The What If Machine

[[Cresenne]]

The concept of the Valarindi (The Children of the Valar) starts very early on, with Rúmil saying:

BoLT 1

"...and [Manwë and Varda's] children were Fionwë-Úrion and Erinti most lovely."

It is again stated in The Lost Road:

Quote:

"Fionwë and Ilmarë are [Manwë and Varda's] son and daughter."

However, in Morgoth's Ring, all statements referring to the Valarindi are struck out, and Fionwë becomes Ëonwë, herald of Manwë, and Ilmarë becomes the handmaiden of Varda. Both become Maiar.
A note written in the margins of the typescript of The Annals of Aman states why this concept was removed:

Quote:

[In response to changing the word 'wife' to 'spouse'] "Note that 'spouse' meant only an 'association'. The Valar had no bodies, but could assume shapes."

So there you go.  

[Tears of the Siren]

Ah! That makes sense now. Thank you for clearing that up.

What if Aule never created the dwarves?  

[Rudhe]

Balrog would never be awoken. Less stone architecture. No Gimli. No ents.  

[Dracolish]

What if Earendil never had a silmaril?  

[[Cresenne]]

If Eärendil never got the Silmaril, the most likely reason would be that Maedhros and Maglor had taken it from Elwing, probably killing her in the process (Since she was willing to kill herself to keep it from them). Thus, they would have the Silmaril, but, because of their deeds, it burns them. Eärendil, who was hastening back for fear and longing for Elwing, comes upon the ruins of the Mouths of Sirion, and most likely learns what happened from Círdan/Gil-galad.

Then, the remnant of elves at Balar assail the sons of Fëanor for the Silmaril and whatever captives they had (Including Elrond and Elros, of course, but their fates would have been unknown, for though their bodies had not been found, the sea could have carried them off). but they refuse to surrender, and are finally killed by Eärendil, though he himself is mortally wounded in the process (Hey, he can't get the Silmaril, so he has to die.).

The Silmaril is recovered (see below) and Elrond and Elros are rescued and taken care of by Círdan. Since Eärendil died, Voronwë (Why not?) takes on the Errand of the Two Kindreds (Elrond and Elros being not yet of age, and they couldn't really wait.) and, with the Silmaril, sails to Valinor, and...[same as Sil, save Voronwë instead of Eärendil, etc.]

Why Maedhros and Maglor Keep the Silmaril
In the Sil, as most know, Maedhros and Maglor, having gotten possession of the two remaining Silmarils, and unable to bear the pain and try the end that pain (Maglor by casting it into the Sea, Maedhros by killing himself). However in the scenario told above, they keep the Silmaril. Why? Because, without the Silmaril, Eärendil could never get through the Shadowy Seas, among other barriers. Also, the light of the Silmaril is a major reason why he is sighted by the sentries in Valinor, making Eönwë come to him and forestall his leaving.

Of course, this never ends up happening. However, Eru must certainly have known that no one could reach Valinor save by aide of the Silmaril. He would therefore harden Maedhros and Maglor's hearts, making them unwilling to give up the Silmaril that was theirs by right and which they had fought so hard for, even to the point of enduring the pain with which the jewel inflicts them.

Okay, this is getting long. I'm stopping this before it turns into an essay.  

[WillowElm]

Rudhheniel

Balrog would never be awoken. Less stone architecture. No Gimli. No ents.

The Eagles would not have been created either, so Fingon would never have been able to save Maedhros and Beren and Luthien would not have escaped Angband, etc.  

[Ginny97263]

Rudhheniel

Balrog would never be awoken. Less stone architecture. No Gimli. No ents.

Wait, I thought the ELves created the ents? Didn't Treebeard tell Merry and Pippin that?? I'm confused sweatdrop


Anyway, what if Aragorn had never been brought to Rivendell?  

[Galad Aglaron]

-Gaara-SandyDeath-

Rudhheniel

Balrog would never be awoken. Less stone architecture. No Gimli. No ents.

Wait, I thought the ELves created the ents? Didn't Treebeard tell Merry and Pippin that?? I'm confused sweatdrop


Anyway, what Aragorn had never been brought to Rivendell?

Yavanna Kementari created the Ents to guard the forests she loved against the Children of Illuvatar. It was Aule's creation of the Dwarves that sparked off her fear for her creations.  

[Rudhe]

Mmmhmm I don't think the elves have creative power....even the valar couldn't give life. Aule couldn't give life to his dwarves and Morgoth could only corrupt....only Illuvater could give life.  

[Tears of the Siren]

Treebeard said that the Elves taught the Ents to talk first, and that for that reason the Ents had a special love for the Elves.  

[Berzerker_prime]

Talk, yes. Move and defend themselves, no.

Berz.  

[The Love of Money]

-Gaara-SandyDeath-

Anyway, what if Aragorn had never been brought to Rivendell?

He would have just been a regular scruffy guy, I guess. He never would have met Gandalf, Gandalf wouldn't have found Gollum as easily, and Rohan wouldn't have gone to war with Mordor. Sauron would have annihilated Gondor and then annihilated Frodo and Sam. Mwahaha.

So what would have happened if Eru was missing the part of his mind which Melkor was made from?