Middle Earth Minute

Today we dive into the Tolkien universe with a Middle Earth Minute then we review 2 great comics. Website: covertnerd.net ----more---- Long ago when middle earth was first created, there was a demi-god or in the Tolkien universe they’re called Maia. One of those Maia was named (My Ron) Mairon, meaning "the admirable." He learned much in the ways of smithing and handiwork, becoming a great craftsman. Although he was a Maia spirit, and not as mighty as the Valar or Gods, he was arguably the most powerful Maia. He also had a love of order and perfection and disliked anything wasteful this would be his downfall, for in the Dark Lord Morgoth (who was an evil Valar), Mairon saw the power to help him achieve his own desires faster than if he had pursued them on his own. Morgoth wanted to control or destroy the very matter of the world itself, whereas Mairon's desire was to dominate the minds and will of its creatures. So great was his allegiance in later days, Mairon encouraged and coerced a realm of Men to worship Morgoth as the one true god. But that’s another story. After allying himself with Morgoth, Mairon maintained his appearance of being faithful to the Valar, but secretly fed Morgoth information about their dealings. It was only when Morgoth established his strongholds in Middle-earth that Mairon left and openly declared his allegiance. After turning to evil the elves of Middle Earth called him Gorthaur, meaning "dread abomination" During this time the elves waged war on Morgoth, who had stolen the Silmarils, enchanted gems that glowed with light from the home of the Valar. In that war, Gorthaur was counted as the "greatest of [Morgoth's] servants that have names". He was soon feared as a lord of terrible phantoms and dreadful beasts--a shape-shifter, sorcerer, and cunning servant of his master. He could take on many dark forms such as a Vampire Serpent and Werewolf, but he could also appear fair and beautiful. Gorthaur directed the war against the Elves. He conquered the Elvish isle of Tol Sirion, and it became known as the Isle of Werewolves and he was the Lord of the Werewolves and of Tol Sirion. During the war an elf king and his men were captured by Gorthaur. The elf king and Gorthaur fought. During the battle only the elf king and his greatest warrior survived the other men were cast into the dark pits where werewolves devoured them. After the war, with the downfall of his master Morgoth and the destruction of his fortress, Gorthaur adopted a fair form and feigned repentance of his evil deeds in fear of the wrath of his enemies. He was ordered to return to Valinor to receive judgement. He was not willing to suffer such humiliation and so he fled and hid himself in Middle-earth. Although Gorthaur knew Men were easier to sway, he sought to bring the Elves into his service, as they were far more powerful. 1,200 years after his master's defeat, he decided the Valar had forgotten about Middle-earth and he once again turned to evil plotting. After lying hidden and increasing his power in secret, Gorthaur put on a fair visage, calling himself Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, he befriended the Elvish smiths in a region of Middle Earth called Eregion near Moria where Gandalf fell to the Balrog in the fellowship of the ring. Although they never realized who he truly was he was never welcomed by the elf lords Elrond, Galadriel and Gil-Galad because they did not trust him and refused to treat with him. Elsewhere he was gladly received, and the Elvish smiths learned much from him as their thirst for knowledge was great. Hunger for knowledge was the elves weakness and he knew it. Under Annatar's tutelage the Elven master craftsmen became more skilled than anyone else in that age. Remember in the beginning smithing was the first craft he mastered. He also counselled them in arts and magic. After many years when they reached the height of their power, the Elves began the forging of the Rings of Power, but Annatar