Khazad-dûm was the greatest of the ancient Dwarven kingdoms an impressive labyrinth of halls
and tunnels carved deep into the Misty Mountains. At the heart of this mighty realm lay
Dwarrowdelf home of the Longbeards - Durins Folk. For millennia Khazad-dûm remained the
center of Dwarven power in Middle-earth where mining and smithing never rested. The Dwarves
dug ever deeper for Mithril the most valuable metal and their work was unceasing. In times of
peace and prosperity the western gate of Khazad-dûm stood open and trade flourished between
Durins Folk and their Elvish neighbors. The doors themselves became a symbol of this
friendship forged jointly by Dwarves and Elves. Mithril was woven with magic into Ithildin
inscriptions and ornamentation that only emerged in the moonlight. On their gleaming surfaces
were engraved the king's initials accompanied by the enigmatic words: Speak friend and enter.
But times changed. War and darkness descended upon Khazad-dûm and the Dwarves were driven into
flight. The doors were sealed and through the waning decades of Middle-earth's Third Age
Morianow a black ruinremained uninhabited by Dwarves. Orcs and other monstrous creatures took
over the abandoned corridors and Durin's once-proud realm became a name spoken only in fear.
Thus the Fellowship found the doors of Khazad-dûm closed and surrounded by decay. The once-lush
holly trees at the entrance stood dead and pale their roots choked by a dark poisonous pool.
Enemies lurked in the shadows as the traveling party paused searching for a way in. This
impressive sculpture captures the legendary moment in unparalleled detail. Crafted from
high-quality polystone with a 360° environmental design its unique LED lighting brings the
Ithildin inscriptions to life in the dark. The sculpture was created by skilled model maker
Leonard Ellis and comes with a universal power adapter. This is an open-ended version that
captures the magic and mystery of one of Tolkien's most iconic scenes.
