Khazad-dum was the greatest of the Dwarf realms in Middle-earth. Its vast and beautiful halls lay under the Misty Mountains . From its mines came great riches and it was the only source of the precious metal called mithril. But a Balrog slept in the deeps beneath Khazad-dum, and when it awoke the Dwarves were driven from their home. The halls of Khazad-dum were taken over by Orcs and other evil creatures and it became known as Moria, the Black Chasm, and was a place of fear and dread.
The Dimrill Gate was the eastern entrance to Khazad-dum. The great gates were hung on towering doorposts. Inside was the First Hall, which had high windows on the eastern side that let in light. A wide road led from the First Hall down a broad set of steps to the First Deep - the level just below the Dimrill Gate, at a distance of about a quarter mile.
At the foot of the stairs was a deep abyss spanned by the Bridge of Khazad-dum. The bridge was 50 feet long, and it was narrow with no railing. It had been built as a defense against any invader who might get past the Dimrill Gate and take the First Hall. On the other side of the abyss was the Second Hall, a vast chamber with a double row of pillars in the center. The pillars were tall and were carved like trees; at the top their branches supported the high ceiling.
On the peak of the Silvertine - which the Dwarves called Zirak-zigil - stood DurinsTower. The tower was carved out of the living rock of the mountain and stood upon a high eyrie. A spiral staircase of many thousand steps called the Endless Stair led to the tower from the foundations of the mountain.
Beneath the inscription was the Crown of Durin and seven stars over a hammer and anvil. Below these were drawn the Two Trees of Valinor, and in the middle of the door was the Star of the House of Feanor. From inside, the doors could be opened outward with a push, but from the outside they could only be opened by speaking the password: mellon, or "friend".
Two great holly trees stood on either side of the Hollin Gate. Sirannon, the Gate-stream, flowed through the valley in front of the gate and over a waterfall called the Stairs Falls. A road ran alongside the stream from the gate and down the cliff near the waterfall. There was also a flight of stairs beside the falls.
On January 13, 3019, the Fellowship of the Ring arrived at the West-gate of Moria. With the help of a hint from Mery Brandyback, Gandalf at last discovered the password and the Doors of Durin opened. At that moment, Frodo Baggins- the Ringbearer - was attacked by the Watcher in the Water. The Fellowship fled into Moria and the doors were blocked behind them by the Watcher.
When the Fellowship came to the archway where the three corridors diverged, Gandalf could not recall which way to take, so they camped in the guardroom for the night. Pppin Tookthrew a stone down the well in the guardroom and far below the sounded of tapping hammers was heard as if in response.
On January 15, they found the Chamber of Mazarbul and Balin's Tomb. Gandalf read from the Book of Mazarbul and they learned the tragic fate of Balin's colony in Moria, and Gimli mourned the loss of his kinsman.
Suddenly the Fellowship heard drums pounding and realized they were trapped. They barred the western door but kept the east door ajar. A Cave-troll thrust its foot through the door and Frodo stabbed it with Sting. But the Orcs managed to break down the door and a battle ensued in the chamber. Frodo was speared by an Orc-chieftain, but was saved by his Mithril shirt. Sam Gamgee received a gash on the head and managed to kill an Orc. The others fought valiantly and thirteen Orcs were slain; the rest fled.
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Gandalf led the Fellowship down to the Second Hall in the First Deep. They ran to the Bridge of Khazad-dum and were pursued by a fiery creature that Legolas realized was a Balrog. As the others reached the far side of the abyss, Gandalf turned to confront the Balrog. He shattered the Balrog's sword with Glamdring and the Balrog leaped onto the bridge. Aragorn and Boromir started to come to his aid, but Gandalf smote the bridge with his staff and shattered the rock under the Balrog's feet. The Balrog's fiery whip dragged Gandalf to the edge of the abyss, and with a cry of "Fly, you fools!" Gandalf fell into shadow as his friends looked on helplessly. Aragorn led the Fellowship through the First Hall and out the Dimrill Gate.
Gandalf fell into the deep abyss with the Balrog, burned by his fire, until they landed in a subterranean lake. The Balrog's fire was quenched but still he fought Gandalf in the caverns deep under the roots of the mountains. Then they climbed the Endless Stair to the pinnacle of the Silvertine where they fought the Battle of the Peak from January 23 to January 25. In the struggle, Durin's Tower was destroyed and the entrance to the stair was blocked. At last Gandalf smote the Balrog down upon the mountainside.
Gandalf passed into darkness out of thought and time, but Eru sent him back to Middle-earth as Gandalf the White to complete his task. He awoke on February 14 on the peak of the Silvertine and was trapped there until Gwihird Windlordc ame on February 17 and bore him to Lothlorien.