[Morwen]

The other question I have is, WHEN did Aragorn venture through? Neither Gandalf nor Aragorn were familiar with the change in the terrain (IE, the lake instead of the waterfall and stream) nor were they quickly able to find the doors. It must have been before Balin's attempt began, but what about the orc infestation?

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Possible times that Aragorn might have gone into Moria

1. TA 2951 - 2956

In TA 2951 Aragorn goes into the Wild. From TA 2957 - 2980 he undertakes great journeys and he serves Thengel of Rohan and Ecthelion II of Gondor in disguise. (Appendix B - Tale of Years)

The period between TA 2951 and 2957 is one possible time that he could have ventured into Moria. I say this on the assumption that his service to the leaders of Rohan and Gondor and his later "great journeys and errantries" would have kept him away from Moria between TA 2957 - 2980.

He rode in the host of the Rohirrim and fought for the Lord of Gondor by land and by sea; and then in the hour of victory he passed out of the knowledge of Men of the West, and went alone far into the East and deep into the South, exploring the hearts of Men, both evil and good, and uncovering the plotsand devices of the servants of Sauron.

LotR - Appendix A (v)

2. TA 2980 - 2988

Around TA 2980 Aragorn, after he and Arwen have plighted their troth and Elrond makes his pronouncement on the matter, goes back to danger and toil. So from that time to 2988 he could have ventured into Moria. I stop at 2988 as in TA 2989 Balin is said to have entered Moria. (LotR, Appendix B)

Since Aragorn does not mention the dwarf colony he probably didn't enter Moria during its existence (TA 2989 - 2994)

TA 2995 - 3017

I like the above as a possible time period for Aragorn's entry into Moria as we are told that in 3001 Gandalf "seeks for news of Gollum and calls on the help of Aragorn". In light of the fact that it is in Moria that Gollum begins to follow the Fellowship, I think Moria a possible hiding place for Gollum during this time and it may have been one of the places that Aragorn tracked Gollum to. Actually if the search for Gollum is a plausible reason for Aragorn entering Moria then the time period above can be whittled down further (TA 3001 - 3017) Of course this argument would have greater weight if Appendix B mentioned Moria as one the places that Gandalf and Aragorn searched for Gollum. We are specifically told that they searched "the vales of Anduin, Mirkwood, and Rhovanion to the confines of Mordor". Of course I don't think that the list is meant to be exhaustive so it's possible that Moria was one of the places searched.

(Although, now that I think about it, did Aragorn say that he actually ventured THROUGH Moria, or did he say he ventured IN?)

Good point.

"I too once passed the Dimrill Gate," said Aragorn quietly; "but though I also came out again, the memory is very evil. I do not wish to enter Moria a second time." FotR, A Journey in the Dark

Gandalf mentions entering from the East and implies that he exited through the Western gate ("If you wish to know, I will tell you that these open outwards. From the inside you may thrust them open with your hand.")


Aragorn's answer is vague. He may have both entered and exited through Moria's eastern gate. Actually, this would explain why he’s unaware of the pool at the Western Gate which was already present/ had come into existence while the Dwarves were there.