Straight Way
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In the fictional world of Middle-earth by J. R. R. Tolkien the Straight Way refers to the path now hidden that leads from the Outer Lands (i.e. Middle-earth) to Valinor.
The Straight Way has come into existence since the World was made round in the end of the Second Age with new lands arising from the sea where Valinor had once been and Aman itself being removed outside the now spherical Earth. The Straight Way is thus the only means of travelling from Middle-earth to the Blessed Realm (and vice-versa?) and the vital cord that unites these places, although it cannot be found by all. It exists primarily for the use of Noldorin Elves returning to Valinor from the exile in Middle-earth and Sindar and Moriquendi who are coming for the first time to Aman. In rare occasions have other beings found the Straight Path to the West and then only by the guidance of Elves, travelling with their ships (these include Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gimli). The only recorded human to do so and return to tell the tale is Ælfwine or Eriol, the English mariner.
In The History of Middle-earth, Volume II, the Straight Way is referred to as being invisible, set on the sea and towards the sky, leading to another sea beyond Belegaer and thus to the Bay of Eldamar. This is shown by the fact that Ælfwine's ship sails in the sea at first and then suddenly it is lifted in the air, then it lands on water once more. Descriptions vary slightly among other works of J. R. R. Tolkien.
