What Effects Would the One Ring Have on a Balrog?

Confrontation in the fiery ruins

At first, the answer seems obvious. A Balrog with the One Ring would be stronger. More fire.More shadow.More terror.A creature already powerful enough to drive the Dwarves from Moria would become nearly unstoppable. But that answer misses the most important thing about the Ring. The One Ring was not made as a simple weapon. It … Read more

Why Would the Elves Help Destroy the One Ring?

Guardians over the magical valley

At first, the answer seems obvious. The Elves helped destroy the One Ring because Sauron had to be defeated. He was the great enemy of the Free Peoples. His armies threatened Gondor, Rohan, Lórien, Dale, Erebor, and every land that still resisted him. If the Ring returned to his hand, his victory would become almost … Read more

Why the One Ring Betrayed Isildur

The ring of desolation

Most people think the answer is simple. Isildur kept the Ring when he should have destroyed it, and so the Ring turned on him. That is true as far as it goes. But it is not the deepest answer the texts give.  Because the striking thing about Isildur’s death is not only that he made … Read more

Why the Ring Stayed With Gollum So Long

The discovery at Gladden River

At first glance, the answer seems easy. Gollum had the Ring because he would never let it go. That is true as far as it goes. By the time Bilbo meets him under the Misty Mountains, Gollum is completely bound to it. He calls it his birthday present, his precious, the center of his inner … Read more