#############################################################################
### Aluno: Paulo Cesar Barone de Aguillar Lima ###
### FGV Botafogo, turma: MRJ01816-TBABD2 ###
### Módulo T_AMSMT_17-24 - Análise de Mídias Sociais e Mineração de Texto ###
#############################################################################
## Carregando bibliotecas a serem utilizadas: ##
library(topicmodels)
library(SnowballC)
library(tidytext)
library(LDAvis)
library(tsne)
library(tm)
## Loading required package: NLP
library(slam)
library(readtext)
library(wordcloud)
## Loading required package: RColorBrewer
library(ggplot2)
##
## Attaching package: 'ggplot2'
## The following object is masked from 'package:NLP':
##
## annotate
library(lda)
library(wordcloud)
library(reshape2)
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(topicmodels)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(tm)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(dplyr)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(SnowballC)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(stringr)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(tidyr)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(plyr)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(reshape2)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(ggplot2)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(tidytext)))
suppressMessages(suppressWarnings(library(LDAvis)))
## Set de variáveis de ambiente: ##
setwd("/Users/paulobarone/Downloads")
getwd()
## [1] "/Users/paulobarone/Downloads"
set.seed(5162)
theme_set(theme_minimal())
options(stringsAsFactors = FALSE)
##########################
### Download dos dados ###
##########################
### Vou utilizar o livro "The lord of the rings", disponível no site https://archive.org/
## Carregando o arquivo texto a ser analisado, e definindo o objeto título. ##
book <- readLines("books/The Lord Of The Ring 2-The Two Towers_djvu.txt", encoding = "UTF-8")
##########################################
### Transforme seus dados em um corpus ###
##########################################
## Criando Corpus e tratando o arquivo. ##
## Utilizei a função Simple Corpus para realizar a função de leitura do meu texto,
## tendo em vista que ele está em formato character. O objeto corpus criado contém
## a informação extraída do dado original, como conteúdo e seu metadado.
corpus <- Corpus(VectorSource(book)); corpus
## <<SimpleCorpus>>
## Metadata: corpus specific: 1, document level (indexed): 0
## Content: documents: 17364
# <<SimpleCorpus>>
# Metadata: corpus specific: 1, document level (indexed): 0
# Content: documents: 17364
######################################################
### Qual a quantidade de documentos no seu corpus? ###
######################################################
## Existem 17.364 documentos no Corpus. ##
###############################
### Preprocessando os dados ###
###############################
## Visualizando os dados importados. ##
inspect(corpus)
## <<SimpleCorpus>>
## Metadata: corpus specific: 1, document level (indexed): 0
## Content: documents: 17364
##
## [1] “THE LORD OF THE RINGS
## [2]
## [3] Part Two
## [4]
## [5]
## [6]
## [7] THE
## [8]
## [9] TWO TOWERS
## [10]
## [11]
## [12]
## [13] J.R.R.ToIkien
## [14]
## [15]
## [16]
## [17]
## [18]
## [19] * BOOK III *
## [20]
## [21]
## [22]
## [23] Chapter 1 . The Departure of Boromir
## [24]
## [25] Aragorn sped on up the hill. Every now and again he bent to the ground.
## [26] Hobbits go light, and their footprints are not easy even for a Ranger to
## [27] read, but not far from the top a spring crossed the path, and in the wet
## [28] earth he saw what he was seeking.
## [29]
## [30] 'I read the signs aright,' he said to himself. 'Frodo ran to the
## [31] hill-top. I wonder what he saw there? But he returned by the same way, and
## [32] went down the hill again.'
## [33]
## [34] Aragorn hesitated. He desired to go to the high seat himself, hoping to
## [35] see there something that would guide him in his perplexities; but time was
## [36] pressing. Suddenly he leaped forward, and ran to the summit, across the
## [37] great flag-stones, and up the steps. Then sitting in the high seat he looked
## [38] out. But the sun seemed darkened, and the world dim and remote. He turned
## [39] from the North back again to North, and saw nothing save the distant hills,
## [40] unless it were that far away he could see again a great bird like an eagle
## [41] high in the air, descending slowly in wide circles down towards the earth.
## [42]
## [43] Even as he gazed his quick ears caught sounds in the woodlands below,
## [44] on the west side of the River. He stiffened. There were cries, and among
## [45] them, to his horror, he could distinguish the harsh voices of Ores. Then
## [46] suddenly with a deep-throated call a great horn blew, and the blasts of it
## [47] smote the hills and echoed in the hollows, rising in a mighty shout above
## [48] the roaring of the falls.
## [49]
## [50] 'The horn of Boromir!' he cried. 'He is in need!' He sprang down the
## [51] steps and away, leaping down the path. 'Alas ! An ill fate is on me this day,
## [52] and all that I do goes amiss. Where is Sam?'
## [53]
## [54] As he ran the cries came louder, but fainter now and desperately the
## [55] horn was blowing. Fierce and shrill rose the yells of the Ores, and suddenly
## [56] the horn-calls ceased. Aragorn raced down the last slope, but before he
## [57] could reach the hill's foot, the sounds died away; and as he turned to the
## [58] left and ran towards them they retreated, until at last he could hear them
## [59] no more. Drawing his bright sword and crying Elendil! Elendil! he crashed
## [60] through the trees.
## [61]
## [62]
## [63]
## [64]
## [65] A mile, maybe, from Parth Galen in a little glade not far from the lake
## [66] he found Boromir. He was sitting with his back to a great tree, as if he was
## [67] resting. But Aragorn saw that he was pierced with many black-feathered
## [68] arrows; his sword was still in his hand, but it was broken near the hilt;
## [69] his horn cloven in two was at his side. Many Ores lay slain, piled all about
## [70] him and at his feet.
## [71]
## [72] Aragorn knelt beside him. Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak.
## [73]
## [74] At last slow words came. 'I tried to take the Ring from Frodo ' he said. 'I
## [75] am sorry. I have paid.' His glance strayed to his fallen enemies; twenty at
## [76] least lay there. 'They have gone: the Halflings: the Ores have taken them. I
## [77] think they are not dead. Ores bound them.' He paused and his eyes closed
## [78] wearily. After a moment he spoke again.
## [79]
## [80] ’Farewell, Aragorn! Goto Minas Tirith and save my people! I have
## [81] failed.'
## [82]
## [83] 'No!' said Aragorn, taking his hand and kissing his brow. 'You have
## [84] conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall
## [85] not fall!'
## [86]
## [87] Boromir smiled.
## [88]
## [89] 'Which way did they go? Was Frodo there?' said Aragorn.
## [90]
## [91] But Boromir did not speak again.
## [92]
## [93] 'Alas!' said Aragorn. 'Thus passes the heir of Denethor, Lord of the
## [94] Tower of Guard! This is a bitter end. Now the Company is all in ruin. It is
## [95] I that have failed. Vain was Gandalfs trust in me. What shall I do now?
## [96] Boromir has laid it on me to go to Minas Tirith, and my heart desires it;
## [97] but where are the Ring and the Bearer? How shall I find them and save the
## [98] Quest from disaster?'
## [99]
## [100] He knelt for a while, bent with weeping, still clasping Boromir's hand.
## [101]
## [102] So it was that Legolas and Gimli found him. They came from the western
## [103] slopes of the hill, silently, creeping through the trees as if they were
## [104] hunting. Gimli had his axe in hand, and Legolas his long knife: all his
## [105] arrows were spent. When they came into the glade they halted in amazement;
## [106] and then they stood a moment with heads bowed in grief, for it seemed to
## [107] them plain what had happened.
## [108]
## [109] 'Alas!' said Legolas, coming to Aragorn's side. 'We have hunted and
## [110] slain many Ores in the woods, but we should have been of more use here. We
## [111] came when we heard the horn-but too late, it seems. I fear you have taken
## [112] deadly hurt.'
## [113]
## [114]
## [115]
## [116]
## [117] 'Boromir is dead,' said Aragorn. 'I am unscathed, for I was not here
## [118] with him. He fell defending the hobbits, while I was away upon the hill.'
## [119]
## [120] 'The hobbits!' cried Gimli 'Where are they then? Where is Frodo?'
## [121]
## [122] 'I do not know,' answered Aragorn wearily. 'Before he died Boromir told
## [123] me that the Ores had bound them; he did not think that they were dead. I
## [124] sent him to follow Merry and Pippin; but I did not ask him if Frodo or Sam
## [125] were with him: not until it was too late. All that I have done today has
## [126] gone amiss. What is to be done now?'
## [127]
## [128] 'First we must tend the fallen,' said Legolas. 'We cannot leave him
## [129] lying like carrion among these foul Ores.'
## [130]
## [131] 'But we must be swift,' said Gimli. 'He would not wish us to linger. We
## [132] must follow the Ores, if there is hope that any of our Company are living
## [133] prisoners.'
## [134]
## [135] 'But we do not know whether the Ring-bearer is with them or not ' said
## [136] Aragorn. 'Are we to abandon him? Must we not seek him first? An evil choice
## [137] is now before us!'
## [138]
## [139] 'Then let us do first what we must do,' said Legolas. 'We have not the
## [140] time or the tools to bury our comrade fitly, or to raise a mound over him. A
## [141] cairn we might build.'
## [142]
## [143] 'The labour would be hard and long: there are no stones that we could
## [144] use nearer than the water -side,' said Gimli.
## [145]
## [146] 'Then let us lay him in a boat with his weapons, and the weapons of his
## [147] vanquished foes,' said Aragorn. 'We will send him to the Falls of Rauros and
## [148] give him to Anduin. The River of Gondor will take care at least that no evil
## [149] creature dishonours his bones.'
## [150]
## [151] Quickly they searched the bodies of the Ores, gathering their swords
## [152] and cloven helms and shields into a heap. 'See!' cried Aragorn. 'Here we
## [153] find tokens!' He picked out from the pile of grim weapons two knives,
## [154] leaf-bladed, damasked in gold and red; and searching further he found also
## [155] the sheaths, black, set with small red gems. 'No ore-tools these!' he said.
## [156]
## [157] 'They were borne by the hobbits. Doubtless the Ores despoiled them, but
## [158] feared to keep the knives, knowing them for what they are: work of
## [159] Westernesse, wound about with spells for the bane of Mordor. Well, now, if
## [160] they still live, our friends are weaponless. I will take these things,
## [161] hoping against hope, to give them back.'
## [162]
## [163] 'And I,' said Legolas, 'will take all the arrows that I can find, for
## [164] my quiver is empty.' He searched in the pile and on the ground about and
## [165]
## [166]
## [167]
## [168]
## [169] found not a few that were undamaged and longer in the shaft than such arrows
## [170] as the Ores were accustomed to use. He looked at them closely.
## [171]
## [172] And Aragorn looked on the slain, and he said: 'Here lie many that are
## [173] not folk of Mordor. Some are from the North, from the Misty Mountains, if I
## [174] know anything of Ores and their kinds. And here are others strange to me.
## [175] Their gear is not after the manner of Ores at all!'
## [176]
## [177] There were four goblin- soldiers of greater stature, swart, slant-eyed,
## [178] with thick legs and large hands. They were armed with short broad-bladed
## [179] swords, not with the curved scimitars usual with Ores: and they had bows of
## [180] yew, in length and shape like the bows of Men. Upon their shields they bore
## [181] a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field; on the
## [182] front of their iron helms was set an S-rune, wrought of some white metal.
## [183]
## [184] 'I have not seen these tokens before,' said Aragorn. ’What do they
## [185] mean?'
## [186]
## [187] 'S is for Sauron,' said Gimli. That is easy to read.'
## [188]
## [189] 'Nay!' said Legolas. 'Sauron does not use the Elf-runes.'
## [190]
## [191] 'Neither does he use his right name, nor permit it to be spelt or
## [192] spoken,' said Aragorn. 'And he does not use white. The Ores in the service
## [193] of Barad-dyr use the sign of the Red Eye.' He stood for a moment in thought.
## [194] 'S is for Saruman, I guess,' he said at length. 'There is evil afoot in
## [195] Isengard, and the West is no longer safe. It is as Gandalf feared: by some
## [196] means the traitor Saruman has had news of our journey. It is likely too that
## [197] he knows of Gandalf s fall. Pursuers from Moria may have escaped the
## [198] vigilance of Lurien, or they may have avoided that land and come to Isengard
## [199] by other paths. Ores travel fast. But Saruman has many ways of learning
## [200] news. Do you remember the birds?'
## [201]
## [202] 'Well, we have no time to ponder riddles,' said Gimli. 'Let us bear
## [203] Boromir away!'
## [204]
## [205] 'But after that we must guess the riddles, if we are to choose our
## [206] course rightly,' answered Aragorn.
## [207]
## [208] 'Maybe there is no right choice,' said Gimli.
## [209]
## [210] Taking his axe the Dwarf now cut several branches. These they lashed
## [211] together with bowstrings, and spread their cloaks upon the frame. Upon this
## [212] rough bier they carried the body of their companion to the shore, together
## [213] with such trophies of his last battle as they chose to send forth with him.
## [214]
## [215] It was only a short way, yet they found it no easy task, for Boromir was a
## [216] man both tall and strong.
## [217]
## [218]
## [219]
## [220]
## [221] At the water-side Aragorn remained, watching the bier, while Legolas
## [222] and Gimli hastened back on foot to Parth Galen. It was a mile or more, and
## [223] it was some time before they came back, paddling two boats swiftly along the
## [224] shore.
## [225]
## [226] There is a strange tale to tell!' said Legolas. 'There are only two
## [227] boats upon the bank. We could find no trace of the other.'
## [228]
## [229] 'Have Ores been there?' asked Aragorn.
## [230]
## [231] 'We saw no signs of them,' answered Gimli. 'And Ores would have taken
## [232] or destroyed all the boats, and the baggage as well.'
## [233]
## [234] 'I will look at the ground when we come there,' said Aragorn.
## [235]
## [236] Now they laid Boromir in the middle of the boat that was to bear him
## [237] away. The grey hood and elven-cloak they folded and placed beneath his head.
## [238] They combed his long dark hair and arrayed it upon his shoulders. The golden
## [239] belt of Lurien gleamed about his waist. His helm they set beside him, and
## [240] across his lap they laid the cloven horn and the hilts and shards of his
## [241] sword; beneath his feet they put the swords of his enemies. Then fastening
## [242] the prow to the stern of the other boat, they drew him out into the water.
## [243]
## [244] They rowed sadly along the shore, and turning into the swift-running channel
## [245] they passed the green sward of Parth Galen. The steep sides of Tol Brandir
## [246] were glowing: it was now mid-afternoon. As they went south the fume of
## [247] Rauros rose and shimmered before them, a haze of gold. The rush and thunder
## [248] of the falls shook the windless air.
## [249]
## [250] Sorrowfully they cast loose the funeral boat: there Boromir lay,
## [251] restful, peaceful, gliding upon the bosom of the flowing water. The stream
## [252] took him while they held their own boat back with their paddles. He floated
## [253] by them, and slowly his boat departed, waning to a dark spot against the
## [254] golden light; and then suddenly it vanished. Rauros roared on unchanging.
## [255] The River had taken Boromir son of Denethor, and he was not seen again in
## [256] Minas Tirith, standing as he used to stand upon the White Tower in the
## [257] morning. But in Gondor in after-days it long was said that the elven-boat
## [258] rode the falls and the foaming pool, and bore him down through Osgiliath,
## [259] and past the many mouths of Anduin, out into the Great Sea at night under
## [260] the stars.
## [261]
## [262] For a while the three companions remained silent, gazing after him.
## [263]
## [264] Then Aragorn spoke. 'They will look for him from the White Tower,' he said,
## [265] 'but he will not return from mountain or from sea.' Then slowly he began to
## [266] sing:
## [267]
## [268]
## [269]
## [270]
## [271] Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows
## [272] The West Wind comes walking, and about the walls it goes.
## [273]
## [274] 'What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring to me tonight?
## [275]
## [276] Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or by starlight?'
## [277]
## [278] 7 saw him ride over seven streams, over waters wide and grey;
## [279]
## [280] I saw him walk in empty lands, until he passed away
## [281] Into the shadows of the North. I saw him then no more.
## [282]
## [283] The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor. '
## [284]
## [285] 'O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar,
## [286]
## [287] But you came not from the empty lands where no men are. '
## [288]
## [289] Then Legolas sang:
## [290]
## [291] From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills and the stones;
## [292] The wailing of the gulls it bears, and at the gate it moans.
## [293]
## [294] 'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring to me at eve?
## [295]
## [296] Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve. '
## [297]
## [298] 'Ask not of me where he doth dwell-so many bones there lie
## [299] On the white shores and the dark shores under the stormy sky;
## [300]
## [301] So many have passed down Anduin to find the flowing Sea.
## [302]
## [303] Ask of the North Wind news of them the North Wind sends to me!'
## [304]
## [305] 'O Boromir! Beyond the gate the seaward road runs south,
## [306]
## [307] But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth. '
## [308]
## [309] Then Aragorn sang again:
## [310]
## [311] From the Gate of Kings the North Wind rides, and past the roaring falls;
## [312]
## [313] And clear and cold about the tower its loud horn calls.
## [314]
## [315] 'What news from the North, O mighty wind, do you bring to me today?
## [316]
## [317] What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away. '
## [318]
## [319] 'Beneath Amon Hen I heard his cry. There many foes he fought.
## [320]
## [321] His cloven shield, his broken sword, they to the water brought.
## [322]
## [323] His head so proud, his face so fair, his limbs they laid to rest;
## [324]
## [325] And Rauros, golden Rauros-faUs, bore him upon its breast. '
## [326]
## [327] 'O Boromir! The Tower of Guard shall ever northward gaze
## [328] To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days. '
## [329]
## [330] So they ended. Then they turned their boat and drove it with all the
## [331] speed they could against the stream back to Parth Galen.
## [332]
## [333] 'You left the East Wind to me,' said Gimli, 'but I will say naught of
## [334] it.’
## [335]
## [336] ’That is as it should be,' said Aragorn. 'In Minas Tirith they endure
## [337] the East Wind, but they do not ask it for tidings. But now Boromir has taken
## [338]
## [339]
## [340]
## [341]
## [342] his road, and we must make haste to choose our own.'
## [343]
## [344] He surveyed the green lawn, quickly but thoroughly, stooping often to
## [345] the earth. The Ores have been on this ground,' he said. 'Otherwise nothing
## [346] can be made out for certain. All our footprints are here, crossing and
## [347] re-crossing. I cannot tell whether any of the hobbits have come back since
## [348] the search for Frodo began.' He returned to the bank, close to where the
## [349] rill from the spring trickled out into the River. 'There are some clear
## [350] prints here,' he said. 'A hobbit waded out into the water and back; but I
## [351] cannot say how long ago.'
## [352]
## [353] 'How then do you read this riddle?' asked Gimli.
## [354]
## [355] Aragorn did not answer at once, but went back to the camping-place and
## [356] looked at the baggage. 'Two packs are missing.' he said, 'and one is
## [357] certainly Sam's: it was rather large and heavy. This then is the answer:
## [358] Frodo has gone by boat, and his servant has gone with him. Frodo must have
## [359] returned while we were all away. I met Sam going up the hill and told him to
## [360] follow me; but plainly he did not do so. He guessed his master s mind and
## [361] came back here before Frodo had gone. He did not find it easy to leave Sam
## [362] behind!'
## [363]
## [364] 'But why should he leave us behind, and without a word?' said Gimli.
## [365] 'That was a strange deed!'
## [366]
## [367] 'And a brave deed,' said Aragorn. 'Sam was right, I think. Frodo did
## [368] not wish to lead any friend to death with him in Mordor. But he knew that he
## [369] must go himself. Something happened after he left us that overcame his fear
## [370] and doubt.'
## [371]
## [372] 'Maybe hunting Ores came on him and he fled,' said Legolas.
## [373]
## [374] 'He fled, certainly,' said Aragorn, 'but not, I think, from Ores.' What
## [375] he thought was the cause of Frodo's sudden resolve and flight Aragorn did
## [376] not say. The last words of Boromir he long kept secret.
## [377]
## [378] 'Well, so much at least is now clear,' said Legolas: 'Frodo is no
## [379] longer on this side of the River: only he can have taken the boat. And Sam
## [380] is with him; only he would have taken his pack.'
## [381]
## [382] 'Our choice then,' said Gimli, 'is either to take the remaining boat
## [383] and follow Frodo, or else to follow the Ores on foot. There is little hope
## [384] either way. We have already lost precious hours.'
## [385]
## [386] 'Let me think!' said Aragorn. 'And now may I make a right choice and
## [387] change the evil fate of this unhappy day!' He stood silent for a moment. 'I
## [388] will follow the Ores,' he said at last. 'I would have guided Frodo to Mordor
## [389]
## [390]
## [391]
## [392]
## [393] and gone with him to the end; but if I seek him now in the wilderness, I
## [394] must abandon the captives to torment and death. My heart speaks clearly at
## [395] last: the fate of the Bearer is in my hands no longer. The Company has
## [396] played its part. Yet we that remain cannot forsake our companions while we
## [397] have strength left. Come! We will go now. Leave all that can be spared
## [398] behind! We will press on by day and dark!'
## [399]
## [400] They drew up the last boat and carried it to the trees. They laid
## [401] beneath it such of their goods as they did not need and could not carry
## [402] away. Then they left Parth Galen. The afternoon was fading as they came back
## [403] to the glade where Boromir had fallen. There they picked up the trail of the
## [404] Ores. It needed little skill to find.
## [405]
## [406] 'No other folk make such a trampling,' said Legolas. 'It seems their
## [407] delight to slash and beat down growing things that are not even in their
## [408] way.'
## [409]
## [410] 'But they go with a great speed for all that,' said Aragorn, 'and they
## [411] do not tire. And later we may have to search for our path in hard bare
## [412] lands.'
## [413]
## [414] 'Well, after them!' said Gimli. 'Dwarves too can go swiftly, and they
## [415] do not tire sooner than Ores. But it will be a long chase: they have a long
## [416] start.'
## [417]
## [418] 'Yes,' said Aragorn, 'we shall all need the endurance of Dwarves. But
## [419] come! With hope or without hope we will follow the trail of our enemies. And
## [420] woe to them, if we prove the swifter! We will make such a chase as shall be
## [421] accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds p Elves. Dwarves, and Men.
## [422] Forth
## [423]
## [424] the Three Hunters!'
## [425]
## [426] Like a deer he sprang away. Through the trees he sped. On and on he led
## [427] them, tireless and swift, now that his mind was at last made up. The woods
## [428] about the lake they left behind. Long slopes they climbed, dark, hard-edged
## [429] against the sky already red with sunset. Dusk came. They passed away, grey
## [430] shadows in a stony land.
## [431]
## [432]
## [433]
## [434]
## [435] Chapter 2 . The Riders of Rohan
## [436]
## [437]
## [438]
## [439] Dusk deepened. Mist lay behind them among the trees below, and brooded
## [440] on the pale margins of the Anduin, but the sky was clear. Stars came out.
## [441]
## [442] The waxing moon was riding in the West, and the shadows of the rocks were
## [443] black. They had come to the feet of stony hills, and their pace was slower,
## [444] for the trail was no longer easy to follow. Here the highlands of the Emyn
## [445] Muil ran from North to South in two long tumbled ridges. The western side of
## [446] each ridge was steep and difficult, but the eastward slopes were gentler,
## [447] furrowed with many gullies and narrow ravines. All night the three
## [448] companions scrambled in this bony land, climbing to the crest of the first
## [449] and tallest ridge, and down again into the darkness of a deep winding valley
## [450] on the other side.
## [451]
## [452] There in the still cool hour before dawn they rested for a brief space.
## [453]
## [454] The moon had long gone down before them, the stars glittered above them; the
## [455] first light of day had not yet come over the dark hills behind. For the
## [456] moment Aragorn was at a loss: the ore -trail had descended into the valley,
## [457] but there it had vanished.
## [458]
## [459] ’Which way would they turn, do you think?' said Legolas. 'Northward to
## [460] take a straighter road to Isengard, or Fangorn, if that is their aim as you
## [461] guess? Or southward to strike the Entwash?'
## [462]
## [463] 'They will not make for the river, whatever mark they aim at" said
## [464] Aragorn. 'And unless there is much amiss in Rohan and the power of Saruman
## [465] is greatly increased; they will take the shortest way that they can find
## [466] over the fields of the Rohirrim. Fet us search northwards!'
## [467]
## [468] The dale ran like a stony trough between the ridged hills, and a
## [469] trickling stream flowed among the boulders at the bottom. A cliff frowned
## [470] upon their right; to their left rose grey slopes, dim and shadowy in the
## [471] late night. They went on for a mile or more northwards. Aragorn was
## [472] searching, bent towards the ground, among the folds and gullies leading up
## [473] into the western ridge. Fegolas was some way ahead. Suddenly the Elf gave a
## [474] cry and the others came running towards him.
## [475]
## [476] 'We have already overtaken some of those that we are hunting,' he said.
## [477] 'Eook!' He pointed, and they saw that what they had at first taken to be
## [478] boulders lying at the foot of the slope were huddled bodies. Five dead Ores
## [479]
## [480]
## [481]
## [482]
## [483] lay there. They had been hewn with many cruel strokes, and two had been
## [484] beheaded. The ground was wet with their dark blood.
## [485]
## [486] 'Here is another riddle!' said Gimli. 'But it needs the light of day
## [487] and for that we cannot wait.'
## [488]
## [489] 'Yet however you read it, it seems not unhopeful,' said Legolas.
## [490]
## [491] 'Enemies of the Ores are likely to be our friends. Do any folk dwell in
## [492] these hills?'
## [493]
## [494] 'No,' said Aragorn. 'The Rohirrim seldom come here, and it is far from
## [495] Minas Tirith. It might be that some company of Men were hunting here for
## [496] reasons that we do not know. Yet I think not.'
## [497]
## [498] 'What do you think?' said Gimli.
## [499]
## [500] 'I think that the enemy brought his own enemy with him,' answered
## [501] Aragorn. 'These are Northern Ores from far away. Among the slain are none of
## [502] the great Ores with the strange badges. There was a quarrel, I guess: it is
## [503] no uncommon thing with these foul folk. Maybe there was some dispute about
## [504] the road.'
## [505]
## [506] 'Or about the captives,' said Gimli. 'Let us hope that they, too, did
## [507] not meet their end here.'
## [508]
## [509] Aragorn searched the ground in a wide circle, but no other traces of
## [510] the fight could be found. They went on. Already the eastward sky was turning
## [511] pale; the stars were fading, and a grey light was slowly growing. A little
## [512] further north they came to a fold in which a tiny stream, falling and
## [513] winding, had cut a stony path down into the valley. In it some bushes grew,
## [514] and there were patches of grass upon its sides.
## [515]
## [516] 'At last!' said Aragorn. 'Here are the tracks that we seek! Up this
## [517] water -channel: this is the way that the Ores went after their debate.'
## [518]
## [519] Swiftly now the pursuers turned and followed the new path. As if fresh
## [520] from a night's rest they sprang from stone to stone. At last they reached
## [521] the crest of the grey hill, and a sudden breeze blew in their hair and
## [522] stirred their cloaks: the chill wind of dawn.
## [523]
## [524] Turning back they saw across the River the far hills kindled. Day
## [525] leaped into the sky. The red rim of the sun rose over the shoulders of the
## [526] dark land. Before them in the West the world lay still, formless and grey;
## [527] but even as they looked, the shadows of night melted, the colours of the
## [528] waking earth returned: green flowed over the wide meads of Rohan; the white
## [529] mists shimmered in the watervales; and far off to the left, thirty leagues
## [530] or more, blue and purple stood the White Mountains, rising into peaks of
## [531]
## [532]
## [533]
## [534]
## [535] jet, tipped with glimmering snows, flushed with the rose of morning.
## [536]
## [537] 'Gondor! Gondor!' cried Aragorn. 'Would that I looked on you again in
## [538] happier hour! Not yet does my road lie southward to your bright streams.
## [539]
## [540] Gondor! Gondor, between the Mountains and the Sea!
## [541]
## [542] West Wind blew there; the light upon the Silver Tree
## [543]
## [544] Fell like bright rain in gardens of the Kings of old.
## [545]
## [546] O proud walls! White towers! O winged crown and throne of gold!
## [547]
## [548] O Gondor, Gondor! Shall Men behold the Silver Tree,
## [549]
## [550] Or West Wind blow again between the Mountains and the Sea?
## [551]
## [552] Now let us go!' he said, drawing his eyes away from the South, and
## [553] looking out west and north to the way that he must tread.
## [554]
## [555] The ridge upon which the companions stood went down steeply before
## [556] their feet. Below it twenty fathoms or more, there was a wide and rugged
## [557] shelf which ended suddenly in the brink of a sheer cliff: the East Wall of
## [558] Rohan. So ended the Emyn Muil, and the green plains of the Rohirrim
## [559] stretched away before them to the edge of sight.
## [560]
## [561] 'Look!' cried Legolas, pointing up into the pale sky above them. 'There
## [562] is the eagle again! Ele is very high. He seems to be flying now away, from
## [563] this land back to the North. He is going with great speed. Look!'
## [564]
## [565] 'No, not even my eyes can see him, my good Legolas,' said Aragorn. 'He
## [566] must be far aloft indeed. I wonder what is his errand, if he is the same
## [567] bird that I have seen before. But look! I can see something nearer at hand
## [568] and more urgent; there is something moving over the plain!'
## [569]
## [570] 'Many things,' said Legolas. 'It is a great company on foot; but I
## [571] cannot say more, nor see what kind of folk they may be. They are many
## [572] leagues away: twelve, I guess; but the flatness of the plain is hard to
## [573] measure.'
## [574]
## [575] 'I think, nonetheless, that we no longer need any trail to tell us
## [576] which way to go,' said Gimli. 'Let us find a path down to the fields as
## [577] quick as may be.'
## [578]
## [579] 'I doubt if you will find a path quicker than the one that the Ores
## [580] chose,' said Aragorn.
## [581]
## [582] They followed their enemies now by the clear light of day. It seemed
## [583] that the Ores had pressed on with all possible speed. Every now and again
## [584] the pursuers found things that had been dropped or cast away: food-bags, the
## [585] rinds and crusts of hard grey bread, a torn black cloak, a heavy iron-nailed
## [586] shoe broken on the stones. The trail led them north along the top of the
## [587]
## [588]
## [589]
## [590]
## [591] escarpment, and at length they came to a deep cleft carved in the rock by a
## [592] stream that splashed noisily down. In the narrow ravine a rough path
## [593] descended like a steep stair into the plain.
## [594]
## [595] At the bottom they came with a strange suddenness on the grass of
## [596] Rohan. It swelled like a green sea up to the very foot of the Emyn Muil. The
## [597] falling stream vanished into a deep growth of cresses and water-plants, and
## [598] they could hear it tinkling away in green tunnels, down long gentle slopes
## [599] towards the fens of Entwash Vale far away. They seemed to have left winter
## [600] clinging to the hills behind. Elere the air was softer and warmer, and
## [601] faintly scented, as if spring was already stirring and the sap was flowing
## [602] again in herb and leaf. Legolas took a deep breath, like one that drinks a
## [603] great draught after long thirst in barren places.
## [604]
## [605] 'Ah! the green smell!' he said. 'It is better than much sleep. Let us
## [606] run!'
## [607]
## [608] 'Light feet may run swiftly here,' said Aragorn. 'More swiftly, maybe,
## [609] than iron-shod Ores. Now we have a chance to lessen their lead!'
## [610]
## [611] They went in single file, running like hounds on a strong scent, and an
## [612] eager light was in their eyes. Nearly due west the broad swath of the
## [613] marching Ores tramped its ugly slot; the sweet grass of Rohan had been
## [614] bruised and blackened as they passed. Presently Aragorn gave a cry and
## [615] turned aside. 'Stay!' he shouted. 'Do not follow me yet!' He ran quickly to
## [616] the right, away from the main trail; for he had seen footprints that went
## [617] that way, branching off from the others, the marks of small unshod feet.
## [618] These, however, did not go far before they were crossed by ore-prints, also
## [619] coming out from the main trail behind and in front, and then they curved
## [620] sharply back again and were lost in the trampling. At the furthest point
## [621] Aragorn stooped and picked up something from the grass; then he ran back.
## [622]
## [623] 'Yes,' he said, 'they are quite plain: a hobbit's footprints. Pippin's
## [624] I think. He is smaller than the other. And look at this ! He held up a thing
## [625] that glittered in the sunlight. It looked like the new-opened leaf of a
## [626] beech-tree, fair and strange in that treeless plain.
## [627]
## [628] 'The brooch of an elven-cloak!' cried Legolas and Gimli together.
## [629]
## [630] 'Not idly do the leaves of Lurien fall,' said Aragorn. 'This did not
## [631] drop by chance: it was cast away as a token to any that might follow. I
## [632] think Pippin ran away from the trail for that purpose.'
## [633]
## [634] 'Then he at least was alive,' said Gimli. 'And he had the use of his
## [635] wits, and of his legs too. That is heartening. We do not pursue in vain.'
## [636]
## [637]
## [638]
## [639]
## [640] ’Let us hope that he did not pay too dearly for his boldness,' said
## [641] Legolas. 'Come! Let us go on! The thought of those merry young folk driven
## [642] like cattle burns my heart.'
## [643]
## [644] The sun climbed to the noon and then rode slowly down the sky. Light
## [645] clouds came up out of the sea in the distant South and were blown away upon
## [646] the breeze. The sun sank. Shadows rose behind and reached out long arms from
## [647] the East. Still the hunters held on. One day now had passed since Boromir
## [648] fell, and the Ores were yet far ahead. No longer could any sight of them be
## [649] seen in the level plains.
## [650]
## [651] As nightshade was closing about them Aragorn halted. Only twice in the
## [652] day's march had they rested for a brief while, and twelve leagues now lay
## [653] between them and the eastern wall where they had stood at dawn.
## [654]
## [655] 'We have come at last to a hard choice,' he said. 'Shall we rest by
## [656] night, or shall we go on while our will and strength hold?'
## [657]
## [658] 'Unless our enemies rest also, they will leave us far behind, if we
## [659] stay to sleep.' said Legolas. 'Surely even Ores must pause on the march?'
## [660] said Gimli. 'Seldom will Ores journey in the open under the sun. yet these
## [661] have done so,' said Legolas. 'Certainly they will not rest by night.'
## [662]
## [663] 'But if we walk by night, we cannot follow their trail,' said Gimli.
## [664]
## [665] 'The trail is straight, and turns neither right nor left, as far as my
## [666] eyes can see,' said Legolas.
## [667]
## [668] 'Maybe, I could lead you at guess in the darkness and hold to the
## [669] line,' said Aragorn; 'but if we strayed, or they turned aside, then when
## [670] light came there might be long delay before the trail was found again.'
## [671]
## [672] 'And there is this also,' said Gimli: 'only by day can we see if any
## [673] tracks lead away. If a prisoner should escape, or if one should be carried
## [674] off, eastward, say, to the Great River, towards Mordor, we might pass the
## [675] signs and never know it.'
## [676]
## [677] 'That is true,' said Aragorn. 'But if I read the signs back yonder
## [678] rightly, the Ores of the White Hand prevailed, and the whole company is now
## [679] bound for Isengard. Their present course bears me out.'
## [680]
## [681] 'Yet it would be rash to be sure of their counsels,' said Gimli. 'And
## [682] what of escape? In the dark we should have passed the signs that led you to
## [683] the brooch.'
## [684]
## [685] 'The Ores will be doubly on their guard since then, and the prisoners
## [686] even wearier,' said Legolas. 'There will be no escape again, if we do not
## [687] contrive it. How that is to be done cannot be guessed, but first we must
## [688]
## [689]
## [690]
## [691]
## [692] overtake them.'
## [693]
## [694] 'And yet even I, Dwarf of many journeys, and not the least hardy of my
## [695] folk, cannot run all the way to Isengard without any pause ' said Gimli. 'My
## [696] heart burns me too, and I would have started sooner but now I must rest a
## [697] little to run the better. And if we rest, then the blind night is the time
## [698] to do so.'
## [699]
## [700] 'I said that it was a hard choice,' said Aragorn. 'How shall we end
## [701] this debate?'
## [702]
## [703] 'You are our guide,' said Gimli, 'and you are skilled in the chase. You
## [704] shall choose.'
## [705]
## [706] 'My heart bids me go on,' said Legolas. 'But we must hold together. I
## [707] will follow your counsel.'
## [708]
## [709] 'You give the choice to an ill chooser,' said Aragorn. 'Since we passed
## [710] through the Argonath my choices have gone amiss.' He fell silent gazing
## [711] north and west into the gathering night for a long while.
## [712]
## [713] 'We will not walk in the dark,' he said at length. 'The peril of
## [714] missing the trail or signs of other coming and going seems to me the
## [715] greater. If the Moon gave enough light, we would use it, but alas ! he sets
## [716] early and is yet young and pale.'
## [717]
## [718] 'And tonight he is shrouded anyway,' Gimli murmured. 'Would that the
## [719] Lady had given us a light, such a gift as she gave to Frodo!'
## [720]
## [721] 'It will be more needed where it is bestowed,' said Aragorn. 'With him
## [722] lies the true Quest. Ours is but a small matter in the great deeds of this
## [723] time. A vain pursuit from its beginning, maybe, which no choice of mine can
## [724] mar or mend. Well, I have chosen. So let us use the time as best we may!'
## [725]
## [726] He cast himself on the ground and fell at once into sleep, for he had
## [727] not slept since their night under the shadow of Tol Brandir. Before dawn was
## [728] in the sky he woke and rose. Gimli was still deep in slumber, but Legolas
## [729] was standing, gazing northwards into the darkness, thoughtful and silent as
## [730] a young tree in a windless night.
## [731]
## [732] 'They are far far away,' he said sadly, turning to Aragorn. 'I know in
## [733] my heart that they have not rested this night. Only an eagle could overtake
## [734] them now.'
## [735]
## [736] 'Nonetheless we will still follow as we may,' said Aragorn. Stooping he
## [737] roused the Dwarf. 'Come! We must go,' he said. 'The scent is growing cold.'
## [738]
## [739] 'But it is still dark,' said Gimli. 'Even Legolas on a hill-top could
## [740] not see them till the Sun is up.'
## [741]
## [742]
## [743]
## [744]
## [745] 'I fear they have passed beyond my sight from hill or plain, under moon
## [746] or sun,' said Legolas.
## [747]
## [748] 'Where sight fails the earth may bring us rumour,' said Aragorn. 'The
## [749] land must groan under their hated feet.' He stretched himself upon the
## [750] ground with his ear pressed against the turf. He lay there motionless, for
## [751] so long a time that Gimli wondered if he had swooned or fallen asleep again.
## [752] Dawn came glimmering, and slowly a grey light grew about them. At last he
## [753] rose, and now his friends could see his face: it was pale and drawn, and his
## [754] look was troubled.
## [755]
## [756] 'The rumour of the earth is dim and confused,' he said. 'Nothing walks
## [757] upon it for many miles about us. Faint and far are the feet of our enemies.
## [758]
## [759] But loud are the hoofs of the horses. It comes to my mind that I heard them,
## [760] even as I lay on the ground in sleep, and they troubled my dreams: horses
## [761] galloping, passing in the West. But now they are drawing ever further from
## [762] us, riding northward. I wonder what is happening in this land!'
## [763]
## [764] 'Let us go!' said Legolas.
## [765]
## [766] So the third day of their pursuit began. During all its long hours of
## [767] cloud and fitful sun they hardly paused, now striding, now running, as if no
## [768] weariness could quench the fire that burned them. They seldom spoke. Over
## [769] the wide solitude they passed and their elven-cloaks faded against the
## [770] background of the grey -green fields; even in the cool sunlight of mid-day
## [771] few but elvish eyes would have marked them, until they were close at hand.
## [772] Often in their hearts they thanked the Lady of Lurien for the gift of
## [773] lembas, for they could eat of it and find new strength even as they ran.
## [774]
## [775] All day the track of their enemies led straight on, going north-west
## [776] without a break or turn. As once again the day wore to its end they came to
## [777] long treeless slopes, where the land rose, swelling up towards a line of low
## [778] humpbacked downs ahead. The ore-trail grew fainter as it bent north towards
## [779] them, for the ground became harder and the grass shorter. Far away to the
## [780] left the river Entwash wound, a silver thread in a green floor. No moving
## [781] thing could be seen. Often Aragorn wondered that they saw no sign of beast
## [782] or man. The dwellings of the Rohirrim were for the most part many leagues
## [783] away to the South, under the wooded eaves of the White Mountains, now
## [784] hidden
## [785]
## [786] in mist and cloud; yet the Horse-lords had formerly kept many herds and
## [787] studs in the Eastemnet, this easterly region of their realm, and there the
## [788] herdsmen had wandered much, living in camp and tent, even in winter-time.
## [789]
## [790]
## [791]
## [792]
## [793] But now all the land was empty, and there was silence that did not seem to
## [794] be the quiet of peace.
## [795]
## [796] At dusk they halted again. Now twice twelve leagues they had passed
## [797] over the plains of Rohan and the wall of the Emyn Muil was lost in the
## [798] shadows of the East. The young moon was glimmering in a misty sky, but it
## [799] gave small light, and the stars were veiled.
## [800]
## [801] 'Now do I most grudge a time of rest or any halt in our chase ' said
## [802] Legolas. 'The Ores have run before us, as if the very whips of Sauron were
## [803] behind them. I fear they have already reached the forest and the dark hills,
## [804] and even now are passing into the shadows of the trees.'
## [805]
## [806] Gimli ground his teeth. 'This is a bitter end to our hope and to all
## [807] our toil!' he said.
## [808]
## [809] 'To hope, maybe, but not to toil,' said Aragorn. 'We shall not turn
## [810] back here. Yet I am weary.' He gazed back along the way that they had come
## [811] towards the night gathering in the East. 'There is something strange at work
## [812] in this land. I distrust the silence. I distrust even the pale Moon. The
## [813] stars are faint; and I am weary as I have seldom been before, weary as no
## [814] Ranger should be with a clear trail to follow. There is some will that lends
## [815] speed to our foes and sets an unseen barrier before us: a weariness that is
## [816] in the heart more than in the limb.'
## [817]
## [818] 'Truly!' said Legolas. 'That I have known since first we came down from
## [819] the Emyn Muil. For the will is not behind us but before us.' He pointed away
## [820] over the land of Rohan into the darkling West under the sickle moon.
## [821] 'Saruman!' muttered Aragorn. 'But he shall not turn us back! Halt we must
## [822] once more; for, see! even the Moon is falling into gathering cloud. But
## [823] north lies our road between down and fen when day returns.'
## [824]
## [825] As before Legolas was first afoot, if indeed he had ever slept. 'Awake!
## [826] Awake!' he cried. 'It is a red dawn. Strange things await us by the eaves of
## [827] the forest. Good or evil, I do not know; but we are called. Awake!'
## [828]
## [829] The others sprang up, and almost at once they set off again. Slowly the
## [830] downs drew near. It was still an hour before noon when they reached them:
## [831] green slopes rising to bare ridges that ran in a line straight towards the
## [832] North. At their feet the ground was dry and the turf short, but a long strip
## [833] of sunken land, some ten miles wide, lay between them and the river
## [834] wandering deep in dim thickets of reed and rush. Just to the West of the
## [835] southernmost slope there was a great ring, where the turf had been torn and
## [836] beaten by many trampling feet. From it the ore-trail ran out again, turning
## [837]
## [838]
## [839]
## [840]
## [841] north along the dry skirts of the hills. Aragorn halted and examined the
## [842] tracks closely.
## [843]
## [844] They rested here a while,' he said, 'but even the outward trail is
## [845] already old. I fear that your heart spoke truly, Legolas: it is thrice
## [846] twelve hours, I guess, since the Ores stood where we now stand. If they held
## [847] to their pace, then at sundown yesterday they would reach the borders of
## [848] Fangorn.'
## [849]
## [850] 'I can see nothing away north or west but grass dwindling into mist,'
## [851] said Gimli. 'Could we see the forest, if we climbed the hills?'
## [852]
## [853] 'It is still far away,' said Aragorn. 'If I remember rightly, these
## [854] downs run eight leagues or more to the north, and then north-west to the
## [855] issuing of the Entwash there lies still a wide land, another fifteen leagues
## [856] it may be.'
## [857]
## [858] 'Well, let us go on,' said Gimli. 'My legs must forget the miles. They
## [859] would be more willing, if my heart were less heavy.'
## [860]
## [861] The sun was sinking when at last they drew near to the end of the line
## [862] of downs. For many hours they had marched without rest. They were going
## [863] slowly now, and Gimli' s back was bent. Stone-hard are the Dwarves in labour
## [864] or journey, but this endless chase began to tell on him, as all hope failed
## [865] in his heart. Aragorn walked behind him, grim and silent, stooping now and
## [866] again to scan some print or mark upon the ground. Only Legolas still stepped
## [867] as lightly as ever, his feet hardly seeming to press the grass, leaving no
## [868] footprints as he passed; but in the waybread of the Elves he found all the
## [869] sustenance that he needed, and he could sleep, if sleep it could be called
## [870] by Men, resting his mind in the strange paths of elvish dreams, even as he
## [871] walked open-eyed in the light of this world.
## [872]
## [873] 'Let us go up on to this green hill!' he said. Wearily they followed
## [874] him, climbing the long slope, until they came out upon the top. It was a
## [875] round hill smooth and bare, standing by itself, the most northerly of the
## [876] downs. The sun sank and the shadows of evening fell like a curtain. They
## [877] were alone in a grey formless world without mark or measure. Only far away
## [878] north-west there was a deeper darkness against the dying light: the
## [879] Mountains of Mist and the forest at their feet.
## [880]
## [881] 'Nothing can we see to guide us here,' said Gimli. 'Well, now we must
## [882] halt again and wear the night away. It is growing cold!'
## [883]
## [884] 'The wind is north from the snows,' said Aragorn.
## [885]
## [886] 'And ere morning it will be in the East,' said Legolas. 'But rest if
## [887]
## [888]
## [889]
## [890]
## [891] you must. Yet do not cast all hope away. Tomorrow is unknown. Rede oft is
## [892] found at the rising of the Sun.'
## [893]
## [894] 'Three suns already have risen on our chase and brought no counsel '
## [895] said Gimli.
## [896]
## [897] The night grew ever colder. Aragorn and Gimli slept fitfully, and
## [898] whenever they awoke they saw Legolas standing beside them, or walking to
## [899] and
## [900]
## [901] fro, singing softly to himself in his own tongue, and as he sang the white
## [902] stars opened in the hard black vault above. So the night passed. Together
## [903] they watched the dawn grow slowly in the sky, now bare and cloudless, until
## [904] at last the sunrise came. It was pale and clear. The wind was in the East
## [905] and all the mists had rolled away; wide lands lay bleak about them in the
## [906] bitter light.
## [907]
## [908] Ahead and eastward they saw the windy uplands of the Wold of Rohan that
## [909] they had already glimpsed many days ago from the Great River. North-
## [910] westward
## [911]
## [912] stalked the dark forest of Fangorn; still ten leagues away stood its shadowy
## [913] eaves, and its further slopes faded into the distant blue. Beyond there
## [914] glimmered far away, as if floating on a grey cloud, the white head of tall
## [915] Methedras, the last peak of the Misty Mountains. Out of the forest the
## [916] Entwash flowed to meet them, its stream now swift and narrow, and its banks
## [917] deep-cloven. The ore-trail turned from the downs towards it.
## [918]
## [919] Following with his keen eyes the trail to the river, and then the river
## [920] back towards the forest, Aragorn saw a shadow on the distant green, a dark
## [921] swift-moving blur. He cast himself upon the ground and listened again
## [922] intently. But Legolas stood beside him, shading his bright elven-eyes with
## [923] his long slender hand, and he saw not a shadow, nor a blur, but the small
## [924] figures of horsemen, many horsemen, and the glint of morning on the tips of
## [925] their spears was like the twinkle of minute stars beyond the edge of mortal
## [926] sight. Far behind them a dark smoke rose in thin curling threads.
## [927]
## [928] There was a silence in the empty fields, arid Gimli could hear the air
## [929] moving in the grass.
## [930]
## [931] 'Riders!' cried Aragorn, springing to his feet. 'Many riders on swift
## [932] steeds are coming towards us!'
## [933]
## [934] 'Yes,' said Legolas, 'there are one hundred and five. Yellow is their
## [935] hair, and bright are their spears. Their leader is very tall.'
## [936]
## [937] Aragorn smiled. 'Keen are the eyes of the Elves,' he said.
## [938]
## [939]
## [940]
## [941]
## [942] 'Nay! The riders are little more than five leagues distant,' said
## [943] Legolas.
## [944]
## [945] 'Five leagues or one,' said Gimli; 'we cannot escape them in this bare
## [946] land. Shall we wait for them here or go on our way?'
## [947]
## [948] 'We will wait,' said Aragorn. 'I am weary, and our hunt has failed. Or
## [949] at least others were before us; for these horsemen are riding back down the
## [950] ore -trail. We may get new s from them.'
## [951]
## [952] 'Or spears,' said Gimli.
## [953]
## [954] 'There are three empty saddles, but I see no hobbits,' said Legolas.
## [955]
## [956] 'I did not say that we should hear good news,' said Aragorn. 'But evil
## [957] or good we will await it here.'
## [958]
## [959] The three companions now left the hill-top, where they might be an easy
## [960] mark against the pale sky, and they walked slowly down the northward slope.
## [961] A little above the hill's foot they halted, and wrapping their cloaks about
## [962] them, they sat huddled together upon the faded grass. The time passed slowly
## [963] and heavily. The wind was thin and searching. Gimli was uneasy.
## [964]
## [965] 'What do you know of these horsemen, Aragorn?' he said. 'Do we sit here
## [966] waiting for sudden death?'
## [967]
## [968] 'I have been among them,' answered Aragorn. 'They are proud and wilful,
## [969] but they are true-hearted, generous in thought and deed; bold but not cruel;
## [970] wise but unlearned, writing no books but singing many songs, after the
## [971] manner of the children of Men before the Dark Years. But I do not know what
## [972] has happened here of late, nor in what mind the Rohirrim may now be between
## [973] the traitor Saruman and the threat of Sauron. They have long been the
## [974] friends of the people of Gondor, though they are not akin to them. It was in
## [975] forgotten years long ago that Eorl the Young brought them out of the North,
## [976] and their kinship is rather with the Bardings of Dale, and with the
## [977] Beornings of the Wood, among whom may still be seen many men tall and
## [978] fair,
## [979]
## [980] as are the Riders of Rohan. At least they will not love the Ores.'
## [981]
## [982] 'But Gandalf spoke of a rumour that they pay tribute to Mordor ' said
## [983] Gimli.
## [984]
## [985] 'I believe it no more than did Boromir,' answered Aragorn.
## [986]
## [987] 'You will soon learn the truth,' said Legolas. 'Already they approach.'
## [988]
## [989] At length even Gimli could hear the distant beat of galloping hoofs.
## [990]
## [991] The horsemen, following the trail, had turned from the river, and were
## [992] drawing near the downs. They were riding like the wind.
## [993]
## [994]
## [995]
## [996]
## [997] Now the cries of clear strong voices came ringing over the fields.
## [998] Suddenly they swept up with a noise like thunder, and the foremost horseman
## [999] swerved, passing by the foot of the hill, and leading the host back
## [1000] southward along the western skirts of the downs. After him they rode: a long
## [1001] line of mail-clad men. swift, shining, fell and fair to look upon.
## [1002]
## [1003] Their horses were of great stature, strong and clean-limbed; their grey
## [1004] coats glistened, their long tails flowed in the wind, their manes were
## [1005] braided on their proud necks. The Men that rode them matched them well: tall
## [1006] and long-limbed; their hair, flaxen-pale, flowed under their light helms,
## [1007] and streamed in long braids behind them; their faces were stern and keen. In
## [1008] their hands were tall spears of ash, painted shields were slung at their
## [1009] backs, long swords were at their belts, their burnished skirts of mail hung
## [1010] down upon their knees.
## [1011]
## [1012] In pairs they galloped by, and though every now and then one rose in
## [1013] his stirrups and gazed ahead and to either side, they appeared not to
## [1014] perceive the three strangers sitting silently and watching them. The host
## [1015] had almost passed when suddenly Aragorn stood up, and called in a loud
## [1016] voice:
## [1017]
## [1018] 'What news from the North, Riders of Rohan?'
## [1019]
## [1020] With astonishing speed and skill they checked their steeds, wheeled,
## [1021] and came charging round. Soon the three companions found themselves in a
## [1022] ring of horsemen moving in a running circle, up the hill-slope behind them
## [1023] and down, round and round them, and drawing ever inwards. Aragorn stood
## [1024] silent, and the other two sat without moving, wondering what way things
## [1025] would turn.
## [1026]
## [1027] Without a word or cry, suddenly, the Riders halted. A thicket of spears
## [1028] were pointed towards the strangers; and some of the horsemen had bows in
## [1029] hand, and their arrows were already fitted to the string. Then one rode
## [1030] forward, a tall man, taller than all the rest; from his helm as a crest a
## [1031] white horsetail flowed. He advanced until the point of his spear was within
## [1032] a foot of Aragorn's breast. Aragorn did not stir.
## [1033]
## [1034] 'Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?' said the Rider,
## [1035] using the Common Speech of the West, in manner and tone like to the speech
## [1036] of Boromir, Man of Gondor.
## [1037]
## [1038] 'I am called Strider,' answered Aragorn. 'I came out of the North. I am
## [1039] hunting Ores.'
## [1040]
## [1041] The Rider leaped from his horse. Giving his spear to another who rode
## [1042]
## [1043]
## [1044]
## [1045]
## [1046] up and dismounted at his side, he drew his sword and stood face to face with
## [1047] Aragorn, surveying him keenly, and not without wonder. At length he spoke
## [1048] again.
## [1049]
## [1050] 'At first I thought that you yourselves were Ores,' he said; 'but now I
## [1051] see that it is not so. Indeed you know little of Ores, if you go hunting
## [1052] them in this fashion. They were swift and well-armed, and they were many.
## [1053] You would have changed from hunters to prey, if ever you had overtaken them.
## [1054] But there is something strange about you, Strider.' He bent his clear bright
## [1055] eyes again upon the Ranger. 'That is no name for a Man that you give. And
## [1056] strange too is your raiment. Have you sprung out of the grass? How did you
## [1057] escape our sight? Are you elvish folk?'
## [1058]
## [1059] 'No,' said Aragorn. 'One only of us is an Elf, Legolas from the
## [1060] Woodland Realm in distant Mirkwood. But we have passed through
## [1061] Lothlurien,
## [1062]
## [1063] and the gifts and favour of the Lady go with us.'
## [1064]
## [1065] The Rider looked at them with renewed wonder, but his eyes hardened.
## [1066] 'Then there is a Lady in the Golden Wood, as old tales tell!' he said. 'Lew
## [1067] escape her nets, they say. These are strange days ! But if you have her
## [1068] favour, then you also are net-weavers and sorcerers, maybe.' He turned a
## [1069] cold glance suddenly upon Legolas and Gimli. 'Why do you not speak, silent
## [1070] ones?' he demanded.
## [1071]
## [1072] Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the
## [1073] handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed. 'Give me your name,
## [1074] horse-master, and I will give you mine, and more besides,' he said.
## [1075]
## [1076] 'As for that,' said the Rider, staring down at the Dwarf, 'the stranger
## [1077] should declare himself first. Yet I am named Jomer son of Jomund, and am
## [1078] called the Third Marshal of Riddermark.'
## [1079]
## [1080] 'Then Jomer son of Jomund, Third Marshal of Riddermark, let Gimli the
## [1081] Dwarf Gluin's son warn you against foolish words. You speak evil of that
## [1082] which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can
## [1083] excuse you.'
## [1084]
## [1085] Jomer's eyes blazed, and the Men of Rohan murmured angrily, and closed
## [1086] in, advancing their spears. 'I would cut off your head, beard and all,
## [1087]
## [1088] Master Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground ' said Jomer.
## [1089]
## [1090] 'He stands not alone,' said Legolas, bending his bow and fitting an
## [1091] arrow with hands that moved quicker than sight. 'You would die before your
## [1092] stroke fell.'
## [1093]
## [1094]
## [1095]
## [1096]
## [1097] Jomer raised his sword, and things might have gone ill, but Aragorn
## [1098] sprang between them, and raised his hand. 'Your pardon, Jomer!' he cried.
## [1099] 'When you know more you will understand why you have angered my
## [1100] companions.
## [1101]
## [1102] We intend no evil to Rohan, nor to any of its folk, neither to man nor to
## [1103] horse. Will you not hear our tale before you strike?'
## [1104]
## [1105] 'I will,' said Jomer lowering his blade. 'But wanderers in the
## [1106] Riddermark would be wise to be less haughty in these days of doubt. First
## [1107] tell me your right name.'
## [1108]
## [1109] 'First tell me whom you serve,' said Aragorn. 'Are you friend or foe of
## [1110] Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor?'
## [1111]
## [1112] 'I serve only the Lord of the Mark, Thjoden King son of Thengel,'
## [1113] answered Jomer. 'We do not serve the Power of the Black Land far away, but
## [1114] neither are we yet at open war with him; and if you are fleeing from him,
## [1115] then you had best leave this land. There is trouble now on all our borders,
## [1116] and we are threatened; but we desire only to be free, and to live as we have
## [1117] lived, keeping our own, and serving no foreign lord, good or evil. We
## [1118] welcomed guests kindly in the better days, but in these times the unbidden
## [1119] stranger finds us swift and hard. Come! Who are you? Whom do you serve?
## [1120] At
## [1121]
## [1122] whose command do you hunt Ores in our land?'
## [1123]
## [1124] 'I serve no man,' said Aragorn; 'but the servants of Sauron I pursue
## [1125] into whatever land they may go. There are few among mortal Men who know
## [1126] more
## [1127]
## [1128] of Ores; and I do not hunt them in this fashion out of choice. The Ores whom
## [1129] we pursued took captive two of my friends. In such need a man that has no
## [1130] horse will go on foot, and he will not ask for leave to follow the trail.
## [1131]
## [1132] Nor will he count the heads of the enemy save with a sword. I am not
## [1133] weaponless.'
## [1134]
## [1135] Aragorn threw back his cloak. The elven-sheath glittered as he grasped
## [1136] it, and the bright blade of And®ril shone like a sudden flame as he swept it
## [1137] out. 'Elendil!' he cried. 'I am Aragorn son of Arathorn and am called
## [1138] Elessar, the Elfstone, D®nadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor.
## [1139] Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or
## [1140] thwart me? Choose swiftly!'
## [1141]
## [1142] Gimli and Legolas looked at their companion in amazement, for they had
## [1143] not seen him in this mood before. He seemed to have grown in stature while
## [1144]
## [1145]
## [1146]
## [1147]
## [1148] Jomer had shrunk; and in his living face they caught a brief vision of the
## [1149] power and majesty of the kings of stone. For a moment it seemed to the eyes
## [1150] of Legolas that a white flame flickered on the brows of Aragorn like a
## [1151] shining crown.
## [1152]
## [1153] Jomer stepped back and a look of awe was in his face. He cast down his
## [1154] proud eyes. These are indeed strange days,' he muttered. 'Dreams and
## [1155] legends spring to life out of the grass.
## [1156]
## [1157] Tell me, lord,' he said, 'what brings you here? And what was the
## [1158] meaning of the dark words? Long has Boromir son of Denethor been gone
## [1159] seeking an answer, and the horse that we lent him came back riderless. What
## [1160] doom do you bring out of the North?'
## [1161]
## [1162] 'The doom of choice,' said Aragorn. 'You may say this to Thjoden son of
## [1163] Thengel: open war lies before him, with Sauron or against him. None may live
## [1164] now as they have lived, and few shall keep what they call their own. But of
## [1165] these great matters we will speak later. If chance allows, I will come
## [1166] myself to the king. Now I am in great need, and I ask for help, or at least
## [1167] for tidings. You heard that we are pursuing an ore-host that carried off our
## [1168] friends. What can you tell us?'
## [1169]
## [1170] 'That you need not pursue them further,' said Jomer. 'The Ores are
## [1171] destroyed.'
## [1172]
## [1173] 'And our friends?'
## [1174]
## [1175] 'We found none but Ores.'
## [1176]
## [1177] 'But that is strange indeed,' said Aragorn. 'Did you search the slain?
## [1178]
## [1179] Were there no bodies other than those of ore -kind? They would be small. Only
## [1180] children to your eyes, unshod but clad in grey.'
## [1181]
## [1182] 'There were no dwarves nor children,' said Jomer. 'We counted all the
## [1183] slain and despoiled them, and then we piled the carcases and burned them, as
## [1184] is our custom. The ashes are smoking still.'
## [1185]
## [1186] 'We do not speak of dwarves or children,' said Gimli. 'Our friends were
## [1187] hobbits.'
## [1188]
## [1189] 'Hobbits?' said Jomer. 'And what may they be? It is a strange name.'
## [1190]
## [1191] 'A strange name for a strange folk,' said Gimli. 'But these were very
## [1192] dear to us. It seems that you have heard in Rohan of the words that troubled
## [1193] Minas Tirith. They spoke of the Halfling. These hobbits are Halflings.'
## [1194]
## [1195] 'Halflings!' laughed the Rider that stood beside Jomer. 'Halflings! But
## [1196] they are only a little people in old songs and children's tales out of the
## [1197] North. Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?'
## [1198]
## [1199]
## [1200]
## [1201]
## [1202] 'A man may do both,' said Aragorn. ’For not we but those who come after
## [1203] will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a
## [1204] mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!'
## [1205]
## [1206] Time is pressing,’ said the Rider, not heeding Aragorn. 'We must
## [1207] hasten south, lord. Let us leave these wild folk to their fancies. Or let us
## [1208] bind them and take them to the king.'
## [1209]
## [1210] 'Peace, Jothain!' said Jomer in his own tongue. 'Leave me a while. Tell
## [1211] the jored to assemble on the path' and make ready to ride to the Entwade.'
## [1212]
## [1213] Muttering Jothain retired, and spoke to the others. Soon they drew off
## [1214] and left Jomer alone with the three companions.
## [1215]
## [1216] 'All that you say is strange, Aragorn.' he said. 'Yet you speak the
## [1217] truth, that is plain: the Men of the Mark do not lie, and therefore they are
## [1218] not easily deceived. But you have not told all. Will you not now speak more
## [1219] fully of your errand, so that I may judge what to do?'
## [1220]
## [1221] 'I set out from Imladris, as it is named in the rhyme, many weeks ago,'
## [1222] answered Aragorn. 'With me went Boromir of Minas Tirith. My errand was to
## [1223] go
## [1224]
## [1225] to that city with the son of Denethor, to aid his folk in their war against
## [1226] Sauron. But the Company that I journeyed with had other business. Of that I
## [1227] cannot speak now. Gandalf the Grey was our leader.'
## [1228]
## [1229] 'Gandalf !' Jomer exclaimed. 'Gandalf Greyhame is known in the Mark: but
## [1230] his name, I warn you, is no longer a password to the king's favour. He has
## [1231] been a guest in the land many times in the memory of men, coming as he will,
## [1232] after a season, or after many years. He is ever the herald of strange
## [1233] events: a bringer of evil, some now say.
## [1234]
## [1235] 'Indeed since his last coming in the summer all things have gone amiss.
## [1236]
## [1237] At that time our trouble with Saruman began. Until then we counted Saruman
## [1238] our friend, hut Gandalf came then and warned us that sudden war was
## [1239] preparing in Isengard. He said that he himself had been a prisoner in
## [1240] Orthanc and had hardly escaped, and he begged for help. But Thjoden would
## [1241] not listen to him, and he went away. Speak not the name of Gandalf loudly in
## [1242] Thj oden's ears! He is wroth. For Gandalf took the horse that is called
## [1243] Shadowfax, the most precious of all the king's steeds, chief of the Mearas,
## [1244] which only the Lord of the Mark may ride. For the sire of their race was the
## [1245] great horse of Eorl that knew the speech of Men. Seven nights ago Shadowfax
## [1246] returned; but the king's anger is not less, for now the horse is wild and
## [1247] will let no man handle him.'
## [1248]
## [1249]
## [1250]
## [1251]
## [1252] ’Then Shadowfax has found his way alone from the far North,' said
## [1253] Aragorn; 'for it was there that he and Gandalf parted. But alas! Gandalf
## [1254] will ride no longer. He fell into darkness in the Mines of Moria and comes
## [1255] not again.'
## [1256]
## [1257] 'That is heavy tidings,' said Jomer. 'At least to me, and to many;
## [1258] though not to all, as you may find, if you come to the king.'
## [1259]
## [1260] 'It is tidings more grievous than any in this land can understand,
## [1261] though it may touch them sorely ere the year is much older,' said Aragorn.
## [1262] 'But when the great fall, the less must lead. My part it has been to guide
## [1263] our Company on the long road from Moria. Through Lurien we came — of
## [1264] which
## [1265]
## [1266] it were well that you should learn the truth ere you speak of it again —
## [1267] and thence down the leagues of the Great River to the falls of Rauros. There
## [1268] Boromir was slain by the same Ores whom you destroyed.'
## [1269]
## [1270] 'Your news is all of woe!' cried Jomer in dismay. 'Great harm is this
## [1271] death to Minas Tirith, and to us all. That was a worthy man! All spoke his
## [1272] praise. He came seldom to the Mark, for he was ever in the wars on the
## [1273] East -borders; but I have seen him. More like to the swift sons of Eorl than
## [1274] to the grave Men of Gondor he seemed to me, and likely to prove a great
## [1275] captain of his people when his time came. But we have had no word of this
## [1276] grief out of Gondor. When did he fall?'
## [1277]
## [1278] 'It is now the fourth day since he was slain,' answered Aragorn, 'and
## [1279] since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol
## [1280] Brandir.'
## [1281]
## [1282] 'On foot?' cried Jomer.
## [1283]
## [1284] 'Yes, even as you see us.'
## [1285]
## [1286] Wide wonder came into Jomer's eyes. 'Strider is too poor a name, son of
## [1287] Arathorn,' he said. 'Wingfoot I name you. This deed of the three friends
## [1288] should be sung in many a hall. Forty leagues and five you have measured ere
## [1289] the fourth day is ended! Hardy is the race of Elendil!
## [1290]
## [1291] 'But now, lord, what would you have me do! I must return in haste to
## [1292] Thjoden. I spoke warily before my men. It is true that we are not yet at
## [1293] open war with the Black Land, and there are some, close to the king's ear,
## [1294] that speak craven counsels; but war is coming. We shall not forsake our old
## [1295] alliance with Gondor, and while they fight we shall aid them: so say I and
## [1296] all who hold with me. The East-mark is my charge, the ward of the Third
## [1297] Marshal, and I have removed all our herds and herdfolk, withdrawing them
## [1298]
## [1299]
## [1300]
## [1301]
## [1302] beyond Entwash, and leaving none here but guards and swift scouts.'
## [1303]
## [1304] Then you do not pay tribute to Sauron?' said Gimli.
## [1305]
## [1306] 'We do not and we never have.' said Jomer with a flash of his eyes;
## [1307] 'though it comes to my ears that that lie has been told. Some years ago the
## [1308] Lord of the Black Land wished to purchase horses of us at great price, but
## [1309] we refused him. for he puts beasts to evil use. Then he sent plundering
## [1310] Ores, and they carry off what they can, choosing always the black horses:
## [1311] few of these are now left. Lor that reason our feud with the Ores is bitter.
## [1312]
## [1313] 'But at this time our chief concern is with Saruman. He has claimed
## [1314] lordship over all this land, and there has been war between us for many
## [1315] months. He has taken Ores into his service, and Wolf-riders, and evil Men,
## [1316] and he has closed the Gap against us, so that we are likely to be beset both
## [1317] east and west.
## [1318]
## [1319] 'It is ill dealing with such a foe: he is a wizard both cunning and
## [1320] dwimmer -crafty, having many guises. He walks here and there, they say, as an
## [1321] old man hooded and cloaked, very like to Gandalf, as many now recall. His
## [1322] spies slip through every net, and his birds of ill omen are abroad in the
## [1323] sky. I do not know how it will all end, and my heart misgives me; for it
## [1324] seems to me that his friends do not all dwell in Isengard. But if you come
## [1325] to the king's house, you shall see for yourself. Will you not come? Do I
## [1326] hope in vain that you have been sent to me for a help in doubt and need?'
## [1327]
## [1328] 'I will come when I may,' said Aragorn.
## [1329]
## [1330] 'Come now!' said Jomer. 'The Heir of Elendil would be a strength indeed
## [1331] to the Sons of Eorl in this evil tide. There is battle even now upon the
## [1332] Westemnet, and I fear that it may go ill for us.
## [1333]
## [1334] 'Indeed in this riding north I went without the king's leave, for in my
## [1335] absence his house is left with little guard. But scouts warned me of the
## [1336] ore-host coming down out of the East Wall three nights ago, and among them
## [1337] they reported that some bore the white badges of Saruman. So suspecting what
## [1338] I most fear, a league between Orthanc and the Dark Tower, I led forth my
## [1339] jored , men of my own household; and we overtook the Ores at nightfall two
## [1340] days ago, near to the borders of the Entwood. There we surrounded them, and
## [1341] gave battle yesterday at dawn. Fifteen of my men I lost, and twelve horses
## [1342] alas! For the Ores were greater in number than we counted on. Others joined
## [1343] them, coming out of the East across the Great River: their trail is plain to
## [1344] see a little north of this spot. And others, too, came out of the forest.
## [1345]
## [1346] Great Ores, who also bore the White Hand of Isengard: that kind is stronger
## [1347]
## [1348]
## [1349]
## [1350]
## [1351] and more fell than all others.
## [1352]
## [1353] 'Nonetheless we put an end to them. But we have been too long away. We
## [1354] are needed south and west. Will you not come? There are spare horses as you
## [1355] see. There is work for the Sword to do. Yes, and we could find a use for
## [1356] Gimli’s axe and the bow of Legolas, if they will pardon my rash words
## [1357] concerning the Lady of the Wood. I spoke only as do all men in my land, and
## [1358] I would gladly learn better.'
## [1359]
## [1360] 'I thank you for your fair words,' said Aragorn, 'and my heart desires
## [1361] to come with you; but I cannot desert my friends while hope remains.'
## [1362]
## [1363] 'Hope does not remain,' said Jomer. 'You will not find your friends on
## [1364] the North-borders.'
## [1365]
## [1366] 'Yet my friends are not behind. We found a clear token not far from the
## [1367] East Wall that one at least of them was still alive there. But between the
## [1368] wall and the downs we have found no other trace of them, and no trail has
## [1369] turned aside, this way or that, unless my skill has wholly left me.'
## [1370]
## [1371] 'Then what do you think has become of them?'
## [1372]
## [1373] 'I do not know. They may have been slain and burned among the Ores; but
## [1374] that you will say cannot be, and I do not fear it. I can only think that
## [1375] they were carried off into the forest before the battle, even before you
## [1376] encircled your foes, maybe. Can you swear that none escaped your net in such
## [1377] a way?'
## [1378]
## [1379] 'I would swear that no Ore escaped after we sighted them,' said Jomer.
## [1380]
## [1381] 'We reached the forest-eaves before them, and if after that any living thing
## [1382] broke through our ring, then it was no Ore and had some elvish power.'
## [1383]
## [1384] 'Our friends were attired even as we are,' said Aragorn; 'and you
## [1385] passed us by under the full light of day.'
## [1386]
## [1387] 'I had forgotten that,' said Jomer. 'It is hard to be sure of anything
## [1388] among so many marvels. The world is all grown strange. Elf and Dwarf in
## [1389] company walk in our daily fields; and folk speak with the Lady of the Wood
## [1390] and yet live; and the Sword comes back to war that was broken in the long
## [1391] ages ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark! How shall a man
## [1392] judge what to do in such times?'
## [1393]
## [1394] 'As he ever has judged,' said Aragorn. 'Good and ill have not changed
## [1395] since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves p and
## [1396] another among Men. It is a man's part to discern them, as much in the Golden
## [1397] Wood as in his own house.'
## [1398]
## [1399] 'True indeed,' said Jomer. 'But I do not doubt you, nor the deed which
## [1400]
## [1401]
## [1402]
## [1403]
## [1404] my heart would do. Yet I am not free to do all as I would. It is against our
## [1405] law to let strangers wander at will in our land, until the king himself
## [1406] shall give them leave, and more strict is the command in these days of
## [1407] peril. I have begged you to come back willingly with me, and you will not.
## [1408] Loth am I to begin a battle of one hundred against three.'
## [1409]
## [1410] ’I do not think your law was made for such a chance,’ said Aragorn.
## [1411]
## [1412] 'Nor indeed am I a stranger; for I have been in this land before, more than
## [1413] once, and ridden with the host of the Rohirrim, though under other name and
## [1414] in other guise. You I have not seen before, for you are young, but I have
## [1415] spoken with Jomund your father, and with Thjoden son of Thengel. Never in
## [1416] former days would any high lord of this land have constrained a man to
## [1417] abandon such a quest as mine. My duty at least is clear, to go on. Come now,
## [1418] son of Jomund, the choice must be made at last. Aid us, or at the worst let
## [1419] us go free. Or seek to carry out your law. If you do so there will be fewer
## [1420] to return to your war or to your king.'
## [1421]
## [1422] Jomer was silent for a moment, then he spoke. 'We both have need of
## [1423] haste,' he said. 'My company chafes to be away, and every hour lessens your
## [1424] hope. This is my choice. You may go; and what is more, I will lend you
## [1425] horses. This only I ask: when your quest is achieved, or is proved vain,
## [1426] return with the horses over the Entwade to Meduseld, the high house in
## [1427] Edoras where Thjoden now sits. Thus you shall prove to him that I have not
## [1428] misjudged. In this I place myself, and maybe my very life, in the keeping of
## [1429] your good faith. Do not fail.'
## [1430]
## [1431] 'I will not,' said Aragorn.
## [1432]
## [1433] There was great wonder, and many dark and doubtful glances, among his
## [1434] men, when Jomer gave orders that the spare horses were to be lent to the
## [1435] strangers; but only Jothain dared to speak openly.
## [1436]
## [1437] 'It may be well enough for this lord of the race of Gondor, as he
## [1438] claims,' he said, 'but who has heard of a horse of the Mark being given to a
## [1439] Dwarf?'
## [1440]
## [1441] 'No one,' said Gimli. 'And do not trouble: no one will ever hear of it.
## [1442]
## [1443] I would sooner walk than sit on the back of any beast so great, free or
## [1444] begrudged.'
## [1445]
## [1446] 'But you must ride now, or you will hinder us,' said Aragorn.
## [1447]
## [1448] 'Come, you shall sit behind me, friend Gimli, said Legolas. Then all
## [1449] will be well, and you need neither borrow a horse nor be troubled by one.'
## [1450]
## [1451] A great dark-grey horse was brought to Aragorn, and he mounted it.
## [1452]
## [1453]
## [1454]
## [1455]
## [1456] 'Hasufel is his name,' said Jomer. 'May he bear you well and to better
## [1457] fortune than Gbrulf, his late master!'
## [1458]
## [1459] A smaller and lighter horse, but restive and fiery, was brought to
## [1460] Legolas. Arod was his name. But Legolas asked them to take off saddle and
## [1461] rein. 'I need them not,' he said, and leaped lightly up, and to their wonder
## [1462] Arod was tame and willing beneath him, moving here and there with but a
## [1463] spoken word: such was the elvish way with all good beasts. Gimli was lifted
## [1464] up behind his friend, and he clung to him, not much more at ease than Sam
## [1465] Gamgee in a boat.
## [1466]
## [1467] 'Farewell, and may you find what you seek!' cried Jomer. 'Return with
## [1468] what speed you may, and let our swords hereafter shine together!'
## [1469]
## [1470] 'I will come,' said Aragorn.
## [1471]
## [1472] 'And I will come, too,' said Gimli. 'The matter of the Lady Galadriel
## [1473] lies still between us. I have yet to teach you gentle speech. '
## [1474]
## [1475] 'We shall see,' said Jomer. 'So many strange things have chanced that
## [1476] to learn the praise of a fair lady under the loving strokes of a Dwarfs axe
## [1477] will seem no great wonder. Farewell!'
## [1478]
## [1479] With that they parted. Very swift were the horses of Rohan. When after
## [1480] a little Gimli looked back, the company of Jomer were already small and far
## [1481] away. Aragorn did not look back: he was watching the trail as they sped on
## [1482] their way, bending low with his head beside the neck of Hasufel. Before long
## [1483] they came to the borders of the Entwash, and there they met the other trail
## [1484] of which Jomer had spoken, coming down from the East out of the Wold.
## [1485]
## [1486] Aragorn dismounted and surveyed the ground, then leaping back into the
## [1487] saddle, he rode away for some distance eastward, keeping to one side and
## [1488] taking care not to override the footprints. Then he again dismounted and
## [1489] examined the ground, going backwards and forwards on foot.
## [1490]
## [1491] 'There is little to discover,' he said when he returned. 'The main
## [1492] trail is all confused with the passage of the horsemen as they came back;
## [1493] their outward course must have lain nearer the river. But this eastward
## [1494] trail is fresh and clear. There is no sign there of any feet going the other
## [1495] way, back towards Anduin. Now we must ride slower, and make sure that no
## [1496] trace or footstep branches off on either side. The Ores must have been aware
## [1497] from this point that they were pursued; they may have made some attempt to
## [1498] get their captives away before they were overtaken.'
## [1499]
## [1500] As they rode forward the day was overcast. Low grey clouds came over
## [1501] the Wold. A mist shrouded the sun. Ever nearer the tree-clad slopes of
## [1502]
## [1503]
## [1504]
## [1505]
## [1506] Fangorn loomed, slowly darkling as the sun went west. They saw no sign of
## [1507] any trail to right or left, but here and there they passed single Ores,
## [1508] fallen in their tracks as they ran, with grey -feathered arrows sticking in
## [1509] back or throat.
## [1510]
## [1511] At last as the afternoon was waning they came to the eaves of the
## [1512] forest, and in an open glade among the first trees they found the place of
## [1513] the great burning: the ashes were still hot and smoking. Beside it was a
## [1514] great pile of helms and mail, cloven shields, and broken swords, bows and
## [1515] darts and other gear of war. Upon a stake in the middle was set a great
## [1516] goblin head; upon its shattered helm the white badge could still be seen.
## [1517] Further away, not far from the river, where it came streaming out from the
## [1518] edge of the wood, there was a mound. It was newly raised: the raw earth was
## [1519] covered with fresh-cut turves: about it were planted fifteen spears.
## [1520]
## [1521] Aragorn and his companions searched far and wide about the field of
## [1522] battle, but the light faded, and evening soon drew down, dim and misty. By
## [1523] nightfall they had discovered no trace of Merry and Pippin.
## [1524]
## [1525] 'We can do no more,' said Gimli sadly. 'We have been set many riddles
## [1526] since we came to Tol Brandir, but this is the hardest to unravel. I would
## [1527] guess that the burned bones of the hobbits are now mingled with the Ores'.
## [1528]
## [1529] It will be hard news for Frodo, if he lives to hear it; and hard too for the
## [1530] old hobbit who waits in Rivendell. Elrond was against their coming.'
## [1531]
## [1532] 'But Gandalf was not,' said Legolas.
## [1533]
## [1534] 'But Gandalf chose to come himself, and he was the first to be lost '
## [1535] answered Gimli. 'His foresight failed him.'
## [1536]
## [1537] 'The counsel of Gandalf was not founded on foreknowledge of safety, for
## [1538] himself or for others,' said Aragorn. 'There are some things that it is
## [1539] better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark. But I shall
## [1540] not depart from this place yet. In any case we must here await the
## [1541] morning -light.'
## [1542]
## [1543] A little way beyond the battle-field they made their camp under a
## [1544] spreading tree: it looked like a chestnut, and yet it still bore many broad
## [1545] brown leaves of a former year, like dry hands with long splayed fingers;
## [1546] they rattled mournfully in the night-breeze.
## [1547]
## [1548] Gimli shivered. They had brought only one blanket apiece. 'Let us light
## [1549] a fire,' he said. 'I care no longer for the danger. Let the Ores come as
## [1550] thick as summer-moths round a candle!'
## [1551]
## [1552] 'If those unhappy hobbits are astray in the woods, it might draw them
## [1553]
## [1554]
## [1555]
## [1556]
## [1557] hither,' said Legolas.
## [1558]
## [1559] 'And it might draw other things, neither Ore nor Hobbit,' said Aragorn.
## [1560]
## [1561] 'We are near to the mountain-marches of the traitor Saruman. Also we are on
## [1562] the very edge of Fangorn, and it is perilous to touch the trees of that
## [1563] wood, it is said.'
## [1564]
## [1565] 'But the Rohirrim made a great burning here yesterday,' said Gimli,
## [1566]
## [1567] 'and they felled trees for the fire, as can be seen. Yet they passed the
## [1568] night after safely here, when their labour was ended.'
## [1569]
## [1570] 'They were many,' said Aragorn, 'and they do not heed the wrath of
## [1571] Fangorn, for they come here seldom, and they do not go under the trees. But
## [1572] our paths are likely to lead us into the very forest itself. So have a care!
## [1573]
## [1574] Cut no living wood!'
## [1575]
## [1576] 'There is no need,' said Gimli. 'The Riders have left chip and bough
## [1577] enough, and there is dead wood lying in plenty.' He went off to gather fuel,
## [1578] and busied himself with building and kindling a fire; but Aragorn sat silent
## [1579] with his back to the great tree, deep in thought; and Legolas stood alone in
## [1580] the open, looking towards the profound shadow of the wood, leaning forward,
## [1581] as one who listens to voices calling from a distance.
## [1582]
## [1583] When the Dwarf had a small bright blaze going, the three companions
## [1584] drew close to it and sat together, shrouding the light with their hooded
## [1585] forms. Legolas looked up at the boughs of the tree reaching out above them.
## [1586]
## [1587] 'Look!' he said. 'The tree is glad of the fire!'
## [1588]
## [1589] It may have been that the dancing shadows tricked their eyes, but
## [1590] certainly to each of the companions the boughs appeared to be bending this
## [1591] way and that so as to come above the flames, while the upper branches were
## [1592] stooping down; the brown leaves now stood out stiff, and rubbed together
## [1593] like many cold cracked hands taking comfort in the warmth.
## [1594]
## [1595] There was a silence, for suddenly the dark and unknown forest, so near
## [1596] at hand, made itself felt as a great brooding presence, full of secret
## [1597] purpose. After a while Legolas spoke again.
## [1598]
## [1599] 'Celeborn warned us not to go far into Fangorn,' he said. 'Do you know
## [1600] why, Aragorn? What are the fables of the forest that Boromir had heard?'
## [1601]
## [1602] 'I have heard many tales in Gondor and elsewhere,' said Aragorn, 'but
## [1603] if it were not for the words of Celeborn I should deem them only fables that
## [1604] Men have made as true knowledge fades. I had thought of asking you what
## [1605] was
## [1606]
## [1607] the truth of the matter. And if an Elf of the Wood does not know, how shall
## [1608]
## [1609]
## [1610]
## [1611]
## [1612] a Man answer?'
## [1613]
## [1614] ’You have journeyed further than I,' said Legolas. 'I have heard
## [1615] nothing of this in my own land, save only songs that tell how the Onodrim,
## [1616] that Men call Ents, dwelt there long ago; for Fangorn is old, old even as
## [1617] the Elves would reckon it.'
## [1618]
## [1619] 'Yes, it is old,' said Aragorn, 'as old as the forest by the
## [1620] Barrow-downs, and it is far greater. Elrond says that the two are akin, the
## [1621] last strongholds of the mighty woods of the Elder Days, in which the
## [1622] Firstborn roamed while Men still slept. Yet Fangorn holds some secret of its
## [1623] own. What it is I do not know.'
## [1624]
## [1625] 'And I do not wish to know,' said Gimli. 'Let nothing that dwells in
## [1626] Fangorn be troubled on my account!'
## [1627]
## [1628] They now drew lots for the watches, and the lot for the first watch
## [1629] fell to Gimli. The others lay down. Almost at once sleep laid hold on them.
## [1630] 'Gimli!' said Aragorn drowsily. 'Remember, it is perilous to cut bough or
## [1631] twig from a living tree in Fangorn. But do not stray far in search of dead
## [1632] wood. Let the fire die rather! Call me at need!'
## [1633]
## [1634] With that he fell asleep. Legolas already lay motionless, his fair
## [1635] hands folded upon his breast, his eyes unclosed, blending living night and
## [1636] deep dream, as is the way with Elves. Gimli sat hunched by the fire, running
## [1637] his thumb thoughtfully along the edge of his axe. The tree rustled. There
## [1638] was no other sound.
## [1639]
## [1640] Suddenly Gimli looked up, and there just on the edge of the fire-light
## [1641] stood an old bent man, leaning on a staff, and wrapped in a great cloak; his
## [1642] wide-brimmed hat was pulled down over his eyes. Gimli sprang up, too
## [1643] amazed
## [1644]
## [1645] for the moment to cry out, though at once the thought flashed into his mind
## [1646] that Saruman had caught them. Both Aragorn and Legolas, roused by his
## [1647] sudden
## [1648]
## [1649] movement, sat up and stared. The old man did not speak or make, sign.
## [1650]
## [1651] 'Well, father, what can we do for you?' said Aragorn, leaping to his
## [1652] feet. 'Come and be warm, if you are cold!' He strode forward, but the old
## [1653] man was gone. There was no trace of him to be found near at hand, and they
## [1654] did not dare to wander far. The moon had set and the night was very dark.
## [1655]
## [1656] Suddenly Legolas gave a cry. 'The horses! The horses!'
## [1657]
## [1658] The horses were gone. They had dragged their pickets and disappeared.
## [1659] For me time the three companions stood still and silent, troubled by this
## [1660]
## [1661]
## [1662]
## [1663]
## [1664] new stroke of ill fortune. They were under the eaves of Fangorn, and endless
## [1665] leagues lay between them and the Men of Rohan, their only friends in this
## [1666] wide and dangerous land. As they stood, it seemed to them that they heard,
## [1667] far off in the night, the sound of horses whinnying and neighing. Then all
## [1668] was quiet again, except for the cold rustle of the wind.
## [1669]
## [1670] 'Well, they are gone,' said Aragorn at last. 'We cannot find them or
## [1671] catch them; so that if they do not return of their own will, we must do
## [1672] without. We started on our feet, and we have those still.'
## [1673]
## [1674] 'Feet!' said Gimli. 'But we cannot eat them as well as walk on them '
## [1675]
## [1676] Fie threw some fuel on the fire and slumped down beside it.
## [1677]
## [1678] 'Only a few hours ago you were unwilling to sit on a horse of Rohan,'
## [1679] laughed Legolas. 'You will make a rider yet.'
## [1680]
## [1681] 'It seems unlikely that I shall have the chance,' said Gimli.
## [1682]
## [1683] 'If you wish to know what I think,' he began again after a while 'I
## [1684] think it was Saruman. Who else? Remember the words of Jomer: he walks
## [1685] about
## [1686]
## [1687] like an old man hooded and cloaked. Those were the words. He has gone off
## [1688] with our horses, or scared them away, and here we are. There is more trouble
## [1689] coming to us, mark my words!'
## [1690]
## [1691] 'I mark them,' said Aragorn. 'But I marked also that this old man had a
## [1692] hat not a hood. Still I do not doubt that you guess right, and that we are
## [1693] in peril here, by night or day. Yet in the meantime there is nothing that we
## [1694] can do but rest, while we may. I will watch for a while now, Gimli. I have
## [1695] more need of thought than of sleep.'
## [1696]
## [1697] The night passed slowly. Legolas followed Aragorn, and Gimli followed
## [1698] Legolas, and their watches wore away. But nothing happened. The old man did
## [1699] not appear again, and the horses did not return.
## [1700]
## [1701]
## [1702]
## [1703]
## [1704] Chapter 3 . The Uruk-Hai
## [1705]
## [1706]
## [1707]
## [1708] Pippin lay in a dark and troubled dream: it seemed that he could hear
## [1709] his own small voice echoing in black tunnels, calling Frodo, Frodo ! But
## [1710] instead of Frodo hundreds of hideous ore-faces grinned at him out of the
## [1711] shadows, hundreds of hideous arms grasped at him from every side. Where
## [1712] was
## [1713] Merry?
## [1714]
## [1715] He woke. Cold air blew on his face. He was lying on his back. Evening
## [1716] was coming and the sky above was growing dim. He turned and found that the
## [1717] dream was little worse than the waking. His wrists, legs, and ankles were
## [1718] tied with cords. Beside him Merry lay, white-faced, with a dirty rag bound
## [1719] across his brows. All about them sat or stood a great company of Ores.
## [1720]
## [1721] Slowly in Pippin's aching head memory pieced itself together and became
## [1722] separated from dream-shadows. Of course: he and Merry had run off into the
## [1723] woods. What had come over them? Why had they dashed off like that, taking
## [1724] no
## [1725]
## [1726] notice of old Strider? They had run a long way shouting— he could not
## [1727] remember how far or how long; and then suddenly they had crashed right into
## [1728] a group of Ores: they were standing listening, and they did not appear to
## [1729] see Merry and Pippin until they were almost in their arms. Then they yelled
## [1730] and dozens of other goblins had sprung out of the trees. Merry and he had
## [1731] drawn their swords, but the Ores did not wish to fight, and had tried only
## [1732] to lay hold of them, even when Merry had cut off several of their arms and
## [1733] hands. Good old Merry!
## [1734]
## [1735] Then Boromir had come leaping through the trees. He had made them
## [1736] fight. He slew many of them and the rest fled. But they had not gone far on
## [1737] the way back when they were attacked again, by a hundred Ores at least, some
## [1738] of them very large, and they shot a rain of arrows: always at Boromir.
## [1739] Boromir had blown his great horn till the woods rang, and at first the Ores
## [1740] had been dismayed and had drawn back; but when no answer but the echoes
## [1741] came, they had attacked more fierce than ever. Pippin did not remember much
## [1742] more. His last memo was of Boromir leaning against a tree, plucking out an
## [1743] arrow; then darkness fell suddenly.
## [1744]
## [1745] 'I suppose I was knocked on the head,' he said to himself. 'I wonder if
## [1746]
## [1747]
## [1748]
## [1749]
## [1750] poor Merry is much hurt. What has happened to Boromir? Why didn’t the
## [1751] Ores
## [1752]
## [1753] kill us? Where are we, and where are we going?'
## [1754]
## [1755] He could not answer the questions. He felt cold and sick. 'I wish
## [1756] Gandalf had never persuaded Elrond to let us come,' he thought. ’What good
## [1757] have I been? Just a nuisance: a passenger, a piece of luggage. And now I
## [1758] have been stolen and I am just a piece of luggage for the Ores. I hope
## [1759] Strider or someone will come and claim us! But ought I to hope for it? Won't
## [1760] that throw out all the plans? I wish I could get free!'
## [1761]
## [1762] He struggled a little, quite uselessly. One of the Ores sitting near
## [1763] laughed and said something to a companion in their abominable tongue. 'Rest
## [1764] while you can, little fool!' he said then to Pippin, in the Common Speech,
## [1765] which he made almost as hideous as his own language. 'Rest while you can!
## [1766] We'll find a use for your legs before long. You'll wish you had got none
## [1767] before we get home.'
## [1768]
## [1769] 'If I had my way, you'd wish you were dead now,' said the other. 'I'd
## [1770] make you squeak, you miserable rat.' He stooped over Pippin bringing his
## [1771] yellow fangs close to his face. He had a black knife with a long jagged
## [1772] blade in his hand. 'Lie quiet, or I'll tickle you with this,' he hissed.
## [1773]
## [1774] 'Don't draw attention to yourself, or I may forget my orders. Curse the
## [1775] Isengarders! Ugl®k u bagronk sha pushdug Saruman-glob b®bhosh skai'
## [1776] he
## [1777]
## [1778] passed into a long angry speech in his own tongue that slowly died away into
## [1779] muttering and snarling.
## [1780]
## [1781] Terrified Pippin lay still, though the pain at his wrists and ankles
## [1782] was growing, and the stones beneath him were boring into his back. To take
## [1783] his mind off himself he listened intently to all that he could hear. There
## [1784] were many voices round about, and though ore-speech sounded at all times
## [1785] full of hate and anger, it seemed plain that something like a quarrel had
## [1786] begun, and was getting hotter.
## [1787]
## [1788] To Pippin's surprise he found that much of the talk was intelligible
## [1789] many of the Ores were using ordinary language. Apparently the members of
## [1790] two
## [1791]
## [1792] or three quite different tribes were present, and they could not understand
## [1793] one another's ore-speech. There was an angry debate concerning what they
## [1794] were to do now: which way they were to take and what should be done with the
## [1795] prisoners.
## [1796]
## [1797]
## [1798]
## [1799]
## [1800] 'There's no time to kill them properly,' said one. 'No time for play on
## [1801] this trip.'
## [1802]
## [1803] 'That can't be helped,' said another. 'But why not kill them quick,
## [1804] kill them now? They're a cursed nuisance, and we're in a hurry. Evening's
## [1805] coming on, and we ought to get a move on.'
## [1806]
## [1807] 'Orders.' said a third voice in a deep growl. 'Kill all but NOT the
## [1808] Halfings; they are to be brought back ALIVE as quickly as possible. That's
## [1809] my orders.'
## [1810]
## [1811] 'What are they wanted for?' asked several voices. 'Why alive? Do they
## [1812] give good sport?'
## [1813]
## [1814] 'No! I heard that one of them has got something, something that's
## [1815] wanted for the War, some elvish plot or other. Anyway they'll both be
## [1816] questioned.'
## [1817]
## [1818] 'Is that all you know? Why don't we search them and find out? We might
## [1819] find something that we could use ourselves.'
## [1820]
## [1821] 'That is a very interesting remark,' sneered a voice, softer than the
## [1822] others but more evil. 'I may have to report that. The prisoners are NOT to
## [1823] be searched or plundered: those are my orders.'
## [1824]
## [1825] 'And mine too,' said the deep voice. 'Alive and as captured; no
## [1826] spoiling. That's my orders.'
## [1827]
## [1828] 'Not our orders!' said one of the earlier voices. 'We have come all the
## [1829] way from the Mines to kill, and avenge our folk. I wish to kill, and then go
## [1830] back north.'
## [1831]
## [1832] 'Then you can wish again,' said the growling voice. 'I am Ugl®k. I
## [1833] command. I return to Isengard by the shortest road.'
## [1834]
## [1835] 'Is Saruman the master or the Great Eye?' said the evil voice. 'We
## [1836] should go back at once to Lugb®rz.'
## [1837]
## [1838] 'If we could cross the Great River, we might,' said another voice. 'But
## [1839] there are not enough of us to venture down to the bridges.'
## [1840]
## [1841] 'I came across,' said the evil voice. 'A winged Nazgyl awaits us
## [1842] northward on the east -bank.'
## [1843]
## [1844] 'Maybe, maybe! Then you'll fly off with our prisoners, and get all the
## [1845] pay and praise in Lugb®rz, and leave us to foot it as best we can through
## [1846] the Horse-country. No, we must stick together. These lands are dangerous:
## [1847] full of foul rebels and brigands.'
## [1848]
## [1849] 'Aye, we must stick together,' growled Ugl®k. 'I don't trust you little
## [1850] swine. You've no guts outside your own sties. But for us you'd all have run
## [1851]
## [1852]
## [1853]
## [1854]
## [1855] away. We are the fighting Uruk-hai! We slew the great warrior. We took the
## [1856] prisoners. We are the servants of Saruman the Wise, the White Hand: the Hand
## [1857] that gives us man’s-flesh to eat. We came out of Isengard, and led you here,
## [1858] and we shall lead you back by the way we choose. I am UgKDk. I have spoken.'
## [1859]
## [1860] 'You have spoken more than enough, UgKDk,' sneered the evil voice. 'I
## [1861] wonder how they would like it in Lugb(Drz. They might think that Ugl®k's
## [1862] shoulders needed relieving of a swollen head. They might ask where his
## [1863] strange ideas came from. Did they come from Saruman, perhaps? Who does
## [1864] he
## [1865]
## [1866] think he is, setting up on his own with his filthy white badges? They might
## [1867] agree with me, with Grishnbkh their trusted messenger; and I Grishnbkh say
## [1868] this: Saruman is a fool, and a dirty treacherous fool. But the Great Eye is
## [1869] on him.
## [1870]
## [1871] 'Swine is it? How do you folk like being called swine by the
## [1872] muck-rakers of a dirty little wizard? It's ore-flesh they eat, I'll
## [1873] warrant.'
## [1874]
## [1875] Many loud yells in ore-speech answered him, and the ringing clash of
## [1876] weapons being drawn. Cautiously Pippin rolled over, hoping to see what would
## [1877] happen. His guards had gone to join in the fray. In the twilight he saw a
## [1878] large black Ore, probably Ugl®k, standing facing Grishnbkh, a short
## [1879] crook -legged creature, very broad and with long arms that hung almost to the
## [1880] ground. Round them were many smaller goblins. Pippin supposed that these
## [1881] were the ones from the North. They had drawn their knives and swords, but
## [1882] hesitated to attack Ugl®k.
## [1883]
## [1884] Ugl®k shouted, and a number of other Ores of nearly his own size ran
## [1885] up. Then suddenly, without warning, Ugl®k sprang forwards, and with two
## [1886] swift strokes swept the heads off two of his opponents. Grishnbkh stepped
## [1887] aside and vanished into the shadows. The others gave way, and one stepped
## [1888] backwards and fell over Merry's prostrate form with a curse. Yet that
## [1889] probably saved his life, for Ugl®k's followers leaped over him and cut down
## [1890] another with their broad-bladed swords. It was the yellow-fanged guard. His
## [1891] body fell right on top of Pippin, still clutching its long saw-edged knife.
## [1892]
## [1893] 'Put up your weapons!' shouted Ugl®k. 'And let's have no more nonsense!
## [1894] We go straight west from here, and down the stair. From there straight to
## [1895] the downs, then along the river to the forest. And we march day and night.
## [1896] That clear?'
## [1897]
## [1898] 'Now,' thought Pippin, 'if only it takes that ugly fellow a little
## [1899]
## [1900]
## [1901]
## [1902]
## [1903] while to get his troop under control, I've got a chance.’ A gleam of hope
## [1904] had come to him. The edge of the black knife had snicked his arm, and then
## [1905] slid down to his wrist. He felt the blood trickling on to his hand, but he
## [1906] also felt the cold touch of steel against his skin.
## [1907]
## [1908] The Ores were getting ready to march again, but some of the Northerners
## [1909] were still unwilling, and the Isengarders slew two more before the rest were
## [1910] cowed. There was much cursing and confusion. For the moment Pippin was
## [1911] unwatched. His legs were securely bound, but his arms were only tied about
## [1912] the wrists, and his hands were in front of him. He could move them both
## [1913] together, though the bonds were cruelly tight. He pushed the dead Ore to one
## [1914] side, then hardly daring to breathe, he drew the knot of the wrist-cord up
## [1915] and down against the blade of the knife. It was sharp and the dead hand held
## [1916] it fast. The cord was cut! Quickly Pippin took it in his fingers and knotted
## [1917] it again into a loose bracelet of two loops and slipped it over his hands.
## [1918]
## [1919] Then he lay very still.
## [1920]
## [1921] 'Pick up those prisoners!' shouted Ugl®k. 'Don't play any tricks with
## [1922] them! If they are not alive when we get back, someone else will die too.'
## [1923]
## [1924] An Ore seized Pippin like a sack, put its head between his tied hands,
## [1925] grabbed his arms and dragged them down, until Pippin's face was crushed
## [1926] against its neck; then it jolted off with him. Another treated Merry in the
## [1927] same way. The Ore's clawlike hand gripped Pippin's arms like iron; the nails
## [1928] bit into him. He shut his eyes and slipped back into evil dreams.
## [1929]
## [1930] Suddenly he was thrown on to the stony floor again. It was early night,
## [1931] but the slim moon was already falling westward. They were on the edge of a
## [1932] cliff that seemed to look out over a sea of pale mist. There was a sound of
## [1933] water falling nearby.
## [1934]
## [1935] 'The scouts have come back at last,' said an Ore close at hand.
## [1936]
## [1937] 'Well, what did you discover?' growled the voice of Ugl®k.
## [1938]
## [1939] 'Only a single horseman, and he made off westwards. All's clear now.'
## [1940]
## [1941] 'Now, I daresay. But how long? You fools! You should have shot him.
## [1942] He'll raise the alarm. The cursed horsebreeders will hear of us by morning.
## [1943] Now we'll have to leg it double quick.'
## [1944]
## [1945] A shadow bent over Pippin. It was Ugl®k. 'Sit up!' said the Ore. 'My
## [1946] lads are tired of lugging you about. We have got to climb down and you must
## [1947] use your legs. Be helpful now. No crying out, no trying to escape. We have
## [1948] ways of paying for tricks that you won't like, though they won't spoil your
## [1949] usefulness for the Master.'
## [1950]
## [1951]
## [1952]
## [1953]
## [1954] He cut the thongs round Pippin's legs and ankles, picked him up by his
## [1955] hair and stood him on his feet. Pippin fell down, and UgKDk dragged him up
## [1956] by his hair again. Several Ores laughed. UgKDk thrust a flask between his
## [1957] teeth and poured some burning liquid down his throat: he felt a hot fierce
## [1958] glow flow through him. The pain in his legs and ankles vanished. He could
## [1959] stand.
## [1960]
## [1961] 'Now for the other!' said UgKDk. Pippin saw him go to Merry, who was
## [1962] lying close by, and kick him. Merry groaned. Seizing him roughly UgKDk
## [1963] pulled him into a sitting position, and tore the bandage off his head. Then
## [1964] he smeared the wound with some dark stuff out of a small wooden box. Merry
## [1965] cried out and struggled wildly.
## [1966]
## [1967] The Ores clapped and hooted. 'Can't take his medicine,' they jeered.
## [1968] 'Doesn't know what's good for him. Ai! We shall have some fun later.'
## [1969]
## [1970] But at the moment UgKDk was not engaged in sport. He needed speed and
## [1971] had to humour unwilling followers. He was healing Merry in ore-fashion; and
## [1972] his treatment worked swiftly. When he had forced a drink from his flask down
## [1973] the hobbit's throat, cut his leg-bonds, and dragged him to his feet, Merry
## [1974] stood up, looking pale but grim and defiant, and very much alive. The gash
## [1975] in his forehead gave him no more trouble, but he bore a brown scar to the
## [1976] end of his days.
## [1977]
## [1978] 'Hullo, Pippin!' he said. 'So you've come on this little expedition,
## [1979] too? Where do we get bed and breakfast?'
## [1980]
## [1981] 'Now then!' said UgKDk. 'None of that! Hold your tongues. No talk to
## [1982] one another. Any trouble will be reported at the other end, and He'll know
## [1983] how to pay you. You'll get bed and breakfast all right: more than you can
## [1984] stomach.'
## [1985]
## [1986] The ore -band began to descend a narrow ravine leading down into the
## [1987] misty plain below. Merry and Pippin, separated by a dozen Ores or more,
## [1988] climbed down with them. At the bottom they stepped on to grass, and the
## [1989] hearts of the hobbits rose.
## [1990]
## [1991] 'Now straight on!' shouted UgKDk. 'West and a little north. Follow
## [1992] Lugdush.'
## [1993]
## [1994] 'But what are we going to do at sunrise?' said some of the Northerners.
## [1995]
## [1996] 'Go on running,' said UgKDk. 'What do you think? Sit on the grass and
## [1997] wait for the Whiteskins to join the picnic?'
## [1998]
## [1999] 'But we can't run in the sunlight.'
## [2000]
## [2001] 'You'll run with me behind you,' said UgKDk. 'Run! Or you'll never see
## [2002]
## [2003]
## [2004]
## [2005]
## [2006] your beloved holes again. By the White Hand! What's the use of sending out
## [2007] mountain-maggots on a trip, only half trained. Run, curse you! Run while
## [2008] night lasts!'
## [2009]
## [2010] Then the whole company began to run with the long loping strides of
## [2011] Ores. They kept no order, thrusting, jostling, and cursing; yet their speed
## [2012] was very great. Each hobbit had a guard of three. Pippin was far back in the
## [2013] line. He wondered how long he would be able to go on at this pace: he had
## [2014] had no food since the morning. One of his guards had a whip. But at present
## [2015] the ore-liquor was still hot in him. His wits, too, were wide-awake.
## [2016]
## [2017] Every now and again there came into his mind unbidden a vision of the
## [2018] keen face of Strider bending over a dark trail, and running, running behind.
## [2019]
## [2020] But what could even a Ranger see except a confused trail of ore-feet? His
## [2021] own little prints and Merry's were overwhelmed by the trampling of the
## [2022] iron-shod shoes before them and behind them and about them.
## [2023]
## [2024] They had gone only a mile or so from the cliff when the land sloped
## [2025] down into a wide shallow depression, where the ground was soft and wet. Mist
## [2026] lay there, pale-glimmering in the last rays of the sickle moon. The dark
## [2027] shapes of the Ores in front grew dim, and then were swallowed up.
## [2028]
## [2029] 'Ai! Steady now!' shouted UgKDk from the rear.
## [2030]
## [2031] A sudden thought leaped into Pippin's mind, and he acted on it at once.
## [2032]
## [2033] He swerved aside to the right, and dived out of the reach of his clutching
## [2034] guard, headfirst into the mist; he landed sprawling on the grass.
## [2035]
## [2036] 'Halt!' yelled UgKDk.
## [2037]
## [2038] There was for a moment turmoil and confusion. Pippin sprang up and ran.
## [2039] But the Ores were after him. Some suddenly loomed up right in front of him.
## [2040]
## [2041] 'No hope of escape!' thought Pippin. 'But there is a hope that I have
## [2042] left some of my own marks unspoilt on the wet ground.' He groped with his
## [2043] two tied hands at his throat, and unclasped the brooch of his cloak. Just as
## [2044] long arms and hard claws seized him. he let it fall. 'There I suppose it
## [2045] will lie until the end of time,' he thought. 'I don't know why I did it. If
## [2046] the others have escaped, they've probably all gone with Frodo.'
## [2047]
## [2048] A whip-thong curled round his legs, and he stifled a cry.
## [2049]
## [2050] 'Enough!' shouted UgKDk running up. 'He's still got to run a long way
## [2051] yet. Make 'em both run! Just use the whip as a reminder.'
## [2052]
## [2053] 'But that's not all,' he snarled, turning to Pippin. 'I shan't forget.
## [2054]
## [2055] Payment is only put off. Leg it!'
## [2056]
## [2057] Neither Pippin nor Merry remembered much of the later part of the
## [2058]
## [2059]
## [2060]
## [2061]
## [2062] journey. Evil dreams and evil waking were blended into a long tunnel of
## [2063] misery, with hope growing ever fainter behind. They ran, and they ran,
## [2064] striving to keep up the pace set by the Ores, licked every now and again
## [2065] with a cruel thong cunningly handled. If they halted or stumbled, they were
## [2066] seized and dragged for some distance.
## [2067]
## [2068] The warmth of the ore-draught had gone. Pippin felt cold and sick
## [2069] again. Suddenly he fell face downward on the turf. Hard hands with rending
## [2070] nails gripped and lifted him. He was carried like a sack once more, and
## [2071] darkness grew about him: whether the darkness of another night, or a
## [2072] blindness of his eyes, he could not tell.
## [2073]
## [2074] Dimly he became aware of voices clamouring: it seemed that many of the
## [2075] Ores were demanding a halt. UgKDk was shouting. He felt himself flung to the
## [2076] ground, and he lay as he fell, till black dreams took him. But he did not
## [2077] long escape from pain; soon the iron grip of merciless hands was on him
## [2078] again. For a long time he was tossed and shaken, and then slowly the
## [2079] darkness gave way, and he came back to the waking world and found that it
## [2080] was morning. Orders were shouted and he was thrown roughly on the grass.
## [2081]
## [2082] There he lay for a while, fighting with despair. His head swam, but
## [2083] from the heat in his body he guessed that he had been given another draught.
## [2084] An Ore stooped over him, and flung him some bread and a strip of raw dried
## [2085] flesh. He ate the stale grey bread hungrily, but not the meat. He was
## [2086] famished but not yet so famished as to eat flesh flung to him by an Ore, the
## [2087] flesh of he dared not guess what creature.
## [2088]
## [2089] He sat up and looked about. Merry was not far away. They were by the
## [2090] banks of a swift narrow river. Ahead mountains loomed: a tall peak was
## [2091] catching the first rays of the sun. A dark smudge of forest lay on the lower
## [2092] slopes before them.
## [2093]
## [2094] There was much shouting and debating among the Ores; a quarrel seemed
## [2095] on the point of breaking out again between the Northerners and the
## [2096] Isengarders. Some were pointing back away south, and some were pointing
## [2097] eastward.
## [2098]
## [2099] 'Very well,' said UgKDk. 'Leave them to me then! No killing, as I've
## [2100] told you before; but if you want to throw away what we’ve come all the way
## [2101] to get, throw it away ! I'll look after it. Let the fighting Uruk-hai do the
## [2102] work, as usual. If you're afraid of the Whiteskins, run! Run! There's the
## [2103] forest,' he shouted, pointing ahead. 'Get to it! It's your best hope. Off
## [2104] you go ! And quick, before I knock a few more heads off, to put some sense
## [2105]
## [2106]
## [2107]
## [2108]
## [2109] into the others.'
## [2110]
## [2111] There was some cursing and scuffling, and then most of the Northerners
## [2112] broke away and dashed off, over a hundred of them, running wildly along the
## [2113] river towards the mountains. The hobbits were left with the Isengarders: a
## [2114] grim dark band, four score at least of large, swart, slant-eyed Ores with
## [2115] great bows and short broad-bladed swords. A few of the larger and bolder
## [2116] Northerners remained with them.
## [2117]
## [2118] 'Now we'll deal with Grishnbkh,' said Ugl®k; but some even of his own
## [2119] followers were looking uneasily southwards.
## [2120]
## [2121] 'I know,' growled Ugl®k. 'The cursed horse-boys have got wind of us.
## [2122]
## [2123] But that' s all your fault, Snaga. You and the other scouts ought to have
## [2124] your ears cut off. But we are the fighters. We'll feast on horseflesh yet,
## [2125] or something better.'
## [2126]
## [2127] At that moment Pippin saw why some of the troop had been pointing
## [2128] eastward. From that direction there now came hoarse cries, and there was
## [2129] Grishnbkh again, and at his back a couple of score of others like him:
## [2130] long-armed crook-legged Ores. They had a red eye painted on their shields.
## [2131] Ugl®k stepped forward to meet them. 'So you've come back?' he said. 'Thought
## [2132] better of it, eh?'
## [2133]
## [2134] 'I've returned to see that Orders are carried out and the prisoners
## [2135] safe,' answered Grishnbkh.
## [2136]
## [2137] 'Indeed!' said Ugl®k. 'Waste of effort. Ill see that orders are
## [2138] carried out in my command. And what else did you come back for? You went
## [2139] in
## [2140]
## [2141] a hurry. Did you leave anything behind?'
## [2142]
## [2143] 'I left a fool,' snarled Grishnbkh. 'But there were some stout fellows
## [2144] with him that are too good to lose. I knew you'd lead them into a mess. I've
## [2145] come to help them.'
## [2146]
## [2147] 'Splendid!' laughed Ugl®k. 'But unless you've got some guts for
## [2148] fighting, you've taken the wrong way. Lugb®rz was your road. The
## [2149] Whiteskins
## [2150]
## [2151] are coming. What's happened to your precious Nazgyl? Has he had another
## [2152] mount shot under him? Now, if you'd brought him along, that might have been
## [2153] useful-if these Nazgyl are all they make out.'
## [2154]
## [2155] 'Nazgyl, Nazgyl,' said Grishnbkh, shivering and licking his lips, as if
## [2156] the word had a foul taste that he savoured painfully. 'You speak of what is
## [2157] deep beyond the reach of your muddy dreams, Ugl®k,' he said. 'Nazgyl! Ah!
## [2158]
## [2159]
## [2160]
## [2161]
## [2162] All that they make out! One day you'll wish that you had not said that.
## [2163] Ape!' he snarled fiercely. 'You ought to know that they're the apple of the
## [2164] Great Eye. But the winged Nazgyl: not yet, not yet. He won't let them show
## [2165] themselves across the Great River yet, not too soon. They're for the War -and
## [2166] other purposes.'
## [2167]
## [2168] 'You seem to know a lot,' said Ugl®k. 'More than is good for you, I
## [2169] guess. Perhaps those in Lugb®rz might wonder how, and why. But in the
## [2170] meantime the Uruk-hai of Isengard can do the dirty work, as usual. Don't
## [2171] stand slavering there! Get your rabble together! The other swine are legging
## [2172] it to the forest. You'd better follow. You wouldn't get back to the Great
## [2173] River alive. Right off the mark! Now! I'll be on your heels.'
## [2174]
## [2175] The Isengarders seized Merry and Pippin again and slung them on their
## [2176] backs. Then the troop started off. Hour after hour they ran, pausing now and
## [2177] again only to sling the hobbits to fresh carriers. Either because they were
## [2178] quicker and hardier, or because of some plan of Grishnbkh's, the Isengarders
## [2179] gradually passed through the Ores of Mordor, and Grishnbkh's folk closed in
## [2180] behind. Soon they were gaining also on the Northerners ahead. The forest
## [2181] began to draw nearer.
## [2182]
## [2183] Pippin was bruised and torn, his aching head was grated by the filthy
## [2184] jowl and hairy ear of the Ore that held him. Immediately in front were bowed
## [2185] backs, and tough thick legs going up and down, up and down, unresting, as if
## [2186] they were made of wire and horn, beating out the nightmare seconds of an
## [2187] endless time.
## [2188]
## [2189] In the afternoon Ugl®k's troop overtook the Northerners. They were
## [2190] flagging in the rays of the bright sun, winter sun shining in a pale cool
## [2191] sky though it was; their heads were down and their tongues lolling out.
## [2192]
## [2193] 'Maggots!' jeered the Isengarders. 'You're cooked. The Whiteskins will
## [2194] catch you and eat you. They're coming!'
## [2195]
## [2196] A cry from Grishnbkh showed that this was not mere jest. Horsemen,
## [2197] riding very swiftly, had indeed been sighted: still far behind, but gaining
## [2198] on the Ores, gaining on them like a tide over the flats on folk straying in
## [2199] a quicksand.
## [2200]
## [2201] The Isengarders began to run with a redoubled pace that astonished
## [2202] Pippin, a terrific spurt it seemed for the end of a race. Then he saw that
## [2203] the sun was sinking, falling behind the Misty Mountains; shadows reached
## [2204] over the land. The soldiers of Mordor lifted their heads and also began to
## [2205] put on speed. The forest was dark and close. Already they had passed a few
## [2206]
## [2207]
## [2208]
## [2209]
## [2210] outlying trees. The land was beginning to slope upwards, ever more steeply;
## [2211] but the Ores did not halt. Both Ugl®k and Grishnbkh shouted, spurring them
## [2212] on to a last effort.
## [2213]
## [2214] 'They will make it yet. They will escape,' thought Pippin. And then he
## [2215] managed to twist his neck, so as to glance back with one eye over his
## [2216] shoulder. He saw that riders away eastward were already level with the Ores,
## [2217] galloping over the plain. The sunset gilded their spears and helmets, and
## [2218] glinted in their pale flowing hair. They were hemming the Ores in,
## [2219] preventing them from scattering, and driving them along the line of the
## [2220] river.
## [2221]
## [2222] He wondered very much what kind of folk they were. He wished now that
## [2223] he had learned more in Rivendell, and looked more at maps and things; but in
## [2224] those days the plans for the journey seemed to be in more competent hands,
## [2225] and he had never reckoned with being cut off from Gandalf, or from Strider,
## [2226] and even from Frodo. All that he could remember about Rohan was that
## [2227] Gandalf s horse, Shadowfax, had come from that land. That sounded hopeful,
## [2228] as far as it went.
## [2229]
## [2230] 'But how will they know that we are not Ores?' he thought. 'I don't
## [2231] suppose they've ever heard of hobbits down here. I suppose I ought to be
## [2232] glad that the beastly Ores look like being destroyed, but I would rather be
## [2233] saved myself.' The chances were that he and Merry would be killed together
## [2234] with their captors, before ever the Men of Rohan were aware of them.
## [2235]
## [2236] A few of the riders appeared to be bowmen, skilled at shooting from a
## [2237] running horse. Riding swiftly into range they shot arrows at the Ores that
## [2238] straggled behind, and several of them fell; then the riders wheeled away out
## [2239] of the range of the answering bows of their enemies, who shot wildly, not
## [2240] daring to halt. This happened many times, and on one occasion arrows fell
## [2241] among the Isengarders. One of them, just in front of Pippin, stumbled and
## [2242] did not get up again.
## [2243]
## [2244] Night came down without the Riders closing in for battle. Many Ores had
## [2245] fallen, but fully two hundred remained. In the early darkness the Ores came
## [2246] to a hillock. The eaves of the forest were very near, probably no more than
## [2247] three furlongs away, but they could go no further. The horsemen had
## [2248] encircled them. A small band disobeyed UgKDk's command, and ran on
## [2249] towards
## [2250]
## [2251] the forest: only three returned.
## [2252]
## [2253] 'Well, here we are,' sneered Grishnbkh. 'Fine leadership! I hope the
## [2254]
## [2255]
## [2256]
## [2257]
## [2258] great Ugl®k will lead us out again.'
## [2259]
## [2260] 'Put those Halflings down!’ ordered Ugl®k, taking no notice of
## [2261] Grishnbkh. ’You, Lugdush, get two others and stand guard over them! They're
## [2262] not to be killed, unless the filthy Whiteskins break through. Understand? As
## [2263] long as I'm alive, I want 'em. But they're not to cry out, and they're not
## [2264] to be rescued. Bind their legs!'
## [2265]
## [2266] The last part of the order was carried out mercilessly. But Pippin
## [2267] found that for the first time he was close to Merry. The Ores were making a
## [2268] great deal of noise, shouting and clashing their weapons, and the hobbits
## [2269] managed to whisper together for a while.
## [2270]
## [2271] 'I don't think much of this,' said Merry. 'I feel nearly done in. Don't
## [2272] think I could crawl away far, even if I was free.'
## [2273]
## [2274] 'Lembas!' whispered Pippin. 'Lembas: I've got some. Have you? I don't
## [2275] think they've taken anything but our swords.'
## [2276]
## [2277] 'Yes, I had a packet in my pocket,' answered Merry, 'but it must be
## [2278] battered to crumbs. Anyway I can't put my mouth in my pocket!'
## [2279]
## [2280] 'You won't have to. I've—'; but just then a savage kick warned Pippin
## [2281] that the noise had died down, and the guards were watchful.
## [2282]
## [2283] The night was cold and still. All round the knoll on which the Ores
## [2284] were gathered little watch-fires sprang up, golden-red in the darkness, a
## [2285] complete ring of them. They were within a long bowshot, but the riders did
## [2286] not show themselves against the light, and the Ores wasted many arrows
## [2287] shooting at the fires, until Ugl®k stopped them. The riders made no sound.
## [2288] Later in the night when the moon came out of the mist, then occasionally
## [2289] they could be seen, shadowy shapes that glinted now and again in the white
## [2290] light, as they moved in ceaseless patrol.
## [2291]
## [2292] 'They'll wait for the Sun, curse them!' growled one of the guards. 'Why
## [2293] don't we get together and charge through? What's old Ugl®k think he's doing,
## [2294]
## [2295] I should like to know?'
## [2296]
## [2297] 'I daresay you would,' snarled Ugl®k stepping up from behind. Meaning
## [2298] I don't think at all, eh? Curse you! You're as bad as the other rabble: the
## [2299] maggots and the apes of Lugb®rz. No good trying to charge with them. They'd
## [2300] just squeal and bolt, and there are more than enough of these filthy
## [2301] horse-boys to mop up our lot on the flat.
## [2302]
## [2303] 'There's only one thing those maggots can do: they can see like gimlets
## [2304] in the dark. But these Whiteskins have better night-eyes than most Men, from
## [2305] all I've heard; and don't forget their horses! They can see the
## [2306]
## [2307]
## [2308]
## [2309]
## [2310] night-breeze, or so it's said. Still there's one thing the fine fellows
## [2311] don't know: Mauh®r and his lads are in the forest, and they should turn up
## [2312] any time now.'
## [2313]
## [2314] Ugl®k's words were enough, apparently, to satisfy the Isengarders; but
## [2315] the other Ores were both dispirited and rebellious. They posted a few
## [2316] watchers, but most of them lay on the ground, resting in the pleasant
## [2317] darkness. It did indeed become very dark again; for the moon passed westward
## [2318] into thick cloud, and Pippin could not see anything a few feet away. The
## [2319] fires brought no light to the hillock. The riders were not, however, content
## [2320] merely to wait for the dawn and let their enemies rest. A sudden outcry on
## [2321] the east side of the knoll showed that something was wrong. It seemed that
## [2322] some of the Men had ridden in close, slipped off their horses, crawled to
## [2323] the edge of the camp and killed several Ores, and then had faded away again.
## [2324] Ugl®k dashed off to stop a stampede.
## [2325]
## [2326] Pippin and Merry sat up. Their guards, Isengarders, had gone with
## [2327] Ugl®k. But if the hobbits had any thought of escape, it was soon dashed. A
## [2328] long hairy arm took each of them by the neck and drew them close together.
## [2329] Dimly they were aware of Grishnbkh's great head and hideous face between
## [2330] them; his foul breath was on their cheeks. He began to paw them and feel
## [2331] them. Pippin shuddered as hard cold fingers groped down his back.
## [2332]
## [2333] 'Well, my little ones!' said Grishnbkh in a soft whisper. 'Enjoying
## [2334] your nice rest? Or not? A little awkwardly placed, perhaps: swords and whips
## [2335] on one side, and nasty spears on the other! Little people should not meddle
## [2336] _in affairs that are too big for them.' His fingers continued to grope.
## [2337]
## [2338] There was a light like a pale but hot fire behind his eyes.
## [2339]
## [2340] The thought came suddenly into Pippin's mind, as if caught direct from
## [2341] the urgent thought of his enemy: 'Grishnbkh knows about the Ring! He's
## [2342] looking for it, while Ugl®k is busy: he probably wants it for himself.' Cold
## [2343] fear was in Pippin's heart, yet at the same time he was wondering what use
## [2344] he could make of Grishnbkh's desire.
## [2345]
## [2346] 'I don't think you will find it that way,' he whispered. 'It isn't easy
## [2347] to find.'
## [2348]
## [2349] ' Find it?' said Grishnbkh: his fingers stopped crawling and gripped
## [2350] Pippin's shoulder. 'Find what? What are you talking about, little one?'. For
## [2351] a moment Pippin was silent. Then suddenly in the darkness he made a noise in
## [2352] his throat: gollum, go llum. 'Nothing, my precious,' he added.
## [2353]
## [2354] The hobbits felt Grishnbkh's fingers twitch. 'O ho!' hissed the goblin
## [2355]
## [2356]
## [2357]
## [2358]
## [2359] softly. ’That's what he means, is it? O ho! Very ve-ry dangerous, my little
## [2360] ones.'
## [2361]
## [2362] ’Perhaps,' said Merry, now alert and aware of Pippin’s guess. 'Perhaps;
## [2363] and not only for us. Still you know your own business best. Do you want it,
## [2364] or not? And what would you give for it?'
## [2365]
## [2366] 'Do I want it? Do I want it?' said Grishnbkh, as if puzzled; but his
## [2367] arms were trembling. 'What would I give for it? What do you mean?'
## [2368]
## [2369] 'We mean,' said Pippin, choosing his words carefully, 'that it's no
## [2370] good groping in the dark. We could save you time and trouble. But you must
## [2371] untie our legs first, or we'll do nothing, and say nothing.'
## [2372]
## [2373] 'My dear tender little fools,' hissed Grishnbkh, 'everything you have,
## [2374] and everything you know, will be got out of you in due time: everything!
## [2375] You'll wish there was more that you could tell to satisfy the Questioner,
## [2376] indeed you will: quite soon. We shan't hurry the enquiry. Oh dear no! What
## [2377] do you think you've been kept alive for? My dear little fellows, please
## [2378] believe me when I say that it was not out of kindness: that's not even one
## [2379] of UgKDk's faults.'
## [2380]
## [2381] 'I find it quite easy to believe,' said Merry. 'But you haven't got
## [2382] your prey home yet. And it doesn't seem to be going your way, whatever
## [2383] happens. If we come to Isengard, it won't be the great Grishnbkh that
## [2384] benefits: Saruman will take all that he can find. If you want anything for
## [2385] yourself, now's the time to do a deal.'
## [2386]
## [2387] Grishnbkh began to lose his temper. The name of Saruman seemed
## [2388] specially to enrage him. Time was passing and the disturbance was dying
## [2389] down. Ugl®k or the Isengarders might return at any minute.
## [2390]
## [2391] 'Have you got it — either of you?' he snarled.
## [2392]
## [2393] 'Gollum, go llum!' said Pippin.
## [2394]
## [2395] 'Untie our legs!' said Merry.
## [2396]
## [2397] They felt the Ore's arms trembling violently. 'Curse you, you filthy
## [2398] little vermin!' he hissed. 'Untie your legs? I'll untie every string in your
## [2399] bodies. Do you think I can't search you to the bones? Search you! I'll cut
## [2400] you both to quivering shreds. I don't need the help of your legs to get you
## [2401] away-and have you all to myself!'
## [2402]
## [2403] Suddenly he seized them. The strength in his long arms and shoulders
## [2404] was terrifying. He tucked them one under each armpit, and crushed them
## [2405] fiercely to his sides; a great stifling hand was clapped over each of their
## [2406] mouths. Then he sprang forward, stooping low. Quickly and silently he went,
## [2407]
## [2408]
## [2409]
## [2410]
## [2411] until he came to the edge of the knoll. There, choosing a gap between the
## [2412] watchers, he passed like an evil shadow out into the night, down the slope
## [2413] and away westward towards the river that flowed out of the forest. In that
## [2414] direction there was a wide open space with only one fire.
## [2415]
## [2416] After going a dozen yards he halted, peering and listening. Nothing
## [2417] could be seen or heard. He crept slowly on, bent almost double. Then he
## [2418] squatted and listened again. Then he stood up, as if to risk a sudden dash.
## [2419]
## [2420] At that very moment the dark form of a rider loomed up right in front of
## [2421] him. A horse snorted and reared. A man called out.
## [2422]
## [2423] Grishnbkh flung himself on the ground flat, dragging the hobbits under
## [2424] him; then he drew his sword. No doubt he meant to kill his captives, rather
## [2425] than allow them to escape or to be rescued; but it was his undoing. The
## [2426] sword rang faintly, and glinted a little in the light of the fire away to
## [2427] his left. An arrow came whistling out of the gloom: it was aimed with skill,
## [2428] or guided by fate, and it pierced his right hand. He dropped the sword and
## [2429] shrieked. There was a quick beat of hoofs, and even as Grishnbkh leaped up
## [2430] and ran, he was ridden down and a spear passed through him. He gave a
## [2431] hideous shivering cry and lay still.
## [2432]
## [2433] The hobbits remained flat on the ground, as Grishnbkh had left them.
## [2434] Another horseman came riding swiftly to his comrade's aid. Whether because
## [2435] of some special keenness of sight, or because of some other sense, the horse
## [2436] lifted and sprang lightly over them; but its rider did not see them, lying
## [2437] covered in their elven-cloaks, too crushed for the moment, and too afraid to
## [2438] move.
## [2439]
## [2440] At last Merry stirred and whispered softly: 'So far so good: but how
## [2441] are we to avoid being spitted?’
## [2442]
## [2443] The answer came almost immediately. The cries of Grishnbkh had roused
## [2444] the Ores. From the yells and screeches that came from the knoll the hobbits
## [2445] guessed that their disappearance had been discovered: Ugl®k was probably
## [2446] knocking off a few more heads. Then suddenly the answering cries of
## [2447] ore-voices came from the right, outside the circle of watch-fires, from the
## [2448] direction of the forest and the mountains. Mauh®r had apparently arrived and
## [2449] was attacking the besiegers. There was the sound of galloping horses. The
## [2450] Riders were drawing in their ring close round the knoll, risking the
## [2451] ore-arrows, so as to prevent any sortie, while a company rode off to deal
## [2452] with the newcomers. Suddenly Merry and Pippin realized that without moving
## [2453] they were now outside the circle: there was nothing between them and escape.
## [2454]
## [2455]
## [2456]
## [2457]
## [2458] 'Now,' said Merry, 'if only we had our legs and hands free, we might
## [2459] get away. But I can’t touch the knots, and I can't bite them.'
## [2460]
## [2461] 'No need to try,' said Pippin. 'I was going to tell you: I've managed
## [2462] to free my hands. These loops are only left for show. You'd better have a
## [2463] bit of lembas first.'
## [2464]
## [2465] He slipped the cords off his wrists, and fished out a packet. The cakes
## [2466] were broken, but good, still in their leaf- wrappings. The hobbits each ate
## [2467] two or three pieces. The taste brought back to them the memory of fair
## [2468] faces, and laughter, and wholesome food in quiet days now far away. For a
## [2469] while they ate thoughtfully, sitting in the dark, heedless of the cries and
## [2470] sounds of battle nearby. Pippin was the first to come back to the present.
## [2471]
## [2472] 'We must be off,' he said. 'Half a moment!' Grishnbkh's sword was lying
## [2473] close at hand, but it was too heavy and clumsy for him to use; so he crawled
## [2474] forward, and finding the body of the goblin he drew from its sheath a long
## [2475] sharp knife. With this he quickly cut their bonds.
## [2476]
## [2477] 'Now for it!' he said. 'When we've warmed up a bit, perhaps we shall be
## [2478] able to stand again, and walk. But in any case we had better start by
## [2479] crawling.'
## [2480]
## [2481] They crawled. The turf was deep and yielding, and that helped them: but
## [2482] it seemed a long slow business. They gave the watch-fire a wide berth, and
## [2483] wormed their way forward bit by bit, until they came to the edge of the
## [2484] river, gurgling away in the black shadows under its deep banks. Then they
## [2485] looked back.
## [2486]
## [2487] The sounds had died away. Evidently Mauh®r and his 'lads' had been
## [2488] killed or driven off. The Riders had returned to their silent ominous vigil.
## [2489]
## [2490] It would not last very much longer. Already the night was old. In the East,
## [2491] which had remained unclouded, the sky was beginning to grow pale.
## [2492]
## [2493] 'We must get under cover,' said Pippin, 'or we shall be seen. It will
## [2494] not be any comfort to us, if these riders discover that we are not Ores
## [2495] after we are dead.' He got up and stamped his feet. 'Those cords have cut me
## [2496] like wires; but my feet are getting warm again. I could stagger on now. What
## [2497] about you, Merry?'
## [2498]
## [2499] Merry got up. 'Yes,' he said, 'I can manage it. Lembas does put heart
## [2500] into you! A more wholesome sort of feeling, too, than the heat of that
## [2501] ore-draught. I wonder what it was made of. Better not to know, I expect.
## [2502] Let's get a drink of water to wash away the thought of it!'
## [2503]
## [2504] 'Not here, the banks are too steep,' said Pippin. 'Forward now!'
## [2505]
## [2506]
## [2507]
## [2508]
## [2509] They turned and walked side by side slowly along the line of the river.
## [2510] Behind them the light grew in the East. As they walked they compared notes,
## [2511] talking lightly in hobbit-fashion of the things that had happened since
## [2512] their capture. No listener would have guessed from their words that they had
## [2513] suffered cruelly, and been in dire peril, going without hope towards torment
## [2514] and death; or that even now, as they knew well, they had little chance of
## [2515] ever finding friend or safety again.
## [2516]
## [2517] 'You seem to have been doing well, Master Took,' said Merry. 'You will
## [2518] get almost a chapter in old Bilbo's book, if ever I get a chance to report
## [2519] to him. Good work: especially guessing that hairy villain's little game, and
## [2520] playing up to him. But I wonder if anyone will ever pick up your trail and
## [2521] find that brooch. I should hate to lose mine, but I am afraid yours is gone
## [2522] for good.
## [2523]
## [2524] 'I shall have to brush up my toes, if I am to get level with you.
## [2525]
## [2526] Indeed Cousin Brandybuck is going in front now. This is where he comes in. I
## [2527] don't suppose you have much notion where we are; but I spent my time at
## [2528] Rivendell rather better. We are walking west along the Entwash. The butt-end
## [2529] of the Misty Mountains is in front, and Fangorn Forest.'
## [2530]
## [2531] Even as he spoke the dark edge of the forest loomed up straight before
## [2532] them. Night seemed to have taken refuge under its great trees, creeping away
## [2533] from the coming Dawn.
## [2534]
## [2535] 'Lead on, Master Brandybuck!' said Pippin. 'Or lead back! We have been
## [2536] warned against Fangorn. But one so knowing will not have forgotten that.'
## [2537]
## [2538] 'I have not,' answered Merry; 'but the forest seems better to me, all
## [2539] the same, than turning back into the middle of a battle.'
## [2540]
## [2541] He led the way in under the huge branches of the trees. Old beyond
## [2542] guessing, they seemed. Great trailing beards of lichen hung from them,
## [2543] blowing and swaying in the breeze. Out of the shadows the hobbits peeped,
## [2544] gazing back down the slope: little furtive figures that in the dim light
## [2545] looked like elf-children in the deeps of time peering out of the Wild Wood
## [2546] in wonder at their first Dawn.
## [2547]
## [2548] Far over the Great River, and the Brown Lands, leagues upon grey
## [2549] leagues away, the Dawn came, red as flame. Loud rang the hunting-horns to
## [2550] greet it. The Riders of Rohan sprang suddenly to life. Horn answered horn
## [2551] again.
## [2552]
## [2553] Merry and Pippin heard, clear in the cold air, the neighing of
## [2554] war-horses, and the sudden singing of many men. The Sun's limb was lifted,
## [2555]
## [2556]
## [2557]
## [2558]
## [2559] an arc of fire, above the margin of the world. Then with a great cry the
## [2560] Riders charged from the East; the red light gleamed on mail and spear. The
## [2561] Ores yelled and shot all the arrows that remained to them. The hobbits saw
## [2562] several horsemen fall; but their line held on up the hill and over it, and
## [2563] wheeled round and charged again. Most of the raiders that were left alive
## [2564] then broke and fled, this way and that, pursued one by one to the death. But
## [2565] one band, holding together in a black wedge, drove forward resolutely in the
## [2566] direction of the forest. Straight up the slope they charged towards the
## [2567] watchers. Now they were drawing near, and it seemed certain that they would
## [2568] escape: they had already hewn down three Riders that barred their way.
## [2569]
## [2570] 'We have watched too long,' said Merry. 'There's Ugl®k! I don't want to
## [2571] meet him again.' The hobbits turned and fled deep into the shadows of the
## [2572] wood.
## [2573]
## [2574] So it was that they did not sec the last stand, when Ugl®k was
## [2575] overtaken and brought to bay at the very edge of Fangorn. There he was slain
## [2576] at last by Jomer, the Third Marshal of the Mark, who dismounted and fought
## [2577] him sword to sword. And over the wide fields the keen-eyed Riders hunted
## [2578] down the few Ores that had escaped and still had strength to fly.
## [2579]
## [2580] Then when they had laid their fallen comrades in a mound and had sung
## [2581] their praises, the Riders made a great fire and scattered the ashes of their
## [2582] enemies. So ended the raid, and no news of it came ever back either to
## [2583] Mordor or to Isengard; but the smoke of the burning rose high to heaven and
## [2584] was seen by many watchful eyes.
## [2585]
## [2586]
## [2587]
## [2588]
## [2589] Chapter 4 . Treebeard
## [2590]
## [2591]
## [2592]
## [2593] Meanwhile the hobbits went with as much speed as the dark and tangled
## [2594] forest allowed, following the line of the running stream, westward and up
## [2595] towards the slopes of the mountains, deeper and deeper into Fangorn. Slowly
## [2596] their fear of the Ores died away, and their pace slackened. A queer stifling
## [2597] feeling came over them, as if the air were too thin or too scanty for
## [2598] breathing.
## [2599]
## [2600] At last Merry halted. 'We can't go on like this,' he panted. 'I want
## [2601] some air.'
## [2602]
## [2603] 'Let's have a drink at any rate,' said Pippin. 'I'm parched.' He
## [2604] clambered on to a great tree-root that wound down into the stream, and
## [2605] stooping drew up some water in his cupped hands. It was clear and cold, and
## [2606] he took many draughts. Merry followed him. The water refreshed them and
## [2607] seemed to cheer their hearts; for a while they sat together on the brink of
## [2608] the stream, dabbling their sore feet and legs, and peering round at the
## [2609] trees that stood silently about them, rank upon rank, until they faded away
## [2610] into grey twilight in every direction.
## [2611]
## [2612] 'I suppose you haven't lost us already?' said Pippin, leaning back
## [2613] against a great tree-trunk. 'We can at least follow the course of this
## [2614] stream, the Entwash or whatever you call it, and get out again the way we
## [2615] came.'
## [2616]
## [2617] 'We could, if our legs would do it,' said Merry; 'and if we could
## [2618] breathe properly.'
## [2619]
## [2620] 'Yes, it is all very dim, and stuffy, in here,' said Pippin. 'It
## [2621] reminds me, somehow, of the old room in the Great Place of the Tooks away
## [2622] back in the Smials at Tuckborough: a huge place, where the furniture has
## [2623] never been moved or changed for generations. They say the Old Took lived in
## [2624] it year after year, while he and the room got older and shabbier
## [2625] together-and it has never changed since he died, a century ago. And Old
## [2626] Gerontius was my great-great-grandfather: that puts it back a bit. But that
## [2627] is nothing to the old feeling of this wood. Look at all those weeping,
## [2628] trailing, beards and whiskers of lichen! And most of the trees seem to be
## [2629] half covered with ragged dry leaves that have never fallen. Untidy. I can't
## [2630] imagine what spring would look like here, if it ever comes; still less a
## [2631] spring-cleaning.'
## [2632]
## [2633]
## [2634]
## [2635]
## [2636] 'But the Sun at any rate must peep in sometimes.' said Merry. 'It does
## [2637] not look or feel at all like Bilbo's description of Mirkwood. That was all
## [2638] dark and black, and the home of dark black things. This is just dim, and
## [2639] frightfully tree-ish. You can't imagine animals living here at all, or
## [2640] staying for long.'
## [2641]
## [2642] 'No, nor hobbits,' said Pippin. 'And I don't like the thought of trying
## [2643] to get through it either. Nothing to cat for a hundred miles, I should
## [2644] guess. How are our supplies?'
## [2645]
## [2646] 'Low,' said Merry. 'We ran off with nothing but a couple of spare
## [2647] packets of lembas, and left everything else behind.' They looked at what
## [2648] remained of the elven-cakes: broken fragments for about five meagre days,
## [2649] that was all. 'And not a wrap or a blanket,' said Merry. 'We shall be cold
## [2650] tonight, whichever way we go.'
## [2651]
## [2652] 'Well, we'd better decide on the way now,' said Pippin. 'The morning
## [2653] must be getting on.'
## [2654]
## [2655] Just then they became aware of a yellow light that had appeared, some
## [2656] way further on into the wood: shafts of sunlight seemed suddenly to have
## [2657] pierced the forest -roof.
## [2658]
## [2659] 'Hullo!' said Merry. 'The Sun must have run into a cloud while we've
## [2660] been under these trees, and now she has run out again; or else she has
## [2661] climbed high enough to look down through some opening. It isn't far let's go
## [2662] and investigate!'
## [2663]
## [2664] They found it was further than they thought. The ground was rising
## [2665] steeply still, and it was becoming increasingly stony. The light grew
## [2666] broader as they went on, and soon they saw that there was a rock -wall before
## [2667] them: the side of a hill, or the abrupt end of some long root thrust out by
## [2668] the distant mountains. No trees grew on it, and the sun was falling full on
## [2669] its stony face. The twigs of the trees at its foot were stretched out stiff
## [2670] and still, as if reaching out to the warmth. Where all had looked so shabby
## [2671] and grey before, the wood now gleamed with rich browns, and with the
## [2672] smooth
## [2673]
## [2674] black-greys of bark like polished leather. The boles of the trees glowed
## [2675] with a soft green like young grass: early spring or a fleeting vision of it
## [2676] was about them.
## [2677]
## [2678] In the face of the stony wall there was something like a stair: natural
## [2679] perhaps, and made by the weathering and splitting of the rock, for it was
## [2680] rough and uneven. High up, almost level with the tops of forest-trees, there
## [2681]
## [2682]
## [2683]
## [2684]
## [2685] was a shelf under a cliff. Nothing grew there but a few grasses and weeds at
## [2686] its edge, and one old stump of a tree with only two bent branches left: it
## [2687] looked almost like the figure of some gnarled old man, standing there,
## [2688] blinking in the morning -light.
## [2689]
## [2690] 'Up we go!' said Merry joyfully. 'Now for a breath of air, and a sight
## [2691] of the land!'
## [2692]
## [2693] They climbed and scrambled up the rock. If the stair had been made it
## [2694] was for bigger feet and longer legs than theirs. They were too eager to be
## [2695] surprised at the remarkable way in which the cuts and sores of their
## [2696] captivity had healed and their vigour had returned. They came at length to
## [2697] the edge of the shelf almost at the feet of the old stump; then they sprang
## [2698] up and turned round with their backs to the hill, breathing deep, and
## [2699] looking out eastward. They saw that they had only come some three or four
## [2700] miles into the forest: the heads of the trees marched down the slopes
## [2701] towards the plain. There, near the fringe of the forest, tall spires of
## [2702] curling black smoke went up, wavering and floating towards them.
## [2703]
## [2704] ’The wind's changing,' said Merry. ’It’s turned east again. It feels
## [2705] cool up here.'
## [2706]
## [2707] 'Yes,' said Pippin; 'I'm afraid this is only a passing gleam, and it
## [2708] will all go grey again. What a pity! This shaggy old forest looked so
## [2709] different in the sunlight. I almost felt I liked the place.’
## [2710]
## [2711] ’Almost felt you liked the Forest! That's good! That's uncommonly kind
## [2712] of you,' said a strange voice. 'Turn round and let me have a look at your
## [2713] faces. I almost feel that I dislike you both, but do not let us be hasty.
## [2714]
## [2715] Turn round!' A large knob-knuckled hand was laid on each of their shoulders,
## [2716] and they were twisted round, gently but irresistibly; then two great arms
## [2717] lifted them up.
## [2718]
## [2719] They found that they were looking at a most extraordinary face. It
## [2720] belonged to a large Man-like, almost Troll-like, figure, at least fourteen
## [2721] foot high, very sturdy, with a tall head, and hardly any neck. Whether it
## [2722] was clad in stuff like green and grey bark, or whether that was its hide,
## [2723] was difficult to say. At any rate the arms, at a short distance from the
## [2724] trunk, were not wrinkled, but covered with a brown smooth skin. The large
## [2725] feet had seven toes each. The lower part of the long face was covered with a
## [2726] sweeping grey beard, bushy, almost twiggy at the roots, thin and mossy at
## [2727] the ends. But at the moment the hobbits noted little but the eyes. These
## [2728] deep eyes were now surveying them, slow and solemn, but very penetrating.
## [2729]
## [2730]
## [2731]
## [2732]
## [2733] They were brown, shot with a green light. Often afterwards Pippin tried to
## [2734] describe his first impression of them.
## [2735]
## [2736] 'One felt as if there was an enormous well behind them, filled up with
## [2737] ages of memory and long, slow, steady thinking; but their surface was
## [2738] sparkling with the present: like sun shimmering on the outer leaves of a
## [2739] vast tree, or on the ripples of a very deep lake. I don’t know but it felt
## [2740] as if something that grew in the ground-asleep, you might say, or just
## [2741] feeling itself as something between roof-tip and leaf-tip, between deep
## [2742] earth and sky had suddenly waked up, and was considering you with the same
## [2743] slow care that it had given to its own inside affairs for endless years.'
## [2744]
## [2745] 'Hrum, Hoorn,' murmured the voice, a deep voice like a very deep
## [2746] woodwind instrument. 'Very odd indeed! Do not be hasty, that is my motto.
## [2747] But if I had seen you, before I heard your voices-I liked them: nice little
## [2748] voices: they reminded me of something I cannot remember— if I had seen you
## [2749] before I heard you, I should have just trodden on you, taking you for little
## [2750] Ores, and found out my mistake afterwards. Very odd you are, indeed. Root
## [2751] and twig, very odd!'
## [2752]
## [2753] Pippin, though still amazed, no longer felt afraid. Under those eyes he
## [2754] felt a curious suspense, but not fear. 'Please.' he said, 'who are you? And
## [2755] what are you?'
## [2756]
## [2757] A queer look came into the old eyes, a kind of wariness; the deep wells
## [2758] were covered over. 'Hrum, now,' answered the voice; 'well, I am an Ent, or
## [2759] that's what they call me. Yes, Ent is the word. The Ent, I am, you might
## [2760] say, in your manner of speaking. Fangorn is my name according to some,
## [2761] Treebeard others make it. Treebeard will do.'
## [2762]
## [2763] 'An EntT said Merry. 'What's that? But what do you call yourself?
## [2764]
## [2765] What's your real name?'
## [2766]
## [2767] 'Hoo now!' replied Treebeard. 'Hoo! Now that would be telling! Not so
## [2768] hasty. And / am doing the asking. You are in my country. What are you, I
## [2769] wonder? I cannot place you. You do not seem to come in the old lists that I
## [2770] learned when I was young. But that was a long, long time ago, and they may
## [2771] have made new lists. Let me see! Let me see! Plow did it go?
## [2772]
## [2773] Learn now the lore of Living Creatures!
## [2774]
## [2775] First name the four, the free peoples:
## [2776]
## [2777] Eldest of all, the elf-children;
## [2778]
## [2779] Dwarf the delver, dark are his houses;
## [2780]
## [2781] Ent the earthborn, old as mountains;
## [2782]
## [2783]
## [2784]
## [2785]
## [2786] Man the mortal, master of horses:
## [2787]
## [2788] Hm, hm, hm.
## [2789]
## [2790] Beaver the builder, buck the leaper,
## [2791]
## [2792] Bear bee-hunter, boar the fighter;
## [2793]
## [2794] Hound is hungry, hare is fearful...
## [2795]
## [2796] hm, hm.
## [2797]
## [2798] Eagle in eyrie, ox in pasture,
## [2799]
## [2800] Hart horn-crowned; hawk is swiftest
## [2801]
## [2802] Swan the whitest, serpent coldest...
## [2803]
## [2804] Hoorn, hm; hoom. hm. how did it go? Room turn, room turn, roomty toom
## [2805] turn.
## [2806]
## [2807] It was a long list. But anyway you do not seem to fit in anywhere!'
## [2808]
## [2809] 'We always seem to have got left out of the old lists, and the old
## [2810] stories,' said Merry. 'Yet we've been about for quite a long time. We're
## [2811] hobbits'
## [2812]
## [2813] 'Why not make a new line?' said Pippin.
## [2814]
## [2815] ’Half-grown hobbits, the hole-dwellers.
## [2816]
## [2817] Put us in amongst the four, next to Man (the Big People) and you've got
## [2818] it.'
## [2819]
## [2820] 'Hm! Not bad, not bad,' said Treebeard. 'That would do. So you live in
## [2821] holes, eh? It sounds very right and proper. Who calls you hobbits, though?
## [2822] That does not sound elvish to me. Elves made all the old words: they began
## [2823] it.'
## [2824]
## [2825] 'Nobody else calls us hobbits; we call ourselves that,' said Pippin.
## [2826]
## [2827] 'Hoom, hmm! Come now! Not so hasty! You call yourselves hobbits? But
## [2828] you should not go telling just anybody. You'll be letting out your own right
## [2829] names if you're not careful.'
## [2830]
## [2831] 'We aren't careful about that,' said Merry. 'As a matter of fact I'm a
## [2832] Brandybuck, Meriadoc Brandybuck, though most people call me just Merry.'
## [2833]
## [2834] 'And I'm a Took, Peregrin Took, but I'm generally called Pippin, or
## [2835] even Pip.'
## [2836]
## [2837] 'Hm, but you are hasty folk, I see,' said Treebeard. 'I am honoured by
## [2838] your confidence; but you should not be too free all at once. There are Ents
## [2839] and Ents, you know; or there are Ents and things that look like Ents but
## [2840] ain't, as you might say. I'll call you Merry and Pippin if you please-nice
## [2841] names. For I am not going to tell you my name, not yet at any rate.' A queer
## [2842] half-knowing, half-humorous look came with a green flicker into his eyes.
## [2843]
## [2844]
## [2845]
## [2846]
## [2847] ’For one thing it would take a long while: my name is growing all the time,
## [2848] and I've lived a very long, long time; so my name is like a story. Real
## [2849] names tell you the story of the things they belong to in my language, in the
## [2850] Old Entish as you might say. It is a lovely language, but it takes a very
## [2851] long time to say anything in it, because we do not say anything in it.
## [2852] unless it is worth taking a long time to say, and to listen to.
## [2853]
## [2854] 'But now,' and the eyes became very bright and 'present', seeming to
## [2855] grow smaller and almost sharp, 'what is going on? What are you doing in it
## [2856] all? I can see and hear ( and smell and feel) a great deal from this, from
## [2857] this, from this a-lalla-lalla-rumba-kamanda-lind-or-bur®ml. Excuse me: that
## [2858] is a part of my name for it; I do not know what the word is in the outside
## [2859] languages: you know, the thing we are on, where I stand and look out on fine
## [2860] mornings, and think about the Sun, and the grass beyond the wood, and the
## [2861] horses, and the clouds, and the unfolding of the world. What is going on?
## [2862] What is Gandalf up to? And these — burbrum,' he made a deep rumbling noise
## [2863] like a discord on a great organ — 'these Ores, and young Saruman down at
## [2864] Isengard? I like news. But not too quick now.'
## [2865]
## [2866] 'There is quite a lot going on,' said Merry: 'and even if we tried to
## [2867] be quick, it would take a long time to tell. But you told us not to be
## [2868] hasty. Ought we to tell you anything so soon? Would you think it rude, if we
## [2869] asked what you are going to do with us, and which side you are on? And did
## [2870] you know Gandalf?'
## [2871]
## [2872] 'Yes, I do know him: the only wizard that really cares about trees '
## [2873] said Treebeard. 'Do you know him?'
## [2874]
## [2875] 'Yes,' said Pippin sadly, 'we did. He was a great friend, and he was
## [2876] our guide.'
## [2877]
## [2878] 'Then I can answer your other questions,' said Treebeard. 'I am not
## [2879] going to do anything with you: not if you mean by that 'do something to you'
## [2880] without your leave. We might do some things together. I don't know about
## [2881] sides. I go my own way; but your way may go along with mine for a while. But
## [2882] you speak of Master Gandalf, as if he was in a story that had come to an
## [2883] end.'
## [2884]
## [2885] 'Yes, we do,' said Pippin sadly. 'The story seems to be going on, but I
## [2886] am afraid Gandalf has fallen out of it.'
## [2887]
## [2888] 'Hoo, come now!' said Treebeard. 'Hoorn, hm, ah well.' He paused,
## [2889] looking long at the hobbits: 'Hoorn, ah, well I do not know what to say. Come
## [2890] now!'
## [2891]
## [2892]
## [2893]
## [2894]
## [2895] 'If you would like to hear more, said Merry, 'we will tell you. But it
## [2896] will take some time. Wouldn't you like to put us down? Couldn't we sit here
## [2897] together in the sun, while it lasts? You must be getting tired of holding us
## [2898] up.'
## [2899]
## [2900] 'Hm, tiredl No. I am not tired. I do not easily get tired. And I do not
## [2901] sit down. I am not very, hm, bendable. But there, the Sun is going in. Let
## [2902] us leave this — did you say what you call it?'
## [2903]
## [2904] 'Hill?' suggested Pippin. 'Shelf? Step?' suggested Merry.
## [2905]
## [2906] Treebeard repeated the words thoughtfully. 'Hill. Yes, that was it. But
## [2907] it is a hasty word for a thing that has stood here ever since this part of
## [2908] the world was shaped. Never mind. Let us leave it, and go.'
## [2909]
## [2910] 'Where shall we go?' asked Merry.
## [2911]
## [2912] 'To my home, or one of my homes,' answered Treebeard.
## [2913]
## [2914] 'Is it far?'
## [2915]
## [2916] 'I do not know. You might call it far, perhaps. But what does that
## [2917] matter?'
## [2918]
## [2919] 'Well, you see, we have lost all our belongings,' said Merry. 'We have
## [2920] only a little food.'
## [2921]
## [2922] 'O! Hm! You need not trouble about that,' said Treebeard. 'I can give
## [2923] you a drink that will keep you green and growing for a long, long while. And
## [2924] if we decide to part company, I can set you down outside my country at any
## [2925] point you choose. Let us go!'
## [2926]
## [2927] Holding the hobbits gently but firmly, one in the crook of each arm,
## [2928] Treebeard lifted up first one large foot and then the other, and moved them
## [2929] to the edge of the shelf. The rootlike toes grasped the rocks. Then
## [2930] carefully and solemnly, he stalked down from step to step, and reached the
## [2931] floor of the Forest.
## [2932]
## [2933] At once he set off with long deliberate strides through the trees,
## [2934] deeper and deeper into the wood, never far from the stream, climbing
## [2935] steadily up towards the slopes of the mountains. Many of the trees seemed
## [2936] asleep, or as unaware of him as of any other creature that merely passed by;
## [2937] but some quivered, and some raised up their branches above his head as he
## [2938] approached. All the while, as he walked, he talked to himself in a long
## [2939] running stream of musical sounds.
## [2940]
## [2941] The hobbits were silent for some time. They felt, oddly enough, safe
## [2942] and comfortable, and they had a great deal to think and wonder about. At
## [2943] last Pippin ventured to speak again.
## [2944]
## [2945]
## [2946]
## [2947]
## [2948] ’Please, Treebeard,' he said, ’could I ask you something? Why did
## [2949] Celeborn warn us against your forest? He told us not to risk getting
## [2950] entangled in it.'
## [2951]
## [2952] ’Hmm, did he now?' rumbled Treebeard. 'And I might have said much the
## [2953] same, if you had been going the other way. Do not risk getting entangled in
## [2954] the woods of Laurelindurenan ! That is what the Elves used to call it, but
## [2955] now they make the name shorter: Lothlurien they call it. Perhaps they are
## [2956] right: maybe it is fading; not growing. Land of the Valley of Singing Gold,
## [2957] that was it, once upon a time. Now it is the Dreamflower. Ah well! But it is
## [2958] a queer place, and not for just any one to venture in. I am surprised that
## [2959] you ever got out, but much more surprised that you ever got in: that has not
## [2960] happened to strangers for many a year. It is a queer land.
## [2961]
## [2962] 'And so is this. Folk have come to grief here. Aye, they have, to
## [2963] grief. Laurelindurenan lindelorendor malinornjlion ornemalin ,' he hummed to
## [2964] himself. 'They are falling rather behind the world in there, I guess,' he
## [2965] said 'Neither this country, nor anything else outside the Golden Wood, is
## [2966] what it was when Celeborn was young. Still:
## [2967]
## [2968] Taurelilumla-tumbalemorna Tumbaletaurla Lumlanor, 1
## [2969]
## [2970] that is what they used to say. Things have changed, but it is still
## [2971] true in places.'
## [2972]
## [2973] 'What do you mean?' said Pippin. 'What is true?'
## [2974]
## [2975] 'The trees and the Ents,' said Treebeard. 'I do not understand all that
## [2976] goes on myself, so I cannot explain it to you. Some of us are still true
## [2977] Ents, and lively enough in our fashion, but many are growing sleepy, going
## [2978] tree-ish, as you might say. Most of the trees are just trees, of course; but
## [2979] many are half awake. Some are quite wide awake, and a few are, well, ah,
## [2980] well getting Entish. That is going on all the time.
## [2981]
## [2982] 'When that happens to a tree, you find that some have bad hearts.
## [2983] Nothing to do with their wood: I do not mean that. Why, I knew some good old
## [2984] willows down the Ent wash, gone long ago, alas! They were quite hollow,
## [2985] indeed they were falling all to pieces, but as quiet and sweet-spoken as a
## [2986] young leaf. And then there are some trees in the valleys under the
## [2987] mountains, sound as a bell, and bad right through. That sort of thing seems
## [2988] to spread. There used to be some very dangerous parts in this country. There
## [2989] are still some very black patches.'
## [2990]
## [2991] 'Like the Old Forest away to the north, do you mean?' asked Merry.
## [2992]
## [2993] 'Aye, aye. something like, but much worse. I do not doubt there is some
## [2994]
## [2995]
## [2996]
## [2997]
## [2998] shadow of the Great Darkness lying there still away north; and bad memories
## [2999] are handed down. But there are hollow dales in this land where the Darkness
## [3000] has never been lifted, and the trees are older than I am. Still, we do what
## [3001] we can. We keep off strangers and the foolhardy; and we train and we teach,
## [3002] we walk and we weed.
## [3003]
## [3004] 'We are tree-herds, we old Ents. Few enough of us are left now. Sheep
## [3005] get like shepherd, and shepherds like sheep, it is said; but slowly, and
## [3006] neither have long in the world. It is quicker and closer with trees and
## [3007] Ents, and they walk down the ages together. For Ents are more like Elves:
## [3008] less interested in themselves than Men are, and better at getting inside
## [3009] other things. And yet again Ents are more like Men, more changeable than
## [3010] Elves are, and quicker at taking the colour of the outside, you might say.
## [3011]
## [3012] Or better than both: for they are steadier and keep their minds on things
## [3013] longer. 'Some of my kin look just like trees now, and need something great
## [3014] to rouse them; and they speak only in whispers. But some of my trees are
## [3015] limb-lithe, and many can talk to me. Elves began it, of course, waking trees
## [3016] up and teaching them to speak and learning their tree-talk. They always
## [3017] wished to talk to everything, the old Elves did. But then the Great Darkness
## [3018] came, and they passed away over the Sea, or fled into far valleys, and hid
## [3019] themselves, and made songs about days that would never come again. Never
## [3020] again. Aye, aye, there was all one wood once upon a time: from here to the
## [3021] Mountains of Lune, and this was just the East End.
## [3022]
## [3023] 'Those were the broad days! Time was when I could walk and sing all day
## [3024] and hear no more than the echo of my own voice in the hollow hills. The
## [3025] woods were like the woods of Lothlurien. only thicker stronger, younger. And
## [3026] the smell of the air! I used to spend a week just breathing.'
## [3027]
## [3028] Treebeard fell silent, striding along, and yet making hardly a sound
## [3029] with his great feet. Then he began to hum again, and passed into a murmuring
## [3030] chant. Gradually the hobbits became aware that he was chanting to them:
## [3031]
## [3032] In the willow-meads ofTasarinan I walked in the Spring.
## [3033]
## [3034] Ah! the sight and the smell of the Spring in Nan-tasarion!
## [3035]
## [3036] And I said that was good.
## [3037]
## [3038] I wandered in Summer in the elm-woods of Ossiriand.
## [3039]
## [3040] Ah! the light and the music in the Summer by the Seven Rivers of Ossir!
## [3041]
## [3042] And I thought that was best.
## [3043]
## [3044] To the beeches ofNeldorethlcame in the Autumn.
## [3045]
## [3046] Ah! the gold and the red and the sighing of leaves in the Autumn in
## [3047]
## [3048]
## [3049]
## [3050]
## [3051] Taur-na-neldor!
## [3052]
## [3053] It was more than my desire.
## [3054]
## [3055] To the pine-trees upon the highland of Dorthonion I climbed in the
## [3056] Winter.
## [3057]
## [3058] Ah! the wind and the whiteness and the black branches of Winter upon
## [3059] Orod-na-Thfn!
## [3060]
## [3061] My voice went up and sang in the sky.
## [3062]
## [3063] And now all those lands lie under the wave.
## [3064]
## [3065] And I walk in Ambaruna, in Tauremorna, in Aldaluml.
## [3066]
## [3067] In my own land, in the country of F angorn,
## [3068]
## [3069] Where the roots are long,
## [3070]
## [3071] And the years lie thicker than the leaves
## [3072]
## [3073] In Tauremornaluml.
## [3074]
## [3075] He ended, and strode on silently, and in all the wood, as far as ear
## [3076] could reach, there was not a sound.
## [3077]
## [3078] The day waned, and dusk was twined about the boles of the trees. At
## [3079] last the hobbits saw, rising dimly before them, a steep dark land: they had
## [3080] come to the feet of the mountains, and to the green roots of tall Methedras.
## [3081] Down the hillside the young Entwash, leaping from its springs high above,
## [3082] ran noisily from step to step to meet them. On the right of the stream there
## [3083] was a long slope, clad with grass, now grey in the twilight. No trees grew
## [3084] there and it was open to the sky; stars were shining already in lakes
## [3085] between shores of cloud.
## [3086]
## [3087] Treebeard strode up the slope, hardly slackening his pace. Suddenly
## [3088] before them the hobbits saw a wide opening. Two great trees stood there, one
## [3089] on either side, like living gate-posts; but there was no gate save their
## [3090] crossing and interwoven boughs. As the old Ent approached, the trees lifted
## [3091] up their branches, and all their leaves quivered and rustled. For they were
## [3092] evergreen trees, and their leaves were dark and polished, and gleamed in the
## [3093] twilight. Beyond them was a wide level space, as though the floor of a great
## [3094] hall had been cut in the side of the hill. On either hand the walls sloped
## [3095] upwards, until they were fifty feet high or more, and along each wall stood
## [3096] an aisle of trees that also increased in height as they marched inwards.
## [3097]
## [3098] At the far end the rock-wall was sheer, but at the bottom it had been
## [3099] hollowed back into a shallow bay with an arched roof: the only roof of the
## [3100] hall, save the branches of the trees, which at the inner end overshadowed
## [3101] all the ground leaving only a broad open path in the middle. A little stream
## [3102]
## [3103]
## [3104]
## [3105]
## [3106] escaped from the springs above, and leaving the main water, fell tinkling
## [3107] down the sheer face of the wall, pouring in silver drops, like a fine
## [3108] curtain in front of the arched bay. The water was gathered again into a
## [3109] stone basin in the floor between the trees, and thence it spilled and flowed
## [3110] away beside the open path, out to rejoin the Entwash in its journey through
## [3111] the forest.
## [3112]
## [3113] 'Hm! Here we are!' said Treebeard, breaking his long silence. 'I have
## [3114] brought you about seventy thousand ent-strides, but what that comes to in
## [3115] the measurement of your land I do not know. Anyhow we are near the roots of
## [3116] the Last Mountain. Part of the name of this place might be Wellinghall, if
## [3117] it were turned into your language. I like it. We will stay here tonight.' He
## [3118] set them down on the grass between the aisles of the trees, and they
## [3119] followed him towards the great arch. The hobbits now noticed that as he
## [3120] walked his knees hardly bent, but his legs opened in a great stride. He
## [3121] planted his big toes (and they were indeed big, and very broad) on the
## [3122] ground first, before any other part of his feet.
## [3123]
## [3124] For a moment Treebeard stood under the rain of the falling spring, and
## [3125] took a deep breath; then he laughed, and passed inside. A great stone table
## [3126] stood there, but no chairs. At the back of the bay it was already quite
## [3127] dark. Treebeard lifted two great vessels and stood them on the table. They
## [3128] seemed to be filled with water; but he held his hands over them, and
## [3129] immediately they began to glow, one with a golden and the other with a rich
## [3130] green light; and the blending of the two lights lit the bay; as if the sun
## [3131] of summer was shining through a roof of young leaves. Looking back, the
## [3132] hobbits saw that the trees in the court had also begun to glow, faintly at
## [3133] first, but steadily quickening, until every leaf was edged with light: some
## [3134] green, some gold, some red as copper; while the tree-trunks looked like
## [3135] pillars moulded out of luminous stone.
## [3136]
## [3137] 'Well, well, now we can talk again,' said Treebeard. 'You are thirsty I
## [3138] expect. Perhaps you are also tired. Drink this!' He went to the back of the
## [3139] bay, and then they saw that several tall stone jars stood there, with heavy
## [3140] lids. He removed one of the lids, and dipped in a great ladle, and with it
## [3141] filled three bowls, one very large bowl, and two smaller ones.
## [3142]
## [3143] 'This is an ent-house,' he said, 'and there are no seats, I fear. But
## [3144] you may sit on the table.' Picking up the hobbits he set them on the great
## [3145] stone slab, six feet above the ground, and there they sat dangling their
## [3146] legs, and drinking in sips.
## [3147]
## [3148]
## [3149]
## [3150]
## [3151] The drink was like water, indeed very like the taste of the draughts
## [3152] they had drunk from the Entwash near, the borders of the forest, and yet
## [3153] there was some scent or savour in it which they could not describe: it was
## [3154] faint, but it reminded them of the smell of a distant wood borne from afar
## [3155] by a cool breeze at night. The effect of the draught began at the toes, and
## [3156] rose steadily through every limb, bringing refreshment and vigour as it
## [3157] coursed upwards, right to the tips of the hair. Indeed the hobbits felt that
## [3158] the hair on their heads was actually standing up, waving and curling and
## [3159] growing. As for Treebeard, he first laved his feet in the basin beyond the
## [3160] arch, and then he drained his bowl at one draught, one long, slow draught.
## [3161] The hobbits thought he would never stop.
## [3162]
## [3163] At last he set the bowl down again. 'Ah — ah,' he sighed. 'Hm, hoom,
## [3164] now we can talk easier. You can sit on the floor, and I will lie down; that
## [3165] will prevent this drink from rising to my head and sending me to sleep.'
## [3166]
## [3167] On the right side of the bay there was a great bed on low legs; not
## [3168] more than a couple of feet high, covered deep in dried grass and bracken.
## [3169] Treebeard lowered himself slowly on to this (with only the slightest sign of
## [3170] bending at his middle), until he lay at full length, with his arms behind
## [3171] his head, looking up at the ceiling, upon which lights were flickering, like
## [3172] the play of leaves in the sunshine. Merry and Pippin sat beside him on
## [3173] pillows of grass.
## [3174]
## [3175] 'Now tell me your tale, and do not hurry!' said Treebeard.
## [3176]
## [3177] The hobbits began to tell him the story of their adventures ever since
## [3178] they left Hobbiton. They followed no very clear order, for they interrupted
## [3179] one another continually, and Treebeard often stopped the speaker, and went
## [3180] back to some earlier point, or jumped forward asking questions about later
## [3181] events. They said nothing whatever about the Ring, and did not tell him why
## [3182] they set out or where they were going to; and he did not ask for any
## [3183] reasons.
## [3184]
## [3185] He was immensely interested in everything: in the Black Riders, in
## [3186] Elrond, and Rivendell, in the Old Forest, and Tom Bombadil, in the Mines of
## [3187] Moria, and in Lothlurien and Galadriel. He made them describe the Shire and
## [3188] its country over and over again. He said an odd thing at this point. 'You
## [3189] never see any, hm, any Ents round there do you?' he asked. 'Well, not Ents,
## [3190] Entwives I should really say.'
## [3191]
## [3192] EntwivesT said Pippin. 'Are they like you at all?'
## [3193]
## [3194] Yes, hm, well no: I do not really know now, said Treebeard
## [3195]
## [3196]
## [3197]
## [3198]
## [3199] thoughtfully. 'But they would like your country, so I just wondered.'
## [3200]
## [3201] Treebeard was however especially interested in everything that
## [3202] concerned Gandalf; and most interested of all in Saruman's doings. The
## [3203] hobbits regretted very much that they knew so little about them: only a
## [3204] rather vague report by Sam of what Gandalf had told the Council. But they
## [3205] were clear at any rate that UgKDk and his troop came from Isengard, and
## [3206] spoke of Saruman as their master.
## [3207]
## [3208] 'Hm, hoom!' said Treebeard, when at last their story had wound and
## [3209] wandered down to the battle of the Ores and the Riders of Rohan. 'Well,
## [3210] well! That is a bundle of news and no mistake. You have not told me all, no
## [3211] indeed, not by a long way. But I do not doubt that you are doing as Gandalf
## [3212] would wish. There is something very big going on, that I can see, and what
## [3213] it is maybe I shall learn in good time, or in bad time. By root and twig,
## [3214] but it is a strange business: up sprout a little folk that are not in the
## [3215] old lists, and behold the Nine forgotten Riders reappear to hunt them, and
## [3216] Gandalf takes them on a great journey, and Galadriel harbours them in Caras
## [3217] Galadhon, and Ores pursue them down all the leagues of Wilderland: indeed
## [3218] they seem to be caught up in a great storm. I hope they weather it!'
## [3219]
## [3220] 'And what about yourself?' asked Merry.
## [3221]
## [3222] 'Hoom, hm, I have not troubled about the Great Wars,' said Treebeard;
## [3223] 'they mostly concern Elves and Men. That is the business of Wizards: Wizards
## [3224] are always troubled about the future. I do not like worrying about the
## [3225] future. I am not altogether on anybody's side, because nobody is altogether
## [3226] on my side, if you understand me: nobody cares for the woods as I care for
## [3227] them, not even Elves nowadays. Still, I take more kindly to Elves than to
## [3228] others: it was the Elves that cured us of dumbness long ago, and that was a
## [3229] great gift that cannot be forgotten, though our ways have parted since. And
## [3230] there are some things, of course, whose side I am altogether not on; I am
## [3231] against them altogether: these — burbrum' (he again made a deep rumble of
## [3232] disgust)' — these Ores, and their masters.
## [3233]
## [3234] 'I used to be anxious when the shadow lay on Mirkwood, but when it
## [3235] removed to Mordor, I did not trouble for a while: Mordor is a long way away.
## [3236] But it seems that the wind is setting East, and the withering of all woods
## [3237] may be drawing near. There is naught that an old Ent can do to hold back
## [3238] that storm: he must weather it or crack.
## [3239]
## [3240] 'But Saruman now! Saruman is a neighbour: I cannot overlook him. I must
## [3241] do something. I suppose. I have often wondered lately what I should do about
## [3242]
## [3243]
## [3244]
## [3245]
## [3246] Saruman.'
## [3247]
## [3248] ’Who is Saruman?' asked Pippin. 'Do you know anything about his
## [3249] history?' 'Saruman is a Wizard,' answered Treebeard. 'More than that I
## [3250] cannot say. I do not know the history of Wizards. They appeared first after
## [3251] the Great Ships came over the Sea; but if they came with the Ships I never
## [3252] can tell. Saruman was reckoned great among them. I believe. He gave up
## [3253] wandering about and minding the affairs of Men and Elves, some time ago —
## [3254] you would call it a very long time ago: and he settled down at Angrenost, or
## [3255] Isengard as the Men of Rohan call it. He was very quiet to begin with, but
## [3256] his fame began to grow. He was chosen to be head of the White Council, they
## [3257] say; but that did not turn out too well. I wonder now if even then Saruman
## [3258] was not turning to evil ways. But at any rate he used to give no trouble to
## [3259] his neighbours. I used to talk to him. There was a time when he was always
## [3260] walking about my woods. He was polite in those days, always asking my leave
## [3261] (at least when he met me); and always eager to listen. I told him many
## [3262] things that he would never have found out by himself; but he never repaid me
## [3263] in like kind. I cannot remember that he ever told, me anything. And he got
## [3264] more and more like that; his face, as I remember it-I have not seen it for
## [3265] many a day-became like windows in a stone wall: windows with shutters
## [3266] inside.
## [3267]
## [3268] 'I think that I now understand what he is up to. He is plotting to
## [3269] become a Power. He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for
## [3270] growing things, except as far as they serve him for the moment. And now it
## [3271] is clear that he is a black traitor. He has taken up with foul folk, with
## [3272] the Ores. Brm, hoom! Worse than that: he has been doing something to them;
## [3273] something dangerous. For these Isengarders are more like wicked Men. It is a
## [3274] mark of evil things that came in the Great Darkness that they cannot abide
## [3275] the Sun; but Saruman's Ores can endure it, even if they hate it. I wonder
## [3276] what he has done? Are they Men he has ruined, or has he blended the races of
## [3277] Ores and Men? That would be a black evil!'
## [3278]
## [3279] Treebeard rumbled for a moment, as if he were pronouncing some deep,
## [3280] subterranean Entish malediction. 'Some time ago I began to wonder how Ores
## [3281] dared to pass through my woods so freely,' he went on. 'Only lately did I
## [3282] guess that Saruman was to blame, and that long ago he had been spying out
## [3283] all the ways, and discovering my secrets. He and his foul folk are making
## [3284] havoc now. Down on the borders they are felling trees-good trees. Some of
## [3285] the trees they just cut down and leave to rot — ore-mischief that; but most
## [3286]
## [3287]
## [3288]
## [3289]
## [3290] are hewn up and carried off to feed the fires of Orthanc. There is always a
## [3291] smoke rising from Isengard these days.
## [3292]
## [3293] 'Curse him, root and branch! Many of those trees were my friends
## [3294] creatures I had known from nut and acorn; many had voices of their own that
## [3295] are lost for ever now. And there are wastes of stump and bramble where once
## [3296] there were singing groves. I have been idle. I have let things slip. It must
## [3297] stop!'
## [3298]
## [3299] Treebeard raised himself from his bed with a jerk, stood up, and
## [3300] thumped his hand on the table. The vessels of light trembled and sent up two
## [3301] jets of flame. There was a flicker like green fire in his eyes, and his
## [3302] beard stood out stiff as a great besom.
## [3303]
## [3304] 'I will stop it!' he boomed. 'And you shall come with me. You may be
## [3305] able to help me. You will be helping your own friends that way, too; for if
## [3306] Saruman is not checked Rohan and Gondor will have an enemy behind as well
## [3307] as
## [3308]
## [3309] in front. Our roads go together — to Isengard!'
## [3310]
## [3311] 'We will come with you,' said Merry. 'We will do what we can.'
## [3312]
## [3313] 'Yes!' said Pippin. 'I should like to see the White Hand overthrown. I
## [3314] should like to be there, even if I could not be of much use: I shall never
## [3315] forget Ugl®k and the crossing of Rohan.'
## [3316]
## [3317] 'Good! Good!' said Treebeard. 'But I spoke hastily. We must not be
## [3318] hasty. I have become too hot. I must cool myself and think; fur it is easier
## [3319] to shout stop\\ than to do it.'
## [3320]
## [3321] He strode to the archway and stood for some time under the falling rain
## [3322] of the spring. Then he laughed and shook himself, and wherever the drops of
## [3323] water fell glittering from him to the ground they glinted like red and green
## [3324] sparks. He came back and laid himself on the bed again and was silent.
## [3325]
## [3326] After some time the hobbits heard him murmuring again. He seemed to be
## [3327] counting on his fingers. 'Fangorn, Finglas, Fladrif, aye, aye,' he sighed.
## [3328]
## [3329] 'The trouble is that there are so few of us left,' he said turning towards
## [3330] the hobbits. 'Only three remain of the first Ents that walked in the woods
## [3331] before the Darkness: only myself, Fangorn, and Finglas and Fladrif — to
## [3332] give them their Elvish names; you may call them Leaflock and Skinbark if you
## [3333] like that better. And of us three Leaflock and Skinbark are not much use for
## [3334] this business. Leaflock has grown sleepy, almost tree-ish, you might say: he
## [3335] has taken to standing by himself half-asleep all through the summer with the
## [3336] deep grass of the meadows round his knees. Covered with leafy hair he is. He
## [3337]
## [3338]
## [3339]
## [3340]
## [3341] used to rouse up in winter; but of late he has been too drowsy to walk far
## [3342] even then. Skinbark lived on the mountain-slopes west of Isengard. That is
## [3343] where the worst trouble has been. He was wounded by the Ores, and many of
## [3344] his folk and his tree-herds have been murdered and destroyed. He has gone up
## [3345] into the high places, among the birches that he loves best, and he will not
## [3346] come down. Still, I daresay I could get together a fair company of our
## [3347] younger folks-if I could make them understand the need: if I could rouse
## [3348] them: we are not a hasty folk. What a pity there are so few of us!'
## [3349]
## [3350] 'Why are there so few when you have lived in this country so long?'
## [3351] asked Pippin. 'Have a great many died?'
## [3352]
## [3353] 'Oh, no!' said Treebeard. 'None have died from inside, as you might
## [3354] say. Some have fallen in the evil chances of the long years, of course: and
## [3355] more have grown tree-ish. But there were never many of us and we have not
## [3356] increased. There have been no Entings — no children, you would say, not for
## [3357] a terrible long count of years. You see, we lost the Entwives.'
## [3358]
## [3359] 'How very sad!' said Pippin. 'How was it that they all died?'
## [3360]
## [3361] 'They did not dieV said Treebeard. 'I never said died. We lost them, I
## [3362] said. We lost them and we cannot find them.' He sighed. 'I thought most folk
## [3363] knew that. There were songs about the hunt of the Ents for the Entwives sung
## [3364] among Elves and Men from Mirkwood to Gondor. They cannot be quite
## [3365] forgotten.'
## [3366]
## [3367] 'Well, I am afraid the songs have not come west over the Mountains to
## [3368] the Shire,' said Merry. 'Won't you tell us some more, or sing us one of the
## [3369] songs?'
## [3370]
## [3371] 'Yes, I will indeed,' said Treebeard, seeming pleased with the request.
## [3372]
## [3373] 'But I cannot tell it properly, only in short; and then we must end our
## [3374] talk: tomorrow we have councils to call, and work to do, and maybe a journey
## [3375] to begin.'
## [3376]
## [3377] 'It is rather a strange and sad story,' he went on after a pause. 'When
## [3378] the world was young, and the woods were wide and wild, the Ents and the
## [3379] Entwives — and there were Entmaidens then: ah! the loveliness of
## [3380] Fimbrethil, of Wandlimb the lightfooted, in the days of our youth! — they
## [3381] walked together and they housed together. But our hearts did not go on
## [3382] growing in the same way: the Ents gave their love to things that they met in
## [3383] the world, and the Entwives gave their thought to other things, for the Ents
## [3384] loved the great trees; and the wild woods, and the slopes of the high hills;
## [3385] and they drank of the mountain-streams, and ate only such fruit as the trees
## [3386]
## [3387]
## [3388]
## [3389]
## [3390] let fall in their path; and they learned of the Elves and spoke with the
## [3391] Trees. But the Entwives gave their minds to the lesser trees, and to the
## [3392] meads in the sunshine beyond the feet of the forests; and they saw the sloe
## [3393] in the thicket, and the wild apple and the cherry blossoming in spring, and
## [3394] the green herbs in the waterlands in summer, and the seeding grasses in the
## [3395] autumn fields. They did not desire to speak with these things; but they
## [3396] wished them to hear and obey what was said to them. The Entwives ordered
## [3397] them to grow according to their wishes, and bear leaf and fruit to their
## [3398] liking; for the Entwives desired order, and plenty, and peace (by which they
## [3399] meant that things should remain where they had set them). So the Entwives
## [3400] made gardens to live in. But we Ents went on wandering, and we only came to
## [3401] the gardens now and again. Then when the Darkness came in the North, the
## [3402] Entwives crossed the Great River, and made new gardens, and tilled new
## [3403] fields, and we saw them more seldom. After the Darkness was overthrown the
## [3404] land of the Entwives blossomed richly, and their fields were full of corn.
## [3405]
## [3406] Many men learned the crafts of the Entwives and honoured them greatly; but
## [3407] we were only a legend to them, a secret in the heart of the forest. Yet here
## [3408] we still are, while all the gardens of the Entwives are wasted: Men call
## [3409] them the Brown Lands now.
## [3410]
## [3411] 'I remember it was long ago — in the time of the war between Sauron
## [3412] and the Men of the Sea — desire came over me to see Fimbrethil again. Very
## [3413] fair she was still in my eyes, when I had last seen her, though little like
## [3414] the Entmaiden of old. For the Entwives were bent and browned by their
## [3415] labour; their hair parched by the sun to the hue of ripe corn and their
## [3416] cheeks like redapples. Yet their eyes were still the eyes of our own
## [3417] people. We crossed over Anduin and came to their land: but we found a
## [3418] desert: it was all burned and uprooted, for war had passed over it. But the
## [3419] Entwives were not there. Long we called, and long we searched; and we asked
## [3420] all folk that we met which way the Entwives had gone. Some said they had
## [3421] never seen them; and some said that they had seen them walking away west,
## [3422] and some said east, and others south. But nowhere that we went could we find
## [3423] them. Our sorrow was very great. Yet the wild wood called, and we returned
## [3424] to it. For many years we used to go out every now and again and look for the
## [3425] Entwives. walking far and wide and calling them by their beautiful names.
## [3426] But as time passed we went more seldom and wandered less far. And now the
## [3427] Entwives are only a memory for us, and our beards are long and grey. The
## [3428] Elves made many songs concerning the Search of the Ents, and some of the
## [3429]
## [3430]
## [3431]
## [3432]
## [3433] songs passed into the tongues of Men. But we made no songs about it, being
## [3434] content to chant their beautiful names when we thought of the Entwives. We
## [3435] believe that we may meet again in a time to come, and perhaps we shall find
## [3436] somewhere a land where we can live together and both be content. But it is
## [3437] foreboded that that will only be when we have both lost all that we now
## [3438] have. And it may well be that that time is drawing near at last. For if
## [3439] Sauron of old destroyed the gardens, the Enemy today seems likely to wither
## [3440] all the woods.
## [3441]
## [3442] 'There was an Elvish song that spoke of this, or at least so I
## [3443] understand it. It used to be sung up and down the Great River. It was never
## [3444] an Entish song, mark you: it would have been a very long song in Entish! But
## [3445] we know it by heart, and hum it now and again. This is how it runs in your
## [3446] tongue:
## [3447]
## [3448] ENT.
## [3449]
## [3450] When Spring unfolds the beechen leaf, and sap is in the bough;
## [3451]
## [3452] When light is on the wild-wood stream, and wind is on the brow;
## [3453]
## [3454] When stride is long, and breath is deep, and keen the mountain-air,
## [3455]
## [3456] Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is fair!
## [3457]
## [3458] entwife.
## [3459]
## [3460] When Spring is come to garth and field, and corn is in the blade;
## [3461]
## [3462] When blossom like a shining snow is on the orchard laid;
## [3463]
## [3464] When shower and Sun upon the Earth with fragrance fill the air,
## [3465]
## [3466] I'll linger here, and will not come, because my land is fair.
## [3467]
## [3468] ent.
## [3469]
## [3470] When Summer lies upon the world, and in a noon of gold
## [3471]
## [3472] Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold;
## [3473]
## [3474] When woodland halls are green and cool, and wind is in the West,
## [3475]
## [3476] Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is best!
## [3477]
## [3478] entwife.
## [3479]
## [3480] When Summer warms the hanging fruit and burns the berry brown;
## [3481]
## [3482] When straw is gold, and ear is white, and harvest comes to town;
## [3483]
## [3484] When honey spills, and apple swells, though wind be in the West,
## [3485]
## [3486] I'll linger here beneath the Sun, because my land is best!
## [3487]
## [3488]
## [3489]
## [3490]
## [3491] ent.
## [3492]
## [3493] When Winter comes, the winter wild that hill and wood shall slay;
## [3494]
## [3495] When trees shall fall and starless night devour the sunless day;
## [3496]
## [3497] When wind is in the deadly East, then in the bitter rain
## [3498]
## [3499] I'll look for thee, and call to thee; I'll come to thee again!
## [3500]
## [3501] entwife.
## [3502]
## [3503] When Winter comes, and singing ends; when darkness falls at last;
## [3504]
## [3505] When broken is the barren bough, and light and labour past;
## [3506]
## [3507] I'll look for thee, and wait for thee, until we meet again:
## [3508]
## [3509] Together we will take the road beneath the bitter rain!
## [3510]
## [3511] both.
## [3512]
## [3513] Together we will take the road that leads into the West,
## [3514]
## [3515] And far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest. '
## [3516]
## [3517] Treebeard ended his song. 'That is how it goes,' he said. 'It is
## [3518] Elvish, of course: lighthearted, quickworded, and soon over. I daresay it is
## [3519] fair enough. But the Ents could say more on their side, if they had time !
## [3520]
## [3521] But now I am going to stand up and take a little sleep. Where will you
## [3522] stand?'
## [3523]
## [3524] 'We usually lie down to sleep,' said Merry. 'We shall be all right
## [3525] where we are.'
## [3526]
## [3527] 'Lie down to sleep!' said Treebeard. 'Why of course you do! Hm, hoom: I
## [3528] was forgetting: singing that song put me in mind of old times; almost
## [3529] thought that I was talking to young Entings, I did. Well, you can lie on the
## [3530] bed. I am going to stand in the rain. Good night!'
## [3531]
## [3532] Merry and Pippin climbed on to the bed and curled up in the soft grass
## [3533] and fern. It was fresh, and sweet-scented, and warm. The lights died down,
## [3534] and the glow of the trees faded; but outside under the arch they could see
## [3535] old Treebeard standing, motionless, with his arms raised above his head. The
## [3536] bright stars peered out of the sky, and lit the falling water as it spilled
## [3537] on to his fingers and head, and dripped, dripped, in hundreds of silver
## [3538] drops on to his feet. Listening to the tinkling of the drops the hobbits
## [3539] fell asleep.
## [3540]
## [3541] They woke to find a cool sun shining into the great court, and on to
## [3542] the floor of the bay. Shreds of high cloud were overhead, running on a stiff
## [3543]
## [3544]
## [3545]
## [3546]
## [3547] easterly wind. Treebeard was not to be seen; but while Merry and Pippin were
## [3548] bathing in the basin by the arch, they heard him humming and singing, as he
## [3549] came up the path between the trees.
## [3550]
## [3551] 'Hoo, ho! Good morning, Merry and Pippin!' he boomed, when he saw
## [3552] them.
## [3553]
## [3554] 'You sleep long. I have been many a hundred strides already today. Now we
## [3555] will have a drink, and go to Entmoot.'
## [3556]
## [3557] He poured them out two full bowls from a stone jar; but from a
## [3558] different jar. The taste was not the same as it had been the night before:
## [3559] it was earthier and richer, more sustaining and food-like, so to speak.
## [3560]
## [3561] While the hobbits drank, sitting on the edge of the bed, and nibbling small
## [3562] pieces of elf-cake (more because they felt that eating was a necessary part
## [3563] of breakfast than because they felt hungry), Treebeard stood, humming in
## [3564] Entish or Elvish or some strange tongue, and looking up at the sky.
## [3565]
## [3566] 'Where is Entmoot?' Pippin ventured to ask.
## [3567]
## [3568] 'Hoo, eh? Entmoot?' said Treebeard, turning round. 'It is not a place,
## [3569] it is a gathering of Ents — which does not often happen nowadays. But I
## [3570] have managed to make a fair number promise to come. We shall meet in the
## [3571] place where we have always met: Derndingle Men call it. It is away south
## [3572] from here. We must be there before noon.'
## [3573]
## [3574] Before long they set off. Treebeard carried the hobbits in his arms as
## [3575] on the previous day. At the entrance to the court he turned to the right,
## [3576] stepped over the stream, and strode away southwards along the feet of great
## [3577] tumbled slopes where trees were scanty. Above these the hobbits saw thickets
## [3578] of birch and rowan, and beyond them dark climbing pinewoods. Soon
## [3579] Treebeard
## [3580]
## [3581] turned a little away from the hills and plunged into deep groves, where the
## [3582] trees were larger, taller, and thicker than any that the hobbits had ever
## [3583] seen before. For a while they felt faintly the sense of stifling which they
## [3584] had noticed when they first ventured into Fangorn, but it soon passed.
## [3585] Treebeard did not talk to them. He hummed to himself deeply and
## [3586] thoughtfully, but Merry and Pippin caught no proper words: it sounded like
## [3587] boom, boom, rumboom, boorar, boom, boom, dahrar boom boom, dahrar
## [3588] boom, and
## [3589]
## [3590] so on with a constant change of note and rhythm. Now and again they thought
## [3591] they heard an answer, a hum or a quiver of sound, that seemed to come out of
## [3592] the earth, or from boughs above their heads, or perhaps from the boles of
## [3593]
## [3594]
## [3595]
## [3596]
## [3597] the trees; but Treebeard did not stop or turn his head to either side.
## [3598]
## [3599] They had been going for a long while — Pippin had tried to keep count
## [3600] of the ’ent-strides' but had failed, getting lost at about three thousand —
## [3601] when Treebeard began to slacken his pace. Suddenly he stopped, put the
## [3602] hobbits down, and raised his curled hands to his mouth so that they made a
## [3603] hollow tube; then he blew or called through them. A great hoom, hom rang out
## [3604] like a deep-throated horn in the woods, and seemed to echo from the trees.
## [3605]
## [3606] Far off there came from several directions a similar hoom, hom, hoom that
## [3607] was not an echo but an answer.
## [3608]
## [3609] Treebeard now perched Merry and Pippin on his shoulders and strode on
## [3610] again, every now and then sending out another horn-call, and each time the
## [3611] answers came louder and nearer. In this way they came at last to what looked
## [3612] like an impenetrable wall of dark evergreen trees, trees of a kind that the
## [3613] hobbits had never seen before: they branched out right from the roots, and
## [3614] were densely clad in dark glossy leaves like thornless holly, and they bore
## [3615] many stiff upright flower-spikes with large shining olive-coloured buds.
## [3616]
## [3617] Turning to the left and skirting this huge hedge Treebeard came in a
## [3618] few strides to a narrow entrance. Through it a worn path passed and dived
## [3619] suddenly down a long steep slope. The hobbits saw that they were descending
## [3620] into a great dingle, almost as round as a bowl, very wide and deep, crowned
## [3621] at the rim with the high dark evergreen hedge. It was smooth and grassclad
## [3622] inside, and there were no trees except three very tall and beautiful
## [3623] silver -birches that stood at the bottom of the bowl. Two other paths led
## [3624] down into the dingle: from the west and from the east.
## [3625]
## [3626] Several Ents had already arrived. More were coming in down the other
## [3627] paths, and some were now following Treebeard. As they drew near the hobbits
## [3628] gazed at them. They had expected to see a number of creatures as much like
## [3629] Treebeard as one hobbit is like another (at any rate to a stranger's eye);
## [3630] and they were very much surprised to see nothing of the kind. The Ents were
## [3631] as different from one another as trees from trees: some as different as one
## [3632] tree is from another of the same name but quite different growth and
## [3633] history; and some as different as one tree-kind from another, as birch from
## [3634] beech; oak from fir. There were a few older Ents, bearded and gnarled like
## [3635] hale but ancient trees (though none looked as ancient as Treebeard); and
## [3636] there were tall strong Ents, clean-limbed and smooth-skinned like
## [3637] forest-trees in their prime; but there were no young Ents, no saplings.
## [3638] Altogether there were about two dozen standing on the wide grassy floor of
## [3639]
## [3640]
## [3641]
## [3642]
## [3643] the dingle, and as many more were marching in.
## [3644]
## [3645] At first Merry and Pippin were struck chiefly by the variety that they
## [3646] saw: the many shapes, and colours, the differences in girth; and height, and
## [3647] length of leg and arm; and in the number of toes and fingers (anything from
## [3648] three to nine). A few seemed more or less related to Treebeard, and reminded
## [3649] them of beech-trees or oaks. But there were other kinds. Some recalled the
## [3650] chestnut: brown-skinned Ents with large splayfingered hands, and short thick
## [3651] legs. Some recalled the ash: tall straight grey Ents with many-fingered
## [3652] hands and long legs; some the fir (the tallest Ents), and others the birch,
## [3653] the rowan, and the linden. But when the Ents all gathered round Treebeard,
## [3654] bowing their heads slightly, murmuring in their slow musical voices, and
## [3655] looking long and intently at the strangers, then the hobbits saw that they
## [3656] were all of the same kindred, and all had the same eyes: not all so old or
## [3657] so deep as Treebeard's, but all with the same slow, steady, thoughtful
## [3658] expression, and the same green flicker.
## [3659]
## [3660] As soon as the whole company was assembled, standing in a wide circle
## [3661] round Treebeard, a curious and unintelligible conversation began. The Ents
## [3662] began to murmur slowly: first one joined and then another, until they were
## [3663] all chanting together in a long rising and falling rhythm, now louder on one
## [3664] side of the ring, now dying away there and rising to a great boom on the
## [3665] other side. Though he could not catch or understand any of the words — he
## [3666] supposed the language was Entish — Pippin found the sound very pleasant to
## [3667] listen to at first; but gradually his attention wavered. After a long time
## [3668] (and the chant showed no signs of slackening) he found himself wondering,
## [3669] since Entish was such an ’unhasty' language, whether they had yet got
## [3670] further than Good Morning ; and if Treebeard was to call the roll, how many
## [3671] days it would take to sing all their names. 'I wonder what the Entish is for
## [3672] yes or no,' he thought. He yawned.
## [3673]
## [3674] Treebeard was immediately aware of him. 'Hm, ha, hey, my Pippin!' he
## [3675] said, and the other Ents all stopped their chant. 'You are a hasty folk, I
## [3676] was forgetting; and anyway it is wearisome listening to a speech you do not
## [3677] understand. You may get down now. I have told your names to the Entmoot,
## [3678] and
## [3679]
## [3680] they have seen you, and they have agreed that you are not Ores, and that a
## [3681] new line shall be put in the old lists. We have got no further yet, but that
## [3682] is quick work for an Entmoot. You and Merry can stroll about in the dingle,
## [3683] if you like. There is a well of good water, if you need refreshing, away
## [3684]
## [3685]
## [3686]
## [3687]
## [3688] yonder in the north bank. There are still some words to speak before the
## [3689] Moot really begins. I will come and see you again, and tell you how things
## [3690] are going.'
## [3691]
## [3692] He put the hobbits down. Before they walked away, they bowed low. This
## [3693] feat seemed to amuse the Ents very much, to judge by the tone of their
## [3694] murmurs, and the flicker of their eyes; but they soon turned back to their
## [3695] own business. Merry and Pippin climbed up the path that came in from the
## [3696] west, and looked through the opening in the great hedge. Long tree-clad
## [3697] slopes rose from the lip of the dingle, and away beyond them, above the
## [3698] fir-trees of the furthest ridge there rose, sharp and white, the peak of a
## [3699] high mountain. Southwards to their left they could see the forest falling
## [3700] away down into the grey distance. There far away there was a pale green
## [3701] glimmer that Merry guessed to be a glimpse of the plains of Rohan.
## [3702]
## [3703] 'I wonder where Isengard is?' said Pippin.
## [3704]
## [3705] 'I don’t know quite where we are,' said Merry; 'but that peak is
## [3706] probably Methedras. and as far as I can remember the ring of Isengard lies
## [3707] in a fork or deep cleft at the end of the mountains. It is probably down
## [3708] behind this great ridge. There seems to be a smoke or haze over there, left
## [3709] of the peak, don't you think?'
## [3710]
## [3711] 'What is Isengard like?' said Pippin. 'I wonder what Ents can do about
## [3712] it anyway.' 'So do I,' said Merry. 'Isengard is a sort of ring of rocks or
## [3713] hills, I think, with a flat space inside and an island or pillar of rock in
## [3714] the middle, called Orthanc. Saruman has a tower on it. There is a gate,
## [3715] perhaps more than one, in the encircling wall, and I believe there is a
## [3716] stream running through it; it comes out of the mountains, and flows on
## [3717] across the Gap of Rohan. It does not seem the sort of place for Ents to
## [3718] tackle. But I have an odd feeling about these Ents: somehow I don't think
## [3719] they are quite as safe and, well funny as they seem. They seem slow, queer,
## [3720] and patient, almost sad; and yet I believe they could be roused. If that
## [3721] happened, I would rather not be on the other side.'
## [3722]
## [3723] 'Yes!' said Pippin. 'I know what you mean. There might be all the
## [3724] difference between an old cow sitting and thoughtfully chewing, and a bull
## [3725] charging; and the change might come suddenly. I wonder if Treebeard will
## [3726] rouse them. I am sure he means to try. But they don't like being roused.
## [3727] Treebeard got roused himself last night, and then bottled it up again.'
## [3728]
## [3729] The hobbits turned back. The voices of the Ents were still rising and
## [3730] falling in their conclave. The sun had now risen high enough to look over
## [3731]
## [3732]
## [3733]
## [3734]
## [3735] the high hedge: it gleamed on the tops of the birches and lit the northward
## [3736] side of the dingle with a cool yellow light. There they saw a little
## [3737] glittering fountain. They walked along the rim of the great bowl at the feet
## [3738] of the evergreens-it was pleasant to feel cool grass about their toes again,
## [3739] and not to be in a hurry-and then they climbed down to the gushing water.
## [3740] They drank a little, a clean, cold, sharp draught, and sat down on a mossy
## [3741] stone, watching the patches of sun on the grass and the shadows of the
## [3742] sailing clouds passing over the floor of the dingle. The murmur of the Ents
## [3743] went on. It seemed a very strange and remote place, outside their world, and
## [3744] far from everything that had ever happened to them. A great longing came
## [3745] over them for the faces and voices of their companions, especially for Frodo
## [3746] and Sam, and for Strider.
## [3747]
## [3748] At last there came a pause in the Ent -voices; and looking up they saw
## [3749] Treebeard coming towards them, with another Ent at his side.
## [3750]
## [3751] 'Hm, hoom, here I am again,' said Treebeard. 'Are you getting weary, or
## [3752] feeling impatient, hmm, eh? Well, I am afraid that you must not get
## [3753] impatient yet. We have finished the first stage now; but I have still got to
## [3754] explain things again to those that live a long way off, far from Isengard,
## [3755] and those that I could not get round to before the Moot, and after that we
## [3756] shall have to decide what to do. However, deciding what to do does not take
## [3757] Ents so long as going over all the facts and events that they have to make
## [3758] up their minds about. Still, it is no use denying, we shall be here a long
## [3759] time yet: a couple of days very likely. So I have brought you a companion.
## [3760]
## [3761] He has an ent-house nearby. Bregalad is his Elvish name. He says he has
## [3762] already made up his mind and does not need to remain at the Moot. Hm, hm, he
## [3763] is the nearest thing among us to a hasty Ent. You ought to get on together.
## [3764] Good-bye!' Treebeard turned and left them.
## [3765]
## [3766] Bregalad stood for some time surveying the hobbits solemnly; and they
## [3767] looked at him, wondering when he would show any signs of 'hastiness'. He was
## [3768] tall, and seemed to be one of the younger Ents; he had smooth shining skin
## [3769] on his arms and legs; his lips were ruddy, and his hair was grey-green. He
## [3770] could bend and sway like a slender tree in the wind. At last he spoke, and
## [3771] his voice though resonant was higher and clearer than Treebeard's.
## [3772]
## [3773] 'Ha, hmm, my friends, let us go for a walk!' he said. 'I am Bregalad,
## [3774] that is Quickbeam in your language. But it is only a nickname, of course.
## [3775]
## [3776] They have called me that ever since I said yes to an elder Ent before he had
## [3777] finished his question. Also I drink quickly, and go out while some are still
## [3778]
## [3779]
## [3780]
## [3781]
## [3782] wetting their beards. Come with me!'
## [3783]
## [3784] He reached down two shapely arms and gave a long -fingered hand to each
## [3785] of the hobbits. All that day they walked about in the woods with him,
## [3786] singing, and laughing; for Quickbeam often laughed. He laughed if the sun
## [3787] came out from behind a cloud, he laughed if they came upon a stream or
## [3788] spring: then he stooped and splashed his feet and head with water; he
## [3789] laughed sometimes at some sound or whisper in the trees. Whenever he saw a
## [3790] rowan-tree he halted a while with his arms stretched out, and sang, and
## [3791] swayed as he sang.
## [3792]
## [3793] At nightfall he brought them to his ent -house: nothing more than a
## [3794] mossy stone set upon turves under a green bank. Rowan-trees grew in a circle
## [3795] about it, and there was water (as in all ent -houses), a spring bubbling out
## [3796] from the bank. They talked for a while as darkness fell on the forest. Not
## [3797] far away the voices of the Entmoot could be heard still going on; but now
## [3798] they seemed deeper and less leisurely, and every now and again one great
## [3799] voice would rise in a high and quickening music, while all the others died
## [3800] away. But beside them Bregalad spoke gently in their own tongue, almost
## [3801] whispering; and they learned that he belonged to Skinbark's people, and the
## [3802] country where they had lived had been ravaged. That seemed to the hobbits
## [3803] quite enough to explain his ’hastiness', at least in the matter of Ores.
## [3804]
## [3805] 'There were rowan-trees in my home,' said Bregalad, softly and sadly,
## [3806] 'rowan-trees that took root when I was an Enting, many many years ago in the
## [3807] quiet of the world. The oldest were planted by the Ents to try and please
## [3808] the Entwives; but they looked at them and smiled and said that they knew
## [3809] where whiter blossom and richer fruit were growing. Yet there are no trees
## [3810] of all that race, the people of the Rose, that are so beautiful to me. And
## [3811] these trees grew and grew, till the shadow of each was like a green hall,
## [3812] and their red berries in the autumn were a burden, and a beauty and a
## [3813] wonder. Birds used to flock there. I like birds, even when they chatter; and
## [3814] the rowan has enough and to spare. But the birds became unfriendly and
## [3815] greedy and tore at the trees, and threw the fruit down and did not eat it.
## [3816]
## [3817] Then Ores came with axes and cut down my trees. I came and called them by
## [3818] their long names, but they did not quiver, they did not hear or answer: they
## [3819] lay dead.
## [3820]
## [3821] O Orofarnl, Lassemista, Carnimnril!
## [3822]
## [3823] O rowan fair, upon your hair how white the blossom lay !
## [3824]
## [3825] O rowan mine, I saw you shine upon a summer's day,
## [3826]
## [3827]
## [3828]
## [3829]
## [3830] Your rind so bright, your leaves so light, your voice so cool and soft:
## [3831]
## [3832] Upon your head how golden-red the crown you bore aloft!
## [3833]
## [3834] O rowan dead, upon your head your hair is dry and grey;
## [3835]
## [3836] Your crown is spilled, your voice is stilled for ever and a day.
## [3837]
## [3838] O Orofarnl, Lassemista, Carnimnril!
## [3839]
## [3840] The hobbits fell asleep to the sound of the soft singing of Bregalad,
## [3841] that seemed to lament in many tongues the fall of trees that he had loved.
## [3842]
## [3843] The next day they spent also in his company, but they did not go far
## [3844] from his 'house'. Most of the time they sat silent under the shelter of the
## [3845] bank; for the wind was colder, and the clouds closer and greyer; there was
## [3846] little sunshine, and in the distance the voices of the Ents at the Moot
## [3847] still rose and fell, sometimes loud and strong, sometimes low and sad,
## [3848] sometimes quickening, sometimes slow and solemn as a dirge. A second night
## [3849] came and still the Ents held conclave under hurrying clouds and fitful
## [3850] stars.
## [3851]
## [3852] The third day broke, bleak and windy. At sunrise the Ents' voices rose
## [3853] to a great clamour and then died down again. As the morning wore on the wind
## [3854] fell and the air grew heavy with expectancy. The hobbits could see that
## [3855] Bregalad was now listening intently, although to them, down in the dell of
## [3856] his ent -house, the sound of the Moot was faint.
## [3857]
## [3858] The afternoon came, and the sun, going west towards the mountains, sent
## [3859] out long yellow beams between the cracks and fissures of the clouds.
## [3860] Suddenly they were aware that everything was very quiet; the whole forest
## [3861] stood in listening silence. Of course, the Ent- voices had stopped. What did
## [3862] that mean? Bregalad was standing up erect and tense, looking back northwards
## [3863] towards Derndingle.
## [3864]
## [3865] Then with a crash came a great ringing shout: ra-hoom-rah! The trees
## [3866] quivered and bent as if a gust had struck them. There was another pause, and
## [3867] then a marching music began like solemn drums, and above the rolling beats
## [3868] and booms there welled voices singing high and strong.
## [3869]
## [3870] We come, we come with roll of drum: ta-runda runda runda rom!
## [3871]
## [3872] The Ents were coming: ever nearer and louder rose their song:
## [3873]
## [3874] We come, we come with horn and drum: ta-ryna ryna ryna rom!
## [3875]
## [3876] Bregalad picked up the hobbits and strode from his house.
## [3877]
## [3878] Before long they saw the marching line approaching: the Ents were
## [3879] swinging along with great strides down the slope towards them. Treebeard was
## [3880] at their head, and some fifty followers were behind him, two abreast,
## [3881]
## [3882]
## [3883]
## [3884]
## [3885] keeping step with their feet and beating time with their hands upon their
## [3886] flanks. As they drew near the flash and flicker of their eyes could be seen.
## [3887]
## [3888] 'Hoom, hom! Here we come with a boom, here we come at last!' called
## [3889] Treebeard when he caught sight of Bregalad and the hobbits. ’Come, join the
## [3890] Moot! We are off. We are off to Isengard!'
## [3891]
## [3892] To Isengard!' the Ents cried in many voices.
## [3893]
## [3894] 'To Isengard!'
## [3895]
## [3896] To Isengard! Though Isengard be ringed and barred with doors of stone;
## [3897]
## [3898] Though Isengard be strong and hard, as cold as stone and bare as bone,
## [3899]
## [3900] We go, we go, we go to war, to hew the stone and break the door;
## [3901]
## [3902] For bole and bough are burning now, the furnace roars — we go to war!
## [3903]
## [3904] To land of gloom with tramp of doom, with roll of drum, we come, we
## [3905] come;
## [3906]
## [3907] To Isengard with doom we come!
## [3908]
## [3909] With doom we come, with doom we come!
## [3910]
## [3911] So they sang as they marched southwards.
## [3912]
## [3913] Bregalad, his eyes shining, swung into the line beside Treebeard. The
## [3914] old Ent now took the hobbits back, and set them on his shoulders again, and
## [3915] so they rode proudly at the head of the sin ng company with beating hearts
## [3916] and heads held high. Though they ad expected something to happen eventually,
## [3917] they were amazed at the change that had come over the Ents. It seemed now as
## [3918] sudden as the bursting of a flood that had long been held back by a dike.
## [3919]
## [3920] 'The Ents made up their minds rather quickly, after all, didn't they?'
## [3921]
## [3922] Pippin ventured to say after some time, when for a moment the singing
## [3923] paused, and only the beating of hands and feet was heard.
## [3924]
## [3925] 'Quickly?' said Treebeard. 'Hoom! Yes, indeed. Quicker than I expected.
## [3926] Indeed I have not seen them roused like this for many an age. We Ents do not
## [3927] like being roused; and we never are roused unless it is clear to us that our
## [3928] trees and our lives are in great danger. That has not happened in this
## [3929] Forest since the wars of Sauron and the Men of the Sea. It is the ore-work,
## [3930] the wanton hewing — rbrum — without even the bad excuse of feeding the
## [3931] fires, that has so angered us; and the treachery of a neighbour, who should
## [3932] have helped us. Wizards ought to know better: they do know better. There is
## [3933] no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men bad enough for such
## [3934] treachery. Down with Saruman!'
## [3935]
## [3936] 'Will you really break the doors of Isengard?' asked Merry.
## [3937]
## [3938] 'Ho, hm, well, we could, you know! You do not know, perhaps, how strong
## [3939]
## [3940]
## [3941]
## [3942]
## [3943] we are. Maybe you have heard of Trolls? They are mighty strong. But Trolls
## [3944] are only counterfeits, made by the Enemy in the Great Darkness, in mockery
## [3945] of Ents, as Ores were of Elves. We are stronger than Trolls. We are made of
## [3946] the bones of the earth. We can split stone like the roots of trees, only
## [3947] quicker, far quicker, if our minds are roused! If we are not hewn down, or
## [3948] destroyed by fire or blast of sorcery, we could split Isengard into
## [3949] splinters and crack its walls into rubble.'
## [3950]
## [3951] 'But Saruman will try to stop you. won't he?'
## [3952]
## [3953] 'Hm, ah, yes, that is so. I have not forgotten it. Indeed I have
## [3954] thought long about it. But. you see, many of the Ents are younger than I am.
## [3955] by many lives of trees. They are all roused now. and their mind is all on
## [3956] one thing: breaking Isengard. But they will start thinking again before
## [3957] long; they will cool down a little, when we take our evening drink. What a
## [3958] thirst we shall have! But let them march now and sing! We have a long way to
## [3959] go, and there is time ahead for thought. It is something to have started.'
## [3960]
## [3961] Treebeard marched on, singing with the others for a while. But after a
## [3962] time his voice died to a murmur and fell silent again. Pippin could see that
## [3963] his old brow was wrinkled and knotted. At last he looked up, and Pippin
## [3964] could see a sad look in his eyes, sad but not unhappy. There was a light in
## [3965] them, as if the green flame had sunk deeper into the dark wells of his
## [3966] thought.
## [3967]
## [3968] 'Of course, it is likely enough, my friends,' he said slowly, 'likely
## [3969] enough that we are going to our doom: the last march of the Ents. But if we
## [3970] stayed at home and did nothing, doom would find us anyway, sooner or later.
## [3971] That thought has long been growing in our hearts; and that is why we are
## [3972] marching now. It was not a hasty resolve. Now at least the last march of the
## [3973] Ents may be worth a song. Aye,' he sighed, 'we may help the other peoples
## [3974] before we pass away. Still, I should have liked to see the songs come true
## [3975] about the Entwives. I should dearly have liked to see Fimbrethil again. But
## [3976] there, my friends, songs like trees bear fruit only in their own time and
## [3977] their own way: and sometimes they are withered untimely.'
## [3978]
## [3979] The Ents went striding on at a great pace. They had descended into a
## [3980] long fold of the land that fell away southward; now they began to climb up,
## [3981] and up, on to the high western ridge. The woods fell away and they came to
## [3982] scattered groups of birch, and then to bare slopes where only a few gaunt
## [3983] pine-trees grew. The sun sank behind the dark hill-back in front. Grey dusk
## [3984] fell.
## [3985]
## [3986]
## [3987]
## [3988]
## [3989] Pippin looked behind. The number of the Ents had grown — or what was
## [3990] happening? Where the dim bare slopes that they had crossed should lie, he
## [3991] thought he saw groves of trees. But they were moving! Could it be that the
## [3992] trees of Fangorn were awake, and the forest was rising, marching over the
## [3993] hills to war? He rubbed his eyes wondering if sleep and shadow had deceived
## [3994] him; but the great grey shapes moved steadily onward. There was a noise like
## [3995] wind in many branches. The Ents were drawing near the crest of the ridge
## [3996] now, and all song had ceased. Night fell, and there was silence: nothing was
## [3997] to be heard save a faint quiver of the earth beneath the feet of the Ents,
## [3998] and a rustle, the shade of a whisper as of many drifting leaves. At last
## [3999] they stood upon the summit, and looked down into a dark pit: the great cleft
## [4000] at the end of the mountains: Nan Curunnr, the Valley of Saruman.
## [4001]
## [4002] 'Night lies over Isengard,' said Treebeard.
## [4003]
## [4004]
## [4005]
## [4006]
## [4007] Chapter 5 . The White Rider
## [4008]
## [4009]
## [4010]
## [4011] 'My very bones are chilled,' said Gimli, flapping his arms and stamping
## [4012] his feet. Day had come at last. At dawn the companions had made such
## [4013] breakfast as they could; now in the growing light they were getting ready to
## [4014] search the ground again for signs of the hobbits.
## [4015]
## [4016] 'And do not forget that old man!' said Gimli. 'I should be happier if I
## [4017] could see the print of a boot.'
## [4018]
## [4019] 'Why would that make you happy?' said Legolas.
## [4020]
## [4021] 'Because an old man with feet that leave marks might be no more than he
## [4022] seemed,' answered the Dwarf.
## [4023]
## [4024] 'Maybe,' said the Elf; 'but a heavy boot might leave no print here: the
## [4025] grass is deep and springy.'
## [4026]
## [4027] 'That would not baffle a Ranger,' said Gimli. 'A bent blade is enough
## [4028] for Aragorn to read. But I do not expect him to find any traces. It was an
## [4029] evil phantom of Saruman that we saw last night. I am sure of it, even under
## [4030] the light of morning. His eyes are looking out on us from Fangorn even now,
## [4031] maybe.'
## [4032]
## [4033] 'It is likely enough,' said Aragorn; 'yet I am not sure. I am thinking
## [4034] of the horses. You said last night, Gimli, that they were scared away. But I
## [4035] did not think so. Did you hear them, Legolas? Did they sound to you like
## [4036] beasts in terror?'
## [4037]
## [4038] 'No,' said Legolas. 'I heard them clearly. But for the darkness and our
## [4039] own fear I should have guessed that they were beasts wild with some sudden
## [4040] gladness. They spoke as horses will when they meet a friend that they have
## [4041] long missed.'
## [4042]
## [4043] 'So I thought,' said Aragorn; 'but I cannot read the riddle, unless
## [4044] they return. Come! The light is growing fast. Let us look first and guess
## [4045] later! We should begin here, near to our own camping-ground, searching
## [4046] carefully all about, and working up the slope towards the forest. To find
## [4047] the hobbits is our errand, whatever we may think of our visitor in the
## [4048] night. If they escaped by some chance, then they must have hidden in the
## [4049] trees, or they would have been seen. If we find nothing between here and the
## [4050] eaves of the wood, then we will make a last search upon the battle-field and
## [4051] among the ashes. But there is little hope there: the horsemen of Rohan did
## [4052]
## [4053]
## [4054]
## [4055]
## [4056] their work too well.'
## [4057]
## [4058] For some time the companions crawled and groped upon the ground. The
## [4059] tree stood mournfully above them, its dry leaves now hanging limp, and
## [4060] rattling in the chill easterly wind. Aragorn moved slowly away. He came to
## [4061] the ashes of the watch-fire near the river -bank, and then began to retrace
## [4062] the ground back towards the knoll where the battle had been fought. Suddenly
## [4063] he stooped and bent low with his face almost in the grass. Then he called to
## [4064] the others. They came running up.
## [4065]
## [4066] 'Here at last we find news!' said Aragorn. He lifted up a broken leaf
## [4067] for them to see, a large pale leaf of golden hue, now fading and turning
## [4068] brown. 'Here is a mallorn-leaf of Lurien, and there are small crumbs on it,
## [4069] and a few more crumbs in the grass. And see! there are some pieces of cut
## [4070] cord lying nearby!'
## [4071]
## [4072] 'And here is the knife that cut them!' said Gimli. He stooped and drew
## [4073] out of a tussock, into which some heavy foot had trampled it, a short jagged
## [4074] blade. The haft from which it had been snapped was beside it. 'It was an
## [4075] ore-weapon,' he said, holding it gingerly, and looking with disgust at the
## [4076] carved handle: it had been shaped like a hideous head with squinting eyes
## [4077] and leering mouth.
## [4078]
## [4079] 'Well, here is the strangest riddle that we have yet found!' exclaimed
## [4080] Legolas. 'A bound prisoner escapes both from the Ores and from the
## [4081] surrounding horsemen. He then stops, while still in the open, and cuts his
## [4082] bonds with an ore-knife. But how and why? For if his legs were tied, how did
## [4083] he walk? And if his arms were tied, how did he use the knife? And if neither
## [4084] were tied, why did he cut the cords at all? Being pleased with his skill, he
## [4085] then sat down and quietly ate some waybread! That at least is enough to show
## [4086] that he was a hobbit, without the mallorn-leaf. After that, I suppose, he
## [4087] turned his arms into wings and flew away singing into the trees. It should
## [4088] be easy to find him: we only need wings ourselves!'
## [4089]
## [4090] 'There was sorcery here right enough,' said Gimli. 'What was that old
## [4091] man doing? What have you to say, Aragorn, to the reading of Legolas. Can you
## [4092] better it?'
## [4093]
## [4094] 'Maybe, I could,' said Aragorn, smiling. 'There are some other signs
## [4095] near at hand that you have not considered. I agree that the prisoner was a
## [4096] hobbit and must have had either legs or hands free, before he came here. I
## [4097] guess that it was hands, because the riddle then becomes easier, and also
## [4098] because, as I read the marks, he was carried to this point by an Ore. Blood
## [4099]
## [4100]
## [4101]
## [4102]
## [4103] was spilled there, a few paces away, ore-blood. There are deep prints of
## [4104] hoofs all about this spot, and signs that a heavy thing was dragged away.
## [4105]
## [4106] The Ore was slain by horsemen, and later his body was hauled to the fire.
## [4107]
## [4108] But the hobbit was not seen: he was not "in the open", for it was night and
## [4109] he still had his elven-cloak. He was exhausted and hungry, and it is not to
## [4110] be wondered at that, when he had cut his bonds with the knife of his fallen
## [4111] enemy, he rested and ate a little before he crept away. But it is a comfort
## [4112] to know that he had some lembas in his pocket, even though he ran away
## [4113] without gear or pack; that, perhaps, is like a hobbit. I say he, though I
## [4114] hope and guess that both Merry and Pippin were here together. There is,
## [4115] however, nothing to show that for certain.'
## [4116]
## [4117] 'And how do you suppose that either of our friends came to have a hand
## [4118] free?' asked Gimli.
## [4119]
## [4120] 'I do not know how it happened,' answered Aragorn. 'Nor do I know why
## [4121] an Ore was carrying them away. Not to help them to escape, we may be sure.
## [4122] Nay, rather I think that I now begin to understand a matter that has puzzled
## [4123] me from the beginning: why when Boromir had fallen were the Ores content
## [4124] with the capture of Merry and Pippin? They did not seek out the rest of us,
## [4125] nor attack our camp; but instead they went with all speed towards Isengard.
## [4126]
## [4127] Did they suppose they had captured the Ring -bearer and his faithful comrade?
## [4128]
## [4129] I think not. Their masters would not dare to give such plain orders to Ores,
## [4130] even if they knew so much themselves; they would not speak openly to them of
## [4131] the Ring: they are not trusty servants. But I think the Ores had been
## [4132] commanded to capture hobbits, alive, at all costs. An attempt was made to
## [4133] slip out with the precious prisoners before the battle. Treachery perhaps,
## [4134] likely enough with such folk; some large and bold Ore may have been trying
## [4135] to escape with the prize alone, for his own ends. There, that is my tale.
## [4136]
## [4137] Others might be devised. But on this we may count in any case: one at least
## [4138] of our friends escaped. It is our task to find him and help him before we
## [4139] return to Rohan. We must not be daunted by Fangorn, since need drove him
## [4140] into that dark place.'
## [4141]
## [4142] 'I do not know which daunts me more: Fangorn, or the thought of the
## [4143] long road through Rohan on foot,' said Gimli.
## [4144]
## [4145] 'Then let us go to the forest,' said Aragorn.
## [4146]
## [4147] It was not long before Aragorn found fresh signs. At one point, near
## [4148] the bank of the Entwash, he came upon footprints: hobbit-prints, but too
## [4149] light for much to be made of them. Then again beneath the bole of a great
## [4150]
## [4151]
## [4152]
## [4153]
## [4154] tree on the very edge of the wood more prints were discovered. The earth was
## [4155] bare and dry, and did not reveal much.
## [4156]
## [4157] 'One hobbit at least stood here for a while and looked back; and then
## [4158] he turned away into the forest,' said Aragorn.
## [4159]
## [4160] 'Then we must go in, too,' said Gimli. 'But I do not like the look of
## [4161] this Fangorn: and we were warned against it. I wish the chase had led
## [4162] anywhere else!'
## [4163]
## [4164] 'I do not think the wood feels evil, whatever tales may say,' said
## [4165] Legolas. He stood under the eaves of the forest, stooping forward, as if he
## [4166] were listening, and peering with wide eyes into the shadows. 'No, it is not
## [4167] evil; or what evil is in it is far away. I catch only the faintest echoes of
## [4168] dark places where the hearts of the trees are black. There is no malice near
## [4169] us; but there is watchfulness, and anger.'
## [4170]
## [4171] 'Well, it has no cause to be angry with me,' said Gimli. 'I have done
## [4172] it no harm. '
## [4173]
## [4174] 'That is just as well,' said Legolas. 'But nonetheless it has suffered
## [4175] harm. There is something happening inside, or going to happen. Do you not
## [4176] feel the tenseness? It takes my breath.'
## [4177]
## [4178] 'I feel the air is stuffy,' said the Dwarf. 'This wood is lighter than
## [4179] Mirkwood, but it is musty and shabby.'
## [4180]
## [4181] 'It is old, very old,' said the Elf. 'So old that almost I feel young
## [4182] again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. It is old and
## [4183] full of memory. I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of
## [4184] peace.'
## [4185]
## [4186] 'I dare say you could,' snorted Gimli. 'You are a Wood-elf, anyway,
## [4187] though Elves of any kind are strange folk. Yet you comfort me. Where you go,
## [4188] I will go. But keep your bow ready to hand, and I will keep my axe loose in
## [4189] my belt. Not for use on trees,' he added hastily, looking up at the tree
## [4190] under which they stood. 'I do not wish to meet that old man at unawares
## [4191] without an argument ready to hand, that is all. Let us go!'
## [4192]
## [4193] With that the three hunters plunged into the forest of Fangorn. Legolas
## [4194] and Gimli left the tracking to Aragorn. There was little for him to see. The
## [4195] floor of the forest was dry and covered with a drift of leaves; but guessing
## [4196] that the fugitives would stay near the water, he returned often to the banks
## [4197] of the stream. So it was that he came upon the place where Merry and Pippin
## [4198] had drunk and bathed their feet. There plain for all to see were the
## [4199] footprints of two hobbits, one somewhat smaller than the other.
## [4200]
## [4201]
## [4202]
## [4203]
## [4204] This is good tidings,' said Aragorn. 'Yet the marks are two days old
## [4205] And it seems that at this point the hobbits left the water -side.’
## [4206]
## [4207] Then what shall we do now?’ said Gimli. 'We cannot pursue them through
## [4208] the whole fastness of Fangorn. We have come ill supplied. If we do not find
## [4209] them soon, we shall be of no use to them, except to sit down beside them and
## [4210] show our friendship by starving together.'
## [4211]
## [4212] 'If that is indeed all we can do, then we must do that,' said Aragorn.
## [4213]
## [4214] 'Let us go on.'
## [4215]
## [4216] They came at length to the steep abrupt end of Treebeard's Hill and
## [4217] looked up at the rock -wall with its rough steps leading to the high shelf.
## [4218] Gleams of sun were striking through the hurrying clouds, and the forest now
## [4219] looked less grey and drear.
## [4220]
## [4221] 'Let us go up and look about us!' said Legolas. 'I will feel my breath
## [4222] short. I should like to taste a freer air for a while.'
## [4223]
## [4224] The companions climbed up. Aragorn came last, moving slowly: he was
## [4225] scanning the steps and ledges closely.
## [4226]
## [4227] 'I am almost sure that the hobbits have been up here,' he said. 'But
## [4228] there are other marks, very strange marks, which I do not understand. I
## [4229] wonder if we can see anything from this ledge which will help us to guess
## [4230] which way they went next?'
## [4231]
## [4232] He stood up and looked about, but he saw nothing that was of any use.
## [4233] The shelf faced southward and eastward; but only on the east was the view
## [4234] open. There he could see the heads of the trees descending in ranks towards
## [4235] the plain from which they had come.
## [4236]
## [4237] 'We have journeyed a long way round,' said Legolas. 'We could have all
## [4238] come here safe together, if we had left the Great River on the second or
## [4239] third day and struck west. Few can foresee whither their road will lead
## [4240] them, till they come to its end.'
## [4241]
## [4242] 'But we did not wish to come to Fangorn,' said Gimli.
## [4243]
## [4244] 'Yet here we are-and nicely caught in the net,' said Legolas. 'Look!'
## [4245]
## [4246] 'Look at what?' said Gimli.
## [4247]
## [4248] 'There in the trees.'
## [4249]
## [4250] 'Where? I have not elf-eyes.'
## [4251]
## [4252] 'Hush! Speak more softly! Look!' said Legolas pointing. 'Down in the
## [4253] wood, back in the Way that we have just come. It is he. Cannot you see him,
## [4254] passing from tree to tree?'
## [4255]
## [4256] 'I see, I see now!' hissed Gimli. 'Look, Aragorn! Did I not warn you?
## [4257]
## [4258]
## [4259]
## [4260]
## [4261] There is the old man. All in dirty grey rags: that is why I could not see
## [4262] him at first.'
## [4263]
## [4264] Aragorn looked and beheld a bent figure moving slowly. It was not far
## [4265] away. It looked like an old beggar-man, walking wearily, leaning on a rough
## [4266] staff. His head was bowed, and he did not look towards them. In other lands
## [4267] they would have greeted him with kind words; but now they stood silent, each
## [4268] feeling a strange expectancy: something was approaching that held a hidden
## [4269] power-or menace.
## [4270]
## [4271] Gimli gazed with wide eyes for a while, as step by step the figure drew
## [4272] nearer. Then suddenly, unable to contain himself longer, he burst out: 'Your
## [4273] bow, Legolas! Bend it! Get ready! It is Saruman. Do not let him speak, or
## [4274] put a spell upon us! Shoot first!'
## [4275]
## [4276] Legolas took his bow and bent it, slowly and as if some other will
## [4277] resisted him. He held an arrow loosely in his hand but did not fit it to the
## [4278] string. Aragorn stood silent, his face was watchful and intent.
## [4279]
## [4280] 'Why are you waiting? What is the matter with you?' said Gimli in a
## [4281] hissing whisper.
## [4282]
## [4283] 'Legolas is right,' said Aragorn quietly. 'We may not shoot an old man
## [4284] so, at unawares and unchallenged, whatever fear or doubt be on us. Watch and
## [4285] wait!'
## [4286]
## [4287] At that moment the old man quickened his pace and came with surprising
## [4288] speed to the foot of the rock-wall. Then suddenly he looked up, while they
## [4289] stood motionless looking down. There was no sound.
## [4290]
## [4291] They could not see his face: he was hooded, and above the hood he wore
## [4292] a wide-brimmed hat, so that all his features were over-shadowed, except for
## [4293] the end of his nose and his grey beard. Yet it seemed to Aragorn that he
## [4294] caught the gleam of eyes keen and bright from within the shadow of the
## [4295] hooded brows.
## [4296]
## [4297] At last the old man broke the silence. 'Well met indeed, my friends,'
## [4298] he said in a soft voice. 'I wish to speak to you. Will you come down or
## [4299] shall I come up?' Without waiting for an answer he began to climb.
## [4300]
## [4301] 'Now!' said Gimli. 'Stop him, Legolas!'
## [4302]
## [4303] 'Did I not say that I wished to speak to you?' said the old man. 'Put
## [4304] away that bow, Master Elf!'
## [4305]
## [4306] The bow and arrow fell from Legolas' hands, and his arms hung loose at
## [4307] his sides.
## [4308]
## [4309] 'And you, Master Dwarf, pray take your hand from your axe-haft, till I
## [4310]
## [4311]
## [4312]
## [4313]
## [4314] am up! You will not need such arguments.'
## [4315]
## [4316] Gimli started and then stood still as stone, staring, while the old man
## [4317] sprang up the rough steps as nimbly as a goat. All weariness seemed to have
## [4318] left him. As he stepped up on to the shelf there was a gleam, too brief for
## [4319] certainty, a quick glint of white, as if some garment shrouded by the grey
## [4320] rags had been for an instant revealed The intake of Gimli's breath could be
## [4321] heard as a loud hiss in the silence.
## [4322]
## [4323] 'Well met, I say again!' said the old man, coming towards them. When he
## [4324] was a few feet away, he stood, stooping over his staff, with his head thrust
## [4325] forward, peering at them from under his hood. 'And what may you be doing in
## [4326] these parts? An Elf, a Man, and a Dwarf, all clad in elvish fashion. No
## [4327] doubt there is a tale worth hearing behind it all. Such things are not often
## [4328] seen here.'
## [4329]
## [4330] 'You speak as one that knows Fangorn well,' said Aragorn. 'Is that so?'
## [4331]
## [4332] 'Not well,' said the old man: 'that would be the study of many lives.
## [4333]
## [4334] But I come here now and again.'
## [4335]
## [4336] 'Might we know your name, and then hear what it is that you have to say
## [4337] to us?' said Aragorn. 'The morning passes, and we have an errand that will
## [4338] not wait.'
## [4339]
## [4340] 'As for what I wished to say, I have said it: What may you be doing,
## [4341] and what tale can you tell of yourselves? As for my name!' He broke off,
## [4342] laughing long and softly. Aragorn felt a shudder run through him at the
## [4343] sound, a strange cold thrill; and yet it was not fear or terror that he
## [4344] felt: rather it was like the sudden bite of a keen air, or the slap of a
## [4345] cold rain that wakes an uneasy sleeper.
## [4346]
## [4347] 'My name!' said the old man again. 'Have you not guessed it already?
## [4348]
## [4349] You have heard it before, I think. Yes, you have heard it before. But come
## [4350] now, what of your tale?'
## [4351]
## [4352] The three companions stood silent and made no answer.
## [4353]
## [4354] 'There are some who would begin to doubt whether your errand is fit to
## [4355] tell,' said the old man. 'Happily I know something of it. You are tracking
## [4356] the footsteps of two young hobbits, I believe. Yes, hobbits. Don't stare, as
## [4357] if you had never heard the strange name before. You have, and so have I.
## [4358] Well, they climbed up here the day before yesterday; and they met someone
## [4359] that they did not expect. Does that comfort you? And now you would like to
## [4360] know where they were taken? Well, well, maybe I can give you some news
## [4361] about
## [4362]
## [4363]
## [4364]
## [4365]
## [4366] that. But why are we standing? Your errand, you see, is no longer as urgent
## [4367] as you thought. Let us sit down and be more at ease.'
## [4368]
## [4369] The old man turned away and went towards a heap of fallen stones and
## [4370] rock at the foot of the cliff behind. Immediately, as if a spell had been
## [4371] removed, the others relaxed and stirred. Gimli's hand went at once to his
## [4372] axe-haft. Aragorn drew his sword. Legolas picked up his bow.
## [4373]
## [4374] The old man took no notice, but stooped and sat himself on a low flat
## [4375] stone. Then his grey cloak drew apart, and they saw, beyond doubt, that he
## [4376] was clothed beneath all in white.
## [4377]
## [4378] 'Saruman!' cried Gimli, springing towards him with axe in hand, 'speak!
## [4379] Tell us where you have hidden our friends ! What have you done with them?
## [4380] Speak, or I will make a dint in your hat that even a wizard will find it
## [4381] hard to deal with!'
## [4382]
## [4383] The old man was too quick for him. He sprang to his feet and leaped to
## [4384] the top of a large rock. There he stood, grown suddenly tall, towering above
## [4385] them. His hood and his grey rags were flung away. His white garments shone.
## [4386] He lifted up his staff, and Gimli's axe leaped from his grasp and fell
## [4387] ringing on the ground. The sword of Aragorn, stiff in his motionless hand,
## [4388] blazed with a sudden fire. Legolas gave a great shout and shot an arrow high
## [4389] into the air: it vanished in a flash of flame.
## [4390]
## [4391] 'Mithrandir!' he cried. 'Mithrandir!'
## [4392]
## [4393] 'Well met, I say to you again. Legolas!' said the old man.
## [4394]
## [4395] They all gazed at him. His hair was white as snow in the sunshine; and
## [4396] gleaming white was his robe; the eyes under his deep brows were bright,
## [4397] piercing as the rays of the sun; power was in his hand. Between wonder, joy,
## [4398] and fear they stood and found no words to say.
## [4399]
## [4400] At last Aragorn stirred. 'Gandalf!' he said. 'Beyond all hope you
## [4401] return to us in our need! What veil was over my sight? Gandalf!' Gimli said
## [4402] nothing, hut sank to his knees, shading his eyes.
## [4403]
## [4404] 'Gandalf,' the old man repeated, as if recalling from old memory a long
## [4405] disused word. 'Yes, that was the name. I was Gandalf.'
## [4406]
## [4407] He stepped down from the rock, and picking up his grey cloak wrapped it
## [4408] about him: it seemed as if the sun had been shining, but now was hid in
## [4409] cloud again. 'Yes, you may still call me Gandalf,' he said, and the voice
## [4410] was the voice of their old friend and guide. 'Get up, my good Gimli! No
## [4411] blame to you, and no harm done to me. Indeed my friends, none of you have
## [4412] any weapon that could hurt me. Be merry! We meet again. At the turn of the
## [4413]
## [4414]
## [4415]
## [4416]
## [4417] tide. The great storm is coming, but the tide has turned.'
## [4418]
## [4419] He laid his hand on Gimli’s head, and the Dwarf looked up and laughed
## [4420] suddenly. 'Gandalf!' he said. 'But you are all in white!'
## [4421]
## [4422] 'Yes, I am white now,' said Gandalf. 'Indeed I am Saruman, one might
## [4423] almost say, Saruman as he should have been. But come now, tell me of
## [4424] yourselves! I have passed through fire and deepwater, since we parted. I
## [4425] have forgotten much that I thought I knew, and learned again much that I had
## [4426] forgotten. I can see many things far off, but many things that are close at
## [4427] hand I cannot see. Tell me of yourselves!'
## [4428]
## [4429] 'What do you wish to know?' said Aragorn. 'All that has happened since
## [4430] we parted on the bridge would be a long tale. Will you not first give us
## [4431] news of the hobbits? Did you find them, and are they safe?'
## [4432]
## [4433] 'No, I did not find them,' said Gandalf. 'There was a darkness over the
## [4434] valleys of the Emyn Muil, and I did not know of their captivity, until the
## [4435] eagle told me.'
## [4436]
## [4437] 'The eagle!' said Legolas. 'I have seen an eagle high and far off: the
## [4438] last time was three days ago, above the Emyn Muil.'
## [4439]
## [4440] 'Yes,' said Gandalf, 'that was Gwaihir the Windlord, who rescued me
## [4441] from Orthanc. I sent him before me to watch the River and gather tidings.
## [4442]
## [4443] His sight is keen, but he cannot see all that passes under hill and tree.
## [4444]
## [4445] Some things he has seen, and others I have seen myself. The Ring now has
## [4446] passed beyond my help, or the help of any of the Company that set out from
## [4447] Rivendell. Very nearly it was revealed to the Enemy, but it escaped. I had
## [4448] some part in that: for I sat in a high place, and I strove with the Dark
## [4449] Tower; and the Shadow passed. Then I was weary, very weary; and I walked
## [4450] long in dark thought.'
## [4451]
## [4452] 'Then you know about Frodo!' said Gimli. 'How do things go with him?'
## [4453]
## [4454] 'I cannot say. He was saved from a great peril, but many lie before him
## [4455] still. He resolved to go alone to Mordor, and he set out: that is all that I
## [4456] can say.'
## [4457]
## [4458] 'Not alone,' said Legolas. 'We think that Sam went with him.'
## [4459]
## [4460] 'Did he!' said Gandalf, and there was a gleam in his eye and a smile on
## [4461] his face. 'Did he indeed? It is news to me, yet it does not surprise me.
## [4462]
## [4463] Good! Very good! You lighten my heart. You must tell me more. Now sit by
## [4464] me
## [4465]
## [4466] and tell me the tale of your journey.'
## [4467]
## [4468] The companions sat on the ground at his feet, and Aragorn took up the
## [4469]
## [4470]
## [4471]
## [4472]
## [4473] tale. For a long while Gandalf said nothing, and he asked no questions. His
## [4474] hands were spread upon his knees, and his eyes were closed. At last when
## [4475] Aragorn spoke of the death of Boromir and of his last journey upon the Great
## [4476] River, the old man sighed.
## [4477]
## [4478] 'You have not said all that you know or guess, Aragorn my friend,' he
## [4479] said quietly. 'Poor Boromir! I could not see what happened to him. It was a
## [4480] sore trial for such a man: a warrior, and a lord of men. Galadriel told me
## [4481] that he was in peril. But he escaped in the end. I am glad. It was not in
## [4482] vain that the young hobbits came with us, if only for Boromir's sake. But
## [4483] that is not the only part they have to play. They were brought to Fangorn,
## [4484] and their coming was like the falling of small stones that starts an
## [4485] avalanche in the mountains. Even as we talk here, I hear the first
## [4486] rumblings. Saruman had best not be caught away from home when the dam
## [4487] bursts!'
## [4488]
## [4489] 'In one thing you have not changed, dear friend,' said Aragorn: 'you
## [4490] still speak in riddles.'
## [4491]
## [4492] 'What? In riddles?' said Gandalf. 'No! For I was talking aloud to
## [4493] myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak
## [4494] to; the long explanations needed by the young are wearying.' He laughed, but
## [4495] the sound now seemed warm and kindly as a gleam of sunshine.
## [4496]
## [4497] 'I am no longer young even in the reckoning of Men of the Ancient
## [4498] Houses,' said Aragorn. 'Will you not open your mind more clearly to me?'
## [4499]
## [4500] 'What then shall I say?' said Gandalf, and paused for a while in
## [4501] thought. 'This in brief is how I see things at the moment, if you wish to
## [4502] have a piece of my mind as plain as possible. The Enemy, of course, has long
## [4503] known that the Ring is abroad, and that it is borne by a hobbit. He knows
## [4504] now the number of our Company that set out from Rivendell, and the kind of
## [4505] each of us. But he does not yet perceive our purpose clearly. He supposes
## [4506] that we were all going to Minas Tirith; for that is what he would himself
## [4507] have done in our place. And according to his wisdom it would have been a
## [4508] heavy stroke against his power. Indeed he is in great fear, not knowing what
## [4509] mighty one may suddenly appear, wielding the Ring, and assailing him with
## [4510] war, seeking to cast him down and take his place. That we should wish to
## [4511] cast him down and have no one in his place is not a thought that occurs to
## [4512] his mind. That we should try to destroy the Ring itself has not yet entered
## [4513] into his darkest dream. In which no doubt you will see our good fortune and
## [4514] our hope. For imagining war he has let loose war, believing that he has no
## [4515]
## [4516]
## [4517]
## [4518]
## [4519] time to waste; for he that strikes the first blow, if he strikes it hard
## [4520] enough, may need to strike no more. So the forces that he has long been
## [4521] preparing he is now setting in motion, sooner than he intended. Wise fool.
## [4522]
## [4523] For if he had used all his power to guard Mordor, so that none could enter,
## [4524] and bent all his guild to the hunting of the Ring, then indeed hope would
## [4525] have faded: neither Ring nor Bearer could long have eluded him. But now his
## [4526] eye gazes abroad rather than near at home; and mostly he looks towards Minas
## [4527] Tirith. Very soon now his strength will fall upon it like a storm.
## [4528]
## [4529] ’For already he knows that the messengers that he sent to waylay the
## [4530] Company have failed again. They have not found the Ring. Neither have they
## [4531] brought away any hobbits as hostages. Flad they done even so much as that, it
## [4532] would have been a heavy blow to us, and it might have been fatal. But let us
## [4533] not darken our hearts by imagining the trial of their gentle loyalty in the
## [4534] Dark Tower. For the Enemy has failed-so far. Thanks to Saruman:'
## [4535]
## [4536] 'Then is not Saruman a traitor?' said Gimli.
## [4537]
## [4538] 'Indeed yes,' said Gandalf. 'Doubly. And is not that strange? Nothing
## [4539] that we have endured of late has seemed so grievous as the treason of
## [4540] Isengard. Even reckoned as a lord and captain Saruman has grown very strong.
## [4541] He threatens the Men of Rohan and draws off their help from Minas Tirith,
## [4542] even as the main blow is approaching from the East. Yet a treacherous weapon
## [4543] is ever a danger to the hand. Saruman also had a mind to capture the Ring,
## [4544] for himself, or at least to snare some hobbits for his evil purposes. So
## [4545] between them our enemies have contrived only to bring Merry and Pippin with
## [4546] marvellous speed, and in the nick of time, to Fangorn, where otherwise they
## [4547] would never have come at all!
## [4548]
## [4549] 'Also they have filled themselves with new doubts that disturb their
## [4550] plans. No tidings of the battle will come to Mordor, thanks to the horsemen
## [4551] of Rohan; but the Dark Lord knows that two hobbits were taken in the Emyn
## [4552] Muil and borne away towards Isengard against the will of his own servants.
## [4553]
## [4554] He now has Isengard to fear as well as Minas Tirith. If Minas Tirith falls,
## [4555] it will go ill with Saruman.'
## [4556]
## [4557] 'It is a pity that our friends lie in between,' said Gimli. 'If no land
## [4558] divided Isengard and Mordor, then they could fight while we watched and
## [4559] waited.'
## [4560]
## [4561] 'The victor would emerge stronger than either, and free from doubt,'
## [4562] said Gandalf. 'But Isengard cannot fight Mordor, unless Saruman first
## [4563] obtains the Ring. That he will never do now. He does not yet know his peril.
## [4564]
## [4565]
## [4566]
## [4567]
## [4568] There is much that he does not know. He was so eager to lay his hands on his
## [4569] prey that he could not wait at home, and he came forth to meet and to spy on
## [4570] his messengers. But he came too late, for once, and the battle was over and
## [4571] beyond his help before he reached these parts. He did not remain here long.
## [4572]
## [4573] I look into his mind and I see his doubt. He has no woodcraft. He believes
## [4574] that the horsemen slew and burned all upon the field of battle; but he does
## [4575] not know whether the Ores were bringing any prisoners or not. And he does
## [4576] not know of the quarrel between his servants and the Ores of Mordor; nor
## [4577] does he know of the Winged Messenger.'
## [4578]
## [4579] 'The Winged Messenger!' cried Legolas. 'I shot at him with the bow of
## [4580] Galadriel above Sarn Gebir, and I felled him from the sky. He filled us all
## [4581] with fear. What new terror is this?'
## [4582]
## [4583] 'One that you cannot slay with arrows,' said Gandalf. 'You only slew
## [4584] his steed. It was a good deed; but the Rider was soon horsed again. For he
## [4585] was a Nazgyl, one of the Nine, who ride now upon winged steeds. Soon their
## [4586] terror will overshadow the last armies of our friends, cutting off the sun.
## [4587]
## [4588] But they have not yet been allowed to cross the River, and Saruman does not
## [4589] know of this new shape in which the Ringwraiths have been clad. His thought
## [4590] is ever on the Ring. Was it present in the battle? Was it found? What if
## [4591] Thjoden, Lord of the Mark, should come by it and learn of its power? That is
## [4592] the danger that he sees, and he has fled back to Isengard to double and
## [4593] treble his assault on Rohan. And all the time there is another danger, close
## [4594] at hand, which he does not see, busy with his fiery thoughts. He has
## [4595] forgotten Treebeard.'
## [4596]
## [4597] 'Now you speak to yourself again,' said Aragorn with a smile.
## [4598] 'Treebeard is not known to me. And I have guessed part of Saruman's double
## [4599] treachery; yet I do not see in what way the coming of two hobbits to Fangorn
## [4600] has served, save to give us a long and fruitless chase.'
## [4601]
## [4602] 'Wait a minute!' cried Gimli. 'There is another thing that I should
## [4603] like to know first. Was it you, Gandalf, or Saruman that we saw last night?'
## [4604]
## [4605] 'You certainly did not see me,' answered Gandalf, 'therefore I must
## [4606] guess that you saw Saruman. Evidently we look so much alike that your desire
## [4607] to make an incurable dent in my hat must be excused.'
## [4608]
## [4609] 'Good, good!' said Gimli. 'I am glad that it was not you.'
## [4610]
## [4611] Gandalf laughed again. 'Yes, my good Dwarf,' he said, 'it is a comfort
## [4612] not to be mistaken at all points. Do I not know it only too well! But, of
## [4613] course, I never blamed you for your welcome of me. How could I do so, who
## [4614]
## [4615]
## [4616]
## [4617]
## [4618] have so often counselled my friends to suspect even their own hands when
## [4619] dealing with the Enemy. Bless you, Gimli, son of Gluin! Maybe you will see
## [4620] us both together one day and judge between us!'
## [4621]
## [4622] 'But the hobbits!' Legolas broke in. 'We have come far to seek them,
## [4623] and you seem to know where they are. Where are they now?'
## [4624]
## [4625] 'With Treebeard and the Ents,' said Gandalf.
## [4626]
## [4627] 'The Ents!' exclaimed Aragorn. 'Then there is truth in the old legends
## [4628] about the dwellers in the deep forests and the giant shepherds of the trees?
## [4629]
## [4630] Are there still Ents in the world? I thought they were only a memory of
## [4631] ancient days, if indeed they were ever more than a legend of Rohan.'
## [4632]
## [4633] 'A legend of Rohan!' cried Legolas. 'Nay, every Elf in Wilderland has
## [4634] sung songs of the old Onodrim and their long sorrow. Yet even among us they
## [4635] are only a memory. If I were to meet one still walking in this world, then
## [4636] indeed I should feel young again! But Treebeard: that is only a rendering of
## [4637] Fangorn into the Common Speech; yet you seem to speak of a person. Who is
## [4638] this Treebeard?'
## [4639]
## [4640] 'Ah! now you are asking much,' said Gandalf. 'The little that I know of
## [4641] his long slow story would make a tale for which we have no time now.
## [4642] Treebeard is Fangorn, the guardian of the forest; he is the oldest of the
## [4643] Ents, the oldest living thing that still walks beneath the Sun upon this
## [4644] Middle-earth. I hope indeed, Legolas, that you may yet meet him. Merry and
## [4645] Pippin have been fortunate: they met him here, even where we sit. For he
## [4646] came here two days ago and bore them away to his dwelling far off by the
## [4647] roots of the mountains. He often comes here, especially when his mind is
## [4648] uneasy, and rumours of the world outside trouble him. I saw him four days
## [4649] ago striding among the trees, and I think he saw me, for he paused; but I
## [4650] did not speak, for I was heavy with thought, and weary after my struggle
## [4651] with the Eye of Mordor; and he did not speak either, nor call my name.'
## [4652]
## [4653] 'Perhaps he also thought that you were Saruman,' said Gimli. 'But you
## [4654] speak of him as if he was a friend. I thought Fangorn was dangerous.'
## [4655]
## [4656] 'Dangerous!' cried Gandalf. 'And so am I, very dangerous: more
## [4657] dangerous than anything you will ever meet, unless you are brought alive
## [4658] before the seat of the Dark Lord. And Aragorn is dangerous, and Legolas is
## [4659] dangerous. You are beset with dangers, Gimli son of Gluin; for you are
## [4660] dangerous yourself, in your own fashion. Certainly the forest of Fangorn is
## [4661] perilous-not least to those that are too ready with their axes; and Fangorn
## [4662] himself, he is perilous too; yet he is wise and kindly nonetheless. But now
## [4663]
## [4664]
## [4665]
## [4666]
## [4667] his long slow wrath is brimming over, and all the forest is filled with it.
## [4668]
## [4669] The coming of the hobbits and the tidings that they brought have spilled it:
## [4670] it will soon be running like a flood; but its tide is turned against Saruman
## [4671] and the axes of Isengard. A thing is about to happen which has not happened
## [4672] since the Elder Days: the Ents are going to wake up and find that they are
## [4673] strong.’
## [4674]
## [4675] ’What will they do?' asked Legolas in astonishment.
## [4676]
## [4677] 'I do not know,' said Gandalf. 'I do not think they know themselves. I
## [4678] wonder.' He fell silent, his head bowed in thought.
## [4679]
## [4680] The others looked at him. A gleam of sun through fleeting clouds fell
## [4681] on his hands, which lay now upturned on his lap: they seemed to be filled
## [4682] with light as a cup is with water. At last he looked up and gazed straight
## [4683] at the sun.
## [4684]
## [4685] 'The morning is wearing away,' he said. 'Soon we must go.'
## [4686]
## [4687] 'Do we go to find our friends and to see Treebeard?' asked Aragorn.
## [4688]
## [4689] 'No,' said Gandalf. 'That is not the road that you must take. I have
## [4690] spoken words of hope. But only of hope. Hope is not victory. War is
## [4691]
## [4692] upon us and all our friends, a war in which only the use of the Ring
## [4693] could give us surety of victory. It fills me with great sorrow and great
## [4694]
## [4695] fear: for much shall be destroyed and all may be lost. I am Gandalf,
## [4696]
## [4697] Gandalf the White, but Black is mightier still.'
## [4698]
## [4699] He rose and gazed out eastward, shading his eyes, as if he saw things
## [4700] far away that none of them could see. Then he shook his head. 'No,' he said
## [4701] in a soft voice, 'it has gone beyond our reach. Of that at least let us be
## [4702] glad. We can no longer be tempted to use the Ring. We must go down to face a
## [4703] peril near despair, yet that deadly peril is removed.'
## [4704]
## [4705] He turned. 'Come, Aragorn son of Arathorn!' he said. 'Do not regret
## [4706] your choice in the valley of the Emyn Muil, nor call it a vain pursuit. You
## [4707] chose amid doubts the path that seemed right: the choice was just, and it
## [4708] has been rewarded. For so we have met in time, who otherwise might have met
## [4709] too late. But the quest of your companions is over. Your next journey is
## [4710] marked by your given word. You must go to Edoras and seek out Thjoden in
## [4711] his
## [4712]
## [4713] hall. For you are needed. The light of And®ril must now be uncovered in the
## [4714] battle for which it has so long waited. There is war in Rohan, and worse
## [4715] evil: it goes ill with Thjoden.'
## [4716]
## [4717] 'Then are we not to see the merry young hobbits again?' said Legolas.
## [4718]
## [4719]
## [4720]
## [4721]
## [4722] 'I did not say so,' said Gandalf. ’Who knows? Have patience. Go where
## [4723] you must go, and hope! To Edoras! I go thither also.’
## [4724]
## [4725] 'It is a long way for a man to walk, young or old,' said Aragorn. 'I
## [4726] fear the battle will be over long ere I come there.’
## [4727]
## [4728] 'We shall see, we shall see,' said Gandalf. 'Will you come now with
## [4729] me?'
## [4730]
## [4731] 'Yes, we will set out together,' said Aragorn. 'But I do not doubt that
## [4732] you will come there before me, if you wish.' He rose and looked long at
## [4733] Gandalf. The others gazed at them in silence as they stood there facing one
## [4734] another. The grey figure of the Man, Aragorn son of Arathorn, was tall, and
## [4735] stern as stone, his hand upon the hilt of his sword; he looked as if some
## [4736] king out of the mists of the sea had stepped upon the shores of lesser men.
## [4737] Before him stooped the old figure, white; shining now as if with some light
## [4738] kindled within, bent, laden with years, but holding a power beyond the
## [4739] strength of kings.
## [4740]
## [4741] 'Do I not say truly, Gandalf,' said Aragorn at last, 'that you could go
## [4742] whithersoever you wished quicker than I? And this I also say: you are our
## [4743] captain and our banner. The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier
## [4744] than they: the White Rider. He has passed through the fire and the abyss,
## [4745] and they shall fear him. We will go where he leads.'
## [4746]
## [4747] 'Yes, together we will follow you,' said Legolas. 'But first, it would
## [4748] ease my heart, Gandalf, to hear what befell you in Moria. Will you not tell
## [4749] us? Can you not stay even to tell your friends how you were delivered?'
## [4750]
## [4751] 'I have stayed already too long,' answered Gandalf. 'Time is short. But
## [4752] if there were a year to spend, I would not tell you all.'
## [4753]
## [4754] 'Then tell us what you will, and time allows!' said Gimli. 'Come,
## [4755] Gandalf, tell us how you fared with the Balrog!'
## [4756]
## [4757] 'Name him not!' said Gandalf, and for a moment it seemed that a cloud
## [4758] of pain passed over his face, and he sat silent, looking old as death. 'Long
## [4759] time I fell,' he said at last, slowly, as if thinking back with difficulty.
## [4760]
## [4761] 'Long I fell, and he fell with me. His fire was about me. I was burned. Then
## [4762] we plunged into the deep water and all was dark. Cold it was as the tide of
## [4763] death: almost it froze my heart.'
## [4764]
## [4765] 'Deep is the abyss that is spanned by Durin's Bridge, and none has
## [4766] measured it,' said Gimli.
## [4767]
## [4768] 'Yet it has a bottom, beyond light and knowledge,' said Gandalf.
## [4769] 'Thither I came at last, to the uttermost foundations of stone. He was with
## [4770]
## [4771]
## [4772]
## [4773]
## [4774] me still. His fire was quenched, but now he was a thing of slime, stronger
## [4775] than a strangling snake.
## [4776]
## [4777] 'We fought far under the living earth, where time is not counted. Ever
## [4778] he clutched me, and ever I hewed him, till at last he fled into dark
## [4779] tunnels. They were not made by Durin's folk, Gimli son of Gluin. Far, far
## [4780] below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless
## [4781] things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he. Now I have
## [4782] walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day. In that
## [4783] despair my enemy was my only hope, and I pursued him, clutching at his heel.
## [4784] Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dym: too well
## [4785] he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair.'
## [4786]
## [4787] 'Long has that been lost,' said Gimli. 'Many have said that it was
## [4788] never made save in legend, but others say that it was destroyed.'
## [4789]
## [4790] 'It was made, and it had not been destroyed,' said Gandalf. 'From the
## [4791] lowest dungeon to the highest peak it climbed, ascending in unbroken spiral
## [4792] in many thousand steps, until it issued at last in Durin's Tower carved in
## [4793] the living rock of Zirak-zigil, the pinnacle of the Silvertine.
## [4794]
## [4795] 'There upon Celebdil was a lonely window in the snow, and before it lay
## [4796] a narrow space, a dizzy eyrie above the mists of the world. The sun shone
## [4797] fiercely there, but all below was wrapped in cloud. Out he sprang, and even
## [4798] as I came behind, he burst into new flame. There was none to see, or perhaps
## [4799] in after ages songs would still be sung of the Battle of the Peak.' Suddenly
## [4800] Gandalf laughed. 'But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from
## [4801] afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm. Thunder they heard,
## [4802] and lightning, they said, smote upon Celebdil, and leaped back broken into
## [4803] tongues of fire. Is not that enough? A great smoke rose about us, vapour and
## [4804] steam. Ice fell like rain. I threw down my enemy, and he fell from the high
## [4805] place and broke the mountain-side where he smote it in his ruin. Then
## [4806] darkness took me; and I strayed out of thought and time, and I wandered far
## [4807] on roads that I will not tell.
## [4808]
## [4809] 'Naked I was sent back — for a brief time, until my task is done. And
## [4810] naked I lay upon the mountain-top. The tower behind was crumbled into dust,
## [4811] the window gone; the ruined stair was choked with burned and broken stone. I
## [4812] was alone, forgotten, without escape upon the hard horn of the world. There
## [4813] I lay staring upward, while the stars wheeled over, and each day was as long
## [4814] as a life-age of the earth. Faint to my ears came the gathered rumour of all
## [4815] lands: the springing and the dying, the song and the weeping, and the slow
## [4816]
## [4817]
## [4818]
## [4819]
## [4820] everlasting groan of overburdened stone. And so at the last Gwaihir the
## [4821] Windlord found me again, and he took me up and bore me away.
## [4822]
## [4823] ’ ’Ever am I fated to be your burden, friend at need,' I said.
## [4824]
## [4825] 1 'A burden you have been,' he answered, 'but not so now. Light as a
## [4826] swan's feather in my claw you are. The Sun shines through you. Indeed I do
## [4827] not think you need me any more: were I to let you fall you would float upon
## [4828] the wind.'
## [4829]
## [4830] ' 'Do not let me fall!' I gasped, for I felt life in me again. 'Bear me
## [4831] to Lothlurien!'
## [4832]
## [4833] ' 'That indeed is the command of the Lady Galadriel who sent me to look
## [4834] for you,' he answered.
## [4835]
## [4836] 'Thus it was that I came to Caras Galadhon and found you but lately
## [4837] gone. I tarried there in the ageless time of that land where days bring
## [4838] healing not decay. Healing I found, and I was clothed in white. Counsel I
## [4839] gave and counsel took. Thence by strange roads I came, and messages I bring
## [4840] to some of you. To Aragorn I was bidden to say this:
## [4841]
## [4842] Where now are the D®nedain, Elessar, Elessar?
## [4843]
## [4844] Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?
## [4845]
## [4846] Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth,
## [4847]
## [4848] And the Grey Company ride from the North.
## [4849]
## [4850] But dark is the path appointed for thee:
## [4851]
## [4852] The Dead watch the road that leads to the Sea.
## [4853]
## [4854] To Legolas she sent this word:
## [4855]
## [4856] Legolas Greenleaf long under tree
## [4857]
## [4858] In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Seal
## [4859]
## [4860] If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
## [4861]
## [4862] Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more. '
## [4863]
## [4864] Gandalf fell silent and shut his eyes.
## [4865]
## [4866] 'Then she sent me no message?' said Gimli and bent his head.
## [4867]
## [4868] 'Dark are her words,' said Legolas, 'and little do they mean to those
## [4869] that receive them.'
## [4870]
## [4871] 'That is no comfort,' said Gimli.
## [4872]
## [4873] 'What then?' said Legolas. 'Would you have her speak openly to you of
## [4874] your death?'
## [4875]
## [4876] 'Yes. if she had nought else to say.'
## [4877]
## [4878] 'What is that?' said Gandalf, opening his eyes. 'Yes, I think I can
## [4879] guess what her words may mean. Your pardon, Gimli ! I was pondering the
## [4880]
## [4881]
## [4882]
## [4883]
## [4884] messages once again. But indeed she sent words to you, and neither dark nor
## [4885] sad.
## [4886]
## [4887] ’ "To Gimli son of Gluin," she said, "give his Lady's greeting.
## [4888]
## [4889] Lock -bearer, wherever thou goest my thought goes with thee. But have a care
## [4890] to lay thine axe to the right tree ! " ’
## [4891]
## [4892] ’In happy hour you have returned to us, Gandalf,' cried the Dwarf,
## [4893] capering as he sang loudly in the strange dwarf-tongue. 'Come, come!’ he
## [4894] shouted, swinging his axe. ’Since Gandalf s head is now sacred, let us find
## [4895] one that it is right to cleave!’
## [4896]
## [4897] ’That will not be far to seek,’ said Gandalf, rising from his seat.
## [4898]
## [4899] 'Come! We have spent all the time that is allowed to a meeting of parted
## [4900] friends. Now there is need of haste.'
## [4901]
## [4902] He wrapped himself again in his old tattered cloak, and led the way.
## [4903] Following him they descended quickly from the high shelf and made their way
## [4904] back through the forest, down the bank of the Entwash. They spoke no more
## [4905] words, until they stood again upon the grass beyond the eaves of Fangorn.
## [4906] There was no sign of their horses to be seen.
## [4907]
## [4908] ’They have not returned,’ said Legolas. 'It will be a weary walk!'
## [4909]
## [4910] 'I shall not walk. Time presses,' said Gandalf. Then lifting up his
## [4911] head he gave a long whistle. So clear and piercing was the note that the
## [4912] others stood amazed to hear such a sound come from those old bearded lips.
## [4913] Three times he whistled; and then faint and far off it seemed to them that
## [4914] they heard the whinny of a horse borne up from the plains upon the eastern
## [4915] wind. They waited wondering. Before long there came the sound of hoofs, at
## [4916] first hardly more than a tremor of the ground perceptible only to Aragorn as
## [4917] he lay upon the grass, then growing steadily louder and clearer to a quick
## [4918] beat.
## [4919]
## [4920] 'There is more than one horse coming,' said Aragorn.
## [4921]
## [4922] ’Certainly,' said Gandalf. 'We are too great a burden for one.'
## [4923]
## [4924] 'There are three,' said Legolas, gazing out over the plain. 'See how
## [4925] they run! There is Hasufel, and there is my friend Arod beside him! But
## [4926] there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his
## [4927] like before.'
## [4928]
## [4929] 'Nor will you again,' said Gandalf. 'That is Shadowfax. He is the chief
## [4930] of the Mearas, lords of horses, and not even Thjoden, King of Rohan, has
## [4931] ever looked on a better. Does he not shine like silver, and run as smoothly
## [4932] as a swift stream? He has come for me: the horse of the White Rider. We are
## [4933]
## [4934]
## [4935]
## [4936]
## [4937] going to battle together.'
## [4938]
## [4939] Even as the old wizard spoke, the great horse came striding up the
## [4940] slope towards them; his coat was glistening and his mane flowing in the wind
## [4941] of his speed. The two others followed, now far behind. As soon as Shadowfax
## [4942] saw Gandalf, he checked his pace and whinnied loudly; then trotting gently
## [4943] forward he stooped his proud head and nuzzled his great nostrils against the
## [4944] old man's neck.
## [4945]
## [4946] Gandalf caressed him. 'It is a long way from Rivendell, my friend,' he
## [4947] said; 'but you are wise and swift and come at need. Far let us ride now
## [4948] together, and part not in this world again!'
## [4949]
## [4950] Soon the other horses came up and stood quietly by, as if awaiting
## [4951] orders. 'We go at once to Meduseld, the hall of your master, Thjoden,' said
## [4952] Gandalf, addressing them gravely. They bowed their heads. 'Time presses, so
## [4953] with your leave, my friends, we will ride. We beg you to use all the speed
## [4954] that you can. Hasufel shall bear Aragorn and Arod Legolas. I will set Gimli
## [4955] before me, and by his leave Shadowfax shall bear us both. We will wait now
## [4956] only to drink a little.'
## [4957]
## [4958] 'Now I understand a part of last night's riddle,' said Legolas as he
## [4959] sprang lightly upon Arod's back. 'Whether they fled at first in fear, or
## [4960] not, our horses met Shadowfax, their chieftain, and greeted him with joy.
## [4961]
## [4962] Did you know that he was at hand, Gandalf?'
## [4963]
## [4964] 'Yes, I knew,' said the wizard. 'I bent my thought upon him, bidding
## [4965] him to make haste; for yesterday he was far away in the south of this land.
## [4966] Swiftly may he bear me back again!'
## [4967]
## [4968] Gandalf spoke now to Shadowfax, and the horse set off at a good pace,
## [4969] yet not beyond the measure of the others. After a little while he turned
## [4970] suddenly, and choosing a place where the banks were lower, he waded the
## [4971] river, and then led them away due south into a flat land, treeless and wide.
## [4972]
## [4973] The wind went like grey waves through the endless miles of grass. There was
## [4974] no sign of road or track, but Shadowfax did not stay or falter.
## [4975]
## [4976] 'He is steering a straight course now for the halls of Thjoden under
## [4977] the slopes of the White Mountains,' said Gandalf. 'It will be quicker so.
## [4978]
## [4979] The ground is firmer in the Eastemnet, where the chief northward track lies,
## [4980] across the river, but Shadowfax knows the way through every fen and hollow.'
## [4981]
## [4982] For many hours they rode on through the meads and riverlands. Often the
## [4983] grass was so high that it reached above the knees of the riders, and their
## [4984]
## [4985]
## [4986]
## [4987]
## [4988] steeds seemed to be swimming in a grey-green sea. They came upon many
## [4989] hidden
## [4990]
## [4991] pools, and broad acres of sedge waving above wet and treacherous bogs; but
## [4992] Shadowfax found the way, and the other horses followed in his swath. Slowly
## [4993] the sun fell from the sky down into the West. Looking out over the great
## [4994] plain, far away the riders saw it for a moment like a red fire sinking into
## [4995] the grass. Low upon the edge of sight shoulders of the mountains glinted red
## [4996] upon either side. A smoke seemed to rise up and darken the sun's disc to the
## [4997] hue of blood, as if it had kindled the grass as it passed down under the rim
## [4998] of earth.
## [4999]
## [5000] ’There lies the Gap of Rohan,' said Gandalf. 'It is now almost due west
## [5001] of us. That way lies Isengard.'
## [5002]
## [5003] 'I see a great smoke,' said Legolas. 'What may that be?'
## [5004]
## [5005] 'Battle and war!' said Gandalf. 'Ride on!'
## [5006]
## [5007]
## [5008]
## [5009]
## [5010] Chapter 6 . The King of the Golden Hall
## [5011]
## [5012]
## [5013]
## [5014] They rode on through sunset, and slow dusk, and gathering night. When
## [5015] at last they halted and dismounted, even Aragorn was stiff and weary.
## [5016] Gandalf only allowed them a few hours' rest. Legolas and Gimli slept and
## [5017] Aragorn lay flat, stretched upon his back; but Gandalf stood, leaning on his
## [5018] staff, gazing into the darkness, east and west. All was silent, and there
## [5019] was no sign or sound of living thing. The night was barred with long clouds,
## [5020] fleeting on a chill wind, when they arose again. Under the cold moon they
## [5021] went on once more, as swift as by the light of day.
## [5022]
## [5023] Hours passed and still they rode on. Gimli nodded and would have fallen
## [5024] from his seat, if Gandalf had not clutched and shaken him. Hasufel and Arod,
## [5025] weary but proud, followed their tireless leader, a grey shadow before them
## [5026] hardly to he seen. The miles went by. The waxing moon sank into the cloudy
## [5027] West.
## [5028]
## [5029] A bitter chill came into the air. Slowly in the East the dark faded to
## [5030] a cold grey. Red shafts of light leapt above the black walls of the Emyn
## [5031] Muil far away upon their left. Dawn came clear and bright; a wind swept
## [5032] across their path, rushing through the bent grasses. Suddenly Shadowfax
## [5033] stood still and neighed. Gandalf pointed ahead.
## [5034]
## [5035] 'Look!' he cried, and they lifted their tired eyes. Before them stood
## [5036] the mountains of the South: white-tipped and streaked with black. The
## [5037] grass-lands rolled against the hills that clustered at their feet, and
## [5038] flowed up into many valleys still dim and dark, untouched by the light of
## [5039] dawn, winding their way into the heart of the great mountains. Immediately
## [5040] before the travellers the widest of these glens opened like a long gulf
## [5041] among the hills. Far inward they glimpsed a tumbled mountain-mass with one
## [5042] tall peak; at the mouth of the vale there stood like sentinel a lonely
## [5043] height. About its feet there flowed, as a thread of silver, the stream that
## [5044] issued from the dale; upon its brow they caught, still far away, a glint in
## [5045] the rising sun, a glimmer of gold. ’Speak, Legolas!' said Gandalf. 'Tell us
## [5046] what you see there before us!'
## [5047]
## [5048] Legolas gazed ahead, shading his eyes from the level shafts of the
## [5049] new-risen sun. 'I see a white stream that comes down from the snows,' he
## [5050] said. 'Where it issues from the shadow of the vale a green hill rises upon
## [5051]
## [5052]
## [5053]
## [5054]
## [5055] the east. A dike and mighty wall and thorny fence encircle it. Within there
## [5056] rise the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there
## [5057] stands aloft a great hall of Men. And it seems to my eyes that it is
## [5058] thatched with gold. The light of it shines far over the land. Golden, too,
## [5059] are the posts of its doors. There men in bright mail stand; but all else
## [5060] within the courts are yet asleep.’
## [5061]
## [5062] 'Edoras those courts are called,’ said Gandalf, ’and Meduseld is that
## [5063] golden hall. There dwells Thjoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan.
## [5064] We are come with the rising of the day. Now the road lies plain to see
## [5065] before us. But we must ride more warily; for war is abroad, and the
## [5066] Rohirrim, the Horse-lords, do not sleep, even if it seem so from afar. Draw
## [5067] no weapon, speak no haughty word, I counsel you all, until we are come
## [5068] before Thjoden’s seat.’
## [5069]
## [5070] The morning was bright and clear about them, and birds were singing,
## [5071] when the travellers came to the stream. It ran down swiftly into the plain,
## [5072] and beyond the feet of the hills turned across their path in a wide bend,
## [5073] flowing away east to feed the Entwash far off in its reed-choked beds. The
## [5074] land was green: in the wet meads and along the grassy borders of the stream
## [5075] grew many willow-trees. Already in this southern land they were blushing red
## [5076] at their fingertips. Feeling the approach of spring. Over the stream there
## [5077] was a ford between low banks much trampled by the passage of horses. The
## [5078] travellers passed over and came upon a wide rutted track leading towards the
## [5079] uplands.
## [5080]
## [5081] At the foot of the walled hill the way ran under the shadow of many
## [5082] mounds, high and green. Upon their western sides the grass was white as with
## [5083] a drifted snow: small flowers sprang there like countless stars amid the
## [5084] turf.
## [5085]
## [5086] ’Look!’ said Gandalf. ’How fair are the bright eyes in the grass!
## [5087] Evermind they are called, simbelmynl in this land of Men, for they blossom
## [5088] in all the seasons of the year, and grow where dead men rest. Behold! we are
## [5089] come to the great barrows where the sires of Thjoden sleep.’ 'Seven mounds
## [5090] upon the left, and nine upon the right,’ said Aragorn. ’Many long lives of
## [5091] men it is since the golden hall was built.’
## [5092]
## [5093] ’Five hundred times have the red leaves fallen in Mirkwood in my home
## [5094] since then,’ said Legolas, 'and but a little while does that seem to us.’
## [5095]
## [5096] ’But to the Riders of the Mark it seems so long ago,’ said Aragorn,
## [5097]
## [5098] ’that the raising of this house is but a memory of song, and the years
## [5099]
## [5100]
## [5101]
## [5102]
## [5103] before are lost in the mist of time. Now they call this land their home,
## [5104] their own, and their speech is sundered from their northern kin.' Then he
## [5105] began to chant softly in a slow tongue unknown to the Elf and Dwarf; yet
## [5106] they listened, for there was a strong music in it.
## [5107]
## [5108] That, I guess, is the language of the Rohirrim,' said Legolas; 'for it
## [5109] is like to this land itself; rich and rolling in part, and else hard and
## [5110] stern as the mountains. But I cannot guess what it means, save that it is
## [5111] laden with the sadness of Mortal Men.'
## [5112]
## [5113] 'It runs thus in the Common Speech,' said Aragorn, 'as near as I can
## [5114] make it.
## [5115]
## [5116] Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
## [5117]
## [5118] Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
## [5119]
## [5120] Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
## [5121]
## [5122] Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
## [5123]
## [5124] They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
## [5125]
## [5126] The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
## [5127]
## [5128] Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
## [5129]
## [5130] Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?
## [5131]
## [5132] Thus spoke a forgotten poet long ago in Rohan, recalling how tall and
## [5133] fair was Eorl the Young, who rode down out of the North; and there were
## [5134] wings upon the feet of his steed, Felaruf, father of horses. So men still
## [5135] sing in the evening.'
## [5136]
## [5137] With these words the travellers passed the silent mounds. Following the
## [5138] winding way up the green shoulders of the hills, they came at last to the
## [5139] wide wind-swept walls and the gates of Edoras.
## [5140]
## [5141] There sat many men in bright mail, who sprang at once to their feet and
## [5142] barred the way with spears. 'Stay, strangers here unknown!' they cried in
## [5143] the tongue of the Riddermark, demanding the names and errand of the
## [5144] strangers. Wonder was in their eyes but little friendliness; and they looked
## [5145] darkly upon Gandalf.
## [5146]
## [5147] 'Well do I understand your speech,' he answered in the same language;
## [5148] 'yet few strangers do so. Why then do you not speak in the Common Tongue,
## [5149] as
## [5150]
## [5151] is the custom in the West, if you wish to be answered?'
## [5152]
## [5153] 'It is the will of Thjoden King that none should enter his gates, save
## [5154] those who know our tongue and are our friends,' replied one of the guards.
## [5155] 'None are welcome here in days of war but our own folk, and those that come
## [5156]
## [5157]
## [5158]
## [5159]
## [5160] from Mundburg in the land of Gondor. Who are you that come heedless over
## [5161] the
## [5162]
## [5163] plain thus strangely clad, riding horses like to our own horses? Long have
## [5164] we kept guard here, and we have watched you from afar. Never have we seen
## [5165] other riders so strange, nor any horse more proud than is one of these that
## [5166] bear you. He is One of the Mearas, unless our eyes are cheated by some
## [5167] spell. Say, are you not a wizard, some spy from Saruman, or phantoms of his
## [5168] craft? Speak now and be swift!'
## [5169]
## [5170] 'We are no phantoms,' said Aragorn, 'nor do your eyes cheat you. For
## [5171] indeed these are your own horses that we ride, as you knew well are you
## [5172] asked, I guess. But seldom does thief ride home to the stable. Here are
## [5173] Hasufel and Arod, that Jomer, the Third Marshal of the Mark, lent to us,
## [5174] only two days ago. We bring them back now, even as we promised him. Has
## [5175] not
## [5176]
## [5177] Jomer then returned and given warning of our coming?'
## [5178]
## [5179] A troubled look came into the guard's eyes. 'Of Jomer I have naught to
## [5180] say,' he answered. 'If what you tell me is truth, then doubtless Thjoden
## [5181] will have heard of it. Maybe your coming was not wholly unlooked-for. It is
## [5182] but two nights ago that Wormtongue came to us and said that by the will of
## [5183] Thjoden no stranger should pass these gates.'
## [5184]
## [5185] 'Wormtongue?' said Gandalf, looking sharply at the guard. 'Say no more!
## [5186]
## [5187] My errand is not to Wormtongue, but to the Lord of the Mark himself. I am in
## [5188] haste. Will you not go or send to say that we are come?' His eyes glinted
## [5189] under his deep brows as he bent his gaze upon the man.
## [5190]
## [5191] 'Yes, I will go,' he answered slowly. 'But what names shall I report?
## [5192]
## [5193] And what shall I say of you? Old and weary you seem now, and yet you are
## [5194] fell and grim beneath, I deem'
## [5195]
## [5196] 'Well do you see and speak,' said the wizard. 'For I am Gandalf. I have
## [5197] returned. And behold! I too bring back a horse. Here is Shadowfax the Great,
## [5198] whom no other hand can tame. And here beside me is Aragorn son of
## [5199] Arathorn,
## [5200]
## [5201] the heir of Kings, and it is to Mundburg that he goes. Here also are Legolas
## [5202] the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf, our comrades. Go now and say to your master
## [5203] that we are at his gates and would have speech with him, if he will permit
## [5204] us to come into his hall.' 'Strange names you give indeed! But I will report
## [5205] them as you bid and learn my master's will,' said the guard. 'Wait here a
## [5206] little while, and f will bring you such answer as seems good to him. Do not
## [5207]
## [5208]
## [5209]
## [5210]
## [5211] hope too much! These are dark days.' He went swiftly away, leaving the
## [5212] strangers in the watchful keeping of his comrades. After some time he
## [5213] returned. ’Follow me!' he said. 'Thjoden gives you leave to enter; but any
## [5214] weapon that you bear; be it only a staff, you must leave on the threshold.
## [5215]
## [5216] The doorwardens will keep them.'
## [5217]
## [5218] The dark gates were swung open. The travellers entered, walking in file
## [5219] behind their guide. They found a broad path, paved with hewn stones, now
## [5220] winding upward, now climbing in short flights of well-laid steps. Many
## [5221] houses built of wood and many dark doors they passed. Beside the way in a
## [5222] stone channel a stream of clear water flowed, sparkling and chattering. At
## [5223] length they came to the crown of the hill. There stood a high platform above
## [5224] a green terrace, at the foot of which a bright spring gushed from a stone
## [5225] carved in the likeness of a horse's head; beneath was a wide basin from
## [5226] which the water, spilled and fed the falling stream. Up the green terrace
## [5227] went a stair of stone, high and broad, and on either side of the topmost
## [5228] step were stone-hewn sea, There sat other guards, with drawn swords laid
## [5229] upon their knees. Their golden hair was braided on their shoulders the sun
## [5230] was blazoned upon their green shields, their long corslets were burnished
## [5231] bright, and when they rose taller they seemed than mortal men.
## [5232]
## [5233] ’There are the doors before you,’ said the guide. ’I must return now to
## [5234] my duty at the gate. Farewell! And may the Lord of the Mark be gracious to
## [5235] you!’
## [5236]
## [5237] He turned and went swiftly back down the road. The others climbed the
## [5238] long stair under the eyes of the tall watchmen. Silent they stood now above
## [5239] and spoke no word, until Gandalf stepped out upon the paved terrace at the
## [5240] stairs head. Then suddenly with clear voices they spoke a courteous greeting
## [5241] in their own tongue.
## [5242]
## [5243] Hail, corners from afar!’ they said, and they turned the hilts of their
## [5244] swords towards the travellers in token of peace. Green gems flashed in the
## [5245] sunlight. Then one of the guards stepped forward and spoke in the Common
## [5246] Speech.
## [5247]
## [5248] ’I am the Doorward of Thjoden,’ he said. ’Hbma is my name. Here I must
## [5249] bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter.’
## [5250]
## [5251] Then Legolas gave into his hand his silver -hafted knife, his quiver and
## [5252] his bow. ’Keep these well,’ he said, ’for they come from the Golden Wood and
## [5253] the Lady of Lothlurien gave them to me.’
## [5254]
## [5255] Wonder came into the man’s eyes, and he laid the weapons hastily by the
## [5256]
## [5257]
## [5258]
## [5259]
## [5260] wall, as if he feared to handle them. 'No man will touch them I promise
## [5261] you,' he said.
## [5262]
## [5263] Aragorn stood a while hesitating. 'It is not my will,' he said, 'to put
## [5264] aside my sword or to deliver And®ril to the hand of any other man.'
## [5265]
## [5266] 'It is the will of Thjoden,' said Hbma.
## [5267]
## [5268] 'It is not clear to me that the will of Thjoden son of Thengel even
## [5269] though he be lord of the Mark, should prevail over the will of Aragorn son
## [5270] of Arathorn, Elendil's heir of Gondor.'
## [5271]
## [5272] 'This is the house of Thjoden, not of Aragorn, even were he King of
## [5273] Gondor in the seat of Denethor,' said Hbma, stepping swiftly before the
## [5274] doors and barring the way. His sword was now in his hand and the point
## [5275] towards the strangers.
## [5276]
## [5277] 'This is idle talk,' said Gandalf. 'Needless is Thjoden's demand, but
## [5278] it is useless to refuse. A king will have his way in his own hall, be it
## [5279] folly or wisdom.'
## [5280]
## [5281] 'Truly,' said Aragorn. 'And I would do as the master of the house bade
## [5282] me, were this only a woodman's cot, if I bore now any sword but And®ril.'
## [5283]
## [5284] 'Whatever its name may be,' said Hbma, 'here you shall lay it, if you
## [5285] would not fight alone against all the men in Edoras.'
## [5286]
## [5287] 'Not alone!' said Gimli, fingering the blade of his axe, and looking
## [5288] darkly up at the guard, as if he were a young tree that Gimli had a mind to
## [5289] fell. 'Not alone!'
## [5290]
## [5291] 'Come, come!' said Gandalf. 'We are all friends here. Or should be; for
## [5292] the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward, if we quarrel. My errand is
## [5293] pressing. Here at least is my sword, goodman Hbma. Keep it well. Glamdring
## [5294] it is called, for the Elves made it long ago. Now let me pass. Come,
## [5295] Aragorn!'
## [5296]
## [5297] Slowly Aragorn unbuckled his belt and himself set his sword upright
## [5298] against the wall. 'Here I set it,' he said; 'but I command you not to touch
## [5299] it, nor to permit any other to lay hand on it. In this elvish heath dwells
## [5300] the Blade that was Broken and has been made again. Telchar first wrought it
## [5301] in the deeps of time. Death shall come to any man that draws Elendil's sword
## [5302] save Elendil's heir.'
## [5303]
## [5304] The guard stepped back and looked with amazement on Aragorn. 'It seems
## [5305] that you are come on the wings of song out of the forgotten days he said. It
## [5306] shall be, lord, as you command.
## [5307]
## [5308] 'Well,' said Gimli, 'if it has And®ril to keep it company, my axe may
## [5309]
## [5310]
## [5311]
## [5312]
## [5313] stay here, too, without shame’; and he laid it on the floor. 'Now then, if
## [5314] all is as you wish, let us go and speak with your master.’
## [5315]
## [5316] The guard still hesitated. ’Your staff,' he said to Gandalf. ’Forgive
## [5317] me, but that too must be left at the doors.'
## [5318]
## [5319] ’Foolishness!' said Gandalf. 'Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is
## [5320] another. I am old. If I may not lean on my stick as I go, then I will sit
## [5321] out here, until it pleases Thjoden to hobble out himself to speak with me.’
## [5322]
## [5323] Aragorn laughed. ’Every man has something too dear to trust to another.
## [5324] But would you part an old man from his support? Come, will you not let us
## [5325] enter?'
## [5326]
## [5327] 'The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age’
## [5328] said Hbma. He looked hard at the ash-staff on which Gandalf leaned. 'Yet in
## [5329] doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends
## [5330] and folk worthy of honour, who have no evil purpose. You may go in.'
## [5331]
## [5332] The guards now lifted the heavy bars of the doors and swung them slowly
## [5333] inwards grumbling on their great hinges. The travellers entered. Inside it
## [5334] seemed dark and warm after the clear air upon the hill. The hall was long
## [5335] and wide and filled with shadows and half lights; mighty pillars upheld its
## [5336] lofty roof. But here and there bright sunbeams fell in glimmering shafts
## [5337] from the eastern windows, high under the deep eaves. Through the louver in
## [5338] the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing smoke, the sky showed pale and
## [5339] blue. As their eyes changed, the travellers perceived that the floor was
## [5340] paved with stones of many hues; branching runes and strange devices
## [5341] intertwined beneath their feet. They saw now that the pillars were richly
## [5342] carved, gleaming dully with gold and half-seen colours. Many woven cloths
## [5343] were hung upon the walls, and over their wide spaces marched figures of
## [5344] ancient legend, some dim with years, some darkling in the shade. But upon
## [5345] one form the sunlight fell: a young man upon a white horse. He was blowing a
## [5346] great horn, and his yellow hair was flying in the wind. The horse's head was
## [5347] lifted, and its nostrils were wide and red as it neighed, smelling battle
## [5348] afar. Foaming water, green and white, rushed and curled about its knees.
## [5349]
## [5350] 'Behold Eorl the Young!' said Aragorn. 'Thus he rode out of the North
## [5351] to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant.'
## [5352]
## [5353] Now the four companions went forward, past the clear wood-fire burning
## [5354] upon the long hearth in the midst of the hall. Then they halted. At the far
## [5355] end of the house, beyond the hearth and facing north towards the doors, was
## [5356] a dais with three steps; and in the middle of the dais was a great gilded
## [5357]
## [5358]
## [5359]
## [5360]
## [5361] chair. Upon it sat a man so bent with age that he seemed almost a dwarf; but
## [5362] his white hair was long and thick and fell in great braids from beneath a
## [5363] thin golden circle set upon his brow. In the centre upon his forehead shone
## [5364] a single white diamond. His beard was laid like snow upon his knees; but his
## [5365] eyes still burned with a bright light, glinting as he gazed at the
## [5366] strangers. Behind his chair stood a woman clad in white. At his feet upon
## [5367] the steps sat a wizened figure of a man, with a pale wise face and
## [5368] heavy -lidded eyes.
## [5369]
## [5370] There was a silence. The old man did not move in his chair. At length
## [5371] Gandalf spoke. 'Hail, Thjoden son of Thengel! I have returned. For behold!
## [5372] the storm comes, and now all friends should gather together, lest each
## [5373] singly be destroyed.'
## [5374]
## [5375] Slowly the old man rose to his feet, leaning heavily upon a short black
## [5376] staff with a handle of white bone; and now the strangers saw that, bent
## [5377] though he was, he was still tall and must in youth have been high and proud
## [5378] indeed.
## [5379]
## [5380] 'I greet you,' he said, 'and maybe you look for welcome. But truth to
## [5381] tell your welcome is doubtful here, Master Gandalf. You have ever been a
## [5382] herald of woe. Troubles follow you like crows, and ever the oftener the
## [5383] worse. I will not deceive you: when I heard that Shadowfax had come back
## [5384] riderless, I rejoiced at the return of the horse, but still more at the lack
## [5385] of the rider; and when Jomer brought the tidings that you had gone at last
## [5386] to your long home, I did not mourn. But news from afar is seldom sooth. Here
## [5387] you come again! And with you come evils worse than before, as might be
## [5388] expected. Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow? Tell me that.'
## [5389] Slowly
## [5390]
## [5391] he sat down again in his chair.
## [5392]
## [5393] 'You speak justly, lord,' said the pale man sitting upon the steps of
## [5394] the dais. 'It is not yet five days since the bitter tidings came that
## [5395] Thjodred your son was slain upon the West Marches: your right hand, Second
## [5396] Marshal Of the Mark. In Jomer there is little trust. Few men would be left
## [5397] to guard your walls, if he had been allowed to rule. And even now we learn
## [5398] from Gondor that the Dark Lord is stirring in the East. Such is the hour in
## [5399] which this wanderer chooses to return. Why indeed should we welcome you,
## [5400] Master Stormcrow? Lbthspell I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill
## [5401] guest they say.' He laughed grimly, as he lifted his heavy lids for a moment
## [5402] and gazed on the strangers with dark eyes.
## [5403]
## [5404]
## [5405]
## [5406]
## [5407] ’You are held wise, my friend Wormtongue, and are doubtless a great
## [5408] support to your master,’ answered Gandalf in a soft voice. 'Yet in two ways
## [5409] may a man come with evil tidings, lie may be a worker of evil; or he may be
## [5410] such as leaves well alone, and comes only to bring aid in time of need.’
## [5411]
## [5412] ’That is so,’ said Wormtongue; ’but there is a third kind: pickers of
## [5413] bones, meddlers in other men’s sorrows, carrion-fowl that grow fat on war.
## [5414] What aid have you ever brought, Stormcrow? And what aid do you bring now?
## [5415] It
## [5416]
## [5417] was aid from us that you sought last time that you were here. Then my lord
## [5418] bade you Choose any horse that you would and be gone; and to the wonder of
## [5419] all you took Shadowfax in your insolence. My lord was sorely grieved; yet to
## [5420] some it seemed that to speed you from the land the price was not too great.
## [5421]
## [5422] I guess that it is likely to turn out the same once more: you will seek aid
## [5423] rather than render it. Do you bring men? Do you bring horses, swords,
## [5424] spears? That I would call aid; that is our present need. But who are these
## [5425] that follow at your tail? Three ragged wanderers in grey, and you yourself
## [5426] the most beggar-like of the four!’
## [5427]
## [5428] ’The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Thjoden son of
## [5429] Thengel,’ said Gandalf. ’Has not the messenger from your gate reported the
## [5430] names of my companions? Seldom has any lord of Rohan received three
## [5431] such
## [5432]
## [5433] guests. Weapons they have laid at your doors that are worth many a mortal
## [5434] man, even the mightiest. Grey is their raiment, for the Elves clad them, and
## [5435] thus they have passed through the shadow of great perils to your hall.’
## [5436]
## [5437] ’Then it is true, as Jomer reported, that you are in league with the
## [5438] Sorceress of the Golden Wood?’ said Wormtongue. ’It is not to be wondered
## [5439] at: webs of deceit were ever woven in Dwimordene.’
## [5440]
## [5441] Gimli strode a pace forward, but felt suddenly the hand of Gandalf
## [5442] clutch him by the shoulder, and he halted, standing stiff as stone.
## [5443]
## [5444] In Dwimordene, in Lurien
## [5445] Seldom have walked the feet of Men,
## [5446]
## [5447] Few mortal eyes have seen the light
## [5448] That lies there ever, long and bright.
## [5449]
## [5450] Galadriel! Galadriel!
## [5451]
## [5452] Clear is the water of your well;
## [5453]
## [5454] White is the star in your white hand;
## [5455]
## [5456] Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land
## [5457]
## [5458]
## [5459]
## [5460]
## [5461] In Dwimordene, in Lurien
## [5462]
## [5463] More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men.
## [5464]
## [5465] Thus Gandalf softly sang, and then suddenly he changed. Casting his
## [5466] tattered cloak aside, he stood up and leaned no longer on his staff; and he
## [5467] spoke in a clear cold voice. The wise speak only of what they know, Grnma
## [5468] son of Gblmud. A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and
## [5469] keep
## [5470]
## [5471] your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and
## [5472] death to bandy crooked words with a serving -man till the lightning falls.'
## [5473]
## [5474] He raised his staff. There was a roll of thunder. The sunlight was blotted
## [5475] out from the eastern windows; the whole hall became suddenly dark as night.
## [5476] The fire faded to sullen embers. Only Gandalf could be seen, standing white
## [5477] and tall before the blackened hearth.
## [5478]
## [5479] In the gloom they heard the hiss of Wormtongue's voice: 'Did I not
## [5480] counsel you, lord, to forbid his staff? That fool, Hbma, has betrayed us!'
## [5481] There was a flash as if lightning had cloven the roof. Then all was silent.
## [5482] Wormtongue sprawled on his face.
## [5483]
## [5484] 'Now Thjoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me?' said Gandalf. 'Do
## [5485] you ask for help?' He lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There
## [5486] the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening could be seen, high
## [5487] and far, a patch of shining sky. 'Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the
## [5488] Mark; for better help you will not find. No counsel have I to give to those
## [5489] that despair. Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you. Will
## [5490] you hear them? They are not for all ears. I bid you come out before your
## [5491] doors and look abroad. Too long have you sat in shadows and trusted to
## [5492] twisted tales and crooked promptings.'
## [5493]
## [5494] Slowly Thjoden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again.
## [5495]
## [5496] The woman hastened to the king's side, taking his arm, and with faltering
## [5497] steps the old man came down from the dais and paced softly through the hall.
## [5498] Wormtongue remained lying on the floor. They came to the doors and
## [5499] Gandalf
## [5500] knocked.
## [5501]
## [5502] 'Open!' he cried. 'The Lord of the Mark comes forth!'
## [5503]
## [5504] The doors rolled back and a keen air came whistling in. A wind was
## [5505] blowing on the hill. 'Send your guards down to the stairs foot,' said
## [5506] Gandalf. 'And you, lady, leave him a while with me. I will care for him.'
## [5507]
## [5508] 'Go, Jowyn sister-daughter!' said the old king. 'The time for fear is
## [5509]
## [5510]
## [5511]
## [5512]
## [5513] past.'
## [5514]
## [5515] The woman turned and went slowly into the house. As she passed the
## [5516] doors she turned and looked back. Grave and thoughtful was her glance, as
## [5517] she looked on the king with cool pity in her eyes. Very fair was her face,
## [5518] and her long hair was like a river of gold. Slender and tall she was in her
## [5519] white robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a
## [5520] daughter of kings. Thus Aragorn for the first time in the full light of day
## [5521] beheld Jowyn, Lady of Rohan, and thought her fair, fair and cold, like a
## [5522] morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood. And she now was
## [5523] suddenly aware of him: tall heir of kings, wise with many winters,
## [5524] greycloaked. Hiding a power that yet she felt. For a moment still as stone
## [5525] she stood, then turning swiftly she was gone.
## [5526]
## [5527] 'Now, lord,' said Gandalf, 'look out upon your land! Breathe the free
## [5528] air again!'
## [5529]
## [5530] From the porch upon the top of the high terrace they could see beyond
## [5531] the stream the green fields of Rohan fading into distant grey. Curtains of
## [5532] wind-blown rain were slanting down. The sky above and to the west was still
## [5533] dark with thunder, and lightning far away flickered among the tops of hidden
## [5534] hills. But the wind had shifted to the north, and already the storm that had
## [5535] come out of the East was receding, rolling away southward to the sea.
## [5536] Suddenly through a rent in the clouds behind them a shaft of sun stabbed
## [5537] down. The falling showers gleamed like silver, and far away the river
## [5538] glittered like a shimmering glass.
## [5539]
## [5540] 'It is not so dark here,' said Thjoden.
## [5541]
## [5542] 'No,' said Gandalf. 'Nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders as
## [5543] some would have you think. Cast aside your prop!'
## [5544]
## [5545] From the king's hand the black staff fell clattering on the stones. He
## [5546] drew himself up, slowly, as a man that is stiff from long bending over some
## [5547] dull toil. Now tall and straight he stood, and his eyes were blue as he
## [5548] looked into the opening sky.
## [5549]
## [5550] 'Dark have been my dreams of late,' he said, 'but I feel as one
## [5551] new-awakened. I would now that you had come before, Gandalf. For I fear that
## [5552] already you have come too late, only to see the last days of my house. Not
## [5553] long now shall stand the high hall which Brego son of Eorl built. Fire shall
## [5554] devour the high seat. What is to be done?'
## [5555]
## [5556] 'Much,' said Gandalf. 'But first send for Jomer. Do I not guess rightly
## [5557] that you hold him prisoner, by the counsel of Grnma, of him that all save
## [5558]
## [5559]
## [5560]
## [5561]
## [5562] you name the Wormtongue?'
## [5563]
## [5564] 'It is true,' said Thjoden. 'He had rebelled against my commands, and
## [5565] threatened death to Grnma in my hall.'
## [5566]
## [5567] 'A man may love you and yet not love Wormtongue or his counsels' said
## [5568] Gandalf.
## [5569]
## [5570] 'That may be. I will do as you ask. Call Hbma to me. Since he proved
## [5571] untrusty as a doorward, let him become an errand -runner. The guilty shall
## [5572] bring the guilty to judgement,' said Thjoden, and his voice was grim, yet he
## [5573] looked at Gandalf and smiled and as he did so many lines of care were
## [5574] smoothed away and did not return.
## [5575]
## [5576] When Hbma had been summoned and had gone, Gandalf led Thjoden to
## [5577] a
## [5578]
## [5579] stone seat, and then sat himself before the king upon the topmost stair.
## [5580] Aragorn and his companions stood nearby.
## [5581]
## [5582] 'There is no time to tell all that you should hear,' said Gandalf. 'Yet
## [5583] if my hope is not cheated, a time will come ere long when I can speak more
## [5584] fully. Behold! you are come into a peril greater even than the wit of
## [5585] Wormtongue could weave into your dreams. But see! you dream no longer.
## [5586] You
## [5587]
## [5588] live. Gondor and Rohan do not stand alone. The enemy is strong beyond our
## [5589] reckoning, yet we have a hope at which he has not guessed.'
## [5590]
## [5591] Quickly now Gandalf spoke. His voice was low and secret, and none save
## [5592] the king heard what he said. But ever as he spoke the light shone brighter
## [5593] in Thjoden's eye, and at the last he rose from his seat to his full height,
## [5594] and Gandalf beside him, and together they looked out from the high place
## [5595] towards the East.
## [5596]
## [5597] 'Verily,' said Gandalf, now in a loud voice, keen and clear, 'that way
## [5598] lies our hope, where sits our greatest fear. Doom hangs still on a thread.
## [5599]
## [5600] Yet hope there is still, if we can but stand unconquered for a little
## [5601] while.'
## [5602]
## [5603] The others too now turned their eyes eastward. Over the sundering
## [5604] leagues of land, far away they gazed to the edge of sight, and hope and fear
## [5605] bore their thoughts still on, beyond dark mountains to the Land of Shadow.
## [5606] Where now was the Ring -bearer? How thin indeed was the thread upon
## [5607] which
## [5608]
## [5609] doom still hung! It seemed to Legolas, as he strained his farseeing eyes,
## [5610] that he caught a glint of white: far away perchance the sun twinkled on a
## [5611]
## [5612]
## [5613]
## [5614]
## [5615] pinnacle of the Tower of Guard. And further still, endlessly remote and yet
## [5616] a present threat, there was a tiny tongue of flame.
## [5617]
## [5618] Slowly Thjoden sat down again, as if weariness still struggled to
## [5619] master him against the will of Gandalf. He turned and looked at his great
## [5620] house. 'Alas!' he said, 'that these evil days should be mine, and should
## [5621] come in my old age instead of that peace which I have earned. Alas for
## [5622] Boromir the brave! The young perish and the old linger, withering.' He
## [5623] clutched his knees with his wrinkled hands.
## [5624]
## [5625] 'Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped
## [5626] a sword-hilt,' said Gandalf.
## [5627]
## [5628] Thjoden rose and put his hand to his side; but no sword hung at his
## [5629] belt. 'Where has Grnma stowed it?' he muttered under his breath.
## [5630]
## [5631] 'Take this, dear lord!' said a clear voice. 'It was ever at your
## [5632] service.' Two men had come softly up the stair and stood now a few steps
## [5633] from the top. Jomer was there. No helm was on his head, no mail was on his
## [5634] breast, but in his hand he held a drawn sword; and as he knelt he offered
## [5635] the hilt to his master.
## [5636]
## [5637] 'How comes this?' said Thjoden sternly. He turned towards Jomer and the
## [5638] men looked in wonder at him, standing now proud and erect. Where was the
## [5639] old
## [5640]
## [5641] man whom they had left crouching in his chair or leaning on his stick?
## [5642]
## [5643] 'It is my doing, lord,' said Hbma, trembling. I understood that Jomer
## [5644] was to be set free. Such joy was in my heart that maybe I have erred. Yet,
## [5645] since he was free again, and he a Marshal of the Mark, ! brought him his
## [5646] sword as he bade me.'
## [5647]
## [5648] 'To lay at your feet, my lord,' said Jomer.
## [5649]
## [5650] For a moment of silence Thjoden stood looking down at Jomer as he knelt
## [5651] still before him. Neither moved.
## [5652]
## [5653] 'Will you not take the sword?' said Gandalf.
## [5654]
## [5655] Slowly Thjoden stretched forth his hand. As his fingers took the hilt,
## [5656] it seemed to the watchers that firmness and strength returned to his thin
## [5657] arm. Suddenly he lifted the blade and swung it shimmering and whistling in
## [5658] the air. Then he gave a great cry. His voice rang clear as he chanted in the
## [5659] tongue of Rohan a call to arms.
## [5660]
## [5661] Arise now, arise, Riders of Thjoden!
## [5662]
## [5663] Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.
## [5664]
## [5665] Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
## [5666]
## [5667]
## [5668]
## [5669]
## [5670] Forth Eorlingas!
## [5671]
## [5672] The guards, thinking that they were summoned, sprang up the stair. They
## [5673] looked at their lord in amazement, and then as one man they drew their
## [5674] swords and laid them at his feet. 'Command us!’ they said.
## [5675]
## [5676] 'Westu Thjoden hbl!' cried Jomer. ’It is a joy to us to see you return
## [5677] into your own. Never again shall it be said, Gandalf, that you come only
## [5678] with grief!’
## [5679]
## [5680] 'Take back your sword, Jomer, sister-son!' said the king. 'Go, Hbma,
## [5681] and seek my own sword! Grnma has it in his keeping. Bring him to me also.
## [5682] Now, Gandalf, you said that you had counsel to give, if I would hear it.
## [5683]
## [5684] What is your counsel?'
## [5685]
## [5686] 'You have yourself already taken it,' answered Gandalf. 'To put your
## [5687] trust in Jomer, rather than in a man of crooked mind. To cast aside regret
## [5688] and fear. To do the deed at hand. Every man that can ride should be sent
## [5689] west at once, as Jomer counselled you: we must first destroy the threat of
## [5690] Saruman, while we have time. If we fail, we fall. If we succeed — then we
## [5691] will face the next task. Meanwhile your people that are left, the women and
## [5692] the children and the old, should stay to the refuges that you have in the
## [5693] mountains. Were they not prepared against just such an evil day as this? Let
## [5694] them take provision, but delay not, nor burden themselves with treasures,
## [5695] great or small. It is their lives that are at stake.'
## [5696]
## [5697] 'This counsel seems good to me now,' said Thjoden. 'Let all my folk get
## [5698] ready ! But you my guests-truly you said, Gandalf, that the courtesy of my
## [5699] hall is lessened. You have ridden through the night, and the morning wears
## [5700] away. You have had neither sleep nor food. A guest-house shall be made
## [5701] ready: there you shall sleep, when you have eaten.'
## [5702]
## [5703] 'Nay, lord,' said Aragorn. 'There is no rest yet for the weary. The men
## [5704] of Rohan must ride forth today, and we will ride with them, axe, sword, and
## [5705] bow. We did not bring them to rest against your wall, Lord of the Mark. And
## [5706] I promised Jomer that my sword and his should be drawn together.'
## [5707]
## [5708] 'Now indeed there is hope of victory!' said Jomer.
## [5709]
## [5710] 'Hope, yes,' said Gandalf. 'But Isengard is strong. And other perils
## [5711] draw ever nearer. Do not delay, Thjoden, when we are gone. Lead your people
## [5712] swiftly to the Hold of Dunharrow in the hills!'
## [5713]
## [5714] 'Nay, Gandalf!' said the king. 'You do not know your own skill in
## [5715] healing. It shall not be so. I myself will go to war, to fall in the front
## [5716] of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better.'
## [5717]
## [5718]
## [5719]
## [5720]
## [5721] 'Then even the defeat of Rohan will be glorious in song,' said Aragorn.
## [5722]
## [5723] The armed men that stood near clashed their weapons, crying: 'The Lord of
## [5724] the Mark will ride! Forth Eorlingas!'
## [5725]
## [5726] 'But your people must not be both unarmed and shepherdless' said
## [5727] Gandalf. 'Who shall guide them and govern them in your place?'
## [5728]
## [5729] 'I will take thought for that ere I go,' answered Thjoden. 'Here comes
## [5730] my counsellor.'
## [5731]
## [5732] At that moment Hbma came again from the hall. Behind him cringing
## [5733] between two other men, came Grnma the Wormtongue. His face was very
## [5734] white.
## [5735]
## [5736] His eyes blinked in the sunlight. Hbma knelt and presented to Thjoden a long
## [5737] sword in a scabbard clasped with gold and set with green gems. 'Here, lord,
## [5738] is Herugrim, your ancient blade,' he said. 'It was found in his chest. Loth
## [5739] was he to render up the keys. Many other things are there which men have
## [5740] missed.'
## [5741]
## [5742] 'You lie,' said Wormtongue. 'And this sword your master himself gave
## [5743] into my keeping.'
## [5744]
## [5745] 'And he now requires it of you again,' said Thjoden. 'Does that
## [5746] displease you?'
## [5747]
## [5748] 'Assuredly not. lord,' said Wormtongue. 'I care for you and yours as
## [5749] best I may. But do not weary yourself, or tax too heavily your strength. Let
## [5750] others deal with these irksome guests. Your meat is about to be set on the
## [5751] board. Will you not go to it?'
## [5752]
## [5753] 'I will,' said Thjoden. 'And let food for my guests be set on the board
## [5754] beside me. The host rides today. Send the heralds forth! Let them summon all
## [5755] who dwell nigh! Every man and strong lad able to bear arms, all who have
## [5756] horses, let them be ready in the saddle at the gate ere the second hour from
## [5757] noon!'
## [5758]
## [5759] 'Dear lord!' cried Wormtongue. 'It is as I feared. This wizard has
## [5760] bewitched you. Are none to be left to defend the Golden Hall of your
## [5761] fathers, and all your treasure? None to guard the Lord of the Mark?'
## [5762]
## [5763] 'If this is bewitchment,' said Thjoden, 'it seems to me more wholesome
## [5764] than your whisperings. Your leechcraft ere long would have had me walking on
## [5765] all fours like a beast. No, not one shall be left, not even Grnma. Grnma
## [5766] shall ride too. Go! You have yet time to clean the rust from your sword.'
## [5767]
## [5768] 'Mercy, lord!' whined Wormtongue, grovelling on the ground. 'Have pity
## [5769] on one worn out in your service. Send me not from your side! I at least will
## [5770]
## [5771]
## [5772]
## [5773]
## [5774] stand by you when all others have gone. Do not send your faithful Grnma
## [5775] away!'
## [5776]
## [5777] 'You have my pity,' said Thjoden. 'And I do not send you from my side.
## [5778]
## [5779] I go myself to war with my men. I bid you come with me and prove your
## [5780] faith.'
## [5781]
## [5782] Wormtongue looked from face to face. In his eyes was the hunted look of
## [5783] a beast seeking some gap in the ring of his enemies. He licked his lips with
## [5784] a long pale tongue. 'Such a resolve might be expected from a lord of the
## [5785] House of Eorl, old though he be,' he said. 'But those who truly love him
## [5786] would spare his failing years. Yet I see that I come too late. Others, whom
## [5787] the death of my lord would perhaps grieve less, have already persuaded him.
## [5788]
## [5789] If I cannot undo their work, hear me at least in this, lord! One who knows
## [5790] your mind and honours your commands should be left in Edoras. Appoint a
## [5791] faithful steward. Let your counsellor Grnma keep all things till your
## [5792] return-and I pray that we may see it, though no wise man will deem it
## [5793] hopeful.'
## [5794]
## [5795] Jomer laughed. 'And if that plea does not excuse you from war, most
## [5796] noble Wormtongue,' he said, what office of less honour would you accept? To
## [5797] carry a sack of meal up into the mountains-if any man would trust you with
## [5798] it?'
## [5799]
## [5800] 'Nay, Jomer, you do not fully understand the mind of Master
## [5801] Wormtongue,' said Gandalf, turning his piercing glance upon him. 'He is bold
## [5802] and cunning. Even now he plays a game with peril and wins a throw. Hours of
## [5803] my precious time he has wasted already. 'Down snake!' he said suddenly in a
## [5804] terrible voice. 'Down on your belly! How long is it since Saruman bought
## [5805] you? What was the promised price? When all the men were dead, you were to
## [5806] pick your share of the treasure, and take the woman you desire? Too long
## [5807] have you watched her under your eyelids and haunted her steps.'
## [5808]
## [5809] Jomer grasped his sword. 'That I knew already,' he muttered. 'For that
## [5810] reason I would have slain him before, forgetting the law of the hall. But
## [5811] there are other reasons.' He stepped forward, but Gandalf stayed him with
## [5812] his hand.
## [5813]
## [5814] 'Jowyn is safe now,' he said. 'But you, Wormtongue, you have done what
## [5815] you could for your true master. Some reward you have earned at least. Yet
## [5816] Saruman is apt to overlook his bargains. I should advise you to go quickly
## [5817] and remind him, lest he forget your faithful service.'
## [5818]
## [5819] 'You lie,' said Wormtongue.
## [5820]
## [5821]
## [5822]
## [5823]
## [5824] 'That word comes too oft and easy from your lips,' said Gandalf. ’I do
## [5825] not lie. See, Thjoden, here is a snake! With safety you cannot take it with
## [5826] you, nor can you leave it behind. To slay it would be just. But it was not
## [5827] always as it now is. Once it was a man, and did you service in its fashion.
## [5828] Give him a horse and let him go at once, wherever he chooses. By his choice
## [5829] you shall judge him.’
## [5830]
## [5831] 'Do you hear this, Wormtongue?' said Thjoden. 'This is your choice: to
## [5832] ride with me to war, and let us see in battle whether you are true; or to go
## [5833] now, whither you will. But then, if ever we meet again, I shall not be
## [5834] merciful.'
## [5835]
## [5836] Slowly Wormtongue rose. He looked at them with half-closed eyes. Last
## [5837] of all he scanned Thjoden's face and opened his mouth as if to speak. Then
## [5838] suddenly he drew himself up. His hands worked. His eyes glittered. Such
## [5839] malice was in them that men stepped back from him. He bared his teeth; and
## [5840] then with a hissing breath he spat before the king's feet, and darting to
## [5841] one side, he fled down the stair.
## [5842]
## [5843] 'After him!' said Thjoden. 'See that he does no harm to any, but do not
## [5844] hurt him or hinder him. Give him a horse, if he wishes it.'
## [5845]
## [5846] 'And if any will bear him,' said Jomer.
## [5847]
## [5848] One of the guards ran down the stair. Another went to the well at the
## [5849] foot of the terrace and in his helm drew water. With it he washed clean the
## [5850] stones that Wormtongue had defiled.
## [5851]
## [5852] 'Now my guests, come!' said Thjoden. 'Come and take such refreshment as
## [5853] haste allows.'
## [5854]
## [5855] They passed back into the great house. Already they heard below them in
## [5856] the town the heralds crying and the war -horns blowing. For the king was to
## [5857] ride forth as soon as the men of the town and those dwelling near could be
## [5858] armed and assembled.
## [5859]
## [5860] At the king's board sat Jomer and the four guests, and there also
## [5861] waiting upon the king was the lady Jowyn. They ate and drank swiftly. The
## [5862] others were silent while Thjoden questioned Gandalf concerning Saruman.
## [5863]
## [5864] 'How far back his treachery goes, who can guess?' said Gandalf. 'He was
## [5865] not always evil. Once I do not doubt that he was the friend of Rohan; and
## [5866] even when his heart grew colder, he found you useful still. But for long now
## [5867] he has plotted your ruin, wearing the mask of Friendship, until he was
## [5868] ready. In those years Wormtongue's task was easy, and all that you did was
## [5869] swiftly known in Isengard; for your land was open, and strangers came and
## [5870]
## [5871]
## [5872]
## [5873]
## [5874] went. And ever Wormtongue's whispering was in your ears, poisoning your
## [5875] thought, chilling your heart, weakening your limbs, while others watched and
## [5876] could do nothing, for your will was in his keeping.
## [5877]
## [5878] 'But when I escaped and warned you, then the mask was torn, for those
## [5879] who would see. After that Wormtongue played dangerously, always seeking
## [5880] to
## [5881]
## [5882] delay you, to prevent your full strength being gathered. He was crafty:
## [5883] dulling men's wariness, or working on their fears, as served the occasion.
## [5884]
## [5885] Do you not remember how eagerly he urged that no man should be spared on
## [5886] a
## [5887]
## [5888] wildgoose chase northward, when the immediate peril was westward? He
## [5889] persuaded you to forbid Jomer to pursue the raiding Ores. If Jomer had not
## [5890] defied Wormtongue's voice speaking with your mouth, those Ores would
## [5891] have
## [5892]
## [5893] reached Isengard by now, bearing a great prize. Not indeed that prize which
## [5894] Saruman desires above all else, but at the least two members of my Company,
## [5895] sharers of a secret hope, of which even to you, lord, I cannot yet speak
## [5896] openly. Dare you think of what they might now be suffering, or what Saruman
## [5897] might now have learned to our destruction?'
## [5898]
## [5899] 'I owe much to Jomer,' said Thjoden. 'Faithful heart may have forward
## [5900] tongue.' 'Say also,' said Gandalf, 'that to crooked eyes truth may wear a
## [5901] wry face.'
## [5902]
## [5903] 'Indeed my eyes were almost blind,' said Thjoden. 'Most of all I owe to
## [5904] you, my guest. Once again you have come in time. I would give you a gift ere
## [5905] we go, at your own choosing. You have only to name aught that is mine. I
## [5906] reserve now only my sword!'
## [5907]
## [5908] 'Whether I came in time or not is yet to be seen,' said Gandalf. 'But
## [5909] as for your gift, lord, I will choose one that will fit my need: swift and
## [5910] sure. Give me Shadowfax! He was only lent before, if loan we may call it.
## [5911] But now shall ride him into great hazard, setting silver against black: I
## [5912] would not risk anything that is not my own. And already there is a bond of
## [5913] love between us.'
## [5914]
## [5915] 'You choose well,' said Thjoden; 'and I give him now gladly. Yet it is
## [5916] a great gift. There is none like to Shadowfax. In him one of the mighty
## [5917] steeds of old has returned. None such shall return again. And to you my
## [5918] other guests I will offer such things as may be found in my armoury. Swords
## [5919] you do not need, but there are helms and coats of mail of cunning work,
## [5920]
## [5921]
## [5922]
## [5923]
## [5924] gifts to my fathers out of Gondor. Choose from these ere we go, and may they
## [5925] serve you well!'
## [5926]
## [5927] Now men came bearing raiment of war from the king's hoard and they
## [5928] arrayed Aragorn and Legolas in shining mail. Helms too they chose, and round
## [5929] shields: their bosses were overlaid with gold and set with gems, green and
## [5930] red and white. Gandalf took no armour; and Gimli needed no coat of rings,
## [5931] even if one had been found to match his stature, for there was no hauberk in
## [5932] the hoards of Edoras of better make than his short corslet forged beneath
## [5933] the Mountain in the North. But he chose a cap of iron and leather that
## [5934] fitted well upon his round head; and a small shield he also took. It bore
## [5935] the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of
## [5936] Eorl.
## [5937]
## [5938] 'May it keep you well!' said Thjoden. 'It was made for me in Thengel's
## [5939] day, while still I was a boy.'
## [5940]
## [5941] Gimli bowed. 'I am proud, Lord of the Mark, to bear your device,' he
## [5942] said. 'Indeed sooner would I bear a horse than be borne by one. I love my
## [5943] feet better. But, maybe, I shall come yet where I can stand and fight.'
## [5944]
## [5945] 'It may well be so,' said Thjoden.
## [5946]
## [5947] The king now rose, and at once Jowyn came forward bearing wine. 'Ferthu
## [5948] Thjoden hbl!' she said. 'Receive now this cup and drink in happy hour.
## [5949] Health be with thee at thy going and coming!'
## [5950]
## [5951] Thjoden drank from the cup, and she then proffered it to the guests. As
## [5952] she stood before Aragorn she paused suddenly and looked upon him, and her
## [5953] eyes were shining. And he looked down upon her fair face and smiled; but as
## [5954] he took the cup, his hand met hers, and he knew that she trembled at the
## [5955] touch. 'Hail Aragorn son of Arathorn!' she said. 'Hail Lady of Rohan!' he
## [5956] answered, but his face now was troubled and he did not smile.
## [5957]
## [5958] When they had all drunk, the king went down the hall to the doors.
## [5959]
## [5960] There the guards awaited him, and heralds stood, and all the lords and
## [5961] chiefs were gathered together that remained in Edoras or dwelt nearby.
## [5962]
## [5963] 'Behold! I go forth, and it seems like to be my last riding,' said
## [5964] Thjoden. 'I have no child. Thjodred my son is slain. I name Jomer my
## [5965] sister-son to be my heir. If neither of us return, then choose a new lord as
## [5966] you will. But to some one I must now entrust my people that I leave behind,
## [5967] to rule them in my place. Which of you will stay?'
## [5968]
## [5969] No man spoke.
## [5970]
## [5971] 'Is there none whom you would name? In whom do my people trust?'
## [5972]
## [5973]
## [5974]
## [5975]
## [5976] 'In the House of Eorl,' answered Hbma.
## [5977]
## [5978] 'But Jomer I cannot spare, nor would he stay,' said the king; 'and he
## [5979] is the last of that House.'
## [5980]
## [5981] 'I said not Jomer,' answered Hbma. 'And he is not the last. There is
## [5982] Jowyn, daughter of Jomund, his sister. She is fearless and high-hearted. All
## [5983] love her. Let her be as lord to the Eorlingas, while we are gone.'
## [5984]
## [5985] 'It shall be so,' said Thjoden. 'Let the heralds announce to the folk
## [5986] that the Lady Jowyn will lead them!'
## [5987]
## [5988] Then the king sat upon a seat before his doors, and Jowyn knelt before
## [5989] him and received from him a sword and a fair corslet. 'Larewell
## [5990] sister-daughter!' he said. 'Dark is the hour, yet maybe we shall return to
## [5991] the Golden Hall. But in Dunharrow the people may long defend themselves,
## [5992] and
## [5993]
## [5994] if the battle go ill, thither will come all who escape.' 'Speak not so!' she
## [5995] answered. 'A year shall I endure for every day that passes until your
## [5996] return.' But as she spoke her eyes went to Aragorn who stood nearby.
## [5997]
## [5998] 'The king shall come again,' he said. 'Lear not! Not West but East does
## [5999] our doom await us.'
## [6000]
## [6001] The king now went down the stair with Gandalf beside him. The others
## [6002] followed. Aragorn looked back as they passed towards the gate. Alone Jowyn
## [6003] stood before the doors of the house at the stair's head; the sword was set
## [6004] upright before her, and her hands were laid upon the hilt. She was clad now
## [6005] in mail and shone like silver in the sun.
## [6006]
## [6007] Gimli walked with Legolas. his axe on his shoulder. 'Well, at last we
## [6008] set off!' he said. 'Men need many words before deeds. My axe is restless in
## [6009] my hands. Though I doubt not that these Rohirrim are fell -handed when they
## [6010] come to it. Nonetheless this is not the warfare that suits me. How shall I
## [6011] come to the battle? I wish I could walk and not bump like a sack at
## [6012] Gandalf 's saddlebow.'
## [6013]
## [6014] 'A safer seat than many, I guess,' said Legolas. 'Yet doubtless Gandalf
## [6015] will gladly put you down on your feet when blows begin; or Shadowfax
## [6016] himself. An axe is no weapon for a rider.'
## [6017]
## [6018] 'And a Dwarf is no horseman. It is ore-necks I would hew, not shave the
## [6019] scalps of Men,' said Gimli, patting the haft of his axe.
## [6020]
## [6021] At the gate they found a great host of men, old and young, all ready in
## [6022] the saddle. More than a thousand were there mustered. Their spears were like
## [6023] a springing wood. Loudly and joyously they shouted as Thjoden came forth.
## [6024]
## [6025]
## [6026]
## [6027]
## [6028] Some held in readiness the king's horse, Snowmane, and others held the
## [6029] horses of Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli stood ill at ease, frowning, but Jomer
## [6030] came up to him, leading his horse.
## [6031]
## [6032] ’Hail, Gimli Gluin’s son!’ he cried. ’I have not had time to learn
## [6033] gentle speech under your rod, as you promised. But shall we not put aside
## [6034] our quarrel? At least I will speak no evil again of the Lady of the Wood.’
## [6035]
## [6036] ’I will forget my wrath for a while, Jomer son of Jomund,' said Gimli;
## [6037]
## [6038] 'but if ever you chance to see the Lady Galadriel with your eyes, then you
## [6039] shall acknowledge her the fairest of ladies, or our friendship will end.'
## [6040]
## [6041] 'So be it!’ said Jomer. 'But until that time pardon me, and in token of
## [6042] pardon ride with me, I beg. Gandalf will be at the head with the Lord of the
## [6043] Mark; but Firefoot, my horse, will bear us both, if you will.'
## [6044]
## [6045] 'I thank you indeed,' said Gimli greatly pleased. 'I will gladly go
## [6046] with you, if Legolas, my comrade, may ride beside us.'
## [6047]
## [6048] 'It shall he so,' said Jomer. 'Legolas upon my left, and Aragorn upon
## [6049] my right, and none will dare to stand before us!'
## [6050]
## [6051] 'Where is Shadowfax?' said Gandalf.
## [6052]
## [6053] 'Running wild over the grass,' they answered. 'He will let no man
## [6054] handle him. There he goes, away down by the ford, like a shadow among the
## [6055] willows.'
## [6056]
## [6057] Gandalf whistled and called aloud the horse's name, and far away he
## [6058] tossed his head and neighed, and turning sped towards the host like an
## [6059] arrow.
## [6060]
## [6061] 'Were the breath of the West Wind to take a body visible, even so would
## [6062] it appear,' said Jomer, as the great horse ran up, until he stood before the
## [6063] wizard.
## [6064]
## [6065] 'The gift seems already to be given,' said Thjoden. 'But hearken all!
## [6066]
## [6067] Here now I name my guest, Gandalf Greyhame, wisest of counsellors; most
## [6068] welcome of wanderers, a lord of the Mark, a chieftain of the Eorlingas while
## [6069] our kin shall last; and I give to him Shadowfax, prince of horses.'
## [6070]
## [6071] 'I thank you, Thjoden King,' said Gandalf. Then suddenly he threw back
## [6072] his grey cloak, and cast aside his hat, and leaped to horseback. He wore no
## [6073] helm nor mail. His snowy hair flew free in the wind, his white robes shone
## [6074] dazzling in the sun.
## [6075]
## [6076] 'Behold the White Rider!' cried Aragorn, and all took up the words.
## [6077]
## [6078] 'Our King and the White Rider!' they shouted. 'Forth Eorlingas!'
## [6079]
## [6080] The trumpets sounded. The horses reared and neighed. Spear clashed on
## [6081]
## [6082]
## [6083]
## [6084]
## [6085] shield. Then the king raised his hand, and with a rush like the sudden onset
## [6086] of a great wind the last host of Rohan rode thundering into the West. Far
## [6087] over the plain Jowyn saw the glitter of their spears, as she stood still,
## [6088] alone before the doors of the silent house.
## [6089]
## [6090]
## [6091]
## [6092]
## [6093] Chapter 7. Helm's Deep
## [6094]
## [6095]
## [6096]
## [6097] The sun was already westering as they rode from Edoras, and the light
## [6098] of it was in their eyes, turning all the rolling fields of Rohan to a golden
## [6099] haze. There was a beaten way, north-westward along the foot-hills of the
## [6100] White Mountains, and this they followed, up and down in a green country,
## [6101] crossing small swift streams by many fords. Far ahead and to their right the
## [6102] Misty Mountains loomed; ever darker and taller they grew as the miles went
## [6103] by. The sun went slowly down before them. Evening came behind.
## [6104]
## [6105] The host rode on. Need drove them. Fearing to come too late, they rode
## [6106] with all the speed they could, pausing seldom. Swift and enduring were the
## [6107] steeds of Rohan, but there were many leagues to go. Forty leagues and more
## [6108] it was, as a bird flies, from Edoras to the fords of the Isen, where they
## [6109] hoped to find the king’s men that held back the hosts of Saruman.
## [6110]
## [6111] Night closed about them. At last they halted to make their camp. They
## [6112] had ridden for some five hours and were far out upon the western plain, yet
## [6113] more than half their journey lay still before them. In a great circle, under
## [6114] the starry sky and the waxing moon, they now made their bivouac. They lit no
## [6115] fires, for they were uncertain of events; but they set a ring of mounted
## [6116] guards about them, and scouts rode out far ahead, passing like shadows in
## [6117] the folds of the land. The slow night passed without tidings or alarm. At
## [6118] dawn the horns sounded, and within an hour they took the road again.
## [6119]
## [6120] There were no clouds overhead yet, but a heaviness was in the air; it
## [6121] was hot for the season of the year. The rising sun was hazy, and behind it,
## [6122] following it slowly up the sky, there was a growing darkness, as of a great
## [6123] storm moving out of the East. And away in the North-west there seemed to be
## [6124] another darkness brooding about the feet of the Misty Mountains, a shadow
## [6125] that crept down slowly from the Wizard's Vale.
## [6126]
## [6127] Gandalf dropped back to where Legolas rode beside Jomer. ’You have the
## [6128] keen eyes of your fair kindred, Legolas,’ he said; ’and they can tell a
## [6129] sparrow from a finch a league off. Tell me, can you sec anything away yonder
## [6130] towards Isengard?’
## [6131]
## [6132] ’Many miles lie between,’ said Legolas, gazing thither and shading his
## [6133] eyes with his long hand. ’I can see a darkness. There are shapes moving in
## [6134] it, great shapes far away upon the bank of the river; but what they are I
## [6135]
## [6136]
## [6137]
## [6138]
## [6139] cannot tell. It is not mist or cloud that defeats my eyes: there is a
## [6140] veiling shadow that some power lays upon the land, and it marches slowly
## [6141] down stream. It is as if the twilight under endless trees were flowing
## [6142] downwards from the hills.'
## [6143]
## [6144] 'And behind us comes a very storm of Mordor,' said Gandalf. 'It will be
## [6145] a black night.'
## [6146]
## [6147] As the second day of their riding drew on, the heaviness in the air
## [6148] increased. In the afternoon the dark clouds began to overtake them: a sombre
## [6149] canopy with great billowing edges flecked with dazzling light. The sun went
## [6150] down, blood-red in a smoking haze. The spears of the Riders were tipped with
## [6151] fire as the last shafts of light kindled the steep faces of the peaks of
## [6152] Thrihyrne: now very near they stood on the northernmost arm of the White
## [6153] Mountains, three jagged horns staring at the sunset. In the last red glow
## [6154] men in the vanguard saw a black speck, a horseman riding back towards them.
## [6155] They halted awaiting him.
## [6156]
## [6157] He came, a weary man with dinted helm and cloven shield. Slowly he
## [6158] climbed from his horse and stood there a while gasping. At length he spoke.
## [6159]
## [6160] 'Is Jomer here?' he asked. 'You come at last, but too late, and with too
## [6161] little strength. Things have gone evilly since Thjodred fell. We were driven
## [6162] back yesterday over the Isen with great loss; many perished at the crossing.
## [6163] Then at night fresh forces came over the river against our camp. All
## [6164] Isengard must be emptied; and Saruman has armed the wild hillmen and
## [6165] herd-folk of Dunland beyond the rivers, and these also he loosed upon us. We
## [6166] were overmastered. The shield- wall was broken. Erkenbrand of Westfold has
## [6167] drawn off those men he could gather towards his fastness in Helm's Deep. The
## [6168] rest are scattered.
## [6169]
## [6170] 'Where is Jomer? Tell him there is no hope ahead. He should return to
## [6171] Edoras before the wolves of Isengard come there.' Thjoden had sat silent,
## [6172] hidden from the man's sight behind his guards; now he urged his horse
## [6173] forward. 'Come, stand before me, Ceorl!' he said. 'I am here. The last host
## [6174] of the Eorlingas has ridden forth. It will not return without battle.'
## [6175]
## [6176] The man's face lightened with joy and wonder. He drew himself up. Then
## [6177] he knelt, offering his notched sword to the king. 'Command me, lord!' he
## [6178] cried. 'And pardon me! I thought—'
## [6179]
## [6180] 'You thought I remained in Meduseld bent like an old tree under winter
## [6181] snow. So it was when you rode to war. But a west wind has shaken the
## [6182] boughs,' said Thjoden. 'Give this man a fresh horse! Let us ride to the help
## [6183]
## [6184]
## [6185]
## [6186]
## [6187] of Erkenbrand!'
## [6188]
## [6189] While Thjoden was speaking, Gandalf rode a short way ahead, and he sat
## [6190] there alone, gazing north to Isengard and west to the setting sun. Now he
## [6191] came back.
## [6192]
## [6193] 'Ride, Thjoden!' he said. 'Ride to Helm's Deep! Go not to the Fords of
## [6194] Isen, and do not tarry in the plain! I must leave you for a while. Shadowfax
## [6195] must bear me now on a swift errand.' Turning to Aragorn and Jomer and the
## [6196] men of the king's household, he cried: 'Keep well the Lord of the Mark, till
## [6197] I return. Await me at Helm's Gate! Farewell!'
## [6198]
## [6199] He spoke a word to Shadowfax, and like an arrow from the bow the great
## [6200] horse sprang away. Even as they looked he was gone: a flash of silver in the
## [6201] sunset, a wind over the grass, a shadow that fled and passed from sight.
## [6202] Snowmane snorted and reared, eager to follow; but only a swift bird on the
## [6203] wing could have overtaken him.
## [6204]
## [6205] 'What does that mean?' said one of the guard to Hbma.
## [6206]
## [6207] 'That Gandalf Greyhame has need of haste,' answered Hbma. 'Ever he goes
## [6208] and comes unlooked-for:'
## [6209]
## [6210] 'Wormtongue, were he here, would not find it hard to explain 'Said the
## [6211] other.
## [6212]
## [6213] 'True enough,' said Hbma; 'but for myself, I will wait until I see
## [6214] Gandalf again.'
## [6215]
## [6216] 'Maybe you will wait long,' said the other.
## [6217]
## [6218] The host turned away now from the road to the Fords of Isen and bent
## [6219] their course southward. Night fell, and still they rode on. The hills drew
## [6220] near, but the tall peaks of Thrihyrne were already dim against the darkening
## [6221] sky. Still some miles away, on the far side of the Westfold Vale, lay a
## [6222] green coomb, a great bay in the mountains, out of which a gorge opened in
## [6223] the hills. Men of that land called it Helm's Deep, after a hero of old wars
## [6224] who had made his refuge there. Ever steeper and narrower it wound inward
## [6225] from the north under the shadow of the Thrihyrne, till the crow-haunted
## [6226] cliffs rose like mighty towers on either side, shutting out the light.
## [6227]
## [6228] At Helm's Gate, before the mouth of the Deep, there was a heel of rock
## [6229] thrust outward by the northern cliff. There upon its spur stood high walls
## [6230] of ancient stone, and within them was a lofty tower. Men said that in the
## [6231] far-off days of the glory of Gondor the sea-kings had built here this
## [6232] fastness with the hands of giants. The Hornburg it was called, for a trumpet
## [6233] sounded upon the tower echoed in the Deep behind, as if armies
## [6234]
## [6235]
## [6236]
## [6237]
## [6238] long -forgotten were issuing to war from caves beneath the hills. A wall,
## [6239] too, the men of old had made from the Hornburg to the southern cliff,
## [6240] barring the entrance to the gorge. Beneath it by a wide culvert the
## [6241] Deeping-stream passed out. About the feet of the Hornrock it wound, and
## [6242] flowed then in a gully through the midst of a wide green gore, sloping
## [6243] gently down from Helm's Gate to Helm's Dike. Thence it fell into the
## [6244] Deeping-coomb and out into the Westfold Vale. There in the Hornburg at
## [6245] Helm's Gate Erkenbrand, master of Westfold on the borders of the Mark, now
## [6246] dwelt. As the days darkened with threat of war, being wise, he had repaired
## [6247] the wall and made the fastness strong.
## [6248]
## [6249] The Riders were still in the low valley before the mouth of the Coomb,
## [6250] when cries and hornblasts were heard from their scouts that went in front.
## [6251]
## [6252] Out of the darkness arrows whistled. Swiftly a scout rode back and reported
## [6253] that wolf-riders were abroad in the valley, and that a host of Ores and wild
## [6254] men were hurrying southward from the Fords of Isen and seemed to be
## [6255] making
## [6256]
## [6257] for Helm's Deep.
## [6258]
## [6259] 'We have found many of our folk lying slain as they fled thither,' said
## [6260] the scout. 'And we have met scattered companies, going this way and that,
## [6261] leaderless. What has become of Erkenbrand none seem to know. It is likely
## [6262] that he will be overtaken ere he can reach Helm's Gate, if he has not
## [6263] already perished.'
## [6264]
## [6265] 'Has aught been seen of Gandalf?' asked Thjoden.
## [6266]
## [6267] 'Yes, lord. Many have seen an old man in white upon a horse, passing
## [6268] hither and thither over the plains like wind in the grass. Some thought he
## [6269] was Saruman. It is said that he went away ere nightfall towards Isengard.
## [6270] Some say also that Wormtongue was seen earlier, going northward with a
## [6271] company of Ores.'
## [6272]
## [6273] 'It will go ill with Wormtongue, if Gandalf comes upon him said
## [6274] Thjoden. 'Nonetheless I miss now both my counsellors, the old and the new.
## [6275] But in this need we have no better choice than to go on, as Gandalf said, to
## [6276] Helm's Gate, whether Erkenbrand be there or no. Is it known how great is the
## [6277] host that comes from the North?'
## [6278]
## [6279] 'It is very great,' said the scout. 'He that flies counts every foeman
## [6280] twice, yet I have spoken to stouthearted men, and I do not doubt that the
## [6281] main strength of the enemy is many times as great as all that we have here.'
## [6282]
## [6283] 'Then let us be swift,' said Jomer. 'Let us drive through such foes as
## [6284]
## [6285]
## [6286]
## [6287]
## [6288] are already between us and the fastness. There are caves in Helm's Deep
## [6289] where hundreds may lie hid; and secret ways lead thence up on to the hills.
## [6290]
## [6291] Trust not to secret ways,' said the king. ’Saruman has long spied out
## [6292] this land. Still in that place our defence may last long. Let us go!'
## [6293]
## [6294] Aragorn and Legolas went now with Jomer in the van. On through the dark
## [6295] night they rode, ever slower as the darkness deepened and their way climbed
## [6296] southward, higher and higher into the dim folds about the mountains' feet.
## [6297] They found few of the enemy before them. Here and there they came upon
## [6298] roving bands of Ores; but they fled ere the Riders could take or slay them.
## [6299]
## [6300] 'It will not be long I fear,' said Jomer, 'ere the coming of the king's
## [6301] host will be known to the leader of our enemies, Saruman or whatever captain
## [6302] he has sent forth.'
## [6303]
## [6304] The rumour of war grew behind them. Now they could hear, borne over the
## [6305] dark, the sound of harsh singing. They had climbed far up into the
## [6306] Deeping-coomb when they looked back. Then they saw torches countless
## [6307] points
## [6308]
## [6309] of fiery light upon the black fields behind, scattered like red flowers, or
## [6310] winding up from the lowlands in long flickering lines. Here and there a
## [6311] larger blaze leapt up.
## [6312]
## [6313] 'It is a great host and follows us hard,' said Aragorn.
## [6314]
## [6315] 'They bring fire,' said Thjoden, 'and they are burning as they come,
## [6316] rick, cot, and tree. This was a rich vale and had many homesteads. Alas for
## [6317] my folk!'
## [6318]
## [6319] 'Would that day was here and we might ride down upon them like a storm
## [6320] out of the mountains!' said Aragorn. 'It grieves me to fly before them.'
## [6321]
## [6322] 'We need not fly much further,' said Jomer. 'Not far ahead now lies
## [6323] Helm's Dike, an ancient trench and rampart scored across the coomb, two
## [6324] furlongs below Helm's Gate. There we can turn and give battle.'
## [6325]
## [6326] 'Nay, we are too few to defend the Dike,' said Thjoden. 'It is a mile
## [6327] long or more, and the breach in it is wide.'
## [6328]
## [6329] 'At the breach our rearguard must stand, if we are pressed,' said
## [6330] Jomer.
## [6331]
## [6332] There was neither star nor moon when the Riders came to the breach in
## [6333] the Dike, where the stream from above passed out, and the road beside it ran
## [6334] down from the Hornburg. The rampart loomed suddenly before them, a high
## [6335] shadow beyond a dark pit. As they rode up a sentinel challenged them.
## [6336]
## [6337] 'The Lord of the Mark rides to Helm's Gate,' Jomer answered. 'I, Jomer
## [6338]
## [6339]
## [6340]
## [6341]
## [6342] son of Jomund, speak.'
## [6343]
## [6344] This is good tidings beyond hope,' said the sentinel. 'Hasten! The
## [6345] enemy is on your heels.'
## [6346]
## [6347] The host passed through the breach and halted on the sloping sward
## [6348] above. They now learned to their joy that Erkenbrand had left many men to
## [6349] hold Helm's Gate, and more had since escaped thither.
## [6350]
## [6351] 'Maybe, we have a thousand fit to fight on foot,' said Gamling, an old
## [6352] man, the leader of those that watched the Dike. 'But most of them have seen
## [6353] too many winters, as I have, or too few, as my son's son here. What news of
## [6354] Erkenbrand? Word came yesterday that he was retreating hither with all that
## [6355] is left of the best Riders of Westfold. But he has not come.'
## [6356]
## [6357] 'I fear that he will not come now,' said Jomer. 'Our scouts have gained
## [6358] no news of him, and the enemy fills all the valley behind us.'
## [6359]
## [6360] 'I would that he had escaped,' said Thjoden. 'He was a mighty man. In
## [6361] him lived again the valour of Helm the Hammerhand. But we cannot await
## [6362] him
## [6363]
## [6364] here. We must draw all our forces now behind the walls. Are you well stored?
## [6365] We bring little provision, for we rode forth to open battle, not to a
## [6366] siege.'
## [6367]
## [6368] 'Behind us in the caves of the Deep are three parts of the folk of
## [6369] Westfold, old and young, children and women,' said Gamling. 'But great store
## [6370] of food, and many beasts and their fodder, have also been gathered there.'
## [6371]
## [6372] 'That is well,' said Jomer. 'They are burning or despoiling all that is
## [6373] left in the vale.'
## [6374]
## [6375] 'If they come to bargain for our goods at Helm's Gate, they will pay a
## [6376] high price,' said Gamling.
## [6377]
## [6378] The king and his Riders passed on. Before the causeway that crossed the
## [6379] stream they dismounted. In a long file they led their horses up the ramp and
## [6380] passed within the gates of the Hornburg. There they were welcomed again with
## [6381] joy and renewed hope; for now there were men enough to man both the burg
## [6382] and
## [6383]
## [6384] the barrier wall.
## [6385]
## [6386] Quickly Jomer set his men in readiness. The king and the men of his
## [6387] household were in the Hornburg, and there also were many of the
## [6388] Westfold-men. But on the Deeping Wall and its tower, and behind it, Jomer
## [6389] arrayed most of the strength that he had, for here the defence seemed more
## [6390] doubtful, if the assault were determined and in great force. The horses were
## [6391]
## [6392]
## [6393]
## [6394]
## [6395] led far up the Deep under such guard as could be spared.
## [6396]
## [6397] The Deeping Wall was twenty feet high, and so thick that four men could
## [6398] walk abreast along the top, sheltered by a parapet over which only a tall
## [6399] man could look. Here and there were clefts in the stone through which men
## [6400] could shoot. This battlement could be reached by a stair running down from a
## [6401] door in the outer court of the Hornburg; three flights of steps led also up
## [6402] on to the wall from the Deep behind; but in front it was smooth, and the
## [6403] great stones of it were set with such skill that no foothold could be found
## [6404] at their joints, and at the top they hung over like a sea-delved cliff.
## [6405]
## [6406] Gimli stood leaning against the breastwork upon the wall. Legolas sat
## [6407] above on the parapet, fingering his bow, and peering out into the gloom.
## [6408]
## [6409] This is more to my liking,' said the dwarf, stamping on the stones.
## [6410]
## [6411] 'Ever my heart rises as we draw near the mountains. There is good rock here.
## [6412] This country has tough bones. I felt them in my feet as we came up from the
## [6413] dike. Give me a year and a hundred of my kin and I would make this a place
## [6414] that armies would break upon like water.’
## [6415]
## [6416] ’I do not doubt it,' said Legolas. 'But you are a dwarf, and dwarves
## [6417] are strange folk. I do not like this place, and I shall like it no more by
## [6418] the light of day. But you comfort me, Gimli, and I am glad to have you
## [6419] standing nigh with your stout legs and your hard axe. I wish there were more
## [6420] of your kin among us. But even more would I give for a hundred good archers
## [6421] of Mirkwood. We shall need them. The Rohirrim have good bowmen after
## [6422] their
## [6423]
## [6424] fashion, but there are too few here, too few.'
## [6425]
## [6426] 'It is dark for archery,' said Gimli. 'Indeed it is time for sleep.
## [6427]
## [6428] Sleep! I feel the need of it, as never I thought any dwarf could. Riding is
## [6429] tiring work. Yet my axe is restless in my hand. Give me a row of ore-necks
## [6430] and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me!'
## [6431]
## [6432] A slow time passed. Far down in the valley scattered fires still
## [6433] burned. The hosts of Isengard were advancing in silence now. Their torches
## [6434] could be seen winding up the coomb in many lines.
## [6435]
## [6436] Suddenly from the Dike yells and screams, and the fierce battle-cries
## [6437] of men broke out. Flaming brands appeared over the brink and clustered
## [6438] thickly at the breach. Then they scattered and vanished. Men came galloping
## [6439] back over the field and up the ramp to the gate of the Hornburg. The
## [6440] rearguard of the Westfolders had been driven in.
## [6441]
## [6442] 'The enemy is at hand!' they said. 'We loosed every arrow that we had,
## [6443]
## [6444]
## [6445]
## [6446]
## [6447] and filled the Dike with Ores. But it will not halt them long. Already they
## [6448] are scaling the bank at many points, thick as marching ants. But we have
## [6449] taught them not to carry torches.'
## [6450]
## [6451] It was now past midnight. The sky was utterly dark, and the stillness
## [6452] of the heavy air foreboded storm. Suddenly the clouds were seared by a
## [6453] blinding flash. Branched lightning smote down upon the eastward hills. For a
## [6454] staring moment the watchers on the walls saw all the space between them and
## [6455] the Dike lit with white light: it was boiling and crawling with black
## [6456] shapes, some squat and broad, some tall and grim, with high helms and sable
## [6457] shields. Hundreds and hundreds more were pouring over the Dike and through
## [6458] the breach. The dark tide flowed up to the walls from cliff to cliff.
## [6459]
## [6460] Thunder rolled in the valley. Rain came lashing down.
## [6461]
## [6462] Arrows thick as the rain came whistling over the battlements, and fell
## [6463] clinking and glancing on the stones. Some found a mark. The assault on
## [6464] Helm's Deep had begun, but no sound or challenge was heard within; no
## [6465] answering arrows came.
## [6466]
## [6467] The assailing hosts halted, foiled by the silent menace of rock and
## [6468] wall. Ever and again the lightning tore aside the darkness. Then the Ores
## [6469] screamed, waving spear and sword, and shooting a cloud of arrows at any that
## [6470] stood revealed upon the battlements; and the men of the Mark amazed looked
## [6471] out, as it seemed to them, upon a great field of dark corn, tossed by a
## [6472] tempest of war, and every ear glinted with barbed light.
## [6473]
## [6474] Brazen trumpets sounded. The enemy surged forward, some against the
## [6475] Deeping Wall, other towards the causeway and the ramp that led up to the
## [6476] Hornburg-gates. There the hugest Ores were mustered, and the wild men of the
## [6477] Dunland fells. A moment they hesitated and then on they came. The lightning
## [6478] flashed, and blazoned upon every helm and shield the ghastly hand of
## [6479] Isengard was seen: They reached the summit of the rock; they drove towards
## [6480] the gates.
## [6481]
## [6482] Then at last an answer came: a storm of arrows met them, and a hail of
## [6483] stones. They wavered, broke, and fled back; and then charged again, broke
## [6484] and charged again; and each time, like the incoming sea, they halted at a
## [6485] higher point. Again trumpets rang, and a press of roaring men leaped forth.
## [6486] They held their great shields above them like a roof, while in their midst
## [6487] they bore two trunks of mighty trees. Behind them ore-archers crowded,
## [6488] sending a hail of darts against the bowmen on the walls. They gained the
## [6489] gates. The trees, swung by strong arms, smote the timbers with a rending
## [6490]
## [6491]
## [6492]
## [6493]
## [6494] boom. If any man fell, crushed by a stone hurtling from above, two others
## [6495] sprang to take his place. Again and again the great rams swung and crashed.
## [6496]
## [6497] Jomer and Aragorn stood together on the Deeping Wall. They heard the
## [6498] roar of voices and the thudding of the rams; and then in a sudden flash of
## [6499] light they beheld the peril of the gates.
## [6500]
## [6501] 'Come!' said Aragorn. 'This is the hour when we draw swords together!'
## [6502]
## [6503] Running like fire, they sped along the wall, and up the steps, and
## [6504] passed into the outer court upon the Rock. As they ran they gathered a
## [6505] handful of stout swordsmen. There was a small postern-door that opened in an
## [6506] angle of the burg- wall on the west, where the cliff stretched out to meet
## [6507] it. On that side a narrow path ran round towards the great gate, between the
## [6508] wall and the sheer brink of the Rock. Together Jomer and Aragorn sprang
## [6509] through the door, their men close behind. The swords flashed from the sheath
## [6510] as one.
## [6511]
## [6512] 'G®thwinl!' cried Jomer. 'G®thwinl for the Mark!'
## [6513]
## [6514] 'And®ril!' cried Aragorn. 'And®ril for the D®nedain!'
## [6515]
## [6516] Charging from the side, they hurled themselves upon the wild men.
## [6517] And®ril rose and fell, gleaming with white fire. A shout went up from wall
## [6518] and tower: 'And®ril! And®ril goes to war. The Blade that was Broken shines
## [6519] again!'
## [6520]
## [6521] Dismayed the rammers let fall the trees and turned to fight; but the
## [6522] wall of their shields was broken as by a lightning-stroke, and they were
## [6523] swept away, hewn down, or cast over the Rock into the stony stream below.
## [6524] The ore-archers shot wildly and then fled.
## [6525]
## [6526] For a moment Jomer and Aragorn halted before the gates. The thunder was
## [6527] rumbling in the distance now. The lightning flickered still, far off among
## [6528] the mountains in the South. A keen wind was blowing from the North again.
## [6529] The clouds were torn and drifting, and stars peeped out; and above the hills
## [6530] of the Coomb-side the westering moon rode, glimmering yellow in the
## [6531] storm-wrack.
## [6532]
## [6533] 'We did not come too soon,' said Aragorn, looking at the gates. Their
## [6534] great hinges and iron bars were wrenched and bent; many of their timbers
## [6535] were cracked.
## [6536]
## [6537] 'Yet we cannot stay here beyond the walls to defend them,' said Jomer.
## [6538] 'Look!' He pointed to the causeway. Already a great press of Ores and Men
## [6539] were gathering again beyond the stream. Arrows whined, and skipped on the
## [6540] stones about them. 'Come! We must get back and see what we can do to pile
## [6541]
## [6542]
## [6543]
## [6544]
## [6545] stone and beam across the gates within. Come now!'
## [6546]
## [6547] They turned and ran. At that moment some dozen Ores that had lain
## [6548] motionless among the slain leaped to their feet, and came silently and
## [6549] swiftly behind. Two flung themselves to the ground at Jomer's heels, tripped
## [6550] him, and in a moment they were on top of him. But a small dark figure that
## [6551] none had observed sprang out of the shadows and gave a hoarse shout: Baruk
## [6552] Khazvd! Khazvd ai-mknu! An axe swung and swept back. Two Ores fell
## [6553] headless.
## [6554]
## [6555] The rest fled.
## [6556]
## [6557] Jomer struggled to his feet, even as Aragorn ran back to his aid.
## [6558]
## [6559] The postern was closed again, the iron door was barred and piled inside
## [6560] with stones. When all were safe within, Jomer turned: ’I thank you, Gimli
## [6561] son of Gluin!' he said. ’I did not know that you were with us in the sortie.
## [6562]
## [6563] But oft the unbidden guest proves the best company. How came you there?’
## [6564]
## [6565] ’I followed you to shake off sleep,’ said Gimli; 'but I looked on the
## [6566] hillmen and they seemed over large for me, so I sat beside a stone to see
## [6567] your sword-play.’
## [6568]
## [6569] ’I shall not find it easy to repay you,’ said Jomer.
## [6570]
## [6571] ’There may be many a chance ere the night is over,’ laughed the Dwarf.
## [6572]
## [6573] ’But I am content. Till now I have hewn naught but wood since I left Moria.’
## [6574]
## [6575] ’Two!’ said Gimli, patting his axe. He had returned to his place on the
## [6576] wall.
## [6577]
## [6578] ’Two?’ said Legolas. ’I have done better, though now I must grope for
## [6579] spent arrows; all mine are gone. Yet I make my tale twenty at the least. But
## [6580] that is only a few leaves in a forest.’
## [6581]
## [6582] The sky now was quickly clearing and the sinking moon was shining
## [6583] brightly. But the light brought little hope to the Riders of the Mark. The
## [6584] enemy before them seemed to have grown rather than diminished, still more
## [6585] were pressing up from the valley through the breach. The sortie upon the
## [6586] Rock gained only a brief respite. The assault on the gates was redoubled.
## [6587] Against the Deeping Wall the hosts of Isengard roared like a sea. Ores and
## [6588] hillmen swarmed about its feet from end to end. Ropes with grappling hooks
## [6589] were hurled over the parapet faster than men could cut them or fling them
## [6590] back. Hundreds of long ladders were lifted up. Many were cast down in ruin,
## [6591] but many more replaced them, and Ores sprang up them like apes in the dark
## [6592] forests of the South. Before the wall’s foot the dead and broken were piled
## [6593] like shingle in a storm; ever higher rose the hideous mounds, and still the
## [6594]
## [6595]
## [6596]
## [6597]
## [6598] enemy came on.
## [6599]
## [6600] The men of Rohan grew weary. All their arrows were spent, and every
## [6601] shaft was shot; their swords were notched, and their shields were riven.
## [6602] Three times Aragorn and Jomer rallied them, and three times And®ril flamed
## [6603] in a desperate charge that drove the enemy from the wall.
## [6604]
## [6605] Then a clamour arose in the Deep behind. Ores had crept like rats
## [6606] through the culvert through which the stream flowed out. There they had
## [6607] gathered in the shadow of the cliffs, until the assault above was hottest
## [6608] and nearly all the men of the defence had rushed to the wall's top. Then
## [6609] they sprang out. Already some had passed into the jaws of the Deep and were
## [6610] among the horses, fighting with the guards.
## [6611]
## [6612] Down from the wall leapt Gimli with a fierce cry that echoed in the
## [6613] cliffs. 'Khazvd! Khazvd!' He soon had work enough.
## [6614]
## [6615] 'Ai-oi!' he shouted. 'The Ores are behind the wall. Ai-oi! Come,
## [6616] Legolas! There are enough for us both. Khazvd ai-mknu!'
## [6617]
## [6618] Gamling the Old looked down from the Hornburg, hearing the great voice
## [6619] of the dwarf above all the tumult. 'The Ores are in the Deep!' he cried.
## [6620] 'Helm! Helm! Forth Helmingas. he shouted as he leaped down the stair from
## [6621] the Rock with many men of Westfold at his back.
## [6622]
## [6623] Their onset was fierce and sudden, and the Ores gave way before them.
## [6624] Ere long they were hemmed in in the narrows of the gorge, and all were slain
## [6625] or driven shrieking into the chasm of the Deep to fall before the guardians
## [6626] of the hidden caves.
## [6627]
## [6628] 'Twenty -one!' cried Gimli. He hewed a two-handed stroke and laid the
## [6629] last Ore before his feet. 'Now my count passes Master Legolas again.'
## [6630]
## [6631] 'We must stop this rat-hole,' said Gamling. 'Dwarves are said to be
## [6632] cunning folk with stone. Lend us your aid, master!'
## [6633]
## [6634] 'We do not shape stone with battle-axes, nor with our finger-nails,'
## [6635] said Gimli. 'But I will help as I may.'
## [6636]
## [6637] They gathered such small boulders and broken stones as they could find
## [6638] to hand, and under Gimli's direction the Westfold-men blocked up the inner
## [6639] end of the culvert, until only a narrow outlet remained. Then the
## [6640] Deeping-stream, swollen by the rain, churned and fretted in its choked path,
## [6641] and spread slowly in cold pools from cliff to cliff.
## [6642]
## [6643] 'It will be drier above,' said Gimli. 'Come, Gamling, let us see how
## [6644] things go on the wall!'
## [6645]
## [6646] He climbed up and found Legolas beside Aragorn and Jomer. The elf was
## [6647]
## [6648]
## [6649]
## [6650]
## [6651] whetting his long knife. There was for a while a lull in the assault, since
## [6652] the attempt to break in through the culvert had been foiled.
## [6653]
## [6654] 'Twenty-one!' said Gimli.
## [6655]
## [6656] 'Good!' said Legolas. 'But my count is now two dozen. It has been
## [6657] knife- work up here.'
## [6658]
## [6659] Jomer and Aragorn leant wearily on their swords. Away on the left the
## [6660] crash and clamour of the battle on the Rock rose loud again. But the
## [6661] Hornburg still held fast, like an island in the sea. Its gates lay in ruin;
## [6662] but over the barricade of beams and stones within no enemy as yet had
## [6663] passed.
## [6664]
## [6665] Aragorn looked at the pale stars, and at the moon, now sloping behind
## [6666] the western hills that enclosed the valley. 'This is a night as long as
## [6667] years,' he said. 'How long will the day tarry?'
## [6668]
## [6669] 'Dawn is not far off,' said Gamling, who had now climbed up beside him.
## [6670] 'But dawn will not help us, I fear.'
## [6671]
## [6672] 'Yet dawn is ever the hope of men,' said Aragorn.
## [6673]
## [6674] 'But these creatures of Isengard, these half-ores and goblin-men that
## [6675] the foul craft of Saruman has bred, they will not quail at the sun,' said
## [6676] Gamling. 'And neither will the wild men of the hills. Do you not hear their
## [6677] voices?'
## [6678]
## [6679] 'I hear them,' said Jomer; 'but they are only the scream of birds and
## [6680] the bellowing of beasts to my ears.'
## [6681]
## [6682] 'Yet there are many that cry in the Dunland tongue,' said Gamling. 'I
## [6683] know that tongue. It is an ancient speech of men, and once was spoken in
## [6684] many western valleys of the Mark. Hark! They hate us, and they are glad; for
## [6685] our doom seems certain to them. 'The king the king!' they cry. 'We will take
## [6686] their king. Death to the Forgoil! Death to the Strawheads ! Death to the
## [6687] robbers of the North!' Such names they have for us. Not in half a thousand
## [6688] years have they forgotten their grievance that the lords of Gondor gave the
## [6689] Mark to Eorl the Young and made alliance with him. That old hatred Saruman
## [6690] has inflamed. They are fierce folk when roused. They will not give way now
## [6691] for dusk or dawn, until Thjoden is taken, or they themselves are slain.'
## [6692]
## [6693] 'Nonetheless day will bring hope to me,' said Aragorn. 'Is it not said
## [6694] that no foe has ever taken the Hornburg, if men defended it?'
## [6695]
## [6696] 'So the minstrels say,' said Jomer.
## [6697]
## [6698] 'Then let us defend it, and hope!' said Aragorn.
## [6699]
## [6700] Even as they spoke there came a blare of trumpets. Then there was a
## [6701]
## [6702]
## [6703]
## [6704]
## [6705] crash and a flash of flame and smoke. The waters of the Deeping-stream
## [6706] poured out hissing and foaming: they were choked no longer, a gaping hole
## [6707] was blasted in the wall. A host of dark shapes poured in.
## [6708]
## [6709] 'Devilry of Saruman!' cried Aragorn. 'They have crept in the culvert
## [6710] again, while we talked, and they have lit the fire of Orthanc beneath our
## [6711] feet. Elendil, Elendil!' he shouted, as he leaped down into the breach; but
## [6712] even as he did so a hundred ladders were raised against the battlements.
## [6713] Over the wall and under the wall the last assault came sweeping like a dark
## [6714] wave upon a hill of sand. The defence was swept away. Some of the Riders
## [6715] were driven back, further and further into the Deep, falling and fighting as
## [6716] they gave way, step by step, towards the caves. Others cut their way back
## [6717] towards the citadel.
## [6718]
## [6719] A broad stairway, climbed from the Deep up to the Rock and the
## [6720] rear-gate of the Hornburg. Near the bottom stood Aragorn. In his hand still
## [6721] And®ril gleamed, and the terror of the sword for a while held back the
## [6722] enemy, as one by one all who could gain the stair passed up towards the
## [6723] gate. Behind on the upper steps knelt Legolas. His bow was bent, but one
## [6724] gleaned arrow was all that he had left, and he peered out now, ready to
## [6725] shoot the first Ore that should dare to approach the stair.
## [6726]
## [6727] 'All who can have now got safe within, Aragorn,' he called. 'Come
## [6728] back!'
## [6729]
## [6730] Aragorn turned and sped up the stair; but as he ran he stumbled in his
## [6731] weariness. At once his enemies leapt forward. Up came the Ores, yelling,
## [6732] with their long arms stretched out to seize him. The foremost fell with
## [6733] Legolas' last arrow in his throat, but the rest sprang over him. Then a
## [6734] great boulder, cast from the outer wall above, crashed down upon the stair,
## [6735] and hurled them back into the Deep. Aragorn gained the door, and swiftly it
## [6736] clanged to behind him.
## [6737]
## [6738] 'Things go ill, my friends,' he said, wiping the sweat from his brow
## [6739] with his arm.
## [6740]
## [6741] 'Ill enough,' said Legolas, 'but not yet hopeless, while we have you
## [6742] with us. Where is Gimli?'
## [6743]
## [6744] 'I do not know.' said Aragorn. 'I last saw him fighting on the ground
## [6745] behind the wall, but the enemy swept us apart.'
## [6746]
## [6747] 'Alas! That is evil news,' said Legolas.
## [6748]
## [6749] 'He is stout and strong,' said Aragorn. 'Let us hope that he will
## [6750] escape back to the caves. There he would be safe for a while. Safer than we.
## [6751]
## [6752]
## [6753]
## [6754]
## [6755] Such a refuge would be to the liking of a dwarf.'
## [6756]
## [6757] That must be my hope" said Legolas. 'But I wish that he had come this
## [6758] way. I desired to tell Master Gimli that my tale is now thirty-nine.'
## [6759]
## [6760] 'If he wins back to the caves, he will pass your count again,' laughed
## [6761] Aragorn. 'Never did I see an axe so wielded.'
## [6762]
## [6763] 'I must go and seek some arrows,' said Legolas. 'Would that this night
## [6764] would end, and I could have better light for shooting.'
## [6765]
## [6766] Aragorn now passed into the citadel. There to his dismay he learned
## [6767] that Jomer had not reached the Hornburg.
## [6768]
## [6769] 'Nay, he did not come to the Rock,' said one of the Westfold-men, 'I
## [6770] last saw him gathering men about him and fighting in the mouth of the Deep.
## [6771] Gamling was with him, and the dwarf; but I could not come to them.'
## [6772]
## [6773] Aragorn strode on through the inner court, and mounted to a high
## [6774] chamber in the tower. There stood the king, dark against a narrow window,
## [6775] looking out upon the vale.
## [6776]
## [6777] 'What is the news, Aragorn?' he said.
## [6778]
## [6779] 'The Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away; but
## [6780] many have escaped hither to the Rock.'
## [6781]
## [6782] 'Is Jomer here?'
## [6783]
## [6784] 'No, lord. But many of your men retreated into the Deep; and some say
## [6785] that Jomer was amongst them. In the narrows they may hold back the enemy
## [6786] and
## [6787]
## [6788] come within the caves. What hope they may have then I do not know.'
## [6789]
## [6790] 'More than we. Good provision, it is said. And the air is wholesome
## [6791] there because of the outlets through fissures in the rock far above. None
## [6792] can force an entrance against determined men. They may hold out long.'
## [6793]
## [6794] 'But the Ores have brought a devilry from Orthanc,' said Aragorn. 'They
## [6795] have a blasting fire, and with it they took the Wall. If they cannot come in
## [6796] the caves, they may seal up those that are inside. But now we must turn all
## [6797] our thoughts to our own defence.'
## [6798]
## [6799] 'I fret in this prison,' said Thjoden. 'If I could have set a spear in
## [6800] rest, riding before my men upon the field, maybe I could have felt again the
## [6801] joy of battle, and so ended. But I serve little purpose here.'
## [6802]
## [6803] 'Here at least you are guarded in the strongest fastness of the Mark,'
## [6804] said Aragorn. 'More hope we have to defend you in the Hornburg than in
## [6805] Edoras, or even at Dunharrow in the mountains.'
## [6806]
## [6807] 'It is said that the Hornburg has never fallen to assault,' said
## [6808]
## [6809]
## [6810]
## [6811]
## [6812] Thjoden; 'but now my heart is doubtful. The world changes, and all that once
## [6813] was strong now proves unsure. How shall any tower withstand such numbers
## [6814] and
## [6815]
## [6816] such reckless hate? Had I known that the strength of Isengard was grown so
## [6817] great, maybe 1 should not so rashly have ridden forth to meet it, for all
## [6818] the arts of Gandalf. His counsel seems not now so good as it did under the
## [6819] morning sun.'
## [6820]
## [6821] 'Do not judge the counsel of Gandalf, until all is over, lord,' said
## [6822] Aragorn.
## [6823]
## [6824] 'The end will not be long,' said the king. 'But I will not end here,
## [6825] taken like an old badger in a trap. Snowmane and Hasufel and the horses of
## [6826] my guard are in the inner court. When dawn comes, I will bid men sound
## [6827] Helm's horn, and I will ride forth. Will you ride with me then, son of
## [6828] Arathorn? Maybe we shall cleave a road, or make such an end as will be worth
## [6829] a song-if any be left to sing of us hereafter.'
## [6830]
## [6831] 'I will ride with you,' said Aragorn.
## [6832]
## [6833] Taking his leave, he returned to the walls, and passed round all their
## [6834] circuit, enheartening the men, and lending aid wherever the assault was hot.
## [6835] Legolas went with him. Blasts of fire leaped up from below shaking the
## [6836] stones. Grappling -hooks were hurled, and ladders raised. Again and again the
## [6837] Ores gained the summit of the outer wall, and again the defenders cast them
## [6838] down.
## [6839]
## [6840] At last Aragorn stood above the great gates, heedless of the darts of
## [6841] the enemy. As he looked forth he saw the eastern sky grow pale. Then he
## [6842] raised his empty hand, palm outward in token of parley.
## [6843]
## [6844] The Ores yelled and jeered. 'Come down! Come down!' they cried. 'If you
## [6845] wish to speak to us, come down! Bring out your king! We are the fighting
## [6846] Uruk-hai. We will fetch him from his hole, if he does not come. Bring out
## [6847] your skulking king!'
## [6848]
## [6849] 'The king stays or comes at his own will,' said Aragorn.
## [6850]
## [6851] 'Then what are you doing here?' they answered. 'Why do you look out? Do
## [6852] you wish to see the greatness of our army? We are the fighting Uruk-hai.'
## [6853]
## [6854] 'I looked out to see the dawn,' said Aragorn.
## [6855]
## [6856] 'What of the dawn?' they jeered. 'We are the Uruk-hai: we do not stop
## [6857] the fight for night or day, for fair weather or for storm. We come to kill,
## [6858] by sun or moon. What of the dawn?'
## [6859]
## [6860] 'None knows what the new day shall bring him,' said Aragorn. 'Get you
## [6861]
## [6862]
## [6863]
## [6864]
## [6865] gone, ere it turn to your evil.'
## [6866]
## [6867] 'Get down or we will shoot you from the wall,' they cried. 'This is no
## [6868] parley. You have nothing to say.'
## [6869]
## [6870] 'I have still this to say,' answered Aragorn. 'No enemy has yet taken
## [6871] the Hornburg. Depart, or not one of you will be spared. Not one will be left
## [6872] alive to take back tidings to the North. You do not know your peril.'
## [6873]
## [6874] So great a power and royalty was revealed in Aragorn, as he stood there
## [6875] alone above the ruined gates before the host of his enemies, that many of
## [6876] the wild men paused, and looked back over their shoulders to the valley, and
## [6877] some looked up doubtfully at the sky. But the Ores laughed with loud voices;
## [6878] and a hail of darts and arrows whistled over the wall, as Aragorn leaped
## [6879] down.
## [6880]
## [6881] There was a roar and a blast of fire. The archway of the gate above
## [6882] which he had stood a moment before crumbled and crashed in smoke and
## [6883] dust.
## [6884]
## [6885] The barricade was scattered as if by a thunderbolt. Aragorn ran to the
## [6886] king's tower.
## [6887]
## [6888] But even as the gate fell, and the Ores about it yelled, preparing to
## [6889] charge, a murmur arose behind them, like a wind in the distance, and it grew
## [6890] to a clamour of many voices crying strange news in the dawn. The Ores upon
## [6891] the Rock, hearing the rumour of dismay, wavered and looked back. And then,
## [6892] sudden and terrible, from the tower above, the sound of the great horn of
## [6893] Helm rang out.
## [6894]
## [6895] All that heard that sound trembled. Many of the Ores cast themselves on
## [6896] their faces and covered their ears with their claws. Back from the Deep the
## [6897] echoes came, blast upon blast, as if on every cliff and hill a mighty herald
## [6898] stood. But on the walls men looked up, listening with wonder; for the echoes
## [6899] did not die. Ever the horn-blasts wound on among the hills; nearer now and
## [6900] louder they answered one to another, blowing fierce and free.
## [6901]
## [6902] 'Helm! Helm!' the Riders shouted. 'Helm is arisen and comes back to
## [6903] war. Helm for Thjoden King!'
## [6904]
## [6905] And with that shout the king came. His horse was white as snow, golden
## [6906] was his shield, and his spear was long. At his right hand was Aragorn,
## [6907] Elendil's heir, behind him rode the lords of the House of Eorl the Young.
## [6908] Light sprang in the sky. Night departed.
## [6909]
## [6910] 'Forth Eorlingas!' With a cry and a great noise they charged. Down from
## [6911] the gates they roared, over the causeway they swept, and they drove through
## [6912]
## [6913]
## [6914]
## [6915]
## [6916] the hosts of Isengard as a wind among grass. Behind them from the Deep came
## [6917] the stern cries of men issuing from the caves, driving forth the enemy. Out
## [6918] poured all the men that were left upon the Rock. And ever the sound of
## [6919] blowing horns echoed in the hills.
## [6920]
## [6921] On they rode, the king and his companions. Captains and champions fell
## [6922] or fled before them. Neither ore nor man withstood them. Their backs were to
## [6923] the swords and spears of the Riders and their faces to the valley. They
## [6924] cried and wailed, for fear and great wonder had come upon them with the
## [6925] rising of the day.
## [6926]
## [6927] So King Thjoden rode from Helm's Gate and clove his path to the great
## [6928] Dike. There the company halted. Light grew bright about them. Shafts of the
## [6929] sun flared above the eastern hills and glimmered on their spears. But they
## [6930] sat silent on their horses, and they gazed down upon the Deeping-coomb.
## [6931]
## [6932] The land had changed. Where before the green dale had lain, its grassy
## [6933] slopes lapping the ever-mounting hills, there now a forest loomed. Great
## [6934] trees, bare and silent, stood, rank on rank, with tangled bough and hoary
## [6935] head; their twisted roots were buried in the long green grass. Darkness was
## [6936] under them. Between the Dike and the eaves of that nameless wood only two
## [6937] open furlongs lay. There now cowered the proud hosts of Saruman, in terror
## [6938] of the king and in terror of the trees. They streamed down from Helm's Gate
## [6939] until all above the Dike was empty of them, but below it they were packed
## [6940] like swarming flies. Vainly they crawled and clambered about the walls of
## [6941] the coomb, seeking to escape. Upon the east too sheer and stony was the
## [6942] valley's side; upon the left, from the west, their final doom approached.
## [6943]
## [6944] There suddenly upon a ridge appeared a rider, clad in white, shining in
## [6945] the rising sun. Over the low hills the horns were sounding. Behind him,
## [6946] hastening down the long slopes, were a thousand men on foot; their swords
## [6947] were in their hands. Amid them strode a man tall and strong. His shield was
## [6948] red. As he came to the valley's brink, he set to his lips a great black horn
## [6949] and blew a ringing blast.
## [6950]
## [6951] 'Erkenbrand!' the Riders shouted. 'Erkenbrand!'
## [6952]
## [6953] 'Behold the White Rider!' cried Aragorn. 'Gandalf is come again!'
## [6954]
## [6955] 'Mithrandir, Mithrandir!' said Legolas. 'This is wizardry indeed! Come!
## [6956]
## [6957] I would look on this forest, ere the spell changes.'
## [6958]
## [6959] The hosts of Isengard roared, swaying this way and that, turning from
## [6960] fear to fear. Again the horn sounded from the tower. Down through the breach
## [6961] of the Dike charged the king's company. Down from the hills leaped
## [6962]
## [6963]
## [6964]
## [6965]
## [6966] Erkenbrand, lord of Westfold. Down leaped Shadowfax, like a deer that runs
## [6967] surefooted in the mountains. The White Rider was upon them, and the terror
## [6968] of his coming filled the enemy with madness. The wild men fell on their
## [6969] faces before him. The Ores reeled and screamed and cast aside both sword and
## [6970] spear. Like a black smoke driven by a mounting wind they fled. Wailing they
## [6971] passed under the waiting shadow of the trees; and from that shadow none ever
## [6972] came again.
## [6973]
## [6974]
## [6975]
## [6976]
## [6977] Chapter 8 . The Road to Isengard
## [6978]
## [6979]
## [6980]
## [6981] So it was that in the light of a fair morning King Thjoden and Gandalf
## [6982] the White Rider met again upon the green grass beside the Deeping -stream.
## [6983] There was also Aragorn son of Arathorn, and Legolas the Elf, and Erkenbrand
## [6984] of Westfold, and the lords of the Golden Elouse. About them were gathered the
## [6985] Rohirrim, the Riders of the Mark: wonder overcame their joy in victory, and
## [6986] their eyes were turned towards the wood.
## [6987]
## [6988] Suddenly there was a great shout, and down from the Dike came those who
## [6989] had been driven back into the Deep. There came Gamling the Old, and Jomer
## [6990] son of Jomund, and beside them walked Gimli the dwarf. Ele had no helm,
## [6991] and
## [6992]
## [6993] about his head was a linen band stained with blood; but his voice was loud
## [6994] and strong.
## [6995]
## [6996] ’Forty -two, Master Legolas!' he cried. 'Alas! My axe is notched: the
## [6997] forty-second had an iron collar on his neck. How is it with you?'
## [6998]
## [6999] 'You have passed my score by one,' answered Legolas. 'But I do not
## [7000] grudge you the game, so glad am I to see you on your legs!'
## [7001]
## [7002] 'Welcome, Jomer, sister-son!' said Thjoden. 'Now that I see you safe, I
## [7003] am glad indeed.'
## [7004]
## [7005] 'Hail, Lord of the Mark!' said Jomer. 'The dark night has passed and
## [7006] day has come again. But the day has brought strange tidings.' He turned and
## [7007] gazed in wonder, first at the wood and then at Gandalf. 'Once more you come
## [7008] in the hour of need, unlooked-for,' he said.
## [7009]
## [7010] 'Unlooked-for?' said Gandalf. 'I said that I would return and meet you
## [7011] here.'
## [7012]
## [7013] 'But you did not name the hour, nor foretell the manner of your coming.
## [7014] Strange help you bring. You are mighty in wizardry, Gandalf the White!'
## [7015]
## [7016] 'That may be. But if so, I have not shown it yet. I have but given good
## [7017] counsel in peril, and made use of the speed of Shadowfax. Your own valour
## [7018] has done more, and the stout legs of the Westfold-men marching through the
## [7019] night.'
## [7020]
## [7021] Then they all gazed at Gandalf with still greater wonder. Some glanced
## [7022] darkly at the wood, and passed their hands over their brows, as if they
## [7023] thought their eyes saw otherwise than his.
## [7024]
## [7025]
## [7026]
## [7027]
## [7028] Gandalf laughed long and merrily. The trees?' he said. 'Nay, I see the
## [7029] wood as plainly as do you. But that is no deed of mine. It is a thing beyond
## [7030] the counsel of the wise. Better than my design, and better even than my hope
## [7031] the event has proved.'
## [7032]
## [7033] 'Then if not yours, whose is the wizardry?' said Thjoden. 'Not
## [7034] Saruman's, that is plain. Is there some mightier sage, of whom we have yet
## [7035] to learn?'
## [7036]
## [7037] 'It is not wizardry, but a power far older,' said Gandalf: 'a power
## [7038] that walked the earth, ere elf sang or hammer rang.
## [7039]
## [7040] Ere iron was found or tree was hewn,
## [7041]
## [7042] When young was mountain under moon;
## [7043]
## [7044] Ere ring was made, or wrought was woe,
## [7045]
## [7046] It walked the forests long ago. '
## [7047]
## [7048] 'And what may be the answer to your riddle?' said Thjoden.
## [7049]
## [7050] 'If you would learn that, you should come with me to Isengard '
## [7051] answered Gandalf.
## [7052]
## [7053] 'To Isengard?' they cried.
## [7054]
## [7055] 'Yes,' said Gandalf. 'I shall return to Isengard, and those who will
## [7056] may come with me. There we may see strange things.'
## [7057]
## [7058] 'But there are not men enough in the Mark, not if they were all
## [7059] gathered together and healed of wounds and weariness, to assault the
## [7060] stronghold of Saruman,' said Thjoden.
## [7061]
## [7062] 'Nevertheless to Isengard I go,' said Gandalf. 'I shall not stay there
## [7063] long. My way lies now eastward. Look for me in Edoras, ere the waning of the
## [7064] moon!'
## [7065]
## [7066] 'Nay!' said Thjoden. 'In the dark hour before dawn I doubted, but we
## [7067] will not part now. I will come with you, if that is your counsel.'
## [7068]
## [7069] 'I wish to speak with Saruman, as soon as may be now,' said Gandalf,
## [7070]
## [7071] 'and since he has done you great injury, it would be fitting if you were
## [7072] there. But how soon and how swiftly will you ride?'
## [7073]
## [7074] 'My men are weary with battle,' said the King; 'and I am weary also.
## [7075]
## [7076] For I have ridden far and slept little. Alas! My old age is not feigned nor
## [7077] due only to the whisperings of Wormtongue. It is an ill that no leech can
## [7078] wholly cure, not even Gandalf.'
## [7079]
## [7080] 'Then let all who are to ride with me rest now,' said Gandalf. 'We will
## [7081] journey under the shadow of evening. It is as well; for it is my counsel
## [7082] that all our comings and goings should be as secret as may be, henceforth.
## [7083]
## [7084]
## [7085]
## [7086]
## [7087] But do not command many men to go with you, Thjoden. We go to a parley
## [7088] not
## [7089]
## [7090] to a fight.'
## [7091]
## [7092] The King then chose men that were unhurt and had swift horses, and he
## [7093] sent them forth with tidings of the victory into every vale of the Mark; and
## [7094] they bore his summons also, bidding all men, young and old, to come in haste
## [7095] to Edoras. There the Lord of the Mark would hold an assembly of all that
## [7096] could bear arms, on the second day after the full moon. To ride with him to
## [7097] Isengard the King chose Jomer and twenty men of his household. With
## [7098] Gandalf
## [7099]
## [7100] would go Aragorn, and Legolas, and Gimli. In spite of his hurt the dwarf
## [7101] would not stay behind.
## [7102]
## [7103] 'It was only a feeble blow and the cap turned it;' he said. 'It would
## [7104] take more than such an orc-scratch to keep me back.'
## [7105]
## [7106] 'I will tend it, while you rest,' said Aragorn.
## [7107]
## [7108] The king now returned to the Hornburg, and slept, such a sleep of quiet
## [7109] as he had not known for many years, and the remainder of his chosen company
## [7110] rested also. But the others, all that were not hurt or wounded, began a
## [7111] great labour; for many had fallen in the battle and lay dead upon the field
## [7112] or in the Deep.
## [7113]
## [7114] No Ores remained alive; their bodies were uncounted. But a great many
## [7115] of the hillmen had given themselves up; and they were afraid, and cried for
## [7116] mercy.
## [7117]
## [7118] The Men of the Mark took their weapons from them, and set them to work.
## [7119]
## [7120] 'Help now to repair the evil in which you have joined,' said
## [7121] Erkenbrand; 'and afterwards you shall take an oath never again to pass the
## [7122] Fords of Isen in arms, nor to march with the enemies of Men; and then you
## [7123] shall go free back to your land. For you have been deluded by Saruman. Many
## [7124] of you have got death as the reward of your trust in him; but had you
## [7125] conquered, little better would your wages have been.'
## [7126]
## [7127] The men of Dunland were amazed, for Saruman had told them that the men
## [7128] of Rohan were cruel and burned their captives alive.
## [7129]
## [7130] In the midst of the field before the Hornburg two mounds were raised,
## [7131] and beneath them were laid all the Riders of the Mark who fell in the
## [7132] defence, those of the East Dales upon one side, and those of Westfold upon
## [7133] the other. In a_ grave alone under the shadow of the Hornburg lay Hbma,
## [7134] captain of the King's guard. He fell before the Gate.
## [7135]
## [7136]
## [7137]
## [7138]
## [7139] The Ores were piled in great heaps, away from the mounds of Men, not
## [7140] far from the eaves of the forest. And the people were troubled in their
## [7141] minds; for the heaps of carrion were too great for burial or for burning.
## [7142]
## [7143] They had little wood for firing, and none would have dared to take an axe to
## [7144] the strange trees, even if Gandalf had not warned them to hurt neither bark
## [7145] nor bough at their great peril.
## [7146]
## [7147] 'Let the Ores lie,' said Gandalf. ’The morning may bring new counsel.'
## [7148]
## [7149] In the afternoon the King's company prepared to depart. The work of
## [7150] burial was then but beginning; and Thjoden mourned for the loss of Hbma, his
## [7151] captain, and cast the first earth upon his grave. 'Great injury indeed has
## [7152] Saruman done to me and all this land,' he said; 'and I will remember it,
## [7153] when we meet.'
## [7154]
## [7155] The sun was already drawing near the hills upon the west of the Coomb,
## [7156] when at last Thjoden and Gandalf and their companions rode down from the
## [7157] Dike. Behind them were gathered a great host, both of the Riders and of the
## [7158] people of Westfold, old and young, women and children, who had come out
## [7159] from
## [7160]
## [7161] the caves. A song of victory they sang with clear voices; and then they fell
## [7162] silent, wondering what would chance, for their eyes were on the trees and
## [7163] they feared them.
## [7164]
## [7165] The Riders came to the wood, and they halted; horse and man, they were
## [7166] unwilling to pass in. The trees were grey and menacing, and a shadow or a
## [7167] mist was about them. The ends of their long sweeping boughs hung down like
## [7168] searching fingers, their roots stood up from the ground like the limbs of
## [7169] strange monsters, and dark caverns opened beneath them. But Gandalf went
## [7170] forward, leading the company, and where the road from the Hornburg met the
## [7171] trees they saw now an opening like an arched gate under mighty boughs; and
## [7172] through it Gandalf passed, and they followed him. Then to their amazement
## [7173] they found that the road ran on, and the Deeping-stream beside it; and the
## [7174] sky was open above and full of golden light. But on either side the great
## [7175] aisles of the wood were already wrapped in dusk, stretching away into
## [7176] impenetrable shadows; and there they heard the creaking and groaning of
## [7177] boughs, and far cries, and a rumour of wordless voices, murmuring angrily.
## [7178] No Ore or other living creature could be seen.
## [7179]
## [7180] Legolas and Gimli were now riding together upon one horse; and they
## [7181] kept close beside Gandalf, for Gimli was afraid of the wood.
## [7182]
## [7183] 'It is hot in here,' said Legolas to Gandalf. 'I feel a great wrath
## [7184]
## [7185]
## [7186]
## [7187]
## [7188] about me. Do you not feel the air throb in your ears?'
## [7189]
## [7190] ’Yes,' said Gandalf.
## [7191]
## [7192] ’What has become of the miserable Ores?’ said Legolas.
## [7193]
## [7194] ’That, I think, no one will ever know,’ said Gandalf.
## [7195]
## [7196] They rode in silence for a while; but Legolas was ever glancing from
## [7197] side to side, and would often have halted to listen to the sounds of the
## [7198] wood, if Gimli had allowed it.
## [7199]
## [7200] ’These are the strangest trees that ever I saw,’ he said; 'and I have
## [7201] seen many an oak grow from acorn to ruinous age. I wish that there were
## [7202] leisure now to walk among them: they have voices, and in time I might come
## [7203] to understand their thought.’
## [7204]
## [7205] ’No, no!’ said Gimli. 'Let us leave them! I guess their thought
## [7206] already: hatred of all that go on two legs; and their speech is of crushing
## [7207] and strangling.’
## [7208]
## [7209] ’Not of all that go on two legs,’ said Legolas. 'There I think you are
## [7210] wrong. It is Ores that they hate. For they do not belong here and know
## [7211] little of Elves and Men. Far away are the valleys where they sprang. From
## [7212] the deep dales of Fangorn, Gimli, that is whence they come, I guess.’
## [7213]
## [7214] ’Then that is the most perilous wood in Middle-earth,’ said Gimli. ’I
## [7215] should be grateful for the part they have played, but I do not love them.
## [7216]
## [7217] You may think them wonderful, but I have seen a greater wonder in this land,
## [7218] more beautiful than any grove or glade that ever grew: my heart is still
## [7219] full of ft. 'Strange are the ways of Men, Legolas ! Here they have one of the
## [7220] marvels of the Northern World, and what do they say of it? Caves, they say!
## [7221] Caves! Holes to fly to in time of war, to store fodder in! My good Legolas,
## [7222] do you know that the caverns of Helm’s Deep are vast and beautiful? There
## [7223] would be an endless pilgrimage of Dwarves, merely to gaze at them, if such
## [7224] things were known to be. Aye indeed, they would pay pure gold for a brief
## [7225] glance!’
## [7226]
## [7227] ’And I would give gold to be excused,’ said Legolas; 'and double to be
## [7228] let out, if I strayed in!’
## [7229]
## [7230] ’You have not seen, so I forgive your jest,’ said Gimli. ’But you speak
## [7231] like a fool. Do you think those halls are fair, where your King dwells under
## [7232] the hill in Mirkwood, and Dwarves helped in their making long ago? They are
## [7233] but hovels compared with the caverns I have seen here: immeasurable halls,
## [7234] filled with an everlasting music of water that tinkles into pools, as fair
## [7235] as Kheled-zvram in the starlight.
## [7236]
## [7237]
## [7238]
## [7239]
## [7240] 'And, Legolas, when the torches are kindled and men walk on the sandy
## [7241] floors under the echoing domes, ah! then, Legolas, gems and crystals and
## [7242] veins of precious ore glint in the polished walls; and the light glows
## [7243] through folded marbles, shell-like, translucent as the living hands of Queen
## [7244] Galadriel. There are columns of white and saffron and dawn-rose, Legolas,
## [7245] fluted and twisted into dreamlike forms; they spring up from many-coloured
## [7246] floors to meet the glistening pendants of the roof: wings, ropes, curtains
## [7247] fine as frozen clouds; spears, banners, pinnacles of suspended palaces!
## [7248]
## [7249] Still lakes mirror them: a glimmering world looks up from dark pools covered
## [7250] with clear glass; cities, such as the mind of Durin could scarce have
## [7251] imagined in his sleep, stretch on through avenues and pillared courts, on
## [7252] into the dark recesses where no light can come. And plink! a silver drop
## [7253] falls, and the round wrinkles in the glass make all the towers bend and
## [7254] waver like weeds and corals in a grotto of the sea. Then evening comes: they
## [7255] fade and twinkle out; the torches pass on into another chamber and another
## [7256] dream. There is chamber after chamber, Legolas; hall opening out of hall,
## [7257] dome after dome, stair beyond stair; and still the winding paths lead on
## [7258] into the mountains' heart. Caves! The Caverns of Helm's Deep! Happy was the
## [7259] chance that drove me there! It makes me weep to leave them.'
## [7260]
## [7261] 'Then I will wish you this fortune for your comfort, Gimli,' said the
## [7262] Elf, 'that you may come safe from war and return to see them again. But do
## [7263] not tell all your kindred! There seems little left for them to do, from your
## [7264] account. Maybe the men of this land are wise to say little: one family of
## [7265] busy dwarves with hammer and chisel might mar more than they made.'
## [7266]
## [7267] 'No, you do not understand,' said Gimli. 'No dwarf could be unmoved by
## [7268] such loveliness. None of Durin's race would mine those caves for stones or
## [7269] ore, not if diamonds and gold could be got there. Do you cut down groves of
## [7270] blossoming trees in the spring-time for firewood? We would tend these glades
## [7271] of flowering stone, not quarry them. With cautious skill, tap by tap — a
## [7272] small chip of rock and no more, perhaps, in a whole anxious day — so we
## [7273] could work, and as the years went by, we should open up new ways, and
## [7274] display far chambers that are still dark, glimpsed only as a void beyond
## [7275] fissures in the rock. And lights, Legolas! We should make lights, such lamps
## [7276] as once shone in Khazad-dym; and when we wished we would drive away
## [7277] the
## [7278]
## [7279] night that has lain there since the hills were made; and when we desired
## [7280] rest, we would let the night return.'
## [7281]
## [7282]
## [7283]
## [7284]
## [7285] 'You move me, Gimli,' said Legolas. 'I have never heard you speak like
## [7286] this before. Almost you make me regret that I have not seen these caves.
## [7287] Come! Let us make this bargain-if we both return safe out of the perils that
## [7288] await us, we will journey for a while together. You shall visit Fangorn with
## [7289] me, and then I will come with you to see Helm's Deep.'
## [7290]
## [7291] 'That would not be the way of return that I should choose,' said Gimli.
## [7292]
## [7293] 'But I will endure Fangorn, if I have your promise to come back to the caves
## [7294] and share their wonder with me.'
## [7295]
## [7296] 'You have my promise,' said Legolas. 'But alas! Now we must leave
## [7297] behind both cave and wood for a while: See! We are coming to the end of the
## [7298] trees. How far is it to Isengard, Gandalf?'
## [7299]
## [7300] 'About fifteen leagues, as the crows of Saruman make it.' said Gandalf:
## [7301]
## [7302] 'five from the mouth of Deeping-coomb to the Fords: and ten more from there
## [7303] to the gates of Isengard. But we shall not ride all the way this night.'
## [7304]
## [7305] 'And when we come there, what shall we see?' asked Gimli. 'You may
## [7306] know, but I cannot guess.'
## [7307]
## [7308] 'I do not know myself for certain,' answered the wizard. 'I was there
## [7309] at nightfall yesterday, but much may have happened since. Yet I think that
## [7310] you will not say that the journey was in vain — not though the Glittering
## [7311] Caves of Aglarond be left behind.'
## [7312]
## [7313] At last the company passed through the trees, and found that they had
## [7314] come to the bottom of the Coomb, where the road from Helm's Deep
## [7315] branched,
## [7316]
## [7317] going one way east to Edoras, and the other north to the Fords of Isen. As
## [7318] they rode from under the eaves of the wood, Legolas halted and looked back
## [7319] with regret. Then he gave a sudden cry.
## [7320]
## [7321] 'There are eyes!' he said. 'Eyes looking out from the shadows of the
## [7322] boughs! I never saw such eyes before.'
## [7323]
## [7324] The others, surprised by his cry, halted and turned; but Legolas
## [7325] started to ride back.
## [7326]
## [7327] 'No, no!' cried Gimli. 'Do as you please in your madness, but let me
## [7328] first get down from this horse! I wish to see no eyes!' 'Stay, Legolas
## [7329] Greenleaf!' said Gandalf. 'Do not go back into the wood, not yet! Now is not
## [7330] your time.'
## [7331]
## [7332] Even as he spoke, there came forward out of the trees three strange
## [7333] shapes. As tall as trolls they were, twelve feet or more in height; their
## [7334] strong bodies, stout as young trees, seemed to be clad with raiment or with
## [7335]
## [7336]
## [7337]
## [7338]
## [7339] hide of close-fitting grey and brown. Their limbs were long, and their hands
## [7340] had many fingers; their hair was stiff, and their beards grey-green as moss.
## [7341] They gazed out with solemn eyes, but they were not looking at the riders:
## [7342] their eyes were bent northwards. Suddenly they lifted their long hands to
## [7343] their mouths, and sent forth ringing calls, clear as notes of a horn, but
## [7344] more musical and various. The calls were answered; and turning again, the
## [7345] riders saw other creatures of the same kind approaching, striding through
## [7346] the grass. They came swiftly from the North, walking like wading herons in
## [7347] their gait, but not in their speed; for their legs in their long paces beat
## [7348] quicker than the heron's wings. The riders cried aloud in wonder, and some
## [7349] set their hands upon their sword-hilts.
## [7350]
## [7351] 'You need no weapons,' said Gandalf. 'These are but herdsmen. They are
## [7352] not enemies, indeed they are not concerned with us at all.'
## [7353]
## [7354] So it seemed to be; for as he spoke the tall creatures, without a
## [7355] glance at the riders, strode into the wood and vanished.
## [7356]
## [7357] 'Herdsmen!' said Thjoden. 'Where are their flocks? What are they,
## [7358] Gandalf? For it is plain that to you, at any rate, they are not strange.'
## [7359]
## [7360] 'They are the shepherds of the trees,' answered Gandalf. 'Is it so long
## [7361] since you listened to tales by the fireside? There are children in your land
## [7362] who, out of the twisted threads of story, could pick the answer to your
## [7363] question. You have seen Ents, O King, Ents out of Fangorn Forest, which in
## [7364] your tongue you call the Entwood. Did you think that the name was given only
## [7365] in idle fancy? Nay, Thjoden, it is otherwise: to them you are but the
## [7366] passing tale; all the years from Eorl the Young to Thjoden the Old are of
## [7367] little count to them; and all the deeds of your house but a small matter.'
## [7368]
## [7369] The king was silent. 'Ents!' he said at length. 'Out of the shadows of
## [7370] legend I begin a little to understand the marvel of the trees, I think. I
## [7371] have lived to see strange days. Long we have tended our beasts and our
## [7372] fields, built our houses, wrought our tools, or ridden away to help in the
## [7373] wars of Minas Tirith. And that we called the life of Men, the way of the
## [7374] world. We cared little for what lay beyond the borders of our land. Songs we
## [7375] have that tell of these things, but we are forgetting them, teaching them
## [7376] only to children, as a careless custom. And now the songs have come down
## [7377] among us out of strange places, and walk visible under the Sun.'
## [7378]
## [7379] 'You should be glad, Thjoden King,' said Gandalf. 'For not only the
## [7380] little life of Men is now endangered, but the life also of those things
## [7381] which you have deemed the matter of legend. You are not without allies, even
## [7382]
## [7383]
## [7384]
## [7385]
## [7386] if you know them not.'
## [7387]
## [7388] 'Yet also I should be sad,' said Thjoden. ’For however the fortune of
## [7389] war shall go, may it not so end that much that was fair and wonderful shall
## [7390] pass for ever out of Middle-earth?'
## [7391]
## [7392] 'It may,' said Gandalf. 'The evil of Sauron cannot be wholly cured, nor
## [7393] made as if it had not been. But to such days we are doomed. Let us now go on
## [7394] with the journey we have begun!'
## [7395]
## [7396] The company turned then away from the Coomb and from the wood and
## [7397] took
## [7398]
## [7399] the road towards the Fords. Legolas followed reluctantly. The sun had set,
## [7400] already it had sunk behind the rim of the world; but as they rode out from
## [7401] the shadow of the hills and looked west to the Gap of Rohan the sky was
## [7402] still red, and a burning light was under the floating clouds. Dark against
## [7403] it there wheeled and flew many black -winged birds. Some passed overhead
## [7404] with
## [7405]
## [7406] mournful cries, returning to their homes among the rocks.
## [7407]
## [7408] 'The carrion-fowl have been busy about the battle-field,' said Jomer.
## [7409]
## [7410] They rode now at an easy pace and dark came down upon the plains about
## [7411] them. The slow moon mounted, now waxing towards the full, and in its cold
## [7412] silver light the swelling grass-lands rose and fell like a wide grey sea.
## [7413]
## [7414] They had ridden for some four hours from the branching of the roads when
## [7415] they drew near to the Fords. Long slopes ran swiftly down to where the river
## [7416] spread in stony shoals between high grassy terraces. Borne upon the wind
## [7417] they heard the howling of wolves. Their hearts were heavy, remembering the
## [7418] many men that had fallen in battle in this place.
## [7419]
## [7420] The road dipped between rising turf-banks, carving its way through the
## [7421] terraces to the river's edge, and up again upon the further side. There were
## [7422] three lines of flat stepping-stones across the stream, and between them
## [7423] fords for horses, that went from either brink to a bare eyot in the midst.
## [7424]
## [7425] The riders looked down upon the crossings, and it seemed strange to them;
## [7426] for the Fords had ever been a place full of the rush and chatter of water
## [7427] upon stones; but now they were silent. The beds of the stream were almost
## [7428] dry, a bare waste of shingles and grey sand.
## [7429]
## [7430] 'This is become a dreary place,' said Jomer. 'What sickness has
## [7431] befallen the river? Many fair things Saruman has destroyed: has he devoured
## [7432] the springs of Isen too?' 'So it would seem,' said Gandalf.
## [7433]
## [7434] 'Alas!' said Thjoden. 'Must we pass this way, where the carrion-beasts
## [7435]
## [7436]
## [7437]
## [7438]
## [7439] devour so many good Riders of the Mark?'
## [7440]
## [7441] This is our way,' said Gandalf. 'Grievous is the fall of your men; but
## [7442] you shall see that at least the wolves of the mountains do not devour them.
## [7443]
## [7444] It is with their friends, the Ores, that they hold their feast: such indeed
## [7445] is the friendship of their kind. Come!’
## [7446]
## [7447] They rode down to the river, and as they came the wolves ceased their
## [7448] howling and slunk away. Fear fell on them seeing Gandalf in the moon, and
## [7449] Shadowfax his horse shining like silver. The riders passed over to the
## [7450] islet, and glittering eyes watched them wanly from the shadows of the banks.
## [7451]
## [7452] 'Look!' said Gandalf. 'Friends have laboured here.’
## [7453]
## [7454] And they saw that in the midst of the eyot a mound was piled, ringed
## [7455] with stones, and set about with many spears.
## [7456]
## [7457] ’Here lie all the Men of the Mark that fell near this place,’ said
## [7458] Gandalf.
## [7459]
## [7460] 'Here let them rest!' said Jomer. 'And when their spears have rotted
## [7461] and rusted, long still may their mound stand and guard the Fords of Isen!'
## [7462]
## [7463] 'Is this your work also, Gandalf, my friend?' said Thjoden. 'You
## [7464] accomplished much in an evening and a night!'
## [7465]
## [7466] 'With the help of Shadowfax — and others,' said Gandalf. 'I rode fast
## [7467] and far. But here beside the mound I will say this for your comfort: many
## [7468] fell in the battles of the Fords, but fewer than rumour made them. More were
## [7469] scattered than were slain; I gathered together all that I could find. Some
## [7470] men I sent with Grimbold of Westfold to join Erkenbrand. Some I set to make
## [7471] this burial. They have now followed your marshal, Elfhelm. I sent him with
## [7472] many Riders to Edoras. Saruman I knew had despatched his full strength
## [7473] against you, and his servants had turned aside from all other errands and
## [7474] gone to Helm's Deep: the lands seemed empty of enemies; yet I feared that
## [7475] wolf-riders and plunderers might ride nonetheless to Meduseld, while it was
## [7476] undefended. But now I think you need not fear: you will find your house to
## [7477] welcome your return.'
## [7478]
## [7479] 'And glad shall I be to see it again,' said Thjoden, 'though brief now,
## [7480]
## [7481] I doubt not, shall be my abiding there.'
## [7482]
## [7483] With that the company said farewell to the island and the mound, and
## [7484] passed over the river, and climbed the further bank. Then they rode on, glad
## [7485] to have left the mournful Fords. As they went the howling of the wolves
## [7486] broke out anew.
## [7487]
## [7488] There was an ancient highway that ran down from Isengard to the
## [7489]
## [7490]
## [7491]
## [7492]
## [7493] crossings. For some way it took its course beside the river, bending with it
## [7494] east and then north; but at the last it turned away and went straight
## [7495] towards the gates of Isengard; and these were under the mountain-side in the
## [7496] west of the valley, sixteen miles or more from its mouth. This road they
## [7497] followed but they did not ride upon it; for the ground beside it was firm
## [7498] and level, covered for many miles about with short springing turf. They rode
## [7499] now more swiftly, and by midnight the Fords were nearly five leagues behind.
## [7500] Then they halted, ending their night's journey, for the King was weary. They
## [7501] were come to the feet of the Misty Mountains, and the long arms of Nan
## [7502] Curunnr stretched down to meet them. Dark lay the vale before them, for the
## [7503] moon had passed into the West, and its light was hidden by the hills. But
## [7504] out of the deep shadow of the dale rose a vast spire of smoke and vapour; as
## [7505] it mounted, it caught the rays of the sinking moon, and spread in shimmering
## [7506] billows, black and silver, over the starry sky.
## [7507]
## [7508] ’What do you think of that, Gandalf?' asked Aragorn. 'One would say
## [7509] that all the Wizard's Vale was burning.'
## [7510]
## [7511] 'There is ever a fume above that valley in these days,' said Jomer:
## [7512]
## [7513] 'but I have never seen aught like this before. These are steams rather than
## [7514] smokes. Saruman is brewing some devilry to greet us. Maybe he is boiling all
## [7515] the waters of Isen, and that is why the river runs dry.'
## [7516]
## [7517] 'Maybe he is,' said Gandalf. 'Tomorrow we shall learn what he is doing.
## [7518] Now let us rest for a while, if we can.'
## [7519]
## [7520] They camped beside the bed of the Isen river; it was still silent and
## [7521] empty. Some of them slept a little. But late in the night the watchmen cried
## [7522] out, and all awoke. The moon was gone. Stars were shining above; but over
## [7523] the ground there crept a darkness blacker than the night. On both sides of
## [7524] the river it rolled towards them, going northward.
## [7525]
## [7526] 'Stay where you are!' said Gandalf. 'Draw no weapons! Wait! and it will
## [7527] pass you by!'
## [7528]
## [7529] A mist gathered about them. Above them a few stars still glimmered
## [7530] faintly; but on either side there arose walls of impenetrable gloom; they
## [7531] were in a narrow lane between moving towers of shadow. Voices they heard,
## [7532] whisperings and groanings and an endless rustling sigh; the earth shook
## [7533] under them. Long it seemed to them that they sat and were afraid; but at
## [7534] last the darkness and the rumour passed, and vanished between the mountain's
## [7535] arms.
## [7536]
## [7537] Away south upon the Hornburg, in the middle night men heard a great
## [7538]
## [7539]
## [7540]
## [7541]
## [7542] noise, as a wind in the valley, and the ground trembled; and all were afraid
## [7543] and no one ventured to go forth. But in the morning they went out and were
## [7544] amazed; for the slain Ores were gone, and the trees also. Far down into the
## [7545] valley of the Deep the grass was crushed and trampled brown, as if giant
## [7546] herdsmen had pastured great droves of cattle there; but a mile below the
## [7547] Dike a huge pit had been delved in the earth, and over it stones were piled
## [7548] into a hill. Men believed that the Ores whom they had slain were buried
## [7549] there; but whether those who had fled into the wood were with them, none
## [7550] could say, for no man ever set foot upon that hill. The Death Down it was
## [7551] afterwards called, and no grass would grow there. But the strange trees were
## [7552] never seen in Deeping-coomb again; they had returned at night, and had gone
## [7553] far away to the dark dales of Fangorn. Thus they were revenged upon the
## [7554] Ores.
## [7555]
## [7556] The king and his company slept no more that night; but they saw and
## [7557] heard no other strange thing, save one: the voice of the river beside them
## [7558] suddenly awoke. There was a rush of water hurrying down among the stones;
## [7559] and when it had passed, the Isen flowed and bubbled in its bed again, as it
## [7560] had ever done.
## [7561]
## [7562] At dawn they made ready to go on. The light came grey and pale, and
## [7563] they did not see the rising of the sun. The air above was heavy with fog,
## [7564] and a reek lay on the land about them. They went slowly, riding now upon the
## [7565] highway. It was broad and hard, and well-tended. Dimly through the mists
## [7566] they could descry the long arm of the mountains rising on their left. They
## [7567] had passed into Nan Curunnr, the Wizard's Vale. That was a sheltered valley,
## [7568] open only to the South. Once it had been fair and green, and through it the
## [7569] Isen flowed, already deep and strong before it found the plains; for it was
## [7570] fed by many springs and lesser streams among the rain-washed hills, and all
## [7571] about it there had lain a pleasant, fertile land.
## [7572]
## [7573] It was not so now. Beneath the walls of Isengard there still were acres
## [7574] tilled by the slaves of Saruman; but most of the valley had become a
## [7575] wilderness of weeds and thorns. Brambles trailed upon the ground, or
## [7576] clambering over bush and bank, made shaggy caves where small beasts
## [7577] housed.
## [7578]
## [7579] No trees grew there; but among the rank grasses could still be seen the
## [7580] burned and axe-hewn stumps of ancient groves. It was a sad country, silent
## [7581] now but for the stony noise of quick waters. Smokes and steams drifted in
## [7582] sullen clouds and lurked in the hollows. The riders did not speak. Many
## [7583]
## [7584]
## [7585]
## [7586]
## [7587] doubted in their hearts, wondering to what dismal end their journey led.
## [7588]
## [7589] After they had ridden for some miles, the highway became a wide street,
## [7590] paved with great flat stones, squared and laid with skill; no blade of grass
## [7591] was seen in any joint. Deep gutters, filled with trickling water, ran down
## [7592] on either side. Suddenly a tall pillar loomed up before them. It was black;
## [7593] and set upon it was a great stone, carved and painted in the likeness of a
## [7594] long White Hand. Its finger pointed north. Not far now they knew that the
## [7595] gates of Isengard must stand, and their hearts were heavy; but their eyes
## [7596] could not pierce the mists ahead.
## [7597]
## [7598] Beneath the mountain's arm within the Wizard's Vale through years
## [7599] uncounted had stood that ancient place that Men called Isengard. Partly it
## [7600] was shaped in the making of the mountains, but mighty works the Men of
## [7601] Westernesse had wrought there of old; and Saruman had dwelt there long and
## [7602] had not been idle.
## [7603]
## [7604] This was its fashion, while Saruman was at his height, accounted by
## [7605] many the chief of Wizards. A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs,
## [7606] stood out from the shelter of the mountain- side, from which it ran and then
## [7607] returned again. One entrance only was there made in it, a great arch delved
## [7608] in the southern wall. Here through the black rock a long tunnel had been
## [7609] hewn, closed at either end with mighty doors of iron. They were so wrought
## [7610] and poised upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven into the living
## [7611] stone, that when unbarred they could be moved with a light thrust of the
## [7612] arms, noiselessly. One who passed in and came at length out of the echoing
## [7613] tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast
## [7614] shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim. Once it had been green and
## [7615] filled with avenues, and groves of fruitful trees, watered by streams that
## [7616] flowed from the mountains to a lake. But no green thing grew there in the
## [7617] latter days of Saruman. The roads were paved with stone-flags, dark and
## [7618] hard; and beside their borders instead of trees there marched long lines of
## [7619] pillars, some of marble, some of copper and of iron, joined by heavy chains.
## [7620]
## [7621] Many houses there were, chambers, halls, and passages, cut and
## [7622] tunnelled back into the walls upon their inner side, so that all the open
## [7623] circle was overlooked by countless windows and dark doors. Thousands could
## [7624] dwell there, workers, servants, slaves, and warriors with great store of
## [7625] arms; wolves were fed and stabled in deep dens beneath. The plain, too, was
## [7626] bored and delved. Shafts were driven deep into the ground; their upper ends
## [7627] were covered by low mounds and domes of stone, so that in the moonlight the
## [7628]
## [7629]
## [7630]
## [7631]
## [7632] Ring of Isengard looked like a graveyard of unquiet dead. For the ground
## [7633] trembled. The shafts ran down by many slopes and spiral stairs to caverns
## [7634] far under; there Saruman had treasuries, store-houses, armouries, smithies,
## [7635] and great furnaces. Iron wheels revolved there endlessly, and hammers
## [7636] thudded. At night plumes of vapour steamed from the vents, lit from beneath
## [7637] with red light, or blue, or venomous green.
## [7638]
## [7639] To the centre all the roads ran between their chains. There stood a
## [7640] tower of marvellous shape. It was fashioned by the builders of old, who
## [7641] smoothed the Ring of Isengard, and yet it seemed a thing not made by the
## [7642] craft of Men, but riven from the bones of the earth in the ancient torment
## [7643] of the hills. A peak and isle of rock it was. black and gleaming hard: four
## [7644] mighty piers of many-sided stone were welded into one, but near the summit
## [7645] they opened into gaping horns, their pinnacles sharp as the points of
## [7646] spears, keen-edged as knives. Between them was a narrow space, and there
## [7647] upon a floor of polished stone, written with strange signs, a man might
## [7648] stand five hundred feet above the plain. This was Orthanc, the citadel of
## [7649] Saruman, the name of which had (by design or chance) a twofold meaning; for
## [7650] in the Elvish speech orthanc signifies Mount Fang, but in the language of
## [7651] the Mark of old the Cunning Mind.
## [7652]
## [7653] A strong place and wonderful was Isengard, and long it had been
## [7654] beautiful; and there great lords had dwelt, the wardens of Gondor upon the
## [7655] West, and wise men that watched the stars. But Saruman had slowly shaped it
## [7656] to his shifting purposes, and made it better, as he thought, being
## [7657] deceived-for all those arts and subtle devices, for which he forsook his
## [7658] former wisdom, and which fondly he imagined were his own. came but
## [7659] from
## [7660]
## [7661] Mordor; so that what he made was naught, only a little copy, a child's model
## [7662] or a slave's flattery, of that vast fortress, armoury, prison, furnace of
## [7663] great power, Barad-dyr, the Dark Tower, which suffered no rival, and laughed
## [7664] at flattery, biding its time, secure in its pride and its immeasurable
## [7665] strength.
## [7666]
## [7667] This was the stronghold of Saruman, as fame reported it; for within
## [7668] living memory the men of Rohan had not passed its gates, save perhaps a few,
## [7669] such as Wormtongue, who came in secret and told no man what they saw.
## [7670]
## [7671] Now Gandalf rode to the great pillar of the Hand, and passed it: and as
## [7672] he did so the Riders saw to their wonder that the Hand appeared no longer
## [7673] white. It was stained as with dried blood; and looking closer they perceived
## [7674]
## [7675]
## [7676]
## [7677]
## [7678] that its nails were red. Unheeding Gandalf rode on into the mist, and
## [7679] reluctantly they followed him. All about them now, as if there had been a
## [7680] sudden flood, wide pools of water lay beside the road, filling the hollows,
## [7681] and rills went trickling down among the stones.
## [7682]
## [7683] At last Gandalf halted and beckoned to them; and they came, and saw
## [7684] that beyond him the mists had cleared, and a pale sunlight shone. The hour
## [7685] of noon had passed. They were come to the doors of Isengard.
## [7686]
## [7687] But the doors lay hurled and twisted on the ground. And all about,
## [7688] stone, cracked and splintered into countless jagged shards, was scattered
## [7689] far and wide, or piled in ruinous heaps. The great arch still stood, but it
## [7690] opened now upon a roofless chasm: the tunnel was laid bare, and through the
## [7691] cliff-like walls on either side great rents and breaches had been torn;
## [7692] their towers were beaten into dust. If the Great Sea had risen in wrath and
## [7693] fallen on the hills with storm, it could have worked no greater ruin.
## [7694]
## [7695] The ring beyond was filled with steaming water: a bubbling cauldron, in
## [7696] which there heaved and floated a wreckage of beams and spars, chests and
## [7697] casks and broken gear. Twisted and leaning pillars reared their splintered
## [7698] stems above the flood, but all the roads were drowned. Far off, it seemed,
## [7699] half veiled in winding cloud, there loomed the island rock. Still dark and
## [7700] tall, unbroken by the storm, the tower of Orthanc stood. Pale waters lapped
## [7701] about its feet.
## [7702]
## [7703] The king and all his company sat silent on their horses, marvelling,
## [7704] perceiving that the power of Saruman was overthrown; but how they could not
## [7705] guess. And now they turned their eyes towards the archway and the ruined
## [7706] gates. There they saw close beside them a great rubble-heap; and suddenly
## [7707] they were aware of two small figures lying on it at their ease, grey-clad,
## [7708] hardly to be seen among the stones. There were bottles and bowls and
## [7709] platters laid beside them, as if they had just eaten well, and now rested
## [7710] from their labour. One seemed asleep; the other, with crossed legs and arms
## [7711] behind his head, leaned back against a broken rock and sent from his mouth
## [7712] long wisps and little rings of thin blue smoke.
## [7713]
## [7714] For a moment Thjoden and Jomer and all his men stared at them in
## [7715] wonder. Amid all the wreck of Isengard this seemed to them the strangest
## [7716] sight. But before the king could speak, the small smoke-breathing figure
## [7717] became suddenly aware of them, as they sat there silent on the edge of the
## [7718] mist. He sprang to his feet. A young man he looked, or like one, though not
## [7719] much more than half a man in height; his head of brown curling hair was
## [7720]
## [7721]
## [7722]
## [7723]
## [7724] uncovered, but he was clad in a travel-stained cloak of the same hue and
## [7725] shape as the companions of Gandalf had worn when they rode to Edoras. He
## [7726] bowed very low. putting his hand upon his breast. Then, seeming not to
## [7727] observe the wizard and his friends, he turned to Jomer and the king.
## [7728]
## [7729] 'Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!' he said. 'We are the doorwardens.
## [7730] Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! is
## [7731] overcome with weariness' — here he gave the other a dig with his foot —
## [7732]
## [7733] 'is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our
## [7734] home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one
## [7735] Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable
## [7736] guests.'
## [7737]
## [7738] 'Doubtless he would!' laughed Gandalf. 'And was it Saruman that ordered
## [7739] you to guard his damaged doors, and watch for the arrival of guests, when
## [7740] your attention could be spared from plate and bottle?'
## [7741]
## [7742] 'No, good sir, the matter escaped him,' answered Merry gravely 'He has
## [7743] been much occupied. Our orders came from Treebeard, who has taken over
## [7744] the
## [7745]
## [7746] management of Isengard. He commanded me to welcome the Lord of Rohan
## [7747] with
## [7748]
## [7749] fitting words. I have done my best.'
## [7750]
## [7751] 'And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me?' cried
## [7752] Gimli, unable to contain himself longer. 'You rascals, you woolly-footed and
## [7753] wool-pated truants ! A fine hunt you have led us! Two hundred leagues,
## [7754] through fen and forest, battle and death, to rescue you ! And here we find
## [7755] you feasting and idling -and smoking ! Smoking! Where did you come by the
## [7756] weed, you villains? Hammer and tongs! I am so torn between rage and joy,
## [7757] that if I do not burst, it will be a marvel!'
## [7758]
## [7759] 'You speak for me, Gimli,' laughed Legolas. 'Though I would sooner
## [7760] learn how they came by the wine.'
## [7761]
## [7762] 'One thing you have not found in your hunting, and that's brighter
## [7763] wits,' said Pippin, opening an eye. 'Here you find us sitting on a field of
## [7764] victory, amid the plunder of armies, and you wonder how we came by a few
## [7765] well-earned comforts!'
## [7766]
## [7767] 'Well-earned?' said Gimli. 'I cannot believe that!'
## [7768]
## [7769] The Riders laughed. 'It cannot be doubted that we witness the meeting
## [7770] of dear friends,' said Thjoden. 'So these are the lost ones of your company,
## [7771] Gandalf? The days are fated to be filled with marvels. Already I have seen
## [7772]
## [7773]
## [7774]
## [7775]
## [7776] many since I left my house; and now here before my eyes stand yet another of
## [7777] the folk of legend. Are not these the Halflings, that some among us call the
## [7778] Holbytlan?'
## [7779]
## [7780] 'Hobbits, if you please, lord,' said Pippin.
## [7781]
## [7782] 'Hobbits?' said Thjoden. 'Your tongue is strangely changed; but the
## [7783] name sounds not unfitting so. Hobbits! No report that I have heard does
## [7784] justice to the truth.'
## [7785]
## [7786] Merry bowed; and Pippin got up and bowed low. 'You are gracious, lord;
## [7787] or I hope that I may so take your words,' he said. 'And here is another
## [7788] marvel! I have wandered in many lands, since I left my home, and never till
## [7789] now have I found people that knew any story concerning hobbits.'
## [7790]
## [7791] 'My people came out of the North long ago,' said Thjoden. 'But I will
## [7792] not deceive you: we know no tales about hobbits. All that is said among us
## [7793] is that far away, over many hills and rivers, live the halfling folk that
## [7794] dwell in holes in sand-dunes. But there are no legends of their deeds, for
## [7795] it is said that they do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to
## [7796] vanish in a twinkling: and they can change their voices to resemble the
## [7797] piping of birds. But it seems that more could be said.'
## [7798]
## [7799] 'It could indeed, lord,' said Merry.
## [7800]
## [7801] 'For one thing,' said Thjoden, 'I had not heard that they spouted smoke
## [7802] from their mouths.'
## [7803]
## [7804] 'That is not surprising,' answered Merry; 'for it is an art which we
## [7805] have not practised for more than a few generations. It was Tobold
## [7806] Hornblower, of Longbottom in the Southfarthing, who first grew the true
## [7807] pipe-weed in his gardens, about the year 1070 according to our reckoning.
## [7808] How old Toby came by the plant...'
## [7809]
## [7810] 'You do not know your danger, Thjoden,' interrupted Gandalf. 'These
## [7811] hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table,
## [7812] or the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers,
## [7813] and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue
## [7814] patience. Some other time would be more fitting for the history of smoking.
## [7815] Where is Treebeard, Merry?'
## [7816]
## [7817] 'Away on the north side, I believe. He went to get a drink-of clean
## [7818] water. Most of the other Ents are with him, still busy at their work — over
## [7819] there.' Merry waved his hand towards the steaming lake; and as they looked,
## [7820] they heard a distant rumbling and rattling, as if an avalanche was falling
## [7821] from the mountain-side. Far away came a hoom-hom, as of horns blowing
## [7822]
## [7823]
## [7824]
## [7825]
## [7826] triumphantly.
## [7827]
## [7828] 'And is Orthanc then left unguarded?' asked Gandalf.
## [7829]
## [7830] 'There is the water,' said Merry. 'But Quickbeam and some others are
## [7831] watching it. Not all those posts and pillars in the plain are of Saruman's
## [7832] planting. Quickbeam, I think, is by the rock, near the foot of the stair.'
## [7833]
## [7834] 'Yes, a tall grey Ent is there,' said Legolas, 'but his arms are at his
## [7835] sides, and he stands as still as a door -tree.'
## [7836]
## [7837] 'It is past noon,' said Gandalf, 'and we at any rate have not eaten
## [7838] since early morning. Yet I wish to see Treebeard as soon as may be. Did he
## [7839] leave me no message, or has plate and bottle driven it from your mind?'
## [7840]
## [7841] 'He left a message,' said Merry, 'and I was coming to it, but I have
## [7842] been hindered by many other questions. I was to say that, if the Lord of the
## [7843] Mark and Gandalf will ride to the northern wall they will find Treebeard
## [7844] there, and he will welcome them. I may add that they will also find food of
## [7845] the best there, it was discovered and selected by your humble servants.' He
## [7846] bowed.
## [7847]
## [7848] Gandalf laughed. 'That is better!' he said. 'Well, Thjoden. will you
## [7849] ride with me to find Treebeard? We must go round about, but it is not far.
## [7850] When you see Treebeard, you will learn much. For Treebeard is Fangorn, and
## [7851] the eldest and chief of the Ents, and when you speak with him you will hear
## [7852] the speech of the oldest of all living things.'
## [7853]
## [7854] 'I will come with you,' said Thjoden. 'Farewell, my hobbits! May we
## [7855] meet again in my house ! There you shall sit beside me and tell me all that
## [7856] your hearts desire: the deeds of your grandsires, as far as you can reckon
## [7857] them; and we will speak also of Tobold the Old and his herb-lore. Farewell!'
## [7858]
## [7859] The hobbits bowed low. 'So that is the King of Rohan!' said Pippin in
## [7860] an undertone. 'A fine old fellow. Very polite.'
## [7861]
## [7862]
## [7863]
## [7864]
## [7865] Chapter 9 . Flotsam and Jetsam
## [7866]
## [7867]
## [7868]
## [7869] Gandalf and the King’s company rode away, turning eastward to make the
## [7870] circuit of the ruined walls of Isengard. But Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas
## [7871] remained behind. Leaving Arod and Hasufel to stray in search of grass, they
## [7872] came and sat beside the hobbits.
## [7873]
## [7874] 'Well, well! The hunt is over, and we meet again at last, where none of
## [7875] us ever thought to come,' said Aragorn.
## [7876]
## [7877] 'And now that the great ones have gone to discuss high matters,' said
## [7878] Legolas, 'the hunters can perhaps learn the answers to their own small
## [7879] riddles. We tracked you as far as the forest, but there are still many
## [7880] things that I should like to know the truth of.'
## [7881]
## [7882] 'And there is a great deal, too, that we want to know about you ' said
## [7883] Merry. 'We have learnt a few things through Treebeard, the Old Ent, but that
## [7884] is not nearly enough.'
## [7885]
## [7886] 'All in good time,' said Legolas. 'We were the hunters, and you should
## [7887] give an account of yourselves to us first.'
## [7888]
## [7889] 'Or second,' said Gimli. 'It would go better after a meal, t have a
## [7890] sore head; and it is past mid-day. You truants might make amends by finding
## [7891] us some of the plunder that you spoke of. Food and drink would pay off some
## [7892] of my score against you.'
## [7893]
## [7894] 'Then you shall have it,' said Pippin. 'Will you have it here, or in
## [7895] more comfort in what's left of Saruman's guard-house— over there under the
## [7896] arch? We had to picnic out here, so as to keep an eye on the road.'
## [7897]
## [7898] 'Less than an eye!' said Gimli. 'But I will not go into any ore-house
## [7899] nor touch Ores' meat or anything that they have mauled.'
## [7900]
## [7901] 'We wouldn't ask you to,' said Merry. 'We have had enough of Ores
## [7902] ourselves to last a life-time. But there were many other folk in Isengard.
## [7903] Saruman kept enough wisdom not to trust his Ores. He had Men to guard his
## [7904] gates: some of his most faithful servants, I suppose. Anyway they were
## [7905] favoured and got good provisions.'
## [7906]
## [7907] 'And pipe-weed?' asked Gimli.
## [7908]
## [7909] 'No, I don't think so,' Merry laughed. 'But that is another story,
## [7910] which can wait until after lunch.'
## [7911]
## [7912] 'Well let us go and have lunch then!' said the Dwarf.
## [7913]
## [7914]
## [7915]
## [7916]
## [7917] The hobbits led the way; and they passed under the arch and came to a
## [7918] wide door upon the left, at the top of a stair. It opened direct into a
## [7919] large chamber, with other smaller doors at the far end, and a hearth and
## [7920] chimney at one side. The chamber was hewn out of the stone; and it must once
## [7921] have been dark, for its windows looked out only into the tunnel. But light
## [7922] came in now through the broken roof. On the hearth wood was burning.
## [7923]
## [7924] 'I lit a bit of fire,' said Pippin. 'It cheered us up in the fogs.
## [7925]
## [7926] There were few faggots about, and most of the wood we could find was wet.
## [7927] But there is a great draught in the chimney: it seems to wind away up
## [7928] through the rock, and fortunately it has not been blocked. A fire is handy.
## [7929]
## [7930] I will make you some toast. The bread is three or four days old, I am
## [7931] afraid.'
## [7932]
## [7933] Aragorn and his companions sat themselves down at one end of a long
## [7934] table, and the hobbits disappeared through one of the inner doors.
## [7935] ’Store-room in there, and above the woods, luckily,’ said Pippin, as they
## [7936] came back laden with dishes, bowls, cups, knives, and food of various sorts.
## [7937]
## [7938] ’And you need not turn up your nose at the provender, Master Gimli,’
## [7939] said Merry. 'This is not ore-stuff, but man-food, as Treebeard calls it.
## [7940]
## [7941] Will you have wine or beer? There’s a barrel inside there — very passable.
## [7942]
## [7943] And this is first-rate salted pork. Or I can cut you some rashers of bacon
## [7944] and broil them, if you like. I am sorry there is no green stuff: the
## [7945] deliveries have been rather interrupted in the last few days! I cannot offer
## [7946] you anything to follow but butter and honey for your bread. Are you
## [7947] content?’
## [7948]
## [7949] ’Indeed yes,’ said Gimli. ’The score is much reduced.’
## [7950]
## [7951] The three were soon busy with their meal; and the two hobbits,
## [7952] unabashed, set to a second time. ’We must keep our guests company,’ they
## [7953] said.
## [7954]
## [7955] ’You are full of courtesy this morning,’ laughed Legolas. ’But maybe,
## [7956] if we had not arrived, you would already have been keeping one another
## [7957] company again.’
## [7958]
## [7959] ’Maybe; and why not?’ said Pippin. ’We had foul fare with the Ores, and
## [7960] little enough for days before that. It seems a long while since we could eat
## [7961] to heart’s content.’
## [7962]
## [7963] ’It does not seem to have done you any harm,’ said Aragorn. 'Indeed you
## [7964] look in the bloom of health.’
## [7965]
## [7966] ’Aye, you do indeed,’ said Gimli, looking them up and down over the top
## [7967]
## [7968]
## [7969]
## [7970]
## [7971] of his cup. ’Why, your hair is twice as thick and curly as when we parted;
## [7972] and I would swear that you have both grown somewhat, if that is possible for
## [7973] hobbits of your age. This Treebeard at any rate has not starved you.'
## [7974]
## [7975] 'He has not,' said Merry. 'But Ents only drink, and drink is not enough
## [7976] for content. Treebeard's draughts may be nourishing, but one feels the need
## [7977] of something solid. And even lembas is none the worse for a change.'
## [7978]
## [7979] 'You have drunk of the waters of the Ents, have you?' said Legolas.
## [7980]
## [7981] 'Ah, then I think it is likely that Gimli's eyes do not deceive him. Strange
## [7982] songs have been sung of the draughts of Fangorn.'
## [7983]
## [7984] 'Many strange tales have been told about that land,' said Aragorn. 'I
## [7985] have never entered it. Come, tell me more about it, and about the Ents!'
## [7986]
## [7987] 'Ents,' said Pippin, 'Ents are — well Ents are all different for on
## [7988] thing. But their eyes now, their eyes are very odd.' He tried a few fumbling
## [7989] words that trailed off into silence. 'Oh, well,' he went on, 'you have seen
## [7990] some at a distance, already -they saw you at any rate, and reported that you
## [7991] were on the way-and you will see many others, I expect, before you leave
## [7992] here. You must form your own ideas.'
## [7993]
## [7994] 'Now, now!' said Gimli. 'We are beginning the story in the middle. I
## [7995] should like a tale in the right order, starting with that strange day when
## [7996] our fellowship was broken.'
## [7997]
## [7998] 'You shall have it, if there is time,' said Merry. 'But first-if you
## [7999] have finished eating-you shall fill your pipes and light up. And then for a
## [8000] little while we can pretend that we are all back safe at Bree again, or in
## [8001] Rivendell.'
## [8002]
## [8003] He produced a small leather bag full of tobacco. 'We have heaps of it,'
## [8004] he said; 'and you can all pack as much as you wish, when we go. We did some
## [8005] salvage-work this morning, Pippin and I. There are lots of things floating
## [8006] about. It was Pippin who found two small barrels, washed up out of some
## [8007] cellar or store-house, I suppose. When we opened them, we found they were
## [8008] filled with this: as fine a pipe- weed as you could wish for, and quite
## [8009] unspoilt.'
## [8010]
## [8011] Gimli took some and rubbed it in his palms and sniffed it. 'It feels
## [8012] good, and it smells good,' he said.
## [8013]
## [8014] 'It is good!' said Merry. 'My dear Gimli, it is Longbottom Leaf! There
## [8015] were the Hornblower brandmarks on the barrels, as plain as plain. How it
## [8016] came here, I can't imagine. For Saruman's private use. I fancy. I never knew
## [8017] that it went so far abroad. But it comes in handy now?'
## [8018]
## [8019]
## [8020]
## [8021]
## [8022] 'It would,' said Gimli, 'if I had a pipe to go with it. Alas, I lost
## [8023] mine in Moria, or before. Is there no pipe in all your plunder?'
## [8024]
## [8025] 'No, I am afraid not,' said Merry. 'We have not found any, not even
## [8026] here in the guardrooms. Saruman kept this dainty to himself, it seems. And I
## [8027] don't think it would be any use knocking on the doors of Orthanc to beg a
## [8028] pipe of him! We shall have to share pipes, as good friends must at a pinch.'
## [8029]
## [8030] 'Half a moment!' said Pippin. Putting his hand inside the breast of his
## [8031] jacket he pulled out a little soft wallet on a string. 'I keep a treasure or
## [8032] two near my skin, as precious as Rings to me. Here's one: my old wooden
## [8033] pipe. And here's another: an unused one. I have carried it a long way,,
## [8034] though I don't know why. I never really expected to find any pipe- weed on
## [8035] the journey, when my own ran out. But now it comes in useful after all.' He
## [8036] held up a small pipe with a wide flattened bowl, and handed it to Gimli.
## [8037] 'Does that settle the score between us?' he said. 'Settle it!' cried Gimli.
## [8038]
## [8039] 'Most noble hobbit, it leaves me deep in your debt.'
## [8040]
## [8041] 'Well, I am going back into the open air, to see what the wind and sky
## [8042] are doing!' said Legolas.
## [8043]
## [8044] 'We will come with you,' said Aragorn.
## [8045]
## [8046] They went out and seated themselves upon the piled stones before the
## [8047] gateway. They could see far down into the valley now; the mists were lifting
## [8048] and floating away upon the breeze.
## [8049]
## [8050] 'Now let us take our ease here for a little!' said Aragorn. 'We will
## [8051] sit on the edge of ruin and talk, as Gandalf says, while he is busy
## [8052] elsewhere. I feel a weariness such as I have seldom felt before.' He wrapped
## [8053] his grey cloak about him, hiding his mail-shirt, and stretched out his long
## [8054] legs. Then he lay back and sent from his lips a thin stream of smoke.
## [8055]
## [8056] 'Look!' said Pippin. 'Strider the Ranger has come back!'
## [8057]
## [8058] 'He has never been away,' said Aragorn. 'I am Strider and D®nadan too,
## [8059] and I belong both to Gondor and the North.'
## [8060]
## [8061] They smoked in silence for a while, and the sun shone on them; slanting
## [8062] into the valley from among white clouds high in the West. Legolas lay still,
## [8063] looking up at the sun and sky with steady eyes, and singing softly to
## [8064] himself. At last he sat up. 'Come now!' he said. 'Time wears on, and the
## [8065] mists are blowing away, or would if you strange folk did not wreathe
## [8066] yourselves in smoke. What of the tale?'
## [8067]
## [8068] 'Well, my tale begins with waking up in the dark and finding myself all
## [8069] strung-up in an ore-camp,' said Pippin. 'Let me see, what is today?'
## [8070]
## [8071]
## [8072]
## [8073]
## [8074] 'The fifth of March in the Shire-reckoning,' said Aragorn. Pippin made
## [8075] some calculations on his fingers. 'Only nine days ago!' he said.l 'It seems
## [8076] a year since we were caught. Well, though half of it was like a bad dream, I
## [8077] reckon that three very horrible days followed. Merry will correct me, if I
## [8078] forget anything important: I am not going into details: the whips and the
## [8079] filth and stench and all that; it does not bear remembering.' With that he
## [8080] plunged into an account of Boromir's last fight and the ore-march from Emyn
## [8081] Muil to the Forest. The others nodded as the various points were fitted in
## [8082] with their guesses.
## [8083]
## [8084] 'Here are some treasures that you let fall,' said Aragorn. 'You will be
## [8085] glad to have them back.' He loosened his belt from under his cloak and took
## [8086] from it the two sheathed knives.
## [8087]
## [8088] 'Well!' said Merry. 'I never expected to see those again! I marked a
## [8089] few ores with mine; but Ugl®k took them from us. How he glared! At first I
## [8090] thought he was going to stab me, but he threw the things away as if they
## [8091] burned him.'
## [8092]
## [8093] 'And here also is your brooch, Pippin,' said Aragorn. 'I have kept it
## [8094] safe, for it is a very precious thing.'
## [8095]
## [8096] 'I know,' said Pippin. 'It was a wrench to let it go; but what else
## [8097] could I do?'
## [8098]
## [8099] 'Nothing else,' answered Aragorn. 'One who cannot cast away a treasure
## [8100] at need is in fetters. You did rightly.'
## [8101]
## [8102] 'The cutting of the bands on your wrists, that was smart work!' said
## [8103] Gimli. 'Luck served you there; but you seized your chance with both hands,
## [8104] one might say.'
## [8105]
## [8106] 'And set us a pretty riddle,' said Legolas. 'I wondered if you had
## [8107] grown wings!'
## [8108]
## [8109] 'Unfortunately not,' said Pippin. 'But you did not know about
## [8110] Grishnbkh.' He shuddered and said no more, leaving Merry to tell of those
## [8111] last horrible moments: the pawing hands, the hot breath, and the dreadful
## [8112] strength of Grishnbkh's hairy arms.
## [8113]
## [8114] 'All this about the Ores of Barad-dyr, Lugb®rz as they call it, makes
## [8115] me uneasy,' said Aragorn. 'The Dark Lord already knew too much and his
## [8116] servants also; and Grishnbkh evidently sent some message across the River
## [8117] after the quarrel. The Red Eye will be looking towards Isengard. But Saruman
## [8118] at any rate is in a cleft stick of his own cutting.'
## [8119]
## [8120] 'Yes, whichever side wins, his outlook is poor,' said Merry. 'Things
## [8121]
## [8122]
## [8123]
## [8124]
## [8125] began to go all wrong for him from the moment his Ores set foot in Rohan.'
## [8126]
## [8127] 'We caught a glimpse of the old villain, or so Gandalf hints,' said
## [8128] Gimli. 'On the edge of the Forest.'
## [8129]
## [8130] 'When was that?' asked Pippin.
## [8131]
## [8132] 'Five nights ago,' said Aragorn.
## [8133]
## [8134] 'Let me see,' said Merry: 'five nights ago-now we come to a part of the
## [8135] story you know nothing about. We met Treebeard that morning after the
## [8136] battle; and that night we were at Wellinghall, one of his ent-houses. The
## [8137] next morning we went to Entmoot, a gathering of Ents, that is, and the
## [8138] queerest thing I have ever seen in my life. It lasted all that day and the
## [8139] next; and we spent the nights with an Ent called Quickbeam. And then late in
## [8140] the afternoon in the third day of their moot, the Ents suddenly blew up. It
## [8141] was amazing. The Forest had felt as tense as if a thunderstorm was brewing
## [8142] inside it: then all at once it exploded. I wish you could have heard their
## [8143] song as they marched.'
## [8144]
## [8145] 'If Saruman had heard it, he would be a hundred miles away by now, even
## [8146] if he had had to run on his own legs,' said Pippin.
## [8147]
## [8148] 'Though Isengard be strong and hard, as cold as stone and bare as bone,
## [8149]
## [8150] We go, we go, we go to war, to hew the stone and break the door!
## [8151]
## [8152] There was very much more. A great deal of the song had no words, and
## [8153] was like a music of horns and drums. It was very exciting. But I thought it
## [8154] was only marching music and no more, just a song — until I got here. I know
## [8155] better now.'
## [8156]
## [8157] 'We came down over the last ridge into Nan Curunnr, after night had
## [8158] fallen,' Merry continued. 'It was then that I first had the feeling that the
## [8159] Forest itself was moving behind us. I thought I was dreaming an entish
## [8160] dream, but Pippin had noticed it too. We were both frightened; but we did
## [8161] not find out more about it until later.
## [8162]
## [8163] 'It was the Huorns, or so the Ents call them in "short language".
## [8164] Treebeard won't say much about them, but I think they are Ents that have
## [8165] become almost like trees, at least to look at. They stand here and there in
## [8166] the wood or under its eaves, silent, watching endlessly over the trees; but
## [8167] deep in the darkest dales there are hundreds and hundreds of them, I
## [8168] believe.
## [8169]
## [8170] 'There is a great power in them, and they seem able to wrap themselves
## [8171] in shadow: it is difficult to see them moving. But they do. They can move
## [8172] very quickly, if they are angry. You stand still looking at the weather,
## [8173]
## [8174]
## [8175]
## [8176]
## [8177] maybe, or listening to the rustling of the wind, and then suddenly you find
## [8178] that you are in the middle of a wood with great groping trees all around
## [8179] you. They still have voices, and can speak with the Ents — that is why they
## [8180] are called Huorns, Treebeard says — but they have become queer and wild.
## [8181] Dangerous. I should be terrified of meeting them, if there were no true Ents
## [8182] about to look after them.
## [8183]
## [8184] 'Well, in the early night we crept down a long ravine into the upper
## [8185] end of the Wizard's Vale, the Ents with all their rustling Huorns behind. We
## [8186] could not see them, of course, but the whole air was full of creaking. It
## [8187] was very dark, a cloudy night. They moved at a great speed as soon as they
## [8188] had left the hills, and made a noise like a rushing wind. The Moon did not
## [8189] appear through the clouds, and not long after midnight there was a tall wood
## [8190] all round the north side of Isengard. There was no sign of enemies nor of
## [8191] any challenge. There was a light gleaming from a high window in the tower,
## [8192] that was all.
## [8193]
## [8194] 'Treebeard and a few more Ents crept on, right round to within sight of
## [8195] the great gates. Pippin and I were with him. We were sitting on Treebeard's
## [8196] shoulders, and I could feel the quivering tenseness in him. But even when
## [8197] they are roused, Ents can be very cautious and patient. They stood still as
## [8198] carved stones, breathing and listening.
## [8199]
## [8200] 'Then all at once there was a tremendous stir. Trumpets blared and the
## [8201] walls of Isengard echoed. We thought that we had been discovered, and that
## [8202] battle was going to begin. But nothing of the sort. All Saruman's people
## [8203] were marching away. I don't know much about this war, or about the
## [8204] Horsemen
## [8205]
## [8206] of Rohan, but Saruman seems to have meant to finish off the king and all his
## [8207] men with one final blow. He emptied Isengard. I saw the enemy go: endless
## [8208] lines of marching Ores; and troops of them mounted on great wolves. And
## [8209] there were battalions of Men, too. Many of them carried torches, and in the
## [8210] flare I could see their faces. Most of them were ordinary men, rather tall
## [8211] and dark-haired, and grim but not particularly evil -looking. But there were
## [8212] some others that were horrible: man-high, but with goblin-faces, sallow,
## [8213] leering, squint-eyed. Do you know, they reminded me at once of that
## [8214] Southerner at Bree: only he was not so obviously ore-like as most of these
## [8215] were.'
## [8216]
## [8217] 'I thought of him too,' said Aragorn. 'We had many of these half-ores
## [8218] to deal with at Helm's Deep. It seems plain now that that Southerner was a
## [8219]
## [8220]
## [8221]
## [8222]
## [8223] spy of Saruman’s; but whether he was working with the Black Riders, or for
## [8224] Saruman alone, I do not know. It is difficult with these evil folk to know
## [8225] when they are in league, and when they are cheating one another.'
## [8226]
## [8227] 'Well, of all sorts together, there must have been ten thousand at the
## [8228] very least,' said Merry. 'They took an hour to pass out of the gates. Some
## [8229] went off down the highway to the Fords, and some turned away p and went
## [8230] eastward. A bridge has been built down there, about a mile away, where the
## [8231] river runs in a very deep channel. You could see it now, if you stood up.
## [8232]
## [8233] They were all singing with harsh voices, and laughing, making a hideous din.
## [8234]
## [8235] I thought things looked very black for Rohan. But Treebeard did not move. He
## [8236] said: 'My business is with Isengard tonight, with rock and stone.'
## [8237]
## [8238] 'But, though I could not see what was happening in the dark, I believe
## [8239] that Huorns began to move south, as soon as the gates were shut again. Their
## [8240] business was with Ores I think. They were far down the valley in the
## [8241] morning; or any rate there was a shadow there that one couldn't see through.
## [8242]
## [8243] 'As soon as Saruman had sent off all his army, our turn came. Treebeard
## [8244] put us down, and went up to the gates, and began hammering on the doors, and
## [8245] calling for Saruman. There was no answer, except arrows and stones from the
## [8246] walls. But arrows are no use against Ents. They hurt them, of course, and
## [8247] infuriate them: like stinging flies. But an Ent can be stuck as full of
## [8248] ore-arrows as a pin-cushion, and take no serious harm. They cannot be
## [8249] poisoned, for one thing; and their skin seems to be very thick, and tougher
## [8250] than bark. It takes a very heavy axe-stroke to wound them seriously. They
## [8251] don't like axes. But there would have to be a great many axe -men to one Ent:
## [8252] a man that hacks once at an Ent never gets a chance of a second blow. A
## [8253] punch from an Ent-fist crumples up iron like thin tin.
## [8254]
## [8255] 'When Treebeard had got a few arrows in him, he began to warm up, to
## [8256] get positively "hasty", as he would say. He let out a great hoom-hom, and a
## [8257] dozen more Ents came striding up. An angry Ent is terrifying. Their fingers,
## [8258] and their toes, just freeze on to rock; and they tear it up like
## [8259] bread-crust. It was like watching the work of great tree-roots in a hundred
## [8260] years, all packed into a few moments.
## [8261]
## [8262] 'They pushed, pulled, tore, shook, and hammered; and clang-bang,
## [8263] crash-crack, in five minutes they had these huge gates just lying in ruin;
## [8264] and some were already beginning to eat into the walls, like rabbits in a
## [8265] sand-pit. I don't know what Saruman thought was happening; but anyway he
## [8266] did
## [8267]
## [8268]
## [8269]
## [8270]
## [8271] not know how to deal with it. His wizardry may have been falling off lately,
## [8272] of course; but anyway I think he has not much grit, not much plain courage
## [8273] alone in a tight place without a lot of slaves and machines and things, if
## [8274] you know what I mean. Very different from old Gandalf. I wonder if his fame
## [8275] was not all along mainly due to his cleverness in settling at Isengard.’
## [8276]
## [8277] 'No,' said Aragorn. 'Once he was as great as his fame made him. His
## [8278] knowledge was deep, his thought was subtle, and his hands marvellously
## [8279] skilled; and he had a power over the minds of others. The wise he could
## [8280] persuade, and the smaller folk he could daunt. That power he certainly still
## [8281] keeps. There are not many in Middle-earth that I should say were safe, if
## [8282] they were left alone to talk with him, even now when he has suffered a
## [8283] defeat. Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel, perhaps, now that his wickedness has
## [8284] been laid bare, but very few others.'
## [8285]
## [8286] 'The Ents are safe,' said Pippin. 'He seems at one time to have got
## [8287] round them, but never again. And anyway he did not understand them; and he
## [8288] made the great mistake of leaving them out of his calculations. He had no
## [8289] plan for them, and there was no time to make any, once they had set to work.
## [8290] As soon as our attack began, the few remaining rats in Isengard started
## [8291] bolting through every hole that the Ents made. The Ents let the Men go,
## [8292] after they had questioned them, two or three dozen only down at this end. I
## [8293] don't think many ore-folk, of any size, escaped. Not from the Huorns: there
## [8294] was a wood full of them all round Isengard by that time, as well as those
## [8295] that had gone down the valley.
## [8296]
## [8297] 'When the Ents had reduced a large part of the southern walls to
## [8298] rubbish, and what was left of his people had bolted and deserted him,
## [8299] Saruman fled in a panic. He seems to have been at the gates when we arrived:
## [8300]
## [8301] I expect he came to watch his splendid army march out. When the Ents broke
## [8302] their way in, he left in a hurry. They did not spot him at first. But the
## [8303] night had opened out, and there was a great light of stars, quite enough for
## [8304] Ents to see by, and suddenly Quickbeam gave a cry "The tree-killer, the
## [8305] tree-killer!" Quickbeam is a gentle creature, but he hates Saruman all the
## [8306] more fiercely for that: his people suffered cruelly from ore-axes. He leapt
## [8307] down the path from the inner gate, and he can move like a wind when he is
## [8308] roused. There was a pale figure hurrying away in and out of the shadows of
## [8309] the pillars, and it had nearly reached the stairs to the tower-door. But it
## [8310] was a near thing. Quickbeam was so hot after him, that he was within a step
## [8311] or two of being caught and strangled when he slipped in through the door.
## [8312]
## [8313]
## [8314]
## [8315]
## [8316] ’When Saruman was safe back in Orthanc, it was not long before he set
## [8317] some of his precious machinery to work. By that time there were many Ents
## [8318] inside Isengard: some had followed Quickbeam, and others had burst in from
## [8319] the north and east; they were roaming about and doing a great deal of
## [8320] damage. Suddenly up came fires and foul fumes: the vents and shafts all over
## [8321] the plain began to spout and belch. Several of the Ents got scorched and
## [8322] blistered. One of them, Beechbone I think he was called, a very tall
## [8323] handsome Ent, got caught in a spray of some liquid fire and burned like a
## [8324] torch: a horrible sight.
## [8325]
## [8326] 'That sent them mad. I thought that they had been really roused before;
## [8327] but I was wrong. I saw what it was like at last. It was staggering. They
## [8328] roared and boomed and trumpeted, until stones began to crack and fall at the
## [8329] mere noise of them. Merry and I lay on the ground and stuffed our cloaks
## [8330] into our ears. Round and round the rock of Orthanc the Ents went striding
## [8331] and storming like a howling gale, breaking pillars, hurling avalanches of
## [8332] boulders down the shafts, tossing up huge slabs of stone into the air like
## [8333] leaves. The tower was in the middle of a spinning whirlwind. I saw iron
## [8334] posts and blocks of masonry go rocketing up hundreds of feet, and smash
## [8335] against the windows of Orthanc. But Treebeard kept his head. lie had not had
## [8336] any burns, luckily. He did not want his folk to hurt themselves in their
## [8337] fury, and he did not want Saruman to escape out of some hole in the
## [8338] confusion. Many of the Ents were hurling themselves against the
## [8339] Orthanc -rock; but that defeated them. It is very smooth and hard. Some
## [8340] wizardry is in it, perhaps, older and stronger than Saruman’s. Anyway they
## [8341] could not get a grip on it, or make a crack in it; and they were bruising
## [8342] and wounding themselves against it. ’So Treebeard went out into the ring and
## [8343] shouted. His enormous voice rose above all the din. There was a dead
## [8344] silence, suddenly. In it we heard a shrill laugh from a high window in the
## [8345] tower. That had a queer effect on the Ents. They had been boiling over; now
## [8346] they became cold, grim as ice, and quiet. They left the plain and gathered
## [8347] round Treebeard, standing quite still. He spoke to them for a little in
## [8348] their own language; I think he was telling them of a plan he had made in his
## [8349] old head long before. Then they just faded silently away in the grey light.
## [8350]
## [8351] Day was dawning by that time.
## [8352]
## [8353] 'They set a watch on the tower, I believe, but the watchers were so
## [8354] well hidden in shadows and kept so still, that I could not see them. The
## [8355] others went away north. All that day they were busy, out of sight. Most of
## [8356]
## [8357]
## [8358]
## [8359]
## [8360] the time we were left alone. It was a dreary day; and we wandered about a
## [8361] bit, though we kept out of the view of the windows of Orthanc, as much as we
## [8362] could: they stared at us so threateningly. A good deal of the time we spent
## [8363] looking for something to eat. And also we sat and talked, wondering what was
## [8364] happening away south in Rohan, and what had become of all the rest of our
## [8365] Company. Every now and then we could hear in the distance the rattle and
## [8366] fall of stone, and thudding noises echoing in the hills.
## [8367]
## [8368] ’In the afternoon we walked round the circle, and went to have a look
## [8369] at what was going on. There was a great shadowy wood of Huorns at the head
## [8370] of the valley, and another round the northern wall. We did not dare to go
## [8371] in. But there was a rending, tearing noise of work going on inside. Ents and
## [8372] Huorns were digging great pits and trenches, and making great pools and
## [8373] dams, gathering all the waters of the Isen and every other spring and stream
## [8374] that they could find. We left them to it.
## [8375]
## [8376] 'At dusk Treebeard came back to the gate. He was humming and booming to
## [8377] himself, and seemed pleased. He stood and stretched his great arms and legs
## [8378] and breathed deep. I asked him if he was tired.
## [8379]
## [8380] ' "Tired?" he said, "tired? Well no, not tired, but stiff. I need a
## [8381] good draught of Entwash. We have worked hard; we have done more
## [8382] stone -cracking and earth-gnawing today than we have done in many a long
## [8383] year
## [8384]
## [8385] before. But it is nearly finished. When night falls do not linger near this
## [8386] gate or in the old tunnel! Water may come through-and it will be foul water
## [8387] for a while, until all the filth of Saruman is washed away. Then Isen can
## [8388] run clean again." He began to pull down a bit more of the walls, in a
## [8389] leisurely sort of way, just to amuse himself.
## [8390]
## [8391] 'We were just wondering where it would be safe to lie and get some
## [8392] sleep, when the most amazing thing of all happened. There was the sound of a
## [8393] rider coming swiftly up the road. Merry and I lay quiet, and Treebeard hid
## [8394] himself in the shadows under the arch. Suddenly a great horse came striding
## [8395] up, like a flash of silver. It was already dark, but I could see the rider's
## [8396] face clearly: it seemed to shine, and all his clothes were white. I just sat
## [8397] up, staring, with my mouth open. I tried to call out, and couldn't.
## [8398]
## [8399] 'There was no need. He halted just by us and looked down at us.
## [8400] 'Gandalf!' I said at last, but my voice was only a whisper. Did he say:
## [8401]
## [8402] "Hullo, Pippin! This is a pleasant surprise!"? No, indeed! He said: "Get up,
## [8403] you tom-fool of a Took! Where, in the name of wonder, in all this ruin is
## [8404]
## [8405]
## [8406]
## [8407]
## [8408] Treebeard? I want him. Quick!"
## [8409]
## [8410] ’Treebeard heard his voice and came out of the shadows at once; and
## [8411] there was a strange meeting. I was surprised, because neither of them seemed
## [8412] surprised at all. Gandalf obviously expected to find Treebeard here; and
## [8413] Treebeard might almost have been loitering about near the gates on purpose
## [8414] to meet him. Yet we had told the old Entail about Moria. But then I
## [8415] remembered a queer look he gave us at the time. I can only suppose that he
## [8416] had seen Gandalf or had some news of him, but would not say anything in a
## [8417] hurry. "Don’t be hasty" is his motto; but nobody, not even Elves, will say
## [8418] much about Gandalf s movements when he is not there.
## [8419]
## [8420] '"Hoorn! Gandalf!" said Treebeard. "I am glad you have come. Wood and
## [8421] water, stock and stone, I can master; but there is a Wizard to manage here."
## [8422]
## [8423] '"Treebeard," said Gandalf. "I need your help. You have done much, but
## [8424] I need more. I have about ten thousand Ores to manage."
## [8425]
## [8426] 'Then those two went off and had a council together in some corner. It
## [8427] must have seemed very hasty to Treebeard, for Gandalf was in a tremendous
## [8428] hurry, and was already talking at a great pace, before they passed out of
## [8429] hearing. They were only away a matter of minutes, perhaps a quarter of an
## [8430] hour. Then Gandalf came back to us, and he seemed relieved, almost merry. He
## [8431] did say he was glad to see us, then.
## [8432]
## [8433] "'But Gandalf," I cried, "where have you been? And have you seen the
## [8434] others?"
## [8435]
## [8436] "'Wherever I have been, I am back," he answered in the genuine Gandalf
## [8437] manner. "Yes, I have seen some of the others. But news must wait. This is a
## [8438] perilous night, and I must ride fast. But the dawn may be brighter; and if
## [8439] so, we shall meet again. Take care of yourselves, and keep away from
## [8440] Orthanc! Good-bye!"
## [8441]
## [8442] 'Treebeard was very thoughtful after Gandalf had gone. He had evidently
## [8443] learnt a lot in a short time and was digesting it. He looked at us and said:
## [8444]
## [8445] "Hm, well, I find you are not such hasty folk as I thought. You said much
## [8446] less than you might, and not more than you should. Hm, this is a bundle of
## [8447] news and no mistake! Well, now Treebeard must get busy again."
## [8448]
## [8449] 'Before he went, we got a little news out of him; and it did not cheer
## [8450] us up at all. But for the moment we thought more about you three than about
## [8451] Frodo and Sam, or about poor Boromir. For we gathered that there was a great
## [8452] battle going on, or soon would be, and that you were in it, and might never
## [8453] come out of it.
## [8454]
## [8455]
## [8456]
## [8457]
## [8458] '"Huorns will help," said Treebeard. Then he went away and we did not
## [8459] see him again until this morning.
## [8460]
## [8461] 'It was deep night. We lay on top of a pile of stone, and could see
## [8462] nothing beyond it. Mist or shadows blotted out everything like a great
## [8463] blanket all round us. The air seemed hot and heavy; and it was full of
## [8464] rustlings, creakings, and a murmur like voices passing. I think that
## [8465] hundreds more of the Huorns must have been passing by to help in the battle.
## [8466] Later there was a great rumble of thunder away south, and flashes of
## [8467] lightning far away across Rohan. Every now and then we could see
## [8468] mountain-peaks, miles and miles away, stab out suddenly, black and white,
## [8469] and then vanish. And behind us there were noises like thunder in hills, but
## [8470] different. At times the whole valley echoed.
## [8471]
## [8472] 'It must have been about midnight when the Ents broke the dams and
## [8473] poured all the gathered waters through a gap in the northern wall, down into
## [8474] Isengard. The Huorn-dark had passed, and the thunder had rolled away. The
## [8475] Moon was sinking behind the western mountains.
## [8476]
## [8477] 'Isengard began to fill up with black creeping streams and pools. They
## [8478] glittered in the last light of the Moon, as they spread over the plain.
## [8479]
## [8480] Every now and then the waters found their way down into some shaft or
## [8481] spouthole. Great white steams hissed up. Smoke rose in billows. There were
## [8482] explosions and gusts of fire. One great coil of vapour went whirling up,
## [8483] twisting round and round Orthanc, until it looked like a tall peak of cloud,
## [8484] fiery underneath and moonlit above. And still more water poured in, until at
## [8485] last Isengard looked like a huge flat saucepan, all steaming and bubbling.'
## [8486]
## [8487] 'We saw a cloud of smoke and steam from the south last night when we
## [8488] came to the mouth of Nan Curunnr,' said Aragorn. 'We feared that Saruman
## [8489] was
## [8490]
## [8491] brewing some new devilry for us.'
## [8492]
## [8493] 'Not he!' said Pippin. 'He was probably choking and not laughing any
## [8494] more. By the morning, yesterday morning, the water had sunk down into all
## [8495] the holes, and there was a dense fog. We took refuge in that guardroom over
## [8496] there; and we had rather a fright. The lake began to overflow and pour out
## [8497] through the old tunnel, and the water was rapidly rising up the steps. We
## [8498] thought we were going to get caught like Ores in a hole; but we found a
## [8499] winding stair at the back of the store-room that brought us out on top of
## [8500] the arch. It was a squeeze to get out, as the passages had been cracked and
## [8501] half blocked with fallen stone near the top. There we sat high up above the
## [8502]
## [8503]
## [8504]
## [8505]
## [8506] floods and watched the drowning of Isengard. The Ents kept on pouring in
## [8507] more water, till all the fires were quenched and every cave filled. The fogs
## [8508] slowly gathered together and steamed up into a huge umbrella of cloud: it
## [8509] must have been a mile high. In the evening there was a great rainbow over
## [8510] the eastern hills; and then the sunset was blotted out by a thick drizzle on
## [8511] the mountain-sides. It all went very quiet. A few wolves howled mournfully,
## [8512] far away. The Ents stopped the inflow in the night, and sent the Isen back
## [8513] into its old course. And that was the end of it all.
## [8514]
## [8515] ’Since then the water has been sinking again. There must be outlets
## [8516] somewhere from the caves underneath, I think. If Saruman peeps out of any of
## [8517] his windows, it must look an untidy, dreary mess. We felt very lonely. Not
## [8518] even a visible Ent to talk to in all the ruin; and no news. We spent the
## [8519] night up on top there above the arch, and it was cold and damp and we did
## [8520] not sleep. We had a feeling that anything might happen at any minute.
## [8521] Saruman is still in his tower. There was a noise in the night like a wind
## [8522] coming up the valley. I think the Ents and Huorns that had been away came
## [8523] back then; but where they have all gone to now, I don't know. It was a
## [8524] misty, moisty morning when we climbed down and looked round again,
## [8525] and
## [8526]
## [8527] nobody was about. And that is about all there is to tell. It seems almost
## [8528] peaceful now after all the turmoil. And safer too, somehow, since Gandalf
## [8529] came back. I could sleep!'
## [8530]
## [8531] They all fell silent for a while. Gimli re-filled his pipe. 'There is
## [8532] one thing I wonder about,' he said as he lit it with his flint and tinder:
## [8533] 'Wormtongue. You told Thjoden he was with Saruman. How did he get there?'
## [8534]
## [8535] 'Oh yes, I forgot about him,' said Pippin. 'He did not get here till
## [8536] this morning. We had just lit the fire and had some breakfast when Treebeard
## [8537] appeared again. We heard him hooming and calling our names outside.
## [8538]
## [8539] "'I have just come round to see how you are faring, my lads,' he said;
## [8540]
## [8541] 'and to give you some news. Huorns have come back. All's well; aye very well
## [8542] indeed!" he laughed, and slapped his thighs. "No more Ores in Isengard, no
## [8543] more axes! And there will be folk coming up from the South before the day is
## [8544] old; some that you may be glad to see."
## [8545]
## [8546] 'He had hardly said that, when we heard the sound of hoofs on the road.
## [8547]
## [8548] We rushed out before the gates, and I stood and stared, half expecting to
## [8549] see Strider and Gandalf come riding up at the head of an army. But out of
## [8550] the mist there rode a man on an old tired horse; and he looked a queer
## [8551]
## [8552]
## [8553]
## [8554]
## [8555] twisted sort of creature himself. There was no one else. When he came, out
## [8556] of the mist and suddenly saw all the ruin and wreckage in front of him, he
## [8557] sat and gaped, and his face went almost green. He was so bewildered that he
## [8558] did not seem to notice us at first. When he did, he gave a cry, and tried to
## [8559] turn his horse round and ride off. But Treebeard took three strides, put out
## [8560] a long arm, and lifted him out of the saddle. His horse bolted in terror,
## [8561] and he grovelled on the ground. He said he was Grnma, friend and counsellor
## [8562] of the king, and had been sent with important messages from Thjoden to
## [8563] Saruman.
## [8564]
## [8565] '"No one else would dare to ride through the open land, so full of foul
## [8566] Ores," he said, "so I was sent. And I have had a perilous journey, and I am
## [8567] hungry and weary. I fled far north out of my way, pursued by wolves."
## [8568]
## [8569] 'I caught the sidelong looks he gave to Treebeard, and I said to myself
## [8570] "liar". Treebeard looked at him in his long slow way for several minutes,
## [8571] till the wretched man was squirming on the floor. Then at last he said: "Ha,
## [8572] hm, I was expecting you, Master Wormtongue." The man started at that name.
## [8573] "Gandalf got here first. So I know as much about you as I need, and I know
## [8574] what to do with you. Put all the rats in one trap, said Gandalf; and I will.
## [8575]
## [8576] I am the master of Isengard now, but Saruman is locked in his tower; and you
## [8577] can go there and give him all the messages that you can think of."
## [8578]
## [8579] '"Let me go, let me go!" said Wormtongue. "I know the way."
## [8580]
## [8581] "'You knew the way, I don't doubt," said Treebeard. "But things have
## [8582] changed here a little. Go and see!"
## [8583]
## [8584] 'He let Wormtongue go, and he limped off through the arch with us close
## [8585] behind, until he came inside the ring and could see all the floods that lay
## [8586] between him and Orthanc. Then he turned to us.
## [8587]
## [8588] "'Let me go away!" he whined. "Let me go away! My messages are useless
## [8589] now."
## [8590]
## [8591] "'They are indeed," said Treebeard. "But you have only two choices: to
## [8592] stay with me until Gandalf and your master arrive; or to cross the water.
## [8593] Which will you have?"
## [8594]
## [8595] 'The man shivered at the mention of his master, and put a foot into the
## [8596] water; but he drew back. "I cannot swim," he said.
## [8597]
## [8598] "'The water is not deep," said Treebeard. "It is dirty, but that will
## [8599] not harm you, Master Wormtongue. In you go now!"
## [8600]
## [8601] 'With that the wretch floundered off into the flood. It rose up nearly
## [8602] to his neck before he got too far away for me to see him. The last I saw of
## [8603]
## [8604]
## [8605]
## [8606]
## [8607] him was clinging to some old barrel or piece of wood. But Treebeard waded
## [8608] after him, and watched his progress.
## [8609]
## [8610] '"Well, he has gone in," he said when he returned. "I saw him crawling
## [8611] up the steps like a draggled rat. There is someone in the tower still: a
## [8612] hand came out and pulled him in. So there he is, and I hope the welcome is
## [8613] to his liking. Now I must go and wash myself clean of the slime. I'll be
## [8614] away up on the north side, if anyone wants to see me. There is no clean
## [8615] water down here fit for an Ent to drink, or to bathe in. So I will ask you
## [8616] two lads to keep a watch at the gate for the folk that are coming. There’ll
## [8617] be the Lord of the Fields of Rohan, mark you! You must welcome him as well
## [8618] as you know how: his men have fought a great fight with the Ores. Maybe, you
## [8619] know the right fashion of Men's words for such a lord, better than Ents.
## [8620]
## [8621] There have been many lords in the green fields in my time, and I have never
## [8622] learned their speech or their names. They will be wanting man-food, and you
## [8623] know all about that, I guess. So find what you think is fit for a king to
## [8624] eat, if you can." And that is the end of the story. Though I should like to
## [8625] know who this Wormtongue is. Was he really the king's counsellor?'
## [8626]
## [8627] 'He was,' said Aragorn; 'and also Saruman's spy and servant in Rohan.
## [8628]
## [8629] Fate has not been kinder to him than he deserves. The sight of the ruin of
## [8630] all that he thought so strong and magnificent must have been almost
## [8631] punishment enough. But I fear that worse awaits him.'
## [8632]
## [8633] 'Yes, I don't suppose Treebeard sent him to Orthanc out of kindness,'
## [8634] said Merry. 'He seemed rather grimly delighted with the business and was
## [8635] laughing to himself when he went to get his bathe and drink. We spent a busy
## [8636] time after that, searching the flotsam, and rummaging about. We found two or
## [8637] three store-rooms in different places nearby, above the flood-level. But
## [8638] Treebeard sent some Ents down, and they carried off a great deal of the
## [8639] stuff.
## [8640]
## [8641] "'We want man-food for twenty-five," the Ents said, so you can see that
## [8642] somebody had counted your company carefully before you arrived. You three
## [8643] were evidently meant to go with the great people. But you would not have
## [8644] fared any better. We kept as good as we sent, I promise you. Better, because
## [8645] we sent no drink.
## [8646]
## [8647] "'What about drink?" I said to the Ents.
## [8648]
## [8649] "'There is water of Isen," they said, "and that is good enough for Ents
## [8650] and Men." But I hope that the Ents may have found time to brew some of their
## [8651] draughts from the mountain-springs, and we shall see Gandalf's beard curling
## [8652]
## [8653]
## [8654]
## [8655]
## [8656] when he returns. After the Ents had gone, we felt tired, and hungry. But we
## [8657] did not grumble — our labours had been well rewarded. It was through our
## [8658] search for man-food that Pippin discovered the prize of all the flotsam,
## [8659] those Hornblower barrels. "Pipe-weed is better after food," said Pippin;
## [8660] that is how the situation arose.'
## [8661]
## [8662] 'We understand it all perfectly now,' said Gimli.
## [8663]
## [8664] 'All except one thing,' said Aragorn: 'leaf from the Southfarthing in
## [8665] Isengard. The more I consider it, the more curious I find it. I have never
## [8666] been in Isengard, but I have journeyed in this land, and I know well the
## [8667] empty countries that lie between Rohan and the Shire. Neither goods nor folk
## [8668] have passed that way for many a long year, not openly. Saruman had secret
## [8669] dealings with someone in the Shire, I guess. Wormtongues may be found in
## [8670] other houses than King Thjoden's. Was there a date on the barrels?'
## [8671]
## [8672] 'Yes,' said Pippin. 'It was the 1417 crop, that is last year's; no, the
## [8673] year before, of course, now: a good year.'
## [8674]
## [8675] 'Ah well, whatever evil was afoot is over now, I hope; or else it is
## [8676] beyond our reach at present,' said Aragorn. 'Yet I think I shall mention it
## [8677] to Gandalf, small matter though it may seem among his great affairs.'
## [8678]
## [8679] 'I wonder what he is doing,' said Merry. 'The afternoon is getting on.
## [8680]
## [8681] Let us go and look round! You can enter Isengard now at any rate, Strider,
## [8682] if you want to. But it is not a very cheerful sight.'
## [8683]
## [8684]
## [8685]
## [8686]
## [8687] Chapter 10. The Voice of Saruman
## [8688]
## [8689]
## [8690]
## [8691] They passed through the ruined tunnel and stood upon a heap of stones,
## [8692] gazing at the dark rock of Orthanc, and its many windows, a menace still in
## [8693] the desolation that lay all about it. The waters had now nearly all
## [8694] subsided. Here and there gloomy pools remained, covered with scum and
## [8695] wreckage; but most of the wide circle was bare again, a wilderness of slime
## [8696] and tumbled rock, pitted with blackened holes, and dotted with posts and
## [8697] pillars leaning drunkenly this way and that. At the rim of the shattered
## [8698] bowl there lay vast mounds and slopes, like the shingles cast up by a great
## [8699] storm; and beyond them the green and tangled valley ran up into the long
## [8700] ravine between the dark arms of the mountains. Across the waste they saw
## [8701] riders picking their way; they were coming from the north side, and already
## [8702] they were drawing near to Orthanc.
## [8703]
## [8704] There is Gandalf, and Thjoden and his men!' said Legolas. 'Let us go
## [8705] and meet them!'
## [8706]
## [8707] 'Walk warily!' said Merry. 'There are loose slabs that may tilt up and
## [8708] throw you down into a pit, if you don't take care.'
## [8709]
## [8710] They followed what was left of the road from the gates to Orthanc,
## [8711] going slowly, for the flag-stones were cracked and slimed. The riders,
## [8712] seeing them approach, halted under the shadow of the rock and waited for
## [8713] them. Gandalf rode forward to meet them.
## [8714]
## [8715] 'Well, Treebeard and I have had some interesting discussions, and made
## [8716] a few plans,' he said; 'and we have all had some much-needed rest. Now we
## [8717] must be going on again. I hope you companions have all rested, too, and
## [8718] refreshed yourselves?'
## [8719]
## [8720] 'We have,' said Merry. 'But our discussions began and ended in smoke.
## [8721] Still we feel less ill-disposed towards Saruman than we did.'
## [8722]
## [8723] 'Do you indeed?' said Gandalf. 'Well, I do not. I have now a last task
## [8724] to do before I go: I must pay Saruman a farewell visit. Dangerous, and
## [8725] probably useless; but it must be done. Those of you who wish may come with
## [8726] me — but beware! And do not jest! This is not the time for it.'
## [8727]
## [8728] 'I will come,' said Gimli. 'I wish to see him and learn if he really
## [8729] looks like you.'
## [8730]
## [8731] 'And how will you learn that, Master Dwarf?' said Gandalf. 'Saruman
## [8732]
## [8733]
## [8734]
## [8735]
## [8736] could look like me in your eyes, if it suited his purpose with you. And are
## [8737] you yet wise enough to detect all his counterfeits? Well, we shall see,
## [8738] perhaps. He may be shy of showing himself before many different eyes
## [8739] together. But I have ordered all the Ents to remove themselves from sight,
## [8740] so perhaps we shall persuade him to come out.'
## [8741]
## [8742] ’What's the danger?’ asked Pippin. 'Will he shoot at us, and pour fire
## [8743] out of the windows; or can he put a spell on us from a distance?'
## [8744]
## [8745] 'The last is most likely, if you ride to his door with a light heart,'
## [8746] said Gandalf. 'But there is no knowing what he can do, or may choose to try.
## [8747]
## [8748] A wild beast cornered is not safe to approach. And Saruman has powers you do
## [8749] not guess. Beware of his voice!'
## [8750]
## [8751] They came now to the foot of Orthanc. It was black, and the rock
## [8752] gleamed as if it were wet. The many faces of the stone had sharp edges as
## [8753] though they had been newly chiselled. A few scorings, and small flake-like
## [8754] splinters near the base, were all the marks that it bore of the fury of the
## [8755] Ents.
## [8756]
## [8757] On the eastern side, in the angle of two piers, there was a great door,
## [8758] high above the ground; and over it was a shuttered window, opening upon a
## [8759] balcony hedged with iron bars. Up to the threshold of the door there mounted
## [8760] a flight of twenty-seven broad stairs, hewn by some unknown art of the same
## [8761] black stone. This was the only entrance to the tower; but many tall windows
## [8762] were cut with deep embrasures in the climbing walls: far up they peered like
## [8763] little eyes in the sheer faces of the horns.
## [8764]
## [8765] At the foot of the stairs Gandalf and the king dismounted. 'I will go
## [8766] up,' said Gandalf. 'I have been in Orthanc and I know my peril.'
## [8767]
## [8768] 'And I too will go up,' said the king. 'I am old, and fear no peril any
## [8769] more. I wish to speak with the enemy who has done me so much wrong.
## [8770] Jomer
## [8771]
## [8772] shall come with me, and see that my aged feet do not falter.'
## [8773]
## [8774] 'As you will,' said Gandalf. 'Aragorn shall come with me. Let the
## [8775] others await us at the foot of the stairs. They will hear and see enough, if
## [8776] there is anything to hear or see.'
## [8777]
## [8778] 'Nay!' said Gimli. 'Legolas and I wish for a closer view. We alone here
## [8779] represent our kindred. We also will come behind.'
## [8780]
## [8781] 'Come then!' said Gandalf, and with that he climbed the steps, and
## [8782] Thjoden went beside him.
## [8783]
## [8784] The Riders of Rohan sat uneasily upon their horses, on either side of
## [8785]
## [8786]
## [8787]
## [8788]
## [8789] the stair, and looked up darkly at the great tower, fearing what might
## [8790] befall their lord. Merry and Pippin sat on the bottom step, feeling both
## [8791] unimportant and unsafe.
## [8792]
## [8793] 'Half a sticky mile from here to the gate!' muttered Pippin. 'I wish I
## [8794] could slip off back to the guardroom unnoticed! What did we come for? We are
## [8795] not wanted.'
## [8796]
## [8797] Gandalf stood before the door of Orthanc and beat on it with his staff.
## [8798]
## [8799] It rang with a hollow sound. 'Saruman, Saruman!' he cried in a loud
## [8800] commanding voice. 'Saruman come forth!'
## [8801]
## [8802] For some time there was no answer. At last the window above the door
## [8803] was unbarred, hut no figure could be seen at its dark opening.
## [8804]
## [8805] 'Who is it?' said a voice. 'What do you wish?'
## [8806]
## [8807] Thjoden started. 'I know that voice,' he said, 'and I curse the day
## [8808] when I first listened to it.'
## [8809]
## [8810] 'Go and fetch Saruman, since you have become his footman, Grnma
## [8811] Wormtongue!' said Gandalf. 'And do not waste our time!'
## [8812]
## [8813] The window closed. They waited. Suddenly another voice spoke, low and
## [8814] melodious, its very sound an enchantment. Those who listened unwarily to
## [8815] that voice could seldom report the words that they heard; and if they did,
## [8816] they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly they remembered
## [8817] only that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that it said
## [8818] seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to
## [8819] seem wise themselves. When others spoke they seemed harsh and uncouth
## [8820] by
## [8821]
## [8822] contrast; and if they gainsaid the voice, anger was kindled in the hearts of
## [8823] those under the spell. Fur some the spell lasted only while the voice spoke
## [8824] to them, and when it spake to another they smiled, as men do who see through
## [8825] a juggler's trick while others gape at it. For many the sound of the voice
## [8826] alone was enough to hold them enthralled; but for those whom it conquered
## [8827] the spell endured when they were far away, and ever they heard that soft
## [8828] voice whispering and urging them. But none were unmoved; none rejected its
## [8829] pleas and its commands without an effort of mind and will, so long as its
## [8830] master had control of it.
## [8831]
## [8832] 'Well?' it said now with gentle question. 'Why must you disturb my
## [8833] rest? Will you give me no peace at all by night or day?' Its tone was that
## [8834] of a kindly heart aggrieved by injuries undeserved.
## [8835]
## [8836] They looked up, astonished, for they had heard no sound of his coming;
## [8837]
## [8838]
## [8839]
## [8840]
## [8841] and they saw a figure standing at the rail, looking down upon them: an old
## [8842] man, swathed in a great cloak, the colour of which was not easy to tell, for
## [8843] it changed if they moved their eyes or if he stirred. His face was long,
## [8844] with a high forehead, he had deep darkling eyes, hard to fathom, though the
## [8845] look that they now bore was grave and benevolent, and a little weary. His
## [8846] hair and beard were white, but strands of black still showed about his lips
## [8847] and ears.
## [8848]
## [8849] 'Like, and yet unlike,’ muttered Gimli.
## [8850]
## [8851] 'But come now,' said the soft voice. 'Two at least of you I know by
## [8852] name. Gandalf I know too well to have much hope that he seeks help or
## [8853] counsel here. But you, Thjoden Lord of the Mark of Rohan are declared by
## [8854] your noble devices, and still more by the fair countenance of the House of
## [8855] Eorl. O worthy son of Thengel the Thrice-renowned! Why have you not
## [8856] come
## [8857]
## [8858] before, and as a friend? Much have I desired to see you, mightiest king of
## [8859] western lands, and especially in these latter years, to save you from the
## [8860] unwise and evil counsels that beset you ! Is it yet too late? Despite the
## [8861] injuries that have been done to me, in which the men of Rohan, alas! have
## [8862] had some part, still I would save you, and deliver you from the ruin that
## [8863] draws nigh inevitably, if you ride upon this road which you have taken.
## [8864] Indeed I alone can aid you now.'
## [8865]
## [8866] Thjoden opened his mouth as if to speak, but he said nothing. He looked
## [8867] up at the face of Saruman with its dark solemn eyes bent down upon him, and
## [8868] then to Gandalf at his side; and he seemed to hesitate. Gandalf made no
## [8869] sign; but stood silent as stone, as one waiting patiently for some call that
## [8870] has not yet come. The Riders stirred at first, murmuring with approval of
## [8871] the words of Saruman; and then they too were silent, as men spell-bound. It
## [8872] seemed to them that Gandalf had never spoken so fair and fittingly to their
## [8873] lord. Rough and proud now seemed all his dealings with Thjoden. And over
## [8874] their hearts crept a shadow, the fear of a great danger: the end of the Mark
## [8875] in a darkness to which Gandalf was driving them, while Saruman stood beside
## [8876] a door of escape, holding it half open so that a ray of light came through.
## [8877] There was a heavy silence.
## [8878]
## [8879] It was Gimli the dwarf who broke in suddenly. 'The words of this wizard
## [8880] stand on their heads,' he growled, gripping the handle of his axe. 'In the
## [8881] language of Orthanc help means ruin, and saving means slaying, that is
## [8882] plain. But we do not come here to beg.'
## [8883]
## [8884]
## [8885]
## [8886]
## [8887] ’Peace!' said Saruman, and for a fleeting moment his voice was less
## [8888] suave, and a light flickered in his eyes and was gone. 'I do not speak to
## [8889] you yet, Gimli Gluin's son,' he said. ’Far away is your home and small
## [8890] concern of yours are the troubles of this land. But it was not by design of
## [8891] your own that you became embroiled in them, and so I will not blame such
## [8892] part as you have played-a valiant one, I doubt not. But I pray you, allow me
## [8893] first to speak with the King of Rohan, my neighbour, and once my friend.
## [8894]
## [8895] ’What have you to say, Thjoden King? Will you have peace with me, and
## [8896] all the aid that my knowledge, founded in long years, can bring? Shall we
## [8897] make our counsels together against evil days, and repair our injuries with
## [8898] such good will that our estates shall both come to fairer flower than ever
## [8899] before?'
## [8900]
## [8901] Still Thjoden did not answer. Whether he strove with anger or doubt
## [8902] none could say. Jomer spoke.
## [8903]
## [8904] 'Lord, hear me!' he said. 'Now we feel the peril that we were warned
## [8905] of. Have we ridden forth to victory, only to stand at last amazed by an old
## [8906] liar with honey on his forked tongue? So would the trapped wolf speak to the
## [8907] hounds, if he could. What aid can he give to you, forsooth? All he desires
## [8908] is to escape from his plight. But will you parley with this dealer in
## [8909] treachery and murder? Remember Thjodred at the Fords, and the grave of
## [8910] Hbma
## [8911]
## [8912] in Helm's Deep!'
## [8913]
## [8914] 'If we speak of poisoned tongues what shall we say of yours, young
## [8915] serpent?' said Saruman, and the flash of his anger was now plain to see.
## [8916]
## [8917] 'But come, Jomer, Jomund's son!' he went on in his soft voice again. To
## [8918] every man h part. Valour in arms is yours, and you win high honour thereby.
## [8919] Slay whom your lord names as enemies, and be content. Meddle not in policies
## [8920] which you do not understand. But maybe, if you become a king, you Will find
## [8921] that he must choose his friends with care. The friendship of Saruman and the
## [8922] power of Orthanc cannot be lightly thrown aside, whatever grievances, real
## [8923] or fancied, may lie behind. You have won a battle but not a war and that
## [8924] with help on which you cannot count again. You may find the Shadow of the
## [8925] Wood at your own door next: it is wayward, and senseless, and has no love
## [8926] for Men.
## [8927]
## [8928] 'But my lord of Rohan, am I to be called a murderer, because valiant
## [8929] men have fallen in battle? If you go to war, needlessly, for I did not
## [8930] desire it, then men will be slain. But if I am a murderer on that account,
## [8931]
## [8932]
## [8933]
## [8934]
## [8935] then all the House of Eorl is stained with murder; for they have fought many
## [8936] wars, and assailed many who defied them. Yet with some they have afterwards
## [8937] made peace, none the worse for being politic. I say, Thjoden King: shall we
## [8938] have peace and friendship, you and I? It is ours to command '
## [8939]
## [8940] 'We will have peace,' said Thjoden at last thickly and with an effort.
## [8941]
## [8942] Several of the Riders cried out gladly. Thjoden held up his hand. 'Yes, we
## [8943] will have peace,' he said, now in a clear voice, 'we will have peace, when
## [8944] you and all your works have perished — and the works of your dark master to
## [8945] whom you would deliver us. You are a liar. Saruman, and a corrupter of men's
## [8946] hearts. You hold out your hand to me, and I perceive only a finger of the
## [8947] claw of Mordor. Cruel and cold! Even if your war on me was just as it was
## [8948] not, for were you ten times as wise you would have no right to rule me and
## [8949] mine for your own profit as you desired — even so, what will you say of
## [8950] your torches in Westfold and the children that lie dead there? And they
## [8951] hewed Hbma's body before the gates of the Hornburg, after he was dead.
## [8952]
## [8953] When
## [8954]
## [8955] you hang from a gibbet at your window for the sport of your own crows, I
## [8956] will have peace with you and Orthanc. So much for the House of Eorl. A
## [8957] lesser son of great sires am I, but I do not need to lick your fingers. Turn
## [8958] elsewhither. But I fear your voice has lost its charm.'
## [8959]
## [8960] The Riders gazed up at Thjoden like men startled out of a dream. Harsh
## [8961] as an old raven's their master's voice sounded in their ears after the music
## [8962] of Saruman. But Saruman for a while was beside himself with wrath. He leaned
## [8963] over the rail as if he would smite the King with his staff. To some suddenly
## [8964] it seemed that they saw a snake coiling itself to strike.
## [8965]
## [8966] 'Gibbets and crows!' he hissed, and they shuddered at the hideous
## [8967] change. 'Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a thatched barn where
## [8968] brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll on the floor among the
## [8969] dogs? Too long have they escaped the gibbet themselves. But the noose comes,
## [8970] slow in the drawing, tight and hard in the end. Hang if you will!' Now his
## [8971] voice changed, as he slowly mastered himself. 'I know not why I have had the
## [8972] patience to speak to you. For I need you not, nor your little band of
## [8973] gallopers, as swift to fly as to advance, Thjoden Horsemaster. Long ago I
## [8974] offered you a state beyond your merit and your wit. I have offered it again,
## [8975] so that those whom you mislead may clearly see the choice of roads. You give
## [8976] me brag and abuse. So be it. Go back to your huts!
## [8977]
## [8978] 'But you, Gandalf ! For you at least I am grieved, feeling for your
## [8979]
## [8980]
## [8981]
## [8982]
## [8983] shame. How comes it that you can endure such company? For you are proud,
## [8984] Gandalf-and not without reason, having a noble mind and eyes that look both
## [8985] deep and far. Even now will you not listen to my counsel?'
## [8986]
## [8987] Gandalf stirred, and looked up. ’What have you to say that you did not
## [8988] say at our last meeting?' he asked. 'Or, perhaps, you have things to unsay?'
## [8989]
## [8990] Saruman paused. 'Unsay?' he mused, as if puzzled. 'Unsay? I endeavoured
## [8991] to advise you for your own good, but you scarcely listened. You are proud
## [8992] and do not love advice, having indeed a store of your own wisdom. But on
## [8993] that occasion you erred, I think, misconstruing my intentions wilfully. I
## [8994] fear that in my eagerness to persuade you, I lost patience. And indeed I
## [8995] regret it. For I bore you no ill-will; and even now I bear none, though you
## [8996] return to me in the company of the violent and the ignorant. How should I?
## [8997] Are we not both members of a high and ancient order, most excellent in
## [8998] Middle-earth? Our friendship would profit us both alike. Much we could still
## [8999] accomplish together, to heal the disorders of the world. Let us understand
## [9000] one another, and dismiss from thought these lesser folk! Let them wait on
## [9001] our decisions ! For the common good I am willing to redress the past, and to
## [9002] receive you. Will you not consult with me? Will you not come up?'
## [9003]
## [9004] So great was the power that Saruman exerted in this last effort that
## [9005] none that stood within hearing were unmoved. But now the spell was wholly
## [9006] different. They heard the gentle remonstrance of a kindly king with an
## [9007] erring but much-loved minister. But they were shut out, listening at a door
## [9008] to words not meant for them: ill-mannered children or stupid servants
## [9009] overhearing the elusive discourse of their elders, and wondering how it
## [9010] would affect their lot. Of loftier mould these two were made: reverend and
## [9011] wise. It was inevitable that they should make alliance. Gandalf would ascend
## [9012] into the tower, to discuss deep things beyond their comprehension in the
## [9013] high chambers of Orthanc. The door would be closed, and they would be left
## [9014] outside, dismissed to await allotted work or punishment. Even in the mind of
## [9015] Thjoden the thought took shape, like a shadow of doubt: 'He will betray us;
## [9016] he will go — we shall be lost.'
## [9017]
## [9018] Then Gandalf laughed. The fantasy vanished like a puff of smoke.
## [9019]
## [9020] 'Saruman, Saruman!' said Gandalf still laughing. 'Saruman, you missed
## [9021] your path in life. You should have been the king's jester and earned your
## [9022] bread, and stripes too, by mimicking his counsellors. Ah me!' he paused,
## [9023] getting the better of his mirth. 'Understand one another? I fear I am beyond
## [9024] your comprehension. But you, Saruman, I understand now too well. I keep a
## [9025]
## [9026]
## [9027]
## [9028]
## [9029] clearer memory of your arguments, and deeds, than you suppose. When last I
## [9030] visited you, you were the jailor of Mordor, and there I was to be sent. Nay,
## [9031] the guest who has escaped from the roof, will think twice before he comes
## [9032] back in by the door. Nay, I do not think I will come up. But listen,
## [9033] Saruman, for the last time! Will you not come down? Isengard has proved less
## [9034] strong than your hope and fancy made it. So may other things in which you
## [9035] still have trust. Would it not be well to leave it for a while? To turn to
## [9036] new things, perhaps? Think well, Saruman! Will you not come down?'
## [9037]
## [9038] A shadow passed over Saruman's face; then it went deathly white. Before
## [9039] he could conceal it, they saw through the mask the anguish of a mind in
## [9040] doubt, loathing to stay and dreading to leave its refuge. For a second he
## [9041] hesitated, and no one breathed. Then he spoke, and his voice was shrill and
## [9042] cold. Pride and hate were conquering him.
## [9043]
## [9044] 'Will I come down?' he mocked. 'Does an unarmed man come down to
## [9045] speak
## [9046]
## [9047] with robbers out of doors? I can hear you w ell enough here. I am no fool,
## [9048] and I do not trust you, Gandalf. They do not stand openly on my stairs, but
## [9049] I know where the wild wood-demons are lurking, at your command.'
## [9050]
## [9051] 'The treacherous are ever distrustful,' answered Gandalf wearily. 'But
## [9052] you need not fear for your skin. I do not wish to kill you, or hurt you, as
## [9053] you would know, if you really understood me. And I have the power to protect
## [9054] you. I am giving you a last chance. You can leave Orthanc, free — if you
## [9055] choose.'
## [9056]
## [9057] 'That sounds well,' sneered Saruman. 'Very much in the manner of
## [9058] Gandalf the Grey: so condescending, and so very kind. I do not doubt that
## [9059] you would find Orthanc commodious, and my departure convenient. But
## [9060] why
## [9061]
## [9062] should I wish to leave? And what do you mean by 'free'? There are
## [9063] conditions, I presume?'
## [9064]
## [9065] 'Reasons for leaving you can see from your windows.' answered Gandalf.
## [9066] 'Others will occur to your thought. Your servants are destroyed and
## [9067] scattered; your neighbours you have made your enemies; and you have cheated
## [9068] your new master, or tried to do so. When his eye turns hither, it will be
## [9069] the red eye of wrath. But when I say 'free', I mean 'free': free from bond,
## [9070] of chain or command: to go where you will, even, even to Mordor, Saruman, if
## [9071] you desire. But you will first surrender to me the Key of Orthanc, and your
## [9072] staff. They shall be pledges of your conduct, to be returned later, if you
## [9073]
## [9074]
## [9075]
## [9076]
## [9077] merit them.'
## [9078]
## [9079] Saruman's face grew livid, twisted with rage, and a red light was
## [9080] kindled in his eyes. He laughed wildly. 'Later!' he cried, and his voice
## [9081] rose to a scream. 'Later! Yes, when you also have the Keys ofBarad-dyr
## [9082] itself, I suppose; and the crowns of seven kings, and the rods of the Five
## [9083] Wizards, and have purchased yourself a pair of boots many sizes larger than
## [9084] those that you wear now. A modest plan. Hardly one in which my help is
## [9085] needed! I have other things to do. Do not be a fool. If you wish to treat
## [9086] with me, while you have a chance, go away, and come back when you are
## [9087] sober!
## [9088]
## [9089] And leave behind these cut-throats and small rag-tag that dangle at your
## [9090] tail! Good day!' He turned and left the balcony.
## [9091]
## [9092] 'Come back, Saruman!' said Gandalf in a commanding voice. To the
## [9093] amazement of the others, Saruman turned again, and as if dragged against his
## [9094] will, he came slowly back to the iron rail, leaning on it, breathing hard.
## [9095]
## [9096] His face was lined and shrunken. His hand clutched his heavy black staff
## [9097] like a claw.
## [9098]
## [9099] 'I did not give you leave to go,' said Gandalf sternly. 'I have not
## [9100] finished. You have become a fool, Saruman, and yet pitiable. You might still
## [9101] have turned away from folly and evil, and have been of service. But you
## [9102] choose to stay and gnaw the ends of your old plots. Stay then! But I warn
## [9103] you. you will not easily come out again. Not unless the dark hands of the
## [9104] East stretch out to take you. Saruman!' he cried, and his voice grew in
## [9105] power and authority. 'Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey, whom you betrayed.
## [9106] I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no colour
## [9107] now,
## [9108]
## [9109] and I cast you from the order and from the Council.'
## [9110]
## [9111] He raised his hand, and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice. 'Saruman,
## [9112] your staff is broken.' There was a crack, and the staff split asunder in
## [9113] Saruman's hand, and the head of it fell down at Gandalf s feet. 'Go!' said
## [9114] Gandalf. With a cry Saruman fell back and crawled away. At that moment a
## [9115] heavy shining thing came hurtling down from above. It glanced off the iron
## [9116] rail, even as Saruman left it, and passing close to Gandalf 's head, it smote
## [9117] the stair on which he stood. The rail rang and snapped. The stair cracked
## [9118] and splintered in glittering sparks. But the ball was unharmed: it rolled on
## [9119] down the steps, a globe of crystal, dark, but glowing with a heart of fire.
## [9120]
## [9121] As it bounded away towards a pool Pippin ran after it and picked it up.
## [9122]
## [9123]
## [9124]
## [9125]
## [9126] 'The murderous rogue!' cried Jomer. But Gandalf was unmoved. No, that
## [9127] was not thrown b Saruman, he said; nor even at his bidding, I think. It came
## [9128] from a window far above. A parting shot from Master Wormtongue, I fancy,
## [9129] but
## [9130]
## [9131] ill aimed.'
## [9132]
## [9133] 'The aim was poor, maybe, because he could not make up his mind which
## [9134] he hated more, you or Saruman,' said Aragorn.
## [9135]
## [9136] 'That may be so,' said Gandalf. 'Small comfort will those two have in
## [9137] their companionship: they will gnaw one another with words. But the
## [9138] punishment is just. If Wormtongue ever comes out of Orthanc alive, it will
## [9139] be more than he deserves.
## [9140]
## [9141] 'Here, my lad, I'll take that! I did not ask you to handle it,' he
## [9142] cried, turning sharply and seeing Pippin coming up the steps, slowly, as if
## [9143] he were bearing a great weight. He went down to meet him and hastily took
## [9144] the dark globe from the hobbit, wrapping it in the folds of his cloak. 'I
## [9145] will take care of this,' he said. 'It is not a thing, I guess, that Saruman
## [9146] would have chosen to cast away.'
## [9147]
## [9148] 'But he may have other things to cast,' said Gimli. 'If that is the end
## [9149] of the debate, let us go out of stone's throw, at least!'
## [9150]
## [9151] 'It is the end,' said Gandalf. 'Let us go.'
## [9152]
## [9153] They turned their backs on the doors of Orthanc, and went down. The
## [9154] riders hailed the king with joy, and saluted Gandalf. The spell of Saruman
## [9155] was broken: they had seen him come at call, and crawl away, dismissed.
## [9156]
## [9157] 'Well, that is done,' said Gandalf. 'Now I must find Treebeard and tell
## [9158] him how things have gone.'
## [9159]
## [9160] 'He will have guessed, surely?' said Merry. 'Were they likely to end
## [9161] any other way?'
## [9162]
## [9163] 'Not likely,' answered Gandalf, 'though they came to the balance of a
## [9164] hair. But I had reasons for trying; some merciful and some less so. First
## [9165] Saruman was shown that the power of his voice was waning. He cannot be
## [9166] both
## [9167]
## [9168] tyrant and counsellor. When the plot is ripe it remains no longer secret.
## [9169]
## [9170] Yet he fell into the trap, and tried to deal with his victims piece-meal,
## [9171] while others listened. Then I gave him a last choice and a fair one: to
## [9172] renounce both Mordor and his private schemes, and make amends by helping
## [9173] us
## [9174]
## [9175] in our need. He knows our need, none better. Great service he could have
## [9176]
## [9177]
## [9178]
## [9179]
## [9180] rendered. But he has chosen to withhold it, and keep the power of Orthanc.
## [9181] He will not serve, only command. He lives now in terror of the shadow of
## [9182] Mordor, and yet he still dreams of riding the storm. Unhappy fool! He will
## [9183] be devoured, if the power of the East stretches out its arms to Isengard. We
## [9184] cannot destroy Orthanc from without, but Sauron — who knows what he can
## [9185] do?'
## [9186]
## [9187] 'And what if Sauron does not conquer? What will you do to him?' asked
## [9188] Pippin.
## [9189]
## [9190] 'I? Nothing!' said Gandalf. 'I will do nothing to him. I do not wish
## [9191] for mastery. What w ill become of him? I cannot say. I grieve that so much
## [9192] that was good now festers in the tower. Still for us things have not gone
## [9193] badly. Strange are the turns of fortune! Often does hatred hurt itself! I
## [9194] guess that, even if we had entered in, we could have found few treasures in
## [9195] Orthanc more precious than the thing which Wormtongue threw down at us.'
## [9196]
## [9197] A shrill shriek; suddenly cut off, came from an open window high above.
## [9198]
## [9199] 'It seems that Saruman thinks so too,' said Gandalf. 'Let us leave
## [9200] them!'
## [9201]
## [9202] They returned now to the ruins of the gate. Hardly had they passed out
## [9203] under the arch, when, from among the shadows of the piled stones where they
## [9204] had stood, Treebeard and a dozen other Ents came striding up. Aragorn, Gimli
## [9205] and Legolas gazed at them in wonder.
## [9206]
## [9207] 'Here are three of my companions, Treebeard,' said Gandalf. 'I have
## [9208] spoken of them, but you have not yet seen them.' He named them one by one.
## [9209]
## [9210] The Old Ent looked at them long and searchingly, and spoke to them in
## [9211] turn. Last he turned to Legolas. 'So you have come all the way from
## [9212] Mirkwood, my good Elf? A very great forest it used to be!'
## [9213]
## [9214] 'And still is,' said Legolas. 'But not so great that we who dwell there
## [9215] ever tire of seeing new trees. I should dearly love to journey in Fangorn's
## [9216] Wood. I scarcely passed beyond the eaves of it, and I did not wish to turn
## [9217] back.'
## [9218]
## [9219] Treebeard's eyes gleamed with pleasure. 'I hope you may have your wish,
## [9220] ere the hills be much older,' he said.
## [9221]
## [9222] 'I will come, if I have the fortune,' said Legolas. 'I have made a
## [9223] bargain with my friend that, if all goes well, we will visit Fangorn
## [9224] together — by your leave.'
## [9225]
## [9226] 'Any Elf that comes with you will be welcome,' said Treebeard.
## [9227]
## [9228] 'The friend I speak of is not an Elf,' said Legolas; 'I mean Gimli,
## [9229]
## [9230]
## [9231]
## [9232]
## [9233] Gluin's son here.' Gimli bowed low, and the axe slipped from his belt and
## [9234] clattered on the ground.
## [9235]
## [9236] 'Hoom, hm! Ah now,' said Treebeard, looking dark-eyed at him. A dwarf
## [9237] and an axe-bearer! Hoom! I have good will to Elves; but you ask much. This
## [9238] is a strange friendship!' ’Strange it may seem,' said Legolas; 'but while
## [9239] Gimli lives I shall not come to Fangorn alone. His axe is not for trees, but
## [9240] for ore-necks, O Fangorn, Master of Fangorn's Wood. Forty -two he hewed in
## [9241] the battle.'
## [9242]
## [9243] 'Hoo! Come now!' said Treebeard. 'That is a better story! Well, well,
## [9244] things will go as they will; and there is no need to hurry to meet them. But
## [9245] now we must part for a while. Day is drawing to an end, yet Gandalf says you
## [9246] must go ere nightfall, and the Ford of the Mark is eager for his own house.'
## [9247]
## [9248] 'Yes, we must go, and go now,' said Gandalf. 'I fear that I must take
## [9249] your gatekeepers from you. But you will manage well enough without them.'
## [9250]
## [9251] 'Maybe I shall,' said Treebeard. 'But I shall miss them. We have become
## [9252] friends in so short a while that I think I must be getting hasty — growing
## [9253] backwards towards youth, perhaps. But there, they are the first new thing
## [9254] under Sun or Moon that I have seen for many a long, long day. I shall not
## [9255] forget them. I have put their names into the Fong Fist. Ents will remember
## [9256] it.
## [9257]
## [9258] Ents the earthborn, old as mountains,
## [9259]
## [9260] the wide-walkers, water drinking;
## [9261]
## [9262] and hungry as hunters, the Hobbit children,
## [9263]
## [9264] the laughing-folk, the little people,
## [9265]
## [9266] they shall remain friends as long as leaves are renewed. Fare you well!
## [9267]
## [9268] But if you hear news up in your pleasant land, in the Shire, send me word!
## [9269] You know what I mean: word or sight of the Entwives. Come yourselves if
## [9270] you
## [9271] can!'
## [9272]
## [9273] 'We will!' said Merry and Pippin together, and they turned away
## [9274] hastily. Treebeard looked at them, and was silent for a while, shaking his
## [9275] head thoughtfully. Then he turned to Gandalf.
## [9276]
## [9277] 'So Saruman would not leave?' he said. 'I did not think he would. His
## [9278] heart is as rotten as a black Huorn's. Still, if I were overcome and all my
## [9279] trees destroyed, I would not come while I had one dark hole left to hide
## [9280] in.'
## [9281]
## [9282] 'No,' said Gandalf. 'But you have not plotted to cover all the world
## [9283]
## [9284]
## [9285]
## [9286]
## [9287] with your trees and choke all other living things. But there it is, Saruman
## [9288] remains to nurse his hatred and weave again such webs as he can. He has the
## [9289] Key of Orthanc. But he must not be allowed to escape.'
## [9290]
## [9291] 'Indeed no! Ents will see to that,' said Treebeard. 'Saruman shall not
## [9292] set foot beyond the rock, without my leave. Ents will watch over him.’
## [9293]
## [9294] 'Good!' said Gandalf. 'That is what I hoped. Now I can go and turn to
## [9295] other matters with one care the less. But you must be wary. The waters have
## [9296] gone down. It will not be enough to put sentinels round the tower, I fear. I
## [9297] do not doubt that there were deep ways delved under Orthanc, and that
## [9298] Saruman hopes to go and come unmarked, before long. If you will undertake
## [9299] the labour, I beg you to pour in the waters again; and do so, until Isengard
## [9300] remains a standing pool, or you discover the outlets. When all the
## [9301] underground places are drowned, and the outlets blocked, then Saruman must
## [9302] stay upstairs and look out of the windows.'
## [9303]
## [9304] 'Leave it to the Ents!’ said Treebeard. 'We shall search the valley
## [9305] from head to foot and peer under every pebble. Trees are coming back to live
## [9306] here, old trees, wild trees. The Watchwood we will call it. Not a squirrel
## [9307] will go here, but I shall know of it. Leave it to Ents ! Until seven times
## [9308] the years in which he tormented us have passed, we shall not tire of
## [9309] watching him.'
## [9310]
## [9311]
## [9312]
## [9313]
## [9314] Chapter 11. The Palantnr
## [9315]
## [9316]
## [9317]
## [9318] The sun was sinking behind the long western arm of the mountains when
## [9319] Gandalf and his companions, and the king with his Riders, set out again from
## [9320] Isengard. Gandalf took Merry behind him, and Aragorn took Pippin. Two of
## [9321] the
## [9322]
## [9323] king's men went on ahead, riding swiftly, and passed soon out of sight down
## [9324] into the valley. The others followed at an easy pace.
## [9325]
## [9326] Ents in a solemn row stood like statues at the gate, with their long
## [9327] arms uplifted, but they made no sound. Merry and Pippin looked back, when
## [9328] they had passed some way down the winding road. Sunlight was still shining
## [9329] in the sky, but long shadows reached over Isengard: grey ruins falling into
## [9330] darkness. Treebeard stood alone there now, like the distant stump of an old
## [9331] tree: the hobbits thought of their first meeting, upon the sunny ledge far
## [9332] away on the borders of Fangorn.
## [9333]
## [9334] They came to the pillar of the White Hand. The pillar was still
## [9335] standing, but the graven hand had been thrown down and broken into small
## [9336] pieces. Right in the middle of the road the long forefinger lay, white in
## [9337] the dusk, its red nail darkening to black.
## [9338]
## [9339] 'The Ents pay attention to every detail!' said Gandalf.
## [9340]
## [9341] They rode on, and evening deepened in the valley.
## [9342]
## [9343] 'Are we riding far tonight, Gandalf?' asked Merry after a while. 'I
## [9344] don't know how you feel with small rag-tag dangling behind you; but the
## [9345] rag-tag is tired and will be glad to stop dangling and lie down.'
## [9346]
## [9347] 'So you heard that?' said Gandalf. 'Don't let it rankle! Be thankful no
## [9348] longer words were aimed at you. He had his eyes on you. If it is any comfort
## [9349] to your pride, I should say that, at the moment, you and Pippin are more in
## [9350] his thoughts than all the rest of us. Who you are; how you came there, and
## [9351] why; what you know; whether you were captured, and if so, how you escaped
## [9352] when all the Ores perished — it is with those little riddles that the great
## [9353] mind ^ Saruman is troubled. A sneer from him, Meriadoc, is a compliment, if
## [9354] you feel honoured by his concern.'
## [9355]
## [9356] 'Thank you!' said Merry. 'But it is a greater honour to dangle at your
## [9357] tail, Gandalf. For one thing, in that position one has a chance of putting a
## [9358]
## [9359]
## [9360]
## [9361]
## [9362] question a second time. Are we riding far tonight?'
## [9363]
## [9364] Gandalf laughed. 'A most unquenchable hobbit! All Wizards should have a
## [9365] hobbit or two in their care — to teach them the meaning of the word, and to
## [9366] correct them. I beg your pardon. But I have given thought even to these
## [9367] simple matters. We will ride for a few hours, gently, until we come to the
## [9368] end of the valley. Tomorrow we must ride faster.
## [9369]
## [9370] ’When we came, we meant to go straight from Isengard back to the king's
## [9371] house at Edoras over the plains, a ride of some days. But we have taken
## [9372] thought and changed the plan. Messengers have gone ahead to Helm's Deep, to
## [9373] warn them that the king is returning tomorrow. He will ride from there with
## [9374] many men to Dunharrow by paths among the hills. From now on no more than
## [9375] two
## [9376]
## [9377] or three together are to go openly over the land, by day or night, when it
## [9378] can be avoided.'
## [9379]
## [9380] 'Nothing or a double helping is your way!' said Merry. 'I am afraid I
## [9381] was not looking beyond tonight's bed. Where and what are Helm's Deep and all
## [9382] the rest of it? I don't know anything about this country.'
## [9383]
## [9384] 'Then you'd best learn something, if you wish to understand what is
## [9385] happening. But not just now, and not from me: I have too many pressing
## [9386] things to think about.'
## [9387]
## [9388] 'All right, I'll tackle Strider by the camp-fire: he's less testy. But
## [9389] why all this secrecy? I thought we'd won the battle!'
## [9390]
## [9391] Yes, we have won, but only the first victor and that in itself
## [9392] increases our danger. There was some link between Isengard and Mordor,
## [9393] which
## [9394]
## [9395] I have not yet fathomed. How they exchanged news I am not sure; but they did
## [9396] so. The Eye of Barad-dyr will be looking impatiently towards the Wizard's
## [9397] Vale, I think; and towards Rohan. The less it sees the better.'
## [9398]
## [9399] The road passed slowly, winding down the valley. Now further, and now
## [9400] nearer Isen flowed in its stony bed. Night came down from the mountains. All
## [9401] the mists were gone. A chill wind blew. The moon, now waxing round, filled
## [9402] the eastern sky with a pale cold sheen. The shoulders of the mountain to
## [9403] their right sloped down to bare hills. The wide plains opened grey before
## [9404] them.
## [9405]
## [9406] At last they halted. Then they turned aside, leaving the highway and
## [9407] taking to the sweet upland turf again. Going westward a mile or so they came
## [9408] to a dale. It opened southward, leaning back into the slope of round Dol
## [9409]
## [9410]
## [9411]
## [9412]
## [9413] Baran, the last hill of the northern ranges, greenfooted, crowned with
## [9414] heather. The sides of the glen were shaggy with last year's bracken, among
## [9415] which the tight-curled fronds of spring were just thrusting through the
## [9416] sweet-scented earth. Thornbushes grew thick upon the low banks, and under
## [9417] them they made their camp, two hours or so before the middle of the night.
## [9418] They lit a fire in a hollow, down among the roots of a spreading hawthorn,
## [9419] tall as a tree, writhen with age; but hale in every limb. Buds were swelling
## [9420] at each twig's tip.
## [9421]
## [9422] Guards were set, two at a watch. The rest, after they had supped,
## [9423] wrapped themselves in a cloak and blanket and slept. The hobbits lay in a
## [9424] corner by themselves upon a pile of old bracken. Merry was sleepy, but
## [9425] Pippin now seemed curiously restless. The bracken cracked and rustled, as he
## [9426] twisted and turned.
## [9427]
## [9428] 'What’s the matter?' asked Merry. 'Are you lying on an ant-hill?'
## [9429]
## [9430] 'No,' said Pippin, 'but I'm not comfortable. I wonder how long it is
## [9431] since I slept in a bed?'
## [9432]
## [9433] Merry yawned. 'Work it out on your fingers!' he said. 'But you must
## [9434] know how long it is since we left Lurien.'
## [9435]
## [9436] 'Oh, that!' said Pippin. 'I mean a real bed in a bedroom.'
## [9437]
## [9438] 'Well, Rivendell then,' said Merry. 'But I could sleep anywhere
## [9439] tonight.'
## [9440]
## [9441] 'You had the luck, Merry,' said Pippin softly, after a long pause. 'You
## [9442] were riding with Gandalf.'
## [9443]
## [9444] 'Well, what of it?'
## [9445]
## [9446] 'Did you get any news, any information out of him?'
## [9447]
## [9448] 'Yes, a good deal. More than usual. But you heard it all or most of it:
## [9449] you were close by, and we were talking no secrets. But you can go with him
## [9450] tomorrow, if you think you can get more out of him-and if he'll have you.'
## [9451]
## [9452] 'Can I? Good! But he's close, isn't he? Not changed at all.'
## [9453]
## [9454] 'Oh yes, he is!' said Merry, waking up a little, and beginning to
## [9455] wonder what was bothering his companion. 'He has grown, or something. He
## [9456] can
## [9457]
## [9458] be both kinder and more alarming, merrier and more solemn than before, I
## [9459] think. He has changed; but we have not had a chance to see how much, yet.
## [9460] But think of the last part of that business with Saruman! Remember Saruman
## [9461] was once Gandalf s superior: head of the Council, whatever that may be
## [9462]
## [9463]
## [9464]
## [9465]
## [9466] exactly. He was Saruman the White. Gandalf is the White now. Saruman
## [9467] came
## [9468]
## [9469] when he was told, and his rod was taken; and then he was just told to go,
## [9470] and he went!'
## [9471]
## [9472] 'Well, if Gandalf has changed at all, then he's closer than ever that's
## [9473] all,' Pippin argued. 'That-glass ball, now. He seemed mighty pleased with
## [9474] it. He knows or guesses something about it. But does he tell us what? No,
## [9475] not a word. Yet I picked it up, and I saved it from rolling into a pool.
## [9476]
## [9477] Here, I'll take that, my lad — that's all. I wonder what it is? It felt so
## [9478] very heavy.' Pippin's voice fell very low as if he was talking to himself.
## [9479]
## [9480] 'Hullo!' said Merry. 'So that's what is bothering you? Now, Pippin my
## [9481] lad, don't forget Gildor's saying — the one Sam used to quote: Do not
## [9482] meddle in the at Fairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.'
## [9483]
## [9484] 'But our whole life for months has been one long meddling in the
## [9485] affairs of Wizards,' said Pippin. 'I should like a bit of information as
## [9486] well as danger. I should like a look at that ball.'
## [9487]
## [9488] 'Go to sleep!' said Merry. 'You'll get information enough, sooner or
## [9489] later. My dear Pippin, no Took ever beat a Brandybuck for inquisitiveness;
## [9490] but is this the time, I ask you?'
## [9491]
## [9492] 'All right! What's the harm in my telling you what I should like: a
## [9493] look at that stone? I know I can't have it, with old Gandalf sitting on it,
## [9494] like a hen on an egg. But it doesn't help much to get no more from you than
## [9495] a you-can 't-have-it so -go -to -sleep ! '
## [9496]
## [9497] 'Well, what else could I say?' said Merry. 'I'm sorry, Pippin, but you
## [9498] really must wait till the morning. I'll be as curious as you like after
## [9499] breakfast, and I'll help in any way I can at wizard-wheedling. But I can't
## [9500] keep awake any longer. If I yawn any more, I shall split at the ears. Good
## [9501] night!'
## [9502]
## [9503] Pippin said no more. He lay still now, but sleep remained far away; and
## [9504] it was not encouraged by the sound of Merry breathing softly, asleep in a
## [9505] few minutes after saying good night. 'The thought of the dark globe seemed
## [9506] to grow stronger as all grew quiet. Pippin felt again its weight in his
## [9507] hands, and saw again the mysterious red depths into which he had looked for
## [9508] a moment. He tossed and turned and tried to think of something else.
## [9509]
## [9510] At last he could stand it no longer. He got up and looked round. It was
## [9511] chilly, and he wrapped his cloak about him. The moon was shining cold and
## [9512] white, down into the dell, and the shadows of the bushes were black. All
## [9513]
## [9514]
## [9515]
## [9516]
## [9517] about lay sleeping shapes. The two guards were not in view: they were up on
## [9518] the hill, perhaps, or hidden in the bracken. Driven by some impulse that he
## [9519] did not understand, Pippin walked softly to where Gandalf lay. He looked
## [9520] down at him. The wizard seemed asleep, but with lids not fully closed: there
## [9521] was a glitter of eyes under his long lashes. Pippin stepped back hastily.
## [9522]
## [9523] But Gandalf made no sign; and drawn forward once more, half against his
## [9524] will, the hobbit crept up again from behind the wizard's head. He was rolled
## [9525] in a blanket, with his cloak spread over the top; and close beside him,
## [9526] between his right side and his bent arm, there was a hummock, something
## [9527] round wrapped in a dark cloth; his hand seemed only just to have slipped off
## [9528] it to the ground.
## [9529]
## [9530] Hardly breathing, Pippin crept nearer, foot by foot. At last he knelt
## [9531] down. Then he put his hands out stealthily, and slowly lifted the lump up:
## [9532] it did not seem quite so heavy as he had expected. 'Only some bundle of
## [9533] oddments, perhaps, after all,' he thought with a strange sense of relief;
## [9534] but he did not put the bundle down again. He stood for a moment clasping it.
## [9535] Then an idea came into his mind. He tiptoed away, found a large stone, and
## [9536] came back.
## [9537]
## [9538] Quickly now he drew off the cloth, wrapped the stone in it and kneeling
## [9539] down, laid it back by the wizard's hand. Then at last he looked at the thing
## [9540] that he had uncovered. There it was: a smooth globe of crystal, now dark and
## [9541] dead, lying bare before his knees. Pippin lifted it, covered it hurriedly in
## [9542] his own cloak, and half turned to go back to his bed. At that moment Gandalf
## [9543] moved in his sleep, and muttered some words: they seemed to be in a strange
## [9544] tongue; his hand groped out and clasped the wrapped stone, then he sighed
## [9545] and did not move again.
## [9546]
## [9547] 'You idiotic fool!' Pippin muttered to himself. 'You're going to get
## [9548] yourself into frightful trouble. Put it back quick!' But he found now that
## [9549] his knees quaked, and he did not dare to go near enough to the wizard to
## [9550] reach the bundle. 'I'll never get it back now without waking him,' he
## [9551] thought, 'not till I'm a bit calmer. S0I may as well have a look first. Not
## [9552] just here though!' He stole away, and sat down on a green hillock not far
## [9553] from his bed. The moon looked in over the edge of the dell.
## [9554]
## [9555] Pippin sat with his knees drawn up and the ball between them. He bent
## [9556] low over it, looking like a greedy child stooping over a bowl of food, in a
## [9557] corner away from others. He drew his cloak aside and gazed at it. The air
## [9558] seemed still and tense about him. At first the globe was dark, black as jet,
## [9559]
## [9560]
## [9561]
## [9562]
## [9563] with the moonlight gleaming on its surface. Then there came a faint glow and
## [9564] stir in the heart of it, and it held his eyes, so that now he could not look
## [9565] away. Soon all the inside seemed on fire; the ball was spinning, or the
## [9566] lights within were revolving. Suddenly the lights went out. He gave a gasp
## [9567] and struggled; but he remained bent, clasping the ball with both hands.
## [9568] Closer and closer he bent, and then became rigid; his lips moved soundlessly
## [9569] for a while. Then with a strangled cry he fell back and lay still.
## [9570]
## [9571] The cry was piercing. The guards leapt down from the banks. All the
## [9572] camp was soon astir.
## [9573]
## [9574] ’So this is the thief!' said Gandalf. Hastily he cast his cloak over
## [9575] the globe where it lay. ’But you, Pippin! This is a grievous turn to
## [9576] things!’ He knelt by Pippin's body: the hobbit was lying on his back rigid,
## [9577] with unseeing eyes staring up at the sky. 'The devilry! What mischief has he
## [9578] done-to himself, and to all of us?' The wizard's face was drawn and haggard.
## [9579]
## [9580] He took Pippin's hand and bent over his face, listening for his breath;
## [9581] then he laid his hands on his brow. The hobbit shuddered. His eyes closed.
## [9582] He cried out; and sat up. staring in bewilderment at all the faces round
## [9583] him, pale in the moonlight.
## [9584]
## [9585] 'It is not for you, Saruman!' he cried in a shrill and toneless voice
## [9586] shrinking away from Gandalf. 'I will send for it at once. Do you understand?
## [9587] Say just that!' Then he struggled to get up and escape but Gandalf held him
## [9588] gently and firmly.
## [9589]
## [9590] 'Peregrin Took!' he said. 'Come back!'
## [9591]
## [9592] The hobbit relaxed and fell back, clinging to the wizard's hand.
## [9593] 'Gandalf!' he cried. 'Gandalf! Forgive me!'
## [9594]
## [9595] 'Forgive you?' said the wizard. 'Tell me first what you have done!'
## [9596]
## [9597] 'I, I took the ball and looked at it,' stammered Pippin; 'and I saw
## [9598] things that frightened me. And I wanted to go away, but I couldn't. And then
## [9599] he came and questioned me; and he looked at me, and, and that is all I
## [9600] remember.'
## [9601]
## [9602] 'That won't do,' said Gandalf sternly. 'What did you see, and what did
## [9603] you say?'
## [9604]
## [9605] Pippin shut his eyes and shivered, but said nothing. They all stared at
## [9606] him in silence, except Merry who turned away. But Gandalf s face was still
## [9607] hard. 'Speak!' he said.
## [9608]
## [9609] In a low hesitating voice Pippin began again, and slowly his words grew
## [9610] clearer and stronger. 'I saw a dark sky, and tall battlements,' he said.
## [9611]
## [9612]
## [9613]
## [9614]
## [9615] 'And tiny stars. It seemed very far away and long ago, yet hard and clear.
## [9616] Then the stars went in and out-they were cut off by things with wings. Very
## [9617] big, I think, really; but in the glass they looked like bats wheeling round
## [9618] the tower. I thought there were nine of them. One began to fly straight
## [9619] towards me, getting bigger and bigger. It had a horrible — no, no! I can't
## [9620] say.
## [9621]
## [9622] 'I tried to get away, because I thought it would fly out; but when it
## [9623] had covered all the globe, it disappeared. Then he came. He did not speak so
## [9624] that I could hear words. He just looked, and I understood.
## [9625]
## [9626] "'So you have come back? Why have you neglected to report for so long?"
## [9627]
## [9628] 'I did not answer. He said: "Who are you?" I still did not answer, but
## [9629] it hurt me horribly; and he pressed me, so I said: "A hobbit."
## [9630]
## [9631] 'Then suddenly he seemed to see me, and he laughed at me. It was cruel.
## [9632]
## [9633] It was like being stabbed with knives. I struggled. But he said: "Wait a
## [9634] moment! We shall meet again soon. Tell Saruman that this dainty is not for
## [9635] him. I will send for it at once. Do you understand? Say just that!"
## [9636]
## [9637] 'Then he gloated over me. I felt I was falling to pieces. No, no! I
## [9638] can't say any more. I don't remember anything else.'
## [9639]
## [9640] 'Look at me!' said Gandalf.
## [9641]
## [9642] Pippin looked up straight into his eyes. The wizard held his gaze for a
## [9643] moment in silence. Then his face grew gentler, and the shadow of a smile
## [9644] appeared. He laid his hand softly on Pippin's head.
## [9645]
## [9646] 'All right!' he said. 'Say no more! You have taken no harm. There is no
## [9647] lie in your eyes, as I feared. But he did not speak long with you. A fool,
## [9648] but an honest fool, you remain, Peregrin Took. Wiser ones might have done
## [9649] worse in such a pass. But mark this! You have been saved, and all your
## [9650] friends too, mainly by good fortune, as it is called. You cannot count on it
## [9651] a second time. If he had questioned you, then and there, almost certainly
## [9652] you would have told all that you know, to the ruin of us all. But he was too
## [9653] eager. He did not want information only: he wanted you, quickly, so that he
## [9654] could deal with you in the Dark Tower, slowly. Don't shudder! If you will
## [9655] meddle in the affairs of Wizards, you must be prepared to think of such
## [9656] things. But come! I forgive you. Be comforted! Things have not turned out as
## [9657] evilly as they might.'
## [9658]
## [9659] He lifted Pippin gently and carried him back to his bed. Merry
## [9660] followed, and sat down beside him. Lie there and rest, if you can, Pippin!'
## [9661] said Gandalf. 'Trust me. If you feel an itch in your palms again, tell me of
## [9662]
## [9663]
## [9664]
## [9665]
## [9666] it! Such things can be cured. But anyway, my dear hobbit, don't put a lump
## [9667] of rock under my elbow again! Now, I will leave you two together for a
## [9668] while.'
## [9669]
## [9670] With that Gandalf returned to the others, who were still standing by
## [9671] the Orthanc-stone in troubled thought. 'Peril comes in the night when least
## [9672] expected,' he said. 'We have had a narrow escape!'
## [9673]
## [9674] 'How is the hobbit, Pippin?' asked Aragorn.
## [9675]
## [9676] 'I think all will be well now,' answered Gandalf. 'He was not held
## [9677] long, and hobbits have an amazing power of recovery. The memory, or the
## [9678] horror of it, will probably fade quickly. Too quickly, perhaps. Will you,
## [9679] Aragorn, take the Orthanc-stone and guard it? It is a dangerous charge.'
## [9680]
## [9681] 'Dangerous indeed, but not to all,' said Aragorn. 'There is one who may
## [9682] claim it by right. For this assuredly is the palantnr of Orthanc from the
## [9683] treasury of Elendil, set here by the Kings of Gondor. Now my hour draws
## [9684] near. I will take it.'
## [9685]
## [9686] Gandalf looked at Aragorn, and then, to the surprise of the others, he
## [9687] lifted the covered Stone, and bowed as he presented it.
## [9688]
## [9689] 'Receive it, lord!' he said: 'in earnest of other things that shall be
## [9690] given back. But if I may counsel you in the use of your own, do not use it
## [9691] — yet! Be wary!'
## [9692]
## [9693] 'When have I been hasty or unwary, who have waited and prepared for so
## [9694] many long years?' said Aragorn.
## [9695]
## [9696] 'Never yet. Do not then stumble at the end of the road,' answered
## [9697] Gandalf. 'But at the least keep this thing secret. You, and all others that
## [9698] stand here ! The hobbit, Peregrin, above all should not know where it is
## [9699] bestowed. The evil fit may come on him again. For alas ! he has handled it
## [9700] and looked in it, as should never have happened. He ought never to have
## [9701] touched it in Isengard, and there I should have been quicker. But my mind
## [9702] was bent on Saruman, and I did not at once guess the nature of the Stone.
## [9703] Then I was weary, and as I lay pondering it, sleep overcame me. Now I know!'
## [9704]
## [9705] 'Yes, there can be no doubt,' said Aragorn. 'At last we know the link'
## [9706] between Isengard and Mordor, and how it worked. Much is explained.' 'Strange
## [9707] powers have our enemies, and strange weaknesses!' said Thjoden. 'But it has
## [9708] long been said: oft evil will shall evil mar.'
## [9709]
## [9710] 'That many times is seen,' said Gandalf. 'But at this time we have been
## [9711] strangely fortunate. Maybe, I have been saved by this hobbit from a grave
## [9712] blunder. I had considered whether or not to probe this Stone myself to find
## [9713]
## [9714]
## [9715]
## [9716]
## [9717] its uses. Had I done so, I should have been revealed to him myself. I am not
## [9718] ready for such a trial, if indeed I shall ever be so: But even if I found
## [9719] the power to withdraw myself, it would be disastrous for him to see me, yet
## [9720] — until the hour comes when secrecy will avail no longer.'
## [9721]
## [9722] 'That hour is now come, I think,' said Aragorn.
## [9723]
## [9724] 'Not yet,' said Gandalf. 'There remains a short while of doubt which we
## [9725] must use. The Enemy, it is clear, thought that the Stone was in Orthanc —
## [9726] why should he not? And that therefore the hobbit was captive there, driven
## [9727] to look in the glass for his torment by Saruman. That dark mind will be
## [9728] filled now with the voice and face of the hobbit and with expectation: it
## [9729] may take some time before he learns his error. We must snatch that time. We
## [9730] have been too leisurely. We must move. The neighbourhood of Isengard is no
## [9731] place now to linger in. I will ride ahead at once with Peregrin Took. It
## [9732] will be better for him than lying in the dark while others sleep.'
## [9733]
## [9734] 'I will keep Jomer and ten Riders,' said the king. 'They shall ride
## [9735] with me at early day. The rest may go with Aragorn and ride as soon as they
## [9736] have a mind.'
## [9737]
## [9738] 'As you will,' said Gandalf. 'But make all the speed you may to the
## [9739] cover of the hills, to Helm's Deep!'
## [9740]
## [9741] At that moment a shadow fell over them. The bright moonlight seemed to
## [9742] be suddenly cut off. Several of the Riders cried out, and crouched, holding
## [9743] their arms above their heads, as if to ward off a blow from above: a blind
## [9744] fear and a deadly cold fell on them. Cowering they looked up. A vast winged
## [9745] shape passed over the moon like a black cloud. It wheeled and went north,
## [9746] flying at a speed greater than any wind of Middle -earth. The stars fainted
## [9747] before it. It was gone.
## [9748]
## [9749] They stood up, rigid as stones. Gandalf was gazing up, his arms out and
## [9750] downwards, stiff, his hands clenched.
## [9751]
## [9752] 'Nazgyl!' he cried. 'The messenger of Mordor. The storm is coming. The
## [9753] Nazgyl have crossed the River! Ride, ride! Wait not for the dawn! Let not
## [9754] the swift wait for the slow! Ride!'
## [9755]
## [9756] He sprang away, calling Shadowfax as he ran. Aragorn followed him.
## [9757] Going to Pippin, Gandalf picked him up in his arms. 'You shall come with me
## [9758] this time,' he said. 'Shadowfax shall show you his paces.' Then he ran to
## [9759] the place where he had slept. Shadowfax stood there already. Slinging the
## [9760] small bag which was all his luggage across his shoulders, the wizard leapt
## [9761] upon the horse's back. Aragorn lifted Pippin and set him in Gandalf s arms,
## [9762]
## [9763]
## [9764]
## [9765]
## [9766] , wrapped in cloak and blanket.
## [9767]
## [9768] ’Farewell! Follow fast!' cried Gandalf. 'Away, Shadowfax!'
## [9769]
## [9770] The great horse tossed his head. His flowing tail flicked in the
## [9771] moonlight. Then he leapt forward, spurning the earth, and was gone like the
## [9772] north wind from the mountains.
## [9773]
## [9774] 'A beautiful, restful night!' said Merry to Aragorn. 'Some folk have
## [9775] wonderful luck. He did not want to sleep, and he wanted to ride with Gandalf
## [9776] — and there he goes ! Instead of being turned into a stone himself to stand
## [9777] here for ever as a warning.'
## [9778]
## [9779] 'If you had been the first to lift the Orthanc-stone, and not he, how
## [9780] would it be now?' said Aragorn. 'You might have done worse. Who can say?
## [9781] But
## [9782]
## [9783] now it is your luck to come with me, I fear. At once. Go and get ready, and
## [9784] bring anything that Pippin left behind. Make haste!'
## [9785]
## [9786] Over the plains Shadowfax was flying, needing no urging and no
## [9787] guidance. Less than an hour had passed, and they had reached the Fords of
## [9788] Isen and crossed them. The Mound of the Riders and its cold spears lay grey
## [9789] behind them.
## [9790]
## [9791] Pippin was recovering. He was warm, but the wind in his face was keen
## [9792] and refreshing. He was with Gandalf. The horror of the stone and of the
## [9793] hideous shadow over the moon was fading, things left behind in the mists of
## [9794] the mountains or in a passing dream. He drew a deep breath.
## [9795]
## [9796] 'I did not know you rode bare-back, Gandalf,' he said. 'You haven't a
## [9797] saddle or a bridle!'
## [9798]
## [9799] 'I do not ride elf-fashion, except on Shadowfax,' said Gandalf. 'But
## [9800] Shadowfax will have no harness. You do not ride Shadowfax: he is willing to
## [9801] carry you-or not. If he is willing, that is enough. It is then his business
## [9802] to see that you remain on his back, unless you jump off into the air.'
## [9803]
## [9804] 'How fast is he going?' asked Pippin. 'Fast by the wind, but very
## [9805] smooth. And how light his footfalls are!'
## [9806]
## [9807] 'He is running now as fast as the swiftest horse could gallop,'
## [9808] answered Gandalf; 'but that is not fast for him. The land is rising a little
## [9809] here, and is more broken than it was beyond the river. But see how the White
## [9810] Mountains are drawing near under the stars! Yonder are the Thrihyrne peaks
## [9811] like black spears. It will not be long before we reach the branching roads
## [9812] and come to the Deeping-coomb, where the battle was fought two nights ago.'
## [9813]
## [9814] Pippin was silent again for a while. He heard Gandalf singing softly to
## [9815]
## [9816]
## [9817]
## [9818]
## [9819] himself, murmuring brief snatches of rhyme in many tongues, as the miles ran
## [9820] under them. At last the wizard passed into a song of which the hobbit caught
## [9821] the words: a few lines came clear to his ears through the rushing of the
## [9822] wind:
## [9823]
## [9824] Tall ships and tall kings
## [9825]
## [9826] Three times three,
## [9827]
## [9828] What brought they from the foundered land
## [9829]
## [9830] Over the flowing sea?
## [9831]
## [9832] Seven stars and seven stones
## [9833]
## [9834] And one white tree.
## [9835]
## [9836] ’What are you saying, Gandalf?' asked Pippin.
## [9837]
## [9838] 'I was just running over some of the Rhymes of Lore in my mind '
## [9839] answered the wizard. 'Hobbits, I suppose, have forgotten them, even those
## [9840] that they ever knew.'
## [9841]
## [9842] 'No, not all,' said Pippin. 'And we have many of our own, which
## [9843] wouldn't interest you, perhaps. But I have never heard this one. What is it
## [9844] about — the seven stars and seven stones?'
## [9845]
## [9846] 'About the palantnri of the Kings of Old,' said Gandalf.
## [9847]
## [9848] 'And what are they?'
## [9849]
## [9850] 'The name meant that which looks far away. The Orthanc-stone was one.'
## [9851]
## [9852] 'Then it was not made, not made' — Pippin hesitated — 'by the Enemy?'
## [9853]
## [9854] 'No,' said Gandalf. 'Nor by Saruman. It is beyond his art, and beyond
## [9855] Sauron's too. The palantnri came from beyond Westernesse from Eldamar.
## [9856]
## [9857] The
## [9858]
## [9859] Noldor made them. Flanor himself, maybe, wrought them, in days so long ago
## [9860] that the time cannot be measured in years. But there is nothing that Sauron
## [9861] cannot turn to evil uses. Alas for Saruman! It was his downfall, as I now
## [9862] perceive. Perilous to us all are the devices of an art deeper than we
## [9863] possess ourselves. Yet he must bear the blame. Fool! to keep it secret, for
## [9864] his own profit. No word did he ever speak of it to any of the Council. We
## [9865] had not yet given thought to the fate of the palantnri of Gondor in its
## [9866] ruinous wars. By Men they were almost forgotten. Even in Gondor they were a
## [9867] secret known only to a few; in Arnor they were remembered only in a rhyme of
## [9868] lore among the D®nedain.'
## [9869]
## [9870] 'What did the Men of old use them for?' asked Pippin, delighted and
## [9871] astonished at getting answers to so many questions, and wondering how long
## [9872] it would last.
## [9873]
## [9874]
## [9875]
## [9876]
## [9877] To see far off, and to converse in thought with one another,' said
## [9878] Gandalf. 'In that way they long guarded and united the realm of Gondor. They
## [9879] set up Stones at Minas Anor, and at Minas Ithil, and at Orthanc in the ring
## [9880] of Isengard. The chief and master of these was under the Dome of Stars at
## [9881] Osgiliath before its ruin. The three others were far away in the North. In
## [9882] the house of Elrond it is told that they were at Ann®minas, and Amon Syl,
## [9883] and Elendil's Stone was on the Tower Hills that look towards Mithlond in the
## [9884] Gulf of Lune where the grey ships lie.
## [9885]
## [9886] 'Each palantnr replied to each, but all those in Gondor were ever open
## [9887] to the view of Osgiliath. Now it appears that, as the rock of Orthanc has
## [9888] withstood the storms of time, so there the palantnr of that tower has
## [9889] remained. But alone it could do nothing but see small images of things far
## [9890] off and days remote. Very useful, no doubt, that was to Saruman; yet it
## [9891] seems that he was not content. Further and further abroad he gazed, until he
## [9892] cast his gaze upon Barad-dyr. Then he was caught!
## [9893]
## [9894] 'Who knows where the lost Stones of Arnor and Gondor now lie buried, or
## [9895] drowned deep? But one. at least Sauron must have obtained and mastered to
## [9896] his purposes. I guess that it was the Ithil-stone, for he took Minas Ithil
## [9897] long ago and turned it into an evil place: Minas Morgul, it has become.
## [9898]
## [9899] 'Easy it is now to guess how quickly the roving eye of Saruman was
## [9900] trapped and held; and how ever since he has been persuaded from afar, and
## [9901] daunted when persuasion would not serve. The biter bit, the hawk under the
## [9902] eagle's foot, the spider in a steel web! How long, I wonder, has he been
## [9903] constrained to come often to his glass for inspection and instruction, and
## [9904] the Orthanc -stone so bent towards Barad-dyr that, if any save a will of
## [9905] adamant now looks into it, it will bear his mind and sight swiftly thither?
## [9906]
## [9907] And how it draws one to itself! Have I not felt it? Even now my heart
## [9908] desires to test my will upon it, to see if I could not wrench it from him
## [9909] and turn it where I would-to look across the wide seas of water and of time
## [9910] to Tirion the Fair, and perceive the unimaginable hand and mind of Flanor at
## [9911] their work, while both the White Tree and the Golden were in flower!' He
## [9912] sighed and fell silent.
## [9913]
## [9914] 'I wish I had known all this before,' said Pippin. 'I had no notion of
## [9915] what I was doing.'
## [9916]
## [9917] 'Oh yes, you had,' said Gandalf. 'You knew you were behaving wrongly
## [9918] and foolishly; and you told yourself so, though you did not listen. I did
## [9919] not tell you all this before, because it is only by musing on all that has
## [9920]
## [9921]
## [9922]
## [9923]
## [9924] happened that I have at last understood, even as we ride together. But if I
## [9925] had spoken sooner, it would not have lessened your desire, or made it easier
## [9926] to resist. On the contrary! No, the burned hand teaches best. After that
## [9927] advice about fire goes to the heart.'
## [9928]
## [9929] 'It does,' said Pippin. 'If all the seven stones were laid out before
## [9930] me now, I should shut my eyes and put my hands in my pockets.'
## [9931]
## [9932] 'Good!' said Gandalf. 'That is what I hoped.'
## [9933]
## [9934] 'But I should like to know—' Pippin began.
## [9935]
## [9936] 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure
## [9937] of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering
## [9938] you. What more do you want to know?'
## [9939]
## [9940] 'The names of all the stars, and of all living things, and the whole
## [9941] history of Middle-earth and Over -heaven and of the Sundering Seas ' laughed
## [9942] Pippin. 'Of course! What less? But I am notin a hurry tonight. At the
## [9943] moment I was just wondering about the black shadow. I heard you shout
## [9944] "messenger of Mordor". What was it? What could it do at Isengard?'
## [9945]
## [9946] 'It was a Black Rider on wings, a Nazgyl,' said Gandalf. 'It could have
## [9947] taken you away to the Dark Tower.'
## [9948]
## [9949] 'But it was not coming for me, was it?' faltered Pippin. 'I mean, it
## [9950] didn't know that I had... '
## [9951]
## [9952] 'Of course not,' said Gandalf. 'It is two hundred leagues or more in
## [9953] straight flight from Barad-dyr to Orthanc, and even a Nazgyl would take a
## [9954] few hours to fly between them. But Saruman certainly looked in the Stone
## [9955] since the ore-raid, and more of his secret thought, I do not doubt, has been
## [9956] read than he intended. A messenger has been sent to find out what he is
## [9957] doing. And after what has happened tonight another will come, I think, and
## [9958] swiftly. So Saruman will come to the last pinch of the vice that he has put
## [9959] his hand in. He has no captive to send. He has no Stone to see with, and
## [9960] cannot answer the summons. Sauron will only believe that he is withholding
## [9961] the captive and refusing to use the Stone. It will not help Saruman to tell
## [9962] the truth to the messenger. For Isengard may be ruined, yet he is still safe
## [9963] in Orthanc. So whether he will or no, he will appear a rebel. Yet he
## [9964] rejected us, so as to avoid that very thing! What he will do in such a
## [9965] plight, I cannot guess. He has power still, I think, while in Orthanc, to
## [9966] resist the Nine Riders. He may try to do so. He may try to trap the Nazgyl,
## [9967] or at least to slay the thing on which it now rides the air. In that case
## [9968] let Rohan look to its horses !
## [9969]
## [9970]
## [9971]
## [9972]
## [9973] 'But I cannot tell how it will fall out, well or ill for us. It may be
## [9974] that the counsels of the Enemy will be confused, or hindered by his wrath
## [9975] with Saruman. It may be that he will learn that I was there and stood upon
## [9976] the stairs of Orthanc-with hobbits at my tail. Or that an heir of Elendil
## [9977] lives and stood beside me. If Wormtongue was not deceived by the armour of
## [9978] Rohan, he would remember Aragorn and the title that he claimed. That is what
## [9979] I fear. And so we fly — not from danger but into greater danger. Every
## [9980] stride of Shadowfax bears you nearer to the Land of Shadow, Peregrin Took.'
## [9981]
## [9982] Pippin made no answer, but clutched his cloak, as if a sudden chill had
## [9983] struck him. Grey land passed under them.
## [9984]
## [9985] 'See now!' said Gandalf. 'The Westfold dales are opening before us.
## [9986]
## [9987] Here we come back to the eastward road. The dark shadow yonder is the
## [9988] mouth
## [9989]
## [9990] of the Deeping-coomb. That way lies Aglarond and the Glittering Caves. Do
## [9991] not ask me about them. Ask Gimli, if you meet again, and for the first time
## [9992] you may get an answer longer than you wish. You will not see the caves
## [9993] yourself, not on this journey. Soon they will be far behind.'
## [9994]
## [9995] 'I thought you were going to stop at Helm's Deep!' said Pippin. 'Where
## [9996] are you going then?'
## [9997]
## [9998] 'To Minas Tirith, before the seas of war surround it.'
## [9999]
## [10000] 'Oh! And how far is that?'
## [10001]
## [10002] 'Leagues upon leagues,' answered Gandalf. 'Thrice as far as the
## [10003] dwellings of King Thjoden, and they are more than a hundred miles east from
## [10004] here, as the messengers of Mordor fly. Shadowfax must run a longer road.
## [10005] Which will prove the swifter?
## [10006]
## [10007] 'We shall ride now till daybreak, and that is some hours away. Then
## [10008] even Shadowfax must rest, in some hollow of the hills: at Edoras, I hope.
## [10009] Sleep, if you can! You may see the first glimmer of dawn upon the golden
## [10010] roof of the house of Eorl. And in two days thence you shall see the purple
## [10011] shadow of Mount Mindolluin and the walls of the tower of Denethor white in
## [10012] the morning.
## [10013]
## [10014] 'Away now, Shadowfax! Run, greatheart, run as you have never run
## [10015] before! Now we are come to the lands where you were foaled and every stone
## [10016] you know. Run now! Hope is in speed!'
## [10017]
## [10018] Shadowfax tossed his head and cried aloud, as if a trumpet had summoned
## [10019] him to battle. Then he sprang forward. Fire flew from his feet; night rushed
## [10020] over him.
## [10021]
## [10022]
## [10023]
## [10024]
## [10025] As he fell slowly into sleep, Pippin had a strange feeling: he and
## [10026] Gandalf were still as stone, seated upon the statue of a running horse,
## [10027] while the world rolled away beneath his feet with a great noise of wind.
## [10028]
## [10029]
## [10030]
## [10031]
## [10032] * BOOK IV *
## [10033]
## [10034]
## [10035]
## [10036] Chapter 1. The Taming of Smjagol
## [10037]
## [10038]
## [10039]
## [10040] 'Well, master, we’re in a fix and no mistake,' said Sam Gamgee. He
## [10041] stood despondently with hunched shoulders beside Frodo, and peered out with
## [10042] puckered eyes into the gloom.
## [10043]
## [10044] It was the third evening since they had fled from the Company, as far
## [10045] as they could tell: they had almost lost count of the hours during which
## [10046] they had climbed and laboured among the barren slopes and stones of the
## [10047] Emyn
## [10048]
## [10049] Muil, sometimes retracing their steps because they could find no way
## [10050] forward, sometimes discovering that they had wandered in a circle back to
## [10051] where they had been hours before. Yet on the whole they had worked steadily
## [10052] eastward, keeping as near as they could find a way to the outer edge of this
## [10053] strange twisted knot of hills. But always they found its outward faces
## [10054] sheer, high and impassable, frowning over the plain below; beyond its
## [10055] tumbled skirts lay livid festering marshes where nothing moved and not even
## [10056] a bird was to be seen.
## [10057]
## [10058] The hobbits stood now on the brink of a tall cliff, bare and bleak, its
## [10059] feet wrapped in mist; and behind them rose the broken highlands crowned with
## [10060] drifting cloud. A chill wind' blew from the East. Night was gathering over
## [10061] the shapeless lands before them; the sickly green of them was fading to a
## [10062] sullen brown. Far away to the right the Anduin, that had gleamed fitfully in
## [10063] sun-breaks during the day, was now hidden in shadow. But their eyes did not
## [10064] look beyond the River, back to Gondor, to their friends, to the lands of
## [10065] Men. South and east they stared to where, at the edge of the oncoming night,
## [10066] a dark line hung, like distant mountains of motionless smoke. Every now and
## [10067] again a tiny red gleam far away flickered upwards on the rim of earth and
## [10068] sky.
## [10069]
## [10070] 'What a fix! ' said Sam. 'That's the one place in all the lands we've
## [10071] ever heard of that we don't want to see any closer; and that's the one place
## [10072] we're trying to get to! And that's just where we can't get, nohow. We've
## [10073] come the wrong way altogether, seemingly. We can't get down; and if we did
## [10074]
## [10075]
## [10076]
## [10077]
## [10078] get down, we’d find all that green land a nasty bog, I'll warrant. Phew! Can
## [10079] you smell it?' He sniffed at the wind.
## [10080]
## [10081] ’Yes, I can smell it,' said Frodo, but he did not move, and his eyes
## [10082] remained fixed, staring out towards the dark line and the flickering flame.
## [10083] 'Mordor! ' he muttered under his breath. 'If I must go there I wish I could
## [10084] come there quickly and make an end! ' He shuddered. The wind was chilly and
## [10085] yet heavy with an odour of cold decay. 'Well,' he said, at last withdrawing
## [10086] his eyes, 'we cannot stay here all night, fix or no fix. We must find a more
## [10087] sheltered spot, and camp once more; and perhaps another day will show us a
## [10088] path.’
## [10089]
## [10090] 'Or another and another and another,' muttered Sam. 'Or maybe no day.
## [10091] We've come the wrong way.'
## [10092]
## [10093] 'I wonder,' said Frodo. 'It's my doom, I think, to go to that Shadow
## [10094] yonder, so that a way will be found. But will good or evil show it to me?
## [10095]
## [10096] What hope we had was in speed. Delay plays into the Enemy's hands-and here I
## [10097] am: delayed. Is it the will of the Dark Tower that steers us? All my choices
## [10098] have proved ill. I should have left the Company long before, and come down
## [10099] from the North, east of the River and of the Emyn Muil, and so over the hard
## [10100] of Battle Plain to the passes of Mordor. But now it isn't possible for you
## [10101] and me alone to find a way back, and the Ores are prowling on the east bank.
## [10102] Every day that passes is a precious day lost. I am tired, Sam. I don't know
## [10103] what is to be done. What food have we got left?'
## [10104]
## [10105] 'Only those, what d'you call 'em, lembas, Mr. Frodo. A fair supply. But
## [10106] they are better than naught, by a long bite. I never thought, though, when I
## [10107] first set tooth in them, that I should ever come to wish for a change. But I
## [10108] do now: a bit of plain bread, and a mug — aye, half a mug — of beer would
## [10109] go down proper. I've lugged my cooking-gear all the way from the last camp,
## [10110] and what use has it been? Naught to make a fire with, for a start; and
## [10111] naught to cook, not even grass!'
## [10112]
## [10113] They turned away and went down into a stony hollow. The westering sun
## [10114] was caught into clouds, and night came swiftly. They slept as well as they
## [10115] could for the cold, turn and turn about, in a nook among great jagged
## [10116] pinnacles of weathered rock; at least they were sheltered from the easterly
## [10117] wind.
## [10118]
## [10119] 'Did you see them again, Mr. Frodo?’ asked Sam, as they sat, stiff and
## [10120] chilled, munching wafers of lembas , in the cold grey of early morning.
## [10121]
## [10122] 'No,' said Frodo. 'I've heard nothing, and seen nothing, for two nights
## [10123]
## [10124]
## [10125]
## [10126]
## [10127] now.'
## [10128]
## [10129] 'Nor me,' said Sam. 'Grrr! Those eyes did give me a turn! But perhaps
## [10130] we've shaken him off at last, the miserable slinker. Gollum! I'll give him
## [10131] gollum in his throat, if ever I get my hands on his neck.'
## [10132]
## [10133] 'I hope you'll never need to,' said Frodo. 'I don't know how he
## [10134] followed us; but it may be that he's lost us again, as you say. In this dry
## [10135] bleak land we can't leave many footprints, nor much scent, even for his
## [10136] snuffling nose.'
## [10137]
## [10138] 'I hope that's the way of it,' said Sam. 'I wish we could be rid of him
## [10139] for good!'
## [10140]
## [10141] 'So do I,' said Frodo; 'but he's not my chief trouble. I wish we could
## [10142] get away from these hills ! I hate them. I feel all naked on the east side,
## [10143] stuck up here with nothing but the dead flats between me and that Shadow
## [10144] yonder. There's an Eye in it. Come on! We've got to get down today somehow.'
## [10145]
## [10146] But that day wore on, and when afternoon faded towards evening they
## [10147] were still scrambling along the ridge and had found no way of escape.
## [10148]
## [10149] Sometimes in the silence of that barren country they fancied that they
## [10150] heard faint sounds behind them, a stone falling, or the imagined step of
## [10151] flapping feet on the rock. But if they halted and stood still listening,
## [10152] they heard no more, nothing but the wind sighing over the edges of the
## [10153] stones — yet even that reminded them of breath softly hissing through sharp
## [10154] teeth.
## [10155]
## [10156] All that day the outer ridge of the Emyn Muil had been bending
## [10157] gradually northward, as they struggled on. Along its brink there now
## [10158] stretched a wide tumbled flat of scored and weathered rock, cut every now
## [10159] and again by trench-like gullies that sloped steeply down to deep notches in
## [10160] the cliff-face. To find a path in these clefts, which were becoming deeper
## [10161] and more frequent, Frodo and Sam were driven to their left, well away from
## [10162] the edge, and they did not notice that for several miles they had been going
## [10163] slowly but steadily downhill: the cliff-top was sinking towards the level of
## [10164] the lowlands.
## [10165]
## [10166] At last they were brought to a halt. The ridge took a sharper bend
## [10167] northward and was gashed by a deeper ravine. On the further side it reared
## [10168] up again, many fathoms at a single leap: a great grey cliff loomed before
## [10169] them, cut sheer down as if by a knife stroke. They could go no further
## [10170] forwards, and must turn now either west or east. But west would lead them
## [10171] only into more labour and delay, back towards the heart of the hills; east
## [10172]
## [10173]
## [10174]
## [10175]
## [10176] would take them to the outer precipice.
## [10177]
## [10178] 'There's nothing for it but to scramble down this gully, Sam,' said
## [10179] Frodo. 'Let's see what it leads to!'
## [10180]
## [10181] 'A nasty drop, I'll bet,' said Sam.
## [10182]
## [10183] The cleft was longer and deeper than it seemed. Some way down they
## [10184] found a few gnarled and stunted trees, the first they had seen for days:
## [10185] twisted birch for the most part, with here and there a fir-tree. Many were
## [10186] dead and gaunt, bitten to the core by the eastern winds. Once in milder days
## [10187] there must have been a fair thicket in the ravine, but now, after some fifty
## [10188] yards, the trees came to an end, though old broken stumps straggled on
## [10189] almost to the cliffs brink. The bottom of the gully, which lay along the
## [10190] edge of a rock-fault, was rough with broken stone and slanted steeply down.
## [10191] When they came at last to the end of it, Frodo stooped and leaned out.
## [10192]
## [10193] 'Look!' he said. 'We must have come down a long way, or else the cliff
## [10194] has sunk. It's much lower here than it was, and it looks easier too.'
## [10195]
## [10196] Sam knelt beside him and peered reluctantly over the edge. Then he
## [10197] glanced up at the great cliff rising up, away on their left. 'Easier! ’ he
## [10198] grunted. 'Well, I suppose it's always easier getting down than up. Those as
## [10199] can't fly can jump!'
## [10200]
## [10201] 'It would be a big jump still,’ said Frodo. 'About, well' — he stood
## [10202] for a moment measuring it with his eyes — 'about eighteen fathoms I should
## [10203] guess. Not more.’
## [10204]
## [10205] 'And that's enough! ' said Sam. 'Ugh! How I do hate looking down from a
## [10206] height! But looking's better than climbing.'
## [10207]
## [10208] 'All the same,' said Frodo, 'I think we could climb here; and I think
## [10209] we shall have to try. See — the rock is quite different from what it was a
## [10210] few miles back. It has slipped and cracked.'
## [10211]
## [10212] The outer fall was indeed no longer sheer, but sloped outwards a
## [10213] little. It looked like a great rampart or sea-wall whose foundations had
## [10214] shifted, so that its courses were all twisted and disordered, leaving great
## [10215] fissures and long slanting edges that were in places almost as wide as
## [10216] stairs.
## [10217]
## [10218] 'And if we're going to try and get down, we had better try at once.
## [10219]
## [10220] It's getting dark early. I think there's a storm coming.'
## [10221]
## [10222] The smoky blur of the mountains in the East was lost in a deeper
## [10223] blackness that was already reaching out westwards with long arms. There was
## [10224] a distant mutter of thunder borne on the rising breeze. Frodo sniffed the
## [10225]
## [10226]
## [10227]
## [10228]
## [10229] air and looked up doubtfully at the sky. He strapped his belt outside his
## [10230] cloak and tightened it, and settled his light pack on his back; then he
## [10231] stepped towards the edge. 'I'm going to try it,' he said.
## [10232]
## [10233] 'Very good! ' said Sam gloomily. 'But I'm going first.'
## [10234]
## [10235] 'You? ' said Frodo. 'What's made you change your mind about climbing?'
## [10236]
## [10237] 'I haven't changed my mind. But it's only sense: put the one lowest as
## [10238] is most likely to slip. I don't want to come down atop of you and knock you
## [10239] off no sense in killing two with one fall.'
## [10240]
## [10241] Before Frodo could stop him, he sat down, swung his legs over the
## [10242] brink, and twisted round, scrabbling with his toes for a foothold. It is
## [10243] doubtful if he ever did anything braver in cold blood, or more unwise.
## [10244]
## [10245] 'No, no! Sam, you old ass! ' said Frodo. 'You'll kill yourself for
## [10246] certain going over like that without even a look to see what to make for.
## [10247] Come back! ' He took Sam under the armpits and hauled him up again. 'Now,
## [10248] wait a bit and be patient! ' he said. Then he lay on the ground, leaning out
## [10249] and looking down: but the light seemed to be fading quickly, although the
## [10250] sun had not yet set. 'I think we could manage this,' he said presently. 'I
## [10251] could at any rate; and you could too. if you kept your head and followed me
## [10252] carefully.'
## [10253]
## [10254] 'I don't know how you can be so sure,' said Sam. 'Why! You can't see to
## [10255] the bottom in this light. What if you comes to a place where there's nowhere
## [10256] to put your feet or your hands?'
## [10257]
## [10258] 'Climb back, I suppose,' said Frodo.
## [10259]
## [10260] 'Easy said,' objected Sam. 'Better wait till morning and more light.'
## [10261]
## [10262] 'No! Not if I can help it,' said Frodo with a sudden strange vehemence.
## [10263]
## [10264] I grudge every hour, every minute. I'm going down to try it out. Don't you
## [10265] follow till I come back or call!'
## [10266]
## [10267] Gripping the stony lip of the fall with his fingers he let himself
## [10268] gently down, until when his arms were almost at full stretch, his toes found
## [10269] a ledge. 'On_ e step down! ' he said. 'And this ledge broadens out to the
## [10270] right. I could stand there without a hold. I'll—' his words were cut short.
## [10271]
## [10272] The hurrying darkness, now gathering great speed, rushed up from the
## [10273] East and swallowed the sky. There was a dry splitting crack of thunder right
## [10274] overhead. Searing lightning smote down into the hills. Then came a blast of
## [10275] savage wind, and with it, mingling with its roar, there came a high shrill
## [10276] shriek. The hobbits had heard just such a cry far away in the Marish as they
## [10277] fled from Hobbiton, and even there in the woods of the Shire it had frozen
## [10278]
## [10279]
## [10280]
## [10281]
## [10282] their blood. Out here in the waste its terror was far greater: it pierced
## [10283] them with cold blades of horror and despair, stopping heart and breath. Sam
## [10284] fell flat on his face. Involuntarily Frodo loosed his hold and put his hands
## [10285] over his head and ears. He swayed, slipped, and slithered downwards with a
## [10286] wailing cry.
## [10287]
## [10288] Sam heard him and crawled with an effort to the edge. 'Master, master!
## [10289]
## [10290] ' he called. ’Master!'.
## [10291]
## [10292] He heard no answer. He found he was shaking all over, but he gathered
## [10293] his breath, and once again he shouted: 'Master!' The wind seemed to blow his
## [10294] voice back into his throat, but as it passed, roaring up the gully and away
## [10295] over the hills, a faint answering cry came to his ears:
## [10296]
## [10297] 'All right, all right! I'm here. But I can't see.'
## [10298]
## [10299] Frodo was calling with a weak voice. ,He was not actually very far
## [10300] away. He had slid and not fallen, and had come up with a jolt to his feet on
## [10301] a wider ledge not many yards lower down. Fortunately the rock-face at this
## [10302] point leaned well back and the wind had pressed him against the cliff, so
## [10303] that he had not toppled over. He steadied himself a little, laying his face
## [10304] against the cold stone, feeling his heart pounding. But either the darkness
## [10305] had grown complete, or else his eyes had lost their sight. All was black
## [10306] about him. He wondered if he had been struck blind. He took a deep breath.
## [10307]
## [10308] 'Come back! Come back! ' he heard Sam's voice out of the blackness
## [10309] above.
## [10310]
## [10311] 'I can't,’ he said. 'I can't see. I can't find any hold. I can't move
## [10312] yet.'
## [10313]
## [10314] 'What can I do, Mr. Frodo? What can I do? ’ shouted Sam, leaning out
## [10315] dangerously far. Why could not his master see? It was dim, certainly, but
## [10316] not as dark as all that. He could see Frodo below him, a grey forlorn figure
## [10317] splayed against the cliff. But he was far out of the reach of any helping
## [10318] hand.
## [10319]
## [10320] There was another crack of thunder; and then the rain came. In a
## [10321] blinding sheet, mingled with hail, it drove against the cliff, bitter cold.
## [10322]
## [10323] Tm coming down to you,' shouted Sam, though how he hoped to help in
## [10324] that way he could not have said.
## [10325]
## [10326] 'No, no! wait! 'Frodo called back, more strongly now. 'I shall be
## [10327] better soon. I feel better already. Wait! You can't do anything without a
## [10328] rope.'
## [10329]
## [10330] 'Rope!' cried Sam, talking wildly to himself in his excitement and
## [10331]
## [10332]
## [10333]
## [10334]
## [10335] relief. 'Well, if I don’t deserve to be hung on the end of one as a warning
## [10336] to numbskulls! You're nowt but a ninnyhammer, Sam Gamgee: that's what
## [10337] the
## [10338]
## [10339] Gaffer said to me often enough, it being a word of his. Rope!'
## [10340]
## [10341] 'Stop chattering!’ cried Frodo, now recovered enough to feel both
## [10342] amused and annoyed. ’Never mind your Gaffer! Are you trying to tell yourself
## [10343] you've got some rope in your pocket? If so, out with it!
## [10344]
## [10345] 'Yes, Mr. Frodo, in my pack and all. Carried it hundreds of miles and
## [10346] I'd clean forgotten it!'
## [10347]
## [10348] 'Then get busy and let an end down!’
## [10349]
## [10350] Quickly Sam unslung his pack and rummaged in it. There indeed at the
## [10351] bottom was a coil of the silken-grey rope made by the folk of Lurien. He
## [10352] cast an end to his master. The darkness seemed to lift from Frodo's eyes, or
## [10353] else his sight was returning. He could see the grey line as it came dangling
## [10354] down, and he thought it had a faint silver sheen. Now that he had some point
## [10355] in the darkness to fix his eyes on, he felt less giddy. Leaning his weight
## [10356] forward, he made the end fast round his waist, and then he grasped the line
## [10357] with both hands.
## [10358]
## [10359] Sam stepped back and braced his feet against a stump a yard or two from
## [10360] the edge. Half hauled, half scrambling. Frodo came up and threw himself on
## [10361] the ground.
## [10362]
## [10363] Thunder growled and rumbled in the distance, and the rain was still
## [10364] falling heavily. The hobbits crawled away back into the gully; but they did
## [10365] not find much shelter there. Rills of water began to run down; soon they
## [10366] grew to a spate that splashed and fumed on the stones, and spouted out over
## [10367] the cliff like the gutters of a vast roof.
## [10368]
## [10369] 'I should have been half drowned down there, or washed clean off,' said
## [10370] Frodo. 'What a piece of luck you had that rope!'
## [10371]
## [10372] 'Better luck if I'd thought of it sooner,' said Sam. 'Maybe you
## [10373] remember them putting the ropes in the boats, as we started off: in the
## [10374] elvish country. I took a fancy to it, and I stowed a coil in my pack. Years
## [10375] ago, it seems. "It may be a help in many needs," he said: Haldir, or one of
## [10376] those folk. And he spoke right.'
## [10377]
## [10378] 'A pity I didn't think of bringing another length,' said Frodo; 'but I
## [10379] left the Company in such a hurry and confusion. If only we had enough we
## [10380] could use it to get down. How long is your rope, I wonder?’
## [10381]
## [10382] Sam paid it out slowly, measuring it with his arms: 'Five, ten, twenty,
## [10383]
## [10384]
## [10385]
## [10386]
## [10387] thirty ells, more or less,' he said.
## [10388]
## [10389] 'Who'd have thought it!' Frodo exclaimed.
## [10390]
## [10391] 'Ah! Who would? ' said Sam. 'Elves are wonderful folk. It looks a bit
## [10392] thin, but it's tough; and soft as milk to the hand. Packs close too, and as
## [10393] light as light. Wonderful folk to be sure!'
## [10394]
## [10395] 'Thirty ells! ' said Frodo considering. 'I believe it would be enough.
## [10396]
## [10397] If the storm passes before nightfall, I'm going to try it.'
## [10398]
## [10399] 'The rain's nearly given over already,' said Sam; 'but don't you go
## [10400] doing anything risky in the dim again, Mr. Frodo! And I haven't got over
## [10401] that shriek on the wind yet, if you have. Like a Black Rider it sounded-but
## [10402] one up in the air, if they can fly. I'm thinking we'd best lay up in this
## [10403] crack till night's over.'
## [10404]
## [10405] 'And I'm thinking that I won't spend a moment longer than I need stuck
## [10406] up on this edge with the eyes of the Dark Country looking over the marshes,'
## [10407] said Frodo.
## [10408]
## [10409] With that he stood up and went down to the bottom of the gully again.
## [10410]
## [10411] He looked out. Clear sky was growing in the East once more. The skirts of
## [10412] the storm were lifting, ragged and wet, and the main battle had passed to
## [10413] spread its great wings over the Emyn Muil; upon which the dark thought of
## [10414] Sauron brooded for a while. Thence it turned, smiting the Vale of Anduin
## [10415] with hail and lightning, and casting its shadow upon Minas Tirith with
## [10416] threat of war. Then, lowering in the mountains, and gathering its great
## [10417] spires, it rolled on slowly over Gondor and the skirts of Rohan, until far
## [10418] away the Riders on the plain saw its black towers moving behind the sun, as
## [10419] they rode into the West. But here, over the desert and the reeking marshes
## [10420] the deep blue sky of evening opened once more, and a few pallid stars
## [10421] appeared, like small white holes in the canopy above the crescent moon.
## [10422]
## [10423] 'It's good to be able to see again,' said Frodo, breathing deep. 'Do
## [10424] you know, I thought for a bit that I had lost my sight? From the lightning
## [10425] or something else worse. I could see nothing, nothing at all, until the grey
## [10426] rope came down. It seemed to shimmer somehow.'
## [10427]
## [10428] 'It does look sort of silver in the dark,' said Sam. 'Never noticed it
## [10429] before, though I can't remember as I've ever had it out since I first stowed
## [10430] it. But if you're so set on climbing, Mr. Frodo, how are you going to use
## [10431] it? Thirty ells, or say, about eighteen fathom: that's no more than your
## [10432] guess at the height of the cliff.'
## [10433]
## [10434] Frodo thought for a while. 'Make it fast to that stump, Sam! ’ he said.
## [10435]
## [10436]
## [10437]
## [10438]
## [10439] 'Then I think you shall have your wish this time and go first. I'll lower
## [10440] you, and you need do no more than use your feet and hands to fend yourself
## [10441] off the rock. Though, if you put your weight on some of the ledges and give
## [10442] me a rest, it will help. When you're down, I'll follow. I feel quite myself
## [10443] again now.'
## [10444]
## [10445] 'Very well,' said Sam heavily. 'If it must be, let's get it over! ' He
## [10446] took up the rope and made it fast over the stump nearest to the brink; then
## [10447] the other end he tied about his own waist. Reluctantly he turned and
## [10448] prepared to go over the edge a second time.
## [10449]
## [10450] It did not, however, turn out half as bad as he had expected. The rope
## [10451] seemed to give him confidence, though he shut his eyes more than once when
## [10452] he looked down between his feet. There was one awkward spot, where there
## [10453] was
## [10454]
## [10455] no ledge and the wall was sheer and even undercut for a short space; there
## [10456] he slipped and swung out on the silver line. But Frodo lowered him slowly
## [10457] and steadily, and it was over at last. His chief fear had been that the
## [10458] rope-length would give out while he was still high up, but there was still a
## [10459] good bight in Frodo's hands, when Sam came to the bottom and called up: 'I'm
## [10460] down! ' His voice came up clearly from below, but Frodo could not see him;
## [10461] his grey elven-cloak had melted into the twilight.
## [10462]
## [10463] Frodo took rather more time to follow him. He had the rope about his
## [10464] waist and it was fast above, and he had shortened it so that it would pull
## [10465] him up before he reached the ground; still he did not want to risk a fall,
## [10466] and he had not quite Sam's faith in this slender grey line. He found two
## [10467] places, all the same, where he had to trust wholly to it: smooth surfaces
## [10468] where there was no hold even for his strong hobbit fingers and the ledges
## [10469] were far apart. But at last he too was down.
## [10470]
## [10471] 'Well!' he cried. 'We've done it! We've escaped from the Emyn Muil! And
## [10472] now what next, I wonder? Maybe we shall soon be sighing for good hard rock
## [10473] under foot again.'
## [10474]
## [10475] But Sam did not answer: he was staring back up the cliff.
## [10476]
## [10477] 'Ninny hammers! ' he said. 'Noodles! My beautiful rope! There it is tied to a
## [10478] stump, and we're at the bottom. Just as nice a little stair for that
## [10479] slinking Gollum as we could leave. Better put up a signpost to say which way
## [10480] we've gone! I thought it seemed a bit too easy.'
## [10481]
## [10482] 'If you can think of any way we could have both used the rope and yet
## [10483] brought it down with us, then you can pass on to me ninnyhammer, or any
## [10484]
## [10485]
## [10486]
## [10487]
## [10488] other name your Gaffer gave you,' said Frodo. 'Climb up and untie it and let
## [10489] yourself down, if you want to!'
## [10490]
## [10491] Sam scratched his head. 'No, I can't think how, begging your pardon,'
## [10492] he said. 'But I don't like leaving it, and that's a fact.' He stroked the
## [10493] rope's end and shook it gently. 'It goes hard parting with anything I
## [10494] brought out of the Elf-country. Made by Galadriel herself, too, maybe.
## [10495] Galadriel,' he murmured nodding his head mournfully. He looked up and gave
## [10496] one last pull to the rope as if in farewell.
## [10497]
## [10498] To the complete surprise of both the hobbits it came loose. Sam fell
## [10499] over, and the long grey coils slithered silently down on top of him. Frodo
## [10500] laughed. 'Who tied the rope? ' he said. 'A good thing it held as long as it
## [10501] did! To think that I trusted all my weight to your knot!’
## [10502]
## [10503] Sam did not laugh. 'I may not be much good at climbing, Mr. Frodo,' he
## [10504] said in injured tones, 'but I do know something about rope and about knots.
## [10505]
## [10506] It's in the family, as you might say. Why, my grand-dad, and my uncle Andy
## [10507] after him, him that was the Gaffer's eldest brother he had a rope-walk over
## [10508] by Tighfield many a year. And I put as fast a hitch over the stump as any
## [10509] one could have done, in the Shire or out of it.'
## [10510]
## [10511] 'Then the rope must have broken — frayed on the rock-edge, I expect,'
## [10512] said Frodo.
## [10513]
## [10514] 'I bet it didn't! ' said Sam in an even more injured voice. He stooped
## [10515] and examined the ends. 'Nor it hasn't neither. Not a strand!'
## [10516]
## [10517] 'Then I'm afraid it must have been the knot,' said Frodo.
## [10518]
## [10519] Sam shook his head and did not answer. He was passing the rope through
## [10520] his fingers thoughtfully. 'Have it your own way, Mr. Frodo,' he said at
## [10521] last, 'but I think the rope came off itself — when I called.' He coiled it
## [10522] up and stowed it lovingly in his pack.
## [10523]
## [10524] 'It certainly came,' said Frodo, 'and that's the chief thing. But now
## [10525] we've got to think of our next move. Night will be on us soon. How beautiful
## [10526] the stars are, and the Moon!'
## [10527]
## [10528] 'They do cheer the heart, don't they? ' said Sam looking up. 'Elvish
## [10529] they are. somehow. And the Moon's growing. We haven't seen him for a night
## [10530] or two in this cloudy weather. He's beginning to give quite a light.'
## [10531]
## [10532] 'Yes,' said Frodo; 'but he won't be full for some days. I don't think
## [10533] we'll try the marshes by the light of half a moon.'
## [10534]
## [10535] Under the first shadows of night they started out on the next stage of
## [10536] their journey. After a while Sam turned and looked back at the way they had
## [10537]
## [10538]
## [10539]
## [10540]
## [10541] come. The mouth of the gully was a black notch in the dim cliff. Tm glad
## [10542] we’ve got the rope,' he said. 'We’ve set a little puzzle for that footpad,
## [10543] anyhow. He can try his nasty flappy feet on those ledges!'
## [10544]
## [10545] They picked their steps away from the skirts of the cliff, among a
## [10546] wilderness of boulders and rough stones, wet and slippery with the heavy
## [10547] rain. The ground still fell away sharply. They had not gone very far when
## [10548] they came upon a great fissure that yawned suddenly black before their feet.
## [10549] It was not wide, but it was too wide to jump across in the dim light. They
## [10550] thought they could hear water gurgling in its depths. It curved away on
## [10551] their left northward, back towards the hills, and so barred their road in
## [10552] that direction, at any rate while darkness lasted.
## [10553]
## [10554] 'We had better try a way back southwards along the line of the cliff, I
## [10555] think,' said Sam. 'We might find some nook there, or even a cave or
## [10556] something.'
## [10557]
## [10558] 'I suppose so,' said Frodo. Tm tired, and I don't think I can
## [10559] scramble among stones much longer tonight — though I grudge the delay. I
## [10560] wish there was a clear path in front of us: then I'd go on till my legs gave
## [10561] way.'
## [10562]
## [10563] They did not find the going any easier at the broken feet of the Emyn
## [10564] Muil. Nor did Sam find any nook or hollow to shelter in: only bare stony
## [10565] slopes frowned over by the cliff, which now rose again, higher and more
## [10566] sheer as they went back. In the end, worn out, they just cast themselves on
## [10567] the ground under the lee of a boulder lying not far from the foot of the
## [10568] precipice. There for some time they sat huddled mournfully together in the
## [10569] cold stony night, while sleep crept upon them in spite of all they could do
## [10570] to hold it off. The moon now rode high and clear. Its thin white light lit
## [10571] up the faces of the rocks and drenched the cold frowning walls of the cliff,
## [10572] turning all the wide looming darkness into a chill pale grey scored with
## [10573] black shadows.
## [10574]
## [10575] 'Well! ' said Frodo, standing up and drawing his cloak more closely
## [10576] round him. 'You sleep for a bit Sam and take my blanket. I'll walk up and
## [10577] down on sentry for a while.' Suddenly he stiffened, and stooping he gripped
## [10578] Sam by the arm. 'What's that? ' he whispered. 'Look over there on the
## [10579] cliff!’
## [10580]
## [10581] Sam looked and breathed in sharply through his teeth. 'Ssss!' he said.
## [10582] 'That's what it is. It's that Gollum! Snakes and adders! And to think that I
## [10583] thought that we'd puzzle him with our bit of a climb! Look at him! Like a
## [10584]
## [10585]
## [10586]
## [10587]
## [10588] nasty crawling spider on a wall.'
## [10589]
## [10590] Down the face of a precipice, sheer and almost smooth it seemed in the
## [10591] pale moonlight, a small black shape was moving with its thin limbs splayed
## [10592] out. Maybe its soft clinging hands and toes were finding crevices and holds
## [10593] that no hobbit could ever have seen or used, but it looked as if it was just
## [10594] creeping down on sticky pads, like some large prowling thing of insect-kind.
## [10595] And it was coming down head first, as if it was smelling its way. Now and
## [10596] again it lifted its head slowly, turning it right back on its long skinny
## [10597] neck, and the hobbits caught a glimpse of two small pale gleaming lights,
## [10598] its eyes that blinked at the moon for a moment and then were quickly lidded
## [10599] again.
## [10600]
## [10601] 'Do you think he can see us? ' said Sam.
## [10602]
## [10603] 'I don't know,' said Frodo quietly, 'but I think not. It is hard even
## [10604] for friendly eyes to see these elven-cloaks: I cannot see you in the shadow
## [10605] even at a few paces. And I've heard that he doesn’t like Sun or Moon.'
## [10606]
## [10607] 'Then why is he coming down just here? ’ asked Sam.
## [10608]
## [10609] 'Quietly, Sam! ' said Frodo. 'He can smell us, perhaps. And he can hear
## [10610] as keen as Elves, I believe. I think he has heard something now: our voices
## [10611] probably. We did a lot of shouting away back there; and we were talking far
## [10612] too loudly until a minute ago.'
## [10613]
## [10614] 'Well, I'm sick of him,' said Sam. 'He's come once too often for me and
## [10615] I'm going to have a word with him, if I can. I don't suppose we could give
## [10616] him the slip now anyway.' Drawing his grey hood well over his face, Sam
## [10617] crept stealthily towards the cliff.
## [10618]
## [10619] 'Careful!' whispered Frodo coming behind. 'Don't alarm him! He's much
## [10620] more dangerous than he looks.'
## [10621]
## [10622] The black crawling shape was now three-quarters of the way down, and
## [10623] perhaps fifty feet or less above the cliffs foot. Crouching stone-still in
## [10624] the shadow of a large boulder the hobbits watched him. He seemed to have
## [10625] come to a difficult passage or to be troubled about something. They could
## [10626] hear him snuffling, and now and again there was a harsh hiss of breath that
## [10627] sounded like a curse. He lifted his head, and they thought they heard him
## [10628] spit. Then he moved on again. Now they could hear his voice creaking and
## [10629] whistling.
## [10630]
## [10631] 'Ach, sss! Cautious, my precious! More haste less speed. We musstn't
## [10632] rissk our neck, musst we, precious? No, precious — golluml' He lifted his
## [10633] head again, blinked at the moon, and quickly shut his eyes. 'We hate it,' he
## [10634]
## [10635]
## [10636]
## [10637]
## [10638] hissed. 'Nassty, nassty shivery light it is — sss — it spies on us,
## [10639] precious — it hurts our eyes.'
## [10640]
## [10641] He was getting lower now and the hisses became sharper and clearer.
## [10642] 'Where iss it, where iss it: my Precious, my Precious? It's ours, it is, and
## [10643] we wants it. The thieves, the thieves, the filthy little thieves. Where are
## [10644] they with my Precious? Curse them! We hates them.'
## [10645]
## [10646] 'It doesn't sound as if he knew we were here, does it? ' whispered Sam.
## [10647] 'And what's his Precious? Does he mean the'
## [10648]
## [10649] 'Hsh! ' breathed Frodo. 'He's getting near now, near enough to hear a
## [10650] whisper.'
## [10651]
## [10652] Indeed Gollum had suddenly paused again, and his large head on its
## [10653] scrawny neck was lolling from side to side as if he was listening. His pale
## [10654] eyes were half unlidded. Sam restrained himself, though his fingers were
## [10655] twitching. His eyes, filled with anger and disgust, were fixed on the
## [10656] wretched creature as he now began to move again, still whispering and
## [10657] hissing to himself.
## [10658]
## [10659] At last he was no more than a dozen feet from the ground, right above
## [10660] their heads. From that point there was a sheer drop, for the cliff was
## [10661] slightly undercut, and even Gollum could not find a hold of any kind. He
## [10662] seemed to be trying to twist round, so as to go legs first, when suddenly
## [10663] with a shrill whistling shriek he fell. As he did so, he curled his legs and
## [10664] arms up round him, like a spider whose descending thread is snapped.
## [10665]
## [10666] Sam was out of his hiding in a flash and crossed the space between him
## [10667] and the cliff foot in a couple of leaps. Before Gollum could get up, he was
## [10668] on top of him. But he found Gollum more than he bargained for, even taken
## [10669] like that, suddenly, off his guard after a fall. Before Sam could get a
## [10670] hold, long legs and arms were wound round him pinning his arms, and a
## [10671] clinging grip, soft but horribly strong, was squeezing him like slowly
## [10672] tightening cords; clammy fingers were feeling for his throat. Then sharp
## [10673] teeth bit into his shoulder. All he could do was to butt his hard round head
## [10674] sideways into the creature's face. Gollum hissed and spat, but he did not
## [10675] let go.
## [10676]
## [10677] Things would have gone ill with Sam, if he had been alone. But Frodo
## [10678] sprang up, and drew Sting from its sheath. With his left hand he drew back
## [10679] Gollum's head by his thin lank hair, stretching his long neck, and forcing
## [10680] his pale venomous eyes to stare up at the sky.
## [10681]
## [10682] 'Let go! Gollum,' he said. 'This is Sting. You have seen it before once
## [10683]
## [10684]
## [10685]
## [10686]
## [10687] upon a time. Let go, or you'll feel it this time! I'll cut your throat.'
## [10688]
## [10689] Gollum collapsed and went as loose as wet string. Sam got up, fingering
## [10690] his shoulder. His eyes smouldered with anger, but he could not avenge
## [10691] himself: his miserable enemy lay grovelling on the stones whimpering.
## [10692]
## [10693] 'Don't hurt us! Don't let them hurt us, precious! They won't hurt us
## [10694] will they, nice little hobbitses? We didn't mean no harm, but they jumps on
## [10695] us like cats on poor mices, they did, precious. And we're so lonely, gollum.
## [10696] We'll be nice to them, very nice, if they'll be nice to us, won't we, yes,
## [10697] yess.'
## [10698]
## [10699] 'Well, what’s to be done with it? ' said Sam. 'Tie it up, so as it
## [10700] can't come sneaking after us no more, I say.'
## [10701]
## [10702] 'But that would kill us, kill us,' whimpered Gollum. 'Cruel little
## [10703] hobbitses. Tie us up in the cold hard lands and leave us, gollum, gollum.'
## [10704] Sobs welled up in his gobbling throat.
## [10705]
## [10706] 'No,' said Frodo. 'If we kill him, we must kill him outright. But we
## [10707] can't do that, not as things are. Poor wretch! He has done us no harm.'
## [10708]
## [10709] 'Oh hasn't he! ' said Sam rubbing his shoulder. 'Anyway he meant to,
## [10710] and he means to, I'll warrant. Throttle us in our sleep, that's his plan.'
## [10711]
## [10712] 'I daresay,' said Frodo. 'But what he means to do is another matter.'
## [10713]
## [10714] He paused for a while in thought. Gollum lay still, but stopped whimpering.
## [10715] Sam stood glowering over him.
## [10716]
## [10717] It seemed to Frodo then that he heard, quite plainly but far off,
## [10718] voices out of the past:
## [10719]
## [10720] What a pity Bilbo did not stub the vile creature, when he had a chance!
## [10721]
## [10722] Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike
## [10723] without need.
## [10724]
## [10725] I do not feel any pity for Gollum. He deserves death.
## [10726]
## [10727] Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And
## [10728] some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager
## [10729] to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even
## [10730] the wise cannot see all ends.
## [10731]
## [10732] 'Very well,’ he answered aloud, lowering his sword. 'But still I am
## [10733] afraid. And yet, as you see, I will not touch the creature. For now that I
## [10734] see him, I do pity him.'
## [10735]
## [10736] Sam stared at his master, who seemed to be speaking to some one who was
## [10737] not there. Gollum lifted his head.
## [10738]
## [10739] 'Yess, wretched we are, precious,' he whined. 'Misery misery! Hobbits
## [10740]
## [10741]
## [10742]
## [10743]
## [10744] won't kill us, nice hobbits.'
## [10745]
## [10746] 'No, we won't,' said Frodo. 'But we won't let you go, either. You're
## [10747] full of wickedness and mischief, Gollum. You will have to come with us,
## [10748] that's all, while we keep an eye on you. But you must help us, if you can.
## [10749]
## [10750] One good turn deserves another.'
## [10751]
## [10752] 'Yess, yes indeed,' said Gollum sitting up. 'Nice hobbits! We will come
## [10753] with them. Find them safe paths in the dark, yes we will. And where are they
## [10754] going in these cold hard lands, we wonders, yes we wonders? ' He looked up
## [10755] at them, and a faint light of cunning and eagerness flickered for a second
## [10756] in his pale blinking eyes.
## [10757]
## [10758] Sam scowled at him, and sucked his teeth; but he seemed to sense that
## [10759] there was something odd about his master's mood and that the matter was
## [10760] beyond argument. All the same he was amazed at Frodo's reply.
## [10761]
## [10762] Frodo looked straight into Gollum's eyes which flinched and twisted
## [10763] away. 'You know that, or you guess well enough, Smjagol,' he said, quietly
## [10764] and sternly. 'We are going to Mordor, of course. And you know the way there,
## [10765] I believe.'
## [10766]
## [10767] 'Ach! sss! ' said Gollum, covering his ears with his hands, as if such
## [10768] frankness, and the open speaking of the names, hurt him. 'We guessed, yes we
## [10769] guessed,' he whispered; 'and we didn't want them to go, did we? No,
## [10770] precious, not the nice hobbits. Ashes, ashes, and dust, and thirst there is;
## [10771] and pits, pits, pits, and Ores, thousands of Orcses. Nice hobbits mustn't go
## [10772] to — sss — those places.'
## [10773]
## [10774] 'So you have been there? ' Frodo insisted. 'And you're being drawn back
## [10775] there, aren't you?'
## [10776]
## [10777] 'Yess. Yess. No! ' shrieked Gollum. 'Once, by accident it was, wasn't
## [10778] it, precious? Yes, by accident. But we won't go back, no, no!' Then suddenly
## [10779] his voice and language changed, and he sobbed in his throat, and spoke but
## [10780] not to them. 'Leave me alone, golluml You hurt me. O my poor hands, gollum
## [10781] I, we, I don't want to come back. I can't find it. I am tired. I, we can't
## [10782] find it, gollum, gollum, no, nowhere. They're always awake. Dwarves, Men,
## [10783] and Elves, terrible Elves with bright eyes. I can't find it. Ach! ' He got
## [10784] up and clenched his long hand into a bony fleshless knot, shaking it towards
## [10785] the East. 'We won't! ' he cried. 'Not for you.' Then he collapsed again.
## [10786] 'Gollum, gollum,' he whimpered with his face to the ground. 'Don't look at
## [10787] us! Go away! Go to sleep!'
## [10788]
## [10789] 'He will not go away or go to sleep at your command, Smjagol,' said
## [10790]
## [10791]
## [10792]
## [10793]
## [10794] Frodo. 'But if you really wish to be free of him again, then you must help
## [10795] me. And that I fear means finding us a path towards him. But you need not go
## [10796] all the way, not beyond the gates of his land.'
## [10797]
## [10798] Gollum sat up again and looked at him under his eyelids. 'He's over
## [10799] there,' he cackled. 'Always there. Ores will take you all the way. Easy to
## [10800] find Ores east of the River. Don't ask Smjagol. Poor, poor Smjagol, he went
## [10801] away long ago. They took his Precious, and he's lost now.'
## [10802]
## [10803] 'Perhaps we'll find him again, if you come with us,' said Frodo.
## [10804]
## [10805] 'No, no, never! He's lost his Precious,' said Gollum.
## [10806]
## [10807] 'Get up! ' said Frodo.
## [10808]
## [10809] Gollum stood up and backed away against the cliff.
## [10810]
## [10811] 'Now! ’ said Frodo. 'Can you find a path easier by day or by night?
## [10812]
## [10813] We're tired; but if you choose the night, we'll start tonight.'
## [10814]
## [10815] 'The big lights hurt our eyes, they do,’ Gollum whined. 'Not under the
## [10816] White Face, not yet. It will go behind the hills soon, yess. Rest a bit
## [10817] first, nice hobbits!’
## [10818]
## [10819] 'Then sit down,' said Frodo, 'and don't move!'
## [10820]
## [10821] The hobbits seated themselves beside him, one on either side, with
## [10822] their backs to the stony wall, resting their legs. There was no need for any
## [10823] arrangement by word: they knew that they must not sleep for a moment. Slowly
## [10824] the moon went by. Shadows fell down from the hills, and all grew dark before
## [10825] them. The stars grew thick and bright in the sky above. No one stirred.
## [10826] Gollum sat with his legs drawn up, knees under chin, flat hands and feet
## [10827] splayed on the ground, his eyes closed; but he seemed tense, as if thinking
## [10828] or listening.
## [10829]
## [10830] Frodo looked across at Sam. Their eyes met and they understood. They
## [10831] relaxed, leaning their heads back, and shutting their eyes or seeming to.
## [10832]
## [10833] Soon the sound of their soft breathing could be heard. Gollum's hands
## [10834] twitched a little. Hardly perceptibly his head moved to the left and the
## [10835] right, and first one eye and then the other opened a slit. The hobbits made
## [10836] no sign.
## [10837]
## [10838] Suddenly, with startling agility and speed, straight off the ground
## [10839] with a jump like a grasshopper or a frog. Gollum bounded forward into the
## [10840] darkness. But that was just what Frodo and Sam had expected. Sam was on
## [10841] him
## [10842]
## [10843] before he had gone two paces after his spring. Frodo coming behind grabbed
## [10844] his leg and threw him.
## [10845]
## [10846]
## [10847]
## [10848]
## [10849] 'Your rope might prove useful again, Sam.' he said.
## [10850]
## [10851] Sam got out the rope. 'And where were you off to in the cold hard
## [10852] lands, Mr. Gollum?' he growled. 'We wonders, aye, we wonders. To find
## [10853] some
## [10854]
## [10855] of your ore-friends, I warrant. You nasty treacherous creature. It's round
## [10856] your neck this rope ought to go, and a tight noose too.'
## [10857]
## [10858] Gollum lay quiet and tried no further tricks. He did not answer Sam,
## [10859] but gave him a swift venomous look.
## [10860]
## [10861] 'All we need is something to keep a hold on him,' said Frodo. 'We want
## [10862] him to walk, so it's no good tying his legs-or his arms, he seems to use
## [10863] them nearly as much. Tie one end to his ankle, and keep a grip on the other
## [10864] end.'
## [10865]
## [10866] He stood over Gollum, while Sam tied the knot. The result surprised
## [10867] them both. Gollum began to scream, a thin, tearing sound, very horrible to
## [10868] hear. He writhed, and tried to get his mouth to his ankle and bite the rope.
## [10869]
## [10870] He kept on screaming.
## [10871]
## [10872] At last Frodo was convinced that he really was in pain; but it could
## [10873] not be from the knot. He examined it and found that it was not too tight,
## [10874] indeed hardly tight enough. Sam was gentler than his words. 'What's the
## [10875] matter with you? ' he said. 'If you will try to run away, you must be tied;
## [10876] but we don't wish to hurt you.'
## [10877]
## [10878] 'It hurts us, it hurts us,' hissed Gollum. 'It freezes, it bites! Elves
## [10879] twisted it, curse them! Nasty cruel hobbits! That's why we tries to escape,
## [10880] of course it is, precious. We guessed they were cruel hobbits. They visits
## [10881] Elves, fierce Elves with bright eyes. Take it off us! It hurts us.'
## [10882]
## [10883] 'No, I will not take it off you,’ said Frodo, 'not unless' — he paused
## [10884] a moment in thought — 'not unless there is any promise you can make that I
## [10885] can trust.'
## [10886]
## [10887] 'We will swear to do what he wants, yes, yess, said Gollum, still
## [10888] twisting and grabbling at his ankle. 'It hurts us.'
## [10889]
## [10890] 'Swear? ’ said Frodo.
## [10891]
## [10892] 'Smjagol,' said Gollum suddenly and clearly, opening his eyes wide and
## [10893] staring at Frodo with a strange light. 'Smjagol will swear on the Precious.'
## [10894]
## [10895] Frodo drew himself up, and again Sam was startled by his words and his
## [10896] stern voice. 'On the Precious? How dare you? ' he said. 'Think!
## [10897]
## [10898] One Ring to rule them all and in the Darkness bind them.
## [10899]
## [10900] Would you commit your promise to that, Smjagol? It will hold you. But
## [10901]
## [10902]
## [10903]
## [10904]
## [10905] it is more treacherous than you are. It may twist your words. Beware!'
## [10906]
## [10907] Gollum cowered. 'On the Precious, on the Precious! ' he repeated.
## [10908]
## [10909] 'And what would you swear? ' asked Frodo.
## [10910]
## [10911] 'To be very very good,' said Gollum. Then crawling to Frodo's feet he
## [10912] grovelled before him, whispering hoarsely: a shudder ran over him, as if the
## [10913] words shook his very bones with fear. 'Smjagol will swear never, never, to
## [10914] let Him have it. Never! Smjagol will save it. But he must swear on the
## [10915] Precious.'
## [10916]
## [10917] 'No! not on it,' said Frodo, looking down at him with stern pity. 'All
## [10918] you wish is to see it and touch it, if you can, though you know it would
## [10919] drive you mad. Not on it. Swear by it, if you will. For you know where it
## [10920] is. Yes, you know, Smjagol. It is before you.'
## [10921]
## [10922] For a moment it appeared to Sam that his master had grown and Gollum
## [10923] had shrunk: a tall stern shadow, a mighty lord who hid his brightness in
## [10924] grey cloud, and at his feet a little whining dog. Yet the two were in some
## [10925] way akin and not alien: they could reach one another's minds. Gollum raised
## [10926] himself and began pawing at Frodo, fawning at his knees.
## [10927]
## [10928] 'Down! down! ' said Frodo. 'Now speak your promise!’
## [10929]
## [10930] 'We promises, yes I promise!’ said Gollum. ’I will serve the master of
## [10931] the Precious. Good master, good Smjagol, gollum, gollumY Suddenly he began
## [10932] to weep and bite at his ankle again.
## [10933]
## [10934] 'Take the rope off, Sam!' said Frodo.
## [10935]
## [10936] Reluctantly Sam obeyed. At once Gollum got up and began prancing about,
## [10937] like a whipped cur whose master has patted it. From that moment a change,
## [10938] which lasted for some time, came over him. He spoke with less hissing and
## [10939] whining, and he spoke to his companions direct, not to his precious self. He
## [10940] would cringe and flinch, if they stepped near him or made any sudden
## [10941] movement, and he avoided the touch of their elven-cloaks; but he was
## [10942] friendly, and indeed pitifully anxious to please. He would cackle with
## [10943] laughter and caper, if any jest was made, or even if Frodo spoke kindly to
## [10944] him, and weep if Frodo rebuked him. Sam said little to him of any sort. He
## [10945] suspected him more deeply than ever, and if possible liked the new Gollum,
## [10946] the Smjagol, less than the old.
## [10947]
## [10948] 'Well, Gollum, or whatever it is we're to call you,' he said, 'now for
## [10949] it! The Moon's gone, and the night's going. We'd better start.'
## [10950]
## [10951] 'Yes, yes,' agreed Gollum, skipping about. 'Off we go! There's only one
## [10952] way across between the North-end and the South-end. I found it, I did. Ores
## [10953]
## [10954]
## [10955]
## [10956]
## [10957] don’t use it, Ores don't know it. Ores don’t cross the Marshes, they go
## [10958] round for miles and miles. Very lucky you came this way. Very lucky you
## [10959] found Smjagol, yes. Follow Smjagol!'
## [10960]
## [10961] He took a few steps away and looked back inquiringly, like a dog
## [10962] inviting them for a walk. 'Wait a bit, Gollum!' cried Sam. 'Not too far
## [10963] ahead now! I'm going to be at your tail, and I've got the rope handy.'
## [10964]
## [10965] 'No, no! ' said Gollum. 'Smjagol promised.'
## [10966]
## [10967] In the deep of night under hard clear stars they set off. Gollum led
## [10968] them back northward for a while along the way they had come; then he slanted
## [10969] to the right away from the steep edge of the Emyn Muil, down the broken
## [10970] stony slopes towards the vast fens below. They faded swiftly and softly into
## [10971] the darkness. Over all the leagues of waste before the gates of Mordor there
## [10972] was a black silence.
## [10973]
## [10974]
## [10975]
## [10976]
## [10977] Chapter 2 . The Passage of the Marshes
## [10978]
## [10979]
## [10980]
## [10981] Gollum moved quickly, with his head and neck thrust forward, often
## [10982] using his hands as well as his feet. Frodo and Sam were hard put to it to
## [10983] keep up with him; but he seemed no longer to have any thought of escaping,
## [10984] and if they fell behind, he would turn and wait for them. After a time he
## [10985] brought them to the brink of the narrow gully that they had struck before;
## [10986] but they were now further from the hills.
## [10987]
## [10988] 'Here it is!' he cried. 'There is a way down inside, yes. Now we
## [10989] follows it — out, out away over there.' He pointed south and east towards
## [10990] the marshes. The reek of them came to their nostrils, heavy and foul even in
## [10991] the cool night air. .
## [10992]
## [10993] Gollum cast up and down along the brink, and at length he called to
## [10994] them. 'Here! We can get down here. Smjagol went this way once: I went this
## [10995] way, hiding from Ores.'
## [10996]
## [10997] He led the way, and following him the hobbits climbed down into the
## [10998] gloom. It was not difficult, for the rift was at this point only some
## [10999] fifteen feet deep and about a dozen across. There was running water at the
## [11000] bottom: it was in fact the bed of one of the many small rivers that trickled
## [11001] down from the hills to feed the stagnant pools and mires beyond. Gollum
## [11002] turned to the right, southward more or less, and splashed along with his
## [11003] feet in the shallow stony stream. He seemed greatly delighted to feel the
## [11004] water, and chuckled to himself, sometimes even croaking in a sort of song.
## [11005]
## [11006] The cold hard lands,
## [11007] they bites our hands,
## [11008] they gnaws our feet.
## [11009]
## [11010] The rocks and stones
## [11011] are like old bones
## [11012] all bare of meat.
## [11013]
## [11014] But stream and pool
## [11015] is wet and cool:
## [11016] so nice for feet!
## [11017]
## [11018] And now we wish —
## [11019]
## [11020] 'Ha! ha! What does we wish?' he said, looking sidelong at the hobbits.
## [11021] 'We'll tell you.' he croaked. 'He guessed it long ago, Baggins guessed it.’
## [11022]
## [11023] A glint came into his eyes, and Sam catching the gleam in the darkness
## [11024]
## [11025]
## [11026]
## [11027]
## [11028] thought it far from pleasant.
## [11029]
## [11030] Alive without breath;
## [11031] as cold as death;
## [11032] never thirsting, ever drinking;
## [11033] clad in mail, never clinking.
## [11034]
## [11035] Drowns on dry land,
## [11036] thinks an island
## [11037] is a mountain;
## [11038] thinks a fountain
## [11039] is a puff of air.
## [11040]
## [11041] So sleek, so fair!
## [11042]
## [11043] What a joy to meet!
## [11044]
## [11045] We only wish
## [11046] to catch a fish,
## [11047] so juicy-sweet!
## [11048]
## [11049] These words only made more pressing to Sam's mind a problem that had
## [11050] been troubling him from the moment when he understood that hir master was
## [11051] going to adopt Gollum as a guide: the problem of food. It did not occur to
## [11052] him that his master might also have thought of it. hut he supposed Gollum
## [11053] had. Indeed how had Gollum kept himself in all his lonely wandering? 'Not
## [11054] too well,' thought Sam. 'He looks fair famished. Not too dainty to try what
## [11055] hobbit tastes like if there ain't no fish, I'll wager — supposing as he
## [11056] could catch us napping. Well, he won't: not Sam Gamgee for one.'
## [11057]
## [11058] They stumbled along in the dark winding gully for a long time, or so it
## [11059] seemed to the tired feet of Frodo and Sam. The gully turned eastward, and as
## [11060] they went on it broadened and got gradually shallower. At last the sky above
## [11061] grew faint with the first grey of morning. Gollum had shown no signs of
## [11062] tiring, but now he looked up and halted.
## [11063]
## [11064] 'Day is near,' he whispered, as if Day was something that might
## [11065] overhear him and spring on him. 'Smjagol will stay here: I will stay here,
## [11066] and the Yellow Face won't see me.'
## [11067]
## [11068] 'We should be glad to see the Sun;' said Frodo, 'but we will stay here:
## [11069] we are too tired to go any further at present.'
## [11070]
## [11071] 'You are not wise to be glad of the Yellow Face,' said Gollum. 'It
## [11072] shows you up. Nice sensible hobbits stay with Smjagol. Ores and nasty things
## [11073] are about. They can see a long way. Stay and hide with me! '
## [11074]
## [11075] The three of them settled down to rest at the foot of the rocky wall of
## [11076]
## [11077]
## [11078]
## [11079]
## [11080] the gully. It was not much more than a tall man’s height now, and at its
## [11081] base there were wide flat shelves of dry stone; the water ran in a channel
## [11082] on the other side. Frodo and Sam sat on one of the flats, resting their
## [11083] backs. Gollum paddled and scrabbled in the stream.
## [11084]
## [11085] 'We must take a little food,' said Frodo. 'Are you hungry, Smjagol? We
## [11086] have very little to share, but we will spare you what we can.’
## [11087]
## [11088] At the word hungry a greenish light was kindled in Gollum’s pale eyes,
## [11089] and they seemed to protrude further than ever from his thin sickly face. For
## [11090] a moment he relapsed into his old Gollum-manner. ’We are famisshed, yes
## [11091] famisshed we are. precious,’ he said. 'What is it they eats? Have they nice
## [11092] fisshes? ’ His tongue lolled out between his sharp yellow teeth, licking his
## [11093] colourless lips.
## [11094]
## [11095] 'No, we have got no fish,’ said Frodo. 'We have only got this’ — he
## [11096] held up a wafer of lembas — ’and water, if the water here is fit to drink.’
## [11097]
## [11098] 'Yess, yess, nice water,’ said Gollum. 'Drink it, drink it, while we
## [11099] can! But what is it they’ve got, precious? Is it crunchable? Is it tasty? ’
## [11100]
## [11101] Frodo broke off a portion of a wafer and handed it to him on its
## [11102] leaf- wrapping. Gollum sniffed at the leaf and his face changed: a spasm of
## [11103] disgust came over it, and a hint of his old malice. 'Smjagol smells it! ’he
## [11104] said. 'Leaves out of the elf-country, gah! They stinks. He climbed in those
## [11105] trees, and he couldn’t wash the smell off his hands, my nice hands.’
## [11106] Dropping the leaf, he took a corner of the lembas and nibbled it. He spat,
## [11107] and a fit of coughing shook him.
## [11108]
## [11109] 'Ach! No! ’ he spluttered. 'You try to choke poor Smjagol. Dust and
## [11110] ashes, he can’t eat that. He must starve. But Smjagol doesn't mind. Nice
## [11111] hobbits! Smjagol has promised. He will starve. He can’t eat hobbits' food.
## [11112]
## [11113] He will starve. Poor thin Smjagol! '
## [11114]
## [11115] 'I'm sorry,' said Frodo; 'but I can't help you, I'm afraid. I think
## [11116] this food would do you good, if you would try. But perhaps you can't even
## [11117] try, not yet anyway.’
## [11118]
## [11119] The hobbits munched their lembas in silence. Sam thought that it tasted
## [11120] far better, somehow, than it had for a good while: Gollum's behaviour had
## [11121] made him attend to its flavour again. But he did not feel comfortable.
## [11122] Gollum watched every morsel from hand to mouth, like an expectant dog by
## [11123] diner's chair. Only when they had finished and were preparing to rest, was
## [11124] he apparently convinced that they had no hidden dainties that he could share
## [11125] in. Then he went and sat by himself a few paces away and whimpered a little.
## [11126]
## [11127]
## [11128]
## [11129]
## [11130] 'Look here! ' Sam whispered to Frodo, not too softly: he did not really
## [11131] care whether Gollum heard him or not. 'We’ve got to get some sleep; but not
## [11132] both together with that hungry villain nigh, promise or no promise. Smjagol
## [11133] or Gollum, he won't change his habits in a hurry, I'll warrant. You go to
## [11134] sleep, Mr. Frodo, and I'll call you when I can't keep my eyelids propped up.
## [11135] Turn and about, same as before, while he's loose.'
## [11136]
## [11137] 'Perhaps you're right, Sam,' said Frodo speaking openly. 'There is a
## [11138] change in him, but just what kind of a change and how deep, I'm not sure
## [11139] yet. Seriously though, I don't think there is any need for fear — at
## [11140] present. Still watch if you wish. Give me about two hours, not more, and
## [11141] then call me.'
## [11142]
## [11143] So tired was Frodo that his head fell forward on his breast and he
## [11144] slept, almost as soon as he had spoken the words. Gollum seemed no longer to
## [11145] have any fears. He curled up and went quickly to sleep, quite unconcerned.
## [11146] Presently his breath was hissing softly through his clenched teeth, hut he
## [11147] lay still as stone. After a while, fearing that he would drop off himself,
## [11148] if he sat listening to his two companions breathing, Sam got up and gently
## [11149] prodded Gollum. His hands uncurled and twitched, but he made no other
## [11150] movement. Sam bent down and said fissh close to his ear, but there was no
## [11151] response, not even a catch in Gollum's breathing.
## [11152]
## [11153] Sam scratched his head. 'Must really be asleep,' he muttered. 'And if I
## [11154] was like Gollum, he wouldn't wake up never again.' He restrained the
## [11155] thoughts of his sword and the rope that sprang to his mind, and went and sat
## [11156] down by his master.
## [11157]
## [11158] When he woke up the sky above was dim, not lighter but darker than when
## [11159] they had breakfasted. Sam leapt to his feet. Not least from his own feeling
## [11160] of vigour and hunger, he suddenly understood that he had slept the daylight
## [11161] away, nine hours at least. Frodo was still fast asleep, lying now stretched
## [11162] on his side. Gollum was not to be seen. Various reproachful names for
## [11163] himself came to Sam's mind, drawn from the Gaffer's large paternal
## [11164] word-hoard; then it also occurred to him that his master had been right:
## [11165] there had for the present been nothing to guard against. They were at any
## [11166] rate both alive and unthrottled.
## [11167]
## [11168] 'Poor wretch! ' he said half remorsefully. 'Now I wonder where he's got
## [11169] to? '
## [11170]
## [11171] 'Not far, not far! ' said a voice above him. He looked up and saw the
## [11172] shape of Gollum's large head and ears against the evening sky.
## [11173]
## [11174]
## [11175]
## [11176]
## [11177] 'Here, what are you doing? ' cried Sam, his suspicions coming back as
## [11178] soon as he saw that shape.
## [11179]
## [11180] 'Smjagol is hungry,' said Gollum. 'Be back soon.'
## [11181]
## [11182] 'Come back now!' shouted Sam. 'Hi! Come back!' But Gollum had vanished.
## [11183]
## [11184] Frodo woke at the sound of Sam's shout and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
## [11185] 'Hullo!' he said. 'Anything wrong? What's the time?'
## [11186]
## [11187] 'I dunno,' said Sam. 'After sundown, I reckon. And he's gone off. Says
## [11188] he's hungry.'
## [11189]
## [11190] 'Don't worry!' said Frodo. 'There's no help for it. But he'll come
## [11191] back, you'll see. The promise will hold yet a while. And he won't leave his
## [11192] Precious, anyway.'
## [11193]
## [11194] Frodo made light of it when he learned that they had slept soundly for
## [11195] hours with Gollum, and a very hungry Gollum too, loose beside them. 'Don't
## [11196] think of any of your Gaffer's hard names,' he said. 'You were worn out, and
## [11197] it has turned out well: we are now both rested. And we have a hard road
## [11198] ahead, the worst road of all.'
## [11199]
## [11200] 'About the food,' said Sam. 'How long's it going to take us to do this
## [11201] job? And when it's done, what are we going to do then? This waybread keeps
## [11202] you on your legs in a wonderful way, though it doesn't satisfy the innards
## [11203] proper, as you might say: not to my feeling anyhow, meaning no disrespect to
## [11204] them as made it. But you have to eat some of it every day, and it doesn't
## [11205] grow. I reckon we've got enough to last, say, three weeks or so, and that
## [11206] with a tight belt and a light tooth, mind you. We've been a bit free with it
## [11207] so far.'
## [11208]
## [11209] 'I don't know how long we shall take to — to finish,' said Frodo. 'We
## [11210] were miserably delayed in the hills. But Samwise Gamgee, my dear hobbit —
## [11211] indeed, Sam my dearest hobbit, friend of friends — I do not think we need
## [11212] give thought to what comes after that. To do the job as you put it — what
## [11213] hope is there that we ever shall? And if we do, who knows what will come of
## [11214] that? If the One goes into the Fire, and we are at hand? I ask you, Sam, are
## [11215] we ever likely to need bread again? I think not. If we can nurse our limbs
## [11216] to bring us to Mount Doom, that is all we can do. More than I can, I begin
## [11217] to feel.’
## [11218]
## [11219] Sam nodded silently. He took his master's hand and bent over it. He did
## [11220] not kiss it, though his tears fell on it. Then he turned away, drew his
## [11221] sleeve over his nose, and got up, and stamped about, trying to whistle, and
## [11222] saying between the efforts: 'Where's that dratted creature?'
## [11223]
## [11224]
## [11225]
## [11226]
## [11227] It was actually not long before Gollum returned; but he came so quietly
## [11228] that they did not hear him till he stood before them. His fingers and face
## [11229] were soiled with black mud. He was still chewing and slavering. What he was
## [11230] chewing, they did not ask or like to think.
## [11231]
## [11232] 'Worms or beetles or something slimy out of holes,' thought Sam. 'Brr!
## [11233]
## [11234] The nasty creature; the poor wretch! '
## [11235]
## [11236] Gollum said nothing to them, until he had drunk deeply and washed
## [11237] himself in the stream. Then he came up to them, licking his lips. 'Better
## [11238] now,' he said. 'Are we rested? Ready to go on? Nice hobbits, they sleep
## [11239] beautifully. Trust Smjagol now? Very, very good.'
## [11240]
## [11241] The next stage of their journey was much the same as the last. As they
## [11242] went on the gully became ever shallower and the slope of its floor more
## [11243] gradual. Its bottom was less stony and more earthy, and slowly its sides
## [11244] dwindled to mere banks. It began to wind and wander. That night drew to its
## [11245] end, but clouds were now over moon and star, and they knew of the coming of
## [11246] day only by the slow spreading of the thin grey light.
## [11247]
## [11248] In a chill hour they came to the end of the water -course. The banks
## [11249] became moss-grown mounds. Over the last shelf of rotting stone the stream
## [11250] gurgled and fell down into a brown bog and was lost. Dry reeds hissed and
## [11251] rattled though they could feel no wind.
## [11252]
## [11253] On either side and in front wide fens and mires now lay, stretching
## [11254] away southward and eastward into the dim half-light. Mists curled and smoked
## [11255] from dark and noisome pools. The reek of them hung stifling in the still
## [11256] air. Far away, now almost due south, the mountain-walls of Mordor loomed,
## [11257] like a black bar of rugged clouds floating above a dangerous fog-bound sea.
## [11258]
## [11259] The hobbits were now wholly in the hands of Gollum. They did now know,
## [11260] and could not guess in that misty light, that they were in fact only just
## [11261] within the northern borders of the marshes, the main expanse of which lay
## [11262] south of them. They could, if they had known the lands, with some delay have
## [11263] retraced their steps a little, and then turning east have come round over
## [11264] hard roads to the bare plain of Dagorlad: the field of the ancient battle
## [11265] before the gates of Mordor. Not that there was great hope in such a course.
## [11266]
## [11267] On that stony plain there was no cover, and across it ran the highways of
## [11268] the Ores and the soldiers of the Enemy. Not even the cloaks of Lurien would
## [11269] have concealed them there.
## [11270]
## [11271] 'How do we shape our course now, Smjagol? ' asked Frodo. 'Must we cross
## [11272] these evil-smelling fens? '
## [11273]
## [11274]
## [11275]
## [11276]
## [11277] 'No need, no need at all,' said Gollum. 'Not if hobbits want to reach
## [11278] the dark mountains and go to see Him very quick. Back a little, and round a
## [11279] little' — his skinny arm waved north and east — 'and you can come on hard
## [11280] cold roads to the very gates of His country. Lots of His people will be
## [11281] there looking out for guests, very pleased to take them straight to Him, O
## [11282] yes. His Eye watches that way all the time. It caught Smjagol there, long
## [11283] ago.' Gollum shuddered. 'But Smjagol has used his eyes since then, yes, yes:
## [11284] I've used eyes and feet and nose since then. 1 know other ways. More
## [11285] difficult, not so quick; but better, if we don't want Him to see. Follow
## [11286] Smjagol! He can take you through the marshes, through the mists, nice thick
## [11287] mists. Follow Smjagol very carefully, and you may go a long way. quite a
## [11288] long way, before He catches you, yes perhaps.'
## [11289]
## [11290] It was already day, a windless and sullen morning, and the marsh-reeks
## [11291] lay in heavy banks. No sun pierced the low clouded sky, and Gollum seemed
## [11292] anxious to continue the journey at once. So after a brief rest they set out
## [11293] again and were soon lost in a shadowy silent world, cut off from all view of
## [11294] the lands about, either the hills that they had left or the mountains that
## [11295] they sought. They went slowly in single file: Gollum, Sam, Frodo.
## [11296]
## [11297] Frodo seemed the most weary of the three, and slow though they went, he
## [11298] often lagged. The hobbits soon found that what had looked like one vast fen
## [11299] was really an endless network of pools, and soft mires, and winding
## [11300] half- strangled water -courses. Among these a cunning eye and foot could
## [11301] thread a wandering path. Gollum certainly had that cunning, and needed all
## [11302] of it. His head on its long neck was ever turning this way and that, while
## [11303] he sniffed and muttered all the time to himself. Sometimes he would hold up
## [11304] his hand and halt them, while he went forward a little, crouching, testing
## [11305] the ground with fingers or toes, or merely listening with one ear pressed to
## [11306] the earth.
## [11307]
## [11308] It was dreary and wearisome. Cold clammy winter still held sway in this
## [11309] forsaken country. The only green was the scum of livid weed on the dark
## [11310] greasy surfaces of the sullen waters. Dead grasses and rotting reeds loomed
## [11311] up in the mists like ragged shadows of long-forgotten summers.
## [11312]
## [11313] As the day wore on the light increased a little, and the mists lifted,
## [11314] growing thinner and more transparent. Far above the rot and vapours of the
## [11315] world the Sun was riding high and golden now in a serene country with floors
## [11316] of dazzling foam, but only a passing ghost of her could they see below,
## [11317] bleared, pale, giving no colour and no warmth. But even at this faint
## [11318]
## [11319]
## [11320]
## [11321]
## [11322] reminder of her presence Gollum scowled and flinched. He halted their
## [11323] journey, and they rested, squatting like little hunted animals, in the
## [11324] borders of a great brown reed-thicket. There was a deep silence, only
## [11325] scraped on its surfaces by the faint quiver of empty seed-plumes, and broken
## [11326] grass-blades trembling in small air -movements that they could not feel.
## [11327]
## [11328] 'Not a bird! ' said Sam mournfully.
## [11329]
## [11330] 'No, no birds,' said Gollum. 'Nice birds! ' He licked his teeth. 'No
## [11331] birds here. There are snakeses, wormses, things in the pools. Lots of
## [11332] things, lots of nasty things. No birds,' he ended sadly. Sam looked at him
## [11333] with distaste.
## [11334]
## [11335] So passed the third day of their journey with Gollum. Before the
## [11336] shadows of evening were long in happier lands, they went on again, always on
## [11337] and on with only brief halts. These they made not so much for rest as to
## [11338] help Gollum; for now even he had to go forward with great care, and he was
## [11339] sometimes at a loss for a while. They had come to the very midst of the Dead
## [11340] Marshes, and it was dark.
## [11341]
## [11342] They walked slowly, stooping, keeping close in line, following
## [11343] attentively every move that Gollum made. The fens grew more wet, opening
## [11344] into wide stagnant meres, among which it grew more and more difficult to
## [11345] find the firmer places where feet could tread without sinking into gurgling
## [11346] mud. The travellers were light, or maybe none of them would ever have found
## [11347] a way through.
## [11348]
## [11349] Presently it grew altogether dark: the air itself seemed black and
## [11350] heavy to breathe. When lights appeared Sam rubbed his eyes: he thought his
## [11351] head was going queer. He first saw one with the corner of his left eye, a
## [11352] wisp of pale sheen that faded away; but others appeared soon after: some
## [11353] like dimly shining smoke, some like misty flames flickering slowly above
## [11354] unseen candles; here and there they twisted like ghostly sheets unfurled by
## [11355] hidden hands. But neither of his companions spoke a word.
## [11356]
## [11357] At last Sam could bear it no longer. 'What's all this, Gollum? ' he
## [11358] said in a whisper. 'These lights? They're all round us now. Are we trapped?
## [11359] Who are they? '
## [11360]
## [11361] Gollum looked up. A dark water was before him, and he was crawling on
## [11362] the ground, this way and that, doubtful of the way. 'Yes, they are all round
## [11363] us,' he whispered. 'The tricksy lights. Candles of corpses, yes, yes. Don't
## [11364] you heed them! Don't look! Don't follow them! Where's the master? '
## [11365]
## [11366] Sam looked back and found that Frodo had lagged again. He could not see
## [11367]
## [11368]
## [11369]
## [11370]
## [11371] him. He went some paces back into the darkness, not daring to move far, or
## [11372] to call in more than a hoarse whisper. Suddenly he stumbled against Frodo,
## [11373] who was standing lost in thought, looking at the pale lights. His hands hung
## [11374] stiff at his sides; water and slime were dripping from them.
## [11375]
## [11376] 'Come, Mr. Frodo! ' said Sam. 'Don't look at them! Gollum says we
## [11377] mustn't. Let's keep up with him and get out of this cursed place as quick as
## [11378] we can — if we can! '
## [11379]
## [11380] 'All right,' said Frodo, as if returning out of a dream. 'I'm coming.
## [11381]
## [11382] Go on! '
## [11383]
## [11384] Hurrying forward again, Sam tripped, catching his foot in some old root
## [11385] or tussock. He fell and came heavily on his hands, which sank deep into
## [11386] sticky ooze, so that his face was brought close to the surface of the dark
## [11387] mere. There was a faint hiss, a noisome smell went up, the lights flickered
## [11388] and danced and swirled. For a moment the water below him looked like some
## [11389] window, glazed with grimy glass, through which he was peering. Wrenching
## [11390] his
## [11391]
## [11392] hands out of the bog, he sprang back with a cry. 'There are dead things,
## [11393] dead faces in the water,' he said with horror. 'Dead faces ! '
## [11394]
## [11395] Gollum laughed. 'The Dead Marshes, yes, yes: that is their names,' he
## [11396] cackled. 'You should not look in when the candles are lit.’
## [11397]
## [11398] 'Who are they? What are they? ’ asked Sam shuddering, turning to Frodo,
## [11399] who was now behind him.
## [11400]
## [11401] ’I don't know,' said Frodo in a dreamlike voice. 'But I have seen them
## [11402] too. In the pools when the candles were lit. They lie in all the pools, pale
## [11403] faces, deep deep under the dark water. I saw them: grim faces and evil, and
## [11404] noble faces and sad. Many faces proud and fair, and weeds in their silver
## [11405] hair. But all foul, all rotting, all dead. A fell light is in them.' Frodo
## [11406] hid his eyes in his hands. 'I know not who they are; but I thought I saw
## [11407] there Men and Elves, and Ores beside them.'
## [11408]
## [11409] 'Yes, yes,' said Gollum. 'All dead, all rotten. Elves and Men and Ores.
## [11410]
## [11411] The Dead Marshes. There was a great battle long ago, yes, so they told him
## [11412] when Smjagol was young, when I was young before the Precious came. It was
## [11413] a
## [11414]
## [11415] great battle. Tall Men with long swords, and terrible Elves, and Orcses
## [11416] shrieking. They fought on the plain for days and months at the Black Gates.
## [11417] But the Marshes have grown since then, swallowed up the graves; always
## [11418] creeping, creeping.'
## [11419]
## [11420]
## [11421]
## [11422]
## [11423] 'But that is an age and more ago,' said Sam. The Dead can’t be really
## [11424] there! Is it some devilry hatched in the Dark Land? ’
## [11425]
## [11426] 'Who knows? Smjagol doesn't know,' answered Gollum. 'You cannot reach
## [11427] them, you cannot touch them. We tried once, .yes, precious. I tried once;
## [11428] but you cannot reach them. Only shapes to see, perhaps, not to touch. No
## [11429] precious! All dead.'
## [11430]
## [11431] Sam looked darkly at him and shuddered again, thinking that he guessed
## [11432] why Smjagol had tried to touch them. 'Well, I don't want to see them,' he
## [11433] said. 'Never again! Can't we get on and get away? '
## [11434]
## [11435] 'Yes, yes,' said Gollum. 'But slowly, very slowly. Very carefully! Or
## [11436] hobbits go down to join the Dead ones and light little candles. Follow
## [11437] Smjagol! Don't look at lights! '
## [11438]
## [11439] He crawled away to the right, seeking for a path round the mere. They
## [11440] came close behind, stooping, often using their hands even as he did. 'Three
## [11441] precious little Gollums in a row we shall be, if this goes on much longer,'
## [11442] thought Sam.
## [11443]
## [11444] At last they came to the end of the black mere, and they crossed it,
## [11445] perilously, crawling or hopping from one treacherous island tussock to
## [11446] another. Often they floundered, stepping or falling hands-first into waters
## [11447] as noisome as a cesspool, till they were slimed and fouled almost up to
## [11448] their necks and stank in one another's nostrils.
## [11449]
## [11450] It was late in the night when at length they reached firmer ground
## [11451] again. Gollum hissed and whispered to himself, but it appeared that he was
## [11452] pleased: in some mysterious way, by some blended sense of feel, and smell,
## [11453] and uncanny memory for shapes in the dark, he seemed to know just where he
## [11454] was again, and to be sure of his road ahead.
## [11455]
## [11456] 'Now on we go! 'he said. 'Nice hobbits! Brave hobbits! Very very
## [11457] weary, of course; so we are, my precious, all of us. But we must take master
## [11458] away from the wicked lights, yes, yes, we must.' With these words he started
## [11459] off again, almost at a trot, down what appeared to be a long lane between
## [11460] high reeds, and they stumbled after him as quickly as they could. But in a
## [11461] little while he stopped suddenly and sniffed the air doubtfully, hissing as
## [11462] if he was troubled or displeased again.
## [11463]
## [11464] 'What is it? ' growled Sam, misinterpreting the signs. 'What's the need
## [11465] to sniff? The stink nearly knocks me down with my nose held. You stink, and
## [11466] master stinks; the whole place stinks.'
## [11467]
## [11468] 'Yes, yes, and Sam stinks! ' answered Gollum. 'Poor Smjagol smells it,
## [11469]
## [11470]
## [11471]
## [11472]
## [11473] but good Smjagol bears it. Helps nice master. But that's no matter. The
## [11474] air’s moving, change is coming. Smjagol wonders; he's not happy.'
## [11475]
## [11476] He went on again, but his uneasiness grew, and every now and again he
## [11477] stood up to his full height, craning his neck eastward and southward. For
## [11478] some time the hobbits could not hear or feel what was troubling him. Then
## [11479] suddenly all three halted, stiffening and listening. To Frodo and Sam it
## [11480] seemed that they heard, far away, a long wailing cry, high and thin and
## [11481] cruel. They shivered. At the same moment the stirring of the air became
## [11482] perceptible to them; and it grew very cold. As they stood straining their
## [11483] ears, they heard a noise like a wind coming in the distance. The misty
## [11484] lights wavered, dimmed, and went out.
## [11485]
## [11486] Gollum would not move. He stood shaking and gibbering to himself, until
## [11487] with a rush the wind came upon them, hissing and snarling over the marshes.
## [11488] The night became less dark, light enough for them to see, or half see,
## [11489] shapeless drifts of fog, curling and twisting as it rolled over them and
## [11490] passed them. Looking up they saw the clouds breaking and shredding; and then
## [11491] high in the south the moon glimmered out, riding in the flying wrack.
## [11492]
## [11493] For a moment the sight of it gladdened the hearts of the hobbits; but
## [11494] Gollum cowered down, muttering curses on the White Face. Then Frodo and
## [11495] Sam
## [11496]
## [11497] staring at the sky, breathing deeply of the fresher air, saw it come: a
## [11498] small cloud flying from the accursed hills; a black shadow loosed from
## [11499] Mordor; a vast shape winged and ominous. It scudded across the moon, and
## [11500] with a deadly cry went away westward, outrunning the wind in its fell speed.
## [11501]
## [11502] They fell forward, grovelling heedlessly on the cold earth. But the
## [11503] shadow of horror wheeled and returned, passing lower now, right above them,
## [11504] sweeping the fen-reek with its ghastly wings. And then it was gone, flying
## [11505] back to Mordor with the speed of the wrath of Sauron; and behind it the wind
## [11506] roared away, leaving the Dead Marshes bare and bleak. The naked waste, as
## [11507] far as the eye could pierce, even to the distant menace of the mountains,
## [11508] was dappled with the fitful moonlight.
## [11509]
## [11510] Frodo and Sam got up, rubbing their eyes, like children wakened from an
## [11511] evil dream to find the familiar night still over the world. But Gollum lay
## [11512] on the ground as if he had been stunned. They roused him with difficulty,
## [11513] and for some time he would not lift his face, but knelt forward on his
## [11514] elbows, covering the back of his head with his large flat hands.
## [11515]
## [11516] 'Wraiths!' he wailed. 'Wraiths on wings! The Precious is their master.
## [11517]
## [11518]
## [11519]
## [11520]
## [11521] They see everything, everything. Nothing can hide from them. Curse the White
## [11522] Face! And they tell Him everything. He sees, He knows. Ach, gollum, gollum,
## [11523] golluml ' It was not until the moon had sunk, westering far beyond Tol
## [11524] Brandir, that he would get up or make a move.
## [11525]
## [11526] From that time on Sam thought that he sensed a change in Gollum again.
## [11527]
## [11528] He was more fawning and would-be friendly; but Sam surprised some strange
## [11529] looks in his eyes at times, especially towards Frodo; and he went back more
## [11530] and more into his old manner of speaking. And Sam had another growing
## [11531] anxiety. Frodo seemed to be weary, weary to the point of exhaustion. He said
## [11532] nothing, indeed he hardly spoke at all; and he did not complain, but he
## [11533] walked like one who carries a load, the weight of which is ever increasing;
## [11534] and he dragged along, slower and slower, so that Sam had often to beg Gollum
## [11535] to wait and not to leave their master behind.
## [11536]
## [11537] In fact with every step towards the gates of Mordor Frodo felt the Ring
## [11538] on its chain about his neck grow more burdensome. He was now beginning to
## [11539] feel it as an actual weight dragging him earthwards. But far more he was
## [11540] troubled by the Eye: so he called it to himself. It was that more than the
## [11541] drag of the Ring that made him cower and stoop as he walked. The Eye: that
## [11542] horrible growing sense of a hostile will that strove with great power to
## [11543] pierce all shadows of cloud, and earth, and flesh, and to see you: to pin
## [11544] you under its deadly gaze, naked, immovable. So thin, so frail and thin, the
## [11545] veils were become that still warded it off. Frodo knew just where the
## [11546] present habitation and heart of that will now was: as certainly as a man can
## [11547] tell the direction of the sun with his eyes shut. He was facing it, and its
## [11548] potency beat upon his brow.
## [11549]
## [11550] Gollum probably felt something of the same sort. But what went on in
## [11551] his wretched heart between the pressure of the Eye, and the lust of the Ring
## [11552] that was so near, and his grovelling promise made half in the fear of cold
## [11553] iron, the hobbits did not guess: Frodo gave no thought to it. Sam's mind was
## [11554] occupied mostly with his master hardly noticing the dark cloud that had
## [11555] fallen on his own heart. He put Frodo in front of him now, and kept a
## [11556] watchful eye on every movement of his, supporting him if he stumbled, and
## [11557] trying to encourage him with clumsy words.
## [11558]
## [11559] When day came at last the hobbits were surprised to see how much closer
## [11560] the ominous mountains had already drawn. The air was now clearer and colder,
## [11561] and though still far off, the walls of Mordor were no longer a cloudy menace
## [11562] on the edge of sight, but as grim black towers they frowned across a dismal
## [11563]
## [11564]
## [11565]
## [11566]
## [11567] waste. The marshes were at an end, dying away into dead peats and wide flats
## [11568] of dry cracked mud. The land ahead rose in long shallow slopes, barren and
## [11569] pitiless, towards the desert that lay at Sauron’s gate.
## [11570]
## [11571] While the grey light lasted, they cowered under a black stone like
## [11572] worms, shrinking, lest the winged terror should pass and spy them with its
## [11573] cruel eyes. The remainder of that journey was a shadow of growing fear in
## [11574] which memory could find nothing to rest upon. For two more nights they
## [11575] struggled on through the weary pathless land. The air, as it seemed to them,
## [11576] grew harsh, and filled with a bitter reek that caught their breath and
## [11577] parched their mouths.
## [11578]
## [11579] At last, on the fifth morning since they took the road with Gollum,
## [11580] they halted once more. Before them dark in the dawn the great mountains
## [11581] reached up to roofs of smoke and cloud. Out from their feet were flung huge
## [11582] buttresses and broken hills that were now at the nearest scarce a dozen
## [11583] miles away. Frodo looked round in horror. Dreadful as the Dead Marshes had
## [11584] been, and the arid moors of the Noman-lands, more loathsome far was the
## [11585] country that the crawling day now slowly unveiled to his shrinking eyes.
## [11586] Even to the Mere of Dead Faces some haggard phantom of green spring
## [11587] would
## [11588]
## [11589] come; but here neither spring nor summer would ever come again. Here
## [11590] nothing
## [11591]
## [11592] lived, not even the leprous growths that feed on rottenness. The gasping
## [11593] pools were choked with ash and crawling muds, sickly white and grey, as if
## [11594] the mountains had vomited the filth of their entrails upon the lands about.
## [11595]
## [11596] High mounds of crushed and powdered rock, great cones of earth fire-blasted
## [11597] and poison-stained, stood like an obscene graveyard in endless rows, slowly
## [11598] revealed in the reluctant light.
## [11599]
## [11600] They had come to the desolation that lay before Mordor: the lasting
## [11601] monument to the dark labour of its slaves that should endure when all their
## [11602] purposes were made void; a land defiled, diseased beyond all healing —
## [11603] unless the Great Sea should enter in and wash it with oblivion. V I feel
## [11604] sick,’ said Sam. Frodo did not speak.
## [11605]
## [11606] For a while they stood there, like men on the edge of a sleep where
## [11607] nightmare lurks, holding it off, though they know that they can only come to
## [11608] morning through the shadows. The light broadened and hardened. The
## [11609] gasping
## [11610]
## [11611] pits and poisonous mounds grew hideously clear. The sun was up, walking
## [11612]
## [11613]
## [11614]
## [11615]
## [11616] among clouds and long flags of smoke, but even the sunlight was defiled. The
## [11617] hobbits had no welcome for that light; unfriendly it seemed, revealing them
## [11618] in their helplessness — little squeaking ghosts that wandered among the
## [11619] ash-heaps of the Dark Lord.
## [11620]
## [11621] Too weary to go further they sought for some place where they could
## [11622] rest. For a while they sat without speaking under the shadow of a mound of
## [11623] slag; but foul fumes leaked out of it, catching their throats and choking
## [11624] them. Gollum was the first to get up. Spluttering and cursing he rose, and
## [11625] without a word or a glance at the hobbits he crawled away on all fours.
## [11626] Frodo and Sam crawled after him, until they came to a wide almost circular
## [11627] pit, high-banked upon the west. It was cold and dead, and a foul sump of
## [11628] oily many-coloured ooze lay at its bottom. In this evil hole they cowered,
## [11629] hoping in its shadow to escape the attention of the Eye.
## [11630]
## [11631] The day passed slowly. A great thirst troubled them, but they drank
## [11632] only a few drops from their bottles-last filled in the gully, which now as
## [11633] they looked back in thought seemed to them a place of peace and beauty. The
## [11634] hobbits took it in turn to watch. At first, tired as they were, neither of
## [11635] them could sleep at all; but as the sun far away was climbing down into slow
## [11636] moving cloud, Sam dozed. It was Frodo's turn to be on guard. He lay back on
## [11637] the slope of the pit, but that did not ease the sense of burden that was on
## [11638] him. He looked up at the smoke-streaked sky and saw strange phantoms, dark
## [11639] riding shapes, and faces out of the past. He lost count of time, hovering
## [11640] between sleep and waking, until forgetfulness came over him.
## [11641]
## [11642] Suddenly Sam woke up thinking that he heard his master calling. It was
## [11643] evening. Frodo could not have called, for he had fallen asleep, and had slid
## [11644] down nearly to the bottom of the pit. Gollum was by him. For a moment Sam
## [11645] thought that he was trying to rouse Frodo; then he saw that it was not so.
## [11646] Gollum was talking to himself. Smjagol was holding a debate with some other
## [11647] thought that used the same voice but made it squeak and hiss. A pale light
## [11648] and a green light alternated in his eyes as he spoke.
## [11649]
## [11650] 'Smjagol promised,’ said the first thought.
## [11651]
## [11652] 'Yes, yes, my precious,’ came the answer, ’we promised: to save our
## [11653] Precious, not to let Him have it — never. But it’s going to Him yes, nearer
## [11654] every step. What’s the hobbit going to do with it, we wonders, yes we
## [11655] wonders.’
## [11656]
## [11657] 'I don’t know. I can’t help it. Master’s got it. Smjagol promised to
## [11658] help the master.’
## [11659]
## [11660]
## [11661]
## [11662]
## [11663] 'Yes, yes, to help the master: the master of the Precious. But if we
## [11664] was master, then we could help ourself s, yes, and still keep promises.'
## [11665]
## [11666] 'But Smjagol said he would be very very good. Nice hobbit! He took
## [11667] cruel rope off Smjagol's leg. He speaks nicely to me.'
## [11668]
## [11669] 'Very very good, eh, my precious? Let's be good, good as fish, sweet
## [11670] one, but to ourselfs. Not hurt the nice hobbit, of course, no, no.'
## [11671]
## [11672] 'But the Precious holds the promise,’ the voice of Smjagol objected.
## [11673]
## [11674] 'Then take it,' said the other, 'and let's hold it ourselfs! Then we
## [11675] shall be master, golluml Make the other hobbit, the nasty suspicious hobbit,
## [11676] make him crawl, yes, golluml'
## [11677]
## [11678] 'But not the nice hobbit? ’
## [11679]
## [11680] 'Oh no, not if it doesn't please us. Still he's a Baggins, my precious,
## [11681] yes, a Baggins. A Baggins stole it. He found it and he said nothing,
## [11682] nothing. We hates Bagginses.'
## [11683]
## [11684] 'No, not this Baggins.'
## [11685]
## [11686] 'Yes, every Baggins. All peoples that keep the Precious. We must have
## [11687] it! '
## [11688]
## [11689] 'But He'll see, He'll know. He'll take it from us! '
## [11690]
## [11691] 'He sees. He knows. He heard us make silly promises — against His
## [11692] orders, yes. Must take it. The Wraiths are searching. Must take it.'
## [11693]
## [11694] 'Not for Him! '
## [11695]
## [11696] 'No, sweet one. See, my precious: if we has it, then we can escape,
## [11697] even from Him, eh? Perhaps we grows very strong, stronger than Wraiths. Lord
## [11698] Smjagol? Gollum the Great? The Gollum! Eat fish every day, three times a
## [11699] day; fresh from the sea. Most Precious Gollum! Must have it. We wants it, we
## [11700] wants it, we wants it! '
## [11701]
## [11702] 'But there's two of them. They'll wake too quick and kill us,' whined
## [11703] Smjagol in a last effort. 'Not now. Not yet.’
## [11704]
## [11705] 'We wants it! But' — and here there was a long pause, as if a new
## [11706] thought had wakened. 'Not yet, eh? Perhaps not. She might help. She might,
## [11707] yes.’
## [11708]
## [11709] 'No, no! Not that way! ' wailed Smjagol.
## [11710]
## [11711] 'Yes! We wants it! We wants it! ’
## [11712]
## [11713] Each time that the second thought spoke, Gollum's long hand crept out
## [11714] slowly, pawing towards Frodo, and then was drawn back with a jerk as
## [11715] Smjagol
## [11716]
## [11717] spoke again. Finally both arms, with long fingers flexed and twitching,
## [11718]
## [11719]
## [11720]
## [11721]
## [11722] clawed towards his neck.
## [11723]
## [11724] Sam had lain still, fascinated by this debate, but watching every move
## [11725] that Gollum made from under his half-closed eye-lids. To his simple mind
## [11726] ordinary hunger, the desire to eat hobbits, had seemed the chief danger in
## [11727] Gollum. He realized now that it was not so: Gollum was feeling the terrible
## [11728] call of the Ring. The Dark Lord was He, of course; but Sam wondered who
## [11729] She
## [11730]
## [11731] was. One of the nasty friends the little wretch had made in his wanderings,
## [11732] he supposed. Then he forgot the point, for things had plainly gone far
## [11733] enough, and were getting dangerous. A great heaviness was in all his limbs,
## [11734] but he roused himself with an effort and sat up. Something warned him to be
## [11735] careful and not to reveal that he had overheard the debate. He let out a
## [11736] loud sigh and gave a huge yawn.
## [11737]
## [11738] 'What's the time? ' he said sleepily.
## [11739]
## [11740] Gollum sent out a long hiss through his teeth. He stood up for a
## [11741] moment, tense and menacing; and then he collapsed, falling forward on to all
## [11742] fours and crawling up the bank of the pit. 'Nice hobbits! Nice Sam! ' he
## [11743] said. 'Sleepy heads, yes, sleepy heads! Leave good Smjagol to watch! But
## [11744] it's evening. Dusk is creeping. Time to go.'
## [11745]
## [11746] 'High time! ' thought Sam. 'And time we parted, too.' Yet it crossed
## [11747] his mind to wonder if indeed Gollum was not now as dangerous turned loose as
## [11748] kept with them. 'Curse him! I wish he was choked!' he muttered. He stumbled
## [11749] down the bank and roused his master.
## [11750]
## [11751] Strangely enough, Frodo felt refreshed. He had been dreaming. The dark
## [11752] shadow had passed, and a fair vision had visited him in this land of
## [11753] disease. Nothing remained of it in his memory, yet because of it he felt
## [11754] glad and lighter of heart. His burden was less heavy on him. Gollum welcomed
## [11755] him with dog-like delight. He chuckled and chattered, cracking his long
## [11756] fingers, and pawing at Frodo's knees. Frodo smiled at him.
## [11757]
## [11758] 'Come! ' he said. 'You have guided us well and faithfully. This is the
## [11759] last stage. Bring us to the Gate, and then I will not ask you to go further.
## [11760]
## [11761] Bring us to the Gate, and you may go where you wish — only not to our
## [11762] enemies.'
## [11763]
## [11764] 'To the Gate, eh?' Gollum squeaked, seeming surprised and frightened.
## [11765]
## [11766] 'To the Gate, master says! Yes, he says so. And good Smjagol does what he
## [11767] asks, O yes. But when we gets closer, we'll see perhaps we'll see then. It
## [11768] won't look nice at all. O no! O no!'
## [11769]
## [11770]
## [11771]
## [11772]
## [11773] ’Go on with you! ' said Sam. 'Let's get it over! '
## [11774]
## [11775] In the falling dusk they scrambled out of the pit and slowly threaded
## [11776] their way through the dead land. They had not gone far before they felt once
## [11777] more the fear that had fallen on them when the winged shape swept over the
## [11778] marshes. They halted, cowering on the evil-smelling ground; but they saw
## [11779] nothing in the gloomy evening sky above, and soon the menace passed, high
## [11780] overhead, going maybe on some swift errand from Barad-dyr. After a while
## [11781] Gollum got up and crept forward again, muttering and shaking.
## [11782]
## [11783] About an hour after midnight the fear fell on them a third time, but it
## [11784] now seemed more remote, as if it were passing far above the clouds, rushing
## [11785] with terrible speed into the West. Gollum, however, was helpless with
## [11786] terror, and was convinced that they were being hunted, that their approach
## [11787] was known.
## [11788]
## [11789] 'Three times! ' he whimpered. 'Three times is a threat. They feel us
## [11790] here, they feel the Precious. The Precious is their master. We cannot go any
## [11791] further this way, no. It's no use, no use! '
## [11792]
## [11793] Pleading and kind words were no longer of any avail. It was not until
## [11794] Frodo commanded him angrily and laid a hand on his sword-hilt that Gollum
## [11795] would get up again. Then at last he rose with a snarl, and went before them
## [11796] like a beaten dog.
## [11797]
## [11798] So they stumbled on through the weary end of the night, and until the
## [11799] coming of another day of fear they walked in silence with bowed heads,
## [11800] seeing nothing, and hearing nothing but the wind hissing in their ears.
## [11801]
## [11802]
## [11803]
## [11804]
## [11805] Chapter 3 . The Black Gate is Closed
## [11806]
## [11807]
## [11808]
## [11809] Before the next day dawned their journey to Mordor was over. The
## [11810] marshes and the desert were behind them. Before them, darkling against a
## [11811] pallid sky, the great mountains reared their threatening heads.
## [11812]
## [11813] Upon the west of Mordor marched the gloomy range of Ephel D®ath, the
## [11814] Mountains of Shadow, and upon the north the broken peaks and barren ridges
## [11815] of Ered Lithui, grey as ash. But as these ranges approached one another,
## [11816] being indeed but parts of one great wall about the mournful plains of
## [11817] Lithlad and of Gorgoroth, and the bitter inland sea of N® men amidmost, they
## [11818] swung out long arms northward; and between these arms there was a deep
## [11819] defile. This was Cirith Gorgor, the Haunted Pass, the entrance to the land
## [11820] of the Enemy. High cliffs lowered upon either side, and thrust forward from
## [11821] its mouth were two sheer hills, black -boned and bare. Upon them stood the
## [11822] Teeth of Mordor, two towers strong and tall. In days long past they were
## [11823] built by the Men of Gondor in their pride and power, after the overthrow of
## [11824] Sauron and his flight, lest he should seek to return to his old realm. But
## [11825] the strength of Gondor failed, and men slept, and for long years the towers
## [11826] stood empty. Then Sauron returned. Now the watch-towers, which had fallen
## [11827] into decay, were repaired, and filled with arms, and garrisoned with
## [11828] ceaseless vigilance. Stony -faced they were, with dark window-holes staring
## [11829] north and east and west, and each window was full of sleepless eyes.
## [11830]
## [11831] Across the mouth of the pass, from cliff to cliff, the Dark Lord had
## [11832] built a rampart of stone. In it there was a single gate of iron, and upon
## [11833] its battlement sentinels paced unceasingly. Beneath the hills on either side
## [11834] the rock was bored into a hundred caves and maggot-holes: there a host of
## [11835] ores lurked, ready at a signal to issue forth like black ants going to war.
## [11836]
## [11837] None could pass the Teeth of Mordor and not feel their bite, unless they
## [11838] were summoned by Sauron, or knew the secret passwords that would open
## [11839] the
## [11840]
## [11841] Morannon, the black gate of his land.
## [11842]
## [11843] The two hobbits gazed at the towers and the wall in despair. Even from
## [11844] a distance they could see in the dim light the movement of the black guards
## [11845] upon the wall, and the patrols before the gate. They lay now peering over
## [11846] the edge of a rocky hollow beneath the out-stretched shadow of the northmost
## [11847]
## [11848]
## [11849]
## [11850]
## [11851] buttress of Ephel D®ath. Winging the heavy air in a straight flight a crow,
## [11852] maybe, would have flown but a furlong from their hiding-place to the black
## [11853] summit of the nearer tower. A faint smoke curled above it, as if fire
## [11854] smouldered in the hill beneath.
## [11855]
## [11856] Day came, and the fallow sun blinked over the lifeless ridges of Ered
## [11857] Lithui. Then suddenly the cry of brazen-throated trumpets was heard: from
## [11858] the watch-towers they blared, and far away from hidden holds and outposts in
## [11859] the hills came answering calls; and further still, remote but deep and
## [11860] ominous, there echoed in the hollow land beyond the mighty horns and drums
## [11861] of Barad-dyr. Another dreadful day of fear and toil had come to Mordor; and
## [11862] the night-guards were summoned to their dungeons and deep halls, and the
## [11863] day-guards, evil-eyed and fell, were marching to their posts. Steel gleamed
## [11864] dimly on the battlement.
## [11865]
## [11866] 'Well, here we are! ' said Sam. 'Here’s the Gate, and it looks to me as
## [11867] if that’s about as far as we are ever going to get. My word, but the Gaffer
## [11868] would have a thing or two to say, if he saw me now! Often said I’d come to a
## [11869] bad end, if I didn't watch my step, he did. But now I don't suppose I'll
## [11870] ever see the old fellow again. He'll miss his chance of I told'ee so, Sam:
## [11871] more's the pity. He could go on telling me as long as he'd got breath, if
## [11872] only I could see his old face again. But I'd have to get a wash first, or he
## [11873] wouldn't know me.
## [11874]
## [11875] 'I suppose it's no good asking "what way do we go now?" We can't go no
## [11876] further -unless we want to ask the ores for a lift.'
## [11877]
## [11878] 'No, no! ' said Gollum. 'No use. We can't go further. Smjagol said so.
## [11879]
## [11880] He said: we'll go to the Gate, and then we'll see. And we do see. O yes. my
## [11881] precious, we do see. Smjagol knew hobbits could not go this way. O yes.
## [11882] Smjagol knew '
## [11883]
## [11884] 'Then what the plague did you bring us here for? ' said Sam, not
## [11885] feeling in the mood to be just or reasonable.
## [11886]
## [11887] 'Master said so. Master says: Bring us to the Gate. So good Smjagol
## [11888] does so. Master said so, wise master.'
## [11889]
## [11890] 'I did,' said Frodo. His face was grim and set. but resolute. He was
## [11891] filthy, haggard, and pinched with weariness, but he cowered no longer, and
## [11892] his eyes were clear. 'I said so, because I purpose to enter Mordor, and I
## [11893] know no other way. Therefore I shall go this way. I do not ask anyone to go
## [11894] with me.’
## [11895]
## [11896] 'No, no, master! ' wailed Gollum; pawing at him, and seeming in great
## [11897]
## [11898]
## [11899]
## [11900]
## [11901] distress. 'No use that way! No use! Don’t take the Precious to Him! He'll
## [11902] eat us all, if He gets it, eat all the world. Keep it, nice master, and be
## [11903] kind to Smjagol. Don’t let Him have it. Or go away, go to nice places, and
## [11904] give it back to little Smjagol. Yes, yes, master: give it back, eh? Smjagol
## [11905] will keep it safe; he will do lots of good, especially to nice hobbits.
## [11906]
## [11907] Hobbits go home. Don’t go to the Gate! ’
## [11908]
## [11909] 'I am commanded to go to the land of Mordor, and therefore I shall go,’
## [11910] said Frodo. 'If there is only one way, then I must take it. What comes after
## [11911] must come.'
## [11912]
## [11913] Sam said nothing. The look on Frodo's face was enough for him he knew
## [11914] that words of his were useless. And after all he never had any real hope in
## [11915] the affair from the beginning; but being a cheerful hobbit he had not needed
## [11916] hope, as long as despair could be postponed. Now they were come to the
## [11917] bitter end. But he had stuck to his master all the way; that was what he had
## [11918] chiefly come for, and he would still stick to him. His master would not go
## [11919] to Mordor alone. Sam would go with him-and at any rate they would get rid of
## [11920] Gollum.
## [11921]
## [11922] Gollum, however, did not intend to be got rid of, yet. He knelt at
## [11923] Frodo's feet, wringing his hands and squeaking. 'Not this way, master! ' he
## [11924] pleaded, 'There is another way. O yes indeed there is. Another way. darker,
## [11925] more difficult to find, more secret. But Smjagol knows it. Let Smjagol show
## [11926] you! '
## [11927]
## [11928] 'Another way! ' said Frodo doubtfully, looking down at Gollum with
## [11929] searching eyes.
## [11930]
## [11931] 'Yess! Yess indeed! There was another way. Smjagol found it. Let's go
## [11932] and see if it's still there! '
## [11933]
## [11934] 'You have not spoken of this before.’
## [11935]
## [11936] 'No. Master did not ask. Master did not say what he meant to do. He
## [11937] does not tell poor Smjagol. He says: Smjagol, take me to the Gate — and
## [11938] then good bye! Smjagol can run away and be good. But now he says: I purpose
## [11939] to enter Mordor this way. So Smjagol is very afraid. He does not want to
## [11940] lose nice master. And he promised, master made him promise, to save the
## [11941] Precious. But master is going to take it to Him, straight to the Black Hand,
## [11942] if master will go this way. So Smjagol must save them both, and he thinks of
## [11943] another way that there was, once upon a time. Nice master. Smjagol very
## [11944] good, always helps.'
## [11945]
## [11946] Sam frowned. If he could have bored holes in Gollum with his eyes, he
## [11947]
## [11948]
## [11949]
## [11950]
## [11951] would have done. His mind was full of doubt. To all appearances Gollum was
## [11952] genuinely distressed and anxious to help Frodo. But Sam, remembering the
## [11953] overheard debate, found it hard to believe that the long submerged Smjagol
## [11954] had come out on top: that voice at any rate had not had the last word in the
## [11955] debate. Sam's guess was that the Smjagol and Gollum halves (or what in his
## [11956] own mind he called Slinker and Stinker) had made a truce and a temporary
## [11957] alliance: neither wanted the Enemy to get the Ring; both wished to keep
## [11958] Frodo from capture, and under their eye, as long as possible — at any rate
## [11959] as long as Stinker still had a chance of laying hands on his ’Precious'.
## [11960] Whether there really was another way into Mordor Sam doubted.
## [11961]
## [11962] 'And it's a good thing neither half of the old villain don't know what
## [11963] master means to do,' he thought. 'If he knew that Mr. Frodo is trying to put
## [11964] an end to his Precious for good and all, there'd be trouble pretty quick, I
## [11965] bet. Anyhow old Stinker is so frightened of the Enemy — and he's under
## [11966] orders of some kind from him, or was — that he'd give us away rather than
## [11967] be caught helping us; and rather than let his Precious be melted, maybe. At
## [11968] least that's my idea. And I hope the master will think it out carefully.
## [11969]
## [11970] He's as wise as any, but he's soft-hearted, that's what he is. It's beyond
## [11971] any Gamgee to guess what he'll do next.'
## [11972]
## [11973] Frodo did not answer Gollum at once. While these doubts were passing
## [11974] through Sam's slow but shrewd mind, he stood gazing out towards the dark
## [11975] cliff of Cirith Gorgor. The hollow in which they had taken refuge was delved
## [11976] in the side of a low hill, at some little height above a long trenchlike
## [11977] valley that lay between it and the outer buttresses of the mountains. In the
## [11978] midst of the valley stood the black foundations of the western watch-tower.
## [11979]
## [11980] By morning -light the roads that converged upon the Gate of Mordor could
## [11981] now
## [11982]
## [11983] be clearly seen, pale and dusty; one winding back northwards; another
## [11984] dwindling eastwards into the mists that clung about the feet of Ered Lithui;
## [11985] and a third that ran towards him. As it bent sharply round the tower, it
## [11986] entered a narrow defile and passed not far below the hollow where he stood.
## [11987] Westward, to his right, it turned, skirting the shoulders of the mountains,
## [11988] and went off southwards into the deep shadows that mantled all the western
## [11989] sides of Ephel D®ath; beyond his sight it journeyed on into the narrow land
## [11990] between the mountains and the Great River.
## [11991]
## [11992] As he gazed Frodo became aware that there was a great stir and movement
## [11993] on the plain. It seemed as if whole armies were on the march, though for the
## [11994]
## [11995]
## [11996]
## [11997]
## [11998] most part they were hidden by the reeks and fumes drifting from the fens and
## [11999] wastes beyond. But here and there he caught the gleam of spears and helmets;
## [12000] and over the levels beside the roads horsemen could be seen riding in many
## [12001] companies. He remembered his vision from afar upon Amon Hen, so few
## [12002] days
## [12003]
## [12004] before, though now it seemed many years ago. Then he knew that the hope that
## [12005] had for one wild moment stirred in his heart was vain. The trumpets had not
## [12006] rung in challenge but in greeting. This was no assault upon the Dark Lord by
## [12007] the men of Gondor, risen like avenging ghosts from the graves of valour long
## [12008] passed away. These were Men of other race, out of the wide Eastlands,
## [12009] gathering to the summons of their Overlord; armies that had encamped before
## [12010] his Gate by night and now marched in to swell his mounting power. As if
## [12011] suddenly made fully aware of the peril of their position, alone, in the
## [12012] growing light of day, so near to this vast menace, Frodo quickly drew his
## [12013] frail grey hood close upon his head, and stepped down into the dell. Then he
## [12014] turned to Gollum.
## [12015]
## [12016] 'Smjagol,' he said, 'I will trust you once more. Indeed it seems that I
## [12017] must do so, and that it is my fate to receive help from you. where I least
## [12018] looked for it, and your fate to help me whom you long pursued with evil
## [12019] purpose. So far you have deserved well of me and have kept your promise
## [12020] truly. Truly, I say and mean,' he added with a glance at Sam, 'for twice now
## [12021] we have been in your power, and you have done no harm to us. Nor have you
## [12022] tried to take from me what you once sought. May the third time prove the
## [12023] best! But I warn you, Smjagol, you are in danger.'
## [12024]
## [12025] 'Yes, yes, master! ' said Gollum. 'Dreadful danger! Smjagol's bones
## [12026] shake to think of it. but he doesn't run away. He must help nice master.'
## [12027]
## [12028] 'I did not mean the danger that we all share,' said Frodo. 'I mean a
## [12029] danger to yourself alone. You swore a promise by what you call the Precious.
## [12030] Remember that! It will hold you to it; but it will seek a way to twist it to
## [12031] your own undoing. Already you are being twisted. You revealed yourself to me
## [12032] just now, foolishly. Give it back to Smjagol you said. Do not say that
## [12033] again! Do not let that thought grow in you! You will never get it back. But
## [12034] the desire of it may betray you to a bitter end. You will never get it back.
## [12035]
## [12036] In the last need, Smjagol, I should put on the Precious; and the Precious
## [12037] mastered you long ago. If I, wearing it, were to command you, you would
## [12038] obey, even if it were to leap from a precipice or to cast yourself into the
## [12039] fire. And such would be my command. So have a care, Smjagol!'
## [12040]
## [12041]
## [12042]
## [12043]
## [12044] Sam looked at his master with approval, but also with surprise: there
## [12045] was a look in his face and a tone in his voice that he had not known before.
## [12046]
## [12047] It had always been a notion of his that the kindness of dear Mr. Frodo was
## [12048] of such a high degree that it must imply a fair measure of blindness. Of
## [12049] course, he also firmly held the incompatible belief that Mr. Frodo was the
## [12050] wisest person in the world (with the possible exception of Old Mr. Bilbo and
## [12051] of Gandalf). Gollum in his own way, and with much more excuse as his
## [12052] acquaintance was much briefer, may have _made a similar mistake, confusing
## [12053] kindness and blindness. At any rate this speech abashed and terrified him.
## [12054]
## [12055] He grovelled on the ground and could speak no clear words but nice master.
## [12056]
## [12057] Frodo waited patiently for a while, then he spoke again less sternly.
## [12058]
## [12059] 'Come now, Gollum or Smjagol if you wish, tell me of this other way, and
## [12060] show me, if you can, what hope there is in it, enough to justify me in
## [12061] turning aside from my plain path. I am in haste.'
## [12062]
## [12063] But Gollum was in a pitiable state, and Frodo's threat had quite
## [12064] unnerved him. It was not easy to get any clear account out of him, amid his
## [12065] mumblings and squeakings, and the frequent interruptions in which he crawled
## [12066] on the floor and begged them both to be kind to 'poor little Smjagol'. After
## [12067] a while he grew a little calmer, and Frodo gathered bit by bit that, if a
## [12068] traveller followed the road that turned west of Ephel D®ath, he would come
## [12069] in time to a crossing in a circle of dark trees. On the right a road went
## [12070] down to Osgiliath and the bridges of the Anduin; in the middle the road went
## [12071] on southwards.
## [12072]
## [12073] 'On, on, on,' said Gollum. 'We never went that way, but they say it
## [12074] goes a hundred leagues, until you can see the Great Water that is never
## [12075] still. There are lots of fishes there, and big birds eat fishes: nice birds:
## [12076] but we never went there, alas no! we never had a chance. And further still
## [12077] there are more lands, they say, but the Yellow Face is very hot there, and
## [12078] there are seldom any clouds, and the men are fierce and have dark faces. We
## [12079] do not want to see that land.'
## [12080]
## [12081] 'No! ' said Frodo. 'But do not wander from your road. What of the third
## [12082] turning? ’
## [12083]
## [12084] 'O yes, O yes, there is a third way,' said Gollum. 'That is the road to
## [12085] the left. At once it begins to climb up, up, winding and climbing back
## [12086] towards the tall shadows. When it turns round the black rock, you'll see it.
## [12087] suddenly you'll see it above you, and you'll want to hide.'
## [12088]
## [12089] 'See it, see it? What will you see? ’
## [12090]
## [12091]
## [12092]
## [12093]
## [12094] 'The old fortress, very old, very horrible now. We used to hear tales
## [12095] from the South, when Smjagol was young, long ago. O yes. we used to tell
## [12096] lots of tales in the evening, sitting by the banks of the Great River, in
## [12097] the willow-lands, when the River was younger too, gollum, gollum.' He began
## [12098] to weep and mutter. The hobbits waited patiently.
## [12099]
## [12100] 'Tales out of the South,’ Gollum went on again, 'about the tall Men
## [12101] with the shining eyes, and their houses like hills of stone, and the silver
## [12102] crown of their King and his White Tree: wonderful tales. They built very
## [12103] tall towers, and one they raised was silver-white, and in it there was a
## [12104] stone like the Moon, and round it were great white walls. O yes, there were
## [12105] many tales about the Tower of the Moon.’
## [12106]
## [12107] 'That would be Minas Ithil that Isildur the son of Elendil built ’ said
## [12108] Frodo. 'It was Isildur who cut off the finger of the Enemy.’
## [12109]
## [12110] 'Yes, He has only four on the Black Hand, but they are enough,’ said
## [12111] Gollum shuddering. ’And He hated Isildur’ s city.’
## [12112]
## [12113] ’What does he not hate? ’ said Frodo. ’But what has the Tower of the
## [12114] Moon to do with us? ’
## [12115]
## [12116] ’Well, master, there it was and there it is: the tall tower and the
## [12117] white houses and the wall; but not nice now, not beautiful. He conquered it
## [12118] long ago. It is a very terrible place now. Travellers shiver when they see
## [12119] it, they creep out of sight, they avoid its shadow. But master will have to
## [12120] go that way. That is the only other way, For the mountains are lower there,
## [12121] and the old road goes up and up, until it reaches a dark pass at the top,
## [12122] and then it goes down, down, again — to Gorgoroth.’ His voice sank to a
## [12123] whisper and he shuddered.
## [12124]
## [12125] 'But how will that help us? ’ asked Sam. 'Surely the Enemy knows all
## [12126] about his own mountains, and that road will be guarded as close as this? The
## [12127] tower isn’t empty, is it? ’
## [12128]
## [12129] 'O no, not empty! ’ whispered Gollum. 'It seems empty, but it isn’t, O
## [12130] no! Very dreadful things live there. Ores, yes always Ores; but worse
## [12131] things, worse things live there too. The road climbs right under the shadow
## [12132] of the walls and passes the gate. Nothing moves on the road that they don’t
## [12133] know about. The things inside know: the Silent Watchers.’
## [12134]
## [12135] 'So that’s your advice is it,’ said Sam, ’that we should go another
## [12136] long march south, to find ourselves in the same fix or a worse one, when we
## [12137] get there, if we ever do? ’
## [12138]
## [12139] 'No, no indeed,’ said Gollum. 'Hobbits must see, must try to
## [12140]
## [12141]
## [12142]
## [12143]
## [12144] understand. He does not expect attack that way. His Eye is all round, but it
## [12145] attends more to some places than to others. He can't see everything all at
## [12146] once, not yet. You see, He has conquered all the country west of the Shadowy
## [12147] Mountains down to the River, and He holds the bridges now. He thinks no one
## [12148] can come to the Moontower without fighting big battle at the bridges, or
## [12149] getting lots of boats which they cannot hide and He will know about.'
## [12150]
## [12151] 'You seem to know a lot about what He's doing and thinking,' said Sam.
## [12152] 'Have you been talking to Him lately? Or just hobnobbing with Ores? '
## [12153]
## [12154] 'Not nice hobbit, not sensible,' said Gollum, giving Sam an angry
## [12155] glance and turning to Frodo. 'Smjagol has talked to Ores, yes of course,
## [12156] before he met master, and to many peoples: he has walked very far. And what
## [12157] he says now many peoples are saying. It's here in the North that the big
## [12158] danger is for Him, and for us. He will come out of the Black Gate one day,
## [12159] one day soon. That is the only way big armies can come. But away down west
## [12160] He is not afraid, and there are the Silent Watchers.'
## [12161]
## [12162] 'Just so! ' said Sam, not to be put off. 'And so we are to walk up and
## [12163] knock at their gate and ask if we're on the right road for Mordor? Or are
## [12164] they too silent to answer? It's not. sense. We might as well do it here, and
## [12165] save ourselves a long tramp.'
## [12166]
## [12167] 'Don't make jokes about it,' hissed Gollum. 'It isn't funny, O no! Not
## [12168] amusing. It's nut sense to try and get into Mordor at all. But if master
## [12169] says I must go or I will go, then he must try some way. But he must not go
## [12170] to the terrible city, O no, of course not. That is where Smjagol helps, nice
## [12171] Smjagol. though no one tells him what it is all about. Smjagol helps again.
## [12172]
## [12173] He found it. He knows it.'
## [12174]
## [12175] 'What did you find? ' asked Frodo.
## [12176]
## [12177] Gollum crouched down and his voice sank to a whisper again. 'A little
## [12178] path leading up into the mountains: and then a stair, a narrow stair, O yes,
## [12179] very long and narrow. And then more stairs. And then' — his voice sank even
## [12180] lower — 'a tunnel, a dark tunnel; and at last a little cleft, and a path
## [12181] high above the main pass. It was that way that Smjagol got out of the
## [12182] darkness. But it was years ago. The path may have vanished now; but perhaps
## [12183] not, perhaps not.'
## [12184]
## [12185] 'I don't like the sound of it at all,' said Sam. 'Sounds too easy at
## [12186] any rate in the telling. If that path is still there, it'll be guarded too.
## [12187]
## [12188] Wasn't it guarded, Gollum? ' As he said this, he caught or fancied he caught
## [12189] a green gleam in Gollum' s eye. Gollum muttered but did not reply.
## [12190]
## [12191]
## [12192]
## [12193]
## [12194] 'Is it not guarded? ' asked Frodo sternly. 'And did you escape out of
## [12195] the darkness, Smjagol? Were you not rather permitted to depart upon an
## [12196] errand? That at least is w hat Aragorn thought, who found you by the Dead
## [12197] Marshes some years ago.'
## [12198]
## [12199] 'It's a lie! ' hissed Gollum, and an evil light came into his eyes at
## [12200] the naming of Aragorn. 'He lied on me, yes he did. I did escape, all by my
## [12201] poor self. Indeed I was told to seek for the Precious; and I have searched
## [12202] and searched, of course I have. But not for the Black One. The Precious was
## [12203] ours, it was mine I tell you. I did escape.'
## [12204]
## [12205] Frodo felt a strange certainty that in this matter Gollum was for once
## [12206] not so far from the truth as might be suspected; that he had somehow found a
## [12207] way out of Mordor, and at least believed that it was by his own cunning. For
## [12208] one thing, he noted that Gollum used I, and that seemed usually to be a
## [12209] sign, on its rare appearances, that some remnants of old truth and sincerity
## [12210] were for the moment on top. But even if Gollum could be trusted on this
## [12211] point, Frodo did not forget the wiles of the Enemy. The 'escape' may have
## [12212] been allowed or arranged, and well known in the Dark Tower. And in any case
## [12213] Gollum was plainly keeping a good deal back.
## [12214]
## [12215] 'I ask you again,' he said: 'is not this secret way guarded? ’
## [12216]
## [12217] But the name of Aragorn had put Gollum into a sullen mood. He had all
## [12218] the injured air of a liar suspected when for once he has told the truth, or
## [12219] part of it. He did not answer.
## [12220]
## [12221] 'Is it not guarded? ' Frodo repeated.
## [12222]
## [12223] 'Yes, yes, perhaps. No safe places in this country,' said Gollum
## [12224] sulkily. 'No safe places. But master must try it or go home. . No other
## [12225] way.' They could not get him to say more. The name of the perilous place and
## [12226] the high pass he could not tell, or would not.
## [12227]
## [12228] Its name was Cirith Ungol, a name of dreadful rumour. Aragorn could
## [12229] perhaps have told them that name and its significance: Gandalf would have
## [12230] warned them. But they were alone, and Aragorn was far away, and Gandalf
## [12231] stood amid the ruin of Isengard and strove with Saruman, delayed by treason.
## [12232] Yet even as he spoke his last words to Saruman, and the palantnr crashed in
## [12233] fire upon the steps of Orthanc. his thought was ever upon Frodo and Samwise,
## [12234] over the long leagues his mind sought for them in hope and pity.
## [12235]
## [12236] Maybe Frodo felt it, not knowing it, as he had upon Amon Hen, even
## [12237] though he believed that Gandalf was gone, gone for ever into the shadow in
## [12238] Moria far away. He sat upon the ground for a long while, silent, his head
## [12239]
## [12240]
## [12241]
## [12242]
## [12243] bowed, striving to recall all that Gandalf had said to him. But for this
## [12244] choice he could recall no counsel. Indeed Gandalf s guidance had been taken
## [12245] from them too soon, too soon, while the Dark Land was still very far away.
## [12246] How they should enter it at the last Gandalf had not said. Perhaps he could
## [12247] not say. Into the stronghold of the Enemy in the North, into Dol Guldur, he
## [12248] had once ventured. But into Mordor, to the Mountain of Fire and to
## [12249] Barad-dyr, since the Dark Lord rose in power again, had he ever journeyed
## [12250] there? Frodo did not think so. And here he was a little halfling from the
## [12251] Shire, a simple hobbit of the quiet countryside expected to find a way where
## [12252] the great ones could not go, or dared not go. It was an evil fate. But he
## [12253] had taken it on himself in his own sitting-room in the far-off spring of
## [12254] another year, so remote now that it was like a chapter in a story of the
## [12255] world's youth, when the Trees of Silver and Gold were still in bloom. This
## [12256] was an evil choice. Which way should he choose? And if both led to terror
## [12257] and death, what good lay in choice?
## [12258]
## [12259] The day drew on. A deep silence fell upon the little grey hollow where
## [12260] they lay, so near to the borders of the land of fear: a silence that could
## [12261] be felt, as if it were a thick veil that cut them off from all the world
## [12262] about them. Above them was a dome of pale sky barred with fleeting smoke,
## [12263] but it seemed high and far away, as if seen through great deeps of air heavy
## [12264] with brooding thought.
## [12265]
## [12266] Not even an eagle poised against the sun would have marked the hobbits
## [12267] sitting there, under the weight of doom, silent, p not moving, shrouded in
## [12268] their thin grey cloaks. For a moment he might have paused to consider
## [12269] Gollum, a tiny figure sprawling on the ground: there perhaps lay the
## [12270] famished skeleton of some child of Men, its ragged garment still clinging to
## [12271] it, its long arms and legs almost bone -white and bone-thin: no flesh worth a
## [12272] peck.
## [12273]
## [12274] Frodo’s head was bowed over his knees, but Sam leaned back, with hands
## [12275] behind his head, staring out of his hood at the empty sky. At least for a
## [12276] long while it was empty. Then presently Sam thought he saw a dark bird-like
## [12277] figure wheel into the circle of his sight, and hover, and then wheel away
## [12278] again. Two more followed, and then a fourth. They were very small to look
## [12279] at, yet he knew, somehow, that they were huge, with a vast stretch of
## [12280] pinion, flying at a great height. He covered his eyes and bent forward,
## [12281] cowering. The same warning fear was on him as he had felt in the presence of
## [12282] the Black Riders, the helpless horror that had come with the cry in the wind
## [12283]
## [12284]
## [12285]
## [12286]
## [12287] and the shadow on the moon, though now it was not so crushing or compelling:
## [12288] the menace was more remote. But menace it was. Frodo felt it too. His
## [12289] thought was broken. He stirred and shivered, but he did not look up. Gollum
## [12290] huddled himself together like a cornered spider. The winged shapes wheeled,
## [12291] and stooped swiftly down, speeding back to Mordor.
## [12292]
## [12293] Sam took a deep breath. 'The Riders are about again, up in the air,' he
## [12294] said in a hoarse whisper. 'I saw them. Do you think they could see us? They
## [12295] were very high up. And if they are Black Riders same as before, then they
## [12296] can’t see much by daylight, can they? '
## [12297]
## [12298] 'No, perhaps not,' said Frodo. 'But their steeds could see. And these
## [12299] winged creatures that they ride on now, they can probably see more than any
## [12300] other creature. They are like great carrion birds. They are looking for
## [12301] something: the Enemy is on the watch, I fear.’
## [12302]
## [12303] The feeling of dread passed, but the enfolding silence was broken. For
## [12304] some time they had been cut off from the world, as if in an invisible
## [12305] island; now they were laid bare again, peril had returned. But still Frodo
## [12306] did not speak to Gollum or make his choice. His eyes were closed, as if he
## [12307] were dreaming, or looking inward into his heart and memory. At last he
## [12308] stirred and stood up, and it seemed that he was about to speak and to
## [12309] decide. But 'hark!' he said. 'What is that?’
## [12310]
## [12311] A new fear was upon them. They heard singing and hoarse shouting. At
## [12312] first it seemed a long way off, but it drew nearer: it was coming towards
## [12313] them. It leaped into all their minds that the Black Wings had spied them and
## [12314] had sent armed soldiers to seize them: no speed seemed too great for these
## [12315] terrible servants of Sauron. They crouched, listening. The voices and the
## [12316] clink of weapons and harness were very close. Frodo and Sam loosened their
## [12317] small swords in their sheaths. Flight was impossible.
## [12318]
## [12319] Gollum rose slowly and crawled insect-like to the lip of the hollow.
## [12320]
## [12321] Very cautiously he raised himself inch by inch, until he could peer over it
## [12322] between two broken points of stone. He remained there without moving for
## [12323] some time, making no sound. Presently the voices began to recede again, and
## [12324] then they slowly faded away. Far off a horn blew on the ramparts of the
## [12325] Morannon. Then quietly Gollum drew back and slipped down into the hollow.
## [12326]
## [12327] ’More Men going to Mordor,’ he said in a low voice. 'Dark faces. We
## [12328] have not seen Men like these before, no, Smjagol has not. They are fierce.
## [12329] They have black eyes, and long black hair, and gold rings in their ears;
## [12330] yes, lots of beautiful gold. And some have red paint on their cheeks, and
## [12331]
## [12332]
## [12333]
## [12334]
## [12335] red cloaks; and their flags are red, and the tips of their spears; and they
## [12336] have round shields, yellow and black with big spikes. Not nice; very cruel
## [12337] wicked Men they look. Almost as bad as Ores, and much bigger. Smjagol
## [12338] thinks
## [12339]
## [12340] they have come out of the South beyond the Great River's end: they came up
## [12341] that road. They have passed on to the Black Gate; but more may follow.
## [12342] Always more people coming to Mordor. One day all the peoples will be
## [12343] inside.'
## [12344]
## [12345] 'Were there any oliphaunts?' asked Sam, forgetting his fear in his
## [12346] eagerness for news of strange places.
## [12347]
## [12348] 'No, no oliphaunts. What are oliphaunts? ’ said Gollum.
## [12349]
## [12350] Sam stood up, putting his hands behind his back (as he always did when
## [12351] 'speaking poetry'), and began:
## [12352]
## [12353] Grey as a mouse,
## [12354]
## [12355] Big as a house.
## [12356]
## [12357] Nose like a snake,
## [12358]
## [12359] I make the earth shake,
## [12360]
## [12361] As I tramp through the grass;
## [12362]
## [12363] Trees crack as I pass.
## [12364]
## [12365] With horns in my mouth
## [12366] I walk in the South,
## [12367]
## [12368] Flapping big ears.
## [12369]
## [12370] Beyond count of years
## [12371] I stump round and round,
## [12372]
## [12373] Never lie on the ground,
## [12374]
## [12375] Not even to die.
## [12376]
## [12377] Oliphaunt am I,
## [12378]
## [12379] Biggest of all,
## [12380]
## [12381] Huge, old, and tall.
## [12382]
## [12383] If ever you'd met me
## [12384] You wouldn 't forget me.
## [12385]
## [12386] If you never do,
## [12387]
## [12388] You won't think I'm true;
## [12389]
## [12390] But old Oliphaunt am I,
## [12391]
## [12392] And I never lie.
## [12393]
## [12394] 'That,' said Sam, when he had finished reciting, 'that's a rhyme we
## [12395] have in the Shire. Nonsense maybe, and maybe not. But we have our tales too,
## [12396]
## [12397]
## [12398]
## [12399]
## [12400] and news out of the South, you know. In the old days hobbits used to go on
## [12401] their travels now and again. Not that many ever came back, and not that all
## [12402] they said was believed: news from Bree , and not sure as Shiretalk, as the
## [12403] sayings go. But I've heard tales of the big folk down away in the Sunlands.
## [12404] Swertings we call ’em in our tales; and they ride on oliphaunts, 'tis said,
## [12405] when they fight. They put houses and towers on the oliphauntses backs and
## [12406] all, and the oliphaunts throw rocks and trees at one another. So when you
## [12407] said "Men out of the South, all in red and gold;" I said "were there any
## [12408] oliphaunts? " For if there was, I was going to take a look, risk or no. But
## [12409] now I don't suppose I'll ever see an oliphaunt. Maybe there ain't no such a
## [12410] beast.' He sighed.
## [12411]
## [12412] 'No, no oliphaunts,' said Gollum again. 'Smjagol has not heard of them.
## [12413]
## [12414] He does not want to see them. He does not want them to be. Smjagol wants to
## [12415] go away from here and hide somewhere safer. Smjagol wants master to go.
## [12416] Nice
## [12417]
## [12418] master, won't he come with Smjagol? '
## [12419]
## [12420] Frodo stood up. He had laughed in the midst of all his cares when Sam
## [12421] trotted out the old fireside rhyme of Oliphaunt , and the laugh had released
## [12422] him from hesitation. 'I wish we had a thousand oliphaunts with Gandalf on a
## [12423] white one at their head,' he said. 'Then we'd break a way into this evil
## [12424] land, perhaps. But we've not; just our own tired legs, that's all. Well,
## [12425] Smjagol, the third turn may turn the best. I will come with you.'
## [12426]
## [12427] 'Good master, wise master, nice master!' cried Gollum in delight,
## [12428] patting Frodo's knees. 'Good master! Then rest now, nice hobbits, under the
## [12429] shadow of the stones, close under the stones ! Rest and lie quiet, till the
## [12430] Yellow Face goes away. Then we can go quickly. Soft and quick as shadows
## [12431] we
## [12432]
## [12433] must be!’
## [12434]
## [12435]
## [12436]
## [12437]
## [12438] Chapter 4 . Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
## [12439]
## [12440]
## [12441]
## [12442] For the few hours of daylight that were left they rested, shifting into
## [12443] the shade as the sun moved, until at last the shadow of the western rim of
## [12444] their dell grew long, and darkness filled all the hollow. Then they ate a
## [12445] little, and drank sparingly. Gollum ate nothing, but he accepted water
## [12446] gladly.
## [12447]
## [12448] 'Soon get more now,' he said, licking his lips. 'Good water runs down
## [12449] in streams to the Great River, nice water in the lands we are going to.
## [12450] Smjagol will get food there too, perhaps. He's very hungry, yes, gollumV He
## [12451] set his two large flat hands on his shrunken belly, and a pale green light
## [12452] came into his eyes.
## [12453]
## [12454] The dusk was deep when at length they set out, creeping over the
## [12455] westward rim of the dell, and fading like ghosts into the broken country on
## [12456] the borders of the road: The moon was now three nights from the full, but it
## [12457] did not climb over the mountains until nearly midnight, and the early night
## [12458] was very dark. A single red light burned high up in the Towers of the Teeth,
## [12459] but otherwise no sign could be seen or heard of the sleepless watch on the
## [12460] Morannon.
## [12461]
## [12462] For many miles the red eye seemed to stare at them as they fled,
## [12463] stumbling through a barren stony country. They did not dare to take the
## [12464] road, but they kept it on their left, following its line as well as they
## [12465] could at a little distance. At last, when night was growing old and they
## [12466] were already weary, for they had taken only one short rest, the eye dwindled
## [12467] to a small fiery point and then vanished: they had turned the dark northern
## [12468] shoulder of the lower mountains and were heading southwards.
## [12469]
## [12470] With hearts strangely lightened they now rested again, but not for
## [12471] long. They were not going quick enough for Gollum. By his reckoning it was
## [12472] nearly thirty leagues from the Morannon to the cross-roads above Osgiliath,
## [12473] and he hoped to cover that distance in four journeys. So soon they struggled
## [12474] on once more, until the dawn began to spread slowly in the wide grey
## [12475] solitude. They had then walked almost eight leagues; and the hobbits could
## [12476] not have gone any further, even if they had dared.
## [12477]
## [12478] The growing light revealed to them a land already, less barren and
## [12479] ruinous. The mountains still loomed up ominously on their left, but near at
## [12480] hand they could see the southward road, now bearing away from the black
## [12481]
## [12482]
## [12483]
## [12484]
## [12485] roots of the hills and slanting westwards. Beyond it were slopes covered
## [12486] with sombre trees like dark clouds, but all about them lay a tumbled
## [12487] heathland, grown with ling and broom and cornel, and other shrubs that they
## [12488] did not know. Here and there they saw knots of tall pine-trees. The hearts
## [12489] of the hobbits rose again a little in spite of weariness: the air was fresh
## [12490] and fragrant, and it reminded them of the uplands of the Northfarthing far
## [12491] away. It seemed good to be reprieved, to walk in a land that had only been
## [12492] for a few years under the dominion of the Dark Lord and was not yet fallen
## [12493] wholly into decay. But they did not forget their danger, nor the Black Gate
## [12494] that was still all too near, hidden though it was behind the gloomy heights.
## [12495] They looked about for a hiding-place where they could shelter from evil eyes
## [12496] while the light lasted.
## [12497]
## [12498] The day passed uneasily. They lay deep in the heather and counted out
## [12499] the slow hours, in which there seemed little change; for they were still
## [12500] under the shadows of the Ephel D®ath, and the sun was veiled. Frodo slept at
## [12501] times, deeply and peacefully, either trusting Gollum or too tired to trouble
## [12502] about him; but Sam found it difficult to do more than doze, even when Gollum
## [12503] was plainly fast asleep, whiffling and twitching in his secret dreams.
## [12504] Hunger, perhaps, more than mistrust kept him wakeful: he had begun to long
## [12505] for a good homely meal, 'something hot out of the pot'.
## [12506]
## [12507] As soon as the land faded into a formless grey under coming night, they
## [12508] started out again. In a little while Gollum led them down on to the
## [12509] southward road; and after that they went on more quickly, though the danger
## [12510] was greater. Their ears were strained for the sound of hoof or foot on the
## [12511] road ahead, or following them from behind; but the night passed, and they
## [12512] heard no sound of walker or rider.
## [12513]
## [12514] The road had been made in a long lost time: and for perhaps thirty
## [12515] miles below the Morannon it had been newly repaired, but as it went south
## [12516] the wild encroached upon it. The handiwork of Men of old could still be seen
## [12517] in its straight sure flight and level course: now and again it cut its way
## [12518] through hillside slopes, or leaped over a stream upon a wide shapely arch of
## [12519] enduring masonry; but at last all signs of stonework faded, save for a
## [12520] broken pillar here and there, peering out of bushes at the side, or old
## [12521] paving-stones still lurking amid weeds and moss. Heather and trees and
## [12522] bracken scrambled down and overhung the banks, or sprawled out over the
## [12523] surface. It dwindled at last to a country cart-road little used; but it did
## [12524] not wind: it held on its own sure course and guided them by the swiftest
## [12525]
## [12526]
## [12527]
## [12528]
## [12529] way.
## [12530]
## [12531] So they passed into the northern marches of that land that Men once
## [12532] called Ithilien, a fair country of climbing woods and swift -falling streams.
## [12533]
## [12534] The night became fine under star and round moon, and it seemed to the
## [12535] hobbits that the fragrance of the air grew as they went forward; and from
## [12536] the blowing and muttering of Gollum it seemed that he noticed it too, and
## [12537] did not relish it. At the first signs of day they halted again. They had
## [12538] come to the end of a long cutting, deep, and sheer-sided in the middle, by
## [12539] which the road clove its way through a stony ridge. Now they climbed up the
## [12540] westward bank and looked abroad.
## [12541]
## [12542] Day was opening in the sky, and they saw that the mountains were now
## [12543] much further off, receding eastward in a long curve that was lost in the
## [12544] distance. Before them, as they turned west, gentle slopes ran down into dim
## [12545] hazes far below. All about them were small woods of resinous trees, fir and
## [12546] cedar and cypress, and other kinds unknown in the Shire, with wide glades
## [12547] among them; and everywhere there was a wealth of sweet-smelling herbs and
## [12548] shrubs. The long journey from Rivendell had brought them far south of their
## [12549] own land, but not until now in this more sheltered region had the hobbits
## [12550] felt the change of clime. Here Spring was already busy about them: fronds
## [12551] pierced moss and mould, larches were green-fingered, small flowers were
## [12552] opening in the turf, birds were singing. Ithilien, the garden of Gondor now
## [12553] desolate kept still a dishevelled dryad loveliness.
## [12554]
## [12555] South and west it looked towards the warm lower vales of Anduin,
## [12556] shielded from the east by the Ephel D®ath and yet not under the
## [12557] mountain-shadow, protected from the north by the Emyn Muil, open to the
## [12558] southern airs and the moist winds from the Sea far away. Many great trees
## [12559] grew there, planted long ago, falling into untended age amid a riot of
## [12560] careless descendants; and groves and thickets there were of tamarisk and
## [12561] pungent terebinth, of olive and of bay; and there were junipers and myrtles;
## [12562] and thymes that grew in bushes, or with their woody creeping stems mantled
## [12563] in deep tapestries the hidden stones; sages of many kinds putting forth blue
## [12564] flowers, or red, or pale green; and marjorams and new-sprouting parsleys,
## [12565] and many herbs of forms and scents beyond the garden-lore of Sam. The grots
## [12566] and rocky walls were already starred with saxifrages and stonecrops.
## [12567] Primeroles and anemones were awake in the filbert -brakes; and asphodel and
## [12568] many lily -flowers nodded their half-opened heads in the grass: deep green
## [12569] grass beside the pools, where falling streams halted in cool hollows on
## [12570]
## [12571]
## [12572]
## [12573]
## [12574] their journey down to Anduin.
## [12575]
## [12576] The travellers turned their backs on the road and went downhill. As
## [12577] they walked, brushing their way through bush and herb, sweet odours rose
## [12578] about them. Gollum coughed and retched; but the hobbits breathed deep, and
## [12579] suddenly Sam laughed, for heart's ease not for jest. They followed a stream
## [12580] that went quickly down before them. Presently it brought them to a small
## [12581] clear lake in a shallow dell: it lay in the broken ruins of an ancient stone
## [12582] basin, the carven rim of which was almost wholly covered with mosses and
## [12583] rose-brambles; iris-swords stood in ranks about it. and water-lily leaves
## [12584] floated on its dark gently-rippling surface; but it was deep and fresh, and
## [12585] spilled ever softly out over a stony lip at the far end.
## [12586]
## [12587] Here they washed themselves and drank their fill at the in-falling
## [12588] freshet. Then they sought for a resting-place, and a hiding-place: for this
## [12589] land, fair-seeming still, was nonetheless now territory of the Enemy. They
## [12590] had not come very far from the road, and yet even in so short a space they
## [12591] had seen scars of the old wars, and the newer wounds made by the Ores and
## [12592] other foul servants of the Dark Lord: a pit of uncovered filth and refuse;
## [12593] trees hewn down wantonly and left to die, with evil runes or the fell sign
## [12594] of the Eye cut in rude strokes on their bark.
## [12595]
## [12596] Sam scrambling below the outfall of the lake, smelling and touching the
## [12597] unfamiliar plants and trees, forgetful for the moment of Mordor, was
## [12598] reminded suddenly of their ever-present peril. He stumbled on a ring still
## [12599] scorched by fire, and in the midst of it he found a pile of charred and
## [12600] broken bones and skulls. The swift growth of the wild with briar and
## [12601] eglantine and trailing clematis was already drawing a veil over this place
## [12602] of dreadful feast and slaughter; but it was not ancient. He hurried back to
## [12603] his companions, but he said nothing: the bones were best left in peace and
## [12604] not pawed and routed by Gollum.
## [12605]
## [12606] 'Let's find a place to lie up in,' he said. 'Not lower down. Higher up
## [12607] for me.'
## [12608]
## [12609] A little way back above the lake they found a deep brown bed of last
## [12610] year's fern. Beyond it was a thicket of dark -leaved bay-trees climbing up a
## [12611] steep bank that was crowned with old cedars. Here they decided to rest and
## [12612] pass the day, which already promised to be bright and warm. A good day for
## [12613] strolling on their way along the groves and glades of Ithilien; but though
## [12614] Ores may shun the sunlight, there were too many places here where they could
## [12615] lie hid and watch; and other evil eyes were abroad: Sauron had many
## [12616]
## [12617]
## [12618]
## [12619]
## [12620] servants. Gollum, in any case, would not move under the Yellow. Face. Soon
## [12621] it would look over the dark ridges of the Ephel D®ath, and he would faint
## [12622] and cower in the light and heat.
## [12623]
## [12624] Sam had been giving earnest thought to food as they marched. Now that
## [12625] the despair of the impassable Gate was behind him, he did not feel so
## [12626] inclined as his master to take no thought for their livelihood beyond the
## [12627] end of their errand; and anyway it seemed wiser to him to save the waybread
## [12628] of the Elves for worse times ahead. Six days or more had passed since he
## [12629] reckoned that they had only a bare supply for three weeks.
## [12630]
## [12631] 'If we reach the Fire in that time, we'll be lucky at this rate ! ' he
## [12632] thought. 'And we might be wanting to get back. We might! '
## [12633]
## [12634] Besides, at the end of a long night-march, and after bathing and
## [12635] drinking, he felt even more hungry than usual. A supper, or a breakfast, by
## [12636] the fire in the old kitchen at Bagshot Row was what he really wanted. An
## [12637] idea struck him and he turned to Gollum. Gollum had just begun to sneak off
## [12638] on his own, and he was crawling away on all fours through the fern.
## [12639]
## [12640] 'Hi! Gollum! ' said Sam. 'Where are you going? Hunting? Well see here,
## [12641] old noser, you don't like our food, and I'd not be sorry for a change
## [12642] myself. Your new motto's always ready to help. Could you find anything fit
## [12643] for a hungry hobbit? '
## [12644]
## [12645] 'Yes, perhaps, yes,’ said Gollum. 'Smjagol always helps, if they asks
## [12646] — if they asks nicely.'
## [12647]
## [12648] 'Right!' said Sam 'I does ask. And if that isn't nice enough, I begs.'
## [12649]
## [12650] Gollum disappeared. He was away some time, and Frodo after a few
## [12651] mouthfuls of lembas settled deep into the brown fern and went to sleep. Sam
## [12652] looked at him. The early daylight was only just creeping down into the
## [12653] shadows under the trees, but he saw his master's face very clearly, and his
## [12654] hands, too, lying at rest on the ground beside him. He was reminded suddenly
## [12655] of Frodo as he had lain, asleep in the house of Elrond, after his deadly
## [12656] wound. Then as he had kept watch Sam had noticed that at times a light
## [12657] seemed to be shining faintly within; but now the light was even clearer and
## [12658] stronger. Frodo's face was peaceful, the marks of fear and care had left it;
## [12659] but it looked old, old and beautiful, as if the chiselling of the shaping
## [12660] years was now revealed in many fine lines that had before been hidden,
## [12661] though the identity of the face was not changed. Not that Sam Gamgee put it
## [12662] that way to himself. He shook his head, as if finding words useless, and
## [12663] murmured: 'I love him. He's like that, and sometimes it shines through,
## [12664]
## [12665]
## [12666]
## [12667]
## [12668] somehow. But I love him, whether or no.'
## [12669]
## [12670] Gollum returned quietly and peered over Sam's shoulder. Looking at
## [12671] Frodo, he shut his eyes and crawled away without a sound. Sam came to him
## [12672] moment later and found him chewing something and muttering to himself.
## [12673] On
## [12674]
## [12675] the ground beside him lay two small rabbits, which he was beginning to eye
## [12676] greedily.
## [12677]
## [12678] ’Smjagol always helps,’ he said. 'He has brought rabbits, nice rabbits.
## [12679]
## [12680] But master has gone to sleep, and perhaps Sam wants to sleep. Doesn't want
## [12681] rabbits now? Smjagol tries to help, but he can't catch things all in a
## [12682] minute.'
## [12683]
## [12684] Sam, however, had no objection to rabbit at all, and said so. At least
## [12685] not to cooked rabbit. All hobbits, of course, can cook, for they begin to
## [12686] learn the art before their letters (which many never reach): but Sam was a
## [12687] good cook, even by hobbit reckoning, and he had done a good deal of the
## [12688] camp-cooking on their travels, when there was a chance. He still hopefully
## [12689] carried some of his gear in his pack: a small tinder-box, two small shallow
## [12690] pans, the smaller fitting into the larger; inside them a wooden spoon, a
## [12691] short two-pronged fork and some skewers were stowed; and hidden at the
## [12692] bottom of the pack in a flat wooden box a dwindling treasure, some salt. But
## [12693] he needed a fire, and other things besides. He thought for a bit, while he
## [12694] took out his knife, cleaned and whetted it, and began to dress the rabbits.
## [12695]
## [12696] He was not going to leave Frodo alone asleep even for a few minutes.
## [12697]
## [12698] 'Now, Gollum,' he said, 'I've another job for you. Go and fill these
## [12699] pans with water, and bring 'em back! '
## [12700]
## [12701] 'Smjagol will fetch water, yes,' said Gollum. 'But what does the hobbit
## [12702] want all that water for? He has drunk, he has washed.'
## [12703]
## [12704] 'Never you mind,' said Sam. 'If you can't guess, you'll soon find out.
## [12705]
## [12706] And the sooner you fetch the water, the sooner you'll learn. Don't you
## [12707] damage one of my pans, or I'll carve you into mincemeat.'
## [12708]
## [12709] While Gollum was away Sam took another look at Frodo. He was still
## [12710] sleeping quietly, but Sam was now struck most by the leanness of his face
## [12711] and hands. 'Too thin and drawn he is,' he muttered. 'Not right for a hobbit.
## [12712]
## [12713] If I can get these coneys cooked, I'm going to wake him up.'
## [12714]
## [12715] Sam gathered a pile of the driest fern, and then scrambled up the bank
## [12716] collecting a bundle of twigs and broken wood; the fallen branch of a cedar
## [12717] at the top gave him a good supply. He cut out some turves at the foot of the
## [12718]
## [12719]
## [12720]
## [12721]
## [12722] bank just outside the fern-brake, and made a shallow hole and laid his fuel
## [12723] in it. Being handy with flint and tinder he soon had a small blaze going. It
## [12724] made little or no smoke but gave off an aromatic scent. He was just stooping
## [12725] over his fire, shielding it and building it up with heavier wood, when
## [12726] Gollum returned, carrying the pans carefully and grumbling to himself.
## [12727]
## [12728] He set the pans down, and then suddenly saw what Sam was doing. He gave
## [12729] a thin hissing shriek, and seemed to be both frightened and angry. 'Ach! Sss
## [12730] — no!' he cried. 'No! Silly hobbits, foolish, yes foolish! They mustn't do
## [12731] it!’
## [12732]
## [12733] 'Mustn't do what?' asked Sam in surprise.
## [12734]
## [12735] 'Not make the nassty red tongues,' hissed Gollum. 'Fire, fire! It's
## [12736] dangerous, yes it is. It burns, it kills. And it will bring enemies, yes it
## [12737] will.'
## [12738]
## [12739] 'I don't think so,' said Sam. 'Don't see why it should, if you don't
## [12740] put wet stuff on it and make a smother. But if it does, it does. I'm going
## [12741] to risk it, anyhow. I'm going to stew these coneys.'
## [12742]
## [12743] 'Stew the rabbits!' squealed Gollum in dismay. 'Spoil beautiful meat
## [12744] Smjagol saved for you, poor hungry Smjagol! What for? What for, silly
## [12745] hobbit? They are young, they are tender, they are nice. Eat them, eat them!’
## [12746]
## [12747] He clawed at the nearest rabbit, already skinned and lying by the fire.
## [12748]
## [12749] 'Now, now! ' said Sam. 'Each to his own fashion. Our bread chokes you,
## [12750] and raw coney chokes me. If you give me a coney, the coney's mine, see, to
## [12751] cook, if I have a mind. And I have. You needn't watch me. Go and catch
## [12752] another and eat it as you fancy — somewhere private and out o' my sight.
## [12753] Then you won't see the fire, and I shan't see you, and we'll both be the
## [12754] happier. I'll see the fire don't smoke, if that's any comfort to you.'
## [12755]
## [12756] Gollum withdrew grumbling, and crawled into the fern. Sam busied
## [12757] himself with his pans. 'What a hobbit needs with coney,' he said to himself,
## [12758]
## [12759] 'is some herbs and roots, especially taters — not to mention bread. Herbs
## [12760] we can manage, seemingly.’
## [12761]
## [12762] 'Gollum!' he called softly. 'Third time pays for all. I want some
## [12763] herbs.’ Gollum's head peeped out of the fern, but his looks were neither
## [12764] helpful nor friendly. 'A few bay-leaves, some thyme and sage, will do —
## [12765] before the water boils,' said Sam.
## [12766]
## [12767] 'No! ' said Gollum. 'Smjagol is not pleased. And Smjagol doesn't like
## [12768] smelly leaves. He doesn't eat grasses or roots, no precious, not till he's
## [12769] starving or very sick, poor Smjagol. '
## [12770]
## [12771]
## [12772]
## [12773]
## [12774] 'Smjagol'll get into real true hot water, when this water boils, if he
## [12775] don’t do as he’s asked,’ growled Sam. 'Sam'llput his head in it, yes
## [12776] precious. And I’d make him look for turnips and carrots, and taters too, if
## [12777] it was the time o’ the year. I’ll bet there’s all sorts of good things
## [12778] running wild in this country. I’d give a lot for half a dozen taters.’
## [12779]
## [12780] 'Smjagol won’t go, O no precious, not this time,’ hissed Gollum. 'He’s
## [12781] frightened, and he’s very tired, and this hobbit's not nice, not nice at
## [12782] all. Smjagol won't grub for roots and carrotses and — taters. What's
## [12783] taters, precious, eh, what's taters?
## [12784]
## [12785] 'Po-ta-toes,' said Sam. 'The Gaffer’s delight, and rare good ballast
## [12786] for an empty belly. But you won't find any, so you needn't look. But be good
## [12787] Smjagol and fetch me the herbs, and I'll think better of you. What's more,
## [12788] if you turn over a new leaf, and keep it turned, I'll cook you some taters
## [12789] one of these days. I will: fried fish and chips served by S. Gamgee. You
## [12790] couldn't say no to that.'
## [12791]
## [12792] 'Yes, yes we could. Spoiling nice fish, scorching it. Give me fish now,
## [12793] and keep nassty chips ! '
## [12794]
## [12795] 'Oh you're hopeless,' said Sam. 'Go to sleep!'
## [12796]
## [12797] In the end he had to find what he wanted for himself; but he did not
## [12798] have to go far, not out of sight of the place where his master lay, still
## [12799] sleeping. For a while Sam sat musing, and tending the fire till the water
## [12800] boiled. The daylight grew and the air became warm; the dew faded off turf
## [12801] and leaf. Soon the rabbits cut up lay simmering in their pans with the
## [12802] bunched herbs. Almost Sam fell asleep as the time went by. He let them stew
## [12803] for close on an hour, testing them now and again with his fork, and tasting
## [12804] the broth.
## [12805]
## [12806] When he thought all was ready he lifted the pans off the fire, and
## [12807] crept along to Frodo. Frodo half opened his eyes as Sam stood over him, and
## [12808] then he wakened from his dreaming: another gentle, unrecoverable dream of
## [12809] peace.
## [12810]
## [12811] 'Hullo, Sam! ’ he said. 'Not resting? Is anything wrong? What is the
## [12812] time? ’
## [12813]
## [12814] 'About a couple of hours after daybreak,’ said Sam, 'and nigh on half
## [12815] past eight by Shire clocks, maybe. But nothing's wrong. Though it ain't
## [12816] quite what I'd call right: no stock, no onions, no taters. I've got a bit of
## [12817] a stew for you, and some broth, Mr. Frodo. Do you good. You'll have to sup
## [12818] it in your mug; or straight from the pan, when it's cooled a bit. I haven't
## [12819]
## [12820]
## [12821]
## [12822]
## [12823] brought no bowls, nor nothing proper.'
## [12824]
## [12825] Frodo yawned and stretched. 'You should have been resting Sam,' he
## [12826] said. 'And lighting a fire was dangerous in these parts. But I do feel
## [12827] hungry. Hmm! Can I smell it from here? What have you stewed? '
## [12828]
## [12829] 'A present from Smjagol,' said Sam: 'a brace o' young coneys; though I
## [12830] fancy Gollum's regretting them now. But there's nought to go with them but a
## [12831] few herbs.'
## [12832]
## [12833] Sam and his master sat just within the fern-brake and ate their stew
## [12834] from the pans, sharing the old fork and spoon. They allowed themselves half
## [12835] a piece of the Elvish waybread each. It seemed a feast.
## [12836]
## [12837] 'Wheew! Gollum! ' Sam called and whistled softly. 'Come on! Still time
## [12838] to change your mind. There's some left, if you want to try stewed coney.'
## [12839] There was no answer.
## [12840]
## [12841] 'Oh well, I suppose he's gone off to find something for himself. We'll
## [12842] finish it,' said Sam.
## [12843]
## [12844] 'And then you must take some sleep,' said Frodo.
## [12845]
## [12846] 'Don't you drop off, while I'm nodding, Mr. Frodo. I don't feel too
## [12847] sure of him. There's a good deal of Stinker -the bad Gollum, if you
## [12848] understand me-in him still, and it's getting stronger again. Not but what I
## [12849] think he'd try to throttle me first now. We don't see eye to eye, and he's
## [12850] not pleased with Sam, O no precious, not pleased at all.'
## [12851]
## [12852] They finished, and Sam went off to the stream to rinse his gear. As he
## [12853] stood up to return, he looked back up the slope. At that moment he saw the
## [12854] sun rise out of the reek, or haze, or dark shadow, or whatever it was, that
## [12855] lay ever to the east, and it sent its golden beams down upon the trees and
## [12856] glades about him. Then he noticed a thin spiral of blue-grey, smoke, plain
## [12857] to see as it caught the sunlight, rising from a thicket above him. With a
## [12858] shock he realized that this was the smoke from his little cooking-fire,
## [12859] which he had neglected to put out.
## [12860]
## [12861] 'That won't do! Never thought it would show like that! ' he muttered,
## [12862] and he started to hurry back. Suddenly he halted and listened. Flad he heard
## [12863] a whistle or not? Or was it the call of some strange bird? If it was a
## [12864] whistle, it did not come from Frodo's direction. There it went again from
## [12865] another place! Sam began to run as well as he could uphill.
## [12866]
## [12867] He found that a small brand, burning away to its outer end, had kindled
## [12868] some fern at the edge of the fire, and the fern blazing up had set the
## [12869] turves smouldering. Hastily he stamped out what was left of the fire,
## [12870]
## [12871]
## [12872]
## [12873]
## [12874] scattered the ashes, and laid the turves on the hole. Then he crept back to
## [12875] Frodo.
## [12876]
## [12877] 'Did you hear a whistle, and what sounded like an answer? ' he asked.
## [12878]
## [12879] 'A few minutes back. I hope it was only a bird, but it didn’t sound quite
## [12880] like that: more like somebody mimicking a bird-call, I thought. And I'm
## [12881] afraid my bit of fire's been smoking. Now if I've gone and brought trouble,
## [12882]
## [12883] I'll never forgive myself. Nor won't have a chance, maybe! '
## [12884]
## [12885] 'Hush! ' whispered Frodo. 'I thought I heard voices.’
## [12886]
## [12887] The two hobbits trussed their small packs, put them on ready for
## [12888] flight, and then crawled deeper into the fern. There they crouched
## [12889] listening.
## [12890]
## [12891] There was no doubt of the voices. They were speaking low and furtively,
## [12892] but they were near, and coming nearer. Then quite suddenly one spoke clearly
## [12893] close at hand.
## [12894]
## [12895] 'Here! Here is where the smoke came from! ' it said. 'Twill be nigh at
## [12896] hand. In the fern, no doubt. We shall have it like a coney in a trap. Then
## [12897] we shall learn what kind of thing it is.'
## [12898]
## [12899] 'Aye, and what it knows! ' said a second voice.
## [12900]
## [12901] At once four men came striding through the fern from different
## [12902] directions. Since flight and hiding were no longer possible, Frodo and Sam
## [12903] sprang to their feet, putting back to back and whipping out their small
## [12904] swords.
## [12905]
## [12906] If they were astonished at what they saw, their captors were even more
## [12907] astonished. Four tall Men stood there. Two had spears in their hands with
## [12908] broad bright heads. Two had great bows, almost of their own height, and
## [12909] great quivers of long green -feathered arrows. All had swords at their sides,
## [12910] and were clad in green and brown of varied hues, as if the better to walk
## [12911] unseen in the glades of Ithilien. Green gauntlets covered their hands, and
## [12912] their faces were hooded and masked with green, except for their eyes, which
## [12913] were very keen and bright. At once Frodo thought of Boromir, for these Men
## [12914] were like him in stature and bearing, and in their manner of speech.
## [12915]
## [12916] 'We have not found what we sought,’ said one. 'But what have we found?
## [12917]
## [12918] f
## [12919]
## [12920] 'Not Ores,' said another, releasing the hilt of his sword, which he had
## [12921] seized when he saw the glitter of Sting in Frodo's hand.
## [12922]
## [12923] 'Elves? ’ said a third, doubtfully.
## [12924]
## [12925] 'Nay! Not Elves,' said the fourth, the tallest, and as it appeared the
## [12926]
## [12927]
## [12928]
## [12929]
## [12930] chief among them. 'Elves do not walk in Ithilien in these days. And Elves
## [12931] are wondrous fair to look upon, or so ’tis said.'
## [12932]
## [12933] ’Meaning we're not, I take you,' said Sam. 'Thank you kindly. And when
## [12934] you've finished discussing us, perhaps you'll say who you are, and why you
## [12935] can't let two tired travellers rest.'
## [12936]
## [12937] The tall green man laughed grimly. 'I am Faramir, Captain of Gondor,'
## [12938] he said. 'But there are no travellers in this land: only the servants of the
## [12939] Dark Tower, or of the White.'
## [12940]
## [12941] 'But we are neither,’ said Frodo. 'And travellers we are, whatever
## [12942] Captain Faramir may say.'
## [12943]
## [12944] 'Then make haste to declare yourselves and your errand,' said Faramir.
## [12945]
## [12946] 'We have a work to do, and this is no time or place for riddling or
## [12947] parleying. Come! Where is the third of your company? '
## [12948]
## [12949] 'The third? ’
## [12950]
## [12951] 'Yes, the skulking fellow that we saw with his nose in the pool down
## [12952] yonder. He had an ill-favoured look. Some spying breed of Ore, I guess, or a
## [12953] creature of theirs. But he gave us the slip by some fox-trick.'
## [12954]
## [12955] 'I do not know where he is,' said Frodo. 'He is only a chance companion
## [12956] met upon our road; and I am not answerable for him. If you come on him,
## [12957] spare him. Bring him or send him to us. He is only a wretched gangrel
## [12958] creature, but I have him under my care for a while. But as for us, we are
## [12959] Hobbits of the Shire, far to the North and West, beyond many rivers. Frodo
## [12960] son of Drogo is my name, and with me is Samwise son of Hamfast, a worthy
## [12961] hobbit in my service. We have come by long ways — out of Rivendell, or
## [12962] Imladris as some call it.' Here Faramir started and grew intent. 'Seven
## [12963] companions we had: one we lost at Moria, the others we left at Parth Galen
## [12964] above Rauros: two of my kin; a Dwarf there was also, and an Elf, and two
## [12965] Men. They were Aragorn; and Boromir, who said that he came out of Minas
## [12966] Tirith, a city in the South.'
## [12967]
## [12968] 'Boromir! ' all the four men exclaimed.
## [12969]
## [12970] 'Boromir son of the Ford Denethor?' said Faramir, and a strange stern
## [12971] look came into his face. 'You came with him? That is news indeed, if it be
## [12972] true. Know, little strangers, that Boromir son of Denethor was High Warden
## [12973] of the White Tower, and our Captain-General: sorely do we miss him. Who are
## [12974] you then, and what had you to do with him? Be swift, for the Sun is
## [12975] climbing!'
## [12976]
## [12977] 'Are the riddling words known to you that Boromir brought to Rivendell?
## [12978]
## [12979]
## [12980]
## [12981]
## [12982] ’ Frodo replied.
## [12983]
## [12984] Seek for the Sword that was Broken.
## [12985]
## [12986] In Imladris it dwells.
## [12987]
## [12988] 'The words are known indeed,' said Faramir in astonishment. v It is some
## [12989] token of your truth that you also know them.'
## [12990]
## [12991] 'Aragorn whom I named is the bearer of the Sword that was Broken,' said
## [12992] Frodo. 'And we are the Halflings that the rhyme spoke of.'
## [12993]
## [12994] 'That I see,' said Faramir thoughtfully. 'Or I see that it might be so.
## [12995]
## [12996] And what is Isildur's Bane? '
## [12997]
## [12998] 'That is hidden,' answered Frodo. 'Doubtless it will be made clear in
## [12999] time.’
## [13000]
## [13001] 'We must learn more of this,’ said Faramir, 'and know what brings you
## [13002] so far east under the shadow of yonder—,' he pointed and said no name. 'But
## [13003] not now. We have business in hand. You are in peril, and you would not have
## [13004] gone far by field or road this day. There will be hard handstrokes nigh at
## [13005] hand ere the day is full. Then death, or swift flight bark to Anduin. I will
## [13006] leave two to guard you, for your good and for mine. Wise man trusts not to
## [13007] chance-meeting on the road in this land. If I return, I will speak more with
## [13008] you.'
## [13009]
## [13010] 'Farewell!' said Frodo, bowing low. 'Think what you will, I am a friend
## [13011] of all enemies of the One Enemy. We would go with you, if we halfling folk
## [13012] could hope to serve you, such doughty men and strong as you seem, and if my
## [13013] errand permitted it. May the light shine on your swords!'
## [13014]
## [13015] 'The Halflings are courteous folk, whatever else they be,' said
## [13016] Faramir. 'Farewell!'
## [13017]
## [13018] The hobbits sat down again, but they said nothing to one another of
## [13019] their thoughts and doubts. Close by, just under the dappling shadow of the
## [13020] dark bay-trees, two men remained on guard. They took off their masks now and
## [13021] again to cool them, as the day-heat grew, and Frodo saw that they were
## [13022] goodly men, pale-skinned, dark of hair, with grey eyes and faces sad and
## [13023] proud. They spoke together in soft voices, at first using the Common Speech,
## [13024] but after the manner of older days, and then changing to another language of
## [13025] their own. To his amazement, as he listened Frodo became aware that it was
## [13026] the Elven-tongue that they spoke, or one but little different; and he looked
## [13027] at them with wonder, for he knew then that they must be D®nedain of the
## [13028] South, men of the line of the Lords of Westernesse.
## [13029]
## [13030] After a while he spoke to them; but they were slow and cautious in
## [13031]
## [13032]
## [13033]
## [13034]
## [13035] answering. They named themselves Mablung and Damrod, soldiers of Gondor,
## [13036] and
## [13037]
## [13038] they were Rangers of Ithilien; for they were descended from folk who lived
## [13039] in Ithilien at one time, before it was overrun. From such men the Lord
## [13040] Denethor chose his forayers, who crossed the Anduin secretly (how or where,
## [13041] they would not say) to harry the Ores and other enemies that roamed between
## [13042] the Ephel D®ath and the River.
## [13043]
## [13044] 'It is close on ten leagues hence to the east-shore of Anduin,' said
## [13045] Mablung, ’and we seldom come so far afield. But we have a new errand on this
## [13046] journey: we come to ambush the Men of Harad. Curse them! '
## [13047]
## [13048] 'Aye, curse the Southrons! ' said Damrod. ' 'Tis said that there were
## [13049] dealings of old between Gondor and the kingdoms of the Harad in the Far
## [13050] South; though there was never friendship. In those days our bounds were away
## [13051] south beyond the mouths of Anduin, and Umbar, the nearest of their realms,
## [13052] acknowledged our sway. But that is long since. 'Tis many lives of Men since
## [13053] any passed to or fro between us. Now of late we have learned that the Enemy
## [13054] has been among them, and they are gone over to Him, or back to Him-they
## [13055] were
## [13056]
## [13057] ever ready to His will -as have so many also in the East. I doubt not that
## [13058] the days of Gondor are numbered, and the walls of Minas Tirith are doomed,
## [13059] so great is His strength and malice.'
## [13060]
## [13061] 'But still we will not sit idle and let Him do all as He would,' said
## [13062] Mablung. 'These cursed Southrons come now marching up the ancient roads
## [13063] to
## [13064]
## [13065] swell the hosts of the Dark Tower. Yea, up the very roads that craft of
## [13066] Gondor made. And they go ever more heedlessly, we learn, thinking that the
## [13067] power of their new master is great enough, so that the mere shadow of His
## [13068] hills will protect them. We come to teach them another lesson. Great
## [13069] strength of them was reported to us some days ago, marching north. One of
## [13070] their regiments is due by our reckoning to pass by, some time ere noon-up on
## [13071] the road above, where it passes through the cloven way. The road may pass,
## [13072] but they shall not! Not while Faramir is Captain. He leads now in all
## [13073] perilous ventures. But his life is charmed, or fate spares him for some
## [13074] other end.'
## [13075]
## [13076] Their talk died down into a listening silence. All seemed still and
## [13077] watchful. Sam, crouched by the edge of the fern-brake, peered out. With his
## [13078]
## [13079]
## [13080]
## [13081]
## [13082] keen hobbit-eyes he saw that many more Men were about. He could see
## [13083] them
## [13084]
## [13085] stealing up the slopes, singly or in long files, keeping always to the shade
## [13086] of grove or thicket, or crawling, hardly visible in their brown and green
## [13087] raiment, through grass and brake. All were hooded and masked, and had
## [13088] gauntlets on their hands, and were armed like Faramir and his companions.
## [13089] Before long they had all passed and vanished. The sun rose till it neared
## [13090] the South. The shadows shrank.
## [13091]
## [13092] 'I wonder where that dratted Gollum is? ' thought Sam, as he crawled
## [13093] back into deeper shade. 'He stands a fair chance of being spitted for an
## [13094] Ore, or of being roasted by the Yellow Face. But I fancy he’ll look after
## [13095] himself.' He lay down beside Frodo and began to doze.
## [13096]
## [13097] He woke, thinking that he had heard horns blowing. He sat up. It was
## [13098] now high noon. The guards stood alert and tense in the shadow of the trees.
## [13099] Suddenly the horns rang out louder and beyond mistake from above, over the
## [13100] top of the slope. Sam thought that he heard cries and wild shouting also,
## [13101] but the sound was faint, as if it came out of some distant cave. Then
## [13102] presently the noise of fighting broke out near at hand, just above their
## [13103] hiding-place. He could hear plainly the ringing grate of steel on steel, the
## [13104] clang of sword on iron cap, the dull beat of blade on shield; men were
## [13105] yelling and screaming, and one clear loud voice was calling Gondorl Gondorl
## [13106]
## [13107] 'It sounds like a hundred blacksmiths all smithying together,’ said Sam
## [13108] to Frodo. ’They’re as near as I want them now.’
## [13109]
## [13110] But the noise grew closer. 'They are coming!’ cried Damrod. 'See! Some
## [13111] of the Southrons have broken from the trap and are flying from the road.
## [13112] There they go! Our men after them, and the Captain leading.’
## [13113]
## [13114] Sam, eager to see more, went now and joined the guards. He scrambled a
## [13115] little way up into one of the larger of the bay-trees. For a moment he
## [13116] caught a glimpse of swarthy men in red running down the slope some way off
## [13117] with green-clad warriors leaping after them, hewing them down as they fled.
## [13118] Arrows were thick in the air. Then suddenly straight over the rim of their
## [13119] sheltering bank, a man fell, crashing through the slender trees, nearly on
## [13120] top of them. He came to rest in the fern a few feet away, face downward,
## [13121] green arrow-feathers sticking from his neck below a golden collar. His
## [13122] scarlet robes were tattered, his corslet of overlapping brazen plates was
## [13123] rent and hewn, his black plaits of hair braided with gold were drenched with
## [13124] blood. His brown hand still clutched the hilt of a broken sword.
## [13125]
## [13126]
## [13127]
## [13128]
## [13129] It was Sam's first view of a battle of Men against Men, and he did not
## [13130] like it much. He was glad that he could not see the dead face. He wondered
## [13131] what the man's name was and where he came from; and if he was really evil of
## [13132] heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home;
## [13133] and if he would not really rather have stayed there in peace -all in a flash
## [13134] of thought which was quickly driven from his mind. For just as Mablung
## [13135] stepped towards the fallen body, there was a new noise. Great crying and
## [13136] shouting. Amidst it Sam heard a shrill bellowing or trumpeting. And then a
## [13137] great thudding and bumping, like huge rams dinning on the ground.
## [13138]
## [13139] 'Ware! Ware!' cried Damrod to his companion. 'May the Valar turn him
## [13140] aside! Mymak! Mymak!'
## [13141]
## [13142] To his astonishment and terror, and lasting delight, Sam saw a vast
## [13143] shape crash out of the trees and come careering down the slope. Big as a
## [13144] house, much bigger than a house, it looked to him, a grey-clad moving hill.
## [13145] Fear and wonder, maybe, enlarged him in the hobbit's eyes, but the Mymak of
## [13146] Harad was indeed a beast of vast bulk, and the like of him does not walk now
## [13147] in Middle-earth; his kin that live still in latter days are but memories of
## [13148] his girth and majesty. On he came, straight towards the watchers, and then
## [13149] swerved aside in the nick of time, passing only a few yards away, rocking
## [13150] the ground beneath their feet: his great legs like trees, enormous sail-like
## [13151] ears spread out, long snout upraised like a huge serpent about to strike,
## [13152] his small red eyes raging. His upturned hornlike tusks were bound with bands
## [13153] of gold and dripped with blood. His trappings of scarlet and gold flapped
## [13154] about him in wild tatters. The ruins of what seemed a very war-tower lay
## [13155] upon his heaving back, smashed in his furious passage through the woods; and
## [13156] high upon his neck still desperately clung a tiny figure-the body of a
## [13157] mighty warrior, a giant among the Swertings.
## [13158]
## [13159] On the great beast thundered, blundering in blind wrath through pool
## [13160] and thicket. Arrows skipped and snapped harmlessly about the triple hide of
## [13161] his flanks. Men of both sides fled before him, but many he overtook and
## [13162] crushed to the ground. Soon he was lost to view, still trumpeting and
## [13163] stamping far away. What became of him Sam never heard: whether he escaped
## [13164] to
## [13165]
## [13166] roam the wild for a time, until he perished far from his home or was trapped
## [13167] in some deep pit; or whether he raged on until he plunged in the Great River
## [13168] and was swallowed up.
## [13169]
## [13170] Sam drew a deep breath. 'An Oliphaunt it was!' he said. 'So there are
## [13171]
## [13172]
## [13173]
## [13174]
## [13175] Oliphaunts, and I have seen one. What a life! But no one at home will ever
## [13176] believe me. Well, if that's over, I'll have a bit of sleep.'
## [13177]
## [13178] 'Sleep while you may,' said Mablung. 'But the Captain will return, if
## [13179] he is unhurt; and when he comes we shall depart swiftly. We shall be pursued
## [13180] as soon as news of our deed reaches the Enemy, and that will not be long.'
## [13181]
## [13182] 'Go quietly when you must!’ said Sam. 'No need to disturb my sleep. I
## [13183] was walking all night.'
## [13184]
## [13185] Mablung laughed. 'I do not think the Captain will leave you here,
## [13186] Master Samwise,’ he said. 'But you shall see.'
## [13187]
## [13188]
## [13189]
## [13190]
## [13191] Chapter 5 . The Window on the West
## [13192]
## [13193]
## [13194]
## [13195] It seemed to Sam that he had only dozed for a few minutes when he awoke
## [13196] to find that it was late afternoon and Faramir had come back. He had brought
## [13197] many men with him; indeed all the survivors of the foray were now gathered
## [13198] on the slope nearby, two or three hundred strong. They sat in a wide
## [13199] semicircle, between the arms of which Faramir was seated on the ground,
## [13200] while Frodo stood before him. It looked strangely like the trial of a
## [13201] prisoner.
## [13202]
## [13203] Sam crept out from the fern, but no one paid any attention to him, and
## [13204] he placed himself at the end of the rows of men, where he could see and hear
## [13205] all that was going on. He watched and listened intently, ready to dash to
## [13206] his master's aid if needed. He could see Faramir's face, which was now
## [13207] unmasked: it was stern and commanding, and a keen wit lay behind his
## [13208] searching glance. Doubt was in the grey eyes that gazed steadily at Frodo.
## [13209]
## [13210] Sam soon became aware that the Captain was not satisfied with Frodo's
## [13211] account of himself at several points: what part he had to play in the
## [13212] Company that set out from Rivendell; why he had left Boromir; and where he
## [13213] was now going. In particular he returned often to Isildur's Bane. Plainly he
## [13214] saw that Frodo was concealing from him some matter of great importance.
## [13215]
## [13216] 'But it was at the coming of the Halfling that Isildur's Bane should
## [13217] waken, or so one must read the words,' he insisted. 'If then you are the
## [13218] Halfling that was named, doubtless you brought this thing, whatever it may
## [13219] be, to the Council of which you speak, and there Boromir saw it. Do you deny
## [13220] it? '
## [13221]
## [13222] Frodo made no answer. 'So! ' said Faramir. V I wish then to learn from
## [13223] you more of it; for what concerns Boromir concerns me. An ore-arrow slew
## [13224] Isildur, so far as old tales tell. But ore-arrows are plenty, and the sight
## [13225] of one would not be taken as a sign of Doom by Boromir of Gondor. Had you
## [13226] this thing in keeping? It is hidden, you say; but is not that because you
## [13227] choose to hide it? '
## [13228]
## [13229] 'No, not because I choose,' answered Frodo. v It does not belong to me.
## [13230]
## [13231] It does not belong to any mortal, great or small; though if any could claim
## [13232] it, it would be Aragorn son of Arathorn, whom I named, the leader of our
## [13233] Company from Moria to Rauros.'
## [13234]
## [13235]
## [13236]
## [13237]
## [13238] 'Why so, and not Boromir, prince of the City that the sons of Elendil
## [13239] founded? '
## [13240]
## [13241] 'Because Aragorn is descended in direct lineage, father to father, from
## [13242] Isildur Elendil's son himself. And the sword that he bears was Elendil's
## [13243] sword.'
## [13244]
## [13245] A murmur of astonishment ran through all the ring of men. Some cried
## [13246] aloud: 'The sword of Elendil! The sword of Elendil comes to Minas Tirith!
## [13247] Great tidings! ' But Faramir's face was unmoved.
## [13248]
## [13249] 'Maybe,' he said. 'But so great a claim will need to be established and
## [13250] clear proofs will be required, should this Aragorn ever come to Minas
## [13251] Tirith. He had not come, nor any of your Company, when I set out six days
## [13252] ago.'
## [13253]
## [13254] 'Boromir was satisfied of that claim,' said Frodo. 'Indeed, if Boromir
## [13255] were here, he would answer all your questions. And since he was already at
## [13256] Rauros many days back, and intended then to go straight to your city, if you
## [13257] return, you may soon learn the answers there. My part in the Company was
## [13258] known to him, as to all the others, for it was appointed to me by Elrond of
## [13259] Imladris himself before the whole Council. On that errand I came into this
## [13260] country, but it is not mine to reveal to any outside the Company. Yet those
## [13261] who claim to oppose the Enemy would do well not to hinder it.'
## [13262]
## [13263] Frodo's tone was proud, whatever he felt, and Sam approved of it; but
## [13264] it did not appease Faramir.
## [13265]
## [13266] 'So!' he said. 'You bid me mind my own affairs, and get me back home,
## [13267] and let you be. Boromir will tell all, when he comes. When he comes, say
## [13268] you! Were you a friend of Boromir?’
## [13269]
## [13270] Vividly before Frodo's mind came the memory of Boromir's assault upon
## [13271] him, and for a moment he hesitated. Faramir's eyes watching him grew harder.
## [13272] 'Boromir was a valiant member of our Company ' said Frodo at length. 'Yes, I
## [13273] was his friend, for my part.'
## [13274]
## [13275] Faramir smiled grimly. 'Then you would grieve to learn that Boromir is
## [13276] dead? '
## [13277]
## [13278] 'I would grieve indeed,' said Frodo. Then catching the look in
## [13279] Faramir's eyes, he faltered. 'Dead?' he said. 'Do you mean that he is dead,
## [13280] and that you knew it? You have been trying to trap me in words, playing with
## [13281] me? Or are you now trying to snare me with a falsehood?'
## [13282]
## [13283] 'I would not snare even an ore with a falsehood,' said Faramir.
## [13284]
## [13285] 'How then did he die, and how do you know of it? Since you say that
## [13286]
## [13287]
## [13288]
## [13289]
## [13290] none of the Company had reached the city when you left.'
## [13291]
## [13292] 'As to the manner of his death, I had hoped that his friend and
## [13293] companion would tell me how it was.'
## [13294]
## [13295] 'But he was alive and strong when we parted. And he lives still for all
## [13296] that I know. Though surely there are many perils in the world.'
## [13297]
## [13298] 'Many indeed,' said Faramir, 'and treachery not the least.’
## [13299]
## [13300] Sam had been getting more and more impatient and angry at this
## [13301] conversation. These last words were more than he could bear, and bursting
## [13302] into the middle of the ring, he strode up to his master's side.
## [13303]
## [13304] 'Begging your pardon, Mr. Frodo,' he said, 'but this has gone on long
## [13305] enough. Tie's no right to talk to you so. After all you've gone through, as
## [13306] much for his good and all these great Men as for anyone else.
## [13307]
## [13308] 'See here, Captain! ' He planted himself squarely in front of Faramir
## [13309] his hands on his hips, and a look on his face as if he was addressing a
## [13310] young hobbit who had offered him what he called 'sauce' when questioned
## [13311] about visits to the orchard. There was some murmuring, but also some grins
## [13312] on the faces of the men looking on: the sight of their Captain sitting on
## [13313] the ground and eye to eye with a young hobbit, legs well apart, bristling
## [13314] with wrath, was one beyond their experience. 'See here! ’ he said. 'What are
## [13315] you driving at? Let's come to the point before all the Ores of Mordor come
## [13316] down on us! If you think my master murdered this Boromir and then ran away,
## [13317] you've got no sense; but say it, and have done! And then let us know what
## [13318] you mean to do about it. But it's a pity that folk as talk about fighting
## [13319] the Enemy can't let others do their bit in their own way without
## [13320] interfering. He'd be mighty pleased, if he could see you now. Think he'd got
## [13321] a new friend, he would.'
## [13322]
## [13323] 'Patience!' said Faramir, but without anger. 'Do not speak before your
## [13324] master, whose wit is greater than yours. And I do not need any to teach me
## [13325] of our peril. Even so, I spare a brief time, in order to judge justly in a
## [13326] hard matter. Were I as hasty as you, I might have slain you long ago. For I
## [13327] am commanded to slay all whom I find in this land without the leave of the
## [13328] Lord of Gondor. But I do not slay man or beast needlessly, and not gladly
## [13329] even when it is needed. Neither do I talk in vain. So be comforted. Sit by
## [13330] your master, and be silent! ’
## [13331]
## [13332] Sam sat down heavily with a red face. Faramir turned to Frodo again:
## [13333]
## [13334] 'You asked how do I know that the son of Denethor is dead. Tidings of death
## [13335] have many wings. Night oft brings news to near kindred, 'tis said. Boromir
## [13336]
## [13337]
## [13338]
## [13339]
## [13340] was my brother.'
## [13341]
## [13342] A shadow of sorrow passed over his face. 'Do you remember aught of
## [13343] special mark that the Lord Boromir bore with him among his gear?'
## [13344]
## [13345] Frodo thought for a moment, fearing some further trap, and wondering
## [13346] how this debate would turn in the end. He had hardly saved the Ring from the
## [13347] proud grasp of Boromir, and how he would fare now among so many men,
## [13348] warlike
## [13349]
## [13350] and strong, he did not know. Yet he felt in his heart that Faramir, though
## [13351] he was much like his brother in looks, was a man less self-regarding, both
## [13352] sterner and wiser. 'I remember that Boromir bore a horn,' he said at last.
## [13353]
## [13354] 'You remember well, and as one who has in truth seen him,' said
## [13355] Faramir. 'Then maybe you can see it in your mind's eye: a great horn of the
## [13356] wild ox of the East, bound with silver, and written with ancient characters.
## [13357]
## [13358] That horn the eldest son of our house has borne for many generations; and it
## [13359] is said that if it be blown at need anywhere within the bounds of Gondor, as
## [13360] the realm was of old, its voice will not pass unheeded.
## [13361]
## [13362] 'Five days ere I set out on this venture, eleven days ago at about this
## [13363] hour of the day, I heard the blowing of that horn: from the northward it
## [13364] seemed, but dim, as if it were but an echo in the mind. A boding of ill we
## [13365] thought it, my father and I, for no tidings had we heard of Boromir since he
## [13366] went away, and no watcher on our borders had seen him pass. And on the third
## [13367] night after another and a stranger thing befell me.
## [13368]
## [13369] 'I sat at night by the waters of Anduin, in the grey dark under the
## [13370] young pale moon, watching the ever -moving stream; and the sad reeds were
## [13371] rustling. So do we ever watch the shores nigh Osgiliath, which our enemies
## [13372] now partly hold, and issue from it to harry our lands. But that night all
## [13373] the world slept at the midnight hour. Then I saw, or it seemed that I saw, a
## [13374] boat floating on the water, glimmering grey, a small boat of a strange
## [13375] fashion with a high prow, and there was none to row or steer it.
## [13376]
## [13377] 'An awe fell on me, for a pale light was round it. But I rose and went
## [13378] to the bank, and began to walk out into the stream, for I was drawn towards
## [13379] it. Then the boat turned towards me, and stayed its pace, and floated slowly
## [13380] by within my hand's reach, yet I durst not handle it. It waded deep, as if
## [13381] it were heavily burdened, and it seemed to me as it passed under my gaze
## [13382] that it was almost filled with clear water, from which came the light; and
## [13383] lapped in the water a warrior lay asleep.
## [13384]
## [13385] 'A broken sword was on his knee. I saw many wounds on him. It was
## [13386]
## [13387]
## [13388]
## [13389]
## [13390] Boromir, my brother, dead. I knew his gear, his sword, his beloved face. One
## [13391] thing only I missed: his horn. One thing only I knew not: a fair belt, as it
## [13392] were of linked golden leaves, about his waist. Boromir! I cried. Where is
## [13393] thy horn? Whither goest thou? O Boromir! But he was gone. The boat turned
## [13394] into the stream and passed glimmering on into the night. Dreamlike it was.
## [13395] and yet no dream, for there was no waking. And I do not doubt that he is
## [13396] dead and has passed down the River to the Sea.'
## [13397]
## [13398] 'Alas!' said Frodo. That was indeed Boromir as I knew him. For the
## [13399] golden belt was given to him in Lothlurien by the Lady Galadriel. She it was
## [13400] that clothed us as you see us, in elven-grey. This brooch is of the same
## [13401] workmanship.' Fie touched the green and silver leaf that fastened his cloak
## [13402] beneath his throat.
## [13403]
## [13404] Faramir looked closely at it. Tt is beautiful,' he said. 'Yes, 'tis
## [13405] work of the same craft. So then you passed through the Land of Lurien?
## [13406] Laurelindurenan it was named of old, but long now it has lain beyond the
## [13407] knowledge of Men,' he added softly, regarding Frodo with a new wonder in his
## [13408] eyes. 'Much that was strange about you I begin now to understand. Will you
## [13409] not tell me more? For it is a bitter thought that Boromir died, within sight
## [13410] of the land of his home.'
## [13411]
## [13412] 'No more can I say than I have said,' answered Frodo. 'Though your tale
## [13413] fills me with foreboding. A vision it was that you saw, I think, and no
## [13414] more, some shadow of evil fortune that has been or will be. Unless indeed it
## [13415] is some lying trick of the Enemy. I have seen the faces of fair warriors of
## [13416] old laid in sleep beneath the pools of the Dead Marshes, or seeming so by
## [13417] his foul arts.’
## [13418]
## [13419] 'Nay, it was not so,' said Faramir. 'For his works fill the heart with
## [13420] loathing; but my heart was filled with grief and pity.'
## [13421]
## [13422] 'Yet how could such a thing have happened in truth? ' asked Frodo. 'For
## [13423] no boat could have been carried over the stony hills from Tol Brandir; and
## [13424] Boromir purposed to go home across the Entwash and the fields of Rohan.
## [13425]
## [13426] And
## [13427]
## [13428] yet how could any vessel ride the foam of the great falls and not founder in
## [13429] the boiling pools, though laden with water? '
## [13430]
## [13431] 'I know not,' said Faramir. 'But whence came the boat? '
## [13432]
## [13433] 'From Lurien,' said Frodo. 'In three such boats we rowed down Anduin to
## [13434] the Falls. They also were of elven-work.'
## [13435]
## [13436] 'You passed through the Hidden Land,' said Faramir, 'but it seems that
## [13437]
## [13438]
## [13439]
## [13440]
## [13441] you little understood its power. If Men have dealings with the Mistress of
## [13442] Magic who dwells in the Golden Wood, then they may look for strange things
## [13443] to follow. For it is perilous for mortal man to walk out of the world of
## [13444] this Sun, and few of old came thence unchanged, 'tis said.
## [13445]
## [13446] ' Boromir , O Boromir!' he cried. "What did she say to you, the Lady that
## [13447] dies not? What did she see? What woke in your heart then? Why went you ever
## [13448] to Laurelindurenan, and came not by your own road, upon the horses of
## [13449] Rohan
## [13450]
## [13451] riding home in the morning?'
## [13452]
## [13453] Then turning again to Frodo, he spoke in a quiet voice once more. To
## [13454] those questions I guess that you could make some answer, Frodo son of Drogo.
## [13455] But not here or now. maybe. But lest you still should think my tale a
## [13456] vision, I will tell you this. The horn of Boromir at least returned in
## [13457] truth, and not in seeming. The horn came, but it was cloven in two, as it
## [13458] were by axe or sword. The shards came severally to shore: one was found
## [13459] among the reeds where watchers of Gondor lay, northwards below the infalls
## [13460] of the Entwash; the other was found spinning on the flood by one who had an
## [13461] errand in the water. Strange chances, but murder will out, 'tis said.
## [13462]
## [13463] 'And now the horn of the elder son lies in two pieces upon the lap of
## [13464] Denethor, sitting in his high chair, waiting for news. And you can tell me
## [13465] nothing of the cleaving of the horn? '
## [13466]
## [13467] 'No, I did not know of it,' said Frodo. 'But the day when you heard it
## [13468] blowing, if your reckoning is true, was the day when we parted, when I and
## [13469] my servant left the Company. And now your tale fills me with dread. For if
## [13470] Boromir was then in peril and was slain, I must fear that all my companions
## [13471] perished too. And they were my kindred and my friends.
## [13472]
## [13473] 'Will you not put aside your doubt of me and let me go? I am weary, and
## [13474] full of grief, and afraid. But I have a deed to do, or to attempt, before I
## [13475] too am slain. And the more need of haste, if we two halflings are all that
## [13476] remain of our fellowship.
## [13477]
## [13478] 'Go back, Faramir, valiant Captain of Gondor, and defend your city
## [13479] while you may, and let me go where my doom takes me.'
## [13480]
## [13481] 'For me there is no comfort in our speech together,' said Faramir; 'but
## [13482] you surely draw from it more dread than need be. Unless the people of Lurien
## [13483] themselves came to him, who arrayed Boromir as for a funeral? Not Ores or
## [13484] servants of the Nameless. Some of your Company, I guess, live still.
## [13485]
## [13486] 'But whatever befell on the North March, you, Frodo, I doubt no longer.
## [13487]
## [13488]
## [13489]
## [13490]
## [13491] If hard days have made me any judge of Men’s words and faces, then I may
## [13492] make a guess at Halflings! Though,’ and now he smiled, There is something
## [13493] strange about you, Frodo, an elvish air, maybe. But more lies upon our words
## [13494] together than I thought at first. I should now take you back to Minas Tirith
## [13495] to answer there to Denethor, and my life will justly be forfeit, if I now
## [13496] choose a course that proves ill for my city. So I will not decide in haste
## [13497] what is to be done. Yet we must move hence without more delay.'
## [13498]
## [13499] He sprang to his feet and issued some orders. At once the men who were
## [13500] gathered round him broke up into small groups, and went off this way and
## [13501] that, vanishing quickly into the shadows of the rocks and trees. Soon only
## [13502] Mablung and Damrod remained.
## [13503]
## [13504] 'Now you, Frodo and Samwise, will come with me and my guards,' said
## [13505] Faramir. v You cannot go along the road southwards, if that was your purpose.
## [13506] It will be unsafe for some days, and always more closely watched after this
## [13507] affray than it has been yet. And you cannot, I think, go far today in any
## [13508] case, for you are weary. And so are we. We are going now to a secret place
## [13509] we have, somewhat less than ten miles from here. The Ores and spies of the
## [13510] Enemy have not found it yet, and if they did, we could hold it long even
## [13511] against many. There we may lie up and rest for a while, and you with us. In
## [13512] the morning I will decide what is best for me to do, and for you.'
## [13513]
## [13514] There was nothing for Frodo to do but to fall in with this request, or
## [13515] order. It seemed in any case a wise course for the moment, since this foray
## [13516] of the men of Gondor had made a journey in Ithilien more dangerous than
## [13517] ever.
## [13518]
## [13519] They set out at once: Mablung and Damrod a little ahead, and Faramir
## [13520] with Frodo and Sam behind. Skirting the hither side of the pool where the
## [13521] hobbits had bathed, they crossed the stream, climbed a long bank, and passed
## [13522] into green-shadowed woodlands that marched ever downwards and
## [13523] westwards.
## [13524]
## [13525] While they walked, as swiftly as the hobbits could go, they talked in hushed
## [13526] voices.
## [13527]
## [13528] 'I broke off our speech together,' said Faramir, 'not only because time
## [13529] pressed, as Master Samwise had reminded me, but also because we were
## [13530] drawing
## [13531]
## [13532] near to matters that were better not debated openly before many men. It was
## [13533] for that reason that I turned rather to the matter of my brother and let be
## [13534] Isildur's Bane. You were not wholly frank with me, Frodo.'
## [13535]
## [13536]
## [13537]
## [13538]
## [13539] 'I told no lies, and of the truth all I could,' said Frodo.
## [13540]
## [13541] 'I do not blame you,' said Faramir. 'You spoke with skill in a hard
## [13542] place, and wisely, it seemed to me. But I learned or guessed more from you
## [13543] than your words said. You were not friendly with Boromir, or you did not
## [13544] part in friendship. You, and Master Samwise, too, I guess have some
## [13545] grievance. Now I loved him dearly, and would gladly avenge his death, yet I
## [13546] knew him well. Isildur's Bane — I would hazard that Isildur's Bane lay
## [13547] between you and was a cause of contention in your Company. Clearly it is a
## [13548] mighty heirloom of some sort, and such things do not breed peace among
## [13549] confederates, not if aught may be learned from ancient tales. Do I not hit
## [13550] near the mark?'
## [13551]
## [13552] 'Near,' said Frodo, 'but not in the gold. There was no contention in
## [13553] our Company, though there was doubt: doubt which way we should take from
## [13554] the
## [13555]
## [13556] Emyn Muil. But be that as it may, ancient tales teach us also the peril of
## [13557] rash words concerning such things as — heirlooms.'
## [13558]
## [13559] 'Ah, then it is as I thought: your trouble was with Boromir alone. Fie
## [13560] wished this thing brought to Minas Tirith. Alas! it is a crooked fate that
## [13561] seals your lips who saw him last, and holds from me that which I long to
## [13562] know: what was in his heart and thought in his latest hours. Whether he
## [13563] erred or no, of this I am sure: he died well, achieving some good thing. His
## [13564] face was more beautiful even than in life.
## [13565]
## [13566] 'But, Frodo, I pressed you hard at first about Isildur's Bane. Forgive
## [13567] me! It was unwise in such an hour and place. I had not had time for thought.
## [13568] We had had a hard fight, and there was more than enough to fill my mind. But
## [13569] even as I spoke with you, I drew nearer to the mark, and so deliberately
## [13570] shot wider. For you must know that much is still preserved of ancient lore
## [13571] among the Rulers of the city that is not spread abroad. We of my house are
## [13572] not of the line of Elendil. though the blood of N®menor is in us. For we
## [13573] reckon back our line to Mardil, the good steward, who ruled in the king's
## [13574] stead when he went away to war. And that was King Edrnur, last of the line
## [13575] of Anbrion, and childless, and he came never back. And the stewards have
## [13576] governed the city since that day, though it was many generations of Men ago.
## [13577]
## [13578] 'And this I remember of Boromir as a boy, when we together learned the
## [13579] tale of our sires and the history of our city, that always it displeased him
## [13580] that his father was not king. "How many hundreds of years needs it to make a
## [13581] steward a king, if the king returns not? " he asked. "Few years, maybe, in
## [13582]
## [13583]
## [13584]
## [13585]
## [13586] other places of less royalty," my father answered. "In Gondor ten thousand
## [13587] years would not suffice." Alas! poor Boromir. Does that not tell you
## [13588] something of him? '
## [13589]
## [13590] 'It does,' said Frodo. 'Yet always he treated Aragorn with honour.'
## [13591]
## [13592] 'I doubt it not,' said Faramir. 'If he were satisfied of Aragorn's
## [13593] claim as you say, he would greatly reverence him. But the pinch has not yet
## [13594] come. They had not yet reached Minas Tirith or become rivals in her wars.
## [13595]
## [13596] 'But I stray. We in the house of Denethor know much ancient lore by
## [13597] long tradition, and there are moreover in our treasuries many things
## [13598] preserved: books and tablets writ on withered parchments, yea, and on stone,
## [13599] and on leaves of silver and of gold, in divers characters. Some none can now
## [13600] read; and for the rest, few ever unlock them. I can read a little in them,
## [13601] for I have had teaching. It was these records that brought the Grey Pilgrim
## [13602] to us. I first saw him when I was a child, and he has been twice or thrice
## [13603] since then.’
## [13604]
## [13605] 'The Grey Pilgrim? ' said Frodo. 'Had he a name?'
## [13606]
## [13607] 'Mithrandir we called him in elf-fashion,' said Faramir, 'and he was
## [13608] content. Many are my names in many countries , he said. Mithrandir among the
## [13609] Elves, Tharkyn to the Dwarves; Olurin I was in my youth in the West that is
## [13610] forgotten, in the South Incbnus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go
## [13611] not.'
## [13612]
## [13613] 'Gandalf!' said Frodo. 'I thought it was he. Gandalf the Grey dearest
## [13614] of counsellors. Leader of our Company. He was lost in Moria.'
## [13615]
## [13616] 'Mithrandir was lost! ' said Faramir. 'An evil fate seems to have
## [13617] pursued your fellowship. It is hard indeed to believe that one of so great
## [13618] wisdom, and of power — for many wonderful things he did among us — could
## [13619] perish, and so much lore be taken from the world. Are you sure of this, and
## [13620] that he did not just leave you and depart where he would? '
## [13621]
## [13622] 'Alas! yes,' said Frodo. 'I saw him fall into the abyss.'
## [13623]
## [13624] 'I see that there is some great tale of dread in this.' said Faramir
## [13625] 'which perhaps you may tell me in the evening -time. This Mithrandir was, I
## [13626] now guess, more than a lore-master: a great mover of the deeds that are done
## [13627] in our time. Had he been among us to consult concerning the hard words of
## [13628] our dream, he could have made them clear to us without need of messenger.
## [13629] Yet, maybe, he would not have done so, and the journey of Boromir was
## [13630] doomed. Mithrandir never spoke to us of what was to be, nor did he reveal
## [13631] his purposes. He got leave of Denethor, how I do not know, to look at the
## [13632]
## [13633]
## [13634]
## [13635]
## [13636] secrets of our treasury, and I learned a little of him, when he would teach
## [13637] (and that was seldom). Ever he would search and would question us above all
## [13638] else concerning the Great Battle that was fought upon Dagorlad in the
## [13639] beginning of Gondor, when He whom we do not name was overthrown. And
## [13640] he was
## [13641]
## [13642] eager for stories of Isildur, though of him we had less to tell; for nothing
## [13643] certain was ever known among us of his end.'
## [13644]
## [13645] Now Faramir's voice sank to a whisper. 'But this much I learned or
## [13646] guessed, and I have kept it ever secret in my heart since: that Isildur took
## [13647] somewhat from the hand of the Unnamed, ere he went away from Gondor,
## [13648] never
## [13649]
## [13650] to be seen among mortal men again. Here I thought was the answer to
## [13651] Mithrandir's questioning. But it seemed then a matter that concerned only
## [13652] the seekers after ancient learning. Nor when the riddling words of our dream
## [13653] were debated among us, did I think of Isildur's Bane as being this same
## [13654] thing. For Isildur was ambushed and slain by ore-arrows, according to the
## [13655] only legend that we knew, and Mithrandir had never told me more.
## [13656]
## [13657] 'What in truth this Thing is I cannot yet guess; but some heirloom of
## [13658] power and peril it must be. A fell weapon, perchance, devised by the Dark
## [13659] Ford. If it were a thing that gave advantage in battle. I can well believe
## [13660] that Boromir, the proud and fearless, often rash, ever anxious for the
## [13661] victory of Minas Tirith (and his own glory therein), might desire such a
## [13662] thing and be allured by it. Alas that ever he went on that errand! I should
## [13663] have been chosen by my father and the elders but he put himself forward, as
## [13664] being the older and the hardier (both true), and he would not be stayed.
## [13665]
## [13666] 'But fear no more! I would not take this thing, if it layby the
## [13667] highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her,
## [13668] so, using the weapon of the Dark Ford for her good and my glory. No. I do
## [13669] not wish for such triumphs, Frodo son of Drogo.'
## [13670]
## [13671] 'Neither did the Council,' said Frodo. 'Nor do 1. 1 would have nothing
## [13672] to do with such matters.'
## [13673]
## [13674] 'For myself,’ said Faramir, ’I would see the White Tree in flower again
## [13675] in the courts of the kings, and the Silver Crown return, and Minas Tirith in
## [13676] peace: Minas Anor again as of old, full of light, high and fair, beautiful
## [13677] as a queen among other queens: not a mistress of many slaves, nay, not even
## [13678] a kind mistress of willing slaves. War must be, while we defend our lives
## [13679] against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword
## [13680]
## [13681]
## [13682]
## [13683]
## [13684] for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his
## [13685] glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of N®menor;
## [13686] and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and
## [13687] her present wisdom. Not feared, save as men may fear the dignity of a man,
## [13688] old and wise.
## [13689]
## [13690] 'So fear me not! I do not ask you to tell me more. I do not even ask
## [13691] you to tell me whether I now speak nearer the mark. But if you will trust
## [13692] me, it may be that I can advise you in your present quest, whatever that
## [13693] be-yes, and even aid you.'
## [13694]
## [13695] Frodo made no answer. Almost he yielded to the desire for help and
## [13696] counsel, to tell this grave young man, whose words seemed so wise and fair,
## [13697] all that was in his mind. But something held him back. His heart was heavy
## [13698] with fear and sorrow: if he and Sam were indeed, as seemed likely, all that
## [13699] was now left of the Nine Walkers, then he was in sole command of the secret
## [13700] of their errand. Better mistrust undeserved than rash words. And the memory
## [13701] of Boromir, of the dreadful change that the lure of the Ring had worked in
## [13702] him, was very present to his mind, when he looked at Faramir and listened to
## [13703] his voice: unlike they were, and yet also much akin.
## [13704]
## [13705] They walked on in silence for a while, passing like grey and green
## [13706] shadows under the old trees, their feet making no sound; above them many
## [13707] birds sang, and the sun glistened on the polished roof of dark leaves in the
## [13708] evergreen woods of Ithilien.
## [13709]
## [13710] Sam had taken no part in the conversation, though he had listened; and
## [13711] at the same time he had attended with his keen hobbit ears to all the soft
## [13712] woodland noises about them. One thing he had noted, that in all the talk the
## [13713] name of Gollum had not once come up. He was glad, though he felt that it was
## [13714] too much to hope that he would never hear it again. He soon became aware
## [13715] also that though they walked alone, there were many men close at hand: not
## [13716] only Damrod and Mablung flitting in and out of the shadows ahead, but others
## [13717] on either side, all making their swift secret way to some appointed place.
## [13718]
## [13719] Once, looking suddenly back, as if some prickle of the skin told him
## [13720] that he was watched from behind, he thought he caught a brief glimpse of a
## [13721] small dark shape slipping behind a tree-trunk. He opened his mouth to speak
## [13722] and shut it again. Tm not sure of it,' he said to himself, 'and why should
## [13723] I remind them of the old villain, if they choose to forget him? I wish I
## [13724] could!'
## [13725]
## [13726] So they passed on, until the woodlands grew thinner and the land began
## [13727]
## [13728]
## [13729]
## [13730]
## [13731] to fall more steeply. Then they turned aside again, to the right, and came
## [13732] quickly to a small river in a narrow gorge: it was the same stream that
## [13733] trickled far above out of the round pool, now grown to a swift torrent,
## [13734] leaping down over many stones in a deep-cloven bed, overhung with ilex and
## [13735] dark box- woods. Looking west they could see, below them in a haze of light,
## [13736] lowlands and broad meads, and glinting far off in the westering sun the wide
## [13737] waters of the Anduin.
## [13738]
## [13739] 'Here, alas! I must do you a discourtesy,' said Faramir. "I hope you
## [13740] will pardon it to one who has so far made his orders give way to courtesy as
## [13741] not to slay you or to bind you. But it is a command that no stranger, not
## [13742] even one of Rohan that fights with us, shall see the path we now go with
## [13743] open eyes. I must blindfold you.’
## [13744]
## [13745] 'As you will,' said Frodo. ’Even the Elves do likewise at need, and
## [13746] blindfolded we crossed the borders of fair Lothlurien. Gimli the dwarf took
## [13747] it ill, but the hobbits endured it.'
## [13748]
## [13749] 'It is to no place so fair that I shall lead you,' said Faramir. 'But I
## [13750] am glad that you will take this willingly and not by force.'
## [13751]
## [13752] He called softly and immediately Mablung and Damrod stepped out of the
## [13753] trees and came back to him. 'Blindfold these guests,' said Faramir.
## [13754] 'Securely, but not so as to discomfort them. Do not tie their hands. They
## [13755] will give their word not to try and see. I could trust them to shut their
## [13756] eyes of their own accord, but eyes will blink, if the feet stumble. Lead
## [13757] them so that they do not falter.'
## [13758]
## [13759] With green scarves the two guards now bound up the hobbits' eyes and
## [13760] drew their hoods down almost to their mouths; then quickly they took each
## [13761] one by the hand and went on their way. All that Frodo and Sam knew of this
## [13762] last mile of the road they learned from guessing in the dark. After a little
## [13763] they found that they were on a path descending steeply; soon it grew so
## [13764] narrow that they went in single file, brushing a stony wall on either side;
## [13765] their guards steered them from behind with hands laid firmly on their
## [13766] shoulders. Now and again they came to rough places and were lifted from
## [13767] their feet for a while, and then set down again. Always the noise of the
## [13768] running water was on their right hand, and it grew nearer and louder. At
## [13769] length they were halted. Quickly Mablung and Damrod turned them about,
## [13770] several times, and they lost all sense of direction. They climbed upwards a
## [13771] little: it seemed cold and the noise of the stream had become faint. Then
## [13772] they were picked up and carried down, down many steps, and round a corner.
## [13773]
## [13774]
## [13775]
## [13776]
## [13777] Suddenly they heard the water again, loud now, rushing and splashing. All
## [13778] round them it seemed, and they felt a fine rain on their hands and cheeks.
## [13779]
## [13780] At last they were set on their feet once more. For a moment they stood so,
## [13781] half fearful, blindfold, not knowing where they were; and no one spoke.
## [13782]
## [13783] Then came the voice of Faramir close behind. 'Let them see! ' he said.
## [13784]
## [13785] The scarves were removed and their hoods drawn back, and they blinked and
## [13786] gasped.
## [13787]
## [13788] They stood on a wet floor of polished stone, the doorstep, as it were,
## [13789] of a rough-hewn gate of rock opening dark behind them. But in front a thin
## [13790] veil of water was hung, so near that Frodo could have put an outstretched
## [13791] arm into it. It faced westward. The level shafts of the setting sun behind
## [13792] beat upon it, and the red light was broken into many flickering beams of
## [13793] ever-changing colour. It was as if they stood at the window of some
## [13794] elven-tower, curtained with threaded jewels of silver and gold, and ruby,
## [13795] sapphire and amethyst, all kindled with an unconsuming fire.
## [13796]
## [13797] 'At least by good chance we came at the right hour to reward you for
## [13798] your patience,' said Faramir. 'This is the Window of the Sunset, Henneth
## [13799] Annyn, fairest of all the falls of Ithilien, land of many fountains. Few
## [13800] strangers have ever seen it. But there is no kingly hall behind to match it.
## [13801]
## [13802] Enter now and see ! ’
## [13803]
## [13804] Even as he spoke the sun sank, and the fire faded in the flowing water.
## [13805]
## [13806] They turned and passed under the low forbidding arch. At once they found
## [13807] themselves in a rock-chamber, wide and rough, with an uneven stooping roof.
## [13808] A few torches were kindled and cast a dim light on the glistening walls.
## [13809] Many men were already there. Others were still coming in by twos and threes
## [13810] through a dark narrow door on one side. As their eyes grew accustomed to the
## [13811] gloom the hobbits saw that the cave was larger than they had guessed and was
## [13812] filled with great store of arms and victuals.
## [13813]
## [13814] 'Well, here is our refuge,' said Faramir. 'Not a place of great ease
## [13815] but here you may pass the night in peace. It is dry at least, and there is
## [13816] food, though no fire. At one time the water flowed down through this cave
## [13817] and out of the arch, but its course was changed further up the gorge, by
## [13818] workmen of old, and the stream sent down in a fall of doubled height over
## [13819] the rocks far above. All the ways into this grot were then sealed against
## [13820] the entry of water or aught else, all save one. There are now but two ways
## [13821] out: that passage yonder by which you entered blindfold, and through the
## [13822] Window-curtain into a deep bowl filled with knives of stone. Now rest a
## [13823]
## [13824]
## [13825]
## [13826]
## [13827] while, until the evening meal is set.'
## [13828]
## [13829] The hobbits were taken to a corner and given a low bed to lie on, if
## [13830] they wished. Meanwhile men busied themselves about the cave, quietly and in
## [13831] orderly quickness. Light tables were taken from the walls and set up on
## [13832] trestles and laden with gear. This was plain and unadorned for the most
## [13833] part, but all well and fairly, made: round platters, bowls and dishes of
## [13834] glazed brown clay or turned box-wood, smooth and clean. Here and there was a
## [13835] cup or basin of polished bronze; and a goblet of plain silver was set by the
## [13836] Captain’s seat in the middle of the inmost table.
## [13837]
## [13838] Faramir went about among the men, questioning each as he came in, in a
## [13839] soft voice. Some came back from the pursuit of the Southrons; others, left
## [13840] behind as scouts near the road, came in latest. All the Southrons had been
## [13841] accounted for, save only the great mymak: what happened to him none could
## [13842] say. Of the enemy no movement could be seen; not even an ore-spy was
## [13843] abroad.
## [13844]
## [13845] 'You saw and heard nothing, Anborn?' Faramir asked of the latest comer.
## [13846]
## [13847] 'Well, no, lord,’ said the man. 'No Ore at least. But I saw, or thought
## [13848] I saw, something a little strange. It was getting deep dusk, when the eyes
## [13849] make things greater than they should be. So perhaps it may have been no more
## [13850] than a squirrel.’ Sam pricked up his ears at this. ’Yet if so, it was a
## [13851] black squirrel, and I saw no tail. ’Twas like a shadow on the ground, and it
## [13852] whisked behind a tree-trunk when I drew nigh and went up aloft as swift as
## [13853] any squirrel could. You will not have us slay wild beasts for no purpose,
## [13854] and it seemed no more, so I tried no arrow. It was too dark for sure
## [13855] shooting anyway, and the creature was gone into the gloom of the leaves in a
## [13856] twinkling. But I stayed for a while, for it seemed strange, and then I
## [13857] hastened back. I thought I heard the thing hiss at me from high above as I
## [13858] turned away. A large squirrel, maybe. Perhaps under the shadow of the
## [13859] Unnamed some of the beasts of Mirkwood are wandering hither to our
## [13860] woods.
## [13861]
## [13862] They have black squirrels there, ’tis said.’
## [13863]
## [13864] 'Perhaps,' said Faramir. 'But that would be an ill omen, if it were so.
## [13865]
## [13866] We do not want the escapes of Mirkwood in Ithilien.’ Sam fancied that he
## [13867] gave a swift glance towards the hobbits as he spoke; but Sam said nothing.
## [13868]
## [13869] For a while he and Frodo lay back and watched the torchlight, and the men
## [13870] moving to and fro speaking in hushed voices. Then suddenly Frodo fell
## [13871] asleep.
## [13872]
## [13873]
## [13874]
## [13875]
## [13876] Sam struggled with himself, arguing this way and that. 'He may be all
## [13877] right,' he thought, ’and then he may not. Fair speech may hide a foul
## [13878] heart.' He yawned. V I could sleep for a week, and I'd be better for it. And
## [13879] what can I do, if I do keep awake, me all alone, and all these great Men
## [13880] about? Nothing, Sam Gamgee; but you've got to keep awake all the same.' And
## [13881] somehow he managed it. The light faded from the cave door, and the grey veil
## [13882] of falling water grew dim and was lost in gathering shadow. Always the sound
## [13883] of the water went on, never changing its note, morning or evening or night.
## [13884]
## [13885] It murmured and whispered of sleep. Sam stuck his knuckles in his eyes.
## [13886]
## [13887] Now more torches were being lit. A cask of wine was broached. Storage
## [13888] barrels were being opened. Men were fetching water from the fall. Some were
## [13889] laving their hands in basins. A wide copper bowl and a white cloth were
## [13890] brought to Faramir and he washed.
## [13891]
## [13892] 'Wake our guests,' he said, 'and take them water. It is time to eat.’
## [13893]
## [13894] Frodo sat up and yawned and stretched. Sam, not used to being waited
## [13895] on, looked with some surprise at the tall man who bowed, holding a basin of
## [13896] water before him.
## [13897]
## [13898] 'Put it on the ground, master, if you please! ' he said. 'Easier for me
## [13899] and you.' Then to the astonishment and amusement of the Men he plunged his
## [13900] head into the cold water and splashed his neck and ears.
## [13901]
## [13902] 'Is it the custom in your land to wash the head before supper? ' said
## [13903] the man who waited on the hobbits.
## [13904]
## [13905] 'No, before breakfast,' said Sam. 'But if you're short of sleep cold
## [13906] water on the neck's like rain on a wilted lettuce. There! Now I can keep
## [13907] awake long enough to eat a bit.'
## [13908]
## [13909] They were led then to seats beside Faramir: barrels covered with pelts
## [13910] and high enough above the benches of the Men for their convenience. Before
## [13911] they ate, Faramir and all his men turned and faced west in a moment of
## [13912] silence. Faramir signed to Frodo and Sam that they should do likewise.
## [13913]
## [13914] 'So we always do.' he said, as they sat down: 'we look towards N®menor
## [13915] that was, and beyond to Elvenhome that is, and to that which is beyond
## [13916] Elvenhome and will ever be. Have you no such custom at meat? ’
## [13917]
## [13918] 'No,' said Frodo, feeling strangely rustic and untutored. 'But if we
## [13919] are guests, we bow to our host, and after we have eaten we rise and thank
## [13920] him.'
## [13921]
## [13922] 'That we do also,' said Faramir.
## [13923]
## [13924] After so long journeying and camping, and days spent XJn the lonely
## [13925]
## [13926]
## [13927]
## [13928]
## [13929] wild, the evening meal seemed a feast to the hobbits: to drink pale yellow
## [13930] wine, cool and fragrant, and eat bread and butter, and salted meats, and
## [13931] dried fruits, and good red cheese, with clean hands and clean knives and
## [13932] plates. Neither Frodo nor Sam refused anything that was offered, nor a
## [13933] second, nor indeed a third helping. The wine coursed in their veins and
## [13934] tired limbs, and they felt glad and easy of heart as they had not done since
## [13935] they left the land of Lurien.
## [13936]
## [13937] When all was done Faramir led them to a recess at the back of the cave,
## [13938] partly screened by curtains; and a chair and two stools were brought there.
## [13939]
## [13940] A little earthenware lamp burned in a niche.
## [13941]
## [13942] 'You may soon desire to sleep,' he said, ’and especially good Samwise,
## [13943] who would not close his eyes before he ate — whether for fear of blunting
## [13944] the edge of a noble hunger, or for fear of me, I do not know. But it is not
## [13945] good to sleep too soon after meat, and that following a fast. Let us talk a
## [13946] while. On your journey from Rivendell there must have been many things to
## [13947] tell. And you, too, would perhaps wish to learn something of us and the
## [13948] lands where you now are. Tell me of Boromir my brother, and of old
## [13949] Mithrandir, and of the fair people of Lothlurien.'
## [13950]
## [13951] Frodo no longer felt sleepy and he was willing to talk. But though the
## [13952] food and wine had put him at his ease, he had not lost all his caution. Sam
## [13953] was beaming and humming to himself, but when Frodo spoke he was at first
## [13954] content to listen, only occasionally venturing to make an exclamation of
## [13955] agreement.
## [13956]
## [13957] Frodo told many tales, yet always he steered the matter away from the
## [13958] quest of the Company and from the Ring, enlarging rather on the valiant part
## [13959] Boromir had played in all their adventures, with the wolves of the wild, in
## [13960] the snows under Caradhras, and in the mines of Moria where Gandalf fell.
## [13961] Faramir was most moved by the story of the fight on the bridge.
## [13962]
## [13963] 'It must have irked Boromir to run from Ores,’ he said, 'or even from
## [13964] the fell thing you name, the Balrog — even though he was the last to
## [13965] leave.'
## [13966]
## [13967] 'Fie was the last,' said Frodo, 'but Aragorn was forced to lead us. Fie
## [13968] alone knew the way after Gandalf s fall. But had there not been us lesser
## [13969] folk to care for, I do not think that either he or Boromir would have fled.'
## [13970]
## [13971] 'Maybe, it would have been better had Boromir fallen there with
## [13972] Mithrandir,' said Faramir, 'and not gone on to the fate that waited above
## [13973] the falls of Rauros.'
## [13974]
## [13975]
## [13976]
## [13977]
## [13978] 'Maybe. But tell me now of your own fortunes,' said Frodo, turning the
## [13979] matter aside once again. 'For I would learn more of Minas Ithil and
## [13980] Osgiliath, and Minas Tirith the long-enduring. What hope have you for that
## [13981] city in your long war? '
## [13982]
## [13983] 'What hope have we? ' said Faramir. 'It is long since we had any hope.
## [13984]
## [13985] The sword of Elendil, if it returns indeed, may rekindle it, but I do not
## [13986] think that it will do more than put off the evil day, unless other help
## [13987] unlooked-for also comes, from Elves or Men. For the Enemy increases and we
## [13988] decrease. We are a failing people, a springless autumn.
## [13989]
## [13990] 'The Men of N®menor were settled far and wide on the shores and seaward
## [13991] regions of the Great Lands, but for the most part they fell into evils and
## [13992] follies. Many became enamoured of the Darkness and the black arts; some
## [13993] were
## [13994]
## [13995] given over wholly to idleness and ease, and some fought among themselves,
## [13996] until they were conquered in their weakness by the wild men.
## [13997]
## [13998] 'It is not said that evil arts were ever practised in Gondor, or that
## [13999] the Nameless One was ever named in honour there; and the old wisdom and
## [14000] beauty brought out of the West remained long in the realm of the sons of
## [14001] Elendil the Fair, and they linger there still. Yet even so it was Gondor
## [14002] that brought about its own decay, falling by degrees into dotage, and
## [14003] thinking that the Enemy was asleep, who was only banished not destroyed.
## [14004]
## [14005] 'Death was ever present, because the N®menoreans still, as they had in
## [14006] their old kingdom, and so lost it, hungered after endless life unchanging.
## [14007]
## [14008] Kings made tombs more splendid than houses of the living, and counted old
## [14009] names in the rolls of their descent dearer than the names of sons. Childless
## [14010] lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry; in secret chambers withered men
## [14011] compounded strong elixirs, or in high cold towers asked questions of the
## [14012] stars. And the last king of the line of Anbrion had no heir.
## [14013]
## [14014] 'But the stewards were wiser and more fortunate. Wiser, for they
## [14015] recruited the strength of our people from the sturdy folk of the sea -coast,
## [14016] and from the hardy mountaineers of Ered Nimrais. And they made a truce with
## [14017] the proud peoples of the North, who often had assailed us, men of fierce
## [14018] valour, but our kin from afar off, unlike the wild Easterlings or the cruel
## [14019] Haradrim.
## [14020]
## [14021] 'So it came to pass in the days of Cirion the Twelfth Steward (and my
## [14022] father is the sit and twentieth) that they rode to our aid and at the great
## [14023] Field of Celebrant they destroyed our enemies that had seized our northern
## [14024]
## [14025]
## [14026]
## [14027]
## [14028] provinces. These are the Rohirrim, as we name them, masters of horses, and
## [14029] we ceded to them the fields of Calenardhon that are since called Rohan; for
## [14030] that province had long been sparsely peopled. And they became our allies,
## [14031] and have ever proved true to us, aiding us at need, and guarding our
## [14032] northern marches and the Gap of Rohan.
## [14033]
## [14034] 'Of our lore and manners they have learned what they would, and their
## [14035] lords speak our speech at need; yet for the most part they hold by the ways
## [14036] of their own fathers and to their own memories, and they speak among
## [14037] themselves their own North tongue. And we love them: tall men and fair
## [14038] women, valiant both alike, golden-haired, bright-eyed, and strong; they
## [14039] remind us of the youth of Men, as they were in the Elder Days. Indeed it is
## [14040] said by our lore-masters that they have from of old this affinity with us
## [14041] that they are come from those same Three Houses of Men as were the
## [14042] N®menoreans in their beginning not from Hador the Goldenhaired, the
## [14043] Elf-friend, maybe, yet from such of his sons and people as went not over Sea
## [14044] into the West, refusing the call.
## [14045]
## [14046] 'For so we reckon Men in our lore, calling them the High, or Men of the
## [14047] West, which were N®menoreans; and the Middle Peoples, Men of the
## [14048] Twilight,
## [14049]
## [14050] such as are the Rohirrim and their kin that dwell still far in the North;
## [14051] and the Wild, the Men of Darkness.
## [14052]
## [14053] 'Yet now, if the Rohirrim are grown in some ways more like to us,
## [14054] enhanced in arts and gentleness, we too have become more like to them, and
## [14055] can scarce claim any longer the title High. We are become Middle Men, of the
## [14056] Twilight, but with memory of other things. For as the Rohirrim do, we now
## [14057] love war and valour as things good in themselves, both a sport and an end;
## [14058] and though we still hold that a warrior should have more skills and
## [14059] knowledge than only the craft of weapons and slaying, we esteem a warrior,
## [14060] nonetheless, above men of other crafts. Such is the need of our days. So
## [14061] even was my brother, Boromir: a man of prowess, and for that he was
## [14062] accounted the best man in Gondor. And very valiant indeed he was: no heir of
## [14063] Minas Tirith has for long years been so hardy in toil, so onward into
## [14064] battle, or blown a mightier note on the Great Horn.' Faramir sighed and fell
## [14065] silent for a while.
## [14066]
## [14067] 'You don't say much in all your tales about the Elves, sir,' said Sam,
## [14068] suddenly plucking up courage. He had noted that Faramir seemed to refer to
## [14069] Elves with reverence, and this even more than his courtesy, and his food and
## [14070]
## [14071]
## [14072]
## [14073]
## [14074] wine, had won Sam's respect and quieted his suspicions.
## [14075]
## [14076] 'No indeed, Master Samwise,' said Faramir, 'for I am not learned in
## [14077] Elven-lore. But there you touch upon another point in which we have changed,
## [14078] declining from N®menor to Middle-earth. For as you may know, if
## [14079] Mithrandir
## [14080]
## [14081] was your companion and you have spoken with Elrond, the Edain, the Fathers
## [14082] of the N®menoreans, fought beside the Elves in the first wars, and were
## [14083] rewarded by the gift of the kingdom in the midst of the Sea, within sight of
## [14084] Elvenhome. But in Middle-earth Men and Elves became estranged in the days
## [14085] of
## [14086]
## [14087] darkness, by the arts of the Enemy, and by the slow changes of time in which
## [14088] each kind walked further down their sundered roads. Men now fear and
## [14089] misdoubt the Elves, and yet know little of them. And we of Gondor grow like
## [14090] other Men, like the men of Rohan; for even they, who are the foes of the
## [14091] Dark Lord, shun the Elves and speak of the Golden Wood with dread.
## [14092]
## [14093] 'Yet there are among us still some who have dealings with the Elves
## [14094] when they may, and ever and anon one will go in secret to Lurien, seldom to
## [14095] return. Not I. For I deem it perilous now for mortal man wilfully to seek
## [14096] out the Elder People. Yet I envy you that have spoken with the White Lady.’
## [14097]
## [14098] 'The Lady of Lurien! Galadriel!' cried Sam. 'You should see her indeed
## [14099] you should, sir. I am only a hobbit, and gardening's my job at home, sir, if
## [14100] you understand me, and I'm not much good at poetry — not at making it: a
## [14101] bit of a comic rhyme, perhaps, now and again, you know, but not real poetry
## [14102] — so I can't tell you what I mean. It ought to be sung. You'd have to get
## [14103] Strider, Aragorn that is, or old Mr. Bilbo, for that. But I wish I could
## [14104] make a song about her. Beautiful she is, sir! Lovely! Sometimes like a great
## [14105] tree in flower, sometimes like a white daffadowndilly, small and slender
## [14106] like. Hard as di'monds, soft as moonlight. Warm as sunlight, cold as frost
## [14107] in the stars. Proud and far-off as a snow -mountain, and as merry as any lass
## [14108] I ever saw with daisies in her hair in springtime. But that's a lot o'
## [14109] nonsense, and all wide of my mark.'
## [14110]
## [14111] 'Then she must be lovely indeed,' said Faramir. 'Perilously fair.'
## [14112]
## [14113] 'I don't know about perilous ,' said Sam. 'It strikes me that folk takes
## [14114] their peril with them into Lurien, and finds it there because they've
## [14115] brought it. But perhaps you could call her perilous, because she's so strong
## [14116] in herself. You, you could dash yourself to pieces on her, like a ship on a
## [14117] rock; or drownd yourself, like a hobbit in a river. But neither rock nor
## [14118]
## [14119]
## [14120]
## [14121]
## [14122] river would be to blame. Now Boro — ' He stopped and went red in the face.
## [14123]
## [14124] 'Yes? Now Boromir you would say? ' said Faramir. 'What would you say?
## [14125] He took his peril with him? ’
## [14126]
## [14127] 'Yes sir, begging your pardon, and a fine man as your brother was if I
## [14128] may say so. But you've been warm on the scent all along. Now I watched
## [14129] Boromir and listened to him, from Rivendell all down the road — looking
## [14130] after my master, as you'll understand, and not meaning any harm to Boromir
## [14131] — and it's my opinion that in Lurien he first saw clearly what I guessed
## [14132] sooner: what he wanted. From the moment he first saw it he wanted the
## [14133] Enemy's Ring! '
## [14134]
## [14135] 'Sam! ' cried Frodo aghast. He had fallen deep into his own thoughts
## [14136] for a while, and came out of them suddenly and too late.
## [14137]
## [14138] 'Save me! ' said Sam turning white, and then flushing scarlet. 'There I
## [14139] go again! When ever you open your big mouth you put your foot in it the
## [14140] Gaffer used to say to me, and right enough. O dear, O dear!
## [14141]
## [14142] 'Now look here, sir! ' He turned, facing up to Faramir with all the
## [14143] courage that he could muster. 'Don't you go taking advantage of my master
## [14144] because his servant's no better than a fool. You've spoken very handsome all
## [14145] along, put me off my guard, talking of Elves and all. But handsome is as
## [14146] handsome does we say. Now's a chance to show your quality.'
## [14147]
## [14148] 'So it seems,' said Faramir, slowly and very softly, with a strange
## [14149] smile. 'So that is the answer to all the riddles! The One Ring that was
## [14150] thought to have perished from the world. And Boromir tried to take it by
## [14151] force? And you escaped? And ran all the way — to me! And here in the wild I
## [14152] have you: two halflings, and a host of men at my call, and the Ring of
## [14153] Rings. A pretty stroke of fortune! A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor,
## [14154] to show his quality! Ha!’ He stood up, very tall and stern, his grey eyes
## [14155] glinting.
## [14156]
## [14157] Frodo and Sam sprang from their stools and set themselves side by side
## [14158] with their backs to the wall, fumbling for their sword-hilts. There was a
## [14159] silence. All the men in the cave stopped talking and looked towards them in
## [14160] wonder. But Faramir sat down again in his chair and began to laugh quietly,
## [14161] and then suddenly became grave again.
## [14162]
## [14163] 'Alas for Boromir! It was too sore a trial! ' he said. 'How you have
## [14164] increased my sorrow, you two strange wanderers from a far country, bearing
## [14165] the peril of Men! But you are less judges of Men than I of Halflings. We are
## [14166] truth-speakers, we men of Gondor. We boast seldom, and then perform, or die
## [14167]
## [14168]
## [14169]
## [14170]
## [14171] in the attempt. Not if I found it on the highway would I take it I said.
## [14172]
## [14173] Even if I were such a man as to desire this thing, and even though I knew
## [14174] not clearly what this thing was when I spoke, still I should take those
## [14175] words as a vow, and be held by them.
## [14176]
## [14177] 'But I am not such a man. Or I am wise enough to know that there are
## [14178] some perils from which a man must flee. Sit at peace! And be comforted,
## [14179] Samwise. If you seem to have stumbled, think that it was fated to be so.
## [14180]
## [14181] Your heart is shrewd as well as faithful, and saw clearer than your eyes.
## [14182]
## [14183] For strange though it may seem, it was safe to declare this to me. It may
## [14184] even help the master that you love. It shall turn to his good, if it is in
## [14185] my power. So be comforted. But do not even name this thing again aloud. Once
## [14186] is enough.'
## [14187]
## [14188] The hobbits came back to their seats and sat very quiet. Men turned
## [14189] back to their drink and their talk, perceiving that their captain had had
## [14190] some jest or other with the little guests, and that it was over.
## [14191]
## [14192] 'Well, Frodo, now at last we understand one another,' said Faramir. 'If
## [14193] you took this thing on yourself, unwilling, at others' asking, then you have
## [14194] pity and honour from me. And I marvel at you: to keep it hid and not to use
## [14195] it. You are a new people and a new world to me. Are all your kin of like
## [14196] sort? Your land must be a realm of peace and content, and there must
## [14197] gardeners be in high honour.'
## [14198]
## [14199] 'Not all is well there,' said Frodo, 'but certainly gardeners are
## [14200] honoured.'
## [14201]
## [14202] 'But folk must grow weary there, even in their gardens, as do all
## [14203] things under the Sun of this world. And you are far from home and wayworn.
## [14204] No more tonight. Sleep, both of you — in peace, if you can. Fear not! I do
## [14205] not wish to see it, or touch it, or know more of it than I know (which is
## [14206] enough), lest peril perchance waylay me and I fall lower in the test than
## [14207] Frodo son of Drogo. Go now to rest — but first tell me only, if you will,
## [14208] whither you wish to go, and what to do. For I must watch, and wait, and
## [14209] think. Time passes. In the morning we must each go swiftly on the ways
## [14210] appointed to us.’
## [14211]
## [14212] Frodo had felt himself trembling as the first shock of fear passed. Now
## [14213] a great weariness came down on him like a cloud. He could dissemble and
## [14214] resist no longer.
## [14215]
## [14216] ’I was going to find a way into Mordor,' he said faintly. 'I was going
## [14217] to Gorgoroth. I must find the Mountain of Fire and cast the thing into the
## [14218]
## [14219]
## [14220]
## [14221]
## [14222] gulf of Doom. Gandalf said so. I do not think I shall ever get there.'
## [14223]
## [14224] Faramir stared at him for a moment in grave astonishment. Then suddenly
## [14225] he caught him as he swayed, and lifting him gently, carried him to the bed
## [14226] and laid him there, and covered him warmly. At once he fell into a deep
## [14227] sleep.
## [14228]
## [14229] Another bed was set beside him for his servant. Sam hesitated for a
## [14230] moment, then bowing very low: 'Good night, Captain, my lord,' he said. 'You
## [14231] took the chance, sir.'
## [14232]
## [14233] 'Did I so?’ said Faramir.
## [14234]
## [14235] 'Yes sir, and showed your quality: the very highest.'
## [14236]
## [14237] Faramir smiled. 'A pert servant, Master Samwise. But nay: the praise of
## [14238] the praiseworthy is above all rewards. Yet there was naught in this to
## [14239] praise. I had no lure or desire to do other than I have done.'
## [14240]
## [14241] 'Ah well, sir,' said Sam, 'you said my master had an elvish air and
## [14242] that was good and true. But I can say this: you have an air too, sir, that
## [14243] reminds me of, of — well, Gandalf, of wizards.
## [14244]
## [14245] 'Maybe,' said Faramir. 'Maybe you discern from far away the air of
## [14246] N®menor. Good night!’
## [14247]
## [14248]
## [14249]
## [14250]
## [14251] Chapter 6 . The Forbidden Pool
## [14252]
## [14253]
## [14254]
## [14255] Frodo woke to find Faramir bending over him. For a second old fears
## [14256] seized him and he sat up and shrank away.
## [14257]
## [14258] 'There is nothing to fear,' said Faramir.
## [14259]
## [14260] 'Is it morning already? ' said Frodo yawning.
## [14261]
## [14262] 'Not yet, but night is drawing to an end, and the full moon is setting.
## [14263]
## [14264] Will you come and see it? Also there is a matter on which I desire your
## [14265] counsel. I am sorry to rouse you from sleep, but will you come? ’
## [14266]
## [14267] 'I will,' said Frodo, rising and shivering a little as he left the warm
## [14268] blanket and pelts. It seemed cold in the fireless cave. The noise of the
## [14269] water was loud in the stillness. He put on his cloak and followed Faramir.
## [14270]
## [14271] Sam, waking suddenly by some instinct of watchfulness, saw first his
## [14272] master’s empty bed and leapt to his feet. Then he saw two dark figures,
## [14273] Frodo and a man, framed against the archway, which was now filled with
## [14274] pale white light. He hurried after them, past rows of men sleeping on
## [14275] mattresses along the wall. As he went by the cave-mouth he saw that the
## [14276] Curtain was now become a dazzling veil of silk and pearls and silver thread:
## [14277] melting icicles of moonlight. But he did not pause to admire it, and turning
## [14278] aside he followed his master through the narrow doorway in the wall of the
## [14279] cave.
## [14280]
## [14281] They went first along a black passage, then up many wet steps, and so
## [14282] came to a small flat landing cut in the stone and lit by the pale sky,
## [14283] gleaming high above through a long deep shaft. From here two flights of
## [14284] steps led: one going on, as it seemed, up on to the high bank of the stream;
## [14285] the other turning away to the left. This they followed. It wound its way up
## [14286] like a turret- stair.
## [14287]
## [14288] At last they came out of the stony darkness and looked about. They were
## [14289] on a wide flat rock without rail or parapet. At their right, eastwards, the
## [14290] torrent fell, splashing over many terraces, and then, pouring down a steep
## [14291] race, it filled a smooth-hewn channel with a dark force of water flecked
## [14292] with foam, and curling and rushing almost at their feet it plunged sheer
## [14293] over the edge that yawned upon their left. A man stood there, near the
## [14294] brink, silent, gazing down.
## [14295]
## [14296] Frodo turned to watch the sleek necks of the water as they curved and
## [14297]
## [14298]
## [14299]
## [14300]
## [14301] dived. Then he lifted his eyes and gazed far away. The world was quiet and
## [14302] cold, as if dawn were near. Far off in the West the full moon was sinking,
## [14303] round and white. Pale mists shimmered in the great vale below: a wide gulf
## [14304] of silver fume, beneath which rolled the cool night-waters of the Anduin. A
## [14305] black darkness loomed beyond, and in it glinted, here and there, cold,
## [14306] sharp, remote, white as the teeth of ghosts, the peaks of Ered Nimrais, the
## [14307] White Mountains of the Realm of Gondor, tipped with everlasting snow.
## [14308]
## [14309] For a while Frodo stood there on the high stone, and a shiver ran
## [14310] through him, wondering if anywhere in the vastness of the night -lands his
## [14311] old companions walked or slept, or lay dead shrouded in mist. Why was he
## [14312] brought here out of forgetful sleep?
## [14313]
## [14314] Sam was eager for an answer to the same question and could not refrain
## [14315] himself from muttering, for his master's ear alone as he thought: ’It's a
## [14316] fine view, no doubt, Mr. Frodo, but chilly to the heart, not to mention the
## [14317] bones ! What's going on? ’
## [14318]
## [14319] Faramir heard and answered. 'Moonset over Gondor. Fair Ithil as he goes
## [14320] from Middle-earth, glances upon the white locks of old Mindolluin. It is
## [14321] worth a few shivers. But that is not what I brought you to see-though as for
## [14322] you, Samwise, you were not brought, and do but pay the penalty of your
## [14323] watchfulness. A draught of wine shall amend it. Come, look now! '
## [14324]
## [14325] Fie stepped up beside the silent sentinel on the dark edge, and Frodo
## [14326] followed. Sam hung back. He already felt insecure enough on this high wet
## [14327] platform. Faramir and Frodo looked down. Far below them they saw the white
## [14328] waters pour into a foaming bowl, and then swirl darkly about a deep oval
## [14329] basin in the rocks, until they found their way out again through a narrow
## [14330] gate, and flowed away, fuming and chattering, into calmer and more level
## [14331] reaches. The moonlight still slanted down to the fall's foot and gleamed on
## [14332] the ripples of the basin. Presently Frodo was aware of a small dark thing on
## [14333] the near bank, but even as he looked at it, it dived and vanished just
## [14334] beyond the boil and bubble of the fall, cleaving the black water as neatly
## [14335] as an arrow or an edgewise stone.
## [14336]
## [14337] Faramir turned to the man at his side. 'Now what would you say that it
## [14338] is, Anborn? A squirrel, or a kingfisher? Are there black kingfishers in the
## [14339] night-pools of Mirkwood? '
## [14340]
## [14341] v 'Tis not a bird, whatever else it be,' answered Anborn. 'It has four
## [14342] limbs and dives manwise; a pretty mastery of the craft it shows, too. What
## [14343] is it at? Seeking a way up behind the Curtain to our hidings? It seems we
## [14344]
## [14345]
## [14346]
## [14347]
## [14348] are discovered at last. I have my bow here, and I have posted other archers,
## [14349] nigh as good marksmen as myself, on either bank. We wait only for your
## [14350] command to shoot, Captain.'
## [14351]
## [14352] 'Shall we shoot? ' said Faramir, turning quickly to Frodo.
## [14353]
## [14354] Frodo did not answer for a moment. Then 'No! ’ he said. 'No! I beg you
## [14355] not to.’ If Sam had dared, he would have said 'Yes,' quicker and louder. He
## [14356] could not see, but he guessed well enough from their words what they were
## [14357] looking at.
## [14358]
## [14359] 'You know, then, what this thing is? ' said Faramir. 'Come, now you
## [14360] have seen, tell me why it should be spared. In all our words together you
## [14361] have not once spoken of your gangrel companion, and I let him be for the
## [14362] time. He could wait till he was caught and brought before me. I sent my
## [14363] keenest huntsmen to seek him, but he slipped them, and they had no sight of
## [14364] him till now, save Anborn here, once at dusk y esterevening. But now he has
## [14365] done worse trespass than only to go coney-snaring in the uplands: he has
## [14366] dared to come to Henneth Annyn, and his life is forfeit. I marvel at the
## [14367] creature: so secret and so sly as he is, to come sporting in the pool before
## [14368] our very window. Does he think that men sleep without watch all night? Why
## [14369] does he so?’
## [14370]
## [14371] 'There are two answers, I think,' said Frodo. 'For one thing, he knows
## [14372] little of Men, and sly though he is, your refuge is so hidden that perhaps
## [14373] he does not know that Men are concealed here. For another, I think he is
## [14374] allured here by a mastering desire, stronger than his caution.'
## [14375]
## [14376] 'He is lured here, you say? ' said Faramir in a low voice. 'Can he,
## [14377] does he then know of your burden? ’
## [14378]
## [14379] 'Indeed yes. He bore it himself for many years.’
## [14380]
## [14381] 'He bore it? ' said Faramir, breathing sharply in his wonder. 'This
## [14382] matter winds itself ever in new riddles. Then he is pursuing it? ’
## [14383]
## [14384] 'Maybe. It is precious to him. But I did not speak of that.'
## [14385]
## [14386] 'What then does the creature seek? '
## [14387]
## [14388] 'Fish,' said Frodo. 'Look! ’
## [14389]
## [14390] They peered down at the dark pool. A little black head appeared at the
## [14391] far end of the basin, just out of the deep shadow of the rocks. There was a
## [14392] brief silver glint, and a swirl of tiny ripples. It swam to the side, and
## [14393] then with marvellous agility a froglike figure climbed out of the water and
## [14394] up the bank. At once it sat down and began to gnaw at the small silver thing
## [14395] that glittered as it turned: the last rays of the moon were now falling
## [14396]
## [14397]
## [14398]
## [14399]
## [14400] behind the stony wall at the pool's end.
## [14401]
## [14402] Faramir laughed softly. 'Fish! ' he said. 'It is a less perilous
## [14403] hunger. Or maybe not: fish from the pool of Henneth Annyn may cost him all
## [14404] he has to give.’
## [14405]
## [14406] 'Now I have him at the arrow-point,' said Anborn. 'Shall I not shoot,
## [14407] Captain? For coming unbidden to this place death is our law.'
## [14408]
## [14409] 'Wait, Anborn,' said Faramir. 'This is a harder matter than it seems.
## [14410]
## [14411] What have you to say now, Frodo? Why should we spare? ’
## [14412]
## [14413] 'The creature is wretched and hungry,’ said Frodo, 'and unaware of his
## [14414] danger. And Gandalf, your Mithrandir, he would have bidden you not to slay
## [14415] him for that reason, and for others. He forbade the Elves to do so. I do not
## [14416] know clearly why, and of what I guess I cannot speak openly out here. But
## [14417] this creature is in some way bound up with my errand. Until you found us and
## [14418] took us, he was my guide.'
## [14419]
## [14420] 'Your guide! ' said Faramir. 'The matter becomes ever stranger. I would
## [14421] do much for you, Frodo, but this I cannot grant: to let this sly wanderer go
## [14422] free at his own will from here, to join you later if it please him, or to be
## [14423] caught by Ores and tell all he knows under threat of pain. He must be slain
## [14424] or taken. Slain, if he be not taken very swiftly. But how can this slippery
## [14425] thing of many guises be caught, save by a feathered shaft? ’
## [14426]
## [14427] 'Let me go down quietly to him,’ said Frodo. 'You may keep your bows
## [14428] bent, and shoot me at least, if I fail. I shall not run away.’
## [14429]
## [14430] 'Go then and be swift! ’ said Faramir. 'If he comes off alive, he
## [14431] should be your faithful servant for the rest of his unhappy days. Lead Frodo
## [14432] down to the bank, Anborn, and go softly. The thing has a nose and ears. Give
## [14433] me your bow.'
## [14434]
## [14435] Anborn grunted and led the way down the winding stair to the landing,
## [14436] and then up the other stair, until at last they came to a narrow opening
## [14437] shrouded with thick bushes. Passing silently through, Frodo found himself on
## [14438] the top of the southern bank above the pool. It was now dark and the falls
## [14439] were pale and grey, reflecting only the lingering moonlight of the western
## [14440] sky. He could not see Gollum. He went forward a short way and Anborn
## [14441] came
## [14442]
## [14443] softly behind him.
## [14444]
## [14445] 'Goon! ' he breathed in Frodo's ear. 'Have a care to your right. If
## [14446] you fall in the pool, then no one but your fishing friend can help you. And
## [14447] forget not that there are bowmen near at hand, though you may not see them.’
## [14448]
## [14449]
## [14450]
## [14451]
## [14452] Frodo crept forward, using his hands Gollum-like to feel his way and to
## [14453] steady himself. The rocks were for the most part flat and smooth but
## [14454] slippery. He halted listening. At first he could hear no sound but the
## [14455] unceasing rush of the fall behind him. Then presently he heard, not far
## [14456] ahead, a hissing murmur.
## [14457]
## [14458] ’Fissh, nice fissh. White Face has vanished, my precious, at last, yes.
## [14459]
## [14460] Now we can eat fish in peace. No, not in peace, precious. For Precious is
## [14461] lost; yes, lost. Dirty hobbits, nasty hobbits. Gone and left us, gollum; and
## [14462] Precious is gone. Only poor Smjagol all alone. No Precious. Nasty Men,
## [14463] they'll take it, steal my Precious. Thieves. We hates them. Fissh, nice
## [14464] fissh: Makes us strong. Makes eyes bright, fingers tight, yes. Throttle
## [14465] them, precious. Throttle them all, yes, if we gets chances. Nice fissh. Nice
## [14466] fissh! '
## [14467]
## [14468] So it went on, almost as unceasing as the waterfall, only interrupted
## [14469] by a faint noise of slavering and gurgling. Frodo shivered, listening with
## [14470] pity and disgust. He wished it would stop, and that he never need hear that
## [14471] voice again. Anborn was not far behind. He could creep back and ask him to
## [14472] get the huntsmen to shoot. They would probably get close enough, while
## [14473] Gollum was gorging and off his guard. Only one true shot, and Frodo would be
## [14474] rid of the miserable voice for ever. But no, Gollum had a claim on him now.
## [14475] The servant has a claim on the master for service, even service in fear.
## [14476]
## [14477] They would have foundered in the Dead Marshes but for Gollum. Frodo
## [14478] knew,
## [14479]
## [14480] too, somehow, quite clearly that Gandalf would not have wished it.
## [14481]
## [14482] 'Smjagol! ' he said softly.
## [14483]
## [14484] 'Fissh, nice fissh,’ said the voice.
## [14485]
## [14486] 'Smjagol! ’ he said, a little louder. The voice stopped.
## [14487]
## [14488] 'Smjagol, Master has come to look for you. Master is here. Come,
## [14489] Smjagol! ' There was no answer but a soft hiss, as of intaken breath.
## [14490]
## [14491] 'Come, Smjagol! ' said Frodo. 'We are in danger. Men will kill you, if
## [14492] they find you here. Come quickly, if you wish to escape death. Come to
## [14493] Master!'
## [14494]
## [14495] 'No!' said the voice. 'Not nice Master. Leaves poor Smjagol and goes
## [14496] with new friends. Master can wait. Smjagol hasn't finished.'
## [14497]
## [14498] 'There's no time,' said Frodo. 'Bring fish with you. Come! ’
## [14499]
## [14500] 'No! Must finish fish.'
## [14501]
## [14502] 'Smjagol! ' said Frodo desperately. 'Precious will be angry. I shall
## [14503]
## [14504]
## [14505]
## [14506]
## [14507] take Precious, and I shall say: make him swallow the bones and choke. Never
## [14508] taste fish again. Come, Precious is waiting! '
## [14509]
## [14510] There was a sharp hiss. Presently out of the darkness Gollum came
## [14511] crawling on all fours, like an erring dog called to heel. He had a
## [14512] half-eaten fish in his mouth and another in his hand. He came close to
## [14513] Frodo, almost nose to nose, and sniffed at him. His pale eyes were shining.
## [14514] Then he took the fish out of his mouth and stood up.
## [14515]
## [14516] 'Nice Master! ' he whispered. 'Nice hobbit, come back to poor Smjagol.
## [14517] Good Smjagol comes. Now let's go, go quickly, yes. Through the trees, while
## [14518] the Faces are dark. Yes, come let's go! '
## [14519]
## [14520] 'Yes, we'll go soon,' said Frodo. 'But not at once. I will go with you
## [14521] as I promised. I promise again. But not now. You are not safe yet. I will
## [14522] save you, but you must trust me.’
## [14523]
## [14524] 'We must trust Master? ’ said Gollum doubtfully. 'Why? Why not go at
## [14525] once? Where is the other one, the cross rude hobbit? Where is he?'
## [14526]
## [14527] 'Away up there,' said Frodo, pointing to the waterfall. 'I am not going
## [14528] without him. We must go back to him.' His heart sank. This was too much like
## [14529] trickery. He did not really fear that Faramir would allow Gollum to be
## [14530] killed, but he would probably make him prisoner and bind him; and certainly
## [14531] what Frodo did would seem a treachery to the poor treacherous creature. It
## [14532] would probably be impossible ever to make him understand or believe that
## [14533] Frodo had saved his life in the only way he could. What else could he do? —
## [14534] to keep faith, as near as might be, with both sides. 'Come!' he said. 'Or
## [14535] the Precious will be angry. We are going back now, up the stream. Go on, go
## [14536] on, you go in front! ’
## [14537]
## [14538] Gollum crawled along close to the brink for a little way, snuffling and
## [14539] suspicious. Presently he stopped and raised his head. 'Something's there! '
## [14540] he said. 'Not a hobbit.’ Suddenly he turned back. A green light was
## [14541] flickering in his bulging eyes. 'Masster, masster!' he hissed. 'Wicked!
## [14542] Tricksy! False!' He spat and stretched out his long arms with white snapping
## [14543] fingers.
## [14544]
## [14545] At that moment the great black shape of Anborn loomed up behind him and
## [14546] came down on him. A large strong hand took him in the nape of the neck and
## [14547] pinned him. He twisted round like lightning, all wet and slimy as he was,
## [14548] wriggling like an eel, biting and scratching like a cat. But two more men
## [14549] came up out of the shadows.
## [14550]
## [14551] 'Hold still! ' said one. 'Or we'll stick you as full of pins as a
## [14552]
## [14553]
## [14554]
## [14555]
## [14556] hedgehog. Hold still!'
## [14557]
## [14558] Gollum went limp, and began to whine and weep. They tied him, none too
## [14559] gently.
## [14560]
## [14561] 'Easy, easy! ' said Frodo. 'He has no strength to match you. Don't hurt
## [14562] him, if you can help it. He'll be quieter, if you don't. Smjagol! They won't
## [14563] hurt you. I'll go with you, and you shall come to no harm. Not unless they
## [14564] kill me too. Trust Master! '
## [14565]
## [14566] Gollum turned and spat at him. The men picked him up, put a hood over
## [14567] his eyes, and carried him off.
## [14568]
## [14569] Frodo followed them, feeling very wretched. They went through the
## [14570] opening behind the bushes, and back, down the stairs and passages, into the
## [14571] cave. Two or three torches had been lit. Men were stirring. Sam was there,
## [14572] and he gave a queer look at the limp bundle that the men carried. 'Got him?’
## [14573] he said to Frodo.
## [14574]
## [14575] 'Yes. Well no, I didn't get him. He came to me, because he trusted me
## [14576] at first, I'm afraid. I did not want him tied up like this. I hope it will
## [14577] be all right; but I hate the whole business.'
## [14578]
## [14579] 'So do I,’ said Sam. 'And nothing will ever be all right where that
## [14580] piece of misery is.’
## [14581]
## [14582] A man came and beckoned to the hobbits, and took them to the recess at
## [14583] the back of the cave. Faramir was sitting there in his chair, and the lamp
## [14584] had been rekindled in its niche above his head. He signed to them to sit
## [14585] down on the stools beside him. 'Bring wine for the guests,' he said. 'And
## [14586] bring the prisoner to me.'
## [14587]
## [14588] The wine was brought, and then Anborn came carrying Gollum. He
## [14589] removed
## [14590]
## [14591] the cover from Gollum's head and set him on his feet standing behind him to
## [14592] support him. Gollum blinked, hooding the malice of his eyes with their heavy
## [14593] pale lids. A very miserable creature he looked, dripping and dank, smelling
## [14594] of fish (he still clutched one in his hand); his sparse locks were hanging
## [14595] like rank weed over his bony brows, his nose was snivelling.
## [14596]
## [14597] 'Foose us! Foose us! ’ he said. 'The cord hurts us, yes it does, it
## [14598] hurts us, and we've done nothing.'
## [14599]
## [14600] 'Nothing? ' said Faramir, looking at the wretched creature with a keen
## [14601] glance, but without any expression in his face either of anger, or pity, or
## [14602] wonder. 'Nothing? Have you never done anything worthy of binding or of
## [14603]
## [14604]
## [14605]
## [14606] worse
## [14607]
## [14608]
## [14609]
## [14610]
## [14611] punishment? However, that is not for me to judge, happily. But tonight you
## [14612] have come where it is death to come. The fish of this pool are dearly
## [14613] bought.'
## [14614]
## [14615] Gollum dropped the fish from his hand. 'Don't want fish,' he said.
## [14616]
## [14617] 'The price is not set on the fish,' said Faramir. 'Only to come here
## [14618] and look on the pool bears the penalty of death. I have spared you so far at
## [14619] the prayer of Frodo here, who says that of him at least you have deserved
## [14620] some thanks. But you must also satisfy me. What is your name? Whence do
## [14621] you
## [14622]
## [14623] come? And whither do you go? What is your business? ’
## [14624]
## [14625] 'We are lost, lost,' said Gollum. 'No name, no business, no Precious,
## [14626] nothing. Only empty. Only hungry; yes, we are hungry. A few little fishes,
## [14627] nasty bony little fishes, for a poor creature, and they say death. So wise
## [14628] they are; so just, so very just.'
## [14629]
## [14630] 'Not very wise,' said Faramir. 'But just: yes perhaps, as just as our
## [14631] little wisdom allows. Unloose him Frodo! ' Faramir took a small nail -knife
## [14632] from his belt and handed it to Frodo. Gollum misunderstanding the gesture,
## [14633] squealed and fell down.
## [14634]
## [14635] 'Now, Smjagol! ' said Frodo. 'You must trust me. I will not desert you.
## [14636] Answer truthfully, if you can. It will do you good not harm.' He cut the
## [14637] cords on Gollum's wrists and ankles and raised him to his feet.
## [14638]
## [14639] 'Come hither! ' said Faramir. 'Look at me! Do you know the name of this
## [14640] place? Have you been here before? ’
## [14641]
## [14642] Slowly Gollum raised his eyes and looked unwillingly into Faramir's.
## [14643]
## [14644] All light went out of them, and they stared bleak and pale for a moment into
## [14645] the clear unwavering eyes of the man of Gondor. There was a still silence.
## [14646] Then Gollum dropped his head and shrank down, until he was squatting on the
## [14647] floor, shivering. 'We doesn't know and we doesn't want to know,' he
## [14648] whimpered. 'Never came here; never come again.'
## [14649]
## [14650] 'There are locked doors and closed windows in your mind, and dark rooms
## [14651] behind them,' said Faramir. 'But in this I judge that you speak the truth.
## [14652]
## [14653] It is well for you. What oath will you swear never to return; and never to
## [14654] lead any living creature hither by word or sign?’
## [14655]
## [14656] 'Master knows,' said Gollum with a sidelong glance at Frodo. 'Yes, he
## [14657] knows. We will promise Master, if he saves us. We'll promise to It, yes.' He
## [14658] crawled to Frodo's feet. 'Save us, nice Master! ' he whined. 'Smjagol
## [14659] promises to Precious, promises faithfully. Never come again, never speak, no
## [14660]
## [14661]
## [14662]
## [14663]
## [14664] never! No, precious, no!'
## [14665]
## [14666] 'Are you satisfied? ' said Faramir.
## [14667]
## [14668] 'Yes,' said Frodo. 'At least, you must either accept this promise or
## [14669] carry out your law. You will get no more. But I promised that if he came to
## [14670] me, he should not be harmed. And I would not be proved faithless.'
## [14671]
## [14672] Faramir sat for a moment in thought. 'Very good,' he said at last. 'I
## [14673] surrender you to your master, to Frodo son of Drogo. Let him declare what he
## [14674] will do with you ! ’
## [14675]
## [14676] 'But, Lord Faramir,' said Frodo bowing, 'you have not yet declared your
## [14677] will concerning the said Frodo, and until that is made known, he cannot
## [14678] shape his plans for himself or his companions. Your judgement was postponed
## [14679] until the morning; but that is now at hand.’
## [14680]
## [14681] 'Then I will declare my doom,' said Faramir. 'As for you, Frodo, in so
## [14682] far as lies in me under higher authority, I declare you free in the realm
## [14683] of, Gondor to the furthest of its ancient bounds; save only that neither you
## [14684] nor any that go with you have leave to come to this place unbidden. This
## [14685] doom shall stand for a year and a day, and then cease, unless you shall
## [14686] before that term come to Minas Tirith and present yourself to the Lord and
## [14687] Steward of the City. Then I will entreat him to confirm what I have done and
## [14688] to make it lifelong. In the meantime, whomsoever you take under your
## [14689] protection shall be under my protection and under the shield of Gondor. Are
## [14690] you answered? ’
## [14691]
## [14692] Frodo bowed low. ’I am answered,' he said, 'and I place myself at your
## [14693] service, if that is of any worth to one so high and honourable.’
## [14694]
## [14695] 'It is of great worth,' said Faramir. 'And now, do you take this
## [14696] creature, this Smjagol, under your protection? '
## [14697]
## [14698] 'I do take Smjagol under my protection,' said Frodo. Sam sighed
## [14699] audibly; and not at the courtesies, of which, as any hobbit would, he
## [14700] thoroughly approved. Indeed in the Shire such a matter would have required a
## [14701] great many more words and bows.
## [14702]
## [14703] 'Then I say to you,' said Faramir, turning to Gollum, 'you are under
## [14704] doom of death; but while you walk with Frodo you are safe for our part. Yet
## [14705] if ever you be found by any man of Gondor astray without him, the doom shall
## [14706] fall. And may death find you swiftly, within Gondor or without, if you do
## [14707] not well serve him. Now answer me: whither would you go? You were his
## [14708] guide,
## [14709]
## [14710] he says. Whither were you leading him? ' Gollum made no reply.
## [14711]
## [14712]
## [14713]
## [14714]
## [14715] 'This I will not have secret,' said Faramir. 'Answer me, or I will
## [14716] reverse my judgement! ’ Still Gollum did not answer.
## [14717]
## [14718] 'I will answer for him,' said Frodo. 'He brought me to the Black Gate,
## [14719] as I asked; but it was impassable.'
## [14720]
## [14721] 'There is no open gate into the Nameless Land,’ said Faramir.
## [14722]
## [14723] 'Seeing this, we turned aside and came by the Southward road ’ Frodo
## [14724] continued; 'for he said that there is, or there may be, a path near to Minas
## [14725] Ithil . '
## [14726]
## [14727] 'Minas Morgul,' said Faramir.
## [14728]
## [14729] 'I do not know clearly,' said Frodo; 'but the path climbs, I think, up
## [14730] into the mountains on the northern side of that vale where the old city
## [14731] stands. It goes up to a high cleft and so down to — that which is beyond.’
## [14732]
## [14733] 'Do you know the name of that high pass? ’ said Faramir.
## [14734]
## [14735] 'No,' said Frodo.
## [14736]
## [14737] 'It is called Cirith Ungol.' Gollum hissed sharply and began muttering
## [14738] to himself. 'Is not that its name? ’ said Faramir turning to him.
## [14739]
## [14740] 'No! ' said Gollum, and then he squealed, as if something had stabbed
## [14741] him. 'Yes, yes, we heard the name once. But what does the name matter to us?
## [14742] Master says he must get in. So we must try some way. There is no other way
## [14743] to try, no.'
## [14744]
## [14745] 'No other way? 'said Faramir. 'How do you know that? And who has
## [14746] explored all the confines of that dark realm? ' He looked long and
## [14747] thoughtfully at Gollum. Presently he spoke again. 'Take this creature away,
## [14748] Anborn. Treat him gently, but watch him. And do not you, Smjagol, try to
## [14749] dive into the falls. The rocks have such teeth there as would slay you
## [14750] before your time. Leave us now and take your fish! '
## [14751]
## [14752] Anborn went out and Gollum went cringing before him. The curtain was
## [14753] drawn across the recess.
## [14754]
## [14755] 'Frodo, I think you do very unwisely in this,' said Faramir. 'I do not
## [14756] think you should go with this creature. It is wicked.'
## [14757]
## [14758] 'No, not altogether wicked,' said Frodo.
## [14759]
## [14760] 'Not wholly, perhaps,' said Faramir; 'but malice eats it like a canker,
## [14761] and the evil is growing. He will lead you to no good. If you will part with
## [14762] him, I will give him safe-conduct and guidance to any point on the borders
## [14763] of Gondor that he may name.'
## [14764]
## [14765] 'He would not take it,' said Frodo. 'He would follow after me as he
## [14766] long has done. And I have promised many times to take him under my
## [14767]
## [14768]
## [14769]
## [14770]
## [14771] protection and to go where he led. You would not ask me to break faith with
## [14772] him?'
## [14773]
## [14774] 'No,' said Faramir. 'But my heart would. For it seems less evil to
## [14775] counsel another man to break troth than to do so oneself, especially if one
## [14776] sees a friend bound unwitting to his own harm. But no — if he will go with
## [14777] you, you must now endure him. But I do not think you are holden to go to
## [14778] Cirith Ungol, of which he has told you less than he knows. That much I
## [14779] perceived clearly in his mind. Do not go to Cirith Ungol!'
## [14780]
## [14781] 'Where then shall I go? ' said Frodo. 'Back to the Black Gate and
## [14782] deliver myself up to the guard? What do you know against this place that
## [14783] makes its name so dreadful? ’
## [14784]
## [14785] 'Nothing certain,' said Faramir. 'We of Gondor do not ever pass east of
## [14786] the Road in these days, and none of us younger men has ever done so, nor has
## [14787] any of us set foot upon the Mountains of Shadow. Of them we know only old
## [14788] report and the rumour of bygone days. But there is some dark terror that
## [14789] dwells in the passes above Minas Morgul. If Cirith Ungol is named, old men
## [14790] and masters of lore will blanch and fall silent.
## [14791]
## [14792] ,The valley of Minas Morgul passed into evil very long ago, and it was
## [14793] a menace and a dread while the banished Enemy dwelt yet far away, and
## [14794] Ithilien was still for the most part in our keeping. As you know, that city
## [14795] was once a strong place, proud and fair, Minas Ithil, the twin sister of our
## [14796] own city. But it was taken by fell men whom the Enemy in his first strength
## [14797] had dominated, and who wandered homeless and masterless after his fall. It
## [14798] is said that their lords were men of N®menor who had fallen into dark
## [14799] wickedness; to them the Enemy had given rings of power, and he had
## [14800] devoured
## [14801]
## [14802] them: living ghosts they were become, terrible and evil. After his going
## [14803] they took Minas Ithil and dwelt there, and they filled it, and all the
## [14804] valley about, with decay: it seemed empty and was not so, for a shapeless
## [14805] fear lived within the ruined walls. Nine Lords there were, and after the
## [14806] return of their Master, which they aided and prepared in secret, they grew
## [14807] strong again. Then the Nine Riders issued forth from the gates of horror,
## [14808] and we could not withstand them. Do not approach their citadel. You will be
## [14809] espied. It is a place of sleepless malice, full of lidless eyes. Do not go
## [14810] that way! '
## [14811]
## [14812] 'But where else will you direct me? ' said Frodo. 'You cannot yourself,
## [14813] you say, guide me to the mountains, nor over them. But over the mountains I
## [14814]
## [14815]
## [14816]
## [14817]
## [14818] am bound, by solemn undertaking to the Council, to find a way or perish in
## [14819] the seeking. And if I turn back, refusing the road in its bitter end, where
## [14820] then shall I go among Elves or Men? Would you have me come to Gondor
## [14821] with
## [14822]
## [14823] this Thing, the Thing that drove your brother mad with desire? What spell
## [14824] would it work in Minas Tirith? Shall there be two cities of Minas Morgul,
## [14825] grinning at each other across a dead land filled with rottenness? '
## [14826]
## [14827] 'I would not have it so,' said Faramir.
## [14828]
## [14829] 'Then what would you have me do? '
## [14830]
## [14831] 'I know not. Only I would not have you go to death or to torment. And I
## [14832] do not think that Mithrandir would have chosen this way.'
## [14833]
## [14834] 'Yet since he is gone, I must take such paths as I can find. And there
## [14835] is no time for long searching,' said Frodo.
## [14836]
## [14837] 'It is a hard doom and a hopeless errand,' said Faramir. 'But at the
## [14838] least, remember my warning: beware of this guide, Smjagol. He has done
## [14839] murder before now. I read it in him.' He sighed.
## [14840]
## [14841] 'Well, so we meet and part, Frodo son of Drogo. You have no need of
## [14842] soft words: I do not hope to see you again on any other day under this Sun.
## [14843] But you shall go now with my blessing upon you, and upon all your people.
## [14844] Rest a little while food is prepared for you.
## [14845]
## [14846] ’I would gladly learn how this creeping Smjagol became possessed of the
## [14847] Thing of which we speak, and how he lost it, but I will not trouble you now.
## [14848] If ever beyond hope you return to the lands of the living and we retell our
## [14849] tales, sitting by a wall in the sun, laughing at old grief, you shall tell
## [14850] me then. Until that time, or some other time beyond the vision of the
## [14851] Seeing-stones of N®menor, farewell! ’
## [14852]
## [14853] He rose and bowed low to Frodo, and drawing the curtain passed out into
## [14854] the cave.
## [14855]
## [14856]
## [14857]
## [14858]
## [14859] Chapter 7. Journey to the Cross-roads
## [14860]
## [14861]
## [14862]
## [14863] Frodo and Sam returned to their beds and lay there in silence resting
## [14864] for a little, while men bestirred themselves and the business of the day
## [14865] began. After a while water was brought to them, and then they were led to a
## [14866] table where food was set for three. Faramir broke his fast with them. He had
## [14867] not slept since the battle on the day before, yet he did not look weary.
## [14868]
## [14869] When they had finished they stood up. 'May no hunger trouble you on the
## [14870] road,' said Faramir. 'You have little provision, but some small store of
## [14871] food fit for travellers I have ordered to be stowed in your packs. You will
## [14872] have no lack of water as you walk in Ithilien, but do not drink of any
## [14873] stream that flows from Imlad Morgul, the Valley of Living Death. This also I
## [14874] must tell you. My scouts and watchers have all returned, even some that have
## [14875] crept within sight of the Morannon. They all find a strange thing. The land
## [14876] is empty. Nothing is on the road, and no sound of foot, or horn, or
## [14877] bowstring is anywhere to be heard. A waiting silence broods above the
## [14878] Nameless Land. I do not know what this portends. But the time draws swiftly
## [14879] to some great conclusion. Storm is coming. Hasten while you may! If you are
## [14880] ready, let us go. The Sun will soon rise above the shadow.’
## [14881]
## [14882] The hobbits' packs were brought to them (a little heavier than they had
## [14883] been), and also two stout staves of polished wood, shod with iron, and with
## [14884] carven heads through which ran plaited leathern thongs.
## [14885]
## [14886] 'I have no fitting gifts to give you at our parting,' said Faramir;
## [14887]
## [14888] 'but take these staves. They may be of service to those who walk or climb in
## [14889] the wild. The men of the White Mountains use them; though these have been
## [14890] cut down to your height and newly shod. They are made of the fair tree
## [14891] lebethron, beloved of the woodwrights of Gondor, and a virtue has been set
## [14892] upon them of finding and returning. May that virtue not wholly fail under
## [14893] the Shadow into which you go!’
## [14894]
## [14895] The hobbits bowed low. 'Most gracious host,' said Frodo, 'it was said
## [14896] to me by Elrond Halfelven that I should find friendship upon the way, secret
## [14897] and unlooked for. Certainly I looked for no such friendship as you have
## [14898] shown. To have found it turns evil to great good.'
## [14899]
## [14900] Now they made ready to depart. Gollum was brought out of some corner or
## [14901] hiding-hole, and he seemed better pleased with himself than he had been,
## [14902]
## [14903]
## [14904]
## [14905]
## [14906] though he kept close to Frodo and avoided the glance of Faramir.
## [14907]
## [14908] 'Your guide must be blindfolded,' said Faramir, 'but you and your
## [14909] servant Samwise I release from this, if you wish.'
## [14910]
## [14911] Gollum squealed, and squirmed, and clutched at Frodo, when they came to
## [14912] bind his eyes; and Frodo said: 'Blindfold us all three, and cover up my eyes
## [14913] first, and then perhaps he will see that no harm is meant.' This was done,
## [14914] and they were led from the cave of Henneth Annyn. After they had passed the
## [14915] passages and stairs they felt the cool morning air, fresh and sweet, about
## [14916] them. Still blind they went on for some little time, up and then gently
## [14917] down. At last the voice of Faramir ordered them to be uncovered.
## [14918]
## [14919] They stood under the boughs of the woods again. No noise of the falls
## [14920] could be heard, for a long southward slope lay now between them and the
## [14921] ravine in which the stream flowed. To the west they could see light through
## [14922] the trees, as if the world came there to a sudden end, at a brink looking
## [14923] out only on to sky.
## [14924]
## [14925] 'Here is the last parting of our ways,' said Faramir. 'If you take my
## [14926] counsel, you will not turn eastward yet. Go straight on, for thus you will
## [14927] have the cover of the woodland for many miles. On your west is an edge where
## [14928] the land falls into the great vales, sometimes suddenly and sheer, sometimes
## [14929] in long hillsides. Keep near to this edge and the skirts of the forest. In
## [14930] the beginning of your journey you may walk under daylight, I think. The land
## [14931] dreams in a false peace, and for a while all evil is withdrawn. Fare you
## [14932] well, while you may!'
## [14933]
## [14934] He embraced the hobbits then, after the manner of his people, stooping,
## [14935] and placing his hands upon their shoulders, and kissing their foreheads. 'Go
## [14936] with the good will of all good men!' he said.
## [14937]
## [14938] They bowed to the ground. Then he turned and without looking back he
## [14939] left them and went to his two guards that stood at a little distance away.
## [14940]
## [14941] They marvelled to see with what speed these green -clad men now moved,
## [14942] vanishing almost in the twinkling of an eye. The forest where Faramir had
## [14943] stood seemed empty and drear, as if a dream had passed.
## [14944]
## [14945] Frodo sighed and turned back southward. As if to mark his disregard of
## [14946] all such courtesy, Gollum was scrabbling in the mould at the foot of a tree.
## [14947] 'Hungry again already?' thought Sam. 'Well, now for it again!’
## [14948]
## [14949] 'Have they gone at last? ' said Gollum. 'Nassty wicked Men! Smjagol's
## [14950] neck still hurts him, yes it does. Let's go! '
## [14951]
## [14952] 'Yes, let us go,' said Frodo. 'But if you can only speak ill of those
## [14953]
## [14954]
## [14955]
## [14956]
## [14957] who showed you mercy, keep silent! '
## [14958]
## [14959] 'Nice Master! ' said Gollum. 'Smjagol was only joking. Always forgives,
## [14960] he does, yes, yes, even nice Master's little trickses. Oh yes, nice Master,
## [14961] nice Smjagol! '
## [14962]
## [14963] Frodo and Sam did not answer. Hoisting their packs and taking their
## [14964] staves in hand, they passed on into the woods of Ithilien.
## [14965]
## [14966] Twice that day they rested and took a little of the food provided by
## [14967] Faramir: dried fruits and salted meat, enough for many days; and bread
## [14968] enough to last while it was still fresh. Gollum ate nothing.
## [14969]
## [14970] The sun rose and passed overhead unseen, and began to sink, and the
## [14971] light through the trees to the west grew golden; and always they walked in
## [14972] cool green shadow, and all about them was silence. The birds seemed all to
## [14973] have flown away or to have fallen dumb.
## [14974]
## [14975] Darkness came early to the silent woods, and before the fall of night
## [14976] they halted, weary, for they had walked seven leagues or more from Henneth
## [14977] Annyn. Frodo lay and slept away the night on the deep mould beneath an
## [14978] ancient tree. Sam beside him was more uneasy: he woke many times, but there
## [14979] was never a sign of Gollum, who had slipped off as soon as the others had
## [14980] settled to rest. Whether he had slept by himself in some hole nearby, or had
## [14981] wandered restlessly prowling through the night, he did not say; but he
## [14982] returned with the first glimmer of light, and roused his companions.
## [14983]
## [14984] 'Must get up, yes they must!’ he said. 'Long ways to go still, south
## [14985] and east. Hobbits must make haste!'
## [14986]
## [14987] That day passed much as the day before had gone, except that the
## [14988] silence seemed deeper; the air grew heavy, and it began to be stifling under
## [14989] the trees. It felt as if thunder was brewing. Gollum often paused, sniffing
## [14990] the air, and then he would mutter to himself and urge them to greater speed.
## [14991]
## [14992] As the third stage of their day's march drew on and afternoon waned,
## [14993] the forest opened out, and the trees became larger and more scattered. Great
## [14994] ilexes of huge girth stood dark and solemn in wide glades with here and
## [14995] there among them hoary ash-trees, and giant oaks just putting out their
## [14996] brown-green buds. About them lay long launds of green grass dappled with
## [14997] celandine and anemones, white and blue, now folded for sleep; and there were
## [14998] acres populous with the leaves of woodland hyacinths: already their sleek
## [14999] bell-stems were thrusting through the mould. No living creature, beast or
## [15000] bird, was to be seen, but in these open places Gollum grew afraid, and they
## [15001] walked now with caution, flitting from one long shadow to another.
## [15002]
## [15003]
## [15004]
## [15005]
## [15006] Light was fading fast when they came to the forest-end. There they sat
## [15007] under an old gnarled oak that sent its roots twisting like snakes down a
## [15008] steep crumbling bank. A deep dim valley lay before them. On its further side
## [15009] the woods gathered again, blue and grey under the sullen evening, and
## [15010] marched on southwards. To the right the Mountains of Gondor glowed,
## [15011] remote
## [15012]
## [15013] in the West, under a fire-flecked sky. To the left lay darkness: the
## [15014] towering walls of Mordor; and out of that darkness the long valley came,
## [15015] falling steeply in an ever-widening trough towards the Anduin. At its bottom
## [15016] ran a hurrying stream: Frodo could hear its stony voice coming up through
## [15017] the silence; and beside it on the hither side a road went winding down like
## [15018] a pale ribbon, down into chill grey mists that no gleam of sunset touched.
## [15019] There it seemed to Frodo that he descried far off, floating as it were on a
## [15020] shadowy sea, the high dim tops and broken pinnacles of old towers forlorn
## [15021] and dark.
## [15022]
## [15023] Fie turned to Gollum. 'Do you know where we are? ' he said.
## [15024]
## [15025] 'Yes, Master. Dangerous places. This is the road from the Tower of the
## [15026] Moon, Master, down to the ruined city by the shores of the River. The ruined
## [15027] city, yes, very nasty place, full of enemies. We shouldn't have taken Men's
## [15028] advice. Hobbits have come a long way out of the path. Must go east now, away
## [15029] up there.' He waved his skinny arm towards the darkling mountains. 'And we
## [15030] can't use this road. Oh no! Cruel peoples come this way, down from the
## [15031] Tower.'
## [15032]
## [15033] Frodo looked down on to the road. At any rate nothing was moving on it
## [15034] now. It appeared lonely and forsaken, running down to empty ruins in the
## [15035] mist. But there was an evil feeling in the air, as if things might indeed be
## [15036] passing up and down that eyes could not see. Frodo shuddered as he looked
## [15037] again at the distant pinnacles now dwindling into night, and the sound of
## [15038] the water seemed cold and cruel: the voice of Morgulduin, the polluted
## [15039] stream that flowed from the Valley of the Wraiths.
## [15040]
## [15041] 'What shall we do? ' he said. 'We have walked long and far. Shall we
## [15042] look for some place in the woods behind where we can lie hidden? '
## [15043]
## [15044] 'No good hiding in the dark,' said Gollum. 'It's in day that hobbits
## [15045] must hide now, yes in day.'
## [15046]
## [15047] 'Oh come! ' said Sam. 'We must rest for a bit, even if we get up again
## [15048] in the middle of the night. There'll still be hours of dark then time enough
## [15049] for you to take us a long march, if you know the way.'
## [15050]
## [15051]
## [15052]
## [15053]
## [15054] Gollum reluctantly agreed to this, and he turned back towards the
## [15055] trees, working eastward for a while along the straggling edges of the wood.
## [15056]
## [15057] He would not rest on the ground so near the evil road, and after some debate
## [15058] they all climbed up into the crotch of a large holm-oak, whose thick
## [15059] branches springing together from the trunk made a good hiding-place and a
## [15060] fairly comfortable refuge. Night fell and it grew altogether dark under the
## [15061] canopy of the tree. Frodo and Sam drank a little water and ate some bread
## [15062] and dried fruit, but Gollum at once curled up and went to sleep. The hobbits
## [15063] did not shut their eyes.
## [15064]
## [15065] It must have been a little after midnight when Gollum woke up: suddenly
## [15066] they were aware of his pale eyes unlidded gleaming at them. He listened and
## [15067] sniffed, which seemed, as they had noticed before, his usual method of
## [15068] discovering the time of night.
## [15069]
## [15070] 'Are we rested? Have we had beautiful sleep?' he said. 'Let's go!'
## [15071]
## [15072] 'We aren't, and we haven't,' growled Sam. 'But we'll go if we must.'
## [15073]
## [15074] Gollum dropped at once from the branches of the tree on to all fours,
## [15075] and the hobbits followed more slowly.
## [15076]
## [15077] As soon as they were down they went on again with Gollum leading,
## [15078] eastwards, up the dark sloping land. They could see little, for the night
## [15079] was now so deep that they were hardly aware of the stems of trees before
## [15080] they stumbled against them. The ground became more broken and walking
## [15081] was
## [15082]
## [15083] more difficult, but Gollum seemed in no way troubled. He led them through
## [15084] thickets and wastes of brambles; sometimes round the lip of a deep cleft or
## [15085] dark pit, sometimes down into black bush-shrouded hollows and out again; but
## [15086] if ever they went a little downward, always the further slope was longer and
## [15087] steeper. They were climbing steadily. At their first halt they looked back,
## [15088] and they could dimly perceive the roofs of the forest they had left behind
## [15089] lying like a vast dense shadow, a darker night under the dark blank sky.
## [15090] There seemed to be a great blackness looming slowly out of the East, eating
## [15091] up the faint blurred stars. Later the sinking moon escaped from the pursuing
## [15092] cloud, but it was ringed all about with a sickly yellow glare.
## [15093]
## [15094] At last Gollum turned to the hobbits. 'Day soon,' he said. 'Hobbits
## [15095] must hurry. Not safe to stay in the open in these places. Make haste! '
## [15096]
## [15097] He quickened his pace, and they followed him wearily. Soon they began
## [15098] to climb up on to a great hog-back of land. For the most part it was covered
## [15099] with a thick growth of gorse and whortleberry, and low tough thorns, though
## [15100]
## [15101]
## [15102]
## [15103]
## [15104] here and there clearings opened, the scars of recent fires. The gorse-bushes
## [15105] became more frequent as they got nearer the top; very old and tall they
## [15106] were, gaunt and leggy below but thick above, and already putting out yellow
## [15107] flowers that glimmered in the gloom and gave a faint sweet scent. So tall
## [15108] were the spiny thickets that the hobbits could walk upright under them,
## [15109] passing through long dry aisles carpeted with a deep prickly mould.
## [15110]
## [15111] On the further edge of this broad hill-back they stayed their march and
## [15112] crawled for hiding underneath a tangled knot of thorns. Their twisted
## [15113] boughs, stooping to the ground, were overridden by a clambering maze of old
## [15114] briars. Deep inside there was a hollow hall, raftered with dead branch and
## [15115] bramble, and roofed with the first leaves and shoots of spring. There they
## [15116] lay for a while, too tired yet to eat; and peering out through the holes in
## [15117] the covert they watched for the slow growth of day.
## [15118]
## [15119] But no day came, only a dead brown twilight. In the East there was a
## [15120] dull red glare under the lowering cloud: it was not the red of dawn. Across
## [15121] the tumbled lands between, the mountains of the Ephel D®ath frowned at
## [15122] them,
## [15123]
## [15124] black and shapeless below where night lay thick and did not pass away, above
## [15125] with jagged tops and edges outlined hard and menacing against the fiery
## [15126] glow. Away to their right a great shoulder of the mountains stood out, dark
## [15127] and black amid the shadows, thrusting westward.
## [15128]
## [15129] 'Which way do we go from here?' asked Frodo. 'Is that the opening of-of
## [15130] the Morgul Valley, away over there beyond that black mass?’
## [15131]
## [15132] 'Need we think about it yet?’ said Sam, 'Surely we're not going to move
## [15133] any more today, if day it is?'
## [15134]
## [15135] 'Perhaps not, perhaps not,’ said Gollum. 'But we must go soon, to the
## [15136] Cross-roads. Yes, to the Cross-roads. That's the way over there yes,
## [15137] Master.'
## [15138]
## [15139] The red glare over Mordor died away. The twilight deepened as great
## [15140] vapours rose in the East and crawled above them. Frodo and Sam took a little
## [15141] food and then lay down, but Gollum was restless. He would not eat any of
## [15142] their food, but he drank a little water and then crawled about under the
## [15143] bushes, sniffing and muttering. Then, suddenly he disappeared.
## [15144]
## [15145] 'Off hunting, I suppose,' said Sam and yawned. It was his turn to sleep
## [15146] first, and he was soon deep in a dream. He thought he was back in the Bag
## [15147] End garden looking for something; but he had a heavy pack on his back, which
## [15148] made him stoop. It all seemed very weedy and rank somehow, and thorns and
## [15149]
## [15150]
## [15151]
## [15152]
## [15153] bracken were invading the beds down near the bottom hedge.
## [15154]
## [15155] 'A job of work for me, I can see; but I'm so tired,' he kept on saying.
## [15156] Presently he remembered what he was looking for. 'My pipe!' he said, and
## [15157] with that he woke up.
## [15158]
## [15159] 'Silly!' he said to himself, as he opened his eyes and wondered why he
## [15160] was lying down under the hedge. 'It's in your pack all the time!' Then he
## [15161] realized, first that the pipe might be in his pack but he had no leaf, and
## [15162] next that he was hundreds of miles from Bag End. He sat up. It seemed to be
## [15163] almost dark. Why had his master let him sleep on out of turn, right on till
## [15164] evening?
## [15165]
## [15166] 'Haven't you had no sleep, Mr. Frodo?' he said. 'What's the time? Seems
## [15167] to be getting late!'
## [15168]
## [15169] 'No it isn't,' said Frodo. 'But the day is getting darker instead of
## [15170] lighter: darker and darker. As far as I can tell, it isn't midday yet, and
## [15171] you've only slept for about three hours.'
## [15172]
## [15173] 'I wonder what's up,' said Sam. 'Is there a storm coming? If so it's
## [15174] going to be the worst there ever was. We shall wish we were down a deep
## [15175] hole, not just stuck under a hedge.' He listened. 'What's that? Thunder, or
## [15176] drums, or what is it? '
## [15177]
## [15178] 'I don't know,' said Frodo. 'It's been going on for a good while now.
## [15179] Sometimes the ground seems to tremble, sometimes it seems to be the heavy
## [15180] air throbbing in your ears.'
## [15181]
## [15182] Sam looked round. 'Where's Gollum? ' he said. 'Hasn't he come back
## [15183] yet?'
## [15184]
## [15185] 'No,' said Frodo. 'There's not been a sign or sound of him.'
## [15186]
## [15187] 'Well, I can't abide him,' said Sam. 'In fact, I've never taken
## [15188] anything on a journey that I'd have been less sorry to lose on the way. But
## [15189] it would be just like him, after coming all these miles, to go and get lost
## [15190] now, just when we shall need him most — that is, if he's ever going to be
## [15191] any use, which I doubt.'
## [15192]
## [15193] 'You forget the Marshes,' said Frodo. I hope nothing has happened to
## [15194] him.'
## [15195]
## [15196] 'And I hope he's up to no tricks. And anyway I hope he doesn't fall
## [15197] into other hands, as you might say. Because if he does, we shall soon be in
## [15198] for trouble.'
## [15199]
## [15200] At that moment a rolling and rumbling noise was heard again, louder now
## [15201] and deeper. The ground seemed to quiver under their feet. 'I think we are in
## [15202]
## [15203]
## [15204]
## [15205]
## [15206] for trouble anyhow,’ said Frodo. 'I'm afraid our journey is drawing to an
## [15207] end.’
## [15208]
## [15209] ’Maybe,’ said Sam; 'but where there's life there's hope , as my Gaffer
## [15210] used to say; and need of vittles, as he mostway s used to add. You have a
## [15211] bite, Mr. Frodo, and then a bit of sleep.’
## [15212]
## [15213] The afternoon, as Sam supposed it must be called, wore on. Looking out
## [15214] from the covert he could see only a dun, shadowless world, fading slowly
## [15215] into a featureless, colourless gloom. It felt stifling but not warm. Frodo
## [15216] slept unquietly, turning and tossing, and sometimes murmuring. Twice Sam
## [15217] thought he heard him speaking Gandalf s name. The time seemed to drag
## [15218] interminably. Suddenly Sam heard a hiss behind him, and there was Gollum
## [15219] on
## [15220]
## [15221] all fours, peering at them with gleaming eyes.
## [15222]
## [15223] 'Wake up, wake up! Wake up, sleepies!’ he whispered. 'Wake up! No time
## [15224] to lose. We must go, yes, we must go at once. No time to lose!’
## [15225]
## [15226] Sam stared at him suspiciously: he seemed frightened or excited. 'Go
## [15227] now? What’s your little game? It isn’t time yet. It can’t be tea-time even,
## [15228] leastways not in decent places where there is tea-time.’
## [15229]
## [15230] 'Silly! ’ hissed Gollum. 'We’re not in decent places. Time's running
## [15231] short, yes, running fast. No time to lose. We must go. Wake up. Master, wake
## [15232] u He clawed at Frodo; and Frodo, startled out of sleep, sat up suddenly and
## [15233] seized him by the arm. Gollum tore himself loose and backed away.
## [15234]
## [15235] 'They mustn't be silly,' he hissed. 'We must go. No time to lose!’ And
## [15236] nothing more could they get out of him. Where he had been, and what he
## [15237] thought was brewing to make him in such a hurry, he would not say. Sam was
## [15238] filled with deep suspicion, and showed it; but Frodo gave no sign of what
## [15239] was passing in his mind. He sighed, hoisted his pack, and prepared to go out
## [15240] into the ever -gathering darkness.
## [15241]
## [15242] Very stealthily Gollum led them down the hillside, keeping under cover
## [15243] wherever it was possible, and running, almost bent to the ground, across any
## [15244] open space; but the light was now so dim that even a keen-eyed beast of the
## [15245] wild could scarcely have seen the hobbits, hooded, in their grey cloaks, nor
## [15246] heard them, walking as warily as the little people can. Without the crack of
## [15247] a twig or the rustle of a leaf they passed and vanished.
## [15248]
## [15249] For about an hour they went on, silently, in single file, oppressed by
## [15250] the gloom and by the absolute stillness of the land, broken only now and
## [15251] again by the faint rumbling as of thunder far away or drum-beats in some
## [15252]
## [15253]
## [15254]
## [15255]
## [15256] hollow of the hills. Down from their hiding-place they went, and then
## [15257] turning south they steered as straight a course as Gollum could find across
## [15258] a long broken slope that leaned up towards the mountains. Presently, not far
## [15259] ahead, looming up like a black wall, they saw a belt of trees. As they drew
## [15260] nearer they became aware that these were of vast size, very ancient it
## [15261] seemed, and still towering high, though their tops were gaunt and broken, as
## [15262] if tempest and lightning-blast had swept across them, but had failed to kill
## [15263] them or to shake their fathomless roots.
## [15264]
## [15265] The Cross-roads, yes,' whispered Gollum, the first words that had been
## [15266] spoken since they left their hiding-place. 'We must go that way.' Turning
## [15267] eastward now, he led them up the slope; and then suddenly there it was
## [15268] before them: the Southward Road, winding its way about the outer feet of the
## [15269] mountains, until presently it plunged into the great ring of trees.
## [15270]
## [15271] This is the only way,' whispered Gollum. 'No paths beyond the road. No
## [15272] paths. We must go to the Cross-roads. But make haste! Be silent! '
## [15273]
## [15274] As furtively as scouts within the campment of their enemies, they crept
## [15275] down on to the road, and stole along its westward edge under the stony bank,
## [15276] grey as the stones themselves, and soft-footed as hunting cats. At length
## [15277] they reached the trees, and found that they stood in a great roofless ring,
## [15278] open in the middle to the sombre sky; and the spaces between their immense
## [15279] boles were like the great dark arches of some ruined hall. In the very
## [15280] centre four ways met. Behind them lay the road to the Morannon; before them
## [15281] it ran out again upon its long journey south; to their right the road from
## [15282] old Osgiliath came climbing up, and crossing, passed out eastward into
## [15283] darkness: the fourth way, the road they were to take.
## [15284]
## [15285] Standing there for a moment filled with dread Frodo became aware that a
## [15286] light was shining; he saw it glowing on Sam's face beside him. Turning
## [15287] towards it, he saw, beyond an arch of boughs, the road to Osgiliath running
## [15288] almost as straight as a stretched ribbon down, down, into the West. There,
## [15289] far away, beyond sad Gondor now overwhelmed in shade, the Sun was
## [15290] sinking,
## [15291]
## [15292] finding at last the hem of the great slow-rolling pall of cloud, and falling
## [15293] in an ominous fire towards the yet unsullied Sea. The brief glow fell upon a
## [15294] huge sitting figure, still and solemn as the great stone kings of Argonath.
## [15295]
## [15296] The years had gnawed it, and violent hands had maimed it. Its head was gone,
## [15297] and in its place was set in mockery a round rough-hewn stone, rudely painted
## [15298] by savage hands in the likeness of a grinning face with one large red eye in
## [15299]
## [15300]
## [15301]
## [15302]
## [15303] the midst of its forehead. Upon its knees and mighty chair, and all about
## [15304] the pedestal, were idle scrawls mixed with the foul symbols that the
## [15305] maggot-folk of Mordor used.
## [15306]
## [15307] Suddenly, caught by the level beams, Frodo saw the old king's head: it
## [15308] was lying rolled away by the roadside. 'Look, Sam!’ he cried, startled into
## [15309] speech. 'Look! The king has got a crown again!'
## [15310]
## [15311] The eyes were hollow and the carven beard was broken, but about the
## [15312] high stern forehead there was a coronal of silver and gold. A trailing plant
## [15313] with flowers like small white stars had bound itself across the brows as if
## [15314] in reverence for the fallen king, and in the crevices of his stony hair
## [15315] yellow stonecrop gleamed.
## [15316]
## [15317] 'They cannot conquer for ever!' said Frodo. And then suddenly the brief
## [15318] glimpse was gone. The Sun dipped and vanished, and as if at the shuttering
## [15319] of a lamp, black night fell.
## [15320]
## [15321]
## [15322]
## [15323]
## [15324] Chapter 8 . The Stairs of Cirith Ungol
## [15325]
## [15326]
## [15327]
## [15328] Gollum was tugging at Frodo's cloak and hissing with fear and
## [15329] impatience. 'We must go,' he said. 'We mustn’t stand here. Make haste!’
## [15330]
## [15331] Reluctantly Frodo turned his back on the West and followed as his guide
## [15332] led him, out into the darkness of the East. They left the ring of trees and
## [15333] crept along the road towards the mountains. This road, too, ran straight for
## [15334] a while, but soon it began to bend away southwards, until it came right
## [15335] under the great shoulder of rock that they had seen from the distance. Black
## [15336] and forbidding it loomed above them, darker than the dark sky behind.
## [15337] Crawling under its shadow the road went on, and rounding it sprang east
## [15338] again and began to climb steeply.
## [15339]
## [15340] Frodo and Sam were plodding along with heavy hearts, no longer able to
## [15341] care greatly about their peril. Frodo’s head was bowed; his burden was
## [15342] dragging him down again. As soon as the great Cross-roads had been passed,
## [15343] the weight of it, almost forgotten in Ithilien, had begun to grow once more.
## [15344] Now, feeling the way become steep before his feet, he looked wearily up; and
## [15345] then he saw it, even as Gollum had said that he would: the city of the
## [15346] Ringwraiths. He cowered against the stony bank.
## [15347]
## [15348] A long-tilted valley, a deep gulf of shadow, ran back far into the
## [15349] mountains. Upon the further side, some way within the valley's arms high on
## [15350] a rocky seat upon the black knees of the Ephel D®ath, stood the walls and
## [15351] tower of Minas Morgul. All was dark about it, earth and sky, but it was lit
## [15352] with light. Not the imprisoned moonlight welling through the marble walls of
## [15353] Minas Ithil long ago, Tower of the Moon, fair and radiant in the hollow of
## [15354] the hills. Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse was the
## [15355] light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of decay, a
## [15356] corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing. In the walls and tower
## [15357] windows showed, like countless black holes looking inward into emptiness;
## [15358] but the topmost course of the tower revolved slowly, first one way and then
## [15359] another, a huge ghostly head leering into the night. For a moment the three
## [15360] companions stood there, shrinking, staring up with unwilling eyes. Gollum
## [15361] was the first to recover. Again he pulled at their cloaks urgently, but he
## [15362] spoke no word. Almost he dragged them forward. Every step was reluctant, and
## [15363] time seemed to slow its pace, so that between the raising of a foot and the
## [15364]
## [15365]
## [15366]
## [15367]
## [15368] setting of it down minutes of loathing passed.
## [15369]
## [15370] So they came slowly to the white bridge. Here the road, gleaming
## [15371] faintly, passed over the stream in the midst of the valley, and went on,
## [15372] winding deviously up towards the city’s gate: a black mouth opening in the
## [15373] outer circle of the northward walls. Wide flats lay on either bank, shadowy
## [15374] meads filled with pale white flowers. Luminous these were too, beautiful and
## [15375] yet horrible of shape, like the demented forms in an uneasy dream; and they
## [15376] gave forth a faint sickening charnel-smell; an odour of rottenness filled
## [15377] the air. From mead to mead the bridge sprang. Figures stood there at its
## [15378] head, carven with cunning in forms human and bestial, but all corrupt and
## [15379] loathsome. The water flowing beneath was silent, and it steamed, but the
## [15380] vapour that rose from it, curling and twisting about the bridge, was deadly
## [15381] cold. Frodo felt his senses reeling and his mind darkening. Then suddenly,
## [15382] as if some force were at work other than his own will, he began to hurry,
## [15383] tottering forward, his groping hands held out, his head lolling from side to
## [15384] side. Both Sam and Gollum ran after him. Sam caught his master in his arms,
## [15385] as he stumbled and almost fell, right on the threshold of the bridge.
## [15386]
## [15387] 'Not that way! No, not that way! ' whispered Gollum, but the breath
## [15388] between his teeth seemed to tear the heavy stillness like a whistle, and he
## [15389] cowered to the ground in terror.
## [15390]
## [15391] 'Hold up, Mr. Frodo! ’ muttered Sam in Frodo’s ear. ’Come back! Not
## [15392] that way. Gollum says not, and for once I agree with him.’
## [15393]
## [15394] Frodo passed his hand over his brow and wrenched his eyes away from the
## [15395] city on the hill. The luminous tower fascinated him, and he fought the
## [15396] desire that was on him to run up the gleaming road towards its gate. At last
## [15397] with an effort he turned back, and as he did so, he felt the Ring resisting
## [15398] him, dragging at the chain about his neck; and his eyes too, as he looked
## [15399] away, seemed for the moment to have been blinded. The darkness before him
## [15400] was impenetrable.
## [15401]
## [15402] Gollum, crawling on the ground like a frightened animal, was already
## [15403] vanishing into the gloom. Sam, supporting and guiding his stumbling master,
## [15404] followed after him as quickly as he could. Not far from the near bank of the
## [15405] stream there was a gap in the stone-wall beside the road. Through this they
## [15406] passed, and Sam saw that they were on a narrow path that gleamed faintly at
## [15407] first, as the main road did, until climbing above the meads of deadly
## [15408] flowers it faded and went dark, winding its crooked way up into the northern
## [15409] sides of the valley.
## [15410]
## [15411]
## [15412]
## [15413]
## [15414] Along this path the hobbits trudged, side by side, unable to see Gollum
## [15415] in front of them, except when he turned back to beckon them on. Then his
## [15416] eyes shone with a green-white light, reflecting the noisome Morgul-sheen
## [15417] perhaps, or kindled by some answering mood within. Of that deadly gleam and
## [15418] of the dark eyeholes Frodo and Sam were always conscious, ever glancing
## [15419] fearfully over their shoulders, and ever dragging their eyes back to find
## [15420] the darkening path. Slowly they laboured on. As they rose above the stench
## [15421] and vapours of the poisonous stream their breath became easier and their
## [15422] heads clearer; but now their limbs were deadly tired, as if they had walked
## [15423] all night under a burden, or had been swimming long against a heavy tide of
## [15424] water. At last they could go no further without a halt.
## [15425]
## [15426] Frodo stopped and sat down on a stone. They had now climbed up to the
## [15427] top of a great hump of bare rock. Ahead of them there was a bay in the
## [15428] valley -side, and round the head of this the path went on, no more than a
## [15429] wide ledge with a chasm on the right; across the sheer southward face of the
## [15430] mountain it crawled upwards, until it disappeared into the blackness above.
## [15431]
## [15432] 'I must rest a while, Sam,' whispered Frodo. 'It's heavy on me, Sam
## [15433] lad, very heavy. I wonder how far I can carry it? Anyway I must rest before
## [15434] we venture on to that.' He pointed to the narrow way ahead.
## [15435]
## [15436] 'Sssh! ssh! ' hissed Gollum hurrying back to them. 'Sssh! ' His fingers
## [15437] were on his lips and he shook his head urgently. Tugging at Frodo's sleeve,
## [15438] he pointed towards the path; but Frodo would not move.
## [15439]
## [15440] 'Not yet,' he said, 'not yet.' Weariness and more than weariness
## [15441] oppressed him; it seemed as if a heavy spell was laid on his mind and body.
## [15442]
## [15443] 'I must rest,’ he muttered.
## [15444]
## [15445] At this Gollum's fear and agitation became so great that he spoke
## [15446] again, hissing behind his hand, as if to keep the sound from unseen
## [15447] listeners in the air. 'Not here, no. Not rest here. Fools! Eyes can see us.
## [15448]
## [15449] When they come to the bridge they will see us. Come away! Climb, climb!
## [15450] Come! '
## [15451]
## [15452] 'Come, Mr. Frodo,' said Sam. 'He's right, again. We can't stay here.'
## [15453]
## [15454] 'All right,' said Frodo in a remote voice, as of one speaking half
## [15455] asleep. 'I will try.' Wearily he got to his feet.
## [15456]
## [15457] But it was too late. At that moment the rock quivered and trembled
## [15458] beneath them. The great rumbling noise, louder than ever before, rolled in
## [15459] the ground and echoed in the mountains. Then with searing suddenness there
## [15460] came a great red flash. Far beyond the eastern mountains it leapt into the
## [15461]
## [15462]
## [15463]
## [15464]
## [15465] sky and splashed the lowering clouds with crimson. In that valley of shadow
## [15466] and cold deathly light it seemed unbearably violent and fierce. Peaks of
## [15467] stone and ridges like notched knives sprang out in staring black against the
## [15468] uprushing flame in Gorgoroth. Then came a great crack of thunder.
## [15469]
## [15470] And Minas Morgul answered. There was a flare of livid lightnings: forks
## [15471] of blue flame springing up from the tower and from the encircling hills into
## [15472] the sullen clouds. The earth groaned; and out of the city there came a cry.
## [15473] Mingled with harsh high voices as of birds of prey, and the shrill neighing
## [15474] of horses wild with rage and fear, there came a rending screech, shivering,
## [15475] rising swiftly to a piercing pitch beyond the range of hearing. The hobbits
## [15476] wheeled round towards it, and cast themselves down, holding their hands upon
## [15477] their ears.
## [15478]
## [15479] As the terrible cry ended, falling back through a long sickening wail
## [15480] to silence, Frodo slowly raised his head. Across the narrow valley, now
## [15481] almost on a level with his eyes, the walls of the evil city stood, and its
## [15482] cavernous gate, shaped like an open mouth with gleaming teeth, was gaping
## [15483] wide. And out of the gate an army came.
## [15484]
## [15485] All that host was clad in sable, dark as the night. Against the wan
## [15486] walls and the luminous pavement of the road Frodo could see them, small
## [15487] black figures in rank upon rank, marching swiftly and silently, passing
## [15488] outwards in an endless stream. Before them went a great cavalry of horsemen
## [15489] moving like ordered shadows, and at their head was one greater than all the
## [15490] rest: a Rider, all black, save that on his hooded head he had a helm like a
## [15491] crown that flickered with a perilous light. Now he was drawing near the
## [15492] bridge below, and Frodo's staring eyes followed him, unable to wink or to
## [15493] withdraw. Surely there was the Lord of the Nine Riders returned to earth to
## [15494] lead his ghastly host to battle? Here, yes here indeed was the haggard king
## [15495] whose cold hand had smitten down the Ring-bearer with his deadly knife. The
## [15496] old wound throbbed with pain and a great chill spread towards Frodo's heart.
## [15497]
## [15498] Even as these thoughts pierced him with dread and held him bound as
## [15499] with a spell, the Rider halted suddenly, right before the entrance of the
## [15500] bridge, and behind him all the host stood still. There was a pause, a dead
## [15501] silence. Maybe it was the Ring that called to the Wraith-lord, and for a
## [15502] moment he was troubled, sensing some other power within his valley. This way
## [15503] and that turned the dark head helmed and crowned with fear, sweeping the
## [15504] shadows with its unseen eyes. Frodo waited, like a bird at the approach of a
## [15505] snake, unable to move. And as he waited, he felt, more urgent than ever
## [15506]
## [15507]
## [15508]
## [15509]
## [15510] before, the command that he should put on the Ring. But great as the
## [15511] pressure was, he felt no inclination now to yield to it. He knew that the
## [15512] Ring would only betray him, and that he had not, even if he put it on, the
## [15513] power to face the Morgul-king-not yet. There was no longer any answer to
## [15514] that command in his own will, dismayed by terror though it was, and he felt
## [15515] only the beating upon him of a great power from outside. It took his hand,
## [15516] and as Frodo watched with his mind, not willing it but in suspense (as if he
## [15517] looked on some old story far away), it moved the hand inch by inch towards
## [15518] the chain upon his neck. Then his own will stirred; slowly it forced the
## [15519] hand back, and set it to find another thing, a thing lying hidden near his
## [15520] breast. Cold and hard it seemed as his grip closed on it: the phial of
## [15521] Galadriel, so long treasured, and almost forgotten till that hour. As he
## [15522] touched it, for a while all thought of the Ring was banished from his mind.
## [15523]
## [15524] He sighed and bent his head.
## [15525]
## [15526] At that moment the Wraith-king turned and spurred his horse and rode
## [15527] across the bridge, and all his dark host followed him. Maybe the elven-hoods
## [15528] defied his unseen eyes, and the mind of his small enemy; being strengthened,
## [15529] had turned aside his thought. But he was in haste. Already the hour had
## [15530] struck, and at his great Master's bidding he must march with war into the
## [15531] West.
## [15532]
## [15533] Soon he had passed, like a shadow into shadow, down the winding road,
## [15534] and behind him still the black ranks crossed the bridge. So great an army
## [15535] had never issued from that vale since the days of Isildur's might; no host
## [15536] so fell and strong in arms had yet assailed the fords of Anduin; and yet it
## [15537] was but one and not the greatest of the hosts that Mordor now sent forth.
## [15538]
## [15539] Frodo stirred. And suddenly his heart went out to Faramir. 'The storm
## [15540] has burst at last,' he thought. 'This great array of spears and swords is
## [15541] going to Osgiliath. Will Faramir get across in time? He guessed it, but did
## [15542] he know the hour? And who can now hold the fords when the King of the
## [15543] Nine
## [15544]
## [15545] Riders comes? And other armies will come. I am too late. All is lost. I
## [15546] tarried on the way. All is lost. Even if my errand is performed, no one will
## [15547] ever know. There will be no one I can tell. It will be in vain.' Overcome
## [15548] with weakness he wept. And still the host of Morgul crossed the bridge.
## [15549]
## [15550] Then at a great distance, as if it came out of memories of the Shire,
## [15551] some sunlit early morning, when the day called and doors were opening, he
## [15552] heard Sam's voice speaking. 'Wake up, Mr. Frodo! Wake up! ’ Had the voice
## [15553]
## [15554]
## [15555]
## [15556]
## [15557] added: 'Your breakfast is ready,' he would hardly have been surprised.
## [15558] Certainly Sam was urgent. 'Wake up, Mr. Frodo! They're gone,' he said.
## [15559]
## [15560] There was a dull clang. The gates of Minas Morgul had closed. The last
## [15561] rank of spears had vanished down the road. The tower still grinned across
## [15562] the valley, but the light was fading in it. The whole city was falling back
## [15563] into a dark brooding shade, and silence. Yet still it was filled with
## [15564] watchfulness.
## [15565]
## [15566] 'Wake up, Mr. Frodo! They're gone, and we'd better go too. There's
## [15567] something still alive in that place, something with eyes, or a seeing mind,
## [15568] if you take me; and the longer we stay in one spot, the sooner it will get
## [15569] on to us. Come on, Mr. Frodo! '
## [15570]
## [15571] Frodo raised his head, and then stood up. Despair had not left him, but
## [15572] the weakness had passed. He even smiled grimly, feeling now as clearly as a
## [15573] moment before he had felt the opposite, that what he had to do, he had to
## [15574] do, if he could, and that whether Faramir or Aragorn or Elrond or Galadriel
## [15575] or Gandalf or anyone else ever knew about it was beside the purpose. He took
## [15576] his staff in one hand and the phial in his other. When he saw that the clear
## [15577] light was already welling through his fingers, he thrust it into his bosom
## [15578] and held it against his heart. Then turning from the city of Morgul, now no
## [15579] more than a grey glimmer across a dark gulf, he prepared to take the upward
## [15580] road.
## [15581]
## [15582] Gollum, it seemed, had crawled off along the ledge into the darkness
## [15583] beyond, when the gates of Minas Morgul opened, leaving the hobbits where
## [15584] they lay. He now came creeping back, his teeth chattering and his fingers
## [15585] snapping. 'Foolish! Silly! ’ he hissed. 'Make haste! They mustn't think
## [15586] danger has passed. It hasn't. Make haste! '
## [15587]
## [15588] They did not answer, but they followed him on to the climbing ledge. It
## [15589] was little to the liking of either of them, not even after facing so many
## [15590] other perils; but it did not last long. Soon the path reached a rounded
## [15591] angle where the mountain-side swelled out again, and there it suddenly
## [15592] entered a narrow opening in the rock. They had come to the first stair that
## [15593] Gollum had spoken of. The darkness was almost complete, and they could see
## [15594] nothing much beyond their hands' stretch; but Gollum's eyes shone pale,
## [15595] several feet above, as he turned back towards them.
## [15596]
## [15597] 'Careful! ' he whispered. 'Steps. Lots of steps. Must be careful! '
## [15598]
## [15599] Care was certainly needed. Frodo and Sam at first felt easier, having
## [15600] now a wall on either side, but the stairway was almost as steep as a ladder,
## [15601]
## [15602]
## [15603]
## [15604]
## [15605] and as they climbed up and up, they became more and more aware of the long
## [15606] black fall behind them. And the steps were narrow, spaced unevenly, and
## [15607] often treacherous: they were worn and smooth at the edges, and some were
## [15608] broken, and some cracked as foot was set upon them. The hobbits struggled
## [15609] on, until at last they were clinging with desperate fingers to the steps
## [15610] ahead, and forcing their aching knees to bend and straighten; and ever as
## [15611] the stair cut its way deeper into the sheer mountain the rocky walls rose
## [15612] higher and higher above their heads.
## [15613]
## [15614] At length, just as they felt that they could endure no more, they saw
## [15615] Gollum's eyes peering down at them again. 'We're up,’ he whispered. ’First
## [15616] stair's past. Clever hobbits to climb so high, very clever hobbits. Just a
## [15617] few more little steps and that's all, yes.'
## [15618]
## [15619] Dizzy and very tired Sam, and Frodo following him, crawled up the last
## [15620] step, and sat down rubbing their legs and knees. They were in a deep dark
## [15621] passage that seemed still to go up before them, though at a gentler slope
## [15622] and without steps. Gollum did not let them rest long.
## [15623]
## [15624] 'There's another stair still,' he said. 'Much longer stair. Rest when
## [15625] we get to the top of next stair. Not yet.’
## [15626]
## [15627] Sam groaned. ’Longer, did you say? ’ he asked.
## [15628]
## [15629] 'Yes, yess, longer,' said Gollum. 'But not so difficult. Hobbits have
## [15630] climbed the Straight Stair. Next comes the Winding Stair.’
## [15631]
## [15632] 'And what after that? ' said Sam.
## [15633]
## [15634] 'We shall see,' said Gollum softly. 'O yes, we shall see! ’
## [15635]
## [15636] ’I thought you said there was a tunnel,' said Sam. 'Isn't there a
## [15637] tunnel or something to go through? '
## [15638]
## [15639] 'O yes, there's a tunnel,' said Gollum. 'But hobbits can rest before
## [15640] they try that. If they get through that, they'll be nearly at the top. Very
## [15641] nearly, if they get through. O yes ! '
## [15642]
## [15643] Frodo shivered. The climb had made him sweat, but now he felt cold and
## [15644] clammy, and there was a chill draught in the dark passage, blowing down from
## [15645] the invisible heights above. He got up and shook himself. 'Well, let's go
## [15646] on! 'he said. 'This is no place to sit in.’
## [15647]
## [15648] The passage seemed to go on for miles, and always the chill air flowed
## [15649] over them, rising as they went on to a bitter wind. The mountains seemed to
## [15650] be trying with their deadly breath to daunt them, to turn them back from the
## [15651] secrets of the high places, or to blow them away into the darkness behind.
## [15652] They only knew that they had come to the end, when suddenly they felt no
## [15653]
## [15654]
## [15655]
## [15656]
## [15657] wall at their right hand. They could see very little. Great black shapeless
## [15658] masses and deep grey shadows loomed above them and about them, but now
## [15659] and
## [15660]
## [15661] again a dull red light flickered up under the lowering clouds, and for a
## [15662] moment they were aware of tall peaks, in front and on either side, like
## [15663] pillars holding up a vast sagging roof. They seemed to have climbed up many
## [15664] hundreds of feet, on to a wide shelf. A cliff was on their left and a chasm
## [15665] on their right.
## [15666]
## [15667] Gollum led the way close under the cliff. For the present they were no
## [15668] longer climbing, but the ground was now more broken and dangerous in the
## [15669] dark, and there were blocks and lumps of fallen stone in the way. Their
## [15670] going was slow and cautious. How many hours had passed since they had
## [15671] entered the Morgul Vale neither Sam nor Frodo could any longer guess. The
## [15672] night seemed endless.
## [15673]
## [15674] At length they were once more aware of a wall looming up, and once more
## [15675] a stairway opened before them. Again they halted, and again they began to
## [15676] climb. It was a long and weary ascent; but this stairway did not delve into
## [15677] the mountain -side. Here the huge cliff face sloped backwards, and the path
## [15678] like a snake wound to and fro across it. At one point it crawled sideways
## [15679] right to the edge of the dark chasm, and Frodo glancing down saw below him
## [15680] as a vast deep pit the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Valley. Down
## [15681] in its depths glimmered like a glow-worm thread the wraith-road from the
## [15682] dead city to the Nameless Pass. He turned hastily away.
## [15683]
## [15684] Still on and up the stairway bent and crawled, until at last with a
## [15685] final flight, short and straight, it climbed out again on to another level.
## [15686]
## [15687] The path had veered away from the main pass in the great ravine, and it now
## [15688] followed its own perilous course at the bottom of a lesser cleft among the
## [15689] higher regions of the Ephel D®ath. Dimly the hobbits could discern tall
## [15690] piers and jagged pinnacles of stone on either side, between which were great
## [15691] crevices and fissures blacker than the night, where forgotten winters had
## [15692] gnawed and carved the sunless stone. And now the red light in the sky seemed
## [15693] stronger; though they could not tell whether a dreadful morning were indeed
## [15694] coming to this place of shadow, or whether they saw only the flame of some
## [15695] great violence of Sauron in the torment of Gorgoroth beyond. Still far
## [15696] ahead, and still high above, Frodo, looking up, saw, as he guessed, the very
## [15697] crown of this bitter road. Against the sullen redness of the eastern sky a
## [15698] cleft was outlined in the topmost ridge, narrow, deep-cloven between two
## [15699]
## [15700]
## [15701]
## [15702]
## [15703] black shoulders; and on either shoulder was a horn of stone.
## [15704]
## [15705] He paused and looked more attentively. The horn upon the left was tall
## [15706] and slender; and in it burned a red light, or else the red light in the land
## [15707] beyond was shining through a hole. He saw now: it was a black tower poised
## [15708] above the outer pass. He touched Sam's arm and pointed.
## [15709]
## [15710] 'I don’t like the look of that! ' said Sam. 'So this secret way of
## [15711] yours is guarded after all,' he growled, turning to Gollum. 'As you knew all
## [15712] along, I suppose? '
## [15713]
## [15714] 'All ways are watched, yes,' said Gollum. 'Of course they are. But
## [15715] hobbits must try some way. This may be least watched. Perhaps they've all
## [15716] gone away to big battle, perhaps ! '
## [15717]
## [15718] 'Perhaps,' grunted Sam. 'Well, it still seems a long way off, and a
## [15719] long way up before we get there. And there's still the tunnel. I think you
## [15720] ought to rest now, Mr. Frodo. I don't know what time of day or night it is,
## [15721] but we've kept going for hours and hours.'
## [15722]
## [15723] 'Yes, we must rest,’ said Frodo. 'Let us find some corner out of the
## [15724] wind, and gather our strength-for the last lap.' For so he felt it to be.
## [15725]
## [15726] The terrors of the land beyond, and the deed to be done there, seemed
## [15727] remote, too far off yet to trouble him. All his mind was bent on getting
## [15728] through or over this impenetrable wall and guard. If once he could do that
## [15729] impossible thing, then somehow the errand would be accomplished, or so it
## [15730] seemed to him in that dark hour of weariness, still labouring in the stony
## [15731] shadows under Cirith Ungol.
## [15732]
## [15733] In a dark crevice between two great piers of rock they sat down: Frodo
## [15734] and Sam a little way within, and Gollum crouched upon the ground near the
## [15735] opening. There the hobbits took what they expected would be their last meal
## [15736] before they went down into the Nameless Land, maybe the last meal they
## [15737] would
## [15738]
## [15739] ever eat together. Some of the food of Gondor they ate, and wafers of the
## [15740] waybread of the Elves, and they drank a little. But of their water they were
## [15741] sparing and took only enough to moisten their dry mouths.
## [15742]
## [15743] 'I wonder when we'll find water again? ' said Sam. 'But I suppose even
## [15744] over there they drink? Ores drink, don't they? '
## [15745]
## [15746] 'Yes, they drink,' said Frodo. 'But do not let us speak of that. Such
## [15747] drink is not for us.'
## [15748]
## [15749] 'Then all the more need to fill our bottles,' said Sam. 'But there
## [15750] isn't any water up here: not a sound or a trickle have I heard. And anyway
## [15751]
## [15752]
## [15753]
## [15754]
## [15755] Faramir said we were not to drink any water in Morgul.'
## [15756]
## [15757] 'No water flowing out of Imlad Morgul, were his words,' said Frodo. 'We
## [15758] are not in that valley now, and if we came on a spring it would be flowing
## [15759] into it and not out of it.'
## [15760]
## [15761] 'I wouldn't trust it,' said Sam, 'not till I was dying of thirst.
## [15762]
## [15763] There's a wicked feeling about this place.' Fie sniffed. 'And a smell, I
## [15764] fancy. Do you notice it? A queer kind of a smell, stuffy. I don't like it.'
## [15765]
## [15766] 'I don't like anything here at all.' said Frodo, 'step or stone, breath
## [15767] or bone. Earth, air and water all seem accursed. But so our path is laid.’
## [15768]
## [15769] 'Yes, that's so,' said Sam. 'And we shouldn't be here at all, if we'd
## [15770] known more about it before we started. But I suppose it's often that way.
## [15771] The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I
## [15772] used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk
## [15773] of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because
## [15774] they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might
## [15775] say. But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or
## [15776] the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them,
## [15777] usually — their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they
## [15778] had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't. And if they
## [15779] had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten. We hear about
## [15780] those as just went on — and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not
## [15781] to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know,
## [15782] coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same — like
## [15783] old Mr Bilbo. But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they
## [15784] may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we've
## [15785] fallen into? '
## [15786]
## [15787] 'I wonder,' said Frodo. 'But I don't know. And that's the way of a real
## [15788] tale. Take any one that you're fond of. You may know, or guess, what kind of
## [15789] a tale it is, happy-ending or sad-ending, but the people in it don't know.
## [15790]
## [15791] And you don't want them to.'
## [15792]
## [15793] 'No, sir, of course not. Beren now, he never thought he was going to
## [15794] get that Silmaril from the Iron Crown in Thangorodrim, and yet he did, and
## [15795] that was a worse place and a blacker danger than ours. But that's a long
## [15796] tale, of course, and goes on past the happiness and into grief and beyond it
## [15797] — and the Silmaril went on and came to Edrendil. And why, sir, I never
## [15798] thought of that before! We've got — you've got some of the light of it in
## [15799] that star-glass that the Lady gave you! Why, to think of it, we're in the
## [15800]
## [15801]
## [15802]
## [15803]
## [15804] same tale still! It's going on. Don't the great tales never end? '
## [15805]
## [15806] 'No, they never end as tales,' said Frodo. 'But the people in them
## [15807] come, and go when their part's ended. Our part will end later — or sooner.'
## [15808]
## [15809] 'And then we can have some rest and some sleep,' said Sam. He laughed
## [15810] grimly. 'And I mean just that, Mr. Frodo. I mean plain ordinary rest, and
## [15811] sleep, and waking up to a morning's work in the garden. I'm afraid that's
## [15812] all I'm hoping for all the time. All the big important plans are not for my
## [15813] sort. Still, I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. We're in
## [15814] one, or course; but I mean: put into words, you know, told by the fireside,
## [15815] or read out of a great big book with red and black letters, years and years
## [15816] afterwards. And people will say: "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring! " And
## [15817] they'll say: "Yes, that's one of my favourite stories. Frodo was very brave,
## [15818] wasn't he, dad?" "Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and that's
## [15819] saying a lot.'"
## [15820]
## [15821] 'It's saying a lot too much,' said Frodo, and he laughed, a long clear
## [15822] laugh from his heart. Such a sound had not been heard in those places since
## [15823] Sauron came to Middle-earth. To Sam suddenly it seemed as if all the stones
## [15824] were listening and the tall rocks leaning over them. But Frodo did not heed
## [15825] them; he laughed again. 'Why, Sam,' he said, 'to hear you somehow makes me
## [15826] as merry as if the story was already written. But you've left out one of the
## [15827] chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. "I want to hear more about Sam,
## [15828] dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad? That's what I like, it
## [15829] makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he,
## [15830] dad?
## [15831]
## [15832] ft f
## [15833]
## [15834] 'Now, Mr. Frodo,' said Sam, 'you shouldn't make fun. I was serious. '
## [15835]
## [15836] 'So was I,' said Frodo, 'and so I am. We're going on a bit too fast.
## [15837]
## [15838] You and I, Sam, are still stuck in the worst places of the story, and it is
## [15839] all too likely that some will say at this point: "Shut the book now, dad; we
## [15840] don't want to read any more." '
## [15841]
## [15842] 'Maybe,' said Sam, 'but I wouldn't be one to say that. Things done and
## [15843] over and made into part of the great tales are different. Why, even Gollum
## [15844] might be good in a tale, better than he is to have by you, anyway. And he
## [15845] used to like tales himself once, by his own account. I wonder if he thinks
## [15846] he's the hero or the villain?
## [15847]
## [15848] 'Gollum!' he called. 'Would you like to be the hero — now where's he
## [15849] got to again?'
## [15850]
## [15851]
## [15852]
## [15853]
## [15854] There was no sign of him at the mouth of their shelter nor in the
## [15855] shadows near. He had refused their food, though he had, as usual, accepted a
## [15856] mouthful of water; and then he had seemed to curl up for a sleep: They had
## [15857] supposed that one at any rate of his objects in his long absence the day
## [15858] before had been to hunt for food to his own liking; and now he had evidently
## [15859] slipped off again while they talked. But what for this time?
## [15860]
## [15861] 'I don't like his sneaking off without saying,' said Sam. 'And least of
## [15862] all now. He can't be looking for food up here, not unless there's some kind
## [15863] of rock he fancies. Why, there isn't even a bit of moss! '
## [15864]
## [15865] "It's no good worrying about him now,' said Frodo. 'We couldn't have
## [15866] got so far, not even within sight of the pass, without him, and so we'll
## [15867] have to put up with his ways. If he's false, he's false.'
## [15868]
## [15869] 'All the same, I'd rather have him under my eye,' said Sam. 'All the
## [15870] more so, if he's false. Do you remember he never would say if this pass was
## [15871] guarded or no? And now we see a tower there — and it may be deserted, and
## [15872] it may not. Do you think he's gone to fetch them, Ores or whatever they
## [15873] are?'
## [15874]
## [15875] 'No, I don't think so,' answered Frodo. 'Even if he's up to some
## [15876] wickedness, and I suppose that's not unlikely, I don't think it's that: not
## [15877] to fetch Ores, or any servants of the Enemy. Why wait till now, and go
## [15878] through all the labour of the climb, and come so near the land he fears? He
## [15879] could probably have betrayed us to Ores many times since we met him. No, if
## [15880] it's anything, it will be some little private trick of his own-that he
## [15881] thinks is quite secret.'
## [15882]
## [15883] 'Well, I suppose you're right, Mr. Frodo,' said Sam. 'Not that it
## [15884] comforts me mightily. I don't make no mistake: I don't doubt he'd hand me
## [15885] over to Ores as gladly as kiss his hand. But I was forgetting — his
## [15886] Precious. No, I suppose the whole time it's been The Precious for poor
## [15887] Smjagol. That's the one idea in all his little schemes, if he has any. But
## [15888] how bringing us up here will help him in that is more than I can guess.'
## [15889]
## [15890] 'Very likely he can't guess himself,' said Frodo. 'And I don't think
## [15891] he's got just one plain scheme in his muddled head. I think he really is in
## [15892] part trying to save the Precious from the Enemy, as long as he can. For that
## [15893] would be the last disaster for himself too. if the Enemy got it. And in the
## [15894] other part, perhaps, he's just biding his time and waiting on chance.'
## [15895]
## [15896] 'Yes, Slinker and Stinker, as I've said before,' said Sam. 'But the
## [15897] nearer they get to the Enemy's land the more like Stinker Slinker will get.
## [15898]
## [15899]
## [15900]
## [15901]
## [15902] Mark my words: if ever we get to the pass, he won't let us really take the
## [15903] precious thing over the border without making some kind of trouble.'
## [15904]
## [15905] 'We haven't got there yet,' said Frodo.
## [15906]
## [15907] 'No, but we'd better keep our eyes skinned till we do. If we're caught
## [15908] napping, Stinker will come out on top pretty quick. Not but what it would be
## [15909] safe for you to have a wink now, master. Safe, if you lay close to me. I'd
## [15910] be dearly glad to see you have a sleep. I'd keep watch over you; and anyway,
## [15911] if you lay near, with my arm round you, no one could come pawing you
## [15912] without
## [15913]
## [15914] your Sam knowing it.'
## [15915]
## [15916] 'Sleep!' said Frodo and sighed, as if out of a desert he had seen a
## [15917] mirage of cool green. 'Yes, even here I could sleep.'
## [15918]
## [15919] 'Sleep then, master! Lay your head in my lap.'
## [15920]
## [15921] And so Gollum found them hours later, when he returned, crawling and
## [15922] creeping down the path out of the gloom ahead. Sam sat propped against the
## [15923] stone, his head dropping sideways and his breathing heavy. In his lap lay
## [15924] Frodo's head, drowned deep in sleep; upon his white forehead lay one of
## [15925] Sam's brown hands, and the other lay softly upon his master's breast. Peace
## [15926] was in both their faces.
## [15927]
## [15928] Gollum looked at them. A strange expression passed over his lean hungry
## [15929] face. The gleam faded from his eyes, and they went dim and grey, old and
## [15930] tired. A spasm of pain seemed to twist him, and he turned away, peering back
## [15931] up towards the pass, shaking his head, as if engaged in some interior
## [15932] debate. Then he came back, and slowly putting out a trembling hand, very
## [15933] cautiously he touched Frodo's knee — but almost the touch was a caress. For
## [15934] a fleeting moment, could one of the sleepers have seen him, they would have
## [15935] thought that they beheld an old weary hobbit, shrunken by the years that had
## [15936] carried him far beyond his time, beyond friends and kin, and the fields and
## [15937] streams of youth, an old starved pitiable thing.
## [15938]
## [15939] But at that touch Frodo stirred and cried out softly in his sleep, and
## [15940] immediately Sam was wide awake. The first thing he saw was Gollum —
## [15941] 'pawing
## [15942]
## [15943] at master,’ as he thought.
## [15944]
## [15945] 'Hey you!’ he said roughly. 'What are you up to?’
## [15946]
## [15947] 'Nothing, nothing,' said Gollum softly. 'Nice Master!'
## [15948]
## [15949] 'I daresay,' said Sam. 'But where have you been to — sneaking off and
## [15950] sneaking back, you old villain? '
## [15951]
## [15952]
## [15953]
## [15954]
## [15955] Gollum withdrew himself, and a green glint flickered under his heavy
## [15956] lids. Almost spider -like he looked now, crouched back on his bent limbs,
## [15957] with his protruding eyes. The fleeting moment had passed, beyond recall.
## [15958] 'Sneaking, sneaking!' he hissed. 'Hobbits always so polite, yes. O nice
## [15959] hobbits! Smjagol brings them up secret ways that nobody else could find.
## [15960] Tired he is, thirsty he is, yes thirsty; and he guides them and he searches
## [15961] for paths, and they say sneak, sneak. Very nice friends, O yes my precious,
## [15962] very nice.'
## [15963]
## [15964] Sam felt a bit remorseful, though not more trustful. 'Sorry.' he said.
## [15965]
## [15966] 'I'm sorry, but you startled me out of my sleep. And I shouldn't have been
## [15967] sleeping, and that made me a bit sharp. But Mr. Frodo. he's that tired, I
## [15968] asked him to have a wink; and well, that's how it is. Sorry. But where have
## [15969] you been to? '
## [15970]
## [15971] 'Sneaking,' said Gollum, and the green glint did not leave his eyes.
## [15972]
## [15973] 'O very well,' said Sam, 'have it your own way! I don't suppose it's so
## [15974] far from the truth. And now we'd better all be sneaking along together.
## [15975] What's the time? Is it today or tomorrow? '
## [15976]
## [15977] 'It's tomorrow,' said Gollum, 'or this was tomorrow when hobbits went
## [15978] to sleep. Very foolish, very dangerous-if poor Smjagol wasn't sneaking about
## [15979] to watch.'
## [15980]
## [15981] 'I think we shall get tired of that word soon,’ said Sam. 'But never
## [15982] mind. I'll wake master up.' Gently he smoothed the hair back from Frodo's
## [15983] brow, and bending down spoke softly to him.
## [15984]
## [15985] 'Wake up, Mr. Frodo! Wake up! '
## [15986]
## [15987] Frodo stirred and opened his eyes, and smiled, seeing Sam's face
## [15988] bending over him. 'Calling me early aren't you, Sam?' he said. 'It's dark
## [15989] still! '
## [15990]
## [15991] 'Yes it's always dark here,' said Sam. 'But Gollum' s come back Mr.
## [15992] Frodo, and he says it's tomorrow. So we must be walking on. The last lap.'
## [15993]
## [15994] Frodo drew a deep breath and sat up. 'The last lap! ’ he said. 'Hullo,
## [15995] Smjagol! Found any food? Have you had any rest? '
## [15996]
## [15997] 'No food, no rest, nothing for Smjagol,' said Gollum. 'He's a sneak.'
## [15998]
## [15999] Sam clicked his tongue, but restrained himself.
## [16000]
## [16001] 'Don't take names to yourself, Smjagol,' said Frodo. 'It's unwise
## [16002] whether they are true or false.'
## [16003]
## [16004] 'Smjagol has to take what's given him,' answered Gollum. 'He was given
## [16005] that name by kind Master Samwise, the hobbit that knows so much.'
## [16006]
## [16007]
## [16008]
## [16009]
## [16010] Frodo looked at Sam. 'Yes sir,' he said. 'I did use the word, waking up
## [16011] out of my sleep sudden and all and finding him at hand. I said I was sorry,
## [16012] but I soon shan't be.'
## [16013]
## [16014] 'Come, let it pass then,' said Frodo. 'But now we seem to have come to
## [16015] the point, you and I, Smjagol. Tell me. Can we find the rest of the way by
## [16016] ourselves? We're in sight of the pass, of a way in, and if we can find it
## [16017] now, then I suppose our agreement can be said to be over. You have done what
## [16018] you promised, and you're free: free to go back to food and rest, wherever
## [16019] you wish to go, except to servants of the Enemy. And one day I may reward
## [16020] you, I or those that remember me.'
## [16021]
## [16022] 'No, no, not yet,' Gollum whined. 'O no! They can't find the way
## [16023] themselves, can they? O no indeed. There's the tunnel coming. Smjagol must
## [16024] go on. No rest. No food. Not yet.'
## [16025]
## [16026]
## [16027]
## [16028]
## [16029] Chapter 9 . Shelob ' s Lair
## [16030]
## [16031]
## [16032]
## [16033] It may indeed have been daytime now, as Gollum said, but the hobbits
## [16034] could see little difference, unless, perhaps, the heavy sky above was less
## [16035] utterly black, more like a great roof of smoke; while instead of the
## [16036] darkness of deep night, which lingered still in cracks and holes, a grey
## [16037] blurring shadow shrouded the stony world about them. They passed on,
## [16038] Gollum
## [16039]
## [16040] in front and the hobbits now side by side, up the long ravine between the
## [16041] piers and columns of torn and weathered rock, standing like huge unshapen
## [16042] statues on either hand. There was no sound. Some way ahead, a mile or so,
## [16043] perhaps, was a great grey wall, a last huge upthrusting mass of
## [16044] mountain- stone. Darker it loomed, and steadily it rose as they approached,
## [16045] until it towered up high above them, shutting out the view of all that lay
## [16046] beyond. Deep shadow lay before its feet. Sam sniffed the air.
## [16047]
## [16048] 'Ugh! That smell!' he said. 'It's getting stronger and stronger.'
## [16049]
## [16050] Presently they were under the shadow, and there in the midst of it they
## [16051] saw the opening of a cave. 'This is the way in,' said Gollum softly. 'This
## [16052] is the entrance to the tunnel.' He did not speak its name: Torech Ungol,
## [16053] Shelob's Lair. Out of it came a stench, not the sickly odour of decay in the
## [16054] meads of Morgul, but a foul reek, as if filth unnameable were piled and
## [16055] hoarded in the dark within.
## [16056]
## [16057] 'Is this the only way, Smjagol? ’ said Frodo.
## [16058]
## [16059] 'Yes, yes,' he answered. 'Yes, we must go this way now.'
## [16060]
## [16061] 'D'you mean to say you've been through this hole?' said Sam. 'Phew! But
## [16062] perhaps you don't mind bad smells.'
## [16063]
## [16064] Gollum's eyes glinted. 'He doesn't know what we minds, does he
## [16065] precious? No, he doesn't. But Smjagol can bear things. Yes. He's been
## [16066] through. O yes, right through. It's the only way.'
## [16067]
## [16068] 'And what makes the smell, I wonder,' said Sam. 'It's like — well, I
## [16069] wouldn't like to say. Some beastly hole of the Ores, I'll warrant, with a
## [16070] hundred years of their filth in it.'
## [16071]
## [16072] 'Well,' said Frodo, 'Ores or no, if it's the only way, we must take
## [16073] it.'
## [16074]
## [16075] Drawing a deep breath they passed inside. In a few steps they were in
## [16076]
## [16077]
## [16078]
## [16079]
## [16080] utter and impenetrable dark. Not since the lightless passages of Moria had
## [16081] Frodo or Sam known such darkness, and if possible here it was deeper and
## [16082] denser. There, there were airs moving, and echoes, and a sense of space.
## [16083]
## [16084] Here the air was still, stagnant, heavy, and sound fell dead. They walked as
## [16085] it were in a black vapour wrought of veritable darkness itself that, as it
## [16086] was breathed, brought blindness not only to the eyes but to the mind, so
## [16087] that even the memory of colours and of forms and of any light faded out of
## [16088] thought. Night always had been, and always would be, and night was all.
## [16089]
## [16090] But for a while they could still feel, and indeed the senses of their
## [16091] feet and fingers at first seemed sharpened almost painfully. The walls felt,
## [16092] to their surprise, smooth, and the floor, save for a step now and again, was
## [16093] straight and even, going ever up at the same stiff slope. The tunnel was
## [16094] high and wide, so wide that, though the hobbits walked abreast, only
## [16095] touching the side- walls with their outstretched hands, they were separated,
## [16096] cut off alone in the darkness.
## [16097]
## [16098] Gollum had gone in first and seemed to be only a few steps ahead. While
## [16099] they were still able to give heed to such things, they could hear his breath
## [16100] hissing and gasping just in front of them. But after a time their senses
## [16101] became duller, both touch and hearing seemed to grow numb, and they kept on,
## [16102] groping, walking, on and on, mainly by the force of the will with which they
## [16103] had entered, will to go through and desire to come at last to the high gate
## [16104] beyond.
## [16105]
## [16106] Before they had gone very far, perhaps, but time and distance soon
## [16107] passed out of his reckoning, Sam on the right, feeling the wall, was aware
## [16108] that there was an opening at the side: for a moment he caught a faint breath
## [16109] of some air less heavy, and then they passed it by.
## [16110]
## [16111] 'There's more than one passage here,' he whispered with an effort: it
## [16112] seemed hard to make his breath give any sound. 'It's as ore-like a place as
## [16113] ever there could be ! '
## [16114]
## [16115] After that, first he on the right, and then Frodo on the left, passed
## [16116] three or four such openings, some wider, some smaller; but there was as yet
## [16117] no doubt of the main way, for it was straight, and did not turn, and still
## [16118] went steadily up. But how long was it, how much more of this would they have
## [16119] to endure, or could they endure? The breathlessness of the air was growing
## [16120] as they climbed; and now they seemed often in the blind dark to sense some
## [16121] resistance thicker than the foul air. As they thrust forward they felt
## [16122] things brush against their heads, or against their hands, long tentacles, or
## [16123]
## [16124]
## [16125]
## [16126]
## [16127] hanging growths perhaps: they could not tell what they were. And still the
## [16128] stench grew. It grew, until almost it seemed to them that smell was the only
## [16129] clear sense left t0 them, and that was for their torment. One hour, two
## [16130] hours, three hours: how many had they passed in this lightless hole?
## [16131] Hours-days, weeks rather. Sam left the tunnel-side and shrank towards Frodo,
## [16132] and their hands met and clasped, and so together they still went on.
## [16133]
## [16134] At length Frodo, groping along the left-hand wall, came suddenly to a
## [16135] void. Almost he fell sideways into the emptiness. Here was some opening in
## [16136] the rock far wider than any they had yet passed; and out of it came a reek
## [16137] so foul, and a sense of lurking malice so intense, that Frodo reeled. And at
## [16138] that moment Sam too lurched and fell forwards.
## [16139]
## [16140] Fighting off both the sickness and the fear, Frodo gripped Sam's hand.
## [16141] 'Up! ' he said in a hoarse breath without voice. 'It all comes from here,
## [16142] the stench and the peril. Now for it! Quick! '
## [16143]
## [16144] Calling up his remaining strength and resolution, he dragged Sam to his
## [16145] feet, and forced his own limbs to move. Sam stumbled beside him. One step,
## [16146] two steps, three steps-at last six steps. Maybe they had passed the dreadful
## [16147] unseen opening, but whether that was so or not, suddenly it was easier to
## [16148] move, as if some hostile will for the moment had released them. They
## [16149] struggled on, still hand in hand.
## [16150]
## [16151] But almost at once they came to a new difficulty. The tunnel forked, or
## [16152] so it seemed, and in the dark they could not tell which was the wider way,
## [16153] or which kept nearer to the straight. Which should they take, the left, or
## [16154] the right? They knew of nothing to guide them, yet a false choice would
## [16155] almost certainly be fatal.
## [16156]
## [16157] 'Which way has Gollum gone? ' panted Sam. 'And why didn't he wait? '
## [16158]
## [16159] 'Smjagol! ’said Frodo, trying to call. ’Smjagol! ’ But his voice
## [16160] croaked, and the name fell dead almost as it left his lips. There was no
## [16161] answer, not an echo, not even a tremor of the air.
## [16162]
## [16163] 'He's really gone this time, I fancy,' muttered Sam. 'I guess this is
## [16164] just exactly where he meant to bring us. Gollum! If ever I lay hands on you
## [16165] again, you'll be sorry for it.'
## [16166]
## [16167] Presently, groping and fumbling in the dark, they found that the
## [16168] opening on the left was blocked: either it was a blind, or else some great
## [16169] stone had fallen in the passage. 'This can't be the way,' Frodo whispered.
## [16170] 'Right or wrong, we must take the other.'
## [16171]
## [16172] 'And quick! ' Sam panted. 'There's something worse than Gollum about. I
## [16173]
## [16174]
## [16175]
## [16176]
## [16177] can feel something looking at us.'
## [16178]
## [16179] They had not gone more than a few yards when from behind them came a
## [16180] sound, startling and horrible in the heavy padded silence: a gurgling,
## [16181] bubbling noise, and a long venomous hiss. They wheeled round, but nothing
## [16182] could be seen. Still as stones they stood, staring, waiting for they did not
## [16183] know what.
## [16184]
## [16185] 'It's a trap!’ said Sam, and he laid his hand upon the hilt of his
## [16186] sword; and as he did so, he thought of the darkness of the barrow whence it
## [16187] came. ’I wish old Tom was near us now!’ he thought. Then as he stood,
## [16188] darkness about him and a blackness of despair and anger in his heart, it
## [16189] seemed to him that he saw a light: a light in his mind, almost unbearably
## [16190] bright at first, as a sun-ray to the eyes of one long hidden in a windowless
## [16191] pit. Then the light became colour: green, gold, silver, white. Far off, as
## [16192] in a little picture drawn by elven-fingers he saw the Lady Galadriel
## [16193] standing on the grass in Lurien, and gifts were in her hands. And you,
## [16194] Ring-bearer, he heard her say, remote but clear , for you I have prepared
## [16195] this.
## [16196]
## [16197] The bubbling hiss drew nearer, and there was a creaking as of some
## [16198] great jointed thing that moved with slow purpose in the dark. A reek came on
## [16199] before it. 'Master, master!' cried Sam, and the life and urgency came back
## [16200] into his voice. 'The Lady's gift! The star-glass! A light to you in dark
## [16201] places, she said it was to be. The star-glass! '
## [16202]
## [16203] 'The star-glass?' muttered Frodo, as one answering out of sleep, hardly
## [16204] comprehending. 'Why yes! Why had I forgotten it? A light when all other
## [16205] lights go out! And now indeed light alone can help us.’
## [16206]
## [16207] Slowly his hand went to his bosom, and slowly he held aloft the Phial
## [16208] of Galadriel. For a moment it glimmered, faint as a rising star struggling
## [16209] in heavy earthward mists, and then as its power waxed, and hope grew in
## [16210] Frodo's mind, it began to burn, and kindled to a silver flame, a minute
## [16211] heart of dazzling light, as though Edrendil had himself come down from the
## [16212] high sunset paths with the last Silmaril upon his brow. The darkness receded
## [16213] from it until it seemed to shine in the centre of a globe of airy crystal,
## [16214] and the hand that held it sparkled with white fire.
## [16215]
## [16216] Frodo gazed in wonder at this marvellous gift that he had so long
## [16217] carried, not guessing its full worth and potency. Seldom had he remembered
## [16218] it on the road, until they came to Morgul Vale, and never had he used it for
## [16219] fear of its revealing light. Aiya Edrendil Elenion Ancalima! he cried, and
## [16220]
## [16221]
## [16222]
## [16223]
## [16224] knew not what he had spoken; for it seemed that another voice spoke through
## [16225] his, clear, untroubled by the foul air of the pit.
## [16226]
## [16227] But other potencies there are in Middle-earth, powers of night, and
## [16228] they are old and strong. And She that walked in the darkness had heard the
## [16229] Elves cry that cry far back in the deeps of time, and she had not heeded it,
## [16230] and it did not daunt her now. Even as Frodo spoke he felt a great malice
## [16231] bent upon him, and a deadly regard considering him. Not far down the tunnel,
## [16232] between them and the opening where they had reeled and stumbled, he was
## [16233] aware of eyes growing visible, two great clusters of many-windowed eyes —
## [16234] the coming menace was unmasked at last. The radiance of the star-glass was
## [16235] broken and thrown back from their thousand facets, but behind the glitter a
## [16236] pale deadly fire began steadily to glow within, a flame kindled in some deep
## [16237] pit of evil thought. Monstrous and abominable eyes they were, bestial and
## [16238] yet filled with purpose and with hideous delight, gloating over their prey
## [16239] trapped beyond all hope of escape.
## [16240]
## [16241] Frodo and Sam, horror-stricken, began slowly to back away, their own
## [16242] gaze held by the dreadful stare of those baleful eyes; but as they backed so
## [16243] the eyes advanced. Frodo's hand wavered, and slowly the Phial drooped. Then
## [16244] suddenly, released from the holding spell to run a little while in vain
## [16245] panic for the amusement of the eyes, they both turned and fled together; but
## [16246] even as they ran Frodo looked back and saw with terror that at once the eyes
## [16247] came leaping up behind. The stench of death was like a cloud about him.
## [16248]
## [16249] ’Stand! stand! ' he cried desperately. 'Running is no use.’
## [16250]
## [16251] Slowly the eyes crept nearer.
## [16252]
## [16253] 'Galadriel! ' he called, and gathering his courage he lifted up the
## [16254] Phial once more. The eyes halted. For a moment their regard relaxed, as if
## [16255] some hint of doubt troubled them. Then Frodo's heart flamed within him, and
## [16256] without thinking what he did, whether it was folly or despair or courage, he
## [16257] took the Phial in his left hand, and with his right hand drew his sword.
## [16258]
## [16259] Sting flashed out, and the sharp elven-blade sparkled in the silver light,
## [16260] but at its edges a blue fire flicked. Then holding the star aloft and the
## [16261] bright sword advanced, Frodo, hobbit of the Shire, walked steadily down to
## [16262] meet the eyes.
## [16263]
## [16264] They wavered. Doubt came into them as the light approached. One by one
## [16265] they dimmed, and slowly they drew back. No brightness so deadly had ever
## [16266] afflicted them before. From sun and moon and star they had been safe
## [16267] underground, but now a star had descended into the very earth. Still it
## [16268]
## [16269]
## [16270]
## [16271]
## [16272] approached, and the eyes began to quail. One by one they all went dark; they
## [16273] turned away, and a great bulk, beyond the light's reach, heaved its huge
## [16274] shadow in between. They were gone.
## [16275]
## [16276] 'Master, master!' cried Sam. He was close behind, his own sword drawn
## [16277] and ready. 'Stars and glory! But the Elves would make a song of that, if
## [16278] ever they heard of it! And may I live to tell them and hear them sing. But
## [16279] don't go on, master. Don't go down to that den! Now's our only chance. Now
## [16280] let's get out of this foul hole!'
## [16281]
## [16282] And so back they turned once more, first walking and then running; for
## [16283] as they went the floor of the tunnel rose steeply, and with every stride
## [16284] they climbed higher above the stenches of the unseen lair, and strength
## [16285] returned to limb and heart. But still the hatred of the Watcher lurked
## [16286] behind them, blind for a while, perhaps, but undefeated, still bent on
## [16287] death. And now there came a flow of air to meet them, cold and thin. The
## [16288] opening, the tunnel's end, at last it was before them. Panting, yearning for
## [16289] a roofless place, they flung themselves forward, and then in amazement they
## [16290] staggered, tumbling back. The outlet was blocked with some barrier, but not
## [16291] of stone: soft and a little yielding it seemed, and yet strong and
## [16292] impervious; air filtered through, hut not a glimmer of any light. Once more
## [16293] they charged and were hurled back.
## [16294]
## [16295] Holding aloft the Phial Frodo looked and before him he saw a greyness
## [16296] which the radiance of the star -glass did not pierce and did not illuminate,
## [16297] as if it were a shadow that being cast by no light, no light could
## [16298] dissipate. Across the width and height of the tunnel a vast web was spun,
## [16299] orderly as the web of some huge spider, but denser-woven and far greater,
## [16300] and each thread was as thick as rope.
## [16301]
## [16302] Sam laughed grimly. 'Cobwebs!' he said. 'Is that all? Cobwebs! But
## [16303] what a spider! Have at 'em, down with 'em! '
## [16304]
## [16305] In a fury he hewed at them with his sword, but the thread that he
## [16306] struck did not break. It gave a little and then sprang back like a plucked
## [16307] bowstring, turning the blade and tossing up both sword and arm. Three times
## [16308] Sam struck with all his force, and at last one single cord of all the
## [16309] countless cords snapped and twisted, curling and whipping through the air.
## [16310] One end of it lashed Sam's hand, and he cried out in pain, starting back and
## [16311] drawing his hand across his mouth.
## [16312]
## [16313] 'It will take days to clear the road like this,' he said. 'What's to be
## [16314] done? Have those eyes come back? '
## [16315]
## [16316]
## [16317]
## [16318]
## [16319] 'No, not to be seen,' said Frodo. 'But I still feel that they are
## [16320] looking at me, or thinking about me: making some other plan, perhaps. If
## [16321] this light were lowered, or if it failed, they would quickly come again.'
## [16322]
## [16323] 'Trapped in the end! ' said Sam bitterly, his anger rising again above
## [16324] weariness and despair. 'Gnats in a net. May the curse of Faramir bite that
## [16325] Gollum and bite him quick! ’
## [16326]
## [16327] 'That would not help us now,' said Frodo. 'Come! Let us see what Sting
## [16328] can do. It is an elven-blade. There were webs of horror in the dark ravines
## [16329] of Beleriand where it was forged. But you must be the guard and hold back
## [16330] the eyes. Here, take the star-glass. Do not be afraid. Hold it up and
## [16331] watch!'
## [16332]
## [16333] Then Frodo stepped up to the great grey net, and hewed it with a wide
## [16334] sweeping stroke, drawing the bitter edge swiftly across a ladder of
## [16335] close-strung cords, and at once springing away. The blue-gleaming blade
## [16336] shore through them like a scythe through grass, and they leaped and writhed
## [16337] and then hung loose. A great rent was made.
## [16338]
## [16339] Stroke after stroke he dealt, until at last all the web within his
## [16340] reach was shattered, and the upper portion blew and swayed like a loose veil
## [16341] in the incoming wind. The trap was broken.
## [16342]
## [16343] 'Come! ' cried Frodo. 'On! On! ' Wild joy at their escape from the very
## [16344] mouth of despair suddenly filled all his mind. His head whirled as with a
## [16345] draught of potent wine. He sprang out, shouting as he came.
## [16346]
## [16347] It seemed light in that dark land to his eyes that had passed through
## [16348] the den of night. The great smokes had risen and grown thinner, and the last
## [16349] hours of a sombre day were passing; the red glare of Mordor had died away in
## [16350] sullen gloom. Yet it seemed to Frodo that he looked upon a morning of sudden
## [16351] hope. Almost he had reached the summit of the wall. Only a little higher
## [16352] now. The Cleft, Cirith Ungol, was before him, a dim notch in the black
## [16353] ridge, and the horns of rock darkling in the sky on either side. A short
## [16354] race, a sprinter's course and he would be through!
## [16355]
## [16356] 'The pass, Sam! ’ he cried, not heeding the shrillness of his voice,
## [16357] that released from the choking airs of the tunnel rang out now high and
## [16358] wild. 'The pass ! Run, run, and we'll be through-through before any one can
## [16359] stop us! '
## [16360]
## [16361] Sam came up behind as fast as he could urge his legs; but glad as he
## [16362] was to be free, he was uneasy, and as he ran, he kept on glancing back at
## [16363] the dark arch of the tunnel, fearing to see eyes, or some shape beyond his
## [16364]
## [16365]
## [16366]
## [16367]
## [16368] imagining, spring out in pursuit. Too little did he or his master know of
## [16369] the craft of Shelob. She had many exits from her lair.
## [16370]
## [16371] There agelong she had dwelt, an evil thing in spider-form, even such as
## [16372] once of old had lived in the Land of the Elves in the West that is now under
## [16373] the Sea, such as Beren fought in the Mountains of Terror in Doriath, and so
## [16374] came to L®thien upon the green sward amid the hemlocks in the moonlight
## [16375] long
## [16376]
## [16377] ago. How Shelob came there, flying from ruin, no tale tells, for out of the
## [16378] Dark Years few tales have come. But still she was there, who was there
## [16379] before Sauron, and before the first stone of Barad-dyr; and she served none
## [16380] but herself, drinking the blood of Elves and Men, bloated and grown fat with
## [16381] endless brooding on her feasts, weaving webs of shadow; for all living
## [16382] things were her food, and her vomit darkness. Far and wide her lesser
## [16383] broods, bastards of the miserable mates, her own offspring, that she slew,
## [16384] spread from glen to glen, from the Ephel D®ath to the eastern hills, to Dol
## [16385] Guldur and the fastnesses of Mirkwood. But none could rival her, Shelob the
## [16386] Great, last child of Ungoliant to trouble the unhappy world.
## [16387]
## [16388] Already, years before, Gollum had beheld her, Smjagol who pried into
## [16389] all dark holes, and in past days he had bowed and worshipped her, and the
## [16390] darkness of her evil will walked through all the ways of his weariness
## [16391] beside him, cutting him off from light and from regret. And he had promised
## [16392] to bring her food. But her lust was not his lust. Little she knew of or
## [16393] cared for towers, or rings, or anything devised by mind or hand, who only
## [16394] desired death for all others, mind and body, and for herself a glut of life,
## [16395] alone, swollen till the mountains could no longer hold her up and the
## [16396] darkness could not contain her.
## [16397]
## [16398] But that desire was yet far away, and long now had she been hungry,
## [16399] lurking in her den, while the power of Sauron grew, and light and living
## [16400] things forsook his borders; and the city in the valley was dead, and no Elf
## [16401] or Man came near, only the unhappy Ores. Poor food and wary. But she must
## [16402] eat, and however busily they delved new winding passages from the pass and
## [16403] from their tower, ever she found some way to snare them. But she lusted for
## [16404] sweeter meat. And Gollum had brought it to her.
## [16405]
## [16406] 'We'll see, we’ll see,' he said often to himself, when the evil mood
## [16407] was on him, as he walked the dangerous road from Emyn Muil to Morgul
## [16408] Vale,
## [16409]
## [16410] 'we'll see. It may well be, O yes, it may well be that when She throws away
## [16411]
## [16412]
## [16413]
## [16414]
## [16415] the bones and the empty garments, we shall find it, we shall get it, the
## [16416] Precious, a reward for poor Smjagol who brings nice food. And we'll save the
## [16417] Precious, as we promised. O yes. And when we’ve got it safe, then She'll
## [16418] know it, O yes, then we'll pay Her back, my precious. Then we'll pay
## [16419] everyone back! '
## [16420]
## [16421] So he thought in an inner chamber of his cunning, which he still hoped
## [16422] to hide from her, even when he had come to her again and had bowed low
## [16423] before her while his companions slept.
## [16424]
## [16425] And as for Sauron: he knew where she lurked. It pleased him that she
## [16426] should dwell there hungry but unabated in malice, a more sure watch upon
## [16427] that ancient path into his land than any other that his skill could have
## [16428] devised. And Ores, they were useful slaves, but he had them in plenty. If
## [16429] now and again Shelob caught them to stay her appetite, she was welcome: he
## [16430] could spare them. And sometimes as a man may cast a dainty to his cat ( his
## [16431] cat he calls her, but she owns him not) Sauron would send her prisoners that
## [16432] he had no better uses for: he would have them driven to her hole, and report
## [16433] brought back to him of the play she made.
## [16434]
## [16435] So they both lived, delighting in their own devices, and feared no
## [16436] assault, nor wrath, nor any end of their wickedness. Never yet had any fly
## [16437] escaped from Shelob's webs, and the greater now was her rage and hunger.
## [16438]
## [16439] But nothing of this evil which they had stirred up against them did
## [16440] poor Sam know, except that a fear was growing on him, a menace which he
## [16441] could not see; and such a weight did it become that it was a burden to him
## [16442] to run, and his feet seemed leaden.
## [16443]
## [16444] Dread was round him, and enemies before him in the pass, and his master
## [16445] was in a fey mood running heedlessly to meet them. Turning his eyes away
## [16446] from the shadow behind and the deep gloom beneath the cliff upon his left,
## [16447] he looked ahead, and he saw two things that increased his dismay. He saw
## [16448] that the sword which Frodo still held unsheathed was glittering with blue
## [16449] flame; and he saw that though the sky behind was now dark, still the window
## [16450] in the tower was glowing red.
## [16451]
## [16452] 'Ores!' he muttered. 'We'll never rush it like this. There's Ores
## [16453] about, and worse than Ores.' Then returning quickly to his long habit of
## [16454] secrecy, he closed his hand about the precious Phial which he still bore.
## [16455]
## [16456] Red with his own living blood his hand shone for a moment, and then he
## [16457] thrust the revealing light deep into a pocket near his breast and drew his
## [16458] elven-cloak about him. Now he tried to quicken his pace. His master was
## [16459]
## [16460]
## [16461]
## [16462]
## [16463] gaining on him; already he was some twenty strides ahead, flitting on like a
## [16464] shadow; soon he would be lost to sight in that grey world.
## [16465]
## [16466] Hardly had Sam hidden the light of the star-glass when she came. A
## [16467] little way ahead and to his left he saw suddenly, issuing from a black hole
## [16468] of shadow under the cliff, the most loathly shape that he had ever beheld,
## [16469] horrible beyond the horror of an evil dream. Most like a spider she was, but
## [16470] huger than the great hunting beasts, and more terrible than they because of
## [16471] the evil purpose in her remorseless eyes. Those same eyes that he had
## [16472] thought daunted and defeated, there they were lit with a fell light again,
## [16473] clustering in her out-thrust head. Great horns she had, and behind her short
## [16474] stalk -like neck was her huge swollen body, a vast bloated bag, swaying and
## [16475] sagging between her legs; its great bulk was black, blotched with livid
## [16476] marks, but the belly underneath was pale and luminous and gave forth a
## [16477] stench. Her legs were bent, with great knobbed joints high above her back,
## [16478] and hairs that stuck out like steel spines, and at each leg’s end there was
## [16479] a claw.
## [16480]
## [16481] As soon as she had squeezed her soft squelching body and its folded
## [16482] limbs out of the upper exit from her lair, she moved with a horrible speed,
## [16483] now running on her creaking legs, now making a sudden bound. She was
## [16484] between
## [16485]
## [16486] Sam and his master. Either she did not see Sam, or she avoided him for the
## [16487] moment as the bearer of the light' and fixed all her intent upon one prey,
## [16488] upon Frodo, bereft of his Phial, running heedless up the path, unaware yet
## [16489] of his peril. Swiftly he ran, but Shelob was swifter; in a few leaps she
## [16490] would have him.
## [16491]
## [16492] Sam gasped and gathered all his remaining breath to shout. 'Look out
## [16493] behind! ' he yelled. ’Look out master! I'm' — but suddenly his cry was
## [16494] stifled.
## [16495]
## [16496] A long clammy hand went over his mouth and another caught him by the
## [16497] neck, while something wrapped itself about his leg. Taken off his guard he
## [16498] toppled backwards into the arms of his attacker.
## [16499]
## [16500] 'Got him! ' hissed Gollum in his ear. 'At last, my precious, we’ve got
## [16501] him, yes, the nassty hobbit. We takes this one. She'll get the other. O yes,
## [16502] Shelob will get him, not Smjagol: he promised; he won't hurt Master at all.
## [16503] But he's got you, you nassty filthy little sneak!' He spat on Sam's neck.
## [16504]
## [16505] Fury at the treachery, and desperation at the delay when his master was
## [16506] in deadly peril, gave to Sam a sudden violence and strength that was far
## [16507]
## [16508]
## [16509]
## [16510]
## [16511] beyond anything that Gollum had expected from this slow stupid hobbit, as he
## [16512] thought him. Not Gollum himself could have twisted more quickly or more
## [16513] fiercely. His hold on Sam's mouth slipped, and Sam ducked and lunged
## [16514] forward
## [16515]
## [16516] again, trying to tear away from the grip on his neck. His sword was still in
## [16517] his hand, and on his left arm, hanging by its thong, was Faramir's staff.
## [16518] Desperately he tried to turn and stab his enemy. But Gollum was too quick.
## [16519] His long right arm shot out, and he grabbed Sam's wrist: his fingers were
## [16520] like a vice; slowly and relentlessly he bent the hand down and forward, till
## [16521] with a cry of pain Sam released the sword and it fell to the ground; and all
## [16522] the while Gollum's other hand was tightening on Sam's throat.
## [16523]
## [16524] Then Sam played his last trick. With all his strength he pulled away
## [16525] and got his feet firmly planted; then suddenly he drove his legs against the
## [16526] ground and with his whole force hurled himself backwards.
## [16527]
## [16528] Not expecting even this simple trick from Sam, Gollum fell over with
## [16529] Sam on top, and he received the weight of the sturdy hobbit in his stomach.
## [16530]
## [16531] A sharp hiss came out of him, and for a second his hand upon Sam's throat
## [16532] loosened; but his fingers still gripped the sword-hand. Sam tore himself
## [16533] forward and away, and stood up, and then quickly he wheeled away to his
## [16534] right, pivoted on the wrist held by Gollum. Laying hold of the staff with
## [16535] his left hand, Sam swung it up, and down it came with a whistling crack on
## [16536] Gollum's outstretched arm, just below the elbow.
## [16537]
## [16538] With a squeal Gollum let go. Then Sam waded in; not waiting to change
## [16539] the staff from left to right he dealt another savage blow. Quick as a snake
## [16540] Gollum slithered aside, and the stroke aimed at his head fell across his
## [16541] back. The staff cracked and broke. That was enough for him. Grabbing from
## [16542] behind was an old game of his, and seldom had he failed in it. But this
## [16543] time, misled by spite, he had made the mistake of speaking and gloating
## [16544] before he had both hands on his victim's neck. Everything had gone wrong
## [16545] with his beautiful plan, since that horrible light had so unexpectedly
## [16546] appeared in the darkness. And now he was face to face with a furious enemy,
## [16547] little less than his own size. This fight was not for him. Sam swept up his
## [16548] sword from the ground and raised it. Gollum squealed, and springing aside on
## [16549] to all fours, he jumped away in one big bound like a frog. Before Sam could
## [16550] reach him, he was off, running with amazing speed back towards the tunnel.
## [16551]
## [16552] Sword in hand Sam went after him. For the moment he had forgotten
## [16553] everything else but the red fury in his brain and the desire to kill Gollum.
## [16554]
## [16555]
## [16556]
## [16557]
## [16558] But before he could overtake him, Gollum was gone. Then as the dark hole
## [16559] stood before him and the stench came out to meet him, like a clap of thunder
## [16560] the thought of Frodo and the monster smote upon Sam's mind. He spun round,
## [16561] and rushed wildly up the path, calling and calling his master's name. He was
## [16562] too late. So far Gollum's plot had succeeded.
## [16563]
## [16564]
## [16565]
## [16566]
## [16567] Chapter 10. The Choices of Master Samwise
## [16568]
## [16569]
## [16570]
## [16571] Frodo was lying face upward on the ground and the monster was bending
## [16572] over him, so intent upon her victim that she took no heed of Sam and his
## [16573] cries, until he was close at hand. As he rushed up he saw that Frodo was
## [16574] already bound in cords, wound about him from ankle to shoulder, and the
## [16575] monster with her great forelegs was beginning half to lift, half to drag his
## [16576] body away.
## [16577]
## [16578] On the near side of him lay, gleaming on the ground, his elven-blade,
## [16579] where it had fallen useless from his grasp. Sam did not wait to wonder what
## [16580] was to be done, or whether he was brave, or loyal, or filled with rage. He
## [16581] sprang forward with a yell, and seized his master's sword in his left hand.
## [16582] Then he charged. No onslaught more fierce was ever seen in the savage world
## [16583] of beasts; where some desperate small creature armed with little teeth
## [16584] alone, will spring upon a tower of horn and hide that stands above its
## [16585] fallen mate.
## [16586]
## [16587] Disturbed as if out of some gloating dream by his small yell she turned
## [16588] slowly the dreadful malice of her glance upon him. But almost before she was
## [16589] aware that a fury was upon her greater than any she had known in countless
## [16590] years, the shining sword bit upon her foot and shore away the claw. Sam
## [16591] sprang in, inside the arches of her legs, and with a quick upthrust of his
## [16592] other hand stabbed at the clustered eyes upon her lowered head. One great
## [16593] eye went dark.
## [16594]
## [16595] Now the miserable creature was right under her, for the moment out of
## [16596] the reach of her sting and of her claws. Her vast belly was above him with
## [16597] its putrid light, and the stench of it almost smote him down. Still his fury
## [16598] held for one more blow, and before she could sink upon him, smothering him
## [16599] and all his little impudence of courage, he slashed the bright elven-blade
## [16600] across her with desperate strength.
## [16601]
## [16602] But Shelob was not as dragons are, no softer spot had she save only her
## [16603] eyes. Knobbed and pitted with corruption was her age-old hide, but ever
## [16604] thickened from within with layer on layer of evil growth. The blade scored
## [16605] it with a dreadful gash, but those hideous folds could not be pierced by any
## [16606] strength of men, not though Elf or Dwarf should forge the steel or the hand
## [16607] of Beren or of T®rin wield it. She yielded to the stroke, and then heaved up
## [16608]
## [16609]
## [16610]
## [16611]
## [16612] the great bag of her belly high above Sam's head. Poison frothed and bubbled
## [16613] from the wound. Now splaying her legs she drove her huge bulk down on
## [16614] him
## [16615]
## [16616] again. Too soon. For Sam still stood upon his feet, and dropping his own
## [16617] sword, with both hands he held the elven-blade point upwards, fending off
## [16618] that ghastly roof; and so Shelob, with the driving force of her own cruel
## [16619] will, with strength greater than any warrior's hand, thrust herself upon a
## [16620] bitter spike. Deep, deep it pricked, as Sam was crushed slowly to the
## [16621] ground.
## [16622]
## [16623] No such anguish had Shelob ever known, or dreamed of knowing, in all
## [16624] her long world of wickedness. Not the doughtiest soldier of old Gondor, nor
## [16625] the most savage Ore entrapped, had ever thus endured her, or set blade to
## [16626] her beloved flesh. A shudder went through her. Heaving up again, wrenching
## [16627] away from the pain, she bent her writhing limbs beneath her and sprang
## [16628] backwards in a convulsive leap.
## [16629]
## [16630] Sam had fallen to his knees by Frodo's head, his senses reeling in the
## [16631] foul stench, his two hands still gripping the hilt of the sword. Through the
## [16632] mist before his eyes he was aware dimly of Frodo's face and stubbornly he
## [16633] fought to master himself and to drag himself out of the swoon that was upon
## [16634] him. Slowly he raised his head and saw her, only a few paces away, eyeing
## [16635] him, her beak drabbling a spittle of venom, and a green ooze trickling from
## [16636] below her wounded eye. There she crouched, her shuddering belly splayed
## [16637] upon
## [16638]
## [16639] the ground, the great bows of her legs quivering, as she gathered herself
## [16640] for another spring-this time to crush and sting to death: no little bite of
## [16641] poison to still the struggling of her meat; this time to slay and then to
## [16642] rend.
## [16643]
## [16644] Even as Sam himself crouched, looking at her, seeing his death in her
## [16645] eyes, a thought came to him, as if some remote voice had spoken, and he
## [16646] fumbled in his breast with his left hand, and found what he sought: cold and
## [16647] hard and solid it seemed to his touch in a phantom world of horror, the
## [16648] Phial of Galadriel.
## [16649]
## [16650] 'Galadriel! ' he said faintly, and then he heard voices far off but
## [16651] clear: the crying of the Elves as they walked under the stars in the beloved
## [16652] shadows of the Shire, and the music of the Elves as it came through his
## [16653] sleep in the Hall of Fire in the house of Elrond.
## [16654]
## [16655] Gilthoniel A Elberethl
## [16656]
## [16657]
## [16658]
## [16659]
## [16660] And then his tongue was loosed and his voice cried in a language which
## [16661] he did not know:
## [16662]
## [16663] A Elbereth Gilthoniel
## [16664]
## [16665] o menel palan-diriel,
## [16666]
## [16667] le nallon sn di'nguruthos!
## [16668]
## [16669] A tiro nin, Fanuilos!
## [16670]
## [16671] And with that he staggered to his feet and was Sam wise the hobbit,
## [16672] Hamfast's son, again.
## [16673]
## [16674] 'Now come, you filth!' he cried. 'You've hurt my master, you brute, and
## [16675] you'll pay for it. We're going on; but we'll settle with you first. Come on,
## [16676] and taste it again!'
## [16677]
## [16678] As if his indomitable spirit had set its potency in motion, the glass
## [16679] blazed suddenly like a white torch in his hand. It flamed like a star that
## [16680] leaping from the firmament sears the dark air with intolerable light. No
## [16681] such terror out of heaven had ever burned in Shelob's face before. The beams
## [16682] of it entered into her wounded head and scored it with unbearable pain, and
## [16683] the dreadful infection of light spread from eye to eye. She fell back
## [16684] beating the air with her forelegs, her sight blasted by inner lightnings,
## [16685] her mind in agony. Then turning her maimed head away, she rolled aside and
## [16686] began to crawl, claw by claw, towards the opening in the dark cliff behind.
## [16687]
## [16688] Sam came on. He was reeling like a drunken man, but he came on. And
## [16689] Shelob cowed at last, shrunken in defeat, jerked and quivered as she tried
## [16690] to hasten from him. She reached the hole, and squeezing down, leaving a
## [16691] trail of green-yellow slime, she slipped in, even as Sam hewed a last stroke
## [16692] at her dragging legs. Then he fell to the ground.
## [16693]
## [16694] Shelob was gone; and whether she lay long in her lair, nursing her
## [16695] malice and her misery, and in slow years of darkness healed herself from
## [16696] within, rebuilding her clustered eyes, until with hunger like death she spun
## [16697] once more her dreadful snares in the glens of the Mountains of Shadow, this
## [16698] tale does not tell.
## [16699]
## [16700] Sam was left alone. Wearily, as the evening of the Nameless Land fell
## [16701] upon the place of battle, he crawled back to his master.
## [16702]
## [16703] 'Master, dear master,' he said, but Frodo did not speak. As he had run
## [16704] forward, eager, rejoicing to be free, Shelob with hideous speed had come
## [16705] behind and with one swift stroke had stung him in the neck. He lay now pale,
## [16706] and heard no voice, and did not move.
## [16707]
## [16708] 'Master, dear master! ’ said Sam, and through a long silence waited.
## [16709]
## [16710]
## [16711]
## [16712]
## [16713] listening in vain.
## [16714]
## [16715] Then as quickly as he could he cut away the binding cords and laid his
## [16716] head upon Frodo's breast and to his mouth, but no stir of life could he
## [16717] find, nor feel the faintest flutter of the heart. Often he chafed his
## [16718] master's hands and feet, and touched his brow, but all were cold.
## [16719]
## [16720] 'Frodo, Mr. Frodo! ' he called. 'Don't leave me here alone! It's your
## [16721] Sam calling. Don't go where I can't follow! Wake up, Mr. Frodo! O wake up,
## [16722] Frodo, me dear, me dear. Wake up!'
## [16723]
## [16724] Then anger surged over hint, and he ran about his master's body in a
## [16725] rage, stabbing the air, and smiting the stones, and shouting challenges.
## [16726] Presently he came back, and bending looked at Frodo's face, pale beneath him
## [16727] in the dusk. And suddenly he saw that he was in the picture that was
## [16728] revealed to him in the mirror of Galadriel in Lurien: Frodo with a pale face
## [16729] lying fast asleep under a great dark cliff. Or fast asleep he had thought
## [16730] then. 'He's dead! ' he said. 'Not asleep, dead! ' And as he said it, as if
## [16731] the words had set the venom to its work again, it seemed to him that the hue
## [16732] of the face grew livid green.
## [16733]
## [16734] And then black despair came down on him, and Sam bowed to the ground,
## [16735] and drew his grey hood over his head, and night came into his heart, and he
## [16736] knew no more.
## [16737]
## [16738] When at last the blackness passed, Sam looked up and shadows were about
## [16739] him; but for how many minutes or hours the world had gone dragging on he
## [16740] could not tell. He was still in the same place, and still his master lay
## [16741] beside him dead. The mountains had not crumbled nor the earth fallen into
## [16742] ruin.
## [16743]
## [16744] 'What shall I do, what shall I do? ' he said. 'Did I come all this way
## [16745] with him for nothing? ’ And then he remembered his own voice speaking
## [16746] words
## [16747]
## [16748] that at the time he did not understand himself, at the beginning of their
## [16749] journey: I have something to do before the end. I must see it through, sir,
## [16750] if you understand.
## [16751]
## [16752] 'But what can I do? Not leave Mr. Frodo dead, unburied on the top of
## [16753] the mountains, and go home? Or go on? Go on?’ he repeated, and for a
## [16754] moment
## [16755]
## [16756] doubt and fear shook him. 'Go on? Is that what I've got to do? And leave
## [16757] him?'
## [16758]
## [16759] Then at last he began to weep; and going to Frodo he composed his body,
## [16760]
## [16761]
## [16762]
## [16763]
## [16764] and folded his cold hands upon his breast, and wrapped his cloak about him;
## [16765] and he laid his own sword at one side, and the staff that Faramir had given
## [16766] at the other.
## [16767]
## [16768] 'If I’m to go on,' he said, 'then I must take your sword, by your
## [16769] leave, Mr. Frodo, but I'll put this one to lie by you, as it lay by the old
## [16770] king in the barrow; and you've got your beautiful mithril coat from old Mr.
## [16771] Bilbo. And your star-glass, Mr. Frodo, you did lend it to me and I'll need
## [16772] it, for I'll be always in the dark now. It's too good for me, and the Lady
## [16773] gave it to you, but maybe she'd understand. Do you understand, Mr. Frodo?
## [16774] I've got to go on.'
## [16775]
## [16776] But he could not go, not yet. He knelt and held Frodo's hand and could
## [16777] not release it. And time went by and still he knelt, holding his master's
## [16778] hand, and in his heart keeping a debate.
## [16779]
## [16780] Now he tried to find strength to tear himself away and go on a lonely
## [16781] journey — for vengeance. If once he could go, his anger would bear him down
## [16782] all the roads of the world, pursuing, until he had him at last: Gollum. Then
## [16783] Gollum would die in a corner. But that was not what he had set out to do. It
## [16784] would not be worth while to leave his master for that. It would not bring
## [16785] him back. Nothing would. They had better both be dead together. And that too
## [16786] would be a lonely journey.
## [16787]
## [16788] He looked on the bright point of the sword. He thought of the places
## [16789] behind where there was a black brink and an empty fall into nothingness.
## [16790] There was no escape that way. That was to do nothing, not even to grieve.
## [16791] That was not what he had set out to do. 'What am I to do then? ' he cried
## [16792] again, and now he seemed plainly to know the hard answer: see it through.
## [16793] Another lonely journey, and the worst.
## [16794]
## [16795] 'What? Me, alone, go to the Crack of Doom and all? ' He quailed still,
## [16796] but the resolve grew. 'What? Me take the Ring from him ? The Council gave it
## [16797] to him.’
## [16798]
## [16799] But the answer came at once: 'And the Council gave him companions, so
## [16800] that the errand should not fail. And you are the last of all the Company.
## [16801]
## [16802] The errand must not fail.'
## [16803]
## [16804] 'I wish I wasn't the last,' he groaned. 'I wish old Gandalf was hare or
## [16805] somebody. Why am I left all alone to make up my mind? I’m sure to go wrong.
## [16806] And it's not for me to go taking the Ring, putting myself forward.'
## [16807]
## [16808] 'But you haven't put yourself forward; you've been put forward. And as
## [16809] for not being the right and proper person, why, Mr. Frodo wasn't as you
## [16810]
## [16811]
## [16812]
## [16813]
## [16814] might say, nor Mr. Bilbo. They didn’t choose themselves.'
## [16815]
## [16816] 'Ah well, I must make up my own mind. I will make it up. But I'll be
## [16817] sure to go wrong: that'd be Sam Gamgee all over.
## [16818]
## [16819] 'Let me see now: if we're found here, or Mr. Frodo's found, and that
## [16820] Thing's on him, well, the Enemy will get it. And that's the end of all of
## [16821] us, of Lorien, and Rivendell, and the Shire and all. And there s no time to
## [16822] lose, or it'll be the end anyway. The war's begun, and more than likely
## [16823] things are all going the Enemy's way already. No chance to go back with It
## [16824] and get advice or permission. No, it's sit here till they come and kill me
## [16825] over master's body, and gets It: or take It and go.' He drew a deep breath.
## [16826]
## [16827] 'Then take It, it is ! '
## [16828]
## [16829] He stooped. Very gently he undid the clasp at the neck and slipped his
## [16830] hand inside Frodo's tunic; then with his other hand raising the head, he
## [16831] kissed the cold forehead, and softly drew the chain over it. And then the
## [16832] head lay quietly back again in rest. No change came over the still face, and
## [16833] by that more than by all other tokens Sam was convinced at last that Frodo
## [16834] had died and laid aside the Quest.
## [16835]
## [16836] 'Good-bye, master, my dear! ' he murmured. 'Forgive your Sam. He'll
## [16837] come back to this spot when the job's done — if he manages it. And then
## [16838] he'll not leave you again. Rest you quiet till I come; and may no foul
## [16839] creature come anigh you ! And if the Lady could hear me and give me one wish,
## [16840] I would wish to come back and find you again. Good-bye! '
## [16841]
## [16842] And then he bent his own neck and put the chain upon it, and at once
## [16843] his head was bowed to the ground with the weight of the Ring, as if a great
## [16844] stone had been strung on him. But slowly, as if the weight became less, or
## [16845] new strength grew in him, he raised his head, and then with a great effort
## [16846] got to his feet and found that he could walk and bear his burden. And for a
## [16847] moment he lifted up the Phial and looked down at his master, and the light
## [16848] burned gently now with the soft radiance of the evening-star in summer, and
## [16849] in that light Frodo's face was fair of hue again, pale but beautiful with an
## [16850] elvish beauty, as of one who has long passed the shadows. And with the
## [16851] bitter comfort of that last sight Sam turned and hid the light and stumbled
## [16852] on into the growing dark.
## [16853]
## [16854] He had not far to go. The tunnel was some way behind; the Cleft a
## [16855] couple of hundred yards ahead, or less. The path was visible in the dusk' a
## [16856] deep rut worn in ages of passage, running now gently up in a long trough
## [16857] with cliffs on either side. The trough narrowed rapidly. Soon Sam came to a
## [16858]
## [16859]
## [16860]
## [16861]
## [16862] long flight of broad shallow steps. Now the ore-tower was right above him,
## [16863] frowning black, and in it the red eye glowed. Now he was hidden in the dark
## [16864] shadow under it. He was coming to the top of the steps and was in the Cleft
## [16865] at last.
## [16866]
## [16867] 'I've made up my mind,' he kept saying to himself. But he had not.
## [16868] Though he had done his best to think it out, what he was doing was
## [16869] altogether against the grain of his nature. 'Have I got it wrong? ' he
## [16870] muttered. 'What ought I to have done? ’
## [16871]
## [16872] As the sheer sides of the Cleft closed about him, before he reached the
## [16873] actual summit, before he looked at last on the path descending into the
## [16874] Nameless Land, he turned. For a moment, motionless in intolerable doubt, he
## [16875] looked back. He could still see, like a small blot in the gathering gloom,
## [16876] the mouth of the tunnel; and he thought he could see or guess where Frodo
## [16877] lay. He fancied there was a glimmer on the ground down there, or perhaps it
## [16878] was some trick of his tears, as he peered out at that high stony place where
## [16879] all his life had fallen in ruin.
## [16880]
## [16881] ’If only I could have my wish, my one wish,’ he sighed, 'to go back and
## [16882] find him!' Then at last he turned to the road in front and took a few
## [16883] steps: the heaviest and the most reluctant he had ever taken.
## [16884]
## [16885] Only a few steps; and now only a few more and he would be going down
## [16886] and would never see that high place again. And then suddenly he heard cries
## [16887] and voices. He stood still as stone. Ore- voices. They were behind him and
## [16888] before him. A noise of tramping feet and harsh shouts: Ores were coming up
## [16889] to the Cleft from the far side, from some entry to the tower, perhaps.
## [16890] Tramping feet and shouts behind. He wheeled round. He saw small red lights,
## [16891] torches, winking away below there as they issued from the tunnel. At last
## [16892] the hunt was up. The red eye of the tower had not been blind. He was caught.
## [16893]
## [16894] Now the flicker of approaching torches and the clink of steel ahead was
## [16895] very near. In a minute they would reach the top and be on him. He had taken
## [16896] too long in making up his mind, and now it was no good. How could he escape,
## [16897] or save himself, or save the Ring? The Ring. He was not aware of any thought
## [16898] or decision. He simply found himself drawing out the chain and taking the
## [16899] Ring in his hand. The head of the ore-company appeared in the Cleft right
## [16900] before him. Then he put it on.
## [16901]
## [16902] The world changed, and a single moment of time was filled with an hour
## [16903] of thought. At once he was aware that hearing was sharpened while sight was
## [16904] dimmed, but otherwise than in Shelob's lair. All things about him now were
## [16905]
## [16906]
## [16907]
## [16908]
## [16909] not dark but vague; while he himself was there in a grey hazy world, alone,
## [16910] like a small black solid rock and the Ring, weighing down his left hand, was
## [16911] like an orb of hot gold. He did not feel invisible at all, but horribly and
## [16912] uniquely visible; and he knew that somewhere an Eye was searching for him.
## [16913]
## [16914] He heard the crack of stone, and the murmur of water far off in Morgul
## [16915] Vale; and down away under the rock the bubbling misery of Shelob, groping,
## [16916] lost in some blind passage; and voices in the dungeons of the tower; and the
## [16917] cries of the Ores as they came out of the tunnel; and deafening, roaring in
## [16918] his ears, the crash of the feet and the rending clamour of the Ores before
## [16919] him. He shrank against the cliff. But they marched up like a phantom
## [16920] company, grey distorted figures in a mist, only dreams of fear with pale
## [16921] flames in their hands. And they passed him by. He cowered, trying to creep
## [16922] away into some cranny and to hide.
## [16923]
## [16924] He listened. The Ores from the tunnel and the others marching down had
## [16925] sighted one another, and both parties were now hurrying and shouting. He
## [16926] heard them both clearly, and he understood what they said. Perhaps the Ring
## [16927] gave understanding of tongues, or simply understanding, especially of the
## [16928] servants of Sauron its maker, so that if he gave heed, he understood and
## [16929] translated the thought to himself. Certainly the Ring had grown greatly in
## [16930] power as it approached the places of its forging; but one thing it did not
## [16931] confer, and that was courage. At present Sam still thought only of hiding,
## [16932] of lying low till all was quiet again; and he listened anxiously. He could
## [16933] not tell how near the voices were, the words seemed almost in his ears.
## [16934]
## [16935] 'Hola! Gorbag! What are you doing up here? Had enough of war already? '
## [16936]
## [16937] 'Orders, you lubber. And what are you doing, Shagrat? Tired of lurking
## [16938] up there? Thinking of coming down to fight? '
## [16939]
## [16940] 'Orders to you. I'm in command of this pass. So speak civil. What's
## [16941] your report? '
## [16942]
## [16943] 'Nothing.'
## [16944]
## [16945] 'Hai! hai! yoi !' A yell broke into the exchanges of the leaders. The
## [16946] Ores lower down had suddenly seen something. They began to run. So did the
## [16947] others.
## [16948]
## [16949] 'Hai! Hola! Here's something! Lying right in the road. A spy, a spy! '
## [16950]
## [16951] There was a hoot of snarling horns and a babel of baying voices.
## [16952]
## [16953] With a dreadful stroke Sam was wakened from his cowering mood. They
## [16954] had
## [16955]
## [16956] seen his master. What would they do? He had heard tales of the Ores to make
## [16957]
## [16958]
## [16959]
## [16960]
## [16961] the blood run cold. It could not be borne. He sprang up. He flung the Quest
## [16962] and all his decisions away, and fear and doubt with them. He knew now where
## [16963] his place was and had been: at his master's side, though what he could do
## [16964] there was not clear. Back he ran down the steps, down the path towards
## [16965] Frodo.
## [16966]
## [16967] 'How many are there?' he thought. 'Thirty or forty from the tower at
## [16968] least, and a lot more than that from down below, I guess. How many can I
## [16969] kill before they get me? They'll see the flame of the sword, as soon as I
## [16970] draw it, and they'll get me sooner or later. I wonder if any song will ever
## [16971] mention it: How Samwise fell in the High Pass and made a wall of bodies
## [16972] round his master. No, no song. Of course not, for the Ring'll be found, and
## [16973] there'll be no more songs. I can't help it. My place is by Mr. Frodo. They
## [16974] must understand that — Elrond and the Council, and the great Lords and
## [16975] Ladies with all their wisdom. Their plans have gone wrong. I can't be their
## [16976] Ring-bearer. Not without Mr. Frodo.'
## [16977]
## [16978] But the Ores were out of his dim sight now. He had had no time to
## [16979] consider himself, but now he realized that he was weary, weary almost to
## [16980] exhaustion: his legs would not carry him as he wished. He was too slow. The
## [16981] path seemed miles long. Where had they all got to in the mist?
## [16982]
## [16983] There they were again! A good way ahead still. A cluster of figures
## [16984] round something lying on the ground; a few seemed to be darting this way and
## [16985] that, bent like dogs on a trail. He tried to make a spurt.
## [16986]
## [16987] 'Come on, Sam! ' he said, 'or you'll be too late again.' He loosened
## [16988] the sword in its sheath. In a minute he would draw it, and then—
## [16989]
## [16990] There was a wild clamour, hooting and laughing, as something was lifted
## [16991] from the ground. 'Ya hoi! Ya harri hoi! Up! Up! '
## [16992]
## [16993] Then a voice shouted: 'Now off! The quick way. Back to the Undergate!
## [16994] She'll not trouble us tonight by all the signs.' The whole band of
## [16995] ore-figures began to move. Four in the middle were carrying a body high on
## [16996] their shoulders. 'Ya hoi! ’
## [16997]
## [16998] They had taken Frodo's body. They were off. He could not catch them up.
## [16999] Still he laboured on. The Ores reached the tunnel and were passing in. Those
## [17000] with the burden went first, and behind them there was a good deal of
## [17001] struggling and jostling. Sam came on. He drew the sword, a flicker of blue
## [17002] in his wavering hand, but they did not see it. Even as he came panting up,
## [17003] the last of them vanished into the black hole.
## [17004]
## [17005] For a moment he stood, gasping, clutching his breast. Then he drew his
## [17006]
## [17007]
## [17008]
## [17009]
## [17010] sleeve across his face, wiping away the grime, and sweat, and tears. ’Curse
## [17011] the filth! ' he said, and sprang after them into the darkness.
## [17012]
## [17013] It no longer seemed very dark to him in the tunnel, rather it was as if
## [17014] he had stepped out of a thin mist into a heavier fog. His weariness was
## [17015] growing but his will hardened all the more. He thought he could see the
## [17016] light of torches a little way ahead, but try as he would, he could not catch
## [17017] them up. Ores go fast in tunnels, and this tunnel they knew well.; for in
## [17018] spite of Shelob they were forced to use it often as the swiftest way from
## [17019] the Dead City over the mountains. In what far-off time the main tunnel and
## [17020] the great round pit had been made, where Shelob had taken up her abode in
## [17021] ages past, they did not know: but many byways they had themselves delved
## [17022] about in on either side, so as to escape the lair in their goings to and fro
## [17023] on the business of their masters. Tonight they did not intend to go far
## [17024] down, but were hastening to find a side-passage that led back to their
## [17025] watch-tower on the cliff. Must of them were gleeful, delighted with what
## [17026] they had found and seen, and as they ran they gabbled and yammered after the
## [17027] fashion of their kind. Sam heard the noise of their harsh voices, flat and
## [17028] hard in the dead air, and he could distinguish two voices from among all the
## [17029] rest: they were louder, and nearer to him. The captains of the two parties
## [17030] seemed to be bringing up the rear, debating as they went.
## [17031]
## [17032] ’Can't you stop your rabble making such a racket, Shagrat? ' grunted
## [17033] the one. 'We don’t want Shelob on us.’
## [17034]
## [17035] 'Go on, Gorbag! Yours are making more than half the noise,’ said the
## [17036] other. 'But let the lads play! No need to worry about Shelob for a bit, I
## [17037] reckon. She’s sat on a nail, it seems, and we shan’t cry about that. Didn’t
## [17038] you see: a nasty mess all the way back to that cursed crack of hers? If
## [17039] we’ve stopped it once, we’ve stopped it a hundred times. So let ’em laugh.
## [17040] And we’ve struck a bit of luck at last: got something that Lugb®rz wants.’
## [17041] ’Lugb®rz wants it, eh? What is it, d’you think? Elvish it looked to me,
## [17042] but undersized. What’s the danger in a thing like that? ’
## [17043]
## [17044] ’Don’t know till we’ve had a look.’
## [17045]
## [17046] ’Oho! So they haven’t told you what to expect? They don’t tell us all
## [17047] they know, do they? Not by half. But they can make mistakes, even the Top
## [17048] Ones can.’
## [17049]
## [17050] 'Sh, Gorbag!’ Shagrat’s voice was lowered, so that even with his
## [17051] strangely sharpened hearing Sam could only just catch what was said. ’They
## [17052] may, but they’ve got eyes and ears everywhere; some among my lot, as like as
## [17053]
## [17054]
## [17055]
## [17056]
## [17057] not. But there's no doubt about it, they're troubled about something. The
## [17058] Nazgyl down below are, by your account; and Lugb®rz is too. Something
## [17059] nearly
## [17060] slipped.’
## [17061]
## [17062] 'Nearly, you say! ’ said Gorbag.
## [17063]
## [17064] 'All right,’ said Shagrat, 'but we’ll talk of that later: Wait till we
## [17065] get to the Under-way. There’s a place there where we can talk a bit, while
## [17066] the lads go on.’
## [17067]
## [17068] Shortly afterwards Sam saw the torches disappear. Then there was a
## [17069] rumbling noise, and just as he hurried up, a bump. As far as he could guess
## [17070] the Ores had turned and gone into the very opening which Frodo and he had
## [17071] tried and found blocked. It was still blocked.
## [17072]
## [17073] There seemed to be a great stone in the way, but the Ores had got
## [17074] through somehow, for he could hear their voices on the other side. They were
## [17075] still running along, deeper and deeper into the mountain, back towards the
## [17076] tower. Sam felt desperate. They were carrying off his master's body for some
## [17077] foul purpose and he could not follow. He thrust and pushed at the block, and
## [17078] he threw himself against it, but it did not yield. Then not far inside, or
## [17079] so he thought, he heard the two captains' voices talking again. He stood
## [17080] still listening for a little hoping perhaps to learn something useful.
## [17081]
## [17082] Perhaps Gorbag, who seemed to belong to Minas Morgul, would come out, and
## [17083] he
## [17084]
## [17085] could then slip in.
## [17086]
## [17087] 'No, I don’t know,’ said Gorbag's voice. 'The messages go through
## [17088] quicker than anything could fly, as a rule. But I don’t enquire how it’s
## [17089] done. Safest not to. Grr! Those Nazgyl give me the creeps. And they skin the
## [17090] body off you as soon as look at you, and leave you all cold in the dark on
## [17091] the other side. But He likes ’em; they’re His favourites nowadays, so it’s
## [17092] no use grumbling. I tell you, it’s no game serving down in the city.’
## [17093]
## [17094] 'You should try being up here with Shelob for company,’ said Shagrat.
## [17095]
## [17096] ’I’d like to try somewhere where there's none of 'em. But the war's on
## [17097] now, and when that's over things may be easier.'
## [17098]
## [17099] 'It's going well, they say.’
## [17100]
## [17101] 'They would.’ grunted Gorbag. 'We'll see. But anyway, if it does go
## [17102] well, there should be a lot more room. What d’you say? — if we get a
## [17103] chance, you and me’ll slip off and set up somewhere on our own with a few
## [17104] trusty lads, somewhere where there's good loot nice and handy, and no big
## [17105]
## [17106]
## [17107]
## [17108]
## [17109] bosses.'
## [17110]
## [17111] ’Ah! ' said Shagrat. 'Like old times.'
## [17112]
## [17113] 'Yes,' said Gorbag. 'But don't count on it. I'm not easy in my mind. As
## [17114] I said, the Big Bosses, ay,' his voice sank almost to a whisper, 'ay, even
## [17115] the Biggest, can make mistakes. Something nearly slipped you say. I say,
## [17116] something has slipped. And we've got to look out. Always the poor Uruks to
## [17117] put slips right, and small thanks. But don't forget: the enemies don't love
## [17118] us any more than they love Him, and if they get topsides on Him, we're done
## [17119] too. But see here: when were you ordered out? '
## [17120]
## [17121] 'About an hour ago, just before you saw us. A message came: Nazgyl
## [17122] uneasy. Spies feared on Stairs. Double vigilance. Patrol to head of Stairs.
## [17123]
## [17124] I came at once.'
## [17125]
## [17126] 'Bad business,' said Gorbag. 'See here — our Silent Watchers were
## [17127] uneasy more than two days ago. that I know. But my patrol wasn't ordered out
## [17128] for another day, nor any message sent to Lugb®rz either: owing to the Great
## [17129] Signal going up, and the High Nazgyl going off to the war, and all that. And
## [17130] then they couldn't get Lugb®rz to pay attention for a good while, I'm told.'
## [17131]
## [17132] 'The Eye was busy elsewhere, I suppose,' said Shagrat. 'Big things
## [17133] going on away west, they say.’
## [17134]
## [17135] ’I daresay,' growled Gorbag. 'But in the meantime enemies have got up
## [17136] the Stairs. And what were you up to? You're supposed to keep watch, aren't
## [17137] you, special orders or no? What are you for?'
## [17138]
## [17139] 'That's enough! Don't try and teach me my job. We were awake all right.
## [17140]
## [17141] We knew there were funny things going on.'
## [17142]
## [17143] 'Very funny! ’
## [17144]
## [17145] 'Yes, very funny: lights and shouting and all. But Shelob was on the
## [17146] go. My lads saw her and her Sneak.'
## [17147]
## [17148] 'Her Sneak? What's that? '
## [17149]
## [17150] 'You must have seen him: little thin black fellow; like a spider
## [17151] himself, or perhaps more like a starved frog. He's been here before. Came
## [17152] out of Lugb®rz the first time, years ago, and we had word from High Up to
## [17153] let him pass. He's been up the Stairs once or twice since then, but we've
## [17154] left him alone: seems to have some understanding with Her Ladyship. I
## [17155] suppose he's no good to eat: she wouldn't worry about words from High Up.
## [17156] But a fine guard you keep in the valley: he was up here a day before all
## [17157] this racket. Early last night we saw him. Anyway my lads reported that Her
## [17158] Ladyship was having some fun, and that seemed good enough for me, until the
## [17159]
## [17160]
## [17161]
## [17162]
## [17163] message came. I thought her Sneak had brought her a toy. or that you'd
## [17164] perhaps sent her a present, a prisoner of war or something. I don't
## [17165] interfere when she's playing. Nothing gets by Shelob when she's on the
## [17166] hunt.'
## [17167]
## [17168] 'Nothing, say you! Didn't you use your eyes back there? I tell you I'm
## [17169] not easy in my mind. Whatever came up the Stairs, did get by. It cut her web
## [17170] and got clean out of the hole. That's something to think about! '
## [17171]
## [17172] 'Ah well, but she got him in the end, didn't she? '
## [17173]
## [17174] ' Got him? Got whol This little fellow? But if he was the only one then
## [17175] she'd have had him off to her larder long before, and there he'd be now. And
## [17176] if Lugb®rz wanted him, you'd have to go and get him. Nice for you. But there
## [17177] was more than one.'
## [17178]
## [17179] At this point Sam began to listen more attentively and pressed his ear
## [17180] against the stone.
## [17181]
## [17182] 'Who cut the cords she'd put round him, Shagrat? Same one as cut the
## [17183] web. Didn't you see that? And who stuck a pin into Her Ladyship? Same one, I
## [17184] reckon. And where is he? Where is he, Shagrat? '
## [17185]
## [17186] Shagrat made no reply.
## [17187]
## [17188] 'You may well put your thinking cap on, if you've got one. It's no
## [17189] laughing matter. No one, no one has ever stuck a pin in Shelob before, as
## [17190] you should know well enough. There's no grief in that; but think -there's
## [17191] someone loose hereabouts as is more dangerous than any other damned rebel
## [17192] that ever walked since the bad old times, since the Great Siege. Something
## [17193] has slipped.'
## [17194]
## [17195] 'And what is it then? ' growled Shagrat.
## [17196]
## [17197] 'By all the signs, Captain Shagrat, I'd say there's a large warrior
## [17198] loose, Elf most likely, with an elf-sword anyway, and an axe as well maybe:
## [17199] and he's loose in your bounds, too, and you've never spotted him. Very funny
## [17200] indeed! ' Gorbag spat. Sam smiled grimly at this description of himself.
## [17201]
## [17202] 'Ah well, you always did take a gloomy view.' said Shagrat. 'You can
## [17203] read the signs how you like, but there may be other ways to explain them.
## [17204] Anyhow. I've got watchers at every point, and I'm going to deal with one
## [17205] thing at a time. When I've had a look at the fellow we have caught, then
## [17206] I'll begin to worry
## [17207]
## [17208]
## [17209]
## [17210] lcb2
## [17211]
## [17212]
## [17213]
## [17214]
## [17215] about something else.'
## [17216]
## [17217] It s my guess you won’t find much in that little fellow,' said Gorbag.
## [17218]
## [17219] 'He may have had nothing to do with the real mischief. The big fellow with
## [17220] the sharp sword doesn't seem to have thought him worth much anyhow — just
## [17221] left him lying: regular elvish trick.'
## [17222]
## [17223] 'We'll see. Come on now! We've talked enough. Let's go and have a look
## [17224] at the prisoner!
## [17225]
## [17226] 'What are you going to do with him? Don't forget I spotted him first.
## [17227]
## [17228] If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it.'
## [17229]
## [17230] 'Now, now,' growled Shagrat. 'I have my orders. And it's more than my
## [17231] belly's worth, or yours, to break 'em. Any trespasser found by the guard is
## [17232] to be held at the tower. Prisoner is to be stripped. Full description of
## [17233] every article, garment, weapon, letter, ring, or trinket is to be sent to
## [17234] Lugb®rz at once, and to Lugb®rz only. And the prisoner is to be kept safe
## [17235] and intact, under pain of death for every member of the guard, until He
## [17236] sends or comes Himself. That's plain enough, and that's what I'm going to
## [17237] do.'
## [17238]
## [17239] 'Stripped, eh? ' said Gorbag. 'What, teeth, nails, hair, and all? '
## [17240]
## [17241] 'No, none of that. He's for Lugb®rz, I tell you. He's wanted safe and
## [17242] whole.'
## [17243]
## [17244] 'You'll find that difficult,' laughed Gorbag. 'He's nothing but carrion
## [17245] now. What Lugb®rz will do with such stuff I can't guess. He might as well go
## [17246] in the pot.'
## [17247]
## [17248] 'You fool,' snarled Shagrat. 'You've been talking very clever, but
## [17249] there's a lot you don't know, though most other folk do. You'll be for the
## [17250] pot or for Shelob, if you don't take care. Carrion! Is that all you know of
## [17251] Her Ladyship? When she binds with cords, she's after meat. She doesn't eat
## [17252] dead meat, nor suck cold blood. This fellow isn't dead! '
## [17253]
## [17254] Sam reeled, clutching at the stone. He felt as if the whole dark world
## [17255] was turning upside down. So great was the shock that he almost swooned, but
## [17256] even as he fought to keep a hold on his senses, deep inside him he was aware
## [17257] of the comment: 'You fool, he isn't dead, and your heart knew it. Don't
## [17258] trust your head, Samwise, it is not the best part of you. The trouble with
## [17259] you is that you never really had any hope. Now what is to be done? ' Fur the
## [17260] moment nothing, but to prop himself against the unmoving stone and listen,
## [17261] listen to the vile ore- voices.
## [17262]
## [17263] 'Garn!' said Shagrat. 'She's got more than one poison. When she's
## [17264]
## [17265]
## [17266]
## [17267]
## [17268] hunting, she just gives ’em a dab in the neck and they go as limp as boned
## [17269] fish, and then she has her way with them. D'you remember old Ufthak? We lost
## [17270] him for days. Then we found him in a corner; hanging up he was, but he was
## [17271] wide awake and glaring. How we laughed! She’d forgotten him, maybe, but
## [17272] we
## [17273]
## [17274] didn't touch him-no good interfering with Her. Nar — this little filth,
## [17275] he’ll wake up, in a few hours; and beyond feeling a bit sick for a hit,
## [17276] he'll be all right. Or would be, if Lugb®rz would let him alone. And of
## [17277] course, beyond wondering where he is and what's happened to him.’
## [17278]
## [17279] 'And what's going to happen to him,' laughed Gorbag. 'We can tell him a
## [17280] few stories at any rate, if we can't do anything else. I don't suppose he's
## [17281] ever been in lovely Lugb®rz, so he may like to know what to expect. This is
## [17282] going to be more funny than I thought. Let's go!'
## [17283]
## [17284] 'There's going to be no fun, I tell you,' said Shagrat. 'And he's got
## [17285] to be kept safe, or we're all as good as dead.'
## [17286]
## [17287] 'All right! But if I were you, I’d catch the big one that's loose,
## [17288] before you send in any report to Lugb®rz. It won't sound too pretty to say
## [17289] you've caught the kitten and let the cat escape.'
## [17290]
## [17291] The voices began to move away. Sam heard the sound of feet receding. He
## [17292] was recovering from his shock, and now a wild fury was on him. 'I got it all
## [17293] wrong! ’ he cried. 'I knew I would. Now they've got him, the devils! the
## [17294] filth! Never leave your master, never, never: that was my right rule. And I
## [17295] knew it in my heart. May I be forgiven! Now I've got to get back to him.
## [17296] Somehow, somehow! '
## [17297]
## [17298] He drew his sword again and beat on the stone with the hilt, but it
## [17299] only gave out a dull sound. The sword, however, blazed so brightly now that
## [17300] he could see dimly in its light. To his surprise he noticed that the great
## [17301] block was shaped like a heavy door, and was less than twice his own height.
## [17302] Above it was a dark blank space between the top and the low arch of the
## [17303] opening. It was probably only meant to be a stop against the intrusion of
## [17304] Shelob, fastened on the inside with some latch or bolt beyond the reach of
## [17305] her cunning. With his remaining strength Sam leaped and caught the top,
## [17306] scrambled up, and dropped; and then he ran madly, sword blazing in hand,
## [17307] round a bend and up a winding tunnel.
## [17308]
## [17309] The news that his master was still alive roused him to a last effort
## [17310] beyond thought of weariness. He could not see anything ahead, for this new
## [17311] passage twisted and turned constantly; but he thought he was catching the
## [17312]
## [17313]
## [17314]
## [17315]
## [17316] two Ores up: their voices were growing nearer again. Now they seemed quite
## [17317] close.
## [17318]
## [17319] 'That's what I'm going to do,' said Shagrat in angry tones. 'Put him
## [17320] right up in the top chamber.'
## [17321]
## [17322] 'What for? ' growled Gorbag. 'Haven't you any lock-ups down below? '
## [17323]
## [17324] 'He's going out of harm's way, I tell you,' answered Shagrat. 'See?
## [17325]
## [17326] He's precious. I don't trust all my lads, and none of yours; nor you
## [17327] neither, when you're mad for fun. He's going where I want him, and where you
## [17328] won't come, if you don't keep civil. Up to the top, I say. He'll be safe
## [17329] there.'
## [17330]
## [17331] 'Will he?’ said Sam. 'You're forgetting the great big elvish warrior
## [17332] that's loose!' And with that he raced round the last corner, only to find
## [17333] that by some trick of the tunnel, or of the hearing which the Ring gave him,
## [17334] he had misjudged the distance.
## [17335]
## [17336] The two ore-figures were still some way ahead. He could see them now,
## [17337] black and squat against a red glare. The passage ran straight at last, up an
## [17338] incline; and at the end, wide open, were great double doors, leading
## [17339] probably to deep chambers far below the high horn of the tower. Already the
## [17340] Ores with their burden had passed inside. Gorbag and Shagrat were drawing
## [17341] near the gate.
## [17342]
## [17343] Sam heard a burst of hoarse singing, blaring of horns and banging of
## [17344] gongs, a hideous clamour. Gorbag and Shagrat were already on the threshold.
## [17345]
## [17346] Sam yelled and brandished Sting, but his little voice was drowned in
## [17347] the tumult. No one heeded him.
## [17348]
## [17349] The great doors slammed to. Boom. The bars of iron fell into place
## [17350] inside. Clang. The gate was shut. Sam hurled himself against the bolted
## [17351] brazen plates and fell senseless to the ground. He was out in the darkness.
## [17352] Frodo was alive but taken by the Enemy.
## [17353]
## [17354]
## [17355]
## [17356]
## [17357] Here ends the second part of the history of the War of the Ring.
## [17358]
## [17359] The third part tells of the last defence against the Shadow, and the
## [17360] end of the mission of the Ring-bearer in THE RETURN OF THE KING.
## [17361]
## [17362]
## [17363]
## [17364]
## Utilizarei o topic models neste pré-processamento. Vou criar um novo corpus tratado
## para posterior comparação e análise qualitativa do modelo. Transformando todas as
## palavras em letras minúsculas. ##
corpus_new <- tm_map(corpus, content_transformer(tolower))
## Warning in tm_map.SimpleCorpus(corpus, content_transformer(tolower)):
## transformation drops documents
## Removendo números e pontuação. ##
corpus_new <- tm_map(corpus_new, removeNumbers)
## Warning in tm_map.SimpleCorpus(corpus_new, removeNumbers): transformation
## drops documents
corpus_new <- tm_map(corpus_new, removePunctuation)
## Warning in tm_map.SimpleCorpus(corpus_new, removePunctuation):
## transformation drops documents
## Removendo palavras que não contribuem para a compreensão semântica do texto, as
## chamadas stop words. ##
corpus_new <- tm_map(corpus_new, removeWords, stopwords())
## Warning in tm_map.SimpleCorpus(corpus_new, removeWords, stopwords()):
## transformation drops documents
## Vou remover mais algumas stop words e observar o resultado. ##
mystopwords <- readLines("mystopwords.txt", encoding = "UTF-8")
corpus_new <- tm_map(corpus_new, removeWords, mystopwords)
## Warning in tm_map.SimpleCorpus(corpus_new, removeWords, mystopwords):
## transformation drops documents
## Reduzindo a inflexão de palavras ao seu radical para unificar formas semânticas.##
corpus_new <- tm_map(corpus_new, stemDocument, language = "en")
## Warning in tm_map.SimpleCorpus(corpus_new, stemDocument, language = "en"):
## transformation drops documents
## Removendo espaço em branco. ##
corpus_new <- tm_map(corpus_new, stripWhitespace)
## Warning in tm_map.SimpleCorpus(corpus_new, stripWhitespace): transformation
## drops documents
inspect(corpus_new)
## <<SimpleCorpus>>
## Metadata: corpus specific: 1, document level (indexed): 0
## Content: documents: 17364
##
## [1] “ lord ring
## [2]
## [3]
## [4]
## [5]
## [6]
## [7]
## [8]
## [9] tower
## [10]
## [11]
## [12]
## [13] jrrtoikien
## [14]
## [15]
## [16]
## [17]
## [18]
## [19] book
## [20]
## [21]
## [22]
## [23] chapter departur boromir
## [24]
## [25] aragorn sped hill bent ground
## [26] hobbit light footprint easi ranger
## [27] read far spring cross path wet
## [28] earth saw seek
## [29]
## [30] read sign aright frodo ran
## [31] hilltop wonder saw return way
## [32] went hill
## [33]
## [34] aragorn hesit desir high seat hope
## [35] guid perplex time
## [36] press sudden leap forward ran summit
## [37] great flagston step sit high seat look
## [38] sun darken world dim remot turn
## [39] north north saw save distant hill
## [40] unless far away great bird like eagl
## [41] high air descend slowli wide circl earth
## [42]
## [43] gaze quick ear caught sound woodland
## [44] west river stiffen cri
## [45] horror distinguish harsh voic ore
## [46] sudden deepthroat great horn blew blast
## [47] smote hill echo hollow rise mighti shout
## [48] roar fall
## [49]
## [50] horn boromir cri need sprang
## [51] step away leap path ala ill fate day
## [52] goe amiss sam
## [53]
## [54] ran cri came louder fainter desper
## [55] horn blow fierc shrill rose yell ore sudden
## [56] horncal ceas aragorn race slope
## [57] reach hill foot sound die away turn
## [58] left ran retreat hear
## [59] draw bright sword cri elendil elendil crash
## [60] tree
## [61]
## [62]
## [63]
## [64]
## [65] mile mayb parth galen littl glade far lake
## [66] boromir sit great tree
## [67] rest aragorn saw pierc blackfeath
## [68] arrow sword hand broken near hilt
## [69] horn cloven ore lay slain pile
## [70] feet
## [71]
## [72] aragorn knelt boromir open eye strove speak
## [73]
## [74] slow word came tri ring frodo
## [75] sorri paid glanc stray fallen enemi
## [76] lay gone halfl ore taken
## [77] think dead ore bound paus eye close
## [78] wearili moment spoke
## [79]
## [80] ’farewel aragorn goto mina tirith save peopl
## [81] fail
## [82]
## [83] aragorn take hand kiss brow
## [84] conquer gain victori peac mina tirith shall
## [85] fall
## [86]
## [87] boromir smile
## [88]
## [89] way frodo aragorn
## [90]
## [91] boromir speak
## [92]
## [93] ala aragorn pass heir denethor lord
## [94] tower guard bitter end compani ruin
## [95] fail vain gandalf trust shall
## [96] boromir laid mina tirith heart desir
## [97] ring bearer shall save
## [98] quest disast
## [99]
## [100] knelt bent weep clasp boromir hand
## [101]
## [102] legola gim came western
## [103] slope hill silent creep tree
## [104] hunt gim axe hand legola long knife
## [105] arrow spent came glade halt amaz
## [106] stood moment head bow grief
## [107] plain happen
## [108]
## [109] ala legola come aragorn hunt
## [110] slain ore wood use
## [111] came heard hornbut late fear taken
## [112] dead hurt
## [113]
## [114]
## [115]
## [116]
## [117] boromir dead aragorn unscath
## [118] fell defend hobbit away hill
## [119]
## [120] hobbit cri gim frodo
## [121]
## [122] know answer aragorn wearili die boromir told
## [123] ore bound think dead
## [124] sent follow merri pippin ask frodo sam
## [125] late today
## [126] gone amiss
## [127]
## [128] tend fallen legola leav
## [129] lie like carrion foul ore
## [130]
## [131] swift gim wish linger
## [132] follow ore hope compani live
## [133] prison
## [134]
## [135] know ringbear
## [136] aragorn abandon seek evil choic
## [137]
## [138]
## [139] let legola
## [140] time tool buri comrad fit rais mound
## [141] cairn build
## [142]
## [143] labour hard long stone
## [144] use nearer water gim
## [145]
## [146] let lay boat weapon weapon
## [147] vanquish foe aragorn send fall rauro
## [148] anduin river gondor care evil
## [149] creatur dishonour bone
## [150]
## [151] quick search bodi ore gather sword
## [152] cloven helm shield heap cri aragorn
## [153] token pick pile grim weapon knive
## [154] leafblad damask gold red search
## [155] sheath black set small red gem oretool
## [156]
## [157] born hobbit doubtless ore despoil
## [158] fear knive know work
## [159] westerness wound spell bane mordor
## [160] live friend weaponless thing
## [161] hope hope
## [162]
## [163] legola arrow
## [164] quiver search pile ground
## [165]
## [166]
## [167]
## [168]
## [169] undamag longer shaft arrow
## [170] ore accustom use look close
## [171]
## [172] aragorn look slain lie
## [173] folk mordor north misti mountain
## [174] know ore kind strang
## [175] gear manner ore
## [176]
## [177] goblin soldier greater statur swart slantey
## [178] leg larg hand arm short broadblad
## [179] sword curv scimitar usual ore bow
## [180] yew length shape like bow men shield bore
## [181] strang devic small white hand centr black field
## [182] iron helm set srune wrought white metal
## [183]
## [184] seen token aragorn ’
## [185] mean
## [186]
## [187] s sauron gim easi read
## [188]
## [189] nay legola sauron use elfrun
## [190]
## [191] use right permit spelt
## [192] spoken aragorn use white ore servic
## [193] baraddyr use sign red eye stood moment thought
## [194] s saruman guess length evil afoot
## [195] isengard west longer safe gandalf fear
## [196] mean traitor saruman news journey like
## [197] know gandalf s fall pursuer moria escap
## [198] vigil lurien avoid land come isengard
## [199] path ore travel fast saruman way learn
## [200] news rememb bird
## [201]
## [202] time ponder riddl gim let bear
## [203] boromir away
## [204]
## [205] guess riddl choos
## [206] cours right answer aragorn
## [207]
## [208] mayb right choic gim
## [209]
## [210] take axe dwarf cut branch lash
## [211] bowstr spread cloak frame
## [212] rough bier carri bodi companion shore
## [213] trophi battl chose send forth
## [214]
## [215] short way easi task boromir
## [216] man tall strong
## [217]
## [218]
## [219]
## [220]
## [221] watersid aragorn remain watch bier legola
## [222] gim hasten foot parth galen mile
## [223] time came paddl boat swift
## [224] shore
## [225]
## [226] strang tale tell legola
## [227] boat bank trace
## [228]
## [229] ore ask aragorn
## [230]
## [231] saw sign answer gim ore taken
## [232] destroy boat baggag
## [233]
## [234] look ground come aragorn
## [235]
## [236] laid boromir middl boat bear
## [237] away grey hood elvencloak fold place beneath head
## [238] comb long dark hair array shoulder golden
## [239] belt lurien gleam waist helm set
## [240] lap laid cloven horn hilt shard
## [241] sword beneath feet sword enemi fasten
## [242] prow stern boat drew water
## [243]
## [244] row sad shore turn swiftrun channel
## [245] pass green sward parth galen steep side tol brandir
## [246] glow midafternoon went south fume
## [247] rauro rose shimmer haze gold rush thunder
## [248] fall shook windless air
## [249]
## [250] sorrow cast loos funer boat boromir lay
## [251] rest peac glide bosom flow water stream
## [252] took held boat paddl float
## [253] slowli boat depart wane dark spot
## [254] golden light sudden vanish rauro roar unchang
## [255] river taken boromir son denethor seen
## [256] mina tirith stand use stand white tower
## [257] morn gondor afterday long elvenboat
## [258] rode fall foam pool bore osgiliath
## [259] past mouth anduin great sea night
## [260] star
## [261]
## [262] companion remain silent gaze
## [263]
## [264] aragorn spoke look white tower
## [265] return mountain sea slowli began
## [266] sing
## [267]
## [268]
## [269]
## [270]
## [271] rohan fen field long grass grow
## [272] west wind come walk wall goe
## [273]
## [274] news west o wander wind bring tonight
## [275]
## [276] seen boromir tall moon starlight
## [277]
## [278] saw ride seven stream water wide grey
## [279]
## [280] saw walk land pass away
## [281] shadow north saw
## [282]
## [283] north wind heard horn son denethor
## [284]
## [285] o boromir high wall westward look afar
## [286]
## [287] came land men
## [288]
## [289] legola sang
## [290]
## [291] mouth sea south wind fli sandhil stone
## [292] wail gull bear gate moan
## [293]
## [294] news south o sigh wind bring eve
## [295]
## [296] boromir fair tarri griev
## [297]
## [298] ask doth dwellso bone lie
## [299] white shore dark shore stormi sky
## [300]
## [301] pass anduin flow sea
## [302]
## [303] ask north wind news north wind send
## [304]
## [305] o boromir gate seaward road run south
## [306]
## [307] came wail gull grey sea mouth
## [308]
## [309] aragorn sang
## [310]
## [311] gate king north wind ride past roar fall
## [312]
## [313] clear cold tower loud horn call
## [314]
## [315] news north o mighti wind bring today
## [316]
## [317] news boromir bold long away
## [318]
## [319] beneath amon hen heard foe fought
## [320]
## [321] cloven shield broken sword water brought
## [322]
## [323] head proud face fair limb laid rest
## [324]
## [325] rauro golden raurosfaus bore breast
## [326]
## [327] o boromir tower guard shall northward gaze
## [328] rauro golden raurosfal end day
## [329]
## [330] end turn boat drove
## [331] speed stream parth galen
## [332]
## [333] left east wind gim say naught
## [334] ’
## [335]
## [336] ’ aragorn mina tirith endur
## [337] east wind ask tide boromir taken
## [338]
## [339]
## [340]
## [341]
## [342] road make hast choos
## [343]
## [344] survey green lawn quick thorough stoop
## [345] earth ore ground
## [346] certain footprint cross
## [347] recross tell hobbit come
## [348] search frodo began return bank close
## [349] rill spring trickl river clear
## [350] print hobbit wade water
## [351] say long ago
## [352]
## [353] read riddl ask gim
## [354]
## [355] aragorn answer went campingplac
## [356] look baggag pack miss
## [357] certain sam larg heavi answer
## [358] frodo gone boat servant gone frodo
## [359] return away met sam go hill told
## [360] follow plain guess master s mind
## [361] came frodo gone easi leav sam
## [362]
## [363]
## [364] leav word gim
## [365] strang deed
## [366]
## [367] brave deed aragorn sam right think frodo
## [368] wish lead friend death mordor knew
## [369] happen left overcam fear
## [370] doubt
## [371]
## [372] mayb hunt ore came fled legola
## [373]
## [374] fled certain aragorn think ore
## [375] thought caus frodo sudden resolv flight aragorn
## [376] say word boromir long kept secret
## [377]
## [378] clear legola frodo
## [379] longer river taken boat sam
## [380] taken pack
## [381]
## [382] choic gim remain boat
## [383] follow frodo follow ore foot littl hope
## [384] way lost precious hour
## [385]
## [386] let think aragorn make right choic
## [387] chang evil fate unhappi day stood silent moment
## [388] follow ore guid frodo mordor
## [389]
## [390]
## [391]
## [392]
## [393] gone end seek wilder
## [394] abandon captiv torment death heart speak clear
## [395] fate bearer hand longer compani
## [396] play remain forsak companion
## [397] strength left come leav spare
## [398] press day dark
## [399]
## [400] drew boat carri tree laid
## [401] beneath good need carri
## [402] away left parth galen afternoon fade came
## [403] glade boromir fallen pick trail
## [404] ore need littl skill
## [405]
## [406] folk make trampl legola
## [407] delight slash beat grow thing
## [408] way
## [409]
## [410] great speed aragorn
## [411] tire later search path hard bare
## [412] land
## [413]
## [414] gim dwarv swift
## [415] tire sooner ore long chase long
## [416] start
## [417]
## [418] yes aragorn shall need endur dwarv
## [419] come hope hope follow trail enemi
## [420] woe prove swifter make chase shall
## [421] account marvel kindr p elv dwarv men
## [422] forth
## [423]
## [424] hunter
## [425]
## [426] like deer sprang away tree sped led
## [427] tireless swift mind wood
## [428] lake left long slope climb dark hardedg
## [429] sky red sunset dusk came pass away grey
## [430] shadow stoni land
## [431]
## [432]
## [433]
## [434]
## [435] chapter rider rohan
## [436]
## [437]
## [438]
## [439] dusk deepen mist lay tree brood
## [440] pale margin anduin sky clear star came
## [441]
## [442] wax moon ride west shadow rock
## [443] black come feet stoni hill pace slower
## [444] trail longer easi follow highland emyn
## [445] muil ran north south long tumbl ridg western
## [446] ridg steep difficult eastward slope gentler
## [447] furrow gulli narrow ravin night
## [448] companion scrambl boni land climb crest
## [449] tallest ridg dark deep wind valley
## [450]
## [451]
## [452] cool hour dawn rest brief space
## [453]
## [454] moon long gone star glitter
## [455] light day come dark hill
## [456] moment aragorn loss ore trail descend valley
## [457] vanish
## [458]
## [459] ’ way turn think legola northward
## [460] straighter road isengard fangorn aim
## [461] guess southward strike entwash
## [462]
## [463] make river mark aim
## [464] aragorn unless amiss rohan power saruman
## [465] great increas shortest way
## [466] field rohirrim fet search northward
## [467]
## [468] dale ran like stoni trough ridg hill
## [469] trickl stream flow boulder cliff frown
## [470] right left rose grey slope dim shadowi
## [471] late night went mile northward aragorn
## [472] search bent ground fold gulli lead
## [473] western ridg fegola way ahead sudden elf gave
## [474] came run
## [475]
## [476] overtaken hunt
## [477] eook point saw taken
## [478] boulder lie foot slope huddl bodi dead ore
## [479]
## [480]
## [481]
## [482]
## [483] lay hewn cruel stroke
## [484] behead ground wet dark blood
## [485]
## [486] riddl gim need light day
## [487] wait
## [488]
## [489] read unhop legola
## [490]
## [491] enemi ore like friend folk dwell
## [492] hill
## [493]
## [494] aragorn rohirrim seldom come far
## [495] mina tirith compani men hunt
## [496] reason know think
## [497]
## [498] think gim
## [499]
## [500] think enemi brought enemi answer
## [501] aragorn northern ore far away slain
## [502] great ore strang badg quarrel guess
## [503] uncommon thing foul folk mayb disput
## [504] road
## [505]
## [506] captiv gim let hope
## [507] meet end
## [508]
## [509] aragorn search ground wide circl trace
## [510] fight went eastward sky turn
## [511] pale star fade grey light slowli grow littl
## [512] north came fold tini stream fall
## [513] wind cut stoni path valley bush grew
## [514] patch grass side
## [515]
## [516] aragorn track seek
## [517] water channel way ore went debat
## [518]
## [519] swift pursuer turn follow new path fresh
## [520] night rest sprang stone stone reach
## [521] crest grey hill sudden breez blew hair
## [522] stir cloak chill wind dawn
## [523]
## [524] turn saw river far hill kindl day
## [525] leap sky red rim sun rose shoulder
## [526] dark land west world lay formless grey
## [527] look shadow night melt colour
## [528] wake earth return green flow wide mead rohan white
## [529] mist shimmer waterval far left thirti leagu
## [530] blue purpl stood white mountain rise peak
## [531]
## [532]
## [533]
## [534]
## [535] jet tip glimmer snow flush rose morn
## [536]
## [537] gondor gondor cri aragorn look
## [538] happier hour road lie southward bright stream
## [539]
## [540] gondor gondor mountain sea
## [541]
## [542] west wind blew light silver tree
## [543]
## [544] fell like bright rain garden king old
## [545]
## [546] o proud wall white tower o wing crown throne gold
## [547]
## [548] o gondor gondor shall men behold silver tree
## [549]
## [550] west wind blow mountain sea
## [551]
## [552] let draw eye away south
## [553] look west north way tread
## [554]
## [555] ridg companion stood went steepli
## [556] feet fathom wide rug
## [557] shelf end sudden brink sheer cliff east wall
## [558] rohan end emyn muil green plain rohirrim
## [559] stretch away edg sight
## [560]
## [561] look cri legola point pale sky
## [562] eagl ele high fli away
## [563] land north go great speed look
## [564]
## [565] eye good legola aragorn
## [566] far aloft wonder errand
## [567] bird seen look nearer hand
## [568] urgent move plain
## [569]
## [570] thing legola great compani foot
## [571] say kind folk
## [572] leagu away guess flat plain hard
## [573] measur
## [574]
## [575] think nonetheless longer need trail tell
## [576] way gim let path field
## [577] quick
## [578]
## [579] doubt path quicker ore
## [580] chose aragorn
## [581]
## [582] follow enemi clear light day
## [583] ore press possibl speed
## [584] pursuer thing drop cast away foodbag
## [585] rind crust hard grey bread torn black cloak heavi ironnail
## [586] shoe broken stone trail led north
## [587]
## [588]
## [589]
## [590]
## [591] escarp length came deep cleft carv rock
## [592] stream splash noisili narrow ravin rough path
## [593] descend like steep stair plain
## [594]
## [595] came strang sudden grass
## [596] rohan swell like green sea foot emyn muil
## [597] fall stream vanish deep growth cress waterpl
## [598] hear tinkl away green tunnel long gentl slope
## [599] fen entwash vale far away left winter
## [600] cling hill eler air softer warmer
## [601] faint scent spring stir sap flow
## [602] herb leaf legola took deep breath like drink
## [603] great draught long thirst barren place
## [604]
## [605] ah green smell better sleep let
## [606] run
## [607]
## [608] light feet run swift aragorn swift mayb
## [609] ironshod ore chanc lessen lead
## [610]
## [611] went singl file run like hound strong scent
## [612] eager light eye near west broad swath
## [613] march ore tramp ugli slot sweet grass rohan
## [614] bruis blacken pass present aragorn gave
## [615] turn asid stay shout follow ran quick
## [616] right away main trail seen footprint went
## [617] way branch mark small unshod feet
## [618] far cross oreprint
## [619] come main trail curv
## [620] sharpli lost trampl furthest point
## [621] aragorn stoop pick grass ran
## [622]
## [623] yes quit plain hobbit footprint pippin
## [624] think smaller look held thing
## [625] glitter sunlight look like newopen leaf
## [626] beechtre fair strang treeless plain
## [627]
## [628] brooch elvencloak cri legola gim
## [629]
## [630] idl leav lurien fall aragorn
## [631] drop chanc cast away token follow
## [632] think pippin ran away trail purpos
## [633]
## [634] aliv gim use
## [635] wit leg hearten pursu vain
## [636]
## [637]
## [638]
## [639]
## [640] ’let hope pay dear bold
## [641] legola come let thought merri young folk driven
## [642] like cattl burn heart
## [643]
## [644] sun climb noon rode slowli sky light
## [645] cloud came sea distant south blown away
## [646] breez sun sank shadow rose reach long arm
## [647] east hunter held day pass boromir
## [648] fell ore far ahead longer sight
## [649] seen level plain
## [650]
## [651] nightshad close aragorn halt twice
## [652] day march rest brief leagu lay
## [653] eastern wall stood dawn
## [654]
## [655] come hard choic shall rest
## [656] night shall strength hold
## [657]
## [658] unless enemi rest leav far
## [659] stay sleep legola sure ore paus march
## [660] gim seldom ore journey open sun
## [661] legola certain rest night
## [662]
## [663] walk night follow trail gim
## [664]
## [665] trail straight turn right left far
## [666] eye legola
## [667]
## [668] mayb lead guess dark hold
## [669] line aragorn stray turn asid
## [670] light came long delay trail
## [671]
## [672] gim day
## [673] track lead away prison escap carri
## [674] eastward say great river mordor pass
## [675] sign know
## [676]
## [677] true aragorn read sign yonder
## [678] right ore white hand prevail compani
## [679] bound isengard present cours bear
## [680]
## [681] rash sure counsel gim
## [682] escap dark pass sign led
## [683] brooch
## [684]
## [685] ore doubli guard prison
## [686] wearier legola escap
## [687] contriv guess
## [688]
## [689]
## [690]
## [691]
## [692] overtak
## [693]
## [694] dwarf journey hardi
## [695] folk run way isengard paus gim
## [696] heart burn start sooner rest
## [697] littl run better rest blind night time
## [698]
## [699]
## [700] hard choic aragorn shall end
## [701] debat
## [702]
## [703] guid gim skill chase
## [704] shall choos
## [705]
## [706] heart bid legola hold
## [707] follow counsel
## [708]
## [709] choic ill chooser aragorn pass
## [710] argonath choic gone amiss fell silent gaze
## [711] north west gather night long
## [712]
## [713] walk dark length peril
## [714] miss trail sign come go
## [715] greater moon gave light use ala set
## [716] earli young pale
## [717]
## [718] tonight shroud gim murmur
## [719] ladi given light gift gave frodo
## [720]
## [721] need bestow aragorn
## [722] lie true quest small matter great deed
## [723] time vain pursuit begin mayb choic
## [724] mar mend chosen let use time best
## [725]
## [726] cast ground fell sleep
## [727] slept night shadow tol brandir dawn
## [728] sky woke rose gim deep slumber legola
## [729] stand gaze northward dark thought silent
## [730] young tree windless night
## [731]
## [732] far far away sad turn aragorn know
## [733] heart rest night eagl overtak
## [734]
## [735]
## [736] nonetheless follow aragorn stoop
## [737] rous dwarf come scent grow cold
## [738]
## [739] dark gim legola hilltop
## [740] till sun
## [741]
## [742]
## [743]
## [744]
## [745] fear pass sight hill plain moon
## [746] sun legola
## [747]
## [748] sight fail earth bring rumour aragorn
## [749] land groan hate feet stretch
## [750] ground ear press turf lay motionless
## [751] long time gim wonder swoon fallen asleep
## [752] dawn came glimmer slowli grey light grew
## [753] rose friend face pale drawn
## [754] look troubl
## [755]
## [756] rumour earth dim confus walk
## [757] mile faint far feet enemi
## [758]
## [759] loud hoof hors come mind heard
## [760] lay ground sleep troubl dream hors
## [761] gallop pass west draw
## [762] ride northward wonder happen land
## [763]
## [764] let legola
## [765]
## [766] day pursuit began long hour
## [767] cloud fit sun hard paus stride run
## [768] weari quench burn seldom spoke
## [769] wide solitud pass elvencloak fade
## [770] background grey green field cool sunlight midday
## [771] elvish eye mark close hand
## [772] heart thank ladi lurien gift
## [773] lemba eat new strength ran
## [774]
## [775] day track enemi led straight go northwest
## [776] break turn day wore end came
## [777] long treeless slope land rose swell line low
## [778] humpback down ahead oretrail grew fainter bent north
## [779] ground harder grass shorter far away
## [780] left river entwash wound silver thread green floor move
## [781] thing seen aragorn wonder saw sign beast
## [782] man dwell rohirrim leagu
## [783] away south wood eav white mountain
## [784] hidden
## [785]
## [786] mist cloud horselord kept herd
## [787] stud eastemnet easter region realm
## [788] herdsmen wander live camp tent wintertim
## [789]
## [790]
## [791]
## [792]
## [793] land silenc
## [794] quiet peac
## [795]
## [796] dusk halt twice leagu pass
## [797] plain rohan wall emyn muil lost
## [798] shadow east young moon glimmer misti sky
## [799] gave small light star veil
## [800]
## [801] grudg time rest halt chase
## [802] legola ore run whip sauron
## [803] fear reach forest dark hill
## [804] pass shadow tree
## [805]
## [806] gim ground teeth bitter end hope
## [807] toil
## [808]
## [809] hope mayb toil aragorn shall turn
## [810] weari gaze way come
## [811] night gather east strang work
## [812] land distrust silenc distrust pale moon
## [813] star faint weari seldom weari
## [814] ranger clear trail follow lend
## [815] speed foe set unseen barrier weari
## [816] heart limb
## [817]
## [818] truli legola known came
## [819] emyn muil point away
## [820] land rohan darkl west sickl moon
## [821] saruman mutter aragorn shall turn halt
## [822] moon fall gather cloud
## [823] north lie road fen day return
## [824]
## [825] legola afoot slept awak
## [826] awak cri red dawn strang thing await eav
## [827] forest good evil know call awak
## [828]
## [829] sprang set slowli
## [830] down drew near hour noon reach
## [831] green slope rise bare ridg ran line straight
## [832] north feet ground dri turf short long strip
## [833] sunken land mile wide lay river
## [834] wander deep dim thicket reed rush just west
## [835] southernmost slope great ring turf torn
## [836] beaten trampl feet oretrail ran turn
## [837]
## [838]
## [839]
## [840]
## [841] north dri skirt hill aragorn halt examin
## [842] track close
## [843]
## [844] rest outward trail
## [845] old fear heart spoke truli legola thrice
## [846] hour guess ore stood stand held
## [847] pace sundown yesterday reach border
## [848] fangorn
## [849]
## [850] away north west grass dwindl mist
## [851] gim forest climb hill
## [852]
## [853] far away aragorn rememb right
## [854] down run leagu north northwest
## [855] issu entwash lie wide land leagu
## [856]
## [857]
## [858] let gim leg forget mile
## [859] will heart heavi
## [860]
## [861] sun sink drew near end line
## [862] down hour march rest go
## [863] slowli gim s bent stonehard dwarv labour
## [864] journey endless chase began tell hope fail
## [865] heart aragorn walk grim silent stoop
## [866] scan print mark ground legola step
## [867] light feet hard press grass leav
## [868] footprint pass waybread elv
## [869] susten need sleep sleep call
## [870] men rest mind strang path elvish dream
## [871] walk openey light world
## [872]
## [873] let green hill wearili follow
## [874] climb long slope came
## [875] round hill smooth bare stand norther
## [876] down sun sank shadow even fell like curtain
## [877] grey formless world mark measur far away
## [878] northwest deeper dark die light
## [879] mountain mist forest feet
## [880]
## [881] guid gim
## [882] halt wear night away grow cold
## [883]
## [884] wind north snow aragorn
## [885]
## [886] ere morn east legola rest
## [887]
## [888]
## [889]
## [890]
## [891] cast hope away tomorrow unknown rede oft
## [892] rise sun
## [893]
## [894] sun risen chase brought counsel
## [895] gim
## [896]
## [897] night grew colder aragorn gim slept fit
## [898] awok saw legola stand walk
## [899]
## [900]
## [901] fro sing soft tongu sang white
## [902] star open hard black vault night pass
## [903] watch dawn grow slowli sky bare cloudless
## [904] sunris came pale clear wind east
## [905] mist roll away wide land lay bleak
## [906] bitter light
## [907]
## [908] ahead eastward saw windi upland wold rohan
## [909] glimps day ago great river north
## [910] westward
## [911]
## [912] stalk dark forest fangorn leagu away stood shadowi
## [913] eav slope fade distant blue
## [914] glimmer far away float grey cloud white head tall
## [915] methedra peak misti mountain forest
## [916] entwash flow meet stream swift narrow bank
## [917] deepcloven oretrail turn down
## [918]
## [919] follow keen eye trail river river
## [920] forest aragorn saw shadow distant green dark
## [921] swiftmov blur cast ground listen
## [922] intent legola stood shade bright elveney
## [923] long slender hand saw shadow blur small
## [924] figur horsemen horsemen glint morn tip
## [925] spear like twinkl minut star edg mortal
## [926] sight far dark smoke rose curl thread
## [927]
## [928] silenc field arid gim hear air
## [929] move grass
## [930]
## [931] rider cri aragorn spring feet rider swift
## [932] steed come
## [933]
## [934] yes legola yellow
## [935] hair bright spear leader tall
## [936]
## [937] aragorn smile keen eye elv
## [938]
## [939]
## [940]
## [941]
## [942] nay rider littl leagu distant
## [943] legola
## [944]
## [945] leagu gim escap bare
## [946] land shall wait way
## [947]
## [948] wait aragorn weari hunt fail
## [949] horsemen ride
## [950] ore trail new s
## [951]
## [952] spear gim
## [953]
## [954] saddl hobbit legola
## [955]
## [956] say hear good news aragorn evil
## [957] good await
## [958]
## [959] companion left hilltop easi
## [960] mark pale sky walk slowli northward slope
## [961] littl hill foot halt wrap cloak
## [962] sat huddl fade grass time pass slowli
## [963] heavili wind search gim uneasi
## [964]
## [965] know horsemen aragorn sit
## [966] wait sudden death
## [967]
## [968] answer aragorn proud wil
## [969] trueheart generous thought deed bold cruel
## [970] wise unlearn write book sing song
## [971] manner children men dark year know
## [972] happen late mind rohirrim
## [973] traitor saruman threat sauron long
## [974] friend peopl gondor akin
## [975] forgotten year long ago eorl young brought north
## [976] kinship bard dale
## [977] beorn wood seen men tall
## [978] fair
## [979]
## [980] rider rohan love ore
## [981]
## [982] gandalf spoke rumour pay tribut mordor
## [983] gim
## [984]
## [985] believ boromir answer aragorn
## [986]
## [987] soon learn truth legola approach
## [988]
## [989] length gim hear distant beat gallop hoof
## [990]
## [991] horsemen follow trail turn river
## [992] draw near down ride like wind
## [993]
## [994]
## [995]
## [996]
## [997] cri clear strong voic came ring field
## [998] sudden swept nois like thunder foremost horseman
## [999] swerv pass foot hill lead host
## [1000] southward western skirt down rode long
## [1001] line mailclad men swift shine fell fair look
## [1002]
## [1003] hors great statur strong cleanlimb grey
## [1004] coat glisten long tail flow wind mane
## [1005] braid proud neck men rode match tall
## [1006] longlimb hair flaxenpal flow light helm
## [1007] stream long braid face stern keen
## [1008] hand tall spear ash paint shield slung
## [1009] back long sword belt burnish skirt mail hung
## [1010] knee
## [1011]
## [1012] pair gallop rose
## [1013] stirrup gaze ahead appear
## [1014] perceiv stranger sit silent watch host
## [1015] pass sudden aragorn stood call loud
## [1016] voic
## [1017]
## [1018] news north rider rohan
## [1019]
## [1020] astonish speed skill check steed wheel
## [1021] came charg round soon companion
## [1022] ring horsemen move run circl hillslop
## [1023] round round draw inward aragorn stood
## [1024] silent sat move wonder way thing
## [1025] turn
## [1026]
## [1027] word sudden rider halt thicket spear
## [1028] point stranger horsemen bow
## [1029] hand arrow fit string rode
## [1030] forward tall man taller rest helm crest
## [1031] white horsetail flow advanc point spear
## [1032] foot aragorn breast aragorn stir
## [1033]
## [1034] land rider
## [1035] use common speech west manner tone like speech
## [1036] boromir man gondor
## [1037]
## [1038] call strider answer aragorn came north
## [1039] hunt ore
## [1040]
## [1041] rider leap hors give spear rode
## [1042]
## [1043]
## [1044]
## [1045]
## [1046] dismount drew sword stood face face
## [1047] aragorn survey keen wonder length spoke
## [1048]
## [1049]
## [1050] thought ore
## [1051] know littl ore hunt
## [1052] fashion swift wellarm
## [1053] chang hunter prey overtaken
## [1054] strang strider bent clear bright
## [1055] eye ranger man
## [1056] strang raiment sprung grass
## [1057] escap sight elvish folk
## [1058]
## [1059] aragorn elf legola
## [1060] woodland realm distant mirkwood pass
## [1061] lothlurien
## [1062]
## [1063] gift favour ladi
## [1064]
## [1065] rider look renew wonder eye harden
## [1066] ladi golden wood old tale tell lew
## [1067] escap net say strang day
## [1068] favour netweav sorcer mayb turn
## [1069] cold glanc sudden legola gim speak silent
## [1070] one demand
## [1071]
## [1072] gim rose plant feet firm apart hand grip
## [1073] handl axe dark eye flash
## [1074] horsemast
## [1075]
## [1076] rider stare dwarf stranger
## [1077] declar name jomer son jomund
## [1078] call marshal riddermark
## [1079]
## [1080] jomer son jomund marshal riddermark let gim
## [1081] dwarf gluin son warn foolish word speak evil
## [1082] fair reach thought littl wit
## [1083] excus
## [1084]
## [1085] jomer eye blaze men rohan murmur angrili close
## [1086] advanc spear cut head beard
## [1087]
## [1088] master dwarf stood littl higher ground jomer
## [1089]
## [1090] stand legola bend bow fit
## [1091] arrow hand move quicker sight die
## [1092] stroke fell
## [1093]
## [1094]
## [1095]
## [1096]
## [1097] jomer rais sword thing gone ill aragorn
## [1098] sprang rais hand pardon jomer cri
## [1099] know understand anger
## [1100] companion
## [1101]
## [1102] intend evil rohan folk man
## [1103] hors hear tale strike
## [1104]
## [1105] jomer lower blade wander
## [1106] riddermark wise haughti day doubt
## [1107] tell right
## [1108]
## [1109] tell serv aragorn friend foe
## [1110] sauron dark lord mordor
## [1111]
## [1112] serv lord mark thjoden king son thengel
## [1113] answer jomer serv power black land far away
## [1114] open war flee
## [1115] best leav land troubl border
## [1116] threaten desir free live
## [1117] live keep serv foreign lord good evil
## [1118] welcom guest kind better day time unbidden
## [1119] stranger find swift hard come serv
## [1120]
## [1121]
## [1122] command hunt ore land
## [1123]
## [1124] serv man aragorn servant sauron pursu
## [1125] land mortal men know
## [1126]
## [1127]
## [1128] ore hunt fashion choic ore
## [1129] pursu took captiv friend need man
## [1130] hors foot ask leav follow trail
## [1131]
## [1132] count head enemi save sword
## [1133] weaponless
## [1134]
## [1135] aragorn threw cloak elvensheath glitter grasp
## [1136] bright blade ®ril shone like sudden flame swept
## [1137] elendil cri aragorn son arathorn call
## [1138] elessar elfston d®nadan heir isildur elendil son gondor
## [1139] sword broken forg aid
## [1140] thwart choos swift
## [1141]
## [1142] gim legola look companion amaz
## [1143] seen mood grown statur
## [1144]
## [1145]
## [1146]
## [1147]
## [1148] jomer shrunk live face caught brief vision
## [1149] power majesti king stone moment eye
## [1150] legola white flame flicker brow aragorn like
## [1151] shine crown
## [1152]
## [1153] jomer step look awe face cast
## [1154] proud eye strang day mutter dream
## [1155] legend spring life grass
## [1156]
## [1157] tell lord bring
## [1158] mean dark word long boromir son denethor gone
## [1159] seek answer hors lent came riderless
## [1160] doom bring north
## [1161]
## [1162] doom choic aragorn say thjoden son
## [1163] thengel open war lie sauron live
## [1164] live shall
## [1165] great matter speak later chanc allow come
## [1166] king great need ask help
## [1167] tide heard pursu orehost carri
## [1168] friend tell
## [1169]
## [1170] need pursu jomer ore
## [1171] destroy
## [1172]
## [1173] friend
## [1174]
## [1175] ore
## [1176]
## [1177] strang aragorn search slain
## [1178]
## [1179] bodi ore kind small
## [1180] children eye unshod clad grey
## [1181]
## [1182] dwarv children jomer count
## [1183] slain despoil pile carcas burn
## [1184] custom ash smoke
## [1185]
## [1186] speak dwarv children gim friend
## [1187] hobbit
## [1188]
## [1189] hobbit jomer strang
## [1190]
## [1191] strang strang folk gim
## [1192] dear heard rohan word troubl
## [1193] mina tirith spoke halfl hobbit halfl
## [1194]
## [1195] halfl laugh rider stood jomer halfl
## [1196] littl peopl old song children tale
## [1197] north walk legend green earth daylight
## [1198]
## [1199]
## [1200]
## [1201]
## [1202] man aragorn ’ come
## [1203] make legend time green earth say
## [1204] mighti matter legend tread light day
## [1205]
## [1206] time pressing’ rider heed aragorn
## [1207] hasten south lord let leav wild folk fanci let
## [1208] bind king
## [1209]
## [1210] peac jothain jomer tongu leav tell
## [1211] jore assembl path make readi ride entwad
## [1212]
## [1213] mutter jothain retir spoke soon drew
## [1214] left jomer companion
## [1215]
## [1216] say strang aragorn speak
## [1217] truth plain men mark lie
## [1218] easili deceiv told speak
## [1219] fulli errand judg
## [1220]
## [1221] set imladri name rhyme week ago
## [1222] answer aragorn went boromir mina tirith errand
## [1223]
## [1224]
## [1225] citi son denethor aid folk war
## [1226] sauron compani journey busi
## [1227] speak gandalf grey leader
## [1228]
## [1229] gandalf jomer exclaim gandalf greyham known mark
## [1230] warn longer password king favour
## [1231] guest land time memori men come
## [1232] season year herald strang
## [1233] event bringer evil say
## [1234]
## [1235] come summer thing gone amiss
## [1236]
## [1237] time troubl saruman began count saruman
## [1238] friend hut gandalf came warn sudden war
## [1239] prepar isengard prison
## [1240] orthanc hard escap beg help thjoden
## [1241] listen went away speak gandalf loud
## [1242] thj oden ear wroth gandalf took hors call
## [1243] shadowfax precious king steed chief meara
## [1244] lord mark ride sire race
## [1245] great hors eorl knew speech men seven night ago shadowfax
## [1246] return king anger hors wild
## [1247] let man handl
## [1248]
## [1249]
## [1250]
## [1251]
## [1252] ’ shadowfax way far north
## [1253] aragorn gandalf part ala gandalf
## [1254] ride longer fell dark mine moria come
## [1255]
## [1256]
## [1257] heavi tide jomer
## [1258] come king
## [1259]
## [1260] tide grievous land understand
## [1261] touch sore ere year older aragorn
## [1262] great fall lead guid
## [1263] compani long road moria lurien came —
## [1264]
## [1265]
## [1266] learn truth ere speak —
## [1267] leagu great river fall rauro
## [1268] boromir slain ore destroy
## [1269]
## [1270] news woe cri jomer dismay great harm
## [1271] death mina tirith worthi man spoke
## [1272] prais came seldom mark war
## [1273] east border seen like swift son eorl
## [1274] grave men gondor like prove great
## [1275] captain peopl time came word
## [1276] grief gondor fall
## [1277]
## [1278] fourth day slain answer aragorn
## [1279] even day journey shadow tol
## [1280] brandir
## [1281]
## [1282] foot cri jomer
## [1283]
## [1284] yes
## [1285]
## [1286] wide wonder came jomer eye strider poor son
## [1287] arathorn wingfoot deed friend
## [1288] sung hall leagu measur ere
## [1289] fourth day end hardi race elendil
## [1290]
## [1291] lord return hast
## [1292] thjoden spoke warili men true
## [1293] open war black land close king ear
## [1294] speak craven counsel war come shall forsak old
## [1295] allianc gondor fight shall aid say
## [1296] hold eastmark charg ward
## [1297] marshal remov herd herdfolk withdraw
## [1298]
## [1299]
## [1300]
## [1301]
## [1302] entwash leav guard swift scout
## [1303]
## [1304] pay tribut sauron gim
## [1305]
## [1306] jomer flash eye
## [1307] come ear lie told year ago
## [1308] lord black land wish purchas hors great price
## [1309] refus put beast evil use sent plunder
## [1310] ore carri choos black hors
## [1311] left lor reason feud ore bitter
## [1312]
## [1313] time chief concern saruman claim
## [1314] lordship land war
## [1315] month taken ore servic wolfrid evil men
## [1316] close gap like beset
## [1317] east west
## [1318]
## [1319] ill deal foe wizard cun
## [1320] dwimmer crafti guis walk say
## [1321] old man hood cloak like gandalf recal
## [1322] spi slip net bird ill omen abroad
## [1323] sky know end heart misgiv
## [1324] friend dwell isengard come
## [1325] king hous shall come
## [1326] hope vain sent help doubt need
## [1327]
## [1328] come aragorn
## [1329]
## [1330] come jomer heir elendil strength
## [1331] son eorl evil tide battl
## [1332] westemnet fear ill
## [1333]
## [1334] ride north went king leav
## [1335] absenc hous left littl guard scout warn
## [1336] orehost come east wall night ago
## [1337] report bore white badg saruman suspect
## [1338] fear leagu orthanc dark tower led forth
## [1339] jore men household overtook ore nightfal
## [1340] day ago near border entwood surround
## [1341] gave battl yesterday dawn men lost hors
## [1342] ala ore greater number count join
## [1343] come east great river trail plain
## [1344] littl north spot came forest
## [1345]
## [1346] great ore bore white hand isengard kind stronger
## [1347]
## [1348]
## [1349]
## [1350]
## [1351] fell
## [1352]
## [1353] nonetheless end long away
## [1354] need south west come spare hors
## [1355] work sword yes use
## [1356] gimli’ axe bow legola pardon rash word
## [1357] concern ladi wood spoke men land
## [1358] glad learn better
## [1359]
## [1360] thank fair word aragorn heart desir
## [1361] come desert friend hope remain
## [1362]
## [1363] hope remain jomer friend
## [1364] northbord
## [1365]
## [1366] friend clear token far
## [1367] east wall aliv
## [1368] wall down trace trail
## [1369] turn asid way unless skill wholli left
## [1370]
## [1371] think
## [1372]
## [1373] know slain burn ore
## [1374] say fear think
## [1375] carri forest battl
## [1376] encircl foe mayb swear escap net
## [1377] way
## [1378]
## [1379] swear ore escap sight jomer
## [1380]
## [1381] reach foresteav live thing
## [1382] broke ring ore elvish power
## [1383]
## [1384] friend attir aragorn
## [1385] pass light day
## [1386]
## [1387] forgotten jomer hard sure
## [1388] marvel world grown strang elf dwarf
## [1389] compani walk daili field folk speak ladi wood
## [1390] live sword come war broken long
## [1391] age ere father father rode mark shall man
## [1392] judg time
## [1393]
## [1394] judg aragorn good ill chang
## [1395] yesteryear thing elv dwarv p
## [1396] men man discern golden
## [1397] wood hous
## [1398]
## [1399] true jomer doubt deed
## [1400]
## [1401]
## [1402]
## [1403]
## [1404] heart free
## [1405] law let stranger wander land king
## [1406] shall leav strict command day
## [1407] peril beg come will
## [1408] loth begin battl
## [1409]
## [1410] ’ think law chance’ aragorn
## [1411]
## [1412] stranger land
## [1413] ridden host rohirrim
## [1414] guis seen young
## [1415] spoken jomund father thjoden son thengel
## [1416] day high lord land constrain man
## [1417] abandon quest duti clear come
## [1418] son jomund choic aid worst let
## [1419] free seek carri law fewer
## [1420] return war king
## [1421]
## [1422] jomer silent moment spoke need
## [1423] hast compani chafe away hour lessen
## [1424] hope choic lend
## [1425] hors ask quest achiev prove vain
## [1426] return hors entwad meduseld high hous
## [1427] edora thjoden sit shall prove
## [1428] misjudg place mayb life keep
## [1429] good faith fail
## [1430]
## [1431] aragorn
## [1432]
## [1433] great wonder dark doubt glanc
## [1434] men jomer gave order spare hors lent
## [1435] stranger jothain dare speak open
## [1436]
## [1437] lord race gondor
## [1438] claim heard hors mark given
## [1439] dwarf
## [1440]
## [1441] gim troubl hear
## [1442]
## [1443] sooner walk sit beast great free
## [1444] begrudg
## [1445]
## [1446] ride hinder aragorn
## [1447]
## [1448] come shall sit friend gim legola
## [1449] need borrow hors troubl
## [1450]
## [1451] great darkgrey hors brought aragorn mount
## [1452]
## [1453]
## [1454]
## [1455]
## [1456] hasufel jomer bear better
## [1457] fortun gbrulf late master
## [1458]
## [1459] smaller lighter hors restiv fieri brought
## [1460] legola arod legola ask saddl
## [1461] rein need leap light wonder
## [1462] arod tame will beneath move
## [1463] spoken word elvish way good beast gim lift
## [1464] friend clung eas sam
## [1465] gamge boat
## [1466]
## [1467] farewel seek cri jomer return
## [1468] speed let sword shine
## [1469]
## [1470] come aragorn
## [1471]
## [1472] come gim matter ladi galadriel
## [1473] lie teach gentl speech
## [1474]
## [1475] shall jomer strang thing chanc
## [1476] learn prais fair ladi love stroke dwarf axe
## [1477] great wonder farewel
## [1478]
## [1479] part swift hors rohan
## [1480] littl gim look compani jomer small far
## [1481] away aragorn look watch trail sped
## [1482] way bend low head neck hasufel long
## [1483] came border entwash met trail
## [1484] jomer spoken come east wold
## [1485]
## [1486] aragorn dismount survey ground leap
## [1487] saddl rode away distanc eastward keep
## [1488] take care overrid footprint dismount
## [1489] examin ground go backward forward foot
## [1490]
## [1491] littl discov return main
## [1492] trail confus passag horsemen came
## [1493] outward cours lain nearer river eastward
## [1494] trail fresh clear sign feet go
## [1495] way anduin ride slower make sure
## [1496] trace footstep branch ore awar
## [1497] point pursu attempt
## [1498] captiv away overtaken
## [1499]
## [1500] rode forward day overcast low grey cloud came
## [1501] wold mist shroud sun nearer treeclad slope
## [1502]
## [1503]
## [1504]
## [1505]
## [1506] fangorn loom slowli darkl sun went west saw sign
## [1507] trail right left pass singl ore
## [1508] fallen track ran grey feather arrow stick
## [1509] throat
## [1510]
## [1511] afternoon wane came eav
## [1512] forest open glade tree place
## [1513] great burn ash hot smoke
## [1514] great pile helm mail cloven shield broken sword bow
## [1515] dart gear war stake middl set great
## [1516] goblin head shatter helm white badg seen
## [1517] away far river came stream
## [1518] edg wood mound newli rais raw earth
## [1519] cover freshcut turv plant spear
## [1520]
## [1521] aragorn companion search far wide field
## [1522] battl light fade even soon drew dim misti
## [1523] nightfal discov trace merri pippin
## [1524]
## [1525] gim sad set riddl
## [1526] came tol brandir hardest unravel
## [1527] guess burn bone hobbit mingl ore
## [1528]
## [1529] hard news frodo live hear hard
## [1530] old hobbit wait rivendel elrond come
## [1531]
## [1532] gandalf legola
## [1533]
## [1534] gandalf chose come lost
## [1535] answer gim foresight fail
## [1536]
## [1537] counsel gandalf found foreknowledg safeti
## [1538] aragorn thing
## [1539] better begin refus end dark shall
## [1540] depart place case await
## [1541] morn light
## [1542]
## [1543] littl way battlefield camp
## [1544] spread tree look like chestnut bore broad
## [1545] brown leav year like dri hand long splay finger
## [1546] rattl mourn nightbreez
## [1547]
## [1548] gim shiver brought blanket apiec let light
## [1549] care longer danger let ore come
## [1550] summermoth round candl
## [1551]
## [1552] unhappi hobbit astray wood draw
## [1553]
## [1554]
## [1555]
## [1556]
## [1557] hither legola
## [1558]
## [1559] draw thing ore hobbit aragorn
## [1560]
## [1561] near mountainmarch traitor saruman
## [1562] edg fangorn peril touch tree
## [1563] wood
## [1564]
## [1565] rohirrim great burn yesterday gim
## [1566]
## [1567] fell tree seen pass
## [1568] night safe labour end
## [1569]
## [1570] aragorn heed wrath
## [1571] fangorn come seldom tree
## [1572] path like lead forest care
## [1573]
## [1574] cut live wood
## [1575]
## [1576] need gim rider left chip bough
## [1577] dead wood lie plenti went gather fuel
## [1578] busi build kindl aragorn sat silent
## [1579] great tree deep thought legola stood
## [1580] open look profound shadow wood lean forward
## [1581] listen voic call distanc
## [1582]
## [1583] dwarf small bright blaze go companion
## [1584] drew close sat shroud light hood
## [1585] form legola look bough tree reach
## [1586]
## [1587] look tree glad
## [1588]
## [1589] danc shadow trick eye
## [1590] certain companion bough appear bend
## [1591] way come flame upper branch
## [1592] stoop brown leav stood stiff rub
## [1593] like cold crack hand take comfort warmth
## [1594]
## [1595] silenc sudden dark unknown forest near
## [1596] hand felt great brood presenc secret
## [1597] purpos legola spoke
## [1598]
## [1599] celeborn warn far fangorn know
## [1600] aragorn fabl forest boromir heard
## [1601]
## [1602] heard tale gondor aragorn
## [1603] word celeborn deem fabl
## [1604] men true knowledg fade thought ask
## [1605]
## [1606]
## [1607] truth matter elf wood know shall
## [1608]
## [1609]
## [1610]
## [1611]
## [1612] man answer
## [1613]
## [1614] ’ journey legola heard
## [1615] land save song tell onodrim
## [1616] men ent dwelt long ago fangorn old old
## [1617] elv reckon
## [1618]
## [1619] yes old aragorn old forest
## [1620] barrowdown far greater elrond say akin
## [1621] stronghold mighti wood elder day
## [1622] firstborn roam men slept fangorn hold secret
## [1623] know
## [1624]
## [1625] wish know gim let dwell
## [1626] fangorn troubl account
## [1627]
## [1628] drew lot watch lot watch
## [1629] fell gim lay sleep laid hold
## [1630] gim aragorn drowsili rememb peril cut bough
## [1631] twig live tree fangorn stray far search dead
## [1632] wood let die need
## [1633]
## [1634] fell asleep legola lay motionless fair
## [1635] hand fold breast eye unclos blend live night
## [1636] deep dream way elv gim sat hunch run
## [1637] thumb thought edg axe tree rustl
## [1638] sound
## [1639]
## [1640] sudden gim look just edg firelight
## [1641] stood old bent man lean staff wrap great cloak
## [1642] widebrim hat pull eye gim sprang
## [1643] amaz
## [1644]
## [1645] moment thought flash mind
## [1646] saruman caught aragorn legola rous
## [1647] sudden
## [1648]
## [1649] movement sat stare old man speak make sign
## [1650]
## [1651] father aragorn leap
## [1652] feet come warm cold strode forward old
## [1653] man gone trace near hand
## [1654] dare wander far moon set night dark
## [1655]
## [1656] sudden legola gave hors hors
## [1657]
## [1658] hors gone drag picket disappear
## [1659] time companion stood silent troubl
## [1660]
## [1661]
## [1662]
## [1663]
## [1664] new stroke ill fortun eav fangorn endless
## [1665] leagu lay men rohan friend
## [1666] wide danger land stood heard
## [1667] far night sound hors whinni neigh
## [1668] quiet cold rustl wind
## [1669]
## [1670] gone aragorn
## [1671] catch return
## [1672] start feet
## [1673]
## [1674] feet gim eat walk
## [1675]
## [1676] fie threw fuel slump
## [1677]
## [1678] hour ago unwil sit hors rohan
## [1679] laugh legola make rider
## [1680]
## [1681] unlik shall chanc gim
## [1682]
## [1683] wish know think began
## [1684] think saruman rememb word jomer walk
## [1685]
## [1686]
## [1687] like old man hood cloak word gone
## [1688] hors scare away troubl
## [1689] come mark word
## [1690]
## [1691] mark aragorn mark old man
## [1692] hat hood doubt guess right
## [1693] peril night day meantim
## [1694] rest watch gim
## [1695] need thought sleep
## [1696]
## [1697] night pass slowli legola follow aragorn gim follow
## [1698] legola watch wore away happen old man
## [1699] appear hors return
## [1700]
## [1701]
## [1702]
## [1703]
## [1704] chapter urukhai
## [1705]
## [1706]
## [1707]
## [1708] pippin lay dark troubl dream hear
## [1709] small voic echo black tunnel call frodo frodo
## [1710] instead frodo hundr hideous orefac grin
## [1711] shadow hundr hideous arm grasp
## [1712]
## [1713] merri
## [1714]
## [1715] woke cold air blew face lie even
## [1716] come sky grow dim turn
## [1717] dream littl wors wake wrist leg ankl
## [1718] tie cord merri lay whitefac dirti rag bound
## [1719] brow sat stood great compani ore
## [1720]
## [1721] slowli pippin ach head memori piec
## [1722] separ dreamshadow cours merri run
## [1723] wood come dash like take
## [1724]
## [1725]
## [1726] notic old strider run long way shouting—
## [1727] rememb far long sudden crash right
## [1728] group ore stand listen appear
## [1729] merri pippin arm yell
## [1730] dozen goblin sprung tree merri
## [1731] drawn sword ore wish fight tri
## [1732] lay hold merri cut arm
## [1733] hand good old merri
## [1734]
## [1735] boromir come leap tree
## [1736] fight slew rest fled gone far
## [1737] way attack ore
## [1738] larg shot rain arrow boromir
## [1739] boromir blown great horn till wood rang ore
## [1740] dismay drawn answer echo
## [1741] came attack fierc pippin rememb
## [1742] memo boromir lean tree pluck
## [1743] arrow dark fell sudden
## [1744]
## [1745] suppos knock head wonder
## [1746]
## [1747]
## [1748]
## [1749]
## [1750] poor merri hurt happen boromir didn’t
## [1751] ore
## [1752]
## [1753] kill go
## [1754]
## [1755] answer question felt cold sick wish
## [1756] gandalf persuad elrond let come thought ’ good
## [1757] just nuisanc passeng piec luggag
## [1758] stolen just piec luggag ore hope
## [1759] strider come claim hope wont
## [1760] throw plan wish free
## [1761]
## [1762] struggl littl quit useless ore sit near
## [1763] laugh companion abomin tongu rest
## [1764] littl fool pippin common speech
## [1765] hideous languag rest
## [1766] use leg long youll wish got
## [1767] home
## [1768]
## [1769] way youd wish dead id
## [1770] make squeak miser rat stoop pippin bring
## [1771] yellow fang close face black knife long jag
## [1772] blade hand lie quiet ill tickl hiss
## [1773]
## [1774] dont draw attent forget order curs
## [1775] isengard ugl®k u bagronk sha pushdug sarumanglob b®bhosh skai
## [1776]
## [1777]
## [1778] pass long angri speech tongu slowli die away
## [1779] mutter snarl
## [1780]
## [1781] terrifi pippin lay pain wrist ankl
## [1782] grow stone beneath bore
## [1783] mind listen intent hear
## [1784] voic round orespeech sound time
## [1785] hate anger plain like quarrel
## [1786] begun get hotter
## [1787]
## [1788] pippin surpris talk intellig
## [1789] ore use ordinari languag appar member
## [1790]
## [1791]
## [1792] quit differ tribe present understand
## [1793] anoth orespeech angri debat concern
## [1794] way
## [1795] prison
## [1796]
## [1797]
## [1798]
## [1799]
## [1800] there time kill proper time play
## [1801] trip
## [1802]
## [1803] help kill quick
## [1804] kill theyr curs nuisanc hurri even
## [1805] come
## [1806]
## [1807] order voic deep growl kill
## [1808] half brought aliv quick possibl that
## [1809] order
## [1810]
## [1811] want ask voic aliv
## [1812] good sport
## [1813]
## [1814] heard got that
## [1815] want war elvish plot theyll
## [1816] question
## [1817]
## [1818] know dont search
## [1819] use
## [1820]
## [1821] interest remark sneer voic softer
## [1822] evil report prison
## [1823] search plunder order
## [1824]
## [1825] deep voic aliv captur
## [1826] spoil that order
## [1827]
## [1828] order earlier voic come
## [1829] way mine kill aveng folk wish kill
## [1830] north
## [1831]
## [1832] wish growl voic ugl®k
## [1833] command return isengard shortest road
## [1834]
## [1835] saruman master great eye evil voic
## [1836] lugb®rz
## [1837]
## [1838] cross great river voic
## [1839] ventur bridg
## [1840]
## [1841] came evil voic wing nazgyl await
## [1842] northward east bank
## [1843]
## [1844] mayb mayb youll fli prison
## [1845] pay prais lugb®rz leav foot best
## [1846] horsecountri stick land danger
## [1847] foul rebel brigand
## [1848]
## [1849] aye stick growl ugl®k dont trust littl
## [1850] swine youv gut outsid sti youd run
## [1851]
## [1852]
## [1853]
## [1854]
## [1855] away fight urukhai slew great warrior took
## [1856] prison servant saruman wise white hand hand
## [1857] give man’sflesh eat came isengard led
## [1858] shall lead way choos ugkdk spoken
## [1859]
## [1860] spoken ugkdk sneer evil voic
## [1861] wonder like lugbdrz think ugl®k
## [1862] shoulder need reliev swollen head ask
## [1863] strang idea came come saruman
## [1864]
## [1865]
## [1866] think set filthi white badg
## [1867] agre grishnbkh trust messeng grishnbkh say
## [1868] saruman fool dirti treacher fool great eye
## [1869]
## [1870]
## [1871] swine folk like call swine
## [1872] muckrak dirti littl wizard oreflesh eat ill
## [1873] warrant
## [1874]
## [1875] loud yell orespeech answer ring clash
## [1876] weapon drawn cautious pippin roll hope
## [1877] happen guard gone join fray twilight saw
## [1878] larg black ore probabl ugl®k stand face grishnbkh short
## [1879] crook leg creatur broad long arm hung
## [1880] ground round smaller goblin pippin suppos
## [1881] one north drawn knive sword
## [1882] hesit attack ugl®k
## [1883]
## [1884] ugl®k shout number ore near size ran
## [1885] sudden warn ugl®k sprang forward
## [1886] swift stroke swept head oppon grishnbkh step
## [1887] asid vanish shadow gave way step
## [1888] backward fell merri prostrat form curs
## [1889] probabl save life ugl®k follow leap cut
## [1890] broadblad sword yellowfang guard
## [1891] bodi fell right pippin clutch long sawedg knife
## [1892]
## [1893] weapon shout ugl®k let nonsens
## [1894] straight west stair straight
## [1895] down river forest march day night
## [1896] clear
## [1897]
## [1898] thought pippin take ugli fellow littl
## [1899]
## [1900]
## [1901]
## [1902]
## [1903] troop control ive got chance’ gleam hope
## [1904] come edg black knife snick arm
## [1905] slid wrist felt blood trickl hand
## [1906] felt cold touch steel skin
## [1907]
## [1908] ore get readi march northern
## [1909] unwil isengard slew rest
## [1910] cow curs confus moment pippin
## [1911] unwatch leg secur bound arm tie
## [1912] wrist hand
## [1913] bond cruelli tight push dead ore
## [1914] hard dare breath drew knot wristcord
## [1915] blade knife sharp dead hand held
## [1916] fast cord cut quick pippin took finger knot
## [1917] loos bracelet loop slip hand
## [1918]
## [1919] lay
## [1920]
## [1921] pick prison shout ugl®k dont play trick
## [1922] aliv die
## [1923]
## [1924] ore seiz pippin like sack head tie hand
## [1925] grab arm drag pippin face crush
## [1926] neck jolt treat merri
## [1927] way ore clawlik hand grip pippin arm like iron nail
## [1928] bit shut eye slip evil dream
## [1929]
## [1930] sudden thrown stoni floor earli night
## [1931] slim moon fall westward edg
## [1932] cliff look sea pale mist sound
## [1933] water fall nearbi
## [1934]
## [1935] scout come ore close hand
## [1936]
## [1937] discov growl voic ugl®k
## [1938]
## [1939] singl horseman westward all clear
## [1940]
## [1941] daresay long fool shot
## [1942] hell rais alarm curs horsebreed hear morn
## [1943] leg doubl quick
## [1944]
## [1945] shadow bent pippin ugl®k sit ore
## [1946] lad tire lug got climb
## [1947] use leg help cri tri escap
## [1948] way pay trick wont like wont spoil
## [1949] use master
## [1950]
## [1951]
## [1952]
## [1953]
## [1954] cut thong round pippin leg ankl pick
## [1955] hair stood feet pippin fell ugkdk drag
## [1956] hair ore laugh ugkdk thrust flask
## [1957] teeth pour burn liquid throat felt hot fierc
## [1958] glow flow pain leg ankl vanish
## [1959] stand
## [1960]
## [1961] ugkdk pippin saw merri
## [1962] lie close kick merri groan seiz rough ugkdk
## [1963] pull sit posit tore bandag head
## [1964] smear wound dark stuff small wooden box merri
## [1965] cri struggl wild
## [1966]
## [1967] ore clap hoot medicin jeer
## [1968] doesnt know what good ai shall fun later
## [1969]
## [1970] moment ugkdk engag sport need speed
## [1971] humour unwil follow heal merri orefashion
## [1972] treatment work swift forc drink flask
## [1973] hobbit throat cut legbond drag feet merri
## [1974] stood look pale grim defiant aliv gash
## [1975] forehead gave troubl bore brown scar
## [1976] end day
## [1977]
## [1978] hullo pippin youv come littl expedit
## [1979] bed breakfast
## [1980]
## [1981] ugkdk hold tongu talk
## [1982] troubl report end hell know
## [1983] pay youll bed breakfast right
## [1984] stomach
## [1985]
## [1986] ore band began descend narrow ravin lead
## [1987] misti plain merri pippin separ dozen ore
## [1988] climb step grass
## [1989] heart hobbit rose
## [1990]
## [1991] straight shout ugkdk west littl north follow
## [1992] lugdush
## [1993]
## [1994] go sunris northern
## [1995]
## [1996] run ugkdk think sit grass
## [1997] wait whiteskin join picnic
## [1998]
## [1999] run sunlight
## [2000]
## [2001] youll run ugkdk run youll
## [2002]
## [2003]
## [2004]
## [2005]
## [2006] belov hole white hand what use send
## [2007] mountainmaggot trip half train run curs run
## [2008] night last
## [2009]
## [2010] compani began run long lope stride
## [2011] ore kept order thrust jostl curs speed
## [2012] great hobbit guard pippin far
## [2013] line wonder long abl pace
## [2014] food morn guard whip present
## [2015] oreliquor hot wit wideawak
## [2016]
## [2017] came mind unbidden vision
## [2018] keen face strider bend dark trail run run
## [2019]
## [2020] ranger confus trail orefeet
## [2021] littl print merri overwhelm trampl
## [2022] ironshod shoe
## [2023]
## [2024] gone mile cliff land slope
## [2025] wide shallow depress ground soft wet mist
## [2026] lay paleglimm ray sickl moon dark
## [2027] shape ore grew dim swallow
## [2028]
## [2029] ai steadi shout ugkdk rear
## [2030]
## [2031] sudden thought leap pippin mind act
## [2032]
## [2033] swerv asid right dive reach clutch
## [2034] guard headfirst mist land sprawl grass
## [2035]
## [2036] halt yell ugkdk
## [2037]
## [2038] moment turmoil confus pippin sprang ran
## [2039] ore sudden loom right
## [2040]
## [2041] hope escap thought pippin hope
## [2042] left mark unspoilt wet ground grope
## [2043] tie hand throat unclasp brooch cloak just
## [2044] long arm hard claw seiz let fall suppos
## [2045] lie end time thought dont know
## [2046] escap theyv probabl gone frodo
## [2047]
## [2048] whipthong curl round leg stifl
## [2049]
## [2050] shout ugkdk run hes got run long way
## [2051] make em run just use whip remind
## [2052]
## [2053] that snarl turn pippin shant forget
## [2054]
## [2055] payment leg
## [2056]
## [2057] pippin merri rememb later
## [2058]
## [2059]
## [2060]
## [2061]
## [2062] journey evil dream evil wake blend long tunnel
## [2063] miseri hope grow fainter ran ran
## [2064] strive pace set ore lick
## [2065] cruel thong cun handl halt stumbl
## [2066] seiz drag distanc
## [2067]
## [2068] warmth oredraught gone pippin felt cold sick
## [2069] sudden fell face downward turf hard hand rend
## [2070] nail grip lift carri like sack
## [2071] dark grew dark night
## [2072] blind eye tell
## [2073]
## [2074] dim awar voic clamour
## [2075] ore demand halt ugkdk shout felt flung
## [2076] ground lay fell till black dream took
## [2077] long escap pain soon iron grip merciless hand
## [2078] long time toss shaken slowli
## [2079] dark gave way came wake world
## [2080] morn order shout thrown rough grass
## [2081]
## [2082] lay fight despair head swam
## [2083] heat bodi guess given draught
## [2084] ore stoop flung bread strip raw dri
## [2085] flesh ate stale grey bread hungrili meat
## [2086] famish famish eat flesh flung ore
## [2087] flesh dare guess creatur
## [2088]
## [2089] sat look merri far away
## [2090] bank swift narrow river ahead mountain loom tall peak
## [2091] catch ray sun dark smudg forest lay lower
## [2092] slope
## [2093]
## [2094] shout debat ore quarrel
## [2095] point break northern
## [2096] isengard point away south point
## [2097] eastward
## [2098]
## [2099] ugkdk leav kill ive
## [2100] told want throw away ’ve come way
## [2101] throw away ill look let fight urukhai
## [2102] work usual your afraid whiteskin run run there
## [2103] forest shout point ahead best hope
## [2104] quick knock head sens
## [2105]
## [2106]
## [2107]
## [2108]
## [2109]
## [2110]
## [2111] curs scuffl northern
## [2112] broke away dash run wild
## [2113] river mountain hobbit left isengard
## [2114] grim dark band score larg swart slantey ore
## [2115] great bow short broadblad sword larger bolder
## [2116] northern remain
## [2117]
## [2118] deal grishnbkh ugl®k
## [2119] follow look uneasili southward
## [2120]
## [2121] know growl ugl®k curs horseboy got wind
## [2122]
## [2123] s fault snaga scout
## [2124] ear cut fighter feast horseflesh
## [2125] better
## [2126]
## [2127] moment pippin saw troop point
## [2128] eastward direct came hoars cri
## [2129] grishnbkh coupl score like
## [2130] longarm crookleg ore red eye paint shield
## [2131] ugl®k step forward meet youv come thought
## [2132] better eh
## [2133]
## [2134] ive return order carri prison
## [2135] safe answer grishnbkh
## [2136]
## [2137] ugl®k wast effort ill order
## [2138] carri command come went
## [2139]
## [2140]
## [2141] hurri leav
## [2142]
## [2143] left fool snarl grishnbkh stout fellow
## [2144] good lose knew youd lead mess ive
## [2145] come help
## [2146]
## [2147] splendid laugh ugl®k unless youv got gut
## [2148] fight youv taken wrong way lugb®rz road
## [2149] whiteskin
## [2150]
## [2151] come what happen precious nazgyl
## [2152] mount shot youd brought
## [2153] usefulif nazgyl make
## [2154]
## [2155] nazgyl nazgyl grishnbkh shiver lick lip
## [2156] word foul tast savour pain speak
## [2157] deep reach muddi dream ugl®k nazgyl ah
## [2158]
## [2159]
## [2160]
## [2161]
## [2162] make day youll wish
## [2163] ape snarl fierc know theyr appl
## [2164] great eye wing nazgyl wont let
## [2165] great river soon theyr war
## [2166] purpos
## [2167]
## [2168] know lot ugl®k good
## [2169] guess lugb®rz wonder
## [2170] meantim urukhai isengard dirti work usual dont
## [2171] stand slaver rabbl swine leg
## [2172] forest youd better follow wouldnt great
## [2173] river aliv right mark ill heel
## [2174]
## [2175] isengard seiz merri pippin slung
## [2176] back troop start hour hour ran paus
## [2177] sling hobbit fresh carrier
## [2178] quicker hardier plan grishnbkh isengard
## [2179] gradual pass ore mordor grishnbkh folk close
## [2180] soon gain northern ahead forest
## [2181] began draw nearer
## [2182]
## [2183] pippin bruis torn ach head grate filthi
## [2184] jowl hairi ear ore held immedi bow
## [2185] back tough leg go unrest
## [2186] wire horn beat nightmar second
## [2187] endless time
## [2188]
## [2189] afternoon ugl®k troop overtook northern
## [2190] flag ray bright sun winter sun shine pale cool
## [2191] sky head tongu loll
## [2192]
## [2193] maggot jeer isengard your cook whiteskin
## [2194] catch eat theyr come
## [2195]
## [2196] grishnbkh show mere jest horsemen
## [2197] ride swift sight far gain
## [2198] ore gain like tide flat folk stray
## [2199] quicksand
## [2200]
## [2201] isengard began run redoubl pace astonish
## [2202] pippin terrif spurt end race saw
## [2203] sun sink fall misti mountain shadow reach
## [2204] land soldier mordor lift head began
## [2205] speed forest dark close pass
## [2206]
## [2207]
## [2208]
## [2209]
## [2210] out tree land begin slope upward steepli
## [2211] ore halt ugl®k grishnbkh shout spur
## [2212] effort
## [2213]
## [2214] make escap thought pippin
## [2215] manag twist neck glanc eye
## [2216] shoulder saw rider away eastward level ore
## [2217] gallop plain sunset gild spear helmet
## [2218] glint pale flow hair hem ore
## [2219] prevent scatter drive line
## [2220] river
## [2221]
## [2222] wonder kind folk wish
## [2223] learn rivendel look map thing
## [2224] day plan journey compet hand
## [2225] reckon cut gandalf strider
## [2226] frodo rememb rohan
## [2227] gandalf s hors shadowfax come land sound hope
## [2228] far went
## [2229]
## [2230] know ore thought dont
## [2231] suppos theyv heard hobbit suppos
## [2232] glad beast ore look like destroy
## [2233] save chanc merri kill
## [2234] captor men rohan awar
## [2235]
## [2236] rider appear bowmen skill shoot
## [2237] run hors ride swift rang shot arrow ore
## [2238] straggl fell rider wheel away
## [2239] rang answer bow enemi shot wild
## [2240] dare halt happen time occas arrow fell
## [2241] isengard just pippin stumbl
## [2242]
## [2243]
## [2244] night came rider close battl ore
## [2245] fallen fulli remain earli dark ore came
## [2246] hillock eav forest near probabl
## [2247] furlong away horsemen
## [2248] encircl small band disobey ugkdk command ran
## [2249]
## [2250]
## [2251] forest return
## [2252]
## [2253] sneer grishnbkh fine leadership hope
## [2254]
## [2255]
## [2256]
## [2257]
## [2258] great ugl®k lead
## [2259]
## [2260] halfl ’ order ugl®k take notic
## [2261] grishnbkh ’ lugdush stand guard theyr
## [2262] kill unless filthi whiteskin break understand
## [2263] long im aliv want em theyr theyr
## [2264] rescu bind leg
## [2265]
## [2266] order carri merciless pippin
## [2267] time close merri ore make
## [2268] great deal nois shout clash weapon hobbit
## [2269] manag whisper
## [2270]
## [2271] dont think merri feel near dont
## [2272] think crawl away far free
## [2273]
## [2274] lemba whisper pippin lemba ive got dont
## [2275] think theyv taken sword
## [2276]
## [2277] yes packet pocket answer merri
## [2278] batter crumb mouth pocket
## [2279]
## [2280] wont ive— just savag kick warn pippin
## [2281] nois die guard watch
## [2282]
## [2283] night cold round knoll ore
## [2284] gather littl watchfir sprang goldenr dark
## [2285] complet ring long bowshot rider
## [2286] light ore wast arrow
## [2287] shoot fire ugl®k stop rider sound
## [2288] later night moon came mist occasion
## [2289] seen shadowi shape glint white
## [2290] light move ceaseless patrol
## [2291]
## [2292] theyll wait sun curs growl guard
## [2293] dont charg what old ugl®k think hes
## [2294]
## [2295] like know
## [2296]
## [2297] daresay snarl ugl®k step mean
## [2298] dont think eh curs your bad rabbl
## [2299] maggot ape lugb®rz good tri charg theyd
## [2300] just squeal bolt filthi
## [2301] horseboy mop lot flat
## [2302]
## [2303] there thing maggot like gimlet
## [2304] dark whiteskin better nightey men
## [2305] ive heard dont forget hors
## [2306]
## [2307]
## [2308]
## [2309]
## [2310] nightbreez there thing fine fellow
## [2311] dont know mauh®r lad forest turn
## [2312] time
## [2313]
## [2314] ugl®k word appar satisfi isengard
## [2315] ore dispirit rebelli post
## [2316] watcher lay ground rest pleasant
## [2317] dark dark moon pass westward
## [2318] cloud pippin feet away
## [2319] fire brought light hillock rider content
## [2320] mere wait dawn let enemi rest sudden outcri
## [2321] east knoll show wrong
## [2322] men ridden close slip hors crawl
## [2323] edg camp kill ore fade away
## [2324] ugl®k dash stop stamped
## [2325]
## [2326] pippin merri sat guard isengard gone
## [2327] ugl®k hobbit thought escap soon dash
## [2328] long hairi arm took neck drew close
## [2329] dim awar grishnbkh great head hideous face
## [2330] foul breath cheek began paw feel
## [2331] pippin shudder hard cold finger grope
## [2332]
## [2333] littl one grishnbkh soft whisper enjoy
## [2334] nice rest littl awkward place sword whip
## [2335] nasti spear littl peopl meddl
## [2336] affair big finger continu grope
## [2337]
## [2338] light like pale hot eye
## [2339]
## [2340] thought came sudden pippin mind caught direct
## [2341] urgent thought enemi grishnbkh know ring hes
## [2342] look ugl®k busi probabl want cold
## [2343] fear pippin heart time wonder use
## [2344] make grishnbkh desir
## [2345]
## [2346] dont think way whisper isnt easi
## [2347]
## [2348]
## [2349] grishnbkh finger stop crawl grip
## [2350] pippin shoulder talk littl
## [2351] moment pippin silent sudden dark nois
## [2352] throat gollum llum precious ad
## [2353]
## [2354] hobbit felt grishnbkh finger twitch o ho hiss goblin
## [2355]
## [2356]
## [2357]
## [2358]
## [2359] soft ’that mean o ho danger littl
## [2360] one
## [2361]
## [2362] ’ merri alert awar pippin’ guess
## [2363] know busi best want
## [2364]
## [2365]
## [2366] want want grishnbkh puzzl
## [2367] arm trembl mean
## [2368]
## [2369] mean pippin choos word care
## [2370] good grope dark save time troubl
## [2371] unti leg say
## [2372]
## [2373] dear tender littl fool hiss grishnbkh
## [2374] know got time
## [2375] youll wish tell satisfi question
## [2376] quit soon shant hurri enquiri oh dear
## [2377] think youv kept aliv dear littl fellow
## [2378] believ say kind that
## [2379] ugkdk fault
## [2380]
## [2381] quit easi believ merri havent got
## [2382] prey home doesnt go way
## [2383] happen come isengard wont great grishnbkh
## [2384] benefit saruman want
## [2385] now time deal
## [2386]
## [2387] grishnbkh began lose temper saruman
## [2388] special enrag time pass disturb die
## [2389] ugl®k isengard return minut
## [2390]
## [2391] got — snarl
## [2392]
## [2393] gollum llum pippin
## [2394]
## [2395] unti leg merri
## [2396]
## [2397] felt ore arm trembl violent curs filthi
## [2398] littl vermin hiss unti leg ill unti string
## [2399] bodi think search bone search ill cut
## [2400] quiver shred dont need help leg
## [2401] awayand
## [2402]
## [2403] sudden seiz strength long arm shoulder
## [2404] terrifi tuck armpit crush
## [2405] fierc side great stifl hand clap
## [2406] mouth sprang forward stoop low quick silent went
## [2407]
## [2408]
## [2409]
## [2410]
## [2411] came edg knoll choos gap
## [2412] watcher pass like evil shadow night slope
## [2413] away westward river flow forest
## [2414] direct wide open space
## [2415]
## [2416] go dozen yard halt peer listen
## [2417] seen heard crept slowli bent doubl
## [2418] squat listen stood risk sudden dash
## [2419]
## [2420] moment dark form rider loom right
## [2421] hors snort rear man call
## [2422]
## [2423] grishnbkh flung ground flat drag hobbit
## [2424] drew sword doubt meant kill captiv
## [2425] allow escap rescu undo
## [2426] sword rang faint glint littl light away
## [2427] left arrow came whistl gloom aim skill
## [2428] guid fate pierc right hand drop sword
## [2429] shriek quick beat hoof grishnbkh leap
## [2430] ran ridden spear pass gave
## [2431] hideous shiver lay
## [2432]
## [2433] hobbit remain flat ground grishnbkh left
## [2434] horseman came ride swift comrad aid
## [2435] special keen sight sens hors
## [2436] lift sprang light rider lie
## [2437] cover elvencloak crush moment afraid
## [2438]
## [2439]
## [2440] merri stir whisper soft far good
## [2441] avoid spitted’
## [2442]
## [2443] answer came immedi cri grishnbkh rous
## [2444] ore yell screech came knoll hobbit
## [2445] guess disappear discov ugl®k probabl
## [2446] knock head sudden answer cri
## [2447] orevoic came right outsid circl watchfir
## [2448] direct forest mountain mauh®r appar arriv
## [2449] attack besieg sound gallop hors
## [2450] rider draw ring close round knoll risk
## [2451] orearrow prevent sorti compani rode deal
## [2452] newcom sudden merri pippin realiz move
## [2453] outsid circl escap
## [2454]
## [2455]
## [2456]
## [2457]
## [2458] merri leg hand free
## [2459] away ’t touch knot bite
## [2460]
## [2461] need tri pippin go tell ive manag
## [2462] free hand loop left youd better
## [2463] bit lemba
## [2464]
## [2465] slip cord wrist fish packet cake
## [2466] broken good leaf wrap hobbit ate
## [2467] piec tast brought memori fair
## [2468] face laughter wholesom food quiet day far away
## [2469] ate thought sit dark heedless cri
## [2470] sound battl nearbi pippin come present
## [2471]
## [2472] half moment grishnbkh sword lie
## [2473] close hand heavi clumsi use crawl
## [2474] forward find bodi goblin drew sheath long
## [2475] sharp knife quick cut bond
## [2476]
## [2477] weve warm bit shall
## [2478] abl stand walk case better start
## [2479] crawl
## [2480]
## [2481] crawl turf deep yield help
## [2482] long slow busi gave watchfir wide berth
## [2483] worm way forward bit bit came edg
## [2484] river gurgl away black shadow deep bank
## [2485] look
## [2486]
## [2487] sound die away evid mauh®r lad
## [2488] kill driven rider return silent omin vigil
## [2489]
## [2490] longer night old east
## [2491] remain uncloud sky begin grow pale
## [2492]
## [2493] cover pippin shall seen
## [2494] comfort rider discov ore
## [2495] dead got stamp feet cord cut
## [2496] like wire feet get warm stagger
## [2497] merri
## [2498]
## [2499] merri got yes manag lemba heart
## [2500] wholesom sort feel heat
## [2501] oredraught wonder better know expect
## [2502] let drink water wash away thought
## [2503]
## [2504] bank steep pippin forward
## [2505]
## [2506]
## [2507]
## [2508]
## [2509] turn walk slowli line river
## [2510] light grew east walk compar note
## [2511] talk light hobbitfashion thing happen
## [2512] captur listen guess word
## [2513] suffer cruelli dire peril go hope torment
## [2514] death knew littl chanc
## [2515] find friend safeti
## [2516]
## [2517] master took merri
## [2518] chapter old bilbo book chanc report
## [2519] good work especi guess hairi villain littl game
## [2520] play wonder pick trail
## [2521] brooch hate lose afraid gone
## [2522] good
## [2523]
## [2524] shall brush toe level
## [2525]
## [2526] cousin brandybuck go come
## [2527] dont suppos notion spent time
## [2528] rivendel better walk west entwash buttend
## [2529] misti mountain fangorn forest
## [2530]
## [2531] spoke dark edg forest loom straight
## [2532] night taken refug great tree creep away
## [2533] come dawn
## [2534]
## [2535] lead master brandybuck pippin lead
## [2536] warn fangorn know forgotten
## [2537]
## [2538] answer merri forest better
## [2539] turn middl battl
## [2540]
## [2541] led way huge branch tree old
## [2542] guess great trail beard lichen hung
## [2543] blow sway breez shadow hobbit peep
## [2544] gaze slope littl furtiv figur dim light
## [2545] look like elfchildren deep time peer wild wood
## [2546] wonder dawn
## [2547]
## [2548] far great river brown land leagu grey
## [2549] leagu away dawn came red flame loud rang huntinghorn
## [2550] greet rider rohan sprang sudden life horn answer horn
## [2551]
## [2552]
## [2553] merri pippin heard clear cold air neigh
## [2554] warhors sudden sing men sun limb lift
## [2555]
## [2556]
## [2557]
## [2558]
## [2559] arc margin world great
## [2560] rider charg east red light gleam mail spear
## [2561] ore yell shot arrow remain hobbit saw
## [2562] horsemen fall line held hill
## [2563] wheel round charg raider left aliv
## [2564] broke fled way pursu death
## [2565] band hold black wedg drove forward resolut
## [2566] direct forest straight slope charg
## [2567] watcher draw near certain
## [2568] escap hewn rider bar way
## [2569]
## [2570] watch long merri there ugl®k dont want
## [2571] meet hobbit turn fled deep shadow
## [2572] wood
## [2573]
## [2574] sec stand ugl®k
## [2575] overtaken brought bay edg fangorn slain
## [2576] jomer marshal mark dismount fought
## [2577] sword sword wide field keeney rider hunt
## [2578] ore escap strength fli
## [2579]
## [2580] laid fallen comrad mound sung
## [2581] prais rider great scatter ash
## [2582] enemi end raid news came
## [2583] mordor isengard smoke burn rose high heaven
## [2584] seen watch eye
## [2585]
## [2586]
## [2587]
## [2588]
## [2589] chapter treebeard
## [2590]
## [2591]
## [2592]
## [2593] hobbit went speed dark tangl
## [2594] forest allow follow line run stream westward
## [2595] slope mountain deeper deeper fangorn slowli
## [2596] fear ore die away pace slacken queer stifl
## [2597] feel came air scanti
## [2598] breath
## [2599]
## [2600] merri halt like pant want
## [2601] air
## [2602]
## [2603] let drink rate pippin im parch
## [2604] clamber great treeroot wound stream
## [2605] stoop drew water cup hand clear cold
## [2606] took draught merri follow water refresh
## [2607] cheer heart sat brink
## [2608] stream dabbl sore feet leg peer round
## [2609] tree stood silent rank rank fade away
## [2610] grey twilight direct
## [2611]
## [2612] suppos havent lost pippin lean
## [2613] great treetrunk follow cours
## [2614] stream entwash way
## [2615] came
## [2616]
## [2617] leg merri
## [2618] breath proper
## [2619]
## [2620] yes dim stuffi pippin
## [2621] remind old room great place took away
## [2622] smial tuckborough huge place furnitur
## [2623] move chang generat say old took live
## [2624] year year room got older shabbier
## [2625] togetherand chang die centuri ago old
## [2626] gerontius greatgreatgrandfath put bit
## [2627] old feel wood look weep
## [2628] trail beard whisker lichen tree
## [2629] half cover rag dri leav fallen untidi
## [2630] imagin spring look like come
## [2631] springclean
## [2632]
## [2633]
## [2634]
## [2635]
## [2636] sun rate peep merri
## [2637] look feel like bilbo descript mirkwood
## [2638] dark black home dark black thing just dim
## [2639] fright treeish imagin anim live
## [2640] stay long
## [2641]
## [2642] hobbit pippin dont like thought tri
## [2643] cat mile
## [2644] guess suppli
## [2645]
## [2646] low merri ran coupl spare
## [2647] packet lemba left look
## [2648] remain elvencak broken fragment meagr day
## [2649] wrap blanket merri shall cold
## [2650] tonight whichev way
## [2651]
## [2652] wed better decid way pippin morn
## [2653] get
## [2654]
## [2655] just awar yellow light appear
## [2656] way wood shaft sunlight sudden
## [2657] pierc forest roof
## [2658]
## [2659] hullo merri sun run cloud weve
## [2660] tree run
## [2661] climb high look open isnt far let
## [2662] investig
## [2663]
## [2664] thought ground rise
## [2665] steepli increas stoni light grew
## [2666] broader went soon saw rock wall
## [2667] hill abrupt end long root thrust
## [2668] distant mountain tree grew sun fall
## [2669] stoni face twig tree foot stretch stiff
## [2670] reach warmth look shabbi
## [2671] grey wood gleam rich brown
## [2672] smooth
## [2673]
## [2674] blackgrey bark like polish leather bole tree glow
## [2675] soft green like young grass earli spring fleet vision
## [2676]
## [2677]
## [2678] face stoni wall like stair natur
## [2679] weather split rock
## [2680] rough uneven high level top foresttre
## [2681]
## [2682]
## [2683]
## [2684]
## [2685] shelf cliff grew grass weed
## [2686] edg old stump tree bent branch left
## [2687] look like figur gnarl old man stand
## [2688] blink morn light
## [2689]
## [2690] merri joy breath air sight
## [2691] land
## [2692]
## [2693] climb scrambl rock stair
## [2694] bigger feet longer leg eager
## [2695] surpris remark way cut sore
## [2696] captiv heal vigour return came length
## [2697] edg shelf feet old stump sprang
## [2698] turn round back hill breath deep
## [2699] look eastward saw come
## [2700] mile forest head tree march slope
## [2701] plain near fring forest tall spire
## [2702] curl black smoke went waver float
## [2703]
## [2704] ’ wind chang merri ’’s turn east feel
## [2705] cool
## [2706]
## [2707] yes pippin im afraid pass gleam
## [2708] grey piti shaggi old forest look
## [2709] differ sunlight felt like place’
## [2710]
## [2711] ’ felt like forest that good that uncommon kind
## [2712] strang voic turn round let look
## [2713] face feel dislik let hasti
## [2714]
## [2715] turn round larg knobknuckl hand laid shoulder
## [2716] twist round gentl irresist great arm
## [2717] lift
## [2718]
## [2719] look extraordinari face
## [2720] belong larg manlik trolllik figur fourteen
## [2721] foot high sturdi tall head hard neck
## [2722] clad stuff like green grey bark hide
## [2723] difficult say rate arm short distanc
## [2724] trunk wrinkl cover brown smooth skin larg
## [2725] feet seven toe lower long face cover
## [2726] sweep grey beard bushi twiggi root mossi
## [2727] end moment hobbit note littl eye
## [2728] deep eye survey slow solemn penetr
## [2729]
## [2730]
## [2731]
## [2732]
## [2733] brown shot green light pippin tri
## [2734] impress
## [2735]
## [2736] felt enorm fill
## [2737] age memori long slow steadi think surfac
## [2738] sparkl present like sun shimmer outer leav
## [2739] vast tree rippl deep lake don’t know felt
## [2740] grew groundasleep say just
## [2741] feel rooftip leaftip deep
## [2742] earth sky sudden wake consid
## [2743] slow care given insid affair endless year
## [2744]
## [2745] hrum hoorn murmur voic deep voic like deep
## [2746] woodwind instrument odd hasti motto
## [2747] seen heard voicesi like nice littl
## [2748] voic remind remember— seen
## [2749] heard just trodden take littl
## [2750] ore mistak odd root
## [2751] twig odd
## [2752]
## [2753] pippin amaz longer felt afraid eye
## [2754] felt curious suspens fear
## [2755]
## [2756]
## [2757] queer look came old eye kind wari deep well
## [2758] cover hrum answer voic ent
## [2759] that yes ent word ent
## [2760] say manner speak fangorn accord
## [2761] treebeard make treebeard
## [2762]
## [2763] entt merri what
## [2764]
## [2765] what real
## [2766]
## [2767] hoo repli treebeard hoo tell
## [2768] hasti ask countri
## [2769] wonder place come old list
## [2770] learn young long long time ago
## [2771] new list let let plow
## [2772]
## [2773] learn lore live creatur
## [2774]
## [2775] free peopl
## [2776]
## [2777] eldest elfchildren
## [2778]
## [2779] dwarf delver dark hous
## [2780]
## [2781] ent earthborn old mountain
## [2782]
## [2783]
## [2784]
## [2785]
## [2786] man mortal master hors
## [2787]
## [2788] hm hm hm
## [2789]
## [2790] beaver builder buck leaper
## [2791]
## [2792] bear beehunt boar fighter
## [2793]
## [2794] hound hungri hare fear
## [2795]
## [2796] hm hm
## [2797]
## [2798] eagl eyri ox pastur
## [2799]
## [2800] hart horncrown hawk swiftest
## [2801]
## [2802] swan whitest serpent coldest
## [2803]
## [2804] hoorn hm hoom hm room turn room turn roomti toom
## [2805] turn
## [2806]
## [2807] long list fit
## [2808]
## [2809] got left old list old
## [2810] stori merri weve quit long time
## [2811] hobbit
## [2812]
## [2813] make new line pippin
## [2814]
## [2815] ’halfgrown hobbit holedwel
## [2816]
## [2817] man big peopl youv got
## [2818]
## [2819]
## [2820] hm bad bad treebeard live
## [2821] hole eh sound right proper call hobbit
## [2822] sound elvish elv old word began
## [2823]
## [2824]
## [2825] call hobbit pippin
## [2826]
## [2827] hoom hmm come hasti hobbit
## [2828] tell just anybodi youll let right
## [2829] name your care
## [2830]
## [2831] arent care merri matter fact im
## [2832] brandybuck meriadoc brandybuck peopl just merri
## [2833]
## [2834] im took peregrin took im general call pippin
## [2835] pip
## [2836]
## [2837] hm hasti folk treebeard honour
## [2838] confid free ent
## [2839] ent know ent thing look like ent
## [2840] aint say ill merri pippin pleasenic
## [2841] name go tell rate queer
## [2842] halfknow halfhumor look came green flicker eye
## [2843]
## [2844]
## [2845]
## [2846]
## [2847] ’ thing long grow time
## [2848] ive live long long time like stori real
## [2849] name tell stori thing belong languag
## [2850] old entish say love languag take
## [2851] long time say say
## [2852] unless worth take long time say listen
## [2853]
## [2854] eye bright present
## [2855] grow smaller sharp go
## [2856] hear smell feel great deal
## [2857] alallalallarumbakamandalindorbur®ml excus
## [2858] know word outsid
## [2859] languag know thing stand look fine
## [2860] morn think sun grass wood
## [2861] hors cloud unfold world go
## [2862] gandalf — burbrum deep rumbl nois
## [2863] like discord great organ — ore young saruman
## [2864] isengard like news quick
## [2865]
## [2866] quit lot go merri tri
## [2867] quick long time tell told
## [2868] hasti tell soon think rude
## [2869] ask go
## [2870] know gandalf
## [2871]
## [2872] yes know wizard realli care tree
## [2873] treebeard know
## [2874]
## [2875] yes pippin sad great friend
## [2876] guid
## [2877]
## [2878] answer question treebeard
## [2879] go mean
## [2880] leav thing dont know
## [2881] side way way
## [2882] speak master gandalf stori come
## [2883] end
## [2884]
## [2885] yes pippin sad stori go
## [2886] afraid gandalf fallen
## [2887]
## [2888] hoo come treebeard hoorn hm ah paus
## [2889] look long hobbit hoorn ah know say come
## [2890]
## [2891]
## [2892]
## [2893]
## [2894]
## [2895] like hear merri tell
## [2896] time wouldnt like sit
## [2897] sun last get tire hold
## [2898]
## [2899]
## [2900] hm tiredl tire easili tire
## [2901] sit hm bendabl sun go let
## [2902] leav — say
## [2903]
## [2904] hill suggest pippin shelf step suggest merri
## [2905]
## [2906] treebeard repeat word thought hill yes
## [2907] hasti word thing stood
## [2908] world shape mind let leav
## [2909]
## [2910] shall ask merri
## [2911]
## [2912] home home answer treebeard
## [2913]
## [2914] far
## [2915]
## [2916] know far
## [2917] matter
## [2918]
## [2919] lost belong merri
## [2920] littl food
## [2921]
## [2922] o hm need troubl treebeard
## [2923] drink green grow long long
## [2924] decid compani set outsid countri
## [2925] point choos let
## [2926]
## [2927] hold hobbit gentl firm crook arm
## [2928] treebeard lift larg foot move
## [2929] edg shelf rootlik toe grasp rock
## [2930] care solemn stalk step step reach
## [2931] floor forest
## [2932]
## [2933] set long deliber stride tree
## [2934] deeper deeper wood far stream climb
## [2935] steadili slope mountain tree
## [2936] asleep unawar creatur mere pass
## [2937] quiver rais branch head
## [2938] approach walk talk long
## [2939] run stream music sound
## [2940]
## [2941] hobbit silent time felt odd safe
## [2942] comfort great deal think wonder
## [2943] pippin ventur speak
## [2944]
## [2945]
## [2946]
## [2947]
## [2948] ’ treebeard ’ ask
## [2949] celeborn warn forest told risk get
## [2950] entangl
## [2951]
## [2952] ’hmm rumbl treebeard
## [2953] go way risk get entangl
## [2954] wood laurelindurenan elv use
## [2955] make shorter lothlurien
## [2956] right mayb fade grow land valley sing gold
## [2957] time dreamflow ah
## [2958] queer place just ventur surpris
## [2959] got surpris got
## [2960] happen stranger year queer land
## [2961]
## [2962] folk come grief aye
## [2963] grief laurelindurenan lindelorendor malinornjlion ornemalin hum
## [2964] fall world guess
## [2965] countri outsid golden wood
## [2966] celeborn young
## [2967]
## [2968] taurelilumlatumbalemorna tumbaletaurla lumlanor
## [2969]
## [2970] use say thing chang
## [2971] true place
## [2972]
## [2973] mean pippin true
## [2974]
## [2975] tree ent treebeard understand
## [2976] goe explain true
## [2977] ent live fashion grow sleepi go
## [2978] treeish say tree just tree cours
## [2979] half awak quit wide awak ah
## [2980] get entish go time
## [2981]
## [2982] happen tree bad heart
## [2983] wood mean knew good old
## [2984] willow ent wash gone long ago ala quit hollow
## [2985] fall piec quiet sweetspoken
## [2986] young leaf tree valley
## [2987] mountain sound bell bad right sort thing
## [2988] spread use danger part countri
## [2989] black patch
## [2990]
## [2991] like old forest away north mean ask merri
## [2992]
## [2993] aye aye like wors doubt
## [2994]
## [2995]
## [2996]
## [2997]
## [2998] shadow great dark lie away north bad memori
## [2999] hand hollow dale land dark
## [3000] lift tree older
## [3001] stranger foolhardi train teach
## [3002] walk weed
## [3003]
## [3004] treeherd old ent left sheep
## [3005] like shepherd shepherd like sheep slowli
## [3006] long world quicker closer tree
## [3007] ent walk age ent like elv
## [3008] interest men better get insid
## [3009] thing ent like men changeabl
## [3010] elv quicker take colour outsid say
## [3011]
## [3012] better steadier mind thing
## [3013] longer kin look just like tree need great
## [3014] rous speak whisper tree
## [3015] limblith talk elv began cours wake tree
## [3016] teach speak learn treetalk
## [3017] wish talk old elv great dark
## [3018] came pass away sea fled far valley hid
## [3019] song day come
## [3020] aye aye wood time
## [3021] mountain lune just east end
## [3022]
## [3023] broad day time walk sing day
## [3024] hear echo voic hollow hill
## [3025] wood like wood lothlurien thicker stronger younger
## [3026] smell air use spend week just breath
## [3027]
## [3028] treebeard fell silent stride make hard sound
## [3029] great feet began hum pass murmur
## [3030] chant gradual hobbit awar chant
## [3031]
## [3032] willowmead oftasarinan walk spring
## [3033]
## [3034] ah sight smell spring nantasarion
## [3035]
## [3036] good
## [3037]
## [3038] wander summer elmwood ossiriand
## [3039]
## [3040] ah light music summer seven river ossir
## [3041]
## [3042] thought best
## [3043]
## [3044] beech ofneldorethlcam autumn
## [3045]
## [3046] ah gold red sigh leav autumn
## [3047]
## [3048]
## [3049]
## [3050]
## [3051] taurnaneldor
## [3052]
## [3053] desir
## [3054]
## [3055] pinetre highland dorthonion climb
## [3056] winter
## [3057]
## [3058] ah wind white black branch winter
## [3059] orodnathfn
## [3060]
## [3061] voic went sang sky
## [3062]
## [3063] land lie wave
## [3064]
## [3065] walk ambaruna tauremorna aldaluml
## [3066]
## [3067] land countri f angorn
## [3068]
## [3069] root long
## [3070]
## [3071] year lie thicker leav
## [3072]
## [3073] tauremornaluml
## [3074]
## [3075] end strode silent wood far ear
## [3076] reach sound
## [3077]
## [3078] day wane dusk twine bole tree
## [3079] hobbit saw rise dim steep dark land
## [3080] come feet mountain green root tall methedra
## [3081] hillsid young entwash leap spring high
## [3082] ran noisili step step meet right stream
## [3083] long slope clad grass grey twilight tree grew
## [3084] open sky star shine lake
## [3085] shore cloud
## [3086]
## [3087] treebeard strode slope hard slacken pace sudden
## [3088] hobbit saw wide open great tree stood
## [3089] like live gatepost gate save
## [3090] cross interwoven bough old ent approach tree lift
## [3091] branch leav quiver rustl
## [3092] evergreen tree leav dark polish gleam
## [3093] twilight wide level space floor great
## [3094] hall cut hill hand wall slope
## [3095] upward fifti feet high wall stood
## [3096] aisl tree increas height march inward
## [3097]
## [3098] far end rockwal sheer
## [3099] hollow shallow bay arch roof roof
## [3100] hall save branch tree inner end overshadow
## [3101] ground leav broad open path middl littl stream
## [3102]
## [3103]
## [3104]
## [3105]
## [3106] escap spring leav main water fell tinkl
## [3107] sheer face wall pour silver drop like fine
## [3108] curtain arch bay water gather
## [3109] stone basin floor tree spill flow
## [3110] away open path rejoin entwash journey
## [3111] forest
## [3112]
## [3113] hm treebeard break long silenc
## [3114] brought seventi thousand entstrid come
## [3115] measur land know near root
## [3116] mountain place wellinghal
## [3117] turn languag like stay tonight
## [3118] set grass aisl tree
## [3119] follow great arch hobbit notic
## [3120] walk knee hard bent leg open great stride
## [3121] plant big toe big broad
## [3122] ground feet
## [3123]
## [3124] moment treebeard stood rain fall spring
## [3125] took deep breath laugh pass insid great stone tabl
## [3126] stood chair bay quit
## [3127] dark treebeard lift great vessel stood tabl
## [3128] fill water held hand
## [3129] immedi began glow golden rich
## [3130] green light blend light lit bay sun
## [3131] summer shine roof young leav look
## [3132] hobbit saw tree court begun glow faint
## [3133] steadili quicken leaf edg light
## [3134] green gold red copper treetrunk look like
## [3135] pillar mould lumin stone
## [3136]
## [3137] talk treebeard thirsti
## [3138] expect tire drink went
## [3139] bay saw tall stone jar stood heavi
## [3140] lid remov lid dip great ladl
## [3141] fill bowl larg bowl smaller one
## [3142]
## [3143] enthous seat fear
## [3144] sit tabl pick hobbit set great
## [3145] stone slab feet ground sat dangl
## [3146] leg drink sip
## [3147]
## [3148]
## [3149]
## [3150]
## [3151] drink like water like tast draught
## [3152] drunk entwash near border forest
## [3153] scent savour
## [3154] faint remind smell distant wood born afar
## [3155] cool breez night effect draught began toe
## [3156] rose steadili limb bring refresh vigour
## [3157] cours upward right tip hair hobbit felt
## [3158] hair head actual stand wave curl
## [3159] grow treebeard lave feet basin
## [3160] arch drain bowl draught long slow draught
## [3161] hobbit thought stop
## [3162]
## [3163] set bowl ah — ah sigh hm hoom
## [3164] talk easier sit floor lie
## [3165] prevent drink rise head send sleep
## [3166]
## [3167] right bay great bed low leg
## [3168] coupl feet high cover deep dri grass bracken
## [3169] treebeard lower slowli slightest sign
## [3170] bend middl lay length arm
## [3171] head look ceil light flicker like
## [3172] play leav sunshin merri pippin sat
## [3173] pillow grass
## [3174]
## [3175] tell tale hurri treebeard
## [3176]
## [3177] hobbit began tell stori adventur
## [3178] left hobbiton follow clear order interrupt
## [3179] continu treebeard stop speaker went
## [3180] earlier point jump forward ask question later
## [3181] event ring tell
## [3182] set go ask
## [3183] reason
## [3184]
## [3185] immens interest black rider
## [3186] elrond rivendel old forest tom bombadil mine
## [3187] moria lothlurien galadriel shire
## [3188] countri odd thing point
## [3189] hm ent round ask ent
## [3190] entwiv realli say
## [3191]
## [3192] entwivest pippin like
## [3193]
## [3194] yes hm realli know treebeard
## [3195]
## [3196]
## [3197]
## [3198]
## [3199] thought like countri just wonder
## [3200]
## [3201] treebeard especi interest
## [3202] concern gandalf interest saruman do
## [3203] hobbit regret knew littl
## [3204] vagu report sam gandalf told council
## [3205] clear rate ugkdk troop came isengard
## [3206] spoke saruman master
## [3207]
## [3208] hm hoom treebeard stori wound
## [3209] wander battl ore rider rohan
## [3210] bundl news mistak told
## [3211] long way doubt gandalf
## [3212] wish big go
## [3213] mayb shall learn good time bad time root twig
## [3214] strang busi sprout littl folk
## [3215] old list behold forgotten rider reappear hunt
## [3216] gandalf take great journey galadriel harbour cara
## [3217] galadhon ore pursu leagu wilderland
## [3218] caught great storm hope weather
## [3219]
## [3220] ask merri
## [3221]
## [3222] hoom hm troubl great war treebeard
## [3223] concern elv men busi wizard wizard
## [3224] troubl futur like worri
## [3225] futur altogeth anybodi altogeth
## [3226] understand care wood care
## [3227] elv nowaday kind elv
## [3228] elv cure dumb long ago
## [3229] great gift forgotten way part
## [3230] thing cours altogeth
## [3231] altogeth — burbrum deep rumbl
## [3232] disgust — ore master
## [3233]
## [3234] use anxious shadow lay mirkwood
## [3235] remov mordor troubl mordor long way away
## [3236] wind set east wither wood
## [3237] draw near naught old ent hold
## [3238] storm weather crack
## [3239]
## [3240] saruman saruman neighbour overlook
## [3241] suppos wonder late
## [3242]
## [3243]
## [3244]
## [3245]
## [3246] saruman
## [3247]
## [3248] ’ saruman ask pippin know
## [3249] histori saruman wizard answer treebeard
## [3250] say know histori wizard appear
## [3251] great ship came sea came ship
## [3252] tell saruman reckon great believ gave
## [3253] wander mind affair men elv time ago —
## [3254] long time ago settl angrenost
## [3255] isengard men rohan quiet begin
## [3256] fame began grow chosen head white council
## [3257] say turn wonder saruman
## [3258] turn evil way rate use troubl
## [3259] neighbour use talk time
## [3260] walk wood polit day ask leav
## [3261] met eager listen told
## [3262] thing repaid
## [3263] like kind rememb told got
## [3264] like face rememb iti seen
## [3265] daybecam like window stone wall window shutter
## [3266] insid
## [3267]
## [3268] think understand plot
## [3269] power mind metal wheel care
## [3270] grow thing far serv moment
## [3271] clear black traitor taken foul folk
## [3272] ore brm hoom wors
## [3273] danger isengard like wick men
## [3274] mark evil thing came great dark abid
## [3275] sun saruman ore endur hate wonder
## [3276] men ruin blend race
## [3277] ore men black evil
## [3278]
## [3279] treebeard rumbl moment pronounc deep
## [3280] subterranean entish maledict time ago began wonder ore
## [3281] dare pass wood freeli went late
## [3282] guess saruman blame long ago spi
## [3283] way discov secret foul folk make
## [3284] havoc border fell treesgood tree
## [3285] tree just cut leav rot — oremischief
## [3286]
## [3287]
## [3288]
## [3289]
## [3290] hewn carri feed fire orthanc
## [3291] smoke rise isengard day
## [3292]
## [3293] curs root branch tree friend
## [3294] creatur known nut acorn voic
## [3295] lost wast stump brambl
## [3296] sing grove idl let thing slip
## [3297] stop
## [3298]
## [3299] treebeard rais bed jerk stood
## [3300] thump hand tabl vessel light trembl sent
## [3301] jet flame flicker like green eye
## [3302] beard stood stiff great besom
## [3303]
## [3304] stop boom shall come
## [3305] abl help help friend way
## [3306] saruman check rohan gondor enemi
## [3307]
## [3308]
## [3309] road — isengard
## [3310]
## [3311] come merri
## [3312]
## [3313] yes pippin like white hand overthrown
## [3314] like use shall
## [3315] forget ugl®k cross rohan
## [3316]
## [3317] good good treebeard spoke hastili
## [3318] hasti hot cool think fur easier
## [3319] shout stop
## [3320]
## [3321] strode archway stood time fall rain
## [3322] spring laugh shook drop
## [3323] water fell glitter ground glint like red green
## [3324] spark came laid bed silent
## [3325]
## [3326] time hobbit heard murmur
## [3327] count finger fangorn fingla fladrif aye aye sigh
## [3328]
## [3329] troubl left turn
## [3330] hobbit remain ent walk wood
## [3331] dark fangorn fingla fladrif —
## [3332] elvish name leaflock skinbark
## [3333] like better leaflock skinbark use
## [3334] busi leaflock grown sleepi treeish say
## [3335] taken stand halfasleep summer
## [3336] deep grass meadow round knee cover leafi hair
## [3337]
## [3338]
## [3339]
## [3340]
## [3341] use rous winter late drowsi walk far
## [3342] skinbark live mountainslop west isengard
## [3343] worst troubl wound ore
## [3344] folk treeherd murder destroy gone
## [3345] high place birch love best
## [3346] come daresay fair compani
## [3347] younger folksif make understand need rous
## [3348] hasti folk piti
## [3349]
## [3350] live countri long
## [3351] ask pippin great die
## [3352]
## [3353] oh treebeard die insid
## [3354] say fallen evil chanc long year cours
## [3355] grown treeish
## [3356] increas ent — children say
## [3357] terribl long count year lost entwiv
## [3358]
## [3359] sad pippin die
## [3360]
## [3361] diev treebeard die lost
## [3362] lost sigh thought folk
## [3363] knew song hunt ent entwiv sung
## [3364] elv men mirkwood gondor quit
## [3365] forgotten
## [3366]
## [3367] afraid song come west mountain
## [3368] shire merri wont tell sing
## [3369] song
## [3370]
## [3371] yes treebeard pleas request
## [3372]
## [3373] tell proper short end
## [3374] talk tomorrow council work mayb journey
## [3375] begin
## [3376]
## [3377] strang sad stori went paus
## [3378] world young wood wide wild ent
## [3379] entwiv — entmaiden ah loveli
## [3380] fimbrethil wandlimb lightfoot day youth —
## [3381] walk hous heart
## [3382] grow way ent gave love thing met
## [3383] world entwiv gave thought thing ent
## [3384] love great tree wild wood slope high hill
## [3385] drank mountainstream ate fruit tree
## [3386]
## [3387]
## [3388]
## [3389]
## [3390] let fall path learn elv spoke
## [3391] tree entwiv gave mind lesser tree
## [3392] mead sunshin feet forest saw sloe
## [3393] thicket wild appl cherri blossom spring
## [3394] green herb waterland summer seed grass
## [3395] autumn field desir speak thing
## [3396] wish hear obey entwiv order
## [3397] grow accord wish bear leaf fruit
## [3398] like entwiv desir order plenti peac
## [3399] meant thing remain set entwiv
## [3400] garden live ent went wander came
## [3401] garden dark came north
## [3402] entwiv cross great river new garden till new
## [3403] field saw seldom dark overthrown
## [3404] land entwiv blossom rich field corn
## [3405]
## [3406] men learn craft entwiv honour great
## [3407] legend secret heart forest
## [3408] garden entwiv wast men
## [3409] brown land
## [3410]
## [3411] rememb long ago — time war sauron
## [3412] men sea — desir came fimbrethil
## [3413] fair eye seen littl like
## [3414] entmaiden old entwiv bent brown
## [3415] labour hair parch sun hue ripe corn
## [3416] cheek like redappl eye eye
## [3417] peopl cross anduin came land
## [3418] desert burn uproot war pass
## [3419] entwiv long call long search ask
## [3420] folk met way entwiv gone
## [3421] seen seen walk away west
## [3422] east south went
## [3423] sorrow great wild wood call return
## [3424] year use look
## [3425] entwiv walk far wide call beauti name
## [3426] time pass went seldom wander far
## [3427] entwiv memori beard long grey
## [3428] elv song concern search ent
## [3429]
## [3430]
## [3431]
## [3432]
## [3433] song pass tongu men song
## [3434] content chant beauti name thought entwiv
## [3435] believ meet time come shall
## [3436] land live content
## [3437] forebod lost
## [3438] time draw near
## [3439] sauron old destroy garden enemi today like wither
## [3440] wood
## [3441]
## [3442] elvish song spoke
## [3443] understand use sung great river
## [3444] entish song mark long song entish
## [3445] know heart hum run
## [3446] tongu
## [3447]
## [3448] ent
## [3449]
## [3450] spring unfold beechen leaf sap bough
## [3451]
## [3452] light wildwood stream wind brow
## [3453]
## [3454] stride long breath deep keen mountainair
## [3455]
## [3456] come come say land fair
## [3457]
## [3458] entwif
## [3459]
## [3460] spring come garth field corn blade
## [3461]
## [3462] blossom like shine snow orchard laid
## [3463]
## [3464] shower sun earth fragranc air
## [3465]
## [3466] ill linger come land fair
## [3467]
## [3468] ent
## [3469]
## [3470] summer lie world noon gold
## [3471]
## [3472] beneath roof sleep leav dream tree unfold
## [3473]
## [3474] woodland hall green cool wind west
## [3475]
## [3476] come come say land best
## [3477]
## [3478] entwif
## [3479]
## [3480] summer warm hang fruit burn berri brown
## [3481]
## [3482] straw gold ear white harvest come town
## [3483]
## [3484] honey spill appl swell wind west
## [3485]
## [3486] ill linger beneath sun land best
## [3487]
## [3488]
## [3489]
## [3490]
## [3491] ent
## [3492]
## [3493] winter come winter wild hill wood shall slay
## [3494]
## [3495] tree shall fall starless night devour sunless day
## [3496]
## [3497] wind dead east bitter rain
## [3498]
## [3499] ill look thee thee ill come thee
## [3500]
## [3501] entwif
## [3502]
## [3503] winter come sing end dark fall
## [3504]
## [3505] broken barren bough light labour past
## [3506]
## [3507] ill look thee wait thee meet
## [3508]
## [3509] road beneath bitter rain
## [3510]
## [3511]
## [3512]
## [3513] road lead west
## [3514]
## [3515] far away land heart rest
## [3516]
## [3517] treebeard end song goe
## [3518] elvish cours lightheart quickword soon daresay
## [3519] fair ent say time
## [3520]
## [3521] go stand littl sleep
## [3522] stand
## [3523]
## [3524] usual lie sleep merri shall right
## [3525]
## [3526]
## [3527] lie sleep treebeard cours hm hoom
## [3528] forget sing song mind old time
## [3529] thought talk young ent lie
## [3530] bed go stand rain good night
## [3531]
## [3532] merri pippin climb bed curl soft grass
## [3533] fern fresh sweetscent warm light die
## [3534] glow tree fade outsid arch
## [3535] old treebeard stand motionless arm rais head
## [3536] bright star peer sky lit fall water spill
## [3537] finger head drip drip hundr silver
## [3538] drop feet listen tinkl drop hobbit
## [3539] fell asleep
## [3540]
## [3541] woke cool sun shine great court
## [3542] floor bay shred high cloud overhead run stiff
## [3543]
## [3544]
## [3545]
## [3546]
## [3547] easter wind treebeard seen merri pippin
## [3548] bath basin arch heard hum sing
## [3549] came path tree
## [3550]
## [3551] hoo ho good morn merri pippin boom saw
## [3552]
## [3553]
## [3554] sleep long stride today
## [3555] drink entmoot
## [3556]
## [3557] pour bowl stone jar
## [3558] differ jar tast night
## [3559] earthier richer sustain foodlik speak
## [3560]
## [3561] hobbit drank sit edg bed nibbl small
## [3562] piec elfcak felt eat necessari
## [3563] breakfast felt hungri treebeard stood hum
## [3564] entish elvish strang tongu look sky
## [3565]
## [3566] entmoot pippin ventur ask
## [3567]
## [3568] hoo eh entmoot treebeard turn round place
## [3569] gather ent — happen nowaday
## [3570] manag make fair number promis come shall meet
## [3571] place met derndingl men away south
## [3572] noon
## [3573]
## [3574] long set treebeard carri hobbit arm
## [3575] previous day entranc court turn right
## [3576] step stream strode away southward feet great
## [3577] tumbl slope tree scanti hobbit saw thicket
## [3578] birch rowan dark climb pinewood soon
## [3579] treebeard
## [3580]
## [3581] turn littl away hill plung deep grove
## [3582] tree larger taller thicker hobbit
## [3583] seen felt faint sens stifl
## [3584] notic ventur fangorn soon pass
## [3585] treebeard talk hum deepli
## [3586] thought merri pippin caught proper word sound like
## [3587] boom boom rumboom boorar boom boom dahrar boom boom dahrar
## [3588] boom
## [3589]
## [3590] constant chang note rhythm thought
## [3591] heard answer hum quiver sound come
## [3592] earth bough head bole
## [3593]
## [3594]
## [3595]
## [3596]
## [3597] tree treebeard stop turn head
## [3598]
## [3599] go long — pippin tri count
## [3600] ’entstrid fail get lost thousand —
## [3601] treebeard began slacken pace sudden stop
## [3602] hobbit rais curl hand mouth
## [3603] hollow tube blew call great hoom hom rang
## [3604] like deepthroat horn wood echo tree
## [3605]
## [3606] far came direct similar hoom hom hoom
## [3607] echo answer
## [3608]
## [3609] treebeard perch merri pippin shoulder strode
## [3610] send horncal time
## [3611] answer came louder nearer way came look
## [3612] like impenetr wall dark evergreen tree tree kind
## [3613] hobbit seen branch right root
## [3614] dens clad dark glossi leav like thornless holli bore
## [3615] stiff upright flowerspik larg shine olivecolour bud
## [3616]
## [3617] turn left skirt huge hedg treebeard came
## [3618] stride narrow entranc worn path pass dive
## [3619] sudden long steep slope hobbit saw descend
## [3620] great dingl round bowl wide deep crown
## [3621] rim high dark evergreen hedg smooth grassclad
## [3622] insid tree tall beauti
## [3623] silver birch stood bowl path led
## [3624] dingl west east
## [3625]
## [3626] ent arriv come
## [3627] path follow treebeard drew near hobbit
## [3628] gaze expect number creatur like
## [3629] treebeard hobbit like rate stranger eye
## [3630] surpris kind ent
## [3631] differ tree tree differ
## [3632] tree quit differ growth
## [3633] histori differ treekind birch
## [3634] beech oak fir older ent beard gnarl like
## [3635] hale ancient tree look ancient treebeard
## [3636] tall strong ent cleanlimb smoothskin like
## [3637] foresttre prime young ent sapl
## [3638] altogeth dozen stand wide grassi floor
## [3639]
## [3640]
## [3641]
## [3642]
## [3643] dingl march
## [3644]
## [3645] merri pippin struck chiefli varieti
## [3646] saw shape colour differ girth height
## [3647] length leg arm number toe finger
## [3648] relat treebeard remind
## [3649] beechtre oak kind recal
## [3650] chestnut brownskin ent larg splayfing hand short
## [3651] leg recal ash tall straight grey ent manyfing
## [3652] hand long leg fir tallest ent birch
## [3653] rowan linden ent gather round treebeard
## [3654] bow head slight murmur slow music voic
## [3655] look long intent stranger hobbit saw
## [3656] kindr eye old
## [3657] deep treebeard slow steadi thought
## [3658] express green flicker
## [3659]
## [3660] soon compani assembl stand wide circl
## [3661] round treebeard curious unintellig convers began ent
## [3662] began murmur slowli join
## [3663] chant long rise fall rhythm louder
## [3664] ring die away rise great boom
## [3665] catch understand word —
## [3666] suppos languag entish — pippin sound pleasant
## [3667] listen gradual attent waver long time
## [3668] chant show sign slacken wonder
## [3669] entish ’unhasti languag got
## [3670] good morn treebeard roll
## [3671] day sing name wonder entish
## [3672] yes thought yawn
## [3673]
## [3674] treebeard immedi awar hm ha hey pippin
## [3675] ent stop chant hasti folk
## [3676] forget wearisom listen speech
## [3677] understand told name entmoot
## [3678]
## [3679]
## [3680] seen agre ore
## [3681] new line shall old list got
## [3682] quick work entmoot merri stroll dingl
## [3683] like good water need refresh away
## [3684]
## [3685]
## [3686]
## [3687]
## [3688] yonder north bank word speak
## [3689] moot realli begin come tell thing
## [3690] go
## [3691]
## [3692] hobbit walk away bow low
## [3693] feat amus ent judg tone
## [3694] murmur flicker eye soon turn
## [3695] busi merri pippin climb path came
## [3696] west look open great hedg long treeclad
## [3697] slope rose lip dingl away
## [3698] firtre furthest ridg rose sharp white peak
## [3699] high mountain southward left forest fall
## [3700] away grey distanc far away pale green
## [3701] glimmer merri guess glimps plain rohan
## [3702]
## [3703] wonder isengard pippin
## [3704]
## [3705] don’t know quit merri peak
## [3706] probabl methedra far rememb ring isengard lie
## [3707] fork deep cleft end mountain probabl
## [3708] great ridg smoke haze left
## [3709] peak dont think
## [3710]
## [3711] isengard like pippin wonder ent
## [3712] merri isengard sort ring rock
## [3713] hill think flat space insid island pillar rock
## [3714] middl call orthanc saruman tower gate
## [3715] encircl wall believ
## [3716] stream run come mountain flow
## [3717] gap rohan sort place ent
## [3718] tackl odd feel ent dont think
## [3719] quit safe funni slow queer
## [3720] patient sad believ rous
## [3721] happen
## [3722]
## [3723] yes pippin know mean
## [3724] differ old cow sit thought chew bull
## [3725] charg chang come sudden wonder treebeard
## [3726] rous sure mean tri dont like rous
## [3727] treebeard got rous night bottl
## [3728]
## [3729] hobbit turn voic ent rise
## [3730] fall conclav sun risen high look
## [3731]
## [3732]
## [3733]
## [3734]
## [3735] high hedg gleam top birch lit northward
## [3736] dingl cool yellow light saw littl
## [3737] glitter fountain walk rim great bowl feet
## [3738] evergreensit pleasant feel cool grass toe
## [3739] hurryand climb gush water
## [3740] drank littl clean cold sharp draught sat mossi
## [3741] stone watch patch sun grass shadow
## [3742] sail cloud pass floor dingl murmur ent
## [3743] went strang remot place outsid world
## [3744] far happen great long came
## [3745] face voic companion especi frodo
## [3746] sam strider
## [3747]
## [3748] came paus ent voic look saw
## [3749] treebeard come ent
## [3750]
## [3751] hm hoom treebeard get weari
## [3752] feel impati hmm eh afraid
## [3753] impati finish stage got
## [3754] explain thing live long way far isengard
## [3755] round moot
## [3756] shall decid decid
## [3757] ent long go fact event make
## [3758] mind use deni shall long
## [3759] time coupl day like brought companion
## [3760]
## [3761] enthous nearbi bregalad elvish say
## [3762] mind need remain moot hm hm
## [3763] nearest thing hasti ent
## [3764] goodby treebeard turn left
## [3765]
## [3766] bregalad stood time survey hobbit solemn
## [3767] look wonder sign hasti
## [3768] tall younger ent smooth shine skin
## [3769] arm leg lip ruddi hair greygreen
## [3770] bend sway like slender tree wind spoke
## [3771] voic reson higher clearer treebeard
## [3772]
## [3773] ha hmm friend let walk bregalad
## [3774] quickbeam languag nicknam cours
## [3775]
## [3776] call yes elder ent
## [3777] finish question drink quick
## [3778]
## [3779]
## [3780]
## [3781]
## [3782] wet beard come
## [3783]
## [3784] reach shape arm gave long finger hand
## [3785] hobbit day walk wood
## [3786] sing laugh quickbeam laugh laugh sun
## [3787] came cloud laugh came stream
## [3788] spring stoop splash feet head water
## [3789] laugh sound whisper tree saw
## [3790] rowantre halt arm stretch sang
## [3791] sway sang
## [3792]
## [3793] nightfal brought ent hous
## [3794] mossi stone set turv green bank rowantre grew circl
## [3795] water ent hous spring bubbl
## [3796] bank talk dark fell forest
## [3797] far away voic entmoot heard go
## [3798] deeper leisur great
## [3799] voic rise high quicken music die
## [3800] away bregalad spoke gentl tongu
## [3801] whisper learn belong skinbark peopl
## [3802] countri live ravag hobbit
## [3803] quit explain ’hasti matter ore
## [3804]
## [3805] rowantre home bregalad soft sad
## [3806] rowantre took root ent year ago
## [3807] quiet world oldest plant ent tri
## [3808] entwiv look smile knew
## [3809] whiter blossom richer fruit grow tree
## [3810] race peopl rose beauti
## [3811] tree grew grew till shadow like green hall
## [3812] red berri autumn burden beauti
## [3813] wonder bird use flock like bird chatter
## [3814] rowan spare bird unfriend
## [3815] greedi tore tree threw fruit eat
## [3816]
## [3817] ore came axe cut tree came call
## [3818] long name quiver hear answer
## [3819] lay dead
## [3820]
## [3821] o orofarnl lassemista carnimnril
## [3822]
## [3823] o rowan fair hair white blossom lay
## [3824]
## [3825] o rowan saw shine summer day
## [3826]
## [3827]
## [3828]
## [3829]
## [3830] rind bright leav light voic cool soft
## [3831]
## [3832] head goldenr crown bore aloft
## [3833]
## [3834] o rowan dead head hair dri grey
## [3835]
## [3836] crown spill voic still day
## [3837]
## [3838] o orofarnl lassemista carnimnril
## [3839]
## [3840] hobbit fell asleep sound soft sing bregalad
## [3841] lament tongu fall tree love
## [3842]
## [3843] day spent compani far
## [3844] hous time sat silent shelter
## [3845] bank wind colder cloud closer greyer
## [3846] littl sunshin distanc voic ent moot
## [3847] rose fell loud strong low sad
## [3848] quicken slow solemn dirg second night
## [3849] came ent held conclav hurri cloud fit
## [3850] star
## [3851]
## [3852] day broke bleak windi sunris ent voic rose
## [3853] great clamour die morn wore wind
## [3854] fell air grew heavi expect hobbit
## [3855] bregalad listen intent dell
## [3856] ent hous sound moot faint
## [3857]
## [3858] afternoon came sun go west mountain sent
## [3859] long yellow beam crack fissur cloud
## [3860] sudden awar quiet forest
## [3861] stood listen silenc cours ent voic stop
## [3862] mean bregalad stand erect tens look northward
## [3863] derndingl
## [3864]
## [3865] crash came great ring shout rahoomrah tree
## [3866] quiver bent gust struck paus
## [3867] march music began like solemn drum roll beat
## [3868] boom well voic sing high strong
## [3869]
## [3870] come come roll drum tarunda runda runda rom
## [3871]
## [3872] ent come nearer louder rose song
## [3873]
## [3874] come come horn drum taryna ryna ryna rom
## [3875]
## [3876] bregalad pick hobbit strode hous
## [3877]
## [3878] long saw march line approach ent
## [3879] swing great stride slope treebeard
## [3880] head fifti follow abreast
## [3881]
## [3882]
## [3883]
## [3884]
## [3885] keep step feet beat time hand
## [3886] flank drew near flash flicker eye seen
## [3887]
## [3888] hoom hom come boom come call
## [3889] treebeard caught sight bregalad hobbit ’come join
## [3890] moot isengard
## [3891]
## [3892] isengard ent cri voic
## [3893]
## [3894] isengard
## [3895]
## [3896] isengard isengard ring bar door stone
## [3897]
## [3898] isengard strong hard cold stone bare bone
## [3899]
## [3900] war hew stone break door
## [3901]
## [3902] bole bough burn furnac roar — war
## [3903]
## [3904] land gloom tramp doom roll drum come
## [3905] come
## [3906]
## [3907] isengard doom come
## [3908]
## [3909] doom come doom come
## [3910]
## [3911] sang march southward
## [3912]
## [3913] bregalad eye shine swung line treebeard
## [3914] old ent took hobbit set shoulder
## [3915] rode proud head sin ng compani beat heart
## [3916] head held high ad expect happen eventu
## [3917] amaz chang come ent
## [3918] sudden burst flood long held dike
## [3919]
## [3920] ent mind quick didnt
## [3921]
## [3922] pippin ventur say time moment sing
## [3923] paus beat hand feet heard
## [3924]
## [3925] quick treebeard hoom yes quicker expect
## [3926] seen rous like age ent
## [3927] like rous rous unless clear
## [3928] tree live great danger happen
## [3929] forest war sauron men sea orework
## [3930] wanton hew — rbrum — bad excus feed
## [3931] fire anger treacheri neighbour
## [3932] help wizard know better know better
## [3933] curs elvish entish tongu men bad
## [3934] treacheri saruman
## [3935]
## [3936] realli break door isengard ask merri
## [3937]
## [3938] ho hm know know strong
## [3939]
## [3940]
## [3941]
## [3942]
## [3943] mayb heard troll mighti strong troll
## [3944] counterfeit enemi great dark mockeri
## [3945] ent ore elv stronger troll
## [3946] bone earth split stone like root tree
## [3947] quicker far quicker mind rous hewn
## [3948] destroy blast sorceri split isengard
## [3949] splinter crack wall rubbl
## [3950]
## [3951] saruman tri stop wont
## [3952]
## [3953] hm ah yes forgotten
## [3954] thought long ent younger
## [3955] live tree rous mind
## [3956] thing break isengard start think
## [3957] long cool littl even drink
## [3958] thirst shall let march sing long way
## [3959] time ahead thought start
## [3960]
## [3961] treebeard march sing
## [3962] time voic die murmur fell silent pippin
## [3963] old brow wrinkl knot look pippin
## [3964] sad look eye sad unhappi light
## [3965] green flame sunk deeper dark well
## [3966] thought
## [3967]
## [3968] cours like friend slowli like
## [3969] go doom march ent
## [3970] stay home doom sooner later
## [3971] thought long grow heart
## [3972] march hasti resolv march
## [3973] ent worth song aye sigh help peopl
## [3974] pass away like song come true
## [3975] entwiv dear like fimbrethil
## [3976] friend song like tree bear fruit time
## [3977] way wither untim
## [3978]
## [3979] ent went stride great pace descend
## [3980] long fold land fell away southward began climb
## [3981] high western ridg wood fell away came
## [3982] scatter group birch bare slope gaunt
## [3983] pinetre grew sun sank dark hillback grey dusk
## [3984] fell
## [3985]
## [3986]
## [3987]
## [3988]
## [3989] pippin look number ent grown —
## [3990] happen dim bare slope cross lie
## [3991] thought saw grove tree move
## [3992] tree fangorn awak forest rise march
## [3993] hill war rub eye wonder sleep shadow deceiv
## [3994] great grey shape move steadili onward nois like
## [3995] wind branch ent draw near crest ridg
## [3996] song ceas night fell silenc
## [3997] heard save faint quiver earth beneath feet ent
## [3998] rustl shade whisper drift leav
## [3999] stood summit look dark pit great cleft
## [4000] end mountain nan curunnr valley saruman
## [4001]
## [4002] night lie isengard treebeard
## [4003]
## [4004]
## [4005]
## [4006]
## [4007] chapter white rider
## [4008]
## [4009]
## [4010]
## [4011] bone chill gim flap arm stamp
## [4012] feet day come dawn companion
## [4013] breakfast grow light get readi
## [4014] search ground sign hobbit
## [4015]
## [4016] forget old man gim happier
## [4017] print boot
## [4018]
## [4019] make happi legola
## [4020]
## [4021] old man feet leav mark
## [4022] answer dwarf
## [4023]
## [4024] mayb elf heavi boot leav print
## [4025] grass deep springi
## [4026]
## [4027] baffl ranger gim bent blade
## [4028] aragorn read expect trace
## [4029] evil phantom saruman saw night sure
## [4030] light morn eye look fangorn
## [4031] mayb
## [4032]
## [4033] like aragorn sure think
## [4034] hors night gim scare away
## [4035] think hear legola sound like
## [4036] beast terror
## [4037]
## [4038] legola heard clear dark
## [4039] fear guess beast wild sudden
## [4040] glad spoke hors meet friend
## [4041] long miss
## [4042]
## [4043] thought aragorn read riddl unless
## [4044] return come light grow fast let look guess
## [4045] later begin near campingground search
## [4046] care work slope forest
## [4047] hobbit errand think visitor
## [4048] night escap chanc hidden
## [4049] tree seen
## [4050] eav wood make search battlefield
## [4051] ash littl hope horsemen rohan
## [4052]
## [4053]
## [4054]
## [4055]
## [4056] work
## [4057]
## [4058] time companion crawl grope ground
## [4059] tree stood mourn dri leav hang limp
## [4060] rattl chill easter wind aragorn move slowli away came
## [4061] ash watchfir near river bank began retrac
## [4062] ground knoll battl fought sudden
## [4063] stoop bent low face grass call
## [4064] came run
## [4065]
## [4066] news aragorn lift broken leaf
## [4067] larg pale leaf golden hue fade turn
## [4068] brown mallornleaf lurien small crumb
## [4069] crumb grass piec cut
## [4070] cord lie nearbi
## [4071]
## [4072] knife cut gim stoop drew
## [4073] tussock heavi foot trampl short jag
## [4074] blade haft snap
## [4075] oreweapon hold ginger look disgust
## [4076] carv handl shape like hideous head squint eye
## [4077] leer mouth
## [4078]
## [4079] strangest riddl exclaim
## [4080] legola bound prison escap ore
## [4081] surround horsemen stop open cut
## [4082] bond oreknif leg tie
## [4083] walk arm tie use knife
## [4084] tie cut cord pleas skill
## [4085] sat quiet ate waybread
## [4086] hobbit mallornleaf suppos
## [4087] turn arm wing flew away sing tree
## [4088] easi need wing
## [4089]
## [4090] sorceri right gim old
## [4091] man say aragorn read legola
## [4092] better
## [4093]
## [4094] mayb aragorn smile sign
## [4095] near hand consid agre prison
## [4096] hobbit leg hand free came
## [4097] guess hand riddl easier
## [4098] read mark carri point ore blood
## [4099]
## [4100]
## [4101]
## [4102]
## [4103] spill pace away oreblood deep print
## [4104] hoof spot sign heavi thing drag away
## [4105]
## [4106] ore slain horsemen later bodi haul
## [4107]
## [4108] hobbit seen open night
## [4109] elvencloak exhaust hungri
## [4110] wonder cut bond knife fallen
## [4111] enemi rest ate littl crept away comfort
## [4112] know lemba pocket ran away
## [4113] gear pack like hobbit say
## [4114] hope guess merri pippin
## [4115] certain
## [4116]
## [4117] suppos friend came hand
## [4118] free ask gim
## [4119]
## [4120] know happen answer aragorn know
## [4121] ore carri away help escap sure
## [4122] nay think begin understand matter puzzl
## [4123] begin boromir fallen ore content
## [4124] captur merri pippin seek rest
## [4125] attack camp instead went speed isengard
## [4126]
## [4127] suppos captur ring bearer faith comrad
## [4128]
## [4129] think master dare plain order ore
## [4130] knew speak open
## [4131] ring trusti servant think ore
## [4132] command captur hobbit aliv cost attempt
## [4133] slip precious prison battl treacheri
## [4134] like folk larg bold ore tri
## [4135] escap prize end tale
## [4136]
## [4137] devis count case
## [4138] friend escap task help
## [4139] return rohan daunt fangorn need drove
## [4140] dark place
## [4141]
## [4142] know daunt fangorn thought
## [4143] long road rohan foot gim
## [4144]
## [4145] let forest aragorn
## [4146]
## [4147] long aragorn fresh sign point near
## [4148] bank entwash came footprint hobbitprint
## [4149] light beneath bole great
## [4150]
## [4151]
## [4152]
## [4153]
## [4154] tree edg wood print discov earth
## [4155] bare dri reveal
## [4156]
## [4157] hobbit stood look
## [4158] turn away forest aragorn
## [4159]
## [4160] gim like look
## [4161] fangorn warn wish chase led
## [4162]
## [4163]
## [4164] think wood feel evil tale say
## [4165] legola stood eav forest stoop forward
## [4166] listen peer wide eye shadow
## [4167] evil evil far away catch faintest echo
## [4168] dark place heart tree black malic near
## [4169] watch anger
## [4170]
## [4171] caus angri gim
## [4172] harm
## [4173]
## [4174] just legola nonetheless suffer
## [4175] harm happen insid go happen
## [4176] feel tens take breath
## [4177]
## [4178] feel air stuffi dwarf wood lighter
## [4179] mirkwood musti shabbi
## [4180]
## [4181] old old elf old feel young
## [4182] felt journey children old
## [4183] memori happi come day
## [4184] peac
## [4185]
## [4186] dare say snort gim woodelf
## [4187] elv kind strang folk comfort
## [4188] bow readi hand axe loos
## [4189] belt use tree ad hastili look tree
## [4190] stood wish meet old man unawar
## [4191] argument readi hand let
## [4192]
## [4193] hunter plung forest fangorn legola
## [4194] gim left track aragorn littl
## [4195] floor forest dri cover drift leav guess
## [4196] fugit stay near water return bank
## [4197] stream came place merri pippin
## [4198] drunk bath feet plain
## [4199] footprint hobbit somewhat smaller
## [4200]
## [4201]
## [4202]
## [4203]
## [4204] good tide aragorn mark day old
## [4205] point hobbit left water ’
## [4206]
## [4207] shall ’ gim pursu
## [4208] fast fangorn come ill suppli
## [4209] soon shall use sit
## [4210] friendship starv
## [4211]
## [4212] aragorn
## [4213]
## [4214] let
## [4215]
## [4216] came length steep abrupt end treebeard hill
## [4217] look rock wall rough step lead high shelf
## [4218] gleam sun strike hurri cloud forest
## [4219] look grey drear
## [4220]
## [4221] let look legola feel breath
## [4222] short like tast freer air
## [4223]
## [4224] companion climb aragorn came move slowli
## [4225] scan step ledg close
## [4226]
## [4227] sure hobbit
## [4228] mark strang mark understand
## [4229] wonder ledg help guess
## [4230] way went
## [4231]
## [4232] stood look saw use
## [4233] shelf face southward eastward east view
## [4234] open head tree descend rank
## [4235] plain come
## [4236]
## [4237] journey long way round legola
## [4238] come safe left great river second
## [4239] day struck west forese road lead
## [4240] till come end
## [4241]
## [4242] wish come fangorn gim
## [4243]
## [4244] areand nice caught net legola look
## [4245]
## [4246] look gim
## [4247]
## [4248] tree
## [4249]
## [4250] elfey
## [4251]
## [4252] hush speak soft look legola point
## [4253] wood way just come
## [4254] pass tree tree
## [4255]
## [4256] hiss gim look aragorn warn
## [4257]
## [4258]
## [4259]
## [4260]
## [4261] old man dirti grey rag
## [4262]
## [4263]
## [4264] aragorn look beheld bent figur move slowli far
## [4265] away look like old beggarman walk wearili lean rough
## [4266] staff head bow look land
## [4267] greet kind word stood silent
## [4268] feel strang expect approach held hidden
## [4269] poweror menac
## [4270]
## [4271] gim gaze wide eye step step figur drew
## [4272] nearer sudden unabl contain longer burst
## [4273] bow legola bend readi saruman let speak
## [4274] spell shoot
## [4275]
## [4276] legola took bow bent slowli
## [4277] resist held arrow loos hand fit
## [4278] string aragorn stood silent face watch intent
## [4279]
## [4280] wait matter gim
## [4281] hiss whisper
## [4282]
## [4283] legola right aragorn quiet shoot old man
## [4284] unawar unchalleng fear doubt watch
## [4285] wait
## [4286]
## [4287] moment old man quicken pace came surpris
## [4288] speed foot rockwal sudden look
## [4289] stood motionless look sound
## [4290]
## [4291] face hood hood wore
## [4292] widebrim hat featur overshadow
## [4293] end nose grey beard aragorn
## [4294] caught gleam eye keen bright shadow
## [4295] hood brow
## [4296]
## [4297] old man broke silenc met friend
## [4298] soft voic wish speak come
## [4299] shall come wait answer began climb
## [4300]
## [4301] gim stop legola
## [4302]
## [4303] say wish speak old man
## [4304] away bow master elf
## [4305]
## [4306] bow arrow fell legola hand arm hung loos
## [4307] side
## [4308]
## [4309] master dwarf pray hand axehaft till
## [4310]
## [4311]
## [4312]
## [4313]
## [4314] need argument
## [4315]
## [4316] gim start stood stone stare old man
## [4317] sprang rough step nimbl goat weari
## [4318] left step shelf gleam brief
## [4319] certainti quick glint white garment shroud grey
## [4320] rag instant reveal intak gim breath
## [4321] heard loud hiss silenc
## [4322]
## [4323] met say old man come
## [4324] feet away stood stoop staff head thrust
## [4325] forward peer hood
## [4326] part elf man dwarf clad elvish fashion
## [4327] doubt tale worth hear thing
## [4328] seen
## [4329]
## [4330] speak know fangorn aragorn
## [4331]
## [4332] old man studi live
## [4333]
## [4334] come
## [4335]
## [4336] know hear say
## [4337] aragorn morn pass errand
## [4338] wait
## [4339]
## [4340] wish say
## [4341] tale tell broke
## [4342] laugh long soft aragorn felt shudder run
## [4343] sound strang cold thrill fear terror
## [4344] felt like sudden bite keen air slap
## [4345] cold rain wake uneasi sleeper
## [4346]
## [4347] old man guess
## [4348]
## [4349] heard think yes heard come
## [4350] tale
## [4351]
## [4352] companion stood silent answer
## [4353]
## [4354] begin doubt errand fit
## [4355] tell old man happili know track
## [4356] footstep young hobbit believ yes hobbit dont stare
## [4357] heard strang
## [4358] climb day yesterday met
## [4359] expect comfort like
## [4360] know taken mayb news
## [4361]
## [4362]
## [4363]
## [4364]
## [4365]
## [4366] stand errand longer urgent
## [4367] thought let sit eas
## [4368]
## [4369] old man turn away went heap fallen stone
## [4370] rock foot cliff immedi spell
## [4371] remov relax stir gim hand went
## [4372] axehaft aragorn drew sword legola pick bow
## [4373]
## [4374] old man took notic stoop sat low flat
## [4375] stone grey cloak drew apart saw doubt
## [4376] cloth beneath white
## [4377]
## [4378] saruman cri gim spring axe hand speak
## [4379] tell hidden friend
## [4380] speak make dint hat wizard
## [4381] hard deal
## [4382]
## [4383] old man quick sprang feet leap
## [4384] larg rock stood grown sudden tall tower
## [4385] hood grey rag flung away white garment shone
## [4386] lift staff gim axe leap grasp fell
## [4387] ring ground sword aragorn stiff motionless hand
## [4388] blaze sudden legola gave great shout shot arrow high
## [4389] air vanish flash flame
## [4390]
## [4391] mithrandir cri mithrandir
## [4392]
## [4393] met say legola old man
## [4394]
## [4395] gaze hair white snow sunshin
## [4396] gleam white robe eye deep brow bright
## [4397] pierc ray sun power hand wonder joy
## [4398] fear stood word say
## [4399]
## [4400] aragorn stir gandalf hope
## [4401] return need veil sight gandalf gim
## [4402] hut sank knee shade eye
## [4403]
## [4404] gandalf old man repeat recal old memori long
## [4405] disus word yes gandalf
## [4406]
## [4407] step rock pick grey cloak wrap
## [4408] sun shine hid
## [4409] cloud yes gandalf voic
## [4410] voic old friend guid good gim
## [4411] blame harm friend
## [4412] weapon hurt merri meet turn
## [4413]
## [4414]
## [4415]
## [4416]
## [4417] tide great storm come tide turn
## [4418]
## [4419] laid hand gimli’ head dwarf look laugh
## [4420] sudden gandalf white
## [4421]
## [4422] yes white gandalf saruman
## [4423] say saruman come tell
## [4424] pass deepwat part
## [4425] forgotten thought knew learn
## [4426] forgotten thing far thing close
## [4427] hand tell
## [4428]
## [4429] wish know aragorn happen
## [4430] part bridg long tale
## [4431] news hobbit safe
## [4432]
## [4433] gandalf dark
## [4434] valley emyn muil know captiv
## [4435] eagl told
## [4436]
## [4437] eagl legola seen eagl high far
## [4438] time day ago emyn muil
## [4439]
## [4440] yes gandalf gwaihir windlord rescu
## [4441] orthanc sent watch river gather tide
## [4442]
## [4443] sight keen pass hill tree
## [4444]
## [4445] thing seen seen ring
## [4446] pass help help compani set
## [4447] rivendel near reveal enemi escap
## [4448] sat high place strove dark
## [4449] tower shadow pass weari weari walk
## [4450] long dark thought
## [4451]
## [4452] know frodo gim thing
## [4453]
## [4454] say save great peril lie
## [4455] resolv mordor set
## [4456] say
## [4457]
## [4458] legola think sam went
## [4459]
## [4460] gandalf gleam eye smile
## [4461] face news surpris
## [4462]
## [4463] good good lighten heart tell sit
## [4464]
## [4465]
## [4466] tell tale journey
## [4467]
## [4468] companion sat ground feet aragorn took
## [4469]
## [4470]
## [4471]
## [4472]
## [4473] tale long gandalf ask question
## [4474] hand spread knee eye close
## [4475] aragorn spoke death boromir journey great
## [4476] river old man sigh
## [4477]
## [4478] know guess aragorn friend
## [4479] quiet poor boromir happen
## [4480] sore trial man warrior lord men galadriel told
## [4481] peril escap end glad
## [4482] vain young hobbit came boromir sake
## [4483] play brought fangorn
## [4484] come like fall small stone start
## [4485] avalanch mountain talk hear
## [4486] rumbl saruman best caught away home dam
## [4487] burst
## [4488]
## [4489] thing chang dear friend aragorn
## [4490] speak riddl
## [4491]
## [4492] riddl gandalf talk aloud
## [4493] habit old choos wisest person present speak
## [4494] long explan need young weari laugh
## [4495] sound warm kind gleam sunshin
## [4496]
## [4497] longer young reckon men ancient
## [4498] hous aragorn open mind clear
## [4499]
## [4500] shall say gandalf paus
## [4501] thought brief thing moment wish
## [4502] piec mind plain possibl enemi cours long
## [4503] known ring abroad born hobbit know
## [4504] number compani set rivendel kind
## [4505] perceiv purpos clear suppos
## [4506] go mina tirith
## [4507] place accord wisdom
## [4508] heavi stroke power great fear know
## [4509] mighti sudden appear wield ring assail
## [4510] war seek cast place wish
## [4511] cast place thought occur
## [4512] mind tri destroy ring enter
## [4513] darkest dream doubt good fortun
## [4514] hope imagin war let loos war believ
## [4515]
## [4516]
## [4517]
## [4518]
## [4519] time wast strike blow strike hard
## [4520] need strike forc long
## [4521] prepar set motion sooner intend wise fool
## [4522]
## [4523] use power guard mordor enter
## [4524] bent guild hunt ring hope
## [4525] fade ring bearer long elud
## [4526] eye gaze abroad near home look mina
## [4527] tirith soon strength fall like storm
## [4528]
## [4529] ’ know messeng sent waylay
## [4530] compani fail ring
## [4531] brought away hobbit hostag flad
## [4532] heavi blow fatal let
## [4533] darken heart imagin trial gentl loyalti
## [4534] dark tower enemi failedso far thank saruman
## [4535]
## [4536] saruman traitor gim
## [4537]
## [4538] yes gandalf doubli strang
## [4539] endur late grievous treason
## [4540] isengard reckon lord captain saruman grown strong
## [4541] threaten men rohan draw help mina tirith
## [4542] main blow approach east treacher weapon
## [4543] danger hand saruman mind captur ring
## [4544] snare hobbit evil purpos
## [4545] enemi contriv bring merri pippin
## [4546] marvel speed nick time fangorn
## [4547] come
## [4548]
## [4549] fill new doubt disturb
## [4550] plan tide battl come mordor thank horsemen
## [4551] rohan dark lord know hobbit taken emyn
## [4552] muil born away isengard servant
## [4553]
## [4554] isengard fear mina tirith mina tirith fall
## [4555] ill saruman
## [4556]
## [4557] piti friend lie gim land
## [4558] divid isengard mordor fight watch
## [4559] wait
## [4560]
## [4561] victor emerg stronger free doubt
## [4562] gandalf isengard fight mordor unless saruman
## [4563] obtain ring know peril
## [4564]
## [4565]
## [4566]
## [4567]
## [4568] know eager lay hand
## [4569] prey wait home came forth meet spi
## [4570] messeng came late battl
## [4571] help reach part remain long
## [4572]
## [4573] look mind doubt woodcraft believ
## [4574] horsemen slew burn field battl
## [4575] know ore bring prison
## [4576] know quarrel servant ore mordor
## [4577] know wing messeng
## [4578]
## [4579] wing messeng cri legola shot bow
## [4580] galadriel sarn gebir fell sky fill
## [4581] fear new terror
## [4582]
## [4583] slay arrow gandalf slew
## [4584] steed good deed rider soon hors
## [4585] nazgyl ride wing steed soon
## [4586] terror overshadow armi friend cut sun
## [4587]
## [4588] allow cross river saruman
## [4589] know new shape ringwraith clad thought
## [4590] ring present battl
## [4591] thjoden lord mark come learn power
## [4592] danger see fled isengard doubl
## [4593] trebl assault rohan time danger close
## [4594] hand busi fieri thought
## [4595] forgotten treebeard
## [4596]
## [4597] speak aragorn smile
## [4598] treebeard known guess saruman doubl
## [4599] treacheri way come hobbit fangorn
## [4600] serv save long fruitless chase
## [4601]
## [4602] wait minut cri gim thing
## [4603] like know gandalf saruman saw night
## [4604]
## [4605] certain answer gandalf
## [4606] guess saw saruman evid look alik desir
## [4607] make incur dent hat excus
## [4608]
## [4609] good good gim glad
## [4610]
## [4611] gandalf laugh yes good dwarf comfort
## [4612] mistaken point know
## [4613] cours blame welcom
## [4614]
## [4615]
## [4616]
## [4617]
## [4618] counsel friend suspect hand
## [4619] deal enemi bless gim son gluin mayb
## [4620] day judg
## [4621]
## [4622] hobbit legola broke come far seek
## [4623] know
## [4624]
## [4625] treebeard ent gandalf
## [4626]
## [4627] ent exclaim aragorn truth old legend
## [4628] dweller deep forest giant shepherd tree
## [4629]
## [4630] ent world thought memori
## [4631] ancient day legend rohan
## [4632]
## [4633] legend rohan cri legola nay elf wilderland
## [4634] sung song old onodrim long sorrow
## [4635] memori meet walk world
## [4636] feel young treebeard render
## [4637] fangorn common speech speak person
## [4638] treebeard
## [4639]
## [4640] ah ask gandalf littl know
## [4641] long slow stori make tale time
## [4642] treebeard fangorn guardian forest oldest
## [4643] ent oldest live thing walk beneath sun
## [4644] middleearth hope legola meet merri
## [4645] pippin fortun met sit
## [4646] came day ago bore away dwell far
## [4647] root mountain come especi mind
## [4648] uneasi rumour world outsid troubl saw day
## [4649] ago stride tree think saw paus
## [4650] speak heavi thought weari struggl
## [4651] eye mordor speak
## [4652]
## [4653] thought saruman gim
## [4654] speak friend thought fangorn danger
## [4655]
## [4656] danger cri gandalf danger
## [4657] danger meet unless brought aliv
## [4658] seat dark lord aragorn danger legola
## [4659] danger beset danger gim son gluin
## [4660] danger fashion certain forest fangorn
## [4661] perilousnot readi axe fangorn
## [4662] peril wise kind nonetheless
## [4663]
## [4664]
## [4665]
## [4666]
## [4667] long slow wrath brim forest fill
## [4668]
## [4669] come hobbit tide brought spill
## [4670] soon run like flood tide turn saruman
## [4671] axe isengard thing happen happen
## [4672] elder day ent go wake
## [4673] strong’
## [4674]
## [4675] ’ ask legola astonish
## [4676]
## [4677] know gandalf think know
## [4678] wonder fell silent head bow thought
## [4679]
## [4680] look gleam sun fleet cloud fell
## [4681] hand lay upturn lap fill
## [4682] light cup water look gaze straight
## [4683] sun
## [4684]
## [4685] morn wear away soon
## [4686]
## [4687] friend treebeard ask aragorn
## [4688]
## [4689] gandalf road
## [4690] spoken word hope hope hope victori war
## [4691]
## [4692] friend war use ring
## [4693] sureti victori fill great sorrow great
## [4694]
## [4695] fear shall destroy lost gandalf
## [4696]
## [4697] gandalf white black mightier
## [4698]
## [4699] rose gaze eastward shade eye saw thing
## [4700] far away shook head
## [4701] soft voic gone reach let
## [4702] glad longer tempt use ring face
## [4703] peril near despair dead peril remov
## [4704]
## [4705] turn come aragorn son arathorn regret
## [4706] choic valley emyn muil vain pursuit
## [4707] chose amid doubt path right choic just
## [4708] reward met time met
## [4709] late quest companion journey
## [4710] mark given word edora seek thjoden
## [4711]
## [4712]
## [4713] hall need light ®ril uncov
## [4714] battl long wait war rohan wors
## [4715] evil goe ill thjoden
## [4716]
## [4717] merri young hobbit legola
## [4718]
## [4719]
## [4720]
## [4721]
## [4722] say gandalf ’ know patienc
## [4723] hope edora thither ’
## [4724]
## [4725] long way man walk young old aragorn
## [4726] fear battl long ere come ’
## [4727]
## [4728] shall shall gandalf come
## [4729]
## [4730]
## [4731] yes set aragorn doubt
## [4732] come wish rose look long
## [4733] gandalf gaze silenc stood face
## [4734] grey figur man aragorn son arathorn tall
## [4735] stern stone hand hilt sword look
## [4736] king mist sea step shore lesser men
## [4737] stoop old figur white shine light
## [4738] kindl bent laden year hold power
## [4739] strength king
## [4740]
## [4741] say truli gandalf aragorn
## [4742] whithersoev wish quicker say
## [4743] captain banner dark lord mightier
## [4744] white rider pass abyss
## [4745] shall fear lead
## [4746]
## [4747] yes follow legola
## [4748] eas heart gandalf hear befel moria tell
## [4749] stay tell friend deliv
## [4750]
## [4751] stay long answer gandalf time short
## [4752] year spend tell
## [4753]
## [4754] tell time allow gim come
## [4755] gandalf tell fare balrog
## [4756]
## [4757] gandalf moment cloud
## [4758] pain pass face sat silent look old death long
## [4759] time fell slowli think difficulti
## [4760]
## [4761] long fell fell burn
## [4762] plung deep water dark cold tide
## [4763] death froze heart
## [4764]
## [4765] deep abyss span durin bridg
## [4766] measur gim
## [4767]
## [4768] light knowledg gandalf
## [4769] thither came uttermost foundat stone
## [4770]
## [4771]
## [4772]
## [4773]
## [4774] quench thing slime stronger
## [4775] strangl snake
## [4776]
## [4777] fought far live earth time count
## [4778] clutch hew till fled dark
## [4779] tunnel durin folk gim son gluin far far
## [4780] deepest delv dwarv world gnaw nameless
## [4781] thing sauron know older
## [4782] walk bring report darken light day
## [4783] despair enemi hope pursu clutch heel
## [4784] brought secret way khazaddym
## [4785] knew went came endless stair
## [4786]
## [4787] long lost gim
## [4788] save legend say destroy
## [4789]
## [4790] destroy gandalf
## [4791] lowest dungeon highest peak climb ascend unbroken spiral
## [4792] thousand step issu durin tower carv
## [4793] live rock zirakzigil pinnacl silvertin
## [4794]
## [4795] celebdil lone window snow lay
## [4796] narrow space dizzi eyri mist world sun shone
## [4797] fierc wrap cloud sprang
## [4798] came burst new flame
## [4799] age song sung battl peak sudden
## [4800] gandalf laugh say song look
## [4801] afar thought mountain crown storm thunder heard
## [4802] lightn smote celebdil leap broken
## [4803] tongu great smoke rose vapour
## [4804] steam ice fell like rain threw enemi fell high
## [4805] place broke mountainsid smote ruin
## [4806] dark took stray thought time wander far
## [4807] road tell
## [4808]
## [4809] nake sent — brief time task
## [4810] nake lay mountaintop tower crumbl dust
## [4811] window gone ruin stair choke burn broken stone
## [4812] forgotten escap hard horn world
## [4813] lay stare upward star wheel day long
## [4814] lifeag earth faint ear came gather rumour
## [4815] land spring die song weep slow
## [4816]
## [4817]
## [4818]
## [4819]
## [4820] everlast groan overburden stone gwaihir
## [4821] windlord took bore away
## [4822]
## [4823] ’ ’ fate burden friend need
## [4824]
## [4825] burden answer light
## [4826] swan feather claw sun shine
## [4827] think need let fall float
## [4828] wind
## [4829]
## [4830] let fall gasp felt life bear
## [4831] lothlurien
## [4832]
## [4833] command ladi galadriel sent look
## [4834] answer
## [4835]
## [4836] came cara galadhon late
## [4837] gone tarri ageless time land day bring
## [4838] heal decay heal cloth white counsel
## [4839] gave counsel took strang road came messag bring
## [4840] aragorn bidden say
## [4841]
## [4842] d®nedain elessar elessar
## [4843]
## [4844] thi kinsfolk wander afar
## [4845]
## [4846] near hour lost come forth
## [4847]
## [4848] grey compani ride north
## [4849]
## [4850] dark path appoint thee
## [4851]
## [4852] dead watch road lead sea
## [4853]
## [4854] legola sent word
## [4855]
## [4856] legola greenleaf long tree
## [4857]
## [4858] joy thou hast live bewar seal
## [4859]
## [4860] thou hearest gull shore
## [4861]
## [4862] thi heart shall rest forest
## [4863]
## [4864] gandalf fell silent shut eye
## [4865]
## [4866] sent messag gim bent head
## [4867]
## [4868] dark word legola littl mean
## [4869] receiv
## [4870]
## [4871] comfort gim
## [4872]
## [4873] legola speak open
## [4874] death
## [4875]
## [4876] yes nought say
## [4877]
## [4878] gandalf open eye yes think
## [4879] guess word mean pardon gim ponder
## [4880]
## [4881]
## [4882]
## [4883]
## [4884] messag sent word dark
## [4885] sad
## [4886]
## [4887] ’ gim son gluin ladi greet
## [4888]
## [4889] lock bearer thou goest thought goe thee care
## [4890] lay thine axe right tree ’
## [4891]
## [4892] ’ happi hour return gandalf cri dwarf
## [4893] caper sang loud strang dwarftongu come come’
## [4894] shout swing axe ’ gandalf s head sacr let
## [4895] right cleave’
## [4896]
## [4897] ’ far seek’ gandalf rise seat
## [4898]
## [4899] come spent time allow meet part
## [4900] friend need hast
## [4901]
## [4902] wrap old tatter cloak led way
## [4903] follow descend quick high shelf way
## [4904] forest bank entwash spoke
## [4905] word stood grass eav fangorn
## [4906] sign hors seen
## [4907]
## [4908] ’ returned’ legola weari walk
## [4909]
## [4910] shall walk time press gandalf lift
## [4911] head gave long whistl clear pierc note
## [4912] stood amaz hear sound come old beard lip
## [4913] time whistl faint far
## [4914] heard whinni hors born plain eastern
## [4915] wind wait wonder long came sound hoof
## [4916] hard tremor ground percept aragorn
## [4917] lay grass grow steadili louder clearer quick
## [4918] beat
## [4919]
## [4920] hors come aragorn
## [4921]
## [4922] ’certain gandalf great burden
## [4923]
## [4924] legola gaze plain
## [4925] run hasufel friend arod
## [4926] stride ahead great hors seen
## [4927] like
## [4928]
## [4929] gandalf shadowfax chief
## [4930] meara lord hors thjoden king rohan
## [4931] look better shine like silver run smooth
## [4932] swift stream come hors white rider
## [4933]
## [4934]
## [4935]
## [4936]
## [4937] go battl
## [4938]
## [4939] old wizard spoke great hors came stride
## [4940] slope coat glisten mane flow wind
## [4941] speed follow far soon shadowfax
## [4942] saw gandalf check pace whinni loud trot gentl
## [4943] forward stoop proud head nuzzl great nostril
## [4944] old man neck
## [4945]
## [4946] gandalf caress long way rivendel friend
## [4947] wise swift come need far let ride
## [4948] world
## [4949]
## [4950] soon hors came stood quiet await
## [4951] order meduseld hall master thjoden
## [4952] gandalf address grave bow head time press
## [4953] leav friend ride beg use speed
## [4954] hasufel shall bear aragorn arod legola set gim
## [4955] leav shadowfax shall bear wait
## [4956] drink littl
## [4957]
## [4958] understand night riddl legola
## [4959] sprang light arod fled fear
## [4960] hors met shadowfax chieftain greet joy
## [4961]
## [4962] know hand gandalf
## [4963]
## [4964] yes knew wizard bent thought bid
## [4965] make hast yesterday far away south land
## [4966] swift bear
## [4967]
## [4968] gandalf spoke shadowfax hors set good pace
## [4969] measur littl turn
## [4970] sudden choos place bank lower wade
## [4971] river led away south flat land treeless wide
## [4972]
## [4973] wind went like grey wave endless mile grass
## [4974] sign road track shadowfax stay falter
## [4975]
## [4976] steer straight cours hall thjoden
## [4977] slope white mountain gandalf quicker
## [4978]
## [4979] ground firmer eastemnet chief northward track lie
## [4980] river shadowfax know way fen hollow
## [4981]
## [4982] hour rode mead riverland
## [4983] grass high reach knee rider
## [4984]
## [4985]
## [4986]
## [4987]
## [4988] steed swim greygreen sea came
## [4989] hidden
## [4990]
## [4991] pool broad acr sedg wave wet treacher bog
## [4992] shadowfax way hors follow swath slowli
## [4993] sun fell sky west look great
## [4994] plain far away rider saw moment like red sink
## [4995] grass low edg sight shoulder mountain glint red
## [4996] smoke rise darken sun disc
## [4997] hue blood kindl grass pass rim
## [4998] earth
## [4999]
## [5000] ’ lie gap rohan gandalf west
## [5001] way lie isengard
## [5002]
## [5003] great smoke legola
## [5004]
## [5005] battl war gandalf ride
## [5006]
## [5007]
## [5008]
## [5009]
## [5010] chapter king golden hall
## [5011]
## [5012]
## [5013]
## [5014] rode sunset slow dusk gather night
## [5015] halt dismount aragorn stiff weari
## [5016] gandalf allow hour rest legola gim slept
## [5017] aragorn lay flat stretch gandalf stood lean
## [5018] staff gaze dark east west silent
## [5019] sign sound live thing night bar long cloud
## [5020] fleet chill wind aros cold moon
## [5021] went swift light day
## [5022]
## [5023] hour pass rode gim nod fallen
## [5024] seat gandalf clutch shaken hasufel arod
## [5025] weari proud follow tireless leader grey shadow
## [5026] hard seen mile went wax moon sank cloudi
## [5027] west
## [5028]
## [5029] bitter chill came air slowli east dark fade
## [5030] cold grey red shaft light leapt black wall emyn
## [5031] muil far away left dawn came clear bright wind swept
## [5032] path rush bent grass sudden shadowfax
## [5033] stood neigh gandalf point ahead
## [5034]
## [5035] look cri lift tire eye stood
## [5036] mountain south whitetip streak black
## [5037] grassland roll hill cluster feet
## [5038] flow valley dim dark untouch light
## [5039] dawn wind way heart great mountain immedi
## [5040] travel widest glen open like long gulf
## [5041] hill far inward glimps tumbl mountainmass
## [5042] tall peak mouth vale stood like sentinel lone
## [5043] height feet flow thread silver stream
## [5044] issu dale brow caught far away glint
## [5045] rise sun glimmer gold ’speak legola gandalf tell
## [5046]
## [5047]
## [5048] legola gaze ahead shade eye level shaft
## [5049] newrisen sun white stream come snow
## [5050] issu shadow vale green hill rise
## [5051]
## [5052]
## [5053]
## [5054]
## [5055] east dike mighti wall thorni fenc encircl
## [5056] rise roof hous midst set green terrac
## [5057] stand aloft great hall men eye
## [5058] thatch gold light shine far land golden
## [5059] post door men bright mail stand
## [5060] court asleep’
## [5061]
## [5062] edora court called’ gandalf ’ meduseld
## [5063] golden hall dwell thjoden son thengel king mark rohan
## [5064] come rise day road lie plain
## [5065] ride warili war abroad
## [5066] rohirrim horselord sleep afar draw
## [5067] weapon speak haughti word counsel come
## [5068] thjoden’ seat’
## [5069]
## [5070] morn bright clear bird sing
## [5071] travel came stream ran swift plain
## [5072] feet hill turn path wide bend
## [5073] flow away east feed entwash far reedchok bed
## [5074] land green wet mead grassi border stream
## [5075] grew willowtre southern land blush red
## [5076] fingertip feel approach spring stream
## [5077] ford low bank trampl passag hors
## [5078] travel pass came wide rut track lead
## [5079] upland
## [5080]
## [5081] foot wall hill way ran shadow
## [5082] mound high green western side grass white
## [5083] drift snow small flower sprang like countless star amid
## [5084] turf
## [5085]
## [5086] ’look’ gandalf ’ fair bright eye grass
## [5087] evermind call simbelmynl land men blossom
## [5088] season year grow dead men rest behold
## [5089] come great barrow sire thjoden sleep’ seven mound
## [5090] left right’ aragorn ’ long live
## [5091] men golden hall built’
## [5092]
## [5093] ’ time red leav fallen mirkwood home
## [5094] ’ legola littl ’
## [5095]
## [5096] ’ rider mark long ago’ aragorn
## [5097]
## [5098] ’ rais hous memori song year
## [5099]
## [5100]
## [5101]
## [5102]
## [5103] lost mist time land home
## [5104] speech sunder northern kin
## [5105] began chant soft slow tongu unknown elf dwarf
## [5106] listen strong music
## [5107]
## [5108] guess languag rohirrim legola
## [5109] like land rich roll hard
## [5110] stern mountain guess mean save
## [5111] laden sad mortal men
## [5112]
## [5113] run common speech aragorn near
## [5114] make
## [5115]
## [5116] hors rider horn blow
## [5117]
## [5118] helm hauberk bright hair flow
## [5119]
## [5120] hand harpstr red glow
## [5121]
## [5122] spring harvest tall corn grow
## [5123]
## [5124] pass like rain mountain like wind meadow
## [5125]
## [5126] day gone west hill shadow
## [5127]
## [5128] shall gather smoke dead wood burn
## [5129]
## [5130] behold flow year sea return
## [5131]
## [5132] spoke forgotten poet long ago rohan recal tall
## [5133] fair eorl young rode north
## [5134] wing feet steed felaruf father hors men
## [5135] sing even
## [5136]
## [5137] word travel pass silent mound follow
## [5138] wind way green shoulder hill came
## [5139] wide windswept wall gate edora
## [5140]
## [5141] sat men bright mail sprang feet
## [5142] bar way spear stay stranger unknown cri
## [5143] tongu riddermark demand name errand
## [5144] stranger wonder eye littl friendli look
## [5145] dark gandalf
## [5146]
## [5147] understand speech answer languag
## [5148] stranger speak common tongu
## [5149]
## [5150]
## [5151] custom west wish answer
## [5152]
## [5153] thjoden king enter gate save
## [5154] know tongu friend repli guard
## [5155] welcom day war folk come
## [5156]
## [5157]
## [5158]
## [5159]
## [5160] mundburg land gondor come heedless
## [5161]
## [5162]
## [5163] plain strang clad ride hors like hors long
## [5164] kept guard watch afar seen
## [5165] rider strang hors proud
## [5166] bear meara unless eye cheat
## [5167] spell say wizard spi saruman phantom
## [5168] craft speak swift
## [5169]
## [5170] phantom aragorn eye cheat
## [5171] hors ride knew
## [5172] ask guess seldom thief ride home stabl
## [5173] hasufel arod jomer marshal mark lent
## [5174] day ago bring promis
## [5175]
## [5176]
## [5177] jomer return given warn come
## [5178]
## [5179] troubl look came guard eye jomer naught
## [5180] say answer tell truth doubtless thjoden
## [5181] heard mayb come wholli unlookedfor
## [5182] night ago wormtongu came
## [5183] thjoden stranger pass gate
## [5184]
## [5185] wormtongu gandalf look sharpli guard say
## [5186]
## [5187] errand wormtongu lord mark
## [5188] hast send say come eye glint
## [5189] deep brow bent gaze man
## [5190]
## [5191] yes answer slowli name shall report
## [5192]
## [5193] shall say old weari
## [5194] fell grim beneath deem
## [5195]
## [5196] speak wizard gandalf
## [5197] return behold bring hors shadowfax great
## [5198] hand tame aragorn son
## [5199] arathorn
## [5200]
## [5201] heir king mundburg goe legola
## [5202] elf gim dwarf comrad say master
## [5203] gate speech permit
## [5204] come hall strang name report
## [5205] bid learn master guard wait
## [5206] littl f bring answer good
## [5207]
## [5208]
## [5209]
## [5210]
## [5211] hope dark day went swift away leav
## [5212] stranger watch keep comrad time
## [5213] return ’follow thjoden give leav enter
## [5214] weapon bear staff leav threshold
## [5215]
## [5216] doorwarden
## [5217]
## [5218] dark gate swung open travel enter walk file
## [5219] guid broad path pave hewn stone
## [5220] wind upward climb short flight welllaid step
## [5221] hous built wood dark door pass way
## [5222] stone channel stream clear water flow sparkl chatter
## [5223] length came crown hill stood high platform
## [5224] green terrac foot bright spring gush stone
## [5225] carv like hors head beneath wide basin
## [5226] water spill fed fall stream green terrac
## [5227] went stair stone high broad topmost
## [5228] step stonehewn sea sat guard drawn sword laid
## [5229] knee golden hair braid shoulder sun
## [5230] blazon green shield long corslet burnish
## [5231] bright rose taller mortal men
## [5232]
## [5233] ’ door ’ guid ’ return
## [5234] duti gate farewel lord mark gracious
## [5235] ’
## [5236]
## [5237] turn went swift road climb
## [5238] long stair eye tall watchmen silent stood
## [5239] spoke word gandalf step pave terrac
## [5240] stair head sudden clear voic spoke courteous greet
## [5241] tongu
## [5242]
## [5243] hail corner afar’ turn hilt
## [5244] sword travel token peac green gem flash
## [5245] sunlight guard step forward spoke common
## [5246] speech
## [5247]
## [5248] ’ doorward thjoden’ ’hbma
## [5249] bid lay asid weapon enter’
## [5250]
## [5251] legola gave hand silver haft knife quiver
## [5252] bow ’ ’ ’ come golden wood
## [5253] ladi lothlurien gave ’
## [5254]
## [5255] wonder came man’ eye laid weapon hastili
## [5256]
## [5257]
## [5258]
## [5259]
## [5260] wall fear handl man touch promis
## [5261]
## [5262]
## [5263] aragorn stood hesit
## [5264] asid sword deliv ®ril hand man
## [5265]
## [5266] thjoden hbma
## [5267]
## [5268] clear thjoden son thengel
## [5269] lord mark prevail aragorn son
## [5270] arathorn elendil heir gondor
## [5271]
## [5272] hous thjoden aragorn king
## [5273] gondor seat denethor hbma step swift
## [5274] door bar way sword hand point
## [5275] stranger
## [5276]
## [5277] idl talk gandalf needless thjoden demand
## [5278] useless refus king way hall
## [5279] folli wisdom
## [5280]
## [5281] truli aragorn master hous bade
## [5282] woodman cot bore sword ®ril
## [5283]
## [5284] hbma shall lay
## [5285] fight men edora
## [5286]
## [5287] gim finger blade axe look
## [5288] dark guard young tree gim mind
## [5289] fell
## [5290]
## [5291] come come gandalf friend
## [5292] laughter mordor reward quarrel errand
## [5293] press sword goodman hbma glamdr
## [5294] call elv long ago let pass come
## [5295] aragorn
## [5296]
## [5297] slowli aragorn unbuckl belt set sword upright
## [5298] wall set command touch
## [5299] permit lay hand elvish heath dwell
## [5300] blade broken telchar wrought
## [5301] deep time death shall come man draw elendil sword
## [5302] save elendil heir
## [5303]
## [5304] guard step look amaz aragorn
## [5305] come wing song forgotten day
## [5306] shall lord command
## [5307]
## [5308] gim ®ril compani axe
## [5309]
## [5310]
## [5311]
## [5312]
## [5313] stay shame’ laid floor
## [5314] wish let speak master’
## [5315]
## [5316] guard hesit ’ staff gandalf ’forgiv
## [5317] left door
## [5318]
## [5319] ’foolish gandalf prudenc thing discourtesi
## [5320] old lean stick sit
## [5321] pleas thjoden hobbl speak ’
## [5322]
## [5323] aragorn laugh ’ man dear trust
## [5324] old man support come let
## [5325] enter
## [5326]
## [5327] staff hand wizard prop age’
## [5328] hbma look hard ashstaff gandalf lean
## [5329] doubt man worth trust wisdom believ friend
## [5330] folk worthi honour evil purpos
## [5331]
## [5332] guard lift heavi bar door swung slowli
## [5333] inward grumbl great hing travel enter insid
## [5334] dark warm clear air hill hall long
## [5335] wide fill shadow half light mighti pillar upheld
## [5336] lofti roof bright sunbeam fell glimmer shaft
## [5337] eastern window high deep eav louver
## [5338] roof wisp issu smoke sky show pale
## [5339] blue eye chang travel perceiv floor
## [5340] pave stone hue branch rune strang devic
## [5341] intertwin beneath feet saw pillar rich
## [5342] carv gleam dulli gold halfseen colour woven cloth
## [5343] hung wall wide space march figur
## [5344] ancient legend dim year darkl shade
## [5345] form sunlight fell young man white hors blow
## [5346] great horn yellow hair fli wind hors head
## [5347] lift nostril wide red neigh smell battl
## [5348] afar foam water green white rush curl knee
## [5349]
## [5350] behold eorl young aragorn rode north
## [5351] battl field celebr
## [5352]
## [5353] companion went forward past clear woodfir burn
## [5354] long hearth midst hall halt far
## [5355] end hous hearth face north door
## [5356] dai step middl dai great gild
## [5357]
## [5358]
## [5359]
## [5360]
## [5361] chair sat man bent age dwarf
## [5362] white hair long fell great braid beneath
## [5363] golden circl set brow centr forehead shone
## [5364] singl white diamond beard laid like snow knee
## [5365] eye burn bright light glint gaze
## [5366] stranger chair stood woman clad white feet
## [5367] step sat wizen figur man pale wise face
## [5368] heavi lid eye
## [5369]
## [5370] silenc old man chair length
## [5371] gandalf spoke hail thjoden son thengel return behold
## [5372] storm come friend gather lest
## [5373] singl destroy
## [5374]
## [5375] slowli old man rose feet lean heavili short black
## [5376] staff handl white bone stranger saw bent
## [5377] tall youth high proud
## [5378]
## [5379]
## [5380] greet mayb look welcom truth
## [5381] tell welcom doubt master gandalf
## [5382] herald woe troubl follow like crow often
## [5383] wors deceiv heard shadowfax come
## [5384] riderless rejoic return hors lack
## [5385] rider jomer brought tide gone
## [5386] long home mourn news afar seldom sooth
## [5387] come come evil wors
## [5388] expect welcom gandalf stormcrow tell
## [5389] slowli
## [5390]
## [5391] sat chair
## [5392]
## [5393] speak just lord pale man sit step
## [5394] dai day bitter tide came
## [5395] thjodr son slain west march right hand second
## [5396] marshal mark jomer littl trust men left
## [5397] guard wall allow rule learn
## [5398] gondor dark lord stir east hour
## [5399] wander choos return welcom
## [5400] master stormcrow lbthspell illnew ill news ill
## [5401] guest say laugh grim lift heavi lid moment
## [5402] gaze stranger dark eye
## [5403]
## [5404]
## [5405]
## [5406]
## [5407] ’ held wise friend wormtongu doubtless great
## [5408] support master’ answer gandalf soft voic way
## [5409] man come evil tide lie worker evil
## [5410] leav come bring aid time need’
## [5411]
## [5412] ’ ’ wormtongu ’ kind picker
## [5413] bone meddler men’ sorrow carrionfowl grow fat war
## [5414] aid brought stormcrow aid bring
## [5415]
## [5416]
## [5417] aid sought time lord
## [5418] bade choos hors gone wonder
## [5419] took shadowfax insol lord sore griev
## [5420] speed land price great
## [5421]
## [5422] guess like turn seek aid
## [5423] render bring men bring hors sword
## [5424] spear aid present need
## [5425] follow tail rag wander grey
## [5426] beggarlik ’
## [5427]
## [5428] ’ courtesi hall somewhat lessen late thjoden son
## [5429] thengel’ gandalf ’ messeng gate report
## [5430] name companion seldom lord rohan receiv
## [5431]
## [5432]
## [5433] guest weapon laid door worth mortal
## [5434] man mightiest grey raiment elv clad
## [5435] pass shadow great peril hall’
## [5436]
## [5437] ’ true jomer report leagu
## [5438] sorceress golden wood’ wormtongu ’ wonder
## [5439] web deceit woven dwimordene’
## [5440]
## [5441] gim strode pace forward felt sudden hand gandalf
## [5442] clutch shoulder halt stand stiff stone
## [5443]
## [5444] dwimorden lurien
## [5445] seldom walk feet men
## [5446]
## [5447] mortal eye seen light
## [5448] lie long bright
## [5449]
## [5450] galadriel galadriel
## [5451]
## [5452] clear water
## [5453]
## [5454] white star white hand
## [5455]
## [5456] unmar unstain leaf land
## [5457]
## [5458]
## [5459]
## [5460]
## [5461] dwimorden lurien
## [5462]
## [5463] fair thought mortal men
## [5464]
## [5465] gandalf soft sang sudden chang cast
## [5466] tatter cloak asid stood lean longer staff
## [5467] spoke clear cold voic wise speak know grnma
## [5468] son gblmud witless worm silent
## [5469]
## [5470]
## [5471] fork tongu teeth pass
## [5472] death bandi crook word serv man till lightn fall
## [5473]
## [5474] rais staff roll thunder sunlight blot
## [5475] eastern window hall sudden dark night
## [5476] fade sullen ember gandalf seen stand white
## [5477] tall blacken hearth
## [5478]
## [5479] gloom heard hiss wormtongu voic
## [5480] counsel lord forbid staff fool hbma betray
## [5481] flash lightn cloven roof silent
## [5482] wormtongu sprawl face
## [5483]
## [5484] thjoden son thengel hearken gandalf
## [5485] ask help lift staff point high window
## [5486] dark clear open seen high
## [5487] far patch shine sky dark courag lord
## [5488] mark better help counsel
## [5489] despair counsel word speak
## [5490] hear ear bid come
## [5491] door look abroad long sat shadow trust
## [5492] twist tale crook prompt
## [5493]
## [5494] slowli thjoden left chair faint light grew hall
## [5495]
## [5496] woman hasten king take arm falter
## [5497] step old man came dai pace soft hall
## [5498] wormtongu remain lie floor came door
## [5499] gandalf
## [5500] knock
## [5501]
## [5502] open cri lord mark come forth
## [5503]
## [5504] door roll keen air came whistl wind
## [5505] blow hill send guard stair foot
## [5506] gandalf ladi leav care
## [5507]
## [5508] jowyn sisterdaught old king time fear
## [5509]
## [5510]
## [5511]
## [5512]
## [5513] past
## [5514]
## [5515] woman turn went slowli hous pass
## [5516] door turn look grave thought glanc
## [5517] look king cool piti eye fair face
## [5518] long hair like river gold slender tall
## [5519] white robe girt silver strong stern steel
## [5520] daughter king aragorn time light day
## [5521] beheld jowyn ladi rohan thought fair fair cold like
## [5522] morn pale spring come womanhood
## [5523] sudden awar tall heir king wise winter
## [5524] greycloak hide power felt moment stone
## [5525] stood turn swift gone
## [5526]
## [5527] lord gandalf look land breath free
## [5528] air
## [5529]
## [5530] porch high terrac
## [5531] stream green field rohan fade distant grey curtain
## [5532] windblown rain slant sky west
## [5533] dark thunder lightn far away flicker top hidden
## [5534] hill wind shift north storm
## [5535] come east reced roll away southward sea
## [5536] sudden rent cloud shaft sun stab
## [5537] fall shower gleam like silver far away river
## [5538] glitter like shimmer glass
## [5539]
## [5540] dark thjoden
## [5541]
## [5542] gandalf age lie heavili shoulder
## [5543] think cast asid prop
## [5544]
## [5545] king hand black staff fell clatter stone
## [5546] drew slowli man stiff long bend
## [5547] dull toil tall straight stood eye blue
## [5548] look open sky
## [5549]
## [5550] dark dream late feel
## [5551] newawaken come gandalf fear
## [5552] come late day hous
## [5553] long shall stand high hall brego son eorl built shall
## [5554] devour high seat
## [5555]
## [5556] gandalf send jomer guess right
## [5557] hold prison counsel grnma save
## [5558]
## [5559]
## [5560]
## [5561]
## [5562] wormtongu
## [5563]
## [5564] true thjoden rebel command
## [5565] threaten death grnma hall
## [5566]
## [5567] man love love wormtongu counsel
## [5568] gandalf
## [5569]
## [5570] ask hbma prove
## [5571] untrusti doorward let errand runner guilti shall
## [5572] bring guilti judgement thjoden voic grim
## [5573] look gandalf smile line care
## [5574] smooth away return
## [5575]
## [5576] hbma summon gone gandalf led thjoden
## [5577]
## [5578]
## [5579] stone seat sat king topmost stair
## [5580] aragorn companion stood nearbi
## [5581]
## [5582] time tell hear gandalf
## [5583] hope cheat time come ere long speak
## [5584] fulli behold come peril greater wit
## [5585] wormtongu weav dream dream longer
## [5586]
## [5587]
## [5588] live gondor rohan stand enemi strong
## [5589] reckon hope guess
## [5590]
## [5591] quick gandalf spoke voic low secret save
## [5592] king heard spoke light shone brighter
## [5593] thjoden eye rose seat height
## [5594] gandalf look high place
## [5595] east
## [5596]
## [5597] verili gandalf loud voic keen clear way
## [5598] lie hope sit greatest fear doom hang thread
## [5599]
## [5600] hope stand unconqu littl
## [5601]
## [5602]
## [5603] turn eye eastward sunder
## [5604] leagu land far away gaze edg sight hope fear
## [5605] bore thought dark mountain land shadow
## [5606] ring bearer thread
## [5607]
## [5608]
## [5609] doom hung legola strain farse eye
## [5610] caught glint white far away perchanc sun twinkl
## [5611]
## [5612]
## [5613]
## [5614]
## [5615] pinnacl tower guard endless remot
## [5616] present threat tini tongu flame
## [5617]
## [5618] slowli thjoden sat weari struggl
## [5619] master gandalf turn look great
## [5620] hous ala evil day
## [5621] come old age instead peac earn ala
## [5622] boromir brave young perish old linger wither
## [5623] clutch knee wrinkl hand
## [5624]
## [5625] finger rememb old strength better grasp
## [5626] swordhilt gandalf
## [5627]
## [5628] thjoden rose hand sword hung
## [5629] belt grnma stow mutter breath
## [5630]
## [5631] dear lord clear voic
## [5632] servic men come soft stair stood step
## [5633] jomer helm head mail
## [5634] breast hand held drawn sword knelt offer
## [5635] hilt master
## [5636]
## [5637] come thjoden stern turn jomer
## [5638] men look wonder stand proud erect
## [5639] old
## [5640]
## [5641] man left crouch chair lean stick
## [5642]
## [5643] lord hbma trembl understood jomer
## [5644] set free joy heart mayb er
## [5645] free marshal mark brought
## [5646] sword bade
## [5647]
## [5648] lay feet lord jomer
## [5649]
## [5650] moment silenc thjoden stood look jomer knelt
## [5651] move
## [5652]
## [5653] sword gandalf
## [5654]
## [5655] slowli thjoden stretch forth hand finger took hilt
## [5656] watcher firm strength return
## [5657] arm sudden lift blade swung shimmer whistl
## [5658] air gave great voic rang clear chant
## [5659] tongu rohan arm
## [5660]
## [5661] aris aris rider thjoden
## [5662]
## [5663] dire deed awak dark eastward
## [5664]
## [5665] let hors bridl horn sound
## [5666]
## [5667]
## [5668]
## [5669]
## [5670] forth eorlinga
## [5671]
## [5672] guard think summon sprang stair
## [5673] look lord amaz man drew
## [5674] sword laid feet command ’
## [5675]
## [5676] westu thjoden hbl cri jomer ’ joy return
## [5677] shall gandalf come
## [5678] grief’
## [5679]
## [5680] sword jomer sisterson king hbma
## [5681] seek sword grnma keep bring
## [5682] gandalf counsel hear
## [5683]
## [5684] counsel
## [5685]
## [5686] taken answer gandalf
## [5687] trust jomer man crook mind cast asid regret
## [5688] fear deed hand man ride sent
## [5689] west jomer counsel destroy threat
## [5690] saruman time fail fall succeed —
## [5691] face task peopl left women
## [5692] children old stay refug
## [5693] mountain prepar just evil day let
## [5694] provis delay burden treasur
## [5695] great small live stake
## [5696]
## [5697] counsel good thjoden let folk
## [5698] readi gueststruli gandalf courtesi
## [5699] hall lessen ridden night morn wear
## [5700] away sleep food guesthous shall
## [5701] readi shall sleep eaten
## [5702]
## [5703] nay lord aragorn rest weari men
## [5704] rohan ride forth today ride axe sword
## [5705] bow bring rest wall lord mark
## [5706] promis jomer sword drawn
## [5707]
## [5708] hope victori jomer
## [5709]
## [5710] hope yes gandalf isengard strong peril
## [5711] draw nearer delay thjoden gone lead peopl
## [5712] swift hold dunharrow hill
## [5713]
## [5714] nay gandalf king know skill
## [5715] heal shall war fall
## [5716] battl shall sleep better
## [5717]
## [5718]
## [5719]
## [5720]
## [5721] defeat rohan glorious song aragorn
## [5722]
## [5723] arm men stood near clash weapon cri lord
## [5724] mark ride forth eorlinga
## [5725]
## [5726] peopl unarm shepherdless
## [5727] gandalf shall guid govern place
## [5728]
## [5729] thought ere answer thjoden come
## [5730] counsellor
## [5731]
## [5732] moment hbma came hall cring
## [5733] men came grnma wormtongu face
## [5734] white
## [5735]
## [5736] eye blink sunlight hbma knelt present thjoden long
## [5737] sword scabbard clasp gold set green gem lord
## [5738] herugrim ancient blade chest loth
## [5739] render key thing men
## [5740] miss
## [5741]
## [5742] lie wormtongu sword master gave
## [5743] keep
## [5744]
## [5745] requir thjoden
## [5746] displeas
## [5747]
## [5748] assur lord wormtongu care
## [5749] best weari tax heavili strength let
## [5750] deal irksom guest meat set
## [5751] board
## [5752]
## [5753] thjoden let food guest set board
## [5754] host ride today send herald forth let summon
## [5755] dwell nigh man strong lad abl bear arm
## [5756] hors let readi saddl gate ere second hour
## [5757] noon
## [5758]
## [5759] dear lord cri wormtongu fear wizard
## [5760] bewitch left defend golden hall
## [5761] father treasur guard lord mark
## [5762]
## [5763] bewitch thjoden wholesom
## [5764] whisper leechcraft ere long walk
## [5765] four like beast shall left grnma grnma
## [5766] shall ride time clean rust sword
## [5767]
## [5768] merci lord whine wormtongu grovel ground piti
## [5769] worn servic send
## [5770]
## [5771]
## [5772]
## [5773]
## [5774] stand gone send faith grnma
## [5775] away
## [5776]
## [5777] piti thjoden send
## [5778]
## [5779] war men bid come prove
## [5780] faith
## [5781]
## [5782] wormtongu look face face eye hunt look
## [5783] beast seek gap ring enemi lick lip
## [5784] long pale tongu resolv expect lord
## [5785] hous eorl old truli love
## [5786] spare fail year come late
## [5787] death lord griev persuad
## [5788]
## [5789] undo work hear lord know
## [5790] mind honour command left edora appoint
## [5791] faith steward let counsellor grnma thing till
## [5792] returnand pray wise man deem
## [5793] hope
## [5794]
## [5795] jomer laugh plea excus war
## [5796] nobl wormtongu offic honour accept
## [5797] carri sack meal mountainsif man trust
## [5798]
## [5799]
## [5800] nay jomer fulli understand mind master
## [5801] wormtongu gandalf turn pierc glanc bold
## [5802] cun play game peril win throw hour
## [5803] precious time wast snake sudden
## [5804] terribl voic belli long saruman bought
## [5805] promis price men dead
## [5806] pick share treasur woman desir long
## [5807] watch eyelid haunt step
## [5808]
## [5809] jomer grasp sword knew mutter
## [5810] reason slain forget law hall
## [5811] reason step forward gandalf stay
## [5812] hand
## [5813]
## [5814] jowyn safe wormtongu
## [5815] true master reward earn
## [5816] saruman apt overlook bargain advis quick
## [5817] remind lest forget faith servic
## [5818]
## [5819] lie wormtongu
## [5820]
## [5821]
## [5822]
## [5823]
## [5824] word come oft easi lip gandalf ’
## [5825] lie thjoden snake safeti
## [5826] leav slay just
## [5827] man servic fashion
## [5828] hors let choos choic
## [5829] shall judg ’
## [5830]
## [5831] hear wormtongu thjoden choic
## [5832] ride war let battl true
## [5833] meet shall
## [5834] merci
## [5835]
## [5836] slowli wormtongu rose look halfclos eye
## [5837] scan thjoden face open mouth speak
## [5838] sudden drew hand work eye glitter
## [5839] malic men step bare teeth
## [5840] hiss breath spat king feet dart
## [5841] fled stair
## [5842]
## [5843] thjoden harm
## [5844] hurt hinder hors wish
## [5845]
## [5846] bear jomer
## [5847]
## [5848] guard ran stair went
## [5849] foot terrac helm drew water wash clean
## [5850] stone wormtongu defil
## [5851]
## [5852] guest come thjoden come refresh
## [5853] hast allow
## [5854]
## [5855] pass great hous heard
## [5856] town herald cri war horn blow king
## [5857] ride forth soon men town dwell near
## [5858] arm assembl
## [5859]
## [5860] king board sat jomer guest
## [5861] wait king ladi jowyn ate drank swift
## [5862] silent thjoden question gandalf concern saruman
## [5863]
## [5864] far treacheri goe guess gandalf
## [5865] evil doubt friend rohan
## [5866] heart grew colder use long
## [5867] plot ruin wear mask friendship
## [5868] readi year wormtongu task easi
## [5869] swift known isengard land open stranger came
## [5870]
## [5871]
## [5872]
## [5873]
## [5874] went wormtongu whisper ear poison
## [5875] thought chill heart weaken limb watch
## [5876] keep
## [5877]
## [5878] escap warn mask torn
## [5879] wormtongu play danger seek
## [5880]
## [5881]
## [5882] delay prevent strength gather crafti
## [5883] dull men wari work fear serv occas
## [5884]
## [5885] rememb eager urg man spare
## [5886]
## [5887]
## [5888] wildgoos chase northward immedi peril westward
## [5889] persuad forbid jomer pursu raid ore jomer
## [5890] defi wormtongu voic speak mouth ore
## [5891]
## [5892]
## [5893] reach isengard bear great prize prize
## [5894] saruman desir member compani
## [5895] sharer secret hope lord speak
## [5896] open dare think suffer saruman
## [5897] learn destruct
## [5898]
## [5899] owe jomer thjoden faith heart forward
## [5900] tongu say gandalf crook eye truth wear
## [5901] wri face
## [5902]
## [5903] eye blind thjoden owe
## [5904] guest come time gift ere
## [5905] choos aught
## [5906] reserv sword
## [5907]
## [5908] came time seen gandalf
## [5909] gift lord choos fit need swift
## [5910] sure shadowfax lent loan
## [5911] shall ride great hazard set silver black
## [5912] risk bond
## [5913] love
## [5914]
## [5915] choos thjoden glad
## [5916] great gift like shadowfax mighti
## [5917] steed old return shall return
## [5918] guest offer thing armouri sword
## [5919] need helm coat mail cun work
## [5920]
## [5921]
## [5922]
## [5923]
## [5924] gift father gondor choos ere
## [5925] serv
## [5926]
## [5927] men came bear raiment war king hoard
## [5928] array aragorn legola shine mail helm chose round
## [5929] shield boss overlaid gold set gem green
## [5930] red white gandalf took armour gim need coat ring
## [5931] match statur hauberk
## [5932] hoard edora better make short corslet forg beneath
## [5933] mountain north chose cap iron leather
## [5934] fit round head small shield took bore
## [5935] run hors white green emblem hous
## [5936] eorl
## [5937]
## [5938] thjoden thengel
## [5939] day boy
## [5940]
## [5941] gim bow proud lord mark bear devic
## [5942] sooner bear hors born love
## [5943] feet better mayb shall come stand fight
## [5944]
## [5945] thjoden
## [5946]
## [5947] king rose jowyn came forward bear wine ferthu
## [5948] thjoden hbl receiv cup drink happi hour
## [5949] health thee thi go come
## [5950]
## [5951] thjoden drank cup proffer guest
## [5952] stood aragorn paus sudden look
## [5953] eye shine look fair face smile
## [5954] took cup hand met knew trembl
## [5955] touch hail aragorn son arathorn hail ladi rohan
## [5956] answer face troubl smile
## [5957]
## [5958] drunk king went hall door
## [5959]
## [5960] guard await herald stood lord
## [5961] chief gather remain edora dwelt nearbi
## [5962]
## [5963] behold forth like ride
## [5964] thjoden child thjodr son slain jomer
## [5965] sisterson heir return choos new lord
## [5966] entrust peopl leav
## [5967] rule place stay
## [5968]
## [5969] man spoke
## [5970]
## [5971] peopl trust
## [5972]
## [5973]
## [5974]
## [5975]
## [5976] hous eorl answer hbma
## [5977]
## [5978] jomer spare stay king
## [5979] hous
## [5980]
## [5981] jomer answer hbma
## [5982] jowyn daughter jomund sister fearless highheart
## [5983] love let lord eorlinga gone
## [5984]
## [5985] shall thjoden let herald announc folk
## [5986] ladi jowyn lead
## [5987]
## [5988] king sat seat door jowyn knelt
## [5989] receiv sword fair corslet larewel
## [5990] sisterdaught dark hour mayb shall return
## [5991] golden hall dunharrow peopl long defend
## [5992]
## [5993]
## [5994] battl ill thither come escap speak
## [5995] answer year shall endur day pass
## [5996] return spoke eye went aragorn stood nearbi
## [5997]
## [5998] king shall come lear west east
## [5999] doom await
## [6000]
## [6001] king went stair gandalf
## [6002] follow aragorn look pass gate jowyn
## [6003] stood door hous stair head sword set
## [6004] upright hand laid hilt clad
## [6005] mail shone like silver sun
## [6006]
## [6007] gim walk legola axe shoulder
## [6008] set men need word deed axe restless
## [6009] hand doubt rohirrim fell hand
## [6010] come nonetheless warfar suit shall
## [6011] come battl wish walk bump like sack
## [6012] gandalf s saddlebow
## [6013]
## [6014] safer seat guess legola doubtless gandalf
## [6015] glad feet blow begin shadowfax
## [6016] axe weapon rider
## [6017]
## [6018] dwarf horseman oreneck hew shave
## [6019] scalp men gim pat haft axe
## [6020]
## [6021] gate great host men old young readi
## [6022] saddl thousand muster spear like
## [6023] spring wood loud joyous shout thjoden came forth
## [6024]
## [6025]
## [6026]
## [6027]
## [6028] held readi king hors snowman held
## [6029] hors aragorn legola gim stood ill eas frown jomer
## [6030] came lead hors
## [6031]
## [6032] ’hail gim gluin’ son’ cri ’ time learn
## [6033] gentl speech rod promis shall asid
## [6034] quarrel speak evil ladi wood’
## [6035]
## [6036] ’ forget wrath jomer son jomund gim
## [6037]
## [6038] chanc ladi galadriel eye
## [6039] shall acknowledg fairest ladi friendship end
## [6040]
## [6041] ’ jomer time pardon token
## [6042] pardon ride beg gandalf head lord
## [6043] mark firefoot hors bear
## [6044]
## [6045] thank gim great pleas glad
## [6046] legola comrad ride
## [6047]
## [6048] shall jomer legola left aragorn
## [6049] right dare stand
## [6050]
## [6051] shadowfax gandalf
## [6052]
## [6053] run wild grass answer let man
## [6054] handl goe away ford like shadow
## [6055] willow
## [6056]
## [6057] gandalf whistl call aloud hors far away
## [6058] toss head neigh turn sped host like
## [6059] arrow
## [6060]
## [6061] breath west wind bodi visibl
## [6062] appear jomer great hors ran stood
## [6063] wizard
## [6064]
## [6065] gift given thjoden hearken
## [6066]
## [6067] guest gandalf greyham wisest counsellor
## [6068] welcom wander lord mark chieftain eorlinga
## [6069] kin shall shadowfax princ hors
## [6070]
## [6071] thank thjoden king gandalf sudden threw
## [6072] grey cloak cast asid hat leap horseback wore
## [6073] helm mail snowi hair flew free wind white robe shone
## [6074] dazzl sun
## [6075]
## [6076] behold white rider cri aragorn took word
## [6077]
## [6078] king white rider shout forth eorlinga
## [6079]
## [6080] trumpet sound hors rear neigh spear clash
## [6081]
## [6082]
## [6083]
## [6084]
## [6085] shield king rais hand rush like sudden onset
## [6086] great wind host rohan rode thunder west far
## [6087] plain jowyn saw glitter spear stood
## [6088] door silent hous
## [6089]
## [6090]
## [6091]
## [6092]
## [6093] chapter helm deep
## [6094]
## [6095]
## [6096]
## [6097] sun wester rode edora light
## [6098] eye turn roll field rohan golden
## [6099] haze beaten way northwestward foothil
## [6100] white mountain follow green countri
## [6101] cross small swift stream ford far ahead right
## [6102] misti mountain loom darker taller grew mile went
## [6103] sun went slowli even came
## [6104]
## [6105] host rode need drove fear come late rode
## [6106] speed paus seldom swift endur
## [6107] steed rohan leagu leagu
## [6108] bird fli edora ford isen
## [6109] hope king’ men held host saruman
## [6110]
## [6111] night close halt make camp
## [6112] ridden hour far western plain
## [6113] half journey lay great circl
## [6114] starri sky wax moon bivouac lit
## [6115] fire uncertain event set ring mount
## [6116] guard scout rode far ahead pass like shadow
## [6117] fold land slow night pass tide alarm
## [6118] dawn horn sound hour took road
## [6119]
## [6120] cloud overhead heavi air
## [6121] hot season year rise sun hazi
## [6122] follow slowli sky grow dark great
## [6123] storm move east away northwest
## [6124] dark brood feet misti mountain shadow
## [6125] crept slowli wizard vale
## [6126]
## [6127] gandalf drop legola rode jomer ’
## [6128] keen eye fair kindr legolas’ ’ tell
## [6129] sparrow finch leagu tell sec away yonder
## [6130] isengard’
## [6131]
## [6132] ’ mile lie ’ legola gaze thither shade
## [6133] eye long hand ’ dark shape move
## [6134] great shape far away bank river
## [6135]
## [6136]
## [6137]
## [6138]
## [6139] tell mist cloud defeat eye
## [6140] veil shadow power lay land march slowli
## [6141] stream twilight endless tree flow
## [6142] downward hill
## [6143]
## [6144] come storm mordor gandalf
## [6145] black night
## [6146]
## [6147] second day ride drew heavi air
## [6148] increas afternoon dark cloud began overtak sombr
## [6149] canopi great billow edg fleck dazzl light sun went
## [6150] bloodr smoke haze spear rider tip
## [6151] shaft light kindl steep face peak
## [6152] thrihyrn near stood northernmost arm white
## [6153] mountain jag horn stare sunset red glow
## [6154] men vanguard saw black speck horseman ride
## [6155] halt await
## [6156]
## [6157] came weari man dint helm cloven shield slowli
## [6158] climb hors stood gasp length spoke
## [6159]
## [6160] jomer ask come late
## [6161] littl strength thing gone evilli thjodr fell driven
## [6162] yesterday isen great loss perish cross
## [6163] night fresh forc came river camp
## [6164] isengard empti saruman arm wild hillmen
## [6165] herdfolk dunland river loos
## [6166] overmast shield wall broken erkenbrand westfold
## [6167] drawn men gather fast helm deep
## [6168] rest scatter
## [6169]
## [6170] jomer tell hope ahead return
## [6171] edora wolv isengard come thjoden sat silent
## [6172] hidden man sight guard urg hors
## [6173] forward come stand ceorl host
## [6174] eorlinga ridden forth return battl
## [6175]
## [6176] man face lighten joy wonder drew
## [6177] knelt offer notch sword king command lord
## [6178] cri pardon thought—
## [6179]
## [6180] thought remain meduseld bent like old tree winter
## [6181] snow rode war west wind shaken
## [6182] bough thjoden man fresh hors let ride help
## [6183]
## [6184]
## [6185]
## [6186]
## [6187] erkenbrand
## [6188]
## [6189] thjoden speak gandalf rode short way ahead sat
## [6190] gaze north isengard west set sun
## [6191] came
## [6192]
## [6193] ride thjoden ride helm deep ford
## [6194] isen tarri plain leav shadowfax
## [6195] bear swift errand turn aragorn jomer
## [6196] men king household cri lord mark till
## [6197] return await helm gate farewel
## [6198]
## [6199] spoke word shadowfax like arrow bow great
## [6200] hors sprang away look gone flash silver
## [6201] sunset wind grass shadow fled pass sight
## [6202] snowman snort rear eager follow swift bird
## [6203] wing overtaken
## [6204]
## [6205] mean guard hbma
## [6206]
## [6207] gandalf greyham need hast answer hbma goe
## [6208] come unlookedfor
## [6209]
## [6210] wormtongu hard explain
## [6211]
## [6212]
## [6213] true hbma wait
## [6214] gandalf
## [6215]
## [6216] mayb wait long
## [6217]
## [6218] host turn away road ford isen bent
## [6219] cours southward night fell rode hill drew
## [6220] near tall peak thrihyrn dim darken
## [6221] sky mile away far westfold vale lay
## [6222] green coomb great bay mountain gorg open
## [6223] hill men land call helm deep hero old war
## [6224] refug steeper narrow wound inward
## [6225] north shadow thrihyrn till crowhaunt
## [6226] cliff rose like mighti tower shut light
## [6227]
## [6228] helm gate mouth deep heel rock
## [6229] thrust outward northern cliff spur stood high wall
## [6230] ancient stone lofti tower men
## [6231] faroff day glori gondor seak built
## [6232] fast hand giant hornburg call trumpet
## [6233] sound tower echo deep armi
## [6234]
## [6235]
## [6236]
## [6237]
## [6238] long forgotten issu war cave beneath hill wall
## [6239] men old hornburg southern cliff
## [6240] bar entranc gorg beneath wide culvert
## [6241] deepingstream pass feet hornrock wound
## [6242] flow gulli midst wide green gore slope
## [6243] gentl helm gate helm dike fell
## [6244] deepingcoomb westfold vale hornburg
## [6245] helm gate erkenbrand master westfold border mark
## [6246] dwelt day darken threat war wise repair
## [6247] wall fast strong
## [6248]
## [6249] rider low valley mouth coomb
## [6250] cri hornblast heard scout went
## [6251]
## [6252] dark arrow whistl swift scout rode report
## [6253] wolfrid abroad valley host ore wild
## [6254] men hurri southward ford isen
## [6255] make
## [6256]
## [6257] helm deep
## [6258]
## [6259] folk lie slain fled thither
## [6260] scout met scatter compani go way
## [6261] leaderless erkenbrand know like
## [6262] overtaken ere reach helm gate
## [6263] perish
## [6264]
## [6265] aught seen gandalf ask thjoden
## [6266]
## [6267] yes lord seen old man white hors pass
## [6268] hither thither plain like wind grass thought
## [6269] saruman went away ere nightfal isengard
## [6270] say wormtongu seen earlier go northward
## [6271] compani ore
## [6272]
## [6273] ill wormtongu gandalf come
## [6274] thjoden nonetheless miss counsellor old new
## [6275] need better choic gandalf
## [6276] helm gate erkenbrand known great
## [6277] host come north
## [6278]
## [6279] great scout fli count foeman
## [6280] twice spoken stoutheart men doubt
## [6281] main strength enemi time great
## [6282]
## [6283] let swift jomer let drive foe
## [6284]
## [6285]
## [6286]
## [6287]
## [6288] fast cave helm deep
## [6289] hundr lie hid secret way lead hill
## [6290]
## [6291] trust secret way king ’saruman long spi
## [6292] land place defenc long let
## [6293]
## [6294] aragorn legola went jomer van dark
## [6295] night rode slower dark deepen way climb
## [6296] southward higher higher dim fold mountain feet
## [6297] enemi came
## [6298] rove band ore fled ere rider slay
## [6299]
## [6300] long fear jomer ere come king
## [6301] host known leader enemi saruman captain
## [6302] sent forth
## [6303]
## [6304] rumour war grew hear born
## [6305] dark sound harsh sing climb far
## [6306] deepingcoomb look saw torch countless
## [6307] point
## [6308]
## [6309] fieri light black field scatter like red flower
## [6310] wind lowland long flicker line
## [6311] larger blaze leapt
## [6312]
## [6313] great host follow hard aragorn
## [6314]
## [6315] bring thjoden burn come
## [6316] rick cot tree rich vale homestead ala
## [6317] folk
## [6318]
## [6319] day ride like storm
## [6320] mountain aragorn griev fli
## [6321]
## [6322] need fli jomer far ahead lie
## [6323] helm dike ancient trench rampart score coomb
## [6324] furlong helm gate turn battl
## [6325]
## [6326] nay defend dike thjoden mile
## [6327] long breach wide
## [6328]
## [6329] breach rearguard stand press
## [6330] jomer
## [6331]
## [6332] star moon rider came breach
## [6333] dike stream pass road ran
## [6334] hornburg rampart loom sudden high
## [6335] shadow dark pit rode sentinel challeng
## [6336]
## [6337] lord mark ride helm gate jomer answer jomer
## [6338]
## [6339]
## [6340]
## [6341]
## [6342] son jomund speak
## [6343]
## [6344] good tide hope sentinel hasten
## [6345] enemi heel
## [6346]
## [6347] host pass breach halt slope sward
## [6348] learn joy erkenbrand left men
## [6349] hold helm gate escap thither
## [6350]
## [6351] mayb thousand fit fight foot gaml old
## [6352] man leader watch dike seen
## [6353] winter son son news
## [6354] erkenbrand word came yesterday retreat hither
## [6355] left best rider westfold come
## [6356]
## [6357] fear come jomer scout gain
## [6358] news enemi fill valley
## [6359]
## [6360] escap thjoden mighti man
## [6361] live valour helm hammerhand await
## [6362]
## [6363]
## [6364] draw forc wall store
## [6365] bring littl provis rode forth open battl
## [6366] sieg
## [6367]
## [6368] cave deep part folk
## [6369] westfold old young children women gaml great store
## [6370] food beast fodder gather
## [6371]
## [6372] jomer burn despoil
## [6373] left vale
## [6374]
## [6375] come bargain good helm gate pay
## [6376] high price gaml
## [6377]
## [6378] king rider pass causeway cross
## [6379] stream dismount long file led hors ramp
## [6380] pass gate hornburg welcom
## [6381] joy renew hope men man burg
## [6382]
## [6383]
## [6384] barrier wall
## [6385]
## [6386] quick jomer set men readi king men
## [6387] household hornburg
## [6388] westfoldmen deep wall tower jomer
## [6389] array strength defenc
## [6390] doubt assault determin great forc hors
## [6391]
## [6392]
## [6393]
## [6394]
## [6395] led far deep guard spare
## [6396]
## [6397] deep wall feet high men
## [6398] walk abreast shelter parapet tall
## [6399] man look cleft stone men
## [6400] shoot battlement reach stair run
## [6401] door outer court hornburg flight step led
## [6402] wall deep smooth
## [6403] great stone set skill foothold
## [6404] joint hung like seadelv cliff
## [6405]
## [6406] gim stood lean breastwork wall legola sat
## [6407] parapet finger bow peer gloom
## [6408]
## [6409] like dwarf stamp stone
## [6410]
## [6411] heart rise draw near mountain good rock
## [6412] countri tough bone felt feet came
## [6413] dike year kin make place
## [6414] armi break like water’
## [6415]
## [6416] ’ doubt legola dwarf dwarv
## [6417] strang folk like place shall like
## [6418] light day comfort gim glad
## [6419] stand nigh stout leg hard axe wish
## [6420] kin good archer
## [6421] mirkwood shall need rohirrim good bowmen
## [6422]
## [6423]
## [6424] fashion
## [6425]
## [6426] dark archeri gim time sleep
## [6427]
## [6428] sleep feel need thought dwarf ride
## [6429] tire work axe restless hand row oreneck
## [6430] room swing weari fall
## [6431]
## [6432] slow time pass far valley scatter fire
## [6433] burn host isengard advanc silenc torch
## [6434] seen wind coomb line
## [6435]
## [6436] sudden dike yell scream fierc battlecri
## [6437] men broke flame brand appear brink cluster
## [6438] thick breach scatter vanish men came gallop
## [6439] field ramp gate hornburg
## [6440] rearguard westfold driven
## [6441]
## [6442] enemi hand loos arrow
## [6443]
## [6444]
## [6445]
## [6446]
## [6447] fill dike ore halt long
## [6448] scale bank point march ant
## [6449] taught carri torch
## [6450]
## [6451] past midnight sky utter dark still
## [6452] heavi air forebod storm sudden cloud sear
## [6453] blind flash branch lightn smote eastward hill
## [6454] stare moment watcher wall saw space
## [6455] dike lit white light boil crawl black
## [6456] shape squat broad tall grim high helm sabl
## [6457] shield hundr hundr pour dike
## [6458] breach dark tide flow wall cliff cliff
## [6459]
## [6460] thunder roll valley rain came lash
## [6461]
## [6462] arrow rain came whistl battlement fell
## [6463] clink glanc stone mark assault
## [6464] helm deep begun sound challeng heard
## [6465] answer arrow came
## [6466]
## [6467] assail host halt foil silent menac rock
## [6468] wall lightn tore asid dark ore
## [6469] scream wave spear sword shoot cloud arrow
## [6470] stood reveal battlement men mark amaz look
## [6471] great field dark corn toss
## [6472] tempest war ear glint barb light
## [6473]
## [6474] brazen trumpet sound enemi surg forward
## [6475] deep wall causeway ramp led
## [6476] hornburgg hugest ore muster wild men
## [6477] dunland fell moment hesit came lightn
## [6478] flash blazon helm shield ghast hand
## [6479] isengard seen reach summit rock drove
## [6480] gate
## [6481]
## [6482] answer came storm arrow met hail
## [6483] stone waver broke fled charg broke
## [6484] charg time like incom sea halt
## [6485] higher point trumpet rang press roar men leap forth
## [6486] held great shield like roof midst
## [6487] bore trunk mighti tree orearch crowd
## [6488] send hail dart bowmen wall gain
## [6489] gate tree swung strong arm smote timber rend
## [6490]
## [6491]
## [6492]
## [6493]
## [6494] boom man fell crush stone hurtl
## [6495] sprang place great ram swung crash
## [6496]
## [6497] jomer aragorn stood deep wall heard
## [6498] roar voic thud ram sudden flash
## [6499] light beheld peril gate
## [6500]
## [6501] come aragorn hour draw sword
## [6502]
## [6503] run like sped wall step
## [6504] pass outer court rock ran gather
## [6505] hand stout swordsmen small posterndoor open
## [6506] angl burg wall west cliff stretch meet
## [6507] narrow path ran round great gate
## [6508] wall sheer brink rock jomer aragorn sprang
## [6509] door men close sword flash sheath
## [6510]
## [6511]
## [6512] g®thwinl cri jomer g®thwinl mark
## [6513]
## [6514] ®ril cri aragorn ®ril d®nedain
## [6515]
## [6516] charg hurl wild men
## [6517] ®ril rose fell gleam white shout went wall
## [6518] tower ®ril ®ril goe war blade broken shine
## [6519]
## [6520]
## [6521] dismay rammer let fall tree turn fight
## [6522] wall shield broken lightningstrok
## [6523] swept away hewn cast rock stoni stream
## [6524] orearch shot wild fled
## [6525]
## [6526] moment jomer aragorn halt gate thunder
## [6527] rumbl distanc lightn flicker far
## [6528] mountain south keen wind blow north
## [6529] cloud torn drift star peep hill
## [6530] coombsid wester moon rode glimmer yellow
## [6531] stormwrack
## [6532]
## [6533] come soon aragorn look gate
## [6534] great hing iron bar wrench bent timber
## [6535] crack
## [6536]
## [6537] stay wall defend jomer
## [6538] look point causeway great press ore men
## [6539] gather stream arrow whine skip
## [6540] stone come pile
## [6541]
## [6542]
## [6543]
## [6544]
## [6545] stone beam gate come
## [6546]
## [6547] turn ran moment dozen ore lain
## [6548] motionless slain leap feet came silent
## [6549] swift flung ground jomer heel trip
## [6550] moment small dark figur
## [6551] observ sprang shadow gave hoars shout baruk
## [6552] khazvd khazvd aimknu axe swung swept ore fell
## [6553] headless
## [6554]
## [6555] rest fled
## [6556]
## [6557] jomer struggl feet aragorn ran aid
## [6558]
## [6559] postern close iron door bar pile insid
## [6560] stone safe jomer turn ’ thank gim
## [6561] son gluin ’ know sorti
## [6562]
## [6563] oft unbidden guest prove best compani came ’
## [6564]
## [6565] ’ follow shake sleep’ gim look
## [6566] hillmen larg sat stone
## [6567] swordplay’
## [6568]
## [6569] ’ shall easi repay ’ jomer
## [6570]
## [6571] ’ chanc ere night ’ laugh dwarf
## [6572]
## [6573] ’ content till hewn naught wood left moria’
## [6574]
## [6575] ’’ gim pat axe return place
## [6576] wall
## [6577]
## [6578] ’’ legola ’ better grope
## [6579] spent arrow gone make tale
## [6580] leav forest’
## [6581]
## [6582] sky quick clear sink moon shine
## [6583] bright light brought littl hope rider mark
## [6584] enemi grown diminish
## [6585] press valley breach sorti
## [6586] rock gain brief respit assault gate redoubl
## [6587] deep wall host isengard roar like sea ore
## [6588] hillmen swarm feet end end rope grappl hook
## [6589] hurl parapet faster men cut fling
## [6590] hundr long ladder lift cast ruin
## [6591] replac ore sprang like ape dark
## [6592] forest south wall’ foot dead broken pile
## [6593] like shingl storm higher rose hideous mound
## [6594]
## [6595]
## [6596]
## [6597]
## [6598] enemi came
## [6599]
## [6600] men rohan grew weari arrow spent
## [6601] shaft shot sword notch shield riven
## [6602] time aragorn jomer ralli time ®ril flame
## [6603] desper charg drove enemi wall
## [6604]
## [6605] clamour aros deep ore crept like rat
## [6606] culvert stream flow
## [6607] gather shadow cliff assault hottest
## [6608] near men defenc rush wall
## [6609] sprang pass jaw deep
## [6610] hors fight guard
## [6611]
## [6612] wall leapt gim fierc echo
## [6613] cliff khazvd khazvd soon work
## [6614]
## [6615] aioi shout ore wall aioi come
## [6616] legola khazvd aimknu
## [6617]
## [6618] gaml old look hornburg hear great voic
## [6619] dwarf tumult ore deep cri
## [6620] helm helm forth helminga shout leap stair
## [6621] rock men westfold
## [6622]
## [6623] onset fierc sudden ore gave way
## [6624] ere long hem narrow gorg slain
## [6625] driven shriek chasm deep fall guardian
## [6626] hidden cave
## [6627]
## [6628] cri gim hew twohand stroke laid
## [6629] ore feet count pass master legola
## [6630]
## [6631] stop rathol gaml dwarv
## [6632] cun folk stone lend aid master
## [6633]
## [6634] shape stone battleax fingernail
## [6635] gim help
## [6636]
## [6637] gather small boulder broken stone
## [6638] hand gim direct westfoldmen block inner
## [6639] end culvert narrow outlet remain
## [6640] deepingstream swollen rain churn fret choke path
## [6641] spread slowli cold pool cliff cliff
## [6642]
## [6643] drier gim come gaml let
## [6644] thing wall
## [6645]
## [6646] climb legola aragorn jomer elf
## [6647]
## [6648]
## [6649]
## [6650]
## [6651] whet long knife lull assault
## [6652] attempt break culvert foil
## [6653]
## [6654] twentyon gim
## [6655]
## [6656] good legola count dozen
## [6657] knife work
## [6658]
## [6659] jomer aragorn leant wearili sword away left
## [6660] crash clamour battl rock rose loud
## [6661] hornburg held fast like island sea gate lay ruin
## [6662] barricad beam stone enemi
## [6663] pass
## [6664]
## [6665] aragorn look pale star moon slope
## [6666] western hill enclos valley night long
## [6667] year long day tarri
## [6668]
## [6669] dawn far gaml climb
## [6670] dawn help fear
## [6671]
## [6672] dawn hope men aragorn
## [6673]
## [6674] creatur isengard halfor goblinmen
## [6675] foul craft saruman bred quail sun
## [6676] gaml wild men hill hear
## [6677] voic
## [6678]
## [6679] hear jomer scream bird
## [6680] bellow beast ear
## [6681]
## [6682] dunland tongu gaml
## [6683] know tongu ancient speech men spoken
## [6684] western valley mark hark hate glad
## [6685] doom certain king king
## [6686] king death forgoil death strawhead death
## [6687] robber north name half thousand
## [6688] year forgotten grievanc lord gondor gave
## [6689] mark eorl young allianc old hatr saruman
## [6690] inflam fierc folk rous way
## [6691] dusk dawn thjoden taken slain
## [6692]
## [6693] nonetheless day bring hope aragorn
## [6694] foe taken hornburg men defend
## [6695]
## [6696] minstrel say jomer
## [6697]
## [6698] let defend hope aragorn
## [6699]
## [6700] spoke came blare trumpet
## [6701]
## [6702]
## [6703]
## [6704]
## [6705] crash flash flame smoke water deepingstream
## [6706] pour hiss foam choke longer gape hole
## [6707] blast wall host dark shape pour
## [6708]
## [6709] devilri saruman cri aragorn crept culvert
## [6710] talk lit orthanc beneath
## [6711] feet elendil elendil shout leap breach
## [6712] ladder rais battlement
## [6713] wall wall assault came sweep like dark
## [6714] wave hill sand defenc swept away rider
## [6715] driven deep fall fight
## [6716] gave way step step cave cut way
## [6717] citadel
## [6718]
## [6719] broad stairway climb deep rock
## [6720] reargat hornburg near stood aragorn hand
## [6721] ®ril gleam terror sword held
## [6722] enemi gain stair pass
## [6723] gate upper step knelt legola bow bent
## [6724] glean arrow left peer readi
## [6725] shoot ore dare approach stair
## [6726]
## [6727] got safe aragorn call come
## [6728]
## [6729]
## [6730] aragorn turn sped stair ran stumbl
## [6731] weari enemi leapt forward came ore yell
## [6732] long arm stretch seiz foremost fell
## [6733] legola arrow throat rest sprang
## [6734] great boulder cast outer wall crash stair
## [6735] hurl deep aragorn gain door swift
## [6736] clang
## [6737]
## [6738] thing ill friend wipe sweat brow
## [6739] arm
## [6740]
## [6741] ill legola hopeless
## [6742] gim
## [6743]
## [6744] know aragorn saw fight ground
## [6745] wall enemi swept apart
## [6746]
## [6747] ala evil news legola
## [6748]
## [6749] stout strong aragorn let hope
## [6750] escap cave safe safer
## [6751]
## [6752]
## [6753]
## [6754]
## [6755] refug like dwarf
## [6756]
## [6757] hope legola wish come
## [6758] way desir tell master gim tale thirtynin
## [6759]
## [6760] win cave pass count laugh
## [6761] aragorn axe wield
## [6762]
## [6763] seek arrow legola night
## [6764] end better light shoot
## [6765]
## [6766] aragorn pass citadel dismay learn
## [6767] jomer reach hornburg
## [6768]
## [6769] nay come rock westfoldmen
## [6770] saw gather men fight mouth deep
## [6771] gaml dwarf come
## [6772]
## [6773] aragorn strode inner court mount high
## [6774] chamber tower stood king dark narrow window
## [6775] look vale
## [6776]
## [6777] news aragorn
## [6778]
## [6779] deep wall taken lord defenc swept away
## [6780] escap hither rock
## [6781]
## [6782] jomer
## [6783]
## [6784] lord men retreat deep say
## [6785] jomer narrow hold enemi
## [6786]
## [6787]
## [6788] come cave hope know
## [6789]
## [6790] good provis air wholesom
## [6791] outlet fissur rock far
## [6792] forc entranc determin men hold long
## [6793]
## [6794] ore brought devilri orthanc aragorn
## [6795] blast took wall come
## [6796] cave seal insid turn
## [6797] thought defenc
## [6798]
## [6799] fret prison thjoden set spear
## [6800] rest ride men field mayb felt
## [6801] joy battl end serv littl purpos
## [6802]
## [6803] guard strongest fast mark
## [6804] aragorn hope defend hornburg
## [6805] edora dunharrow mountain
## [6806]
## [6807] hornburg fallen assault
## [6808]
## [6809]
## [6810]
## [6811]
## [6812] thjoden heart doubt world chang
## [6813] strong prove unsur shall tower withstand number
## [6814]
## [6815]
## [6816] reckless hate known strength isengard grown
## [6817] great mayb rash ridden forth meet
## [6818] art gandalf counsel good
## [6819] morn sun
## [6820]
## [6821] judg counsel gandalf lord
## [6822] aragorn
## [6823]
## [6824] end long king end
## [6825] taken like old badger trap snowman hasufel hors
## [6826] guard inner court dawn come bid men sound
## [6827] helm horn ride forth ride son
## [6828] arathorn mayb shall cleav road make end worth
## [6829] songif left sing
## [6830]
## [6831] ride aragorn
## [6832]
## [6833] take leav return wall pass round
## [6834] circuit enhearten men lend aid assault hot
## [6835] legola went blast leap shake
## [6836] stone grappl hook hurl ladder rais
## [6837] ore gain summit outer wall defend cast
## [6838]
## [6839]
## [6840] aragorn stood great gate heedless dart
## [6841] enemi look forth saw eastern sky grow pale
## [6842] rais hand palm outward token parley
## [6843]
## [6844] ore yell jeer come come cri
## [6845] wish speak come bring king fight
## [6846] urukhai fetch hole come bring
## [6847] skulk king
## [6848]
## [6849] king stay come aragorn
## [6850]
## [6851] answer look
## [6852] wish great armi fight urukhai
## [6853]
## [6854] look dawn aragorn
## [6855]
## [6856] dawn jeer urukhai stop
## [6857] fight night day fair weather storm come kill
## [6858] sun moon dawn
## [6859]
## [6860] know new day shall bring aragorn
## [6861]
## [6862]
## [6863]
## [6864]
## [6865] gone ere turn evil
## [6866]
## [6867] shoot wall cri
## [6868] parley say
## [6869]
## [6870] say answer aragorn enemi taken
## [6871] hornburg depart spare left
## [6872] aliv tide north know peril
## [6873]
## [6874] great power royalti reveal aragorn stood
## [6875] ruin gate host enemi
## [6876] wild men paus look shoulder valley
## [6877] look doubt sky ore laugh loud voic
## [6878] hail dart arrow whistl wall aragorn leap
## [6879]
## [6880]
## [6881] roar blast archway gate
## [6882] stood moment crumbl crash smoke
## [6883] dust
## [6884]
## [6885] barricad scatter thunderbolt aragorn ran
## [6886] king tower
## [6887]
## [6888] gate fell ore yell prepar
## [6889] charg murmur aros like wind distanc grew
## [6890] clamour voic cri strang news dawn ore
## [6891] rock hear rumour dismay waver look
## [6892] sudden terribl tower sound great horn
## [6893] helm rang
## [6894]
## [6895] heard sound trembl ore cast
## [6896] face cover ear claw deep
## [6897] echo came blast blast cliff hill mighti herald
## [6898] stood wall men look listen wonder echo
## [6899] die hornblast wound hill nearer
## [6900] louder answer blow fierc free
## [6901]
## [6902] helm helm rider shout helm arisen come
## [6903] war helm thjoden king
## [6904]
## [6905] shout king came hors white snow golden
## [6906] shield spear long right hand aragorn
## [6907] elendil heir rode lord hous eorl young
## [6908] light sprang sky night depart
## [6909]
## [6910] forth eorlinga great nois charg
## [6911] gate roar causeway swept drove
## [6912]
## [6913]
## [6914]
## [6915]
## [6916] host isengard wind grass deep came
## [6917] stern cri men issu cave drive forth enemi
## [6918] pour men left rock sound
## [6919] blow horn echo hill
## [6920]
## [6921] rode king companion captain champion fell
## [6922] fled ore man withstood back
## [6923] sword spear rider face valley
## [6924] cri wail fear great wonder come
## [6925] rise day
## [6926]
## [6927] king thjoden rode helm gate clove path great
## [6928] dike compani halt light grew bright shaft
## [6929] sun flare eastern hill glimmer spear
## [6930] sat silent hors gaze deepingcoomb
## [6931]
## [6932] land chang green dale lain grassi
## [6933] slope lap evermount hill forest loom great
## [6934] tree bare silent stood rank rank tangl bough hoari
## [6935] head twist root buri long green grass dark
## [6936] dike eav nameless wood
## [6937] open furlong lay cower proud host saruman terror
## [6938] king terror tree stream helm gate
## [6939] dike pack
## [6940] like swarm fli vain crawl clamber wall
## [6941] coomb seek escap east sheer stoni
## [6942] valley left west final doom approach
## [6943]
## [6944] sudden ridg appear rider clad white shine
## [6945] rise sun low hill horn sound
## [6946] hasten long slope thousand men foot sword
## [6947] hand amid strode man tall strong shield
## [6948] red came valley brink set lip great black horn
## [6949] blew ring blast
## [6950]
## [6951] erkenbrand rider shout erkenbrand
## [6952]
## [6953] behold white rider cri aragorn gandalf come
## [6954]
## [6955] mithrandir mithrandir legola wizardri come
## [6956]
## [6957] look forest ere spell chang
## [6958]
## [6959] host isengard roar sway way turn
## [6960] fear fear horn sound tower breach
## [6961] dike charg king compani hill leap
## [6962]
## [6963]
## [6964]
## [6965]
## [6966] erkenbrand lord westfold leap shadowfax like deer run
## [6967] surefoot mountain white rider terror
## [6968] come fill enemi mad wild men fell
## [6969] face ore reel scream cast asid sword
## [6970] spear like black smoke driven mount wind fled wail
## [6971] pass wait shadow tree shadow
## [6972] came
## [6973]
## [6974]
## [6975]
## [6976]
## [6977] chapter road isengard
## [6978]
## [6979]
## [6980]
## [6981] light fair morn king thjoden gandalf
## [6982] white rider met green grass deep stream
## [6983] aragorn son arathorn legola elf erkenbrand
## [6984] westfold lord golden elous gather
## [6985] rohirrim rider mark wonder overcam joy victori
## [6986] eye turn wood
## [6987]
## [6988] sudden great shout dike came
## [6989] driven deep came gaml old jomer
## [6990] son jomund walk gim dwarf ele helm
## [6991]
## [6992]
## [6993] head linen band stain blood voic loud
## [6994] strong
## [6995]
## [6996] ’ master legola cri ala axe notch
## [6997] fortysecond iron collar neck
## [6998]
## [6999] pass score answer legola
## [7000] grudg game glad leg
## [7001]
## [7002] welcom jomer sisterson thjoden safe
## [7003] glad
## [7004]
## [7005] hail lord mark jomer dark night pass
## [7006] day come day brought strang tide turn
## [7007] gaze wonder wood gandalf come
## [7008] hour need unlookedfor
## [7009]
## [7010] unlookedfor gandalf return meet
## [7011]
## [7012]
## [7013] hour foretel manner come
## [7014] strang help bring mighti wizardri gandalf white
## [7015]
## [7016] shown given good
## [7017] counsel peril use speed shadowfax valour
## [7018] stout leg westfoldmen march
## [7019] night
## [7020]
## [7021] gaze gandalf greater wonder glanc
## [7022] dark wood pass hand brow
## [7023] thought eye saw
## [7024]
## [7025]
## [7026]
## [7027]
## [7028] gandalf laugh long merrili tree nay
## [7029] wood plain deed thing
## [7030] counsel wise better design better hope
## [7031] event prove
## [7032]
## [7033] wizardri thjoden
## [7034] saruman plain mightier sage
## [7035] learn
## [7036]
## [7037] wizardri power far older gandalf power
## [7038] walk earth ere elf sang hammer rang
## [7039]
## [7040] ere iron tree hewn
## [7041]
## [7042] young mountain moon
## [7043]
## [7044] ere ring wrought woe
## [7045]
## [7046] walk forest long ago
## [7047]
## [7048] answer riddl thjoden
## [7049]
## [7050] learn come isengard
## [7051] answer gandalf
## [7052]
## [7053] isengard cri
## [7054]
## [7055] yes gandalf shall return isengard
## [7056] come strang thing
## [7057]
## [7058] men mark
## [7059] gather heal wound weari assault
## [7060] stronghold saruman thjoden
## [7061]
## [7062] isengard gandalf shall stay
## [7063] long way lie eastward look edora ere wane
## [7064] moon
## [7065]
## [7066] nay thjoden dark hour dawn doubt
## [7067] come counsel
## [7068]
## [7069] wish speak saruman soon gandalf
## [7070]
## [7071] great injuri fit
## [7072] soon swift ride
## [7073]
## [7074] men weari battl king weari
## [7075]
## [7076] ridden far slept littl ala old age feign
## [7077] whisper wormtongu ill leech
## [7078] wholli cure gandalf
## [7079]
## [7080] let ride rest gandalf
## [7081] journey shadow even counsel
## [7082] come go secret henceforth
## [7083]
## [7084]
## [7085]
## [7086]
## [7087] command men thjoden parley
## [7088]
## [7089]
## [7090] fight
## [7091]
## [7092] king chose men unhurt swift hors
## [7093] sent forth tide victori vale mark
## [7094] bore summon bid men young old come hast
## [7095] edora lord mark hold assembl
## [7096] bear arm second day moon ride
## [7097] isengard king chose jomer men household
## [7098] gandalf
## [7099]
## [7100] aragorn legola gim spite hurt dwarf
## [7101] stay
## [7102]
## [7103] feebl blow cap turn
## [7104] orcscratch
## [7105]
## [7106] tend rest aragorn
## [7107]
## [7108] king return hornburg slept sleep quiet
## [7109] known year remaind chosen compani
## [7110] rest hurt wound began
## [7111] great labour fallen battl lay dead field
## [7112] deep
## [7113]
## [7114] ore remain aliv bodi uncount great
## [7115] hillmen given afraid cri
## [7116] merci
## [7117]
## [7118] men mark took weapon set work
## [7119]
## [7120] help repair evil join
## [7121] erkenbrand shall oath pass
## [7122] ford isen arm march enemi men
## [7123] shall free land delud saruman
## [7124] got death reward trust
## [7125] conquer littl better wage
## [7126]
## [7127] men dunland amaz saruman told men
## [7128] rohan cruel burn captiv aliv
## [7129]
## [7130] midst field hornburg mound rais
## [7131] beneath laid rider mark fell
## [7132] defenc east dale westfold
## [7133] grave shadow hornburg lay hbma
## [7134] captain king guard fell gate
## [7135]
## [7136]
## [7137]
## [7138]
## [7139] ore pile great heap away mound men
## [7140] far eav forest peopl troubl
## [7141] mind heap carrion great burial burn
## [7142]
## [7143] littl wood fire dare axe
## [7144] strang tree gandalf warn hurt bark
## [7145] bough great peril
## [7146]
## [7147] let ore lie gandalf ’ morn bring new counsel
## [7148]
## [7149] afternoon king compani prepar depart work
## [7150] burial begin thjoden mourn loss hbma
## [7151] captain cast earth grave great injuri
## [7152] saruman land rememb
## [7153] meet
## [7154]
## [7155] sun draw near hill west coomb
## [7156] thjoden gandalf companion rode
## [7157] dike gather great host rider
## [7158] peopl westfold old young women children come
## [7159]
## [7160]
## [7161] cave song victori sang clear voic fell
## [7162] silent wonder chanc eye tree
## [7163] fear
## [7164]
## [7165] rider came wood halt hors man
## [7166] unwil pass tree grey menac shadow
## [7167] mist end long sweep bough hung like
## [7168] search finger root stood ground like limb
## [7169] strang monster dark cavern open beneath gandalf went
## [7170] forward lead compani road hornburg met
## [7171] tree saw open like arch gate mighti bough
## [7172] gandalf pass follow amaz
## [7173] road ran deepingstream
## [7174] sky open golden light great
## [7175] aisl wood wrap dusk stretch away
## [7176] impenetr shadow heard creak groan
## [7177] bough far cri rumour wordless voic murmur angrili
## [7178] ore live creatur seen
## [7179]
## [7180] legola gim ride hors
## [7181] kept close gandalf gim afraid wood
## [7182]
## [7183] hot legola gandalf feel great wrath
## [7184]
## [7185]
## [7186]
## [7187]
## [7188] feel air throb ear
## [7189]
## [7190] ’ye gandalf
## [7191]
## [7192] ’ miser ores’ legola
## [7193]
## [7194] ’ think know’ gandalf
## [7195]
## [7196] rode silenc legola glanc
## [7197] halt listen sound
## [7198] wood gim allow
## [7199]
## [7200] ’ strangest tree saw’
## [7201] seen oak grow acorn ruinous age wish
## [7202] leisur walk voic time come
## [7203] understand thought’
## [7204]
## [7205] ’ ’ gim let leav guess thought
## [7206] hatr leg speech crush
## [7207] strangling’
## [7208]
## [7209] ’ legs’ legola think
## [7210] wrong ore hate belong know
## [7211] littl elv men far away valley sprang
## [7212] deep dale fangorn gim come guess’
## [7213]
## [7214] ’ peril wood middleearth’ gim ’
## [7215] grate play love
## [7216]
## [7217] think wonder seen greater wonder land
## [7218] beauti grove glade grew heart
## [7219] ft strang way men legola
## [7220] marvel northern world say cave say
## [7221] cave hole fli time war store fodder good legola
## [7222] know cavern helm’ deep vast beauti
## [7223] endless pilgrimag dwarv mere gaze
## [7224] thing known aye pay pure gold brief
## [7225] glance’
## [7226]
## [7227] ’ gold excused’ legola doubl
## [7228] let stray ’
## [7229]
## [7230] ’ seen forgiv jest’ gim ’ speak
## [7231] like fool think hall fair king dwell
## [7232] hill mirkwood dwarv help make long ago
## [7233] hovel compar cavern seen immeasur hall
## [7234] fill everlast music water tinkl pool fair
## [7235] kheledzvram starlight
## [7236]
## [7237]
## [7238]
## [7239]
## [7240] legola torch kindl men walk sandi
## [7241] floor echo dome ah legola gem crystal
## [7242] vein precious ore glint polish wall light glow
## [7243] fold marbl shelllik transluc live hand queen
## [7244] galadriel column white saffron dawnros legola
## [7245] flute twist dreamlik form spring manycolour
## [7246] floor meet glisten pendant roof wing rope curtain
## [7247] fine frozen cloud spear banner pinnacl suspend palac
## [7248]
## [7249] lake mirror glimmer world look dark pool cover
## [7250] clear glass citi mind durin scarc
## [7251] imagin sleep stretch avenu pillar court
## [7252] dark recess light come plink silver drop
## [7253] fall round wrinkl glass make tower bend
## [7254] waver like weed coral grotto sea even come
## [7255] fade twinkl torch pass chamber
## [7256] dream chamber chamber legola hall open hall
## [7257] dome dome stair stair wind path lead
## [7258] mountain heart cave cavern helm deep happi
## [7259] chanc drove make weep leav
## [7260]
## [7261] wish fortun comfort gim
## [7262] elf come safe war return
## [7263] tell kindr littl left
## [7264] account mayb men land wise say littl famili
## [7265] busi dwarv hammer chisel mar
## [7266]
## [7267] understand gim dwarf unmov
## [7268] loveli durin race cave stone
## [7269] ore diamond gold got cut grove
## [7270] blossom tree springtim firewood tend glade
## [7271] flower stone quarri cautious skill tap tap —
## [7272] small chip rock anxious day —
## [7273] work year went open new way
## [7274] display far chamber dark glimps void
## [7275] fissur rock light legola make light lamp
## [7276] shone khazaddym wish drive away
## [7277]
## [7278]
## [7279] night lain hill desir
## [7280] rest let night return
## [7281]
## [7282]
## [7283]
## [7284]
## [7285] gim legola heard speak like
## [7286] make regret seen cave
## [7287] come let make bargainif return safe peril
## [7288] await journey shall visit fangorn
## [7289] come helm deep
## [7290]
## [7291] way return choos gim
## [7292]
## [7293] endur fangorn promis come cave
## [7294] share wonder
## [7295]
## [7296] promis legola ala leav
## [7297] cave wood come end
## [7298] tree far isengard gandalf
## [7299]
## [7300] leagu crow saruman make gandalf
## [7301]
## [7302] mouth deepingcoomb ford
## [7303] gate isengard shall ride way night
## [7304]
## [7305] come shall ask gim
## [7306] know guess
## [7307]
## [7308] know certain answer wizard
## [7309] nightfal yesterday happen think
## [7310] say journey vain — glitter
## [7311] cave aglarond left
## [7312]
## [7313] compani pass tree
## [7314] come coomb road helm deep
## [7315] branch
## [7316]
## [7317] go way east edora north ford isen
## [7318] rode eav wood legola halt look
## [7319] regret gave sudden
## [7320]
## [7321] eye eye look shadow
## [7322] bough saw eye
## [7323]
## [7324] surpris halt turn legola
## [7325] start ride
## [7326]
## [7327] cri gim mad let
## [7328] hors wish eye stay legola
## [7329] greenleaf gandalf wood
## [7330] time
## [7331]
## [7332] spoke came forward tree strang
## [7333] shape tall troll feet height
## [7334] strong bodi stout young tree clad raiment
## [7335]
## [7336]
## [7337]
## [7338]
## [7339] hide closefit grey brown limb long hand
## [7340] finger hair stiff beard greygreen moss
## [7341] gaze solemn eye look rider
## [7342] eye bent northward sudden lift long hand
## [7343] mouth sent forth ring call clear note horn
## [7344] music various call answer turn
## [7345] rider saw creatur kind approach stride
## [7346] grass came swift north walk like wade heron
## [7347] gait speed leg long pace beat
## [7348] quicker heron wing rider cri aloud wonder
## [7349] set hand swordhilt
## [7350]
## [7351] need weapon gandalf herdsmen
## [7352] enemi concern
## [7353]
## [7354] spoke tall creatur
## [7355] glanc rider strode wood vanish
## [7356]
## [7357] herdsmen thjoden flock
## [7358] gandalf plain rate strang
## [7359]
## [7360] shepherd tree answer gandalf long
## [7361] listen tale firesid children land
## [7362] twist thread stori pick answer
## [7363] question seen ent o king ent fangorn forest
## [7364] tongu entwood think given
## [7365] idl fanci nay thjoden
## [7366] pass tale year eorl young thjoden old
## [7367] littl count deed hous small matter
## [7368]
## [7369] king silent ent length shadow
## [7370] legend begin littl understand marvel tree think
## [7371] live strang day long tend beast
## [7372] field built hous wrought tool ridden away help
## [7373] war mina tirith call life men way
## [7374] world care littl lay border land song
## [7375] tell thing forget teach
## [7376] children careless custom song come
## [7377] strang place walk visibl sun
## [7378]
## [7379] glad thjoden king gandalf
## [7380] littl life men endang life thing
## [7381] deem matter legend alli
## [7382]
## [7383]
## [7384]
## [7385]
## [7386] know
## [7387]
## [7388] sad thjoden ’ fortun
## [7389] war shall end fair wonder shall
## [7390] pass middleearth
## [7391]
## [7392] gandalf evil sauron wholli cure
## [7393] day doom let
## [7394] journey begun
## [7395]
## [7396] compani turn away coomb wood
## [7397] took
## [7398]
## [7399] road ford legola follow reluct sun set
## [7400] sunk rim world rode
## [7401] shadow hill look west gap rohan sky
## [7402] red burn light float cloud dark
## [7403] wheel flew black wing bird pass overhead
## [7404]
## [7405]
## [7406] mourn cri return home rock
## [7407]
## [7408] carrionfowl busi battlefield jomer
## [7409]
## [7410] rode easi pace dark came plain
## [7411] slow moon mount wax cold
## [7412] silver light swell grassland rose fell like wide grey sea
## [7413]
## [7414] ridden hour branch road
## [7415] drew near ford long slope ran swift river
## [7416] spread stoni shoal high grassi terrac born wind
## [7417] heard howl wolv heart heavi rememb
## [7418] men fallen battl place
## [7419]
## [7420] road dip rise turfbank carv way
## [7421] terrac river edg
## [7422] line flat steppingston stream
## [7423] ford hors went brink bare eyot midst
## [7424]
## [7425] rider look cross strang
## [7426] ford place rush chatter water
## [7427] stone silent bed stream
## [7428] dri bare wast shingl grey sand
## [7429]
## [7430] dreari place jomer sick
## [7431] befallen river fair thing saruman destroy devour
## [7432] spring isen gandalf
## [7433]
## [7434] ala thjoden pass way carrionbeast
## [7435]
## [7436]
## [7437]
## [7438]
## [7439] devour good rider mark
## [7440]
## [7441] way gandalf grievous fall men
## [7442] shall wolv mountain devour
## [7443]
## [7444] friend ore hold feast
## [7445] friendship kind come’
## [7446]
## [7447] rode river came wolv ceas
## [7448] howl slunk away fear fell see gandalf moon
## [7449] shadowfax hors shine like silver rider pass
## [7450] islet glitter eye watch wan shadow bank
## [7451]
## [7452] look gandalf friend labour ’
## [7453]
## [7454] saw midst eyot mound pile ring
## [7455] stone set spear
## [7456]
## [7457] ’ lie men mark fell near place’
## [7458] gandalf
## [7459]
## [7460] let rest jomer spear rot
## [7461] rust long mound stand guard ford isen
## [7462]
## [7463] work gandalf friend thjoden
## [7464] accomplish even night
## [7465]
## [7466] help shadowfax — gandalf rode fast
## [7467] far mound say comfort
## [7468] fell battl ford fewer rumour
## [7469] scatter slain gather
## [7470] men sent grimbold westfold join erkenbrand set make
## [7471] burial follow marshal elfhelm sent
## [7472] rider edora saruman knew despatch strength
## [7473] servant turn asid errand
## [7474] gone helm deep land enemi fear
## [7475] wolfrid plunder ride nonetheless meduseld
## [7476] undefend think need fear hous
## [7477] welcom return
## [7478]
## [7479] glad shall thjoden brief
## [7480]
## [7481] doubt shall abid
## [7482]
## [7483] compani farewel island mound
## [7484] pass river climb bank rode glad
## [7485] left mourn ford went howl wolv
## [7486] broke anew
## [7487]
## [7488] ancient highway ran isengard
## [7489]
## [7490]
## [7491]
## [7492]
## [7493] cross way took cours river bend
## [7494] east north turn away went straight
## [7495] gate isengard mountainsid
## [7496] west valley sixteen mile mouth road
## [7497] follow ride ground firm
## [7498] level cover mile short spring turf rode
## [7499] swift midnight ford near leagu
## [7500] halt end night journey king weari
## [7501] come feet misti mountain long arm nan
## [7502] curunnr stretch meet dark lay vale
## [7503] moon pass west light hidden hill
## [7504] deep shadow dale rose vast spire smoke vapour
## [7505] mount caught ray sink moon spread shimmer
## [7506] billow black silver starri sky
## [7507]
## [7508] ’ think gandalf ask aragorn say
## [7509] wizard vale burn
## [7510]
## [7511] fume valley day jomer
## [7512]
## [7513] seen aught like steam
## [7514] smoke saruman brew devilri greet mayb boil
## [7515] water isen river run dri
## [7516]
## [7517] mayb gandalf tomorrow shall learn
## [7518] let rest
## [7519]
## [7520] camp bed isen river silent
## [7521] slept littl late night watchmen cri
## [7522] awok moon gone star shine
## [7523] ground crept dark blacker night side
## [7524] river roll go northward
## [7525]
## [7526] stay gandalf draw weapon wait
## [7527] pass
## [7528]
## [7529] mist gather star glimmer
## [7530] faint aros wall impenetr gloom
## [7531] narrow lane move tower shadow voic heard
## [7532] whisper groan endless rustl sigh earth shook
## [7533] long sat afraid
## [7534] dark rumour pass vanish mountain
## [7535] arm
## [7536]
## [7537] away south hornburg middl night men heard great
## [7538]
## [7539]
## [7540]
## [7541]
## [7542] nois wind valley ground trembl afraid
## [7543] ventur forth morn went
## [7544] amaz slain ore gone tree far
## [7545] valley deep grass crush trampl brown giant
## [7546] herdsmen pastur great drove cattl mile
## [7547] dike huge pit delv earth stone pile
## [7548] hill men believ ore slain buri
## [7549] fled wood
## [7550] say man set foot hill death
## [7551] call grass grow strang tree
## [7552] seen deepingcoomb return night gone
## [7553] far away dark dale fangorn reveng
## [7554] ore
## [7555]
## [7556] king compani slept night saw
## [7557] heard strang thing save voic river
## [7558] sudden awok rush water hurri stone
## [7559] pass isen flow bubbl bed
## [7560]
## [7561]
## [7562] dawn readi light came grey pale
## [7563] rise sun air heavi fog
## [7564] reek lay land went slowli ride
## [7565] highway broad hard welltend dim mist
## [7566] descri long arm mountain rise left
## [7567] pass nan curunnr wizard vale shelter valley
## [7568] open south fair green
## [7569] isen flow deep strong plain
## [7570] fed spring lesser stream rainwash hill
## [7571] lain pleasant fertil land
## [7572]
## [7573] beneath wall isengard acr
## [7574] till slave saruman valley
## [7575] wilder weed thorn brambl trail ground
## [7576] clamber bush bank shaggi cave small beast
## [7577] hous
## [7578]
## [7579] tree grew rank grass seen
## [7580] burn axehewn stump ancient grove sad countri silent
## [7581] stoni nois quick water smoke steam drift
## [7582] sullen cloud lurk hollow rider speak
## [7583]
## [7584]
## [7585]
## [7586]
## [7587] doubt heart wonder dismal end journey led
## [7588]
## [7589] ridden mile highway wide street
## [7590] pave great flat stone squar laid skill blade grass
## [7591] seen joint deep gutter fill trickl water ran
## [7592] sudden tall pillar loom black
## [7593] set great stone carv paint like
## [7594] long white hand finger point north far knew
## [7595] gate isengard stand heart heavi eye
## [7596] pierc mist ahead
## [7597]
## [7598] beneath mountain arm wizard vale year
## [7599] uncount stood ancient place men call isengard part
## [7600] shape make mountain mighti work men
## [7601] westerness wrought old saruman dwelt long
## [7602] idl
## [7603]
## [7604] fashion saruman height account
## [7605] chief wizard great ringwal stone like tower cliff
## [7606] stood shelter mountain ran
## [7607] return entranc great arch delv
## [7608] southern wall black rock long tunnel
## [7609] hewn close end mighti door iron wrought
## [7610] pois huge hing post steel driven live
## [7611] stone unbar move light thrust
## [7612] arm noiseless pass came length echo
## [7613] tunnel beheld plain great circl somewhat hollow like vast
## [7614] shallow bowl mile measur rim rim green
## [7615] fill avenu grove fruit tree water stream
## [7616] flow mountain lake green thing grew
## [7617] day saruman road pave stoneflag dark
## [7618] hard border instead tree march long line
## [7619] pillar marbl copper iron join heavi chain
## [7620]
## [7621] hous chamber hall passag cut
## [7622] tunnel wall inner open
## [7623] circl overlook countless window dark door thousand
## [7624] dwell worker servant slave warrior great store
## [7625] arm wolv fed stabl deep den beneath plain
## [7626] bore delv shaft driven deep ground upper end
## [7627] cover low mound dome stone moonlight
## [7628]
## [7629]
## [7630]
## [7631]
## [7632] ring isengard look like graveyard unquiet dead ground
## [7633] trembl shaft ran slope spiral stair cavern
## [7634] far saruman treasuri storehous armouri smithi
## [7635] great furnac iron wheel revolv endless hammer
## [7636] thud night plume vapour steam vent lit beneath
## [7637] red light blue venom green
## [7638]
## [7639] centr road ran chain stood
## [7640] tower marvel shape fashion builder old
## [7641] smooth ring isengard thing
## [7642] craft men riven bone earth ancient torment
## [7643] hill peak isl rock black gleam hard
## [7644] mighti pier manysid stone weld near summit
## [7645] open gape horn pinnacl sharp point
## [7646] spear keenedg knive narrow space
## [7647] floor polish stone written strang sign man
## [7648] stand feet plain orthanc citadel
## [7649] saruman design chanc twofold mean
## [7650] elvish speech orthanc signifi mount fang languag
## [7651] mark old cun mind
## [7652]
## [7653] strong place wonder isengard long
## [7654] beauti great lord dwelt warden gondor
## [7655] west wise men watch star saruman slowli shape
## [7656] shift purpos better thought
## [7657] deceivedfor art subtl devic forsook
## [7658] wisdom fond imagin came
## [7659]
## [7660]
## [7661] mordor naught littl copi child model
## [7662] slave flatteri vast fortress armouri prison furnac
## [7663] great power baraddyr dark tower suffer rival laugh
## [7664] flatteri bide time secur pride immeasur
## [7665] strength
## [7666]
## [7667] stronghold saruman fame report
## [7668] live memori men rohan pass gate save
## [7669] wormtongu came secret told man saw
## [7670]
## [7671] gandalf rode great pillar hand pass
## [7672] rider saw wonder hand appear longer
## [7673] white stain dri blood look closer perceiv
## [7674]
## [7675]
## [7676]
## [7677]
## [7678] nail red unheed gandalf rode mist
## [7679] reluct follow
## [7680] sudden flood wide pool water lay road fill hollow
## [7681] rill went trickl stone
## [7682]
## [7683] gandalf halt beckon came saw
## [7684] mist clear pale sunlight shone hour
## [7685] noon pass come door isengard
## [7686]
## [7687] door lay hurl twist ground
## [7688] stone crack splinter countless jag shard scatter
## [7689] far wide pile ruinous heap great arch stood
## [7690] open roofless chasm tunnel laid bare
## [7691] clifflik wall great rent breach torn
## [7692] tower beaten dust great sea risen wrath
## [7693] fallen hill storm work greater ruin
## [7694]
## [7695] ring fill steam water bubbl cauldron
## [7696] heav float wreckag beam spar chest
## [7697] cask broken gear twist lean pillar rear splinter
## [7698] stem flood road drown far
## [7699] half veil wind cloud loom island rock dark
## [7700] tall unbroken storm tower orthanc stood pale water lap
## [7701] feet
## [7702]
## [7703] king compani sat silent hors marvel
## [7704] perceiv power saruman overthrown
## [7705] guess turn eye archway ruin
## [7706] gate saw close great rubbleheap sudden
## [7707] awar small figur lie eas greyclad
## [7708] hard seen stone bottl bowl
## [7709] platter laid just eaten rest
## [7710] labour asleep cross leg arm
## [7711] head lean broken rock sent mouth
## [7712] long wisp littl ring blue smoke
## [7713]
## [7714] moment thjoden jomer men stare
## [7715] wonder amid wreck isengard strangest
## [7716] sight king speak small smokebreath figur
## [7717] sudden awar sat silent edg
## [7718] mist sprang feet young man look like
## [7719] half man height head brown curl hair
## [7720]
## [7721]
## [7722]
## [7723]
## [7724] uncov clad travelstain cloak hue
## [7725] shape companion gandalf worn rode edora
## [7726] bow low put hand breast
## [7727] observ wizard friend turn jomer king
## [7728]
## [7729] welcom lord isengard doorwarden
## [7730] meriadoc son saradoc companion ala
## [7731] overcom weari — gave dig foot —
## [7732]
## [7733] peregrin son paladin hous took far north
## [7734] home lord saruman moment closet
## [7735] wormtongu doubtless welcom honour
## [7736] guest
## [7737]
## [7738] doubtless laugh gandalf saruman order
## [7739] guard damag door watch arriv guest
## [7740] attent spare plate bottl
## [7741]
## [7742] good sir matter escap answer merri grave
## [7743] occupi order came treebeard taken
## [7744]
## [7745]
## [7746] manag isengard command welcom lord rohan
## [7747]
## [7748]
## [7749] fit word best
## [7750]
## [7751] companion legola cri
## [7752] gim unabl contain longer rascal woollyfoot
## [7753] woolpat truant fine hunt led leagu
## [7754] fen forest battl death rescu
## [7755] feast idl smoke smoke come
## [7756] weed villain hammer tong torn rage joy
## [7757] burst marvel
## [7758]
## [7759] speak gim laugh legola sooner
## [7760] learn came wine
## [7761]
## [7762] thing hunt that brighter
## [7763] wit pippin open eye sit field
## [7764] victori amid plunder armi wonder came
## [7765] wellearn comfort
## [7766]
## [7767] wellearn gim believ
## [7768]
## [7769] rider laugh doubt wit meet
## [7770] dear friend thjoden lost one compani
## [7771] gandalf day fate fill marvel seen
## [7772]
## [7773]
## [7774]
## [7775]
## [7776] left hous eye stand
## [7777] folk legend halfl
## [7778] holbytlan
## [7779]
## [7780] hobbit lord pippin
## [7781]
## [7782] hobbit thjoden tongu strang chang
## [7783] sound unfit hobbit report heard
## [7784] justic truth
## [7785]
## [7786] merri bow pippin got bow low gracious lord
## [7787] hope word
## [7788] marvel wander land left home till
## [7789] peopl knew stori concern hobbit
## [7790]
## [7791] peopl came north long ago thjoden
## [7792] deceiv know tale hobbit
## [7793] far away hill river live halfl folk
## [7794] dwell hole sanddun legend deed
## [7795] littl avoid sight men abl
## [7796] vanish twinkl chang voic resembl
## [7797] pipe bird
## [7798]
## [7799] lord merri
## [7800]
## [7801] thing thjoden heard spout smoke
## [7802] mouth
## [7803]
## [7804] surpris answer merri art
## [7805] practis generat tobold
## [7806] hornblow longbottom southfarth grew true
## [7807] pipewe garden year accord reckon
## [7808] old tobi came plant
## [7809]
## [7810] know danger thjoden interrupt gandalf
## [7811] hobbit sit edg ruin discuss pleasur tabl
## [7812] small do father grandfath greatgrandfath
## [7813] remot cousin ninth degre encourag undu
## [7814] patienc time fit histori smoke
## [7815] treebeard merri
## [7816]
## [7817] away north believ went drinkof clean
## [7818] water ent busi work —
## [7819] merri wave hand steam lake look
## [7820] heard distant rumbl rattl avalanch fall
## [7821] mountainsid far away came hoomhom horn blow
## [7822]
## [7823]
## [7824]
## [7825]
## [7826] triumphant
## [7827]
## [7828] orthanc left unguard ask gandalf
## [7829]
## [7830] water merri quickbeam
## [7831] watch post pillar plain saruman
## [7832] plant quickbeam think rock near foot stair
## [7833]
## [7834] yes tall grey ent legola arm
## [7835] side stand door tree
## [7836]
## [7837] past noon gandalf rate eaten
## [7838] earli morn wish treebeard soon
## [7839] leav messag plate bottl driven mind
## [7840]
## [7841] left messag merri come
## [7842] hinder question say lord
## [7843] mark gandalf ride northern wall treebeard
## [7844] welcom add food
## [7845] best discov select humbl servant
## [7846] bow
## [7847]
## [7848] gandalf laugh better thjoden
## [7849] ride treebeard round far
## [7850] treebeard learn treebeard fangorn
## [7851] eldest chief ent speak hear
## [7852] speech oldest live thing
## [7853]
## [7854] come thjoden farewel hobbit
## [7855] meet hous shall sit tell
## [7856] heart desir deed grandsir far reckon
## [7857] speak tobold old herblor farewel
## [7858]
## [7859] hobbit bow low king rohan pippin
## [7860] underton fine old fellow polit
## [7861]
## [7862]
## [7863]
## [7864]
## [7865] chapter flotsam jetsam
## [7866]
## [7867]
## [7868]
## [7869] gandalf king’ compani rode away turn eastward make
## [7870] circuit ruin wall isengard aragorn gim legola
## [7871] remain leav arod hasufel stray search grass
## [7872] came sat hobbit
## [7873]
## [7874] hunt meet
## [7875] thought come aragorn
## [7876]
## [7877] great one gone discuss high matter
## [7878] legola hunter learn answer small
## [7879] riddl track far forest
## [7880] thing like know truth
## [7881]
## [7882] great deal want know
## [7883] merri learnt thing treebeard old ent
## [7884] near
## [7885]
## [7886] good time legola hunter
## [7887] account
## [7888]
## [7889] second gim better meal t
## [7890] sore head past midday truant make amend find
## [7891] plunder spoke food drink pay
## [7892] score
## [7893]
## [7894] shall pippin
## [7895] comfort what left saruman guardhouse—
## [7896] arch picnic eye road
## [7897]
## [7898] eye gim orehous
## [7899] touch ore meat maul
## [7900]
## [7901] wouldnt ask merri ore
## [7902] lifetim folk isengard
## [7903] saruman kept wisdom trust ore men guard
## [7904] gate faith servant suppos
## [7905] favour got good provis
## [7906]
## [7907] pipewe ask gim
## [7908]
## [7909] dont think merri laugh stori
## [7910] wait lunch
## [7911]
## [7912] let lunch dwarf
## [7913]
## [7914]
## [7915]
## [7916]
## [7917] hobbit led way pass arch came
## [7918] wide door left stair open direct
## [7919] larg chamber smaller door far end hearth
## [7920] chimney chamber hewn stone
## [7921] dark window look tunnel light
## [7922] came broken roof hearth wood burn
## [7923]
## [7924] lit bit pippin cheer fog
## [7925]
## [7926] faggot wood wet
## [7927] great draught chimney wind away
## [7928] rock fortun block handi
## [7929]
## [7930] make toast bread day old
## [7931] afraid
## [7932]
## [7933] aragorn companion sat end long
## [7934] tabl hobbit disappear inner door
## [7935] ’storeroom wood luckily’ pippin
## [7936] came laden dish bowl cup knive food various sort
## [7937]
## [7938] ’ need turn nose provend master gimli’
## [7939] merri orestuff manfood treebeard call
## [7940]
## [7941] wine beer ’s barrel insid — passabl
## [7942]
## [7943] firstrat salt pork cut rasher bacon
## [7944] broil like sorri green stuff
## [7945] deliveri interrupt day offer
## [7946] follow butter honey bread
## [7947] content’
## [7948]
## [7949] ’ yes’ gim ’ score reduced’
## [7950]
## [7951] soon busi meal hobbit
## [7952] unabash set second time ’ guest company’
## [7953]
## [7954]
## [7955] ’ courtesi morning’ laugh legola ’ mayb
## [7956] arriv keep
## [7957] compani ’
## [7958]
## [7959] ’mayb ’ pippin ’ foul fare ore
## [7960] littl day long eat
## [7961] heart’ content’
## [7962]
## [7963] ’ harm’ aragorn
## [7964] look bloom health’
## [7965]
## [7966] ’ay ’ gim look
## [7967]
## [7968]
## [7969]
## [7970]
## [7971] cup ’ hair twice cur part
## [7972] swear grown somewhat possibl
## [7973] hobbit age treebeard rate starv
## [7974]
## [7975] merri ent drink drink
## [7976] content treebeard draught nourish feel need
## [7977] solid lemba wors chang
## [7978]
## [7979] drunk water ent legola
## [7980]
## [7981] ah think like gim eye deceiv strang
## [7982] song sung draught fangorn
## [7983]
## [7984] strang tale told land aragorn
## [7985] enter come tell ent
## [7986]
## [7987] ent pippin ent — ent differ
## [7988] thing eye eye odd tri fumbl
## [7989] word trail silenc oh went seen
## [7990] distanc saw rate report
## [7991] wayand expect leav
## [7992] form idea
## [7993]
## [7994] gim begin stori middl
## [7995] like tale right order start strang day
## [7996] fellowship broken
## [7997]
## [7998] shall time merri firstif
## [7999] finish eatingyou shall pipe light
## [8000] littl pretend safe bree
## [8001] rivendel
## [8002]
## [8003] produc small leather bag tobacco heap
## [8004] pack wish
## [8005] salvagework morn pippin lot thing float
## [8006] pippin small barrel wash
## [8007] cellar storehous suppos open
## [8008] fill fine pipe weed wish quit
## [8009] unspoilt
## [8010]
## [8011] gim took rub palm snif feel
## [8012] good smell good
## [8013]
## [8014] good merri dear gim longbottom leaf
## [8015] hornblow brandmark barrel plain plain
## [8016] came imagin saruman privat use fanci knew
## [8017] went far abroad come handi
## [8018]
## [8019]
## [8020]
## [8021]
## [8022] gim pipe ala lost
## [8023] moria pipe plunder
## [8024]
## [8025] afraid merri
## [8026] guardroom saruman kept dainti
## [8027] dont think use knock door orthanc beg
## [8028] pipe shall share pipe good friend pinch
## [8029]
## [8030] half moment pippin put hand insid breast
## [8031] jacket pull littl soft wallet string treasur
## [8032] near skin precious ring here old wooden
## [8033] pipe here unus carri long way
## [8034] dont know realli expect pipe weed
## [8035] journey ran come use
## [8036] held small pipe wide flatten bowl hand gim
## [8037] settl score settl cri gim
## [8038]
## [8039] nobl hobbit leav deep debt
## [8040]
## [8041] go open air wind sky
## [8042] legola
## [8043]
## [8044] come aragorn
## [8045]
## [8046] went seat pile stone
## [8047] gateway far valley mist lift
## [8048] float away breez
## [8049]
## [8050] let eas littl aragorn
## [8051] sit edg ruin talk gandalf say busi
## [8052] feel weari seldom felt wrap
## [8053] grey cloak hide mailshirt stretch long
## [8054] leg lay sent lip stream smoke
## [8055]
## [8056] look pippin strider ranger come
## [8057]
## [8058] away aragorn strider d®nadan
## [8059] belong gondor north
## [8060]
## [8061] smoke silenc sun shone slant
## [8062] valley white cloud high west legola lay
## [8063] look sun sky steadi eye sing soft
## [8064] sat come time wear
## [8065] mist blow away strang folk wreath
## [8066] smoke tale
## [8067]
## [8068] tale begin wake dark find
## [8069] strungup orecamp pippin let today
## [8070]
## [8071]
## [8072]
## [8073]
## [8074] fifth march shirereckon aragorn pippin
## [8075] calcul finger day ago saidl
## [8076] year caught half like bad dream
## [8077] reckon horribl day follow merri correct
## [8078] forget import go detail whip
## [8079] filth stench bear rememb
## [8080] plung account boromir fight oremarch emyn
## [8081] muil forest nod various point fit
## [8082] guess
## [8083]
## [8084] treasur let fall aragorn
## [8085] glad loosen belt cloak took
## [8086] sheath knive
## [8087]
## [8088] merri expect mark
## [8089] ore ugl®k took glare
## [8090] thought go stab threw thing away
## [8091] burn
## [8092]
## [8093] brooch pippin aragorn kept
## [8094] safe precious thing
## [8095]
## [8096] know pippin wrench let
## [8097]
## [8098]
## [8099] answer aragorn cast away treasur
## [8100] need fetter right
## [8101]
## [8102] cut band wrist smart work
## [8103] gim luck serv seiz chanc hand
## [8104] say
## [8105]
## [8106] set pretti riddl legola wonder
## [8107] grown wing
## [8108]
## [8109] unfortun pippin know
## [8110] grishnbkh shudder leav merri tell
## [8111] horribl moment paw hand hot breath dread
## [8112] strength grishnbkh hairi arm
## [8113]
## [8114] ore baraddyr lugb®rz make
## [8115] uneasi aragorn dark lord knew
## [8116] servant grishnbkh evid sent messag river
## [8117] quarrel red eye look isengard saruman
## [8118] rate cleft stick cut
## [8119]
## [8120] yes whichev win outlook poor merri thing
## [8121]
## [8122]
## [8123]
## [8124]
## [8125] began wrong moment ore set foot rohan
## [8126]
## [8127] caught glimps old villain gandalf hint
## [8128] gim edg forest
## [8129]
## [8130] ask pippin
## [8131]
## [8132] night ago aragorn
## [8133]
## [8134] let merri night agonow come
## [8135] stori know met treebeard morn
## [8136] battl night wellinghal enthous
## [8137] morn went entmoot gather ent
## [8138] queerest thing seen life last day
## [8139] spent night ent call quickbeam late
## [8140] afternoon day moot ent sudden blew
## [8141] amaz forest felt tens thunderstorm brew
## [8142] insid explod wish heard
## [8143] song march
## [8144]
## [8145] saruman heard mile away
## [8146] run leg pippin
## [8147]
## [8148] isengard strong hard cold stone bare bone
## [8149]
## [8150] war hew stone break door
## [8151]
## [8152] great deal song word
## [8153] like music horn drum excit thought
## [8154] march music just song — got know
## [8155] better
## [8156]
## [8157] came ridg nan curunnr night
## [8158] fallen merri continu feel
## [8159] forest move thought dream entish
## [8160] dream pippin notic frighten
## [8161] later
## [8162]
## [8163] huorn ent short languag
## [8164] treebeard wont say think ent
## [8165] like tree look stand
## [8166] wood eav silent watch endless tree
## [8167] deep darkest dale hundr hundr
## [8168] believ
## [8169]
## [8170] great power abl wrap
## [8171] shadow difficult move
## [8172] quick angri stand look weather
## [8173]
## [8174]
## [8175]
## [8176]
## [8177] mayb listen rustl wind sudden
## [8178] middl wood great grope tree
## [8179] voic speak ent —
## [8180] call huorn treebeard say — queer wild
## [8181] danger terrifi meet true ent
## [8182] look
## [8183]
## [8184] earli night crept long ravin upper
## [8185] end wizard vale ent rustl huorn
## [8186] cours air creak
## [8187] dark cloudi night move great speed soon
## [8188] left hill nois like rush wind moon
## [8189] appear cloud long midnight tall wood
## [8190] round north isengard sign enemi
## [8191] challeng light gleam high window tower
## [8192]
## [8193]
## [8194] treebeard ent crept right round sight
## [8195] great gate pippin sit treebeard
## [8196] shoulder feel quiver tens
## [8197] rous ent cautious patient stood
## [8198] carv stone breath listen
## [8199]
## [8200] tremend stir trumpet blare
## [8201] wall isengard echo thought discov
## [8202] battl go begin sort saruman peopl
## [8203] march away dont know war
## [8204] horsemen
## [8205]
## [8206] rohan saruman meant finish king
## [8207] men final blow empti isengard saw enemi endless
## [8208] line march ore troop mount great wolv
## [8209] battalion men carri torch
## [8210] flare face ordinari men tall
## [8211] darkhair grim particular evil look
## [8212] horribl manhigh goblinfac sallow
## [8213] leer squintey know remind
## [8214] southern bree obvious orelik
## [8215]
## [8216]
## [8217] thought aragorn halfor
## [8218] deal helm deep plain southern
## [8219]
## [8220]
## [8221]
## [8222]
## [8223] spi saruman’ work black rider
## [8224] saruman know difficult evil folk know
## [8225] leagu cheat
## [8226]
## [8227] sort thousand
## [8228] merri took hour pass gate
## [8229] went highway ford turn away p went
## [8230] eastward bridg built mile away
## [8231] river run deep channel stood
## [8232]
## [8233] sing harsh voic laugh make hideous din
## [8234]
## [8235] thought thing look black rohan treebeard
## [8236] busi isengard tonight rock stone
## [8237]
## [8238] happen dark believ
## [8239] huorn began south soon gate shut
## [8240] busi ore think far valley
## [8241] morn rate shadow
## [8242]
## [8243] soon saruman sent armi turn came treebeard
## [8244] went gate began hammer door
## [8245] call saruman answer arrow stone
## [8246] wall arrow use ent hurt cours
## [8247] infuri like sting fli ent stuck
## [8248] orearrow pincushion harm
## [8249] poison thing skin tougher
## [8250] bark take heavi axestrok wound serious
## [8251] dont like axe great axe men ent
## [8252] man hack ent get chanc second blow
## [8253] punch entfist crumpl iron like tin
## [8254]
## [8255] treebeard got arrow began warm
## [8256] posit hasti say let great hoomhom
## [8257] dozen ent came stride angri ent terrifi finger
## [8258] toe just freez rock tear like
## [8259] breadcrust like watch work great treeroot
## [8260] year pack moment
## [8261]
## [8262] push pull tore shook hammer clangbang
## [8263] crashcrack minut huge gate just lie ruin
## [8264] begin eat wall like rabbit
## [8265] sandpit dont know saruman thought happen
## [8266]
## [8267]
## [8268]
## [8269]
## [8270]
## [8271] know deal wizardri fall late
## [8272] cours think grit plain courag
## [8273] tight place lot slave machin thing
## [8274] know mean differ old gandalf wonder fame
## [8275] main clever settl isengard’
## [8276]
## [8277] aragorn great fame
## [8278] knowledg deep thought subtl hand marvel
## [8279] skill power mind wise
## [8280] persuad smaller folk daunt power certain
## [8281] keep middleearth say safe
## [8282] left talk suffer
## [8283] defeat gandalf elrond galadriel wicked
## [8284] laid bare
## [8285]
## [8286] ent safe pippin time got
## [8287] round understand
## [8288] great mistak leav calcul
## [8289] plan time make set work
## [8290] soon attack began remain rat isengard start
## [8291] bolt hole ent ent let men
## [8292] question dozen end
## [8293] dont think orefolk size escap huorn
## [8294] wood round isengard time
## [8295] gone valley
## [8296]
## [8297] ent reduc larg southern wall
## [8298] rubbish left peopl bolt desert
## [8299] saruman fled panic gate arriv
## [8300]
## [8301] expect came watch splendid armi march ent broke
## [8302] way left hurri spot
## [8303] night open great light star quit
## [8304] ent sudden quickbeam gave treekil
## [8305] treekil quickbeam gentl creatur hate saruman
## [8306] fierc peopl suffer cruelli oreax leapt
## [8307] path inner gate like wind
## [8308] rous pale figur hurri away shadow
## [8309] pillar near reach stair towerdoor
## [8310] near thing quickbeam hot step
## [8311] caught strangl slip door
## [8312]
## [8313]
## [8314]
## [8315]
## [8316] ’ saruman safe orthanc long set
## [8317] precious machineri work time ent
## [8318] insid isengard follow quickbeam burst
## [8319] north east roam great deal
## [8320] damag sudden came fire foul fume vent shaft
## [8321] plain began spout belch ent got scorch
## [8322] blister beechbon think call tall
## [8323] handsom ent got caught spray liquid burn like
## [8324] torch horribl sight
## [8325]
## [8326] sent mad thought realli rous
## [8327] wrong saw like stagger
## [8328] roar boom trumpet stone began crack fall
## [8329] mere nois merri lay ground stuf cloak
## [8330] ear round round rock orthanc ent went stride
## [8331] storm like howl gale break pillar hurl avalanch
## [8332] boulder shaft toss huge slab stone air like
## [8333] leav tower middl spin whirlwind saw iron
## [8334] post block masonri rocket hundr feet smash
## [8335] window orthanc treebeard kept head lie
## [8336] burn luckili want folk hurt
## [8337] furi want saruman escap hole
## [8338] confus ent hurl
## [8339] orthanc rock defeat smooth hard
## [8340] wizardri older stronger saruman’
## [8341] grip make crack bruis
## [8342] wound ’ treebeard went ring
## [8343] shout enorm voic rose din dead
## [8344] silenc sudden heard shrill laugh high window
## [8345] tower queer effect ent boil
## [8346] cold grim ice quiet left plain gather
## [8347] round treebeard stand quit spoke littl
## [8348] languag think tell plan
## [8349] old head long just fade silent away grey light
## [8350]
## [8351] day dawn time
## [8352]
## [8353] set watch tower believ watcher
## [8354] hidden shadow kept
## [8355] went away north day busi sight
## [8356]
## [8357]
## [8358]
## [8359]
## [8360] time left dreari day wander
## [8361] bit kept view window orthanc
## [8362] stare threaten good deal time spent
## [8363] look eat sat talk wonder
## [8364] happen away south rohan rest
## [8365] compani hear distanc rattl
## [8366] fall stone thud nois echo hill
## [8367]
## [8368] ’ afternoon walk round circl went look
## [8369] go great shadowi wood huorn head
## [8370] valley round northern wall dare
## [8371] rend tear nois work go insid ent
## [8372] huorn dig great pit trench make great pool
## [8373] dam gather water isen spring stream
## [8374] left
## [8375]
## [8376] dusk treebeard came gate hum boom
## [8377] pleas stood stretch great arm leg
## [8378] breath deep ask tire
## [8379]
## [8380] tire tire tire stiff need
## [8381] good draught entwash work hard
## [8382] stone crack earthgnaw today long
## [8383] year
## [8384]
## [8385] near finish night fall linger near
## [8386] gate old tunnel water come throughand foul water
## [8387] filth saruman wash away isen
## [8388] run clean began pull bit wall
## [8389] leisur sort way just amus
## [8390]
## [8391] just wonder safe lie
## [8392] sleep amaz thing happen sound
## [8393] rider come swift road merri lay quiet treebeard hid
## [8394] shadow arch sudden great hors came stride
## [8395] like flash silver dark rider
## [8396] face clear shine cloth white just sat
## [8397] stare mouth open tri
## [8398]
## [8399] need halt just look
## [8400] gandalf voic whisper say
## [8401]
## [8402] hullo pippin pleasant surpris
## [8403] tomfool took wonder ruin
## [8404]
## [8405]
## [8406]
## [8407]
## [8408] treebeard want quick
## [8409]
## [8410] ’treebeard heard voic came shadow
## [8411] strang meet surpris
## [8412] surpris gandalf obvious expect treebeard
## [8413] treebeard loiter near gate purpos
## [8414] meet told old entail moria
## [8415] rememb queer look gave time suppos
## [8416] seen gandalf news say
## [8417] hurri don’t hasti motto elv say
## [8418] gandalf s movement
## [8419]
## [8420] hoorn gandalf treebeard glad come wood
## [8421] water stock stone master wizard manag
## [8422]
## [8423] treebeard gandalf need help
## [8424] need thousand ore manag
## [8425]
## [8426] went council corner
## [8427] hasti treebeard gandalf tremend
## [8428] hurri talk great pace pass
## [8429] hear away matter minut quarter
## [8430] hour gandalf came reliev merri
## [8431] say glad
## [8432]
## [8433] gandalf cri seen
## [8434]
## [8435]
## [8436] answer genuin gandalf
## [8437] manner yes seen news wait
## [8438] peril night ride fast dawn brighter
## [8439] shall meet care away
## [8440] orthanc goodby
## [8441]
## [8442] treebeard thought gandalf gone evid
## [8443] learnt lot short time digest look
## [8444]
## [8445] hm hasti folk thought
## [8446] hm bundl
## [8447] news mistak treebeard busi
## [8448]
## [8449] went got littl news cheer
## [8450] moment thought
## [8451] frodo sam poor boromir gather great
## [8452] battl go soon
## [8453] come
## [8454]
## [8455]
## [8456]
## [8457]
## [8458] huorn help treebeard went away
## [8459] morn
## [8460]
## [8461] deep night lay pile stone
## [8462] mist shadow blot like great
## [8463] blanket round air hot heavi
## [8464] rustl creak murmur like voic pass think
## [8465] hundr huorn pass help battl
## [8466] later great rumbl thunder away south flash
## [8467] lightn far away rohan
## [8468] mountainpeak mile mile away stab sudden black white
## [8469] vanish nois like thunder hill
## [8470] differ time valley echo
## [8471]
## [8472] midnight ent broke dam
## [8473] pour gather water gap northern wall
## [8474] isengard huorndark pass thunder roll away
## [8475] moon sink western mountain
## [8476]
## [8477] isengard began black creep stream pool
## [8478] glitter light moon spread plain
## [8479]
## [8480] water way shaft
## [8481] spouthol great white steam hiss smoke rose billow
## [8482] explos gust great coil vapour went whirl
## [8483] twist round round orthanc look like tall peak cloud
## [8484] fieri underneath moonlit water pour
## [8485] isengard look like huge flat saucepan steam bubbl
## [8486]
## [8487] saw cloud smoke steam south night
## [8488] came mouth nan curunnr aragorn fear saruman
## [8489]
## [8490]
## [8491] brew new devilri
## [8492]
## [8493] pippin probabl choke laugh
## [8494] morn yesterday morn water sunk
## [8495] hole dens fog took refug guardroom
## [8496] fright lake began overflow pour
## [8497] old tunnel water rapid rise step
## [8498] thought go caught like ore hole
## [8499] wind stair storeroom brought
## [8500] arch squeez passag crack
## [8501] half block fallen stone near sat high
## [8502]
## [8503]
## [8504]
## [8505]
## [8506] flood watch drown isengard ent kept pour
## [8507] water till fire quench cave fill fog
## [8508] slowli gather steam huge umbrella cloud
## [8509] mile high even great rainbow
## [8510] eastern hill sunset blot drizzl
## [8511] mountainsid went quiet wolv howl mourn
## [8512] far away ent stop inflow night sent isen
## [8513] old cours end
## [8514]
## [8515] ’ water sink outlet
## [8516] cave underneath think saruman peep
## [8517] window look untidi dreari mess felt lone
## [8518] visibl ent talk ruin news spent
## [8519] night arch cold damp
## [8520] sleep feel happen minut
## [8521] saruman tower nois night like wind
## [8522] come valley think ent huorn away came
## [8523] gone dont know
## [8524] misti moisti morn climb look round
## [8525]
## [8526]
## [8527] tell
## [8528] peac turmoil safer gandalf
## [8529] came sleep
## [8530]
## [8531] fell silent gim refil pipe
## [8532] thing wonder lit flint tinder
## [8533] wormtongu told thjoden saruman
## [8534]
## [8535] oh yes forgot pippin till
## [8536] morn just lit breakfast treebeard
## [8537] appear heard hoom call name outsid
## [8538]
## [8539] just come round fare lad
## [8540]
## [8541] news huorn come all aye
## [8542] laugh slap thigh ore isengard
## [8543] axe folk come south day
## [8544] old glad
## [8545]
## [8546] hard heard sound hoof road
## [8547]
## [8548] rush gate stood stare half expect
## [8549] strider gandalf come ride head armi
## [8550] mist rode man old tire hors look queer
## [8551]
## [8552]
## [8553]
## [8554]
## [8555] twist sort creatur came
## [8556] mist sudden saw ruin wreckag
## [8557] sat gape face went green bewild
## [8558] notic gave tri
## [8559] turn hors round ride treebeard took stride
## [8560] long arm lift saddl hors bolt terror
## [8561] grovel ground grnma friend counsellor
## [8562] king sent import messag thjoden
## [8563] saruman
## [8564]
## [8565] dare ride open land foul
## [8566] ore sent peril journey
## [8567] hungri weari fled far north way pursu wolv
## [8568]
## [8569] caught sidelong look gave treebeard
## [8570] liar treebeard look long slow way minut
## [8571] till wretch man squirm floor ha
## [8572] hm expect master wormtongu man start
## [8573] gandalf got know need know
## [8574] rat trap gandalf
## [8575]
## [8576] master isengard saruman lock tower
## [8577] messag think
## [8578]
## [8579] let let wormtongu know way
## [8580]
## [8581] knew way dont doubt treebeard thing
## [8582] chang littl
## [8583]
## [8584] let wormtongu limp arch close
## [8585] came insid ring flood lay
## [8586] orthanc turn
## [8587]
## [8588] let away whine let away messag useless
## [8589]
## [8590]
## [8591] treebeard choic
## [8592] stay gandalf master arriv cross water
## [8593]
## [8594]
## [8595] man shiver mention master foot
## [8596] water drew swim
## [8597]
## [8598] water deep treebeard dirti
## [8599] harm master wormtongu
## [8600]
## [8601] wretch flounder flood rose near
## [8602] neck got far away saw
## [8603]
## [8604]
## [8605]
## [8606]
## [8607] cling old barrel piec wood treebeard wade
## [8608] watch progress
## [8609]
## [8610] gone return saw crawl
## [8611] step like draggl rat tower
## [8612] hand came pull hope welcom
## [8613] like wash clean slime ill
## [8614] away north want clean
## [8615] water fit ent drink bath ask
## [8616] lad watch gate folk come ’ll
## [8617] lord field rohan mark welcom
## [8618] know men fought great fight ore mayb
## [8619] know right fashion men word lord better ent
## [8620]
## [8621] lord green field time
## [8622] learn speech name want manfood
## [8623] know guess think fit king
## [8624] eat end stori like
## [8625] know wormtongu realli king counsellor
## [8626]
## [8627] aragorn saruman spi servant rohan
## [8628]
## [8629] fate kinder deserv sight ruin
## [8630] thought strong magnific
## [8631] punish fear wors await
## [8632]
## [8633] yes dont suppos treebeard sent orthanc kind
## [8634] merri grim delight busi
## [8635] laugh went bath drink spent busi
## [8636] time search flotsam rummag
## [8637] storeroom differ place nearbi floodlevel
## [8638] treebeard sent ent carri great deal
## [8639] stuff
## [8640]
## [8641] want manfood twentyf ent
## [8642] somebodi count compani care arriv
## [8643] evid meant great peopl
## [8644] fare better kept good sent promis better
## [8645] sent drink
## [8646]
## [8647] drink ent
## [8648]
## [8649] water isen good ent
## [8650] men hope ent time brew
## [8651] draught mountainspr shall gandalf beard curl
## [8652]
## [8653]
## [8654]
## [8655]
## [8656] return ent gone felt tire hungri
## [8657] grumbl — labour reward
## [8658] search manfood pippin discov prize flotsam
## [8659] hornblow barrel pipewe better food pippin
## [8660] situat aros
## [8661]
## [8662] understand perfect gim
## [8663]
## [8664] thing aragorn leaf southfarth
## [8665] isengard consid curious
## [8666] isengard journey land know
## [8667] countri lie rohan shire good folk
## [8668] pass way long year open saruman secret
## [8669] deal shire guess wormtongu
## [8670] hous king thjoden date barrel
## [8671]
## [8672] yes pippin crop year
## [8673] year cours good year
## [8674]
## [8675] ah evil afoot hope
## [8676] reach present aragorn think shall mention
## [8677] gandalf small matter great affair
## [8678]
## [8679] wonder merri afternoon get
## [8680]
## [8681] let look round enter isengard rate strider
## [8682] want cheer sight
## [8683]
## [8684]
## [8685]
## [8686]
## [8687] chapter voic saruman
## [8688]
## [8689]
## [8690]
## [8691] pass ruin tunnel stood heap stone
## [8692] gaze dark rock orthanc window menac
## [8693] desol lay water near
## [8694] subsid gloomi pool remain cover scum
## [8695] wreckag wide circl bare wilder slime
## [8696] tumbl rock pit blacken hole dot post
## [8697] pillar lean drunken way rim shatter
## [8698] bowl lay vast mound slope like shingl cast great
## [8699] storm green tangl valley ran long
## [8700] ravin dark arm mountain wast saw
## [8701] rider pick way come north
## [8702] draw near orthanc
## [8703]
## [8704] gandalf thjoden men legola let
## [8705] meet
## [8706]
## [8707] walk warili merri loos slab tilt
## [8708] throw pit dont care
## [8709]
## [8710] follow left road gate orthanc
## [8711] go slowli flagston crack slime rider
## [8712] see approach halt shadow rock wait
## [8713] gandalf rode forward meet
## [8714]
## [8715] treebeard interest discuss
## [8716] plan muchneed rest
## [8717] go hope companion rest
## [8718] refresh
## [8719]
## [8720] merri discuss began end smoke
## [8721] feel illdispos saruman
## [8722]
## [8723] gandalf task
## [8724] pay saruman farewel visit danger
## [8725] probabl useless wish come
## [8726] — bewar jest time
## [8727]
## [8728] come gim wish learn realli
## [8729] look like
## [8730]
## [8731] learn master dwarf gandalf saruman
## [8732]
## [8733]
## [8734]
## [8735]
## [8736] look like eye suit purpos
## [8737] wise detect counterfeit shall
## [8738] shi show differ eye
## [8739] order ent remov sight
## [8740] shall persuad come
## [8741]
## [8742] ’what danger’ ask pippin shoot pour
## [8743] window spell distanc
## [8744]
## [8745] like ride door light heart
## [8746] gandalf know choos tri
## [8747]
## [8748] wild beast corner safe approach saruman power
## [8749] guess bewar voic
## [8750]
## [8751] came foot orthanc black rock
## [8752] gleam wet face stone sharp edg
## [8753] newli chisel score small flakelik
## [8754] splinter near base mark bore furi
## [8755] ent
## [8756]
## [8757] eastern angl pier great door
## [8758] high ground shutter window open
## [8759] balconi hedg iron bar threshold door mount
## [8760] flight twentyseven broad stair hewn unknown art
## [8761] black stone entranc tower tall window
## [8762] cut deep embrasur climb wall far peer like
## [8763] littl eye sheer face horn
## [8764]
## [8765] foot stair gandalf king dismount
## [8766] gandalf orthanc know peril
## [8767]
## [8768] king old fear peril
## [8769] wish speak enemi wrong
## [8770] jomer
## [8771]
## [8772] shall come age feet falter
## [8773]
## [8774] gandalf aragorn shall come let
## [8775] await foot stair hear
## [8776] hear
## [8777]
## [8778] nay gim legola wish closer view
## [8779] repres kindr come
## [8780]
## [8781] come gandalf climb step
## [8782] thjoden went
## [8783]
## [8784] rider rohan sat uneasili hors
## [8785]
## [8786]
## [8787]
## [8788]
## [8789] stair look dark great tower fear
## [8790] befal lord merri pippin sat step feel
## [8791] unimport unsaf
## [8792]
## [8793] half sticki mile gate mutter pippin wish
## [8794] slip guardroom unnot come
## [8795] want
## [8796]
## [8797] gandalf stood door orthanc beat staff
## [8798]
## [8799] rang hollow sound saruman saruman cri loud
## [8800] command voic saruman come forth
## [8801]
## [8802] time answer window door
## [8803] unbar hut figur seen dark open
## [8804]
## [8805] voic wish
## [8806]
## [8807] thjoden start know voic curs day
## [8808] listen
## [8809]
## [8810] fetch saruman footman grnma
## [8811] wormtongu gandalf wast time
## [8812]
## [8813] window close wait sudden voic spoke low
## [8814] melodi sound enchant listen unwarili
## [8815] voic seldom report word heard
## [8816] wonder littl power remain rememb
## [8817] delight hear voic speak
## [8818] wise reason desir awok swift agreement
## [8819] wise spoke harsh uncouth
## [8820]
## [8821]
## [8822] contrast gainsaid voic anger kindl heart
## [8823] spell fur spell last voic spoke
## [8824] spake smile men
## [8825] juggler trick gape sound voic
## [8826] hold enthral conquer
## [8827] spell endur far away heard soft
## [8828] voic whisper urg unmov reject
## [8829] plea command effort mind long
## [8830] master control
## [8831]
## [8832] gentl question disturb
## [8833] rest peac night day tone
## [8834] kind heart aggriev injuri undeserv
## [8835]
## [8836] look astonish heard sound come
## [8837]
## [8838]
## [8839]
## [8840]
## [8841] saw figur stand rail look old
## [8842] man swath great cloak colour easi tell
## [8843] chang move eye stir face long
## [8844] high forehead deep darkl eye hard fathom
## [8845] look bore grave benevol littl weari
## [8846] hair beard white strand black show lip
## [8847] ear
## [8848]
## [8849] like unlike’ mutter gim
## [8850]
## [8851] come soft voic know
## [8852] gandalf know hope seek help
## [8853] counsel thjoden lord mark rohan declar
## [8854] nobl devic fair counten hous
## [8855] eorl o worthi son thengel thricerenown
## [8856] come
## [8857]
## [8858] friend desir mightiest king
## [8859] western land especi year save
## [8860] unwis evil counsel beset late despit
## [8861] injuri men rohan ala
## [8862] save deliv ruin
## [8863] draw nigh inevit ride road taken
## [8864] aid
## [8865]
## [8866] thjoden open mouth speak look
## [8867] face saruman dark solemn eye bent
## [8868] gandalf hesit gandalf
## [8869] sign stood silent stone wait patient
## [8870] come rider stir murmur approv
## [8871] word saruman silent men spellbound
## [8872] gandalf spoken fair fit
## [8873] lord rough proud deal thjoden
## [8874] heart crept shadow fear great danger end mark
## [8875] dark gandalf drive saruman stood
## [8876] door escap hold half open ray light came
## [8877] heavi silenc
## [8878]
## [8879] gim dwarf broke sudden word wizard
## [8880] stand head growl grip handl axe
## [8881] languag orthanc help mean ruin save mean slay
## [8882] plain come beg
## [8883]
## [8884]
## [8885]
## [8886]
## [8887] ’peac saruman fleet moment voic
## [8888] suav light flicker eye gone speak
## [8889] gim gluin son ’far away home small
## [8890] concern troubl land design
## [8891] embroil blame
## [8892] playeda valiant doubt pray allow
## [8893] speak king rohan neighbour friend
## [8894]
## [8895] ’ say thjoden king peac
## [8896] aid knowledg found long year bring shall
## [8897] make counsel evil day repair injuri
## [8898] good estat shall come fairer flower
## [8899]
## [8900]
## [8901] thjoden answer strove anger doubt
## [8902] say jomer spoke
## [8903]
## [8904] lord hear feel peril warn
## [8905] ridden forth victori stand amaz old
## [8906] liar honey fork tongu trap wolf speak
## [8907] hound aid forsooth desir
## [8908] escap plight parley dealer
## [8909] treacheri murder rememb thjodr ford grave
## [8910] hbma
## [8911]
## [8912] helm deep
## [8913]
## [8914] speak poison tongu shall say young
## [8915] serpent saruman flash anger plain
## [8916]
## [8917] come jomer jomund son went soft voic
## [8918] man h valour arm win high honour
## [8919] slay lord name enemi content meddl polici
## [8920] understand mayb king
## [8921] choos friend care friendship saruman
## [8922] power orthanc light thrown asid grievanc real
## [8923] fanci lie won battl war
## [8924] help count shadow
## [8925] wood door wayward senseless love
## [8926] men
## [8927]
## [8928] lord rohan call murder valiant
## [8929] men fallen battl war needless
## [8930] desir men slain murder account
## [8931]
## [8932]
## [8933]
## [8934]
## [8935] hous eorl stain murder fought
## [8936] war assail defi
## [8937] peac wors polit say thjoden king shall
## [8938] peac friendship command
## [8939]
## [8940] peac thjoden thick effort
## [8941]
## [8942] rider cri glad thjoden held hand yes
## [8943] peac clear voic peac
## [8944] work perish — work dark master
## [8945] deliv liar saruman corrupt men
## [8946] heart hold hand perceiv finger
## [8947] claw mordor cruel cold war just
## [8948] time wise right rule
## [8949] profit desir — say
## [8950] torch westfold children lie dead
## [8951] hew hbmas bodi gate hornburg dead
## [8952]
## [8953]
## [8954]
## [8955] hang gibbet window sport crow
## [8956] peac orthanc hous eorl
## [8957] lesser son great sire need lick finger turn
## [8958] elsewhith fear voic lost charm
## [8959]
## [8960] rider gaze thjoden like men startl dream harsh
## [8961] old raven master voic sound ear music
## [8962] saruman saruman wrath lean
## [8963] rail smite king staff sudden
## [8964] saw snake coil strike
## [8965]
## [8966] gibbet crow hiss shudder hideous
## [8967] chang dotard hous eorl thatch barn
## [8968] brigand drink reek brat roll floor
## [8969] dog long escap gibbet noos come
## [8970] slow draw tight hard end hang
## [8971] voic chang slowli master know
## [8972] patienc speak need littl band
## [8973] gallop swift fli advanc thjoden horsemast long ago
## [8974] offer state merit wit offer
## [8975] mislead clear choic road
## [8976] brag abus hut
## [8977]
## [8978] gandalf griev feel
## [8979]
## [8980]
## [8981]
## [8982]
## [8983] shame come endur compani proud
## [8984] gandalfand reason nobl mind eye look
## [8985] deep far listen counsel
## [8986]
## [8987] gandalf stir look ’ say
## [8988] say meet ask thing unsay
## [8989]
## [8990] saruman paus unsay muse puzzl unsay endeavour
## [8991] advis good scarc listen proud
## [8992] love advic store wisdom
## [8993] occas er think misconstru intent wil
## [8994] fear eager persuad lost patienc
## [8995] regret bore illwil bear
## [8996] return compani violent ignor
## [8997] member high ancient order excel
## [8998] middleearth friendship profit alik
## [8999] accomplish heal disord world let understand
## [9000] dismiss thought lesser folk let wait
## [9001] decis common good will redress past
## [9002] receiv consult come
## [9003]
## [9004] great power saruman exert effort
## [9005] stood hear unmov spell wholli
## [9006] differ heard gentl remonstr kind king
## [9007] er muchlov minist shut listen door
## [9008] word meant illmann children stupid servant
## [9009] overhear elus discours elder wonder
## [9010] affect lot loftier mould reverend
## [9011] wise inevit make allianc gandalf ascend
## [9012] tower discuss deep thing comprehens
## [9013] high chamber orthanc door close left
## [9014] outsid dismiss await allot work punish mind
## [9015] thjoden thought took shape like shadow doubt betray
## [9016] — shall lost
## [9017]
## [9018] gandalf laugh fantasi vanish like puff smoke
## [9019]
## [9020] saruman saruman gandalf laugh saruman miss
## [9021] path life king jester earn
## [9022] bread stripe mimick counsellor ah paus
## [9023] get better mirth understand fear
## [9024] comprehens saruman understand
## [9025]
## [9026]
## [9027]
## [9028]
## [9029] clearer memori argument deed suppos
## [9030] visit jailor mordor sent nay
## [9031] guest escap roof think twice come
## [9032] door nay think come listen
## [9033] saruman time come isengard prove
## [9034] strong hope fanci thing
## [9035] trust leav turn
## [9036] new thing think saruman come
## [9037]
## [9038] shadow pass saruman face went death white
## [9039] conceal saw mask anguish mind
## [9040] doubt loath stay dread leav refug second
## [9041] hesit breath spoke voic shrill
## [9042] cold pride hate conquer
## [9043]
## [9044] come mock unarm man come
## [9045] speak
## [9046]
## [9047] robber door hear w ell fool
## [9048] trust gandalf stand open stair
## [9049] know wild wooddemon lurk command
## [9050]
## [9051] treacher distrust answer gandalf wearili
## [9052] need fear skin wish kill hurt
## [9053] know realli understood power protect
## [9054] give chanc leav orthanc free —
## [9055] choos
## [9056]
## [9057] sound sneer saruman manner
## [9058] gandalf grey condescend kind doubt
## [9059] orthanc commodi departur conveni
## [9060]
## [9061]
## [9062] wish leav mean free
## [9063] condit presum
## [9064]
## [9065] reason leav window answer gandalf
## [9066] occur thought servant destroy
## [9067] scatter neighbour enemi cheat
## [9068] new master tri eye turn hither
## [9069] red eye wrath say free mean free free bond
## [9070] chain command mordor saruman
## [9071] desir surrend key orthanc
## [9072] staff shall pledg conduct return later
## [9073]
## [9074]
## [9075]
## [9076]
## [9077] merit
## [9078]
## [9079] saruman face grew livid twist rage red light
## [9080] kindl eye laugh wild later cri voic
## [9081] rose scream later yes key ofbaraddyr
## [9082] suppos crown seven king rod
## [9083] wizard purchas pair boot size larger
## [9084] wear modest plan hard help
## [9085] need thing fool wish treat
## [9086] chanc away come
## [9087] sober
## [9088]
## [9089] leav cutthroat small ragtag dangl
## [9090] tail good day turn left balconi
## [9091]
## [9092] come saruman gandalf command voic
## [9093] amaz saruman turn drag
## [9094] came slowli iron rail lean breath hard
## [9095]
## [9096] face line shrunken hand clutch heavi black staff
## [9097] like claw
## [9098]
## [9099] leav gandalf stern
## [9100] finish fool saruman pitiabl
## [9101] turn away folli evil servic
## [9102] choos stay gnaw end old plot stay warn
## [9103] easili come unless dark hand
## [9104] east stretch saruman cri voic grew
## [9105] power author behold gandalf grey betray
## [9106] gandalf white return death colour
## [9107]
## [9108]
## [9109] cast order council
## [9110]
## [9111] rais hand spoke slowli clear cold voic saruman
## [9112] staff broken crack staff split asund
## [9113] saruman hand head fell gandalf s feet
## [9114] gandalf saruman fell crawl away moment
## [9115] heavi shine thing came hurtl glanc iron
## [9116] rail saruman left pass close gandalf s head smote
## [9117] stair stood rail rang snap stair crack
## [9118] splinter glitter spark ball unharm roll
## [9119] step globe crystal dark glow heart
## [9120]
## [9121] bound away pool pippin ran pick
## [9122]
## [9123]
## [9124]
## [9125]
## [9126] murder rogu cri jomer gandalf unmov
## [9127] thrown b saruman bid think came
## [9128] window far part shot master wormtongu fanci
## [9129]
## [9130]
## [9131] ill aim
## [9132]
## [9133] aim poor mayb make mind
## [9134] hate saruman aragorn
## [9135]
## [9136] gandalf small comfort
## [9137] companionship gnaw word
## [9138] punish just wormtongu come orthanc aliv
## [9139] deserv
## [9140]
## [9141] lad ill ask handl
## [9142] cri turn sharpli see pippin come step slowli
## [9143] bear great weight went meet hastili took
## [9144] dark globe hobbit wrap fold cloak
## [9145] care thing guess saruman
## [9146] chosen cast away
## [9147]
## [9148] thing cast gim end
## [9149] debat let stone throw
## [9150]
## [9151] end gandalf let
## [9152]
## [9153] turn back door orthanc went
## [9154] rider hail king joy salut gandalf spell saruman
## [9155] broken seen come crawl away dismiss
## [9156]
## [9157] gandalf treebeard tell
## [9158] thing gone
## [9159]
## [9160] guess sure merri like end
## [9161] way
## [9162]
## [9163] like answer gandalf came balanc
## [9164] hair reason tri merci
## [9165] saruman shown power voic wane
## [9166]
## [9167]
## [9168] tyrant counsellor plot ripe remain longer secret
## [9169]
## [9170] fell trap tri deal victim piecem
## [9171] listen gave choic fair
## [9172] renounc mordor privat scheme make amend help
## [9173]
## [9174]
## [9175] need know need better great servic
## [9176]
## [9177]
## [9178]
## [9179]
## [9180] render chosen withhold power orthanc
## [9181] serv command live terror shadow
## [9182] mordor dream ride storm unhappi fool
## [9183] devour power east stretch arm isengard
## [9184] destroy orthanc sauron — know
## [9185]
## [9186]
## [9187] sauron conquer ask
## [9188] pippin
## [9189]
## [9190] gandalf wish
## [9191] masteri w ill say griev
## [9192] good fester tower thing gone
## [9193] bad strang turn fortun hatr hurt
## [9194] guess enter treasur
## [9195] orthanc precious thing wormtongu threw
## [9196]
## [9197] shrill shriek sudden cut came open window high
## [9198]
## [9199] saruman think gandalf let leav
## [9200]
## [9201]
## [9202] return ruin gate hard pass
## [9203] arch shadow pile stone
## [9204] stood treebeard dozen ent came stride aragorn gim
## [9205] legola gaze wonder
## [9206]
## [9207] companion treebeard gandalf
## [9208] spoken seen name
## [9209]
## [9210] old ent look long search spoke
## [9211] turn turn legola come way
## [9212] mirkwood good elf great forest use
## [9213]
## [9214] legola great dwell
## [9215] tire see new tree dear love journey fangorn
## [9216] wood scarc pass eav wish turn
## [9217]
## [9218]
## [9219] treebeard eye gleam pleasur hope wish
## [9220] ere hill older
## [9221]
## [9222] come fortun legola
## [9223] bargain friend goe visit fangorn
## [9224] — leav
## [9225]
## [9226] elf come welcom treebeard
## [9227]
## [9228] friend speak elf legola mean gim
## [9229]
## [9230]
## [9231]
## [9232]
## [9233] gluin son gim bow low axe slip belt
## [9234] clatter ground
## [9235]
## [9236] hoom hm ah treebeard look darkey dwarf
## [9237] axebear hoom good elv ask
## [9238] strang friendship ’strang legola
## [9239] gim live shall come fangorn axe tree
## [9240] oreneck o fangorn master fangorn wood hew
## [9241] battl
## [9242]
## [9243] hoo come treebeard better stori
## [9244] thing need hurri meet
## [9245] day draw end gandalf say
## [9246] ere nightfal ford mark eager hous
## [9247]
## [9248] yes gandalf fear
## [9249] gatekeep manag
## [9250]
## [9251] mayb shall treebeard shall miss
## [9252] friend short think get hasti — grow
## [9253] backward youth new thing
## [9254] sun moon seen long long day shall
## [9255] forget name fong fist ent rememb
## [9256]
## [9257]
## [9258] ent earthborn old mountain
## [9259]
## [9260] widewalk water drink
## [9261]
## [9262] hungri hunter hobbit children
## [9263]
## [9264] laughingfolk littl peopl
## [9265]
## [9266] shall remain friend long leav renew fare
## [9267]
## [9268] hear news pleasant land shire send word
## [9269] know mean word sight entwiv come
## [9270]
## [9271]
## [9272]
## [9273] merri pippin turn away
## [9274] hastili treebeard look silent shake
## [9275] head thought turn gandalf
## [9276]
## [9277] saruman leav think
## [9278] heart rotten black huorn overcom
## [9279] tree destroy come dark hole left hide
## [9280]
## [9281]
## [9282] gandalf plot cover world
## [9283]
## [9284]
## [9285]
## [9286]
## [9287] tree choke live thing saruman
## [9288] remain nurs hatr weav web
## [9289] key orthanc allow escap
## [9290]
## [9291] ent treebeard saruman shall
## [9292] set foot rock leav ent watch ’
## [9293]
## [9294] good gandalf hope turn
## [9295] matter care wari water
## [9296] gone sentinel round tower fear
## [9297] doubt deep way delv orthanc
## [9298] saruman hope come unmark long undertak
## [9299] labour beg pour water isengard
## [9300] remain stand pool discov outlet
## [9301] underground place drown outlet block saruman
## [9302] stay upstair look window
## [9303]
## [9304] leav ents’ treebeard shall search valley
## [9305] head foot peer pebbl tree come live
## [9306] old tree wild tree watchwood squirrel
## [9307] shall know leav ent seven time
## [9308] year torment pass shall tire
## [9309] watch
## [9310]
## [9311]
## [9312]
## [9313]
## [9314] chapter palantnr
## [9315]
## [9316]
## [9317]
## [9318] sun sink long western arm mountain
## [9319] gandalf companion king rider set
## [9320] isengard gandalf took merri aragorn took pippin
## [9321]
## [9322]
## [9323] king men went ahead ride swift pass soon sight
## [9324] valley follow easi pace
## [9325]
## [9326] ent solemn row stood like statu gate long
## [9327] arm uplift sound merri pippin look
## [9328] pass way wind road sunlight shine
## [9329] sky long shadow reach isengard grey ruin fall
## [9330] dark treebeard stood like distant stump old
## [9331] tree hobbit thought meet sunni ledg far
## [9332] away border fangorn
## [9333]
## [9334] came pillar white hand pillar
## [9335] stand graven hand thrown broken small
## [9336] piec right middl road long forefing lay white
## [9337] dusk red nail darken black
## [9338]
## [9339] ent pay attent gandalf
## [9340]
## [9341] rode even deepen valley
## [9342]
## [9343] ride far tonight gandalf ask merri
## [9344] dont know feel small ragtag dangl
## [9345] ragtag tire glad stop dangl lie
## [9346]
## [9347] heard gandalf dont let rankl thank
## [9348] longer word aim eye comfort
## [9349] pride say moment pippin
## [9350] thought rest came
## [9351] know captur escap
## [9352] ore perish — littl riddl great
## [9353] mind saruman troubl sneer meriadoc compliment
## [9354] feel honour concern
## [9355]
## [9356] thank merri greater honour dangl
## [9357] tail gandalf thing posit chanc put
## [9358]
## [9359]
## [9360]
## [9361]
## [9362] question second time ride far tonight
## [9363]
## [9364] gandalf laugh unquench hobbit wizard
## [9365] hobbit care — teach mean word
## [9366] correct beg pardon given thought
## [9367] simpl matter ride hour gentl come
## [9368] end valley tomorrow ride faster
## [9369]
## [9370] ’ came meant straight isengard king
## [9371] hous edora plain ride day taken
## [9372] thought chang plan messeng gone ahead helm deep
## [9373] warn king return tomorrow ride
## [9374] men dunharrow path hill
## [9375]
## [9376]
## [9377] open land day night
## [9378] avoid
## [9379]
## [9380] doubl help way merri afraid
## [9381] look tonight bed helm deep
## [9382] rest dont know countri
## [9383]
## [9384] youd best learn wish understand
## [9385] happen just press
## [9386] thing think
## [9387]
## [9388] right ill tackl strider campfir hes testi
## [9389] secreci thought wed won battl
## [9390]
## [9391] yes won victor
## [9392] increas danger link isengard mordor
## [9393]
## [9394]
## [9395] fathom exchang news sure
## [9396] eye baraddyr look impati wizard
## [9397] vale think rohan see better
## [9398]
## [9399] road pass slowli wind valley
## [9400] nearer isen flow stoni bed night came mountain
## [9401] mist gone chill wind blew moon wax round fill
## [9402] eastern sky pale cold sheen shoulder mountain
## [9403] right slope bare hill wide plain open grey
## [9404]
## [9405]
## [9406] halt turn asid leav highway
## [9407] take sweet upland turf go westward mile came
## [9408] dale open southward lean slope round dol
## [9409]
## [9410]
## [9411]
## [9412]
## [9413] baran hill northern rang greenfoot crown
## [9414] heather side glen shaggi year bracken
## [9415] tightcurl frond spring just thrust
## [9416] sweetscent earth thornbush grew low bank
## [9417] camp hour middl night
## [9418] lit hollow root spread hawthorn
## [9419] tall tree writhen age hale limb bud swell
## [9420] twig tip
## [9421]
## [9422] guard set watch rest sup
## [9423] wrap cloak blanket slept hobbit lay
## [9424] corner pile old bracken merri sleepi
## [9425] pippin curious restless bracken crack rustl
## [9426] twist turn
## [9427]
## [9428] ’s matter ask merri lie anthil
## [9429]
## [9430] pippin im comfort wonder long
## [9431] slept bed
## [9432]
## [9433] merri yawn work finger
## [9434] know long left lurien
## [9435]
## [9436] oh pippin mean real bed bedroom
## [9437]
## [9438] rivendel merri sleep
## [9439] tonight
## [9440]
## [9441] luck merri pippin soft long paus
## [9442] ride gandalf
## [9443]
## [9444]
## [9445]
## [9446] news inform
## [9447]
## [9448] yes good deal usual heard
## [9449] close talk secret
## [9450] tomorrow think himand hell
## [9451]
## [9452] good hes close isnt chang
## [9453]
## [9454] oh yes merri wake littl begin
## [9455] wonder bother companion grown
## [9456]
## [9457]
## [9458] kinder alarm merrier solemn
## [9459] think chang chanc
## [9460] think busi saruman rememb saruman
## [9461] gandalf s superior head council
## [9462]
## [9463]
## [9464]
## [9465]
## [9466] exact saruman white gandalf white saruman
## [9467] came
## [9468]
## [9469] told rod taken just told
## [9470] went
## [9471]
## [9472] gandalf chang hes closer that
## [9473] pippin argu thatglass ball mighti pleas
## [9474] know guess tell
## [9475] word pick save roll pool
## [9476]
## [9477] ill lad — that wonder felt
## [9478] heavi pippin voic fell low talk
## [9479]
## [9480] hullo merri that bother pippin
## [9481] lad dont forget gildor say — sam use quot
## [9482] meddl fair wizard subtl quick anger
## [9483]
## [9484] life month long meddl
## [9485] affair wizard pippin like bit inform
## [9486] danger like look ball
## [9487]
## [9488] sleep merri youll inform sooner
## [9489] later dear pippin took beat brandybuck inquisit
## [9490] time ask
## [9491]
## [9492] right what harm tell like
## [9493] look stone know old gandalf sit
## [9494] like hen egg doesnt help
## [9495] youcan thaveit sleep
## [9496]
## [9497] say merri im sorri pippin
## [9498] realli wait till morn ill curious like
## [9499] breakfast ill help way wizardwheedl
## [9500] awak longer yawn shall split ear good
## [9501] night
## [9502]
## [9503] pippin lay sleep remain far away
## [9504] encourag sound merri breath soft asleep
## [9505] minut say good night thought dark globe
## [9506] grow stronger grew quiet pippin felt weight
## [9507] hand saw mysteri red depth look
## [9508] moment toss turn tri think
## [9509]
## [9510] stand longer got look round
## [9511] chilli wrap cloak moon shine cold
## [9512] white dell shadow bush black
## [9513]
## [9514]
## [9515]
## [9516]
## [9517] lay sleep shape guard view
## [9518] hill hidden bracken driven impuls
## [9519] understand pippin walk soft gandalf lay look
## [9520] wizard asleep lid fulli close
## [9521] glitter eye long lash pippin step hastili
## [9522]
## [9523] gandalf sign drawn forward half
## [9524] hobbit crept wizard head roll
## [9525] blanket cloak spread close
## [9526] right bent arm hummock
## [9527] round wrap dark cloth hand just slip
## [9528] ground
## [9529]
## [9530] hard breath pippin crept nearer foot foot knelt
## [9531] hand stealthili slowli lift lump
## [9532] quit heavi expect bundl
## [9533] oddment thought strang sens relief
## [9534] bundl stood moment clasp
## [9535] idea came mind tipto away larg stone
## [9536] came
## [9537]
## [9538] quick drew cloth wrap stone kneel
## [9539] laid wizard hand look thing
## [9540] uncov smooth globe crystal dark
## [9541] dead lie bare knee pippin lift cover hurri
## [9542] cloak half turn bed moment gandalf
## [9543] move sleep mutter word strang
## [9544] tongu hand grope clasp wrap stone sigh
## [9545]
## [9546]
## [9547] idiot fool pippin mutter your go
## [9548] fright troubl quick
## [9549] knee quak dare near wizard
## [9550] reach bundl ill wake
## [9551] thought till im bit calmer si look
## [9552] just stole away sat green hillock far
## [9553] bed moon look edg dell
## [9554]
## [9555] pippin sat knee drawn ball bent
## [9556] low look like greedi child stoop bowl food
## [9557] corner away drew cloak asid gaze air
## [9558] tens globe dark black jet
## [9559]
## [9560]
## [9561]
## [9562]
## [9563] moonlight gleam surfac came faint glow
## [9564] stir heart held eye look
## [9565] away soon insid ball spin
## [9566] light revolv sudden light went gave gasp
## [9567] struggl remain bent clasp ball hand
## [9568] closer closer bent rigid lip move soundless
## [9569] strangl fell lay
## [9570]
## [9571] pierc guard leapt bank
## [9572] camp soon astir
## [9573]
## [9574] ’ thief gandalf hastili cast cloak
## [9575] globe lay ’ pippin grievous turn
## [9576] things’ knelt pippin bodi hobbit lie rigid
## [9577] unse eye stare sky devilri mischief
## [9578] doneto wizard face drawn haggard
## [9579]
## [9580] took pippin hand bent face listen breath
## [9581] laid hand brow hobbit shudder eye close
## [9582] cri sat stare bewilder face round
## [9583] pale moonlight
## [9584]
## [9585] saruman cri shrill toneless voic
## [9586] shrink away gandalf send understand
## [9587] say just struggl escap gandalf held
## [9588] gentl firm
## [9589]
## [9590] peregrin took come
## [9591]
## [9592] hobbit relax fell cling wizard hand
## [9593] gandalf cri gandalf forgiv
## [9594]
## [9595] forgiv wizard tell
## [9596]
## [9597] took ball look stammer pippin saw
## [9598] thing frighten want away
## [9599] came question look
## [9600] rememb
## [9601]
## [9602] wont gandalf stern
## [9603] say
## [9604]
## [9605] pippin shut eye shiver stare
## [9606] silenc merri turn away gandalf s face
## [9607] hard speak
## [9608]
## [9609] low hesit voic pippin began slowli word grew
## [9610] clearer stronger saw dark sky tall battlement
## [9611]
## [9612]
## [9613]
## [9614]
## [9615] tini star far away long ago hard clear
## [9616] star went outthey cut thing wing
## [9617] big think realli glass look like bat wheel round
## [9618] tower thought began fli straight
## [9619] get bigger bigger horribl —
## [9620] say
## [9621]
## [9622] tri away thought fli
## [9623] cover globe disappear came speak
## [9624] hear word just look understood
## [9625]
## [9626] come neglect report long
## [9627]
## [9628] answer answer
## [9629] hurt horribl press hobbit
## [9630]
## [9631] sudden laugh cruel
## [9632]
## [9633] like stab knive struggl wait
## [9634] moment shall meet soon tell saruman dainti
## [9635] send understand say just
## [9636]
## [9637] gloat felt fall piec
## [9638] say dont rememb
## [9639]
## [9640] look gandalf
## [9641]
## [9642] pippin look straight eye wizard held gaze
## [9643] moment silenc face grew gentler shadow smile
## [9644] appear laid hand soft pippin head
## [9645]
## [9646] right say taken harm
## [9647] lie eye fear speak long fool
## [9648] honest fool remain peregrin took wiser one
## [9649] wors pass mark save
## [9650] friend main good fortun call count
## [9651] second time question certain
## [9652] told know ruin
## [9653] eager want inform want quick
## [9654] deal dark tower slowli dont shudder
## [9655] meddl affair wizard prepar think
## [9656] thing come forgiv comfort thing turn
## [9657] evilli
## [9658]
## [9659] lift pippin gentl carri bed merri
## [9660] follow sat lie rest pippin
## [9661] gandalf trust feel itch palm tell
## [9662]
## [9663]
## [9664]
## [9665]
## [9666] thing cure dear hobbit dont lump
## [9667] rock elbow leav
## [9668]
## [9669]
## [9670] gandalf return stand
## [9671] orthancston troubl thought peril come night
## [9672] expect narrow escap
## [9673]
## [9674] hobbit pippin ask aragorn
## [9675]
## [9676] think answer gandalf held
## [9677] long hobbit amaz power recoveri memori
## [9678] horror probabl fade quick quick
## [9679] aragorn orthancston guard danger charg
## [9680]
## [9681] danger aragorn
## [9682] claim right assur palantnr orthanc
## [9683] treasuri elendil set king gondor hour draw
## [9684] near
## [9685]
## [9686] gandalf look aragorn surpris
## [9687] lift cover stone bow present
## [9688]
## [9689] receiv lord earnest thing shall
## [9690] given counsel use use
## [9691] — wari
## [9692]
## [9693] hasti unwari wait prepar
## [9694] long year aragorn
## [9695]
## [9696] stumbl end road answer
## [9697] gandalf thing secret
## [9698] stand hobbit peregrin know
## [9699] bestow evil fit come ala handl
## [9700] look happen
## [9701] touch isengard quicker mind
## [9702] bent saruman guess natur stone
## [9703] weari lay ponder sleep overcam know
## [9704]
## [9705] yes doubt aragorn know link
## [9706] isengard mordor work explain strang
## [9707] power enemi strang weak thjoden
## [9708] long oft evil shall evil mar
## [9709]
## [9710] time seen gandalf time
## [9711] strang fortun mayb save hobbit grave
## [9712] blunder consid probe stone
## [9713]
## [9714]
## [9715]
## [9716]
## [9717] use reveal
## [9718] readi trial shall
## [9719] power withdraw disastr
## [9720] — hour come secreci avail longer
## [9721]
## [9722] hour come think aragorn
## [9723]
## [9724] gandalf remain short doubt
## [9725] use enemi clear thought stone orthanc —
## [9726] hobbit captiv driven
## [9727] look glass torment saruman dark mind
## [9728] fill voic face hobbit expect
## [9729] time learn error snatch time
## [9730] leisur neighbourhood isengard
## [9731] place linger ride ahead peregrin took
## [9732] better lie dark sleep
## [9733]
## [9734] jomer rider king shall ride
## [9735] earli day rest aragorn ride soon
## [9736] mind
## [9737]
## [9738] gandalf make speed
## [9739] cover hill helm deep
## [9740]
## [9741] moment shadow fell bright moonlight
## [9742] sudden cut rider cri crouch hold
## [9743] arm head ward blow blind
## [9744] fear dead cold fell cower look vast wing
## [9745] shape pass moon like black cloud wheel went north
## [9746] fli speed greater wind middl earth star faint
## [9747] gone
## [9748]
## [9749] stood rigid stone gandalf gaze arm
## [9750] downward stiff hand clench
## [9751]
## [9752] nazgyl cri messeng mordor storm come
## [9753] nazgyl cross river ride ride wait dawn let
## [9754] swift wait slow ride
## [9755]
## [9756] sprang away call shadowfax ran aragorn follow
## [9757] go pippin gandalf pick arm shall come
## [9758] time shadowfax shall pace ran
## [9759] place slept shadowfax stood sling
## [9760] small bag luggag shoulder wizard leapt
## [9761] hors aragorn lift pippin set gandalf s arm
## [9762]
## [9763]
## [9764]
## [9765]
## [9766] wrap cloak blanket
## [9767]
## [9768] ’farewel follow fast cri gandalf away shadowfax
## [9769]
## [9770] great hors toss head flow tail flick
## [9771] moonlight leapt forward spurn earth gone like
## [9772] north wind mountain
## [9773]
## [9774] beauti rest night merri aragorn folk
## [9775] wonder luck want sleep want ride gandalf
## [9776] — goe instead turn stone stand
## [9777] warn
## [9778]
## [9779] lift orthancston
## [9780] aragorn wors say
## [9781]
## [9782]
## [9783] luck come fear readi
## [9784] bring pippin left make hast
## [9785]
## [9786] plain shadowfax fli need urg
## [9787] guidanc hour pass reach ford
## [9788] isen cross mound rider cold spear lay grey
## [9789]
## [9790]
## [9791] pippin recov warm wind face keen
## [9792] refresh gandalf horror stone
## [9793] hideous shadow moon fade thing left mist
## [9794] mountain pass dream drew deep breath
## [9795]
## [9796] know rode bareback gandalf havent
## [9797] saddl bridl
## [9798]
## [9799] ride elffashion shadowfax gandalf
## [9800] shadowfax har ride shadowfax will
## [9801] carri youor will busi
## [9802] remain unless jump air
## [9803]
## [9804] fast go ask pippin fast wind
## [9805] smooth light footfal
## [9806]
## [9807] run fast swiftest hors gallop
## [9808] answer gandalf fast land rise littl
## [9809] broken river white
## [9810] mountain draw near star yonder thrihyrn peak
## [9811] like black spear long reach branch road
## [9812] come deepingcoomb battl fought night ago
## [9813]
## [9814] pippin silent heard gandalf sing soft
## [9815]
## [9816]
## [9817]
## [9818]
## [9819] murmur brief snatch rhyme tongu mile ran
## [9820] wizard pass song hobbit caught
## [9821] word line came clear ear rush
## [9822] wind
## [9823]
## [9824] tall ship tall king
## [9825]
## [9826] time
## [9827]
## [9828] brought founder land
## [9829]
## [9830] flow sea
## [9831]
## [9832] seven star seven stone
## [9833]
## [9834] white tree
## [9835]
## [9836] ’ say gandalf ask pippin
## [9837]
## [9838] just run rhyme lore mind
## [9839] answer wizard hobbit suppos forgotten
## [9840] knew
## [9841]
## [9842] pippin
## [9843] wouldnt heard
## [9844] — seven star seven stone
## [9845]
## [9846] palantnri king old gandalf
## [9847]
## [9848]
## [9849]
## [9850] meant look far away orthancston
## [9851]
## [9852] — pippin hesit — enemi
## [9853]
## [9854] gandalf saruman art
## [9855] sauron palantnri came westerness eldamar
## [9856]
## [9857]
## [9858]
## [9859] noldor flanor mayb wrought day long ago
## [9860] time measur year sauron
## [9861] turn evil use ala saruman downfal
## [9862] perceiv peril devic art deeper
## [9863] possess bear blame fool secret
## [9864] profit word speak council
## [9865] given thought fate palantnri gondor
## [9866] ruinous war men forgotten gondor
## [9867] secret known arnor rememb rhyme
## [9868] lore d®nedain
## [9869]
## [9870] men old use ask pippin delight
## [9871] astonish get answer question wonder long
## [9872]
## [9873]
## [9874]
## [9875]
## [9876]
## [9877] far convers thought
## [9878] gandalf way long guard unit realm gondor
## [9879] set stone mina anor mina ithil orthanc ring
## [9880] isengard chief master dome star
## [9881] osgiliath ruin far away north
## [9882] hous elrond told ann®mina amon syl
## [9883] elendil stone tower hill look mithlond
## [9884] gulf lune grey ship lie
## [9885]
## [9886] palantnr repli gondor open
## [9887] view osgiliath appear rock orthanc
## [9888] withstood storm time palantnr tower
## [9889] remain small imag thing far
## [9890] day remot use doubt saruman
## [9891] content abroad gaze
## [9892] cast gaze baraddyr caught
## [9893]
## [9894] know lost stone arnor gondor lie buri
## [9895] drown deep sauron obtain master
## [9896] purpos guess ithilston took mina ithil
## [9897] long ago turn evil place mina morgul
## [9898]
## [9899] easi guess quick rove eye saruman
## [9900] trap held persuad afar
## [9901] daunt persuas serv biter bit hawk
## [9902] eagl foot spider steel web long wonder
## [9903] constrain come glass inspect instruct
## [9904] orthanc stone bent baraddyr save
## [9905] adam look bear mind sight swift thither
## [9906]
## [9907] draw felt heart
## [9908] desir test wrench
## [9909] turn wouldto look wide sea water time
## [9910] tirion fair perceiv unimagin hand mind flanor
## [9911] work white tree golden flower
## [9912] sigh fell silent
## [9913]
## [9914] wish known pippin notion
## [9915]
## [9916]
## [9917] oh yes gandalf knew behav wrong
## [9918] foolish told listen
## [9919] tell muse
## [9920]
## [9921]
## [9922]
## [9923]
## [9924] happen understood ride
## [9925] spoken sooner lessen desir easier
## [9926] resist contrari burn hand teach best
## [9927] advic goe heart
## [9928]
## [9929] pippin seven stone laid
## [9930] shut eye hand pocket
## [9931]
## [9932] good gandalf hope
## [9933]
## [9934] like know— pippin began
## [9935]
## [9936] merci cri gandalf give inform cure
## [9937] inquisit shall spend rest day answer
## [9938] want know
## [9939]
## [9940] name star live thing
## [9941] histori middleearth heaven sunder sea laugh
## [9942] pippin cours notin hurri tonight
## [9943] moment just wonder black shadow heard shout
## [9944] messeng mordor isengard
## [9945]
## [9946] black rider wing nazgyl gandalf
## [9947] taken away dark tower
## [9948]
## [9949] come falter pippin mean
## [9950] didnt know
## [9951]
## [9952] cours gandalf leagu
## [9953] straight flight baraddyr orthanc nazgyl
## [9954] hour fli saruman certain look stone
## [9955] oreraid secret thought doubt
## [9956] read intend messeng sent
## [9957] happen tonight come think
## [9958] swift saruman come pinch vice
## [9959] hand captiv send stone
## [9960] answer summon sauron believ withhold
## [9961] captiv refus use stone help saruman tell
## [9962] truth messeng isengard ruin safe
## [9963] orthanc appear rebel
## [9964] reject avoid thing
## [9965] plight guess power think orthanc
## [9966] resist rider tri tri trap nazgyl
## [9967] slay thing ride air case
## [9968] let rohan look hors
## [9969]
## [9970]
## [9971]
## [9972]
## [9973] tell fall ill
## [9974] counsel enemi confus hinder wrath
## [9975] saruman learn stood
## [9976] stair orthancwith hobbit tail heir elendil
## [9977] live stood wormtongu deceiv armour
## [9978] rohan rememb aragorn titl claim
## [9979] fear fli — danger greater danger
## [9980] stride shadowfax bear nearer land shadow peregrin took
## [9981]
## [9982] pippin answer clutch cloak sudden chill
## [9983] struck grey land pass
## [9984]
## [9985] gandalf westfold dale open
## [9986]
## [9987] come eastward road dark shadow yonder
## [9988] mouth
## [9989]
## [9990] deepingcoomb way lie aglarond glitter cave
## [9991] ask ask gim meet time
## [9992] answer longer wish cave
## [9993] journey soon far
## [9994]
## [9995] thought go stop helm deep pippin
## [9996] go
## [9997]
## [9998] mina tirith sea war surround
## [9999]
## [10000] oh far
## [10001]
## [10002] leagu leagu answer gandalf thrice far
## [10003] dwell king thjoden mile east
## [10004] messeng mordor fli shadowfax run longer road
## [10005] prove swifter
## [10006]
## [10007] shall ride till daybreak hour away
## [10008] shadowfax rest hollow hill edora hope
## [10009] sleep glimmer dawn golden
## [10010] roof hous eorl day shall purpl
## [10011] shadow mount mindolluin wall tower denethor white
## [10012] morn
## [10013]
## [10014] away shadowfax run greatheart run run
## [10015] come land foal stone
## [10016] know run hope speed
## [10017]
## [10018] shadowfax toss head cri aloud trumpet summon
## [10019] battl sprang forward flew feet night rush
## [10020]
## [10021]
## [10022]
## [10023]
## [10024]
## [10025] fell slowli sleep pippin strang feel
## [10026] gandalf stone seat statu run hors
## [10027] world roll away beneath feet great nois wind
## [10028]
## [10029]
## [10030]
## [10031]
## [10032] book iv
## [10033]
## [10034]
## [10035]
## [10036] chapter tame smjagol
## [10037]
## [10038]
## [10039]
## [10040] master ’ fix mistak sam gamge
## [10041] stood despond hunch shoulder frodo peer
## [10042] pucker eye gloom
## [10043]
## [10044] even fled compani far
## [10045] tell lost count hour
## [10046] climb labour barren slope stone
## [10047] emyn
## [10048]
## [10049] muil retrac step way
## [10050] forward discov wander circl
## [10051] hour work steadili
## [10052] eastward keep near way outer edg
## [10053] strang twist knot hill outward face
## [10054] sheer high impass frown plain
## [10055] tumbl skirt lay livid fester marsh move
## [10056] bird seen
## [10057]
## [10058] hobbit stood brink tall cliff bare bleak
## [10059] feet wrap mist rose broken highland crown
## [10060] drift cloud chill wind blew east night gather
## [10061] shapeless land sick green fade
## [10062] sullen brown far away right anduin gleam fit
## [10063] sunbreak day hidden shadow eye
## [10064] look river gondor friend land
## [10065] men south east stare edg oncom night
## [10066] dark line hung like distant mountain motionless smoke
## [10067] tini red gleam far away flicker upward rim earth
## [10068] sky
## [10069]
## [10070] fix sam that place land weve
## [10071] heard dont want closer that place
## [10072] tri that just nohow weve
## [10073] come wrong way altogeth seem
## [10074]
## [10075]
## [10076]
## [10077]
## [10078] ’d green land nasti bog ill warrant phew
## [10079] smell snif wind
## [10080]
## [10081] ’ye smell frodo eye
## [10082] remain fix stare dark line flicker flame
## [10083] mordor mutter breath wish
## [10084] come quick make end shudder wind chilli
## [10085] heavi odour cold decay withdraw
## [10086] eye stay night fix fix
## [10087] shelter spot camp day
## [10088] path’
## [10089]
## [10090] mutter sam mayb day
## [10091] weve come wrong way
## [10092]
## [10093] wonder frodo doom think shadow
## [10094] yonder way good evil
## [10095]
## [10096] hope speed delay play enemi handsand
## [10097] delay dark tower steer choic
## [10098] prove ill left compani long come
## [10099] north east river emyn muil hard
## [10100] battl plain pass mordor isnt possibl
## [10101] way ore prowl east bank
## [10102] day pass precious day lost tire sam dont know
## [10103] food got left
## [10104]
## [10105] dyou em lemba mr frodo fair suppli
## [10106] better naught long bite thought
## [10107] set tooth come wish chang
## [10108] bit plain bread mug — aye half mug — beer
## [10109] proper ive lug cookinggear way camp
## [10110] use naught make start
## [10111] naught cook grass
## [10112]
## [10113] turn away went stoni hollow wester sun
## [10114] caught cloud night came swift slept
## [10115] cold turn turn nook great jag
## [10116] pinnacl weather rock shelter easter
## [10117] wind
## [10118]
## [10119] mr frodo’ ask sam sat stiff
## [10120] chill munch wafer lemba cold grey earli morn
## [10121]
## [10122] frodo ive heard seen night
## [10123]
## [10124]
## [10125]
## [10126]
## [10127]
## [10128]
## [10129] sam grrr eye turn
## [10130] weve shaken miser slinker gollum ill
## [10131] gollum throat hand neck
## [10132]
## [10133] hope youll need frodo dont know
## [10134] follow hes lost say dri
## [10135] bleak land leav footprint scent
## [10136] snuffl nose
## [10137]
## [10138] hope that way sam wish rid
## [10139] good
## [10140]
## [10141] frodo hes chief troubl wish
## [10142] away hill hate feel nake east
## [10143] stuck dead flat shadow
## [10144] yonder there eye come weve got today
## [10145]
## [10146] day wore afternoon fade even
## [10147] scrambl ridg way escap
## [10148]
## [10149] silenc barren countri fanci
## [10150] heard faint sound stone fall imagin step
## [10151] flap feet rock halt stood listen
## [10152] heard wind sigh edg
## [10153] stone — remind breath soft hiss sharp
## [10154] teeth
## [10155]
## [10156] day outer ridg emyn muil bend
## [10157] gradual northward struggl brink
## [10158] stretch wide tumbl flat score weather rock cut
## [10159] trenchlik gulli slope steepli deep notch
## [10160] clifffac path cleft deeper
## [10161] frequent frodo sam driven left away
## [10162] edg notic mile go
## [10163] slowli steadili downhil clifftop sink level
## [10164] lowland
## [10165]
## [10166] brought halt ridg took sharper bend
## [10167] northward gash deeper ravin rear
## [10168] fathom singl leap great grey cliff loom
## [10169] cut sheer knife stroke
## [10170] forward turn west east west lead
## [10171] labour delay heart hill east
## [10172]
## [10173]
## [10174]
## [10175]
## [10176] outer precipic
## [10177]
## [10178] there scrambl gulli sam
## [10179] frodo let lead
## [10180]
## [10181] nasti drop ill bet sam
## [10182]
## [10183] cleft longer deeper way
## [10184] gnarl stunt tree seen day
## [10185] twist birch firtre
## [10186] dead gaunt bitten core eastern wind milder day
## [10187] fair thicket ravin fifti
## [10188] yard tree came end old broken stump straggl
## [10189] cliff brink gulli lay
## [10190] edg rockfault rough broken stone slant steepli
## [10191] came end frodo stoop lean
## [10192]
## [10193] look come long way cliff
## [10194] sunk lower look easier
## [10195]
## [10196] sam knelt peer reluct edg
## [10197] glanc great cliff rise away left easier ’
## [10198] grunt suppos easier get
## [10199] fli jump
## [10200]
## [10201] big jump ’ frodo — stood
## [10202] moment measur eye — eighteen fathom
## [10203] guess ’
## [10204]
## [10205] that sam ugh hate look
## [10206] height look better climb
## [10207]
## [10208] frodo think climb think
## [10209] shall tri — rock quit differ
## [10210] mile slip crack
## [10211]
## [10212] outer fall longer sheer slope outward
## [10213] littl look like great rampart seawal foundat
## [10214] shift cours twist disord leav great
## [10215] fissur long slant edg place wide
## [10216] stair
## [10217]
## [10218] go tri better tri
## [10219]
## [10220] get dark earli think there storm come
## [10221]
## [10222] smoki blur mountain east lost deeper
## [10223] black reach westward long arm
## [10224] distant mutter thunder born rise breez frodo snif
## [10225]
## [10226]
## [10227]
## [10228]
## [10229] air look doubt sky strap belt outsid
## [10230] cloak tighten settl light pack
## [10231] step edg im go tri
## [10232]
## [10233] good sam gloomili im go
## [10234]
## [10235] frodo what chang mind climb
## [10236]
## [10237] havent chang mind sens lowest
## [10238] like slip dont want come atop knock
## [10239] sens kill fall
## [10240]
## [10241] frodo stop sat swung leg
## [10242] brink twist round scrabbl toe foothold
## [10243] doubt braver cold blood unwis
## [10244]
## [10245] sam old ass frodo youll kill
## [10246] certain go like look make
## [10247] come took sam armpit haul
## [10248] wait bit patient lay ground lean
## [10249] look light fade quick
## [10250] sun set think manag present
## [10251] rate kept head follow
## [10252] care
## [10253]
## [10254] dont know sure sam
## [10255] light come place there
## [10256] feet hand
## [10257]
## [10258] climb suppos frodo
## [10259]
## [10260] easi object sam better wait till morn light
## [10261]
## [10262] help frodo sudden strang vehem
## [10263]
## [10264] grudg hour minut im go tri dont
## [10265] follow till come
## [10266]
## [10267] grip stoni lip fall finger let
## [10268] gentl arm stretch toe
## [10269] ledg e step ledg broaden
## [10270] right stand hold ill— word cut short
## [10271]
## [10272] hurri dark gather great speed rush
## [10273] east swallow sky dri split crack thunder right
## [10274] overhead sear lightn smote hill came blast
## [10275] savag wind mingl roar came high shrill
## [10276] shriek hobbit heard just far away marish
## [10277] fled hobbiton wood shire frozen
## [10278]
## [10279]
## [10280]
## [10281]
## [10282] blood wast terror far greater pierc
## [10283] cold blade horror despair stop heart breath sam
## [10284] fell flat face involuntarili frodo loos hold hand
## [10285] head ear sway slip slither downward
## [10286] wail
## [10287]
## [10288] sam heard crawl effort edg master master
## [10289]
## [10290] call ’master
## [10291]
## [10292] heard answer shake gather
## [10293] breath shout master wind blow
## [10294] voic throat pass roar gulli away
## [10295] hill faint answer came ear
## [10296]
## [10297] right right im
## [10298]
## [10299] frodo call weak voic actual far
## [10300] away slid fallen come jolt feet
## [10301] wider ledg yard lower fortun rockfac
## [10302] point lean wind press cliff
## [10303] toppl steadi littl lay face
## [10304] cold stone feel heart pound dark
## [10305] grown complet eye lost sight black
## [10306] wonder struck blind took deep breath
## [10307]
## [10308] come come heard sam voic black
## [10309]
## [10310]
## [10311] ’ hold
## [10312]
## [10313]
## [10314] mr frodo ’ shout sam lean
## [10315] danger far master dim certain
## [10316] dark frodo grey forlorn figur
## [10317] splay cliff far reach help
## [10318] hand
## [10319]
## [10320] crack thunder rain came
## [10321] blind sheet mingl hail drove cliff bitter cold
## [10322]
## [10323] tm come shout sam hope help
## [10324] way
## [10325]
## [10326] wait frodo call strong shall
## [10327] better soon feel better wait
## [10328] rope
## [10329]
## [10330] rope cri sam talk wild excit
## [10331]
## [10332]
## [10333]
## [10334]
## [10335] relief don’t deserv hung end warn
## [10336] numbskul your nowt ninnyhamm sam gamge that
## [10337]
## [10338]
## [10339] gaffer word rope
## [10340]
## [10341] stop chattering’ cri frodo recov feel
## [10342] amus annoy ’ mind gaffer tri tell
## [10343] youv got rope pocket
## [10344]
## [10345] yes mr frodo pack carri hundr mile
## [10346] id clean forgotten
## [10347]
## [10348] busi let end ’
## [10349]
## [10350] quick sam unslung pack rummag
## [10351] coil silkengrey rope folk lurien
## [10352] cast end master dark lift frodo eye
## [10353] sight return grey line came dangl
## [10354] thought faint silver sheen point
## [10355] dark fix eye felt giddi lean weight
## [10356] forward end fast round waist grasp line
## [10357] hand
## [10358]
## [10359] sam step brace feet stump yard
## [10360] edg half haul half scrambl frodo came threw
## [10361] ground
## [10362]
## [10363] thunder growl rumbl distanc rain
## [10364] fall heavili hobbit crawl away gulli
## [10365] shelter rill water began run soon
## [10366] grew spate splash fume stone spout
## [10367] cliff like gutter vast roof
## [10368]
## [10369] half drown wash clean
## [10370] frodo piec luck rope
## [10371]
## [10372] better luck id thought sooner sam mayb
## [10373] rememb put rope boat start
## [10374] elvish countri took fanci stow coil pack year
## [10375] ago help need haldir
## [10376] folk spoke right
## [10377]
## [10378] piti didnt think bring length frodo
## [10379] left compani hurri confus
## [10380] use long rope wonder’
## [10381]
## [10382] sam paid slowli measur arm
## [10383]
## [10384]
## [10385]
## [10386]
## [10387] thirti ell
## [10388]
## [10389] whod thought frodo exclaim
## [10390]
## [10391] ah sam elv wonder folk look bit
## [10392] tough soft milk hand pack close
## [10393] light light wonder folk sure
## [10394]
## [10395] thirti ell frodo consid believ
## [10396]
## [10397] storm pass nightfal im go tri
## [10398]
## [10399] rain near given sam dont
## [10400] riski dim mr frodo havent got
## [10401] shriek wind like black rider soundedbut
## [10402] air fli im think wed best lay
## [10403] crack till night
## [10404]
## [10405] im think wont spend moment longer need stuck
## [10406] edg eye dark countri look marsh
## [10407] frodo
## [10408]
## [10409] stood went gulli
## [10410]
## [10411] look clear sky grow east skirt
## [10412] storm lift rag wet main battl pass
## [10413] spread great wing emyn muil dark thought
## [10414] sauron brood turn smite vale anduin
## [10415] hail lightn cast shadow mina tirith
## [10416] threat war lower mountain gather great
## [10417] spire roll slowli gondor skirt rohan far
## [10418] away rider plain saw black tower move sun
## [10419] rode west desert reek marsh
## [10420] deep blue sky even open pallid star
## [10421] appear like small white hole canopi crescent moon
## [10422]
## [10423] good abl frodo breath deep
## [10424] know thought bit lost sight lightn
## [10425] wors grey
## [10426] rope came shimmer
## [10427]
## [10428] look sort silver dark sam notic
## [10429] rememb ive stow
## [10430] your set climb mr frodo go use
## [10431] thirti ell say eighteen fathom that
## [10432] guess height cliff
## [10433]
## [10434] frodo thought make fast stump sam ’
## [10435]
## [10436]
## [10437]
## [10438]
## [10439] think shall wish time ill lower
## [10440] need use feet hand fend
## [10441] rock weight ledg
## [10442] rest help your ill follow feel quit
## [10443]
## [10444]
## [10445] sam heavili let
## [10446] took rope fast stump nearest brink
## [10447] end tie waist reluct turn
## [10448] prepar edg second time
## [10449]
## [10450] turn half bad expect rope
## [10451] confid shut eye
## [10452] look feet awkward spot
## [10453]
## [10454]
## [10455] ledg wall sheer undercut short space
## [10456] slip swung silver line frodo lower slowli
## [10457] steadili chief fear
## [10458] ropelength high
## [10459] good bight frodo hand sam came call im
## [10460] voic came clear frodo
## [10461] grey elvencloak melt twilight
## [10462]
## [10463] frodo took time follow rope
## [10464] waist fast shorten pull
## [10465] reach ground want risk fall
## [10466] quit sam faith slender grey line
## [10467] place trust wholli smooth surfac
## [10468] hold strong hobbit finger ledg
## [10469] far apart
## [10470]
## [10471] cri weve weve escap emyn muil
## [10472] wonder mayb shall soon sigh good hard rock
## [10473] foot
## [10474]
## [10475] sam answer stare cliff
## [10476]
## [10477] ninni hammer noodl beauti rope tie
## [10478] stump just nice littl stair
## [10479] slink gollum leav better signpost say way
## [10480] weve gone thought bit easi
## [10481]
## [10482] think way use rope
## [10483] brought pass ninnyhamm
## [10484]
## [10485]
## [10486]
## [10487]
## [10488] gaffer gave frodo climb unti let
## [10489] want
## [10490]
## [10491] sam scratch head think beg pardon
## [10492] dont like leav that fact stroke
## [10493] rope end shook gentl goe hard part
## [10494] brought elfcountri galadriel mayb
## [10495] galadriel murmur nod head mourn look gave
## [10496] pull rope farewel
## [10497]
## [10498] complet surpris hobbit came loos sam fell
## [10499] long grey coil slither silent frodo
## [10500] laugh tie rope good thing held long
## [10501] think trust weight knot’
## [10502]
## [10503] sam laugh good climb mr frodo
## [10504] injur tone know rope knot
## [10505]
## [10506] famili say granddad uncl andi
## [10507] gaffer eldest brother ropewalk
## [10508] tighfield year fast hitch stump
## [10509] shire
## [10510]
## [10511] rope broken — fray rockedg expect
## [10512] frodo
## [10513]
## [10514] bet didnt sam injur voic stoop
## [10515] examin end strand
## [10516]
## [10517] im afraid knot frodo
## [10518]
## [10519] sam shook head answer pass rope
## [10520] finger thought way mr frodo
## [10521] think rope came — call coil
## [10522] stow love pack
## [10523]
## [10524] certain came frodo that chief thing
## [10525] weve got think night soon beauti
## [10526] star moon
## [10527]
## [10528] cheer heart dont sam look elvish
## [10529] moon grow havent seen night
## [10530] cloudi weather hes begin quit light
## [10531]
## [10532] yes frodo wont day dont think
## [10533] tri marsh light half moon
## [10534]
## [10535] shadow night start stage
## [10536] journey sam turn look way
## [10537]
## [10538]
## [10539]
## [10540]
## [10541] come mouth gulli black notch dim cliff tm glad
## [10542] ’ve got rope ’ve set littl puzzl footpad
## [10543] tri nasti flappi feet ledg
## [10544]
## [10545] pick step away skirt cliff
## [10546] wilder boulder rough stone wet slipperi heavi
## [10547] rain ground fell away sharpli gone far
## [10548] came great fissur yawn sudden black feet
## [10549] wide wide jump dim light
## [10550] thought hear water gurgl depth curv away
## [10551] left northward hill bar road
## [10552] direct rate dark last
## [10553]
## [10554] better tri way southward line cliff
## [10555] think sam nook cave
## [10556]
## [10557]
## [10558] suppos frodo tm tire dont think
## [10559] scrambl stone longer tonight — grudg delay
## [10560] wish clear path id till leg gave
## [10561] way
## [10562]
## [10563] go easier broken feet emyn
## [10564] muil sam nook hollow shelter bare stoni
## [10565] slope frown cliff rose higher
## [10566] sheer went end worn just cast
## [10567] ground lee boulder lie far foot
## [10568] precipic time sat huddl mourn
## [10569] cold stoni night sleep crept spite
## [10570] hold moon rode high clear white light lit
## [10571] face rock drench cold frown wall cliff
## [10572] turn wide loom dark chill pale grey score
## [10573] black shadow
## [10574]
## [10575] frodo stand draw cloak close
## [10576] round sleep bit sam blanket ill walk
## [10577] sentri sudden stiffen stoop grip
## [10578] sam arm what whisper look
## [10579] cliff’
## [10580]
## [10581] sam look breath sharpli teeth ssss
## [10582] that gollum snake adder think
## [10583] thought wed puzzl bit climb look like
## [10584]
## [10585]
## [10586]
## [10587]
## [10588] nasti crawl spider wall
## [10589]
## [10590] face precipic sheer smooth
## [10591] pale moonlight small black shape move limb splay
## [10592] mayb soft cling hand toe find crevic hold
## [10593] hobbit seen use look just
## [10594] creep sticki pad like larg prowl thing insectkind
## [10595] come head smell way
## [10596] lift head slowli turn right long skinni
## [10597] neck hobbit caught glimps small pale gleam light
## [10598] eye blink moon moment quick lid
## [10599]
## [10600]
## [10601] think sam
## [10602]
## [10603] dont know frodo quiet think hard
## [10604] friend eye elvencloak shadow
## [10605] pace ive heard doesn’t like sun moon
## [10606]
## [10607] come just ’ ask sam
## [10608]
## [10609] quiet sam frodo smell hear
## [10610] keen elv believ think heard voic
## [10611] probabl lot shout away talk far
## [10612] loud minut ago
## [10613]
## [10614] im sick sam hes come
## [10615] im go word dont suppos
## [10616] slip draw grey hood face sam
## [10617] crept stealthili cliff
## [10618]
## [10619] care whisper frodo come dont alarm hes
## [10620] danger look
## [10621]
## [10622] black crawl shape threequart way
## [10623] fifti feet cliff foot crouch stonestil
## [10624] shadow larg boulder hobbit watch
## [10625] come difficult passag troubl
## [10626] hear snuffl harsh hiss breath
## [10627] sound like curs lift head thought heard
## [10628] spit move hear voic creak
## [10629] whistl
## [10630]
## [10631] ach sss cautious precious hast speed musstnt
## [10632] rissk neck musst precious precious — golluml lift
## [10633] head blink moon quick shut eye hate
## [10634]
## [10635]
## [10636]
## [10637]
## [10638] hiss nassti nassti shiveri light — sss — spi
## [10639] precious — hurt eye
## [10640]
## [10641] get lower hiss sharper clearer
## [10642] iss iss precious precious
## [10643] want thiev thiev filthi littl thiev
## [10644] precious curs hate
## [10645]
## [10646] doesnt sound knew whisper sam
## [10647] what precious mean
## [10648]
## [10649] hsh breath frodo hes get near near hear
## [10650] whisper
## [10651]
## [10652] gollum sudden paus larg head
## [10653] scrawni neck loll listen pale
## [10654] eye half unlid sam restrain finger
## [10655] twitch eye fill anger disgust fix
## [10656] wretch creatur began whisper
## [10657] hiss
## [10658]
## [10659] dozen feet ground right
## [10660] head point sheer drop cliff
## [10661] slight undercut gollum hold kind
## [10662] tri twist round leg sudden
## [10663] shrill whistl shriek fell curl leg
## [10664] arm round like spider descend thread snap
## [10665]
## [10666] sam hide flash cross space
## [10667] cliff foot coupl leap gollum
## [10668] gollum bargain taken
## [10669] like sudden guard fall sam
## [10670] hold long leg arm wound round pin arm
## [10671] cling grip soft horribl strong squeez like slowli
## [10672] tighten cord clammi finger feel throat sharp
## [10673] teeth bit shoulder butt hard round head
## [10674] sideway creatur face gollum hiss spat
## [10675] let
## [10676]
## [10677] thing gone ill sam frodo
## [10678] sprang drew sting sheath left hand drew
## [10679] gollum head lank hair stretch long neck forc
## [10680] pale venom eye stare sky
## [10681]
## [10682] let gollum sting seen
## [10683]
## [10684]
## [10685]
## [10686]
## [10687] time let youll feel time ill cut throat
## [10688]
## [10689] gollum collaps went loos wet string sam got finger
## [10690] shoulder eye smoulder anger aveng
## [10691] miser enemi lay grovel stone whimper
## [10692]
## [10693] dont hurt dont let hurt precious wont hurt
## [10694] nice littl hobbits didnt mean harm jump
## [10695] like cat poor mice precious lone gollum
## [10696] nice nice theyll nice wont yes
## [10697] yess
## [10698]
## [10699] ’s sam tie
## [10700] come sneak say
## [10701]
## [10702] kill kill whimper gollum cruel littl
## [10703] hobbits tie cold hard land leav gollum gollum
## [10704] sob well gobbl throat
## [10705]
## [10706] frodo kill kill outright
## [10707] thing poor wretch harm
## [10708]
## [10709] oh sam rub shoulder meant
## [10710] mean ill warrant throttl sleep that plan
## [10711]
## [10712] daresay frodo mean matter
## [10713]
## [10714] paus thought gollum lay stop whimper
## [10715] sam stood glower
## [10716]
## [10717] frodo heard quit plain far
## [10718] voic past
## [10719]
## [10720] piti bilbo stub vile creatur chanc
## [10721]
## [10722] piti piti stay hand piti merci strike
## [10723] need
## [10724]
## [10725] feel piti gollum deserv death
## [10726]
## [10727] deserv death daresay live deserv death
## [10728] die deserv life eager
## [10729] deal death justic fear safeti
## [10730] wise end
## [10731]
## [10732] ’ answer aloud lower sword
## [10733] afraid touch creatur
## [10734] piti
## [10735]
## [10736] sam stare master speak
## [10737] gollum lift head
## [10738]
## [10739] yess wretch precious whine miseri miseri hobbit
## [10740]
## [10741]
## [10742]
## [10743]
## [10744] wont kill nice hobbit
## [10745]
## [10746] wont frodo wont let your
## [10747] wicked mischief gollum come
## [10748] that eye help
## [10749]
## [10750] good turn deserv
## [10751]
## [10752] yess yes gollum sit nice hobbit come
## [10753] safe path dark yes
## [10754] go cold hard land wonder yes wonder look
## [10755] faint light cun eager flicker second
## [10756] pale blink eye
## [10757]
## [10758] sam scowl suck teeth sens
## [10759] odd master mood matter
## [10760] argument amaz frodo repli
## [10761]
## [10762] frodo look straight gollum eye flinch twist
## [10763] away know guess smjagol quiet
## [10764] stern go mordor cours know way
## [10765] believ
## [10766]
## [10767] ach sss gollum cover ear hand
## [10768] frank open speak name hurt guess yes
## [10769] guess whisper didnt want
## [10770] precious nice hobbit ash ash dust thirst
## [10771] pit pit pit ore thousand orcs nice hobbit mustnt
## [10772] — sss — place
## [10773]
## [10774] frodo insist your drawn
## [10775] arent
## [10776]
## [10777] yess yess shriek gollum accid wasnt
## [10778] precious yes accid wont sudden
## [10779] voic languag chang sob throat spoke
## [10780] leav golluml hurt o poor hand gollum
## [10781] dont want come tire
## [10782] gollum gollum theyr awak dwarv men
## [10783] elv terribl elv bright eye ach got
## [10784] clench long hand boni fleshless knot shake
## [10785] east wont cri collaps
## [10786] gollum gollum whimper face ground dont look
## [10787] away sleep
## [10788]
## [10789] away sleep command smjagol
## [10790]
## [10791]
## [10792]
## [10793]
## [10794] frodo realli wish free help
## [10795] fear mean find path need
## [10796] way gate land
## [10797]
## [10798] gollum sat look eyelid hes
## [10799] cackl ore way easi
## [10800] ore east river dont ask smjagol poor poor smjagol went
## [10801] away long ago took precious hes lost
## [10802]
## [10803] come frodo
## [10804]
## [10805] hes lost precious gollum
## [10806]
## [10807] frodo
## [10808]
## [10809] gollum stood back away cliff
## [10810]
## [10811] ’ frodo path easier day night
## [10812]
## [10813] tire choos night start tonight
## [10814]
## [10815] big light hurt eye ’ gollum whine
## [10816] white face hill soon yess rest bit
## [10817] nice hobbits’
## [10818]
## [10819] sit frodo dont
## [10820]
## [10821] hobbit seat
## [10822] back stoni wall rest leg need
## [10823] arrang word knew sleep moment slowli
## [10824] moon went shadow fell hill grew dark
## [10825] star grew bright sky stir
## [10826] gollum sat leg drawn knee chin flat hand feet
## [10827] splay ground eye close tens think
## [10828] listen
## [10829]
## [10830] frodo look sam eye met understood
## [10831] relax lean head shut eye
## [10832]
## [10833] soon sound soft breath heard gollum hand
## [10834] twitch littl hard percept head move left
## [10835] right eye open slit hobbit
## [10836] sign
## [10837]
## [10838] sudden startl agil speed straight ground
## [10839] jump like grasshopp frog gollum bound forward
## [10840] dark just frodo sam expect sam
## [10841]
## [10842]
## [10843] gone pace spring frodo come grab
## [10844] leg threw
## [10845]
## [10846]
## [10847]
## [10848]
## [10849] rope prove use sam
## [10850]
## [10851] sam got rope cold hard
## [10852] land mr gollum growl wonder aye wonder
## [10853]
## [10854]
## [10855] orefriend warrant nasti treacher creatur round
## [10856] neck rope tight noos
## [10857]
## [10858] gollum lay quiet tri trick answer sam
## [10859] gave swift venom look
## [10860]
## [10861] need hold frodo want
## [10862] walk good tie legsor arm use
## [10863] near tie end ankl grip
## [10864] end
## [10865]
## [10866] stood gollum sam tie knot result surpris
## [10867] gollum began scream tear sound horribl
## [10868] hear writh tri mouth ankl bite rope
## [10869]
## [10870] kept scream
## [10871]
## [10872] frodo convinc realli pain
## [10873] knot examin tight
## [10874] hard tight sam gentler word what
## [10875] matter tri run away tie
## [10876] dont wish hurt
## [10877]
## [10878] hurt hurt hiss gollum freez bite elv
## [10879] twist curs nasti cruel hobbit that tri escap
## [10880] cours precious guess cruel hobbit visit
## [10881] elv fierc elv bright eye hurt
## [10882]
## [10883] ’ frodo unless — paus
## [10884] moment thought — unless promis make
## [10885] trust
## [10886]
## [10887] swear want yes yess gollum
## [10888] twist grabbl ankl hurt
## [10889]
## [10890] swear ’ frodo
## [10891]
## [10892] smjagol gollum sudden clear open eye wide
## [10893] stare frodo strang light smjagol swear precious
## [10894]
## [10895] frodo drew sam startl word
## [10896] stern voic precious dare think
## [10897]
## [10898] ring rule dark bind
## [10899]
## [10900] commit promis smjagol hold
## [10901]
## [10902]
## [10903]
## [10904]
## [10905] treacher twist word bewar
## [10906]
## [10907] gollum cower precious precious repeat
## [10908]
## [10909] swear ask frodo
## [10910]
## [10911] good gollum crawl frodo feet
## [10912] grovel whisper hoars shudder ran
## [10913] word shook bone fear smjagol swear
## [10914] let smjagol save swear
## [10915] precious
## [10916]
## [10917] frodo look stern piti
## [10918] wish touch know
## [10919] drive mad swear know
## [10920] yes know smjagol
## [10921]
## [10922] moment appear sam master grown gollum
## [10923] shrunk tall stern shadow mighti lord hid bright
## [10924] grey cloud feet littl whine dog
## [10925] way akin alien reach anoth mind gollum rais
## [10926] began paw frodo fawn knee
## [10927]
## [10928] frodo speak promise’
## [10929]
## [10930] promis yes promise’ gollum ’ serv master
## [10931] precious good master good smjagol gollum gollumi sudden began
## [10932] weep bite ankl
## [10933]
## [10934] rope sam frodo
## [10935]
## [10936] reluct sam obey gollum got began pranc
## [10937] like whip cur master pat moment chang
## [10938] last time came spoke hiss
## [10939] whine spoke companion direct precious self
## [10940] cring flinch step near sudden
## [10941] movement avoid touch elvencloak
## [10942] friend piti anxious cackl
## [10943] laughter caper jest frodo spoke kind
## [10944] weep frodo rebuk sam littl sort
## [10945] suspect deepli possibl like new gollum
## [10946] smjagol old
## [10947]
## [10948] gollum
## [10949] moon gone night go wed better start
## [10950]
## [10951] yes yes agre gollum skip there
## [10952] way northend southend ore
## [10953]
## [10954]
## [10955]
## [10956]
## [10957] don’t use ore dont know ore don’t cross marsh
## [10958] round mile mile lucki came way lucki
## [10959] smjagol yes follow smjagol
## [10960]
## [10961] took step away look inquir like dog
## [10962] invit walk wait bit gollum cri sam far
## [10963] ahead im go tail ive got rope handi
## [10964]
## [10965] gollum smjagol promis
## [10966]
## [10967] deep night hard clear star set gollum led
## [10968] northward way come slant
## [10969] right away steep edg emyn muil broken
## [10970] stoni slope vast fen fade swift soft
## [10971] dark leagu wast gate mordor
## [10972] black silenc
## [10973]
## [10974]
## [10975]
## [10976]
## [10977] chapter passag marsh
## [10978]
## [10979]
## [10980]
## [10981] gollum move quick head neck thrust forward
## [10982] use hand feet frodo sam hard
## [10983] longer thought escap
## [10984] fell turn wait time
## [10985] brought brink narrow gulli struck
## [10986] hill
## [10987]
## [10988] cri way insid yes
## [10989] follow — away point south east
## [10990] marsh reek came nostril heavi foul
## [10991] cool night air
## [10992]
## [10993] gollum cast brink length call
## [10994] smjagol went way went
## [10995] way hide ore
## [10996]
## [10997] led way follow hobbit climb
## [10998] gloom difficult rift point
## [10999] feet deep dozen run water
## [11000] fact bed small river trickl
## [11001] hill feed stagnant pool mire gollum
## [11002] turn right southward splash
## [11003] feet shallow stoni stream great delight feel
## [11004] water chuckl croak sort song
## [11005]
## [11006] cold hard land
## [11007] bite hand
## [11008] gnaw feet
## [11009]
## [11010] rock stone
## [11011] like old bone
## [11012] bare meat
## [11013]
## [11014] stream pool
## [11015] wet cool
## [11016] nice feet
## [11017]
## [11018] wish —
## [11019]
## [11020] ha ha wish look sidelong hobbit
## [11021] tell croak guess long ago baggin guess ’
## [11022]
## [11023] glint came eye sam catch gleam dark
## [11024]
## [11025]
## [11026]
## [11027]
## [11028] thought far pleasant
## [11029]
## [11030] aliv breath
## [11031] cold death
## [11032] thirst drink
## [11033] clad mail clink
## [11034]
## [11035] drown dri land
## [11036] think island
## [11037] mountain
## [11038] think fountain
## [11039] puff air
## [11040]
## [11041] sleek fair
## [11042]
## [11043] joy meet
## [11044]
## [11045] wish
## [11046] catch fish
## [11047] juicysweet
## [11048]
## [11049] word press sam mind problem
## [11050] troubl moment understood hir master
## [11051] go adopt gollum guid problem food occur
## [11052] master thought hut suppos gollum
## [11053] gollum kept lone wander
## [11054] thought sam look fair famish dainti tri
## [11055] hobbit tast like aint fish ill wager — suppos
## [11056] catch nap wont sam gamge
## [11057]
## [11058] stumbl dark wind gulli long time
## [11059] tire feet frodo sam gulli turn eastward
## [11060] went broaden got gradual shallow sky
## [11061] grew faint grey morn gollum shown sign
## [11062] tire look halt
## [11063]
## [11064] day near whisper day
## [11065] overhear spring smjagol stay stay
## [11066] yellow face wont
## [11067]
## [11068] glad sun frodo stay
## [11069] tire present
## [11070]
## [11071] wise glad yellow face gollum
## [11072] show nice sensibl hobbit stay smjagol ore nasti thing
## [11073] long way stay hide
## [11074]
## [11075] settl rest foot rocki wall
## [11076]
## [11077]
## [11078]
## [11079]
## [11080] gulli tall man’ height
## [11081] base wide flat shelv dri stone water ran channel
## [11082] frodo sam sat flat rest
## [11083] back gollum paddl scrabbl stream
## [11084]
## [11085] littl food frodo hungri smjagol
## [11086] littl share spare ’
## [11087]
## [11088] word hungri greenish light kindl gollum’ pale eye
## [11089] protrud sick face
## [11090] moment relaps old gollummann ’ famissh yes
## [11091] famissh precious’ eat nice
## [11092] fissh ’ tongu loll sharp yellow teeth lick
## [11093] colourless lip
## [11094]
## [11095] got fish’ frodo got ’ —
## [11096] held wafer lemba — ’ water water fit drink’
## [11097]
## [11098] yess yess nice water’ gollum drink drink
## [11099] ’ve got precious crunchabl tasti ’
## [11100]
## [11101] frodo broke portion wafer hand
## [11102] leaf wrap gollum snif leaf face chang spasm
## [11103] disgust came hint old malic smjagol smell ’
## [11104] leav elfcountri gah stink climb
## [11105] tree couldn’t wash smell hand nice hands’
## [11106] drop leaf took corner lemba nibbl spat
## [11107] fit cough shook
## [11108]
## [11109] ach ’ splutter tri choke poor smjagol dust
## [11110] ash ’t eat starv smjagol doesnt mind nice
## [11111] hobbit smjagol promis starv ’t eat hobbit food
## [11112]
## [11113] starv poor smjagol
## [11114]
## [11115] im sorri frodo help im afraid think
## [11116] food good tri
## [11117] tri ’
## [11118]
## [11119] hobbit munch lemba silenc sam thought tast
## [11120] far better good gollum behaviour
## [11121] attend flavour feel comfort
## [11122] gollum watch morsel hand mouth like expect dog
## [11123] diner chair finish prepar rest
## [11124] appar convinc hidden dainti share
## [11125] went sat pace away whimper littl
## [11126]
## [11127]
## [11128]
## [11129]
## [11130] look sam whisper frodo soft realli
## [11131] care gollum heard ’ve got sleep
## [11132] hungri villain nigh promis promis smjagol
## [11133] gollum wont chang habit hurri ill warrant
## [11134] sleep mr frodo ill eyelid prop
## [11135] turn hes loos
## [11136]
## [11137] your right sam frodo speak open
## [11138] chang just kind chang deep im sure
## [11139] serious dont think need fear —
## [11140] present watch wish hour
## [11141]
## [11142]
## [11143] tire frodo head fell forward breast
## [11144] slept soon spoken word gollum longer
## [11145] fear curl went quick sleep quit unconcern
## [11146] present breath hiss soft clench teeth hut
## [11147] lay stone fear drop
## [11148] sat listen companion breath sam got gentl
## [11149] prod gollum hand uncurl twitch
## [11150] movement sam bent fissh close ear
## [11151] respons catch gollum breath
## [11152]
## [11153] sam scratch head realli asleep mutter
## [11154] like gollum wouldnt wake restrain
## [11155] thought sword rope sprang mind went sat
## [11156] master
## [11157]
## [11158] woke sky dim lighter darker
## [11159] breakfast sam leapt feet feel
## [11160] vigour hunger sudden understood slept daylight
## [11161] away hour frodo fast asleep lie stretch
## [11162] gollum seen various reproach name
## [11163] came sam mind drawn gaffer larg patern
## [11164] wordhoard occur master right
## [11165] present guard
## [11166] rate aliv unthrottl
## [11167]
## [11168] poor wretch half remors wonder hes got
## [11169]
## [11170]
## [11171] far far voic look saw
## [11172] shape gollum larg head ear even sky
## [11173]
## [11174]
## [11175]
## [11176]
## [11177] cri sam suspicion come
## [11178] soon saw shape
## [11179]
## [11180] smjagol hungri gollum soon
## [11181]
## [11182] come shout sam hi come gollum vanish
## [11183]
## [11184] frodo woke sound sam shout sat rub eye
## [11185] hullo wrong what time
## [11186]
## [11187] dunno sam sundown reckon hes gone say
## [11188] hes hungri
## [11189]
## [11190] dont worri frodo there help hell come
## [11191] youll promis hold wont leav
## [11192] precious
## [11193]
## [11194] frodo light learn slept sound
## [11195] hour gollum hungri gollum loos dont
## [11196] think gaffer hard name worn
## [11197] turn rest hard road
## [11198] ahead worst road
## [11199]
## [11200] food sam long go
## [11201] job go waybread keep
## [11202] leg wonder way doesnt satisfi innard
## [11203] proper say feel mean disrespect
## [11204] eat day doesnt
## [11205] grow reckon weve got say week
## [11206] tight belt light tooth mind weve bit free
## [11207] far
## [11208]
## [11209] dont know long shall — finish frodo
## [11210] miser delay hill samwis gamge dear hobbit —
## [11211] sam dearest hobbit friend friend — think need
## [11212] thought come job —
## [11213] hope shall know come
## [11214] goe hand ask sam
## [11215] like need bread think nurs limb
## [11216] bring mount doom begin
## [11217] feel’
## [11218]
## [11219] sam nod silent took master hand bent
## [11220] kiss tear fell turn away drew
## [11221] sleev nose got stamp tri whistl
## [11222] say effort where drat creatur
## [11223]
## [11224]
## [11225]
## [11226]
## [11227] actual long gollum return came quiet
## [11228] hear till stood finger face
## [11229] soil black mud chew slaver
## [11230] chew ask like think
## [11231]
## [11232] worm beetl slimi hole thought sam brr
## [11233]
## [11234] nasti creatur poor wretch
## [11235]
## [11236] gollum drunk deepli wash
## [11237] stream came lick lip better
## [11238] rest readi nice hobbit sleep
## [11239] beauti trust smjagol good
## [11240]
## [11241] stage journey
## [11242] went gulli shallow slope floor
## [11243] gradual stoni earthi slowli side
## [11244] dwindl mere bank began wind wander night drew
## [11245] end cloud moon star knew come
## [11246] day slow spread grey light
## [11247]
## [11248] chill hour came end water cours bank
## [11249] mossgrown mound shelf rot stone stream
## [11250] gurgl fell brown bog lost dri reed hiss
## [11251] rattl feel wind
## [11252]
## [11253] wide fen mire lay stretch
## [11254] away southward eastward dim halflight mist curl smoke
## [11255] dark noisom pool reek hung stifl
## [11256] air far away south mountainwal mordor loom
## [11257] like black bar rug cloud float danger fogbound sea
## [11258]
## [11259] hobbit wholli hand gollum know
## [11260] guess misti light fact just
## [11261] northern border marsh main expans lay
## [11262] south known land delay
## [11263] retrac step littl turn east come round
## [11264] hard road bare plain dagorlad field ancient battl
## [11265] gate mordor great hope cours
## [11266]
## [11267] stoni plain cover ran highway
## [11268] ore soldier enemi cloak lurien
## [11269] conceal
## [11270]
## [11271] shape cours smjagol ask frodo cross
## [11272] evilsmel fen
## [11273]
## [11274]
## [11275]
## [11276]
## [11277] need need gollum hobbit want reach
## [11278] dark mountain quick littl round
## [11279] littl — skinni arm wave north east — come hard
## [11280] cold road gate countri lot peopl
## [11281] look guest pleas straight o
## [11282] yes eye watch way time caught smjagol long
## [11283] ago gollum shudder smjagol use eye yes yes
## [11284] ive use eye feet nose know way
## [11285] difficult quick better dont want follow
## [11286] smjagol marsh mist nice
## [11287] mist follow smjagol care long way quit
## [11288] long way catch yes
## [11289]
## [11290] day windless sullen morn marshreek
## [11291] lay heavi bank sun pierc low cloud sky gollum
## [11292] anxious continu journey brief rest set
## [11293] soon lost shadowi silent world cut view
## [11294] land hill left mountain
## [11295] sought went slowli singl file gollum sam frodo
## [11296]
## [11297] frodo weari slow went
## [11298] lag hobbit soon look like vast fen
## [11299] realli endless network pool soft mire wind
## [11300] half strangl water cours cun eye foot
## [11301] thread wander path gollum certain cun need
## [11302] head long neck turn way
## [11303] snif mutter time hold
## [11304] hand halt went forward littl crouch test
## [11305] ground finger toe mere listen ear press
## [11306] earth
## [11307]
## [11308] dreari wearisom cold clammi winter held sway
## [11309] forsaken countri green scum livid weed dark
## [11310] greasi surfac sullen water dead grass rot reed loom
## [11311] mist like rag shadow longforgotten summer
## [11312]
## [11313] day wore light increas littl mist lift
## [11314] grow thinner transpar far rot vapour
## [11315] world sun ride high golden seren countri floor
## [11316] dazzl foam pass ghost
## [11317] blear pale give colour warmth faint
## [11318]
## [11319]
## [11320]
## [11321]
## [11322] remind presenc gollum scowl flinch halt
## [11323] journey rest squat like littl hunt anim
## [11324] border great brown reedthicket deep silenc
## [11325] scrape surfac faint quiver seedplum broken
## [11326] grassblad trembl small air movement feel
## [11327]
## [11328] bird sam mourn
## [11329]
## [11330] bird gollum nice bird lick teeth
## [11331] bird snakes worms thing pool lot
## [11332] thing lot nasti thing bird end sad sam look
## [11333] distast
## [11334]
## [11335] pass day journey gollum
## [11336] shadow even long happier land went
## [11337] brief halt rest
## [11338] help gollum forward great care
## [11339] loss come midst dead
## [11340] marsh dark
## [11341]
## [11342] walk slowli stoop keep close line follow
## [11343] attent gollum fen grew wet open
## [11344] wide stagnant mere grew difficult
## [11345] firmer place feet tread sink gurgl
## [11346] mud travel light mayb
## [11347] way
## [11348]
## [11349] present grew altogeth dark air black
## [11350] heavi breath light appear sam rub eye thought
## [11351] head go queer saw corner left eye
## [11352] wisp pale sheen fade away appear soon
## [11353] like dim shine smoke like misti flame flicker slowli
## [11354] unseen candl twist like ghost sheet unfurl
## [11355] hidden hand companion spoke word
## [11356]
## [11357] sam bear longer what gollum
## [11358] whisper light theyr round trap
## [11359]
## [11360]
## [11361] gollum look dark water crawl
## [11362] ground way doubt way yes round
## [11363] whisper tricksi light candl corps yes yes dont
## [11364] heed dont look dont follow where master
## [11365]
## [11366] sam look frodo lag
## [11367]
## [11368]
## [11369]
## [11370]
## [11371] went pace dark dare far
## [11372] hoars whisper sudden stumbl frodo
## [11373] stand lost thought look pale light hand hung
## [11374] stiff side water slime drip
## [11375]
## [11376] come mr frodo sam dont look gollum say
## [11377] mustnt let curs place quick
## [11378] —
## [11379]
## [11380] right frodo return dream im come
## [11381]
## [11382]
## [11383]
## [11384] hurri forward sam trip catch foot old root
## [11385] tussock fell came heavili hand sank deep
## [11386] sticki ooz face brought close surfac dark
## [11387] mere faint hiss noisom smell went light flicker
## [11388] danc swirl moment water look like
## [11389] window glaze grimi glass peer wrench
## [11390]
## [11391]
## [11392] hand bog sprang dead thing
## [11393] dead face water horror dead face
## [11394]
## [11395] gollum laugh dead marsh yes yes name
## [11396] cackl look candl lit’
## [11397]
## [11398] ’ ask sam shudder turn frodo
## [11399]
## [11400]
## [11401] ’ dont know frodo dreamlik voic seen
## [11402] pool candl lit lie pool pale
## [11403] face deep deep dark water saw grim face evil
## [11404] nobl face sad face proud fair weed silver
## [11405] hair foul rot dead fell light frodo
## [11406] hid eye hand know thought saw
## [11407] men elv ore
## [11408]
## [11409] yes yes gollum dead rotten elv men ore
## [11410]
## [11411] dead marsh great battl long ago yes told
## [11412] smjagol young young precious came
## [11413]
## [11414]
## [11415] great battl tall men long sword terribl elv orcs
## [11416] shriek fought plain day month black gate
## [11417] marsh grown swallow grave
## [11418] creep creep
## [11419]
## [11420]
## [11421]
## [11422]
## [11423] age ago sam dead ’t realli
## [11424] devilri hatch dark land ’
## [11425]
## [11426] know smjagol doesnt know answer gollum reach
## [11427] touch tri yes precious tri
## [11428] reach shape touch
## [11429] precious dead
## [11430]
## [11431] sam look dark shudder think guess
## [11432] smjagol tri touch dont want
## [11433] away
## [11434]
## [11435] yes yes gollum slowli slowli care
## [11436] hobbit join dead one light littl candl follow
## [11437] smjagol dont look light
## [11438]
## [11439] crawl away right seek path round mere
## [11440] came close stoop use hand
## [11441] precious littl gollum row shall goe longer
## [11442] thought sam
## [11443]
## [11444] came end black mere cross
## [11445] peril crawl hop treacher island tussock
## [11446] flounder step fall handsfirst water
## [11447] noisom cesspool till slime foul
## [11448] neck stank anoth nostril
## [11449]
## [11450] late night length reach firmer ground
## [11451] gollum hiss whisper appear
## [11452] pleas mysteri way blend sens feel smell
## [11453] uncanni memori shape dark know just
## [11454] sure road ahead
## [11455]
## [11456] nice hobbit brave hobbit
## [11457] weari cours precious master
## [11458] away wick light yes yes word start
## [11459] trot appear long lane
## [11460] high reed stumbl quick
## [11461] littl stop sudden snif air doubt hiss
## [11462] troubl displeas
## [11463]
## [11464] growl sam misinterpret sign what need
## [11465] sniff stink near knock nose held stink
## [11466] master stink place stink
## [11467]
## [11468] yes yes sam stink answer gollum poor smjagol smell
## [11469]
## [11470]
## [11471]
## [11472]
## [11473] good smjagol bear help nice master that matter
## [11474] air’ move chang come smjagol wonder hes happi
## [11475]
## [11476] went uneasi grew
## [11477] stood height crane neck eastward southward
## [11478] time hobbit hear feel troubl
## [11479] sudden halt stiffen listen frodo sam
## [11480] heard far away long wail high
## [11481] cruel shiver moment stir air
## [11482] percept grew cold stood strain
## [11483] ear heard nois like wind come distanc misti
## [11484] light waver dim went
## [11485]
## [11486] gollum stood shake gibber
## [11487] rush wind came hiss snarl marsh
## [11488] night dark light half
## [11489] shapeless drift fog curl twist roll
## [11490] pass look saw cloud break shred
## [11491] high south moon glimmer ride fli wrack
## [11492]
## [11493] moment sight gladden heart hobbit
## [11494] gollum cower mutter curs white face frodo
## [11495] sam
## [11496]
## [11497] stare sky breath deepli fresher air saw come
## [11498] small cloud fli accurs hill black shadow loos
## [11499] mordor vast shape wing omin scud moon
## [11500] dead went away westward outrun wind fell speed
## [11501]
## [11502] fell forward grovel heedless cold earth
## [11503] shadow horror wheel return pass lower right
## [11504] sweep fenreek ghast wing gone fli
## [11505] mordor speed wrath sauron wind
## [11506] roar away leav dead marsh bare bleak nake wast
## [11507] far eye pierc distant menac mountain
## [11508] dappl fit moonlight
## [11509]
## [11510] frodo sam got rub eye like children waken
## [11511] evil dream familiar night world gollum lay
## [11512] ground stun rous difficulti
## [11513] time lift face knelt forward
## [11514] elbow cover head larg flat hand
## [11515]
## [11516] wraith wail wraith wing precious master
## [11517]
## [11518]
## [11519]
## [11520]
## [11521] hide curs white
## [11522] face tell see know ach gollum gollum
## [11523] golluml moon sunk wester far tol
## [11524] brandir make
## [11525]
## [11526] time sam thought sens chang gollum
## [11527]
## [11528] fawn wouldb friend sam surpris strang
## [11529] look eye time especi frodo went
## [11530] old manner speak sam grow
## [11531] anxieti frodo weari weari point exhaust
## [11532] hard spoke complain
## [11533] walk like carri load weight increas
## [11534] drag slower slower sam beg gollum
## [11535] wait leav master
## [11536]
## [11537] fact step gate mordor frodo felt ring
## [11538] chain neck grow burdensom begin
## [11539] feel actual weight drag earthward far
## [11540] troubl eye call
## [11541] drag ring cower stoop walk eye
## [11542] horribl grow sens hostil strove great power
## [11543] pierc shadow cloud earth flesh pin
## [11544] dead gaze nake immov frail
## [11545] veil ward frodo knew just
## [11546] present habit heart certain man
## [11547] tell direct sun eye shut face
## [11548] potenc beat brow
## [11549]
## [11550] gollum probabl felt sort went
## [11551] wretch heart pressur eye lust ring
## [11552] near grovel promis half fear cold
## [11553] iron hobbit guess frodo gave thought sam mind
## [11554] occupi master hard notic dark cloud
## [11555] fallen heart frodo kept
## [11556] watch eye movement support stumbl
## [11557] tri encourag clumsi word
## [11558]
## [11559] day came hobbit surpris closer
## [11560] omin mountain drawn air clearer colder
## [11561] far wall mordor longer cloudi menac
## [11562] edg sight grim black tower frown dismal
## [11563]
## [11564]
## [11565]
## [11566]
## [11567] wast marsh end die away dead peat wide flat
## [11568] dri crack mud land ahead rose long shallow slope barren
## [11569] pitiless desert lay sauron’ gate
## [11570]
## [11571] grey light last cower black stone like
## [11572] worm shrink lest wing terror pass spi
## [11573] cruel eye remaind journey shadow grow fear
## [11574] memori rest night
## [11575] struggl weari pathless land air
## [11576] grew harsh fill bitter reek caught breath
## [11577] parch mouth
## [11578]
## [11579] fifth morn took road gollum
## [11580] halt dark dawn great mountain
## [11581] reach roof smoke cloud feet flung huge
## [11582] buttress broken hill nearest scarc dozen
## [11583] mile away frodo look round horror dread dead marsh
## [11584] arid moor nomanland loathsom far
## [11585] countri crawl day slowli unveil shrink eye
## [11586] mere dead face haggard phantom green spring
## [11587]
## [11588]
## [11589] come spring summer come
## [11590]
## [11591]
## [11592] live leprous growth feed rotten gasp
## [11593] pool choke ash crawl mud sick white grey
## [11594] mountain vomit filth entrail land
## [11595]
## [11596] high mound crush powder rock great cone earth fireblast
## [11597] poisonstain stood like obscen graveyard endless row slowli
## [11598] reveal reluct light
## [11599]
## [11600] come desol lay mordor last
## [11601] monument dark labour slave endur
## [11602] purpos void land defil diseas heal —
## [11603] unless great sea enter wash oblivion v feel
## [11604] sick’ sam frodo speak
## [11605]
## [11606] stood like men edg sleep
## [11607] nightmar lurk hold know come
## [11608] morn shadow light broaden harden
## [11609] gasp
## [11610]
## [11611] pit poison mound grew hideous clear sun walk
## [11612]
## [11613]
## [11614]
## [11615]
## [11616] cloud long flag smoke sunlight defil
## [11617] hobbit welcom light unfriend reveal
## [11618] helpless — littl squeak ghost wander
## [11619] ashheap dark lord
## [11620]
## [11621] weari sought place
## [11622] rest sat speak shadow mound
## [11623] slag foul fume leak catch throat choke
## [11624] gollum splutter curs rose
## [11625] word glanc hobbit crawl away four
## [11626] frodo sam crawl came wide circular
## [11627] pit highbank west cold dead foul sump
## [11628] oili manycolour ooz lay evil hole cower
## [11629] hope shadow escap attent eye
## [11630]
## [11631] day pass slowli great thirst troubl drank
## [11632] drop bottleslast fill gulli
## [11633] look thought place peac beauti
## [11634] hobbit took turn watch tire
## [11635] sleep sun far away climb slow
## [11636] move cloud sam doze frodo turn guard lay
## [11637] slope pit eas sens burden
## [11638] look smokestreak sky saw strang phantom dark
## [11639] ride shape face past lost count time hover
## [11640] sleep wake forget came
## [11641]
## [11642] sudden sam woke think heard master call
## [11643] even frodo call fallen asleep slid
## [11644] near pit gollum moment sam
## [11645] thought tri rous frodo saw
## [11646] gollum talk smjagol hold debat
## [11647] thought use voic squeak hiss pale light
## [11648] green light altern eye spoke
## [11649]
## [11650] smjagol promised’ thought
## [11651]
## [11652] yes yes precious’ came answer ’ promis save
## [11653] precious let — ’s go yes nearer
## [11654] step ’s hobbit go wonder yes
## [11655] wonders’
## [11656]
## [11657] don’t know ’t help master’ got smjagol promis
## [11658] help master’
## [11659]
## [11660]
## [11661]
## [11662]
## [11663] yes yes help master master precious
## [11664] master help ourself s yes promis
## [11665]
## [11666] smjagol good nice hobbit took
## [11667] cruel rope smjagol leg speak nice
## [11668]
## [11669] good eh precious let good good fish sweet
## [11670] ourself hurt nice hobbit cours
## [11671]
## [11672] precious hold promise’ voic smjagol object
## [11673]
## [11674] let hold ourself
## [11675] shall master golluml make hobbit nasti suspici hobbit
## [11676] make crawl yes golluml
## [11677]
## [11678] nice hobbit ’
## [11679]
## [11680] oh doesnt hes baggin precious
## [11681] yes baggin baggin stole
## [11682] hate baggins
## [11683]
## [11684] baggin
## [11685]
## [11686] yes baggin peopl precious
## [11687]
## [11688]
## [11689] hell hell know hell
## [11690]
## [11691] see know heard make silli promis —
## [11692] order yes wraith search
## [11693]
## [11694]
## [11695]
## [11696] sweet precious escap
## [11697] eh grow strong stronger wraith lord
## [11698] smjagol gollum great gollum eat fish day time
## [11699] day fresh sea precious gollum want
## [11700] want want
## [11701]
## [11702] there theyll wake quick kill whine
## [11703] smjagol effort ’
## [11704]
## [11705] want — long paus new
## [11706] thought waken eh help
## [11707] yes’
## [11708]
## [11709] way wail smjagol
## [11710]
## [11711] yes want want ’
## [11712]
## [11713] time second thought spoke gollum long hand crept
## [11714] slowli paw frodo drawn jerk
## [11715] smjagol
## [11716]
## [11717] spoke final arm long finger flex twitch
## [11718]
## [11719]
## [11720]
## [11721]
## [11722] claw neck
## [11723]
## [11724] sam lain fascin debat watch
## [11725] gollum halfclos eyelid simpl mind
## [11726] ordinari hunger desir eat hobbit chief danger
## [11727] gollum realiz gollum feel terribl
## [11728] ring dark lord cours sam wonder
## [11729]
## [11730]
## [11731] nasti friend littl wretch wander
## [11732] suppos forgot point thing plain gone far
## [11733] get danger great heavi limb
## [11734] rous effort sat warn
## [11735] care reveal overheard debat let
## [11736] loud sigh gave huge yawn
## [11737]
## [11738] what time sleepili
## [11739]
## [11740] gollum sent long hiss teeth stood
## [11741] moment tens menac collaps fall forward
## [11742] four crawl bank pit nice hobbit nice sam
## [11743] sleepi head yes sleepi head leav good smjagol watch
## [11744] even dusk creep time
## [11745]
## [11746] high time thought sam time part cross
## [11747] mind wonder gollum danger turn loos
## [11748] kept curs wish choke mutter stumbl
## [11749] bank rous master
## [11750]
## [11751] strang frodo felt refresh dream dark
## [11752] shadow pass fair vision visit land
## [11753] diseas remain memori felt
## [11754] glad lighter heart burden heavi gollum welcom
## [11755] doglik delight chuckl chatter crack long
## [11756] finger paw frodo knee frodo smile
## [11757]
## [11758] come guid faith
## [11759] stage bring gate ask
## [11760]
## [11761] bring gate wish —
## [11762] enemi
## [11763]
## [11764] gate eh gollum squeak surpris frighten
## [11765]
## [11766] gate master say yes say good smjagol
## [11767] ask o yes get closer
## [11768] wont look nice o o
## [11769]
## [11770]
## [11771]
## [11772]
## [11773] ’ sam let
## [11774]
## [11775] fall dusk scrambl pit slowli thread
## [11776] way dead land gone far felt
## [11777] fear fallen wing shape swept
## [11778] marsh halt cower evilsmel ground saw
## [11779] gloomi even sky soon menac pass high
## [11780] overhead go mayb swift errand baraddyr
## [11781] gollum got crept forward mutter shake
## [11782]
## [11783] hour midnight fear fell time
## [11784] remot pass far cloud rush
## [11785] terribl speed west gollum helpless
## [11786] terror convinc hunt approach
## [11787] known
## [11788]
## [11789] time whimper time threat feel
## [11790] feel precious precious master
## [11791] way use use
## [11792]
## [11793] plead kind word longer avail
## [11794] frodo command angrili laid hand swordhilt gollum
## [11795] rose snarl went
## [11796] like beaten dog
## [11797]
## [11798] stumbl weari end night
## [11799] come day fear walk silenc bow head
## [11800] see hear wind hiss ear
## [11801]
## [11802]
## [11803]
## [11804]
## [11805] chapter black gate close
## [11806]
## [11807]
## [11808]
## [11809] day dawn journey mordor
## [11810] marsh desert darkl
## [11811] pallid sky great mountain rear threaten head
## [11812]
## [11813] west mordor march gloomi rang ephel d®ath
## [11814] mountain shadow north broken peak barren ridg
## [11815] ere lithui grey ash rang approach
## [11816] part great wall mourn plain
## [11817] lithlad gorgoroth bitter inland sea n® men amidmost
## [11818] swung long arm northward arm deep
## [11819] defil cirith gorgor haunt pass entranc land
## [11820] enemi high cliff lower thrust forward
## [11821] mouth sheer hill black bone bare stood
## [11822] teeth mordor tower strong tall day long past
## [11823] built men gondor pride power overthrow
## [11824] sauron flight lest seek return old realm
## [11825] strength gondor fail men slept long year tower
## [11826] stood sauron return watchtow fallen
## [11827] decay repair fill arm garrison
## [11828] ceaseless vigil stoni face dark windowhol stare
## [11829] north east west window sleepless eye
## [11830]
## [11831] mouth pass cliff cliff dark lord
## [11832] built rampart stone singl gate iron
## [11833] battlement sentinel pace unceas beneath hill
## [11834] rock bore cave maggothol host
## [11835] ore lurk readi signal issu forth like black ant go war
## [11836]
## [11837] pass teeth mordor feel bite unless
## [11838] summon sauron knew secret password open
## [11839]
## [11840]
## [11841] morannon black gate land
## [11842]
## [11843] hobbit gaze tower wall despair
## [11844] distanc dim light movement black guard
## [11845] wall patrol gate lay peer
## [11846] edg rocki hollow beneath outstretch shadow northmost
## [11847]
## [11848]
## [11849]
## [11850]
## [11851] buttress ephel d®ath wing heavi air straight flight crow
## [11852] mayb flown furlong hidingplac black
## [11853] summit nearer tower faint smoke curl
## [11854] smoulder hill beneath
## [11855]
## [11856] day came fallow sun blink lifeless ridg ere
## [11857] lithui sudden brazenthro trumpet heard
## [11858] watchtow blare far away hidden hold outpost
## [11859] hill came answer call remot deep
## [11860] omin echo hollow land mighti horn drum
## [11861] baraddyr dread day fear toil come mordor
## [11862] nightguard summon dungeon deep hall
## [11863] dayguard eviley fell march post steel gleam
## [11864] dim battlement
## [11865]
## [11866] sam ’s gate look
## [11867] ’s far go word gaffer
## [11868] thing say saw ’d come
## [11869] bad end didnt watch step dont suppos ill
## [11870] old fellow hell miss chanc tolde sam
## [11871] more piti tell long hed got breath
## [11872] old face id wash
## [11873] wouldnt know
## [11874]
## [11875] suppos good ask way
## [11876] unless want ask ore lift
## [11877]
## [11878] gollum use smjagol
## [11879]
## [11880] gate o yes
## [11881] precious smjagol knew hobbit way o yes
## [11882] smjagol knew
## [11883]
## [11884] plagu bring sam
## [11885] feel mood just reason
## [11886]
## [11887] master master say bring gate good smjagol
## [11888] master wise master
## [11889]
## [11890] frodo face grim set resolut
## [11891] filthi haggard pinch weari cower longer
## [11892] eye clear purpos enter mordor
## [11893] know way shall way ask
## [11894] ’
## [11895]
## [11896] master wail gollum paw great
## [11897]
## [11898]
## [11899]
## [11900]
## [11901] distress use way use don’t precious hell
## [11902] eat get eat world nice master
## [11903] kind smjagol don’t let away nice place
## [11904] littl smjagol yes yes master eh smjagol
## [11905] safe lot good especi nice hobbit
## [11906]
## [11907] hobbit home don’t gate ’
## [11908]
## [11909] command land mordor shall ’
## [11910] frodo way come
## [11911] come
## [11912]
## [11913] sam look frodo face knew
## [11914] word useless real hope
## [11915] affair begin cheer hobbit need
## [11916] hope long despair postpon come
## [11917] bitter end stuck master way
## [11918] chiefli come stick master
## [11919] mordor sam himand rate rid
## [11920] gollum
## [11921]
## [11922] gollum intend got rid knelt
## [11923] frodo feet wring hand squeak way master
## [11924] plead way o yes way darker
## [11925] difficult secret smjagol know let smjagol
## [11926]
## [11927]
## [11928] way frodo doubt look gollum
## [11929] search eye
## [11930]
## [11931] yess yess way smjagol let
## [11932]
## [11933]
## [11934] spoken ’
## [11935]
## [11936] master ask master say meant
## [11937] tell poor smjagol say smjagol gate —
## [11938] good bye smjagol run away good say purpos
## [11939] enter mordor way smjagol afraid want
## [11940] lose nice master promis master promis save
## [11941] precious master go straight black hand
## [11942] master way smjagol save think
## [11943] way time nice master smjagol
## [11944] good help
## [11945]
## [11946] sam frown bore hole gollum eye
## [11947]
## [11948]
## [11949]
## [11950]
## [11951] mind doubt appear gollum
## [11952] genuin distress anxious help frodo sam rememb
## [11953] overheard debat hard believ long submerg smjagol
## [11954] come voic rate word
## [11955] debat sam guess smjagol gollum halv
## [11956] mind call slinker stinker truce temporari
## [11957] allianc want enemi ring wish
## [11958] frodo captur eye long possibl — rate
## [11959] long stinker chanc lay hand ’precious
## [11960] realli way mordor sam doubt
## [11961]
## [11962] good thing half old villain dont know
## [11963] master mean thought knew mr frodo tri
## [11964] end precious good there troubl pretti quick
## [11965] bet old stinker frighten enemi — hes
## [11966] order kind — hed away
## [11967] caught help let precious melt mayb
## [11968] that idea hope master think care
## [11969]
## [11970] hes wise hes softheart that
## [11971] gamge guess hell
## [11972]
## [11973] frodo answer gollum doubt pass
## [11974] sam slow shrewd mind stood gaze dark
## [11975] cliff cirith gorgor hollow taken refug delv
## [11976] low hill littl height long trenchlik
## [11977] valley lay outer buttress mountain
## [11978] midst valley stood black foundat western watchtow
## [11979]
## [11980] morn light road converg gate mordor
## [11981]
## [11982]
## [11983] clear seen pale dusti wind northward
## [11984] dwindl eastward mist clung feet ere lithui
## [11985] ran bent sharpli round tower
## [11986] enter narrow defil pass far hollow stood
## [11987] westward right turn skirt shoulder mountain
## [11988] went southward deep shadow mantl western
## [11989] side ephel d®ath sight journey narrow land
## [11990] mountain great river
## [11991]
## [11992] gaze frodo awar great stir movement
## [11993] plain armi march
## [11994]
## [11995]
## [11996]
## [11997]
## [11998] hidden reek fume drift fen
## [11999] wast caught gleam spear helmet
## [12000] level road horsemen seen ride
## [12001] compani rememb vision afar amon hen
## [12002] day
## [12003]
## [12004] year ago knew hope
## [12005] wild moment stir heart vain trumpet
## [12006] rung challeng greet assault dark lord
## [12007] men gondor risen like aveng ghost grave valour long
## [12008] pass away men race wide eastland
## [12009] gather summon overlord armi encamp
## [12010] gate night march swell mount power
## [12011] sudden fulli awar peril posit
## [12012] grow light day near vast menac frodo quick drew
## [12013] frail grey hood close head step dell
## [12014] turn gollum
## [12015]
## [12016] smjagol trust
## [12017] fate receiv help
## [12018] look fate help long pursu evil
## [12019] purpos far deserv kept promis
## [12020] truli truli say mean ad glanc sam twice
## [12021] power harm
## [12022] tri sought time prove
## [12023] best warn smjagol danger
## [12024]
## [12025] yes yes master gollum dread danger smjagol bone
## [12026] shake think doesnt run away help nice master
## [12027]
## [12028] mean danger share frodo mean
## [12029] danger swore promis precious
## [12030] rememb hold seek way twist
## [12031] undo twist reveal
## [12032] just foolish smjagol say
## [12033] let thought grow
## [12034] desir betray bitter end
## [12035]
## [12036] need smjagol precious precious
## [12037] master long ago wear command
## [12038] obey leap precipic cast
## [12039] command care smjagol
## [12040]
## [12041]
## [12042]
## [12043]
## [12044] sam look master approv surpris
## [12045] look face tone voic known
## [12046]
## [12047] notion kind dear mr frodo
## [12048] high degre impli fair measur blind
## [12049] cours firm held incompat belief mr frodo
## [12050] wisest person world possibl except old mr bilbo
## [12051] gandalf gollum way excus
## [12052] acquaint briefer similar mistak confus
## [12053] kind blind rate speech abash terrifi
## [12054]
## [12055] grovel ground speak clear word nice master
## [12056]
## [12057] frodo wait patient spoke stern
## [12058]
## [12059] come gollum smjagol wish tell way
## [12060] hope justifi
## [12061] turn asid plain path hast
## [12062]
## [12063] gollum pitiabl state frodo threat quit
## [12064] unnerv easi clear account amid
## [12065] mumbl squeak frequent interrupt crawl
## [12066] floor beg kind poor littl smjagol
## [12067] grew littl calmer frodo gather bit bit
## [12068] travel follow road turn west ephel d®ath come
## [12069] time cross circl dark tree right road went
## [12070] osgiliath bridg anduin middl road went
## [12071] southward
## [12072]
## [12073] gollum went way say
## [12074] goe leagu great water
## [12075] lot fish big bird eat fish nice bird
## [12076] went ala chanc
## [12077] land say yellow face hot
## [12078] seldom cloud men fierc dark face
## [12079] want land
## [12080]
## [12081] frodo wander road
## [12082] turn ’
## [12083]
## [12084] o yes o yes way gollum road
## [12085] left begin climb wind climb
## [12086] tall shadow turn round black rock youll
## [12087] sudden youll youll want hide
## [12088]
## [12089] ’
## [12090]
## [12091]
## [12092]
## [12093]
## [12094] old fortress old horribl use hear tale
## [12095] south smjagol young long ago o yes use tell
## [12096] lot tale even sit bank great river
## [12097] willowland river younger gollum gollum began
## [12098] weep mutter hobbit wait patient
## [12099]
## [12100] tale south’ gollum went tall men
## [12101] shine eye hous like hill stone silver
## [12102] crown king white tree wonder tale built
## [12103] tall tower rais silverwhit
## [12104] stone like moon round great white wall o yes
## [12105] tale tower moon’
## [12106]
## [12107] mina ithil isildur son elendil built ’
## [12108] frodo isildur cut finger enemy’
## [12109]
## [12110] yes black hand ’
## [12111] gollum shudder ’ hate isildur’ s city’
## [12112]
## [12113] ’ hate ’ frodo ’ tower
## [12114] moon ’
## [12115]
## [12116] ’ master tall tower
## [12117] white hous wall nice beauti conquer
## [12118] long ago terribl place travel shiver
## [12119] creep sight avoid shadow master
## [12120] way way mountain lower
## [12121] old road goe reach dark pass
## [12122] goe — gorgoroth’ voic sank
## [12123] whisper shudder
## [12124]
## [12125] help ’ ask sam sure enemi know
## [12126] mountain road guard close
## [12127] tower isn’t ’
## [12128]
## [12129] o ’ whisper gollum isn’t o
## [12130] dread thing live ore yes ore wors
## [12131] thing wors thing live road climb right shadow
## [12132] wall pass gate move road don’t
## [12133] know thing insid know silent watchers’
## [12134]
## [12135] ’s advic ’ sam ’
## [12136] long march south fix wors
## [12137] ’
## [12138]
## [12139] ’ gollum hobbit tri
## [12140]
## [12141]
## [12142]
## [12143]
## [12144] understand expect attack way eye round
## [12145] attend place
## [12146] conquer countri west shadowi
## [12147] mountain river hold bridg think
## [12148] come moontow fight big battl bridg
## [12149] get lot boat hide know
## [12150]
## [12151] know lot hes think sam
## [12152] talk late just hobnob ore
## [12153]
## [12154] nice hobbit sensibl gollum give sam angri
## [12155] glanc turn frodo smjagol talk ore yes cours
## [12156] met master peopl walk far
## [12157] say peopl say north big
## [12158] danger come black gate day
## [12159] day soon way big armi come away west
## [12160] afraid silent watcher
## [12161]
## [12162] just sam walk
## [12163] knock gate ask right road mordor
## [12164] silent answer sens
## [12165] save long tramp
## [12166]
## [12167] dont make joke hiss gollum isnt funni o
## [12168] amus nut sens tri mordor master
## [12169] say tri way
## [12170] terribl citi o cours smjagol help nice
## [12171] smjagol tell smjagol help
## [12172]
## [12173] know
## [12174]
## [12175] ask frodo
## [12176]
## [12177] gollum crouch voic sank whisper littl
## [12178] path lead mountain stair narrow stair o yes
## [12179] long narrow stair — voic sank
## [12180] lower — tunnel dark tunnel littl cleft path
## [12181] high main pass way smjagol got
## [12182] dark year ago path vanish
## [12183]
## [12184]
## [12185] dont like sound sam sound easi
## [12186] rate tell path itll guard
## [12187]
## [12188] wasnt guard gollum caught fanci caught
## [12189] green gleam gollum s eye gollum mutter repli
## [12190]
## [12191]
## [12192]
## [12193]
## [12194] guard ask frodo stern escap
## [12195] dark smjagol permit depart
## [12196] errand w hat aragorn thought dead
## [12197] marsh year ago
## [12198]
## [12199] lie hiss gollum evil light came eye
## [12200] name aragorn lie yes escap
## [12201] poor self told seek precious search
## [12202] search cours black precious
## [12203] tell escap
## [12204]
## [12205] frodo felt strang certainti matter gollum
## [12206] far truth suspect
## [12207] way mordor believ cun
## [12208] thing note gollum use usual
## [12209] sign rare appear remnant old truth sincer
## [12210] moment gollum trust
## [12211] point frodo forget wile enemi escap
## [12212] allow arrang known dark tower case
## [12213] gollum plain keep good deal
## [12214]
## [12215] ask secret way guard ’
## [12216]
## [12217] aragorn gollum sullen mood
## [12218] injur air liar suspect told truth
## [12219] answer
## [12220]
## [12221] guard frodo repeat
## [12222]
## [12223] yes yes safe place countri gollum
## [12224] sulkili safe place master tri home
## [12225] way say peril place
## [12226] high pass tell
## [12227]
## [12228] cirith ungol dread rumour aragorn
## [12229] told signific gandalf
## [12230] warn aragorn far away gandalf
## [12231] stood amid ruin isengard strove saruman delay treason
## [12232] spoke word saruman palantnr crash
## [12233] step orthanc thought frodo samwis
## [12234] long leagu mind sought hope piti
## [12235]
## [12236] mayb frodo felt know amon hen
## [12237] believ gandalf gone gone shadow
## [12238] moria far away sat ground long silent head
## [12239]
## [12240]
## [12241]
## [12242]
## [12243] bow strive recal gandalf
## [12244] choic recal counsel gandalf s guidanc taken
## [12245] soon soon dark land far away
## [12246] enter gandalf
## [12247] say stronghold enemi north dol guldur
## [12248] ventur mordor mountain
## [12249] baraddyr dark lord rose power journey
## [12250] frodo think littl halfl
## [12251] shire simpl hobbit quiet countrysid expect way
## [12252] great one dare evil fate
## [12253] taken sittingroom faroff spring
## [12254] year remot like chapter stori
## [12255] world youth tree silver gold bloom
## [12256] evil choic way choos led terror
## [12257] death good lay choic
## [12258]
## [12259] day drew deep silenc fell littl grey hollow
## [12260] lay near border land fear silenc
## [12261] felt veil cut world
## [12262] dome pale sky bar fleet smoke
## [12263] high far away seen great deep air heavi
## [12264] brood thought
## [12265]
## [12266] eagl pois sun mark hobbit
## [12267] sit weight doom silent p move shroud
## [12268] grey cloak moment paus consid
## [12269] gollum tini figur sprawl ground lay
## [12270] famish skeleton child men rag garment cling
## [12271] long arm leg bone white bonethin flesh worth
## [12272] peck
## [12273]
## [12274] frodo’ head bow knee sam lean hand
## [12275] head stare hood sky
## [12276] long present sam thought saw dark birdlik
## [12277] figur wheel circl sight hover wheel away
## [12278] follow fourth small look
## [12279] knew huge vast stretch
## [12280] pinion fli great height cover eye bent forward
## [12281] cower warn fear felt presenc
## [12282] black rider helpless horror come wind
## [12283]
## [12284]
## [12285]
## [12286]
## [12287] shadow moon crush compel
## [12288] menac remot menac frodo felt
## [12289] thought broken stir shiver look gollum
## [12290] huddl like corner spider wing shape wheel
## [12291] stoop swift speed mordor
## [12292]
## [12293] sam took deep breath rider air
## [12294] hoars whisper saw think
## [12295] high black rider
## [12296] ’t daylight
## [12297]
## [12298] frodo steed
## [12299] wing creatur ride probabl
## [12300] creatur like great carrion bird look
## [12301] enemi watch fear’
## [12302]
## [12303] feel dread pass enfold silenc broken
## [12304] time cut world invis
## [12305] island laid bare peril return frodo
## [12306] speak gollum make choic eye close
## [12307] dream look inward heart memori
## [12308] stir stood speak
## [12309] decid hark ’
## [12310]
## [12311] new fear heard sing hoars shout
## [12312] long way drew nearer come
## [12313] leap mind black wing spi
## [12314] sent arm soldier seiz speed great
## [12315] terribl servant sauron crouch listen voic
## [12316] clink weapon har close frodo sam loosen
## [12317] small sword sheath flight imposs
## [12318]
## [12319] gollum rose slowli crawl insectlik lip hollow
## [12320]
## [12321] cautious rais inch inch peer
## [12322] broken point stone remain move
## [12323] time make sound present voic began reced
## [12324] slowli fade away far horn blew rampart
## [12325] morannon quiet gollum drew slip hollow
## [12326]
## [12327] ’ men go mordor’ low voic dark face
## [12328] seen men like smjagol fierc
## [12329] black eye long black hair gold ring ear
## [12330] yes lot beauti gold red paint cheek
## [12331]
## [12332]
## [12333]
## [12334]
## [12335] red cloak flag red tip spear
## [12336] round shield yellow black big spike nice cruel
## [12337] wick men look bad ore bigger smjagol
## [12338] think
## [12339]
## [12340] come south great river end came
## [12341] road pass black gate follow
## [12342] peopl come mordor day peopl
## [12343] insid
## [12344]
## [12345] oliphaunt ask sam forget fear
## [12346] eager news strang place
## [12347]
## [12348] oliphaunt oliphaunt ’ gollum
## [12349]
## [12350] sam stood put hand
## [12351] speak poetri began
## [12352]
## [12353] grey mous
## [12354]
## [12355] big hous
## [12356]
## [12357] nose like snake
## [12358]
## [12359] make earth shake
## [12360]
## [12361] tramp grass
## [12362]
## [12363] tree crack pass
## [12364]
## [12365] horn mouth
## [12366] walk south
## [12367]
## [12368] flap big ear
## [12369]
## [12370] count year
## [12371] stump round round
## [12372]
## [12373] lie ground
## [12374]
## [12375] die
## [12376]
## [12377] oliphaunt
## [12378]
## [12379] biggest
## [12380]
## [12381] huge old tall
## [12382]
## [12383] youd met
## [12384] wouldn t forget
## [12385]
## [12386]
## [12387]
## [12388] wont think im true
## [12389]
## [12390] old oliphaunt
## [12391]
## [12392] lie
## [12393]
## [12394] sam finish recit that rhyme
## [12395] shire nonsens mayb mayb tale
## [12396]
## [12397]
## [12398]
## [12399]
## [12400] news south know old day hobbit use
## [12401] travel came
## [12402] believ news bree sure shiretalk
## [12403] say ive heard tale big folk away sunland
## [12404] swert ’em tale ride oliphaunt tis
## [12405] fight hous tower oliphaunts back
## [12406] oliphaunt throw rock tree
## [12407] men south red gold
## [12408] oliphaunt go look risk
## [12409] dont suppos ill oliphaunt mayb aint
## [12410] beast sigh
## [12411]
## [12412] oliphaunt gollum smjagol heard
## [12413]
## [12414] want want smjagol want
## [12415] away hide safer smjagol want master
## [12416] nice
## [12417]
## [12418] master wont come smjagol
## [12419]
## [12420] frodo stood laugh midst care sam
## [12421] trot old firesid rhyme oliphaunt laugh releas
## [12422] hesit wish thousand oliphaunt gandalf
## [12423] white head wed break way evil
## [12424] land weve just tire leg that
## [12425] smjagol turn turn best come
## [12426]
## [12427] good master wise master nice master cri gollum delight
## [12428] pat frodo knee good master rest nice hobbit
## [12429] shadow stone close stone rest lie quiet till
## [12430] yellow face goe away quick soft quick shadow
## [12431]
## [12432]
## [12433] ’
## [12434]
## [12435]
## [12436]
## [12437]
## [12438] chapter herb stew rabbit
## [12439]
## [12440]
## [12441]
## [12442] hour daylight left rest shift
## [12443] shade sun move shadow western rim
## [12444] dell grew long dark fill hollow ate
## [12445] littl drank spare gollum ate accept water
## [12446] glad
## [12447]
## [12448] soon lick lip good water run
## [12449] stream great river nice water land go
## [12450] smjagol food hes hungri yes gollumv
## [12451] set larg flat hand shrunken belli pale green light
## [12452] came eye
## [12453]
## [12454] dusk deep length set creep
## [12455] westward rim dell fade like ghost broken countri
## [12456] border road moon night
## [12457] climb mountain near midnight earli night
## [12458] dark singl red light burn high tower teeth
## [12459] sign seen heard sleepless watch
## [12460] morannon
## [12461]
## [12462] mile red eye stare fled
## [12463] stumbl barren stoni countri dare
## [12464] road kept left follow line
## [12465] littl distanc night grow old
## [12466] weari taken short rest eye dwindl
## [12467] small fieri point vanish turn dark northern
## [12468] shoulder lower mountain head southward
## [12469]
## [12470] heart strang lighten rest
## [12471] long go quick gollum reckon
## [12472] near thirti leagu morannon crossroad osgiliath
## [12473] hope cover distanc journey soon struggl
## [12474] dawn began spread slowli wide grey
## [12475] solitud walk leagu hobbit
## [12476] gone dare
## [12477]
## [12478] grow light reveal land barren
## [12479] ruinous mountain loom omin left near
## [12480] hand southward road bear away black
## [12481]
## [12482]
## [12483]
## [12484]
## [12485] root hill slant westward slope cover
## [12486] sombr tree like dark cloud lay tumbl
## [12487] heathland grown ling broom cornel shrub
## [12488] know saw knot tall pinetre heart
## [12489] hobbit rose littl spite weari air fresh
## [12490] fragrant remind upland northfarth far
## [12491] away good repriev walk land
## [12492] year dominion dark lord fallen
## [12493] wholli decay forget danger black gate
## [12494] near hidden gloomi height
## [12495] look hidingplac shelter evil eye
## [12496] light last
## [12497]
## [12498] day pass uneasili lay deep heather count
## [12499] slow hour littl chang
## [12500] shadow ephel d®ath sun veil frodo slept
## [12501] time deepli peac trust gollum tire troubl
## [12502] sam difficult doze gollum
## [12503] plain fast asleep whiffl twitch secret dream
## [12504] hunger mistrust kept wake begun long
## [12505] good home meal hot pot
## [12506]
## [12507] soon land fade formless grey come night
## [12508] start littl gollum led
## [12509] southward road went quick danger
## [12510] greater ear strain sound hoof foot
## [12511] road ahead follow night pass
## [12512] heard sound walker rider
## [12513]
## [12514] road long lost time thirti
## [12515] mile morannon newli repair went south
## [12516] wild encroach handiwork men old seen
## [12517] straight sure flight level cours cut way
## [12518] hillsid slope leap stream wide shape arch
## [12519] endur masonri sign stonework fade save
## [12520] broken pillar peer bush old
## [12521] pavingston lurk amid weed moss heather tree
## [12522] bracken scrambl overhung bank sprawl
## [12523] surfac dwindl countri cartroad littl use
## [12524] wind held sure cours guid swiftest
## [12525]
## [12526]
## [12527]
## [12528]
## [12529] way
## [12530]
## [12531] pass northern march land men
## [12532] call ithilien fair countri climb wood swift fall stream
## [12533]
## [12534] night fine star round moon
## [12535] hobbit fragranc air grew went forward
## [12536] blow mutter gollum notic
## [12537] relish sign day halt
## [12538] come end long cut deep sheersid middl
## [12539] road clove way stoni ridg climb
## [12540] westward bank look abroad
## [12541]
## [12542] day open sky saw mountain
## [12543] reced eastward long curv lost
## [12544] distanc turn west gentl slope ran dim
## [12545] haze far small wood resin tree fir
## [12546] cedar cypress kind unknown shire wide glade
## [12547] wealth sweetsmel herb
## [12548] shrub long journey rivendel brought far south
## [12549] land shelter region hobbit
## [12550] felt chang clime spring busi frond
## [12551] pierc moss mould larch greenfing small flower
## [12552] open turf bird sing ithilien garden gondor
## [12553] desol kept dishevel dryad loveli
## [12554]
## [12555] south west look warm lower vale anduin
## [12556] shield east ephel d®ath
## [12557] mountainshadow protect north emyn muil open
## [12558] southern air moist wind sea far away great tree
## [12559] grew plant long ago fall untend age amid riot
## [12560] careless descend grove thicket tamarisk
## [12561] pungent terebinth oliv bay junip myrtl
## [12562] thyme grew bush woodi creep stem mantl
## [12563] deep tapestri hidden stone sage kind put forth blue
## [12564] flower red pale green marjoram newsprout parsley
## [12565] herb form scent gardenlor sam grot
## [12566] rocki wall star saxifrag stonecrop
## [12567] primerol anemon awak filbert brake asphodel
## [12568] lili flower nod halfopen head grass deep green
## [12569] grass pool fall stream halt cool hollow
## [12570]
## [12571]
## [12572]
## [12573]
## [12574] journey anduin
## [12575]
## [12576] travel turn back road went downhil
## [12577] walk brush way bush herb sweet odour rose
## [12578] gollum cough retch hobbit breath deep
## [12579] sudden sam laugh heart eas jest follow stream
## [12580] went quick present brought small
## [12581] clear lake shallow dell lay broken ruin ancient stone
## [12582] basin carven rim wholli cover moss
## [12583] rosebrambl irissword stood rank waterlili leav
## [12584] float dark gentlyrippl surfac deep fresh
## [12585] spill soft stoni lip far end
## [12586]
## [12587] wash drank infal
## [12588] freshet sought restingplac hidingplac
## [12589] land fairseem nonetheless territori enemi
## [12590] come far road short space
## [12591] seen scar old war newer wound ore
## [12592] foul servant dark lord pit uncov filth refus
## [12593] tree hewn wanton left die evil rune fell sign
## [12594] eye cut rude stroke bark
## [12595]
## [12596] sam scrambl outfal lake smell touch
## [12597] unfamiliar plant tree forget moment mordor
## [12598] remind sudden everpres peril stumbl ring
## [12599] scorch midst pile char
## [12600] broken bone skull swift growth wild briar
## [12601] eglantin trail clemati draw veil place
## [12602] dread feast slaughter ancient hurri
## [12603] companion bone best left peac
## [12604] paw rout gollum
## [12605]
## [12606] let place lie lower higher
## [12607]
## [12608]
## [12609] littl way lake deep brown bed
## [12610] year fern thicket dark leav baytre climb
## [12611] steep bank crown old cedar decid rest
## [12612] pass day promis bright warm good day
## [12613] stroll way grove glade ithilien
## [12614] ore shun sunlight place
## [12615] lie hid watch evil eye abroad sauron
## [12616]
## [12617]
## [12618]
## [12619]
## [12620] servant gollum case yellow face soon
## [12621] look dark ridg ephel d®ath faint
## [12622] cower light heat
## [12623]
## [12624] sam give earnest thought food march
## [12625] despair impass gate feel
## [12626] inclin master thought livelihood
## [12627] end errand wiser save waybread
## [12628] elv wors time ahead day pass
## [12629] reckon bare suppli week
## [12630]
## [12631] reach time lucki rate
## [12632] thought want
## [12633]
## [12634] end long nightmarch bath
## [12635] drink felt hungri usual supper breakfast
## [12636] old kitchen bagshot row realli want
## [12637] idea struck turn gollum gollum just begun sneak
## [12638] crawl away four fern
## [12639]
## [12640] hi gollum sam go hunt
## [12641] old noser dont like food id sorri chang
## [12642] new motto readi help fit
## [12643] hungri hobbit
## [12644]
## [12645] yes yes’ gollum smjagol help ask
## [12646] — ask nice
## [12647]
## [12648] right sam ask isnt nice beg
## [12649]
## [12650] gollum disappear away time frodo
## [12651] mouth lemba settl deep brown fern went sleep sam
## [12652] look earli daylight just creep
## [12653] shadow tree saw master face clear
## [12654] hand lie rest ground remind sudden
## [12655] frodo lain asleep hous elrond dead
## [12656] wound kept watch sam notic time light
## [12657] shine faint light clearer
## [12658] stronger frodo face peac mark fear care left
## [12659] look old old beauti chisel shape
## [12660] year reveal fine line hidden
## [12661] ident face chang sam gamge
## [12662] way shook head find word useless
## [12663] murmur love hes like shine
## [12664]
## [12665]
## [12666]
## [12667]
## [12668] love
## [12669]
## [12670] gollum return quiet peer sam shoulder look
## [12671] frodo shut eye crawl away sound sam came
## [12672] moment later chew mutter
## [12673]
## [12674]
## [12675] ground lay small rabbit begin eye
## [12676] greedili
## [12677]
## [12678] ’smjagol helps’ brought rabbit nice rabbit
## [12679]
## [12680] master gone sleep sam want sleep doesnt want
## [12681] rabbit smjagol tri help catch thing
## [12682] minut
## [12683]
## [12684] sam object rabbit
## [12685] cook rabbit hobbit cours cook begin
## [12686] learn art letter reach sam
## [12687] good cook hobbit reckon good deal
## [12688] campcook travel chanc hope
## [12689] carri gear pack small tinderbox small shallow
## [12690] pan smaller fit larger insid wooden spoon
## [12691] short twoprong fork skewer stow hidden
## [12692] pack flat wooden box dwindl treasur salt
## [12693] need thing thought bit
## [12694] took knife clean whet began dress rabbit
## [12695]
## [12696] go leav frodo asleep minut
## [12697]
## [12698] gollum ive job
## [12699] pan water bring em
## [12700]
## [12701] smjagol fetch water yes gollum hobbit
## [12702] want water drunk wash
## [12703]
## [12704] mind sam guess youll soon
## [12705]
## [12706] sooner fetch water sooner youll learn dont
## [12707] damag pan ill carv mincemeat
## [12708]
## [12709] gollum away sam took look frodo
## [12710] sleep quiet sam struck lean face
## [12711] hand drawn mutter right hobbit
## [12712]
## [12713] coney cook im go wake
## [12714]
## [12715] sam gather pile driest fern scrambl bank
## [12716] collect bundl twig broken wood fallen branch cedar
## [12717] gave good suppli cut turv foot
## [12718]
## [12719]
## [12720]
## [12721]
## [12722] bank just outsid fernbrak shallow hole laid fuel
## [12723] handi flint tinder soon small blaze go
## [12724] littl smoke gave aromat scent just stoop
## [12725] shield build heavier wood
## [12726] gollum return carri pan care grumbl
## [12727]
## [12728] set pan sudden saw sam gave
## [12729] hiss shriek frighten angri ach sss
## [12730] — cri silli hobbit foolish yes foolish mustnt
## [12731] ’
## [12732]
## [12733] mustnt ask sam surpris
## [12734]
## [12735] make nassti red tongu hiss gollum
## [12736] danger yes burn kill bring enemi yes
## [12737]
## [12738]
## [12739] dont think sam dont dont
## [12740] wet stuff make smother im go
## [12741] risk im go stew coney
## [12742]
## [12743] stew rabbit squeal gollum dismay spoil beauti meat
## [12744] smjagol save poor hungri smjagol silli
## [12745] hobbit young tender nice eat eat ’
## [12746]
## [12747] claw nearest rabbit skin lie
## [12748]
## [12749] sam fashion bread choke
## [12750] raw coney choke coney coney
## [12751] cook mind neednt watch catch
## [12752] eat fanci — privat o sight
## [12753] wont shant
## [12754] happier ill dont smoke that comfort
## [12755]
## [12756] gollum withdrew grumbl crawl fern sam busi
## [12757] pan hobbit need coney
## [12758]
## [12759] herb root especi tater — mention bread herb
## [12760] manag seemingly’
## [12761]
## [12762] gollum call soft time pay want
## [12763] herbs’ gollum head peep fern look
## [12764] help friend bayleav thyme sage —
## [12765] water boil sam
## [12766]
## [12767] gollum smjagol pleas smjagol doesnt like
## [12768] smelli leav doesnt eat grass root precious till hes
## [12769] starv sick poor smjagol
## [12770]
## [12771]
## [12772]
## [12773]
## [12774] smjagoll real true hot water water boil
## [12775] don’t ’s asked’ growl sam samllput head yes
## [12776] precious ’d make look turnip carrot tater
## [12777] time o’ year ’ll bet ’s sort good thing
## [12778] run wild countri ’d lot half dozen taters’
## [12779]
## [12780] smjagol won’t o precious time’ hiss gollum ’s
## [12781] frighten ’s tire hobbit nice nice
## [12782] smjagol wont grub root carrots — tater what
## [12783] tater precious eh what tater
## [12784]
## [12785] potato sam gaffer’ delight rare good ballast
## [12786] belli wont neednt look good
## [12787] smjagol fetch herb ill think better what
## [12788] turn new leaf turn ill cook tater
## [12789] day fri fish chip serv s gamge
## [12790] say
## [12791]
## [12792] yes yes spoil nice fish scorch fish
## [12793] nassti chip
## [12794]
## [12795] oh your hopeless sam sleep
## [12796]
## [12797] end want
## [12798] far sight place master lay
## [12799] sleep sam sat muse tend till water
## [12800] boil daylight grew air warm dew fade turf
## [12801] leaf soon rabbit cut lay simmer pan
## [12802] bunch herb sam fell asleep time went let stew
## [12803] close hour test fork tast
## [12804] broth
## [12805]
## [12806] thought readi lift pan
## [12807] crept frodo frodo half open eye sam stood
## [12808] waken dream gentl unrecover dream
## [12809] peac
## [12810]
## [12811] hullo sam ’ rest wrong
## [12812] time ’
## [12813]
## [12814] coupl hour daybreak’ sam nigh half
## [12815] past shire clock mayb noth wrong aint
## [12816] quit id right stock onion tater ive got bit
## [12817] stew broth mr frodo good youll sup
## [12818] mug straight pan cool bit havent
## [12819]
## [12820]
## [12821]
## [12822]
## [12823] brought bowl proper
## [12824]
## [12825] frodo yawn stretch rest sam
## [12826] light danger part feel
## [12827] hungri hmm smell stew
## [12828]
## [12829] present smjagol sam brace o young coney
## [12830] fanci gollum regret there nought
## [12831] herb
## [12832]
## [12833] sam master sat just fernbrak ate stew
## [12834] pan share old fork spoon allow half
## [12835] piec elvish waybread feast
## [12836]
## [12837] wheew gollum sam call whistl soft come time
## [12838] chang mind there left want tri stew coney
## [12839] answer
## [12840]
## [12841] oh suppos hes gone
## [12842] finish sam
## [12843]
## [12844] sleep frodo
## [12845]
## [12846] dont drop im nod mr frodo dont feel
## [12847] sure there good deal stinker bad gollum
## [12848] understand mein get stronger
## [12849] think hed tri throttl dont eye eye hes
## [12850] pleas sam o precious pleas
## [12851]
## [12852] finish sam went stream rins gear
## [12853] stood return look slope moment saw
## [12854] sun rise reek haze dark shadow
## [12855] lay east sent golden beam tree
## [12856] glade notic spiral bluegrey smoke plain
## [12857] caught sunlight rise thicket
## [12858] shock realiz smoke littl cookingfir
## [12859] neglect
## [12860]
## [12861] wont thought like mutter
## [12862] start hurri sudden halt listen flad heard
## [12863] whistl strang bird
## [12864] whistl come frodo direct went
## [12865] place sam began run uphil
## [12866]
## [12867] small brand burn away outer end kindl
## [12868] fern edg fern blaze set
## [12869] turv smoulder hastili stamp left
## [12870]
## [12871]
## [12872]
## [12873]
## [12874] scatter ash laid turv hole crept
## [12875] frodo
## [12876]
## [12877] hear whistl sound like answer ask
## [12878]
## [12879] minut hope bird didn’t sound quit
## [12880] like like somebodi mimick birdcal thought im
## [12881] afraid bit fire smoke ive gone brought troubl
## [12882]
## [12883] ill forgiv wont chanc mayb
## [12884]
## [12885] hush whisper frodo thought heard voices’
## [12886]
## [12887] hobbit truss small pack readi
## [12888] flight crawl deeper fern crouch
## [12889] listen
## [12890]
## [12891] doubt voic speak low furtiv
## [12892] near come nearer quit sudden spoke clear
## [12893] close hand
## [12894]
## [12895] smoke came twill nigh
## [12896] hand fern doubt shall like coney trap
## [12897] shall learn kind thing
## [12898]
## [12899] aye know second voic
## [12900]
## [12901] men came stride fern differ
## [12902] direct flight hide longer possibl frodo sam
## [12903] sprang feet put whip small
## [12904] sword
## [12905]
## [12906] astonish saw captor
## [12907] astonish tall men stood spear hand
## [12908] broad bright head great bow height
## [12909] great quiver long green feather arrow sword side
## [12910] clad green brown vari hue better walk
## [12911] unseen glade ithilien green gauntlet cover hand
## [12912] face hood mask green eye
## [12913] keen bright frodo thought boromir men
## [12914] like statur bear manner speech
## [12915]
## [12916] sought’
## [12917]
## [12918] f
## [12919]
## [12920] ore releas hilt sword
## [12921] seiz saw glitter sting frodo hand
## [12922]
## [12923] elv ’ doubt
## [12924]
## [12925] nay elv fourth tallest appear
## [12926]
## [12927]
## [12928]
## [12929]
## [12930] chief elv walk ithilien day elv
## [12931] wondrous fair look ’tis
## [12932]
## [12933] ’mean sam thank kind
## [12934] youv finish discuss youll say
## [12935] let tire travel rest
## [12936]
## [12937] tall green man laugh grim faramir captain gondor
## [12938] travel land servant
## [12939] dark tower white
## [12940]
## [12941] ’ frodo travel
## [12942] captain faramir say
## [12943]
## [12944] make hast declar errand faramir
## [12945]
## [12946] work time place riddl
## [12947] parley come compani
## [12948]
## [12949] ’
## [12950]
## [12951] yes skulk fellow saw nose pool
## [12952] yonder illfavour look spi breed ore guess
## [12953] creatur gave slip foxtrick
## [12954]
## [12955] know frodo chanc companion
## [12956] met road answer come
## [12957] spare bring send wretch gangrel
## [12958] creatur care
## [12959] hobbit shire far north west river frodo
## [12960] son drogo samwis son hamfast worthi
## [12961] hobbit servic come long way — rivendel
## [12962] imladri faramir start grew intent seven
## [12963] companion lost moria left parth galen
## [12964] rauro kin dwarf elf
## [12965] men aragorn boromir came mina
## [12966] tirith citi south
## [12967]
## [12968] boromir men exclaim
## [12969]
## [12970] boromir son ford denethor faramir strang stern
## [12971] look came face came news
## [12972] true know littl stranger boromir son denethor high warden
## [12973] white tower captaingener sore miss
## [12974] swift sun
## [12975] climb
## [12976]
## [12977] riddl word known boromir brought rivendel
## [12978]
## [12979]
## [12980]
## [12981]
## [12982] ’ frodo repli
## [12983]
## [12984] seek sword broken
## [12985]
## [12986] imladri dwell
## [12987]
## [12988] word known faramir astonish v
## [12989] token truth know
## [12990]
## [12991] aragorn name bearer sword broken
## [12992] frodo halfl rhyme spoke
## [12993]
## [12994] faramir thought
## [12995]
## [12996] isildur bane
## [12997]
## [12998] hidden answer frodo doubtless clear
## [12999] time’
## [13000]
## [13001] learn ’ faramir know bring
## [13002] far east shadow yonder— point
## [13003] busi hand peril
## [13004] gone far field road day hard handstrok nigh
## [13005] hand ere day death swift flight bark anduin
## [13006] leav guard good wise man trust
## [13007] chancemeet road land return speak
## [13008]
## [13009]
## [13010] farewel frodo bow low think friend
## [13011] enemi enemi halfl folk
## [13012] hope serv doughti men strong
## [13013] errand permit light shine sword
## [13014]
## [13015] halfl courteous folk
## [13016] faramir farewel
## [13017]
## [13018] hobbit sat
## [13019] thought doubt close just dappl shadow
## [13020] dark baytre men remain guard took mask
## [13021] cool dayheat grew frodo saw
## [13022] good men paleskin dark hair grey eye face sad
## [13023] proud spoke soft voic use common speech
## [13024] manner older day chang languag
## [13025] amaz listen frodo awar
## [13026] elventongu spoke littl differ look
## [13027] wonder knew d®nedain
## [13028] south men line lord westerness
## [13029]
## [13030] spoke slow cautious
## [13031]
## [13032]
## [13033]
## [13034]
## [13035] answer name mablung damrod soldier gondor
## [13036]
## [13037]
## [13038] ranger ithilien descend folk live
## [13039] ithilien time overrun men lord
## [13040] denethor chose foray cross anduin secret
## [13041] say harri ore enemi roam
## [13042] ephel d®ath river
## [13043]
## [13044] close leagu eastshor anduin
## [13045] mablung ’ seldom come far afield new errand
## [13046] journey come ambush men harad curs
## [13047]
## [13048] aye curs southron damrod tis
## [13049] deal old gondor kingdom harad far
## [13050] south friendship day bound away
## [13051] south mouth anduin umbar nearest realm
## [13052] acknowledg sway long tis live men
## [13053] pass fro late learn enemi
## [13054] gone himthey
## [13055]
## [13056]
## [13057] readi east doubt
## [13058] day gondor number wall mina tirith doom
## [13059] great strength malic
## [13060]
## [13061] sit idl let
## [13062] mablung curs southron come march ancient road
## [13063]
## [13064]
## [13065] swell host dark tower yea road craft
## [13066] gondor heedless learn think
## [13067] power new master great mere shadow
## [13068] hill protect come teach lesson great
## [13069] strength report day ago march north
## [13070] regiment reckon pass time ere noonup
## [13071] road pass cloven way road pass
## [13072] shall faramir captain lead
## [13073] peril ventur life charm fate spare
## [13074] end
## [13075]
## [13076] talk die listen silenc
## [13077] watch sam crouch edg fernbrak peer
## [13078]
## [13079]
## [13080]
## [13081]
## [13082] keen hobbitey saw men
## [13083]
## [13084]
## [13085] steal slope singl long file keep shade
## [13086] grove thicket crawl hard visibl brown green
## [13087] raiment grass brake hood mask
## [13088] gauntlet hand arm like faramir companion
## [13089] long pass vanish sun rose till near
## [13090] south shadow shrank
## [13091]
## [13092] wonder drat gollum thought sam crawl
## [13093] deeper shade stand fair chanc spit
## [13094] ore roast yellow face fanci ’ll look
## [13095] lay frodo began doze
## [13096]
## [13097] woke think heard horn blow sat
## [13098] high noon guard stood alert tens shadow tree
## [13099] sudden horn rang louder mistak
## [13100] slope sam thought heard cri wild shout
## [13101] sound faint came distant cave
## [13102] present nois fight broke near hand just
## [13103] hidingplac hear plain ring grate steel steel
## [13104] clang sword iron cap dull beat blade shield men
## [13105] yell scream clear loud voic call gondorl gondorl
## [13106]
## [13107] sound like blacksmith smithi ’ sam
## [13108] frodo ’’ near want ’
## [13109]
## [13110] nois grew closer coming’ cri damrod
## [13111] southron broken trap fli road
## [13112] men captain leading’
## [13113]
## [13114] sam eager went join guard scrambl
## [13115] littl way larger baytre moment
## [13116] caught glimps swarthi men red run slope way
## [13117] greenclad warrior leap hew fled
## [13118] arrow air sudden straight rim
## [13119] shelter bank man fell crash slender tree near
## [13120] came rest fern feet away face downward
## [13121] green arrowfeath stick neck golden collar
## [13122] scarlet robe tatter corslet overlap brazen plate
## [13123] rent hewn black plait hair braid gold drench
## [13124] blood brown hand clutch hilt broken sword
## [13125]
## [13126]
## [13127]
## [13128]
## [13129] sam view battl men men
## [13130] like glad dead face wonder
## [13131] man came realli evil
## [13132] heart lie threat led long march home
## [13133] realli stay peac flash
## [13134] thought quick driven mind just mablung
## [13135] step fallen bodi new nois great cri
## [13136] shout amidst sam heard shrill bellow trumpet
## [13137] great thud bump like huge ram din ground
## [13138]
## [13139] ware ware cri damrod companion valar turn
## [13140] asid mymak mymak
## [13141]
## [13142] astonish terror last delight sam saw vast
## [13143] shape crash tree come career slope big
## [13144] hous bigger hous look greyclad move hill
## [13145] fear wonder mayb enlarg hobbit eye mymak
## [13146] harad beast vast bulk like walk
## [13147] middleearth kin live day memori
## [13148] girth majesti came straight watcher
## [13149] swerv asid nick time pass yard away rock
## [13150] ground beneath feet great leg like tree enorm saillik
## [13151] ear spread long snout uprais like huge serpent strike
## [13152] small red eye rage upturn hornlik tusk bound band
## [13153] gold drip blood trap scarlet gold flap
## [13154] wild tatter ruin wartow lay
## [13155] heav smash furious passag wood
## [13156] high neck desper clung tini figureth bodi
## [13157] mighti warrior giant swert
## [13158]
## [13159] great beast thunder blunder blind wrath pool
## [13160] thicket arrow skip snap harmless tripl hide
## [13161] flank men side fled overtook
## [13162] crush ground soon lost view trumpet
## [13163] stamp far away sam heard escap
## [13164]
## [13165]
## [13166] roam wild time perish far home trap
## [13167] deep pit rage plung great river
## [13168] swallow
## [13169]
## [13170] sam drew deep breath oliphaunt
## [13171]
## [13172]
## [13173]
## [13174]
## [13175] oliphaunt seen life home
## [13176] believ that ill bit sleep
## [13177]
## [13178] sleep mablung captain return
## [13179] unhurt come shall depart swift shall pursu
## [13180] soon news deed reach enemi long
## [13181]
## [13182] quiet ’ sam need disturb sleep
## [13183] walk night
## [13184]
## [13185] mablung laugh think captain leav
## [13186] master samwise’ shall
## [13187]
## [13188]
## [13189]
## [13190]
## [13191] chapter window west
## [13192]
## [13193]
## [13194]
## [13195] sam doze minut awok
## [13196] late afternoon faramir come brought
## [13197] men survivor foray gather
## [13198] slope nearbi strong sat wide
## [13199] semicircl arm faramir seat ground
## [13200] frodo stood look strang like trial
## [13201] prison
## [13202]
## [13203] sam crept fern paid attent
## [13204] place end row men hear
## [13205] go watch listen intent readi dash
## [13206] master aid need faramir face
## [13207] unmask stern command keen wit lay
## [13208] search glanc doubt grey eye gaze steadili frodo
## [13209]
## [13210] sam soon awar captain satisfi frodo
## [13211] account point play
## [13212] compani set rivendel left boromir
## [13213] go particular return isildur bane plain
## [13214] saw frodo conceal matter great import
## [13215]
## [13216] come halfl isildur bane
## [13217] waken read word insist
## [13218] halfl name doubtless brought thing
## [13219] council speak boromir saw deni
## [13220]
## [13221]
## [13222] frodo answer faramir v wish learn
## [13223] concern boromir concern orearrow slew
## [13224] isildur far old tale tell orearrow plenti sight
## [13225] taken sign doom boromir gondor
## [13226] thing keep hidden say
## [13227] choos hide
## [13228]
## [13229] choos answer frodo v belong
## [13230]
## [13231] belong mortal great small claim
## [13232] aragorn son arathorn name leader
## [13233] compani moria rauro
## [13234]
## [13235]
## [13236]
## [13237]
## [13238] boromir princ citi son elendil
## [13239] found
## [13240]
## [13241] aragorn descend direct lineag father father
## [13242] isildur elendil son sword bear elendil
## [13243] sword
## [13244]
## [13245] murmur astonish ran ring men cri
## [13246] aloud sword elendil sword elendil come mina tirith
## [13247] great tide faramir face unmov
## [13248]
## [13249] mayb great claim need establish
## [13250] clear proof requir aragorn come mina
## [13251] tirith come compani set day
## [13252] ago
## [13253]
## [13254] boromir satisfi claim frodo boromir
## [13255] answer question
## [13256] rauro day intend straight citi
## [13257] return soon learn answer compani
## [13258] known appoint elrond
## [13259] imladri council errand came
## [13260] countri reveal outsid compani
## [13261] claim oppos enemi hinder
## [13262]
## [13263] frodo tone proud felt sam approv
## [13264] appeas faramir
## [13265]
## [13266] bid mind affair home
## [13267] let boromir tell come come say
## [13268] friend boromir’
## [13269]
## [13270] vivid frodo mind came memori boromir assault
## [13271] moment hesit faramir eye watch grew harder
## [13272] boromir valiant member compani frodo length yes
## [13273] friend
## [13274]
## [13275] faramir smile grim griev learn boromir
## [13276] dead
## [13277]
## [13278] griev frodo catch look
## [13279] faramir eye falter dead mean dead
## [13280] knew tri trap word play
## [13281] tri snare falsehood
## [13282]
## [13283] snare ore falsehood faramir
## [13284]
## [13285] die know say
## [13286]
## [13287]
## [13288]
## [13289]
## [13290] compani reach citi left
## [13291]
## [13292] manner death hope friend
## [13293] companion tell
## [13294]
## [13295] aliv strong part live
## [13296] know sure peril world
## [13297]
## [13298] faramir treacheri ’
## [13299]
## [13300] sam get impati angri
## [13301] convers word bear burst
## [13302] middl ring strode master
## [13303]
## [13304] beg pardon mr frodo gone long
## [13305] tie right talk youv gone
## [13306] good great men
## [13307]
## [13308] captain plant squar faramir
## [13309] hand hip look face address
## [13310] young hobbit offer call sauc question
## [13311] visit orchard murmur grin
## [13312] face men look sight captain sit
## [13313] ground eye eye young hobbit leg apart bristl
## [13314] wrath experi ’
## [13315] drive let come point ore mordor come
## [13316] think master murder boromir ran away
## [13317] youv got sens say let know
## [13318] mean piti folk talk fight
## [13319] enemi let bit way
## [13320] interf hed mighti pleas think hed got
## [13321] new friend
## [13322]
## [13323] patienc faramir anger speak
## [13324] master wit greater need teach
## [13325] peril spare brief time order judg just
## [13326] hard matter hasti slain long ago
## [13327] command slay land leav
## [13328] lord gondor slay man beast needless glad
## [13329] need talk vain comfort sit
## [13330] master silent ’
## [13331]
## [13332] sam sat heavili red face faramir turn frodo
## [13333]
## [13334] ask know son denethor dead tide death
## [13335] wing night oft bring news near kindr tis boromir
## [13336]
## [13337]
## [13338]
## [13339]
## [13340] brother
## [13341]
## [13342] shadow sorrow pass face rememb aught
## [13343] special mark lord boromir bore gear
## [13344]
## [13345] frodo thought moment fear trap wonder
## [13346] debat turn end hard save ring
## [13347] proud grasp boromir fare men
## [13348] warlik
## [13349]
## [13350] strong know felt heart faramir
## [13351] like brother look man selfregard
## [13352] sterner wiser rememb boromir bore horn
## [13353]
## [13354] rememb truth seen
## [13355] faramir mayb mind eye great horn
## [13356] wild ox east bound silver written ancient charact
## [13357]
## [13358] horn eldest son hous born generat
## [13359] blown need bound gondor
## [13360] realm old voic pass unheed
## [13361]
## [13362] day ere set ventur day ago
## [13363] hour day heard blow horn northward
## [13364] dim echo mind bode ill
## [13365] thought father tide heard boromir
## [13366] went away watcher border seen pass
## [13367] night stranger thing befel
## [13368]
## [13369] sat night water anduin grey dark
## [13370] young pale moon watch move stream sad reed
## [13371] rustl watch shore nigh osgiliath enemi
## [13372] part hold issu harri land night
## [13373] world slept midnight hour saw saw
## [13374] boat float water glimmer grey small boat strang
## [13375] fashion high prow row steer
## [13376]
## [13377] awe fell pale light round rose went
## [13378] bank began walk stream drawn
## [13379] boat turn stay pace float slowli
## [13380] hand reach durst handl wade deep
## [13381] heavili burden pass gaze
## [13382] fill clear water came light
## [13383] lap water warrior lay asleep
## [13384]
## [13385] broken sword knee saw wound
## [13386]
## [13387]
## [13388]
## [13389]
## [13390] boromir brother dead knew gear sword belov face
## [13391] thing miss horn thing knew fair belt
## [13392] link golden leav waist boromir cri
## [13393] thi horn goest thou o boromir gone boat turn
## [13394] stream pass glimmer night dreamlik
## [13395] dream wake doubt
## [13396] dead pass river sea
## [13397]
## [13398] ala frodo boromir knew
## [13399] golden belt given lothlurien ladi galadriel
## [13400] cloth elvengrey brooch
## [13401] workmanship fie touch green silver leaf fasten cloak
## [13402] beneath throat
## [13403]
## [13404] faramir look close tt beauti yes tis
## [13405] work craft pass land lurien
## [13406] laurelindurenan name old long lain
## [13407] knowledg men ad soft regard frodo new wonder
## [13408] eye strang begin understand
## [13409] tell bitter thought boromir die sight
## [13410] land home
## [13411]
## [13412] say answer frodo tale
## [13413] fill forebod vision saw think
## [13414] shadow evil fortun unless
## [13415] lie trick enemi seen face fair warrior
## [13416] old laid sleep beneath pool dead marsh
## [13417] foul arts’
## [13418]
## [13419] nay faramir work heart
## [13420] loath heart fill grief piti
## [13421]
## [13422] thing happen truth ask frodo
## [13423] boat carri stoni hill tol brandir
## [13424] boromir purpos home entwash field rohan
## [13425]
## [13426]
## [13427]
## [13428] vessel ride foam great fall founder
## [13429] boil pool laden water
## [13430]
## [13431] know faramir came boat
## [13432]
## [13433] lurien frodo boat row anduin
## [13434] fall elvenwork
## [13435]
## [13436] pass hidden land faramir
## [13437]
## [13438]
## [13439]
## [13440]
## [13441] littl understood power men deal mistress
## [13442] magic dwell golden wood look strang thing
## [13443] follow peril mortal man walk world
## [13444] sun old came unchang tis
## [13445]
## [13446] boromir o boromir cri say ladi
## [13447] die woke heart went
## [13448] laurelindurenan came road hors
## [13449] rohan
## [13450]
## [13451] ride home morn
## [13452]
## [13453] turn frodo spoke quiet voic
## [13454] question guess make answer frodo son drogo
## [13455] mayb lest think tale
## [13456] vision tell horn boromir return
## [13457] truth horn came cloven
## [13458] axe sword shard came sever shore
## [13459] reed watcher gondor lay northward infal
## [13460] entwash spin flood
## [13461] errand water strang chanc murder tis
## [13462]
## [13463] horn elder son lie piec lap
## [13464] denethor sit high chair wait news tell
## [13465] cleav horn
## [13466]
## [13467] know frodo day heard
## [13468] blow reckon true day part
## [13469] servant left compani tale fill dread
## [13470] boromir peril slain fear companion
## [13471] perish kindr friend
## [13472]
## [13473] asid doubt let weari
## [13474] grief afraid deed attempt
## [13475] slain need hast halfl
## [13476] remain fellowship
## [13477]
## [13478] faramir valiant captain gondor defend citi
## [13479] let doom take
## [13480]
## [13481] comfort speech faramir
## [13482] sure draw dread need unless peopl lurien
## [13483] came array boromir funer ore
## [13484] servant nameless compani guess live
## [13485]
## [13486] befel north march frodo doubt longer
## [13487]
## [13488]
## [13489]
## [13490]
## [13491] hard day judg men’ word face
## [13492] make guess halfl ’ smile
## [13493] strang frodo elvish air mayb lie word
## [13494] thought mina tirith
## [13495] answer denethor life just forfeit
## [13496] choos cours prove ill citi decid hast
## [13497] delay
## [13498]
## [13499] sprang feet issu order men
## [13500] gather round broke small group went way
## [13501] vanish quick shadow rock tree soon
## [13502] mablung damrod remain
## [13503]
## [13504] frodo samwis come guard
## [13505] faramir v road southward purpos
## [13506] unsaf day close watch
## [13507] affray think far today
## [13508] case weari go secret place
## [13509] somewhat mile ore spi
## [13510] enemi hold long
## [13511] lie rest
## [13512] morn decid best
## [13513]
## [13514] frodo fall request
## [13515] order case wise cours moment foray
## [13516] men gondor journey ithilien danger
## [13517]
## [13518]
## [13519] set mablung damrod littl ahead faramir
## [13520] frodo sam skirt hither pool
## [13521] hobbit bath cross stream climb long bank pass
## [13522] greenshadow woodland march downward
## [13523] westward
## [13524]
## [13525] walk swift hobbit talk hush
## [13526] voic
## [13527]
## [13528] broke speech faramir time
## [13529] press master samwis remind
## [13530] draw
## [13531]
## [13532] near matter better debat open men
## [13533] reason turn matter brother let
## [13534] isildur bane wholli frank frodo
## [13535]
## [13536]
## [13537]
## [13538]
## [13539] told lie truth frodo
## [13540]
## [13541] blame faramir spoke skill hard
## [13542] place wise learn guess
## [13543] word friend boromir
## [13544] friendship master samwis guess
## [13545] grievanc love dear glad aveng death
## [13546] knew isildur bane — hazard isildur bane lay
## [13547] caus content compani clear
## [13548] mighti heirloom sort thing breed peac
## [13549] confeder aught learn ancient tale hit
## [13550] near mark
## [13551]
## [13552] near frodo gold content
## [13553] compani doubt doubt way
## [13554]
## [13555]
## [13556] emyn muil ancient tale teach peril
## [13557] rash word concern thing — heirloom
## [13558]
## [13559] ah thought troubl boromir fie
## [13560] wish thing brought mina tirith ala crook fate
## [13561] seal lip saw hold long
## [13562] know heart thought latest hour
## [13563] er sure die achiev good thing
## [13564] face beauti life
## [13565]
## [13566] frodo press hard isildur bane forgiv
## [13567] unwis hour place time thought
## [13568] hard fight mind
## [13569] spoke drew nearer mark deliber
## [13570] shot wider know preserv ancient lore
## [13571] ruler citi spread abroad hous
## [13572] line elendil blood n®menor
## [13573] reckon line mardil good steward rule king
## [13574] stead went away war king edrnur line
## [13575] anbrion childless came steward
## [13576] govern citi day generat men ago
## [13577]
## [13578] rememb boromir boy learn
## [13579] tale sire histori citi displeas
## [13580] father king hundr year need make
## [13581] steward king king return ask year mayb
## [13582]
## [13583]
## [13584]
## [13585]
## [13586] place royalti father answer gondor thousand
## [13587] year suffic ala poor boromir tell
## [13588]
## [13589]
## [13590] frodo treat aragorn honour
## [13591]
## [13592] doubt faramir satisfi aragorn
## [13593] claim say great rever pinch
## [13594] come reach mina tirith rival war
## [13595]
## [13596] stray hous denethor know ancient lore
## [13597] long tradit treasuri thing
## [13598] preserv book tablet writ wither parchment yea stone
## [13599] leav silver gold diver charact
## [13600] read rest unlock read littl
## [13601] teach record brought grey pilgrim
## [13602] saw child twice thrice
## [13603] ’
## [13604]
## [13605] grey pilgrim frodo
## [13606]
## [13607] mithrandir call elffashion faramir
## [13608] content name countri mithrandir
## [13609] elv tharkyn dwarv olurin youth west
## [13610] forgotten south incbnus north gandalf east
## [13611]
## [13612]
## [13613] gandalf frodo thought gandalf grey dearest
## [13614] counsellor leader compani lost moria
## [13615]
## [13616] mithrandir lost faramir evil fate
## [13617] pursu fellowship hard believ great
## [13618] wisdom power — wonder thing —
## [13619] perish lore taken world sure
## [13620] just leav depart
## [13621]
## [13622] ala yes frodo saw fall abyss
## [13623]
## [13624] great tale dread faramir
## [13625] tell even time mithrandir
## [13626] guess loremast great mover deed
## [13627] time consult concern hard word
## [13628] dream clear need messeng
## [13629] mayb journey boromir
## [13630] doom mithrandir spoke reveal
## [13631] purpos got leav denethor know look
## [13632]
## [13633]
## [13634]
## [13635]
## [13636] secret treasuri learn littl teach
## [13637] seldom search question
## [13638] concern great battl fought dagorlad
## [13639] begin gondor overthrown
## [13640]
## [13641]
## [13642] eager stori isildur tell
## [13643] certain known end
## [13644]
## [13645] faramir voic sank whisper learn
## [13646] guess kept secret heart isildur took
## [13647] somewhat hand unnam ere went away gondor
## [13648]
## [13649]
## [13650] seen mortal men thought answer
## [13651] mithrandir question matter concern
## [13652] seeker ancient learn riddl word dream
## [13653] debat think isildur bane
## [13654] thing isildur ambush slain orearrow accord
## [13655] legend knew mithrandir told
## [13656]
## [13657] truth thing guess heirloom
## [13658] power peril fell weapon perchanc devis dark
## [13659] ford thing gave advantag battl believ
## [13660] boromir proud fearless rash anxious
## [13661] victori mina tirith glori desir
## [13662] thing allur ala went errand
## [13663] chosen father elder forward
## [13664] older hardier true stay
## [13665]
## [13666] fear thing laybi
## [13667] highway mina tirith fall ruin save
## [13668] use weapon dark ford good glori
## [13669] wish triumph frodo son drogo
## [13670]
## [13671] council frodo
## [13672] matter
## [13673]
## [13674] ’ faramir ’ white tree flower
## [13675] court king silver crown return mina tirith
## [13676] peac mina anor old light high fair beauti
## [13677] queen queen mistress slave nay
## [13678] kind mistress will slave war defend live
## [13679] destroy devour love bright sword
## [13680]
## [13681]
## [13682]
## [13683]
## [13684] sharp arrow swift warrior
## [13685] glori love defend citi men n®menor
## [13686] love memori ancientri beauti
## [13687] present wisdom fear save men fear digniti man
## [13688] old wise
## [13689]
## [13690] fear ask tell ask
## [13691] tell speak nearer mark trust
## [13692] advis present quest
## [13693] bey aid
## [13694]
## [13695] frodo answer yield desir help
## [13696] counsel tell grave young man word wise fair
## [13697] mind held heart heavi
## [13698] fear sorrow sam like
## [13699] left walker sole command secret
## [13700] errand better mistrust undeserv rash word memori
## [13701] boromir dread chang lure ring work
## [13702] present mind look faramir listen
## [13703] voic unlik akin
## [13704]
## [13705] walk silenc pass like grey green
## [13706] shadow old tree feet make sound
## [13707] bird sang sun glisten polish roof dark leav
## [13708] evergreen wood ithilien
## [13709]
## [13710] sam taken convers listen
## [13711] time attend keen hobbit ear soft
## [13712] woodland nois thing note talk
## [13713] gollum come glad felt
## [13714] hope hear soon awar
## [13715] walk men close hand
## [13716] damrod mablung flit shadow ahead
## [13717] make swift secret way appoint place
## [13718]
## [13719] look sudden prickl skin told
## [13720] watch thought caught brief glimps
## [13721] small dark shape slip treetrunk open mouth speak
## [13722] shut tm sure
## [13723] remind old villain choos forget wish
## [13724]
## [13725]
## [13726] pass woodland grew thinner land began
## [13727]
## [13728]
## [13729]
## [13730]
## [13731] fall steepli turn asid right came
## [13732] quick small river narrow gorg stream
## [13733] trickl far round pool grown swift torrent
## [13734] leap stone deepcloven bed overhung ilex
## [13735] dark box wood look west haze light
## [13736] lowland broad mead glint far wester sun wide
## [13737] water anduin
## [13738]
## [13739] ala discourtesi faramir hope
## [13740] pardon far order way courtesi
## [13741] slay bind command stranger
## [13742] rohan fight shall path
## [13743] open eye blindfold ’
## [13744]
## [13745] frodo ’ elv likewis need
## [13746] blindfold cross border fair lothlurien gim dwarf took
## [13747] ill hobbit endur
## [13748]
## [13749] place fair shall lead faramir
## [13750] glad will forc
## [13751]
## [13752] call soft immedi mablung damrod step
## [13753] tree came blindfold guest faramir
## [13754] secur discomfort tie hand
## [13755] word tri trust shut
## [13756] eye accord eye blink feet stumbl lead
## [13757] falter
## [13758]
## [13759] green scarv guard bound hobbit eye
## [13760] drew hood mouth quick took
## [13761] hand went way frodo sam knew
## [13762] mile road learn guess dark littl
## [13763] path descend steepli soon grew
## [13764] narrow went singl file brush stoni wall
## [13765] guard steer hand laid firm
## [13766] shoulder came rough place lift
## [13767] feet set nois
## [13768] run water right hand grew nearer louder
## [13769] length halt quick mablung damrod turn
## [13770] time lost sens direct climb upward
## [13771] littl cold nois stream faint
## [13772] pick carri step round corner
## [13773]
## [13774]
## [13775]
## [13776]
## [13777] sudden heard water loud rush splash
## [13778] round felt fine rain hand cheek
## [13779]
## [13780] set feet moment stood
## [13781] half fear blindfold know spoke
## [13782]
## [13783] came voic faramir close let
## [13784]
## [13785] scarv remov hood drawn blink
## [13786] gasp
## [13787]
## [13788] stood wet floor polish stone doorstep
## [13789] roughhewn gate rock open dark
## [13790] veil water hung near frodo outstretch
## [13791] arm face westward level shaft set sun
## [13792] beat red light broken flicker beam
## [13793] everchang colour stood window
## [13794] elventow curtain thread jewel silver gold rubi
## [13795] sapphir amethyst kindl unconsum
## [13796]
## [13797] good chanc came right hour reward
## [13798] patienc faramir window sunset henneth
## [13799] annyn fairest fall ithilien land fountain
## [13800] stranger seen king hall match
## [13801]
## [13802] enter ’
## [13803]
## [13804] spoke sun sank fade flow water
## [13805]
## [13806] turn pass low forbid arch
## [13807] rockchamb wide rough uneven stoop roof
## [13808] torch kindl cast dim light glisten wall
## [13809] men come twos three
## [13810] dark narrow door eye grew accustom
## [13811] gloom hobbit saw cave larger guess
## [13812] fill great store arm victual
## [13813]
## [13814] refug faramir place great eas
## [13815] pass night peac dri
## [13816] food time water flow cave
## [13817] arch cours chang gorg
## [13818] workmen old stream sent fall doubl height
## [13819] rock far way grot seal
## [13820] entri water aught save way
## [13821] passag yonder enter blindfold
## [13822] windowcurtain deep bowl fill knive stone rest
## [13823]
## [13824]
## [13825]
## [13826]
## [13827] even meal set
## [13828]
## [13829] hobbit taken corner given low bed lie
## [13830] wish men busi cave quiet
## [13831] order quick light tabl taken wall set
## [13832] trestl laden gear plain unadorn
## [13833] fair round platter bowl dish
## [13834] glaze brown clay turn boxwood smooth clean
## [13835] cup basin polish bronz goblet plain silver set
## [13836] captain’ seat middl inmost tabl
## [13837]
## [13838] faramir went men question came
## [13839] soft voic came pursuit southron left
## [13840] scout near road came latest southron
## [13841] account save great mymak happen
## [13842] say enemi movement seen orespi
## [13843] abroad
## [13844]
## [13845] saw heard anborn faramir ask latest comer
## [13846]
## [13847] lord’ man ore saw thought
## [13848] saw littl strang get deep dusk eye
## [13849] make thing greater
## [13850] squirrel’ sam prick ear ’
## [13851] black squirrel saw tail ’twas like shadow ground
## [13852] whisk treetrunk drew nigh went aloft swift
## [13853] squirrel slay wild beast purpos
## [13854] tri arrow dark sure
## [13855] shoot creatur gone gloom leav
## [13856] twinkl stay strang
## [13857] hasten thought heard thing hiss high
## [13858] turn away larg squirrel mayb shadow
## [13859] unnam beast mirkwood wander hither
## [13860] wood
## [13861]
## [13862] black squirrel ’tis ’
## [13863]
## [13864] faramir ill omen
## [13865]
## [13866] want escap mirkwood ithilien’ sam fanci
## [13867] gave swift glanc hobbit spoke sam
## [13868]
## [13869] frodo lay watch torchlight men
## [13870] move fro speak hush voic sudden frodo fell
## [13871] asleep
## [13872]
## [13873]
## [13874]
## [13875]
## [13876] sam struggl argu way
## [13877] right thought ’ fair speech hide foul
## [13878] heart yawn v sleep week id better
## [13879] awak great men
## [13880] sam gamge youv got awak
## [13881] manag light fade cave door grey veil
## [13882] fall water grew dim lost gather shadow sound
## [13883] water went chang note morn even night
## [13884]
## [13885] murmur whisper sleep sam stuck knuckl eye
## [13886]
## [13887] torch lit cask wine broach storag
## [13888] barrel open men fetch water fall
## [13889] lave hand basin wide copper bowl white cloth
## [13890] brought faramir wash
## [13891]
## [13892] wake guest water time eat’
## [13893]
## [13894] frodo sat yawn stretch sam use wait
## [13895] look surpris tall man bow hold basin
## [13896] water
## [13897]
## [13898] ground master easier
## [13899] astonish amus men plung
## [13900] head cold water splash neck ear
## [13901]
## [13902] custom land wash head supper
## [13903] man wait hobbit
## [13904]
## [13905] breakfast sam your short sleep cold
## [13906] water neck like rain wilt lettuc
## [13907] awak long eat bit
## [13908]
## [13909] led seat faramir barrel cover pelt
## [13910] high bench men conveni
## [13911] ate faramir men turn face west moment
## [13912] silenc faramir sign frodo sam likewis
## [13913]
## [13914] sat look n®menor
## [13915] elvenhom
## [13916] elvenhom custom meat ’
## [13917]
## [13918] frodo feel strang rustic untutor
## [13919] guest bow host eaten rise thank
## [13920]
## [13921]
## [13922] faramir
## [13923]
## [13924] long journey camp day spent xjn lone
## [13925]
## [13926]
## [13927]
## [13928]
## [13929] wild even meal feast hobbit drink pale yellow
## [13930] wine cool fragrant eat bread butter salt meat
## [13931] dri fruit good red chees clean hand clean knive
## [13932] plate frodo sam refus offer
## [13933] second help wine cours vein
## [13934] tire limb felt glad easi heart
## [13935] left land lurien
## [13936]
## [13937] faramir led recess cave
## [13938] part screen curtain chair stool brought
## [13939]
## [13940] littl earthenwar lamp burn nich
## [13941]
## [13942] soon desir sleep ’ especi good samwis
## [13943] close eye ate — fear blunt
## [13944] edg nobl hunger fear know
## [13945] good sleep soon meat follow fast let talk
## [13946] journey rivendel thing
## [13947] tell wish learn
## [13948] land tell boromir brother old
## [13949] mithrandir fair peopl lothlurien
## [13950]
## [13951] frodo longer felt sleepi will talk
## [13952] food wine eas lost caution sam
## [13953] beam hum frodo spoke
## [13954] content listen occasion ventur make exclam
## [13955] agreement
## [13956]
## [13957] frodo told tale steer matter away
## [13958] quest compani ring enlarg valiant
## [13959] boromir play adventur wolv wild
## [13960] snow caradhra mine moria gandalf fell
## [13961] faramir move stori fight bridg
## [13962]
## [13963] irk boromir run ores’
## [13964] fell thing balrog —
## [13965] leav
## [13966]
## [13967] fie frodo aragorn forc lead fie
## [13968] knew way gandalf s fall lesser
## [13969] folk care think boromir fled
## [13970]
## [13971] mayb better boromir fallen
## [13972] mithrandir faramir gone fate wait
## [13973] fall rauro
## [13974]
## [13975]
## [13976]
## [13977]
## [13978] mayb tell fortun frodo turn
## [13979] matter asid learn mina ithil
## [13980] osgiliath mina tirith longendur hope
## [13981] citi long war
## [13982]
## [13983] hope faramir long hope
## [13984]
## [13985] sword elendil return rekindl
## [13986] think evil day unless help
## [13987] unlookedfor come elv men enemi increas
## [13988] decreas fail peopl springless autumn
## [13989]
## [13990] men n®menor settl far wide shore seaward
## [13991] region great land fell evil
## [13992] folli enamour dark black art
## [13993]
## [13994]
## [13995] given wholli idl eas fought
## [13996] conquer weak wild men
## [13997]
## [13998] evil art practis gondor
## [13999] nameless name honour old wisdom
## [14000] beauti brought west remain long realm son
## [14001] elendil fair linger gondor
## [14002] brought decay fall degre dotag
## [14003] think enemi asleep banish destroy
## [14004]
## [14005] death present n®menorean
## [14006] old kingdom lost hunger endless life unchang
## [14007]
## [14008] king tomb splendid hous live count old
## [14009] name roll descent dearer name son childless
## [14010] lord sat age hall muse heraldri secret chamber wither men
## [14011] compound strong elixir high cold tower ask question
## [14012] star king line anbrion heir
## [14013]
## [14014] steward wiser fortun wiser
## [14015] recruit strength peopl sturdi folk sea coast
## [14016] hardi mountain ere nimrai truce
## [14017] proud peopl north assail men fierc
## [14018] valour kin afar unlik wild easterl cruel
## [14019] haradrim
## [14020]
## [14021] came pass day cirion twelfth steward
## [14022] father sit twentieth rode aid great
## [14023] field celebr destroy enemi seiz northern
## [14024]
## [14025]
## [14026]
## [14027]
## [14028] provinc rohirrim master hors
## [14029] cede field calenardhon call rohan
## [14030] provinc long spars peopl alli
## [14031] prove true aid need guard
## [14032] northern march gap rohan
## [14033]
## [14034] lore manner learn
## [14035] lord speak speech need hold way
## [14036] father memori speak
## [14037] north tongu love tall men fair
## [14038] women valiant alik goldenhair brightey strong
## [14039] remind youth men elder day
## [14040] loremast old affin
## [14041] come hous men
## [14042] n®menorean begin hador goldenhair
## [14043] elffriend mayb son peopl went sea
## [14044] west refus
## [14045]
## [14046] reckon men lore call high men
## [14047] west n®menorean middl peopl men
## [14048] twilight
## [14049]
## [14050] rohirrim kin dwell far north
## [14051] wild men dark
## [14052]
## [14053] rohirrim grown way like
## [14054] enhanc art gentl like
## [14055] scarc claim longer titl high middl men
## [14056] twilight memori thing rohirrim
## [14057] love war valour thing good sport end
## [14058] hold warrior skill
## [14059] knowledg craft weapon slay esteem warrior
## [14060] nonetheless men craft need day
## [14061] brother boromir man prowess
## [14062] account best man gondor valiant heir
## [14063] mina tirith long year hardi toil onward
## [14064] battl blown mightier note great horn faramir sigh fell
## [14065] silent
## [14066]
## [14067] dont say tale elv sir sam
## [14068] sudden pluck courag note faramir refer
## [14069] elv rever courtesi food
## [14070]
## [14071]
## [14072]
## [14073]
## [14074] wine won sam respect quiet suspicion
## [14075]
## [14076] master samwis faramir learn
## [14077] elvenlor touch point chang
## [14078] declin n®menor middleearth know
## [14079] mithrandir
## [14080]
## [14081] companion spoken elrond edain father
## [14082] n®menorean fought elv war
## [14083] reward gift kingdom midst sea sight
## [14084] elvenhom middleearth men elv estrang day
## [14085]
## [14086]
## [14087] dark art enemi slow chang time
## [14088] kind walk sunder road men fear
## [14089] misdoubt elv know littl gondor grow like
## [14090] men like men rohan foe
## [14091] dark lord shun elv speak golden wood dread
## [14092]
## [14093] deal elv
## [14094] anon secret lurien seldom
## [14095] return deem peril mortal man wil seek
## [14096] elder peopl envi spoken white lady’
## [14097]
## [14098] ladi lurien galadriel cri sam
## [14099] sir hobbit garden job home sir
## [14100] understand im good poetri — make
## [14101] bit comic rhyme know real poetri
## [14102] — tell mean sung youd
## [14103] strider aragorn old mr bilbo wish
## [14104] make song beauti sir love like great
## [14105] tree flower like white daffadowndilli small slender
## [14106] like hard dimond soft moonlight warm sunlight cold frost
## [14107] star proud faroff snow mountain merri lass
## [14108] saw daisi hair springtim that lot o
## [14109] nonsens wide mark
## [14110]
## [14111] love faramir peril fair
## [14112]
## [14113] dont know peril sam strike folk take
## [14114] peril lurien find theyv
## [14115] brought peril shes strong
## [14116] dash piec like ship
## [14117] rock drownd like hobbit river rock
## [14118]
## [14119]
## [14120]
## [14121]
## [14122] river blame boro — stop went red face
## [14123]
## [14124] yes boromir say faramir say
## [14125] took peril ’
## [14126]
## [14127] yes sir beg pardon fine man brother
## [14128] say youv warm scent watch
## [14129] boromir listen rivendel road — look
## [14130] master youll understand mean harm boromir
## [14131] — opinion lurien saw clear guess
## [14132] sooner want moment saw want
## [14133] enemi ring
## [14134]
## [14135] sam cri frodo aghast fallen deep thought
## [14136] came sudden late
## [14137]
## [14138] save sam turn white flush scarlet
## [14139] open big mouth foot
## [14140] gaffer use say right o dear o dear
## [14141]
## [14142] look sir turn face faramir
## [14143] courag muster dont take advantag master
## [14144] servant better fool youv spoken handsom
## [14145] guard talk elv handsom
## [14146] handsom say now chanc qualiti
## [14147]
## [14148] faramir slowli soft strang
## [14149] smile answer riddl ring
## [14150] thought perish world boromir tri
## [14151] forc escap ran way — wild
## [14152] halfl host men ring
## [14153] ring pretti stroke fortun chanc faramir captain gondor
## [14154] qualiti ha’ stood tall stern grey eye
## [14155] glint
## [14156]
## [14157] frodo sam sprang stool set
## [14158] back wall fumbl swordhilt
## [14159] silenc men cave stop talk look
## [14160] wonder faramir sat chair began laugh quiet
## [14161] sudden grave
## [14162]
## [14163] ala boromir sore trial
## [14164] increas sorrow strang wander far countri bear
## [14165] peril men judg men halfl
## [14166] truthspeak men gondor boast seldom perform die
## [14167]
## [14168]
## [14169]
## [14170]
## [14171] attempt highway
## [14172]
## [14173] man desir thing knew
## [14174] clear thing spoke
## [14175] word vow held
## [14176]
## [14177] man wise know
## [14178] peril man flee sit peac comfort
## [14179] samwis stumbl think fate
## [14180]
## [14181] heart shrewd faith saw clearer eye
## [14182]
## [14183] strang safe declar
## [14184] help master love shall turn good
## [14185] power comfort thing aloud
## [14186]
## [14187]
## [14188] hobbit came seat sat quiet men turn
## [14189] drink talk perceiv captain
## [14190] jest littl guest
## [14191]
## [14192] frodo understand faramir
## [14193] took thing unwil ask
## [14194] piti honour marvel hid use
## [14195] new peopl new world kin like
## [14196] sort land realm peac content
## [14197] garden high honour
## [14198]
## [14199] frodo certain garden
## [14200] honour
## [14201]
## [14202] folk grow weari garden
## [14203] thing sun world far home wayworn
## [14204] tonight sleep — peac fear
## [14205] wish touch know know
## [14206] lest peril perchanc waylay fall lower test
## [14207] frodo son drogo rest — tell
## [14208] wish watch wait
## [14209] think time pass morn swift way
## [14210] appoint ’
## [14211]
## [14212] frodo felt trembl shock fear pass
## [14213] great weari came like cloud dissembl
## [14214] resist longer
## [14215]
## [14216] ’ go way mordor faint go
## [14217] gorgoroth mountain cast thing
## [14218]
## [14219]
## [14220]
## [14221]
## [14222] gulf doom gandalf think shall
## [14223]
## [14224] faramir stare moment grave astonish sudden
## [14225] caught sway lift gentl carri bed
## [14226] laid cover warm fell deep
## [14227] sleep
## [14228]
## [14229] bed set servant sam hesit
## [14230] moment bow low good night captain lord
## [14231] took chanc sir
## [14232]
## [14233] ’ faramir
## [14234]
## [14235] yes sir show qualiti highest
## [14236]
## [14237] faramir smile pert servant master samwis nay prais
## [14238] praiseworthi reward naught
## [14239] prais lure desir
## [14240]
## [14241] ah sir sam master elvish air
## [14242] good true say air sir
## [14243] remind — gandalf wizard
## [14244]
## [14245] mayb faramir mayb discern far away air
## [14246] n®menor good night’
## [14247]
## [14248]
## [14249]
## [14250]
## [14251] chapter forbidden pool
## [14252]
## [14253]
## [14254]
## [14255] frodo woke faramir bend second old fear
## [14256] seiz sat shrank away
## [14257]
## [14258] fear faramir
## [14259]
## [14260] morn frodo yawn
## [14261]
## [14262] night draw end moon set
## [14263]
## [14264] come matter desir
## [14265] counsel sorri rous sleep come ’
## [14266]
## [14267] frodo rise shiver littl left warm
## [14268] blanket pelt cold fireless cave nois
## [14269] water loud still cloak follow faramir
## [14270]
## [14271] sam wake sudden instinct watch saw
## [14272] master’ bed leapt feet saw dark figur
## [14273] frodo man frame archway fill
## [14274] pale white light hurri past row men sleep
## [14275] mattress wall went cavemouth saw
## [14276] curtain dazzl veil silk pearl silver thread
## [14277] melt icicl moonlight paus admir turn
## [14278] asid follow master narrow doorway wall
## [14279] cave
## [14280]
## [14281] went black passag wet step
## [14282] came small flat land cut stone lit pale sky
## [14283] gleam high long deep shaft flight
## [14284] step led go high bank stream
## [14285] turn away left follow wound way
## [14286] like turret stair
## [14287]
## [14288] came stoni dark look
## [14289] wide flat rock rail parapet right eastward
## [14290] torrent fell splash terrac pour steep
## [14291] race fill smoothhewn channel dark forc water fleck
## [14292] foam curl rush feet plung sheer
## [14293] edg yawn left man stood near
## [14294] brink silent gaze
## [14295]
## [14296] frodo turn watch sleek neck water curv
## [14297]
## [14298]
## [14299]
## [14300]
## [14301] dive lift eye gaze far away world quiet
## [14302] cold dawn near far west moon sink
## [14303] round white pale mist shimmer great vale wide gulf
## [14304] silver fume beneath roll cool nightwat anduin
## [14305] black dark loom glint cold
## [14306] sharp remot white teeth ghost peak ere nimrai
## [14307] white mountain realm gondor tip everlast snow
## [14308]
## [14309] frodo stood high stone shiver ran
## [14310] wonder vast night land
## [14311] old companion walk slept lay dead shroud mist
## [14312] brought forget sleep
## [14313]
## [14314] sam eager answer question refrain
## [14315] mutter master ear thought ’
## [14316] fine view doubt mr frodo chilli heart mention
## [14317] bone what go ’
## [14318]
## [14319] faramir heard answer moonset gondor fair ithil goe
## [14320] middleearth glanc white lock old mindolluin
## [14321] worth shiver brought seethough
## [14322] samwis brought pay penalti
## [14323] watch draught wine shall amend come look
## [14324]
## [14325] fie step silent sentinel dark edg frodo
## [14326] follow sam hung felt insecur high wet
## [14327] platform faramir frodo look far saw white
## [14328] water pour foam bowl swirl dark deep oval
## [14329] basin rock way narrow
## [14330] gate flow away fume chatter calmer level
## [14331] reach moonlight slant fall foot gleam
## [14332] rippl basin present frodo awar small dark thing
## [14333] near bank look dive vanish just
## [14334] boil bubbl fall cleav black water neat
## [14335] arrow edgewis stone
## [14336]
## [14337] faramir turn man say
## [14338] anborn squirrel kingfish black kingfish
## [14339] nightpool mirkwood
## [14340]
## [14341] v tis bird answer anborn
## [14342] limb dive manwis pretti masteri craft show
## [14343] seek way curtain hide
## [14344]
## [14345]
## [14346]
## [14347]
## [14348] discov bow post archer
## [14349] nigh good marksmen bank wait
## [14350] command shoot captain
## [14351]
## [14352] shall shoot faramir turn quick frodo
## [14353]
## [14354] frodo answer moment ’ beg
## [14355] ’ sam dare yes quicker louder
## [14356] guess word
## [14357] look
## [14358]
## [14359] know thing faramir come
## [14360] seen tell spare word
## [14361] spoken gangrel companion let
## [14362] time wait till caught brought sent
## [14363] keenest huntsmen seek slip sight
## [14364] till save anborn dusk y estereven
## [14365] wors trespass coneysnar upland
## [14366] dare come henneth annyn life forfeit marvel
## [14367] creatur secret sli come sport pool
## [14368] window think men sleep watch night
## [14369] ’
## [14370]
## [14371] answer think frodo thing know
## [14372] littl men sli refug hidden
## [14373] know men conceal think
## [14374] allur master desir stronger caution
## [14375]
## [14376] lure say faramir low voic
## [14377] know burden ’
## [14378]
## [14379] yes bore years’
## [14380]
## [14381] bore faramir breath sharpli wonder
## [14382] matter wind new riddl pursu ’
## [14383]
## [14384] mayb precious speak
## [14385]
## [14386] creatur seek
## [14387]
## [14388] fish frodo look ’
## [14389]
## [14390] peer dark pool littl black head appear
## [14391] far end basin just deep shadow rock
## [14392] brief silver glint swirl tini rippl swam
## [14393] marvel agil froglik figur climb water
## [14394] bank sat began gnaw small silver thing
## [14395] glitter turn ray moon fall
## [14396]
## [14397]
## [14398]
## [14399]
## [14400] stoni wall pool end
## [14401]
## [14402] faramir laugh soft fish peril
## [14403] hunger mayb fish pool henneth annyn cost
## [14404] ’
## [14405]
## [14406] arrowpoint anborn shall shoot
## [14407] captain come unbidden place death law
## [14408]
## [14409] wait anborn faramir harder matter
## [14410]
## [14411] say frodo spare ’
## [14412]
## [14413] creatur wretch hungry’ frodo unawar
## [14414] danger gandalf mithrandir bidden slay
## [14415] reason forbad elv
## [14416] know clear guess speak open
## [14417] creatur way bound errand
## [14418] took guid
## [14419]
## [14420] guid faramir matter stranger
## [14421] frodo grant let sli wander
## [14422] free join later
## [14423] caught ore tell know threat pain slain
## [14424] taken slain taken swift slipperi
## [14425] thing guis caught save feather shaft ’
## [14426]
## [14427] let quiet ’ frodo bow
## [14428] bent shoot fail shall run away’
## [14429]
## [14430] swift ’ faramir come aliv
## [14431] faith servant rest unhappi day lead frodo
## [14432] bank anborn soft thing nose ear
## [14433] bow
## [14434]
## [14435] anborn grunt led way wind stair land
## [14436] stair came narrow open
## [14437] shroud bush pass silent frodo
## [14438] southern bank pool dark fall
## [14439] pale grey reflect linger moonlight western
## [14440] sky gollum went forward short way anborn
## [14441] came
## [14442]
## [14443] soft
## [14444]
## [14445] goon breath frodo ear care right
## [14446] fall pool fish friend help
## [14447] forget bowmen near hand ’
## [14448]
## [14449]
## [14450]
## [14451]
## [14452] frodo crept forward use hand gollumlik feel way
## [14453] steadi rock flat smooth
## [14454] slipperi halt listen hear sound
## [14455] unceas rush fall present heard far
## [14456] ahead hiss murmur
## [14457]
## [14458] ’fissh nice fissh white face vanish precious yes
## [14459]
## [14460] eat fish peac peac precious precious
## [14461] lost yes lost dirti hobbit nasti hobbit gone left gollum
## [14462] precious gone poor smjagol precious nasti men
## [14463] theyll steal precious thiev hate fissh nice
## [14464] fissh make strong make eye bright finger tight yes throttl
## [14465] precious throttl yes get chanc nice fissh nice
## [14466] fissh
## [14467]
## [14468] went unceas waterfal interrupt
## [14469] faint nois slaver gurgl frodo shiver listen
## [14470] piti disgust wish stop need hear
## [14471] voic anborn far creep ask
## [14472] huntsmen shoot probabl close
## [14473] gollum gorg guard true shot frodo
## [14474] rid miser voic gollum claim
## [14475] servant claim master servic servic fear
## [14476]
## [14477] founder dead marsh gollum frodo
## [14478] knew
## [14479]
## [14480] quit clear gandalf wish
## [14481]
## [14482] smjagol soft
## [14483]
## [14484] fissh nice fissh’ voic
## [14485]
## [14486] smjagol ’ littl louder voic stop
## [14487]
## [14488] smjagol master come look master come
## [14489] smjagol answer soft hiss intaken breath
## [14490]
## [14491] come smjagol frodo danger men kill
## [14492] come quick wish escap death come
## [14493] master
## [14494]
## [14495] voic nice master leav poor smjagol goe
## [14496] new friend master wait smjagol finish
## [14497]
## [14498] there time frodo bring fish come ’
## [14499]
## [14500] finish fish
## [14501]
## [14502] smjagol frodo desper precious angri shall
## [14503]
## [14504]
## [14505]
## [14506]
## [14507] precious shall say make swallow bone choke
## [14508] tast fish come precious wait
## [14509]
## [14510] sharp hiss present dark gollum came
## [14511] crawl four like er dog call heel
## [14512] halfeaten fish mouth hand came close
## [14513] frodo nose nose snif pale eye shine
## [14514] took fish mouth stood
## [14515]
## [14516] nice master whisper nice hobbit come poor smjagol
## [14517] good smjagol come let quick yes tree
## [14518] face dark yes come let
## [14519]
## [14520] yes soon frodo
## [14521] promis promis safe
## [14522] save trust ’
## [14523]
## [14524] trust master ’ gollum doubt
## [14525] cross rude hobbit
## [14526]
## [14527] away frodo point waterfal go
## [14528] heart sank like
## [14529] trickeri realli fear faramir allow gollum
## [14530] kill probabl make prison bind certain
## [14531] frodo treacheri poor treacher creatur
## [14532] probabl imposs make understand believ
## [14533] frodo save life way —
## [14534] faith near side come
## [14535] precious angri go stream
## [14536] ’
## [14537]
## [14538] gollum crawl close brink littl way snuffl
## [14539] suspici present stop rais head someth
## [14540] hobbit’ sudden turn green light
## [14541] flicker bulg eye masster masster hiss wick
## [14542] tricksi fals spat stretch long arm white snap
## [14543] finger
## [14544]
## [14545] moment great black shape anborn loom
## [14546] came larg strong hand took nape neck
## [14547] pin twist round like lightn wet slimi
## [14548] wriggl like eel bite scratch like cat men
## [14549] came shadow
## [14550]
## [14551] hold stick pin
## [14552]
## [14553]
## [14554]
## [14555]
## [14556] hedgehog hold
## [14557]
## [14558] gollum went limp began whine weep tie
## [14559] gentl
## [14560]
## [14561] easi easi frodo strength match dont hurt
## [14562] help hell quieter dont smjagol wont
## [14563] hurt ill shall come harm unless
## [14564] kill trust master
## [14565]
## [14566] gollum turn spat men pick hood
## [14567] eye carri
## [14568]
## [14569] frodo follow feel wretch went
## [14570] open bush stair passag
## [14571] cave torch lit men stir sam
## [14572] gave queer look limp bundl men carri got ’
## [14573] frodo
## [14574]
## [14575] yes didnt came trust
## [14576] im afraid want tie like hope
## [14577] right hate busi
## [14578]
## [14579] ’ sam right
## [14580] piec miseri ’
## [14581]
## [14582] man came beckon hobbit took recess
## [14583] cave faramir sit chair lamp
## [14584] rekindl nich head sign sit
## [14585] stool bring wine guest
## [14586] bring prison
## [14587]
## [14588] wine brought anborn came carri gollum
## [14589] remov
## [14590]
## [14591] cover gollum head set feet stand
## [14592] support gollum blink hood malic eye heavi
## [14593] pale lid miser creatur look drip dank smell
## [14594] fish clutch hand spars lock hang
## [14595] like rank weed boni brow nose snivel
## [14596]
## [14597] foos foos ’ cord hurt yes
## [14598] hurt weve
## [14599]
## [14600] faramir look wretch creatur keen
## [14601] glanc express face anger piti
## [14602] wonder worthi bind
## [14603]
## [14604]
## [14605]
## [14606] wors
## [14607]
## [14608]
## [14609]
## [14610]
## [14611] punish judg happili tonight
## [14612] come death come fish pool dear
## [14613] bought
## [14614]
## [14615] gollum drop fish hand dont want fish
## [14616]
## [14617] price set fish faramir come
## [14618] look pool bear penalti death spare far
## [14619] prayer frodo say deserv
## [14620] thank satisfi
## [14621]
## [14622]
## [14623] come busi ’
## [14624]
## [14625] lost lost gollum busi precious
## [14626] hungri yes hungri littl fish
## [14627] nasti boni littl fish poor creatur say death wise
## [14628] just just
## [14629]
## [14630] wise faramir just yes just
## [14631] littl wisdom allow unloos frodo faramir took small nail knife
## [14632] belt hand frodo gollum misunderstand gestur
## [14633] squeal fell
## [14634]
## [14635] smjagol frodo trust desert
## [14636] answer truth good harm cut
## [14637] cord gollum wrist ankl rais feet
## [14638]
## [14639] come hither faramir look know
## [14640] place ’
## [14641]
## [14642] slowli gollum rais eye look unwil faramir
## [14643]
## [14644] light went stare bleak pale moment
## [14645] clear unwav eye man gondor silenc
## [14646] gollum drop head shrank squat
## [14647] floor shiver doesnt know doesnt want know
## [14648] whimper came come
## [14649]
## [14650] lock door close window mind dark room
## [14651] faramir judg speak truth
## [14652]
## [14653] oath swear return
## [14654] lead live creatur hither word sign’
## [14655]
## [14656] master know gollum sidelong glanc frodo yes
## [14657] know promis master save promis yes
## [14658] crawl frodo feet save nice master whine smjagol
## [14659] promis precious promis faith come speak
## [14660]
## [14661]
## [14662]
## [14663]
## [14664] precious
## [14665]
## [14666] satisfi faramir
## [14667]
## [14668] yes frodo accept promis
## [14669] carri law promis came
## [14670] harm prove faithless
## [14671]
## [14672] faramir sat moment thought good
## [14673] surrend master frodo son drogo let declar
## [14674] ’
## [14675]
## [14676] lord faramir frodo bow declar
## [14677] concern frodo known
## [14678] shape plan companion judgement postpon
## [14679] morn hand’
## [14680]
## [14681] declar doom faramir frodo
## [14682] far lie higher author declar free realm
## [14683] gondor furthest ancient bound save
## [14684] leav come place unbidden
## [14685] doom shall stand year day ceas unless shall
## [14686] term come mina tirith present lord
## [14687] steward citi entreat confirm
## [14688] make lifelong meantim whomsoev
## [14689] protect shall protect shield gondor
## [14690] answer ’
## [14691]
## [14692] frodo bow low ’ answer place
## [14693] servic worth high honourable’
## [14694]
## [14695] great worth faramir
## [14696] creatur smjagol protect
## [14697]
## [14698] smjagol protect frodo sam sigh
## [14699] audibl courtesi hobbit
## [14700] thorough approv shire matter requir
## [14701] great word bow
## [14702]
## [14703] say faramir turn gollum
## [14704] doom death walk frodo safe
## [14705] man gondor astray doom shall
## [14706] fall death swift gondor
## [14707] serv answer
## [14708] guid
## [14709]
## [14710] say lead gollum repli
## [14711]
## [14712]
## [14713]
## [14714]
## [14715] secret faramir answer
## [14716] revers judgement ’ gollum answer
## [14717]
## [14718] answer frodo brought black gate
## [14719] ask impass
## [14720]
## [14721] open gate nameless land’ faramir
## [14722]
## [14723] see turn asid came southward road ’ frodo
## [14724] continu path near mina
## [14725] ithil
## [14726]
## [14727] mina morgul faramir
## [14728]
## [14729] know clear frodo path climb think
## [14730] mountain northern vale old citi
## [14731] stand goe high cleft — ’
## [14732]
## [14733] know high pass ’ faramir
## [14734]
## [14735] frodo
## [14736]
## [14737] call cirith ungol gollum hiss sharpli began mutter
## [14738] ’ faramir turn
## [14739]
## [14740] gollum squeal stab
## [14741] yes yes heard matter
## [14742] master say tri way way
## [14743] tri
## [14744]
## [14745] way faramir know
## [14746] explor confin dark realm look long
## [14747] thought gollum present spoke creatur away
## [14748] anborn treat gentl watch smjagol tri
## [14749] dive fall rock teeth slay
## [14750] time leav fish
## [14751]
## [14752] anborn went gollum went cring curtain
## [14753] drawn recess
## [14754]
## [14755] frodo think unwis faramir
## [14756] think creatur wick
## [14757]
## [14758] altogeth wick frodo
## [14759]
## [14760] wholli faramir malic eat like canker
## [14761] evil grow lead good
## [14762] safeconduct guidanc point border
## [14763] gondor
## [14764]
## [14765] frodo follow
## [14766] long promis time
## [14767]
## [14768]
## [14769]
## [14770]
## [14771] protect led ask break faith
## [14772]
## [14773]
## [14774] faramir heart evil
## [14775] counsel man break troth oneself especi
## [14776] see friend bound unwit harm —
## [14777] endur think holden
## [14778] cirith ungol told know
## [14779] perceiv clear mind cirith ungol
## [14780]
## [14781] shall frodo black gate
## [14782] deliv guard know place
## [14783] make dread ’
## [14784]
## [14785] certain faramir gondor pass east
## [14786] road day younger men
## [14787] set foot mountain shadow know old
## [14788] report rumour bygon day dark terror
## [14789] dwell pass mina morgul cirith ungol name old men
## [14790] master lore blanch fall silent
## [14791]
## [14792] valley mina morgul pass evil long ago
## [14793] menac dread banish enemi dwelt far away
## [14794] ithilien keep know citi
## [14795] strong place proud fair mina ithil twin sister
## [14796] citi taken fell men enemi strength
## [14797] domin wander homeless masterless fall
## [14798] lord men n®menor fallen dark
## [14799] wicked enemi given ring power
## [14800] devour
## [14801]
## [14802] live ghost terribl evil go
## [14803] took mina ithil dwelt fill
## [14804] valley decay shapeless
## [14805] fear live ruin wall lord
## [14806] return master aid prepar secret grew
## [14807] strong rider issu forth gate horror
## [14808] withstand approach citadel
## [14809] espi place sleepless malic lidless eye
## [14810] way
## [14811]
## [14812] direct frodo
## [14813] say guid mountain mountain
## [14814]
## [14815]
## [14816]
## [14817]
## [14818] bound solemn undertak council way perish
## [14819] seek turn refus road bitter end
## [14820] shall elv men come gondor
## [14821]
## [14822]
## [14823] thing thing drove brother mad desir spell
## [14824] work mina tirith shall citi mina morgul
## [14825] grin dead land fill rotten
## [14826]
## [14827] faramir
## [14828]
## [14829]
## [14830]
## [14831] know death torment
## [14832] think mithrandir chosen way
## [14833]
## [14834] gone path
## [14835] time long search frodo
## [14836]
## [14837] hard doom hopeless errand faramir
## [14838] rememb warn bewar guid smjagol
## [14839] murder read sigh
## [14840]
## [14841] meet frodo son drogo need
## [14842] soft word hope day sun
## [14843] shall bless peopl
## [14844] rest littl food prepar
## [14845]
## [14846] ’ glad learn creep smjagol possess
## [14847] thing speak lost troubl
## [14848] hope return land live retel
## [14849] tale sit wall sun laugh old grief shall tell
## [14850] time time vision
## [14851] seeingston n®menor farewel ’
## [14852]
## [14853] rose bow low frodo draw curtain pass
## [14854] cave
## [14855]
## [14856]
## [14857]
## [14858]
## [14859] chapter journey crossroad
## [14860]
## [14861]
## [14862]
## [14863] frodo sam return bed lay silenc rest
## [14864] littl men bestir busi day
## [14865] began water brought led
## [14866] tabl food set faramir broke fast
## [14867] slept battl day look weari
## [14868]
## [14869] finish stood hunger troubl
## [14870] road faramir littl provis small store
## [14871] food fit travel order stow pack
## [14872] lack water walk ithilien drink
## [14873] stream flow imlad morgul valley live death
## [14874] tell scout watcher return
## [14875] crept sight morannon strang thing land
## [14876] road sound foot horn
## [14877] bowstr heard wait silenc brood
## [14878] nameless land know portend time draw swift
## [14879] great conclus storm come hasten
## [14880] readi let sun soon rise shadow’
## [14881]
## [14882] hobbit pack brought littl heavier
## [14883] stout stave polish wood shod iron
## [14884] carven head ran plait leathern thong
## [14885]
## [14886] fit gift part faramir
## [14887]
## [14888] stave servic walk climb
## [14889] wild men white mountain use
## [14890] cut height newli shod fair tree
## [14891] lebethron belov woodwright gondor virtu set
## [14892] find return virtu wholli fail
## [14893] shadow ’
## [14894]
## [14895] hobbit bow low gracious host frodo
## [14896] elrond halfelven friendship way secret
## [14897] unlook certain look friendship
## [14898] shown turn evil great good
## [14899]
## [14900] readi depart gollum brought corner
## [14901] hidinghol better pleas
## [14902]
## [14903]
## [14904]
## [14905]
## [14906] kept close frodo avoid glanc faramir
## [14907]
## [14908] guid blindfold faramir
## [14909] servant samwis releas wish
## [14910]
## [14911] gollum squeal squirm clutch frodo came
## [14912] bind eye frodo blindfold cover eye
## [14913] harm meant
## [14914] led cave henneth annyn pass
## [14915] passag stair felt cool morn air fresh sweet
## [14916] blind went littl time gentl
## [14917] voic faramir order uncov
## [14918]
## [14919] stood bough wood nois fall
## [14920] heard long southward slope lay
## [14921] ravin stream flow west light
## [14922] tree world came sudden end brink look
## [14923] sky
## [14924]
## [14925] part way faramir
## [14926] counsel turn eastward straight
## [14927] cover woodland mile west edg
## [14928] land fall great vale sudden sheer
## [14929] long hillsid near edg skirt forest
## [14930] begin journey walk daylight think land
## [14931] dream fals peac evil withdrawn fare
## [14932]
## [14933]
## [14934] embrac hobbit manner peopl stoop
## [14935] place hand shoulder kiss forehead
## [14936] good good men
## [14937]
## [14938] bow ground turn look
## [14939] left went guard stood littl distanc away
## [14940]
## [14941] marvel speed green clad men move
## [14942] vanish twinkl eye forest faramir
## [14943] stood drear dream pass
## [14944]
## [14945] frodo sigh turn southward mark disregard
## [14946] courtesi gollum scrabbl mould foot tree
## [14947] hungri thought sam ’
## [14948]
## [14949] gone gollum nassti wick men smjagol
## [14950] neck hurt yes let
## [14951]
## [14952] yes let frodo speak ill
## [14953]
## [14954]
## [14955]
## [14956]
## [14957] show merci silent
## [14958]
## [14959] nice master gollum smjagol joke forgiv
## [14960] yes yes nice master littl tricks oh yes nice master
## [14961] nice smjagol
## [14962]
## [14963] frodo sam answer hoist pack take
## [14964] stave hand pass wood ithilien
## [14965]
## [14966] twice day rest took littl food provid
## [14967] faramir dri fruit salt meat day bread
## [14968] fresh gollum ate
## [14969]
## [14970] sun rose pass overhead unseen began sink
## [14971] light tree west grew golden walk
## [14972] cool green shadow silenc bird
## [14973] flown away fallen dumb
## [14974]
## [14975] dark came earli silent wood fall night
## [14976] halt weari walk seven leagu henneth
## [14977] annyn frodo lay slept away night deep mould beneath
## [14978] ancient tree sam uneasi woke time
## [14979] sign gollum slip soon
## [14980] settl rest slept hole nearbi
## [14981] wander restless prowl night say
## [14982] return glimmer light rous companion
## [14983]
## [14984] yes ’ long way south
## [14985] east hobbit make hast
## [14986]
## [14987] day pass day gone
## [14988] silenc deeper air grew heavi began stifl
## [14989] tree felt thunder brew gollum paus snif
## [14990] air mutter urg greater speed
## [14991]
## [14992] stage day march drew afternoon wane
## [14993] forest open tree larger scatter great
## [14994] ilex huge girth stood dark solemn wide glade
## [14995] hoari ashtre giant oak just put
## [14996] browngreen bud lay long laund green grass dappl
## [14997] celandin anemon white blue fold sleep
## [14998] acr popul leav woodland hyacinth sleek
## [14999] bellstem thrust mould live creatur beast
## [15000] bird seen open place gollum grew afraid
## [15001] walk caution flit long shadow
## [15002]
## [15003]
## [15004]
## [15005]
## [15006] light fade fast came forestend sat
## [15007] old gnarl oak sent root twist like snake
## [15008] steep crumbl bank deep dim valley lay
## [15009] wood gather blue grey sullen even
## [15010] march southward right mountain gondor glow
## [15011] remot
## [15012]
## [15013] west firefleck sky left lay dark
## [15014] tower wall mordor dark long valley came
## [15015] fall steepli everwiden trough anduin
## [15016] ran hurri stream frodo hear stoni voic come
## [15017] silenc hither road went wind like
## [15018] pale ribbon chill grey mist gleam sunset touch
## [15019] frodo descri far float
## [15020] shadowi sea high dim top broken pinnacl old tower forlorn
## [15021] dark
## [15022]
## [15023] fie turn gollum know
## [15024]
## [15025] yes master danger place road tower
## [15026] moon master ruin citi shore river ruin
## [15027] citi yes nasti place enemi shouldnt taken men
## [15028] advic hobbit come long way path east away
## [15029] wave skinni arm darkl mountain
## [15030] use road oh cruel peopl come way
## [15031] tower
## [15032]
## [15033] frodo look road rate move
## [15034] appear lone forsaken run ruin
## [15035] mist evil feel air thing
## [15036] pass eye frodo shudder look
## [15037] distant pinnacl dwindl night sound
## [15038] water cold cruel voic morgulduin pollut
## [15039] stream flow valley wraith
## [15040]
## [15041] shall walk long far shall
## [15042] look place wood lie hidden
## [15043]
## [15044] good hide dark gollum day hobbit
## [15045] hide yes day
## [15046]
## [15047] oh come sam rest bit
## [15048] middl night therel hour dark time
## [15049] long march know way
## [15050]
## [15051]
## [15052]
## [15053]
## [15054] gollum reluct agre turn
## [15055] tree work eastward straggl edg wood
## [15056]
## [15057] rest ground near evil road debat
## [15058] climb crotch larg holmoak
## [15059] branch spring trunk good hidingplac
## [15060] fair comfort refug night fell grew altogeth dark
## [15061] canopi tree frodo sam drank littl water ate bread
## [15062] dri fruit gollum curl went sleep hobbit
## [15063] shut eye
## [15064]
## [15065] littl midnight gollum woke sudden
## [15066] awar pale eye unlid gleam listen
## [15067] snif notic usual method
## [15068] discov time night
## [15069]
## [15070] rest beauti sleep let
## [15071]
## [15072] arent havent growl sam
## [15073]
## [15074] gollum drop branch tree four
## [15075] hobbit follow slowli
## [15076]
## [15077] soon went gollum lead
## [15078] eastward dark slope land littl night
## [15079] deep hard awar stem tree
## [15080] stumbl ground broken walk
## [15081]
## [15082]
## [15083] difficult gollum way troubl led
## [15084] thicket wast brambl round lip deep cleft
## [15085] dark pit black bushshroud hollow
## [15086] went littl downward slope longer
## [15087] steeper climb steadili halt look
## [15088] dim perceiv roof forest left
## [15089] lie like vast dens shadow darker night dark blank sky
## [15090] great black loom slowli east eat
## [15091] faint blur star later sink moon escap pursu
## [15092] cloud ring sick yellow glare
## [15093]
## [15094] gollum turn hobbit day soon hobbit
## [15095] hurri safe stay open place make hast
## [15096]
## [15097] quicken pace follow wearili soon began
## [15098] climb great hogback land cover
## [15099] growth gors whortleberri low tough thorn
## [15100]
## [15101]
## [15102]
## [15103]
## [15104] clear open scar recent fire gorsebush
## [15105] frequent got nearer old tall
## [15106] gaunt leggi put yellow
## [15107] flower glimmer gloom gave faint sweet scent tall
## [15108] spini thicket hobbit walk upright
## [15109] pass long dri aisl carpet deep prick mould
## [15110]
## [15111] edg broad hillback stay march
## [15112] crawl hide underneath tangl knot thorn twist
## [15113] bough stoop ground overridden clamber maze old
## [15114] briar deep insid hollow hall rafter dead branch
## [15115] brambl roof leav shoot spring
## [15116] lay tire eat peer hole
## [15117] covert watch slow growth day
## [15118]
## [15119] day came dead brown twilight east
## [15120] dull red glare lower cloud red dawn
## [15121] tumbl land mountain ephel d®ath frown
## [15122]
## [15123]
## [15124] black shapeless night lay pass away
## [15125] jag top edg outlin hard menac fieri
## [15126] glow away right great shoulder mountain stood dark
## [15127] black amid shadow thrust westward
## [15128]
## [15129] way ask frodo open ofof
## [15130] morgul valley away black mass’
## [15131]
## [15132] need think ’ sam sure go
## [15133] today day
## [15134]
## [15135] ’ gollum soon
## [15136] crossroad yes crossroad that way yes
## [15137] master
## [15138]
## [15139] red glare mordor die away twilight deepen great
## [15140] vapour rose east crawl frodo sam took littl
## [15141] food lay gollum restless eat
## [15142] food drank littl water crawl
## [15143] bush snif mutter sudden disappear
## [15144]
## [15145] hunt suppos sam yawn turn sleep
## [15146] soon deep dream thought bag
## [15147] end garden look heavi pack
## [15148] stoop weedi rank thorn
## [15149]
## [15150]
## [15151]
## [15152]
## [15153] bracken invad bed near hedg
## [15154]
## [15155] job work im tire kept say
## [15156] present rememb look pipe
## [15157] woke
## [15158]
## [15159] silli open eye wonder
## [15160] lie hedg pack time
## [15161] realiz pipe pack leaf
## [15162] hundr mile bag end sat
## [15163] dark master let sleep turn right till
## [15164] even
## [15165]
## [15166] havent sleep mr frodo what time
## [15167] get late
## [15168]
## [15169] isnt frodo day get darker instead
## [15170] lighter darker darker far tell isnt midday
## [15171] youv slept hour
## [15172]
## [15173] wonder what sam storm come
## [15174] go worst shall wish deep
## [15175] hole just stuck hedg listen what thunder
## [15176] drum
## [15177]
## [15178] dont know frodo go good
## [15179] ground trembl heavi
## [15180] air throb ear
## [15181]
## [15182] sam look round where gollum come
## [15183]
## [15184]
## [15185] frodo there sign sound
## [15186]
## [15187] abid sam fact ive taken
## [15188] journey id sorri lose way
## [15189] just like come mile lost
## [15190] just shall need — hes go
## [15191] use doubt
## [15192]
## [15193] forget marsh frodo hope happen
## [15194]
## [15195]
## [15196] hope hes trick hope doesnt fall
## [15197] hand say shall soon
## [15198] troubl
## [15199]
## [15200] moment roll rumbl nois heard louder
## [15201] deeper ground quiver feet think
## [15202]
## [15203]
## [15204]
## [15205]
## [15206] troubl ’ frodo im afraid journey draw
## [15207] end’
## [15208]
## [15209] ’maybe’ sam there life there hope gaffer
## [15210] use say need vittl mostway s use add
## [15211] bite mr frodo bit sleep’
## [15212]
## [15213] afternoon sam suppos call wore look
## [15214] covert dun shadowless world fade slowli
## [15215] featureless colourless gloom felt stifl warm frodo
## [15216] slept unquiet turn toss murmur twice sam
## [15217] thought heard speak gandalf s time drag
## [15218] intermin sudden sam heard hiss gollum
## [15219]
## [15220]
## [15221] four peer gleam eye
## [15222]
## [15223] wake wake wake sleepies’ whisper wake time
## [15224] lose yes time lose’
## [15225]
## [15226] sam stare suspici frighten excit
## [15227] ’s littl game isn’t time ’t teatim
## [15228] leastway decent place teatime’
## [15229]
## [15230] silli ’ hiss gollum ’ decent place time run
## [15231] short yes run fast time lose wake master wake
## [15232] u claw frodo frodo startl sleep sat sudden
## [15233] seiz arm gollum tore loos back away
## [15234]
## [15235] mustnt silli hiss time lose’
## [15236]
## [15237] thought brew make hurri say sam
## [15238] fill deep suspicion show frodo gave sign
## [15239] pass mind sigh hoist pack prepar
## [15240] gather dark
## [15241]
## [15242] stealthili gollum led hillsid keep cover
## [15243] possibl run bent ground
## [15244] open space light dim keeney beast
## [15245] wild scarc seen hobbit hood grey cloak
## [15246] heard walk warili littl peopl crack
## [15247] twig rustl leaf pass vanish
## [15248]
## [15249] hour went silent singl file oppress
## [15250] gloom absolut still land broken
## [15251] faint rumbl thunder far away drumbeat
## [15252]
## [15253]
## [15254]
## [15255]
## [15256] hollow hill hidingplac went
## [15257] turn south steer straight cours gollum
## [15258] long broken slope lean mountain present far
## [15259] ahead loom like black wall saw belt tree drew
## [15260] nearer awar vast size ancient
## [15261] tower high top gaunt broken
## [15262] tempest lightningblast swept fail kill
## [15263] shake fathomless root
## [15264]
## [15265] crossroad yes whisper gollum word
## [15266] spoken left hidingplac way turn
## [15267] eastward led slope sudden
## [15268] southward road wind way outer feet
## [15269] mountain present plung great ring tree
## [15270]
## [15271] way whisper gollum path road
## [15272] path crossroad make hast silent
## [15273]
## [15274] furtiv scout campment enemi crept
## [15275] road stole westward edg stoni bank
## [15276] grey stone softfoot hunt cat length
## [15277] reach tree stood great roofless ring
## [15278] open middl sombr sky space immens
## [15279] bole like great dark arch ruin hall
## [15280] centr way met lay road morannon
## [15281] ran long journey south right road
## [15282] old osgiliath came climb cross pass eastward
## [15283] dark fourth way road
## [15284]
## [15285] stand moment fill dread frodo awar
## [15286] light shine saw glow sam face turn
## [15287] saw arch bough road osgiliath run
## [15288] straight stretch ribbon west
## [15289] far away sad gondor overwhelm shade sun
## [15290] sink
## [15291]
## [15292] find hem great slowrol pall cloud fall
## [15293] omin unsulli sea brief glow fell
## [15294] huge sit figur solemn great stone king argonath
## [15295]
## [15296] year gnaw violent hand maim head gone
## [15297] place set mockeri round roughhewn stone rude paint
## [15298] savag hand like grin face larg red eye
## [15299]
## [15300]
## [15301]
## [15302]
## [15303] midst forehead knee mighti chair
## [15304] pedest idl scrawl mix foul symbol
## [15305] maggotfolk mordor use
## [15306]
## [15307] sudden caught level beam frodo saw old king head
## [15308] lie roll away roadsid look sam’ cri startl
## [15309] speech look king got crown
## [15310]
## [15311] eye hollow carven beard broken
## [15312] high stern forehead coron silver gold trail plant
## [15313] flower like small white star bound brow
## [15314] rever fallen king crevic stoni hair
## [15315] yellow stonecrop gleam
## [15316]
## [15317] conquer frodo sudden brief
## [15318] glimps gone sun dip vanish shutter
## [15319] lamp black night fell
## [15320]
## [15321]
## [15322]
## [15323]
## [15324] chapter stair cirith ungol
## [15325]
## [15326]
## [15327]
## [15328] gollum tug frodo cloak hiss fear
## [15329] impati mustn’t stand make haste’
## [15330]
## [15331] reluct frodo turn west follow guid
## [15332] led dark east left ring tree
## [15333] crept road mountain road ran straight
## [15334] soon began bend away southward came right
## [15335] great shoulder rock seen distanc black
## [15336] forbid loom darker dark sky
## [15337] crawl shadow road went round sprang east
## [15338] began climb steepli
## [15339]
## [15340] frodo sam plod heavi heart longer abl
## [15341] care great peril frodo’ head bow burden
## [15342] drag soon great crossroad pass
## [15343] weight forgotten ithilien begun grow
## [15344] feel way steep feet look wearili
## [15345] saw gollum citi
## [15346] ringwraith cower stoni bank
## [15347]
## [15348] longtilt valley deep gulf shadow ran far
## [15349] mountain way valley arm high
## [15350] rocki seat black knee ephel d®ath stood wall
## [15351] tower mina morgul dark earth sky lit
## [15352] light imprison moonlight well marbl wall
## [15353] mina ithil long ago tower moon fair radiant hollow
## [15354] hill paler moon ail slow eclips
## [15355] light waver blow like noisom exhal decay
## [15356] corpselight light illumin wall tower
## [15357] window show like countless black hole look inward empti
## [15358] topmost cours tower revolv slowli way
## [15359] huge ghost head leer night moment
## [15360] companion stood shrink stare unwil eye gollum
## [15361] recov pull cloak urgent
## [15362] spoke word drag forward step reluct
## [15363] time slow pace rais foot
## [15364]
## [15365]
## [15366]
## [15367]
## [15368] set minut loath pass
## [15369]
## [15370] came slowli white bridg road gleam
## [15371] faint pass stream midst valley went
## [15372] wind devious city’ gate black mouth open
## [15373] outer circl northward wall wide flat lay bank shadowi
## [15374] mead fill pale white flower lumin beauti
## [15375] horribl shape like dement form uneasi dream
## [15376] gave forth faint sicken charnelsmel odour rotten fill
## [15377] air mead mead bridg sprang figur stood
## [15378] head carven cun form human bestial corrupt
## [15379] loathsom water flow beneath silent steam
## [15380] vapour rose curl twist bridg dead
## [15381] cold frodo felt sens reel mind darken sudden
## [15382] forc work began hurri
## [15383] totter forward grope hand held head loll
## [15384] sam gollum ran sam caught master arm
## [15385] stumbl fell right threshold bridg
## [15386]
## [15387] way way whisper gollum breath
## [15388] teeth tear heavi still like whistl
## [15389] cower ground terror
## [15390]
## [15391] hold mr frodo ’ mutter sam frodo’ ear ’come
## [15392] way gollum say agre ’
## [15393]
## [15394] frodo pass hand brow wrench eye away
## [15395] citi hill lumin tower fascin fought
## [15396] desir run gleam road gate
## [15397] effort turn felt ring resist
## [15398] drag chain neck eye look
## [15399] away moment blind dark
## [15400] impenetr
## [15401]
## [15402] gollum crawl ground like frighten anim
## [15403] vanish gloom sam support guid stumbl master
## [15404] follow quick far near bank
## [15405] stream gap stonewal road
## [15406] pass sam saw narrow path gleam faint
## [15407] main road climb mead dead
## [15408] flower fade went dark wind crook way northern
## [15409] side valley
## [15410]
## [15411]
## [15412]
## [15413]
## [15414] path hobbit trudg unabl gollum
## [15415] turn beckon
## [15416] eye shone greenwhit light reflect noisom morgulsheen
## [15417] kindl answer mood dead gleam
## [15418] dark eyehol frodo sam conscious glanc
## [15419] fear shoulder drag eye
## [15420] darken path slowli labour rose stench
## [15421] vapour poison stream breath easier
## [15422] head clearer limb dead tire walk
## [15423] night burden swim long heavi tide
## [15424] water halt
## [15425]
## [15426] frodo stop sat stone climb
## [15427] great hump bare rock ahead bay
## [15428] valley round head path went
## [15429] wide ledg chasm right sheer southward face
## [15430] mountain crawl upward disappear black
## [15431]
## [15432] rest sam whisper frodo heavi sam
## [15433] lad heavi wonder far carri rest
## [15434] ventur point narrow way ahead
## [15435]
## [15436] sssh ssh hiss gollum hurri sssh finger
## [15437] lip shook head urgent tug frodo sleev
## [15438] point path frodo
## [15439]
## [15440] weari weari
## [15441] oppress heavi spell laid mind bodi
## [15442]
## [15443] rest’ mutter
## [15444]
## [15445] gollum fear agit great spoke
## [15446] hiss hand sound unseen
## [15447] listen air rest fool eye
## [15448]
## [15449] come bridg come away climb climb
## [15450] come
## [15451]
## [15452] come mr frodo sam hes right stay
## [15453]
## [15454] right frodo remot voic speak half
## [15455] asleep tri wearili got feet
## [15456]
## [15457] late moment rock quiver trembl
## [15458] beneath great rumbl nois louder roll
## [15459] ground echo mountain sear sudden
## [15460] came great red flash far eastern mountain leapt
## [15461]
## [15462]
## [15463]
## [15464]
## [15465] sky splash lower cloud crimson valley shadow
## [15466] cold death light unbear violent fierc peak
## [15467] stone ridg like notch knive sprang stare black
## [15468] uprush flame gorgoroth came great crack thunder
## [15469]
## [15470] mina morgul answer flare livid lightn fork
## [15471] blue flame spring tower encircl hill
## [15472] sullen cloud earth groan citi came
## [15473] mingl harsh high voic bird prey shrill neigh
## [15474] hors wild rage fear came rend screech shiver
## [15475] rise swift pierc pitch rang hear hobbit
## [15476] wheel round cast hold hand
## [15477] ear
## [15478]
## [15479] terribl end fall long sicken wail
## [15480] silenc frodo slowli rais head narrow valley
## [15481] level eye wall evil citi stood
## [15482] cavern gate shape like open mouth gleam teeth gape
## [15483] wide gate armi came
## [15484]
## [15485] host clad sabl dark night wan
## [15486] wall lumin pavement road frodo small
## [15487] black figur rank rank march swift silent pass
## [15488] outward endless stream went great cavalri horsemen
## [15489] move like order shadow head greater
## [15490] rest rider black save hood head helm like
## [15491] crown flicker peril light draw near
## [15492] bridg frodo stare eye follow unabl wink
## [15493] withdraw sure lord rider return earth
## [15494] lead ghast host battl yes haggard king
## [15495] cold hand smitten ringbear dead knife
## [15496] old wound throb pain great chill spread frodo heart
## [15497]
## [15498] thought pierc dread held bound
## [15499] spell rider halt sudden right entranc
## [15500] bridg host stood paus dead
## [15501] silenc mayb ring call wraithlord
## [15502] moment troubl sens power valley way
## [15503] turn dark head helm crown fear sweep
## [15504] shadow unseen eye frodo wait like bird approach
## [15505] snake unabl wait felt urgent
## [15506]
## [15507]
## [15508]
## [15509]
## [15510] command ring great
## [15511] pressur felt inclin yield knew
## [15512] ring betray
## [15513] power face morgulkingnot longer answer
## [15514] command dismay terror felt
## [15515] beat great power outsid took hand
## [15516] frodo watch mind will suspens
## [15517] look old stori far away move hand inch inch
## [15518] chain neck stir slowli forc
## [15519] hand set thing thing lie hidden near
## [15520] breast cold hard grip close phial
## [15521] galadriel long treasur forgotten till hour
## [15522] touch thought ring banish mind
## [15523]
## [15524] sigh bent head
## [15525]
## [15526] moment wraithk turn spur hors rode
## [15527] bridg dark host follow mayb elvenhood
## [15528] defi unseen eye mind small enemi strengthen
## [15529] turn asid thought hast hour
## [15530] struck great master bid march war
## [15531] west
## [15532]
## [15533] soon pass like shadow shadow wind road
## [15534] black rank cross bridg great armi
## [15535] issu vale day isildur host
## [15536] fell strong arm assail ford anduin
## [15537] greatest host mordor sent forth
## [15538]
## [15539] frodo stir sudden heart went faramir storm
## [15540] burst thought great array spear sword
## [15541] go osgiliath faramir time guess
## [15542] know hour hold ford king
## [15543]
## [15544]
## [15545] rider come armi come late lost
## [15546] tarri way lost errand perform
## [15547] know tell vain overcom
## [15548] weak wept host morgul cross bridg
## [15549]
## [15550] great distanc came memori shire
## [15551] sunlit earli morn day call door open
## [15552] heard sam voic speak wake mr frodo wake ’ voic
## [15553]
## [15554]
## [15555]
## [15556]
## [15557] ad breakfast readi hard surpris
## [15558] certain sam urgent wake mr frodo theyr gone
## [15559]
## [15560] dull clang gate mina morgul close
## [15561] rank spear vanish road tower grin
## [15562] valley light fade citi fall
## [15563] dark brood shade silenc fill
## [15564] watch
## [15565]
## [15566] wake mr frodo theyr gone wed better there
## [15567] aliv place eye see mind
## [15568] longer stay spot sooner
## [15569] come mr frodo
## [15570]
## [15571] frodo rais head stood despair left
## [15572] weak pass smile grim feel clear
## [15573] moment felt opposit
## [15574] faramir aragorn elrond galadriel
## [15575] gandalf knew purpos took
## [15576] staff hand phial saw clear
## [15577] light well finger thrust bosom
## [15578] held heart turn citi morgul
## [15579] grey glimmer dark gulf prepar upward
## [15580] road
## [15581]
## [15582] gollum crawl ledg dark
## [15583] gate mina morgul open leav hobbit
## [15584] lay came creep teeth chatter finger
## [15585] snap foolish silli ’ hiss make hast mustnt think
## [15586] danger pass make hast
## [15587]
## [15588] answer follow climb ledg
## [15589] littl like face
## [15590] peril long soon path reach round
## [15591] angl mountainsid swell sudden
## [15592] enter narrow open rock come stair
## [15593] gollum spoken dark complet
## [15594] hand stretch gollum eye shone pale
## [15595] feet turn
## [15596]
## [15597] care whisper step lot step care
## [15598]
## [15599] care certain need frodo sam felt easier
## [15600] wall stairway steep ladder
## [15601]
## [15602]
## [15603]
## [15604]
## [15605] climb awar long
## [15606] black fall step narrow space uneven
## [15607] treacher worn smooth edg
## [15608] broken crack foot set hobbit struggl
## [15609] cling desper finger step
## [15610] ahead forc ach knee bend straighten
## [15611] stair cut way deeper sheer mountain rocki wall rose
## [15612] higher higher head
## [15613]
## [15614] length just felt endur saw
## [15615] gollum eye peer ’ whisper ’
## [15616] stair past clever hobbit climb high clever hobbit just
## [15617] littl step that yes
## [15618]
## [15619] dizzi tire sam frodo follow crawl
## [15620] step sat rub leg knee deep dark
## [15621] passag gentler slope
## [15622] step gollum let rest long
## [15623]
## [15624] there stair longer stair rest
## [15625] stair ’
## [15626]
## [15627] sam groan ’longer say ’ ask
## [15628]
## [15629] yes yess longer gollum difficult hobbit
## [15630] climb straight stair come wind stair’
## [15631]
## [15632] sam
## [15633]
## [15634] shall gollum soft o yes shall ’
## [15635]
## [15636] ’ thought tunnel sam isnt
## [15637] tunnel
## [15638]
## [15639] o yes there tunnel gollum hobbit rest
## [15640] tri theyll near
## [15641] near o yes
## [15642]
## [15643] frodo shiver climb sweat felt cold
## [15644] clammi chill draught dark passag blow
## [15645] invis height got shook let
## [15646] place sit ’
## [15647]
## [15648] passag mile chill air flow
## [15649] rise went bitter wind mountain
## [15650] tri dead breath daunt turn
## [15651] secret high place blow away dark
## [15652] knew come end sudden felt
## [15653]
## [15654]
## [15655]
## [15656]
## [15657] wall right hand littl great black shapeless
## [15658] mass deep grey shadow loom
## [15659]
## [15660]
## [15661] dull red light flicker lower cloud
## [15662] moment awar tall peak like
## [15663] pillar hold vast sag roof climb
## [15664] hundr feet wide shelf cliff left chasm
## [15665] right
## [15666]
## [15667] gollum led way close cliff present
## [15668] longer climb ground broken danger
## [15669] dark block lump fallen stone way
## [15670] go slow cautious hour pass
## [15671] enter morgul vale sam frodo longer guess
## [15672] night endless
## [15673]
## [15674] length awar wall loom
## [15675] stairway open halt began
## [15676] climb long weari ascent stairway delv
## [15677] mountain huge cliff face slope backward path
## [15678] like snake wound fro point crawl sideway
## [15679] right edg dark chasm frodo glanc saw
## [15680] vast deep pit great ravin head morgul valley
## [15681] depth glimmer like glowworm thread wraithroad
## [15682] dead citi nameless pass turn hastili away
## [15683]
## [15684] stairway bent crawl
## [15685] final flight short straight climb level
## [15686]
## [15687] path veer away main pass great ravin
## [15688] follow peril cours lesser cleft
## [15689] higher region ephel d®ath dim hobbit discern tall
## [15690] pier jag pinnacl stone great
## [15691] crevic fissur blacker night forgotten winter
## [15692] gnaw carv sunless stone red light sky
## [15693] stronger tell dread morn
## [15694] come place shadow saw flame
## [15695] great violenc sauron torment gorgoroth far
## [15696] ahead high frodo look saw guess
## [15697] crown bitter road sullen red eastern sky
## [15698] cleft outlin topmost ridg narrow deepcloven
## [15699]
## [15700]
## [15701]
## [15702]
## [15703] black shoulder shoulder horn stone
## [15704]
## [15705] paus look attent horn left tall
## [15706] slender burn red light red light land
## [15707] shine hole saw black tower pois
## [15708] outer pass touch sam arm point
## [15709]
## [15710] don’t like look sam secret way
## [15711] guard growl turn gollum knew
## [15712] suppos
## [15713]
## [15714] way watch yes gollum cours
## [15715] hobbit tri way watch theyv
## [15716] gone away big battl
## [15717]
## [15718] grunt sam long way
## [15719] long way there tunnel think
## [15720] rest mr frodo dont know time day night
## [15721] weve kept go hour hour
## [15722]
## [15723] yes rest’ frodo let corner
## [15724] wind gather strengthfor lap felt
## [15725]
## [15726] terror land deed
## [15727] remot far troubl mind bent get
## [15728] impenetr wall guard
## [15729] imposs thing errand accomplish
## [15730] dark hour weari labour stoni
## [15731] shadow cirith ungol
## [15732]
## [15733] dark crevic great pier rock sat frodo
## [15734] sam littl way gollum crouch ground near
## [15735] open hobbit took expect meal
## [15736] went nameless land mayb meal
## [15737]
## [15738]
## [15739] eat food gondor ate wafer
## [15740] waybread elv drank littl water
## [15741] spare took moisten dri mouth
## [15742]
## [15743] wonder water sam suppos
## [15744] drink ore drink dont
## [15745]
## [15746] yes drink frodo let speak
## [15747] drink
## [15748]
## [15749] need bottl sam
## [15750] isnt water sound trickl heard
## [15751]
## [15752]
## [15753]
## [15754]
## [15755] faramir drink water morgul
## [15756]
## [15757] water flow imlad morgul word frodo
## [15758] valley came spring flow
## [15759]
## [15760]
## [15761] wouldnt trust sam till die thirst
## [15762]
## [15763] there wick feel place fie snif smell
## [15764] fanci notic queer kind smell stuffi dont like
## [15765]
## [15766] dont like frodo step stone breath
## [15767] bone earth air water accurs path laid’
## [15768]
## [15769] yes that sam shouldnt wed
## [15770] known start suppos way
## [15771] brave thing old tale song mr frodo adventur
## [15772] use use think thing wonder folk
## [15773] stori went look want
## [15774] excit life bit dull kind sport
## [15775] say that way tale realli matter
## [15776] one stay mind folk just land
## [15777] usual — path laid way expect
## [15778] lot chanc like turn didnt
## [15779] shouldnt know theyd forgotten hear
## [15780] just went — good end mind
## [15781] folk insid stori outsid good end know
## [15782] come home find thing right quit — like
## [15783] old mr bilbo arent best tale hear
## [15784] best tale land wonder sort tale weve
## [15785] fallen
## [15786]
## [15787] wonder frodo dont know that way real
## [15788] tale your fond know guess kind
## [15789] tale happyend sadend peopl dont know
## [15790]
## [15791] dont want
## [15792]
## [15793] sir cours beren thought go
## [15794] silmaril iron crown thangorodrim
## [15795] wors place blacker danger that long
## [15796] tale cours goe past happi grief
## [15797] — silmaril went came edrendil sir
## [15798] thought weve got — youv got light
## [15799] starglass ladi gave think
## [15800]
## [15801]
## [15802]
## [15803]
## [15804] tale go dont great tale end
## [15805]
## [15806] end tale frodo peopl
## [15807] come part end end later — sooner
## [15808]
## [15809] rest sleep sam laugh
## [15810] grim mean just mr frodo mean plain ordinari rest
## [15811] sleep wake morn work garden im afraid that
## [15812] im hope time big import plan
## [15813] sort wonder shall song tale
## [15814] cours mean word know told firesid
## [15815] read great big book red black letter year year
## [15816] peopl say let hear frodo ring
## [15817] theyll say yes that favourit stori frodo brave
## [15818] wasnt dad yes boy famousest hobbit that
## [15819] say lot
## [15820]
## [15821] say lot frodo laugh long clear
## [15822] laugh heart sound heard place
## [15823] sauron came middleearth sam sudden stone
## [15824] listen tall rock lean frodo heed
## [15825] laugh sam hear make
## [15826] merri stori written youv left
## [15827] chief charact samwis stoutheart want hear sam
## [15828] dad didnt talk dad that like
## [15829] make laugh frodo wouldnt got far sam
## [15830] dad
## [15831]
## [15832] ft f
## [15833]
## [15834] mr frodo sam shouldnt make fun
## [15835]
## [15836] frodo go bit fast
## [15837]
## [15838] sam stuck worst place stori
## [15839] like say point shut book dad
## [15840] dont want read
## [15841]
## [15842] mayb sam wouldnt say thing
## [15843] great tale differ gollum
## [15844] good tale better
## [15845] use like tale account wonder think
## [15846] hes hero villain
## [15847]
## [15848] gollum call like hero — where
## [15849] got
## [15850]
## [15851]
## [15852]
## [15853]
## [15854] sign mouth shelter
## [15855] shadow near refus food usual accept
## [15856] mouth water curl sleep
## [15857] suppos rate object long absenc day
## [15858] hunt food like evid
## [15859] slip talk time
## [15860]
## [15861] dont like sneak say sam
## [15862] look food unless there kind
## [15863] rock fanci isnt bit moss
## [15864]
## [15865] good worri frodo
## [15866] got far sight pass
## [15867] way hes fals hes fals
## [15868]
## [15869] id eye sam
## [15870] hes fals rememb say pass
## [15871] guard tower — desert
## [15872] think hes gone fetch ore
## [15873]
## [15874]
## [15875] dont think answer frodo hes
## [15876] wicked suppos that unlik dont think
## [15877] fetch ore servant enemi wait till
## [15878] labour climb come near land fear
## [15879] probabl betray ore time met
## [15880] littl privat trick ownthat
## [15881] think quit secret
## [15882]
## [15883] suppos your right mr frodo sam
## [15884] comfort mightili dont make mistak dont doubt hed hand
## [15885] ore glad kiss hand forget —
## [15886] precious suppos time precious poor
## [15887] smjagol that idea littl scheme
## [15888] bring help guess
## [15889]
## [15890] like guess frodo dont think
## [15891] hes got just plain scheme muddl head think realli
## [15892] tri save precious enemi long
## [15893] disast enemi got
## [15894] hes just bide time wait chanc
## [15895]
## [15896] yes slinker stinker ive sam
## [15897] nearer enemi land like stinker slinker
## [15898]
## [15899]
## [15900]
## [15901]
## [15902] mark word pass wont let realli
## [15903] precious thing border make kind troubl
## [15904]
## [15905] havent got frodo
## [15906]
## [15907] wed better eye skin till caught
## [15908] nap stinker come pretti quick
## [15909] safe wink master safe lay close id
## [15910] dear glad sleep id watch
## [15911] lay near arm round come paw
## [15912]
## [15913]
## [15914] sam know
## [15915]
## [15916] sleep frodo sigh desert seen
## [15917] mirag cool green yes sleep
## [15918]
## [15919] sleep master lay head lap
## [15920]
## [15921] gollum hour later return crawl
## [15922] creep path gloom ahead sam sat prop
## [15923] stone head drop sideway breath heavi lap lay
## [15924] frodo head drown deep sleep white forehead lay
## [15925] sam brown hand lay soft master breast peac
## [15926] face
## [15927]
## [15928] gollum look strang express pass lean hungri
## [15929] face gleam fade eye went dim grey old
## [15930] tire spasm pain twist turn away peer
## [15931] pass shake head engag interior
## [15932] debat came slowli put trembl hand
## [15933] cautious touch frodo knee — touch caress
## [15934] fleet moment sleeper seen
## [15935] thought beheld old weari hobbit shrunken year
## [15936] carri far time friend kin field
## [15937] stream youth old starv pitiabl thing
## [15938]
## [15939] touch frodo stir cri soft sleep
## [15940] immedi sam wide awak thing saw gollum —
## [15941] paw
## [15942]
## [15943] master’ thought
## [15944]
## [15945] hey ’ rough ’
## [15946]
## [15947] gollum soft nice master
## [15948]
## [15949] daresay sam — sneak
## [15950] sneak old villain
## [15951]
## [15952]
## [15953]
## [15954]
## [15955] gollum withdrew green glint flicker heavi
## [15956] lid spider like look crouch bent limb
## [15957] protrud eye fleet moment pass recal
## [15958] sneak sneak hiss hobbit polit yes o nice
## [15959] hobbit smjagol bring secret way
## [15960] tire thirsti yes thirsti guid search
## [15961] path say sneak sneak nice friend o yes precious
## [15962] nice
## [15963]
## [15964] sam felt bit remors trust sorri
## [15965]
## [15966] im sorri startl sleep shouldnt
## [15967] sleep bit sharp mr frodo hes tire
## [15968] ask wink that sorri
## [15969]
## [15970]
## [15971] sneak gollum green glint leav eye
## [15972]
## [15973] o sam way dont suppos
## [15974] far truth wed better sneak
## [15975] what time today tomorrow
## [15976]
## [15977] tomorrow gollum tomorrow hobbit went
## [15978] sleep foolish dangerousif poor smjagol wasnt sneak
## [15979] watch
## [15980]
## [15981] think shall tire word soon’ sam
## [15982] mind ill wake master gentl smooth hair frodo
## [15983] brow bend spoke soft
## [15984]
## [15985] wake mr frodo wake
## [15986]
## [15987] frodo stir open eye smile see sam face
## [15988] bend call earli arent sam dark
## [15989]
## [15990]
## [15991] yes dark sam gollum s come mr
## [15992] frodo say tomorrow walk lap
## [15993]
## [15994] frodo drew deep breath sat lap ’ hullo
## [15995] smjagol food rest
## [15996]
## [15997] food rest smjagol gollum hes sneak
## [15998]
## [15999] sam click tongu restrain
## [16000]
## [16001] dont name smjagol frodo unwis
## [16002] true fals
## [16003]
## [16004] smjagol what given answer gollum given
## [16005] kind master samwis hobbit know
## [16006]
## [16007]
## [16008]
## [16009]
## [16010] frodo look sam yes sir use word wake
## [16011] sleep sudden find hand sorri
## [16012] soon shant
## [16013]
## [16014] come let pass frodo come
## [16015] point smjagol tell rest way
## [16016] sight pass way
## [16017] suppos agreement
## [16018] promis your free free food rest
## [16019] wish servant enemi day reward
## [16020] rememb
## [16021]
## [16022] gollum whine o way
## [16023] o there tunnel come smjagol
## [16024] rest food
## [16025]
## [16026]
## [16027]
## [16028]
## [16029] chapter shelob s lair
## [16030]
## [16031]
## [16032]
## [16033] daytim gollum hobbit
## [16034] littl differ unless heavi sky
## [16035] utter black like great roof smoke instead
## [16036] dark deep night linger crack hole grey
## [16037] blur shadow shroud stoni world pass
## [16038] gollum
## [16039]
## [16040] hobbit long ravin
## [16041] pier column torn weather rock stand like huge unshapen
## [16042] statu hand sound way ahead mile
## [16043] great grey wall huge upthrust mass
## [16044] mountain stone darker loom steadili rose approach
## [16045] tower high shut view lay
## [16046] deep shadow lay feet sam snif air
## [16047]
## [16048] ugh smell get stronger stronger
## [16049]
## [16050] present shadow midst
## [16051] saw open cave way gollum soft
## [16052] entranc tunnel speak torech ungol
## [16053] shelob lair came stench sick odour decay
## [16054] mead morgul foul reek filth unnam pile
## [16055] hoard dark
## [16056]
## [16057] way smjagol ’ frodo
## [16058]
## [16059] yes yes answer yes way
## [16060]
## [16061] dyou mean say youv hole sam phew
## [16062] dont mind bad smell
## [16063]
## [16064] gollum eye glint doesnt know mind
## [16065] precious doesnt smjagol bear thing yes hes
## [16066] o yes right way
## [16067]
## [16068] make smell wonder sam like —
## [16069] wouldnt like say beast hole ore ill warrant
## [16070] year filth
## [16071]
## [16072] frodo ore way
## [16073]
## [16074]
## [16075] draw deep breath pass insid step
## [16076]
## [16077]
## [16078]
## [16079]
## [16080] utter impenetr dark lightless passag moria
## [16081] frodo sam known dark possibl deeper
## [16082] denser air move echo sens space
## [16083]
## [16084] air stagnant heavi sound fell dead walk
## [16085] black vapour wrought verit dark
## [16086] breath brought blind eye mind
## [16087] memori colour form light fade
## [16088] thought night night
## [16089]
## [16090] feel sens
## [16091] feet finger sharpen pain wall felt
## [16092] surpris smooth floor save step
## [16093] straight go stiff slope tunnel
## [16094] high wide wide hobbit walk abreast
## [16095] touch wall outstretch hand separ
## [16096] cut dark
## [16097]
## [16098] gollum gone step ahead
## [16099] abl heed thing hear breath
## [16100] hiss gasp just time sens
## [16101] duller touch hear grow numb kept
## [16102] grope walk main forc
## [16103] enter desir come high gate
## [16104]
## [16105]
## [16106] gone far time distanc soon
## [16107] pass reckon sam right feel wall awar
## [16108] open moment caught faint breath
## [16109] air heavi pass
## [16110]
## [16111] there passag whisper effort
## [16112] hard make breath sound orelik place
## [16113]
## [16114]
## [16115] right frodo left pass
## [16116] open wider smaller
## [16117] doubt main way straight turn
## [16118] went steadili long
## [16119] endur endur breathless air grow
## [16120] climb blind dark sens
## [16121] resist thicker foul air thrust forward felt
## [16122] thing brush head hand long tentacl
## [16123]
## [16124]
## [16125]
## [16126]
## [16127] hang growth tell
## [16128] stench grew grew smell
## [16129] clear sens left t torment hour
## [16130] hour hour pass lightless hole
## [16131] hoursday week sam left tunnelsid shrank frodo
## [16132] hand met clasp went
## [16133]
## [16134] length frodo grope lefthand wall came sudden
## [16135] void fell sideway empti open
## [16136] rock far wider pass came reek
## [16137] foul sens lurk malic intens frodo reel
## [16138] moment sam lurch fell forward
## [16139]
## [16140] fight sick fear frodo grip sam hand
## [16141] hoars breath voic come
## [16142] stench peril quick
## [16143]
## [16144] call remain strength resolut drag sam
## [16145] feet forc limb sam stumbl step
## [16146] step stepsat step mayb pass dread
## [16147] unseen open sudden easier
## [16148] hostil moment releas
## [16149] struggl hand hand
## [16150]
## [16151] came new difficulti tunnel fork
## [16152] dark tell wider way
## [16153] kept nearer straight left
## [16154] right knew guid fals choic
## [16155] certain fatal
## [16156]
## [16157] way gollum gone pant sam didnt wait
## [16158]
## [16159] smjagol ’ frodo tri ’smjagol ’ voic
## [16160] croak fell dead left lip
## [16161] answer echo tremor air
## [16162]
## [16163] hes realli gone time fanci mutter sam guess
## [16164] just exact meant bring gollum lay hand
## [16165] youll sorri
## [16166]
## [16167] present grope fumbl dark
## [16168] open left block blind great
## [16169] stone fallen passag way frodo whisper
## [16170] right wrong
## [16171]
## [16172] quick sam pant there wors gollum
## [16173]
## [16174]
## [16175]
## [16176]
## [16177] feel look
## [16178]
## [16179] gone yard came
## [16180] sound startl horribl heavi pad silenc gurgl
## [16181] bubbl nois long venom hiss wheel round
## [16182] seen stone stood stare wait
## [16183] know
## [16184]
## [16185] trap’ sam laid hand hilt
## [16186] sword thought dark barrow
## [16187] came ’ wish old tom near ’ thought stood
## [16188] dark black despair anger heart
## [16189] saw light light mind unbear
## [16190] bright sunray eye long hidden windowless
## [16191] pit light colour green gold silver white far
## [16192] littl pictur drawn elvenfing saw ladi galadriel
## [16193] stand grass lurien gift hand
## [16194] ringbear heard say remot clear prepar
## [16195]
## [16196]
## [16197] bubbl hiss drew nearer creak
## [16198] great joint thing move slow purpos dark reek came
## [16199] master master cri sam life urgenc came
## [16200] voic ladi gift starglass light dark
## [16201] place starglass
## [16202]
## [16203] starglass mutter frodo answer sleep hard
## [16204] comprehend yes forgotten light
## [16205] light light help ’
## [16206]
## [16207] slowli hand went bosom slowli held aloft phial
## [16208] galadriel moment glimmer faint rise star struggl
## [16209] heavi earthward mist power wax hope grew
## [16210] frodo mind began burn kindl silver flame minut
## [16211] heart dazzl light edrendil come
## [16212] high sunset path silmaril brow dark reced
## [16213] shine centr globe airi crystal
## [16214] hand held sparkl white
## [16215]
## [16216] frodo gaze wonder marvel gift long
## [16217] carri guess worth potenc seldom rememb
## [16218] road came morgul vale use
## [16219] fear reveal light aiya edrendil elenion ancalima cri
## [16220]
## [16221]
## [16222]
## [16223]
## [16224] knew spoken voic spoke
## [16225] clear untroubl foul air pit
## [16226]
## [16227] potenc middleearth power night
## [16228] old strong walk dark heard
## [16229] elv far deep time heed
## [16230] daunt frodo spoke felt great malic
## [16231] bent dead regard consid far tunnel
## [16232] open reel stumbl
## [16233] awar eye grow visibl great cluster manywindow eye —
## [16234] come menac unmask radianc starglass
## [16235] broken thrown thousand facet glitter
## [16236] pale dead began steadili glow flame kindl deep
## [16237] pit evil thought monstrous abomin eye bestial
## [16238] fill purpos hideous delight gloat prey
## [16239] trap hope escap
## [16240]
## [16241] frodo sam horrorstricken began slowli away
## [16242] gaze held dread stare bale eye back
## [16243] eye advanc frodo hand waver slowli phial droop
## [16244] sudden releas hold spell run littl vain
## [16245] panic amus eye turn fled
## [16246] ran frodo look saw terror eye
## [16247] came leap stench death like cloud
## [16248]
## [16249] ’stand stand cri desper run use’
## [16250]
## [16251] slowli eye crept nearer
## [16252]
## [16253] galadriel call gather courag lift
## [16254] phial eye halt moment regard relax
## [16255] hint doubt troubl frodo heart flame
## [16256] think folli despair courag
## [16257] took phial left hand right hand drew sword
## [16258]
## [16259] sting flash sharp elvenblad sparkl silver light
## [16260] edg blue flick hold star aloft
## [16261] bright sword advanc frodo hobbit shire walk steadili
## [16262] meet eye
## [16263]
## [16264] waver doubt came light approach
## [16265] dim slowli drew bright dead
## [16266] afflict sun moon star safe
## [16267] underground star descend earth
## [16268]
## [16269]
## [16270]
## [16271]
## [16272] approach eye began quail went dark
## [16273] turn away great bulk light reach heav huge
## [16274] shadow gone
## [16275]
## [16276] master master cri sam close sword drawn
## [16277] readi star glori elv make song
## [16278] heard live tell hear sing
## [16279] dont master dont den now chanc
## [16280] let foul hole
## [16281]
## [16282] turn walk run
## [16283] went floor tunnel rose steepli stride
## [16284] climb higher stench unseen lair strength
## [16285] return limb heart hatr watcher lurk
## [16286] blind undef bent
## [16287] death came flow air meet cold
## [16288] open tunnel end pant yearn
## [16289] roofless place flung forward amaz
## [16290] stagger tumbl outlet block barrier
## [16291] stone soft littl yield strong
## [16292] impervi air filter hut glimmer light
## [16293] charg hurl
## [16294]
## [16295] hold aloft phial frodo look saw grey
## [16296] radianc star glass pierc illumin
## [16297] shadow cast light light
## [16298] dissip width height tunnel vast web spun
## [16299] order web huge spider denserwoven far greater
## [16300] thread rope
## [16301]
## [16302] sam laugh grim cobweb cobweb
## [16303] spider em em
## [16304]
## [16305] furi hew sword thread
## [16306] struck break gave littl sprang like pluck
## [16307] bowstr turn blade toss sword arm time
## [16308] sam struck forc singl cord
## [16309] countless cord snap twist curl whip air
## [16310] end lash sam hand cri pain start
## [16311] draw hand mouth
## [16312]
## [16313] day clear road like what
## [16314] eye come
## [16315]
## [16316]
## [16317]
## [16318]
## [16319] seen frodo feel
## [16320] look think make plan
## [16321] light lower fail quick come
## [16322]
## [16323] trap end sam bitter anger rise
## [16324] weari despair gnat net curs faramir bite
## [16325] gollum bite quick ’
## [16326]
## [16327] help frodo come let sting
## [16328] elvenblad web horror dark ravin
## [16329] beleriand forg guard hold
## [16330] eye starglass afraid hold
## [16331] watch
## [16332]
## [16333] frodo step great grey net hew wide
## [16334] sweep stroke draw bitter edg swift ladder
## [16335] closestrung cord spring away bluegleam blade
## [16336] shore like scyth grass leap writh
## [16337] hung loos great rent
## [16338]
## [16339] stroke stroke dealt web
## [16340] reach shatter upper portion blew sway like loos veil
## [16341] incom wind trap broken
## [16342]
## [16343] come cri frodo wild joy escap
## [16344] mouth despair sudden fill mind head whirl
## [16345] draught potent wine sprang shout came
## [16346]
## [16347] light dark land eye pass
## [16348] den night great smoke risen grown thinner
## [16349] hour sombr day pass red glare mordor die away
## [16350] sullen gloom frodo look morn sudden
## [16351] hope reach summit wall littl higher
## [16352] cleft cirith ungol dim notch black
## [16353] ridg horn rock darkl sky short
## [16354] race sprinter cours
## [16355]
## [16356] pass sam ’ cri heed shrill voic
## [16357] releas choke air tunnel rang high
## [16358] wild pass run run throughthrough
## [16359] stop
## [16360]
## [16361] sam came fast urg leg glad
## [16362] free uneasi ran kept glanc
## [16363] dark arch tunnel fear eye shape
## [16364]
## [16365]
## [16366]
## [16367]
## [16368] imagin spring pursuit littl master know
## [16369] craft shelob exit lair
## [16370]
## [16371] agelong dwelt evil thing spiderform
## [16372] old live land elv west
## [16373] sea beren fought mountain terror doriath
## [16374] came l®thien green sward amid hemlock moonlight
## [16375] long
## [16376]
## [16377] ago shelob came fli ruin tale tell
## [16378] dark year tale come
## [16379] sauron stone baraddyr serv
## [16380] drink blood elv men bloat grown fat
## [16381] endless brood feast weav web shadow live
## [16382] thing food vomit dark far wide lesser
## [16383] brood bastard miser mate offspr slew
## [16384] spread glen glen ephel d®ath eastern hill dol
## [16385] guldur fast mirkwood rival shelob
## [16386] great child ungoli troubl unhappi world
## [16387]
## [16388] year gollum beheld smjagol pri
## [16389] dark hole past day bow worship
## [16390] dark evil walk way weari
## [16391] cut light regret promis
## [16392] bring food lust lust littl knew
## [16393] care tower ring devis mind hand
## [16394] desir death mind bodi glut life
## [16395] swollen till mountain longer hold
## [16396] dark contain
## [16397]
## [16398] desir far away long hungri
## [16399] lurk den power sauron grew light live
## [16400] thing forsook border citi valley dead elf
## [16401] man came near unhappi ore poor food wari
## [16402] eat busili delv new wind passag pass
## [16403] tower way snare lust
## [16404] sweeter meat gollum brought
## [16405]
## [16406] ’ll evil mood
## [16407] walk danger road emyn muil morgul
## [16408] vale
## [16409]
## [16410] o yes throw away
## [16411]
## [16412]
## [16413]
## [16414]
## [16415] bone garment shall shall
## [16416] precious reward poor smjagol bring nice food save
## [16417] precious promis o yes ’ve got safe shell
## [16418] know o yes pay precious pay
## [16419]
## [16420]
## [16421] thought inner chamber cun hope
## [16422] hide come bow low
## [16423] companion slept
## [16424]
## [16425] sauron knew lurk pleas
## [16426] dwell hungri unab malic sure watch
## [16427] ancient path land skill
## [16428] devis ore use slave plenti
## [16429] shelob caught stay appetit welcom
## [16430] spare man cast dainti cat
## [16431] cat call own sauron send prison
## [16432] better use driven hole report
## [16433] brought play
## [16434]
## [16435] live delight devic fear
## [16436] assault wrath end wicked fli
## [16437] escap shelob web greater rage hunger
## [16438]
## [16439] evil stir
## [16440] poor sam know fear grow menac
## [16441] weight burden
## [16442] run feet leaden
## [16443]
## [16444] dread round enemi pass master
## [16445] fey mood run heedless meet turn eye away
## [16446] shadow deep gloom beneath cliff left
## [16447] look ahead saw thing increas dismay saw
## [16448] sword frodo held unsheath glitter blue
## [16449] flame saw sky dark window
## [16450] tower glow red
## [16451]
## [16452] ore mutter rush like there ore
## [16453] wors ore return quick long habit
## [16454] secreci close hand precious phial bore
## [16455]
## [16456] red live blood hand shone moment
## [16457] thrust reveal light deep pocket near breast drew
## [16458] elvencloak tri quicken pace master
## [16459]
## [16460]
## [16461]
## [16462]
## [16463] gain stride ahead flit like
## [16464] shadow soon lost sight grey world
## [16465]
## [16466] hard sam hidden light starglass came
## [16467] littl way ahead left saw sudden issu black hole
## [16468] shadow cliff loath shape beheld
## [16469] horribl horror evil dream like spider
## [16470] huger great hunt beast terribl
## [16471] evil purpos remorseless eye eye
## [16472] thought daunt defeat lit fell light
## [16473] cluster outthrust head great horn short
## [16474] stalk like neck huge swollen bodi vast bloat bag sway
## [16475] sag leg great bulk black blotch livid
## [16476] mark belli underneath pale lumin gave forth
## [16477] stench leg bent great knob joint high
## [16478] hair stuck like steel spine leg’ end
## [16479] claw
## [16480]
## [16481] soon squeez soft squelch bodi fold
## [16482] limb upper exit lair move horribl speed
## [16483] run creak leg make sudden bound
## [16484]
## [16485]
## [16486] sam master sam avoid
## [16487] moment bearer light fix intent prey
## [16488] frodo bereft phial run heedless path unawar
## [16489] peril swift ran shelob swifter leap
## [16490]
## [16491]
## [16492] sam gasp gather remain breath shout look
## [16493] yell ’look master im — sudden
## [16494] stifl
## [16495]
## [16496] long clammi hand went mouth caught
## [16497] neck wrap leg taken guard
## [16498] toppl backward arm attack
## [16499]
## [16500] got hiss gollum ear precious ’ve got
## [16501] yes nassti hobbit take shell o yes
## [16502] shelob smjagol promis wont hurt master
## [16503] hes got nassti filthi littl sneak spat sam neck
## [16504]
## [16505] furi treacheri desper delay master
## [16506] dead peril gave sam sudden violenc strength far
## [16507]
## [16508]
## [16509]
## [16510]
## [16511] gollum expect slow stupid hobbit
## [16512] thought gollum twist quick
## [16513] fierc hold sam mouth slip sam duck lung
## [16514] forward
## [16515]
## [16516] tri tear away grip neck sword
## [16517] hand left arm hang thong faramir staff
## [16518] desper tri turn stab enemi gollum quick
## [16519] long right arm shot grab sam wrist finger
## [16520] like vice slowli relentless bent hand forward till
## [16521] pain sam releas sword fell ground
## [16522] gollum hand tighten sam throat
## [16523]
## [16524] sam play trick strength pull away
## [16525] got feet firm plant sudden drove leg
## [16526] ground forc hurl backward
## [16527]
## [16528] expect simpl trick sam gollum fell
## [16529] sam receiv weight sturdi hobbit stomach
## [16530]
## [16531] sharp hiss came second hand sam throat
## [16532] loosen finger grip swordhand sam tore
## [16533] forward away stood quick wheel away
## [16534] right pivot wrist held gollum lay hold staff
## [16535] left hand sam swung came whistl crack
## [16536] gollum outstretch arm just elbow
## [16537]
## [16538] squeal gollum let sam wade wait chang
## [16539] staff left right dealt savag blow quick snake
## [16540] gollum slither asid stroke aim head fell
## [16541] staff crack broke grab
## [16542] old game seldom fail
## [16543] time misl spite mistak speak gloat
## [16544] hand victim neck gone wrong
## [16545] beauti plan horribl light unexpect
## [16546] appear dark face face furious enemi
## [16547] littl size fight sam swept
## [16548] sword ground rais gollum squeal spring asid
## [16549] four jump away big bound like frog sam
## [16550] reach run amaz speed tunnel
## [16551]
## [16552] sword hand sam went moment forgotten
## [16553] red furi brain desir kill gollum
## [16554]
## [16555]
## [16556]
## [16557]
## [16558] overtak gollum gone dark hole
## [16559] stood stench came meet like clap thunder
## [16560] thought frodo monster smote sam mind spun round
## [16561] rush wild path call call master
## [16562] late far gollum plot succeed
## [16563]
## [16564]
## [16565]
## [16566]
## [16567] chapter choic master samwis
## [16568]
## [16569]
## [16570]
## [16571] frodo lie face upward ground monster bend
## [16572] intent victim took heed sam
## [16573] cri close hand rush saw frodo
## [16574] bound cord wound ankl shoulder
## [16575] monster great foreleg begin half lift half drag
## [16576] bodi away
## [16577]
## [16578] near lay gleam ground elvenblad
## [16579] fallen useless grasp sam wait wonder
## [16580] brave loyal fill rage
## [16581] sprang forward yell seiz master sword left hand
## [16582] charg onslaught fierc seen savag world
## [16583] beast desper small creatur arm littl teeth
## [16584] spring tower horn hide stand
## [16585] fallen mate
## [16586]
## [16587] disturb gloat dream small yell turn
## [16588] slowli dread malic glanc
## [16589] awar furi greater known countless
## [16590] year shine sword bit foot shore away claw sam
## [16591] sprang insid arch leg quick upthrust
## [16592] hand stab cluster eye lower head great
## [16593] eye went dark
## [16594]
## [16595] miser creatur right moment
## [16596] reach sting claw vast belli
## [16597] putrid light stench smote furi
## [16598] held blow sink smother
## [16599] littl impud courag slash bright elvenblad
## [16600] desper strength
## [16601]
## [16602] shelob dragon softer spot save
## [16603] eye knob pit corrupt ageold hide
## [16604] thicken layer layer evil growth blade score
## [16605] dread gash hideous fold pierc
## [16606] strength men elf dwarf forg steel hand
## [16607] beren t®rin wield yield stroke heav
## [16608]
## [16609]
## [16610]
## [16611]
## [16612] great bag belli high sam head poison froth bubbl
## [16613] wound splay leg drove huge bulk
## [16614]
## [16615]
## [16616] soon sam stood feet drop
## [16617] sword hand held elvenblad point upward fend
## [16618] ghast roof shelob drive forc cruel
## [16619] strength greater warrior hand thrust
## [16620] bitter spike deep deep prick sam crush slowli
## [16621] ground
## [16622]
## [16623] anguish shelob known dream know
## [16624] long world wicked doughtiest soldier old gondor
## [16625] savag ore entrap endur set blade
## [16626] belov flesh shudder went heav wrench
## [16627] away pain bent writh limb beneath sprang
## [16628] backward convuls leap
## [16629]
## [16630] sam fallen knee frodo head sens reel
## [16631] foul stench hand grip hilt sword
## [16632] mist eye awar dim frodo face stubborn
## [16633] fought master drag swoon
## [16634] slowli rais head saw pace away eye
## [16635] beak drabbl spittl venom green ooz trickl
## [16636] wound eye crouch shudder belli splay
## [16637]
## [16638]
## [16639] ground great bow leg quiver gather
## [16640] springthi time crush sting death littl bite
## [16641] poison struggl meat time slay
## [16642] rend
## [16643]
## [16644] sam crouch look see death
## [16645] eye thought came remot voic spoken
## [16646] fumbl breast left hand sought cold
## [16647] hard solid touch phantom world horror
## [16648] phial galadriel
## [16649]
## [16650] galadriel faint heard voic far
## [16651] clear cri elv walk star belov
## [16652] shadow shire music elv came
## [16653] sleep hall hous elrond
## [16654]
## [16655] gilthoniel elberethl
## [16656]
## [16657]
## [16658]
## [16659]
## [16660] tongu loos voic cri languag
## [16661] know
## [16662]
## [16663] elbereth gilthoniel
## [16664]
## [16665] o menel palandiriel
## [16666]
## [16667] le nallon sn dingurutho
## [16668]
## [16669] tiro nin fanuilo
## [16670]
## [16671] stagger feet sam wise hobbit
## [16672] hamfast son
## [16673]
## [16674] come filth cri youv hurt master brute
## [16675] youll pay go settl come
## [16676] tast
## [16677]
## [16678] indomit spirit set potenc motion glass
## [16679] blaze sudden like white torch hand flame like star
## [16680] leap firmament sear dark air intoler light
## [16681] terror heaven burn shelob face beam
## [16682] enter wound head score unbear pain
## [16683] dread infect light spread eye eye fell
## [16684] beat air foreleg sight blast inner lightn
## [16685] mind agoni turn maim head away roll asid
## [16686] began crawl claw claw open dark cliff
## [16687]
## [16688] sam came reel like drunken man came
## [16689] shelob cow shrunken defeat jerk quiver tri
## [16690] hasten reach hole squeez leav
## [16691] trail greenyellow slime slip sam hew stroke
## [16692] drag leg fell ground
## [16693]
## [16694] shelob gone lay long lair nurs
## [16695] malic miseri slow year dark heal
## [16696] rebuild cluster eye hunger like death spun
## [16697] dread snare glen mountain shadow
## [16698] tale tell
## [16699]
## [16700] sam left wearili even nameless land fell
## [16701] place battl crawl master
## [16702]
## [16703] master dear master frodo speak run
## [16704] forward eager rejoic free shelob hideous speed come
## [16705] swift stroke stung neck lay pale
## [16706] heard voic
## [16707]
## [16708] master dear master ’ sam long silenc wait
## [16709]
## [16710]
## [16711]
## [16712]
## [16713] listen vain
## [16714]
## [16715] quick cut away bind cord laid
## [16716] head frodo breast mouth stir life
## [16717] feel faintest flutter heart chafe
## [16718] master hand feet touch brow cold
## [16719]
## [16720] frodo mr frodo call dont leav
## [16721] sam call dont follow wake mr frodo o wake
## [16722] frodo dear dear wake
## [16723]
## [16724] anger surg hint ran master bodi
## [16725] rage stab air smite stone shout challeng
## [16726] present came bend look frodo face pale beneath
## [16727] dusk sudden saw pictur
## [16728] reveal mirror galadriel lurien frodo pale face
## [16729] lie fast asleep great dark cliff fast asleep thought
## [16730] hes dead asleep dead
## [16731] word set venom work hue
## [16732] face grew livid green
## [16733]
## [16734] black despair came sam bow ground
## [16735] drew grey hood head night came heart
## [16736] knew
## [16737]
## [16738] black pass sam look shadow
## [16739] minut hour world gone drag
## [16740] tell place master lay
## [16741] dead mountain crumbl earth fallen
## [16742] ruin
## [16743]
## [16744] shall shall come way
## [16745] ’ rememb voic speak
## [16746] word
## [16747]
## [16748] time understand begin
## [16749] journey end sir
## [16750] understand
## [16751]
## [16752] leav mr frodo dead unburi
## [16753] mountain home ’ repeat
## [16754] moment
## [16755]
## [16756] doubt fear shook ive got leav
## [16757]
## [16758]
## [16759] began weep go frodo compos bodi
## [16760]
## [16761]
## [16762]
## [16763]
## [16764] fold cold hand breast wrap cloak
## [16765] laid sword staff faramir given
## [16766]
## [16767]
## [16768] ’m sword
## [16769] leav mr frodo ill lie lay old
## [16770] king barrow youv got beauti mithril coat old mr
## [16771] bilbo starglass mr frodo lend ill need
## [16772] ill dark good ladi
## [16773] gave mayb shed understand understand mr frodo
## [16774] ive got
## [16775]
## [16776] knelt held frodo hand
## [16777] releas time went knelt hold master
## [16778] hand heart keep debat
## [16779]
## [16780] tri strength tear away lone
## [16781] journey — vengeanc anger bear
## [16782] road world pursu gollum
## [16783] gollum die corner set
## [16784] worth leav master bring
## [16785] better dead
## [16786] lone journey
## [16787]
## [16788] look bright point sword thought place
## [16789] black brink fall nothing
## [16790] escap way griev
## [16791] set cri
## [16792] plain know hard answer
## [16793] lone journey worst
## [16794]
## [16795] crack doom quail
## [16796] resolv grew ring council gave
## [16797] ’
## [16798]
## [16799] answer came council gave companion
## [16800] errand fail compani
## [16801]
## [16802] errand fail
## [16803]
## [16804] wish wasnt groan wish old gandalf hare
## [16805] somebodi left make mind ’m sure wrong
## [16806] take ring put forward
## [16807]
## [16808] havent forward youv forward
## [16809] right proper person mr frodo wasnt
## [16810]
## [16811]
## [16812]
## [16813]
## [16814] say mr bilbo didn’t choos
## [16815]
## [16816] ah make mind make ill
## [16817] sure wrong thatd sam gamge
## [16818]
## [16819] let mr frodo
## [16820] thing enemi that end
## [16821] lorien rivendel shire s time
## [16822] lose itll end war begun like
## [16823] thing go enemi way chanc
## [16824] advic permiss sit till come kill
## [16825] master bodi get drew deep breath
## [16826]
## [16827]
## [16828]
## [16829] stoop gentl undid clasp neck slip
## [16830] hand insid frodo tunic hand rais head
## [16831] kiss cold forehead soft drew chain
## [16832] head lay quiet rest chang came face
## [16833] token sam convinc frodo
## [16834] die laid asid quest
## [16835]
## [16836] goodby master dear murmur forgiv sam hell
## [16837] come spot job — manag
## [16838] hell leav rest quiet till come foul
## [16839] creatur come anigh ladi hear wish
## [16840] wish come goodby
## [16841]
## [16842] bent neck chain
## [16843] head bow ground weight ring great
## [16844] stone strung slowli weight
## [16845] new strength grew rais head great effort
## [16846] got feet walk bear burden
## [16847] moment lift phial look master light
## [16848] burn gentl soft radianc eveningstar summer
## [16849] light frodo face fair hue pale beauti
## [16850] elvish beauti long pass shadow
## [16851] bitter comfort sight sam turn hid light stumbl
## [16852] grow dark
## [16853]
## [16854] far tunnel way cleft
## [16855] coupl yard ahead path visibl dusk
## [16856] deep rut worn age passag run gentl long trough
## [16857] cliff trough narrow rapid soon sam came
## [16858]
## [16859]
## [16860]
## [16861]
## [16862] long flight broad shallow step oretow right
## [16863] frown black red eye glow hidden dark
## [16864] shadow come step cleft
## [16865]
## [16866]
## [16867] ive mind kept say
## [16868] best think
## [16869] altogeth grain natur got wrong
## [16870] mutter ’
## [16871]
## [16872] sheer side cleft close reach
## [16873] actual summit look path descend
## [16874] nameless land turn moment motionless intoler doubt
## [16875] look like small blot gather gloom
## [16876] mouth tunnel thought guess frodo
## [16877] lay fanci glimmer ground
## [16878] trick tear peer high stoni place
## [16879] life fallen ruin
## [16880]
## [16881] ’ wish wish’ sigh
## [16882] turn road took
## [16883] step heaviest reluct taken
## [16884]
## [16885] step go
## [16886] high place sudden heard cri
## [16887] voic stood stone ore voic
## [16888] nois tramp feet harsh shout ore come
## [16889] cleft far entri tower
## [16890] tramp feet shout wheel round saw small red light
## [16891] torch wink away issu tunnel
## [16892] hunt red eye tower blind caught
## [16893]
## [16894] flicker approach torch clink steel ahead
## [16895] near minut reach taken
## [16896] long make mind good escap
## [16897] save save ring ring awar thought
## [16898] decis simpli draw chain take
## [16899] ring hand head orecompani appear cleft right
## [16900]
## [16901]
## [16902] world chang singl moment time fill hour
## [16903] thought awar hear sharpen sight
## [16904] dim shelob lair thing
## [16905]
## [16906]
## [16907]
## [16908]
## [16909] dark vagu grey hazi world
## [16910] like small black solid rock ring weigh left hand
## [16911] like orb hot gold feel invis horribl
## [16912] uniqu visibl knew eye search
## [16913]
## [16914] heard crack stone murmur water far morgul
## [16915] vale away rock bubbl miseri shelob grope
## [16916] lost blind passag voic dungeon tower
## [16917] cri ore came tunnel deafen roar
## [16918] ear crash feet rend clamour ore
## [16919] shrank cliff march like phantom
## [16920] compani grey distort figur mist dream fear pale
## [16921] flame hand pass cower tri creep
## [16922] away cranni hide
## [16923]
## [16924] listen ore tunnel march
## [16925] sight parti hurri shout
## [16926] heard clear understood ring
## [16927] gave understand tongu simpli understand especi
## [16928] servant sauron maker gave heed understood
## [16929] translat thought certain ring grown great
## [16930] power approach place forg thing
## [16931] confer courag present sam thought hide
## [16932] lie low till quiet listen anxious
## [16933] tell near voic word ear
## [16934]
## [16935] hola gorbag war
## [16936]
## [16937] order lubber shagrat tire lurk
## [16938] think come fight
## [16939]
## [16940] order im command pass speak civil what
## [16941] report
## [16942]
## [16943]
## [16944]
## [16945] hai hai yoi yell broke exchang leader
## [16946] ore lower sudden seen began run
## [16947]
## [16948]
## [16949] hai hola here lie right road spi spi
## [16950]
## [16951] hoot snarl horn babel bay voic
## [16952]
## [16953] dread stroke sam waken cower mood
## [16954]
## [16955]
## [16956] seen master heard tale ore make
## [16957]
## [16958]
## [16959]
## [16960]
## [16961] blood run cold born sprang flung quest
## [16962] decis away fear doubt knew
## [16963] place master
## [16964] clear ran step path
## [16965] frodo
## [16966]
## [16967] thought thirti tower
## [16968] lot guess
## [16969] kill theyll flame sword soon
## [16970] draw theyll sooner later wonder song
## [16971] mention samwis fell high pass wall bodi
## [16972] round master song cours ringll
## [16973] therel song help place mr frodo
## [16974] understand — elrond council great lord
## [16975] ladi wisdom plan gone wrong
## [16976] ringbear mr frodo
## [16977]
## [16978] ore dim sight time
## [16979] consid realiz weari weari
## [16980] exhaust leg carri wish slow
## [16981] path mile long got mist
## [16982]
## [16983] good way ahead cluster figur
## [16984] round lie ground dart way
## [16985] bent like dog trail tri make spurt
## [16986]
## [16987] come sam youll late loosen
## [16988] sword sheath minut draw —
## [16989]
## [16990] wild clamour hoot laugh lift
## [16991] ground ya hoi ya harri hoi
## [16992]
## [16993] voic shout quick way underg
## [16994] shell troubl tonight sign band
## [16995] orefigur began middl carri bodi high
## [16996] shoulder ya hoi ’
## [16997]
## [16998] taken frodo bodi catch
## [16999] labour ore reach tunnel pass
## [17000] burden went good deal
## [17001] struggl jostl sam came drew sword flicker blue
## [17002] waver hand came pant
## [17003] vanish black hole
## [17004]
## [17005] moment stood gasp clutch breast drew
## [17006]
## [17007]
## [17008]
## [17009]
## [17010] sleev face wipe away grime sweat tear ’curs
## [17011] filth sprang dark
## [17012]
## [17013] longer dark tunnel
## [17014] step mist heavier fog weari
## [17015] grow harden thought
## [17016] light torch littl way ahead tri catch
## [17017] ore fast tunnel tunnel knew
## [17018] spite shelob forc use swiftest way
## [17019] dead citi mountain faroff time main tunnel
## [17020] great round pit shelob taken abod
## [17021] age past know byway delv
## [17022] escap lair go fro
## [17023] busi master tonight intend far
## [17024] hasten sidepassag led
## [17025] watchtow cliff gleeful delight
## [17026] seen ran gabbl yammer
## [17027] fashion kind sam heard nois harsh voic flat
## [17028] hard dead air distinguish voic
## [17029] rest louder nearer captain parti
## [17030] bring rear debat went
## [17031]
## [17032] ’ stop rabbl make racket shagrat grunt
## [17033] don’t want shelob ’
## [17034]
## [17035] gorbag make half noise’
## [17036] let lad play need worri shelob bit
## [17037] reckon ’s sat nail shan’t didn’t
## [17038] nasti mess way curs crack
## [17039] ’ve stop ’ve stop time let ’em laugh
## [17040] ’ve struck bit luck got lugb®rz wants’
## [17041] ’lugb®rz want eh d’ think elvish look
## [17042] unders ’s danger thing like ’
## [17043]
## [17044] ’don’t know till ’ve look’
## [17045]
## [17046] ’oho haven’t told expect don’t tell
## [17047] know half make mistak
## [17048] one ’
## [17049]
## [17050] sh gorbag’ shagrat’ voic lower
## [17051] strang sharpen hear sam just catch ’
## [17052] ’ve got eye ear lot like
## [17053]
## [17054]
## [17055]
## [17056]
## [17057] there doubt theyr troubl
## [17058] nazgyl account lugb®rz
## [17059] near
## [17060] slipped’
## [17061]
## [17062] near say ’ gorbag
## [17063]
## [17064] right’ shagrat ’ll talk later wait till
## [17065] underway ’s place talk bit
## [17066] lad ’
## [17067]
## [17068] short sam saw torch disappear
## [17069] rumbl nois just hurri bump far guess
## [17070] ore turn gone open frodo
## [17071] tri block block
## [17072]
## [17073] great stone way ore got
## [17074] hear voic
## [17075] run deeper deeper mountain
## [17076] tower sam felt desper carri master bodi
## [17077] foul purpos follow thrust push block
## [17078] threw yield far insid
## [17079] thought heard captain voic talk stood
## [17080] listen littl hope learn use
## [17081]
## [17082] gorbag belong mina morgul come
## [17083]
## [17084]
## [17085] slip
## [17086]
## [17087] don’t know’ gorbag voic messag
## [17088] quicker fli rule don’t enquir ’s
## [17089] safest grr nazgyl creep skin
## [17090] bodi soon look leav cold dark
## [17091] like ’em ’ favourit nowaday ’s
## [17092] use grumbl tell ’s game serv city’
## [17093]
## [17094] tri shelob company’ shagrat
## [17095]
## [17096] ’’d like tri there em war
## [17097] that thing easier
## [17098]
## [17099] go say’
## [17100]
## [17101] ’ grunt gorbag
## [17102] lot room d’ say —
## [17103] chanc ’ll slip set
## [17104] trusti lad there good loot nice handi big
## [17105]
## [17106]
## [17107]
## [17108]
## [17109] boss
## [17110]
## [17111] ’ah shagrat like old time
## [17112]
## [17113] yes gorbag dont count im easi mind
## [17114] big boss ay voic sank whisper ay
## [17115] biggest make mistak near slip say say
## [17116] slip weve got look poor uruk
## [17117] slip right small thank dont forget enemi dont love
## [17118] love topsid
## [17119] order
## [17120]
## [17121] hour ago just saw messag came nazgyl
## [17122] uneasi spi fear stair doubl vigil patrol head stair
## [17123]
## [17124] came
## [17125]
## [17126] bad busi gorbag — silent watcher
## [17127] uneasi day ago know patrol wasnt order
## [17128] day messag sent lugb®rz owe great
## [17129] signal go high nazgyl go war
## [17130] lugb®rz pay attent good im told
## [17131]
## [17132] eye busi suppos shagrat big thing
## [17133] go away west say’
## [17134]
## [17135] ’ daresay growl gorbag meantim enemi got
## [17136] stair your suppos watch arent
## [17137] special order
## [17138]
## [17139] that dont tri teach job awak right
## [17140]
## [17141] knew funni thing go
## [17142]
## [17143] funni ’
## [17144]
## [17145] yes funni light shout shelob
## [17146] lad saw sneak
## [17147]
## [17148] sneak what
## [17149]
## [17150] seen littl black fellow like spider
## [17151] like starv frog hes came
## [17152] lugb®rz time year ago word high
## [17153] let pass hes stair twice weve
## [17154] left understand ladyship
## [17155] suppos hes good eat wouldnt worri word high
## [17156] fine guard valley day
## [17157] racket earli night saw lad report
## [17158] ladyship fun good
## [17159]
## [17160]
## [17161]
## [17162]
## [17163] messag came thought sneak brought toy youd
## [17164] sent present prison war dont
## [17165] interfer shes play get shelob shes
## [17166] hunt
## [17167]
## [17168] say didnt use eye tell im
## [17169] easi mind came stair cut web
## [17170] got clean hole that think
## [17171]
## [17172] ah got end didnt
## [17173]
## [17174] got got whol littl fellow
## [17175] shed larder long hed
## [17176] lugb®rz want youd nice
## [17177]
## [17178]
## [17179] point sam began listen attent press ear
## [17180] stone
## [17181]
## [17182] cut cord shed round shagrat cut
## [17183] web didnt stuck pin ladyship
## [17184] reckon shagrat
## [17185]
## [17186] shagrat repli
## [17187]
## [17188] think cap youv got
## [17189] laugh matter stuck pin shelob
## [17190] know there grief think there
## [17191] loos hereabout danger damn rebel
## [17192] walk bad old time great sieg
## [17193] slip
## [17194]
## [17195] growl shagrat
## [17196]
## [17197] sign captain shagrat id say there larg warrior
## [17198] loos elf like elfsword axe mayb
## [17199] hes loos bound youv spot funni
## [17200] gorbag spat sam smile grim descript
## [17201]
## [17202] ah gloomi view shagrat
## [17203] read sign like way explain
## [17204] ive got watcher point im go deal
## [17205] thing time ive look fellow caught
## [17206] ill begin worri
## [17207]
## [17208]
## [17209]
## [17210] lcb
## [17211]
## [17212]
## [17213]
## [17214]
## [17215]
## [17216]
## [17217] s guess won’t littl fellow gorbag
## [17218]
## [17219] real mischief big fellow
## [17220] sharp sword doesnt thought worth — just
## [17221] left lie regular elvish trick
## [17222]
## [17223] come weve talk let look
## [17224] prison
## [17225]
## [17226] go dont forget spot
## [17227]
## [17228] there game lad
## [17229]
## [17230] growl shagrat order
## [17231] belli worth break em trespass guard
## [17232] held tower prison strip descript
## [17233] articl garment weapon letter ring trinket sent
## [17234] lugb®rz lugb®rz prison kept safe
## [17235] intact pain death member guard
## [17236] send come that plain that im go
## [17237]
## [17238]
## [17239] strip eh gorbag teeth nail hair
## [17240]
## [17241] hes lugb®rz tell hes want safe
## [17242]
## [17243]
## [17244] youll difficult laugh gorbag hes carrion
## [17245] lugb®rz stuff guess
## [17246] pot
## [17247]
## [17248] fool snarl shagrat youv talk clever
## [17249] there lot dont know folk youll
## [17250] pot shelob dont care carrion know
## [17251] ladyship bind cord shes meat doesnt eat
## [17252] dead meat suck cold blood fellow isnt dead
## [17253]
## [17254] sam reel clutch stone felt dark world
## [17255] turn upsid great shock swoon
## [17256] fought hold sens deep insid awar
## [17257] comment fool isnt dead heart knew dont
## [17258] trust head samwis best troubl
## [17259] realli hope fur
## [17260] moment prop unmov stone listen
## [17261] listen vile ore voic
## [17262]
## [17263] garn shagrat shes got poison shes
## [17264]
## [17265]
## [17266]
## [17267]
## [17268] hunt just give ’em dab neck limp bone
## [17269] fish way dyou rememb old ufthak lost
## [17270] day corner hang
## [17271] wide awak glare laugh ’d forgotten mayb
## [17272]
## [17273]
## [17274] didnt touch himno good interf nar — littl filth
## [17275] ’ll wake hour feel bit sick hit
## [17276] hell right lugb®rz let
## [17277] cours wonder what happen ’
## [17278]
## [17279] what go happen laugh gorbag tell
## [17280] stori rate dont suppos hes
## [17281] love lugb®rz like know expect
## [17282] go funni thought let
## [17283]
## [17284] there go fun tell shagrat hes got
## [17285] kept safe good dead
## [17286]
## [17287] right ’d catch big that loos
## [17288] send report lugb®rz wont sound pretti say
## [17289] youv caught kitten let cat escap
## [17290]
## [17291] voic began away sam heard sound feet reced
## [17292] recov shock wild furi got
## [17293] wrong ’ cri knew theyv got devil
## [17294] filth leav master right rule
## [17295] knew heart forgiven ive got
## [17296]
## [17297]
## [17298] drew sword beat stone hilt
## [17299] gave dull sound sword blaze bright
## [17300] dim light surpris notic great
## [17301] block shape like heavi door twice height
## [17302] dark blank space low arch
## [17303] open probabl meant stop intrus
## [17304] shelob fasten insid latch bolt reach
## [17305] cun remain strength sam leap caught
## [17306] scrambl drop ran mad sword blaze hand
## [17307] round bend wind tunnel
## [17308]
## [17309] news master aliv rous effort
## [17310] thought weari ahead new
## [17311] passag twist turn constant thought catch
## [17312]
## [17313]
## [17314]
## [17315]
## [17316] ore voic grow nearer quit
## [17317] close
## [17318]
## [17319] that im go shagrat angri tone
## [17320] right chamber
## [17321]
## [17322] growl gorbag havent lockup
## [17323]
## [17324] hes go harm way tell answer shagrat
## [17325]
## [17326] hes precious dont trust lad
## [17327] your mad fun hes go want
## [17328] wont come dont civil say hell safe
## [17329]
## [17330]
## [17331] ’ sam your forget great big elvish warrior
## [17332] that loos race round corner
## [17333] trick tunnel hear ring gave
## [17334] misjudg distanc
## [17335]
## [17336] orefigur way ahead
## [17337] black squat red glare passag ran straight
## [17338] inclin end wide open great doubl door lead
## [17339] probabl deep chamber far high horn tower
## [17340] ore burden pass insid gorbag shagrat draw
## [17341] near gate
## [17342]
## [17343] sam heard burst hoars sing blare horn bang
## [17344] gong hideous clamour gorbag shagrat threshold
## [17345]
## [17346] sam yell brandish sting littl voic drown
## [17347] tumult heed
## [17348]
## [17349] great door slam boom bar iron fell place
## [17350] insid clang gate shut sam hurl bolt
## [17351] brazen plate fell senseless ground dark
## [17352] frodo aliv taken enemi
## [17353]
## [17354]
## [17355]
## [17356]
## [17357] end second histori war ring
## [17358]
## [17359] tell defenc shadow
## [17360] end mission ringbear return king
## [17361]
## [17362]
## [17363]
## [17364]
## Podemos visualizar cada um dos elementos (documento), que compõe o corpus. ##
corpus_new[[1]]
## <<PlainTextDocument>>
## Metadata: 7
## Content: chars: 11
as.character(corpus_new[[1]])
## [1] "“ lord ring"
#######################################################################################
### Crie sua matriz termo-documento. Quantos termos você possui no seu vocabulário? ###
#######################################################################################
## Como pode ser observado no comando a seguir, tenho 5.599 termos. ##
## Nesse momento o dado original está representado como strings de caracteres,
## dentro de um documento de objetos corpus. Para evoluir na análise precisamos
## tokenizar ou identificar e separar cada palavra do texto. Em seguida, poderemos
## verificar a frequencia das palavras, criando um vetor de frequencia. Multiplos
## vetores representando diferentes documentos podem ser combinados em uma matriz.
## Essa estrutura de dados é chamada de Document Term Matrix (DTM). ##
## Utilizando o DTM para verificar as estatísticas do arquivo. ##
dtm <- DocumentTermMatrix(corpus_new); dtm
## <<DocumentTermMatrix (documents: 17364, terms: 5599)>>
## Non-/sparse entries: 61684/97159352
## Sparsity : 100%
## Maximal term length: 35
## Weighting : term frequency (tf)
# <<DocumentTermMatrix (documents: 17364, terms: 5599)>>
# Non-/sparse entries: 61663/96985733
# Sparsity : 100%
# Maximal term length: 39
# Weighting : term frequency (tf)
dim(dtm)
## [1] 17364 5599
nTerms(dtm)
## [1] 5599
nDocs(dtm)
## [1] 17364
## Vamos analisar a frequencia das palavras realizando uma contagem de todos
## documentos. Vou utilizar a estrutura de dados da sparse matrix, lembrando que
## ela armazena apenas valores de vetores diferentes de zero. ##
freqs <- col_sums(dtm)
words <- colnames(dtm)
wordlist <- data.frame(words, freqs)
wordIndexes <- order(wordlist[,"freqs"],decreasing = TRUE)
wordlist <- wordlist[wordIndexes,]
## Listando as 25 palavras de maior ocorrência. ##
head(wordlist, 25)
## words freqs
## come come 526
## frodo frodo 494
## like like 436
## sam sam 419
## long long 406
## great great 398
## look look 385
## came came 364
## dark dark 354
## gandalf gandalf 349
## away away 343
## gollum gollum 324
## way way 321
## eye eye 312
## ’ ’ 307
## hand hand 294
## aragorn aragorn 290
## men men 286
## know know 271
## hobbit hobbit 270
## far far 264
## time time 262
## ore ore 260
## pass pass 247
## old old 236
## Observamos que poucas palavras ocorrem com muita frequencia (Power Law Distribution). ##
plot(wordlist$freqs , type = "l", lwd=2, main = "Grafico Rank Frequencia",
xlab="Rank", ylab ="Frequencia")
plot(wordlist$freqs , type = "l", log="xy", lwd=2, main = "Grafico Rank Frequencia",
xlab="log-Rank", ylab ="log-Frequencia")
#############################################################################################
### Descubra o número de tópicos no seu documento. Justifique cada passa e a sua escolha. ###
#############################################################################################
## Como realizei o pruning no vocabulário, temos linhas vazias no dtm e LDA não funciona
## bem. Por esse motivo, removi esses documentos do DTM e dos metadados. ##
sel_idx <- slam::row_sums(dtm) > 0
dtm <- dtm[sel_idx, ]
head(sel_idx)
## 1 2 3 4 5 6
## TRUE FALSE FALSE FALSE FALSE FALSE
## Definindo o valor de k. O valor da perplexidade irá identificar o quanto disperso
## meu corpus está. Esta é uma medida de entropia e quanto menor o valor da perplexidade
## do corpus, melhor e mais acertivo meu modelo. ##
k <- c(2:16)
perplex <- c()
for (i in k){
lda <- LDA(dtm, k = i, method="Gibbs")
perplex <- c(perplex, perplexity(lda, newdata = dtm,
control=list(iter = 600, verbose = 60)))
}
## K = 2; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
## Iteration 120 ...
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## Iteration 600 ...
## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 3; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 4; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 5; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 6; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 7; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 8; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 9; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 10; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 11; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
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## Iteration 300 ...
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## Iteration 540 ...
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 12; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
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## Iteration 240 ...
## Iteration 300 ...
## Iteration 360 ...
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## Iteration 540 ...
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## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 13; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
## Iteration 120 ...
## Iteration 180 ...
## Iteration 240 ...
## Iteration 300 ...
## Iteration 360 ...
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## Iteration 540 ...
## Iteration 600 ...
## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 14; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
## Iteration 120 ...
## Iteration 180 ...
## Iteration 240 ...
## Iteration 300 ...
## Iteration 360 ...
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## Iteration 480 ...
## Iteration 540 ...
## Iteration 600 ...
## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 15; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
## Iteration 120 ...
## Iteration 180 ...
## Iteration 240 ...
## Iteration 300 ...
## Iteration 360 ...
## Iteration 420 ...
## Iteration 480 ...
## Iteration 540 ...
## Iteration 600 ...
## Gibbs sampling completed!
## K = 16; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
## Iteration 120 ...
## Iteration 180 ...
## Iteration 240 ...
## Iteration 300 ...
## Iteration 360 ...
## Iteration 420 ...
## Iteration 480 ...
## Iteration 540 ...
## Iteration 600 ...
## Gibbs sampling completed!
## Observando o gráfico a seguir identificamos o valor ideal de k = 5. Este será o
## número de tópicos a ser utilizado nas análises posteriores. ##
ggplot() + geom_line(aes(x=c(2:16), y=perplex)) +
geom_point(aes(x=c(2:16), y=perplex))
#######################################################################################
### Faça a análise dos tópicos criados com o número escolhido acima. Na sua análise ###
### apresente os termos mais importantes para cada tópico, nomeie cada tópico e ###
### apresente exemplos de documentos que se encaixem muito bem no tópico e outros ###
### que nem tanto. Pode adicionar outras informações que achar relevante para que ###
### o leitor entenda o que está acontecendo nos seus tópicos. ###
#######################################################################################
k <- 5
topicMod <- LDA(dtm, k, method="Gibbs", control=list(iter = 600, verbose = 60))
## K = 5; V = 5599; M = 12432
## Sampling 600 iterations!
## Iteration 60 ...
## Iteration 120 ...
## Iteration 180 ...
## Iteration 240 ...
## Iteration 300 ...
## Iteration 360 ...
## Iteration 420 ...
## Iteration 480 ...
## Iteration 540 ...
## Iteration 600 ...
## Gibbs sampling completed!
# Observando resultados após a distribuição em k = 5 tópicos. ##
topicModRes <- posterior(topicMod)
attributes(topicModRes)
## $names
## [1] "terms" "topics"
## Observando o resultado beta. ##
beta <- topicModRes$terms
dim(beta)
## [1] 5 5599
rowSums(beta)
## 1 2 3 4 5
## 1 1 1 1 1
## Observando o resultado theta. ##
theta <- topicModRes$topics
dim(theta)
## [1] 12432 5
rowSums(theta)[1:10]
## 1 9 13 19 23 25 26 27 28 30
## 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
## Listando os 8 termos mais frequentes, segundo a probabilidade de beta, por topic. ##
terms(topicMod, 8)
## Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4 Topic 5
## [1,] "come" "frodo" "long" "like" "great"
## [2,] "gandalf" "sam" "away" "look" "dark"
## [3,] "shall" "gollum" "far" "thought" "men"
## [4,] "thing" "’" "hand" "aragorn" "pass"
## [5,] "saruman" "time" "old" "pippin" "ore"
## [6,] "sudden" "hobbit" "light" "face" "came"
## [7,] "good" "turn" "day" "answer" "tree"
## [8,] "land" "master" "eye" "black" "night"
## Utilizando os 5 principais termos por tópicos, dos 5 topicos. ##
top5termsPerTopic <- terms(topicMod, 5)
topicNames <- apply(top5termsPerTopic, 2, paste, collapse=" "); topicNames
## Topic 1 Topic 2
## "come gandalf shall thing saruman" "frodo sam gollum ’ time"
## Topic 3 Topic 4
## "long away far hand old" "like look thought aragorn pippin"
## Topic 5
## "great dark men pass ore"
## Visualizando os topics em uma nuvem de palavras. A seguir proponho a visualização
## dos principais termos em uma nuvem de palavras, sendo que o termo escolhido representará
## apenas o conjunto de termos do seu topico. Exemplo: escolhendo "frodo" apenas o topic 2,
## ao qual ele faz parte será representado. ##
topicToViz <- 10
topicToViz <- grep('frodo', topicNames)
## Selecionando os 100 mais prováveis termos pesquisando o vetor dos topic. ##
top100terms <- sort(topicModRes$terms[topicToViz,], decreasing = T)[1:100]
words <- names(top100terms)
# Estraindo as probabilidadades de cada um dos 100 termos. ##
probabilities <- sort(topicModRes$terms[topicToViz,], decreasing=T)[1:100]
# Visualizando os termos em uma wordcloud. ##
mycolors <- brewer.pal(8, "Accent")
wordcloud(words, probabilities, random.order = F, color = mycolors)
## Quais são os termos mais prováveis por topics em toda a base. ##
## tirando a média ##
topicProportions <- colSums(theta) / nDocs(dtm)
## Assinalando nomes e visualizando as proporções. ##
names(topicProportions) <- topicNames
sort(topicProportions, decreasing = TRUE)
## come gandalf shall thing saruman frodo sam gollum ’ time
## 0.2002516 0.2000725
## like look thought aragorn pippin long away far hand old
## 0.1998967 0.1998900
## great dark men pass ore
## 0.1998892
## Com que frequencia um termo aparece como principal, também conhecido com ranking. ##
countsOfPrimaryTopics <- rep(0, k)
names(countsOfPrimaryTopics) <- topicNames
for (i in 1:nDocs(dtm)) {
topicsPerDoc <- theta[i, ] # select topic distribution for document i
# get first element position from ordered list
primaryTopic <- order(topicsPerDoc, decreasing = TRUE)[1]
countsOfPrimaryTopics[primaryTopic] <- countsOfPrimaryTopics[primaryTopic] + 1
}
sort(countsOfPrimaryTopics, decreasing = TRUE)
## come gandalf shall thing saruman frodo sam gollum ’ time
## 3740 2909
## long away far hand old like look thought aragorn pippin
## 2322 1869
## great dark men pass ore
## 1592
################################################################################################
## Apresentei apenas os scripts e visualizações mais relevantes para esta análise de tópicos. ##
################################################################################################