Valar

Am I correct saying that they help Gandalf because he is a Maia that is loyal to the Valar and the west and that these eagles are of the same order as Thorondor?

One tossed out option for the Ring at the COE, was to bring the ring to Valinor to be guarded by the Valar. What do you think would happen if that option was tried?

For me, I don't think it would last. If Melkor/Morgoth could go bad, ANY Valar could go bad. And the last thing Arda needs is another Valar going bad. I'd even argue that Eru could go bad.

Alright guys...hear me out. I think that Tom Bombadil is a spirit that Eru Ilúvatar put in Arda before his Children came, to make ready the landscape: to make paths, to teach them of the subtleties of living in the wilds, from someone whom they could trust without as much question as the Valar. I think that perhaps he was there to help them, and save them from some of their troubles, for back in the day he might not have been held within his small, self-imposed boundaries.

Did the people of Gondor know of the existence of the Valar and Illúvatar?

This is by the time of TA 3019 (Lord of the Rings)

We know for sure that the Gondorians of nobility knew of the Valar, when Frodo is captured in Ithilien one of the rangers says “may the valar be with them” after killing one of the Haradrim.

But would they know the deeds of the Valar? Or just see them as Eldar lore?

^answer in comments.

I've always wondered about this. It doesn't seem like their destruction was mentioned to have significantly weakened Yavanna. Unlike creatures such as dwarves and ents, they didn't need to be hallowed by Iluvatar from what was written.

First, a bit of background: Tom Bombadil is the oldest being in Arda, and is probably the most powerful. Tom Bombadil once said to Frodo, "Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside." suggesting that he was already an inhabitant Arda when Yavanna made the first growing things (trees, flowers, bushes, etc). He also has unparalleled control over his domain, exceeding that of Sauron, and even Melian and Thingol of old. He met Frodo and company when they were ensnared by a powerful and malevolent Huorn, who Tom calls "Old Man Willow". He has many different names, and possibly a different personality to go with it. The Elves call him Iarwain Ben-adar, which literally means, "old person without a father"(Iarwain means old-young, Ben means without, and adar means father). The Dwarves called him Forn, which means "Eldest", and the Men called him Orald, which means "Elder". Now, knowing this, there are several theories that say who Tom Bombadil is, and what his origin story is.

Tom is a Valar

One theory is that Tom is a Valar, specifically Aulë. I'm guessing that why people think that is because Tom is so powerful he must be a Valar. And Goldberry must be Yavanna, because she likes nature, and might even be able to influence it. But Aulë is the Smith, the Lord of Metalworking, while Tom Bombadil seems to be more into nature than weaponry. In fact, we never even see him touch metal, and the house which he lives in might not even have metal in it. And, Goldberry can't be Yavanna, because Goldberry is the "River-Daughter", while Yavanna was created directly by Eru Ilúvatar. As for the other Valar, no other Valar have the right skill set and interests as Tom. The closest we come to seeing one is with Oromë, but Oromë is the Great Rider, while we never see Tom riding on a horse, only Fatty Lumpkin, his pony, whom he seldom rides anyway. If he was Oromë, I think we would see a lot more hose action. Not to mention that all the Valar are in Valanor.

Tom is a Maiar

Ah yes, a theory that actually holds some water. Some think that Tom Bombadil is just a Maiar that doesn't live in Valinor. But I don't think that is true, because even Sauron, who was originally one of the most powerful Maia (Mairon), was under the influence of the One Ring, while the Ring had no grip on Tom's mind. Also, even while Sauron and Melian had very good control over their lands (Melian's Girdle, and Sauron literally lives in a realm of fire where the sun never shines), none of them can even rival the way that Tom is in his kingdom. At least this theory has some form of logic to it, unlike the last one. All of the Maiar are likely in Valinor. Also, if he were a Maia, he would be more influential in Arda, because the other Maiar who were in Arda were extremely influential (Sauron and Melian).

Tom is Father Nature

This theory isn't half-bad. The theory says that Tom is like an embodiment of Arda, kind of like a father nature. It makes sense, too. Tom is the master of his domain, and Galdor once said, 'Power to defy our enemy is not in him, unless such power is in the earth itself. And yet we see that Sauron can torture and destroy the very hills.' suggesting that Tom is connected to the earth. Every part of it fits perfectly into this notion. The only reason it isn't my favorite is because of how sound this next theory is.

Tom the embodiment of the Music of the Ainur

This theory is my favorite. The theory states that Tom Bombadil is the music of the Ainur, put into a body. The theory works perfectly. It would explain why he has such a huge music aptitude, as the Music is inside of him, woven into his very being. It would also describe how the beasts and beings of the Old Forest obey him, as "his songs are stronger songs," a direct quote from Tom himself. There are also linguistic clues that say this. When Frodo asks Goldberry who Tom is, she replies saying, "He is", in the common speech. But if she had been speaking Elvish, she would have said 'Eä', which is what the universe of Tolkien's legendarium is called. And, if Tom was made from the Music of the Ainur, then, as Ungoliant is a lot like the anti-Tom, it would make sense that Ungoliant would be made from the Discord of Melkor (Morgoth).

One last note: Tom Bombadil does not have his own origin. Tolkien did not make one for him. Tolkien wrote in one of his letters, “even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one of them (intentionally)."

One of the Silmarils was taken by Beren from the crown of Morgoth, and was swallowed by Carcharoth, who later was slain and slew Huan. Then the Silmaril came to King Thingol, and he went to the dwarves to set it into a great dwarven treasure called Nauglamír. But the dwarves were seduced by the beauty of the Silmaril, and slew Thingol for it. It was then set into the stars by the Valar.

Another was taken by Maglor, and it burned his hand, and so he threw it into the sea.

The last Silmaril was obtained by Maedhros, and it burned his hand with such searing pain, that he threw it and himself into a fiery pit.

In The Hobbit, Thorin mentions the Arkenstone, which the dwarves had found in the deep, delving and mining.

My thought process here is that the Arkenstone might be a Silmaril, that the dwarves had found mining in the fiery pit that Maedhros cast himself into (after the fire burned out, of course). It is described much like the Silmarils, and has the same power of corrupting the owner, much like a Silmaril. This is shown when Thorin found out about what Bilbo did to the Arkenstone, and only speaks to Bilbo when he realizes he is about to die and will not get to speak to the hobbit again.

Normal succession would have him as king not Manwe. Due to Morgoth being Manwe's older brother.

I know that there are many characters in Tolkien’s works are inspired by Celtic and Norse mythology. But, I also find the similarities between the Valar and the Greek deities in mythologies too. Still, they are only similar in terms of titles and duties instead of the inner characters, because the Greek gods and goddess and much crueller and spiteful comparing with the benevolence of the Valar. So here is that small portion of similarities:

Manwe: Zeus

Ulmo: Poseidon

Aule: Hades/Hephaestus

Yavanna: Demeter

Varda: Hera

Orome: Orion

Nienna: Psyche (goddess of human suffering)

Vana: Persephone ?

Nienna: Minemosyne (goddess of memories)

Mandos: Thanatos/Hades

Lorien: Morpheus

Este: Epione (Goddess of soothing pain)

Tulkas: Hercules

Nessa: Artemis

Melkor: Seth (Egyptian god of chaos)/Loki/Satan (definitely)

Sauron: Loki (shapeshifter and deceiver)

Melkor and Sauron are the only ones inspired by Celtic/Norse religion. But the others are closer to Greek mythology. I’m not too familiar with Norse mythology actually. It’s find if your disagree my concept and explain the similarities of the Norse deities and the Valar if you could.

In The Silmarillion, in the chapter called "Of the sun and the moon and the hiding of Valinor", the sun and the moon rise, and Morgoth sends spirits of shadow to attack the moon (the vessel of the Maia Tilion), but they are defeated. However, I haven't found a single mention of this attack on this wikipedia, not even on the page of Tilion. Why is this so obscure? I mean, it is only brought up in a few lines, but it is important in convincing the Valar to completely hide Valinor.

Back in the Silmarillion, Feanor initiated the first kinslaying act against the Teleri after they refuse to aid his flight from Valinor, we know that he had killed many of those elves and raid their ships too. But I’m quite dismayed by the fact that the Valar did not help the Teleri. I know they can’t stop the Noldor from leaving because they are given a freedom to choose. But shouldn’t they help the Teleri to defend their people and property at least? Because they are inhabitants of Valinor and remain faithful to their beliefs too. They could have let Feanor continued his folly but they should have stopped him from committing atrocities towards his kinsmen. Or maybe there is much better reason behind this, hope I’ll get some explanation from it.

In the Lord of the Rings, the Valar are set up to be the gods of Middle-Earth, with Tolkien himself admitting that, despite his best attempts to conform to Catholic theology, the Valar are strongly based off of pagan gods and attributes. In addition, the Rings of Power series establishes them as gods instead of angels. But this raises questions about the Maiar.

While the Valar are established to be Middle-Earth’s pantheon of gods, what exactly does that make the likes of the Maiar. Are they gods as well? Lessor gods that serve their greater kind? Or are they instead some form of divine spirits? Are they simply divine entities that merely serve the gods, much like the Valkyries of Norse mythology and the Ganas of Hinduism?

Are Gandalf, Saruman, and Sauron gods in human and physical form?

Why didn't the Valar imprison Morgoth in the end in the Halls of Mandos from where nobody (nor Valar) can escape? Why did they send him into the void from where he escapes in the end for the Dagor Dagorath, when they could keep him in the Halls of Mandos instead and chill?

We know Oromë visited Middle Earth before the First Age to hunt monsters. Afterwards there are no accounts of Elves or Men meeting him, but Aldarion told Erendis that there were still primeval forests in Middle Earth were his horn could be heard (but he could be speaking poetically, intending to mean that these forest were ancient and untouched), and the Rohirrim knew about Oromë and they named the Kine cattle after him.

So, could it be that Oromë still visited remoted, uninhabited corners of Middle Earth? Like, he could have visited Forodwaith to hunt dragons or something...

Barliman Butterbur, the innkeeper at The Prancing Pony, is easily the most underrated character in the entire Legendarium. When the hobbits arrive in Bree, for most of them it’s their first time outside The Shire but Butterman does his best to make them feel at home. He also (despite forgetting to at first) delivers a message from Gandalf to the Hobbits, which helps them to trust Aragorn and keep them safe from the Ringwraiths. He also gives them Bill the Pony, freeing him from being abused by Bill Ferny, and when Bill returns to Bree after the Fellowship lets him go, he looks after him until the hobbits return. He also helps to warn them about Saruman and the Scouring of the Shire by telling them of the strange goings on that Saruman was causing.

Anyways, who do you think is the most underrated character in Middle-Earth? (And why is it Barliman Butterbur?)

Glorfindel was slain by a balrog in the first age, I believe, but is seen in LotR, saving Frodo from The Nine and taking him to Rivendell. I’m a bit confused about how he came back from the Halls of Mandos after his death, because if the Valar could resurrect Elves then how come they don’t bring back some of the greater ones, i.e Feanor or Fingolfin.

It has been said that the Valar cannot create life itself, as only Eru is able to do so. considering this, how did Morgoth manage to create his Dragons? is there any solid explanation for their creation?

Ok, so as we all know, the 5 Istari (or wizards), were all sent by the valar in order to combat Sauron alongside the Free people. But as we also know, the wizards nearly failed their task, which was only really completed by Gandalf. My question then is as represented in the title: Would the Valar ever fight Sauron directly? It is ofc given that if that were to be the case, Gandalf and the fellowship had failed their own task, and that the free ppl were forced back in the same matter as they were during the first age.