Secret Tales of the Temple of Melkor by SteveofCallie

On Evil Creatures

On the creation of evil creatures by Morgoth.

The Walkers
The Walkers were a small group of the family of Yavanna, whose mission was in Middle Earth. Among the Valar, few knew of their mission; it was private to Yavanna and Nienna and Caladan and blended in their faith with the purpose of Tol Úpahtëa. Unlike most things involving the Quorin, Varda helped and protected the works of the Walkers, as one of the few matters of the Orvlann which did not involve peril and foolishness.
To others, the Walkers were spies who braved the depths of Utumno and the horrors of Angmar and other dark places of the world, to bring information of the wicked doings of Morgoth in the World. Such a mission alone would be noble enough, but it was only a simplification of the burden of the Walkers.

The Fear of the Valar.
Great fear arose among the Valar when they first discerned that Morgoth had begun to people Middle Earth with wicked beings. For Morgoth sought to seize the Flame Eternal, and so to give life to horrible creatures during the Dark and Empty Days of Middle Earth, the Úvanimor; creatures that were henceforth to plague Middle-Earth: the orcs and trolls and fell Boldogsi and goblins.
It became necessary to discern the nature of these beings, whether they carried a mockery of the Flame Imperishable, and were of the nature of the Children of Ilúvatar, or contrariwise, bearers of some Dark Flame of life created by Morgoth.
In Máhanaxar, the Ring of Doom, joined the Valar in counsel of this matter. To the delight and amazement of his fellow Ainur, Caladan was present. The argument as to the nature of these beings of Morgoth raged on like a mighty storm, but Caladan was silent throughout, to the vexation of many.
As the Valar became tired, and the discussion waned like the end of a mighty storm sent by Ulmo gives rise to quiet seas, the Valar had reached no more understanding of the question than as they began.
“Let us see.” he said. At this, the Valar waited, but he said no more. “How will you see?” asked Manwë.
“The Orvlann are brave and fearless. Let them go to Utumno and seek the answers to this question.” Caladan answered.
Some of the Valar found mirth in his statement and laughed. Some were puzzled, and some were simply shocked into silence.
“All that is comes from the One, and all that we can know comes from the Song of the One, the Ainulindalë, which gave us being. Melkor arose from the song, as did we all. But Morgoth did not.
Morgoth and Udûn and all things which are evil are merely shadows on the wall, a puppet-show to entertain and frighten the children. Evil does not exist, in the way that things created by the One exist.
And the Valar became querulous and angry with Caladan. For they had seen the many poisonings and wreckage caused by Morgoth on Middle Earth and upon the Lamps, and upon the Trees.
“How can you say that evil does not exist? What bald and pointless causes do you have for the workings of Morgoth, you Lord of Insanity?” one cried out.
“I shall send forth those of the Quorin to be called Walkers, to bring back knowledge of the workings of Utumno and the origins of the fell beasts. The walkurzim shall be those of the Quorin who wish to be excused to leave Tol Úpahtëa.” he answered.
“You all are welcome to come forward, and to bring such members of your families who wish to join the walkurzim in their task.”
None of the Valar themselves could bear the terror of Utumno, nor could they ask of their families to join the Walkers of the Quorin.

The Assembly of the Host of Walkers
Caladan returned to Tol Úpahtëa to begin the assembly of the Host of the Walkers to travel unto Middle Earth. But one of the Maia of Yavanna heard the words of Caladan at the counsel, and wept.
This Maia, who would be later known as Colindo,ii wept in grief from the words of Caladan. Long after the return of Caladan to Tol Úpahtëa, Colindo wept unceasingly. The other Maiar counseled him and brought him to the house of Nienna, to open the depths and relieve the suffering of Colindo.
He met with Nienna, who asked him – “Why do you cry unceasingly?”
He replied, “I cry for the suffering of those who bear the Flame Imperishable, in the darkest and loneliest places of the world.”
“Do you cry for those imprisoned?” She asked.
“Yes, and perhaps more so for the prison-keepers, for their fëa are doubly imprisoned.”
At this, the Maia of Yavanna who accompanied Colindo were surprised, and very confused. But Nienna smiled. Her smile was rarely seen, but so radiant and warm it bathed all who saw it in comfort.
“You are most unusual, spirit Colindo. You shall come with me and Yavanna to visit Caladan on the island Tol Úpahtëa at once.”

i See Tolkien 1993, "Myths transformed", author's footnote to the text X, Tolkien, J. R. R. (1993), Christopher Tolkien, ed., Morgoth's Ring, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 0-395-68092-1
ii Colindo in the language of the Elves, for Valyaclindafairë; and Fëa-th?ra-ith?r of the Valar.