June 11, 2002

Balrogs ARE Intelligent!
Tim S.

I don't see how you guys are coming up with this 'Balrogs aren't smart' stuff. Balrogs were Maia. Let's look at all the other Maia we know. Hmm..... Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, Sauron, Melian... What pattern are we seeing?

When Tokien wants you to know something has low intelligence, he makes it obvious (see trolls in hobbit).

And 'the balrog wouldn't know what to do with the Ring, he'd probably just take it to Sauron!?!?'

What is this, a kitten?

This is a Balrog of Morgoth.

Speculation is OK, but shouldn't it at least try to fit in with the rest of the tale? This line of speculation is drifting pretty far off into fan fiction.