Rauþúlfr
New Member
I've skimmed through the discussion threads and didn't see anything mentioning balrogs. (I came across Exploring LOTR just as Frodo was awakening in Rivendell and have managed to catch back up to episode 100, so hopefully this has not been touched upon in episodes I have not caught up with.) As a whole, discussing balrogs is premature given the chapters covered to date, but there was one point under discussion in which the poor, wingless critter in Moria was overlooked. It was noted that Sauron had laid siege to Rivendell in the past, and the forces available to him were tallied should he lay siege to Rivendell again if the Ring were to remain there. The balrog wasn't mentioned. The got me thinking. Why wouldn't Sauron call upon the Balrog for such a siege? After all they were both captains of Morgoth, so undoubtedly they knew each other from the old days.
Doubtless we'll discuss the nature of balrogs at greater length once the fellowship reaches Moria, but it remains worth considering why would Sauron not call upon his old friend from work if he were to muster forces against Rivendell. After all, if many of those with the most power to resist Sauron dwell in Rivendell, would it not make sense to call upon the greatest of his possible allies? I can think of only one reason why not call on the balrog; perhaps the balrog could not be trusted with the One Ring?
It is fair to presume that the Witch King possessed the power to use the One ring, but was unable to claim it because of his complete submission to Sauron. The balrog would not be under such a restriction. Perhaps he would represent more of a potential challenger to Sauron rather than a potential ally? If that were the case, the last thing Sauron would want to do would be to call forth an army to send against Rivendell to claim his long-forgotten Ring. Why else would he not, hypothetically, call up this other former minion of Morgoth? Why indeed!
Doubtless we'll discuss the nature of balrogs at greater length once the fellowship reaches Moria, but it remains worth considering why would Sauron not call upon his old friend from work if he were to muster forces against Rivendell. After all, if many of those with the most power to resist Sauron dwell in Rivendell, would it not make sense to call upon the greatest of his possible allies? I can think of only one reason why not call on the balrog; perhaps the balrog could not be trusted with the One Ring?
It is fair to presume that the Witch King possessed the power to use the One ring, but was unable to claim it because of his complete submission to Sauron. The balrog would not be under such a restriction. Perhaps he would represent more of a potential challenger to Sauron rather than a potential ally? If that were the case, the last thing Sauron would want to do would be to call forth an army to send against Rivendell to claim his long-forgotten Ring. Why else would he not, hypothetically, call up this other former minion of Morgoth? Why indeed!