Lord of the Rings Forum

No, he was of course brave but he was the only one who could stand against it. He had a chance to stop it, it wasn't "certain" death for him. For the others to have tried though...that would not be bravery...that would be stupidity. Know what I mean?

He is wise not a coward. Gandalf specifically told them they could not compete with the Balrog and their weapons would do nothing against it. Only an imbecile would stay after being told that. It's not cowardly to run from certain death, and on the flip side, it's not brave to stand and face certain...