The Scroll of Isildur is the parchment commissioned by Isildur, detailing the One Ring.
History[]
Isildur authored this scroll shortly after the victory of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, whilst staying in Minas Tirith. After writing it, he likely placed it in Gondor's library before marching 'away'.[1]
Almost three thousand years later, in TA 3017, Gandalf came to Gondor and read Isildur's scroll, which later confirmed that the Frodo's ring was the One Ring.
Script[]
The Great Ring shall go now to be an heirloom of the North Kingdom; but records of it shall be left in Gondor, where also dwell the heirs of Elendil, lest a time come when the memory of these matters grow dim.
It was hot when I first took it, hot as a glede, and my hand and my hand was scorched, so that I doubt if ever again I shall be free of the pain of it. Yet even as I write it is cooled, and it seemeth to shrink, though it loseth neither its beauty nor its shape. Already the writing upon it, which was as clear as red flame, fadeth and is now only barely to be read. It is fashioned in the elven-script of Eregion, for they have no letters in Mordor for such subtle work; but the language is unknown to me. I deem it to be a tongue of the Black Land, since it is foul and uncouth. What evil it saith I do not know; but I trace here a copy of it, lest it fade beyond recall. The Ring misseth, maybe, the heat of Sauron's hand, which was black and yet burned like fire, and so Gil-galad was destroyed; and maybe were the gold made hot again, the writing would be refreshed. But for my part I will risk no hurt to this thing: of all the works of Sauron the only fair. It is precious to me, though I buy it with great pain.[1]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I: The Fellowship of the Ring, Book II, Ch. II: "The Council of Elrond"