80 THE FAITHFUL READER Rebellion and Exile Ilúvatar, the One, created first angelic beings, who participated in shaping the universe through cosmic song. Some of these angels took special interest in Arda (Earth). They became the Valar, the Powers of the World, who struggled within its confines against the rebel Melkor, who sought to mar creation and bend it to his own will. The Valar withdrew into the West, and Melkor worked his will in Middle-earth. But the Children of Ilúvatar, Elves and Men, would awaken there. For their sake, the Valar made war upon Melkor, imprisoning him. They bid the Elves return with them to the Blessed Realm. But the wickedness of Melkor endured. Released from his captivity, he practiced deceit to break the bond between the Valar and the Elves. Murder was done, and Melkor fled to Middle-earth bearing the stolen Silmarils, jewels that contained the light of Valinor. Some among the Elves were determined to pursue him in vengeance, though the Valar counseled against it. Rebellion was raised, the blood of kin was shed, and a Doom was pronounced upon the disobedient. Though she was unstained by evil deeds, Galadriel came to Middle-earth in this exodus. Their fellowship sundered, the Elves struggled not only with their enemy, now called Morgoth, but also with each other. They once again raised kingdoms of splendor, though they were embattled and wounded by much sorrow. The might of Morgoth threatened finally to destroy the Children of Ilúvatar. Once again, the Valar girded themselves for battle. They came in wrath to Middle-earth, overthrew Morgoth, and cast him into the Void. The Doom having run its course, pardon and offer of return to the West were extended to those who had rebelled so long ago. But not all departed. Galadriel is one who stayed. Of Tolkien’s references to this event in his letters one suggests that she was barred from both pardon and return: “The Exiles were allowed to return-save for a few chief actors in the rebellion of whom at the time of the L.R. only Galadriel remained”; but another finds the cause in her pride and continued disobedience: “At the end of the First Age she proudly refused forgiveness or permission to return.”
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