Lyrd of the Ryngs - Return of Good Architecture

[Grey_Wolf]

But even as hope died in Sam, or seemed to die, it was turned to a new strength. Sam's plain hobbit-face grew stern, almost grim, as the will hardened in him, and he felt through all his limbs a thrill, as if he was turning into some creature of stone and steel that neither despair nor weariness nor endless barren miles could subdue.

With a new sense of responsibility he brought his eyes back to the ground near at hand, studying the next move. As the light grew a little he saw to his surprise that what from a distance had seemed wide and featureless flats were in fact all broken and tumbled.

Indeed the whole surface of the plains of Gorgoroth was pocked with great wastepits, as if, while it was still a flat of soft mud, it had been smitten with a shower of bolts and huge slingstones.

The largest of these holes were rimmed with ridges of broken rock, and broad fissures ran out from them in all directions.

It was a land in which it would be possible to creep from hiding to hiding, unseen by all but the most watchful eyes from the nearby factories and office complexes: possible at least for one who was strong and had no need for speed. For the hungry and worn, who had far to go before life failed, it had an evil look.