Though they have been defeated by the blizzard on top, the Fellowship must still get to the other side of the Misty Mountains. After some debate they ultimately decide to travel under the mountains, through the Mines of Moria. But getting in isn't so simple: the door to the mines has been long shut, and dwarf doors are invisible when closed. And even after they find it, opening the door proves to be a challenge. And even then they do not know the right route through the mines. They stop at every split in the cavern, and even Gandalf admits he is making only his best educated guess each time they choose which path to take.
Things are made more difficult because, although Moria had once been a thriving dwarf stronghold, it is now deserted. The 'dark' deepens. The chapter ends when they find a hint to the answer: The tomb of Balin, the Dwarf who led a mission to reestablish Moria's former glory. He has evidently failed - but to what, they do not yet know.
Before they enter the mines, while they are looking for the way in, Gandalf and Gimli scour the rock wall for the door. Gandalf doubts their chances but Gimli remains optimistic. Gandalf tells him, "You encourage me. We will seek the hidden doors together."
We like to think we know the world around us, but frankly we are surrounded by mystery. Lettuce can suddenly be found to be very dangerous. Data can be lost forever. An Amazon package we were looking forward to can arrive incomplete (as happened to me recently). An alarm clock can fail to go off. And that isn't even touching real catastrophes like illness and surprise car repairs (Most Americans cannot cover such a sudden cost). The routine of our life is very fragile. It can be disrupted in countless ways, and then we are suddenly in the dark, searching for a way out. And in the dark, all doors are hidden.
What a pleasant reflection Gandalf is giving us about companionship! The benefit of companions is not that they prevent troubling times but that they provide support during them. Friendships are built on shared experiences. This is why so many friendships begin at school and at work. You enjoy (or endure) certain moments together and these moments draw you closer. That closeness then prepares you for difficult times. Recently I was stuck on the highway with my girlfriend because she got a flat tire. We were waiting for over an hour on a very cold night. While this wasn't our preferred reason to spend time together, it was more enjoyable than we expected, and certainly better than enduring it alone. Further, it is a new shared experience which brings us even closer. Thus, surviving hard times is both a testament to and a strengthening of companionship.
Friends also bring with them their own experiences. Recall how Gandalf says "you encourage me." Gimli is a dwarf looking for a dwarf door. Gimli is in his element. While to Gandalf and the rest of the Fellowship going underground is not an appealing idea, Gimli has a very different attitude, which brings comfort and encouragement to the rest. Who hasn't breathed a sigh of relief when, after sharing a difficult situation you are facing, a friend responds by saying "I also had a problem like that." Their solution may not apply completely to yours, but at least you are reminded others have faced your predicament and come out the other side.
So the next time you are struggling with something, reach out to one of your friends. You are not alone. Fight the voice in your head that says no one cares or that asking for help is just bothering other people. Your friends care, and they'll talk it out with you. And though the burden remains on you to solve the problem, their insight may throw some light on it, perhaps revealing a previously hidden door.
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