Why did Gandalf let go and fall off the cliff? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nar · 09-17-2002, 05:42 PM

Hello, Varda's Wilwarin, welcome to the Downs, enjoy being dead, and post lots! I think there are two factors involved in Gandalf and the Balrog's survival, one being they fell into deep water (which means it wasn't a real abyss, as you point out, it ended at some point)-- only then climbing onto the uttermost foundations of the mountain-roots, and the other being that as Maia incarnate in bodies they were tougher and harder to kill than your average mortal. Possibly they were able to slow their fall some way. Obviously, though, falling far and fast enough onto a hard surface would kill them, because the Balrog died that way after Gandalf cast him down from the peaks (unless he was already dead).

[ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]

09-17-2002, 05:42 PM	#26
Nar Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 228	Hello, Varda's Wilwarin, welcome to the Downs, enjoy being dead, and post lots! I think there are two factors involved in Gandalf and the Balrog's survival, one being they fell into deep water (which means it wasn't a real abyss, as you point out, it ended at some point)-- only then climbing onto the uttermost foundations of the mountain-roots, and the other being that as Maia incarnate in bodies they were tougher and harder to kill than your average mortal. Possibly they were able to slow their fall some way. Obviously, though, falling far and fast enough onto a hard surface would kill them, because the Balrog died that way after Gandalf cast him down from the peaks (unless he was already dead). [ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]