Melkor began the delving and building of a vast fortress, deep under Earth, beneath dark mountains. That stronghold was named Utumno. The evil of Melkor and the blight of his hatred flowed out thence, and the Spring of Arda was marred. Green things fell sick and rotted, and rivers were choked with weeds and slime, and fens were made, rank and poisonous, the breeding place of flies.
“So I offer you something much better.” “Why wouldn’t you devour it yourself? Why share?” “I don’t need it, I just need it gone.” “That is hard to believe. Does the Hunger not bother you?” “My hunger is different from yours.” (a fragment of an illustration for the fanfic by @eternal-fear)
