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Originally Posted by Puddleglum
But as Eru (God) and pre-existing, self-incarnating spirits (Valar/Maier) are all REAL (within his secondary subcreation), I think there is basis for leaving things a bit more mysterious as Valinor was removed (and thus voyagers travel) "into the realm of hidden (tho still physical and real) things"[/INDENT]
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The land of Aman, though still able to be found by those so ordained, was
not part of the "real" world any longer after the Downfall.
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.....Númenor was destroyed, and Eressëa and Valinor removed from the physically attainable earth.
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Letter 154
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....Númenor foundered and was utterly overwhelmed......and the Blessed Realm removed forever from the circles of the physical world.
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Letter 156
If the Ancient West was not physically
part of Middle-earth, how would Frodo possibly estimate the length and distance of his journey there? One may
attempt it during the voyage, but when one's estimations are based upon the known world, and they are passing
out of that world, such guesses are futile.