Was the Balrog drawn by the ring?

[tom the eldest]

aside from being aware of the rings power,what other motives vould the balorg have?

[Leaf]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

Another thing to emphasise for the sake of clarity, in my opinion, is that we must remember that just because Sauron's Ring called to other evil beings, or that Sauron's malice may have awoken them (in the possible case of the Balrog) that does not mean that they were under the direct influence or control of Sauron himself.

You're right. Being called by the ring, or noticing it's presence, doesn't necessarily mean that the subject acts like a marionette.

Originally Posted by tom the eldest

aside from being aware of the rings power,what other motives vould the balorg have?

Motives for what?

[Belegorn]

I'd assume he meant what other motives could the Balrog have for showing himself.

[Leaf]

Well, there's the obvious “I want those loud and annoying intruders out of my home“. As I discussed before this motive seems plausible at first but it raises many questions regarding it's behaviour at the time of Balin's colony. Then there's the possibility that Durin's Bane noticed, and was provoked by, Gandalf's presence which didn't happend the first time Gandalf went through Moria. Theoretically speaking, the Balrog may have been in the service of Sauron and alarmed by him about a certain party which may try to travel through it's realm. I guess those are the most likely motives for the Balrog to confront the fellowship, aside from the discussed “Ring“-explanation.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Leaf

Theoretically speaking, the Balrog may have been in the service of Sauron and alarmed by him about a certain party which may try to travel through it's realm. I guess those are the most likely motives for the Balrog to confront the fellowship, aside from the discussed “Ring“-explanation.

I think the idea of the Balrog serving Sauron can be discounted. If it had been taking orders, why would it have been hanging about in a deserted Dwarf-city? Just to harass the occasional trespasser? Surely the Orcs alone were sufficient to keep Moria in Sauron's hands. I think in any case that Sauron didn't really care about Moria: he just wanted to keep the Dwarves from returning (and maybe get some mithril in the bargain).

If the Balrog had an interest in helping Sauron, one can see better tasks for it, such as leading an assault on Rivendell or Lórien.

[Leaf]

That's true. I added this motive for the sake of completeness.

[Zigûr]

It seems to me that if the Balrog was being drawn by the Ring that doesn't mean it knew it was being drawn by the Ring, it may have simply been compelled to follow this urging.

I also feel as if its main reason for attacking the Fellowship having been drawn to them by the Ring may well have been that same kind of nihilistic hatred we are told Morgoth inspired in his servants generally (to varying degrees). Might it have attacked simply because, in its very evil and corrupted state, it simply felt homicidal antipathy for Men and Elves (and, evidently, Dwarves)?