(EDIT: final draft in post #72, page 4)
Alright I've been messing around with the outline again. I made a sketch with both episodes 12 and 13. It's got more stars than the earlier draft. The stuff in e13 needs to be reworked and fleshed out - it's got some steps left upwards on the "Nailed it"-scale - (the transition from Third Age frame to the story about the Valar for example, is nonexistent) but it's something to discuss at least.
EPISODE 12:
1. (Could be moved back to the end of episode 11) Manwë and Varda are on Taniquetil, looking at the view of wonderful Valinor. The gardens of Lorien, the woods of Oromë - the lands are in bliss: Valar , Valier and various Maiar are at peace, and the light of the Trees mingle as the silver of Telperion wanes and Laurelin’s golden light is waxing. Behind them we see the Máhanaxar, the Ring of Doom. It is empty. They then turn and look in the other direction – at Middle-earth. There, chaos reigns. The plants are not growing. Of the beasts, some are dying and some look monstrous. Terrible sounds of agony are heard. The land is in tumult: volcanoes are erupting, waves are crashing on the shore, earth crumbling into the sea and cyclones pass through forests, ripping up trees – Manwë has certainly lost his influence over there. Towards the north there are bogs and swamps, and in the far north ice is mounting, and there, sometimes covered by fumes and smoke, lies the shining palace of Utumno in black obsidian and glass.
2. Yavanna is in Middle-earth, in the decay and death of a kind and to an extent that makes her more and more sad. A monstrous beast breaks out of the woods and charges in her direction. She stops it, calms it, puts it to sleep. The tragic looks of the animal breaks her Valië heart. Oromë turns up. He is also worried. She implores him not to kill the beasts unless he has to. He says he is not only hunting beasts, but searching for the Children, who might or might not have awakened.
3. Yavanna returns to the peace and harmony of Valinor and is met by Aulë, who confesses his transgression and tells her of Ilúvatar’s intervention. She is glad that Aulë also is concerned but says that he should have spoken to her about it. Also, she is troubled by the image she gets of the Dwarves and is worried that they will kill defenceless Olvar. That would perhaps not be a problem though, if they had someone, a guardian…
4. She goes to Manwë and speaks of tree guardians. He rejects the idea but she reminds him that it was in the Music. He has a vision in which Ilúvatar makes him understand that Yavanna is right and also that there will be Eagles as well, that both of these groups of guardians were foretold by the Song and are part of Ilúvatar's plan. But the Trees of Yavanna will not arrive until at the awakening of the Children, and the Eagles will come just before that, but the timing of that was not revealed. In any case, the Valar cannot rely on their aid now. On the other hand, the vision has strengthened Manwë's faith in Ilúvatar's plan and in his own path of diplomacy, although the path includes an inevitable war.
5. Aulë is relieved and thankful and speaks openly of his experience with the Dwarves and Eru's intervention. Mairon hears this and as he looks around and notices the Valar’s positive reaction to Aulë’s story, he quietly leaves.
6. Mairon arrives in Utumno. Melkor greets him. The Maia tells the Vala about Aulë, and Melkor finds Aulë's behaviour revolting but also inspiring. He thinks that Ilúvatar, by accepting Aulë’s Dwarves (are they called Dwarves immediately?), has accepted that all Valar, and especially Melkor, could create their own Children – it’s just a matter of finding the souls. He speaks to Mairon of the coming of the Children, and that he should create his own people, one that would match the so-called "Firstborn". And regarding the Children of Ilúvatar – when they eventually awaken, surely they should prosper most under Melkor’s protection. They should obey him – he is the only one who could form them into their fullest potential.
He has come to the conclusion that he shall declare himself Lord of Middle-earth and that all Valar and Maiar are welcome to his realm as long as they bow to him. He says to Mairon, in a friendly way, that the building of Angband is progressing, but slowly, he could use Mairon there, "Are you with me – or against me?" Mairon is undecided. He has doubts, and is remorseful and wondering whether he has gone too far, maybe he is on the wrong path. Does he dare to take that step? He asks for some time to think, which Melkor gladly gives him, but the Vala says that time is moving on, he can’t wait with his decision forever. Mairon goes back to Valinor.
7. The Valar, in the Ring of Dooom, discuss the fact that the Children are about to awaken and the state of Middle-earth is really bad. It is clearly perilous land. Even if Melkor should leave, there are plenty of dangers. And there is just faint hope that Melkor shall come to Valinor and repent. Mandos confirms the imminent awakening and Varda decides to collect the light of the Trees to kindle more stars. She leaves the meeting.
Mairon brings the news to the Valar that Melkor has declared himself Lord of Middle-earth and demands that all Ainur must follow his bidding when in his domains. Most of the Valar now expect Manwë to punish Melkor, imprison him or at least give him an ultimatum. But Manwë decides to send Eonwë to offer Melkor the seat next to him in Valinor. He must give up his Lordship of Middle-earth and never go back there, but he will be close to his brother, as in the beginning, as in the thought of Ilúvatar. Mairon is utterly disappointed with this and leaves Valinor, forever. (He takes a horse?)
8. We see Mairon travelling in Middle-earth. He stops to watch the sky, where a new star has been born. Then another star is being kindled – in fact, a whole new constellation (Soronúmë). A great Eagle suddenly sweeps across the sky. It cries, making Mairon uncomfortable. Another Eagle follows the next. Mairon changes his route to avoid being spotted.
9. Eonwë comes to Utumno and delivers his message to Melkor. Melkor is offended by this and decides that he has had enough. This humiliation cannot go on. He calls for Gothmog, who instantly appears in the doorway. Melkor then invites Eonwë a tour of his palace. He shows him his dungeons, and some monsters of horn and hide. A pool with tentacled beasts.
10. We see Mairon travelling in Middle-earth, but in a different setting this time. He journeys (rides?) along a mountain range, just above the tree line. It is a rather quiet part of Middle-earth. He looks like he is in deep thought. Above him, we see the Wilwarin constellation being kindled. Suddenly he looks up. He has heard a noise he does not recognize. There, over by the sea. Voices?
11. Back in Utumno, Melkor shows Eonwë a prison cell, which he tells him is where he is to spend the rest of eternity. Eonwë says that that is a mistake, he is a peace messanger, but the Vala orders his captain to arrest Eonwë, who is a spy and an aggressor. The Balrog grabs Eonwë and throws him into a wall. He picks him up and starts to throttle him with his flaming, clawed hands.
Thuringwethil shows up, saying to Melkor that there is a guest. The Vala leaves Gothmog and Eonwë. Gothmog inflicts as much pain as possible, showing what Eonwë’s eternity is going to be like.
12. Melkor’s guest is Mairon, who tells Melkor that he has news. He kneels before him and says, “My Lord, I have found the Children”. Above them, we see the Valacirca.
EPISODE 13:
1. A) Frame : Gilraen and Elrond, watching Estel during weapons training with Elladan and/or Elrohir, discuss the question of his heritage and true identity. They come to the agreement that he should be told about the Dunedain and that he is one of them. B) Elladan and Estel have a conversation about fighting and about how a fighter defends not only himself but his group.
2. Later, Gilraen (and Elrond?) reveal to Estel that he is one of the Dunedain, and she tells him something about what it means to be a Dunedain.
3. Bilbo and Gandalf return from the Battle of Five Armies. Estel asks Bilbo about the battle and the Dwarves. Bilbo only hints at the horrors of the battle, and plays down his own part. He says he did everything he could to avoid the battle, tried to make thing turns out differently. He also speaks fondly of the friends he has lost.
4. We are at Utumno. Melkor appoints Mairon lieutenant of Angband. To inaugurate him, he gives him a new name – Sauron. They go down into the dungeons, and come to the cell where Eonwë is being tortured. They watch as Eonwë dies.
5. Valinor. In the Ring of Doom, some Valar are outspoken about the fact that they think Manwë's decision to send Eonwë was wrong, and are arguing that they should throw Melkor into the Void right now. Manwë asks them to find just a little more patience, and wait for Eonwë’s return. Mandos says that Eonwë is back. A shapeless cloud appears, from which Eonwë’s voice speaks. He speaks of what happened in Utumno, emphasizing that the destroyers of the Lamps are under Melkor’s command. Manwë decides to put an end to Melkor’s domain by force. He asks Eonwë to take a new body. The new Eonwë is the Champion of Manwë, significantly more martial than before.
6. A) Utumno. Melkor realizes that when the death of Eonwë is known, armed conflict is highly probable. He escalates work on the defense. B) Mairon/Sauron takes over Angband. He instructs the Balrogs to break down the tunnels between Utumno and Angband at his command, in case of emergency or tactical necessity. Melkor might want to retreat to his fortress. (They might argue and perhaps in the end, he does it himself). (Perhaps he just comments that this would be possible, not actually giving the order.)
7. The host of the Valar arrive in Middle-earth. In the sky, Menelmacar is kindled. They are assailed by smaller elemental Maiar, but they cause small trouble. Great Eagles follow them as they go.
8. Finally at Utumno, Manwë orders Eonwë to call Melkor to surrender. He does so, but Melkor does not answer. Manwë says that they must prepare for war. This is the first war then. The War to begin all wars. He sets up a surrounding storm shield, to make escape impossible. Also, he asks the others, Aulë in particular, to contain any damage within the parameter of the storm shield. Another call to surrender is made, but Melkor does not answer. Manwë lets Tulkas, Nessa and Oromë go forward. A third call to surrender, and now Melkor attacks, causing several geysers to erupt around and among the Valar. There is a battle were the Valar are using elemental force as well as close combat. Eventually, the host of Valar is too powerful for Melkor and his hideous forces. He is taken by Tulkas. The Balrogs escape. Sauron retreats without Melkor during the battle and has the tunnel to Angband sealed (by Melkor's orders or not). Utumno is in total ruin.
9. Melkor is taken to a small cell in Mandos.
10. At Lake Cuiviénen, everything is quiet. We see figures moving out of the Wild Wood and go down to the water. We can see that they are Elves.
