Mirrormere

Mirrormere lies in the Dimrill Dale on the eastern flank of the Misty Mountains, a short walk from Moria's East-gate, with the Silverlode running out of the valley nearby. It is small on the map and large in dwarf memory.

When Durin the Deathless first came over the mountains he looked into the lake and saw his own reflection crowned with stars, though it was daylight. He took that as a sign, and founded Khazad-dûm beneath the peaks above. Durin's Stone, a worn pillar, was set on the shore to mark the spot, and Dwarves who came that way would stop and look in.

Gimli did exactly that on 15 January TA 3019. Grieving after Gandalf's fall, he took Frodo and Sam aside to see the stone and the water, and they saw the crown of stars in the reflection while the sun stood over the dale. It is one of the few moments in The Lord of the Rings where a dwarf shows the rest of the company something of his own people's past.

Events at this place

1. FA 1 · The Silmarillion

   Durin looks into the lake

   Durin the Deathless saw a crown of stars reflected over his head in the daylit water and took it as a sign to found Khazad-dûm.

2. TA 3019, January 15 · The Lord of the Rings

   Gimli shows the Mirrormere to the hobbits

   Leaving Moria after Gandalf's fall, Gimli brought Frodo and Sam to Durin's Stone and the lake before the company moved on.

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