Aragorn in Moria?

[Knight of Gondor]

Originally Posted by Morwen

I think it unlikely that mere curiosity made him enter Moria.

I agree.

Originally Posted by Morwen

1. He, like the Fellowship, was forced to take that route, possibly to avoid pursuit of some kind. In pitching the idea of the Moria route to the Fellowship Gandalf notes that taking it would allow them to "vanish from sight for a while, and cover our trail". (FotR-A Journey in the Dark)

Maybe we can at least theorize. Do you think the road had gotten so dangerous that he needed to disappear? What did he do for light and food? He likely had prior knowledge of Khadzad Dum because of his lore from Rivendell.

2. He, Aragorn, was in pursuit of someone/something and the trail led him through Moria.

This raises some questions, though. As far as I recall, there are only two entrances/exits into Moria (not counting the Endless Stair). Am I off on that? The West Gate and the East Gate. (The Fellowship would have entered through the West Gate.) So which entrance did he use?

The other question I have is, WHEN did Aragorn venture through? Neither Gandalf nor Aragorn were familiar with the change in the terrain (IE, the lake instead of the waterfall and stream) nor were they quickly able to find the doors. It must have been before Balin's attempt began, but what about the orc infestation?

I am assuming that A) the changes to Moria's West Gate happened in the recent past (relative to FotR) and B) that Aragorn first entered Moria from the East Gate. (Although, now that I think about it, did Aragorn say that he actually ventured THROUGH Moria, or did he say he ventured IN?)

I propose a third option; that Aragorn needed a very speedy way over the mountain. Perhaps he was hastening back to Rivendell at great need, and could not take the mountain pass, nor venture south to the Gap of Rohan. On foot, perhaps Moria would be his quickest path for speed, although I question what errand would require speed at the price of his safety.

Just thinking out loud, hopefully stimulating some corrective or contemplative response from my fellow BDers.