He had just settled down for a nice nap when a bucket fell on his head.
1 year ago
| 214
No, no one in Tolkien's books senses the presence of the One ring except the Nazgül and the nameless Sentinel at the entrance to Moria(and Tom Bombadil if I remeber well). If the Barlog had been able to perceive the One Ring, then the same would be true of Gandalf (and this is not the case). The Balrog didn't even specifically attack Gandalf, the Istari are incognito and no one knows their true identity among the villains. The only explanation is that he attacked them in "self-defense".(and perhaps also to imprison them and understand why they were passing through those parts)
1 year ago (edited) | 161
The balrog had essentially claimed moria and would attack literally anyone who came there, other than morgoth. The fact that it happened to be gandalf and a ring bearer is just circumstance
1 year ago
| 73
Balrog: "Unless you're here on behalf of Manwë or Eru, get the f@ck out of my house!"
1 year ago
| 23
In my opinion it’s more of a self defence - he never left Moria to attack someone else or capture the land, but the Fellowship came to him
1 year ago
| 5
I voted A but in the books, unlike the movies the Orcs were scared of the balrog but did not flee in terror from it either. They were on the same side
1 year ago | 36
The Balin's company was there for multiple years, and it didn't t take an interest. It clearly isn't just attacking anyone in Moria or Balin would have been dead on arrival. It was drawn by the presence of the ring for the same reason the Watcher tried to grab Frodo first. It didn't know about the ring, but it was drawn all the same. You have the bear in mind that the Balrog is potentially comparable to Sauron himself.
1 year ago (edited) | 6
The Balrogs are actually really intelligent. The movies made this one seem to be a wild beast.
1 year ago
| 4
The Balrog only drew its sword when gandalf identified himself as the keeper if the secret flame
1 year ago | 4
He was just chilling, minding his own business then he heard the bucket, and probably thought, eh might be one of them damn orcs, they be pretty stupid, then he heard all the fighting and was like AYO WTF
1 year ago | 14
It has a long-running feud with Gandalf. They are both Maiar, and possibly knew each other before Morgoth's corruption.
1 year ago (edited)
| 5
I think it was, in part, basically the Balrog wanting to kill anyone who disturbed his domain (which would include Orcs if they got to close), but I think more than that it was the presence of another Maia (Gandalf), that I'm sure the Balrog sensed. If there had been just some random group of explorers who went (unwisely) into Moria, I don't think the Balrog would have bothered; he would just have trusted the thousands of Orcs already there to handle it. Or, maybe, neither the Balrog or the Orcs would have noticed the presence of an outsider; in the book it's clear Gollum entered Moria from the Eastern pass and made his way unnoticed all the way to the Western gate (the one with "Say Friend, and enter."), and he started tracking the Fellowship only once they were inside, with the only way forward was the four day walk through the depths of Moria to the Eastern pass. But, as it happened, the Balrog WAS alerted to the Fellowship's presence, and in particular to the presence of another Maia. The book and the movie differs somewhat in the surrounding details, but the takeaway message is the same. The Balrog knew there was another Maia there, they would have to fight, the Balrog wouldn't let Gandalf (the other Maia) escape, the Balrog would have followed Gandalf and the Fellowship to no end. Gandalf had to do what he could to stop the Balrog right then and there, and to give the rest of the Fellowship a chance to press on. The showdown was inevitable, and we know how that went.
1 year ago (edited) | 9
I don't remember how it was worded in the books, but the movie certainly made it seem like he was dormant & awakened by the commotion. Now I'm laughing because I'm imagining when it first shows up in Dwarrowdelf, "WHO THE F**K WOKE ME UP?!"
1 year ago | 7
Pretty much all evil things are drawn to the Ring.... any chance it felt it's power? Or did he have a previous history with Gandalf/Olorin perhaps? What do you think? 🤔 My personal view: closer to #4 self defense. He doesn't seem to go out of his way to attack things that are not in his home, right. Wouldn't anyone defend their home if someone literally breaks into the back door late at night? What do you think
1 year ago (edited) | 16
Basically self defense when you read the books. He and Gandalf had no idea they were facing a fellow Maiar until near the bridge of Khazad-Dum. At first they fought through a door without seeing each other. They're definitely evil, but they're like Fallen Angels summoned by Morgoth. They are sentient beings, not mindless raging monsters despite their appearance.
1 year ago
| 34
Balrogs weren't mindless beast they are the exact same as gandalf and the other wizards, except they were covered in darkness and fire by morgoth if I am correct
1 year ago
| 11
I think this explains it, it's not word for word but: "But Melkor gathered those who are loyal to him, and those who were the most fair during his days of splendor, and became most like him in his corruption." "They cloaked themselves in shadow and flame, and terror went before them, and they were known as the Valaraukar or as in middle earth they were called the balrgos."
1 year ago | 1
I wonder if it has previous beef with Gandalf, or the Maiar in general that fought against him in the War of Wrath?
1 year ago | 8
Also, I think in the Histories somewhere Christopher writes that his father decided on their only being 7 Balrogs, which I think is kind of a bummer, cuz I'm more in love with the idea of there being dozens in the First Age.
1 year ago (edited) | 3
The Grey Havens
From our vid on 🔥The Balrog🔥 https://youtu.be/_Bptv18iWvc
❓🤔 Why do you think the Balrog attacked the Fellowship in Moria?
1 year ago | [YT] | 429