Dark to Light
by Earendil-(Valar)
Oct. 5, 2000
Up the long flight of the
Endless Stair they climbed, the Balrog with Gandalf on his tail.
At last they came out upon the mountain peak. There in the
bright
sun, the Balrog's flame was lit anew. Gandalf, already weak, was
well matched by the flaming fury. Valiantly he strove with the
Balrog.
At last Gandalf was victorious. Durin's Bane was cast off the
peak. Gandalf bent over his staff, stumbled, and collapsed.
Glamdring, falling from his hand, clattered across the bare rocks of
Zirak-zigil.
*** To places far and wide his
spirit
drifted, and found its way to Valimar. There he took rest for a
while at his home in Lorien. He went to Taniquetil, to the Halls
of Ilmaren, and stood before the feet of Manwe and Varda.
"Welcome, Olorin," said
Varda. "We have been expecting you. What tidings have you to
share?"
Olorin bowed before his
King and Queen. "My task has failed before I have completed it,"
he said. "I have saved the bearer of the Ring of Sauron, but the
Balrog, which the Dwarves call Durin's Bane, has destroyed me in body."
Manwe spoke. "Your job is
not finished. Nay, it has only begun. We have more for you
to do before your time on Middle-earth is over. We know of the
fall
of Curunir. He has lost the favor of the Valar and is no longer
counted as the first of your Order. Tarry here no longer, but return to
Middle-earth."
"But my body...," began
Olorin.
"Your body sits still atop
the Peak of Celebdil; it was not destroyed," said Manwe. "Did you not
wear
Narya, the Ring of Fire? What power has that flame of
Udun over you when you wear that ring on your finger?"
"Narya, of course!" cried
Olorin, and jumped to his feet. "Círdan was far-sighted
indeed!
But now, I have tarried here overlong. I must return at once."
"Then return, Olorin." said
Varda. "You are very wise so I will give you no counsel for your errand
except to use that wisdom that you have. The time has come for
you
to reveal yourself as a servant of the Valar. Go now with our
blessings.
Let the light of Valinor shine through you."
*** Olorin returned to Middle-earth.
Standing atop the mountain he gazed far out into the east. Much
he
saw from that high point. He saw Barad-dur. He saw
Frodo, invisible though he was, atop Amon Hen. There he also
saw the Eye of Sauron as it cast its gaze over Amon Lhaw crossing the
river
towards Amon Hen.
Then he bent all his thought towards Frodo. "Take it off!" he
thought.
The Eye missed its target.
Gwaihir arrived and carried
Gandalf to the forests of Lorien in Middle-earth where he rested his
body,
as he had rested his spirit in the Gardens of Lorien in
Valinor.
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