Chapter 1: Of the Beginning of Time

[ArcusCalion]

It looks to me that we have resolved all of our points of contention for this chapter. Should we label it as semi-finished?

[gondowe]

I agree with the solution of Findegil in15b. For me thats well.
Greetings

[Findegil]

I see as well no open points any longer. But I have again found something that might be added:
- We missed the information which colure was used for which Lamp so fare. We could add it in this way:

BoT-13b <AAm Now the Valar began their labours anew; and when the lands and the waters were ordered the Valar had need of light, that the seeds of Yavanna's devising might grow and have life. BoT-14b <LQ, Of Valinor and the two Trees But since Melkor had perverted light to a destroying flame, when he was gone and his fires were subdued or buried beneath the primeval hills, there was need of light>. Aulë therefore wrought two great lamps, as it were of silver and of gold and yet translucent, and Varda filled them with hallowed fire, to give light to the Earth.> BoT-13.5 <Ainulindalë D {and}And the Valar set them upon high pillars, more lofty far than are any mountains of the later days. One lamp BoT-13.6 <editorial addition based on LT of silver >they raised near to the North of Middle-earth, and it was named {[Forontë >]} Illuin; and the otherBoT-13.7 <editorial addition based on LT of gold > was raised in the South, and it was named {[Hyarantë >]} Ormal; and the light of the Lamps of the Valar flowed out over the Earth, so that all was lit as it were in a changeless Day.

And a snippet to add again at the ofthrough of the Lamps:

BoT-21 <AAm But Melkor, trusting in the strength of Utumno and the might of his servants, came forth suddenly to war, and struck the first blow, ere the Valar were prepared. {And}<AAm* He came down like a black storm from the North, and> he assailed the lights of Illuin and Ormal, and he cast down their pillars, and broke their lamps, BoT-21.5 <Q30 and in the confusion of darkness he roused the seas against {their}the island[u[ of the Valar[/b].>. Then in the overthrow of the mighty pillars lands were broken and seas arose in tumult; and when the lamps were spilled destroying flame was poured out over the Earth. And the shape of Arda and the symmetry of its waters and its lands was marred in that time, so that the first designs of the Valar were never after restored.
In the confusion and the darkness Melkor escaped, though fear fell upon him; …

It might sound a bit redundant but it is the only clear statement that I could find of a direct attack of Melkor upon the Island of Almaren. That such an attack occurred is clear from the fact, that the dwelling of the Valar was “utterly destroyed".

Respectfully
Findegil

P.S.: If we all agree on this, the chapter would be finished instead of semi-finished.

[ArcusCalion]

I like both of these additions.

[Aiwendil]

BoT-13.6, -13.7: I'm fine with this; based on the names of the Lamps ('sky-blue' and 'high-gold') I think we can be confident that the colours of the Lamps remain distinguished, even if it wasn't explicitly mentioned after the Lost Tales.

BoT-21.5: I'm less sure about this. The phrase "in the confusion of darkness" is very similar to the phrase "in the confusion and the darkness" that comes just a few sentences later. And it does seem repetitive to say first that Melkor "roused the seas" and a sentence later that the "seas arose in tumult". And since we already know that Almaren is destroyed, I don't see that this adds much.

[ArcusCalion]

Perhaps:

BoT-21.5 <Q30 and {in the confusion of darkness} he roused the {seas}Great Lake against {their}the island of the Valar.>

[Findegil]

BoT:

BoT-21.5: I can see your concerns, Aiwendil. What about taking the info I want from an older source:

BoT-21 <AAm But Melkor, trusting in the strength of Utumno and the might of his servants, came forth suddenly to war, and struck the first blow, ere the Valar were prepared. {And}<AAm* He came down like a black storm from the North, and> he assailed the lights of Illuin and Ormal, and he cast down their pillars, and broke their lamps. Then in the overthrow of the mighty pillars lands were broken and seas arose in tumult BoT-21.5b<S and {floods}flooded the isle where the Valar {(or Gods)} dwelt>; and when the lamps were spilled destroying flame was poured out over the Earth. And the shape of Arda and the symmetry of its waters and its lands was marred in that time, so that the first designs of the Valar were never after restored.

Respectfully
Findegil