June 3, 2003

Mae Govannen
Jarrickon Falconn

Thank you, Niphredil, for that information. My 'continent' conclusion was based upon the maps of Arda in the Tolkien Bestiary and the Atlas of Middle-earth, in which the Undying Lands are portrayed as being about the same size as Middle-earth. And likewise, I have absolutely no idea what you'd call Aman now that it has been removed from the circles of the world (nor how the gravity works. . .).

G, though your brother's question was answered, I deeply sympathize with you in regard to ignorant family members. My father has never read the books and after finally watching the theatrical release of FotR, couldn't understand why they didn't use the Ring against Sauron (I called him Boromir for that one), or why Galadriel told Frodo that "the entire rest of the Fellowship couln't be trusted," which she never did. He also continually refers to hobbits as Elves, and believes Gandalf's name to be "Grand-Elf." Arg. . .

By the way, Piper, I have read "Finding God in the Lord of the Rings," and found it to be rather interesting (I was especially glad to finally find a book that dispelled the beliefs of ignorant people that LotR is a pagan work of evil). Glad to have a fellow Christian on this board.

Oh! I thought of another reason Gimli would have been allowed to travel to Aman: Aulë, the Vala who created Dwarves, would certainly A) be glad to have one of his creations in Valinor, and B)have a good bit of sway with Manwë.

Namárië!