Sauron vs. Your Mama - A Discussion of Power in Middle-earth

[obloquy]

Originally Posted by Raynor

I think that a counter-example would be the duel of Fingolfin and Melkor; Fingolfin was able to repeatedly wound his opponent, and I doubt we can compare their powers on any level. Also, Thorondor did some pretty good action there too, wounding Melkor without losing a feather.

And yet Fingolfin could not have slain Melkor. His power was enough to wound Melkor--in other words, to overcome Melkor's power minorly and briefly, but not ultimately. Gandalf wounded the Balrog many times without fully overpowering him, and Gandalf was no doubt wounded himself in the battle. Had Fingolfin been in Legolas' place when the three met up with Gandalf the White, I'm sure Gandalf's comment about who might hurt him would have been different.

A good point, nonetheless.