Of the Flight of the Noldor

           AfteratimeagreatconcoursegatheredabouttheRingofDoom;andtheValarsatinshadow,foritwasnight.ButthestarsofVardanowglimmeredoverhead,andtheairwasclear;forthewindsofManwehasdrivenawaythevapoursofdeathandrolledbacktheshadowsofthesea.ThenYavannaaroseandstooduponEzellohar,theGreenMound,butitwasbarenowandblack;andshelaidherhandsupontheTrees,buttheyweredeadanddark,andeachbranchthatshetouchedbrokeandfelllifelessatherfeet.Thenmanyvoiceswereliftedinlamentation;anditseemedtothosethatmournedthattheyhaddrainedtothedregsthecupofwoethatMelkorhadfilledforthem.Butitwasnotso.

           YavannaspokebeforetheValar,saying:"TheLightoftheTreeshaspassedaway,andlivesnowonlyintheSilmarilsofFeanor.Foresightedwashe!EvenforthosewhoaremightiestunderIluvatarthereissomeworkthattheymayaccomplishonce,andonceonly.TheLightoftheTreesIbroughtintobeing,andwithinEaIcandosoneveragain.YethadIbutalittleofthatlightIcouldrecalllifetotheTrees,eretheirrootsdecay;andthenourhurtshouldbehealed,andthemaliceofMelkorbeconfounded.’

           ThenManwespokeandsaid:’Hearestthou,FeanorsonofFinwe,thewordsofYavanna?Wiltthougrantwhatshewouldask?’

           Therewaslongsilence,butFeanoranswerednoword.ThenTulkascried:’Speak,ONoldo,yeaornay!ButwhoshalldenyYavanna?AnddidnotthelightoftheSilmarilscomefromherworkinthebeginning?’

           ButAuletheMakersaid:’Benothasty!Weaskagreaterthingthanthouknowest.Lethimhavepeaceyetawhile.’