Quote:
Originally Posted by Blind Guardian
I was reading this and wondered, in The Silmarillion (of which I did not read all) it described that the Ilúvatar (right?) created a sun and a moon. Later it stated that Morgoth wanted to destroy both. Wouldn't there at least be some common sense in it? Like we can't destroy our sun, he should not be able to destroy theirs, right?
|
Blind Guardian, welcome!
Initially, all light came from the Lamps of the Valar, which were like two big street lamps, one at each end of the (flat) world. After these were toppled by Melkor, the Two Trees of Valinor lit Aman, and Middle Earth was dark. These Trees were murdered by Ungoliant (with Melkor's help), and their last fruits were 'hallowed' and placed into vehicles that traveled the skies. The sun craft was driven by Arien, who is like a female 'good' Balrog. The moon craft, driven round by Tilion, isn't as timely as the sun, and even got a little too close to the sun, and that's why we see those dark marks on the Moon.
Note that these popped up when humans arose, and so we don't know any different arrangement.
Anyway, until the world was bent, these crafts had to pass over the flat world, then make a trip underneath so that they could 'rise' from the same side each time (though once the Sun rose from the West!).
This process made them targets for Melkor, but, as we know, he never destroyed these lights (not that he didn't try). After the world became a sphere and Melkor was thrust into the Void, the sun and moon became safe.
It happened 'just so.' More could be said.