Yaaaay. South a bit it is, then.

The pass is still difficult, but they have a lot of magical advantages at this point.

Being nonconsensually turned into werewolves was terrible but it does have its advantages.

Once they have crested the mountains the pass starts to look better-taken-care-of. In places it is paved, and everywhere it is wide and even.

...Okay they're going to turn back into humans so whoever did this doesn't react reasonably to surprise giant wolves.

They pass an elaborately carved door in the rock.

...Carved how, stylistically.

Definitely not Valinorean, the door is too low and the style completely different.

But does it look anything like Morgoth's style?

What do they know of Morgoth's style?

...Not that much, admittedly. Little bit? They saw some drawings of Utumno, once.

It does not look anything like Utumno.

...They are pretty much out of supplies and if there are hostiles on the other side they can probably just fill the area around the doorway with extreme ice and flee. She knocks on the door.

And the door opens to reveal someone about three feet tall and very very bearded, who blinks at them and then says something in a language they do no speak.

Should have anticipated that. She tries Quenya.

Not familiar, apparently.

Language that got installed in her head when she came back to life?

Also not familiar. 

So annoying.

Is he willing to try to teach her bits of the language he's speaking, enough that they can hopefully engage in basic communication?

Happily!

...it's familiar. Not Quenya, but maybe something with some distant roots.

She wishes Feanaro were here right now.

Language-learning! She is not Feanaro or even an Elf at all but she's good at it for a human. And it shares roots with something she's fluent in.

After a few hours the Dwarves invite the two of them into the city.

They are sort of nervous because it could still be a trap but these people are almost certainly not expecting Ice and Wolves and they would really rather not starve before they can find more edible plants or whatever so sure.

It is a stunningly pretty city, in a different style than Valinor but not reflecting lesser capacity for or interest in craftsmanship.

Imliss is deeply moved.