A/N: On re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring, I was fascinated by Moria. It seems to be shrouded in mystery and tragedy but not much is told of what became of the third and final expedition, led by Balin, to reclaim the dwarves' greatest triumph and also greatest failing. All that is told of it (as far as I have researched and correct me if I'm wrong) is what Gandalf reads of the Book of Mazarbul, a record of the happenings of the colony, which only lasted five years. This story is an expansion of the last year, 2994, seen from the eyes of two people who were trapped in and "could not get out".
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or anything by Tolkien. However, I have taken the liberty of adding more to the account of Moria, by Ori, than was mentioned in the book. Remember! This is fiction!
Copyright 2006 © Marie Carlson.
Ori, December 2994
Khazad-dûm. The greatest achievement of the dwarves. It was our beauty. It was our power. It was our downfall. The last time the dwarves laid eyes upon it, it had been ravaged by war and Orcs. Our people fought and were killed there in revenge of the slaughtering of King Thror by Azog, the goblin. But we did not return to its halls then. We left, knowing that it would be many years before we could come again, when the world had changed.
The world has changed. But not toward good. Four years ago we did return, led by Balin, Lord of Moria. We drove back the orcs, took the Twenty-first Hall as our main dwelling, and prepared to renew the riches of the mines of our forefathers. But the darkness of Moria, the Black Chasm, is not so easily defeated.
As I get ready to record my entry in the Book of Mazarbul, I realize it may be the last thing I do. I am Ori, friend of Balin, Lord of Moria, and the doom of the last dwarves here in Khazad-dûm is at hand.
Ori, 6 months earlier
I have been through many hardships in my life: being homeless, traveling through Mirkwood and being captured by those good-for-nothing Elves, and having to fight in a war against the dragon, Smaug the Golden. But never have I had to deal with the oppressiveness of this place.
It's not that bad.. For those first few years, after we got rid of the orc scum still around, it was a good start. There was light again in Moria and we were eager to make up for the time lost while evil lived here. We cleaned up things a bit and set to work, exploring different places and seeing the splendor of the City of Dwarrowdelf, looking into a future when those halls would once again be bright with the light of forges and crystal lamps. There would be music and laughing and eating, just as there had been when Durin I was King. And for a while that dream seemed, in time, within reach.
And here we are. We have progressed, I will say that. We've only lost one, Flói, who fell in the beginning defeating the greatest of the orcs. We found gold not long before Balin was officially declared as Lord of Moria. But gold is not what we sought. Not really. It is true-silver, mithril, that we wanted. And we found it! The lost veins of the beautiful metal were rediscovered and our fortunes seemed to have improved. Óin went to look for the upper armories, in the Third Deep, and we ventured as far as the Hollin Gate, in the west, although for the most part I, myself, would rather not go too far past what we inhabit, especially not in the downwards direction. There are dark things in the far recesses of Moria and I would rather not encounter them.
And although all that we have done so far seems to be exactly what we dreamt about, exactly what we came for, there's some doubt in my mind. Of course, everything is well forged and the work is splendid, but this is not the old Khazad-dûm. There are still corners in which lurk dark things. We dare not go too deep for fear of finding more orcs (which we still find and battle with, although they are few so far and easily killed or scared off) or worse, Durin's Bane. But I fear we will become too greedy. For that was the downfall in the first place. The greed of the Dwarves.
A visitor at Moria's Western Gate
From the moment I laid eyes on the place, I knew it wasn't the Last Homely House, to say the least. But I had to stop and this seemed like the only place that would provide some shelter, although whether it was safe or not was a question yet unanswered. The two massive holly trees by the doorway seemed slightly foreboding, although I assume they were probably very beautiful in their time. The doors were also a bit intimidating, with only one door actually open. They looked hewn out of the very side of the mountain and I pondered the reasons why the right door was closed. And the fact that it was dark inside.
Quickly crossing the stream that ran right near the gates, I cautiously approached the place. No doubt the dwarves built it. But the last I'd heard they were all near the Lonely Mountain, ever since that dragon was killed. They hadn't been this far Southwest in a long while. Had they?
I had mastered the ability to be quiet when I needed to. I have passed through many dark lands and remained undetected. But apparently someone was waiting for me. Before I had gone two steps through the opening on the left, I had an axe uncomfortably near my stomach and ready to chop me to bits. Rather abrupt, I must say. I hadn't expected someone to be sitting watch. Although, from the look on his face, he hadn't expected to be sitting watch either. He hadn't been sitting watch at all.
"What business do you have with the dwarves, stranger?" he growled, after he and I had both regained our composure.
"None at all," I replied coolly. My eyes were beginning to adjust to the blackness, with help from the small torch the dwarf had nearby. We seemed to be near a stairway, but where it led I did not know.
My companion looked me up and down, noting the fact that I was a good two and half feet taller than him and I had a sword strapped at my waist. He also didn't miss my rather neglected appearance.
"What are you? Some kind of pillager?" He asked me, glaring all the while. "You might as well give up the idea. There're dwarves in Moria again and you'd better believe we'll defend it to the death!"
I blinked. Moria? That's where I was? "Just a minute. You're saying that these are the Mines of Moria? That's what this place is?" There was no way I wanted to be within twenty miles of the place, let alone go inside and try to steal something. It was crawling with orcs, among other things.
My little friend now looked indignant. "This is Khazad-dûm. This place displays some of the dwarves' greatest workmanship!"
I realized that it was important not to offend a dwarf, especially in regards to his craft. I tried to back out of the darkness and return to my original spot near the stream, although even on the outside the place made me none too comfortable. However, the dwarf didn't seem to want me to leave until I had explained myself. So I did.
"I am but a traveler seeking shelter. I would never even think of taking something that isn't mine." I looked him straight in the eyes, hoping he'd believe me. It was the truth. In all honesty, I was willing just to clear things up and go, without food or sleep. I didn't like the smell of the place. There wasn't any wind nearby and something lingered. Not to mention the stories I'd heard.
He studied me and then lowered his axe, although he gave me a wary look. "You may seek food and shelter, as you say, but I do not know for sure. We will take it up with Balin."
For some reason I thought it would just be better if I listened to him. Nonetheless, this Balin fellow didn't sound too welcoming. I started to climb the stairs, with my captor behind me, wondering at the speed in which things change. Just five minutes ago I had been dead tired, hungry, and thinking of all the reasons why I hadn't settled down years ago in a place like Bree. Things were getting too dark for me. And I wasn't as young as I used to be. But now I was trudging up a never-ending stairway with a strange dwarf's axe on my back and a sense that this place wasn't safe, even with its original inhabitants' return.
A/N: I know I've posted a lot today, what with my account switch and all. But I'm eager to get started on this story and get everything set up on my brand new account. It's an exciting thing to have your own pen name next to the title on the fan fiction page, instead of the pen name of the person whose account you're using. Anyway, I would appreciate reviews, if you've got 'em.