March 27, 2002

Balrog's Wings
Ray S.

Well, it seems the debate will never end, it sure didn't with the movie. Everyone asking will it have wings, and should it. I believe that there are a few points that people are easily overlooking when thinking of a Balrog. First, i truly believe that I have evidence that a Balgog does not have wings. Ok, all the creatures in Tolkien's works that have wings can fly. And, there are at least two chances that if a Balrog had wings, it would have survived. First, look at the sack of Gondolin. When Glorfindel battles the Balrog, they are both cast off the mountain. If the Balrog had wings, it could have flew away, correct? And, then there is the bridge of Moria. When the Balrog fell, it could have flew out of the chasm, devouring the fellowship most likely. When you think about size, I think PJ was wrong. How could and elf slay something of such size? Now I know the elf warriors of old were far superior to the ones in The Lord of the Rings, but lets be real here. But, then a Balrog wasn't killed everyday in The Silmarillion, so I believe size is a bigger question than wings.