September 19, 2002

Answers for Smee and Smo
Matt McNabb

Arda refers to the entire Earth, Middle Earth being one continent of Arda. In the First Age Arda was flat. After the Noldorin Exile the Valar put an enchantment on the seas so that anyone trying to enter Valinor could nto reach it.

After the Fall of Numenor, however, the world was made round and Valinor was removed from the Earth. The Elves then could only come to Valinor by finding the "Straight Road".