balrogs and wings debate

[obloquy]

...for ere the fall of Nargothrond or Gondolin I [Galadriel] passed over the mountains, and together through ages of the world we have fought the long defeat.

LotR

The riders passed over to the islet, and glittering eyes watched them wanly from the shadows of the banks.

LotR

A short way back the road had bent a little northward and the stretch that they [Frodo and Sam] had passed over was now screened from sight.

LotR

Soon the dwindling company [of Elves], following the Isen, turned west and rode through the Gap into the waste lands beyond, and then they turned northwards, and passed over the borders of Dunland.

LotR

And the host of the Teleri passed over the Misty Mountains, and crossed the wide lands of Eriador, being urged on by Elwë Singollo, for he was eager to return to Valinor and the Light that he had beheld...

The Silmarillion

Thus it chanced in the waning of the year that Aredhel came to the south of Himlad, and passed over Celon; and before she was aware she was enmeshed in Nan Elmoth.

The Silmarillion

Thence they [a host of Orcs] passed over Gelion with fire and terror and came far into East Beleriand.

The Silmarillion

Thus led by Tuor son of Huor the remnant of Gondolin passed over the mountains, and came down into the Vale of Sirion...

The Silmarillion

These are only the uses of "passed over" that deal specifically with earth-bound beings 'passing over' the ground. I intentionally excluded anyone 'passing over' rivers or bridges or the sea, since the relevancy of those uses can be debated. There are many more occurrences of this phrase that have to do with the Nazgul on their winged steeds passing over the ground, however. I only intended to prove that Balrogs 'passing over' doesn't cinch the issue. And I don't suppose it needs to be said that there are countless uses of "arose" that apply.

Well now I must arise and pass over my living room to the kitchen for a drink. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ December 23, 2001: Message edited by: obloquy ]