Posted: April 25, 2000 at 17:21:59: by Durin Deathless
: I've always wondered how tough they were because The Enemy had thousands of orcs, hundreds of trolls, and at one time many Balrogs. You would think they would be tough but look at all the evidence against them: Feanor must have killed many of them in his attempt to reach Angband, he then goes on to slay several Balrogs and fight Gothmog. There are tons more of men and elves being surprised by orcs and killing them all. In the Fifth Battle Huor and Hurin's men held back the whole army of Angband long enough for the Elves to escape. Hurin himself killed at least 70 at the end and most of them were trolls who guarded Gothmog. : Then you have contradicting evidence like Glorifindel barely killing a Balrog. Gandalf a Maia barely defeating a Balrog. The Urak Hai didn't appear frightened when the Riders of Rohan were after them. There several more examples but i have to go for now so I can't list more. : What do you guys think about this then? : -Thentaran Easy to explain. You are talking apples and oranges when you compare the First Age with the Third Age. The free peoples were mightier in the First Age (heroic porportions) and by the Third Age the races' strength had dwindled considerably. Your examples regarding Gandalf, Glorfindle, and the Urak-Hai were unique stress situations involving the need for flight rather than fight ( ie: protecting the weaker women elves and children, weaker hobbits and dwarves and men, and weaker orcs).
|
