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The Valar
There are many Valar that have laboured to create Arda. The name Valar means "Powers of Arda" and humans would refer to them as Gods. The Lords of the Valar are seven; and the Valier, the Queens of the Valar, are seven also. These are the elven names of the Lords in due order: Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos, Lórien and Tulkas. And these are the names of the Queens: Varda, Yavanna, Nienna, Estë, Vairë, Vána and Nessa. Melkor is counted no longer among the Valar and his name is not spoken by the Elves.
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Manwë
Of all the Valar Manwe understands most clearly the purposes of the Ilùvatar and thus the Ilùvatar appointed him to be, in the fullness of time, lord of the realm of Arda and ruler of all that dwell therein. In Arda his delight isi nt he winds and the clouds, and in all the regions of the air, from the heights to the depths, from the utmost borders of Arda to the breezes that blow in the grass.
Varda
With Manwë dwells Varda, Lady of the Stars, who knows all the regions of Ea. Too great is her beauty to be declared in the words of men or of elves; for the light of Ilùvatar lives still in her face. In light is her power and her joy. Manwë and Varda are seldom parted and they remain in Valinor. When Manwë looks forth upon Arda, if Varda is beside him, he sees further then all other eyes, through mist, and through darkness, and over all leages of the sea. And if Manwë is with her, Varda hears more clearly then all other ears the sound of voices that cry from east to west, from the hills and the valley, and even from dark places. Of all the Valar who dwell in this world the Elves hold Varda most in reverence and love.
Ulmo
Ulmo is the Lord of Waters. He is alone. He dwells nowhere long, but moves as he will in all the deep waters about the Arda or under the Arda. He is next in might to Manwe.
Aulë
Aulë has might little less then Ulmo. His Lordship is over all the substances of which Arda is made. The fashioning of all the realms of Arda was his labour. He is a smith and a master of all crafts.
Yavanna
Yavanna is the spouse of Aulë and the Giver of Fruits. She is the lover of all things that grow in the earth, and all their countless forms she holds in her mind, from the trees like towers in forests long ago to the moss upon stones or the small and secret things in the mould.
Mandos
Mandos is the keeper of the Houses of the Dead, and the summoner of the spirits of the slain. He forgets nothing and hek nows all things that shall be, save only those that lie still in the freedom of Ilùvatar. He is the Doomsman of the Valar; but he pronounces his idooms and his judgements only at the bidding of Manwe.
Vairë
Vairë the Weaver is the spouse of Mandos. She weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs, and the Halls of Houses of Death are clothed with them.
Lórien
Lórien is the master of visions and dreams. He has several gardens on Arda which are the fairest of all places in the world. Eska'eldalie and Heartwood are two of his gardens on Arda
Estë
Estë is the spouse of Lórien and healer of hurts and of weariness. Grey is her raiment and rest is her gift.
Nienna
Mightier then Estë is Nienna. She dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered and will suffer in the future. Nienna brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom.
Tulkas
Greatest in strength and deeds of prowess is Tulkas. He came last to Arda, to aid the Valar in the first battles with Melkor. He delights in wrestling and in contests of strength; and he rides no steed, for he can outrun all things that go on feet, and he is tireless. He has little heed for either the past or the future, and is of no avail as a counsellor, but is a hardy friend.
Nessa
The spouse of Tulkas. Very lithe and feetfooted. Deer she loves, and they follow her train whenever she goes in the wild; but she can outrun them, swift as an arrow with the wind in her hair. In dancing she delights.
Orome
Oromë is a mighty lord. If he is less strong then Tulkas, he is more dreadfull in anger; whereas Tulkas laughs ever, in sport or in war. He is a hunter of monsters and fell beasts, and he delights in horses and in hounds.
Vána
The spouse of Oromë is Vána. All flowers spring as she passes and open if she glances upon them; and all birds sing at her coming.
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