---

My hand within your hand, I lead you down swift stairs and tunnels of old.
We walk together, and you are mine: I am yours.
Do not fear the darkness, child o' mine; do not shirk the dust!
Light your candle, as I do mine, and hold it forth:

What do you see?

Not shadows, but colours renewed:
There stands Boromir… nay, not your brother, but a man of valour old.
And here strays Cirion, and even Beregond,
The Brave, I've christened him.

And so we sit, side by side,
Finding and losing each other between the fading leaves before us.

Let your eyes move with grace upon these pages of lore,
Let your fingers follow,
Let me guide your thoughts,

For I am yours, and you, my child; you are mine.

---