Timeline Event
Friendship grows between Dwarves of Moria and Elven-smiths of Eregion
Event Type: Cultural/Social
Age: 2nd Age - Pre-Rings
Year: 0750
Description:
An event in the aftermath of the Foundation of Eregion; see that entry for more information:
Later some of the Noldor went to Eregion, upon the west of the Misty Mountains, and near to the West-gate of Moria. This they did because they learned that mithril had been discovered in Moria. The Noldor were great craftsmen and less unfriendly to the Dwarves than the Sindar; but the friendship that grew up between the people of Durin and the Elven-smiths of Eregion was the closest that there has ever been between the two races. Celebrimbor was lord of Eregion and the greatest of their craftsmen; he was descended from Fëanor.
The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Second Age
Eregion was nigh to the great mansions of the Dwarves that were named Khazad-dûm, but by the Elves Hadhodrond, and afterwards Moria. From Ost-in-Edhil, the city of the Elves, the highroad ran to the west gate of Khazad-dûm, for a friendship arose between Dwarves and Elves, such as has never elsewhere been, to the enrichment of both those peoples.
The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
But close under the cliff there stood, still strong and living, two tall trees ... of holly ... standing like sentinel pillars at the end of the road. ...
'Here the Elven-way from Hollin ended. Holly was the token of the people of that land, and they planted it here to mark the end of their domain; for the West-door was made chiefly for their use in their traffic with the Lords of Moria. Those were happier days, when there was still close friendship at times between folk of different race, even between Dwarves and Elves.'
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 4, A Journey in the Dark
The Moon now shone upon the grey face of the rock ... slowly on the surface, ... faint lines appeared, like slender veins of silver running in the stone. ... they grew broader and clearer, until their design could be guessed.
At the top, ... was an arch of interlacing letters in an Elvish character. Below, ... the outline could be seen of an anvil and a hammer surmounted by a crown with seven stars. Beneath these again were two trees, each bearing crescent moons. More clearly than all else there shone forth in the middle of the door a single star with many rays.
'There are the emblems of Durin!' cried Gimli.
'And there is the Tree of the High Elves!' said Legolas.
'And the Star of the House of Fëanor,' said Gandalf. 'They are wrought of ithildin that mirrors only starlight and moonlight....' ...
'The words are in the elven-tongue of the West of Middle-earth in the Elder Days,' answered Gandalf. 'But they do not say anything of importance to us. They say only: The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. And underneath small and faint is written: I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs.' ...
'Yes,' said Gandalf, 'these doors are probably governed by words. ... In the days of Durin they were not secret. They usually stood open and doorwards sat here. But if they were shut, any who knew the opening word could speak it and pass in.'
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 4, A Journey in the Dark
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 10Oct05
