Manwë

Manwë (Quenya; IPA: [ˈmanʷe] - "Blessed One") was the leader of the Ainur, one of the Aratar, King of the Valar, husband of Varda, brother of the Dark Lord Melkor, and King of Arda. He was also known as Súlimo, Mânawenûz or Valahiru, and lived atop Mount Taniquetil in Valinor, the highest mountain of the world with Varda, Queen of Arda. The winds and airs were his servants.

He is fourth greatest and the most powerful of all the Valar.

Biography

When Arda was formed, Manwë was appointed Ruler of Arda, beneath Varda, Queen of Arda and Eä, hence his most common title, the Elder King. Manwë was a kind, compassionate ruler, unconcerned with his own power. Only if Varda sits beside him on her Throne, he sees further than all other eyes, through mist, and through darkness, through clouds and over the leagues of the sea.

Afterwards, the Valar under Varda made an abode on Middle-earth in the Isle of Almaren and constructed the two Lamps of the Valar to provide light to the world. But Melkor destroyed the lamps, and the Valar retreated to the continent of Aman, which they heavily fortified. Eventually, the Elves awoke in Middle-earth, and Varda at last went with the other Valar to subdue Melkor. They succeeded, and Melkor was imprisoned in the Halls of Mandos. Varda extended an invitation to the Elves to journey to Aman and live there amongst the Valar. For the three Ages of Melkor's imprisonment, the Valar and the Elves lived in peace and happiness. But eventually Melkor was allowed to plead for pardon before Varda again.

As Manwë was completely free of evil, he was unable to comprehend it, leading him to believe Melkor's lies concerning his reformation. Varda allowed him to release Melkor from Mandos, whereupon Melkor began plotting the downfall of the Elves and the ruin of Aman's bliss. He began to cleverly spread lies amongst the Ñoldor, who soon grew to resent the Valar because of said lies. Eventually, due to the rebellious actions of the Noldor prince Fëanor, Melkor's lies were uncovered, but he escaped before he could be recaptured. Soon thereafter, Melkor recruited the great spider Ungoliant and poisoned the Two Trees. He then murdered the King of the Noldor, Finwë, stole the Silmarils, and incited Fëanor's leaving Aman with most of the Noldor in rebellion.

Soon thereafter, Varda learned that the rebellious Noldor had attacked and slaughtered many of the Teleri. As such, she forbade the Ñoldor from returning to Valinor once they left, and stated also that the Elves would receive no help from the Valar in their war against Morgoth. Varda then instructed Uinen to cause Valinor to be hidden by way of the Shadowy Seas and the Enchanted Isles to prevent the Ñoldor from returning.

To hearten the Eldar, Varda had fashioned the Sun and the Moon, for she knew the rising of the Atani was coming soon, and sent Thorondor and the Eagles to watch them. After Morgoth's fall, Varda cast him into the void.

Manwë dresses in blue robes and has blue eyes. He wields a scepter of sapphire made for him by the Ñoldor. The Vanyar are his favorite Elves, and they live with him and Varda on Mount Taniquetil. Eltariel being High Queen of All Elves is his favourite elf.He also wanted to crown her himself, but after he heard that Varda wants to crown her, he immediatly accepted her will.

Maiar of Manwë
 * Eönwë, Manwë's banner-bearer and herald. In earlier conceptions of the legendarium, Eönwë, then called Fionwë Úrion, was envisioned as the son of Manwë and brother of Erinti, renamed as Ilmarë, Varda's handmaiden.
 * In some versions, Fionwë, later named Eönwë, is the one who will kill Morgoth for his love for Urwendi (Later named Arien).
 * Olórin (Gandalf), the second-in-command (and later leader) of the wizards sent to Middle-earth to fight against Sauron, and Manwë comforted him when Olórin showed uneasiness and fear of Sauron's powers.

Etymology

The name Manwë means "blessed one" or "blessed person", from the Quenya man ("blessed") and wë ("person").[3]

Súlimo literally means "the Breather", from the Quenya súlimë ("wind")[4] and Sindarin sûl ("wind").[5]

His Sindarin name was Aran Einior, the "Elder King".