Of Evil, Free will, and Fate (from 'Gollum')
I've linked to that thread plenty of times.
All of you wondering about free will, fate, evil, etc. should read Tolkien's essay Osanwe-kenta (and his letters). They often *directly* answer your question with no need for you to go into your personal, presupposed opinions on such matters in this world or speculation.
On the matter of repentance, Tolkien says anyone can repent in Eru's world. Any being (and thus, one of Eru's creations) had the right to exist and take part in his creation.
Even Melkor.
Osanwe-kenta:
Quote:
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Melkor had the right to exist, and the right to act and use his powers. Manwe had the authority to rule and to order the world, so far as he could, for the well-being of the Eruhíni; but if Melkor would repent and return to the allegiance of Eru, he must be given his freedom again. He could not be enslaved, or denied his part. The office of the Elder King was to retain all his subjects in the allegiance of Eru, or to bring them back to it, and in that allegiance to leave them free.
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