[Thingol]

I do not think that Melkor ever put any of his power into the Balorgs. It explicitly states that Melkor put forth his power into beings whenever he did so. It explicitly states that he put forth his power into Ungoliant, into the Dragons, into Charchoth, into Arda itself, etc... The reason he put forth his power into Ungoliant was because the task that they set out to accomplish was exceptionally dangerous and difficult. They went into the very heart of the Valar's realm and destroyed the Two Trees. Balrogs are totally independent of Morgoth. It is uncertain whether or not any of the Dragons fled or were merely driven off, but it is explicitly stated that some (perhaps only 1) Balrog(s)rebelled against Melkor and fled. However, I guess that the assumption that things that have recieved the power of Melkor partially lose the ability to make their own descissions is flawed because Ungoliant certainly had a will of her own that was quite different from Melkor's. I just think that Tolkien would have mentioned it if Melkor had infused the Balrogs with his own power, considering he explicitly stated all the other instances where Melkor let his power pass into other creatures. The Balrogs were Melkor's elite force and I think Tolkien would have said so if Melkor enhanced them with his power.

[ March 05, 2002: Message edited by: Thingol ]