Balrog Tatics

[Galorme]

As for them not being killed by water:

Those two [Ecthelion and Gothmog] dropped into the basin of the king's fountain which was very deep. There found that creature his bane.

Ecthelion knew that the water would kill the Balrog because he wrapped his arms and legs around him and dragged him down with his heavy armor. This could have been only because it would drown him, not “quench his fire”. The Balrog could have needed to breathe (as I say he forgot to put in an aqualung).

As for a fall seeming too easy- So what? The Balrogs turned from the bliss of the Valar to the might of Melkor. That says something about how smart they are, hence forgetting that a big fall will destroy almost anything.

[ November 23, 2002: Message edited by: Galorme ]