"J.R.R. Tolkien - The History of Middle-Earth - 00" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tolkien J.R.R)

 Essays On Middle-earth


Chapter 2:
A Brief History of Arda
The Ainur
J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology about Arda (The Realm, Earth) begins with Ainulindal├л (The Music
Of The Ainur), a story which speaks of Iluvatar, God, and the Ainur (Holy Ones). The Ainur
were the first children of Iluvatar's thought and they sang for him, at first singly and then
together in small groups, gradually merging into a great chorus.

Melkor (He Who Arises In Might), greatest of the Ainur, began to sow dissension among them
by raising a great discord in the Music. This occurred during the First Theme, and Iluvatar
responded to the discord by raising a Second Theme, in which Manw├л brother of Melkor sang
the chief part.

But Melkor fought against the Second Theme, leading the rebellious Ainur in their own brash
Music, clashing with the beauty of the Themes. To this Iluvatar responded with a Third Theme
that the Ainur could not fathom, for they were not its source.

And Iluvatar caused the Ainur to cease their Music, and he showed them a vision which gave
new meaning and symbology to their Music. Many of the Ainur were fascinated with the Vision
of Iluvatar and some of the greatest Ainur desired to bring the Vision into being.

To this Iluvatar consented, and he created Ea (The World That Is). Then the greatest Ainur
entered Ea, and these were known thereafter as the Valar (the Powers) who shaped the universe
and the world. Chief among the Valar was Manw├л, who was most closely aligned with the airs.
Ulmo and Aul├л worked with him, and they were most closely aligned with Water and the fabric
of the Earth.

But Melkor also entered into Ea, and though he labored with the others for uncounted ages in
bringing the universe to fruition, when in time the dwelling of the Children of Iluvatar (Elves and
Men) was made, Melkor rebelled against the purpose he had undertaken and claimed Arda for
his own.

Arda was only a small part of Ea, and Manw├л summoned many Ainur to help him drive Melkor
away from Arda. But Melkor only watched as Arda was shaped by the Valar Maiar, and he grew
jealous of all they did. So he descended upon Arda again and strove with the Valar, corrupting
some of the Maiar to his service. But Tulkas, hearing there was war in Ea, entered the universe
and lent his great strength to Manw├л's cause. And then Melkor fled again.

So in time the Valar and Maiar finished shaping Arda, and they brought forth living plants and
creatures, and to give them light they created two Lamps, Illuin (in the north) and Ormal (in the
south).




-21-
Parma Endorion