Of Gandalf and the Balrog

Once there was in days of old
A mighty realm, so it is told
In many tales and ancient lore
Forgotten beauty that is no more.
A kingdom fair of carven stone
Where jewels were wrought and lanterns shone
Where axes, shields and armor strong 
Were forged amid the hammers' song.
There under mountains tall, unseen,
The dwarf-lords' golden throne; had been.
For years uncounted beyond the gloom 
The music flowed in Khazad-dum

But lo! Far in the mountain's deep
There rose in anger from his sleep
A creature fell of might untold
Who walked the earth, before the world
Was fully shaped, ere in the sky
The sun and moon were gleaming high,
Ere Elf or Dwarf or Man walked free
In woods and hills or by the sea.
Then under-earth from shadows dark
Up-side he clomb, no more to lurk,
A Balrog great with sword of fire
And dreadful whip, a demon dire
The dwarves he slew and ruin wrought
In their fair halls though fierce they fought;
And those who didn't die in woe
Did flee from that accursed foe 
Unto an exile hard and grim
And since that day in song and dream
Durin's race remembered well
Their taken home, the evil tale
How wise kings fell beneath the stone
With their great hoard upon their throne

Thus there in empty halls and wide
Where happiness and wisdom died
Where gleam and beauty began to fade
Where many broken bones were laid
The Balrog made his dreadful lair
And many orcs did join him there
Beneath the mountains, cruel and fell  
The evil crept, a darkling hell.

The years have passed and much was done
Some things grew old, yet some begun.
The crucial tidings were coming by 
And in the earth, the sea, the sky
The signs of fate were seen and felt
Like ring of foes, the closing belt
Of doom upon the world in might
Beyond all power, black or bright. 
Some things have perished and were lost
For good and bad. The bitter frost
Has laid itself upon the years
Though gentle rain had washed the tears
And spring with shining sun renewed
The hope, the faith, the merry mood,
Yet still the darkness beyond the mist
Returned and brooded in the East
The Dark Lord in the land of night
Where came no ray of sun or light.

Now in the north on southern way
A fellowship of nine, by day
And night, were walking quick in fear
Of enemy with bow and spear
But blocked their road by treachery
By mountain cold that hatefully
Did stop their going, the wicked snow,
A spirit bale, unexpected foe!
Yet one more path could serve their will
Beneath the mountain and the hill
A path that led through moonlit gate
Through Khazad-dum, where evils wait.
 

Then in the darkness under ground 
The nine walked brave, no warning sound 
They heard, but felt the danger near
Yet still went on, though unknown fear
Awaited them in hall and shade
Which once of yore the dwarves have made
And in a great room, grey and bare
Which long ago was neat and fair
Where Balin's tomb forever lies
The orcs upon them in surprise
In number great attacked and fought
Yet mightier beyond all thought 
Were Aragorn with sword of old, 
And Boromir the strong and bold
Legolas the swift and fair,
And Gimli's axe was singing there
Gandalf the wise with tremendous power
And hobbits four, in deadly hour
The orcs they slew and quickly fled
To the stone bridge now Gandalf led
Behind them host of armed foes 
With poisonous arrows on their bows
And drums of doom were heard in dread
The halls were filled with roaring mad
"Aha! Ye fools accursed and frail
You soon shall die! You all shall fail!"
Yet still the company running fast
Escaping from that evil nest
Got to the bridge of Khazad-dum
Pursued by arrows from the gloom
But now from shadows, ancient flame
Of fire dark, the Balrog came,
"An evil fortune", Gandalf said
And mournfully just bowed his head.

Thus over bridge the fellowship
While Balrog with his sword and whip
Upon them came to wound and slay
Yet Gandalf held that narrow way
And drew his sword of elder might
Which shone like the pale moon of night
And then stood firm, against the dread
And in commanding tongue he said:
"You shall not pass, O demon fell
Ye servant of the darkling hell
Now flame of Udun, to shadow cold
Where had been thy home of old
Return! Be gone, O tortured thrall
May into oblivion thy path fall"
The Balrog answered not and tread
Upon the bridge, but the wizard said:
"I'm the wielder of the flame of Anor
And the secret fire serve in honor
The dark fire will avail you not,
You cannot pass!" The air grew hot
And from the dark a red sword flaming
Leaped, yet Gandalf there was swaying
And Glamdring that glittered white
Answered swift as shooting light
But then the Balrog raised his whip
To harm his foe and cast him deep
Into the abyss, yet by mighty power
Gandalf who waited for his hour
Broke the bridge and the Balrog fell
And gave a hideous loud yell
But also swung his dreadful whip
And with him pulled into the deep
The wizard, Gandalf the grey and wise
To the abyss where forever lies
The crown of Durin in the realm of stone
Where long ago there was a throne
Of the dwarf-lords in mountain tall
When music flowed in room and hall.

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