Tidbits of Curiosity

[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by Urwen

I believe that the one Melkor really loved was Nienna, not Varda. Just like the one Feanor really loved was Nerdanel, not Galadriel.

I don't think Melkor loved anybody, except possibly himself. He tended to go after bright things: there's a reference somewhere to him pursuing Varda, and the early mythos has him assaulting Arien; then of course there's the Silmarils themselves. But Nienna? She's really not his type.

Did she love him? She certainly goes to bat for him at least once, but that's in her role as Mercy. Given how unrepentant Melkor is, it's hard to see how the Weeper could fall for him.

Feanor, like Melkor, loved the Light - but like Melkor, he didn't just want to enjoy it, he wanted to possess it. The Silmarils were an impressive achievement, but built on the backs of Yavanna's, Varda's, and Aule's work (the Trees, Light, and Earth). Not acknowledging God's contributions when you're talking about a distant, unprovable figure is one thing; jealously guarding your treasure from gods who are right there is a whole nother thing.

It's almost tempting to see Feanor as just socially inept - his interest in Galadriel's hair comes across as a bumbling scientist, not a creep - but then you remember the whole 'if you won't help us we'll steal your stuff and murder you for stopping us' thing and feel less inclined to sympathy.

hS