The Stairs of Cirith Ungol

           GollumwastuggingatFrodo’scloakandhissingwithfearandimpatience.`Wemustgo,’hesaid.`Wemustn’tstandhere.Makehaste!’

           ReluctantlyFrodoturnedhisbackontheWestandfollowedashisguideledhim,outintothedarknessoftheEast.Theylefttheringoftreesandcreptalongtheroadtowardsthemountains.Thisroad,too,ranstraightforawhile,butsoonitbegantobendawaysouthwards,untilitcamerightunderthegreatshoulderofrockthattheyhadseenfromthedistance.Blackandforbiddingitloomedabovethem,darkerthanthedarkskybehind.Crawlingunderitsshadowtheroadwenton,androundingitsprangeastagainandbegantoclimbsteeply.

           FrodoandSamwereploddingalongwithheavyhearts,nolongerabletocaregreatlyabouttheirperil.Frodo’sheadwasbowed;hisburdenwasdragginghimdownagain.AssoonasthegreatCross-roadshadbeenpassed,theweightofit,almostforgotteninIthilien,hadbeguntogrowoncemore.Now,feelingthewaybecomesteepbeforehisfeet,helookedwearilyup;andthenhesawit,evenasGollumhadsaidthathewould:thecityoftheRingwraiths.Hecoweredagainstthestonybank.

           Along-tiltedvalley,adeepgulfofshadow,ranbackfarintothemountains.Uponthefurtherside,somewaywithinthevalley’sarmshighonarockyseatupontheblackkneesoftheEphelDúath,stoodthewallsandtowerofMinasMorgul.Allwasdarkaboutit,earthandsky,butitwaslitwithlight.