Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael  

Of the coming of the Elves and the captivity of Melkor

The Valar lived for more long ages
in complete bliss under the light
of the Two beloved blessed Trees
beyond the Mountains of Aman in sight.

The entire Middle Earth lay at that time
in twilight underneath the shining stars;
where before, under the Lamps so sublime
growth had commenced that ended in tears.

Vegetation life got abruptly severed,
as everything got back to black, disturbed,
yet the most ancient creatures persevered,
the seaweed algae and branched trees of Earth.

Creatures of darkness and grim force
lurked in the hills, surronded in gloom,
rarely did the Valar cross these shores,
save for Yavanna and Oromë who resumed

their mission on the spoiled land,
on the Broken Promise for the Spring of Arda
for which Yavanna mourned so vulnerable and
wholeheartedly determined to restore the order.

She put many living creatures in deep sleep,
so that they wouldn't grow prematurely old
hid them in lairs in the soil, warm and deep,
where they awaited to be awakened in the world.