Varda: It is so beautiful... and all dark...
Yavanna: Beautiful it may be, sister, but still, to begin our work we will need light. (She hums a low note and the light turns on dimly. As she changes to a higher note, it brightens, and on her highest note it comes full on.) There! Is that not better? You can see Middle-Earth, now.
Manwë: But what is there to see? It is all flat.
Mandos: We must build on it, then. (He walks off SR. From off stage.) Ah, I see the Void is closed to us now. Well, I shall start building in this direction.
Manwë: All right, Mandos. Now, Yavanna, (turns to Yavanna.)
I believe some mountains over there would do nicely. What think you? (He exits SL, followed by Yavanna.)
Yavanna: Well, maybe... (her voice fades out. Varda exits SR,
leaving Melkor alone on the stage.)
Melkor: Those petty fools! (He laughs derisively.) They will go to all that trouble to make a world which is fit for them to live in and control, when in the end, I shall rule! Yavanna, continue growing your trees; Varda, make your stars bright; may your mountains grow tall, Manwë. In the end, Melkor shall rule all! (exits SR.)
Iluvatar: (enters SR.) And so Melkor built his evils, far underground; his deep fortress was called Utumno, and his fortress surrounding it was called Angband. And so began the corruption that Melkor sung into the song of the Valar. And Melkor waited. (exits SR. The four Valar enter- Melkor is no longer counted as one of them. Varda and Manwë are smiling, Yavanna is laughing and talking with them.)
Yavanna: It is a joyous day that you two are married. I am sure you will be happy together.
Varda: (smiles teasingly; she is joking.) And what of you, Yavanna? Do you fancy Mandos?
Yavanna: (laughing.) Oh, no! He's far too serious! (She shoots a look at Mandos, who tries his best to look hurt.) Oh, Mandos! You know I- (a loud crash cuts her off.)
Varda: What was that?
Manwë: (draws his sword.) Melkor.
Mandos: He is here?
Manwë: I will find him. The rest of you, run! The palace is collapsing around us! (Yavanna, Varda, and Mandos run off SR. Manwë hollers.) Melkor! Where are you? I know you are behind this! (He runs down off the stage into the audience, searching for Melkor. He turns sharply as Melkor, who has been crouching in one on the aisles, dashes to another spot.) I see you, Melkor! Come out and fight! (Melkor flees and Manwë pursues him. They chase each other around the theatre once, then Melkor runs on stage and off SR. Manwë runs up too, but stops before exiting.) I cannot follow him in there. Not into his very stronghold. (Mandos, Yavanna, and Varda enter SL.)
Yavanna: The palace and the region around it were destroyed, but we are unharmed. Where is Melkor?
Manwë: In there. (He points SR.) Out of reach.
Varda: Now what?
Manwë: I do not think we should stay in Middle-Earth any longer. We must move elsewhere in Arda, perhaps the land across the sea we call Valinor.
Mandos: Why can we not stay here?
Manwë: It is soon time for the Firstborn to come into being. We should leave this realm to them, and hope Melkor will leave them alone to attack us. It is our duty to the Firstborn.
Varda: I agree with you, Manwë. Let us leave. (She
exits SR, and the other Valar follow. Lights dim and then come back
on. Yavanna enters SR and kneels, facing SL. Manwë enters
SR.)
Manwë: (softly.) What are you doing, Yavanna?
Yavanna: Shhhh... (aside from this, she ignores Manwë.)
Manwë: Yavanna... you have been away quite often lately... too often. Please, tell me what you are doing.
Yavanna: (Warning.) Manwë...
Manwë: (he does not realize she is very serious, but is not trying to annoy; sincerely.) Is something troubling you? Melkor?
Yavanna: (angrily.) No, not Melkor. You! Will you please leave me alone?
Manwë: (realizes she is not joking.) As you wish. (He takes a step back. Varda and Mandos enter SR and stand next to Manwë.)
Varda: (stage whisperes to Manwë.) What is she doing?
Manwë: Shhhhh... I do not know. (They watch Yavanna, who begins to sing. As she does so, two trees begin to grow. Trees enter SL and strand before Yavanna. As she continues to sing, they flourish and light pours from their blossoms. Finally Yavanna stops singing and turns to the other Valar.)
Manwë: What have you created, Yavanna?
Yavanna: They are the two trees of Valinor. As long as they stand shall this land be well. (Valar exit SR. Lights dim and come back on.)
Iluvatar: (enters SR.) And, in time, the Firstborn came to Middle-Earth. (Elves enter SL. Iluvatar exits SR.)
Elves: (as one) We are the Firstborn of Iluvatar, also called Elves. Wise, immortal, though within a measure, and fair, we now rule this land called Middle-Earth.