Until his fall at the hands of the Balrog, Gandalf was the leader of the Fellowship. It was his guidance and knowledge which negotiated the Fellowship’s passage through the tunnels of Moria. He carries his wizard’s staff, whose luminous blue tip was often the only light upon which the party had to depend in the dark of Moria. In his other hand he carries his sword Glandring, an Elven sword of great age, which was originally owned by King Turgon of Gondolin.

Gandalf’s powers were strained almost to breaking when against the mighty will of the Balrog, he suceeded in placing a shutting spell upon the small east-door of the chamber of Mazarbul in order to give the Fellowship time to escape.