Mirrormere

 

Gandalf fought a monster known as a Balrog, and they both fell down a deep pit, likely to their deaths. After Gandalf's self-sacrifice, the Fellowship left the abandoned dwarvish city of Khazad-dûm and escaped the orcs who attacked them.

Members of the Fellowship were deeply saddened by the death of Gandalf, their friend and companion.

But as they continued onward, Gimli the dwarf requested a moment to admire a reflecting pool known as Mirrormere, which was held in high regard by the dwarves of his lineage. During a brief visit to the pool, Gimli discussed its connection to dwarvish history and prophecy.

 

'That is Durin's Stone!' cried Gimli. 'I cannot pass without turning aside for a moment to look at the wonder of the dale!'

'Be swift then!' said Aragorn, looking back towards the Gates. 'The Sun sinks early. The Orcs will not, maybe, come out till after dusk, but we must be far away before nightfall. The Moon is almost spent, and it will be dark tonight.'

'Come with me, Frodo!' cried the dwarf, springing from the road. 'I would not have you go without seeing Kheled-zaram.' He ran down the long green slope. Frodo followed slowly, drawn by the still blue water in spite of hurt and weariness; Sam came up behind.

Beside the standing stone Gimli halted and looked up. It was cracked and weather-worn, and the faint runes upon its side could not be read. 'This pillar marks the spot where Durin first looked in the Mirrormere,' said the dwarf. 'Let us look ourselves once, ere we go!'

They stooped over the dark water. At first they could see nothing. Then slowly they saw the forms of the encircling mountains mirrored in a profound blue, and the peaks were like plumes of white flame above them; beyond there was a space of sky. 

There like jewels sunk in the deep shone glinting stars, though sunlight was in the sky above. Of their own stooping forms no shadow could be seen. (The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter 6)

 

I love how Gimli takes pride in Mirrormere and wants to show it to his friends.

Mirrormere isn’t a statue honoring a great leader, a precious jewel, or something that could be revered for somewhat selfish reasons.

The pool simply offers a wonderful view of the natural world around it. I enjoy that Gimli and his relatives take pride in something others might fail to appreciate.

Mirrormere was discovered by King Durin I, the oldest of the seven forefathers of the dwarves. Durin I was Gimli’s ancestor.

Gimli described Durin’s discovery of Mirrormere in the Song of Durin, which he sang to the Fellowship during their journey through Moria.

 

The world was young, the mountains green,
No stain yet on the Moon was seen,
No words were laid on stream or stone
When Durin woke and walked alone.

He named the nameless hills and dells;
He drank from yet untasted wells;
He stooped and looked in Mirrormere,
And saw a crown of stars appear,
As gems upon a silver thread,
Above the shadow of his head.

(The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter 4)

 

According to The Silmarillion, the dwarves believe their forefathers will one day return and live amongst them once more.

 

They say also that the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves return to live again in their own kin and to bear once more their ancient names: of whom Durin was the most renowned in after ages, father of that kindred most friendly to the Elves, whose mansions were at Khazad-dûm. (The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 2)

 

Gimli alluded to this as he said goodbye to Mirrormere.

 

'O Kheled-zaram fair and wonderful!' said Gimli. 'There lies the Crown of Durin till he wakes. Farewell!' He bowed, and turned away, and hastened back up the green-sward to the road again. (The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter 6)

 

Gimli also referenced Durin’s return in the Song of Durin.

 

The shadow lies upon his tomb
In Moria, in Khazad-dum.
But still the sunken stars appear
In dark and windless Mirrormere;
There lies his crown in water deep,
Till Durin wakes again from sleep.

(The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter 4)

 

It seems likely the dwarves believe Durin will return to them through reincarnation, because they believe he has done so before.

Durin is the name that the Dwarves used for the eldest of the Seven Fathers of their race, and the ancestor of all the kings of the Long-beards. He slept alone, until in the deeps of time and the awakening of that people he came to Azanulbizar, and in the caves above Kheled-zaram in the east of the Misty Mountains he made his dwelling, where afterwards were the Mines of Moria renowned in song.

There he lived so long that he was known far and wide as Durin the Deathless. Yet in the end he died before the Elder Days had passed, and his tomb was in Khazad-dûm; but his line never failed, and five times an heir was born in his House so like to his Forefather that he received the name of Durin. He was indeed held by the Dwarves to be the Deathless that returned; for they have many strange tales and beliefs concerning themselves and their fate in the world. (The Return of the King, Appendix A, III Durin’s Folk)

 

The movie, The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), didn’t have time to include all of the events in the book it was based on.

None of the characters discuss Mirrormere in the movie. But the movie, in one brief moment, appears to show the reflecting pool for a few seconds as the Fellowship journeys between Moria and Lothlorien.

 

 

 

In my next analysis, I will discuss the forest kingdom of Lothlorien, Lady Galadriel, and the temptation of the Ring of Power.