[ The bright amusement in his eyes doesn't fade, but he is courteous enough to let no hint of it seep into his voice or answer ]

Not before its beginnings, no - very early into it, however! And aye, there are those older than me. My parents were... the first generation of those born to the Unbegotten. But before we were there were still the Ainur, the Holy Ones, the Powers of the World, who are the offspring of the thoughts of Eru, the One, who is before all and beyond all.