- Elrond: Feanor's hammer. The tool that wrought the Silmarils. The jewels that contain the very light of Valinor. Strange, isn't it? How one object could be responsible for creating so much beauty... and so much pain.
- Lord Celebrimbor: True creation requires sacrifice. They say that Morgoth found the Silmarils so beautiful that after he'd stolen them, for weeks, he could do nothing but stare into their depths. It was only after one of his tears fell upon the jewels and he was faced with the evil of his own reflection that the reverie was finally broken. From that moment, he... he looked upon their light no more. Feanor's work nearly turned the heart of the Great Foe himself. What has mine ever accomplished?
- Elrond: It has turned my heart, my lord. The heart of many an Elf.
- Lord Celebrimbor: But I aspire to do far more than that. An Age ago, our kind brought war to these shores. I want to fill them with beauty. To grow beyond petty works of jewel-craft, and devise something of real power.
- Elrond: What is it you hope to craft?
- Lord Celebrimbor: "What" is but a glint on the far horizon. You have come to Eregion to help me achieve the "how".
- Elrond: [being shown blueprints] A tower?
- Lord Celebrimbor: One that can host a forge more powerful than any ever built. Able to birth a flame as hot as a dragon's tongue, and as pure as starlight. The things we could use it to create could transform Middle-earth.
- Elrond: What seems to be the difficulty?
- Lord Celebrimbor: I need it completed by spring.
- Elrond: My lord, that would require a...
- Lord Celebrimbor: A workforce greater than any ever assembled. Yes. The High King cannot provide one. So he has sent me you instead.
- Elrond: Have you considered seeking partners outside the confines of our own race?
- Lord Celebrimbor: How far outside?
- Prince Durin IV: I'm certain of it. He doesn't know.
- King Durin III: Perhaps. Perhaps not. You've always had sandstone in your granite as far as the Elves were concerned. Tell me, do you not think it's a coincidence than an Elf should just land on our doorstep? Now?
- Prince Durin IV: I've known Elrond for half a century, Father. I'd sense if it he were hiding something.
- King Durin III: Perhaps he sensed that it was you who was hiding something.
- Prince Durin IV: You think too much of their kind. We're the ones holding the long end of the hammer here.
- King Durin III: Aye. For now.
- Prince Durin IV: Elrond is a friend. I trust him.
- King Durin III: There can be no trust between hammer and rock. Eventually, one or the other must surely break.
- Halbrand: You needn't keep your distance.
- Galadriel: I am simply wondering what manner of man would so readily abandon his companions to death.
- Halbrand: The sort that knows how to survive. Why be part of the larger target?
- Galadriel: You are a target still. I doubt we shall find safety until we make landfall.
- Halbrand: I suspect finding safety won't be that easy. Leastways not for you. "Separated" from your ship. Really? You're a deserter, aren't you?
- Galadriel: Do I have the look of a deserter?
- Halbrand: You don't have the look of someone to whom things happen by accident. Which means you were running. Whether toward or from something, I haven't yet decided.
- Galadriel: Duty demanded I return to Middle-earth. And that is all you need to know.
- Galadriel: What have Elves ever done to you? Do you blame us for your being stranded here?
- Halbrand: The way I see it, it wasn't Elves that chased me from my homeland. It was Orcs.
- Galadriel: [remembering the discovery of Sauron's symbol] Your home. Where was it?
- Halbrand: What's it matter? It's ashes now.
- Galadriel: I know something of the pain you carry. I grieve for you. For those you lost. Around your neck. Was that the mark of your people's king?
- Halbrand: My people have no king.
- Galadriel: But if they did, where might that kingdom be found?
- Halbrand: To what end?
- Galadriel: What if I told you we might be able to reclaim it?
- Halbrand: I'm afraid you're short an army.
- Galadriel: Leave the army to me. Why're you dodging the question?
- Halbrand: Why're you stranded at sea?
- Galadriel: Because rather than rest in glory, I chose to seek out the very enemy responsible for your suffering.
- Halbrand: You didn't cause my suffering and you can't fix it. No matter how strong your will. Or your pride. So let it lie.
- Galadriel: I have pursued this foe since before the first sunrise blooded the sky. It would take longer than your lifetime even to speak the names of those they have taken from me. So letting it lie is not an option.
- Halbrand: At last, a little honesty. If you want to murder Orcs and settle a score, that's your affair. But don't dress it up as heroism.
- Galadriel: Are you going to tell me where the enemy is or not?
- Halbrand: The Southlands.
- Galadriel: I need to know how many the enemy were, under whose banner they marched, and then you are going to take me to their last-known location.
- Halbrand: I've got my own plans, Elf.
- Elrond: I never dreamed to find your city so changed.
- Prince Durin IV: Now, 20 years will do that.
- Elrond: Has it been only 20? You must tell me your secret.
- Prince Durin IV: Our secrets are our own.
- Elrond: Durin, have I offended you?
- Prince Durin IV: To answer that, we'd need a longer lift.
- Elrond: If you wish to discharge me without explanation, that is your choice.
- Prince Durin IV: You bet your feathery shirts it is.
- Elrond: But before squandering the best opportunity any Dwarf-prince has had in a generation, you might at least listen to the proposal I bring.
- Prince Durin IV: Ah, there it is. The true purpose of your visit. You want something.
- Elrond: I journeyed here to see my friend, whom I've greatly missed.
- Prince Durin IV: Missed? You missed my wedding. The birth of my children, two of them! You cannot barge into my mountain and demand I welcome you with open arms. You cannot claim that which you discarded.
- Elrond: Discarded? Durin, I...
- Prince Durin IV: 20 years might be the blink of an eye to an Elf. But I've lived an entire life in that time. A life you missed. So, what to have to say to that... "friend"?
- Elrond: Congratulations. On your wife, your children. I hope you can come to forgive me. And I would like very much to apologize to your family as well.
- Prince Durin IV: One apology to Disa and you're off. No getting better acquainted. No reminiscing about the past. And absolutely no staying for dinner.
- Elrond: Understood.
- Princess Disa: Aule's beard! No! This cannot be Elrond, can it?
- Elrond: I fear so, fair lady.
- Princess Disa: [hugging him] Durin didn't tell me you were coming.
- Prince Durin IV: Durin didn't know.
- Elrond: I've been remiss in not visiting sooner. An oversight for which I am here to humbly ask forgiveness.
- Princess Disa: You're staying for dinner.
- Prince Durin IV: He's leaving.
- Princess Disa: He's staying.
- Prince Durin IV: He's leaving!
- Princess Disa: [sternly] He's staying.
- Prince Durin IV: The Elf Elrond has invoked the Rite of Sigin-tarag. The Dwarven test of endurance, fashioned by Aule himself. Once we lift our hammers, we shall break the great stones until one of us can break no more. Should the Elf forfeit, he will be banished from all Dwarven lands. Forever! Does the Elf understand?
- Elrond: The Elf does.
- Prince Durin IV: In the unlikely event the Elf should win... we shall grant a single boon. But should he lose...
- Elrond: Banished. Yes. Understood.
- Prince Durin IV: Hmm. Begin!
- Lord Celebrimbor: Might your friend be able to grant me access to their workshops?
- Elrond: Oh, if I know Durin, he'll do far more than that. He'll welcome us with open arms, rams' horns blaring, tables filled with salted pork, and enough malt beer to fill the Anduin.
- Dwarf Guard: [opening a keyhole in the rock] What do you want?
- Elrond: It is Elron of Lindon, accompanied by Celebrimbor, Lord of Eregion. We seek an audience with Prince Durin.
- Dwarf Guard: [immediately closing it] No.
- Elrond: My apologies. Inform Lord Durin that his friend, Elrond...
- Dwarf Guard: His judgment has already been rendered, Elf.
- Lord Celebrimbor: [Elrond looks to him] Rams' horns?
- Elrond: [being denied entrance to see Durin] All right, my friend. I invoke the Rite of Sigin-tarag.
- Lord Celebrimbor: What is the Rite of...
- Elrond: [the doors open and a group of Dwarves come out] I'll rejoin you in Eregion.
- Lord Celebrimbor: Are you certain you know what you're doing?
- Elrond: Lord Celebrimbor, trust me. You are master of your craft, my friend. Allow me a few days to work mine.
- Lord Celebrimbor: I admire all who can see into the mystery of things, who can divine from the plainness of what is, the beauty of what could be.