Lords of the Valar

The Valar were the fourteen Ainur who, after being molded of Eru's thought, entered Arda after its creation, to give order to the world and combat the new evils of Melkor. They had helped to begin the shaping of Arda through the music of Ilúvatar, and often referred to one another as "brother" or "sister". Each of the Ainur had added his or her own part to the music creating the world incarnate. Male Valar are called "Lords of the Valar"; females are called "Ladies of the Valar", or Valier. Among these exist six married couples, with only Ulmo and Nienna remaining single.