The History of Middle-Earth, Part One

All right, folks, we're beginning the first installment of my ( cue the trumpets) History of Middle-Earth with this entry, so please bear with me. I'll make it easier on you by rationing out installments, so you won't be bored everyday you come to read this. Just... every couple of days... here we go!!!

The History of Middle-Earth, Part One

In the Time before Time, Eru ("the One") created the Ainur, essentially a race of angelic beings, out of his thought, and he taught them to sing the themes of the Creation that was to be. But the mightiest of them, Melkor ("He Who Arises in Might"), sowed discord in the themes of Eru. Eru put a stop to this, and said "Ea! ("Let it be!")" and the Universe came into being, flawed due to the the corruption that Melkor introduced.
When the Universe came into being, many of the Ainur entered it to order it and shape it. The chief of the Ainur were called the Valar, but the vast multitude were the Maiar and subordinate to the Valar.
The Earth began in conflict as the Valar would create and Melkor would destroy. Melkor also seduced many Maiar to his service; the most fearsome of these were demons of fire, the Valaraukar or Balrogs. Both factions fought in open battle, until Tulkas entered the world and routed Melkor.
With Melkor absent, the Valar could return to their original purpose. The King of the Valar was Manwe, who could hold communication with Eru, but the other Valar included Orome, the Hunter; Ulmo, Lord of Waters; Aule, the Smith; Yavanna, the Giver of Fruits; Mandos, the Keeper of Spirits; and Varda, the Star Queen.
They made their home upon the Isle of Almaren in the Great Lake in the heart of the single land mass that Middle-Earth was at this point in time. In the north and in the south, they situated two great lamps to light the world, and there was peace for a time as they wrought a paradise on Earth.
However, far in the north, Melkor delved his fastness in the Iron Mountains, and named his fortress Utumno, and gathered his demons and bred evil creatures. When he saw his time, he struck down the lamps and destroyed the Valar's home upon Almaren. The Valar retreated to the westernmost lands, Aman, across the Sea of Belegaer, and raised the Pelori- sheer, unscalable cliffs on the shores of Aman, and behind them established the Blessed Realm of Valinor. To light their land, Yavanna made the Two Trees of Light, Laurelin and Telperion, whose waxing and waning produced sunlight and starlight. They seldom returned to Middle-Earth afterwards, save for Orome. To hinder his passages east, Melkor raised the Hithaeglir- the Misty Mountains.
During the struggles between the Valar and Melkor, the world was changed dramatically, and continents and seas formed, and new mountain ranges were raised. The land of Cuivienen was shaped during this time, on the shores of the huge inland Sea of Helcar, and Middle-Earth lay covered in darkness for countless ages.

I think that's probably enough for one day, eh? I'll wait a couple before we continue along with the History of Middle-Earth. Thanks for bearing with my geekiness, folks. Don't count your chickens before they hatch!

Love, Ian

P.S. The Flaming Lips performed on Conan O'Brien last night masterfully, and did their song for the upcoming Spongebob Squarepants film, and Wayne Coyne played in a gigantic bubble. Pure, wholesome, witty, brilliant fun, folks!
P.P.S. Buy every single Flaming Lips record!!!