Iluvatar: And so came the Silmarils into Arda. Varda took them into her hands and hallowed them; now any being who had evil inside of them would suffer great pain at the Silmarils' touch. Fëanor began to grow overly fond of them, however, and gave sight of them to others only grudgingly. But as yet, life continued well, and Fëanor, in turn, had sons; seven of them. (exit SR. Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras enter SL running. Maedhros, Celegorm, Caranthir, and Curufin have sticks which they are using as swords. Amrod and Amras are cheering them on; Maglor is watching with an amused grin. Varda and Yavanna enter SR and watch their play.)

Caranthir: (to Celegorm.) All right. I'll be Manwë and you can be Melkor and we'll fight.

Celegorm: (angrily.) I'm not going to be Melkor! You be him! I always have to play the evil one! (They continue in thi manner. During this scene Maedhros and Curufin are having their own little sword fight. Finally Maedhros stops, looks at the arguing Celegorm and Caranthir, shakes his head and flops down next to Maglor, who is sitting on the ground next to Amrod and Amras. Maedhros is breathing heavily, and he rolls his eyes at Maglor, nodding towards Celegorm and Curufin.)

Maglor: (Gets up. He walks over to Celegorm and Caranthir and pulls them apart.) You two are always arguing. Now stop it. (Celegorm and Caranthir look mad but they stop fighting. Maedhros stands up.)

Maedhros: The game of Melkor and Manwë. We have played it so often. Here, I have an idea. Come on! (He runs off SL, followed by his brothers.)

Varda: They are skilled with their "swords" already.

Yavanna: Yes, and so lively, too. But how much of their father's skill do they have? That is what I wonder. (She and Varda exit SR. Manwë enters SL. On his first step, Maglor also comes in SL, running. He dashes in front of Manwë, nearly tripping him, and exits lower SL.)

Manwë: Little scamps. (He smiles, but sobers quickly.) Today is the day where Melkor may be unchained. Here they come now. (Varda, Yavanna, Mandos, and Melkor, still chained, enter SR.) Good. You have arrived when I asked. Now let us go to the Ring of Doom. (They exit SL and come back in SL again, carrying chairs, which they place in a semi-circle, leaving Melkor and Manwë standing. Manwë begins in a loud voice.) You have been brought here, Melkor, after many ages of imprisonment. Now the day has come where you will be set free, or... (he pauses.) you will remain a prisoner for many ages more. Now tell me, why should I release you?

Melkor: I have changed, Great Lord. Long have I thought about what I have done, and have decided to change my ways. And I am sincere about this, Great Lord. (There is a silence. Melkor is beginning to look nervous, afraid his speech is not going over well. Finally Yavanna stands up.)

Yavanna: Pretty words, Melkor. But how do we know you speak true? From your behaviour in the past, you are probably lying. I see no reason for you have changed save to win your freedom. And once you are free, why would you not go back to your old ways?

Manwë: Well spoken, Yavanna. If it were up to me alone I would keep him in chains. But he deserves a fair chance. (He turns to Melkor.) You will go free. (Melkor smiles.) But... (Melkor's grin fades away.) you must remain in Valinor, and your every move will be watched. If you show the smallest sign of reverting to your old ways... you will feel chains around your wrists again. (He sighs.) Mandos, release him. (Mandos steps up to Melkor and removes the chain from Melkor's wrists. Melkor smiles and bows to Manwë.)

Melkor: Thank you, Great Lord. (He sweeps past Manwë and exits SL. All Valar, save Manwë, freeze.)

Manwë: What have I released upon Valinor... on the Elves... on the world? What terror have I unchained? (Unfreeze. All exit; Manwë SL, the other Valar, with their chairs, SR. Iluvatar enters SR.)