The Silmarillion comprises five parts. The first part, Ainulindal, tells of the creation of E, the "world that is". Valaquenta, the second part, gives a description of the Valar and Maiar, the supernatural powers in E. The next section, Quenta Silmarillion, which forms the bulk of the collection, chronicles the history of the events before and during the First Age, including the wars over the Silmarils which gave the book its title. The fourth part, Akallabeth, relates the history of the Downfall of Numenor and its people, which takes place in the Second Age. The final part, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, is a brief account of the circumstances which led to and were presented in The Lord of the Rings.The five parts were initially separate works, but it was the elder Tolkien's express wish that they be published together.