Posted: July 13, 1999 at 10:04:58: by Goodgulf
: : : :16. Though Moria is, by rightful ownership, Dain's, Balin nonetheless referred to himself as "Lord of Moria".
: : : Helm's Deep is clearly the property of the Rohirrim, being part of lands granted to them by Gondor long years ago,
: : : yet in Return of the King p. 360 hardback Gimli declares himself "Lord of the Glittering Caves". Explain the laws
: : : and history pertaining to Dwarven property rights, and how those differed from the customs of Elves and Men. For
: : : full credit your answer must also reconcile Dwarven property laws with the generous nature of Aule, the Dwarves'
: : : creator.: : :
: : : I think the Dwarves first asked for the caves before they started to inhabit them. None of the dwarves would just take caves from any other people to inhabit them. The relation between the Dwarves and the Rohirrim wasn't that good before the war of the ring and Gimli would never provoke a war between the two of them although the Glittering caves are magnificent to see.
: : : As for Moria, this was completetly build by dwarves to live in, so it isn't really strange that a dwarve of Durins line (Balin) would call himself "Lord of Moria". : : : lockdar : : Yes, Moria was bult by the Dwarves but the question is WHY was the door inscribed with the name Moria long before that name was ever used? Why didn't Balin refer to himself as Lord of Khazad-Dum? Moria is an Elvish name applied to Khazad-Dum after the release of the Balrog. : I know this sounds strange, but maybe the master Tolkien himself made a little mistaken?? LOL. That's probably the best answer. In a work as long as LOTR such "glitches" are bound to occur. Rather than try and come up with some convoluted theory, I would tend to mark this as a minor oversight on the part of the author, along with the Mouth of Sauron question. If there's another explaination, I'd be glad to hear it since I do not claim to be a Tolkien "scholar" and may have overlooked some details.
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