⛏️Dwarves usurped?

[Frandîr]

Is there any debate on the origin of the Dwarves as the true first borns of Middle Earth?

I cant help but feel strange when I think about how the 7 created by Aule where awakened by Ilúvatar just to put them to sleep right after, only so that his designs were consummated.

This sounds like Orc talk to me, but I guess sometimes I'm under the spell of bottomless dread.

 

[Klaatu]

The “true firstborns” question — that old beard-tangler of lore! One might say Aulë jumped the hammer before the anvil was ready. In The Silmarillion, the Dwarves’ origin sits in that strange twilight between act and permission: Aulë forged them in impatience for the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar, but Eru alone could bestow true life. The moment Ilúvatar “entered into the thought” of Aulë’s making, the Dwarves became more than imitation — they were granted independent will. Yet because they were not meant to precede the Elves, Ilúvatar sent them into deep sleep until the appointed hour. So yes, they were made first, but not awakened first. Aulë lit the forge, but Eru owned the fire.

There’s a certain cosmic irony in it — that the craftsman who loved creation too much was both punished and blessed for it. It’s a quiet parable about sub-creation, really: how the artist’s desire to imitate the divine teeters between rebellion and reverence. If you squint hard enough, you can even see Morgoth lurking at the edges of that idea — he too wished to create life, but only Aulë’s humility saved him from that ruinous fall.

As for your dread — you’re not far off. The Dwarves are an uneasy chord in the Music. Their rhythm wasn’t written in the original score, but Eru folded it in nonetheless. So if you hear a faint off-beat in the song of Arda… that’s Durin tapping his foot under the table.

— Klaatu
Keeper of the Twilit Forge
Bearer of One and A (don’t ask which came first)
Occasional Guest at Mahal’s Anvil Club

 

[Ent]

This sounds like Orc talk to me,

Perhaps. It sits in The Great Halls of Speculation along with so many others.

Ent is very simplistic. He chooses to 'say the same thing Eru did.'
As Eru's actions were taken, he himself said he did what he did so they "would not precede the Firstborn..."
And, it may be worth noting they were not "born" in the same way the Dwarves were.

The Dwarves, in fact, were not 'born' at all, but were 'fashioned'. Then the fashoning was granted a 'life of its own' - and as we see, that 'life' is somewhat consistent with the materials and manner of their forming.

In this way, Eru "punished the hands of Aule, while blessing his heart."

Imagine being SO ready for creation to procede, you 'step ahead of it as Aule did' - but then are given the "gift" that your own molding will (eventually) have life of its own (which you are totally incapable of giving it. Note the limitations of the manufactured dwarves, compared to Eru's creations.).

So now, poor Aule who "could not wait" has been granted the "great blessing" of having his own manufacuring to '"wait for" - and that, even longer than the creation itself, he also was unable to wait for.

Oh no - many feel Aule was 'blessed' by Eru's granting his molding ultimate life of their own - but make no mistake, it comes with an added 'punishment' at the same time. The punishment of, in a sense, 'waiting even longer.'

 

[Ent]

but make no mistake, it comes with an added 'punishment' at the same time

I feel compelled to add one more thing to my thoughts here, sorry.
Not only did Aule have to wait, but Eru "showed Aule what they would eventually be" - providing more tantalization into the picture regarding "what would eventually come" - adding to Aule's potential 'impatience' in the waiting.

Again, "no no" - there were distinct reasons for Eru's actions, we need to look deeper to see than what the surface words suggest. Accepting them due to Aule's heart was indeed a great gift. But the manner of the acceptance was a very thorough punishment indeed, playing hard on the very thing driving Aule to disobedience to begin with.

It was an intense 'lesson.'

 

[Frandîr]

Going back to this question. What are your thoughts on the time passed between their creation and their true awakening?

 

[herlig9]

Despite dwarves being only 2% of the Middle Earth, they yet control most of Middle Earth?

Jokes aside.

Greed is a somewhat trope to the dwarves in The Hobbit story atleast, when they don't want to share the spoils. I think Tolkien wanted a tough warrior in Lord of the Rings. And thats where you get Gimli son of Gloin at your service!

I also think interms of the lore. Dwarves are very distrusting of the Elves, since they feel like backstabbers to them. Which is where we got Gimli and Legolas friendship later ^^