Chapter Text
There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Illuvatar, and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made.
But though Eru was the One of the universe of his thought and song and creation, which he made with the Ainur in the themes of their song, he was not the only. For there were other universes of the thought and creation of others, unto even the power of Eru himself in their own domains.
It was through conversation with some such that Eru had first deemed it good to make others, and to create. For the boundaries of creation are as to nothing to those who are first and greatest and who rule over creation itself.
There were others, and he had conversed with them in the way of such powers with one another, without body, one burning soul of fire to another. But they had their own creations to tend, and for long it had been Eru alone, the One, kept company by the children of his thought and the spirits they had sung into the world.
Ages came and went. The Eldest Children came, and passed through many trials, but it was all according to his plan. Some dwelt for a time in Valinor, the uttermost west, under the light of the trees. For long turnings of the stars they had peace, and joy, but strife came into them through the works of Melkor, the wayward child of Eru’s thought.
Or so Melkor thought, at least, for as Eru had said all at last was according to his plan. Melkor himself was as Eru had made him, no more and no less.
The Silmarils were wrought, at the hand of Feanor. The trees were slain, and blood was spilled, kin against kin. The White Ships were stolen. Betrayals were made, and the White Ships burned.
Great deeds were done, in bravery and love and in jealousy and anger. Great battles were fought. Dagor-nuin-Giliath, they were called, and Dagor Aglareb, and Dagor Bragollach. An elven king stood before the gates of Angband and in fury and despair challenged Melkor-now-called-Morgoth to single combat, and wounded even a god before he was slain.
Great loves were found, and the daughter of Melian and the son of Barahir stood before Morgoth. Luthien sang him to sleep and they tore from his brow a Silmaril, so that Beren son of Barahir could satisfy her father and they might wed with his blessing.
But the doom that Eru had sung into being at the start of all things and which had been spoken by Mandos upon the Noldor was upon them all, and upon the Silmarils, and Eru knew that the gems would bring only more woe.
And it was then that the borders of his creation were parted, and another presence even alike unto his shone once again with its own eternal and unquenchable light, shining with the power of creation and life and he knew it, for she who it was had visited him before, once before even the Valar were made.
And she spoke to him, in the way of their kind, and she said unto him “Eru, thou art out of thy fucking mind.”
And Eru was dismayed, for her judgment upon him was heavy, and even as the children of his thought perceived his discontent and strove to learn his will Eru found himself lectured most harshly. But she spoke truly of many things, and he found himself unwillingly chastened.
“Lady,” he spoke unto her at last. “Perhaps thou speak to me true, and I have been a harsh and unloving father. But the song has been sung, and I am as bound to it as any other. I put much of myself into my work, and I cannot now easily change the fates that I have laid. What would thou have of me?”
And she said unto him “Thou art bound to the rules thee made, Eru, greatest fool, who would treat thy children as tools for his amusement as thou do watch from thy throne as they play out the fates thou bound them to. But I am not, and nor is my sister.”
And Eru found his interest kindled, for in long past ages when they had conversed before she had not claimed a sister. “The last time thou were hosted in my creation, Lady.” He spoke to her. “Thou had a brother.”
“Aye.” She answered him. “And thou would know, if thy did not bind thyself here watching the children you gave life break themselves upon the doom thou set them to and visit now and then, that my brother fell into madness after the death of our only son, who abandoned immortality for a mortal woman.” And she did reproach him then. “I did not make a great evil beast to make war upon my children for my amusement; when my lover fell and began to torment the children I made to set upon my creation, I endeavored that he should be thrown down and slain, for a loving parent sees to it that thy children may live and flourish in peace.”
“Lady,” he said unto her. “Those such as we cannot be slain.”
“Nay." She answered him. "But we can be unmade, and our power claimed by another.”
“It would be a terrible power for a mortal to bear, to hand such that could slay a god unto them.”
“Yes.” She said. “But such I did not do. Such was their birthright, through the line of the son of myself and my brother. And though it brought many to ruin, there were those who mastered it in order to throw back my brother once he fell. And at last, there was she who mastered it and brought at last his destruction, and thus took his place.” And here she paused. “Even if she is a stubborn little shit about it.”
And she said unto Eru “Though I find thee a fool, I would aid you for the sake of your children, who you unfairly treat. I will bring my sister and those loyal to her unto your creation, and they will with their own gifts remake the song.”
“Lady,” said Eru. “The things I have set into motion are great, and the powers arrayed are much for a young power who does not want her place.”
“Oh.” Spake the Lady. “She has done this before. It is only out of the old affection I bear for you, Eru from the time we spent before you began your song, that I do first ask your permission. I have not done such before.” And she smiled upon him, and her smile was as sharp and piercing as the light of the very stars.
And before that smile Eru at last nodded, and the bright lady clapped her hands, and hummed a song of her own. And that song did open before her the walls of creation, and pull from her creation into that of Eru another power, and this one Eru could feel was fierce and proud and as powerful as they, but yet unwilling, having recently yet been mortal.
And the Lady set that power and those she drew with it upon the face of Arda, and Eru did feel the notes of the great song shift and sway and take on a shape and sound that he had not made at the beginning with the Valar.
And upon the face of Arda, the power the Lady had called cursed her most foully, and the Lady did smile.