Was the Balrog drawn by the ring?

[Leaf]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

My explanation is that the Balrog was dormant in some other part of the mines.

Yes, that´s plausible so far. Either that, or the Balrog simply didn't care for the dwarves and their activities, which is less plausible. But what irks me (and I´m repeating myself) is that we still need an explanation for the sudden alertness of the Balrog mere 25 years later when the fellowship arrives in Moria. Why did it stop being dormant?! The noise caused by the fellowship is no satisfactory answer for me since Balin's dwarves most likely caused way more noise and turmoil.

You said earlier:

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

...or perhaps he had no desire to meddle with them and possibly alert the world to his presence.

Then again, why is it suddenly okay for the Balrog to blow it´s own cover just for some wanderers?!

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Sauron's orcs returning to destroy the colony may have roused him in some way.

And a bunch of dwarves returning to harvest mithril, fighting with orcs and reclaiming Moria as their own doesn't rouse the Balrog in the first place?