The Plight of Manwë

The truth about Melkor's plan to built an army of his own to assail his brother and his peers slowly unfolds in the councils of Manwë with his brethren in his halls upon Taniquetil. And Ulmo was grief to learn the reproach of Ossë.

As Manwë rise and spoke: 'How long should i endure the rebellion of my brother whom had turn against me? Should I call upon Eru himself to make to an end of the bargain that for so my brother would be appeased? For even so, my head would lie under a heavy oath of Judgement!'. And Manwë shook his head in disheartenment. But he did not sit in blind in his throne. For as he ascends his throne and look forth, whilst Varda is beside him, he sees further than any sight, piercing through darkness and mist and many leagues from the uttermost west to the uttermost east, naught is hidden. And of the deeds of Melkor he knew not the least. As of Varda, she has the keenest of ears than any in Arda; and all the sound of the faint whistle of a wind to the cries, from the hills to the valleys, and from the darkness of dwellings, all were known to her, and the most, the treason of the Maiar.

For such of all the Ainur since the Beginning of the Eä, many of the Maiar were ensnared and corrupted by Melkor, robbed of their Sacred Light that imbued within, and in that time the Wheels of Time had swerved back and forth unevenly, impeding its harmonic tune, rendering Arda into disorder. And writhing black clouds was cast over Almaren, covering its ever-light and poisoning it with its black smokes, looks as like black fingers ready to seize hold of its enchanted lands, destroying the living within; marring the design of Arda to which it was purposed from the beginning. And the trees of Yavanna became bend and its branches tangled in meshes whilst the seas of Ossë rose in turmoil, swaying in every direction with its violent gales, drowning the fishes and other creatures living in the sea. But as the winds was sent into chaos on the midst of confusion, Manwë rose and brought them into order, for the power of Breath he held still.

Such was the undoing of Melkor, putting fear to those who oppose him.

'See, ruin that had been unleashed upon Arda by our brethren. Hold not thy patience longer Lord!, Varda cries amidst the noise, as she heard the cries of the kelvar* and the olvar**.

'A brother he has been since the beginning and forsake not have i. But to this destruction that he had brought, i seeketh dost to the council of Eru once again, should it be the last, for i will not so judge my own. But in the coming days and for an Age, i shall grieve.' Thus Manwë left his halls and for a time went alone in the stony pastures, seeking the hearing of Illúvatar.

And Illúvatar, hearkened to his prayer, said: 'Thy love towards thy brother has spare this turmoil if not but a little longer. But behold! My hand stay no longer in rest. Verily I said unto thee, thy plight I had not forsaken, but await the time when the first fire of light that sears the darkness from the sky; for amongst thy Kingdom, I will send to you one, an emissary to succour thy burden upon Arda. To the first Laughter thou shall hear from the heavens amidst the winds, and in that moment, thou shall welcome him.' And Manwë upon hearing the words of Eru, although he did not fully understood them, was glad in his heart. (It was said that from here Illúvatar lifted up His right hand and withdraw the secret Gift of Melkor, and thereafter he no longer had the power to change his shape to his will, nevertheless wearing any disguise, but stayed in his dreadful face and shape forever; though this were not actually recorded in the tale of The Silmarillion but in other writings.)

When Melian, whom were present in the councils of the Valar heard the judgement of the Ainur, she were filled with dread. And she return to Lorien in despair and in dark trepidation on the fate of the Maiar. As she sat by the springs of a stone fountain, she spoke to Olórin: 'Many amongst us had betrayed our cause and turn into the service of Melkor with all sorts of promises and treacherous gifts. The Doom of the Valar is upon us! Whence shall my heart seeks comfort and rest?' Olórin rather differs, 'Such a doom only befall those who turn away from the Light. But aren't we are still of one of the Light, and fear we need be? Thus have comfort upon thy heart.

'Yet fear i had upon our brethren, and what doom might befallen them!', said Melian.

Olórin turned to her and said: 'Bitter news tis' indeed, but neither of us can intervene aught. Yet great pity thy heart holds for thy brethren, perhaps the truth shall set the hearts of thy brethren unto thy counsels, be it so.'

'Of the friendship i held the most with Lady Arien, whom i most loved, thus pity i had for her, for she was bribed by Melkor to aid his pursuit and abandon her own servitude to the Mistress.', said Melian. On a moment she pondered upon the words of Olórin and a forewarn sense came to her, 'I must make haste, for Arien must learn of the truth!'

As Melian turned and walked away, Olorin looked at her and nod: 'Truth shall prevail indeed!'

*kelvar in Elvish meaning 'animals or living things that move'.
**olvar meaning 'living things that do not move; with roots in the earth'.