I haven't got the letters here with me, but the final word should really belong to Tolkien himself, and he did discuss the Valar issue. I'll try and dig it up later, unless somebody else beats me to it; but I'd encourage those that are seriously intrigued by Tolkien to get a copy of his Letters to have on hand. They are superb reference material.
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...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.
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