Author's Note: If the rhyme and meter seem familiar on this piece, it is because it was patterned on the Dwarf song from 'An Unexpected Party' (chapter one) in The Hobbit.
To reach dark gates the plan’s design
We must be bold, though hearts grow cold
Yet in us ever trust does shine.
Gilraen’s Hope, Isildur’s heir
A legacy, this age to bear
To right the wrong, of kin long gone
While shattered sword and dreams repair.
In secret keeping, life secured
Then trained to serve, each task endured
To sculpt and mold, the one foretold
That mankind’s future be assured.
Heir to steward, but no King’s man
To bend your knee, was not your plan
To know this thing, gave strength to Ring
Which stole from you what reason can.
Oh son of Gondor, captain brave
You ventured nigh your land to save
With body breached, Orc arrows leeched
Your noble blood upon the grave.
Dark ring-bearer, deep rent by woe
So many miles you’ve vowed to go
You did not ask, for this dark task
But deepest courage you still show.
At Amon Hen, you slipped away
The Fellowship you feared to slay
All on your own, you tried alone
But faithful courage could not sway.
Loyal servant, protector, friend
You’ll toil with him until the end
To guard his back, he’ll never lack
While to his heart you must attend.
To bear and haul, protect and feed
Anticipating every need
You’ll struggle on, though trust be gone
That in the quest you can succeed.
Noble cousin, by kin’s blood bound
You give him succor, keep him sound
No vows to swear, you’ll follow where
Fate’s fickle hand would draw you round.
Youngest hobbit, no courage lack
Not even Elf lord held you back
You bared your heart, at journey’s start
You’ll go or tie up in a sack.
Two young halflings, their lives up heaved
A comrade’s fall both faced and grieved,
Then to great lords, they swore their swords
And bitter death both nigh received.
Such fervent ones the Shirelings four
Fate flung them through dark peril’s door
With faith to share, this quest they’ll bear
And show us what’s worth fighting for.
Oh Mithrandir, the Pilgrim grey
Where you have gone, no one can say
In Moria’s gloom, you faced your doom
Consumed by fire life burned away.
Yet forth from darkness soul did steal
As aching hearts in pain reveal
On eagle wings, our hope he brings
And drives us on, with new born zeal.
Unlikely comrades Dwarf and Elf
Their kin-fed hatred purged from self
Friends joined in strife, their bond for life
In truth there is no greater wealth.
Mirkwood archer, dark Greenwood’s child
Steadfast and calm, yet fierce and wild
You followed strong, yet by the song
Of white gulls was your heart beguiled.
Lord of caverns, and Elf-friend sworn
To trees and forest, heart reborn
You guard us well, fierce foes to fell
With evil blood ax to adorn.
Now night’s ahead and home behind
We tread dark paths that wend and wind
No comfort sought, in miles hard fought
There is no warmth or rest to find.
‘Til when at last our journey ends
To home and hearth, we’ll draw my friends
With lowered head, we’ll mourn our dead
While to heart’s grief our life attends.