Of the Valar

Of the Ainur, they are many. Some abode still with Illúvatar beyond the borders of Eä, but others among them whom many are the greatest, took leave of Illúvatar and descended upon it. The Ainur named the place of their dwelling Valinor. But Illúvatar made this condition; that their powers should be contained and bounded into the World until it's end, and they take forms and shapes of men and women and that they might clothe themselves of which aforetime, they were unclad. Even in a naked form, the Elves cannot clearly see them, though they are present. And to these, they were named the Valar, the Powers of the World.

These are the names of the Valar and Valier (female) in due order. There are seven of them; and to the Queens, seven also :

Manwë - Perhaps the chief of the Valar and brother to Melkor, he was appointed by Illúvatar to be the ruler of the Kingdom of Arda. He was the Lord of the Breath, and he delights in the winds and the clouds and the breeze of the grass. All birds and eagles comes at his bidding. Thorondor, Lord of the Eagles, is his most trusted ally. With him dwell Varda, the Lady of the Stars, the fairest and of beauty too great to behold, in the summit of Taniquetil, highest of the mountains of Earth.

Ulmo - He is the Lord of the Waters, and he dwells alone within the depths of the sea. The sound of roaring waves were his music and voice, and he had no resting place. He walk seldom upon the land, and come less to the councils of Manwë, his closest brethren; unless at utmost need. All the seas, bays, rivers, lakes are his veins, thus his spirit reside in all over the world. These great gifts only to him alone Illúvatar had given, thus even Melkor has no power over the seas, and he hated it.

Aulë - He was the Master of Crafts and Smiths, builder of stone and forging of lands, decorated with gems and gold of the Earth. Melkor was most jealous of his gifts; and where he could create nothing like Aulë, he would seek to destroy it, or corrupt it in his mockery. Thus there was a long strife between both, and ever did Melkor marred and unmake the works of Aulë, and Aulë grew weary in restoring the tumults and the disorder of Melkor. In Aulë the most that were to meet with the outcome and fate of the Elves. With him dwells Yavanna, the Giver of Fruits. To the trees and other things that grow from the earth, she most tendered and care.

Námo and Irmo were the Fëanturi, the Master of Spirits. Námo, the elder of the two, is the Judge and Keeper of the Houses of the Dead, and he dwells in Mandos. He is the doomsman of the Valar, and he pronounces his doom and his judgements on the Elves and alike, except those chosen by Illúvatar outside the keeping and judgements of Valar (Men). Vaire was his spouse, the weaver of history into her storied webs; and as the halls of Mandos widen in ages, so as her webs that adorned its halls.

Irmo, the younger, was the master of visions and dreams. He dwells in the gardens of Lorien, filled with many spirits and memories, with spouse Estë; the Healer of weariness. And it was said that many will come often to the fountains of Lorien to draw refreshments in the easing of their burden of Arda.

Nienna, sister of Estë, dwells alone in the uttermost borders of the world, for she is acquainted with grief and sorrow, and often she mourns for the wound of Arda that Melkor afflicted. And seldom she comes into the land of the Valar, where there is joy and gladness. And to those that would listen to her, may learn pity and hope.

The last to come to Arda, are the mighty Lords of Valiant. Not to be confuse with the Lords of War, as they make not War, but delights in challenge and contest of strength; and they came indeed in hour of need when the Shadow of Melkor has ever becoming rife and rampant in the lands of Arda. One such was named Tulkas, the Mighty, he who laughs ever, in sport or war, and does not know the meaning of fear. He is said to be slow to anger but slow also to forgive. His weapons are his hands, and he need not a steed, for his feet are as fast as the winds. His spouse is Nessa, whom also fleetfooted, and loved the fair creatures of speed but delights more in dancing in the greens of Valimar, the city of the Valar. There was another named Oromë, brother of Nessa; and he was a mighty hunter and tamer of beasts.

Oromë prefer the lands in Middle-earth, and often there he rides his white steed Nahar, the mightiest of horse, to hunt for monster and evil beasts. But he loved horses and hounds, and often he would tame the beasts of the wild lands, and many would come at his bidding, and would train them for the pursuit of the fell and evil creatures of Melkor. He also has spouse named Vána, the Ever-Young.

Melkor no longer counted as a Valar.

Coming next: Of the Maiar