“Legacy”

Doom-fire betrayal, forged in secret deceit,
sourced by evil and imbued with its sentient malice,
soul-devouring desire shrouded behind pure promise of gold;
absolute perfection of form hiding twisted tainted power,
the weight of cruelty and darkness.

Treacherous tool of tyranny is sundered,
taken, yet not destroyed as evil’s lure calls.
A legend lost, hidden yet revealed again by chance
as the tide of war breaks, the Ring-lord
sends soulless servants searching,
seeking nine walkers in one fellowship.

Through temptation and redemption and shadow
freedom’s desperate opposition as the quest goes forth
and the burden borne to the end of the darkest road,
Brave battles fought in vain against the shadow
draw the Eye, distracting, inducing hasty stroke.

Stern kings lead brave hearts enduring in honour.
Fools hollow hope is realised by sacrifice,
Sauron’s foul shades of evil vanquished.
As tainted darkness is shattered by shards of molten light,
renaissance as the new Age of Man begins.

a New Age! a glorious new dynasty shines forth -
Flame of future hope; yet much of Elder beauty and worth
diminishes, brightness waning into myth, an ending.
Bittersweet partings fading westward
leave a legacy of hope and songs of glorious deeds.