The Night before Yuletide

'Twas the night before Yuletide and through Rivendell,

not a creature was stirring, neither good nor fell.

Hobbit cloaks were hung on the pegs with care

in hopes that old Gandalf would soon be there.

Merry and Pippin were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of pipe-weed danced in their heads.

And Sam with his skillet and I with Sting

had just settled down while guarding the ring.

When out in the mountains there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like an eagle,

tore open the shutters expecting old Smeagol.

The silver on the garden from the bright full moon

gave the luster of a mithril coat at high noon.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

but a band of four warriors lead by Mithrandir.

With a march right up to wise Elrond's gate

I knew in a moment that this was my fate.

More boldly than Beren his companions they came

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

Now Gimli!  Now Boromir!  Now Legolas and Strider!

On Bill, noble pony, who bears no rider!

To the top of the hill, to the end of the lane,

we cannot let this grand quest be in vain.

As quick as fell orcs that before Rohirim flee,

only to meet their end under a mad Fangorn tree,

so up to the house the warriors they tread,

with no fear, after all it's no Paths of the Dead.

And then in a twinkling

I heard an old laugh and the rapping and tapping of Gandalf's long staff.

As I opened the door and looked all around,

in wise old Gandalf came with a bound. 

He was dressed all in gray

from his head to his foot.

as his clothes weren't yet tarnished

by the Balrog's black soot.

Legolas and Strider had arrows flung on their backs,

and Gimli looked fierce just wielding his ax.

Boromir's eyes, how they twinkled, his face was quite merry,

yet still my heart told me of him to be wary.

All four of them in my presence bowed low,

so humble seemed Gandalf with his beard white as snow.

And the stump of his pipe he held tight under his lip,

and he then blew out smoke in the shape of a ship. 

He had a pointed hat and a kindly sweet smile,

but also a wrath that one wouldn't dare rile.

He counseled us sternly and with much feeling,

but I still smiled when I thought of him hitting my ceiling.

But a glare of his eye and the still in the room,

soon gave me to know that this was my doom.

Then running behind said a tearful Sam Gamgee,

"You may be going to Mordor alone but not without me!"

Merry and Pippin said, "You'll need us on this sort of thing!"

and away we nine went, the Fellowship of the Ring.

But I heard Gandalf exclaim ere we strode out of sight,

Middle-Earth will not fall, among friends there is might!

Merry Yuletide and Happy New Year!

Home