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Thingol · 03-12-2002, 02:21 PM

I contend that the elves who slayed Balrogs did defeat them on a spiritual level, their spirit was boosted because of the hopelessness of the situation and their closeness to death. Tolkien considered Glorfindel's act as one of the greatest deeds of all the children of Illuvitar. This indicates to me that for the most part the Balrogs were far too great an oponent for the elves, (This is one of the major reasons why Obloquy asserts that more than 7 Balrogs would be unreasonable; any more than 7 would unbalance the scale of power between the Noldor and Morgoth) and that elves of the caliber of Glorfindel and Ecthillion were very rare and powerful. I'm sure that the same could be said of Feanor, Fingon, and Fingolofin because they seemed to be doing allright in their battle against a single Balrog. And of coarse Fingolofin did a number on Morgoth himself, so I'd assume he could probably hold his own against a Balorg. Hehe, close to 3 pages. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

[ March 12, 2002: Message edited by: Thingol ]

03-12-2002, 02:21 PM	#75
Thingol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 259	I contend that the elves who slayed Balrogs did defeat them on a spiritual level, their spirit was boosted because of the hopelessness of the situation and their closeness to death. Tolkien considered Glorfindel's act as one of the greatest deeds of all the children of Illuvitar. This indicates to me that for the most part the Balrogs were far too great an oponent for the elves, (This is one of the major reasons why Obloquy asserts that more than 7 Balrogs would be unreasonable; any more than 7 would unbalance the scale of power between the Noldor and Morgoth) and that elves of the caliber of Glorfindel and Ecthillion were very rare and powerful. I'm sure that the same could be said of Feanor, Fingon, and Fingolofin because they seemed to be doing allright in their battle against a single Balrog. And of coarse Fingolofin did a number on Morgoth himself, so I'd assume he could probably hold his own against a Balorg. Hehe, close to 3 pages. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img] [ March 12, 2002: Message edited by: Thingol ] __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.