Gandalf's Staff

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Why? What's the point of doing that?

I have no evidence to back this up, but in my opinion the Balrog was 'called in' as it wasn't just some nine teenagers who got lost in the Mines. These were the Nine Walkers, and as Sauron (via Saruman?) knew the name and kind of each, he may have realized that it might take more than orcs and trolls to effectively attack the same. So we get the Balrog.

Or the Balrog, as Lord of Moria, is torqued off at people trampling through his kingdom without paying the poll tax, and so we get the Balrog.

Either way, what exactly is it about being outside the gates of Moria that would stop the Balrog's pursuit? We have already ruled out the environment. Could Gandalf et al stand outside the East-Gate and thumb their noses at the Balrog? Would it be merely content to drive them out? In my first example, if it was called in/alerted by Sauron, then it might realize that there may be some personal gain in destroying the Nine. If it were upset over the trespassing, might it not again attempt to extract a pound of flesh?

And just how *do* you explain to your orc and troll groupies that nine good guys, including a dwarf and some midgets, just got away because they were 'one foot over the line?'

Well, there was some sort of understanding there. I don't know if I'd put it any farther than that.

Agreed.