It started with the music of the Ainur.

But Melkor had other ideas.

Until finally, Ilúvatar stood up and raised both hands.

Ilúvatar stood up in splendor and left.

And the Ainur followed him.

They went into the Void.

And Ilúvatar told them to behold their music.

He gave the Ainur the power of sight.

So far, they could only hear.

And gave them a vision.

So the Ainur saw a new World globed amid the Void.

As the Ainur looked, they saw the World unfolding its history.

And growing and living.

Ilúvatar said,

Behold your music!
This is your song.
And whatever each of you seeks can be found here.
In between this design I made for you.
You will discover that whatever you devised or added,
have originated from me.

And you, Melkor,
You’ll discover all of your secret thoughts.
And you’ll understand
that they’re nothing but part of a larger,
more comprehensive picture of reality.

Ilúvatar told the Ainur many things.

And because of their memory of his words,

and their knowledge of their part in the music,

they know about everything that was, is, and will be.

But they can’t see few things,

either alone or together.

And only Ilúvatar knows them.

So, as the Ainur looked at the World,

they saw the entrance of the Children of Ilúvatar.

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