Sauron pays a visit to Khazad-dûm in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 6, and there’s a worrisome tease that suggests the villain could use the Balrog against the Dwarves in future installments. The Rings of Power has been teasing the Balrog within Khazad-dûm’s mines since its first season, and its presence grows more ominous as the Dwarves continue digging where they shouldn’t. King Durin III may believe the Rings of Power will save them, but his refusal to help Sauron in episode 6 may seal the Dwarves’ fates.

As Sauron — disguised as Annatar — absorbs the fact that the Dwarves won’t come to Eregion’s aid, he notices a shape within the fire burning nearby. It looks a lot like a Balrog, and the villain’s response is concerning for the Dwarves. Sauron’s smile suggests he knows exactly what’s lurking within the mines of Khazad-dûm — and he may be planning to use its power. This raises questions about whether Sauron can control Balrogs in J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore and whether he could accomplish this in Amazon’s Lord of the Rings show.

The Balrogs Served Morgoth During Middle-earth’s First Age

Sauron May Attempt To Gain Control Of Them As Well

Tolkien’s writings don’t clarify whether Sauron could control a Balrog in The Rings of Power. However, the fact that Balrogs served Morgoth during the First Age of Middle-earth means that it’s possible. Morgoth controlled many of Middle-earth’s monsters, so it’s unsurprising that Balrogs were among the creatures that did his bidding. Given how close Sauron was to his former master, he likely knows about Balrogs — and he may even know how to manipulate one.

This doesn’t necessarily mean one would serve Sauron in The Rings of Power, but the villain seems arrogant enough to try to recruit one.

This doesn’t necessarily mean one would serve Sauron in The Rings of Power, but the villain seems arrogant enough to try to recruit one. The fact that he marches into Adar’s camp in The Rings of Power season 2’s premiere proves this, and he seems to be growing smugger as his plans fall into place. The fact that the premiere’s sea monster doesn’t attack Sauron also suggests he may have control over Middle-earth’s monsters, just like Morgoth.

Sauron Could Still Use The Balrog Against The Dwarves In The Rings Of Power

He Could Factor Into Khazad-dûm’s Downfall

Image via Prime Video

If Sauron does have the ability to control Balrogs in The Rings of Power, he could use this against the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm — and season 2 gives him a reason to. If the Dwarves won’t cooperate with his plans, Sauron may retaliate using the monster lurking beneath their mountain. Tensions between King Durin III and Sauron likely haven’t reached this point yet, but it’s a weapon in the villain’s arsenal if he needs it. And knowing that Khazad-dûm will eventually fall, it seems likely he’ll use it.

Tensions may rise between Sauron and the Dwarves, too, as Durin III is looking to take advantage of him for profit — and Durin IV simply doesn’t trust Annatar at all. These truths could lead to further conflicts between the Dwarves and The Rings of Power‘s villain, eventually pushing the latter over the edge. He’ll already have torn apart the Elves of Middle-earth, so he’ll have no qualms about doing the same to the Dwarves. This is doubly true if they cross him. And after his visit in episode 6, he knows he has leverage if he needs it.

The Rings Of Power Might Adapt Khazad-dûm’s Destruction Early

It’s Not Supposed To Happen Until The Third Age Of Middle-Earth

The destruction of Khazad-dûm doesn’t happen until the Third Age in Tolkien’s lore, but The Rings of Power may adapt this piece of Middle-earth’s history early. With all the Balrog teases, it’s certainly setting up some kind of tragic outcome for the Dwarves. With Khazad-dûm becoming the deserted Mines of Moria seen in The Lord of the Rings, it’s hard to envision the series leading elsewhere. The Dwaves’ kingdom falls early in the Third Age, so it’s possible The Rings of Power‘s later seasons will adapt this tragedy.

It seems like Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series may push into the Third Age a bit — or move some of its major events up to squeeze them into the end of the Second Age.

The downfall of Khazad-dûm isn’t the only early Third Age event the series is building towards, as it’s also setting up the founding of the Shire through its Harfoot and Stoors storylines. With that in mind, it seems like Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series may push into the Third Age a bit — or move some of its major events up to squeeze them into the end of the Second Age. It makes sense, as adapting the history of locations like Khazad-dûm and the Shire allows The Rings of Power to draw clear connections to The Lord of the Rings.