Silmarillion

Published in 1977 by J. R. R. Tolkien, "Silmarillion" is the prequel to the "Hobbit". After the success of the "Hobbit" Tolkien's publisher wanted him to write a sequel but when the publisher saw this book he didn't understand it and rejected it. This led Tolkien to write the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. But this book was kept on the back burner. Finally after his death, Tolkien's son, Christopher Tolkien finished it with help from Guy Gavriel Kay.

"The Silmarillion" tells the story of the beginning of time. The world was formed by Iluvatar, also known as Eru, The One and the Father of All. The first beings he created were the Ainur. From them came the Elves, Dwarves, etc. But Men were created separately by Iluvatar. They were made mortal.

This book is made up of a series of stories filled with action and romance. It follows the mythology of the world J. R. R. Tolkien created. There is good verses evil in all its forms. The ultimate evil comes in the form of the most powerful and beautiful Ainur, Melkor. He is exiled because of his lust for power and his rebellion in trying to grasp it. He wages wars on Middle Earth that transforms the calm surface into dangerous mountains and craters. He creates monsters that kill and terrorize. His worst damage is done when he subversives Men and Elves with lies that set them apart from each other and breeds mistrust.

Although The Silmarillion can be a long and difficult book to follow, it is also a perfect way to round out the Middle Earth books. It completes the collection.

Book Summary

Ainulindale - The Music of the Ainur

In the beginning there was The One, Eru. He created the Ainur or the Holy Ones from his thought. He gave them music and they sang to him. Soon Melkor broke away from the group and began to sing his own song. He was given the greatest knowledge and yet he broke the harmony. Soon some of the Ainur joined him. After forcing Melkor and his followers to harmonize three times, Eru stopped the music. He allowed the Ainur to see the world he was creating. They "saw it contained things which they had not thought." Then he offered the Ainur the chance to go down to Arda so they could govern the occupants of the new world.

"Thus it came to pass that of the Ainur some abode still with Iluvatar [Eru] beyond the confines of the World; but others, and among them many of the  greatest and most fair,took the leave of Iluvatar and descended into it. But this condition Iluvatar made, or it is the necessity of their love, that their power should thenceforward be contained and bounded in the World to be within it forever, until it is complete, so that they are its life and it is theirs. Ant therefore they are named the Valar, the Powers of the World." When they descend they take on "shape and hue" so they can walk among the residents. But they wear it like a garment and can undress to become invisible.

When Melkor saw the Valar were happy on Arda he became jealous. Then began battles between the Valar and Melkor for the dominion of Arda.  The battles shaped the landscape. Every improvement the Valar's made Melkor destroyed. "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 that the Valar had at first intended, slowly nonetheless the Earth was fashioned and made firm. And thus the  habitation of the Children of Iluvatar established at the last of the Deeps of Time and amidst the innumerable stars."

Valaquenta - Account of the Valar and Maiar according to the lore of the Eldar

Of the Valar

The Elves named the greatest powers on Arda Valar, but the Men sometimes call them gods. Their are seven Lords of Valar and seven Valier, the Queens of Valar. Among these are Manwe,  destined to be king and his mate, Varda, Lady of the Stars. There is also Ulmo, the Lord of the Waters and Aule, Lord of the "substances of which Arda is made." Irmo,  the master of visions and Este, the healer of hurts.

Of the Maiar

The Maiar are the people of the Valar, and their servants and helpers. "Their numbers are not known to the Elves."  The wisest among them is Olorin.

Of the Enemies

"Last of all is set the name of Melkor, He who arises in Might." The Elves call him Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the World. "From splendour he fell through arrogance to contempt for all things save himself, a spirit wasteful and pitiless."

Quenta Silmarillion

The History  of the Silmarils

Of the Beginning of Days

The First War began even before Arda was fully formed. At first Melkor was winning and then  Tulkas, the Strong stepped in and Melkor fled. Tulkas stayed and became one of the Valar. While the Valar worked at shaping Arda, Melkor waited his time to spring. He built his fortress in the deep under Earth. Soon the battles began again and reshaped the perfection the Valars had made of Arda. The dwelling of Valar was destroyed so the left Middle Earth and settled in the Land of Aman. They called their new home, Valinor. Yavanna began to sing and two trees began to grow. These trees would glow and provide the light for Valinor. This left Melkor in the darkness.

Some of the Valar came back to heal the Earth from time to time. Since the Elves stay until the end of days, they are more in touch with the Valar and the Earth. But Man are known as Guests or Strangers because they are on Earth such a short time. Therefore the Valar and the Elves feel they are more like Melkor and easily influenced by him.

"Yet of old, the Valar declared to the Elves in Valinor that Men shall join in the Second Music of the Ainur: whereas Iluvatar has not revealed what he purposes for the Elves after the World's end, and Melkor has not discovered it."

Of Aule and Yavanna

The Dwarves were made by Aule in Middle Earth before Men were fashioned because he grew impatient to have someone to teach his craft. They look different from Men because he only had a vague idea what Iluvatar had planned.

At first Iluvatar was angry at Aule's presumption, but he finally gave in. Aule had to put his Dwarves in stasis until the world was ready. But, he made them stronger since he knew they would be awakening during the time of Melkor. "Therefore they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hunger and hurt of body more hardily than all other speaking peoples; and they live long, far beyond the span of Men." When they die they are returned to the Earth and the stone, because Aule is their maker and cares for them.

Yavanna put her power in the trees. She wanted them to grow tall and have the eagles nest in them, but she was stopped by Manwe. He said the eagles would nest in the mountains. When she went to Aule to tell him about her plan to make sentient trees he said that they would still be needed for firewood, but she said they would defend themselves, "Now let they children beware! For there shall walk a power in the forests whose wrath they will arouse at their peril."

Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor

Time passes and the Valar are dwelling in bliss. Meanwhile Melkor is working hard as developing his demons and building his strength. He appoints Sauron, his strongest lieutenant, commander of Angband. They begin to capture the Elves that roam too far away and are alone. They turn them into Orcs. They loathed Melkor but feared him.

The Valar decide to on a battle to protect the Elves who had formed three groups; the Noldor, the Teleri and the Vanyar.  They defeated Melkor, and captured him. Afterwards the Elves were invited to live in Aman, the Blessed Realm. Some went and some paused along the way. One of the places stopped in was a land they named, Sindar. Of the Elven tribes, the Vanyar and the Noldor settled in Aman, but some of the Teleri did not.

Of Thingol and Melian

Thingol is the Elf King who rules Sindar and Melian is a Maia, his Queen. Their children were the fairest of the Children of Iluvatar.

Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalie

Eldamar is the Elvenhome. It is a part of Aman where the Elves live. As time passed some of the Elves went back to Middle Earth. They became the Noldor. Their king was Finwe and his sons were Feanor, Fingolfin and Finarfin. Feanor had a different mother. He was the mightiest in skill of word and of hand. Fingolfin was the strongest and Finarfin the fairest. These princes of Eldalie had sons who had many adventures.

Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor

Feanor's mother gave too much of her spirit to him at his birth. Her spirit left her body and her husband, Finwe was the first Elf to know grief. Later he remarried and had two more sons.

Meanwhile Melkor's imprisonment was coming to an end. He told the Valar that he would only do good at his parole hearing and they believed him. He was released and often gave advice to the Valar and the Eldar. Although some of the Elves saw the evil still inside him, the Noldor liked what he could teach them, unfortunately for them.  Melkor especially hated Feanor because he saw through to his malice. Feanor was the first to call him Morgoth. The only council Feanor took was from his wife, Nerdanel the wise. Otherwise he worked alone.

Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor

Feanor created the Silmarils. They are three jewels that have the light from the Two Trees. Varda hallowed the jewels and made them where "no mortal flesh, nor hands unclean, nor anything of evil will might touch them," or become "scorched and withered." Feanor was bound to them, and Melkor wanted them.

Melkor began to plot and his first move was to build unrest by spreading rumors. He said the Elves were brought to Aman to they could be controlled. Unfortunately Feanor began to listen to Melkor and guarded the jewels even more closely. Melkor began conflict between the brothers that each was trying to supplant the other. Soon Feanor was driven to plan rebellion and even tried to use his sword against Fingolfin. He was banished for twelve years. He took his sons and father along leaving Fingolfin to rule.

Meanwhile, the Valar discovered Melkor was behind all the rumors. He tried once more to take the jewels from Feanor but was repulsed. Melkor fled to Middle Earth.

Of the Darkening of Valinor

Melkor found Ungoliant the spider. He made a deal with her to help him, with intentions of reneging on his deal. Meanwhile the Valinor was celebrating the gathering of fruits. Feanor and Fingolfin healed their relationship and pledged fealty to each other. Melkor fed Ungoliant the sap from the Trees until they withered and dried while the spider grew bigger blocking out the sun. The darkness was malicious. Orome and Tulkas tried to capture Melkor again since they all knew he was behind it, but he evaded them in the darkness.

Of the Flight of the Noldor

The Trees hurt by Melkor could not be healed by Yavanna, so they asked Feanor to use the Silmarils. Although Feanor was reluctant, the matter was settled when he learned his father had been murdered and the stones taken while he was away. From here he is called Morgoth. In their flight, Morgoth tried to leave Ungoliant. Sensing his betrayal she stayed by him even closer. He tried to appease her by feeding her the treasures of Formenos except for the Silmarils.

Although the stones burned him he would not give them to her and they fought. He called the Balrogs to add him. They used their whips and broke her webs. She fled to the Valley of the Dreadful Death. There she stayed and some say she ate herself in her unrelenting hunger. Morgoth made an iron crown for himself and placed the stones in it even though they always burned him. He set up his kingdom in the North never leaving his fortress. He only used a weapon once while his realm lasted. There he continued to create dark monsters.

Meanwhile, Feanor gathered the Noldor and set out to find the Silmaril. He and his sons swore an oath to stop at nothing to retrieve them and to bring destruction upon anyone keeping the stones from him. The majority of the Nodor Elves follow him into battle. But before they can leave Manwe sends a messenger to warn them not to go. The Valar would not aid them. He sees tragedy and then exiles Feanor.

To get to the Middle Earth Feanor needed ships. When the Teleri refused to give them ships they took them. Many of the Teleri were slain. Feanor and the Noldors were tossed about by the waves at sea, and many did not survive.

After being warned again about he danger Feanor took his troops forward anyway, although his brother, Finarfin took his troops back and received a pardon. Then at Helcaraxe Feanor and his sons stole the ships and left Fingolfin and his troops. On the next shore Feanor ordered the ships burned which trapped Fingolfin and his people. Feanor had left them to die in Aramon or return in shame. They started across the ice on foot.  By the time they arrived they had lost a lot of their troops and had "small love for Feanor and his sons."

Of the Sindar

While Melkor was still imprisoned by the Valinor, the Elves that had stayed behind in Middle Earth became known as the Sindar. Foreseeing that the peace would not last they worked with the Dwarves to build Menegroth and underground realm of caves. It was along the lines of Valinor and was beautiful. When they heard that the followers of Melkor were working their way South, Thingol, their king, had the Dwarves make weapons and teach them how to use them.

While Morgoth was traveling with Ungoliant the Elves of Sindar made ready for battle, but the magic kept Ungoliant away from them. After Morgoth was settled he sent his Orcs to battle Sindar. Sindar's victory came at a great cost and they refused to battle any more. They built a wall and renamed the realm Doriath. They stayed behind the wall and Morgoth roamed the world but did not enter Doriath.

Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor

All that was left of the Trees was a single silver flower and a single golden fruit. The Valar put them in separate vessels and gave one to the Anar, the Sun and the other to Isil, the Moon. When Anar crossed the sky Morgoth and his monsters hid from him. Although Morgoth had given a lot of his power to his monsters the Valar was still afraid he would try to attack so they strengthened their barriers and retreated into the Enchanted Isles.

Of Men

With the retreat of the Valar Morgoth had control of the Middle Earth. But the Sun woke Men. They leaned towards the Sun and the water. Ulmo, one of the few Valar left, tried to give them guidance through the water, but although they were drawn to it, they did not understand. Men grew and learned. They lived in peace until the war with Morgoth threatened it. At first they fought side by side with the Elves who had not gone to Valinor. Some of the Men were valued by the Elves for their bravery.

Of the Return of the Noldor

Feanor and the Noldor won a victory against Morgoth after burning the boats and stranding Fingolfin. But Feanor was mortally wounded. He made his sons swear to avenge his death and carry on with the war so when Morgoth captured Maedhros, the oldest son of Feanor, they could not meet his demands to pull out of the war. Morgoth hung Maedhros by his hand in Thangorodrim, the Mountains of Tyranny reared by Morgoth.

Meanwhile Fingolfin's son, Fingon wanted to heal the rift between his father and Feanor. He went to Thangorodrim to save his cousin, and best friend. The Great Eagle, Thorondor, flew him to Thangorodrim. Maedhros begged him to kill him. Fingon tried to cut the band holding his cousin's hand but was unable. So he cut his hand off and freed him Maedhros begged Fingolfin to forgive them for Feanor's actions and their animosity was healed. Fingolfin was given the kingship over the Noldor and the whole troop was reunited.

Of Beleriand and Its Realms

This chapter gives the geography of Beleriand. Angband, the Iron Prison or Hell of Iron which is the great dungeon fortress of Morgoth. Hithlum, the Land of Mist. Tol Sirion where Finrod Felagund built Minas Tirith, the watchtower. Are just a few of the places mentioned in this chapter.

Of the Noldor in Beleriand

The Noldor was still having trouble being accepted by the Elves of Middle Earth. The disregard they showed in their trek under the leadership of Feander kept a shadow of mistrust over their heads.

Of Maeglin

The son of Eol, the Dark Elf and smith, and Aredhel, daughter of Fingolfin and sister to Turgon. He asked his mother to take him to see her brother in the hidden city of Gondolin. There he met and fell in love with his first cousin, Idril, Turgon's daughter. His unrequited love made him bitter and he lusted for power so he could have her.

Of the Coming of Men into the West

Felagund was the first Elf to meet Men. But they had already had a few run-ins with Morgoth. They were wary of the Elves and the Green Elves did not like that Men killed animals and cut trees. The Men traveled and spread out in the lands of Middle Earth. Some of them fought and worked with the Elves, some did not.

Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin

After the Battle of the Sudden Flame and the loss of Angrod and Aegnor Fingolfin rode to challenge Mordoth to single battle believing the Noldor defeated. In the battle Morgoth was wounded but Fingolfin was killed. The Eagle, Thorondor, carried his body away before Mordoth could throw it to the wolves. Morgoth and his monsters continued to harass the remaining Noldor, picking them off as they found them. He also sent in spies and dissidents  among them to spread lies and agitate the Elves into rebellion. This led to the destruction of Beleriand.

Of Beren and Luthien

Beren was mortal and Luthien was not. They fell in love. Her father, Thingol gave Beren the task of getting one of the Silmarillion stones from Morgoth's crown if he wanted to wed Luthien. He went to Felagund for help. Felagund was also bound by an oath to retrieve the stones. They were captured by Sauron and thrown into a pit. When Luthien tried to go to save them, she was put in a house in a tree to stop her. But, she grew her hair, wove magic into the braid and escaped. She was able to defeat Sauron and freed his captives. Felagund was dead but she and Beren renewed their love. Then while Luthien was asleep Beren left her to continue his quest for the Silmaril stone.  She found him and disguised as a bat while he was disguised as a werewolf they continued on the quest together.

Luthien came before Morgoth and sang a magical song that put all his monsters to sleep. Then she cast her cloak and put the fires out. His crown became so heavy that it fell off his head. Beren took the stone, but then Morgoth woke. The monsters chased them as they fled and in a battle, Beren lost his hand that was holding the stone.

She healed him but when he tried to get her to leave him, she wouldn't. They went back to her father. They had been searching for her because her magic brought light to their world. When Beren told the king that the stone was in his hand, but the hand was gone, the king took pity and allowed them to marry.

Later Beren was gravely injured in battle and held on to see Luthien once more. When he died her spirit fled also. Their spirits met again and Manwe gave her the offer to either go to Valar and forget Beren or go back to Middle Earth with him and they could both be mortal. She chose to be mortal with Beren.

Of the Fifth Battle:  Nirnaeth Arnoediad

The name was given to the catastrophic battle between Fingon, Turgon, and Morgoth. Fingon was killed, Hurin captured and many died. Morgoth was unable to capture Turgon who he fears will destroy him. Also called the Battle of the Unnumbered Tears.

Of Turin Turambar

Son of Morwen and Hurin. After her husband was taken during the Battle of the Unnumbered Tears, Hurin sent Turin to Doriath for safety. After an argument resulting in the death of another, Turin thought he was an outlaw and left Doriath. His friend, Beleg was sent to retrieve him with a pardon from Thingol, the king who loved him like a son. But Beleg was captured by Turin's men and thought a spy. Turin let him go and left the reprobates he had been traveling with to go with Beleg. But he would not return to Doriath. Thingol sent Beleg to guard Turin and guide him. They settled with some of the lesser Dwarves.

The servants of Morgoth attacked, Turin was captured, and Beleg went in pursuit. Beleg freed him, but when Turin woke from an enchantment, he mistook Beleg for an enemy and killed him.

An old Elf that had escaped Morgoth helped him to Nargothrond. There they stayed for awhile and Finduilas, a daughter of Finrod Felagund fell in love with Turin. It was unrequited. He led the Nargothrond into battle and they fought back Morgoth, diminishing his power enough that Turin's mother and sister were able to escape to Doriath. Turin led them into another battle that was not as successful because Morgoth sent in his dragon. The dragon froze Turin in a spell and then he and the Orcs killed almost everyone and captured most of the women, Finduilas among them. She was later killed before he could rescue her.

Upon learning that Turin may have been captured by Morgoth, his mother, Morwen left to rescue him bringing her daughter along. They were hit with a forgetfulness spell by the dragon and wandered away getting separated. Turin found his sister and not knowing who she was took her to Brandir. Brandir fell in love with her but she was in love with Turin, not knowing he was her brother. Turin married her. Turin battled the dragon and with the dragon's death the spell on Turin's sister was lifted. When she realized she was pregnant with her brother's child, she jumped off a cliff, killing herself. When Turin discovered all the tidings that had befallen him, he fell on his sword.

Of the Ruin of Doriath

Morgoth finally released Hurin. In searching for his family, Hurin discovered his son and daughter dead and his wife, Morwen weeping by their graves.  She died and he buried her, too. His anger was rekindled against Morgoth. He went to Thingol to bring him a necklace Hurin got from the Dwarf who betrayed Turin. When he discovered Thingol did not betray Turin, also, he left and threw himself into the sea.

Meanwhile, the Dwarves coveted the Silmaril of Feanor that Thingol had and the necklace. They killed Thingol and stole them. Melian, the wife of Thingol, grieved for him. Since she was an Ainur and he an Eldar her powers began to diminish. Doriath lost its protective spell. She left for Valinor. Doriath fell to the Dwarves.

Beren battled against the Dwarves and recaptured the necklace and stone. He gave them to his wife, Luthien. But it did not assuage her grief for her parents. Their son, Dior left to repair Doriath as the  heir of Thingol. One day a messenger arrived with the necklace and stone and he knew his parents were dead. Soon the sons of Feanor heard of the stone and attacked Doriath. They killed Dior for the stone. Dior's daughter Elwing escaped with the Silmaril to Sirion

Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin

During a morning festival Morgoth and his monsters attacked Gondolin. Some of the Elves fled to safety led by Tuor. They met with refugees from Doriath. Ulmo tried to get the Valar to aid the remaining Elves in defeating Morgoth, but the time had not come yet. Tuor and his wife, Idril sail off into the sunset, never to be heard of again.

Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath

Earendil was the son of Idril and Tuor. After marrying the heir to the Dior, Elwing, he built a ship to search for his parents and to find the Valar and ask for help. Elwing was left behind with the Silmaril. The sons of Feanor remembered their oath and began to petition for the stone. When she refused, they marched on Sirion. Two of the Feanorians were killed, and Sirion was destroyed.

Elwing had thrown herself into the sea and was carried away by Ulmo and turned into a bird. She flew to Earendil. They sailed to Valinor. When he arrived the streets were deserted because of a festival and Earendil feared they were all dead. When he finally found them he begged their help for Middle Earth. Manwe agreed but he and Elwing will have to remain in Valinor.

The War of Wrath did not end well for Morgoth. He was captured, and almost all his monsters were destroyed. The crown was taken from him. They removed the stones and made a collar for him from the rest. The Great Chain of Angainor was used to subdue him.

Afterwards all the Elves of Middle Earth were called to leave. But the two remaining sons of Feanor made one last claim for the stones. After a battle they expected to lose against the troops of Eonwe, he gave them each a stone and sent them away. The pain caused Maedhros to throw himself and the stone into a fiery chasm. Maglor threw his into the sea. Morgoth was sent into the Timeless Void beyond the Doors of Night. But the hatred that he left in the hearts of Men was left as his legacy.

Akallabeth: The Downfall of Numenor

Foreseeing the influences of Morgoth continuing in Men the Valar built an island set between Middle Earth and Valinor for Men. It was called Andor but soon became Numenor. The people who settled in Numenor were given longer life than most mortals. They conversed peacefully with the Valar. At first the Numenor taught the Men of Middle Earth, but soon they began to dominate them. With the absence of Morgoth Sauron became powerful. He had his Rings of Power.

Sauron wanted to become ruler of Middle Earth, but to do that he needed to defeat the Numenoreans. Meanwhile the Men of Numenor grew distrustful of the Elves and banned their language. Soon the communications were completely shut down between the Elves and Numenoreans. The new king of the Numenors was Ar-Pharazon. But he wanted to be the King of all the Men, also. And he wanted to enslave Sauron. Sauron capitulated to Ar-Pharazon and swore fealty. Then he took Sauron back to Numenor as his captive.

Soon Sauron had seduced everyone on to his side except Amandil. He taught them to worship the Darkness and Melkor. Soon even Ar-Pharazon was worshiping Melkor. As Ar-Pharazon grew older, he began to fear death. Sauron convinced him that he could find immortality on Valinor. Amandil tried to sail to Valinor and warn them, but it is not known whether he succeeded.

Although the earth shook and the skies stormed, Sauron would not be stopped. Ar-Pharazon gathered ships, sacrificed humans and set sail. Before he could reach Valinor the earth opened up and swallowed his ships. And the mountains came down to bury them. To Sauron's surprise he was also swallowed up by the mountain. Since he could not die his form fled back to Mordor and became the Eye of Sauron.

Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

With Morgoth gone, Sauron was fast at work using subtlety and cunning to wrest control. When he saw the Elves fashioning the Rings of Power he aided them knowing he would steal them later. He made one Ring that would control all the other Rings. With his Ring, Sauron could see the other Rings and control the thoughts of those wearing them.

The Elves figured this out quickly and took them off. When Sauron demanded the Rings, they refused to give him the Rings of Fire, Water, and Air. Sauron took the remaining Rings to place others under his will. He gave Seven Rings to the Dwarves. Since the Dwarves used them for wealth, dragons stole some of them.

Sauron gave nine Rings to Men. The Rings gave them immortality but made them invisible to all but the bearer of the One Ring. These Men were called Nazgul. After the last battle for Numenor Isildur cut the hand with the Ring off Sauron. Isildur was pressured to destroy the Ring, but he did not. Finally he was killed by Orcs when the Ring slipped off his finger.

Meanwhile Morgoth's jail was weakening. The Nazgul readied Mordor for his return. A council was called to find a way to destroy Sauron and keep the Rings out of his reach. The Wizard Gandalf was on this council and recommended destroying Sauron while he was weakest but Saruman wanted to acquire the Rings for himself and thought that as long as Sauron was alive the Rings would come to him.

But Gandalf learned the One Ring was in the possession of a Hobbit. The Third Age ended in war and the Hobbits Frodo and Sam threw the Ring in Mount Doom destroying it. Sauron died. It was discovered that the Ring of Fire was in the possession of Gandalf. It was given to him to “rekindle hearts to the valour of old in a world that grows chill.” In the end the power passed to Men and the Elves set sail to Eldar.

Characters Analysis

Ilivatar also was known as Eru, also known as The One - the creator of Men, Elves, and all creation. Often called the Father of All. He is the entity they pray to. He began the world with a plan in motion.

Ainur - the Holy Ones. These were the first to be created by Ilivatar. They shaped the world with song.

Melkor - the mightiest and the strongest of the Ainur. He was also the most beautiful. But, he sought power and wanted to become the ruler of all. He wanted to wrest power from Ilivatar. His greed pushed him into rebellion, and he took some of the Ainurs with him when he escaped to Middle Earth. There he set up his kingdom and lived in Darkness. He became Morgoth.

Yvanna - one of the Valier. She sang the Trees into existence and made some of them sentient. Her songs repaired the Earth when Melkor damaged it with his continual wars for dominance and evil shaping.

Manwe - the leader of the Valar. He was the last word on the laws and chose to isolate the Valar after Men came to the Earth.

Aule - he formed the Dwarves and was the deity they worshiped instead of Iluvator. He taught them to work with metals and form weapons.

Sauron - Morgoth's first lieutenant. He derived his power from Morgoth and became his most trusted servant. But, when Morgoth was imprisoned Sauron tried to grab all the power for himself. He supervised the development of the Rings of Power and made the One to Rule all The Rings. Then he distributed them so he could control the wearers. He was finally destroyed when Frodo Baggins and  Samwise Gamgee, the Halflings, destroyed the One Ring to Rule them all.

Ulmo - one of the original Aratar created by Iluvator. He became the Lord of the Waters and created all the oceans and seas. He tried to help Men, and the Elves left on Middle Earth by giving them messages in the water. He was always compassionate towards all the beings.

Feanor - he was the oldest son of Finwe. His mother died after giving birth to him and his father remarried having more sons. Feanor made the Silmarils and became attached to them. When they were stolen by Melkor, he began a quest to recover them. His quest became brutal and led to the first kin slayings. Then he abandoned his half brothers and bound his sons to a vow on his death to continue his quest at any cost. He was obsessed with the Silmarils. This obsession led to mistrust among his brothers, sons and Elves.

Fingolfin - the second son of Finwe. He became the ruler of the Noldor. Fingolfin went with his half brother Feanor on his quest to recover the Silmarils from Melkor. But Feanor deserted him and his Noldor on the banks of the Icy Waters. They took the ships and then burned them so they could not return for him. Fingolfin and his troops fought their way across the ice to find Feanor. They lost many Noldors along the way. When they tried to make it back to Noldor, they found many doors closed to them because of the animosity his brother and Melkor were creating.

J.R.R. Tolkien Biography

J(ohn) R(onald) R(euel) Tolkien – (1892 – 1973) Born in South Africa and a professor at Oxford in Britain. A brilliant linguist and fantasy writer. The Hobbit was just one of the stories he created. Originally written for his children, it came to the attention of a publisher and was an instant hit with young and old. He was soon commissioned to continue the story in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Tolkien created an entire world for his stories, Arda, where Middle Earth is located. He also made an entire language for them called Elvenlatin.

Tolkien was home schooled until he was 12. That was when his mother died and he was sent to live with a Catholic priest, Fr. Francis Xavier Morgan. He did well in school until he was 16, when he fell in love. Father Francis noticing how love was affecting his school work, forbid Tolkien from contacting her until he turned 21.

On the evening of his 21st birthday, Tolkien contacted Edith Mary Bratt. She was 3 years older than him, and not surprisingly, engaged to another man. As soon as she realized Tolkien still loved her, she broke off the engagement and agreed to marry him. They were married 3 years later in 1916, and lived happily together until her death in 1971. He followed her in death 22 months later. They were devoted to each other and their children and grandchildren. Buried in the same grave at Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford, he had the name Luthien under her name and Beren under his name, after two romantic characters in his story, Of Beren and Luthien from the collection of short stories in his book, The Silmarillion.