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Places in Middle-earth

Ekkaia

Type: Seas, Oceans, Bays

Region: Other Arda

Other Names The Outer Ocean, The Outer Sea, the Encircling Sea, Vaiya (used in early versions)

Location: Surrounding Arda

Description: "...the Outer Sea, that is called by the Elves Ekkaia, encircling the Kingdom of Arda. How wide is that sea none know but the Valinor, and beyond it are the walls of the Night."

The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 1, Of The Beginning of Days

Initially after the First Rising of the Moon and Sun, there was constant light. In response to those that asked for a time of dark so that the stars were not always hidden:
"…Varda changed her counsel, and allowed a time wherein the world should still have shadow and half-light. Anar rested therefore a while in Valinor, lying upon the cool bosom of the Outer Sea; and Evening, the time of the descent and resting of the Sun, was the hour of greatest light and joy in Aman. But soon the Sun was drawn down by the servants of Ulmo, and went then in haste under the Earth, and so came unseen to the east and there mounted the heaven again, lest night be over-long and evil walk under the Moon. But by Anar the waters of the Outer Sea were made hot and glowed with coloured fire, and Valinor had light for a while after the passing of Arien."

The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 11, Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor

Ulmo dwells in Ekkaia:
"Within these walls the Earth is globed: above, below, and upon all sides is Vaiya, the Enfolding Ocean. But this is more like to sea below the Earth and more like to air above the Earth. In Vaiya below the Earth dwells Ulmo. ... But in the North and South, where there is most cold and darkness and Middle-earth extends nigh to the Walls of the World, Vaiya and Vista and Ilmen flow together and are confounded. "

The Shaping of Middle-earth, HoME Vol 4, Ch 5, The Ambarkanta, Of The Fashion Of The World

"Next in might and closest in friendship to Manwe is Ulmo, lord of waters, who dwells alone in the Outer Seas, but has the government of all water, seas and rivers, fountains and springs, throughout the earth."

The Lost Road and Other Writings, HoME Vol 5, Part 2, Ch 6, Quenta Silmarillion

Contributors: Zimraphel. 07July03 Added quotes, links and names Lyllyn 01Jan05

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