The seven thains of Morgoth

[doug*platypus]

The Ambition of Balrogs

Keeper, it's an interesting theory you have, but I don't believe that any Balrogs save Durin's Bane would have survived up to the time of the War of the Ring. Obloquy has made a very convincing argument that the post LOTR superBalrogs should have been the definitive version. It's possible that one fled to the east and was subsequently slain, but it seems inconceivable that Saruman would have known of it. I think the Ithryn Luin suffered a different fate.

The Balrog of Moria had, unless I am mistaken in my reading of the situation, assumed control of the Orcs of Moria, daunting them by the use of fear, as Sauron and Morgoth would have done. I think that any Balrog surviving in the east or any other hiding place would have seeked out similar power. My understanding of Balrogs is that they are ambitious creatures like Sauron, and desire an army to serve their nefarious purposes, whatever they may be. It is unclear whether such a Balrog, with its own army in the east, would be compelled to seek out and join with Sauron, or whether it would further its own ends and a kingdom of its own. I think that some report would have been made of it, though, and also that Gandalf's task could hardly have been considered over if there was a Balrog unfought somewhere in Middle-Earth. Iluvatar, who we suppose sent Gandalf the White back, would certainly have known of the existence of such a creature.

I don't see why more than 7 Balrogs would have to necessarily unbalance things. Ecthillion and Glorfindel both killed Balrogs even though they themselves perished. Granted Ecthellion and Glorfindel were 2 very powerful elves, but could they really withstand 50 or even 100 elves?

For reasons I'm not too sure of, destruction of such Evil Heroes is always by single combat. Sauron is defeated by Elendil and Gil-Galad, while Isildur and Círdan can do nothing but watch. Tulkas wrestles Melkor on his own, when he could have more easily been subdued by sevaral Valar. And of course, Glorfindel and Ecthelion never require aid. I think it's safe to say that only a great Hero could have destroyed a Balrog, and that Tolkien would not have wanted a loose end of Balrogs roaming freely anywhere in Middle-Earth with no plausible way for them to be destroyed.