Moria Revisited: Logical Consistencies and Inconsistencies Between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

Between the end of The Hobbit and the beginning of The Lord of the Rings, a significant amount of time passes, roughly 60 years. During this period, several key events shape the landscape of Middle-earth, ultimately leading to the events of The Lord of the Rings. This article explores these events and delves into the logical inconsistencies, particularly concerning Moria.

Bilbo's Life in the Shire and the One Ring

After his adventures in The Hobbit, Bilbo returns to the Shire where he lives a relatively quiet life. He writes about his adventures, particularly in a book called There and Back Again. However, Bilbo's peace is short-lived as he is left with a mysterious heirloom: the One Ring, which he found during his journey. Secretly, he keeps the Ring and gradually becomes aware of its corrupting influence. Over the years, the Ring begins to make Bilbo feel restless and discontent with his peaceful life.

Gandalf's Investigations and the Dangers Looming Ahead

Across Middle-earth, the tension mounts. Gandalf, acting as the guardian of knowledge, becomes increasingly concerned about the Ring and its origins. He investigates its history, eventually learning that the Ring is the One Ring, which Sauron is desperately seeking. As Sauron's power begins to rise in Mordor, Gandalf becomes aware of the growing threat that the Ring poses. In 3001 of the Third Age, Gandalf warns Bilbo, now entering his eleventh birthday (111 years old), to leave the Ring to his nephew, Frodo Baggins, and cautions Frodo about its dangers and the need to keep it safe.

The Rise of Sauron and the Nazg?l's Quest

Concurrently, Sauron gradually regains power in Mordor, and the shadow of his influence begins to spread across Middle-earth. To locate the Ring, the Nazg?l, previously known as Kings of Men, are transformed into terrifying Ringwraiths, hunting for the One Ring.

Logical Error Concerning Moria: A Point of Debate

In discussing the inconsistencies between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, particularly concerning Moria, several points are often debated:

Dwarven Knowledge of Moria

It appears that after the events of The Hobbit, the Dwarves, especially Thorin's company, were unaware of the dangers that had overtaken Moria. They did not fully understand that it had been abandoned due to the presence of the Balrog. Yet, in The Lord of the Rings, Moria is depicted as a haunted and dangerous place that Thorin and his company barely entered. This raises questions about the Dwarves' knowledge and the full extent of the danger they encountered.

Gandalf's Role in Guiding the Fellowship

Gandalf, who had previously entered Moria and had an understanding of its history and dangers, leads the Fellowship into Moria. This action raises questions about whether Gandalf underestimated the threat or simply felt there was no other choice.

Moria's Abandonment: A Vague Timeline

The timeline and events surrounding the Dwarves' abandonment of Moria are somewhat vague. The Balrog's presence and the events leading to the Dwarves' retreat are not fully detailed, making it unclear how much time had passed and how much knowledge was retained by the Dwarves regarding the dangers that lurked within Moria.

While these points are often debated among fans, they contribute to the complexity and depth of Tolkien's world, showcasing the various layers of history and myth that characterize Middle-earth.

Conclusion

The journey between the end of The Hobbit and the beginning of The Lord of the Rings is filled with significant events and logical inconsistencies, particularly concerning Moria. These elements draw readers into a rich and intricate world, where mysterious forces and hidden dangers lurk at every turn. Tolkien's storytelling continues to captivate imaginations, offering endless opportunities for exploration and analysis.