Re-colonization of Moria

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"They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes, drums...drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out...they are coming."

—Ori's last entry in the Book of Mazarbul

Between 2989 and 2994 of the late Third Age, the lost Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dûm was re-colonized by Dwarves of Erebor. The expedition to Moria was led by Balin, a member of the company of Thorin II, and was made up of a few thousand Dwarven colonists of various ages, backgrounds, and professions.

At first, Balin's folk had considerable success in reclaiming much of Moria from the occupying Orcs and the colony thrived for several years. However, after five years, a great host of Orcs assailed the colony, attacking and overwhelming the Dwarves until none remained alive.

History

In the year 2989, forty-eight years after the Battle of the Five Armies, Balin, along with Flói, Óin, Ori, Frár, Lóni, Náli, and a legion of Dwarves embarked from Erebor to the Misty Mountains to reclaim the lost Dwarven realm of Khazad-dûm. Dáin II only reluctantly gave his permission for the venture due to his fear of the Balrog Durin's Bane, which he had seen with his own eyes at the Battle of Azanulbizar. Balin, meanwhile, hoped to reclaim some of the treasures of the lost realm such as the Ring of Thrór, which unbeknownst to Balin had actually been taken from Thráin II by Sauron.

Re-conquest and settlement of Moria

When they had arrived at Moria, the first battle with Orcs took place from the Dimrill Dale all the way to the Chamber of Mazarbul, during which Flói was killed before the Dwarves reached the First Hall. Nevertheless, the Dwarves continued on in harrowing Moria of their enemy, destroying the Orc-holds until eventually much of Khazad-dûm was reclaimed. The Dwarves then dwelt in the Twenty-first Hall of North end until Balin later moved to the Chamber of Mazarbul, which became his seat of rule.

For the next five years, Balin ruled as Lord of Moria and the colony thrived. The Orcs became no more than a nuisance during those years. During this time, Balin and his people recovered Durin's Axe and helm. The Dwarves sent word of their success to Erebor, speaking of their prosperity and new colony within Moria in an effort to garner more support from the king and entice more of their kin to join them but few ever did. The rest of the efforts of Balin's folk were focused on restoring the cavernous mountain realm to a livable state in order for new mining operations to commence. During this time, the Dwarves found deposits of mithril and Óin was sent west to reopen the Doors of Durin.

Suddenly, all communications from Moria ceased and Balin's folk went silent, leaving King Dáin and his people out of touch. The Dwarves were aware that a terrible menace called "Durin's Bane" dwelt in the utter deeps of Moria, but Balin's folk did not know that it was an ancient Balrog, and saw no sign of it during their time there.

End of the colony

In the year 2994, the Dwarves' tentative peace was rent asunder when a huge horde of Orcs launched a massive counterattack from the east and assailed the colony. Balin was shot by an archer while visiting the Mirrormere and died in the Dimrill Dale; when the Dwarves sallied forth to retrieve his body, they too were attacked on all sides and though they inflicted heavy losses on their attackers, many Dwarves perished, forcing a retreat back into the mines. As they prepared the inner defenses, the Orcs besieged the East-gate of Moria and eventually broke through into the interior. Bloody fighting raged but the strength of the Dwarves was ultimately no match for the sheer number of Orcs, and they were forced back again and again.

Before long, the Orcs reached the Bridge of Khazad-dûm and the Second Hall was within their grasp. The bridge itself, however, proved a lethal obstacle to the Orcs, as it had been specifically designed to force attacking enemies to cross it in single file, and many Orcs were either struck down as soon as they crossed or immediately thrown back into the abyss behind them on either side of it. Yet even with this major advantage, the Dwarves could not hold back the tide of enemies forever and eventually the bridge and the Second Hall were taken by the Orcs; during this, Frár, Lóni, and Náli were among the casualties. Óin and a group of Dwarves tried to escape through the Doors of Durin, but Óin was taken by the Watcher in the Water and his companions fled back into the city to rejoin their kin.

Now in full retreat, the last of the Dwarves retreated to the Chamber of Mazarbul and barred the doors. In this brief respite, their last act as a colony was to build a tomb for Balin. Eventually, Orcs broke through and slew them, ending the re-colonization of Moria.

Aftermath

With the Dwarven colony destroyed, Moria continued to be a place of evil that few dared enter. By TA 3019, King Dáin II had become concerned at the lack of news from Moria, and Glóin was sent to the Council of Elrond partly to ascertain news of the colony. The Fellowship of the Ring passed through Moria not long afterwards and found it desolate, they discovered a partial account of its fall recorded in the Book of Mazarbul.

Translations

Foreign Language	Translated name
Danish	Rekoloniseringen af Moria