In the beginning, Eru Iluvatar formed the Timeless Halls and within it created the Ainur
species, beings born from differing parts of his mind, making them extremely wise and
powerful specialists, each excelling in a specific area of knowledge.
Yet there was one who stood apart from the others, as Melkor, greatest of the Ainur,
shared in all their gifts, granting him unique thoughts and abilities, leading him to grow
increasingly curious, impatient and ambitious in his desires.
Knowing that the Eru created a great a region of space outside the Timeless Halls, he journeyed
into the Timeless Void, seeking the Flame Imperishable, the source of thought and individuality
so he could create lifeforms of his own design.
Unable to find the Flame Imperishable, which only Eru possessed, Melkor spent a lot of
time in isolation causing his thoughts to grow ever more independent and focused on
his individual ambitions.
In the ages that followed, Melkor embraced the idea of rebellion, resentful towards the
creator for the limitations of his being, he set out to push the limits of what was
possible, eliminating anything that got in his way.
When the Ainur sang the the Ainulindale in perfect harmony, music inspired by their creator,
Melkor inserted his own notes with a voice so prominent, some of the other Ainur joined
him while other grew dismayed and stopped their singing.
As the themes battled back and forth Eru put an end to this war of sound with one final
chord that left the timeless halls in silence.
When it was over, Melkor was scolded, filling him with shame, but also great anger which
he hid away.
After the formation of the Universe, Melkor descended onto the world of Arda and immediately
declared himself its master, beginning the First War when the other Ainur, now separated
into Valar and Maiar, failed to recognize his authority.
Going on a rampage, he destroyed and disrupted their labors until the Ainu Tulkas the Strong
descended from the Timeless Halls to join the Valar and crush their enemy.
Defeated, Melkor fled from world but the damage was done and the landmass forever marred.
Unwilling to quell his ambitions, Melkor recruited Maiar to his cause and continued to rebel
throughout the ages of this world, resulting in mass devastation and the reshaping of continents.
Amongst his most notable examples of his dark influence, was the destruction of the two
lamps during the spring of Arda, corrupting captured elves to create the orc race, losing
to the Valar in the War for Sake of the Elves, escaping captivity and destroying the two
trees of valinor, killing King Finwe of the Noldor, stealing the silmarils of Feanor,
fighting the centuries long war of great jewels, and at last losing against the Valar in the
war of wrath at the end of the first age, leading to the execution of his body and exile
of his spirit into the Timeless void.
Throughout the years he strove for power, Morgoth grew increasingly angry, bitter and
vengeful, losing his interest in mastery over the world, to instead seek the destruction
of everything in the universe.
To aid him in this mission, he recruited vast legions of warriors, like his Lieutenants
Sauron and Gothmog, the Balrogs, Orcs, Trolls, Dragons, Wicked Beasts, and even the children
of iluvatar, manipulating, enslaving and corrupting many humans, elves and dwarves.
Of all his servants, Sauron went on to do the most damage after Morgoth’s defeat,
becoming the new Dark Lord throughout the Second and third ages, as he sought the conquest
of middle-earth through schemes and warfare.
After Sauron was vanquished at the end of the Third Age, a new era of peace and prosperity
fell over the world, allowing for many to flourish in the years ahead.
Yet many came to believe that the threat of Morgoth was not entirely gone, and he might
one day return to wage a final battle resulting in the end of the world.
Though many legends and stories spoke of such events, offering different possibilities and
scenarios, the most complete depiction of the end times came from the Second Prophecy
of the Vala Mandos, where he revealed an apocalyptic vision of the future.
According to Mandos, many years after Morgoth’s defeat, when the Valar have let their guard
down, the Dark Lord will put his final plan into motion and escape the timeless void by
passing through the door of night.
Once returned to the universe, he will destroy the sun and moon, causing the hero Earendil
to fly his sky ship against the Dark Lord, driving him down to Valinor where they would
fightin Dagor Dagorath, the final battle at the end of the world.
Engaging in a cataclysmic struggle which destroyed the world, the battle culminated in a confrontation
between Morgoth and Tulkas the Strong, joined the Maia Eonwe and human Turin Turmabar.
In the end, it was Turin son of Hurin, who struck the final blow with his black sword
Gurthang, thus avenging his family and the entire race of men, who suffered so long under
the influence of Morgoth and his minions.
With the Dark Lord vanquished at last, the Valar and their servants began the work of
making a new world, starting with the Noldor Elf Feanor recovering all three of his silmarils
from earth, sea and air, in order to break them and release their essence so the Vala
Yavanna might rekindle the Two Trees, bringing light back into the world.
Though the second prophecy of Mandos presented the most complete version of events, other
sources throughout the ages added details which may also occur, like in the beginning
of the conflict, when Morgoth targeted the sun and moon for destruction.
Some say he did this by creating a quarrel between Arien, the Maia who moved the sun,
and Tilion who moved the moon.
Seeking to confront Arien, Tilion followed her into the timeless void, allowing Morgoth
to collapse the Door of Night and Gate of the Morning, thereby eliminating the sun,
moon and both their protectors.
As fate would have it, the maia Eonwe was madly in love with Arien, and grew so enraged
at the Dark Lord that is was their battle which caused most of the damage to the world.
Though some say all the dead may rise and take part in the battle, others are more specific
and claim Dragons will play a large part in Morgoth's army, though Turin and his Black
sword would be their downfall, as he would kill Ancalagon the Black.
The army of Ar-Pharazon, last king of Numenor may also return to life, escaping their prison
beneath the earth to join in the final battle, though it is unknown which side they would
choose.
Yet not all were fated simply to fight, as some say the end times will allow the Dwarven
race to at last fulfill their destiny as the adopted children of iluvatar, by helping the
creator build a new world after Dagor Dagorath.