Undying Lands

A part of Aman inhabited by the Maiar, Valar, and Elves, Undying Lands was the name of a partially-hidden mystical continent at the West of Middle Earth. The region covered the island of Tol Eressea and the realm of Aman. It was separated from the Western shores of Middle Earth by the sea Belegaer. The realm allowed only angel-like beings as well as the immortals [1].

History

The name ‘Undying Lands’ probably originated among Men. The native people and the Elves who could not die lived here for millennia. Mortals were permitted to trade with people in this land but were not allowed to sail from their island to the shores of Aman. Many of them, particularly the Numenoreans, envied this immortal life of those living in the area. In the Second Age, Sauron convinced the King of Numenor that the ruler of Undying Lands would get immortality. Believing him, the King, with a vast navy, sailed across the ocean to attack Valar for this prize. To prevent the invasion, Iluvatar destroyed the land of Numenor. After this, the Undying Lands were never a part of the world, and the mortal men could never reach it, though the Elves were allowed to sail West if they liked.

Third Age

During the Third Age, Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, and the Ring Bearers, along with Cirdan, the Shipwright sailed towards the Undying Lands to settle there. They were accompanied by Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, and Hobbits who were some of the mortal beings permitted to enter the land. [2]

Fourth Age

As time passed, other mortals like Samwise Gamgee, a Hobbit along with Dwarf Gimli and his friend Legolas set on a journey to the Undying Lands. It is strange how Manwe reacted to Gimli’s arrival because he could have killed him if he arrived at Valinor without invitation and could have spared his life only if he came on behalf of the Men and Elves.​