Did the Valar abandon Middle Earth - Third Age? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mithadan*** · 09-21-2000, 04:01 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 82</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The recent article arguig that the Valar appear to have abandoned man got me thinking. Clearly, the Valar did not immediately make war on Morgoth (and if they had the story of Feanor and the First Age might have been happier). They did ultimately grant the appeal of Earendil and destroy the might of morgoth. The Silmarillion suggests that they declined to attack Angband in fear of damaging man in its infancy.

Similarly, it cannot be disputed that the Valar left Sauron to the elves and men during the Second Age. Concededly our knowledge of the Second Age is sketchy, however, until the drowning of Numenor Aman was still "in" the world and it appears the Valar did little or nothing to contest Sauron's attempt to seize the mastery of Middle Earth.

We know more about the Third Age. The Valar, at least, sent the Istari to assist in opposing Sauron, though not to directly confront him. However, there are hints that the Valar did more, albeit indirectly, during the War of the Ring. Any thoughts? If you think the Valar abandoned Middle Earth after the end of the First Age, why?

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09-21-2000, 04:01 PM	#1
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,383	Did the Valar abandon Middle Earth - Third Age? <font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit Posts: 82</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> The recent article arguig that the Valar appear to have abandoned man got me thinking. Clearly, the Valar did not immediately make war on Morgoth (and if they had the story of Feanor and the First Age might have been happier). They did ultimately grant the appeal of Earendil and destroy the might of morgoth. The Silmarillion suggests that they declined to attack Angband in fear of damaging man in its infancy. Similarly, it cannot be disputed that the Valar left Sauron to the elves and men during the Second Age. Concededly our knowledge of the Second Age is sketchy, however, until the drowning of Numenor Aman was still "in" the world and it appears the Valar did little or nothing to contest Sauron's attempt to seize the mastery of Middle Earth. We know more about the Third Age. The Valar, at least, sent the Istari to assist in opposing Sauron, though not to directly confront him. However, there are hints that the Valar did more, albeit indirectly, during the War of the Ring. Any thoughts? If you think the Valar abandoned Middle Earth after the end of the First Age, why? </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.