OriginallyMelkor was the most powerful being in Ea (Apart from Eru)
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Melkor must be made far more powerful in original nature(cf'Finrod and Andreth'). The greatest power under Eru (sc. the greatest created power)(He was to make I devise I begin; Manwe (a little less great) was to improve, carry out, complete.
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Myths Transformed; HoME 10
But, he began to squander his strength upon Arda, so that all of it, excpect for Valinor, for a while, was untainted. (Though of course, the Elves being born in 'tainted' M-E brought his taint with them, hence the death of Miriel which was a forerunner of things to come)
Melkor's power began to be dispersed as soon has he re-entered Arda with his host and overthrew the Lamps of the Valar. From that moment he had subjects who he had to hold to his will and he had to exert his power into their beings, thus wasting his 'natural strength'
He first realises this when the Vala take Utumno in order to aid the Elves, and he meets Manwe;
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Manwe at last faces Melkor again, as he has not done since he entered Arda. Both are amazed: Manwe to perceive the decrease in Melkor as a person; Melkor to perceive this also from his own point of view: he has now less personal force than Manwe, and can no longer daunt him with his gaze.
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By the time of the WoTJ, he had fully incarnated himself, he could have been slain, he eventualy was executed by Namo, and his power had vastly shrunk, in comparison to his orignal powers.
Myths Transformed; HoME 10
The Noldor, Sindar and Edain would
neverbe overcome the Valar chose the perfect time in which to attack Morgoth, when there was little hope left. The Noldor, themselves filled their purpose to stop Morgoth from destroying Arda, as he may have done:
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If we consider the situation after the escape of Morgoth and the reestablishment of his abode in Middle-earth, we shall see that the heroic Noldor were the best possible weapon with which to keep Morgoth at bay, virtually besieged, and at any rate fully occupied,on the northern fringe of Middle-earth, without provoking him to a frenzy of nihilistic destruction. And in the meanwhile, Men, or the best elements in Mankind, shaking off his shadow, came into contact with a people who had actually seen and experienced the Blessed Realm.
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