Could a Dwarf melee with a Balrog?

[BGreg]

'He cannot stand alone!' cried Aragorn suddenly and ran back. along the bridge. 'Elendil!' he shouted. 'I am with you, Gandalf!' 'Gondor!' cried Boromir and leaped after him.

Well, if Aragorn was scared, he certainly didn't show it. Charging at the Balrog like that... truly heroic.

[CSteefel]

Originally Posted by BGreg

Well, if Aragorn was scared, he certainly didn't show it. Charging at the Balrog like that... truly heroic.

Well, to quote my own post again:

'I too once passed the Dimrill Gate,' said Aragorn quietly; 'but though I also came out again, the memory is very evil. I do not wish to enter Moria a second time.'

Fear, or the memory (and aversion to) evil, I don't know, but certainly it is not as if Aragorn had no problem with facing the Balrog.

My point was that he probably felt some level of fear when on the Paths of the Dead as well, since only the Elves (who are immortal) are free from that (it is not even an issue for them, same as the Nazgul have no effect on Glorfindel). But he overcame it by sheer force of will, just as Boromir did...

[Pitchwife]

Originally Posted by CSteefel

But he overcame it by sheer force of will, just as Boromir did...

Exactly; and isn't it overcoming the fear you do feel that makes an action truly heroic? I mean, there's nothing heroic in facing something you're not afraid of at all.

As for Gimli, walking on the Paths of the Dead probably was the bravest thing he did in his whole life - although, to be realistic, once he had entered them there was little else to do but going on; nevertheless, he didn't just lose his nerves and run off into the dark crazed with fear, as somebody else might well have done.

Generally, I find everything that has been posted about the Dwarves' weakness concerning the Otherworld quite convincing; seems to be a logical price they paid for their exceptional skill with the physical materials of Arda.