Endless Valinor ?

[R.]

Let me start by saying that i'am brand new to this site. I chose this Tolkien site because it's the most knowledable and correct amongst all others. My question is what's your opinion whether the land of Valinor was endless I mean like the forests and plains. Just wanted to know peoples personal thoughts. Hello and Thanks


Ron

[Morthoron]

No, Valinor is not endless from a continental standpoint. It is bound on the west by Ekkaia (the Encircling Sea) and by the Sea of Belegaer to the east. It's northern extremity is buried in the grinding ice of Helcaraxe.

[R.]

OK but if one were to enter say the Forest of Oromë or the gardens of Lórien. Could they maybe be endless if they chose them to be ?


Ron

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Welcome, r.j.c.! Well, as for the "endlessness" of Valinor, while I see what you mean and it will be nice (and I think quite appropriate), it seems clear that even here Valar are bound by the "boundaries of the realm of Arda", so to say. Or to use the Professor's words:

Originally Posted by Silmarillion; Of the Darkening of Valinor

Though all tides and seasons were at the will of the Valar, and in Valinor there was no winter of death, nonetheless they dwelt then in the Kingdom of Arda, and that was but a small realm in the halls of Eä, whose life is Time, which flows ever from the first note to the last chord of Eru.

Here it concerns mainly the time, but it tells us something about the "place" too. I would say, interestingly, one could probably make a map of Valinor if he wanted to. The reason why those who dwelt there didn't feel tired of it (as the knowledge of it was finite) was probably that the things there were unfading - somewhat like Lothlórien as described in FotR was (however that was only a mere reflection).

[Morwen]

But Iluvatar showed forth his power, and he changed the fashion ofthe world.....the land of Aman and Eressea of the Eldar were taken away and removed beyond the reach of Men for ever,..... for Valinor and Eressea were taken from it into the realm of hidden things.

Silmarillion, Akallabeth

Would the geographical boundaries of Valinor still apply after the Akallabeth? If it is no longer in and of the physical world would physical boundaries still apply?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Morwen

Would the geographical boundaries of Valinor still apply after the Akallabeth? If it is no longer in and of the physical world would physical boundaries still apply?

It could be, however I would personally believe that it is not so. It was simply "re-located" - we are told that it was hidden, but nothing more than that. Also, it will be "altering the plans of Valinor" - bear in mind that Akallabeth was not originally planned. Had it not happened, Valinor would have remained the same, so altering its geographical boundaries would be also something "out of plan" - and somewhat illogical, I would say.