Chapter 8
Of the Darkening of Valinor
When Manwe heard that Melkor had fled, he reasoned that Melkor would try to run to his old stronghold of Utumno. Manwe sent Orome and Tulkas to pursue him, but they searched in vain, for Melkor had not gone that way. Instead, he'd used his powers as one of the Ainur to cast off his physical form and become invisible, although this was a power he was soon to lose forever. Which is good, because no one likes the thought of a naked and invisible Melkor.
In any case, Melkor fled unseen to the dark shadows of the mountains. Here, he sought the dreaded creature known as Ungoliant. The Elves don't know where she came from, but it is assumed that she was a corrupt Maia who decided to become her own boss rather than serve Melkor. She had taken the shape of a monstrous spider who spun webs of darkness, hungering for light even as she hated it.
When Melkor sought her out, he took the form of a dark and terrible lord, a form in which he would remain ever after. In the shadows of her lair, beyond even the sight of Manwe, they plotted his revenge. Ungoliant was torn between her hunger for the light of the Blessed Realm and fear of incurring the wrath of the Valar, so in an effort to get her on his side, Melkor said, "If you're still hungry after helping me, I'll give you whatever you want. I'll give it with both hands." It was a promise he didn't intend to keep, of course, but it convinced Ungoliant.
She made a cloak of void around herself and Melkor, and together they crept into Valinor. Melkor had picked his time well, knowing that the Valar would be hosting a festival.
In hindsight, Manwe probably should not have chosen that time for a party, seeing as Melkor was still on the loose, but Manwe has never claimed to be a perfect king of the world. Besides, Feanor's exile was ending that day, and Manwe wanted the Noldor to put aside their griefs with one another and remember that Melkor's lies couldn't divide them.
While the party was going smoothly, there were a few signs that not all was well. For one thing, although Feanor was there because Manwe had forced him to come and make up with his brother, Finwe was absent. "I'm not going to any party while my favorite son is under exile," Finwe had stated. "Feanor did nothing wrong, so if the Valar don't want to give him the respect he deserves, I don't want to see them." If you couldn't tell by now, Finwe has a bit of a bias.
Additionally, while Feanor had shown up, he was dressed in his most casual clothes, which was insulting since this was a fancy party. He also had left his Silmarils at home, because these people didn't deserve to see his beautiful gems if they were going to treat him like this. If you couldn't tell by now, Feanor has a bit of a problem with arrogance.
Nevertheless, he did meet his half-brother at the throne of Manwe, and Fingolfin reconciled with him. "As I'd promised, I forgive you for trying to kill me," he said, offering his hand. Feanor took it in silence. Fingolfin, still striving to be the bigger person, said, "We may be half-brothers in blood, but I hope we can be full brothers in heart. I will respect and follow you, and let's not fight again."
"I hear you," said Feanor. "So be it."
As he said this, the lights of the silver and gold tree mingled in the Valinorian equivalent of twilight, the most beautiful part of the day. And at that moment, Melkor and Ungoliant ran over the field and into Valinor, covered by Ungoliant's cloak of pitch-black void. Before anyone could realize what was happening, Melkor had stabbed each of the Two Trees with his spear, and Ungoliant began sucking up their glowing sap. Her poison withered them to the roots, and as their light faltered, she swelled into a vast and hideous shape.
And thus Valinor was left without light. Elves and Ainur stumbled in the darkness, wailing or collecting themselves in silence. Orome and Tulkas immediately took off in pursuit of Melkor, but the dark cloud of Ungoliant left even them confused, and they finally conceded that their foe had gotten away.