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Dread Horseman
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Re: Balrogs DO have wings!!!
You've negelected to include another from
The Bridge of Khazad-dûm, Fin. <blockquote>
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Something was coming up behind them. What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form... His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. <hr></blockquote>According to your own logic, then, the 'shadow' about the Balrog is only metaphorical and is used for dramatic effect to make the Balrog mysterious.
The cite you quote about the Nazgûl aboard their winged steed is a parallel example. I've cited several others towards the end of the debate linked to in my post above. Tolkien had a habit of describing his beasties and baddies as being 'like' shadows to heighten their menace and mysteriousness.
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