Could the Valar Have Gone to Middle-earth and Reclaimed the Silmarils?
It is often debated whether the Valar, the powerful lords of the Western World in The Silmarillion, could have directly intervened in Middle-earth to reclaim the silmarils. While the Valar did send their surrogates to battle Morgoth, the question remains: could they have come themselves?
The answer, as we will explore, is a resounding 'yes'. The Valar, with their immense powers and abilities, would have managed to defeat Morgoth much faster and with fewer casualties. Imagine the outcome if they had directly involved themselves in the conflict. Picture a battle royale where Tulkas, the mightiest of the Valar, was facing off against a dragon or a balrog. Or if Orome, the Lord of Co?rig, charged into the fray with his immense strength and prowess against orcs and other dark creatures.
The Valar's Potential in the Battle Against Morgoth
During the First Age, Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, took the silmarils and erected his fortress. The accompanying battle between the Valar and the forces of Morgoth was fierce and drawn out. However, this scenario likely would have played out quite differently if the Valar had directly intervened. They would have been able to mobilize their full range of powers, intervening at critical moments to turn the tide of war in favor of the light of Middle-earth. The Valar's intervention would have shortened the war significantly, allowing them to reclaim the silmarils and restore the light of the world more swiftly.
The Role and Importance of the Sillmarils in Arda
The silmarils, three of the most precious gems in the world, played a significant role in Arda. They were:
Put in the Sky and Ocean and Land of Arda: According to mythology, one silmaril was placed in the sky, another in the hands of Ulmo (leader of the oceans), and the third was hidden and buried on land. These silmarils served as custodians of the light that would be reignited during the Dagor Dagorath, which is akin to Ragnarok in the world of The Silmarillion. Main Duty: Resurrection of the Light Trees: The purpose of the silmarils was to assist in the resurrection of the light trees following the cataclysm known as Dagor Dagorath. This battle would symbolize the end of the age and renewal of the world.The Significance of the Sillmarils and Their Return
According to the lore, the silmarils were guarded by an inviolable oath. F?anor, the craftsman of the silmarils, broke this oath, leading to centuries of turmoil and war. However, had the Valar made this journey themselves, they would have been able to reclaim the silmarils without the need for violation of their sacred oaths. The renewal of the light trees and the return of luminescence to the world would have been achieved more peacefully.
The Current Visibility of Sillmarils
Today, only one silmaril is visible in the night sky, shining as a Venus planet in the Earth's solar system. The second silmaril is held in the hands of Ulmo, symbolizing the oceans of Arda, while the third is hidden and buried, awaiting its discovery.
In conclusion, while the Valar could not directly break the oath bound upon F?anor, they had the power and potential to reclaim the silmarils and restore the light of Middle-earth in a more peaceful and controlled manner. Their intervention would have ensured a more rapid and just resolution, allowing the world to flourish once more.