Morgoth's downfall                        dragon flees,

Escapes the aftermath                   of Angband's wreckage.

In strength came Valar,                 victors in arms.

Spears shaking,                            smiting all foes.

Enemies evading,                          arrowing sunward

Then south she flies                       to steep mountains.

In riven valley                               is refuge found.

Cavern close-guarded                    creatures abandon

When dragon arrives.                    Dread goes before.

Soon black and sere                      is burnt valley;

Empty and bleak                           is bare cavern.

Longing for treasure                      left and scattered,

Hoard to rebuild                            she hunts and searches.

The scent of gold,                          the sound of gems

She follows ever                            to find them hidden.

Little by little                                 her lair fills.

Years to yeni                                 yeni to ages,

Now slumbers she                         on shining bed

Where gold gleams,                       where glitter gems,

And jewels shimmer.                      She sleeps soundly

Till old master rouses.                    His minions abroad

She senses in dreams,                   stirs in her cave.

Though Morgoth is gone                 yet Gorthaur remains,

His will compelling                         winds around hers.

Waking she knows                         he wants her might

And flight and fire                          fighting for him.

No rest will he grant                      Gorthaur the cruel.

But now is she older,                     needs she no master.

Bolder and wiser,                          built she one hoard

Long ago and                                long abandoned.

Another treasure                           now she deserts,

Fleeing the dark                            dread of Mordor.

Fear behind her,                            flying northward

Clutching a pittance                       of precious trove.

Gold to breed gold                         she'll gather once more.

In icy mountains                            ever snow-bound

Is valley narrow,                            nearly hidden.

A cavern deep-                              delved and remote.

More ages passed                          ever more swift.

New hoard and better                    brought she for slumber.

On heaps of gems                         and jewels she drowsed.

Perhaps she still                            sleeps there today.