Examining Gandalf’s words on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm
“This is a foe beyond any of you. I must hold the narrow way”. These are the words the weary Wizard Gandalf the Grey speaks to his companions before Durin’s Bane, the Balrog of Morgoth, reaches the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Leaning on his staff and defiantly holding the gleaming sword Glamdring, Gandalf blocks the way with authority in one of the most memorable moments in all of Tolkien’s work. Secret fire? Flame of Anor? Flame of Udûn? I aim to interpret these terms and make them seem less vague to readers of The Lord of the Rings.
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“‘You cannot pass,’ he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. ‘I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.’”
The Lord of the Rings — The Fellowship of the Ring — Book 2 — Chapter 5 — The Bridge of Khazad-dum
The Flame of Anor and the Flame of Udûn
There are multiple ways to interpret the words spoken by Gandalf. I want to first mention a theory that I disagree with and that is that Gandalf is possibly referring to the Ring of Power he carries when he speaks of the flame of Anor. Gandalf carries one of the Three Rings, known as Narya. This ring is also named as the Ring of Fire and is associated with the kindling of hearts and inspiring hope. I have never agreed with this idea because early drafts of the story use very similar words to the final text and were actually written before Narya was a part of the Legendarium. The idea that Gandalf boasts the power of a Great Ring in the face of the Balrog seems a little underwhelming considering the power behind his other words. As I will explain, Gandalf invokes forces far greater than the ring he carries. My explanation for the flame of Anor hopefully eliminates the idea that it could be the Ring of Power Gandalf carries.
The word anor means Sun in the Elvish language Sindarin. Gandalf could be stating that he wields the light of the Sun, the Flame of Anor, the flame of the Sun. In the days of the Two Trees of Valinor, the youngest of them was named Laurelin, the Golden Tree of Aman. This was the female mate of Telperion, the elder “White Tree”. When the trees were destroyed by the fallen Vala Morgoth and the spider spirit Ungoliant, Laurelin through the power of the Valar Nienna and Yavanna was able to produce one single fiery fruit before it utterly withered and died. This golden fire was set in a vessel created by the Vala Aulë and was steered into the sky by the Maia Arien, becoming the Sun. The Sun was feared by Morgoth and his creatures. It represents the awakening of Men, hope, and the removal of the darkness forced on the World by Morgoth when the Trees were destroyed.
In comparison, the word Udûn means Utumno in Sindarin. This was Morgoth’s stronghold in the First Age of the World, a place where Balrogs served their master willingly. It is further defined as Hell. If there was a place in Middle-earth that could aptly be described as Hell, it would be the stronghold of Morgoth where in caverns and dungeons of untold depths, Children of Ilúvatar were tortured, horrors were bred, and where the Dark Lord himself dwelled.
Gandalf is comparing both of these terms. Wielding the Flame of Anor is Gandalf stating that he is an emissary of the West, sent on behalf of the Powers, wielding the power of goodness and divine light. He compares this to the Flame of Udûn, a representation of dark fire and shadow, far from the light of the Sun. Gandalf is letting Durin’s Bane know that the corrupted and evil fire of Morgoth and “Hell” itself will not overcome the purity of what he represents, the antithesis of Morgoth and his minions.
In The History of Middle-earth — VII — The Treason of Isengard — Chapter X — The Mines of Moria (2) — The Bridge, Gandalf claims he was the master of White Flame and would say that the cannot come this way. This idea evolved to mention the Black Shadow. Over time, Tolkien evolved the terms from mean purity and goodness and meaning corruption, darkness, and evil. Red and black became Udûn and white became Anor. I can confidently say that Tolkien isn’t speaking of an actual but a position that Gandalf holds, something he represents. Gandalf as a representative can wield great power on behalf of those figures he represents (Valar, Eru), and his fire is unstained, free from corruption. His enemy stands before him displaying everything that is a corrupted form of what Gandalf represents. Essentially, Gandalf could be stating that the Balrog’s great power is dwarfed by the source of his own power.
The Secret Fire
‘Then the themes of Ilúvatar shall be played aright, and take Being in the moment of their utterance, for all shall then understand fully his intent in their part, and each shall know the comprehension of each, and Ilúvatar shall give to their thoughts the secret fire, being well pleased.’
The Silmarillion — Ainulindalë — The Music of the Ainur
The Secret Fire is less ambiguous and refers to the Flame Imperishable. This is the ultimate power of creation as held by the One, Eru Ilúvatar. In the beginning, the Ainur made a Great Music before Eru and He made visible their song. A light was seen in the darkness and the Ainur beheld the beauty and history of the World unfolding as a vision. When this vision was set amid the Void, Eru sent the Secret Fire to burn at the heart of it.
The Secret Fire is the power to give life and independent thought, free will. Without the Secret Fire or Flame Imperishable, life is a mockery that is merely animated through the will of another living being. It represents what the mightiest of the Valar, Melkor, craved and could never obtain. Instead of serving the glory of the Secret Fire, Melkor needed its power and sought it. He could not find it as the flame was with Eru. Some aspect of it was set in the centre of Arda as mentioned earlier.
Durin’s Bane is a servant of Morgoth, one who has rebelled against Eru and what He stands for. Morgoth in his deep fortress was set far from the light and the Balrog shared in his corruption. Gandalf declaring that he is a servant of the Secret Fire is him declaring that he is a servant of God. Gandalf is invoking the highest of all authorities, a power vastly beyond any the Balrog can call upon, and a power that its master selfishly desired.
It is also important to reference Tolkien’s faith when discussing the Secret Fire. Author Dr. Clyde Samuel Kilby states in Tolkien and the Silmarillion that in a discussion with Tolkien, he was told that this Secret Fire that was sent to burn at the heart of the World was the Holy Spirit. This makes sense as Tolkien’s faith permeates throughout the Legendarium in concepts of Good and Evil. It is the source of the soul, life, and holiness itself. We can view the Secret Fire or references to White Flame as pure references to the fire of creation and the Holy Spirit. All of Gandalf’s words are in reference to the greatness of what he represents and who he serves, comparing to the darkness and corruption of what Durin’s Bane represents and the one he serves.
Originally published at https://www.legendarium.co.uk on June 12, 2020.
