: : : : I might also point out that the Balrog had been hiding for thousands of years and might not want to call attention to itself after so long. It might fear that if the Elves or even the Valar discovered its existence (through reports by dwarves or visitors to Moria), they would hunt it down and destroy it.
: : : : As for setting up a kingdom of its own, it may not have had the knowledge how to do so, or it may have been more intelligent than it seemed and have feared a reprisal from Sauron if it tried to establish its own power.

: : : I don't think that that is quite the case. When the dwarves fought at Moria Dain saw the Balrog so it was known that there was one there. The Valar didn't interfere with Sauron why should they interfere with one Balrog? The elves hated Moria and would go nowhere near it if they could help it so it didn't have to worry about that. It seems to me that if an orc can set up his own kingdom then it should be easy for a Maia to do so. IT might have feared Sauron, true but I think that it could have established a kingdom in secret because Sauron doesn't seem to care about Moria.
: : : Thentaran

: : Thentaran, look at the facts...
: : There was a Balrog in Moria, and for whatever reason, it didn't set up this "easy kingdom". In fact, no Balrog has ever set up a kingdom. What makes you think it should have happened?
: : Every point we have brought up, you have disagreed with, but you could not PROVE them wrong. And you believe that it should have happened, even though, nothing like that has ever happened? Furthermore, the only fact you have for it forming a kingdom is that it would have been easy.
: : Perhaps it is time to listen.
: : No offence for appearing hostile.

: : Maedhros

: Don't worry I won't go crying I have been flamed although this is
: pretty close to it. I am not saying that it should have happened I am saying that the Balrog COULD have done it. I don't know why it is so hard to see that. There was a Balrog in Moria. It didn't set up a kngdom but I think it could have. Again, using Gothmog as an example, He was basically the field commander of Morgoth. He commanded others so why couldn't another Balrog do that? Simple.
: -Thentaran

You are correct that it could have, but it apparently didn't have the will (I would assume) to do so.
Gothmog is not the perfect example of the average Balrog...
BTW, I would have set up this kingdom...

Maedhros