I think that part of the quandary boils down the question of free will in Middle-earth. I believe there's a thread floating about somewhere in the Books forum about it.
Basically, some accounts seem to make the point that Iluvatar always knows what's going on, no matter how much you try to act using your free will. Everything you do has its uttermost source in him, and thus, he knows what is going on and when things are going to happen. In some situations, he reveals his knowledge to the Ainur so that they may carry out his wishes. Most often, it was Manwë, since the latter was the closest to him. Manwë could then tell his Eagles or some of the other Valar or Ainur to "interfere" or carry out Iluvatar's wishes.
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But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.
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