Some thoughts on this discussion:
I can't see an contradiction for the Second Prophecy in the fact that Valinor was removed from the world. We are talking about the old concept of the world made round only by a hand stroke of Eru. He could have done in the end what ever he wanted. In addition we have the recovered Silmarils to deal with. When it is true that they could only be recovered by breaking the world, then the Arda Healed becomes a new meaning and can look like what ever you thing is needed for the Second Prophecy.
And also we should look more closely into the
Ainulindalë to get deeper understandings of this myths about the end of the world. If the Second Prophecy wasn't authentic from Mandos then the only source for elvish 'estel' or mannish myths about the end of the world lay in this text.
There are two places to look. One is the end of the music:
Quote:
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In the midst of this strife, whereat the halls of Ilúvatar shook and a tremor ran out into the silences yet unmoved, Ilúvatar arose a third time, and his face was terrible to behold. Then he raised up both his hands, and in one chord, deeper than the Abyss, higher than the Firmament, piercing as the light of the eye of Ilúvatar, the Music ceased.
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What we can read out of this, is that the final end of the Tale of Eä was a direct intervention of Eru himself.
The second place is were the
Ainulidalë tends to prophecy just at the beginning:
Quote:
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Never since have the Ainur made any music like to this music, though it has been said that a greater still shall be made before Ilúvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Ilúvatar after the end of days. Then the themes of Ilúvatar shall be played aright, and take Being in the moment of their utterance, for all shall then understand fully his intent in theeir part, and each shall know the comprehension of each, and Ilúvatar shall give to their thoughts the secret fire, being well pleased.
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Together with the statement found in the
Silmarillion that only Men will take part in the Second Music and the elvish 'estel' as Finrod reveals it to Andreth, I believe this means that Arda healed as a continuation of the tale of Eä and a dwelling place for the Elves is created by the Second Music. This also agrees perfectly with the statement, that the healing would be brought about by Mankind, since they take part in the Second Music.
All this of course shouldn't be said in any way in the revised Silmarillion, but to make up or mind to a interpretation of this hints and myths may help to decide to take the Second Prophecy in or not.
Respectfully
Findegil
[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: Findegil ]