The Belfry
Along the northern wall of the Library lay the belfry. It was
sequestered off from the main room by three walls acting as sound breaks, and
could only be entered through a single door located on its western side.
Inside, the room was relatively small. A series of wooden catwalks
wound their way along and up the sides of the room starting near the
floor, where ropes of varying widths passed through numerous holes,
allowing for the ringing of the bells from the meeting rooms below.
The lower tier consisted of about five small, gold-coloured bells,
each between a foot or two in height, embellished with intricate detailing
and tinted with subtle hues. These hung at about eight feet from the
floor and could be rung from the base level of scaffolding.
Hanging no less than six feet above these was the largest of the
bells. More richly adorned than the others, its purpose was to signify the
passing of the hours and to bring attention to the more important
events in Rivendell. Tightly wrapped around the surface of its clapper was
a thin, single skin of soft leather to act as a damper, making the
sound of its toll less harsh.
Resting in its open-air home, the great bell shone forth with the
sun's full glory, which trickled into the tower through a series of thin
slats, and played on the surface of the bells while also providing the
main source of light for the bell-ringers.During the night the interior
was lit by a few small lanterns which, hanging about the rafters,
seemed to multiply the light given off by the
moon and stars.
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