The following years were called the Years of the Sun. Having given light to Middle-Earth, the Valar sat now behind their mountains in peace and left Middle-Earth untended.

At the first rising of the Sun, the Younger Children of Ilúvatar awoke in the land of Hildórien in the eastward regions of Middle-Earth. No Valar came to guide Men, or to summon them to dwell in Valinor; and Men have feared the Valar, rather than loved them. Ulmo nontheless took thought for them, aiding the counsel and will of Manwë, and his messages came oftne to them by stream and flood. Elves and Men were of like stature and strength of body, but the Elves had greater wisdom, skill and beauty.

"Immortal were the Elves, and their wisdom waxed from age to age, and no sickness nor pestilence brought death to them. Their bodies indeed were of the stuff of the Earth, and could be destroyed. But Men were more frail, more easily slain by weapon or mischance, and less easily healed; subject to sickness and many ills; and they grew old and died. What may befall their spirits after their death the Elves know not. Some say that they too go to the halls of Mandos but there place of waiting there is not that of the Elves."