A/N: This is just a ficlette I wrote a while ago. I know it is something different, but I thought I'd post it here, just to see what people thought of it. A freshly-baked caramel toffee square for anyone who reviews!


It was in the days before Melkor came to dwell in Arda that the Valar came together to create a great Music, worthy of Eru Iluvatar.

And Yavanna Kementari came before Manwë and sang a lay before him. Her voice was young and pure, and all that stirred stilled and all that spoke became silent so as to listen to the beauteous sound.

But Melkor, in his jealousy, sought to silence the music, for it grated upon his ears and he saw not the beauty of the melody or words. Swiftly he thought evil thoughts into existence and together these thoughts began to roar and bellow, seeking to drown out the sound of Yavanna's voice.

Yavanna, upon hearing the din behind her, faltered in her song and stopped, turning from Manwë to see the disturbance. Before she could speak, Manwë spoke, and his voice was as trumpets.

'Melkor, be thou gone from this place! Destroy these creatures that defile the lay of Yavanna. Return not to us if thou will continue in this way. Be gone!'

Melkor laughed, and his laugh was louder than his disturbance. 'Thou thinkest that thou can order me, Manwë the Weak?' he cried. 'Thou wilt find that thou are wrong. I do not submit to orders from those of lesser power than myself. I declare that I will not leave, I will remain, and if Yavanna can sing, then so can I and my creatures.'

Manwë, hearing this outright denial of his power and Melkor's refusal to obey him, left his throne and came to the foot of the dais to stand beside Yavanna.

'You sayest you shall not listen, Melkor the Evil?' he said softly. 'But you shall. Harken now to me, wicked one, and leave this place before you come to grief!'

Melkor took a step back when he perceived that he had earned the wrath of the wind-lord. Yet he refused to admit defeat fully and remained where he was. 'I shall not leave.'

Manwë stretched forth his hand and suddenly a strong wind issued from his fingertips. It grew louder and fiercer. The Valars' robes beat around their ankles as the wind ripped at them, and Melkor was slowly driven backwards from the force.

Above the sound of the wind, Manwë ordered sternly, 'Destroy them, Melkor!'

And Melkor, hearing the command, again concentrated on his thoughts and ordered his creatures to be destroyed. The dark, skulking shadows suddenly vanished and were seen no more by the Valar.

The wind continued until Melkor had disappeared from sight. Then Manwë dropped his arm to his side and turned to Yavanna. 'Come, fair lady, continue with your lay. Let not our fallen brother disturb you, nor cause you to falter in your song.'

Again Kementari sang, and this time the only accompanying sounds were the birds as they perched on her outstretched arms. And seeing her joy, Yavanna's brothers and sisters lifted their voices in song, and together the Valar made music.

THE END