As we continue this series we’ll give a little background to where we’re at today. While a story about the War of the Elves and Sauron is shaping up for Amazon, there are still many stories to be told in the Third Age. In fact, when we first heard about the Amazon TV Show based on The Lord of the Rings we felt an anthology series would be a great way to tell a wide variety of Lord of the Rings stories that deserve some expansion.
Our first idea was a storyline centered around Elrond’s sons, Elrohir and Elladan. Prior to the events of The Lord of the Rings, these two brothers go on an incredible journey of their own. You can read that post HERE.
Our next great event in the Third Age involves a courageous and determined group of Dwarves:
Balin leads a group of Dwarves in a valiant effort to reclaim the Mines of Moria.
Like many of these expanded stories we don’t know much about what happened in the Mines of Moria during this ultimately failed expedition. True, this story doesn’t have much impact on the events in The Lord of the Rings, but we at Of Blades and Kings are craving a unique story for the Dwarves of Middle-earth, and we feel this is one of them. Before we break into the possibilities for this story let’s break down what we do know about this event.
In the year 2989, rumors and talks regarding treasures of old had begun to spark up amongst the Dwarves of Middle-earth, they spoke of Moria with longing and fear. It had been many years since Durin’s folk fled from the “nameless fear” inside the mines, and no Dwarf had dared to enter since, besides Thrór, and he was killed. But, too much time had passed and as the stories of the glory of Moria reached his ears, Balin was resolved to try and reclaim it for Durin’s folk. With him he took Ori and Óin, and many other Dwarves on this expedition. At first, news was coming from Moria at a good rate, the news was also encouraging, they were making progress reclaiming the Mines, but by the time of The Lord of the Rings, it had been a long time since anyone heard from them.
Glóin came to the Counsil of Elrond to speak of this news and hopefully find an understanding of what happened and what to do. Unfortunately, for the case of Balin, not much discussion was given, seeing as the main purpose of this meeting was to decide what to do with the Ring.
It isn’t until the Fellowship travel to the Mines of Moria that we learn what happened to these mighty Dwarves.
- They drove the Orcs away from the main gates of Moria and slew many as they made their way further into the Mines. A Dwarven warrior named Floi, slew a great enemy, but was killed by an arrow.
- The Dwarves took the twentyfirst hall of the North end to dwell in. Balin had set his seat in the Chamber of Mazarbul. Balin was named the Lord of Moria.
- 5 years the colony lived, perhaps thrived, in Moria, they were able to mine for gold and they were successful in finding mithril.
- Unfortunately the success wouldn’t last long, in the 5th year Balin was shot by an Orc. He slayed the Orc, but many more came and he died from his injuries.
- Disaster follows, the Dwarves are forced to make a last stand against the Orcs of Moria, none were left alive to tell their tale.
Few were mentioned by name, but Balin, Óin, Ori, Floi, Frár, Lóni, and Náli all deserve for their stories to be told. What else happened in those mines? What was the struggle like? The victories, defeats? Did they all want to be there? What drove them to keep pushing on? In this tale we can learn a lot about the Dwarven race, we can see how they interact with each other, how they work, how they fight, and how they live. In The Hobbit, we see some of this, but it’s Bilbo’s story, and rightly so, the Dwarves of Middle-earth need their own story and, tragic as it may be, this event could give us that story. The question of how this happened still leaves more details that should be fleshed out.
Let us know your thoughts, do you think this story needs to be told? What about the Dwarves of Middle-earth, do they even need their own story? Let us know in the comments below.
Thank you so much for your time and remember, all that is gold does not glitter.
– The Wandering One
Of Blades and Kings 