Although there were precious few dwellers within the Ethir Onodló itself, a number of small settlements surrounded it. The largest of these was Imdorad (S. “Between Two Provinces“), the Mering Steps. This town was small but busy, situated on a bridge across the Mering Stream (S. “Glanhir"), and dominated by the large stone garrison-house. This was the seat and office of the Customs Master of the lower Onodló, a senior official appointed by the Cánor of Anórien and Calenardhon who was responsible for collecting taxes and pursuing the smugglers who plagued the region. Smuggling, the “Black Trade," had become something of a local tradition. The Customs Master and his garrison, together with the River Patrol, did a fairly good job of keeping order in the civilized lands,despite the widely sprea