#yes i know that eru didnt really care

[tar-thelien]

Eru to Melkor in the timeless halls: Why can't tou just harmonize with the music like your siblings!?

Melkor: REEEEE

[chaos-of-the-abyss]

I think fandom suffers a case of "Why didnt Frodo just use the Eagles to fly to Mordor?" regarding the Valar. The Valar have a certain kind of foresight, so why did they release Melkor? They are incredible powerful, so why didnt they went to war with him as soon as possible after his flight? Why didnt they just invite the Race of Men to Valinor? They must be either stupid or malicious in their actions and non-actions, since the solution to everything is so simple! /s (1/2)

The Valar are percieved as a Deus ex Machina, something that could solve all problems immediately. And when they dont act in that straight-forward way - because the situations are much more complicated, (which gets ignored or handwaved) and they are in fact not all-powerful - they get villified. (2/2) 

Yep, there’s most certainly that as well. The complexities of the dilemmas that the Valar find themselves in are often blatantly ignored, mostly because there seems to be a straightforward solution, and yet none of these solutions are actually simple. 

I’ll address each of the points:

“The Valar have a certain kind of foresight, so why did they release Melkor?”

The issue is that we don’t know how much foresight the Valar have, and Eru doesn’t let them in on all that He has planned for Arda. Also, personal feelings are often ignored in this situation, especially Manwë’s, which I think is a result of Tolkien’s quite non-personal writing style and the fact that there’s not much text that allows us to get a grasp of the Valar’s personalities, but also a result of, as I said before, the generalizing of the Valar into just divine angelic beings. 

When we think of angels we think of beings wholly devoted to serving the greater good, not at all focused on their own feelings. In fact, much of the perception we have of angels don’t even seem to give angels much individuality or personality. That’s why Manwë’s feelings remain so unconsidered when it comes to freeing Melkor. Melkor is Manwë’s brother; just how much would Manwë want to believe that Melkor, his brother, has truly changed and that they can see eye-to-eye again and don’t have to be enemies any longer? How hopeful must he have felt when Melkor “repented”? (It honestly breaks my heart to pieces to think about.) Yet people expect Manwë to be some utterly impartial judge precisely because he’s an angelic being, not at all swayed by his own personal sentiments. So the resulting conclusion of that assumption is: Manwë is either utterly incompetent and stupid for being unable to consider the possibility that Melkor was lying (which I think he did, he just didn’t want to believe it, and nobody can blame him for that - this is his brother) or he’s evil. 

“They are incredibly powerful, so why didn't they went to war with him as soon as possible after his flight?”

Many people don’t seem to know this, but if the Valar pursued Melkor to Middle-Earth and engaged in a war with him, Middle-Earth would be drastically altered. Earlier in Tolkien’s legendarium, to save the elves from Melkor’s evil, the Valar fought Melkor with their combined powers and altered the face of Middle-Earth (this was how Melkor ended up the Halls of Mandos); that’s how destructive battling at their full might would be. So how exactly could the Valar pursue Melkor and wage war on him, when there were still elves in Middle-Earth? Who knows how many lives they would have wiped out trying to bring Melkor down?

But people don’t consider this. All they see is that the Valar refused to act against Melkor, without really thinking about what the implications of the Valar actively battling Melkor would mean for Middle-Earth (which is the say, cataclysmic change that would result in many, many deaths for the elves).  

“Why didn't they just invite the Race of Men to Valinor?”

This criticism of the Valar always rankles me, because I feel that even if the Valar had invited the Race of Men to Valinor, they would still be criticized. Here’s the thing: the Valar were tasked by Eru with the “governing and guidance” of the Children of Ilúvatar. So, what exactly does that mean? Bringing the Race of Men to Valinor would be considered very drastic interference with Middle-Earth. How much interference on the Valar’s part is considered “governing and guidance”? How much interference is considered tyranny and the stripping away of free will? The Valar had these things to consider as well. Eru never meant for the Valar to shield the Children of Ilúvatar from the hardships of Middle-Earth. They’re supposed to help them along the way, but how can they do that if some of the Children (like the Noldor) don’t want their help? How much can they continue intervening in the Children’s affairs before they’re accused of being too domineering over their fates? How much does Eru Himself want them to interfere? 

The Valar need to consider these nuances. They can’t just bring everyone to safety, because that would be against the Theme of Ilúvatar, and runs the risk of taking away agency and free will from the Children. But once again, this isn’t considered by much of the fandom, either. All that’s considered is, “The Valar aren’t doing anything, therefore they must not care”. But how much can the Valar do before they’re accused of excessive interference and despotism?

Conclusion: So yes, I very much agree with you. The nuances and complexities of the situations the Valar must handle often pass totally over the fandom’s heads. 

[easnuppa]

When it is written in the stars Chapter 4

Faenthor knocked on his sisters Chamber door, no one answered. He opened it slightly and peaked in, the room was empty. That was weird he thought as he had not seen his sister anywhere in the Palace on his way over to her room. He walked inside and threw himself on the sofa, the fire was still burning, Faeniths hairbrush was laying on a wooden table next to a half full cup of  Cold tea. He desided to stick around and wait for his sister to come back, he needed to air out some frustrations about the Prince, he needed somethin or someone to distract him. Maybe Faenith could dazzel the Prince into forgetting about Elanoreth. The door creeked open and Faenthor snaped out of his thoughts as his sister walked Down and slumped Down next to him on the sofa With a Heavy sigh. He looked at her “Trouble in paradice dear sister?”   Faenith gave him one short glanze before she rolled her eyes at him. All she wanted now was to crawl under her covers and sleep for a millenia. “ How did the hunting trip go? Did you get to talk to Your special lady? “ Faenthor looked at the fire, the flames dancing over the burnt logs. “ Hardly, the Prince was pestering Elanoreth the Whole time. I need a favor of you, if im ever going to have a chance With her”  Faenith laid her head back on the back of the sofa, oh eru, here it comes she thought to her self. could this day gone any worse.” you want me to distract the Prince, dont you?” Faenthor smiled and sat up from his laid back position “ If its not a problem. I would really apreciate the help, besides you might end up having a Connection With him... you might find out that you both have something in Connection, you both like hunting. “ his sister sighd again and stared blankly into the air.” I doubt it” Faenthor noticed the resignition in her voice. “ You never know You two would make a stunning couple” Faenith rolled her eyes again. “Not the first time ive heard that today....” Her Brother looked at her questionly, and Faenith knew there where no point in trying to avoid the topic, she knew he was gonna pester her about what was wrong, so she might as well just spill it. “ I just came from  the kings study. I had a little insident earlier where he caught me hiding from Elledan in my night gown in his private garden. I had to explain to him why i was hiding from Elladan”  she took a deep breath and looked at her Brother..... “ I tell you Brother, Our king is the most arrogant, annoying elf i have ever met. It is unberable! The way he talks and stares at you, like you are air to him, that you dont mean anything. All he seem to care about is his precious wine. I have never felt so humiliated in my life. And out of nowhere he blurted out that i would be Perfect for his son, after making feel like dirt under his shoes. And he really underlined that i should force the Prince to look my way. How on middelearth am i going to force someone to do that. I did not even get the chanse to tell him that i am clueless about Things like that before he dismissed me and just waved me off.” She was almost growling the Words as her anger and frustration grew With every Word. She could hardly sit still in the Chair, she was gesturing With her hands to underline her anger. Faenthor just stared at his sister, facinated, he had never seen her loose her cool over a short conversation.She was usually so calm and collectet, suddenly it dawned on him and a slight smile grew on his lips. He knew there was no point in asking her to help him With the Prince, that would never work. He got out of his Chair and walked towards the door “ Forget about the Prince, i will get Elanoreth one way or another. I will see you later at the picnic.” Faenith just stared after him and sighed.

The sun was setting but it was still pretty warm, it was a Perfect evning to have a picnic out in what now looked like an enchanted forrest. Small lantherns hang from the trees and was glowing softly into the soft evning light. Blankets was spread around on the ground, and servants was serving wine and Food to couples who had already settled themselfs, while others walked around and talked. Lady Galadriel and Lady Elanoreth was walking around in silence, becouse of Galadriels gift there was no need to speak. “He is so handsome, his eyes are so soft, when i look into them my heart starts to race and i can hardly speak, there are so meny Things i wish to ask him, but just looking at him i forget everything.” Elanoreth smiled dreamingly and stared up at the lantherns. Galadriel smiled too “ Yes i have noticed how you have already fallen for him. Do you think he have the same feelings for you? “ The Young lady started to vibrate With nervous energy and started figething With her hands. “ I hope so, it seems like he wants to spend time With me. Oh my lady, cant you tell me his thoughts?” Galadriels laughed and placed her hands over the elleths to calm her nerves, “That  my dear child, is something you need to find out for yourself”. Elanoreth sighd alittle dissapointed, she knew Galadriel was right, but he made her feel so unsure, she did not know him that well. he might already have someone special back in Imladris, and just being polite and friendly towards her. They had walked around a Group of elves, when they both spotted lady Faenith standing alone, how the lady was coldly watching her suroundings and how she looked so unaproachable made Elanoreth more puzzeled about how her and Faenthor was twins but so different. Twins where supose to be identical almost. Galadriel nudged her side gently “ Maybe you should befriend the person closest to him” Elanoreth nodded and they both walked over to the lady who looked like an ice Queen. “Good evning, lady Faenith” Galadriel said With a friendly smile, Faenith offered a smale smile and a slight nod back at the two. “Is Your Brother not joinging us at dinner this evning?” Elanoreth suddenly blurted out, she could not hold back, she had been looking for him all evning. Faenith directed her silvery stare at her “ He said he was comming, lady Elanoreth, he should be here somewhere.” She looked around and a frustrated sound escaped her lips as her orbes landed on her Brother, she could not belive her eyes, her Brother was standing there in deep conversation With the king. She rolled her eyes, something that didnt go unnoticed by lady Galadriel.” Is there something troubeling you lady Faenith?” Faenith quickly looked at the lady With a glimps of annoyance in her eyes. “I have heard that you where giftet, my lady, but dont you think it is slightly rude to read other elves mind?” Elanoreth had been to busy looking at Faenthor to notice Faeniths Expression, but her Words made her look questionly at Galadriel. The lady just smiled., the elleths straight forward remark kind of amused her in a way. it reminded her about all the times she teased king Thranduil. “ Some conversations are best left unspoken”. The king and Faenthor had spotted them and was now comming over to join them. They all bowed for the king. Faenthor asked Elanoreth politely if she would care to join him for a walk. Elanoreth smiled widely and looked over at Galadriel who just nodded discreatly, she excused herself to lady Faenith and the king and they walked in between the trees. “Ah, Young love” lady Galadriel said With a pleased smile. The king just gave Galadriel a Blanc stare before he directed his stare at Faenith “ Should you not be walking and conversating With my son? “ his voice was as Cold and formal as always. Faenith met the kings stare, she had worked up the currage., she was not about to let someone push her around and she was not going to let someone use her as a pawn in a game.”The Prince took off With Lord Ellrohir and Elladan. I have not seen him since.” The king waved over a servant and grabed a glass of wine, Galadriel looked at them both, the tencion was thick, she knew it would be best to stay out of it but she  had to try,”Let Legolas find his own way, my king.nothing good will come out of it if you try to force it.” Thranduil studied his glass of wine before he emptied it in one gulp “ you are the one to give advice about meddeling ...” Thranduil didnt bother to use her title to adress Galadriel. Faenith stood quiet and just observed, the kings rudeness did not go passt her. The king was noticable grumpy and annoye,  but Galadriel kept her cool, she could see how Galadriel got  into his head. “ Leave the poor elleth alone, she is not for Legolas. Her heart already beats for another, she  just needs time to realize it” The king narrowed his eyes, a dark feeling grew in his chest. Galadriel felt the rage building up in the king, and she quickly bid her farewell and walked over to another Group of elfs, before the king could make a scene, he was already heavly into the the wine to be challanged like this. Thranduil glared after Galadriel, Faenith noticed the kings mood change to the worse and was about to leave herself, but the kings Word stoped her “here, join me for dinner” he gestured at a blanket infront of them and she could not refuse without sounding rude. As they sat Down, servants rushed over and placed out  Food and wine between them.

Faenthor and Elanoreth had been walking around for a while, they could hardly keep theire eyes off of eachother. They stoped and Elanoreth leaned against a tree as Faenthor grabed her small delicate hand in his and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand.”You are the most beautiful elleth i have ever laid my eyes upon.” Ellanoreth blushed and softly giggled, her stomach was filled With butterflies as she stared into his amazingly Brown eyes. Faenthor had been working up the currage, now was the time he thought to himself, this was the Perfect Place.”My lady Elanoreth, i would ask for Your premission to Court you?” Elanoreths heart sang in her chest, she had been longing for those Words almost ever since she had laid her eyes on him, she felt out of breath, he wanted her, he truly wanted her. She nodded frantickly as she was speachless from the happyness. He smiled as he leaned against her and brushed his lips softly against hers, he was about to pull back when she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, a short laugh of surprprise slipped his lips before he deepened the kiss. She tasted like Strawberries and summer, he snaked an arm around her waist and placed the other hand on her neck, he gently but firmly pulled her body closer to him, her curves fit his body perfectly. His heart was beating so hard, his hands would be thrembeling if he wherent holding her. Suddenly a raindrop hit his forhead, then another landed on her nose, more followed quickly after. They both looked up into the grey sky and laughed of the irony, it was almost like the sky just opened up and showered them With its blessings, he grabed her hand and together they started running towards the Palace gates. Wet and slightly Cold they entered the Palace hall, Galadriel came walking towards them “ oh eru, there you two are, i was starting to get worried.” she softly said as she kissed Elanoreths cheeks. “You two better go change and meet us back at the banquethall. If my sences are right then we have an announcement to make” pure joy radiated from the lady as she watched the Young couple. They turned to leave before Faenthor suddenly stoped “ have you seen my sister, my lady?” Lady Galadriel smiled secretly “ Last time i saw her, she was dining With the king. She will prolly be in the banquete hall when you two come back” Faenthor nodded and walked Elanoreth to to her Chamber.

The king in his drunken state had led a wet and Cold Faenith, who was also feeling the effects of the strong wine, into his private Chambers when it had started to poor Down outside. The room was hugh and dimmly lit up, she made a little twirl but had to grab the kings outstreatched hand for support, she giggled and earned a short laughter from him in Return. “ So this is where the greath king of Mirkwood rests his pretty little head” she just realized that she had just said that out loud and laughed. The king rolled his eyes and pulled her Down on the big sofa, so she more or less fell into his lap, hi felt more relaxed With her, she had turned his grimm mood to something more light hearted, he had never laughed so hard from anyones comments before. He had really enjoyed her Company and didnt want it to end just becouse of some rain. “so the legandary Faenith thinks im pretty?” he asked her, his voice filled With humor, he stared into her silvery eyes, she pushed some strands of hair behind his ear and looked at him With a stern look “you know you are stunning my king.” Thranduil smiled and shook his head. Faenith threw her self dramaticly back on the couch and laid her back of her hand on her forhead “ i cant belive my ears, the great king Thranduil dosent know the effect he have on elleths all over middle Earth” Thranduil laughed and leaned over her “ please Call me by my name and i didnt know i had that effect on you” his lips was so Close to hers, she could feel his warm breath carresing her skin, she stared into his eyes and hardly dared to breath, he closed the distance between them and kissed her, it wasnt a soft kiss that she had been imaginating her first kiss would be, he claimed her lips With his in a demanding way that took her breath away, she closed her eyes and surrendered compleatly into the feelings he had stired up in her, she entangled her fingers into his silky smooth hair,  a moan sliped over her lips as he started kissing and nibbeling on the soft skin on her neck,  his hands squeezing and pulling her closer to him. She heard him whisper her name so softly against her skin, she was so ready for what was comming next, her Whole body was yearning for him. He pulled back and looked at her “i want you” his voice was dark and his eyes Heavy With lust. She smiled at him, and tugged at his sholders for him to continue “I want you too” she hardly recognized her own voice and how this feeling compleatly overpowered her, she needed to feel him. His eyes carresed her body as he looked at her, he sigh and laid Down beside her, the inner conflict was obvious in his eyes, she sat up and looked Down at him in confusion. ““why are you stoping?” he pulled her back Down so she was resting her head on his chest, she could hear his rapid heartbeat “ we cant do this now.” she yawned and suddenly felt her eyes getting Heavy, his heartbeat slowed Down and soothed her.” you can if you want too, i want you Thranduil” she mumbled half asleep, he heard her steady breath and smiled, he pulled a blanket over theire bodys before he also surrendered to sleep.