Once upon a time, at a moment before the beginning of the history of Arda...
This is a part of a story long forgotten, and it is the only tale from which we can get at least a glimpse of an answer to the question that was raised here...
Sauron: You wanted to see me, sir?
Melkor: Oh, yes, sit down. (to Balrogs) Leave us.
(The Balrogs leave. There is a moment of silence.)
Melkor: Aulendil, you know I'm not able to rely on the other Valar. If they haven't included you in their plot, they soon will.
Sauron: I'm not sure I understand.
Melkor: You must sense what I have come to suspect . . . the Aratar want control Arda . . . they're planning to betray me.
Sauron: I don't think . . .
Melkor: Aulendil, search your feelings. You know, don't you?
Sauron: I know they don't trust you . . .
Melkor: Or the Ainulindalė. . .
Sauron: I have to admit my trust in them has been shaken.
Melkor: Why? They asked you to do something that made you feel dishonest, didn't they?
(Sauron doesn't answer.)
Melkor: ...they asked you to spy on me, didn't they?
Sauron: I don't know ... I don't know what to say.
Melkor: Remember back to your early teachings, Aulendil. "All those who gain power are afraid to lose it." Even the Valar.
Sauron: Valar use their power for good.
Melkor: Good is a point of view, Aulendil. All Ainur are similar in many ways, including their quest for greater power. The difference is that I am not afraid of the powers of the Darkness. That is why I am more powerful. Did you ever hear about the tragedy of Lidabmob Mot "the Dark One"?
Sauron: No.
Melkor: I thought not. It's not a story a Vala would tell you. Lidabmob Mot was a being so powerful and so wise he could use his power to create his own Flame Imperishable...
Sauron: So he could actually...?
Melkor: The power of Darkness is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.
Sauron: What happened to him?
Melkor: He became so powerful . . . the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. (smiles)
Sauron: Is it possible to learn this power?
Melkor: Not from a Vala.
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"Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories
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