The Radiant Era: Unveiling the Years of the Trees

The Years of the Trees constituted the second great age in the chronology of Arda, following the tumultuous Ages of the Lamps when Melkor's destruction brought the first era to an end. This period began after a long time of darkness when the Valar retreated to the protected realm of Aman in the West, seeking to establish a new source of light for the world.

The defining moment of this age's beginning came when Yavanna, the Vala responsible for all growing things, sang a great song of power and brought forth the Two Trees of Valinor upon the green mound of Ezellohar. These magnificent creations would become the greatest of all her works, save perhaps the Sun and Moon that would come later.

Time flowed differently in this hallowed age, with one Valian Year equivalent to 9.582 solar years of the later ages. This vast difference in time measurement meant the Years of the Trees spanned roughly 14,373 solar years, though the exact dating remains a matter of deep scholarship among loremasters. This incredible span saw the shaping of much of Arda's destiny and the establishment of powers and peoples who would influence all ages to come.

Telperion, known as the White Tree and considered the elder of the Two Trees, stood as a majestic presence with leaves of dark silver and black bark polished like jet. Its silver light cast a gentle radiance that bathed Valinor in a serene glow, and from its countless flowers fell a continuous gentle rain of silver dew that collected in pools beneath its branches.

Laurelin, the younger of the pair, earned its name as the Gold Tree through its brilliant warm radiance that complemented its companion. Its leaves were edged with gold, its bark smooth and gleaming, and from its branches hung clusters of flowers like yellow fire that spilled golden dew to the ground below.

Together, the Trees created the first true measurement of time in Arda through their synchronized cycles of waxing and waning. Each tree would shine for seven hours alone, with one hour of softer mingled light between their peaks, creating a twelve-hour cycle that established the first division of days.

The luminous dews of both Trees proved incredibly precious to the Valar, particularly to Varda, the Queen of the Stars. She carefully collected these sacred liquids in large vats, storing them for various purposes. This holy light would later prove crucial in the creation of the Sun and Moon, and Varda had already used some of this light to kindle many of the stars that would guide the first Children of Ilúvatar.

Under the blessed light of the Two Trees, the Valar established their realm of Valinor as a place of unparalleled beauty and power. They raised the Pelóri Mountains to protect their domain and transformed the land within into a reflection of their divine nature, creating forests, plains, and valleys of extraordinary splendor.

The city of Valmar arose as the crown jewel of their realm, featuring great halls and mansions built of precious metals and stones. The Valar established their own domains according to their nature: Yavanna's pastures teemed with life, Aulë's halls rang with the sounds of crafting, and Mandos built his somber halls in the north.

The Maiar, lesser spirits who served the Valar, played crucial roles in maintaining and enhancing the beauty of Valinor. These powerful beings, including figures like Eönwë, herald of Manwë, and Ilmarë, handmaid of Varda, helped their masters shape and protect the realm, contributing their own skills and powers to its glory.

The awakening of the Elves at Cuiviénen beside the starlit waters of the inland sea of Helcar marked a pivotal moment in the Years of the Trees. These firstborn Children of Ilúvatar opened their eyes to a world lit only by stars, as the light of the Trees had not reached beyond the borders of Aman.

The Vala Oromë first discovered the Elves during his travels in Middle-earth, and his heart was moved by their beauty and potential. Despite their initial fear of his majestic and terrible form, he gained their trust and brought news of their awakening to the other Valar, who then extended an invitation for the Elves to dwell in the blessed realm of Valinor.

The Great Journey of the Elves began as three ambassadors - Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë - were brought to Valinor to witness its glory and return to lead their people westward. This momentous migration led to the first major division among the Elven kindreds, as not all chose to make the journey.

Those Elves who completed the journey to Valinor became known as the Calaquendi, or Light Elves, comprising the Vanyar led by Ingwë, the Noldor under Finwë, and the Falmari (Sea-elves) led by Olwë. These peoples were transformed by their exposure to the light of the Trees, gaining great wisdom and power that set them apart from their kindred who remained in Middle-earth.

The Noldor, most skilled of all Elves in crafts and lore, flourished under the guidance of Aulë the Smith. In the blessed realm, they developed unprecedented mastery over metals and gems, creating works of incredible beauty and power. Their city of Tirion upon Túna became a testament to their skill, with its white walls and crystal stairs reflecting the light of the Trees.

Among all the works of the Noldor, none surpassed the Silmarils created by Fëanor, greatest of all Elven craftsmen. These three perfect jewels contained the blended light of both Trees, captured through means that even the Valar could not replicate. Their creation marked both the pinnacle of Noldorin achievement and the beginning of their darkest chapter.

The cities of Tirion and Alqualondë became centers of unprecedented artistic and intellectual achievement during this era. The Noldor developed writing, recording their growing knowledge in books and scrolls, while the Teleri in Alqualondë perfected their shipbuilding and singing, creating vessels of unmatched grace and songs that could charm the very seas.

The release of Melkor from his three ages of imprisonment proved to be a catastrophic turning point in the Years of the Trees. Though he feigned reformation, he secretly sowed discord among the Noldor, breeding dissent between the sons of Finwë and stirring up desires for power and dominion over Middle-earth.

In a moment that would forever alter the fate of Arda, Melkor allied with Ungoliant, a mysterious being of darkness and insatiable hunger. Together they attacked the Trees, with Ungoliant weaving webs of unlight that drained the Trees of their radiance while her poisonous bite ensured their doom. The Valar's efforts to heal them proved futile.

Before the Trees died completely, Yavanna managed to coax forth a single silver flower from Telperion and a single golden fruit from Laurelin. These last vestiges of the Trees' light would later become the Moon and Sun, sailing the skies as reminders of the lost light of Valinor.

The destruction of the Two Trees marked the traumatic end of an age of unparalleled beauty and light. This catastrophe, coupled with Melkor's theft of the Silmarils and murder of Finwë, set in motion events that would reshape both Valinor and Middle-earth, leading to the Exile of the Noldor and the beginning of the First Age of the Sun.