The Watcher in the Water - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Dáin Ironfoot · 12-23-2001, 09:19 PM

What exactly was the watcher in the water, was it linked to the Balrog, where did it come from?

***Mithadan*** · 12-24-2001, 10:55 AM

The Watcher's nature is unknown. It was likely one of those "nameless" things that exist below the roots of mountains that Gandalf mentions after his return to Middle Earth. I have heard it identified, without any support from Tolkien or his works, as a Kraken or a squid.

inglorion · 12-24-2001, 03:37 PM

This issue came up a little while ago and I will just repeat what I said in that thread:

The Watcher in the water is what is generally referred to as a kraken, a giant aquatious creature. Mostly they are found in sea´s and oceans. However this one is in the artificial lake before the Westgate. How did it get there? If I remember rightly Gandalf mentioned to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli in Fangorn something about nameless things gnawing the earth under the deepest Deeps of the dwarves, when telling them about his fight with the Balrog. Also it is said that they plunged into water at the bottom of the abyss. That would be favourable for the kraken-hypothesis. The damming of the Gate-stream caused the lake to form and probably made it possible for the creature to leave its underground environment.
Who dammed the river? I do not know, but one might speculate the Balrog who knew the ancient underways (Too well he knew them -Gandalf) may also have known about the existence of other creatures under Moria. Maybe he made the orcs/trolls make the lake so as to provide a guardian on the west-border of his realm. Of course this is pure speculation....

greetings, gildor

Dáin Ironfoot · 12-24-2001, 06:59 PM

I read in a book i just got today that it was a kraken maybe, created by Melkor. It really would be nice to hear more about the nameless and shapeless things, but i dont think there is more.

the witch king · 11-29-2002, 10:49 AM

like shelobs back ground im gessin unknowen!

12-23-2001, 09:19 PM	#1
Dáin Ironfoot Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 33	The Watcher in the Water What exactly was the watcher in the water, was it linked to the Balrog, where did it come from? __________________ "Understanding your people paves the road to understanding leadership"- Old Atreides maxim

12-24-2001, 10:55 AM	#2
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,314	The Watcher's nature is unknown. It was likely one of those "nameless" things that exist below the roots of mountains that Gandalf mentions after his return to Middle Earth. I have heard it identified, without any support from Tolkien or his works, as a Kraken or a squid. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

12-24-2001, 03:37 PM	#3
inglorion Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Hollandia Posts: 55	This issue came up a little while ago and I will just repeat what I said in that thread: The Watcher in the water is what is generally referred to as a kraken, a giant aquatious creature. Mostly they are found in sea´s and oceans. However this one is in the artificial lake before the Westgate. How did it get there? If I remember rightly Gandalf mentioned to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli in Fangorn something about nameless things gnawing the earth under the deepest Deeps of the dwarves, when telling them about his fight with the Balrog. Also it is said that they plunged into water at the bottom of the abyss. That would be favourable for the kraken-hypothesis. The damming of the Gate-stream caused the lake to form and probably made it possible for the creature to leave its underground environment. Who dammed the river? I do not know, but one might speculate the Balrog who knew the ancient underways (Too well he knew them -Gandalf) may also have known about the existence of other creatures under Moria. Maybe he made the orcs/trolls make the lake so as to provide a guardian on the west-border of his realm. Of course this is pure speculation.... greetings, gildor __________________ Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards for they are subtle and quick to anger.

12-24-2001, 06:59 PM	#4
Dáin Ironfoot Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 33	I read in a book i just got today that it was a kraken maybe, created by Melkor. It really would be nice to hear more about the nameless and shapeless things, but i dont think there is more. __________________ "Understanding your people paves the road to understanding leadership"- Old Atreides maxim

11-29-2002, 10:49 AM	#5
the witch king Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minas Morgul, Morgul Vale, Mordor Posts: 201	like shelobs back ground im gessin unknowen! __________________ 'Whenever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.'~ Che Guevara.