[Morthoron]

As a follow-up to my post, its interesting the ethical bases by which the Valar operate. Obviously, they are not necessarily motivated in the same moral sense the way we mortals are. My thought was sparked by seeing a quote by Mandos in the upper right of the BD title header. In reference to Feanor's saying, "...if I must break them [the Silmarils], I shall break my heart, and I shall be slain, first of all Eldar of Aman", and Mandos replied cryptically, "Not the first", intimating a prescience about clandestine activity happening elsewhere in the realm. Mandos knew, but did nothing to stop it, nor ameliorate a situation which was only to get worse. Yet we accept this in Mandos, because of the manner in which he operates (like the Greek Fates or the Norse Verdandi, Skuld and Urd) which is beyond morality and deals with doom and fate.

Of course, even an enigma like Mandos has his odd moments. He became a quivering mass of jelly after Luthien sang to him, "and Mandos was moved to pity, who never before was, nor has been since." Boy, I bet he was the target of ribbing and jokes afterwards in the Valar's private club. We also know that Tulkas and Orome have bad tempers, that Tulkas liked to wrestle (which for some reason always cracks me up), and Nienna cries all the time (which must make her a laugh riot at parties). What a strange lot the Valar were.