Bridge of Khazad-dûm

"Suddenly Frodo saw before him a black chasm. At the end of the hall, the floor vanished and fell to an unknown depth. The outer door could only be reached by a slender bridge of stone, without kerb or rail, that spanned the chasm with one curving spring of fifty feet....They could only pass across it single file. At the brink Gandalf halted and the others came up in a pack behind."

—The Bridge of Khazad-dûm

Bridge of Khazad-dûm also known as Durin's Bridge runs over Khazad-dûm in Moria.

The Bridge was originally designed by the dwarves as a choke point to force invading enemies to concentrate in one area, thus allowing for much easier kills.

It was located at the foot of Dimrill Stairs over a deep abyss. The bridge was 50 feet long, narrow with no railing and curved upward over the abyss and back down again. It had been built as a defense against any invader who might get past the Dimrill Gate and take the First Hall, beyond which was the East Gate. On the other side of the abyss was the Second Hall.

History Edit

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"

—Gandalf to the Balrog of Morgoth

On January 15, 3019, the Fellowship came to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm pursued by Orcs and a Balrog of Morgoth. Gandalf stopped on the Bridge to confront the Balrog in order to allow the others to escape. The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand. His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. However, Gandalf stood firm shouting that he would not let the Balrog pass. He broke the Bridge with his staff and the Balrog fell into the abyss, but the Balrog snared Gandalf with its whip and they both plummeted together into the depths of the earth.