“The Great among these spirits the Elves name the Valar, the Powers of Arda, and Men have often called them gods.” (The Silmarillion) As we continue our discussion of Tolkien’s mammoth history, we turn our thoughts to those most enigmatic and interesting of his creation, the Valar. Servants of Ilúvatar, formers of Middle Earth, of all of Tolkien’s creatures, perhaps none have been more discussed, debated and wondered at. [More]