Be that as it may, this theory was not asserted over the original. To do so would have been a massive, Reformation-style re-writing of the very essence of the mythology; as I have said, Tolkien did have several such ideas in his later life that, like this one, were totally incompatible with the existing writings.
In these existing writings, as is told in the beginning of the Silm, the world was sung into being in the Ainulindale and then wrought in all its aspects -- apart from the Children of Illuvatar, and the single intercession of Eru's own power in the Marring of Arda -- by the Ainur. Eru, of course, was responsible for all of this in the end. This includes the making of the stars, planets and Earth itself.
If Tolkien had thoughts about going back on this whole thing, the very creation of Arda involving Eru and the Ainur, then it was never and could never be realised.
The earth was flat, and then made round. Read the Akallabeth for details on this. We must take this to be the solid fact.
[ August 10, 2003: Message edited by: Gwaihir the Windlord ]
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