Dimrill Dale

The Dimrill Dale opens east from the foot of the Misty Mountains under Caradhras, Celebdil and Fanuidhol. The Dimrill Stair climbs west from it to the Redhorn Pass. Moria's East-gate stands at its head. Downstream the Silverlode runs southeast toward Lothlórien, which is why the Fellowship reached the Golden Wood so soon after leaving the mountains.

The valley holds Mirrormere, the lake in which Durin saw a crown of stars, with Durin's Stone beside it. The Dwarves counted the whole dale holy ground.

In TA 2799 it became a battlefield. After six years of war the Dwarves met the orcs of the Misty Mountains in front of the East-gate. Frerin son of Thráin and many others died, Dáin Ironfoot killed Azog on the gate-step, and the Dwarves won but would not enter Moria. There were too many dead to lay in tombs, so the bodies were burned.

The Fellowship came out of the East-gate into this valley on 15 January TA 3019, leaderless after Gandalf's fall, and here Gimli showed Frodo and Sam the Mirrormere before they hurried on.

Events at this place

1. TA 2799 · Appendices

   Battle of Azanulbizar

   The last battle of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. Dáin Ironfoot killed Azog before the East-gate, but Moria stayed closed to the Dwarves.

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

   The Fellowship leaves Moria

   The company came out into the Dimrill Dale after Gandalf's fall and went on down the Silverlode toward Lothlórien.

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