Ainulindale - J. R. R. Tolkien

The Silmarillion AINULINDALË - The Music of the Ainur Audiobook The tale begins with Ilúvatar's creation of spirits of lesser power than he, yet of independent nature, named the Ainur. Ilúvatar taught them music, and they sang before him, but each one alone. He showed them the most beautiful theme and asked them to sing together a Great Music in which their thoughts would be visible thanks to the Flame Imperishable. Thus began the Music of the Ainur. No music like this was sung again, though it is said that the Ainur will sing a Second Music with the Children of Ilúvatar. At the beginning of the Music, Ilúvatar sat and hearkened, but Melkor, one of the greatest of the Ainur, in his pride broke the harmony. Ilúvatar then arose and a new theme began against the disturbance, and which Manwë, Melkor's brother, sang the leading part. Yet again, the harmony was broken with Melkor's violent song. Finally, Ilúvatar began a third theme that the Ainur could not comprehend. He then ceased the music and showed to the Ainur the essence of what their song symbolized, the history of a whole world. This is known as the "Vision of Ilúvatar". The Ainur became fascinated by it and wished that Ilúvatar put it into being. Ilúvatar spoke, "Eä! Let these things Be!". This command created the universe, and therefore the universe became known as Eä. Some of the Ainur who possessed the greatest power entered into Eä and they were called the Valar, the "Powers of the world", as their mission was to form the world for the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar. Therefore they created a region that later was called Arda, the Earth, but Melkor attempted to take it for his own. However, Manwë asked for the help of other Ainur, great or lesser. They descended to Arda and Melkor was forced to flee to other regions. The Valar took the shapes of the Children of Ilúvatar, and their beauty and works increased Melkor's envy, so he also took visible form. The First War began in the world, in which Melkor tried to destroy all the works of the Valar, but at last, the habitation of the Children of Ilúvatar was established. Timeline of Arda: Before the creation of the Sun, few dates can be given, and the dates that are given in Valinorean Years, which are about a decade in length. Before the creation of Eä Eru Ilúvatar creates the Timeless Halls and the race of the Ainur. The Ainur create the Ainulindalë before Eru. This Music of the Ainur leads to the vision of Eä. Melkor tries to corrupt the theme but ends up enriching it even more. Eru subsequently creates Arda (the world) in Eä with the Secret Fire at its center. Creation of Arda VY 500: Many Ainur enter Arda and become the Valar and Maiar; The shaping of Arda begins; Creation of the elder stars by Varda. VY 1980: The First War, Melkor assaults his brethren, and Arda's "symmetry is marred".