The Balrog in Moria

Balrog - They were among the most powerful servants of Morgoth and helped him fight the Valar and Free Peoples.

The leader of the Balrogs was Gothmog. He slew the elf lord Feanor, commanded the forces of Morgoth in the wars of Beleriand, and with his troops destroyed the last Noldor kingdom of Gondolin. He was killed by Ecthelion, leader of Gondolin's last defenders, who also perished in the process. After Morgoth's ultimate defeat, he and most of the Balrogs were banished to the Outer Void.

One, however, escaped that fate and took shelter in the depths of the Misty Mountains. He lived in the depths of the mines of Moria. Driven by their lust for gold and mithril, the dwarves dug so deep that in 1980 they founded D.Z. woke up the Balrog, who in his anger let fire rage in Moria and thus played a not inconsiderable part in the downfall of the dwarves. He was also called Durin's Bane by the dwarves because he was Durin VI. he hit. Durin's son Náin I slew the Balrog a year later.

As the Fellowship of the Ring passed the mines, Gandalf sent the companions ahead at the bridge of Khazad-dûm, hoping to stop the Balrog on the bridge and confronted him. Armed with a fiery sword and fiery whip, the Balrog took up arms against Gandalf. The Balrog reached the bridge, in the middle of which stood Gandalf. Gandalf leaned on his staff with his left hand and with his right hand he held out his shining sword Glamdring to his foe. The Balrog raised the whip and the thongs whimpered and snapped, but Gandalf stood calm and unperturbed; he didn't falter. "You can't pass," he shouted at the enemy. And Gandalf goes on to say he is a servant of the secret fire and lord of the flame of Anor. "You cannot pass. The dark fire will do you no good, Flame of Udûn. Go back to the shadows. You cannot pass."

The Balrog did not answer Gandalf and the fire within him seemed to die as the darkness deepened. As the Balrog attacked the wizard again, Gandalf struck the bridge in front of him with his staff and the bridge collapsed at the Balrog's feet. Gandalf's staff broke and fell from his hand. The Balrog cried out terribly and fell down. As he fell, he brandished his firewhip, and the thongs wrapped around the wizard's knee. Gandalf staggered and fell as well. "Flee You fools!" he screamed and was gone.