The Stained Map

I was still no closer to discovering where this map lead nor if it was real or some fake given to me to lead me away for a time.  Belodin seemed convinced it was leading to the Paths of the Dead but that thought alone was enough to make me stay my hand, as he said it would not be a wise journey to take.  The question kept lingering with me throughout the night, why would someone hand me a map to that forsaken place?  For what purpose would anyone wish to tread that path?  I still doubted the genuine nature of the map, it seemed too likely to be a distraction.  Unless perhaps I have become so cautious that I now doubt the true nature of anything or anyone.  

Belodin was in the Pony again that evening so I suggested we began looking for clues within Bree itself.  He was unaware of the scrolls and books that are kept within the shelves of the scholars archives.  Though dusty and covered in cobwebs from disuse.  We searched for a time but found little that was of use other than some maps of a similar nature which seemed to prove it was genuine.  For myself it was not enough to take off on such a long journey.  I needed to know what the words meant and try and discover why it was handed to me at all.

Again my new Dwarven friend offered some advice, he told me of some old stories than his kinfolk talk about and suggested he should go to the halls of Thorin and see if he could encourage a tale from someone that might be of use.  I felt if he was to make such a journey on my behalf, then I at least should do something similar.  It was then I decided to endeavor to travel to Celondim and see what the Eldar there might make of this map.