Years of the Trees

2009-07-01T21:29:03Z

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{{History of Arda}}
The '''Years of the Trees''' or [[Days of Bliss|the Days of the Bliss of Valinor]] were the long years that lay between the founding of [[Valinor]] and its [[Darkening of Valinor|Darkening]]. During this time, Valinor was lit by the light of the [[Two Trees]], but [[Middle-earth]] lay in darkness.

Long before the [[Elves]] awoke, Yavanna created the Two Trees of Valinor to give light to realm of the [[Valar]]. So began a reign of peace in Valinor, but Middle-earth was lit by starlight alone, and [[Melkor]] worked in the depths of [[Utumno]] in the north of the World. We are not told how long this time lasted, just that 'the ages drew on'; this period would have lasted roughly 10,500 years. It was during this period that [[Aulë]] made the [[Dwarves]], and at [[Eru]]'s direction, set them to sleep until the coming of the Elves.

When [[Oromë]] discovered that the Elves had awoken at [[Cuiviénen]], great changes came about. The Valar made war on [[Melkor]] to protect the [[Elder Children of Ilúvatar]]; Utumno was destroyed and Melkor brought in chains to Valinor. The Valar also summoned the Elves to dwell in their land, and many answered this summons.

A period of three ages (about 2,900 years) followed. Melkor was imprisoned in the [[Halls of Mandos]], and the Valar and [[Eldar]] dwelt together in the light of the Trees. In the darkness of Middle-earth, the Dark Elves who had not journeyed to Valinor still dwelt, and the Fathers of the Dwarves stirred. Men would not appear until some time after the end of the Years of the Trees.

These Years came to an end when [[Manwë]] released Melkor from his imprisonment. For a time, the [[Dark Lord]] pretended friendship with the Eldar, but he turned back to the darkness. With [[Ungoliant]], he destroyed the Trees, stole the [[Silmarils]] and fled back to the north of Middle-earth. Seeking revenge, [[Fëanor]] led a great part of the [[Noldor]] out of Valinor and back to Beleriand.

So the Years of the Trees came to an end. At this time, the Valar made the Sun and Moon to give light to the World, and the Years of the [[Sun]] began, and with them the [[First Age]].

[[category:Ages]]

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Years of the Trees