Ekkaia

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Beyond The Uttermost West by Tania Weil.

Ekkaia (also called the Encircling Sea, the Outer Sea, or the Outer Ocean) was the mighty sea that surrounded all the lands of Arda, Middle-earth and Aman alike. Its dark waters lapped the western shores of Valinor, and at its distant unknown edge stood the Walls of Night. Ulmo's halls were within the Outer Sea.[1]

During their time in Valinor Fëanor and his sons visited the shores of these waters.[2] The Helcaraxë was the narrow strait between the Outer Sea and Belegaer, where in the chilled waters clashed hills of ice amidst vast fogs of deathly cold.[3]

It is said that mortal Men made their last journey across this frigid ocean.[4]

Etymology

The name Ekkaia, commonly understood to be Quenya,[5][6] was not explained by Tolkien.

Helge Fauskanger has tried to explain Ekkaia by deriving it from the unattested form et-gaya ("out-sea"; cf. et "out").[5]

Robert Ireland links Ekkaia to the root KHAYA ("far, distant"), which appears to include among its derivatives an adverb similar in form: ekkaira ("far off, far away").[6][7]

See also

References