The Undying Lands: Normal Rules for Entering Them Expained
Valinor, which means "land of the Valar," is literally the residence of the Valar, the gods of the world functioning under the direction of Eru Ilúvatar, the ultimate creator. Before the world of Men started to flourish, the Elves were able to establish a paradise for themselves at Valinor, a realm of great beauty and might. Although there are particular guidelines for entering Valinor, the Valar more than the Elves dictates determines these laws. Originally heading west to Valinor, the Valar decided it was time the Elves should go back to Middle-earth following the creation of the world of Men.
After Sauron's fall, the Valar first fled Middle-earth; the realm of Men began to take shape. It was a great humiliation to the Elves when they left Middle-earth and headed west; they could not approach the Undying Lands without permission from the Valar. Though they had a place in Valinor, this was essentially an act seen by many Elves as treacherous.
Every Ringbearer Let Into Undying Lands Lord of the Rings
Frodo carried the One Ring, hence he was let enter the Undying Lands mostly for this reason. Frodo was not the only mortal being let traverse into the Undying Lands as a ring bearer. Bilbo Baggins received "a special honor" from the Elves as Frodo tells in Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the King. He and Frodo were therefore let to go on the White Ship with Elrond, Celeborn, and Galadriel.
Later, Samwise Gamgee sets off a trip to the Undying Lands most likely to find Frodo. Sam was also officially bearing the One Ring since he thought Shelob had slain Frodo, so contributing significantly to Sauron's downfall. Originally part of the Valar's scheme to revitalize the world of Men, which started with Aragorn's ascent to the throne and Sauron's demise, the Ringbearers were eventually let into the Undying Lands.
Why Was Frodo Let Into The Undying Lands Such A Big Deal?
Frodo and Bilbo's presence on the White Ship is explained in the movies as a particular honor from the Elves; practically no reference of the eternal beings and spirits ruling the world is made in the films. Actually, Frodo gets permission from the Valar themselves in the books—though indirectly. Arwen pleaded to the Valar to let Frodo travel west; it was actually her suggestion. She even promised to renounce her own privilege to travel west so Frodo may be allowed.
According to one of Tolkien's own writings, Gandalf approved her offer since he was a direct Valar agent. Gandalf had far more influence than the movies suggest, hence he made the last choice to let Frodo and Bilbo pass the Undying Lands. Gandalf was "virtually their plenipotentiary in accomplishing the plan against Sauron," Tolkien notes. Frodo's path to the Undying Lands was a reward for his key part in basically forward-moving the planet. Fascinatingly, Gimli later disobeyed Undying Lands' restrictions when Legolas brought him there on his own trip, and their friendship endured always.
Lord of the Rings: The Undying Lands Justified
Released by Amazon under the title The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power, the multimedia franchise comprising multiple films and a TV show is The Lord of the Rings. Based on the book series J.R. Tolkien started in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring, the franchise With Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, the Lord of the Rings observed mainstream appeal.
Within the Tolkien universe, the Undying Lands—also known as Aman or Valinor—have particular importance. Where the Elves who had travelled from Middle-earth found their last home, here is a paradise—a sanctuary of peace and beauty outside of the mortal realm. Living in Valinor, the angelic entities guiding the formation of the earth, the Valar shaped the terrain and gave the Elves direction. The Undying Lands were, for many Elves, the ideal destination—a place where they may live out their everlasting lives in peace with the divine and the earth.
Middle-earth's Valar's Strategy
Perhaps the most significant character in The Lord of the Rings is Frodo Baggins, whose ultimate trip to the Undying Lands was the payback for his bravery. Though he spent little time in the Shire after the One Ring was destroyed, the hobbit sadly still carried the marks of his path. Long after he had returned home, the knife wound from the Witch-king of Angmar and the sting from Shelob still causing him agony in the novels.
Frodo therefore never really recovered from the work that almost claimed his life. Following the completion of his tale The Lord of the Rings, which he included into Bilbo's There and Back Again, Frodo sets forth on the White Ship from the Grey Heavens, headed for the Undying Lands, including the celestial domain of Valinor. At that time, Frodo's trip there was singular in the history of Middle-England and required particular permission from several entities.
