June 17, 2002

Many Thanks and On Control
Brett C.

Thank you for your help, Richard P., but I must now soemwhat shamefacedly admit that the reference I was referring to is not to be found in any of Tolkien's actual works, but in one of the Middle Earth Role Playing supplements dedicated to Lorien and Galdriel. Naturally I would never use these as a source in this forum, since, while they are well written, they really do fall into the category of 'fan-fiction', except as they draw directly on Tolkien's works. In this case the text I quoted seems purely speculative, however logical, and I do not expect any reader in this venue to give it the same weight as the Professor's own words.

And now that I think about how you have presented your arguement, Richard, I must also admit that I can sought of see your point. The Balrog, whatever its origins, is basically a high rnaking foot sodier in Morgoth's army, whereas Sauron was his 2IC. I still think the demon possesed more than instictive intelligence, but am willing to conceed it is not as clever, or even as cunning, as the Lord of the Rings, probably not even the WitchKing. Maybe it equates to one of the lower order Nazgul [though definitely not in sheer power].

Trey, I referred to Smaug only to compare his intelligence to the Balrog, but since you raised the issue of control I think Sauron certainly could have controlled the dragon, though it would have taken a goodly amount of power. In the Unfinished Tales chapter 'The Quest of Erebor' Gandalf speaks to Frodo of his fear of how Sauron could use the dragon to devestating effect in the War of the Ring, so he obviously believed it possible for the Dark Lord to direct Smaug, and who would know better?

With regards to the whole issue of control, I argued earlier that many of Sauron's forces fight for him only because of his will dominating them, but this doesn't mean without him they become will-less robots. It just means they lose their ability to remain united in a common purpose. Where the captains and soldiers of Mordor waver in the last battle, I think it was just because they lost the source of their fanaticism - before that they had charged recklessly at the lines of the armies of the West, without regard to losses, but suddenly they found themselves facing deadlier [if not numerically superior] forces, and were momentarily demoralized. When Sauron passes the orcs scatter because they will only stay united under a mightier will, but the Easterlings, who are human, fight on. It is not exactly that the orcs trolls and other dark creatures lose their ability to fight, just that they lose their fanatical urge [or fear] that leads them to die in the Dark Lord's service.