The Last Encounter with the Balrog in Moria: Was Dúrins Bane the Only One?

In J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary world, the Balrogs are among the most fearsome creatures. The event that sees Gandalf face Dúrins Bane in Moria becomes a central point of discussion in the literary community. Did Tolkien's writings leave room for the possibility that other Balrogs might still exist in the shadows of Middle-earth?

Overview of Balrogs in Tolkien's Works

Tolkien envisioned a maximum of seven Balrogs, a number that diminished significantly after the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age. Most of them were destroyed, with only a few remaining in hiding. The Balrog that Gandalf encounters in Moria, known as Dúrins Bane, is often deemed the last of its kind. But is this belief backed by Tolkien's extensive writings?

Did Other Balrogs Exist?

The question remains: Could there be other Balrogs, even in the limited numbers mentioned? Here are some points to consider based on Tolkien's works.

Rebuildingthemselves

Tolkien did not entirely exclude the possibility of Balrogs regenerating or reforming their bodies over time. Given that Melkor, the Dark Lord, had infused his power into his creations, it's plausible that Balrogs could somehow rebuild themselves. In The History of Middle-earth, it is mentioned that Melkor's servants became wedded to the forms of their evil deeds and could be nullified until they rebuilt a semblance of their former habitats. This suggests that the Balrogs might have been capable of regenerating or reforming.

Power of Recuperation and Multiplication

It's also worth noting that Tolkien wrote about the power of recuperation and multiplication in evil things created by Melkor. While he couldn't create new spirits, his power could potentially create physical copies or even breed Balrogs. This idea is reinforced by a passage in The History of Middle-earth where Balrogs are mentioned as continuing to walk the earth and haunting dark woods, even after Melkor's departure from Arda.

Different Numbers and Multiple Survivors

Samuel Flugman (2016) suggests that Tolkien's views on the number of Balrogs may have changed over time. This ambiguity leaves room for the possibility that a few Balrogs survived the destruction. In The Silmarillion, it is mentioned that Glorfindel killed a mysterious lesser demon, implying that other Balrogs may have existed but may not have been identified as such.

Shadows in the Roots of the Earth

Another point to consider is the passage in The Silmarillion that states, 'save some few that fled and hid themselves in caverns inaccessible at the roots of the earth.' Dúrins Bane could be one of these few, but there may have been others who fled and hid in similarly remote places. These would be places that the Valar and Maiar couldn't find, hidden in the deepest and most inaccessible parts of the earth.

Conclusion

While it is almost certain that Dúrins Bane was the last Balrog encountered by Gandalf during the events of 'The Lord of the Rings,' the possibility of other Balrogs existing remains a topic of debate among literary experts. Tolkien's writings provide enough ambiguity to support this idea, indicating that the existence of other Balrogs is not entirely ruled out. Whether they rebuilt themselves, multiplied through Melkor's infused power, or simply hid in inaccessible places, their potential continued existence adds an intriguing element to the world of Middle-earth.

References:

1. Tolkien, J.R.R. Letter 144.
2. "ósanwe-kenta" or Enquiry into the Communication of Thought.
3. Chapter 5 from The History of Middle-earth Vol 10: Morgoth’s Ring. The Annals of Aman.
4. Chapter 4 from The History of Middle-earth Vol 10: Morgoth’s Ring. Myths Transformed.
5. Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Erendil and the War of Wrath.