Manwë

Manwë (Sulimo, Valahiru, or Manawenuz) was the king of Arda and the king of Valar. He was the blessed one, the leader, and the greatest authority of all Ainur. He knows the command of the winds and the airs. He was the brother of Melkor, the Dark Lord, and husband to Varda. He was the greatest of the Aratar and lived on Mount Taniquetil in Valinor.

He was the greatest of the Aratar and all Ainur. He best understood the will of Eru and was less concerned with his power and was, therefore, a good, lenient, and compassionate leader. Manwe and his brother were together the earliest of the Ainur. Melkor, however, has more powerful abilities. At the time when Melkor created discord in the Music of Ainur, Mawme countered the discord with great effort in the Second Theme but was overpowered by Melkor, who sang with more power. After the end of the themes, Illuvatar revealed that the fate of Melkor was sealed along with the Ainur and appointed Manwe the Ruler of the new world, Arda. Manwe became known as the Elder King of Arda.

He took control over all of the early attempts of Valar on Arda, but he was overpowered in the aggression of Melkor, and it took the intervention of the Vala Tulkas to overcome Melkor. The Valar lived on Middle-Earth with their leader Manwe in the Isle of Almaren, and the stars were the only source of light. Manwe created the two lamps of the Valar to light up Arda. After the first war with the Valar, Manwe and his wife, Varda, created the two lamps of Arda.

But Melkor broke the lamps and destroyed the island of the Valar, causing the Valar to flee and move to the continent of Aman, where they lived in full security. Manwë and other Valar finally launched an offensive against Melkor and captured him, then he was imprisoned in the Halls of Mandos. After the defeat of Melkor, Manwe welcomed the Elves to Aman, and together they lived peacefully and in harmony. After three ages of captivity, Melkor requested pardon and Manwe listened.

Manwe listened to the plea of Melkor as he was unable to comprehend evil. He believed that Melkor was indeed rehabilitated and ordered his release from Mandos. On release, Melkor could not launch an open attack, but rather, resolved plots. He spread lies and Hatred amongst the Noldor towards the Valar. His plot grew rapidly until the rebellion of Prince Feanor of Noldor exposed his deeds. The plot of Melkor was exposed and he fled from capture. He made Ungoliant, the spider that contaminated the Two Trees, then he killed the King of Noldor himself, and Finwe. He took possession of the Silmarils and assisted Feanor to leave Aman in the Rebellion. Manwe heard of the terrible assault of the Noldor against the Teleri.

Infuriated, he forbade the Noldor from a return to Valinor if they went into exile. Manwe then told the Elves of his dissociation with them, he told the Elves they would receive no support in their cause against Melkor. Finally, Manwe engulfed the whole of Valinor in Shadowy Seas and enchanted the Isle to ensure the unwanted return of Noldor was established. Manwe cast the fallen Morgoth into the void. Manwe had Aulë create the Sun and the Moon and sent the Eagles and their king, Thorondor, to watch over as the coming of Atani was imminent. He thought this way he would heathen the Eldar. He stood on Mount Taniquetil in his blue robe that matched his eyes, he held his scepter, made of sapphire by the Noldor. There he lived with those in whom he is keen, his wife Varda and the Vanyar, his most beloved from the Elves.

Eonwe (Fionwe) was the immortal servant of Manwe and his Banner-bearer. He safeguards the remains of the Silmarils after the War of Wrath. Fionwe loved Urwendi and his love caused him to kill Morgoth. At the start of the legendarium, the idea was that Fionwë would be the child of Manwe, his male child, and his sister would be Erinti (later to be known as Ilumare). However, when the thought was reviewed, he became the herald, while Erinti became Ilumare the handmaiden of Varda. Ilumare was one of the most beloved Maiar to the Atani. Manwe manifested to the Maiar spirit Olórin, Gandalf, when he feared his destruction in the hands of Sauron after he was sent to protect Middle-earth.

Manwe: The name is translated to blessed one in Quenya, “man” means blessed, and "we" means one. Súlimë, or “wind,” from the Quenyan language and sûl from Sindarin is where "Súlimo'' came from which translates to, “the Breather.”

• Lord of the West [1]
• King of the Valar
• Lord of the Breath of Arda [2]
• King of Arda
• Elder King (Aran Einior in Sindarin)

1. ^Lord of the West.
2. ^Lord of the Breath of Arda.