Dear Diary,
Imladris is a strange place. A secret valley hidden away from the everyday world, yet messengers arrive daily with news from beyond its borders.
You wouldn't think of the Elves liking gossip, but they are as eager to share snippets of information as a couple of Hobbit wives at the market. Of course they call it discussion.
Being so small has it's advantages, and of course I practically make myself disappear if I don't want to be seen. So I have been privvy to some of these discussions, gossip swapping and tittle-tattle.
I shall share some of the interesting bits with you, I'm sure you don't want to hear about which Elf is courting who and why the families are opposed. Or maybe you are, but I wont tell.
I was in the Library behind a rather large stack of papers when I heard that one. I don't think it's suitable to share even with you.
Anyway, back to one of the more interesting snippets I've heard over the last few days.
The Dwarven City-mine of Kazak doom carzik dum Moria has been over-run with foul creatures. A whole city of Dwarf Lads, Lasses and babes in arms destroyed. According to the gossip the mine had been closed to the outside for many years. This isn't unusual for Dwarves, they mine and sell the ore. With the money they stock their larders with food and supplies, often years and years worth, and then shut the doors to the outside and chase a new ore seam. When the seam is spent and the ore has all been won from the rock they open the doors and allow visitors once again.
I suppose it makes sense, by closing the doors to visitors all the Dwarves can concentrate on opening the new seam.
I must admit, when I heard about this I found it a bit strange, so I sought out one of the Dwarf traders that supply the goats to Imladris. They told me it was true about the closing of mines and got very excited about Moria opening up again. They told me Moria was the richest of the Dwarf City-Mines and that the halls are paved with gold and even the poorest Dwarf ate from Mithril plates.
I'm not sure I believe the tales of Mithril plates and gold paved roads. Maybe one day I will travel there and see it for myself.
I have almost exhausted the Library for music and the farming books are nearly all copied. Each of the copied farming books is packed in oiled cloth and sent back to The Great Smials. I hope they can serve The Shire well.
I wonder if the Dwarf Libraries are still there in Moria. I would love to see Dwarf music.
