 All beings not created directly by Eru (e.g., Dwarves, Ents, Eagles) still needed to be accepted by Eru to become more than mere puppets of their creator.The evil Melkor, who had originally been Eru's most powerful servant, desired the Flame Imperishable and long sought for it in vain, but he could only twist that which had already been given life.The "Flame Imperishable" or "Secret Fire" represents the Holy Spirit in Christian theology.