Yeah. Basically as I understand it from what Ian Mckellan has said in interviews and according to my middle earth dictionary, Gandalf and Saruman are demi-gods who have assumed human form while in the mortal world to try and keep things in check. The balrog was like the anti-gandalf, a demi-god of a different order who chose a form more lavish and deadly.

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Originally posted by: HotRod
Oh right...Nice one. That does answer a few Bilbo questions.
I wasn't sure if Bilbo went into the same wierd world that Frodo did..!!

But how can they say the journey lasted 13 months?

I don't think that worked too well??

It was 13 months right!!

Otherwise ignore this shit!!

Actually in the books it takes like 20 years by the time its all done. When frodo gets the ring they don;t actually leave the shire for another 16 years, and when they get to rivendell they hang out htere for like 18months I believe. The urgency and the need to keep moving is greatly reduced in the book (or increased in the movies depending how you look at it)