands were broken
• Seas arose in tumult
• Destroying flame poured over the Earth
• The shape and symmetry of Arda was permanently marred
• The first designs of the Valar were never restored

In the confusion and darkness, Melkor escaped to Utumno despite hearing Manwe’s voice like a mighty wind and feeling the earth tremble beneath Tulkas’s feet. The Valar could not pursue him—their strength was needed to restrain the Earth’s tumults and save what could be saved. They also feared to rend the Earth again until they knew where the Children of Iluvatar (Elves and Men) would dwell.

Thus ended the Spring of Arda.

§The Departure to Aman and the Founding of Valinor

The dwelling on Almaren was utterly destroyed. The Valar departed Middle-earth for Aman, the westernmost land upon the borders of the world:

• Its west shores looked upon the Outer Sea (Ekkaia), which encircled Arda
• Beyond Ekkaia were the Walls of the Night
• Its east shores bordered Belegaer, the Great Sea of the West

§The Fortification of Aman

Since Melkor had returned to Middle-earth and could not yet be overcome, the Valar fortified their new dwelling:

• They raised the Pelori, the Mountains of Aman—the highest upon Earth
• Upon the summit of the highest peak, Manwe set his throne

§Taniquetil

The holy mountain had many names:

• Taniquetil (Quenya)
• Oiolosse (“Everlasting Whiteness”)
• Elerrina (“Crowned with Stars”)
• Amon Uilos (Sindarin)

From Taniquetil, Manwe and Varda could look out across the Earth even into the furthest East.

§Valinor

Behind the Pelori, the Valar established Valinor:

• Houses, gardens, and towers
• Great stores of light and the fairest things saved from the ruin
• Many new and fairer things created
• More beautiful even than Middle-earth in the Spring of Arda
• Blessed and deathless—nothing faded, withered, or was stained
• No corruption or sickness; even stones and waters were hallowed

§The City of Valmar

In the midst of the plain beyond the mountains, the Valar built their city, Valmar of many bells.

§The Two Trees of Valinor

Before the western gate of Valmar was a green mound called Ezellohar (also Corollaire). There:

• Yavanna hallowed it and sang a song of power containing all her thought of growing things
• Nienna (Vala of mourning) thought in silence and watered the mould with tears
• The Valar sat upon their thrones in the Mahanaxar (Ring of Doom) near the golden gates

§The Awakening of the Trees

As they watched, two slender shoots came forth. Silence fell over all the world as Yavanna chanted. The saplings grew into the Two Trees of Valinor—of all Yavanna’s creations, the most renowned, and about their fate all the tales of the Elder Days are woven.

§Telperion (The Silver Tree)

• Leaves of dark green, shining silver beneath
• Countless flowers dripping silver light like dew
• Earth beneath dappled with shadows of fluttering leaves
• Other names: Silpion, Ninquelote

§Laurelin (The Golden Tree)

• Leaves of young green like new-opened beech, edges of glittering gold
• Flowers in clusters of yellow flame, shaped like glowing horns spilling golden rain
• Warmth and great light emanated from the blossoms
• Other names: Malinalda, Culúrien

§The Cycle of Light

• Each tree waxed to full glory and waned to naught in seven hours
• Each awoke an hour before the other ceased to shine
• Twice daily came a gentle hour when both were faint, their gold and silver beams mingling
• Telperion was the elder and bloomed first
• The first hour of Telperion’s white glimmer was called the Opening Hour—not counted in the tale of hours
• Each day of the Valar contained twelve hours, ending with the second mingling of lights
• Varda hoarded the spilled light—Telperion’s dews and Laurelin’s rain—in great vats like shining lakes

Thus began the Days of the Bliss of Valinor, and the Count of Time.

§Middle-earth in Darkness

While Valinor flourished, Middle-earth lay in twilight beneath the stars Varda had wrought in ages past. In the darkness:

• Melkor dwelt and walked abroad in many shapes of power and fear
• He wielded cold and fire, from mountaintops to deep furnaces
• All that was cruel, violent, or deadly was laid to his charge

The Valar seldom came over the mountains to Middle-earth, though they still cared for it.

§The Valar in Valinor

§Aule

• His mansions were in the midst of the Blessed Realm
• He labored long, creating beautiful works both openly and in secret
• From him comes the lore of the Earth and all it contains
• Master of craftsmen: weavers, wood-shapers, metalworkers, tillers, and husbandmen
• Called the Friend of the Noldor, who learned much from him
• The Noldor added to his teaching, delighting in tongues, scripts, embroidery, drawing, and carving
• The Noldor first achieved the making of gems—the fairest being the Silmarils (now lost)

§Manwe Sulimo

• Highest and holiest of the Valar
• Sat upon Taniquetil, never forsaking the Outer Lands in thought
• Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles served him, seeing to the depths of seas and hidden caverns
• Some things remained hidden even from Manwe—impenetrable shadows where Melkor sat
• Has no thought for his own honour, not jealous of power, rules all to peace
• Loved the Vanyar best of the Elves, giving them song and poetry
• Raiment of blue, blue-fire eyes, sapphire sceptre (wrought by the Noldor)
• Appointed vicegerent of Iluvatar, King of Valar, Elves, and Men
• Chief defence against Melkor’s evil

§Varda (Elbereth)

• Most beautiful of the Valar
• Queen of the Valar, maker of the stars
• Dwelt with Manwe on Taniquetil with a great host of blessed spirits

§Ulmo

• Alone among the Valar, not dwelling in Valinor
• Abode in the Outer Ocean from the beginning of Arda
• Governs: flowing and ebbing of waters, courses of rivers, replenishment of springs, distilling of dews and rain
• Gives thought to music great and terrible in deep places
• The echo of his music runs through the world’s veins in sorrow and joy
• The Teleri learned much from him—their music has both sadness and enchantment
• Salmar made the horns of Ulmo (unforgettable to any who hear them)
• Osse and Uinen govern the waves and Inner Seas under his authority
• Through Ulmo’s power, life coursed through secret channels even under Melkor’s darkness
• Ever open to those lost in darkness; never forsook Middle-earth

§Yavanna

• Unwilling to utterly forsake the Outer Lands
• All growing things are dear to her
• Mourned for her works in Middle-earth that Melkor marred
• Would leave Valinor at times to heal Melkor’s hurts
• Urged the Valar toward war with Melkor before the Firstborn’s coming

§Orome

• Tamer of beasts
• Rode at times in the darkness of unlit forests as a mighty hunter with spear and bow
• Pursued monsters and fell creatures to the death
• His white horse Nahar shone like silver in the shadows
• The sleeping earth trembled at Nahar’s golden hooves
• Sounded the Valaroma (his great horn) upon Arda’s plains—mountains echoed, evil shadows fled, and Melkor himself quailed in Utumno
• Yet as he passed, Melkor’s servants would gather again

§The Children of Iluvatar: Elves and Men

The chapter concludes with reflections on Elves and Men, the Children of Iluvatar:

§Their Unique Nature

• None of the Ainur understood fully the theme by which the Children entered the Music
• None dared add anything to their fashion
• The Valar are elders and chieftains to them, not masters
• When Ainur tried to force them against their will, it seldom turned to good

§Iluvatar’s Words

After the Valar’s departure, Iluvatar sat alone in thought, then spoke:

“Behold I love the Earth, which shall be a mansion for the Quendi and the Atani!”

§The Quendi (Elves)

• The fairest of all earthly creatures
• Shall conceive and bring forth more beauty than all other Children
• Shall have the greater bliss in this world
• Remain until the world dies (unless slain or wasted by grief)
• Age does not subdue their strength (unless weary of ten thousand centuries)
• When they die, gathered to the Halls of Mandos in Valinor—may return in time
• Their love of Earth is single and poignant, growing ever more sorrowful as years lengthen
• What Iluvatar purposes for them after the World’s end is unrevealed

§The Atani (Men)

• Given a “new gift” by Iluvatar
• Hearts seek beyond the world, finding no rest therein
• Have virtue to shape their lives beyond the Music of the Ainur (which is fate to all else)
• Their operations complete the world unto the last and smallest detail
• Often stray and use gifts not in harmony
• Yet all they do redounds to Iluvatar’s glory
• Elves believe Men are often a grief to Manwe
• Elves think Men resemble Melkor most of all Ainur (though Melkor fears and hates them)
• Dwell only a short space in the world
• Not bound to it; depart soon to places unknown to Elves
• Called the Guests or Strangers
• Death is their fate—the Gift of Iluvatar
• Even the Powers shall eventually envy this gift
• Melkor cast shadow upon death, confounding it with darkness, bringing evil from good and fear from hope
• Men shall join in the Second Music of the Ainur

§Key Themes

1. Creation and Destruction: The cycle of the Valar’s creative works being marred by Melkor
2. Light and Darkness: The progression from Lamps to Trees, while Middle-earth falls into shadow
3. The Price of Beauty: All fair things become targets for Melkor’s hatred
4. Free Will: The Children of Iluvatar are not bound as the Ainur are
5. Mortality as Gift: Death is framed as Iluvatar’s gift to Men, though Melkor has made it fearful
6. Vigilance and Complacency: The Valar’s rest allowing Melkor’s return

§Important Names Quick Reference