During the events of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, the Fellowship witness Gandalf facing the Balrog. When Gandalf falls, he's still hanging on the cliff. And when Frodo cries out to Gandalf, Boromir prevents Frodo from going to him. Why didn't the fellowship help Gandalf to get up?
asked May 4, 2017 at 17:11
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38Because they're all a bunch of wimps.– ValorumCommented May 4, 2017 at 17:26
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4Should I (or anyone) tag or edit this so as to make clear that it is pertaining to the PJ version?– can-ned_foodCommented May 4, 2017 at 17:48
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3If nothing else, you'd think at least Legolas could spray some arrows from the distance in the heat of the moment even though it would be futile. You know, desperate times, desperate measures thing.– iMerchantCommented May 4, 2017 at 18:46
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19Didn't he tell them to fly, then called them fools?– Malky.KidCommented May 5, 2017 at 3:31
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21Because he's an experience hog and you don't want to put up with a maia after you "steal" some XP from him...– xDaizuCommented May 5, 2017 at 7:26
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3 Answers
In the novel, the events played out slightly differently. Gandalf was already at the rear of the pack. The Hobbits, Gimli and Legolas had already made it to the arch when the Balrog appeared. They stayed inside the arch (obeying Gandalf) whereas the humans, Aragorn and Boromir decided to stand with Gandalf.
'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.
Gandalf seems to have taken a few steps forward to attack the Balrog and in doing so, he caused the bridge to break. His companions (who at that point were about 10-15 feet behind him) were forced to run away, lest they fall into the chasm.
When he actually fell, it was over within seconds.
With a bound the Balrog leaped full upon the bridge. Its whip whirled and hissed.
'He cannot stand alone! ' cried Aragorn suddenly and ran back along the bridge. ' Elendil! ' he shouted. 'I am with you, Gandalf!'
`Gondor! ' cried Boromir and leaped after him.
At that moment Gandalf lifted his staff, and crying aloud he smote the bridge before him. The staff broke asunder and fell from his hand. A blinding sheet of white flame sprang up. The bridge cracked. Right at the Balrog's feet it broke, and the stone upon which it stood crashed into the gulf, while the rest remained, poised, quivering like a tongue of rock thrust out into emptiness.With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. 'Fly, you fools! ' he cried, and was gone.
The fires went out, and blank darkness fell. The Company stood rooted with horror staring into the pit. Even as Aragorn and Boromir came flying back, the rest of the bridge cracked and fell. With a cry Aragorn roused them.
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40I like the idea that Gandalf recognizes how useless the rest of the fellowship would be against the Balrog. I feel that Gandalf was, at best, buying time or stalling with the intention of running or fighting to the death. I also feel like the battle between the Balrog and Gandalf would have been EPIC. Epic to to the point that the others would become collateral damage. From a story telling point of view, I love that the battle was left up to the imagination of the reader as it leaves Gandalf and the Balrog's abilities open, and the battle as well.– JosafootCommented May 4, 2017 at 22:01
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21I'll also note, that it seems to me that a straightforward reading would indicate that Gandalf's cry, "Fly, you fools!" may have been made while he was falling, and not, as the movie depicts, immediately before he fell. Commented May 4, 2017 at 23:06
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6@Josafoot I mean, the rest of the fellowship are not even levelcapped, what good can they be? (chuckles)– xDaizuCommented May 5, 2017 at 7:32
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16@xDaizu - Gandalf strikes me as a loot-hog. Note how he takes the sweet Palantir off of the Hobbit.– ValorumCommented May 5, 2017 at 9:08
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4He wasn't near a hundred feet tall in the movie, maybe 20. Commented May 5, 2017 at 12:20
Because Gandalf told them not to. When they first encountered the creature, Gandalf tells them
This is a foe beyond any of you. Run!
And then, when he is hanging on the bridge
Fly, you fools!
Remember, the orcs were still coming. Time was of the essence.
answered May 4, 2017 at 17:22
Since you are referring to the film, I think the best answer is the director's commentary from the writers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
They said that there are a few reasons in this scene. One is that they are actually far away from the bridge and that it had risps and could have been collapsed. Philippa also mentions that there is one scene in the book where Frodo tells Faramir that Aragorn and Boromir had to watch out for them and if they didn't had to, they would not have run away. Also Fran said that Gandalf with his quote "Fly, you fools!" meant that he let go rather than that he fell. Because he knew it was the decision he was going have to make after the moment he realised the mind of Saruman and his betrayal.
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1Can you link to where these quotes can be found? Supporting your argument is important Commented May 5, 2017 at 16:47
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Sadly I didn't found any site with the commentary. I wanted to write it down but it's hard for me to understand every word.– MilgoCommented May 6, 2017 at 19:28