Listen my friends and I shal make known
Of Elessar's ride to the Erech stone.
Not a soul in Middle-earth still exists
Who was there to witness that fateful tryst,
When a valiant company, clad in grey,
Dared to travel that fearful way.
With Aragorn went the rangers, his kin,
And Legolas, who fears not the shades of men,
Then Gimli the dwarf, quaking with dread,
Followed at last by the host of the dead.
As that company passed they spread fear and alarm
To every nearby homestead and farm.
Down the valley of Morthond they rode to the hill,
Where Isuldur's heir called them to fulfill
The oath they had broken long years before;
To join Elendil against sauron in war.
At the hill of Erech, with the true king forgiving,
The dead oathbreakers joined the force of the living.
They rode on to Pelargir with all of their might,
Once there the corsairs of Umbar to fight.
When they arrived the black fleet stood off from the quay,
But the host of the dead carried the day;
For they rode over water water as if it were land
And once on the ships none could withstand
This army of specters, for if any came near
The hearts of the southlanders failed them for fear.
Once the battle was over Elessar decreed
That their oath was fulfilled because of this deed.
"Finally" he said, "you have all passed your test.
Wander no more, but depart to your rest."
The Grey Company then took control of the fleet,
And won more renown with another great feat.
They gathered the warriors who remained in the south
And sailed to the Harlond from Anduin's mouth.
Eomer and Imrahil saw how fell was their plight
And both princes purposed to die in the fight,
When suddenly hope was reborn in the world
As on the lead ship the king's standard unfurled.
But that is a tale for another to weave.
Like the host of the dead, I now take my leave.
