A paradise on Middle-Earth

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Ordinarily it ought to be by the sea. However, The Grey Havens are a bit depressing and there are too many Elves around; and although it might sound exciting thinking about Wizards landing there you get the impression that any bored long-term residents would be moaning "You wait thousands of years here for a Wizard to come along and then five of them arrive all at once! Tch."

*Mr. Picky arrives* Not necessarily! According to one quite popular version, they did not arrive all at once, but one by one (or two, at maximum).

Originally Posted by Lal

So unless I could find a forgotten fishing village somewhere on the Western shores of Middle-earth then it has to be The Shire.

There were many like that in Enedwaith/Minhiriath...

And what about Brithombar/Eglarest? Or Númenor? Both, of course, only at certain time - but that goes even for the others you named.

Also, I take it that you are limiting your choices to cities or settlements at least. Because otherwise, there are many, many, many beautiful places that could be labelled "paradise", only there is no settlement in there. Not that the words "paradise" and "settlement" seem in any way logically connected in my mind

I already noted above that the surroundings of Vinyamar is the real paradise, and it was even inhabited at one time, so perhaps you could find that one suitable?

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

*Mr. Picky arrives* Not necessarily! According to one quite popular version, they did not arrive all at once, but one by one (or two, at maximum).

You should never let facts get in the way of a good joke.

Or even a bad one!

There were many like that in Enedwaith/Minhiriath...

And what about Brithombar/Eglarest? Or Númenor? Both, of course, only at certain time - but that goes even for the others you named.

Also, I take it that you are limiting your choices to cities or settlements at least. Because otherwise, there are many, many, many beautiful places that could be labelled "paradise", only there is no settlement in there. Not that the words "paradise" and "settlement" seem in any way logically connected in my mind

I already noted above that the surroundings of Vinyamar is the real paradise, and it was even inhabited at one time, so perhaps you could find that one suitable?

There would have to be some kind of human habitation or else I'd end up like Tom Hanks in that film where he starts going insane and having conversations with a football. Preferably this habitation would not feature Elves as their singing would get on my wick

[Gordis]

A paradise on ME? – But the place you would choose entirely depends on what you are.

For an Elf the paradise is certainly Lorien, a place made as much alike to Valinor as all the magic of Nenya had permitted. But is that a good place for humans? – hardly. The Rohirrim, Galadriel’s neighbors, deemed the Golden wood perilous and I don’t think it was unfounded. What happens to a mortal in this beautiful timeless realm? You stay there seemingly but for a few days – but in reality decades have passed unnoticed. You will waste your life in the Golden wood, living like in a dream where nothing really happens.

Rivendell is a tad better for us, mortals. Perhaps it is because Imladris was conceived by Peredhel, half-Elven. It is a place of lore and rest. Still it seems Elrond did meddle with Time somewhat, as Bilbo, for instance, had hard time keeping track of passing days. Then for all entertainment there is this singing and story-telling in the Hall of Fire that makes you so sleepy…. Day after day it might drive you crazy.

The Shire is a good place for an average 21 century human, peaceful and cheerful. But be prepared to eat eight meals a day, which might well ruin your waist-line. Also, won’t you feel a bit like Gulliver among the Lilliputians? I am not sure it is THAT pleasant to be almost twice taller than everybody else.

Rohan? Hmm, you may be fond of horses, but I guess you will miss the basic commodities of modern life.
Gondor is a good place, but be prepared to feel inferior to high-and-mighty Numenoreans. Also a view on Orodruin and the dark Shadow over the mountains might be unsettling. Worse still, if Mordor does attack while you are there.
I won’t even discuss Fangorn. You will run out of there in a few days, screaming.

If you are an orc, I would recommend Misty Mountains near Gundabad. In Moria there is a nasty big Barlog, while in Mordor or Isengard there will always be a Master eager to teach you proper orc manners with a whip.

If you are a wraith, head for Minas Morgul – you won’t find a better place in Middle Earth. Not only is it gorgeous, with its lofty tower, stunning statues, misty river and fields of white flowers, but it is as much attuned to us, wraiths, as Lorien is to Elves. Imlad Morgul is our paradise. I wouldn’t recommend the lonely Barrows of Cardolan, unless someone sends and binds you there. In this case, beware of an evil, unpredictable neighbor – Tom.

Hope that helps.

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Gordis

If you are an orc, I would recommend Misty Mountains near Gundabad. In Moria there is a nasty big Barlog, while in Mordor or Isengard there will always be a Master eager to teach you proper orc manners with a whip.

If you are a wraith, than head for Minas Morgul – you won’t find a better place in Middle Earth. Not only is it gorgeous, with its lofty tower, stunning statues, misty river and fields of white flowers, but it is as much attuned to us, wraiths, as Lorien is to Elves. Imlad Morgul is our paradise. I wouldn’t recommend the lonely Barrows of Cardolan, unless someone sends and binds you there. In this case, beware of an evil, unpredictable neighbor – Tom.

Man Gordis, you make some of the most horibal places in Arda sound wonderful. Have you ever concidered of becoming a salesman?

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Man Gordis, you make some of the most horibal places in Arda sound wonderful. Have you ever concidered of becoming a salesman?

He-he... If I get fired from my present work, I might find a job in a tourist agency.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by me

That is true. But I must say I chose Eithel Ivrin more because of artistic reasons than because of reasons that have something to do with my view of paradise in Arda. I just had the vision of the sun on the lake, small figures of Túrin and Gwindor at the front and the mountains and the blue sky at the background and as I was rather pleased with my sketch, I decided to do it.

Well, now I got my painting back and I think I have no reason not to post it here. I'm not entirely content with it and I think the camera doesn't flatter the colours, but here it comes...

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Man, Lommy! That is a beautiful picture! I wish that I was that good of an artist...

But, I might have changed my mind a bit....

I would dearly love to live in the Shire, it is a wonderful place with good food and friendly people... err, hobbits. Plus it has a beautiful landscape... but I really love my snowy winters. But there doesn't seem to be a place in ME that has a ton of snow in the winter unless you go to the top of Caradhras, which I don't really want to live there.
I think that I would travel a lot. I would live in the Shire because I dearly love it and it really is like a paradise. But I also would like to travel to Ithilien, Rohan, Gondor, Bree-land, Rivendell, Lothlorien, The Old Forest, Fangorn, and the Barrow-Downs... Plus I think that I will have to visit Tom Bombadil sometime too. My reason is that all of these places have there own appeal. But places such as Lorien and Rivendell are timeless wonders that are beautiful in there own way and I wouldn't mind a visit, but I couldn't stand living there my whole life. Nothing ever happens there and nothing changes. I would hate it, but I couldn't live in Gondor or Rohan either, my reason- too many wars, I can't stand war, I don't think that I could be strong enough to live in a place so close to Mordor with so much war.

My point is, my future husband better be prepared to travel a lot.