Lord of the Rings - The Two Tunnels
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Unlike most Hobbits, you wish for an adventure, and one is suddenly thrust upon you. You are told to go to the heart of evil, to the Two Tunnels. The secret directions are located along the road to Mordor and Isengard - finding them will reveal all.
Your first hint is to follow an ancient road, whose builders have long been forgotton. You trudge forward toward your goal, avoiding rocks the mountain has thrown down from high above. The path is easy to follow, and soon you see the forbidding Dark Tunnels in the distance.
You suddenly come to Saurons Tunnel, also known as Barad-Dur, in the ugly land of Mordor. At the far end of this tunnel of evil you view the all seeing eye of Sauron. Will you be brave enough to venture into this long evil hole, into the depths of Mordor, into the very heart of Sauron? It seems so very far, but you must risk it to find the next clue.
You continue your quest, eventually arriving at the tunnel called Orthanc, stronghold of Isengard. The Fanghorn Forest has been destroyed by the evil wizard Saruman, leaving a desolate expanse. Inside the dangerous tunnel are the Orcs, and even worse, the dreaded Uruk-hai. At the far end, you see a white light. It must be Gandalf, imprisoned at Orthanc by Saruman. The white light is so far away...can you make it through? The treasure of the Two Tunnels awaits those willing to risk it. A magical golden ring, perhaps? Nay, not a ring, but other trinkets befitting a simple Hobbit of the Shire.
This adventure will take you two and a half miles into the depths of Mordor and Isengard, with seven hundred twenty feet of elevation to attain. The return trip is of equal length, and all down hill to the safety of the Shire.
Most Hobbits will enjoy this trek to what some call "The Road To Nowhere". Built during the Second Age, or the Age of Númenor, many believe the road was a passage for refugees from the War of Wrath. Others believe it replaced a lower road washed out by floods a millenium ago. The tunnels themselves have mysterious numerical markings - one marked "1961", the other "1964". Even the druid historians do not know the meaning or these ancient markings.
The first and second clues are in regular size containers for a Hobbit, although they may be considered small to the race of men. Bring your own writing implement to mark your passing.
To arrive at the start of your journey, follow the road along the east fork of the river, and turn on the road to the cobblers house. A tax is charged to park your horse and wagon, payable to the ranger named Strider. Look for him on the road leaving the towns below.
Good luck on your adventure!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Lord of the Rings - The Dark Tunnels] Ol gur tngr, n cynpr Furybo'f fcnja zvtug qjryy.
[Lord of the Rings - Sauron's Tunnel] Ng gur rlr bs Fnheba, bhg bs Tvzyv'f ernpu.
[Lord of the Rings - The Two Tunnels] Rlr yriry sbe Sebqb.