Riddles in the Downs

[Urwen]

Mithril shirt?

Born in the East, - presumably, it was made by Dwarves East of the Great Sea
I have seen many lands.
Silver-clad, - silver is its color
I announce great beginnings.

Announcer of trouble, - in the hands of the enemy
Herald of death. - Gorbag's
I did as was foretold - protecting its wearer
But to bring only pain. - To the allied forces who were led to believe that its owner was dead.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

Mithril shirt?

I wondered if you would ask that. No, it's not. But again it's somewhat similar to the item in question in the sense of how it's used in the story structure - an item that pops up now and again, that plays a part in crucial plot events. However, this item has a very specific story, and if you read just a couple passages you will be able to explain a lot of lines quite literally. There is also a pretty specific explanation for the "foretold" line.

[Urwen]

You said it's not mentioned in LoTR books, but it still existed in the Third Age. That means it must have been mentioned in Silm/UT/The Hobbit

Arkenstone?

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

You said it's not mentioned in LoTR books, but it still existed in the Third Age. That means it must have been mentioned in Silm/UT/The Hobbit

Arkenstone?

I told you the opposite! After telling you it's in the TA, I said it's in LOTR. Pay attention!

[Urwen]

Okay, but the first mention of it could be in any of three books, and in any of the chapters within....

Meaning I'll have to read every single chapter carefully to find it.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

Okay, but the first mention of it could be in any of three books, and in any of the chapters within....

Meaning I'll have to read every single chapter carefully to find it.

As I told you before, it's mentioned in all 3 books, and it's major enough that you don't have to dig for it, it's something you would remember. Also, the death and the great beginning are very obvious specific events.

If you want the hints, read them carefully and use them wisely.


Even if you don't have a concrete idea of the object, you can guess at what some of the lines might mean, or what the relevant events are.

You were on the right track with the mithril coat in the sense that it has a similar literary (note: not functional!) role as the object in the story, and actually fits the riddle rather well. But the object is not related to the mithril coat in any way, so think of similar but unrelated stuff.

[Urwen]

Yeah, but as I told you, the first mention could be in any of the chapters, and I don't see how the hints could narrow it down more.

Unless it's a horn of some kind....?