J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories include powerful, god-like beings called the Valar. When The Lord of the Rings was first published, the Valar were a somewhat hidden part of the rich history of Middle-earth. Tolkien later expanded on their story in The Silmarillion. The Valar were divine spirits, similar to beings like Sauron (who were called Maiar), but much more powerful.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, The Silmarillion, names twelve major beings called the Valar, or thirteen if you include Morgoth, a Vala who became corrupted. However, early versions of The Silmarillion featured two additional Valar named Makar and Meássë, a brother and sister. Unlike the other Valar, they were associated with warfare and, while not evil like Morgoth, were known for their aggression and harshness. These characters were revealed to fans through The Book of Lost Tales, a collection of Tolkien’s earlier writings and unfinished stories.
Makar and Meássë Were Not as Benevolent as Other Valar
Makar and Meássë were powerful warriors, second only to Tulkas in strength, but they were known for their quick tempers. Makar’s name literally meant “God of Battle,” and his sister, Meássë, was described in The Book of Lost Tales as a fierce and formidable warrior – an “Amazon with bloody arms” and a “she-lion.”
It’s notable that both Makar and Meássë were Valar associated with warfare, and no other Valar quite shared their specific focus. Even Vána, who loved flowers, had a distinct specialty within the wider realm of plantlife governed by Yavanna. Tolkien may have intentionally included both a male and a female Vala representing war, given its importance in his world.
From the very beginning, Makar and Meássë were known for their combative and restless natures. They constantly engaged in fighting, hunting, and other exciting, dangerous activities. Tolkien described them as riding the winds and reveling in powerful forces like earthquakes and the wildness of the ancient oceans.
I’ve always been fascinated by those two siblings. They weren’t exactly the most popular among the Valar, but Tulkas always seemed to enjoy visiting – Makar was one of the few beings strong enough to actually give him a good match in a wrestling bout! It’s interesting that when the Valar moved to Valinor, Makar and Meássë actually started connecting with others a bit more, though they still kept to themselves. It’s quite shocking, though, that they even actively resisted the idea of others living in Valinor, believing it should be reserved solely for the Valar themselves.
Makar and Meássë Once Helped the Dark Lord Morgoth
Makar and Meássë had a strange connection with Morgoth. While they personally disliked him, they thrived on the conflict and disorder he created – they believed that without evil, there could be no war. Originally, they joined Morgoth in his revolt during the Music of the Ainur, when the Valar created the world through song. However, they later switched sides and assisted the other Valar in defeating and imprisoning Morgoth during the Battle of the Powers.
Makar later defended Morgoth, believing that a world without conflict would be dull. Much later, when Morgoth caused widespread destruction, Makar and Meássë were the only Valar who found any pleasure in the chaos, enjoying the opportunity to fight and destroy Morgoth’s forces.
Tolkien probably removed the characters Makar and Meássë from his stories because he disliked glorifying war. Having fought in World War I, he was deeply affected by its horrors, and this shaped his beliefs. While the character Tulkas continued to enjoy fighting, Tolkien differentiated between simple combat and the larger scale of war. Tulkas saw fighting as a kind of friendly competition, and he only used serious force when defending others.
This concept echoes a sentiment from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. In The Two Towers, during the chapter “The Window on the West,” Gandalf tells Frodo that while war is sometimes necessary to protect ourselves from those who seek to destroy everything, he doesn’t admire weapons or warriors for their power or glory. He values only what they are protecting. This illustrates Tolkien’s dislike for the senseless violence that characters like Makar and Meássë seemed to enjoy.
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2026-03-27 03:14