An abrupt upheaval came to its end.
This battle, which targeted settlements of the Free Peoples across the eastern lands, concluded within just a few days. In scale, it could be considered the largest conflict in nearly a century, second only to the Battle of Five Armies, yet in the chronicles it merited only brief notation.
[In the year 2949 of the Third Age, Wayfort was founded. Three Nazgûl, leading fifteen thousand orcs and dozens of fell beasts, assaulted the fortress. Five thousand soldiers held through the night. At dawn, the lord returned with six thousand cavalry, utterly destroying the orc host.
A Grey Wizard and a Dwarf of Erebor took part in this battle.
Rivendell sent forces to intercept trolls and dispatched a High Elf to Wayfort as reinforcement.
On the same day, Dale and Lake-town came under attack. The Dwarves of Erebor mobilized in full to defend Dale. The Woodland Realm sent an army to drive out the invaders at Lake-town. During the battle, the lord arrived and led the garrison in a decisive charge, achieving complete victory.]
The scribe paused his writing. After briefly summarizing the events, he began recording the battle in greater detail, each unit's movements, the strategies employed by commanders, and the flow of combat.
Breaking it down further, there were descriptions of battlefield particulars and the deeds of key participants, for instance, Gandalf moving along the walls with his staff blazing, kindling hope in the hearts of Men with his light.
Or the account of brave Balin charging fearlessly at the Nazgûl. Or Glorfindel, bathed in golden radiance, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed him.
After this battle, the lord returned to his domain and remained there for an extended time without venturing forth.
The people grew curious, even somewhat unsettled.
---
"To your folk, most of the time you exist only in legend and tale, a figure that can only be grasped through the words of others."
Three months after the battle, Gandalf walked beside Garrett along the lakeshore, slowly approaching the great tower that stood as the most prominent landmark in the territory.
As they strolled, Gandalf lit his pipe and discussed the state of the realm with Garrett.
A wizard offering guidance and advice to a lord, this was not an uncommon sight.
"Now that you have returned to stay, they see you daily, feel your presence with their own senses. For many, it is difficult to reconcile reality with the image they once held."
He continued, describing the curious phenomena within Garrett's domain.
"Rather than saying they're unsettled, it's more accurate to say it feels surreal to them."
"Mortal memory is short. In time, they will adjust."
"Perhaps."
Garrett stretched leisurely, savoring the peaceful moment.
Yes, finally there was rest.
"By my beard, this tower is truly magnificent."
The exclamation came from near the tower's base. A Dwarf stood there, gazing upward in wonder.
It was Balin. He had reached the gates of the great tower before the others, and from his stance, he had been standing there for quite some time.
Nearby, Gandalf also raised his eyes, watching the drifting clouds brush the tower's pinnacle, wholeheartedly agreeing with Balin's assessment.
"I must say, it is indeed impressive, taller than any tower I've seen in Middle-earth."
"This tower required a lot of effort, especially designing the internal structure and its chambers."
Garrett looked upon the tower, every detail crafted by his own hands, and drifted into recollection.
The construction had started and stopped countless times over several years. If he had focused solely on building, it surely would have taken only a fraction of the time.
But procrastination was simply the way of ambitious builders. That couldn't be helped.
Probably.
The great doors opened, and the three entered the tower.
Unlike its early days, the tower's interior had been completely transformed. Potentially dangerous facilities, such as the enchanting table and research apparatus, had been moved to the higher levels. The lower floors had been arranged as a vast library, filled with books from every corner of Middle-earth, organized and shelved by dedicated keepers. Regularly, others came to clean and maintain the collection.
"What a repository of knowledge."
As soon as he stepped inside, Gandalf instinctively extinguished his pipe.
He passed through a side door, and once within, his eyes widened in amazement.
Looking up, all he could see were books, books everywhere, nothing but books, along with endless staircases crossing in all directions and sturdy shelves supporting their considerable weight.
At the entrances to these stairways hung helpful signs, indicating which section of the library each path would lead to.
"This place is extraordinary."
Balin entered, glancing left and right, unable to stop himself from marveling at everything around him.
First, as a Dwarf, such grand and monumental architecture perfectly suited his tastes.
Second, as a scholar among the Dwarves, one of Erebor's learned councillors, books themselves ranked among his most treasured possessions.
The combination stirred his spirit, filling him with delight from head to toe.
"I never described this tower to Bilbo, naturally, when I last visited him, I had no notion this was what it contained."
Balin said: "If Bilbo were to discover this, I'm certain he'd be eager to contribute the book he's writing to help fill these shelves."
"A book?" Garrett asked with interest.
"Indeed. Bilbo speaks of writing one, though he hasn't yet settled on a title. At this pace, it may be some time before he actually sets quill to parchment."
"Then I'll look forward to it."
While the two conversed, Gandalf raised his eyebrows, having suddenly noticed a relatively new tome displayed prominently on a reading stand.
"What have we here..."
He lifted it. On the cover, the title read "A Complete Chronicle of Wayfort."
Judging from its appearance and the script, someone had recently handled it, even adding fresh entries.
"This is one of the very few books in the great library that is still being written," Garrett explained, seeing Gandalf's interest.
"It's compiled and updated by the fortress' official chronicler."
"Indeed..."
Gandalf nodded, opening the volume.
[In the year 2940 of the Third Age, Wayfort was founded, and thus a wonder appeared upon the earth.
...Garrett walked upon the land. From the first oak tree he observed, he fashioned a piece, and gave it to his people, telling them this was a 'block' of standard length. Thus a new unit of measure was born.
Later Garrett refined it into the term 'meter,' and further divided it into centimeters and millimeters.]
"Is that accurate?" Gandalf asked, glancing up.
"Well, you could say that. Though in everyday speech the people still prefer to say 'block.' Only in formal written records is 'meter' used."
"Hmm... A decimal system. That is indeed a sensible method of measurement."
Nodding approvingly, Gandalf continued reading through the book. Soon he had finished the so-called 'chronicle.'
The most recent major entry described the great battle three months prior.
"A brave Dwarf of Erebor, that must surely be me."
Balin read the passage, beaming with pride.
This journey was already proving worthwhile.
But unlike Balin's simple pleasure, Gandalf studied the library and the tower's many facilities with deeper contemplation.
"And the upper floors?" he inquired.
"Those are restricted, my research chambers."
"Research?"
Garrett raised his hand, displaying the rune-carved ring upon his finger. "Yes, research."
The ring.
Gandalf's gaze lingered on the two golden bands set with amber stones. He then observed Garrett for a long moment in silence.
"I hope it involves nothing dangerous."
"It does not. Perfectly safe."
"Quite safe indeed."