Sleep of Yavanna
 | |
|---|---|
| Sleep of Yavanna | |
| Event | |
| Other names | Peace of Arda |
| Location | Arda |
| Part of | Years of the Trees |
| Participants | animals and plants |
| Description | An event in which the creations of Yavanna fell silent for ages |
The Sleep of Yavanna was a period of the very ancient times of Arda, marked by darkness and stillness of nature.
Background[edit | edit source]
The two great Lamps of the Valar which were giving light to the World during the Spring of Arda were destroyed by Melkor along with the Valar's dwellings on Almaren, driving them away into the West.[1] Thus the Great Lands were left in darkness, and Yavanna protected the creatures living there by setting them to sleep and they did not grow or age until light should come again.[2] However, some forests seem to keep growing even in that darkness: when Thingol and Melian fell in their enraptured spell, "the trees of Nan Elmoth grew tall and dark before they spoke any word".[3]
History[edit | edit source]
While the Valar were preparing the bliss of Valinor bathed in the light of the Two Trees, Middle-earth was in darkness and silence, and fell beasts of hideous form multiplied in Utumno. It was Ulmo who did not forsake the Outer Lands and kept the earth alive. Yavanna also came healing the hurts of Melkor, and Orome hunted monsters, and kept the shadows at bay while blowing the Valaróma, albeit temporarily.[1]
It was during the Sleep of Yavanna when Aulë in his impatience created the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves under the mountains of Middle-earth. As Middle-earth was dark and dangerous, Aulë made his children robust and sturdy.[4]
Varda created new stars and the Elves awoke. Only Dwarves and Elves roamed Middle-earth which was lit only by the stars, and most creatures were sleeping.[2] Most life could be found in Doriath under the guidance of Melian and in the North where Orcs and other creatures of the Enemy multiplied.[5]
After the Long Night, it was the rising of the Sun that finally returned light to Middle-earth and a Second Spring of Arda.
See also[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Thingol and Melian"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Aulë and Yavanna"
- ↑ Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, entry "Sleep of Yavanna".
| Preceded by: Spring of Arda and Years of the Lamps | Major events of Middle-earth Valian Year 3450 - F.A. 1 | Followed by: Years of the Sun |
