Davem wrote:
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The true source of creation is Eru, who is sole possessor of the Secret Fire.
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True, but consider Eru's words to the Ainur:
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Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in adorning this theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will.
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So because they have been 'kindled' with the Flame Imperishable, they do have a degree of creative power. The theme is Iluvatar's but the Ainur 'adorn' it with their 'own thoughts and devices'. The role of the Valar is not, I think, merely to carry out the designs of Eru like 'living tools'; they embellish that design with their own free will - even if their creative powers are ultimately derivative of Eru's.