I am grateful to J.R.R. Tolkien, without whose works on Middle-earth this story would not be possible.
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The Lay of the Nine Walkers
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In Imladris, the Riven Dell,
The tales of old still wond'ring tell
The courage high of Trav'llers Nine,
Who setting out by fate Divine,
Small hope ahead, but hearts held true,
Dared bold the flame and darkness through
To make an end of Gorthaur's reign,
And bring all ring'd about his bane.
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To bear the Burden Frodo chose,
Forsaking hearth and home's repose,
To brave great perils, cold and heat,
By steel and venom, paths unmeet,
He kept his purpose, foes beset,
And gave his all, that some might yet
Beyond the Shadow's grasping hand
Preserve the Light in Arda's land.
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Now his Companions, other eight,
They too were reckoned with the Great,
These all, save one, whose paths led not
With Maura's doom, were not forgot,
For parts they played in fields abroad,
In forests dark, and mountains tall,
Uniting Free Folk in the lands,
And lending aid with willing hands.
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For duty first to answer clear
Was Samwise, stout brave Banazir;
He aided Master to the end,
For such a task, no better friend.
Next Gandalf, leaning on his staff,
So quick to wrath, yet quick to laugh,
Mithrandir's fire would kindle heart
And drive the darkness to depart.
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For Elves, the son of Thranduil,
The keen-eyed Laegolas, whose skill
With bow and blade few could surpass,
Who ran so swift upon the grass.
For Dwarves, of sturdy Durin's House,
Gimli, Gloin's son, whose axe once roused
Proved perilous for whoso dared
To speak ill of the Lady fair.
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And Aragorn, son of Arathorn,
The Heir of Numenor, wayworn,
With Anduril the foe he clove,
To compass the Hope of Men he strove.
Brave Boromir, too, the Steward's son,
Upon the Horn outblown by none,
Vict'ry he sought for Gondor long,
His sacrifice shall live in song.
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Last Kalimac and Razanur,
Their fame in western lands assured,
Called Meriadoc and Peregrin,
Both hobbits hailed of Frodo's kin;
Their roads were sundered in the night,
That Riddermark and City bright
Should gain their services thereby,
And live to see the morning sky.
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And now this lay draws to its close,
Yet mind you well that band of those,
Who taking leave of Peredhil,
Fared forth through dark, unseemly chill,
The gloom defying, their doom espying,
"Now turn aside!" fell voices crying,
They trod their paths, and Valar-blest
Achieved at last their heroes' Quest.
/
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Author's Notes:
The four Hobbits' names in true "Westron" (the Common Tongue) would have been as follows:
Frodo Baggins = Maura Labingi
Samwise Gamgee = Banazir Galbasi
Meriadoc Brandybuck = Kalimac Brandagamba
Peregrin Took = Razanur Tuk
The Hobbits' names, as well as those of Gandalf and Gimli, were of Northern Mannish origin, represented in Tolkien's text by real-life ancient counterparts. The names Gandalf and Gimli are taken from Old Norse, Frodo and Samwise from Old English, Meriadoc from Brittonic, and Peregrin from Anglicized Latin.
Gimli's true "inner" Dwarvish name is presumably unknown even to Legolas.
The name "Laegolas" is the pure Sindarin form of the Silvan "Legolas".
The names Aragorn, Boromir, and Mithrandir are Sindarin.
The name Peredhil (Half-Elven) refers to Elrond.
The name Gorthaur was used by the Sindar of the First Age to refer to Sauron.