Death.

It is not necessary for everyman to think of it as a companion, yet its companionship embraces all. Like sleep which falls upon you even in the throws of pain, this Dark Lord’s visitation is inevitable to the race of men.

I too lived oblivious to its presence and yet when I gaze back I can see that there was not a day which passed without the Dark Lord’s visitation in our midst. It was not until ones whom I cared for deeply were touched by him that my eyes were opened. It was the immortal elves which were to be his instrument upon mine that day, as I would in time become his instrument upon them and their allies in the days to come.