Doors of Durin

The Doors stand on the Moria side of Eregion, where the Sirannon once ran down from the mountains. By the time of the War of the Ring the stream had been dammed and a dark, still lake lay against the cliff face, with dead holly trees on its shore.

The gate was built in the long friendship between Khazad-dûm and Eregion. Narvi the dwarf made it, Celebrimbor of Hollin drew the signs, and the whole design is worked in ithildin, which shows only under moonlight or starlight. The inscription announces the doors and invites a friend to speak and enter. Gandalf spent a long time on the riddle before realizing the answer was simply the elvish word for friend, mellon.

They stood open while Moria lived and were shut after the Dwarves fled. The Fellowship went in on 13 January TA 3019. The Watcher in the Water took hold of Frodo as they entered, and in driving it off the company pulled the doors shut behind them and the stone and trees came down across the entrance, closing that road.

Events at this place

1. TA 3019, January 13 · The Lord of the Rings

   Gandalf opens the West-gate

   After failing on the inscription's riddle, Gandalf spoke the word mellon and the doors opened for the Fellowship.

2. TA 3019, January 13 · The Lord of the Rings

   The Watcher in the Water attacks

   A many-armed creature in the lake seized Frodo at the threshold. The company escaped inside and the doorway was blocked behind them.

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