Chronicled in Needlehole of i Drann in Eriador,
On this the 40th day of Firith in the Year 3018 of the Third Age.
It has been an enquië of uneventful travel from Duillond, and so my course has brought me over the White Downs, the chalk hills bordering the 'Westfarthing' region of i Drann, and through the Rushock Gate ere nightfall. As evening fell, I crossed two sturdy stone bridges, which in the twilight revealed themselves to be dwarf-built; for upon inspection they each beheld tokens of the Gonnhirrim (whom we name Nogothrim or Hadhodrim in the Sindarin tongue) etched upon their surface.
In the nearby village of Needlehole I thought to spend tonight, for the road descends southwards into Rushock Bog, and I care not for travelling through a foul swamp during the darkness of night, elven eyes or no. And here I found a small community of Hadhodrim who bear no enmity toward the Edhil, and with whom I fell to speaking. Proud they were to confirm that the Great East Road was indeed dwarf-built of old, and after I had shared what tidings I could of Ered Luin, were glad to instruct me in its ancient history:
It was during the First Age that the road was laid by the Khazâd (as the Hadhodrim name themselves); from the Iron Hills, through Rhovanion, to Khazad-dûm it reached in the days of old, then across Eriador to Ered Luin, and on into the Kingdom of Doriath in Beleriand. This western segment was built to ease the passage of companies of Dwarf craftsmen across east Beleriand long ere the Battle of the Thousand Caves by the dwarves of Nogrod ended trade with Menegroth.
And then, they told me, it came to pass that after the deluge of Beleriand and the ruin of Nogrod and Belegost in the War of Wrath, Durin's Folk (the dwarven house of the Longbeards who abode in Khazad-Dûm in the east) grew mighty in power and craft. Such was their reknown that the Men-i-Naugrim which led from the Iron Hills and traversed Taur-nu-Fuin to the gates of Khazad-Dûm, became widely known and well travelled. And to the west, the dwarven road of old still passed over Hithaeglir through the Pass of Imladris and extended across Eriador to Ered Luin, and this became known as the Great East Road in later days.
Then when the Númenórean realm of Arnor was founded by Elendil at the end of the Second Age, the Dúnedain assumed its care, and raised diverse fortresses along its course and i Varanduiniant over Baranduin and enhanced the Last Bridge across Mitheithel. But after the division of Arnor in the year 861 of the Third Age, the Great East Road traversed then the realm of Arthedain but formed the boundary betwixt its scion states of Cardolan and Rhudaur, and yet its care befell to Edain. Then in the year 1601 i Drann was founded, and the Periannath who abode therein were tasked with maintaining the mid-west section of the Great East Road. And thus for many long years were the Hadhodrim no longer the caretakers of this route, and all memory of their labour was lost, save for ancient landmarks such as the bridges I had examined.
Much aggrieved were these doughty Dwarves regarding this neglect of the industry of their ancestors, and little hope do they have that my humble chronicles might restore the glory of their race in the history of Ennor. Alas that this is doubtless true, but my assurance to share their tale henceforth with whomever cares to listen has briefly assuaged their displeasure.
And so now in these latter days of the Third Age, this broad and ancient western road is yet well-travelled by Dwarves who journey hither and thither the mines of Ered Luin, and Elves passing on to Mithlond and the ships of Círdan. And myself.
Now the night is late gone and the day long with travel, and the courtesy of dwarves insists on supping much ale during the sharing of news and tales of history!
Ni uhunc ylf ú-nedui! Boe annin postad.
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