What is the Balrog in The Rings of Power?

But one of the most heroic deaths came from King Durin (Peter Mullan), who sacrificed himself for his family and his kingdom in that final episode.

Throughout season 2, King Durin and his son Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) have been at odds due to the king's obsession with his ring, which had turned him cold-hearted, selfish, and callous.

But, in his final moments, we saw the king remove the ring and return to himself, as he bid farewell to his son and took on a fiery Balrog.

Now, if season 3 of the show is confirmed, we'll likely see Prince Durin grapple with all the challenges that come with being the next king.

Here's everything you need to know!

What is a Balrog in The Rings of Power?

A Balrog is a demonic monster created by the power of angelic beings known as the Maiar, but served the Dark Lord known as Morgoth in the First Age of Middle-earth.

These large monsters are clad in shadow and flame, using weapons such as fiery throngs and large swords.

The central Balrog in the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the one dubbed 'Durin's Bane' which resides in the Mines of Moria beneath the Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm - and that's the one we saw take King Durin's life.

In the lore of JRR Tolkien, Durin's Bane had survived the War of Wrath and the defeat of his master Morgoth, escaping into the Misty Mountains and hiding in the depths of Caradhras, one of the mountains of Moria.

In the books, the Dwarves had shown avarice as they continued to mine for the ore Mithril beneath the city of Khazad-dûm, stirring the Balrog from his sleep and resulting in numerous clashes between the Dwarves and the Balrog.

After the beast killed King Durin VI, the Balrog was dubbed Durin's Bane.

Eventually, the Dwarves were driven out of the mountains and Orcs came to reside there, whilst the Balrog continued to live in the chasm of the mountain.

In The Fellowship of the Ring, the Fellowship passes through the Mines of Moria and escapes the horde of Orcs before trying to cross the Bridge of Khazad-dûm as the Balrog struck.

In a confrontation with Gandalf the Grey, the Balrog fell down the chasm but took Gandalf down with him.

The pair clashed as they fell to subterranean and then underworldly levels of Middle-earth until, eventually, the Balrog was cast down into ruin by Gandalf, who was killed in the effort but brought back as Gandalf the White.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is available to stream now on Prime Video – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial.

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