Ok, I know Christopher Tolkien said that Lungorthin being called "Lord of Balorgs" meant in his opinion "a Balrog Lord"and not THE Lord of Balrogs (eg: a replacement of Gothmog) as Gothmog is mentioned in writings not too long after Lungorthin is written about; but is it possible Lungorthin was in fact a replacement name for Gothmog? After all, it would be the first time by far that Tolkien experiments with names, then decides on one without writing a note saying he's discarded the other idea(s) (for why should he have?).
One thing that might suggest so is that he's the one next to Morgoth in the interregation of Hurin, when in other sources Gothmog is said to have captured him, so it could make sense for Gothmog (or his replacement) to be there.
One thing that may suggest not is that the translation of Lungorthin's name means his flame is pale. But perhaps at this point Tolkien was experimenting with the idea of the Lord of all Balrogs having pale flame.
Thoughts?
