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Just cause I'm picky...
The whole of creation was made by Eru, and the first thing he made was a race of spirits called the Ainur. Greatest of all of these was Melkor.
When Arda (Middle Earth) was made as home for the Children of Eru (Men and Elves), most of the Ainur went into Arda to give it shape. The most powerful of the Ainur were called the Valar, among whom Melkor was counted. Lesser spirits were called the Maiar, and among these were fire-spirits seduced by Melkor, who became Balrogs. But Sauron was Melkor's first lieutenant.
The making of Arda by the Valar was ever marred by Melkor, until at last each side withdrew to their own territories. Aule, a Vala who had once been Sauron's mentor, grew impatient for students and made the dwarves. Eru took pity and allowed them to live, but said they must sleep until Elves and Men awoke. So many ages later, when the Elves came to be, the Valar waged war with all they had and imprisoned Melkor. They then brought many of the Elves to dwell in Valinor, the Undying Lands. In these days there was no sun or moon, only stars. But in Valinor a silver and a golden golden tree gave light to the land. During this age Feanor wa born, and his kinswoman Galadriel. Feanor caught the light of the two trees in three gems called the Silmarils.
Eventually, Melkor was released and he claimed to have repented. But in truth he lied and strove to create discord. Up until this time, the Elves had not yet heard of another race yet to come--Men--and some feared the Valar kept them as prisoners in favor of these latecomers.
In the end, Melkor poisoned the two trees and stole the Silmarils, slaying Feanor's father. He then fled back to his fortress in Arda. Feanor and his seven sons swore an oath to reclaim the Silmarils no matter what the cost. Terrible crimes were then committed by Elves against Elves. But from that began the hopeless War of Men and Elves Against Morgoth (as Melkor was now known). One fruit from the golden tree and one leaf from the silver were saved, enclosed in crystal orbs and sent into the sky--the sun and moon. From this time the race of Men awoke, some of whom befriended the Elves. One such, Beren, wed Luthien the most fair Elven maiden who ever lived. Together they wrested a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown.
It was their descendent Ereandil (married to the only other offspring of man and elf) who used the Silmaril to find his way across the seas to Valinor. By this time many wonderful cities and realms had been destroyed, so that Morgoth ruled over almost the whole of Arda. The Valar set Ereandil into the sky with the Silmaril, so that each night he sails as a star showing hope to all the world. And at his urging, the Valar waged war again on Morgoth, slaying most of his Balrogs and Dragons and Orcs (although Sauron escaped). These battles reshaped the world. But Morgoth was bound and cast into darkness.
To the children of Ereandil--named Elros and Elrond--was given the choice to be counted as Men or Elves. Elrond chose to be of Elven kind, but his brother chose to be mortal and so became first King of Numenor (And Aragorn's direct ancestor). To him and his descendents was given very long life.
So began the Second Age.
Just wanted to get that out. <i></i>
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