Balrogs and Elvish Spirits

[Lalwendë]

I often think the Balrog must have found plenty to keep itself busy in the deep and dark places under Moria - maybe tormenting the nameless things that Gandalf says live down there. The Balrog might have been like the Nidhoggr, gnawing at the very foundations of Middle-earth

Or else he/she/it chose to keep out of Sauron's way. It may not have wanted to be used and exploited by him like so many other beings and creatures were used by both Morgoth and Sauron.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Or else he/she/it chose to keep out of Sauron's way. It may not have wanted to be used and exploited by him like so many other beings and creatures were used by both Morgoth and Sauron.

Which is precisely why in 2483 3rd Age was founded the MeSPCB, the Middle-earth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Balrogs, as a proposed remedy for such exploitation. Unfortunately, all the attendees of the first meeting were incinerated by the guest of honor.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Eonwe

But hadn't they (the Balrogs) willingly joined Morgoth? Would they have had the strength of will to turn away from Morgoth?

It's pure presumption, but I'd imagine that if you were the last of your kind lurking around Middle-earth then you might be a bit annoyed about the rest of your kin having been wiped out and might start to feel a bit 'used'.

Like Doctor Who is when he returned as the 10th Doctor - he's a bit angry that he's the last one left. As you would be.

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Which is precisely why in 2483 3rd Age was founded the MeSPCB, the Middle-earth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Balrogs, as a proposed remedy for such exploitation. Unfortunately, all the attendees of the first meeting were incinerated by the guest of honor.

I should imagine they were not short of a box of matches when it came time for their smoke break though

[Gordis]

The last thread on Balrog I have participated in came to a following conclusion :

So..in summary.

Lazy, slothful, slack, proud, stubborn, a self-centred she-Balrog, with potential history of love interests / issues...

Liked a sleep, had all her Best Orcs guarding her fiery teddy bear in an inner chamber... exceptional hearing..could hear a rock drop from miles away.. perhaps explaining her insomnia??

EMO She-Barlog

[Galadriel55]

I agree with Rumil. I think that the Balrog went into hybernation for the larger part of the 2 epoch. I think that it was waken by Sauron's willpower when Sauron was gaining strength to fight with Gil-Galad and Elendil. I think that he kind of summoned, and if not, then simply "awoke" all the evil that he could possibly get working. Sauron's first step was to become the master of all evil in M-e, so that he would overpower the good aries. However, the Balrog did not obey his will, and my reasoning for that is Balrog is almost as powerful as Sauron - he, as well as all the Balrogs, were once maiar. Sauron was the most powerful maia under Morgoth's rule (according to the Silmarillion), but I guess that Balrog comes very close. So, instead of joining Sauron's army, he just woke up.

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Or else he/she/it chose to keep out of Sauron's way. It may not have wanted to be used and exploited by him like so many other beings and creatures were used by both Morgoth and Sauron.

But hadn't they (the Balrogs) willingly joined Morgoth? Would they have had the strength of will to turn away from Morgoth?

Originally Posted by Rumil

I've wondered if the Balrog had gone into some sort of hibernation in the long years between the end of the First Age and the dwarves' delving.

Hibernation sounds like a good idea. This has also brought a more rudimentary question to my mind: Do Balrogs have wings... er.... I mean...Do Balrogs need to eat? Or for that matter, can they eat? Do they even have mouths?

[Bêthberry]

Wouldn't any fiery creature want to stay deep below the water table? After all, there were floodwaters by the Gate of Moria wherein dwelt the Watcher in the Water.