Lost Isle

A name given to the island of Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle on which the Elves dwelt beyond the Western Sea. In ancient times, it had been used by the Vala Ulmo to carry to the Eldar across the Sea from Middle-earth to Aman, before being anchored in the Bay of Eldamar. In those early times, it was the home of the Teleri, until they removed to the shores of Eldamar and established their harbour city of Alqualondë.

In the closing years of the Second Age, the rebellion of the Númenóreans and their attempted invasion of Aman caused a change in the world. The lands of the West were taken away, so that they could no longer be reached by mortal mariners. The Lonely Isle off the shores of Aman was also taken out of the world at this time, and so it became the Lost Isle for the peoples remaining in Middle-earth.

Nonetheless, the island was not entirely lost to the Elves of Middle-earth, who could still sail the Straight Road and reach the West. Throughout the Third Age, many of them made this journey and settled on the Lost Isle. Indeed, long after the War of the Ring, Legolas himself - who had sung of the Lost Isle - would make that westward journey. It was said that he and his friend Gimli set out across the Great Sea and travelled into the lost West.