The Years of the Trees and the Creation of Arda are deeply rooted in the mythology of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world, forming the backdrop for the epic stories of The Silmarillion and the later events in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This period is rich in mythological themes and sets the stage for all of Middle-earth’s history. Below is a more detailed exploration:

The Creation of Arda

The Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur

• Eru Ilúvatar (the supreme being, akin to God) creates the Ainur, a race of powerful, angelic beings. He teaches them to sing, and through their music, they create the vision of the world, later called Arda.
• Melkor, the most powerful of the Ainur, introduces discord into the music, representing rebellion and chaos. His disharmony clashes with the other Ainur’s music, but Ilúvatar weaves the discord into the overall theme, thus establishing the themes of good and evil that will permeate the world.
• After the music, Ilúvatar shows the Ainur a vision of the world they have sung into existence and offers them the chance to enter the world and shape it. Some, including the greatest of the Ainur known as the Valar, descend into Arda to shape its lands, seas, and skies.

The Shaping of Arda

• When the Valar and Maiar (lesser Ainur) enter Arda, it is still unformed and chaotic. The Valar work to shape the world according to the vision they had in the Music of the Ainur.

• Melkor opposes the other Valar at every turn, desiring Arda for himself. He brings destruction and chaos wherever the Valar attempt to create beauty and order.

  • The Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, are created by the Valar to bring light to the world, and they build two massive pillars to hold them.
  • Melkor, still jealous and resentful, destroys the Lamps, and the Valar retreat to the land of Aman, far in the west of the world.

The Years of the Trees

After Melkor’s destruction of the Two Lamps, the Valar abandon the idea of lighting the whole world and create the Two Trees of Valinor in Aman. This period is called the Years of the Trees, during which Aman is the most blessed and beautiful realm.

The Two Trees of Valinor

• The Two Trees are called Telperion (the silver tree) and Laurelin (the gold tree). They grow in the land of Aman, where the Valar have retreated, and their light alternates to bathe the Blessed Realm in silver and gold.
• The Trees are the only source of light for Aman, as the stars shine dimly over Middle-earth. The Two Trees have deep symbolic meaning, representing beauty, life, and the growing power of the Valar.

The Awakening of the Elves

• In this age, the Valar anticipate the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar: Elves and Men.

  • The Elves, the Firstborn, awaken by the waters of Cuiviénen in Middle-earth during the Years of the Trees.

  • The Valar, seeing that the Elves are endangered by the presence of Melkor in Middle-earth, decide to invite them to Aman to protect and teach them.

  • Many Elves heed the call of the Valar and journey to Aman, becoming the Calaquendi (Elves of the Light), or High Elves. Some Elves, however, remain behind and never see the light of the Two Trees, becoming the Moriquendi (Elves of Darkness).

  • Melkor, envious of the beauty of the Elves and their potential, begins to sow seeds of discord and fear among them, leading to the eventual corruption of some Elves into Orcs.

Melkor’s Captivity and Release

• The Valar eventually capture Melkor and imprison him in Aman for three ages. During this time, peace reigns over Aman, and the Elves prosper, learning from the Valar.
• However, after his imprisonment, Melkor feigns repentance and is released. He pretends to aid the Valar and win their trust, but in secret, he spreads lies among the Noldor, a powerful clan of Elves, fueling their pride and ambition.

The Darkening of Valinor

The Creation of the Silmarils

• The greatest of the Noldor, Fëanor, is inspired by the light of the Two Trees and creates the Silmarils, three perfect jewels that capture their light.
• These Silmarils become objects of immense desire and lead to tragedy, as Melkor covets them and stokes the flames of pride in Fëanor.

The Destruction of the Two Trees

• In his desire to dominate the Elves and reclaim the world, Melkor strikes again. He allies with Ungoliant, a primordial creature of darkness and spider-form, to attack Valinor.

• Together, they poison and destroy the Two Trees, plunging Aman into darkness. This event marks the end of the Years of the Trees and the transition into the Years of the Sun.

  • Before the Trees die, Yavanna, the Valar of growth and harvest, manages to take a single last flower from Telperion and a single last fruit from Laurelin. These become the Moon and the Sun, which now light the world of Arda.

The Theft of the Silmarils

• After destroying the Two Trees, Melkor (now called Morgoth) steals the Silmarils from Fëanor’s vaults and flees to Middle-earth.
• Fëanor swears a terrible oath to retrieve the Silmarils, leading to the first Kinslaying (the murder of Elf by Elf) as he and his followers attack the Teleri to steal their ships.

The First Rising of the Sun and Moon

• After the death of the Two Trees, the Valar create the Sun and the Moon to light Arda. This marks the beginning of the Years of the Sun, and with the new light, the Secondborn of Ilúvatar, Men, awaken in Middle-earth.

  • The Elves in Middle-earth and the remnants of the Valar’s light battle Morgoth for many centuries during the First Age, which begins shortly after the Darkening of Valinor.

  • Morgoth establishes his stronghold in Angband, and the Noldor return to Middle-earth, beginning the long and bitter wars against him for the Silmarils and dominance over Middle-earth.

Significance of the Years of the Trees

The Years of the Trees represent a period of great beauty, innocence, and power in Tolkien’s mythology, contrasting sharply with the darker ages that follow. The destruction of the Two Trees and the theft of the Silmarils set in motion the events of the First Age, including the downfall of Morgoth, the rise of Sauron, and the eventual passing of the Elves into the West. The light of the Trees continues to symbolize purity and hope throughout the legendarium, culminating in the eventual destruction of the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings.