Also being a Tolkien nerd, geek scholar, whatever you want to call it. I enjoyed this post.
This is probably the nerdiest thing you've ever read Haf, as I did it from memory.....
I don't agree with all of what was presented though;
Let's start with Celebrimbor, who wraught the 3 elven rings of power. He did, no question, and he may have designed the doors of Moria. But he didn't build them. The inscription on the doors read: Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak Friend and enter. I Narvi made them.
In regards to the Balrog. In the Two Towers, Gandalf describes his fight with the Balrog. He clearly states the creature had wings. Fortunately Gandalf 'smote his ruin upon the mountainside...'
The 5 Wizards are indeed Maiar, or Istari. However, the power to change shape had not belonged to the Maiar since the end of the first age. This is open to debate, as I extrapolated it from several references.
and last but not least: Nothing in middle earth is as old as Tom Bombadil.
or Mars.....
Elrond said so during the council meeting. 'oldest and fatherless'
God I'm a geek. If I could just figure out how to make MONEY off all this useless 'knowledge'....
Once you get through the Silmarillion twice, it goes by pretty easily...lol
Maeg.
