[Elrian]

Originally posted by obloquy:
<STRONG>I don't recall ever reading that the Valar cannot be destroyed. Could you point me in the right direction, Elrian?

I do recall, however, that actually destroying Melkor would have been catastrophic (apocalyptic?) because his essence was present and bound up in nearly every created thing.</STRONG>

In the Silmarillion they are called Deathless:

In that guarded landthe Valar gathered great store of light and all the fairest things that were saved from the ruin; and many other yet fairer they made anew, and Valinor became more beautiful even than Middle-earth in the Spring of Arda; and it was blessed, for the Deathless dwelt there, and there and naught faded nor withered, neither was there any stain upon flower or leaf in that land,nor any corruption or sickness in anything that lived; for the very stones and waters were hallowed.

For it is not the land of Manwethat makes it's people deathless, but the Deathless that dwek=ll therein have hallowed the land; and there you would but wither and grow weary the sooner, as moths in a light too strong and steadfast.

And the Numenoreans answered: Why should we not envy the valar, or even the least of the Deathless?

For a wind arose in the east and it wafted them away; and they broke the Ban of the Valar, and sailed into forbidden seas, going up with war against the Deathless, to wrest from them everlasting life within the Circles of the World.