The curse of Morgoth in CoH.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by skip spence

The Ainur existed before the creation, but whether they have a free will to do good or evil is not certain, although I belive thay do.

Are you implying that Eru created the valar without free will? I would say this goes contrary to his work and I know of no future point where they are given such free will. Or do you imply there can be free will without the ability to choose between good and evil? I don't think I follow.

Feanor for example wouldn't dream of obeying Morgoth directly, but certainly did so indirectly, inflamed by his lies and subtle influence.
So when Ungoliant disowns her master, she disowns Morgoth as an incarnate being, but not the primeval discord he put on Arda.

I believe we are talking again about two different things: choosing rather freely between good and evil (and Feanor did his share of bad choices) and being coerced towards evil, which is what Melkor's marring was in essence about. To return to my previous example, Ungoliant was perfectly well outside Melkor's will when she nearly finished him off when he refused to honor their understanding.

Eru is the exception as he is omnipotent. He is free to end or heal the world at any time. Besides, Finrod is a character, and although he is wise, he is merely speculating.

Then again, I think we should ask which is the proper perspective: that of Eru, of hope, of faith, or that of the marring. All throughout the works, there are numerous and consistent references to the level of involvement of Eru, to the futility of evil, even in temporal times and to how He guarantees the success of good.