Gandalf

A dark and powerful figure approached, streaming with fire. Boromir blew his horn and the orcs hesitated. Gandalf commanded them to flee while he faced the enemy alone. The balrog reached the bridge, but Gandalf stood firm, wielding Galadrim. He declared, "You cannot pass!" The balrog tried to attack, but Gandalf struck it with white fire. The balrog retreated, and Gandalf stood alone, appearing small and gray. The balrog returned with a red sword, but Gandalf fought back, causing the balrog's sword to shatter. Gandalf swayed but remained standing. What it was could not be seen. It was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form—of man-shape, maybe. Yet greater. And a power and terror seemed to be in it, and to go before it. It came to the edge of the fire, and the light faded, as if a cloud had bent over it. Then, with a rush, it leaped across the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it, and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire. In its left, it held a whip of many thongs. I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I What an evil fortune, and I am already weary." The dark figure streamed with fire. The dark figure, streaming with fire, raced towards them. The orcs yelled and poured over the stone gangways. Then Boromir raised his horn and blew. Loud the challenge rang and bellowed, like the shout of many throats, under the cavernous roof. For a moment the orcs quailed, and the fiery shadow halted. Then the echoes died, as suddenly as a flame blown out by a dark wind. And the enemy advanced again. Over the bridge!" cried Gandalf, recalling his strength. "'Fly! This is a foe beyond any of you. I must hold the narrow way. Fly!' Aragorn and Boromir did not heed the command, but still held their ground, side by side, behind Gandalf at the far end of the bridge. The others halted, just within the doorway at the hall's end, and turned unable to leave their leader to face the enemy alone. The balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on his staff in his left hand. But in his other hand, Galadrim. In his other hand, Galadrim gleamed, cold and white. His enemy halted again, facing him, and a shadow about it reached out, like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs wh- and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils, but Gandalf stood firm. "'You cannot pass!' he cried. He said. The orc stood still, and a dead silence fell. "'I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass!' The dark fire. "'The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the shadow, you cannot pass!' "'Go back to the shadow! You cannot pass!' The balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly, onto the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to the great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall. But still Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom. He seemed small, and altogether alone, gray and bent. Like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm. From out of the shadow, a red sword leaped, flaming, gladdering, glittered white in answer. There was a ringing clash, and a stab of white fire. The balrog fell back, and its sword flew up in molten fragments. The wizard swayed on the bridge, stepped back apace, and then again stood still.