What he could see gave him no reason to hope for anything but death.

The Underdark was as barren a realm as he'd ever visited. Most of the surface upon which they walked was dark, and rocky; overrun in patches with dirt covered by moss. Unlike the moss of above, green and welcoming, this moss grew angry and red. Like the roots of the trees it gave a soft glow that illuminated only barely. That red light bathed the bark of the trees which grew into the caverns above their heads. Tress that grew upside down. He thought now that he'd seen everything. Ilúvatar's steps were hesitant upon the wretched surface as he stared ahead. And up. Those trees were unlike any he'd seen before. Bark black as night, standing out only because the hideous dark stone that formed this cavern was lighter. They were as talons reaching out from the dark. His grimace was the only sign of emotion that he gave. That, and his hard stare, which reached out to touch the trees. They did not wither but seemed fuller beneath his gaze.

( Almost as though they could feel his malice. )