The Underground Kingdom! The Long-Lost Dwarven Kingdom of Moria

The Underground Kingdom! Moria, the Dwarven kingdom whose people had long since perished

Seeing the gates of Moria, the Dwarven kingdom, open, everyone shouldered their packs and prepared to enter this underground kingdom that Gimli had described as practically paradise, where they could enjoy the finest ale and the most tender roast meat. Yet after the gates of Moria opened, all that lay beyond was pitch-black, deathly silence that stirred unease. Coupled with the heavy stench of decay and desolation, so strong it made one want to vomit, even these seasoned professionals felt that something was very wrong here.

Even Gimli, the dwarf who had been chattering nonstop, fell silent the instant the gates of Moria opened. Clearly, what lay beyond them was utterly different from what he had imagined: his cousin Balin leading countless dwarf brothers in a warm welcome, followed by laughter all the way to a spacious banquet hall for a grand feast.

Though Gimli had always been blunt and thick-skinned, that did not mean he lacked intelligence. On the contrary, he possessed a shrewd mind rare among dwarves. At that moment, a nightmare-like sense of foreboding was already creeping into his heart. He desperately wanted to enter Moria. Whether as a member of the Fellowship of the Ring, or as Glóin's son and the cousin of Balin, lord of Moria, he had to enter Moria.

He had to see whether his cousin Balin was safe, and what exactly had happened to Moria!

Burdened with worry, Gimli failed to notice Gandalf standing before the gates of Moria as he opened the stone doors, nor did he notice the sorrow-filled sigh Gandalf let out afterward.

Led by Gandalf, everyone filed into the pitch-black Dwarven kingdom of Moria. Once they had all entered, the enormous stone gates slammed shut!