Was the Balrog drawn by the ring? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Leaf · 08-22-2014, 05:20 AM

I am wondering why (apart from plot convenience) the Balrog showed up to hunt the fellowship down. We know that it didn't harm Gandalf or Aragorn on their earlier visits to Moria. We also know that Balin and his companions could live and labour in Moria for a few years without getting attacked by it, which is quiet odd if you think of the Balrog as a watchdog guarding his home. If I'm remembering correctly there isn't even a hint (e.g. in the book of Mazarbul) that the Balrog was involved in the final attack on the dwarves at all. Just drums in the deep. So the Balrog doesn't seem to be the most active fellow. At least not in the last decades or so. Was he, like all beings of evil, drawn by the ring? Was this the main reason he appeared?

Inziladun · 08-22-2014, 07:02 AM

I think the Ring was a likely factor in the Balrog's attack on the Fellowship. It appears that all the evil creatures in Moria were drawn to it; the Watcher went for Frodo, the orc in the Chamber threw his spear at Frodo, etc.

It's also a pet theory of mine that the Balrog may have been the "spirit" of Caradhras, hostile to Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Gimli noted that Caradhras had a bad reputation before Sauron had been heard of in Moria, and that would fit with the idea that the Balrog hid there at the end of the breaking of Angband.

Zigûr · 08-22-2014, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I think the Ring was a likely factor in the Balrog's attack on the Fellowship. It appears that all the evil creatures in Moria were drawn to it; the Watcher went for Frodo, the orc in the Chamber threw his spear at Frodo, etc.

I agree. I think the Ring was a factor. The Balrog seems to have chosen its moments sporadically: after slaying Náin I it doesn't seem to have done much again beyond perhaps lurking near the East-gate as the Battle of Azanulbizar was fought; Dáin perceived it at least, even if he didn't see it. It's a good example of why the Istari were cloaked; evidently the Balrog did not innately perceive Gandalf as a danger or it might have confronted him the first time he entered Moria.

Inziladun · 08-22-2014, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zigûr

It's a good example of why the Istari were cloaked; evidently the Balrog did not innately perceive Gandalf as a danger or it might have confronted him the first time he entered Moria.

Aragorn said he had been in Moria before as well, yet he had no knowledge of the Balrog.

FerniesApple · 08-22-2014, 08:13 AM

yes it was probably the Ring, but if you walk past a sleeping tiger its best not to poke it in the nose. I think it was awoken by too much noise.

It could have been attracted to a heady cocktail of Ring, Istari, Elf and Isildurs heir. it could 'smell' them,

Tar-Jêx · 09-03-2014, 05:52 PM

I believe the Balrogs are maia, and therefore would not be influenced by the ring.
Durin's Bane would have most likely been stirred up by the commotion caused by the Fellowship and goblins, and possibly Gandalf's use of magic.

08-22-2014, 05:20 AM	#1
Leaf Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 87	Was the Balrog drawn by the ring? I am wondering why (apart from plot convenience) the Balrog showed up to hunt the fellowship down. We know that it didn't harm Gandalf or Aragorn on their earlier visits to Moria. We also know that Balin and his companions could live and labour in Moria for a few years without getting attacked by it, which is quiet odd if you think of the Balrog as a watchdog guarding his home. If I'm remembering correctly there isn't even a hint (e.g. in the book of Mazarbul) that the Balrog was involved in the final attack on the dwarves at all. Just drums in the deep. So the Balrog doesn't seem to be the most active fellow. At least not in the last decades or so. Was he, like all beings of evil, drawn by the ring? Was this the main reason he appeared?

08-22-2014, 07:02 AM	#2
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	I think the Ring was a likely factor in the Balrog's attack on the Fellowship. It appears that all the evil creatures in Moria were drawn to it; the Watcher went for Frodo, the orc in the Chamber threw his spear at Frodo, etc. It's also a pet theory of mine that the Balrog may have been the "spirit" of Caradhras, hostile to Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Gimli noted that Caradhras had a bad reputation before Sauron had been heard of in Moria, and that would fit with the idea that the Balrog hid there at the end of the breaking of Angband. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

08-22-2014, 08:13 AM	#5
FerniesApple Haunting Spirit Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 92	yes it was probably the Ring, but if you walk past a sleeping tiger its best not to poke it in the nose. I think it was awoken by too much noise. It could have been attracted to a heady cocktail of Ring, Istari, Elf and Isildurs heir. it could 'smell' them,

09-03-2014, 05:52 PM	#6
Tar-Jêx Wight Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Armenelos, Númenor Posts: 205	I believe the Balrogs are maia, and therefore would not be influenced by the ring. Durin's Bane would have most likely been stirred up by the commotion caused by the Fellowship and goblins, and possibly Gandalf's use of magic.