When it comes to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, one thing fans look for are iconic J. R. R. Tolkien monsters. Season 2 had some creatures popping up, such as the monster that almost ate Sauron, and the mud worm that tried to devour Arondir and Isildur.

As the series continues, Rings of Power Season 2 is exploring issues in the Dwarven realm of Khazad-dûm. In the process, the show is teasing a signature monster down there. It strongly hints at what will eventually lead to the end of life in what would be known as the Mines of Moria.

Rings of Power Season 2 Reveals a Big Khazad-dûm Fracture

Durin IV Sees the Ring Corrupting King Durin III

Rings of Power Season 2 finds Durin III (the current king) becoming corrupted after attaining a ring from Celebrimbor and Sauron disguised as Annatar. Durin III provides the Forge at Eregion with mithril to strengthen the rings. In return, he gets seven in total. But he makes it clear to the other Dwarf lords that they must pay him a tax to get theirs. It’s arrogant and selfish, as he is selling what he thinks is a healing relic.

He touts up their value, as his ring allows him to search the caverns and find mithril. He even knows where to let his miners dig so they can bring sunlight back in after Mount Doom’s explosion. However, his son, Durin IV, can tell something is wrong. His father is hearing voices and coming off obsessive. Lord of the Rings fans can draw a parallel to how Smeagol and Frodo behaved centuries later with the One Ring. It doesn’t enlighten the king, but it’s guiding him towards some nefarious purpose.

Durin IV heads to Eregion and trounces Celebrimbor verbally. Even before his father wore the ring, he was skeptical. Now, Durin IV is adamant the rings being made are flawed and evil. He returns home, making it clear that he won’t be enticed. Durin III wants him back at his side, but Durin IV tries to remain steadfast. It teases a civil war to come that Durin IV’s wife, Disa, was warned of after she backed the rings. Ironically, after realizing the poison she advocated for, she makes a discovery that portends doom and gloom.

Rings of Power Season 2 Teases the Balrog

Disa Hears the Roar of Tolkien’s Most Iconic Monster

​​​​​Rings of Power Season 1 had Elrond speaking of the Balrog in mythology. He mentioned how it was banished in a previous war. Of course, Lord of the Rings fans would see it in the mines when Gandalf fought it to protect Frodo’s fellowship. Now, viewers are seeing its origin. It comes when Disa tries to buy a decorative ball, only for it to fall down into a crevice and roll way down into a hidden pocket.

Disa tries to use her stone-singing to find it. However, something roars back. As the waters ripple and the place shakes, it’s clear this is indeed the Balrog. It’s unclear if it’s awakened at this moment, or if it’s yelling from somewhere else while it’s on another mission. But it’s obvious it’s going to force its way beneath this market soon enough. In Tolkien lore, after the Dwarves used Sauron’s “gift,” their mines were blighted.

The dwarves worked with the Elves to dispel the threat of Sauron. But centuries later, the mithril dwindled, and they dug deeper, destabilizing the region. It once more felt like the place was cursed. They became greedy, which is what the king is displaying at present. The show is tweaking the lore, so it may well be bringing up the arc of the Balrog arriving and ravaging the caves to claim it as its own.

It killed many Dwarves and King Durin VI. Also known as Durin’s Bane, this behemoth turned the place into the Black Pit, where orcs and goblins would take refuge as well. Ultimately, audiences have waited to see this monster in action. From the hornet’s nest the king has kicked over, it looks like that timeline has been hastened after Disa’s foray into the dark unknown.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power streams Thursdays on Prime Video.