The Horror of Balrogs

-Carefully written Sindarin handwriting cover the first part of the page in black ink.- I found the resting place of Durins Bane. Even in death, the creature causes one to feel overcome by a DEVASTATING feeling of naught but dread and despair if you stand any less than ten yards from it. Even from a distance, the feeling lingers in the air. Heavy and oppressing. I left that place feeling unsettled. Once I had calmed, I reminded myself of that feeling. That feeling of all encompassing saddness, rage, hatred and horror. Of unfathomable dread and darkness that terrified me. I thought to myself, "The beast is dead..... Yet the fiery hatred and evil in it's heart still smolders, even in this horrid snowstorm...Such evil... Yet it is only one DEAD Balrog...... If the Shadows of Sauron were to overtake the whole of Arda.....Everywhere would be as a Balrog's heart." A place wherein lies no happiness not borne of destruction. No joy not borne of murder. No hope not borne of an orcs hope to hear a tortured soul scream. No love anywhere. No light not borne of hatreds flame. A place desolate and barren of any life untouched by the overwhelming darkness. A darkness so thick and vile, so starving and eager to taint and bring to ruin all it touches..... I do not think even Valinor would be spared." -The Sindarin script seems to be more confidently written after this point.- After this, I noticed many of the elves borne in the Third Age as I am think the Elders over exaggerate the threat that growing Orc populations imply. They do not. I would not have my oath Brother, Rivondir, be one of these elves. I took him to see Durins Bane where it was felled. Were it not a lesson I thought sorely needed, I would never willingly go within arms reach of a Balrog. Not even a dead one. When he mentioned the unsettling feeling, I told him to remember that feeling, for it is the one that will swallow all of Arda should shadow take over. It is a reminder of why every bit counts. Every night watch, every patrol, every cook and farmer that makes food for fighters, not just the hungry, every beat of the hammer upon the shaping of armor, every Orc, Goblin, Troll, Warg and Uruk-Hai that is slain, every spider nest that is burned, every single soul that fights, elf or not. It is worth it. Rivondir thanked me, and said he felt more like he was making a difference now even though he was only one elf. That he now felt more pride than guilt over leaving his Mirkwood home. That he felt hope knowing every bit helps. Even if it was just he and I. One plus one a million times makes you two million strong.