Secret Fire

The Secret Fire, also known as the Flame Imperishable, was Ilúvatar's mysterious power of creation in Eä.
== History ==
The Secret Fire refers to that aspect of Eru Ilúvatar which is his Power of Creation. It is the power to give life and substance, through which he granted free will and true life, imbuing a fëa within the beings he created. The Ainur and Eä were made through it.
Without it the appearance of life would merely be a mockery animated with a Vala's will, such as Morgoth's corruptions, which lived but did not have free will or true life. Melkor was envious of it and sought it in the Void, but the Flame was only with Eru. It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, and later Ilúvatar set it (or an aspect of it) at the centre of Arda.
The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all fëa: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought. Aulë's Dwarves were not made in mockery of Eru's or any other Vala's creation, but they did not have independent thought or life until Eru granted them fëa.
Gandalf the Grey referred to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm