English: Arda in the Ages of the Lamps, in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. The continent of Middle-earth at that time covered the whole of Arda; at its centre was the Great Lake, and at its centre was the Island of Almaren, where the Valar dwelt. Middle-earth was illuminated by two great lamps, set on tall pillars of rock: to the North, the pillar (named Helcar in an early draft) bearing Illuin, the sky-blue lamp; to the South, the pillar (named Ringil in an early draft) bearing Ormal, the high-gold lamp.