Mithril
or
In Moria, in Khazad Dum
The creature that Gandalf met in the LOTR Fellowship of the Ring was a balrog. It is a servant of the enemy, Melkor, it was such a creature that slew the high king of the elves in the first age.
The balrogs were thought to be destroyed but the dwarves delving into the heart of Zirak Zigil awoke the creature that eventually carried Gandalf down into the depths of Moria.
The dwarves were looking for mithril, the most precious material in Middle Earth. Frodo may not be aware that the coat of mail that Bilbo gave him in Rivendell is a priceless treasure, beyond all ken. Fashioned from pure mithril for a dwarven prince, the mithril coat is an artifact that an actual price cannot be placed upon. In real dollar terms the value would exceed the entire GDP of the Shire by several factors.
The only reason that Frodo lived was that mithril coat, any other armour would have been pierced. Gandalf would laugh and remark that there was always more to hobbits than met the eye.
Also not mentioned, Tom Bombadil, the Eldest. Tom has always said "I was first, I will be last." Readers of the book know that Tom was not affected by the power of the Great Ring. The invisibility bestowed by the Great Ring had no effect on Tom, he could see those wearing the ring as well. While Tom was wearing it, it was just a bauble. |
