5 Rings of Power moments that hinted the appearance of Balrog at some point

The Rings of Power on Prime Video has introduced an era in Middle-earth in which we will encounter the creation of the Rings of Power and Sauron’s rise as the evil dark lord. It further introduced us to Galadriel, Elrond, and their attempt to stop Sauron from becoming the dark lord and wreaking havoc on the land.

We know that their attempt will be futile, and Sauron will rise to power. The Rings of Power further showed us the efforts that were put in since the beginning to stop Sauron. Since the show introduces the creation of evil forces, it also introduces the main link that would help in fighting that evil force by introducing Gandalf, who is known as the Stranger in the Prime Video show.

By setting up the story of the good and evil forces of Gandalf and Sauron, The Rings of Power also hints at the awakening of the Balrog of Mines of Moria, which we saw in season 2 of The Rings of Power killing King Durin III after he mined for more mithril. Here’s a list of 5 moments that hinted at the appearance of Balrog in The Rings of Power.

5 Rings of Power moments that hinted at the appearance of Balrog

5) “We do not dig in earth that cannot support it…tempting shadow, rock, and mine to bury us all beneath the mountain.”- King Duin III (Season 1, Episode 7)

As Durin IV discovered mithril and how it could help the Elves, he tried to help them by bringing Elrond to meet King Durin in Season 1, Episode 7 of The Rings of Power. Elrond kept his proposal in front of King Durin, but he refused and said the above dialogue.

The dialogue only happened to foreshadow the future of Khazad-dûm as they did dig too deep, which led the Balrog to become their Bane.

4) The volcanic eruption in Orodruin collapses Khazad-dum’s sun shafts (Season 2, Episode 2)

Peter Mullan in The Rings of Power | Image via Instagram: amazonmgmstudios

In the previous episodes of The Rings of Power, the volcanic eruption of Orodruin, which would later become Mount Doom, was shown. This resulted in the heavy tremors that even Khazad-dûm felt as their sun shafts closed, resulting in the darkness around the place.

This was not the first time that Khazad-dûm experienced tremors, as we also had witnessed earlier when Elrond and Durin IV were mining for mithril, and tremors occurred, trapping four dwarves in the mines. These tremors were one of the reasons that awakened the Balrog, who was sleeping under the mountains.

3) The stone-singers fail to create a path (Season 2, Episode 2)

Owain Arthur with Sophia Nomvete in The Rings of Power | Image via Instagram: primevideo

In the same episode of The Rings of Power, the stone singers, Disa and her companions, were brought to sing and create a path for light to follow. This had been a common practice among the dwarves for 9 centuries.

However, unfortunately, it didn’t work this time, hinting at some blockage that stopped the singers from creating a path for the light to enter the place. This blockage is also hinted at by Balrog, who stopped the stone singers’ voices from connecting with the mountains and creating a path for light.

2) Balrog burns the Linden leaf (Season 1, Episode 7)

Although the clues that were shown in Season 2 of The Rings of Power were mostly to alert the dwarves of the Balrog’s existence, for the viewers, the Balrog appeared in Season 1. After Elrond left Khazad-dûm, Durin IV tried to persuade his father to help the Elves, but he refused.

He even showed him the dying Lindon leaf, rejuvenated after being in contact with mithril, but nothing helped convince him. After Durin IV left, King Durin threw the leaf out of an opening, which sent the leaf into the depths of Khazad-dûm, where it was burned to ashes. We are introduced to the Balrog, now awakened, while the dwarves were unaware of any of it until season 2 of The Rings of Power.

1) Disa hears the Balrog’s roars (Season 2, Episode 5)

Balrog in The Rings of Power | Image via New Line Cinema

The biggest clue that the dwarves encountered about the existence of Balrog underneath their home is in Episode 5 of The Rings of Power Season 2. While Durin IV and Disa were buying a tuning crystal for their daughter’s birthday, the crystal slipped out of Disa’s hands.

She then went into the depths of the mountain, following it, and used her singing voice to locate the crystal. As she was about to leave with the crystal, she heard the low rumblings and ignored them at first. However, the rumblings became louder and changed into roars that caught Disa's attention.

The roars of the creature became so loud that she dropped the crystal from her hand, and it broke. This was the final clue of the Balrog that lived in the depths of Khazad-dûm, which finally appeared during King Durin’s last mining attempt, which eventually killed him.