The battle between Gandalf the Grey and the Balrog of Moria is one of the high points of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, as the wizard valiantly sacrifices himself to keep the monster from destroying the remainder of the Fellowship.

Why does Gandalf have to fight the Balrog?

While using his angelic powers wasn't within his given mandate, the presence of a Balrog overrode everything. If he didn't act, Durin's Bane would have killed everyone, taken the One Ring and became a new Dark Lord.

What did Gandalf actually say to the Balrog?

'I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow!

How did Gandalf end up fighting the Balrog on a mountain?

So after Gandalf and the Balrog fell into the water, Gandalf was more lost than ever, especially without the light of the Balrog's fire to help him, so he had no choice but to cling onto the back of it as it fled through the tunnels and up the staircase, destroying it, and the entrance to the long-lost tower, as he ...

Did Gandalf fear the Balrog?

One of the terrifying creatures of Lord of the Rings, the Balrog, was so frightening even Gandalf quaked at the sight of them. Gandalf is one of the biggest entities in Middle-earth, being one of the five angelic Maiar sent there during the Third Age. Yet even he quaked in fear at Balrog of Morgoth.

Gandalf vs. the Balrog explained - LOTR Lore

Why was Legolas scared of the Balrog?

Legolas doesn't appear to have any hesitation in his actions throughout the films, but it's clear that his blood runs cold when a Balrog appears in the Mines of Moria. Their connection with the ancient foe known as Morgoth makes Balrogs far more fearsome than other enemies in the eyes of Elves.

Would the Balrog obey Sauron?

No, Balrogs do not serve Sauron. Similar to Sauron, Balrogs are Maiar, powerful spiritual beings second only to the Valar themselves. They were corrupted by Melkor's evil before the first age and were made into Valaraukar (Demons of Power). They very strength and wills were bound to Melkor.

What happened to Gandalf after killing the Balrog?

So when Gandalf confronts the Balrog on the Bridge of Moria he faces a real and deadly danger. But he realizes the Quest is in peril and so sacrifices himself to ensure their escape; he falls from the bridge and fights the Balrog, but is himself killed.

What woke the Balrog Rings of Power?

Many audience members know that the Balrog was awakened because the Dwarves delved too deep in Moria.

How many Balrogs are there?

In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs: In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed. '

Why wasn t Sauron a Balrog?

Sauron was originally Mairon and was a Maiar associated with Aule who valued crafting above all else. Secondly, Balrogs were the epitome of malice and power while Sauron only ever won one of three fights he ever had. Sauron was the great deceiver. His power lies in planning, subterfuge, manipulation, and corruption.

Why didn t Gandalf tell Gimli about the Balrog?

Therefore, the only explanation as to why Gandalf doesn't reveal the Balrog's presence to the others earlier in the films, is that it is a plot device used by the writers and the creative team in order to increase the dramatic tension of Frodo's decision.

Did Gandalf know Durin's bane was a Balrog?

So, when Gandalf agreed with Frodo's decision to travel through Moria, he knew that something could be hiding there. Yet, he had no reason to think that it would be something as awful and powerful as a Balrog. Only King Dain Ironfoot knew that Durin's Bane was a Balrog.

Is the Balrog stronger than Smaug?

Gandalf's main reason for supporting Thorin's quest in The Hobbit was to eliminate the threat of the dragon Smaug, who would be a powerful ally for Sauron. Despite popular belief, the Balrog known as Durin's Bane was more powerful than Smaug in Middle-earth, being a literal, primordial demon.

Is the Balrog Gandalf's brother?

Gandalf the White was brought back to Middle Earth for the purpose of completing his mission. The Balrog and Gandalf are spiritual brothers, but likely with no memory of each other in their material form.

Why can't Gandalf use his full power?

Summary. Gandalf, as an Istari, was sent to Middle-earth to assist in the fight against Sauron, but he was forbidden from using his full power to interfere with the natural order. Saruman's downfall serves as a warning of the dangers of exceeding the limits placed on the Istari by the Valar.

Which Balrog killed Gandalf?

The Battle of the Peak was Gandalf's name for his climactic battle with the Balrog known as Durin's Bane, on the peak of the mountain called Silvertine. Gandalf pursued the Balrog from the deepests dungeons of Moria to Durin's Tower, climbing through the whole Endless Stair.

Who woke the Balrog in Moria?

The Balrog killed Durin VI, the Dwarf-King of Khazad-dûm, whereafter it was called Durin's Bane by the Dwarves. Avarice, principally for mithril, drove the dwarves to go too deep and awaken the Balrog.

How did the dwarves wake the Balrog?

It remained undisturbed throughout the Second Age and most of the Third Age, until the Dwarves awoke it in TA 1980 when they mined too deeply and too greedily in their search for mithril.

What happened to Moria after the Balrog was killed?

Without the Balrog, Durin's Bane, Durin VII the Last returned to the Mines of Moria and restored it to the once great kingdom that it was.

Who has killed a Balrog in LOTR?

The only recorded instances of Balrogs having been slain are Gandalf's slay of Durin's Bane, Echtelion's slay of Gothmog and Glorfindel's slay of an unnamed Balrog.

Did the dwarves dig up the Balrog?

Beginning under the Silvertine, the Dwarves mined ever deeper, and down towards the roots of Mount Caradhras. There they unearthed the Balrog, which drove the Dwarves into exile.

Was Smaug going to join Sauron?

Smaug is aware of the return of Sauron, and was apparently intent on joining forces with him (although there was some amount of confusion as to whether the dragon's motives for an alliance with Sauron were).

What would have happened if Smaug joined Sauron?

Smaug and Sauron Would Have Been Powerful Allies

As Gandalf said in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey film, "Smaug owes allegiance to no one." However, Sauron's usual method of acquiring allies would have been particularly enticing to Smaug. Sauron gave lavish gifts to those he wished to manipulate.

Was Smaug an ally of Sauron?

While it's not confirmation, it shows that Gandalf fully believed the two would form an alliance. Although, what's more likely is that Sauron would trick Smaug into joining his army, as he had always been a master manipulator.