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Ford of
Bruinen
As travelers head east toward the Misty Mountains,
leaving behind the barren Lone-lands and the treacherous
hills of the Trollshaws, the roar of the River Bruinen,
or "Loadwater," fills the air. At the Ford of Bruinen,
where the Great East Road crosses the mighty river
as it approaches the Valley of Rivendell, the swift
waters can be easily crossed at these shallows just
below the picturesque falls. Many adventurers, however,
tell tales of sensing the presence of great and natural
power emanating from the river, protecting the hidden
valley of the Elves, which lies just beyond the ford.
The approach to Rivendell is at once awe-inspiring,
tranquil, serene, and also potentially dangerous for
travelers through this land. The Ford of Bruinen is
well-known to readers of The Lord of the Rings as
the location where Frodo made his last flight to cross
the waters of the Bruinen in the hopes of making the
safety of Elrond's home in Rivendell. It is also well-known
that the Elves of Middle-earth, and especially those
that dwell in the valley of Rivendell, are fiercely
protective of their home against the darkness encroaching
on the lands. Travelers would do well to declare their
friendly intentions as soon as the roar of the Bruinen
is heard, for the guards of Rivendell seldom make their
presence known and can strike swiftly and silently
at any they do not welcome as friends.
Bilbo's
Stone Trolls - The
Ford of Bruinen
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