Chasm of Ilmen
The Chasm of Ilmen (Qenya: Ilmen-assa[1]:Note #5) is the gap between the edge of the World and Vaiya. It is filled with the air of Ilmen.[1]
Where the interior seas fell down the Chasm of Ilmen, their waterfalls made bridges of ice which close the chasm. The ice extended to all Vaiya and even the Ilurambar.[1]
Tilion who guides the Moon plunges in the chasm between the western shores of the earth and Vaiya, the Outer Sea.[1][2]
Other versions of the Legendarium
Christopher Tolkien notes that in the Ambarkanta, as well as an earlier unfinished version of the Silmarillion (c. 1937)[note 1], there is a chasm between the Earth and the Outer Sea (=Vaiya), into which Tilion guides the Moon. However for the published Silmarillion,[note 2] he preferred a later passage (c. 1951)[note 3] where Tilion plunges into a chasm which is beyond the Outer Sea (=Ekkaia).[3]
Notes
- ↑ Cf. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion", p.242
- ↑ Cf. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"
- ↑ Cf. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "The Annals of Aman": §177
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Of the Fashion of the World"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion", p.242
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Commentary on the Ambarkanta", p.154, footnote
