#iluvatar

So, I’m still thinking about Aulë and the creation of the Dwarves, and how this makes them such softer creatures in my eyes. 

When the Dwarves sing the Song of the Lonely Mountain to Bilbo in The Hobbit, their voices are described as “deep-throated singing of the dwarves in the deep places of their ancient homes,” and furthermore Tolkien adds the addendum, “this is like a fragment of their song, if it can be like their song without the music.” 

In this instance, we see an initial, subtle example of the immense power Music and Song has over Middle Earth (as at the time of publication, of course, The Silmarillion had not been published and the audience did not know of Eru’s composition, nor the great Music). 

I absolutely adore this description of the Dwarves’ voices though, as it ultimately reflects the feeling behind their music and also their origin being made after Aulë’s own passion and hands. 

Despite the song being so hardy, devoted and most of all mourning,the Dwarves play gentle instruments like harps and flutes. Despite how they work with their hands and are often those to cut down trees and - in Yavanna’s sentiment - have no disregard for the living things of nature,  Aulë’s influence of being beautifulabove even a craftsman is very much present. The Dwarves value precious jewels and heirlooms and crafts, and treat their heritage as such. 

So anyways tonight I am crying about how beautifully Aulë’s description of the Dwarves of his creation was, rather than simply their hardened and nearly comical exteriors as presented in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. The Dwarves are devoted to their work, yes, but through the lens of Aulë’s passion and lovefor his creatures do we truly see the softer, more beautiful side of the Dwarves and their rough exteriors and creations. 

They may work in the darkness and in stone, but they are craftsmen with finelyhoned talent, intricacy, and attention to detail just like their creator. Their beauty lies in their fortitude, their strength to cradle the most precious of jewels and yet survive in grandiose halls of stone. They are much like the Elves in that regard, as the Elves live long in the strongest of trees (as in Lothlorien) yet they care for the most delicate of flowers, seeds and patterns. One is a beauty of dusty, dirty things and the other is a beauty of light colors and softness. They are quite harmonious when one considers.

Cited: The Silmarillion, p. 43 - 46