Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
(→‎Portrayal in adaptations: Cut back some more)
m (Cleaned up infobox, text needs sources)
(16 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{sources}}
{{unnamed}}
{{unnamed}}
{{battle|
{{battle
image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Sam and cave-troll.jpg|300px]]<br /><small>The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul as depicted in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]|
|image=[[File:John Howe - Under His Blow.jpg|300px]]
name=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
|name=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul
conflict=[[War of the Ring]]|
|conflict=[[War of the Ring]]
date=15 January {{TA|3019}}|
|date=[[15 January]], {{TA|3019}}
place=The [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] and the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]] in [[Moria]]|
|place=[[Chamber of Mazarbul]] and the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]] in [[Moria]]
result=The [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] escapes, [[Gandalf]] and the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog of Moria]] continue to fight in the [[Battle of the Peak]]||
|result=Victory for the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]]
side1=The [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|
*The [[Fellowship of the Ring]] escapes
side2=The [[Orcs of Moria]]<br />The [[Durin's Bane|Balrog of Moria]]|
*[[Gandalf]] and [[Durin's Bane]] fight in the [[Battle of the Peak]]
commanders1=[[Gandalf]]|
|side1=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
commanders2=None|
|side2=[[Orcs of the Mountains]]<br>[[Cave-trolls]]<br>[[Durin's Bane]]
forces1=[[Gandalf]]<br />[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]<br />[[Boromir]]<br />[[Gimli|Gimli Elf-friend]]<br />[[Legolas]]<br />[[Frodo Baggins]]<br />[[Samwise Gamgee]]<br />[[Meriadoc Brandybuck]]<br />[[Peregrin Took]]|
|commanders1=[[Gandalf]]
forces2=Unknown number of [[orcs]].<br />At least one [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]].<br />One [[Balrogs|Balrog]]|
|commanders2=Unknown †
casual1=[[Samwise Gamgee]] and [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] lightly wounded|
|forces1=[[Gandalf]]<br />[[Aragorn]]<br />[[Boromir]]<br />[[Gimli]]<br />[[Legolas]]<br />[[Frodo Baggins]]<br />[[Samwise Gamgee]]<br />[[Meriadoc Brandybuck]]<br />[[Peregrin Took]]
casual2=Many orcs killed|
|forces2=Unknown, except for at least one [[Cave-trolls|cave-troll]] and a [[Balrogs|Balrog]]
|casual1=[[Samwise Gamgee]], [[Boromir]], and [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] lightly wounded
|casual2=14 Orcs killed
}}
}}


Line 21: Line 24:
== History ==
== History ==
=== Prelude ===
=== Prelude ===
 
After being turned back by a snowstorm at the [[Redhorn Pass]] and unwilling to risk the [[Gap of Rohan]] for fear of capture by [[Isengard]], the Fellowship attempted to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] through the abandoned [[Dwarves|dwarven]] city of [[Moria]]. [[Gimli]] hoped to encounter, or at least discover the fate of, [[Balin|Balin's]] expedition to re-establish [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] with which the Dwarves had lost contact.<ref>{{FR|Journey}}</ref> At the end of their third day in Moria the Fellowship took refuge in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]—the site of [[Balin's Tomb]]—and learnt of his failure from the [[Book of Mazarbul]]. Immediately afterwards they heard the sounds of drums and horn blasts. Gandalf was able to ascertain that a band of [[Orcs]], including several black [[Uruk-hai|Uruks]] of Mordor, and at least one [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]] were approaching one of the chamber's two doors.<ref name=Bridge>{{FR|II5}}</ref>
After being turned back by a snowstorm at the [[Redhorn Pass]] and unwilling to risk the [[Gap of Rohan]] for fear of capture by [[Isengard]], the Fellowship attempted to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] through the abandoned [[Dwarves|dwarven]] city of [[Moria]]. [[Gimli]] hoped to encounter, or at least discover the fate of, [[Balin|Balin's]] expedition to re-establish [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] with which the Dwarves had lost contact. At the end of their third day in Moria the Fellowship took refuge in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]—the site of [[Balin's Tomb]]—and learnt of his failure from the [[Book of Mazarbul]]. Immediately afterwards they heard the sounds of drums and horn blasts. Gandalf was able to ascertain that a band of [[Orcs]], including several black [[Uruk-hai|Uruks]] of Mordor, and at least one [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]] were approaching one of the chamber's two doors.<ref name=Bridge>{{FR|II5}}</ref>


=== Battle ===
=== Battle ===
Deep war drums reverberated throughout the chamber and shook the walls as the orcs approached. Gandalf attempted to frighten them, but was met with laughter in the dark. Shining a light outside the door, he briefly glimpsed them in the corridor, narrowly avoiding a volley of arrows in kind and deducing it impossible to escape via the western passage. Gandalf blamed himself aloud for the company falling into the orcs' trap.


The Fellowship intended to make an escape through the east door, which was to their knowledge clear of enemies; however, since the other door opened inwards and could not be locked or barred they were forced to hold their ground until they could put off pursuit. [[Boromir]] attempted to wedge the door with broken swords before the orcs arrived; however, a large cave-troll was able to break through with its foot. [[Frodo Baggins]] managed to force the troll to withdraw temporarily by stabbing its foot with [[Sting]], but the orcs were able to breach what remained of the doors and flooded in.
The Fellowship intended to make an escape through the east door, which was to their knowledge clear of enemies; however, since the other door opened inwards and could not be locked or barred they were forced to hold their ground until they could put off pursuit. Boromir attempted to wedge the door with broken swords before the orcs arrived; however, a large cave-troll was able to break through with its foot. Boromir swung with all his might at the troll's arm, but his sword rang and glanced off, clattering to the ground with a notch in the blade. [[Frodo Baggins]] managed to force the troll to withdraw temporarily by stabbing its foot with [[Sting]], but the orcs were able to breach what remained of the doors and flooded in.


In the ensuing melee [[Gimli]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] are recorded as killing one orc each, [[Legolas]] two with his bow, while [[Aragorn]] and [[Boromir]] are said to have slain "many". The orcs then retreated and Gandalf judged the time right to make an escape. However before the Fellowship could reach the door, a "huge orc chieftain" forced past Aragorn and Boromir and pinned Frodo to the wall with a spear. To the astonishment of his companions Frodo's ''[[mithril]]'' shirt saved him from injury and his attacker was quickly beheaded by Aragorn, finally routing the orcs.
In the ensuing melee [[Gimli]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] killed one orc each, [[Legolas]] two with his bow, while [[Aragorn]] and [[Boromir]] slew "many". Though the attack was vicious and the fighting sharp, the orcs had not been prepared for such fierce defence; thirteen orcs were slain in all, and Samwise suffered a cut to his scalp. The orcs briefly retreated, and Gandalf judged the time right to make an escape. However before the Fellowship could reach the door, a huge orc chieftain, nearly man-high and clad in black mail, leapt into the chamber alone. He bashed Boromir aside and threw him to the ground, swept past Aragorn with the speed of a snake, and stabbed at Frodo with a great spear, pinning him to the wall. Sam cut the shaft of the spear, and as the chieftain drew a scimitar, Aragorn struck him from behind and cleaved his skull, slaying him and routing the rest of the orcs.


Gandalf stayed behind to hold the door while the rest of the Fellowship fled down a dark and narrow stairway. As they reached its foot they saw a bright white light from the doorway and Gandalf swiftly descended the stairs to join them; he told them he had "met [[Durin's Bane|my match]], and nearly been destroyed" and then urged the company forward.
As Aragorn picked up Frodo's body, Gandalf stayed behind to hold the door while the rest of the Fellowship fled down a dark and narrow stairway. As they reached its foot they saw a bright white light from the doorway and Gandalf swiftly descended the stairs to join them; he told them he had "met [[Durin's Bane|my match]], and nearly been destroyed" and then urged the company forward.<ref name=Bridge/>


=== Aftermath ===
=== Aftermath ===
After a brief rest where Gandalf discusses his encounter with what the Fellowship will later discover to be a [[Balrogs|balrog]] they continued their retreat towards the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]], along the way being occasionally fired upon by orc archers. Upon reaching the bridge the Fellowship turn to see the balrog closing in on them and realise its nature. Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf are all described as becoming physically distraught at the realisation. Nevertheless Gandalf regained his composure and ordered the rest of the Fellowship to cross the bridge while he held the rear.
While they were running, Frodo was discovered to be alive to the astonishment of his companions, as Aragorn had thought him to be dead.<ref name=Bridge/> As they would discover later outside Moria, his ''[[mithril]]'' shirt had saved him from serious injury, though he was left bruised.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> After a brief rest, where Gandalf discussed his encounter with what the Fellowship would later discover to be a [[Balrogs|balrog]], they continued their retreat towards the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]], along the way being occasionally fired upon by orc archers.  


In order to secure the Fellowship's retreat Gandalf broke the bridge with his staff, sending the balrog falling into the chasm beneath. He too falls, however, as the balrog's whip catches his legs. The remaining members of the Fellowship assumed he perished in the fall and upon escaping Moria appointed Aragorn their new leader. In actuality both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and continued their duel amongst the many caverns and tunnels underneath the mountain, eventually culminating in the [[Battle of the Peak]].<ref name=Bridge/>
Upon reaching the bridge, the Fellowship turned to see the pursuing orcs behind them being blocked by a flaming fissure in the floor, as the Fellowship had entered the hall that led to the bridge through another direction. Trolls brought large slabs of stone to cross the flames, but before the orcs could surge forward, the balrog stepped forth and the orcs drew back as if they feared it themselves. The balrog leapt over the fissure and the orcs poured across the makeshift gangways. As the balrog closed in on them and they realised its nature, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf were all physically distraught at the realisation. Boromir blew his [[Horn of Gondor|horn]] in challenge, which halted the balrog and the orcs in their tracks for a few moments, but then they pressed onward. Gandalf regained his composure and ordered the rest of the Fellowship to cross the bridge while he held the rear.
 
In order to secure the Fellowship's retreat, Gandalf confronted the balrog, breaking its flaming sword with his own Elven sword [[Glamdring]]. Aragorn and Boromir ran back onto the bridge to aid him, but at that moment Gandalf cried aloud and struck the bridge with his staff, sending up a sheet of white flame. The staff broke and fell from his hand, and the stone in front of him cracked and broke as well, sending the balrog falling into the chasm beneath. He too fell, however, as the balrog's whip caught his legs. The remaining members of the Fellowship assumed he perished in the fall and upon escaping Moria appointed Aragorn their new leader.<ref name=Bridge/> In actuality both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and continued their duel amongst the many caverns and tunnels underneath the mountain, eventually culminating in the [[Battle of the Peak]].<ref>{{TT|White}}</ref>


== Portrayal in adaptations ==
== Portrayal in adaptations ==


'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
: Like the book, the [[cave-troll]] is only glimpsed when it tries to open the door, and Frodo drives it away when he stabs its foot. Then a large group of orcs break through the Chamber door. The fighting is short but sharp, though the orc-chieftain's attack on Frodo is in slow-motion.
:Following the victory, the Fellowship retreats towards the bridge with the orcs in pursuit. At the bridge the orcs halt, and Aragorn tells them to come no closer but then the Balrog appears. There is no flaming fissure and no other trolls.
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Sam and cave-troll.jpg|thumb|The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul as depicted in ''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'']]
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The battle begins when a large group of orcs break through the Chamber door. The cave-troll enters early on, breaking into the Chamber and nearly killing [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]. The fighting continues, with [[Legolas]], [[Aragorn]], [[Boromir]] and [[Gimli]] killing many orcs. At one point during the fight, Legolas climbs up onto the Cave-troll's shoulders and shoots its head with two arrows, but to no avail. While swinging madly around the chamber, the Cave-troll smashes [[Balin's Tomb]]. Despite Aragorn's attempt to protect the hobbit, the Cave-troll (rather than an orc-chieftain) hits Frodo with a spear.
:The battle begins when a large group of orcs break through the Chamber door. The [[cave-troll]] enters early on, breaking into the Chamber and nearly killing [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]. The fighting continues, with [[Legolas]], [[Aragorn]], [[Boromir]] and [[Gimli]] killing many orcs. At one point during the fight, Legolas climbs up onto the Cave-troll's shoulders and shoots its head with an arrow, but to no avail. While swinging madly around the chamber, the Cave-troll smashes [[Balin's Tomb]]. Despite Aragorn's attempt to protect the hobbit, the Cave-troll (rather than an orc-chieftain) hits Frodo with a spear.


:Following the victory, when most of the orcs have been killed or fled the Chamber, the Fellowship hears the sound of more orcs approaching and flees through a break in the eastern wall of the chamber, running back through the [[Twenty-first Hall]]. The action is extended further in the film, as the Fellowship are soon surrounded by hundreds of Moria orcs, before the Balrog enters the hall.
:Following the victory, when most of the orcs have been killed or fled the Chamber, the Fellowship hears the sound of more orcs approaching and flees through a break in the eastern wall of the chamber, running back through the [[Twenty-first Hall]]. The action is extended further in the film, as the Fellowship are soon surrounded by hundreds of Moria orcs, before the Balrog enters the hall. There is no flaming fissure and no other trolls.


== Related articles ==
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]'':'''
* [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]
:The beginning of the battle is shown in a cutscene, but is abruptly skipped just as the Orcs are seen swarming into the chamber.
* [[War of the Ring]]
 
* [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]]
== See also ==
* [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]
* [[Last Stand of Balin's Colony]]
* [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]
* [[Battle of the Peak]]
* [[Balin's Tomb]]


{{References}}
{{References}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]

Revision as of 18:56, 31 May 2021

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul
John Howe - Under His Blow.jpg
Conflict: War of the Ring
Date: 15 January, T.A. 3019
Place: Chamber of Mazarbul and the Bridge of Khazad-dûm in Moria
Outcome: Victory for the Fellowship
Combatants

Fellowship of the Ring

Orcs of the Mountains
Cave-trolls
Durin's Bane

Commanders

Gandalf

Unknown †

Strength

Gandalf
Aragorn
Boromir
Gimli
Legolas
Frodo Baggins
Samwise Gamgee
Meriadoc Brandybuck
Peregrin Took

Unknown, except for at least one cave-troll and a Balrog

Casualties

Samwise Gamgee, Boromir, and Frodo lightly wounded

14 Orcs killed

The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul was a skirmish between the Fellowship of the Ring and the Orcs of the Misty Mountains which took place on 15 January T.A. 3019. It was a significant event in the Quest of the Ring, resulting in the separation of Gandalf and the rest of the Fellowship.

History

Prelude

After being turned back by a snowstorm at the Redhorn Pass and unwilling to risk the Gap of Rohan for fear of capture by Isengard, the Fellowship attempted to cross the Misty Mountains through the abandoned dwarven city of Moria. Gimli hoped to encounter, or at least discover the fate of, Balin's expedition to re-establish Khazad-dûm with which the Dwarves had lost contact.[1] At the end of their third day in Moria the Fellowship took refuge in the Chamber of Mazarbul—the site of Balin's Tomb—and learnt of his failure from the Book of Mazarbul. Immediately afterwards they heard the sounds of drums and horn blasts. Gandalf was able to ascertain that a band of Orcs, including several black Uruks of Mordor, and at least one Cave-troll were approaching one of the chamber's two doors.[2]

Battle

Deep war drums reverberated throughout the chamber and shook the walls as the orcs approached. Gandalf attempted to frighten them, but was met with laughter in the dark. Shining a light outside the door, he briefly glimpsed them in the corridor, narrowly avoiding a volley of arrows in kind and deducing it impossible to escape via the western passage. Gandalf blamed himself aloud for the company falling into the orcs' trap.

The Fellowship intended to make an escape through the east door, which was to their knowledge clear of enemies; however, since the other door opened inwards and could not be locked or barred they were forced to hold their ground until they could put off pursuit. Boromir attempted to wedge the door with broken swords before the orcs arrived; however, a large cave-troll was able to break through with its foot. Boromir swung with all his might at the troll's arm, but his sword rang and glanced off, clattering to the ground with a notch in the blade. Frodo Baggins managed to force the troll to withdraw temporarily by stabbing its foot with Sting, but the orcs were able to breach what remained of the doors and flooded in.

In the ensuing melee Gimli and Samwise Gamgee killed one orc each, Legolas two with his bow, while Aragorn and Boromir slew "many". Though the attack was vicious and the fighting sharp, the orcs had not been prepared for such fierce defence; thirteen orcs were slain in all, and Samwise suffered a cut to his scalp. The orcs briefly retreated, and Gandalf judged the time right to make an escape. However before the Fellowship could reach the door, a huge orc chieftain, nearly man-high and clad in black mail, leapt into the chamber alone. He bashed Boromir aside and threw him to the ground, swept past Aragorn with the speed of a snake, and stabbed at Frodo with a great spear, pinning him to the wall. Sam cut the shaft of the spear, and as the chieftain drew a scimitar, Aragorn struck him from behind and cleaved his skull, slaying him and routing the rest of the orcs.

As Aragorn picked up Frodo's body, Gandalf stayed behind to hold the door while the rest of the Fellowship fled down a dark and narrow stairway. As they reached its foot they saw a bright white light from the doorway and Gandalf swiftly descended the stairs to join them; he told them he had "met my match, and nearly been destroyed" and then urged the company forward.[2]

Aftermath

While they were running, Frodo was discovered to be alive to the astonishment of his companions, as Aragorn had thought him to be dead.[2] As they would discover later outside Moria, his mithril shirt had saved him from serious injury, though he was left bruised.[3] After a brief rest, where Gandalf discussed his encounter with what the Fellowship would later discover to be a balrog, they continued their retreat towards the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, along the way being occasionally fired upon by orc archers.

Upon reaching the bridge, the Fellowship turned to see the pursuing orcs behind them being blocked by a flaming fissure in the floor, as the Fellowship had entered the hall that led to the bridge through another direction. Trolls brought large slabs of stone to cross the flames, but before the orcs could surge forward, the balrog stepped forth and the orcs drew back as if they feared it themselves. The balrog leapt over the fissure and the orcs poured across the makeshift gangways. As the balrog closed in on them and they realised its nature, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf were all physically distraught at the realisation. Boromir blew his horn in challenge, which halted the balrog and the orcs in their tracks for a few moments, but then they pressed onward. Gandalf regained his composure and ordered the rest of the Fellowship to cross the bridge while he held the rear.

In order to secure the Fellowship's retreat, Gandalf confronted the balrog, breaking its flaming sword with his own Elven sword Glamdring. Aragorn and Boromir ran back onto the bridge to aid him, but at that moment Gandalf cried aloud and struck the bridge with his staff, sending up a sheet of white flame. The staff broke and fell from his hand, and the stone in front of him cracked and broke as well, sending the balrog falling into the chasm beneath. He too fell, however, as the balrog's whip caught his legs. The remaining members of the Fellowship assumed he perished in the fall and upon escaping Moria appointed Aragorn their new leader.[2] In actuality both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and continued their duel amongst the many caverns and tunnels underneath the mountain, eventually culminating in the Battle of the Peak.[4]

Portrayal in adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Like the book, the cave-troll is only glimpsed when it tries to open the door, and Frodo drives it away when he stabs its foot. Then a large group of orcs break through the Chamber door. The fighting is short but sharp, though the orc-chieftain's attack on Frodo is in slow-motion.
Following the victory, the Fellowship retreats towards the bridge with the orcs in pursuit. At the bridge the orcs halt, and Aragorn tells them to come no closer but then the Balrog appears. There is no flaming fissure and no other trolls.
The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul as depicted in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

The battle begins when a large group of orcs break through the Chamber door. The cave-troll enters early on, breaking into the Chamber and nearly killing Sam. The fighting continues, with Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli killing many orcs. At one point during the fight, Legolas climbs up onto the Cave-troll's shoulders and shoots its head with an arrow, but to no avail. While swinging madly around the chamber, the Cave-troll smashes Balin's Tomb. Despite Aragorn's attempt to protect the hobbit, the Cave-troll (rather than an orc-chieftain) hits Frodo with a spear.
Following the victory, when most of the orcs have been killed or fled the Chamber, the Fellowship hears the sound of more orcs approaching and flees through a break in the eastern wall of the chamber, running back through the Twenty-first Hall. The action is extended further in the film, as the Fellowship are soon surrounded by hundreds of Moria orcs, before the Balrog enters the hall. There is no flaming fissure and no other trolls.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

The beginning of the battle is shown in a cutscene, but is abruptly skipped just as the Orcs are seen swarming into the chamber.

See also

References