Personally I think that mentioning a specific number is a mistake. I really like Aiwendil's revision, it leaves the number of Balrogs open to the reader's interpretation.
Quote:
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"Aiwendil: Well, the purpose of my proposed 'ambiguous version' was to make it unclear whether there are seven, or dozens, or two types, or what have you"
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Also how are you going to deal with the quote where the Balrogs are withered by Manwe? In the Silm it adds save some few who hid themselves, but if you are going to restrict the number of Balrogs, the few that hid and fled clearly can not remain. Maybe I missed it earlier in the post, but are you planning on editing the Manwe quote?
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Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.
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