Questions about Moria..

[galpsi]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Unquiet Dead
Posts: 0</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Questions about Moria..

I believe that orcs, etc. arose before Sauron was in Mordor and that they had been established in various mountain ranges for quite some time.
Before they found mithril, early in the second age, the dwarves of Khazad-dum mined gold and silver (the toys of the dwarves) and iron (their servant). Nevertheless, I am not sure that mining was necessarily the only appeal of Moria. I believe that the caves above Kheled-zaram held an appeal distinct from ore-lodes, both for their beauty and for their suitability as a safe-haven. (Think of Gimli's attraction to Aglarond.)
At the bottom of the chasm spanned by Durin's Bridge, Gandalf and the fiery spirit were plunged into bone-chilling water. So there are the two elements literally. I suspect, however, that the reader is intended to detect a biblical metaphor, the death and rebirth cycle of baptism by water and fire which signify final redemption.
These are just quick, off-the-cuff notes towards an answer. I'm sure others will have deeper reflections.

</p>