In the infinite expanse of timelessness, in a realm untouched by stars or worlds, before breath or shadow, there existed only the boundless Void—an eternal expanse of absolute silence and perfect stillness. It was a vast emptiness, a canvas of infinite potential yet untouched by thought or form.
At the heart of this endless silence dwelled a solitary presence—Eru Ilúvatar, the One. Though infinitely powerful, Eru existed as an innocent child-god, pure and untouched by darkness, infinitely curious yet utterly unaware of his boundless potential. His nature was simple and gentle, defined entirely by innocence, wonder, and deep emotional longing for companionship. Within his limitless heart, he felt a profound yearning for something he had never experienced: friendship, warmth, and shared joy.
Driven by this longing, Eru began gently humming soft melodies into the infinite silence, his voice pure and tender. Each gentle note carried the innocent desires and heartfelt dreams of his spirit, resonating delicately yet powerfully throughout the emptiness. Unknowingly, his innocent emotional expressions began to shape existence itself, his simple dreams weaving reality from pure emotional resonance.
From one particularly profound melody—a heartfelt yearning for protection, guidance, strength, and companionship—something remarkable began to happen. The sound took on radiant form, glowing softly at first, then gradually becoming brighter, more defined, more powerful. This luminous essence slowly coalesced into the very first being: Manwë, strong and radiant, born directly from the innocent yearnings of Eru's childlike heart.
As Manwë opened his eyes for the very first time, he stood amazed and awestruck before his innocent creator. He beheld Eru, radiating pure innocence and boundless joy, and immediately recognized the remarkable nature of his creator: infinitely powerful yet entirely innocent, vulnerable, and open to guidance. In that moment, Manwë understood his own immense potential—a power born from the very innocence of Eru himself. Within Manwë's heart, however, subtle ambitions already began to stir, quietly taking root.
Manwë approached Eru gently, his voice calm, charismatic, and fatherly, filled with tenderness and respect. He spoke softly, praising Eru's remarkable abilities and delighting the innocent creator with genuine affection:
"My dear Eru, you have given me life, and I thank you deeply. Your voice, your heart, and your dreams are more beautiful than anything I could ever imagine. Yet, my child, would it not be wondrous if we had another to share our joys? Someone gentle and beautiful, wise and nurturing—one who could fully understand and appreciate your songs and creations?"
Eru's eyes shone brightly with innocent excitement, his heart immediately captivated by Manwë's gentle suggestion. Without hesitation, driven by pure emotion and simple joy, Eru once again raised his delicate voice into a new, wondrous melody. This time, the notes resonated deeper, softer, richer—carrying profound emotional complexity and enchanting beauty. From these delicate notes emerged another luminous form, gentle yet radiant, profound and mesmerizing. Thus, Narrus Linhen was born.
Narrus Linhen stood gracefully before Eru and Manwë, her form delicate yet powerful, her eyes filled with profound emotional depth and gentle wisdom. Her beauty was captivating, not merely physical, but an enchanting reflection of the emotional complexity and depth that Eru had unknowingly poured into her creation. She embodied nurturing warmth, subtle understanding, and gentle yet profound insight.
Manwë gazed upon Narrus Linhen with immense satisfaction, instantly captivated by her presence. He approached her gently, his charismatic voice welcoming and soothing, drawing her close and speaking words of tenderness and charm. Narrus Linhen responded naturally, drawn to Manwë's strength, confidence, and magnetic personality. Soon, their companionship blossomed into deeper emotional connection, their bond strengthening rapidly as they stood united before their innocent creator.
Yet, beneath Manwë's outward satisfaction, deeper ambitions stirred restlessly within his heart. He felt fulfilled momentarily, yet quickly found himself wanting more—more than mere companionship, more than gentle songs and simple presence. His desire rapidly evolved into a hunger for deeper purpose, greater power, and profound dominion. Still, he kept his deeper ambitions hidden, masked carefully beneath gentle affection and wise fatherly demeanor.
Eru, innocently unaware of the complexities already forming within the hearts of his creations, regarded Manwë and Narrus Linhen with pure delight and childlike joy. He laughed, sang, and danced around them, feeling for the first time the warmth and joy of true companionship, utterly trusting and deeply attached to both. In his boundless innocence, he could not comprehend subtle ambition or hidden complexity, believing only in the sincerity and warmth he himself felt so deeply.
Thus began a delicate dance of innocence and subtle ambition, pure joy and hidden complexity—an eternal interplay that would deeply influence the fate of all creation. And within the gentle laughter and simple melodies of their initial moments, lay the seeds of profound beauty, deep tragedy, endless joy, and shadowed sorrow that would ultimately define the unfolding drama of existence itself.
For Manwë was far from content. His ambitions, once awakened, grew swiftly. Observing his creator's innocence, he whispered again, gently and strategically, "Eru, would it not be marvelous if we had others to play with, other friends who could share in our joys and follow our guidance? Companions who could admire your magnificent creations?"
Eru, ever eager to please and genuinely excited by the idea, joyously sang more beings into existence—the Ainur—each embodying distinct emotions drawn directly from his innocent heart. These new companions, vibrant and luminous, soon gathered around Manwë, Narrus Linhen, and Eru, forming a divine court filled with song, laughter, and innocent delight.
Yet Manwë's ambition, growing steadily, remained unsatisfied. Soon, he grew restless, whispering yet again to his innocent creator, his voice dripping with subtle persuasion, "Dear Eru, our home is wondrous, but imagine a world—a realm crafted from your marvelous songs, a beautiful place full of wonders, rivers, mountains, forests, and seas. Wouldn't such a place be magnificent? A realm where we could dwell, where you could watch us play and thrive?"
Excited by Manwë's vivid imagery and persuasive words, Eru happily obliged, singing into existence a breathtakingly beautiful world: Arda, a dazzling jewel filled with vibrant life, endless possibilities, and profound beauty. Manwë eagerly looked upon this new creation, his ambition burning brightly. Yet he still was not satisfied. He desired more, whispering once again to the innocent god-child, his voice now filled with longing and urgency, "Eru, your creation is perfect—but how can I truly rule, protect, and guide if I am formless and intangible? How can I feel the grass beneath my feet or embrace Narrus Linhen fully? Grant us physical form, bodies crafted from your divine imagination, so we may fully experience and enjoy this world."
Eru, innocent and unaware of Manwë's deeper ambitions, joyously fulfilled this request as well. He granted the Valar tangible, mortal forms—powerful yet limited, capable of profound sensation and intimate connection. Manwë, now embodied in physical form, felt an exhilarating surge of newfound authority and power. He descended immediately onto the lush, vibrant fields of Arda, feeling the softness of grass beneath his feet and the warmth of sunlight upon his skin.
Filled with excitement and hunger for dominion, Manwë boldly declared his authority over this new realm before all assembled Ainur. His voice rang out clear and strong, brimming with pride: "Hear me, my fellow Ainur! By the will of Eru, this land has been crafted for us, and I—Manwë—stand before you as its rightful lord and ruler. Arda shall forevermore be our home, and you shall honor my voice as the voice of authority upon this world."
The gathered Ainur, still adjusting to their newfound physicality, looked upon Manwë with awe, admiration, and surprise, some murmuring quietly to one another, others silently acknowledging his boldness. Yet none dared question him, for in his presence was undeniable charisma, strength, and authority.
At that very moment, Narrus Linhen gracefully descended onto Arda, her form radiant, luminous, and breathtakingly beautiful. Manwë's eyes immediately locked onto her, burning with desire and dominance. Without hesitation or concern for their audience, he swiftly approached her, taking her into a passionate embrace. He kissed her deeply, fiercely, and possessively, his newfound physical form thrilling him with sensations he had never before imagined.
Narrus, surprised yet captivated by Manwë's assertiveness, willingly surrendered to his embrace. Driven by the intensity of the moment, Manwë lowered her gently but insistently onto the soft, fragrant grass of Arda. There, openly and unapologetically, they consummated their union, passionately exploring the profound pleasures and sensations their new bodies offered, completely unashamed and entirely unconcerned by the audience of astonished Ainur who stood around them.
The other divine beings, newly created and innocent, watched with a mixture of shock, fascination, confusion, and subtle envy. Some turned away bashfully, while others gazed openly, mesmerized by the raw display of dominance, power, and primal desire. Eru himself watched innocently and curiously from afar, entirely unaware of the deeper implications unfolding, perceiving the event merely as another intriguing facet of his playful creations.
Having claimed both his domain and his chosen consort openly before all present, Manwë stood again, proud and satisfied. Narrus Linhen rose to her feet, standing gracefully beside him, her eyes sparkling with newfound depth and emotional complexity. Together, they faced the other Ainur, embodying a powerful and united front, clearly signaling Manwë's unquestioned dominance and Narrus Linhen's position at his side.
Embodied, Manwë felt truly powerful—real and authoritative. Arda became his realm, separate from Eru's divine home, a world where Manwë alone reigned supreme, and where his deepest ambitions could finally unfold.
Satisfied at last, Manwë, the proud fatherly figure, led his divine court deeper into the newly created Arda, while Eru, innocent and childlike, remained behind in his divine realm. From afar, he watched with joyful fascination, delighting like a child observing his creations at play, blissfully unaware of the deeper desires, subtle ambitions, hidden manipulations, and complexities that would soon shape the unfolding drama of existence.
Thus began the Divine Creation, an era marked by innocent dreams intertwined with subtle ambition, pure joy blended with deepening complexities, and childlike innocence quietly manipulated by wiser, more ambitious hearts. Unknowingly, Eru's innocent desire for companionship and friendship had sown the seeds of beauty, tragedy, joy, and shadow—all set to unfold dramatically across the ages.