The Black Gate is Closed

           BeforethenextdaydawnedtheirjourneytoMordorwasover.Themarshesandthedesertwerebehindthem.Beforethem,darklingagainstapallidsky,thegreatmountainsrearedtheirthreateningheads.

           UponthewestofMordormarchedthegloomyrangeofEphelDúath,theMountainsofShadow,anduponthenorththebrokenpeaksandbarrenridgesofEredLithui,greyasash.Butastheserangesapproachedoneanother,beingindeedbutpartsofonegreatwallaboutthemournfulplainsofLithladandofGorgoroth,andthebitterinlandseaofNúrnenamidmost,theyswungoutlongarmsnorthward;andbetweenthesearmstherewasadeepdefile.ThiswasCirithGorgor,theHauntedPass,theentrancetothelandoftheEnemy.Highcliffslowereduponeitherside,andthrustforwardfromitsmouthweretwosheerhills,black-bonedandbare.UponthemstoodtheTeethofMordor,twotowersstrongandtall.IndayslongpasttheywerebuiltbytheMenofGondorintheirprideandpower,aftertheoverthrowofSauronandhisflight,lestheshouldseektoreturntohisoldrealm.ButthestrengthofGondorfailed,andmenslept,andforlongyearsthetowersstoodempty.ThenSauronreturned.Nowthewatch-towers,whichhadfallenintodecay,wererepaired,andfilledwitharms,andgarrisonedwithceaselessvigilance.Stony-facedtheywere,withdarkwindow-holesstaringnorthandeastandwest,andeachwindowwasfullofsleeplesseyes.

           Acrossthemouthofthepass,fromclifftocliff,theDarkLordhadbuiltarampartofstone.