Post by Desi Baggins on Jan 31, 2005 7:39:08 GMT -6
Valaquenta - Summary
Of the Valar
The greatest of the Ainur were called the Valar by the Elves, and they were often seen as gods by Men. There are seven Lords of the Valar, an also there are seven Queens, the Valier. Here follow their names.
Manwë and Melkor were brothers in the thought of Ilúvatar. In the beginning Melkor was the mightiest of all Ainur, but as Manwë was dearest to Ilúvatar, and understood his purposes best, he was pointed as the first of all Kings; the lord of Arda. His delight he found in winds, clouds and in all regions of the air. He loves all swift birds, which come and go at his bidding.
Varda, the Lady of Stars, dwells at Manwë’s side. She knows all regions of Eä and her beauty is too great to describe in the words of Men or Elves. She has her powers and joy in light, and was most feared by Melkor. Varda and Manwë were seldom apart. They remained in Valinor in the halls upon Oiolossë, the uttermost tower of the mountain Taniquetil.
Ulmo, the Lord of Waters, lives alone, moving around in all waters of Arda. He is next in might to Manwë, and his closest friend, but he seldom came to the councils of the Valar, while he kept the whole of Arda in thought. Ulmo loves both Elves and Men, and he never abandoned them. Since all seas, lakes, rivers and fountains are under his command, his spirit runs deep into Arda, learning the news and griefs that otherwise would have remained hidden from Manwë.
Aulë knows most of the substances of which Arda is made, and had little less might than Ulmo. He is a smith and a master of all crafts. Melkos was jealous of him, since Aulë resembled most to him in thoughts and powers. Both desired to make things of their own, but where Melkor spent his spirit in hate and envy, Aulë remained faithful to Eru and submitted all that he did to his will.
Yavanna, the Giver of Fruits, is Aulë’s wife. She loves all things that grow in the earth, holding all their countless forms in mind, and she is next to Varda amongst the Queens of the Valar. Her shape is tall and clothed in green, but sometimes she takes the shape of a tree, crowned by the sun.
Námo, the keeper of the Houses of the Dead, is the elder of the two Fëanturi or masters of spirits. He lives in Mandos, westward in Valinor. He forgets nothing, and he is the doomsman of the Valar, but he only pronounces his dooms and judgements at the bidding of Manwë. Vairë the Weaver is his spouse. She weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs.
Irmo, the younger brother of the Fëanturi, is the master of visions and dreams. His gardens are in Lórien in the land of the Valar, and they are the most beautiful places in the world. He is married to Estë the gentle, healer of wounds and weariness. Everyone in Valinor draws refreshment from their fountain.
Nienna, the sister of the Fëanturi, mourns for every wound Arda has suffered from Melkor’s marring. She doesn’t mourn for herself, and those who listen to her learn pity and endurance in hope. She often dwells in the Halls of Mandos and seldom comes to the city of Valimar where all is glad.
Tulkas is greatest in strength and deeds of prowess. His delights are in wrestling and the contests of strength. He rides no steed, since he can outrun any being on feet, and does care little of the past or the future. Nessa, sister of Oromë, is his wife. She is lithe and swift as an arrow, able to outrun deers which she loves most. She finds her delights in dancing.
Oromë is a mighty lord, more dreadful than Tulkas, although less strong. He loves the lands of Middle-earth, leaving them unwillingly when he finally came to Valinor. He is a hunter of monsters and fell beasts. He loves horses and hounds, and also all trees, which is why he was called Aldaron. His wife is Vána, the Ever-young. She is the younger sister of Yavanna. Flowers spring and birds sing wherever she passes.
Of the Valar nine were of chief power and reverance. However, one was removed from their number, and Eight remained, the Aratar or High Ones of Arda. These are Manwë and Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna and Aulë, Mandos, Nienna and Oromë.
Of the Maiar
Along with the Valar many others came. They were of the same order, but of a lesser degree, and were called the Maiar. They were the servants and helpers of the Valar, and they’re number is unknown, as few of them had a name in one of the languages of Elves or Men. The greatest of them are Illmarë, the handmaid of Varda, and Eönwë, the banner-bearer and herald of Manwë. Ossë, a vassal of Ulmo, is the lord of the seas that wash the shores, and finds his delight in storms and the roaring of waves. His wife Uinen, Lady of the Seas, restrains his wildness. Melial was a Maia who served both Vána and Estë, and she lived long in Lórien before she went to Middle-earth. Olórin walked invisible amongst the Elves, bringing them visions and wisdom.
Of the Ennemies
Melkor, He who arises in Might, comes last of all. That name he has forfeited, and was called Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the World. He was given great might by Ilúvatar, and had part of the powers and knowledge of all the other Valar, but he used it for evil purposes. Many of the Maiar were drawn to his might, while he corrupted others to his service afterwards. Dreadful amongst his servants were the Valaraukar or Balrogs. The greatest of his servants was Sauron or Gorthaur the Cruel, who was a Maiar of Aulë in the beginning. Sauron had part in many of Melkor’s deeds, and in later times he rose like his shadow to become his own master.
MAIAR
Aiwendil- maiar of Yavanna and later known as Radagast.
Alatar- Maiar of Oromë, and they joined Curumo (Saruman), Olórin (Gandalf) and Aiwendil (Radagast) to Middle-earth in the Third Age
Annatar- originally served Aulë, but turned to Melkor and later known as Sauron.
Arien- originally belonged to Vána and she guided the course of the sun.
Curumo- maiar of Aulë and later known as Saruman.
Eönwë- herald of Manwë and one of the greatest maiar.
Ilmarë (Erinti, Lotossë & Meril-i-Turingi)- handmaid to Varda and known as one of the most powerful maiar.
Melian- maiar of Vána and Estë and known as the fairest of the maiar.
Olórin- maiar of Manwë and Varda and later known as Gandalf.
Ossë (Falman)- served Ulmo and his province was the coastal waters around Middle-earth.
Pallando- Maiar of Oromë, and they joined Curumo (Saruman), Olórin (Gandalf) and Aiwendil (Radagast) to Middle-earth in the Third Age
Silmo-
Tilion- of Oromë’s people and was chosen to be the pilot of the moon.
Uinen- wife of Ossë and called the Lady of the Seas.
Urwen- maiden of Vána and was chosen to take care of the task of watering Laurelin.
Salmar- one of Ulmo's. He is the maker of Ulumúri, Ulmo's horns wrought from white shell.
In this piece you learn more about the Valar and Maiar. Which Valar you like most? Please have a look at this poll.
The number of the Maiar is unknown. Do you know any other Maiar mentioned in other works by Tolkien?
Compare Melkor to his brother Manwë and to Aulë, who resembled to him most in skills and knowledge. What are the resemblances? What are the differences? What could Melkor have become like if he had stayed on the right track? Or what might have become of Arda if he could have claimed it as his?...
- 'It's an ill wind as blows nobody no good, as I always say. And All's well as ends Better!'
I should urgently restart the process lol. I know I was busy at chapter 7, but school got very busy and I needed to concentrate on that first. Especially the thesis I needed to write was a pretty tough job. I hope to be online more often now, and once I've finished a new chapter I'll post it directly to here too.