Easier way?

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I had always thought that they didn't really exist, but were instead products of the pipeweed-induced hallucinations of Bilbo and Gandalf. And Pippin. (Eomer)

This is an interesting theory. Powerful hallucinogenic compounds have been marketed in Middle-earth ever since the return of the Noldor. There has been much speculation regarding the origin of these mind-altering agents, although I for one believe they came from Eru himself, brought to Arda by the Ainur, and brought to ME by the Noldor.

Which brings to question the entire existence of Eä. Was it made solely by some drug in the punch bowl during the Ainulindalë? Was it all due to Eru's mass hallucination of the Ainur? If it is, then what are we talking about?

Oh, hush. You and your crackpot ideas.