"Swords are of no more use"... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

LePetitChoux · 01-03-2003, 10:34 AM

...Is what Gandalf said, but why did he then Hack at the Balrog with precisely that weapon? And why did a sword designed to "cleave goblins" do any damage/mental impact to a big huge Balrog, and thereby cause him to lose his footing and come crashing to his death on the snowy peaks below?

Purple Elf · 01-03-2003, 11:22 AM

Exactly that realy got to me aswell, the way i read it was that Gandalf was putting his power against the Balrog using all his skills as a wizard, not poking it with a tiny, albeit powerful, sword, the Balrog could have just bitten his head off.

GreyIstar · 01-03-2003, 11:29 AM

That is a direct quote from the book.<P>It went by fast but I thought I saw lightning either stike the Balrog or Gandalf's sword on the top of the mountain.<P>But I think it was a way of saying "You guys shouldn't even try to fight this thing."<P>[ January 03, 2003: Message edited by: GreyIstar ]<p>[ January 03, 2003: Message edited by: GreyIstar ]

Vardadurwen · 01-03-2003, 11:59 AM

Maybe he was only referring to the use of Aragon and Boromir's sword and how they could really not use their weapons to fight off the Balrog. But Gandalf could because he could use his powers through his sword or something. Also, maybe he didn't want Aragorn or Boromir to even try to fight the Balrog, or even think about trying to fight the Balrog because he knew they couldn't win, like what GreyIstar said.

Mandos · 01-03-2003, 12:05 PM

Gandalf did not have his staff to use against the Balrog, so he had to use the sword as a conductor of his magic. Also, his sword , Glamdring, was forged for the High King of the Noldor, Turgon Lord of Gondolin, who used this sword to fight Balrogs.

01-03-2003, 10:34 AM	#1
LePetitChoux Vegetable of Doom Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London Posts: 720	"Swords are of no more use"... ...Is what Gandalf said, but why did he then Hack at the Balrog with precisely that weapon? And why did a sword designed to "cleave goblins" do any damage/mental impact to a big huge Balrog, and thereby cause him to lose his footing and come crashing to his death on the snowy peaks below? __________________ je suis une bonne odeur

01-03-2003, 11:22 AM	#2
Purple Elf Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: A tree somewhere anywhere! Posts: 34	Exactly that realy got to me aswell, the way i read it was that Gandalf was putting his power against the Balrog using all his skills as a wizard, not poking it with a tiny, albeit powerful, sword, the Balrog could have just bitten his head off. __________________ "Because i belived you to be indeed Luthien Tinuvel, of whom i was singing. but if you are not she, then you walk in her likeness." - Aragorn

01-03-2003, 11:29 AM	#3
GreyIstar Wight Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Dallas Posts: 116	That is a direct quote from the book.<P>It went by fast but I thought I saw lightning either stike the Balrog or Gandalf's sword on the top of the mountain.<P>But I think it was a way of saying "You guys shouldn't even try to fight this thing."<P>[ January 03, 2003: Message edited by: GreyIstar ]<p>[ January 03, 2003: Message edited by: GreyIstar ] __________________ Keeper of the site Ring Lord. "Dangerous!" cried Gandalf. "And so am I, very dangerous: more dangerous than anything you will ever meet, unless you are brought alive before the seat of the Dark Lord."

01-03-2003, 11:59 AM	#4
Vardadurwen Wight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 102	Maybe he was only referring to the use of Aragon and Boromir's sword and how they could really not use their weapons to fight off the Balrog. But Gandalf could because he could use his powers through his sword or something. Also, maybe he didn't want Aragorn or Boromir to even try to fight the Balrog, or even think about trying to fight the Balrog because he knew they couldn't win, like what GreyIstar said. __________________ 'In this phial,' she said, 'is caught the light of Earendil's star....May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out...' - Galadriel 'Now there's an eye-opener and no mistake!' - Samwise Gamgee

01-03-2003, 12:05 PM	#5
Mandos Wight Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Panama City, Florida Posts: 131	Gandalf did not have his staff to use against the Balrog, so he had to use the sword as a conductor of his magic. Also, his sword , Glamdring, was forged for the High King of the Noldor, Turgon Lord of Gondolin, who used this sword to fight Balrogs. __________________ He came unto the timeless halls where shining fall the countless years and endless reigns the Elder King in Ilmarin on Mountain sheer