i chose to leave out things lik the Feanturi and other groupings within the Valar for later articles perhaps. so that was author's choice.
i will definetly ad the little bit bout Nienna tho:
Nienna, The Weeper
Nienna is the sister of both Lorien and Mandos, and is spouseless; she lives alone in west Valinor. She spends her time weeping for and mourning the suffering of others, and her tears can bring hope and healing to those that they touch. She teaches all those who come to her of pity and endurance. Her tears flowed into the Trees of the Valar to bring forth their last fruit and flower after their poisoning by Melkor. She also taught one of the Maiar who would become known as Gandalf much before he left for Middle-Earth.
as 4 Este's fana (appearance 2 the eyes of the Children of Illuvatar), Tolkien references 2 the appearance of sum (not all) of the Valar wen they appear 2 Men and Elves.
her it is... the final post on the Valar; its Melkor!
Melkor, The Dark Enemy
The greatest of all the Ainur and wise in all things; Melkor, whose name means "he who arises in might", was from the very beginning the enemy of the Ainur. He was impatient and led solitary searches for the Flame Imperishable in order to bring things of his own to life. He brought discord to the Great Music of the Ainur and had thoughts of his own, greatly differing with the Vision of Illuvatar. When the Ainur traveled to Arda, Melkor decided that Arda was his to control and was quickly excluded from the ranks of the Valar. He corrupted the land and some of the Maiar into his service.
He built two kingdoms, rival to the Valarian kingdom of Valinor, Utumno and Angband. During the First War between he and the Valar, Tulkas came to Arda and defeated him, but Melkor had left Arda marred. When the Valar built the Two Lamps, he returned to Arda and destroyed them both. After this he retreated back to his fortresses and built up an army of evil monsters and weapons. When the Elves were awakened, he visited them disguised as a dark rider and sought to bend them against the Valar. While unsuccessful in this attempt, he captured some of the Elves and tortured and bent them into his cruel race of orcs. In the Battle of the Powers, he was again defeated, and for three Valarian ages he was held chained in Valinor. During this time his servants continued to labor inside his two fortresses until Melkor decieved Manwe into releasing him. When he escaped Valinor, he sought out Ungoliant to deprive all of the light of the Silmarils. He and Ungoliant poisoned the Trees of the Valar, stole the Silmarils from Feanor, and killed Finwe; king of the Noldor Elves. The ever-hungry Ungoliant attacked Melkor over the spoils of their deeds, but the cry of Melkor summoned forth his Balrogs to help him escape.
He was given the name Morgoth meaning "Dark Enemy" by Feanor, and was henceforth called this. After this he managed to corrupt some of the newly-awakened Men while he defended the Silmarils from the Noldorin-Exiles. By the powerful Noldor, Morgoth was besieged inside Angband, during this time he built up his forces and then re-assaulted Beleriand with the Dagor Bragollach. He would lose one of the Silmarils to Beren and Luthien, but would ultimately build up enough forces to push the Eldar back. He fought back the Eldar until, when all seemed lost, the Valar interceded and in the Great Battle Morgoth's forces were utterly destroyed. After this he was cast out into the Void never to return.
His fana was tall, and dark, with eight great wounds (from Fingolfin and Thorondor). His hands were burnt from the heat of the Silmarils, and he wore an Iron Crown into which he set the Silmarils. He wielded the mace Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld, and a huge black shield. His servants would continue to torment Arda until the end of the Third Age when Sauron was defeated.
yes, its long, but hes important and i think this is well worth a read, morso than the others. but thats just me; dark lord, enemy of all, not really that important i guess. lol.
enjoy!
Dalf32 the Ever-Willing
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to"[This message has been edited by Dalf32 (edited 06-27-2007 @ 05:33 PM).]