“Far, far down the balrog fell.
While to him bound, I did as well.
His whip swung hissing at my throat
As with my blade constant I smote.
He roared with agony and pain
And as I smote his limbs again
He struck at me with naked claw.
My wounds and hurts were aching sore
As both we fell an endless time
Into the earth. There was no clime –
Except darkness. No light, no sun:
Just stone foundations, built by none,
Existent before Sauron came.
They are no place, they have no name.
We fell. I burned. Then with a shock
Cold waters lapping stony rock
Cover us both and quench his fire.
Yet still the balrog in his ire
Like some hydra, or biting snake
Our test of strength would not forsake.
So we continued. On we fought
In utter dark. I hewed and caught
Him with my blade. He clawed at me.
Yet I prevailed! He turned to flee
While I gave chase grasping his heel
As it pursued its way by feel
Through primordial caverns far below
Where deepest, dwarven tunnels go:
Through ancient rock where bestial maw
Of primal creatues chew and gnaw
Upon the roots of earth. The way
The balrog sought the light of day
Was by climbing the Endless Stair –
Most think it lost – ascending where
Mountain soar above dungeons low
As up to Silvertine we go.
From Durin’s Tower did it leap
Upon the snowy slopes so steep
Only the birds can make nests there.
I vault into the open air
Out the stone window. Into flame
The balrog once more bursts and came
To battle me on Celbdil.
I can recall our battle still.
What shall I say? The lightning falls
As thunder answered wizard calls.
Black fire burned and smoke arose
In clouds of steam as eager foes
Struck hard with all their desperate strength.
But the balrog I slew at length
And cast down never more to rise!
His blackened corpse still up there lies
Upon the broken mountain-side
Where Durin’s Tower did abide –
Now buried under broken stone.
I was sore wounded and alone.
Collapsing, oblivion then took me.
I travelled roads no eye can see
To places which I shall not tell:
Far beyond thought and time as well.
I journeyed far, to be returned
Back for a time – as you have learned
But now – to finish my set task.
How did I find you here? You ask.
From mountaintop, Gwaihir Windlord
Fetched me, and through the air we soared
To land within Lothlórien
Where I was brought to health again.
There I spoke with Galadriel
With whom I gave and took counsel
While resting there for many-a-day
Where time brings healing, not decay.
Then by strange roads to you I came.
Now must I counsel you the same:
Journey with me! For it is well
You hear further what I would tell.”
His hearers answered they would bide
With him. They depart by his side
And listen closely to each word
Remembered for long afterward.
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