[Mithadan]

The dust was deep on the floor of the tunnel and the sound of their footsteps was hushed as if they walked through a covering of light snow. But soon, the walls and floor of the corridor became rough and the ground was littered with rock that had fallen from the Dwarven stonework that surrounded them. Here was a place where the skill of the Dwarves had struggled with the weight of the mountain and, with some shift of the stone above, was losing the battle. The Elves threaded their way among the fallen masonry and lifted the hoods of their lamps so that they did not misstep in the darkness.

The tunnel continued to descend slowly but curved gradually towards the north and it became apparent that the route they selected would not bring them to the portion of Moria immediately inside Durin's Gates. Finally, when the tunnel widened, they stopped and rested, propping their backs against the stony walls.

Elladan sat at the front of the group and while the others debated in hushed tones he remained silent, looking forward along the tunnel. Then he smiled and turned to his comrades. "Look!" he said. He pointed to a lock of his hair which rested upon his brows. It swayed slightly in response to a breeze blowing along the corridor. Standing, he said, "I will investigate. I will return shortly." Taking a lamp, he ran lightly along the passageway.

After a few minutes, the breeze became stronger and a light appeared ahead. Moving cautiously, he emerged in a broad chamber lit by shafts of sunlight from various windows above. Crumbling wooden tables rested against the walls as well as a podium made of stone. Behind the podium were shelves carved from the living rock, above which was a broad opening through which blue sky could be seen. He climbed carefully up the shelves until his head was level with the window. A light wind blew his hair back as he looked down upon a valley below. Through the valley ran an ancient road and a spearhead shaped lake could be seen nearby --Nanduhirion.

He ran back to his friends in excitement. "There is a room with windows ahead through which can be seen the valley of Nanduhirion. We are in the area of the Gates of Moria, but are several levels higher. He should look for passages or stairways leading downward, but we must take care for we approach the living quarters of the Dwarrowdelf and Orcs will be present!"

Any weariness felt by the group evaporated with the promise of fresh air and a glimpse of the sky. They proceeded quickly through the tunnels, dodging fallen rock as they went. But as they approached the chamber where Elladan had looked down upon the valley, a rumbling filled the air. The Elves stopped and looked about uncertainly as the floor seemed to sway. "Forward!" cried Elrohir and his brother leapt ahead with him. But at that moment, the floor gave way with a roar and a great cloud of dust. Fingil, Angore, and Vanimorén fell through the pit which appeared at their feet. Torfithien swayed at the edge, then leaped forward to be pulled to safety by Elladan.

The noise of the rockfall echoed through the halls and it was some time before the dust settled enough to see what had transpired. A portion of the passage had collapsed. Masonry hung precariously on the walls above the gaping opening in the floor. Above, the ceiling seemed to sag and cracks opened slowly, sending streams of powder down into the darkness below.

"Are you there?" cried Elladan. "Aye!" replied Fingil. "Perhaps thirty feet below where you stand, but by some blessing of the Valar we are intact! Throw down a rope!" But each attempt to approach the edge caused more of the passage to collapse. No one could climb up from below in the midst of a rockfall. "We must wait until the passage is stable," cried Elrohir.

Suddenly, harsh cries could be heard from the west. Drawn by the sound of the collapse, Orcs were racing to investigate. "Flee!" cried Elladan. "The Gates lie to the east near where you stand. Seek for Celebrian, then make your way toward the Gates. Mark the passages as you go! We will look for you even as we search for the Lady!"