But [the White Council’s] stroke was too late. For the Dark Lord had foreseen it, and he had l

But [the White Council’s] stroke was too late. For the Dark Lord had foreseen it, and he had long prepared all his movements; and the Úlairi, his Nine Servants, had gone before him to make ready for his coming. ~ The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power (Art: “Fathomage Cover art” by Silvana-Massa-Art on DeviantART)