The Enigma of the Nameless Beings in The Lord of the Rings

Highlights

The Nameless Things are mysterious entities in The Lord of the Rings with dark and terrifying nature. Gandalf's reluctance to speak about them confirms their ominous presence.

These ancient creatures defy identification even by Gandalf himself, implying that they existed before Sauron and could have emerged from the disharmony of the Music of the Ainur.

Various theories speculate that the Nameless Things may have originated from the Void or were brought into existence by Melkor, but no solid evidence exists to substantiate these assertions. The true origins of these creatures continue to elude us.

The Lord of the Rings encompasses a vast array of races, each with their own unique mythologies and origins. However, alongside these known entities, there are also mysterious beings called the Nameless Things, whose origins remain shrouded in secrecy. Despite their enigmatic nature, little information is available about them in the series, and even Gandalf, who encounters them, refuses to reveal any details. During a battle with the Balrog in TA 3019, both Gandalf and the Balrog plummet into a deep chasm after falling from the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. They land in a freezing lake and continue to fight until the Balrog escapes into dark tunnels inhabited by the Nameless Things. In order to escape their clutches, Gandalf pursues the Balrog, viewing it as his only hope in that desperate moment. After ultimately prevailing over the Balrog and being resurrected as Gandalf the White, he chooses not to disclose anything about the Nameless Things, stating, "Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day." This reluctance to speak of them reinforces their sinister and alarming nature, prompting the question: what exactly are these monstrous abominations?

What Are the Nameless Things Below Moria?

Gandalf's knowledge is limited when it comes to identifying the ancient creatures that dwell deep beneath the surface. Even though Gandalf has lived for thousands of years, he cannot name these creatures, implying their age. The clues found in The Hobbit suggest the existence of strange beings in the mountains' pools, lakes, tunnels, and caves. These creatures remain unseen by goblins and have inhabited these spaces long before the goblins' presence. The Nameless Things are strongly implied to be associated with these tunnels, as they are not of the dwarves' creation. Furthermore, Gandalf's lack of knowledge suggests that even the Valar, powerful beings similar to the gods, are unaware of these creatures, debunking the theory that they could be their creation. It is plausible to assume that these Nameless Things were brought into existence through the Music of the Ainur, the cosmic song that birthed the universe. The vision of Melkor, the first Dark Lord, created disharmony within the Music, leading to the emergence of evil creatures. The Nameless Things likely originated from this discord, existing long before Sauron's arrival in the universe. They are an independent evil force, not aligned with Melkor's following.

Another theory to consider is that they originate from the Void. The origins of Ungoliant, who is the mother of Shelob, remain largely unknown. However, it is believed that she could have potentially been a manifestation of "the darkness that surrounds Arda," and eventually descended into the world. The Nameless Things, as a force of darkness, appear to be similar to Ungoliant. It is possible that they were also brought forth from the Void and then revealed themselves as the Nameless Things.

There is a popular theory suggesting that the Watcher in the Water could have been one of these Nameless Things. Gandalf mentions that the tentacled creature "emerged, or was expelled, from the dark waters beneath the mountains. There are ancient and more loathsome beings than Orcs in the deep places of the world." Although the latter part of this statement could also relate to the Balrog, it could just as easily be connected to what he later says about the Nameless Things. The dark lake near Moria's West-gate was formed by blocking the Sirannon river. As the water pool grew deeper, the rocks beneath might have fractured, creating tunnels leading to the old passages beneath Moria. Consequently, it is possible that the Watcher climbed up to the surface through these tunnels and was one of the Nameless Things. Its presence was first documented during Balin's expedition to Moria, but it might have existed in the waters long before that.

Were the Nameless Things Created By Melkor?

Some argue that the Nameless Things might actually be followers of Melkor, possibly created in his fortress of Utumno or even earlier, during the ancient times. Just as he corrupted many evil creatures in Middle-earth such as Balrogs and Orcs, it is possible that Melkor also brought the Nameless Things into existence. According to the lore, Melkor bred various monstrous beings that caused trouble in the world. Even after the War of Wrath, the Valar were unable to discover all the secret vaults and caverns hidden beneath Utumno, suggesting that these creatures could still exist deep within the earth.

Further evidence lies in the fact that during the Years of the Trees, Melkor raised the Misty Mountains to obstruct Oromë, a prominent hunter of the Valar. This action may have been taken because Melkor was aware of the presence of the Nameless Things beneath the mountains, and he wanted to pose a threat to any visitors.

However, this theory is less credible than the others as there is no documentation of these creatures actively fulfilling Melkor’s commands or aiding his cause in any manner. Furthermore, if he were indeed their creator, Sauron (Melkor’s primary subordinate) would not have been ignorant of their presence.