How was the Ban of the Valar Enforceable if the Ainur Were Not Allowed to Harm the Children of Ilúvatar?

Many have pondered over the enforceability of the Valar's ban on harming the Children of Ilúvatar. The question is complex and multifaceted, touching upon the relationships between the Ainur, Elvish enforcers, and the physical and magical barriers that protect Aman.

The Nature of the Ban

The Ban itself is a regulatory measure designed to protect the Children of Ilúvatar from physical harms. This ban, however, does not solely pertain to direct physical harm but extends to barriers and enchantments intended to hinder mortal wanderers from reaching Aman. The underlying principle is to ensure that the Valar, while having the power to harm, would not do so gratuitously or by design.

Methods of Enforcement

The Valar had multiple methods to dissuade and neutralize potential wanderers. These included enchantment-protected islands, traps, and other physical and magical deterrents. The Numenoreans were able to pass through these barriers due to their exceptional navigational prowess, but their success was largely the result of their skill rather than any weakening of these protective measures.

Reevaluation of

One point of contention is whether the Ainur, including the Valar themselves, consistently respected the Ban by not harming the Children of Ilúvatar. Historical examples show instances where Ainur did indeed harm or kill the Children, often for strategic or calculated purposes. For instance, Uinen drowned slayers in Alqualond, Oss? killed many sailors and destroyed coastlands, and Manw? sent clouds with lightning against Númenor.

Although such acts were rare, they demonstrate that the policy of never harming the Children was not always adhered to, even by the most powerful Valar. This raises questions about the enforceability and adherence to the Ban. Furthermore, the Ainur, being powerful beings themselves, could have devised any plan to prevent Men from reaching Valinor, even without the intervention of the Elves.

Methods of Protection

The Valar could have used enchantments and other magical barriers to deter trespassers. If such measures failed, they could have easily dispatched Maiar, lesser Ainur with the ability to enforce the Ban. There is evidence suggesting that the Valar could have sent Maiar to ensure the security of their realm. The ban was, however, a defensive measure, not an aggressive one. The intent was more to make sailors lose their way or be detained than to kill.

Even if a few managed to navigate the barriers, the possibility of physical harm being inflicted was limited. If anyone managed to reach the Shadowy Seas and enchanted isles, they would likely fall into eternal slumber. In the rare event that someone managed to bypass these defenses, lethal action would be necessary but only as a last resort.

The Case of Turgon's Embassy

There is a notable example of Turgon's embassy, where seven ships were sent to Valinor, with only one returning and Voronw? surviving Oss?'s wrath. No explicit mention is made of the fate of the other mariners. This outlier further complicates the question of enforcement, as it suggests a variable and potentially arbitrary application of the Ban.

In conclusion, while the Ban of the Valar was a defensive measure and not intended to cause direct harm, the methods of enforcement were varied and often magical. The Ainur, including the Valar, had the capability to create and enforce these barriers and deterrents. However, the adherence to the Ban by individual Ainur and its enforceability in extreme circumstances remains a subject of debate.