The Nightfall of the Blessed Realm
The Darkening of Valinor (S."Fuin a’Valinor"), known in Quenya as Mornatárië ("The Great Darkening") was the great catastrophic event that marked the end of the Years of the Trees and the beginning of the Long Night. It was wrought in YT 1495, when Morgoth, with the aid of Ungoliant, destroyed Telperion and Laurelin, the Two Trees of Valinor, draining the light of the world and casting Aman and Middle-earth into darkness.
This act not only stole the light of the Trees but also shattered the peace of Blessed Realm, leading to the Fall of the Noldor, the Oath of Fëanor, the Kinslaying at Alqualondë and the eventual Wars of Beleriand. The Darkening ended only with the rising of Isil, the Moon, and later Anar, the Sun, ushering in the Years of the Sun.
Prelude[]
For many ages, Melkor had brooded in the Halls of Mandos, where he was imprisoned after the War for Sake of the Elves. But upon his release, he feigned repentance before Manwë, deceiving the Valar with false humility. Manwë, who did not comprehend the full depths of Melkor’s malice, allowed him to walk freely within Valinor, though Ulmo and Tulkas distrusted him.
While outwardly seeking forgiveness, Melkor sowed lies among the Noldor, whispering that the Valar sought to keep them in Valinor as thralls. He played upon the pride of Fëanor, son of Finwë, telling him that the Silmarils, which held the light of the Two Trees, were coveted by the Valar. His words fanned the flames of division among the Noldor, creating enmity between Fëanor and his half-brother Fingolfin.
Melkor’s influence reached its peak when he urged Fëanor to openly defy the Valar, leading to his banishment from Tirion and the first unrest among the Eldar. But once the Valar became aware of his schemes, Melkor fled, disappearing into the shadows of Avathar, the dark and desolate land to the south of Aman. There he sought an ally in Ungoliant, the primordial darkness given form, a monstrous Spider-Demon of insatiable hunger.