Everyone was silent at Balin's tomb. "Frodo thought of Bilbo and his long friendship with the dwarf, and of Balin's visit to the Shire long ago" (p. 335, The Fellowship of the Ring). They noticed bones and broken weapons by the main door. There was also a smaller door in the room. Gandalf found an old book, ripped and half burned, with blood stains on it. He sifted through to see what could be learned of the Dwarves fate. It seemed Balin and those with him had driven out the Orcs and set his seat in the Chamber of Mazarbul. It seemed as well that they had once again found mithril in Moria. Suddenly in the record book the handwriting changed; much neater and in Elvish. "'That would be Ori's hand,' said Gimli, looking over the wizard's arm. 'He could write well and speedily, and often used the Elvish characters'" (p. 336, The Fellowship of the Ring).
Gandalf discovered that five years after reestablishing Moria Balin was shot in the back with an arrow by an Orc while looking upon Mirrormere Lake. It was then that great amounts of Orcs began to invade Moria again. The Gandalf turned to the very last entry and paused before going on: "'It is a grim reading,' he said. 'I fear their end was cruel. Listen! We cannot get out. We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Frar and Loni and Nali fell there. Then there are four lines smeared that I can only read went 5 days ago. The last lines run the pool is up to the wall at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water took Oin. We cannot get out. The end comes, and then drums, drums in the deep. I wonder what that means. The last thing written is in a trailing scrawl of elf-letters: they are coming. There is nothing more.' Gandalf paused and stood in silent thought" (p. 336, The Fellowship of the Ring). That reading gives me chills.
Gandalf said Gimli must take the Book of Mazarbul to Dain if possible. Based on the record book the Wizard knew exactly where they were and where they needed to go to reach the East-gate. As he began to lead the Fellowship distant drums in the deep could be heard. Soon horns and many feet along with horrible cries could be heard. "'They are coming!' cried Legoas. 'We cannot get out,' said Gimil" (p. 337, The Fellowship of the Ring). Aragorn ordered the doors be barred and weapons drawn but Gandalf wanted the rear door left ajar as a means of escape. Just before the main door was closed Gandalf offered a challenge to the enemy and peered out noting many Orcs, including Uruks of Mordor, along with a cave troll or two. Aragorn could hear no sound of approaching enemy at the far door but knew they could not simply fly down the passage without first hindering their pursuers. "'We will make them fear the Chamber of Mazarbul!' he said grimly, feeling the edge of his sword, Anduril" (p. 338, The Fellowship of the Ring).
Soon the main door was under assault taking heavy blows and opening. A cave troll stuck its arm and foot through. Frodo, filled with wrath, sprung forward stabbing deep into the foot with Sting forcing the troll back. "'One for the Shire!' cried Aragorn. 'The hobbit's bite is deep! You have a good blade, Frodo son of Drogo!'" (p. 339, The Fellowship of the Ring). Still the onslaught on the door continued until it broke. All the Fellowship entered the fray. Boromir and Aragorn killed many, Gimli cut any Orc that came near Balin's tomb, Legolas shot two through the throat, Sam even killed an Orc. The rest of the Orcs drew back in fear not suspecting such a formidable foe. Gandalf called for them to flee and even as they ran down the far passage a great Orc came through the door throwing a spear into Frodo pinning him to the wall. That was the Orc's last act as Anduril hewed its head.
Aragorn picked up Frodo's body and ran down the hall. Legolas had to drag away Gimli who still sought to protect Balin's tomb. To the great amazement of all Frodo came too saying he was alright and didn't need to be carried. Gandalf stayed by the doors and ordered the other to flee down the passage. There Frodo could see the Wizard by the doors muttering something he did not understand. There was a flash of light, some drums, some silence, and then Gandalf came flying down the stairs landing amongst the Fellowship. As he struggled to his feet he said: "'I have done all that I could. But I have met my match, and have nearly been destroyed'" (p. 340, The Fellowship of the Ring). With that he ordered them to flee and they began to run down the passage. They ran for over a mile, down many flights of stairs, and the drums were heard at a far distance away.
Finally, pausing to rest, Gimli asked Gandalf what happened at the doors. The wizard had attempted to put a shutting spell on the door but something behind the door realized his presence and the counter spell nearly broke him. Gandalf heard Orcs muttering ghash (fire) but did not understand. Speaking a word of Command (not sure what that means but it sounds cool) brought the whole arch down on the door blocking their escape route with many rocks and rubble and throwing Gandalf down the flight of stairs. He then turned his attention onto Frodo who simply said he was alive and sore, not yet revealing the mithril coat he wore. As they spoke Gimli was the first to notice a red light growing down the passage: ghash. A huge hall stood before them and they had to race to the end of it as drums grew loud, horns called, and the red light intensified.
They reached the Bridge of Khazad-dum: a defense for the Dwarves should any enemy gain possession of the first halls as it could only be crossed in single file fashion in a span of 50 feet over a great chasm. Arrows began to rain on them; one bounced of Frodo, another stuck in Gandalf's hat. Legolas turned to return an arrow but dropped the arrow in terror. "'Ai! Ai! wailed Legolas. 'A Balrog! A Balrog is come!'" (p. 344, The Fellowship of the Ring). Gimli knew it as Durin's Bane and simply covered his face. "...it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it...Its streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it held a whip of many thongs" (p. 344, The Fellowship of the Ring).
Gandalf now understood what almost broke him at the doors. He was weary but called the others to race across the bridge. He alone stood in the middle of the bridge to block the Balrog. "You cannot pass,' he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. 'I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass'" (p. 344, The Fellowship of the Ring). The Balrog rushed Gandalf bringing down his sword upon him but Glamdring answered in its white light and broke the Balrog's sword. Gandalf lifted his staff and smote the bridge breaking it and the bridge. Down into the chasm fell the Balrog but with a last effort flicked its whip toward Gandalf dragging the wizard to the edge of the broken bridge. "'Fly, you fools!' he cried, and was gone" (p. 345, The Fellowship of the Ring).
Aragorn brought the Fellowship to its senses leading them swiftly toward the East-gate. They met only a thin guard which fled quickly after Aragorn killed their captain. Out of the gates they ran. "Thus, at last, they came beyond hope under the sky and felt the wind on their faces" (p. 346, The Fellowship of the Ring). Out into the Dimrill Dale they ran safe from bowshot of the Mines. It was about 1 o'clock and the sun was shining bright. Grief overcame them and they wept. What an intense chapter with lots of action and emotional tension. Some great details but enough unsaid to let your mind fill in some imaginative thoughts. If you can separate it from the movie imagery that is.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, January
Today's reading comes from: The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 335-346
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