The Silmarillion
The History of the Silmarils - Of the Darkening of Valinor
Audiobook
The Valar strengthened the watch on the northern borders of Aman after Melkor fled, thinking he would go back to his old domain in the north of Middle-earth where the ruins of Utumno were. However, in truth, he went south to the dark region of Avathar to seek out his former minion Ungoliant. A creature in the shape of a massive spider, Ungoliant both hated and desired the light of Aman, and so made her dwelling in Avathar. Melkor persuaded her into helping him take revenge against the Valar. He promised her whatever she wanted in exchange for her help, but he did not intend to fulfill the bargain.
Ungoliant spun her dark webs, creating a way for Melkor to climb to the top of the mountains on the southern border of Valinor. There, they both saw the light of the Two Trees. Using the darkness of Ungoliant to hide from the sight of the Valar, they made their way across the plains toward the trees.
In Valinor, a festival for the gathering of first fruits and offering to Eru was being held. The guard of Valinor was relaxed compared to all other times. The Valar were there, along with the Vanyar and the Noldor who remained in Tirion and did not follow Fëanor. However, of the Noldor who follow Fëanor, only Fëanor himself was present, and he came only at the command of Manwë. Hoping to heal the feud between Fëanor and Fingolfin, Manwë attempted to have them reconcile. Fingolfin released his brother from exile, but Fëanor only half-heartedly returned the sentiment.
At this moment, Melkor struck. He attacked both Trees with his spear, breaking their bark and causing them to bleed sap. Ungoliant then drank the sap of the Trees and poisoned them, withering the Trees and destroying their light. She then also drank the light in the wells of Varda dry, becoming swollen and massive.
A darkness fell upon Valinor, with only Taniquetil being visible. All of Valinor was silenced. Manwë and Varda were the only ones able to see the darkness of Melkor and Ungoliant, who were running away from the Trees. Tulkas, Oromë, and others attempted to chase Melkor but lost their way in the darkness, which seemed to be all-encompassing. Valinor was darkened, the trees and their light destroyed.
Timeline of Arda
Years of the Trees
4669: Fëanor is born.
* Rúmil invents writing.
* Nogrod and Belegost were founded by Dwarves;
* Khazad-dûm was founded by Durin the Deathless.
4670: Míriel dies.
4672: The Valar issued the Statute of Finwë and Míriel
4685: Finwë and Indis are married.
4690: Fingolfin is born.
4700: Lúthien is born.
4730: Finarfin is born.
4750: Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost are met by the Sindar, establishing trade.
* Fëanor develops the Tengwar.
4780: Finarfin and Eärwen are married.
4800: Turgon and Finrod Felagund are born.
* Menegroth is built by the Dwarves of Belegost and the Sindar.
* Daeron devises the Cirth.
4830: Orcs begin to appear in Beleriand.
* The Dwarves of Belegost make weapons for the Sindar.
4850: The Nandor, under Denethor, arrive in Beleriand, becoming known as the Green Elves of Ossiriand.
* The Halls of Menegroth are finished.
4862: Aredhel and Galadriel are born.
4900: Melkor is freed from his sentence.
4910: Melkor begins corrupting some of the Noldor.
4949: Fëanor begins to make the Silmarils.
4950: Fëanor completes the forging of the Silmarils, capturing some of the light of the Two Trees.
4950: Melkor spreads lies among the Noldor and talks of weapons.
4990: Fëanor, deceived by Melkor, draws arms against his brother and is banished from Tirion.
* Finwë and many of the Noldor follow him in exile to Formenos.
4992: Fëanor argues with Melkor at Formenos.
* Melkor hides from capture by the Valar and joins forces with Ungoliant.
4995: The Darkening of Valinor.