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Tales from Vairë's Loom  by Fiondil

Starting from Scratch

Summary: They fell in love with a Vision, but they would find Reality to be much different. Inspired by the ALEC challenge 'New Beginnings.

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‘But when the Valar entered into Eä they were at first astounded and at a loss, for it was as if naught was yet made which they had seen in vision, and all was but on point of being and yet unshaped, and it was dark.’ — The Silmarillion, ‘Ainulindalë’

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The Ayanumuz and their Máyar entered Eä and found—

"Where is it?" Varda exclaimed as she and Manwë led the cavalcade. "Where is Atháraphelun?"

"There is nothing here," Aulë said in confusion as the Ayanumuz gathered in conference, leaving their Máyar to fend for themselves. "Art thou sure this is the right place, brother?" They could all sense the teasing tone of his thoughts and there were some nervous titters from some of them.

Manwë’s pure blue aura never shifted, though the aurae of most of the others were fluctuating along the spectrum, a sure indication of confusion and doubt.

"There is only one Eä," Manwë said calmly.

"That we know of," Námo couldn’t help interjecting.

"Hmmm.... multiple Eäi," Ulmo contemplated. "A distinct possibility. Who is to say that Atar hath not designed other cosmoi for us to play in?"

"So, thou art saying that there could be more than one Eä?" Nienna demanded. Ulmo’s aura indicated assent. "Then how do we know we are in the right one?" she asked.

"Because we are here and nowhere else," Manwë answered her, still calm.

"Why would Atar create more than one universe, though?" Vána, the youngest of them, asked.

Ulmo shrugged. "Why not? Not all our brethren desired to come here. Perhaps Atar hath created other... um... playgrounds for them."

"Well, this playground is empty," Oromë commented wryly.

"Except for us," Námo pointed out.

"So, what are we supposed to do?" Yavanna asked in a huff. "We Sing the Themes Atar gave us, He showeth us a Vision of what we Sang and...."

"That is it!" Irmo exclaimed suddenly.

"What is it?" Yavanna demanded crossly.

"A Vision," Irmo answered, sounding excited, his blue-green aura brightening with spikes of yellow. "Do ye not see? Atar showed us a Vision of what we Sang, not the actual thing. I think He meaneth for us to bring the Vision into Reality."

"In that thou art correct, young one," Manwë said, his tone one of amusement. "It matters not if Atar hath created other... er... playgrounds for our brethren. This is the playground of our choosing and, as Irmo pointed out, it is our task to bring the Vision of Eä into being and prepare it for the coming of the Children."

There was a pause as all contemplated Manwë’s words. Finally Aulë spoke. "A lot of work," he said musingly. "We will have to bring all forth from nothing."

"In a sense, then, we will have to start all over again in Singing the Themes," Námo said.

"I am not sure I could repeat what I Sang completely," Vairë murmured and others nodded in agreement.

"I doubt any of us could," Manwë replied. "We will just have to do our best, knowing that that is all Atar requires of us."

There were several sighs at that, and some of the younger Ayanumuz appeared daunted at the thought of what they must do. "Where do we even begin?" Nessa enquired.

"Well, for a start," Varda replied, her tone brisk, "I think we can do with some light. Ulmo, correct me if I am wrong, but it seemeth to me that we need to create a catalyst in order to get everything moving."

Ulmo nodded. "Correct. I think an explosion of energy with the following parameters should do the trick." He then sent them the mathematics and physics required to create an exploding singularity. "We can adjust the physics as we go along if we need to in order to ensure Eä unfoldeth as it should."

"Canst thou do it, beloved?" Manwë asked, sending her waves of love and encouragement along their bond.

"It will take all of us, the Máyar included," she replied, "but it is doable."

"Then let us ready ourselves," Manwë said. "Gather your Máyar about ye and let us begin... again."

They did as they were bid. Námo called his Máyar to him. Their aurae were as confused and agitated as had been those of the Ayanumuz.

"What is happening, lord?" Maranwë asked. "Where are we?"

"We are in Eä," Námo answered calmly.

"But it is a wasteland!" Tindomerel exclaimed. "There is nothing here!"

"Except us," Námo replied, amused at having to point out the obvious twice. "We have determined that Atar granted us a Vision of what we Sang but hath left it to us to bring that Vision into Reality."

"So, what do we do?" Maranwë asked, still looking confused.

"We are going to Sing the Themes again as best as we can remember them," Námo answered. "Varda and Ulmo are working out the mathematics to create an exploding singularity and it will take all of us to bring Eä into being. Stay close to me; I will not lead you astray."

"Thou art our lord to whom we have pledged our service," Maranwë said humbly. "We will follow thee, lord. Have no fear."

Námo looked upon his Máyar with love and gratitude for the trust that they showed him. "Come. I see Varda and Ulmo are ready. Let us join the others."

Námo led his People to where Manwë, Varda and Ulmo were and found himself beside Vairë who smiled at him, her indigo aura brightening. "Dost thou remember all that thou didst Sing of the Themes?" she asked him.

"Yes," he answered simply, "but I think it is because that is how Atar made me, that I forget nothing."

"I wish I could say the same," Vairë replied, her aura shifting toward green in despondency.

Námo sent her waves of sympathy and encouragement. "Thou wilt do well enough, Vairë, I have every confidence of that. Sing as thy heart dictates. Sing for love of Atar and the Children who are to come and thou wilt do well."

Vairë sent him a shy look. "I thank thee, Námo. Thy words are wise."

"We are ready to begin," Manwë said at that moment, thus saving Námo from having to respond to Vairë’s praise. "Here are the parameters that will bring about the singularity." He sent them the necessary information, and when all there indicated that they had memorized it, he spoke again. "And so, let us make our Vision a Reality for the glory of Atar and the love that we bear for the Children to come."

"Let us even so," the others exclaimed in assent and thus, with Manwë and Varda orchestrating them, the Ayanumuz and the Máyar took the Vision of their Song from the Timeless Halls and Sang Eä into being. When the singularity exploded into existence, they rejoiced and watched in awe and wonder as the history of Eä began to unfold.

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Eä: (Quenya) The Universe. The plural would most likely be Eäi, so as not to confuse it with the word eär ‘sea’. This is based on the fact that in Primitive Quenya words ending in _a_ originally made their plurals by adding _i_. Later, the Noldor would introduce _r_ as the plural marker for words ending in _a_.

Ayanumuz: (Valarin) Plural of Ayanuz: Vala.

Máyar: Plural of Máya: Older Quenya form of Maia, as there is no attested Valarin word for these beings.

Atháraphelun: (Valarin) Arda.

Note: Cosmoi is the Greek plural of cosmos.





        

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