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After the Valar entered the world, there was a misty light veiling the barren ground. The Valar took this light and concentrated it into two large lamps, Ringil and Helkar, later known as Iluin and Ormal.
Aulë forged great towers, one in the furthest north, Helkar, and another in the deepest south, Ringil. In the middle, where the light of the lamps mingled, the Valar dwelt at the island of Almaren.
The lamps were destroyed by an assault by Melkor, and the Valar fled Middle-earth for Valinor.
According to older writings not used in the published The Silmarillion, the Valar wanted peace with Melkor, and decided to ask his assistance: they wished to fix the lamps upon Arda's ground. Melkor, black with hate and envy of the rest of the Valar agreed to help. He gave Aulë a substance which was both sturdy and strong: ice. Melkor bided his time and allowed the Valar to do as they wished until the fateful day where the Lamps' light and heat melted the ice and crashed upon Arda, flooding it with water and darkness.
At the site of the northern lamp was later the inland Sea of Helcar, of which Cuiviénen was a bay.