June 3, 2002

Re: Moria Question, and Bombadil Theory
Danny

First off, for the question asked about wether or not Gimly knew about what had happened in Moria, the answer is more clear in the book. When Balin left and claimed Moria, Gimli mentioned how they stopped receiving messages from his kin years ago. I don't think that Gandalf, Aragorn, or Gimli knew anything for certain about what had happened in Moria. It was Aragorn who didn't want to go to Moria in the book, most likely because the unknown, and Moria's past history were enough to make him cautious. I feel that Gandalf knew in his heart that Moria was a crucible he needed to pass. Gimli felt the foreboding, yet was anxious to know what happened to Balin, and still held onto the hope that the Dwarves would be there. He never said anything in the book about finding the halls inhabited, or getting meat rrrrripe off the bone as he did in the movie.

I found the comments made in another essay that it is possible that Gandalf's magic had stirred the Balrog. I hadn't thought about how he declared that his presence was known to all who can see, and I agree that a Balrog, being a Maia spirit would definately be able to detect that. My feelings are that the Balrog was stirred by Gandalf's fire on the mountain, but had no way of knowing that Gandalf was in Moria until the orks were stirred. Interestingly enough, in the book the time between when Pippin drops a rock, (not a corpse) into the well, and the attack is much larger suggesting the orks required time to cross the vast expanses of the mine or organize themselves. I like the idea that the Balrog realized Gandalf was in the mines when he noticed the orcs stirring. I also feel that the Balrog would be more than instinctive, but would posess inteligence. Being evil makes wisdom become cunning, and inteligence be turned to dark purposes, but there have been very briliant villains in history. I don't think that being evil destroys inteligence. Inteligence is neutral what is evil or good is the way that inteligence is used.

About the Bombadil theory. Very very interesting idea that I have never heard before. I think it is the best explanation I have heard, though I haven't read a lot about that. I have heard people say that Tolkien explicitly said that he intended to leave Bombadil an open mystery, but I do like your explanation.

Sorry for the long post, I hope you find it interesting.