Hi Ho, Hi Ho…It’s off to Erebor we go?
The Story of Aulë – The Cliff’s Notes Version!
We all know the story of “the seven dwarves”, right? They had names like Sneezy and Dopey, sang strange little songs on their way to work, and looked after a pale princess in a glass coffin….
At least, that’s the elementary school version of “The Seven Dwarves.” However, in the world J.R.R. Tolkien created, there is a much more complex story involving seven dwarves, and one Vala who wanted nothing more than to be able to pass on his craft.
This Vala of course was Aulë (“The Smith”). Many people who have not delved into such books as The Silmarillion or The History of Middle-earth may dismiss Aulë as one of the less important Valar in favor of other, more well known figures such as Varda or Ulmo. However, to many who have studied Aulë’s role in the creation of Arda and the eventual fate of Middle-earth, he was one of the most important figures in Tolkien’s mythology.
Aulë was a master craftsman, having been given much in the way of knowledge and skill by Ilúvatar, and Lord over all substances from which Arda was formed, including stones, gems, mountains, metals, and soil. It was Aulë who crafted the lands of Arda in keeping with the vision Ilúvatar had shown to the Valar. He delighted in all creative endeavors, no matter how large or small they were, and never wanted to keep anything he created for himself. Aulë shared all that he created with the other Valar and with Ilúvatar.
However, after the creation of Arda, Aulë longed for someone to teach his craft to, as he delighted in sharing his work and wanted others to be able to create wonderful things to share as well. Unable to wait until the First Children (Elves) awoke, Aulë created the race of the Dwarves in secret. When Ilúvatar discovered the existence of the Dwarves and confronted Aulë, the Vala offered his creation to Ilúvatar to do with as he saw fit. Ilúvatar took pity on the Dwarves because Aulë did not desire to rule them and did not create them to be subservient, but rather to teach them and have them perceive the beauty of Arda. However, Ilúvatar did not want the Dwarves to inhabit Arda before the Elves, so Aulë put the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves to sleep in mountains until such time when Ilúvatar would allow them to awake.
This story provides a sharp contrast to the story of Melkor, with whom Aulë is often compared, for both were alike in their thoughts and powers. Both wanted to create things “of their own that should be new and unthought by others, and delighted in the praise of their skill.” There was often great strife between the two, as Melkor would ruin many of the things Aulë created. Melkor was jealous of Aulë, for because Aulë remained faithful to Ilúvatar, his creations were accepted and praised by the other Valar. Melkor on the other hand, created only out of greed, selfishness, envy, and mockery, whereas Aulë created for the benefit of all.
As for Aulë’s other notable accomplishments, he built the Lamps of the Valar (Illuin and Ormal) in the beginning of the world. Later, after the Lamps were destroyed by the forces of Melkor, he built the vessels of the sun and moon to give light to the Children of Ilúvatar. This way, the fruit of the Two Trees could be preserved for all time. He also created Angainor, the indestructible chain that bound Melkor during his imprisonment.
Aulë was also a teacher, and instructed the Noldor, to whom he was always a friend, in many things during the time they dwelled in Valinor. His greatest pupil among the Noldor was none other than Fëanor, who created the Silmarils with knowledge he gained from Aulë.
Of course, every Vala has their little mistakes – or shall we say errors in judgement? For Aulë, there were two. The Maia of Aulë was Sauron, who eventually turned to serve Melkor. Aulë also chose the Istar Curumo to go to Middle Earth, who later was known as Saruman the White. Of course, now that Sauron has been destroyed and Saruman stripped of his powers, we might be able to find it in our hearts to forgive Aulë. 🙂
And so Aulë lived happily ever after in his mansion in the center of Valinor, with his spouse, Yavanna. Now that’s an ending even Disney would have approved of!
Compiled and written by Ringhilwen
Information taken from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Valaquenta, and The Silmarillion.
Image of Aulë and the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves by Ted Nasmith.
