: In short without the Ring I believe that Sauron could defeat the Balrog if it came to it, but could not 'command' it as such, but that they would (and did) work to similar goals, that of the defeat of the West and the Elves. With the One Ring, Sauron would not have needed to kill the Balrog cause he could have commanded it to do whatever he wanted.

I dunno. Elendil adn Gil-galad defeated Sauron with the ring. I think there is a lot going on with the ring. Its power is very subtle but immense nonetheless. I dont get the impression that it's a weapon per se.

: : The Ring is what woke the Balrog in Moria right?

: Not that I know of. It was the Dwarves delving too deep that awakened the Balrog. And the payed for it!

: : If so would he have took the Ring for his own? and if he took it for himself could he overthrow Sauron?

: If the Balrog had gotten hold of the Ring then I do believe he would have taken it for his own, and yes, with it I do believe he could have overthrown Sauron. In The Council of Elrond it is said that if any of the wise (wise meaning in this case, powerful beings) overthrown Sauron with the Ring then they would set themselves up as a new Dark Lord. The Balrog and Gandalf the Grey were evenly matched, with Gandalf the Grey just having what was needed to win.

I interpret the scene differently. Gardalf won teh fight on the bridge. When the Balrog struck with his sword, Glamdrig met it and the Balrog's sword was shattered. Gandalf destroyed the bridge in front of him and the Balrog fell. Gandalf would have walked away scot free had not the Balrog ensnared his legs with his whip. As I see it the funny thing about the battle on the bridge was that Gandalf was brought down by being tripped.

The later battle fo the peak may be different. Yes, Galdnalf won but at the cost of his life but remember, Gandalf had assumed the raiment of an old (yet hale) Man. The Balrog had assumed the raiment of a fearsome demon. I don;t think that battle can be seen as if it were a direct conflict between two Maia in their natural state.

: If Gandalf, or Elrond, or Galadriel, etc, etc could have :taken up the Ring and overthrown Sauron, I'm sure as hell the :Balrog could too.

: : How did Sauron come away with the Ring after the sinking of Numenor?

: Can't remember and I've got to go to work now, so I don't have the time to look it up. But he just could. Probably something to do with the fact that he could only loose it if it was actually taken from him, rather then dropped or lost as it were.

: Cheers

: Padster

Russ