Tolkien’s description may just be a way of saying that the Balrog’s shadow seemed to take the shape of wings, because if it did possess wings, you would expect it to flap them when plummeting down into Moria, or use them in its battle with Gandalf on the mountain top. There is no further mention of the wings as it plunges down into the abyss, or later when Gandalf describes his long fight with the Balrog. This metaphoric reference to wings is shortly after followed with the description that the Balrog “stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall” (p. In the ‘The Bridge of Khazad-dûm’ Tolkien says that “the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings” (p. How can I find out what it’s worth? Where can I sell it?Īlthough visual artists almost always depict Balrogs with wings, a reader of Tolkien is usually less convinced.

I have a book by Tolkien I want to sell.

Suggest some good companions to Tolkien’s books.

Can I contact the Tolkien Estate and/or Tolkien’s publishers?.

Will The Silmarillion be adapted into a film or television series?.

Why was Tolkien given the unusual third name Reuel?.