There is another LotR thread going on right now discussing wizards. There is a hijack where the balrog is discussed. This made me wonder something. Why exactly did the balrog come after the fellowship?
Maybe this is directly spelled out somewhere, but I really don’t remember it. Therefore, I came up with a few possible answers. Anyway, this is what I came up with for possibilities:
1) The balrog was in direct alliance with Sauron and doing his bidding. In this case, the goblins tipped it off to the fellowship’s presence.
I’m not certain that the goblins had anything to do with the balrog. They are frightened of it. Although Sauron as Morgoth’s second in command was probably familiar with this particular balrog, it seems like this balrog was a lone survivor and a rogue. It also seems unlikely that Sauron would want a creature with this much power to gain control of the One Ring.
2) The balrog sensed Gandalf’s presence (an Istari) and was affronted.
I would consider this to be a possibility. However, Gandalf was trying to leave. It would seem rather risky to confront an Istari when the balrog had been content to stay in Moria for hundreds of years.
3) The balrog sensed the One Ring and decided it was time to move up in the world.
This is my favorite answer. The One Ring would be worth facing an Istari. The One Ring in the hands of the balrog would probably be similar in power to Gandalf taking the Ring. In other words, goodbye Sauron, there’s a new evil dictator claiming the world.
So, any theories or cites that I don’t know about?
Sorry to hijack this so soon, but I now have a mental picture of the Balrog from the film asking Peter Jackson “So what’s my motivation for this scene?”
“You’re trying to kill everybody.”
“Yes, but why? Is it repressed rage stemming from millennia of being buried under the earth? Am I acting out against the negative stereotype of fire demons as ‘evil’ or ‘bad’ creatures? Or is it that Gandalf reminds me of my abusive father?”
This Balrog fled the fall of Morgoth / Thangorodrim and then hid (or was imprisoned) in the roots of the Misty Mountains.
When disturbed by the dwarves, it drove them out of Moria.
Can we assume that it didn’t have much knowledge of the outside world?
Yes, surely.
Was it happy to simply ‘rule’ Moria, with goblin / orc slaves?
I think so.
Did the Balrog know it was facing an Istari (Gandalf)?
I don’t think so. Remember that on the bridge Gandalf told the Balrog that he (Gandalf) was a servant of the Secret Flame of Anor (to which the Istari swore an oath). Why bother if the Balrog and Gandalf have already recognised each other?
So I think the Balrog was just an independent power, defending its territory.
As you say, It also seems unlikely that Sauron would want a creature with this much power to gain control of the One Ring.
A mighty being such as the balrog, the last of his kind, having his bowel movements discussed by people who’d rightly shit themselves in his presence.
But since we’re at it, everyone knows that a balrog pisses fire. How else do you think he amuses himself other than ‘shooting his flamethrower’ all over the goblin horde? By trying to fly? Pfffft.
I always kind of imagined the Balrog as a more sinister version of ‘Moby Dick’. A force of nature untamed and unmastered, with no concern for man (or elf or dwarf or hobbit) in any way.
Why’s the Balrog acting that way? Just being true to his nature, I suppose.
`…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 anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit ever unto the last of days.’
