Almaren

Almaren
Almaren
Island
Sage - Almaren.png
General Information
Other names "Isle of Almaren"
Location In the centre of the Great Lake in early Middle-earth
Type Island
Description Large green island, fairest land during the Years of the Lamps
People and History
Inhabitants Valar
Destroyed V.Y. 3450
Events Spring of Arda
Wedding of Tulkas and Nessa
The Isle of Almaren lay in the midst of the Great Lake in the center of Middle-
earth when all the lands and seas were symmetrical, and thus the island was the
midmost point of all Arda.

[edit] History
In the 1,500th Valian year since the coming of many of the Valar to Arda, another
Vala came to the aid of Manw�. This was Tulkas the Strong who caused Melkor to
abandon Middle-earth.[1] In the peace that followed the Valar were able to bring
order to the seas and lands,[2] and it may have been that Almaren was created at
that time.

By the Valian year 1,900 Aul� had wrought the Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, and
Varda had given them hallowed fire that lit Arda and brought living things to life.
Almaren certainly did exist by this time, for being between the Two Lamps all
things grew richest and fairest upon the island and the Valar made their dwelling
there (though they were often abroad upon their business).

When at last the Valar were content Manw� ordained a great feast upon the isle in
the Valian year 3,400. At the feast Tulkas wed Nessa and then slept, for he was
weary with his labors in the ordering of Arda. Seeing his chance, Melkor and his
host surmounted the Walls of Night and began the delving of Utumno in the north.
His coming marred the Spring of Arda, turning many living things sick, rotted, or
corrupted. The Valar then knew that Melkor was returned but did not know his
hiding-place.

In the year 3,450 Melkor came forth in war and cast down the Two Lamps. Their
destruction broke the lands and roiled the seas. The dwelling of the Valar upon
Almaren was utterly destroyed and the island and the Great Lake disappeared in the
tumult.[1]