First War

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 16:06, 29 November 2014 by Mith (talk | contribs) (Added accents)
Previous war: None
Next war: War for Sake of the Elves
First War with Melkor
Beginning: VY 1End: VY 1499
Place: All of Arda
Outcome: Victory for the Valar, Formation of Arda
Major battles: Many and various
Combatants

Valar and Maiar

Melkor and Maiar

Commanders

Manwë

Melkor

The First War was a titanic struggle between the Valar and Melkor at the beginning of Arda for its dominion.[1]

Prelude

When Ainur came to Arda, before it was fully formed and anything dwelt, Melkor claimed it for himself. Manwë denied this and spirits came to his side from the deeps of Ea,[1] like Varda.[2]

The War

While the Valar formed Arda, Melkor undid or marred whatever they made, demolishing mountains they created, raising up valleys they brought into existence, and spilling seas they had carved, ever hindering their plans.[1] The works of Aulë suffered most, who grew weary repairing the damage and tumults by Melkor and Arda was marred.[2]

The battles fought for the dominion of Arda were numerous but unnamed and of them the Eldar knew what the Valar told them.[1] Presumably it was in that War where Ossë and Sauron were ensnared by Melkor.[3][4]

Melkor prevailed for ages and news of the War reached far heaven where Tulkas was and in VY 1499 he descended to Arda. Melkor could not challenge him and he fled before his anger and laughter beyond the Walls of Night.[5]

Aftermath

The result of the War was that Arda's completion was hindered and its plan was altered.

There was peace for a long time and thenceforth Tulkas was counted among the Valar. Tulkas and Aulë labored much to restore Arda and extinguish the fires.[5]

Aulë created the Two Lamps for the illumination of all Arda and the vegetation of Yavanna, who planted her seeds that sprouted. The earth was filled with plants from mosses to large trees in the Spring of Arda.[5]

Of that primordial duel the Elves knew only what the Powers told them of it.[1]

References