Book 2, Chapter 5 Summary

Gandalf finds a book that tells of Balin's return to Moria. The book is filled with accounts of their return to Moria and battles they fought against the orcs. Continuing on, he reads how the orcs pushed them back and trapped them in that very room. Then, on the final page, the book says there were "drums, drums in the deep," and then "they are coming" (314).

After reading through the contents of the book, Gandalf gives the book to Gimli for safekeeping. However, the Fellowship hears drums coming from the deep and they realize that they are trapped. Fortunately, there are two exits to the room and the orcs are only at one door, so they slam one door shut and wedge it closed. The orcs force the door open and the company fights them off brilliantly. In the fight, Frodo...