Cirith Ungol, the pass of the spider. Men tell grievous tales of this place. They say a great terror lurks there, hiding in the shadows of the mountain. An orc stronghold with a single tower peaks at the east side, catching foul wind from within the black land. I ventured there not but a moment ago, but I dared not go up to the gateway. Frightening statues, the like which I have never seen, guard its doors. No dwarf craftsmanship, but some evil design, made with malicious intent. I would have gone beyond the doors if it hadn't been for them. But there was something else entirely. A sense of unease came over me as I felt watched from different angles. A strong sense of dread hangs about this place, or I am not a dwarf. Perhaps I felt the eyes of the great terror itself gazing at me. I did not tarry and I went down the mountain again as quickly as I was able. For a brief second I thought I heard someone or something pursuing me, but I dared not look back. When I finally came by the road, my pursuer had lost interest, or so it seemed.
There is some adventure simply not worth taking, lest you find yourself sent into an early grave. I heed the counsel of the Gondorians about this pass and will not return hither unless the need is great - and I doubt it ever will be. Therefore I can safely say that I am nearing the final stronghold that I aim to scout: Barad-Dûr. May Mahal guide me in these final days of my quest and let us hope that I can retrieve what I was truly sent here to find.
