pacing

The narrative, that strolled through "Bombadil"
now gallops through "Caradhras" and the snow
like clocks themselves must serve the author's will
it's Tolkien makes them function fast, or slow.
Abruptly stopped, the Quest seems at an end
that gate's been found but will not let them pass
'til Gandalf laughs and utters one word "friend!"
the elvish mechanism stays latched fast.
a one-way flight through inky Kazad Dum
so far from sunny high-built Rivendell
a pause to venerate old Balin's tomb
then cross the bridge where Gandalf fought, and fell.
Celestials clocks serve Hobbits, Men, and Elves
but Time's a framework we construct ourselves.