The Deeds and Dilemmas of Morgoth: His Form Before the Fall of the Two Trees

Morgoth, or as he was known earlier, Melkor, was a powerful being of Arda, the world of Middle-earth from J.R.R. Tolkien's works. The Valar, the powerful beings who shaped and cared for Arda, wielded immense power, and Melkor was no exception. He had the ability to take any form he wished, a privilege that many of his peers shared. However, after his fall from grace and his theft of the Silmarils, his ability to shapeshift was severely limited.

The Legend of the Silmarils

The Silmarils were three brilliant and holy gems crafted by F?anor, the greatest craftsman of the Noldor elves. When Melkor stole them, the Silmarils burned him and trapped him in a form he could not escape. This form was terrible and huge, though its exact appearance is unknown to us. The Valar, led by Varda, protected the gems with their divine grace, ensuring no mortal could touch them. Melkor's corruption is further emphasized by this incident, as the Silmarils were meant to be sacred, yet they could not even touch him without severely injuring him.

Melkor and the Deeds That Defined His Existence

Even without his shapeshifting abilities, Melkor's influence loomed large. One of his most notorious acts was the destruction of the Two Trees of Valinor, which were the source of light in the Valinor region. After this act of desecration, he was exiled, but his fall into darkness was far from over.

The Challenge and the Duel

One of the many challenges Melkor faced was a duel with Fingolfin, the High King of the Noldor. Fingolfin had challenged Melkor to single combat, and to his dismay, Melkor was forced to accept the challenge. This duel was a testament to the immense power of the Valar and the might of the Noldor. During the battle, Morgoth cried out in pain at least seven times as Fingolfin inflicted wounds that would never heal. Morgoth was left permanently crippled, but he ultimately won the duel. This victory, however, was bitter, as it was a one-sided conflict where the size and overwhelming strength of the enemy far outmatched the Noldor.

The humiliation of the defeat was so great that Morgoth's followers could never discuss or boast about it. This single combat became a symbol of the tyranny and cruelty that Morgoth represented. From that day forward, Morgoth retreated to his fortress of Angband, where he was rarely seen until the War of Wrath, when the forces of the Vala E?nw? and his hosts forced him out, bound in an iron yoke made from his own crown.

The Legacy of Morgoth

Despite his inability to shapeshift and his physical limitations, Melkor, now known as Morgoth, continued to exert a profound influence on Middle-earth. His fall from grace and the destruction of the Two Trees marked a dark chapter in the history of Arda, setting the stage for the long battle between Light and Darkness that would unfold in the First Age of the world.

His acts, such as the theft of the Silmarils and the destruction of the Two Trees, left a lasting impact on the world and its inhabitants. Morgoth's tale is a reminder of the consequences of greed, corruption, and the abuse of power.