When was Gandalf in Moria?

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Rhod the Red

I don't think Aragorn had forsight. it's just that he knew Moria was dangerious at the time. With the goblins on the rampage. Plus, it seems as if Gandalf's magic is quite limited.

Really?

I have my doubts there... If Aragorn was worried about the threats of Moria based simply upon what they were, then Frodo- or any of the Hobbits- would have been the ones in real danger, not Gandalf. And Aragorn does address his specific concern directly to Gandalf.

Why worry about a 2000-year old wizard with magic and a sword when there's a 4 foot tall non-combatant (in most respects) on whom the Fate of the world rests?

The red ring appears to only be usable with wood around. So there wasn't much chance of using it in Moria.

I think you may be confusing Narya with Gandalf's natural affinity for fire. And, for what it's worth, fire generally one does catch when there's fuel around. Narya may be the "Ring of Fire", but it's more directly concerned with rekindling hope- spiritual fire, so to speak- than with actually lighting fires.

Aside from that, Gandalf doesn't appear to have any capacities beyond a human. He had his stamina and sword: enough to get through Moria the first time, but a second?

True enough, but making it through once gives one experience to draw off a second time, thus making a second journey more likely than the first.

Good points, though- and welcome to the 'Downs.

[Rhod the Red]

"but making it through once gives one experience to draw off a second time" Perhaps but not in Aragon's it seems. Or at least it wasn't enough as justification in his view.

[Mänwe]

I would alert you to the fact that Aragorn did indeed also pass through Moria before their eventful and tragic passage.

"`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.'" - Book II Chapter 4, A Journey in the Dark

He does not elaborate on what he experienced, but it is obviously sufficient enough to dissuage him from the want to enter again. Consequently he knew of something rather evil.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Mänwë

I would alert you to the fact that Aragorn did indeed also pass through Moria before their eventful and tragic passage.

"`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.'" - Book II Chapter 4, A Journey in the Dark

He does not elaborate on what he experienced, but it is obviously sufficient enough to dissuage him from the want to enter again. Consequently he knew of something rather evil.

If one wants to pedantic... and since you seem the pedantic sort, I'll permit myself the amusement thereof, it simply says that Aragorn entered Moria- it does not say that he passed THROUGH Moria. To poke one's head through the gate and decide that it's a very nasty place, as Dáin did and presumeably as Aragorn did, is bold enough in the context of Moria, but isn't QUITE the same as Gandalf's trek THROUGH Moria.

[Thinlómien]

The Gandalf-Moria incident is not the only one where Aragorn shows his foresight.

He also tells Éomer before he goes to the Paths of the Dead that they will meet in the battle. Of course that can be interpreted only as confidence, but it's worth keeping in mind...

[Mänwe]

Formendacil, I permit you your amusement and my own. But is that really what it is saying? Allow me to be pedantic, it does state that he simply entered then left either!

"I passed the Dimril Gate..."

I take it as passing across the threshold of one entrance into Moria, it would strike me as odd indeed,

"To poke one's head through the gate and decide that it's a very nasty place,"

as you put it. Especially in Aragorn's case, he does not seem to me the character who would conduct such a casual observation; does he not to you, create a person who would undertake a task properly?

Yes although there is no specific quote stating he passed through, I do not expect anythin less from him. As why Tolkien does not simply have him say so. I would answer that it was in context of Aragorn's character at the time. He does not reveal an awful lot, he is in conflict with who he is meant to be.

For he is troubled to take lead even of the Fellowship when Gandalf falls from the bridge in Khazad-dum.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

That's an interesting theory about Strider not
going all the way to the West Gate. While it
may seem pedantic, it would square with his
letting Gandalf determine the way through
Moria. If he hadn't been all the way through
he wouldn't have Gandalf's firsthand knowledge.

Also, (somewhat erratically inspired?) foresight
seems to be a not uncommon occurence in even
the Third Age. Witness Eomer's response to
Aragorn:

'Thus we meet again, though all the hosts
of Mordor lay between us,' said Aragorn. Did I not say
so at the Hornburg?'
'So you spoke,' said Eomer, 'but hope oft
deceives, and I knew not then you were a man foresighted.'