Although the book contained helpful hints at the time that the fellowships were engaged in their quest, the whole translation of the book was unnecessary to bring about the success of the fellowships in Moria. The following is an explanation of the book and all that it contained, presented in the same order as it appears in the original manuscript.
The opening paragraph of the manuscript is intended to emphasize the significance of the book itself and foreshadow the events that the fellowships would encounter. It warns, "leave no stone unturned in your quest for knowledge," for only the prepared are unafraid when danger arises.
The starlings are the members of this kinship and a number of other individuals who participated in the overthrowal of evil beneath Moria and throughout the lands of Bree, the Shire, and elsewhere. The second paragraph calls the unsung heroes of Middle Earth to gather for battle against the foe, and states the purpose of the manuscript as a book of instruction.
Paragraph three describes the events which heralded the power mounting beneath the earth, and how nature became silent preceding the evils which crept up from Moria to terrify the land.
Paragraph four continues the description of events, making more particular note of the influence darkness has on the souls of men. Many in the kinship and those outside it were beset with trials prior to their rallying against the foe, trials which either strengthened their resolve or turned them against the light.
The Feather-friend and Time-breakers mentioned in the fifth paragraph refer to our friends, Vax, Naumran, and Tyrral, who came at a needful hour to aid in our quest against the enemy. The Petals four compose the True Shield; four guardians namely, Thannor, Ardonali, Lallinvorn, and Skalithor. The Player, we can safely assume is Gladwine, who came into our lives with his friends at that time. The Riddler, who discovered this manuscript is Raechal Middlebrooks. The Spear-Master(*s) and the others mentioned here refer to friends the fellowships met on the way, respectively:
Unora and Silverfeather, Dekota, Aedeyn, and others who crossed paths with the aforementioned at that time.
(*The exclusion of the 's' was a mistranslation. Some of these titles refer to multiple people, and here, both Unora and Silverfeather are called "Spear-Master".)
Paragraph **six gives instruction as to where each piece of the manuscript was to be found. Those who know the name of trees are those who named them in the first place, namely the elves. The "wonder-lacking and dust-keeping" refers to the sleepy and unadventerous inhabitants of Breeland. The last is a curious reference to an animal upon which the fate of the second part of the book seems to be thrown at random, which we have since learned brought the pages to the library in Tuckborough.
**This paragraph was repeated on each section of the divided manuscript, however the repetition was considered unimportant and thus omitted by the translator.
Paragraph seven correctly refers to our friend, Fahlion, who played an important role in a number of events preceding the downfall of our enemy. While referring specifically to him, however, it was also intended as a word of instruction regarding the attitude of the fellowships throughout their quests in the lands of Evendim, the Misty Mountains, and on into Moria. The "three-faces" mentioned in this paragraph also refers to the Goblin Champion defeated prior to overthrowal of the evil in Moria.
More reference is given as to our allies within the kinship in paragraph eight: The animals; our friends of the house of Beorn; our friend Mosaine from the south; the hobbits, Maeflower, Lilliway, etc; and the elves who delayed their passage into the Far West to aide us, Elirae, Keltrion, Faervaren, and Fendalwyn, etc.
Paragraph nine references allies of Middle Earth who belong to other kinships; namely that of Jhonan Maynard and Premton Heatherly, who fought the battles in Breeland while our fellowships were held up in the Misty Mountains.
Paragraph ten tells of the nearly fateful victory won against the Rune-Hunter in the fortress of Helegrod, where our friends were saved by Naumran and Vax and carried from the heights back to Rivendell. The name of our enemy is at last given here, as our attention turned to Moria.
Paragraph Eleven: This paragraph speaks of the Captain of the Dead, and the significant role the Rohirrim and Angmarim have yet to play, who united will bring his downfall and save Galigar from the fate that consumed him long ago.
Paragraph twelve refers to those who preceded us into darkness, namely Farmona and Genaveve. It also recalls information brought to me by Elirae, ere the first events of this tale began; referencing those fated Eldar who were sent by Master Elrond into the shadows and fell prey to the persuasion of our enemy.
The third part of the manuscript refers exclusively to prominent individuals on whom the success of the fellowships in Moria largely depended, and foretells future events that will shortly unfold. A portion of this third part was lost by the translator during one of the many misadventures that were encountered during the books translation. As these things will be revealed in due course of time to those with whom it concerns, there is no need for the explanation to be given here, therefore the explanation heretofore provided is both sufficient and concluded.
Written for the archives of the Book-Keeper in the House of the Mellryn by
~Skalithor MountainZephyr.
