The Lord of Moria

In my last post I noted some highlights as the story of Frodo's journey continues to take shape in details that strike ever closer to the published works of Tolkien. The same will happen as I highlight the next chapter of The Treason of Isengard where we find the fellowship on the brink of Moria. Christopher Tolkien stated that, at this writing, the text of Fellowship was, by and large, effectively completed.

There are some variations though. Aragorn shifts between being named Trotter and Elfstone throughout the chapter. We see some firsts in the text: the river Isen, Barad-dúr and Sauron's strongholds: "'I alone of you have ever been in the dungeons of the Dark Lord; and only in his older and lesser dwelling at Dol-Dúgol in Southern Mirkwood. Those who pass the gates of Barad-dûr, the Dark Tower in the Land of Shadow, do not return'" (p. 177-178, The Treason of Isengard). Pretty cool to see those two names show up!

At this point there are still two distinct doors to enter Moria by: A Dwarven door and an Elven door--at no point did the fellowship attempt the Dwarven door. Christopher Tolkien goes in to some detail about the moon-phases; essentially most references to the moon were removed at this point as it become rather muddled. I do admire Tolkien's determination to get the moons and chronologies correct. I for one am very inept when it comes to lunar cycles.

Mithril is called ithildin at the beginning of the writings but found it's name and significance as the chapter proceeded. One key item missing at this point was the phrase: Durin's Bane. Nothing too definitive but Christopher Tolkien said: "...I think it probable that at this stage it was not the Balrog that had caused the flight of the Dwarves from the great Dwarrowdelf long before" (p. 186, The Treason of Isengard). The chapter ends of course with the company finding the tomb of the Lord of Moria: Balin son of Fundin.