gates of moria question
 

I haven't read all the way through the Sil, the answer is probably in there, but I'm busy, lazy, and curious. This has bothered me for a long time...why is the language above the gates of moria in elvish when it's a dwarvish cave? Elves don't like caves. They don't like dwarves. So why elvish? Someone told me that dwarves don't have their own written language. Is that the reason or is there more to the story?

[ May 18, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ]

The dwarves of Moria and the elvensmiths of Eregion had the closest relationship between elves and dwarves. Hence it was an elf (Celebrimbor) who made the dwarven gate and since his people also were to ones to use it mostly (alongside with the dwarves of course), it was made in elven language. It is also possible that the enchantment upon the gate could only be made with elven letters.

[ May 18, 2002: Message edited by: Daniel Telcontar ]

That's exactly it, you beat me to the answer! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I think that Celebrimbor and....uh, crap I forget his name! Celebrimbor and some other dwarf, oh yeah! Narvi, I think it's Narvi. Well anyway, Celebrimbor and Narvi were said to have the closest relationship between dwarf and elf besides Legolas and Gimli. And Narvi built the west gate of Moria and Celebrimbor drew the signs and designs and stuff. And that's why it's in elvish.

I have not heard of Narvi before, but I trust you. When I think closer, I do remember something of a dwarf working together with Celebrimbor. And now I know his name. Thanks! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ May 18, 2002: Message edited by: Daniel Telcontar ]

Yeah, you're right, it's Narvi!

I am curious. Where did you find the name Narvi?

It is in The Fellowship of The Ring when Gandalf is reading the company what is written on the doors. It says something like "I, Narvi, made these doors. Celebrimbor drew the symbols." That is not exact so you will have to go back and read for yourself.

Thanks. Now that I see your post, I remember that part. I ave another question for you, Elendur. I saw some people debating Elendur's esquire, and it took me some time before I realized that Elendur and Isildur are the same person. Why is Elendur used as another name for Isildur? Or am I totally wrong?

Thanks Elendur, your name brother seems to have been a great guy!!

*sticks her tongue out* and again someone grabs a question that I actually new the ANSWER to! LOL [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

One odd thing is that on the doors of Khazad-Dum the name is Moria (which translates into blackpit) why would the Dwarves write that on the doors of the greatest kingdom in the peak of its glory?

Just for those of you wondering the door says:
Which means, "The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."

I think the main reason why the inscription was in elvish was because the dwarves only spoke their language among themselves and they didn't teach it to anybody, they preferred to learn other languages.

Daniel Telcontar, Elendur and Isildur aren't the same person. The name Elendur is quite common, Those that I can remember now:

Isildur's eldest son
The 9th King of Arnor

Thanks, everyone. That cleared up my question. In over a dozen readings, I totally missed the detail about the door in FOTR.

Another question. What's the best available index for Tolkien's works? "Moria" or "Gates of Moria" wasn't listed in the index in back of ROTK? (Of course my copy is from the sixties, the new ones may be better.)