Tanroth
"Our roads crossed after all then," the male elf announced, while the nine of them were all over-excited about their reunion.
They sat around the fire, in a circle, telling stories. Tanroth tried to keep up, but somehow it didn't interest him. Yesterday's and today's events were troubling him. He had been so worried, not only for Erfalas, Imthôlion, Dunaire and Arilewen, but also regarding the cliff incident. He shook his head, and tried to relax. Everyone was gathered together now, which was the true issue.
The sky turned black with silver dots, when at last the company went to sleep.
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When Tanroth woke up the next morning, the first thing he did was to urge the others up, as well. It was important to get moving now; he was starting to doubt this, but didn't confess his concerns this morning. They packed, hurrying to eat a small breakfast. They turned out the fire, and covered their tracks; they would need to be more careful than what they had been earlier; Sauron's forces were moving, moving with great speed....
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They walked for two days, hearing the streaming river, Sirannon, which they followed. The Gates of Moria grew near, and the company felt their heart lighten as they knew Ost-in-edhil was close. That evening when they camped, Tanroth told a story about the lost city, Ost-in-Edhil, which was founded by the by their very own Queen Galadriel and her husband, Celeborn.
"It was in the year 750 of the Second Age, Lady Galadriel and Celeborn founded the city of the Elves in Eregion Ost-in-Edhil, on the North brink of Glanduin. This is very near the junction with Sirannon and East of Nîn-in-Eilph. Celebrimbor, who had an exceptional obsession with crafts, like dwarves, " Tanroth paused, as the elves giggled. "Followed in the trail of Galadriel and Celeborn." Tanroth spoke in a deep voice, looking at each and every, to see their reactions towards his story. Many, or rather everyone, knew the story already, but no one had any objections regarding, hearing it again.
"In early tales, Celebrimbor was said to be one of the greatest artificers of Turgon.
He survived the sack of Nargothrond and followed the Lady and Celeborn, when going east over Ered Luin. Soon, Celebrimbor became the most renown smith in Ost-in-Edhil and in Middle-earth. Ost-in-edhil was at that time a city with great Elven- smiths, such as Celebrimbor, and had also close relations with the dwarves in Moria. When the Numenorians arrived at Lond Daer, they founded the city known as Tharbad, which grew in power and might," Tanorth stopped, now only whispering. The others looked up, hoping to get more out of Tanroth and hear the rest of the story.
The male elf continued, telling the others of how Sauron in the year 1200 in the Second Age, came disguised to Ost-in-Edhil. He offered the story about the Elven-smiths, which did not know of this new-comer's hidden intensions, and welcomed the Maia, who tried to pass for being a great teacher within craft. "The smiths in Ost-in-Edhil still didn't know anything, and learned eagerly from their new teacher, who after some time they
did get knowledge from," he stated.
He jumped to the part concerning Galdriel and Celeborn, and told the others about how Gladriel and Celeborn however, saw at once who this really was and what his intentions were. Unfortunately they were unable to convince the smiths that this teacher was indeed Sauron. The Elven-smiths were persuaded to revolt against Galdriel and Celeborn by Sauron himself.
Gadriel decided in the year 1350 to leave Eregion, to seek for happiness in Lorien, but this would also mean that she had to enter the Dwarf mines, and go through Khazad-Dum; Celeborn refused this.
In 1500 of the Second Age, the Elve-smiths reached the heights of their skills. It was then the forging of the Elven-Rings began. Sauron deceived the smiths, and made the One Ring to Rule them all. Celebrimbor though, figured this out, and at that time the War between the Elves and Sauron started.
"Ost-in-Edhil was laid in ruins in the late year of 1600th of the Second Age."
Tanroth finished his tale, as the Elves prepared to go to bed. They would pass Ost-in-Edhil in a day or so.
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Ost-in-Edhil info source: Annals of Arda
[ November 16, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]