A/N: Just a little thing I did for a contest over at Council of Elrond for their Inter-Realm unity stuff. Maximum had to be 15 lines and had to be a dramatic piece about someone relating to the reading. It's about Gandalf...Please review!

Tale of Toil

I have wandered far and wide, lo these many years-

I have seen many manly appearances succumb to fear.

Bravery is a virtue to be sure,

But, alas, for the fearless fallen-their eternal sleep has no cure.

After climbing many a mountain, and riding through the night,

I come back to the place where all things were once deemed safe and right.

To find the one thing most searched for,

In the hands of an unsuspecting victim-one I adore.

Thus the journey began, it wasn't easy for any of the nine.

We were toiled with few meals, injury, and bloodlines.

I myself fell into the fiery depths where I was born anew.

Still, we toiled on-fought hard for the world's rescue.

At last victory was ours, but at heavy cost...

Many lives were lost and the company themselves were filled with exhaust.

Eventually, I made my path to the West, where I could finally find moments of peace and have some rest.