arcana

The IFF Celembrimbor devised

to keep the riffraff out of Khazad Dum,
in later days, defied the great and wise
who sought security in starless gloom.
Olorin knew the author by repute;
the son of Curufin left reams of lore.
But dwelling still in Bliss through this world's youth;
he'd never had to enter through this door.
Too late to sway Isildur from his fate
great Gandalf came to midwife the Fourth Age.
But first, at Moria, this mute West Gate
posed quite a barrier to one grey mage.
While archers shoot; while swordsmen slash, and hack
Mithrandir slew his Balrog, and came back.