The Origins of the Elves The Creation of Arda To begin this tale, we must go back in time, and even before that, we must go back to before Time existed. It was the One, who we call Ilúvatar; who began all things, before there was nothing, just total blackness, the Void as it eventually, became known. The first creations sprouting from the thought of Ilúvatar were the angelic beings called the Ainur, a race which includes both the mighty Valar and their people the Maiar. And Ilúvatar spoke to them, setting in the mind of each the care for a particular quality; such that Manwë cared deeply for the blowing winds and clouds, Ulmo immersing himself with the waters, Aule with the materials of the earth, and so with all the Ainur. And the Ainur sang, out of their love to that which Illúvatar had given them, they sang at first alone, but ere long their tunes began to meld into a glorious harmony. When the time came to show the Ainur what their song had created, he took them out, into the blackness of the Void, and it was only then that they first perceived what had been the object of their love and song in their minds. They saw a world, with water, with trees, with grass, and it was beautiful. And ‘tis written in the Silmarillion that ‘they saw with amazement the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar and the habitation that was prepared for them: and they perceived that they themselves in the labour of their music had been busy with the preparation of this dwelling, and yet they knew not that it had any purpose beyond its own beauty. For the Children of Ilúvatar were conceived by him alone: and they came with the third theme which Ilúvatar, and were not in the theme that Ilúvatar proposed at the beginning, and none of the Ainur had part in their making.’ And so I wish to point out, that although it was the Ainur who devised and later shaped the world for the Children of Ilúvatar, they were not the creators and are not to be worshipped. Revered they should be, for they are, rather most of them, benevolent to Elves and Men, but they can and do err. So it was with Melkor, who was filled with jealousy at what he saw, and that jealousy has had a profound impact on the whole tale of history. I will not go into great detail, except to say that Eru sent the Flame Imperishable out into the void, and so was created Arda, The World, finally in the physical sense, no longer just an ethereal image. The Creation of the Elves The Elves are of The Children of Ilúvatar, as I have mentioned previously, as were the Followers, who are called the ‘Atani’, or ‘Men’. Now the Valar had prepared long the earth to be the dwelling of the Children, struggling always with their antagonist Melkor. Therefore Illúvatar set finally his Children in the world, to await their appointed time to awaken and come forth. Now it was that while the Valar lived in the light of the Two Trees, silver Telperion the elder and golden Laurelin the younger; light which is reputed to have been a light holy and glorious beyond all reckoning, such that those dwelling in the bliss of that light became enhanced of not only mind, but also of spirit and body; all of Middle Earth, however, was shrouded in twilight under the stars. Finally, after a long period of sleep, the hour approached that the Elves would awaken. Then, encouraged by Manwë, Mandos spoke, saying: “In this age the Children of Ilúvatar shall come indeed, but they come not yet. Moreover it is doom that the Firstborn shall come in the darkness, and shall look first upon the stars. Great light shall be for their waning. To Varda shall they ever call at need.” This knowledge we have by the report of several of the Noldor who after came to Middle-earth, themselves learning it of the Maiar whom they befriended Then Varda left the council and, gazing out from the height of Taniquetil, she saw the darkness of Middle Earth beneath the innumerable stars, faint and far away. This is when she began a great labour, the greatest of many deeds both wondrous and awesome of all the Valar since their coming to Arda. Taking the silver dews from the pools of Telperion, water which shone from having fallen on that blissful tree, she used them to make new stars, and they were brighter, ready for the coming of the Elves. It is told in stories of old, that as Varda was finishing her labours, when Menelmacar first strode up the sky, when finally the blue fire of Helluin appeared through the mists, that the Children of Ilúvatar awoke at last, the Firstborn, the Elves. The Elves Awaken Beside the mere of Cuiviénen, the Water of Awakening, the Elves rose from the sleep of Illúvatar: still silent, gazing at the world; the first thing that they saw were the stars of heaven. For this reason the Elves have ever loved the starlight, and revere Varda Elentari above all the Valar. Cuiviénen no longer can you see, for it disappeared in the many tumults of the world, seas broken and remade, mountains level and new ones reared, valleys filled and others dug, and thus Cuiviénen was lost. However it is believed that it lay far away in the East of Middle Earth. The Elves remained in their first home for many a year, and it was in these early days that they roamed Middle Earth in wide eyed wonder: they began to form speech, and to name things that they saw. They named themselves the Quendi, meaning ‘those that speak with voices’: because of course up to this point they had not met any other living thing that spoke. There came a time when Oromë, the hunter rode nearby whilst hunting. Nahar his steed alerted him to the Elves, and he listened to the sounds of many voices in the far distance. That is how the Valar became aware of the Elves, quite by chance as the Atani seem to term it in these latter days. Oromë looked upon them awestruck, thinking that they were marvelous, as if they were something unexpected. I shall come back to Oromë, for his story is not yet done, but now there must be said something about Melkor, for he also had a part to play. The Valar believed that they were the first to discover the Quendi, but they were sadly mistaken, for Melkor had long been aware of them. He soon began to spread lies, to send his servants and spies abroad, his intention being to breed fear among the Elves, should they meet Oromë. It was during this time that the Firstborn began to wander, and if they went not in large numbers, they often would return not to their homes. The Quendi, as Melkor had intended, blamed a mysterious figured they called ‘the Hunter’ for these disappearances, and even before setting eyes on Oromë were afraid of him, thinking him indeed to be this Hunter. When in truth Melkor had instigated their capture, taken them to his fortress Utumno, and there were put in prison, and by slow torture were broken, corrupted and then enslaved to his will. What became of those Elves who Melkor captured was never known to any save Melkor, but Loremasters have speculated that they were altered in appearance, of character by cruel means to become the Orcs. For we know by words of the Eldar who knew the Valar in Aman that they were impotent to create life, and Melkor likewise. However, there have been other Loremasters both of the Eldar and the wiser of Men, who contest the conjectured fate of the captured Elves. Regardless, however, of their origins, the Orcs are a race bred in mockery of the Firstborn, and they are probably the single, most hateful thing that Melkor did to Illúvatar. It was after Melkor had become aware, but during the time of Melkor’s wickedness, that Oromë, did indeed come across the Quendi. Nahar neighed and Orome came among them, some of the Elves hid, some fled and vanished, but those with courage stayed, for they quickly realized that this Great Rider was no shape out of darkness. For his face was alight with the pure light of the Two Trees, and so the noblest of Elves were drawn to him. Oromë remained with them for quite awhile before riding swiftly back with tidings to Valmar. And he told of the shadows that troubled Cuiviénen. Then it was that the Valar both rejoiced and held doubts, they rejoiced at the Awakening, but news of Melkor’s actions worried them. And so it came to pass that the Valar decided to take back control of Arda, at any cost. The cost, as it turned out, would be high. There followed a great war, between the Valar and Melkor, and during which many battles were fought, and much of the land was broken, until finally the gates of Utumno were destroyed. Melkor, despite seeking refuge was beaten by Tulkas, and was led away as captive, choosing to submit to avoid being bound with the chain Angainor, wrought by Aule, though it is told that all the way back to Valmar, Tulkas carried Angainor behind Melkor, clinking its links in taunt. The Elves knew precious little for sure of any of this, the Great Battle of the Powers, save that the very earth shook and groaned beneath their feet, and rumour. Despite their efforts the Valar did not discover all the dark secrets of Utumno, and many of Melkor’s servants fled, surviving. Now you may be asking what this battle had to do with the Elves. It was first undertaken merely to protect the Elves from Melkor, but in fact it was to shape their future as we know it. I shall now explain to the best of my knowledge what now happened. How the Elves came to Valinor The Valar held council after hearing the tidings of Oromë, they were divided in debate regarding The Firstborn. Some believed that the Elves should be left to roam Middle Earth, and of this group, Ulmo was their leader. But more of the Valar feared for the Quendi, feared for them amid the deceit and lies of Melkor. And so it was that the Quendi were called to Valinor, to live forever under the light of the trees: Now Mandos spoke for the first time, and he said, ‘So it is doomed.’ The Elves were unwilling at first, for they feared the Valar, with the exception of Oromë, and so it was that Oromë chose Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë, all three who later became great kings, to take unto Valinor to speak for their people. Upon their return to Cuiviénen they spoke before their folk, and persuaded them to heed the summons of the Valar. These became known as the Eldar ‘people of the stars’ Not all chose to leave Middle Earth, however, and so befell the first sundering of the Elves. But that tale has been recorded elsewhere, and so here ends this account of the origins of the Eldar and of their earliest years. By Ilúvefailisse Research Back to the top