The Seventh Father
Aulë stepped back to admire his work. The small being that lay now on the pedestal was nearly complete: its frame was stocky, yet strong, its arms and legs were muscular, and long, black, beautiful curls flowed from its slightly oversized head. Almost done; only one thing was missing: the little Dwarf had no face.
The Smith of the Valar smiled brightly. He always saved his favourite part for last.
As he gazed thoughtfully at his tiny creation, wondering on all that he could do, he perceived that Yavanna had begun to sing somewhere above his halls. The song was of heavenly beauty, and for a moment he was still and listened, marveling at the voice that carried such elegance and splendour; and as he listened, a thought entered his mind, incarnate of the being which he created, yet it was complete; and the child of his mind echoed the melody that rang clearly above.
Aulë turned to the six small creatures which he had already finished and laid upon carven stone. These were reflections of himself; of his love of stone and ore; their masculine features were sharp, rigid; their beards were long. He turned back to his new creation; it was forming as that in his mind; the shoulders became less broad, the waist became firm and slimmed, but best of all was the face.
Aulë looked on in awe as together Yavanna's song and his own thoughts carved the distinct features of the nose, the mouth, and the eyes. They were perfect.
As the last note of the song faded, it came to his awareness that Yavanna leapt for joy; his own heart followed suit. Something sparked then in his newly created child - something which had not lit in any of his other creations; and he knew then that Yavanna had given to this creature the Spirit of Daughterhood, which Aulë had not the power to give from his own being.
At last he lifted his small daughter into his arms and carried her to the place where her brothers lay. He placed her gently beside the eldest, a gift to the firstborn of their race; and he smiled, for his work was now complete.
Aulë, the Smith of the Valar, beheld his creation then with great joy, and in their own language he named them.
Then turning, he closed the chamber and left in search of his spouse, Yavanna, to show her what he had made, and to present her with the child which her song had fashioned.
~THE END~