Moria

Christopher Tolkien shared a sketch of the Mines of Moria chapter that preceded the narrative. Many essential items appeared from the beginning: Gandalf's doubt at the three roads, the well, the attack at Balin's tomb, Frodo's near death, etc.

In the written narrative further details emerge. The dammed lake that nearly cuts the company off from the Mines, the holly-trees marking the invisible dwarf door, the signs of the Durin and the Elves, the door-opening riddle, Gandalf's struggle to find the opening words, the Watcher in the Water, etc.

Indeed, much of the early manuscript of the chapter resembles Fellowship. So much so that I am purposefully not going into much detail. The book ends with the ominous discovery of a tomb by the company. And I must say I am not displeased as The Return of the Shadow clocked in at 462 pages (not counting the index) and by far was the largest book yet in The History of Middle-earth series.