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And though we pass them by today

Tomorrow we may come this way

And take the hidden paths that run

Towards the Moon or to the Sun.

 

Home is behind, the world ahead

And there are many paths to tread

Through shadows to the edge of night

Until the stars are all alight

Then world behind and home ahead.....

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‘For there are other powers and realms that you know not, and they are hidden from you.’

 (Tolkien, FOTR, ‘Three is Company’ and ‘The Council of Elrond’)

 

 

 

 

Part III Chapter 6.2

What they did not see

 

 

Of the Lady of Rohan

Of the Dwarf

 

She did not see two monstrous winged beasts take to the skies, one carrying Annatar, no longer in his handsome guise but in his true Dark Lord form, and the other, his Captain, once Prince of Numénor, soon to be the WitchKing, Lord of the Nazgûl,  to their Dark Lands.

Nor did she see the Black Ship of Mordor race towards the Dove and the Northman, and soon after she departed, lay siege to both vessels; they were no match to its weaponry and vengeance. Yet, a final hope remained, as alone:

‘Victory cannot be achieved by arms...’  (Tolkien, ROTK, ‘The Last Debate’ , Gandalf)

 

He did not see the Nazgûl arrive, nor the fury The Dark Lord’s enforcer met as he entered the cell and came upon a raging warrior. 

With screams of:

 'Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd aimênu!'

Thráin flew at Sauron’s agents, slashing and hacking, like a being possessed.  They fell at his hands, but he was one and they were many; yet he would not succumb, he would only be slain. He died with the joy of honour, the words upon his lips:

‘I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed.’  Tolkien, ROTK, ‘The Battle of Pelennor Fields’ ,Théoden)