Moria, also known as Khazad-dûm, was a great Dwarven kingdom that was located in the Misty Mountains. It was renowned for its wealth, craftsmanship, and intricate underground tunnels. However, the kingdom was abandoned after an event known as the Balrog’s awakening led to the death of its King, Durin VI, and the massacre of many Dwarves.
Since then, various factions have attempted to reclaim Moria, but none have been successful.
In the Third Age, the Dwarves of Durin’s Folk attempted to reclaim Moria. However, they were faced with numerous obstacles, including attacks from goblins and the Balrog- a fearsome demon that had awakened long ago. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to defeat the Balrog and ultimately had to flee.
The loss of Moria was a tremendous blow to the Dwarves, and they lost much of their wealth, esteem, and power.
In the later years of the Third Age, the Fellowship of the Ring, a group of heroes, passed through Moria on their way to Mordor. They were forced to confront the Balrog, and in a fierce battle, Gandalf sacrificed himself to defeat the demon. While the Balrog was destroyed, Moria remained uninhabitable, and its riches remained buried deep beneath the earth.
In the Fourth Age, after the defeat of Sauron, King Dáin II of Durin’s Folk, along with his army of Dwarves, attempted to reclaim Moria once again. This time, they succeeded, and Moria was rebuilt, becoming a thriving Dwarven stronghold once more. The Dwarves made use of the wealth that they recovered, using it to support their people and to trade with others.
Moria has been the subject of numerous attempts at reclamation throughout history. While many have tried to regain the kingdom, few have been successful. However, ultimately, the Dwarves of Durin’s Folk did manage to reclaim Moria and restore it to its former glory.
Table of Contents
When was Moria reclaimed?
Moria, also known as Khazad-dûm, was a mythical underground chamber, once home to the dwarves in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Located beneath the Misty Mountains, it was abandoned after a dark force, known as the Balrog, took over the city in a fierce battle.
However, in the events of the Lord of the Rings, Moria was reclaimed by a fellowship of multiple races. The fellowship, consisting of hobbits, dwarves, men, and elves, was formed to destroy the One Ring, created by the dark lord Sauron.
At the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, the fellowship entered Moria, hoping to find a passage to their destination. Unfortunately, their journey proved deadlier than they imagined. The fellowship encountered many obstacles, including orcs, goblins, and the Balrog. The Balrog was famously fought and defeated by Gandalf the Grey, who sacrificed his life to protect his companions.
Eventually, the surviving members of the fellowship escaped from Moria, and the dwarves of Erebor joined the fight against Sauron’s army in the War of the Ring. This marked the end of the battle for Moria, and it is fair to say that it was reclaimed by the forces of good.
Especially after the Fellowship of the Ring book, it is evident that Moria was reclaimed by the fellowship, yet still had not been fully restored, as there were still many dangers lurking inside the underground city. Although the fate of Moria remains uncertain beyond the events of The Lord of the Rings, we can agree that it was indeed reclaimed by the fellowship in their quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat Sauron.
Were the mines of Moria rebuilt?
The mines of Moria, also known as Khazad-dûm, were a great dwarven stronghold deep in the Misty Mountains. The dwarves excavated the mountains to uncover mithril, a precious and valuable metal, and also built a grand city in the depths of the mountains. However, the mines were abandoned by the dwarves after they awakened a terrible evil, the Balrog, which drove them out and destroyed their once-great city.
After the dwarves abandoned the mines, they remained uninhabited and were largely forgotten until the time of the War of the Ring. During this time, the Fellowship of the Ring, a group of individuals including hobbits, dwarves, men, and elves, journeyed through the mines on their quest to destroy the One Ring.
During their journey, the Fellowship faced many challenges, including attacks by goblins and the terrifying presence of the Balrog. they were forced to flee the mines after their confrontation with the Balrog, which resulted in the death of Gandalf the Grey.
Following the events of the War of the Ring, it is not clear whether the mines of Moria were rebuilt. The dwarves, who were the original inhabitants of the mines, may have eventually returned to Khazad-dûm and attempted to restore it to its former glory. However, there is no record of such an attempt in the books.
Another possibility is that the mines remained abandoned, as the dwarves may have been too traumatized by their defeat at the hands of the Balrog to attempt to reclaim their ancestral home. In addition, the threat of the Balrog may have been too great for any other race to attempt to settle in the mines.
The fate of the mines of Moria is uncertain. It is possible that the dwarves eventually returned to reclaim their home, but it is also possible that the mines remained empty after the defeat of the Balrog. Regardless of their ultimate fate, the mines of Moria remain an important and fascinating part of the rich and complex world of Middle-earth.
Did the Dwarves retake Moria in the 4th age?
The Dwarves did not officially retake Moria in the 4th age, as there is no explicit mention or description of such an event in the published works of J.R.R. Tolkien. However, there are some indications and speculations that suggest that the Dwarves may have attempted to reclaim their ancient home in the later years of the Third Age or the early years of the Fourth Age, after the defeat of Sauron and the restoration of peace and prosperity in Middle-earth.
Firstly, it is important to note that Moria, also known as Khazad-dûm, was not only a homeland of the Dwarves but also a strategic location and a rich source of mithril, a rare and valuable metal that was highly prized by the Dwarves and other peoples. The loss of Moria to the Balrog and other evil creatures was a great blow to the Dwarf race, and it may have been a matter of pride and necessity for them to reclaim it, especially if they had the resources and support to do so.
Secondly, there are a few references in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings that hint at the possibility of the Dwarves regaining Moria. In Appendix A, it is mentioned that “some of [the Dwarves] returned to Erebor and to the places of their ancient dwelling in the eastern and southern mountains,” implying that some Dwarves may have tried to resettle in Moria or nearby mountains.
In Appendix B, it is stated that “Dáin Ironfoot, son of Náin, after the terrible Battle of Azanulbizar… became Lord of the Iron Hills,” which suggests that Dáin and his followers may have gained enough military and political power to reclaim some of their lost territories, including Moria.
However, these hints and suggestions are not conclusive or detailed enough to confirm whether the Dwarves actually succeeded in recapturing Moria, and if so, how they did it and what happened afterwards. It is possible that the Dwarves faced great difficulties and setbacks in their attempt to reclaim Moria, such as the presence of remaining or resurgent enemies, the structural instability or perilous depths of the mines, or the reluctance or hostility of other peoples who claimed the region as their own.
Alternatively, the Dwarves may have decided to forgo their ancient grudges and ambitions in favor of more peaceful and productive pursuits, such as trade or colonization in less contested areas.
While there is no clear evidence of the Dwarves retaking Moria in the 4th age or any other time, the possibility and plausibility of such an event cannot be ruled out given the history, culture, and interests of the Dwarves, as well as the gaps and ambiguities in the Tolkien canon. the precise fate of Moria and its former dwellers remains a mystery and a topic of debate and speculation among Tolkien enthusiasts.
How long was Moria abandoned?
Moria, also known as Khazad-dûm, is a fictional underground city in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe. It was built by the Dwarves, who eventually abandoned it thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings, which takes place in the Third Age of Middle-earth.
The exact length of time that Moria was abandoned is not specified in Tolkien’s works, but it is known to have been at least 500 years. In The Fellowship of the Ring, when the Fellowship enters Moria, the dwarf Gimli remarks that his people had not been there for “many years”, and that the city was lost to them “long ago”.
The dwarves had originally founded Moria in the First Age, but it was abandoned after they delved too greedily and too deep, unleashing an evil spirit known as the Balrog.
After the dwarves left, Moria became home to various creatures, including orcs and goblins, who were drawn to its wealth of minerals and treasures. In the Second Age, the wizard Gandalf passed through Moria and encountered the Balrog there, but he was able to escape. However, it was not until the events of The Lord of the Rings that the Fellowship was sent to Moria to find a way through the mountains.
The fact that Moria was abandoned for such a long time speaks to the scale of the disaster that the Balrog caused. The dwarves were renowned for their skill in crafting and engineering, and Moria was considered one of their greatest achievements. The fact that they were forced to abandon it suggests that they were unable to deal with the dangers that the Balrog represented.
While the exact length of time that Moria was abandoned is not specified, it is known to have been at least 500 years. The fact that the city was abandoned for so long speaks to the scale of the disaster that prompted the dwarves to leave, and adds to the sense of mystery and history that surrounds Moria in Tolkien’s work.
Why didn t Gimli know Moria was destroyed?
Gimli, son of Glóin, was a dwarf who hailed from the Lonely Mountain and was a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. He joined the Fellowship on a quest to destroy the One Ring and travelled with them through various territories of Middle-earth. One of the stops they made was in the mines of Moria, where they encountered several obstacles and eventually had to fight off the Balrog.
Gimli was familiar with the mines of Moria and had expected to find his kinfolk there, but upon entering the mines, the Fellowship discovered that the place was deserted and in ruins. Gimli was shocked and saddened to see the destruction of his homeland, but he did not know the full extent of it.
The reason why Gimli did not know that Moria had been destroyed was that the events leading up to the destruction had occurred before his time. Moria had been the greatest of the dwarven strongholds and was a vast underground city that was home to thousands of dwarves. However, in the years prior to Gimli’s birth, disaster struck Moria when the dwarves delved too deep and awakened a powerful evil known as the Balrog.
The Balrog was a creature of shadow and flame, and it had the power to corrupt and destroy. It killed many of the dwarves who had lived in Moria and drove the survivors out of their city. The dwarves who escaped did not speak of what had happened, and so the knowledge of the destruction of Moria became lost to many of their kin.
Gimli had grown up hearing tales of the magnificence of Moria but had no knowledge of its destruction. When he and the Fellowship arrived at the mines, he was hoping to find his kinfolk there and to reclaim their lost home. Instead, he was confronted with the harsh reality of what had happened centuries ago in his ancestral home.
Gimli did not know that Moria had been destroyed because the events leading up to it occurred before his time. The destruction of Moria had become a closely guarded secret among the dwarves, and Gimli only learned of it when he entered the mines and saw the ruins for himself.
How long did Balin hold Moria?
Balin’s hold on Moria, also known as Khazad-dûm, was relatively brief in comparison to the many centuries of its uninterrupted dwarven occupation. Balin and a company of dwarves set out to retake and reclaim Moria from the Orcs and other foul creatures that had driven the dwarves out of their ancestral home.
It was briefly reclaimed under Balin’s rule in the year 2989 of the Third Age, after which he established himself as Lord of Moria along with his kin.
Unfortunately, Balin’s hold on Moria lasted only five years, as he and his companions met their doom in the dark depths of the ancient kingdom. Records indicate that Balin’s company were eventually attacked by Orcs and other creatures that still lurked within the shadows of the mountain range. Despite their valiant efforts, the dwarves were unable to withstand the attacks, and Balin himself was slain in the attempt.
After Balin’s death, Moria remained largely abandoned and unoccupied for many years, until eventually becoming the lair of the terrifying Balrog demon in the late Third Age. Throughout the following years, the mountain became known as a place of darkness and danger, and few entered its halls alone and unprepared.
Balin’S hold on Moria was fairly brief, lasting only five years before being overrun and ultimately leading to his untimely death. Despite this, his legacy lived on as many other characters such as Gimli, Legolas, Frodo, and Samwise eventually ventured into the depths of Moria in the epic story of The Lord of the Rings.
Did Balin take back Moria?
Balin did attempt to take back Moria for the Dwarves, but ultimately his endeavor was unsuccessful. Balin was a longtime companion of Thorin Oakenshield, and following the events of The Hobbit, he set his sights on reclaiming Moria, the ancient Dwarven kingdom that had been overrun by Orcs and other evil creatures.
In The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship discovers Balin’s tomb in Moria, which reveals that Balin and his followers had attempted to retake the kingdom, but ultimately they had been defeated. The Orcs and other creatures had been too numerous, and Balin and his followers were unable to hold the kingdom.
While Balin’s attempt to retake Moria was ultimately unsuccessful, it still represents the enduring spirit of the Dwarves and their desire to once again control their ancient kingdom. It is also a reminder of the dangers that lurked in Middle-earth during the turbulent times of the Third Age, and the struggles that all of the Free Peoples faced in the fight against Sauron and his minions.
While Balin was unable to take back Moria, his attempt reflects the determination and bravery of the Dwarves, and serves as a reminder of the challenges that were faced in the ongoing struggle to defeat the forces of evil.
What happened to all the Dwarves in Moria?
The dwarves in Moria met a tragic fate. Moria was the ancient kingdom of the dwarves, which was renowned for its vast wealth, beautiful craftsmanship and sophisticated technology. Moria was established thousands of years ago by the dwarves, who came from the north and settled in this underground city.
The dwarves were masters at mining and tunneling—they had built an extensive network of tunnels and mines that ran deep beneath the Misty Mountains.
However, things took a turn for the worse when a demon called Durin’s Bane woke up from its slumber in the heart of the mountain. Durin’s Bane was a Balrog, which is a type of powerful and ancient demon. Durin’s Bane, once awakened, began to wreak havoc on the dwarves who were living in Moria. The dwarves fought fiercely against it, but their efforts were in vain, as the Balrog was too powerful.
It destroyed everything in its path, and the dwarves, unable to stand up to it, were forced to flee.
The dwarves were valiant fighters and could have likely defeated the Balrog, but their strength had been weakened by greed. Over the years, the dwarves had mined too deeply for Mithril, a precious mineral. They had excavated too much and too far, disturbing the balance of the underground world, breaking through walls and eventually releasing the Balrog from its thousand-year slumber.
Durin’s Bane was the consequence of their own actions, and it brought about their collapse.
The dwarves were forced to abandon Moria, leaving behind their homes, businesses, and possessions. They fled to other regions in Middle-earth, and their once great kingdom was left to ruin. Today, the ruins of Moria remain deserted, a place haunted by the ghosts of the dwarves who perished and the demons that still roam there.
The story of the fall of Moria serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the consequences of our actions.
Was Moria ever taken back?
Moria, also known as Khazad-dûm, is a fictional dwarven stronghold in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium. The history of Moria is complex and spans thousands of years, beginning with its creation by the dwarves in the First Age and continuing until the end of the Third Age.
During the Third Age, Moria was abandoned by the dwarves after a Balrog, a powerful demon of fire and shadow, was awakened and led an army of orcs and other evil creatures to overrun the city. The dwarves were forced to flee, and Moria became a cursed and haunted place, feared by all who knew of its dark past.
Despite this, there were several attempts to reclaim Moria over the years, most notably by Balin’s colony of dwarves in the early part of the Third Age. Balin and his companions were able to briefly establish a foothold in Moria and even began to mine Mithril, a precious and rare metal. However, their presence in Moria was short-lived as they were ultimately defeated by the orcs and Balin himself was killed.
Several other attempts were made to take back Moria throughout the Third Age, including by the armies of Gondor and Rohan during the War of the Ring. However, none of these attempts were successful and Moria remained empty and forsaken.
It wasn’t until the Fourth Age, after the defeat of Sauron and the end of the War of the Ring, that Moria was finally reclaimed by the dwarves. Led by Gimli, son of Glóin, a group of dwarves returned to Moria and were able to successfully defeat the remaining orcs and cleanse the city of its curse.
Gimli and his companions were able to restore the city to its former glory and re-establish Khazad-dûm as a thriving center of dwarven culture.
Moria was taken back several times throughout the Third Age, but never successfully. It wasn’t until the Fourth Age that the dwarves were able to reclaim the city and restore it to its former glory.
Why did Balin leave the Lonely Mountain?
Balin, one of the most prominent dwarves in the history of Middle-earth, left the Lonely Mountain due to a variety of factors that had a significant impact on his life and the lives of his fellow dwarves. Balin was one of the twelve dwarves who accompanied Thorin Oakenshield on the Quest of Erebor, which involved retaking the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.
After successfully defeating Smaug and reclaiming the Lonely Mountain, Balin assumed the title of Lord of Moria and led a group of dwarves to the abandoned dwarven city of Moria to establish a new colony. Balin’s decision to leave the Lonely Mountain and establish a new colony in Moria was motivated by a desire to expand dwarf influence and power in Middle-earth.
Balin and his dwarves spent several years rebuilding Moria, but ultimately, their quest came to a tragic end.
Moria was not entirely abandoned when Balin and his warriors arrived. Instead, it was infested with goblins and other subterranean creatures, which made settling a dangerous task. Balin himself died in an ambush while exploring the Mines of Moria. This unfortunate encounter led to the rest of the dwarves hiding in the depths of the mines to avoid further danger.
Balin left the Lonely Mountain to establish a new colony at Moria, motivated by a desire to expand the influence of his people in Middle-earth. However, the hostile conditions of Moria’s underground passageways led to Balin’s death, and ultimately the failure of the expedition. Despite the tragic outcome, Balin’s contribution to the dwarf legacy in Middle-earth remains significant, and his story is still remembered among the dwarves to this day.
Who lived in Erebor after Thorin died?
After Thorin died, ownership of Erebor was passed down to his cousin, Dáin Ironfoot. Dáin was a cousin of Thorin’s and a member of the same clan, the Longbeards. He was already the King of the Iron Hills, a dwarf kingdom near Erebor, so he was a natural choice to take over as the King Under the Mountain.
Dáin moved into Erebor with his people and continued to expand and strengthen the kingdom. He was a skilled warrior and leader, and he worked hard to maintain good relations with the neighboring humans and elves. However, Erebor was not without its challenges. The dragon Smaug had left behind a great deal of destruction, and there were still many dangerous creatures lurking in the caves and mines around the mountain.
Despite these challenges, Dáin and his people were able to thrive in Erebor. They mined the mountain for precious metals and gems, and they used their skills as craftsmen to create beautiful and valuable items. They also maintained a strong military presence, with soldiers tasked with guarding the mountain and its surroundings.
Dáin and the dwarves who lived in Erebor after Thorin died continued to build on the legacy of their predecessor. They worked hard to maintain and improve the kingdom, and they remained a proud and powerful minority in Middle Earth.
How old was Balin when Erebor fell?
Balin was an important Dwarf character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit. He was a member of Thorin’s Company and participated in the Quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. Erebor was the Dwarf Kingdom that was located in the Lonely Mountain. Balin was one of the oldest Dwarves in Thorin’s Company, but his exact age at the time when Erebor fell is not specified in the novel.
However, we can make some assumptions based on the events that took place in the book. Erebor fell to Smaug around 171 years before the start of the Quest. In the novel, we learn that Balin was a close friend of Thorin’s father, Thrain II, and that he was one of the few Dwarves who knew about the map and the key that led to the hidden entrance to Erebor.
This indicates that Balin had been around for a long time and had been involved in the Kingdom of Erebor before its fall.
Additionally, Balin was portrayed as a wise and experienced Dwarf who had been involved in many important battles and negotiations throughout his life. This suggests that he had lived for a considerable period of time and had gained a lot of knowledge and experience in the process.
Based on these observations, it is safe to assume that Balin was likely in his 100s or 200s at the time when Erebor fell. However, without any further information, it is impossible to determine his exact age. Nonetheless, Balin’s character played a significant role in the story of The Hobbit and his age did not detract from the important contributions he made to the Quest.
Why did Gimli not know about Balin?
Gimli not knowing about Balin is a result of several factors. First, Gimli is a member of the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain while Balin was from the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain. The dwarves of the Lonely Mountain were a separate faction of dwarves, with different clans and traditions from the dwarves of Moria.
As such, Balin and Gimli may not have had an opportunity to meet or interact with each other, given their disparate backgrounds.
Second, Balin’s expedition to Moria occurred many years before Gimli was born. While Balin’s quest was a significant event in the history of the dwarves, it is possible that the story was not passed down to all members of the dwarven community. Gimli himself was relatively young at the time of the events described in The Lord of the Rings and may not have been familiar with all of the details of dwarven history.
Additionally, Balin’s quest to retake Moria was a tragic failure, resulting in Balin’s death and the ultimate destruction of the entire dwarf colony. Given the somber events that took place, it is possible that the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain did not speak of the events of Balin’s expedition to Moria as frequently or openly as they might have otherwise.
Finally, Gimli was not a member of the Fellowship of the Ring when the group entered Moria on their journey to destroy the One Ring. As such, he was not present when the group found Balin’s tomb and learned of the fate of the dwarf colony in Moria.
Several factors contributed to Gimli’s lack of knowledge about Balin and his expedition to Moria. Despite being a dwarf like Balin, Gimli was from a different faction of dwarves and had no direct relationship with Balin. Moreover, Balin’s expedition occurred long before Gimli’s time, and the tragic events that took place may have dampened any desire to discuss the quest openly.
Finally, Gimli was not present when the rest of the Fellowship discovered Balin’s tomb, and as such, remained unaware of what had transpired in Moria until he learned of it later.
Who takes over the Lonely Mountain after Thorin dies?
After Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain, dies in the Battle of Five Armies, the leadership of Lonely Mountain is passed onto his cousin, Dáin Ironfoot. Dáin is a respected and powerful dwarf leader, known for his bravery and tactical skills in battle. He leads a contingent of dwarves from the Iron Hills to fight alongside Thorin’s company in the Battle of Five Armies.
With Thorin’s death, the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain are in disarray and mourning. However, Dáin assumes the mantle of leadership and quickly takes charge. He oversees the end of the war and the rebuilding of the Lonely Mountain, which was damaged during the battle.
Dáin is a wise leader who understands the importance of alliances, and he works hard to maintain good relations with the neighboring races: the men of Lake-town, the elves of Mirkwood, and the eagles. He also acknowledges the role that Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit who aided Thorin’s company, played in the victory at the Battle of Five Armies.
Dáin is determined to honor Bilbo’s contribution and welcomes him as a guest and friend of the dwarves, even offering him a share in the treasure recovered from the Lonely Mountain.
Under Dáin’s leadership, the Lonely Mountain thrives and becomes a prosperous kingdom once again. He reigns as king for several years, until his own death in the Battle of Dale, which takes place during the War of the Ring. Despite this, his legacy lives on, and his rule is remembered with fondness and admiration by the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain.
