Winding Stair

2012-12-31T16:26:53Z

90.10.30.117:

The '''Winding Stair''' was the second of two sets of stairs on the path from [[Morgul Vale|Morgul Valley]] to the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]].

From the top of the [[Straight Stair]] the path from Morgul Valley continued onwards as a dark passage hemmed in by towering rock walls, but without steps and climbing as just a gentle slope. After some miles the right-hand wall ended and then the path was between a cliff and a chasm. This gently sloped section ended at a new rock wall where the Winding Stair began.

The Winding Stair did not delve into the mountain; instead the cliff-face sloped back and the stairway snaked to and fro across it. At one point one of the turns overlooked the vast ravine at the head of Morgul Valley. The stair still writhed on from this point until it came to a final flight, short and straight. Beyond the stair was a cleft through which the path led to Cirith Ungol.<ref name="Stairs">{{TT|IV8}}</ref>

[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] followed [[Gollum]] up the Winding Stair on [[12 March]], {{TA|3019}}.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> After reaching the top of this second set of stairs the two hobbits sat in a crevice and had a bite to eat before facing [[Shelob's Lair|the tunnel]] ahead.<ref name="Stairs"/>
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[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

Straight Stair

2012-12-31T16:26:02Z

90.10.30.117:

The '''Straight Stair''' was the first of two sets of stairs on the path from [[Morgul Vale|Morgul Valley]] to the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]].

From the bottom of Morgul Valley the path rose up a climbing ledge. After a rounded angle a sudden narrow opening appeared in the rock wall. Between two walls the stairs had been cut, almost as steep as a ladder. As the stairs ascended the rocky walls rose ever higher until finally they ended in a deep dark passage that continued to climb but without steps and with just a gentle slope.<ref name="Stairs">{{TT|IV8}}</ref>

When [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] followed [[Gollum]] up the Straight Stair on [[12 March]], {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> they found the steps to be narrow, unevenly spaced, and often treacherous: some worn and smooth at the edges, some broken, and some cracked when stepped upon. Although the enclosing walls gave some sense of security, the steepness of the stairs gave the climbers an unnerving sense of the long black fall behind them. Eventually the hobbits were grasping the steps before them with their fingers and forcing their knees to bend and straighten.

When the dizzy and exhausted hobbits finally surmounted the Straight Stair, Gollum gave them the unwelcome news that ahead lay the much longer [[Winding Stair]].<ref name="Stairs"/>
{{references}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

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Winding Stair

Straight Stair