He raised his staff. There was a roll of thunder. The sunlight was blotted out from the eastern windows; the whole hall became suddenly dark as night. The fire faded to sullen embers. Only Gandalf could be seen, standing white and tall before the blackened hearth.

With hope or without hope we will follow the trail of our enemies. And woe to them, if we prove the swifter!

For so sworn good or evil an oath may not be broken and it shall pursue oathkeeper and oathbreaker to the world's end.

And then alas! I let the matter reset, watching and waiting only, as we have too often done.

Curse us and crush us, my precious is lost!

If you sit on the doorstep long enough, I daresay you will think of something

You cannot pass," he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.