[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I've been wondering: would Arien be the representative of the race the Melkor seduced to become Balrogs (before they were Balrogs, that is).

They were both spirits of fire, and it was said that Melkor failed to draw her to his service.

In this case, would the "arising" fire-tempests of Hithlum be the last time a Balrog was discarnate (after all, they were were sorely trounced in the Battle of the Powers, and Morgoth was absent after that to "give" them new forms)?

Then again, how could they have held their whips? Could Morgoth's return have given them new power to reclothe themselves? Since Morgoth remained stuck in one form forever after his meeting with Ungoliant, I have always assumed he could "give power" to whoever is in his vicinity (he must have given a lot to Ungoliant). But still, the whips are a problem. Are they somehow part of their power?

Sorry, just rambling here.