This is a story about two beings in Arda, the world created by J.R.R.
Tolkien. This is a romantic story, but has many references to J.R.R.
Tolkien's work. If you have not read it, then I suggest you go read Lord
of the Rings right now! However, even if you have read some of his work,
you may still not be able to understand some of it, so I will try to
explain it here.
Long ago, the world, Arda was made. Eru, or Ilùvatar (think: God), created the world through the Music of the Ainur. He set out god/goddess like creatures, called the Ainur (whom were all immortal and bound to Arda until its end), which were divided into the Aratar, Valar/Valier, and the Maiar.
The Aratar were the nine most powerful ones, but one rebelled (Melkor) and there are now only eight. These eight also belong to a group called the Valar/Valier. The Valar are the seven male powers, and the Valier are the seven female powers who took physical form and entered the world to give order and fight Melkor. Manwë, the brother of Melkor, was the lord, the most powerful of the Ainur (much like Zeus in Greek mythology). Manwë and Melkor got into a conflict, and eventually Melkor was cast into the depths of Eä (the universe). The Maiar are the 'lesser' Valar, and the wizards are considered Maiar.
Yavanna, who is one of the Aratar and queen of the Earth and plants, created the Two Trees of Valinor to give light to the home of the Valar. Valinor is the home of the Valar, different from Middle Earth, which was lit by only starlight. During this time, Aulë (the maker of Middle Earth and the smith) made the dwarves, but put them to sleep until the coming of the Elves.
Far in the east of Middle Earth, the Elves had awoken. Melkor had sent spies to harass them, and many of these were captured by him and imprisoned (which leads to the belief that these elves became Orcs). Oromë was the hunter, and he was hunting in Middle Earth when he heard the Elves singing. Because of Melkor, they were suspicious but he returned to tell the others that the Elves had awakened and came back to protect them for a time.
The Valar made war on Melkor, and he was brought back to Valinor. The Valar summoned the Elves to dwell in Valinor and many did.
Much later (around 2900 years), Melkor was still imprisoned and the Elves and Valar lived together. Middle Earth was still dark, and the Elves who did not go to Valinor still lived and then the Fathers of the Dwarves (the first dwarves) awoke.
Manwë released Melkor, and he pretended to be friends with the Elves. Then, he destroyed the Trees, and stole the Silmarils. The Silmarils were three great jewels created by Fëanor, lord of the Noldor (kind of Elves), in which Melkor locked the light of the Two Trees in. (Read The Silmarillion). Eventually, two were destroyed and one is bound to a Half- Elven (Half Elf, Half Man) named Eärendil (Father of Elrond), who sails the high airs. After the destruction of the Trees (and before the Quest of the Silmaril [when many of the Noldor returned to Middle Earth to retrieve the Silmarils] was completed), the Valar made the Sun and Moon to give light to the world, ending the "Years of the Trees" and starting the "First Age."
When the sun first rose, the first Men awoke in the far east of Middle Earth. The First Age ended with the War of Wrath, where the Valar, Elves, and Men battled against Melkor (sometimes called Morgoth). Melkor's armies were almost completely destroyed, except for a few number of Balrogs (corrupted Maiar, fire spirits), Dragons, and Orcs (who are believed to be corrupted, captured Elves). Melkor was taken as prisoner (again) and shut beyond the world. During this time, a large amount of Northern land was destroyed and sank under the sea. This ended the "First Age" and started the "Second Age."
The Second Age was also known as the Age of Númenor, which was the great island created by the descendants of the Edain (or most noble men). Its powers surpassed any nation of Men before or since. They sailed east and explored and founded great cities in Middle-Earth. Sauron, a wizard- Maiar of Aulë, went to the Elves of Eregion (Noldor Elves who lived by mountains called the Misty Mountains which ran down Middle-Earth) and began to teach them. The smiths of Eregion made the Three Rings of the Elves. Sauron then creates the One Ring (which controlled all other rings, which were given to all the races of Middle-Earth [Three to the Elves, Seven to the Dwarves, and Nine to the Men] and could be alone controlled by Sauron), and war begins between the Elves and Sauron. Sauron's forces are driven back into the east by an army of Númenor. Eventually, Sauron corrupts the Númenoreans, and the last King of Númenor became too proud and challenged the Valar but was destroyed along with many of his people. (Read the Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth). However, a small amount of Númenoreans escaped to Middle-Earth and founded kingdoms- Arnor in the north and Gondor in the south. Together, the Elves and Men created an alliance, called the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and overthrew Sauron, ending the "Second Age" and starting the "Third Age." However, Isildur (elder son of Elendil, son of Amandil who was counselor and friend to the last King of Númenor), who cut the One Ring from the hand of Sauron. Still, he could not cast the ring into the fires of Mount Doom- the one place where the ring could be destroyed, and the place it was created.
During the third age (Read Lord of the Rings), Isildur kept the ring. However, after holding it for only a few years (I believe it was three), it fell off his finger when he was trying to escape (the ring made one invisible) after Orcs came to him while he was planting a seedling of the White Tree (which was said to be the descendant of one of the Trees of Light) in Minas Anor (which was where the Gondor Kings resided). The ring fell into the water and was forgotten for almost 2,470 years, when a creature called Gollum found it. Eventually, it was found by a hobbit- Bilbo Baggins. He gave it to his nephew, Frodo Baggins, and after quite some time he destroyed the One Ring. In the year 3021 III (the 3021st year of the third age), the Ring-Bearers (Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf, and others) departed west to Aman (the land where Valinor was) also called the Undying Lands, ending the "Third Age" and starting the "Fourth Age."
In the Fourth and last age chronicled by Tolkien, the Last of the Fellowship (Gimli the Dwarf and Legolas the Elf) passed over the sea, and King Aragorn died earlier that year.
About the Fellowship: The fellowship was a group of Nine, meant to lead Frodo to Mount Doom: Frodo Baggins, ringbearer, Hobbit; Samwise (Sam) Gamgee, faithful servant of Frodo, Hobbit; Peregrin (Pippin) Took, youngest at 28, Hobbit; Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck, slayer of the Lord of the Nazgûl, Hobbit; Aragorn, heir of Isildur, Man; Boromir, son of the Steward (chief counselor) of Gondor, Man; Olórin/ Mithrandir (Gandalf), Wizard (or Istari), Maiar of Manwë and Varda (Manwë's wife); Gimli, son of Glóin, Dwarf; and Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, Elf. After the War of the Ring: Frodo and Gandalf went West to Aman. Sam, Pippin, and Merry returned to the Shire, where they died. Aragorn became King of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor and died at the age of 210. Boromir was killed by Orcs during the quest of the ring, right before the breaking of the fellowship. Gimli and Legolas sailed to Aman after the death of Aragorn.
Notes: Middle Earth is the place where Men and (during the time of the one Ring) Elves lived. Elves: immortal creatures, one of the children of Ilúvatar Hobbits: shorter version of Men, love food, big feet, are unknown to most of the world Dwarves: shorter than a Man, taller than a Hobbit, live in caves and mine Men: selfish and greedy creatures, one of the children of Ilúvatar
Hope that wasn't too confusing. for more help or information, read the books and go to the Encyclopedia of Arda - email me for the address.
Long ago, the world, Arda was made. Eru, or Ilùvatar (think: God), created the world through the Music of the Ainur. He set out god/goddess like creatures, called the Ainur (whom were all immortal and bound to Arda until its end), which were divided into the Aratar, Valar/Valier, and the Maiar.
The Aratar were the nine most powerful ones, but one rebelled (Melkor) and there are now only eight. These eight also belong to a group called the Valar/Valier. The Valar are the seven male powers, and the Valier are the seven female powers who took physical form and entered the world to give order and fight Melkor. Manwë, the brother of Melkor, was the lord, the most powerful of the Ainur (much like Zeus in Greek mythology). Manwë and Melkor got into a conflict, and eventually Melkor was cast into the depths of Eä (the universe). The Maiar are the 'lesser' Valar, and the wizards are considered Maiar.
Yavanna, who is one of the Aratar and queen of the Earth and plants, created the Two Trees of Valinor to give light to the home of the Valar. Valinor is the home of the Valar, different from Middle Earth, which was lit by only starlight. During this time, Aulë (the maker of Middle Earth and the smith) made the dwarves, but put them to sleep until the coming of the Elves.
Far in the east of Middle Earth, the Elves had awoken. Melkor had sent spies to harass them, and many of these were captured by him and imprisoned (which leads to the belief that these elves became Orcs). Oromë was the hunter, and he was hunting in Middle Earth when he heard the Elves singing. Because of Melkor, they were suspicious but he returned to tell the others that the Elves had awakened and came back to protect them for a time.
The Valar made war on Melkor, and he was brought back to Valinor. The Valar summoned the Elves to dwell in Valinor and many did.
Much later (around 2900 years), Melkor was still imprisoned and the Elves and Valar lived together. Middle Earth was still dark, and the Elves who did not go to Valinor still lived and then the Fathers of the Dwarves (the first dwarves) awoke.
Manwë released Melkor, and he pretended to be friends with the Elves. Then, he destroyed the Trees, and stole the Silmarils. The Silmarils were three great jewels created by Fëanor, lord of the Noldor (kind of Elves), in which Melkor locked the light of the Two Trees in. (Read The Silmarillion). Eventually, two were destroyed and one is bound to a Half- Elven (Half Elf, Half Man) named Eärendil (Father of Elrond), who sails the high airs. After the destruction of the Trees (and before the Quest of the Silmaril [when many of the Noldor returned to Middle Earth to retrieve the Silmarils] was completed), the Valar made the Sun and Moon to give light to the world, ending the "Years of the Trees" and starting the "First Age."
When the sun first rose, the first Men awoke in the far east of Middle Earth. The First Age ended with the War of Wrath, where the Valar, Elves, and Men battled against Melkor (sometimes called Morgoth). Melkor's armies were almost completely destroyed, except for a few number of Balrogs (corrupted Maiar, fire spirits), Dragons, and Orcs (who are believed to be corrupted, captured Elves). Melkor was taken as prisoner (again) and shut beyond the world. During this time, a large amount of Northern land was destroyed and sank under the sea. This ended the "First Age" and started the "Second Age."
The Second Age was also known as the Age of Númenor, which was the great island created by the descendants of the Edain (or most noble men). Its powers surpassed any nation of Men before or since. They sailed east and explored and founded great cities in Middle-Earth. Sauron, a wizard- Maiar of Aulë, went to the Elves of Eregion (Noldor Elves who lived by mountains called the Misty Mountains which ran down Middle-Earth) and began to teach them. The smiths of Eregion made the Three Rings of the Elves. Sauron then creates the One Ring (which controlled all other rings, which were given to all the races of Middle-Earth [Three to the Elves, Seven to the Dwarves, and Nine to the Men] and could be alone controlled by Sauron), and war begins between the Elves and Sauron. Sauron's forces are driven back into the east by an army of Númenor. Eventually, Sauron corrupts the Númenoreans, and the last King of Númenor became too proud and challenged the Valar but was destroyed along with many of his people. (Read the Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth). However, a small amount of Númenoreans escaped to Middle-Earth and founded kingdoms- Arnor in the north and Gondor in the south. Together, the Elves and Men created an alliance, called the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and overthrew Sauron, ending the "Second Age" and starting the "Third Age." However, Isildur (elder son of Elendil, son of Amandil who was counselor and friend to the last King of Númenor), who cut the One Ring from the hand of Sauron. Still, he could not cast the ring into the fires of Mount Doom- the one place where the ring could be destroyed, and the place it was created.
During the third age (Read Lord of the Rings), Isildur kept the ring. However, after holding it for only a few years (I believe it was three), it fell off his finger when he was trying to escape (the ring made one invisible) after Orcs came to him while he was planting a seedling of the White Tree (which was said to be the descendant of one of the Trees of Light) in Minas Anor (which was where the Gondor Kings resided). The ring fell into the water and was forgotten for almost 2,470 years, when a creature called Gollum found it. Eventually, it was found by a hobbit- Bilbo Baggins. He gave it to his nephew, Frodo Baggins, and after quite some time he destroyed the One Ring. In the year 3021 III (the 3021st year of the third age), the Ring-Bearers (Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf, and others) departed west to Aman (the land where Valinor was) also called the Undying Lands, ending the "Third Age" and starting the "Fourth Age."
In the Fourth and last age chronicled by Tolkien, the Last of the Fellowship (Gimli the Dwarf and Legolas the Elf) passed over the sea, and King Aragorn died earlier that year.
About the Fellowship: The fellowship was a group of Nine, meant to lead Frodo to Mount Doom: Frodo Baggins, ringbearer, Hobbit; Samwise (Sam) Gamgee, faithful servant of Frodo, Hobbit; Peregrin (Pippin) Took, youngest at 28, Hobbit; Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck, slayer of the Lord of the Nazgûl, Hobbit; Aragorn, heir of Isildur, Man; Boromir, son of the Steward (chief counselor) of Gondor, Man; Olórin/ Mithrandir (Gandalf), Wizard (or Istari), Maiar of Manwë and Varda (Manwë's wife); Gimli, son of Glóin, Dwarf; and Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, Elf. After the War of the Ring: Frodo and Gandalf went West to Aman. Sam, Pippin, and Merry returned to the Shire, where they died. Aragorn became King of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor and died at the age of 210. Boromir was killed by Orcs during the quest of the ring, right before the breaking of the fellowship. Gimli and Legolas sailed to Aman after the death of Aragorn.
Notes: Middle Earth is the place where Men and (during the time of the one Ring) Elves lived. Elves: immortal creatures, one of the children of Ilúvatar Hobbits: shorter version of Men, love food, big feet, are unknown to most of the world Dwarves: shorter than a Man, taller than a Hobbit, live in caves and mine Men: selfish and greedy creatures, one of the children of Ilúvatar
Hope that wasn't too confusing. for more help or information, read the books and go to the Encyclopedia of Arda - email me for the address.