War of the Gods

The Great Battle of The Powers

Valian Years of the Trees 1092-1100

By the coming of the Elves and because of their concern for them, The Valar had a long debate on what to do. Manwë sought the counsel of Iluvatar, and at last Manwë spoke to the Valar of his decision. They should take control again of Arda and free the Elves from the shadow of Melkor. And thus the Powers of the West made ready for the war and the assault upon Melkor.

The Western Gods arrayed themselves in armor and when they were all ready Manwë climbed his blue chariot with three white horses of Oromë and in his hand he held a white bow whose arrows were like a gust of wind across the widest sea. Behind him was Eonwë and Oromë was upon Nahar with a spear, but Tulkas ran besides with no weapon save a gauntlet upon his right hand. There came Mandos in his black car with a black horse and Irmo with a dappled and Salmar and Amillo ran speedily with them. There was Aulë with his hammer and four of his Maia carrying Angainor, which Aulë had wrought. At the shores awaited Ossë in shimmering mail to carry the gods across the sea, but Ulmo was already far ahead roaring in his sea-car and blowing in anger in his great conches - the Ulumúri.

When the Gods had passed the sea and sat foot upon the lands. they marched in anger and power to the North. There Melkor meet them in the North-West of the land with earth-quakes that shook the earth beneath them, and he made snowcapped heigths that belched forth flames and dust. But the Powers won a swift victory and the host and vassals of Melkor fled before the greatness of their array to the gates of Utumno, where many battles were fought. But even these could not hinder the Gods on their journey. There in the deepest North, they came upon the huge strong gates of Utumno. Tulkas smote them with his fist and Oromë blew such a blast in Valaroma that the gates were broken and Melkor fled to the uttermost pit.

Manwë called for Melkor to come forth, but he was afraid and sent only a messenger bearing words of insolence. He would not himself come up, but asked that two may come to his halls save Manwë and Tulkas, the two he feared the most. Now this was meant as a trick, for Melkor knew well that he was safe in his halls so long as he could lure the Gods one by one. But the Western Gods took council together and devised a plan to snare Melkor by his own pride; and Eonwë went to the halls of Melkor with the words of the council saying that the Gods had come to ask the pardon of Melkor and invite him as the greatest in Arda to dwell in Valinor and become their king.

Now Melkor in his pride was fooled and told he would see all the Gods unarmed, save Tulkas, in his halls were they were to pay homage to Melkor by kneeling in front of him. Then the Valar put down their weapons at the gates yet setting people to guard them, but they placed Angainor around the neck and arms of Tulkas as he was a prisoner and entered Utumno and came to the chamber of Melkor. As Melkor now saw Tulkas, chained as he thought, he would let it fare, but Tulkas would have to kneel and kiss his foot. When Manwë, as the first approached the throne, great anger arose in Tulkas and Aulë. Thus Tulkas leapt across the hall with Aulë and Oromë behind. There Tulkas wrestled with Melkor and cast him on his face and he was bound with Angainor.

Now Melkor was dragged out before the gates and there Aulë set upon each wrist and ankle Vorotemnar and Ilterindi, and Melkor was brought to Valinor and doomed to serve for three Valian Ages in the fastness of Mandos. The gates and caverns of Utumno were broken and laid bare, and Tulkas and Ulmo piled stones upon the ruins. But never would Melkor forget it was for the Elves that the Valar had fought this war.