The songs of the Two Trees of Valinor

 To those who wish to hear the songs of the olden days,

I, Eldra Stonebraid of Durin's folk, write once again to share the tales of the First Age that I grew up with. There is none that hits my heart so deeply than that of the dark hour when the Two Trees of Valinor were slain.

I have never seen their vast light with my own eyes, for no dwarf has ever. Yet every song I've heard speaks of a light brighter than mithril and as gentle as a forge at rest. The Valar named them Laurelin and Telperion, trees of living gold and silver. Whose light bathed all of Valinor in its beauty, far beyond the deepest artistry my people could ever dream of. I am torn between my envy of such transcendent work and sense of longing to think of how something so fair once shone across the heavens.

However, Morgoth could not bear such beauty he could not rule. So he requested the help of Ungoliant, a spider shadow, whose hunger was an endless void. Together they struck like thieves in the night, draining the trees of their light and leaving Valinor in darkness as thick as the deepest mines with no torch to guide. The singers say Ungoliant drank until the Trees were withered to husks and even the stars seemed to fade. 

Among my people, to destroy another’s craft is the foulest deed known to dwarfs. We carve stone and forge steel to outlast the ages when memories turn to dust. The fact that Morgoth would unmake such marvels chills me to my core. No hammer or chisel could mend what he has destroyed. 

From this terrible loss I take a warning for my own age. The Shadow creeps across middle earth and Sauron gathers strength as his master did once long ago. Light mustn’t be left unguarded. Whether it's a worthy jewel or the bond of a friendship, every bright thing must be defended or darkness will drink it dry of life.