Īdditionally, they may have been able to alter their body structures on occasion, as in the battle between Durin's Bane and Gandalf, when the Balrog fell into a body of water he shifted himself into something slimy. Additionally, Tolkien refers to Balrogs with "streaming fiery manes". It is unclear, and highly debated, whether Balrogs had wings.īalrogs seemed to encapsulate and project power and terror, perhaps meant to be a dark shadow of the majesty that the Valar radiate. Gothmog, the Lord of Balrogs in the First Age, used a black ax as well. They used both a flaming sword, and a fiery whip they were constantly burning, and their weapons appeared molten. The Durin's Bane uses its fiery whip against Gandalfīalrogs generally took the form of tall, menacing beings roughly humanoid in shape, though seeming to consist of or be surrounded by shadow and flame. Gandalf was later "sent back" by the Valar, as Gandalf the White. Finally, it ended, but both Gandalf and Durin's Bane were slain in the process. Both fell into the abyss, but the battle continued at the peak of Zirakzigil. Gandalf the Grey fought the Balrog, allowing the Fellowship to escape Moria. ĭuring the War of the Ring, the Fellowship of the Ring passed through Moria and encountered Durin's Bane, which pursued them to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. It drove the Dwarves out of their home and slew King Durin VI, and the Balrog was thereafter called " Durin's Bane". In TA 1980, a Balrog awoke in Khazad-dûm when the Dwarves had mined too deep for Mithril. Sauron gathered "all the evil things of the days of Morgoth that remained on earth and beneath it", starting the Accursed Years, however no Balrogs are mentioned as being active at this time. While most were destroyed, some managed to escape and hide in Earth's deep caverns. The remaining Balrogs fought in the War of Wrath. To save Tuor, Idril and their young son Eärendil, Glorfindel fought the Balrog on a cliff and cast it down, but he was pulled down with the Balrog to their deaths. While attempting to escape the burning city, Glorfindel and his companions were blocked by another Balrog. The Lord of the House of the Fountain, Ecthelion, managed to kill Gothmog at the cost of his own life. In FA 510, during the Fall of Gondolin, the Balrogs rode upon the backs of dragons to reach the hidden city of Gondolin. He bound the human warrior and delivered him to Angband, whereupon Morgoth attempted unsuccessfully to pry the location of Gondolin from him. He also captured Húrin, after Húrin was buried under a mountain of slain foes. He threw aside Húrin and Turgon, turned upon Fingon and killed him with the help of another Balrog, securing the field for Morgoth's forces. The Balrogs fought during the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, where Gothmog led the invasion. Years later, during the Dagor Bragollach, the Balrogs, along with Glaurung and an army of Orcs, issued forth from Angband to assault the fortresses of the Elves and to kill their allies, the Edain. The entire company was slain, except for Maedhros, who was later brought to Angband. Maedhros, Fëanor's son, persuaded the forces of Morgoth for a feigned treaty, but Morgoth sent his Balrogs. But finally Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, felled and mortally wounded Fëanor. Soon he stood alone, but long he fought on with all Balrogs alone as mightiest all the Children of Iluvatar even though he was wrapped in fire and wounded with many wounds. He came even within sight of Angband, but was ambushed by a force of Balrogs with few Noldor around him. When the Ñoldor won the battle Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Fëanor furiously pressed on toward Angband. However, they were halted by Morgoth and returned to Angband, which shortly thereafter was constructed anew. In a tempest of fire, the Balrogs drove Ungoliant away and prepared to pursue her. A disagreement with Ungoliant led to her attacking him, and Morgoth gave out a great cry that roused the Balrogs from their slumber. After Morgoth destroyed the Trees with Ungoliant, he came to the ruins of Angband to renew his rule in Middle-earth. By then, the Balrogs remained in the pits of Angband. History Years of the Treesīalrogs were present as early as the Years of the Trees when Melkor and Ungoliant went to Valinor and destroyed the Two Trees. Their first dwelling was in Utumno, but after their master's defeat during the War for Sake of the Elves, the Balrogs and other creatures in Melkor's service escaped to Angband and hibernated there. Originally, in unrecorded ancient times, the Balrogs were fiery Maiar that were persuaded by Melkor's might and splendor to join his cause.