Pippin looked out from the shelter of Gandalf\u2019s cloak. He
wondered if he was awake or still sleeping, still in the swiftmoving dream in which he had been wrapped so long since
the great ride began. The dark world was rushing by and the
wind sang loudly in his ears. He could see nothing but the
wheeling stars, and away to his right vast shadows against
the sky where the mountains of the South marched past.
Sleepily he tried to reckon the times and stages of their
journey, but his memory was drowsy and uncertain.
There had been the first ride at terrible speed without a
halt, and then in the dawn he had seen a pale gleam of gold,
and they had come to the silent town and the great empty
house on the hill. And hardly had they reached its shelter
when the winged shadow had passed over once again, and
men wilted with fear. But Gandalf had spoken soft words to
him, and he had slept in a corner, tired but uneasy, dimly
aware of comings and goings and of men talking and Gandalf
giving orders. And then again riding, riding in the night. This
was the second, no, the third night since he had looked in the
Stone. And with that hideous memory he woke fully, and
shivered, and the noise of the wind became filled with menacing voices.
A light kindled in the sky, a blaze of yellow fire behind
dark barriers. Pippin cowered back, afraid for a moment,
wondering into what dreadful country Gandalf was bearing
him. He rubbed his eyes, and then he saw that it was the
moon rising above the eastern shadows, now almost at the
full. So the night was not yet old and for hours the dark
journey would go on. He stirred and spoke.
\u2018Where are we, Gandalf ?\u2019 he asked.
978 the return of the king
\u2018In the realm of Gondor,\u2019 the wizard answered. \u2018The land
of Ano\u00b4rien is still passing by.\u2019
There was a silence again for a while. Then, \u2018What is that?\u2019
cried Pippin suddenly, clutching at Gandalf\u2019s cloak. \u2018Look!
Fire, red fire! Are there dragons in this land? Look, there is
another!\u2019
For answer Gandalf cried aloud to his horse. \u2018On, Shadowfax! We must hasten. Time is short. See! The beacons
of Gondor are alight, calling for aid. War is kindled. See,
there is the fire on Amon D\u0131\u02c6n, and flame on Eilenach; and
there they go speeding west: Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon,
Calenhad, and the Halifirien on the borders of Rohan.\u2019
But Shadowfax paused in his stride, slowing to a walk, and
then he lifted up his head and neighed. And out of the darkness the answering neigh of other horses came; and presently
the thudding of hoofs was heard, and three riders swept up and
passed like flying ghosts in the moon and vanished into the
West. Then Shadowfax gathered himself together and sprang
away, and the night flowed over him like a roaring wind.
Pippin became drowsy again and paid little attention to
Gandalf telling him of the customs of Gondor, and how the
Lord of the City had beacons built on the tops of outlying
hills along both borders of the great range, and maintained
posts at these points where fresh horses were always in readiness to bear his errand-riders to Rohan in the North, or to
Belfalas in the South. \u2018It is long since the beacons of the
North were lit,\u2019 he said; \u2018and in the ancient days of Gondor
they were not needed, for they had the Seven Stones.\u2019 Pippin
stirred uneasily.
\u2018Sleep again, and do not be afraid!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018For you
are not going like Frodo to Mordor, but to Minas Tirith, and
there you will be as safe as you can be anywhere in these
days. If Gondor falls, or the Ring is taken, then the Shire will
be no refuge.\u2019
\u2018You do not comfort me,\u2019 said Pippin, but nonetheless
sleep crept over him. The last thing that he remembered
before he fell into deep dream was a glimpse of high white
minas tirith 979
peaks, glimmering like floating isles above the clouds as they
caught the light of the westering moon. He wondered where
Frodo was, and if he was already in Mordor, or if he was
dead; and he did not know that Frodo from far away looked
on that same moon as it set beyond Gondor ere the coming
of the day.
Pippin woke to the sound of voices. Another day of hiding
and a night of journey had fleeted by. It was twilight: the cold
dawn was at hand again, and chill grey mists were about
them. Shadowfax stood steaming with sweat, but he held his
neck proudly and showed no sign of weariness. Many tall
men heavily cloaked stood beside him, and behind them in
the mist loomed a wall of stone. Partly ruinous it seemed, but
already before the night was passed the sound of hurried
labour could be heard: beat of hammers, clink of trowels, and
the creak of wheels. Torches and flares glowed dully here
and there in the fog. Gandalf was speaking to the men that
barred his way, and as he listened Pippin became aware that
he himself was being discussed.
\u2018Yea truly, we know you, Mithrandir,\u2019 said the leader of
the men, \u2018and you know the pass-words of the Seven Gates
and are free to go forward. But we do not know your companion. What is he? A dwarf out of the mountains in the
North? We wish for no strangers in the land at this time,
unless they be mighty men of arms in whose faith and help
we can trust.\u2019
\u2018I will vouch for him before the seat of Denethor,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018And as for valour, that cannot be computed by
stature. He has passed through more battles and perils than
you have, Ingold, though you be twice his height; and he
comes now from the storming of Isengard, of which we bear
tidings, and great weariness is on him, or I would wake him.
His name is Peregrin, a very valiant man.\u2019
\u2018Man?\u2019 said Ingold dubiously, and the others laughed.
\u2018Man!\u2019 cried Pippin, now thoroughly roused. \u2018Man! Indeed
not! I am a hobbit and no more valiant than I am a man, save
980 the return of the king
perhaps now and again by necessity. Do not let Gandalf
deceive you!\u2019
\u2018Many a doer of great deeds might say no more,\u2019 said
Ingold. \u2018But what is a hobbit?\u2019
\u2018A Halfling,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018Nay, not the one that was
spoken of,\u2019 he added seeing the wonder in the men\u2019s faces.
\u2018Not he, yet one of his kindred.\u2019
\u2018Yes, and one who journeyed with him,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018And
Boromir of your City was with us, and he saved me in the
snows of the North, and at the last he was slain defending
me from many foes.\u2019
\u2018Peace!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018The news of that grief should have
been told first to the father.\u2019
\u2018It has been guessed already,\u2019 said Ingold; \u2018for there have
been strange portents here of late. But pass on now quickly!
For the Lord of Minas Tirith will be eager to see any that
bear the latest tidings of his son, be he man or\u2014\u2014\u2019
\u2018Hobbit,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Little service can I offer to your
lord, but what I can do, I would do, remembering Boromir
the brave.\u2019
\u2018Fare you well!\u2019 said Ingold; and the men made way for
Shadowfax, and he passed through a narrow gate in the
wall. \u2018May you bring good counsel to Denethor in his need,
and to us all, Mithrandir!\u2019 Ingold cried. \u2018But you come with
tidings of grief and danger, as is your wont, they say.\u2019
\u2018Because I come seldom but when my help is needed,\u2019
answered Gandalf. \u2018And as for counsel, to you I would say
that you are over-late in repairing the wall of the Pelennor.
Courage will now be your best defence against the storm
that is at hand \u2013 that and such hope as I bring. For not all
the tidings that I bring are evil. But leave your trowels and
sharpen your swords!\u2019
\u2018The work will be finished ere evening,\u2019 said Ingold. \u2018This
is the last portion of the wall to be put in defence: the least
open to attack, for it looks towards our friends of Rohan. Do
you know aught of them? Will they answer the summons,
think you?\u2019
minas tirith 981
\u2018Yes, they will come. But they have fought many battles
at your back. This road and no road looks towards safety
any longer. Be vigilant! But for Gandalf Stormcrow you
would have seen a host of foes coming out of Ano\u00b4rien and
no Riders of Rohan. And you may yet. Fare you well, and
sleep not!\u2019
Gandalf passed now into the wide land beyond the
Rammas Echor. So the men of Gondor called the out-wall
that they had built with great labour, after Ithilien fell under
the shadow of their Enemy. For ten leagues or more it ran
from the mountains\u2019 feet and so back again, enclosing in its
fence the fields of the Pelennor: fair and fertile townlands on
the long slopes and terraces falling to the deep levels of the
Anduin. At its furthest point from the Great Gate of the City,
north-eastward, the wall was four leagues distant, and there
from a frowning bank it overlooked the long flats beside the
river, and men had made it high and strong; for at that point,
upon a walled causeway, the road came in from the fords
and bridges of Osgiliath and passed through a guarded gate
between embattled towers. At its nearest point the wall was
little more than one league from the City, and that was southeastward. There Anduin, going in a wide knee about the hills
of Emyn Arnen in South Ithilien, bent sharply west, and the
out-wall rose upon its very brink; and beneath it lay the quays
and landings of the Harlond for craft that came upstream
from the southern fiefs.
The townlands were rich, with wide tilth and many
orchards, and homesteads there were with oast and garner,
fold and byre, and many rills rippling through the green
from the highlands down to Anduin. Yet the herdsmen and
husbandmen that dwelt there were not many, and the most
part of the people of Gondor lived in the seven circles of
the City, or in the high vales of the mountain-borders, in
Lossarnach, or further south in fair Lebennin with its five
swift streams. There dwelt a hardy folk between the mountains and the sea. They were reckoned men of Gondor, yet
982 the return of the king
their blood was mingled, and there were short and swarthy
folk among them whose sires came more from the forgotten
men who housed in the shadow of the hills in the Dark Years
ere the coming of the kings. But beyond, in the great fief of
Belfalas, dwelt Prince Imrahil in his castle of Dol Amroth by
the sea, and he was of high blood, and his folk also, tall men
and proud with sea-grey eyes.
Now after Gandalf had ridden for some time the light of
day grew in the sky, and Pippin roused himself and looked
up. To his left lay a sea of mist, rising to a bleak shadow in
the East; but to his right great mountains reared their heads,
ranging from the West to a steep and sudden end, as if in the
making of the land the River had burst through a great
barrier, carving out a mighty valley to be a land of battle
and debate in times to come. And there where the White
Mountains of Ered Nimrais came to their end he saw, as
Gandalf had promised, the dark mass of Mount Mindolluin,
the deep purple shadows of its high glens, and its tall face
whitening in the rising day. And upon its out-thrust knee was
the Guarded City, with its seven walls of stone so strong and
old that it seemed to have been not builded but carven by
giants out of the bones of the earth.
Even as Pippin gazed in wonder the walls passed from
looming grey to white, blushing faintly in the dawn; and
suddenly the sun climbed over the eastern shadow and sent
forth a shaft that smote the face of the City. Then Pippin
cried aloud, for the Tower of Ecthelion, standing high within
the topmost wall, shone out against the sky, glimmering like
a spike of pearl and silver, tall and fair and shapely, and its
pinnacle glittered as if it were wrought of crystals; and white
banners broke and fluttered from the battlements in the
morning breeze, and high and far he heard a clear ringing as
of silver trumpets.
So Gandalf and Peregrin rode to the Great Gate of the
Men of Gondor at the rising of the sun, and its iron doors
rolled back before them.
minas tirith 983
\u2018Mithrandir! Mithrandir!\u2019 men cried. \u2018Now we know that
the storm is indeed nigh!\u2019
\u2018It is upon you,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I have ridden on its wings.
Let me pass! I must come to your Lord Denethor, while his
stewardship lasts. Whatever betide, you have come to the end
of the Gondor that you have known. Let me pass!\u2019
Then men fell back before the command of his voice and
questioned him no further, though they gazed in wonder at
the hobbit that sat before him and at the horse that bore him.
For the people of the City used horses very little and they
were seldom seen in their streets, save only those ridden by
the errand-riders of their lord. And they said: \u2018Surely that is
one of the great steeds of the King of Rohan? Maybe the
Rohirrim will come soon to strengthen us.\u2019 But Shadowfax
walked proudly up the long winding road.
For the fashion of Minas Tirith was such that it was built
on seven levels, each delved into the hill, and about each was
set a wall, and in each wall was a gate. But the gates were not
set in a line: the Great Gate in the City Wall was at the east
point of the circuit, but the next faced half south, and the
third half north, and so to and fro upwards; so that the paved
way that climbed towards the Citadel turned first this way
and then that across the face of the hill. And each time that
it passed the line of the Great Gate it went through an arched
tunnel, piercing a vast pier of rock whose huge out-thrust
bulk divided in two all the circles of the City save the first.
For partly in the primeval shaping of the hill, partly by the
mighty craft and labour of old, there stood up from the rear
of the wide court behind the Gate a towering bastion of stone,
its edge sharp as a ship-keel facing east. Up it rose, even to
the level of the topmost circle, and there was crowned by a
battlement; so that those in the Citadel might, like mariners
in a mountainous ship, look from its peak sheer down upon
the Gate seven hundred feet below. The entrance to the
Citadel also looked eastward, but was delved in the heart of
the rock; thence a long lamp-lit slope ran up to the seventh
984 the return of the king
gate. Thus men reached at last the High Court, and the Place
of the Fountain before the feet of the White Tower: tall and
shapely, fifty fathoms from its base to the pinnacle, where
the banner of the Stewards floated a thousand feet above the
plain.
A strong citadel it was indeed, and not to be taken by a
host of enemies, if there were any within that could hold
weapons; unless some foe could come behind and scale the
lower skirts of Mindolluin, and so come upon the narrow
shoulder that joined the Hill of Guard to the mountain mass.
But that shoulder, which rose to the height of the fifth wall,
was hedged with great ramparts right up to the precipice that
overhung its western end; and in that space stood the houses
and domed tombs of bygone kings and lords, for ever silent
between the mountain and the tower.
Pippin gazed in growing wonder at the great stone city,
vaster and more splendid than anything that he had dreamed
of; greater and stronger than Isengard, and far more beautiful.
Yet it was in truth falling year by year into decay; and already
it lacked half the men that could have dwelt at ease there. In
every street they passed some great house or court over whose
doors and arched gates were carved many fair letters of
strange and ancient shapes: names Pippin guessed of great
men and kindreds that had once dwelt there; and yet now
they were silent, and no footsteps rang on their wide pavements, nor voice was heard in their halls, nor any face looked
out from door or empty window.
At last they came out of shadow to the seventh gate, and
the warm sun that shone down beyond the river, as Frodo
walked in the glades of Ithilien, glowed here on the smooth
walls and rooted pillars, and the great arch with keystone
carven in the likeness of a crowned and kingly head. Gandalf
dismounted, for no horse was allowed in the Citadel, and
Shadowfax suffered himself to be led away at the soft word
of his master.
The Guards of the gate were robed in black, and their
minas tirith 985
helms were of strange shape, high-crowned, with long cheekguards close-fitting to the face, and above the cheek-guards
were set the white wings of sea-birds; but the helms gleamed
with a flame of silver, for they were indeed wrought of mithril,
heirlooms from the glory of old days. Upon the black surcoats
were embroidered in white a tree blossoming like snow beneath a silver crown and many-pointed stars. This was the
livery of the heirs of Elendil, and none wore it now in all
Gondor, save the Guards of the Citadel before the Court of
the Fountain where the White Tree once had grown.
Already it seemed that word of their coming had gone
before them; and at once they were admitted, silently, and
without question. Quickly Gandalf strode across the whitepaved court. A sweet fountain played there in the morning
sun, and a sward of bright green lay about it; but in the midst,
drooping over the pool, stood a dead tree, and the falling
drops dripped sadly from its barren and broken branches
back into the clear water.
Pippin glanced at it as he hurried after Gandalf. It looked
mournful, he thought, and he wondered why the dead tree
was left in this place where everything else was well tended.
Seven stars and seven stones and one white tree.
The words that Gandalf had murmured came back into
his mind. And then he found himself at the doors of the great
hall beneath the gleaming tower; and behind the wizard
he passed the tall silent door-wardens and entered the cool
echoing shadows of the house of stone.
They walked down a paved passage, long and empty, and
as they went Gandalf spoke softly to Pippin. \u2018Be careful of
your words, Master Peregrin! This is no time for hobbit
pertness. The\u00b4oden is a kindly old man. Denethor is of another
sort, proud and subtle, a man of far greater lineage and
power, though he is not called a king. But he will speak most
to you, and question you much, since you can tell him of his
son Boromir. He loved him greatly: too much perhaps; and
the more so because they were unlike. But under cover of
986 the return of the king
this love he will think it easier to learn what he wishes from
you rather than from me. Do not tell him more than you
need, and leave quiet the matter of Frodo\u2019s errand. I will deal
with that in due time. And say nothing about Aragorn either,
unless you must.\u2019
\u2018Why not? What is wrong with Strider?\u2019 Pippin whispered.
\u2018He meant to come here, didn\u2019t he? And he\u2019ll be arriving
soon himself, anyway.\u2019
\u2018Maybe, maybe,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Though if he comes,
it is likely to be in some way that no one expects, not
even Denethor. It will be better so. At least he should come
unheralded by us.\u2019
Gandalf halted before a tall door of polished metal. \u2018See,
Master Pippin, there is no time to instruct you now in the
history of Gondor; though it might have been better, if you
had learned something of it, when you were still birds-nesting
and playing truant in the woods of the Shire. Do as I bid! It
is scarcely wise when bringing the news of the death of his
heir to a mighty lord to speak over much of the coming of
one who will, if he comes, claim the kingship. Is that enough?\u2019
\u2018Kingship?\u2019 said Pippin amazed.
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018If you have walked all these days with
closed ears and mind asleep, wake up now!\u2019 He knocked on
the door.
The door opened, but no one could be seen to open it.
Pippin looked into a great hall. It was lit by deep windows in
the wide aisles at either side, beyond the rows of tall pillars
that upheld the roof. Monoliths of black marble, they rose to
great capitals carved in many strange figures of beasts and
leaves; and far above in shadow the wide vaulting gleamed
with dull gold. The floor was of polished stone, whitegleaming, inset with flowing traceries of many colours. No
hangings nor storied webs, nor any things of woven stuff or
of wood, were to be seen in that long solemn hall; but between
the pillars there stood a silent company of tall images graven
in cold stone.
minas tirith 987
Suddenly Pippin was reminded of the hewn rocks of
Argonath, and awe fell on him, as he looked down that avenue
of kings long dead. At the far end upon a dais of many steps
was set a high throne under a canopy of marble shaped like
a crowned helm; behind it was carved upon the wall and set
with gems an image of a tree in flower. But the throne was
empty. At the foot of the dais, upon the lowest step which
was broad and deep, there was a stone chair, black and
unadorned, and on it sat an old man gazing at his lap. In his
hand was a white rod with a golden knob. He did not look
up. Solemnly they paced the long floor towards him, until
they stood three paces from his footstool. Then Gandalf
spoke.
\u2018Hail, Lord and Steward of Minas Tirith, Denethor son of
Ecthelion! I am come with counsel and tidings in this dark
hour.\u2019
Then the old man looked up. Pippin saw his carven face
with its proud bones and skin like ivory, and the long curved
nose between the dark deep eyes; and he was reminded not
so much of Boromir as of Aragorn. \u2018Dark indeed is the hour,\u2019
said the old man, \u2018and at such times you are wont to come,
Mithrandir. But though all the signs forebode that the doom
of Gondor is drawing nigh, less now to me is that darkness
than my own darkness. It has been told to me that you bring
with you one who saw my son die. Is this he?\u2019
\u2018It is,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018One of the twain. The other is with
The\u00b4oden of Rohan and may come hereafter. Halflings they
are, as you see, yet this is not he of whom the omens spoke.\u2019
\u2018Yet a Halfling still,\u2019 said Denethor grimly, \u2018and little love
do I bear the name, since those accursed words came to
trouble our counsels and drew away my son on the wild
errand to his death. My Boromir! Now we have need of you.
Faramir should have gone in his stead.\u2019
\u2018He would have gone,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Be not unjust in your
grief! Boromir claimed the errand and would not suffer any
other to have it. He was a masterful man, and one to take
what he desired. I journeyed far with him and learned much
988 the return of the king
of his mood. But you speak of his death. You have had news
of that ere we came?\u2019
\u2018I have received this,\u2019 said Denethor, and laying down his
rod he lifted from his lap the thing that he had been gazing
at. In each hand he held up one half of a great horn cloven
through the middle: a wild-ox horn bound with silver.
\u2018That is the horn that Boromir always wore!\u2019 cried Pippin.
\u2018Verily,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018And in my turn I bore it, and so
did each eldest son of our house, far back into the vanished
years before the failing of the kings, since Vorondil father of
Mardil hunted the wild kine of Araw in the far fields of Rhu\u02c6n.
I heard it blowing dim upon the northern marches thirteen
days ago, and the River brought it to me, broken: it will wind
no more.\u2019 He paused and there was a heavy silence. Suddenly
he turned his black glance upon Pippin. \u2018What say you to
that, Halfling?\u2019
\u2018Thirteen, thirteen days,\u2019 faltered Pippin. \u2018Yes, I think that
would be so. Yes, I stood beside him, as he blew the horn.
But no help came. Only more orcs.\u2019
\u2018So,\u2019 said Denethor, looking keenly at Pippin\u2019s face. \u2018You
were there? Tell me more! Why did no help come? And how
did you escape, and yet he did not, so mighty a man as he
was, and only orcs to withstand him?\u2019
Pippin flushed and forgot his fear. \u2018The mightiest man
may be slain by one arrow,\u2019 he said; \u2018and Boromir was pierced
by many. When last I saw him he sank beside a tree and
plucked a black-feathered shaft from his side. Then I
swooned and was made captive. I saw him no more, and
know no more. But I honour his memory, for he was very
valiant. He died to save us, my kinsman Meriadoc and
myself, waylaid in the woods by the soldiery of the Dark
Lord; and though he fell and failed, my gratitude is none
the less.\u2019
Then Pippin looked the old man in the eye, for pride stirred
strangely within him, still stung by the scorn and suspicion
in that cold voice. \u2018Little service, no doubt, will so great a
lord of Men think to find in a hobbit, a halfling from the
minas tirith 989
northern Shire; yet such as it is, I will offer it, in payment of
my debt.\u2019 Twitching aside his grey cloak, Pippin drew forth
his small sword and laid it at Denethor\u2019s feet.
A pale smile, like a gleam of cold sun on a winter\u2019s evening,
passed over the old man\u2019s face; but he bent his head and held
out his hand, laying the shards of the horn aside. \u2018Give me
the weapon!\u2019 he said.
Pippin lifted it and presented the hilt to him. \u2018Whence
came this?\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018Many, many years lie on it. Surely
this is a blade wrought by our own kindred in the North in
the deep past?\u2019
\u2018It came out of the mounds that lie on the borders of my
country,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018But only evil wights dwell there now,
and I will not willingly tell more of them.\u2019
\u2018I see that strange tales are woven about you,\u2019 said
Denethor, \u2018and once again it is shown that looks may belie
the man \u2013 or the halfling. I accept your service. For you are
not daunted by words; and you have courteous speech,
strange though the sound of it may be to us in the South.
And we shall have need of all folk of courtesy, be they great
or small, in the days to come. Swear to me now!\u2019
\u2018Take the hilt,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018and speak after the Lord, if
you are resolved on this.\u2019
\u2018I am,\u2019 said Pippin.
The old man laid the sword along his lap, and Pippin put
his hand to the hilt, and said slowly after Denethor:
\u2018Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, and to the
Lord and Steward of the realm, to speak and to be silent, to
do and to let be, to come and to go, in need or plenty, in
peace or war, in living or dying, from this hour henceforth,
until my lord release me, or death take me, or the world end.
So say I, Peregrin son of Paladin of the Shire of the Halflings.\u2019
\u2018And this do I hear, Denethor son of Ecthelion, Lord of
Gondor, Steward of the High King, and I will not forget it,
nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, valour
with honour, oath-breaking with vengeance.\u2019 Then Pippin
received back his sword and put it in its sheath.
990 the return of the king
\u2018And now,\u2019 said Denethor, \u2018my first command to you:
speak and be not silent! Tell me your full tale, and see that
you recall all that you can of Boromir, my son. Sit now and
begin!\u2019 As he spoke he struck a small silver gong that stood
near his footstool, and at once servants came forward. Pippin
saw then that they had been standing in alcoves on either
side of the door, unseen as he and Gandalf entered.
\u2018Bring wine and food and seats for the guests,\u2019 said
Denethor, \u2018and see that none trouble us for one hour.\u2019
\u2018It is all that I have to spare, for there is much else to heed,\u2019
he said to Gandalf. \u2018Much of more import, it may seem, and
yet to me less pressing. But maybe we can speak again at the
end of the day.\u2019
\u2018And earlier, it is to be hoped,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018For I have
not ridden hither from Isengard, one hundred and fifty
leagues, with the speed of wind, only to bring you one small
warrior, however courteous. Is it naught to you that The\u00b4oden
has fought a great battle, and that Isengard is overthrown,
and that I have broken the staff of Saruman?\u2019
\u2018It is much to me. But I know already sufficient of these
deeds for my own counsel against the menace of the East.\u2019
He turned his dark eyes on Gandalf, and now Pippin saw a
likeness between the two, and he felt the strain between them,
almost as if he saw a line of smouldering fire, drawn from
eye to eye, that might suddenly burst into flame.
Denethor looked indeed much more like a great wizard
than Gandalf did, more kingly, beautiful, and powerful; and
older. Yet by a sense other than sight Pippin perceived that
Gandalf had the greater power and the deeper wisdom, and
a majesty that was veiled. And he was older, far older. \u2018How
much older?\u2019 he wondered, and then he thought how odd it
was that he had never thought about it before. Treebeard
had said something about wizards, but even then he had not
thought of Gandalf as one of them. What was Gandalf ? In
what far time and place did he come into the world, and
when would he leave it? And then his musings broke off, and
he saw that Denethor and Gandalf still looked each other in
minas tirith 991
the eye, as if reading the other\u2019s mind. But it was Denethor
who first withdrew his gaze.
\u2018Yea,\u2019 he said; \u2018for though the Stones be lost, they say, still
the lords of Gondor have keener sight than lesser men, and
many messages come to them. But sit now!\u2019
Then men came bearing a chair and a low stool, and one
brought a salver with a silver flagon and cups, and white
cakes. Pippin sat down, but he could not take his eyes from
the old lord. Was it so, or had he only imagined it, that as he
spoke of the Stones a sudden gleam of his eye had glanced
upon Pippin\u2019s face?
\u2018Now tell me your tale, my liege,\u2019 said Denethor, half
kindly, half mockingly. \u2018For the words of one whom my son
so befriended will be welcome indeed.\u2019
Pippin never forgot that hour in the great hall under the
piercing eye of the Lord of Gondor, stabbed ever and anon
by his shrewd questions, and all the while conscious of
Gandalf at his side, watching and listening, and (so Pippin
felt) holding in check a rising wrath and impatience. When
the hour was over and Denethor again rang the gong, Pippin
felt worn out. \u2018It cannot be more than nine o\u2019clock,\u2019 he
thought. \u2018I could now eat three breakfasts on end.\u2019
\u2018Lead the Lord Mithrandir to the housing prepared for
him,\u2019 said Denethor, \u2018and his companion may lodge with him
for the present, if he will. But be it known that I have now
sworn him to my service, and he shall be known as Peregrin
son of Paladin and taught the lesser pass-words. Send word
to the Captains that they shall wait on me here, as soon as
may be after the third hour has rung.
\u2018And you, my Lord Mithrandir, shall come too, as and
when you will. None shall hinder your coming to me at any
time, save only in my brief hours of sleep. Let your wrath at
an old man\u2019s folly run off, and then return to my comfort!\u2019
\u2018Folly?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Nay, my lord, when you are a
dotard you will die. You can use even your grief as a cloak.
Do you think that I do not understand your purpose in
992 the return of the king
questioning for an hour one who knows the least, while I
sit by?\u2019
\u2018If you understand it, then be content,\u2019 returned Denethor.
\u2018Pride would be folly that disdained help and counsel at need;
but you deal out such gifts according to your own designs.
Yet the Lord of Gondor is not to be made the tool of other
men\u2019s purposes, however worthy. And to him there is no
purpose higher in the world as it now stands than the good
of Gondor; and the rule of Gondor, my lord, is mine and no
other man\u2019s, unless the king should come again.\u2019
\u2018Unless the king should come again?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Well,
my lord Steward, it is your task to keep some kingdom still
against that event, which few now look to see. In that task
you shall have all the aid that you are pleased to ask for. But
I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor
nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are
in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for
my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor
should perish, if anything passes through this night that can
still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come.
For I also am a steward. Did you not know?\u2019 And with that
he turned and strode from the hall with Pippin running at
his side.
Gandalf did not look at Pippin or speak a word to him as
they went. Their guide brought them from the doors of the
hall, and then led them across the Court of the Fountain into
a lane between tall buildings of stone. After several turns they
came to a house close to the wall of the citadel upon the north
side, not far from the shoulder that linked the hill with the
mountain. Within, upon the first floor above the street, up a
wide carven stair, he showed them to a fair room, light and
airy, with goodly hangings of dull gold sheen unfigured. It
was sparely furnished, having but a small table, two chairs
and a bench; but at either side there were curtained alcoves
and well-clad beds within with vessels and basins for washing.
There were three high narrow windows that looked northward over the great curve of Anduin, still shrouded in mists,
minas tirith 993
towards the Emyn Muil and Rauros far away. Pippin had to
climb on the bench to look out over the deep stone sill.
\u2018Are you angry with me, Gandalf ?\u2019 he said, as their guide
went out and closed the door. \u2018I did the best I could.\u2019
\u2018You did indeed!\u2019 said Gandalf, laughing suddenly; and he
came and stood beside Pippin, putting his arm about the
hobbit\u2019s shoulders, and gazing out of the window. Pippin
glanced in some wonder at the face now close beside his own,
for the sound of that laugh had been gay and merry. Yet in
the wizard\u2019s face he saw at first only lines of care and sorrow;
though as he looked more intently he perceived that under
all there was a great joy: a fountain of mirth enough to set a
kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth.
\u2018Indeed you did your best,\u2019 said the wizard; \u2018and I hope
that it may be long before you find yourself in such a tight
corner again between two such terrible old men. Still the
Lord of Gondor learned more from you than you may have
guessed, Pippin. You could not hide the fact that Boromir
did not lead the Company from Moria, and that there was
one among you of high honour who was coming to Minas
Tirith; and that he had a famous sword. Men think much
about the stories of old days in Gondor; and Denethor has
given long thought to the rhyme and to the words Isildur\u2019s
Bane, since Boromir went away.
\u2018He is not as other men of this time, Pippin, and whatever
be his descent from father to son, by some chance the blood
of Westernesse runs nearly true in him; as it does in his other
son, Faramir, and yet did not in Boromir whom he loved
best. He has long sight. He can perceive, if he bends his will
thither, much of what is passing in the minds of men, even
of those that dwell far off. It is difficult to deceive him, and
dangerous to try.
\u2018Remember that! For you are now sworn to his service. I
do not know what put it into your head, or your heart, to do
that. But it was well done. I did not hinder it, for generous
deed should not be checked by cold counsel. It touched his
heart, as well (may I say it) as pleasing his humour. And at
994 the return of the king
least you are free now to move about as you will in Minas
Tirith \u2013 when you are not on duty. For there is another side
to it. You are at his command; and he will not forget. Be
wary still!\u2019
He fell silent and sighed. \u2018Well, no need to brood on what
tomorrow may bring. For one thing, tomorrow will be certain
to bring worse than today, for many days to come. And there
is nothing more that I can do to help it. The board is set, and
the pieces are moving. One piece that I greatly desire to find
is Faramir, now the heir of Denethor. I do not think that he
is in the City; but I have had no time to gather news. I must
go, Pippin. I must go to this lords\u2019 council and learn what I
can. But the Enemy has the move, and he is about to open
his full game. And pawns are likely to see as much of it as
any, Peregrin son of Paladin, soldier of Gondor. Sharpen
your blade!\u2019
Gandalf went to the door, and there he turned. \u2018I am in
haste, Pippin,\u2019 he said. \u2018Do me a favour when you go out.
Even before you rest, if you are not too weary. Go and find
Shadowfax and see how he is housed. These people are kindly
to beasts, for they are a good and wise folk, but they have
less skill with horses than some.\u2019
With that Gandalf went out; and as he did so, there came
the note of a clear sweet bell ringing in a tower of the citadel.
Three strokes it rang, like silver in the air, and ceased: the
third hour from the rising of the sun.
After a minute Pippin went to the door and down the stair
and looked about the street. The sun was now shining warm
and bright, and the towers and tall houses cast long clear-cut
shadows westward. High in the blue air Mount Mindolluin
lifted its white helm and snowy cloak. Armed men went to
and fro in the ways of the City, as if going at the striking of
the hour to changes of post and duty.
\u2018Nine o\u2019clock we\u2019d call it in the Shire,\u2019 said Pippin aloud
to himself. \u2018Just the time for a nice breakfast by the open
window in spring sunshine. And how I should like breakfast!
minas tirith 995
Do these people ever have it, or is it over? And when do they
have dinner, and where?\u2019
Presently he noticed a man, clad in black and white,
coming along the narrow street from the centre of the citadel
towards him. Pippin felt lonely and made up his mind to
speak as the man passed; but he had no need. The man came
straight up to him.
\u2018You are Peregrin the Halfling?\u2019 he said. \u2018I am told that
you have been sworn to the service of the Lord and of the
City. Welcome!\u2019 He held out his hand and Pippin took it.
\u2018I am named Beregond son of Baranor. I have no duty
this morning, and I have been sent to you to teach you the
pass-words, and to tell you some of the many things that no
doubt you will wish to know. And for my part, I would learn
of you also. For never before have we seen a halfling in this
land and though we have heard rumour of them, little is said
of them in any tale that we know. Moreover you are a friend
of Mithrandir. Do you know him well?\u2019
\u2018Well,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018I have known of him all my short life,
as you might say; and lately I have travelled far with him. But
there is much to read in that book, and I cannot claim to
have seen more than a page or two. Yet perhaps I know him
as well as any but a few. Aragorn was the only one of our
Company, I think, who really knew him.\u2019
\u2018Aragorn?\u2019 said Beregond. \u2018Who is he?\u2019
\u2018Oh,\u2019 stammered Pippin, \u2018he was a man who went about
with us. I think he is in Rohan now.\u2019
\u2018You have been in Rohan, I hear. There is much that I
would ask you of that land also; for we put much of what
little hope we have in its people. But I am forgetting my
errand, which was first to answer what you would ask. What
would you know, Master Peregrin?\u2019
\u2018Er well,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018if I may venture to say so, rather a
burning question in my mind at present is, well, what about
breakfast and all that? I mean, what are the meal-times, if
you understand me, and where is the dining-room, if there is
one? And the inns? I looked, but never a one could I see as
996 the return of the king
we rode up, though I had been borne up by the hope of a
draught of ale as soon as we came to the homes of wise and
courtly men.\u2019
Beregond looked at him gravely. \u2018An old campaigner,
I see,\u2019 he said. \u2018They say that men who go warring afield
look ever to the next hope of food and of drink; though I am
not a travelled man myself. Then you have not yet eaten
today?\u2019
\u2018Well, yes, to speak in courtesy, yes,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018But no
more than a cup of wine and a white cake or two by the
kindness of your lord; but he racked me for it with an hour
of questions, and that is hungry work.\u2019
Beregond laughed. \u2018At the table small men may do the
greater deeds, we say. But you have broken your fast as well
as any man in the Citadel, and with greater honour. This is
a fortress and a tower of guard and is now in posture of war.
We rise ere the Sun, and take a morsel in the grey light, and
go to our duties at the opening hour. But do not despair!\u2019 He
laughed again, seeing the dismay in Pippin\u2019s face. \u2018Those
who have had heavy duty take somewhat to refresh their
strength in the mid-morning. Then there is the nuncheon, at
noon or after as duties allow; and men gather for the daymeal,
and such mirth as there still may be, about the hour of sunset.
\u2018Come! We will walk a little and then go find us some
refreshment, and eat and drink on the battlement, and survey
the fair morning.\u2019
\u2018One moment!\u2019 said Pippin blushing. \u2018Greed, or hunger
by your courtesy, put it out of my mind. But Gandalf,
Mithrandir as you call him, asked me to see to his horse \u2013
Shadowfax, a great steed of Rohan, and the apple of the
king\u2019s eye, I am told, though he has given him to Mithrandir
for his services. I think his new master loves the beast better
than he loves many men, and if his good will is of any value
to this city, you will treat Shadowfax with all honour: with
greater kindness than you have treated this hobbit, if it is
possible.\u2019
\u2018Hobbit?\u2019 said Beregond.
minas tirith 997
\u2018That is what we call ourselves,\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018I am glad to learn it,\u2019 said Beregond, \u2018for now I may say
that strange accents do not mar fair speech, and hobbits are
a fair-spoken folk. But come! You shall make me acquainted
with this good horse. I love beasts, and we see them seldom
in this stony city; for my people came from the mountainvales, and before that from Ithilien. But fear not! The visit
shall be short, a mere call of courtesy, and we will go thence
to the butteries.\u2019
Pippin found that Shadowfax had been well housed and
tended. For in the sixth circle, outside the walls of the citadel,
there were some fair stables where a few swift horses were
kept, hard by the lodgings of the errand-riders of the Lord:
messengers always ready to go at the urgent command of
Denethor or his chief captains. But now all the horses and
the riders were out and away.
Shadowfax whinnied as Pippin entered the stable and
turned his head. \u2018Good morning!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Gandalf will
come as soon as he may. He is busy, but he sends greetings,
and I am to see that all is well with you; and you resting, I
hope, after your long labours.\u2019
Shadowfax tossed his head and stamped. But he allowed
Beregond to handle his head gently and stroke his great
flanks.
\u2018He looks as if he were spoiling for a race, and not newly
come from a great journey,\u2019 said Beregond. \u2018How strong and
proud he is! Where is his harness? It should be rich and fair.\u2019
\u2018None is rich and fair enough for him,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018He
will have none. If he will consent to bear you, bear you he
does; and if not, well, no bit, bridle, whip, or thong will tame
him. Farewell, Shadowfax! Have patience. Battle is coming.\u2019
Shadowfax lifted up his head and neighed, so that the
stable shook, and they covered their ears. Then they took
their leave, seeing that the manger was well filled.
\u2018And now for our manger,\u2019 said Beregond, and he led
Pippin back to the citadel, and so to a door in the north side
998 the return of the king
of the great tower. There they went down a long cool stair
into a wide alley lit with lamps. There were hatches in the
walls at the side, and one of these was open.
\u2018This is the storehouse and buttery of my company of
the Guard,\u2019 said Beregond. \u2018Greetings, Targon!\u2019 he called
through the hatch. \u2018It is early yet, but here is a newcomer
that the Lord has taken into his service. He has ridden long
and far with a tight belt, and has had sore labour this morning,
and he is hungry. Give us what you have!\u2019
They got there bread, and butter, and cheese and apples:
the last of the winter store, wrinkled but sound and sweet;
and a leather flagon of new-drawn ale, and wooden platters
and cups. They put all into a wicker basket and climbed back
into the sun; and Beregond brought Pippin to a place at the
east end of the great out-thrust battlement where there was
an embrasure in the walls with a stone seat beneath the sill.
From there they could look out on the morning over the
world.
They ate and drank; and they talked now of Gondor and
its ways and customs, now of the Shire and the strange countries that Pippin had seen. And ever as they talked Beregond
was more amazed, and looked with greater wonder at the
hobbit, swinging his short legs as he sat on the seat, or standing tiptoe upon it to peer over the sill at the lands below.
\u2018I will not hide from you, Master Peregrin,\u2019 said Beregond,
\u2018that to us you look almost as one of our children, a lad of
nine summers or so; and yet you have endured perils and
seen marvels that few of our greybeards could boast of. I
thought it was the whim of our Lord to take him a noble
page, after the manner of the kings of old, they say. But I see
that it is not so, and you must pardon my foolishness.\u2019
\u2018I do,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Though you are not far wrong. I am
still little more than a boy in the reckoning of my own people,
and it will be four years yet before I \u2018\u2018come of age\u2019\u2019, as we
say in the Shire. But do not bother about me. Come and look
and tell me what I can see.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
minas tirith 999
The sun was now climbing, and the mists in the vale below
had been drawn up. The last of them were floating away, just
overhead, as wisps of white cloud borne on the stiffening
breeze from the East, that was now flapping and tugging the
flags and white standards of the citadel. Away down in the
valley-bottom, five leagues or so as the eye leaps, the Great
River could now be seen grey and glittering, coming out of
the north-west, and bending in a mighty sweep south and
west again, till it was lost to view in a haze and shimmer, far
beyond which lay the Sea fifty leagues away.
Pippin could see all the Pelennor laid out before him, dotted into the distance with farmsteads and little walls, barns
and byres, but nowhere could he see any kine or other beasts.
Many roads and tracks crossed the green fields, and there
was much coming and going: wains moving in lines towards
the Great Gate, and others passing out. Now and again a
horseman would ride up, and leap from the saddle and hasten
into the City. But most of the traffic went out along the chief
highway, and that turned south, and then bending swifter
than the River skirted the hills and passed soon from sight.
It was wide and well-paved, and along its eastern edge ran a
broad green riding-track, and beyond that a wall. On the ride
horsemen galloped to and fro, but all the street seemed to
be choked with great covered wains going south. But soon
Pippin saw that all was in fact well-ordered: the wains were
moving in three lines, one swifter drawn by horses; another
slower, great waggons with fair housings of many colours,
drawn by oxen; and along the west rim of the road many
smaller carts hauled by trudging men.
\u2018That is the road to the vales of Tumladen and Lossarnach,
and the mountain-villages, and then on to Lebennin,\u2019 said
Beregond. \u2018There go the last of the wains that bear away to
refuge the aged, the children, and the women that must go
with them. They must all be gone from the Gate and the
road clear for a league before noon: that was the order. It is
a sad necessity.\u2019 He sighed. \u2018Few, maybe, of those now sundered will meet again. And there were always too few children
1000 the return of the king
in this city; but now there are none \u2013 save some young lads
that will not depart, and may find some task to do: my own
son is one of them.\u2019
They fell silent for a while. Pippin gazed anxiously eastward, as if at any moment he might see thousands of orcs
pouring over the fields. \u2018What can I see there?\u2019 he asked,
pointing down to the middle of the great curve of the Anduin.
\u2018Is that another city, or what is it?\u2019
\u2018It was a city,\u2019 said Beregond, \u2018the chief city of Gondor, of
which this was only a fortress. For that is the ruin of Osgiliath
on either side of Anduin, which our enemies took and burned
long ago. Yet we won it back in the days of the youth of
Denethor: not to dwell in, but to hold as an outpost, and to
rebuild the bridge for the passage of our arms. And then
came the Fell Riders out of Minas Morgul.\u2019
\u2018The Black Riders?\u2019 said Pippin, opening his eyes, and they
were wide and dark with an old fear re-awakened.
\u2018Yes, they were black,\u2019 said Beregond, \u2018and I see that you
know something of them, though you have not spoken of
them in any of your tales.\u2019
\u2018I know of them,\u2019 said Pippin softly, \u2018but I will not speak
of them now, so near, so near.\u2019 He broke off and lifted his
eyes above the River, and it seemed to him that all he could
see was a vast and threatening shadow. Perhaps it was mountains looming on the verge of sight, their jagged edges softened by wellnigh twenty leagues of misty air; perhaps it was
but a cloud-wall, and beyond that again a yet deeper gloom.
But even as he looked it seemed to his eyes that the gloom
was growing and gathering, very slowly, slowly rising to
smother the regions of the sun.
\u2018So near to Mordor?\u2019 said Beregond quietly. \u2018Yes, there it
lies. We seldom name it; but we have dwelt ever in sight of
that shadow: sometimes it seems fainter and more distant;
sometimes nearer and darker. It is growing and darkening
now; and therefore our fear and disquiet grow too. And the
Fell Riders, less than a year ago they won back the crossings,
and many of our best men were slain. Boromir it was that
minas tirith 1001
drove the enemy at last back from this western shore, and we
hold still the near half of Osgiliath. For a little while. But we
await now a new onslaught there. Maybe the chief onslaught
of the war that comes.\u2019
\u2018When?\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Have you a guess? For I saw the
beacons two nights ago and the errand-riders; and Gandalf
said that it was a sign that war had begun. He seemed in a
desperate hurry. But now everything seems to have slowed
up again.\u2019
\u2018Only because everything is now ready,\u2019 said Beregond. \u2018It
is but the deep breath before the plunge.\u2019
\u2018But why were the beacons lit two nights ago?\u2019
\u2018It is over-late to send for aid when you are already
besieged,\u2019 answered Beregond. \u2018But I do not know the counsel of the Lord and his captains. They have many ways of
gathering news. And the Lord Denethor is unlike other men:
he sees far. Some say that as he sits alone in his high chamber
in the Tower at night, and bends his thought this way and
that, he can read somewhat of the future; and that he will at
times search even the mind of the Enemy, wrestling with
him. And so it is that he is old, worn before his time. But
however that may be, my lord Faramir is abroad, beyond the
River on some perilous errand, and he may have sent tidings.
\u2018But if you would know what I think set the beacons ablaze,
it was the news that came that eve out of Lebennin. There is
a great fleet drawing near to the mouths of Anduin, manned
by the corsairs of Umbar in the South. They have long ceased
to fear the might of Gondor, and they have allied them with
the Enemy, and now make a heavy stroke in his cause. For
this attack will draw off much of the help that we looked to
have from Lebennin and Belfalas, where folk are hardy and
numerous. All the more do our thoughts go north to Rohan;
and the more glad are we for these tidings of victory that you
bring.
\u2018And yet\u2019 \u2013 he paused and stood up, and looked round,
north, east, and south \u2013 \u2018the doings at Isengard should warn
us that we are caught now in a great net and strategy. This
1002 the return of the king
is no longer a bickering at the fords, raiding from Ithilien and
from Ano\u00b4rien, ambushing and pillaging. This is a great war
long-planned, and we are but one piece in it, whatever pride
may say. Things move in the far East beyond the Inland Sea,
it is reported; and north in Mirkwood and beyond; and south
in Harad. And now all realms shall be put to the test, to stand,
or fall \u2013 under the Shadow.
\u2018Yet, Master Peregrin, we have this honour: ever we bear
the brunt of the chief hatred of the Dark Lord, for that hatred
comes down out of the depths of time and over the deeps of
the Sea. Here will the hammer-stroke fall hardest. And for
that reason Mithrandir came hither in such haste. For if we
fall, who shall stand? And, Master Peregrin, do you see any
hope that we shall stand?\u2019
Pippin did not answer. He looked at the great walls, and
the towers and brave banners, and the sun in the high sky,
and then at the gathering gloom in the East; and he thought
of the long fingers of that Shadow: of the orcs in the woods
and the mountains, the treason of Isengard, the birds of evil
eye, and the Black Riders even in the lanes of the Shire \u2013 and
of the winged terror, the Nazgu\u02c6l. He shuddered, and hope
seemed to wither. And even at that moment the sun for a
second faltered and was obscured, as though a dark wing
had passed across it. Almost beyond hearing he thought
he caught, high and far up in the heavens, a cry: faint, but
heart-quelling, cruel and cold. He blanched and cowered
against the wall.
\u2018What was that?\u2019 asked Beregond. \u2018You also felt something?\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 muttered Pippin. \u2018It is the sign of our fall, and the
shadow of doom, a Fell Rider of the air.\u2019
\u2018Yes, the shadow of doom,\u2019 said Beregond. \u2018I fear that
Minas Tirith shall fall. Night comes. The very warmth of my
blood seems stolen away.\u2019
For a time they sat together with bowed heads and did not
speak. Then suddenly Pippin looked up and saw that the sun
minas tirith 1003
was still shining and the banners still streaming in the breeze.
He shook himself. \u2018It is passed,\u2019 he said. \u2018No, my heart will
not yet despair. Gandalf fell and has returned and is with us.
We may stand, if only on one leg, or at least be left still upon
our knees.\u2019
\u2018Rightly said!\u2019 cried Beregond, rising and striding to and
fro. \u2018Nay, though all things must come utterly to an end in
time, Gondor shall not perish yet. Not though the walls be
taken by a reckless foe that will build a hill of carrion before
them. There are still other fastnesses, and secret ways of
escape into the mountains. Hope and memory shall live still
in some hidden valley where the grass is green.\u2019
\u2018All the same, I wish it was over for good or ill,\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018I am no warrior at all and dislike any thought of battle; but
waiting on the edge of one that I can\u2019t escape is worst of all.
What a long day it seems already! I should be happier, if we
were not obliged to stand and watch, making no move, striking nowhere first. No stroke would have been struck in
Rohan, I think, but for Gandalf.\u2019
\u2018Ah, there you lay your finger on the sore that many feel!\u2019
said Beregond. \u2018But things may change when Faramir returns. He is bold, more bold than many deem; for in these
days men are slow to believe that a captain can be wise and
learned in the scrolls of lore and song, as he is, and yet a man
of hardihood and swift judgement in the field. But such is
Faramir. Less reckless and eager than Boromir, but not less
resolute. Yet what indeed can he do? We cannot assault the
mountains of \u2013 of yonder realm. Our reach is shortened, and
we cannot strike till some foe comes within it. Then our hand
must be heavy!\u2019 He smote the hilt of his sword.
Pippin looked at him: tall and proud and noble, as all the
men that he had yet seen in that land; and with a glitter
in his eye as he thought of the battle. \u2018Alas! my own hand
feels as light as a feather,\u2019 he thought, but he said nothing.
\u2018A pawn did Gandalf say? Perhaps; but on the wrong
chessboard.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1004 the return of the king
So they talked until the sun reached its height, and suddenly the noon-bells were rung, and there was a stir in the
citadel; for all save the watchmen were going to their meal.
\u2018Will you come with me?\u2019 said Beregond. \u2018You may join
my mess for this day. I do not know to what company you
will be assigned; or the Lord may hold you at his own command. But you will be welcome. And it will be well to meet
as many men as you may, while there is yet time.\u2019
\u2018I shall be glad to come,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018I am lonely, to tell
you the truth. I left my best friend behind in Rohan, and I
have had no one to talk to or jest with. Perhaps I could really
join your company? Are you the captain? If so, you could
take me on, or speak for me?\u2019
\u2018Nay, nay,\u2019 Beregond laughed, \u2018I am no captain. Neither
office nor rank nor lordship have I, being but a plain man of
arms of the Third Company of the Citadel. Yet, Master
Peregrin, to be only a man of arms of the Guard of the Tower
of Gondor is held worthy in the City, and such men have
honour in the land.\u2019
\u2018Then it is far beyond me,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Take me back to
our room, and if Gandalf is not there, I will go where you
like \u2013 as your guest.\u2019
Gandalf was not in the lodging and had sent no message;
so Pippin went with Beregond and was made known to the
men of the Third Company. And it seemed that Beregond
got as much honour from it as his guest, for Pippin was very
welcome. There had already been much talk in the citadel
about Mithrandir\u2019s companion and his long closeting with
the Lord; and rumour declared that a Prince of the Halflings
had come out of the North to offer allegiance to Gondor and
five thousand swords. And some said that when the Riders
came from Rohan each would bring behind him a halfling
warrior, small maybe, but doughty.
Though Pippin had regretfully to destroy this hopeful tale,
he could not be rid of his new rank, only fitting, men thought,
to one befriended by Boromir and honoured by the Lord
minas tirith 1005
Denethor; and they thanked him for coming among them,
and hung on his words and stories of the outlands, and gave
him as much food and ale as he could wish. Indeed his only
trouble was to be \u2018wary\u2019 according to the counsel of Gandalf,
and not to let his tongue wag freely after the manner of a
hobbit among friends.
At length Beregond rose. \u2018Farewell for this time!\u2019 he said.
\u2018I have duty now till sundown, as have all the others here, I
think. But if you are lonely, as you say, maybe you would
like a merry guide about the City. My son would go with you
gladly. A good lad, I may say. If that pleases you, go down
to the lowest circle and ask for the Old Guesthouse in the
Rath Celerdain, the Lampwrights\u2019 Street. You will find him
there with other lads that are remaining in the City. There
may be things worth seeing down at the Great Gate ere the
closing.\u2019
He went out, and soon after all the others followed. The
day was still fine, though it was growing hazy, and it was hot
for March, even so far southwards. Pippin felt sleepy, but
the lodging seemed cheerless, and he decided to go down
and explore the City. He took a few morsels that he had saved
to Shadowfax, and they were graciously accepted, though the
horse seemed to have no lack. Then he walked on down
many winding ways.
People stared much as he passed. To his face men were
gravely courteous, saluting him after the manner of Gondor
with bowed head and hands upon the breast; but behind him
he heard many calls, as those out of doors cried to others
within to come and see the Prince of the Halflings, the companion of Mithrandir. Many used some other tongue than
the Common Speech, but it was not long before he learned
at least what was meant by Ernil i Pheriannath and knew that
his title had gone down before him into the City.
He came at last by arched streets and many fair alleys and
pavements to the lowest and widest circle, and there he was
directed to the Lampwrights\u2019 Street, a broad way running
1006 the return of the king
towards the Great Gate. In it he found the Old Guesthouse,
a large building of grey weathered stone with two wings running back from the street, and between them a narrow greensward, behind which was the many-windowed house, fronted
along its whole width by a pillared porch and a flight of steps
down on to the grass. Boys were playing among the pillars,
the only children that Pippin had seen in Minas Tirith, and
he stopped to look at them. Presently one of them caught
sight of him, and with a shout he sprang across the grass and
came into the street, followed by several others. There he
stood in front of Pippin, looking him up and down.
\u2018Greetings!\u2019 said the lad. \u2018Where do you come from? You
are a stranger in the City.\u2019
\u2018I was,\u2019 said Pippin; \u2018but they say I have become a man of
Gondor.\u2019
\u2018Oh come!\u2019 said the lad. \u2018Then we are all men here. But
how old are you, and what is your name? I am ten years
already, and shall soon be five feet. I am taller than you. But
then my father is a Guard, one of the tallest. What is your
father?\u2019
\u2018Which question shall I answer first?\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018My
father farms the lands round Whitwell near Tuckborough in
the Shire. I am nearly twenty-nine, so I pass you there; though
I am but four feet, and not likely to grow any more, save
sideways.\u2019
\u2018Twenty-nine!\u2019 said the lad and whistled. \u2018Why, you are
quite old! As old as my uncle Iorlas. Still,\u2019 he added hopefully,
\u2018I wager I could stand you on your head or lay you on your
back.\u2019
\u2018Maybe you could, if I let you,\u2019 said Pippin with a laugh.
\u2018And maybe I could do the same to you: we know some
wrestling tricks in my little country. Where, let me tell you, I
am considered uncommonly large and strong; and I have
never allowed anyone to stand me on my head. So if it came
to a trial and nothing else would serve, I might have to kill
you. For when you are older, you will learn that folk are not
always what they seem; and though you may have taken me
minas tirith 1007
for a soft stranger-lad and easy prey, let me warn you: I am
not, I am a halfling, hard, bold, and wicked!\u2019 Pippin pulled
such a grim face that the boy stepped back a pace, but at
once he returned with clenched fists and the light of battle in
his eye.
\u2018No!\u2019 Pippin laughed. \u2018Don\u2019t believe what strangers say of
themselves either! I am not a fighter. But it would be politer
in any case for the challenger to say who he is.\u2019
The boy drew himself up proudly. \u2018I am Bergil son of
Beregond of the Guards,\u2019 he said.
\u2018So I thought,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018for you look like your father.
I know him and he sent me to find you.\u2019
\u2018Then why did you not say so at once?\u2019 said Bergil, and
suddenly a look of dismay came over his face. \u2018Do not tell
me that he has changed his mind, and will send me away
with the maidens! But no, the last wains have gone.\u2019
\u2018His message is less bad than that, if not good,\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018He says that if you would prefer it to standing me on my
head, you might show me round the City for a while and
cheer my loneliness. I can tell you some tales of far countries
in return.\u2019
Bergil clapped his hands, and laughed with relief. \u2018All is
well,\u2019 he cried. \u2018Come then! We were soon going to the Gate
to look on. We will go now.\u2019
\u2018What is happening there?\u2019
\u2018The Captains of the Outlands are expected up the South
Road ere sundown. Come with us and you will see.\u2019
Bergil proved a good comrade, the best company Pippin
had had since he parted from Merry, and soon they were
laughing and talking gaily as they went about the streets,
heedless of the many glances that men gave them. Before
long they found themselves in a throng going towards the
Great Gate. There Pippin went up much in the esteem of
Bergil, for when he spoke his name and the pass-word the
guard saluted him and let him pass through; and what was
more, he allowed him to take his companion with him.
1008 the return of the king
\u2018That is good!\u2019 said Bergil. \u2018We boys are no longer allowed
to pass the Gate without an elder. Now we shall see better.\u2019
Beyond the Gate there was a crowd of men along the verge
of the road and of the great paved space into which all the
ways to Minas Tirith ran. All eyes were turned southwards,
and soon a murmur rose: \u2018There is dust away there! They
are coming!\u2019
Pippin and Bergil edged their way forward to the front of
the crowd, and waited. Horns sounded at some distance, and
the noise of cheering rolled towards them like a gathering
wind. Then there was a loud trumpet-blast, and all about
them people were shouting.
\u2018Forlong! Forlong!\u2019 Pippin heard men calling. \u2018What do
they say?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Forlong has come,\u2019 Bergil answered; \u2018old Forlong the Fat,
the Lord of Lossarnach. That is where my grandsire lives.
Hurrah! Here he is. Good old Forlong!\u2019
Leading the line there came walking a big thick-limbed
horse, and on it sat a man of wide shoulders and huge girth,
but old and grey-bearded, yet mail-clad and black-helmed
and bearing a long heavy spear. Behind him marched proudly
a dusty line of men, well-armed and bearing great battle-axes;
grim-faced they were, and shorter and somewhat swarthier
than any men that Pippin had yet seen in Gondor.
\u2018Forlong!\u2019 men shouted. \u2018True heart, true friend! Forlong!\u2019
But when the men of Lossarnach had passed they muttered:
\u2018So few! Two hundreds, what are they? We hoped for ten
times the number. That will be the new tidings of the black
fleet. They are sparing only a tithe of their strength. Still
every little is a gain.\u2019
And so the companies came and were hailed and cheered
and passed through the Gate, men of the Outlands marching to defend the City of Gondor in a dark hour; but always
too few, always less than hope looked for or need asked.
The men of Ringlo\u00b4 Vale behind the son of their lord,
Dervorin striding on foot: three hundreds. From the uplands
minas tirith 1009
of Morthond, the great Blackroot Vale, tall Duinhir with his
sons, Duilin and Derufin, and five hundred bowmen. From
the Anfalas, the Langstrand far away, a long line of men of
many sorts, hunters and herdsmen and men of little villages,
scantily equipped save for the household of Golasgil their
lord. From Lamedon, a few grim hillmen without a captain.
Fisher-folk of the Ethir, some hundred or more spared from
the ships. Hirluin the Fair of the Green Hills from Pinnath
Gelin with three hundreds of gallant green-clad men. And
last and proudest, Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, kinsman
of the Lord, with gilded banners bearing his token of the Ship
and the Silver Swan, and a company of knights in full harness
riding grey horses; and behind them seven hundreds of men
at arms, tall as lords, grey-eyed, dark-haired, singing as they
came.
And that was all, less than three thousands full told. No
more would come. Their cries and the tramp of their feet
passed into the City and died away. The onlookers stood
silent for a while. Dust hung in the air, for the wind had died
and the evening was heavy. Already the closing hour was
drawing nigh, and the red sun had gone behind Mindolluin.
Shadow came down on the City.
Pippin looked up, and it seemed to him that the sky had
grown ashen-grey, as if a vast dust and smoke hung above
them, and light came dully through it. But in the West the
dying sun had set all the fume on fire, and now Mindolluin
stood black against a burning smoulder flecked with embers.
\u2018So ends a fair day in wrath!\u2019 he said, forgetful of the lad at
his side.
\u2018So it will, if I have not returned before the sundown-bells,\u2019
said Bergil. \u2018Come! There goes the trumpet for the closing
of the Gate.\u2019
Hand in hand they went back into the City, the last to
pass the Gate before it was shut; and as they reached the
Lampwrights\u2019 Street all the bells in the towers tolled solemnly.
Lights sprang in many windows, and from the houses and
1010 the return of the king
wards of the men at arms along the walls there came the
sound of song.
\u2018Farewell for this time,\u2019 said Bergil. \u2018Take my greetings to
my father, and thank him for the company that he sent. Come
again soon, I beg. Almost I wish now that there was no war,
for we might have had some merry times. We might have
journeyed to Lossarnach, to my grandsire\u2019s house; it is good
to be there in spring, the woods and fields are full of flowers.
But maybe we will go thither together yet. They will never
overcome our Lord, and my father is very valiant. Farewell
and return!\u2019
They parted and Pippin hurried back towards the citadel.
It seemed a long way, and he grew hot and very hungry; and
night closed down swift and dark. Not a star pricked the sky.
He was late for the daymeal in the mess, and Beregond
greeted him gladly, and sat him at his side to hear news of
his son. After the meal Pippin stayed a while, and then took
his leave, for a strange gloom was on him, and now he desired
very much to see Gandalf again.
\u2018Can you find your way?\u2019 said Beregond at the door of the
small hall, on the north side of the citadel, where they had
sat. \u2018It is a black night, and all the blacker since orders came
that lights are to be dimmed within the City, and none are to
shine out from the walls. And I can give you news of another
order: you will be summoned to the Lord Denethor early
tomorrow. I fear you will not be for the Third Company.
Still we may hope to meet again. Farewell and sleep in peace!\u2019
The lodging was dark, save for a little lantern set on the
table. Gandalf was not there. Gloom settled still more heavily
on Pippin. He climbed on the bench and tried to peer out of
a window, but it was like looking into a pool of ink. He got
down and closed the shutter and went to bed. For a while he
lay and listened for sounds of Gandalf\u2019s return, and then he
fell into an uneasy sleep.
In the night he was wakened by a light, and he saw that
Gandalf had come and was pacing to and fro in the room
beyond the curtain of the alcove. There were candles on the
minas tirith 1011
table and rolls of parchment. He heard the wizard sigh, and
mutter: \u2018When will Faramir return?\u2019
\u2018Hullo!\u2019 said Pippin, poking his head round the curtain. \u2018I
thought you had forgotten all about me. I am glad to see you
back. It has been a long day.\u2019
\u2018But the night will be too short,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I have come
back here, for I must have a little peace, alone. You should
sleep, in a bed while you still may. At the sunrise I shall take
you to the Lord Denethor again. No, when the summons
comes, not at sunrise. The Darkness has begun. There will
be no dawn.\u2019
Chapter 2
THE PASSING OF THE GREY COMPANY
Gandalf was gone, and the thudding hoofs of Shadowfax
were lost in the night, when Merry came back to Aragorn.
He had only a light bundle, for he had lost his pack at Parth
Galen, and all he had was a few useful things he had picked
up among the wreckage of Isengard. Hasufel was already
saddled. Legolas and Gimli with their horse stood close by.
\u2018So four of the Company still remain,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018We
will ride on together. But we shall not go alone, as I thought.
The king is now determined to set out at once. Since the
coming of the winged shadow, he desires to return to the hills
under cover of night.\u2019
\u2018And then whither?\u2019 said Legolas.
\u2018I cannot say yet,\u2019 Aragorn answered. \u2018As for the king, he
will go to the muster that he commanded at Edoras, four
nights from now. And there, I think, he will hear tidings of
war, and the Riders of Rohan will go down to Minas Tirith.
But for myself, and any that will go with me . . .\u2019
\u2018I for one!\u2019 cried Legolas. \u2018And Gimli with him!\u2019 said the
Dwarf.
\u2018Well, for myself,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018it is dark before me. I
must go down also to Minas Tirith, but I do not yet see the
road. An hour long prepared approaches.\u2019
\u2018Don\u2019t leave me behind!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018I have not been of
much use yet; but I don\u2019t want to be laid aside, like baggage
to be called for when all is over. I don\u2019t think the Riders will
want to be bothered with me now. Though, of course, the
king did say that I was to sit by him when he came to his
house and tell him all about the Shire.\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018and your road lies with him, I think,
Merry. But do not look for mirth at the ending. It will be
the passing of the grey company 1013
long, I fear, ere The\u00b4oden sits at ease again in Meduseld.
Many hopes will wither in this bitter Spring.\u2019
Soon all were ready to depart: twenty-four horses, with
Gimli behind Legolas, and Merry in front of Aragorn. Presently they were riding swiftly through the night. They had
not long passed the mounds at the Fords of Isen, when a
Rider galloped up from the rear of their line.
\u2018My lord,\u2019 he said to the king, \u2018there are horsemen behind
us. As we crossed the fords I thought that I heard them. Now
we are sure. They are overtaking us, riding hard.\u2019
The\u00b4oden at once called a halt. The Riders turned about
and seized their spears. Aragorn dismounted and set Merry
on the ground, and drawing his sword he stood by the king\u2019s
stirrup. E\u00b4 omer and his esquire rode back to the rear. Merry
felt more like unneeded baggage than ever, and he wondered,
if there was a fight, what he should do. Supposing the king\u2019s
small escort was trapped and overcome, but he escaped into
the darkness \u2013 alone in the wild fields of Rohan with no idea
of where he was in all the endless miles? \u2018No good!\u2019 he
thought. He drew his sword and tightened his belt.
The sinking moon was obscured by a great sailing cloud,
but suddenly it rode out clear again. Then they all heard the
sound of hoofs, and at the same moment they saw dark
shapes coming swiftly on the path from the fords. The moonlight glinted here and there on the points of spears. The
number of the pursuers could not be told, but they seemed
no fewer than the king\u2019s escort, at the least.
When they were some fifty paces off, E\u00b4 omer cried in a
loud voice: \u2018Halt! Halt! Who rides in Rohan?\u2019
The pursuers brought their steeds to a sudden stand. A
silence followed; and then in the moonlight, a horseman could
be seen dismounting and walking slowly forward. His hand
showed white as he held it up, palm outward, in token of
peace; but the king\u2019s men gripped their weapons. At ten
paces the man stopped. He was tall, a dark standing shadow.
Then his clear voice rang out.
1014 the return of the king
\u2018Rohan? Rohan did you say? That is a glad word. We seek
that land in haste from long afar.\u2019
\u2018You have found it,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018When you crossed the
fords yonder you entered it. But it is the realm of The\u00b4oden
the King. None ride here save by his leave. Who are you?
And what is your haste?\u2019
\u2018Halbarad Du\u00b4nadan, Ranger of the North I am,\u2019 cried the
man. \u2018We seek one Aragorn son of Arathorn, and we heard
that he was in Rohan.\u2019
\u2018And you have found him also!\u2019 cried Aragorn. Giving his
reins to Merry, he ran forward and embraced the newcomer.
\u2018Halbarad!\u2019 he said. \u2018Of all joys this is the least expected!\u2019
Merry breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that this
was some last trick of Saruman\u2019s, to waylay the king while he
had only a few men about him; but it seemed that there would
be no need to die in The\u00b4oden\u2019s defence, not yet at any rate.
He sheathed his sword.
\u2018All is well,\u2019 said Aragorn, turning back. \u2018Here are some of
my own kin from the far land where I dwelt. But why they
come, and how many they be, Halbarad shall tell us.\u2019
\u2018I have thirty withme,\u2019 said Halbarad. \u2018That is all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste; but the brethren Elladan
and Elrohir have ridden with us, desiring to go to the war.
We rode as swiftly as we might when your summons came.\u2019
\u2018But I did not summon you,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018save only in
wish. My thoughts have often turned to you, and seldom
more than tonight; yet I have sent no word. But come! All
such matters must wait. You find us riding in haste and
danger. Ride with us now, if the king will give his leave.\u2019
The\u00b4oden was indeed glad of the news. \u2018It is well!\u2019 he said.
\u2018If these kinsmen be in any way like to yourself, my lord
Aragorn, thirty such knights will be a strength that cannot be
counted by heads.\u2019
Then the Riders set out again, and Aragorn for a while
rode with the Du\u00b4nedain; and when they had spoken of tidings
in the North and in the South, Elrohir said to him:
the passing of the grey company 1015
\u2018I bring word to you from my father: The days are short. If
thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead.\u2019
\u2018Always my days have seemed to me too short to achieve
my desire,\u2019 answered Aragorn. \u2018But great indeed will be my
haste ere I take that road.\u2019
\u2018That will soon be seen,\u2019 said Elrohir. \u2018But let us speak no
more of these things upon the open road!\u2019
And Aragorn said to Halbarad: \u2018What is that that you bear,
kinsman?\u2019 For he saw that instead of a spear he bore a tall
staff, as it were a standard, but it was close-furled in a black
cloth bound about with many thongs.
\u2018It is a gift that I bring you from the Lady of Rivendell,\u2019
answered Halbarad. \u2018She wrought it in secret, and long was
the making. But she also sends word to you: The days now
are short. Either our hope cometh, or all hope\u2019s end. Therefore I
send thee what I have made for thee. Fare well, Elfstone!\u2019
And Aragorn said: \u2018Now I know what you bear. Bear it
still for me a while!\u2019 And he turned and looked away to the
North under the great stars, and then he fell silent and spoke
no more while the night\u2019s journey lasted.
The night was old and the East grey when they rode up at
last from Deeping-coomb and came back to the Hornburg.
There they were to lie and rest for a brief while and take
counsel.
Merry slept until he was roused by Legolas and Gimli.
\u2018The Sun is high,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018All others are up and doing.
Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you
may!\u2019
\u2018There was a battle here three nights ago,\u2019 said Gimli,
\u2018and here Legolas and I played a game that I won only by a
single orc. Come and see how it was! And there are caves,
Merry, caves of wonder! Shall we visit them, Legolas, do you
think?\u2019
\u2018Nay! There is no time,\u2019 said the Elf. \u2018Do not spoil the
wonder with haste! I have given you my word to return hither
with you, if a day of peace and freedom comes again. But it
1016 the return of the king
is now near to noon, and at that hour we eat, and then set
out again, I hear.\u2019
Merry got up and yawned. His few hours\u2019 sleep had not
been nearly enough; he was tired and rather dismal. He
missed Pippin, and felt that he was only a burden, while
everybody was making plans for speed in a business that he
did not fully understand. \u2018Where is Aragorn?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018In a high chamber of the Burg,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018He has
neither rested nor slept, I think. He went thither some hours
ago, saying that he must take thought, and only his kinsman,
Halbarad, went with him; but some dark doubt or care sits
on him.\u2019
\u2018They are a strange company, these newcomers,\u2019 said
Gimli. \u2018Stout men and lordly they are, and the Riders of
Rohan look almost as boys beside them; for they are grim
men of face, worn like weathered rocks for the most part,
even as Aragorn himself; and they are silent.\u2019
\u2018But even as Aragorn they are courteous, if they break their
silence,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018And have you marked the brethren
Elladan and Elrohir? Less sombre is their gear than the
others\u2019, and they are fair and gallant as Elven-lords; and that
is not to be wondered at in the sons of Elrond of Rivendell.\u2019
\u2018Why have they come? Have you heard?\u2019 asked Merry.
He had now dressed, and he flung his grey cloak about his
shoulders; and the three passed out together towards the
ruined gate of the Burg.
\u2018They answered a summons, as you heard,\u2019 said Gimli.
\u2018Word came to Rivendell, they say: Aragorn has need of his
kindred. Let the Du\u00b4nedain ride to him in Rohan! But whence
this message came they are now in doubt. Gandalf sent it, I
would guess.\u2019
\u2018Nay, Galadriel,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018Did she not speak through
Gandalf of the ride of the Grey Company from the North?\u2019
\u2018Yes, you have it,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018The Lady of the Wood! She
read many hearts and desires. Now why did not we wish for
some of our own kinsfolk, Legolas?\u2019
Legolas stood before the gate and turned his bright eyes
the passing of the grey company 1017
away north and east, and his fair face was troubled. \u2018I do not
think that any would come,\u2019 he answered. \u2018They have no
need to ride to war; war already marches on their own lands.\u2019
For a while the three companions walked together, speaking of this and that turn of the battle, and they went down
from the broken gate, and passed the mounds of the fallen
on the greensward beside the road, until they stood on Helm\u2019s
Dike and looked into the Coomb. The Death Down already
stood there, black and tall and stony, and the great trampling
and scoring of the grass by the Huorns could be plainly seen.
The Dunlendings and many men of the garrison of the Burg
were at work on the Dike or in the fields and about the
battered walls behind; yet all seemed strangely quiet: a weary
valley resting after a great storm. Soon they turned back and
went to the midday meal in the hall of the Burg.
The king was already there, and as soon as they entered
he called for Merry and had a seat set for him at his side. \u2018It
is not as I would have it,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden; \u2018for this is little like
my fair house in Edoras. And your friend is gone, who should
also be here. But it may be long ere we sit, you and I, at the
high table in Meduseld; there will be no time for feasting
when I return thither. But come now! Eat and drink, and
let us speak together while we may. And then you shall ride
with me.\u2019
\u2018May I?\u2019 said Merry, surprised and delighted. \u2018That would
be splendid!\u2019 He had never felt more grateful for any kindness
in words. \u2018I am afraid I am only in everybody\u2019s way,\u2019 he
stammered; \u2018but I should like to do anything I could, you
know.\u2019
\u2018I doubt it not,\u2019 said the king. \u2018I have had a good hill-pony
made ready for you. He will bear you as swift as any horse
by the roads that we shall take. For I will ride from the Burg
by mountain paths, not by the plain, and so come to Edoras
by way of Dunharrow where the Lady E\u00b4 owyn awaits me.
You shall be my esquire, if you will. Is there gear of war in
this place, E\u00b4 omer, that my sword-thain could use?\u2019
1018 the return of the king
\u2018There are no great weapon-hoards here, lord,\u2019 answered
E\u00b4 omer. \u2018Maybe a light helm might be found to fit him; but
we have no mail or sword for one of his stature.\u2019
\u2018I have a sword,\u2019 said Merry, climbing from his seat, and
drawing from its black sheath his small bright blade. Filled
suddenly with love for this old man, he knelt on one knee,
and took his hand and kissed it. \u2018May I lay the sword of
Meriadoc of the Shire on your lap, The\u00b4oden King?\u2019 he cried.
\u2018Receive my service, if you will!\u2019
\u2018Gladly will I take it,\u2019 said the king; and laying his long old
hands upon the brown hair of the hobbit, he blessed him.
\u2018Rise now, Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan of the household of
Meduseld!\u2019 he said. \u2018Take your sword and bear it unto good
fortune!\u2019
\u2018As a father you shall be to me,\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018For a little while,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden.
They talked then together as they ate, until presently
E\u00b4 omer spoke. \u2018It is near the hour that we set for our going,
lord,\u2019 he said. \u2018Shall I bid men sound the horns? But where
is Aragorn? His place is empty and he has not eaten.\u2019
\u2018We will make ready to ride,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden; \u2018but let word
be sent to the Lord Aragorn that the hour is nigh.\u2019
The king with his guard and Merry at his side passed
down from the gate of the Burg to where the Riders were
assembling on the green. Many were already mounted. It
would be a great company; for the king was leaving only a
small garrison in the Burg, and all who could be spared were
riding to the weapontake at Edoras. A thousand spears had
indeed already ridden away at night; but still there would be
some five hundred more to go with the king, for the most
part men from the fields and dales of Westfold.
A little apart the Rangers sat, silent, in an ordered company, armed with spear and bow and sword. They were clad
in cloaks of dark grey, and their hoods were cast now over
helm and head. Their horses were strong and of proud bearing, but rough-haired; and one stood there without a rider,
the passing of the grey company 1019
Aragorn\u2019s own horse that they had brought from the North;
Roheryn was his name. There was no gleam of stone or gold,
nor any fair thing in all their gear and harness; nor did their
riders bear any badge or token, save only that each cloak was
pinned upon the left shoulder by a brooch of silver shaped
like a rayed star.
The king mounted his horse, Snowmane, and Merry sat
beside him on his pony: Stybba was his name. Presently
E\u00b4 omer came out from the gate, and with him was Aragorn,
and Halbarad bearing the great staff close-furled in black,
and two tall men, neither young nor old. So much alike were
they, the sons of Elrond, that few could tell them apart:
dark-haired, grey-eyed, and their faces elven-fair, clad alike
in bright mail beneath cloaks of silver-grey. Behind them
walked Legolas and Gimli. But Merry had eyes only for
Aragorn, so startling was the change that he saw in him, as
if in one night many years had fallen on his head. Grim was
his face, grey-hued and weary.
\u2018I am troubled in mind, lord,\u2019 he said, standing by the
king\u2019s horse. \u2018I have heard strange words, and I see new
perils far off. I have laboured long in thought, and now I
fear that I must change my purpose. Tell me, The\u00b4oden, you
ride now to Dunharrow, how long will it be ere you come
there?\u2019
\u2018It is now a full hour past noon,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018Before the
night of the third day from now we should come to the Hold.
The Moon will then be two nights past his full, and the
muster that the king commanded will be held the day after.
More speed we cannot make, if the strength of Rohan is to
be gathered.\u2019
Aragorn was silent for a moment. \u2018Three days,\u2019 he murmured, \u2018and the muster of Rohan will only be begun. But I
see that it cannot now be hastened.\u2019 He looked up, and it
seemed that he had made some decision; his face was less
troubled. \u2018Then, by your leave, lord, I must take new counsel
for myself and my kindred. We must ride our own road, and
no longer in secret. For me the time of stealth has passed. I
1020 the return of the king
will ride east by the swiftest way, and I will take the Paths of
the Dead.\u2019
\u2018The Paths of the Dead!\u2019 said The\u00b4oden, and trembled.
\u2018Why do you speak of them?\u2019 E\u00b4 omer turned and gazed
at Aragorn, and it seemed to Merry that the faces of the
Riders that sat within hearing turned pale at the words. \u2018If
there be in truth such paths,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden, \u2018their gate is in
Dunharrow; but no living man may pass it.\u2019
\u2018Alas! Aragorn my friend!\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018I had hoped that
we should ride to war together; but if you seek the Paths of
the Dead, then our parting is come, and it is little likely that
we shall ever meet again under the Sun.\u2019
\u2018That road I will take, nonetheless,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018But I
say to you, E\u00b4 omer, that in battle we may yet meet again,
though all the hosts of Mordor should stand between.\u2019
\u2018You will do as you will, my lord Aragorn,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden.
\u2018It is your doom, maybe, to tread strange paths that others
dare not. This parting grieves me, and my strength is lessened
by it; but now I must take the mountain-roads and delay no
longer. Farewell!\u2019
\u2018Farewell, lord!\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018Ride unto great renown!
Farewell, Merry! I leave you in good hands, better than we
hoped when we hunted the orcs to Fangorn. Legolas and
Gimli will still hunt with me, I hope; but we shall not forget
you.\u2019
\u2018Good-bye!\u2019 said Merry. He could find no more to say. He
felt very small, and he was puzzled and depressed by all these
gloomy words. More than ever he missed the unquenchable
cheerfulness of Pippin. The Riders were ready, and their
horses were fidgeting; he wished they would start and get it
over.
Now The\u00b4oden spoke to E\u00b4 omer, and he lifted up his hand
and cried aloud, and with that word the Riders set forth.
They rode over the Dike and down the Coomb, and then,
turning swiftly eastwards, they took a path that skirted the
foothills for a mile or so, until bending south it passed back
among the hills and disappeared from view. Aragorn rode to
the passing of the grey company 1021
the Dike and watched till the king\u2019s men were far down the
Coomb. Then he turned to Halbarad.
\u2018There go three that I love, and the smallest not the least,\u2019
he said. \u2018He knows not to what end he rides; yet if he knew,
he still would go on.\u2019
\u2018A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk,\u2019 said
Halbarad. \u2018Little do they know of our long labour for the
safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not.\u2019
\u2018And now our fates are woven together,\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018And yet, alas! here we must part. Well, I must eat a little,
and then we also must hasten away. Come, Legolas and
Gimli! I must speak with you as I eat.\u2019
Together they went back into the Burg; yet for some time
Aragorn sat silent at the table in the hall, and the others
waited for him to speak. \u2018Come!\u2019 said Legolas at last. \u2018Speak
and be comforted, and shake off the shadow! What has happened since we came back to this grim place in the grey
morning?\u2019
\u2018A struggle somewhat grimmer for my part than the battle
of the Hornburg,\u2019 answered Aragorn. \u2018I have looked in the
Stone of Orthanc, my friends.\u2019
\u2018You have looked in that accursed stone of wizardry!\u2019
exclaimed Gimli with fear and astonishment in his face. \u2018Did
you say aught to \u2013 him? Even Gandalf feared that encounter.\u2019
\u2018You forget to whom you speak,\u2019 said Aragorn sternly, and
his eyes glinted. \u2018What do you fear that I should say to him?
Did I not openly proclaim my title before the doors of
Edoras? Nay, Gimli,\u2019 he said in a softer voice, and the grimness left his face, and he looked like one who has laboured in
sleepless pain for many nights. \u2018Nay, my friends, I am the
lawful master of the Stone, and I had both the right and the
strength to use it, or so I judged. The right cannot be doubted.
The strength was enough \u2013 barely.\u2019
He drew a deep breath. \u2018It was a bitter struggle, and the
weariness is slow to pass. I spoke no word to him, and in the
end I wrenched the Stone to my own will. That alone he will
find hard to endure. And he beheld me. Yes, Master Gimli,
1022 the return of the king
he saw me, but in other guise than you see me here. If that
will aid him, then I have done ill. But I do not think so. To
know that I lived and walked the earth was a blow to his
heart, I deem; for he knew it not till now. The eyes in Orthanc
did not see through the armour of The\u00b4oden; but Sauron has
not forgotten Isildur and the sword of Elendil. Now in the
very hour of his great designs the heir of Isildur and the
Sword are revealed; for I showed the blade re-forged to him.
He is not so mighty yet that he is above fear; nay, doubt ever
gnaws him.\u2019
\u2018But he wields great dominion, nonetheless,\u2019 said Gimli;
\u2018and now he will strike more swiftly.\u2019
\u2018The hasty stroke goes oft astray,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018We must
press our Enemy, and no longer wait upon him for the move.
See my friends, when I had mastered the Stone, I learned
many things. A grave peril I saw coming unlooked-for upon
Gondor from the South that will draw off great strength from
the defence of Minas Tirith. If it is not countered swiftly, I
deem that the City will be lost ere ten days be gone.\u2019
\u2018Then lost it must be,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018For what help is there
to send thither, and how could it come there in time?\u2019
\u2018I have no help to send, therefore I must go myself,\u2019 said
Aragorn. \u2018But there is only one way through the mountains
that will bring me to the coastlands before all is lost. That is
the Paths of the Dead.\u2019
\u2018The Paths of the Dead!\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018It is a fell name; and
little to the liking to the Men of Rohan, as I saw. Can the
living use such a road and not perish? And even if you pass
that way, what will so few avail to counter the strokes of
Mordor?\u2019
\u2018The living have never used that road since the coming of
the Rohirrim,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018for it is closed to them. But in
this dark hour the heir of Isildur may use it, if he dare. Listen!
This is the word that the sons of Elrond bring to me from
their father in Rivendell, wisest in lore: Bid Aragorn remember
the words of the seer, and the Paths of the Dead.\u2019
\u2018And what may be the words of the seer?\u2019 said Legolas.
the passing of the grey company 1023
\u2018Thus spoke Malbeth the Seer, in the days of Arvedui, last
king at Fornost,\u2019 said Aragorn:
Over the land there lies a long shadow,
westward reaching wings of darkness.
The Tower trembles; to the tombs of kings
doom approaches. The Dead awaken;
for the hour is come for the oathbreakers:
at the Stone of Erech they shall stand again
and hear there a horn in the hills ringing.
Whose shall the horn be? Who shall call them
from the grey twilight, the forgotten people?
The heir of him to whom the oath they swore.
From the North shall he come, need shall drive him:
he shall pass the Door to the Paths of the Dead.
\u2018Dark ways, doubtless,\u2019 said Gimli, \u2018but no darker than
these staves are to me.\u2019
\u2018If you would understand them better, then I bid you come
with me,\u2019 said Aragorn; \u2018for that way I now shall take. But I
do not go gladly; only need drives me. Therefore, only of
your free will would I have you come, for you will find both
toil and great fear, and maybe worse.\u2019
\u2018I will go with you even on the Paths of the Dead, and to
whatever end they may lead,\u2019 said Gimli.
\u2018I also will come,\u2019 said Legolas, \u2018for I do not fear the Dead.\u2019
\u2018I hope that the forgotten people will not have forgotten
how to fight,\u2019 said Gimli; \u2018for otherwise I see not why we
should trouble them.\u2019
\u2018That we shall know if ever we come to Erech,\u2019 said
Aragorn. \u2018But the oath that they broke was to fight against
Sauron, and they must fight therefore, if they are to fulfil it.
For at Erech there stands yet a black stone that was brought,
it was said, from Nu\u00b4menor by Isildur; and it was set upon a
hill, and upon it the King of the Mountains swore allegiance
to him in the beginning of the realm of Gondor. But when
Sauron returned and grew in might again, Isildur summoned
1024 the return of the king
the Men of the Mountains to fulfil their oath, and they would
not: for they had worshipped Sauron in the Dark Years.
\u2018Then Isildur said to their king: \u2018\u2018Thou shalt be the last
king. And if the West prove mightier than thy Black Master,
this curse I lay upon thee and thy folk: to rest never until
your oath is fulfilled. For this war will last through years
uncounted, and you shall be summoned once again ere the
end.\u2019\u2019 And they fled before the wrath of Isildur, and did
not dare to go forth to war on Sauron\u2019s part; and they hid
themselves in secret places in the mountains and had no
dealings with other men, but slowly dwindled in the barren
hills. And the terror of the Sleepless Dead lies about the Hill
of Erech and all places where that people lingered. But that
way I must go, since there are none living to help me.\u2019
He stood up. \u2018Come!\u2019 he cried, and drew his sword, and it
flashed in the twilit hall of the Burg. \u2018To the Stone of Erech!
I seek the Paths of the Dead. Come with me who will!\u2019
Legolas and Gimli made no answer, but they rose and
followed Aragorn from the hall. On the green there waited,
still and silent, the hooded Rangers. Legolas and Gimli
mounted. Aragorn sprang upon Roheryn. Then Halbarad
lifted a great horn, and the blast of it echoed in Helm\u2019s Deep:
and with that they leapt away, riding down the Coomb like
thunder, while all the men that were left on Dike or Burg
stared in amaze.
And while The\u00b4oden went by slow paths in the hills, the
Grey Company passed swiftly over the plain, and on the next
day in the afternoon they came to Edoras; and there they
halted only briefly, ere they passed up the valley, and so came
to Dunharrow as darkness fell.
The Lady E\u00b4 owyn greeted them and was glad of their
coming; for no mightier men had she seen than the Du\u00b4nedain
and the fair sons of Elrond; but on Aragorn most of all her
eyes rested. And when they sat at supper with her, they talked
together, and she heard of all that had passed since The\u00b4oden
rode away, concerning which only hasty tidings had yet
the passing of the grey company 1025
reached her; and when she heard of the battle in Helm\u2019s Deep
and the great slaughter of their foes, and of the charge of
The\u00b4oden and his knights, then her eyes shone.
But at last she said: \u2018Lords, you are weary and shall now
go to your beds with such ease as can be contrived in haste.
But tomorrow fairer housing shall be found for you.\u2019
But Aragorn said: \u2018Nay, lady, be not troubled for us! If we
may lie here tonight and break our fast tomorrow, it will be
enough. For I ride on an errand most urgent, and with the
first light of morning we must go.\u2019
She smiled on him and said: \u2018Then it was kindly done,
lord, to ride so many miles out of your way to bring tidings
to E\u00b4 owyn, and to speak with her in her exile.\u2019
\u2018Indeed no man would count such a journey wasted,\u2019 said
Aragorn; \u2018and yet, lady, I could not have come hither, if
it were not that the road which I must take leads me to
Dunharrow.\u2019
And she answered as one that likes not what is said: \u2018Then,
lord, you are astray; for out of Harrowdale no road runs east
or south; and you had best return as you came.\u2019
\u2018Nay, lady,\u2019 said he, \u2018I am not astray; for I walked in this
land ere you were born to grace it. There is a road out of this
valley, and that road I shall take. Tomorrow I shall ride by
the Paths of the Dead.\u2019
Then she stared at him as one that is stricken, and her face
blanched, and for long she spoke no more, while all sat silent.
\u2018But, Aragorn,\u2019 she said at last, \u2018is it then your errand to seek
death? For that is all that you will find on that road. They do
not suffer the living to pass.\u2019
\u2018They may suffer me to pass,\u2019 said Aragorn; \u2018but at the
least I will adventure it. No other road will serve.\u2019
\u2018But this is madness,\u2019 she said. \u2018For here are men of renown
and prowess, whom you should not take into the shadows,
but should lead to war, where men are needed. I beg you to
remain and ride with my brother; for then all our hearts will
be gladdened, and our hope be the brighter.\u2019
\u2018It is not madness, lady,\u2019 he answered; \u2018for I go on a path
1026 the return of the king
appointed. But those who follow me do so of their free will;
and if they wish now to remain and ride with the Rohirrim,
they may do so. But I shall take the Paths of the Dead, alone,
if needs be.\u2019
Then they said no more, and they ate in silence; but her
eyes were ever upon Aragorn, and the others saw that she
was in great torment of mind. At length they arose, and took
their leave of the Lady, and thanked her for her care, and
went to their rest.
But as Aragorn came to the booth where he was to lodge
with Legolas and Gimli, and his companions had gone in,
there came the Lady E\u00b4 owyn after him and called to him. He
turned and saw her as a glimmer in the night, for she was
clad in white; but her eyes were on fire.
\u2018Aragorn,\u2019 she said, \u2018why will you go on this deadly road?\u2019
\u2018Because I must,\u2019 he said. \u2018Only so can I see any hope of
doing my part in the war against Sauron. I do not choose
paths of peril, E\u00b4 owyn. Were I to go where my heart dwells,
far in the North I would now be wandering in the fair valley
of Rivendell.\u2019
For a while she was silent, as if pondering what this might
mean. Then suddenly she laid her hand on his arm. \u2018You are
a stern lord and resolute,\u2019 she said; \u2018and thus do men win
renown.\u2019 She paused. \u2018Lord,\u2019 she said, \u2018if you must go, then
let me ride in your following. For I am weary of skulking in
the hills, and wish to face peril and battle.\u2019
\u2018Your duty is with your people,\u2019 he answered.
\u2018Too often have I heard of duty,\u2019 she cried. \u2018But am I not
of the House of Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse? I
have waited on faltering feet long enough. Since they falter
no longer, it seems, may I not now spend my life as I will?\u2019
\u2018Few may do that with honour,\u2019 he answered. \u2018But as for
you, lady: did you not accept the charge to govern the people
until their lord\u2019s return? If you had not been chosen, then
some marshal or captain would have been set in the same
place, and he could not ride away from his charge, were he
weary of it or no.\u2019
the passing of the grey company 1027
\u2018Shall I always be chosen?\u2019 she said bitterly. \u2018Shall I always
be left behind when the Riders depart, to mind the house
while they win renown, and find food and beds when they
return?\u2019
\u2018A time may come soon,\u2019 said he, \u2018when none will return.
Then there will be need of valour without renown, for none
shall remember the deeds that are done in the last defence of
your homes. Yet the deeds will not be less valiant because
they are unpraised.\u2019
And she answered: \u2018All your words are but to say: you are
a woman, and your part is in the house. But when the men
have died in battle and honour, you have leave to be burned
in the house, for the men will need it no more. But I am of
the House of Eorl and not a serving-woman. I can ride and
wield blade, and I do not fear either pain or death.\u2019
\u2018What do you fear, lady?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018A cage,\u2019 she said. \u2018To stay behind bars, until use and old
age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone
beyond recall or desire.\u2019
\u2018And yet you counselled me not to adventure on the road
that I had chosen, because it is perilous?\u2019
\u2018So may one counsel another,\u2019 she said. \u2018Yet I do not bid
you flee from peril, but to ride to battle where your sword
may win renown and victory. I would not see a thing that is
high and excellent cast away needlessly.\u2019
\u2018Nor would I,\u2019 he said. \u2018Therefore I say to you, lady: Stay!
For you have no errand to the South.\u2019
\u2018Neither have those others who go with thee. They go only
because they would not be parted from thee \u2013 because they
love thee.\u2019 Then she turned and vanished into the night.
When the light of day was come into the sky but the sun
was not yet risen above the high ridges in the East, Aragorn
made ready to depart. His company was all mounted, and he
was about to leap into the saddle, when the Lady E\u00b4 owyn
came to bid them farewell. She was clad as a Rider and girt
with a sword. In her hand she bore a cup, and she set it to
1028 the return of the king
her lips and drank a little, wishing them good speed; and then
she gave the cup to Aragorn, and he drank, and he said:
\u2018Farewell, Lady of Rohan! I drink to the fortunes of your
House, and of you, and of all your people. Say to your
brother: beyond the shadows we may meet again!\u2019
Then it seemed to Gimli and Legolas who were nearby
that she wept, and in one so stern and proud that seemed the
more grievous. But she said: \u2018Aragorn, wilt thou go?\u2019
\u2018I will,\u2019 he said.
\u2018Then wilt thou not let me ride with this company, as I
have asked?\u2019
\u2018I will not, lady,\u2019 he said. \u2018For that I could not grant without
leave of the king and of your brother; and they will not return
until tomorrow. But I count now every hour, indeed every
minute. Farewell!\u2019
Then she fell on her knees, saying: \u2018I beg thee!\u2019
\u2018Nay, lady,\u2019 he said, and taking her by the hand he raised
her. Then he kissed her hand, and sprang into the saddle,
and rode away, and did not look back; and only those who
knew him well and were near to him saw the pain that he
bore.
But E\u00b4 owyn stood still as a figure carven in stone, her hands
clenched at her sides, and she watched them until they passed
into the shadows under the black Dwimorberg, the Haunted
Mountain, in which was the Door of the Dead. When they
were lost to view, she turned, stumbling as one that is blind,
and went back to her lodging. But none of her folk saw this
parting, for they hid themselves in fear and would not come
forth until the day was up, and the reckless strangers were
gone.
And some said: \u2018They are Elvish wights. Let them go where
they belong, into the dark places, and never return. The times
are evil enough.\u2019
The light was still grey as they rode, for the sun had not
yet climbed over the black ridges of the Haunted Mountain
before them. A dread fell on them, even as they passed
the passing of the grey company 1029
between the lines of ancient stones and so came to the
Dimholt. There under the gloom of black trees that not even
Legolas could long endure they found a hollow place opening
at the mountain\u2019s root, and right in their path stood a single
mighty stone like a finger of doom.
\u2018My blood runs chill,\u2019 said Gimli, but the others were silent,
and his voice fell dead on the dank fir-needles at his feet. The
horses would not pass the threatening stone, until the riders
dismounted and led them about. And so they came at last
deep into the glen; and there stood a sheer wall of rock, and
in the wall the Dark Door gaped before them like the mouth
of night. Signs and figures were carved above its wide arch
too dim to read, and fear flowed from it like a grey vapour.
The Company halted, and there was not a heart among
them that did not quail, unless it were the heart of Legolas
of the Elves, for whom the ghosts of Men have no terror.
\u2018This is an evil door,\u2019 said Halbarad, \u2018and my death lies
beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless; but no horse will
enter.\u2019
\u2018But we must go in, and therefore the horses must go too,\u2019
said Aragorn. \u2018For if ever we come through this darkness,
many leagues lie beyond, and every hour that is lost there
will bring the triumph of Sauron nearer. Follow me!\u2019
Then Aragorn led the way, and such was the strength of
his will in that hour that all the Du\u00b4nedain and their horses
followed him. And indeed the love that the horses of the
Rangers bore for their riders was so great that they were
willing to face even the terror of the Door, if their masters\u2019
hearts were steady as they walked beside them. But Arod, the
horse of Rohan, refused the way, and he stood sweating and
trembling in a fear that was grievous to see. Then Legolas
laid his hands on his eyes and sang some words that went
soft in the gloom, until he suffered himself to be led, and
Legolas passed in. And there stood Gimli the Dwarf left all
alone.
His knees shook, and he was wroth with himself. \u2018Here is
a thing unheard of!\u2019 he said. \u2018An Elf will go underground
1030 the return of the king
and a Dwarf dare not!\u2019 With that he plunged in. But it seemed
to him that he dragged his feet like lead over the threshold;
and at once a blindness came upon him, even upon Gimli
Glo\u00b4in\u2019s son who had walked unafraid in many deep places of
the world.
Aragorn had brought torches from Dunharrow, and now
he went ahead bearing one aloft; and Elladan with another
went at the rear, and Gimli, stumbling behind, strove to
overtake him. He could see nothing but the dim flame of the
torches; but if the Company halted, there seemed an endless
whisper of voices all about him, a murmur of words in no
tongue that he had ever heard before.
Nothing assailed the Company nor withstood their passage, and yet steadily fear grew on the Dwarf as he went on:
most of all because he knew now that there could be no
turning back; all the paths behind were thronged by an
unseen host that followed in the dark.
So time unreckoned passed, until Gimli saw a sight that he
was ever afterwards loth to recall. The road was wide, as far
as he could judge, but now the Company came suddenly into
a great empty space, and there were no longer any walls upon
either side. The dread was so heavy on him that he could
hardly walk. Away to the left something glittered in the gloom
as Aragorn\u2019s torch drew near. Then Aragorn halted and went
to look what it might be.
\u2018Does he feel no fear?\u2019 muttered the Dwarf. \u2018In any other
cave Gimli Glo\u00b4in\u2019s son would have been the first to run to
the gleam of gold. But not here! Let it lie!\u2019
Nonetheless he drew near, and saw Aragorn kneeling,
while Elladan held aloft both torches. Before him were the
bones of a mighty man. He had been clad in mail, and still
his harness lay there whole; for the cavern\u2019s air was as dry as
dust, and his hauberk was gilded. His belt was of gold and
garnets, and rich with gold was the helm upon his bony head
face downward on the floor. He had fallen near the far wall
of the cave, as now could be seen, and before him stood a
the passing of the grey company 1031
stony door closed fast: his finger-bones were still clawing at
the cracks. A notched and broken sword lay by him, as if he
had hewn at the rock in his last despair.
Aragorn did not touch him, but after gazing silently for a
while he rose and sighed. \u2018Hither shall the flowers of simbelmyne\u00a8 come never unto world\u2019s end,\u2019 he murmured. \u2018Nine
mounds and seven there are now green with grass, and
through all the long years he has lain at the door that he could
not unlock. Whither does it lead? Why would he pass? None
shall ever know!
\u2018For that is not my errand!\u2019 he cried, turning back and
speaking to the whispering darkness behind. \u2018Keep your
hoards and your secrets hidden in the Accursed Years! Speed
only we ask. Let us pass, and then come! I summon you to
the Stone of Erech!\u2019
There was no answer, unless it were an utter silence more
dreadful than the whispers before; and then a chill blast
came in which the torches flickered and went out, and could
not be rekindled. Of the time that followed, one hour or
many, Gimli remembered little. The others pressed on, but
he was ever hindmost, pursued by a groping horror that
seemed always just about to seize him; and a rumour came
after him like the shadow-sound of many feet. He stumbled
on until he was crawling like a beast on the ground and felt
that he could endure no more: he must either find an ending
and escape or run back in madness to meet the following
fear.
Suddenly he heard the tinkle of water, a sound hard and
clear as a stone falling into a dream of dark shadow. Light
grew, and lo! the Company passed through another gateway,
high-arched and broad, and a rill ran out beside them; and
beyond, going steeply down, was a road between sheer cliffs,
knife-edged against the sky far above. So deep and narrow
was that chasm that the sky was dark, and in it small stars
glinted. Yet as Gimli after learned it was still two hours ere
sunset of the day on which they had set out from Dunharrow;
1032 the return of the king
though for all that he could then tell it might have been
twilight in some later year, or in some other world.
The Company now mounted again, and Gimli returned to
Legolas. They rode in file, and evening came on and a deep
blue dusk; and still fear pursued them. Legolas turning to
speak to Gimli looked back and the Dwarf saw before his
face the glitter in the Elf\u2019s bright eyes. Behind them rode
Elladan, last of the Company, but not the last of those that
took the downward road.
\u2018The Dead are following,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018I see shapes of
Men and of horses, and pale banners like shreds of cloud,
and spears like winter-thickets on a misty night. The Dead
are following.\u2019
\u2018Yes, the Dead ride behind. They have been summoned,\u2019
said Elladan.
The Company came at last out of the ravine, as suddenly
as if they had issued from a crack in a wall; and there lay the
uplands of a great vale before them, and the stream beside
them went down with a cold voice over many falls.
\u2018Where in Middle-earth are we?\u2019 said Gimli; and Elladan
answered: \u2018We have descended from the uprising of the
Morthond, the long chill river that flows at last to the sea that
washes the walls of Dol Amroth. You will not need to ask
hereafter how comes its name: Blackroot men call it.\u2019
The Morthond Vale made a great bay that beat up against
the sheer southern faces of the mountains. Its steep slopes
were grass-grown; but all was grey in that hour, for the sun
had gone, and far below lights twinkled in the homes of Men.
The vale was rich and many folk dwelt there.
Then without turning Aragorn cried aloud so that all could
hear: \u2018Friends, forget your weariness! Ride now, ride! We
must come to the Stone of Erech ere this day passes, and
long still is the way.\u2019 So without looking back they rode the
mountain-fields, until they came to a bridge over the growing
torrent and found a road that went down into the land.
the passing of the grey company 1033
Lights went out in house and hamlet as they came, and
doors were shut, and folk that were afield cried in terror and
ran wild like hunted deer. Ever there rose the same cry in
the gathering night: \u2018The King of the Dead! The King of the
Dead is come upon us!\u2019
Bells were ringing far below, and all men fled before the
face of Aragorn; but the Grey Company in their haste rode
like hunters, until their horses were stumbling with weariness.
And thus, just ere midnight, and in a darkness as black as the
caverns in the mountains, they came at last to the Hill of
Erech.
Long had the terror of the Dead lain upon that hill and
upon the empty fields about it. For upon the top stood a
black stone, round as a great globe, the height of a man,
though its half was buried in the ground. Unearthly it looked,
as though it had fallen from the sky, as some believed; but
those who remembered still the lore of Westernesse told that
it had been brought out of the ruin of Nu\u00b4menor and there
set by Isildur at his landing. None of the people of the valley
dared to approach it, nor would they dwell near; for they said
that it was a trysting-place of the Shadow-men and there they
would gather in times of fear, thronging round the Stone and
whispering.
To that Stone the Company came and halted in the dead
of night. Then Elrohir gave to Aragorn a silver horn, and he
blew upon it; and it seemed to those that stood near that they
heard a sound of answering horns, as if it was an echo in
deep caves far away. No other sound they heard, and yet
they were aware of a great host gathered all about the hill on
which they stood; and a chill wind like the breath of ghosts
came down from the mountains. But Aragorn dismounted,
and standing by the Stone he cried in a great voice:
\u2018Oathbreakers, why have ye come?\u2019
And a voice was heard out of the night that answered him,
as if from far away:
\u2018To fulfil our oath and have peace.\u2019
1034 the return of the king
Then Aragorn said: \u2018The hour is come at last. Now I go
to Pelargir upon Anduin, and ye shall come after me. And
when all this land is clean of the servants of Sauron, I will
hold the oath fulfilled, and ye shall have peace and depart for
ever. For I am Elessar, Isildur\u2019s heir of Gondor.\u2019
And with that he bade Halbarad unfurl the great standard
which he had brought; and behold! it was black, and if there
was any device upon it, it was hidden in the darkness. Then
there was silence, and not a whisper nor a sigh was heard
again all the long night. The Company camped beside the
Stone, but they slept little, because of the dread of the
Shadows that hedged them round.
But when the dawn came, cold and pale, Aragorn rose at
once, and he led the Company forth upon the journey of
greatest haste and weariness that any among them had
known, save he alone, and only his will held them to go on.
No other mortal Men could have endured it, none but the
Du\u00b4nedain of the North, and with them Gimli the Dwarf and
Legolas of the Elves.
They passed Tarlang\u2019s Neck and came into Lamedon; and
the Shadow Host pressed behind and fear went on before
them, until they came to Calembel upon Ciril, and the sun
went down like blood behind Pinnath Gelin away in the West
behind them. The township and the fords of Ciril they found
deserted, for many men had gone away to war, and all that
were left fled to the hills at the rumour of the coming of the
King of the Dead. But the next day there came no dawn, and
the Grey Company passed on into the darkness of the Storm
of Mordor and were lost to mortal sight; but the Dead
followed them.
Chapter 3
THE MUSTER OF ROHAN
Now all roads were running together to the East to meet the
coming of war and the onset of the Shadow. And even as
Pippin stood at the Great Gate of the City and saw the Prince
of Dol Amroth ride in with his banners, the King of Rohan
came down out of the hills.
Day was waning. In the last rays of the sun the Riders cast
long pointed shadows that went on before them. Darkness
had already crept beneath the murmuring fir-woods that
clothed the steep mountain-sides. The king rode now slowly
at the end of the day. Presently the path turned round a
huge bare shoulder of rock and plunged into the gloom of
soft-sighing trees. Down, down they went in a long winding
file. When at last they came to the bottom of the gorge they
found that evening had fallen in the deep places. The sun
was gone. Twilight lay upon the waterfalls.
All day far below them a leaping stream had run down
from the high pass behind, cleaving its narrow way between
pine-clad walls; and now through a stony gate it flowed out
and passed into a wider vale. The Riders followed it, and
suddenly Harrowdale lay before them, loud with the noise of
waters in the evening. There the white Snowbourn, joined
by the lesser stream, went rushing, fuming on the stones,
down to Edoras and the green hills and the plains. Away to
the right at the head of the great dale the mighty Starkhorn
loomed up above its vast buttresses swathed in cloud; but its
jagged peak, clothed in everlasting snow, gleamed far above
the world, blue-shadowed upon the East, red-stained by the
sunset in the West.
Merry looked out in wonder upon this strange country, of
which he had heard many tales upon their long road. It was
1036 the return of the king
a skyless world, in which his eye, through dim gulfs of shadowy air, saw only ever-mounting slopes, great walls of stone
behind great walls, and frowning precipices wreathed with
mist. He sat for a moment half dreaming, listening to the
noise of water, the whisper of dark trees, the crack of stone,
and the vast waiting silence that brooded behind all sound.
He loved mountains, or he had loved the thought of them
marching on the edge of stories brought from far away; but
now he was borne down by the insupportable weight of
Middle-earth. He longed to shut out the immensity in a quiet
room by a fire.
He was very tired, for though they had ridden slowly, they
had ridden with very little rest. Hour after hour for nearly
three weary days he had jogged up and down, over passes,
and through long dales, and across many streams. Sometimes
where the way was broader he had ridden at the king\u2019s side,
not noticing that many of the Riders smiled to see the two
together: the hobbit on his little shaggy grey pony, and the
Lord of Rohan on his great white horse. Then he had talked
to The\u00b4oden, telling him about his home and the doings of
the Shire-folk, or listening in turn to tales of the Mark and
its mighty men of old. But most of the time, especially on
this last day, Merry had ridden by himself just behind the
king, saying nothing, and trying to understand the slow sonorous speech of Rohan that he heard the men behind him
using. It was a language in which there seemed to be many
words that he knew, though spoken more richly and strongly
than in the Shire, yet he could not piece the words together.
At times some Rider would lift up his clear voice in stirring
song, and Merry felt his heart leap, though he did not know
what it was about.
All the same he had been lonely, and never more so than
now at the day\u2019s end. He wondered where in all this strange
world Pippin had got to; and what would become of Aragorn
and Legolas and Gimli. Then suddenly like a cold touch on
his heart he thought of Frodo and Sam. \u2018I am forgetting
them!\u2019 he said to himself reproachfully. \u2018And yet they are
the muster of rohan 1037
more important than all the rest of us. And I came to help
them; but now they must be hundreds of miles away, if they
are still alive.\u2019 He shivered.
\u2018Harrowdale at last!\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018Our journey is almost at
an end.\u2019 They halted. The paths out of the narrow gorge fell
steeply. Only a glimpse, as through a tall window, could be
seen of the great valley in the gloaming below. A single small
light could be seen twinkling by the river.
\u2018This journey is over, maybe,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden, \u2018but I have
far yet to go. Two nights ago the moon was full, and in the
morning I shall ride to Edoras to the gathering of the Mark.\u2019
\u2018But if you would take my counsel,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer in a low
voice, \u2018you would then return hither, until the war is over,
lost or won.\u2019
The\u00b4oden smiled. \u2018Nay, my son, for so I will call you, speak
not the soft words of Wormtongue in my old ears!\u2019 He drew
himself up and looked back at the long line of his men fading
into the dusk behind. \u2018Long years in the space of days it
seems since I rode west; but never will I lean on a staff again.
If the war is lost, what good will be my hiding in the hills?
And if it is won, what grief will it be, even if I fall, spending
my last strength? But we will leave this now. Tonight I will
lie in the Hold of Dunharrow. One evening of peace at least
is left us. Let us ride on!\u2019
In the deepening dusk they came down into the valley.
Here the Snowbourn flowed near to the western walls of
the dale, and soon the path led them to a ford where the
shallow waters murmured loudly on the stones. The ford was
guarded. As the king approached many men sprang up out
of the shadow of the rocks; and when they saw the king they
cried with glad voices: \u2018The\u00b4oden King! The\u00b4oden King! The
King of the Mark returns!\u2019
Then one blew a long call on a horn. It echoed in the
valley. Other horns answered it, and lights shone out across
the river.
1038 the return of the king
And suddenly there rose a great chorus of trumpets from
high above, sounding from some hollow place, as it seemed,
that gathered their notes into one voice and sent it rolling and
beating on the walls of stone.
So the King of the Mark came back victorious out of the
West to Dunharrow beneath the feet of the White Mountains.
There he found the remaining strength of his people already
assembled; for as soon as his coming was known captains
rode to meet him at the ford, bearing messages from Gandalf.
Du\u00b4nhere, chieftain of the folk of Harrowdale, was at their
head.
\u2018At dawn three days ago, lord,\u2019 he said, \u2018Shadowfax came
like a wind out of the West to Edoras, and Gandalf brought
tidings of your victory to gladden our hearts. But he brought
also word from you to hasten the gathering of the Riders.
And then came the winged Shadow.\u2019
\u2018The winged Shadow?\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018We saw it also, but
that was in the dead of night before Gandalf left us.\u2019
\u2018Maybe, lord,\u2019 said Du\u00b4nhere. \u2018Yet the same, or another like
to it, a flying darkness in the shape of a monstrous bird,
passed over Edoras that morning, and all men were shaken
with fear. For it stooped upon Meduseld, and as it came low,
almost to the gable, there came a cry that stopped our hearts.
Then it was that Gandalf counselled us not to assemble in
the fields, but to meet you here in the valley under the mountains. And he bade us to kindle no more lights or fires than
barest need asked. So it has been done. Gandalf spoke with
great authority. We trust that it is as you would wish. Naught
has been seen in Harrowdale of these evil things.\u2019
\u2018It is well,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018I will ride now to the Hold, and
there before I go to rest I will meet the marshals and captains.
Let them come to me as soon as may be!\u2019
The road now led eastward straight across the valley, which
was at that point little more than half a mile in width. Flats
and meads of rough grass, grey now in the falling night, lay
all about, but in front on the far side of the dale Merry saw a
the muster of rohan 1039
frowning wall, a last outlier of the great roots of the Starkhorn,
cloven by the river in ages past.
On all the level spaces there was great concourse of men.
Some thronged to the roadside, hailing the king and the riders
from the West with glad cries; but stretching away into the
distance behind there were ordered rows of tents and booths,
and lines of picketed horses, and great store of arms, and
piled spears bristling like thickets of new-planted trees. Now
all the great assembly was falling into shadow, and yet, though
the night-chill blew cold from the heights, no lanterns glowed,
no fires were lit. Watchmen heavily cloaked paced to and fro.
Merry wondered how many Riders there were. He could
not guess their number in the gathering gloom, but it looked
to him like a great army, many thousands strong. While he
was peering from side to side the king\u2019s party came up under
the looming cliff on the eastern side of the valley; and there
suddenly the path began to climb, and Merry looked up in
amazement. He was on a road the like of which he had never
seen before, a great work of men\u2019s hands in years beyond the
reach of song. Upwards it wound, coiling like a snake, boring
its way across the sheer slope of rock. Steep as a stair, it
looped backwards and forwards as it climbed. Up it horses
could walk, and wains could be slowly hauled; but no enemy
could come that way, except out of the air, if it was defended
from above. At each turn of the road there were great standing stones that had been carved in the likeness of men, huge
and clumsy-limbed, squatting cross-legged with their stumpy
arms folded on fat bellies. Some in the wearing of the years
had lost all features save the dark holes of their eyes that still
stared sadly at the passers-by. The Riders hardly glanced at
them. The Pu\u00b4kel-men they called them, and heeded them
little: no power or terror was left in them; but Merry gazed
at them with wonder and a feeling almost of pity, as they
loomed up mournfully in the dusk.
After a while he looked back and found that he had already
climbed some hundreds of feet above the valley, but still far
below he could dimly see a winding line of Riders crossing
1040 the return of the king
the ford and filing along the road towards the camp prepared
for them. Only the king and his guard were going up into the
Hold.
At last the king\u2019s company came to a sharp brink, and the
climbing road passed into a cutting between walls of rock,
and so went up a short slope and out on to a wide upland.
The Firienfeld men called it, a green mountain-field of grass
and heath, high above the deep-delved courses of the Snowbourn, laid upon the lap of the great mountains behind: the
Starkhorn southwards, and northwards the saw-toothed mass
of I\u00b4rensaga, between which there faced the riders, the grim
black wall of the Dwimorberg, the Haunted Mountain rising
out of steep slopes of sombre pines. Dividing the upland into
two there marched a double line of unshaped standing stones
that dwindled into the dusk and vanished in the trees. Those
who dared to follow that road came soon to the black Dimholt
under Dwimorberg, and the menace of the pillar of stone,
and the yawning shadow of the forbidden door.
Such was the dark Dunharrow, the work of long-forgotten
men. Their name was lost and no song or legend remembered
it. For what purpose they had made this place, as a town or
secret temple or a tomb of kings, none in Rohan could say.
Here they laboured in the Dark Years, before ever a ship
came to the western shores, or Gondor of the Du\u00b4nedain was
built; and now they had vanished, and only the old Pu\u00b4kel-men
were left, still sitting at the turnings of the road.
Merry stared at the lines of marching stones: they were
worn and black; some were leaning, some were fallen, some
cracked or broken; they looked like rows of old and hungry
teeth. He wondered what they could be, and he hoped that
the king was not going to follow them into the darkness
beyond. Then he saw that there were clusters of tents and
booths on either side of the stony way; but these were not set
near the trees, and seemed rather to huddle away from them
towards the brink of the cliff. The greater number were on
the right, where the Firienfeld was wider; and on the left there
was a smaller camp, in the midst of which stood a tall pavilion.
the muster of rohan 1041
From this side a rider now came out to meet them, and they
turned from the road.
As they drew near Merry saw that the rider was a woman
with long braided hair gleaming in the twilight, yet she wore
a helm and was clad to the waist like a warrior and girded
with a sword.
\u2018Hail, Lord of the Mark!\u2019 she cried. \u2018My heart is glad at
your returning.\u2019
\u2018And you, E\u00b4 owyn,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden, \u2018is all well with you?\u2019
\u2018All is well,\u2019 she answered; yet it seemed to Merry that her
voice belied her, and he would have thought that she had
been weeping, if that could be believed of one so stern of
face. \u2018All is well. It was a weary road for the people to take,
torn suddenly from their homes. There were hard words, for
it is long since war has driven us from the green fields; but
there have been no evil deeds. All is now ordered, as you see.
And your lodging is prepared for you; for I have had full
tidings of you and knew the hour of your coming.\u2019
\u2018So Aragorn has come then,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018Is he still here?\u2019
\u2018No, he is gone,\u2019 said E\u00b4 owyn turning away and looking at
the mountains dark against the East and South.
\u2018Whither did he go?\u2019 asked E\u00b4 omer.
\u2018I do not know,\u2019 she answered. \u2018He came at night, and
rode away yestermorn, ere the Sun had climbed over the
mountain-tops. He is gone.\u2019
\u2018You are grieved, daughter,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018What has happened? Tell me, did he speak of that road?\u2019 He pointed away
along the darkening lines of stones towards the Dwimorberg.
\u2018Of the Paths of the Dead?\u2019
\u2018Yes, lord,\u2019 said E\u00b4 owyn. \u2018And he has passed into the
shadow from which none have returned. I could not dissuade
him. He is gone.\u2019
\u2018Then our paths are sundered,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018He is lost. We
must ride without him, and our hope dwindles.\u2019
Slowly they passed through the short heath and upland
grass, speaking no more, until they came to the king\u2019s
1042 the return of the king
pavilion. There Merry found that everything was made ready,
and that he himself was not forgotten. A little tent had been
pitched for him beside the king\u2019s lodging; and there he
sat alone, while men passed to and fro, going in to the king
and taking counsel with him. Night came on and the halfseen heads of the mountains westward were crowned with
stars, but the East was dark and blank. The marching stones
faded slowly from sight, but still beyond them, blacker than
the gloom, brooded the vast crouching shadow of the
Dwimorberg.
\u2018The Paths of the Dead,\u2019 he muttered to himself. \u2018The
Paths of the Dead? What does all this mean? They have all
left me now. They have all gone to some doom: Gandalf and
Pippin to war in the East; and Sam and Frodo to Mordor;
and Strider and Legolas and Gimli to the Paths of the Dead.
But my turn will come soon enough, I suppose. I wonder
what they are all talking about, and what the king means to
do. For I must go where he goes now.\u2019
In the midst of these gloomy thoughts he suddenly remembered that he was very hungry, and he got up to go and
see if anyone else in this strange camp felt the same. But
at that very moment a trumpet sounded, and a man came
summoning him, the king\u2019s esquire, to wait at the king\u2019s
board.
In the inner part of the pavilion was a small space, curtained off with broidered hangings, and strewn with skins;
and there at a small table sat The\u00b4oden with E\u00b4 omer and
E\u00b4 owyn, and Du\u00b4nhere, lord of Harrowdale. Merry stood
beside the king\u2019s stool and waited on him, till presently the
old man, coming out of deep thought, turned to him and
smiled.
\u2018Come, Master Meriadoc!\u2019 he said. \u2018You shall not stand.
You shall sit beside me, as long as I remain in my own lands,
and lighten my heart with tales.\u2019
Room was made for the hobbit at the king\u2019s left hand, but
no one called for any tale. There was indeed little speech,
the muster of rohan 1043
and they ate and drank for the most part in silence, until at
last, plucking up courage, Merry asked the question that was
tormenting him.
\u2018Twice now, lord, I have heard of the Paths of the Dead,\u2019
he said. \u2018What are they? And where has Strider, I mean the
Lord Aragorn, where has he gone?\u2019
The king sighed, but no one answered, until at last E\u00b4 omer
spoke. \u2018We do not know, and our hearts are heavy,\u2019 he said.
\u2018But as for the Paths of the Dead, you have yourself walked
on their first steps. Nay, I speak no words of ill omen! The
road that we have climbed is the approach to the Door,
yonder in the Dimholt. But what lies beyond no man knows.\u2019
\u2018No man knows,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden: \u2018yet ancient legend, now
seldom spoken, has somewhat to report. If these old tales
speak true that have come down from father to son in the
House of Eorl, then the Door under Dwimorberg leads to a
secret way that goes beneath the mountain to some forgotten
end. But none have ever ventured in to search its secrets,
since Baldor, son of Brego, passed the Door and was never
seen among men again. A rash vow he spoke, as he drained
the horn at that feast which Brego made to hallow new-built
Meduseld, and he came never to the high seat of which he
was the heir.
\u2018Folk say that Dead Men out of the Dark Years guard the
way and will suffer no living man to come to their hidden
halls; but at whiles they may themselves be seen passing out
of the door like shadows and down the stony road. Then the
people of Harrowdale shut fast their doors and shroud their
windows and are afraid. But the Dead come seldom forth
and only at times of great unquiet and coming death.\u2019
\u2018Yet it is said in Harrowdale,\u2019 said E\u00b4 owyn in a low voice,
\u2018that in the moonless nights but little while ago a great host
in strange array passed by. Whence they came none knew,
but they went up the stony road and vanished into the hill,
as if they went to keep a tryst.\u2019
\u2018Then why has Aragorn gone that way?\u2019 asked Merry.
\u2018Don\u2019t you know anything that would explain it?\u2019
1044 the return of the king
\u2018Unless he has spoken words to you as his friend that we
have not heard,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer, \u2018none now in the land of the
living can tell his purpose.\u2019
\u2018Greatly changed he seemed to me since I saw him first in
the king\u2019s house,\u2019 said E\u00b4 owyn: \u2018grimmer, older. Fey I thought
him, and like one whom the Dead call.\u2019
\u2018Maybe he was called,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden; \u2018and my heart tells
me that I shall not see him again. Yet he is a kingly man of
high destiny. And take comfort in this, daughter, since comfort you seem to need in your grief for this guest. It is said
that when the Eorlingas came out of the North and passed
at length up the Snowbourn, seeking strong places of refuge
in time of need, Brego and his son Baldor climbed the Stair
of the Hold and so came before the Door. On the threshold
sat an old man, aged beyond guess of years; tall and kingly
he had been, but now he was withered as an old stone. Indeed
for stone they took him, for he moved not, and he said no
word, until they sought to pass him by and enter. And then
a voice came out of him, as it were out of the ground, and to
their amaze it spoke in the western tongue: The way is shut.
\u2018Then they halted and looked at him and saw that he lived
still; but he did not look at them. The way is shut, his voice
said again. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead
keep it, until the time comes. The way is shut.
\u2018And when will that time be? said Baldor. But no answer did
he ever get. For the old man died in that hour and fell upon
his face; and no other tidings of the ancient dwellers in the
mountains have our folk ever learned. Yet maybe at last the
time foretold has come, and Aragorn may pass.\u2019
\u2018But how shall a man discover whether that time be come
or no, save by daring the Door?\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018And that way
I would not go though all the hosts of Mordor stood before
me, and I were alone and had no other refuge. Alas that a
fey mood should fall on a man so greathearted in this hour
of need! Are there not evil things enough abroad without
seeking them under the earth? War is at hand.\u2019
He paused, for at that moment there was a noise outside,
the muster of rohan 1045
a man\u2019s voice crying the name of The\u00b4oden, and the challenge
of the guard.
Presently the captain of the Guard thrust aside the curtain.
\u2018A man is here, lord,\u2019 he said, \u2018an errand-rider of Gondor.
He wishes to come before you at once.\u2019
\u2018Let him come!\u2019 said The\u00b4oden.
A tall man entered, and Merry choked back a cry; for a
moment it seemed to him that Boromir was alive again and
had returned. Then he saw that it was not so; the man was a
stranger, though as like to Boromir as if he were one of his
kin, tall and grey-eyed and proud. He was clad as a rider with
a cloak of dark green over a coat of fine mail; on the front of
his helm was wrought a small silver star. In his hand he bore
a single arrow, black-feathered and barbed with steel, but the
point was painted red.
He sank on one knee and presented the arrow to The\u00b4oden.
\u2018Hail, Lord of the Rohirrim, friend of Gondor!\u2019 he said.
\u2018Hirgon I am, errand-rider of Denethor, who bring you this
token of war. Gondor is in great need. Often the Rohirrim
have aided us, but now the Lord Denethor asks for all your
strength and all your speed, lest Gondor fall at last.\u2019
\u2018The Red Arrow!\u2019 said The\u00b4oden, holding it, as one who
receives a summons long expected and yet dreadful when it
comes. His hand trembled. \u2018The Red Arrow has not been
seen in the Mark in all my years! Has it indeed come to that?
And what does the Lord Denethor reckon that all my strength
and all my speed may be?\u2019
\u2018That is best known to yourself, lord,\u2019 said Hirgon. \u2018But
ere long it may well come to pass that Minas Tirith is surrounded, and unless you have the strength to break a siege
of many powers, the Lord Denethor bids me say that he
judges that the strong arms of the Rohirrim would be better
within his walls than without.\u2019
\u2018But he knows that we are a people who fight rather upon
horseback and in the open, and that we are also a scattered
people and time is needed for the gathering of our Riders. Is
1046 the return of the king
it not true, Hirgon, that the Lord of Minas Tirith knows more
than he sets in his message? For we are already at war, as
you may have seen, and you do not find us all unprepared.
Gandalf the Grey has been among us, and even now we are
mustering for battle in the East.\u2019
\u2018What the Lord Denethor may know or guess of all these
things I cannot say,\u2019 answered Hirgon. \u2018But indeed our case
is desperate. My lord does not issue any command to you,
he begs you only to remember old friendship and oaths long
spoken, and for your own good to do all that you may. It is
reported to us that many kings have ridden in from the East
to the service of Mordor. From the North to the field of
Dagorlad there is skirmish and rumour of war. In the South
the Haradrim are moving, and fear has fallen on all our
coastlands, so that little help will come to us thence. Make
haste! For it is before the walls of Minas Tirith that the doom
of our time will be decided, and if the tide be not stemmed
there, then it will flow over all the fair fields of Rohan, and
even in this Hold among the hills there shall be no refuge.\u2019
\u2018Dark tidings,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden, \u2018yet not all unguessed. But
say to Denethor that even if Rohan itself felt no peril, still we
would come to his aid. But we have suffered much loss in
our battles with Saruman the traitor, and we must still think
of our frontier to the north and east, as his own tidings make
clear. So great a power as the Dark Lord seems now to wield
might well contain us in battle before the City and yet strike
with great force across the River away beyond the Gate of
Kings.
\u2018But we will speak no longer counsels of prudence. We will
come. The weapontake was set for the morrow. When all is
ordered we will set out. Ten thousand spears I might have
sent riding over the plain to the dismay of your foes. It will
be less now, I fear; for I will not leave my strongholds all
unguarded. Yet six thousands at the least shall ride behind
me. For say to Denethor that in this hour the King of the
Mark himself will come down to the land of Gondor, though
maybe he will not ride back. But it is a long road, and man
the muster of rohan 1047
and beast must reach the end with strength to fight. A week
it may be from tomorrow\u2019s morn ere you hear the cry of the
Sons of Eorl coming from the North.\u2019
\u2018A week!\u2019 said Hirgon. \u2018If it must be so, it must. But you
are like to find only ruined walls in seven days from now,
unless other help unlooked-for comes. Still, you may at the
least disturb the Orcs and Swarthy Men from their feasting
in the White Tower.\u2019
\u2018At the least we will do that,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018But I myself
am new-come from battle and long journey, and I will now
go to rest. Tarry here this night. Then you shall look on the
muster of Rohan and ride away the gladder for the sight, and
the swifter for the rest. In the morning counsels are best, and
night changes many thoughts.\u2019
With that the king stood up, and they all rose. \u2018Go now
each to your rest,\u2019 he said, \u2018and sleep well. And you, Master
Meriadoc, I need no more tonight. But be ready to my call
as soon as the Sun is risen.\u2019
\u2018I will be ready,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018even if you bid me ride with
you on the Paths of the Dead.\u2019
\u2018Speak not words of omen!\u2019 said the king. \u2018For there may
be more roads than one that could bear that name. But I did
not say that I would bid you ride with me on any road. Good
night!\u2019
\u2018I won\u2019t be left behind, to be called for on return!\u2019 said
Merry. \u2018I won\u2019t be left, I won\u2019t.\u2019 And repeating this over and
over again to himself he fell asleep at last in his tent.
He was wakened by a man shaking him. \u2018Wake up, wake
up, Master Holbytla!\u2019 he cried; and at length Merry came out
of deep dreams and sat up with a start. It still seemed very
dark, he thought.
\u2018What is the matter?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018The king calls for you.\u2019
\u2018But the Sun has not risen, yet,\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018No, and will not rise today, Master Holbytla. Nor ever
1048 the return of the king
again, one would think under this cloud. But time does not
stand still, though the Sun be lost. Make haste!\u2019
Flinging on some clothes, Merry looked outside. The world
was darkling. The very air seemed brown, and all things
about were black and grey and shadowless; there was a great
stillness. No shape of cloud could be seen, unless it were far
away westward, where the furthest groping fingers of the
great gloom still crawled onwards and a little light leaked
through them. Overhead there hung a heavy roof, sombre
and featureless, and light seemed rather to be failing than
growing.
Merry saw many folk standing, looking up and muttering;
all their faces were grey and sad, and some were afraid. With
a sinking heart he made his way to the king. Hirgon the rider
of Gondor was there before him, and beside him stood now
another man, like him and dressed alike, but shorter and
broader. As Merry entered he was speaking to the king.
\u2018It comes from Mordor, lord,\u2019 he said. \u2018It began last night
at sunset. From the hills in the Eastfold of your realm I saw
it rise and creep across the sky, and all night as I rode it came
behind eating up the stars. Now the great cloud hangs over
all the land between here and the Mountains of Shadow; and
it is deepening. War has already begun.\u2019
For a while the king sat silent. At last he spoke. \u2018So we
come to it in the end,\u2019 he said: \u2018the great battle of our time,
in which many things shall pass away. But at least there is no
longer need for hiding. We will ride the straight way and the
open road and with all our speed. The muster shall begin at
once, and wait for none that tarry. Have you good store in
Minas Tirith? For if we must ride now in all haste, then we
must ride light, with but meal and water enough to last us
into battle.\u2019
\u2018We have very great store long prepared,\u2019 answered
Hirgon. \u2018Ride now as light and as swift as you may!\u2019
\u2018Then call the heralds, E\u00b4 omer,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018Let the
Riders be marshalled!\u2019
the muster of rohan 1049
E\u00b4 omer went out, and presently the trumpets rang in the
Hold and were answered by many others from below; but
their voices no longer sounded clear and brave as they had
seemed to Merry the night before. Dull they seemed and
harsh in the heavy air, braying ominously.
The king turned to Merry. \u2018I am going to war, Master
Meriadoc,\u2019 he said. \u2018In a little while I shall take the road. I
release you from my service, but not from my friendship.
You shall abide here, and if you will, you shall serve the Lady
E\u00b4 owyn, who will govern the folk in my stead.\u2019
\u2018But, but, lord,\u2019 Merry stammered, \u2018I offered you my
sword. I do not want to be parted from you like this, The\u00b4oden
King. And as all my friends have gone to the battle, I should
be ashamed to stay behind.\u2019
\u2018But we ride on horses tall and swift,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden; \u2018and
great though your heart be, you cannot ride on such beasts.\u2019
\u2018Then tie me on to the back of one, or let me hang on a
stirrup, or something,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018It is a long way to run;
but run I shall, if I cannot ride, even if I wear my feet off and
arrive weeks too late.\u2019
The\u00b4oden smiled. \u2018Rather than that I would bear you with
me on Snowmane,\u2019 he said. \u2018But at the least you shall ride
with me to Edoras and look on Meduseld; for that way I shall
go. So far Stybba can bear you: the great race will not begin
till we reach the plains.\u2019
Then E\u00b4 owyn rose up. \u2018Come now, Meriadoc!\u2019 she said. \u2018I
will show you the gear that I have prepared for you.\u2019 They
went out together. \u2018This request only did Aragorn make to
me,\u2019 said E\u00b4 owyn, as they passed among the tents, \u2018that you
should be armed for battle. I have granted it, as I could. For
my heart tells me that you will need such gear ere the end.\u2019
Now she led Merry to a booth among the lodges of the
king\u2019s guard; and there an armourer brought out to her a
small helm, and a round shield, and other gear.
\u2018No mail have we to fit you,\u2019 said E\u00b4 owyn, \u2018nor any time
for the forging of such a hauberk; but here is also a stout
1050 the return of the king
jerkin of leather, a belt, and a knife. A sword you have.\u2019
Merry bowed, and the lady showed him the shield, which
was like the shield that had been given to Gimli, and it bore
on it the device of the white horse. \u2018Take all these things,\u2019
she said, \u2018and bear them to good fortune! Farewell now,
Master Meriadoc! Yet maybe we shall meet again, you
and I.\u2019
So it was that amid a gathering gloom the King of the
Mark made ready to lead all his Riders on the eastward road.
Hearts were heavy and many quailed in the shadow. But they
were a stern people, loyal to their lord, and little weeping or
murmuring was heard, even in the camp in the Hold where
the exiles from Edoras were housed, women and children and
old men. Doom hung over them, but they faced it silently.
Two swift hours passed, and now the king sat upon his
white horse, glimmering in the half-light. Proud and tall he
seemed, though the hair that flowed beneath his high helm
was like snow; and many marvelled at him and took heart to
see him unbent and unafraid.
There on the wide flats beside the noisy river were marshalled in many companies well nigh five and fifty hundreds
of Riders fully armed, and many hundreds of other men with
spare horses lightly burdened. A single trumpet sounded.
The king raised his hand, and then silently the host of the
Mark began to move. Foremost went twelve of the king\u2019s
household-men, Riders of renown. Then the king followed
with E\u00b4 omer on his right. He had said farewell to E\u00b4 owyn above
in the Hold, and the memory was grievous; but now he turned
his mind to the road that lay ahead. Behind him Merry rode
on Stybba with the errand riders of Gondor, and behind them
again twelve more of the king\u2019s household. They passed down
the long ranks of waiting men with stern and unmoved faces.
But when they had come almost to the end of the line one
looked up glancing keenly at the hobbit. A young man, Merry
thought as he returned the glance, less in height and girth
than most. He caught the glint of clear grey eyes; and then
the muster of rohan 1051
he shivered, for it came suddenly to him that it was the face
of one without hope who goes in search of death.
On down the grey road they went beside the Snowbourn
rushing on its stones; through the hamlets of Underharrow
and Upbourn, where many sad faces of women looked out
from dark doors; and so without horn or harp or music of
men\u2019s voices the great ride into the East began with which
the songs of Rohan were busy for many long lives of men
thereafter.
From dark Dunharrow in the dim morning
with thane and captain rode Thengel\u2019s son:
to Edoras he came, the ancient halls
of the Mark-wardens mist-enshrouded;
golden timbers were in gloom mantled.
Farewell he bade to his free people,
hearth and high-seat, and the hallowed places,
where long he had feasted ere the light faded.
Forth rode the king, fear behind him,
fate before him. Fealty kept he;
oaths he had taken, all fulfilled them.
Forth rode The\u00b4oden. Five nights and days
east and onward rode the Eorlingas
through Folde and Fenmarch and the Firienwood,
six thousand spears to Sunlending,
Mundburg the mighty under Mindolluin,
Sea-kings\u2019 city in the South-kingdom
foe-beleaguered, fire-encircled.
Doom drove them on. Darkness took them,
horse and horseman; hoofbeats afar
sank into silence: so the songs tell us.
It was indeed in deepening gloom that the king came to
Edoras, although it was then but noon by the hour. There he
halted only a short while and strengthened his host by some
three score of Riders that came late to the weapontake. Now
having eaten he made ready to set out again, and he wished
1052 the return of the king
his esquire a kindly farewell. But Merry begged for the last
time not to be parted from him.
\u2018This is no journey for such steeds as Stybba, as I have
told you,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018And in such a battle as we think to
make on the fields of Gondor what would you do, Master
Meriadoc, swordthain though you be, and greater of heart
than of stature?\u2019
\u2018As for that, who can tell?\u2019 answered Merry. \u2018But why,
lord, did you receive me as swordthain, if not to stay by your
side? And I would not have it said of me in song only that I
was always left behind!\u2019
\u2018I received you for your safe-keeping,\u2019 answered The\u00b4oden;
\u2018and also to do as I might bid. None of my Riders can bear
you as burden. If the battle were before my gates, maybe
your deeds would be remembered by the minstrels; but it is
a hundred leagues and two to Mundburg where Denethor is
lord. I will say no more.\u2019
Merry bowed and went away unhappily, and stared at the
lines of horsemen. Already the companies were preparing to
start: men were tightening girths, looking to saddles, caressing
their horses; some gazed uneasily at the lowering sky. Unnoticed a Rider came up and spoke softly in the hobbit\u2019s ear.
\u2018Where will wants not, a way opens, so we say,\u2019 he whispered;
\u2018and so I have found myself.\u2019 Merry looked up and saw that
it was the young Rider whom he had noticed in the morning.
\u2018You wish to go whither the Lord of the Mark goes: I see it
in your face.\u2019
\u2018I do,\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018Then you shall go with me,\u2019 said the Rider. \u2018I will bear
you before me, under my cloak until we are far afield, and
this darkness is yet darker. Such good will should not be
denied. Say no more to any man, but come!\u2019
\u2018Thank you indeed!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Thank you, sir, though
I do not know your name.\u2019
\u2018Do you not?\u2019 said the Rider softly. \u2018Then call me
Dernhelm.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the muster of rohan 1053
Thus it came to pass that when the king set out, before
Dernhelm sat Meriadoc the hobbit, and the great grey steed
Windfola made little of the burden; for Dernhelm was less in
weight than many men, though lithe and well-knit in frame.
On into the shadow they rode. In the willow-thickets where
Snowbourn flowed into Entwash, twelve leagues east of
Edoras, they camped that night. And then on again through
the Folde; and through the Fenmarch, where to their right
great oakwoods climbed on the skirts of the hills under the
shades of dark Halifirien by the borders of Gondor; but away
to their left the mists lay on the marshes fed by the mouths
of Entwash. And as they rode rumour came of war in the
North. Lone men, riding wild, brought word of foes assailing
their east-borders, of orc-hosts marching in the Wold of
Rohan.
\u2018Ride on! Ride on!\u2019 cried E\u00b4 omer. \u2018Too late now to turn
aside. The fens of Entwash must guard our flank. Haste now
we need. Ride on!\u2019
And so King The\u00b4oden departed from his own realm, and
mile by mile the long road wound away, and the beacon hills
marched past: Calenhad, Min-Rimmon, Erelas, Nardol. But
their fires were quenched. All the lands were grey and still;
and ever the shadow deepened before them, and hope waned
in every heart.
Chapter 4
THE SIEGE OF GONDOR
Pippin was roused by Gandalf. Candles were lit in their
chamber, for only a dim twilight came through the windows;
the air was heavy as with approaching thunder.
\u2018What is the time?\u2019 said Pippin yawning.
\u2018Past the second hour,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Time to get up and
make yourself presentable. You are summoned to the Lord
of the City to learn your new duties.\u2019
\u2018And will he provide breakfast?\u2019
\u2018No! I have provided it: all that you will get till noon. Food
is now doled out by order.\u2019
Pippin looked ruefully at the small loaf and (he thought)
very inadequate pat of butter which was set out for him,
beside a cup of thin milk. \u2018Why did you bring me here?\u2019 he
said.
\u2018You know quite well,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018To keep you out of
mischief; and if you do not like being here, you can remember
that you brought it on yourself.\u2019 Pippin said no more.
Before long he was walking with Gandalf once more
down the cold corridor to the door of the Tower Hall. There
Denethor sat in a grey gloom, like an old patient spider,
Pippin thought; he did not seem to have moved since the day
before. He beckoned Gandalf to a seat, but Pippin was left
for a while standing unheeded. Presently the old man turned
to him:
\u2018Well, Master Peregrin, I hope that you used yesterday to
your profit, and to your liking? Though I fear that the board
is barer in this city than you could wish.\u2019
Pippin had an uncomfortable feeling that most of what he
had said or done was somehow known to the Lord of the
the siege of gondor 1055
City, and much was guessed of what he thought as well. He
did not answer.
\u2018What would you do in my service?\u2019
\u2018I thought, sir, that you would tell me my duties.\u2019
\u2018I will, when I learn what you are fit for,\u2019 said Denethor.
\u2018But that I shall learn soonest, maybe, if I keep you beside
me. The esquire of my chamber has begged leave to go to
the out-garrison, so you shall take his place for a while. You
shall wait on me, bear errands, and talk to me, if war and
council leave me any leisure. Can you sing?\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Well, yes, well enough for my own
people. But we have no songs fit for great halls and evil times,
lord. We seldom sing of anything more terrible than wind or
rain. And most of my songs are about things that make us
laugh; or about food and drink, of course.\u2019
\u2018And why should such songs be unfit for my halls, or for
such hours as these? We who have lived long under the
Shadow may surely listen to echoes from a land untroubled
by it? Then we may feel that our vigil was not fruitless,
though it may have been thankless.\u2019
Pippin\u2019s heart sank. He did not relish the idea of singing
any song of the Shire to the Lord of Minas Tirith, certainly
not the comic ones that he knew best; they were too, well,
rustic for such an occasion. He was however spared the ordeal
for the present. He was not commanded to sing. Denethor
turned to Gandalf, asking questions about the Rohirrim and
their policies, and the position of E\u00b4 omer, the king\u2019s nephew.
Pippin marvelled at the amount that the Lord seemed to
know about a people that lived far away, though it must, he
thought, be many years since Denethor himself had ridden
abroad.
Presently Denethor waved to Pippin and dismissed him
again for a while. \u2018Go to the armouries of the Citadel,\u2019 he
said, \u2018and get you there the livery and gear of the Tower. It
will be ready. It was commanded yesterday. Return when
you are clad!\u2019
It was as he said; and Pippin soon found himself arrayed
1056 the return of the king
in strange garments, all of black and silver. He had a small
hauberk, its rings forged of steel, maybe, yet black as jet; and
a high-crowned helm with small raven-wings on either side,
set with a silver star in the centre of the circlet. Above the
mail was a short surcoat of black, but broidered on the breast
in silver with the token of the Tree. His old clothes were
folded and put away, but he was permitted to keep the grey
cloak of Lo\u00b4rien, though not to wear it when on duty. He
looked now, had he known it, verily Ernil i Pheriannath, the
Prince of the Halflings, that folk had called him; but he felt
uncomfortable. And the gloom began to weigh on his spirits.
It was dark and dim all day. From the sunless dawn until
evening the heavy shadow had deepened, and all hearts in
the City were oppressed. Far above a great cloud streamed
slowly westward from the Black Land, devouring light, borne
upon a wind of war; but below the air was still and breathless,
as if all the Vale of Anduin waited for the onset of a ruinous
storm.
About the eleventh hour, released at last for a while from
service, Pippin came out and went in search of food and
drink to cheer his heavy heart and make his task of waiting
more supportable. In the messes he met Beregond again, who
had just come from an errand over the Pelennor out to the
Guard-towers upon the Causeway. Together they strolled
out to the walls; for Pippin felt imprisoned indoors, and stifled
even in the lofty citadel. Now they sat side by side again in
the embrasure looking eastward, where they had eaten and
talked the day before.
It was the sunset-hour, but the great pall had now stretched
far into the West, and only as it sank at last into the Sea did
the Sun escape to send out a brief farewell gleam before the
night, even as Frodo saw it at the Cross-roads touching the
head of the fallen king. But to the fields of the Pelennor,
under the shadow of Mindolluin, there came no gleam: they
were brown and drear.
Already it seemed years to Pippin since he had sat there
the siege of gondor 1057
before, in some half-forgotten time when he had still been a
hobbit, a light-hearted wanderer touched little by the perils
he had passed through. Now he was one small soldier in a
city preparing for a great assault, clad in the proud but
sombre manner of the Tower of Guard.
In some other time and place Pippin might have been
pleased with his new array, but he knew now that he was
taking part in no play; he was in deadly earnest the servant
of a grim master in the greatest peril. The hauberk was
burdensome, and the helm weighed upon his head. His cloak
he had cast aside upon the seat. He turned his tired gaze
away from the darkling fields below and yawned, and then
he sighed.
\u2018You are weary of this day?\u2019 said Beregond.
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018very: tired out with idleness and waiting. I have kicked my heels at the door of my master\u2019s
chamber for many slow hours, while he has debated with
Gandalf and the Prince and other great persons. And I\u2019m not
used, Master Beregond, to waiting hungry on others while
they eat. It is a sore trial for a hobbit, that. No doubt you will
think I should feel the honour more deeply. But what is the
good of such honour? Indeed what is the good even of food
and drink under this creeping shadow? What does it mean?
The very air seems thick and brown! Do you often have such
glooms when the wind is in the East?\u2019
\u2018Nay,\u2019 said Beregond, \u2018this is no weather of the world. This
is some device of his malice; some broil of fume from the
Mountain of Fire that he sends to darken hearts and counsel.
And so it doth indeed. I wish the Lord Faramir would return.
He would not be dismayed. But now, who knows if he will
ever come back across the River out of the Darkness?\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018Gandalf, too, is anxious. He was disappointed, I think, not to find Faramir here. And where has
he got to himself ? He left the Lord\u2019s council before the noonmeal, and in no good mood either, I thought. Perhaps he has
some foreboding of bad news.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1058 the return of the king
Suddenly as they talked they were stricken dumb, frozen
as it were to listening stones. Pippin cowered down with his
hands pressed to his ears; but Beregond, who had been looking out from the battlement as he spoke of Faramir, remained
there, stiffened, staring out with starting eyes. Pippin knew
the shuddering cry that he had heard: it was the same that he
had heard long ago in the Marish of the Shire, but now it
was grown in power and hatred, piercing the heart with a
poisonous despair.
At last Beregond spoke with an effort. \u2018They have come!\u2019
he said. \u2018Take courage and look! There are fell things below.\u2019
Reluctantly Pippin climbed on to the seat and looked out
over the wall. The Pelennor lay dim beneath him, fading
away to the scarce guessed line of the Great River. But now
wheeling swiftly across it, like shadows of untimely night, he
saw in the middle airs below him five birdlike forms, horrible
as carrion-fowl yet greater than eagles, cruel as death. Now
they swooped near, venturing almost within bowshot of the
walls, now they circled away.
\u2018Black Riders!\u2019 muttered Pippin. \u2018Black Riders of the
air! But see, Beregond!\u2019 he cried. \u2018They are looking for
something, surely? See how they wheel and swoop, always
down to that point over there! And can you see something moving on the ground? Dark little things. Yes, men on
horses: four or five. Ah! I cannot stand it! Gandalf! Gandalf
save us!\u2019
Another long screech rose and fell, and he threw himself
back again from the wall, panting like a hunted animal. Faint
and seemingly remote through that shuddering cry he heard
winding up from below the sound of a trumpet ending on a
long high note.
\u2018Faramir! The Lord Faramir! It is his call!\u2019 cried Beregond.
\u2018Brave heart! But how can he win to the Gate, if these foul
hell-hawks have other weapons than fear? But look! They
hold on. They will make the Gate. No! the horses are running
mad. Look! the men are thrown; they are running on foot.
No, one is still up, but he rides back to the others. That will
the siege of gondor 1059
be the Captain: he can master both beasts and men. Ah! there
one of the foul things is stooping on him. Help! help! Will no
one go out to him? Faramir!\u2019
With that Beregond sprang away and ran off into the
gloom. Ashamed of his terror, while Beregond of the Guard
thought first of the captain whom he loved, Pippin got up
and peered out. At that moment he caught a flash of white
and silver coming from the North, like a small star down on
the dusky fields. It moved with the speed of an arrow and
grew as it came, converging swiftly with the flight of the four
men towards the Gate. It seemed to Pippin that a pale light
was spread about it and the heavy shadows gave way before
it; and then as it drew near he thought that he heard, like an
echo in the walls, a great voice calling.
\u2018Gandalf!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Gandalf! He always turns up when
things are darkest. Go on! Go on, White Rider! Gandalf,
Gandalf!\u2019 he shouted wildly, like an onlooker at a great race
urging on a runner who is far beyond encouragement.
But now the dark swooping shadows were aware of the
newcomer. One wheeled towards him; but it seemed to
Pippin that he raised his hand, and from it a shaft of white
light stabbed upwards. The Nazgu\u02c6l gave a long wailing cry
and swerved away; and with that the four others wavered,
and then rising in swift spirals they passed away eastward
vanishing into the lowering cloud above; and down on the
Pelennor it seemed for a while less dark.
Pippin watched, and he saw the horseman and the White
Rider meet and halt, waiting for those on foot. Men now
hurried out to them from the City; and soon they all passed
from sight under the outer walls, and he knew that they were
entering the Gate. Guessing that they would come at once
to the Tower and the Steward, he hurried to the entrance of
the citadel. There he was joined by many others who had
watched the race and the rescue from the high walls.
It was not long before a clamour was heard in the streets
leading up from the outer circles, and there was much cheering and crying of the names of Faramir and Mithrandir.
1060 the return of the king
Presently Pippin saw torches, and followed by a press of
people two horsemen riding slowly: one was in white but
shining no longer, pale in the twilight as if his fire was spent
or veiled; the other was dark and his head was bowed. They
dismounted, and as grooms took Shadowfax and the other
horse, they walked forward to the sentinel at the gate: Gandalf
steadily, his grey cloak flung back, and a fire still smouldering
in his eyes; the other, clad all in green, slowly, swaying a little
as a weary or a wounded man.
Pippin pressed forward as they passed under the lamp
beneath the gate-arch, and when he saw the pale face of
Faramir he caught his breath. It was the face of one who has
been assailed by a great fear or anguish, but has mastered it
and now is quiet. Proud and grave he stood for a moment as
he spoke to the guard, and Pippin gazing at him saw how
closely he resembled his brother Boromir \u2013 whom Pippin had
liked from the first, admiring the great man\u2019s lordly but kindly
manner. Yet suddenly for Faramir his heart was strangely
moved with a feeling that he had not known before. Here
was one with an air of high nobility such as Aragorn at times
revealed, less high perhaps, yet also less incalculable and
remote: one of the Kings of Men born into a later time, but
touched with the wisdom and sadness of the Elder Race. He
knew now why Beregond spoke his name with love. He was
a captain that men would follow, that he would follow, even
under the shadow of the black wings.
\u2018Faramir!\u2019 he cried aloud with the others. \u2018Faramir!\u2019 And
Faramir, catching his strange voice among the clamour of the
men of the City, turned and looked down at him and was
amazed.
\u2018Whence come you?\u2019 he said. \u2018A halfling, and in the livery
of the Tower! Whence\u2026?\u2019
But with that Gandalf stepped to his side and spoke. \u2018He
came with me from the land of the Halflings,\u2019 he said.
\u2018He came with me. But let us not tarry here. There is much
to say and to do, and you are weary. He shall come with us.
Indeed he must, for if he does not forget his new duties more
the siege of gondor 1061
easily than I do, he must attend on his lord again within this
hour. Come, Pippin, follow us!\u2019
So at length they came to the private chamber of the Lord
of the City. There deep seats were set about a brazier of
charcoal; and wine was brought; and there Pippin, hardly
noticed, stood behind the chair of Denethor and felt his
weariness little, so eagerly did he listen to all that was said.
When Faramir had taken white bread and drunk a draught
of wine, he sat upon a low chair at his father\u2019s left hand.
Removed a little upon the other side sat Gandalf in a chair
of carven wood; and he seemed at first to be asleep. For at
the beginning Faramir spoke only of the errand upon which
he had been sent out ten days before, and he brought tidings
of Ithilien and of movements of the Enemy and his allies; and
he told of the fight on the road when the men of Harad and
their great beast were overthrown: a captain reporting to his
master such matters as had often been heard before, small
things of border-war that now seemed useless and petty,
shorn of their renown.
Then suddenly Faramir looked at Pippin. \u2018But now we
come to strange matters,\u2019 he said. \u2018For this is not the first
halfling that I have seen walking out of northern legends into
the Southlands.\u2019
At that Gandalf sat up and gripped the arms of his chair;
but he said nothing, and with a look stopped the exclamation
on Pippin\u2019s lips. Denethor looked at their faces and nodded
his head, as though in sign that he had read much there
before it was spoken. Slowly, while the others sat silent and
still, Faramir told his tale, with his eyes for the most part on
Gandalf, though now and again his glance strayed to Pippin,
as if to refresh his memory of others that he had seen.
As his story was unfolded of his meeting with Frodo and
his servant and of the events at Henneth Annu\u02c6n, Pippin
became aware that Gandalf\u2019s hands were trembling as they
clutched the carven wood. White they seemed now and very
old, and as he looked at them, suddenly with a thrill of fear
1062 the return of the king
Pippin knew that Gandalf, Gandalf himself, was troubled,
even afraid. The air of the room was close and still. At last
when Faramir spoke of his parting with the travellers, and of
their resolve to go to Cirith Ungol, his voice fell, and he shook
his head and sighed. Then Gandalf sprang up.
\u2018Cirith Ungol? Morgul Vale?\u2019 he said. \u2018The time, Faramir,
the time? When did you part with them? When would they
reach that accursed valley?\u2019
\u2018I parted with them in the morning two days ago,\u2019
said Faramir. \u2018It is fifteen leagues thence to the vale of
the Morgulduin, if they went straight south; and then they
would be still five leagues westward of the accursed Tower.
At swiftest they could not come there before today, and
maybe they have not come there yet. Indeed I see what you
fear. But the darkness is not due to their venture. It began
yestereve, and all Ithilien was under shadow last night. It is
clear to me that the Enemy has long planned an assault on
us, and its hour had already been determined before ever the
travellers left my keeping.\u2019
Gandalf paced the floor. \u2018The morning of two days ago,
nigh on three days of journey! How far is the place where
you parted?\u2019
\u2018Some twenty-five leagues as a bird flies,\u2019 answered
Faramir. \u2018But I could not come more swiftly. Yestereve I lay
at Cair Andros, the long isle in the River northward which
we hold in defence; and horses are kept on the hither bank.
As the dark drew on I knew that haste was needed, so I rode
thence with three others that could also be horsed. The rest
of my company I sent south to strengthen the garrison at the
fords of Osgiliath. I hope that I have not done ill?\u2019 He looked
at his father.
\u2018Ill?\u2019 cried Denethor, and his eyes flashed suddenly. \u2018Why
do you ask? The men were under your command. Or do you
ask for my judgement on all your deeds? Your bearing is
lowly in my presence, yet it is long now since you turned
from your own way at my counsel. See, you have spoken
skilfully, as ever; but I, have I not seen your eye fixed on
the siege of gondor 1063
Mithrandir, seeking whether you said well or too much? He
has long had your heart in his keeping.
\u2018My son, your father is old but not yet dotard. I can see
and hear, as was my wont; and little of what you have half
said or left unsaid is now hidden from me. I know the answer
to many riddles. Alas, alas for Boromir!\u2019
\u2018If what I have done displeases you, my father,\u2019 said
Faramir quietly, \u2018I wish I had known your counsel before the
burden of so weighty a judgement was thrust on me.\u2019
\u2018Would that have availed to change your judgement?\u2019 said
Denethor. \u2018You would still have done just so, I deem. I know
you well. Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous
as a king of old, gracious, gentle. That may well befit one of
high race, if he sits in power and peace. But in desperate
hours gentleness may be repaid with death.\u2019
\u2018So be it,\u2019 said Faramir.
\u2018So be it!\u2019 cried Denethor. \u2018But not with your death only,
Lord Faramir: with the death also of your father, and of all
your people, whom it is your part to protect now that Boromir
is gone.\u2019
\u2018Do you wish then,\u2019 said Faramir, \u2018that our places had been
exchanged?\u2019
\u2018Yes, I wish that indeed,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018For Boromir was
loyal to me and no wizard\u2019s pupil. He would have remembered his father\u2019s need, and would not have squandered
what fortune gave. He would have brought me a mighty gift.\u2019
For a moment Faramir\u2019s restraint gave way. \u2018I would ask
you, my father, to remember why it was that I, not he, was
in Ithilien. On one occasion at least your counsel has prevailed, not long ago. It was the Lord of the City that gave the
errand to him.\u2019
\u2018Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed for myself,\u2019
said Denethor. \u2018Have I not tasted it now many nights upon
my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs? As
now indeed I find. Would it were not so! Would that this
thing had come to me!\u2019
\u2018Comfort yourself!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018In no case would
1064 the return of the king
Boromir have brought it to you. He is dead, and died well;
may he sleep in peace! Yet you deceive yourself. He would
have stretched out his hand to this thing, and taking it he
would have fallen. He would have kept it for his own, and
when he returned you would not have known your son.\u2019
The face of Denethor set hard and cold. \u2018You found
Boromir less apt to your hand, did you not?\u2019 he said softly.
\u2018But I who was his father say that he would have brought it
to me. You are wise, maybe, Mithrandir, yet with all your
subtleties you have not all wisdom. Counsels may be found
that are neither the webs of wizards nor the haste of fools. I
have in this matter more lore and wisdom than you deem.\u2019
\u2018What then is your wisdom?\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018Enough to perceive that there are two follies to avoid. To
use this thing is perilous. At this hour, to send it in the hands
of a witless halfling into the land of the Enemy himself, as
you have done, and this son of mine, that is madness.\u2019
\u2018And the Lord Denethor what would he have done?\u2019
\u2018Neither. But most surely not for any argument would he
have set this thing at a hazard beyond all but a fool\u2019s hope,
risking our utter ruin, if the Enemy should recover what he
lost. Nay, it should have been kept, hidden, hidden dark and
deep. Not used, I say, unless at the uttermost end of need,
but set beyond his grasp, save by a victory so final that what
then befell would not trouble us, being dead.\u2019
\u2018You think, as is your wont, my lord, of Gondor only,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018Yet there are other men and other lives, and time
still to be. And for me, I pity even his slaves.\u2019
\u2018And where will other men look for help, if Gondor falls?\u2019
answered Denethor. \u2018If I had this thing now in the deep vaults
of this citadel, we should not then shake with dread under
this gloom, fearing the worst, and our counsels would be
undisturbed. If you do not trust me to endure the test, you
do not know me yet.\u2019
\u2018Nonetheless I do not trust you,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Had I done
so, I could have sent this thing hither to your keeping and
spared myself and others much anguish. And now hearing
the siege of gondor 1065
you speak I trust you less, no more than Boromir. Nay, stay
your wrath! I do not trust myself in this, and I refused this
thing, even as a freely given gift. You are strong and can still
in some matters govern yourself, Denethor; yet if you had
received this thing, it would have overthrown you. Were it
buried beneath the roots of Mindolluin, still it would burn
your mind away, as the darkness grows, and the yet worse
things follow that soon shall come upon us.\u2019
For a moment the eyes of Denethor glowed again as
he faced Gandalf, and Pippin felt once more the strain between their wills; but now almost it seemed as if their glances
were like blades from eye to eye, flickering as they fenced.
Pippin trembled fearing some dreadful stroke. But suddenly
Denethor relaxed and grew cold again. He shrugged his
shoulders.
\u2018If I had! If you had!\u2019 he said. \u2018Such words and ifs are vain.
It has gone into the Shadow, and only time will show what
doom awaits it, and us. The time will not be long. In what is
left, let all who fight the Enemy in their fashion be at one,
and keep hope while they may, and after hope still the hardihood to die free.\u2019 He turned to Faramir. \u2018What think you of
the garrison at Osgiliath?\u2019
\u2018It is not strong,\u2019 said Faramir. \u2018I have sent the company
of Ithilien to strengthen it, as I have said.\u2019
\u2018Not enough, I deem,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018It is there that the
first blow will fall. They will have need of some stout captain
there.\u2019
\u2018There and elsewhere in many places,\u2019 said Faramir, and
sighed. \u2018Alas for my brother, whom I too loved!\u2019 He rose.
\u2018May I have your leave, father?\u2019 And then he swayed and
leaned upon his father\u2019s chair.
\u2018You are weary, I see,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018You have ridden
fast and far, and under shadows of evil in the air, I am told.\u2019
\u2018Let us not speak of that!\u2019 said Faramir.
\u2018Then we will not,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018Go now and rest as
you may. Tomorrow\u2019s need will be sterner.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1066 the return of the king
All now took leave of the Lord of the City and went to rest
while they still could. Outside there was a starless blackness
as Gandalf, with Pippin beside him bearing a small torch,
made his way to their lodging. They did not speak until they
were behind closed doors. Then at last Pippin took Gandalf\u2019s
hand.
\u2018Tell me,\u2019 he said, \u2018is there any hope? For Frodo, I mean;
or at least mostly for Frodo.\u2019
Gandalf put his hand on Pippin\u2019s head. \u2018There never was
much hope,\u2019 he answered. \u2018Just a fool\u2019s hope, as I have been
told. And when I heard of Cirith Ungol\u2014\u2014\u2019 He broke off
and strode to the window, as if his eyes could pierce the night
in the East. \u2018Cirith Ungol!\u2019 he muttered. \u2018Why that way, I
wonder?\u2019 He turned. \u2018Just now, Pippin, my heart almost failed
me, hearing that name. And yet in truth I believe that the
news that Faramir brings has some hope in it. For it seems
clear that our Enemy has opened his war at last and made
the first move while Frodo was still free. So now for many
days he will have his eye turned this way and that, away from
his own land. And yet, Pippin, I feel from afar his haste and
fear. He has begun sooner than he would. Something has
happened to stir him.\u2019
Gandalf stood for a moment in thought. \u2018Maybe,\u2019 he muttered. \u2018Maybe even your foolishness helped, my lad. Let me
see: some five days ago now he would discover that we had
thrown down Saruman, and had taken the Stone. Still what
of that? We could not use it to much purpose, or without his
knowing. Ah! I wonder. Aragorn? His time draws near. And
he is strong and stern underneath, Pippin; bold, determined,
able to take his own counsel and dare great risks at need.
That may be it. He may have used the Stone and shown
himself to the Enemy, challenging him, for this very purpose.
I wonder. Well, we shall not know the answer till the Riders
of Rohan come, if they do not come too late. There are evil
days ahead. To sleep while we may!\u2019
\u2018But,\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018But what?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Only one but will I allow tonight.\u2019
the siege of gondor 1067
\u2018Gollum,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018How on earth could they be going
about with him, even following him? And I could see that
Faramir did not like the place he was taking them to any
more than you do. What is wrong?\u2019
\u2018I cannot answer that now,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Yet my heart
guessed that Frodo and Gollum would meet before the end.
For good, or for evil. But of Cirith Ungol I will not speak
tonight. Treachery, treachery I fear; treachery of that miserable creature. But so it must be. Let us remember that a
traitor may betray himself and do good that he does not
intend. It can be so, sometimes. Good night!\u2019
The next day came with a morning like a brown dusk, and
the hearts of men, lifted for a while by the return of Faramir,
sank low again. The winged Shadows were not seen again
that day, yet ever and anon, high above the city, a faint cry
would come, and many who heard it would stand stricken
with a passing dread, while the less stout-hearted quailed and
wept.
And now Faramir was gone again. \u2018They give him no rest,\u2019
some murmured. \u2018The Lord drives his son too hard, and now
he must do the duty of two, for himself and for the one that
will not return.\u2019 And ever men looked northward, asking:
\u2018Where are the Riders of Rohan?\u2019
In truth Faramir did not go by his own choosing. But the
Lord of the City was master of his Council, and he was in
no mood that day to bow to others. Early in the morning the
Council had been summoned. There all the captains judged
that because of the threat in the South their force was too
weak to make any stroke of war on their own part, unless
perchance the Riders of Rohan yet should come. Meanwhile
they must man the walls and wait.
\u2018Yet,\u2019 said Denethor, \u2018we should not lightly abandon the
outer defences, the Rammas made with so great a labour.
And the Enemy must pay dearly for the crossing of the River.
That he cannot do, in force to assail the City, either north of
Cair Andros because of the marshes, or southwards towards
1068 the return of the king
Lebennin because of the breadth of the River, that needs
many boats. It is at Osgiliath that he will put his weight, as
before when Boromir denied him the passage.\u2019
\u2018That was but a trial,\u2019 said Faramir. \u2018Today we may make
the Enemy pay ten times our loss at the passage and yet rue
the exchange. For he can afford to lose a host better than we
to lose a company. And the retreat of those that we put out
far afield will be perilous, if he wins across in force.\u2019
\u2018And what of Cair Andros?\u2019 said the Prince. \u2018That, too,
must be held, if Osgiliath is defended. Let us not forget the
danger on our left. The Rohirrim may come, and they may
not. But Faramir has told us of great strength drawing ever
to the Black Gate. More than one host may issue from it, and
strike for more than one passage.\u2019
\u2018Much must be risked in war,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018Cair Andros
is manned, and no more can be sent so far. But I will not
yield the River and the Pelennor unfought \u2013 not if there is a
captain here who has still the courage to do his lord\u2019s will.\u2019
Then all were silent. But at length Faramir said: \u2018I do not
oppose your will, sire. Since you are robbed of Boromir, I
will go and do what I can in his stead \u2013 if you command it.\u2019
\u2018I do so,\u2019 said Denethor.
\u2018Then farewell!\u2019 said Faramir. \u2018But if I should return, think
better of me!\u2019
\u2018That depends on the manner of your return,\u2019 said
Denethor.
Gandalf it was that last spoke to Faramir ere he rode east.
\u2018Do not throw your life away rashly or in bitterness,\u2019 he said.
\u2018You will be needed here, for other things than war. Your
father loves you, Faramir, and will remember it ere the end.
Farewell!\u2019
So now the Lord Faramir had gone forth again, and had
taken with him such strength of men as were willing to go
or could be spared. On the walls some gazed through the
gloom towards the ruined city, and they wondered what
chanced there, for nothing could be seen. And others, as
the siege of gondor 1069
ever, looked north and counted the leagues to The\u00b4oden in
Rohan. \u2018Will he come? Will he remember our old alliance?\u2019
they said.
\u2018Yes, he will come,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018even if he comes too
late. But think! At best the Red Arrow cannot have reached
him more than two days ago, and the miles are long from
Edoras.\u2019
It was night again ere news came. A man rode in haste
from the fords, saying that a host had issued from Minas
Morgul and was already drawing nigh to Osgiliath; and it
had been joined by regiments from the South, Haradrim,
cruel and tall. \u2018And we have learned,\u2019 said the messenger,
\u2018that the Black Captain leads them once again, and the fear
of him has passed before him over the River.\u2019
With those ill-boding words the third day closed since
Pippin came to Minas Tirith. Few went to rest, for small
hope had any now that even Faramir could hold the fords
for long.
The next day, though the darkness had reached its full and
grew no deeper, it weighed heavier on men\u2019s hearts, and
a great dread was on them. Ill news came soon again. The
passage of Anduin was won by the Enemy. Faramir was
retreating to the wall of the Pelennor, rallying his men to the
Causeway Forts; but he was ten times outnumbered.
\u2018If he wins back at all across the Pelennor, his enemies will
be on his heels,\u2019 said the messenger. \u2018They have paid dear
for the crossing, but less dearly than we hoped. The plan
has been well laid. It is now seen that in secret they have
long been building floats and barges in great number in East
Osgiliath. They swarmed across like beetles. But it is the
Black Captain that defeats us. Few will stand and abide even
the rumour of his coming. His own folk quail at him, and
they would slay themselves at his bidding.\u2019
\u2018Then I am needed there more than here,\u2019 said Gandalf,
and rode off at once, and the glimmer of him faded soon
1070 the return of the king
from sight. And all that night Pippin alone and sleepless stood
upon the wall and gazed eastward.
The bells of day had scarcely rung out again, a mockery
in the unlightened dark, when far away he saw fires spring
up, across in the dim spaces where the walls of the Pelennor
stood. The watchmen cried aloud, and all men in the City
stood to arms. Now ever and anon there was a red flash, and
slowly through the heavy air dull rumbles could be heard.
\u2018They have taken the wall!\u2019 men cried. \u2018They are blasting
breaches in it. They are coming!\u2019
\u2018Where is Faramir?\u2019 cried Beregond in dismay. \u2018Say not
that he has fallen!\u2019
It was Gandalf that brought the first tidings. With a handful
of horsemen he came in the middle morning, riding as escort
to a line of wains. They were filled with wounded men, all
that could be saved from the wreck of the Causeway Forts.
At once he went to Denethor. The Lord of the City sat now
in a high chamber above the Hall of the White Tower with
Pippin at his side; and through the dim windows, north and
south and east, he bent his dark eyes, as if to pierce the
shadows of doom that ringed him round. Most to the North
he looked, and would pause at whiles to listen as if by some
ancient art his ears might hear the thunder of hoofs on the
plains far away.
\u2018Is Faramir come?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018No,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But he still lived when I left him. Yet
he is resolved to stay with the rearguard, lest the retreat over
the Pelennor become a rout. He may, perhaps, hold his men
together long enough, but I doubt it. He is pitted against a
foe too great. For one has come that I feared.\u2019
\u2018Not \u2013 the Dark Lord?\u2019 cried Pippin, forgetting his place
in his terror.
Denethor laughed bitterly. \u2018Nay, not yet, Master Peregrin!
He will not come save only to triumph over me when all is
won. He uses others as his weapons. So do all great lords, if
they are wise, Master Halfling. Or why should I sit here in
the siege of gondor 1071
my tower and think, and watch, and wait, spending even my
sons? For I can still wield a brand.\u2019
He stood up and cast open his long black cloak, and behold!
he was clad in mail beneath, and girt with a long sword,
great-hilted in a sheath of black and silver. \u2018Thus have I
walked, and thus now for many years have I slept,\u2019 he said,
\u2018lest with age the body should grow soft and timid.\u2019
\u2018Yet now under the Lord of Barad-du\u02c6r the most fell of
all his captains is already master of your outer walls,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018King of Angmar long ago, Sorcerer, Ringwraith,
Lord of the Nazgu\u02c6l, a spear of terror in the hand of Sauron,
shadow of despair.\u2019
\u2018Then, Mithrandir, you had a foe to match you,\u2019 said
Denethor. \u2018For myself, I have long known who is the chief
captain of the hosts of the Dark Tower. Is this all that you
have returned to say? Or can it be that you have withdrawn
because you are overmatched?\u2019
Pippin trembled, fearing that Gandalf would be stung to
sudden wrath, but his fear was needless. \u2018It might be so,\u2019
Gandalf answered softly. \u2018But our trial of strength is not yet
come. And if words spoken of old be true, not by the hand
of man shall he fall, and hidden from the Wise is the doom
that awaits him. However that may be, the Captain of Despair
does not press forward, yet. He rules rather according to the
wisdom that you have just spoken, from the rear, driving his
slaves in madness on before.
\u2018Nay, I came rather to guard the hurt men that can yet be
healed; for the Rammas is breached far and wide, and soon
the host of Morgul will enter in at many points. And I came
chiefly to say this. Soon there will be battle on the fields. A
sortie must be made ready. Let it be of mounted men. In
them lies our brief hope, for in one thing only is the enemy
still poorly provided: he has few horsemen.\u2019
\u2018And we also have few. Now would the coming of Rohan
be in the nick of time,\u2019 said Denethor.
\u2018We are likely to see other newcomers first,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018Fugitives from Cair Andros have already reached us. The
1072 the return of the king
isle has fallen. Another army is come from the Black Gate,
crossing from the north-east.\u2019
\u2018Some have accused you, Mithrandir, of delighting to bear
ill news,\u2019 said Denethor, \u2018but to me this is no longer news: it
was known to me ere nightfall yesterday. As for the sortie, I
had already given thought to it. Let us go down.\u2019
Time passed. At length watchers on the walls could see the
retreat of the out-companies. Small bands of weary and often
wounded men came first with little order; some were running
wildly as if pursued. Away to the eastward the distant fires
flickered, and now it seemed that here and there they crept
across the plain. Houses and barns were burning. Then from
many points little rivers of red flame came hurrying on, winding through the gloom, converging towards the line of the
broad road that led from the City-gate to Osgiliath.
\u2018The enemy,\u2019 men murmured. \u2018The dike is down. Here
they come pouring through the breaches! And they carry
torches, it seems. Where are our own folk?\u2019
It drew now to evening by the hour, and the light was so
dim that even far-sighted men upon the Citadel could discern
little clearly out upon the fields, save only the burnings that
ever multiplied, and the lines of fire that grew in length and
speed. At last, less than a mile from the City, a more ordered
mass of men came into view, marching not running, still
holding together.
The watchers held their breath. \u2018Faramir must be there,\u2019
they said. \u2018He can govern man and beast. He will make
it yet.\u2019
Now the main retreat was scarcely two furlongs distant.
Out of the gloom behind a small company of horsemen galloped, all that was left of the rearguard. Once again they
turned at bay, facing the oncoming lines of fire. Then suddenly there was a tumult of fierce cries. Horsemen of the
enemy swept up. The lines of fire became flowing torrents,
file upon file of Orcs bearing flames, and wild Southron men
the siege of gondor 1073
with red banners, shouting with harsh tongues, surging up,
overtaking the retreat. And with a piercing cry out of the dim
sky fell the winged shadows, the Nazgu\u02c6l stooping to the kill.
The retreat became a rout. Already men were breaking
away, flying wild and witless here and there, flinging away
their weapons, crying out in fear, falling to the ground.
And then a trumpet rang from the Citadel, and Denethor
at last released the sortie. Drawn up within the shadow of the
Gate and under the looming walls outside they had waited
for his signal: all the mounted men that were left in the City.
Now they sprang forward, formed, quickened to a gallop,
and charged with a great shout. And from the walls an
answering shout went up; for foremost on the field rode the
swan-knights of Dol Amroth with their Prince and his blue
banner at their head.
\u2018Amroth for Gondor!\u2019 they cried. \u2018Amroth to Faramir!\u2019
Like thunder they broke upon the enemy on either flank
of the retreat; but one rider outran them all, swift as the wind
in the grass: Shadowfax bore him, shining, unveiled once
more, a light starting from his upraised hand.
The Nazgu\u02c6l screeched and swept away, for their Captain
was not yet come to challenge the white fire of his foe. The
hosts of Morgul intent on their prey, taken at unawares in
wild career, broke, scattering like sparks in a gale. The outcompanies with a great cheer turned and smote their pursuers. Hunters became the hunted. The retreat became an
onslaught. The field was strewn with stricken orcs and men,
and a reek arose of torches cast away, sputtering out in
swirling smoke. The cavalry rode on.
But Denethor did not permit them to go far. Though the
enemy was checked, and for the moment driven back, great
forces were flowing in from the East. Again the trumpet rang,
sounding the retreat. The cavalry of Gondor halted. Behind
their screen the out-companies re-formed. Now steadily they
came marching back. They reached the Gate of the City
and entered, stepping proudly; and proudly the people of
the City looked on them and cried their praise, and yet they
1074 the return of the king
were troubled in heart. For the companies were grievously
reduced. Faramir had lost a third of his men. And where
was he?
Last of all he came. His men passed in. The mounted
knights returned, and at their rear the banner of Dol Amroth,
and the Prince. And in his arms before him on his horse he
bore the body of his kinsman, Faramir son of Denethor,
found upon the stricken field.
\u2018Faramir! Faramir!\u2019 men cried, weeping in the streets. But
he did not answer, and they bore him away up the winding
road to the Citadel and his father. Even as the Nazgu\u02c6l had
swerved aside from the onset of the White Rider, there came
flying a deadly dart, and Faramir, as he held at bay a mounted
champion of Harad, had fallen to the earth. Only the charge
of Dol Amroth had saved him from the red southland swords
that would have hewed him as he lay.
The Prince Imrahil brought Faramir to the White Tower,
and he said: \u2018Your son has returned, lord, after great deeds,\u2019
and he told all that he had seen. But Denethor rose and
looked on the face of his son and was silent. Then he bade
them make a bed in the chamber and lay Faramir upon it
and depart. But he himself went up alone into the secret
room under the summit of the Tower; and many who looked
up thither at that time saw a pale light that gleamed and
flickered from the narrow windows for a while, and then
flashed and went out. And when Denethor descended again
he went to Faramir and sat beside him without speaking,
but the face of the Lord was grey, more deathlike than his
son\u2019s.
So now at last the City was besieged, enclosed in a ring of
foes. The Rammas was broken, and all the Pelennor abandoned to the Enemy. The last word to come from outside
the walls was brought by men flying down the northward
road ere the Gate was shut. They were the remnant of the
guard that was kept at that point where the way from Ano\u00b4rien
and Rohan ran into the townlands. Ingold led them, the same
the siege of gondor 1075
who had admitted Gandalf and Pippin less than five days
before, while the sun still rose and there was hope in the
morning.
\u2018There is no news of the Rohirrim,\u2019 he said. \u2018Rohan will
not come now. Or if they come, it will not avail us. The new
host that we had tidings of has come first, from over the
River by way of Andros, it is said. They are strong: battalions
of Orcs of the Eye, and countless companies of Men of a
new sort that we have not met before. Not tall, but broad and
grim, bearded like dwarves, wielding great axes. Out of some
savage land in the wide East they come, we deem. They hold
the northward road; and many have passed on into Ano\u00b4rien.
The Rohirrim cannot come.\u2019
The Gate was shut. All night watchmen on the walls heard
the rumour of the enemy that roamed outside, burning field
and tree, and hewing any man that they found abroad, living
or dead. The numbers that had already passed over the River
could not be guessed in the darkness, but when morning, or
its dim shadow, stole over the plain, it was seen that even
fear by night had scarcely over-counted them. The plain was
dark with their marching companies, and as far as eyes could
strain in the mirk there sprouted, like a foul fungus-growth,
all about the beleaguered city great camps of tents, black or
sombre red.
Busy as ants hurrying orcs were digging, digging lines of
deep trenches in a huge ring, just out of bowshot from the
walls; and as the trenches were made each was filled with fire,
though how it was kindled or fed, by art or devilry, none
could see. All day the labour went forward, while the men of
Minas Tirith looked on, unable to hinder it. And as each
length of trench was completed, they could see great wains
approaching; and soon yet more companies of the enemy
were swiftly setting up, each behind the cover of a trench,
great engines for the casting of missiles. There were none
upon the City walls large enough to reach so far or to stay
the work.
1076 the return of the king
At first men laughed and did not greatly fear such devices.
For the main wall of the City was of great height and marvellous thickness, built ere the power and craft of Nu\u00b4menor
waned in exile; and its outward face was like to the Tower of
Orthanc, hard and dark and smooth, unconquerable by steel
or fire, unbreakable except by some convulsion that would
rend the very earth on which it stood.
\u2018Nay,\u2019 they said, \u2018not if the Nameless One himself should
come, not even he could enter here while we yet live.\u2019 But
some answered: \u2018While we yet live? How long? He has a
weapon that has brought low many strong places since the
world began. Hunger. The roads are cut. Rohan will not
come.\u2019
But the engines did not waste shot upon the indomitable
wall. It was no brigand or orc-chieftain that ordered the
assault upon the Lord of Mordor\u2019s greatest foe. A power and
mind of malice guided it. As soon as the great catapults were
set, with many yells and the creaking of rope and winch, they
began to throw missiles marvellously high, so that they passed
right above the battlement and fell thudding within the first
circle of the City; and many of them by some secret art burst
into flame as they came toppling down.
Soon there was great peril of fire behind the wall, and all
who could be spared were busy quelling the flames that
sprang up in many places. Then among the greater casts
there fell another hail, less ruinous but more horrible. All
about the streets and lanes behind the Gate it tumbled down,
small round shot that did not burn. But when men ran to
learn what it might be, they cried aloud or wept. For the
enemy was flinging into the City all the heads of those who
had fallen fighting at Osgiliath, or on the Rammas, or in the
fields. They were grim to look on; for though some were
crushed and shapeless, and some had been cruelly hewn, yet
many had features that could be told, and it seemed that they
had died in pain; and all were branded with the foul token of
the Lidless Eye. But marred and dishonoured as they were,
it often chanced that thus a man would see again the face of
the siege of gondor 1077
someone that he had known, who had walked proudly once
in arms, or tilled the fields, or ridden in upon a holiday from
the green vales in the hills.
In vain men shook their fists at the pitiless foes that
swarmed before the Gate. Curses they heeded not, nor
understood the tongues of western men, crying with harsh
voices like beasts and carrion-birds. But soon there were few
left in Minas Tirith who had the heart to stand up and defy
the hosts of Mordor. For yet another weapon, swifter than
hunger, the Lord of the Dark Tower had: dread and despair.
The Nazgu\u02c6l came again, and as their Dark Lord now grew
and put forth his strength, so their voices, which uttered only
his will and his malice, were filled with evil and horror. Ever
they circled above the City, like vultures that expect their fill
of doomed men\u2019s flesh. Out of sight and shot they flew, and
yet were ever present, and their deadly voices rent the air.
More unbearable they became, not less, at each new cry. At
length even the stout-hearted would fling themselves to the
ground as the hidden menace passed over them, or they
would stand, letting their weapons fall from nerveless hands
while into their minds a blackness came, and they thought
no more of war; but only of hiding and of crawling, and of
death.
During all this black day Faramir lay upon his bed in the
chamber of the White Tower, wandering in a desperate fever;
dying someone said, and soon \u2018dying\u2019 all men were saying
upon the walls and in the streets. And by him his father sat,
and said nothing, but watched, and gave no longer any heed
to the defence.
No hours so dark had Pippin known, not even in the
clutches of the Uruk-hai. It was his duty to wait upon the
Lord, and wait he did, forgotten it seemed, standing by
the door of the unlit chamber, mastering his own fears
as best he could. And as he watched, it seemed to him
that Denethor grew old before his eyes, as if something
had snapped in his proud will, and his stern mind was
1078 the return of the king
overthrown. Grief maybe had wrought it, and remorse. He
saw tears on that once tearless face, more unbearable than
wrath.
\u2018Do not weep, lord,\u2019 he stammered. \u2018Perhaps he will get
well. Have you asked Gandalf ?\u2019
\u2018Comfort me not with wizards!\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018The
fool\u2019s hope has failed. The Enemy has found it, and now his
power waxes; he sees our very thoughts, and all we do is
ruinous.
\u2018I sent my son forth, unthanked, unblessed, out into needless peril, and here he lies with poison in his veins. Nay, nay,
whatever may now betide in war, my line too is ending, even
the House of the Stewards has failed. Mean folk shall rule
the last remnant of the Kings of Men, lurking in the hills until
all are hounded out.\u2019
Men came to the door crying for the Lord of the City.
\u2018Nay, I will not come down,\u2019 he said. \u2018I must stay beside my
son. He might still speak before the end. But that is near.
Follow whom you will, even the Grey Fool, though his hope
has failed. Here I stay.\u2019
So it was that Gandalf took command of the last defence
of the City of Gondor. Wherever he came men\u2019s hearts would
lift again, and the winged shadows pass from memory. Tirelessly he strode from Citadel to Gate, from north to south
about the wall; and with him went the Prince of Dol Amroth
in his shining mail. For he and his knights still held themselves
like lords in whom the race of Nu\u00b4menor ran true. Men that
saw them whispered saying: \u2018Belike the old tales speak well;
there is Elvish blood in the veins of that folk, for the people
of Nimrodel dwelt in that land once long ago.\u2019 And then
one would sing amid the gloom some staves of the Lay of
Nimrodel, or other songs of the Vale of Anduin out of
vanished years.
And yet \u2013 when they had gone, the shadows closed on
men again, and their hearts went cold, and the valour of
Gondor withered into ash. And so slowly they passed out
the siege of gondor 1079
of a dim day of fears into the darkness of a desperate
night. Fires now raged unchecked in the first circle of the
City, and the garrison upon the outer wall was already in
many places cut off from retreat. But the faithful who
remained there at their posts were few; most had fled beyond
the second gate.
Far behind the battle the River had been swiftly bridged,
and all day more force and gear of war had poured across.
Now at last in the middle night the assault was loosed. The
vanguard passed through the trenches of fire by many devious paths that had been left between them. On they came,
reckless of their loss as they approached, still bunched and
herded, within the range of bowmen on the wall. But indeed
there were too few now left there to do them great damage,
though the light of the fires showed up many a mark for
archers of such skill as Gondor once had boasted. Then
perceiving that the valour of the City was already beaten
down, the hidden Captain put forth his strength. Slowly the
great siege-towers built in Osgiliath rolled forward through
the dark.
Messengers came again to the chamber in the White
Tower, and Pippin let them enter, for they were urgent.
Denethor turned his head slowly from Faramir\u2019s face, and
looked at them silently.
\u2018The first circle of the City is burning, lord,\u2019 they said.
\u2018What are your commands? You are still the Lord and
Steward. Not all will follow Mithrandir. Men are flying from
the walls and leaving them unmanned.\u2019
\u2018Why? Why do the fools fly?\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018Better to
burn sooner than late, for burn we must. Go back to your
bonfire! And I? I will go now to my pyre. To my pyre! No
tomb for Denethor and Faramir. No tomb! No long slow
sleep of death embalmed. We will burn like heathen kings
before ever a ship sailed hither from the West. The West has
failed. Go back and burn!\u2019
1080 the return of the king
The messengers without bow or answer turned and fled.
Now Denethor stood up and released the fevered hand of
Faramir that he had held. \u2018He is burning, already burning,\u2019
he said sadly. \u2018The house of his spirit crumbles.\u2019 Then stepping softly towards Pippin he looked down at him.
\u2018Farewell!\u2019 he said. \u2018Farewell, Peregrin son of Paladin! Your
service has been short, and now it is drawing to an end. I
release you from the little that remains. Go now, and die in
what way seems best to you. And with whom you will, even
that friend whose folly brought you to this death. Send for
my servants and then go. Farewell!\u2019
\u2018I will not say farewell, my lord,\u2019 said Pippin kneeling. And
then suddenly hobbit-like once more, he stood up and looked
the old man in the eyes. \u2018I will take your leave, sir,\u2019 he said;
\u2018for I want to see Gandalf very much indeed. But he is no
fool; and I will not think of dying until he despairs of life.
But from my word and your service I do not wish to be
released while you live. And if they come at last to the Citadel,
I hope to be here and stand beside you and earn perhaps the
arms that you have given me.\u2019
\u2018Do as you will, Master Halfling,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018But my
life is broken. Send for my servants!\u2019 He turned back to
Faramir.
Pippin left him and called for the servants, and they came:
six men of the household, strong and fair; yet they trembled
at the summons. But in a quiet voice Denethor bade them
lay warm coverlets on Faramir\u2019s bed and take it up. And they
did so, and lifting up the bed they bore it from the chamber.
Slowly they paced to trouble the fevered man as little as might
be, and Denethor, now bending on a staff, followed them;
and last came Pippin.
Out from the White Tower they walked, as if to a funeral,
out into the darkness, where the overhanging cloud was lit
beneath with flickers of dull red. Softly they paced the great
courtyard, and at a word from Denethor halted beside the
Withered Tree.
the siege of gondor 1081
All was silent, save for the rumour of war in the City down
below, and they heard the water dripping sadly from the dead
branches into the dark pool. Then they went on through the
Citadel gate, where the sentinel stared at them in wonder and
dismay as they passed by. Turning westward they came at
length to a door in the rearward wall of the sixth circle. Fen
Hollen it was called, for it was kept ever shut save at times of
funeral, and only the Lord of the City might use that way, or
those who bore the token of the tombs and tended the houses
of the dead. Beyond it went a winding road that descended
in many curves down to the narrow land under the shadow
of Mindolluin\u2019s precipice where stood the mansions of the
dead Kings and of their Stewards.
A porter sat in a little house beside the way, and with fear
in his eyes he came forth bearing a lantern in his hand. At
the Lord\u2019s command he unlocked the door, and silently it
swung back; and they passed through, taking the lantern from
his hand. It was dark on the climbing road between ancient
walls and many-pillared balusters looming in the swaying
lantern-beam. Their slow feet echoed as they walked down,
down, until at last they came to the Silent Street, Rath D\u0131\u00b4nen,
between pale domes and empty halls and images of men long
dead; and they entered into the House of the Stewards and
set down their burden.
There Pippin, staring uneasily about him, saw that he
was in a wide vaulted chamber, draped as it were with the
great shadows that the little lantern threw upon its shrouded
walls. And dimly to be seen were many rows of tables, carved
of marble; and upon each table lay a sleeping form, hands
folded, head pillowed upon stone. But one table near at hand
stood broad and bare. Upon it at a sign from Denethor they
laid Faramir and his father side by side, and covered them
with one covering, and stood then with bowed heads as
mourners beside a bed of death. Then Denethor spoke in a
low voice.
\u2018Here we will wait,\u2019 he said. \u2018But send not for the embalmers. Bring us wood quick to burn, and lay it all about us,
1082 the return of the king
and beneath; and pour oil upon it. And when I bid you thrust
in a torch. Do this and speak no more to me. Farewell!\u2019
\u2018By your leave, lord!\u2019 said Pippin and turned and fled in
terror from the deathly house. \u2018Poor Faramir!\u2019 he thought.
\u2018I must find Gandalf. Poor Faramir! Quite likely he needs
medicine more than tears. Oh, where can I find Gandalf ? In
the thick of things, I suppose; and he will have no time to
spare for dying men or madmen.\u2019
At the door he turned to one of the servants who had
remained on guard there. \u2018Your master is not himself,\u2019 he
said. \u2018Go slow! Bring no fire to this place while Faramir lives!
Do nothing until Gandalf comes!\u2019
\u2018Who is the master of Minas Tirith?\u2019 the man answered.
\u2018The Lord Denethor or the Grey Wanderer?\u2019
\u2018The Grey Wanderer or no one, it would seem,\u2019 said
Pippin, and he sped back and up the winding way as swiftly
as his feet would carry him, past the astonished porter,
out through the door, and on, till he came near the gate of
the Citadel. The sentinel hailed him as he went by, and he
recognized the voice of Beregond.
\u2018Whither do you run, Master Peregrin?\u2019 he cried.
\u2018To find Mithrandir,\u2019 Pippin answered.
\u2018The Lord\u2019s errands are urgent and should not be hindered
by me,\u2019 said Beregond; \u2018but tell me quickly, if you may: what
goes forward? Whither has my Lord gone? I have just come
on duty, but I heard that he passed towards the Closed Door,
and men were bearing Faramir before him.\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018to the Silent Street.\u2019
Beregond bowed his head to hide his tears. \u2018They said that
he was dying,\u2019 he sighed, \u2018and now he is dead.\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018not yet. And even now his death might
be prevented, I think. But the Lord of the City, Beregond,
has fallen before his city is taken. He is fey and dangerous.\u2019
Quickly he told of Denethor\u2019s strange words and deeds. \u2018I
must find Gandalf at once.\u2019
\u2018Then you must go down to the battle.\u2019
\u2018I know. The Lord has given me leave. But, Beregond, if
the siege of gondor 1083
you can, do something to stop any dreadful thing happening.\u2019
\u2018The Lord does not permit those who wear the black and
silver to leave their post for any cause, save at his own
command.\u2019
\u2018Well, you must choose between orders and the life of
Faramir,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018And as for orders, I think you have a
madman to deal with, not a lord. I must run. I will return if
I can.\u2019
He ran on, down, down towards the outer city. Men flying
back from the burning passed him, and some seeing his livery
turned and shouted, but he paid no heed. At last he was
through the Second Gate, beyond which great fires leaped
up between the walls. Yet it seemed strangely silent. No noise
or shouts of battle or din of arms could be heard. Then
suddenly there was a dreadful cry and a great shock, and a
deep echoing boom. Forcing himself on against a gust of fear
and horror that shook him almost to his knees, Pippin turned
a corner opening on the wide place behind the City Gate. He
stopped dead. He had found Gandalf; but he shrank back,
cowering into a shadow.
Ever since the middle night the great assault had gone
on. The drums rolled. To the north and to the south company upon company of the enemy pressed to the walls. There
came great beasts, like moving houses in the red and fitful
light, the mu\u02c6makil of the Harad dragging through the lanes
amid the fires huge towers and engines. Yet their Captain
cared not greatly what they did or how many might be
slain: their purpose was only to test the strength of the defence and to keep the men of Gondor busy in many places.
It was against the Gate that he would throw his heaviest
weight. Very strong it might be, wrought of steel and iron,
and guarded with towers and bastions of indomitable stone,
yet it was the key, the weakest point in all that high and
impenetrable wall.
The drums rolled louder. Fires leaped up. Great engines
crawled across the field; and in the midst was a huge ram,
1084 the return of the king
great as a forest-tree a hundred feet in length, swinging on
mighty chains. Long had it been forging in the dark smithies
of Mordor, and its hideous head, founded of black steel, was
shaped in the likeness of a ravening wolf; on it spells of ruin
lay. Grond they named it, in memory of the Hammer of the
Underworld of old. Great beasts drew it, orcs surrounded it,
and behind walked mountain-trolls to wield it.
But about the Gate resistance still was stout, and there the
knights of Dol Amroth and the hardiest of the garrison stood
at bay. Shot and dart fell thick; siege-towers crashed or blazed
suddenly like torches. All before the walls on either side of
the Gate the ground was choked with wreck and with bodies
of the slain; yet still driven as by a madness more and more
came up.
Grond crawled on. Upon its housing no fire would catch;
and though now and again some great beast that hauled it
would go mad and spread stamping ruin among the orcs
innumerable that guarded it, their bodies were cast aside from
its path and others took their place.
Grond crawled on. The drums rolled wildly. Over the hills
of slain a hideous shape appeared: a horseman, tall, hooded,
cloaked in black. Slowly, trampling the fallen, he rode forth,
heeding no longer any dart. He halted and held up a long
pale sword. And as he did so a great fear fell on all, defender
and foe alike; and the hands of men drooped to their sides,
and no bow sang. For a moment all was still.
The drums rolled and rattled. With a vast rush Grond
was hurled forward by huge hands. It reached the Gate. It
swung. A deep boom rumbled through the City like thunder
running in the clouds. But the doors of iron and posts of steel
withstood the stroke.
Then the Black Captain rose in his stirrups and cried aloud
in a dreadful voice, speaking in some forgotten tongue words
of power and terror to rend both heart and stone.
Thrice he cried. Thrice the great ram boomed. And suddenly upon the last stroke the Gate of Gondor broke. As if
stricken by some blasting spell it burst asunder: there was a
the siege of gondor 1085
flash of searing lightning, and the doors tumbled in riven
fragments to the ground.
In rode the Lord of the Nazgu\u02c6l. A great black shape against
the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of
despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgu\u02c6l, under the archway
that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his
face.
All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space
before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax
who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the
terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath D\u0131\u00b4nen.
\u2018You cannot enter here,\u2019 said Gandalf, and the huge
shadow halted. \u2018Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go
back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your
Master. Go!\u2019
The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had
a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The
red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and
dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
\u2018Old fool!\u2019 he said. \u2018Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not
know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!\u2019
And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down
the blade.
Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away
behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill
and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war,
welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the
shadows of death was coming with the dawn.
And as if in answer there came from far away another note.
Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin\u2019s sides they dimly
echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had
come at last.
Chapter 5
THE RIDE OF THE ROHIRRIM
It was dark and Merry could see nothing as he lay on the
ground rolled in a blanket; yet though the night was airless
and windless, all about him hidden trees were sighing softly.
He lifted his head. Then he heard it again: a sound like faint
drums in the wooded hills and mountain-steps. The throb
would cease suddenly and then be taken up again at some
other point, now nearer, now further off. He wondered if the
watchmen had heard it.
He could not see them, but he knew that all round him
were the companies of the Rohirrim. He could smell the
horses in the dark, and could hear their shiftings and their
soft stamping on the needle-covered ground. The host was
bivouacked in the pine-woods that clustered about Eilenach
Beacon, a tall hill standing up from the long ridges of the
Dru\u00b4adan Forest that lay beside the great road in East Ano\u00b4rien.
Tired as he was Merry could not sleep. He had ridden now
for four days on end, and the ever-deepening gloom had
slowly weighed down his heart. He began to wonder why he
had been so eager to come, when he had been given every
excuse, even his lord\u2019s command, to stay behind. He wondered, too, if the old King knew that he had been disobeyed
and was angry. Perhaps not. There seemed to be some understanding between Dernhelm and Elfhelm, the Marshal who
commanded the e\u00b4ored in which they were riding. He and all
his men ignored Merry and pretended not to hear if he spoke.
He might have been just another bag that Dernhelm was
carrying. Dernhelm was no comfort: he never spoke to anyone. Merry felt small, unwanted, and lonely. Now the time
was anxious, and the host was in peril. They were less than
a day\u2019s ride from the out-walls of Minas Tirith that encircled
the ride of the rohirrim 1087
the townlands. Scouts had been sent ahead. Some had not
returned. Others hastening back had reported that the road
was held in force against them. A host of the enemy was
encamped upon it, three miles west of Amon D\u0131\u02c6n, and some
strength of men was already thrusting along the road and was
no more than three leagues away. Orcs were roving in the
hills and woods along the roadside. The king and E\u00b4 omer held
council in the watches of the night.
Merry wanted somebody to talk to, and he thought of
Pippin. But that only increased his restlessness. Poor Pippin,
shut up in the great city of stone, lonely and afraid. Merry
wished he was a tall Rider like E\u00b4 omer and could blow a horn
or something and go galloping to his rescue. He sat up,
listening to the drums that were beating again, now nearer at
hand. Presently he heard voices speaking low, and he saw
dim half-shrouded lanterns passing through the trees. Men
nearby began to move uncertainly in the dark.
A tall figure loomed up and stumbled over him, cursing the
tree-roots. He recognized the voice of Elfhelm the Marshal.
\u2018I am not a tree-root, Sir,\u2019 he said, \u2018nor a bag, but a bruised
hobbit. The least you can do in amends is to tell me what is
afoot.\u2019
\u2018Anything that can keep so in this devil\u2019s mirk,\u2019 answered
Elfhelm. \u2018But my lord sends word that we must set ourselves
in readiness: orders may come for a sudden move.\u2019
\u2018Is the enemy coming then?\u2019 asked Merry anxiously. \u2018Are
those their drums? I began to think I was imagining them, as
no one else seemed to take any notice of them.\u2019
\u2018Nay, nay,\u2019 said Elfhelm, \u2018the enemy is on the road not in
the hills. You hear the Woses, the Wild Men of the Woods:
thus they talk together from afar. They still haunt Dru\u00b4adan
Forest, it is said. Remnants of an older time they be, living
few and secretly, wild and wary as the beasts. They go not
to war with Gondor or the Mark; but now they are troubled
by the darkness and the coming of the orcs: they fear lest the
Dark Years be returning, as seems likely enough. Let us be
thankful that they are not hunting us: for they use poisoned
1088 the return of the king
arrows, it is said, and they are woodcrafty beyond compare.
But they have offered their services to The\u00b4oden. Even now
one of their headmen is being taken to the king. Yonder go
the lights. So much I have heard but no more. And now I
must busy myself with my lord\u2019s commands. Pack yourself
up, Master Bag!\u2019 He vanished into the shadows.
Merry did not like this talk of wild men and poisoned
darts, but quite apart from that a great weight of dread was
on him. Waiting was unbearable. He longed to know what
was going to happen. He got up and soon was walking warily
in pursuit of the last lantern before it disappeared among the
trees.
Presently he came to an open space where a small tent had
been set up for the king under a great tree. A large lantern,
covered above, was hanging from a bough and cast a pale
circle of light below. There sat The\u00b4oden and E\u00b4 omer, and
before them on the ground sat a strange squat shape of a
man, gnarled as an old stone, and the hairs of his scanty
beard straggled on his lumpy chin like dry moss. He was
short-legged and fat-armed, thick and stumpy, and clad
only with grass about his waist. Merry felt that he had seen
him before somewhere, and suddenly he remembered the
Pu\u00b4kel-men of Dunharrow. Here was one of those old images
brought to life, or maybe a creature descended in true line
through endless years from the models used by the forgotten
craftsmen long ago.
There was a silence as Merry crept nearer, and then the
Wild Man began to speak, in answer to some question, it
seemed. His voice was deep and guttural, yet to Merry\u2019s
surprise he spoke the Common Speech, though in a halting
fashion, and uncouth words were mingled with it.
\u2018No, father of Horse-men,\u2019 he said, \u2018we fight not. Hunt
only. Kill gorgu\u02c6n in woods, hate orc-folk. You hate gorgu\u02c6n
too. We help as we can. Wild Men have long ears and long
eyes; know all paths. Wild Men live here before Stone-houses;
before Tall Men come up out of Water.\u2019
the ride of the rohirrim 1089
\u2018But our need is for aid in battle,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018How will
you and your folk help us?\u2019
\u2018Bring news,\u2019 said the Wild Man. \u2018We look out from hills.
We climb big mountain and look down. Stone-city is shut.
Fire burns there outside; now inside too. You wish to come
there? Then you must be quick. But gorgu\u02c6n and men out of
far-away,\u2019 he waved a short gnarled arm eastward, \u2018sit on
horse-road. Very many, more than Horse-men.\u2019
\u2018How do you know that?\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer.
The old man\u2019s flat face and dark eyes showed nothing, but
his voice was sullen with displeasure. \u2018Wild Men are wild,
free, but not children,\u2019 he answered. \u2018I am great headman,
Gha\u02c6n-buri-Gha\u02c6n. I count many things: stars in sky, leaves
on trees, men in the dark. You have a score of scores counted
ten times and five. They have more. Big fight, and who will
win? And many more walk round walls of Stone-houses.\u2019
\u2018Alas! he speaks all too shrewdly,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018And our
scouts say that they have cast trenches and stakes across the
road. We cannot sweep them away in sudden onset.\u2019
\u2018And yet we need great haste,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018Mundburg is
on fire!\u2019
\u2018Let Gha\u02c6n-buri-Gha\u02c6n finish!\u2019 said the Wild Man. \u2018More
than one road he knows. He will lead you by road where no
pits are, no gorgu\u02c6n walk, only Wild Men and beasts. Many
paths were made when Stonehouse-folk were stronger. They
carved hills as hunters carve beast-flesh. Wild Men think they
ate stone for food. They went through Dru\u00b4adan to Rimmon
with great wains. They go no longer. Road is forgotten, but
not by Wild Men. Over hill and behind hill it lies still under
grass and tree, there behind Rimmon and down to D\u0131\u02c6n, and
back at the end to Horse-men\u2019s road. Wild Men will show
you that road. Then you will kill gorgu\u02c6n and drive away bad
dark with bright iron, and Wild Men can go back to sleep in
the wild woods.\u2019
E\u00b4 omer and the king spoke together in their own tongue.
At length The\u00b4oden turned to the Wild Man. \u2018We will receive
your offer,\u2019 he said. \u2018For though we leave a host of foes
1090 the return of the king
behind, what matter? If the Stone-city falls, then we shall
have no returning. If it is saved, then the orc-host itself will
be cut off. If you are faithful, Gha\u02c6n-buri-Gha\u02c6n, then we will
give you rich reward, and you shall have the friendship of the
Mark for ever.\u2019
\u2018Dead men are not friends to living men, and give them no
gifts,\u2019 said the Wild Man. \u2018But if you live after the Darkness,
then leave Wild Men alone in the woods and do not hunt
them like beasts any more. Gha\u02c6n-buri-Gha\u02c6n will not lead you
into trap. He will go himself with father of Horse-men, and
if he leads you wrong, you will kill him.\u2019
\u2018So be it!\u2019 said The\u00b4oden.
\u2018How long will it take to pass by the enemy and come back
to the road?\u2019 asked E\u00b4 omer. \u2018We must go at foot-pace, if you
guide us; and I doubt not the way is narrow.\u2019
\u2018Wild Men go quick on feet,\u2019 said Gha\u02c6n. \u2018Way is wide for
four horses in Stonewain Valley yonder,\u2019 he waved his hand
southwards; \u2018but narrow at beginning and at end. Wild Man
could walk from here to D\u0131\u02c6n between sunrise and noon.\u2019
\u2018Then we must allow at least seven hours for the leaders,\u2019
said E\u00b4 omer; \u2018but we must reckon rather on some ten hours
for all. Things unforeseen may hinder us, and if our host is
all strung out, it will be long ere it can be set in order when
we issue from the hills. What is the hour now?\u2019
\u2018Who knows?\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018All is night now.\u2019
\u2018It is all dark, but it is not all night,\u2019 said Gha\u02c6n. \u2018When Sun
comes we feel her, even when she is hidden. Already she climbs
over East-mountains. It is the opening of day in the sky-fields.\u2019
\u2018Then we must set out as soon as may be,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer.
\u2018Even so we cannot hope to come to Gondor\u2019s aid today.\u2019
Merry waited to hear no more, but slipped away to get
ready for the summons to the march. This was the last stage
before the battle. It did not seem likely to him that many of
them would survive it. But he thought of Pippin and the
flames in Minas Tirith and thrust down his own dread.
All went well that day, and no sight or sound had they of
the ride of the rohirrim 1091
the enemy waiting to waylay them. The Wild Men had put
out a screen of wary hunters, so that no orc or roving spy
should learn of the movements in the hills. The light was
more dim than ever as they drew nearer to the beleaguered
city, and the Riders passed in long files like dark shadows of
men and horses. Each company was guided by a wild woodman; but old Gha\u02c6n walked beside the king. The start had
been slower than was hoped, for it had taken time for the
Riders, walking and leading their horses, to find paths over
the thickly wooded ridges behind their camp and down into
the hidden Stonewain Valley. It was late in the afternoon
when the leaders came to wide grey thickets stretching beyond the eastward side of Amon D\u0131\u02c6n, and masking a great
gap in the line of hills that from Nardol to D\u0131\u02c6n ran east and
west. Through the gap the forgotten wain-road long ago
had run down, back into the main horse-way from the City
through Ano\u00b4rien; but now for many lives of men trees
had had their way with it, and it had vanished, broken and
buried under the leaves of uncounted years. But the thickets
offered to the Riders their last hope of cover before they
went into open battle; for beyond them lay the road and the
plains of Anduin, while east and southwards the slopes were
bare and rocky, as the writhen hills gathered themselves
together and climbed up, bastion upon bastion, into the great
mass and shoulders of Mindolluin.
The leading company was halted, and as those behind filed
up out of the trough of the Stonewain Valley they spread out
and passed to camping-places under the grey trees. The king
summoned the captains to council. E\u00b4 omer sent out scouts to
spy upon the road; but old Gha\u02c6n shook his head.
\u2018No good to send Horse-men,\u2019 he said. \u2018Wild Men have
already seen all that can be seen in the bad air. They will
come soon and speak to me here.\u2019
The captains came; and then out of the trees crept warily
other pu\u00b4kel-shapes so like old Gha\u02c6n that Merry could hardly
tell them apart. They spoke to Gha\u02c6n in a strange throaty
language.
1092 the return of the king
Presently Gha\u02c6n turned to the king. \u2018Wild Men say many
things,\u2019 he said. \u2018First, be wary! Still many men in camp
beyond D\u0131\u02c6n, an hour\u2019s walk yonder,\u2019 he waved his arm west
towards the black beacon. \u2018But none to see between here and
Stone-folk\u2019s new walls. Many busy there. Walls stand up no
longer: gorgu\u02c6n knock them down with earth-thunder and with
clubs of black iron. They are unwary and do not look about
them. They think their friends watch all roads!\u2019 At that old
Gha\u02c6n made a curious gurgling noise, and it seemed that he
was laughing.
\u2018Good tidings!\u2019 cried E\u00b4 omer. \u2018Even in this gloom hope
gleams again. Our Enemy\u2019s devices oft serve us in his despite.
The accursed darkness itself has been a cloak to us. And
now, lusting to destroy Gondor and throw it down stone
from stone, his orcs have taken away my greatest fear. The
out-wall could have been held long against us. Now we can
sweep through \u2013 if once we win so far.\u2019
\u2018Once again I thank you, Gha\u02c6n-buri-Gha\u02c6n of the woods,\u2019
said The\u00b4oden. \u2018Good fortune go with you for tidings and for
guidance!\u2019
\u2018Kill gorgu\u02c6n! Kill orc-folk! No other words please Wild
Men,\u2019 answered Gha\u02c6n. \u2018Drive away bad air and darkness
with bright iron!\u2019
\u2018To do these things we have ridden far,\u2019 said the king,
\u2018and we shall attempt them. But what we shall achieve only
tomorrow will show.\u2019
Gha\u02c6n-buri-Gha\u02c6n squatted down and touched the earth
with his horny brow in token of farewell. Then he got up as
if to depart. But suddenly he stood looking up like some
startled woodland animal snuffling a strange air. A light came
in his eyes.
\u2018Wind is changing!\u2019 he cried, and with that, in a twinkling
as it seemed, he and his fellows had vanished into the glooms,
never to be seen by any Rider of Rohan again. Not long after
far away eastward the faint drums throbbed again. Yet to no
heart in all the host came any fear that the Wild Men were
unfaithful, strange and unlovely though they might appear.
the ride of the rohirrim 1093
\u2018We need no further guidance,\u2019 said Elfhelm; \u2018for there are
riders in the host who have ridden down to Mundburg in
days of peace. I for one. When we come to the road it will
veer south, and there will lie before us still seven leagues ere
we reach the wall of the townlands. Along most of that way
there is much grass on either side of the road. On that stretch
the errand-riders of Gondor reckoned to make their greatest
speed. We may ride it swiftly and without great rumour.\u2019
\u2018Then since we must look for fell deeds and the need of all
our strength,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer, \u2018I counsel that we rest now, and
set out hence by night, and so time our going that we come
upon the fields when tomorrow is as light as it will be, or
when our lord gives the signal.\u2019
To this the king assented, and the captains departed. But
soon Elfhelm returned. \u2018The scouts have found naught to
report beyond the Grey Wood, lord,\u2019 he said, \u2018save two men
only: two dead men and two dead horses.\u2019
\u2018Well?\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018What of it?\u2019
\u2018This, lord: they were errand-riders of Gondor; Hirgon
was one maybe. At least his hand still clasped the Red Arrow,
but his head was hewn off. And this also: it would seem by
the signs that they were fleeing westward when they fell. As I
read it, they found the enemy already on the out-wall, or
assailing it, when they returned \u2013 and that would be two
nights ago, if they used fresh horses from the posts, as is their
wont. They could not reach the City and turned back.\u2019
\u2018Alas!\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. \u2018Then Denethor has heard no news
of our riding and will despair of our coming.\u2019
\u2018Need brooks no delay, yet late is better than never,\u2019 said
E\u00b4 omer. \u2018And mayhap in this time shall the old saw be proved
truer than ever before since men spoke with mouth.\u2019
It was night. On either side of the road the host of Rohan
was moving silently. Now the road passing about the skirts of
Mindolluin turned southward. Far away and almost straight
ahead there was a red glow under the black sky and the sides
of the great mountain loomed dark against it. They were
1094 the return of the king
drawing near the Rammas of the Pelennor; but the day was
not yet come.
The king rode in the midst of the leading company, his
household-men about him. Elfhelm\u2019s e\u00b4ored came next; and
now Merry noticed that Dernhelm had left his place and in
the darkness was moving steadily forward, until at last he was
riding just in rear of the king\u2019s guard. There came a check.
Merry heard voices in front speaking softly. Out-riders had
come back who had ventured forward almost to the wall.
They came to the king.
\u2018There are great fires, lord,\u2019 said one. \u2018The City is all set
about with flame, and the field is full of foes. But all seem
drawn off to the assault. As well as we could guess, there are
few left upon the out-wall, and they are heedless, busy in
destruction.\u2019
\u2018Do you remember the Wild Man\u2019s words, lord?\u2019 said
another. \u2018I live upon the open Wold in days of peace; W\u0131\u00b4dfara
is my name, and to me also the air brings messages. Already
the wind is turning. There comes a breath out of the South;
there is a sea-tang in it, faint though it be. The morning will
bring new things. Above the reek it will be dawn when you
pass the wall.\u2019
\u2018If you speak truly, W\u0131\u00b4dfara, then may you live beyond this
day in years of blessedness!\u2019 said The\u00b4oden. He turned to the
men of his household who were near, and he spoke now in a
clear voice so that many also of the riders of the first e\u00b4ored
heard him:
\u2018Now is the hour come, Riders of the Mark, sons of
Eorl! Foes and fire are before you, and your homes far
behind. Yet, though you fight upon an alien field, the glory
that you reap there shall be your own for ever. Oaths ye have
taken: now fulfil them all, to lord and land and league of
friendship!\u2019
Men clashed spear upon shield.
\u2018E\u00b4 omer, my son! You lead the first e\u00b4ored,\u2019 said The\u00b4oden;
\u2018and it shall go behind the king\u2019s banner in the centre.
Elfhelm, lead your company to the right when we pass the
the ride of the rohirrim 1095
wall. And Grimbold shall lead his towards the left. Let the
other companies behind follow these three that lead, as they
have chance. Strike wherever the enemy gathers. Other plans
we cannot make, for we know not yet how things stand upon
the field. Forth now, and fear no darkness!\u2019
The leading company rode off as swiftly as they could,
for it was still deep dark, whatever change W\u0131\u00b4dfara might
forebode. Merry was riding behind Dernhelm, clutching with
the left hand while with the other he tried to loosen his sword
in its sheath. He felt now bitterly the truth of the old king\u2019s
words: in such a battle what would you do, Meriadoc? Just this,\u2019
he thought: \u2018encumber a rider, and hope at best to stay in my
seat and not be pounded to death by galloping hoofs!\u2019
It was no more than a league to where the out-walls had
stood. They soon reached them; too soon for Merry. Wild
cries broke out, and there was some clash of arms, but it was
brief. The orcs busy about the walls were few and amazed,
and they were quickly slain or driven off. Before the ruin of
the north-gate in the Rammas the king halted again. The first
e\u00b4ored drew up behind him and about him on either side.
Dernhelm kept close to the king, though Elfhelm\u2019s company
was away on the right. Grimbold\u2019s men turned aside and
passed round to a great gap in the wall further eastward.
Merry peered from behind Dernhelm\u2019s back. Far away,
maybe ten miles or more, there was a great burning, but
between it and the Riders lines of fire blazed in a vast crescent,
at the nearest point less than a league distant. He could make
out little more on the dark plain, and as yet he neither saw any
hope of morning, nor felt any wind, changed or unchanged.
Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the
field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily, like the rising
tide through breaches in a dike that men have thought secure.
But the mind and will of the Black Captain were bent wholly
on the falling city, and as yet no tidings came to him warning
that his designs held any flaw.
1096 the return of the king
After a while the king led his men away somewhat eastward, to come between the fires of the siege and the outer
fields. Still they were unchallenged, and still The\u00b4oden gave
no signal. At last he halted once again. The City was now
nearer. A smell of burning was in the air and a very shadow
of death. The horses were uneasy. But the king sat upon
Snowmane, motionless, gazing upon the agony of Minas
Tirith, as if stricken suddenly by anguish, or by dread. He
seemed to shrink down, cowed by age. Merry himself felt as
if a great weight of horror and doubt had settled on him. His
heart beat slowly. Time seemed poised in uncertainty. They
were too late! Too late was worse than never! Perhaps
The\u00b4oden would quail, bow his old head, turn, slink away to
hide in the hills.
Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a
change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering. Far, far
away, in the South the clouds could be dimly seen as remote
grey shapes, rolling up, drifting: morning lay beyond them.
But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning
had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing
second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost
tower like a glittering needle; and then as the darkness closed
again there came rolling over the fields a great boom.
At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly
erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his
stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there
had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:
Arise, arise, Riders of The\u00b4oden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
With that he seized a great horn from Guthla\u00b4f his bannerbearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder.
the ride of the rohirrim 1097
And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in
music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour
was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the
mountains.
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang
away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse
upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered
the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. E\u00b4 omer
rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his
speed, and the front of the first e\u00b4ored roared like a breaker
foaming to the shore, but The\u00b4oden could not be overtaken.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new
fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a
god of old, even as Orome\u00a8 the Great in the battle of the Valar
when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered,
and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed
into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning
came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was
removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took
them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode
over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song,
and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them,
and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came
even to the City.
Chapter 6
THE BATTLE OF THE
PELENNOR FIELDS
But it was no orc-chieftain or brigand that led the assault
upon Gondor. The darkness was breaking too soon, before
the date that his Master had set for it: fortune had betrayed
him for the moment, and the world had turned against him;
victory was slipping from his grasp even as he stretched out
his hand to seize it. But his arm was long. He was still in
command, wielding great powers. King, Ringwraith, Lord of
the Nazgu\u02c6l, he had many weapons. He left the Gate and
vanished.
The\u00b4oden King of the Mark had reached the road from the
Gate to the River, and he turned towards the City that was
now less than a mile distant. He slackened his speed a little,
seeking new foes, and his knights came about him, and
Dernhelm was with them. Ahead nearer the walls Elfhelm\u2019s
men were among the siege-engines, hewing, slaying, driving
their foes into the fire-pits. Well nigh all the northern half of
the Pelennor was overrun, and there camps were blazing,
orcs were flying towards the River like herds before the hunters; and the Rohirrim went hither and thither at their will.
But they had not yet overthrown the siege, nor won the Gate.
Many foes stood before it, and on the further half of the plain
were other hosts still unfought. Southward beyond the road
lay the main force of the Haradrim, and there their horsemen
were gathered about the standard of their chieftain. And he
looked out, and in the growing light he saw the banner of the
king, and that it was far ahead of the battle with few men
about it. Then he was filled with a red wrath and shouted
the battle of the pelennor fields 1099
aloud, and displaying his standard, black serpent upon scarlet, he came against the white horse and the green with great
press of men; and the drawing of the scimitars of the
Southrons was like a glitter of stars.
Then The\u00b4oden was aware of him, and would not wait for
his onset, but crying to Snowmane he charged headlong to
greet him. Great was the clash of their meeting. But the white
fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled
was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were
they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in
a forest. Right through the press drove The\u00b4oden Thengel\u2019s
son, and his spear was shivered as he threw down their chieftain. Out swept his sword, and he spurred to the standard,
hewed staff and bearer; and the black serpent foundered.
Then all that was left unslain of their cavalry turned and fled
far away.
But lo! suddenly in the midst of the glory of the king his
golden shield was dimmed. The new morning was blotted
from the sky. Dark fell about him. Horses reared and
screamed. Men cast from the saddle lay grovelling on the
ground.
\u2018To me! To me!\u2019 cried The\u00b4oden. \u2018Up Eorlingas! Fear no
darkness!\u2019 But Snowmane wild with terror stood up on high,
fighting with the air, and then with a great scream he crashed
upon his side: a black dart had pierced him. The king fell
beneath him.
The great shadow descended like a falling cloud. And
behold! it was a winged creature: if bird, then greater than all
other birds, and it was naked, and neither quill nor feather
did it bear, and its vast pinions were as webs of hide between
horned fingers; and it stank. A creature of an older world
maybe it was, whose kind, lingering in forgotten mountains
cold beneath the Moon, outstayed their day, and in hideous
eyrie bred this last untimely brood, apt to evil. And the Dark
Lord took it, and nursed it with fell meats, until it grew
beyond the measure of all other things that fly; and he gave
1100 the return of the king
it to his servant to be his steed. Down, down it came, and
then, folding its fingered webs, it gave a croaking cry, and
settled upon the body of Snowmane, digging in its claws,
stooping its long naked neck.
Upon it sat a shape, black-mantled, huge and threatening.
A crown of steel he bore, but between rim and robe naught
was there to see, save only a deadly gleam of eyes: the Lord
of the Nazgu\u02c6l. To the air he had returned, summoning his
steed ere the darkness failed, and now he was come again,
bringing ruin, turning hope to despair, and victory to death.
A great black mace he wielded.
But The\u00b4oden was not utterly forsaken. The knights of his
house lay slain about him, or else mastered by the madness
of their steeds were borne far away. Yet one stood there still:
Dernhelm the young, faithful beyond fear; and he wept, for
he had loved his lord as a father. Right through the charge
Merry had been borne unharmed behind him, until the
Shadow came; and then Windfola had thrown them in his
terror, and now ran wild upon the plain. Merry crawled on
all fours like a dazed beast, and such a horror was on him
that he was blind and sick.
\u2018King\u2019s man! King\u2019s man!\u2019 his heart cried within him. \u2018You
must stay by him. As a father you shall be to me, you said.\u2019
But his will made no answer, and his body shook. He dared
not open his eyes or look up.
Then out of the blackness in his mind he thought that he
heard Dernhelm speaking; yet now the voice seemed strange,
recalling some other voice that he had known.
\u2018Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead
in peace!\u2019
A cold voice answered: \u2018Come not between the Nazgu\u02c6l
and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear
thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness,
where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind
be left naked to the Lidless Eye.\u2019
A sword rang as it was drawn. \u2018Do what you will; but I will
hinder it, if I may.\u2019
the battle of the pelennor fields 1101
\u2018Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!\u2019
Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It
seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like
the ring of steel. \u2018But no living man am I! You look upon a
woman. E\u00b4 owyn I am, E\u00b4 omund\u2019s daughter. You stand between
me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless!
For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.\u2019
The winged creature screamed at her, but the Ringwraith
made no answer, and was silent, as if in sudden doubt. Very
amazement for a moment conquered Merry\u2019s fear. He
opened his eyes and the blackness was lifted from them.
There some paces from him sat the great beast, and all
seemed dark about it, and above it loomed the Nazgu\u02c6l Lord
like a shadow of despair. A little to the left facing them stood
she whom he had called Dernhelm. But the helm of her
secrecy had fallen from her, and her bright hair, released
from its bonds, gleamed with pale gold upon her shoulders.
Her eyes grey as the sea were hard and fell, and yet tears
were on her cheek. A sword was in her hand, and she raised
her shield against the horror of her enemy\u2019s eyes.
E\u00b4 owyn it was, and Dernhelm also. For into Merry\u2019s mind
flashed the memory of the face that he saw at the riding from
Dunharrow: the face of one that goes seeking death, having
no hope. Pity filled his heart and great wonder, and suddenly
the slow-kindled courage of his race awoke. He clenched his
hand. She should not die, so fair, so desperate! At least she
should not die alone, unaided.
The face of their enemy was not turned towards him, but
still he hardly dared to move, dreading lest the deadly eyes
should fall on him. Slowly, slowly he began to crawl aside; but
the Black Captain, in doubt and malice intent upon the woman
before him, heeded him no more than a worm in the mud.
Suddenly the great beast beat its hideous wings, and the
wind of them was foul. Again it leaped into the air, and then
swiftly fell down upon E\u00b4 owyn, shrieking, striking with beak
and claw.
Still she did not blench: maiden of the Rohirrim, child of
1102 the return of the king
kings, slender but as a steel-blade, fair yet terrible. A swift
stroke she dealt, skilled and deadly. The outstretched neck
she clove asunder, and the hewn head fell like a stone. Backward she sprang as the huge shape crashed to ruin, vast wings
outspread, crumpled on the earth; and with its fall the shadow
passed away. A light fell about her, and her hair shone in the
sunrise.
Out of the wreck rose the Black Rider, tall and threatening,
towering above her. With a cry of hatred that stung the very
ears like venom he let fall his mace. Her shield was shivered
in many pieces, and her arm was broken; she stumbled to
her knees. He bent over her like a cloud, and his eyes glittered;
he raised his mace to kill.
But suddenly he too stumbled forward with a cry of bitter pain, and his stroke went wide, driving into the ground.
Merry\u2019s sword had stabbed him from behind,shearing through
the black mantle, and passing up beneath the hauberk had
pierced the sinew behind his mighty knee.
\u2018E\u00b4 owyn! E\u00b4 owyn!\u2019 cried Merry. Then tottering, struggling
up, with her last strength she drove her sword between crown
and mantle, as the great shoulders bowed before her. The
sword broke sparkling into many shards. The crown rolled
away with a clang. E\u00b4 owyn fell forward upon her fallen foe.
But lo! the mantle and hauberk were empty. Shapeless they lay
now on the ground, torn and tumbled; and a cry went up into
the shuddering air, and faded to a shrill wailing, passing with
the wind, a voice bodiless and thin that died, and was swallowed up, and was never heard again in that age of this world.
And there stood Meriadoc the hobbit in the midst of the
slain, blinking like an owl in the daylight, for tears blinded
him; and through a mist he looked on E\u00b4 owyn\u2019s fair head, as
she lay and did not move; and he looked on the face of the
king, fallen in the midst of his glory. For Snowmane in his
agony had rolled away from him again; yet he was the bane
of his master.
Then Merry stooped and lifted his hand to kiss it, and lo!
the battle of the pelennor fields 1103
The\u00b4oden opened his eyes, and they were clear, and he spoke
in a quiet voice though laboured.
\u2018Farewell, Master Holbytla!\u2019 he said. \u2018My body is broken.
I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall
not now be ashamed. I felled the black serpent. A grim morn,
and a glad day, and a golden sunset!\u2019
Merry could not speak, but wept anew. \u2018Forgive me, lord,\u2019
he said at last, \u2018if I broke your command, and yet have done
no more in your service than to weep at our parting.\u2019
The old king smiled. \u2018Grieve not! It is forgiven. Great heart
will not be denied. Live now in blessedness; and when you
sit in peace with your pipe, think of me! For never now shall
I sit with you in Meduseld, as I promised, or listen to your
herb-lore.\u2019 He closed his eyes, and Merry bowed beside him.
Presently he spoke again. \u2018Where is E\u00b4 omer? For my eyes
darken, and I would see him ere I go. He must be king after
me. And I would send word to E\u00b4 owyn. She, she would not
have me leave her, and now I shall not see her again, dearer
than daughter.\u2019
\u2018Lord, lord,\u2019 began Merry brokenly, \u2018she is\u2014\u2014\u2019; but at
that moment there was a great clamour, and all about them
horns and trumpets were blowing. Merry looked round: he
had forgotten the war, and all the world beside, and many
hours it seemed since the king rode to his fall, though in truth
it was only a little while. But now he saw that they were in
danger of being caught in the very midst of the great battle
that would soon be joined.
New forces of the enemy were hastening up the road from
the River; and from under the walls came the legions of
Morgul; and from the southward fields came footmen of
Harad with horsemen before them, and behind them rose the
huge backs of the mu\u02c6makil with war-towers upon them. But
northward the white crest of E\u00b4 omer led the great front of the
Rohirrim which he had again gathered and marshalled; and
out of the City came all the strength of men that was in it,
and the silver swan of Dol Amroth was borne in the van,
driving the enemy from the Gate.
1104 the return of the king
For a moment the thought flitted through Merry\u2019s mind:
\u2018Where is Gandalf ? Is he not here? Could he not have saved
the king and E\u00b4 owyn?\u2019 But thereupon E\u00b4 omer rode up in haste,
and with him came the knights of the household that still
lived and had now mastered their horses. They looked in
wonder at the carcase of the fell beast that lay there; and their
steeds would not go near. But E\u00b4 omer leaped from the saddle,
and grief and dismay fell upon him as he came to the king\u2019s
side and stood there in silence.
Then one of the knights took the king\u2019s banner from
the hand of Guthla\u00b4f the banner-bearer who lay dead, and
he lifted it up. Slowly The\u00b4oden opened his eyes. Seeing the
banner he made a sign that it should be given to E\u00b4 omer.
\u2018Hail, King of the Mark!\u2019 he said. \u2018Ride now to victory! Bid
E\u00b4 owyn farewell!\u2019 And so he died, and knew not that E\u00b4 owyn
lay near him. And those who stood by wept, crying: \u2018The\u00b4oden
King! The\u00b4oden King!\u2019
But E\u00b4 omer said to them:
Mourn not overmuch! Mighty was the fallen,
meet was his ending. When his mound is raised,
women then shall weep. War now calls us!
Yet he himself wept as he spoke. \u2018Let his knights remain
here,\u2019 he said, \u2018and bear his body in honour from the field,
lest the battle ride over it! Yea, and all these other of the
king\u2019s men that lie here.\u2019 And he looked at the slain, recalling
their names. Then suddenly he beheld his sister E\u00b4 owyn as
she lay, and he knew her. He stood a moment as a man who
is pierced in the midst of a cry by an arrow through the heart;
and then his face went deathly white, and a cold fury rose in
him, so that all speech failed him for a while. A fey mood
took him.
\u2018E\u00b4 owyn, E\u00b4 owyn!\u2019 he cried at last. \u2018E\u00b4 owyn, how come you
here? What madness or devilry is this? Death, death, death!
Death take us all!\u2019
Then without taking counsel or waiting for the approach
the battle of the pelennor fields 1105
of the men of the City, he spurred headlong back to the front
of the great host, and blew a horn, and cried aloud for the
onset. Over the field rang his clear voice calling: \u2018Death! Ride,
ride to ruin and the world\u2019s ending!\u2019
And with that the host began to move. But the Rohirrim
sang no more. Death they cried with one voice loud and
terrible, and gathering speed like a great tide their battle swept
about their fallen king and passed, roaring away southwards.
And still Meriadoc the hobbit stood there blinking through
his tears, and no one spoke to him, indeed none seemed to
heed him. He brushed away the tears, and stooped to pick
up the green shield that E\u00b4 owyn had given him, and he slung
it at his back. Then he looked for his sword that he had let
fall; for even as he struck his blow his arm was numbed, and
now he could only use his left hand. And behold! there lay
his weapon, but the blade was smoking like a dry branch that
has been thrust in a fire; and as he watched it, it writhed and
withered and was consumed.
So passed the sword of the Barrow-downs, work of Westernesse. But glad would he have been to know its fate who
wrought it slowly long ago in the North-kingdom when the
Du\u00b4nedain were young, and chief among their foes was the
dread realm of Angmar and its sorcerer king. No other blade,
not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt
that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking
the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will.
Men now raised the king, and laying cloaks upon speartruncheons they made shift to bear him away towards the
City; and others lifted E\u00b4 owyn gently up and bore her after
him. But the men of the king\u2019s household they could not yet
bring from the field; for seven of the king\u2019s knights had fallen
there, and De\u00b4orwine their chief was among them. So they
laid them apart from their foes and the fell beast and set
spears about them. And afterwards when all was over men
returned and made a fire there and burned the carcase of the
1106 the return of the king
beast; but for Snowmane they dug a grave and set up a stone
upon which was carved in the tongues of Gondor and the
Mark:
Faithful servant yet master\u2019s bane,
Lightfoot\u2019s foal, swift Snowmane.
Green and long grew the grass on Snowmane\u2019s Howe, but
ever black and bare was the ground where the beast was
burned.
Now slowly and sadly Merry walked beside the bearers,
and he gave no more heed to the battle. He was weary
and full of pain, and his limbs trembled as with a chill. A
great rain came out of the Sea, and it seemed that all
things wept for The\u00b4oden and E\u00b4 owyn, quenching the fires
in the City with grey tears. It was through a mist that presently he saw the van of the men of Gondor approaching.
Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, rode up and drew rein before
them.
\u2018What burden do you bear, Men of Rohan?\u2019 he cried.
\u2018The\u00b4oden King,\u2019 they answered. \u2018He is dead. But E\u00b4 omer
King now rides in the battle: he with the white crest in the
wind.\u2019
Then the prince went from his horse, and knelt by the bier
in honour of the king and his great onset; and he wept. And
rising he looked then on E\u00b4 owyn and was amazed. \u2018Surely,
here is a woman?\u2019 he said. \u2018Have even the women of the
Rohirrim come to war in our need?\u2019
\u2018Nay! One only,\u2019 they answered. \u2018The Lady E\u00b4 owyn is she,
sister of E\u00b4 omer; and we knew naught of her riding until this
hour, and greatly we rue it.\u2019
Then the prince seeing her beauty, though her face was
pale and cold, touched her hand as he bent to look more
closely on her. \u2018Men of Rohan!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Are there no leeches
among you? She is hurt, to the death maybe, but I deem that
she yet lives.\u2019 And he held the bright-burnished vambrace
the battle of the pelennor fields 1107
that was upon his arm before her cold lips, and behold! a
little mist was laid on it hardly to be seen.
\u2018Haste now is needed,\u2019 he said, and he sent one riding back
swiftly to the City to bring aid. But he bowing low to the
fallen, bade them farewell, and mounting rode away into
battle.
And now the fighting waxed furious on the fields of the
Pelennor; and the din of arms rose upon high, with the crying
of men and the neighing of horses. Horns were blown and
trumpets were braying, and the mu\u02c6makil were bellowing as
they were goaded to war. Under the south walls of the City
the footmen of Gondor now drove against the legions of
Morgul that were still gathered there in strength. But the
horsemen rode eastward to the succour of E\u00b4 omer: Hu\u00b4rin the
Tall, Warden of the Keys, and the Lord of Lossarnach, and
Hirluin of the Green Hills, and Prince Imrahil the fair with
his knights all about him.
Not too soon came their aid to the Rohirrim; for fortune
had turned against E\u00b4 omer, and his fury had betrayed him.
The great wrath of his onset had utterly overthrown the front
of his enemies, and great wedges of his Riders had passed
clear through the ranks of the Southrons, discomfiting their
horsemen and riding their footmen to ruin. But wherever the
mu\u02c6makil came there the horses would not go, but blenched
and swerved away; and the great monsters were unfought,
and stood like towers of defence, and the Haradrim rallied
about them. And if the Rohirrim at their onset were thrice
outnumbered by the Haradrim alone, soon their case became
worse; for new strength came now streaming to the field out
of Osgiliath. There they had been mustered for the sack of
the City and the rape of Gondor, waiting on the call of their
Captain. He now was destroyed; but Gothmog the lieutenant
of Morgul had flung them into the fray; Easterlings with axes,
and Variags of Khand, Southrons in scarlet, and out of Far
Harad black men like half-trolls with white eyes and red
tongues. Some now hastened up behind the Rohirrim, others
1108 the return of the king
held westward to hold off the forces of Gondor and prevent
their joining with Rohan.
It was even as the day thus began to turn against Gondor
and their hope wavered that a new cry went up in the City,
it being then mid-morning, and a great wind blowing, and
the rain flying north, and the sun shining. In that clear air
watchmen on the walls saw afar a new sight of fear, and their
last hope left them.
For Anduin, from the bend at the Harlond, so flowed that
from the City men could look down it lengthwise for some
leagues, and the far-sighted could see any ships that approached. And looking thither they cried in dismay; for black
against the glittering stream they beheld a fleet borne up on
the wind: dromunds, and ships of great draught with many
oars, and with black sails bellying in the breeze.
\u2018The Corsairs of Umbar!\u2019 men shouted. \u2018The Corsairs
of Umbar! Look! The Corsairs of Umbar are coming! So
Belfalas is taken, and the Ethir, and Lebennin is gone. The
Corsairs are upon us! It is the last stroke of doom!\u2019
And some without order, for none could be found to command them in the City, ran to the bells and tolled the alarm;
and some blew the trumpets sounding the retreat. \u2018Back to
the walls!\u2019 they cried. \u2018Back to the walls! Come back to the
City before all are overwhelmed!\u2019 But the wind that sped the
ships blew all their clamour away.
The Rohirrim indeed had no need of news or alarm. All
too well they could see for themselves the black sails. For
E\u00b4 omer was now scarcely a mile from the Harlond, and a
great press of his first foes was between him and the haven
there, while new foes came swirling behind, cutting him
off from the Prince. Now he looked to the River, and hope
died in his heart, and the wind that he had blessed he now
called accursed. But the hosts of Mordor were enheartened,
and filled with a new lust and fury they came yelling to the
onset.
Stern now was E\u00b4 omer\u2019s mood, and his mind clear again.
He let blow the horns to rally all men to his banner that could
the battle of the pelennor fields 1109
come thither; for he thought to make a great shield-wall at
the last, and stand, and fight there on foot till all fell, and do
deeds of song on the fields of Pelennor, though no man
should be left in the West to remember the last King of the
Mark. So he rode to a green hillock and there set his banner,
and the White Horse ran rippling in the wind.
Out of doubt, out of dark to the day\u2019s rising
I came singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
To hope\u2019s end I rode and to heart\u2019s breaking:
Now for wrath, now for ruin and a red nightfall!
These staves he spoke, yet he laughed as he said them. For
once more lust of battle was on him; and he was still
unscathed, and he was young, and he was king: the lord of a
fell people. And lo! even as he laughed at despair he looked
out again on the black ships, and he lifted up his sword to
defy them.
And then wonder took him, and a great joy; and he cast
his sword up in the sunlight and sang as he caught it. And
all eyes followed his gaze, and behold! upon the foremost
ship a great standard broke, and the wind displayed it as she
turned towards the Harlond. There flowered a White Tree,
and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and
a high crown above it, the signs of Elendil that no lord had
borne for years beyond count. And the stars flamed in the
sunlight, for they were wrought of gems by Arwen daughter
of Elrond; and the crown was bright in the morning, for it
was wrought of mithril and gold.
Thus came Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elessar, Isildur\u2019s heir,
out of the Paths of the Dead, borne upon a wind from the
Sea to the kingdom of Gondor; and the mirth of the Rohirrim
was a torrent of laughter and a flashing of swords, and the
joy and wonder of the City was a music of trumpets and a
ringing of bells. But the hosts of Mordor were seized with
bewilderment, and a great wizardry it seemed to them that
their own ships should be filled with their foes; and a black
1110 the return of the king
dread fell on them, knowing that the tides of fate had turned
against them and their doom was at hand.
East rode the knights of Dol Amroth driving the enemy
before them: troll-men and Variags and orcs that hated the
sunlight. South strode E\u00b4 omer and men fled before his face,
and they were caught between the hammer and the anvil. For
now men leaped from the ships to the quays of the Harlond
and swept north like a storm. There came Legolas, and Gimli
wielding his axe, and Halbarad with the standard, and Elladan
and Elrohir with stars on their brow, and the dour-handed
Du\u00b4nedain, Rangers of the North, leading a great valour of
the folk of Lebennin and Lamedon and the fiefs of the South.
But before all went Aragorn with the Flame of the West,
Andu\u00b4ril like a new fire kindled, Narsil re-forged as deadly as
of old; and upon his brow was the Star of Elendil.
And so at length E\u00b4 omer and Aragorn met in the midst of
the battle, and they leaned on their swords and looked on
one another and were glad.
\u2018Thus we meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor lay
between us,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018Did I not say so at the Hornburg?\u2019
\u2018So you spoke,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer, \u2018but hope oft deceives, and I
knew not then that you were a man foresighted. Yet twice
blessed is help unlooked for, and never was a meeting of
friends more joyful.\u2019 And they clasped hand in hand. \u2018Nor
indeed more timely,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018You come none too soon,
my friend. Much loss and sorrow has befallen us.\u2019
\u2018Then let us avenge it, ere we speak of it!\u2019 said Aragorn,
and they rode back to battle together.
Hard fighting and long labour they had still; for the
Southrons were bold men and grim, and fierce in despair;
and the Easterlings were strong and war-hardened and asked
for no quarter. And so in this place and that, by burned
homestead or barn, upon hillock or mound, under wall or on
field, still they gathered and rallied and fought until the day
wore away.
Then the Sun went at last behind Mindolluin and filled
the battle of the pelennor fields 1111
all the sky with a great burning, so that the hills and the
mountains were dyed as with blood; fire glowed in the River,
and the grass of the Pelennor lay red in the nightfall. And in
that hour the great Battle of the field of Gondor was over;
and not one living foe was left within the circuit of the
Rammas. All were slain save those who fled to die, or to
drown in the red foam of the River. Few ever came eastward
to Morgul or Mordor; and to the land of the Haradrim came
only a tale from far off: a rumour of the wrath and terror of
Gondor.
Aragorn and E\u00b4 omer and Imrahil rode back towards the
Gate of the City, and they were now weary beyond joy or
sorrow. These three were unscathed, for such was their fortune and the skill and might of their arms, and few indeed
had dared to abide them or look on their faces in the hour of
their wrath. But many others were hurt or maimed or dead
upon the field. The axes hewed Forlong as he fought alone
and unhorsed; and both Duilin of Morthond and his brother
were trampled to death when they assailed the mu\u02c6makil, leading their bowmen close to shoot at the eyes of the monsters.
Neither Hirluin the fair would return to Pinnath Gelin, nor
Grimbold to Grimslade, nor Halbarad to the Northlands,
dour-handed Ranger. No few had fallen, renowned or nameless, captain or soldier; for it was a great battle and the full
count of it no tale has told. So long afterward a maker in
Rohan said in his song of the Mounds of Mundburg:
We heard of the horns in the hills ringing,
the swords shining in the South-kingdom.
Steeds went striding to the Stoningland
as wind in the morning. War was kindled.
There The\u00b4oden fell, Thengling mighty,
to his golden halls and green pastures
in the Northern fields never returning,
high lord of the host. Harding and Guthla\u00b4f,
Du\u00b4nhere and De\u00b4orwine, doughty Grimbold,
1112 the return of the king
Herefara and Herubrand, Horn and Fastred,
fought and fell there in a far country:
in the Mounds of Mundburg under mould they lie
with their league-fellows, lords of Gondor.
Neither Hirluin the Fair to the hills by the sea,
nor Forlong the old to the flowering vales
ever, to Arnach, to his own country
returned in triumph; nor the tall bowmen,
Derufin and Duilin, to their dark waters,
meres of Morthond under mountain-shadows.
Death in the morning and at day\u2019s ending
lords took and lowly. Long now they sleep
under grass in Gondor by the Great River.
Grey now as tears, gleaming silver,
red then it rolled, roaring water:
foam dyed with blood flamed at sunset;
as beacons mountains burned at evening;
red fell the dew in Rammas Echor.
Chapter 7
THE PYRE OF DENETHOR
When the dark shadow at the Gate withdrew Gandalf still sat
motionless. But Pippin rose to his feet, as if a great weight
had been lifted from him; and he stood listening to the horns,
and it seemed to him that they would break his heart with
joy. And never in after years could he hear a horn blown in
the distance without tears starting in his eyes. But now suddenly his errand returned to his memory, and he ran forward.
At that moment Gandalf stirred and spoke to Shadowfax,
and was about to ride through the Gate.
\u2018Gandalf, Gandalf!\u2019 cried Pippin, and Shadowfax halted.
\u2018What are you doing here?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Is it not a law
in the City that those who wear the black and silver must stay
in the Citadel, unless their lord gives them leave?\u2019
\u2018He has,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018He sent me away. But I am frightened. Something terrible may happen up there. The Lord is
out of his mind, I think. I am afraid he will kill himself, and
kill Faramir too. Can\u2019t you do something?\u2019
Gandalf looked through the gaping Gate, and already on
the fields he heard the gathering sound of battle. He clenched
his hand. \u2018I must go,\u2019 he said. \u2018The Black Rider is abroad,
and he will yet bring ruin on us. I have no time.\u2019
\u2018But Faramir!\u2019 cried Pippin. \u2018He is not dead, and they will
burn him alive, if someone does not stop them.\u2019
\u2018Burn him alive?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018What is this tale? Be
quick!\u2019
\u2018Denethor has gone to the Tombs,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018and he
has taken Faramir, and he says we are all to burn, and he will
not wait, and they are to make a pyre and burn him on it,
and Faramir as well. And he has sent men to fetch wood and
oil. And I have told Beregond, but I\u2019m afraid he won\u2019t dare
1114 the return of the king
to leave his post: he is on guard. And what can he do anyway?\u2019 So Pippin poured out his tale, reaching up and touching Gandalf\u2019s knee with trembling hands. \u2018Can\u2019t you save
Faramir?\u2019
\u2018Maybe I can,\u2019 said Gandalf; \u2018but if I do, then others will
die, I fear. Well, I must come, since no other help can reach
him. But evil and sorrow will come of this. Even in the heart
of our stronghold the Enemy has power to strike us: for his
will it is that is at work.\u2019
Then having made up his mind he acted swiftly; and
catching up Pippin and setting him before him, he turned
Shadowfax with a word. Up the climbing streets of Minas
Tirith they clattered, while the noise of war rose behind them.
Everywhere men were rising from their despair and dread,
seizing their weapons, crying one to another: \u2018Rohan has
come!\u2019 Captains were shouting, companies were mustering;
many already were marching down to the Gate.
They met the Prince Imrahil, and he called to them:
\u2018Whither now, Mithrandir? The Rohirrim are fighting on
the fields of Gondor! We must gather all the strength that
we can find.\u2019
\u2018You will need every man and more,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Make
all haste. I will come when I can. But I have an errand to
the Lord Denethor that will not wait. Take command in the
Lord\u2019s absence!\u2019
They passed on; and as they climbed and drew near to
the Citadel they felt the wind blowing in their faces, and
they caught the glimmer of morning far away, a light growing in the southern sky. But it brought little hope to them,
not knowing what evil lay before them, fearing to come too
late.
\u2018Darkness is passing,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018but it still lies heavy
on this City.\u2019
At the gate of the Citadel they found no guard. \u2018Then
Beregond has gone,\u2019 said Pippin more hopefully. They
turned away and hastened along the road to the Closed Door.
the pyre of denethor 1115
It stood wide open, and the porter lay before it. He was slain
and his key had been taken.
\u2018Work of the Enemy!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Such deeds he loves:
friend at war with friend; loyalty divided in confusion of
hearts.\u2019 Now he dismounted and bade Shadowfax return to
his stable. \u2018For, my friend,\u2019 he said, \u2018you and I should have
ridden to the fields long ago, but other matters delay me. Yet
come swiftly if I call!\u2019
They passed the Door and walked on down the steep
winding road. Light was growing, and the tall columns and
carven figures beside the way went slowly by like grey ghosts.
Suddenly the silence was broken, and they heard below
them cries and the ringing of swords: such sounds as had not
been heard in the hallowed places since the building of the
City. At last they came to Rath D\u0131\u00b4nen and hastened towards
the House of the Stewards, looming in the twilight under its
great dome.
\u2018Stay! Stay!\u2019 cried Gandalf, springing forward to the stone
stair before the door. \u2018Stay this madness!\u2019
For there were the servants of Denethor with swords and
torches in their hands; but alone in the porch upon the topmost step stood Beregond, clad in the black and silver of the
Guard; and he held the door against them. Two of them had
already fallen to his sword, staining the hallows with their
blood; and the others cursed him, calling him outlaw and
traitor to his master.
Even as Gandalf and Pippin ran forward, they heard from
within the house of the dead the voice of Denethor crying:
\u2018Haste, haste! Do as I have bidden! Slay me this renegade!
Or must I do so myself ?\u2019 Thereupon the door which Beregond held shut with his left hand was wrenched open, and
there behind him stood the Lord of the City, tall and fell; a
light like flame was in his eyes, and he held a drawn sword.
But Gandalf sprang up the steps, and the men fell back
from him and covered their eyes; for his coming was like the
incoming of a white light into a dark place, and he came with
great anger. He lifted up his hand, and in the very stroke, the
1116 the return of the king
sword of Denethor flew up and left his grasp and fell behind
him in the shadows of the house; and Denethor stepped
backward before Gandalf as one amazed.
\u2018What is this, my lord?\u2019 said the wizard. \u2018The houses of the
dead are no places for the living. And why do men fight here
in the Hallows when there is war enough before the Gate?
Or has our Enemy come even to Rath D\u0131\u00b4nen?\u2019
\u2018Since when has the Lord of Gondor been answerable
to thee?\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018Or may I not command my own
servants?\u2019
\u2018You may,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But others may contest your
will, when it is turned to madness and evil. Where is your
son, Faramir?\u2019
\u2018He lies within,\u2019 said Denethor, \u2018burning, already burning. They have set a fire in his flesh. But soon all shall be
burned. The West has failed. It shall all go up in a great fire,
and all shall be ended. Ash! Ash and smoke blown away on
the wind!\u2019
Then Gandalf seeing the madness that was on him feared
that he had already done some evil deed, and he thrust forward, with Beregond and Pippin behind him, while Denethor
gave back until he stood beside the table within. But there
they found Faramir, still dreaming in his fever, lying upon
the table. Wood was piled under it, and high all about it, and
all was drenched with oil, even the garments of Faramir and
the coverlets; but as yet no fire had been set to the fuel. Then
Gandalf revealed the strength that lay hid in him, even as the
light of his power was hidden under his grey mantle. He
leaped up on to the faggots, and raising the sick man lightly
he sprang down again, and bore him towards the door. But
as he did so Faramir moaned and called on his father in his
dream.
Denethor started as one waking from a trance, and the
flame died in his eyes, and he wept; and he said: \u2018Do not take
my son from me! He calls for me.\u2019
\u2018He calls,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018but you cannot come to him yet.
For he must seek healing on the threshold of death, and
the pyre of denethor 1117
maybe find it not. Whereas your part is to go out to the battle
of your City, where maybe death awaits you. This you know
in your heart.\u2019
\u2018He will not wake again,\u2019 said Denethor. \u2018Battle is vain.
Why should we wish to live longer? Why should we not go
to death side by side?\u2019
\u2018Authority is not given to you, Steward of Gondor, to order
the hour of your death,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018And only the
heathen kings, under the domination of the Dark Power, did
thus, slaying themselves in pride and despair, murdering their
kin to ease their own death.\u2019 Then passing through the door
he took Faramir from the deadly house and laid him on the
bier on which he had been brought, and which had now been
set in the porch. Denethor followed him, and stood trembling, looking with longing on the face of his son. And for
a moment, while all were silent and still, watching the Lord
in his throes, he wavered.
\u2018Come!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018We are needed. There is much that
you can yet do.\u2019
Then suddenly Denethor laughed. He stood up tall and
proud again, and stepping swiftly back to the table he lifted
from it the pillow on which his head had lain. Then coming
to the doorway he drew aside the covering, and lo! he had
between his hands a palant\u0131\u00b4r. And as he held it up, it seemed
to those that looked on that the globe began to glow with an
inner flame, so that the lean face of the Lord was lit as with
a red fire, and it seemed cut out of hard stone, sharp with
black shadows, noble, proud, and terrible. His eyes glittered.
\u2018Pride and despair!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Didst thou think that the
eyes of the White Tower were blind? Nay, I have seen more
than thou knowest, Grey Fool. For thy hope is but ignorance.
Go then and labour in healing! Go forth and fight! Vanity.
For a little space you may triumph on the field, for a day.
But against the Power that now arises there is no victory. To
this City only the first finger of its hand has yet been
stretched. All the East is moving. And even now the wind of
thy hope cheats thee and wafts up Anduin a fleet with black
1118 the return of the king
sails. The West has failed. It is time for all to depart who
would not be slaves.\u2019
\u2018Such counsels will make the Enemy\u2019s victory certain
indeed,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018Hope on then!\u2019 laughed Denethor. \u2018Do I not know thee,
Mithrandir? Thy hope is to rule in my stead, to stand behind
every throne, north, south, or west. I have read thy mind and
its policies. Do I not know that this halfling was commanded
by thee to keep silence? That he was brought hither to be a
spy within my very chamber? And yet in our speech together
I have learned the names and purpose of all thy companions.
So! With the left hand thou wouldst use me for a little while
as a shield against Mordor, and with the right bring up this
Ranger of the North to supplant me.
\u2018But I say to thee, Gandalf Mithrandir, I will not be thy
tool! I am Steward of the House of Ana\u00b4rion. I will not step
down to be the dotard chamberlain of an upstart. Even were
his claim proved to me, still he comes but of the line of
Isildur. I will not bow to such a one, last of a ragged house
long bereft of lordship and dignity.\u2019
\u2018What then would you have,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018if your will
could have its way?\u2019
\u2018I would have things as they were in all the days of my life,\u2019
answered Denethor, \u2018and in the days of my longfathers before
me: to be the Lord of this City in peace, and leave my chair
to a son after me, who would be his own master and no
wizard\u2019s pupil. But if doom denies this to me, then I will have
naught: neither life diminished, nor love halved, nor honour
abated.\u2019
\u2018To me it would not seem that a Steward who faithfully
surrenders his charge is diminished in love or in honour,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018And at the least you shall not rob your son of his
choice while his death is still in doubt.\u2019
At those words Denethor\u2019s eyes flamed again, and taking
the Stone under his arm he drew a knife and strode towards
the bier. But Beregond sprang forward and set himself before
Faramir.
the pyre of denethor 1119
\u2018So!\u2019 cried Denethor. \u2018Thou hadst already stolen half my
son\u2019s love. Now thou stealest the hearts of my knights also,
so that they rob me wholly of my son at the last. But in this
at least thou shalt not defy my will: to rule my own end.\u2019
\u2018Come hither!\u2019 he cried to his servants. \u2018Come, if you are
not all recreant!\u2019 Then two of them ran up the steps to him.
Swiftly he snatched a torch from the hand of one and sprang
back into the house. Before Gandalf could hinder him he
thrust the brand amid the fuel, and at once it crackled and
roared into flame.
Then Denethor leaped upon the table, and standing there
wreathed in fire and smoke he took up the staff of his stewardship that lay at his feet and broke it on his knee. Casting
the pieces into the blaze he bowed and laid himself on the
table, clasping the palant\u0131\u00b4r with both hands upon his breast.
And it was said that ever after, if any man looked in that
Stone, unless he had a great strength of will to turn it to other
purpose, he saw only two aged hands withering in flame.
Gandalf in grief and horror turned his face away and closed
the door. For a while he stood in thought, silent upon
the threshold, while those outside heard the greedy roaring
of the fire within. And then Denethor gave a great cry,
and afterwards spoke no more, nor was ever again seen by
mortal men.
\u2018So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion,\u2019 said Gandalf. Then
he turned to Beregond and the Lord\u2019s servants that stood
there aghast. \u2018And so pass also the days of Gondor that you
have known; for good or evil they are ended. Ill deeds have
been done here; but let now all enmity that lies between you
be put away, for it was contrived by the Enemy and works
his will. You have been caught in a net of warring duties that
you did not weave. But think, you servants of the Lord,
blind in your obedience, that but for the treason of Beregond
Faramir, Captain of the White Tower, would now also be
burned.
\u2018Bear away from this unhappy place your comrades who
1120 the return of the king
have fallen. And we will bear Faramir, Steward of Gondor,
to a place where he can sleep in peace, or die if that be his
doom.\u2019
Then Gandalf and Beregond taking up the bier bore it
away towards the Houses of Healing, while behind them
walked Pippin with downcast head. But the servants of the
Lord stood gazing as stricken men at the house of the dead;
and even as Gandalf came to the end of Rath D\u0131\u00b4nen there
was a great noise. Looking back they saw the dome of the
house crack and smokes issue forth; and then with a rush and
rumble of stone it fell in a flurry of fire; but still unabated the
flames danced and flickered among the ruins. Then in terror
the servants fled and followed Gandalf.
At length they came back to the Steward\u2019s Door, and
Beregond looked with grief at the porter. \u2018This deed I shall
ever rue,\u2019 he said; \u2018but a madness of haste was on me, and
he would not listen, but drew sword against me.\u2019 Then taking
the key that he had wrested from the slain man he closed the
door and locked it. \u2018This should now be given to the Lord
Faramir,\u2019 he said.
\u2018The Prince of Dol Amroth is in command in the absence
of the Lord,\u2019 said Gandalf; \u2018but since he is not here, I must
take this on myself. I bid you keep the key and guard it, until
the City is set in order again.\u2019
Now at last they passed into the high circles of the City,
and in the light of morning they went their way towards the
Houses of Healing; and these were fair houses set apart for
the care of those who were grievously sick, but now they were
prepared for the tending of men hurt in battle or dying. They
stood not far from the Citadel-gate, in the sixth circle, nigh
to its southward wall, and about them was a garden and a
greensward with trees, the only such place in the City. There
dwelt the few women that had been permitted to remain in
Minas Tirith, since they were skilled in healing or in the
service of the healers.
But even as Gandalf and his companions came carrying
the pyre of denethor 1121
the bier to the main door of the Houses, they heard a great
cry that went up from the field before the Gate and rising
shrill and piercing into the sky passed, and died away on the
wind. So terrible was the cry that for a moment all stood still,
and yet when it had passed, suddenly their hearts were lifted
up in such a hope as they had not known since the darkness
came out of the East; and it seemed to them that the light
grew clear and the sun broke through the clouds.
But Gandalf\u2019s face was grave and sad, and bidding
Beregond and Pippin to take Faramir into the Houses of
Healing, he went up on to the walls nearby; and there like a
figure carven in white he stood in the new sun and looked
out. And he beheld with the sight that was given to him all that
had befallen; and when E\u00b4 omer rode out from the forefront of
his battle and stood beside those who lay upon the field, he
sighed, and he cast his cloak about him again, and went from
the walls. And Beregond and Pippin found him standing in
thought before the door of the Houses when they came out.
They looked at him, and for a while he was silent. At last
he spoke. \u2018My friends,\u2019 he said, \u2018and all you people of this
city and of the Western lands! Things of great sorrow and
renown have come to pass. Shall we weep or be glad? Beyond
hope the Captain of our foes has been destroyed, and you
have heard the echo of his last despair. But he has not gone
without woe and bitter loss. And that I might have averted
but for the madness of Denethor. So long has the reach of
our Enemy become! Alas! but now I perceive how his will
was able to enter into the very heart of the City.
\u2018Though the Stewards deemed that it was a secret kept
only by themselves, long ago I guessed that here in the White
Tower, one at least of the Seven Seeing Stones was preserved.
In the days of his wisdom Denethor would not presume to
use it to challenge Sauron, knowing the limits of his own
strength. But his wisdom failed; and I fear that as the peril of
his realm grew he looked in the Stone and was deceived: far
too often, I guess, since Boromir departed. He was too great
1122 the return of the king
to be subdued to the will of the Dark Power, he saw nonetheless only those things which that Power permitted him to see.
The knowledge which he obtained was, doubtless, often of
service to him; yet the vision of the great might of Mordor
that was shown to him fed the despair of his heart until it
overthrew his mind.\u2019
\u2018Now I understand what seemed so strange to me!\u2019 said
Pippin, shuddering at his memories as he spoke. \u2018The Lord
went away from the room where Faramir lay; and it was only
when he returned that I first thought he was changed, old
and broken.\u2019
\u2018It was in the very hour that Faramir was brought to the
Tower that many of us saw a strange light in the topmost
chamber,\u2019 said Beregond. \u2018But we have seen that light before,
and it has long been rumoured in the City that the Lord
would at times wrestle in thought with his Enemy.\u2019
\u2018Alas! then I have guessed rightly,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Thus the
will of Sauron entered into Minas Tirith; and thus I have
been delayed here. And here I shall still be forced to remain,
for I shall soon have other charges, not Faramir only.
\u2018Now I must go down to meet those who come. I have
seen a sight upon the field that is very grievous to my heart,
and greater sorrow may yet come to pass. Come with me,
Pippin! But you, Beregond, should return to the Citadel and
tell the chief of the Guard there what has befallen. It will be
his duty, I fear, to withdraw you from the Guard; but say to
him that, if I may give him counsel, you should be sent to
the Houses of Healing, to be the guard and servant of your
captain, and to be at his side when he awakes \u2013 if that shall
ever be again. For by you he was saved from the fire. Go
now! I shall return soon.\u2019
With that he turned away and went with Pippin down
towards the lower city. And even as they hastened on their
way the wind brought a grey rain, and all the fires sank, and
there arose a great smoke before them.
Chapter 8
THE HOUSES OF HEALING
A mist was in Merry\u2019s eyes of tears and weariness when they
drew near the ruined Gate of Minas Tirith. He gave little
heed to the wreck and slaughter that lay about all. Fire and
smoke and stench was in the air; for many engines had been
burned or cast into the fire-pits, and many of the slain also,
while here and there lay many carcases of the great Southron
monsters, half-burned, or broken by stone-cast, or shot
through the eyes by the valiant archers of Morthond. The
flying rain had ceased for a time, and the sun gleamed up
above; but all the lower city was still wrapped in a smouldering reek.
Already men were labouring to clear a way through the
jetsam of battle; and now out from the Gate came some
bearing litters. Gently they laid E\u00b4 owyn upon soft pillows; but
the king\u2019s body they covered with a great cloth of gold, and
they bore torches about him, and their flames, pale in the
sunlight, were fluttered by the wind.
So The\u00b4oden and E\u00b4 owyn came to the City of Gondor, and
all who saw them bared their heads and bowed; and they
passed through the ash and fume of the burned circle, and
went on and up along the streets of stone. To Merry the
ascent seemed agelong, a meaningless journey in a hateful
dream, going on and on to some dim ending that memory
cannot seize.
Slowly the lights of the torches in front of him flickered
and went out, and he was walking in a darkness; and he
thought: \u2018This is a tunnel leading to a tomb; there we shall
stay for ever.\u2019 But suddenly into his dream there fell a living
voice.
\u2018Well, Merry! Thank goodness I have found you!\u2019
1124 the return of the king
He looked up and the mist before his eyes cleared a little.
There was Pippin! They were face to face in a narrow lane,
and but for themselves it was empty. He rubbed his eyes.
\u2018Where is the king?\u2019 he said. \u2018And E\u00b4 owyn?\u2019 Then he
stumbled and sat down on a doorstep and began to weep
again.
\u2018They have gone up into the Citadel,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018I think
you must have fallen asleep on your feet and taken the wrong
turning. When we found that you were not with them,
Gandalf sent me to look for you. Poor old Merry! How glad
I am to see you again! But you are worn out, and I won\u2019t
bother you with any talk. But tell me, are you hurt, or
wounded?\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Well, no, I don\u2019t think so. But I can\u2019t
use my right arm, Pippin, not since I stabbed him. And my
sword burned all away like a piece of wood.\u2019
Pippin\u2019s face was anxious. \u2018Well, you had better come with
me as quick as you can,\u2019 he said. \u2018I wish I could carry you.
You aren\u2019t fit to walk any further. They shouldn\u2019t have let
you walk at all; but you must forgive them. So many dreadful
things have happened in the City, Merry, that one poor
hobbit coming in from the battle is easily overlooked.\u2019
\u2018It\u2019s not always a misfortune being overlooked,\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018I was overlooked just now by \u2013 no, no, I can\u2019t speak of it.
Help me, Pippin! It\u2019s all going dark again, and my arm is so
cold.\u2019
\u2018Lean on me, Merry lad!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Come now! Foot
by foot. It\u2019s not far.\u2019
\u2018Are you going to bury me?\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018No, indeed!\u2019 said Pippin, trying to sound cheerful, though
his heart was wrung with fear and pity. \u2018No, we are going to
the Houses of Healing.\u2019
They turned out of the lane that ran between tall houses
and the outer wall of the fourth circle, and they regained the
main street climbing up to the Citadel. Step by step they
went, while Merry swayed and murmured as one in sleep.
the houses of healing 1125
\u2018I\u2019ll never get him there,\u2019 thought Pippin. \u2018Is there no one
to help me? I can\u2019t leave him here.\u2019 Just then to his surprise a
boy came running up behind, and as he passed he recognized
Bergil Beregond\u2019s son.
\u2018Hullo, Bergil!\u2019 he called. \u2018Where are you going? Glad to
see you again, and still alive!\u2019
\u2018I am running errands for the Healers,\u2019 said Bergil. \u2018I cannot stay.\u2019
\u2018Don\u2019t!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018But tell them up there that I have a
sick hobbit, a perian mind you, come from the battle-field. I
don\u2019t think he can walk so far. If Mithrandir is there, he will
be glad of the message.\u2019 Bergil ran on.
\u2018I\u2019d better wait here,\u2019 thought Pippin. So he let Merry sink
gently down on to the pavement in a patch of sunlight, and
then he sat down beside him, laying Merry\u2019s head in his lap.
He felt his body and limbs gently, and took his friend\u2019s hands
in his own. The right hand felt icy to the touch.
It was not long before Gandalf himself came in search of
them. He stooped over Merry and caressed his brow; then
he lifted him carefully. \u2018He should have been borne in honour
into this city,\u2019 he said. \u2018He has well repaid my trust; for if
Elrond had not yielded to me, neither of you would have set
out; and then far more grievous would the evils of this day
have been.\u2019 He sighed. \u2018And yet here is another charge on
my hands, while all the time the battle hangs in the balance.\u2019
So at last Faramir and E\u00b4 owyn and Meriadoc were laid in
beds in the Houses of Healing; and there they were tended
well. For though all lore was in these latter days fallen from
its fullness of old, the leechcraft of Gondor was still wise, and
skilled in the healing of wound and hurt, and all such sickness
as east of the Sea mortal men were subject to. Save old age
only. For that they had found no cure; and indeed the span
of their lives had now waned to little more than that of other
men, and those among them who passed the tale of five score
years with vigour were grown few, save in some houses of
purer blood. But now their art and knowledge were baffled;
1126 the return of the king
for there were many sick of a malady that would not be
healed; and they called it the Black Shadow, for it came from
the Nazgu\u02c6l. And those who were stricken with it fell slowly
into an ever deeper dream, and then passed to silence and a
deadly cold, and so died. And it seemed to the tenders of the
sick that on the Halfling and on the Lady of Rohan this
malady lay heavily. Still at whiles as the morning wore away
they would speak, murmuring in their dreams; and the
watchers listened to all that they said, hoping perhaps to learn
something that would help them to understand their hurts.
But soon they began to fall down into the darkness, and as
the sun turned west a grey shadow crept over their faces. But
Faramir burned with a fever that would not abate.
Gandalf went from one to the other full of care, and he
was told all that the watchers could hear. And so the day
passed, while the great battle outside went on with shifting
hopes and strange tidings; and still Gandalf waited and
watched and did not go forth; till at last the red sunset filled
all the sky, and the light through the windows fell on the grey
faces of the sick. Then it seemed to those who stood by that
in the glow the faces flushed softly as with health returning,
but it was only a mockery of hope.
Then an old wife, Ioreth, the eldest of the women who
served in that house, looking on the fair face of Faramir,
wept, for all the people loved him. And she said: \u2018Alas! if he
should die. Would that there were kings in Gondor, as there
were once upon a time, they say! For it is said in old lore:
The hands of the king are the hands of a healer. And so the
rightful king could ever be known.\u2019
And Gandalf, who stood by, said: \u2018Men may long remember your words, Ioreth! For there is hope in them. Maybe a
king has indeed returned to Gondor; or have you not heard
the strange tidings that have come to the City?\u2019
\u2018I have been too busy with this and that to heed all the
crying and shouting,\u2019 she answered. \u2018All I hope is that those
murdering devils do not come to this House and trouble the
sick.\u2019
the houses of healing 1127
Then Gandalf went out in haste, and already the fire in
the sky was burning out, and the smouldering hills were
fading, while ash-grey evening crept over the fields.
Now as the sun went down Aragorn and E\u00b4 omer and
Imrahil drew near the City with their captains and knights;
and when they came before the Gate Aragorn said:
\u2018Behold the Sun setting in a great fire! It is a sign of the
end and fall of many things, and a change in the tides of the
world. But this City and realm has rested in the charge of
the Stewards for many long years, and I fear that if I enter it
unbidden, then doubt and debate may arise, which should
not be while this war is fought. I will not enter in, nor make
any claim, until it be seen whether we or Mordor shall prevail.
Men shall pitch my tents upon the field, and here I will await
the welcome of the Lord of the City.\u2019
But E\u00b4 omer said: \u2018Already you have raised the banner of
the Kings and displayed the tokens of Elendil\u2019s House. Will
you suffer these to be challenged?\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018But I deem the time unripe; and I have
no mind for strife except with our Enemy and his servants.\u2019
And the Prince Imrahil said: \u2018Your words, lord, are wise,
if one who is a kinsman of the Lord Denethor may counsel
you in this matter. He is strong-willed and proud, but old;
and his mood has been strange since his son was stricken
down. Yet I would not have you remain like a beggar at the
door.\u2019
\u2018Not a beggar,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018Say a captain of the Rangers,
who are unused to cities and houses of stone.\u2019 And he commanded that his banner should be furled; and he did off the
Star of the North Kingdom and gave it to the keeping of the
sons of Elrond.
Then the Prince Imrahil and E\u00b4 omer of Rohan left him and
passed through the City and the tumult of the people, and
mounted to the Citadel; and they came to the Hall of the
Tower, seeking the Steward. But they found his chair empty,
1128 the return of the king
and before the dais lay The\u00b4oden King of the Mark upon a
bed of state; and twelve torches stood about it, and twelve
guards, knights both of Rohan and Gondor. And the hangings of the bed were of green and white, but upon the king
was laid the great cloth of gold up to his breast, and upon
that his unsheathed sword, and at his feet his shield. The
light of the torches shimmered in his white hair like sun in
the spray of a fountain, but his face was fair and young, save
that a peace lay on it beyond the reach of youth; and it
seemed that he slept.
When they had stood silent for a time beside the king,
Imrahil said: \u2018Where is the Steward? And where also is
Mithrandir?\u2019
And one of the guards answered: \u2018The Steward of Gondor
is in the Houses of Healing.\u2019
But E\u00b4 omer said: \u2018Where is the Lady E\u00b4 owyn, my sister; for
surely she should be lying beside the king, and in no less
honour? Where have they bestowed her?\u2019
And Imrahil said: \u2018But the Lady E\u00b4 owyn was yet living when
they bore her hither. Did you not know?\u2019
Then hope unlooked-for came so suddenly to E\u00b4 omer\u2019s
heart, and with it the bite of care and fear renewed, that he
said no more, but turned and went swiftly from the hall; and
the Prince followed him. And when they came forth evening
had fallen and many stars were in the sky. And there came
Gandalf on foot and with him one cloaked in grey; and they
met before the doors of the Houses of Healing. And they
greeted Gandalf and said: \u2018We seek the Steward, and men
say that he is in this House. Has any hurt befallen him? And
the Lady E\u00b4 owyn, where is she?\u2019
And Gandalf answered: \u2018She lies within and is not dead,
but is near death. But the Lord Faramir was wounded by an
evil dart, as you have heard, and he is now the Steward; for
Denethor has departed, and his house is in ashes.\u2019 And they
were filled with grief and wonder at the tale that he told.
But Imrahil said: \u2018So victory is shorn of gladness, and it is
bitter bought, if both Gondor and Rohan are in one day
the houses of healing 1129
bereft of their lords. E\u00b4 omer rules the Rohirrim. Who shall
rule the City meanwhile? Shall we not send now for the Lord
Aragorn?\u2019
And the cloaked man spoke and said: \u2018He is come.\u2019 And
they saw as he stepped into the light of the lantern by the
door that it was Aragorn, wrapped in the grey cloak of Lo\u00b4rien
above his mail, and bearing no other token than the green
stone of Galadriel. \u2018I have come because Gandalf begs me to
do so,\u2019 he said. \u2018But for the present I am but the Captain of
the Du\u00b4nedain of Arnor; and the Lord of Dol Amroth shall
rule the City until Faramir awakes. But it is my counsel that
Gandalf should rule us all in the days that follow and in our
dealings with the Enemy.\u2019 And they agreed upon that.
Then Gandalf said: \u2018Let us not stay at the door, for the
time is urgent. Let us enter! For it is only in the coming of
Aragorn that any hope remains for the sick that lie in the
House. Thus spake Ioreth, wise-woman of Gondor: The
hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the
rightful king be known.\u2019
Then Aragorn entered first and the others followed. And
there at the door were two guards in the livery of the Citadel:
one tall, but the other scarce the height of a boy; and when
he saw them he cried aloud in surprise and joy.
\u2018Strider! How splendid! Do you know, I guessed it was you
in the black ships. But they were all shouting corsairs and
wouldn\u2019t listen to me. How did you do it?\u2019
Aragorn laughed, and took the hobbit by the hand. \u2018Well
met indeed!\u2019 he said. \u2018But there is not time yet for travellers\u2019
tales.\u2019
But Imrahil said to E\u00b4 omer: \u2018Is it thus that we speak to our
kings? Yet maybe he will wear his crown in some other name!\u2019
And Aragorn hearing him, turned and said: \u2018Verily, for in
the high tongue of old I am Elessar, the Elfstone, and Envinyatar, the Renewer\u2019: and he lifted from his breast the green
stone that lay there. \u2018But Strider shall be the name of my
house, if that be ever established. In the high tongue it will
1130 the return of the king
not sound so ill, and Telcontar I will be and all the heirs of
my body.\u2019
And with that they passed into the House; and as they
went towards the rooms where the sick were tended Gandalf
told of the deeds of E\u00b4 owyn and Meriadoc. \u2018For,\u2019 he said,
\u2018long have I stood by them, and at first they spoke much in
their dreaming, before they sank into the deadly darkness.
Also it is given to me to see many things far off.\u2019
Aragorn went first to Faramir, and then to the Lady
E\u00b4 owyn, and last to Merry. When he had looked on the faces
of the sick and seen their hurts he sighed. \u2018Here I must put
forth all such power and skill as is given to me,\u2019 he said.
\u2018Would that Elrond were here, for he is the eldest of all our
race, and has the greater power.\u2019
And E\u00b4 omer seeing that he was both sorrowful and weary
said: \u2018First you must rest, surely, and at the least eat a little?\u2019
But Aragorn answered: \u2018Nay, for these three, and most
soon for Faramir, time is running out. All speed is needed.\u2019
Then he called to Ioreth and he said: \u2018You have store in
this House of the herbs of healing?\u2019
\u2018Yes, lord,\u2019 she answered; \u2018but not enough, I reckon, for
all that will need them. But I am sure I do not know where
we shall find more; for all things are amiss in these dreadful
days, what with fires and burnings, and the lads that run
errands so few, and all the roads blocked. Why, it is days out
of count since ever a carrier came in from Lossarnach to the
market! But we do our best in this House with what we have,
as I am sure your lordship will know.\u2019
\u2018I will judge that when I see,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018One thing also
is short, time for speech. Have you athelas?\u2019
\u2018I do not know, I am sure, lord,\u2019 she answered, \u2018at least not
by that name. I will go and ask of the herb-master; he knows
all the old names.\u2019
\u2018It is also called kingsfoil,\u2019 said Aragorn; \u2018and maybe you
know it by that name, for so the country-folk call it in these
latter days.\u2019
\u2018Oh that!\u2019 said Ioreth. \u2018Well, if your lordship had named it
the houses of healing 1131
at first I could have told you. No, we have none of it, I am
sure. Why, I have never heard that it had any great virtue;
and indeed I have often said to my sisters when we came
upon it growing in the woods: \u2018\u2018kingsfoil\u2019\u2019, I said, \u2018\u2018\u2019tis a
strange name, and I wonder why \u2019tis called so; for if I were a
king, I would have plants more bright in my garden\u2019\u2019. Still it
smells sweet when bruised, does it not? If sweet is the right
word: wholesome, maybe, is nearer.\u2019
\u2018Wholesome verily,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018And now, dame, if you
love the Lord Faramir, run as quick as your tongue and get
me kingsfoil, if there is a leaf in the City.\u2019
\u2018And if not,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018I will ride to Lossarnach with
Ioreth behind me, and she shall take me to the woods, but
not to her sisters. And Shadowfax shall show her the meaning
of haste.\u2019
When Ioreth was gone, Aragorn bade the other women to
make water hot. Then he took Faramir\u2019s hand in his, and laid
the other hand upon the sick man\u2019s brow. It was drenched
with sweat; but Faramir did not move or make any sign, and
seemed hardly to breathe.
\u2018He is nearly spent,\u2019 said Aragorn turning to Gandalf. \u2018But
this comes not from the wound. See! that is healing. Had he
been smitten by some dart of the Nazgu\u02c6l, as you thought, he
would have died that night. This hurt was given by some
Southron arrow, I would guess. Who drew it forth? Was it
kept?\u2019
\u2018I drew it forth,\u2019 said Imrahil, \u2018and staunched the wound.
But I did not keep the arrow, for we had much to do. It was,
as I remember, just such a dart as the Southrons use. Yet I
believed that it came from the Shadows above, for else his
fever and sickness were not to be understood; since the
wound was not deep or vital. How then do you read the
matter?\u2019
\u2018Weariness, grief for his father\u2019s mood, a wound, and over
all the Black Breath,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018He is a man of staunch
will, for already he had come close under the Shadow before
1132 the return of the king
ever he rode to battle on the out-walls. Slowly the dark must
have crept on him, even as he fought and strove to hold his
outpost. Would that I could have been here sooner!\u2019
Thereupon the herb-master entered. \u2018Your lordship asked
for kingsfoil, as the rustics name it,\u2019 he said; \u2018or athelas in
the noble tongue, or to those who know somewhat of the
Valinorean\u2026\u2019
\u2018I do so,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018and I care not whether you say
now ase\u00a8a aranion or kingsfoil, so long as you have some.\u2019
\u2018Your pardon lord!\u2019 said the man. \u2018I see you are a loremaster, not merely a captain of war. But alas! sir, we do not
keep this thing in the Houses of Healing, where only the
gravely hurt or sick are tended. For it has no virtue that we
know of, save perhaps to sweeten a fouled air, or to drive
away some passing heaviness. Unless, of course, you give
heed to rhymes of old days which women such as our good
Ioreth still repeat without understanding.
When the black breath blows
and death\u2019s shadow grows
and all lights pass,
come athelas! come athelas!
Life to the dying
In the king\u2019s hand lying!
It is but a doggrel, I fear, garbled in the memory of old wives.
Its meaning I leave to your judgement, if indeed it has any.
But old folk still use an infusion of the herb for headaches.\u2019
\u2018Then in the name of the king, go and find some old man
of less lore and more wisdom who keeps some in his house!\u2019
cried Gandalf.
Now Aragorn knelt beside Faramir, and held a hand upon
his brow. And those that watched felt that some great struggle
was going on. For Aragorn\u2019s face grew grey with weariness;
and ever and anon he called the name of Faramir, but each
the houses of healing 1133
time more faintly to their hearing, as if Aragorn himself was
removed from them, and walked afar in some dark vale,
calling for one that was lost.
And at last Bergil came running in, and he bore six leaves
in a cloth. \u2018It is kingsfoil, Sir,\u2019 he said; \u2018but not fresh, I fear.
It must have been culled two weeks ago at the least. I hope
it will serve, Sir?\u2019 Then looking at Faramir he burst into
tears.
But Aragorn smiled. \u2018It will serve,\u2019 he said. \u2018The worst is
now over. Stay and be comforted!\u2019 Then taking two leaves,
he laid them on his hands and breathed on them, and then
he crushed them, and straightway a living freshness filled the
room, as if the air itself awoke and tingled, sparkling with joy.
And then he cast the leaves into the bowls of steaming water
that were brought to him, and at once all hearts were lightened. For the fragrance that came to each was like a memory
of dewy mornings of unshadowed sun in some land of which
the fair world in spring is itself but a fleeting memory. But
Aragorn stood up as one refreshed, and his eyes smiled as he
held a bowl before Faramir\u2019s dreaming face.
\u2018Well now! Who would have believed it?\u2019 said Ioreth to a
woman that stood beside her. \u2018The weed is better than I
thought. It reminds me of the roses of Imloth Melui when
I was a lass, and no king could ask for better.\u2019
Suddenly Faramir stirred, and he opened his eyes, and he
looked on Aragorn who bent over him; and a light of knowledge and love was kindled in his eyes, and he spoke softly.
\u2018My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king
command?\u2019
\u2018Walk no more in the shadows, but awake!\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018You are weary. Rest a while, and take food, and be ready
when I return.\u2019
\u2018I will, lord,\u2019 said Faramir. \u2018For who would lie idle when
the king has returned?\u2019
\u2018Farewell then for a while!\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018I must go to
others who need me.\u2019 And he left the chamber with Gandalf
and Imrahil; but Beregond and his son remained behind,
1134 the return of the king
unable to contain their joy. As he followed Gandalf and shut
the door Pippin heard Ioreth exclaim:
\u2018King! Did you hear that? What did I say? The hands of a
healer, I said.\u2019 And soon the word had gone out from the
House that the king was indeed come among them, and after
war he brought healing; and the news ran through the City.
But Aragorn came to E\u00b4 owyn, and he said: \u2018Here there is a
grievous hurt and a heavy blow. The arm that was broken
has been tended with due skill, and it will mend in time, if
she has the strength to live. It is the shield-arm that is maimed;
but the chief evil comes through the sword-arm. In that there
now seems no life, although it is unbroken.
\u2018Alas! For she was pitted against a foe beyond the strength
of her mind or body. And those who will take a weapon to
such an enemy must be sterner than steel, if the very shock
shall not destroy them. It was an evil doom that set her in his
path. For she is a fair maiden, fairest lady of a house of
queens. And yet I know not how I should speak of her. When
I first looked on her and perceived her unhappiness, it seemed
to me that I saw a white flower standing straight and proud,
shapely as a lily, and yet knew that it was hard, as if wrought
by elf-wrights out of steel. Or was it, maybe, a frost that had
turned its sap to ice, and so it stood, bitter-sweet, still fair to
see, but stricken, soon to fall and die? Her malady begins far
back before this day, does it not, E\u00b4 omer?\u2019
\u2018I marvel that you should ask me, lord,\u2019 he answered. \u2018For
I hold you blameless in this matter, as in all else; yet I knew
not that E\u00b4 owyn, my sister, was touched by any frost, until
she first looked on you. Care and dread she had, and shared
with me, in the days of Wormtongue and the king\u2019s bewitchment; and she tended the king in growing fear. But that did
not bring her to this pass!\u2019
\u2018My friend,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018you had horses, and deeds of
arms, and the free fields; but she, born in the body of a maid,
had a spirit and courage at least the match of yours. Yet she
was doomed to wait upon an old man, whom she loved as a
the houses of healing 1135
father, and watch him falling into a mean dishonoured dotage; and her part seemed to her more ignoble than that of
the staff he leaned on.
\u2018Think you that Wormtongue had poison only for
The\u00b4oden\u2019s ears? Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a
thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their
brats roll on the floor among their dogs? Have you not heard
those words before? Saruman spoke them, the teacher of
Wormtongue. Though I do not doubt that Wormtongue at
home wrapped their meaning in terms more cunning. My
lord, if your sister\u2019s love for you, and her will still bent to
her duty, had not restrained her lips, you might have heard
even such things as these escape them. But who knows what
she spoke to the darkness, alone, in the bitter watches of the
night, when all her life seemed shrinking, and the walls of her
bower closing in about her, a hutch to trammel some wild
thing in?\u2019
Then E\u00b4 omer was silent, and looked on his sister, as if
pondering anew all the days of their past life together. But
Aragorn said: \u2018I saw also what you saw, E\u00b4 omer. Few other
griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness
and shame for a man\u2019s heart than to behold the love of a lady
so fair and brave that cannot be returned. Sorrow and pity
have followed me ever since I left her desperate in Dunharrow
and rode to the Paths of the Dead; and no fear upon that
way was so present as the fear for what might befall her. And
yet, E\u00b4 omer, I say to you that she loves you more truly than
me; for you she loves and knows; but in me she loves only a
shadow and a thought: a hope of glory and great deeds, and
lands far from the fields of Rohan.
\u2018I have, maybe, the power to heal her body, and to recall
her from the dark valley. But to what she will awake: hope,
or forgetfulness, or despair, I do not know. And if to despair,
then she will die, unless other healing comes which I cannot
bring. Alas! for her deeds have set her among the queens of
great renown.\u2019
Then Aragorn stooped and looked in her face, and it was
1136 the return of the king
indeed white as a lily, cold as frost, and hard as graven stone.
But he bent and kissed her on the brow, and called her softly,
saying:
\u2018E\u00b4 owyn E\u00b4 omund\u2019s daughter, awake! For your enemy has
passed away!\u2019
She did not stir, but now she began again to breathe deeply,
so that her breast rose and fell beneath the white linen of the
sheet. Once more Aragorn bruised two leaves of athelas and
cast them into steaming water; and he laved her brow with
it, and her right arm lying cold and nerveless on the coverlet.
Then, whether Aragorn had indeed some forgotten power
of Westernesse, or whether it was but his words of the Lady
E\u00b4 owyn that wrought on them, as the sweet influence of the
herb stole about the chamber it seemed to those who stood
by that a keen wind blew through the window, and it bore
no scent, but was an air wholly fresh and clean and young,
as if it had not before been breathed by any living thing and
came new-made from snowy mountains high beneath a dome
of stars, or from shores of silver far away washed by seas of
foam.
\u2018Awake, E\u00b4 owyn, Lady of Rohan!\u2019 said Aragorn again, and
he took her right hand in his and felt it warm with life
returning. \u2018Awake! The shadow is gone and all darkness is
washed clean!\u2019 Then he laid her hand in E\u00b4 omer\u2019s and stepped
away. \u2018Call her!\u2019 he said, and he passed silently from the
chamber.
\u2018E\u00b4 owyn, E\u00b4 owyn!\u2019 cried E\u00b4 omer amid his tears. But she
opened her eyes and said: \u2018E\u00b4 omer! What joy is this? For they
said that you were slain. Nay, but that was only the dark
voices in my dream. How long have I been dreaming?\u2019
\u2018Not long, my sister,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer. \u2018But think no more
on it!\u2019
\u2018I am strangely weary,\u2019 she said. \u2018I must rest a little. But
tell me, what of the Lord of the Mark? Alas! Do not tell me
that that was a dream; for I know that it was not. He is dead
as he foresaw.\u2019
\u2018He is dead,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer, \u2018but he bade me say farewell to
the houses of healing 1137
E\u00b4 owyn, dearer than daughter. He lies now in great honour in
the Citadel of Gondor.\u2019
\u2018That is grievous,\u2019 she said. \u2018And yet it is good beyond all
that I dared hope in the dark days, when it seemed that the
House of Eorl was sunk in honour less than any shepherd\u2019s
cot. And what of the king\u2019s esquire, the Halfling? E\u00b4 omer, you
shall make him a knight of the Riddermark, for he is valiant!\u2019
\u2018He lies nearby in this House, and I will go to him,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018E\u00b4 omer shall stay here for a while. But do not speak
yet of war or woe, until you are made whole again. Great
gladness it is to see you wake again to health and hope, so
valiant a lady!\u2019
\u2018To health?\u2019 said E\u00b4 owyn. \u2018It may be so. At least while there
is an empty saddle of some fallen Rider that I can fill, and
there are deeds to do. But to hope? I do not know.\u2019
Gandalf and Pippin came to Merry\u2019s room, and there they
found Aragorn standing by the bed. \u2018Poor old Merry!\u2019 cried
Pippin, and he ran to the bedside, for it seemed to him that
his friend looked worse and a greyness was in his face, as if
a weight of years of sorrow lay on him; and suddenly a fear
seized Pippin that Merry would die.
\u2018Do not be afraid,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018I came in time, and I
have called him back. He is weary now, and grieved, and he
has taken a hurt like the Lady E\u00b4 owyn, daring to smite that
deadly thing. But these evils can be amended, so strong and
gay a spirit is in him. His grief he will not forget; but it will
not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.\u2019
Then Aragorn laid his hand on Merry\u2019s head, and passing
his hand gently through the brown curls, he touched the
eyelids, and called him by name. And when the fragrance of
athelas stole through the room, like the scent of orchards, and
of heather in the sunshine full of bees, suddenly Merry awoke,
and he said:
\u2018I am hungry. What is the time?\u2019
\u2018Past supper-time now,\u2019 said Pippin; \u2018though I daresay I
could bring you something, if they will let me.\u2019
1138 the return of the king
\u2018They will indeed,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018And anything else that
this Rider of Rohan may desire, if it can be found in Minas
Tirith, where his name is in honour.\u2019
\u2018Good!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Then I would like supper first, and
after that a pipe.\u2019 At that his face clouded. \u2018No, not a pipe.
I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll smoke again.\u2019
\u2018Why not?\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018Well,\u2019 answered Merry slowly. \u2018He is dead. It has brought
it all back to me. He said he was sorry he had never had a
chance of talking herb-lore with me. Almost the last thing he
ever said. I shan\u2019t ever be able to smoke again without thinking of him, and that day, Pippin, when he rode up to Isengard
and was so polite.\u2019
\u2018Smoke then, and think of him!\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018For he was
a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he
rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning. Though your
service to him was brief, it should be a memory glad and
honourable to the end of your days.\u2019
Merry smiled. \u2018Well then,\u2019 he said, \u2018if Strider will provide
what is needed, I will smoke and think. I had some of
Saruman\u2019s best in my pack, but what became of it in the
battle, I am sure I don\u2019t know.\u2019
\u2018Master Meriadoc,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018if you think that I have
passed through the mountains and the realm of Gondor
with fire and sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who
throws away his gear, you are mistaken. If your pack has not
been found, then you must send for the herb-master of this
House. And he will tell you that he did not know that the
herb you desire had any virtues, but that it is called westmansweed by the vulgar, and galenas by the noble, and other
names in other tongues more learned, and after adding
a few half-forgotten rhymes that he does not understand, he
will regretfully inform you that there is none in the House,
and he will leave you to reflect on the history of tongues. And
so now must I. For I have not slept in such a bed as this,
since I rode from Dunharrow, nor eaten since the dark before
dawn.\u2019
the houses of healing 1139
Merry seized his hand and kissed it. \u2018I am frightfully sorry,\u2019
he said. \u2018Go at once! Ever since that night at Bree we have
been a nuisance to you. But it is the way of my people to use
light words at such times and say less than they mean. We
fear to say too much. It robs us of the right words when a
jest is out of place.\u2019
\u2018I know that well, or I would not deal with you in the same
way,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018May the Shire live for ever unwithered!\u2019
And kissing Merry he went out, and Gandalf went with him.
Pippin remained behind. \u2018Was there ever anyone like him?\u2019
he said. \u2018Except Gandalf, of course. I think they must be
related. My dear ass, your pack is lying by your bed, and you
had it on your back when I met you. He saw it all the time,
of course. And anyway I have some stuff of my own. Come
on now! Longbottom Leaf it is. Fill up while I run and see
about some food. And then let\u2019s be easy for a bit. Dear
me! We Tooks and Brandybucks, we can\u2019t live long on the
heights.\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018I can\u2019t. Not yet, at any rate. But at least,
Pippin, we can now see them, and honour them. It is best to
love first what you are fitted to love, I suppose: you must
start somewhere and have some roots, and the soil of the
Shire is deep. Still there are things deeper and higher; and
not a gaffer could tend his garden in what he calls peace but
for them, whether he knows about them or not. I am glad
that I know about them, a little. But I don\u2019t know why I am
talking like this. Where is that leaf ? And get my pipe out of
my pack, if it isn\u2019t broken.\u2019
Aragorn and Gandalf went now to the Warden of the
Houses of Healing, and they counselled him that Faramir
and E\u00b4 owyn should remain there and still be tended with care
for many days.
\u2018The Lady E\u00b4 owyn,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018will wish soon to rise
and depart; but she should not be permitted to do so, if you
can in any way restrain her, until at least ten days be passed.\u2019
1140 the return of the king
\u2018As for Faramir,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018he must soon learn that
his father is dead. But the full tale of the madness of Denethor
should not be told to him, until he is quite healed and has
duties to do. See that Beregond and the perian who were
present do not speak to him of these things yet!\u2019
\u2018And the other perian, Meriadoc, who is under my care,
what of him?\u2019 said the Warden.
\u2018It is likely that he will be fit to arise tomorrow, for a short
while,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018Let him do so, if he wishes. He may
walk a little in the care of his friends.\u2019
\u2018They are a remarkable race,\u2019 said the Warden, nodding
his head. \u2018Very tough in the fibre, I deem.\u2019
At the doors of the Houses many were already gathered to
see Aragorn, and they followed after him; and when at last
he had supped, men came and prayed that he would heal their
kinsmen or their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt
or wound, or who lay under the Black Shadow. And Aragorn
arose and went out, and he sent for the sons of Elrond, and
together they laboured far into the night. And word went
through the City: \u2018The King is come again indeed.\u2019 And they
named him Elfstone, because of the green stone that he wore,
and so the name which it was foretold at his birth that he
should bear was chosen for him by his own people.
And when he could labour no more, he cast his cloak about
him, and slipped out of the City, and went to his tent just ere
dawn and slept for a little. And in the morning the banner of
Dol Amroth, a white ship like a swan upon blue water, floated
from the Tower, and men looked up and wondered if the
coming of the King had been but a dream.
Chapter 9
THE LAST DEBATE
The morning came after the day of battle, and it was fair
with light clouds and the wind turning westward. Legolas
and Gimli were early abroad, and they begged leave to go up
into the City; for they were eager to see Merry and Pippin.
\u2018It is good to learn that they are still alive,\u2019 said Gimli; \u2018for
they cost us great pains in our march over Rohan, and I
would not have such pains all wasted.\u2019
Together the Elf and the Dwarf entered Minas Tirith, and
folk that saw them pass marvelled to see such companions;
for Legolas was fair of face beyond the measure of Men, and
he sang an elven-song in a clear voice as he walked in the
morning; but Gimli stalked beside him, stroking his beard
and staring about him.
\u2018There is some good stone-work here,\u2019 he said as he looked
at the walls; \u2018but also some that is less good, and the streets
could be better contrived. When Aragorn comes into his own,
I shall offer him the service of stonewrights of the Mountain,
and we will make this a town to be proud of.\u2019
\u2018They need more gardens,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018The houses are
dead, and there is too little here that grows and is glad. If
Aragorn comes into his own, the people of the Wood shall
bring him birds that sing and trees that do not die.\u2019
At length they came to the Prince Imrahil, and Legolas
looked at him and bowed low; for he saw that here indeed
was one who had elven-blood in his veins. \u2018Hail, lord!\u2019 he said.
\u2018It is long since the people of Nimrodel left the woodlands of
Lo\u00b4rien, and yet still one may see that not all sailed from
Amroth\u2019s haven west over water.\u2019
\u2018So it is said in the lore of my land,\u2019 said the Prince; \u2018yet
1142 the return of the king
never has one of the fair folk been seen there for years beyond
count. And I marvel to see one here now in the midst of
sorrow and war. What do you seek?\u2019
\u2018I am one of the Nine Companions who set out with
Mithrandir from Imladris,\u2019 said Legolas; \u2018and with this
Dwarf, my friend, I came with the Lord Aragorn. But now
we wish to see our friends, Meriadoc and Peregrin, who are
in your keeping, we are told.\u2019
\u2018You will find them in the Houses of Healing, and I will
lead you thither,\u2019 said Imrahil.
\u2018It will be enough if you send one to guide us, lord,\u2019 said
Legolas. \u2018For Aragorn sends this message to you. He does
not wish to enter the City again at this time. Yet there is need
for the captains to hold council at once, and he prays that
you and E\u00b4 omer of Rohan will come down to his tents, as
soon as may be. Mithrandir is already there.\u2019
\u2018We will come,\u2019 said Imrahil; and they parted with
courteous words.
\u2018That is a fair lord and a great captain of men,\u2019 said
Legolas. \u2018If Gondor has such men still in these days of fading,
great must have been its glory in the days of its rising.\u2019
\u2018And doubtless the good stone-work is the older and was
wrought in the first building,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018It is ever so with
the things that Men begin: there is a frost in Spring, or a
blight in Summer, and they fail of their promise.\u2019
\u2018Yet seldom do they fail of their seed,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018And
that will lie in the dust and rot to spring up again in times
and places unlooked-for. The deeds of Men will outlast us,
Gimli.\u2019
\u2018And yet come to naught in the end but might-have-beens,
I guess,\u2019 said the Dwarf.
\u2018To that the Elves know not the answer,\u2019 said Legolas.
With that the servant of the Prince came and led them to
the Houses of Healing; and there they found their friends in
the garden, and their meeting was a merry one. For a while
they walked and talked, rejoicing for a brief space in peace
the last debate 1143
and rest under the morning high up in the windy circles of
the City. Then when Merry became weary, they went and
sat upon the wall with the greensward of the Houses of Healing behind them; and away southward before them was the
Anduin glittering in the sun, as it flowed away, out of the
sight even of Legolas, into the wide flats and green haze of
Lebennin and South Ithilien.
And now Legolas fell silent, while the others talked, and
he looked out against the sun, and as he gazed he saw white
sea-birds beating up the River.
\u2018Look!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Gulls! They are flying far inland. A
wonder they are to me and a trouble to my heart. Never in
all my life had I met them, until we came to Pelargir, and
there I heard them crying in the air as we rode to the battle
of the ships. Then I stood still, forgetting war in Middle-earth;
for their wailing voices spoke to me of the Sea. The Sea!
Alas! I have not yet beheld it. But deep in the hearts of all
my kindred lies the sea-longing, which it is perilous to stir.
Alas! for the gulls. No peace shall I have again under beech
or under elm.\u2019
\u2018Say not so!\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018There are countless things still to
see in Middle-earth, and great works to do. But if all the fair
folk take to the Havens, it will be a duller world for those
who are doomed to stay.\u2019
\u2018Dull and dreary indeed!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018You must not go to
the Havens, Legolas. There will always be some folk, big or
little, and even a few wise dwarves like Gimli, who need you.
At least I hope so. Though I feel somehow that the worst of
this war is still to come. How I wish it was all over, and well
over!\u2019
\u2018Don\u2019t be so gloomy!\u2019 cried Pippin. \u2018The Sun is shining,
and here we are together for a day or two at least. I want to
hear more about you all. Come, Gimli! You and Legolas have
mentioned your strange journey with Strider about a dozen
times already this morning. But you haven\u2019t told me anything
about it.\u2019
\u2018The Sun may shine here,\u2019 said Gimli, \u2018but there are
1144 the return of the king
memories of that road that I do not wish to recall out of the
darkness. Had I known what was before me, I think that not
for any friendship would I have taken the Paths of the Dead.\u2019
\u2018The Paths of the Dead?\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018I heard Aragorn say
that, and I wondered what he could mean. Won\u2019t you tell us
some more?\u2019
\u2018Not willingly,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018For upon that road I was put
to shame: Gimli Glo\u00b4in\u2019s son, who had deemed himself more
tough than Men, and hardier under earth than any Elf. But
neither did I prove; and I was held to the road only by the
will of Aragorn.\u2019
\u2018And by the love of him also,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018For all those
who come to know him come to love him after their own
fashion, even the cold maiden of the Rohirrim. It was at early
morn of the day ere you came there, Merry, that we left
Dunharrow, and such a fear was on all the folk that none
would look on our going, save the Lady E\u00b4 owyn, who lies now
hurt in the House below. There was grief at that parting, and
I was grieved to behold it.\u2019
\u2018Alas! I had heart only for myself,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018Nay! I will
not speak of that journey.\u2019
He fell silent; but Pippin and Merry were so eager for news
that at last Legolas said: \u2018I will tell you enough for your peace;
for I felt not the horror, and I feared not the shadows of Men,
powerless and frail as I deemed them.\u2019
Swiftly then he told of the haunted road under the mountains, and the dark tryst at Erech, and the great ride thence,
ninety leagues and three, to Pelargir on Anduin. \u2018Four days
and nights, and on into a fifth, we rode from the Black Stone,\u2019
he said. \u2018And lo! in the darkness of Mordor my hope rose;
for in that gloom the Shadow Host seemed to grow stronger
and more terrible to look upon. Some I saw riding, some
striding, yet all moving with the same great speed. Silent they
were, but there was a gleam in their eyes. In the uplands of
Lamedon they overtook our horses, and swept round us, and
would have passed us by, if Aragorn had not forbidden them.
\u2018At his command they fell back. \u2018\u2018Even the shades of Men
the last debate 1145
are obedient to his will,\u2019\u2019 I thought. \u2018\u2018They may serve his
needs yet!\u2019\u2019
\u2018One day of light we rode, and then came the day without
dawn, and still we rode on, and Ciril and Ringlo\u00b4 we crossed;
and on the third day we came to Linhir above the mouth of
Gilrain. And there men of Lamedon contested the fords with
fell folk of Umbar and Harad who had sailed up the river.
But defenders and foes alike gave up the battle and fled when
we came, crying out that the King of the Dead was upon
them. Only Angbor, Lord of Lamedon, had the heart to abide
us; and Aragorn bade him gather his folk and come behind,
if they dared, when the Grey Host had passed.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018At Pelargir the Heir of Isildur will have need of you,\u2019\u2019
he said.
\u2018Thus we crossed over Gilrain, driving the allies of Mordor
in rout before us; and then we rested a while. But soon
Aragorn arose, saying: \u2018\u2018Lo! already Minas Tirith is assailed.
I fear that it will fall ere we come to its aid.\u2019\u2019 So we mounted
again before night had passed and went on with all the speed
that our horses could endure over the plains of Lebennin.\u2019
Legolas paused and sighed, and turning his eyes southward
softly he sang:
Silver flow the streams from Celos to Erui
In the green fields of Lebennin!
Tall grows the grass there. In the wind from the Sea
The white lilies sway,
And the golden bells are shaken of mallos and alfirin
In the green fields of Lebennin,
In the wind from the Sea!
\u2018Green are those fields in the songs of my people; but they
were dark then, grey wastes in the blackness before us. And
over the wide land, trampling unheeded the grass and the
flowers, we hunted our foes through a day and a night, until
we came at the bitter end to the Great River at last.
\u2018Then I thought in my heart that we drew near to the
1146 the return of the king
Sea; for wide was the water in the darkness, and sea-birds
innumerable cried on its shores. Alas for the wailing of the
gulls! Did not the Lady tell me to beware of them? And now
I cannot forget them.\u2019
\u2018For my part I heeded them not,\u2019 said Gimli; \u2018for we came
then at last upon battle in earnest. There at Pelargir lay the
main fleet of Umbar, fifty great ships and smaller vessels
beyond count. Many of those that we pursued had reached
the havens before us, and brought their fear with them; and
some of the ships had put off, seeking to escape down the
River or to reach the far shore; and many of the smaller craft
were ablaze. But the Haradrim, being now driven to the
brink, turned at bay, and they were fierce in despair; and they
laughed when they looked on us, for they were a great army
still.
\u2018But Aragorn halted and cried with a great voice: \u2018\u2018Now
come! By the Black Stone I call you!\u2019\u2019 And suddenly the
Shadow Host that had hung back at the last came up like a
grey tide, sweeping all away before it. Faint cries I heard, and
dim horns blowing, and a murmur as of countless far voices:
it was like the echo of some forgotten battle in the Dark Years
long ago. Pale swords were drawn; but I know not whether
their blades would still bite, for the Dead needed no longer
any weapon but fear. None would withstand them.
\u2018To every ship they came that was drawn up, and then
they passed over the water to those that were anchored; and
all the mariners were filled with a madness of terror and
leaped overboard, save the slaves chained to the oars. Reckless we rode among our fleeing foes, driving them like leaves,
until we came to the shore. And then to each of the great
ships that remained Aragorn sent one of the Du\u00b4nedain, and
they comforted the captives that were aboard, and bade them
put aside fear and be free.
\u2018Ere that dark day ended none of the enemy were left to
resist us; all were drowned, or were flying south in the hope
to find their own lands upon foot. Strange and wonderful I
thought it that the designs of Mordor should be overthrown
the last debate 1147
by such wraiths of fear and darkness. With its own weapons
was it worsted!\u2019
\u2018Strange indeed,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018In that hour I looked on
Aragorn and thought how great and terrible a Lord he might
have become in the strength of his will, had he taken the Ring
to himself. Not for naught does Mordor fear him. But nobler
is his spirit than the understanding of Sauron; for is he not
of the children of Lu\u00b4thien? Never shall that line fail, though
the years may lengthen beyond count.\u2019
\u2018Beyond the eyes of the Dwarves are such foretellings,\u2019 said
Gimli. \u2018But mighty indeed was Aragorn that day. Lo! all the
black fleet was in his hands; and he chose the greatest ship
to be his own, and he went up into it. Then he let sound a
great concourse of trumpets taken from the enemy; and the
Shadow Host withdrew to the shore. There they stood silent,
hardly to be seen, save for a red gleam in their eyes that
caught the glare of the ships that were burning. And Aragorn
spoke in a loud voice to the Dead Men, crying:
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Hear now the words of the Heir of Isildur! Your oath is
fulfilled. Go back and trouble not the valleys ever again!
Depart and be at rest!\u2019\u2019
\u2018And thereupon the King of the Dead stood out before the
host and broke his spear and cast it down. Then he bowed
low and turned away; and swiftly the whole grey host drew
off and vanished like a mist that is driven back by a sudden
wind; and it seemed to me that I awoke from a dream.
\u2018That night we rested while others laboured. For there were
many captives set free, and many slaves released who had
been folk of Gondor taken in raids; and soon also there was
a great gathering of men out of Lebennin and the Ethir, and
Angbor of Lamedon came up with all the horsemen that he
could muster. Now that the fear of the Dead was removed
they came to aid us and to look on the Heir of Isildur; for the
rumour of that name had run like fire in the dark.
\u2018And that is near the end of our tale. For during that
evening and night many ships were made ready and manned;
and in the morning the fleet set forth. Long past it now seems,
1148 the return of the king
yet it was but the morn of the day ere yesterday, the sixth
since we rode from Dunharrow. But still Aragorn was driven
by fear that time was too short.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018It is forty leagues and two from Pelargir to the landings
at the Harlond,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018Yet to the Harlond we must come
tomorrow or fail utterly.\u2019\u2019
\u2018The oars were now wielded by free men, and manfully
they laboured; yet slowly we passed up the Great River, for
we strove against its stream, and though that is not swift
down in the South, we had no help of wind. Heavy would
my heart have been, for all our victory at the havens, if
Legolas had not laughed suddenly.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Up with your beard, Durin\u2019s son!\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018For thus is
it spoken: Oft hope is born, when all is forlorn.\u2019\u2019 But what hope
he saw from afar he would not tell. When night came it did
but deepen the darkness, and our hearts were hot, for away
in the North we saw a red glow under the cloud, and Aragorn
said: \u2018\u2018Minas Tirith is burning.\u2019\u2019
\u2018But at midnight hope was indeed born anew. Sea-crafty
men of the Ethir gazing southward spoke of a change coming
with a fresh wind from the Sea. Long ere day the masted
ships hoisted sail, and our speed grew, until dawn whitened
the foam at our prows. And so it was, as you know, that we
came in the third hour of the morning with a fair wind and
the Sun unveiled, and we unfurled the great standard in
battle. It was a great day and a great hour, whatever may
come after.\u2019
\u2018Follow what may, great deeds are not lessened in worth,\u2019
said Legolas. \u2018Great deed was the riding of the Paths of the
Dead, and great it shall remain, though none be left in
Gondor to sing of it in the days that are to come.\u2019
\u2018And that may well befall,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018For the faces of
Aragorn and Gandalf are grave. Much I wonder what counsels they are taking in the tents there below. For my part, like
Merry, I wish that with our victory the war was now over.
Yet whatever is still to do, I hope to have a part in it, for the
honour of the folk of the Lonely Mountain.\u2019
the last debate 1149
\u2018And I for the folk of the Great Wood,\u2019 said Legolas, \u2018and
for the love of the Lord of the White Tree.\u2019
Then the companions fell silent, but a while they sat there
in the high place, each busy with his own thoughts, while the
Captains debated.
When the Prince Imrahil had parted from Legolas and
Gimli, at once he sent for E\u00b4 omer; and he went down with
him from the City, and they came to the tents of Aragorn
that were set up on the field not far from the place where
King The\u00b4oden had fallen. And there they took counsel
together with Gandalf and Aragorn and the sons of Elrond.
\u2018My lords,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018listen to the words of the Steward
of Gondor before he died: You may triumph on the fields of
the Pelennor for a day, but against the Power that has now arisen
there is no victory. I do not bid you despair, as he did, but to
ponder the truth in these words.
\u2018The Stones of Seeing do not lie, and not even the Lord of
Barad-du\u02c6r can make them do so. He can, maybe, by his will
choose what things shall be seen by weaker minds, or cause
them to mistake the meaning of what they see. Nonetheless
it cannot be doubted that when Denethor saw great forces
arrayed against him in Mordor, and more still being gathered,
he saw that which truly is.
\u2018Hardly has our strength sufficed to beat off the first great
assault. The next will be greater. This war then is without final hope, as Denethor perceived. Victory cannot be
achieved by arms, whether you sit here to endure siege after
siege, or march out to be overwhelmed beyond the River.
You have only a choice of evils; and prudence would counsel
you to strengthen such strong places as you have, and there
await the onset; for so shall the time before your end be made
a little longer.\u2019
\u2018Then you would have us retreat to Minas Tirith, or Dol
Amroth, or to Dunharrow, and there sit like children on
sand-castles when the tide is flowing?\u2019 said Imrahil.
\u2018That would be no new counsel,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Have you
1150 the return of the king
not done this and little more in all the days of Denethor?
But no! I said this would be prudent. I do not counsel prudence. I said victory could not be achieved by arms. I still
hope for victory, but not by arms. For into the midst of all
these policies comes the Ring of Power, the foundation of
Barad-du\u02c6r, and the hope of Sauron.
\u2018Concerning this thing, my lords, you now all know enough
for the understanding of our plight, and of Sauron\u2019s. If he
regains it, your valour is vain, and his victory will be swift
and complete: so complete that none can foresee the end of
it while this world lasts. If it is destroyed, then he will fall;
and his fall will be so low that none can foresee his arising
ever again. For he will lose the best part of the strength that
was native to him in his beginning, and all that was made or
begun with that power will crumble, and he will be maimed
for ever, becoming a mere spirit of malice that gnaws itself
in the shadows, but cannot again grow or take shape. And so
a great evil of this world will be removed.
\u2018Other evils there are that may come; for Sauron is himself
but a servant or emissary. Yet it is not our part to master all
the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour
of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the
fields that we know, so that those who live after may have
clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours
to rule.
\u2018Now Sauron knows all this, and he knows that this precious thing which he lost has been found again; but he does
not yet know where it is, or so we hope. And therefore he is
now in great doubt. For if we have found this thing, there
are some among us with strength enough to wield it. That
too he knows. For do I not guess rightly, Aragorn, that you
have shown yourself to him in the Stone of Orthanc?\u2019
\u2018I did so ere I rode from the Hornburg,\u2019 answered Aragorn.
\u2018I deemed that the time was ripe, and that the Stone had
come to me for just such a purpose. It was then ten days
since the Ring-bearer went east from Rauros, and the Eye of
Sauron, I thought, should be drawn out from his own land.
the last debate 1151
Too seldom has he been challenged since he returned to his
Tower. Though if I had foreseen how swift would be his
onset in answer, maybe I should not have dared to show
myself. Bare time was given me to come to your aid.\u2019
\u2018But how is this?\u2019 asked E\u00b4 omer. \u2018All is vain, you say, if he
has the Ring. Why should he think it not vain to assail us, if
we have it?\u2019
\u2018He is not yet sure,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018and he has not built
up his power by waiting until his enemies are secure, as we
have done. Also we could not learn how to wield the full
power all in a day. Indeed it can be used only by one master
alone, not by many; and he will look for a time of strife, ere
one of the great among us makes himself master and puts
down the others. In that time the Ring might aid him, if he
were sudden.
\u2018He is watching. He sees much and hears much. His
Nazgu\u02c6l are still abroad. They passed over this field ere the
sunrise, though few of the weary and sleeping were aware of
them. He studies the signs: the Sword that robbed him of his
treasure re-made; the winds of fortune turning in our favour,
and the defeat unlooked-for of his first assault; the fall of his
great Captain.
\u2018His doubt will be growing, even as we speak here. His Eye
is now straining towards us, blind almost to all else that is
moving. So we must keep it. Therein lies all our hope. This,
then, is my counsel. We have not the Ring. In wisdom or
great folly it has been sent away to be destroyed, lest it destroy
us. Without it we cannot by force defeat his force. But we
must at all costs keep his Eye from his true peril. We cannot achieve victory by arms, but by arms we can give the
Ring-bearer his only chance, frail though it be.
\u2018As Aragorn has begun, so we must go on. We must
push Sauron to his last throw. We must call out his hidden
strength, so that he shall empty his land. We must march out
to meet him at once. We must make ourselves the bait, though
his jaws should close on us. He will take that bait, in hope
and in greed, for he will think that in such rashness he sees
1152 the return of the king
the pride of the new Ringlord: and he will say: \u2018\u2018So! he pushes
out his neck too soon and too far. Let him come on, and
behold I will have him in a trap from which he cannot escape.
There I will crush him, and what he has taken in his insolence
shall be mine again for ever.\u2019\u2019
\u2018We must walk open-eyed into that trap, with courage, but
small hope for ourselves. For, my lords, it may well prove
that we ourselves shall perish utterly in a black battle far from
the living lands; so that even if Barad-du\u02c6r be thrown down,
we shall not live to see a new age. But this, I deem, is our
duty. And better so than to perish nonetheless \u2013 as we surely
shall, if we sit here \u2013 and know as we die that no new age
shall be.\u2019
They were silent for a while. At length Aragorn spoke. \u2018As
I have begun, so I will go on. We come now to the very brink,
where hope and despair are akin. To waver is to fall. Let
none now reject the counsels of Gandalf, whose long labours
against Sauron come at last to their test. But for him all would
long ago have been lost. Nonetheless I do not yet claim to
command any man. Let others choose as they will.\u2019
Then said Elrohir: \u2018From the North we came with this
purpose, and from Elrond our father we brought this very
counsel. We will not turn back.\u2019
\u2018As for myself,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer, \u2018I have little knowledge of
these deep matters; but I need it not. This I know, and it is
enough, that as my friend Aragorn succoured me and my
people, so I will aid him when he calls. I will go.\u2019
\u2018As for me,\u2019 said Imrahil, \u2018the Lord Aragorn I hold to be
my liege-lord, whether he claim it or no. His wish is to me a
command. I will go also. Yet for a while I stand in the place
of the Steward of Gondor, and it is mine to think first of its
people. To prudence some heed must still be given. For we
must prepare against all chances, good as well as evil. Now,
it may be that we shall triumph, and while there is any hope
of this, Gondor must be protected. I would not have us return
with victory to a City in ruins and a land ravaged behind us.
the last debate 1153
And yet we learn from the Rohirrim that there is an army
still unfought upon our northern flank.\u2019
\u2018That is true,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I do not counsel you to leave
the City all unmanned. Indeed the force that we lead east
need not be great enough for any assault in earnest upon
Mordor, so long as it be great enough to challenge battle.
And it must move soon. Therefore I ask the Captains: what
force could we muster and lead out in two days\u2019 time at
the latest? And they must be hardy men that go willingly,
knowing their peril.\u2019
\u2018All are weary, and very many have wounds light or grievous,\u2019 said E\u00b4 omer, \u2018and we have suffered much loss of our
horses, and that is ill to bear. If we must ride soon, then I
cannot hope to lead even two thousands, and yet leave as
many for the defence of the City.\u2019
\u2018We have not only to reckon with those who fought on this
field,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018New strength is on the way from the
southern fiefs, now that the coasts have been rid. Four thousands I sent marching from Pelargir through Lossarnach two
days ago; and Angbor the fearless rides before them. If we
set out in two days more, they will draw nigh ere we depart.
Moreover many were bidden to follow me up the River in
any craft they could gather; and with this wind they will soon
be at hand, indeed several ships have already come to the
Harlond. I judge that we could lead out seven thousands of
horse and foot, and yet leave the City in better defence than
it was when the assault began.\u2019
\u2018The Gate is destroyed,\u2019 said Imrahil, \u2018and where now is
the skill to rebuild it and set it up anew?\u2019
\u2018In Erebor in the Kingdom of Da\u00b4in there is such skill,\u2019 said
Aragorn; \u2018and if all our hopes do not perish, then in time
I will send Gimli Glo\u00b4in\u2019s son to ask for wrights of the
Mountain. But men are better than gates, and no gate will
endure against our Enemy if men desert it.\u2019
This then was the end of the debate of the lords: that they
should set forth on the second morning from that day with
1154 the return of the king
seven thousands, if these might be found; and the great part
of this force should be on foot, because of the evil lands
into which they would go. Aragorn should find some two
thousands of those that he had gathered to him in the South;
but Imrahil should find three and a half thousands; and
E\u00b4 omer five hundreds of the Rohirrim who were unhorsed
but themselves warworthy, and he himself should lead five
hundreds of his best Riders on horse; and another company of five hundred horse there should be, among which
should ride the sons of Elrond with the Du\u00b4nedain and the
knights of Dol Amroth: all told six thousand foot and a
thousand horse. But the main strength of the Rohirrim that
remained horsed and able to fight, some three thousand
under the command of Elfhelm, should waylay the West
Road against the enemy that was in Ano\u00b4rien. And at once
swift riders were sent out to gather what news they could
northwards; and eastwards from Osgiliath and the road to
Minas Morgul.
And when they had reckoned up all their strength and
taken thought for the journeys they should make and
the roads they should choose, Imrahil suddenly laughed
aloud.
\u2018Surely,\u2019 he cried, \u2018this is the greatest jest in all the history
of Gondor: that we should ride with seven thousands, scarce
as many as the vanguard of its army in the days of its power,
to assail the mountains and the impenetrable gate of the Black
Land! So might a child threaten a mail-clad knight with a
bow of string and green willow! If the Dark Lord knows so
much as you say, Mithrandir, will he not rather smile than
fear, and with his little finger crush us like a fly that tries to
sting him?\u2019
\u2018No, he will try to trap the fly and take the sting,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018And there are names among us that are worth more
than a thousand mail-clad knights apiece. No, he will not
smile.\u2019
\u2018Neither shall we,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018If this be jest, then it is
too bitter for laughter. Nay, it is the last move in a great
the last debate 1155
jeopardy, and for one side or the other it will bring the end
of the game.\u2019 Then he drew Andu\u00b4ril and held it up glittering
in the sun. \u2018You shall not be sheathed again until the last
battle is fought,\u2019 he said.
Chapter 10
THE BLACK GATE OPENS
Two days later the army of the West was all assembled
on the Pelennor. The host of Orcs and Easterlings had
turned back out of Ano\u00b4rien, but harried and scattered by
the Rohirrim they had broken and fled with little fighting
towards Cair Andros; and with that threat destroyed and
new strength arriving out of the South the City was as well
manned as might be. Scouts reported that no enemies remained upon the roads east as far as the Cross-roads of the
Fallen King. All now was ready for the last throw.
Legolas and Gimli were to ride again together in the company of Aragorn and Gandalf, who went in the van with the
Du\u00b4nedain and the sons of Elrond. But Merry to his shame
was not to go with them.
\u2018You are not fit for such a journey,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018But do
not be ashamed. If you do no more in this war, you have
already earned great honour. Peregrin shall go and represent
the Shire-folk; and do not grudge him his chance of peril, for
though he has done as well as his fortune allowed him, he
has yet to match your deed. But in truth all now are in like
danger. Though it may be our part to find a bitter end before
the Gate of Mordor, if we do so, then you will come also to
a last stand, either here or wherever the black tide overtakes
you. Farewell!\u2019
And so despondently Merry now stood and watched the
mustering of the army. Bergil was with him, and he also was
downcast; for his father was to march leading a company of
the Men of the City: he could not rejoin the Guard until his
case was judged. In that same company Pippin was also
to go, as a soldier of Gondor. Merry could see him not far
the black gate opens 1157
off, a small but upright figure among the tall men of Minas
Tirith.
At last the trumpets rang and the army began to move.
Troop by troop, and company by company, they wheeled
and went off eastward. And long after they had passed away
out of sight down the great road to the Causeway, Merry
stood there. The last glint of the morning sun on spear and
helm twinkled and was lost, and still he remained with bowed
head and heavy heart, feeling friendless and alone. Everyone
that he cared for had gone away into the gloom that hung
over the distant eastern sky; and little hope at all was left in
his heart that he would ever see any of them again.
As if recalled by his mood of despair, the pain in his arm
returned, and he felt weak and old, and the sunlight seemed
thin. He was roused by the touch of Bergil\u2019s hand.
\u2018Come, Master Perian!\u2019 said the lad. \u2018You are still in pain,
I see. I will help you back to the Healers. But do not fear!
They will come back. The Men of Minas Tirith will never
be overcome. And now they have the Lord Elfstone, and
Beregond of the Guard too.\u2019
Ere noon the army came to Osgiliath. There all the workers
and craftsmen that could be spared were busy. Some were
strengthening the ferries and boat-bridges that the enemy had
made and in part destroyed when they fled; some gathered
stores and booty; and others on the eastern side across the
River were throwing up hasty works of defence.
The vanguard passed on through the ruins of Old Gondor,
and over the wide River, and on up the long straight road
that in the high days had been made to run from the fair
Tower of the Sun to the tall Tower of the Moon, which now
was Minas Morgul in its accursed vale. Five miles beyond
Osgiliath they halted, ending their first day\u2019s march.
But the horsemen pressed on and ere evening they came
to the Cross-roads and the great ring of trees, and all was
silent. No sign of any enemy had they seen, no cry or call
1158 the return of the king
had been heard, no shaft had sped from rock or thicket by
the way, yet ever as they went forward they felt the watchfulness of the land increase. Tree and stone, blade and leaf were
listening. The darkness had been dispelled, and far away
westward sunset was on the Vale of Anduin, and the white
peaks of the mountains blushed in the blue air; but a shadow
and a gloom brooded upon the Ephel Du\u00b4ath.
Then Aragorn set trumpeters at each of the four roads that
ran into the ring of trees, and they blew a great fanfare, and
the heralds cried aloud: \u2018The Lords of Gondor have returned
and all this land that is theirs they take back.\u2019 The hideous
orc-head that was set upon the carven figure was cast down
and broken in pieces, and the old king\u2019s head was raised and
set in its place once more, still crowned with white and golden
flowers; and men laboured to wash and pare away all the foul
scrawls that orcs had put upon the stone.
Now in their debate some had counselled that Minas
Morgul should first be assailed, and if they might take it, it
should be utterly destroyed. \u2018And, maybe,\u2019 said Imrahil, \u2018the
road that leads thence to the pass above will prove an easier
way of assault upon the Dark Lord than his northern gate.\u2019
But against this Gandalf had spoken urgently, because of
the evil that dwelt in the valley, where the minds of living
men would turn to madness and horror, and because also of
the news that Faramir had brought. For if the Ring-bearer
had indeed attempted that way, then above all they should
not draw the Eye of Mordor thither. So the next day when
the main host came up, they set a strong guard upon the
Cross-roads to make some defence, if Mordor should send a
force over the Morgul Pass, or should bring more men up
from the South. For that guard they chose mostly archers
who knew the ways of Ithilien and would lie hid in the woods
and slopes about the meeting of the ways. But Gandalf and
Aragorn rode with the vanguard to the entrance of Morgul
Vale and looked on the evil city.
It was dark and lifeless; for the Orcs and lesser creatures
of Mordor that had dwelt there had been destroyed in battle,
the black gate opens 1159
and the Nazgu\u02c6l were abroad. Yet the air of the valley was
heavy with fear and enmity. Then they broke the evil bridge
and set red flames in the noisome fields and departed.
The day after, being the third day since they set out from
Minas Tirith, the army began its northward march along
the road. It was some hundred miles by that way from the
Cross-roads to the Morannon, and what might befall them
before they came so far none knew. They went openly but
heedfully, with mounted scouts before them on the road, and
others on foot upon either side, especially on the eastward
flank; for there lay dark thickets, and a tumbled land of rocky
ghylls and crags, behind which the long grim slopes of the
Ephel Du\u00b4ath clambered up. The weather of the world remained fair, and the wind held in the west, but nothing could
waft away the glooms and the sad mists that clung about
the Mountains of Shadow; and behind them at whiles great
smokes would arise and hover in the upper winds.
Ever and anon Gandalf let blow the trumpets, and the
heralds would cry: \u2018The Lords of Gondor are come! Let all
leave this land or yield them up!\u2019 But Imrahil said: \u2018Say not
The Lords of Gondor. Say The King Elessar. For that is true,
even though he has not yet sat upon the throne; and it will
give the Enemy more thought, if the heralds use that name.\u2019
And thereafter thrice a day the heralds proclaimed the coming
of the King Elessar. But none answered the challenge.
Nonetheless, though they marched in seeming peace, the
hearts of all the army, from the highest to the lowest, were
downcast, and with every mile that they went north foreboding of evil grew heavier on them. It was near the end of
the second day of their march from the Cross-roads that they
first met any offer of battle. For a strong force of Orcs and
Easterlings attempted to take their leading companies in an
ambush; and that was in the very place where Faramir had
waylaid the men of Harad, and the road went in a deep
cutting through an out-thrust of the eastward hills. But
the Captains of the West were well warned by their scouts,
1160 the return of the king
skilled men from Henneth Annu\u02c6n led by Mablung; and so
the ambush was itself trapped. For horsemen went wide
about westward and came up on the flank of the enemy and
from behind, and they were destroyed or driven east into
the hills.
But the victory did little to enhearten the captains. \u2018It is
but a feint,\u2019 said Aragorn; \u2018and its chief purpose, I deem, was
rather to draw us on by a false guess of our Enemy\u2019s weakness
than to do us much hurt, yet.\u2019 And from that evening onward
the Nazgu\u02c6l came and followed every move of the army. They
still flew high and out of sight of all save Legolas, and yet
their presence could be felt, as a deepening of shadow and a
dimming of the sun; and though the Ringwraiths did not yet
stoop low upon their foes and were silent, uttering no cry,
the dread of them could not be shaken off.
So time and the hopeless journey wore away. Upon the
fourth day from the Cross-roads and the sixth from Minas
Tirith they came at last to the end of the living lands, and
began to pass into the desolation that lay before the gates of
the Pass of Cirith Gorgor; and they could descry the marshes
and the desert that stretched north and west to the Emyn
Muil. So desolate were those places and so deep the horror
that lay on them that some of the host were unmanned, and
they could neither walk nor ride further north.
Aragorn looked at them, and there was pity in his eyes
rather than wrath; for these were young men from Rohan,
from Westfold far away, or husbandmen from Lossarnach,
and to them Mordor had been from childhood a name of
evil, and yet unreal, a legend that had no part in their simple
life; and now they walked like men in a hideous dream made
true, and they understood not this war nor why fate should
lead them to such a pass.
\u2018Go!\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018But keep what honour you may, and
do not run! And there is a task which you may attempt and
so be not wholly shamed. Take your way south-west till you
come to Cair Andros, and if that is still held by enemies, as
the black gate opens 1161
I think, then re-take it, if you can; and hold it to the last in
defence of Gondor and Rohan!\u2019
Then some being shamed by his mercy overcame their fear
and went on, and the others took new hope, hearing of a
manful deed within their measure that they could turn to,
and they departed. And so, since many men had already been
left at the Cross-roads, it was with less than six thousands
that the Captains of the West came at last to challenge the
Black Gate and the might of Mordor.
They advanced now slowly, expecting at every hour some
answer to their challenge, and they drew together, since it
was but waste of men to send out scouts or small parties from
the main host. At nightfall of the fifth day of the march from
Morgul Vale they made their last camp, and set fires about it
of such dead wood and heath as they could find. They passed
the hours of night in wakefulness and they were aware of
many things half-seen that walked and prowled all about
them, and they heard the howling of wolves. The wind had
died and all the air seemed still. They could see little, for
though it was cloudless and the waxing moon was four nights
old, there were smokes and fumes that rose out of the earth
and the white crescent was shrouded in the mists of Mordor.
It grew cold. As morning came the wind began to stir
again, but now it came from the North, and soon it freshened
to a rising breeze. All the night-walkers were gone, and the
land seemed empty. North amid their noisome pits lay the
first of the great heaps and hills of slag and broken rock and
blasted earth, the vomit of the maggot-folk of Mordor; but
south and now near loomed the great rampart of Cirith
Gorgor, and the Black Gate amidmost, and the two Towers
of the Teeth tall and dark upon either side. For in their last
march the Captains had turned away from the old road as it
bent east, and avoided the peril of the lurking hills, and so
now they were approaching the Morannon from the northwest, even as Frodo had done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1162 the return of the king
The two vast iron doors of the Black Gate under its frowning arch were fast closed. Upon the battlement nothing could
be seen. All was silent but watchful. They were come to the
last end of their folly, and stood forlorn and chill in the grey
light of early day before towers and walls which their army
could not assault with hope, not even if it had brought thither
engines of great power, and the Enemy had no more force
than would suffice for the manning of the gate and wall alone.
Yet they knew that all the hills and rocks about the Morannon
were filled with hidden foes, and the shadowy defile beyond
was bored and tunnelled by teeming broods of evil things. And
as they stood they saw all the Nazgu\u02c6l gathered together, hovering above the Towers of the Teeth like vultures; and they knew
that they were watched. But still the Enemy made no sign.
No choice was left them but to play their part to its end.
Therefore Aragorn now set the host in such array as could
best be contrived; and they were drawn up on two great hills
of blasted stone and earth that orcs had piled in years of
labour. Before them towards Mordor lay like a moat a great
mire of reeking mud and foul-smelling pools. When all was
ordered, the Captains rode forth towards the Black Gate with
a great guard of horsemen and the banner and heralds and
trumpeters. There was Gandalf as chief herald, and Aragorn
with the sons of Elrond, and E\u00b4 omer of Rohan, and Imrahil;
and Legolas and Gimli and Peregrin were bidden to go also,
so that all the enemies of Mordor should have a witness.
They came within cry of the Morannon, and unfurled the
banner, and blew upon their trumpets; and the heralds stood
out and sent their voices up over the battlement of Mordor.
\u2018Come forth!\u2019 they cried. \u2018Let the Lord of the Black Land
come forth! Justice shall be done upon him. For wrongfully
he has made war upon Gondor and wrested its lands. Therefore the King of Gondor demands that he should atone for
his evils, and depart then for ever. Come forth!\u2019
There was a long silence, and from wall and gate no cry
or sound was heard in answer. But Sauron had already laid
his plans, and he had a mind first to play these mice cruelly
the black gate opens 1163
before he struck to kill. So it was that, even as the Captains
were about to turn away, the silence was broken suddenly.
There came a long rolling of great drums like thunder in the
mountains, and then a braying of horns that shook the very
stones and stunned men\u2019s ears. And thereupon the door of
the Black Gate was thrown open with a great clang, and out
of it there came an embassy from the Dark Tower.
At its head there rode a tall and evil shape, mounted upon
a black horse, if horse it was; for it was huge and hideous,
and its face was a frightful mask, more like a skull than a
living head, and in the sockets of its eyes and in its nostrils
there burned a flame. The rider was robed all in black, and
black was his lofty helm; yet this was no Ringwraith but a
living man. The Lieutenant of the Tower of Barad-du\u02c6r he
was, and his name is remembered in no tale; for he himself
had forgotten it, and he said: \u2018I am the Mouth of Sauron.\u2019
But it is told that he was a renegade, who came of the race
of those that are named the Black Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans; for they
established their dwellings in Middle-earth during the years
of Sauron\u2019s domination, and they worshipped him, being
enamoured of evil knowledge. And he entered the service of
the Dark Tower when it first rose again, and because of his
cunning he grew ever higher in the Lord\u2019s favour; and he
learned great sorcery, and knew much of the mind of Sauron;
and he was more cruel than any orc.
He it was that now rode out, and with him came only a
small company of black-harnessed soldiery, and a single
banner, black but bearing on it in red the Evil Eye. Now
halting a few paces before the Captains of the West he looked
them up and down and laughed.
\u2018Is there anyone in this rout with authority to treat with
me?\u2019 he asked. \u2018Or indeed with wit to understand me? Not
thou at least!\u2019 he mocked, turning to Aragorn with scorn. \u2018It
needs more to make a king than a piece of Elvish glass, or a
rabble such as this. Why, any brigand of the hills can show
as good a following!\u2019
Aragorn said naught in answer, but he took the other\u2019s eye
1164 the return of the king
and held it, and for a moment they strove thus; but soon,
though Aragorn did not stir nor move hand to weapon, the
other quailed and gave back as if menaced with a blow. \u2018I am
a herald and ambassador, and may not be assailed!\u2019 he cried.
\u2018Where such laws hold,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018it is also the custom
for ambassadors to use less insolence. But no one has threatened you. You have naught to fear from us, until your errand
is done. But unless your master has come to new wisdom,
then with all his servants you will be in great peril.\u2019
\u2018So!\u2019 said the Messenger. \u2018Then thou art the spokesman,
old greybeard? Have we not heard of thee at whiles, and of
thy wanderings, ever hatching plots and mischief at a safe
distance? But this time thou hast stuck out thy nose too far,
Master Gandalf; and thou shalt see what comes to him who
sets his foolish webs before the feet of Sauron the Great. I
have tokens that I was bidden to show to thee \u2013 to thee in
especial, if thou shouldst dare to come.\u2019 He signed to one of
his guards, and he came forward bearing a bundle swathed
in black cloths.
The Messenger put these aside, and there to the wonder
and dismay of all the Captains he held up first the short
sword that Sam had carried, and next a grey cloak with an
elven-brooch, and last the coat of mithril-mail that Frodo had
worn wrapped in his tattered garments. A blackness came
before their eyes, and it seemed to them in a moment of
silence that the world stood still, but their hearts were dead
and their last hope gone. Pippin who stood behind Prince
Imrahil sprang forward with a cry of grief.
\u2018Silence!\u2019 said Gandalf sternly, thrusting him back; but the
Messenger laughed aloud.
\u2018So you have yet another of these imps with you!\u2019 he cried.
\u2018What use you find in them I cannot guess; but to send them
as spies into Mordor is beyond even your accustomed folly.
Still, I thank him, for it is plain that this brat at least has seen
these tokens before, and it would be vain for you to deny
them now.\u2019
\u2018I do not wish to deny them,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Indeed, I know
the black gate opens 1165
them all and all their history, and despite your scorn, foul
Mouth of Sauron, you cannot say as much. But why do you
bring them here?\u2019
\u2018Dwarf-coat, elf-cloak, blade of the downfallen West, and
spy from the little rat-land of the Shire \u2013 nay, do not start!
We know it well \u2013 here are the marks of a conspiracy. Now,
maybe he that bore these things was a creature that you would
not grieve to lose, and maybe otherwise: one dear to you,
perhaps? If so, take swift counsel with what little wit is left to
you. For Sauron does not love spies, and what his fate shall
be depends now on your choice.\u2019
No one answered him; but he saw their faces grey with
fear and the horror in their eyes, and he laughed again, for it
seemed to him that his sport went well. \u2018Good, good!\u2019 he
said. \u2018He was dear to you, I see. Or else his errand was one
that you did not wish to fail? It has. And now he shall endure
the slow torment of years, as long and slow as our arts in the
Great Tower can contrive, and never be released, unless
maybe when he is changed and broken, so that he may come
to you, and you shall see what you have done. This shall
surely be unless you accept my Lord\u2019s terms.\u2019
\u2018Name the terms,\u2019 said Gandalf steadily, but those nearby
saw the anguish in his face, and now he seemed an old and
wizened man, crushed, defeated at last. They did not doubt
that he would accept.
\u2018These are the terms,\u2019 said the Messenger, and smiled
as he eyed them one by one. \u2018The rabble of Gondor and
its deluded allies shall withdraw at once beyond the Anduin,
first taking oaths never again to assail Sauron the Great in
arms, open or secret. All lands east of the Anduin shall be
Sauron\u2019s for ever, solely. West of the Anduin as far as the
Misty Mountains and the Gap of Rohan shall be tributary
to Mordor, and men there shall bear no weapons, but shall
have leave to govern their own affairs. But they shall help to
rebuild Isengard which they have wantonly destroyed, and
that shall be Sauron\u2019s, and there his lieutenant shall dwell:
not Saruman, but one more worthy of trust.\u2019
1166 the return of the king
Looking in the Messenger\u2019s eyes they read his thought. He
was to be that lieutenant, and gather all that remained of the
West under his sway; he would be their tyrant and they his
slaves.
But Gandalf said: \u2018This is much to demand for the delivery
of one servant: that your Master should receive in exchange
what he must else fight many a war to gain! Or has the field
of Gondor destroyed his hope in war, so that he falls to
haggling? And if indeed we rated this prisoner so high, what
surety have we that Sauron, the Base Master of Treachery,
will keep his part? Where is this prisoner? Let him be brought
forth and yielded to us, and then we will consider these
demands.\u2019
It seemed then to Gandalf, intent, watching him as a man
engaged in fencing with a deadly foe, that for the taking of a
breath the Messenger was at a loss; yet swiftly he laughed
again.
\u2018Do not bandy words in your insolence with the Mouth of
Sauron!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Surety you crave! Sauron gives none. If
you sue for his clemency you must first do his bidding. These
are his terms. Take them or leave them!\u2019
\u2018These we will take!\u2019 said Gandalf suddenly. He cast aside
his cloak and a white light shone forth like a sword in that
black place. Before his upraised hand the foul Messenger
recoiled, and Gandalf coming seized and took from him the
tokens: coat, cloak, and sword. \u2018These we will take in memory
of our friend,\u2019 he cried. \u2018But as for your terms, we reject them
utterly. Get you gone, for your embassy is over and death is
near to you. We did not come here to waste words in treating
with Sauron, faithless and accursed; still less with one of his
slaves. Begone!\u2019
Then the Messenger of Mordor laughed no more. His face
was twisted with amazement and anger to the likeness of
some wild beast that, as it crouches on its prey, is smitten on
the muzzle with a stinging rod. Rage filled him and his mouth
slavered, and shapeless sounds of fury came strangling from
his throat. But he looked at the fell faces of the Captains and
the black gate opens 1167
their deadly eyes, and fear overcame his wrath. He gave a
great cry, and turned, leaped upon his steed, and with his
company galloped madly back to Cirith Gorgor. But as they
went his soldiers blew their horns in signal long arranged;
and even before they came to the gate Sauron sprang his
trap.
Drums rolled and fires leaped up. The great doors of the
Black Gate swung back wide. Out of it streamed a great host
as swiftly as swirling waters when a sluice is lifted.
The Captains mounted again and rode back, and from
the host of Mordor there went up a jeering yell. Dust rose
smothering the air, as from nearby there marched up an army
of Easterlings that had waited for the signal in the shadows
of Ered Lithui beyond the further Tower. Down from the
hills on either side of the Morannon poured Orcs innumerable. The men of the West were trapped, and soon, all about
the grey mounds where they stood, forces ten times and more
than ten times their match would ring them in a sea
of enemies. Sauron had taken the proffered bait in jaws of
steel.
Little time was left to Aragorn for the ordering of his battle.
Upon the one hill he stood with Gandalf, and there fair and
desperate was raised the banner of the Tree and Stars. Upon
the other hill hard by stood the banners of Rohan and Dol
Amroth, White Horse and Silver Swan. And about each hill
a ring was made facing all ways, bristling with spear and
sword. But in the front towards Mordor where the first bitter
assault would come there stood the sons of Elrond on the left
with the Du\u00b4nedain about them, and on the right the Prince
Imrahil with the men of Dol Amroth tall and fair, and picked
men of the Tower of Guard.
The wind blew, and the trumpets sang, and arrows whined;
but the sun now climbing towards the South was veiled in the
reeks of Mordor, and through a threatening haze it gleamed,
remote, a sullen red, as if it were the ending of the day, or
the end maybe of all the world of light. And out of the
1168 the return of the king
gathering mirk the Nazgu\u02c6l came with their cold voices crying
words of death; and then all hope was quenched.
Pippin had bowed crushed with horror when he heard
Gandalf reject the terms and doom Frodo to the torment of
the Tower; but he had mastered himself, and now he stood
beside Beregond in the front rank of Gondor with Imrahil\u2019s
men. For it seemed best to him to die soon and leave the
bitter story of his life, since all was in ruin.
\u2018I wish Merry was here,\u2019 he heard himself saying, and quick
thoughts raced through his mind, even as he watched the
enemy come charging to the assault. \u2018Well, well, now at any
rate I understand poor Denethor a little better. We might die
together, Merry and I, and since die we must, why not? Well,
as he is not here, I hope he\u2019ll find an easier end. But now I
must do my best.\u2019
He drew his sword and looked at it, and the intertwining
shapes of red and gold; and the flowing characters of
Nu\u00b4menor glinted like fire upon the blade. \u2018This was made
for just such an hour,\u2019 he thought. \u2018If only I could smite that
foul Messenger with it, then almost I should draw level with
old Merry. Well, I\u2019ll smite some of this beastly brood before
the end. I wish I could see cool sunlight and green grass
again!\u2019
Then even as he thought these things the first assault
crashed into them. The orcs hindered by the mires that lay
before the hills halted and poured their arrows into the
defending ranks. But through them there came striding up,
roaring like beasts, a great company of hill-trolls out of Gorgoroth. Taller and broader than Men they were, and they
were clad only in close-fitting mesh of horny scales, or maybe
that was their hideous hide; but they bore round bucklers
huge and black and wielded heavy hammers in their knotted
hands. Reckless they sprang into the pools and waded across,
bellowing as they came. Like a storm they broke upon the
line of the men of Gondor, and beat upon helm and head,
and arm and shield, as smiths hewing the hot bending iron.
the black gate opens 1169
At Pippin\u2019s side Beregond was stunned and overborne, and
he fell; and the great troll-chief that smote him down bent
over him, reaching out a clutching claw; for these fell creatures would bite the throats of those that they threw down.
Then Pippin stabbed upwards, and the written blade of
Westernesse pierced through the hide and went deep into the
vitals of the troll, and his black blood came gushing out. He
toppled forward and came crashing down like a falling rock,
burying those beneath him. Blackness and stench and crushing pain came upon Pippin, and his mind fell away into a
great darkness.
\u2018So it ends as I guessed it would,\u2019 his thought said, even as
it fluttered away; and it laughed a little within him ere it fled,
almost gay it seemed to be casting off at last all doubt and care
and fear. And then even as it winged away into forgetfulness it
heard voices, and they seemed to be crying in some forgotten
world far above:
\u2018The Eagles are coming! The Eagles are coming!\u2019
For one moment more Pippin\u2019s thought hovered. \u2018Bilbo!\u2019
it said. \u2018But no! That came in his tale, long long ago. This is
my tale, and it is ended now. Good-bye!\u2019 And his thought
fled far away and his eyes saw no more.
BOOK SIX
.
Chapter 1
THE TOWER OF CIRITH UNGOL
Sam roused himself painfully from the ground. For a moment
he wondered where he was, and then all the misery and
despair returned to him. He was in the deep dark outside the
under-gate of the orcs\u2019 stronghold; its brazen doors were
shut. He must have fallen stunned when he hurled himself
against them; but how long he had lain there he did not know.
Then he had been on fire, desperate and furious; now he was
shivering and cold. He crept to the doors and pressed his
ears against them.
Far within he could hear faintly the voices of orcs clamouring, but soon they stopped or passed out of hearing, and
all was still. His head ached and his eyes saw phantom lights
in the darkness, but he struggled to steady himself and think.
It was clear at any rate that he had no hope of getting into
the orc-hold by that gate; he might wait there for days before
it was opened, and he could not wait: time was desperately
precious. He no longer had any doubt about his duty: he
must rescue his master or perish in the attempt.
\u2018The perishing is more likely, and will be a lot easier anyway,\u2019 he said grimly to himself, as he sheathed Sting and
turned from the brazen doors. Slowly he groped his way
back in the dark along the tunnel, not daring to use the
elven-light; and as he went he tried to fit together the events
since Frodo and he had left the Cross-roads. He wondered
what the time was. Somewhere between one day and the
next, he supposed; but even of the days he had quite lost
count. He was in a land of darkness where the days of the
world seemed forgotten, and where all who entered were
forgotten too.
\u2018I wonder if they think of us at all,\u2019 he said, \u2018and what is
1174 the return of the king
happening to them all away there.\u2019 He waved his hand
vaguely in the air before him; but he was in fact now facing
southwards, as he came back to Shelob\u2019s tunnel, not west.
Out westward in the world it was drawing to noon upon the
fourteenth day of March in the Shire-reckoning, and even
now Aragorn was leading the black fleet from Pelargir, and
Merry was riding with the Rohirrim down the Stonewain
Valley, while in Minas Tirith flames were rising and Pippin
watched the madness growing in the eyes of Denethor. Yet
amid all their cares and fear the thoughts of their friends
turned constantly to Frodo and Sam. They were not forgotten. But they were far beyond aid, and no thought could yet
bring any help to Samwise Hamfast\u2019s son; he was utterly
alone.
He came back at last to the stone door of the orc-passage,
and still unable to discover the catch or bolt that held it, he
scrambled over as before and dropped softly to the ground.
Then he made his way stealthily to the outlet of Shelob\u2019s
tunnel, where the rags of her great web were still blowing and
swaying in the cold airs. For cold they seemed to Sam after
the noisome darkness behind; but the breath of them revived
him. He crept cautiously out.
All was ominously quiet. The light was no more than that
of dusk at a dark day\u2019s end. The vast vapours that arose in
Mordor and went streaming westward passed low overhead,
a great welter of cloud and smoke now lit again beneath with
a sullen glow of red.
Sam looked up towards the orc-tower, and suddenly from
its narrow windows lights stared out like small red eyes. He
wondered if they were some signal. His fear of the orcs,
forgotten for a while in his wrath and desperation, now
returned. As far as he could see, there was only one possible
course for him to take: he must go on and try to find the
main entrance to the dreadful tower; but his knees felt weak,
and he found that he was trembling. Drawing his eyes down
from the tower and the horns of the Cleft before him, he
the tower of cirith ungol 1175
forced his unwilling feet to obey him, and slowly, listening
with all his ears, peering into the dense shadows of the rocks
beside the way, he retraced his steps, past the place where
Frodo fell, and still the stench of Shelob lingered, and then
on and up, until he stood again in the very cleft where he had
put on the Ring and seen Shagrat\u2019s company go by.
There he halted and sat down. For the moment he could
drive himself no further. He felt that if once he went beyond
the crown of the pass and took one step veritably down into
the land of Mordor, that step would be irrevocable. He could
never come back. Without any clear purpose he drew out the
Ring and put it on again. Immediately he felt the great burden
of its weight, and felt afresh, but now more strong and urgent
than ever, the malice of the Eye of Mordor, searching, trying
to pierce the shadows that it had made for its own defence,
but which now hindered it in its unquiet and doubt.
As before, Sam found that his hearing was sharpened, but
that to his sight the things of this world seemed thin and
vague. The rocky walls of the path were pale, as if seen
through a mist, but still at a distance he heard the bubbling
of Shelob in her misery; and harsh and clear, and very close
it seemed, he heard cries and the clash of metal. He sprang
to his feet, and pressed himself against the wall beside the
road. He was glad of the Ring, for here was yet another
company of orcs on the march. Or so at first he thought.
Then suddenly he realized that it was not so, his hearing
had deceived him: the orc-cries came from the tower, whose
topmost horn was now right above him, on the left hand of
the Cleft.
Sam shuddered and tried to force himself to move. There
was plainly some devilry going on. Perhaps in spite of all
orders the cruelty of the orcs had mastered them, and they
were tormenting Frodo, or even savagely hacking him to
pieces. He listened; and as he did so a gleam of hope came
to him. There could not be much doubt: there was fighting
in the tower, the orcs must be at war among themselves,
Shagrat and Gorbag had come to blows. Faint as was the
1176 the return of the king
hope that his guess brought him, it was enough to rouse him.
There might be just a chance. His love for Frodo rose above
all other thoughts, and forgetting his peril he cried aloud:
\u2018I\u2019m coming, Mr. Frodo!\u2019
He ran forward to the climbing path, and over it. At once
the road turned left and plunged steeply down. Sam had
crossed into Mordor.
He took off the Ring, moved it may be by some deep
premonition of danger, though to himself he thought only
that he wished to see more clearly. \u2018Better have a look at the
worst,\u2019 he muttered. \u2018No good blundering about in a fog!\u2019
Hard and cruel and bitter was the land that met his gaze.
Before his feet the highest ridge of the Ephel Du\u00b4ath fell
steeply in great cliffs down into a dark trough, on the further
side of which there rose another ridge, much lower, its edge
notched and jagged with crags like fangs that stood out black
against the red light behind them: it was the grim Morgai,
the inner ring of the fences of the land. Far beyond it, but
almost straight ahead, across a wide lake of darkness dotted
with tiny fires, there was a great burning glow; and from it
rose in huge columns a swirling smoke, dusty red at the roots,
black above where it merged into the billowing canopy that
roofed in all the accursed land.
Sam was looking at Orodruin, the Mountain of Fire. Ever
and anon the furnaces far below its ashen cone would grow
hot and with a great surging and throbbing pour forth rivers
of molten rock from chasms in its sides. Some would flow
blazing towards Barad-du\u02c6r down great channels; some would
wind their way into the stony plain, until they cooled and lay
like twisted dragon-shapes vomited from the tormented earth.
In such an hour of labour Sam beheld Mount Doom, and
the light of it, cut off by the high screen of the Ephel Du\u00b4ath
from those who climbed up the path from the West, now
glared against the stark rock faces, so that they seemed to be
drenched with blood.
In that dreadful light Sam stood aghast, for now, looking
the tower of cirith ungol 1177
to his left, he could see the Tower of Cirith Ungol in all its
strength. The horn that he had seen from the other side was
only its topmost turret. Its eastern face stood up in three great
tiers from a shelf in the mountain-wall far below; its back was
to a great cliff behind, from which it jutted out in pointed
bastions, one above the other, diminishing as they rose, with
sheer sides of cunning masonry that looked north-east and
south-east. About the lowest tier, two hundred feet below
where Sam now stood, there was a battlemented wall enclosing a narrow court. Its gate, upon the near south-eastern side,
opened on a broad road, the outer parapet of which ran upon
the brink of a precipice, until it turned southward and went
winding down into the darkness to join the road that came
over the Morgul Pass. Then on it went through a jagged rift
in the Morgai out into the valley of Gorgoroth and away to
Barad-du\u02c6r. The narrow upper way on which Sam stood leapt
swiftly down by stair and steep path to meet the main road
under the frowning walls close to the Tower-gate.
As he gazed at it suddenly Sam understood, almost with a
shock, that this stronghold had been built not to keep enemies
out of Mordor, but to keep them in. It was indeed one of the
works of Gondor long ago, an eastern outpost of the defences
of Ithilien, made when, after the Last Alliance, Men of
Westernesse kept watch on the evil land of Sauron where his
creatures still lurked. But as with Narchost and Carchost, the
Towers of the Teeth, so here too the vigilance had failed,
and treachery had yielded up the Tower to the Lord of the
Ringwraiths, and now for long years it had been held by evil
things. Since his return to Mordor, Sauron had found it useful;
for he had few servants but many slaves of fear, and still its
chief purpose as of old was to prevent escape from Mordor.
Though if an enemy were so rash as to try to enter that land
secretly, then it was also a last unsleeping guard against any
that might pass the vigilance of Morgul and of Shelob.
Only too clearly Sam saw how hopeless it would be for
him to creep down under those many-eyed walls and pass
the watchful gate. And even if he did so, he could not go far
1178 the return of the king
on the guarded road beyond: not even the black shadows,
lying deep where the red glow could not reach, would shield
him long from the night-eyed orcs. But desperate as that road
might be, his task was now far worse: not to avoid the gate
and escape, but to enter it, alone.
His thought turned to the Ring, but there was no comfort
there, only dread and danger. No sooner had he come in
sight of Mount Doom, burning far away, than he was aware
of a change in his burden. As it drew near the great furnaces
where, in the deeps of time, it had been shaped and forged,
the Ring\u2019s power grew, and it became more fell, untameable
save by some mighty will. As Sam stood there, even though
the Ring was not on him but hanging by its chain about his
neck, he felt himself enlarged, as if he were robed in a huge
distorted shadow of himself, a vast and ominous threat halted
upon the walls of Mordor. He felt that he had from now on
only two choices: to forbear the Ring, though it would torment him; or to claim it, and challenge the Power that sat in
its dark hold beyond the valley of shadows. Already the Ring
tempted him, gnawing at his will and reason. Wild fantasies
arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of
the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened
land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the
overthrow of Barad-du\u02c6r. And then all the clouds rolled away,
and the white sun shone, and at his command the vale of
Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought
forth fruit. He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for
his own, and all this could be.
In that hour of trial it was the love of his master that helped
most to hold him firm; but also deep down in him lived still
unconquered his plain hobbit-sense: he knew in the core of
his heart that he was not large enough to bear such a burden,
even if such visions were not a mere cheat to betray him. The
one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due,
not a garden swollen to a realm; his own hands to use, not
the hands of others to command.
the tower of cirith ungol 1179
\u2018And anyway all these notions are only a trick,\u2019 he said to
himself. \u2018He\u2019d spot me and cow me, before I could so much
as shout out. He\u2019d spot me, pretty quick, if I put the Ring on
now, in Mordor. Well, all I can say is: things look as hopeless
as a frost in Spring. Just when being invisible would be really
useful, I can\u2019t use the Ring! And if ever I get any further, it\u2019s
going to be nothing but a drag and a burden every step. So
what\u2019s to be done?\u2019
He was not really in any doubt. He knew that he must go
down to the gate and not linger any more. With a shrug of
his shoulders, as if to shake off the shadow and dismiss the
phantoms, he began slowly to descend. With each step he
seemed to diminish. He had not gone far before he had
shrunk again to a very small and frightened hobbit. He was
now passing under the very walls of the Tower, and the cries
and sounds of fighting could be heard with his unaided ears.
At the moment the noise seemed to be coming from the court
behind the outer wall.
Sam was about half way down the path when out of the
dark gateway into the red glow there came two orcs running.
They did not turn towards him. They were making for the
main road; but even as they ran they stumbled and fell to the
ground and lay still. Sam had seen no arrows, but he guessed
that the orcs had been shot down by others on the battlements
or hidden in the shadow of the gate. He went on, hugging
the wall on his left. One look upward had shown him that
there was no hope of climbing it. The stone-work rose thirty
feet, without a crack or ledge, to overhanging courses like
inverted steps. The gate was the only way.
He crept on; and as he went he wondered how many orcs
lived in the Tower with Shagrat, and how many Gorbag
had, and what they were quarrelling about, if that was what
was happening. Shagrat\u2019s company had seemed to be about
forty, and Gorbag\u2019s more than twice as large; but of course
Shagrat\u2019s patrol had only been a part of his garrison. Almost
certainly they were quarrelling about Frodo, and the spoil.
1180 the return of the king
For a second Sam halted, for suddenly things seemed clear
to him, almost as if he had seen them with his eyes. The
mithril coat! Of course, Frodo was wearing it, and they would
find it. And from what Sam had heard Gorbag would covet
it. But the orders of the Dark Tower were at present Frodo\u2019s
only protection, and if they were set aside, Frodo might be
killed out of hand at any moment.
\u2018Come on, you miserable sluggard!\u2019 Sam cried to himself.
\u2018Now for it!\u2019 He drew Sting and ran towards the open gate.
But just as he was about to pass under its great arch he felt
a shock: as if he had run into some web like Shelob\u2019s, only
invisible. He could see no obstacle, but something too strong
for his will to overcome barred the way. He looked about,
and then within the shadow of the gate he saw the Two
Watchers.
They were like great figures seated upon thrones. Each had
three joined bodies, and three heads facing outward, and
inward, and across the gateway. The heads had vulture-faces,
and on their great knees were laid clawlike hands. They
seemed to be carved out of huge blocks of stone, immovable,
and yet they were aware: some dreadful spirit of evil vigilance
abode in them. They knew an enemy. Visible or invisible
none could pass unheeded. They would forbid his entry, or
his escape.
Hardening his will Sam thrust forward once again, and
halted with a jerk, staggering as if from a blow upon his breast
and head. Then greatly daring, because he could think of
nothing else to do, answering a sudden thought that came to
him, he drew slowly out the phial of Galadriel and held it up.
Its white light quickened swiftly, and the shadows under the
dark arch fled. The monstrous Watchers sat there cold and
still, revealed in all their hideous shape. For a moment Sam
caught a glitter in the black stones of their eyes, the very
malice of which made him quail; but slowly he felt their will
waver and crumble into fear.
He sprang past them; but even as he did so, thrusting the
phial back into his bosom, he was aware, as plainly as if a bar
the tower of cirith ungol 1181
of steel had snapped to behind him, that their vigilance was
renewed. And from those evil heads there came a high shrill
cry that echoed in the towering walls before him. Far up
above, like an answering signal, a harsh bell clanged a single
stroke.
\u2018That\u2019s done it!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Now I\u2019ve rung the front-door
bell! Well, come on somebody!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Tell Captain
Shagrat that the great Elf-warrior has called, with his elfsword too!\u2019
There was no answer. Sam strode forward. Sting glittered
blue in his hand. The courtyard lay in deep shadow, but he
could see that the pavement was strewn with bodies. Right
at his feet were two orc-archers with knives sticking in their
backs. Beyond lay many more shapes; some singly as they
had been hewn down or shot; others in pairs, still grappling
one another, dead in the very throes of stabbing, throttling,
biting. The stones were slippery with dark blood.
Two liveries Sam noticed, one marked by the Red Eye, the
other by a Moon disfigured with a ghastly face of death; but
he did not stop to look more closely. Across the court a great
door at the foot of the Tower stood half open, and a red light
came through; a large orc lay dead upon the threshold. Sam
sprang over the body and went in; and then he peered about
at a loss.
A wide and echoing passage led back from the door
towards the mountain-side. It was dimly lit with torches flaring in brackets on the walls, but its distant end was lost in
gloom. Many doors and openings could be seen on this side
and that; but it was empty save for two or three more bodies
sprawling on the floor. From what he had heard of the captains\u2019 talk Sam knew that, dead or alive, Frodo would most
likely be found in a chamber high up in the turret far above;
but he might search for a day before he found the way.
\u2018It\u2019ll be near the back, I guess,\u2019 Sam muttered. \u2018The whole
Tower climbs backwards-like. And anyway I\u2019d better follow
these lights.\u2019
1182 the return of the king
He advanced down the passage, but slowly now, each step
more reluctant. Terror was beginning to grip him again.
There was no sound save the rap of his feet, which seemed
to grow to an echoing noise, like the slapping of great hands
upon the stones. The dead bodies; the emptiness; the dank
black walls that in the torchlight seemed to drip with blood;
the fear of sudden death lurking in doorway or shadow; and
behind all his mind the waiting watchful malice at the gate:
it was almost more than he could screw himself to face. He
would have welcomed a fight \u2013 with not too many enemies
at a time \u2013 rather than this hideous brooding uncertainty. He
forced himself to think of Frodo, lying bound or in pain or
dead somewhere in this dreadful place. He went on.
He had passed beyond the torchlight, almost to a great
arched door at the end of the passage, the inner side of the
under-gate, as he rightly guessed, when there came from high
above a dreadful choking shriek. He stopped short. Then he
heard feet coming. Someone was running in great haste down
an echoing stairway overhead.
His will was too weak and slow to restrain his hand. It
dragged at the chain and clutched the Ring. But Sam did not
put it on; for even as he clasped it to his breast, an orc came
clattering down. Leaping out of a dark opening at the right,
it ran towards him. It was no more than six paces from him
when, lifting its head, it saw him; and Sam could hear its
gasping breath and see the glare in its bloodshot eyes. It
stopped short aghast. For what it saw was not a small frightened hobbit trying to hold a steady sword: it saw a great
silent shape, cloaked in a grey shadow, looming against the
wavering light behind; in one hand it held a sword, the very
light of which was a bitter pain, the other was clutched at its
breast, but held concealed some nameless menace of power
and doom.
For a moment the orc crouched, and then with a hideous
yelp of fear it turned and fled back as it had come. Never
was any dog more heartened when its enemy turned tail than
Sam at this unexpected flight. With a shout he gave chase.
the tower of cirith ungol 1183
\u2018Yes! The Elf-warrior is loose!\u2019 he cried. \u2018I\u2019m coming. Just
you show me the way up, or I\u2019ll skin you!\u2019
But the orc was in its own haunts, nimble and well-fed.
Sam was a stranger, hungry and weary. The stairs were high
and steep and winding. Sam\u2019s breath began to come in gasps.
The orc had soon passed out of sight, and now only faintly
could be heard the slapping of its feet as it went on and up.
Every now and again it gave a yell, and the echo ran along
the walls. But slowly all sound of it died away.
Sam plodded on. He felt that he was on the right road, and
his spirits had risen a good deal. He thrust the Ring away
and tightened his belt. \u2018Well, well!\u2019 he said. \u2018If only they all
take such a dislike to me and my Sting, this may turn out
better than I hoped. And anyway it looks as if Shagrat,
Gorbag, and company have done nearly all my job for me.
Except for that little frightened rat, I do believe there\u2019s
nobody left alive in the place!\u2019
And with that he stopped, brought up hard, as if he had
hit his head against the stone wall. The full meaning of what
he had said struck him like a blow. Nobody left alive! Whose
had been that horrible dying shriek? \u2018Frodo, Frodo! Master!\u2019
he cried half sobbing. \u2018If they\u2019ve killed you, what shall I do?
Well, I\u2019m coming at last, right to the top, to see what I must.\u2019
Up, up he went. It was dark save for an occasional torch
flaring at a turn, or beside some opening that led into the
higher levels of the Tower. Sam tried to count the steps, but
after two hundred he lost his reckoning. He was moving
quietly now; for he thought that he could hear the sound
of voices talking, still some way above. More than one rat
remained alive it seemed.
All at once, when he felt that he could pump out no more
breath, nor force his knees to bend again, the stair ended. He
stood still. The voices were now loud and near. Sam peered
about. He had climbed right to the flat roof of the third and
highest tier of the Tower: an open space, about twenty yards
across, with a low parapet. There the stair was covered by a
1184 the return of the king
small domed chamber in the midst of the roof, with low doors
facing east and west. Eastward Sam could see the plain of
Mordor vast and dark below, and the burning mountain far
away. A fresh turmoil was surging in its deep wells, and the
rivers of fire blazed so fiercely that even at this distance of
many miles the light of them lit the tower-top with a red
glare. Westward the view was blocked by the base of the great
turret that stood at the back of this upper court and reared
its horn high above the crest of the encircling hills. Light
gleamed in a window-slit. Its door was not ten yards from
where Sam stood. It was open but dark, and from just within
its shadow the voices came.
At first Sam did not listen; he took a pace out of the
eastward door and looked about. At once he saw that up here
the fighting had been fiercest. All the court was choked with
dead orcs, or their severed and scattered heads and limbs.
The place stank of death. A snarl followed by a blow and a
cry sent him darting back into hiding. An orc-voice rose in
anger, and he knew it again at once, harsh, brutal, cold. It
was Shagrat speaking, Captain of the Tower.
\u2018You won\u2019t go again, you say? Curse you, Snaga, you little
maggot! If you think I\u2019m so damaged that it\u2019s safe to flout
me, you\u2019re mistaken. Come here, and I\u2019ll squeeze your eyes
out, like I did to Radbug just now. And when some new lads
come, I\u2019ll deal with you: I\u2019ll send you to Shelob.\u2019
\u2018They won\u2019t come, not before you\u2019re dead anyway,\u2019
answered Snaga surlily. \u2018I\u2019ve told you twice that Gorbag\u2019s
swine got to the gate first, and none of ours got out. Lagduf
and Muzgash ran through, but they were shot. I saw it from
a window, I tell you. And they were the last.\u2019
\u2018Then you must go. I must stay here anyway. But I\u2019m hurt.
The Black Pits take that filthy rebel Gorbag!\u2019 Shagrat\u2019s voice
trailed off into a string of foul names and curses. \u2018I gave
him better than I got, but he knifed me, the dung, before I
throttled him. You must go, or I\u2019ll eat you. News must get
through to Lugbu\u00b4rz, or we\u2019ll both be for the Black Pits. Yes,
you too. You won\u2019t escape by skulking here.\u2019
the tower of cirith ungol 1185
\u2018I\u2019m not going down those stairs again,\u2019 growled Snaga,
\u2018be you captain or no. Nar! Keep your hands off your knife,
or I\u2019ll put an arrow in your guts. You won\u2019t be a captain long
when They hear about all these goings-on. I\u2019ve fought for
the Tower against those stinking Morgul-rats, but a nice mess
you two precious captains have made of things, fighting over
the swag.\u2019
\u2018That\u2019s enough from you,\u2019 snarled Shagrat. \u2018I had my
orders. It was Gorbag started it, trying to pinch that pretty
shirt.\u2019
\u2018Well, you put his back up, being so high and mighty. And
he had more sense than you anyway. He told you more than
once that the most dangerous of these spies was still loose,
and you wouldn\u2019t listen. And you won\u2019t listen now. Gorbag
was right, I tell you. There\u2019s a great fighter about, one of
those bloody-handed Elves, or one of the filthy tarks.* He\u2019s
coming here, I tell you. You heard the bell. He\u2019s got past the
Watchers, and that\u2019s tark\u2019s work. He\u2019s on the stairs. And until
he\u2019s off them, I\u2019m not going down. Not if you were a Nazgu\u02c6l,
I wouldn\u2019t.\u2019
\u2018So that\u2019s it, is it?\u2019 yelled Shagrat. \u2018You\u2019ll do this, and you\u2019ll
not do that? And when he does come, you\u2019ll bolt and leave
me? No, you won\u2019t! I\u2019ll put red maggot-holes in your belly
first.\u2019
Out of the turret-door the smaller orc came flying. Behind
him came Shagrat, a large orc with long arms that, as he ran
crouching, reached to the ground. But one arm hung limp
and seemed to be bleeding; the other hugged a large black
bundle. In the red glare Sam, cowering behind the stair-door,
caught a glimpse of his evil face as it passed: it was scored
as if by rending claws and smeared with blood; slaver dripped from its protruding fangs; the mouth snarled like an
animal.
As far as Sam could see, Shagrat hunted Snaga round
the roof, until ducking and eluding him the smaller orc with<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1202 the return of the king
They started off again. They had not gone far when Frodo
paused. \u2018There\u2019s a Black Rider over us,\u2019 he said. \u2018I can feel
it. We had better keep still for a while.\u2019
Crouched under a great boulder they sat facing back westward and did not speak for some time. Then Frodo breathed
a sigh of relief. \u2018It\u2019s passed,\u2019 he said. They stood up, and then
they both stared in wonder. Away to their left, southward,
against a sky that was turning grey, the peaks and high ridges
of the great range began to appear dark and black, visible
shapes. Light was growing behind them. Slowly it crept
towards the North. There was battle far above in the high
spaces of the air. The billowing clouds of Mordor were being
driven back, their edges tattering as a wind out of the living
world came up and swept the fumes and smokes towards the
dark land of their home. Under the lifting skirts of the dreary
canopy dim light leaked into Mordor like pale morning
through the grimed window of a prison.
\u2018Look at it, Mr. Frodo!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Look at it! The wind\u2019s
changed. Something\u2019s happening. He\u2019s not having it all his
own way. His darkness is breaking up out in the world there.
I wish I could see what is going on!\u2019
It was the morning of the fifteenth of March, and over the
Vale of Anduin the Sun was rising above the eastern shadow,
and the south-west wind was blowing. The\u00b4oden lay dying on
the Pelennor Fields.
As Frodo and Sam stood and gazed, the rim of light spread
all along the line of the Ephel Du\u00b4ath, and then they saw a
shape, moving at a great speed out of the West, at first only
a black speck against the glimmering strip above the mountain-tops, but growing, until it plunged like a bolt into the
dark canopy and passed high above them. As it went it sent
out a long shrill cry, the voice of a Nazgu\u02c6l; but this cry no
longer held any terror for them: it was a cry of woe and
dismay, ill tidings for the Dark Tower. The Lord of the
Ringwraiths had met his doom.
\u2018What did I tell you? Something\u2019s happening!\u2019 cried Sam.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018The war\u2019s going well,\u2019\u2019 said Shagrat; but Gorbag he wasn\u2019t
the land of shadow 1203
so sure. And he was right there too. Things are looking up,
Mr. Frodo. Haven\u2019t you got some hope now?\u2019
\u2018Well no, not much, Sam,\u2019 Frodo sighed. \u2018That\u2019s away
beyond the mountains. We\u2019re going east not west. And I\u2019m
so tired. And the Ring is so heavy, Sam. And I begin to see
it in my mind all the time, like a great wheel of fire.\u2019
Sam\u2019s quick spirits sank again at once. He looked at his
master anxiously, and he took his hand. \u2018Come, Mr. Frodo!\u2019
he said. \u2018I\u2019ve got one thing I wanted: a bit of light. Enough
to help us, and yet I guess it\u2019s dangerous too. Try a bit
further, and then we\u2019ll lie close and have a rest. But take a
morsel to eat now, a bit of the Elves\u2019 food; it may hearten
you.\u2019
Sharing a wafer of lembas, and munching it as best they
could with their parched mouths, Frodo and Sam plodded
on. The light, though no more than a grey dusk, was now
enough for them to see that they were deep in the valley
between the mountains. It sloped up gently northward, and
at its bottom went the bed of a now dry and withered stream.
Beyond its stony course they saw a beaten path that wound
its way under the feet of the westward cliffs. Had they known,
they could have reached it quicker, for it was a track that left
the main Morgul-road at the western bridge-end and went
down by a long stair cut in the rock to the valley\u2019s bottom. It
was used by patrols or by messengers going swiftly to lesser
posts and strongholds north-away, between Cirith Ungol and
the narrows of Isenmouthe, the iron jaws of Carach Angren.
It was perilous for the hobbits to use such a path, but they
needed speed, and Frodo felt that he could not face the toil
of scrambling among the boulders or in the trackless glens of
the Morgai. And he judged that northward was, maybe, the
way that their hunters would least expect them to take. The
road east to the plain, or the pass back westward, those they
would first search most thoroughly. Only when he was well
north of the Tower did he mean to turn and seek for some
way to take him east, east on the last desperate stage of his
1204 the return of the king
journey. So now they crossed the stony bed and took to the
orc-path, and for some time they marched along it. The cliffs
at their left were overhung, and they could not be seen from
above; but the path made many bends, and at each bend they
gripped their sword-hilts and went forward cautiously.
The light grew no stronger, for Orodruin was still belching
forth a great fume that, beaten upwards by the opposing airs,
mounted higher and higher, until it reached a region above
the wind and spread in an immeasurable roof, whose central
pillar rose out of the shadows beyond their view. They had
trudged for more than an hour when they heard a sound
that brought them to a halt. Unbelievable, but unmistakable.
Water trickling. Out of a gully on the left, so sharp and narrow
that it looked as if the black cliff had been cloven by some
huge axe, water came dripping down: the last remains, maybe, of some sweet rain gathered from sunlit seas, but ill-fated
to fall at last upon the walls of the Black Land and wander fruitless down into the dust. Here it came out of the rock in a
little falling streamlet, and flowed across the path, and turning
south ran away swiftly to be lost among the dead stones.
Sam sprang towards it. \u2018If ever I see the Lady again, I will
tell her!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Light and now water!\u2019 Then he stopped.
\u2018Let me drink first, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 he said.
\u2018All right, but there\u2019s room enough for two.\u2019
\u2018I didn\u2019t mean that,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018I mean: if it\u2019s poisonous,
or something that will show its badness quick, well, better me
than you, master, if you understand me.\u2019
\u2018I do. But I think we\u2019ll trust our luck together, Sam; or our
blessing. Still, be careful now, if it\u2019s very cold!\u2019
The water was cool but not icy, and it had an unpleasant
taste, at once bitter and oily, or so they would have said at
home. Here it seemed beyond all praise, and beyond fear or
prudence. They drank their fill, and Sam replenished his
water-bottle. After that Frodo felt easier, and they went on
for several miles, until the broadening of the road and the
beginnings of a rough wall along its edge warned them that
they were drawing near to another orc-hold.
the land of shadow 1205
\u2018This is where we turn aside, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018And we
must turn east.\u2019 He sighed as he looked at the gloomy ridges
across the valley. \u2018I have just about enough strength left to
find some hole away up there. And then I must rest a little.\u2019
The river-bed was now some way below the path. They
scrambled down to it, and began to cross it. To their surprise
they came upon dark pools fed by threads of water trickling
down from some source higher up the valley. Upon its outer
marges under the westward mountains Mordor was a dying
land, but it was not yet dead. And here things still grew,
harsh, twisted, bitter, struggling for life. In the glens of the
Morgai on the other side of the valley low scrubby trees
lurked and clung, coarse grey grass-tussocks fought with the
stones, and withered mosses crawled on them; and everywhere great writhing, tangled brambles sprawled. Some had
long stabbing thorns, some hooked barbs that rent like knives.
The sullen shrivelled leaves of a past year hung on them,
grating and rattling in the sad airs, but their maggot-ridden
buds were only just opening. Flies, dun or grey, or black,
marked like orcs with a red eye-shaped blotch, buzzed and
stung; and above the briar-thickets clouds of hungry midges
danced and reeled.
\u2018Orc-gear\u2019s no good,\u2019 said Sam waving his arms. \u2018I wish
I\u2019d got an orc\u2019s hide!\u2019
At last Frodo could go no further. They had climbed up a
narrow shelving ravine, but they still had a long way to go
before they could even come in sight of the last craggy ridge.
\u2018I must rest now, Sam, and sleep if I can,\u2019 said Frodo. He
looked about, but there seemed nowhere even for an animal
to crawl into in this dismal country. At length, tired out, they
slunk under a curtain of brambles that hung down like a mat
over a low rock-face.
There they sat and made such a meal as they could. Keeping back the precious lembas for the evil days ahead, they ate
the half of what remained in Sam\u2019s bag of Faramir\u2019s provision: some dried fruit, and a small slip of cured meat; and
1206 the return of the king
they sipped some water. They had drunk again from the
pools in the valley, but they were very thirsty again. There
was a bitter tang in the air of Mordor that dried the mouth.
When Sam thought of water even his hopeful spirit quailed.
Beyond the Morgai there was the dreadful plain of Gorgoroth
to cross.
\u2018Now you go to sleep first, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 he said. \u2018It\u2019s getting
dark again. I reckon this day is nearly over.\u2019
Frodo sighed and was asleep almost before the words were
spoken. Sam struggled with his own weariness, and he took
Frodo\u2019s hand; and there he sat silent till deep night fell. Then
at last, to keep himself awake, he crawled from the hidingplace and looked out. The land seemed full of creaking and
cracking and sly noises, but there was no sound of voice or
of foot. Far above the Ephel Du\u00b4ath in the West the night-sky
was still dim and pale. There, peeping among the cloudwrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a
white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his
heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope
returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought
pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and
passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond
its reach. His song in the Tower had been defiance rather
than hope; for then he was thinking of himself. Now, for a
moment, his own fate, and even his master\u2019s, ceased to
trouble him. He crawled back into the brambles and laid
himself by Frodo\u2019s side, and putting away all fear he cast
himself into a deep untroubled sleep.
They woke together, hand in hand. Sam was almost fresh,
ready for another day; but Frodo sighed. His sleep had been
uneasy, full of dreams of fire, and waking brought him no
comfort. Still his sleep had not been without all healing virtue:
he was stronger, more able to bear his burden one stage
further. They did not know the time, nor how long they had
slept; but after a morsel of food and a sip of water they went
on up the ravine, until it ended in a sharp slope of screes
the land of shadow 1207
and sliding stones. There the last living things gave up their
struggle; the tops of the Morgai were grassless, bare, jagged,
barren as a slate.
After much wandering and search they found a way that
they could climb, and with a last hundred feet of clawing
scramble they were up. They came to a cleft between two
dark crags, and passing through found themselves on the
very edge of the last fence of Mordor. Below them, at the
bottom of a fall of some fifteen hundred feet, lay the inner
plain stretching away into a formless gloom beyond their
sight. The wind of the world blew now from the West, and
the great clouds were lifted high, floating away eastward; but
still only a grey light came to the dreary fields of Gorgoroth.
There smokes trailed on the ground and lurked in hollows,
and fumes leaked from fissures in the earth.
Still far away, forty miles at least, they saw Mount Doom,
its feet founded in ashen ruin, its huge cone rising to a great
height, where its reeking head was swathed in cloud. Its fires
were now dimmed, and it stood in smouldering slumber, as
threatening and dangerous as a sleeping beast. Behind it there
hung a vast shadow, ominous as a thunder-cloud, the veils
of Barad-du\u02c6r that was reared far away upon a long spur
of the Ashen Mountains thrust down from the North. The
Dark Power was deep in thought, and the Eye turned inward,
pondering tidings of doubt and danger: a bright sword, and
a stern and kingly face it saw, and for a while it gave little
thought to other things; and all its great stronghold, gate
on gate, and tower on tower, was wrapped in a brooding
gloom.
Frodo and Sam gazed out in mingled loathing and wonder
on this hateful land. Between them and the smoking mountain, and about it north and south, all seemed ruinous and
dead, a desert burned and choked. They wondered how the
Lord of this realm maintained and fed his slaves and his
armies. Yet armies he had. As far as their eyes could reach,
along the skirts of the Morgai and away southward, there
were camps, some of tents, some ordered like small towns.
1208 the return of the king
One of the largest of these was right below them. Barely a
mile out into the plain it clustered like some huge nest of
insects, with straight dreary streets of huts and long low drab
buildings. About it the ground was busy with folk going
to and fro; a wide road ran from it south-east to join the
Morgul-way, and along it many lines of small black shapes
were hurrying.
\u2018I don\u2019t like the look of things at all,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Pretty
hopeless, I call it \u2013 saving that where there\u2019s such a lot of folk
there must be wells or water, not to mention food. And these
are Men not Orcs, or my eyes are all wrong.\u2019
Neither he nor Frodo knew anything of the great slaveworked fields away south in this wide realm, beyond the
fumes of the Mountain by the dark sad waters of Lake
Nu\u00b4rnen; nor of the great roads that ran away east and south
to tributary lands, from which the soldiers of the Tower
brought long waggon-trains of goods and booty and fresh
slaves. Here in the northward regions were the mines and
forges, and the musterings of long-planned war; and here the
Dark Power, moving its armies like pieces on the board, was
gathering them together. Its first moves, the first feelers of its
strength, had been checked upon its western line, southward
and northward. For the moment it withdrew them, and
brought up new forces, massing them about Cirith Gorgor
for an avenging stroke. And if it had also been its purpose to
defend the Mountain against all approach, it could scarcely
have done more.
\u2018Well!\u2019 Sam went on. \u2018Whatever they have to eat and drink,
we can\u2019t get it. There\u2019s no way down that I can see. And we
couldn\u2019t cross all that open country crawling with enemies,
even if we did get down.\u2019
\u2018Still we shall have to try,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018It\u2019s no worse than
I expected. I never hoped to get across. I can\u2019t see any hope
of it now. But I\u2019ve still got to do the best I can. At present
that is to avoid being captured as long as possible. So we
must still go northwards, I think, and see what it is like where
the open plain is narrower.\u2019
the land of shadow 1209
\u2018I guess what it\u2019ll be like,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Where it\u2019s narrower
the Orcs and Men will just be packed closer. You\u2019ll see,
Mr. Frodo.\u2019
\u2018I dare say I shall, if we ever get so far,\u2019 said Frodo and
turned away.
They soon found that it was impossible to make their way
along the crest of the Morgai, or anywhere along its higher
levels, pathless as they were and scored with deep ghylls. In
the end they were forced to go back down the ravine that
they had climbed and seek for a way along the valley. It was
rough going, for they dared not cross over to the path on the
westward side. After a mile or more they saw, huddled in a
hollow at the cliff\u2019s foot, the orc-hold that they had guessed
was near at hand: a wall and a cluster of stone huts set about
the dark mouth of a cave. There was no movement to be
seen, but the hobbits crept by cautiously, keeping as much
as they could to the thorn-brakes that grew thickly at this
point along both sides of the old water-course.
They went two or three miles further, and the orc-hold
was hidden from sight behind them; but they had hardly
begun to breathe more freely again when harsh and loud they
heard orc-voices. Quickly they slunk out of sight behind a
brown and stunted bush. The voices drew nearer. Presently
two orcs came into view. One was clad in ragged brown and
was armed with a bow of horn; it was of a small breed,
black-skinned, with wide and snuffling nostrils: evidently a
tracker of some kind. The other was a big fighting-orc, like
those of Shagrat\u2019s company, bearing the token of the Eye.
He also had a bow at his back and carried a short broadheaded spear. As usual they were quarrelling, and being of
different breeds they used the Common Speech after their
fashion.
Hardly twenty paces from where the hobbits lurked the
small orc stopped. \u2018Nar!\u2019 it snarled. \u2018I\u2019m going home.\u2019 It
pointed across the valley to the orc-hold. \u2018No good wearing
my nose out on stones any more. There\u2019s not a trace left, I
1210 the return of the king
say. I\u2019ve lost the scent through giving way to you. It went up
into the hills, not along the valley, I tell you.\u2019
\u2018Not much use are you, you little snufflers?\u2019 said the big
orc. \u2018I reckon eyes are better than your snotty noses.\u2019
\u2018Then what have you seen with them?\u2019 snarled the other.
\u2018Garn! You don\u2019t even know what you\u2019re looking for.\u2019
\u2018Whose blame\u2019s that?\u2019 said the soldier. \u2018Not mine. That
comes from Higher Up. First they say it\u2019s a great Elf in bright
armour, then it\u2019s a sort of small dwarf-man, then it must be
a pack of rebel Uruk-hai; or maybe it\u2019s all the lot together.\u2019
\u2018Ar!\u2019 said the tracker. \u2018They\u2019ve lost their heads, that\u2019s what
it is. And some of the bosses are going to lose their skins too,
I guess, if what I hear is true: Tower raided and all, and
hundreds of your lads done in, and prisoner got away. If
that\u2019s the way you fighters go on, small wonder there\u2019s bad
news from the battles.\u2019
\u2018Who says there\u2019s bad news?\u2019 shouted the soldier.
\u2018Ar! Who says there isn\u2019t?\u2019
\u2018That\u2019s cursed rebel-talk, and I\u2019ll stick you, if you don\u2019t
shut it down, see?\u2019
\u2018All right, all right!\u2019 said the tracker. \u2018I\u2019ll say no more and
go on thinking. But what\u2019s the black sneak got to do with it
all? That gobbler with the flapping hands?\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t know. Nothing, maybe. But he\u2019s up to no good,
nosing around, I\u2019ll wager. Curse him! No sooner had he
slipped us and run off than word came he\u2019s wanted alive,
wanted quick.\u2019
\u2018Well, I hope they get him and put him through it,\u2019 growled
the tracker. \u2018He messed up the scent back there, pinching
that cast-off mail-shirt that he found, and paddling all round
the place before I could get there.\u2019
\u2018It saved his life anyhow,\u2019 said the soldier. \u2018Why, before I
knew he was wanted I shot him, as neat as neat, at fifty paces
right in the back; but he ran on.\u2019
\u2018Garn! You missed him,\u2019 said the tracker. \u2018First you shoot
wild, then you run too slow, and then you send for the poor
trackers. I\u2019ve had enough of you.\u2019 He loped off.
the land of shadow 1211
\u2018You come back,\u2019 shouted the soldier, \u2018or I\u2019ll report you!\u2019
\u2018Who to? Not to your precious Shagrat. He won\u2019t be
captain any more.\u2019
\u2018I\u2019ll give your name and number to the Nazgu\u02c6l,\u2019 said the
soldier lowering his voice to a hiss. \u2018One of them\u2019s in charge
at the Tower now.\u2019
The other halted, and his voice was full of fear and rage.
\u2018You cursed peaching sneakthief!\u2019 he yelled. \u2018You can\u2019t do
your job, and you can\u2019t even stick by your own folk. Go to
your filthy Shriekers, and may they freeze the flesh off you!
If the enemy doesn\u2019t get them first. They\u2019ve done in Number
One, I\u2019ve heard, and I hope it\u2019s true!\u2019
The big orc, spear in hand, leapt after him. But the tracker,
springing behind a stone, put an arrow in his eye as he ran
up, and he fell with a crash. The other ran off across the
valley and disappeared.
For a while the hobbits sat in silence. At length Sam stirred.
\u2018Well, I call that neat as neat,\u2019 he said. \u2018If this nice friendliness
would spread about in Mordor, half our trouble would be
over.\u2019
\u2018Quietly, Sam,\u2019 Frodo whispered. \u2018There may be others
about. We have evidently had a very narrow escape, and the
hunt was hotter on our tracks than we guessed. But that is
the spirit of Mordor, Sam; and it has spread to every corner
of it. Orcs have always behaved like that, or so all tales say,
when they are on their own. But you can\u2019t get much hope
out of it. They hate us far more, altogether and all the time.
If those two had seen us, they would have dropped all their
quarrel until we were dead.\u2019
There was another long silence. Sam broke it again, but
with a whisper this time. \u2018Did you hear what they said about
that gobbler, Mr. Frodo? I told you Gollum wasn\u2019t dead yet,
didn\u2019t I?\u2019
\u2018Yes, I remember. And I wondered how you knew,\u2019 said
Frodo. \u2018Well, come now! I think we had better not move out
from here again, until it has gone quite dark. So you shall tell
1212 the return of the king
me how you know, and all about what happened. If you can
do it quietly.\u2019
\u2018I\u2019ll try,\u2019 said Sam, \u2018but when I think of that Stinker I get
so hot I could shout.\u2019
There the hobbits sat under the cover of the thorny bush,
while the drear light of Mordor faded slowly into a deep and
starless night; and Sam spoke into Frodo\u2019s ear all that he
could find words for of Gollum\u2019s treacherous attack, the
horror of Shelob, and his own adventures with the orcs.
When he had finished, Frodo said nothing but took Sam\u2019s
hand and pressed it. At length he stirred.
\u2018Well, I suppose we must be going on again,\u2019 he said. \u2018I
wonder how long it will be before we really are caught and
all the toiling and the slinking will be over, and in vain.\u2019 He
stood up. \u2018It\u2019s dark, and we cannot use the Lady\u2019s glass. Keep
it safe for me, Sam. I have nowhere to keep it now, except in
my hand, and I shall need both hands in the blind night. But
Sting I give to you. I have got an orc-blade, but I do not think
it will be my part to strike any blow again.\u2019
It was difficult and dangerous moving in the night in the
pathless land; but slowly and with much stumbling the two
hobbits toiled on hour by hour northward along the eastern
edge of the stony valley. When a grey light crept back over
the western heights, long after day had opened in the lands
beyond, they went into hiding again and slept a little, turn by
turn. In his times of waking Sam was busy with thoughts of
food. At last when Frodo roused himself and spoke of eating
and making ready for yet another effort, he asked the question
that was troubling him most.
\u2018Begging your pardon, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 he said, \u2018but have you
any notion how far there is still to go?\u2019
\u2018No, not any clear notion, Sam,\u2019 Frodo answered. \u2018In
Rivendell before I set out I was shown a map of Mordor that
was made before the Enemy came back here; but I only
remember it vaguely. I remember clearest that there was a
place in the north where the western range and the northern
the land of shadow 1213
range send out spurs that nearly meet. That must be twenty
leagues at least from the bridge back by the Tower. It might
be a good point at which to cross. But of course, if we get
there, we shall be further than we were from the Mountain,
sixty miles from it, I should think. I guess that we have gone
about twelve leagues north from the bridge now. Even if all
goes well, I could hardly reach the Mountain in a week. I am
afraid, Sam, that the burden will get very heavy, and I shall
go still slower as we get nearer.\u2019
Sam sighed. \u2018That\u2019s just as I feared,\u2019 he said. \u2018Well, to say
nothing of water, we\u2019ve got to eat less, Mr. Frodo, or else
move a bit quicker, at any rate while we\u2019re still in this valley.
One more bite and all the food\u2019s ended, save the Elves\u2019
waybread.\u2019
\u2018I\u2019ll try and be a bit quicker, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo, drawing a
deep breath. \u2018Come on then! Let\u2019s start another march!\u2019
It was not yet quite dark again. They plodded along, on
into the night. The hours passed in a weary stumbling trudge
with a few brief halts. At the first hint of grey light under the
skirts of the canopy of shadow they hid themselves again in
a dark hollow under an overhanging stone.
Slowly the light grew, until it was clearer than it yet had
been. A strong wind from the West was now driving the
fumes of Mordor from the upper airs. Before long the hobbits
could make out the shape of the land for some miles about
them. The trough between the mountains and the Morgai
had steadily dwindled as it climbed upwards, and the inner
ridge was now no more than a shelf in the steep faces of the
Ephel Du\u00b4ath; but to the east it fell as sheerly as ever down
into Gorgoroth. Ahead the water-course came to an end in
broken steps of rock; for out from the main range there
sprang a high barren spur, thrusting eastward like a wall.
To meet it there stretched out from the grey and misty
northern range of Ered Lithui a long jutting arm; and between the ends there was a narrow gap: Carach Angren, the
Isenmouthe, beyond which lay the deep dale of Udu\u02c6n. In
1214 the return of the king
that dale behind the Morannon were the tunnels and deep
armouries that the servants of Mordor had made for the
defence of the Black Gate of their land; and there now their
Lord was gathering in haste great forces to meet the onslaught
of the Captains of the West. Upon the out-thrust spurs forts
and towers were built, and watch-fires burned; and all across
the gap an earth-wall had been raised, and a deep trench
delved that could be crossed only by a single bridge.
A few miles north, high up in the angle where the western
spur branched away from the main range, stood the old castle
of Durthang, now one of the many orc-holds that clustered
about the dale of Udu\u02c6n. A road, already visible in the growing
light, came winding down from it, until only a mile or two
from where the hobbits lay it turned east and ran along a
shelf cut in the side of the spur, and so went down into the
plain, and on to the Isenmouthe.
To the hobbits as they looked out it seemed that all their
journey north had been useless. The plain to their right was
dim and smoky, and they could see there neither camps nor
troops moving; but all that region was under the vigilance of
the forts of Carach Angren.
\u2018We have come to a dead end, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018If we go
on, we shall only come up to that orc-tower, but the only
road to take is that road that comes down from it \u2013 unless
we go back. We can\u2019t climb up westward, or climb down
eastward.\u2019
\u2018Then we must take the road, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018We
must take it and chance our luck, if there is any luck in
Mordor. We might as well give ourselves up as wander about
any more, or try to go back. Our food won\u2019t last. We\u2019ve got
to make a dash for it!\u2019
\u2018All right, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Lead me! As long as you\u2019ve
got any hope left. Mine is gone. But I can\u2019t dash, Sam. I\u2019ll
just plod along after you.\u2019
\u2018Before you start any more plodding, you need sleep and
food, Mr. Frodo. Come and take what you can get of them!\u2019
He gave Frodo water and an additional wafer of the way-
the land of shadow 1215
bread, and he made a pillow of his cloak for his master\u2019s
head. Frodo was too weary to debate the matter, and Sam
did not tell him that he had drunk the last drop of their water,
and eaten Sam\u2019s share of the food as well as his own. When
Frodo was asleep Sam bent over him and listened to his
breathing and scanned his face. It was lined and thin, and yet
in sleep it looked content and unafraid. \u2018Well, here goes,
Master!\u2019 Sam muttered to himself. \u2018I\u2019ll have to leave you for
a bit and trust to luck. Water we must have, or we\u2019ll get no
further.\u2019
Sam crept out, and flitting from stone to stone with more
than hobbit-care, he went down to the water-course, and
then followed it for some way as it climbed north, until he
came to the rock-steps where long ago, no doubt, its spring
had come gushing down in a little waterfall. All now seemed
dry and silent; but refusing to despair Sam stooped and
listened, and to his delight he caught the sound of trickling.
Clambering a few steps up he found a tiny stream of dark
water that came out from the hill-side and filled a little bare
pool, from which again it spilled, and vanished then under
the barren stones.
Sam tasted the water, and it seemed good enough. Then
he drank deeply, refilled the bottle, and turned to go back.
At that moment he caught a glimpse of a black form or
shadow flitting among the rocks away near Frodo\u2019s hidingplace. Biting back a cry, he leapt down from the spring and
ran, jumping from stone to stone. It was a wary creature,
difficult to see, but Sam had little doubt about it: he longed
to get his hands on its neck. But it heard him coming and
slipped quickly away. Sam thought he saw a last fleeting
glimpse of it, peering back over the edge of the eastward
precipice, before it ducked and disappeared.
\u2018Well, luck did not let me down,\u2019 muttered Sam, \u2018but that
was a near thing! Isn\u2019t it enough to have orcs by the thousand
without that stinking villain coming nosing round? I wish he
had been shot!\u2019 He sat down by Frodo and did not rouse
him; but he did not dare to go to sleep himself. At last when
1216 the return of the king
he felt his eyes closing and knew that his struggle to keep
awake could not go on much longer, he wakened Frodo
gently.
\u2018That Gollum\u2019s about again, I\u2019m afraid, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 he
said. \u2018Leastways, if it wasn\u2019t him, then there\u2019s two of him. I
went away to find some water and spied him nosing round
just as I turned back. I reckon it isn\u2019t safe for us both to sleep
together, and begging your pardon, but I can\u2019t hold up my
lids much longer.\u2019
\u2018Bless you, Sam!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Lie down and take your
proper turn! But I\u2019d rather have Gollum than orcs. At any
rate he won\u2019t give us away to them \u2013 not unless he\u2019s caught
himself.\u2019
\u2018But he might do a bit of robbery and murder on his own,\u2019
growled Sam. \u2018Keep your eyes open, Mr. Frodo! There\u2019s a
bottle full of water. Drink up. We can fill it again when we
go on.\u2019 With that Sam plunged into sleep.
Light was fading again when he woke. Frodo sat propped
against the rock behind, but he had fallen asleep. The waterbottle was empty. There was no sign of Gollum.
Mordor-dark had returned, and the watch-fires on the
heights burned fierce and red, when the hobbits set out again
on the most dangerous stage of all their journey. They went
first to the little spring, and then climbing warily up they
came to the road at the point where it swung east towards
the Isenmouthe twenty miles away. It was not a broad road,
and it had no wall or parapet along the edge, and as it ran on
the sheer drop from its brink became deeper and deeper. The
hobbits could hear no movements, and after listening for a
while they set off eastward at a steady pace.
After doing some twelve miles, they halted. A short way
back the road had bent a little northward and the stretch that
they had passed over was now screened from sight. This
proved disastrous. They rested for some minutes and then
went on; but they had not taken many steps when suddenly
in the stillness of the night they heard the sound that all along
the land of shadow 1217
they had secretly dreaded: the noise of marching feet. It was
still some way behind them, but looking back they could see
the twinkle of torches coming round the bend less than a mile
away, and they were moving fast: too fast for Frodo to escape
by flight along the road ahead.
\u2018I feared it, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018We\u2019ve trusted to luck, and
it has failed us. We\u2019re trapped.\u2019 He looked wildly up at the
frowning wall, where the road-builders of old had cut the
rock sheer for many fathoms above their heads. He ran to
the other side and looked over the brink into a dark pit of
gloom. \u2018We\u2019re trapped at last!\u2019 he said. He sank to the ground
beneath the wall of rock and bowed his head.
\u2018Seems so,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Well, we can but wait and see.\u2019 And
with that he sat down beside Frodo under the shadow of the
cliff.
They did not have to wait long. The orcs were going at a
great pace. Those in the foremost files bore torches. On they
came, red flames in the dark, swiftly growing. Now Sam too
bowed his head, hoping that it would hide his face when the
torches reached them; and he set their shields before their
knees to hide their feet.
\u2018If only they are in a hurry and will let a couple of tired
soldiers alone and pass on!\u2019 he thought.
And so it seemed that they would. The leading orcs came
loping along, panting, holding their heads down. They were
a gang of the smaller breeds being driven unwilling to their
Dark Lord\u2019s wars; all they cared for was to get the march
over and escape the whip. Beside them, running up and down
the line, went two of the large fierce uruks, cracking lashes
and shouting. File after file passed, and the tell-tale torchlight
was already some way ahead. Sam held his breath. Now more
than half the line had gone by. Then suddenly one of the
slave-drivers spied the two figures by the road-side. He
flicked a whip at them and yelled: \u2018Hi, you! Get up!\u2019 They did
not answer, and with a shout he halted the whole company.
\u2018Come on, you slugs!\u2019 he cried. \u2018This is no time for slouching.\u2019 He took a step towards them, and even in the gloom he
1218 the return of the king
recognized the devices on their shields. \u2018Deserting, eh?\u2019 he
snarled. \u2018Or thinking of it? All your folk should have been
inside Udu\u02c6n before yesterday evening. You know that. Up
you get and fall in, or I\u2019ll have your numbers and report you.\u2019
They struggled to their feet, and keeping bent, limping like
footsore soldiers, they shuffled back towards the rear of the
line. \u2018No, not at the rear!\u2019 the slave-driver shouted. \u2018Three
files up. And stay there, or you\u2019ll know it, when I come down
the line!\u2019 He sent his long whip-lash cracking over their heads;
then with another crack and a yell he started the company
off again at a brisk trot.
It was hard enough for poor Sam, tired as he was; but for
Frodo it was a torment, and soon a nightmare. He set his teeth
and tried to stop his mind from thinking, and he struggled on.
The stench of the sweating orcs about him was stifling, and
he began to gasp with thirst. On, on they went, and he bent
all his will to draw his breath and to make his legs keep going;
and yet to what evil end he toiled and endured he did not
dare to think. There was no hope of falling out unseen. Now
and again the orc-driver fell back and jeered at them.
\u2018There now!\u2019 he laughed, flicking at their legs. \u2018Where
there\u2019s a whip there\u2019s a will, my slugs. Hold up! I\u2019d give you
a nice freshener now, only you\u2019ll get as much lash as your
skins will carry when you come in late to your camp. Do you
good. Don\u2019t you know we\u2019re at war?\u2019
They had gone some miles, and the road was at last running down a long slope into the plain, when Frodo\u2019s strength
began to give out and his will wavered. He lurched and
stumbled. Desperately Sam tried to help him and hold him
up, though he felt that he could himself hardly stay the pace
much longer. At any moment now he knew that the end
would come: his master would faint or fall, and all would be
discovered, and their bitter efforts be in vain. \u2018I\u2019ll have that
big slave-driving devil anyway,\u2019 he thought.
Then just as he was putting his hand to the hilt of his
sword, there came an unexpected relief. They were out on
the land of shadow 1219
the plain now and drawing near the entrance to Udu\u02c6n. Some
way in front of it, before the gate at the bridge-end, the road
from the west converged with others coming from the south,
and from Barad-du\u02c6r. Along all the roads troops were moving;
for the Captains of the West were advancing and the Dark
Lord was speeding his forces north. So it chanced that several
companies came together at the road-meeting, in the dark
beyond the light of the watch-fires on the wall. At once there
was great jostling and cursing as each troop tried to get first
to the gate and the ending of their march. Though the drivers
yelled and plied their whips, scuffles broke out and some
blades were drawn. A troop of heavy-armed uruks from
Barad-du\u02c6r charged into the Durthang line and threw them
into confusion.
Dazed as he was with pain and weariness, Sam woke up,
grasped quickly at his chance, and threw himself to the
ground, dragging Frodo down with him. Orcs fell over them,
snarling and cursing. Slowly on hand and knee the hobbits
crawled away out of the turmoil, until at last unnoticed they
dropped over the further edge of the road. It had a high kerb
by which troop-leaders could guide themselves in black night
or fog, and it was banked up some feet above the level of the
open land.
They lay still for a while. It was too dark to seek for cover,
if indeed there was any to find; but Sam felt that they ought
at least to get further away from the highways and out of the
range of torchlight.
\u2018Come on, Mr. Frodo!\u2019 he whispered. \u2018One more crawl,
and then you can lie still.\u2019
With a last despairing effort Frodo raised himself on his
hands, and struggled on for maybe twenty yards. Then he
pitched down into a shallow pit that opened unexpectedly
before them, and there he lay like a dead thing.
Chapter 3
MOUNT DOOM
Sam put his ragged orc-cloak under his master\u2019s head, and
covered them both with the grey robe of Lo\u00b4rien; and as he
did so his thoughts went out to that fair land, and to the
Elves, and he hoped that the cloth woven by their hands
might have some virtue to keep them hidden beyond all hope
in this wilderness of fear. He heard the scuffling and cries die
down as the troops passed on through the Isenmouthe. It
seemed that in the confusion and the mingling of many companies of various kinds they had not been missed, not yet at
any rate.
Sam took a sip of water, but pressed Frodo to drink, and
when his master had recovered a little he gave him a whole
wafer of their precious waybread and made him eat it. Then,
too worn out even to feel much fear, they stretched themselves out. They slept a little in uneasy fits; for their sweat
grew chill on them, and the hard stones bit them, and they
shivered. Out of the north from the Black Gate through
Cirith Gorgor there flowed whispering along the ground a
thin cold air.
In the morning a grey light came again, for in the high
regions the West Wind still blew, but down on the stones
behind the fences of the Black Land the air seemed almost
dead, chill and yet stifling. Sam looked up out of the hollow.
The land all about was dreary, flat and drab-hued. On the
roads nearby nothing was moving now; but Sam feared the
watchful eyes on the wall of the Isenmouthe, no more than a
furlong away northward. South-eastward, far off like a dark
standing shadow, loomed the Mountain. Smokes were pouring from it, and while those that rose into the upper air trailed
away eastward, great rolling clouds floated down its sides and
mount doom 1221
spread over the land. A few miles to the north-east the foothills of the Ashen Mountains stood like sombre grey ghosts,
behind which the misty northern heights rose like a line of
distant cloud hardly darker than the lowering sky.
Sam tried to guess the distances and to decide what way
they ought to take. \u2018It looks every step of fifty miles,\u2019 he
muttered gloomily, staring at the threatening mountain, \u2018and
that\u2019ll take a week, if it takes a day, with Mr. Frodo as he is.\u2019
He shook his head, and as he worked things out, slowly a
new dark thought grew in his mind. Never for long had hope
died in his staunch heart, and always until now he had taken
some thought for their return. But the bitter truth came home
to him at last: at best their provision would take them to their
goal; and when the task was done, there they would come to
an end, alone, houseless, foodless in the midst of a terrible
desert. There could be no return.
\u2018So that was the job I felt I had to do when I started,\u2019
thought Sam: \u2018to help Mr. Frodo to the last step and then
die with him? Well, if that is the job then I must do it. But I
would dearly like to see Bywater again, and Rosie Cotton and
her brothers, and the Gaffer and Marigold and all. I can\u2019t
think somehow that Gandalf would have sent Mr. Frodo
on this errand, if there hadn\u2019t a\u2019 been any hope of his ever
coming back at all. Things all went wrong when he went
down in Moria. I wish he hadn\u2019t. He would have done
something.\u2019
But even as hope died in Sam, or seemed to die, it was
turned to a new strength. Sam\u2019s plain hobbit-face grew stern,
almost grim, as the will hardened in him, and he felt through
all his limbs a thrill, as if he was turning into some creature
of stone and steel that neither despair nor weariness nor
endless barren miles could subdue.
With a new sense of responsibility he brought his eyes back
to the ground near at hand, studying the next move. As the
light grew a little he saw to his surprise that what from a
distance had seemed wide and featureless flats were in fact
all broken and tumbled. Indeed the whole surface of the
1222 the return of the king
plains of Gorgoroth was pocked with great holes, as if, while
it was still a waste of soft mud, it had been smitten with a
shower of bolts and huge slingstones. The largest of these
holes were rimmed with ridges of broken rock, and broad
fissures ran out from them in all directions. It was a land in
which it would be possible to creep from hiding to hiding,
unseen by all but the most watchful eyes: possible at least for
one who was strong and had no need for speed. For the
hungry and worn, who had far to go before life failed, it had
an evil look.
Thinking of all these things Sam went back to his master.
He had no need to rouse him. Frodo was lying on his back
with eyes open, staring at the cloudy sky. \u2018Well, Mr. Frodo,\u2019
said Sam, \u2018I\u2019ve been having a look round and thinking a bit.
There\u2019s nothing on the roads, and we\u2019d best be getting away
while there\u2019s a chance. Can you manage it?\u2019
\u2018I can manage it,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I must.\u2019
Once more they started, crawling from hollow to hollow,
flitting behind such cover as they could find, but moving
always in a slant towards the foothills of the northern range.
But as they went the most easterly of the roads followed
them, until it ran off, hugging the skirts of the mountains,
away into a wall of black shadow far ahead. Neither man nor
orc now moved along its flat grey stretches; for the Dark
Lord had almost completed the movement of his forces, and
even in the fastness of his own realm he sought the secrecy
of night, fearing the winds of the world that had turned
against him, tearing aside his veils, and troubled with tidings
of bold spies that had passed through his fences.
The hobbits had gone a few weary miles when they halted.
Frodo seemed nearly spent. Sam saw that he could not
go much further in this fashion, crawling, stooping, now
picking a doubtful way very slowly, now hurrying at a
stumbling run.
\u2018I\u2019m going back on to the road while the light lasts, Mr.
Frodo,\u2019 he said. \u2018Trust to luck again! It nearly failed us last
mount doom 1223
time, but it didn\u2019t quite. A steady pace for a few more miles,
and then a rest.\u2019
He was taking a far greater risk than he knew; but Frodo
was too much occupied with his burden and with the struggle
in his mind to debate, and almost too hopeless to care. They
climbed on to the causeway and trudged along, down the
hard cruel road that led to the Dark Tower itself. But their
luck held, and for the rest of that day they met no living or
moving thing; and when night fell they vanished into the
darkness of Mordor. All the land now brooded as at the
coming of a great storm: for the Captains of the West had
passed the Cross-roads and set flames in the deadly fields of
Imlad Morgul.
So the desperate journey went on, as the Ring went south
and the banners of the kings rode north. For the hobbits each
day, each mile, was more bitter than the one before, as their
strength lessened and the land became more evil. They met
no enemies by day. At times by night, as they cowered or
drowsed uneasily in some hiding beside the road, they heard
cries and the noise of many feet or the swift passing of some
cruelly ridden steed. But far worse than all such perils was
the ever-approaching threat that beat upon them as they
went: the dreadful menace of the Power that waited, brooding
in deep thought and sleepless malice behind the dark veil
about its Throne. Nearer and nearer it drew, looming blacker,
like the oncoming of a wall of night at the last end of the
world.
There came at last a dreadful nightfall; and even as the
Captains of the West drew near to the end of the living lands,
the two wanderers came to an hour of blank despair. Four
days had passed since they had escaped from the orcs, but
the time lay behind them like an ever-darkening dream. All
this last day Frodo had not spoken, but had walked halfbowed, often stumbling, as if his eyes no longer saw the way
before his feet. Sam guessed that among all their pains he
bore the worst, the growing weight of the Ring, a burden on
the body and a torment to his mind. Anxiously Sam had
1224 the return of the king
noted how his master\u2019s left hand would often be raised as if
to ward off a blow, or to screen his shrinking eyes from a
dreadful Eye that sought to look in them. And sometimes his
right hand would creep to his breast, clutching, and then
slowly, as the will recovered mastery, it would be withdrawn.
Now as the blackness of night returned Frodo sat, his head
between his knees, his arms hanging wearily to the ground
where his hands lay feebly twitching. Sam watched him, till
night covered them both and hid them from one another. He
could no longer find any words to say; and he turned to his
own dark thoughts. As for himself, though weary and under
a shadow of fear, he still had some strength left. The lembas
had a virtue without which they would long ago have lain
down to die. It did not satisfy desire, and at times Sam\u2019s
mind was filled with the memories of food, and the longing
for simple bread and meats. And yet this waybread of the
Elves had a potency that increased as travellers relied on it
alone and did not mingle it with other foods. It fed the will,
and it gave strength to endure, and to master sinew and limb
beyond the measure of mortal kind. But now a new decision
must be made. They could not follow this road any longer;
for it went on eastward into the great Shadow, but the Mountain now loomed upon their right, almost due south, and they
must turn towards it. Yet still before it there stretched a wide
region of fuming, barren, ash-ridden land.
\u2018Water, water!\u2019 muttered Sam. He had stinted himself, and
in his parched mouth his tongue seemed thick and swollen;
but for all his care they now had very little left, perhaps half
his bottle, and maybe there were still days to go. All would
long ago have been spent, if they had not dared to follow the
orc-road. For at long intervals on that highway cisterns had
been built for the use of troops sent in haste through the
waterless regions. In one Sam had found some water left,
stale, muddied by the orcs, but still sufficient for their desperate case. Yet that was now a day ago. There was no hope
of any more.
At last wearied with his cares Sam drowsed, leaving the
mount doom 1225
morrow till it came; he could do no more. Dream and waking
mingled uneasily. He saw lights like gloating eyes, and dark
creeping shapes, and he heard noises as of wild beasts or the
dreadful cries of tortured things; and he would start up to
find the world all dark and only empty blackness all about
him. Once only, as he stood and stared wildly round, did it
seem that, though now awake, he could still see pale lights
like eyes; but soon they flickered and vanished.
The hateful night passed slowly and reluctantly. Such daylight as followed was dim; for here as the Mountain drew
near the air was ever mirky, while out from the Dark Tower
there crept the veils of Shadow that Sauron wove about himself. Frodo was lying on his back not moving. Sam stood
beside him, reluctant to speak, and yet knowing that the word
now lay with him: he must set his master\u2019s will to work
for another effort. At length, stooping and caressing Frodo\u2019s
brow, he spoke in his ear.
\u2018Wake up, Master!\u2019 he said. \u2018Time for another start.\u2019
As if roused by a sudden bell, Frodo rose quickly, and
stood up and looked away southwards; but when his eyes
beheld the Mountain and the desert he quailed again.
\u2018I can\u2019t manage it, Sam,\u2019 he said. \u2018It is such a weight to
carry, such a weight.\u2019
Sam knew before he spoke, that it was vain, and that such
words might do more harm than good, but in his pity he
could not keep silent. \u2018Then let me carry it a bit for you,
Master,\u2019 he said. \u2018You know I would, and gladly, as long as
I have any strength.\u2019
A wild light came into Frodo\u2019s eyes. \u2018Stand away! Don\u2019t
touch me!\u2019 he cried. \u2018It is mine, I say. Be off!\u2019 His hand
strayed to his sword-hilt. But then quickly his voice changed.
\u2018No, no, Sam,\u2019 he said sadly. \u2018But you must understand. It is
my burden, and no one else can bear it. It is too late now,
Sam dear. You can\u2019t help me in that way again. I am almost
in its power now. I could not give it up, and if you tried to
take it I should go mad.\u2019
1226 the return of the king
Sam nodded. \u2018I understand,\u2019 he said. \u2018But I\u2019ve been thinking, Mr. Frodo, there\u2019s other things we might do without.
Why not lighten the load a bit? We\u2019re going that way now,
as straight as we can make it.\u2019 He pointed to the Mountain.
\u2018It\u2019s no good taking anything we\u2019re not sure to need.\u2019
Frodo looked again towards the Mountain. \u2018No,\u2019 he said,
\u2018we shan\u2019t need much on that road. And at its end nothing.\u2019
Picking up his orc-shield he flung it away and threw his
helmet after it. Then pulling off the grey cloak he undid the
heavy belt and let it fall to the ground, and the sheathed
sword with it. The shreds of the black cloak he tore off and
scattered.
\u2018There, I\u2019ll be an orc no more,\u2019 he cried, \u2018and I\u2019ll bear no
weapon, fair or foul. Let them take me, if they will!\u2019
Sam did likewise, and put aside his orc-gear; and he took
out all the things in his pack. Somehow each of them had
become dear to him, if only because he had borne them
so far with so much toil. Hardest of all it was to part with
his cooking-gear. Tears welled in his eyes at the thought of
casting it away.
\u2018Do you remember that bit of rabbit, Mr. Frodo?\u2019 he said.
\u2018And our place under the warm bank in Captain Faramir\u2019s
country, the day I saw an oliphaunt?\u2019
\u2018No, I am afraid not, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018At least, I know
that such things happened, but I cannot see them. No taste
of food, no feel of water, no sound of wind, no memory of
tree or grass or flower, no image of moon or star are left to
me. I am naked in the dark, Sam, and there is no veil between
me and the wheel of fire. I begin to see it even with my
waking eyes, and all else fades.\u2019
Sam went to him and kissed his hand. \u2018Then the sooner
we\u2019re rid of it, the sooner to rest,\u2019 he said haltingly, finding
no better words to say. \u2018Talking won\u2019t mend nothing,\u2019 he
muttered to himself, as he gathered up all the things that they
had chosen to cast away. He was not willing to leave them
lying open in the wilderness for any eyes to see. \u2018Stinker
picked up that orc-shirt, seemingly, and he isn\u2019t going to add
mount doom 1227
a sword to it. His hands are bad enough when empty. And
he isn\u2019t going to mess with my pans!\u2019 With that he carried all
the gear away to one of the many gaping fissures that scored
the land and threw them in. The clatter of his precious pans
as they fell down into the dark was like a death-knell to his
heart.
He came back to Frodo, and then of his elven-rope he cut
a short piece to serve his master as a girdle and bind the grey
cloak close about his waist. The rest he carefully coiled and
put back in his pack. Beside that he kept only the remnants
of their waybread and the water-bottle, and Sting still hanging
by his belt; and hidden away in a pocket of his tunic next his
breast the phial of Galadriel and the little box that she gave
him for his own.
Now at last they turned their faces to the Mountain and
set out, thinking no more of concealment, bending their
weariness and failing wills only to the one task of going on.
In the dimness of its dreary day few things even in that land
of vigilance could have espied them, save from close at hand.
Of all the slaves of the Dark Lord, only the Nazgu\u02c6l could have
warned him of the peril that crept, small but indomitable, into
the very heart of his guarded realm. But the Nazgu\u02c6l and their
black wings were abroad on other errand: they were gathered
far away, shadowing the march of the Captains of the West,
and thither the thought of the Dark Tower was turned.
That day it seemed to Sam that his master had found some
new strength, more than could be explained by the small
lightening of the load that he had to carry. In the first marches
they went further and faster than he had hoped. The land
was rough and hostile, and yet they made much progress,
and ever the Mountain drew nearer. But as the day wore on
and all too soon the dim light began to fail, Frodo stooped
again, and began to stagger, as if the renewed effort had
squandered his remaining strength.
At their last halt he sank down and said: \u2018I\u2019m thirsty, Sam,\u2019
and did not speak again. Sam gave him a mouthful of water;
1228 the return of the king
only one more mouthful remained. He went without himself;
and now as once more the night of Mordor closed over them,
through all his thoughts there came the memory of water;
and every brook or stream or fount that he had ever seen,
under green willow-shades or twinkling in the sun, danced
and rippled for his torment behind the blindness of his eyes.
He felt the cool mud about his toes as he paddled in the Pool
at Bywater with Jolly Cotton and Tom and Nibs, and their
sister Rosie. \u2018But that was years ago,\u2019 he sighed, \u2018and far
away. The way back, if there is one, goes past the Mountain.\u2019
He could not sleep and he held a debate with himself.
\u2018Well, come now, we\u2019ve done better than you hoped,\u2019 he said
sturdily. \u2018Began well anyway. I reckon we crossed half the
distance before we stopped. One more day will do it.\u2019 And
then he paused.
\u2018Don\u2019t be a fool, Sam Gamgee,\u2019 came an answer in his
own voice. \u2018He won\u2019t go another day like that, if he moves at
all. And you can\u2019t go on much longer giving him all the water
and most of the food.\u2019
\u2018I can go on a good way though, and I will.\u2019
\u2018Where to?\u2019
\u2018To the Mountain, of course.\u2019
\u2018But what then, Sam Gamgee, what then? When you get
there, what are you going to do? He won\u2019t be able to do
anything for himself.\u2019
To his dismay Sam realized that he had not got an answer
to this. He had no clear idea at all. Frodo had not spoken
much to him of his errand, and Sam only knew vaguely that
the Ring had somehow to be put into the fire. \u2018The Cracks
of Doom,\u2019 he muttered, the old name rising to his mind.
\u2018Well, if Master knows how to find them, I don\u2019t.\u2019
\u2018There you are!\u2019 came the answer. \u2018It\u2019s all quite useless. He
said so himself. You are the fool, going on hoping and toiling.
You could have lain down and gone to sleep together days
ago, if you hadn\u2019t been so dogged. But you\u2019ll die just the
same, or worse. You might just as well lie down now and
give it up. You\u2019ll never get to the top anyway.\u2019
mount doom 1229
\u2018I\u2019ll get there, if I leave everything but my bones behind,\u2019
said Sam. \u2018And I\u2019ll carry Mr. Frodo up myself, if it breaks
my back and heart. So stop arguing!\u2019
At that moment Sam felt a tremor in the ground beneath
him, and he heard or sensed a deep remote rumble as of
thunder imprisoned under the earth. There was a brief red
flame that flickered under the clouds and died away. The
Mountain too slept uneasily.
The last stage of their journey to Orodruin came, and it
was a torment greater than Sam had ever thought that he
could bear. He was in pain, and so parched that he could no
longer swallow even a mouthful of food. It remained dark, not
only because of the smokes of the Mountain: there seemed
to be a storm coming up, and away to the south-east there
was a shimmer of lightnings under the black skies. Worst of
all, the air was full of fumes; breathing was painful and difficult, and a dizziness came on them, so that they staggered
and often fell. And yet their wills did not yield, and they
struggled on.
The Mountain crept up ever nearer, until, if they lifted
their heavy heads, it filled all their sight, looming vast before
them: a huge mass of ash and slag and burned stone, out of
which a sheer-sided cone was raised into the clouds. Before
the daylong dusk ended and true night came again they had
crawled and stumbled to its very feet.
With a gasp Frodo cast himself on the ground. Sam sat by
him. To his surprise he felt tired but lighter, and his head
seemed clear again. No more debates disturbed his mind. He
knew all the arguments of despair and would not listen to
them. His will was set, and only death would break it. He
felt no longer either desire or need of sleep, but rather of
watchfulness. He knew that all the hazards and perils were
now drawing together to a point: the next day would be a
day of doom, the day of final effort or disaster, the last gasp.
But when would it come? The night seemed endless and
timeless, minute after minute falling dead and adding up to
1230 the return of the king
no passing hour, bringing no change. Sam began to wonder
if a second darkness had begun and no day would ever
reappear. At last he groped for Frodo\u2019s hand. It was cold and
trembling. His master was shivering.
\u2018I didn\u2019t ought to have left my blanket behind,\u2019 muttered
Sam; and lying down he tried to comfort Frodo with his arms
and body. Then sleep took him, and the dim light of the last
day of their quest found them side by side. The wind had
fallen the day before as it shifted from the West, and now it
came from the North and began to rise; and slowly the light
of the unseen Sun filtered down into the shadows where the
hobbits lay.
\u2018Now for it! Now for the last gasp!\u2019 said Sam as he struggled
to his feet. He bent over Frodo, rousing him gently. Frodo
groaned; but with a great effort of will he staggered up; and
then he fell upon his knees again. He raised his eyes with
difficulty to the dark slopes of Mount Doom towering above
him, and then pitifully he began to crawl forward on his
hands.
Sam looked at him and wept in his heart, but no tears came
to his dry and stinging eyes. \u2018I said I\u2019d carry him, if it broke
my back,\u2019 he muttered, \u2018and I will!\u2019
\u2018Come, Mr. Frodo!\u2019 he cried. \u2018I can\u2019t carry it for you, but
I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr.
Frodo dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to
go, and he\u2019ll go.\u2019
As Frodo clung upon his back, arms loosely about his neck,
legs clasped firmly under his arms, Sam staggered to his feet;
and then to his amazement he felt the burden light. He had
feared that he would have barely strength to lift his master
alone, and beyond that he had expected to share in the dreadful dragging weight of the accursed Ring. But it was not so.
Whether because Frodo was so worn by his long pains,
wound of knife, and venomous sting, and sorrow, fear, and
homeless wandering, or because some gift of final strength
was given to him, Sam lifted Frodo with no more difficulty
mount doom 1231
than if he were carrying a hobbit-child pig-a-back in some
romp on the lawns or hayfields of the Shire. He took a deep
breath and started off.
They had reached the Mountain\u2019s foot on its northern side,
and a little to the westward; there its long grey slopes, though
broken, were not sheer. Frodo did not speak, and so Sam
struggled on as best he could, having no guidance but the
will to climb as high as might be before his strength gave out
and his will broke. On he toiled, up and up, turning this way
and that to lessen the slope, often stumbling forward, and at
the last crawling like a snail with a heavy burden on its back.
When his will could drive him no further, and his limbs gave
way, he stopped and laid his master gently down.
Frodo opened his eyes and drew a breath. It was easier to
breathe up here above the reeks that coiled and drifted down
below. \u2018Thank you, Sam,\u2019 he said in a cracked whisper. \u2018How
far is there to go?\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t know,\u2019 said Sam, \u2018because I don\u2019t know where
we\u2019re going.\u2019
He looked back, and then he looked up; and he was amazed
to see how far his last effort had brought him. The Mountain
standing ominous and alone had looked taller than it was.
Sam saw now that it was less lofty than the high passes of the
Ephel Du\u00b4ath which he and Frodo had scaled. The confused
and tumbled shoulders of its great base rose for maybe three
thousand feet above the plain, and above them was reared
half as high again its tall central cone, like a vast oast or
chimney capped with a jagged crater. But already Sam was
more than half way up the base, and the plain of Gorgoroth
was dim below him, wrapped in fume and shadow. As he
looked up he would have given a shout, if his parched throat
had allowed him; for amid the rugged humps and shoulders
above him he saw plainly a path or road. It climbed like a
rising girdle from the west and wound snakelike about the
Mountain, until before it went round out of view it reached
the foot of the cone upon its eastern side.
1232 the return of the king
Sam could not see the course immediately above him,
where it was lowest, for a steep slope went up from where he
stood; but he guessed that if he could only struggle on just a
little way further up, they would strike this path. A gleam of
hope returned to him. They might conquer the Mountain
yet. \u2018Why, it might have been put there a-purpose!\u2019 he said
to himself. \u2018If it wasn\u2019t there, I\u2019d have to say I was beaten in
the end.\u2019
The path was not put there for the purposes of Sam. He
did not know it, but he was looking at Sauron\u2019s Road from
Barad-du\u02c6r to the Sammath Naur, the Chambers of Fire. Out
from the Dark Tower\u2019s huge western gate it came over a
deep abyss by a vast bridge of iron, and then passing into the
plain it ran for a league between two smoking chasms, and
so reached a long sloping causeway that led up on to the
Mountain\u2019s eastern side. Thence, turning and encircling all
its wide girth from south to north, it climbed at last, high in
the upper cone, but still far from the reeking summit, to a
dark entrance that gazed back east straight to the Window of
the Eye in Sauron\u2019s shadow-mantled fortress. Often blocked
or destroyed by the tumults of the Mountain\u2019s furnaces,
always that road was repaired and cleared again by the
labours of countless orcs.
Sam drew a deep breath. There was a path, but how he
was to get up the slope to it he did not know. First he must
ease his aching back. He lay flat beside Frodo for a while.
Neither spoke. Slowly the light grew. Suddenly a sense of
urgency which he did not understand came to Sam. It was
almost as if he had been called: \u2018Now, now, or it will be too
late!\u2019 He braced himself and got up. Frodo also seemed to
have felt the call. He struggled to his knees.
\u2018I\u2019ll crawl, Sam,\u2019 he gasped.
So foot by foot, like small grey insects, they crept up the
slope. They came to the path and found that it was broad,
paved with broken rubble and beaten ash. Frodo clambered
on to it, and then moved as if by some compulsion he turned
slowly to face the East. Far off the shadows of Sauron hung;
mount doom 1233
but torn by some gust of wind out of the world, or else moved
by some great disquiet within, the mantling clouds swirled,
and for a moment drew aside; and then he saw, rising black,
blacker and darker than the vast shades amid which it stood,
the cruel pinnacles and iron crown of the topmost tower
of Barad-du\u02c6r. One moment only it stared out, but as from
some great window immeasurably high there stabbed northward a flame of red, the flicker of a piercing Eye; and then
the shadows were furled again and the terrible vision was
removed. The Eye was not turned to them: it was gazing
north to where the Captains of the West stood at bay, and
thither all its malice was now bent, as the Power moved to
strike its deadly blow; but Frodo at that dreadful glimpse fell
as one stricken mortally. His hand sought the chain about
his neck.
Sam knelt by him. Faint, almost inaudibly, he heard Frodo
whispering: \u2018Help me, Sam! Help me, Sam! Hold my hand!
I can\u2019t stop it.\u2019 Sam took his master\u2019s hands and laid them
together, palm to palm, and kissed them; and then he held
them gently between his own. The thought came suddenly
to him: \u2018He\u2019s spotted us! It\u2019s all up, or it soon will be. Now,
Sam Gamgee, this is the end of ends.\u2019
Again he lifted Frodo and drew his hands down to his own
breast, letting his master\u2019s legs dangle. Then he bowed his
head and struggled off along the climbing road. It was not as
easy a way to take as it had looked at first. By fortune the
fires that had poured forth in the great turmoils when Sam
stood upon Cirith Ungol had flowed down mainly on the
southern and western slopes, and the road on this side was
not blocked. Yet in many places it had crumbled away or was
crossed by gaping rents. After climbing eastward for some
time it bent back upon itself at a sharp angle and went westward for a space. There at the bend it was cut deep through
a crag of old weathered stone once long ago vomited from
the Mountain\u2019s furnaces. Panting under his load Sam turned
the bend; and even as he did so, out of the corner of his eye,
he had a glimpse of something falling from the crag, like a
1234 the return of the king
small piece of black stone that had toppled off as he passed.
A sudden weight smote him and he crashed forward, tearing the backs of his hands that still clasped his master\u2019s. Then
he knew what had happened, for above him as he lay he
heard a hated voice.
\u2018Wicked masster!\u2019 it hissed. \u2018Wicked masster cheats us;
cheats Sme\u00b4agol, gollum. He musstn\u2019t go that way. He
musstn\u2019t hurt Preciouss. Give it to Sme\u00b4agol, yess, give it to
us! Give it to uss!\u2019
With a violent heave Sam rose up. At once he drew his
sword; but he could do nothing. Gollum and Frodo were
locked together. Gollum was tearing at his master, trying to
get at the chain and the Ring. This was probably the only
thing that could have roused the dying embers of Frodo\u2019s
heart and will: an attack, an attempt to wrest his treasure
from him by force. He fought back with a sudden fury that
amazed Sam, and Gollum also. Even so things might have
gone far otherwise, if Gollum himself had remained unchanged; but whatever dreadful paths, lonely and hungry and
waterless, he had trodden, driven by a devouring desire and
a terrible fear, they had left grievous marks on him. He was a
lean, starved, haggard thing, all bones and tight-drawn sallow
skin. A wild light flamed in his eyes, but his malice was no
longer matched by his old griping strength. Frodo flung him
off and rose up quivering.
\u2018Down, down!\u2019 he gasped, clutching his hand to his breast,
so that beneath the cover of his leather shirt he clasped the
Ring. \u2018Down, you creeping thing, and out of my path! Your
time is at an end. You cannot betray me or slay me now.\u2019
Then suddenly, as before under the eaves of the Emyn
Muil, Sam saw these two rivals with other vision. A crouching
shape, scarcely more than the shadow of a living thing, a
creature now wholly ruined and defeated, yet filled with a
hideous lust and rage; and before it stood stern, untouchable
now by pity, a figure robed in white, but at its breast it held
a wheel of fire. Out of the fire there spoke a commanding
voice.
mount doom 1235
\u2018Begone, and trouble me no more! If you touch me ever
again, you shall be cast yourself into the Fire of Doom.\u2019
The crouching shape backed away, terror in its blinking
eyes, and yet at the same time insatiable desire.
Then the vision passed and Sam saw Frodo standing, hand
on breast, his breath coming in great gasps, and Gollum at
his feet, resting on his knees with his wide-splayed hands
upon the ground.
\u2018Look out!\u2019 cried Sam. \u2018He\u2019ll spring!\u2019 He stepped forward,
brandishing his sword. \u2018Quick, Master!\u2019 he gasped. \u2018Go on!
Go on! No time to lose. I\u2019ll deal with him. Go on!\u2019
Frodo looked at him as if at one now far away. \u2018Yes, I must
go on,\u2019 he said. \u2018Farewell, Sam! This is the end at last. On
Mount Doom doom shall fall. Farewell!\u2019 He turned and went
on, walking slowly but erect, up the climbing path.
\u2018Now!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018At last I can deal with you!\u2019 He leaped
forward with drawn blade ready for battle. But Gollum did
not spring. He fell flat upon the ground and whimpered.
\u2018Don\u2019t kill us,\u2019 he wept. \u2018Don\u2019t hurt us with nassty cruel
steel! Let us live, yes, live just a little longer. Lost lost! We\u2019re
lost. And when Precious goes we\u2019ll die, yes, die into the dust.\u2019
He clawed up the ashes of the path with his long fleshless
fingers. \u2018Dusst!\u2019 he hissed.
Sam\u2019s hand wavered. His mind was hot with wrath and
the memory of evil. It would be just to slay this treacherous,
murderous creature, just and many times deserved; and also
it seemed the only safe thing to do. But deep in his heart
there was something that restrained him: he could not strike
this thing lying in the dust, forlorn, ruinous, utterly wretched.
He himself, though only for a little while, had borne the Ring,
and now dimly he guessed the agony of Gollum\u2019s shrivelled
mind and body, enslaved to that Ring, unable to find peace
or relief ever in life again. But Sam had no words to express
what he felt.
\u2018Oh, curse you, you stinking thing!\u2019 he said. \u2018Go away!
Be off! I don\u2019t trust you, not as far as I could kick you;
1236 the return of the king
but be off. Or I shall hurt you, yes, with nasty cruel steel.\u2019
Gollum got up on all fours, and backed away for several
paces, and then he turned, and as Sam aimed a kick at him
he fled away down the path. Sam gave no more heed to him.
He suddenly remembered his master. He looked up the path
and could not see him. As fast as he could he trudged up the
road. If he had looked back, he might have seen not far below
Gollum turn again, and then with a wild light of madness
glaring in his eyes come, swiftly but warily, creeping on
behind, a slinking shadow among the stones.
The path climbed on. Soon it bent again and with a last
eastward course passed in a cutting along the face of the cone
and came to the dark door in the Mountain\u2019s side, the door
of the Sammath Naur. Far away now rising towards the South
the sun, piercing the smokes and haze, burned ominous, a
dull bleared disc of red; but all Mordor lay about the Mountain like a dead land, silent, shadow-folded, waiting for some
dreadful stroke.
Sam came to the gaping mouth and peered in. It was dark
and hot, and a deep rumbling shook the air. \u2018Frodo! Master!\u2019
he called. There was no answer. For a moment he stood, his
heart beating with wild fears, and then he plunged in. A
shadow followed him.
At first he could see nothing. In his great need he drew out
once more the phial of Galadriel, but it was pale and cold in
his trembling hand and threw no light into that stifling dark.
He was come to the heart of the realm of Sauron and the
forges of his ancient might, greatest in Middle-earth; all other
powers were here subdued. Fearfully he took a few uncertain
steps in the dark, and then all at once there came a flash of
red that leaped upward, and smote the high black roof. Then
Sam saw that he was in a long cave or tunnel that bored into
the Mountain\u2019s smoking cone. But only a short way ahead
its floor and the walls on either side were cloven by a great
fissure, out of which the red glare came, now leaping up, now
dying down into darkness; and all the while far below there
mount doom 1237
was a rumour and a trouble as of great engines throbbing
and labouring.
The light sprang up again, and there on the brink of the
chasm, at the very Crack of Doom, stood Frodo, black against
the glare, tense, erect, but still as if he had been turned to
stone.
\u2018Master!\u2019 cried Sam.
Then Frodo stirred and spoke with a clear voice, indeed
with a voice clearer and more powerful than Sam had ever
heard him use, and it rose above the throb and turmoil of
Mount Doom, ringing in the roof and walls.
\u2018I have come,\u2019 he said. \u2018But I do not choose now to do
what I came to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!\u2019
And suddenly, as he set it on his finger, he vanished from
Sam\u2019s sight. Sam gasped, but he had no chance to cry out,
for at that moment many things happened.
Something struck Sam violently in the back, his legs were
knocked from under him and he was flung aside, striking his
head against the stony floor, as a dark shape sprang over him.
He lay still and for a moment all went black.
And far away, as Frodo put on the Ring and claimed it for
his own, even in Sammath Naur the very heart of his realm,
the Power in Barad-du\u02c6r was shaken, and the Tower trembled
from its foundations to its proud and bitter crown. The Dark
Lord was suddenly aware of him, and his Eye piercing all
shadows looked across the plain to the door that he had made;
and the magnitude of his own folly was revealed to him in a
blinding flash, and all the devices of his enemies were at last
laid bare. Then his wrath blazed in consuming flame, but his
fear rose like a vast black smoke to choke him. For he knew
his deadly peril and the thread upon which his doom now
hung.
From all his policies and webs of fear and treachery, from
all his stratagems and wars his mind shook free; and throughout his realm a tremor ran, his slaves quailed, and his armies
halted, and his captains suddenly steerless, bereft of will,
wavered and despaired. For they were forgotten. The whole
1238 the return of the king
mind and purpose of the Power that wielded them was now
bent with overwhelming force upon the Mountain. At his
summons, wheeling with a rending cry, in a last desperate
race there flew, faster than the winds, the Nazgu\u02c6l, the Ringwraiths, and with a storm of wings they hurtled southwards
to Mount Doom.
Sam got up. He was dazed, and blood streaming from his
head dripped in his eyes. He groped forward, and then he
saw a strange and terrible thing. Gollum on the edge of the
abyss was fighting like a mad thing with an unseen foe. To
and fro he swayed, now so near the brink that almost he
tumbled in, now dragging back, falling to the ground, rising,
and falling again. And all the while he hissed but spoke no
words.
The fires below awoke in anger, the red light blazed, and
all the cavern was filled with a great glare and heat. Suddenly
Sam saw Gollum\u2019s long hands draw upwards to his mouth;
his white fangs gleamed, and then snapped as they bit. Frodo
gave a cry, and there he was, fallen upon his knees at the
chasm\u2019s edge. But Gollum, dancing like a mad thing, held
aloft the ring, a finger still thrust within its circle. It shone
now as if verily it was wrought of living fire.
\u2018Precious, precious, precious!\u2019 Gollum cried. \u2018My Precious!
O my Precious!\u2019 And with that, even as his eyes were lifted
up to gloat on his prize, he stepped too far, toppled, wavered
for a moment on the brink, and then with a shriek he fell.
Out of the depths came his last wail Precious, and he was
gone.
There was a roar and a great confusion of noise. Fires
leaped up and licked the roof. The throbbing grew to a great
tumult, and the Mountain shook. Sam ran to Frodo and
picked him up and carried him out to the door. And there
upon the dark threshold of the Sammath Naur, high above
the plains of Mordor, such wonder and terror came on him
that he stood still forgetting all else, and gazed as one turned
to stone.
mount doom 1239
A brief vision he had of swirling cloud, and in the midst
of it towers and battlements, tall as hills, founded upon a
mighty mountain-throne above immeasurable pits; great
courts and dungeons, eyeless prisons sheer as cliffs, and
gaping gates of steel and adamant: and then all passed.
Towers fell and mountains slid; walls crumbled and melted,
crashing down; vast spires of smoke and spouting steams
went billowing up, up, until they toppled like an overwhelming wave, and its wild crest curled and came foaming down
upon the land. And then at last over the miles between there
came a rumble, rising to a deafening crash and roar; the earth
shook, the plain heaved and cracked, and Orodruin reeled.
Fire belched from its riven summit. The skies burst into
thunder seared with lightning. Down like lashing whips fell a
torrent of black rain. And into the heart of the storm, with a
cry that pierced all other sounds, tearing the clouds asunder,
the Nazgu\u02c6l came, shooting like flaming bolts, as caught in
the fiery ruin of hill and sky they crackled, withered, and
went out.
\u2018Well, this is the end, Sam Gamgee,\u2019 said a voice by his
side. And there was Frodo, pale and worn, and yet himself
again; and in his eyes there was peace now, neither strain of
will, nor madness, nor any fear. His burden was taken away.
There was the dear master of the sweet days in the Shire.
\u2018Master!\u2019 cried Sam, and fell upon his knees. In all that
ruin of the world for the moment he felt only joy, great joy.
The burden was gone. His master had been saved; he was
himself again, he was free. And then Sam caught sight of the
maimed and bleeding hand.
\u2018Your poor hand!\u2019 he said. \u2018And I have nothing to bind it
with, or comfort it. I would have spared him a whole hand
of mine rather. But he\u2019s gone now beyond recall, gone for
ever.\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But do you remember Gandalf\u2019s words:
Even Gollum may have something yet to do? But for him, Sam,
I could not have destroyed the Ring. The Quest would have
1240 the return of the king
been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him!
For the Quest is achieved, and now all is over. I am glad you
are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam.\u2019
Chapter 4
THE FIELD OF CORMALLEN
All about the hills the hosts of Mordor raged. The Captains
of the West were foundering in a gathering sea. The sun
gleamed red, and under the wings of the Nazgu\u02c6l the shadows
of death fell dark upon the earth. Aragorn stood beneath his
banner, silent and stern, as one lost in thought of things long
past or far away; but his eyes gleamed like stars that shine
the brighter as the night deepens. Upon the hill-top stood
Gandalf, and he was white and cold and no shadow fell on
him. The onslaught of Mordor broke like a wave on the
beleaguered hills, voices roaring like a tide amid the wreck
and crash of arms.
As if to his eyes some sudden vision had been given,
Gandalf stirred; and he turned, looking back north where the
skies were pale and clear. Then he lifted up his hands and
cried in a loud voice ringing above the din: The Eagles
are coming! And many voices answered crying: The Eagles are
coming! The Eagles are coming! The hosts of Mordor looked
up and wondered what this sign might mean.
There came Gwaihir the Windlord, and Landroval his
brother, greatest of all the Eagles of the North, mightiest of
the descendants of old Thorondor, who built his eyries in the
inaccessible peaks of the Encircling Mountains when Middleearth was young. Behind them in long swift lines came all
their vassals from the northern mountains, speeding on a
gathering wind. Straight down upon the Nazgu\u02c6l they bore,
stooping suddenly out of the high airs, and the rush of their
wide wings as they passed over was like a gale.
But the Nazgu\u02c6l turned and fled, and vanished into
Mordor\u2019s shadows, hearing a sudden terrible call out of the
Dark Tower; and even at that moment all the hosts of Mordor
1242 the return of the king
trembled, doubt clutched their hearts, their laughter failed,
their hands shook and their limbs were loosed. The Power
that drove them on and filled them with hate and fury was
wavering, its will was removed from them; and now looking
in the eyes of their enemies they saw a deadly light and were
afraid.
Then all the Captains of the West cried aloud, for their
hearts were filled with a new hope in the midst of darkness.
Out from the beleaguered hills knights of Gondor, Riders
of Rohan, Du\u00b4nedain of the North, close-serried companies,
drove against their wavering foes, piercing the press with the
thrust of bitter spears. But Gandalf lifted up his arms and
called once more in a clear voice:
\u2018Stand, Men of the West! Stand and wait! This is the hour
of doom.\u2019
And even as he spoke the earth rocked beneath their feet.
Then rising swiftly up, far above the Towers of the Black
Gate, high above the mountains, a vast soaring darkness
sprang into the sky, flickering with fire. The earth groaned
and quaked. The Towers of the Teeth swayed, tottered, and
fell down; the mighty rampart crumbled; the Black Gate was
hurled in ruin; and from far away, now dim, now growing,
now mounting to the clouds, there came a drumming rumble,
a roar, a long echoing roll of ruinous noise.
\u2018The realm of Sauron is ended!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018The Ringbearer has fulfilled his Quest.\u2019 And as the Captains gazed
south to the Land of Mordor, it seemed to them that, black
against the pall of cloud, there rose a huge shape of shadow,
impenetrable, lightning-crowned, filling all the sky. Enormous it reared above the world, and stretched out towards
them a vast threatening hand, terrible but impotent: for even
as it leaned over them, a great wind took it, and it was all
blown away, and passed; and then a hush fell.
The Captains bowed their heads; and when they looked
up again, behold! their enemies were flying and the power of
the field of cormallen 1243
Mordor was scattering like dust in the wind. As when
death smites the swollen brooding thing that inhabits their
crawling hill and holds them all in sway, ants will wander
witless and purposeless and then feebly die, so the creatures
of Sauron, orc or troll or beast spell-enslaved, ran hither
and thither mindless; and some slew themselves, or cast
themselves in pits, or fled wailing back to hide in holes
and dark lightless places far from hope. But the Men of
Rhu\u02c6n and of Harad, Easterling and Southron, saw the ruin
of their war and the great majesty and glory of the Captains
of the West. And those that were deepest and longest in evil
servitude, hating the West, and yet were men proud and bold,
in their turn now gathered themselves for a last stand of
desperate battle. But the most part fled eastward as they
could; and some cast their weapons down and sued for
mercy.
Then Gandalf, leaving all such matters of battle and command to Aragorn and the other lords, stood upon the hill-top
and called; and down to him came the great eagle, Gwaihir
the Windlord, and stood before him.
\u2018Twice you have borne me, Gwaihir my friend,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018Thrice shall pay for all, if you are willing. You will
not find me a burden much greater than when you bore me
from Zirakzigil, where my old life burned away.\u2019
\u2018I would bear you,\u2019 answered Gwaihir, \u2018whither you will,
even were you made of stone.\u2019
\u2018Then come, and let your brother go with us, and some
other of your folk who is most swift! For we have need of
speed greater than any wind, outmatching the wings of the
Nazgu\u02c6l.\u2019
\u2018The North Wind blows, but we shall outfly it,\u2019 said
Gwaihir. And he lifted up Gandalf and sped away south, and
with him went Landroval, and Meneldor young and swift.
And they passed over Udu\u02c6n and Gorgoroth and saw all the
land in ruin and tumult beneath them, and before them
Mount Doom blazing, pouring out its fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1244 the return of the king
\u2018I am glad that you are here with me,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Here at
the end of all things, Sam.\u2019
\u2018Yes, I am with you, Master,\u2019 said Sam, laying Frodo\u2019s
wounded hand gently to his breast. \u2018And you\u2019re with me.
And the journey\u2019s finished. But after coming all that way I
don\u2019t want to give up yet. It\u2019s not like me, somehow, if you
understand.\u2019
\u2018Maybe not, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo; \u2018but it\u2019s like things are in
the world. Hopes fail. An end comes. We have only a little
time to wait now. We are lost in ruin and downfall, and there
is no escape.\u2019
\u2018Well, Master, we could at least go further from this
dangerous place here, from this Crack of Doom, if that\u2019s its
name. Now couldn\u2019t we? Come, Mr. Frodo, let\u2019s go down
the path at any rate!\u2019
\u2018Very well, Sam. If you wish to go, I\u2019ll come,\u2019 said Frodo;
and they rose and went slowly down the winding road; and
even as they passed towards the Mountain\u2019s quaking feet, a
great smoke and steam belched from the Sammath Naur,
and the side of the cone was riven open, and a huge fiery
vomit rolled in slow thunderous cascade down the eastern
mountain-side.
Frodo and Sam could go no further. Their last strength of
mind and body was swiftly ebbing. They had reached a low
ashen hill piled at the Mountain\u2019s foot; but from it there was
no more escape. It was an island now, not long to endure,
amid the torment of Orodruin. All about it the earth gaped,
and from deep rifts and pits smoke and fumes leaped up.
Behind them the Mountain was convulsed. Great rents
opened in its side. Slow rivers of fire came down the long
slopes towards them. Soon they would be engulfed. A rain
of hot ash was falling.
They stood now; and Sam still holding his master\u2019s hand
caressed it. He sighed. \u2018What a tale we have been in, Mr.
Frodo, haven\u2019t we?\u2019 he said. \u2018I wish I could hear it told! Do
you think they\u2019ll say: Now comes the story of Nine-fingered
Frodo and the Ring of Doom? And then everyone will hush,
the field of cormallen 1245
like we did, when in Rivendell they told us the tale of Beren
One-hand and the Great Jewel. I wish I could hear it! And I
wonder how it will go on after our part.\u2019
But even while he spoke so, to keep fear away until the
very last, his eyes still strayed north, north into the eye of the
wind, to where the sky far off was clear, as the cold blast,
rising to a gale, drove back the darkness and the ruin of the
clouds.
And so it was that Gwaihir saw them with his keen farseeing eyes, as down the wild wind he came, and daring the
great peril of the skies he circled in the air: two small dark
figures, forlorn, hand in hand upon a little hill, while the
world shook under them, and gasped, and rivers of fire drew
near. And even as he espied them and came swooping down,
he saw them fall, worn out, or choked with fumes and heat,
or stricken down by despair at last, hiding their eyes from
death.
Side by side they lay; and down swept Gwaihir, and down
came Landroval and Meneldor the swift; and in a dream, not
knowing what fate had befallen them, the wanderers were
lifted up and borne far away out of the darkness and the fire.
When Sam awoke, he found that he was lying on some
soft bed, but over him gently swayed wide beechen boughs,
and through their young leaves sunlight glimmered, green
and gold. All the air was full of a sweet mingled scent.
He remembered that smell: the fragrance of Ithilien. \u2018Bless
me!\u2019 he mused. \u2018How long have I been asleep?\u2019 For the scent
had borne him back to the day when he had lit his little fire
under the sunny bank; and for the moment all else between
was out of waking memory. He stretched and drew a deep
breath. \u2018Why, what a dream I\u2019ve had!\u2019 he muttered. \u2018I am
glad to wake!\u2019 He sat up and then he saw that Frodo was
lying beside him, and slept peacefully, one hand behind his
head, and the other resting upon the coverlet. It was the right
hand, and the third finger was missing.
1246 the return of the king
Full memory flooded back, and Sam cried aloud: \u2018It wasn\u2019t
a dream! Then where are we?\u2019
And a voice spoke softly behind him: \u2018In the land of
Ithilien, and in the keeping of the King; and he awaits you.\u2019
With that Gandalf stood before him, robed in white, his
beard now gleaming like pure snow in the twinkling of the
leafy sunlight. \u2018Well, Master Samwise, how do you feel?\u2019
he said.
But Sam lay back, and stared with open mouth, and for a
moment, between bewilderment and great joy, he could not
answer. At last he gasped: \u2018Gandalf! I thought you were dead!
But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going
to come untrue? What\u2019s happened to the world?\u2019
\u2018A great Shadow has departed,\u2019 said Gandalf, and then he
laughed, and the sound was like music, or like water in a
parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam
that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment,
for days upon days without count. It fell upon his ears like
the echo of all the joys he had ever known. But he himself
burst into tears. Then, as a sweet rain will pass down a wind
of spring and the sun will shine out the clearer, his tears
ceased, and his laughter welled up, and laughing he sprang
from his bed.
\u2018How do I feel?\u2019 he cried. \u2018Well, I don\u2019t know how
to say it. I feel, I feel\u2019 \u2013 he waved his arms in the air \u2013 \u2018I
feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and
like trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!\u2019
He stopped and he turned towards his master. \u2018But how\u2019s
Mr. Frodo?\u2019 he said. \u2018Isn\u2019t it a shame about his poor
hand? But I hope he\u2019s all right otherwise. He\u2019s had a cruel
time.\u2019
\u2018Yes, I am all right otherwise,\u2019 said Frodo, sitting up and
laughing in his turn. \u2018I fell asleep again waiting for you, Sam,
you sleepy-head. I was awake early this morning, and now it
must be nearly noon.\u2019
\u2018Noon?\u2019 said Sam, trying to calculate. \u2018Noon of what
day?\u2019
the field of cormallen 1247
\u2018The fourteenth of the New Year,\u2019 said Gandalf; \u2018or if you
like, the eighth day of April in the Shire-reckoning.* But
in Gondor the New Year will always now begin upon the
twenty-fifth of March when Sauron fell, and when you were
brought out of the fire to the King. He has tended you, and
now he awaits you. You shall eat and drink with him. When
you are ready I will lead you to him.\u2019
\u2018The King?\u2019 said Sam. \u2018What king, and who is he?\u2019
\u2018The King of Gondor and Lord of the Western Lands,\u2019
said Gandalf; \u2018and he has taken back all his ancient realm.
He will ride soon to his crowning, but he waits for you.\u2019
\u2018What shall we wear?\u2019 said Sam; for all he could see was
the old and tattered clothes that they had journeyed in, lying
folded on the ground beside their beds.
\u2018The clothes that you wore on your way to Mordor,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018Even the orc-rags that you bore in the black land,
Frodo, shall be preserved. No silks and linens, nor any
armour or heraldry could be more honourable. But later I
will find some other clothes, perhaps.\u2019
Then he held out his hands to them, and they saw that one
shone with light. \u2018What have you got there?\u2019 Frodo cried.
\u2018Can it be\u2014\u2014?\u2019
\u2018Yes, I have brought your two treasures. They were found
on Sam when you were rescued, the Lady Galadriel\u2019s gifts:
your glass, Frodo, and your box, Sam. You will be glad to
have these safe again.\u2019
When they were washed and clad, and had eaten a light
meal, the Hobbits followed Gandalf. They stepped out of the
beech-grove in which they had lain, and passed on to a long
green lawn, glowing in sunshine, bordered by stately darkleaved trees laden with scarlet blossom. Behind them they
could hear the sound of falling water, and a stream ran down
before them between flowering banks, until it came to a
greenwood at the lawn\u2019s foot and passed then on under an<\/p>\n\n\n\n
homeward bound 1303
The travellers stayed in Bree all the next day, and Mr.
Butterbur could not complain of his business next evening at
any rate. Curiosity overcame all fears, and his house was
crowded. For a while out of politeness the hobbits visited the
Common Room in the evening and answered a good many
questions. Bree memories being retentive, Frodo was asked
many times if he had written his book.
\u2018Not yet,\u2019 he answered. \u2018I am going home now to put my
notes in order.\u2019 He promised to deal with the amazing events
at Bree, and so give a bit of interest to a book that appeared
likely to treat mostly of the remote and less important affairs
\u2018away south\u2019.
Then one of the younger folk called for a song. But at that
a hush fell, and he was frowned down, and the call was not
repeated. Evidently there was no wish for any uncanny events
in the Common Room again.
No trouble by day, nor any sound by night, disturbed the
peace of Bree while the travellers remained there; but the
next morning they got up early, for as the weather was still
rainy they wished to reach the Shire before night, and it was
a long ride. The Bree folk were all out to see them off, and
were in merrier mood than they had been for a year; and
those who had not seen the strangers in all their gear before
gaped with wonder at them: at Gandalf with his white beard,
and the light that seemed to gleam from him, as if his blue
mantle was only a cloud over sunshine; and at the four
hobbits like riders upon errantry out of almost forgotten tales.
Even those who had laughed at all the talk about the King
began to think there might be some truth in it.
\u2018Well, good luck on your road, and good luck to your
homecoming!\u2019 said Mr. Butterbur. \u2018I should have warned
you before that all\u2019s not well in the Shire neither, if what
we hear is true. Funny goings on, they say. But one thing
drives out another, and I was full of my own troubles. But if
I may be so bold, you\u2019ve come back changed from your
travels, and you look now like folk as can deal with troubles
out of hand. I don\u2019t doubt you\u2019ll soon set all to rights. Good
1304 the return of the king
luck to you! And the oftener you come back the better I\u2019ll be
pleased.\u2019
They wished him farewell and rode away, and passed
through the West-gate and on towards the Shire. Bill the
pony was with them, and as before he had a good deal of
baggage, but he trotted along beside Sam and seemed well
content.
\u2018I wonder what old Barliman was hinting at,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018I can guess some of it,\u2019 said Sam gloomily. \u2018What I saw in
the Mirror: trees cut down and all, and my old gaffer turned
out of the Row. I ought to have hurried back quicker.\u2019
\u2018And something\u2019s wrong with the Southfarthing evidently,\u2019
said Merry. \u2018There\u2019s a general shortage of pipe-weed.\u2019
\u2018Whatever it is,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018Lotho will be at the bottom
of it: you can be sure of that.\u2019
\u2018Deep in, but not at the bottom,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018You have
forgotten Saruman. He began to take an interest in the Shire
before Mordor did.\u2019
\u2018Well, we\u2019ve got you with us,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018so things will
soon be cleared up.\u2019
\u2018I am with you at present,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018but soon I shall
not be. I am not coming to the Shire. You must settle its
affairs yourselves; that is what you have been trained for. Do
you not yet understand? My time is over: it is no longer my
task to set things to rights, nor to help folk to do so. And as
for you, my dear friends, you will need no help. You are
grown up now. Grown indeed very high; among the great
you are, and I have no longer any fear at all for any of you.
\u2018But if you would know, I am turning aside soon. I am
going to have a long talk with Bombadil: such a talk as I have
not had in all my time. He is a moss-gatherer, and I have
been a stone doomed to rolling. But my rolling days are
ending, and now we shall have much to say to one another.\u2019
In a little while they came to the point on the East Road
where they had taken leave of Bombadil; and they hoped and
homeward bound 1305
half expected to see him standing there to greet them as they
went by. But there was no sign of him; and there was a grey
mist on the Barrow-downs southwards, and a deep veil over
the Old Forest far away.
They halted and Frodo looked south wistfully. \u2018I should
dearly like to see the old fellow again,\u2019 he said. \u2018I wonder how
he is getting on?\u2019
\u2018As well as ever, you may be sure,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Quite
untroubled; and I should guess, not much interested in anything that we have done or seen, unless perhaps in our visits
to the Ents. There may be a time later for you to go and see
him. But if I were you, I should press on now for home, or
you will not come to the Brandywine Bridge before the gates
are locked.\u2019
\u2018But there aren\u2019t any gates,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018not on the Road;
you know that quite well. There\u2019s the Buckland Gate, of
course; but they\u2019ll let me through that at any time.\u2019
\u2018There weren\u2019t any gates, you mean,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I think
you will find some now. And you might have more trouble
even at the Buckland Gate than you think. But you\u2019ll manage
all right. Good-bye, dear friends! Not for the last time, not
yet. Good-bye!\u2019
He turned Shadowfax off the Road, and the great horse
leaped the green dike that here ran beside it; and then at a
cry from Gandalf he was gone, racing towards the Barrowdowns like a wind from the North.
\u2018Well here we are, just the four of us that started out
together,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018We have left all the rest behind, one
after another. It seems almost like a dream that has slowly
faded.\u2019
\u2018Not to me,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018To me it feels more like falling
asleep again.\u2019
Chapter 8
THE SCOURING OF THE SHIRE
It was after nightfall when, wet and tired, the travellers came
at last to the Brandywine, and they found the way barred. At
either end of the Bridge there was a great spiked gate; and
on the further side of the river they could see that some new
houses had been built: two-storeyed with narrow straightsided windows, bare and dimly lit, all very gloomy and unShirelike.
They hammered on the outer gate and called, but there
was at first no answer; and then to their surprise someone
blew a horn, and the lights in the windows went out. A voice
shouted in the dark:
\u2018Who\u2019s that? Be off! You can\u2019t come in. Can\u2019t you read
the notice: No admittance between sundown and sunrise?\u2019
\u2018Of course we can\u2019t read the notice in the dark,\u2019 Sam
shouted back. \u2018And if hobbits of the Shire are to be kept out
in the wet on a night like this, I\u2019ll tear down your notice when
I find it.\u2019
At that a window slammed, and a crowd of hobbits with
lanterns poured out of the house on the left. They opened
the further gate, and some came over the bridge. When they
saw the travellers they seemed frightened.
\u2018Come along!\u2019 said Merry, recognizing one of the hobbits.
\u2018If you don\u2019t know me, Hob Hayward, you ought to. I am
Merry Brandybuck, and I should like to know what all this is
about, and what a Bucklander like you is doing here. You
used to be on the Hay Gate.\u2019
\u2018Bless me! It\u2019s Master Merry, to be sure, and all dressed
up for fighting!\u2019 said old Hob. \u2018Why, they said you was dead!
Lost in the Old Forest by all accounts. I\u2019m pleased to see you
alive after all!\u2019
the scouring of the shire 1307
\u2018Then stop gaping at me through the bars, and open the
gate!\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018I\u2019m sorry, Master Merry, but we have orders.\u2019
\u2018Whose orders?\u2019
\u2018The Chief\u2019s up at Bag End.\u2019
\u2018Chief ? Chief ? Do you mean Mr. Lotho?\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018I suppose so, Mr. Baggins; but we have to say just \u2018\u2018the
Chief\u2019\u2019 nowadays.\u2019
\u2018Do you indeed!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Well, I am glad he has
dropped the Baggins at any rate. But it is evidently high time
that the family dealt with him and put him in his place.\u2019
A hush fell on the hobbits beyond the gate. \u2018It won\u2019t do
no good talking that way,\u2019 said one. \u2018He\u2019ll get to hear of it.
And if you make so much noise, you\u2019ll wake the Chief\u2019s Big
Man.\u2019
\u2018We shall wake him up in a way that will surprise him,\u2019
said Merry. \u2018If you mean that your precious Chief has been
hiring ruffians out of the wild, then we\u2019ve not come back too
soon.\u2019 He sprang from his pony, and seeing the notice in the
light of the lanterns, he tore it down and threw it over the
gate. The hobbits backed away and made no move to open
it. \u2018Come on, Pippin!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Two is enough.\u2019
Merry and Pippin climbed the gate, and the hobbits
fled. Another horn sounded. Out of the bigger house on the
right a large heavy figure appeared against a light in the
doorway.
\u2018What\u2019s all this,\u2019 he snarled as he came forward. \u2018Gatebreaking? You clear out, or I\u2019ll break your filthy little necks!\u2019
Then he stopped, for he had caught the gleam of swords.
\u2018Bill Ferny,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018if you don\u2019t open that gate in ten
seconds, you\u2019ll regret it. I shall set steel to you, if you don\u2019t
obey. And when you have opened the gates you will go
through them and never return. You are a ruffian and a
highway-robber.\u2019
Bill Ferny flinched and shuffled to the gate and unlocked
it. \u2018Give me the key!\u2019 said Merry. But the ruffian flung it at
his head and then darted out into the darkness. As he passed
1308 the return of the king
the ponies one of them let fly with his heels and just caught
him as he ran. He went off with a yelp into the night and was
never heard of again.
\u2018Neat work, Bill,\u2019 said Sam, meaning the pony.
\u2018So much for your Big Man,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018We\u2019ll see
the Chief later. In the meantime we want a lodging for the
night, and as you seem to have pulled down the Bridge
Inn and built this dismal place instead, you\u2019ll have to put
us up.\u2019
\u2018I am sorry, Mr. Merry,\u2019 said Hob, \u2018but it isn\u2019t allowed.\u2019
\u2018What isn\u2019t allowed?\u2019
\u2018Taking in folk off-hand like, and eating extra food, and all
that,\u2019 said Hob.
\u2018What\u2019s the matter with the place?\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Has it
been a bad year, or what? I thought it had been a fine summer
and harvest.\u2019
\u2018Well no, the year\u2019s been good enough,\u2019 said Hob. \u2018We
grows a lot of food, but we don\u2019t rightly know what becomes
of it. It\u2019s all these \u2018\u2018gatherers\u2019\u2019 and \u2018\u2018sharers\u2019\u2019, I reckon, going
round counting and measuring and taking off to storage.
They do more gathering than sharing, and we never see most
of the stuff again.\u2019
\u2018Oh come!\u2019 said Pippin yawning. \u2018This is all too tiresome
for me tonight. We\u2019ve got food in our bags. Just give us a
room to lie down in. It\u2019ll be better than many places I have
seen.\u2019
The hobbits at the gate still seemed ill at ease, evidently
some rule or other was being broken; but there was no gainsaying four such masterful travellers, all armed, and two of
them uncommonly large and strong-looking. Frodo ordered
the gates to be locked again. There was some sense at any
rate in keeping a guard, while ruffians were still about. Then
the four companions went into the hobbit guard-house and
made themselves as comfortable as they could. It was a bare
and ugly place, with a mean little grate that would not allow
a good fire. In the upper rooms were little rows of hard beds,
the scouring of the shire 1309
and on every wall there was a notice and a list of Rules.
Pippin tore them down. There was no beer and very little
food, but with what the travellers brought and shared out
they all made a fair meal; and Pippin broke Rule 4 by putting
most of next day\u2019s allowance of wood on the fire.
\u2018Well now, what about a smoke, while you tell us what has
been happening in the Shire?\u2019 he said.
\u2018There isn\u2019t no pipe-weed now,\u2019 said Hob; \u2018at least only
for the Chief\u2019s men. All the stocks seem to have gone. We
do hear that waggon-loads of it went away down the old road
out of the Southfarthing, over Sarn Ford way. That would
be the end o\u2019 last year, after you left. But it had been going
away quietly before that, in a small way. That Lotho\u2014\u2014\u2019
\u2018Now you shut up, Hob Hayward!\u2019 cried several of the
others. \u2018You know talk o\u2019 that sort isn\u2019t allowed. The Chief
will hear of it, and we\u2019ll all be in trouble.\u2019
\u2018He wouldn\u2019t hear naught, if some of you here weren\u2019t
sneaks,\u2019 rejoined Hob hotly.
\u2018All right, all right!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018That\u2019s quite enough. I don\u2019t
want to hear no more. No welcome, no beer, no smoke, and
a lot of rules and orc-talk instead. I hoped to have a rest, but
I can see there\u2019s work and trouble ahead. Let\u2019s sleep and
forget it till morning!\u2019
The new \u2018Chief\u2019 evidently had means of getting news. It
was a good forty miles from the Bridge to Bag End, but
someone made the journey in a hurry. So Frodo and his
friends soon discovered.
They had not made any definite plans, but had vaguely
thought of going down to Crickhollow together first, and
resting there a bit. But now, seeing what things were like,
they decided to go straight to Hobbiton. So the next day they
set out along the Road and jogged along steadily. The wind
had dropped but the sky was grey. The land looked rather
sad and forlorn; but it was after all the first of November and
the fag-end of autumn. Still there seemed an unusual amount
of burning going on, and smoke rose from many points round
1310 the return of the king
about. A great cloud of it was going up far away in the
direction of the Woody End.
As evening fell they were drawing near to Frogmorton, a
village right on the Road, about twenty-two miles from the
Bridge. There they meant to stay the night; The Floating Log
at Frogmorton was a good inn. But as they came to the east
end of the village they met a barrier with a large board saying
no road; and behind it stood a large band of Shirriffs with
staves in their hands and feathers in their caps, looking both
important and rather scared.
\u2018What\u2019s all this?\u2019 said Frodo, feeling inclined to laugh.
\u2018This is what it is, Mr. Baggins,\u2019 said the leader of the
Shirriffs, a two-feather hobbit: \u2018You\u2019re arrested for Gatebreaking, and Tearing up of Rules, and Assaulting Gatekeepers, and Trespassing, and Sleeping in Shire-buildings
without Leave, and Bribing Guards with Food.\u2019
\u2018And what else?\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018That\u2019ll do to go on with,\u2019 said the Shirriff-leader.
\u2018I can add some more, if you\u2019d like it,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Calling
your Chief Names, Wishing to punch his Pimply Face, and
Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools.\u2019
\u2018There now, Mister, that\u2019ll do. It\u2019s the Chief\u2019s orders that
you\u2019re to come along quiet. We\u2019re going to take you to
Bywater and hand you over to the Chief\u2019s Men; and when
he deals with your case you can have your say. But if you
don\u2019t want to stay in the Lockholes any longer than you need,
I should cut the say short, if I was you.\u2019
To the discomfiture of the Shirriffs Frodo and his companions all roared with laughter. \u2018Don\u2019t be absurd!\u2019 said
Frodo. \u2018I am going where I please, and in my own time. I
happen to be going to Bag End on business, but if you insist
on going too, well that is your affair.\u2019
\u2018Very well, Mr. Baggins,\u2019 said the leader, pushing the
barrier aside. \u2018But don\u2019t forget I\u2019ve arrested you.\u2019
\u2018I won\u2019t,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Never. But I may forgive you. Now
I am not going any further today, so if you\u2019ll kindly escort
me to The Floating Log, I\u2019ll be obliged.\u2019
the scouring of the shire 1311
\u2018I can\u2019t do that, Mr. Baggins. The inn\u2019s closed. There\u2019s a
Shirriff-house at the far end of the village. I\u2019ll take you there.\u2019
\u2018All right,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Go on and we\u2019ll follow.\u2019
Sam had been looking the Shirriffs up and down and
had spotted one that he knew. \u2018Hey, come here Robin
Smallburrow!\u2019 he called. \u2018I want a word with you.\u2019
With a sheepish glance at his leader, who looked wrathful
but did not dare to interfere, Shirriff Smallburrow fell back
and walked beside Sam, who got down off his pony.
\u2018Look here, Cock-robin!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018You\u2019re Hobbiton-bred
and ought to have more sense, coming a-waylaying Mr.
Frodo and all. And what\u2019s all this about the inn being closed?\u2019
\u2018They\u2019re all closed,\u2019 said Robin. \u2018The Chief doesn\u2019t hold
with beer. Leastways that is how it started. But now I reckon
it\u2019s his Men that has it all. And he doesn\u2019t hold with folk
moving about; so if they will or they must, then they has to
go to the Shirriff-house and explain their business.\u2019
\u2018You ought to be ashamed of yourself having anything to
do with such nonsense,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018You used to like the inside
of an inn better than the outside yourself. You were always
popping in, on duty or off.\u2019
\u2018And so I would be still, Sam, if I could. But don\u2019t be hard
on me. What can I do? You know how I went for a Shirriff
seven years ago, before any of this began. Gave me a chance
of walking round the country and seeing folk, and hearing
the news, and knowing where the good beer was. But now
it\u2019s different.\u2019
\u2018But you can give it up, stop Shirriffing, if it has stopped
being a respectable job,\u2019 said Sam.
\u2018We\u2019re not allowed to,\u2019 said Robin.
\u2018If I hear not allowed much oftener,\u2019 said Sam, \u2018I\u2019m going
to get angry.\u2019
\u2018Can\u2019t say as I\u2019d be sorry to see it,\u2019 said Robin lowering his
voice. \u2018If we all got angry together something might be done.
But it\u2019s these Men, Sam, the Chief\u2019s Men. He sends them
round everywhere, and if any of us small folk stand up for
1312 the return of the king
our rights, they drag him off to the Lockholes. They took
old Flourdumpling, old Will Whitfoot the Mayor, first, and
they\u2019ve taken a lot more. Lately it\u2019s been getting worse. Often
they beat \u2019em now.\u2019
\u2018Then why do you do their work for them?\u2019 said Sam
angrily. \u2018Who sent you to Frogmorton?\u2019
\u2018No one did. We stay here in the big Shirriff-house. We\u2019re
the First Eastfarthing Troop now. There\u2019s hundreds of Shirriffs all told, and they want more, with all these new rules.
Most of them are in it against their will, but not all. Even in
the Shire there are some as like minding other folk\u2019s business
and talking big. And there\u2019s worse than that: there\u2019s a few as
do spy-work for the Chief and his Men.\u2019
\u2018Ah! So that\u2019s how you had news of us, is it?\u2019
\u2018That\u2019s right. We aren\u2019t allowed to send by it now, but they
use the old Quick Post service, and keep special runners at
different points. One came in from Whitfurrows last night
with a \u2018\u2018secret message\u2019\u2019, and another took it on from here.
And a message came back this afternoon saying you was to
be arrested and taken to Bywater, not direct to the Lockholes.
The Chief wants to see you at once, evidently.\u2019
\u2018He won\u2019t be so eager when Mr. Frodo has finished with
him,\u2019 said Sam.
The Shirriff-house at Frogmorton was as bad as the
Bridge-house. It had only one storey, but it had the same
narrow windows, and it was built of ugly pale bricks, badly
laid. Inside it was damp and cheerless, and supper was served
on a long bare table that had not been scrubbed for weeks.
The food deserved no better setting. The travellers were glad
to leave the place. It was about eighteen miles to Bywater,
and they set off at ten o\u2019clock in the morning. They would
have started earlier, only the delay so plainly annoyed the
Shirriff-leader. The west wind had shifted northward and it
was turning colder, but the rain was gone.
It was rather a comic cavalcade that left the village, though
the few folk that came out to stare at the \u2018get-up\u2019 of the
the scouring of the shire 1313
travellers did not seem quite sure whether laughing was
allowed. A dozen Shirriffs had been told off as escort to the
\u2018prisoners\u2019; but Merry made them march in front, while
Frodo and his friends rode behind. Merry, Pippin, and Sam
sat at their ease laughing and talking and singing, while the
Shirriffs stumped along trying to look stern and important.
Frodo, however, was silent and looked rather sad and
thoughtful.
The last person they passed was a sturdy old gaffer clipping
a hedge. \u2018Hullo, hullo!\u2019 he jeered. \u2018Now who\u2019s arrested who?\u2019
Two of the Shirriffs immediately left the party and went
towards him. \u2018Leader!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Order your fellows back
to their places at once, if you don\u2019t want me to deal with
them!\u2019
The two hobbits at a sharp word from the leader came
back sulkily. \u2018Now get on!\u2019 said Merry, and after that the
travellers saw to it that their ponies\u2019 pace was quick enough
to push the Shirriffs along as fast as they could go. The sun
came out, and in spite of the chilly wind they were soon
puffing and sweating.
At the Three-Farthing Stone they gave it up. They had
done nearly fourteen miles with only one rest at noon. It was
now three o\u2019clock. They were hungry and very footsore and
they could not stand the pace.
\u2018Well, come along in your own time!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018We are
going on.\u2019
\u2018Good-bye, Cock-robin!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018I\u2019ll wait for you outside The Green Dragon, if you haven\u2019t forgotten where that
is. Don\u2019t dawdle on the way!\u2019
\u2018You\u2019re breaking arrest, that\u2019s what you\u2019re doing,\u2019 said the
leader ruefully, \u2018and I can\u2019t be answerable.\u2019
\u2018We shall break a good many things yet, and not ask you
to answer,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Good luck to you!\u2019
The travellers trotted on, and as the sun began to sink
towards the White Downs far away on the western horizon
they came to Bywater by its wide pool; and there they had
1314 the return of the king
their first really painful shock. This was Frodo and Sam\u2019s
own country, and they found out now that they cared about
it more than any other place in the world. Many of the houses
that they had known were missing. Some seemed to have
been burned down. The pleasant row of old hobbit-holes in
the bank on the north side of the Pool were deserted, and
their little gardens that used to run down bright to the water\u2019s
edge were rank with weeds. Worse, there was a whole line of
the ugly new houses all along Pool Side, where the Hobbiton
Road ran close to the bank. An avenue of trees had stood
there. They were all gone. And looking with dismay up the
road towards Bag End they saw a tall chimney of brick in the
distance. It was pouring out black smoke into the evening air.
Sam was beside himself. \u2018I\u2019m going right on, Mr. Frodo!\u2019
he cried. \u2018I\u2019m going to see what\u2019s up. I want to find my
gaffer.\u2019
\u2018We ought to find out first what we\u2019re in for, Sam,\u2019 said
Merry. \u2018I guess that the \u2018\u2018Chief\u2019\u2019 will have a gang of ruffians
handy. We had better find someone who will tell us how
things are round here.\u2019
But in the village of Bywater all the houses and holes were
shut, and no one greeted them. They wondered at this, but
they soon discovered the reason of it. When they reached
The Green Dragon, the last house on the Hobbiton side, now
lifeless and with broken windows, they were disturbed to
see half a dozen large ill-favoured Men lounging against the
inn-wall; they were squint-eyed and sallow-faced.
\u2018Like that friend of Bill Ferny\u2019s at Bree,\u2019 said Sam.
\u2018Like many that I saw at Isengard,\u2019 muttered Merry.
The ruffians had clubs in their hands and horns by their
belts, but they had no other weapons, as far as could be seen.
As the travellers rode up they left the wall and walked into
the road, blocking the way.
\u2018Where d\u2019you think you\u2019re going?\u2019 said one, the largest and
most evil-looking of the crew. \u2018There\u2019s no road for you any
further. And where are those precious Shirriffs?\u2019
the scouring of the shire 1315
\u2018Coming along nicely,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018A little footsore, perhaps. We promised to wait for them here.\u2019
\u2018Garn, what did I say?\u2019 said the ruffian to his mates. \u2018I told
Sharkey it was no good trusting those little fools. Some of
our chaps ought to have been sent.\u2019
\u2018And what difference would that have made, pray?\u2019 said
Merry. \u2018We are not used to footpads in this country, but we
know how to deal with them.\u2019
\u2018Footpads, eh?\u2019 said the man. \u2018So that\u2019s your tone, is it?
Change it, or we\u2019ll change it for you. You little folk are getting
too uppish. Don\u2019t you trust too much in the Boss\u2019s kind
heart. Sharkey\u2019s come now, and he\u2019ll do what Sharkey says.\u2019
\u2018And what may that be?\u2019 said Frodo quietly.
\u2018This country wants waking up and setting to rights,\u2019 said
the ruffian, \u2018and Sharkey\u2019s going to do it; and make it hard,
if you drive him to it. You need a bigger Boss. And you\u2019ll get
one before the year is out, if there\u2019s any more trouble. Then
you\u2019ll learn a thing or two, you little rat-folk.\u2019
\u2018Indeed. I am glad to hear of your plans,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I am
on my way to call on Mr. Lotho, and he may be interested
to hear of them too.\u2019
The ruffian laughed. \u2018Lotho! He knows all right. Don\u2019t you
worry. He\u2019ll do what Sharkey says. Because if a Boss gives
trouble, we can change him. See? And if little folks try to
push in where they\u2019re not wanted, we can put them out of
mischief. See?\u2019
\u2018Yes, I see,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018For one thing, I see that you\u2019re
behind the times and the news here. Much has happened
since you left the South. Your day is over, and all other
ruffians\u2019. The Dark Tower has fallen, and there is a King in
Gondor. And Isengard has been destroyed, and your precious
master is a beggar in the wilderness. I passed him on the
road. The King\u2019s messengers will ride up the Greenway now,
not bullies from Isengard.\u2019
The man stared at him and smiled. \u2018A beggar in the wilderness!\u2019 he mocked. \u2018Oh, is he indeed? Swagger it, swagger it,
my little cock-a-whoop. But that won\u2019t stop us living in this
1316 the return of the king
fat little country where you have lazed long enough. And\u2019 \u2013
he snapped his fingers in Frodo\u2019s face \u2013 \u2018King\u2019s messengers!
That for them! When I see one, I\u2019ll take notice, perhaps.\u2019
This was too much for Pippin. His thoughts went back to
the Field of Cormallen, and here was a squint-eyed rascal
calling the Ring-bearer \u2018little cock-a-whoop\u2019. He cast back
his cloak, flashed out his sword, and the silver and sable of
Gondor gleamed on him as he rode forward.
\u2018I am a messenger of the King,\u2019 he said. \u2018You are speaking
to the King\u2019s friend, and one of the most renowned in all the
lands of the West. You are a ruffian and a fool. Down on
your knees in the road and ask pardon, or I will set this troll\u2019s
bane in you!\u2019
The sword glinted in the westering sun. Merry and Sam
drew their swords also and rode up to support Pippin; but
Frodo did not move. The ruffians gave back. Scaring Breeland peasants, and bullying bewildered hobbits, had been
their work. Fearless hobbits with bright swords and grim
faces were a great surprise. And there was a note in the voices
of these newcomers that they had not heard before. It chilled
them with fear.
\u2018Go!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018If you trouble this village again, you will
regret it.\u2019 The three hobbits came on, and then the ruffians
turned and fled, running away up the Hobbiton Road; but
they blew their horns as they ran.
\u2018Well, we\u2019ve come back none too soon,\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018Not a day too soon. Perhaps too late, at any rate to save
Lotho,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Miserable fool, but I am sorry for him.\u2019
\u2018Save Lotho? Whatever do you mean?\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018Destroy him, I should say.\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t think you quite understand things, Pippin,\u2019 said
Frodo. \u2018Lotho never meant things to come to this pass. He
has been a wicked fool, but he\u2019s caught now. The ruffians
are on top, gathering, robbing and bullying, and running or
ruining things as they like, in his name. And not in his name
even for much longer. He\u2019s a prisoner in Bag End now, I
expect, and very frightened. We ought to try and rescue him.\u2019
the scouring of the shire 1317
\u2018Well I am staggered!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Of all the ends to our
journey that is the very last I should have thought of: to have
to fight half-orcs and ruffians in the Shire itself \u2013 to rescue
Lotho Pimple!\u2019
\u2018Fight?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Well, I suppose it may come to that.
But remember: there is to be no slaying of hobbits, not even
if they have gone over to the other side. Really gone over,
I mean; not just obeying ruffians\u2019 orders because they are
frightened. No hobbit has ever killed another on purpose in
the Shire, and it is not to begin now. And nobody is to be
killed at all, if it can be helped. Keep your tempers and hold
your hands to the last possible moment!\u2019
\u2018But if there are many of these ruffians,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018it will
certainly mean fighting. You won\u2019t rescue Lotho, or the
Shire, just by being shocked and sad, my dear Frodo.\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018It won\u2019t be so easy scaring them a
second time. They were taken by surprise. You heard that
horn-blowing? Evidently there are other ruffians near at
hand. They\u2019ll be much bolder when there\u2019s more of them
together. We ought to think of taking cover somewhere for
the night. After all we\u2019re only four, even if we are armed.\u2019
\u2018I\u2019ve an idea,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Let\u2019s go to old Tom Cotton\u2019s
down South Lane! He always was a stout fellow. And he has
a lot of lads that were all friends of mine.\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018It\u2019s no good \u2018\u2018getting under cover\u2019\u2019. That
is just what people have been doing, and just what these
ruffians like. They will simply come down on us in force,
corner us, and then drive us out, or burn us in. No, we have
got to do something at once.\u2019
\u2018Do what?\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018Raise the Shire!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Now! Wake all our people!
They hate all this, you can see: all of them except perhaps
one or two rascals, and a few fools that want to be important,
but don\u2019t at all understand what is really going on. But Shirefolk have been so comfortable so long they don\u2019t know what
to do. They just want a match, though, and they\u2019ll go up in
fire. The Chief\u2019s Men must know that. They\u2019ll try to stamp
1318 the return of the king
on us and put us out quick. We\u2019ve only got a very short time.
\u2018Sam, you can make a dash for Cotton\u2019s farm, if you like.
He\u2019s the chief person round here, and the sturdiest. Come
on! I am going to blow the horn of Rohan, and give them all
some music they have never heard before.\u2019
They rode back to the middle of the village. There Sam
turned aside and galloped off down the lane that led south
to Cotton\u2019s. He had not gone far when he heard a sudden
clear horn-call go up ringing into the sky. Far over hill and
field it echoed; and so compelling was that call that Sam
himself almost turned and dashed back. His pony reared and
neighed.
\u2018On, lad! On!\u2019 he cried. \u2018We\u2019ll be going back soon.\u2019
Then he heard Merry change the note, and up went the
Horn-cry of Buckland, shaking the air.
Awake! Awake! Fear, Fire, Foes! Awake!
Fire, Foes! Awake!
Behind him Sam heard a hubbub of voices and a great din
and slamming of doors. In front of him lights sprang out in
the gloaming; dogs barked; feet came running. Before he got
to the lane\u2019s end there was Farmer Cotton with three of his
lads, Young Tom, Jolly, and Nick, hurrying towards him.
They had axes in their hands, and barred the way.
\u2018Nay! It\u2019s not one of them ruffians,\u2019 Sam heard the farmer
say. \u2018It\u2019s a hobbit by the size of it, but all dressed up queer.
Hey!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Who are you, and what\u2019s all this to-do?\u2019
\u2018It\u2019s Sam, Sam Gamgee. I\u2019ve come back.\u2019
Farmer Cotton came up close and stared at him in the
twilight. \u2018Well!\u2019 he exclaimed. \u2018The voice is right, and your
face is no worse than it was, Sam. But I should a\u2019 passed
you in the street in that gear. You\u2019ve been in foreign parts,
seemingly. We feared you were dead.\u2019
\u2018That I ain\u2019t!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Nor Mr. Frodo. He\u2019s here and
his friends. And that\u2019s the to-do. They\u2019re raising the Shire.
the scouring of the shire 1319
We\u2019re going to clear out these ruffians, and their Chief too.
We\u2019re starting now.\u2019
\u2018Good, good!\u2019 cried Farmer Cotton. \u2018So it\u2019s begun at last!
I\u2019ve been itching for trouble all this year, but folks wouldn\u2019t
help. And I\u2019ve had the wife and Rosie to think of. These
ruffians don\u2019t stick at nothing. But come on now, lads!
Bywater is up! We must be in it!\u2019
\u2018What about Mrs. Cotton and Rosie?\u2019 said Sam. \u2018It isn\u2019t
safe yet for them to be left all alone.\u2019
\u2018My Nibs is with them. But you can go and help him, if
you have a mind,\u2019 said Farmer Cotton with a grin. Then he
and his sons ran off towards the village.
Sam hurried to the house. By the large round door at the
top of the steps from the wide yard stood Mrs. Cotton and
Rosie, and Nibs in front of them grasping a hay-fork.
\u2018It\u2019s me!\u2019 shouted Sam as he trotted up. \u2018Sam Gamgee! So
don\u2019t try prodding me, Nibs. Anyway, I\u2019ve a mail-shirt on
me.\u2019
He jumped down from his pony and went up the steps.
They stared at him in silence. \u2018Good evening, Mrs. Cotton!\u2019
he said. \u2018Hullo, Rosie!\u2019
\u2018Hullo, Sam!\u2019 said Rosie. \u2018Where\u2019ve you been? They said
you were dead; but I\u2019ve been expecting you since the spring.
You haven\u2019t hurried, have you?\u2019
\u2018Perhaps not,\u2019 said Sam abashed. \u2018But I\u2019m hurrying now.
We\u2019re setting about the ruffians, and I\u2019ve got to get back to
Mr. Frodo. But I thought I\u2019d have a look and see how Mrs.
Cotton was keeping, and you, Rosie.\u2019
\u2018We\u2019re keeping nicely, thank you,\u2019 said Mrs. Cotton. \u2018Or
should be, if it weren\u2019t for these thieving ruffians.\u2019
\u2018Well, be off with you!\u2019 said Rosie. \u2018If you\u2019ve been looking
after Mr. Frodo all this while, what d\u2019you want to leave him
for, as soon as things look dangerous?\u2019
This was too much for Sam. It needed a week\u2019s answer, or
none. He turned away and mounted his pony. But as he
started off, Rosie ran down the steps.
\u2018I think you look fine, Sam,\u2019 she said. \u2018Go on now! But
1320 the return of the king
take care of yourself, and come straight back as soon as you
have settled the ruffians!\u2019
When Sam got back he found the whole village roused.
Already, apart from many younger lads, more than a hundred
sturdy hobbits were assembled with axes, and heavy hammers,
and long knives, and stout staves; and a few had hunting-bows.
More were still coming in from outlying farms.
Some of the village-folk had lit a large fire, just to enliven
things, and also because it was one of the things forbidden
by the Chief. It burned bright as night came on. Others at
Merry\u2019s orders were setting up barriers across the road at
each end of the village. When the Shirriffs came up to the
lower one they were dumbfounded; but as soon as they saw
how things were, most of them took off their feathers and
joined in the revolt. The others slunk away.
Sam found Frodo and his friends by the fire talking to old
Tom Cotton, while an admiring crowd of Bywater folk stood
round and stared.
\u2018Well, what\u2019s the next move?\u2019 said Farmer Cotton.
\u2018I can\u2019t say,\u2019 said Frodo, \u2018until I know more. How many of
these ruffians are there?\u2019
\u2018That\u2019s hard to tell,\u2019 said Cotton. \u2018They moves about and
comes and goes. There\u2019s sometimes fifty of them in their
sheds up Hobbiton way; but they go out from there roving
round, thieving or \u2018\u2018gathering\u2019\u2019 as they call it. Still there\u2019s
seldom less than a score round the Boss, as they names him.
He\u2019s at Bag End, or was; but he don\u2019t go outside the grounds
now. No one\u2019s seen him at all, in fact, for a week or two; but
the Men don\u2019t let no one go near.\u2019
\u2018Hobbiton\u2019s not their only place, is it?\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018No, more\u2019s the pity,\u2019 said Cotton. \u2018There\u2019s a good few
down south in Longbottom and by Sarn Ford, I hear; and
some more lurking in the Woody End; and they\u2019ve sheds at
Waymeet. And then there\u2019s the Lockholes, as they call \u2019em:
the old storage-tunnels at Michel Delving that they\u2019ve made
into prisons for those as stand up to them. Still I reckon
the scouring of the shire 1321
there\u2019s not above three hundred of them in the Shire all told,
and maybe less. We can master them, if we stick together.\u2019
\u2018Have they got any weapons?\u2019 asked Merry.
\u2018Whips, knives, and clubs, enough for their dirty work:
that\u2019s all they\u2019ve showed so far,\u2019 said Cotton. \u2018But I dare say
they\u2019ve got other gear, if it comes to fighting. Some have
bows, anyway. They\u2019ve shot one or two of our folk.\u2019
\u2018There you are, Frodo!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018I knew we should
have to fight. Well, they started the killing.\u2019
\u2018Not exactly,\u2019 said Cotton. \u2018Leastways not the shooting.
Tooks started that. You see, your dad, Mr. Peregrin, he\u2019s
never had no truck with this Lotho, not from the beginning:
said that if anyone was going to play the chief at this time of
day, it would be the right Thain of the Shire and no upstart.
And when Lotho sent his Men they got no change out of
him. Tooks are lucky, they\u2019ve got those deep holes in the
Green Hills, the Great Smials and all, and the ruffians can\u2019t
come at \u2019em; and they won\u2019t let the ruffians come on their
land. If they do, Tooks hunt \u2019em. Tooks shot three for
prowling and robbing. After that the ruffians turned nastier.
And they keep a pretty close watch on Tookland. No one
gets in nor out of it now.\u2019
\u2018Good for the Tooks!\u2019 cried Pippin. \u2018But someone is going
to get in again, now. I am off to the Smials. Anyone coming
with me to Tuckborough?\u2019
Pippin rode off with half a dozen lads on ponies. \u2018See you
soon!\u2019 he cried. \u2018It\u2019s only fourteen miles or so over the fields.
I\u2019ll bring you back an army of Tooks in the morning.\u2019 Merry
blew a horn-call after them as they rode off into the gathering
night. The people cheered.
\u2018All the same,\u2019 said Frodo to all those who stood near, \u2018I
wish for no killing; not even of the ruffians, unless it must be
done, to prevent them from hurting hobbits.\u2019
\u2018All right!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018But we shall be having a visit from
the Hobbiton gang any time now, I think. They won\u2019t come
just to talk things over. We\u2019ll try to deal with them neatly,
but we must be prepared for the worst. Now I\u2019ve got a plan.\u2019
1322 the return of the king
\u2018Very good,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018You make the arrangements.\u2019
Just then some hobbits, who had been sent out towards
Hobbiton, came running in. \u2018They\u2019re coming!\u2019 they said. \u2018A
score or more. But two have gone off west across country.\u2019
\u2018To Waymeet, that\u2019ll be,\u2019 said Cotton, \u2018to fetch more of
the gang. Well, it\u2019s fifteen mile each way. We needn\u2019t trouble
about them just yet.\u2019
Merry hurried off to give orders. Farmer Cotton cleared
the street, sending everyone indoors, except the older hobbits
who had weapons of some sort. They had not long to wait.
Soon they could hear loud voices, and then the tramping of
heavy feet. Presently a whole squad of the ruffians came
down the road. They saw the barrier and laughed. They did
not imagine that there was anything in this little land that
would stand up to twenty of their kind together.
The hobbits opened the barrier and stood aside. \u2018Thank
you!\u2019 the Men jeered. \u2018Now run home to bed before you\u2019re
whipped.\u2019 Then they marched along the street shouting: \u2018Put
those lights out! Get indoors and stay there! Or we\u2019ll take
fifty of you to the Lockholes for a year. Get in! The Boss is
losing his temper.\u2019
No one paid any heed to their orders; but as the ruffians
passed, they closed in quietly behind and followed them.
When the Men reached the fire there was Farmer Cotton
standing all alone warming his hands.
\u2018Who are you, and what d\u2019you think you\u2019re doing?\u2019 said
the ruffian-leader.
Farmer Cotton looked at him slowly. \u2018I was just going to
ask you that,\u2019 he said. \u2018This isn\u2019t your country, and you\u2019re
not wanted.\u2019
\u2018Well, you\u2019re wanted anyhow,\u2019 said the leader. \u2018We want
you. Take him lads! Lockholes for him, and give him something to keep him quiet!\u2019
The Men took one step forward and stopped short. There
rose a roar of voices all round them, and suddenly they were
aware that Farmer Cotton was not all alone. They were surrounded. In the dark on the edge of the firelight stood a ring
the scouring of the shire 1323
of hobbits that had crept up out of the shadows. There was
nearly two hundred of them, all holding some weapon.
Merry stepped forward. \u2018We have met before,\u2019 he said to
the leader, \u2018and I warned you not to come back here. I warn
you again: you are standing in the light and you are covered
by archers. If you lay a finger on this farmer, or on anyone
else, you will be shot at once. Lay down any weapons that
you have!\u2019
The leader looked round. He was trapped. But he was not
scared, not now with a score of his fellows to back him. He
knew too little of hobbits to understand his peril. Foolishly
he decided to fight. It would be easy to break out.
\u2018At \u2019em, lads!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Let \u2019em have it!\u2019
With a long knife in his left hand and a club in the other
he made a rush at the ring, trying to burst out back towards
Hobbiton. He aimed a savage blow at Merry who stood in
his way. He fell dead with four arrows in him.
That was enough for the others. They gave in. Their
weapons were taken from them, and they were roped
together, and marched off to an empty hut that they had built
themselves, and there they were tied hand and foot, and
locked up under guard. The dead leader was dragged off and
buried.
\u2018Seems almost too easy after all, don\u2019t it?\u2019 said Cotton. \u2018I
said we could master them. But we needed a call. You came
back in the nick o\u2019 time, Mr. Merry.\u2019
\u2018There\u2019s more to be done still,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018If you\u2019re right
in your reckoning, we haven\u2019t dealt with a tithe of them yet.
But it\u2019s dark now. I think the next stroke must wait until
morning. Then we must call on the Chief.\u2019
\u2018Why not now?\u2019 said Sam. \u2018It\u2019s not much more than six
o\u2019clock. And I want to see my gaffer. D\u2019you know what\u2019s
come of him, Mr. Cotton?\u2019
\u2018He\u2019s not too well, and not too bad, Sam,\u2019 said the farmer.
\u2018They dug up Bagshot Row, and that was a sad blow to him.
He\u2019s in one of them new houses that the Chief\u2019s Men used
to build while they still did any work other than burning and
1324 the return of the king
thieving: not above a mile from the end of Bywater. But he
comes around to me, when he gets a chance, and I see he\u2019s
better fed than some of the poor bodies. All against The Rules,
of course. I\u2019d have had him with me, but that wasn\u2019t allowed.\u2019
\u2018Thank\u2019ee indeed, Mr. Cotton, and I\u2019ll never forget it,\u2019 said
Sam. \u2018But I want to see him. That Boss and that Sharkey, as
they spoke of, they might do a mischief up there before the
morning.\u2019
\u2018All right, Sam,\u2019 said Cotton. \u2018Choose a lad or two, and
go and fetch him to my house. You\u2019ll not have need to go
near the old Hobbiton village over Water. My Jolly here will
show you.\u2019
Sam went off. Merry arranged for look-outs round the
village and guards at the barriers during the night. Then
he and Frodo went off with Farmer Cotton. They sat with
the family in the warm kitchen, and the Cottons asked a few
polite questions about their travels, but hardly listened to the
answers: they were far more concerned with events in the
Shire.
\u2018It all began with Pimple, as we call him,\u2019 said Farmer
Cotton; \u2018and it began as soon as you\u2019d gone off, Mr. Frodo.
He\u2019d funny ideas, had Pimple. Seems he wanted to own
everything himself, and then order other folk about. It soon
came out that he already did own a sight more than was good
for him; and he was always grabbing more, though where he
got the money was a mystery: mills and malt-houses and
inns, and farms, and leaf-plantations. He\u2019d already bought
Sandyman\u2019s mill before he came to Bag End, seemingly.
\u2018Of course he started with a lot of property in the Southfarthing which he had from his dad; and it seems he\u2019d been
selling a lot o\u2019 the best leaf, and sending it away quietly for a
year or two. But at the end o\u2019 last year he began sending
away loads of stuff, not only leaf. Things began to get short,
and winter coming on, too. Folk got angry, but he had his
answer. A lot of Men, ruffians mostly, came with great waggons, some to carry off the goods south-away, and others to
the scouring of the shire 1325
stay. And more came. And before we knew where we were
they were planted here and there all over the Shire, and were
felling trees and digging and building themselves sheds and
houses just as they liked. At first goods and damage was paid
for by Pimple; but soon they began lording it around and
taking what they wanted.
\u2018Then there was a bit of trouble, but not enough. Old Will
the Mayor set off for Bag End to protest, but he never got
there. Ruffians laid hands on him and took and locked him
up in a hole in Michel Delving, and there he is now. And
after that, it would be soon after New Year, there wasn\u2019t no
more Mayor, and Pimple called himself Chief Shirriff, or just
Chief, and did as he liked; and if anyone got \u2018\u2018uppish\u2019\u2019 as
they called it, they followed Will. So things went from bad to
worse. There wasn\u2019t no smoke left, save for the Men; and
the Chief didn\u2019t hold with beer, save for his Men, and closed
all the inns; and everything except Rules got shorter and
shorter, unless one could hide a bit of one\u2019s own when the
ruffians went round gathering stuff up \u2018\u2018for fair distribution\u2019\u2019:
which meant they got it and we didn\u2019t, except for the leavings
which you could have at the Shirriff-houses, if you could
stomach them. All very bad. But since Sharkey came it\u2019s been
plain ruination.\u2019
\u2018Who is this Sharkey?\u2019 said Merry. \u2018I heard one of the
ruffians speak of him.\u2019
\u2018The biggest ruffian o\u2019 the lot, seemingly,\u2019 answered
Cotton. \u2018It was about last harvest, end o\u2019 September maybe,
that we first heard of him. We\u2019ve never seen him, but he\u2019s
up at Bag End; and he\u2019s the real Chief now, I guess. All the
ruffians do what he says; and what he says is mostly: hack,
burn, and ruin; and now it\u2019s come to killing. There\u2019s no
longer even any bad sense in it. They cut down trees and let
\u2019em lie, they burn houses and build no more.
\u2018Take Sandyman\u2019s mill now. Pimple knocked it down
almost as soon as he came to Bag End. Then he brought in
a lot o\u2019 dirty-looking Men to build a bigger one and fill it full
o\u2019 wheels and outlandish contraptions. Only that fool Ted
1326 the return of the king
was pleased by that, and he works there cleaning wheels for
the Men, where his dad was the Miller and his own master.
Pimple\u2019s idea was to grind more and faster, or so he said.
He\u2019s got other mills like it. But you\u2019ve got to have grist before
you can grind; and there was no more for the new mill to do
than for the old. But since Sharkey came they don\u2019t grind no
more corn at all. They\u2019re always a-hammering and a-letting
out a smoke and a stench, and there isn\u2019t no peace even at
night in Hobbiton. And they pour out filth a purpose; they\u2019ve
fouled all the lower Water, and it\u2019s getting down into Brandywine. If they want to make the Shire into a desert, they\u2019re
going the right way about it. I don\u2019t believe that fool of a
Pimple\u2019s behind all this. It\u2019s Sharkey, I say.\u2019
\u2018That\u2019s right!\u2019 put in Young Tom. \u2018Why, they even took
Pimple\u2019s old ma, that Lobelia, and he was fond of her, if no
one else was. Some of the Hobbiton folk, they saw it. She
comes down the lane with her old umberella. Some of the
ruffians were going up with a big cart.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Where be you a-going?\u2019\u2019 says she.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018To Bag End,\u2019\u2019 says they.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018What for?\u2019\u2019 says she.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018To put up some sheds for Sharkey,\u2019\u2019 says they.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Who said you could?\u2019\u2019 says she.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Sharkey,\u2019\u2019 says they. \u2018\u2018So get out o\u2019 the road, old
hagling!\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I\u2019ll give you Sharkey, you dirty thieving ruffians!\u2019\u2019 says
she, and ups with her umberella and goes for the leader, near
twice her size. So they took her. Dragged her off to the
Lockholes, at her age too. They\u2019ve took others we miss more,
but there\u2019s no denying she showed more spirit than most.\u2019
Into the middle of this talk came Sam, bursting in with his
gaffer. Old Gamgee did not look much older, but he was a
little deafer.
\u2018Good evening, Mr. Baggins!\u2019 he said. \u2018Glad indeed I am
to see you safe back. But I\u2019ve a bone to pick with you, in a
manner o\u2019 speaking, if I may make so bold. You didn\u2019t never
the scouring of the shire 1327
ought to have a\u2019 sold Bag End, as I always said. That\u2019s what
started all the mischief. And while you\u2019ve been trapessing in
foreign parts, chasing Black Men up mountains from what
my Sam says, though what for he don\u2019t make clear, they\u2019ve
been and dug up Bagshot Row and ruined my taters!\u2019
\u2018I am very sorry, Mr. Gamgee,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But now I\u2019ve
come back, I\u2019ll do my best to make amends.\u2019
\u2018Well, you can\u2019t say fairer than that,\u2019 said the Gaffer. \u2018Mr.
Frodo Baggins is a real gentlehobbit, I always have said, whatever you may think of some others of the name, begging your
pardon. And I hope my Sam\u2019s behaved hisself and given
satisfaction?\u2019
\u2018Perfect satisfaction, Mr. Gamgee,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Indeed, if
you will believe it, he\u2019s now one of the most famous people
in all the lands, and they are making songs about his deeds
from here to the Sea and beyond the Great River.\u2019 Sam
blushed, but he looked gratefully at Frodo, for Rosie\u2019s eyes
were shining and she was smiling at him.
\u2018It takes a lot o\u2019 believing,\u2019 said the Gaffer, \u2018though I can
see he\u2019s been mixing in strange company. What\u2019s come of
his weskit? I don\u2019t hold with wearing ironmongery, whether
it wears well or no.\u2019
Farmer Cotton\u2019s household and all his guests were up early
next morning. Nothing had been heard in the night, but more
trouble would certainly come before the day was old. \u2018Seems
as if none o\u2019 the ruffians were left up at Bag End,\u2019 said
Cotton; \u2018but the gang from Waymeet will be along any time
now.\u2019
After breakfast a messenger from the Tookland rode in.
He was in high spirits. \u2018The Thain has raised all our country,\u2019
he said, \u2018and the news is going like fire all ways. The ruffians
that were watching our land have fled off south, those that
escaped alive. The Thain has gone after them, to hold off the
big gang down that way; but he\u2019s sent Mr. Peregrin back with
all the other folk he can spare.\u2019
The next news was less good. Merry, who had been out
1328 the return of the king
all night, came riding in about ten o\u2019clock. \u2018There\u2019s a big
band about four miles away,\u2019 he said. \u2018They\u2019re coming along
the road from Waymeet, but a good many stray ruffians have
joined up with them. There must be close on a hundred of
them; and they\u2019re fire-raising as they come. Curse them!\u2019
\u2018Ah! This lot won\u2019t stay to talk, they\u2019ll kill, if they can,\u2019 said
Farmer Cotton. \u2018If Tooks don\u2019t come sooner, we\u2019d best get
behind cover and shoot without arguing. There\u2019s got to be
some fighting before this is settled, Mr. Frodo.\u2019
The Tooks did come sooner. Before long they marched
in, a hundred strong, from Tuckborough and the Green Hills
with Pippin at their head. Merry now had enough sturdy
hobbitry to deal with the ruffians. Scouts reported that they
were keeping close together. They knew that the countryside
had risen against them, and plainly meant to deal with the
rebellion ruthlessly, at its centre in Bywater. But however
grim they might be, they seemed to have no leader among
them who understood warfare. They came on without any
precautions. Merry laid his plans quickly.
The ruffians came tramping along the East Road, and
without halting turned up the Bywater Road, which ran for
some way sloping up between high banks with low hedges
on top. Round a bend, about a furlong from the main road,
they met a stout barrier of old farm-carts upturned. That
halted them. At the same moment they became aware that
the hedges on both sides, just above their heads, were all
lined with hobbits. Behind them other hobbits now pushed
out some more waggons that had been hidden in a field,
and so blocked the way back. A voice spoke to them from
above.
\u2018Well, you have walked into a trap,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Your
fellows from Hobbiton did the same, and one is dead and the
rest are prisoners. Lay down your weapons! Then go back
twenty paces and sit down. Any who try to break out will be
shot.\u2019
But the ruffians could not now be cowed so easily. A few
the scouring of the shire 1329
of them obeyed, but were immediately set on by their fellows.
A score or more broke back and charged the waggons. Six
were shot, but the remainder burst out, killing two hobbits,
and then scattering across country in the direction of the
Woody End. Two more fell as they ran. Merry blew a loud
horn-call, and there were answering calls from a distance.
\u2018They won\u2019t get far,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018All that country is alive
with our hunters now.\u2019
Behind, the trapped Men in the lane, still about four score,
tried to climb the barrier and the banks, and the hobbits were
obliged to shoot many of them or hew them with axes. But
many of the strongest and most desperate got out on the west
side, and attacked their enemies fiercely, being now more
bent on killing than escaping. Several hobbits fell, and the
rest were wavering, when Merry and Pippin, who were on
the east side, came across and charged the ruffians. Merry
himself slew the leader, a great squint-eyed brute like a huge
orc. Then he drew his forces off, encircling the last remnant
of the Men in a wide ring of archers.
At last all was over. Nearly seventy of the ruffians lay dead
on the field, and a dozen were prisoners. Nineteen hobbits
were killed, and some thirty were wounded. The dead ruffians
were laden on waggons and hauled off to an old sand-pit
nearby and there buried: in the Battle Pit, as it was afterwards
called. The fallen hobbits were laid together in a grave on the
hill-side, where later a great stone was set up with a garden
about it. So ended the Battle of Bywater, 1419, the last battle
fought in the Shire, and the only battle since the Greenfields,
1147, away up in the Northfarthing. In consequence, though
it happily cost very few lives, it has a chapter to itself in the
Red Book, and the names of all those who took part were
made into a Roll, and learned by heart by Shire-historians.
The very considerable rise in the fame and fortune of the
Cottons dates from this time; but at the top of the Roll in
all accounts stand the names of Captains Meriadoc and
Peregrin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1330 the return of the king
Frodo had been in the battle, but he had not drawn sword,
and his chief part had been to prevent the hobbits in their
wrath at their losses, from slaying those of their enemies who
threw down their weapons. When the fighting was over, and
the later labours were ordered, Merry, Pippin, and Sam
joined him, and they rode back with the Cottons. They ate a
late midday meal, and then Frodo said with a sigh: \u2018Well, I
suppose it is time now that we dealt with the \u2018\u2018Chief\u2019\u2019.\u2019
\u2018Yes indeed; the sooner the better,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018And don\u2019t
be too gentle! He\u2019s responsible for bringing in these ruffians,
and for all the evil they have done.\u2019
Farmer Cotton collected an escort of some two dozen
sturdy hobbits. \u2018For it\u2019s only a guess that there is no ruffians
left at Bag End,\u2019 he said. \u2018We don\u2019t know.\u2019 Then they set out
on foot. Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin led the way.
It was one of the saddest hours in their lives. The great
chimney rose up before them; and as they drew near the old
village across the Water, through rows of new mean houses
along each side of the road, they saw the new mill in all its
frowning and dirty ugliness: a great brick building straddling
the stream, which it fouled with a steaming and stinking
outflow. All along the Bywater Road every tree had been
felled.
As they crossed the bridge and looked up the Hill they
gasped. Even Sam\u2019s vision in the Mirror had not prepared
him for what they saw. The Old Grange on the west side had
been knocked down, and its place taken by rows of tarred
sheds. All the chestnuts were gone. The banks and hedgerows
were broken. Great waggons were standing in disorder in a
field beaten bare of grass. Bagshot Row was a yawning sand
and gravel quarry. Bag End up beyond could not be seen for
a clutter of large huts.
\u2018They\u2019ve cut it down!\u2019 cried Sam. \u2018They\u2019ve cut down the
Party Tree!\u2019 He pointed to where the tree had stood under
which Bilbo had made his Farewell Speech. It was lying
lopped and dead in the field. As if this was the last straw Sam
burst into tears.
the scouring of the shire 1331
A laugh put an end to them. There was a surly hobbit
lounging over the low wall of the mill-yard. He was grimyfaced and black-handed. \u2018Don\u2019t \u2019ee like it, Sam?\u2019 he sneered.
\u2018But you always was soft. I thought you\u2019d gone off in one o\u2019
them ships you used to prattle about, sailing, sailing. What
d\u2019you want to come back for? We\u2019ve work to do in the Shire
now.\u2019
\u2018So I see,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018No time for washing, but time for
wall-propping. But see here, Master Sandyman, I\u2019ve a score
to pay in this village, and don\u2019t you make it any longer with
your jeering, or you\u2019ll foot a bill too big for your purse.\u2019
Ted Sandyman spat over the wall. \u2018Garn!\u2019 he said. \u2018You
can\u2019t touch me. I\u2019m a friend o\u2019 the Boss\u2019s. But he\u2019ll touch
you all right, if I have any more of your mouth.\u2019
\u2018Don\u2019t waste any more words on the fool, Sam!\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018I hope there are not many more hobbits that have become
like this. It would be a worse trouble than all the damage the
Men have done.\u2019
\u2018You are dirty and insolent, Sandyman,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018And
also very much out of your reckoning. We are just going up
the Hill to remove your precious Boss. We have dealt with
his Men.\u2019
Ted gaped, for at that moment he first caught sight of the
escort that at a sign from Merry now marched over the
bridge. Dashing back into the mill he ran out with a horn and
blew it loudly.
\u2018Save your breath!\u2019 laughed Merry. \u2018I\u2019ve a better.\u2019 Then
lifting up his silver horn he winded it, and its clear call rang
over the Hill; and out of the holes and sheds and shabby
houses of Hobbiton the hobbits answered, and came pouring
out, and with cheers and loud cries they followed the company up the road to Bag End.
At the top of the lane the party halted, and Frodo and his
friends went on; and they came at last to the once beloved
place. The garden was full of huts and sheds, some so near
the old westward windows that they cut off all their light.
There were piles of refuse everywhere. The door was scarred;
1332 the return of the king
the bell-chain was dangling loose, and the bell would not
ring. Knocking brought no answer. At length they pushed
and the door yielded. They went in. The place stank and was
full of filth and disorder: it did not appear to have been used
for some time.
\u2018Where is that miserable Lotho hiding?\u2019 said Merry. They
had searched every room and found no living thing save rats
and mice. \u2018Shall we turn on the others to search the sheds?\u2019
\u2018This is worse than Mordor!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Much worse in a
way. It comes home to you, as they say; because it is home,
and you remember it before it was all ruined.\u2019
\u2018Yes, this is Mordor,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Just one of its works.
Saruman was doing its work all the time, even when he
thought he was working for himself. And the same with those
that Saruman tricked, like Lotho.\u2019
Merry looked round in dismay and disgust. \u2018Let\u2019s get out!\u2019
he said. \u2018If I had known all the mischief he had caused, I
should have stuffed my pouch down Saruman\u2019s throat.\u2019
\u2018No doubt, no doubt! But you did not, and so I am able to
welcome you home.\u2019 There standing at the door was
Saruman himself, looking well-fed and well-pleased; his eyes
gleamed with malice and amusement.
A sudden light broke on Frodo. \u2018Sharkey!\u2019 he cried.
Saruman laughed. \u2018So you have heard the name, have you?
All my people used to call me that in Isengard, I believe. A
sign of affection, possibly.* But evidently you did not expect
to see me here.\u2019
\u2018I did not,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But I might have guessed. A little
mischief in a mean way: Gandalf warned me that you were
still capable of it.\u2019
\u2018Quite capable,\u2019 said Saruman, \u2018and more than a little. You
made me laugh, you hobbit-lordlings, riding along with all
those great people, so secure and so pleased with your little
selves. You thought you had done very well out of it all, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1378 the return of the king
It was thus in the reign of King Ea\u00a8rnil, as later became clear,
that the Witch-king escaping from the North came to Mordor,
and there gathered the other Ringwraiths, of whom he was the
chief. But it was not until 2000 that they issued from Mordor by
the Pass of Cirith Ungol and laid siege to Minas Ithil. This they
took in 2002, and captured the palant\u0131\u00b4r of the tower. They were
not expelled while the Third Age lasted; and Minas Ithil became
a place of fear, and was renamed Minas Morgul. Many of the
people that still remained in Ithilien deserted it.
\u2018Ea\u00a8rnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom.
He was a man of strong body and hot mood; but he would take
no wife, for his only pleasure was in fighting, or in the exercise
of arms. His prowess was such that none in Gondor could stand
against him in those weapon-sports in which he delighted, seeming rather a champion than a captain or king, and retaining his
vigour and skill to a later age than was then usual.\u2019
When Ea\u00a8rnur received the crown in 2043 the King of Minas
Morgul challenged him to single combat, taunting him that he
had not dared to stand before him in battle in the North. For
that time Mardil the Steward restrained the wrath of the king.
Minas Anor, which had become the chief city of the realm since
the days of King Telemnar, and the residence of the kings, was
now renamed Minas Tirith, as the city ever on guard against the
evil of Morgul.
Ea\u00a8rnur had held the crown only seven years when the Lord
of Morgul repeated his challenge, taunting the king that to the
faint heart of his youth he had now added the weakness of age.
Then Mardil could no longer restrain him, and he rode with a
small escort of knights to the gate of Minas Morgul. None of
that riding were ever heard of again. It was believed in Gondor
that the faithless enemy had trapped the king, and that he had
died in torment in Minas Morgul; but since there were no witnesses of his death, Mardil the Good Steward ruled Gondor in
his name for many years.
Now the descendants of the kings had become few. Their
numbers had been greatly diminished in the Kin-strife; whereas
since that time the kings had become jealous and watchful of
those near akin. Often those on whom suspicion fell had fled to
appendix a 1379
Umbar and there joined the rebels; while others had renounced
their lineage and taken wives not of Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4rean blood.
So it was that no claimant to the crown could be found who
was of pure blood, or whose claim all would allow; and all feared
the memory of the Kin-strife, knowing that if any such dissension
arose again, then Gondor would perish. Therefore, though the
years lengthened, the Steward continued to rule Gondor, and
the crown of Elendil lay in the lap of King Ea\u00a8rnil in the Houses
of the Dead, where Ea\u00a8rnur had left it.
The Stewards
The House of the Stewards was called the House of Hu\u00b4rin, for
they were descendants of the Steward of King Minardil (1621\u2013
34), Hu\u00b4rin of Emyn Arnen, a man of high Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4rean race.
After his day the kings had always chosen their stewards from
among his descendants; and after the days of Pelendur the Stewardship became hereditary as a kingship, from father to son or
nearest kin.
Each new Steward indeed took office with the oath \u2018to hold
rod and rule in the name of the king, until he shall return\u2019. But
these soon became words of ritual little heeded, for the Stewards
exercised all the power of the kings. Yet many in Gondor still
believed that a king would indeed return in some time to come;
and some remembered the ancient line of the North, which it
was rumoured still lived on in the shadows. But against such
thoughts the Ruling Stewards hardened their hearts.
Nonetheless the Stewards never sat on the ancient throne;
and they wore no crown, and held no sceptre. They bore a
white rod only as the token of their office; and their banner
was white without charge; but the royal banner had been sable,
upon which was displayed a white tree in blossom beneath
seven stars.
After Mardil Voronwe\u00a8, who was reckoned the first of the line,
there followed twenty-four Ruling Stewards of Gondor, until the
time of Denethor II, the twenty-sixth and last. At first they had
quiet, for those were the days of the Watchful Peace, during
which Sauron withdrew before the power of the White Council
1380 the return of the king
and the Ringwraiths remained hidden in Morgul Vale. But from
the time of Denethor I, there was never full peace again, and
even when Gondor had no great or open war its borders were
under constant threat.
In the last years of Denethor I the race of uruks, black orcs of
great strength, first appeared out of Mordor, and in 2475 they
swept across Ithilien and took Osgiliath. Boromir son of
Denethor (after whom Boromir of the Nine Walkers was later
named) defeated them and regained Ithilien; but Osgiliath was
finally ruined, and its great stone-bridge was broken. No people
dwelt there afterwards. Boromir was a great captain, and even
the Witch-king feared him. He was noble and fair of face, a man
strong in body and in will, but he received a Morgul-wound in
that war which shortened his days, and he became shrunken
with pain and died twelve years after his father.
After him began the long rule of Cirion. He was watchful and
wary, but the reach of Gondor had grown short, and he could
do little more than defend his borders, while his enemies (or the
power that moved them) prepared strokes against him that he
could not hinder. The Corsairs harried his coasts, but it was in
the north that his chief peril lay. In the wide lands of Rhovanion,
between Mirkwood and the River Running, a fierce people now
dwelt, wholly under the shadow of Dol Guldur. Often they made
raids through the forest, until the vale of Anduin south of the
Gladden was largely deserted. These Balchoth were constantly
increased by others of like kind that came in from the east,
whereas the people of Calenardhon had dwindled. Cirion was
hard put to it to hold the line of the Anduin.
\u2018Foreseeing the storm, Cirion sent north for aid, but over-late;
for in that year (2510) the Balchoth, having built many great
boats and rafts on the east shores of Anduin, swarmed over the
River and swept away the defenders. An army marching up from
the south was cut off and driven north over the Limlight, and
there it was suddenly attacked by a horde of Orcs from the
Mountains and pressed towards the Anduin. Then out of the
North there came help beyond hope, and the horns of the Rohirrim were first heard in Gondor. Eorl the Young came with his
riders and swept away the enemy, and pursued the Balchoth to
the death over the fields of Calenardhon. Cirion granted to Eorl
appendix a 1381
that land to dwell in, and he swore to Cirion the Oath of Eorl,
of friendship at need or at call to the Lords of Gondor.\u2019
In the days of Beren, the nineteenth Steward, an even greater
peril came upon Gondor. Three great fleets, long prepared,
came up from Umbar and the Harad, and assailed the coasts of
Gondor in great force; and the enemy made many landings, even
as far north as the mouth of the Isen. At the same time the
Rohirrim were assailed from the west and the east, and their land
was overrun, and they were driven into the dales of the White
Mountains. In that year (2758) the Long Winter began with cold
and great snows out of the North and the East which lasted for
almost five months. Helm of Rohan and both his sons perished
in that war; and there was misery and death in Eriador and in
Rohan. But in Gondor south of the mountains things were less
evil, and before spring came Beregond son of Beren had overcome the invaders. At once he sent aid to Rohan. He was the
greatest captain that had arisen in Gondor since Boromir; and
when he succeeded his father (2763) Gondor began to recover
its strength. But Rohan was slower to be healed of the hurts that
it had received. It was for this reason that Beren welcomed
Saruman, and gave to him the keys of Orthanc; and from that
year on (2759) Saruman dwelt in Isengard.
It was in the days of Beregond that the War of the Dwarves and
Orcs was fought in the Misty Mountains (2793\u20139), of which only
rumour came south, until the Orcs fleeing from Nanduhirion
attempted to cross Rohan and establish themselves in the White
Mountains. There was fighting for many years in the dales before
that danger was ended.
When Belecthor II, the twenty-first Steward, died, the White
Tree died also in Minas Tirith; but it was left standing \u2018until the
King returns\u2019, for no seedling could be found.
In the days of Tu\u00b4rin II the enemies of Gondor began to move
again; for Sauron was grown again to power and the day of his
arising was drawing near. All but the hardiest of its people
deserted Ithilien and removed west over Anduin, for the land
was infested by Mordor-orcs. It was Tu\u00b4rin that built secret refuges for his soldiers in Ithilien, of which Henneth Annu\u02c6n was
1382 the return of the king
the longest guarded and manned. He also fortified again the isle
of Cair Andros1 to defend Ano\u00b4rien. But his chief peril lay in the
south, where the Haradrim had occupied South Gondor, and
there was much fighting along the Poros. When Ithilien was
invaded in great strength, King Folcwine of Rohan fulfilled the
Oath of Eorl and repaid his debt for the aid brought by Beregond,
sending many men to Gondor. With their aid Tu\u00b4rin won a
victory at the crossing of the Poros; but the sons of Folcwine
both fell in the battle. The Riders buried them after the fashion
of their people, and they were laid in one mound, for they were
twin brothers. Long it stood, Haudh in Gwanu\u02c6r, high upon the
shore of the river, and the enemies of Gondor feared to pass it.
Turgon followed Tu\u00b4rin, but of his time it is chiefly
remembered that two years ere his death, Sauron arose again,
and declared himself openly; and he re-entered Mordor long
prepared for him. Then the Barad-du\u02c6r was raised once more,
and Mount Doom burst into flame, and the last of the folk of
Ithilien fled far away. When Turgon died Saruman took Isengard
for his own, and fortified it.
\u2018Ecthelion II, son of Turgon, was a man of wisdom. With what
power was left to him he began to strengthen his realm against
the assault of Mordor. He encouraged all men of worth from
near or far to enter his service, and to those who proved trustworthy he gave rank and reward. In much that he did he had
the aid and advice of a great captain whom he loved above all.
Thorongil men called him in Gondor, the Eagle of the Star, for
he was swift and keen-eyed, and wore a silver star upon his
cloak; but no one knew his true name nor in what land he was
born. He came to Ecthelion from Rohan, where he had served
the King Thengel, but he was not one of the Rohirrim. He was
a great leader of men, by land or by sea, but he departed into
the shadows whence he came, before the days of Ecthelion were
ended.
\u2018Thorongil often counselled Ecthelion that the strength of the
1 This name means \u2018Ship of Long-foam\u2019; for the isle was shaped like
a great ship, with a high prow pointing north, against which the white
foam of Anduin broke on sharp rocks.
appendix a 1383
rebels in Umbar was a great peril to Gondor, and a threat to the
fiefs of the south that would prove deadly, if Sauron moved to
open war. At last he got leave of the Steward and gathered a
small fleet, and he came to Umbar unlooked for by night, and
there burned a great part of the ships of the Corsairs. He himself
overthrew the Captain of the Haven in battle upon the quays,
and then he withdrew his fleet with small loss. But when they
came back to Pelargir, to men\u2019s grief and wonder, he would not
return to Minas Tirith, where great honour awaited him.
\u2018He sent a message of farewell to Ecthelion, saying: \u2018\u2018Other
tasks now call me, lord, and much time and many perils must
pass, ere I come again to Gondor, if that be my fate.\u2019\u2019 Though
none could guess what those tasks might be, nor what summons
he had received, it was known whither he went. For he took
boat and crossed over Anduin, and there he said farewell to his
companions and went on alone; and when he was last seen his
face was towards the Mountains of Shadow.
\u2018There was dismay in the City at the departure of Thorongil,
and to all men it seemed a great loss, unless it were to Denethor,
the son of Ecthelion, a man now ripe for the Stewardship, to
which after four years he succeeded on the death of his father.
\u2018Denethor II was a proud man, tall, valiant, and more kingly
than any man that had appeared in Gondor for many lives of
men; and he was wise also, and far-sighted, and learned in lore.
Indeed he was as like to Thorongil as to one of nearest kin, and
yet was ever placed second to the stranger in the hearts of men
and the esteem of his father. At the time many thought that
Thorongil had departed before his rival became his master;
though indeed Thorongil had never himself vied with Denethor,
nor held himself higher than the servant of his father. And in
one matter only were their counsels to the Steward at variance:
Thorongil often warned Ecthelion not to put trust in Saruman
the White in Isengard, but to welcome rather Gandalf the Grey.
But there was little love between Denethor and Gandalf; and
after the days of Ecthelion there was less welcome for the Grey
Pilgrim in Minas Tirith. Therefore later, when all was made
clear, many believed that Denethor, who was subtle in mind
and looked further and deeper than other men of his day, had
1384 the return of the king
discovered who this stranger Thorongil in truth was, and suspected that he and Mithrandir designed to supplant him.
\u2018When Denethor became Steward (2984) he proved a masterful
lord, holding the rule of all things in his own hand. He said little.
He listened to counsel, and then followed his own mind. He had
married late (2976), taking as wife Finduilas, daughter of Adrahil
of Dol Amroth. She was a lady of great beauty and gentle heart,
but before twelve years had passed she died. Denethor loved
her, in his fashion, more dearly than any other, unless it were
the elder of the sons that she bore him. But it seemed to men
that she withered in the guarded city, as a flower of the seaward
vales set upon a barren rock. The shadow in the east filled her
with horror, and she turned her eyes ever south to the sea that
she missed.
\u2018After her death Denethor became more grim and silent than
before, and would sit long alone in his tower deep in thought,
foreseeing that the assault of Mordor would come in his time. It
was afterwards believed that needing knowledge, but being
proud, and trusting in his own strength of will, he dared to look
in the palant\u0131\u00b4r of the White Tower. None of the Stewards had
dared to do this, nor even the kings Ea\u00a8rnil and Ea\u00a8rnur, after
the fall of Minas Ithil when the palant\u0131\u00b4r of Isildur came into the
hands of the Enemy; for the Stone of Minas Tirith was the
palant\u0131\u00b4r of Ana\u00b4rion, most close in accord with the one that
Sauron possessed.
\u2018In this way Denethor gained his great knowledge of things
that passed in his realm, and far beyond his borders, at which
men marvelled; but he bought the knowledge dearly, being aged
before his time by his contest with the will of Sauron. Thus
pride increased in Denethor together with despair, until he saw
in all the deeds of that time only a single combat between the
Lord of the White Tower and the Lord of the Barad-du\u02c6r, and
mistrusted all others who resisted Sauron, unless they served
himself alone.
\u2018So time drew on to the War of the Ring, and the sons of
Denethor grew to manhood. Boromir, five years the elder,
beloved by his father, was like him in face and pride, but in little
else. Rather he was a man after the sort of King Ea\u00a8rnur of old,
appendix a 1385
taking no wife and delighting chiefly in arms; fearless and strong,
but caring little for lore, save the tales of old battles. Faramir the
younger was like him in looks but otherwise in mind. He read
the hearts of men as shrewdly as his father, but what he read
moved him sooner to pity than to scorn. He was gentle in bearing, and a lover of lore and of music, and therefore by many in
those days his courage was judged less than his brother\u2019s. But it
was not so, except that he did not seek glory in danger without
a purpose. He welcomed Gandalf at such times as he came to
the City, and he learned what he could from his wisdom; and in
this as in many other matters he displeased his father.
\u2018Yet between the brothers there was great love, and had been
since childhood, when Boromir was the helper and protector of
Faramir. No jealousy or rivalry had arisen between them since,
for their father\u2019s favour or for the praise of men. It did not seem
possible to Faramir that anyone in Gondor could rival Boromir,
heir of Denethor, Captain of the White Tower; and of like mind
was Boromir. Yet it proved otherwise at the test. But of all that
befell these three in the War of the Ring much is said elsewhere.
And after the War the days of the Ruling Stewards came to an
end; for the heir of Isildur and Ana\u00b4rion returned and the kingship
was renewed, and the standard of the White Tree flew once
more from the Tower of Ecthelion.\u2019
(v)
here follows a part of the tale
of aragorn and arwen
\u2018Arador was the grandfather of the King. His son Arathorn
sought in marriage Gilraen the Fair, daughter of D\u0131\u00b4rhael, who
was himself a descendant of Aranarth. To this marriage D\u0131\u00b4rhael
was opposed; for Gilraen was young and had not reached the
age at which the women of the Du\u00b4nedain were accustomed to
marry.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Moreover,\u2019\u2019 he said, \u2018\u2018Arathorn is a stern man of full age,
and will be chieftain sooner than men looked for; yet my heart
forebodes that he will be short-lived.\u2019\u2019
\u2018But Ivorwen, his wife, who was also foresighted, answered:
1386 the return of the king
\u2018\u2018The more need of haste! The days are darkening before the
storm, and great things are to come. If these two wed now, hope
may be born for our people; but if they delay, it will not come
while this age lasts.\u2019\u2019
\u2018And it happened that when Arathorn and Gilraen had been
married only one year, Arador was taken by hill-trolls in the
Coldfells north of Rivendell and was slain; and Arathorn became
Chieftain of the Du\u00b4nedain. The next year Gilraen bore him a
son, and he was called Aragorn. But Aragorn was only two years
old when Arathorn went riding against the Orcs with the sons of
Elrond, and he was slain by an orc-arrow that pierced his eye;
and so he proved indeed short-lived for one of his race, being
but sixty years old when he fell.
\u2018Then Aragorn, being now the Heir of Isildur, was taken with
his mother to dwell in the house of Elrond; and Elrond took the
place of his father and came to love him as a son of his own. But
he was called Estel, that is \u2018\u2018Hope\u2019\u2019, and his true name and
lineage were kept secret at the bidding of Elrond; for the Wise
then knew that the Enemy was seeking to discover the Heir of
Isildur, if any remained upon earth.
\u2018But when Estel was only twenty years of age, it chanced that
he returned to Rivendell after great deeds in the company of the
sons of Elrond; and Elrond looked at him and was pleased, for
he saw that he was fair and noble and was early come to manhood, though he would yet become greater in body and in mind.
That day therefore Elrond called him by his true name, and told
him who he was and whose son; and he delivered to him the
heirlooms of his house.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Here is the ring of Barahir,\u2019\u2019 he said, \u2018\u2018the token of our
kinship from afar; and here also are the shards of Narsil. With
these you may yet do great deeds; for I foretell that the span of
your life shall be greater than the measure of Men, unless evil
befalls you or you fail at the test. But the test will be hard and
long. The Sceptre of Annu\u00b4minas I withhold, for you have yet to
earn it.\u2019\u2019
\u2018The next day at the hour of sunset Aragorn walked alone in
the woods, and his heart was high within him; and he sang, for
he was full of hope and the world was fair. And suddenly even
as he sang he saw a maiden walking on a greensward among the
appendix a 1387
white stems of the birches; and he halted amazed, thinking that
he had strayed into a dream, or else that he had received the gift
of the Elf-minstrels, who can make the things of which they sing
appear before the eyes of those that listen.
\u2018For Aragorn had been singing a part of the Lay of Lu\u00b4thien
which tells of the meeting of Lu\u00b4thien and Beren in the forest of
Neldoreth. And behold! there Lu\u00b4thien walked before his eyes in
Rivendell, clad in a mantle of silver and blue, fair as the twilight
in Elven-home; her dark hair strayed in a sudden wind, and her
brows were bound with gems like stars.
\u2018For a moment Aragorn gazed in silence, but fearing that she
would pass away and never be seen again, he called to her crying,
Tinu\u00b4viel, Tinu\u00b4viel! even as Beren had done in the Elder Days
long ago.
\u2018Then the maiden turned to him and smiled, and she said:
\u2018\u2018Who are you? And why do you call me by that name?\u2019\u2019
\u2018And he answered: \u2018\u2018Because I believed you to be indeed
Lu\u00b4thien Tinu\u00b4viel, of whom I was singing. But if you are not she,
then you walk in her likeness.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018So many have said,\u2019\u2019 she answered gravely. \u2018\u2018Yet her name
is not mine. Though maybe my doom will be not unlike hers.
But who are you?\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Estel I was called,\u2019\u2019 he said; \u2018\u2018but I am Aragorn, Arathorn\u2019s
son, Isildur\u2019s Heir, Lord of the Du\u00b4nedain\u2019\u2019; yet even in the saying
he felt that this high lineage, in which his heart had rejoiced, was
now of little worth, and as nothing compared to her dignity and
loveliness.
\u2018But she laughed merrily and said: \u2018\u2018Then we are akin from
afar. For I am Arwen Elrond\u2019s daughter, and am named also
Undo\u00b4miel.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Often is it seen,\u2019\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018\u2018that in dangerous days men
hide their chief treasure. Yet I marvel at Elrond and your brothers;
for though I have dwelt in this house from childhood, I have heard
no word of you. How comes it that we have never met before?
Surely your father has not kept you locked in his hoard?\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018No,\u2019\u2019 she said, and looked up at the Mountains that rose in
the east. \u2018\u2018I have dwelt for a time in the land of my mother\u2019s kin,
in far Lothlo\u00b4rien. I have but lately returned to visit my father
again. It is many years since I walked in Imladris.\u2019\u2019
1388 the return of the king
\u2018Then Aragorn wondered, for she had seemed of no greater
age than he, who had lived yet no more than a score of years
in Middle-earth. But Arwen looked in his eyes and said: \u2018\u2018Do
not wonder! For the children of Elrond have the life of the
Eldar.\u2019\u2019
\u2018Then Aragorn was abashed, for he saw the elven-light in her
eyes and the wisdom of many days; yet from that hour he loved
Arwen Undo\u00b4miel daughter of Elrond.
\u2018In the days that followed Aragorn fell silent, and his mother
perceived that some strange thing had befallen him; and at last
he yielded to her questions and told her of the meeting in the
twilight of the trees.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018My son,\u2019\u2019 said Gilraen, \u2018\u2018your aim is high, even for the
descendant of many kings. For this lady is the noblest and fairest
that now walks the earth. And it is not fit that mortal should wed
with the Elf-kin.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Yet we have some part in that kinship,\u2019\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018\u2018if
the tale of my forefathers is true that I have learned.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018It is true,\u2019\u2019 said Gilraen, \u2018\u2018but that was long ago and in
another age of this world, before our race was diminished.
Therefore I am afraid; for without the good will of Master Elrond
the Heirs of Isildur will soon come to an end. But I do not think
that you will have the good will of Elrond in this matter.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Then bitter will my days be, and I will walk in the wild
alone,\u2019\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018That will indeed be your fate,\u2019\u2019 said Gilraen; but though she
had in a measure the foresight of her people, she said no more
to him of her foreboding, nor did she speak to anyone of what
her son had told her.
\u2018But Elrond saw many things and read many hearts. One day,
therefore, before the fall of the year he called Aragorn to his
chamber, and he said: \u2018\u2018Aragorn, Arathorn\u2019s son, Lord of the
Du\u00b4nedain, listen to me! A great doom awaits you, either to rise
above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or
to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin. Many years
of trial lie before you. You shall neither have wife, nor bind any
woman to you in troth, until your time comes and you are found
worthy of it.\u2019\u2019
appendix a 1389
\u2018Then Aragorn was troubled, and he said: \u2018\u2018Can it be that my
mother has spoken of this?\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018No indeed,\u2019\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018\u2018Your own eyes have betrayed
you. But I do not speak of my daughter alone. You shall be
betrothed to no man\u2019s child as yet. But as for Arwen the Fair,
Lady of Imladris and of Lo\u00b4rien, Evenstar of her people, she is
of lineage greater than yours, and she has lived in the world
already so long that to her you are but as a yearling shoot beside
a young birch of many summers. She is too far above you. And
so, I think, it may well seem to her. But even if it were not so, and
her heart turned towards you, I should still be grieved because of
the doom that is laid on us.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018What is that doom?\u2019\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018That so long as I abide here, she shall live with the youth of
the Eldar,\u2019\u2019 answered Elrond, \u2018\u2018and when I depart, she shall go
with me, if she so chooses.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I see,\u2019\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018\u2018that I have turned my eyes to a
treasure no less dear than the treasure of Thingol that Beren
once desired. Such is my fate.\u2019\u2019 Then suddenly the foresight of
his kindred came to him, and he said: \u2018\u2018But lo! Master Elrond,
the years of your abiding run short at last, and the choice must
soon be laid on your children, to part either with you or with
Middle-earth.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Truly,\u2019\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018\u2018Soon, as we account it, though many
years of Men must still pass. But there will be no choice before
Arwen, my beloved, unless you, Aragorn, Arathorn\u2019s son, come
between us and bring one of us, you or me, to a bitter parting
beyond the end of the world. You do not know yet what you
desire of me.\u2019\u2019 He sighed, and after a while, looking gravely upon
the young man, he said again: \u2018\u2018The years will bring what they
will. We will speak no more of this until many have passed. The
days darken, and much evil is to come.\u2019\u2019
\u2018Then Aragorn took leave lovingly of Elrond; and the next day
he said farewell to his mother, and to the house of Elrond, and
to Arwen, and he went out into the wild. For nearly thirty years
he laboured in the cause against Sauron; and he became a friend
of Gandalf the Wise, from whom he gained much wisdom. With
him he made many perilous journeys, but as the years wore on
1390 the return of the king
he went more often alone. His ways were hard and long, and he
became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile;
and yet he seemed to Men worthy of honour, as a king that is in
exile, when he did not hide his true shape. For he went in many
guises, and won renown under many names. He rode in the host
of the Rohirrim, and fought for the Lord of Gondor by land and
by sea; and then in the hour of victory he passed out of the
knowledge of Men of the West, and went alone far into the East
and deep into the South, exploring the hearts of Men, both evil
and good, and uncovering the plots and devices of the servants
of Sauron.
\u2018Thus he became at last the most hardy of living Men, skilled
in their crafts and lore, and was yet more than they; for he was
elven-wise, and there was a light in his eyes that when they were
kindled few could endure. His face was sad and stern because
of the doom that was laid on him, and yet hope dwelt ever in
the depths of his heart, from which mirth would arise at times
like a spring from the rock.
\u2018It came to pass that when Aragorn was nine and forty years of
age he returned from perils on the dark confines of Mordor,
where Sauron now dwelt again and was busy with evil. He was
weary and he wished to go back to Rivendell and rest there for
a while ere he journeyed into the far countries; and on his way
he came to the borders of Lo\u00b4rien and was admitted to the hidden
land by the Lady Galadriel.
\u2018He did not know it, but Arwen Undo\u00b4miel was also there,
dwelling again for a time with the kin of her mother. She was
little changed, for the mortal years had passed her by; yet her
face was more grave, and her laughter now seldom was heard.
But Aragorn was grown to full stature of body and mind, and
Galadriel bade him cast aside his wayworn raiment, and she
clothed him in silver and white, with a cloak of elven-grey and a
bright gem on his brow. Then more than any king of Men he
appeared, and seemed rather an Elf-lord from the Isles of the
West. And thus it was that Arwen first beheld him again after
their long parting; and as he came walking towards her under
the trees of Caras Galadhon laden with flowers of gold, her
choice was made and her doom appointed.
appendix a 1391
\u2018Then for a season they wandered together in the glades of
Lothlo\u00b4rien, until it was time for him to depart. And on the
evening of Midsummer Aragorn, Arathorn\u2019s son, and Arwen
daughter of Elrond went to the fair hill, Cerin Amroth, in the
midst of the land, and they walked unshod on the undying grass
with elanor and niphredil about their feet. And there upon that
hill they looked east to the Shadow and west to the Twilight, and
they plighted their troth and were glad.
\u2018And Arwen said: \u2018\u2018Dark is the Shadow, and yet my heart
rejoices; for you, Estel, shall be among the great whose valour
will destroy it.\u2019\u2019
\u2018But Aragorn answered: \u2018\u2018Alas! I cannot foresee it, and how it
may come to pass is hidden from me. Yet with your hope I will
hope. And the Shadow I utterly reject. But neither, lady, is the
Twilight for me; for I am mortal, and if you will cleave to me,
Evenstar, then the Twilight you must also renounce.\u2019\u2019
\u2018And she stood then as still as a white tree, looking into the
West, and at last she said: \u2018\u2018I will cleave to you, Du\u00b4nadan, and
turn from the Twilight. Yet there lies the land of my people and
the long home of all my kin.\u2019\u2019 She loved her father dearly.
\u2018When Elrond learned the choice of his daughter, he was silent,
though his heart was grieved and found the doom long feared
none the easier to endure. But when Aragorn came again to
Rivendell he called him to him, and he said:
\u2018 \u2018\u2018My son, years come when hope will fade, and beyond them
little is clear to me. And now a shadow lies between us. Maybe,
it has been appointed so, that by my loss the kingship of Men
may be restored. Therefore, though I love you, I say to you:
Arwen Undo\u00b4miel shall not diminish her life\u2019s grace for less cause.
She shall not be the bride of any Man less than the King of both
Gondor and Arnor. To me then even our victory can bring only
sorrow and parting \u2013 but to you hope of joy for a while. Alas,
my son! I fear that to Arwen the Doom of Men may seem hard
at the ending.\u2019\u2019
\u2018So it stood afterwards between Elrond and Aragorn, and they
spoke no more of this matter; but Aragorn went forth again to
danger and toil. And while the world darkened and fear fell on
Middle-earth, as the power of Sauron grew and the Barad-du\u02c6r
1392 the return of the king
rose ever taller and stronger, Arwen remained in Rivendell, and
when Aragorn was abroad, from afar she watched over him in
thought; and in hope she made for him a great and kingly standard, such as only one might display who claimed the lordship
of the Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans and the inheritance of Elendil.
\u2018After a few years Gilraen took leave of Elrond and returned
to her own people in Eriador, and lived alone; and she seldom
saw her son again, for he spent many years in far countries. But
on a time, when Aragorn had returned to the North, he came to
her, and she said to him before he went:
\u2018 \u2018\u2018This is our last parting, Estel, my son. I am aged by care,
even as one of lesser Men; and now that it draws near I cannot
face the darkness of our time that gathers upon Middle-earth. I
shall leave it soon.\u2019\u2019
\u2018Aragorn tried to comfort her, saying: \u2018\u2018Yet there may be a
light beyond the darkness; and if so, I would have you see it and
be glad.\u2019\u2019
\u2018But she answered only with this linnod:
O\u00b4 nen i-Estel Edain, u\u00b4-chebin estel anim,1
and Aragorn went away heavy of heart. Gilraen died before the
next spring.
\u2018Thus the years drew on to the War of the Ring; of which
more is told elsewhere: how the means unforeseen was revealed
whereby Sauron might be overthrown, and how hope beyond
hope was fulfilled. And it came to pass that in the hour of defeat
Aragorn came up from the sea and unfurled the standard of
Arwen in the battle of the Fields of Pelennor, and in that day he
was first hailed as king. And at last when all was done he entered
into the inheritance of his fathers and received the crown of
Gondor and sceptre of Arnor; and at Midsummer in the year of
the Fall of Sauron he took the hand of Arwen Undo\u00b4miel, and
they were wedded in the city of the Kings.
\u2018The Third Age ended thus in victory and hope; and yet
grievous among the sorrows of that Age was the parting of
Elrond and Arwen, for they were sundered by the Sea and by a
doom beyond the end of the world. When the Great Ring was
1 \u2018I gave Hope to the Du\u00b4nedain, I have kept no hope for myself.\u2019
appendix a 1393
unmade and the Three were shorn of their power, then Elrond
grew weary at last and forsook Middle-earth, never to return.
But Arwen became as a mortal woman, and yet it was not her
lot to die until all that she had gained was lost.
\u2018As Queen of Elves and Men she dwelt with Aragorn for
six-score years in great glory and bliss; yet at last he felt the
approach of old age and knew that the span of his life-days was
drawing to an end, long though it had been. Then Aragorn said
to Arwen:
\u2018 \u2018\u2018At last, Lady Evenstar, fairest in this world, and most
beloved, my world is fading. Lo! we have gathered, and we have
spent, and now the time of payment draws near.\u2019\u2019
\u2018Arwen knew well what he intended, and long had foreseen it;
nonetheless she was overborne by her grief. \u2018\u2018Would you then,
lord, before your time leave your people that live by your word?\u2019\u2019
she said.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Not before my time,\u2019\u2019 he answered. \u2018\u2018For if I will not go
now, then I must soon go perforce. And Eldarion our son is a
man full-ripe for kingship.\u2019\u2019
\u2018Then going to the House of the Kings in the Silent Street,
Aragorn laid him down on the long bed that had been prepared
for him. There he said farewell to Eldarion, and gave into his
hands the winged crown of Gondor and the sceptre of Arnor;
and then all left him save Arwen, and she stood alone by his bed.
And for all her wisdom and lineage she could not forbear to
plead with him to stay yet for a while. She was not yet weary of
her days, and thus she tasted the bitterness of the mortality that
she had taken upon her.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Lady Undo\u00b4miel,\u2019\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018\u2018the hour is indeed hard,
yet it was made even in that day when we met under the white
birches in the garden of Elrond where none now walk. And on
the hill of Cerin Amroth when we forsook both the Shadow and
the Twilight this doom we accepted. Take counsel with yourself,
beloved, and ask whether you would indeed have me wait until
I wither and fall from my high seat unmanned and witless. Nay,
lady, I am the last of the Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans and the latest King of
the Elder Days; and to me has been given not only a span thrice
that of Men of Middle-earth, but also the grace to go at my will,
and give back the gift. Now, therefore, I will sleep.
1394 the return of the king
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I speak no comfort to you, for there is no comfort for such
pain within the circles of the world. The uttermost choice is
before you: to repent and go to the Havens and bear away into
the West the memory of our days together that shall there be
evergreen but never more than memory; or else to abide the
Doom of Men.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Nay, dear lord,\u2019\u2019 she said, \u2018\u2018that choice is long over. There
is now no ship that would bear me hence, and I must indeed
abide the Doom of Men, whether I will or I nill: the loss and the
silence. But I say to you, King of the Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans, not till now
have I understood the tale of your people and their fall. As
wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last. For if this
is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men, it is bitter
to receive.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018So it seems,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018But let us not be overthrown at the
final test, who of old renounced the Shadow and the Ring. In
sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound
for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more
than memory. Farewell!\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Estel, Estel!\u2019\u2019 she cried, and with that even as he took her
hand and kissed it, he fell into sleep. Then a great beauty was
revealed in him, so that all who after came there looked on him
in wonder; for they saw that the grace of his youth, and the
valour of his manhood, and the wisdom and majesty of his age
were blended together. And long there he lay, an image of the
splendour of the Kings of Men in glory undimmed before the
breaking of the world.
\u2018But Arwen went forth from the House, and the light of her eyes
was quenched, and it seemed to her people that she had become
cold and grey as nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Then
she said farewell to Eldarion, and to her daughters, and to all whom
she had loved; and she went out from the city of Minas Tirith and
passed away to the land of Lo\u00b4rien, and dwelt there alone under
the fading trees until winter came. Galadriel had passed away and
Celeborn also was gone, and the land was silent.
\u2018There at last when the mallorn-leaves were falling, but spring
had not yet come,1 she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth;
1 p. 435.
appendix a 1395
and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all
the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after,
and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.
\u2018Here ends this tale, as it has come to us from the South; and
with the passing of Evenstar no more is said in this book of the
days of old.\u2019
II
THE HOUSE OF EORL
\u2018Eorl the Young was lord of the Men of E\u00b4 othe\u00b4od. That land lay
near the sources of Anduin, between the furthest ranges of the
Misty Mountains and the northernmost parts of Mirkwood. The
E\u00b4 othe\u00b4od had moved to those regions in the days of King Ea\u00a8rnil
II from lands in the vales of Anduin between the Carrock and
the Gladden, and they were in origin close akin to the Beornings
and the men of the west-eaves of the forest. The forefathers of
Eorl claimed descent from kings of Rhovanion, whose realm lay
beyond Mirkwood before the invasions of the Wainriders, and
thus they accounted themselves kinsmen of the kings of Gondor
descended from Eldacar. They loved best the plains, and
delighted in horses and in all feats of horsemanship, but there
were many men in the middle vales of Anduin in those days,
and moreover the shadow of Dol Guldur was lengthening; when
therefore they heard of the overthrow of the Witch-king, they
sought more room in the North, and drove away the remnants
of the people of Angmar on the east side of the Mountains. But
in the days of Le\u00b4od, father of Eorl, they had grown to be a
numerous people and were again somewhat straitened in the
land of their home.
\u2018In the two thousand five hundred and tenth year of the Third
Age a new peril threatened Gondor. A great host of wild men
from the North-east swept over Rhovanion and coming down
out of the Brown Lands crossed the Anduin on rafts. At the same
time by chance or design the Orcs (who at that time before their
war with the Dwarves were in great strength) made a descent from
the Mountains. The invaders overran Calenardhon, and Cirion,
Steward of Gondor, sent north for help; for there had been long
1396 the return of the king
friendship between the Men of Anduin\u2019s Vale and the people of
Gondor. But in the valley of the River men were now few and
scattered, and slow to render such aid as they could. At last
tidings came to Eorl of the need of Gondor, and late though it
seemed, he set out with a great host of riders.
\u2018Thus he came to the battle of the Field of Celebrant, for that
was the name of the green land that lay between Silverlode
and Limlight. There the northern army of Gondor was in peril.
Defeated in the Wold and cut off from the south, it had been
driven across the Limlight, and was then suddenly assailed by
the Orc-host that pressed it towards the Anduin. All hope was
lost when, unlooked for, the Riders came out of the North and
broke upon the rear of the enemy. Then the fortunes of battle
were reversed, and the enemy was driven with slaughter over
Limlight. Eorl led his men in pursuit, and so great was the fear
that went before the horsemen of the North that the invaders of
the Wold were also thrown into panic, and the Riders hunted
them over the plains of Calenardhon.\u2019
The people of that region had become few since the Plague,
and most of those that remained had been slaughtered by the
savage Easterlings. Cirion, therefore, in reward for his aid, gave
Calenardhon between Anduin and Isen to Eorl and his people;
and they sent north for their wives and children and their goods
and settled in that land. They named it anew the Mark of the
Riders, and they called themselves the Eorlingas; but in Gondor
their land was called Rohan, and its people the Rohirrim (that
is, the Horse-lords). Thus Eorl became the first King of the
Mark, and he chose for his dwelling a green hill before the feet
of the White Mountains that were the south-wall of his land.
There the Rohirrim lived afterwards as free men under their own
kings and laws, but in perpetual alliance with Gondor.
\u2018Many lords and warriors, and many fair and valiant women, are
named in the songs of Rohan that still remember the North.
Frumgar, they say, was the name of the chieftain who led his
people to E\u00b4 othe\u00b4od. Of his son, Fram, they tell that he slew
Scatha, the great dragon of Ered Mithrin, and the land had peace
from the long-worms afterwards. Thus Fram won great wealth,
but was at feud with the Dwarves, who claimed the hoard of
appendix a 1397
Scatha. Fram would not yield them a penny, and sent to them
instead the teeth of Scatha made into a necklace, saying: \u2018\u2018Jewels
such as these you will not match in your treasuries, for they are
hard to come by.\u2019\u2019 Some say that the Dwarves slew Fram for
this insult. There was no great love between E\u00b4 othe\u00b4od and the
Dwarves.
\u2018Le\u00b4od was the name of Eorl\u2019s father. He was a tamer of wild
horses; for there were many at that time in the land. He captured
a white foal and it grew quickly to a horse strong, and fair, and
proud. No man could tame it. When Le\u00b4od dared to mount it, it
bore him away, and at last threw him, and Le\u00b4od\u2019s head struck a
rock, and so he died. He was then only two and forty years old,
and his son a youth of sixteen.
\u2018Eorl vowed that he would avenge his father. He hunted long
for the horse, and at last he caught sight of him; and his companions expected that he would try to come within bowshot and
kill him. But when they drew near, Eorl stood up and called in
a loud voice: \u2018\u2018Come hither, Mansbane, and get a new name!\u2019\u2019
To their wonder the horse looked towards Eorl, and came and
stood before him, and Eorl said: \u2018\u2018Felaro\u00b4f I name you. You loved
your freedom, and I do not blame you for that. But now you
owe me a great weregild, and you shall surrender your freedom
to me until your life\u2019s end.\u2019\u2019
\u2018Then Eorl mounted him, and Felaro\u00b4f submitted; and Eorl
rode him home without bit or bridle; and he rode him in like
fashion ever after. The horse understood all that men said,
though he would allow no man but Eorl to mount him. It was
upon Felaro\u00b4f that Eorl rode to the Field of Celebrant; for that
horse proved as long-lived as Men, and so were his descendants.
These were the mearas, who would bear no one but the King of
the Mark or his sons, until the time of Shadowfax. Men said of
them that Be\u00b4ma (whom the Eldar call Orome\u00a8) must have
brought their sire from West over Sea.
\u2018Of the Kings of the Mark between Eorl and The\u00b4oden most is
said of Helm Hammerhand. He was a grim man of great
strength. There was at that time a man named Freca, who
claimed descent from King Fre\u00b4awine, though he had, men said,
much Dunlendish blood, and was dark-haired. He grew rich and
1398 the return of the king
powerful, having wide lands on either side of the Adorn.1 Near
its source he made himself a stronghold and paid little heed to
the king. Helm mistrusted him, but called him to his councils;
and he came when it pleased him.
\u2018To one of these councils Freca rode with many men, and he
asked the hand of Helm\u2019s daughter for his son Wulf. But Helm
said: \u2018\u2018You have grown big since you were last here; but it is
mostly fat, I guess\u2019\u2019; and men laughed at that, for Freca was wide
in the belt.
\u2018Then Freca fell in a rage and reviled the king, and said this
at the last: \u2018\u2018Old kings that refuse a proffered staff may fall on
their knees.\u2019\u2019 Helm answered: \u2018\u2018Come! The marriage of your son
is a trifle. Let Helm and Freca deal with it later. Meanwhile the
king and his council have matters of moment to consider.\u2019\u2019
\u2018When the council was over, Helm stood up and laid his great
hand on Freca\u2019s shoulder, saying: \u2018\u2018The king does not permit
brawls in his house, but men are freer outside\u2019\u2019; and he forced
Freca to walk before him out from Edoras into the field. To
Freca\u2019s men that came up he said: \u2018\u2018Be off ! We need no hearers.
We are going to speak of a private matter alone. Go and talk to
my men!\u2019\u2019 And they looked and saw that the king\u2019s men and his
friends far outnumbered them, and they drew back.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Now, Dunlending,\u2019\u2019 said the king, \u2018\u2018you have only Helm to
deal with, alone and unarmed. But you have said much already,
and it is my turn to speak. Freca, your folly has grown with your
belly. You talk of a staff ! If Helm dislikes a crooked staff that
is thrust on him, he breaks it. So!\u2019\u2019 With that he smote Freca
such a blow with his fist that he fell back stunned, and died soon
after.
\u2018Helm then proclaimed Freca\u2019s son and near kin the king\u2019s
enemies; and they fled, for at once Helm sent many men riding
to the west marches.\u2019
Four years later (2758) great troubles came to Rohan, and no
help could be sent from Gondor, for three fleets of the Corsairs
attacked it and there was war on all its coasts. At the same time
Rohan was again invaded from the East, and the Dunlendings
1 It flows into Isen from the west of Ered Nimrais.
appendix a 1399
seeing their chance came over the Isen and down from Isengard.
It was soon known that Wulf was their leader. They were in
great force, for they were joined by enemies of Gondor that
landed in the mouths of Lefnui and Isen.
The Rohirrim were defeated and their land was overrun; and
those who were not slain or enslaved fled to the dales of the
mountains. Helm was driven back with great loss from the Crossings of Isen and took refuge in the Hornburg and the ravine
behind (which was after known as Helm\u2019s Deep). There he was
besieged. Wulf took Edoras and sat in Meduseld and called
himself king. There Haleth Helm\u2019s son fell, last of all, defending
the doors.
\u2018Soon afterwards the Long Winter began, and Rohan lay
under snow for nearly five months (November to March, 2758\u2013
9). Both the Rohirrim and their foes suffered grievously in the
cold, and in the dearth that lasted longer. In Helm\u2019s Deep there
was a great hunger after Yule; and being in despair, against the
king\u2019s counsel, Ha\u00b4ma his younger son led men out on a sortie
and foray, but they were lost in the snow. Helm grew fierce and
gaunt for famine and grief; and the dread of him alone was worth
many men in the defence of the Burg. He would go out by
himself, clad in white, and stalk like a snow-troll into the camps
of his enemies, and slay many men with his hands. It was believed
that if he bore no weapon no weapon would bite on him. The
Dunlendings said that if he could find no food he ate men. That
tale lasted long in Dunland. Helm had a great horn, and soon it
was marked that before he sallied forth he would blow a blast
upon it that echoed in the Deep; and then so great a fear fell on
his enemies that instead of gathering to take him or kill him they
fled away down the Coomb.
\u2018One night men heard the horn blowing, but Helm did not
return. In the morning there came a sun-gleam, the first for long
days, and they saw a white figure standing still on the Dike,
alone, for none of the Dunlendings dared come near. There
stood Helm, dead as a stone, but his knees were unbent. Yet
men said that the horn was still heard at times in the Deep and
the wraith of Helm would walk among the foes of Rohan and
kill men with fear.
\u2018Soon after the winter broke. Then Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f, son of Hild, Helm\u2019s
1400 the return of the king
sister, came down out of Dunharrow, to which many had fled;
and with a small company of desperate men he surprised Wulf
in Meduseld and slew him, and regained Edoras. There were
great floods after the snows, and the vale of Entwash became a
vast fen. The Eastern invaders perished or withdrew; and there
came help at last from Gondor, by the roads both east and
west of the mountains. Before the year (2759) was ended the
Dunlendings were driven out, even from Isengard; and then
Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f became king.
\u2018Helm was brought from the Hornburg and laid in the ninth
mound. Ever after the white simbelmyne\u00a8 grew there most thickly,
so that the mound seemed to be snow-clad. When Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f died
a new line of mounds was begun.\u2019
The Rohirrim were grievously reduced by war and dearth and
loss of cattle and horses; and it was well that no great danger
threatened them again for many years, for it was not until
the time of King Folcwine that they recovered their former
strength.
It was at the crowning of Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f that Saruman appeared,
bringing gifts, and speaking great praise of the valour of the
Rohirrim. All thought him a welcome guest. Soon after he took
up his abode in Isengard. For this, Beren, Steward of Gondor,
gave him leave, for Gondor still claimed Isengard as a fortress of
its realm, and not part of Rohan. Beren also gave into Saruman\u2019s
keeping the keys of Orthanc. That tower no enemy had been
able to harm or to enter.
In this way Saruman began to behave as a lord of Men; for at
first he held Isengard as a lieutenant of the Steward and warden
of the tower. But Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f was as glad as Beren to have this so,
and to know that Isengard was in the hands of a strong friend.
A friend he long seemed, and maybe in the beginning he was
one in truth. Though afterwards there was little doubt in men\u2019s
minds that Saruman went to Isengard in hope to find the Stone
still there, and with the purpose of building up a power of his
own. Certainly after the last White Council (2953) his designs
towards Rohan, though he hid them, were evil. He then took
Isengard for his own and began to make it a place of guarded
strength and fear, as though to rival the Barad-du\u02c6r. His friends
appendix a 1401
and servants he drew then from all who hated Gondor and
Rohan, whether Men or other creatures more evil.
THE KINGS OF THE MARK
First Line
Year1
2485\u20132545 1. Eorl the Young. He was so named because he
succeeded his father in youth and remained yellowhaired and ruddy to the end of his days. These
were shortened by a renewed attack of the
Easterlings. Eorl fell in battle in the Wold, and the
first mound was raised. Felaro\u00b4f was laid there also.
2512\u201370 2. Brego. He drove the enemy out of the Wold,
and Rohan was not attacked again for many years.
In 2569 he completed the great hall of Meduseld.
At the feast his son Baldor vowed that he would
tread \u2018the Paths of the Dead\u2019 and did not return.2
Brego died of grief the next year.
2544\u20132645 3. Aldor the Old. He was Brego\u2019s second son. He
became known as the Old, since he lived to a great
age, and was king for 75 years. In his time the
Rohirrim increased, and drove out or subdued the
last of the Dunlendish people that lingered east of
Isen. Harrowdale and other mountain-valleys were
settled. Of the next three kings little is said, for
Rohan had peace and prospered in their time.
2570\u201326594. Fre\u00b4a. Eldest son, but fourth child of Aldor; he
was already old when he became king.
2594\u20132680 5. Fre\u00b4awine.
2619\u201399 6. Goldwine.
2644\u20132718 7. De\u00b4or. In his time the Dunlendings raided often
over the Isen. In 2710 they occupied the deserted
ring of Isengard, and could not be dislodged.
1 The dates are given according to the reckoning of Gondor (Third
Age). Those in the margin are of birth and death. 2 pp. 1030, 1043.
1402 the return of the king
2668\u20132741 8. Gram.
2691\u201327599. Helm Hammerhand. At the end of his reign
Rohan suffered great loss, by invasion and the
Long Winter. Helm and his sons Haleth and Ha\u00b4ma
perished. Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f, Helm\u2019s sister\u2019s son, became
king.
Second Line
2726\u20132798 10. Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f Hildeson. In his time Saruman came to
Isengard, from which the Dunlendings had been
driven. The Rohirrim at first profited by his friendship in the days of dearth and weakness that
followed.
2752\u20132842 11. Brytta. He was called by his people Le\u00b4ofa, for
he was loved by all; he was openhanded and a help
to all the needy. In his time there was war with
Orcs that, driven from the North, sought refuges
in the White Mountains.1 When he died it was
thought that they had all been hunted out; but it
was not so.
2780\u20132851 12. Walda. He was king only nine years. He was
slain with all his companions when they were
trapped by Orcs, as they rode by mountain-paths
from Dunharrow.
2804\u201364 13. Folca. He was a great hunter, but he vowed
to chase no wild beast while there was an Orc left
in Rohan. When the last orc-hold was found
and destroyed, he went to hunt the great boar
of Everholt in the Firien Wood. He slew the
boar but died of the tusk-wounds that it gave
him.
2830\u20132903 14. Folcwine. When he became king the Rohirrim
had recovered their strength. He reconquered the
west-march (between Adorn and Isen) that Dunlendings had occupied. Rohan had received great
help from Gondor in the evil days. When, therefore, he heard that the Haradrim were assailing
1 p. 1381.
appendix a 1403
Gondor with great strength, he sent many men to
the help of the Steward. He wished to lead them
himself, but was dissuaded, and his twin sons
Folcred and Fastred (born 2858) went in his stead.
They fell side by side in battle in Ithilien (2885).
Tu\u00b4rin II of Gondor sent to Folcwine a rich weregild of gold.
2870\u20132953 15. Fengel. He was the third son and fourth child
of Folcwine. He is not remembered with praise.
He was greedy of food and of gold, and at strife
with his marshals, and with his children. Thengel,
his third child and only son, left Rohan when he
came to manhood and lived long in Gondor, and
won honour in the service of Turgon.
2905\u201380 16. Thengel. He took no wife until late, but in 2943
he wedded Morwen of Lossarnach in Gondor,
though she was seventeen years the younger. She
bore him three children in Gondor, of whom
The\u00b4oden, the second, was his only son. When
Fengel died the Rohirrim recalled him, and he
returned unwillingly. But he proved a good and
wise king; though the speech of Gondor was used
in his house, and not all men thought that good.
Morwen bore him two more daughters in Rohan;
and the last, The\u00b4odwyn, was the fairest, though
she came late (2963), the child of his age. Her
brother loved her dearly.
It was soon after Thengel\u2019s return that Saruman
declared himself Lord of Isengard and began to
give trouble to Rohan, encroaching on its borders
and supporting its enemies.
2948\u2013301917. The\u00b4oden. He is called The\u00b4oden Ednew in the
lore of Rohan, for he fell into a decline under the
spells of Saruman, but was healed by Gandalf, and
in the last year of his life arose and led his men to
victory at the Hornburg, and soon after to the
Fields of Pelennor, the greatest battle of the Age.
He fell before the gates of Mundburg. For a while
he rested in the land of his birth, among the dead
1404 the return of the king
Kings of Gondor, but was brought back and laid
in the eighth mound of his line at Edoras. Then a
new line was begun.
Third Line
In 2989 The\u00b4odwyn married E\u00b4 omund of Eastfold, the chief Marshal of the Mark. Her son E\u00b4 omer was born in 2991, and her
daughter E\u00b4 owyn in 2995. At that time Sauron had arisen again,
and the shadow of Mordor reached out to Rohan. Orcs began
to raid in the eastern regions and slay or steal horses. Others also
came down from the Misty Mountains, many being great uruks
in the service of Saruman, though it was long before that was
suspected. E\u00b4 omund\u2019s chief charge lay in the east marches; and
he was a great lover of horses and hater of Orcs. If news came
of a raid he would often ride against them in hot anger, unwarily
and with few men. Thus it came about that he was slain in 3002;
for he pursued a small band to the borders of the Emyn Muil,
and was there surprised by a strong force that lay in wait in the
rocks.
Not long after The\u00b4odwyn took sick and died to the great grief
of the king. Her children he took into his house, calling them
son and daughter. He had only one child of his own, The\u00b4odred
his son, then twenty-four years old; for the queen Elfhild had
died in childbirth, and The\u00b4oden did not wed again. E\u00b4 omer and
E\u00b4 owyn grew up at Edoras and saw the dark shadow fall on the
halls of The\u00b4oden. E\u00b4 omer was like his fathers before him; but
E\u00b4 owyn was slender and tall, with a grace and pride that came to
her out of the South from Morwen of Lossarnach, whom the
Rohirrim had called Steelsheen.
2991\u2013F.A. 63 (3084) E\u00b4 omer E\u00b4 adig. When still young he
became a Marshal of the Mark (3017) and was
given his father\u2019s charge in the east marches. In
the War of the Ring The\u00b4odred fell in battle with
Saruman at the Crossings of Isen. Therefore before
he died on the Fields of the Pelennor The\u00b4oden
named E\u00b4 omer his heir and called him king. In that
day E\u00b4 owyn also won renown, for she fought in that
appendix a 1405
battle, riding in disguise; and was known after in
the Mark as the Lady of the Shield-arm.1
E\u00b4 omer became a great king, and being young
when he succeeded The\u00b4oden he reigned for sixtyfive years, longer than all their kings before him
save Aldor the Old. In the War of the Ring he made
the friendship of King Elessar, and of Imrahil of
Dol Amroth; and he rode often to Gondor. In the
last year of the Third Age he wedded Loth\u0131\u00b4riel,
daughter of Imrahil. Their son Elfwine the Fair
ruled after him.
In E\u00b4 omer\u2019s day in the Mark men had peace who wished for
it, and the people increased both in the dales and the plains, and
their horses multiplied. In Gondor the King Elessar now ruled,
and in Arnor also. In all the lands of those realms of old he was
king, save in Rohan only; for he renewed to E\u00b4 omer the gift of
Cirion, and E\u00b4 omer took again the Oath of Eorl. Often he fulfilled
it. For though Sauron had passed, the hatreds and evils that he
bred had not died, and the King of the West had many enemies
to subdue before the White Tree could grow in peace. And
wherever King Elessar went with war King E\u00b4 omer went with
him; and beyond the Sea of Rhu\u02c6n and on the far fields of the
South the thunder of the cavalry of the Mark was heard, and
the White Horse upon Green flew in many winds until E\u00b4 omer
grew old.
1 For her shield-arm was broken by the mace of the Witch-king; but
he was brought to nothing, and thus the words of Glorfindel long before
to King Ea\u00a8rnur were fulfilled, that the Witch-king would not fall by the
hand of man. For it is said in the songs of the Mark that in this deed
E\u00b4 owyn had the aid of The\u00b4oden\u2019s esquire, and that he also was not a
Man but a Halfling out of a far country, though E\u00b4 omer gave him honour
in the Mark and the name of Holdwine.
[This Holdwine was none other than Meriadoc the Magnificent who
was Master of Buckland.]
1406 the return of the king
III
DURIN\u2019S FOLK
Concerning the beginning of the Dwarves strange tales are told
both by the Eldar and by the Dwarves themselves; but since
these things lie far back beyond our days little is said of them
here. Durin is the name that the Dwarves used for the eldest of
the Seven Fathers of their race, and the ancestor of all the kings
of the Longbeards.1 He slept alone, until in the deeps of time
and the awakening of that people he came to Azanulbizar, and
in the caves above Kheled-za\u02c6ram in the east of the Misty Mountains he made his dwelling, where afterwards were the Mines of
Moria renowned in song.
There he lived so long that he was known far and wide as
Durin the Deathless. Yet in the end he died before the Elder
Days had passed, and his tomb was in Khazad-du\u02c6m; but his line
never failed, and five times an heir was born in his House so like
to his Forefather that he received the name of Durin. He was
indeed held by the Dwarves to be the Deathless that returned;
for they have many strange tales and beliefs concerning themselves and their fate in the world.
After the end of the First Age the power and wealth of Khazaddu\u02c6m was much increased; for it was enriched by many people
and much lore and craft when the ancient cities of Nogrod and
Belegost in the Blue Mountains were ruined at the breaking of
Thangorodrim. The power of Moria endured throughout the
Dark Years and the dominion of Sauron, for though Eregion
was destroyed and the gates of Moria were shut, the halls of
Khazad-du\u02c6m were too deep and strong and filled with a people
too numerous and valiant for Sauron to conquer from without.
Thus its wealth remained long unravished, though its people
began to dwindle.
It came to pass that in the middle of the Third Age Durin
was again its king, being the sixth of that name. The power of
Sauron, servant of Morgoth, was then again growing in the
world, though the Shadow in the Forest that looked towards
1 The Hobbit, p. 50.
appendix a 1407
Moria was not yet known for what it was. All evil things were
stirring. The Dwarves delved deep at that time, seeking beneath
Barazinbar for mithril, the metal beyond price that was becoming
yearly ever harder to win.1 Thus they roused from sleep2 a thing
of terror that, flying from Thangorodrim, had lain hidden at
the foundations of the earth since the coming of the Host of the
West: a Balrog of Morgoth. Durin was slain by it, and the year
after Na\u00b4in I, his son; and then the glory of Moria passed, and its
people were destroyed or fled far away.
Most of those that escaped made their way into the North, and
Thra\u00b4in I, Na\u00b4in\u2019s son, came to Erebor, the Lonely Mountain,
near the eastern eaves of Mirkwood, and there he began new
works, and became King under the Mountain. In Erebor he
found the great jewel, the Arkenstone, Heart of the Mountain.3
But Thorin I his son removed and went into the far North
to the Grey Mountains, where most of Durin\u2019s folk were now
gathering; for those mountains were rich and little explored. But
there were dragons in the wastes beyond; and after many years
they became strong again and multiplied, and they made war on
the Dwarves, and plundered their works. At last Da\u00b4in I, together
with Fro\u00b4r his second son, was slain at the doors of his hall by a
great cold-drake.
Not long after most of Durin\u2019s Folk abandoned the Grey
Mountains. Gro\u00b4r, Da\u00b4in\u2019s son, went away with many followers
to the Iron Hills; but Thro\u00b4r, Da\u00b4in\u2019s heir, with Borin his father\u2019s
brother and the remainder of the people returned to Erebor. To
the Great Hall of Thra\u00b4in, Thro\u00b4r brought back the Arkenstone,
and he and his folk prospered and became rich, and they had
the friendship of all Men that dwelt near. For they made not
only things of wonder and beauty but weapons and armour of
great worth; and there was great traffic of ore between them and
their kin in the Iron Hills. Thus the Northmen who lived between
Celduin (River Running) and Carnen (Redwater) became
1 p. 413. 2 Or released from prison; it may well be that it had already been
awakened by the malice of Sauron. 3 The Hobbit, pp. 207\u20138.
1408 the return of the king
strong and drove back all enemies from the East; and the
Dwarves lived in plenty, and there was feasting and song in the
Halls of Erebor.1
So the rumour of the wealth of Erebor spread abroad and
reached the ears of the dragons, and at last Smaug the Golden,
greatest of the dragons of his day, arose and without warning
came against King Thro\u00b4r and descended on the Mountain in
flames. It was not long before all that realm was destroyed, and
the town of Dale nearby was ruined and deserted; but Smaug
entered into the Great Hall and lay there upon a bed of gold.
From the sack and the burning many of Thro\u00b4r\u2019s kin escaped;
and last of all from the halls by a secret door came Thro\u00b4r himself
and his son Thra\u00b4in II. They went away south with their family2
into long and homeless wandering. With them went also a small
company of their kinsmen and faithful followers.
Years afterwards Thro\u00b4r, now old, poor, and desperate, gave to
his son Thra\u00b4in the one great treasure he still possessed, the last
of the Seven Rings, and then he went away with one old companion only, called Na\u00b4r. Of the Ring he said to Thra\u00b4in at their
parting:
\u2018This may prove the foundation of new fortune for you yet,
though that seems unlikely. But it needs gold to breed gold.\u2019
\u2018Surely you do not think of returning to Erebor?\u2019 said Thra\u00b4in.
\u2018Not at my age,\u2019 said Thro\u00b4r. \u2018Our vengeance on Smaug I
bequeath to you and your sons. But I am tired of poverty and
the scorn of Men. I go to see what I can find.\u2019 He did not say
where.
He was a little crazed perhaps with age and misfortune and
long brooding on the splendour of Moria in his forefathers\u2019 days;
or the Ring, it may be, was turning to evil now that its master
was awake, driving him to folly and destruction. From Dunland,
1 The Hobbit, p. 22. 2 Among whom were the children of Thra\u00b4in II: Thorin (Oakenshield),
Frerin, and D\u0131\u00b4s. Thorin was then a youngster in the reckoning of the
Dwarves. It was afterwards learned that more of the Folk under the
Mountain had escaped than was at first hoped; but most of these went
to the Iron Hills.
appendix a 1409
where he was then dwelling, he went north with Na\u00b4r, and they
crossed the Redhorn Pass and came down into Azanulbizar.
When Thro\u00b4r came to Moria the Gate was open. Na\u00b4r begged
him to beware, but he took no heed of him, and walked proudly
in as an heir that returns. But he did not come back. Na\u00b4r stayed
nearby for many days in hiding. One day he heard a loud shout
and the blare of a horn, and a body was flung out on the steps.
Fearing that it was Thro\u00b4r, he began to creep near, but there
came a voice from within the gate:
\u2018Come on, beardling! We can see you. But there is no need to
be afraid today. We need you as a messenger.\u2019
Then Na\u00b4r came up, and found that it was indeed the body of
Thro\u00b4r, but the head was severed and lay face downwards. As he
knelt there, he heard orc-laughter in the shadows, and the voice
said:
\u2018If beggars will not wait at the door, but sneak in to try thieving,
that is what we do to them. If any of your people poke their foul
beards in here again, they will fare the same. Go and tell them
so! But if his family wish to know who is now king here, the
name is written on his face. I wrote it! I killed him! I am the
master!\u2019
Then Na\u00b4r turned the head and saw branded on the brow in
dwarf-runes so that he could read it the name azog. That name
was branded in his heart and in the hearts of all the Dwarves
afterwards. Na\u00b4r stooped to take the head, but the voice of Azog1
said:
\u2018Drop it! Be off ! Here\u2019s your fee, beggar-beard.\u2019 A small bag
struck him. It held a few coins of little worth.
Weeping, Na\u00b4r fled down the Silverlode; but he looked back
once and saw that Orcs had come from the gate and were hacking
up the body and flinging the pieces to the black crows.
Such was the tale that Na\u00b4r brought back to Thra\u00b4in; and when
he had wept and torn his beard he fell silent. Seven days he sat
and said no word. Then he stood up and said: \u2018This cannot be
borne!\u2019 That was the beginning of the War of the Dwarves and
1 Azog was the father of Bolg; see The Hobbit, p. 24.
1410 the return of the king
the Orcs, which was long and deadly, and fought for the most
part in deep places beneath the earth.
Thra\u00b4in at once sent messengers bearing the tale, north, east,
and west; but it was three years before the Dwarves had mustered
their strength. Durin\u2019s Folk gathered all their host, and they were
joined by great forces sent from the Houses of other Fathers; for
this dishonour to the heir of the Eldest of their race filled them
with wrath. When all was ready they assailed and sacked one by
one all the strongholds of the Orcs that they could find from
Gundabad to the Gladden. Both sides were pitiless, and there
was death and cruel deeds by dark and by light. But the Dwarves
had the victory through their strength, and their matchless
weapons, and the fire of their anger, as they hunted for Azog in
every den under mountain.
At last all the Orcs that fled before them were gathered inMoria,
and the Dwarf-host in pursuit came to Azanulbizar. That was a
great vale that lay between the arms of the mountains about the
lake of Kheled-za\u02c6ram and had been of old part of the kingdom
of Khazad-du\u02c6m. When the Dwarves saw the gate of their ancient
mansions upon the hill-side they sent up a great shout like thunder in the valley. But a great host of foes was arrayed on the
slopes above them, and out of the gates poured a multitude of
Orcs that had been held back by Azog for the last need.
At first fortune was against the Dwarves; for it was a dark day
of winter without sun, and the Orcs did not waver, and they
outnumbered their enemies, and had the higher ground. So began
the Battle of Azanulbizar (or Nanduhirion in the Elvish tongue),
at the memory of which the Orcs still shudder and the Dwarves
weep. The first assault of the vanguard led by Thra\u00b4in was thrown
back with loss, and Thra\u00b4in was driven into a wood of great trees
that then still grew not far from Kheled-za\u02c6ram. There Frerin his
son fell, and Fundin his kinsman, and many others, and both
Thra\u00b4in and Thorin were wounded.1 Elsewhere the battle swayed
to and fro with great slaughter, until at last the people of the Iron
1 It is said that Thorin\u2019s shield was cloven and he cast it away and he
hewed off with his axe a branch of an oak and held it in his left hand to
ward off the strokes of his foes, or to wield as a club. In this way he got
his name.
appendix a 1411
Hills turned the day. Coming late and fresh to the field the mailed
warriors of Na\u00b4in, Gro\u00b4r\u2019s son, drove through the Orcs to the very
threshold of Moria, crying \u2018Azog! Azog!\u2019 as they hewed down with
their mattocks all who stood in their way.
Then Na\u00b4in stood before the Gate and cried with a great voice:
\u2018Azog! If you are in come out! Or is the play in the valley too
rough?\u2019
Thereupon Azog came forth, and he was a great Orc with a
huge iron-clad head, and yet agile and strong. With him came
many like him, the fighters of his guard, and as they engaged
Na\u00b4in\u2019s company he turned to Na\u00b4in, and said:
\u2018What? Yet another beggar at my doors? Must I brand you
too?\u2019 With that he rushed at Na\u00b4in and they fought. But Na\u00b4in
was half blind with rage, and also very weary with battle, whereas
Azog was fresh and fell and full of guile. Soon Na\u00b4in made a
great stroke with all his strength that remained, but Azog darted
aside and kicked Na\u00b4in\u2019s leg, so that the mattock splintered on
the stone where he had stood, but Na\u00b4in stumbled forward. Then
Azog with a swift swing hewed his neck. His mail-collar withstood the edge, but so heavy was the blow that Na\u00b4in\u2019s neck was
broken and he fell.
Then Azog laughed, and he lifted up his head to let forth a
great yell of triumph; but the cry died in his throat. For he saw
that all his host in the valley was in a rout, and the Dwarves went
this way and that slaying as they would, and those that could
escape from them were flying south, shrieking as they ran. And
hard by all the soldiers of his guard lay dead. He turned and fled
back towards the Gate.
Up the steps after him leaped a Dwarf with a red axe. It was
Da\u00b4in Ironfoot, Na\u00b4in\u2019s son. Right before the doors he caught
Azog, and there he slew him, and hewed off his head. That was
held a great feat, for Da\u00b4in was then only a stripling in the reckoning of the Dwarves. But long life and many battles lay before
him, until old but unbowed he fell at last in the War of the Ring.
Yet hardy and full of wrath as he was, it is said that when he
came down from the Gate he looked grey in the face, as one
who has felt great fear.
When at last the battle was won the Dwarves that were left
1412 the return of the king
gathered in Azanulbizar. They took the head of Azog and thrust
into its mouth the purse of small money, and then they set it on
a stake. But no feast nor song was there that night; for their dead
were beyond the count of grief. Barely half of their number, it is
said, could still stand or had hope of healing.
None the less in the morning Thra\u00b4in stood before them. He had
one eye blinded beyond cure, and he was halt with a leg-wound;
but he said: \u2018Good! We have the victory. Khazad-du\u02c6m is ours!\u2019
But they answered: \u2018Durin\u2019s Heir you may be, but even with
one eye you should see clearer. We fought this war for vengeance, and vengeance we have taken. But it is not sweet. If this
is victory, then our hands are too small to hold it.\u2019
And those who were not of Durin\u2019s Folk said also: \u2018Khazaddu\u02c6m was not our Fathers\u2019 house. What is it to us, unless a hope
of treasure? But now, if we must go without the rewards and the
weregilds that are owed to us, the sooner we return to our own
lands the better pleased we shall be.\u2019
Then Thra\u00b4in turned to Da\u00b4in, and said: \u2018But surely my own
kin will not desert me?\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019 said Da\u00b4in. \u2018You are the father of
our Folk, and we have bled for you, and will again. But we will
not enter Khazad-du\u02c6m. You will not enter Khazad-du\u02c6m. Only I
have looked through the shadow of the Gate. Beyond the shadow
it waits for you still: Durin\u2019s Bane. The world must change and
some other power than ours must come before Durin\u2019s Folk
walk again in Moria.\u2019
So it was that after Azanulbizar the Dwarves dispersed again.
But first with great labour they stripped all their dead, so that
Orcs should not come and win there a store of weapons and
mail. It is said that every Dwarf that went from that battlefield
was bowed under a heavy burden. Then they built many pyres
and burned all the bodies of their kin. There was a great felling
of trees in the valley, which remained bare ever after, and the
reek of the burning was seen in Lo\u00b4rien.1
1 Such dealings with their dead seemed grievous to the Dwarves, for
it was against their use; but to make such tombs as they were accustomed
to build (since they will lay their dead only in stone not in earth) would
have taken many years. To fire therefore they turned, rather than leave
their kin to beast or bird or carrion-orc. But those who fell in Azanulbizar
appendix a 1413
When the dreadful fires were in ashes the allies went away to
their own countries, and Da\u00b4in Ironfoot led his father\u2019s people
back to the Iron Hills. Then standing by the great stake, Thra\u00b4in
said to Thorin Oakenshield: \u2018Some would think this head dearly
bought! At least we have given our kingdom for it. Will you
come with me back to the anvil? Or will you beg your bread at
proud doors?\u2019
\u2018To the anvil,\u2019 answered Thorin. \u2018The hammer will at least
keep the arms strong, until they can wield sharper tools again.\u2019
So Thra\u00b4in and Thorin with what remained of their following
(among whom were Balin and Glo\u00b4in) returned to Dunland, and
soon afterwards they removed and wandered in Eriador, until at
last they made a home in exile in the east of the Ered Luin
beyond the Lune. Of iron were most of the things that they
forged in those days, but they prospered after a fashion, and
their numbers slowly increased.1 But, as Thro\u00b4r had said, the
Ring needed gold to breed gold, and of that or any other precious
metal they had little or none.
Of this Ring something may be said here. It was believed by the
Dwarves of Durin\u2019s Folk to be the first of the Seven that was
forged; and they say that it was given to the King of Khazaddu\u02c6m, Durin III, by the Elven-smiths themselves and not by
Sauron, though doubtless his evil power was on it, since he had
aided in the forging of all the Seven. But the possessors of the
Ring did not display it or speak of it, and they seldom surrendered it until near death, so that others did not know for certain
where it was bestowed. Some thought that it had remained in
Khazad-du\u02c6m, in the secret tombs of the kings, if they had not
been discovered and plundered; but among the kindred of
Durin\u2019s Heir it was believed (wrongly) that Thro\u00b4r had worn it
when he rashly returned there. What then had become of it they
did not know. It was not found on the body of Azog.2
were honoured in memory, and to this day a Dwarf will say proudly of
one of his sires: \u2018he was a burned Dwarf \u2019, and that is enough. 1 They had very few women-folk. D\u0131\u00b4s Thra\u00b4in\u2019s daughter was there.
She was the mother of F\u0131\u00b4li and K\u0131\u00b4li, who were born in the Ered Luin.
Thorin had no wife. 2 p. 349.
1414 the return of the king
None the less it may well be, as the Dwarves now believe,
that Sauron by his arts had discovered who had this Ring, the
last to remain free, and that the singular misfortunes of the heirs
of Durin were largely due to his malice. For the Dwarves had
proved untameable by this means. The only power over them
that the Rings wielded was to inflame their hearts with a greed
of gold and precious things, so that if they lacked them all other
good things seemed profitless, and they were filled with wrath
and desire for vengeance on all who deprived them. But they
were made from their beginning of a kind to resist most steadfastly any domination. Though they could be slain or broken,
they could not be reduced to shadows enslaved to another
will; and for the same reason their lives were not affected by
any Ring, to live either longer or shorter because of it. All the
more did Sauron hate the possessors and desire to dispossess
them.
It was therefore perhaps partly by the malice of the Ring that
Thra\u00b4in after some years became restless and discontented. The
lust for gold was ever in his mind. At last, when he could endure
it no longer, he turned his thoughts to Erebor, and resolved to
go back there. He said nothing to Thorin of what was in his
heart; but with Balin and Dwalin and a few others, he arose and
said farewell and departed.
Little is known of what happened to him afterwards. It would
now seem that as soon as he was abroad with few companions
he was hunted by the emissaries of Sauron. Wolves pursued
him, Orcs waylaid him, evil birds shadowed his path, and the
more he strove to go north the more misfortunes opposed him.
There came a dark night when he and his companions were
wandering in the land beyond Anduin, and they were driven by
a black rain to take shelter under the eaves of Mirkwood. In the
morning he was gone from the camp, and his companions called
him in vain. They searched for him many days, until at last
giving up hope they departed and came at length back to Thorin.
Only long after was it learned that Thra\u00b4in had been taken alive
and brought to the pits of Dol Guldur. There he was tormented
and the Ring taken from him, and there at last he died.
So Thorin Oakenshield became the Heir of Durin, but an heir
appendix a 1415
without hope. When Thra\u00b4in was lost he was ninety-five, a great
dwarf of proud bearing; but he seemed content to remain in
Eriador. There he laboured long, and trafficked, and gained such
wealth as he could; and his people were increased by many of
the wandering Folk of Durin who heard of his dwelling in the
west and came to him. Now they had fair halls in the mountains,
and store of goods, and their days did not seem so hard, though
in their songs they spoke ever of the Lonely Mountain far
away.
The years lengthened. The embers in the heart of Thorin
grew hot again, as he brooded on the wrongs of his House and
the vengeance upon the Dragon that he had inherited. He
thought of weapons and armies and alliances, as his great hammer rang in his forge; but the armies were dispersed and the
alliances broken and the axes of his people were few; and a great
anger without hope burned him as he smote the red iron on the
anvil.
But at last there came about by chance a meeting between Gandalf and Thorin that changed all the fortunes of the House of
Durin, and led to other and greater ends beside. On a time1
Thorin, returning west from a journey, stayed at Bree for the
night. There Gandalf was also. He was on his way to the Shire,
which he had not visited for some twenty years. He was weary,
and thought to rest there for a while.
Among many cares he was troubled in mind by the perilous
state of the North; because he knew then already that Sauron
was plotting war, and intended, as soon as he felt strong enough,
to attack Rivendell. But to resist any attempt from the East
to regain the lands of Angmar and the northern passes in the
mountains there were now only the Dwarves of the Iron Hills.
And beyond them lay the desolation of the Dragon. The Dragon
Sauron might use with terrible effect. How then could the end
of Smaug be achieved?
It was even as Gandalf sat and pondered this that Thorin
stood before him, and said: \u2018Master Gandalf, I know you only
by sight, but now I should be glad to speak with you. For you
1 March 15, 2941.
1416 the return of the king
have often come into my thoughts of late, as if I were bidden to
seek you. Indeed I should have done so, if I had known where
to find you.\u2019
Gandalf looked at him with wonder. \u2018That is strange, Thorin
Oakenshield,\u2019 he said. \u2018For I have thought of you also; and
though I am on my way to the Shire, it was in my mind that is
the way also to your halls.\u2019
\u2018Call them so, if you will,\u2019 said Thorin. \u2018They are only poor
lodgings in exile. But you would be welcome there, if you would
come. For they say that you are wise and know more than any
other of what goes on in the world; and I have much on my
mind and would be glad of your counsel.\u2019
\u2018I will come,\u2019 said Gandalf; \u2018for I guess that we share one
trouble at least. The Dragon of Erebor is on my mind, and I do
not think that he will be forgotten by the grandson of Thro\u00b4r.\u2019
The story is told elsewhere of what came of that meeting: of the
strange plan that Gandalf made for the help of Thorin, and how
Thorin and his companions set out from the Shire on the quest
of the Lonely Mountain that came to great ends unforeseen.
Here only those things are recalled that directly concern Durin\u2019s
Folk.
The Dragon was slain by Bard of Esgaroth, but there was
battle in Dale. For the Orcs came down upon Erebor as soon as
they heard of the return of the Dwarves; and they were led by
Bolg, son of that Azog whom Da\u00b4in slew in his youth. In that first
Battle of Dale, Thorin Oakenshield was mortally wounded; and
he died and was laid in a tomb under the Mountain with the
Arkenstone upon his breast. There fell also F\u0131\u00b4li and K\u0131\u00b4li, his
sister-sons. But Da\u00b4in Ironfoot, his cousin, who came from the
Iron Hills to his aid and was also his rightful heir, became then
King Da\u00b4in II, and the Kingdom under the Mountain was
restored, even as Gandalf had desired. Da\u00b4in proved a great and
wise king, and the Dwarves prospered and grew strong again in
his day.
In the late summer of that same year (2941) Gandalf had at
last prevailed upon Saruman and the White Council to attack
Dol Guldur, and Sauron retreated and went to Mordor, there
to be secure, as he thought, from all his enemies. So it was
appendix a 1417
that when the War came at last the main assault was turned
southwards; yet even so with his far-stretched right hand Sauron
might have done great evil in the North, if King Da\u00b4in and King
Brand had not stood in his path. Even as Gandalf said afterwards
to Frodo and Gimli, when they dwelt together for a time in
Minas Tirith. Not long before news had come to Gondor of
events far away.
\u2018I grieved at the fall of Thorin,\u2019 said Gandalf; \u2018and now we
hear that Da\u00b4in has fallen, fighting in Dale again, even while we
fought here. I should call that a heavy loss, if it was not a wonder
rather that in his great age he could still wield his axe as mightily
as they say that he did, standing over the body of King Brand
before the Gate of Erebor until the darkness fell.
\u2018Yet things might have gone far otherwise and far worse. When
you think of the great Battle of the Pelennor, do not forget the
battles in Dale and the valour of Durin\u2019s Folk. Think of what
might have been. Dragon-fire and savage swords in Eriador,
night in Rivendell. There might be no Queen in Gondor. We
might now hope to return from the victory here only to ruin
and ash. But that has been averted \u2013 because I met Thorin
Oakenshield one evening on the edge of spring in Bree. A
chance-meeting, as we say in Middle-earth.\u2019
D\u0131\u00b4s was the daughter of Thra\u00b4in II. She is the only dwarf-woman
named in these histories. It was said by Gimli that there are few
dwarf-women, probably no more than a third of the whole
people. They seldom walk abroad except at great need. They
are in voice and appearance, and in garb if they must go on a
journey, so like to the dwarf-men that the eyes and ears of other
peoples cannot tell them apart. This has given rise to the foolish
opinion among Men that there are no dwarf-women, and that
the Dwarves \u2018grow out of stone\u2019.
It is because of the fewness of women among them that the
kind of the Dwarves increases slowly, and is in peril when they
have no secure dwellings. For Dwarves take only one wife or
husband each in their lives, and are jealous, as in all matters of
their rights. The number of dwarf-men that marry is actually
less than one-third. For not all the women take husbands: some
desire none; some desire one that they cannot get, and so will
1418 the return of the king
appendix a 1419
have no other. As for the men, very many also do not desire
marriage, being engrossed in their crafts.
Gimli Glo\u00b4in\u2019s son is renowned, for he was one of the Nine
Walkers that set out with the Ring; and he remained in the
company of King Elessar throughout the War. He was named
Elf-friend because of the great love that grew between him and
Legolas, son of King Thranduil, and because of his reverence
for the Lady Galadriel.
After the fall of Sauron, Gimli brought south a part of the
Dwarf-folk of Erebor, and he became Lord of the Glittering
Caves. He and his people did great works in Gondor and Rohan.
For Minas Tirith they forged gates of mithril and steel to replace
those broken by the Witch-king. Legolas his friend also brought
south Elves out of Greenwood, and they dwelt in Ithilien, and it
became once again the fairest country in all the westlands.
But when King Elessar gave up his life Legolas followed at last
the desire of his heart and sailed over Sea.
Here follows one of the last notes in the Red Book
We have heard tell that Legolas took Gimli Glo\u00b4in\u2019s son with him
because of their great friendship, greater than any that has been
between Elf and Dwarf. If this is true, then it is strange indeed:
that a Dwarf should be willing to leave Middle-earth for any
love, or that the Eldar should receive him, or that the Lords of
the West should permit it. But it is said that Gimli went also out
of desire to see again the beauty of Galadriel; and it may be that
she, being mighty among the Eldar, obtained this grace for him.
More cannot be said of this matter.
APPENDIX B
THE TALE OF YEARS
(chronology of the westlands)
The First Age ended with the Great Battle, in which the Host of
Valinor broke Thangorodrim1 and overthrew Morgoth. Then
most of the Noldor returned into the Far West2 and dwelt in
Eresse\u00a8a within sight of Valinor; and many of the Sindar went
over Sea also.
The Second Age ended with the first overthrow of Sauron,
servant of Morgoth, and the taking of the One Ring.
The Third Age came to its end in the War of the Ring; but the
Fourth Age was not held to have begun until Master Elrond
departed, and the time was come for the dominion of Men and
the decline of all other \u2018speaking-peoples\u2019 in Middle-earth.3
In the Fourth Age the earlier ages were often called the Elder
Days; but that name was properly given only to the days before
the casting out of Morgoth. The histories of that time are not
recorded here.
The Second Age
These were the dark years for Men of Middle-earth, but the
years of the glory of Nu\u00b4menor. Of events in Middle-earth the
records are few and brief, and their dates are often uncertain.
In the beginning of this age many of the High Elves still
remained. Most of these dwelt in Lindon west of the Ered Luin;
but before the building of the Barad-du\u02c6r many of the Sindar
passed eastward, and some established realms in the forests far
away, where their people were mostly Silvan Elves. Thranduil,
king in the north of Greenwood the Great, was one of these. In
1 p. 316. 2 p. 779, The Hobbit, p. 151. 3 p. 1272.
appendix b 1421
Lindon north of the Lune dwelt Gil-galad, last heir of the kings
of the Noldor in exile. He was acknowledged as High King of
the Elves of the West. In Lindon south of the Lune dwelt for a
time Celeborn, kinsman of Thingol; his wife was Galadriel,
greatest of Elven women. She was sister of Finrod Felagund,
Friend-of-Men, once king of Nargothrond, who gave his life to
save Beren son of Barahir.
Later some of the Noldor went to Eregion, upon the west of
the Misty Mountains, and near to the West-gate of Moria. This
they did because they learned that mithril had been discovered
in Moria.1 The Noldor were great craftsmen and less unfriendly
to the Dwarves than the Sindar; but the friendship that grew up
between the people of Durin and the Elven-smiths of Eregion
was the closest that there has ever been between the two races.
Celebrimbor was Lord of Eregion and the greatest of their craftsmen; he was descended from Fe\u00a8anor.
Year
1 Foundation of the Grey Havens, and of Lindon.
32 The Edain reach Nu\u00b4menor.
c. 40 Many Dwarves leaving their old cities in Ered Luin go
to Moria and swell its numbers.
442 Death of Elros Tar-Minyatur.
c. 500 Sauron begins to stir again in Middle-earth.
521 Birth in Nu\u00b4menor of Silmarie\u00a8n.
600 The first ships of the Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans appear off the
coasts.
750 Eregion founded by the Noldor.
c. 1000 Sauron, alarmed by the growing power of the
Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans, chooses Mordor as a land to make into a
stronghold. He begins the building of Barad-du\u02c6r.
1075 Tar-Ancalime\u00a8 becomes the first Ruling Queen of
Nu\u00b4menor.
1200 Sauron endeavours to seduce the Eldar. Gil-galad
refuses to treat with him; but the smiths of Eregion are
won over. The Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans begin to make permanent havens.
1 p. 413.
1422 the return of the king
c. 1500 The Elven-smiths instructed by Sauron reach the
height of their skill. They begin the forging of the Rings
of Power.
c. 1590 The Three Rings are completed in Eregion.
c. 1600 Sauron forges the One Ring in Orodruin. He completes the Barad-du\u02c6r. Celebrimbor perceives the
designs of Sauron.
1693 War of the Elves and Sauron begins. The Three Rings
are hidden.
1695 Sauron\u2019s forces invade Eriador. Gil-galad sends Elrond
to Eregion.
1697 Eregion laid waste. Death of Celebrimbor. The gates
of Moria are shut. Elrond retreats with remnant of the
Noldor and founds the refuge of Imladris.
1699 Sauron overruns Eriador.
1700 Tar-Minastir sends a great navy from Nu\u00b4menor to
Lindon. Sauron is defeated.
1701 Sauron is driven out of Eriador. The Westlands have
peace for a long while.
c. 1800 From about this time onward the Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans begin
to establish dominions on the coasts. Sauron extends his
power eastwards. The shadow falls on Nu\u00b4menor.
2251 Death of Tar-Atanamir. Tar-Ancalimon takes the
sceptre. Rebellion and division of the Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans
begins. About this time the Nazgu\u02c6l or Ringwraiths,
slaves of the Nine Rings, first appear.
2280 Umbar is made into a great fortress of Nu\u00b4menor.
2350 Pelargir is built. It becomes the chief haven of the
Faithful Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans.
2899 Ar-Adu\u02c6nakho\u02c6r takes the sceptre.
3175 Repentance of Tar-Palantir. Civil war in Nu\u00b4menor.
3255 Ar-Pharazo\u02c6n the Golden seizes the sceptre.
3261 Ar-Pharazo\u02c6n sets sail and lands at Umbar.
3262 Sauron is taken as prisoner to Nu\u00b4menor; 3262\u20133310
Sauron seduces theKing and corrupts theNu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans.
3310 Ar-Pharazo\u02c6n begins the building of the Great
Armament.
3319 Ar-Pharazo\u02c6n assails Valinor. Downfall of Nu\u00b4menor.
Elendil and his sons escape.
appendix b 1423
3320 Foundations of the Realms in Exile: Arnor and
Gondor. The Stones are divided (p. 780). Sauron
returns to Mordor.
3429 Sauron attacks Gondor, takes Minas Ithil and burns
the White Tree. Isildur escapes down Anduin and goes
to Elendil in the North. Ana\u00b4rion defends Minas Anor
and Osgiliath.
3430 The Last Alliance of Elves and Men is formed.
3431 Gil-galad and Elendil march east to Imladris.
3434 The host of the Alliance crosses the Misty Mountains.
Battle of Dagorlad and defeat of Sauron. Siege of
Barad-du\u02c6r begins.
3440 Ana\u00b4rion slain.
3441 Sauron overthrown by Elendil and Gil-galad, who perish. Isildur takes the One Ring. Sauron passes away
and the Ringwraiths go into the shadows. The Second
Age ends.
The Third Age
These were the fading years of the Eldar. For long they were at
peace, wielding the Three Rings while Sauron slept and the One
Ring was lost; but they attempted nothing new, living in memory
of the past. The Dwarves hid themselves in deep places,
guarding their hoards; but when evil began to stir again and
dragons reappeared, one by one their ancient treasures were
plundered, and they became a wandering people. Moria for long
remained secure, but its numbers dwindled until many of its vast
mansions became dark and empty. The wisdom and the life-span
of the Nu\u00b4meno\u00b4reans also waned as they became mingled with
lesser Men.
When maybe a thousand years had passed, and the first
shadow had fallen on Greenwood the Great, the Istari or Wizards
appeared in Middle-earth. It was afterwards said that they came
out of the Far West and were messengers sent to contest the
power of Sauron, and to unite all those who had the will to resist
him; but they were forbidden to match his power with power,
or to seek to dominate Elves or Men by force and fear.
They came therefore in the shape of Men, though they were
1424 the return of the king
never young and aged only slowly, and they had many powers
of mind and hand. They revealed their true names to few,1 but
used such names as were given to them. The two highest of this
order (of whom it is said there were five) were called by the
Eldar Curun\u0131\u00b4r, \u2018the Man of Skill\u2019, and Mithrandir, \u2018the Grey
Pilgrim\u2019, but by Men in the North Saruman and Gandalf. Curun\u0131\u00b4r journeyed often into the East, but dwelt at last in Isengard.
Mithrandir was closest in friendship with the Eldar, and wandered mostly in the West, and never made for himself any lasting
abode.
Throughout the Third Age the guardianship of the Three
Rings was known only to those who possessed them. But at the
end it became known that they had been held at first by the three
greatest of the Eldar: Gil-galad, Galadriel and C\u0131\u00b4rdan. Gil-galad
before he died gave his ring to Elrond; C\u0131\u00b4rdan later surrendered
his to Mithrandir. For C\u0131\u00b4rdan saw further and deeper than any
other in Middle-earth, and he welcomed Mithrandir at the Grey
Havens, knowing whence he came and whither he would return.
\u2018Take this ring, Master,\u2019 he said, \u2018for your labours will be
heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have
taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you
may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me,
my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until
the last ship sails. I will await you.\u2019
Year
2 Isildur plants a seedling of the White Tree in Minas
Anor. He delivers the South-kingdom to Meneldil.
Disaster of the Gladden Fields; Isildur and his three
elder sons are slain.
3 Ohtar brings the shards of Narsil to Imladris.
10 Valandil becomes King of Arnor.
109 Elrond weds Celebr\u0131\u00b4an, daughter of Celeborn.
130 Birth of Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond.
241 Birth of Arwen Undo\u00b4miel.
420 King Ostoher rebuilds Minas Anor.
490 First invasion of Easterlings.
1 p. 876.
appendix b 1425
500 Ro\u00b4mendacil I defeats the Easterlings.
541 Ro\u00b4mendacil slain in battle.
830 Falastur begins the line of the Ship-kings of Gondor.
861 Death of Ea\u00a8rendur, and division of Arnor.
933 King Ea\u00a8rnil I takes Umbar, which becomes a fortress
of Gondor.
936 Ea\u00a8rnil lost at sea.
1015 King Ciryandil slain in the siege of Umbar.
1050 Hyarmendacil conquers the Harad. Gondor reaches
the height of its power. About this time a shadow falls
on Greenwood, and men begin to call it Mirkwood.
The Periannath are first mentioned in records, with
the coming of the Harfoots to Eriador.
c. 1100 The Wise (the Istari and the chief Eldar) discover that
an evil power has made a stronghold at Dol Guldur. It
is thought to be one of the Nazgu\u02c6l.
1149 Reign of Atanatar Alcarin begins.
c. 1150 The Fallohides enter Eriador. The Stoors come over
the Redhorn Pass and move to the Angle, or to
Dunland.
c. 1300 Evil things begin to multiply again. Orcs increase in
the Misty Mountains and attack the Dwarves. The
Nazgu\u02c6l reappear. The chief of these comes north to
Angmar. The Periannath migrate westward; many
settle at Bree.
1356 King Argeleb I slain in battle with Rhudaur. About
this time the Stoors leave the Angle, and some return
to Wilderland.
1409 The Witch-king of Angmar invades Arnor. King
Arveleg I slain. Fornost and Tyrn Gorthad are
defended. The Tower of Amon Su\u02c6l destroyed.
1432 King Valacar of Gondor dies, and the civil war of the
Kin-strife begins.
1437 Burning of Osgiliath and loss of the palant\u0131\u00b4r. Eldacar
flees to Rhovanion; his son Ornendil is murdered.
1447 Eldacar returns and drives out the usurper Castamir.
Battle of the Crossings of Erui. Siege of Pelargir.
1448 Rebels escape and seize Umbar.
1426 the return of the king
1540 King Aldamir slain in war with the Harad and Corsairs of Umbar.
1551 Hyarmendacil II defeats the Men of Harad.
1601 Many Periannath migrate from Bree, and are granted
land beyond Baranduin by Argeleb II.
c. 1630 They are joined by Stoors coming up from Dunland.
1634 The Corsairs ravage Pelargir and slay King Minardil.
1636 The Great Plague devastates Gondor. Death of King
Telemnar and his children. The White Tree dies in
Minas Anor. The plague spreads north and west, and
many parts of Eriador become desolate. Beyond the
Baranduin the Periannath survive, but suffer great
loss.
1640 King Tarondor removes the King\u2019s House to Minas
Anor, and plants a seedling of the White Tree. Osgiliath begins to fall into ruin. Mordor is left unguarded.
1810 King Telumehtar Umbardacil retakes Umbar and
drives out the Corsairs.
1851 The attacks of the Wainriders upon Gondor begin.
1856 Gondor loses its eastern territories, and Narmacil II
falls in battle.
1899 King Calimehtar defeats the Wainriders on Dagorlad.
1900 Calimehtar builds the White Tower in Minas Anor.
1940 Gondor and Arnor renew communications and form
an alliance. Arvedui weds F\u0131\u00b4riel daughter of Ondoher
of Gondor.
1944 Ondoher falls in battle. Ea\u00a8rnil defeats the enemy in
South Ithilien. He then wins the Battle of the Camp,
and drives Wainriders into the Dead Marshes.
Arvedui claims the crown of Gondor.
1945 Ea\u00a8rnil II receives the crown.
1974 End of the North-kingdom. The Witch-king overruns
Arthedain and takes Fornost.
1975 Arvedui drowned in the Bay of Forochel. The palant\u0131\u00b4ri of Annu\u00b4minas and Amon Su\u02c6l are lost. Ea\u00a8rnur
brings a fleet to Lindon. The Witch-king defeated at
the Battle of Fornost, and pursued to the Ettenmoors.
He vanishes from the North.
1976 Aranarth takes the title of Chieftain of the Du\u00b4nedain.
appendix b 1427
The heirlooms of Arnor are given into the keeping of
Elrond.
1977 Frumgar leads the E\u00b4 othe\u00b4od into the North.
1979 Bucca of the Marish becomes first Thain of the Shire.
1980 The Witch-king comes to Mordor and there gathers
the Nazgu\u02c6l. A Balrog appears in Moria, and slays
Durin VI.
1981 Na\u00b4in I slain. The Dwarves flee from Moria. Many of
the Silvan Elves of Lo\u00b4rien flee south. Amroth and
Nimrodel are lost.
1999 Thra\u00b4in I comes to Erebor and founds a dwarfkingdom \u2018under the Mountain\u2019.
2000 The Nazgu\u02c6l issue from Mordor and besiege Minas
Ithil.
2002 Fall of Minas Ithil, afterwards known as Minas Morgul. The palant\u0131\u00b4r is captured.
2043 Ea\u00a8rnur becomes King of Gondor. He is challenged
by the Witch-king.
2050 The challenge is renewed. Ea\u00a8rnur rides to Minas Morgul and is lost.Mardil becomes the first Ruling Steward.
2060 The power of Dol Guldur grows. The Wise fear that
it may be Sauron taking shape again.
2063 Gandalf goes to Dol Guldur. Sauron retreats and
hides in the East. The Watchful Peace begins. The
Nazgu\u02c6l remain quiet in Minas Morgul.
2210 Thorin I leaves Erebor, and goes north to the Grey
Mountains, where most of the remnants of Durin\u2019s
Folk are now gathering.
2340 Isumbras I becomes thirteenth Thain, and first of the
Took line. The Oldbucks occupy the Buckland.
2460 The Watchful Peace ends. Sauron returns with
increased strength to Dol Guldur.
2463 The White Council is formed. About this time De\u00b4agol
the Stoor finds the One Ring, and is murdered by
Sme\u00b4agol.
2470 About this time Sme\u00b4agol-Gollum hides in the Misty
Mountains.
2475 Attack on Gondor renewed. Osgiliath finally ruined,
and its stone-bridge broken.
1428 the return of the king
c. 2480 Orcs begin to make secret strongholds in the Misty
Mountains so as to bar all the passes into Eriador.
Sauron begins to people Moria with his creatures.
2509 Celebr\u0131\u00b4an, journeying to Lo\u00b4rien, is waylaid in the
Redhorn Pass, and receives a poisoned wound.
2510 Celebr\u0131\u00b4an departs over Sea. Orcs and Easterlings
overrun Calenardhon. Eorl the Young wins the victory of the Field of Celebrant. The Rohirrim settle in
Calenardhon.
2545 Eorl falls in battle in the Wold.
2569 Brego son of Eorl completes the Golden Hall.
2570 Baldor son of Brego enters the Forbidden Door and
is lost. About this time Dragons reappear in the far
North and begin to afflict the Dwarves.
2589 Da\u00b4in I slain by a Dragon.
2590 Thro\u00b4r returns to Erebor. Gro\u00b4r his brother goes to the
Iron Hills.
c. 2670 Tobold plants \u2018pipe-weed\u2019 in the Southfarthing.
2683 Isengrim II becomes tenth Thain and begins the excavation of Great Smials.
2698 Ecthelion I rebuilds the White Tower in Minas Tirith.
2740 Orcs renew their invasions of Eriador.
2747 Bandobras Took defeats an Orc-band in the Northfarthing.
2758 Rohan attacked from west and east and overrun.
Gondor attacked by fleets of the Corsairs. Helm of
Rohan takes refuge in Helm\u2019s Deep. Wulf seizes
Edoras. 2758\u20139: The Long Winter follows. Great suffering and loss of life in Eriador and Rohan. Gandalf
comes to the aid of the Shire-folk.
2759 Death of Helm. Fre\u00b4ala\u00b4f drives out Wulf, and begins
second line of Kings of the Mark. Saruman takes up
his abode in Isengard.
2770 Smaug the Dragon descends on Erebor. Dale destroyed. Thro\u00b4r escapes with Thra\u00b4in II and Thorin II.
2790 Thro\u00b4r slain by an Orc in Moria. The Dwarves gather
for a war of vengeance. Birth of Gerontius, later
known as the Old Took.
2793 The War of the Dwarves and Orcs begins.
appendix b 1429
2799 Battle of Nanduhirion before the East-gate of Moria.
Da\u00b4in Ironfoot returns to the Iron Hills. Thra\u00b4in II and
his son Thorin wander westwards. They settle in the
South of Ered Luin beyond the Shire (2802).
2800\u201364 Orcs from the North trouble Rohan. King Walda
slain by them (2861).
2841 Thra\u00b4in II sets out to revisit Erebor, but is pursued by
the servants of Sauron.
2845 Thra\u00b4in the Dwarf is imprisoned in Dol Guldur; the
last of the Seven Rings is taken from him.
2850 Gandalf again enters Dol Guldur, and discovers that
its master is indeed Sauron, who is gathering all the
Rings and seeking for news of the One, and of Isildur\u2019s Heir. He finds Thra\u00b4in and receives the key of
Erebor. Thra\u00b4in dies in Dol Guldur.
2851 The White Council meets. Gandalf urges an attack
on Dol Guldur. Saruman overrules him.1 Saruman
begins to search near the Gladden Fields.
2872 Belecthor II of Gondor dies. The White Tree dies,
and no seedling can be found. The Dead Tree is left
standing.
2885 Stirred up by emissaries of Sauron the Haradrim
cross the Poros and attack Gondor. The sons of
Folcwine of Rohan are slain in the service of Gondor.
2890 Bilbo born in the Shire.
2901 Most of the remaining inhabitants of Ithilien desert it
owing to the attacks of Uruks of Mordor. The secret
refuge of Henneth Annu\u02c6n is built.
2907 Birth of Gilraen mother of Aragorn II.
2911 The Fell Winter. The Baranduin and other rivers
are frozen. White Wolves invade Eriador from the
North.
2912 Great floods devastate Enedwaith and Minhiriath.
Tharbad is ruined and deserted.
2920 Death of the Old Took.
1 It afterwards became clear that Saruman had then begun to desire
to possess the One Ring himself, and he hoped that it might reveal itself,
seeking its master, if Sauron were let be for a time.
1430 the return of the king
2929 Arathorn son of Arador of the Du\u00b4nedain weds
Gilraen.
2930 Arador slain by Trolls. Birth of Denethor II son of
Ecthelion II in Minas Tirith.
2931 Aragorn son of Arathorn II born on March 1st.
2933 Arathorn II slain. Gilraen takes Aragorn to Imladris.
Elrond receives him as foster-son and gives him the
name Estel (Hope); his ancestry is concealed.
2939 Saruman discovers that Sauron\u2019s servants are searching the Anduin near Gladden Fields, and that Sauron
therefore has learned of Isildur\u2019s end. He is alarmed,
but says nothing to the Council.
2941 Thorin Oakenshield and Gandalf visit Bilbo in the
Shire. Bilbo meets Sme\u00b4agol-Gollum and finds the
Ring. The White Council meets; Saruman agrees to
an attack on Dol Guldur, since he now wishes to prevent Sauron from searching the River. Sauron having
made his plans abandons Dol Guldur. The Battle of
the Five Armies in Dale. Death of Thorin II. Bard of
Esgaroth slays Smaug. Da\u00b4in of the Iron Hills becomes
King under the Mountain (Da\u00b4in II).
2942 Bilbo returns to the Shire with the Ring. Sauron
returns in secret to Mordor.
2944 Bard rebuilds Dale and becomes King. Gollum leaves
the Mountains and begins his search for the \u2018thief \u2019 of
the Ring.
2948 The\u00b4oden son of Thengel, King of Rohan, born.
2949 Gandalf and Balin visit Bilbo in the Shire.
2950 Finduilas, daughter of Adrahil of Dol Amroth, born.
2951 Sauron declares himself openly and gathers power
in Mordor. He begins the rebuilding of Barad-du\u02c6r.
Gollum turns towards Mordor. Sauron sends three
of the Nazgu\u02c6l to reoccupy Dol Guldur.
Elrond reveals to \u2018Estel\u2019 his true name and ancestry,
and delivers to him the shards of Narsil. Arwen, newly
returned from Lo\u00b4rien, meets Aragorn in the woods
of Imladris. Aragorn goes out into the Wild.
2953 Last meeting of the White Council. They debate the
Rings. Saruman feigns that he has discovered that
appendix b 1431
the One Ring has passed down Anduin to the Sea.
Saruman withdraws to Isengard, which he takes as
his own, and fortifies it. Being jealous and afraid of
Gandalf he sets spies to watch all his movements; and
notes his interest in the Shire. He soon begins to keep
agents in Bree and the Southfarthing.
2954 Mount Doom bursts into flame again. The last
inhabitants of Ithilien flee over Anduin.
2956 Aragorn meets Gandalf and their friendship begins.
2957\u201380 Aragorn undertakes his great journeys and errantries.
As Thorongil he serves in disguise both Thengel of
Rohan and Ecthelion II of Gondor.
2968 Birth of Frodo.
2976 Denethor weds Finduilas of Dol Amroth.
2977 Bain son of Bard becomes King of Dale.
2978 Birth of Boromir son of Denethor II.
2980 Aragorn enters Lo\u00b4rien, and there meets again Arwen
Undo\u00b4miel. Aragorn gives her the ring of Barahir, and
they plight their troth upon the hill of Cerin Amroth.
About this time Gollum reaches the confines of
Mordor and becomes acquainted with Shelob.
The\u00b4oden becomes King of Rohan. Birth of Samwise.
2983 Faramir son of Denethor born.
2984 Death of Ecthelion II. Denethor II becomes Steward
of Gondor.
2988 Finduilas dies young.
2989 Balin leaves Erebor and enters Moria.
2991 E\u00b4 omer E\u00b4 omund\u2019s son born in Rohan.
2994 Balin perishes, and the dwarf-colony is destroyed.
2995 E\u00b4 owyn sister of E\u00b4 omer born.
c. 3000 The shadow of Mordor lengthens. Saruman dares to
use the palant\u0131\u00b4r of Orthanc, but becomes ensnared by
Sauron, who has the Ithil-stone. He becomes a traitor
to the Council. His spies report that the Shire is being
closely guarded by the Rangers.
3001 Bilbo\u2019s farewell feast. Gandalf suspects his ring to be
the One Ring. The guard on the Shire is doubled.
Gandalf seeks for news of Gollum and calls on the
help of Aragorn.
1432 the return of the king
3002 Bilbo becomes a guest of Elrond, and settles in Rivendell.
3004 Gandalf visits Frodo in the Shire, and does so at
intervals during the next four years.
3007 Brand son of Bain becomes King in Dale. Death of
Gilraen.
3008 In the autumn Gandalf pays his last visit to Frodo.
3009 Gandalf and Aragorn renew their hunt for Gollum at
intervals during the next eight years, searching in the
vales of Anduin, Mirkwood, and Rhovanion to the
confines of Mordor. At some time during these years
Gollum himself ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron. Elrond sends for Arwen, and she
returns to Imladris; the Mountains and all lands eastward are becoming dangerous.
3017 Gollum is released from Mordor. He is taken by Aragorn in the Dead Marshes, and brought to Thranduil
in Mirkwood. Gandalf visits Minas Tirith and reads
the scroll of Isildur.
the great years
3018
April
12 Gandalf reaches Hobbiton.
June
20 Sauron attacks Osgiliath. About the same time Thranduil
is attacked, and Gollum escapes.
Mid-year\u2019s Day Gandalf meets Radagast.
July
4 Boromir sets out from Minas Tirith.
10 Gandalf imprisoned in Orthanc.
appendix b 1433
August
All trace of Gollum is lost. It is thought that at about
this time, being hunted both by the Elves and Sauron\u2019s
servants, he took refuge in Moria; but when he had at
last discovered the way to the West-gate he could not
get out.
September
18 Gandalf escapes from Orthanc in the early hours. The
Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.
19 Gandalf comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused
admittance.
20 Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. The\u00b4oden commands
him to go: \u2018Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow
is old!\u2019
21 Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow
him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the
fields.
22 The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive
off the guard of Rangers. Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax.
23 Four Riders enter the Shire before dawn. The others
pursue the Rangers eastward, and then return to watch
the Greenway. A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton at
nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf having tamed
Shadowfax rides from Rohan.
24 Gandalf crosses the Isen.
26 The Old Forest. Frodo comes to Bombadil.
27 Gandalf crosses Greyflood. Second night with
Bombadil.
28 The Hobbits captured by a Barrow-wight. Gandalf
reaches Sarn Ford.
29 Frodo reaches Bree at night. Gandalf visits the Gaffer.
30 Crickhollow and the Inn at Bree are raided in the early
hours. Frodo leaves Bree. Gandalf comes to Crickhollow,
and reaches Bree at night.
1434 the return of the king
October
1 Gandalf leaves Bree.
3 He is attacked at night on Weathertop.
6 The camp under Weathertop attacked at night. Frodo
wounded.
9 Glorfindel leaves Rivendell.
11 He drives the Riders off the Bridge of Mitheithel.
13 Frodo crosses the Bridge.
18 Glorfindel finds Frodo at dusk. Gandalf reaches Rivendell.
20 Escape across the Ford of Bruinen.
24 Frodo recovers and wakes. Boromir arrives in Rivendell
at night.
25 Council of Elrond.
December
25 The Company of the Ring leaves Rivendell at dusk.
3019
January
8 The Company reach Hollin.
11, 12 Snow on Caradhras.
13 Attack by Wolves in the early hours. The Company
reaches West-gate of Moria at nightfall. Gollum begins
to trail the Ring-bearer.
14 Night in Hall Twenty-one.
15 The Bridge of Khazad-du\u02c6m, and fall of Gandalf. The
Company reaches Nimrodel late at night.
17 The Company comes to Caras Galadhon at evening.
23 Gandalf pursues the Balrog to the peak of Zirakzigil.
25 He casts down the Balrog, and passes away. His body
lies on the peak.
February
15 The Mirror of Galadriel. Gandalf returns to life, and lies
in a trance.
appendix b 1435
16 Farewell to Lo\u00b4rien. Gollum in hiding on the west bank
observes the departure.
17 Gwaihir bears Gandalf to Lo\u00b4rien.
23 The boats are attacked at night near Sarn Gebir.
25 The Company pass the Argonath and camp at Parth
Galen. First Battle of the Fords of Isen; The\u00b4odred son
of The\u00b4oden slain.
26 Breaking of the Fellowship. Death of Boromir; his horn is
heard in Minas Tirith. Meriadoc and Peregrin captured.
Frodo and Samwise enter the eastern Emyn Muil. Aragorn sets out in pursuit of the Orcs at evening. E\u00b4 omer
hears of the descent of the Orc-band from Emyn Muil.
27 Aragorn reaches the west-cliff at sunrise. E\u00b4 omer against
The\u00b4oden\u2019s orders sets out from Eastfold about midnight
to pursue the Orcs.
28 E\u00b4 omer overtakes the Orcs just outside Fangorn Forest.
29 Meriadoc and Pippin escape and meet Treebeard. The
Rohirrim attack at sunrise and destroy the Orcs. Frodo
descends from the Emyn Muil and meets Gollum. Faramir sees the funeral boat of Boromir.
30 Entmoot begins. E\u00b4 omer returning to Edoras meets
Aragorn.
March
1 Frodo begins the passage of the Dead Marshes at dawn.
Entmoot continues. Aragorn meets Gandalf the White.
They set out for Edoras. Faramir leaves Minas Tirith on
an errand to Ithilien.
2 Frodo comes to the end of the Marshes. Gandalf comes
to Edoras and heals The\u00b4oden. The Rohirrim ride west
against Saruman. Second Battle of Fords of Isen. Erkenbrand defeated. Entmoot ends in afternoon. The Ents
march on Isengard and reach it at night.
3 The\u00b4oden retreats to Helm\u2019s Deep. Battle of the Hornburg begins. Ents complete the destruction of Isengard.
4 The\u00b4oden and Gandalf set out from Helm\u2019s Deep for
Isengard. Frodo reaches the slag-mounds on the edge of
the Desolation of the Morannon.
1436 the return of the king
5 The\u00b4oden reaches Isengard at noon. Parley with Saruman
in Orthanc. Winged Nazgu\u02c6l passes over the camp at Dol
Baran. Gandalf sets out with Peregrin for Minas Tirith.
Frodo hides in sight of the Morannon, and leaves at dusk.
6 Aragorn overtaken by the Du\u00b4nedain in the early hours.
The\u00b4oden sets out from the Hornburg for Harrowdale.
Aragorn sets out later.
7 Frodo taken by Faramir to Henneth Annu\u02c6n. Aragorn
comes to Dunharrow at nightfall.
8 Aragorn takes the \u2018Paths of the Dead\u2019 at daybreak; he
reaches Erech at midnight. Frodo leaves Henneth
Annu\u02c6n.
9 Gandalf reaches Minas Tirith. Faramir leaves Henneth
Annu\u02c6n. Aragorn sets out from Erech and comes to
Calembel. At dusk Frodo reaches the Morgul-road.
The\u00b4oden comes to Dunharrow. Darkness begins to flow
out of Mordor.
10 The Dawnless Day. The Muster of Rohan: the Rohirrim
ride from Harrowdale. Faramir rescued by Gandalf outside the gates of the City. Aragorn crosses Ringlo\u00b4. An
army from the Morannon takes Cair Andros and passes
into Ano\u00b4rien. Frodo passes the Cross-roads, and sees the
Morgul-host set forth.
11 Gollum visits Shelob, but seeing Frodo asleep nearly
repents. Denethor sends Faramir to Osgiliath. Aragorn
reaches Linhir and crosses into Lebennin. Eastern Rohan
is invaded from the north. First assault on Lo\u00b4rien.
12 Gollum leads Frodo into Shelob\u2019s lair. Faramir retreats
to the Causeway Forts. The\u00b4oden camps under MinRimmon. Aragorn drives the enemy towards Pelargir.
The Ents defeat the invaders of Rohan.
13 Frodo captured by the Orcs of Cirith Ungol. The
Pelennor is overrun. Faramir is wounded. Aragorn
reaches Pelargir and captures the fleet. The\u00b4oden in Dru\u00b4-
adan Forest.
14 Samwise finds Frodo in the Tower. Minas Tirith is
besieged. The Rohirrim led by the Wild Men come to
the Grey Wood.
15 In the early hours the Witch-king breaks the Gates of
appendix b 1437
the City. Denethor burns himself on a pyre. The horns
of the Rohirrim are heard at cockcrow. Battle of the
Pelennor. The\u00b4oden is slain. Aragorn raises the standard
of Arwen. Frodo and Samwise escape and begin their
journey north along the Morgai. Battle under the trees
in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur.
Second assault on Lo\u00b4rien.
16 Debate of the commanders. Frodo from the Morgai
looks out over the camp to Mount Doom.
17 Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Da\u00b4in Ironfoot fall.
Many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are
besieged. Shagrat brings Frodo\u2019s cloak, mail-shirt, and
sword to Barad-du\u02c6r.
18 The Host of the West marches from Minas Tirith. Frodo
comes in sight of the Isenmouthe; he is overtaken by
Orcs on the road from Durthang to Udu\u02c6n.
19 The Host comes to Morgul Vale. Frodo and Samwise
escape and begin their journey along the road to the
Barad-du\u02c6r.
22 The dreadful nightfall. Frodo and Samwise leave the
road and turn south to Mount Doom. Third assault on
Lo\u00b4rien.
23 The Host passes out of Ithilien. Aragorn dismisses the
faint-hearted. Frodo and Samwise cast away their arms
and gear.
24 Frodo and Samwise make their last journey to the feet
of Mount Doom. The Host camps in the Desolation of
the Morannon.
25 The Host is surrounded on the Slag-hills. Frodo and
Samwise reach the Sammath Naur. Gollum seizes the
Ring and falls in the Cracks of Doom. Downfall of
Barad-du\u02c6r and passing of Sauron.
After the fall of the Dark Tower and the passing of Sauron the
Shadow was lifted from the hearts of all who opposed him, but
fear and despair fell upon his servants and allies. Three times
Lo\u00b4rien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valour of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there
was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come
1438 the return of the king
there himself. Though grievous harm was done to the fair woods
on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the
Shadow passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lo\u00b4rien
over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was
cleansed.
In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of
Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees
and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory.
And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and
Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed
Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil
took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in
the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took all the southern wood
below the Narrows, and named it East Lo\u00b4rien; all the wide forest
between was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen. But
after the passing of Galadriel in a few years Celeborn grew weary
of his realm and went to Imladris to dwell with the sons of
Elrond. In the Greenwood the Silvan Elves remained untroubled,
but in Lo\u00b4rien there lingered sadly only a few of its former people,
and there was no longer light or song in Caras Galadhon.
At the same time as the great armies besieged Minas Tirith a
host of the allies of Sauron that had long threatened the borders
of King Brand crossed the River Carnen, and Brand was driven
back to Dale. There he had the aid of the Dwarves of Erebor;
and there was a great battle at the Mountain\u2019s feet. It lasted three
days, but in the end both King Brand and King Da\u00b4in Ironfoot
were slain, and the Easterlings had the victory. But they could
not take the Gate, and many, both Dwarves and Men, took
refuge in Erebor, and there withstood a siege.
When news came of the great victories in the South, then
Sauron\u2019s northern army was filled with dismay; and the besieged
came forth and routed them, and the remnant fled into the East
and troubled Dale no more. Then Bard II, Brand\u2019s son, became
King in Dale, and Thorin III Stonehelm, Da\u00b4in\u2019s son, became
King under the Mountain. They sent their ambassadors to the
crowning of King Elessar; and their realms remained ever after,
appendix b 1439
as long as they lasted, in friendship with Gondor; and they were
under the crown and protection of the King of the West.
the chief days from the fall of barad-du\u02c6 r
to the end of the third age 1
3019
S.R. 1419
March 27. Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm drive the enemy
from Dale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pippin looked out from the shelter of Gandalf\u2019s cloak. Hewondered if he was awake or still sleeping, still in the swiftmoving dream in which he had been wrapped so long sincethe great ride began. The dark world was rushing by and thewind sang loudly in his ears. He could see nothing but thewheeling stars, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":192,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-164","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"kubio_ai_page_context":{"short_desc":"","purpose":"general"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411.jpg",1920,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411-300x125.jpg",300,125,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411-768x320.jpg",768,320,true],"large":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411-1024x427.jpg",1024,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411-1536x640.jpg",1536,640,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411.jpg",1920,800,false],"tp-image-grid":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411.jpg",700,292,false],"kubio-fullhd":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/i-hold-you-to-your-oath-fulfilled-v0-g9trju18be411.jpg",1920,800,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Pippin looked out from the shelter of Gandalf\u2019s cloak. Hewondered if he was awake or still sleeping, still in the swiftmoving dream in which he had been wrapped so long sincethe great ride began. The dark world was rushing by and thewind sang loudly in his ears. He could see nothing but thewheeling stars, and…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=164"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":187,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/164\/revisions\/187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}