Quote:
Originally posted by Attalus:
I'm on another forum (now down, alas) where it is actually forbidden to discuss this subject. But, we are freeer here, so I am going to open the whole can of worms. Did Balrogs have wings? We know that the Moria balrog was "flying from the ruin of Thangorodrim" and had "the shadow about it spread out like vast wings." (Both from "The Bridge of Khazad-Dum," FOTR). But if it had wings, why did it fall into the Abyss beneath Helm's Bridge? Was Galdalf's "ever hewing" him (presumably with Glamdring) interfering? I would like your thoughts.
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I believe that Balrogs do not have wings, or at least do not have flight-capable wings. It was said that one of the few ways to kill them was to cast them down from a great height, which wouldn't work too well if they could fly.
Also, as the quote says "spread out LIKE vast wings" it implies that there were not true wings. Also in "flying from the ruin", flying could be an alternative to fleeing, and not referring to flight through the air. Tolkien uses "flight" to describe retreats quite often.
As Gandalf was dragged off the Bridge of Khazad-dum, he says "Fly, you fools"
The chapter in the Silmarillion about the Noldor forsaking Valinor and pursuing Morgoth to Middle-Earth is entitled "Of the Flight of the Noldor"
Since "flying from the ruins" is in the same context, it can't be used as proof that Balrogs could literally fly.