question about lord of the rings

[qface64x]

i have seen the movies multiple times (never read the book) but one thing im curious about and never really understood is where were all the elves going? and why? maybe they touched on the subject and i just don't remember but it seems like they were all abandoning ship long before things even got close to hitting the fan

what exactly is middle earth for that matter? is it the world they live in or is it only like a single continent of a much larger world?
i mean the elves were leaving on boats were they not concerned that sauron would follow them if he got his way?

oh and this just popped into my head but as gandalf said where are gondors armies?

[Full_Vernian]

There's another continent called "Valinor" across the ocean to the west of middle earth, created by the "gods" as a haven from evil. When the elves first woke up in the east the gods called to them and told them to cross the ocean to be with them. Some went, some went part of the way and stopped, some went and then came back for various reasons, and some never answered the call in the first place. That's where the difference between all the wood elves, high elves, sea elves, deep elves, dark elves, ect comes from. But they all have the desire to go over the ocean to Valinor. By the end of the third age (when the movies are set), they've mostly all gone.

[hotie000]

Since where the elves are going has been answered, I shall answer your latter questions.
Middle Earth is a single continent of a much larger world, however it is the only surviving one since Valinor is hidden from all except elves leaving Middle Earth and Numenor perished when the Numenoreons broke the Ban of the Valar. As for where Gondor's armies are, I must admit I do not know for certain on this one, however it does mention in the books that Gondor is at the end of its might so their army is nearly entirely gone. The only armies they have are the men who guard the city, the rangers who patrol in Ithilden (correct my spelling here), and the various peoples who live nearby like the knights of Dol Amroth. Finally the elves knew that if Sauron gained the ring, he could eventually assault Valinor, but they were willing to take a chance.

[spoonybard111]

hotie000

The only armies they have are the men who guard the city, the rangers who patrol in Ithilden (correct my spelling here), and the various peoples who live nearby like the knights of Dol Amroth.

Faramir and his rangers guard the forest of Ithilien. And was I the only one who was severely disappointed that Prince Imrahil did not get any screen time?

[Its A Crystal]

hotie000

he could eventually assault Valinor, but they were willing to take a chance.

Could he have? Didn't Eru Illvutar literally seperate it from Adra and put it in a parallel universe? I mean, what would he do? Sail west? Wouldn't that just lead him to The New Lands? I mean, unless he could somehow open The Straight Road I don't see how he would get there....

Even if he did.... Wouldn't Tulkas just beat the s**t out of him? ;D

[Its A Crystal]

Its A Crystal

hotie000

he could eventually assault Valinor, but they were willing to take a chance.

Could he have? Didn't Eru Illvutar literally seperate it from Adra and put it in a parallel universe? I mean, what would he do? Sail west? Wouldn't that just lead him to The New Lands? I mean, unless he could somehow open The Straight Road I don't see how he would get there....

We must also consider his motivations a la "Morgoth's Ring" would Sauron even WANT to attack Valinor? It was Morgoth's end goal to simply destroy everything. Sauron, on the other hand, wanted control. I highly doubt he could control (Or even defeat) all of the Valar, who he would have to fight if he were to try to attack Valinor.

Even if he did.... Wouldn't Tulkas just beat the s**t out of him? ;D