THETWOTOWERS

BEINGTHESECONDPARTOF

THELORDOFTHERINGS

BY

J.R.R.TOLKIEN

TheTwoTowersisthesecondpartofJ.R.R.Tolkien’sepicadventureTheLordoftheRings,abeautifullywrittenmasterpiecewhichisamongthegreatestworksofimaginativefictionofthetwentiethcentury.‘Forwidthofimagination’saidthenovelistRichardHughes,‘italmostbeggarsparallel,anditisnearlyasremarkableforits

vividnessandnarrativeskillwhichcarriesthereaderonenthralledforpageafterpage.’

C.S.Lewiswrote:‘Noimaginaryworldhasbeenprojectedwhichisatoncemultifariousandsotruetoitsowninnerlaws;nonesoseeminglyobjective,sodisinfectedfromthetaintofanauthor’smerelyindividualpsychology;nonesorelevant

totheactualhumansituationyetfreefromallegory.Andwhatfineshadingthereisinthevariationsofstyletomeetthealmostendlessdiversityofscenesandcharacters–comic,homely,epic,monstrous,ordiabolic.’

‘Itistimeless,’saidNaomiMitchison,‘andwillgoonandon.’

Thisisthesecondpartofathree-bookpaperback

editionwhichreproducesthecompleteauthoritativetextofTheLordoftheRings,togetherwiththeoriginalmapsdrawnbyChristopherTolkien.TheAppendicesandafullyrevisedandexpandedIndexareincludedinTheReturnoftheKing.

ThreeRingsfortheElven-kingsunderthesky,SevenfortheDwarf-lordsintheirhallsofstone,

NineforMortalMendoomedtodie,OnefortheDarkLordonhisdarkthrone

IntheLandofMordorwheretheShadowslie.OneRingtorulethemall,OneRingtofindthem,OneRingtobringthemall

andinthedarknessbindthem

IntheLandofMordorwheretheShadowslie.

SYNOPSIS

ThisisthesecondpartofTheLordoftheRings.

Thefirstpart,TheFellowshipoftheRing,toldhowGandalftheGreydiscoveredthattheringpossessedbyFrodotheHobbitwasinfacttheOneRing,rulerofalltheRingsofPower.Itrecountedtheflight

ofFrodoandhiscompanionsfromthequietShireoftheirhome,pursuedbytheterroroftheBlackRidersofMordor,untilatlast,withtheaidofAragorntheRangerofEriador,theycamethroughdesperateperilstothehouseofElrondinRivendell.

TherewasheldthegreatCouncilofElrond,atwhichitwasdecidedtoattemptthedestructionoftheRing,and

FrodowasappointedtheRing-bearer.TheCompanionsoftheRingwerethenchosen,whoweretoaidhiminhisquest:tocomeifhecouldtotheMountainofFireinMordor,thelandoftheEnemyhimself,wherealonetheRingcouldbeunmade.InthisfellowshipwereAragornandBoromirsonoftheLordofGondor,representingMen;Legolas

sonoftheElven-kingofMirkwood,fortheElves;GimlisonofGlóinoftheLonelyMountain,fortheDwarves;FrodowithhisservantSamwise,andhistwoyoungkinsmenMeriadocandPeregrin,fortheHobbits;andGandalftheGrey.

TheCompanionsjourneyedinsecretfarfromRivendellintheNorth,untilbaffledintheirattemptto

crossthehighpassofCaradhrasinwinter,theywereledbyGandalfthroughthehiddengateandenteredthevastMinesofMoria,seekingawaybeneaththemountains.ThereGandalf,inbattlewithadreadfulspiritoftheunderworld,fellintoadarkabyss.ButAragorn,nowrevealedasthehiddenheiroftheancientKingsoftheWest,ledtheCompanyon

fromtheEastGateofMoria,throughtheElvishlandofLórien,anddownthegreatRiverAnduin,untiltheycametotheFallsofRauros.Alreadytheyhadbecomeawarethattheirjourneywaswatchedbyspies,andthatthecreatureGollum,whooncehadpossessedtheRingandstilllustedforit,wasfollowingtheirtrail.

Itnowbecamenecessary

forthemtodecidewhethertheyshouldturneasttoMordor;orgoonwithBoromirtotheaidofMinasTirith,chiefcityofGondor,inthecomingwar;orshoulddivide.WhenitbecameclearthattheRing-bearerwasresolvedtocontinuehishopelessjourneytothelandoftheEnemy,BoromirattemptedtoseizetheRingbyforce.Thefirstpartended

withthefallofBoromirtothelureoftheRing;withtheescapeanddisappearanceofFrodoandhisservantSamwise;andthescatteringoftheremainderoftheFellowshipbyasuddenattackoforc-soldiers,someintheserviceoftheDarkLordofMordor,someofthetraitorSarumanofIsengard.TheQuestoftheRing-bearerseemedalreadyovertakenby

disaster.Thissecondpart,TheTwo

Towers,nowtellshoweachofthemembersoftheFellowshipoftheRingfared,afterthebreakingoftheirfellowship,untilthecomingofthegreatDarknessandtheoutbreakoftheWaroftheRing,whichistoberecountedinthethirdandlastpart.

Contents

COVERPAGETITLEPAGESYNOPSIS

BOOKTHREE

CHAPTER1:THEDEPARTUREOFBOROMIRCHAPTER2:THE

RIDERSOFROHANCHAPTER3:THEURUK-HAICHAPTER4:TREEBEARDCHAPTER5:THEWHITERIDERCHAPTER6:THEKINGOFTHEGOLDENHALLCHAPTER7:HELM’SDEEPCHAPTER8:THEROAD

TOISENGARDCHAPTER9:FLOTSAMANDJETSAMCHAPTER10:THEVOICEOFSARUMANCHAPTER11:THEPALANTÍR

BOOKFOUR

CHAPTER1:THETAMINGOFSMÉAGOLCHAPTER2:THE

PASSAGEOFTHEMARSHESCHAPTER3:THEBLACKGATEISCLOSEDCHAPTER4:OFHERBSANDSTEWEDRABBITCHAPTER5:THEWINDOWONTHEWESTCHAPTER6:THEFORBIDDENPOOL

CHAPTER7:JOURNEYTOTHECROSS-ROADSCHAPTER8:THESTAIRSOFCIRITHUNGOLCHAPTER9:SHELOB’SLAIRCHAPTER10:THECHOICESOFMASTERSAMWISEMAPSWORKSBYJ.R.R.

TOLKIENCOPYRIGHTABOUTTHEPUBLISHER

BOOKTHREE

Chapter1

THEDEPARTUREOFBOROMIR

Aragornspedonupthehill.Everynowandagainhebenttotheground.Hobbitsgolight,andtheirfootprintsarenoteasyevenforaRangertoread,butnotfarfromthetop

aspringcrossedthepath,andinthewetearthhesawwhathewasseeking.

‘Ireadthesignsaright,’hesaidtohimself.‘Frodorantothehill-top.Iwonderwhathesawthere?Buthereturnedbythesameway,andwentdownthehillagain.’

Aragornhesitated.Hedesiredtogotothehighseathimself,hopingtoseetheresomethingthatwouldguide

himinhisperplexities;buttimewaspressing.Suddenlyheleapedforward,andrantothesummit,acrossthegreatflag-stones,andupthesteps.Thensittinginthehighseathelookedout.Butthesunseemeddarkened,andtheworlddimandremote.HeturnedfromtheNorthbackagaintoNorth,andsawnothingsavethedistanthills,unlessitwerethatfaraway

hecouldseeagainagreatbirdlikeaneaglehighintheair,descendingslowlyinwidecirclesdowntowardstheearth.

Evenashegazedhisquickearscaughtsoundsinthewoodlandsbelow,onthewestsideoftheRiver.Hestiffened.Therewerecries,andamongthem,tohishorror,hecoulddistinguishtheharshvoicesofOrcs.

Thensuddenlywithadeep-throatedcallagreathornblew,andtheblastsofitsmotethehillsandechoedinthehollows,risinginamightyshoutabovetheroaringofthefalls.

‘ThehornofBoromir!’hecried.‘Heisinneed!’Hesprangdownthestepsandaway,leapingdownthepath.‘Alas!Anillfateisonmethisday,andallthatIdogoes

amiss.WhereisSam?’Asheranthecriescame

louder,butfainternowanddesperatelythehornwasblowing.FierceandshrillrosetheyellsoftheOrcs,andsuddenlythehorn-callsceased.Aragornraceddownthelastslope,butbeforehecouldreachthehill’sfoot,thesoundsdiedaway;andasheturnedtotheleftandrantowardsthemtheyretreated,

untilatlasthecouldhearthemnomore.DrawinghisbrightswordandcryingElendil!Elendil!hecrashedthroughthetrees.

Amile,maybe,fromParthGaleninalittlegladenotfarfromthelakehefoundBoromir.Hewassittingwithhisbacktoagreattree,asifhewasresting.ButAragorn

sawthathewaspiercedwithmanyblack-featheredarrows;hisswordwasstillinhishand,butitwasbrokennearthehilt;hishornclovenintwowasathisside.ManyOrcslayslain,piledallabouthimandathisfeet.

Aragornkneltbesidehim.Boromiropenedhiseyesandstrovetospeak.Atlastslowwordscame.‘ItriedtotaketheRingfromFrodo,’he

said.‘Iamsorry.Ihavepaid.’Hisglancestrayedtohisfallenenemies;twentyatleastlaythere.‘Theyhavegone:theHalflings:theOrcshavetakenthem.Ithinktheyarenotdead.Orcsboundthem.’Hepausedandhiseyesclosedwearily.Afteramomenthespokeagain.

‘Farewell,Aragorn!GotoMinasTirithandsavemypeople!Ihavefailed.’

‘No!’saidAragorn,takinghishandandkissinghisbrow.‘Youhaveconquered.Fewhavegainedsuchavictory.Beatpeace!MinasTirithshallnotfall!’

Boromirsmiled.‘Whichwaydidtheygo?

WasFrodothere?’saidAragorn.ButBoromirdidnotspeakagain.

‘Alas!’saidAragorn.‘Thuspassestheheirof

Denethor,LordoftheTowerofGuard!Thisisabitterend.NowtheCompanyisallinruin.ItisIthathavefailed.VainwasGandalf’strustinme.WhatshallIdonow?BoromirhaslaiditonmetogotoMinasTirith,andmyheartdesiresit;butwherearetheRingandtheBearer?HowshallIfindthemandsavetheQuestfromdisaster?’

Hekneltforawhile,bentwithweeping,stillclaspingBoromir’shand.SoitwasthatLegolasandGimlifoundhim.Theycamefromthewesternslopesofthehill,silently,creepingthroughthetreesasiftheywerehunting.Gimlihadhisaxeinhand,andLegolashislongknife:allhisarrowswerespent.Whentheycameintothegladetheyhaltedin

amazement;andthentheystoodamomentwithheadsbowedingrief,foritseemedtothemplainwhathadhappened.

‘Alas!’saidLegolas,comingtoAragorn’sside.‘WehavehuntedandslainmanyOrcsinthewoods,butweshouldhavebeenofmoreusehere.Wecamewhenweheardthehorn–buttoolate,itseems.Ifearyouhave

takendeadlyhurt.’‘Boromirisdead,’said

Aragorn.‘Iamunscathed,forIwasnotherewithhim.Hefelldefendingthehobbits,whileIwasawayuponthehill.’

‘Thehobbits!’criedGimli.‘Wherearetheythen?WhereisFrodo?’

‘Idonotknow,’answeredAragornwearily.‘BeforehediedBoromirtoldmethatthe

Orcshadboundthem;hedidnotthinkthattheyweredead.IsenthimtofollowMerryandPippin;butIdidnotaskhimifFrodoorSamwerewithhim:notuntilitwastoolate.AllthatIhavedonetodayhasgoneamiss.Whatistobedonenow?’

‘Firstwemusttendthefallen,’saidLegolas.‘Wecannotleavehimlyinglikecarrionamongthesefoul

Orcs.’‘Butwemustbeswift,’

saidGimli.‘Hewouldnotwishustolinger.WemustfollowtheOrcs,ifthereishopethatanyofourCompanyarelivingprisoners.’

‘ButwedonotknowwhethertheRing-beareriswiththemornot,’saidAragorn.‘Arewetoabandonhim?Mustwenotseekhim

first?Anevilchoiceisnowbeforeus!’

‘Thenletusdofirstwhatwemustdo,’saidLegolas.‘Wehavenotthetimeorthetoolstoburyourcomradefitly,ortoraiseamoundoverhim.Acairnwemightbuild.’

‘Thelabourwouldbehardandlong:therearenostonesthatwecouldusenearerthanthewater-side,’saidGimli.

‘Thenletuslayhimina

boatwithhisweapons,andtheweaponsofhisvanquishedfoes,’saidAragorn.‘WewillsendhimtotheFallsofRaurosandgivehimtoAnduin.TheRiverofGondorwilltakecareatleastthatnoevilcreaturedishonourshisbones.’

Quicklytheysearchedthe

bodiesoftheOrcs,gatheringtheirswordsandclovenhelmsandshieldsintoaheap.

‘See!’criedAragorn.‘Herewefindtokens!’Hepickedoutfromthepileofgrimweaponstwoknives,leaf-bladed,damaskedingoldandred;andsearchingfurtherhefoundalsothesheaths,black,setwithsmallredgems.‘Noorc-toolsthese!’hesaid.‘Theywereborneby

thehobbits.DoubtlesstheOrcsdespoiledthem,butfearedtokeeptheknives,knowingthemforwhattheyare:workofWesternesse,woundaboutwithspellsforthebaneofMordor.Well,now,iftheystilllive,ourfriendsareweaponless.Iwilltakethesethings,hopingagainsthope,togivethemback.’

‘AndI,’saidLegolas,

‘willtakeallthearrowsthatIcanfind,formyquiverisempty.’HesearchedinthepileandonthegroundaboutandfoundnotafewthatwereundamagedandlongerintheshaftthansucharrowsastheOrcswereaccustomedtouse.Helookedatthemclosely.

AndAragornlookedontheslain,andhesaid:‘HereliemanythatarenotfolkofMordor.Somearefromthe

North,fromtheMistyMountains,ifIknowanythingofOrcsandtheirkinds.Andhereareothersstrangetome.TheirgearisnotafterthemannerofOrcsatall!’

Therewerefourgoblin-soldiersofgreaterstature,swart,slant-eyed,withthicklegsandlargehands.Theywerearmedwithshortbroad-bladedswords,notwiththe

curvedscimitarsusualwithOrcs;andtheyhadbowsofyew,inlengthandshapelikethebowsofMen.Upontheirshieldstheyboreastrangedevice:asmallwhitehandinthecentreofablackfield;onthefrontoftheirironhelmswassetanS-rune,wroughtofsomewhitemetal.

‘Ihavenotseenthesetokensbefore,’saidAragorn.‘Whatdotheymean?’

‘SisforSauron,’saidGimli.‘Thatiseasytoread.’

‘Nay!’saidLegolas.‘Saurondoesnotusetheelf-runes.’

‘Neitherdoesheusehisrightname,norpermitittobespeltorspoken,’saidAragorn.‘Andhedoesnotusewhite.TheOrcsintheserviceofBarad-dûrusethesignoftheRedEye.’Hestoodforamomentin

thought.‘SisforSaruman,Iguess,’hesaidatlength.‘ThereisevilafootinIsengard,andtheWestisnolongersafe.ItisasGandalffeared:bysomemeansthetraitorSarumanhashadnewsofourjourney.ItislikelytoothatheknowsofGandalf’sfall.PursuersfromMoriamayhaveescapedthevigilanceofLórien,ortheymayhaveavoidedthatland

andcometoIsengardbyotherpaths.Orcstravelfast.ButSarumanhasmanywaysoflearningnews.Doyourememberthebirds?’

‘Well,wehavenotimetoponderriddles,’saidGimli.‘LetusbearBoromiraway!’

‘Butafterthatwemustguesstheriddles,ifwearetochooseourcourserightly,’answeredAragorn.

‘Maybethereisnoright

choice,’saidGimli.

TakinghisaxetheDwarfnowcutseveralbranches.Thesetheylashedtogetherwithbowstrings,andspreadtheircloaksupontheframe.Uponthisroughbiertheycarriedthebodyoftheircompaniontotheshore,togetherwithsuchtrophiesofhislastbattleastheychoseto

sendforthwithhim.Itwasonlyashortway,yettheyfounditnoeasytask,forBoromirwasamanbothtallandstrong.

Atthewater-sideAragornremained,watchingthebier,whileLegolasandGimlihastenedbackonfoottoParthGalen.Itwasamileormore,anditwassometimebeforetheycameback,paddlingtwoboatsswiftly

alongtheshore.‘Thereisastrangetaleto

tell!’saidLegolas.‘Thereareonlytwoboatsuponthebank.Wecouldfindnotraceoftheother.’

‘HaveOrcsbeenthere?’askedAragorn.

‘Wesawnosignsofthem,’answeredGimli.‘AndOrcswouldhavetakenordestroyedalltheboats,andthebaggageaswell.’

‘Iwilllookatthegroundwhenwecomethere,’saidAragorn.

NowtheylaidBoromirinthemiddleoftheboatthatwastobearhimaway.Thegreyhoodandelven-cloaktheyfoldedandplacedbeneathhishead.Theycombedhislongdarkhairandarrayedituponhis

shoulders.ThegoldenbeltofLóriengleamedabouthiswaist.Hishelmtheysetbesidehim,andacrosshislaptheylaidtheclovenhornandthehiltandshardsofhissword;beneathhisfeettheyputtheswordsofhisenemies.Thenfasteningtheprowtothesternoftheotherboat,theydrewhimoutintothewater.Theyrowedsadlyalongtheshore,andturning

intotheswift-runningchanneltheypassedthegreenswardofParthGalen.ThesteepsidesofTolBrandirwereglowing:itwasnowmid-afternoon.AstheywentsouththefumeofRaurosroseandshimmeredbeforethem,ahazeofgold.Therushandthunderofthefallsshookthewindlessair.

Sorrowfullytheycastloosethefuneralboat:there

Boromirlay,restful,peaceful,glidinguponthebosomoftheflowingwater.Thestreamtookhimwhiletheyheldtheirownboatbackwiththeirpaddles.Hefloatedbythem,andslowlyhisboatdeparted,waningtoadarkspotagainstthegoldenlight;andthensuddenlyitvanished.Raurosroaredonunchanging.TheRiverhadtakenBoromirsonofDenethor,andhewasnot

seenagaininMinasTirith,standingasheusedtostandupontheWhiteTowerinthemorning.ButinGondorinafter-daysitlongwassaidthattheelven-boatrodethefallsandthefoamingpool,andborehimdownthroughOsgiliath,andpastthemanymouthsofAnduin,outintotheGreatSeaatnightunderthestars.

Forawhilethethreecompanionsremainedsilent,gazingafterhim.ThenAragornspoke.‘TheywilllookforhimfromtheWhiteTower,’hesaid,‘buthewillnotreturnfrommountainorfromsea.’Thenslowlyhebegantosing:

ThroughRohanoverfenandfieldwherethelonggrassgrows

TheWestWindcomeswalking,andaboutthewallsitgoes.

‘WhatnewsfromtheWest,Owanderingwind,doyoubringtometonight?

HaveyouseenBoromirtheTallbymoonorbystarlight?’

‘Isawhimrideoversevenstreams,overwaterswideandgrey;

Isawhimwalkinemptylands,untilhepassedaway

IntotheshadowsoftheNorth.Isawhimthennomore.

TheNorthWindmayhaveheardthehornofthesonofDenethor.’

‘OBoromir!FromthehighwallswestwardIlookedafar,

Butyoucamenotfromthe

emptylandswherenomenare.’

ThenLegolassang:

FromthemouthsoftheSeatheSouthWindflies,fromthesandhillsandthestones;

Thewailingofthegullsitbears,andatthegateitmoans.‘Whatnews

fromtheSouth,Osighingwind,doyoubringtomeateve?

WherenowisBoromirtheFair?HetarriesandIgrieve.’

‘Asknotofmewherehedothdwell–somanybonestherelie

Onthewhiteshoresandthedarkshoresunderthestormysky;

Somanyhavepassed

downAnduintofindtheflowingSea.

AskoftheNorthWindnewsofthemtheNorthWindsendstome!’

‘OBoromir!Beyondthegatetheseawardroadrunssouth,

Butyoucamenotwiththewailinggullsfromthegreysea’smouth.’

ThenAragornsangagain:

FromtheGateofKingstheNorthWindrides,andpasttheroaringfalls;

Andclearandcoldaboutthetoweritsloudhorncalls.

‘WhatnewsfromtheNorth,Omightywind,doyoubringtometoday?

WhatnewsofBoromirtheBold?Forheislong

away.’‘BeneathAmonHenIheardhiscry.Theremanyfoeshefought.

Hisclovenshield,hisbrokensword,theytothewaterbrought.

Hisheadsoproud,hisfacesofair,hislimbstheylaidto

rest;AndRauros,goldenRauros-falls,borehim

uponitsbreast.’‘OBoromir!TheTowerofGuardshallevernorthwardgaze

ToRauros,goldenRauros-falls,untiltheendofdays.’

Sotheyended.ThentheyturnedtheirboatanddroveitwithallthespeedtheycouldagainstthestreambacktoParthGalen.

‘YoulefttheEastWindtome,’saidGimli,‘butIwillsaynaughtofit.’

‘Thatisasitshouldbe,’saidAragorn.‘InMinasTiriththeyenduretheEastWind,buttheydonotaskitfortidings.ButnowBoromirhastakenhisroad,andwemustmakehastetochooseourown.’

Hesurveyedthegreenlawn,quicklybutthoroughly,

stoopingoftentotheearth.‘NoOrcshavebeenonthisground,’hesaid.‘Otherwisenothingcanbemadeoutforcertain.Allourfootprintsarehere,crossingandre-crossing.IcannottellwhetheranyofthehobbitshavecomebacksincethesearchforFrodobegan.’Hereturnedtothebank,closetowheretherillfromthespringtrickledoutintotheRiver.‘Thereare

someclearprintshere,’hesaid.‘Ahobbitwadedoutintothewaterandback;butIcannotsayhowlongago.’

‘Howthendoyoureadthisriddle?’askedGimli.

Aragorndidnotansweratonce,butwentbacktothecamping-placeandlookedatthebaggage.‘Twopacksaremissing,’hesaid,‘andoneiscertainlySam’s:itwasratherlargeandheavy.Thisthenis

theanswer:Frodohasgonebyboat,andhisservanthasgonewithhim.Frodomusthavereturnedwhilewewereallaway.ImetSamgoingupthehillandtoldhimtofollowme;butplainlyhedidnotdoso.Heguessedhismaster’smindandcamebackherebeforeFrodohadgone.HedidnotfinditeasytoleaveSambehind!’

‘Butwhyshouldheleave

usbehind,andwithoutaword?’saidGimli.‘Thatwasastrangedeed!’

‘Andabravedeed,’saidAragorn.‘Samwasright,Ithink.FrododidnotwishtoleadanyfriendtodeathwithhiminMordor.Butheknewthathemustgohimself.Somethinghappenedafterheleftusthatovercamehisfearanddoubt.’

‘MaybehuntingOrcs

cameonhimandhefled,’saidLegolas.

‘Hefled,certainly,’saidAragorn,‘butnot,Ithink,fromOrcs.’WhathethoughtwasthecauseofFrodo’ssuddenresolveandflightAragorndidnotsay.ThelastwordsofBoromirhelongkeptsecret.

‘Well,somuchatleastisnowclear,’saidLegolas:‘Frodoisnolongeronthis

sideoftheRiver:onlyhecanhavetakentheboat.AndSamiswithhim;onlyhewouldhavetakenhispack.’

‘Ourchoicethen,’saidGimli,‘iseithertotaketheremainingboatandfollowFrodo,orelsetofollowtheOrcsonfoot.Thereislittlehopeeitherway.Wehavealreadylostprecioushours.’

‘Letmethink!’saidAragorn.‘AndnowmayI

makearightchoice,andchangetheevilfateofthisunhappyday!’Hestoodsilentforamoment.‘IwillfollowtheOrcs,’hesaidatlast.‘IwouldhaveguidedFrodotoMordorandgonewithhimtotheend;butifIseekhimnowinthewilderness,Imustabandonthecaptivestotormentanddeath.Myheartspeaksclearlyatlast:thefateoftheBearerisinmyhands

nolonger.TheCompanyhasplayeditspart.Yetwethatremaincannotforsakeourcompanionswhilewehavestrengthleft.Come!Wewillgonow.Leaveallthatcanbesparedbehind!Wewillpressonbydayanddark!’

Theydrewupthelastboatandcarriedittothetrees.Theylaidbeneathit

suchoftheirgoodsastheydidnotneedandcouldnotcarryaway.ThentheyleftParthGalen.TheafternoonwasfadingastheycamebacktothegladewhereBoromirhadfallen.TheretheypickedupthetrailoftheOrcs.Itneededlittleskilltofind.

‘Nootherfolkmakesuchatrampling,’saidLegolas.‘Itseemstheirdelighttoslashandbeatdowngrowing

thingsthatarenotevenintheirway.’

‘Buttheygowithagreatspeedforallthat,’saidAragorn,‘andtheydonottire.Andlaterwemayhavetosearchforourpathinhardbarelands.’

‘Well,afterthem!’saidGimli.‘Dwarvestoocangoswiftly,andtheydonottiresoonerthanOrcs.Butitwillbealongchase:theyhavea

longstart.’‘Yes,’saidAragorn,‘we

shallallneedtheenduranceofDwarves.Butcome!Withhopeorwithouthopewewillfollowthetrailofourenemies.Andwoetothem,ifweprovetheswifter!WewillmakesuchachaseasshallbeaccountedamarvelamongtheThreeKindreds:Elves,Dwarves,andMen.ForththeThreeHunters!’

Likeadeerhesprangaway.Throughthetreeshesped.Onandonheledthem,tirelessandswift,nowthathismindwasatlastmadeup.Thewoodsaboutthelaketheyleftbehind.Longslopestheyclimbed,dark,hard-edgedagainsttheskyalreadyredwithsunset.Duskcame.Theypassedaway,greyshadowsinastonyland.

Chapter2

THERIDERSOFROHAN

Duskdeepened.Mistlaybehindthemamongthetreesbelow,andbroodedonthepalemarginsoftheAnduin,buttheskywasclear.Starscameout.Thewaxingmoon

wasridingintheWest,andtheshadowsoftherockswereblack.Theyhadcometothefeetofstonyhills,andtheirpacewasslower,forthetrailwasnolongereasytofollow.HerethehighlandsoftheEmynMuilranfromNorthtoSouthintwolongtumbledridges.Thewesternsideofeachridgewassteepanddifficult,buttheeastwardslopesweregentler,furrowed

withmanygulliesandnarrowravines.Allnightthethreecompanionsscrambledinthisbonyland,climbingtothecrestofthefirstandtallestridge,anddownagainintothedarknessofadeepwindingvalleyontheotherside.

Thereinthestillcoolhourbeforedawntheyrestedforabriefspace.Themoonhadlonggonedownbeforethem,

thestarsglitteredabovethem;thefirstlightofdayhadnotyetcomeoverthedarkhillsbehind.ForthemomentAragornwasataloss:theorc-trailhaddescendedintothevalley,butthereithadvanished.

‘Whichwaywouldtheyturn,doyouthink?’saidLegolas.‘NorthwardtotakeastraighterroadtoIsengard,orFangorn,ifthatistheiraimas

youguess?OrsouthwardtostriketheEntwash?’

‘Theywillnotmakefortheriver,whatevermarktheyaimat,’saidAragorn.‘AndunlessthereismuchamissinRohanandthepowerofSarumanisgreatlyincreased,theywilltaketheshortestwaythattheycanfindoverthefieldsoftheRohirrim.Letussearchnorthwards!’

Thedaleranlikeastonytroughbetweentheridgedhills,andatricklingstreamflowedamongthebouldersatthebottom.Aclifffrownedupontheirright;totheirleftrosegreyslopes,dimandshadowyinthelatenight.Theywentonforamileormorenorthwards.Aragornwassearching,benttowardstheground,amongthefoldsandgulliesleadingupintothe

westernridge.Legolaswassomewayahead.SuddenlytheElfgaveacryandtheotherscamerunningtowardshim.

‘Wehavealreadyovertakensomeofthosethatwearehunting,’hesaid.‘Look!’Hepointed,andtheysawthatwhattheyhadatfirsttakentobeboulderslyingatthefootoftheslopewerehuddledbodies.Fivedead

Orcslaythere.Theyhadbeenhewnwithmanycruelstrokes,andtwohadbeenbeheaded.Thegroundwaswetwiththeirdarkblood.

‘Hereisanotherriddle!’saidGimli.‘Butitneedsthelightofday,andforthatwecannotwait.’

‘Yethoweveryoureadit,itseemsnotunhopeful,’saidLegolas.‘EnemiesoftheOrcsarelikelytobeour

friends.Doanyfolkdwellinthesehills?’

‘No,’saidAragorn.‘TheRohirrimseldomcomehere,anditisfarfromMinasTirith.ItmightbethatsomecompanyofMenwerehuntinghereforreasonsthatwedonotknow.YetIthinknot.’

‘Whatdoyouthink?’saidGimli.

‘Ithinkthattheenemy

broughthisownenemywithhim,’answeredAragorn.‘TheseareNorthernOrcsfromfaraway.AmongtheslainarenoneofthegreatOrcswiththestrangebadges.Therewasaquarrel,Iguess:itisnouncommonthingwiththesefoulfolk.Maybetherewassomedisputeabouttheroad.’

‘Oraboutthecaptives,’saidGimli.‘Letushopethat

they,too,didnotmeettheirendhere.’

Aragornsearchedthegroundinawidecircle,butnoothertracesofthefightcouldbefound.Theywenton.Alreadytheeastwardskywasturningpale;thestarswerefading,andagreylightwasslowlygrowing.Alittlefurthernorththeycametoa

foldinwhichatinystream,fallingandwinding,hadcutastonypathdownintothevalley.Initsomebushesgrew,andtherewerepatchesofgrassuponitssides.

‘Atlast!’saidAragorn.‘Herearethetracksthatweseek!Upthiswater-channel:thisisthewaythattheOrcswentaftertheirdebate.’

Swiftlynowthepursuersturnedandfollowedthenew

path.Asiffreshfromanight’sresttheysprangfromstonetostone.Atlasttheyreachedthecrestofthegreyhill,andasuddenbreezeblewintheirhairandstirredtheircloaks:thechillwindofdawn.

TurningbacktheysawacrosstheRiverthefarhillskindled.Dayleapedintothesky.Theredrimofthesunroseovertheshouldersofthe

darkland.BeforethemintheWesttheworldlaystill,formlessandgrey;butevenastheylooked,theshadowsofnightmelted,thecoloursofthewakingearthreturned:greenflowedoverthewidemeadsofRohan;thewhitemistsshimmeredinthewater-vales;andfarofftotheleft,thirtyleaguesormore,blueandpurplestoodtheWhiteMountains,risinginto

peaksofjet,tippedwithglimmeringsnows,flushedwiththeroseofmorning.

‘Gondor!Gondor!’criedAragorn.‘WouldthatIlookedonyouagaininhappierhour!Notyetdoesmyroadliesouthwardtoyourbrightstreams.

Gondor!Gondor,betweentheMountainsandtheSea!

WestWindblewthere;thelightupontheSilverTree

FelllikebrightrainingardensoftheKingsofold.

Oproudwalls!Whitetowers!Owingédcrownandthroneofgold!

OGondor,Gondor!ShallMenbeholdtheSilverTree

OrWestWindblowagainbetweentheMountainsandtheSea?

Nowletusgo!’hesaid,drawinghiseyesawayfromtheSouth,andlookingoutwestandnorthtothewaythathemusttread.

Theridgeuponwhichthecompanionsstoodwentdown

steeplybeforetheirfeet.Belowittwentyfathomsormore,therewasawideandruggedshelfwhichendedsuddenlyinthebrinkofasheercliff:theEastWallofRohan.SoendedtheEmynMuil,andthegreenplainsoftheRohirrimstretchedawaybeforethemtotheedgeofsight.

‘Look!’criedLegolas,pointingupintothepalesky

abovethem.‘Thereistheeagleagain!Heisveryhigh.Heseemstobeflyingnowaway,fromthislandbacktotheNorth.Heisgoingwithgreatspeed.Look!’

‘No,notevenmyeyescanseehim,mygoodLegolas,’saidAragorn.‘Hemustbefaraloftindeed.Iwonderwhatishiserrand,ifheisthesamebirdthatIhaveseenbefore.Butlook!Icanseesomething

nearerathandandmoreurgent;thereissomethingmovingovertheplain!’

‘Manythings,’saidLegolas.‘Itisagreatcompanyonfoot;butIcannotsaymore,norseewhatkindoffolktheymaybe.Theyaremanyleaguesaway:twelve,Iguess;buttheflatnessoftheplainishardtomeasure.’

‘Ithink,nonetheless,thatwenolongerneedanytrailto

telluswhichwaytogo,’saidGimli.‘Letusfindapathdowntothefieldsasquickasmaybe.’

‘IdoubtifyouwillfindapathquickerthantheonethattheOrcschose,’saidAragorn.

Theyfollowedtheirenemiesnowbytheclearlightofday.ItseemedthattheOrcshadpressedonwithallpossiblespeed.Everynow

andagainthepursuersfoundthingsthathadbeendroppedorcastaway:food-bags,therindsandcrustsofhardgreybread,atornblackcloak,aheavyiron-nailedshoebrokenonthestones.Thetrailledthemnorthalongthetopoftheescarpment,andatlengththeycametoadeepcleftcarvedintherockbyastreamthatsplashednoisilydown.Inthenarrowravinea

roughpathdescendedlikeasteepstairintotheplain.

AtthebottomtheycamewithastrangesuddennessonthegrassofRohan.ItswelledlikeagreenseauptotheveryfootoftheEmynMuil.Thefallingstreamvanishedintoadeepgrowthofcressesandwater-plants,andtheycouldhearittinklingawayingreentunnels,downlonggentleslopestowardsthefensof

EntwashValefaraway.Theyseemedtohaveleftwinterclingingtothehillsbehind.Heretheairwassofterandwarmer,andfaintlyscented,asifspringwasalreadystirringandthesapwasflowingagaininherbandleaf.Legolastookadeepbreath,likeonethatdrinksagreatdraughtafterlongthirstinbarrenplaces.

‘Ah!thegreensmell!’he

said.‘Itisbetterthanmuchsleep.Letusrun!’

‘Lightfeetmayrunswiftlyhere,’saidAragorn.‘Moreswiftly,maybe,thaniron-shodOrcs.Nowwehaveachancetolessentheirlead!’

Theywentinsinglefile,runninglikehoundsonastrongscent,andaneagerlightwasintheireyes.Nearly

duewestthebroadswathofthemarchingOrcstrampeditsuglyslot;thesweetgrassofRohanhadbeenbruisedandblackenedastheypassed.PresentlyAragorngaveacryandturnedaside.

‘Stay!’heshouted.‘Donotfollowmeyet!’Heranquicklytotheright,awayfromthemaintrail;forhehadseenfootprintsthatwentthatway,branchingofffrom

theothers,themarksofsmallunshodfeet.These,however,didnotgofarbeforetheywerecrossedbyorc-prints,alsocomingoutfromthemaintrailbehindandinfront,andthentheycurvedsharplybackagainandwerelostinthetrampling.AtthefurthestpointAragornstoopedandpickedupsomethingfromthegrass;thenheranback.

‘Yes,’hesaid,‘theyare

quiteplain:ahobbit’sfootprints.Pippin’s,Ithink.Heissmallerthantheothers.Andlookatthis!’Heheldupathingthatglitteredinthesunlight.Itlookedlikethenew-openedleafofabeech-tree,fairandstrangeinthattreelessplain.

‘Thebroochofanelven-cloak!’criedLegolasandGimlitogether.

‘Notidlydotheleavesof

Lórienfall,’saidAragorn.‘Thisdidnotdropbychance:itwascastawayasatokentoanythatmightfollow.IthinkPippinranawayfromthetrailforthatpurpose.’

‘Thenheatleastwasalive,’saidGimli.‘Andhehadtheuseofhiswits,andofhislegstoo.Thatisheartening.Wedonotpursueinvain.’

‘Letushopethathedid

notpaytoodearlyforhisboldness,’saidLegolas.‘Come!Letusgoon!Thethoughtofthosemerryyoungfolkdrivenlikecattleburnsmyheart.’

Thesunclimbedtothenoonandthenrodeslowlydownthesky.LightcloudscameupoutoftheseainthedistantSouthandwereblown

awayuponthebreeze.Thesunsank.ShadowsrosebehindandreachedoutlongarmsfromtheEast.Stillthehuntersheldon.OnedaynowhadpassedsinceBoromirfell,andtheOrcswereyetfarahead.Nolongercouldanysightofthembeseeninthelevelplains.

AsnightshadewasclosingaboutthemAragornhalted.Onlytwiceintheday’smarch

hadtheyrestedforabriefwhile,andtwelveleaguesnowlaybetweenthemandtheeasternwallwheretheyhadstoodatdawn.

‘Wehavecomeatlasttoahardchoice,’hesaid.‘Shallwerestbynight,orshallwegoonwhileourwillandstrengthhold?’

‘Unlessourenemiesrestalso,theywillleaveusfarbehind,ifwestaytosleep,’

saidLegolas.‘SurelyevenOrcsmust

pauseonthemarch?’saidGimli.

‘SeldomwillOrcsjourneyintheopenunderthesun,yetthesehavedoneso,’saidLegolas.‘Certainlytheywillnotrestbynight.’

‘Butifwewalkbynight,wecannotfollowtheirtrail,’saidGimli.

‘Thetrailisstraight,and

turnsneitherrightnorleft,asfarasmyeyescansee,’saidLegolas.

‘Maybe,Icouldleadyouatguessinthedarknessandholdtotheline,’saidAragorn;‘butifwestrayed,ortheyturnedaside,thenwhenlightcametheremightbelongdelaybeforethetrailwasfoundagain.’

‘Andthereisthisalso,’saidGimli:‘onlybydaycan

weseeifanytracksleadaway.Ifaprisonershouldescape,orifoneshouldbecarriedoff,eastward,say,totheGreatRiver,towardsMordor,wemightpassthesignsandneverknowit.’

‘Thatistrue,’saidAragorn.‘ButifIreadthesignsbackyonderrightly,theOrcsoftheWhiteHandprevailed,andthewholecompanyisnowboundfor

Isengard.Theirpresentcoursebearsmeout.’

‘Yetitwouldberashtobesureoftheircounsels,’saidGimli.‘Andwhatofescape?Inthedarkweshouldhavepassedthesignsthatledyoutothebrooch.’

‘TheOrcswillbedoublyontheirguardsincethen,andtheprisonersevenwearier,’saidLegolas.‘Therewillbenoescapeagain,ifwedonot

contriveit.Howthatistobedonecannotbeguessed,butfirstwemustovertakethem.’

‘AndyetevenI,Dwarfofmanyjourneys,andnottheleasthardyofmyfolk,cannotrunallthewaytoIsengardwithoutanypause,’saidGimli.‘Myheartburnsmetoo,andIwouldhavestartedsooner;butnowImustrestalittletorunthebetter.Andifwerest,thentheblindnightis

thetimetodoso.’‘Isaidthatitwasahard

choice,’saidAragorn.‘Howshallweendthisdebate?’

‘Youareourguide,’saidGimli,‘andyouareskilledinthechase.Youshallchoose.’

‘Myheartbidsmegoon,’saidLegolas.‘Butwemustholdtogether.Iwillfollowyourcounsel.’

‘Yougivethechoicetoanillchooser,’saidAragorn.

‘SincewepassedthroughtheArgonathmychoiceshavegoneamiss.’Hefellsilent,gazingnorthandwestintothegatheringnightforalongwhile.

‘Wewillnotwalkinthedark,’hesaidatlength.‘Theperilofmissingthetrailorsignsofothercomingandgoingseemstomethegreater.IftheMoongaveenoughlight,wewoulduseit,

butalas!hesetsearlyandisyetyoungandpale.’

‘Andtonightheisshroudedanyway,’Gimlimurmured.‘WouldthattheLadyhadgivenusalight,suchagiftasshegavetoFrodo!’

‘Itwillbemoreneededwhereitisbestowed,’saidAragorn.‘WithhimliesthetrueQuest.Oursisbutasmallmatterinthegreat

deedsofthistime.Avainpursuitfromitsbeginning,maybe,whichnochoiceofminecanmarormend.Well,Ihavechosen.Soletususethetimeasbestwemay!’

Hecasthimselfonthegroundandfellatonceintosleep,forhehadnotsleptsincetheirnightundertheshadowofTolBrandir.

Beforedawnwasintheskyhewokeandrose.Gimliwasstilldeepinslumber,butLegolaswasstanding,gazingnorthwardsintothedarkness,thoughtfulandsilentasayoungtreeinawindlessnight.

‘Theyarefarfaraway,’hesaidsadly,turningtoAragorn.‘Iknowinmyheartthattheyhavenotrestedthisnight.Onlyaneaglecould

overtakethemnow.’‘Nonethelesswewillstill

followaswemay,’saidAragorn.StoopingherousedtheDwarf.‘Come!Wemustgo,’hesaid.‘Thescentisgrowingcold.’

‘Butitisstilldark,’saidGimli.‘EvenLegolasonahill-topcouldnotseethemtilltheSunisup.’

‘Ifeartheyhavepassedbeyondmysightfromhillor

plain,undermoonorsun,’saidLegolas.

‘Wheresightfailstheearthmaybringusrumour,’saidAragorn.‘Thelandmustgroanundertheirhatedfeet.’Hestretchedhimselfuponthegroundwithhisearpressedagainsttheturf.Helaytheremotionless,forsolongatimethatGimliwonderedifhehadswoonedorfallenasleepagain.Dawncame

glimmering,andslowlyagreylightgrewaboutthem.Atlastherose,andnowhisfriendscouldseehisface:itwaspaleanddrawn,andhislookwastroubled.

‘Therumouroftheearthisdimandconfused,’hesaid.‘Nothingwalksuponitformanymilesaboutus.Faintandfararethefeetofourenemies.Butloudarethehoofsofthehorses.Itcomes

tomymindthatIheardthem,evenasIlayonthegroundinsleep,andtheytroubledmydreams:horsesgalloping,passingintheWest.Butnowtheyaredrawingeverfurtherfromus,ridingnorthward.Iwonderwhatishappeninginthisland!’

‘Letusgo!’saidLegolas.

Sothethirddayoftheir

pursuitbegan.Duringallitslonghoursofcloudandfitfulsuntheyhardlypaused,nowstriding,nowrunning,asifnowearinesscouldquenchthefirethatburnedthem.Theyseldomspoke.Overthewidesolitudetheypassedandtheirelven-cloaksfadedagainstthebackgroundofthegrey-greenfields;eveninthecoolsunlightofmid-dayfewbutElvisheyeswouldhave

markedthem,untiltheywerecloseathand.OftenintheirheartstheythankedtheLadyofLórienforthegiftoflembas,fortheycouldeatofitandfindnewstrengthevenastheyran.

Alldaythetrackoftheirenemiesledstraighton,goingnorth-westwithoutabreakorturn.Asonceagainthedayworetoitsendtheycametolongtreelessslopes,where

thelandrose,swellinguptowardsalineoflowhumpbackeddownsahead.Theorc-trailgrewfainterasitbentnorthtowardsthem,forthegroundbecameharderandthegrassshorter.FarawaytothelefttheriverEntwashwound,asilverthreadinagreenfloor.Nomovingthingcouldbeseen.OftenAragornwonderedthattheysawnosignofbeastor

man.ThedwellingsoftheRohirrimwereforthemostpartmanyleaguesawaytotheSouth,underthewoodedeavesoftheWhiteMountains,nowhiddeninmistandcloud;yettheHorse-lordshadformerlykeptmanyherdsandstudsintheEastemnet,thiseasterlyregionoftheirrealm,andtheretheherdsmenhadwanderedmuch,livingin

campandtent,eveninwinter-time.Butnowallthelandwasempty,andtherewasasilencethatdidnotseemtobethequietofpeace.

Atdusktheyhaltedagain.NowtwicetwelveleaguestheyhadpassedovertheplainsofRohanandthewalloftheEmynMuilwaslostintheshadowsoftheEast.The

youngmoonwasglimmeringinamistysky,butitgavesmalllight,andthestarswereveiled.

‘NowdoImostgrudgeatimeofrestoranyhaltinourchase,’saidLegolas.‘TheOrcshaverunbeforeus,asiftheverywhipsofSauronwerebehindthem.Ifeartheyhavealreadyreachedtheforestandthedarkhills,andevennowarepassingintothe

shadowsofthetrees.’Gimligroundhisteeth.

‘Thisisabitterendtoourhopeandtoallourtoil!’hesaid.

‘Tohope,maybe,butnottotoil,’saidAragorn.‘Weshallnotturnbackhere.YetIamweary.’HegazedbackalongthewaythattheyhadcometowardsthenightgatheringintheEast.‘Thereissomethingstrangeatwork

inthisland.Idistrustthesilence.IdistrusteventhepaleMoon.Thestarsarefaint;andIamwearyasIhaveseldombeenbefore,wearyasnoRangershouldbewithacleartrailtofollow.Thereissomewillthatlendsspeedtoourfoesandsetsanunseenbarrierbeforeus:awearinessthatisintheheartmorethaninthelimb.’

‘Truly!’saidLegolas.

‘ThatIhaveknownsincefirstwecamedownfromtheEmynMuil.Forthewillisnotbehindusbutbeforeus.’HepointedawayoverthelandofRohanintothedarklingWestunderthesicklemoon.

‘Saruman!’mutteredAragorn.‘Butheshallnotturnusback!Haltwemustoncemore;for,see!eventheMoonisfallingintogathering

cloud.Butnorthliesourroadbetweendownandfenwhendayreturns.’

AsbeforeLegolaswasfirstafoot,ifindeedhehadeverslept.‘Awake!Awake!’hecried.‘Itisareddawn.Strangethingsawaitusbytheeavesoftheforest.Goodorevil,Idonotknow;butwearecalled.Awake!’

Theotherssprangup,andalmostatoncetheysetoffagain.Slowlythedownsdrewnear.Itwasstillanhourbeforenoonwhentheyreachedthem:greenslopesrisingtobareridgesthatraninalinestraighttowardstheNorth.Attheirfeetthegroundwasdryandtheturfshort,butalongstripofsunkenland,sometenmileswide,laybetweenthemand

theriverwanderingdeepindimthicketsofreedandrush.JusttotheWestofthesouthernmostslopetherewasagreatring,wheretheturfhadbeentornandbeatenbymanytramplingfeet.Fromittheorc-trailranoutagain,turningnorthalongthedryskirtsofthehills.Aragornhaltedandexaminedthetracksclosely.

‘Theyrestedhereawhile,’

hesaid,‘buteventheoutwardtrailisalreadyold.Ifearthatyourheartspoketruly,Legolas:itisthricetwelvehours,Iguess,sincetheOrcsstoodwherewenowstand.Iftheyheldtotheirpace,thenatsundownyesterdaytheywouldreachthebordersofFangorn.’

‘Icanseenothingawaynorthorwestbutgrassdwindlingintomist,’said

Gimli.‘Couldweseetheforest,ifweclimbedthehills?’

‘Itisstillfaraway,’saidAragorn.‘IfIrememberrightly,thesedownsruneightleaguesormoretothenorth,andthennorth-westtotheissuingoftheEntwashthereliesstillawideland,anotherfifteenleaguesitmaybe.’

‘Well,letusgoon,’saidGimli.‘Mylegsmustforget

themiles.Theywouldbemorewilling,ifmyheartwerelessheavy.’

Thesunwassinkingwhenatlasttheydrewneartotheendofthelineofdowns.Formanyhourstheyhadmarchedwithoutrest.Theyweregoingslowlynow,andGimli’sbackwasbent.Stone-hardaretheDwarvesin

labourorjourney,butthisendlesschasebegantotellonhim,asallhopefailedinhisheart.Aragornwalkedbehindhim,grimandsilent,stoopingnowandagaintoscansomeprintormarkupontheground.OnlyLegolasstillsteppedaslightlyasever,hisfeethardlyseemingtopressthegrass,leavingnofootprintsashepassed;butinthewaybreadoftheElveshe

foundallthesustenancethatheneeded,andhecouldsleep,ifsleepitcouldbecalledbyMen,restinghismindinthestrangepathsofElvishdreams,evenashewalkedopen-eyedinthelightofthisworld.

‘Letusgoupontothisgreenhill!’hesaid.Wearilytheyfollowedhim,climbingthelongslope,untiltheycameoutuponthetop.Itwas

aroundhillsmoothandbare,standingbyitself,themostnortherlyofthedowns.Thesunsankandtheshadowsofeveningfelllikeacurtain.Theywerealoneinagreyformlessworldwithoutmarkormeasure.Onlyfarawaynorth-westtherewasadeeperdarknessagainstthedyinglight:theMountainsofMistandtheforestattheirfeet.

‘Nothingcanweseeto

guideushere,’saidGimli.‘Well,nowwemusthaltagainandwearthenightaway.Itisgrowingcold!’

‘Thewindisnorthfromthesnows,’saidAragorn.

‘AnderemorningitwillbeintheEast,’saidLegolas.‘Butrest,ifyoumust.Yetdonotcastallhopeaway.Tomorrowisunknown.RedeoftisfoundattherisingoftheSun.’

‘Threesunsalreadyhaverisenonourchaseandbroughtnocounsel,’saidGimli.

Thenightgrewevercolder.AragornandGimlisleptfitfully,andwhenevertheyawoketheysawLegolasstandingbesidethem,orwalkingtoandfro,singingsoftlytohimselfinhisown

tongue,andashesangthewhitestarsopenedinthehardblackvaultabove.Sothenightpassed.Togethertheywatchedthedawngrowslowlyinthesky,nowbareandcloudless,untilatlastthesunrisecame.Itwaspaleandclear.ThewindwasintheEastandallthemistshadrolledaway;widelandslaybleakabouttheminthebitterlight.

AheadandeastwardtheysawthewindyuplandsoftheWoldofRohanthattheyhadalreadyglimpsedmanydaysagofromtheGreatRiver.North-westwardstalkedthedarkforestofFangorn;stilltenleaguesawaystooditsshadowyeaves,anditsfurtherslopesfadedintothedistantblue.Beyondthereglimmeredfaraway,asiffloatingonagreycloud,the

whiteheadoftallMethedras,thelastpeakoftheMistyMountains.OutoftheforesttheEntwashflowedtomeetthem,itsstreamnowswiftandnarrow,anditsbanksdeep-cloven.Theorc-trailturnedfromthedownstowardsit.

Followingwithhiskeeneyesthetrailtotheriver,andthentheriverbacktowardstheforest,Aragornsawa

shadowonthedistantgreen,adarkswift-movingblur.Hecasthimselfuponthegroundandlistenedagainintently.ButLegolasstoodbesidehim,shadinghisbrightelven-eyeswithhislongslenderhand,andhesawnotashadow,norablur,butthesmallfiguresofhorsemen,manyhorsemen,andtheglintofmorningonthetipsoftheirspearswaslikethetwinkleof

minutestarsbeyondtheedgeofmortalsight.Farbehindthemadarksmokeroseinthincurlingthreads.

Therewasasilenceintheemptyfields,andGimlicouldheartheairmovinginthegrass.

‘Riders!’criedAragorn,springingtohisfeet.‘Manyridersonswiftsteedsarecomingtowardsus!’

‘Yes,’saidLegolas,‘there

areonehundredandfive.Yellowistheirhair,andbrightaretheirspears.Theirleaderisverytall.’

Aragornsmiled.‘KeenaretheeyesoftheElves,’hesaid.

‘Nay!Theridersarelittlemorethanfiveleaguesdistant,’saidLegolas.

‘Fiveleaguesorone,’saidGimli,‘wecannotescapetheminthisbareland.Shall

wewaitforthemhereorgoonourway?’

‘Wewillwait,’saidAragorn.‘Iamweary,andourhunthasfailed.Oratleastotherswerebeforeus;forthesehorse-menareridingbackdowntheorc-trail.Wemaygetnewsfromthem.’

‘Orspears,’saidGimli.‘Therearethreeempty

saddles,butIseenohobbits,’saidLegolas.

‘Ididnotsaythatweshouldheargoodnews,’saidAragorn.‘Butevilorgoodwewillawaitithere.’

Thethreecompanionsnowleftthehill-top,wheretheymightbeaneasymarkagainstthepalesky,andtheywalkedslowlydownthenorthwardslope.Alittleabovethehill’sfoottheyhalted,andwrappingtheircloaksaboutthem,theysat

huddledtogetheruponthefadedgrass.Thetimepassedslowlyandheavily.Thewindwasthinandsearching.Gimliwasuneasy.

‘Whatdoyouknowofthesehorsemen,Aragorn?’hesaid.‘Dowesitherewaitingforsuddendeath?’

‘Ihavebeenamongthem,’answeredAragorn.‘Theyareproudandwilful,buttheyaretrue-hearted,generousin

thoughtanddeed;boldbutnotcruel;wisebutunlearned,writingnobooksbutsingingmanysongs,afterthemannerofthechildrenofMenbeforetheDarkYears.ButIdonotknowwhathashappenedhereoflate,norinwhatmindtheRohirrimmaynowbebetweenthetraitorSarumanandthethreatofSauron.Theyhavelongbeenthefriendsofthepeopleof

Gondor,thoughtheyarenotakintothem.ItwasinforgottenyearslongagothatEorltheYoungbroughtthemoutoftheNorth,andtheirkinshipisratherwiththeBardingsofDale,andwiththeBeorningsoftheWood,amongwhommaystillbeseenmanymentallandfair,asaretheRidersofRohan.AtleasttheywillnotlovetheOrcs.’

‘ButGandalfspokeofarumourthattheypaytributetoMordor,’saidGimli.

‘IbelieveitnomorethandidBoromir,’answeredAragorn.‘Youwillsoonlearnthetruth,’saidLegolas.‘Alreadytheyapproach.’

AtlengthevenGimlicouldhearthedistantbeatofgallopinghoofs.The

horsemen,followingthetrail,hadturnedfromtheriver,andweredrawingnearthedowns.Theywereridinglikethewind.

Nowthecriesofclearstrongvoicescameringingoverthefields.Suddenlytheysweptupwithanoiselikethunder,andtheforemosthorsemanswerved,passingbythefootofthehill,andleadingthehostback

southwardalongthewesternskirtsofthedowns.Afterhimtheyrode:alonglineofmail-cladmen,swift,shining,fellandfairtolookupon.

Theirhorseswereofgreatstature,strongandclean-limbed;theirgreycoatsglistened,theirlongtailsflowedinthewind,theirmaneswerebraidedontheirproudnecks.TheMenthatrodethemmatchedthem

well:tallandlong-limbed;theirhair,flaxen-pale,flowedundertheirlighthelms,andstreamedinlongbraidsbehindthem;theirfacesweresternandkeen.Intheirhandsweretallspearsofash,paintedshieldswereslungattheirbacks,longswordswereattheirbelts,theirburnishedshirtsofmailhungdownupontheirknees.

Inpairstheygallopedby,

andthougheverynowandthenoneroseinhisstirrupsandgazedaheadandtoeitherside,theyappearednottoperceivethethreestrangerssittingsilentlyandwatchingthem.ThehosthadalmostpassedwhensuddenlyAragornstoodup,andcalledinaloudvoice:

‘WhatnewsfromtheNorth,RidersofRohan?’

Withastonishingspeedandskilltheycheckedtheirsteeds,wheeled,andcamecharginground.Soonthethreecompanionsfoundthemselvesinaringofhorsemenmovinginarunningcircle,upthehill-slopebehindthemanddown,roundandroundthem,anddrawingeverinwards.Aragornstoodsilent,andtheothertwosatwithoutmoving,

wonderingwhatwaythingswouldturn.

Withoutawordorcry,suddenly,theRidershalted.Athicketofspearswerepointedtowardsthestrangers;andsomeofthehorsemenhadbowsinhand,andtheirarrowswerealreadyfittedtothestring.Thenonerodeforward,atallman,tallerthanalltherest;fromhishelmasacrestawhite

horsetailflowed.HeadvanceduntilthepointofhisspearwaswithinafootofAragorn’sbreast.Aragorndidnotstir.

‘Whoareyou,andwhatareyoudoinginthisland?’saidtheRider,usingtheCommonSpeechoftheWest,inmannerandtoneliketothespeechofBoromir,ManofGondor.

‘IamcalledStrider,’

answeredAragorn.‘IcameoutoftheNorth.IamhuntingOrcs.’

TheRiderleapedfromhishorse.Givinghisspeartoanotherwhorodeupanddismountedathisside,hedrewhisswordandstoodfacetofacewithAragorn,surveyinghimkeenly,andnotwithoutwonder.Atlengthhespokeagain.

‘AtfirstIthoughtthatyou

yourselveswereOrcs,’hesaid;‘butnowIseethatitisnotso.IndeedyouknowlittleofOrcs,ifyougohuntingtheminthisfashion.Theywereswiftandwell-armed,andtheyweremany.Youwouldhavechangedfromhunterstoprey,ifeveryouhadovertakenthem.Butthereissomethingstrangeaboutyou,Strider.’Hebenthisclearbrighteyesagainupon

theRanger.‘ThatisnonameforaManthatyougive.Andstrangetooisyourraiment.Haveyousprungoutofthegrass?Howdidyouescapeoursight?AreyouElvishfolk?’

‘No,’saidAragorn.‘OneonlyofusisanElf,LegolasfromtheWoodlandRealmindistantMirkwood.ButwehavepassedthroughLothlórien,andthegiftsand

favouroftheLadygowithus.’

TheRiderlookedatthemwithrenewedwonder,buthiseyeshardened.‘ThenthereisaLadyintheGoldenWood,asoldtalestell!’hesaid.‘Fewescapehernets,theysay.Thesearestrangedays!Butifyouhaveherfavour,thenyoualsoarenet-weaversandsorcerers,maybe.’Heturnedacoldglancesuddenly

uponLegolasandGimli.‘Whydoyounotspeak,silentones?’hedemanded.

Gimliroseandplantedhisfeetfirmlyapart:hishandgrippedthehandleofhisaxe,andhisdarkeyesflashed.‘Givemeyourname,horse-master,andIwillgiveyoumine,andmorebesides,’hesaid.

‘Asforthat,’saidtheRider,staringdownatthe

Dwarf,‘thestrangershoulddeclarehimselffirst.YetIamnamedÉomersonofÉomund,andamcalledtheThirdMarshalofRiddermark.’

‘ThenÉomersonofÉomund,ThirdMarshalofRiddermark,letGimlitheDwarfGlóin’ssonwarnyouagainstfoolishwords.Youspeakevilofthatwhichisfairbeyondthereachofyour

thought,andonlylittlewitcanexcuseyou.’

Éomer’seyesblazed,andtheMenofRohanmurmuredangrily,andclosedin,advancingtheirspears.‘Iwouldcutoffyourhead,beardandall,MasterDwarf,ifitstoodbutalittlehigherfromtheground,’saidÉomer.

‘Hestandsnotalone,’saidLegolas,bendinghisbowand

fittinganarrowwithhandsthatmovedquickerthansight.‘Youwoulddiebeforeyourstrokefell.’

Éomerraisedhissword,andthingsmighthavegoneill,butAragornsprangbetweenthem,andraisedhishand.‘Yourpardon,Éomer!’hecried.‘Whenyouknowmoreyouwillunderstandwhyyouhaveangeredmycompanions.Weintendno

eviltoRohan,nortoanyofitsfolk,neithertomannortohorse.Willyounothearourtalebeforeyoustrike?’

‘Iwill,’saidÉomerloweringhisblade.‘ButwanderersintheRiddermarkwouldbewisetobelesshaughtyinthesedaysofdoubt.Firsttellmeyourrightname.’

‘Firsttellmewhomyouserve,’saidAragorn.‘Are

youfriendorfoeofSauron,theDarkLordofMordor?’

‘IserveonlytheLordoftheMark,ThéodenKingsonofThengel,’answeredÉomer.‘WedonotservethePoweroftheBlackLandfaraway,butneitherareweyetatopenwarwithhim;andifyouarefleeingfromhim,thenyouhadbestleavethisland.Thereistroublenowonallourborders,andweare

threatened;butwedesireonlytobefree,andtoliveaswehavelived,keepingourown,andservingnoforeignlord,goodorevil.Wewelcomedguestskindlyinthebetterdays,butinthesetimestheunbiddenstrangerfindsusswiftandhard.Come!Whoareyou?Whomdoyouserve?AtwhosecommanddoyouhuntOrcsinourland?’

‘Iservenoman,’said

Aragorn;‘buttheservantsofSauronIpursueintowhateverlandtheymaygo.TherearefewamongmortalMenwhoknowmoreofOrcs;andIdonothunttheminthisfashionoutofchoice.TheOrcswhomwepursuedtookcaptivetwoofmyfriends.Insuchneedamanthathasnohorsewillgoonfoot,andhewillnotaskforleavetofollowthetrail.Norwillhe

counttheheadsoftheenemysavewithasword.Iamnotweaponless.’

Aragornthrewbackhiscloak.Theelven-sheathglitteredashegraspedit,andthebrightbladeofAndúrilshonelikeasuddenflameashesweptitout.‘Elendil!’hecried.‘IamAragornsonofArathorn,andamcalledElessar,theElfstone,Dúnadan,theheirofIsildur

Elendil’ssonofGondor.HereistheSwordthatwasBrokenandisforgedagain!Willyouaidmeorthwartme?Chooseswiftly!’

GimliandLegolaslookedattheircompanioninamazement,fortheyhadnotseenhiminthismoodbefore.HeseemedtohavegrowninstaturewhileÉomerhadshrunk;andinhislivingfacetheycaughtabriefvisionof

thepowerandmajestyofthekingsofstone.ForamomentitseemedtotheeyesofLegolasthatawhiteflameflickeredonthebrowsofAragornlikeashiningcrown.

Éomersteppedbackandalookofawewasinhisface.Hecastdownhisproudeyes.‘Theseareindeedstrangedays,’hemuttered.‘Dreamsandlegendsspringtolifeoutofthegrass.

‘Tellme,lord,’hesaid,‘whatbringsyouhere?Andwhatwasthemeaningofthedarkwords?LonghasBoromirsonofDenethorbeengoneseekingananswer,andthehorsethatwelenthimcamebackriderless.WhatdoomdoyoubringoutoftheNorth?’

‘Thedoomofchoice,’saidAragorn.‘YoumaysaythistoThéodensonof

Thengel:openwarliesbeforehim,withSauronoragainsthim.Nonemaylivenowastheyhavelived,andfewshallkeepwhattheycalltheirown.Butofthesegreatmatterswewillspeaklater.Ifchanceallows,Iwillcomemyselftotheking.NowIamingreatneed,andIaskforhelp,oratleastfortidings.Youheardthatwearepursuinganorc-hostthatcarriedoffour

friends.Whatcanyoutellus?’

‘Thatyouneednotpursuethemfurther,’saidÉomer.‘TheOrcsaredestroyed.’

‘Andourfriends?’‘WefoundnonebutOrcs.’‘Butthatisstrange

indeed,’saidAragorn.‘Didyousearchtheslain?Weretherenobodiesotherthanthoseoforc-kind?

Theywouldbesmall,only

childrentoyoureyes,unshodbutcladingrey.’

‘Therewerenodwarvesnorchildren,’saidÉomer.‘Wecountedalltheslainanddespoiledthem,andthenwepiledthecarcasesandburnedthem,asisourcustom.Theashesaresmokingstill.’

‘Wedonotspeakofdwarvesorchildren,’saidGimli.‘Ourfriendswerehobbits.’

‘Hobbits?’saidÉomer.‘Andwhatmaytheybe?Itisastrangename.’

‘Astrangenameforastrangefolk,’saidGimli.‘Butthesewereverydeartous.ItseemsthatyouhaveheardinRohanofthewordsthattroubledMinasTirith.TheyspokeoftheHalfling.ThesehobbitsareHalflings.’

‘Halflings!’laughedtheRiderthatstoodbeside

Éomer.‘Halflings!Buttheyareonlyalittlepeopleinoldsongsandchildren’stalesoutoftheNorth.Dowewalkinlegendsoronthegreenearthinthedaylight?’

‘Amanmaydoboth,’saidAragorn.‘Fornotwebutthosewhocomeafterwillmakethelegendsofourtime.Thegreenearth,sayyou?Thatisamightymatteroflegend,thoughyoutreadit

underthelightofday!’‘Timeispressing,’said

theRider,notheedingAragorn.‘Wemusthastensouth,lord.Letusleavethesewildfolktotheirfancies.Orletusbindthemandtakethemtotheking.’

‘Peace,Éothain!’saidÉomerinhisowntongue.‘Leavemeawhile.Telltheéoredtoassembleonthepath,andmakereadytoride

totheEntwade.’

MutteringÉothainretired,andspoketotheothers.SoontheydrewoffandleftÉomeralonewiththethreecompanions.

‘Allthatyousayisstrange,Aragorn,’hesaid.‘Yetyouspeakthetruth,thatisplain:theMenoftheMarkdonotlie,andthereforethey

arenoteasilydeceived.Butyouhavenottoldall.Willyounotnowspeakmorefullyofyourerrand,sothatImayjudgewhattodo?’

‘IsetoutfromImladris,asitisnamedintherhyme,manyweeksago,’answeredAragorn.‘WithmewentBoromirofMinasTirith.MyerrandwastogotothatcitywiththesonofDenethor,toaidhisfolkintheirwar

againstSauron.ButtheCompanythatIjourneyedwithhadotherbusiness.OfthatIcannotspeaknow.GandalftheGreywasourleader.’

‘Gandalf!’Éomerexclaimed.‘GandalfGreyhameisknownintheMark;buthisname,Iwarnyou,isnolongerapasswordtotheking’sfavour.Hehasbeenaguestinthelandmany

timesinthememoryofmen,comingashewill,afteraseason,oraftermanyyears.Heisevertheheraldofstrangeevents:abringerofevil,somenowsay.

‘Indeedsincehislastcominginthesummerallthingshavegoneamiss.AtthattimeourtroublewithSarumanbegan.UntilthenwecountedSarumanourfriend,butGandalfcamethen

andwarnedusthatsuddenwarwaspreparinginIsengard.HesaidthathehimselfhadbeenaprisonerinOrthancandhadhardlyescaped,andhebeggedforhelp.ButThéodenwouldnotlistentohim,andhewentaway.SpeaknotthenameofGandalfloudlyinThéoden’sears!Heiswroth.ForGandalftookthehorsethatiscalledShadowfax,themost

preciousofalltheking’ssteeds,chiefoftheMearas,whichonlytheLordoftheMarkmayride.ForthesireoftheirracewasthegreathorseofEorlthatknewthespeechofMen.SevennightsagoShadowfaxreturned;buttheking’sangerisnotless,fornowthehorseiswildandwillletnomanhandlehim.’

‘ThenShadowfaxhasfoundhiswayalonefromthe

farNorth,’saidAragorn;‘foritwastherethatheandGandalfparted.Butalas!Gandalfwillridenolonger.HefellintodarknessintheMinesofMoriaandcomesnotagain.’

‘Thatisheavytidings,’saidÉomer.‘Atleasttome,andtomany;thoughnottoall,asyoumayfind,ifyoucometotheking.’

‘Itistidingsmore

grievousthananyinthislandcanunderstand,thoughitmaytouchthemsorelyeretheyearismucholder,’saidAragorn.‘Butwhenthegreatfall,thelessmustlead.MypartithasbeentoguideourCompanyonthelongroadfromMoria.ThroughLórienwecame–ofwhichitwerewellthatyoushouldlearnthetruthereyouspeakofitagain–andthencedowntheleaguesoftheGreat

RivertothefallsofRauros.ThereBoromirwasslainbythesameOrcswhomyoudestroyed.’

‘Yournewsisallofwoe!’criedÉomerindismay.‘GreatharmisthisdeathtoMinasTirith,andtousall.Thatwasaworthyman!Allspokehispraise.HecameseldomtotheMark,forhewaseverinthewarsontheEast-borders;butIhaveseen

him.MoreliketotheswiftsonsofEorlthantothegraveMenofGondorheseemedtome,andlikelytoproveagreatcaptainofhispeoplewhenhistimecame.ButwehavehadnowordofthisgriefoutofGondor.Whendidhefall?’

‘Itisnowthefourthdaysincehewasslain,’answeredAragorn;‘andsincetheeveningofthatdaywehave

journeyedfromtheshadowofTolBrandir.’

‘Onfoot?’criedÉomer.‘Yes,evenasyouseeus.’Widewondercameinto

Éomer’seyes.‘Strideristoopooraname,sonofArathorn,’hesaid.‘WingfootInameyou.Thisdeedofthethreefriendsshouldbesunginmanyahall.Fortyleaguesandfiveyouhavemeasurederethefourthdayisended!

HardyistheraceofElendil!‘Butnow,lord,what

wouldyouhavemedo!ImustreturninhastetoThéoden.Ispokewarilybeforemymen.ItistruethatwearenotyetatopenwarwiththeBlackLand,andtherearesome,closetotheking’sear,thatspeakcravencounsels;butwariscoming.WeshallnotforsakeouroldalliancewithGondor,and

whiletheyfightweshallaidthem:sosayIandallwhoholdwithme.TheEast-markismycharge,thewardoftheThirdMarshal,andIhaveremovedallourherdsandherdfolk,withdrawingthembeyondEntwash,andleavingnoneherebutguardsandswiftscouts.’

‘ThenyoudonotpaytributetoSauron?’saidGimli.

‘Wedonotandweneverhave,’saidÉomerwithaflashofhiseyes;‘thoughitcomestomyearsthatthatliehasbeentold.SomeyearsagotheLordoftheBlackLandwishedtopurchasehorsesofusatgreatprice,butwerefusedhim,forheputsbeaststoeviluse.ThenhesentplunderingOrcs,andtheycarryoffwhattheycan,choosingalwaystheblack

horses:fewofthesearenowleft.ForthatreasonourfeudwiththeOrcsisbitter.

‘ButatthistimeourchiefconcerniswithSaruman.Hehasclaimedlordshipoverallthisland,andtherehasbeenwarbetweenusformanymonths.HehastakenOrcsintohisservice,andWolf-riders,andevilMen,andhehasclosedtheGapagainstus,sothatwearelikelytobe

besetbotheastandwest.‘Itisilldealingwithsuch

afoe:heisawizardbothcunninganddwimmer-crafty,havingmanyguises.Hewalkshereandthere,theysay,asanoldmanhoodedandcloaked,veryliketoGandalf,asmanynowrecall.Hisspiesslipthrougheverynet,andhisbirdsofillomenareabroadinthesky.Idonotknowhowitwillallend,and

myheartmisgivesme;foritseemstomethathisfriendsdonotalldwellinIsengard.Butifyoucometotheking’shouse,youshallseeforyourself.Willyounotcome?DoIhopeinvainthatyouhavebeensenttomeforahelpindoubtandneed?’

‘IwillcomewhenImay,’saidAragorn.

‘Comenow!’saidÉomer.‘TheHeirofElendilwouldbe

astrengthindeedtotheSonsofEorlinthiseviltide.ThereisbattleevennowupontheWestemnet,andIfearthatitmaygoillforus.

‘IndeedinthisridingnorthIwentwithouttheking’sleave,forinmyabsencehishouseisleftwithlittleguard.Butscoutswarnedmeoftheorc-hostcomingdownoutoftheEastWallfournightsago,and

amongthemtheyreportedthatsomeborethewhitebadgesofSaruman.SosuspectingwhatImostfear,aleaguebetweenOrthancandtheDarkTower,Iledforthmyéored,menofmyownhousehold;andweovertooktheOrcsatnightfalltwodaysago,neartothebordersoftheEntwood.Therewesurroundedthem,andgavebattleyesterdayatdawn.

FifteenofmymenIlost,andtwelvehorsesalas!FortheOrcsweregreaterinnumberthanwecountedon.Othersjoinedthem,comingoutoftheEastacrosstheGreatRiver:theirtrailisplaintoseealittlenorthofthisspot.Andothers,too,cameoutoftheforest.GreatOrcs,whoalsoboretheWhiteHandofIsengard:thatkindisstrongerandmorefellthanallothers.

‘Nonethelessweputanendtothem.Butwehavebeentoolongaway.Weareneededsouthandwest.Willyounotcome?Therearesparehorsesasyousee.ThereisworkfortheSwordtodo.Yes,andwecouldfindauseforGimli’saxeandthebowofLegolas,iftheywillpardonmyrashwordsconcerningtheLadyoftheWood.Ispokeonlyasdoall

meninmyland,andIwouldgladlylearnbetter.’

‘Ithankyouforyourfairwords,’saidAragorn,‘andmyheartdesirestocomewithyou;butIcannotdesertmyfriendswhilehoperemains.’

‘Hopedoesnotremain,’saidÉomer.‘YouwillnotfindyourfriendsontheNorth-borders.’

‘Yetmyfriendsarenotbehind.Wefoundaclear

tokennotfarfromtheEastWallthatoneatleastofthemwasstillalivethere.Butbetweenthewallandthedownswehavefoundnoothertraceofthem,andnotrailhasturnedaside,thiswayorthat,unlessmyskillhaswhollyleftme.’

‘Thenwhatdoyouthinkhasbecomeofthem?’

‘Idonotknow.Theymayhavebeenslainandburned

amongtheOrcs;butthatyouwillsaycannotbe,andIdonotfearit.Icanonlythinkthattheywerecarriedoffintotheforestbeforethebattle,evenbeforeyouencircledyourfoes,maybe.Canyouswearthatnoneescapedyournetinsuchaway?’

‘IwouldswearthatnoOrcescapedafterwesightedthem,’saidÉomer.‘Wereachedtheforest-eaves

beforethem,andifafterthatanylivingthingbrokethroughourring,thenitwasnoOrcandhadsomeElvishpower.’

‘Ourfriendswereattiredevenasweare,’saidAragorn;‘andyoupassedusbyunderthefulllightofday.’

‘Ihadforgottenthat,’saidÉomer.‘Itishardtobesureofanythingamongsomanymarvels.Theworldisall

grownstrange.ElfandDwarfincompanywalkinourdailyfields;andfolkspeakwiththeLadyoftheWoodandyetlive;andtheSwordcomesbacktowarthatwasbrokeninthelongageserethefathersofourfathersrodeintotheMark!Howshallamanjudgewhattodoinsuchtimes?’

‘Asheeverhasjudged,’saidAragorn.‘Goodandill

havenotchangedsinceyesteryear;noraretheyonethingamongElvesandDwarvesandanotheramongMen.Itisaman’sparttodiscernthem,asmuchintheGoldenWoodasinhisownhouse.’

‘Trueindeed,’saidÉomer.‘ButIdonotdoubtyou,northedeedwhichmyheartwoulddo.YetIamnotfreetodoallasIwould.Itis

againstourlawtoletstrangerswanderatwillinourland,untilthekinghimselfshallgivethemleave,andmorestrictisthecommandinthesedaysofperil.Ihavebeggedyoutocomebackwillinglywithme,andyouwillnot.LothamItobeginabattleofonehundredagainstthree.’

‘Idonotthinkyourlawwasmadeforsuchachance,’

saidAragorn.‘NorindeedamIastranger;forIhavebeeninthislandbefore,morethanonce,andriddenwiththehostoftheRohirrim,thoughunderothernameandinotherguise.YouIhavenotseenbefore,foryouareyoung,butIhavespokenwithÉomundyourfather,andwithThéodensonofThengel.Neverinformerdayswouldanyhighlordofthisland

haveconstrainedamantoabandonsuchaquestasmine.Mydutyatleastisclear,togoon.Comenow,sonofÉomund,thechoicemustbemadeatlast.Aidus,orattheworstletusgofree.Orseektocarryoutyourlaw.Ifyoudosotherewillbefewertoreturntoyourwarortoyourking.’

Éomerwassilentforamoment,thenhespoke.‘We

bothhaveneedofhaste,’hesaid.‘Mycompanychafestobeaway,andeveryhourlessensyourhope.Thisismychoice.Youmaygo;andwhatismore,Iwilllendyouhorses.ThisonlyIask:whenyourquestisachieved,orisprovedvain,returnwiththehorsesovertheEntwadetoMeduseld,thehighhouseinEdoraswhereThéodennowsits.Thusyoushallproveto

himthatIhavenotmisjudged.InthisIplacemyself,andmaybemyverylife,inthekeepingofyourgoodfaith.Donotfail.’

‘Iwillnot,’saidAragorn.

Therewasgreatwonder,andmanydarkanddoubtfulglances,amonghismen,whenÉomergaveordersthatthesparehorsesweretobe

lenttothestrangers;butonlyÉothaindaredtospeakopenly.

‘ItmaybewellenoughforthislordoftheraceofGondor,asheclaims,’hesaid,‘butwhohasheardofahorseoftheMarkbeinggiventoaDwarf?’

‘Noone,’saidGimli.‘Anddonottrouble:noonewilleverhearofit.Iwouldsoonerwalkthansitonthe

backofanybeastsogreat,freeorbegrudged.’

‘Butyoumustridenow,oryouwillhinderus,’saidAragorn.

‘Come,youshallsitbehindme,friendGimli,’saidLegolas.‘Thenallwillbewell,andyouneedneitherborrowahorsenorbetroubledbyone.’

Agreatdark-greyhorsewasbroughttoAragorn,and

hemountedit.‘Hasufelishisname,’saidÉomer.‘MayhebearyouwellandtobetterfortunethanGárulf,hislatemaster!’

Asmallerandlighterhorse,butrestiveandfiery,wasbroughttoLegolas.Arodwashisname.ButLegolasaskedthemtotakeoffsaddleandrein.‘Ineedthemnot,’hesaid,andleapedlightlyup,andtotheirwonderArodwas

tameandwillingbeneathhim,movinghereandtherewithbutaspokenword:suchwastheElvishwaywithallgoodbeasts.Gimliwasliftedupbehindhisfriend,andheclungtohim,notmuchmoreateasethanSamGamgeeinaboat.

‘Farewell,andmayyoufindwhatyouseek!’criedÉomer.‘Returnwithwhatspeedyoumay,andletour

swordshereaftershinetogether!’

‘Iwillcome,’saidAragorn.

‘AndIwillcome,too,’saidGimli.‘ThematteroftheLadyGaladrielliesstillbetweenus.Ihaveyettoteachyougentlespeech.’

‘Weshallsee,’saidÉomer.‘Somanystrangethingshavechancedthattolearnthepraiseofafairlady

underthelovingstrokesofaDwarf’saxewillseemnogreatwonder.Farewell!’

Withthattheyparted.VeryswiftwerethehorsesofRohan.WhenafteralittleGimlilookedback,thecompanyofÉomerwerealreadysmallandfaraway.Aragorndidnotlookback:hewaswatchingthetrailasthey

spedontheirway,bendinglowwithhisheadbesidetheneckofHasufel.BeforelongtheycametothebordersoftheEntwash,andtheretheymettheothertrailofwhichÉomerhadspoken,comingdownfromtheEastoutoftheWold.

Aragorndismountedandsurveyedtheground,thenleapingbackintothesaddle,herodeawayforsome

distanceeastward,keepingtoonesideandtakingcarenottooverridethefootprints.Thenheagaindismountedandexaminedtheground,goingbackwardsandforwardsonfoot.

‘Thereislittletodiscover,’hesaidwhenhereturned.‘Themaintrailisallconfusedwiththepassageofthehorsemenastheycameback;theiroutwardcourse

musthavelainnearertheriver.Butthiseastwardtrailisfreshandclear.Thereisnosignthereofanyfeetgoingtheotherway,backtowardsAnduin.Nowwemustrideslower,andmakesurethatnotraceorfootstepbranchesoffoneitherside.TheOrcsmusthavebeenawarefromthispointthattheywerepursued;theymayhavemadesomeattempttogettheircaptives

awaybeforetheywereovertaken.’

Astheyrodeforwardthedaywasovercast.LowgreycloudscameovertheWold.Amistshroudedthesun.Evernearerthetree-cladslopesofFangornloomed,slowlydarklingasthesunwentwest.Theysawnosignofanytrailtorightorleft,but

hereandtheretheypassedsingleOrcs,fallenintheirtracksastheyran,withgrey-featheredarrowsstickinginbackorthroat.

Atlastastheafternoonwaswaningtheycametotheeavesoftheforest,andinanopengladeamongthefirsttreestheyfoundtheplaceofthegreatburning:theasheswerestillhotandsmoking.Besideitwasagreatpileof

helmsandmail,clovenshields,andbrokenswords,bowsanddartsandothergearofwar.Uponastakeinthemiddlewassetagreatgoblinhead;uponitsshatteredhelmthewhitebadgecouldstillbeseen.Furtheraway,notfarfromtheriver,whereitcamestreamingoutfromtheedgeofthewood,therewasamound.Itwasnewlyraised:therawearthwascovered

withfresh-cutturves:aboutitwereplantedfifteenspears.

Aragornandhiscompanionssearchedfarandwideaboutthefieldofbattle,butthelightfaded,andeveningsoondrewdown,dimandmisty.BynightfalltheyhaddiscoverednotraceofMerryandPippin.

‘Wecandonomore,’saidGimlisadly.‘Wehavebeensetmanyriddlessincewe

cametoTolBrandir,butthisisthehardesttounravel.IwouldguessthattheburnedbonesofthehobbitsarenowmingledwiththeOrcs’.ItwillbehardnewsforFrodo,ifhelivestohearit;andhardtoofortheoldhobbitwhowaitsinRivendell.Elrondwasagainsttheircoming.’

‘ButGandalfwasnot,’saidLegolas.

‘ButGandalfchoseto

comehimself,andhewasthefirsttobelost,’answeredGimli.‘Hisforesightfailedhim.’

‘ThecounselofGandalfwasnotfoundedonforeknowledgeofsafety,forhimselforforothers,’saidAragorn.‘Therearesomethingsthatitisbettertobeginthantorefuse,eventhoughtheendmaybedark.ButIshallnotdepartfromthis

placeyet.Inanycasewemusthereawaitthemorning-light.’

Alittlewaybeyondthebattle-fieldtheymadetheircampunderaspreadingtree:itlookedlikeachestnut,andyetitstillboremanybroadbrownleavesofaformeryear,likedryhandswithlongsplayedfingers;theyrattled

mournfullyinthenight-breeze.

Gimlishivered.Theyhadbroughtonlyoneblanketapiece.

‘Letuslightafire,’hesaid.‘Icarenolongerforthedanger.LettheOrcscomeasthickassummer-mothsroundacandle!’

‘Ifthoseunhappyhobbitsareastrayinthewoods,itmightdrawthemhither,’said

Legolas.‘Anditmightdrawother

things,neitherOrcnorHobbit,’saidAragorn.‘Weareneartothemountain-marchesofthetraitorSaruman.AlsoweareontheveryedgeofFangorn,anditisperiloustotouchthetreesofthatwood,itissaid.’

‘ButtheRohirrimmadeagreatburninghereyesterday,’saidGimli,‘andtheyfelled

treesforthefire,ascanbeseen.Yettheypassedthenightaftersafelyhere,whentheirlabourwasended.’

‘Theyweremany,’saidAragorn,‘andtheydonotheedthewrathofFangorn,fortheycomehereseldom,andtheydonotgounderthetrees.Butourpathsarelikelytoleadusintotheveryforestitself.Sohaveacare!Cutnolivingwood!’

‘Thereisnoneed,’saidGimli.‘TheRidershaveleftchipandboughenough,andthereisdeadwoodlyinginplenty.’Hewentofftogatherfuel,andbusiedhimselfwithbuildingandkindlingafire;butAragornsatsilentwithhisbacktothegreattree,deepinthought;andLegolasstoodaloneintheopen,lookingtowardstheprofoundshadowofthewood,leaningforward,

asonewholistenstovoicescallingfromadistance.

WhentheDwarfhadasmallbrightblazegoing,thethreecompanionsdrewclosetoitandsattogether,shroudingthelightwiththeirhoodedforms.Legolaslookedupattheboughsofthetreereachingoutabovethem.

‘Look!’hesaid.‘Thetreeisgladofthefire!’

Itmayhavebeenthatthedancingshadowstrickedtheireyes,butcertainlytoeachofthecompanionstheboughsappearedtobebendingthiswayandthatsoastocomeabovetheflames,whiletheupperbrancheswerestoopingdown;thebrownleavesnowstoodoutstiff,andrubbedtogetherlikemanycoldcrackedhandstakingcomfortinthewarmth.

Therewasasilence,forsuddenlythedarkandunknownforest,sonearathand,madeitselffeltasagreatbroodingpresence,fullofsecretpurpose.AfterawhileLegolasspokeagain.

‘CelebornwarnedusnottogofarintoFangorn,’hesaid.‘Doyouknowwhy,Aragorn?WhatarethefablesoftheforestthatBoromirhadheard?’

‘IhaveheardmanytalesinGondorandelsewhere,’saidAragorn,‘butifitwerenotforthewordsofCelebornIshoulddeemthemonlyfablesthatMenhavemadeastrueknowledgefades.Ihadthoughtofaskingyouwhatwasthetruthofthematter.AndifanElfofthewooddoesnotknow,howshallaMananswer?’

‘Youhavejourneyed

furtherthanI,’saidLegolas.‘Ihaveheardnothingofthisinmyownland,saveonlysongsthattellhowtheOnodrim,thatMencallEnts,dwelttherelongago;forFangornisold,oldevenastheElveswouldreckonit.’

‘Yes,itisold,’saidAragorn,‘asoldastheforestbytheBarrow-downs,anditisfargreater.Elrondsaysthatthetwoareakin,thelast

strongholdsofthemightywoodsoftheElderDays,inwhichtheFirstbornroamedwhileMenstillslept.YetFangornholdssomesecretofitsown.WhatitisIdonotknow.’

‘AndIdonotwishtoknow,’saidGimli.‘LetnothingthatdwellsinFangornbetroubledonmyaccount!’

Theynowdrewlotsfor

thewatches,andthelotforthefirstwatchfelltoGimli.Theotherslaydown.Almostatoncesleeplaidholdonthem.‘Gimli!’saidAragorndrowsily.‘Remember,itisperiloustocutboughortwigfromalivingtreeinFangorn.Butdonotstrayfarinsearchofdeadwood.Letthefiredierather!Callmeatneed!’

Withthathefellasleep.Legolasalreadylay

motionless,hisfairhandsfoldeduponhisbreast,hiseyesunclosed,blendinglivingnightanddeepdream,asisthewaywithElves.Gimlisathunchedbythefire,runninghisthumbthoughtfullyalongtheedgeofhisaxe.Thetreerustled.Therewasnoothersound.

SuddenlyGimlilookedup,andtherejustontheedgeofthefirelightstoodanold

bentman,leaningonastaff,andwrappedinagreatcloak;hiswide-brimmedhatwaspulleddownoverhiseyes.Gimlisprangup,tooamazedforthemomenttocryout,thoughatoncethethoughtflashedintohismindthatSarumanhadcaughtthem.BothAragornandLegolas,rousedbyhissuddenmovement,satupandstared.Theoldmandidnotspeakor

makeasign.‘Well,father,whatcanwe

doforyou?’saidAragorn,leapingtohisfeet.‘Comeandbewarm,ifyouarecold!’Hestrodeforward,buttheoldmanwasgone.Therewasnotraceofhimtobefoundnearathand,andtheydidnotdaretowanderfar.Themoonhadsetandthenightwasverydark.

SuddenlyLegolasgavea

cry.‘Thehorses!Thehorses!’Thehorsesweregone.Theyhaddraggedtheirpicketsanddisappeared.Forsometimethethreecompanionsstoodstillandsilent,troubledbythisnewstrokeofillfortune.TheywereundertheeavesofFangorn,andendlessleagueslaybetweenthemandtheMenofRohan,theironlyfriendsinthiswideanddangerousland.Asthey

stood,itseemedtothemthattheyheard,faroffinthenight,thesoundofhorseswhinnyingandneighing.Thenallwasquietagain,exceptforthecoldrustleofthewind.

‘Well,theyaregone,’saidAragornatlast.‘Wecannotfindthemorcatchthem;sothatiftheydonot

returnoftheirownwill,wemustdowithout.Westartedonourfeet,andwehavethosestill.’

‘Feet!’saidGimli.‘Butwecannoteatthemaswellaswalkonthem.’Hethrewsomefuelonthefireandslumpeddownbesideit.

‘OnlyafewhoursagoyouwereunwillingtositonahorseofRohan,’laughedLegolas.‘Youwillmakea

rideryet.’‘ItseemsunlikelythatI

shallhavethechance,’saidGimli.

‘IfyouwishtoknowwhatIthink,’hebeganagainafterawhile,‘IthinkitwasSaruman.Whoelse?RememberthewordsofÉomer:hewalksaboutlikeanoldmanhoodedandcloaked.Thosewerethewords.Hehasgoneoffwith

ourhorses,orscaredthemaway,andhereweare.Thereismoretroublecomingtous,markmywords!’

‘Imarkthem,’saidAragorn.‘ButImarkedalsothatthisoldmanhadahatnotahood.StillIdonotdoubtthatyouguessright,andthatweareinperilhere,bynightorday.Yetinthemeantimethereisnothingthatwecandobutrest,whilewemay.I

willwatchforawhilenow,Gimli.Ihavemoreneedofthoughtthanofsleep.’

Thenightpassedslowly.LegolasfollowedAragorn,andGimlifollowedLegolas,andtheirwatchesworeaway.Butnothinghappened.Theoldmandidnotappearagain,andthehorsesdidnotreturn.

Chapter3

THEURUK-HAI

Pippinlayinadarkandtroubleddream:itseemedthathecouldhearhisownsmallvoiceechoinginblacktunnels,callingFrodo,Frodo!ButinsteadofFrodohundredsofhideousorc-faces

grinnedathimoutoftheshadows,hundredsofhideousarmsgraspedathimfromeveryside.WherewasMerry?

Hewoke.Coldairblewonhisface.Hewaslyingonhisback.Eveningwascomingandtheskyabovewasgrowingdim.Heturnedandfoundthatthedreamwaslittleworsethanthewaking.Hiswrists,legs,andankles

weretiedwithcords.BesidehimMerrylay,white-faced,withadirtyragboundacrosshisbrows.AllaboutthemsatorstoodagreatcompanyofOrcs.

SlowlyinPippin’sachingheadmemorypieceditselftogetherandbecameseparatedfromdream-shadows.Ofcourse:heandMerryhadrunoffintothewoods.Whathadcomeover

them?Whyhadtheydashedofflikethat,takingnonoticeofoldStrider?Theyhadrunalongwayshouting–hecouldnotrememberhowfarorhowlong;andthensuddenlytheyhadcrashedrightintoagroupofOrcs:theywerestandinglistening,andtheydidnotappeartoseeMerryandPippinuntiltheywerealmostintheirarms.Thentheyyelledanddozensofother

goblinshadsprungoutofthetrees.Merryandhehaddrawntheirswords,buttheOrcsdidnotwishtofight,andhadtriedonlytolayholdofthem,evenwhenMerryhadcutoffseveraloftheirarmsandhands.GoodoldMerry!

ThenBoromirhadcomeleapingthroughthetrees.Hehadmadethemfight.Heslewmanyofthemandtherest

fled.Buttheyhadnotgonefaronthewaybackwhentheywereattackedagain,byahundredOrcsatleast,someofthemverylarge,andtheyshotarainofarrows:alwaysatBoromir.Boromirhadblownhisgreathorntillthewoodsrang,andatfirsttheOrcshadbeendismayedandhaddrawnback;butwhennoanswerbuttheechoescame,theyhadattackedmore

fiercelythanever.Pippindidnotremembermuchmore.HislastmemorywasofBoromirleaningagainstatree,pluckingoutanarrow;thendarknessfellsuddenly.

‘IsupposeIwasknockedonthehead,’hesaidtohimself.‘IwonderifpoorMerryismuchhurt.WhathashappenedtoBoromir?Whydidn’ttheOrcskillus?Wherearewe,andwherearewe

going?’Hecouldnotanswerthe

questions.Hefeltcoldandsick.‘IwishGandalfhadneverpersuadedElrondtoletuscome,’hethought.‘WhatgoodhaveIbeen?Justanuisance:apassenger,apieceofluggage.AndnowIhavebeenstolenandIamjustapieceofluggagefortheOrcs.IhopeStriderorsomeonewillcomeandclaimus!But

oughtItohopeforit?Won’tthatthrowoutalltheplans?IwishIcouldgetfree!’

Hestruggledalittle,quiteuselessly.OneoftheOrcssittingnearlaughedandsaidsomethingtoacompanionintheirabominabletongue.‘Restwhileyoucan,littlefool!’hesaidthentoPippin,intheCommonSpeech,

whichhemadealmostashideousashisownlanguage.‘Restwhileyoucan!We’llfindauseforyourlegsbeforelong.You’llwishyouhadgotnonebeforewegethome.’

‘IfIhadmyway,you’dwishyouweredeadnow,’saidtheother.‘I’dmakeyousqueak,youmiserablerat.’HestoopedoverPippin,bringinghisyellowfangsclosetohisface.Hehada

blackknifewithalongjaggedbladeinhishand.‘Liequiet,orI’lltickleyouwiththis,’hehissed.‘Don’tdrawattentiontoyourself,orImayforgetmyorders.CursetheIsengarders!UglúkubagronkshapushdugSaruman-globbúbhoshskai’:hepassedintoalongangryspeechinhisowntonguethatslowlydiedawayintomutteringandsnarling.

TerrifiedPippinlaystill,thoughthepainathiswristsandankleswasgrowing,andthestonesbeneathhimwereboringintohisback.Totakehismindoffhimselfhelistenedintentlytoallthathecouldhear.Thereweremanyvoicesroundabout,andthoughorc-speechsoundedatalltimesfullofhateandanger,itseemedplainthatsomethinglikeaquarrelhad

begun,andwasgettinghotter.ToPippin’ssurprisehe

foundthatmuchofthetalkwasintelligible;manyoftheOrcswereusingordinarylanguage.Apparentlythemembersoftwoorthreequitedifferenttribeswerepresent,andtheycouldnotunderstandoneanother’sorc-speech.Therewasanangrydebateconcerningwhattheyweretodonow:whichwaytheywere

totakeandwhatshouldbedonewiththeprisoners.

‘There’snotimetokillthemproperly,’saidone.‘Notimeforplayonthistrip.’

‘Thatcan’tbehelped,’saidanother.‘Butwhynotkillthemquick,killthemnow?They’reacursednuisance,andwe’reinahurry.Evening’scomingon,andweoughttogetamoveon.’

‘Orders,’saidathirdvoiceinadeepgrowl.‘KillallbutNOTtheHalflings;theyaretobebroughtbackALIVEasquicklyaspossible.That’smyorders.’

‘Whataretheywantedfor?’askedseveralvoices.‘Whyalive?Dotheygivegoodsport?’

‘No!Iheardthatoneofthemhasgotsomething,somethingthat’swantedfor

theWar,someElvishplotorother.Anywaythey’llbothbequestioned.’

‘Isthatallyouknow?Whydon’twesearchthemandfindout?Wemightfindsomethingthatwecoulduseourselves.’

‘Thatisaveryinterestingremark,’sneeredavoice,softerthantheothersbutmoreevil.‘Imayhavetoreportthat.Theprisonersare

nottobesearchedorplundered:thosearemyorders.’

‘Andminetoo,’saidthedeepvoice.‘Aliveandascaptured;nospoiling.That’smyorders.’

‘Notourorders!’saidoneoftheearliervoices.‘WehavecomeallthewayfromtheMinestokill,andavengeourfolk.Iwishtokill,andthengobacknorth.’

‘Thenyoucanwishagain,’saidthegrowlingvoice.‘IamUglúk.Icommand.IreturntoIsengardbytheshortestroad.’

‘IsSarumanthemasterortheGreatEye?’saidtheevilvoice.‘WeshouldgobackatoncetoLugbúrz.’

‘IfwecouldcrosstheGreatRiver,wemight,’saidanothervoice.‘Butthereare

notenoughofustoventuredowntothebridges.’

‘Icameacross,’saidtheevilvoice.‘AwingedNazgûlawaitsusnorthwardontheeast-bank.’

‘Maybe,maybe!Thenyou’llflyoffwithourprisoners,andgetallthepayandpraiseinLugbúrz,andleaveustofootitasbestwecanthroughtheHorse-country.No,wemuststick

together.Theselandsaredangerous:fulloffoulrebelsandbrigands.’

‘Aye,wemuststicktogether,’growledUglúk.‘Idon’ttrustyoulittleswine.You’venogutsoutsideyourownsties.Butforusyou’dallhaverunaway.WearethefightingUruk-hai!Weslewthegreatwarrior.Wetooktheprisoners.WearetheservantsofSarumantheWise,the

WhiteHand:theHandthatgivesusman’s-fleshtoeat.WecameoutofIsengard,andledyouhere,andweshallleadyoubackbythewaywechoose.IamUglúk.Ihavespoken.’

‘Youhavespokenmorethanenough,Uglúk,’sneeredtheevilvoice.‘IwonderhowtheywouldlikeitinLugbúrz.TheymightthinkthatUglúk’sshouldersneeded

relievingofaswollenhead.Theymightaskwherehisstrangeideascamefrom.DidtheycomefromSaruman,perhaps?Whodoeshethinkheis,settinguponhisownwithhisfilthywhitebadges?Theymightagreewithme,withGrishnákhtheirtrustedmessenger;andIGrishnákhsaythis:Sarumanisafool,andadirtytreacherousfool.ButtheGreatEyeisonhim.

‘Swineisit?Howdoyoufolklikebeingcalledswinebythemuck-rakersofadirtylittlewizard?It’sorc-fleshtheyeat,I’llwarrant.’

Manyloudyellsinorc-speechansweredhim,andtheringingclashofweaponsbeingdrawn.CautiouslyPippinrolledover,hopingtoseewhatwouldhappen.Hisguardshadgonetojoininthefray.Inthetwilighthesawa

largeblackOrc,probablyUglúk,standingfacingGrishnákh,ashortcrook-leggedcreature,verybroadandwithlongarmsthathungalmosttotheground.Roundthemweremanysmallergoblins.PippinsupposedthattheseweretheonesfromtheNorth.Theyhaddrawntheirknivesandswords,buthesitatedtoattackUglúk.

Uglúkshouted,anda

numberofotherOrcsofnearlyhisownsizeranup.Thensuddenly,withoutwarning,Uglúksprangforwards,andwithtwoswiftstrokesswepttheheadsofftwoofhisopponents.Grishnákhsteppedasideandvanishedintotheshadows.Theothersgaveway,andonesteppedbackwardsandfelloverMerry’sprostrateformwithacurse.Yetthat

probablysavedhislife,forUglúk’sfollowersleapedoverhimandcutdownanotherwiththeirbroad-bladedswords.Itwastheyellow-fangedguard.HisbodyfellrightontopofPippin,stillclutchingitslongsaw-edgedknife.

‘Putupyourweapons!’shoutedUglúk.‘Andlet’shavenomorenonsense!Wegostraightwestfromhere,

anddownthestair.Fromtherestraighttothedowns,thenalongtherivertotheforest.Andwemarchdayandnight.Thatclear?’

‘Now,’thoughtPippin,‘ifonlyittakesthatuglyfellowalittlewhiletogethistroopundercontrol,I’vegotachance.’Agleamofhopehadcometohim.Theedgeoftheblackknifehadsnickedhisarm,andthensliddowntohis

wrist.Hefeltthebloodtricklingontohishand,buthealsofeltthecoldtouchofsteelagainsthisskin.

TheOrcsweregettingreadytomarchagain,butsomeoftheNorthernerswerestillunwilling,andtheIsengardersslewtwomorebeforetherestwerecowed.Therewasmuchcursingandconfusion.ForthemomentPippinwasunwatched.His

legsweresecurelybound,buthisarmswereonlytiedaboutthewrists,andhishandswereinfrontofhim.Hecouldmovethembothtogether,thoughthebondswerecruellytight.HepushedthedeadOrctooneside,thenhardlydaringtobreathe,hedrewtheknotofthewrist-cordupanddownagainstthebladeoftheknife.Itwassharpandthedeadhandheld

itfast.Thecordwascut!QuicklyPippintookitinhisfingersandknotteditagainintoaloosebraceletoftwoloopsandslippeditoverhishands.Thenhelayverystill.

‘Pickupthoseprisoners!’shoutedUglúk.‘Don’tplayanytrickswiththem!Iftheyarenotalivewhenwegetback,someoneelsewilldie

too.’AnOrcseizedPippinlike

asack,putitsheadbetweenhistiedhands,grabbedhisarmsanddraggedthemdown,untilPippin’sfacewascrushedagainstitsneck;thenitjoltedoffwithhim.AnothertreatedMerryinthesameway.TheOrc’sclawlikehandgrippedPippin’sarmslikeiron;thenailsbitintohim.Heshuthis

eyesandslippedbackintoevildreams.

Suddenlyhewasthrownontothestonyflooragain.Itwasearlynight,buttheslimmoonwasalreadyfallingwestward.Theywereontheedgeofacliffthatseemedtolookoutoveraseaofpalemist.Therewasasoundofwaterfallingnearby.

‘Thescoutshavecomebackatlast,’saidanOrc

closeathand.‘Well,whatdidyou

discover?’growledthevoiceofUglúk.

‘Onlyasinglehorseman,andhemadeoffwestwards.All’sclearnow.’

‘Now,Idaresay.Buthowlong?Youfools!Youshouldhaveshothim.He’llraisethealarm.Thecursedhorse-breederswillhearofusbymorning.Nowwe’llhaveto

legitdoublequick.’Ashadowbentover

Pippin.ItwasUglúk.‘Situp!’saidtheOrc.‘Myladsaretiredofluggingyouabout.Wehavegottoclimbdown,andyoumustuseyourlegs.Behelpfulnow.Nocryingout,notryingtoescape.Wehavewaysofpayingfortricksthatyouwon’tlike,thoughtheywon’tspoilyourusefulnessforthe

Master.’Hecutthethongsround

Pippin’slegsandankles,pickedhimupbyhishairandstoodhimonhisfeet.Pippinfelldown,andUglúkdraggedhimupbyhishairagain.SeveralOrcslaughed.Uglúkthrustaflaskbetweenhisteethandpouredsomeburningliquiddownhisthroat:hefeltahotfierceglowflowthroughhim.The

paininhislegsandanklesvanished.Hecouldstand.

‘Nowfortheother!’saidUglúk.PippinsawhimgotoMerry,whowaslyingcloseby,andkickhim.Merrygroaned.SeizinghimroughlyUglúkpulledhimintoasittingposition,andtorethebandageoffhishead.Thenhesmearedthewoundwithsomedarkstuffoutofasmallwoodenbox.Merrycriedout

andstruggledwildly.TheOrcsclappedand

hooted.‘Can’ttakehismedicine,’theyjeered.‘Doesn’tknowwhat’sgoodforhim.Ai!Weshallhavesomefunlater.’

ButatthemomentUglúkwasnotengagedinsport.Heneededspeedandhadtohumourunwillingfollowers.HewashealingMerryinorc-fashion;andhistreatment

workedswiftly.Whenhehadforcedadrinkfromhisflaskdownthehobbit’sthroat,cuthisleg-bonds,anddraggedhimtohisfeet,Merrystoodup,lookingpalebutgrimanddefiant,andverymuchalive.Thegashinhisforeheadgavehimnomoretrouble,butheboreabrownscartotheendofhisdays.

‘Hullo,Pippin!’hesaid.‘Soyou’vecomeonthislittle

expedition,too?Wheredowegetbedandbreakfast?’

‘Nowthen!’saidUglúk.‘Noneofthat!Holdyourtongues.Notalktooneanother.Anytroublewillbereportedattheotherend,andHe’llknowhowtopayyou.You’llgetbedandbreakfastallright:morethanyoucanstomach.’

Theorc-bandbegantodescendanarrowravineleadingdownintothemistyplainbelow.MerryandPippin,separatedbyadozenOrcsormore,climbeddownwiththem.Atthebottomtheysteppedontograss,andtheheartsofthehobbitsrose.

‘Nowstraighton!’shoutedUglúk.‘Westandalittlenorth.FollowLugdush.’

‘Butwhatarewegoingto

doatsunrise?’saidsomeoftheNortherners.

‘Goonrunning,’saidUglúk.‘Whatdoyouthink?SitonthegrassandwaitfortheWhiteskinstojointhepicnic?’

‘Butwecan’truninthesunlight.’

‘You’llrunwithmebehindyou,’saidUglúk.‘Run!Oryou’llneverseeyourbelovedholesagain.By

theWhiteHand!What’stheuseofsendingoutmountain-maggotsonatrip,onlyhalftrained.Run,curseyou!Runwhilenightlasts!’

ThenthewholecompanybegantorunwiththelonglopingstridesofOrcs.Theykeptnoorder,thrusting,jostling,andcursing;yettheirspeedwasverygreat.Eachhobbithadaguardofthree.Pippinwasfarbackinthe

line.Hewonderedhowlonghewouldbeabletogoonatthispace:hehadhadnofoodsincethemorning.Oneofhisguardshadawhip.Butatpresenttheorc-liquorwasstillhotinhim.Hiswits,too,werewide-awake.

EverynowandagaintherecameintohismindunbiddenavisionofthekeenfaceofStriderbendingoveradarktrail,andrunning,running

behind.ButwhatcouldevenaRangerseeexceptaconfusedtrailoforc-feet?HisownlittleprintsandMerry’swereoverwhelmedbythetramplingoftheiron-shodshoesbeforethemandbehindthemandaboutthem.

Theyhadgoneonlyamileorsofromthecliffwhenthelandslopeddownintoawideshallowdepression,wherethegroundwassoftandwet.

Mistlaythere,pale-glimmeringinthelastraysofthesicklemoon.ThedarkshapesoftheOrcsinfrontgrewdim,andthenwereswallowedup.

‘Ai!Steadynow!’shoutedUglúkfromtherear.

AsuddenthoughtleapedintoPippin’smind,andheactedonitatonce.Heswervedasidetotheright,anddivedoutofthereachof

hisclutchingguard,headfirstintothemist;helandedsprawlingonthegrass.

‘Halt!’yelledUglúk.Therewasforamoment

turmoilandconfusion.Pippinsprangupandran.ButtheOrcswereafterhim.Somesuddenlyloomeduprightinfrontofhim.

‘Nohopeofescape!’thoughtPippin.‘ButthereisahopethatIhaveleftsomeof

myownmarksunspoiltonthewetground.’Hegropedwithhistwotiedhandsathisthroat,andunclaspedthebroochofhiscloak.Justaslongarmsandhardclawsseizedhim,heletitfall.‘ThereIsupposeitwilllieuntiltheendoftime,’hethought.‘Idon’tknowwhyIdidit.Iftheothershaveescaped,they’veprobablyallgonewithFrodo.’

Awhip-thongcurledroundhislegs,andhestifledacry.‘Enough!’shoutedUglúkrunningup.‘He’sstillgottorunalongwayyet.Make’embothrun!Justusethewhipasareminder.’

‘Butthat’snotall,’hesnarled,turningtoPippin.‘Ishan’tforget.Paymentisonlyputoff.Legit!’

NeitherPippinnorMerryrememberedmuchofthelaterpartofthejourney.Evildreamsandevilwakingwereblendedintoalongtunnelofmisery,withhopegrowingeverfainterbehind.Theyran,andtheyran,strivingtokeepupthepacesetbytheOrcs,lickedeverynowandagainwithacruelthongcunninglyhandled.Iftheyhaltedorstumbled,theywereseized

anddraggedforsomedistance.

Thewarmthoftheorc-draughthadgone.Pippinfeltcoldandsickagain.Suddenlyhefellfacedownwardontheturf.Hardhandswithrendingnailsgrippedandliftedhim.Hewascarriedlikeasackoncemore,anddarknessgrewabouthim:whetherthedarknessofanothernight,orablindnessofhiseyes,he

couldnottell.Dimlyhebecameaware

ofvoicesclamouring:itseemedthatmanyoftheOrcsweredemandingahalt.Uglúkwasshouting.Hefelthimselfflungtotheground,andhelayashefell,tillblackdreamstookhim.Buthedidnotlongescapefrompain;soontheirongripofmercilesshandswasonhimagain.Foralongtimehewas

tossedandshaken,andthenslowlythedarknessgaveway,andhecamebacktothewakingworldandfoundthatitwasmorning.Orderswereshoutedandhewasthrownroughlyonthegrass.

Therehelayforawhile,fightingwithdespair.Hisheadswam,butfromtheheatinhisbodyheguessedthathehadbeengivenanotherdraught.AnOrcstoopedover

him,andflunghimsomebreadandastripofrawdriedflesh.Heatethestalegreybreadhungrily,butnotthemeat.HewasfamishedbutnotyetsofamishedastoeatfleshflungtohimbyanOrc,thefleshofhedarednotguesswhatcreature.

Hesatupandlookedabout.Merrywasnotfaraway.Theywerebythebanksofaswiftnarrowriver.

Aheadmountainsloomed:atallpeakwascatchingthefirstraysofthesun.Adarksmudgeofforestlayonthelowerslopesbeforethem.

TherewasmuchshoutinganddebatingamongtheOrcs;aquarrelseemedonthepointofbreakingoutagainbetweentheNorthernersandtheIsengarders.Somewerepointingbackawaysouth,andsomewerepointing

eastward.‘Verywell,’saidUglúk.

‘Leavethemtomethen!Nokilling,asI’vetoldyoubefore;butifyouwanttothrowawaywhatwe’vecomeallthewaytoget,throwitaway!I’lllookafterit.LetthefightingUruk-haidothework,asusual.Ifyou’reafraidoftheWhiteskins,run!Run!There’stheforest,’heshouted,pointingahead.‘Get

toit!It’syourbesthope.Offyougo!Andquick,beforeIknockafewmoreheadsoff,toputsomesenseintotheothers.’

Therewassomecursingandscuffling,andthenmostoftheNorthernersbrokeawayanddashedoff,overahundredofthem,runningwildlyalongtherivertowardsthemountains.Thehobbitswereleftwiththe

Isengarders:agrimdarkband,fourscoreatleastoflarge,swart,slant-eyedOrcswithgreatbowsandshortbroad-bladedswords.AfewofthelargerandbolderNorthernersremainedwiththem.

‘Nowwe’lldealwithGrishnákh,’saidUglúk;butsomeevenofhisownfollowerswerelookinguneasilysouthwards.

‘Iknow,’growledUglúk.‘Thecursedhorse-boyshavegotwindofus.Butthat’sallyourfault,Snaga.Youandtheotherscoutsoughttohaveyourearscutoff.Butwearethefighters.We’llfeastonhorsefleshyet,orsomethingbetter.’

AtthatmomentPippinsawwhysomeofthetroophadbeenpointingeastward.Fromthatdirectiontherenow

camehoarsecries,andtherewasGrishnákhagain,andathisbackacoupleofscoreofotherslikehim:long-armedcrook-leggedOrcs.Theyhadaredeyepaintedontheirshields.Uglúksteppedforwardtomeetthem.

‘Soyou’vecomeback?’hesaid.‘Thoughtbetterofit,eh?’

‘I’vereturnedtoseethatOrdersarecarriedoutandthe

prisonerssafe,’answeredGrishnákh.

‘Indeed!’saidUglúk.‘Wasteofeffort.I’llseethatordersarecarriedoutinmycommand.Andwhatelsedidyoucomebackfor?Youwentinahurry.Didyouleaveanythingbehind?’

‘Ileftafool,’snarledGrishnákh.‘Butthereweresomestoutfellowswithhimthataretoogoodtolose.I

knewyou’dleadthemintoamess.I’vecometohelpthem.’

‘Splendid!’laughedUglúk.‘Butunlessyou’vegotsomegutsforfighting,you’vetakenthewrongway.Lugbúrzwasyourroad.TheWhiteskinsarecoming.What’shappenedtoyourpreciousNazgûl?Hashehadanothermountshotunderhim?Now,ifyou’dbrought

himalong,thatmighthavebeenuseful–iftheseNazgûlarealltheymakeout.’

‘Nazgûl,Nazgûl,’saidGrishnákh,shiveringandlickinghislips,asifthewordhadafoultastethathesavouredpainfully.‘Youspeakofwhatisdeepbeyondthereachofyourmuddydreams,Uglúk,’hesaid.‘Nazgûl!Ah!Allthattheymakeout!Onedayyou’ll

wishthatyouhadnotsaidthat.Ape!’hesnarledfiercely.‘Yououghttoknowthatthey’retheappleoftheGreatEye.ButthewingedNazgûl:notyet,notyet.Hewon’tletthemshowthemselvesacrosstheGreatRiveryet,nottoosoon.They’refortheWar–andotherpurposes.’

‘Youseemtoknowalot,’saidUglúk.‘Morethanis

goodforyou,Iguess.PerhapsthoseinLugbúrzmightwonderhow,andwhy.ButinthemeantimetheUruk-haiofIsengardcandothedirtywork,asusual.Don’tstandslaveringthere!Getyourrabbletogether!Theotherswineareleggingittotheforest.You’dbetterfollow.Youwouldn’tgetbacktothe

GreatRiveralive.Right

offthemark!Now!I’llbeonyourheels.’

TheIsengardersseizedMerryandPippinagainandslungthemontheirbacks.Thenthetroopstartedoff.Hourafterhourtheyran,pausingnowandagainonlytoslingthehobbitstofreshcarriers.Eitherbecausetheywerequickerandhardier,or

becauseofsomeplanofGrishnákh’s,theIsengardersgraduallypassedthroughtheOrcsofMordor,andGrishnákh’sfolkclosedinbehind.SoontheyweregainingalsoontheNorthernersahead.Theforestbegantodrawnearer.

Pippinwasbruisedandtorn,hisachingheadwasgratedbythefilthyjowlandhairyearoftheOrcthatheld

him.Immediatelyinfrontwerebowedbacks,andtoughthicklegsgoingupanddown,upanddown,unresting,asiftheyweremadeofwireandhorn,beatingoutthenightmaresecondsofanendlesstime.

IntheafternoonUglúk’stroopovertooktheNortherners.Theywereflaggingintheraysofthebrightsun,wintersunshining

inapalecoolskythoughitwas;theirheadsweredownandtheirtongueslollingout.

‘Maggots!’jeeredtheIsengarders.‘You’recooked.TheWhiteskinswillcatchyouandeatyou.They’recoming!’

AcryfromGrishnákhshowedthatthiswasnotmerejest.Horsemen,ridingveryswiftly,hadindeedbeensighted:stillfarbehindbut

gainingontheOrcs,gainingonthemlikeatideovertheflatsonfolkstrayinginaquicksand.

TheIsengardersbegantorunwitharedoubledpacethatastonishedPippin,aterrificspurtitseemedfortheendofarace.Thenhesawthatthesunwassinking,fallingbehindtheMistyMountains;shadowsreachedovertheland.Thesoldiersof

Mordorliftedtheirheadsandalsobegantoputonspeed.Theforestwasdarkandclose.Alreadytheyhadpassedafewoutlyingtrees.Thelandwasbeginningtoslopeupwards,evermoresteeply;buttheOrcsdidnothalt.BothUglúkandGrishnákhshouted,spurringthemontoalasteffort.

‘Theywillmakeityet.Theywillescape,’thoughtPippin.Andthenhemanagedtotwisthisneck,soastoglancebackwithoneeyeoverhisshoulder.HesawthatridersawayeastwardwerealreadylevelwiththeOrcs,gallopingovertheplain.Thesunsetgildedtheirspearsandhelmets,andglintedintheirpaleflowinghair.Theywerehemmingthe

Orcsin,preventingthemfromscattering,anddrivingthemalongthelineoftheriver.

Hewonderedverymuchwhatkindoffolktheywere.HewishednowthathehadlearnedmoreinRivendell,andlookedmoreatmapsandthings;butinthosedaystheplansforthejourneyseemedtobeinmorecompetenthands,andhehadnever

reckonedwithbeingcutofffromGandalf,orfromStrider,andevenfromFrodo.AllthathecouldrememberaboutRohanwasthatGandalf’shorse,Shadowfax,hadcomefromthatland.Thatsoundedhopeful,asfarasitwent.

‘ButhowwilltheyknowthatwearenotOrcs?’hethought.‘Idon’tsupposethey’veeverheardofhobbits

downhere.IsupposeIoughttobegladthatthebeastlyOrcslooklikebeingdestroyed,butIwouldratherbesavedmyself.’ThechanceswerethatheandMerrywouldbekilledtogetherwiththeircaptors,beforeevertheMenofRohanwereawareofthem.

Afewoftheridersappearedtobebowmen,skilledatshootingfroma

runninghorse.RidingswiftlyintorangetheyshotarrowsattheOrcsthatstraggledbehind,andseveralofthemfell;thentheriderswheeledawayoutoftherangeoftheansweringbowsoftheirenemies,whoshotwildly,notdaringtohalt.Thishappenedmanytimes,andononeoccasionarrowsfellamongtheIsengarders.Oneofthem,justinfrontofPippin,

stumbledanddidnotgetupagain.

NightcamedownwithouttheRidersclosinginforbattle.ManyOrcshadfallen,butfullytwohundredremained.IntheearlydarknesstheOrcscametoahillock.Theeavesoftheforestwereverynear,probablynomorethanthree

furlongsaway,buttheycouldgonofurther.Thehorsemenhadencircledthem.AsmallbanddisobeyedUglúk’scommand,andranontowardstheforest:onlythreereturned.

‘Well,hereweare,’sneeredGrishnákh.‘Fineleadership!IhopethegreatUglúkwillleadusoutagain.’

‘PutthoseHalflingsdown!’orderedUglúk,taking

nonoticeofGrishnákh.‘You,Lugdush,gettwoothersandstandguardoverthem!They’renottobekilled,unlessthefilthyWhiteskinsbreakthrough.Understand?AslongasI’malive,Iwant’em.Butthey’renottocryout,andthey’renottoberescued.Bindtheirlegs!’

Thelastpartoftheorderwascarriedoutmercilessly.ButPippinfoundthatforthe

firsttimehewasclosetoMerry.TheOrcsweremakingagreatdealofnoise,shoutingandclashingtheirweapons,andthehobbitsmanagedtowhispertogetherforawhile.

‘Idon’tthinkmuchofthis,’saidMerry.‘Ifeelnearlydonein.Don’tthinkIcouldcrawlawayfar,evenifIwasfree.’

‘Lembas!’whispered

Pippin.‘Lembas:I’vegotsome.Haveyou?Idon’tthinkthey’vetakenanythingbutourswords.’

‘Yes,Ihadapacketinmypocket,’answeredMerry,‘butitmustbebatteredtocrumbs.AnywayIcan’tputmymouthinmypocket!’

‘Youwon’thaveto.I’ve—’;butjustthenasavagekickwarnedPippinthatthenoisehaddieddown,andthe

guardswerewatchful.

Thenightwascoldandstill.AllroundtheknollonwhichtheOrcsweregatheredlittlewatch-firessprangup,golden-redinthedarkness,acompleteringofthem.Theywerewithinalongbowshot,buttheridersdidnotshowthemselvesagainstthelight,andtheOrcswastedmany

arrowsshootingatthefires,untilUglúkstoppedthem.Theridersmadenosound.Laterinthenightwhenthemooncameoutofthemist,thenoccasionallytheycouldbeseen,shadowyshapesthatglintednowandagaininthewhitelight,astheymovedinceaselesspatrol.

‘They’llwaitfortheSun,cursethem!’growledoneofthe

guards.‘Whydon’twegettogetherandchargethrough?What’soldUglúkthinkhe’sdoing,Ishouldliketoknow?’

‘Idaresayyouwould,’snarledUglúksteppingupfrombehind.‘MeaningIdon’tthinkatall,eh?Curseyou!You’reasbadastheotherrabble:themaggotsandtheapesofLugbúrz.Nogoodtryingtochargewiththem.They’djustsquealandbolt,

andtherearemorethanenoughofthesefilthyhorse-boystomopupourlotontheflat.

‘There’sonlyonethingthosemaggotscando:theycanseelikegimletsinthedark.ButtheseWhiteskinshavebetternight-eyesthanmostMen,fromallI’veheard;anddon’tforgettheirhorses!Theycanseethenight-breeze,orsoit’ssaid.

Stillthere’sonethingthefinefellowsdon’tknow:Mauhúrandhisladsareintheforest,andtheyshouldturnupanytimenow.’

Uglúk’swordswereenough,apparently,tosatisfytheIsengarders;buttheotherOrcswerebothdispiritedandrebellious.Theypostedafewwatchers,butmostofthemlayontheground,restinginthepleasantdarkness.Itdid

indeedbecomeverydarkagain;forthemoonpassedwestwardintothickcloud,andPippincouldnotseeanythingafewfeetaway.Thefiresbroughtnolighttothehillock.Theriderswerenot,however,contentmerelytowaitforthedawnandlettheirenemiesrest.Asuddenoutcryontheeastsideoftheknollshowedthatsomethingwaswrong.Itseemedthat

someoftheMenhadriddeninclose,slippedofftheirhorses,crawledtotheedgeofthecampandkilledseveralOrcs,andthenhadfadedawayagain.Uglúkdashedofftostopastampede.

PippinandMerrysatup.Theirguards,Isengarders,hadgonewithUglúk.Butifthehobbitshadanythoughtofescape,itwassoondashed.Alonghairyarmtookeachof

thembytheneckanddrewthemclosetogether.DimlytheywereawareofGrishnákh’sgreatheadandhideousfacebetweenthem;hisfoulbreathwasontheircheeks.Hebegantopawthemandfeelthem.Pippinshudderedashardcoldfingersgropeddownhisback.

‘Well,mylittleones!’saidGrishnákhinasoftwhisper.‘Enjoyingyournicerest?Or

not?Alittleawkwardlyplacedperhaps:swordsandwhipsononeside,andnastyspearsontheother!Littlepeopleshouldnotmeddleinaffairsthataretoobigforthem.’Hisfingerscontinuedtogrope.Therewasalightlikeapalebuthotfirebehindhiseyes.

ThethoughtcamesuddenlyintoPippin’smind,asifcaughtdirectfromthe

urgentthoughtofhisenemy:‘GrishnákhknowsabouttheRing!He’slookingforit,whileUglúkisbusy:heprobablywantsitforhimself.’ColdfearwasinPippin’sheart,yetatthesametimehewaswonderingwhatusehecouldmakeofGrishnákh’sdesire.

‘Idon’tthinkyouwillfinditthatway,’hewhispered.‘Itisn’teasytofind.’

‘Findit?’saidGrishnákh:hisfingersstoppedcrawlingandgrippedPippin’sshoulder.‘Findwhat?Whatareyoutalkingabout,littleone?’

ForamomentPippinwassilent.Thensuddenlyinthedarknesshemadeanoiseinhisthroat:gollum,gollum.‘Nothing,myprecious,’headded.

Thehobbitsfelt

Grishnákh’sfingerstwitch.‘Oho!’hissedthegoblinsoftly.‘That’swhathemeans,isit?Oho!Veryve-rydangerous,mylittleones.’

‘Perhaps,’saidMerry,nowalertandawareofPippin’sguess.‘Perhaps;andnotonlyforus.Stillyouknowyourownbusinessbest.Doyouwantit,ornot?Andwhatwouldyougiveforit?’

‘DoIwantit?DoIwant

it?’saidGrishnákh,asifpuzzled;buthisarmsweretrembling.‘WhatwouldIgiveforit?Whatdoyoumean?’

‘Wemean,’saidPippin,choosinghiswordscarefully,‘thatit’snogoodgropinginthedark.Wecouldsaveyoutimeandtrouble.Butyoumustuntieourlegsfirst,orwe’lldonothing,andsaynothing.’

‘Mydeartenderlittlefools,’hissedGrishnákh,‘everythingyouhave,andeverythingyouknow,willbegotoutofyouinduetime:everything!You’llwishtherewasmorethatyoucouldtelltosatisfytheQuestioner,indeedyouwill:quitesoon.Weshan’thurrytheenquiry.Ohdearno!Whatdoyouthinkyou’vebeenkeptalivefor?Mydearlittlefellows,

pleasebelievemewhenIsaythatitwasnotoutofkindness:that’snotevenoneofUglúk’sfaults.’

‘Ifinditquiteeasytobelieve,’saidMerry.‘Butyouhaven’tgotyourpreyhomeyet.Anditdoesn’tseemtobegoingyourway,whateverhappens.IfwecometoIsengard,itwon’tbethegreatGrishnákhthatbenefits:Sarumanwilltake

allthathecanfind.Ifyouwantanythingforyourself,now’sthetimetodoadeal.’

Grishnákhbegantolosehistemper.ThenameofSarumanseemedspeciallytoenragehim.Timewaspassingandthedisturbancewasdyingdown.UglúkortheIsengardersmightreturnatanyminute.‘Haveyougotit–eitherofyou?’hesnarled.

‘Gollum,gollum!’said

Pippin.‘Untieourlegs!’said

Merry.TheyfelttheOrc’sarms

tremblingviolently.‘Curseyou,youfilthylittlevermin!’hehissed.‘Untieyourlegs?I’lluntieeverystringinyourbodies.DoyouthinkIcan’tsearchyoutothebones?Searchyou!I’llcutyoubothtoquiveringshreds.Idon’tneedthehelpofyourlegsto

getyouaway–andhaveyoualltomyself!’

Suddenlyheseizedthem.Thestrengthinhislongarmsandshoulderswasterrifying.Hetuckedthemoneundereacharmpit,andcrushedthemfiercelytohissides;agreatstiflinghandwasclappedovereachoftheirmouths.Thenhesprangforward,stoopinglow.Quicklyandsilentlyhewent,

untilhecametotheedgeoftheknoll.There,choosingagapbetweenthewatchers,hepassedlikeanevilshadowoutintothenight,downtheslopeandawaywestwardtowardstheriverthatflowedoutoftheforest.Inthatdirectiontherewasawideopenspacewithonlyonefire.

Aftergoingadozenyardshehalted,peeringandlistening.Nothingcouldbe

seenorheard.Hecreptslowlyon,bentalmostdouble.Thenhesquattedandlistenedagain.Thenhestoodup,asiftoriskasuddendash.Atthatverymomentthedarkformofariderloomeduprightinfrontofhim.Ahorsesnortedandreared.Amancalledout.

Grishnákhflunghimselfonthegroundflat,draggingthehobbitsunderhim;then

hedrewhissword.Nodoubthemeanttokillhiscaptives,ratherthanallowthemtoescapeortoberescued;butitwashisundoing.Theswordrangfaintly,andglintedalittleinthelightofthefireawaytohisleft.Anarrowcamewhistlingoutofthegloom:itwasaimedwithskill,orguidedbyfate,anditpiercedhisrighthand.Hedroppedtheswordand

shrieked.Therewasaquickbeatofhoofs,andevenasGrishnákhleapedupandran,hewasriddendownandaspearpassedthroughhim.Hegaveahideousshiveringcryandlaystill.

Thehobbitsremainedflatontheground,asGrishnákhhadleftthem.Anotherhorsemancameridingswiftlytohiscomrade’said.Whetherbecauseofsomespecial

keennessofsight,orbecauseofsomeothersense,thehorseliftedandspranglightlyoverthem;butitsriderdidnotseethem,lyingcoveredintheirelven-cloaks,toocrushedforthemoment,andtooafraidtomove.

AtlastMerrystirredandwhisperedsoftly:‘Sofarsogood;buthowareweto

avoidbeingspitted?’Theanswercamealmost

immediately.ThecriesofGrishnákhhadrousedtheOrcs.Fromtheyellsandscreechesthatcamefromtheknollthehobbitsguessedthattheirdisappearancehadbeendiscovered:Uglúkwasprobablyknockingoffafewmoreheads.Thensuddenlytheansweringcriesoforc-voicescamefromtheright,

outsidethecircleofwatch-fires,fromthedirectionoftheforestandthemountains.Mauhúrhadapparentlyarrivedandwasattackingthebesiegers.Therewasthesoundofgallopinghorses.TheRidersweredrawingintheirringcloseroundtheknoll,riskingtheorc-arrows,soastopreventanysortie,whileacompanyrodeofftodealwiththenewcomers.

SuddenlyMerryandPippinrealizedthatwithoutmovingtheywerenowoutsidethecircle:therewasnothingbetweenthemandescape.

‘Now,’saidMerry,‘ifonlywehadourlegsandhandsfree,wemightgetaway.ButIcan’ttouchtheknots,andIcan’tbitethem.’

‘Noneedtotry,’saidPippin.‘Iwasgoingtotellyou:I’vemanagedtofreemy

hands.Theseloopsareonlyleftforshow.You’dbetterhaveabitoflembasfirst.’

Heslippedthecordsoffhiswrists,andfishedoutapacket.Thecakeswerebroken,butgood,stillintheirleaf-wrappings.Thehobbitseachatetwoorthreepieces.Thetastebroughtbacktothemthememoryoffairfaces,andlaughter,andwholesomefoodinquietdays

nowfaraway.Forawhiletheyatethoughtfully,sittinginthedark,heedlessofthecriesandsoundsofbattlenearby.Pippinwasthefirsttocomebacktothepresent.

‘Wemustbeoff,’hesaid.‘Halfamoment!’Grishnákh’sswordwaslyingcloseathand,butitwastooheavyandclumsyforhimtouse;sohecrawledforward,andfindingthebodyofthe

goblinhedrewfromitssheathalongsharpknife.Withthishequicklycuttheirbonds.

‘Nowforit!’hesaid.‘Whenwe’vewarmedupabit,perhapsweshallbeabletostandagain,andwalk.Butinanycasewehadbetterstartbycrawling.’

Theycrawled.Theturfwasdeepandyielding,andthathelpedthem;butit

seemedalongslowbusiness.Theygavethewatch-fireawideberth,andwormedtheirwayforwardbitbybit,untiltheycametotheedgeoftheriver,gurglingawayintheblackshadowsunderitsdeepbanks.Thentheylookedback.

Thesoundshaddiedaway.EvidentlyMauhúrandhis‘lads’hadbeenkilledordrivenoff.TheRidershad

returnedtotheirsilentominousvigil.Itwouldnotlastverymuchlonger.Alreadythenightwasold.IntheEast,whichhadremainedunclouded,theskywasbeginningtogrowpale.

‘Wemustgetundercover,’saidPippin,‘orweshallbeseen.Itwillnotbeanycomforttous,iftheseridersdiscoverthatwearenotOrcsafterwearedead.’He

gotupandstampedhisfeet.‘Thosecordshavecutmelikewires;butmyfeetaregettingwarmagain.Icouldstaggeronnow.Whataboutyou,Merry?’

Merrygotup.‘Yes,’hesaid,‘Icanmanageit.Lembasdoesputheartintoyou!Amorewholesomesortoffeeling,too,thantheheatofthatorc-draught.Iwonderwhatitwasmadeof.Better

nottoknow,Iexpect.Let’sgetadrinkofwatertowashawaythethoughtofit!’

‘Nothere,thebanksaretoosteep,’saidPippin.‘Forwardnow!’

Theyturnedandwalkedsidebysideslowlyalongthelineoftheriver.BehindthemthelightgrewintheEast.Astheywalkedtheycomparednotes,talkinglightlyinhobbit-fashionofthethings

thathadhappenedsincetheircapture.Nolistenerwouldhaveguessedfromtheirwordsthattheyhadsufferedcruelly,andbeenindireperil,goingwithouthopetowardstormentanddeath;orthatevennow,astheyknewwell,theyhadlittlechanceofeverfindingfriendorsafetyagain.

‘Youseemtohavebeendoingwell,MasterTook,’saidMerry.‘Youwillget

almostachapterinoldBilbo’sbook,ifeverIgetachancetoreporttohim.Goodwork:especiallyguessingthathairyvillain’slittlegame,andplayinguptohim.ButIwonderifanyonewilleverpickupyourtrailandfindthatbrooch.Ishouldhatetolosemine,butIamafraidyoursisgoneforgood.

‘Ishallhavetobrushupmytoes,ifIamtogetlevel

withyou.IndeedCousinBrandybuckisgoinginfrontnow.Thisiswherehecomesin.Idon’tsupposeyouhavemuchnotionwhereweare;butIspentmytimeatRivendellratherbetter.WearewalkingwestalongtheEntwash.Thebutt-endoftheMistyMountainsisinfront,andFangornForest.’

Evenashespokethedarkedgeoftheforestloomedup

straightbeforethem.Nightseemedtohavetakenrefugeunderitsgreattrees,creepingawayfromthecomingDawn.

‘Leadon,MasterBrandybuck!’saidPippin.‘Orleadback!WehavebeenwarnedagainstFangorn.Butonesoknowingwillnothaveforgottenthat.’

‘Ihavenot,’answeredMerry;‘buttheforestseemsbettertome,allthesame,

thanturningbackintothemiddleofabattle.’

Heledthewayinunderthehugebranchesofthetrees.Oldbeyondguessing,theyseemed.Greattrailingbeardsoflichenhungfromthem,blowingandswayinginthebreeze.Outoftheshadowsthehobbitspeeped,gazingbackdowntheslope:

littlefurtivefiguresthatinthedimlightlookedlikeelf-childreninthedeepsoftimepeeringoutoftheWildWoodinwonderattheirfirstDawn.

FarovertheGreatRiver,andtheBrownLands,leaguesupongreyleaguesaway,theDawncame,redasflame.Loudrangthehunting-hornstogreetit.TheRidersofRohansprangsuddenlytolife.Hornansweredhorn

again.MerryandPippinheard,

clearinthecoldair,theneighingofwar-horses,andthesuddensingingofmanymen.TheSun’slimbwaslifted,anarcoffire,abovethemarginoftheworld.ThenwithagreatcrytheRiderschargedfromtheEast;theredlightgleamedonmailandspear.TheOrcsyelledandshotallthearrowsthat

remainedtothem.Thehobbitssawseveralhorsemenfall;buttheirlineheldonupthehillandoverit,andwheeledroundandchargedagain.Mostoftheraidersthatwereleftalivethenbrokeandfled,thiswayandthat,pursuedonebyonetothedeath.Butoneband,holdingtogetherinablackwedge,droveforwardresolutelyinthedirectionoftheforest.

Straightuptheslopetheychargedtowardsthewatchers.Nowtheyweredrawingnear,anditseemedcertainthattheywouldescape:theyhadalreadyhewndownthreeRidersthatbarredtheirway.

‘Wehavewatchedtoolong,’saidMerry.‘There’sUglúk!Idon’twanttomeethimagain.’Thehobbitsturnedandfleddeepintothe

shadowsofthewood.Soitwasthattheydidnot

seethelaststand,whenUglúkwasovertakenandbroughttobayattheveryedgeof

Fangorn.TherehewasslainatlastbyÉomer,theThirdMarshaloftheMark,whodismountedandfoughthimswordtosword.Andoverthewidefieldsthekeen-eyedRidershunteddownthe

fewOrcsthathadescapedandstillhadstrengthtofly.

Thenwhentheyhadlaidtheirfallencomradesinamoundandhadsungtheirpraises,theRidersmadeagreatfireandscatteredtheashesoftheirenemies.Soendedtheraid,andnonewsofitcameeverbackeithertoMordorortoIsengard;butthesmokeoftheburningrosehightoheavenandwasseen

bymanywatchfuleyes.

Chapter4

TREEBEARD

Meanwhilethehobbitswentwithasmuchspeedasthedarkandtangledforestallowed,followingthelineoftherunningstream,westwardanduptowardstheslopesofthemountains,deeperand

deeperintoFangorn.SlowlytheirfearoftheOrcsdiedaway,andtheirpaceslackened.Aqueerstiflingfeelingcameoverthem,asiftheairweretoothinortooscantyforbreathing.

AtlastMerryhalted.‘Wecan’tgoonlikethis,’hepanted.‘Iwantsomeair.’

‘Let’shaveadrinkatanyrate,’saidPippin.‘I’mparched.’Heclamberedonto

agreattree-rootthatwounddownintothestream,andstoopingdrewupsomewaterinhiscuppedhands.Itwasclearandcold,andhetookmanydraughts.Merryfollowedhim.Thewaterrefreshedthemandseemedtocheertheirhearts;forawhiletheysattogetheronthebrinkofthestream,dabblingtheirsorefeetandlegs,andpeeringroundatthetreesthat

stoodsilentlyaboutthem,rankuponrank,untiltheyfadedawayintogreytwilightineverydirection.

‘Isupposeyouhaven’tlostusalready?’saidPippin,leaningbackagainstagreattree-trunk.‘Wecanatleastfollowthecourseofthisstream,theEntwashorwhateveryoucallit,andgetoutagainthewaywecame.’

‘Wecould,ifourlegs

woulddoit,’saidMerry;‘andifwecouldbreatheproperly.’

‘Yes,itisallverydim,andstuffy,inhere,’saidPippin.‘Itremindsme,somehow,oftheoldroomintheGreatPlaceoftheTooksawaybackintheSmialsatTuckborough:ahugeplace,wherethefurniturehasneverbeenmovedorchangedforgenerations.TheysaytheOldTooklivedinityearafter

year,whileheandtheroomgotolderandshabbiertogether–andithasneverbeenchangedsincehedied,acenturyago.AndOldGerontiuswasmygreat-great-grandfather:thatputsitbackabit.Butthatisnothingtotheoldfeelingofthiswood.Lookatallthoseweeping,trailing,beardsandwhiskersoflichen!Andmostofthetreesseemtobehalf

coveredwithraggeddryleavesthathaveneverfallen.Untidy.Ican’timaginewhatspringwouldlooklikehere,ifitevercomes;stilllessaspring-cleaning.’

‘ButtheSunatanyratemustpeepinsometimes,’saidMerry.‘ItdoesnotlookorfeelatalllikeBilbo’sdescriptionofMirkwood.Thatwasalldarkandblack,andthehomeofdarkblack

things.Thisisjustdim,andfrightfullytree-ish.Youcan’timagineanimalslivinghereatall,orstayingforlong.’

‘No,norhobbits,’saidPippin.‘AndIdon’tlikethethoughtoftryingtogetthroughiteither.Nothingtoeatforahundredmiles,Ishouldguess.Howareoursupplies?’

‘Low,’saidMerry.‘Weranoffwithnothingbuta

coupleofsparepacketsoflembas,andlefteverythingelsebehind.’Theylookedatwhatremainedoftheelven-cakes:brokenfragmentsforaboutfivemeagredays,thatwasall.‘Andnotawraporablanket,’saidMerry.‘Weshallbecoldtonight,whicheverwaywego.’

‘Well,we’dbetterdecideonthewaynow,’saidPippin.‘Themorningmustbegetting

on.’Justthentheybecame

awareofayellowlightthathadappeared,somewayfurtheronintothewood:shaftsofsunlightseemedsuddenlytohavepiercedtheforest-roof.

‘Hullo!’saidMerry.‘TheSunmusthaverunintoacloudwhilewe’vebeenunderthesetrees,andnowshehasrunoutagain;orelseshehas

climbedhighenoughtolookdownthroughsomeopening.Itisn’tfar–let’sgoandinvestigate!’

Theyfounditwasfurtherthantheythought.Thegroundwasrisingsteeplystill,anditwasbecomingincreasinglystony.Thelightgrewbroaderastheywenton,andsoontheysawthatthere

wasarock-wallbeforethem:thesideofahill,ortheabruptendofsomelongrootthrustoutbythedistantmountains.Notreesgrewonit,andthesunwasfallingfullonitsstonyface.Thetwigsofthetreesatitsfootwerestretchedoutstiffandstill,asifreachingouttothewarmth.Whereallhadlookedsoshabbyandgreybefore,thewoodnowgleamedwithrich

browns,andwiththesmoothblack-greysofbarklikepolishedleather.Thebolesofthetreesglowedwithasoftgreenlikeyounggrass:earlyspringorafleetingvisionofitwasaboutthem.

Inthefaceofthestonywalltherewassomethinglikeastair:naturalperhaps,andmadebytheweatheringandsplittingoftherock,foritwasroughanduneven.High

up,almostlevelwiththetopsofforest-trees,therewasashelfunderacliff.Nothinggrewtherebutafewgrassesandweedsatitsedge,andoneoldstumpofatreewithonlytwobentbranchesleft:itlookedalmostlikethefigureofsomegnarledoldman,standingthere,blinkinginthemorning-light.

‘Upwego!’saidMerryjoyfully.‘Nowforabreathof

air,andasightoftheland!’Theyclimbedand

scrambleduptherock.Ifthestairhadbeenmadeitwasforbiggerfeetandlongerlegsthantheirs.Theyweretooeagertobesurprisedattheremarkablewayinwhichthecutsandsoresoftheircaptivityhadhealedandtheirvigourhadreturned.Theycameatlengthtotheedgeoftheshelfalmostatthefeetof

theoldstump;thentheysprangupandturnedroundwiththeirbackstothehill,breathingdeep,andlookingouteastward.Theysawthattheyhadonlycomesomethreeorfourmilesintotheforest:theheadsofthetreesmarcheddowntheslopestowardstheplain.There,nearthefringeoftheforest,tallspiresofcurlingblacksmokewentup,waveringand

floatingtowardsthem.‘Thewind’schanging,’

saidMerry.‘It’sturnedeastagain.Itfeelscooluphere.’

‘Yes,’saidPippin;‘I’mafraidthisisonlyapassinggleam,anditwillallgogreyagain.Whatapity!Thisshaggyoldforestlookedsodifferentinthesunlight.IalmostfeltIlikedtheplace.’

‘AlmostfeltyoulikedtheForest!That’sgood!That’suncommonlykindofyou,’saidastrangevoice.‘Turnroundandletmehavealookatyourfaces.IalmostfeelthatIdislikeyouboth,butdonotletusbehasty.Turnaround!’Alargeknob-knuckledhandwaslaidoneachoftheirshoulders,andtheyweretwistedround,gentlybutirresistibly;then

twogreatarmsliftedthemup.Theyfoundthattheywere

lookingatamostextraordinaryface.ItbelongedtoalargeMan-like,almostTroll-like,figure,atleastfourteenfoothigh,verysturdy,withatallhead,andhardlyanyneck.Whetheritwascladinstufflikegreenandgreybark,orwhetherthatwasitshide,wasdifficulttosay.Atanyratethearms,ata

shortdistancefromthetrunk,werenotwrinkled,butcoveredwithabrownsmoothskin.Thelargefeethadseventoeseach.Thelowerpartofthelongfacewascoveredwithasweepinggreybeard,bushy,almosttwiggyattheroots,thinandmossyattheends.Butatthemomentthehobbitsnotedlittlebuttheeyes.Thesedeepeyeswerenowsurveyingthem,slow

andsolemn,butverypenetrating.Theywerebrown,shotwithagreenlight.OftenafterwardsPippintriedtodescribehisfirstimpressionofthem.

‘Onefeltasiftherewasanenormouswellbehindthem,filledupwithagesofmemoryandlong,slow,steadythinking;buttheirsurfacewassparklingwiththepresent;likesun

shimmeringontheouterleavesofavasttree,orontheripplesofaverydeeplake.Idon’tknow,butitfeltasifsomethingthatgrewintheground–asleep,youmightsay,orjustfeelingitselfassomethingbetweenroot-tipandleaf-tip,betweendeepearthandskyhadsuddenlywakedup,andwasconsideringyouwiththesameslowcarethatithad

giventoitsowninsideaffairsforendlessyears.’

‘Hrum,Hoom,’murmuredthevoice,adeepvoicelikeaverydeepwoodwindinstrument.‘Veryoddindeed!Donotbehasty,thatismymotto.ButifIhadseenyou,beforeIheardyourvoices–Ilikedthem:nicelittlevoices;theyremindedmeofsomethingIcannotremember–ifIhadseenyou

beforeIheardyou,Ishouldhavejusttroddenonyou,takingyouforlittleOrcs,andfoundoutmymistakeafterwards.Veryoddyouare,indeed.Rootandtwig,veryodd!’

Pippin,thoughstillamazed,nolongerfeltafraid.Underthoseeyeshefeltacurioussuspense,butnotfear.‘Please,’hesaid,‘whoareyou?Andwhatareyou?’

Aqueerlookcameintotheoldeyes,akindofwariness;thedeepwellswerecoveredover.‘Hrum,now,’answeredthevoice;‘well,IamanEnt,orthat’swhattheycallme.Yes,Entistheword.TheEnt,Iam,youmightsay,inyourmannerofspeaking.Fangornismynameaccordingtosome,Treebeardothersmakeit.Treebeardwilldo.’

‘AnEnt?’saidMerry.‘What’sthat?Butwhatdoyoucallyourself?What’syourrealname?’

‘Hoonow!’repliedTreebeard.‘Hoo!Nowthatwouldbetelling!Notsohasty.AndIamdoingtheasking.Youareinmycountry.Whatareyou,Iwonder?Icannotplaceyou.YoudonotseemtocomeintheoldliststhatIlearned

whenIwasyoung.Butthatwasalong,longtimeago,andtheymayhavemadenewlists.Letmesee!Letmesee!Howdiditgo?

LearnnowtheloreofLivingCreatures!Firstnamethefour,thefreepeoples:Eldestofall,theelf-children;

Dwarfthedelver,darkarehishouses;Enttheearthborn,oldasmountains;Manthemortal,masterofhorses:

Hm,hm,hm.

Beaverthebuilder,bucktheleaper,

Bearbee-hunter,boarthefighter;Houndishungry,hareisfearful...

hm,hm.

Eagleineyrie,oxinpasture,Harthorn-crownéd;hawkisswiftest,

Swanthewhitest,serpentcoldest...

Hoom,hm;hoom,hm,howdiditgo?Roomtum,roomtum,roomtytoomtum.Itwasalonglist.Butanywayyoudonotseemtofitinanywhere!’

‘Wealwaysseemtohavegotleftoutoftheoldlists,andtheoldstories,’saidMerry.‘Yetwe’vebeenabout

forquitealongtime.We’rehobbits.’

‘Whynotmakeanewline?’saidPippin.

‘Half-grownhobbits,thehole-dwellers.

Putusinamongstthefour,nexttoMan(theBigPeople)andyou’vegotit.’

‘Hm!Notbad,notbad,’saidTreebeard.‘Thatwoulddo.Soyouliveinholes,eh?Itsoundsveryrightandproper.Whocallsyouhobbits,though?ThatdoesnotsoundElvishtome.Elvesmadealltheoldwords:theybeganit.’

‘Nobodyelsecallsushobbits;wecallourselvesthat,’saidPippin.

‘Hoom,hmm!Comenow!

Notsohasty!Youcallyourselveshobbits?Butyoushouldnotgotellingjustanybody.You’llbelettingoutyourownrightnamesifyou’renotcareful.’

‘Wearen’tcarefulaboutthat,’saidMerry.‘AsamatteroffactI’maBrandybuck,MeriadocBrandybuck,thoughmostpeoplecallmejustMerry.’

‘AndI’maTook,Peregrin

Took,butI’mgenerallycalledPippin,orevenPip.’

‘Hm,butyouarehastyfolk,Isee,’saidTreebeard.‘Iamhonouredbyyourconfidence;butyoushouldnotbetoofreeallatonce.ThereareEntsandEnts,youknow;orthereareEntsandthingsthatlooklikeEntsbutain’t,asyoumightsay.I’llcallyouMerryandPippin,ifyouplease–nicenames.For

Iamnotgoingtotellyoumyname,notyetatanyrate.’Aqueerhalf-knowing,half-humorouslookcamewithagreenflickerintohiseyes.‘Foronethingitwouldtakealongwhile:mynameisgrowingallthetime,andI’velivedaverylong,longtime;somynameislikeastory.Realnamestellyouthestoryofthethingstheybelongtoinmylanguage,intheOld

Entishasyoumightsay.Itisalovelylanguage,butittakesaverylongtimetosayanythinginit,becausewedonotsayanythinginit,unlessitisworthtakingalongtimetosay,andtolistento.

‘Butnow,’andtheeyesbecameverybrightand‘present’,seemingtogrowsmallerandalmostsharp,‘whatisgoingon?Whatareyoudoinginitall?Icansee

andhear(andsmellandfeel)agreatdealfromthis,fromthis,fromthisa-lalla-lalla-rumba-kamanda-lind-or-burúmë.Excuseme:thatisapartofmynameforit;Idonotknowwhatthewordisintheoutsidelanguages:youknow,thethingweareon,whereIstandandlookoutonfinemornings,andthinkabouttheSun,andthegrassbeyondthewood,andthe

horses,andtheclouds,andtheunfoldingoftheworld.Whatisgoingon?WhatisGandalfupto?Andthese–burárum,’hemadeadeeprumblingnoiselikeadiscordonagreatorgan–‘theseOrcs,andyoungSarumandownatIsengard?Ilikenews.Butnottooquicknow.’

‘Thereisquitealotgoingon,’saidMerry;‘andevenifwetriedtobequick,itwould

takealongtimetotell.Butyoutoldusnottobehasty.Oughtwetotellyouanythingsosoon?Wouldyouthinkitrude,ifweaskedwhatyouaregoingtodowithus,andwhichsideyouareon?AnddidyouknowGandalf?’

‘Yes,Idoknowhim:theonlywizardthatreallycaresabouttrees,’saidTreebeard.‘Doyouknowhim?’

‘Yes,’saidPippinsadly,

‘wedid.Hewasagreatfriend,andhewasourguide.’

‘ThenIcanansweryourotherquestions,’saidTreebeard.‘Iamnotgoingtodoanythingwithyou:notifyoumeanbythat‘‘dosomethingtoyou’’withoutyourleave.Wemightdosomethingstogether.Idon’tknowaboutsides.gomyownway;butyourwaymaygoalongwithmineforawhile.

ButyouspeakofMasterGandalf,asifhewasinastorythathadcometoanend.’

‘Yes,wedo,’saidPippinsadly.‘Thestoryseemstobegoingon,butIamafraidGandalfhasfallenoutofit.’

‘Hoo,comenow!’saidTreebeard.‘Hoom,hm,ahwell.’Hepaused,lookinglongatthehobbits.‘Hoom,ah,wellIdonotknowwhat

tosay.Comenow!’‘Ifyouwouldliketohear

more,’saidMerry,‘wewilltellyou.Butitwilltakesometime.Wouldn’tyouliketoputusdown?Couldn’twesitheretogetherinthesun,whileitlasts?Youmustbegettingtiredofholdingusup.’

‘Hm,tired?No,Iamnottired.Idonoteasilygettired.AndIdonotsitdown.Iam

notvery,hm,bendable.Butthere,theSunisgoingin.Letusleavethis–didyousaywhatyoucallit?’

‘Hill?’suggestedPippin.‘Shelf?Step?’suggestedMerry.Treebeardrepeatedthewordsthoughtfully.‘Hill.Yes,thatwasit.Butitisahastywordforathingthathasstoodhereeversincethispartoftheworldwasshaped.Nevermind.Letusleaveit,

andgo.’‘Whereshallwego?’

askedMerry.‘Tomyhome,oroneof

myhomes,’answeredTreebeard.

‘Isitfar?’‘Idonotknow.Youmight

callitfar,perhaps.Butwhatdoesthatmatter?’

‘Well,yousee,wehavelostallourbelongings,’saidMerry.‘Wehaveonlyalittle

food.’‘O!Hm!Youneednot

troubleaboutthat,’saidTreebeard.‘Icangiveyouadrinkthatwillkeepyougreenandgrowingforalong,longwhile.Andifwedecidetopartcompany,Icansetyoudownoutsidemycountryatanypointyouchoose.Letusgo!’

Holdingthehobbitsgentlybutfirmly,oneinthecrookofeacharm,Treebeardliftedupfirstonelargefootandthentheother,andmovedthemtotheedgeoftheshelf.Therootliketoesgraspedtherocks.Thencarefullyandsolemnly,hestalkeddownfromsteptostep,andreachedtheflooroftheForest.

Atoncehesetoffwith

longdeliberatestridesthroughthetrees,deeperanddeeperintothewood,neverfarfromthestream,climbingsteadilyuptowardstheslopesofthemountains.Manyofthetreesseemedasleep,orasunawareofhimasofanyothercreaturethatmerelypassedby;butsomequivered,andsomeraiseduptheirbranchesabovehisheadasheapproached.Allthewhile,as

hewalked,hetalkedtohimselfinalongrunningstreamofmusicalsounds.

Thehobbitsweresilentforsometime.Theyfelt,oddlyenough,safeandcomfortable,andtheyhadagreatdealtothinkandwonderabout.AtlastPippinventuredtospeakagain.

‘Please,Treebeard,’hesaid,‘couldIaskyousomething?Whydid

Celebornwarnusagainstyourforest?Hetoldusnottoriskgettingentangledinit.’

‘Hmm,didhenow?’rumbledTreebeard.‘AndImighthavesaidmuchthesame,ifyouhadbeengoingtheotherway.DonotriskgettingentangledinthewoodsofLaurelindórenan!ThatiswhattheElvesusedtocallit,butnowtheymakethenameshorter:Lothlórienthey

callit.Perhapstheyareright:maybeitisfading,notgrowing.LandoftheValleyofSingingGold,thatwasit,onceuponatime.NowitistheDreamflower.Ahwell!Butitisaqueerplace,andnotforjustanyonetoventurein.Iamsurprisedthatyouevergotout,butmuchmoresurprisedthatyouevergotin:thathasnothappenedtostrangersformanyayear.It

isaqueerland.‘Andsoisthis.Folkhave

cometogriefhere.Aye,theyhave,togrief.Laurelindórenanlindelorendormalinornélionornemalin,’hehummedtohimself.‘Theyarefallingratherbehindtheworldinthere,Iguess,’hesaid.‘Neitherthiscountry,noranythingelseoutsidetheGoldenWood,iswhatitwas

whenCelebornwasyoung.Still:

Taurelilómëa-tumbalemornaTumbaletaurëaLómëanor*

thatiswhattheyusedtosay.Thingshavechanged,butitisstilltrueinplaces.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’said

Pippin.‘Whatistrue?’‘ThetreesandtheEnts,’

saidTreebeard.‘Idonotunderstandallthatgoesonmyself,soIcannotexplainittoyou.SomeofusarestilltrueEnts,andlivelyenoughinourfashion,butmanyaregrowingsleepy,goingtree-ish,asyoumightsay.Mostofthetreesarejusttrees,ofcourse;butmanyarehalfawake.Somearequitewide

awake,andafeware,well,ah,wellgettingEntish.Thatisgoingonallthetime.

‘Whenthathappenstoatree,youfindthatsomehavebadhearts.Nothingtodowiththeirwood:Idonotmeanthat.Why,IknewsomegoodoldwillowsdowntheEntwash,gonelongago,alas!Theywerequitehollow,indeedtheywerefallingalltopieces,butasquietand

sweet-spokenasayoungleaf.Andthentherearesometreesinthevalleysunderthemountains,soundasabell,andbadrightthrough.Thatsortofthingseemstospread.Thereusedtobesomeverydangerouspartsinthiscountry.Therearestillsomeveryblackpatches.’

‘LiketheOldForestawaytothenorth,doyoumean?’askedMerry.

‘Aye,aye,somethinglike,butmuchworse.IdonotdoubtthereissomeshadowoftheGreatDarknesslyingtherestillawaynorth;andbadmemoriesarehandeddown.ButtherearehollowdalesinthislandwheretheDarknesshasneverbeenlifted,andthetreesareolderthanIam.Still,wedowhatwecan.Wekeepoffstrangersandthefoolhardy;

andwetrainandweteach,wewalkandweweed.

‘Wearetree-herds,weoldEnts.Fewenoughofusareleftnow.Sheepgetlikeshepherd,andshepherdslikesheep,itissaid;butslowly,andneitherhavelongintheworld.ItisquickerandcloserwithtreesandEnts,andtheywalkdowntheagestogether.ForEntsaremorelikeElves:lessinterestedinthemselves

thanMenare,andbetteratgettinginsideotherthings.AndyetagainEntsaremorelikeMen,morechangeablethanElvesare,andquickerattakingthecolouroftheoutside,youmightsay.Orbetterthanboth:fortheyaresteadierandkeeptheirmindsonthingslonger.

‘Someofmykinlookjustliketreesnow,andneedsomethinggreattorouse

them;andtheyspeakonlyinwhispers.Butsomeofmytreesarelimb-lithe,andmanycantalktome.Elvesbeganit,ofcourse,wakingtreesupandteachingthemtospeakandlearningtheirtree-talk.Theyalwayswishedtotalktoeverything,theoldElvesdid.ButthentheGreatDarknesscame,andtheypassedawayovertheSea,orfledintofarvalleys,andhidthemselves,

andmadesongsaboutdaysthatwouldnevercomeagain.Neveragain.Aye,aye,therewasallonewoodonceuponatimefromheretotheMountainsofLune,andthiswasjusttheEastEnd.

‘Thosewerethebroaddays!TimewaswhenIcouldwalkandsingalldayandhearnomorethantheechoofmyownvoiceinthehollowhills.Thewoodswerelikethe

woodsofLothlórien,onlythicker,stronger,younger.Andthesmelloftheair!Iusedtospendaweekjustbreathing.’

Treebeardfellsilent,stridingalong,andyetmakinghardlyasoundwithhisgreatfeet.Thenhebegantohumagain,andpassedintoamurmuringchant.Graduallythehobbitsbecameawarethathewaschantingto

them:

Inthewillow-meadsofTasarinanIwalkedintheSpring.

Ah!thesightandthesmelloftheSpringinNan-tasarion!

AndIsaidthatwasgood.IwanderedinSummerintheelm-woodsofOssiriand.

Ah!thelightandthe

musicintheSummerbytheSevenRiversofOssir!

AndIthoughtthatwasbest.

TothebeechesofNeldorethIcameintheAutumn.

Ah!thegoldandtheredandthesighingofleavesintheAutumninTaur-na-neldor!

Itwasmorethanmy

desire.Tothepine-treesuponthehighlandofDorthonionIclimbedintheWinter.

Ah!thewindandthewhitenessandtheblackbranchesofWinteruponOrod-na-Thôn!

Myvoicewentupandsanginthesky.

Andnowallthoselandslieunderthewave,

AndIwalkinAmbaróna,

inTauremorna,inAldalómë,

Inmyownland,inthecountryofFangorn,

Wheretherootsarelong,Andtheyearsliethickerthantheleaves

InTauremornalómë.

Heended,andstrodeonsilently,andinallthewood,asfarasearcouldreach,therewasnotasound.

Thedaywaned,andduskwastwinedaboutthebolesofthetrees.Atlastthehobbitssaw,risingdimlybeforethem,asteepdarkland:theyhadcometothefeetofthemountains,andtothegreenrootsoftallMethedras.DownthehillsidetheyoungEntwash,leapingfromitsspringshighabove,rannoisilyfromsteptosteptomeetthem.Ontherightofthe

streamtherewasalongslope,cladwithgrass,nowgreyinthetwilight.Notreesgrewthereanditwasopentothesky;starswereshiningalreadyinlakesbetweenshoresofcloud.

Treebeardstrodeuptheslope,hardlyslackeninghispace.Suddenlybeforethemthehobbitssawawideopening.Twogreattreesstoodthere,oneoneither

side,likelivinggate-posts;buttherewasnogatesavetheircrossingandinterwovenboughs.AstheoldEntapproached,thetreeslifteduptheirbranches,andalltheirleavesquiveredandrustled.Fortheywereevergreentrees,andtheirleavesweredarkandpolished,andgleamedinthetwilight.Beyondthemwasawidelevelspace,asthoughthe

floorofagreathallhadbeencutinthesideofthehill.Oneitherhandthewallsslopedupwards,untiltheywerefiftyfeethighormore,andalongeachwallstoodanaisleoftreesthatalsoincreasedinheightastheymarchedinwards.

Atthefarendtherock-wallwassheer,butatthebottomithadbeenhollowedbackintoashallowbaywith

anarchedroof:theonlyroofofthehall,savethebranchesofthetrees,whichattheinnerendovershadowedallthegroundleavingonlyabroadopenpathinthemiddle.Alittlestreamescapedfromthespringsabove,andleavingthemainwater,felltinklingdownthesheerfaceofthewall,pouringinsilverdrops,likeafinecurtaininfrontofthe

archedbay.Thewaterwasgatheredagainintoastonebasininthefloorbetweenthetrees,andthenceitspilledandflowedawaybesidetheopenpath,outtorejointheEntwashinitsjourneythroughtheforest.

‘Hm!Hereweare!’saidTreebeard,breakinghislongsilence.‘Ihavebroughtyou

aboutseventythousandent-strides,butwhatthatcomestointhemeasurementofyourlandIdonotknow.AnyhowweareneartherootsoftheLastMountain.PartofthenameofthisplacemightbeWellinghall,ifitwereturnedintoyourlanguage.Ilikeit.Wewillstayheretonight.’Hesetthemdownonthegrassbetweentheaislesofthetrees,andtheyfollowed

himtowardsthegreatarch.Thehobbitsnownoticedthatashewalkedhiskneeshardlybent,buthislegsopenedinagreatstride.Heplantedhisbigtoes(andtheywereindeedbig,andverybroad)onthegroundfirst,beforeanyotherpartofhisfeet.

ForamomentTreebeardstoodundertherainofthefallingspring,andtookadeepbreath;thenhelaughed,

andpassedinside.Agreatstonetablestoodthere,butnochairs.Atthebackofthebayitwasalreadyquitedark.Treebeardliftedtwogreatvesselsandstoodthemonthetable.Theyseemedtobefilledwithwater;butheheldhishandsoverthem,andimmediatelytheybegantoglow,onewithagoldenandtheotherwitharichgreenlight;andtheblendingofthe

twolightslitthebay,asifthesunofsummerwasshiningthrougharoofofyoungleaves.Lookingback,thehobbitssawthatthetreesinthecourthadalsobeguntoglow,faintlyatfirst,butsteadilyquickening,untileveryleafwasedgedwithlight:somegreen,somegold,someredascopper;whilethetree-trunkslookedlikepillarsmouldedoutofluminous

stone.‘Well,well,nowwecan

talkagain,’saidTreebeard.‘Youarethirsty,Iexpect.Perhapsyouarealsotired.Drinkthis!’Hewenttothebackofthebay,andthentheysawthatseveraltallstonejarsstoodthere,withheavylids.Heremovedoneofthelids,anddippedinagreatladle,andwithitfilledthreebowls,oneverylargebowl,andtwo

smallerones.‘Thisisanent-house,’he

said,‘andtherearenoseats,Ifear.Butyoumaysitonthetable.’Pickingupthehobbitshesetthemonthegreatstoneslab,sixfeetabovetheground,andtheretheysatdanglingtheirlegs,anddrinkinginsips.

Thedrinkwaslikewater,indeedverylikethetasteofthedraughtstheyhaddrunk

fromtheEntwashnearthebordersoftheforest,andyettherewassomescentorsavourinitwhichtheycouldnotdescribe:itwasfaint,butitremindedthemofthesmellofadistantwoodbornefromafarbyacoolbreezeatnight.Theeffectofthedraughtbeganatthetoes,androsesteadilythrougheverylimb,bringingrefreshmentandvigourasitcoursedupwards,

righttothetipsofthehair.Indeedthehobbitsfeltthatthehairontheirheadswasactuallystandingup,wavingandcurlingandgrowing.AsforTreebeard,hefirstlavedhisfeetinthebasinbeyondthearch,andthenhedrainedhisbowlatonedraught,onelong,slowdraught.Thehobbitsthoughthewouldneverstop.

Atlasthesetthebowl

downagain.‘Ah–ah,’hesighed.‘Hm,hoom,nowwecantalkeasier.Youcansitonthefloor,andIwillliedown;thatwillpreventthisdrinkfromrisingtomyheadandsendingmetosleep.’

Ontherightsideofthebaytherewasagreatbedonlowlegs,notmorethanacoupleoffeethigh,covered

deepindriedgrassandbracken.Treebeardloweredhimselfslowlyontothis(withonlytheslightestsignofbendingathismiddle),untilhelayatfulllength,withhisarmsbehindhishead,lookingupattheceiling,uponwhichlightswereflickering,liketheplayofleavesinthesunshine.MerryandPippinsatbesidehimonpillowsofgrass.

‘Nowtellmeyourtale,anddonothurry!’saidTreebeard.

ThehobbitsbegantotellhimthestoryoftheiradventureseversincetheyleftHobbiton.Theyfollowednoveryclearorder,fortheyinterruptedoneanothercontinually,andTreebeardoftenstoppedthespeaker,andwentbacktosomeearlierpoint,orjumpedforward

askingquestionsaboutlaterevents.TheysaidnothingwhateverabouttheRing,anddidnottellhimwhytheysetoutorwheretheyweregoingto;andhedidnotaskforanyreasons.

Hewasimmenselyinterestedineverything:intheBlackRiders,inElrond,andRivendell,intheOldForest,andTomBombadil,intheMinesofMoria,andin

LothlórienandGaladriel.HemadethemdescribetheShireanditscountryoverandoveragain.Hesaidanoddthingatthispoint.‘Youneverseeany,hm,anyEntsroundthere,doyou?’heasked.‘Well,notEnts,EntwivesIshouldreallysay.’

‘Entwives?’saidPippin.‘Aretheylikeyouatall?’

‘Yes,hm,wellno:Idonotreallyknownow,’said

Treebeardthoughtfully.‘Buttheywouldlikeyourcountry,soIjustwondered.’

TreebeardwashoweverespeciallyinterestedineverythingthatconcernedGandalf;andmostinterestedofallinSaruman’sdoings.Thehobbitsregrettedverymuchthattheyknewsolittleaboutthem:onlyarathervaguereportbySamofwhatGandalfhadtoldtheCouncil.

ButtheywereclearatanyratethatUglúkandhistroopcamefromIsengard,andspokeofSarumanastheirmaster.

‘Hm,hoom!’saidTreebeard,whenatlasttheirstoryhadwoundandwandereddowntothebattleoftheOrcsandtheRidersofRohan.‘Well,well!Thatisabundleofnewsandnomistake.Youhavenottold

meall,noindeed,notbyalongway.ButIdonotdoubtthatyouaredoingasGandalfwouldwish.Thereissomethingverybiggoingon,thatIcansee,andwhatitismaybeIshalllearningoodtime,orinbadtime.Byrootandtwig,butitisastrangebusiness:upsproutalittlefolkthatarenotintheoldlists,andbehold!theNineforgottenRidersreappearto

huntthem,andGandalftakesthemonagreatjourney,andGaladrielharbourstheminCarasGaladhon,andOrcspursuethemdownalltheleaguesofWilderland:indeedtheyseemtobecaughtupinagreatstorm.Ihopetheyweatherit!’

‘Andwhataboutyourself?’askedMerry.

‘Hoom,hm,IhavenottroubledabouttheGreat

Wars,’saidTreebeard;‘theymostlyconcernElvesandMen.ThatisthebusinessofWizards:Wizardsarealwaystroubledaboutthefuture.Idonotlikeworryingaboutthefuture.Iamnotaltogetheronanybody’sside,becausenobodyisaltogetheronmyside,ifyouunderstandme:nobodycaresforthewoodsasIcareforthem,notevenElvesnowadays.Still,Itake

morekindlytoElvesthantoothers:itwastheElvesthatcuredusofdumbnesslongago,andthatwasagreatgiftthatcannotbeforgotten,thoughourwayshavepartedsince.Andtherearesomethings,ofcourse,whosesideIamaltogethernoton;Iamagainstthemaltogether:these–burárum’(heagainmadeadeeprumbleofdisgust)‘—theseOrcs,andtheirmasters.

‘IusedtobeanxiouswhentheshadowlayonMirkwood,butwhenitremovedtoMordor,Ididnottroubleforawhile:Mordorisalongwayaway.ButitseemsthatthewindissettingEast,andthewitheringofallwoodsmaybedrawingnear.ThereisnaughtthatanoldEntcandotoholdbackthatstorm:hemustweatheritorcrack.

‘ButSarumannow!

Sarumanisaneighbour:Icannotoverlookhim.Imustdosomething,Isuppose.IhaveoftenwonderedlatelywhatIshoulddoaboutSaruman.’

‘WhoisSaruman?’askedPippin.‘Doyouknowanythingabouthishistory?’

‘SarumanisaWizard,’answeredTreebeard.‘MorethanthatIcannotsay.Idonotknowthehistoryof

Wizards.TheyappearedfirstaftertheGreatShipscameovertheSea;butiftheycamewiththeShipsInevercantell.Sarumanwasreckonedgreatamongthem,Ibelieve.HegaveupwanderingaboutandmindingtheaffairsofMenandElves,sometimeago–youwouldcallitaverylongtimeago;andhesettleddownatAngrenost,orIsengardastheMenofRohan

callit.Hewasveryquiettobeginwith,buthisfamebegantogrow.HewaschosentobetheheadoftheWhiteCouncil,theysay;butthatdidnotturnouttoowell.IwondernowifeventhenSarumanwasnotturningtoevilways.Butatanyrateheusedtogivenotroubletohisneighbours.Iusedtotalktohim.Therewasatimewhenhewasalwayswalkingabout

mywoods.Hewaspoliteinthosedays,alwaysaskingmyleave(atleastwhenhemetme);andalwayseagertolisten.Itoldhimmanythingsthathewouldneverhavefoundoutbyhimself;butheneverrepaidmeinlikekind.Icannotrememberthatheevertoldmeanything.Andhegotmoreandmorelikethat;hisface,asIrememberit–Ihavenotseenitformanya

day–becamelikewindowsinastonewall:windowswithshuttersinside.

‘IthinkthatInowunderstandwhatheisupto.HeisplottingtobecomeaPower.Hehasamindofmetalandwheels;andhedoesnotcareforgrowingthings,exceptasfarastheyservehimforthemoment.Andnowitisclearthatheisablacktraitor.Hehastaken

upwithfoulfolk,withtheOrcs.Brm,hoom!Worsethanthat:hehasbeendoingsomethingtothem;somethingdangerous.FortheseIsengardersaremorelikewickedMen.ItisamarkofevilthingsthatcameintheGreatDarknessthattheycannotabidetheSun;butSaruman’sOrcscanendureit,eveniftheyhateit.Iwonderwhathehasdone?Arethey

Menhehasruined,orhasheblendedtheracesofOrcsandMen?Thatwouldbeablackevil!’

Treebeardrumbledforamoment,asifhewerepronouncingsomedeep,subterraneanEntishmalediction.‘SometimeagoIbegantowonderhowOrcsdaredtopassthroughmywoodssofreely,’hewenton.‘OnlylatelydidIguessthat

Sarumanwastoblame,andthatlongagohehadbeenspyingoutalltheways,anddiscoveringmysecrets.Heandhisfoulfolkaremakinghavocnow.Downontheborderstheyarefellingtrees–goodtrees.Someofthetreestheyjustcutdownandleavetorot–orc-mischiefthat;butmostarehewnupandcarriedofftofeedthefiresofOrthanc.Thereis

alwaysasmokerisingfromIsengardthesedays.

‘Cursehim,rootandbranch!Manyofthosetreesweremyfriends,creaturesIhadknownfromnutandacorn;manyhadvoicesoftheirownthatarelostforevernow.Andtherearewastesofstumpandbramblewhereoncethereweresinginggroves.Ihavebeenidle.Ihaveletthingsslip.It

muststop!’Treebeardraisedhimself

fromhisbedwithajerk,stoodup,andthumpedhishandonthetable.Thevesselsoflighttrembledandsentuptwojetsofflame.Therewasaflickerlikegreenfireinhiseyes,andhisbeardstoodoutstiffasagreatbesom.

‘Iwillstopit!’heboomed.‘Andyoushallcomewithme.Youmaybeableto

helpme.Youwillbehelpingyourownfriendsthatway,too;forifSarumanisnotcheckedRohanandGondorwillhaveanenemybehindaswellasinfront.Ourroadsgotogether–toIsengard!’

‘Wewillcomewithyou,’saidMerry.‘Wewilldowhatwecan.’

‘Yes!’saidPippin.‘IshouldliketoseetheWhiteHandoverthrown.Ishould

liketobethere,evenifIcouldnotbeofmuchuse:IshallneverforgetUglúkandthecrossingofRohan.’

‘Good!Good!’saidTreebeard.‘ButIspokehastily.Wemustnotbehasty.Ihavebecometoohot.Imustcoolmyselfandthink;foritiseasiertoshoutstop!thantodoit.’

Hestrodetothearchwayandstoodforsometime

underthefallingrainofthespring.Thenhelaughedandshookhimself,andwhereverthedropsofwaterfellglitteringfromhimtothegroundtheyglintedlikeredandgreensparks.Hecamebackandlaidhimselfonthebedagainandwassilent.

Aftersometimethehobbitsheardhimmurmuring

again.Heseemedtobecountingonhisfingers.‘Fangorn,Finglas,Fladrif,aye,aye,’hesighed.‘Thetroubleisthattherearesofewofusleft,’hesaidturningtowardsthehobbits.‘OnlythreeremainofthefirstEntsthatwalkedinthewoodsbeforetheDarkness:onlymyself,Fangorn,andFinglasandFladrif–togivethemtheirElvishnames;youmay

callthemLeaflockandSkinbarkifyoulikethatbetter.Andofusthree,LeaflockandSkinbarkarenotmuchuseforthisbusiness.Leaflockhasgrownsleepy,almosttree-ish,youmightsay:hehastakentostandingbyhimselfhalf-asleepallthroughthesummerwiththedeepgrassofthemeadowsroundhisknees.Coveredwithleafyhairheis.

Heusedtorouseupinwinter;butoflatehehasbeentoodrowsytowalkfareventhen.Skinbarklivedonthemountain-slopeswestofIsengard.Thatiswheretheworsttroublehasbeen.HewaswoundedbytheOrcs,andmanyofhisfolkandhistree-herdshavebeenmurderedanddestroyed.Hehasgoneupintothehighplaces,amongthebirchesthat

helovesbest,andhewillnotcomedown.Still,IdaresayIcouldgettogetherafaircompanyofouryoungerfolks–ifIcouldmakethemunderstandtheneed;ifIcouldrousethem:wearenotahastyfolk.Whatapitytherearesofewofus!’

‘Whyaretheresofew,whenyouhavelivedinthiscountrysolong?’askedPippin.‘Haveagreatmany

died?’‘Oh,no!’saidTreebeard.

‘Nonehavediedfrominside,asyoumightsay.Somehavefallenintheevilchancesofthelongyears,ofcourse;andmorehavegrowntree-ish.Buttherewerenevermanyofusandwehavenotincreased.TherehavebeennoEntings–nochildren,youwouldsay,notforaterriblelongcountofyears.Yousee,welostthe

Entwives.’‘Howverysad!’said

Pippin.‘Howwasitthattheyalldied?’

‘Theydidnotdie!’saidTreebeard.‘Ineversaiddied.Welostthem,Isaid.Welostthemandwecannotfindthem.’Hesighed.‘Ithoughtmostfolkknewthat.ThereweresongsaboutthehuntoftheEntsfortheEntwivessungamongElvesandMen

fromMirkwoodtoGondor.Theycannotbequiteforgotten.’

‘Well,IamafraidthesongshavenotcomewestovertheMountainstotheShire,’saidMerry.‘Won’tyoutellussomemore,orsingusoneofthesongs?’

‘Yes,Iwillindeed,’saidTreebeard,seemingpleasedwiththerequest.‘ButIcannottellitproperly,onlyin

short;andthenwemustendourtalk:tomorrowwehavecouncilstocall,andworktodo,andmaybeajourneytobegin.’

‘Itisratherastrangeandsadstory,’hewentonafterapause.‘Whentheworldwasyoung,andthewoodswerewideandwild,theEntsandtheEntwives–andtherewere

Entmaidensthen:ah!thelovelinessofFimbrethil,ofWandlimbthelightfooted,inthedaysofouryouth!–theywalkedtogetherandtheyhousedtogether.Butourheartsdidnotgoongrowinginthesameway:theEntsgavetheirlovetothingsthattheymetintheworld,andtheEntwivesgavetheirthoughttootherthings,fortheEntslovedthegreattrees,andthe

wildwoods,andtheslopesofthehighhills;andtheydrankofthemountain-streams,andateonlysuchfruitasthetreesletfallintheirpath;andtheylearnedoftheElvesandspokewiththeTrees.ButtheEntwivesgavetheirmindstothelessertrees,andtothemeadsinthesunshinebeyondthefeetoftheforests;andtheysawthesloeinthethicket,andthewildapple

andthecherryblossominginspring,andthegreenherbsinthewaterlandsinsummer,andtheseedinggrassesintheautumnfields.Theydidnotdesiretospeakwiththesethings;buttheywishedthemtohearandobeywhatwassaidtothem.TheEntwivesorderedthemtogrowaccordingtotheirwishes,andbearleafandfruittotheirliking;fortheEntwives

desiredorder,andplenty,andpeace(bywhichtheymeantthatthingsshouldremainwheretheyhadsetthem).SotheEntwivesmadegardenstolivein.ButweEntswentonwandering,andweonlycametothegardensnowandagain.ThenwhentheDarknesscameintheNorth,theEntwivescrossedtheGreatRiver,andmadenewgardens,andtillednewfields,

andwesawthemmoreseldom.AftertheDarknesswasoverthrownthelandoftheEntwivesblossomedrichly,andtheirfieldswerefullofcorn.ManymenlearnedthecraftsoftheEntwivesandhonouredthemgreatly;butwewereonlyalegendtothem,asecretintheheartoftheforest.Yetherewestillare,whileallthegardensoftheEntwivesare

wasted:MencallthemtheBrownLandsnow.

‘Irememberitwaslongago–inthetimeofthewarbetweenSauronandtheMenoftheSea–desirecameovermetoseeFimbrethilagain.Veryfairshewasstillinmyeyes,whenIhadlastseenher,thoughlittleliketheEntmaidenofold.FortheEntwiveswerebentandbrownedbytheirlabour;their

hairparchedbythesuntothehueofripecornandtheircheekslikeredapples.Yettheireyeswerestilltheeyesofourownpeople.WecrossedoverAnduinandcametotheirland;butwefoundadesert:itwasallburnedanduprooted,forwarhadpassedoverit.ButtheEntwiveswerenotthere.Longwecalled,andlongwesearched;andweaskedall

folkthatwemetwhichwaytheEntwiveshadgone.Somesaidtheyhadneverseenthem;andsomesaidthattheyhadseenthemwalkingawaywest,andsomesaideast,andotherssouth.Butnowherethatwewentcouldwefindthem.Oursorrowwasverygreat.Yetthewildwoodcalled,andwereturnedtoit.Formanyyearsweusedtogoouteverynowandagainand

lookfortheEntwives,walkingfarandwideandcallingthembytheirbeautifulnames.Butastimepassedwewentmoreseldomandwanderedlessfar.AndnowtheEntwivesareonlyamemoryforus,andourbeardsarelongandgrey.TheElvesmademanysongsconcerningtheSearchoftheEnts,andsomeofthesongspassedintothetonguesof

Men.Butwemadenosongsaboutit,beingcontenttochanttheirbeautifulnameswhenwethoughtoftheEntwives.Webelievethatwemaymeetagaininatimetocome,andperhapsweshallfindsomewherealandwherewecanlivetogetherandbothbecontent.Butitisforebodedthatthatwillonlybewhenwehavebothlostallthatwenowhave.Anditmay

wellbethatthattimeisdrawingnearatlast.ForifSauronofolddestroyedthegardens,theEnemytodayseemslikelytowitherallthewoods.

‘TherewasanElvishsongthatspokeofthis,oratleastsoIunderstandit.ItusedtobesungupanddowntheGreatRiver.ItwasneveranEntishsong,markyou:itwouldhavebeenaverylong

songinEntish!Butweknowitbyheart,andhumitnowandagain.Thisishowitrunsinyourtongue:

ENT. WhenSpringunfoldsthebeechenleaf,andsapisinthebough;Whenlightisonthewild-woodstream,andwindisonthebrow;Whenstrideislong,andbreathisdeep,andkeenthemountain-air,Comebacktome!Come

backtome,andsaymylandisfair!

ENTWIFE. WhenSpringiscometogarthandfield,andcornisintheblade;Whenblossomlikeashiningsnowisontheorchardlaid;WhenshowerandSunupontheEarthwithfragrancefilltheair,I’lllingerhere,andwillnotcome,becausemylandisfair.

ENT. WhenSummerliesupontheworld,andinanoonofgold

Beneaththeroofofsleepingleavesthedreamsoftreesunfold;Whenwoodlandhallsaregreenandcool,andwindisintheWest,Comebacktome!Comebacktome,andsaymylandisbest!

ENTWIFE. WhenSummerwarmsthehangingfruitandburnstheberrybrown;Whenstrawisgold,andeariswhite,andharvestcomestotown;Whenhoneyspills,andappleswells,thoughwind

beintheWest,I’lllingerherebeneaththeSun,becausemylandisbest!

ENT. WhenWintercomes,thewinterwildthathillandwoodshallslay;Whentreesshallfallandstarlessnightdevourthesunlessday;WhenwindisinthedeadlyEast,theninthebitterrainI’lllookforthee,andcalltothee;I’llcometotheeagain!

ENTWIFE. WhenWintercomes,andsingingends;whendarknessfallsatlast;Whenbrokenisthebarrenbough,andlightandlabourpast;

I’lllookforthee,andwaitforthee,untilwemeetagain:Togetherwewilltaketheroadbeneaththebitterrain!

BOTH. TogetherwewilltaketheroadthatleadsintotheWest,Andfarawaywillfindalandwherebothour

heartsmayrest.’

Treebeardendedhissong.‘Thatishowitgoes,’hesaid.‘ItisElvish,ofcourse:lighthearted,quickworded,andsoonover.Idaresayitisfairenough.ButtheEntscouldsaymoreontheirside,iftheyhadtime!ButnowIamgoingtostandupandtakealittlesleep.Wherewillyoustand?’

‘Weusuallyliedowntosleep,’saidMerry.‘Weshallbeallrightwhereweare.’

‘Liedowntosleep!’saidTreebeard.‘Whyofcourseyoudo!Hm,hoom:Iwasforgetting:singingthatsongputmeinmindofoldtimes;almostthoughtthatIwastalkingtoyoungEntings,Idid.Well,youcanlieonthebed.Iamgoingtostandintherain.Goodnight!’

MerryandPippinclimbedontothebedandcurledupinthesoftgrassandfern.Itwasfresh,andsweet-scented,andwarm.Thelightsdieddown,andtheglowofthetreesfaded;butoutsideunderthearchtheycouldseeoldTreebeardstanding,motionless,withhisarmsraisedabovehishead.Thebrightstarspeeredoutofthesky,andlitthefallingwater

asitspilledontohisfingersandhead,anddripped,dripped,inhundredsofsilverdropsontohisfeet.Listeningtothetinklingofthedropsthehobbitsfellasleep.

Theywoketofindacoolsunshiningintothegreatcourt,andontothefloorofthebay.Shredsofhighcloudwereoverhead,runningona

stiffeasterlywind.Treebeardwasnottobeseen;butwhileMerryandPippinwerebathinginthebasinbythearch,theyheardhimhummingandsinging,ashecameupthepathbetweenthetrees.

‘Hoo,ho!Goodmorning,MerryandPippin!’heboomed,whenhesawthem.‘Yousleeplong.Ihavebeenmanyahundredstrides

alreadytoday.Nowwewillhaveadrink,andgotoEntmoot.’

Hepouredthemouttwofullbowlsfromastonejar;butfromadifferentjar.Thetastewasnotthesameasithadbeenthenightbefore:itwasearthierandricher,moresustainingandfood-like,sotospeak.Whilethehobbitsdrank,sittingontheedgeofthebed,andnibblingsmall

piecesofelf-cake(morebecausetheyfeltthateatingwasanecessarypartofbreakfastthanbecausetheyfelthungry),Treebeardstood,humminginEntishorElvishorsomestrangetongue,andlookingupatthesky.

‘WhereisEntmoot?’Pippinventuredtoask.

‘Hoo,eh?Entmoot?’saidTreebeard,turninground.‘Itisnotaplace,itisagathering

ofEnts–whichdoesnotoftenhappennowadays.ButIhavemanagedtomakeafairnumberpromisetocome.Weshallmeetintheplacewherewehavealwaysmet:DerndingleMencallit.Itisawaysouthfromhere.Wemustbetherebeforenoon.’

Beforelongtheysetoff.Treebeardcarriedthehobbitsinhisarmsasonthepreviousday.Attheentrancetothe

courtheturnedtotheright,steppedoverthestream,andstrodeawaysouthwardsalongthefeetofgreattumbledslopeswheretreeswerescanty.Abovethesethehobbitssawthicketsofbirchandrowan,andbeyondthemdarkclimbingpine-woods.SoonTreebeardturnedalittleawayfromthehillsandplungedintodeepgroves,wherethetreeswerelarger,

taller,andthickerthananythatthehobbitshadeverseenbefore.ForawhiletheyfeltfaintlythesenseofstiflingwhichtheyhadnoticedwhentheyfirstventuredintoFangorn,butitsoonpassed.Treebearddidnottalktothem.Hehummedtohimselfdeeplyandthoughtfully,butMerryandPippincaughtnoproperwords:itsoundedlikeboom,boom,rum-boom,

boorar,boomboom,dahrarboomboom,dahrarboom,andsoonwithaconstantchangeofnoteandrhythm.Nowandagaintheythoughttheyheardananswer,ahumoraquiverofsound,thatseemedtocomeoutoftheearth,orfromboughsabovetheirheads,orperhapsfromthebolesofthetrees;butTreebearddidnotstoporturnhisheadtoeitherside.

Theyhadbeengoingforalongwhile–Pippinhadtriedtokeepcountofthe‘ent-strides’buthadfailed,gettinglostataboutthreethousand–whenTreebeardbegantoslackenhispace.Suddenlyhestopped,putthehobbitsdown,andraisedhiscurledhandstohismouthsothattheymadeahollowtube;thenhebleworcalledthroughthem.Agreathoom,hom

rangoutlikeadeep-throatedhorninthewoods,andseemedtoechofromthetrees.Farofftherecamefromseveraldirectionsasimilarhoom,hom,hoomthatwasnotanechobutananswer.

TreebeardnowperchedMerryandPippinonhisshouldersandstrodeonagain,everynowandthensendingoutanotherhorn-call,andeachtimetheanswers

camelouderandnearer.Inthiswaytheycameatlasttowhatlookedlikeanimpenetrablewallofdarkevergreentrees,treesofakindthatthehobbitshadneverseenbefore:theybranchedoutrightfromtheroots,andweredenselycladindarkglossyleaveslikethornlessholly,andtheyboremanystiffuprightflower-spikeswithlargeshining

olive-colouredbuds.Turningtotheleftand

skirtingthishugehedgeTreebeardcameinafewstridestoanarrowentrance.Throughitawornpathpassedanddivedsuddenlydownalongsteepslope.Thehobbitssawthattheyweredescendingintoagreatdingle,almostasroundasabowl,verywideanddeep,crownedattherimwiththe

highdarkevergreenhedge.Itwassmoothandgrasscladinside,andtherewerenotreesexceptthreeverytallandbeautifulsilver-birchesthatstoodatthebottomofthebowl.Twootherpathsleddownintothedingle:fromthewestandfromtheeast.

SeveralEntshadalreadyarrived.Morewerecomingindowntheotherpaths,andsomewerenowfollowing

Treebeard.Astheydrewnearthehobbitsgazedatthem.TheyhadexpectedtoseeanumberofcreaturesasmuchlikeTreebeardasonehobbitislikeanother(atanyratetoastranger’seye);andtheywereverymuchsurprisedtoseenothingofthekind.TheEntswereasdifferentfromoneanotherastreesfromtrees:someasdifferentasonetreeisfromanotherofthe

samenamebutquitedifferentgrowthandhistory;andsomeasdifferentasonetree-kindfromanother,asbirchfrombeech,oakfromfir.TherewereafewolderEnts,beardedandgnarledlikehalebutancienttrees(thoughnonelookedasancientasTreebeard);andthereweretallstrongEnts,clean-limbedandsmooth-skinnedlikeforest-treesintheirprime;but

therewerenoyoungEnts,nosaplings.Altogethertherewereabouttwodozenstandingonthewidegrassyfloorofthedingle,andasmanymoreweremarchingin.

AtfirstMerryandPippinwerestruckchieflybythevarietythattheysaw:themanyshapes,andcolours,thedifferencesingirth,andheight,andlengthoflegandarm;andinthenumberof

toesandfingers(anythingfromthreetonine).AfewseemedmoreorlessrelatedtoTreebeard,andremindedthemofbeech-treesoroaks.Buttherewereotherkinds.Somerecalledthechestnut:brown-skinnedEntswithlargesplayfingeredhands,andshortthicklegs.Somerecalledtheash:tallstraightgreyEntswithmany-fingeredhandsandlonglegs;somethe

fir(thetallestEnts),andothersthebirch,therowan,andthelinden.ButwhentheEntsallgatheredroundTreebeard,bowingtheirheadsslightly,murmuringintheirslowmusicalvoices,andlookinglongandintentlyatthestrangers,thenthehobbitssawthattheywereallofthesamekindred,andallhadthesameeyes:notallsooldorsodeepasTreebeard’s,butall

withthesameslow,steady,thoughtfulexpression,andthesamegreenflicker.

Assoonasthewholecompanywasassembled,standinginawidecircleroundTreebeard,acuriousandunintelligibleconversationbegan.TheEntsbegantomurmurslowly:firstonejoinedandthenanother,untiltheywereallchantingtogetherinalongrisingand

fallingrhythm,nowlouderononesideofthering,nowdyingawaythereandrisingtoagreatboomontheotherside.Thoughhecouldnotcatchorunderstandanyofthewords–hesupposedthelanguagewasEntish–Pippinfoundthesoundverypleasanttolistentoatfirst;butgraduallyhisattentionwavered.Afteralongtime(andthechantshowedno

signsofslackening)hefoundhimselfwondering,sinceEntishwassuchan‘unhasty’language,whethertheyhadyetgotfurtherthanGoodMorning;andifTreebeardwastocalltheroll,howmanydaysitwouldtaketosingalltheirnames.‘IwonderwhattheEntishisforyesorno,’hethought.Heyawned.

Treebeardwasimmediatelyawareofhim.

‘Hm,ha,hey,myPippin!’hesaid,andtheotherEntsallstoppedtheirchant.‘Youareahastyfolk,Iwasforgetting;andanywayitiswearisomelisteningtoaspeechyoudonotunderstand.Youmaygetdownnow.IhavetoldyournamestotheEntmoot,andtheyhaveseenyou,andtheyhaveagreedthatyouarenotOrcs,andthatanewlineshallbeputintheoldlists.We

havegotnofurtheryet,butthatisquickworkforanEntmoot.YouandMerrycanstrollaboutinthedingle,ifyoulike.Thereisawellofgoodwater,ifyouneedrefreshing,awayyonderinthenorthbank.TherearestillsomewordstospeakbeforetheMootreallybegins.Iwillcomeandseeyouagain,andtellyouhowthingsaregoing.’

Heputthehobbitsdown.Beforetheywalkedaway,theybowedlow.ThisfeatseemedtoamusetheEntsverymuch,tojudgebythetoneoftheirmurmurs,andtheflickeroftheireyes;buttheysoonturnedbacktotheirownbusiness.MerryandPippinclimbedupthepaththatcameinfromthewest,andlookedthroughtheopeninginthegreathedge.

Longtree-cladslopesrosefromthelipofthedingle,andawaybeyondthem,abovethefir-treesofthefurthestridgethererose,sharpandwhite,thepeakofahighmountain.Southwardstotheirlefttheycouldseetheforestfallingawaydownintothegreydistance.TherefarawaytherewasapalegreenglimmerthatMerryguessedtobeaglimpseoftheplainsof

Rohan.

‘IwonderwhereIsengardis?’saidPippin.

‘Idon’tknowquitewhereweare,’saidMerry;‘butthatpeakisprobablyMethedras,andasfarasIcanremembertheringofIsengardliesinaforkordeepcleftattheendofthemountains.Itisprobablydownbehindthis

greatridge.Thereseemstobeasmokeorhazeoverthere,leftofthepeak,don’tyouthink?’

‘WhatisIsengardlike?’saidPippin.‘IwonderwhatEntscandoaboutitanyway.’

‘SodoI,’saidMerry.‘Isengardisasortofringofrocksorhills,Ithink,withaflatspaceinsideandanislandorpillarofrockinthemiddle,calledOrthanc.Sarumanhas

atoweronit.Thereisagate,perhapsmorethanone,intheencirclingwall,andIbelievethereisastreamrunningthroughit;itcomesoutofthemountains,andflowsonacrosstheGapofRohan.ItdoesnotseemthesortofplaceforEntstotackle.ButIhaveanoddfeelingabouttheseEnts:somehowIdon’tthinktheyarequiteassafeand,well,funnyasthey

seem.Theyseemslow,queer,

andpatient,almostsad;andyetIbelievetheycouldberoused.Ifthathappened,Iwouldrathernotbeontheotherside.’

‘Yes!’saidPippin.‘Iknowwhatyoumean.Theremightbeallthedifferencebetweenanoldcowsittingandthoughtfullychewing,andabullcharging;andthe

changemightcomesuddenly.IwonderifTreebeardwillrousethem.Iamsurehemeanstotry.Buttheydon’tlikebeingroused.Treebeardgotrousedhimselflastnight,andthenbottleditupagain.’

Thehobbitsturnedback.ThevoicesoftheEntswerestillrisingandfallingintheirconclave.Thesunhadnowrisenhighenoughtolookoverthehighhedge:it

gleamedonthetopsofthebirchesandlitthenorthwardsideofthedinglewithacoolyellowlight.Theretheysawalittleglitteringfountain.Theywalkedalongtherimofthegreatbowlatthefeetoftheevergreens–itwaspleasanttofeelcoolgrassabouttheirtoesagain,andnottobeinahurry–andthentheyclimbeddowntothegushingwater.Theydranka

little,aclean,cold,sharpdraught,andsatdownonamossystone,watchingthepatchesofsunonthegrassandtheshadowsofthesailingcloudspassingoverthefloorofthedingle.ThemurmuroftheEntswenton.Itseemedaverystrangeandremoteplace,outsidetheirworld,andfarfromeverythingthathadeverhappenedtothem.Agreatlongingcameoverthem

forthefacesandvoicesoftheircompanions,especiallyforFrodoandSam,andforStrider.

AtlasttherecameapauseintheEnt-voices;andlookinguptheysawTreebeardcomingtowardsthem,withanotherEntathisside.

‘Hm,hoom,hereIamagain,’saidTreebeard.‘Areyougettingweary,orfeelingimpatient,hmm,eh?Well,I

amafraidthatyoumustnotgetimpatientyet.Wehavefinishedthefirststagenow;butIhavestillgottoexplainthingsagaintothosethatlivealongwayoff,farfromIsengard,andthosethatIcouldnotgetroundtobeforetheMoot,andafterthatweshallhavetodecidewhattodo.However,decidingwhattododoesnottakeEntssolongasgoingoverallthe

factsandeventsthattheyhavetomakeuptheirmindsabout.Still,itisnousedenying,weshallbeherealongtimeyet:acoupleofdaysverylikely.SoIhavebroughtyouacompanion.Hehasanent-housenearby.BregaladishisElvishname.HesayshehasalreadymadeuphismindanddoesnotneedtoremainattheMoot.Hm,hm,heisthenearest

thingamongustoahastyEnt.Yououghttogetontogether.Good-bye!’Treebeardturnedandleftthem.

Bregaladstoodforsometimesurveyingthehobbitssolemnly;andtheylookedathim,wonderingwhenhewouldshowanysignsof‘hastiness’.Hewastall,andseemedtobeoneoftheyoungerEnts;hehadsmooth

shiningskinonhisarmsandlegs;hislipswereruddy,andhishairwasgrey-green.Hecouldbendandswaylikeaslendertreeinthewind.Atlasthespoke,andhisvoicethoughresonantwashigherandclearerthanTreebeard’s.

‘Ha,hmm,myfriends,letusgoforawalk!’hesaid.‘IamBregalad,thatisQuickbeaminyourlanguage.Butitisonlyanickname,of

course.TheyhavecalledmethateversinceIsaidyestoanelderEntbeforehehadfinishedhisquestion.AlsoIdrinkquickly,andgooutwhilesomearestillwettingtheirbeards.Comewithme!’

Hereacheddowntwoshapelyarmsandgavealong-fingeredhandtoeachofthehobbits.Allthatdaytheywalkedabout,inthewoodswithhim,singing,and

laughing;forQuickbeamoftenlaughed.Helaughedifthesuncameoutfrombehindacloud,helaughediftheycameuponastreamorspring:thenhestoopedandsplashedhisfeetandheadwithwater;helaughedsometimesatsomesoundorwhisperinthetrees.Wheneverhesawarowan-treehehaltedawhilewithhisarmsstretchedout,andsang,andswayedashe

sang.Atnightfallhebrought

themtohisent-house:nothingmorethanamossystonesetuponturvesunderagreenbank.Rowan-treesgrewinacircleaboutit,andtherewaswater(asinallent-houses),aspringbubblingoutfromthebank.Theytalkedforawhileasdarknessfellontheforest.NotfarawaythevoicesoftheEntmootcould

beheardstillgoingon;butnowtheyseemeddeeperandlessleisurely,andeverynowandagainonegreatvoicewouldriseinahighandquickeningmusic,whilealltheothersdiedaway.ButbesidethemBregaladspokegentlyintheirowntongue,almostwhispering;andtheylearnedthathebelongedtoSkinbark’speople,andthecountrywheretheyhadlived

hadbeenravaged.Thatseemedtothehobbitsquiteenoughtoexplainhis‘hastiness’,atleastinthematterofOrcs.

‘Therewererowan-treesinmyhome,’saidBregalad,softlyandsadly,‘rowan-treesthattookrootwhenIwasanEnting,manymanyyearsagointhequietoftheworld.TheoldestwereplantedbytheEntstotryandpleasethe

Entwives;buttheylookedatthemandsmiledandsaidthattheyknewwherewhiterblossomandricherfruitweregrowing.Yettherearenotreesofallthatrace,thepeopleoftheRose,thataresobeautifultome.Andthesetreesgrewandgrew,tilltheshadowofeachwaslikeagreenhall,andtheirredberriesintheautumnwereaburden,andabeautyanda

wonder.Birdsusedtoflockthere.Ilikebirds,evenwhentheychatter;andtherowanhasenoughandtospare.Butthebirdsbecameunfriendlyandgreedyandtoreatthetrees,andthrewthefruitdownanddidnoteatit.ThenOrcscamewithaxesandcutdownmytrees.Icameandcalledthembytheirlongnames,buttheydidnotquiver,theydidnothearor

answer:theylaydead.

OOrofarnë,Lassemista,Carnimírië!

Orowanfair,uponyourhairhowwhitetheblossomlay!

Orowanmine,Isawyoushineuponasummer’sday,

Yourrindsobright,yourleavessolight,yourvoicesocoolandsoft:

Uponyourheadhowgolden-redthecrownyouborealoft!

Orowandead,uponyourheadyourhairisdryandgrey;

Yourcrownisspilled,yourvoiceisstilledforeverandaday.

OOrofarnë,Lassemista,Carnimírië!’

Thehobbitsfellasleeptothe

soundofthesoftsingingofBregalad,thatseemedtolamentinmanytonguesthefalloftreesthathehadloved.

Thenextdaytheyspentalsoinhiscompany,buttheydidnotgofarfromhis‘house’.Mostofthetimetheysatsilentundertheshelterofthebank;forthewindwascolder,andthe

cloudscloserandgreyer;therewaslittlesunshine,andinthedistancethevoicesoftheEntsattheMootstillroseandfell,sometimesloudandstrong,sometimeslowandsad,sometimesquickening,sometimesslowandsolemnasadirge.AsecondnightcameandstilltheEntsheldconclaveunderhurryingcloudsandfitfulstars.

Thethirddaybroke,bleak

andwindy.AtsunrisetheEnts’voicesrosetoagreatclamourandthendieddownagain.Asthemorningworeonthewindfellandtheairgrewheavywithexpectancy.ThehobbitscouldseethatBregaladwasnowlisteningintently,althoughtothem,downinthedellofhisent-house,thesoundoftheMootwasfaint.

Theafternooncame,and

thesun,goingwesttowardsthemountains,sentoutlongyellowbeamsbetweenthecracksandfissuresoftheclouds.Suddenlytheywereawarethateverythingwasveryquiet;thewholeforeststoodinlisteningsilence.Ofcourse,theEnt-voiceshadstopped.Whatdidthatmean?Bregaladwasstandinguperectandtense,lookingbacknorthwardstowards

Derndingle.Thenwithacrashcamea

greatringingshout:ra-hoom-rah!Thetreesquiveredandbentasifagusthadstruckthem.Therewasanotherpause,andthenamarchingmusicbeganlikesolemndrums,andabovetherollingbeatsandboomstherewelledvoicessinginghighandstrong.

Wecome,wecomewithrollofdrum:ta-rundarundarundarom!

TheEntswerecoming:evernearerandlouderrosetheirsong:

Wecome,wecomewithhornanddrum:ta-rūnarūnarūnarom!

Bregaladpickedupthehobbitsandstrodefromhishouse.

Beforelongtheysawthemarchinglineapproaching:theEntswereswingingalongwithgreatstridesdowntheslopetowardsthem.Treebeardwasattheirhead,andsomefiftyfollowerswerebehindhim,twoabreast,

keepingstepwiththeirfeetandbeatingtimewiththeirhandsupontheirflanks.Astheydrewneartheflashandflickeroftheireyescouldbeseen.

‘Hoom,hom!Herewecomewithaboom,herewecomeatlast!’calledTreebeardwhenhecaughtsightofBregaladandthehobbits.‘Come,jointheMoot!Weareoff.Weareoff

toIsengard!’‘ToIsengard!’theEnts

criedinmanyvoices.‘ToIsengard!’

ToIsengard!ThoughIsengardberingedandbarredwithdoorsofstone;

ThoughIsengardbestrongandhard,ascoldasstoneandbareasbone,

Wego,wego,wegotowar,tohewthestoneandbreakthedoor;

Forboleandboughareburningnow,thefurnaceroars–wegotowar!

Tolandofgloomwithtrampofdoom,withrollofdrum,wecome,wecome;

ToIsengardwithdoomwecome!

Withdoomwecome,withdoomwecome!

Sotheysangastheymarchedsouthwards.

Bregalad,hiseyesshining,swungintothelinebesideTreebeard.TheoldEntnowtookthehobbitsback,andsetthemonhisshoulders

again,andsotheyrodeproudlyattheheadofthesingingcompanywithbeatingheartsandheadsheldhigh.Thoughtheyhadexpectedsomethingtohappeneventually,theywereamazedatthechangethathadcomeovertheEnts.Itseemednowassuddenastheburstingofafloodthathadlongbeenheldbackbyadike.

‘TheEntsmadeuptheir

mindsratherquickly,afterall,didn’tthey?’Pippinventuredtosayaftersometime,whenforamomentthesingingpaused,andonlythebeatingofhandsandfeetwasheard.

‘Quickly?’saidTreebeard.‘Hoom!Yes,indeed.QuickerthanIexpected.IndeedIhavenotseenthemrousedlikethisformanyanage.WeEntsdonotlikebeingroused;andwe

neverarerousedunlessitiscleartousthatourtreesandourlivesareingreatdanger.ThathasnothappenedinthisForestsincethewarsofSauronandtheMenoftheSea.Itistheorc-work,thewantonhewing–rárum–withouteventhebadexcuseoffeedingthefires,thathassoangeredus;andthetreacheryofaneighbour,whoshouldhavehelpedus.

Wizardsoughttoknowbetter:theydoknowbetter.ThereisnocurseinElvish,Entish,orthetonguesofMenbadenoughforsuchtreachery.DownwithSaruman!’

‘WillyoureallybreakthedoorsofIsengard?’askedMerry.

‘Ho,hm,well,wecould,youknow!Youdonotknow,perhaps,howstrongweare.

MaybeyouhaveheardofTrolls?Theyaremightystrong.ButTrollsareonlycounterfeits,madebytheEnemyintheGreatDarkness,inmockeryofEnts,asOrcswereofElves.WearestrongerthanTrolls.Wearemadeofthebonesoftheearth.Wecansplitstoneliketherootsoftrees,onlyquicker,farquicker,ifourmindsareroused!Ifweare

nothewndown,ordestroyedbyfireorblastofsorcery,wecouldsplitIsengardintosplintersandcrackitswallsintorubble.’

‘ButSarumanwilltrytostopyou,won’the?’

‘Hm,ah,yes,thatisso.Ihavenotforgottenit.IndeedIhavethoughtlongaboutit.But,yousee,manyoftheEntsareyoungerthanIam,bymanylivesoftrees.They

areallrousednow,andtheirmindisallononething:breakingIsengard.Buttheywillstartthinkingagainbeforelong;theywillcooldownalittle,whenwetakeoureveningdrink.Whatathirstweshallhave!Butletthemmarchnowandsing!Wehavealongwaytogo,andthereistimeaheadforthought.Itissomethingtohavestarted.’

Treebeardmarchedon,singingwiththeothersforawhile.Butafteratimehisvoicediedtoamurmurandfellsilentagain.Pippincouldseethathisoldbrowwaswrinkledandknotted.Atlasthelookedup,andPippincouldseeasadlookinhiseyes,sadbutnotunhappy.Therewasalightinthem,asifthegreenflamehadsunkdeeperintothedarkwellsof

histhought.‘Ofcourse,itislikely

enough,myfriends,’hesaidslowly,‘likelyenoughthatwearegoingtoourdoom:thelastmarchoftheEnts.Butifwestayedathomeanddidnothing,doomwouldfindusanyway,soonerorlater.Thatthoughthaslongbeengrowinginourhearts;andthatiswhywearemarchingnow.Itwasnotahasty

resolve.NowatleastthelastmarchoftheEntsmaybeworthasong.Aye,’hesighed,‘wemayhelptheotherpeoplesbeforewepassaway.Still,IshouldhavelikedtoseethesongscometrueabouttheEntwives.IshoulddearlyhavelikedtoseeFimbrethilagain.Butthere,myfriends,songsliketreesbearfruitonlyintheirowntimeandtheirownway:

andsometimestheyarewithereduntimely.’

TheEntswentstridingonatagreatpace.Theyhaddescendedintoalongfoldofthelandthatfellawaysouthward;nowtheybegantoclimbup,andup,ontothehighwesternridge.Thewoodsfellawayandtheycametoscatteredgroupsof

birch,andthentobareslopeswhereonlyafewgauntpine-treesgrew.Thesunsankbehindthedarkhill-backinfront.Greyduskfell.

Pippinlookedbehind.ThenumberoftheEntshadgrown–orwhatwashappening?Wherethedimbareslopesthattheyhadcrossedshouldlie,hethoughthesawgrovesoftrees.Buttheyweremoving!Couldit

bethatthetreesofFangornwereawake,andtheforestwasrising,marchingoverthehillstowar?Herubbedhiseyeswonderingifsleepandshadowhaddeceivedhim;butthegreatgreyshapesmovedsteadilyonward.Therewasanoiselikewindinmanybranches.TheEntsweredrawingnearthecrestoftheridgenow,andallsonghadceased.Nightfell,and

therewassilence:nothingwastobeheardsaveafaintquiveroftheearthbeneaththefeetoftheEnts,andarustle,theshadeofawhisperasofmanydriftingleaves.Atlasttheystooduponthesummit,andlookeddownintoadarkpit:thegreatcleftattheendofthemountains:NanCurunír,theValleyofSaruman.

‘NightliesoverIsengard,’

saidTreebeard.

Chapter5

THEWHITERIDER

‘Myverybonesarechilled,’saidGimli,flappinghisarmsandstampinghisfeet.Dayhadcomeatlast.Atdawnthecompanionshadmadesuchbreakfastastheycould;now

inthegrowinglighttheyweregettingreadytosearchthegroundagainforsignsofthehobbits.

‘Anddonotforgetthatoldman!’saidGimli.‘IshouldbehappierifIcouldseetheprintofaboot.’

‘Whywouldthatmakeyouhappy?’saidLegolas.

‘Becauseanoldmanwithfeetthatleavemarksmightbenomorethanheseemed,’

answeredtheDwarf.‘Maybe,’saidtheElf;‘but

aheavybootmightleavenoprinthere:thegrassisdeepandspringy.’

‘ThatwouldnotbaffleaRanger,’saidGimli.‘AbentbladeisenoughforAragorntoread.ButIdonotexpecthimtofindanytraces.ItwasanevilphantomofSarumanthatwesawlastnight.Iamsureofit,evenunderthelight

ofmorning.HiseyesarelookingoutonusfromFangornevennow,maybe.’

‘Itislikelyenough,’saidAragorn;‘yetIamnotsure.Iamthinkingofthehorses.Yousaidlastnight,Gimli,thattheywerescaredaway.ButIdidnotthinkso.Didyouhearthem,Legolas?Didtheysoundtoyoulikebeastsinterror?’

‘No,’saidLegolas.‘I

heardthemclearly.ButforthedarknessandourownfearIshouldhaveguessedthattheywerebeastswildwithsomesuddengladness.Theyspokeashorseswillwhentheymeetafriendthattheyhavelongmissed.’

‘SoIthought,’saidAragorn;‘butIcannotreadtheriddle,unlesstheyreturn.Come!Thelightisgrowingfast.Letuslookfirstand

guesslater!Weshouldbeginhere,neartoourowncamping-ground,searchingcarefullyallabout,andworkinguptheslopetowardstheforest.Tofindthehobbitsisourerrand,whateverwemaythinkofourvisitorinthenight.Iftheyescapedbysomechance,thentheymusthavehiddeninthetrees,ortheywouldhavebeenseen.Ifwefindnothingbetweenhere

andtheeavesofthewood,thenwewillmakealastsearchuponthebattle-fieldandamongtheashes.Butthereislittlehopethere:thehorsemenofRohandidtheirworktoowell.’

Forsometimethecompanionscrawledandgropedupontheground.Thetreestoodmournfullyabove

them,itsdryleavesnowhanginglimp,andrattlinginthechilleasterlywind.Aragornmovedslowlyaway.Hecametotheashesofthewatch-fireneartheriver-bank,andthenbegantoretracethegroundbacktowardstheknollwherethebattlehadbeenfought.Suddenlyhestoopedandbentlowwithhisfacealmostinthegrass.Thenhecalledto

theothers.Theycamerunningup.

‘Hereatlastwefindnews!’saidAragorn.Heliftedupabrokenleafforthemtosee,alargepaleleafofgoldenhue,nowfadingandturningbrown.‘Hereisamallorn-leafofLórien,andtherearesmallcrumbsonit,andafewmorecrumbsinthegrass.Andsee!therearesomepiecesofcutcordlying

nearby!’‘Andhereistheknifethat

cutthem!’saidGimli.Hestoopedanddrewoutofatussock,intowhichsomeheavyfoothadtrampledit,ashortjaggedblade.Thehaftfromwhichithadbeensnappedwasbesideit.‘Itwasanorc-weapon,’hesaid,holdingitgingerly,andlookingwithdisgustatthecarvedhandle:ithadbeen

shapedlikeahideousheadwithsquintingeyesandleeringmouth.

‘Well,hereisthestrangestriddlethatwehaveyetfound!’exclaimedLegolas.‘AboundprisonerescapesbothfromtheOrcsandfromthesurroundinghorsemen.Hethenstops,whilestillintheopen,andcutshisbondswithanorc-knife.Buthowandwhy?Forifhislegswere

tied,howdidhewalk?Andifhisarmsweretied,howdidheusetheknife?Andifneitherweretied,whydidhecutthecordsatall?Beingpleasedwithhisskill,hethensatdownandquietlyatesomewaybread!Thatatleastisenoughtoshowthathewasahobbit,withoutthemallorn-leaf.Afterthat,Isuppose,heturnedhisarmsintowingsandflewawaysinginginto

thetrees.Itshouldbeeasytofindhim:weonlyneedwingsourselves!’

‘Therewassorceryhererightenough,’saidGimli.‘Whatwasthatoldmandoing?Whathaveyoutosay,Aragorn,tothereadingofLegolas.Canyoubetterit?’

‘Maybe,Icould,’saidAragorn,smiling.‘Therearesomeothersignsnearathandthatyouhavenotconsidered.

Iagreethattheprisonerwasahobbitandmusthavehadeitherlegsorhandsfree,beforehecamehere.Iguessthatitwashands,becausetheriddlethenbecomeseasier,andalsobecause,asIreadthemarks,hewascarriedtothispointbyanOrc.Bloodwasspilledthere,afewpacesaway,orc-blood.Therearedeepprintsofhoofsallaboutthisspot,andsignsthata

heavythingwasdraggedaway.TheOrcwasslainbyhorsemen,andlaterhisbodywashauledtothefire.Butthehobbitwasnotseen:hewasnot‘‘intheopen’’,foritwasnightandhestillhadhiselven-cloak.Hewasexhaustedandhungry,anditisnottobewonderedatthat,whenhehadcuthisbondswiththeknifeofhisfallenenemy,herestedandatea

littlebeforehecreptaway.Butitisacomforttoknowthathehadsomelembasinhispocket,eventhoughheranawaywithoutgearorpack;that,perhaps,islikeahobbit.Isayhe,thoughIhopeandguessthatbothMerryandPippinwereheretogether.Thereis,however,nothingtoshowthatforcertain.’

‘Andhowdoyousuppose

thateitherofourfriendscametohaveahandfree?’askedGimli.

‘Idonotknowhowithappened,’answeredAragorn.‘NordoIknowwhyanOrcwascarryingthemaway.Nottohelpthemtoescape,wemaybesure.Nay,ratherIthinkthatInowbegintounderstandamatterthathaspuzzledmefromthebeginning:whywhen

BoromirhadfallenweretheOrcscontentwiththecaptureofMerryandPippin?Theydidnotseekouttherestofus,norattackourcamp;butinsteadtheywentwithallspeedtowardsIsengard.DidtheysupposetheyhadcapturedtheRing-bearerandhisfaithfulcomrade?Ithinknot.TheirmasterswouldnotdaretogivesuchplainorderstoOrcs,eveniftheyknewso

muchthemselves;theywouldnotspeakopenlytothemoftheRing:theyarenottrustyservants.ButIthinktheOrcshadbeencommandedtocapturehobbits,alive,atallcosts.Anattemptwasmadetoslipoutwiththepreciousprisonersbeforethebattle.Treacheryperhaps,likelyenoughwithsuchfolk;somelargeandboldOrcmayhavebeentryingtoescapewiththe

prizealone,forhisownends.There,thatismytale.Othersmightbedevised.Butonthiswemaycountinanycase:oneatleastofourfriendsescaped.ItisourtasktofindhimandhelphimbeforewereturntoRohan.WemustnotbedauntedbyFangorn,sinceneeddrovehimintothatdarkplace.’

‘Idonotknowwhichdauntsmemore:Fangorn,or

thethoughtofthelongroadthroughRohanonfoot,’saidGimli.

‘Thenletusgototheforest,’saidAragorn.

ItwasnotlongbeforeAragornfoundfreshsigns.Atonepoint,nearthebankoftheEntwash,hecameuponfootprints:hobbit-prints,buttoolightformuchtobemade

ofthem.Thenagainbeneaththeboleofagreattreeontheveryedgeofthewoodmoreprintswerediscovered.Theearthwasbareanddry,anddidnotrevealmuch.

‘Onehobbitatleaststoodhereforawhileandlookedback;andthenheturnedawayintotheforest,’saidAragorn.

‘Thenwemustgoin,too,’saidGimli.‘ButIdonotlike

thelookofthisFangorn;andwewerewarnedagainstit.Iwishthechasehadledanywhereelse!’

‘Idonotthinkthewoodfeelsevil,whatevertalesmaysay,’saidLegolas.Hestoodundertheeavesoftheforest,stoopingforward,asifhewerelistening,andpeeringwithwideeyesintotheshadows.‘No,itisnotevil;orwhatevilisinitisfar

away.Icatchonlythefaintestechoesofdarkplaceswheretheheartsofthetreesareblack.Thereisnomalicenearus;butthereiswatchfulness,andanger.’

‘Well,ithasnocausetobeangrywithme,’saidGimli.‘Ihavedoneitnoharm.’

‘Thatisjustaswell,’saidLegolas.‘Butnonethelessithassufferedharm.Thereis

somethinghappeninginside,orgoingtohappen.Doyounotfeelthetenseness?Ittakesmybreath.’

‘Ifeeltheairisstuffy,’saidtheDwarf.‘ThiswoodislighterthanMirkwood,butitismustyandshabby.’

‘Itisold,veryold,’saidtheElf.‘SooldthatalmostIfeelyoungagain,asIhavenotfeltsinceIjourneyedwithyouchildren.Itisoldandfull

ofmemory.Icouldhavebeenhappyhere,ifIhadcomeindaysofpeace.’

‘Idaresayyoucould,’snortedGimli.‘YouareaWood-elf,anyway,thoughElvesofanykindarestrangefolk.Yetyoucomfortme.Whereyougo,Iwillgo.Butkeepyourbowreadytohand,andIwillkeepmyaxelooseinmybelt.Notforuseontrees,’headdedhastily,

lookingupatthetreeunderwhichtheystood.‘Idonotwishtomeetthatoldmanatunawareswithoutanargumentreadytohand,thatisall.Letusgo!’

WiththatthethreehuntersplungedintotheforestofFangorn.LegolasandGimlileftthetrackingtoAragorn.Therewaslittlefor

himtosee.Theflooroftheforestwasdryandcoveredwithadriftofleaves;butguessingthatthefugitiveswouldstaynearthewater,hereturnedoftentothebanksofthestream.SoitwasthathecameupontheplacewhereMerryandPippinhaddrunkandbathedtheirfeet.Thereplainforalltoseewerethefootprintsoftwohobbits,onesomewhatsmallerthanthe

other.‘Thisisgoodtidings,’said

Aragorn.‘Yetthemarksaretwodaysold.Anditseemsthatatthispointthehobbitsleftthewater-side.’

‘Thenwhatshallwedonow?’saidGimli.‘WecannotpursuethemthroughthewholefastnessofFangorn.Wehavecomeillsupplied.Ifwedonotfindthemsoon,weshallbeofnousetothem,

excepttositdownbesidethemandshowourfriendshipbystarvingtogether.’

‘Ifthatisindeedallwecando,thenwemustdothat,’saidAragorn.‘Letusgoon.’

TheycameatlengthtothesteepabruptendofTreebeard’sHill,andlookedupattherock-wallwithitsroughstepsleadingtothehighshelf.Gleamsofsunwerestrikingthroughthe

hurryingclouds,andtheforestnowlookedlessgreyanddrear.

‘Letusgoupandlookaboutus!’saidLegolas.‘Istillfeelmybreathshort.Ishouldliketotasteafreerairforawhile.’

Thecompanionsclimbedup.Aragorncamelast,movingslowly:hewasscanningthestepsandledgesclosely.

‘Iamalmostsurethatthehobbitshavebeenuphere,’hesaid.‘Butthereareothermarks,verystrangemarks,whichIdonotunderstand.Iwonderifwecanseeanythingfromthisledgewhichwillhelpustoguesswhichwaytheywentnext?’

Hestoodupandlookedabout,buthesawnothingthatwasofanyuse.Theshelffacedsouthwardand

eastward;butonlyontheeastwastheviewopen.Therehecouldseetheheadsofthetreesdescendinginrankstowardstheplainfromwhichtheyhadcome.

‘Wehavejourneyedalongwayround,’saidLegolas.‘Wecouldhaveallcomeheresafetogether,ifwehadlefttheGreatRiveronthesecondorthirddayandstruckwest.Fewcanforesee

whithertheirroadwillleadthem,tilltheycometoitsend.’

‘ButwedidnotwishtocometoFangorn,’saidGimli.

‘Yethereweare–andnicelycaughtinthenet,’saidLegolas.‘Look!’

‘Lookatwhat?’saidGimli.

‘Thereinthetrees.’‘Where?Ihavenotelf-

eyes.’

‘Hush!Speakmoresoftly!Look!’saidLegolaspointing.‘Downinthewood,backinthewaythatwehavejustcome.Itishe.Cannotyouseehim,passingfromtreetotree?’

‘Isee,Iseenow!’hissedGimli.‘Look,Aragorn!DidInotwarnyou?Thereistheoldman.Allindirtygreyrags:thatiswhyIcouldnotseehimatfirst.’

Aragornlookedandbeheldabentfiguremovingslowly.Itwasnotfaraway.Itlookedlikeanoldbeggar-man,walkingwearily,leaningonaroughstaff.Hisheadwasbowed,andhedidnotlooktowardsthem.Inotherlandstheywouldhavegreetedhimwithkindwords;butnowtheystoodsilent,eachfeelingastrangeexpectancy:somethingwas

approachingthatheldahiddenpower–ormenace.

Gimligazedwithwideeyesforawhile,asstepbystepthefiguredrewnearer.Thensuddenly,unabletocontainhimselflonger,heburstout:‘Yourbow,Legolas!Bendit!Getready!ItisSaruman.Donotlethimspeak,orputaspelluponus!Shootfirst!’

Legolastookhisbowand

bentit,slowlyandasifsomeotherwillresistedhim.Heheldanarrowlooselyinhishandbutdidnotfitittothestring.Aragornstoodsilent,hisfacewaswatchfulandintent.

‘Whyareyouwaiting?Whatisthematterwithyou?’saidGimliinahissingwhisper.

‘Legolasisright,’saidAragornquietly.‘Wemaynot

shootanoldmanso,atunawaresandunchallenged,whateverfearordoubtbeonus.Watchandwait!’

Atthatmomenttheoldmanquickenedhispaceandcamewithsurprisingspeedtothefootoftherock-wall.Thensuddenlyhelookedup,whiletheystoodmotionlesslookingdown.Therewasno

sound.Theycouldnotseehis

face:hewashooded,andabovethehoodheworeawide-brimmedhat,sothatallhisfeatureswereovershadowed,exceptfortheendofhisnoseandhisgreybeard.YetitseemedtoAragornthathecaughtthegleamofeyeskeenandbrightfromwithintheshadowofthehoodedbrows.

Atlasttheoldmanbrokethesilence.‘Wellmetindeed,myfriends,’hesaidinasoftvoice.‘Iwishtospeaktoyou.Willyoucomedown,orshallIcomeup?’Withoutwaitingforananswerhebegantoclimb.

‘Now!’criedGimli.‘Stophim,Legolas!’

‘DidInotsaythatIwishedtospeaktoyou?’saidtheoldman.‘Putawaythat

bow,MasterElf!’Thebowandarrowfell

fromLegolas’hands,andhisarmshunglooseathissides.

‘Andyou,MasterDwarf,praytakeyourhandfromyouraxe-haft,tillIamup!Youwillnotneedsucharguments.’

Gimlistartedandthenstoodstillasstone,staring,whiletheoldmanspranguptheroughstepsasnimblyasa

goat.Allwearinessseemedtohavelefthim.Ashesteppedupontotheshelftherewasagleam,toobriefforcertainty,aquickglintofwhite,asifsomegarmentshroudedbythegreyragshadbeenforaninstantrevealed.TheintakeofGimli’sbreathcouldbeheardasaloudhissinthesilence.

‘Wellmet,Isayagain!’saidtheoldman,comingtowardsthem.Whenhewasafewfeetaway,hestood,stoopingoverhisstaff,withhisheadthrustforward,peeringatthemfromunderhishood.‘Andwhatmayyoubedoingintheseparts?AnElf,aMan,andaDwarf,allcladinElvishfashion.Nodoubtthereisataleworthhearingbehinditall.Such

thingsarenotoftenseenhere.’

‘YouspeakasonethatknowsFangornwell,’saidAragorn.‘Isthatso?’

‘Notwell,’saidtheoldman:‘thatwouldbethestudyofmanylives.ButIcomeherenowandagain.’

‘Mightweknowyourname,andthenhearwhatitisthatyouhavetosaytous?’saidAragorn.‘Themorning

passes,andwehaveanerrandthatwillnotwait.’

‘AsforwhatIwishedtosay,Ihavesaidit:Whatmayyoubedoing,andwhattalecanyoutellofyourselves?Asformyname!’Hebrokeoff,laughinglongandsoftly.Aragornfeltashudderrunthroughhimatthesound,astrangecoldthrill;andyetitwasnotfearorterrorthathefelt:ratheritwaslikethe

suddenbiteofakeenair,ortheslapofacoldrainthatwakesanuneasysleeper.

‘Myname!’saidtheoldmanagain.‘Haveyounotguesseditalready?Youhavehearditbefore,Ithink.Yes,youhavehearditbefore.Butcomenow,whatofyourtale?’

Thethreecompanionsstoodsilentandmadenoanswer.

‘Therearesomewhowouldbegintodoubtwhetheryourerrandisfittotell,’saidtheoldman.‘HappilyIknowsomethingofit.Youaretrackingthefootstepsoftwoyounghobbits,Ibelieve.Yes,hobbits.Don’tstare,asifyouhadneverheardthestrangenamebefore.Youhave,andsohaveI.Well,theyclimbedupherethedaybeforeyesterday;andtheymet

someonethattheydidnotexpect.Doesthatcomfortyou?Andnowyouwouldliketoknowwheretheyweretaken?Well,well,maybeIcangiveyousomenewsaboutthat.Butwhyarewestanding?Yourerrand,yousee,isnolongerasurgentasyouthought.Letussitdownandbemoreatease.’

Theoldmanturnedawayandwenttowardsaheapof

fallenstonesandrockatthefootofthecliffbehind.Immediately,asifaspellhadbeenremoved,theothersrelaxedandstirred.Gimli’shandwentatoncetohisaxe-haft.Aragorndrewhissword.Legolaspickeduphisbow.

Theoldmantooknonotice,butstoopedandsathimselfonalowflatstone.Thenhisgreycloakdrewapart,andtheysaw,beyond

doubt,thathewasclothedbeneathallinwhite.

‘Saruman!’criedGimli,springingtowardshimwithaxeinhand.‘Speak!Telluswhereyouhavehiddenourfriends!Whathaveyoudonewiththem?Speak,orIwillmakeadintinyourhatthatevenawizardwillfindithardtodealwith!’

Theoldmanwastooquickforhim.Hesprangtohisfeetandleapedtothetopofalargerock.Therehestood,grownsuddenlytall,toweringabovethem.Hishoodandhisgreyragswereflungaway.Hiswhitegarmentsshone.Helifteduphisstaff,andGimli’saxeleapedfromhisgraspandfellringingontheground.TheswordofAragorn,stiffinhis

motionlesshand,blazedwithasuddenfire.Legolasgaveagreatshoutandshotanarrowhighintotheair:itvanishedinaflashofflame.

‘Mithrandir!’hecried.‘Mithrandir!’

‘Wellmet,Isaytoyouagain,Legolas!’saidtheoldman.Theyallgazedathim.Hishairwaswhiteassnowinthesunshine;andgleamingwhitewashisrobe;theeyes

underhisdeepbrowswerebright,piercingastheraysofthesun;powerwasinhishand.Betweenwonder,joy,andfeartheystoodandfoundnowordstosay.

AtlastAragornstirred.‘Gandalf!’hesaid.‘Beyondallhopeyoureturntousinourneed!Whatveilwasovermysight?Gandalf!’Gimlisaidnothing,butsanktohisknees,shadinghiseyes.

‘Gandalf,’theoldmanrepeated,asifrecallingfromoldmemoryalongdisusedword.‘Yes,thatwasthename.IwasGandalf.’

Hesteppeddownfromtherock,andpickinguphisgreycloakwrappeditabouthim:itseemedasifthesunhadbeenshining,butnowwashidincloudagain.‘Yes,youmaystillcallmeGandalf,’hesaid,andthevoicewasthevoice

oftheiroldfriendandguide.‘Getup,mygoodGimli!Noblametoyou,andnoharmdonetome.Indeedmyfriends,noneofyouhaveanyweaponthatcouldhurtme.Bemerry!Wemeetagain.Attheturnofthetide.Thegreatstormiscoming,butthetidehasturned.’

HelaidhishandonGimli’shead,andtheDwarflookedupandlaughed

suddenly.‘Gandalf!’hesaid.‘Butyouareallinwhite!’

‘Yes,Iamwhitenow,’saidGandalf.‘IndeedIamSaruman,onemightalmostsay,Sarumanasheshouldhavebeen.Butcomenow,tellmeofyourselves!Ihavepassedthroughfireanddeepwater,sinceweparted.IhaveforgottenmuchthatIthoughtIknew,andlearnedagainmuchthatIhadforgotten.I

canseemanythingsfaroff,butmanythingsthatarecloseathandIcannotsee.Tellmeofyourselves!’

‘Whatdoyouwishtoknow?’saidAragorn.‘Allthathashappenedsincewepartedonthebridgewouldbealongtale.Willyounotfirstgiveusnewsofthehobbits?Didyoufindthem,andare

theysafe?’‘No,Ididnotfindthem,’

saidGandalf.‘TherewasadarknessoverthevalleysoftheEmynMuil,andIdidnotknowoftheircaptivity,untiltheeagletoldme.’

‘Theeagle!’saidLegolas.‘Ihaveseenaneaglehighandfaroff:thelasttimewasfourdaysago,abovetheEmynMuil.’

‘Yes,’saidGandalf,‘that

wasGwaihirtheWindlord,whorescuedmefromOrthanc.IsenthimbeforemetowatchtheRiverandgathertidings.Hissightiskeen,buthecannotseeallthatpassesunderhillandtree.Somethingshehasseen,andothersIhaveseenmyself.TheRingnowhaspassedbeyondmyhelp,orthehelpofanyoftheCompanythatsetoutfromRivendell.Verynearlyitwas

revealedtotheEnemy,butitescaped.Ihadsomepartinthat:forIsatinahighplace,andIstrovewiththeDarkTower;andtheShadowpassed.ThenIwasweary,veryweary;andIwalkedlongindarkthought.’

‘ThenyouknowaboutFrodo!’saidGimli.‘Howdothingsgowithhim?’

‘Icannotsay.Hewassavedfromagreatperil,but

manyliebeforehimstill.HeresolvedtogoalonetoMordor,andhesetout:thatisallthatIcansay.’

‘Notalone,’saidLegolas.‘WethinkthatSamwentwithhim.’

‘Didhe!’saidGandalf,andtherewasagleaminhiseyeandasmileonhisface.‘Didheindeed?Itisnewstome,yetitdoesnotsurpriseme.Good!Verygood!You

lightenmyheart.Youmusttellmemore.Nowsitbymeandtellmethetaleofyourjourney.’

Thecompanionssatonthegroundathisfeet,andAragorntookupthetale.ForalongwhileGandalfsaidnothing,andheaskednoquestions.Hishandswerespreaduponhisknees,and

hiseyeswereclosed.AtlastwhenAragornspokeofthedeathofBoromirandofhislastjourneyupontheGreatRiver,theoldmansighed.

‘Youhavenotsaidallthatyouknoworguess,Aragornmyfriend,’hesaidquietly.‘PoorBoromir!Icouldnotseewhathappenedtohim.Itwasasoretrialforsuchaman:awarrior,andalordofmen.Galadrieltoldmethat

hewasinperil.Butheescapedintheend.Iamglad.Itwasnotinvainthattheyounghobbitscamewithus,ifonlyforBoromir’ssake.Butthatisnottheonlyparttheyhavetoplay.TheywerebroughttoFangorn,andtheircomingwaslikethefallingofsmallstonesthatstartsanavalancheinthemountains.Evenaswetalkhere,Ihearthefirstrumblings.Saruman

hadbestnotbecaughtawayfromhomewhenthedambursts!’

‘Inonethingyouhavenotchanged,dearfriend,’saidAragorn:‘youstillspeakinriddles.’

‘What?Inriddles?’saidGandalf.‘No!ForIwastalkingaloudtomyself.Ahabitoftheold:theychoosethewisestpersonpresenttospeakto;thelong

explanationsneededbytheyoungarewearying.’Helaughed,butthesoundnowseemedwarmandkindlyasagleamofsunshine.

‘IamnolongeryoungeveninthereckoningofMenoftheAncientHouses,’saidAragorn.‘Willyounotopenyourmindmoreclearlytome?’

‘WhatthenshallIsay?’saidGandalf,andpausedfor

awhileinthought.‘ThisinbriefishowIseethingsatthemoment,ifyouwishtohaveapieceofmymindasplainaspossible.TheEnemy,ofcourse,haslongknownthattheRingisabroad,andthatitisbornebyahobbit.HeknowsnowthenumberofourCompanythatsetoutfromRivendell,andthekindofeachofus.Buthedoesnotyetperceiveourpurpose

clearly.HesupposesthatwewereallgoingtoMinasTirith;forthatiswhathewouldhimselfhavedoneinourplace.Andaccordingtohiswisdomitwouldhavebeenaheavystrokeagainsthispower.Indeedheisingreatfear,notknowingwhatmightyonemaysuddenlyappear,wieldingtheRing,andassailinghimwithwar,seekingtocasthimdownand

takehisplace.Thatweshouldwishtocasthimdownandhavenooneinhisplaceisnotathoughtthatoccurstohismind.ThatweshouldtrytodestroytheRingitselfhasnotyetenteredintohisdarkestdream.Inwhichnodoubtyouwillseeourgoodfortuneandourhope.Forimaginingwarhehasletloosewar,believingthathehasnotimetowaste;forhe

thatstrikesthefirstblow,ifhestrikesithardenough,mayneedtostrikenomore.Sotheforcesthathehaslongbeenpreparingheisnowsettinginmotion,soonerthanheintended.Wisefool.ForifhehadusedallhispowertoguardMordor,sothatnonecouldenter,andbentallhisguiletothehuntingoftheRing,thenindeedhopewouldhavefaded:neitherRingnor

bearercouldlonghaveeludedhim.Butnowhiseyegazesabroadratherthannearathome;andmostlyhelookstowardsMinasTirith.Verysoonnowhisstrengthwillfalluponitlikeastorm.

‘ForalreadyheknowsthatthemessengersthathesenttowaylaytheCompanyhavefailedagain.TheyhavenotfoundtheRing.Neitherhavetheybroughtawayany

hobbitsashostages.Hadtheydoneevensomuchasthat,itwouldhavebeenaheavyblowtous,anditmighthavebeenfatal.ButletusnotdarkenourheartsbyimaginingthetrialoftheirgentleloyaltyintheDarkTower.FortheEnemyhasfailed–sofar.ThankstoSaruman.’

‘ThenisnotSarumanatraitor?’saidGimli.

‘Indeedyes,’saidGandalf.‘Doubly.Andisnotthatstrange?NothingthatwehaveenduredoflatehasseemedsogrievousasthetreasonofIsengard.EvenreckonedasalordandcaptainSarumanhasgrownverystrong.HethreatenstheMenofRohananddrawsofftheirhelpfromMinasTirith,evenasthemainblowisapproachingfromtheEast.

Yetatreacherousweaponiseveradangertothehand.SarumanalsohadamindtocapturetheRing,forhimself,oratleasttosnaresomehobbitsforhisevilpurposes.SobetweenthemourenemieshavecontrivedonlytobringMerryandPippinwithmarvellousspeed,andinthenickoftime,toFangorn,whereotherwisetheywouldneverhavecomeatall!

‘Alsotheyhavefilledthemselveswithnewdoubtsthatdisturbtheirplans.NotidingsofthebattlewillcometoMordor,thankstothehorsemenofRohan;buttheDarkLordknowsthattwohobbitsweretakenintheEmynMuilandborneawaytowardsIsengardagainstthewillofhisownservants.HenowhasIsengardtofearaswellasMinasTirith.IfMinas

Tirithfalls,itwillgoillwithSaruman.’

‘Itisapitythatourfriendslieinbetween,’saidGimli.‘IfnolanddividedIsengardandMordor,thentheycouldfightwhilewewatchedandwaited.’

‘Thevictorwouldemergestrongerthaneither,andfreefromdoubt,’saidGandalf.‘ButIsengardcannotfightMordor,unlessSarumanfirst

obtainstheRing.Thathewillneverdonow.Hedoesnotyetknowhisperil.Thereismuchthathedoesnotknow.Hewassoeagertolayhishandsonhispreythathecouldnotwaitathome,andhecameforthtomeetandtospyonhismessengers.Buthecametoolate,foronce,andthebattlewasoverandbeyondhishelpbeforehereachedtheseparts.Hedid

notremainherelong.IlookintohismindandIseehisdoubt.Hehasnowoodcraft.Hebelievesthatthehorsemenslewandburnedalluponthefieldofbattle;buthedoesnotknowwhethertheOrcswerebringinganyprisonersornot.AndhedoesnotknowofthequarrelbetweenhisservantsandtheOrcsofMordor;nordoesheknowoftheWingedMessenger.’

‘TheWingedMessenger!’criedLegolas.‘IshotathimwiththebowofGaladrielaboveSarnGebir,andIfelledhimfromthesky.Hefilledusallwithfear.Whatnewterroristhis?’

‘Onethatyoucannotslaywitharrows,’saidGandalf.‘Youonlyslewhissteed.Itwasagooddeed;buttheRiderwassoonhorsedagain.ForhewasaNazgûl,oneof

theNine,whoridenowuponwingedsteeds.Soontheirterrorwillovershadowthelastarmiesofourfriends,cuttingoffthesun.ButtheyhavenotyetbeenallowedtocrosstheRiver,andSarumandoesnotknowofthisnewshapeinwhichtheRingwraithshavebeenclad.HisthoughtiseverontheRing.Wasitpresentinthebattle?Wasitfound?Whatif

Théoden,LordoftheMark,shouldcomebyitandlearnofitspower?Thatisthedangerthathesees,andhehasfledbacktoIsengardtodoubleandtreblehisassaultonRohan.Andallthetimethereisanotherdanger,closeathand,whichhedoesnotsee,busywithhisfierythoughts.HehasforgottenTreebeard.’

‘Nowyouspeakto

yourselfagain,’saidAragornwithasmile.‘Treebeardisnotknowntome.AndIhaveguessedpartofSaruman’sdoubletreachery;yetIdonotseeinwhatwaythecomingoftwohobbitstoFangornhasserved,savetogiveusalongandfruitlesschase.’

‘Waitaminute!’criedGimli.‘ThereisanotherthingthatIshouldliketoknowfirst.Wasityou,Gandalf,or

Sarumanthatwesawlastnight?’

‘Youcertainlydidnotseeme,’answeredGandalf,‘thereforeImustguessthatyousawSaruman.Evidentlywelooksomuchalikethatyourdesiretomakeanincurabledentinmyhatmustbeexcused.’

‘Good,good!’saidGimli.‘Iamgladthatitwasnotyou.’Gandalflaughedagain.

‘Yes,mygoodDwarf,’hesaid,‘itisacomfortnottobemistakenatallpoints.DoInotknowitonlytoowell!But,ofcourse,Ineverblamedyouforyourwelcomeofme.HowcouldIdoso,whohavesooftencounselledmyfriendstosuspecteventheirownhandswhendealingwiththeEnemy.Blessyou,Gimli,sonofGlóin!Maybeyouwillseeusbothtogether

onedayandjudgebetweenus!’

‘Butthehobbits!’Legolasbrokein.‘Wehavecomefartoseekthem,andyouseemtoknowwheretheyare.Wherearetheynow?’

‘WithTreebeardandtheEnts,’saidGandalf.

‘TheEnts!’exclaimedAragorn.‘Thenthereistruthintheoldlegendsaboutthedwellersinthedeepforests

andthegiantshepherdsofthetrees?AretherestillEntsintheworld?

Ithoughttheywereonlyamemoryofancientdays,ifindeedtheywereevermorethanalegendofRohan.’

‘AlegendofRohan!’criedLegolas.‘Nay,everyElfinWilderlandhassungsongsoftheoldOnodrimandtheirlongsorrow.Yetevenamongustheyareonlya

memory.IfIweretomeetonestillwalkinginthisworld,thenindeedIshouldfeelyoungagain!ButTreebeard:thatisonlyarenderingofFangornintotheCommonSpeech;yetyouseemtospeakofaperson.WhoisthisTreebeard?’

‘Ah!nowyouareaskingmuch,’saidGandalf.‘ThelittlethatIknowofhislongslowstorywouldmakeatale

forwhichwehavenotimenow.TreebeardisFangorn,theguardianoftheforest;heistheoldestoftheEnts,theoldestlivingthingthatstillwalksbeneaththeSunuponthisMiddle-earth.Ihopeindeed,Legolas,thatyoumayyetmeethim.MerryandPippinhavebeenfortunate:theymethimhere,evenwherewesit.Forhecameheretwodaysagoandbore

themawaytohisdwellingfaroffbytherootsofthemountains.Heoftencomeshere,especiallywhenhismindisuneasy,andrumoursoftheworldoutsidetroublehim.Isawhimfourdaysagostridingamongthetrees,andIthinkhesawme,forhepaused;butIdidnotspeak,forIwasheavywiththought,andwearyaftermystrugglewiththeEyeofMordor;and

hedidnotspeakeither,norcallmyname.’

‘PerhapshealsothoughtthatyouwereSaruman,’saidGimli.‘Butyouspeakofhimasifhewasafriend.IthoughtFangornwasdangerous.’

‘Dangerous!’criedGandalf.‘AndsoamI,verydangerous:moredangerousthananythingyouwillevermeet,unlessyouarebrought

alivebeforetheseatoftheDarkLord.AndAragornisdangerous,andLegolasisdangerous.Youarebesetwithdangers,GimlisonofGlóin;foryouaredangerousyourself,inyourownfashion.CertainlytheforestofFangornisperilous–notleasttothosethataretooreadywiththeiraxes;andFangornhimself,heisperiloustoo;yetheiswiseandkindly

nonetheless.Butnowhislongslowwrathisbrimmingover,andalltheforestisfilledwithit.Thecomingofthehobbitsandthetidingsthattheybroughthavespilledit:itwillsoonberunninglikeaflood;butitstideisturnedagainstSarumanandtheaxesofIsengard.AthingisabouttohappenwhichhasnothappenedsincetheElderDays:theEntsaregoingto

wakeupandfindthattheyarestrong.’

‘Whatwilltheydo?’askedLegolasinastonishment.‘Idonotknow,’saidGandalf.‘Idonotthinktheyknowthemselves.Iwonder.’Hefellsilent,hisheadbowedinthought.

Theotherslookedathim.Agleamofsunthrough

fleetingcloudsfellonhishands,whichlaynowupturnedonhislap:theyseemedtobefilledwithlightasacupiswithwater.Atlasthelookedupandgazedstraightatthesun.

‘Themorningiswearingaway,’hesaid.‘Soonwemustgo.’

‘DowegotofindourfriendsandtoseeTreebeard?’askedAragorn.

‘No,’saidGandalf.‘Thatisnottheroadthatyoumusttake.Ihavespokenwordsofhope.Butonlyofhope.Hopeisnotvictory.Warisuponusandallourfriends,awarinwhichonlytheuseoftheRingcouldgiveussuretyofvictory.Itfillsmewithgreatsorrowandgreatfear:formuchshallbedestroyedandallmaybelost.IamGandalf,GandalftheWhite,butBlack

ismightierstill.’Heroseandgazedout

eastward,shadinghiseyes,asifhesawthingsfarawaythatnoneofthemcouldsee.Thenheshookhishead.‘No,’hesaidinasoftvoice,‘ithasgonebeyondourreach.Ofthatatleastletusbeglad.WecannolongerbetemptedtousetheRing.Wemustgodowntofaceaperilneardespair,yetthatdeadlyperil

isremoved.’Heturned.‘Come,

AragornsonofArathorn!’hesaid.‘DonotregretyourchoiceinthevalleyoftheEmynMuil,norcallitavainpursuit.Youchoseamiddoubtsthepaththatseemedright:thechoicewasjust,andithasbeenrewarded.Forsowehavemetintime,whootherwisemighthavemettoolate.Butthequestofyour

companionsisover.Yournextjourneyismarkedbyyourgivenword.YoumustgotoEdorasandseekoutThéodeninhishall.Foryouareneeded.ThelightofAndúrilmustnowbeuncoveredinthebattleforwhichithassolongwaited.ThereiswarinRohan,andworseevil:itgoesillwithThéoden.’

‘Thenarewenottosee

themerryyounghobbitsagain?’saidLegolas.

‘Ididnotsayso,’saidGandalf.‘Whoknows?Havepatience.Gowhereyoumustgo,andhope!ToEdoras!Igothitheralso.’

‘Itisalongwayforamantowalk,youngorold,’saidAragorn.‘IfearthebattlewillbeoverlongereIcomethere.’

‘Weshallsee,weshall

see,’saidGandalf.‘Willyoucomenowwithme?’

‘Yes,wewillsetouttogether,’saidAragorn.‘ButIdonotdoubtthatyouwillcometherebeforeme,ifyouwish.’HeroseandlookedlongatGandalf.Theothersgazedattheminsilenceastheystoodtherefacingoneanother.ThegreyfigureoftheMan,AragornsonofArathorn,wastall,andstern

asstone,hishanduponthehiltofhissword;helookedasifsomekingoutofthemistsoftheseahadsteppedupontheshoresoflessermen.Beforehimstoopedtheoldfigure,white,shiningnowasifwithsomelightkindledwithin,bent,ladenwithyears,butholdingapowerbeyondthestrengthofkings.

‘DoInotsaytruly,Gandalf,’saidAragornat

last,‘thatyoucouldgowhithersoeveryouwishedquickerthanI?AndthisIalsosay:youareourcaptainandourbanner.TheDarkLordhasNine.ButwehaveOne,mightierthanthey:theWhiteRider.Hehaspassedthroughthefireandtheabyss,andtheyshallfearhim.Wewillgowhereheleads.’

‘Yes,togetherwewillfollowyou,’saidLegolas.‘Butfirst,itwouldeasemyheart,Gandalf,tohearwhatbefellyouinMoria.Willyounottellus?Canyounotstayeventotellyourfriendshowyouweredelivered?’

‘Ihavestayedalreadytoolong,’answeredGandalf.‘Timeisshort.Butiftherewereayeartospend,Iwouldnottellyouall.’

‘Thentelluswhatyouwill,andtimeallows!’saidGimli.‘Come,Gandalf,tellushowyoufaredwiththeBalrog!’

‘Namehimnot!’saidGandalf,andforamomentitseemedthatacloudofpainpassedoverhisface,andhesatsilent,lookingoldasdeath.‘LongtimeIfell,’hesaidatlast,slowly,asifthinkingbackwithdifficulty.

‘LongIfell,andhefellwithme.Hisfirewasaboutme.Iwasburned.Thenweplungedintothedeepwaterandallwasdark.Colditwasasthetideofdeath:almostitfrozemyheart.’

‘DeepistheabyssthatisspannedbyDurin’sBridge,andnonehasmeasuredit,’saidGimli.

‘Yetithasabottom,beyondlightandknowledge,’

saidGandalf.‘ThitherIcameatlast,totheuttermostfoundationsofstone.Hewaswithmestill.Hisfirewasquenched,butnowhewasathingofslime,strongerthanastranglingsnake.

‘Wefoughtfarunderthelivingearth,wheretimeisnotcounted.Everheclutchedme,andeverIhewedhim,tillatlasthefledintodarktunnels.Theywerenotmade

byDurin’sfolk,GimlisonofGlóin.Far,farbelowthedeepestdelvingsoftheDwarves,theworldisgnawedbynamelessthings.EvenSauronknowsthemnot.Theyareolderthanhe.NowIhavewalkedthere,butIwillbringnoreporttodarkenthelightofday.Inthatdespairmyenemywasmyonlyhope,andIpursuedhim,clutchingathisheel.Thushebrought

mebackatlasttothesecretwaysofKhazad-dûm:toowellheknewthemall.Everupnowwewent,untilwecametotheEndlessStair.’

‘Longhasthatbeenlost,’saidGimli.‘Manyhavesaidthatitwasnevermadesaveinlegend,butotherssaythatitwasdestroyed.’

‘Itwasmade,andithadnotbeendestroyed,’saidGandalf.‘Fromthelowest

dungeontothehighestpeakitclimbed,ascendinginunbrokenspiralinmanythousandsteps,untilitissuedatlastinDurin’sTowercarvedinthelivingrockofZirakzigil,thepinnacleoftheSilvertine.

‘ThereuponCelebdilwasalonelywindowinthesnow,andbeforeitlayanarrowspace,adizzyeyrieabovethemistsoftheworld.Thesun

shonefiercelythere,butallbelowwaswrappedincloud.Outhesprang,andevenasIcamebehind,heburstintonewflame.Therewasnonetosee,orperhapsinafteragessongswouldstillbesungoftheBattleofthePeak.’SuddenlyGandalflaughed.‘Butwhatwouldtheysayinsong?Thosethatlookedupfromafarthoughtthatthemountainwascrownedwith

storm.Thundertheyheard,andlightning,theysaid,smoteuponCelebdil,andleapedbackbrokenintotonguesoffire.Isnotthatenough?Agreatsmokeroseaboutus,vapourandsteam.Icefelllikerain.Ithrewdownmyenemy,andhefellfromthehighplaceandbrokethemountain-sidewherehesmoteitinhisruin.Thendarknesstookme,andI

strayedoutofthoughtandtime,andIwanderedfaronroadsthatIwillnottell.

‘NakedIwassentback–forabrieftime,untilmytaskisdone.AndnakedIlayuponthemountain-top.Thetowerbehindwascrumbledintodust,thewindowgone;theruinedstairwaschokedwithburnedandbrokenstone.Iwasalone,forgotten,withoutescapeuponthehardhornof

theworld.ThereIlaystaringupward,whilethestarswheeledover,andeachdaywasaslongasalife-ageoftheearth.Fainttomyearscamethegatheredrumourofalllands:thespringingandthedying,thesongandtheweeping,andthesloweverlastinggroanofover-burdenedstone.AndsoatthelastGwaihirtheWindlordfoundmeagain,andhetook

meupandboremeaway.‘‘‘EveramIfatedtobe

yourburden,friendatneed,’’Isaid.

‘‘‘Aburdenyouhavebeen,’’heanswered,‘‘butnotsonow.Lightasaswan’sfeatherinmyclawyouare.TheSunshinesthroughyou.IndeedIdonotthinkyouneedmeanymore:wereItoletyoufall,youwouldfloatuponthewind.’’

‘‘‘Donotletmefall!’’Igasped,forIfeltlifeinmeagain.‘‘BearmetoLothlórien!’’

‘‘‘ThatindeedisthecommandoftheLadyGaladrielwhosentmetolookforyou,’’heanswered.

‘ThusitwasthatIcametoCarasGaladhonandfoundyoubutlatelygone.Itarriedthereintheagelesstimeofthatlandwheredaysbring

healingnotdecay.HealingIfound,andIwasclothedinwhite.CounselIgaveandcounseltook.ThencebystrangeroadsIcame,andmessagesIbringtosomeofyou.ToAragornIwasbiddentosaythis:

WherenowaretheDúnedain,Elessar,Elessar?Whydothykinsfolk

wanderafar?NearisthehourwhentheLostshouldcomeforth,AndtheGreyCompanyridefromtheNorth.Butdarkisthepathappointedforthee:TheDeadwatchtheroadthatleadstotheSea.

ToLegolasshesentthisword:

LegolasGreenleaflongundertreeInjoythouhastlived.BewareoftheSea!Ifthouhearestthecryofthegullontheshore,Thyheartshallthenrestintheforestno

more.’

Gandalffellsilentandshuthiseyes.

‘Thenshesentmenomessage?’saidGimliandbenthishead.

‘Darkareherwords,’saidLegolas,‘andlittledotheymeantothosethatreceivethem.’

‘Thatisnocomfort,’saidGimli.

‘Whatthen?’saidLegolas.‘Wouldyouhaveherspeakopenlytoyouofyourdeath?’

‘Yes,ifshehadnaughtelsetosay.’

‘Whatisthat?’saidGandalf,openinghiseyes.‘Yes,IthinkIcanguesswhatherwordsmaymean.Yourpardon,Gimli!Iwasponderingthemessagesonceagain.Butindeedshesent

wordstoyou,andneitherdarknorsad.

‘‘‘ToGimlisonofGlóin,’’shesaid,‘‘givehisLady’sgreeting.

Lockbearer,whereverthougoestmythoughtgoeswiththee.Buthaveacaretolaythineaxetotherighttree!’’’

‘Inhappyhouryouhavereturnedtous,Gandalf,’criedtheDwarf,caperingashe

sangloudlyinthestrangedwarf-tongue.‘Come,come!’heshouted,swinginghisaxe.‘SinceGandalf’sheadisnowsacred,letusfindonethatitisrighttocleave!’

‘Thatwillnotbefartoseek,’saidGandalf,risingfromhisseat.‘Come!Wehavespentallthetimethatisallowedtoameetingofpartedfriends.Nowthereisneedofhaste.’

Hewrappedhimselfagaininhisoldtatteredcloak,andledtheway.Followinghimtheydescendedquicklyfromthehighshelfandmadetheirwaybackthroughtheforest,downthebankoftheEntwash.Theyspokenomorewords,untiltheystoodagainuponthegrassbeyondtheeavesofFangorn.Therewasnosignoftheirhorsestobeseen.

‘Theyhavenotreturned,’saidLegolas.‘Itwillbeawearywalk!’

‘Ishallnotwalk.Timepresses,’saidGandalf.Thenliftinguphisheadhegavealongwhistle.Soclearandpiercingwasthenotethattheothersstoodamazedtohearsuchasoundcomefromthoseoldbeardedlips.Threetimeshewhistled;andthenfaintandfaroffitseemedto

themthattheyheardthewhinnyofahorseborneupfromtheplainsupontheeasternwind.Theywaitedwondering.Beforelongtherecamethesoundofhoofs,atfirsthardlymorethanatremorofthegroundperceptibleonlytoAragornashelayuponthegrass,thengrowingsteadilylouderandclearertoaquickbeat.

‘Thereismorethanone

horsecoming,’saidAragorn.‘Certainly,’saidGandalf.‘Wearetoogreataburdenforone.’

‘Therearethree,’saidLegolas,gazingoutovertheplain.‘Seehowtheyrun!ThereisHasufel,andthereismyfriendArodbesidehim!Butthereisanotherthatstridesahead:averygreathorse.Ihavenotseenhislikebefore.’

‘Norwillyouagain,’saidGandalf.‘ThatisShadowfax.HeisthechiefoftheMearas,lordsofhorses,andnotevenThéoden,KingofRohan,haseverlookedonabetter.Doeshenotshinelikesilver,andrunassmoothlyasaswiftstream?Hehascomeforme:thehorseoftheWhiteRider.Wearegoingtobattletogether.’

Evenastheoldwizard

spoke,thegreathorsecamestridinguptheslopetowardsthem;hiscoatwasglisteningandhismaneflowinginthewindofhisspeed.Thetwoothersfollowed,nowfarbehind.AssoonasShadowfaxsawGandalf,hecheckedhispaceandwhinniedloudly;thentrottinggentlyforwardhestoopedhisproudheadandnuzzledhisgreatnostrilsagainsttheold

man’sneck.Gandalfcaressedhim.‘It

isalongwayfromRivendell,myfriend,’hesaid;‘butyouarewiseandswiftandcomeatneed.Farletusridenowtogether,andpartnotinthisworldagain!’

Soontheotherhorsescameupandstoodquietlyby,asifawaitingorders.‘WegoatoncetoMeduseld,thehallofyourmaster,Théoden,’

saidGandalf,addressingthemgravely.Theybowedtheirheads.‘Timepresses,sowithyourleave,myfriends,wewillride.Webegyoutouseallthespeedthatyoucan.HasufelshallbearAragornandArodLegolas.IwillsetGimlibeforeme,andbyhisleaveShadowfaxshallbearusboth.Wewillwaitnowonlytodrinkalittle.’

‘NowIunderstandapart

oflastnight’sriddle,’saidLegolasashespranglightlyuponArod’sback.‘Whethertheyfledatfirstinfear,ornot,ourhorsesmetShadowfax,theirchieftain,andgreetedhimwithjoy.Didyouknowthathewasathand,Gandalf?’

‘Yes,Iknew,’saidthewizard.‘Ibentmythoughtuponhim,biddinghimtomakehaste;foryesterdayhe

wasfarawayinthesouthofthisland.Swiftlymayhebearmebackagain!’

GandalfspokenowtoShadowfax,andthehorsesetoffatagoodpace,yetnotbeyondthemeasureoftheothers.Afteralittlewhileheturnedsuddenly,andchoosingaplacewherethebankswerelower,hewaded

theriver,andthenledthemawayduesouthintoaflatland,treelessandwide.Thewindwentlikegreywavesthroughtheendlessmilesofgrass.Therewasnosignofroadortrack,butShadowfaxdidnotstayorfalter.

‘HeissteeringastraightcoursenowforthehallsofThéodenundertheslopesoftheWhiteMountains,’saidGandalf.‘Itwillbequicker

so.ThegroundisfirmerintheEastemnet,wherethechiefnorthwardtracklies,acrosstheriver,butShadowfaxknowsthewaythrougheveryfenandhollow.’

Formanyhourstheyrodeonthroughthemeadsandriverlands.Oftenthegrasswassohighthatitreachedabovethekneesoftheriders,andtheirsteedsseemedtobe

swimminginagrey-greensea.Theycameuponmanyhiddenpools,andbroadacresofsedgewavingabovewetandtreacherousbogs;butShadowfaxfoundtheway,andtheotherhorsesfollowedinhisswath.SlowlythesunfellfromtheskydownintotheWest.Lookingoutoverthegreatplain,farawaytheriderssawitforamomentlikearedfiresinkingintothe

grass.Lowupontheedgeofsightshouldersofthemountainsglintedreduponeitherside.Asmokeseemedtoriseupanddarkenthesun’sdisctothehueofblood,asifithadkindledthegrassasitpasseddownundertherimofearth.

‘ThereliestheGapofRohan,’saidGandalf.‘Itisnowalmostduewestofus.ThatwayliesIsengard.’

‘Iseeagreatsmoke,’saidLegolas.‘Whatmaythatbe?’

‘Battleandwar!’saidGandalf.‘Rideon!’

Chapter6

THEKINGOFTHEGOLDENHALL

Theyrodeonthroughsunset,andslowdusk,andgatheringnight.Whenatlasttheyhaltedanddismounted,evenAragornwasstiffandweary.Gandalfonlyallowedthema

fewhours’rest.LegolasandGimlislept,andAragornlayflat,stretcheduponhisback;butGandalfstood,leaningonhisstaff,gazingintothedarkness,eastandwest.Allwassilent,andtherewasnosignorsoundoflivingthing.Thenightwasbarredwithlongclouds,fleetingonachillwind,whentheyaroseagain.Underthecoldmoontheywentononcemore,as

swiftasbythelightofday.Hourspassedandstill

theyrodeon.Gimlinoddedandwouldhavefallenfromhisseat,ifGandalfhadnotclutchedandshakenhim.HasufelandArod,wearybutproud,followedtheirtirelessleader,agreyshadowbeforethemhardlytobeseen.Themileswentby.ThewaxingmoonsankintothecloudyWest.

Abitterchillcameintotheair.SlowlyintheEastthedarkfadedtoacoldgrey.RedshaftsoflightleaptabovetheblackwallsoftheEmynMuilfarawayupontheirleft.Dawncameclearandbright;awindsweptacrosstheirpath,rushingthroughthebentgrasses.SuddenlyShadowfaxstoodstillandneighed.Gandalfpointedahead.

‘Look!’hecried,andthey

liftedtheirtiredeyes.BeforethemstoodthemountainsoftheSouth:white-tippedandstreakedwithblack.Thegrass-landsrolledagainstthehillsthatclusteredattheirfeet,andflowedupintomanyvalleysstilldimanddark,untouchedbythelightofdawn,windingtheirwayintotheheartofthegreatmountains.Immediatelybeforethetravellersthe

widestoftheseglensopenedlikealonggulfamongthehills.Farinwardtheyglimpsedatumbledmountain-masswithonetallpeak;atthemouthofthevaletherestoodlikeasentinelalonelyheight.Aboutitsfeetthereflowed,asathreadofsilver,thestreamthatissuedfromthedale;uponitsbrowtheycaught,stillfaraway,aglintintherisingsun,a

glimmerofgold.‘Speak,Legolas!’said

Gandalf.‘Telluswhatyouseetherebeforeus!’

Legolasgazedahead,shadinghiseyesfromthelevelshaftsofthenew-risensun.‘Iseeawhitestreamthatcomesdownfromthesnows,’hesaid.‘Whereitissuesfromtheshadowofthevaleagreenhillrisesupontheeast.Adikeandmightywalland

thornyfenceencircleit.Withinthererisetheroofsofhouses;andinthemidst,setuponagreenterrace,therestandsaloftagreathallofMen.Anditseemstomyeyesthatitisthatchedwithgold.Thelightofitshinesfarovertheland.Golden,too,arethepostsofitsdoors.Theremeninbrightmailstand;butallelsewithinthecourtsareyetasleep.’

‘Edorasthosecourtsarecalled,’saidGandalf,‘andMeduseldisthatgoldenhall.TheredwellsThéodensonofThengel,KingoftheMarkofRohan.Wearecomewiththerisingoftheday.Nowtheroadliesplaintoseebeforeus.Butwemustridemorewarily;forwarisabroad,andtheRohirrim,theHorse-lords,donotsleep,evenifitseemsofromafar.Drawno

weapon,speaknohaughtyword,Icounselyouall,untilwearecomebeforeThéoden’sseat.’

Themorningwasbrightandclearaboutthem,andbirdsweresinging,whenthetravellerscametothestream.Itrandownswiftlyintotheplain,andbeyondthefeetofthehillsturnedacrosstheir

pathinawidebend,flowingawayeasttofeedtheEntwashfaroffinitsreed-chokedbeds.Thelandwasgreen:inthewetmeadsandalongthegrassybordersofthestreamgrewmanywillow-trees.Alreadyinthissouthernlandtheywereblushingredattheirfingertips,feelingtheapproachofspring.Overthestreamtherewasafordbetweenlowbanksmuch

trampledbythepassageofhorses.Thetravellerspassedoverandcameuponawideruttedtrackleadingtowardstheuplands.

Atthefootofthewalledhillthewayranundertheshadowofmanymounds,highandgreen.Upontheirwesternsidesthegrasswaswhiteaswithadriftedsnow:smallflowerssprangtherelikecountlessstarsamidthe

turf.‘Look!’saidGandalf.

‘Howfairarethebrighteyesinthegrass!Evermindtheyarecalled,simbelmynëinthislandofMen,fortheyblossominalltheseasonsoftheyear,andgrowwheredeadmenrest.Behold!wearecometothegreatbarrowswherethesiresofThéodensleep.’

‘Sevenmoundsuponthe

left,andnineupontheright,’saidAragorn.‘Manylonglivesofmenitissincethegoldenhallwasbuilt.’

‘FivehundredtimeshavetheredleavesfalleninMirkwoodinmyhomesincethen,’saidLegolas,‘andbutalittlewhiledoesthatseemtous.’

‘ButtotheRidersoftheMarkitseemssolongago,’saidAragorn,‘thattheraising

ofthishouseisbutamemoryofsong,andtheyearsbeforearelostinthemistoftime.Nowtheycallthislandtheirhome,theirown,andtheirspeechissunderedfromtheirnorthernkin.’ThenhebegantochantsoftlyinaslowtongueunknowntotheElfandDwarf;yettheylistened,fortherewasastrongmusicinit.

‘That,Iguess,isthe

languageoftheRohirrim,’saidLegolas;‘foritisliketothislanditself;richandrollinginpart,andelsehardandsternasthemountains.ButIcannotguesswhatitmeans,savethatitisladenwiththesadnessofMortalMen.’

‘ItrunsthusintheCommonSpeech,’saidAragorn,‘asnearasIcanmakeit.

Wherenowthehorseandtherider?Whereisthehornthatwasblowing?

Whereisthehelmandthehauberk,andthebrighthairflowing?

Whereisthehandontheharpstring,andtheredfireglowing?

Whereisthespringandtheharvestandthetallcorngrowing?

Theyhavepassedlike

rainonthemountain,likeawindinthemeadow;

ThedayshavegonedownintheWestbehindthehillsintoshadow.

Whoshallgatherthesmokeofthedeadwoodburning,

OrbeholdtheflowingyearsfromtheSeareturning?

ThusspokeaforgottenpoetlongagoinRohan,recallinghowtallandfairwasEorltheYoung,whorodedownoutoftheNorth;andtherewerewingsuponthefeetofhissteed,Felaróf,fatherofhorses.Somenstillsingintheevening.’

Withthesewordsthetravellerspassedthesilentmounds.Followingthewindingwayupthegreen

shouldersofthehills,theycameatlasttothewidewind-sweptwallsandthegatesofEdoras.

Theresatmanymeninbrightmail,whosprangatoncetotheirfeetandbarredthewaywithspears.‘Stay,strangershereunknown!’theycriedinthetongueoftheRiddermark,demandingthenamesanderrandofthestrangers.Wonderwasin

theireyesbutlittlefriendliness;andtheylookeddarklyuponGandalf.

‘WelldoIunderstandyourspeech,’heansweredinthesamelanguage;‘yetfewstrangersdoso.WhythendoyounotspeakintheCommonTongue,asisthecustomintheWest,ifyouwishtobeanswered?’

‘ItisthewillofThéodenKingthatnoneshouldenter

hisgates,savethosewhoknowourtongueandareourfriends,’repliedoneoftheguards.‘Nonearewelcomehereindaysofwarbutourownfolk,andthosethatcomefromMundburginthelandofGondor.Whoareyouthatcomeheedlessovertheplainthusstrangelyclad,ridinghorsesliketoourownhorses?Longhavewekeptguardhere,andwehave

watchedyoufromafar.Neverhaveweseenotherriderssostrange,noranyhorsemoreproudthanisoneofthesethatbearyou.HeisoneoftheMearas,unlessoureyesarecheatedbysomespell.Say,areyounotawizard,somespyfromSaruman,orphantomsofhiscraft?Speaknowandbeswift!’

‘Wearenophantoms,’saidAragorn,‘nordoyour

eyescheatyou.Forindeedtheseareyourownhorsesthatweride,asyouknewwellereyouasked,Iguess.Butseldomdoesthiefridehometothestable.HereareHasufelandArod,thatÉomer,theThirdMarshaloftheMark,lenttous,onlytwodaysago.Webringthembacknow,evenaswepromisedhim.HasnotÉomerthenreturnedandgiven

warningofourcoming?’Atroubledlookcameinto

theguard’seyes.‘OfÉomerIhavenaughttosay,’heanswered.‘Ifwhatyoutellmeistruth,thendoubtlessThéodenwillhaveheardofit.Maybeyourcomingwasnotwhollyunlooked-for.ItisbuttwonightsagothatWormtonguecametousandsaidthatbythewillofThéodennostrangershould

passthesegates.’‘Wormtongue?’said

Gandalf,lookingsharplyattheguard.‘Saynomore!MyerrandisnottoWormtongue,buttotheLordoftheMarkhimself.Iaminhaste.Willyounotgoorsendtosaythatwearecome?’Hiseyesglintedunderhisdeepbrowsashebenthisgazeupontheman.

‘Yes,Iwillgo,’he

answeredslowly.‘ButwhatnamesshallIreport?AndwhatshallIsayofyou?Oldandwearyyouseemnow,andyetyouarefellandgrimbeneath,Ideem.’

‘Welldoyouseeandspeak,’saidthewizard.‘ForIamGandalf.Ihavereturned.Andbehold!Itoobringbackahorse.HereisShadowfaxtheGreat,whomnootherhandcantame.Andhere

besidemeisAragornsonofArathorn,theheirofKings,anditistoMundburgthathegoes.HerealsoareLegolastheElfandGimlitheDwarf,ourcomrades.Gonowandsaytoyourmasterthatweareathisgatesandwouldhavespeechwithhim,ifhewillpermitustocomeintohishall.’

‘Strangenamesyougiveindeed!ButIwillreportthem

asyoubid,andlearnmymaster’swill,’saidtheguard.‘Waitherealittlewhile,andIwillbringyousuchanswerasseemsgoodtohim.Donothopetoomuch!Thesearedarkdays.’Hewentswiftlyaway,leavingthestrangersinthewatchfulkeepingofhiscomrades.

Aftersometimehereturned.‘Followme!’hesaid.‘Théodengivesyou

leavetoenter;butanyweaponthatyoubear,beitonlyastaff,youmustleaveonthethreshold.Thedoorwardenswillkeepthem.’

Thedarkgateswereswungopen.Thetravellersentered,walkinginfilebehindtheirguide.Theyfoundabroadpath,pavedwithhewnstones,now

windingupward,nowclimbinginshortflightsofwell-laidsteps.Manyhousesbuiltofwoodandmanydarkdoorstheypassed.Besidethewayinastonechannelastreamofclearwaterflowed,sparklingandchattering.Atlengththeycametothecrownofthehill.Therestoodahighplatformaboveagreenterrace,atthefootofwhichabrightspringgushedfroma

stonecarvedinthelikenessofahorse’shead;beneathwasawidebasinfromwhichthewaterspilledandfedthefallingstream.Upthegreenterracewentastairofstone,highandbroad,andoneithersideofthetopmoststepwerestone-hewnseats.Theresatotherguards,withdrawnswordslaidupontheirknees.Theirgoldenhairwasbraidedontheirshoulders;thesun

wasblazonedupontheirgreenshields,theirlongcorsletswereburnishedbright,andwhentheyrosetallertheyseemedthanmortalmen.

‘Therearethedoorsbeforeyou,’saidtheguide.‘Imustreturnnowtomydutyatthegate.Farewell!AndmaytheLordoftheMarkbe

gracioustoyou!’Heturnedandwent

swiftlybackdowntheroad.Theothersclimbedthelongstairundertheeyesofthetallwatchmen.Silenttheystoodnowaboveandspokenoword,untilGandalfsteppedoutuponthepavedterraceatthestair’shead.Thensuddenlywithclearvoicestheyspokeacourteousgreetingintheirowntongue.

‘Hail,comersfromafar!’theysaid,andtheyturnedthehiltsoftheirswordstowardsthetravellersintokenofpeace.Greengemsflashedinthesunlight.ThenoneoftheguardssteppedforwardandspokeintheCommonSpeech.

‘IamtheDoorwardofThéoden,’hesaid.‘Hámaismyname.HereImustbidyoulayasideyourweapons

beforeyouenter.’ThenLegolasgaveinto

hishandhissilver-haftedknife,hisquiver,andhisbow.‘Keepthesewell,’hesaid,‘fortheycomefromtheGoldenWoodandtheLadyofLothlóriengavethemtome.’

Wondercameintotheman’seyes,andhelaidtheweaponshastilybythewall,asifhefearedtohandlethem.

‘Nomanwilltouchthem,Ipromiseyou,’hesaid.

Aragornstoodawhilehesitating.‘Itisnotmywill,’hesaid,‘toputasidemyswordortodeliverAndúriltothehandofanyotherman.’

‘ItisthewillofThéoden,’saidHáma.

‘ItisnotcleartomethatthewillofThéodensonofThengel,eventhoughhebelordoftheMark,should

prevailoverthewillofAragornsonofArathorn,Elendil’sheirofGondor.’

‘ThisisthehouseofThéoden,notofAragorn,evenwereheKingofGondorintheseatofDenethor,’saidHáma,steppingswiftlybeforethedoorsandbarringtheway.Hisswordwasnowinhishandandthepointtowardsthestrangers.

‘Thisisidletalk,’said

Gandalf.‘NeedlessisThéoden’sdemand,butitisuselesstorefuse.Akingwillhavehiswayinhisownhall,beitfollyorwisdom.’

‘Truly,’saidAragorn.‘AndIwoulddoasthemasterofthehousebademe,werethisonlyawoodman’scot,ifIborenowanyswordbutAndúril.’

‘Whateveritsnamemaybe,’saidHáma,‘hereyou

shalllayit,ifyouwouldnotfightaloneagainstallthemeninEdoras.’

‘Notalone!’saidGimli,fingeringthebladeofhisaxe,andlookingdarklyupattheguard,asifhewereayoungtreethatGimlihadamindtofell.‘Notalone!’

‘Come,come!’saidGandalf.‘Weareallfriendshere.Orshouldbe;forthelaughterofMordorwillbe

ouronlyreward,ifwequarrel.Myerrandispressing.Hereatleastismysword,goodmanHáma.Keepitwell.Glamdringitiscalled,fortheElvesmadeitlongago.Nowletmepass.Come,Aragorn!’

SlowlyAragornunbuckledhisbeltandhimselfsethissworduprightagainstthewall.‘HereIsetit,’hesaid;‘butIcommand

younottotouchit,nortopermitanyothertolayhandonit.InthisElvishsheathdwellstheBladethatwasBrokenandhasbeenmadeagain.Telcharfirstwroughtitinthedeepsoftime.DeathshallcometoanymanthatdrawsElendil’sswordsaveElendil’sheir.’

TheguardsteppedbackandlookedwithamazementonAragorn.‘Itseemsthat

youarecomeonthewingsofsongoutoftheforgottendays,’hesaid.‘Itshallbe,lord,asyoucommand.’

‘Well,’saidGimli,‘ifithasAndúriltokeepitcompany,myaxemaystayhere,too,withoutshame’;andhelaiditonthefloor.‘Nowthen,ifallisasyouwish,letusgoandspeakwithyourmaster.’

Theguardstillhesitated.

‘Yourstaff,’hesaidtoGandalf.‘Forgiveme,butthattoomustbeleftatthedoors.’

‘Foolishness!’saidGandalf.‘Prudenceisonething,butdiscourtesyisanother.Iamold.IfImaynotleanonmystickasIgo,thenIwillsitouthere,untilitpleasesThéodentohobbleouthimselftospeakwithme.’

Aragornlaughed.‘Everymanhassomethingtoodeartotrusttoanother.Butwouldyoupartanoldmanfromhissupport?Come,willyounotletusenter?’

‘Thestaffinthehandofawizardmaybemorethanapropforage,’saidHáma.Helookedhardattheash-staffonwhichGandalfleaned.‘Yetindoubtamanofworthwilltrusttohisownwisdom.

Ibelieveyouarefriendsandfolkworthyofhonour,whohavenoevilpurpose.Youmaygoin.’

Theguardsnowliftedtheheavybarsofthedoorsandswungthemslowlyinwardsgrumblingontheirgreathinges.Thetravellersentered.Insideitseemeddarkandwarmaftertheclearairupon

thehill.Thehallwaslongandwideandfilledwithshadowsandhalflights;mightypillarsuphelditsloftyroof.Buthereandtherebrightsunbeamsfellinglimmeringshaftsfromtheeasternwindows,highunderthedeepeaves.Throughthelouverintheroof,abovethethinwispsofissuingsmoke,theskyshowedpaleandblue.Astheireyeschanged,the

travellersperceivedthatthefloorwaspavedwithstonesofmanyhues;branchingrunesandstrangedevicesintertwinedbeneaththeirfeet.Theysawnowthatthepillarswererichlycarved,gleamingdullywithgoldandhalf-seencolours.Manywovenclothswerehunguponthewalls,andovertheirwidespacesmarchedfiguresofancientlegend,somedimwithyears,

somedarklingintheshade.Butupononeformthesunlightfell:ayoungmanuponawhitehorse.Hewasblowingagreathorn,andhisyellowhairwasflyinginthewind.Thehorse’sheadwaslifted,anditsnostrilswerewideandredasitneighed,smellingbattleafar.Foamingwater,greenandwhite,rushedandcurledaboutitsknees.

‘BeholdEorltheYoung!’saidAragorn.‘ThusherodeoutoftheNorthtotheBattleoftheFieldofCelebrant.’

Nowthefourcompanionswentforward,pasttheclearwood-fireburninguponthelonghearthinthemidstofthehall.Thentheyhalted.Atthefarendofthehouse,beyondthehearthandfacingnorth

towardsthedoors,wasadaiswiththreesteps;andinthemiddleofthedaiswasagreatgildedchair.Uponitsatamansobentwithagethatheseemedalmostadwarf;buthiswhitehairwaslongandthickandfellingreatbraidsfrombeneathathingoldencircletsetuponhisbrow.Inthecentreuponhisforeheadshoneasinglewhitediamond.Hisbeardwaslaid

likesnowuponhisknees;buthiseyesstillburnedwithabrightlight,glintingashegazedatthestrangers.Behindhischairstoodawomancladinwhite.Athisfeetuponthestepssatawizenedfigureofaman,withapalewisefaceandheavy-liddedeyes.

Therewasasilence.Theoldmandidnotmoveinhischair.AtlengthGandalfspoke.‘Hail,Théodensonof

Thengel!Ihavereturned.Forbehold!thestormcomes,andnowallfriendsshouldgathertogether,lesteachsinglybedestroyed.’

Slowlytheoldmanrosetohisfeet,leaningheavilyuponashortblackstaffwithahandleofwhitebone;andnowthestrangerssawthat,bentthoughhewas,hewasstilltallandmustinyouthhavebeenhighandproud

indeed.‘Igreetyou,’hesaid,‘and

maybeyoulookforwelcome.Buttruthtotellyourwelcomeisdoubtfulhere,MasterGandalf.Youhaveeverbeenaheraldofwoe.Troublesfollowyoulikecrows,andevertheoftenertheworse.Iwillnotdeceiveyou:whenIheardthatShadowfaxhadcomebackriderless,Irejoicedatthereturnofthe

horse,butstillmoreatthelackoftherider;andwhenÉomerbroughtthetidingsthatyouhadgoneatlasttoyourlonghome,Ididnotmourn.Butnewsfromafarisseldomsooth.Hereyoucomeagain!Andwithyoucomeevilsworsethanbefore,asmightbeexpected.WhyshouldIwelcomeyou,GandalfStormcrow?Tellmethat.’Slowlyhesatdown

againinhischair.‘Youspeakjustly,lord,’

saidthepalemansittinguponthestepsofthedais.‘ItisnotyetfivedayssincethebittertidingscamethatThéodredyoursonwasslainupontheWestMarches:yourright-hand,SecondMarshaloftheMark.InÉomerthereislittletrust.Fewmenwouldbelefttoguardyourwalls,ifhehadbeenallowedtorule.And

evennowwelearnfromGondorthattheDarkLordisstirringintheEast.Suchisthehourinwhichthiswandererchoosestoreturn.Whyindeedshouldwewelcomeyou,MasterStormcrow?LáthspellInameyou,Ill-news;andillnewsisanillguesttheysay.’Helaughedgrimly,asheliftedhisheavylidsforamomentandgazedonthestrangers

withdarkeyes.‘Youareheldwise,my

friendWormtongue,andaredoubtlessagreatsupporttoyourmaster,’answeredGandalfinasoftvoice.‘Yetintwowaysmayamancomewitheviltidings.Hemaybeaworkerofevil;orhemaybesuchasleaveswellalone,andcomesonlytobringaidintimeofneed.’

‘Thatisso,’said

Wormtongue;‘butthereisathirdkind:pickersofbones,meddlersinothermen’ssorrows,carrion-fowlthatgrowfatonwar.Whataidhaveyoueverbrought,Stormcrow?Andwhataiddoyoubringnow?Itwasaidfromusthatyousoughtlasttimethatyouwerehere.Thenmylordbadeyouchooseanyhorsethatyouwouldandbegone;andtothewonderofall

youtookShadowfaxinyourinsolence.Mylordwassorelygrieved;yettosomeitseemedthattospeedyoufromthelandthepricewasnottoogreat.Iguessthatitislikelytoturnoutthesameoncemore:youwillseekaidratherthanrenderit.Doyoubringmen?Doyoubringhorses,swords,spears?ThatIwouldcallaid;thatisourpresentneed.Butwhoare

thesethatfollowatyourtail?Threeraggedwanderersingrey,andyouyourselfthemostbeggar-likeofthefour!’

‘Thecourtesyofyourhallissomewhatlessenedoflate,ThéodensonofThengel,’saidGandalf.‘Hasnotthemessengerfromyourgatereportedthenamesofmycompanions?SeldomhasanylordofRohanreceivedthreesuchguests.Weaponsthey

havelaidatyourdoorsthatareworthmanyamortalman,eventhemightiest.Greyistheirraiment,fortheElvescladthem,andthustheyhavepassedthroughtheshadowofgreatperilstoyourhall.’

‘Thenitistrue,asÉomerreported,thatyouareinleaguewiththeSorceressoftheGoldenWood?’saidWormtongue.‘Itisnottobewonderedat:websofdeceit

wereeverwoveninDwimordene.’

Gimlistrodeapaceforward,butfeltsuddenlythehandofGandalfclutchhimbytheshoulder,andhehalted,standingstiffasstone.

InDwimordene,inLórienSeldomhavewalkedthefeetofMen,

FewmortaleyeshaveseenthelightThatliesthereever,longandbright.Galadriel!Galadriel!Clearisthewaterofyourwell;Whiteisthestarinyourwhitehand;Unmarred,unstainedisleafandland

InDwimordene,inLórienMorefairthanthoughtsofMortalMen.

ThusGandalfsoftlysang,andthensuddenlyhechanged.Castinghistatteredcloakaside,hestoodupandleanednolongeronhisstaff;andhespokeinaclearcoldvoice.

‘Thewisespeakonlyofwhattheyknow,GrímasonofGálmód.Awitlesswormhaveyoubecome.Thereforebesilent,andkeepyourforkedtonguebehindyourteeth.Ihavenotpassedthroughfireanddeathtobandycrookedwordswithaserving-mantillthelightningfalls.’

Heraisedhisstaff.Therewasarollofthunder.The

sunlightwasblottedoutfromtheeasternwindows;thewholehallbecamesuddenlydarkasnight.Thefirefadedtosullenembers.OnlyGandalfcouldbeseen,standingwhiteandtallbeforetheblackenedhearth.

InthegloomtheyheardthehissofWormtongue’svoice:‘DidInotcounselyou,lord,toforbidhisstaff?Thatfool,Háma,hasbetrayedus!’

Therewasaflashasiflightninghadcloventheroof.Thenallwassilent.Wormtonguesprawledonhisface.

‘NowThéodensonofThengel,willyouhearkentome?’saidGandalf.‘Doyouaskforhelp?’Heliftedhisstaffandpointedtoahighwindow.Therethedarkness

seemedtoclear,andthroughtheopeningcouldbeseen,highandfar,apatchofshiningsky.‘Notallisdark.Takecourage,LordoftheMark;forbetterhelpyouwillnotfind.NocounselhaveItogivetothosethatdespair.YetcounselIcouldgive,andwordsIcouldspeaktoyou.Willyouhearthem?Theyarenotforallears.Ibidyoucomeoutbeforeyourdoors

andlookabroad.Toolonghaveyousatinshadowsandtrustedtotwistedtalesandcrookedpromptings.’

SlowlyThéodenlefthischair.Afaintlightgrewinthehallagain.Thewomanhastenedtotheking’sside,takinghisarm,andwithfalteringstepstheoldmancamedownfromthedaisandpacedsoftlythroughthehall.Wormtongueremainedlying

onthefloor.TheycametothedoorsandGandalfknocked.

‘Open!’hecried.‘TheLordoftheMarkcomesforth!’

Thedoorsrolledbackandakeenaircamewhistlingin.Awindwasblowingonthehill.

‘Sendyourguardsdowntothestairs’foot,’saidGandalf.‘Andyou,lady,leavehimawhilewithme.I

willcareforhim.’‘Go,Éowynsister-

daughter!’saidtheoldking.‘Thetimeforfearispast.’

Thewomanturnedandwentslowlyintothehouse.Asshepassedthedoorssheturnedandlookedback.Graveandthoughtfulwasherglance,asshelookedonthekingwithcoolpityinhereyes.Veryfairwasherface,andherlonghairwaslikea

riverofgold.Slenderandtallshewasinherwhiterobegirtwithsilver;butstrongsheseemedandsternassteel,adaughterofkings.ThusAragornforthefirsttimeinthefulllightofdaybeheldÉowyn,LadyofRohan,andthoughtherfair,fairandcold,likeamorningofpalespringthatisnotyetcometowomanhood.Andshenowwassuddenlyawareofhim:

tallheirofkings,wisewithmanywinters,greycloaked,hidingapowerthatyetshefelt.Foramomentstillasstoneshestood,thenturningswiftlyshewasgone.

‘Now,lord,’saidGandalf,‘lookoutuponyourland!Breathethefreeairagain!’

FromtheporchuponthetopofthehighterracetheycouldseebeyondthestreamthegreenfieldsofRohan

fadingintodistantgrey.Curtainsofwind-blownrainwereslantingdown.Theskyaboveandtothewestwasstilldarkwiththunder,andlightningfarawayflickeredamongthetopsofhiddenhills.Butthewindhadshiftedtothenorth,andalreadythestormthathadcomeoutoftheEastwasreceding,rollingawaysouthwardtothesea.Suddenlythrougharentin

thecloudsbehindthemashaftofsunstabbeddown.Thefallingshowersgleamedlikesilver,andfarawaytheriverglitteredlikeashimmeringglass.

‘Itisnotsodarkhere,’saidThéoden.

‘No,’saidGandalf.‘Nordoesageliesoheavilyonyourshouldersassomewouldhaveyouthink.Castasideyourprop!’

Fromtheking’shandtheblackstafffellclatteringonthestones.Hedrewhimselfup,slowly,asamanthatisstifffromlongbendingoversomedulltoil.Nowtallandstraighthestood,andhiseyeswereblueashelookedintotheopeningsky.

‘Darkhavebeenmydreamsoflate,’hesaid,‘butIfeelasonenew-awakened.Iwouldnowthatyouhadcome

before,Gandalf.ForIfearthatalreadyyouhavecometoolate,onlytoseethelastdaysofmyhouse.NotlongnowshallstandthehighhallwhichBregosonofEorlbuilt.Fireshalldevourthehighseat.Whatistobedone?’

‘Much,’saidGandalf.‘ButfirstsendforÉomer.DoInotguessrightlythatyouholdhimprisoner,bythe

counselofGríma,ofhimthatallsaveyounametheWormtongue?’

‘Itistrue,’saidThéoden.‘Hehadrebelledagainstmycommands,andthreateneddeathtoGrímainmyhall.’

‘AmanmayloveyouandyetnotloveWormtongueorhiscounsels,’saidGandalf.

‘Thatmaybe.Iwilldoasyouask.CallHámatome.Sinceheproveduntrustyasa

doorward,lethimbecomeanerrand-runner.Theguiltyshallbringtheguiltytojudgement,’saidThéoden,andhisvoicewasgrim,yethelookedatGandalfandsmiledandashedidsomanylinesofcareweresmoothedawayanddidnotreturn.

WhenHámahadbeensummonedandhadgone,

GandalfledThéodentoastoneseat,andthensathimselfbeforethekinguponthetopmoststair.Aragornandhiscompanionsstoodnearby.

‘Thereisnotimetotellallthatyoushouldhear,’saidGandalf.‘Yetifmyhopeisnotcheated,atimewillcomeerelongwhenIcanspeakmorefully.Behold!youarecomeintoaperilgreatereven

thanthewitofWormtonguecouldweaveintoyourdreams.Butsee!youdreamnolonger.Youlive.GondorandRohandonotstandalone.Theenemyisstrongbeyondourreckoning,yetwehaveahopeatwhichhehasnotguessed.’

QuicklynowGandalfspoke.Hisvoicewaslowandsecret,andnonesavethekingheardwhathesaid.Butever

ashespokethelightshonebrighterinThéoden’seye,andatthelastherosefromhisseattohisfullheight,andGandalfbesidehim,andtogethertheylookedoutfromthehighplacetowardstheEast.

‘Verily,’saidGandalf,nowinaloudvoice,keenandclear,‘thatwayliesourhope,wheresitsourgreatestfear.Doomhangsstillonathread.

Yethopethereisstill,ifwecanbutstandunconqueredforalittlewhile.’

Theotherstoonowturnedtheireyeseastward.Overthesunderingleaguesofland,farawaytheygazedtotheedgeofsight,andhopeandfearboretheirthoughtsstillon,beyonddarkmountainstotheLandofShadow.WherenowwastheRing-bearer?Howthinindeedwasthethread

uponwhichdoomstillhung!ItseemedtoLegolas,ashestrainedhisfarseeingeyes,thathecaughtaglintofwhite:farawayperchancethesuntwinkledonapinnacleoftheTowerofGuard.Andfurtherstill,endlesslyremoteandyetapresentthreat,therewasatinytongueofflame.

SlowlyThéodensatdownagain,asifwearinessstillstruggledtomasterhim

againstthewillofGandalf.Heturnedandlookedathisgreathouse.‘Alas!’hesaid,‘thattheseevildaysshouldbemine,andshouldcomeinmyoldageinsteadofthatpeacewhichIhaveearned.AlasforBoromirthebrave!Theyoungperishandtheoldlinger,withering.’Heclutchedhiskneeswithhiswrinkledhands.

‘Yourfingerswould

remembertheiroldstrengthbetter,iftheygraspedasword-hilt,’saidGandalf.

Théodenroseandputhishandtohisside;butnoswordhungathisbelt.‘WherehasGrímastowedit?’hemutteredunderhisbreath.

‘Takethis,dearlord!’saidaclearvoice.‘Itwaseveratyourservice.’Twomenhadcomesoftlyupthestairandstoodnowafewstepsfrom

thetop.Éomerwasthere.Nohelmwasonhishead,nomailwasonhisbreast,butinhishandheheldadrawnsword;andashekneltheofferedthehilttohismaster.

‘Howcomesthis?’saidThéodensternly.HeturnedtowardsÉomer,andthemenlookedinwonderathim,standingnowproudanderect.Wherewastheoldmanwhomtheyhadleftcrouching

inhischairorleaningonhisstick?

‘Itismydoing,lord,’saidHáma,trembling.‘IunderstoodthatÉomerwastobesetfree.SuchjoywasinmyheartthatmaybeIhaveerred.Yet,sincehewasfreeagain,andheaMarshaloftheMark,Ibroughthimhisswordashebademe.’

‘Tolayatyourfeet,mylord,’saidÉomer.

ForamomentofsilenceThéodenstoodlookingdownatÉomerashekneltstillbeforehim.Neithermoved.

‘Willyounottakethesword?’saidGandalf.

SlowlyThéodenstretchedforthhishand.Ashisfingerstookthehilt,itseemedtothewatchersthatfirmnessandstrengthreturnedtohisthinarm.Suddenlyheliftedthebladeandswungit

shimmeringandwhistlingintheair.Thenhegaveagreatcry.HisvoicerangclearashechantedinthetongueofRohanacalltoarms.

Arisenow,arise,RidersofThéoden!Diredeedsawake,darkisiteastward.Lethorsebebridled,hornbesounded!

ForthEorlingas!

Theguards,thinkingthattheyweresummoned,sprangupthestair.Theylookedattheirlordinamazement,andthenasonemantheydrewtheirswordsandlaidthemathisfeet.‘Commandus!’theysaid.

‘WestuThéodenhál!’criedÉomer.‘Itisajoytous

toseeyoureturnintoyourown.Neveragainshallitbesaid,Gandalf,thatyoucomeonlywithgrief!’

‘Takebackyoursword,Éomer,sister-son!’saidtheking.‘Go,Háma,andseekmyownsword!Grímahasitinhiskeeping.Bringhimtomealso.Now,Gandalf,yousaidthatyouhadcounseltogive,ifIwouldhearit.Whatisyourcounsel?’

‘Youhaveyourselfalreadytakenit,’answeredGandalf.‘ToputyourtrustinÉomer,ratherthaninamanofcrookedmind.Tocastasideregretandfear.Todothedeedathand.Everymanthatcanrideshouldbesentwestatonce,asÉomercounselledyou:wemustfirstdestroythethreatofSaruman,whilewehavetime.Ifwefail,wefall.Ifwesucceed–

thenwewillfacethenexttask.Meanwhileyourpeoplethatareleft,thewomenandthechildrenandtheold,shouldflytotherefugesthatyouhaveinthemountains.Weretheynotpreparedagainstjustsuchanevildayasthis?Letthemtakeprovision,butdelaynot,norburdenthemselveswithtreasures,greatorsmall.Itistheirlivesthatareatstake.’

‘Thiscounselseemsgoodtomenow,’saidThéoden.‘Letallmyfolkgetready!Butyoumyguests–trulyyousaid,Gandalf,thatthecourtesyofmyhallislessened.Youhaveriddenthroughthenight,andthemorningwearsaway.Youhavehadneithersleepnorfood.Aguest-houseshallbemadeready:thereyoushallsleep,whenyouhaveeaten.’

‘Nay,lord,’saidAragorn.‘Thereisnorestyetfortheweary.ThemenofRohanmustrideforthtoday,andwewillridewiththem,axe,sword,andbow.Wedidnotbringthemtorestagainstyourwall,LordoftheMark.AndIpromisedÉomerthatmyswordandhisshouldbedrawntogether.’

‘Nowindeedthereishopeofvictory!’saidÉomer.

‘Hope,yes,’saidGandalf.‘ButIsengardisstrong.Andotherperilsdrawevernearer.Donotdelay,Théoden,whenwearegone.LeadyourpeopleswiftlytotheHoldofDunharrowinthehills!’

‘Nay,Gandalf!’saidtheking.‘Youdonotknowyourownskillinhealing.Itshallnotbeso.Imyselfwillgotowar,tofallinthefrontofthebattle,ifitmustbe.Thus

shallIsleepbetter.’‘Theneventhedefeatof

Rohanwillbegloriousinsong,’saidAragorn.Thearmedmenthatstoodnearclashedtheirweapons,crying:‘TheLordoftheMarkwillride!ForthEorlingas!’

‘Butyourpeoplemustnotbebothunarmedandshepherdless,’saidGandalf.‘Whoshallguidethemand

governtheminyourplace?’‘Iwilltakethoughtfor

thatereIgo,’answeredThéoden.‘Herecomesmycounsellor.’

AtthatmomentHámacameagainfromthehall.Behindhimcringingbetweentwoothermen,cameGrímatheWormtongue.Hisfacewasverywhite.Hiseyes

blinkedinthesunlight.HámakneltandpresentedtoThéodenalongswordinascabbardclaspedwithgoldandsetwithgreengems.

‘Here,lord,isHerugrim,yourancientblade,’hesaid.‘Itwasfoundinhischest.Lothwashetorenderupthekeys.Manyotherthingsaretherewhichmenhavemissed.’

‘Youlie,’said

Wormtongue.‘Andthisswordyourmasterhimselfgaveintomykeeping.’

‘Andhenowrequiresitofyouagain,’saidThéoden.‘Doesthatdispleaseyou?’

‘Assuredlynot,lord,’saidWormtongue.‘IcareforyouandyoursasbestImay.Butdonotwearyyourself,ortaxtooheavilyyourstrength.Letothersdealwiththeseirksomeguests.Yourmeatis

abouttobesetontheboard.Willyounotgotoit?’

‘Iwill,’saidThéoden.‘Andletfoodformyguestsbesetontheboardbesideme.Thehostridestoday.Sendtheheraldsforth!Letthemsummonallwhodwellnigh!Everymanandstrongladabletobeararms,allwhohavehorses,letthembereadyinthesaddleatthegateerethesecondhourfrom

noon!’‘Dearlord!’cried

Wormtongue.‘ItisasIfeared.Thiswizardhasbewitchedyou.ArenonetobelefttodefendtheGoldenHallofyourfathers,andallyourtreasure?NonetoguardtheLordoftheMark?’

‘Ifthisisbewitchment,’saidThéoden,‘itseemstomemorewholesomethanyourwhisperings.Yourleechcraft

erelongwouldhavehadmewalkingonallfourslikeabeast.No,notoneshallbeleft,notevenGríma.Grímashallridetoo.Go!Youhaveyettimetocleantherustfromyoursword.’

‘Mercy,lord!’whinedWormtongue,grovellingontheground.‘Havepityononewornoutinyourservice.Sendmenotfromyourside!Iatleastwillstandbyyou

whenallothershavegone.DonotsendyourfaithfulGrímaaway!’

‘Youhavemypity,’saidThéoden.‘AndIdonotsendyoufrommyside.Igomyselftowarwithmymen.Ibidyoucomewithmeandproveyourfaith.’

Wormtonguelookedfromfacetoface.Inhiseyeswasthehuntedlookofabeastseekingsomegapinthering

ofhisenemies.Helickedhislipswithalongpaletongue.‘SucharesolvemightbeexpectedfromalordoftheHouseofEorl,oldthoughhebe,’hesaid.‘Butthosewhotrulylovehimwouldsparehisfailingyears.YetIseethatIcometoolate.Others,whomthedeathofmylordwouldperhapsgrieveless,havealreadypersuadedhim.IfIcannotundotheirwork,

hearmeatleastinthis,lord!OnewhoknowsyourmindandhonoursyourcommandsshouldbeleftinEdoras.Appointafaithfulsteward.LetyourcounsellorGrímakeepallthingstillyourreturn–andIpraythatwemayseeit,thoughnowisemanwilldeemithopeful.’

Éomerlaughed.‘Andifthatpleadoesnotexcuseyoufromwar,mostnoble

Wormtongue,’hesaid,‘whatofficeoflesshonourwouldyouaccept?Tocarryasackofmealupintothemountains–ifanymanwouldtrustyouwithit?’

‘Nay,Éomer,youdonotfullyunderstandthemindofMasterWormtongue,’saidGandalf,turninghispiercingglanceuponhim.‘Heisboldandcunning.Evennowheplaysagamewithperiland

winsathrow.Hoursofmyprecioustimehehaswastedalready.Down,snake!’hesaidsuddenlyinaterriblevoice.‘Downonyourbelly!HowlongisitsinceSarumanboughtyou?Whatwasthepromisedprice?Whenallthemenweredead,youweretopickyourshareofthetreasure,andtakethewomanyoudesire?Toolonghaveyouwatchedherunderyour

eyelidsandhauntedhersteps.’

Éomergraspedhissword.‘ThatIknewalready,’hemuttered.‘ForthatreasonIwouldhaveslainhimbefore,forgettingthelawofthehall.Butthereareotherreasons.’Hesteppedforward,butGandalfstayedhimwithhishand.

‘Éowynissafenow,’hesaid.‘Butyou,Wormtongue,

youhavedonewhatyoucouldforyourtruemaster.Somerewardyouhaveearnedatleast.YetSarumanisapttooverlookhisbargains.Ishouldadviseyoutogoquicklyandremindhim,lestheforgetyourfaithfulservice.’

‘Youlie,’saidWormtongue.

‘Thatwordcomestoooftandeasyfromyourlips,’said

Gandalf.‘Idonotlie.See,Théoden,hereisasnake!Withsafetyyoucannottakeitwithyou,norcanyouleaveitbehind.Toslayitwouldbejust.Butitwasnotalwaysasitnowis.Onceitwasaman,anddidyouserviceinitsfashion.Givehimahorseandlethimgoatonce,whereverhechooses.Byhischoiceyoushalljudgehim.’

‘Doyouhearthis,

Wormtongue?’saidThéoden.‘Thisisyourchoice:toridewithmetowar,andletusseeinbattlewhetheryouaretrue;ortogonow,whitheryouwill.Butthen,ifeverwemeetagain,Ishallnotbemerciful.’

SlowlyWormtonguerose.Helookedatthemwithhalf-closedeyes.LastofallhescannedThéoden’sfaceandopenedhismouthasifto

speak.Thensuddenlyhedrewhimselfup.Hishandsworked.Hiseyesglittered.Suchmalicewasinthemthatmensteppedbackfromhim.Hebaredhisteeth;andthenwithahissingbreathhespatbeforetheking’sfeet,anddartingtooneside,hefleddownthestair.

‘Afterhim!’saidThéoden.‘Seethathedoesnoharmtoany,butdonothurt

himorhinderhim.Givehimahorse,ifhewishesit.’

‘Andifanywillbearhim,’saidÉomer.

Oneoftheguardsrandownthestair.Anotherwenttothewellatthefootoftheterraceandinhishelmdrewwater.WithithewashedcleanthestonesthatWormtonguehaddefiled.

‘Nowmyguests,come!’saidThéoden.‘Comeandtakesuchrefreshmentashasteallows.’

Theypassedbackintothegreathouse.Alreadytheyheardbelowtheminthetowntheheraldscryingandthewar-hornsblowing.Forthekingwastorideforthassoonasthemenofthetownandthosedwellingnearcouldbearmedandassembled.

Attheking’sboardsatÉomerandthefourguests,andtherealsowaitinguponthekingwastheladyÉowyn.Theyateanddrankswiftly.TheothersweresilentwhileThéodenquestionedGandalfconcerningSaruman.

‘Howfarbackhistreacherygoes,whocanguess?’saidGandalf.‘Hewasnotalwaysevil.OnceIdonotdoubtthathewasthe

friendofRohan;andevenwhenhisheartgrewcolder,hefoundyouusefulstill.Butforlongnowhehasplottedyourruin,wearingthemaskoffriendship,untilhewasready.InthoseyearsWormtongue’staskwaseasy,andallthatyoudidwasswiftlyknowninIsengard;foryourlandwasopen,andstrangerscameandwent.AndeverWormtongue’s

whisperingwasinyourears,poisoningyourthought,chillingyourheart,weakeningyourlimbs,whileotherswatchedandcoulddonothing,foryourwillwasinhiskeeping.

‘ButwhenIescapedandwarnedyou,thenthemaskwastorn,forthosewhowouldsee.AfterthatWormtongueplayeddangerously,alwaysseeking

todelayyou,topreventyourfullstrengthbeinggathered.Hewascrafty:dullingmen’swariness,orworkingontheirfears,asservedtheoccasion.Doyounotrememberhoweagerlyheurgedthatnomanshouldbesparedonawildgoosechasenorthward,whentheimmediateperilwaswestward?HepersuadedyoutoforbidÉomertopursuetheraidingOrcs.IfÉomerhad

notdefiedWormtongue’svoicespeakingwithyourmouth,thoseOrcswouldhavereachedIsengardbynow,bearingagreatprize.NotindeedthatprizewhichSarumandesiresaboveallelse,butattheleasttwomembersofmyCompany,sharersofasecrethope,ofwhicheventoyou,lord,Icannotyetspeakopenly.Dareyouthinkofwhattheymight

nowbesuffering,orwhatSarumanmightnowhavelearnedtoourdestruction?’

‘IowemuchtoÉomer,’saidThéoden.‘Faithfulheartmayhavefrowardtongue.’

‘Sayalso,’saidGandalf,‘thattocrookedeyestruthmaywearawryface.’

‘Indeedmyeyeswerealmostblind,’saidThéoden.‘MostofallIowetoyou,myguest.Onceagainyouhave

comeintime.Iwouldgiveyouagifterewego,atyourownchoosing.Youhaveonlytonameaughtthatismine.Ireservenowonlymysword!’

‘WhetherIcameintimeornotisyettobeseen,’saidGandalf.‘Butasforyourgift,lord,Iwillchooseonethatwillfitmyneed:swiftandsure.GivemeShadowfax!Hewasonlylentbefore,ifloanwemaycallit.ButnowI

shallridehimintogreathazard,settingsilveragainstblack:Iwouldnotriskanythingthatisnotmyown.Andalreadythereisabondoflovebetweenus.’

‘Youchoosewell,’saidThéoden;‘andIgivehimnowgladly.Yetitisagreatgift.ThereisnoneliketoShadowfax.Inhimoneofthemightysteedsofoldhasreturned.Nonesuchshall

returnagain.AndtoyoumyotherguestsIwilloffersuchthingsasmaybefoundinmyarmoury.Swordsyoudonotneed,buttherearehelmsandcoatsofmailofcunningwork,giftstomyfathersoutofGondor.Choosefromtheseerewego,andmaytheyserveyouwell!’

Nowmencamebearing

raimentofwarfromtheking’shoard,andtheyarrayedAragornandLegolasinshiningmail.Helmstootheychose,androundshields:theirbosseswereoverlaidwithgoldandsetwithgems,greenandredandwhite.Gandalftooknoarmour;andGimlineedednocoatofrings,evenifonehadbeenfoundtomatchhisstature,fortherewasnohauberkinthe

hoardsofEdorasofbettermakethanhisshortcorsletforgedbeneaththeMountainintheNorth.Buthechoseacapofironandleatherthatfittedwelluponhisroundhead;andasmallshieldhealsotook.Itboretherunninghorse,whiteupongreen,thatwastheemblemoftheHouseofEorl.

‘Mayitkeepyouwell!’saidThéoden.‘Itwasmade

formeinThengel’sday,whilestillIwasaboy.’

Gimlibowed.‘Iamproud,LordoftheMark,tobearyourdevice,’hesaid.‘IndeedsoonerwouldIbearahorsethanbebornebyone.Ilovemyfeetbetter.But,maybe,IshallcomeyetwhereIcanstandandfight.’

‘Itmaywellbeso,’saidThéoden.

Thekingnowrose,andat

onceÉowyncameforwardbearingwine.‘FerthuThéodenhál!’shesaid.‘Receivenowthiscupanddrinkinhappyhour.Healthbewiththeeatthygoingandcoming!’

Théodendrankfromthecup,andshethenprofferedittotheguests.AsshestoodbeforeAragornshepausedsuddenlyandlookeduponhim,andhereyeswere

shining.Andhelookeddownuponherfairfaceandsmiled;butashetookthecup,hishandmethers,andheknewthatshetrembledatthetouch.‘HailAragornsonofArathorn!’shesaid.‘HailLadyofRohan!’heanswered,buthisfacenowwastroubledandhedidnotsmile.

Whentheyhadalldrunk,thekingwentdownthehall

tothedoors.Theretheguardsawaitedhim,andheraldsstood,andallthelordsandchiefsweregatheredtogetherthatremainedinEdorasordweltnearby.

‘Behold!Igoforth,anditseemsliketobemylastriding,’saidThéoden.‘Ihavenochild.Théodredmysonisslain.InameÉomermysister-sontobemyheir.Ifneitherofusreturn,then

chooseanewlordasyouwill.ButtosomeoneImustnowentrustmypeoplethatIleavebehind,toruletheminmyplace.Whichofyouwillstay?’

Nomanspoke.‘Istherenonewhomyouwouldname?Inwhomdomypeopletrust?’

‘IntheHouseofEorl,’answeredHáma.‘ButÉomerIcannotspare,norwouldhestay,’saidtheking;‘andheis

thelastofthatHouse.’‘IsaidnotÉomer,’

answeredHáma.‘Andheisnotthelast.ThereisÉowyn,daughterofÉomund,hissister.Sheisfearlessandhigh-hearted.Allloveher.LetherbeaslordtotheEorlingas,whilewearegone.’

‘Itshallbeso,’saidThéoden.‘Lettheheraldsannouncetothefolkthatthe

LadyÉowynwillleadthem!’Thenthekingsatupona

seatbeforehisdoors,andÉomundkneltbeforehimandreceivedfromhimaswordandafaircorslet.‘Farewellsister-daughter!’hesaid.‘Darkisthehour,yetmaybeweshallreturntotheGoldenHall.ButinDunharrowthepeoplemaylongdefendthemselves,andifthebattlegoill,thitherwillcomeall

whoescape.’‘Speaknotso!’she

answered.‘AyearshallIendureforeverydaythatpassesuntilyourreturn.’ButasshespokehereyeswenttoAragornwhostoodnearby.

‘Thekingshallcomeagain,’hesaid.‘Fearnot!NotWestbutEastdoesourdoomawaitus.’

ThekingnowwentdownthestairwithGandalfbesidehim.Theothersfollowed.Aragornlookedbackastheypassedtowardsthegate.AloneÉowynstoodbeforethedoorsofthehouseatthestair’shead;theswordwassetuprightbeforeher,andherhandswerelaiduponthehilt.Shewascladnowinmailandshonelikesilverinthesun.

Gimliwalkedwith

Legolas,hisaxeonhisshoulder.‘Well,atlastwesetoff!’hesaid.‘Menneedmanywordsbeforedeeds.Myaxeisrestlessinmyhands.ThoughIdoubtnotthattheseRohirrimarefell-handedwhentheycometoit.Nonethelessthisisnotthewarfarethatsuitsme.HowshallIcometothebattle?IwishIcouldwalkandnotbumplikeasackatGandalf’s

saddlebow.’‘Asaferseatthanmany,I

guess,’saidLegolas.‘YetdoubtlessGandalfwillgladlyputyoudownonyourfeetwhenblowsbegin;orShadowfaxhimself.Anaxeisnoweaponforarider.’

‘AndaDwarfisnohorseman.Itisorc-necksIwouldhew,notshavethescalpsofMen,’saidGimli,pattingthehaftofhisaxe.

Atthegatetheyfoundagreathostofmen,oldandyoung,allreadyinthesaddle.Morethanathousandweretheremustered.Theirspearswerelikeaspringingwood.LoudlyandjoyouslytheyshoutedasThéodencameforth.Someheldinreadinesstheking’shorse,Snowmane,andothersheldthehorsesofAragornandLegolas.Gimlistoodillatease,frowning,

butÉomercameuptohim,leadinghishorse.

‘Hail,GimliGlóin’sson!’hecried.‘Ihavenothadtimetolearngentlespeechunderyourrod,asyoupromised.Butshallwenotputasideourquarrel?AtleastIwillspeaknoevilagainoftheLadyoftheWood.’

‘Iwillforgetmywrathforawhile,ÉomersonofÉomund,’saidGimli;‘butif

everyouchancetoseetheLadyGaladrielwithyoureyes,thenyoushallacknowledgeherthefairestofladies,orourfriendshipwillend.’

‘Sobeit!’saidÉomer.‘Butuntilthattimepardonme,andintokenofpardonridewithme,Ibeg.GandalfwillbeattheheadwiththeLordoftheMark;butFirefoot,myhorse,willbear

usboth,ifyouwill.’‘Ithankyouindeed,’said

Gimligreatlypleased.‘Iwillgladlygowithyou,ifLegolas,mycomrade,mayridebesideus.’

‘Itshallbeso,’saidÉomer.‘Legolasuponmyleft,andAragornuponmyright,andnonewilldaretostandbeforeus!’

‘WhereisShadowfax?’saidGandalf.

‘Runningwildoverthegrass,’theyanswered.‘Hewillletnomanhandlehim.Therehegoes,awaydownbytheford,likeashadowamongthewillows.’

Gandalfwhistledandcalledaloudthehorse’sname,andfarawayhetossedhisheadandneighed,andturningspedtowardsthehostlikeanarrow.

‘Werethebreathofthe

WestWindtotakeabodyvisible,evensowoulditappear,’saidÉomer,asthegreathorseranup,untilhestoodbeforethewizard.

‘Thegiftseemsalreadytobegiven,’saidThéoden.‘Buthearkenall!HerenowInamemyguest,GandalfGreyhame,wisestofcounsellors,mostwelcomeofwanderers,alordoftheMark,achieftainoftheEorlingaswhileourkinshall

last;andIgivetohimShadowfax,princeofhorses.’

‘Ithankyou,ThéodenKing,’saidGandalf.Thensuddenlyhethrewbackhisgreycloak,andcastasidehishat,andleapedtohorseback.Heworenohelmnormail.Hissnowyhairflewfreeinthewind,hiswhiterobesshonedazzlinginthesun.

‘BeholdtheWhiteRider!’criedAragorn,andalltookup

thewords.‘OurKingandtheWhite

Rider!’theyshouted.‘ForthEorlingas!’

Thetrumpetssounded.Thehorsesrearedandneighed.Spearclashedonshield.Thenthekingraisedhishand,andwitharushlikethesuddenonsetofagreatwindthelasthostofRohanrodethunderingintotheWest.

FarovertheplainÉowynsawtheglitteroftheirspears,asshestoodstill,alonebeforethedoorsofthesilenthouse.

Chapter7

HELM’SDEEP

ThesunwasalreadywesteringastheyrodefromEdoras,andthelightofitwasintheireyes,turningalltherollingfieldsofRohantoagoldenhaze.Therewasabeatenway,north-westward

alongthefoot-hillsoftheWhiteMountains,andthistheyfollowed,upanddowninagreencountry,crossingsmallswiftstreamsbymanyfords.FaraheadandtotheirrighttheMistyMountainsloomed;everdarkerandtallertheygrewasthemileswentby.Thesunwentslowlydownbeforethem.Eveningcamebehind.

Thehostrodeon.Need

drovethem.Fearingtocometoolate,theyrodewithallthespeedtheycould,pausingseldom.SwiftandenduringwerethesteedsofRohan,butthereweremanyleaguestogo.Fortyleaguesandmoreitwas,asabirdflies,fromEdorastothefordsoftheIsen,wheretheyhopedtofindtheking’smenthatheldbackthehostsofSaruman.

Nightclosedaboutthem.

Atlasttheyhaltedtomaketheircamp.Theyhadriddenforsomefivehoursandwerefaroutuponthewesternplain,yetmorethanhalftheirjourneylaystillbeforethem.Inagreatcircle,underthestarryskyandthewaxingmoon,theynowmadetheirbivouac.Theylitnofires,fortheywereuncertainofevents;buttheysetaringofmountedguardsaboutthem,andscouts

rodeoutfarahead,passinglikeshadowsinthefoldsoftheland.Theslownightpassedwithouttidingsoralarm.Atdawnthehornssounded,andwithinanhourtheytooktheroadagain.

Therewerenocloudsoverheadyet,butaheavinesswasintheair;itwashotfortheseasonoftheyear.The

risingsunwashazy,andbehindit,followingitslowlyupthesky,therewasagrowingdarkness,asofagreatstormmovingoutoftheEast.AndawayintheNorth-westthereseemedtobeanotherdarknessbroodingaboutthefeetoftheMistyMountains,ashadowthatcreptdownslowlyfromtheWizard’sVale.

Gandalfdroppedbackto

whereLegolasrodebesideÉomer.‘Youhavethekeeneyesofyourfairkindred,Legolas,’hesaid;‘andtheycantellasparrowfromafinchaleagueoff.Tellme,canyouseeanythingawayyondertowardsIsengard?’

‘Manymilesliebetween,’saidLegolas,gazingthitherandshadinghiseyeswithhislonghand.‘Icanseeadarkness.Thereareshapes

movinginit,greatshapesfarawayuponthebankoftheriver;butwhattheyareIcannottell.Itisnotmistorcloudthatdefeatsmyeyes:thereisaveilingshadowthatsomepowerlaysupontheland,anditmarchesslowlydownstream.Itisasifthetwilightunderendlesstreeswereflowingdownwardsfromthehills.’

‘Andbehinduscomesa

verystormofMordor,’saidGandalf.‘Itwillbeablacknight.’

Astheseconddayoftheirridingdrewon,theheavinessintheairincreased.Intheafternoonthedarkcloudsbegantoovertakethem:asombrecanopywithgreatbillowingedgesfleckedwithdazzlinglight.Thesunwent

down,blood-redinasmokinghaze.ThespearsoftheRidersweretippedwithfireasthelastshaftsoflightkindledthesteepfacesofthepeaksofThrihyrne:nowveryneartheystoodonthenorthernmostarmoftheWhiteMountains,threejaggedhornsstaringatthesunset.Inthelastredglowmeninthevanguardsawablackspeck,ahorseman

ridingbacktowardsthem.Theyhaltedawaitinghim.

Hecame,awearymanwithdintedhelmandclovenshield.Slowlyheclimbedfromhishorseandstoodthereawhilegasping.Atlengthhespoke.‘IsÉomerhere?’heasked.‘Youcomeatlast,buttoolate,andwithtoolittlestrength.ThingshavegoneevillysinceThéodredfell.Wewere

drivenbackyesterdayovertheIsenwithgreatloss;manyperishedatthecrossing.Thenatnightfreshforcescameovertheriveragainstourcamp.AllIsengardmustbeemptied;andSarumanhasarmedthewildhillmenandherd-folkofDunlandbeyondtherivers,andthesealsohelooseduponus.Wewereovermastered.Theshield-wallwasbroken.Erkenbrand

ofWestfoldhasdrawnoffthosemenhecouldgathertowardshisfastnessinHelm’sDeep.Therestarescattered.

‘WhereisÉomer?Tellhimthereisnohopeahead.HeshouldreturntoEdorasbeforethewolvesofIsengardcomethere.’

Théodenhadsatsilent,hiddenfromtheman’ssightbehindhisguards;nowhe

urgedhishorseforward.‘Come,standbeforeme,Ceorl!’hesaid.‘Iamhere.ThelasthostoftheEorlingashasriddenforth.Itwillnotreturnwithoutbattle.’

Theman’sfacelightenedwithjoyandwonder.Hedrewhimselfup.Thenheknelt,offeringhisnotchedswordtotheking.‘Commandme,lord!’hecried.‘Andpardonme!Ithought—’

‘YouthoughtIremainedinMeduseldbentlikeanoldtreeunderwintersnow.Soitwaswhenyourodetowar.Butawestwindhasshakentheboughs,’saidThéoden.‘Givethismanafreshhorse!LetusridetothehelpofErkenbrand!’

WhileThéodenwasspeaking,Gandalfrodea

shortwayahead,andhesattherealone,gazingnorthtoIsengardandwesttothesettingsun.Nowhecameback.

‘Ride,Théoden!’hesaid.‘RidetoHelm’sDeep!GonottotheFordsofIsen,anddonottarryintheplain!Imustleaveyouforawhile.Shadowfaxmustbearmenowonaswifterrand.’TurningtoAragornand

Éomerandthemenoftheking’shousehold,hecried:‘KeepwelltheLordoftheMark,tillIreturn.AwaitmeatHelm’sGate!Farewell!’

HespokeawordtoShadowfax,andlikeanarrowfromthebowthegreathorsesprangaway.Evenastheylookedhewasgone:aflashofsilverinthesunset,awindoverthegrass,ashadowthatfledandpassedfromsight.

Snowmanesnortedandreared,eagertofollow;butonlyaswiftbirdonthewingcouldhaveovertakenhim.

‘Whatdoesthatmean?’saidoneoftheguardtoHáma.

‘ThatGandalfGreyhamehasneedofhaste,’answeredHáma.‘Everhegoesandcomesunlooked-for.’

‘Wormtongue,werehehere,wouldnotfindithardtoexplain,’saidtheother.

‘Trueenough,’saidHáma;‘butformyself,IwillwaituntilIseeGandalfagain.’

‘Maybeyouwillwaitlong,’saidtheother.

Thehostturnedawaynowfromtheroadtothe

FordsofIsenandbenttheircoursesouthward.Nightfell,andstilltheyrodeon.Thehillsdrewnear,butthetallpeaksofThrihyrnewerealreadydimagainstthedarkeningsky.Stillsomemilesaway,onthefarsideoftheWestfoldVale,agreatbayinthemountains,layagreencoomb,outofwhichagorgeopenedinthehills.Menofthatlandcalledit

Helm’sDeep,afteraheroofoldwarswhohadmadehisrefugethere.EversteeperandnarroweritwoundinwardfromthenorthundertheshadowoftheThrihyrne,tillthecrowhauntedcliffsroselikemightytowersoneitherside,shuttingoutthelight.

AtHelm’sGate,beforethemouthoftheDeep,therewasaheelofrockthrustoutwardbythenortherncliff.

Thereuponitsspurstoodhighwallsofancientstone,andwithinthemwasaloftytower.Mensaidthatinthefar-offdaysofthegloryofGondorthesea-kingshadbuiltherethisfastnesswiththehandsofgiants.TheHornburgitwascalled,foratrumpetsoundeduponthetowerechoedintheDeepbehind,asifarmieslong-forgottenwereissuingtowar

fromcavesbeneaththehills.Awall,too,themenofoldhadmadefromtheHornburgtothesoutherncliff,barringtheentrancetothegorge.BeneathitbyawideculverttheDeeping-streampassedout.AboutthefeetoftheHornrockitwound,andflowedtheninagullythroughthemidstofawidegreengore,slopinggentlydownfromHelm’sGateto

Helm’sDike.ThenceitfellintotheDeeping-coombandoutintotheWestfoldVale.ThereintheHornburgatHelm’sGateErkenbrand,masterofWestfoldonthebordersoftheMark,nowdwelt.Asthedaysdarkenedwiththreatofwar,beingwise,hehadrepairedthewallandmadethefastnessstrong.

TheRiderswerestillinthelowvalleybeforethemouthoftheCoomb,whencriesandhornblastswereheardfromtheirscoutsthatwentinfront.Outofthedarknessarrowswhistled.Swiftlyascoutrodebackandreportedthatwolf-riderswereabroadinthevalley,andthatahostofOrcsandwildmenwerehurryingsouthwardfromtheFordsofIsenand

seemedtobemakingforHelm’sDeep.

‘Wehavefoundmanyofourfolklyingslainastheyfledthither,’saidthescout.‘Andwehavemetscatteredcompanies,goingthiswayandthat,leaderless.WhathasbecomeofErkenbrandnoneseemtoknow.ItislikelythathewillbeovertakenerehecanreachHelm’sGate,ifhehasnotalreadyperished.’

‘HasaughtbeenseenofGandalf?’askedThéoden.

‘Yes,lord.Manyhaveseenanoldmaninwhiteuponahorse,passinghitherandthitherovertheplainslikewindinthegrass.SomethoughthewasSaruman.ItissaidthathewentawayerenightfalltowardsIsengard.SomesayalsothatWormtonguewasseenearlier,goingnorthwardwith

acompanyofOrcs.’‘Itwillgoillwith

Wormtongue,ifGandalfcomesuponhim,’saidThéoden.‘NonethelessImissnowbothmycounsellors,theoldandthenew.Butinthisneedwehavenobetterchoicethantogoon,asGandalfsaid,toHelm’sGate,whetherErkenbrandbethereorno.IsitknownhowgreatisthehostthatcomesfromtheNorth?’

‘Itisverygreat,’saidthescout.‘Hethatfliescountseveryfoemantwice,yetIhavespokentostoutheartedmen,andIdonotdoubtthatthemainstrengthoftheenemyismanytimesasgreatasallthatwehavehere.’

‘Thenletusbeswift,’saidÉomer.‘Letusdrivethroughsuchfoesasarealreadybetweenusandthefastness.TherearecavesinHelm’s

Deepwherehundredsmayliehid;andsecretwaysleadthenceupontothehills.’

‘Trustnottosecretways,’saidtheking.‘Sarumanhaslongspiedoutthisland.Stillinthatplaceourdefencemaylastlong.Letusgo!’

AragornandLegolaswentnowwithÉomerinthevan.Onthroughthedark

nighttheyrode,everslowerasthedarknessdeepenedandtheirwayclimbedsouthward,higherandhigherintothedimfoldsaboutthemountains’feet.Theyfoundfewoftheenemybeforethem.HereandtheretheycameuponrovingbandsofOrcs;buttheyflederetheRiderscouldtakeorslaythem.

‘ItwillnotbelongIfear,’

saidÉomer,‘erethecomingoftheking’shostwillbeknowntotheleaderofourenemies,Sarumanorwhatevercaptainhehassentforth.’

Therumourofwargrewbehindthem.Nowtheycouldhear,borneoverthedark,thesoundofharshsinging.TheyhadclimbedfarupintotheDeeping-coombwhentheylookedback.Thentheysaw

torches,countlesspointsoffierylightupontheblackfieldsbehind,scatteredlikeredflowers,orwindingupfromthelowlandsinlongflickeringlines.Hereandtherealargerblazeleaptup.

‘Itisagreathostandfollowsushard,’saidAragorn.

‘Theybringfire,’saidThéoden,‘andtheyareburningastheycome,rick,

cot,andtree.Thiswasarichvaleandhadmanyhomesteads.Alasformyfolk!’

‘Wouldthatdaywashereandwemightridedownuponthemlikeastormoutofthemountains!’saidAragorn.‘Itgrievesmetoflybeforethem.’

‘Weneednotflymuchfurther,’saidÉomer.‘NotfaraheadnowliesHelm’sDike,

anancienttrenchandrampartscoredacrossthecoomb,twofurlongsbelowHelm’sGate.Therewecanturnandgivebattle.’

‘Nay,wearetoofewtodefendtheDike,’saidThéoden.‘Itisamilelongormore,andthebreachinitiswide.’

‘Atthebreachourrearguardmuststand,ifwearepressed,’saidÉomer.

TherewasneitherstarnormoonwhentheRiderscametothebreachintheDike,wherethestreamfromabovepassedout,andtheroadbesideitrandownfromtheHornburg.Therampartloomedsuddenlybeforethem,ahighshadowbeyondadarkpit.Astheyrodeupasentinelchallengedthem.

‘TheLordoftheMarkridestoHelm’sGate,’Éomer

answered.‘I,ÉomersonofÉomund,speak.’

‘Thisisgoodtidingsbeyondhope,’saidthesentinel.‘Hasten!Theenemyisonyourheels.’

Thehostpassedthroughthebreachandhaltedontheslopingswardabove.TheynowlearnedtotheirjoythatErkenbrandhadleftmanymentoholdHelm’sGate,andmorehadsinceescaped

thither.‘Maybe,wehavea

thousandfittofightonfoot,’saidGamling,anoldman,theleaderofthosethatwatchedtheDike.‘Butmostofthemhaveseentoomanywinters,asIhave,ortoofew,asmyson’ssonhere.WhatnewsofErkenbrand?WordcameyesterdaythathewasretreatinghitherwithallthatisleftofthebestRidersof

Westfold.Buthehasnotcome.’

‘Ifearthathewillnotcomenow,’saidÉomer.‘Ourscoutshavegainednonewsofhim,andtheenemyfillsallthevalleybehindus.’

‘Iwouldthathehadescaped,’saidThéoden.‘Hewasamightyman.InhimlivedagainthevalourofHelmtheHammerhand.Butwecannotawaithimhere.

Wemustdrawallourforcesnowbehindthewalls.Areyouwellstored?Webringlittleprovision,forwerodeforthtoopenbattle,nottoasiege.’

‘BehindusinthecavesoftheDeeparethreepartsofthefolkofWestfold,oldandyoung,childrenandwomen,’saidGamling.‘Butgreatstoreoffood,andmanybeastsandtheirfodder,havealsobeen

gatheredthere.’‘Thatiswell,’saidÉomer.

‘Theyareburningordespoilingallthatisleftinthevale.’

‘IftheycometobargainforourgoodsatHelm’sGate,theywillpayahighprice,’saidGamling.

ThekingandhisRiderspassedon.Beforethe

causewaythatcrossedthestreamtheydismounted.InalongfiletheyledtheirhorsesuptherampandpassedwithinthegatesoftheHornburg.Theretheywerewelcomedagainwithjoyandrenewedhope;fornowthereweremenenoughtomanboththeburgandthebarrierwall.

QuicklyÉomersethismeninreadiness.Theking

andthemenofhishouseholdwereintheHornburg,andtherealsoweremanyoftheWestfold-men.ButontheDeepingWallanditstower,andbehindit,Éomerarrayedmostofthestrengththathehad,forherethedefenceseemedmoredoubtful,iftheassaultweredeterminedandingreatforce.ThehorseswereledfaruptheDeepundersuchguardascouldbe

spared.TheDeepingWallwas

twentyfeethigh,andsothickthatfourmencouldwalkabreastalongthetop,shelteredbyaparapetoverwhichonlyatallmancouldlook.Hereandtherewerecleftsinthestonethroughwhichmencouldshoot.Thisbattlementcouldbereachedbyastairrunningdownfromadoorintheoutercourtof

theHornburg;threeflightsofstepsledalsoupontothewallfromtheDeepbehind;butinfrontitwassmooth,andthegreatstonesofitweresetwithsuchskillthatnofootholdcouldbefoundattheirjoints,andatthetoptheyhungoverlikeasea-delvedcliff.

Gimlistoodleaning

againstthebreastworkuponthewall.Legolassataboveontheparapet,fingeringhisbow,andpeeringoutintothegloom.

‘Thisismoretomyliking,’saidthedwarf,stampingonthestones.‘Evermyheartrisesaswedrawnearthemountains.Thereisgoodrockhere.Thiscountryhastoughbones.Ifelttheminmyfeetaswecameup

fromthedike.GivemeayearandahundredofmykinandIwouldmakethisaplacethatarmieswouldbreakuponlikewater.’

‘Idonotdoubtit,’saidLegolas.‘Butyouareadwarf,anddwarvesarestrangefolk.Idonotlikethisplace,andIshalllikeitnomorebythelightofday.Butyoucomfortme,Gimli,andIamgladtohaveyoustanding

nighwithyourstoutlegsandyourhardaxe.Iwishthereweremoreofyourkinamongus.ButevenmorewouldIgiveforahundredgoodarchersofMirkwood.Weshallneedthem.TheRohirrimhavegoodbowmenaftertheirfashion,buttherearetoofewhere,toofew.’

‘Itisdarkforarchery,’saidGimli.‘Indeeditistimeforsleep.Sleep!Ifeelthe

needofit,asneverIthoughtanydwarfcould.Ridingistiringwork.Yetmyaxeisrestlessinmyhand.Givemearowoforc-necksandroomtoswingandallwearinesswillfallfromme!’

Aslowtimepassed.Fardowninthevalleyscatteredfiresstillburned.ThehostsofIsengardwereadvancingin

silencenow.Theirtorchescouldbeseenwindingupthecoombinmanylines.

SuddenlyfromtheDikeyellsandscreams,andthefiercebattle-criesofmenbrokeout.Flamingbrandsappearedoverthebrinkandclusteredthicklyatthebreach.Thentheyscatteredandvanished.Mencamegallopingbackoverthefieldanduptheramptothegateof

theHornburg.TherearguardoftheWestfoldershadbeendrivenin.

‘Theenemyisathand!’theysaid.‘Weloosedeveryarrowthatwehad,andfilledtheDikewithOrcs.Butitwillnothaltthemlong.Alreadytheyarescalingthebankatmanypoints,thickasmarchingants.Butwehavetaughtthemnottocarrytorches.’

Itwasnowpastmidnight.Theskywasutterlydark,andthestillnessoftheheavyairforebodedstorm.Suddenlythecloudsweresearedbyablindingflash.Branchedlightningsmotedownupontheeastwardhills.ForastaringmomentthewatchersonthewallssawallthespacebetweenthemandtheDikelitwithwhitelight:itwasboilingandcrawlingwith

blackshapes,somesquatandbroad,sometallandgrim,withhighhelmsandsableshields.HundredsandhundredsmorewerepouringovertheDikeandthroughthebreach.Thedarktidefloweduptothewallsfromclifftocliff.Thunderrolledinthevalley.Raincamelashingdown.

Arrowsthickastheraincamewhistlingoverthe

battlements,andfellclinkingandglancingonthestones.Somefoundamark.TheassaultonHelm’sDeephadbegun,butnosoundorchallengewasheardwithin;noansweringarrowscame.

Theassailinghostshalted,foiledbythesilentmenaceofrockandwall.Everandagainthelightningtoreasidethedarkness.ThentheOrcsscreamed,wavingspearand

sword,andshootingacloudofarrowsatanythatstoodrevealeduponthebattlements;andthemenoftheMarkamazedlookedout,asitseemedtothem,uponagreatfieldofdarkcorn,tossedbyatempestofwar,andeveryearglintedwithbarbedlight.

Brazentrumpetssounded.Theenemysurgedforward,someagainsttheDeeping

Wall,otherstowardsthecausewayandtherampthatleduptotheHornburg-gates.TherethehugestOrcsweremustered,andthewildmenoftheDunlandfells.Amomenttheyhesitatedandthenontheycame.Thelightningflashed,andblazoneduponeveryhelmandshieldtheghastlyhandofIsengardwasseen.Theyreachedthesummitofthe

rock;theydrovetowardsthegates.

Thenatlastananswercame:astormofarrowsmetthem,andahailofstones.Theywavered,broke,andfledback;andthenchargedagain,brokeandchargedagain;andeachtime,liketheincomingsea,theyhaltedatahigherpoint.Againtrumpetsrang,andapressofroaringmenleapedforth.Theyheld

theirgreatshieldsabovethemlikearoof,whileintheirmidsttheyboretwotrunksofmightytrees.Behindthemorc-archerscrowded,sendingahailofdartsagainstthebowmenonthewalls.Theygainedthegates.Thetrees,swungbystrongarms,smotethetimberswitharendingboom.Ifanymanfell,crushedbyastonehurtlingfromabove,twoothers

sprangtotakehisplace.Againandagainthegreatramsswungandcrashed.

ÉomerandAragornstoodtogetherontheDeepingWall.Theyheardtheroarofvoicesandthethuddingoftherams;andtheninasuddenflashoflighttheybeheldtheperilofthegates.

‘Come!’saidAragorn.‘Thisisthehourwhenwedrawswordstogether!’

Runninglikefire,theyspedalongthewall,andupthesteps,andpassedintotheoutercourtupontheRock.Astheyrantheygatheredahandfulofstoutswordsmen.Therewasasmallpostern-doorthatopenedinanangleoftheburg-wallonthewest,wherethecliffstretchedouttomeetit.Onthatsideanarrowpathranroundtowardsthegreatgate,

betweenthewallandthesheerbrinkoftheRock.TogetherÉomerandAragornsprangthroughthedoor,theirmenclosebehind.Thetwoswordsflashedfromthesheathasone.

‘Gúthwinë!’criedÉomer.‘GúthwinëfortheMark!’

‘Andúril!’criedAragorn.‘AndúrilfortheDúnedain!’

Chargingfromtheside,theyhurledthemselvesupon

thewildmen.Andúrilroseandfell,gleamingwithwhitefire.Ashoutwentupfromwallandtower:‘Andúril!Andúrilgoestowar.TheBladethatwasBrokenshinesagain!’

Dismayedtherammersletfallthetreesandturnedtofight;butthewalloftheirshieldswasbrokenasbyalightning-stroke,andtheyweresweptaway,hewn

down,orcastovertheRockintothestonystreambelow.Theorc-archersshotwildlyandthenfled.

ForamomentÉomerandAragornhaltedbeforethegates.Thethunderwasrumblinginthedistancenow.Thelightningflickeredstill,faroffamongthemountainsintheSouth.Akeenwind

wasblowingfromtheNorthagain.Thecloudsweretornanddrifting,andstarspeepedout;andabovethehillsoftheCoomb-sidethewesteringmoonrode,glimmeringyellowinthestorm-wrack.

‘Wedidnotcometoosoon,’saidAragorn,lookingatthegates.Theirgreathingesandironbarswerewrenchedandbent;manyoftheirtimberswerecracked.

‘Thedoorswillnotwithstandanothersuchbattering.’

‘Yetwecannotstayherebeyondthewallstodefendthem,’saidÉomer.‘Look!’Hepointedtothecauseway.AlreadyagreatpressofOrcsandMenweregatheringagainbeyondthestream.Arrowswhined,andskippedonthestonesaboutthem.‘Come!Wemustgetbackandseewhatwecandoto

pilestoneandbeamacrossthegateswithin.Comenow!’

Theyturnedandran.AtthatmomentsomedozenOrcsthathadlainmotionlessamongtheslainleapedtotheirfeet,andcamesilentlyandswiftlybehind.TwoflungthemselvestothegroundatÉomer’sheels,trippedhim,andinamomenttheywereontopofhim.Butasmalldarkfigurethatnone

hadobservedsprangoutoftheshadowsandgaveahoarseshout:BarukKhazâd!Khazâdai-mênu!Anaxeswungandsweptback.TwoOrcsfellheadless.Therestfled.

Éomerstruggledtohisfeet,evenasAragornranbacktohisaid.

Theposternwasclosed

again,theirondoorwasbarredandpiledinsidewithstones.Whenallweresafewithin,Éomerturned:‘Ithankyou,GimlisonofGlóin!’hesaid.‘Ididnotknowthatyouwerewithusinthesortie.Butofttheunbiddenguestprovesthebestcompany.Howcameyouthere?’

‘Ifollowedyoutoshakeoffsleep,’saidGimli;‘butI

lookedonthehillmenandtheyseemedoverlargeforme,soIsatbesideastonetoseeyoursword-play.’

‘Ishallnotfinditeasytorepayyou,’saidÉomer.‘Theremaybemanyachanceerethenightisover,’laughedtheDwarf.‘ButIamcontent.TillnowIhavehewnnaughtbutwoodsinceIleftMoria.’

‘Two!’saidGimli,pattinghisaxe.Hehadreturnedtohisplaceonthewall.

‘Two?’saidLegolas.‘Ihavedonebetter,thoughnowImustgropeforspentarrows;allminearegone.YetImakemytaletwentyattheleast.Butthatisonlyafewleavesinaforest.’

Theskynowwasquickly

clearingandthesinkingmoonwasshiningbrightly.ButthelightbroughtlittlehopetotheRidersoftheMark.Theenemybeforethemseemedtohavegrownratherthandiminished,andstillmorewerepressingupfromthevalleythroughthebreach.ThesortieupontheRockgainedonlyabriefrespite.Theassaultonthegateswasredoubled.Against

theDeepingWallthehostsofIsengardroaredlikeasea.Orcsandhillmenswarmedaboutitsfeetfromendtoend.Ropeswithgrapplinghookswerehurledovertheparapetfasterthanmencouldcutthemorflingthemback.Hundredsoflongladderswereliftedup.Manywerecastdowninruin,butmanymorereplacedthem,andOrcssprangupthemlikeapesin

thedarkforestsoftheSouth.Beforethewall’sfootthedeadandbrokenwerepiledlikeshingleinastorm;everhigherrosethehideousmounds,andstilltheenemycameon.

ThemenofRohangrewweary.Alltheirarrowswerespent,andeveryshaftwasshot;theirswordswerenotched,andtheirshieldswereriven.Threetimes

AragornandÉomerralliedthem,andthreetimesAndúrilflamedinadesperatechargethatdrovetheenemyfromthewall.

ThenaclamouraroseintheDeepbehind.Orcshadcreptlikeratsthroughtheculvertthroughwhichthestreamflowedout.Theretheyhadgatheredintheshadowofthecliffs,untiltheassaultabovewashottestandnearly

allthemenofthedefencehadrushedtothewall’stop.Thentheysprangout.AlreadysomehadpassedintothejawsoftheDeepandwereamongthehorses,fightingwiththeguards.

DownfromthewallleaptGimliwithafiercecrythatechoedinthecliffs.‘Khazâd!Khazâd!’Hesoonhadworkenough.

‘Ai-oi!’heshouted.‘The

Orcsarebehindthewall.Ai-oi!Come,Legolas!Thereareenoughforusboth.Khazâdaimênu!’

GamlingtheOldlookeddownfromtheHornburg,hearingthegreatvoiceofthedwarfaboveallthetumult.‘TheOrcsareintheDeep!’hecried.‘Helm!Helm!ForthHelmingas!’heshoutedashe

leapeddownthestairfromtheRockwithmanymenofWestfoldathisback.

Theironsetwasfierceandsudden,andtheOrcsgavewaybeforethem.Erelongtheywerehemmedininthenarrowsofthegorge,andallwereslainordrivenshriekingintothechasmoftheDeeptofallbeforetheguardiansofthehiddencaves.

‘Twenty-one!’cried

Gimli.Hehewedatwo-handedstrokeandlaidthelastOrcbeforehisfeet.‘NowmycountpassesMasterLegolasagain.’

‘Wemuststopthisrat-hole,’saidGamling.‘Dwarvesaresaidtobecunningfolkwithstone.Lendusyouraid,master!’

‘Wedonotshapestonewithbattle-axes,norwithourfinger-nails,’saidGimli.‘But

IwillhelpasImay.’Theygatheredsuchsmall

bouldersandbrokenstonesastheycouldfindtohand,andunderGimli’sdirectiontheWestfold-menblockeduptheinnerendoftheculvert,untilonlyanarrowoutletremained.ThentheDeeping-stream,swollenbytherain,churnedandfrettedinitschokedpath,andspreadslowlyincoldpoolsfrom

clifftocliff.‘Itwillbedrierabove,’

saidGimli.‘Come,Gamling,letusseehowthingsgoonthewall!’

HeclimbedupandfoundLegolasbesideAragornandÉomer.Theelfwaswhettinghislongknife.Therewasforawhilealullintheassault,sincetheattempttobreakinthroughtheculverthadbeenfoiled.

‘Twenty-one!’saidGimli.‘Good!’saidLegolas.

‘Butmycountisnowtwodozen.Ithasbeenknife-workuphere.’

ÉomerandAragornleantwearilyontheirswords.AwayontheleftthecrashandclamourofthebattleontheRockroseloudagain.ButtheHornburgstillheldfast,

likeanislandinthesea.Itsgateslayinruin;butoverthebarricadeofbeamsandstoneswithinnoenemyasyethadpassed.

Aragornlookedatthepalestars,andatthemoon,nowslopingbehindthewesternhillsthatenclosedthevalley.‘Thisisanightaslongasyears,’hesaid.‘Howlongwillthedaytarry?’

‘Dawnisnotfaroff,’said

Gamling,whohadnowclimbedupbesidehim.‘Butdawnwillnothelpus,Ifear.’

‘Yetdawniseverthehopeofmen,’saidAragorn.

‘ButthesecreaturesofIsengard,thesehalf-orcsandgoblin-menthatthefoulcraftofSarumanhasbred,theywillnotquailatthesun,’saidGamling.‘Andneitherwillthewildmenofthehills.Doyounotheartheirvoices?’

‘Ihearthem,’saidÉomer;‘buttheyareonlythescreamofbirdsandthebellowingofbeaststomyears.’

‘YettherearemanythatcryintheDunlandtongue,’saidGamling.‘Iknowthattongue.Itisanancientspeechofmen,andoncewasspokeninmanywesternvalleysoftheMark.Hark!Theyhateus,andtheyareglad;forourdoomseemscertaintothem.

‘‘Theking,theking!’’theycry.‘‘Wewilltaketheirking.DeathtotheForgoil!DeathtotheStrawheads!DeathtotherobbersoftheNorth!’’Suchnamestheyhaveforus.NotinhalfathousandyearshavetheyforgottentheirgrievancethatthelordsofGondorgavetheMarktoEorltheYoungandmadealliancewithhim.ThatoldhatredSarumanhasinflamed.Theyarefiercefolk

whenroused.Theywillnotgivewaynowforduskordawn,untilThéodenistaken,ortheythemselvesareslain.’

‘Nonethelessdaywillbringhopetome,’saidAragorn.‘IsitnotsaidthatnofoehasevertakentheHornburg,ifmendefendedit?’

‘Sotheminstrelssay,’saidÉomer.

‘Thenletusdefendit,and

hope!’saidAragorn.

Evenastheyspoketherecameablareoftrumpets.Thentherewasacrashandaflashofflameandsmoke.ThewatersoftheDeeping-streampouredouthissingandfoaming:theywerechokednolonger,agapingholewasblastedinthewall.Ahostofdarkshapespouredin.

‘DevilryofSaruman!’criedAragorn.‘Theyhavecreptintheculvertagain,whilewetalked,andtheyhavelitthefireofOrthancbeneathourfeet.Elendil,Elendil!’heshouted,asheleapeddownintothebreach;butevenashedidsoahundredladderswereraisedagainstthebattlements.Overthewallandunderthewallthelastassaultcame

sweepinglikeadarkwaveuponahillofsand.Thedefencewassweptaway.SomeoftheRidersweredrivenback,furtherandfurtherintotheDeep,fallingandfightingastheygaveway,stepbystep,towardsthecaves.Otherscuttheirwaybacktowardsthecitadel.

AbroadstairwayclimbedfromtheDeepuptotheRockandtherear-gateofthe

Hornburg.NearthebottomstoodAragorn.InhishandstillAndúrilgleamed,andtheterroroftheswordforawhileheldbacktheenemy,asonebyoneallwhocouldgainthestairpasseduptowardsthegate.BehindontheupperstepskneltLegolas.Hisbowwasbent,butonegleanedarrowwasallthathehadleft,andhepeeredoutnow,readytoshootthefirstOrcthat

shoulddaretoapproachthestair.

‘Allwhocanhavenowgotsafewithin,Aragorn,’hecalled.‘Comeback!’

Aragornturnedandspedupthestair;butasheranhestumbledinhisweariness.Atoncehisenemiesleaptforward.UpcametheOrcs,yelling,withtheirlongarmsstretchedouttoseizehim.Theforemostfellwith

Legolas’lastarrowinhisthroat,buttherestsprangoverhim.Thenagreatboulder,castfromtheouterwallabove,crasheddownuponthestair,andhurledthembackintotheDeep.Aragorngainedthedoor,andswiftlyitclangedtobehindhim.

‘Thingsgoill,myfriends,’hesaid,wipingthesweatfromhisbrowwithhis

arm.‘Illenough,’saidLegolas,

‘butnotyethopeless,whilewehaveyouwithus.WhereisGimli?’

‘Idonotknow,’saidAragorn.‘Ilastsawhimfightingonthegroundbehindthewall,buttheenemysweptusapart.’

‘Alas!Thatisevilnews,’saidLegolas.

‘Heisstoutandstrong,’

saidAragorn.‘Letushopethathewillescapebacktothecaves.Therehewouldbesafeforawhile.Saferthanwe.Sucharefugewouldbetothelikingofadwarf.’

‘Thatmustbemyhope,’saidLegolas.‘ButIwishthathehadcomethisway.IdesiredtotellMasterGimlithatmytaleisnowthirty-nine.’

‘Ifhewinsbacktothe

caves,hewillpassyourcountagain,’laughedAragorn.‘NeverdidIseeanaxesowielded.’

‘Imustgoandseeksomearrows,’saidLegolas.‘Wouldthatthisnightwouldend,andIcouldhavebetterlightforshooting.’

Aragornnowpassedintothecitadel.Theretohis

dismayhelearnedthatÉomerhadnotreachedtheHornburg.

‘Nay,hedidnotcometotheRock,’saidoneoftheWestfold-men.‘IlastsawhimgatheringmenabouthimandfightinginthemouthoftheDeep.Gamlingwaswithhim,andthedwarf;butIcouldnotcometothem.’

Aragornstrodeonthroughtheinnercourt,andmounted

toahighchamberinthetower.Therestoodtheking,darkagainstanarrowwindow,lookingoutuponthevale.

‘Whatisthenews,Aragorn?’hesaid.

‘TheDeepingWallistaken,lord,andallthedefencesweptaway;butmanyhaveescapedhithertotheRock.’

‘IsÉomerhere?’

‘No,lord.ButmanyofyourmenretreatedintotheDeep;andsomesaythatÉomerwasamongstthem.Inthenarrowstheymayholdbacktheenemyandcomewithinthecaves.WhathopetheymayhavethenIdonotknow.’

‘Morethanwe.Goodprovision,itissaid.Andtheairiswholesometherebecauseoftheoutletsthrough

fissuresintherockfarabove.Nonecanforceanentranceagainstdeterminedmen.Theymayholdoutlong.’

‘ButtheOrcshavebroughtadevilryfromOrthanc,’saidAragorn.‘Theyhaveablastingfire,andwithittheytooktheWall.Iftheycannotcomeinthecaves,theymaysealupthosethatareinside.Butnowwemustturnallourthought

toourowndefence.’‘Ifretinthisprison,’said

Théoden.‘IfIcouldhavesetaspearinrest,ridingbeforemymenuponthefield,maybeIcouldhavefeltagainthejoyofbattle,andsoended.ButIservelittlepurposehere.’

‘HereatleastyouareguardedinthestrongestfastnessoftheMark,’saidAragorn.‘Morehopewehave

todefendyouintheHornburgthaninEdoras,orevenatDunharrowinthemountains.’

‘ItissaidthattheHornburghasneverfallentoassault,’saidThéoden;‘butnowmyheartisdoubtful.Theworldchanges,andallthatoncewasstrongnowprovesunsure.Howshallanytowerwithstandsuchnumbersandsuchreckless

hate?HadIknownthatthestrengthofIsengardwasgrownsogreat,maybeIshouldnotsorashlyhaveriddenforthtomeetit,foralltheartsofGandalf.Hiscounselseemsnotnowsogoodasitdidunderthemorningsun.’

‘DonotjudgethecounselofGandalf,untilallisover,lord,’saidAragorn.

‘Theendwillnotbelong,’

saidtheking.‘ButIwillnotendhere,takenlikeanoldbadgerinatrap.SnowmaneandHasufelandthehorsesofmyguardareintheinnercourt.Whendawncomes,IwillbidmensoundHelm’shorn,andIwillrideforth.Willyouridewithmethen,sonofArathorn?Maybeweshallcleavearoad,ormakesuchanendaswillbeworthasong–ifanybelefttosingof

ushereafter.’‘Iwillridewithyou,’said

Aragorn.Takinghisleave,he

returnedtothewalls,andpassedroundalltheircircuit,enhearteningthemen,andlendingaidwherevertheassaultwashot.Legolaswentwithhim.Blastsoffireleapedupfrombelowshakingthestones.Grappling-hookswerehurled,

andladdersraised.AgainandagaintheOrcsgainedthesummitoftheouterwall,andagainthedefenderscastthemdown.

AtlastAragornstoodabovethegreatgates,heedlessofthedartsoftheenemy.Ashelookedforthhesawtheeasternskygrowpale.Thenheraisedhis

emptyhand,palmoutwardintokenofparley.

TheOrcsyelledandjeered.‘Comedown!Comedown!’theycried.‘Ifyouwishtospeaktous,comedown!Bringoutyourking!WearethefightingUruk-hai.Wewillfetchhimfromhishole,ifhedoesnotcome.Bringoutyourskulkingking!’

‘Thekingstaysorcomes

athisownwill,’saidAragorn.

‘Thenwhatareyoudoinghere?’theyanswered.‘Whydoyoulookout?Doyouwishtoseethegreatnessofourarmy?WearethefightingUruk-hai.’

‘Ilookedouttoseethedawn,’saidAragorn.

‘Whatofthedawn?’theyjeered.‘WearetheUruk-hai:wedonotstopthefightfor

nightorday,forfairweatherorforstorm.Wecometokill,bysunormoon.Whatofthedawn?’

‘Noneknowswhatthenewdayshallbringhim,’saidAragorn.‘Getyougone,ereitturntoyourevil.’

‘Getdownorwewillshootyoufromthewall,’theycried.‘Thisisnoparley.Youhavenothingtosay.’

‘Ihavestillthistosay,’

answeredAragorn.‘NoenemyhasyettakentheHornburg.Depart,ornotoneofyouwillbespared.NotonewillbeleftalivetotakebacktidingstotheNorth.Youdonotknowyourperil.’

SogreatapowerandroyaltywasrevealedinAragorn,ashestoodtherealoneabovetheruinedgatesbeforethehostofhisenemies,thatmanyofthe

wildmenpaused,andlookedbackovertheirshoulderstothevalley,andsomelookedupdoubtfullyatthesky.ButtheOrcslaughedwithloudvoices;andahailofdartsandarrowswhistledoverthewall,asAragornleapeddown.

Therewasaroarandablastoffire.Thearchwayofthegateabovewhichhehadstoodamomentbeforecrumbledandcrashedin

smokeanddust.Thebarricadewasscatteredasifbyathunderbolt.Aragornrantotheking’stower.

Butevenasthegatefell,andtheOrcsaboutityelled,preparingtocharge,amurmurarosebehindthem,likeawindinthedistance,anditgrewtoaclamourofmanyvoicescryingstrangenewsinthedawn.TheOrcsupontheRock,hearingthe

rumourofdismay,waveredandlookedback.Andthen,suddenandterrible,fromthetowerabove,thesoundofthegreathornofHelmrangout.

Allthatheardthatsoundtrembled.ManyoftheOrcscastthemselvesontheirfacesandcoveredtheirearswiththeirclaws.BackfromtheDeeptheechoescame,blast

uponblast,asifoneverycliffandhillamightyheraldstood.Butonthewallsmenlookedup,listeningwithwonder;fortheechoesdidnotdie.Everthehornblastswoundonamongthehills;nearernowandloudertheyansweredonetoanother,blowingfierceandfree.

‘Helm!Helm!’theRidersshouted.‘Helmisarisenandcomesbacktowar.Helmfor

ThéodenKing!’Andwiththatshoutthe

kingcame.Hishorsewaswhiteassnow,goldenwashisshield,andhisspearwaslong.AthisrighthandwasAragorn,Elendil’sheir,behindhimrodethelordsoftheHouseofEorltheYoung.Lightspranginthesky.Nightdeparted.

‘ForthEorlingas!’Withacryandagreatnoisethey

charged.Downfromthegatestheyroared,overthecausewaytheyswept,andtheydrovethroughthehostsofIsengardasawindamonggrass.BehindthemfromtheDeepcamethesterncriesofmenissuingfromthecaves,drivingforththeenemy.OutpouredallthementhatwereleftupontheRock.Andeverthesoundofblowinghornsechoedinthehills.

Ontheyrode,thekingandhiscompanions.Captainsandchampionsfellorfledbeforethem.Neitherorcnormanwithstoodthem.TheirbacksweretotheswordsandspearsoftheRiders,andtheirfacestothevalley.Theycriedandwailed,forfearandgreatwonderhadcomeuponthemwiththerisingoftheday.

SoKingThéodenrodefromHelm’sGateandclovehispathtothegreatDike.Therethecompanyhalted.Lightgrewbrightaboutthem.Shaftsofthesunflaredabovetheeasternhillsandglimmeredontheirspears.Buttheysatsilentontheirhorses,andtheygazeddownupontheDeeping-coomb.

Thelandhadchanged.Wherebeforethegreendale

hadlain,itsgrassyslopeslappingtheever-mountinghills,therenowaforestloomed.Greattrees,bareandsilent,stood,rankonrank,withtangledboughandhoaryhead;theirtwistedrootswereburiedinthelonggreengrass.Darknesswasunderthem.BetweentheDikeandtheeavesofthatnamelesswoodonlytwoopenfurlongslay.Therenowcoweredthe

proudhostsofSaruman,interrorofthekingandinterrorofthetrees.TheystreameddownfromHelm’sGateuntilallabovetheDikewasemptyofthem,butbelowittheywerepackedlikeswarmingflies.Vainlytheycrawledandclamberedaboutthewallsofthecoomb,seekingtoescape.Upontheeasttoosheerandstonywasthevalley’sside;upontheleft,fromthewest,

theirfinaldoomapproached.Theresuddenlyupona

ridgeappearedarider,cladinwhite,shiningintherisingsun.Overthelowhillsthehornsweresounding.Behindhim,hasteningdownthelongslopes,wereathousandmenonfoot;theirswordswereintheirhands.Amidthemstrodeamantallandstrong.Hisshieldwasred.Ashecametothevalley’sbrink,he

settohislipsagreatblackhornandblewaringingblast.

‘Erkenbrand!’theRidersshouted.‘Erkenbrand!’

‘BeholdtheWhiteRider!’criedAragorn.‘Gandalfiscomeagain!’

‘Mithrandir,Mithrandir!’saidLegolas.‘Thisiswizardryindeed!Come!Iwouldlookonthisforest,ere

thespellchanges.’ThehostsofIsengard

roared,swayingthiswayandthat,turningfromfeartofear.Againthehornsoundedfromthetower.DownthroughthebreachoftheDikechargedtheking’scompany.DownfromthehillsleapedErkenbrand,lordofWestfold.DownleapedShadowfax,likeadeerthatrunssurefootedinthemountains.TheWhite

Riderwasuponthem,andtheterrorofhiscomingfilledtheenemywithmadness.Thewildmenfellontheirfacesbeforehim.TheOrcsreeledandscreamedandcastasidebothswordandspear.Likeablacksmokedrivenbyamountingwindtheyfled.Wailingtheypassedunderthewaitingshadowofthetrees;andfromthatshadownoneevercameagain.

Chapter8

THEROADTOISENGARD

SoitwasthatinthelightofafairmorningKingThéodenandGandalftheWhiteRidermetagainuponthegreengrassbesidetheDeeping-stream.Therewasalso

AragornsonofArathorn,andLegolastheElf,andErkenbrandofWestfold,andthelordsoftheGoldenHouse.AboutthemweregatheredtheRohirrim,theRidersoftheMark:wonderovercametheirjoyinvictory,andtheireyeswereturnedtowardsthewood.

Suddenlytherewasagreatshout,anddownfromtheDikecamethosewhohad

beendrivenbackintotheDeep.TherecameGamlingtheOld,andÉomersonofÉomund,andbesidethemwalkedGimlithedwarf.Hehadnohelm,andabouthisheadwasalinenbandstainedwithblood;buthisvoicewasloudandstrong.

‘Forty-two,MasterLegolas!’hecried.‘Alas!Myaxeisnotched:theforty-secondhadanironcollaron

hisneck.Howisitwithyou?’‘Youhavepassedmy

scorebyone,’answeredLegolas.‘ButIdonotgrudgeyouthegame,sogladamItoseeyouonyourlegs!’

‘Welcome,Éomer,sister-son!’saidThéoden.‘NowthatIseeyousafe,Iamgladindeed.’

‘Hail,LordoftheMark!’saidÉomer.‘Thedarknighthaspassed,anddayhascome

again.Butthedayhasbroughtstrangetidings.’Heturnedandgazedinwonder,firstatthewoodandthenatGandalf.‘Oncemoreyoucomeinthehourofneed,unlooked-for,’hesaid.

‘Unlooked-for?’saidGandalf.‘IsaidthatIwouldreturnandmeetyouhere.’

‘Butyoudidnotnamethehour,norforetellthemannerofyourcoming.Strangehelp

youbring.Youaremightyinwizardry,GandalftheWhite!’

‘Thatmaybe.Butifso,Ihavenotshownityet.Ihavebutgivengoodcounselinperil,andmadeuseofthespeedofShadowfax.Yourownvalourhasdonemore,andthestoutlegsoftheWestfold-menmarchingthroughthenight.’

Thentheyallgazedat

Gandalfwithstillgreaterwonder.Someglanceddarklyatthewood,andpassedtheirhandsovertheirbrows,asiftheythoughttheireyessawotherwisethanhis.

Gandalflaughedlongandmerrily.‘Thetrees?’hesaid.‘Nay,Iseethewoodasplainlyasdoyou.Butthatisnodeedofmine.Itisathingbeyondthecounselofthewise.Betterthanmydesign,

andbettereventhanmyhopetheeventhasproved.’

‘Thenifnotyours,whoseisthewizardry?’saidThéoden.‘NotSaruman’s,thatisplain.Istheresomemightiersage,ofwhomwehaveyettolearn?’

‘Itisnotwizardry,butapowerfarolder,’saidGandalf:‘apowerthatwalkedtheearth,ereelfsangorhammerrang.

Ereironwasfoundortreewashewn,Whenyoungwasmountainundermoon;Ereringwasmade,orwroughtwaswoe,Itwalkedtheforestslongago.’

‘Andwhatmaybetheanswertoyourriddle?’said

Théoden.‘Ifyouwouldlearnthat,

youshouldcomewithmetoIsengard,’answeredGandalf.

‘ToIsengard?’theycried.‘Yes,’saidGandalf.‘I

shallreturntoIsengard,andthosewhowillmaycomewithme.Therewemayseestrangethings.’

‘ButtherearenotmenenoughintheMark,notiftheywereallgathered

togetherandhealedofwoundsandweariness,toassaultthestrongholdofSaruman,’saidThéoden.

‘NeverthelesstoIsengardIgo,’saidGandalf.‘Ishallnotstaytherelong.Mywayliesnoweastward.LookformeinEdoras,erethewaningofthemoon!’

‘Nay!’saidThéoden.‘InthedarkhourbeforedawnIdoubted,butwewillnotpart

now.Iwillcomewithyou,ifthatisyourcounsel.’

‘IwishtospeakwithSaruman,assoonasmaybenow,’saidGandalf,‘andsincehehasdoneyougreatinjury,itwouldbefittingifyouwerethere.Buthowsoonandhowswiftlywillyouride?’

‘Mymenarewearywithbattle,’saidtheKing;‘andIamwearyalso.ForIhave

riddenfarandsleptlittle.Alas!MyoldageisnotfeignednordueonlytothewhisperingsofWormtongue.Itisanillthatnoleechcanwhollycure,notevenGandalf.’

‘Thenletallwhoaretoridewithmerestnow,’saidGandalf.‘Wewilljourneyundertheshadowofevening.Itisaswell;foritismycounselthatallourcomings

andgoingsshouldbeassecretasmaybe,henceforth.Butdonotcommandmanymentogowithyou,Théoden.Wegotoaparleynottoafight.’

TheKingthenchosementhatwereunhurtandhadswifthorses,andhesentthemforthwithtidingsofthevictoryintoeveryvaleoftheMark;andtheyborehissummonsalso,biddingall

men,youngandold,tocomeinhastetoEdoras.TheretheLordoftheMarkwouldholdanassemblyofallthatcouldbeararms,onthethirddayafterthefullmoon.ToridewithhimtoIsengardtheKingchoseÉomerandtwentymenofhishousehold.WithGandalfwouldgoAragorn,andLegolas,andGimli.Inspiteofhishurtthedwarfwouldnotstaybehind.

‘Itwasonlyafeebleblowandthecapturnedit,’hesaid.‘Itwouldtakemorethansuchanorc-scratchtokeepmeback.’

‘Iwilltendit,whileyourest,’saidAragorn.

ThekingnowreturnedtotheHornburg,andslept,suchasleepofquietashehadnotknownformanyyears,and

theremainderofhischosencompanyrestedalso.Buttheothers,allthatwerenothurtorwounded,beganagreatlabour;formanyhadfalleninthebattleandlaydeaduponthefieldorintheDeep.

NoOrcsremainedalive;theirbodieswereuncounted.Butagreatmanyofthehillmenhadgiventhemselvesup;andtheywereafraid,andcriedformercy.

TheMenoftheMarktooktheirweaponsfromthem,andsetthemtowork.

‘Helpnowtorepairtheevilinwhichyouhavejoined,’saidErkenbrand;‘andafterwardsyoushalltakeanoathneveragaintopasstheFordsofIseninarms,nortomarchwiththeenemiesofMen;andthenyoushallgofreebacktoyourland.Foryouhavebeendeludedby

Saruman.Manyofyouhavegotdeathastherewardofyourtrustinhim;buthadyouconquered,littlebetterwouldyourwageshavebeen.’

ThemenofDunlandwereamazed;forSarumanhadtoldthemthatthemenofRohanwerecruelandburnedtheircaptivesalive.

InthemidstofthefieldbeforetheHornburgtwomoundswereraised,and

beneaththemwerelaidalltheRidersoftheMarkwhofellinthedefence,thoseoftheEastDalesupononeside,andthoseofWestfoldupontheother.ButthemenofDunlandweresetapartinamoundbelowtheDike.InagravealoneundertheshadowoftheHornburglayHáma,captainoftheKing’sguard.HefellbeforetheGate.

TheOrcswerepiledin

greatheaps,awayfromthemoundsofMen,notfarfromtheeavesoftheforest.Andthepeopleweretroubledintheirminds;fortheheapsofcarrionweretoogreatforburialorforburning.Theyhadlittlewoodforfiring,andnonewouldhavedaredtotakeanaxetothestrangetrees,evenifGandalfhadnotwarnedthemtohurtneitherbarknorboughattheirgreat

peril.‘LettheOrcslie,’said

Gandalf.‘Themorningmaybringnewcounsel.’

IntheafternoontheKing’scompanypreparedtodepart.Theworkofburialwasthenbutbeginning;andThéodenmournedforthelossofHáma,hiscaptain,andcastthefirstearthuponhisgrave.

‘GreatinjuryindeedhasSarumandonetomeandallthisland,’hesaid;‘andIwillrememberit,whenwemeet.’

ThesunwasalreadydrawingnearthehillsuponthewestoftheCoomb,whenatlastThéodenandGandalfandtheircompanionsrodedownfromtheDike.Behindthemweregatheredagreathost,bothoftheRidersandofthepeopleofWestfold,old

andyoung,womenandchildren,whohadcomeoutfromthecaves.Asongofvictorytheysangwithclearvoices;andthentheyfellsilent,wonderingwhatwouldchance,fortheireyeswereonthetreesandtheyfearedthem.

TheRiderscametothewood,andtheyhalted;horseandman,theywereunwillingtopassin.Thetreeswere

greyandmenacing,andashadoworamistwasaboutthem.Theendsoftheirlongsweepingboughshungdownlikesearchingfingers,theirrootsstoodupfromthegroundlikethelimbsofstrangemonsters,anddarkcavernsopenedbeneaththem.ButGandalfwentforward,leadingthecompany,andwheretheroadfromtheHornburgmetthetreesthey

sawnowanopeninglikeanarchedgateundermightyboughs;andthroughitGandalfpassed,andtheyfollowedhim.Thentotheiramazementtheyfoundthattheroadranon,andtheDeeping-streambesideit;andtheskywasopenaboveandfullofgoldenlight.Butoneithersidethegreataislesofthewoodwerealreadywrappedindusk,stretching

awayintoimpenetrableshadows;andtheretheyheardthecreakingandgroaningofboughs,andfarcries,andarumourofwordlessvoices,murmuringangrily.NoOrcorotherlivingcreaturecouldbeseen.

LegolasandGimliwerenowridingtogetherupononehorse;andtheykeptclosebesideGandalf,forGimliwasafraidofthewood.

‘Itishotinhere,’saidLegolastoGandalf.‘Ifeelagreatwrathaboutme.Doyounotfeeltheairthrobinyourears?’

‘Yes,’saidGandalf.‘Whathasbecomeofthe

miserableOrcs?’saidLegolas.

‘That,Ithink,noonewilleverknow,’saidGandalf.

Theyrodeinsilenceforawhile;butLegolaswaseverglancingfromsidetoside,andwouldoftenhavehaltedtolistentothesoundsofthewood,ifGimlihadallowedit.

‘ThesearethestrangesttreesthateverIsaw,’hesaid;‘andIhaveseenmanyanoakgrowfromacorntoruinousage.Iwishthattherewereleisurenowtowalkamongthem:theyhavevoices,and

intimeImightcometounderstandtheirthought.’

‘No,no!’saidGimli.‘Letusleavethem!Iguesstheirthoughtalready:hatredofallthatgoontwolegs;andtheirspeechisofcrushingandstrangling.’

‘Notofallthatgoontwolegs,’saidLegolas.‘ThereIthinkyouarewrong.ItisOrcsthattheyhate.Fortheydonotbelonghereandknow

littleofElvesandMen.Farawayarethevalleyswheretheysprang.FromthedeepdalesofFangorn,Gimli,thatiswhencetheycome,Iguess.’

‘ThenthatisthemostperilouswoodinMiddle-earth,’saidGimli.‘Ishouldbegratefulfortheparttheyhaveplayed,butIdonotlovethem.Youmaythinkthemwonderful,butIhaveseena

greaterwonderinthisland,morebeautifulthananygroveorgladethatevergrew:myheartisstillfullofit.

‘StrangearethewaysofMen,Legolas!HeretheyhaveoneofthemarvelsoftheNorthernWorld,andwhatdotheysayofit?Caves,theysay!Caves!Holestoflytointimeofwar,tostorefodderin!MygoodLegolas,doyouknowthatthecavernsof

Helm’sDeeparevastandbeautiful?TherewouldbeanendlesspilgrimageofDwarves,merelytogazeatthem,ifsuchthingswereknowntobe.Ayeindeed,theywouldpaypuregoldforabriefglance!’

‘AndIwouldgivegoldtobeexcused,’saidLegolas;‘anddoubletobeletout,ifIstrayedin!’

‘Youhavenotseen,soI

forgiveyourjest,’saidGimli.‘Butyouspeaklikeafool.Doyouthinkthosehallsarefair,whereyourKingdwellsunderthehillinMirkwood,andDwarveshelpedintheirmakinglongago?TheyarebuthovelscomparedwiththecavernsIhaveseenhere:immeasurablehalls,filledwithaneverlastingmusicofwaterthattinklesintopools,asfairasKheled-zâraminthe

starlight.‘And,Legolas,whenthe

torchesarekindledandmenwalkonthesandyfloorsundertheechoingdomes,ah!then,Legolas,gemsandcrystalsandveinsofpreciousoreglintinthepolishedwalls;andthelightglowsthroughfoldedmarbles,shell-like,translucentasthelivinghandsofQueenGaladriel.Therearecolumnsofwhite

andsaffronanddawn-rose,Legolas,flutedandtwistedintodreamlikeforms;theyspringupfrommany-colouredfloorstomeettheglisteningpendantsoftheroof:wings,ropes,curtainsfineasfrozenclouds;spears,banners,pinnaclesofsuspendedpalaces!Stilllakesmirrorthem:aglimmeringworldlooksupfromdarkpoolscoveredwithclear

glass;cities,suchasthemindofDurincouldscarcehaveimaginedinhissleep,stretchonthroughavenuesandpillaredcourts,onintothedarkrecesseswherenolightcancome.Andplink!asilverdropfalls,andtheroundwrinklesintheglassmakeallthetowersbendandwaverlikeweedsandcoralsinagrottoofthesea.Theneveningcomes:theyfadeand

twinkleout;thetorchespassonintoanotherchamberandanotherdream.Thereischamberafterchamber,Legolas;hallopeningoutofhall,domeafterdome,stairbeyondstair;andstillthewindingpathsleadonintothemountains’heart.Caves!TheCavernsofHelm’sDeep!Happywasthechancethatdrovemethere!Itmakesmeweeptoleavethem.’

‘ThenIwillwishyouthisfortuneforyourcomfort,Gimli,’saidtheElf,‘thatyoumaycomesafefromwarandreturntoseethemagain.Butdonottellallyourkindred!Thereseemslittleleftforthemtodo,fromyouraccount.Maybethemenofthislandarewisetosaylittle:onefamilyofbusydwarveswithhammerandchiselmightmarmorethanthey

made.’‘No,youdonot

understand,’saidGimli.‘Nodwarfcouldbeunmovedbysuchloveliness.NoneofDurin’sracewouldminethosecavesforstonesorore,notifdiamondsandgoldcouldbegotthere.Doyoucutdowngrovesofblossomingtreesinthespringtimeforfirewood?Wewouldtendthesegladesof

floweringstone,notquarrythem.Withcautiousskill,tapbytap–asmallchipofrockandnomore,perhaps,inawholeanxiousday–sowecouldwork,andastheyearswentby,weshouldopenupnewways,anddisplayfarchambersthatarestilldark,glimpsedonlyasavoidbeyondfissuresintherock.Andlights,Legolas!Weshouldmakelights,such

lampsasonceshoneinKhazad-dûm;andwhenwewishedwewoulddriveawaythenightthathaslaintheresincethehillsweremade;andwhenwedesiredrest,wewouldletthenightreturn.’

‘Youmoveme,Gimli,’saidLegolas.‘Ihaveneverheardyouspeaklikethisbefore.AlmostyoumakemeregretthatIhavenotseenthesecaves.Come!Letus

makethisbargain–ifwebothreturnsafeoutoftheperilsthatawaitus,wewilljourneyforawhiletogether.YoushallvisitFangornwithme,andthenIwillcomewithyoutoseeHelm’sDeep.’

‘ThatwouldnotbethewayofreturnthatIshouldchoose,’saidGimli.‘ButIwillendureFangorn,ifIhaveyourpromisetocomebacktothecavesandsharetheir

wonderwithme.’‘Youhavemypromise,’

saidLegolas.‘Butalas!Nowwemustleavebehindbothcaveandwoodforawhile.See!Wearecomingtotheendofthetrees.HowfarisittoIsengard,Gandalf?’

‘Aboutfifteenleagues,asthecrowsofSarumanmakeit,’saidGandalf:‘fivefromthemouthofDeeping-coombtotheFords;andtenmore

fromtheretothegatesofIsengard.Butweshallnotrideallthewaythisnight.’

‘Andwhenwecomethere,whatshallwesee?’askedGimli.‘Youmayknow,butIcannotguess.’

‘Idonotknowmyselfforcertain,’answeredthewizard.‘Iwasthereatnightfallyesterday,butmuchmayhavehappenedsince.YetIthinkthatyouwillnotsay

thatthejourneywasinvain–notthoughtheGlitteringCavesofAglarondbeleftbehind.’

Atlastthecompanypassedthroughthetrees,andfoundthattheyhadcometothebottomoftheCoomb,wheretheroadfromHelm’sDeepbranched,goingonewayeasttoEdoras,andthe

othernorthtotheFordsofIsen.Astheyrodefromundertheeavesofthewood,Legolashaltedandlookedbackwithregret.Thenhegaveasuddencry.

‘Thereareeyes!’hesaid.‘Eyeslookingoutfromtheshadowsoftheboughs!Ineversawsucheyesbefore.’

Theothers,surprisedbyhiscry,haltedandturned;butLegolasstartedtorideback.

‘No,no!’criedGimli.‘Doasyoupleaseinyourmadness,butletmefirstgetdownfromthishorse!Iwishtoseenoeyes!’

‘Stay,LegolasGreenleaf!’saidGandalf.‘Donotgobackintothewood,notyet!Nowisnotyourtime.’

Evenashespoke,therecameforwardoutofthetreesthreestrangeshapes.Astallastrollstheywere,twelve

feetormoreinheight;theirstrongbodies,stoutasyoungtrees,seemedtobecladwithraimentorwithhideofclose-fittinggreyandbrown.Theirlimbswerelong,andtheirhandshadmanyfingers;theirhairwasstiff,andtheirbeardsgrey-greenasmoss.Theygazedoutwithsolemneyes,buttheywerenotlookingattheriders:theireyeswerebentnorthwards.

Suddenlytheyliftedtheirlonghandstotheirmouths,andsentforthringingcalls,clearasnotesofahorn,butmoremusicalandvarious.Thecallswereanswered;andturningagain,theriderssawothercreaturesofthesamekindapproaching,stridingthroughthegrass.TheycameswiftlyfromtheNorth,walkinglikewadingheronsintheirgait,butnotintheir

speed;fortheirlegsintheirlongpacesbeatquickerthantheheron’swings.Theriderscriedaloudinwonder,andsomesettheirhandsupontheirsword-hilts.

‘Youneednoweapons,’saidGandalf.‘Thesearebutherdsmen.Theyarenotenemies,indeedtheyarenotconcernedwithusatall.’

Soitseemedtobe;forashespokethetallcreatures,

withoutaglanceattheriders,strodeintothewoodandvanished.

‘Herdsmen!’saidThéoden.‘Wherearetheirflocks?Whatarethey,Gandalf?Foritisplainthattoyou,atanyrate,theyarenotstrange.’

‘Theyaretheshepherdsofthetrees,’answeredGandalf.‘Isitsolongsinceyoulistenedtotalesbythe

fireside?Therearechildreninyourlandwho,outofthetwistedthreadsofstory,couldpicktheanswertoyourquestion.YouhaveseenEnts,OKing,EntsoutofFangornForest,whichinyourtongueyoucalltheEntwood.Didyouthinkthatthenamewasgivenonlyinidlefancy?Nay,Théoden,itisotherwise:tothemyouarebutthepassingtale;alltheyears

fromEorltheYoungtoThéodentheOldareoflittlecounttothem;andallthedeedsofyourhousebutasmallmatter.’

Thekingwassilent.‘Ents!’hesaidatlength.‘OutoftheshadowsoflegendIbeginalittletounderstandthemarvelofthetrees,Ithink.Ihavelivedtoseestrangedays.Longwehavetendedourbeastsandour

fields,builtourhouses,wroughtourtools,orriddenawaytohelpinthewarsofMinasTirith.AndthatwecalledthelifeofMen,thewayoftheworld.Wecaredlittleforwhatlaybeyondthebordersofourland.Songswehavethattellofthesethings,butweareforgettingthem,teachingthemonlytochildren,asacarelesscustom.Andnowthesongs

havecomedownamongusoutofstrangeplaces,andwalkvisibleundertheSun.’

‘Youshouldbeglad,ThéodenKing,’saidGandalf.‘FornotonlythelittlelifeofMenisnowendangered,butthelifealsoofthosethingswhichyouhavedeemedthematteroflegend.Youarenotwithoutallies,evenifyouknowthemnot.’

‘YetalsoIshouldbesad,’

saidThéoden.‘Forhoweverthefortuneofwarshallgo,mayitnotsoendthatmuchthatwasfairandwonderfulshallpassforeveroutofMiddle-earth?’

‘Itmay,’saidGandalf.‘TheevilofSauroncannotbewhollycured,normadeasifithadnotbeen.Buttosuchdayswearedoomed.Letusnowgoonwiththejourneywehavebegun!’

ThecompanyturnedthenawayfromtheCoombandfromthewoodandtooktheroadtowardstheFords.Legolasfollowedreluctantly.Thesunhadset,alreadyithadsunkbehindtherimoftheworld;butastheyrodeoutfromtheshadowofthehillsandlookedwesttotheGapofRohantheskywasstillred,andaburninglightwasunderthefloatingclouds.

Darkagainstittherewheeledandflewmanyblack-wingedbirds.Somepassedoverheadwithmournfulcries,returningtotheirhomesamongtherocks.

‘Thecarrion-fowlhavebeenbusyaboutthebattle-field,’saidÉomer.

Theyrodenowataneasypaceanddarkcamedownupontheplainsaboutthem.Theslowmoonmounted,

nowwaxingtowardsthefull,andinitscoldsilverlighttheswellinggrasslandsroseandfelllikeawidegreysea.TheyhadriddenforsomefourhoursfromthebranchingoftheroadswhentheydrewneartotheFords.Longslopesranswiftlydowntowheretheriverspreadinstonyshoalsbetweenhighgrassyterraces.Borneuponthewindtheyheardthe

howlingofwolves.Theirheartswereheavy,rememberingthemanymenthathadfalleninbattleinthisplace.

Theroaddippedbetweenrisingturf-banks,carvingitswaythroughtheterracestotheriver’sedge,andupagainuponthefurtherside.Therewerethreelinesofflatstepping-stonesacrossthestream,andbetweenthem

fordsforhorses,thatwentfromeitherbrinktoabareeyotinthemidst.Theriderslookeddownuponthecrossings,anditseemedstrangetothem;fortheFordshadeverbeenaplacefulloftherushandchatterofwateruponstones;butnowtheyweresilent.Thebedsofthestreamwerealmostdry,abarewasteofshinglesandgreysand.

‘Thisisbecomeadrearyplace,’saidÉomer.‘Whatsicknesshasbefallentheriver?ManyfairthingsSarumanhasdestroyed:hashedevouredthespringsofIsentoo?’

‘Soitwouldseem,’saidGandalf.

‘Alas!’saidThéoden.‘Mustwepassthisway,wherethecarrion-beastsdevoursomanygoodRiders

oftheMark?’‘Thisisourway,’said

Gandalf.‘Grievousisthefallofyourmen;butyoushallseethatatleastthewolvesofthemountainsdonotdevourthem.Itiswiththeirfriends,theOrcs,thattheyholdtheirfeast:suchindeedisthefriendshipoftheirkind.Come!’

Theyrodedowntotheriver,andastheycamethe

wolvesceasedtheirhowlingandslunkaway.FearfellonthemseeingGandalfinthemoon,andShadowfaxhishorseshininglikesilver.Theriderspassedovertotheislet,andglitteringeyeswatchedthemwanlyfromtheshadowsofthebanks.

‘Look!’saidGandalf.‘Friendshavelabouredhere.’

Andtheysawthatinthemidstoftheeyotamound

waspiled,ringedwithstones,andsetaboutwithmanyspears.

‘HereliealltheMenoftheMarkthatfellnearthisplace,’saidGandalf.

‘Hereletthemrest!’saidÉomer.‘Andwhentheirspearshaverottedandrusted,longstillmaytheirmoundstandandguardtheFordsofIsen!’

‘Isthisyourworkalso,

Gandalf,myfriend?’saidThéoden.‘Youaccomplishedmuchinaneveningandanight!’

‘WiththehelpofShadowfax–andothers,’saidGandalf.‘Irodefastandfar.ButherebesidethemoundIwillsaythisforyourcomfort:manyfellinthebattlesoftheFords,butfewerthanrumourmadethem.Morewerescatteredthanwereslain;I

gatheredtogetherallthatIcouldfind.SomemenIsentwithGrimboldofWestfoldtojoinErkenbrand.SomeIsettomakethisburial.Theyhavenowfollowedyourmarshal,Elfhelm.IsenthimwithmanyRiderstoEdoras.SarumanIknewhaddespatchedhisfullstrengthagainstyou,andhisservantshadturnedasidefromallothererrandsandgoneto

Helm’sDeep:thelandsseemedemptyofenemies;yetIfearedthatwolf-ridersandplunderersmightridenonethelesstoMeduseld,whileitwasundefended.ButnowIthinkyouneednotfear:youwillfindyourhousetowelcomeyourreturn.’

‘AndgladshallIbetoseeitagain,’saidThéoden,‘thoughbriefnow,Idoubtnot,shallbemyabiding

there.’Withthatthecompany

saidfarewelltotheislandandthemound,andpassedovertheriver,andclimbedthefurtherbank.Thentheyrodeon,gladtohaveleftthemournfulFords.Astheywentthehowlingofthewolvesbrokeoutanew.

TherewasanancienthighwaythatrandownfromIsengardtothecrossings.For

somewayittookitscoursebesidetheriver,bendingwithiteastandthennorth;butatthelastitturnedawayandwentstraighttowardsthegatesofIsengard;andthesewereunderthemountain-sideinthewestofthevalley,sixteenmilesormorefromitsmouth.Thisroadtheyfollowedbuttheydidnotrideuponit;forthegroundbesideitwasfirmandlevel,covered

formanymilesaboutwithshortspringingturf.Theyrodenowmoreswiftly,andbymidnighttheFordswerenearlyfiveleaguesbehind.Thentheyhalted,endingtheirnight’sjourney,fortheKingwasweary.TheywerecometothefeetoftheMistyMountains,andthelongarmsofNanCurunírstretcheddowntomeetthem.Darklaythevalebeforethem,forthe

moonhadpassedintotheWest,anditslightwashiddenbythehills.Butoutofthedeepshadowofthedaleroseavastspireofsmokeandvapour;asitmounted,itcaughttheraysofthesinkingmoon,andspreadinshimmeringbillows,blackandsilver,overthestarrysky.

‘Whatdoyouthinkofthat,Gandalf?’askedAragorn.‘Onewouldsaythat

alltheWizard’sValewasburning.’

‘Thereiseverafumeabovethatvalleyinthesedays,’saidÉomer:‘butIhaveneverseenaughtlikethisbefore.Thesearesteamsratherthansmokes.Sarumanisbrewingsomedevilrytogreetus.MaybeheisboilingallthewatersofIsen,andthatiswhytheriverrunsdry.’

‘Maybeheis,’said

Gandalf.‘Tomorrowweshalllearnwhatheisdoing.Nowletusrestforawhile,ifwecan.’

TheycampedbesidethebedoftheIsenriver;itwasstillsilentandempty.Someofthemsleptalittle.Butlateinthenightthewatchmencriedout,andallawoke.Themoonwasgone.Starswereshiningabove;butoverthegroundtherecreptadarkness

blackerthanthenight.Onbothsidesoftheriveritrolledtowardsthem,goingnorthward.

‘Staywhereyouare!’saidGandalf.‘Drawnoweapons!Wait!anditwillpassyouby!’

Amistgatheredaboutthem.Abovethemafewstarsstillglimmeredfaintly;butoneithersidetherearosewallsofimpenetrablegloom;they

wereinanarrowlanebetweenmovingtowersofshadow.Voicestheyheard,whisperingsandgroaningsandanendlessrustlingsigh;theearthshookunderthem.Longitseemedtothemthattheysatandwereafraid;butatlastthedarknessandtherumourpassed,andvanishedbetweenthemountain’sarms.

AwaysouthupontheHornburg,inthemiddlenightmenheardagreatnoise,asawindinthevalley,andthegroundtrembled;andallwereafraidandnooneventuredtogoforth.Butinthemorningtheywentoutandwereamazed;fortheslainOrcsweregone,andthetreesalso.FardownintothevalleyoftheDeepthegrasswascrushedandtrampledbrown,

asifgiantherdsmenhadpasturedgreatdrovesofcattlethere;butamilebelowtheDikeahugepithadbeendelvedintheearth,andoveritstoneswerepiledintoahill.MenbelievedthattheOrcswhomtheyhadslainwereburiedthere;butwhetherthosewhohadfledintothewoodwerewiththem,nonecouldsay,fornomaneversetfootuponthathill.TheDeath

Downitwasafterwardscalled,andnograsswouldgrowthere.ButthestrangetreeswereneverseeninDeeping-coombagain;theyhadreturnedatnight,andhadgonefarawaytothedarkdalesofFangorn.ThustheywererevengedupontheOrcs.

Thekingandhiscompanysleptnomorethat

night;buttheysawandheardnootherstrangething,saveone:thevoiceoftheriverbesidethemsuddenlyawoke.Therewasarushofwaterhurryingdownamongthestones;andwhenithadpassed,theIsenflowedandbubbledinitsbedagain,asithadeverdone.

Atdawntheymadereadytogoon.Thelightcamegreyandpale,andtheydidnotsee

therisingofthesun.Theairabovewasheavywithfog,andareeklayonthelandaboutthem.Theywentslowly,ridingnowuponthehighway.Itwasbroadandhard,andwell-tended.Dimlythroughthemiststheycoulddescrythelongarmofthemountainsrisingontheirleft.TheyhadpassedintoNanCurunír,theWizard’sVale.Thatwasashelteredvalley,

openonlytotheSouth.Onceithadbeenfairandgreen,andthroughittheIsenflowed,alreadydeepandstrongbeforeitfoundtheplains;foritwasfedbymanyspringsandlesserstreamsamongtherain-washedhills,andallaboutittherehadlainapleasant,fertileland.

Itwasnotsonow.BeneaththewallsofIsengardtherestillwereacrestilledby

theslavesofSaruman;butmostofthevalleyhadbecomeawildernessofweedsandthorns.Bramblestrailedupontheground,orclamberingoverbushandbank,madeshaggycaveswheresmallbeastshoused.Notreesgrewthere;butamongtherankgrassescouldstillbeseentheburnedandaxe-hewnstumpsofancientgroves.Itwasasadcountry,

silentnowbutforthestonynoiseofquickwaters.Smokesandsteamsdriftedinsullencloudsandlurkedinthehollows.Theridersdidnotspeak.Manydoubtedintheirhearts,wonderingtowhatdismalendtheirjourneyled.

Aftertheyhadriddenforsomemiles,thehighwaybecameawidestreet,pavedwithgreatflatstones,squared

andlaidwithskill;nobladeofgrasswasseeninanyjoint.Deepgutters,filledwithtricklingwater,randownoneitherside.Suddenlyatallpillarloomedupbeforethem.Itwasblack;andsetuponitwasagreatstone,carvedandpaintedinthelikenessofalongWhiteHand.Itsfingerpointednorth.NotfarnowtheyknewthatthegatesofIsengardmuststand,andtheir

heartswereheavy;buttheireyescouldnotpiercethemistsahead.

Beneaththemountain’sarmwithintheWizard’sValethroughyearsuncountedhadstoodthatancientplacethatMencalledIsengard.Partlyitwasshapedinthemakingofthemountains,butmightyworkstheMenof

Westernessehadwroughtthereofold;andSarumanhaddwelttherelongandhadnotbeenidle.

Thiswasitsfashion,whileSarumanwasathisheight,accountedbymanythechiefofWizards.Agreatring-wallofstone,liketoweringcliffs,stoodoutfromtheshelterofthemountain-side,fromwhichitranandthenreturnedagain.Oneentranceonlywas

theremadeinit,agreatarchdelvedinthesouthernwall.Herethroughtheblackrockalongtunnelhadbeenhewn,closedateitherendwithmightydoorsofiron.Theyweresowroughtandpoisedupontheirhugehinges,postsofsteeldrivenintothelivingstone,thatwhenunbarredtheycouldbemovedwithalightthrustofthearms,noiselessly.Onewhopassed

inandcameatlengthoutoftheechoingtunnel,beheldaplain,agreatcircle,somewhathollowedlikeavastshallowbowl:amileitmeasuredfromrimtorim.Onceithadbeengreenandfilledwithavenues,andgrovesoffruitfultrees,wateredbystreamsthatflowedfromthemountainstoalake.Butnogreenthinggrewthereinthelatterdays

ofSaruman.Theroadswerepavedwithstone-flags,darkandhard;andbesidetheirbordersinsteadoftreestheremarchedlonglinesofpillars,someofmarble,someofcopperandofiron,joinedbyheavychains.

Manyhousestherewere,chambers,halls,andpassages,cutandtunnelledbackintothewallsupontheirinnerside,sothatalltheopen

circlewasoverlookedbycountlesswindowsanddarkdoors.Thousandscoulddwellthere,workers,servants,slaves,andwarriorswithgreatstoreofarms;wolveswerefedandstabledindeepdensbeneath.Theplain,too,wasboredanddelved.Shaftsweredrivendeepintotheground;theirupperendswerecoveredbylowmoundsanddomesofstone,sothatinthe

moonlighttheRingofIsengardlookedlikeagraveyardofunquietdead.Forthegroundtrembled.Theshaftsrandownbymanyslopesandspiralstairstocavernsfarunder;thereSarumanhadtreasuries,store-houses,armouries,smithies,andgreatfurnaces.Ironwheelsrevolvedthereendlessly,andhammersthudded.Atnightplumesof

vapoursteamedfromthevents,litfrombeneathwithredlight,orblue,orvenomousgreen.

Tothecentrealltheroadsranbetweentheirchains.Therestoodatowerofmarvellousshape.Itwasfashionedbythebuildersofold,whosmoothedtheRingofIsengard,andyetitseemedathingnotmadebythecraftofMen,butrivenfromthe

bonesoftheearthintheancienttormentofthehills.Apeakandisleofrockitwas,blackandgleaminghard:fourmightypiersofmany-sidedstonewereweldedintoone,butnearthesummittheyopenedintogapinghorns,theirpinnaclessharpasthepointsofspears,keen-edgedasknives.Betweenthemwasanarrowspace,andthereuponafloorofpolished

stone,writtenwithstrangesigns,amanmightstandfivehundredfeetabovetheplain.ThiswasOrthanc,thecitadelofSaruman,thenameofwhichhad(bydesignorchance)atwofoldmeaning;forintheElvishspeechorthancsignifiesMountFang,butinthelanguageoftheMarkofoldtheCunningMind.

Astrongplaceand

wonderfulwasIsengard,andlongithadbeenbeautiful;andtheregreatlordshaddwelt,thewardensofGondorupontheWest,andwisementhatwatchedthestars.ButSarumanhadslowlyshapedittohisshiftingpurposes,andmadeitbetter,ashethought,beingdeceived–forallthoseartsandsubtledevices,forwhichheforsookhisformerwisdom,andwhichfondlyhe

imaginedwerehisown,camebutfromMordor;sothatwhathemadewasnaught,onlyalittlecopy,achild’smodeloraslave’sflattery,ofthatvastfortress,armoury,prison,furnaceofgreatpower,Barad-dûr,theDarkTower,whichsufferednorival,andlaughedatflattery,bidingitstime,secureinitsprideanditsimmeasurablestrength.

ThiswasthestrongholdofSaruman,asfamereportedit;forwithinlivingmemorythemenofRohanhadnotpasseditsgates,saveperhapsafew,suchasWormtongue,whocameinsecretandtoldnomanwhattheysaw.

NowGandalfrodetothegreatpillaroftheHand,andpassedit;andashedidsothe

RiderssawtotheirwonderthattheHandappearednolongerwhite.Itwasstainedaswithdriedblood;andlookingclosertheyperceivedthatitsnailswerered.UnheedingGandalfrodeonintothemist,andreluctantlytheyfollowedhim.Allaboutthemnow,asiftherehadbeenasuddenflood,widepoolsofwaterlaybesidetheroad,fillingthehollows,and

rillswenttricklingdownamongthestones.

AtlastGandalfhaltedandbeckonedtothem;andtheycame,andsawthatbeyondhimthemistshadcleared,andapalesunlightshone.Thehourofnoonhadpassed.TheywerecometothedoorsofIsengard.

Butthedoorslayhurledandtwistedontheground.Andallabout,stone,cracked

andsplinteredintocountlessjaggedshards,wasscatteredfarandwide,orpiledinruinousheaps.Thegreatarchstillstood,butitopenednowuponarooflesschasm:thetunnelwaslaidbare,andthroughthecliff-likewallsoneithersidegreatrentsandbreacheshadbeentorn;theirtowerswerebeatenintodust.IftheGreatSeahadriseninwrathandfallenonthehills

withstorm,itcouldhaveworkednogreaterruin.

Theringbeyondwasfilledwithsteamingwater:abubblingcauldron,inwhichthereheavedandfloatedawreckageofbeamsandspars,chestsandcasksandbrokengear.Twistedandleaningpillarsrearedtheirsplinteredstemsabovetheflood,butalltheroadsweredrowned.Faroff,itseemed,halfveiledin

windingcloud,thereloomedtheislandrock.Stilldarkandtall,unbrokenbythestorm,thetowerofOrthancstood.Palewaterslappedaboutitsfeet.

Thekingandallhiscompanysatsilentontheirhorses,marvelling,perceivingthatthepowerofSarumanwasoverthrown;buthowtheycouldnotguess.Andnowtheyturnedtheir

eyestowardsthearchwayandtheruinedgates.Theretheysawclosebesidethemagreatrubble-heap;andsuddenlytheywereawareoftwosmallfigureslyingonitattheirease,grey-clad,hardlytobeseenamongthestones.Therewerebottlesandbowlsandplatterslaidbesidethem,asiftheyhadjusteatenwell,andnowrestedfromtheirlabour.Oneseemedasleep;theother,

withcrossedlegsandarmsbehindhishead,leanedbackagainstabrokenrockandsentfromhismouthlongwispsandlittleringsofthinbluesmoke.

ForamomentThéodenandÉomerandallhismenstaredattheminwonder.AmidallthewreckofIsengardthisseemedtothem

thestrangestsight.Butbeforethekingcouldspeak,thesmallsmoke-breathingfigurebecamesuddenlyawareofthem,astheysattheresilentontheedgeofthemist.Hesprangtohisfeet.Ayoungmanhelooked,orlikeone,thoughnotmuchmorethanhalfamaninheight;hisheadofbrowncurlinghairwasuncovered,buthewascladinatravel-stainedcloakofthe

samehueandshapeasthecompanionsofGandalfhadwornwhentheyrodetoEdoras.Hebowedverylow,puttinghishanduponhisbreast.Then,seemingnottoobservethewizardandhisfriends,heturnedtoÉomerandtheking.

‘Welcome,mylords,toIsengard!’hesaid.‘Wearethedoorwardens.Meriadoc,sonofSaradocismyname;

andmycompanion,who,alas!isovercomewithweariness’–herehegavetheotheradigwithhisfoot–‘isPeregrin,sonofPaladin,oftheHouseofTook.FarintheNorthisourhome.TheLordSarumaniswithin;butatthemomentheisclosetedwithoneWormtongue,ordoubtlesshewouldbeheretowelcomesuchhonourableguests.’

‘Doubtlesshewould!’laughedGandalf.‘AndwasitSarumanthatorderedyoutoguardhisdamageddoors,andwatchforthearrivalofguests,whenyourattentioncouldbesparedfromplateandbottle?’

‘No,goodsir,thematterescapedhim,’answeredMerrygravely.‘Hehasbeenmuchoccupied.OurorderscamefromTreebeard,who

hastakenoverthemanagementofIsengard.HecommandedmetowelcometheLordofRohanwithfittingwords.Ihavedonemybest.’

‘Andwhataboutyourcompanions?WhataboutLegolasandme?’criedGimli,unabletocontainhimselflonger.‘Yourascals,youwoolly-footedandwool-patedtruants!Afinehuntyouhaveledus!Twohundred

leagues,throughfenandforest,battleanddeath,torescueyou!Andherewefindyoufeastingandidling–andsmoking!Smoking!Wheredidyoucomebytheweed,youvillains?Hammerandtongs!Iamsotornbetweenrageandjoy,thatifIdonotburst,itwillbeamarvel!’

‘Youspeakforme,Gimli,’laughedLegolas.‘ThoughIwouldsoonerlearn

howtheycamebythewine.’‘Onethingyouhavenot

foundinyourhunting,andthat’sbrighterwits,’saidPippin,openinganeye.‘Hereyoufindussittingonafieldofvictory,amidtheplunderofarmies,andyouwonderhowwecamebyafewwell-earnedcomforts!’

‘Well-earned?’saidGimli.‘Icannotbelievethat!’

TheRiderslaughed.‘It

cannotbedoubtedthatwewitnessthemeetingofdearfriends,’saidThéoden.‘Sothesearethelostonesofyourcompany,Gandalf?Thedaysarefatedtobefilledwithmarvels.AlreadyIhaveseenmanysinceIleftmyhouse;andnowherebeforemyeyesstandyetanotherofthefolkoflegend.ArenotthesetheHalflings,thatsomeamonguscalltheHolbytlan?’

‘Hobbits,ifyouplease,lord,’saidPippin.

‘Hobbits?’saidThéoden.‘Yourtongueisstrangelychanged;butthenamesoundsnotunfittingso.Hobbits!NoreportthatIhavehearddoesjusticetothetruth.’

Merrybowed;andPippingotupandbowedlow.‘Youaregracious,lord;orIhopethatImaysotakeyourwords,’hesaid.‘Andhereis

anothermarvel!Ihavewanderedinmanylands,sinceIleftmyhome,andnevertillnowhaveIfoundpeoplethatknewanystoryconcerninghobbits.’

‘MypeoplecameoutoftheNorthlongago,’saidThéoden.‘ButIwillnotdeceiveyou:weknownotalesabouthobbits.Allthatissaidamongusisthatfaraway,overmanyhillsand

rivers,livethehalflingfolkthatdwellinholesinsand-dunes.Buttherearenolegendsoftheirdeeds,foritissaidthattheydolittle,andavoidthesightofmen,beingabletovanishinatwinkling;andtheycanchangetheirvoicestoresemblethepipingofbirds.Butitseemsthatmorecouldbesaid.’

‘Itcouldindeed,lord,’saidMerry.

‘Foronething,’saidThéoden,‘Ihadnotheardthattheyspoutedsmokefromtheirmouths.’

‘Thatisnotsurprising,’answeredMerry;‘foritisanartwhichwehavenotpractisedformorethanafewgenerations.ItwasToboldHornblower,ofLongbottomintheSouthfarthing,whofirstgrewthetruepipe-weedinhisgardens,abouttheyear

1070accordingtoourreckoning.HowoldTobycamebytheplant...’

‘Youdonotknowyourdanger,Théoden,’interruptedGandalf.‘Thesehobbitswillsitontheedgeofruinanddiscussthepleasuresofthetable,orthesmalldoingsoftheirfathers,grandfathers,andgreat-grandfathers,andremotercousinstotheninthdegree,ifyouencourage

themwithunduepatience.Someothertimewouldbemorefittingforthehistoryofsmoking.WhereisTreebeard,Merry?’

‘Awayonthenorthside,Ibelieve.Hewenttogetadrink–ofcleanwater.MostoftheotherEntsarewithhim,stillbusyattheirwork–overthere.’Merrywavedhishandtowardsthesteaminglake;andastheylooked,they

heardadistantrumblingandrattling,asifanavalanchewasfallingfromthemountain-side.Farawaycameahoom-hom,asofhornsblowingtriumphantly.

‘AndisOrthancthenleftunguarded?’askedGandalf.

‘Thereisthewater,’saidMerry.‘ButQuickbeamandsomeothersarewatchingit.NotallthosepostsandpillarsintheplainareofSaruman’s

planting.Quickbeam,Ithink,isbytherock,nearthefootofthestair.’

‘Yes,atallgreyEntisthere,’saidLegolas,‘buthisarmsareathissides,andhestandsasstillasadoor-tree.’

‘Itispastnoon,’saidGandalf,‘andweatanyratehavenoteatensinceearlymorning.YetIwishtoseeTreebeardassoonasmaybe.Didheleavemenomessage,

orhasplateandbottledrivenitfromyourmind?’

‘Heleftamessage,’saidMerry,‘andIwascomingtoit,butIhavebeenhinderedbymanyotherquestions.Iwastosaythat,iftheLordoftheMarkandGandalfwillridetothenorthernwalltheywillfindTreebeardthere,andhewillwelcomethem.Imayaddthattheywillalsofindfoodofthebestthere,itwas

discoveredandselectedbyyourhumbleservants.’Hebowed.

Gandalflaughed.‘Thatisbetter!’hesaid.‘Well,Théoden,willyouridewithmetofindTreebeard?Wemustgoroundabout,butitisnotfar.WhenyouseeTreebeard,youwilllearnmuch.ForTreebeardisFangorn,andtheeldestandchiefoftheEnts,andwhen

youspeakwithhimyouwillhearthespeechoftheoldestofalllivingthings.’

‘Iwillcomewithyou,’saidThéoden.‘Farewell,myhobbits!Maywemeetagaininmyhouse!Thereyoushallsitbesidemeandtellmeallthatyourheartsdesire:thedeedsofyourgrandsires,asfarasyoucanreckonthem;andwewillspeakalsoofToboldtheOldandhisherb-

lore.Farewell!’Thehobbitsbowedlow.

‘SothatistheKingofRohan!’saidPippininanundertone.‘Afineoldfellow.Verypolite.’

Chapter9

FLOTSAMANDJETSAM

GandalfandtheKing’scompanyrodeaway,turningeastwardtomakethecircuitoftheruinedwallsofIsengard.ButAragorn,Gimli,andLegolasremainedbehind.

LeavingArodandHasufeltostrayinsearchofgrass,theycameandsatbesidethehobbits.

‘Well,well!Thehuntisover,andwemeetagainatlast,wherenoneofuseverthoughttocome,’saidAragorn.

‘Andnowthatthegreatoneshavegonetodiscusshighmatters,’saidLegolas,‘thehunterscanperhapslearn

theanswerstotheirownsmallriddles.Wetrackedyouasfarastheforest,buttherearestillmanythingsthatIshouldliketoknowthetruthof.’

‘Andthereisagreatdeal,too,thatwewanttoknowaboutyou,’saidMerry.‘WehavelearntafewthingsthroughTreebeard,theOldEnt,butthatisnotnearlyenough.’

‘Allingoodtime,’saidLegolas.‘Wewerethehunters,andyoushouldgiveanaccountofyourselvestousfirst.’

‘Orsecond,’saidGimli.‘Itwouldgobetterafterameal.Ihaveasorehead;anditispastmid-day.Youtruantsmightmakeamendsbyfindingussomeoftheplunderthatyouspokeof.Foodanddrinkwouldpayoff

someofmyscoreagainstyou.’

‘Thenyoushallhaveit,’saidPippin.‘Willyouhaveithere,orinmorecomfortinwhat’sleftofSaruman’sguard-house–overthereunderthearch?Wehadtopicnicouthere,soastokeepaneyeontheroad.’

‘Lessthananeye!’saidGimli.‘ButIwillnotgointoanyorc-house;nortouch

Orcs’meatoranythingthattheyhavemauled.’

‘Wewouldn’taskyouto,’saidMerry.‘WehavehadenoughofOrcsourselvestolastalife-time.ButthereweremanyotherfolkinIsengard.SarumankeptenoughwisdomnottotrusthisOrcs.HehadMentoguardhisgates:someofhismostfaithfulservants,Isuppose.Anywaytheywere

favouredandgotgoodprovisions.’

‘Andpipe-weed?’askedGimli.

‘No,Idon’tthinkso,’Merrylaughed.‘Butthatisanotherstory,whichcanwaituntilafterlunch.’

‘Wellletusgoandhavelunchthen!’saidtheDwarf.

Thehobbitsledtheway;

andtheypassedunderthearchandcametoawidedoorupontheleft,atthetopofastair.Itopeneddirectintoalargechamber,withothersmallerdoorsatthefarend,andahearthandchimneyatoneside.Thechamberwashewnoutofthestone;anditmustoncehavebeendark,foritswindowslookedoutonlyintothetunnel.Butlightcameinnowthroughthe

brokenroof.Onthehearthwoodwasburning.

‘Ilitabitoffire,’saidPippin.‘Itcheeredusupinthefogs.Therewerefewfaggotsabout,andmostofthewoodwecouldfindwaswet.Butthereisagreatdraughtinthechimney:itseemstowindawayupthroughtherock,andfortunatelyithasnotbeenblocked.Afireishandy.I

willmakeyousometoast.Thebreadisthreeorfourdaysold,Iamafraid.’

Aragornandhiscompanionssatthemselvesdownatoneendofalongtable,andthehobbitsdisappearedthroughoneoftheinnerdoors.

‘Store-roominthere,andabovethefloods,luckily,’saidPippin,astheycamebackladenwithdishes,

bowls,cups,knives,andfoodofvarioussorts.

‘Andyouneednotturnupyournoseattheprovender,MasterGimli,’saidMerry.‘Thisisnotorc-stuff,butman-food,asTreebeardcallsit.Willyouhavewineorbeer?There’sabarrelinsidethere–verypassable.Andthisisfirst-ratesaltedpork.OrIcancutyousomerashersofbaconandbroilthem,if

youlike.Iamsorrythereisnogreenstuff:thedeliverieshavebeenratherinterruptedinthelastfewdays!Icannotofferyouanythingtofollowbutbutterandhoneyforyourbread.Areyoucontent?’

‘Indeedyes,’saidGimli.‘Thescoreismuchreduced.’

Thethreeweresoonbusywiththeirmeal;andthetwohobbits,unabashed,settoasecondtime.‘Wemustkeep

ourguestscompany,’theysaid.

‘Youarefullofcourtesythismorning,’laughedLegolas.‘Butmaybe,ifwehadnotarrived,youwouldalreadyhavebeenkeepingoneanothercompanyagain.’

‘Maybe;andwhynot?’saidPippin.‘WehadfoulfarewiththeOrcs,andlittleenoughfordaysbeforethat.Itseemsalongwhilesince

wecouldeattoheart’scontent.’

‘Itdoesnotseemtohavedoneyouanyharm,’saidAragorn.‘Indeedyoulookinthebloomofhealth.’

‘Aye,youdoindeed,’saidGimli,lookingthemupanddownoverthetopofhiscup.‘Why,yourhairistwiceasthickandcurlyaswhenweparted;andIwouldswearthatyouhavebothgrown

somewhat,ifthatispossibleforhobbitsofyourage.ThisTreebeardatanyratehasnotstarvedyou.’

‘Hehasnot,’saidMerry.‘ButEntsonlydrink,anddrinkisnotenoughforcontent.Treebeard’sdraughtsmaybenourishing,butonefeelstheneedofsomethingsolid.Andevenlembasisnonetheworseforachange.’

‘Youhavedrunkofthe

watersoftheEnts,haveyou?’saidLegolas.‘Ah,thenIthinkitislikelythatGimli’seyesdonotdeceivehim.StrangesongshavebeensungofthedraughtsofFangorn.’

‘Manystrangetaleshavebeentoldaboutthatland,’saidAragorn.‘Ihaveneverenteredit.Come,tellmemoreaboutit,andabouttheEnts!’

‘Ents,’saidPippin,‘Ents

are–wellEntsarealldifferentforonething.Buttheireyesnow,theireyesareveryodd.’Hetriedafewfumblingwordsthattrailedoffintosilence.‘Oh,well,’hewenton,‘youhaveseensomeatadistance,already–theysawyouatanyrate,andreportedthatyouwereontheway–andyouwillseemanyothers,Iexpect,beforeyouleavehere.Youmustform

yourownideas.’‘Now,now!’saidGimli.

‘Wearebeginningthestoryinthemiddle.Ishouldlikeataleintherightorder,startingwiththatstrangedaywhenourfellowshipwasbroken.’

‘Youshallhaveit,ifthereistime,’saidMerry.‘Butfirst–ifyouhavefinishedeating–youshallfillyourpipesandlightup.Andthenforalittlewhilewecanpretendthatwe

areallbacksafeatBreeagain,orinRivendell.’

Heproducedasmallleatherbagfulloftobacco.‘Wehaveheapsofit,’hesaid;‘andyoucanallpackasmuchasyouwish,whenwego.Wedidsomesalvage-workthismorning,PippinandI.Therearelotsofthingsfloatingabout.ItwasPippinwhofoundtwosmallbarrels,washedupoutofsomecellar

orstore-house,Isuppose.Whenweopenedthem,wefoundtheywerefilledwiththis:asfineapipe-weedasyoucouldwishfor,andquiteunspoilt.’

Gimlitooksomeandrubbeditinhispalmsandsniffedit.‘Itfeelsgood,anditsmellsgood,’hesaid.

‘Itisgood!’saidMerry.‘MydearGimli,itisLongbottomLeaf!There

weretheHornblowerbrandmarksonthebarrels,asplainasplain.Howitcamehere,Ican’timagine.ForSaruman’sprivateuse,Ifancy.Ineverknewthatitwentsofarabroad.Butitcomesinhandynow!’

‘Itwould,’saidGimli,‘ifIhadapipetogowithit.Alas,IlostmineinMoria,orbefore.Istherenopipeinallyourplunder?’

‘No,Iamafraidnot,’saidMerry.‘Wehavenotfoundany,notevenhereintheguardrooms.Sarumankeptthisdaintytohimself,itseems.AndIdon’tthinkitwouldbeanyuseknockingonthedoorsofOrthanctobegapipeofhim!Weshallhavetosharepipes,asgoodfriendsmustatapinch.’

‘Halfamoment!’saidPippin.Puttinghishand

insidethebreastofhisjackethepulledoutalittlesoftwalletonastring.‘Ikeepatreasureortwonearmyskin,aspreciousasRingstome.Here’sone:myoldwoodenpipe.Andhere’sanother:anunusedone.Ihavecarrieditalongway,thoughIdon’tknowwhy.Ineverreallyexpectedtofindanypipe-weedonthejourney,whenmyownranout.Butnowit

comesinusefulafterall.’Heheldupasmallpipewithawideflattenedbowl,andhandedittoGimli.‘Doesthatsettlethescorebetweenus?’hesaid.

‘Settleit!’criedGimli.‘Mostnoblehobbit,itleavesmedeepinyourdebt.’

‘Well,Iamgoingbackintotheopenair,toseewhatthewindandskyaredoing!’saidLegolas.

‘Wewillcomewithyou,’saidAragorn.

Theywentoutandseatedthemselvesuponthepiledstonesbeforethegateway.Theycouldseefardownintothevalleynow;themistswereliftingandfloatingawayuponthebreeze.

‘Nowletustakeoureasehereforalittle!’saidAragorn.‘Wewillsitontheedgeofruinandtalk,as

Gandalfsays,whileheisbusyelsewhere.IfeelawearinesssuchasIhaveseldomfeltbefore.’Hewrappedhisgreycloakabouthim,hidinghismail-shirt,andstretchedouthislonglegs.Thenhelaybackandsentfromhislipsathinstreamofsmoke.

‘Look!’saidPippin.‘StridertheRangerhascomeback!’

‘Hehasneverbeenaway,’saidAragorn.‘IamStriderandDúnadantoo,andIbelongbothtoGondorandtheNorth.’

Theysmokedinsilenceforawhile,andthesunshoneonthem;slantingintothevalleyfromamongwhitecloudshighintheWest.Legolaslaystill,lookingup

atthesunandskywithsteadyeyes,andsingingsoftlytohimself.Atlasthesatup.‘Comenow!’hesaid.‘Timewearson,andthemistsareblowingaway,orwouldifyoustrangefolkdidnotwreatheyourselvesinsmoke.Whatofthetale?’

‘Well,mytalebeginswithwakingupinthedarkandfindingmyselfallstrung-upinanorc-camp,’saidPippin.

‘Letmesee,whatistoday?’‘ThefifthofMarchinthe

Shire-reckoning,’saidAragorn.Pippinmadesomecalculationsonhisfingers.‘Onlyninedaysago!’hesaid.*‘Itseemsayearsincewewerecaught.Well,thoughhalfofitwaslikeabaddream,Ireckonthatthreeveryhorribledaysfollowed.Merrywillcorrectme,ifIforgetanythingimportant:I

amnotgoingintodetails:thewhipsandthefilthandstenchandallthat;itdoesnotbearremembering.’WiththatheplungedintoanaccountofBoromir’slastfightandtheorc-marchfromEmynMuiltotheForest.Theothersnoddedasthevariouspointswerefittedinwiththeirguesses.

‘Herearesometreasuresthatyouletfall,’said

Aragorn.‘Youwillbegladtohavethemback.’Heloosenedhisbeltfromunderhiscloak,andtookfromitthetwosheathedknives.

‘Well!’saidMerry.‘Ineverexpectedtoseethoseagain!Imarkedafeworcswithmine;butUglúktookthemfromus.Howheglared!AtfirstIthoughthewasgoingtostabme,buthethrewthethingsawayasif

theyburnedhim.’‘Andherealsoisyour

brooch,Pippin,’saidAragorn.‘Ihavekeptitsafe,foritisaverypreciousthing.’

‘Iknow,’saidPippin.‘Itwasawrenchtoletitgo;butwhatelsecouldIdo?’

‘Nothingelse,’answeredAragorn.‘Onewhocannotcastawayatreasureatneedisinfetters.Youdidrightly.’

‘Thecuttingofthebandsonyourwrists,thatwassmartwork!’saidGimli.‘Luckservedyouthere;butyouseizedyourchancewithbothhands,onemightsay.’

‘Andsetusaprettyriddle,’saidLegolas.‘Iwonderedifyouhadgrownwings!’

‘Unfortunatelynot,’saidPippin.‘ButyoudidnotknowaboutGrishnákh.’He

shudderedandsaidnomore,leavingMerrytotellofthoselasthorriblemoments:thepawinghands,thehotbreath,andthedreadfulstrengthofGrishnákh’shairyarms.

‘AllthisabouttheOrcsofBarad-dûr,Lugbúrzastheycallit,makesmeuneasy,’saidAragorn.‘TheDarkLordalreadyknewtoomuch,andhisservantsalso;andGrishnákhevidentlysent

somemessageacrosstheRiverafterthequarrel.TheRedEyewillbelookingtowardsIsengard.ButSarumanatanyrateisinacleftstickofhisowncutting.’

‘Yes,whicheversidewins,hisoutlookispoor,’saidMerry.‘ThingsbegantogoallwrongforhimfromthemomenthisOrcssetfootinRohan.’

‘Wecaughtaglimpseof

theoldvillain,orsoGandalfhints,’saidGimli.‘OntheedgeoftheForest.’

‘Whenwasthat?’askedPippin.

‘Fivenightsago,’saidAragorn.

‘Letmesee,’saidMerry:‘fivenightsago–nowwecometoapartofthestoryyouknownothingabout.WemetTreebeardthatmorningafterthebattle;andthatnight

wewereatWellinghall,oneofhisent-houses.ThenextmorningwewenttoEntmoot,agatheringofEnts,thatis,andthequeerestthingIhaveeverseeninmylife.Itlastedallthatdayandthenext;andwespentthenightswithanEntcalledQuickbeam.Andthenlateintheafternooninthethirddayoftheirmoot,theEntssuddenlyblewup.Itwasamazing.TheForesthad

feltastenseasifathunderstormwasbrewinginsideit:thenallatonceitexploded.Iwishyoucouldhaveheardtheirsongastheymarched.’

‘IfSarumanhadheardit,hewouldbeahundredmilesawaybynow,evenifhehadhadtorunonhisownlegs,’saidPippin.

‘ThoughIsengardbe

strongandhard,ascoldasstoneandbareasbone,

Wego,wego,wegotowar,tohewthestoneandbreakthedoor!

Therewasverymuchmore.Agreatdealofthesonghadnowords,andwaslikeamusicofhornsanddrums.Itwasveryexciting.ButIthoughtitwasonly

marchingmusicandnomore,justasong–untilIgothere.Iknowbetternow.’

‘WecamedownoverthelastridgeintoNanCurunír,afternighthadfallen,’Merrycontinued.‘ItwasthenthatIfirsthadthefeelingthattheForestitselfwasmovingbehindus.IthoughtIwasdreaminganentishdream,butPippinhadnoticedittoo.Wewerebothfrightened;but

wedidnotfindoutmoreaboutituntil

later.‘ItwastheHuorns,orso

theEntscallthemin‘‘shortlanguage’’.Treebeardwon’tsaymuchaboutthem,butIthinktheyareEntsthathavebecomealmostliketrees,atleasttolookat.Theystandhereandthereinthewoodorunderitseaves,silent,watchingendlesslyoverthe

trees;butdeepinthedarkestdalestherearehundredsandhundredsofthem,Ibelieve.

‘Thereisagreatpowerinthem,andtheyseemabletowrapthemselvesinshadow:itisdifficulttoseethemmoving.Buttheydo.Theycanmoveveryquickly,iftheyareangry.Youstandstilllookingattheweather,maybe,orlisteningtotherustlingofthewind,andthen

suddenlyyoufindthatyouareinthemiddleofawoodwithgreatgropingtreesallaroundyou.Theystillhavevoices,andcanspeakwiththeEnts–thatiswhytheyarecalledHuorns,Treebeardsays–buttheyhavebecomequeerandwild.Dangerous.Ishouldbeterrifiedofmeetingthem,iftherewerenotrueEntsabouttolookafterthem.

‘Well,intheearlynight

wecreptdownalongravineintotheupperendoftheWizard’sVale,theEntswithalltheirrustlingHuornsbehind.Wecouldnotseethem,ofcourse,butthewholeairwasfullofcreaking.Itwasverydark,acloudynight.Theymovedatagreatspeedassoonastheyhadleftthehills,andmadeanoiselikearushingwind.TheMoondidnotappear

throughtheclouds,andnotlongaftermidnighttherewasatallwoodallroundthenorthsideofIsengard.Therewasnosignofenemiesnorofanychallenge.Therewasalightgleamingfromahighwindowinthetower,thatwasall.

‘TreebeardandafewmoreEntscrepton,rightroundtowithinsightofthegreatgates.PippinandIwere

withhim.WeweresittingonTreebeard’sshoulders,andIcouldfeelthequiveringtensenessinhim.Butevenwhentheyareroused,Entscanbeverycautiousandpatient.Theystoodstillascarvedstones,breathingandlistening.

‘Thenallatoncetherewasatremendousstir.Trumpetsblared,andthewallsofIsengardechoed.We

thoughtthatwehadbeendiscovered,andthatbattlewasgoingtobegin.Butnothingofthesort.AllSaruman’speopleweremarchingaway.Idon’tknowmuchaboutthiswar,orabouttheHorsemenofRohan,butSarumanseemstohavemeanttofinishoffthekingandallhismenwithonefinalblow.HeemptiedIsengard.Isawtheenemygo:endless

linesofmarchingOrcs;andtroopsofthemmountedongreatwolves.AndtherewerebattalionsofMen,too.Manyofthemcarriedtorches,andintheflareIcouldseetheirfaces.Mostofthemwereordinarymen,rathertallanddark-haired,andgrimbutnotparticularlyevil-looking.Butthereweresomeothersthatwerehorrible:man-high,butwithgoblin-faces,sallow,

leering,squint-eyed.Doyouknow,theyremindedmeatonceofthatSoutherneratBree;onlyhewasnotsoobviouslyorc-likeasmostofthesewere.’

‘Ithoughtofhimtoo,’saidAragorn.‘Wehadmanyofthesehalf-orcstodealwithatHelm’sDeep.ItseemsplainnowthatthatSouthernerwasaspyofSaruman’s;butwhetherhe

wasworkingwiththeBlackRiders,orforSarumanalone,Idonotknow.Itisdifficultwiththeseevilfolktoknowwhentheyareinleague,andwhentheyarecheatingoneanother.’

‘Well,ofallsortstogether,theremusthavebeententhousandattheveryleast,’saidMerry.‘Theytookanhourtopassoutofthegates.Somewentoffdown

thehighwaytotheFords,andsometurnedawayandwenteastward.Abridgehasbeenbuiltdownthere,aboutamileaway,wheretheriverrunsinaverydeepchannel.Youcouldseeitnow,ifyoustoodup.Theywereallsingingwithharshvoices,andlaughing,makingahideousdin.IthoughtthingslookedveryblackforRohan.ButTreebearddidnotmove.He

said:‘‘MybusinessiswithIsengardtonight,withrockandstone.’’

‘But,thoughIcouldnotseewhatwashappeninginthedark,IbelievethatHuornsbegantomovesouth,assoonasthegateswereshutagain.TheirbusinesswaswithOrcsIthink.Theywerefardownthevalleyinthemorning;oratanyratetherewasashadowtherethatone

couldn’tseethrough.‘AssoonasSarumanhad

sentoffallhisarmy,ourturncame.Treebeardputusdown,andwentuptothegates,andbeganhammeringonthedoors,andcallingforSaruman.Therewasnoanswer,exceptarrowsandstonesfromthewalls.ButarrowsarenouseagainstEnts.Theyhurtthem,ofcourse,andinfuriatethem:

likestingingflies.ButanEntcanbestuckasfulloforc-arrowsasapin-cushion,andtakenoseriousharm.Theycannotbepoisoned,foronething;andtheirskinseemstobeverythick,andtougherthanbark.Ittakesaveryheavyaxe-stroketowoundthemseriously.Theydon’tlikeaxes.Buttherewouldhavetobeagreatmanyaxe-mentooneEnt:amanthat

hacksonceatanEntnevergetsachanceofasecondblow.ApunchfromanEnt-fistcrumplesupironlikethintin.

‘WhenTreebeardhadgotafewarrowsinhim,hebegantowarmup,togetpositively‘‘hasty’’,ashewouldsay.Heletoutagreathoom-hom,andadozenmoreEntscamestridingup.AnangryEntisterrifying.Theirfingers,and

theirtoes,justfreezeontorock;andtheytearituplikebread-crust.Itwaslikewatchingtheworkofgreattree-rootsinahundredyears,allpackedintoafewmoments.

‘Theypushed,pulled,tore,shook,andhammered;andclang-bang,crash-crack,infiveminutestheyhadthesehugegatesjustlyinginruin;andsomewerealready

beginningtoeatintothewalls,likerabbitsinasand-pit.Idon’tknowwhatSarumanthoughtwashappening;butanywayhedidnotknowhowtodealwithit.Hiswizardrymayhavebeenfallingofflately,ofcourse;butanywayIthinkhehasnotmuchgrit,notmuchplaincouragealoneinatightplacewithoutalotofslavesandmachinesandthings,ifyou

knowwhatImean.VerydifferentfromoldGandalf.IwonderifhisfamewasnotallalongmainlyduetohisclevernessinsettlingatIsengard.’

‘No,’saidAragorn.‘Oncehewasasgreatashisfamemadehim.Hisknowledgewasdeep,histhoughtwassubtle,andhishandsmarvellouslyskilled;andhehadapowerovertheminds

ofothers.Thewisehecouldpersuade,andthesmallerfolkhecoulddaunt.Thatpowerhecertainlystillkeeps.TherearenotmanyinMiddle-earththatIshouldsayweresafe,iftheywereleftalonetotalkwithhim,evennowwhenhehassufferedadefeat.Gandalf,Elrond,andGaladriel,perhaps,nowthathiswickednesshasbeenlaidbare,butveryfewothers.’

‘TheEntsaresafe,’saidPippin.‘Heseemsatonetimetohavegotroundthem,butneveragain.Andanywayhedidnotunderstandthem;andhemadethegreatmistakeofleavingthemoutofhiscalculations.Hehadnoplanforthem,andtherewasnotimetomakeany,oncetheyhadsettowork.Assoonasourattackbegan,thefewremainingratsinIsengard

startedboltingthrougheveryholethattheEntsmade.TheEntslettheMengo,aftertheyhadquestionedthem,twoorthreedozenonlydownatthisend.Idon’tthinkmanyorc-folk,ofanysize,escaped.NotfromtheHuorns:therewasawoodfullofthemallroundIsengardbythattime,aswellasthosethathadgonedownthevalley.

‘WhentheEntshad

reducedalargepartofthesouthernwallstorubbish,andwhatwasleftofhispeoplehadboltedanddesertedhim,Sarumanfledinapanic.Heseemstohavebeenatthegateswhenwearrived:Iexpecthecametowatchhissplendidarmymarchout.WhentheEntsbroketheirwayin,heleftinahurry.Theydidnotspothimatfirst.Butthenighthadopenedout,

andtherewasagreatlightofstars,quiteenoughforEntstoseeby,andsuddenlyQuickbeamgaveacry‘‘Thetree-killer,thetree-killer!’’Quickbeamisagentlecreature,buthehatesSarumanallthemorefiercelyforthat:hispeoplesufferedcruellyfromorc-axes.Heleaptdownthepathfromtheinnergate,andhecanmovelikeawindwhenheis

roused.Therewasapalefigurehurryingawayinandoutoftheshadowsofthepillars,andithadnearlyreachedthestairstothetower-door.Butitwasanearthing.Quickbeamwassohotafterhim,thathewaswithinasteportwoofbeingcaughtandstrangledwhenheslippedinthroughthedoor.

‘WhenSarumanwassafebackinOrthanc,itwasnot

longbeforehesetsomeofhispreciousmachinerytowork.BythattimethereweremanyEntsinsideIsengard:somehadfollowedQuickbeam,andothershadburstinfromthenorthandeast;theywereroamingaboutanddoingagreatdealofdamage.Suddenlyupcamefiresandfoulfumes:theventsandshaftsallovertheplainbegantospoutandbelch.Severalof

theEntsgotscorchedandblistered.Oneofthem,BeechboneIthinkhewascalled,averytallhandsomeEnt,gotcaughtinasprayofsomeliquidfireandburnedlikeatorch:ahorriblesight.

‘Thatsentthemmad.Ithoughtthattheyhadbeenreallyrousedbefore;butIwaswrong.Isawwhatitwaslikeatlast.Itwasstaggering.Theyroaredandboomedand

trumpeted,untilstonesbegantocrackandfallatthemerenoiseofthem.MerryandIlayonthegroundandstuffedourcloaksintoourears.RoundandroundtherockofOrthanctheEntswentstridingandstorminglikeahowlinggale,breakingpillars,hurlingavalanchesofbouldersdowntheshafts,tossinguphugeslabsofstoneintotheairlikeleaves.The

towerwasinthemiddleofaspinningwhirlwind.Isawironpostsandblocksofmasonrygorocketinguphundredsoffeet,andsmashagainstthewindowsofOrthanc.ButTreebeardkepthishead.Hehadnothadanyburns,luckily.Hedidnotwanthisfolktohurtthemselvesintheirfury,andhedidnotwantSarumantoescapeoutofsomeholein

theconfusion.ManyoftheEntswerehurlingthemselvesagainsttheOrthanc-rock;butthatdefeatedthem.Itisverysmoothandhard.Somewizardryisinit,perhaps,olderandstrongerthanSaruman’s.Anywaytheycouldnotgetagriponit,ormakeacrackinit;andtheywerebruisingandwoundingthemselvesagainstit.

‘SoTreebeardwentout

intotheringandshouted.Hisenormousvoiceroseaboveallthedin.Therewasadeadsilence,suddenly.Initweheardashrilllaughfromahighwindowinthetower.ThathadaqueereffectontheEnts.Theyhadbeenboilingover;nowtheybecamecold,grimasice,andquiet.TheylefttheplainandgatheredroundTreebeard,standingquitestill.Hespoketothem

foralittleintheirownlanguage;Ithinkhewastellingthemofaplanhehadmadeinhisoldheadlongbefore.Thentheyjustfadedsilentlyawayinthegreylight.Daywasdawningbythattime.

‘Theysetawatchonthetower,Ibelieve,butthewatchersweresowellhiddeninshadowsandkeptsostill,thatIcouldnotseethem.The

otherswentawaynorth.Allthatdaytheywerebusy,outofsight.Mostofthetimewewereleftalone.Itwasadrearyday;andwewanderedaboutabit,thoughwekeptoutoftheviewofthewindowsofOrthanc,asmuchaswecould:theystaredatussothreateningly.Agooddealofthetimewespentlookingforsomethingtoeat.Andalsowesatandtalked,

wonderingwhatwashappeningawaysouthinRohan,andwhathadbecomeofalltherestofourCompany.Everynowandthenwecouldhearinthedistancetherattleandfallofstone,andthuddingnoisesechoinginthehills.

‘Intheafternoonwewalkedroundthecircle,andwenttohavealookatwhatwasgoingon.Therewasa

greatshadowywoodofHuornsattheheadofthevalley,andanotherroundthenorthernwall.Wedidnotdaretogoin.Buttherewasarending,tearingnoiseofworkgoingoninside.EntsandHuornsweredigginggreatpitsandtrenches,andmakinggreatpoolsanddams,gatheringallthewatersoftheIsenandeveryotherspringandstreamthattheycould

find.Weleftthemtoit.‘AtduskTreebeardcame

backtothegate.Hewashummingandboomingtohimself,andseemedpleased.Hestoodandstretchedhisgreatarmsandlegsandbreatheddeep.Iaskedhimifhewastired.

‘‘‘Tired?’’hesaid,‘‘tired?Wellno,nottired,butstiff.IneedagooddraughtofEntwash.Wehaveworked

hard;wehavedonemorestone-crackingandearth-gnawingtodaythanwehavedoneinmanyalongyearbefore.Butitisnearlyfinished.Whennightfallsdonotlingernearthisgateorintheoldtunnel!Watermaycomethrough–anditwillbefoulwaterforawhile,untilallthefilthofSarumaniswashedaway.ThenIsencanruncleanagain.’’Hebegan

topulldownabitmoreofthewalls,inaleisurelysortofway,justtoamusehimself.

‘Wewerejustwonderingwhereitwouldbesafetolieandgetsomesleep,whenthemostamazingthingofallhappened.Therewasthesoundofaridercomingswiftlyuptheroad.MerryandIlayquiet,andTreebeardhidhimselfintheshadowsunderthearch.Suddenlya

greathorsecamestridingup,likeaflashofsilver.Itwasalreadydark,butIcouldseetherider’sfaceclearly:itseemedtoshine,andallhisclotheswerewhite.Ijustsatup,staring,withmymouthopen.Itriedtocallout,andcouldn’t.

‘Therewasnoneed.Hehaltedjustbyusandlookeddownatus.‘‘Gandalf!’’Isaidatlast,butmyvoicewas

onlyawhisper.Didhesay:‘‘Hullo,Pippin!Thisisapleasantsurprise!’’?No,indeed!Hesaid:‘‘Getup,youtom-foolofaTook!Where,inthenameofwonder,inallthisruinisTreebeard?Iwanthim.Quick!’’

‘Treebeardheardhisvoiceandcameoutoftheshadowsatonce;andtherewasastrangemeeting.Iwas

surprised,becauseneitherofthemseemedsurprisedatall.GandalfobviouslyexpectedtofindTreebeardhere;andTreebeardmightalmosthavebeenloiteringaboutnearthegatesonpurposetomeethim.YetwehadtoldtheoldEntallaboutMoria.ButthenIrememberedaqueerlookhegaveusatthetime.IcanonlysupposethathehadseenGandalforhadsomenewsof

him,butwouldnotsayanythinginahurry.‘‘Don’tbehasty’’ishismotto;butnobody,notevenElves,willsaymuchaboutGandalf’smovementswhenheisnotthere.

‘‘‘Hoom!Gandalf!’’saidTreebeard.‘‘Iamgladyouhavecome.Woodandwater,stockandstone,Icanmaster;butthereisaWizardtomanagehere.’’

‘‘‘Treebeard,’’saidGandalf.‘‘Ineedyourhelp.Youhavedonemuch,butIneedmore.IhaveabouttenthousandOrcstomanage.’’

‘Thenthosetwowentoffandhadacounciltogetherinsomecorner.ItmusthaveseemedveryhastytoTreebeard,forGandalfwasinatremendoushurry,andwasalreadytalkingatagreatpace,beforetheypassedout

ofhearing.Theywereonlyawayamatterofminutes,perhapsaquarterofanhour.ThenGandalfcamebacktous,andheseemedrelieved,almostmerry.Hedidsayhewasgladtoseeus,then.

‘‘‘ButGandalf,’’Icried,‘‘wherehaveyoubeen?Andhaveyouseentheothers?’’

‘‘‘WhereverIhavebeen,Iamback,’’heansweredinthegenuineGandalfmanner.

‘‘Yes,Ihaveseensomeoftheothers.Butnewsmustwait.Thisisaperilousnight,andImustridefast.Butthedawnmaybebrighter;andifso,weshallmeetagain.Takecareofyourselves,andkeepawayfromOrthanc!Good-bye!’’

‘TreebeardwasverythoughtfulafterGandalfhadgone.Hehadevidentlylearntalotinashorttimeandwas

digestingit.Helookedatusandsaid:‘‘Hm,well,IfindyouarenotsuchhastyfolkasIthought.Yousaidmuchlessthanyoumight,andnomorethanyoushould.Hm,thisisabundleofnewsandnomistake!Well,nowTreebeardmustgetbusyagain.’’

‘Beforehewent,wegotalittlenewsoutofhim;anditdidnotcheerusupatall.But

forthemomentwethoughtmoreaboutyouthreethanaboutFrodoandSam,oraboutpoorBoromir.Forwegatheredthattherewasagreatbattlegoingon,orsoonwouldbe,andthatyouwereinit,andmightnevercomeoutofit.

‘‘‘Huornswillhelp,’’saidTreebeard.Thenhewentawayandwedidnotseehimagainuntilthismorning.

‘Itwasdeepnight.Welayontopofapileofstone,andcouldseenothingbeyondit.Mistorshadowsblottedouteverythinglikeagreatblanketallroundus.Theairseemedhotandheavy;anditwasfullofrustlings,creakings,andamurmurlikevoicespassing.IthinkthathundredsmoreoftheHuornsmusthavebeenpassingbytohelpinthebattle.Laterthere

wasagreatrumbleofthunderawaysouth,andflashesoflightningfarawayacrossRohan.Everynowandthenwecouldseemountain-peaks,milesandmilesaway,staboutsuddenly,blackandwhite,andthenvanish.Andbehindustherewerenoiseslikethunderinhills,butdifferent.Attimesthewholevalleyechoed.

‘Itmusthavebeenabout

midnightwhentheEntsbrokethedamsandpouredallthegatheredwatersthroughagapinthenorthernwall,downintoIsengard.TheHuorn-darkhadpassed,andthethunderhadrolledaway.TheMoonwassinkingbehindthewesternmountains.

‘Isengardbegantofillupwithblackcreepingstreamsandpools.TheyglitteredinthelastlightoftheMoon,as

theyspreadovertheplain.Everynowandthenthewatersfoundtheirwaydownintosomeshaftorspouthole.Greatwhitesteamshissedup.Smokeroseinbillows.Therewereexplosionsandgustsoffire.Onegreatcoilofvapourwentwhirlingup,twistingroundandroundOrthanc,untilitlookedlikeatallpeakofcloud,fieryunderneathandmoonlitabove.Andstillmore

waterpouredin,untilatlastIsengardlookedlikeahugeflatsaucepan,allsteamingandbubbling.’

‘Wesawacloudofsmokeandsteamfromthesouthlastnight,whenwecametothemouthofNanCurunír,’saidAragorn.‘WefearedthatSarumanwasbrewingsomenewdevilryforus.’

‘Nothe!’saidPippin.‘Hewasprobablychokingandnot

laughinganymore.Bythemorning,yesterdaymorning,thewaterhadsunkdownintoalltheholes,andtherewasadensefog.Wetookrefugeinthatguardroomoverthere;andwehadratherafright.Thelakebegantooverflowandpouroutthroughtheoldtunnel,andthewaterwasrapidlyrisingupthesteps.WethoughtweweregoingtogetcaughtlikeOrcsinahole;

butwefoundawindingstairatthebackofthestore-roomthatbroughtusoutontopofthearch.Itwasasqueezetogetout,asthepassageshadbeencrackedandhalfblockedwithfallenstonenearthetop.TherewesathighupabovethefloodsandwatchedthedrowningofIsengard.TheEntskeptonpouringinmorewater,tillallthefireswerequenchedandevery

cavefilled.Thefogsslowlygatheredtogetherandsteamedupintoahugeumbrellaofcloud:itmusthavebeenamilehigh.Intheeveningtherewasagreatrainbowovertheeasternhills;andthenthesunsetwasblottedoutbyathickdrizzleonthemountain-sides.Itallwentveryquiet.Afewwolveshowledmournfully,faraway.TheEntsstopped

theinflowinthenight,andsenttheIsenbackintoitsoldcourse.Andthatwastheendofitall.

‘Sincethenthewaterhasbeensinkingagain.Theremustbeoutletssomewherefromthecavesunderneath,Ithink.IfSarumanpeepsoutofanyofhiswindows,itmustlookanuntidy,dreary

mess.Wefeltverylonely.NotevenavisibleEnttotalktoinalltheruin;andnonews.Wespentthenightupontopthereabovethearch,anditwascoldanddampandwedidnotsleep.Wehadafeelingthatanythingmighthappenatanyminute.Sarumanisstillinhistower.Therewasanoiseinthenightlikeawindcomingupthevalley.IthinktheEntsand

Huornsthathadbeenawaycamebackthen;butwheretheyhaveallgonetonow,Idon’tknow.Itwasamisty,moistymorningwhenweclimbeddownandlookedroundagain,andnobodywasabout.Andthatisaboutallthereistotell.Itseemsalmostpeacefulnowafteralltheturmoil.Andsafertoo,somehow,sinceGandalfcameback.Icouldsleep!’

Theyallfellsilentforawhile.Gimlire-filledhispipe.‘ThereisonethingIwonderabout,’hesaidashelititwithhisflintandtinder:‘Wormtongue.YoutoldThéodenhewaswithSaruman.Howdidhegetthere?’

‘Ohyes,Iforgotabouthim,’saidPippin.‘Hedidnotgetheretillthismorning.Wehadjustlitthefireandhad

somebreakfastwhenTreebeardappearedagain.Weheardhimhoomingandcallingournamesoutside.

‘‘‘Ihavejustcomeroundtoseehowyouarefaring,mylads,’’hesaid;‘‘andtogiveyousomenews.Huornshavecomeback.All’swell;ayeverywellindeed!’’helaughed,andslappedhisthighs.‘‘NomoreOrcsinIsengard,nomoreaxes!And

therewillbefolkcomingupfromtheSouthbeforethedayisold;somethatyoumaybegladtosee.’’

‘Hehadhardlysaidthat,whenweheardthesoundofhoofsontheroad.Werushedoutbeforethegates,andIstoodandstared,halfexpectingtoseeStriderandGandalfcomeridingupattheheadofanarmy.Butoutofthemistthererodeamanon

anoldtiredhorse;andhelookedaqueertwistedsortofcreaturehimself.Therewasnooneelse.Whenhecameoutofthemistandsuddenlysawalltheruinandwreckageinfrontofhim,hesatandgaped,andhisfacewentalmostgreen.Hewassobewilderedthathedidnotseemtonoticeusatfirst.Whenhedid,hegaveacry,andtriedtoturnhishorse

roundandrideoff.ButTreebeardtookthreestrides,putoutalongarm,andliftedhimoutofthesaddle.Hishorseboltedinterror,andhegrovelledontheground.HesaidhewasGríma,friendandcounselloroftheking,andhadbeensentwithimportantmessagesfromThéodentoSaruman.

‘‘‘Nooneelsewoulddaretoridethroughtheopenland,

sofulloffoulOrcs,’’hesaid,‘‘soIwassent.AndIhavehadaperilousjourney,andIamhungryandweary.Ifledfarnorthoutofmyway,pursuedbywolves.’’

‘IcaughtthesidelonglookshegavetoTreebeard,andIsaidtomyself‘‘liar’’.Treebeardlookedathiminhislongslowwayforseveralminutes,tillthewretchedmanwassquirmingonthe

floor.Thenatlasthesaid:‘‘Ha,hm,Iwasexpectingyou,MasterWormtongue.’’Themanstartedatthatname.‘‘Gandalfgotherefirst.SoIknowasmuchaboutyouasIneed,andIknowwhattodowithyou.Putalltheratsinonetrap,saidGandalf;andIwill.IamthemasterofIsengardnow,butSarumanislockedinhistower;andyoucangothereandgivehimall

themessagesthatyoucanthinkof.’’

‘‘‘Letmego,letmego!’’saidWormtongue.‘‘Iknowtheway.’’

‘‘‘Youknewtheway,Idon’tdoubt,’’saidTreebeard.‘‘Butthingshavechangedherealittle.Goandsee!’’

‘HeletWormtonguego,andhelimpedoffthroughthearch,withusclosebehind,untilhecameinsidethering

andcouldseeallthefloodsthatlaybetweenhimandOrthanc.Thenheturnedtous.

‘‘‘Letmegoaway!’’hewhined.‘‘Letmegoaway!Mymessagesareuselessnow.’’

‘‘‘Theyareindeed,’’saidTreebeard.‘‘Butyouhaveonlytwochoices:tostaywithmeuntilGandalfandyourmasterarrive;ortocrossthe

water.Whichwillyouhave?’’

‘Themanshiveredatthementionofhismaster,andputafootintothewater;buthedrewback.‘‘Icannotswim,’’hesaid.

‘‘‘Thewaterisnotdeep,’’saidTreebeard.‘‘Itisdirty,butthatwillnotharmyou,MasterWormtongue.Inyougonow!’’

‘Withthatthewretch

flounderedoffintotheflood.Itroseupnearlytohisneckbeforehegottoofarawayformetoseehim.ThelastIsawofhimwasclingingtosomeoldbarrelorpieceofwood.ButTreebeardwadedafterhim,andwatchedhisprogress.

‘‘‘Well,hehasgonein,’’hesaidwhenhereturned.‘‘Isawhimcrawlingupthestepslikeadraggledrat.Thereis

someoneinthetowerstill:ahandcameoutandpulledhimin.Sothereheis,andIhopethewelcomeistohisliking.NowImustgoandwashmyselfcleanoftheslime.I’llbeawayuponthenorthside,ifanyonewantstoseeme.ThereisnocleanwaterdownherefitforanEnttodrink,ortobathein.SoIwillaskyoutwoladstokeepawatchatthegateforthefolkthatare

coming.There’llbetheLordoftheFieldsofRohan,markyou!Youmustwelcomehimaswellasyouknowhow:hismenhavefoughtagreatfightwiththeOrcs.Maybe,youknowtherightfashionofMen’swordsforsuchalord,betterthanEnts.Therehavebeenmanylordsinthegreenfieldsinmytime,andIhaveneverlearnedtheirspeechortheirnames.Theywillbe

wantingman-food,andyouknowallaboutthat,Iguess.Sofindwhatyouthinkisfitforakingtoeat,ifyoucan.’’Andthatistheendofthestory.ThoughIshouldliketoknowwhothisWormtongueis.Washereallytheking’scounsellor?’

‘Hewas,’saidAragorn;‘andalsoSaruman’sspyandservantinRohan.Fatehasnotbeenkindertohimthan

hedeserves.Thesightoftheruinofallthathethoughtsostrongandmagnificentmusthavebeenalmostpunishmentenough.ButIfearthatworseawaitshim.’

‘Yes,Idon’tsupposeTreebeardsenthimtoOrthancoutofkindness,’saidMerry.‘Heseemedrathergrimlydelightedwiththebusiness,andwaslaughingtohimselfwhenhewenttoget

hisbatheanddrink.Wespentabusytimeafterthat,searchingtheflotsam,andrummagingabout.Wefoundtwoorthreestore-roomsindifferentplacesnearby,abovetheflood-level.ButTreebeardsentsomeEntsdown,andtheycarriedoffagreatdealofthestuff.

‘‘‘Wewantman-foodfortwenty-five,’’theEntssaid,soyoucanseethatsomebody

hadcountedyourcompanycarefullybeforeyouarrived.Youthreewereevidentlymeanttogowiththegreatpeople.Butyouwouldnothavefaredanybetter.Wekeptasgoodaswesent,Ipromiseyou.Better,becausewesentnodrink.

‘‘‘Whataboutdrink?’’IsaidtotheEnts.

‘‘‘ThereiswaterofIsen,’’theysaid,‘‘andthatis

goodenoughforEntsandMen.’’ButIhopethattheEntsmayhavefoundtimetobrewsomeoftheirdraughtsfromthemountain-springs,andweshallseeGandalf’sbeardcurlingwhenhereturns.AftertheEntshadgone,wefelttired,andhungry.Butwedidnotgrumble–ourlabourshadbeenwellrewarded.Itwasthroughoursearchforman-

foodthatPippindiscoveredtheprizeofalltheflotsam,thoseHornblowerbarrels.‘‘Pipe-weedisbetterafterfood,’’saidPippin;thatishowthesituationarose.’

‘Weunderstanditallperfectlynow,’saidGimli.

‘Allexceptonething,’saidAragorn:‘leaffromtheSouthfarthinginIsengard.ThemoreIconsiderit,themorecuriousIfindit.Ihave

neverbeeninIsengard,butIhavejourneyedinthisland,andIknowwelltheemptycountriesthatliebetweenRohanandtheShire.Neithergoodsnorfolkhavepassedthatwayformanyalongyear,notopenly.SarumanhadsecretdealingswithsomeoneintheShire,Iguess.WormtonguesmaybefoundinotherhousesthanKingThéoden’s.Wasthereadate

onthebarrels?’‘Yes,’saidPippin.‘Itwas

the1417crop,thatislastyear’s;no,theyearbefore,ofcourse,now:agoodyear.’

‘Ahwell,whateverevilwasafootisovernow,Ihope;orelseitisbeyondourreachatpresent,’saidAragorn.‘YetIthinkIshallmentionittoGandalf,smallmatterthoughitmayseemamonghisgreataffairs.’

‘Iwonderwhatheisdoing,’saidMerry.‘Theafternoonisgettingon.Letusgoandlookround!YoucanenterIsengardnowatanyrate,Strider,ifyouwantto.Butitisnotaverycheerfulsight.’

Chapter10

THEVOICEOFSARUMAN

Theypassedthroughtheruinedtunnelandstooduponaheapofstones,gazingatthedarkrockofOrthanc,anditsmanywindows,amenacestillinthedesolationthatlayall

aboutit.Thewatershadnownearlyallsubsided.Hereandtheregloomypoolsremained,coveredwithscumandwreckage;butmostofthewidecirclewasbareagain,awildernessofslimeandtumbledrock,pittedwithblackenedholes,anddottedwithpostsandpillarsleaningdrunkenlythiswayandthat.Attherimoftheshatteredbowltherelayvastmounds

andslopes,liketheshinglescastupbyagreatstorm;andbeyondthemthegreenandtangledvalleyranupintothelongravinebetweenthedarkarmsofthemountains.Acrossthewastetheysawriderspickingtheirway;theywerecomingfromthenorthside,andalreadytheyweredrawingneartoOrthanc.

‘ThereisGandalf,andThéodenandhismen!’said

Legolas.‘Letusgoandmeetthem!’

‘Walkwarily!’saidMerry.‘Therearelooseslabsthatmaytiltupandthrowyoudownintoapit,ifyoudon’ttakecare.’

TheyfollowedwhatwasleftoftheroadfromthegatestoOrthanc,goingslowly,fortheflag-stoneswerecracked

andslimed.Theriders,seeingthemapproach,haltedundertheshadowoftherockandwaitedforthem.Gandalfrodeforwardtomeetthem.

‘Well,TreebeardandIhavehadsomeinterestingdiscussions,andmadeafewplans,’hesaid;‘andwehaveallhadsomemuch-neededrest.Nowwemustbegoingonagain.Ihopeyoucompanionshaveallrested,

too,andrefreshedyourselves?’

‘Wehave,’saidMerry.‘Butourdiscussionsbeganandendedinsmoke.Stillwefeellessill-disposedtowardsSarumanthanwedid.’

‘Doyouindeed?’saidGandalf.‘Well,Idonot.IhavenowalasttasktodobeforeIgo:ImustpaySarumanafarewellvisit.Dangerous,andprobably

useless;butitmustbedone.Thoseofyouwhowishmaycomewithme–butbeware!Anddonotjest!Thisisnotthetimeforit.’

‘Iwillcome,’saidGimli.‘Iwishtoseehimandlearnifhereallylookslikeyou.’

‘Andhowwillyoulearnthat,MasterDwarf?’saidGandalf.‘Sarumancouldlooklikemeinyoureyes,ifitsuitedhispurposewithyou.

Andareyouyetwiseenoughtodetectallhiscounterfeits?Well,weshallsee,perhaps.Hemaybeshyofshowinghimselfbeforemanydifferenteyestogether.ButIhaveorderedalltheEntstoremovethemselvesfromsight,soperhapsweshallpersuadehimtocomeout.’

‘What’sthedanger?’askedPippin.‘Willheshootatus,andpourfireoutofthe

windows;orcanheputaspellonusfromadistance?’

‘Thelastismostlikely,ifyouridetohisdoorwithalightheart,’saidGandalf.‘Butthereisnoknowingwhathecando,ormaychoosetotry.Awildbeastcorneredisnotsafetoapproach.AndSarumanhaspowersyoudonotguess.Bewareofhisvoice!’

TheycamenowtothefootofOrthanc.Itwasblack,andtherockgleamedasifitwerewet.Themanyfacesofthestonehadsharpedgesasthoughtheyhadbeennewlychiselled.Afewscorings,andsmallflake-likesplintersnearthebase,wereallthemarksthatitboreofthefuryoftheEnts.

Ontheeasternside,intheangleoftwopiers,therewas

agreatdoor,highabovetheground;andoveritwasashutteredwindow,openinguponabalconyhedgedwithironbars.Uptothethresholdofthedoortheremountedaflightoftwenty-sevenbroadstairs,hewnbysomeunknownartofthesameblackstone.Thiswastheonlyentrancetothetower;butmanytallwindowswerecutwithdeepembrasuresin

theclimbingwalls:faruptheypeeredlikelittleeyesinthesheerfacesofthehorns.

AtthefootofthestairsGandalfandthekingdismounted.‘Iwillgoup,’saidGandalf.‘IhavebeeninOrthancandIknowmyperil.’

‘AndItoowillgoup,’saidtheking.‘Iamold,andfearnoperilanymore.Iwishtospeakwiththeenemywho

hasdonemesomuchwrong.Éomershallcomewithme,andseethatmyagedfeetdonotfalter.’

‘Asyouwill,’saidGandalf.‘Aragornshallcomewithme.Lettheothersawaitusatthefootofthestairs.Theywillhearandseeenough,ifthereisanythingtohearorsee.’

‘Nay!’saidGimli.‘LegolasandIwishfora

closerview.Wealonehererepresentourkindreds.Wealsowillcomebehind.’

‘Comethen!’saidGandalf,andwiththatheclimbedthesteps,andThéodenwentbesidehim.

TheRidersofRohansatuneasilyupontheirhorses,oneithersideofthestair,andlookedupdarklyatthegreattower,fearingwhatmightbefalltheirlord.Merryand

Pippinsatonthebottomstep,feelingbothunimportantandunsafe.

‘Halfastickymilefromheretothegate!’mutteredPippin.‘IwishIcouldslipoffbacktotheguardroomunnoticed!Whatdidwecomefor?Wearenotwanted.’

GandalfstoodbeforethedoorofOrthancandbeatonitwithhisstaff.Itrangwithahollowsound.‘Saruman,

Saruman!’hecriedinaloudcommandingvoice.‘Sarumancomeforth!’

Forsometimetherewasnoanswer.Atlastthewindowabovethedoorwasunbarred,butnofigurecouldbeseenatitsdarkopening.

‘Whoisit?’saidavoice.‘Whatdoyouwish?’

Théodenstarted.‘Iknowthatvoice,’hesaid,‘andIcursethedaywhenIfirst

listenedtoit.’‘GoandfetchSaruman,

sinceyouhavebecomehisfootman,GrímaWormtongue!’saidGandalf.‘Anddonotwasteourtime!’

Thewindowclosed.Theywaited.Suddenlyanothervoicespoke,lowandmelodious,itsverysoundanenchantment.Thosewholistenedunwarilytothatvoicecouldseldomreportthe

wordsthattheyheard;andiftheydid,theywondered,forlittlepowerremainedinthem.Mostlytheyrememberedonlythatitwasadelighttohearthevoicespeaking,allthatitsaidseemedwiseandreasonable,anddesireawokeinthembyswiftagreementtoseemwisethemselves.Whenothersspoketheyseemedharshanduncouthbycontrast;andiftheygainsaid

thevoice,angerwaskindledintheheartsofthoseunderthespell.Forsomethespelllastedonlywhilethevoicespoketothem,andwhenitspoketoanothertheysmiled,asmendowhoseethroughajuggler’strickwhileothersgapeatit.Formanythesoundofthevoicealonewasenoughtoholdthementhralled;butforthosewhomitconqueredthespell

enduredwhentheywerefaraway,andevertheyheardthatsoftvoicewhisperingandurgingthem.Butnonewereunmoved;nonerejecteditspleasanditscommandswithoutaneffortofmindandwill,solongasitsmasterhadcontrolofit.

‘Well?’itsaidnowwithgentlequestion.‘Whymustyoudisturbmyrest?Willyougivemenopeaceatallby

nightorday?’Itstonewasthatofakindlyheartaggrievedbyinjuriesundeserved.

Theylookedup,astonished,fortheyhadheardnosoundofhiscoming;andtheysawafigurestandingattherail,lookingdownuponthem:anoldman,swathedinagreatcloak,thecolourofwhichwasnoteasytotell,foritchangediftheymovedtheir

eyesorifhestirred.Hisfacewaslong,withahighforehead,hehaddeepdarklingeyes,hardtofathom,thoughthelookthattheynowborewasgraveandbenevolent,andalittleweary.Hishairandbeardwerewhite,butstrandsofblackstillshowedabouthislipsandears.

‘Like,andyetunlike,’mutteredGimli.

‘Butcomenow,’saidthesoftvoice.‘TwoatleastofyouIknowbyname.GandalfIknowtoowelltohavemuchhopethatheseekshelporcounselhere.Butyou,ThéodenLordoftheMarkofRohan,aredeclaredbyyournobledevices,andstillmorebythefaircountenanceoftheHouseofEorl.OworthysonofThengeltheThrice-renowned!Whyhaveyounot

comebefore,andasafriend?MuchhaveIdesiredtoseeyou,mightiestkingofwesternlands,andespeciallyintheselatteryears,tosaveyoufromtheunwiseandevilcounselsthatbesetyou!Isityettoolate?Despitetheinjuriesthathavebeendonetome,inwhichthemenofRohan,alas!havehadsomepart,stillIwouldsaveyou,anddeliveryoufromtheruin

thatdrawsnighinevitably,ifyourideuponthisroadwhichyouhavetaken.IndeedIalonecanaidyounow.’

Théodenopenedhismouthasiftospeak,buthesaidnothing.HelookedupatthefaceofSarumanwithitsdarksolemneyesbentdownuponhim,andthentoGandalfathisside;andheseemedtohesitate.Gandalfmadenosign;butstoodsilent

asstone,asonewaitingpatientlyforsomecallthathasnotyetcome.TheRidersstirredatfirst,murmuringwithapprovalofthewordsofSaruman;andthentheytooweresilent,asmenspell-bound.ItseemedtothemthatGandalfhadneverspokensofairandfittinglytotheirlord.RoughandproudnowseemedallhisdealingswithThéoden.Andovertheir

heartscreptashadow,thefearofagreatdanger:theendoftheMarkinadarknesstowhichGandalfwasdrivingthem,whileSarumanstoodbesideadoorofescape,holdingithalfopensothatarayoflightcamethrough.Therewasaheavysilence.

ItwasGimlithedwarfwhobrokeinsuddenly.‘Thewordsofthiswizardstandontheirheads,’hegrowled,

grippingthehandleofhisaxe.‘InthelanguageofOrthanchelpmeansruin,andsavingmeansslaying,thatisplain.Butwedonotcomeheretobeg.’

‘Peace!’saidSaruman,andforafleetingmomenthisvoicewaslesssuave,andalightflickeredinhiseyesandwasgone.‘Idonotspeaktoyouyet,GimliGlóin’sson,’hesaid.‘Farawayisyour

homeandsmallconcernofyoursarethetroublesofthisland.Butitwasnotbydesignofyourownthatyoubecameembroiledinthem,andsoIwillnotblamesuchpartasyouhaveplayed–avaliantone,Idoubtnot.ButIprayyou,allowmefirsttospeakwiththeKingofRohan,myneighbour,andoncemyfriend.

‘Whathaveyoutosay,

ThéodenKing?Willyouhavepeacewithme,andalltheaidthatmyknowledge,foundedinlongyears,canbring?Shallwemakeourcounselstogetheragainstevildays,andrepairourinjurieswithsuchgoodwillthatourestatesshallbothcometofairerflowerthaneverbefore?’

StillThéodendidnotanswer.Whetherhestrove

withangerordoubtnonecouldsay.Éomerspoke.

‘Lord,hearme!’hesaid.‘Nowwefeeltheperilthatwewerewarnedof.Haveweriddenforthtovictory,onlytostandatlastamazedbyanoldliarwithhoneyonhisforkedtongue?Sowouldthetrappedwolfspeaktothehounds,ifhecould.Whataidcanhegivetoyou,forsooth?Allhedesiresistoescape

fromhisplight.Butwillyouparleywiththisdealerintreacheryandmurder?RememberThéodredattheFords,andthegraveofHámainHelm’sDeep!’

‘Ifwespeakofpoisonedtongueswhatshallwesayofyours,youngserpent?’saidSaruman,andtheflashofhisangerwasnowplaintosee.‘Butcome,Éomer,Éomund’sson!’hewentoninhissoft

voiceagain.‘Toeverymanhispart.Valourinarmsisyours,andyouwinhighhonourthereby.Slaywhomyourlordnamesasenemies,andbecontent.Meddlenotinpolicieswhichyoudonotunderstand.Butmaybe,ifyoubecomeaking,youwillfindthathemustchoosehisfriendswithcare.ThefriendshipofSarumanandthepowerofOrthanccannot

belightlythrownaside,whatevergrievances,realorfancied,mayliebehind.Youhavewonabattlebutnotawar–andthatwithhelponwhichyoucannotcountagain.YoumayfindtheShadowoftheWoodatyourowndoornext:itiswayward,andsenseless,andhasnoloveforMen.

‘ButmylordofRohan,amItobecalledamurderer,

becausevaliantmenhavefalleninbattle?Ifyougotowar,needlessly,forIdidnotdesireit,thenmenwillbeslain.ButifIamamurdereronthataccount,thenalltheHouseofEorlisstainedwithmurder;fortheyhavefoughtmanywars,andassailedmanywhodefiedthem.Yetwithsometheyhaveafterwardsmadepeace,nonetheworseforbeingpolitic.I

say,ThéodenKing:shallwehavepeaceandfriendship,youandI?Itisourstocommand.’

‘Wewillhavepeace,’saidThéodenatlastthicklyandwithaneffort.SeveraloftheRiderscriedoutgladly.Théodenhelduphishand.‘Yes,wewillhavepeace,’hesaid,nowinaclearvoice,‘wewillhavepeace,whenyouandallyourworkshave

perished–andtheworksofyourdarkmastertowhomyouwoulddeliverus.Youarealiar,Saruman,andacorrupterofmen’shearts.Youholdoutyourhandtome,andIperceiveonlyafingeroftheclawofMordor.Cruelandcold!Evenifyourwaronmewasjust–asitwasnot,forwereyoutentimesaswiseyouwouldhavenorighttorulemeandmine

foryourownprofitasyoudesired–evenso,whatwillyousayofyourtorchesinWestfoldandthechildrenthatliedeadthere?AndtheyhewedHáma’sbodybeforethegatesoftheHornburg,afterhewasdead.Whenyouhangfromagibbetatyourwindowforthesportofyourowncrows,IwillhavepeacewithyouandOrthanc.SomuchfortheHouseofEorl.

AlessersonofgreatsiresamI,butIdonotneedtolickyourfingers.Turnelsewhither.ButIfearyourvoicehaslostitscharm.’

TheRidersgazedupatThéodenlikemenstartledoutofadream.Harshasanoldraven’stheirmaster’svoicesoundedintheirearsafterthemusicofSaruman.ButSarumanforawhilewasbesidehimselfwithwrath.He

leanedovertherailasifhewouldsmitetheKingwithhisstaff.Tosomesuddenlyitseemedthattheysawasnakecoilingitselftostrike.

‘Gibbetsandcrows!’hehissed,andtheyshudderedatthehideouschange.‘Dotard!WhatisthehouseofEorlbutathatchedbarnwherebrigandsdrinkinthereek,andtheirbratsrollontheflooramongthedogs?Too

longhavetheyescapedthegibbetthemselves.Butthenoosecomes,slowinthedrawing,tightandhardintheend.Hangifyouwill!’Nowhisvoicechanged,asheslowlymasteredhimself.‘IknownotwhyIhavehadthepatiencetospeaktoyou.ForIneedyounot,noryourlittlebandofgallopers,asswifttoflyastoadvance,ThéodenHorsemaster.LongagoI

offeredyouastatebeyondyourmeritandyourwit.Ihaveoffereditagain,sothatthosewhomyoumisleadmayclearlyseethechoiceofroads.Yougivemebragandabuse.Sobeit.Gobacktoyourhuts!

‘Butyou,Gandalf!ForyouatleastIamgrieved,feelingforyourshame.Howcomesitthatyoucanenduresuchcompany?Foryouare

proud,Gandalf–andnotwithoutreason,havinganoblemindandeyesthatlookbothdeepandfar.Evennowwillyounotlistentomycounsel?’

Gandalfstirred,andlookedup.‘Whathaveyoutosaythatyoudidnotsayatourlastmeeting?’heasked.‘Or,perhaps,youhavethingstounsay?’

Sarumanpaused.‘Unsay?’

hemused,asifpuzzled.‘Unsay?Iendeavouredtoadviseyouforyourowngood,butyouscarcelylistened.Youareproudanddonotloveadvice,havingindeedastoreofyourownwisdom.Butonthatoccasionyouerred,Ithink,misconstruingmyintentionswilfully.Ifearthatinmyeagernesstopersuadeyou,Ilostpatience.AndindeedI

regretit.ForIboreyounoill-will;andevennowIbearnone,thoughyoureturntomeinthecompanyoftheviolentandtheignorant.HowshouldI?Arewenotbothmembersofahighandancientorder,mostexcellentinMiddle-earth?Ourfriendshipwouldprofitusbothalike.Muchwecouldstillaccomplishtogether,tohealthedisordersofthe

world.Letusunderstandoneanother,anddismissfromthoughttheselesserfolk!Letthemwaitonourdecisions!ForthecommongoodIamwillingtoredressthepast,andtoreceiveyou.Willyounotconsultwithme?Willyounotcomeup?’

SogreatwasthepowerthatSarumanexertedinthislasteffortthatnonethatstoodwithinhearingwere

unmoved.Butnowthespellwaswhollydifferent.Theyheardthegentleremonstranceofakindlykingwithanerringbutmuch-lovedminister.Buttheywereshutout,listeningatadoortowordsnotmeantforthem:ill-manneredchildrenorstupidservantsoverhearingtheelusivediscourseoftheirelders,andwonderinghowitwouldaffecttheirlot.Of

loftiermouldthesetwoweremade:reverendandwise.Itwasinevitablethattheyshouldmakealliance.Gandalfwouldascendintothetower,todiscussdeepthingsbeyondtheircomprehensioninthehighchambersofOrthanc.Thedoorwouldbeclosed,andtheywouldbeleftoutside,dismissedtoawaitallottedworkorpunishment.Evenin

themindofThéodenthethoughttookshape,likeashadowofdoubt:‘Hewillbetrayus;hewillgo–weshallbelost.’

ThenGandalflaughed.Thefantasyvanishedlikeapuffofsmoke.

‘Saruman,Saruman!’saidGandalfstilllaughing.‘Saruman,youmissedyourpathinlife.Youshouldhavebeentheking’sjesterand

earnedyourbread,andstripestoo,bymimickinghiscounsellors.Ahme!’hepaused,gettingthebetterofhismirth.‘Understandoneanother?IfearIambeyondyourcomprehension.Butyou,Saruman,Iunderstandnowtoowell.Ikeepaclearermemoryofyourarguments,anddeeds,thanyousuppose.WhenlastIvisitedyou,youwerethejailorofMordor,

andthereIwastobesent.Nay,theguestwhohasescapedfromtheroof,willthinktwicebeforehecomesbackinbythedoor.Nay,IdonotthinkIwillcomeup.Butlisten,Saruman,forthelasttime!Willyounotcomedown?Isengardhasprovedlessstrongthanyourhopeandfancymadeit.Somayotherthingsinwhichyoustillhavetrust.Woulditnotbe

welltoleaveitforawhile?Toturntonewthings,perhaps?Thinkwell,Saruman!Willyounotcomedown?’

AshadowpassedoverSaruman’sface;thenitwentdeathlywhite.Beforehecouldconcealit,theysawthroughthemasktheanguishofamindindoubt,loathingtostayanddreadingtoleaveitsrefuge.Forasecondhe

hesitated,andnoonebreathed.Thenhespoke,andhisvoicewasshrillandcold.Prideandhatewereconqueringhim.

‘WillIcomedown?’hemocked.‘Doesanunarmedmancomedowntospeakwithrobbersoutofdoors?Icanhearyouwellenoughhere.Iamnofool,andIdonottrustyou,Gandalf.Theydonotstandopenlyonmy

stairs,butIknowwherethewildwood-demonsarelurking,atyourcommand.’

‘Thetreacherousareeverdistrustful,’answeredGandalfwearily.‘Butyouneednotfearforyourskin.Idonotwishtokillyou,orhurtyou,asyouwouldknow,ifyoureallyunderstoodme.AndIhavethepowertoprotectyou.Iamgivingyoualastchance.Youcanleave

Orthanc,free–ifyouchoose.’

‘Thatsoundswell,’sneeredSaruman.‘VerymuchinthemannerofGandalftheGrey:socondescending,andsoverykind.IdonotdoubtthatyouwouldfindOrthanccommodious,andmydepartureconvenient.ButwhyshouldIwishtoleave?Andwhatdoyoumeanby

‘‘free’’?Thereareconditions,Ipresume?’

‘Reasonsforleavingyoucanseefromyourwindows,’answeredGandalf.‘Otherswilloccurtoyourthought.Yourservantsaredestroyedandscattered;yourneighboursyouhavemadeyourenemies;andyouhavecheatedyournewmaster,ortriedtodoso.Whenhiseyeturnshither,itwillbethered

eyeofwrath.ButwhenIsay‘‘free’’,Imean‘‘free’’:freefrombond,ofchainorcommand:togowhereyouwill,even,eventoMordor,Saruman,ifyoudesire.ButyouwillfirstsurrendertometheKeyofOrthanc,andyourstaff.Theyshallbepledgesofyourconduct,tobereturnedlater,ifyoumeritthem.’

Saruman’sfacegrewlivid,twistedwithrage,anda

redlightwaskindledinhiseyes.Helaughedwildly.‘Later!’hecried,andhisvoicerosetoascream.‘Later!Yes,whenyoualsohavetheKeysofBarad-dûritself,Isuppose;andthecrownsofsevenkings,andtherodsoftheFiveWizards,andhavepurchasedyourselfapairofbootsmanysizeslargerthanthosethatyouwearnow.Amodestplan.

Hardlyoneinwhichmyhelpisneeded!Ihaveotherthingstodo.Donotbeafool.Ifyouwishtotreatwithme,whileyouhaveachance,goaway,andcomebackwhenyouaresober!Andleavebehindthesecut-throatsandsmallrag-tagthatdangleatyourtail!Goodday!’Heturnedandleftthebalcony.

‘Comeback,Saruman!’saidGandalfina

commandingvoice.Totheamazementoftheothers,Sarumanturnedagain,andasifdraggedagainsthiswill,hecameslowlybacktotheironrail,leaningonit,breathinghard.Hisfacewaslinedandshrunken.Hishandclutchedhisheavyblackstafflikeaclaw.

‘Ididnotgiveyouleavetogo,’saidGandalfsternly.‘Ihavenotfinished.Youhave

becomeafool,Saruman,andyetpitiable.Youmightstillhaveturnedawayfromfollyandevil,andhavebeenofservice.Butyouchoosetostayandgnawtheendsofyouroldplots.Staythen!ButIwarnyou,youwillnoteasilycomeoutagain.NotunlessthedarkhandsoftheEaststretchouttotakeyou.Saruman!’hecried,andhisvoicegrewinpowerand

authority.‘Behold,IamnotGandalftheGrey,whomyoubetrayed.IamGandalftheWhite,whohasreturnedfromdeath.Youhavenocolournow,andIcastyoufromtheorderandfromtheCouncil.’

Heraisedhishand,andspokeslowlyinaclearcoldvoice.‘Saruman,yourstaffisbroken.’Therewasacrack,andthestaffsplitasunderinSaruman’shand,andthehead

ofitfelldownatGandalf’sfeet.‘Go!’saidGandalf.WithacrySarumanfellbackandcrawledaway.Atthatmomentaheavyshiningthingcamehurtlingdownfromabove.Itglancedofftheironrail,evenasSarumanleftit,andpassingclosetoGandalf’shead,itsmotethestaironwhichhestood.Therailrangandsnapped.Thestaircrackedandsplinteredin

glitteringsparks.Buttheballwasunharmed:itrolledondownthesteps,aglobeofcrystal,dark,butglowingwithaheartoffire.AsitboundedawaytowardsapoolPippinranafteritandpickeditup.

‘Themurderousrogue!’criedÉomer.ButGandalfwasunmoved.‘No,thatwasnotthrownbySaruman,’hesaid;‘norevenathisbidding,

Ithink.Itcamefromawindowfarabove.ApartingshotfromMasterWormtongue,Ifancy,butillaimed.’

‘Theaimwaspoor,maybe,becausehecouldnotmakeuphismindwhichhehatedmore,youorSaruman,’saidAragorn.

‘Thatmaybeso,’saidGandalf.‘Smallcomfortwillthosetwohaveintheir

companionship:theywillgnawoneanotherwithwords.Butthepunishmentisjust.IfWormtongueevercomesoutofOrthancalive,itwillbemorethanhedeserves.

‘Here,mylad,I’lltakethat!Ididnotaskyoutohandleit,’hecried,turningsharplyandseeingPippincomingupthesteps,slowly,asifhewerebearingagreatweight.Hewentdownto

meethimandhastilytookthedarkglobefromthehobbit,wrappingitinthefoldsofhiscloak.‘Iwilltakecareofthis,’hesaid.‘Itisnotathing,Iguess,thatSarumanwouldhavechosentocastaway.’

‘Buthemayhaveotherthingstocast,’saidGimli.‘Ifthatistheendofthedebate,letusgooutofstone’sthrow,atleast!’

‘Itistheend,’saidGandalf.‘Letusgo.’

TheyturnedtheirbacksonthedoorsofOrthanc,andwentdown.Theridershailedthekingwithjoy,andsalutedGandalf.ThespellofSarumanwasbroken:theyhadseenhimcomeatcall,andcrawlaway,dismissed.

‘Well,thatisdone,’said

Gandalf.‘NowImustfindTreebeardandtellhimhowthingshavegone.’

‘Hewillhaveguessed,surely?’saidMerry.‘Weretheylikelytoendanyotherway?’

‘Notlikely,’answeredGandalf,‘thoughtheycametothebalanceofahair.ButIhadreasonsfortrying;somemercifulandsomelessso.FirstSarumanwasshownthat

thepowerofhisvoicewaswaning.Hecannotbebothtyrantandcounsellor.Whentheplotisripeitremainsnolongersecret.

Yethefellintothetrap,andtriedtodealwithhisvictimspiece-meal,whileotherslistened.ThenIgavehimalastchoiceandafairone:torenouncebothMordorandhisprivateschemes,andmakeamendsbyhelpingus

inourneed.Heknowsourneed,nonebetter.Greatservicehecouldhaverendered.Buthehaschosentowithholdit,andkeepthepowerofOrthanc.Hewillnotserve,onlycommand.HelivesnowinterroroftheshadowofMordor,andyethestilldreamsofridingthestorm.Unhappyfool!Hewillbedevoured,ifthepoweroftheEaststretchesoutitsarms

toIsengard.WecannotdestroyOrthancfromwithout,butSauron–whoknowswhathecando?’

‘AndwhatifSaurondoesnotconquer?Whatwillyoudotohim?’askedPippin.

‘I?Nothing!’saidGandalf.‘Iwilldonothingtohim.Idonotwishformastery.Whatwillbecomeofhim?Icannotsay.Igrievethatsomuchthatwasgood

nowfestersinthetower.Stillforusthingshavenotgonebadly.Strangearetheturnsoffortune!Oftendoeshatredhurtitself!Iguessthat,evenifwehadenteredin,wecouldhavefoundfewtreasuresinOrthancmorepreciousthanthethingwhichWormtonguethrewdownatus.’

Ashrillshriek,suddenlycutoff,camefromanopenwindowhighabove.

‘ItseemsthatSarumanthinkssotoo,’saidGandalf.‘Letusleavethem!’

Theyreturnednowtotheruinsofthegate.Hardlyhadtheypassedoutunderthearch,when,fromamongtheshadowsofthepiledstoneswheretheyhadstood,TreebeardandadozenotherEntscamestridingup.

Aragorn,GimliandLegolasgazedattheminwonder.

‘Herearethreeofmycompanions,Treebeard,’saidGandalf.‘Ihavespokenofthem,butyouhavenotyetseenthem.’Henamedthemonebyone.

TheOldEntlookedatthemlongandsearchingly,andspoketotheminturn.LastheturnedtoLegolas.‘Soyouhavecomealltheway

fromMirkwood,mygoodElf?Averygreatforestitusedtobe!’

‘Andstillis,’saidLegolas.‘Butnotsogreatthatwewhodwellthereevertireofseeingnewtrees.IshoulddearlylovetojourneyinFangorn’sWood.Iscarcelypassedbeyondtheeavesofit,andIdidnotwishtoturnback.’

Treebeard’seyesgleamed

withpleasure.‘Ihopeyoumayhaveyourwish,erethehillsbemucholder,’hesaid.

‘Iwillcome,ifIhavethefortune,’saidLegolas.‘Ihavemadeabargainwithmyfriendthat,ifallgoeswell,wewillvisitFangorntogether–byyourleave.’

‘AnyElfthatcomeswithyouwillbewelcome,’saidTreebeard.

‘ThefriendIspeakofis

notanElf,’saidLegolas;‘ImeanGimli,Glóin’ssonhere.’Gimlibowedlow,andtheaxeslippedfromhisbeltandclatteredontheground.

‘Hoom,hm!Ahnow,’saidTreebeard,lookingdark-eyedathim.‘Adwarfandanaxe-bearer!Hoom!IhavegoodwilltoElves;butyouaskmuch.Thisisastrangefriendship!’

‘Strangeitmayseem,’

saidLegolas;‘butwhileGimlilivesIshallnotcometoFangornalone.Hisaxeisnotfortrees,butfororc-necks,OFangorn,MasterofFangorn’sWood.Forty-twohehewedinthebattle.’

‘Hoo!Comenow!’saidTreebeard.‘Thatisabetterstory!Well,well,thingswillgoastheywill;andthereisnoneedtohurrytomeetthem.Butnowwemustpart

forawhile.Dayisdrawingtoanend,yetGandalfsaysyoumustgoerenightfall,andtheLordoftheMarkiseagerforhisownhouse.’

‘Yes,wemustgo,andgonow,’saidGandalf.‘IfearthatImusttakeyourgatekeepersfromyou.Butyouwillmanagewellenoughwithoutthem.’

‘MaybeIshall,’saidTreebeard.‘ButIshallmiss

them.WehavebecomefriendsinsoshortawhilethatIthinkImustbegettinghasty–growingbackwardstowardsyouth,perhaps.Butthere,theyarethefirstnewthingunderSunorMoonthatIhaveseenformanyalong,longday.Ishallnotforgetthem.IhaveputtheirnamesintotheLongList.Entswillrememberit.

Entstheearthborn,oldasmountains,

thewide-walkers,waterdrinking;

andhungryashunters,theHobbitchildren,

thelaughing-folk,thelittlepeople,

theyshallremainfriendsaslongasleavesarerenewed.Fareyouwell!Butifyouhearnewsupinyourpleasant

land,intheShire,sendmeword!YouknowwhatImean:wordorsightoftheEntwives.Comeyourselvesifyoucan!’

‘Wewill!’saidMerryandPippintogether,andtheyturnedawayhastily.Treebeardlookedatthem,andwassilentforawhile,shakinghisheadthoughtfully.ThenheturnedtoGandalf.

‘SoSarumanwouldnotleave?’hesaid.‘Ididnotthinkhewould.HisheartisasrottenasablackHuorn’s.Still,ifIwereovercomeandallmytreesdestroyed,IwouldnotcomewhileIhadonedarkholelefttohidein.’

‘No,’saidGandalf.‘Butyouhavenotplottedtocoveralltheworldwithyourtreesandchokeallotherlivingthings.Butthereitis,

Sarumanremainstonursehishatredandweaveagainsuchwebsashecan.HehastheKeyofOrthanc.Buthemustnotbeallowedtoescape.’

‘Indeedno!Entswillseetothat,’saidTreebeard.‘Sarumanshallnotsetfootbeyondtherock,withoutmyleave.Entswillwatchoverhim.’

‘Good!’saidGandalf.‘ThatiswhatIhoped.NowI

cangoandturntoothermatterswithonecaretheless.Butyoumustbewary.Thewatershavegonedown.Itwillnotbeenoughtoputsentinelsroundthetower,Ifear.IdonotdoubtthatthereweredeepwaysdelvedunderOrthanc,andthatSarumanhopestogoandcomeunmarked,beforelong.Ifyouwillundertakethelabour,Ibegyoutopourinthewaters

again;anddoso,untilIsengardremainsastandingpool,oryoudiscovertheoutlets.Whenalltheundergroundplacesaredrowned,andtheoutletsblocked,thenSarumanmuststayupstairsandlookoutofthewindows.’

‘LeaveittotheEnts!’saidTreebeard.‘Weshallsearchthevalleyfromheadtofootandpeerundereverypebble.

Treesarecomingbacktolivehere,oldtrees,wildtrees.TheWatchwoodwewillcallit.Notasquirrelwillgohere,butIshallknowofit.LeaveittoEnts!Untilseventimestheyearsinwhichhetormentedushavepassed,weshallnottireofwatchinghim.’

Chapter11

THEPALANTÍR

ThesunwassinkingbehindthelongwesternarmofthemountainswhenGandalfandhiscompanions,andthekingwithhisRiders,setoutagainfromIsengard.GandalftookMerrybehindhim,and

AragorntookPippin.Twooftheking’smenwentonahead,ridingswiftly,andpassedsoonoutofsightdownintothevalley.Theothersfollowedataneasypace.

Entsinasolemnrowstoodlikestatuesatthegate,withtheirlongarmsuplifted,buttheymadenosound.MerryandPippinlookedback,whentheyhadpassedsomewaydownthewinding

road.Sunlightwasstillshininginthesky,butlongshadowsreachedoverIsengard:greyruinsfallingintodarkness.Treebeardstoodalonetherenow,likethedistantstumpofanoldtree:thehobbitsthoughtoftheirfirstmeeting,uponthesunnyledgefarawayonthebordersofFangorn.

TheycametothepillaroftheWhiteHand.Thepillar

wasstillstanding,butthegravenhandhadbeenthrowndownandbrokenintosmallpieces.Rightinthemiddleoftheroadthelongforefingerlay,whiteinthedusk,itsrednaildarkeningtoblack.

‘TheEntspayattentiontoeverydetail!’saidGandalf.

Theyrodeon,andeveningdeepenedinthevalley.

‘Areweridingfartonight,Gandalf?’askedMerryafterawhile.‘Idon’tknowhowyoufeelwithsmallrag-tagdanglingbehindyou;buttherag-tagistiredandwillbegladtostopdanglingandliedown.’

‘Soyouheardthat?’saidGandalf.‘Don’tletitrankle!Bethankfulnolongerwordswereaimedatyou.Hehadhiseyesonyou.Ifitisany

comforttoyourpride,Ishouldsaythat,atthemoment,youandPippinaremoreinhisthoughtsthanalltherestofus.Whoyouare;howyoucamethere,andwhy;whatyouknow;whetheryouwerecaptured,andifso,howyouescapedwhenalltheOrcsperished–itiswiththoselittleriddlesthatthegreatmindofSarumanistroubled.Asneer

fromhim,Meriadoc,isacompliment,ifyoufeelhonouredbyhisconcern.’

‘Thankyou!’saidMerry.‘Butitisagreaterhonourtodangleatyourtail,Gandalf.Foronething,inthatpositiononehasachanceofputtingaquestionasecondtime.Areweridingfartonight?’

Gandalflaughed.‘Amostunquenchablehobbit!AllWizardsshouldhaveahobbit

ortwointheircare–toteachthemthemeaningoftheword,andtocorrectthem.Ibegyourpardon.ButIhavegiventhoughteventothesesimplematters.Wewillrideforafewhours,gently,untilwecometotheendofthevalley.Tomorrowwemustridefaster.

‘Whenwecame,wemeanttogostraightfromIsengardbacktotheking’s

houseatEdorasovertheplains,arideofsomedays.Butwehavetakenthoughtandchangedtheplan.MessengershavegoneaheadtoHelm’sDeep,towarnthemthatthekingisreturningtomorrow.HewillridefromtherewithmanymentoDunharrowbypathsamongthehills.Fromnowonnomorethantwoorthreetogetheraretogoopenlyover

theland,bydayornight,whenitcanbeavoided.’

‘Nothingoradoublehelpingisyourway!’saidMerry.‘IamafraidIwasnotlookingbeyondtonight’sbed.WhereandwhatareHelm’sDeepandalltherestofit?Idon’tknowanythingaboutthiscountry.’

‘Thenyou’dbestlearnsomething,ifyouwishtounderstandwhatis

happening.Butnotjustnow,andnotfromme:Ihavetoomanypressingthingstothinkabout.’

‘Allright,I’lltackleStriderbythecamp-fire:he’slesstesty.Butwhyallthissecrecy?Ithoughtwe’dwonthebattle!’

‘Yes,wehavewon,butonlythefirstvictory,andthatinitselfincreasesourdanger.Therewassomelinkbetween

IsengardandMordor,whichIhavenotyetfathomed.HowtheyexchangednewsIamnotsure;buttheydidso.TheEyeofBarad-dûrwillbelookingimpatientlytowardstheWizard’sVale,Ithink;andtowardsRohan.Thelessitseesthebetter.’

Theroadpassedslowly,windingdownthevalley.

Nowfurther,andnownearerIsenflowedinitsstonybed.Nightcamedownfromthemountains.Allthemistsweregone.Achillwindblew.Themoon,nowwaxinground,filledtheeasternskywithapalecoldsheen.Theshouldersofthemountaintotheirrightslopeddowntobarehills.Thewideplainsopenedgreybeforethem.

Atlasttheyhalted.Then

theyturnedaside,leavingthehighwayandtakingtothesweetuplandturfagain.Goingwestwardamileorsotheycametoadale.Itopenedsouthward,leaningbackintotheslopeofroundDolBaran,thelasthillofthenorthernranges,greenfooted,crownedwithheather.Thesidesoftheglenwereshaggywithlastyear’sbracken,amongwhichthetight-curledfrondsof

springwerejustthrustingthroughthesweet-scentedearth.Thornbushesgrewthickuponthelowbanks,andunderthemtheymadetheircamp,twohoursorsobeforethemiddleofthenight.Theylitafireinahollow,downamongtherootsofaspreadinghawthorn,tallasatree,writhenwithage,buthaleineverylimb.Budswereswellingateachtwig’stip.

Guardswereset,twoatawatch.Therest,aftertheyhadsupped,wrappedthemselvesinacloakandblanketandslept.Thehobbitslayinacornerbythemselvesuponapileofoldbracken.Merrywassleepy,butPippinnowseemedcuriouslyrestless.Thebrackencrackedandrustled,ashetwistedandturned.

‘What’sthematter?’

askedMerry.‘Areyoulyingonanant-hill?’

‘No,’saidPippin,‘butI’mnotcomfortable.IwonderhowlongitissinceIsleptinabed?’

Merryyawned.‘Workitoutonyourfingers!’hesaid.‘ButyoumustknowhowlongitissinceweleftLórien.’

‘Oh,that!’saidPippin.‘Imeanarealbedina

bedroom.’‘Well,Rivendellthen,’

saidMerry.‘ButIcouldsleepanywheretonight.’

‘Youhadtheluck,Merry,’saidPippinsoftly,afterapause.‘YouwereridingwithGandalf.’

‘Well,whatofit?’‘Didyougetanynews,

anyinformationoutofhim?’‘Yes,agooddeal.More

thanusual.Butyouheardit

allormostofit;youwerecloseby,andweweretalkingnosecrets.Butyoucangowithhimtomorrow,ifyouthinkyoucangetmoreoutofhim–andifhe’llhaveyou.’

‘CanI?Good!Buthe’sclose,isn’the?Notchangedatall.’

‘Ohyes,heis!’saidMerry,wakingupalittle,andbeginningtowonderwhatwasbotheringhiscompanion.

‘Hehasgrown,orsomething.Hecanbebothkinderandmorealarming,merrierandmoresolemnthanbefore,Ithink.Hehaschanged;butwehavenothadachancetoseehowmuch,yet.ButthinkofthelastpartofthatbusinesswithSaruman!RememberSarumanwasonceGandalf’ssuperior:headoftheCouncil,whateverthatmaybeexactly.Hewas

SarumantheWhite.GandalfistheWhitenow.Sarumancamewhenhewastold,andhisrodwastaken;andthenhewasjusttoldtogo,andhewent!’

‘Well,ifGandalfhaschangedatall,thenhe’scloserthaneverthat’sall,’Pippinargued.‘That—glassball,now.Heseemedmightypleasedwithit.Heknowsorguessessomethingaboutit.

Butdoeshetelluswhat?No,notaword.YetIpickeditup,andIsaveditfromrollingintoapool.Here,I’lltakethat,mylad–that’sall.Iwonderwhatitis?Itfeltsoveryheavy.’Pippin’svoicefellverylow,asifhewastalkingtohimself.

‘Hullo!’saidMerry.‘Sothat’swhatisbotheringyou?Now,Pippinmylad,don’tforgetGildor’ssaying–the

oneSamusedtoquote:DonotmeddleintheaffairsofWizards,fortheyaresubtleandquicktoanger.’

‘ButourwholelifeformonthshasbeenonelongmeddlingintheaffairsofWizards,’saidPippin.‘Ishouldlikeabitofinformationaswellasdanger.Ishouldlikealookatthatball.’

‘Gotosleep!’saidMerry.

‘You’llgetinformationenough,soonerorlater.MydearPippin,noTookeverbeataBrandy-buckforinquisitiveness;butisthisthetime,Iaskyou?’

‘Allright!What’stheharminmytellingyouwhatIshouldlike:alookatthatstone?IknowIcan’thaveit,witholdGandalfsittingonit,likeahenonanegg.Butitdoesn’thelpmuchtogetno

morefromyouthanayou-can’t-have-itso-go-to-sleep!’

‘Well,whatelsecouldIsay?’saidMerry.‘I’msorry,Pippin,butyoureallymustwaittillthemorning.I’llbeascuriousasyoulikeafterbreakfast,andI’llhelpinanywayIcanatwizard-wheedling.ButIcan’tkeepawakeanylonger.IfIyawnanymore,Ishallsplitattheears.Goodnight!’

Pippinsaidnomore.Helaystillnow,butsleepremainedfaraway;anditwasnotencouragedbythesoundofMerrybreathingsoftly,asleepinafewminutesaftersayinggoodnight.Thethoughtofthedarkglobeseemedtogrowstrongerasallgrewquiet.Pippinfeltagainitsweightinhishands,andsawagainthemysteriousreddepthsintowhichhehad

lookedforamoment.Hetossedandturnedandtriedtothinkofsomethingelse.

Atlasthecouldstanditnolonger.Hegotupandlookedround.Itwaschilly,andhewrappedhiscloakabouthim.Themoonwasshiningcoldandwhite,downintothedell,andtheshadowsofthebusheswereblack.Allaboutlaysleepingshapes.Thetwoguardswerenotinview:they

wereuponthehill,perhaps,orhiddeninthebracken.Drivenbysomeimpulsethathedidnotunderstand,PippinwalkedsoftlytowhereGandalflay.Helookeddownathim.Thewizardseemedasleep,butwithlidsnotfullyclosed:therewasaglitterofeyesunderhislonglashes.Pippinsteppedbackhastily.ButGandalfmadenosign;anddrawnforwardonce

more,halfagainsthiswill,thehobbitcreptupagainfrombehindthewizard’shead.Hewasrolledinablanket,withhiscloakspreadoverthetop;andclosebesidehim,betweenhisrightsideandhisbentarm,therewasahummock,somethingroundwrappedinadarkcloth;hishandseemedonlyjusttohaveslippedoffittotheground.

Hardlybreathing,Pippin

creptnearer,footbyfoot.Atlasthekneltdown.Thenheputhishandsoutstealthily,andslowlyliftedthelumpup:itdidnotseemquitesoheavyashehadexpected.‘Onlysomebundleofoddments,perhaps,afterall,’hethoughtwithastrangesenseofrelief;buthedidnotputthebundledownagain.Hestoodforamomentclaspingit.Thenanideacameintohismind.He

tiptoedaway,foundalargestone,andcameback.

Quicklynowhedrewoffthecloth,wrappedthestoneinitandkneelingdown,laiditbackbythewizard’shand.Thenatlasthelookedatthethingthathehaduncovered.Thereitwas:asmoothglobeofcrystal,nowdarkanddead,lyingbarebeforehisknees.Pippinliftedit,coveredithurriedlyinhisowncloak,

andhalfturnedtogobacktohisbed.AtthatmomentGandalfmovedinhissleep,andmutteredsomewords:theyseemedtobeinastrangetongue;hishandgropedoutandclaspedthewrappedstone,thenhesighedanddidnotmoveagain.

‘Youidioticfool!’Pippinmutteredtohimself.‘You’regoingtogetyourselfintofrightfultrouble.Putitback

quick!’Buthefoundnowthathiskneesquaked,andhedidnotdaretogonearenoughtothewizardtoreachthebundle.‘I’llnevergetitbacknowwithoutwakinghim,’hethought,‘nottillI’mabitcalmer.SoImayaswellhavealookfirst.Notjustherethough!’Hestoleaway,andsatdownonagreenhillocknotfarfromhisbed.Themoonlookedinovertheedge

ofthedell.Pippinsatwithhisknees

drawnupandtheballbetweenthem.Hebentlowoverit,lookinglikeagreedychildstoopingoverabowloffood,inacornerawayfromothers.Hedrewhiscloakasideandgazedatit.Theairseemedstillandtenseabouthim.Atfirsttheglobewasdark,blackasjet,withthemoonlightgleamingonits

surface.Thentherecameafaintglowandstirintheheartofit,anditheldhiseyes,sothatnowhecouldnotlookaway.Soonalltheinsideseemedonfire;theballwasspinning,orthelightswithinwererevolving.Suddenlythelightswentout.Hegaveagaspandstruggled;butheremainedbent,claspingtheballwithbothhands.Closerandcloserhebent,andthen

becamerigid;hislipsmovedsoundlesslyforawhile.Thenwithastrangledcryhefellbackandlaystill.

Thecrywaspiercing.Theguardsleaptdownfromthebanks.Allthecampwassoonastir.

‘Sothisisthethief!’saidGandalf.Hastilyhecasthiscloakovertheglobewhereit

lay.‘Butyou,Pippin!Thisisagrievousturntothings!’HekneltbyPippin’sbody:thehobbitwaslyingonhisback,rigid,withunseeingeyesstaringupatthesky.‘Thedevilry!Whatmischiefhashedone–tohimself,andtoallofus?’Thewizard’sfacewasdrawnandhaggard.

HetookPippin’shandandbentoverhisface,listeningforhisbreath;thenhelaidhis

handsonhisbrow.Thehobbitshuddered.Hiseyesclosed.Hecriedout;andsatup,staringinbewildermentatallthefacesroundhim,paleinthemoonlight.

‘Itisnotforyou,Saruman!’hecriedinashrillandtonelessvoice,shrinkingawayfromGandalf.‘Iwillsendforitatonce.Doyouunderstand?Sayjustthat!’Thenhestruggledtogetup

andescape,butGandalfheldhimgentlyandfirmly.

‘PeregrinTook!’hesaid.‘Comeback!’

Thehobbitrelaxedandfellback,clingingtothewizard’shand.‘Gandalf!’hecried.‘Gandalf!Forgiveme!’

‘Forgiveyou?’saidthewizard.‘Tellmefirstwhatyouhavedone!’

‘I,Itooktheballandlookedatit,’stammered

Pippin;‘andIsawthingsthatfrightenedme.AndIwantedtogoaway,butIcouldn’t.Andthenhecameandquestionedme;andhelookedatme,and,and,thatisallIremember.’

‘Thatwon’tdo,’saidGandalfsternly.‘Whatdidyousee,andwhatdidyousay?’

Pippinshuthiseyesandshivered,butsaidnothing.

Theyallstaredathiminsilence,exceptMerrywhoturnedaway.ButGandalf’sfacewasstillhard.‘Speak!’hesaid.

InalowhesitatingvoicePippinbeganagain,andslowlyhiswordsgrewclearerandstronger.‘Isawadarksky,andtallbattlements,’hesaid.‘Andtinystars.Itseemedveryfarawayandlongago,yethardandclear.

Thenthestarswentinandout–theywerecutoffbythingswithwings.Verybig,Ithink,really;butintheglasstheylookedlikebatswheelingroundthetower.Ithoughttherewerenineofthem.Onebegantoflystraighttowardsme,gettingbiggerandbigger.Ithadahorrible–no,no!Ican’tsay.

‘Itriedtogetaway,becauseIthoughtitwouldfly

out;butwhenithadcoveredalltheglobe,itdisappeared.Thenhecame.HedidnotspeaksothatIcouldhearwords.Hejustlooked,andIunderstood.

‘‘‘Soyouhavecomeback?Whyhaveyouneglectedtoreportforsolong?’’

‘Ididnotanswer.Hesaid:‘‘Whoareyou?’’Istilldidnotanswer,butithurtme

horribly;andhepressedme,soIsaid:‘‘Ahobbit.’’

‘Thensuddenlyheseemedtoseeme,andhelaughedatme.Itwascruel.Itwaslikebeingstabbedwithknives.Istruggled.Buthesaid:‘‘Waitamoment!Weshallmeetagainsoon.TellSarumanthatthisdaintyisnotforhim.Iwillsendforitatonce.Doyouunderstand?Sayjustthat!’’

‘Thenhegloatedoverme.IfeltIwasfallingtopieces.No,no!Ican’tsayanymore.Idon’trememberanythingelse.’

‘Lookatme!’saidGandalf.

Pippinlookedupstraightintohiseyes.Thewizardheldhisgazeforamomentinsilence.Thenhisfacegrewgentler,andtheshadowofasmileappeared.Helaidhis

handsoftlyonPippin’shead.‘Allright!’hesaid.‘Say

nomore!Youhavetakennoharm.

Thereisnolieinyoureyes,asIfeared.Buthedidnotspeaklongwithyou.Afool,butanhonestfool,youremain,PeregrinTook.Wiseronesmighthavedoneworseinsuchapass.Butmarkthis!Youhavebeensaved,andallyourfriendstoo,mainlyby

goodfortune,asitiscalled.Youcannotcountonitasecondtime.Ifhehadquestionedyou,thenandthere,almostcertainlyyouwouldhavetoldallthatyouknow,totheruinofusall.Buthewastooeager.Hedidnotwantinformationonly:hewantedyou,quickly,sothathecoulddealwithyouintheDarkTower,slowly.Don’tshudder!Ifyouwillmeddle

intheaffairsofWizards,youmustbepreparedtothinkofsuchthings.Butcome!Iforgiveyou.Becomforted!Thingshavenotturnedoutasevillyastheymight.’

HeliftedPippingentlyandcarriedhimbacktohisbed.Merryfollowed,andsatdownbesidehim.‘Liethereandrest,ifyoucan,Pippin!’saidGandalf.‘Trustme.Ifyoufeelanitchinyourpalms

again,tellmeofit!Suchthingscanbecured.Butanyway,mydearhobbit,don’tputalumpofrockundermyelbowagain!Now,Iwillleaveyoutwotogetherforawhile.’

WiththatGandalfreturnedtotheothers,whowerestillstandingbytheOrthanc-stoneintroubled

thought.‘Perilcomesinthenightwhenleastexpected,’hesaid.‘Wehavehadanarrowescape!’

‘Howisthehobbit,Pippin?’askedAragorn.

‘Ithinkallwillbewellnow,’answeredGandalf.‘Hewasnotheldlong,andhobbitshaveanamazingpowerofrecovery.Thememory,orthehorrorofit,willprobablyfadequickly.

Tooquickly,perhaps.Willyou,Aragorn,taketheOrthanc-stoneandguardit?Itisadangerouscharge.’

‘Dangerousindeed,butnottoall,’saidAragorn.‘Thereisonewhomayclaimitbyright.ForthisassuredlyisthepalantírofOrthancfromthetreasuryofElendil,setherebytheKingsofGondor.Nowmyhourdrawsnear.Iwilltakeit.’

GandalflookedatAragorn,andthen,tothesurpriseoftheothers,heliftedthecoveredStone,andbowedashepresentedit.

‘Receiveit,lord!’hesaid:‘inearnestofotherthingsthatshallbegivenback.ButifImaycounselyouintheuseofyourown,donotuseit–yet!Bewary!’

‘WhenhaveIbeenhastyorunwary,whohavewaited

andpreparedforsomanylongyears?’saidAragorn.

‘Neveryet.Donotthenstumbleattheendoftheroad,’answeredGandalf.‘Butattheleastkeepthisthingsecret.You,andallothersthatstandhere!Thehobbit,Peregrin,aboveallshouldnotknowwhereitisbestowed.Theevilfitmaycomeonhimagain.Foralas!hehashandleditandlooked

init,asshouldneverhavehappened.HeoughtnevertohavetoucheditinIsengard,andthereIshouldhavebeenquicker.ButmymindwasbentonSaruman,andIdidnotatonceguessthenatureoftheStone.ThenIwasweary,andasIlayponderingit,sleepovercameme.NowIknow!’

‘Yes,therecanbenodoubt,’saidAragorn.‘Atlast

weknowthelinkbetweenIsengardandMordor,andhowitworked.Muchisexplained.’

‘Strangepowershaveourenemies,andstrangeweaknesses!’saidThéoden.‘Butithaslongbeensaid:oftevilwillshallevilmar.’

‘Thatmanytimesisseen,’saidGandalf.‘Butatthistimewehavebeenstrangelyfortunate.Maybe,Ihavebeen

savedbythishobbitfromagraveblunder.IhadconsideredwhetherornottoprobethisStonemyselftofinditsuses.HadIdoneso,Ishouldhavebeenrevealedtohimmyself.Iamnotreadyforsuchatrial,ifindeedIshalleverbeso.ButevenifIfoundthepowertowithdrawmyself,itwouldbedisastrousforhimtoseeme,yet–untilthehourcomeswhensecrecy

willavailnolonger.’‘Thathourisnowcome,I

think,’saidAragorn.‘Notyet,’saidGandalf.

‘Thereremainsashortwhileofdoubt,whichwemustuse.TheEnemy,itisclear,thoughtthattheStonewasinOrthanc–whyshouldhenot?Andthatthereforethehobbitwascaptivethere,driventolookintheglassforhistormentbySaruman.That

darkmindwillbefillednowwiththevoiceandfaceofthehobbitandwithexpectation:itmaytakesometimebeforehelearnshiserror.Wemustsnatchthattime.Wehavebeentooleisurely.Wemustmove.TheneighbourhoodofIsengardisnoplacenowtolingerin.IwillrideaheadatoncewithPeregrinTook.Itwillbebetterforhimthanlyinginthedarkwhileothers

sleep.’‘IwillkeepÉomerandten

Riders,’saidtheking.‘Theyshallridewithmeatearlyday.TherestmaygowithAragornandrideassoonastheyhaveamind.’

‘Asyouwill,’saidGandalf.‘Butmakeallthespeedyoumaytothecoverofthehills,toHelm’sDeep!’

Atthatmomentashadowfelloverthem.Thebrightmoonlightseemedtobesuddenlycutoff.SeveraloftheRiderscriedout,andcrouched,holdingtheirarmsabovetheirheads,asiftowardoffablowfromabove:ablindfearandadeadlycoldfellonthem.Coweringtheylookedup.Avastwingedshapepassedoverthemoonlikeablackcloud.Itwheeled

andwentnorth,flyingataspeedgreaterthananywindofMiddle-earth.Thestarsfaintedbeforeit.Itwasgone.

Theystoodup,rigidasstones.Gandalfwasgazingup,hisarmsoutanddownwards,stiff,hishandsclenched.

‘Nazgûl!’hecried.‘ThemessengerofMordor.Thestormiscoming.TheNazgûlhavecrossedtheRiver!Ride,

ride!Waitnotforthedawn!Letnottheswiftwaitfortheslow!Ride!’

Hesprangaway,callingShadowfaxasheran.Aragornfollowedhim.GoingtoPippin,Gandalfpickedhimupinhisarms.‘Youshallcomewithmethistime,’hesaid.‘Shadowfaxshallshowyouhispaces.’Thenherantotheplacewherehehadslept.Shadowfaxstoodthere

already.Slingingthesmallbagwhichwasallhisluggageacrosshisshoulders,thewizardleaptuponthehorse’sback.AragornliftedPippinandsethiminGandalf’sarms,wrappedincloakandblanket.

‘Farewell!Followfast!’criedGandalf.‘Away,Shadowfax!’Thegreathorsetossedhishead.Hisflowingtailflickedinthemoonlight.

Thenheleaptforward,spurningtheearth,andwasgonelikethenorthwindfromthemountains.

‘Abeautiful,restfulnight!’saidMerrytoAragorn.‘Somefolkhavewonderfulluck.Hedidnotwanttosleep,andhewantedtoridewithGandalf–andtherehegoes!Insteadof

beingturnedintoastonehimselftostandhereforeverasawarning.’

‘IfyouhadbeenthefirsttolifttheOrthanc-stone,andnothe,howwoulditbenow?’saidAragorn.‘Youmighthavedoneworse.Whocansay?Butnowitisyourlucktocomewithme,Ifear.Atonce.Goandgetready,andbringanythingthatPippinleftbehind.Make

haste!’

OvertheplainsShadowfaxwasflying,needingnourgingandnoguidance.Lessthananhourhadpassed,andtheyhadreachedtheFordsofIsenandcrossedthem.TheMoundoftheRidersanditscoldspearslaygreybehindthem.

Pippinwasrecovering.He

waswarm,butthewindinhisfacewaskeenandrefreshing.HewaswithGandalf.ThehorroroftheStoneandofthehideousshadowoverthemoonwasfading,thingsleftbehindinthemistsofthemountainsorinapassingdream.Hedrewadeepbreath.

‘Ididnotknowyourodebare-back,Gandalf,’hesaid.‘Youhaven’tasaddleora

bridle!’‘Idonotrideelf-fashion,

exceptonShadowfax,’saidGandalf.‘ButShadowfaxwillhavenoharness.YoudonotrideShadowfax:heiswillingtocarryyou–ornot.Ifheiswilling,thatisenough.Itisthenhisbusinesstoseethatyouremainonhisback,unlessyoujumpoffintotheair.’

‘Howfastishegoing?’

askedPippin.‘Fastbythewind,butverysmooth.Andhowlighthisfootfallsare!’

‘Heisrunningnowasfastastheswiftesthorsecouldgallop,’answeredGandalf;‘butthatisnotfastforhim.Thelandisrisingalittlehere,andismorebrokenthanitwasbeyondtheriver.ButseehowtheWhiteMountainsaredrawingnearunderthestars!YonderaretheThrihyrne

peakslikeblackspears.ItwillnotbelongbeforewereachthebranchingroadsandcometotheDeeping-coomb,wherethebattlewasfoughttwonightsago.’

Pippinwassilentagainforawhile.HeheardGandalfsingingsoftlytohimself,murmuringbriefsnatchesofrhymeinmanytongues,asthemilesranunderthem.Atlastthewizardpassedintoa

songofwhichthehobbitcaughtthewords:afewlinescamecleartohisearsthroughtherushingofthewind:

TallshipsandtallkingsThreetimesthree,WhatbroughttheyfromthefounderedlandOvertheflowing

sea?SevenstarsandsevenstonesAndonewhitetree.

‘Whatareyousaying,Gandalf?’askedPippin.

‘IwasjustrunningoversomeoftheRhymesofLoreinmymind,’answeredthewizard.‘Hobbits,Isuppose,haveforgottenthem,even

thosethattheyeverknew.’‘No,notall,’saidPippin.

‘Andwehavemanyofourown,whichwouldn’tinterestyou,perhaps.ButIhaveneverheardthisone.Whatisitabout–thesevenstarsandsevenstones?’

‘AboutthepalantírioftheKingsofOld,’saidGandalf.

‘Andwhatarethey?’‘Thenamemeantthat

whichlooksfaraway.The

Orthanc-stonewasone.’‘Thenitwasnotmade,not

made’–Pippinhesitated–‘bytheEnemy?’

‘No,’saidGandalf.‘NorbySaruman.Itisbeyondhisart,andbeyondSauron’stoo.ThepalantíricamefrombeyondWesternesse,fromEldamar.TheNoldormadethem.Fëanorhimself,maybe,wroughtthem,indayssolongagothatthetimecannot

bemeasuredinyears.ButthereisnothingthatSauroncannotturntoeviluses.AlasforSaruman!Itwashisdownfall,asInowperceive.Periloustousallarethedevicesofanartdeeperthanwepossessourselves.Yethemustbeartheblame.Fool!tokeepitsecret,forhisownprofit.NoworddidheeverspeakofittoanyoftheCouncil.Wehadnotyet

giventhoughttothefateofthepalantíriofGondorinitsruinouswars.ByMentheywerealmostforgotten.EveninGondortheywereasecretknownonlytoafew;inArnortheywererememberedonlyinarhymeofloreamongtheDúnedain.’

‘WhatdidtheMenofoldusethemfor?’askedPippin,delightedandastonishedatgettinganswerstosomany

questions,andwonderinghowlongitwouldlast.

‘Toseefaroff,andtoconverseinthoughtwithoneanother,’saidGandalf.‘InthatwaytheylongguardedandunitedtherealmofGondor.TheysetupStonesatMinasAnor,andatMinasIthil,andatOrthancintheringofIsengard.ThechiefandmasterofthesewasundertheDomeofStarsat

Osgiliathbeforeitsruin.ThethreeotherswerefarawayintheNorth.InthehouseofElronditistoldthattheywereatAnnúminas,andAmonSûl,andElendil’sStonewasontheTowerHillsthatlooktowardsMithlondintheGulfofLunewherethegreyshipslie.

‘Eachpalantírrepliedtoeach,butallthoseinGondorwereeveropentotheviewof

Osgiliath.Nowitappearsthat,astherockofOrthanchaswithstoodthestormsoftime,sotherethepalantírofthattowerhasremained.Butaloneitcoulddonothingbutseesmallimagesofthingsfaroffanddaysremote.Veryuseful,nodoubt,thatwastoSaruman;yetitseemsthathewasnotcontent.Furtherandfurtherabroadhegazed,untilhecasthisgazeuponBarad-

dûr.Thenhewascaught!‘Whoknowswherethe

lostStonesofArnorandGondornowlie,buried,ordrowneddeep?ButoneatleastSauronmusthaveobtainedandmasteredtohispurposes.IguessthatitwastheIthil-stone,forhetookMinasIthillongagoandturneditintoanevilplace:MinasMorgul,ithasbecome.

‘Easyitisnowtoguess

howquicklytherovingeyeofSarumanwastrappedandheld;andhoweversincehehasbeenpersuadedfromafar,anddauntedwhenpersuasionwouldnotserve.Thebiterbit,thehawkundertheeagle’sfoot,thespiderinasteelweb!Howlong,Iwonder,hashebeenconstrainedtocomeoftentohisglassforinspectionandinstruction,andtheOrthanc-stonesobent

towardsBarad-dûrthat,ifanysaveawillofadamantnowlooksintoit,itwillbearhismindandsightswiftlythither?Andhowitdrawsonetoitself!HaveInotfeltit?Evennowmyheartdesirestotestmywilluponit,toseeifIcouldnotwrenchitfromhimandturnitwhereIwould–tolookacrossthewideseasofwaterandoftimetoTiriontheFair,andperceivethe

unimaginablehandandmindofFëanorattheirwork,whileboththeWhiteTreeandtheGoldenwereinflower!’Hesighedandfellsilent.

‘IwishIhadknownallthisbefore,’saidPippin.‘IhadnonotionofwhatIwasdoing.’

‘Ohyes,youhad,’saidGandalf.‘Youknewyouwerebehavingwronglyandfoolishly;andyoutold

yourselfso,thoughyoudidnotlisten.Ididnottellyouallthisbefore,becauseitisonlybymusingonallthathashappenedthatIhaveatlastunderstood,evenasweridetogether.ButifIhadspokensooner,itwouldnothavelessenedyourdesire,ormadeiteasiertoresist.Onthecontrary!No,theburnedhandteachesbest.Afterthatadviceaboutfiregoestotheheart.’

‘Itdoes,’saidPippin.‘Ifallthesevenstoneswerelaidoutbeforemenow,Ishouldshutmyeyesandputmyhandsinmypockets.’

‘Good!’saidGandalf.‘ThatiswhatIhoped.’

‘ButIshouldliketoknow—’Pippinbegan.

‘Mercy!’criedGandalf.‘Ifthegivingofinformationistobethecureofyourinquisitiveness,Ishallspend

alltherestofmydaysinansweringyou.Whatmoredoyouwanttoknow?’

‘Thenamesofallthestars,andofalllivingthings,andthewholehistoryofMiddle-earthandOver-heavenandoftheSunderingSeas,’laughedPippin.‘Ofcourse!Whatless?ButIamnotinahurrytonight.AtthemomentIwasjustwonderingabouttheblackshadow.I

heardyoushout‘‘messengerofMordor’’.Whatwasit?WhatcoulditdoatIsengard?’

‘ItwasaBlackRideronwings,aNazgûl,’saidGandalf.‘ItcouldhavetakenyouawaytotheDarkTower.’

‘Butitwasnotcomingforme,wasit?’falteredPippin.‘Imean,itdidn’tknowthatIhad...’

‘Ofcoursenot,’said

Gandalf.‘ItistwohundredleaguesormoreinstraightflightfromBarad-dûrtoOrthanc,andevenaNazgûlwouldtakeafewhourstoflybetweenthem.ButSarumancertainlylookedintheStonesincetheorc-raid,andmoreofhissecretthought,Idonotdoubt,hasbeenreadthanheintended.Amessengerhasbeensenttofindoutwhatheisdoing.Andafterwhathas

happenedtonightanotherwillcome,Ithink,andswiftly.SoSarumanwillcometothelastpinchofthevicethathehasputhishandin.Hehasnocaptivetosend.HehasnoStonetoseewith,andcannotanswerthesummons.SauronwillonlybelievethatheiswithholdingthecaptiveandrefusingtousetheStone.ItwillnothelpSarumantotellthetruthtothemessenger.

ForIsengardmayberuined,yetheisstillsafeinOrthanc.Sowhetherhewillorno,hewillappeararebel.Yetherejectedus,soastoavoidthatverything!Whathewilldoinsuchaplight,Icannotguess.Hehaspowerstill,Ithink,whileinOrthanc,toresisttheNineRiders.Hemaytrytodoso.HemaytrytotraptheNazgûl,oratleasttoslaythethingonwhichit

nowridestheair.InthatcaseletRohanlooktoitshorses!

‘ButIcannottellhowitwillfallout,wellorillforus.ItmaybethatthecounselsoftheEnemywillbeconfused,orhinderedbyhiswrathwithSaruman.ItmaybethathewilllearnthatIwasthereandstooduponthestairsofOrthanc–withhobbitsatmytail.OrthatanheirofElendillivesandstoodbesideme.If

WormtonguewasnotdeceivedbythearmourofRohan,hewouldrememberAragornandthetitlethatheclaimed.ThatiswhatIfear.Andsowefly–notfromdangerbutintogreaterdanger.EverystrideofShadowfaxbearsyounearertotheLandofShadow,PeregrinTook.’

Pippinmadenoanswer,butclutchedhiscloak,asifa

suddenchillhadstruckhim.Greylandpassedunderthem.

‘Seenow!’saidGandalf.‘TheWestfolddalesareopeningbeforeus.Herewecomebacktotheeastwardroad.ThedarkshadowyonderisthemouthoftheDeeping-coomb.ThatwayliesAglarondandtheGlitteringCaves.Donotaskmeaboutthem.AskGimli,ifyoumeetagain,andforthe

firsttimeyoumaygetananswerlongerthanyouwish.Youwillnotseethecavesyourself,notonthisjourney.Soontheywillbefarbehind.’

‘IthoughtyouweregoingtostopatHelm’sDeep!’saidPippin.‘Whereareyougoingthen?’

‘ToMinasTirith,beforetheseasofwarsurroundit.’

‘Oh!Andhowfaristhat?’‘Leaguesuponleagues,’

answeredGandalf.‘ThriceasfarasthedwellingsofKingThéoden,andtheyaremorethanahundredmileseastfromhere,asthemessengersofMordorfly.Shadowfaxmustrunalongerroad.Whichwillprovetheswifter?

‘Weshallridenowtilldaybreak,andthatissomehoursaway.ThenevenShadowfaxmustrest,insomehollowofthehills:atEdoras,

Ihope.Sleep,ifyoucan!YoumayseethefirstglimmerofdawnuponthegoldenroofofthehouseofEorl.AndinthreedaysthenceyoushallseethepurpleshadowofMountMindolluinandthewallsofthetowerofDenethorwhiteinthemorning.

‘Awaynow,Shadowfax!Run,greatheart,runasyouhaveneverrunbefore!Now

wearecometothelandswhereyouwerefoaled,andeverystoneyouknow.Runnow!Hopeisinspeed!’

Shadowfaxtossedhisheadandcriedaloud,asifatrumpethadsummonedhimtobattle.Thenhesprangforward.Fireflewfromhisfeet;nightrushedoverhim.

Ashefellslowlyintosleep,Pippinhadastrangefeeling:heandGandalfwere

stillasstone,seateduponthestatueofarunninghorse,whiletheworldrolledawaybeneathhisfeetwithagreatnoiseofwind.

BOOKFOUR

Chapter1

THETAMINGOFSMÉAGOL

‘Well,master,we’reinafixandnomistake,’saidSamGamgee.HestooddespondentlywithhunchedshouldersbesideFrodo,andpeeredoutwithpuckered

eyesintothegloom.Itwasthethirdevening

sincetheyhadfledfromtheCompany,asfarastheycouldtell:theyhadalmostlostcountofthehoursduringwhichtheyhadclimbedandlabouredamongthebarrenslopesandstonesoftheEmynMuil,sometimesretracingtheirstepsbecausetheycouldfindnowayforward,sometimes

discoveringthattheyhadwanderedinacirclebacktowheretheyhadbeenhoursbefore.Yetonthewholetheyhadworkedsteadilyeastward,keepingasnearastheycouldfindawaytotheouteredgeofthisstrangetwistedknotofhills.Butalwaystheyfounditsoutwardfacessheer,highandimpassable,frowningovertheplainbelow;beyondits

tumbledskirtslaylividfesteringmarsheswherenothingmovedandnotevenabirdwastobeseen.

Thehobbitsstoodnowonthebrinkofatallcliff,bareandbleak,itsfeetwrappedinmist;andbehindthemrosethebrokenhighlandscrownedwithdriftingcloud.AchillwindblewfromtheEast.

Nightwasgatheringovertheshapelesslandsbeforethem;thesicklygreenofthemwasfadingtoasullenbrown.FarawaytotherighttheAnduin,thathadgleamedfitfullyinsun-breaksduringtheday,wasnowhiddeninshadow.ButtheireyesdidnotlookbeyondtheRiver,backtoGondor,totheirfriends,tothelandsofMen.Southandeasttheystaredtowhere,at

theedgeoftheoncomingnight,adarklinehung,likedistantmountainsofmotionlesssmoke.Everynowandagainatinyredgleamfarawayflickeredupwardsontherimofearthandsky.

‘Whatafix!’saidSam.‘That’stheoneplaceinallthelandswe’veeverheardofthatwedon’twanttoseeanycloser;andthat’stheoneplacewe’retryingtogetto!

Andthat’sjustwherewecan’tget,nohow.We’vecomethewrongwayaltogether,seemingly.Wecan’tgetdown;andifwedidgetdown,we’dfindallthatgreenlandanastybog,I’llwarrant.Phew!Canyousmellit?’Hesniffedatthewind.

‘Yes,Icansmellit,’saidFrodo,buthedidnotmove,andhiseyesremainedfixed,

staringouttowardsthedarklineandtheflickeringflame.‘Mordor!’hemutteredunderhisbreath.‘IfImustgothere,IwishIcouldcometherequicklyandmakeanend!’Heshuddered.Thewindwaschillyandyetheavywithanodourofcolddecay.‘Well,’hesaid,atlastwithdrawinghiseyes,‘wecannotstayhereallnight,fixornofix.Wemustfindamoresheltered

spot,andcamponcemore;andperhapsanotherdaywillshowusapath.’

‘Oranotherandanotherandanother,’mutteredSam.‘Ormaybenoday.We’vecomethewrongway.’

‘Iwonder,’saidFrodo.‘It’smydoom,Ithink,togotothatShadowyonder,sothatawaywillbefound.Butwillgoodorevilshowittome?Whathopewehadwas

inspeed.DelayplaysintotheEnemy’shands–andhereIam:delayed.IsitthewilloftheDarkTowerthatsteersus?Allmychoiceshaveprovedill.IshouldhavelefttheCompanylongbefore,andcomedownfromtheNorth,eastoftheRiverandoftheEmynMuil,andsooverthehardofBattlePlaintothepassesofMordor.Butnowitisn’tpossibleforyou

andmealonetofindawayback,andtheOrcsareprowlingontheeastbank.Everydaythatpassesisapreciousdaylost.Iamtired,Sam.Idon’tknowwhatistobedone.Whatfoodhavewegotleft?’

‘Onlythose,whatd’youcall’em,lembas,Mr.Frodo.Afairsupply.Buttheyarebetterthannaught,byalongbite.Ineverthought,though,

whenIfirstsettoothinthem,thatIshouldevercometowishforachange.ButIdonow:abitofplainbread,andamug–aye,halfamug–ofbeerwouldgodownproper.I’veluggedmycooking-gearallthewayfromthelastcamp,andwhatusehasitbeen?Naughttomakeafirewith,forastart;andnaughttocook,notevengrass!’

Theyturnedawayandwentdownintoastonyhollow.Thewesteringsunwascaughtintoclouds,andnightcameswiftly.Theysleptaswellastheycouldforthecold,turnandturnabout,inanookamonggreatjaggedpinnaclesofweatheredrock;atleasttheywereshelteredfromtheeasterlywind.

‘Didyouseethemagain,Mr.Frodo?’askedSam,as

theysat,stiffandchilled,munchingwafersoflembas,inthecoldgreyofearlymorning.

‘No,’saidFrodo.‘I’veheardnothing,andseennothing,fortwonightsnow.’

‘Norme,’saidSam.‘Grrr!Thoseeyesdidgivemeaturn!Butperhapswe’veshakenhimoffatlast,themiserableslinker.Gollum!I’llgivehimgolluminhis

throat,ifeverIgetmyhandsonhisneck.’

‘Ihopeyou’llneverneedto,’saidFrodo.‘Idon’tknowhowhefollowedus;butitmaybethathe’slostusagain,asyousay.Inthisdrybleaklandwecan’tleavemanyfootprints,normuchscent,evenforhissnufflingnose.’

‘Ihopethat’sthewayofit,’saidSam.‘Iwishwecouldberidofhimforgood!’

‘SodoI,’saidFrodo;‘buthe’snotmychieftrouble.Iwishwecouldgetawayfromthesehills!Ihatethem.Ifeelallnakedontheeastside,stuckupherewithnothingbutthedeadflatsbetweenmeandthatShadowyonder.There’sanEyeinit.Comeon!We’vegottogetdowntodaysomehow.’

Butthatdayworeon,andwhenafternoonfadedtowardseveningtheywerestillscramblingalongtheridgeandhadfoundnowayofescape.

Sometimesinthesilenceofthatbarrencountrytheyfanciedthattheyheardfaintsoundsbehindthem,astonefalling,ortheimaginedstepofflappingfeetontherock.Butiftheyhaltedandstood

stilllistening,theyheardnomore,nothingbutthewindsighingovertheedgesofthestones–yeteventhatremindedthemofbreathsoftlyhissingthroughsharpteeth.

AllthatdaytheouterridgeoftheEmynMuilhadbeenbendinggraduallynorthward,astheystruggledon.Alongitsbrinktherenowstretchedawidetumbledflat

ofscoredandweatheredrock,cuteverynowandagainbytrench-likegulliesthatslopedsteeplydowntodeepnotchesinthecliff-face.Tofindapathintheseclefts,whichwerebecomingdeeperandmorefrequent,FrodoandSamweredriventotheirleft,wellawayfromtheedge,andtheydidnotnoticethatforseveralmilestheyhadbeengoingslowlybutsteadily

downhill:thecliff-topwassinkingtowardsthelevelofthelowlands.

Atlasttheywerebroughttoahalt.Theridgetookasharperbendnorthwardandwasgashedbyadeeperravine.Onthefurthersideitrearedupagain,manyfathomsatasingleleap:agreatgreycliffloomedbeforethem,cutsheerdownasifbyaknifestroke.Theycouldgo

nofurtherforwards,andmustturnnoweitherwestoreast.Butwestwouldleadthemonlyintomorelabouranddelay,backtowardstheheartofthehills;eastwouldtakethemtotheouterprecipice.

‘There’snothingforitbuttoscrambledownthisgully,Sam,’saidFrodo.‘Let’sseewhatitleadsto!’

‘Anastydrop,I’llbet,’saidSam.

Thecleftwaslongeranddeeperthanitseemed.Somewaydowntheyfoundafewgnarledandstuntedtrees,thefirsttheyhadseenfordays:twistedbirchforthemostpart,withhereandthereafir-tree.Manyweredeadandgaunt,bittentothecorebytheeasternwinds.Onceinmilderdaystheremusthavebeenafairthicketintheravine,butnow,aftersome

fiftyyards,thetreescametoanend,thougholdbrokenstumpsstraggledonalmosttothecliff’sbrink.Thebottomofthegully,whichlayalongtheedgeofarock-fault,wasroughwithbrokenstoneandslantedsteeplydown.Whentheycameatlasttotheendofit,Frodostoopedandleanedout.

‘Look!’hesaid.‘Wemusthavecomedownalongway,

orelsethecliffhassunk.It’smuchlowerherethanitwas,anditlookseasiertoo.’

Samkneltbesidehimandpeeredreluctantlyovertheedge.Thenheglancedupatthegreatcliffrisingup,awayontheirleft.‘Easier!’hegrunted.‘Well,Isupposeit’salwayseasiergettingdownthanup.Thoseascan’tflycanjump!’

‘Itwouldbeabigjump

still,’saidFrodo.‘About,well’–hestoodforamomentmeasuringitwithhiseyes–‘abouteighteenfathoms,Ishouldguess.Notmore.’

‘Andthat’senough!’saidSam.‘Ugh!HowIdohatelookingdownfromaheight!Butlooking’sbetterthanclimbing.’

‘Allthesame,’saidFrodo,‘Ithinkwecouldclimbhere;andIthinkweshallhaveto

try.See–therockisquitedifferentfromwhatitwasafewmilesback.Ithasslippedandcracked.’

Theouterfallwasindeednolongersheer,butslopedoutwardsalittle.Itlookedlikeagreatrampartorsea-wallwhosefoundationshadshifted,sothatitscourseswerealltwistedanddisordered,leavinggreatfissuresandlongslanting

edgesthatwereinplacesalmostaswideasstairs.

‘Andifwe’regoingtotryandgetdown,wehadbettertryatonce.It’sgettingdarkearly.Ithinkthere’sastormcoming.’

ThesmokyblurofthemountainsintheEastwaslostinadeeperblacknessthatwasalreadyreachingoutwestwardswithlongarms.Therewasadistantmutterof

thunderborneontherisingbreeze.Frodosniffedtheairandlookedupdoubtfullyatthesky.Hestrappedhisbeltoutsidehiscloakandtightenedit,andsettledhislightpackonhisback;thenhesteppedtowardstheedge.‘I’mgoingtotryit,’hesaid.

‘Verygood!’saidSamgloomily.‘ButI’mgoingfirst.’

‘You?’saidFrodo.

‘What’smadeyouchangeyourmindaboutclimbing?’

‘Ihaven’tchangedmymind.Butit’sonlysense:puttheonelowestasismostlikelytoslip.Idon’twanttocomedownatopofyouandknockyouoff–nosenseinkillingtwowithonefall.’

BeforeFrodocouldstophim,hesatdown,swunghislegsoverthebrink,andtwistedround,scrabbling

withhistoesforafoothold.Itisdoubtfulifheeverdidanythingbraverincoldblood,ormoreunwise.

‘No,no!Sam,youoldass!’saidFrodo.‘You’llkillyourselfforcertain,goingoverlikethatwithoutevenalooktoseewhattomakefor.Comeback!’HetookSamunderthearmpitsandhauledhimupagain.‘Now,waitabitandbepatient!’hesaid.

Thenhelayontheground,leaningoutandlookingdown;butthelightseemedtobefadingquickly,althoughthesunhadnotyetset.‘Ithinkwecouldmanagethis,’hesaidpresently.‘Icouldatanyrate;andyoucouldtoo,ifyoukeptyourheadandfollowedmecarefully.’

‘Idon’tknowhowyoucanbesosure,’saidSam.‘Why!Youcan’tseetothe

bottominthislight.Whatifyoucomestoaplacewherethere’snowheretoputyourfeetoryourhands?’

‘Climbback,Isuppose,’saidFrodo.

‘Easysaid,’objectedSam.‘Betterwaittillmorningandmorelight.’

‘No!NotifIcanhelpit,’saidFrodowithasuddenstrangevehemence.‘Igrudgeeveryhour,everyminute.I’m

goingdowntotryitout.Don’tyoufollowtillIcomebackorcall!’

Grippingthestonylipofthefallwithhisfingershelethimselfgentlydown,untilwhenhisarmswerealmostatfullstretch,histoesfoundaledge.‘Onestepdown!’hesaid.‘Andthisledgebroadensouttotheright.Icouldstandtherewithoutahold.I’ll—’hiswordswere

cutshort.

Thehurryingdarkness,nowgatheringgreatspeed,rushedupfromtheEastandswallowedthesky.Therewasadrysplittingcrackofthunderrightoverhead.Searinglightningsmotedownintothehills.Thencameablastofsavagewind,andwithit,minglingwithitsroar,

therecameahighshrillshriek.ThehobbitshadheardjustsuchacryfarawayintheMarishastheyfledfromHobbiton,andeventhereinthewoodsoftheShireithadfrozentheirblood.Outhereinthewasteitsterrorwasfargreater:itpiercedthemwithcoldbladesofhorroranddespair,stoppingheartandbreath.Samfellflatonhisface.InvoluntarilyFrodo

loosedhisholdandputhishandsoverhisheadandears.Heswayed,slipped,andslithereddownwardswithawailingcry.

Samheardhimandcrawledwithanefforttotheedge.‘Master,master!’hecalled.‘Master!’

Heheardnoanswer.Hefoundhewasshakingallover,buthegatheredhisbreath,andonceagainhe

shouted:‘Master!’Thewindseemedtoblowhisvoicebackintohisthroat,butasitpassed,roaringupthegullyandawayoverthehills,afaintansweringcrycametohisears:

‘Allright,allright!I’mhere.ButIcan’tsee.’

Frodowascallingwithaweakvoice.Hewasnotactuallyveryfaraway.Hehadslidandnotfallen,and

hadcomeupwithajolttohisfeetonawiderledgenotmanyyardslowerdown.Fortunatelytherock-faceatthispointleanedwellbackandthewindhadpressedhimagainstthecliff,sothathehadnottoppledover.Hesteadiedhimselfalittle,layinghisfaceagainstthecoldstone,feelinghisheartpounding.Buteitherthedarknesshadgrown

complete,orelsehiseyeshadlosttheirsight.Allwasblackabouthim.Hewonderedifhehadbeenstruckblind.Hetookadeepbreath.

‘Comeback!Comeback!’heheardSam’svoiceoutoftheblacknessabove.

‘Ican’t,’hesaid.‘Ican’tsee.Ican’tfindanyhold.Ican’tmoveyet.’

‘WhatcanIdo,Mr.Frodo?WhatcanIdo?’

shoutedSam,leaningoutdangerouslyfar.Whycouldnothismastersee?Itwasdim,certainly,butnotasdarkasallthat.HecouldseeFrodobelowhim,agreyforlornfiguresplayedagainstthecliff.Buthewasfaroutofthereachofanyhelpinghand.

Therewasanothercrackofthunder;andthentheraincame.Inablindingsheet,

mingledwithhail,itdroveagainstthecliff,bittercold.

‘I’mcomingdowntoyou,’shoutedSam,thoughhowhehopedtohelpinthatwayhecouldnothavesaid.

‘No,no!wait!’Frodocalledback,morestronglynow.‘Ishallbebettersoon.Ifeelbetteralready.Wait!Youcan’tdoanythingwithoutarope.’

‘Rope!’criedSam,talking

wildlytohimselfinhisexcitementandrelief.‘Well,ifIdon’tdeservetobehungontheendofoneasawarningtonumbskulls!You’renowtbutaninnyhammer,SamGamgee:that’swhattheGaffersaidtomeoftenenough,itbeingawordofhis.Rope!’

‘Stopchattering!’criedFrodo,nowrecoveredenoughtofeelbothamusedand

annoyed.‘Nevermindyourgaffer!Areyoutryingtotellyourselfyou’vegotsomeropeinyourpocket?Ifso,outwithit!’

‘Yes,Mr.Frodo,inmypackandall.Carriedithundredsofmiles,andI’dcleanforgottenit!’

‘Thengetbusyandletanenddown!’

QuicklySamunslunghispackandrummagedinit.

Thereindeedatthebottomwasacoilofthesilken-greyropemadebythefolkofLórien.Hecastanendtohismaster.ThedarknessseemedtoliftfromFrodo’seyes,orelsehissightwasreturning.Hecouldseethegreylineasitcamedanglingdown,andhethoughtithadafaintsilversheen.Nowthathehadsomepointinthedarknesstofixhiseyeson,hefeltlessgiddy.

Leaninghisweightforward,hemadetheendfastroundhiswaist,andthenhegraspedthelinewithbothhands.

Samsteppedbackandbracedhisfeetagainstastumpayardortwofromtheedge.Halfhauled,halfscrambling,Frodocameupandthrewhimselfontheground.

Thundergrowledandrumbledinthedistance,and

therainwasstillfallingheavily.Thehobbitscrawledawaybackintothegully;buttheydidnotfindmuchshelterthere.Rillsofwaterbegantorundown;soontheygrewtoaspatethatsplashedandfumedonthestones,andspoutedoutoverthecliffliketheguttersofavastroof.

‘Ishouldhavebeenhalfdrowneddownthere,orwashedcleanoff,’said

Frodo.‘Whatapieceofluckyouhadthatrope!’

‘BetterluckifI’dthoughtofitsooner,’saidSam.‘Maybeyourememberthemputtingtheropesintheboats,aswestartedoff:intheElvishcountry.Itookafancytoit,andIstowedacoilinmypack.Yearsago,itseems.‘‘Itmaybeahelpinmanyneeds,’’hesaid:Haldir,oroneofthosefolk.Andhe

spokeright.’‘ApityIdidn’tthinkof

bringinganotherlength,’saidFrodo;‘butIlefttheCompanyinsuchahurryandconfusion.Ifonlywehadenoughwecoulduseittogetdown.Howlongisyourrope,Iwonder?’

Sampaiditoutslowly,measuringitwithhisarms:‘Five,ten,twenty,thirtyells,moreorless,’hesaid.

‘Who’dhavethoughtit!’Frodoexclaimed.

‘Ah!Whowould?’saidSam.‘Elvesarewonderfulfolk.Itlooksabitthin,butit’stough;andsoftasmilktothehand.Packsclosetoo,andaslightaslight.Wonderfulfolktobesure!’

‘Thirtyells!’saidFrodoconsidering.‘Ibelieveitwouldbeenough.Ifthestormpassesbeforenightfall,I’m

goingtotryit.’‘Therain’snearlygiven

overalready,’saidSam;‘butdon’tyougodoinganythingriskyinthedimagain,Mr.Frodo!AndIhaven’tgotoverthatshriekonthewindyet,ifyouhave.LikeaBlackRideritsounded–butoneupintheair,iftheycanfly.I’mthinkingwe’dbestlayupinthiscracktillnight’sover.’

‘AndI’mthinkingthatI

won’tspendamomentlongerthanIneed,stuckuponthisedgewiththeeyesoftheDarkCountrylookingoverthemarshes,’saidFrodo.

Withthathestoodupandwentdowntothebottomofthegullyagain.Helookedout.ClearskywasgrowingintheEastoncemore.Theskirtsofthestormwerelifting,raggedandwet,andthemainbattlehadpassedto

spreaditsgreatwingsovertheEmynMuil,uponwhichthedarkthoughtofSauronbroodedforawhile.Thenceitturned,smitingtheValeofAnduinwithhailandlightning,andcastingitsshadowuponMinasTirithwiththreatofwar.Then,loweringinthemountains,andgatheringitsgreatspires,itrolledonslowlyoverGondorandtheskirtsof

Rohan,untilfarawaytheRidersontheplainsawitsblacktowersmovingbehindthesun,astheyrodeintotheWest.Buthere,overthedesertandthereekingmarshesthedeepblueskyofeveningopenedoncemore,andafewpallidstarsappeared,likesmallwhiteholesinthecanopyabovethecrescentmoon.

‘It’sgoodtobeabletosee

again,’saidFrodo,breathingdeep.‘Doyouknow,IthoughtforabitthatIhadlostmysight?Fromthelightningorsomethingelseworse.Icouldseenothing,nothingatall,untilthegreyropecamedown.Itseemedtoshimmersomehow.’

‘Itdoeslooksortofsilverinthedark,’saidSam.‘Nevernoticeditbefore,thoughIcan’trememberasI’veever

haditoutsinceIfirststowedit.Butifyou’resosetonclimbing,Mr.Frodo,howareyougoingtouseit?Thirtyells,orsay,abouteighteenfathom:that’snomorethanyourguessattheheightofthecliff.’

Frodothoughtforawhile.‘Makeitfasttothatstump,Sam!’hesaid.‘ThenIthinkyoushallhaveyourwishthistimeandgofirst.I’lllower

you,andyouneeddonomorethanuseyourfeetandhandstofendyourselfofftherock.Though,ifyouputyourweightonsomeoftheledgesandgivemearest,itwillhelp.Whenyou’redown,I’llfollow.Ifeelquitemyselfagainnow.’

‘Verywell,’saidSamheavily.‘Ifitmustbe,let’sgetitover!’Hetookuptheropeandmadeitfastoverthe

stumpnearesttothebrink;thentheotherendhetiedabouthisownwaist.Reluctantlyheturnedandpreparedtogoovertheedgeasecondtime.

Itdidnot,however,turnouthalfasbadashehadexpected.Theropeseemedtogivehimconfidence,thoughheshuthiseyesmorethan

oncewhenhelookeddownbetweenhisfeet.Therewasoneawkwardspot,wheretherewasnoledgeandthewallwassheerandevenundercutforashortspace;thereheslippedandswungoutonthesilverline.ButFrodoloweredhimslowlyandsteadily,anditwasoveratlast.Hischieffearhadbeenthattherope-lengthwouldgiveoutwhilehewas

stillhighup,buttherewasstillagoodbightinFrodo’shands,whenSamcametothebottomandcalledup:‘I’mdown!’Hisvoicecameupclearlyfrombelow,butFrodocouldnotseehim;hisgreyelven-cloakhadmeltedintothetwilight.

Frodotookrathermoretimetofollowhim.Hehadtheropeabouthiswaistanditwasfastabove,andhehad

shorteneditsothatitwouldpullhimupbeforehereachedtheground;stillhedidnotwanttoriskafall,andhehadnotquiteSam’sfaithinthisslendergreyline.Hefoundtwoplaces,allthesame,wherehehadtotrustwhollytoit:smoothsurfaceswheretherewasnoholdevenforhisstronghobbitfingersandtheledgeswerefarapart.Butatlasthetoowasdown.

‘Well!’hecried.‘We’vedoneit!We’veescapedfromtheEmynMuil!Andnowwhatnext,Iwonder?Maybeweshallsoonbesighingforgoodhardrockunderfootagain.’

ButSamdidnotanswer:hewasstaringbackupthecliff.‘Ninnyhammers!’hesaid.‘Noodles!Mybeautifulrope!Thereitistiedtoastump,andwe’reatthe

bottom.JustasnicealittlestairforthatslinkingGollumaswecouldleave.Betterputupasignposttosaywhichwaywe’vegone!Ithoughtitseemedabittooeasy.’

‘Ifyoucanthinkofanywaywecouldhavebothusedtheropeandyetbroughtitdownwithus,thenyoucanpassontomeninnyhammer,oranyothernameyourgaffergaveyou,’saidFrodo.‘Climb

upanduntieitandletyourselfdown,ifyouwantto!’

Samscratchedhishead.‘No,Ican’tthinkhow,beggingyourpardon,’hesaid.‘ButIdon’tlikeleavingit,andthat’safact.’Hestrokedtherope’sendandshookitgently.‘ItgoeshardpartingwithanythingIbroughtoutoftheElf-country.MadebyGaladriel

herself,too,maybe.Galadriel,’hemurmured,noddinghisheadmournfully.Helookedupandgaveonelastpulltotheropeasifinfarewell.

Tothecompletesurpriseofboththehobbitsitcameloose.Samfellover,andthelonggreycoilsslitheredsilentlydownontopofhim.Frodolaughed.‘Whotiedtherope?’hesaid.‘Agoodthing

itheldaslongasitdid!TothinkthatItrustedallmyweighttoyourknot!’

Samdidnotlaugh.‘Imaynotbemuchgoodatclimbing,Mr.Frodo,’hesaidininjuredtones,‘butIdoknowsomethingaboutropeandaboutknots.It’sinthefamily,asyoumightsay.Why,mygrand-dad,andmyuncleAndyafterhim,himthatwastheGaffer’seldest

brother,hehadarope-walkoverbyTighfieldmanyayear.AndIputasfastahitchoverthestumpasanyonecouldhavedone,intheShireoroutofit.’

‘Thentheropemusthavebroken–frayedontherock-edge,Iexpect,’saidFrodo.

‘Ibetitdidn’t!’saidSaminanevenmoreinjuredvoice.Hestoopedandexaminedtheends.‘Norit

hasn’tneither.Notastrand!’‘ThenI’mafraiditmust

havebeentheknot,’saidFrodo.

Samshookhisheadanddidnotanswer.Hewaspassingtheropethroughhisfingersthoughtfully.‘Haveityourownway,Mr.Frodo,’hesaidatlast,‘butIthinktheropecameoffitself–whenIcalled.’Hecoileditupandstoweditlovinglyinhispack.

‘Itcertainlycame,’saidFrodo,‘andthat’sthechiefthing.Butnowwe’vegottothinkofournextmove.Nightwillbeonussoon.Howbeautifulthestarsare,andtheMoon!’

‘Theydocheertheheart,don’tthey?’saidSamlookingup.‘Elvishtheyare,somehow.AndtheMoon’sgrowing.Wehaven’tseenhimforanightortwointhis

cloudyweather.He’sbeginningtogivequitealight.’

‘Yes,’saidFrodo;‘buthewon’tbefullforsomedays.Idon’tthinkwe’lltrythemarshesbythelightofhalfamoon.’

Underthefirstshadowsofnighttheystartedoutonthenextstageoftheir

journey.AfterawhileSamturnedandlookedbackatthewaytheyhadcome.Themouthofthegullywasablacknotchinthedimcliff.‘I’mgladwe’vegottherope,’hesaid.‘We’vesetalittlepuzzleforthatfootpad,anyhow.Hecantryhisnastyflappyfeetonthoseledges!’

Theypickedtheirstepsawayfromtheskirtsofthecliff,amongawildernessof

bouldersandroughstones,wetandslipperywiththeheavyrain.Thegroundstillfellawaysharply.Theyhadnotgoneveryfarwhentheycameuponagreatfissurethatyawnedsuddenlyblackbeforetheirfeet.Itwasnotwide,butitwastoowidetojumpacrossinthedimlight.Theythoughttheycouldhearwatergurglinginitsdepths.Itcurvedawayontheirleft

northward,backtowardsthehills,andsobarredtheirroadinthatdirection,atanyratewhiledarknesslasted.

‘Wehadbettertryawaybacksouthwardsalongthelineofthecliff,Ithink,’saidSam.‘Wemightfindsomenookthere,orevenacaveorsomething.’

‘Isupposeso,’saidFrodo.‘I’mtired,andIdon’tthinkIcanscrambleamongstones

muchlongertonight–thoughIgrudgethedelay.Iwishtherewasaclearpathinfrontofus:thenI’dgoontillmylegsgaveway.’

TheydidnotfindthegoinganyeasieratthebrokenfeetoftheEmynMuil.NordidSamfindanynookorhollowtoshelterin:onlybarestonyslopesfrownedoverby

thecliff,whichnowroseagain,higherandmoresheerastheywentback.Intheend,wornout,theyjustcastthemselvesonthegroundundertheleeofaboulderlyingnotfarfromthefootoftheprecipice.Thereforsometimetheysathuddledmournfullytogetherinthecoldstonynight,whilesleepcreptupontheminspiteofalltheycoulddotoholditoff.

Themoonnowrodehighandclear.Itsthinwhitelightlitupthefacesoftherocksanddrenchedthecoldfrowningwallsofthecliff,turningallthewideloomingdarknessintoachillpalegreyscoredwithblackshadows.

‘Well!’saidFrodo,standingupanddrawinghiscloakmorecloselyroundhim.‘YousleepforabitSamandtakemyblanket.I’llwalk

upanddownonsentryforawhile.’Suddenlyhestiffened,andstoopinghegrippedSambythearm.‘What’sthat?’hewhispered.‘Lookoverthereonthecliff!’

Samlookedandbreathedinsharplythroughhisteeth.‘Ssss!’hesaid.‘That’swhatitis.It’sthatGollum!Snakesandadders!AndtothinkthatIthoughtthatwe’dpuzzlehimwithourbitofaclimb!

Lookathim!Likeanastycrawlingspideronawall.’

Downthefaceofaprecipice,sheerandalmostsmoothitseemedinthepalemoonlight,asmallblackshapewasmovingwithitsthinlimbssplayedout.Maybeitssoftclinginghandsandtoeswerefindingcrevicesandholdsthatno

hobbitcouldeverhaveseenorused,butitlookedasifitwasjustcreepingdownonstickypads,likesomelargeprowlingthingofinsect-kind.Anditwascomingdownheadfirst,asifitwassmellingitsway.Nowandagainitlifteditsheadslowly,turningitrightbackonitslongskinnyneck,andthehobbitscaughtaglimpseoftwosmallpalegleaming

lights,itseyesthatblinkedatthemoonforamomentandthenwerequicklyliddedagain.

‘Doyouthinkhecanseeus?’saidSam.

‘Idon’tknow,’saidFrodoquietly,‘butIthinknot.Itishardevenforfriendlyeyestoseetheseelven-cloaks:Icannotseeyouintheshadowevenatafewpaces.AndI’veheardthathedoesn’tlikeSun

orMoon.’‘Thenwhyishecoming

downjusthere?’askedSam.‘Quietly,Sam!’said

Frodo.‘Hecansmellus,perhaps.AndhecanhearaskeenasElves,Ibelieve.Ithinkhehasheardsomethingnow:ourvoicesprobably.Wedidalotofshoutingawaybackthere;andweweretalkingfartooloudlyuntilaminuteago.’

‘Well,I’msickofhim,’saidSam.‘He’scomeoncetoooftenforme,andI’mgoingtohaveawordwithhim,ifIcan.Idon’tsupposewecouldgivehimtheslipnowanyway.’

Drawinghisgreyhoodwelloverhisface,Samcreptstealthilytowardsthecliff.

‘Careful!’whisperedFrodocomingbehind.‘Don’talarmhim!He’smuchmore

dangerousthanhelooks.’Theblackcrawlingshape

wasnowthree-quartersofthewaydown,andperhapsfiftyfeetorlessabovethecliff’sfoot.Crouchingstone-stillintheshadowofalargeboulderthehobbitswatchedhim.Heseemedtohavecometoadifficultpassageortobetroubledaboutsomething.Theycouldhearhimsnuffling,andnowandagain

therewasaharshhissofbreaththatsoundedlikeacurse.Heliftedhishead,andtheythoughttheyheardhimspit.Thenhemovedonagain.Nowtheycouldhearhisvoicecreakingandwhistling.

‘Ach,sss!Cautious,myprecious!Morehastelessspeed.Wemusstn’trisskourneck,musstwe,precious?No,precious–gollum!’Heliftedhisheadagain,blinked

atthemoon,andquicklyshuthiseyes.‘Wehateit,’hehissed.‘Nassty,nasstyshiverylightitis–sss–itspiesonus,precious–ithurtsoureyes.’

Hewasgettinglowernowandthehissesbecamesharperandclearer.‘Whereissit,whereissit:myPrecious,myPrecious?It’sours,itis,andwewantsit.Thethieves,thethieves,thefilthylittle

thieves.WherearetheywithmyPrecious?Cursethem!Wehatesthem.’

‘Itdoesn’tsoundasifheknewwewerehere,doesit?’whisperedSam.‘Andwhat’shisPrecious?Doeshemeanthe—’

‘Hsh!’breathedFrodo.‘He’sgettingnearnow,nearenoughtohearawhisper.’

IndeedGollumhadsuddenlypausedagain,and

hislargeheadonitsscrawnyneckwaslollingfromsidetosideasifhewaslistening.Hispaleeyeswerehalfunlidded.Samrestrainedhimself,thoughhisfingersweretwitching.Hiseyes,filledwithangeranddisgust,werefixedonthewretchedcreatureashenowbegantomoveagain,stillwhisperingandhissingtohimself.

Atlasthewasnomore

thanadozenfeetfromtheground,rightabovetheirheads.Fromthatpointtherewasasheerdrop,forthecliffwasslightlyundercut,andevenGollumcouldnotfindaholdofanykind.Heseemedtobetryingtotwistround,soastogolegsfirst,whensuddenlywithashrillwhistlingshriekhefell.Ashedidso,hecurledhislegsandarmsuproundhim,likea

spiderwhosedescendingthreadissnapped.

Samwasoutofhishidinginaflashandcrossedthespacebetweenhimandthecliff-footinacoupleofleaps.BeforeGollumcouldgetup,hewasontopofhim.ButhefoundGollummorethanhebargainedfor,eventakenlikethat,suddenly,offhisguardafterafall.BeforeSamcouldgetahold,longlegsandarms

werewoundroundhimpinninghisarms,andaclinginggrip,softbuthorriblystrong,wassqueezinghimlikeslowlytighteningcords;clammyfingerswerefeelingforhisthroat.Thensharpteethbitintohisshoulder.Allhecoulddowastobutthishardroundheadsidewaysintothecreature’sface.Gollumhissedandspat,buthedidnot

letgo.Thingswouldhavegone

illwithSam,ifhehadbeenalone.ButFrodosprangup,anddrewStingfromitssheath.WithhislefthandhedrewbackGollum’sheadbyhisthinlankhair,stretchinghislongneck,andforcinghispalevenomouseyestostareupatthesky.

‘Letgo!Gollum,’hesaid.‘ThisisSting.Youhaveseen

itbeforeonceuponatime.Letgo,oryou’llfeelitthistime!I’llcutyourthroat.’

Gollumcollapsedandwentaslooseaswetstring.Samgotup,fingeringhisshoulder.Hiseyessmoulderedwithanger,buthecouldnotavengehimself:hismiserableenemylaygrovellingonthestoneswhimpering.

‘Don’thurtus!Don’tlet

themhurtus,precious!Theywon’thurtuswillthey,nicelittlehobbitses?Wedidn’tmeannoharm,buttheyjumpsonuslikecatsonpoormices,theydid,precious.Andwe’resolonely,gollum.We’llbenicetothem,verynice,ifthey’llbenicetous,won’twe,yes,yess.’

‘Well,what’stobedonewithit?’saidSam.‘Tieitup,soasitcan’tcomesneaking

afterusnomore,Isay.’‘Butthatwouldkillus,

killus,’whimperedGollum.‘Cruellittlehobbitses.Tieusupinthecoldhardlandsandleaveus,gollum,gollum.’Sobswelledupinhisgobblingthroat.

‘No,’saidFrodo.‘Ifwekillhim,wemustkillhimoutright.Butwecan’tdothat,notasthingsare.Poorwretch!Hehasdoneusno

harm.’‘Ohhasn’the!’saidSam

rubbinghisshoulder.‘Anywayhemeantto,andhemeansto,I’llwarrant.Throttleusinoursleep,that’shisplan.’

‘Idaresay,’saidFrodo.‘Butwhathemeanstodoisanothermatter.’Hepausedforawhileinthought.Gollumlaystill,butstoppedwhimpering.Samstood

gloweringoverhim.ItseemedtoFrodothen

thatheheard,quiteplainlybutfaroff,voicesoutofthepast:

WhatapityBilbodidnotstabthevilecreature,whenhehadachance!

Pity?ItwasPitythatstayedhishand.Pity,andMercy:nottostrikewithoutneed.

Idonotfeelanypityfor

Gollum.Hedeservesdeath.Deservesdeath!Idaresayhedoes.Manythatlivedeservedeath.Andsomediethatdeservelife.Canyougivethattothem?Thenbenottooeagertodealoutdeathinthenameofjustice,fearingforyourownsafety.Eventhewisecannotseeallends.

‘Verywell,’heansweredaloud,loweringhissword.‘ButstillIamafraid.And

yet,asyousee,Iwillnottouchthecreature.FornowthatIseehim,Idopityhim.’

Samstaredathismaster,whoseemedtobespeakingtosomeonewhowasnotthere.Gollumliftedhishead.

‘Yess,wretchedweare,precious,’hewhined.‘Miserymisery!Hobbitswon’tkillus,nicehobbits.’

‘No,wewon’t,’saidFrodo.‘Butwewon’tletyougo,either.You’refullofwickednessandmischief,Gollum.Youwillhavetocomewithus,that’sall,whilewekeepaneyeonyou.Butyoumusthelpus,ifyoucan.Onegoodturndeservesanother.’

‘Yess,yesindeed,’saidGollumsittingup.‘Nicehobbits!Wewillcomewith

them.Findthemsafepathsinthedark,yeswewill.Andwherearetheygoinginthesecoldhardlands,wewonders,yeswewonders?’Helookedupatthem,andafaintlightofcunningandeagernessflickeredforasecondinhispaleblinkingeyes.

Samscowledathim,andsuckedhisteeth;butheseemedtosensethattherewassomethingoddabouthis

master’smoodandthatthematterwasbeyondargument.AllthesamehewasamazedatFrodo’sreply.

FrodolookedstraightintoGollum’seyeswhichflinchedandtwistedaway.‘Youknowthat,oryouguesswellenough,Sméagol,’hesaid,quietlyandsternly.‘WearegoingtoMordor,ofcourse.Andyouknowthewaythere,Ibelieve.’

‘Ach!sss!’saidGollum,coveringhisearswithhishands,asifsuchfrankness,andtheopenspeakingofthenames,hurthim.‘Weguessed,yesweguessed,’hewhispered;‘andwedidn’twantthemtogo,didwe?No,precious,notthenicehobbits.Ashes,ashes,anddust,andthirstthereis;andpits,pits,pits,andOrcs,thousandsofOrcses.Nicehobbitsmustn’t

goto–sss–thoseplaces.’‘Soyouhavebeenthere?’

Frodoinsisted.‘Andyou’rebeingdrawnbackthere,aren’tyou?’

‘Yess.Yess.No!’shriekedGollum.‘Once,byaccidentitwas,wasn’tit,precious?Yes,byaccident.Butwewon’tgoback,no,no!’Thensuddenlyhisvoiceandlanguagechanged,andhesobbedinhisthroat,andspokebutnotto

them.‘Leavemealone,gollum!Youhurtme.Omypoorhands,gollum!I,we,Idon’twanttocomeback.Ican’tfindit.Iamtired.I,wecan’tfindit,gollum,gollum,no,nowhere.They’realwaysawake.Dwarves,Men,andElves,terribleElveswithbrighteyes.Ican’tfindit.Ach!’Hegotupandclenchedhislonghandintoabonyfleshlessknot,shakingit

towardstheEast.‘Wewon’t!’hecried.‘Notforyou.’Thenhecollapsedagain.‘Gollum,gollum,’hewhimperedwithhisfacetotheground.‘Don’tlookatus!Goaway!Gotosleep!’

‘Hewillnotgoawayorgotosleepatyourcommand,Sméagol,’saidFrodo.‘Butifyoureallywishtobefreeofhimagain,thenyoumusthelpme.AndthatIfear

meansfindingusapathtowardshim.Butyouneednotgoalltheway,notbeyondthegatesofhisland.’

Gollumsatupagainandlookedathimunderhiseyelids.‘He’soverthere,’hecackled.‘Alwaysthere.Orcswilltakeyoualltheway.EasytofindOrcseastoftheRiver.Don’taskSméagol.Poor,poorSméagol,hewentawaylongago.Theytookhis

Precious,andhe’slostnow.’‘Perhapswe’llfindhim

again,ifyoucomewithus,’saidFrodo.

‘No,no,never!He’slosthisPrecious,’saidGollum.

‘Getup!’saidFrodo.Gollumstoodupand

backedawayagainstthecliff.‘Now!’saidFrodo.‘Can

youfindapatheasierbydayorbynight?We’retired;butifyouchoosethenight,we’ll

starttonight.’‘Thebiglightshurtour

eyes,theydo,’Gollumwhined.‘NotundertheWhiteFace,notyet.Itwillgobehindthehillssoon,yess.Restabitfirst,nicehobbits!’

‘Thensitdown,’saidFrodo,‘anddon’tmove!’

Thehobbitsseatedthemselvesbesidehim,one

oneitherside,withtheirbackstothestonywall,restingtheirlegs.Therewasnoneedforanyarrangementbyword:theyknewthattheymustnotsleepforamoment.Slowlythemoonwentby.Shadowsfelldownfromthehills,andallgrewdarkbeforethem.Thestarsgrewthickandbrightintheskyabove.Noonestirred.Gollumsatwithhislegsdrawnup,knees

underchin,flathandsandfeetsplayedontheground,hiseyesclosed;butheseemedtense,asifthinkingorlistening.

FrodolookedacrossatSam.Theireyesmetandtheyunderstood.Theyrelaxed,leaningtheirheadsback,andshuttingtheireyesorseemingto.Soonthesoundoftheirsoftbreathingcouldbeheard.Gollum’shandstwitcheda

little.Hardlyperceptiblyhis

headmovedtotheleftandtheright,andfirstoneeyeandthentheotheropenedaslit.Thehobbitsmadenosign.

Suddenly,withstartlingagilityandspeed,straightoffthegroundwithajumplikeagrasshopperorafrog,Gollumboundedforwardintothedarkness.Butthatwasjust

whatFrodoandSamhadexpected.Samwasonhimbeforehehadgonetwopacesafterhisspring.Frodocomingbehindgrabbedhislegandthrewhim.

‘Yourropemightproveusefulagain,Sam,’hesaid.Samgotouttherope.‘Andwherewereyouofftointhecoldhardlands,Mr.Gollum?’hegrowled.‘Wewonders,aye,wewonders.

Tofindsomeofyourorc-friends,Iwarrant.Younastytreacherouscreature.It’sroundyourneckthisropeoughttogo,andatightnoosetoo.’

Gollumlayquietandtriednofurthertricks.HedidnotanswerSam,butgavehimaswiftvenomouslook.

‘Allweneedissomethingtokeepaholdonhim,’saidFrodo.‘Wewanthimtowalk,

soit’snogoodtyinghislegs–orhisarms,heseemstousethemnearlyasmuch.Tieoneendtohisankle,andkeepagripontheotherend.’

HestoodoverGollum,whileSamtiedtheknot.Theresultsurprisedthemboth.Gollumbegantoscream,athin,tearingsound,veryhorribletohear.Hewrithed,andtriedtogethismouthtohisankleandbitetherope.

Hekeptonscreaming.AtlastFrodowas

convincedthathereallywasinpain;butitcouldnotbefromtheknot.Heexamineditandfoundthatitwasnottootight,indeedhardlytightenough.Samwasgentlerthanhiswords.‘What’sthematterwithyou?’hesaid.‘Ifyouwilltrytorunaway,youmustbetied;butwedon’twishtohurtyou.’

‘Ithurtsus,ithurtsus,’hissedGollum.‘Itfreezes,itbites!Elvestwistedit,cursethem!Nastycruelhobbits!That’swhywetriestoescape,ofcourseitis,precious.Weguessedtheywerecruelhobbits.TheyvisitsElves,fierceElveswithbrighteyes.Takeitoffus!Ithurtsus.’

‘No,Iwillnottakeitoffyou,’saidFrodo,‘notunless’

–hepausedamomentinthought–‘notunlessthereisanypromiseyoucanmakethatIcantrust.’

‘Wewillsweartodowhathewants,yes,yess,’saidGollum,stilltwistingandgrabblingathisankle.‘Ithurtsus.’

‘Swear?’saidFrodo.‘Sméagol,’saidGollum

suddenlyandclearly,openinghiseyeswideandstaringat

Frodowithastrangelight.‘SméagolwillswearonthePrecious.’

Frododrewhimselfup,andagainSamwasstartledbyhiswordsandhissternvoice.‘OnthePrecious?Howdareyou?’hesaid.‘Think!

OneRingtorulethemallandintheDarknessbindthem.

Wouldyoucommityourpromisetothat,Sméagol?Itwillholdyou.Butitismoretreacherousthanyouare.Itmaytwistyourwords.Beware!’

Gollumcowered.‘OnthePrecious,onthePrecious!’herepeated.

‘Andwhatwouldyouswear?’askedFrodo.

‘Tobeveryverygood,’saidGollum.Thencrawling

toFrodo’sfeethegrovelledbeforehim,whisperinghoarsely:ashudderranoverhim,asifthewordsshookhisveryboneswithfear.‘Sméagolwillswearnever,never,toletHimhaveit.Never!Sméagolwillsaveit.ButhemustswearonthePrecious.’

‘No!notonit,’saidFrodo,lookingdownathimwithsternpity.‘Allyouwish

istoseeitandtouchit,ifyoucan,thoughyouknowitwoulddriveyoumad.Notonit.Swearbyit,ifyouwill.Foryouknowwhereitis.Yes,youknow,Sméagol.Itisbeforeyou.’

ForamomentitappearedtoSamthathismasterhadgrownandGollumhadshrunk:atallsternshadow,amightylordwhohidhisbrightnessingreycloud,and

athisfeetalittlewhiningdog.Yetthetwowereinsomewayakinandnotalien:theycouldreachoneanother’sminds.GollumraisedhimselfandbeganpawingatFrodo,fawningathisknees.

‘Down!down!’saidFrodo.‘Nowspeakyourpromise!’

‘Wepromises,yesIpromise!’saidGollum.‘Iwill

servethemasterofthePrecious.Goodmaster,goodSméagol,gollum,gollum!’Suddenlyhebegantoweepandbiteathisankleagain.

‘Taketheropeoff,Sam!’saidFrodo.

ReluctantlySamobeyed.AtonceGollumgotupandbeganprancingabout,likeawhippedcurwhosemasterhaspattedit.Fromthatmomentachange,which

lastedforsometime,cameoverhim.Hespokewithlesshissingandwhining,andhespoketohiscompanionsdirect,nottohispreciousself.Hewouldcringeandflinch,iftheysteppednearhimormadeanysuddenmovement,andheavoidedthetouchoftheirelven-cloaks;buthewasfriendly,andindeedpitifullyanxioustoplease.Hewouldcacklewithlaughterand

caper,ifanyjestwasmade,orevenifFrodospokekindlytohim,andweepifFrodorebukedhim.Samsaidlittletohimofanysort.Hesuspectedhimmoredeeplythanever,andifpossiblelikedthenewGollum,theSméagol,lessthantheold.

‘Well,Gollum,orwhateveritiswe’retocallyou,’hesaid,‘nowforit!TheMoon’sgone,andthenight’s

going.We’dbetterstart.’‘Yes,yes,’agreed

Gollum,skippingabout.‘Offwego!There’sonlyonewayacrossbetweentheNorth-endandtheSouth-end.Ifoundit,Idid.Orcsdon’tuseit,Orcsdon’tknowit.Orcsdon’tcrosstheMarshes,theygoroundformilesandmiles.Veryluckyyoucamethisway.VeryluckyyoufoundSméagol,yes.Follow

Sméagol!’Hetookafewstepsaway

andlookedbackinquiringly,likeadoginvitingthemforawalk.‘Waitabit,Gollum!’criedSam.‘Nottoofaraheadnow!I’mgoingtobeatyourtail,andI’vegottheropehandy.’

‘No,no!’saidGollum.‘Sméagolpromised.’

Inthedeepofnightunderhardclearstarstheysetoff.

Gollumledthembacknorthwardforawhilealongthewaytheyhadcome;thenheslantedtotherightawayfromthesteepedgeoftheEmynMuil,downthebrokenstonyslopestowardsthevastfensbelow.Theyfadedswiftlyandsoftlyintothedarkness.OveralltheleaguesofwastebeforethegatesofMordortherewasablacksilence.

Chapter2

THEPASSAGEOFTHEMARSHES

Gollummovedquickly,withhisheadandneckthrustforward,oftenusinghishandsaswellashisfeet.FrodoandSamwerehardputtoittokeepupwithhim;but

heseemednolongertohaveanythoughtofescaping,andiftheyfellbehind,hewouldturnandwaitforthem.Afteratimehebroughtthemtothebrinkofthenarrowgullythattheyhadstruckbefore;buttheywerenowfurtherfromthehills.

‘Hereitis!’hecried.‘Thereisawaydowninside,yes.Nowwefollowsit–out,outawayoverthere.’He

pointedsouthandeasttowardsthemarshes.Thereekofthemcametotheirnostrils,heavyandfouleveninthecoolnightair.

Gollumcastupanddownalongthebrink,andatlengthhecalledtothem.‘Here!Wecangetdownhere.Sméagolwentthiswayonce:Iwentthisway,hidingfromOrcs.’

Heledtheway,andfollowinghimthehobbits

climbeddownintothegloom.Itwasnotdifficult,fortheriftwasatthispointonlysomefifteenfeetdeepandaboutadozenacross.Therewasrunningwateratthebottom:itwasinfactthebedofoneofthemanysmallriversthattrickleddownfromthehillstofeedthestagnantpoolsandmiresbeyond.Gollumturnedtotheright,southwardmoreorless,andsplashedalong

withhisfeetintheshallowstonystream.Heseemedgreatlydelightedtofeelthewater,andchuckledtohimself,sometimesevencroakinginasortofsong.

Thecoldhardlandstheybitesourhands,theygnawsourfeet.Therocksand

stonesarelikeoldbonesallbareofmeat.Butstreamandpooliswetandcool:soniceforfeet!Andnowwewish—

‘Ha!ha!Whatdoeswewish?’hesaid,lookingsidelongatthehobbits.‘We’lltellyou,’hecroaked.

‘Heguesseditlongago,Bagginsguessedit.’Aglintcameintohiseyes,andSamcatchingthegleaminthedarknessthoughtitfarfrompleasant.

Alivewithoutbreath;ascoldasdeath;neverthirsting,everdrinking;cladinmail,never

clinking.Drownsondryland,thinksanislandisamountain;thinksafountainisapuffofair.Sosleek,sofair!Whatajoytomeet!Weonlywishtocatchafish,sojuicy-sweet!

ThesewordsonlymademorepressingtoSam’smindaproblemthathadbeentroublinghimfromthemomentwhenheunderstoodthathismasterwasgoingtoadoptGollumasaguide:theproblemoffood.Itdidnotoccurtohimthathismastermightalsohavethoughtofit,buthesupposedGollumhad.IndeedhowhadGollumkepthimselfinallhislonely

wandering?‘Nottoowell,’thoughtSam.‘Helooksfairfamished.Nottoodaintytotrywhathobbittasteslike,ifthereain’tnofish,I’llwager–supposingashecouldcatchusnapping.Well,hewon’t:notSamGamgeeforone.’

Theystumbledalonginthedarkwindinggullyforalongtime,orsoitseemedto

thetiredfeetofFrodoandSam.Thegullyturnedeastward,andastheywentonitbroadenedandgotgraduallyshallower.Atlasttheskyabovegrewfaintwiththefirstgreyofmorning.Gollumhadshownnosignsoftiring,butnowhelookedupandhalted.

‘Dayisnear,’hewhispered,asifDaywassomethingthatmight

overhearhimandspringonhim.‘Sméagolwillstayhere:Iwillstayhere,andtheYellowFacewon’tseeme.’

‘WeshouldbegladtoseetheSun,’saidFrodo,‘butwewillstayhere:wearetootiredtogoanyfurtheratpresent.’

‘YouarenotwisetobegladoftheYellowFace,’saidGollum.‘Itshowsyouup.Nicesensiblehobbitsstay

withSméagol.Orcsandnastythingsareabout.Theycanseealongway.Stayandhidewithme!’

Thethreeofthemsettleddowntorestatthefootoftherockywallofthegully.Itwasnotmuchmorethanatallman’sheightnow,andatitsbasetherewerewideflatshelvesofdrystone;thewaterraninachannelontheotherside.FrodoandSamsat

ononeoftheflats,restingtheirbacks.Gollumpaddledandscrabbledinthestream.

‘Wemusttakealittlefood,’saidFrodo.‘Areyouhungry,Sméagol?Wehaveverylittletoshare,butwewillspareyouwhatwecan.’

AtthewordhungryagreenishlightwaskindledinGollum’spaleeyes,andtheyseemedtoprotrudefurtherthaneverfromhisthinsickly

face.ForamomentherelapsedintohisoldGollum-manner.‘Wearefamisshed,yesfamisshedweare,precious,’hesaid.‘Whatisittheyeats?Havetheynicefisshes?’Histonguelolledoutbetweenhissharpyellowteeth,lickinghiscolourlesslips.

‘No,wehavegotnofish,’saidFrodo.‘Wehaveonlygotthis’–heheldupawafer

oflembas–‘andwater,ifthewaterhereisfittodrink.’

‘Yess,yess,nicewater,’saidGollum.‘Drinkit,drinkit,whilewecan!Butwhatisitthey’vegot,precious?Isitcrunchable?Isittasty?’

Frodobrokeoffaportionofawaferandhandedittohimonitsleaf-wrapping.Gollumsniffedattheleafandhisfacechanged:aspasmofdisgustcameoverit,anda

hintofhisoldmalice.‘Sméagolsmellsit!’hesaid.‘LeavesoutoftheElf-country,gah!Theystinks.Heclimbedinthosetrees,andhecouldn’twashthesmelloffhishands,mynicehands.’Droppingtheleaf,hetookacornerofthelembasandnibbledit.Hespat,andafitofcoughingshookhim.

‘Ach!No!’hespluttered.‘Youtrytochokepoor

Sméagol.Dustandashes,hecan’teatthat.Hemuststarve.ButSméagoldoesn’tmind.Nicehobbits!Sméagolhaspromised.Hewillstarve.Hecan’teathobbits’food.Hewillstarve.PoorthinSméagol!’

‘I’msorry,’saidFrodo;‘butIcan’thelpyou,I’mafraid.Ithinkthisfoodwoulddoyougood,ifyouwouldtry.Butperhapsyoucan’t

eventry,notyetanyway.’

Thehobbitsmunchedtheirlembasinsilence.Samthoughtthatittastedfarbetter,somehow,thanithadforagoodwhile:Gollum’sbehaviourhadmadehimattendtoitsflavouragain.Buthedidnotfeelcomfortable.Gollumwatchedeverymorselfromhandto

mouth,likeanexpectantdogbyadiner’schair.Onlywhentheyhadfinishedandwerepreparingtorest,washeapparentlyconvincedthattheyhadnohiddendaintiesthathecouldsharein.Thenhewentandsatbyhimselfafewpacesawayandwhimperedalittle.

‘Lookhere!’SamwhisperedtoFrodo,nottoosoftly:hedidnotreallycare

whetherGollumheardhimornot.‘We’vegottogetsomesleep;butnotbothtogetherwiththathungryvillainnigh,promiseornopromise.SméagolorGollum,hewon’tchangehishabitsinahurry,I’llwarrant.Yougotosleep,Mr.Frodo,andI’llcallyouwhenIcan’tkeepmyeyelidsproppedup.Turnandabout,sameasbefore,whilehe’sloose.’

‘Perhapsyou’reright,Sam,’saidFrodospeakingopenly.‘Thereisachangeinhim,butjustwhatkindofachangeandhowdeep,I’mnotsureyet.Seriouslythough,Idon’tthinkthereisanyneedforfear–atpresent.Stillwatchifyouwish.Givemeabouttwohours,notmore,andthencallme.’

SotiredwasFrodothathisheadfellforwardonhis

breastandheslept,almostassoonashehadspokenthewords.Gollumseemednolongertohaveanyfears.Hecurledupandwentquicklytosleep,quiteunconcerned.Presentlyhisbreathwashissingsoftlythroughhisclenchedteeth,buthelaystillasstone.Afterawhile,fearingthathewoulddropoffhimself,ifhesatlisteningtohistwocompanions

breathing,SamgotupandgentlyproddedGollum.Hishandsuncurledandtwitched,buthemadenoothermovement.Sambentdownandsaidfisshclosetohisear,buttherewasnoresponse,notevenacatchinGollum’sbreathing.

Samscratchedhishead.‘Mustreallybeasleep,’hemuttered.‘AndifIwaslikeGollum,hewouldn’twakeup

neveragain.’Herestrainedthethoughtsofhisswordandtheropethatsprangtohismind,andwentandsatdownbyhismaster.

Whenhewokeuptheskyabovewasdim,notlighterbutdarkerthanwhentheyhadbreakfasted.Samleapttohisfeet.Notleastfromhisownfeelingofvigourand

hunger,hesuddenlyunderstoodthathehadsleptthedaylightaway,ninehoursatleast.Frodowasstillfastasleep,lyingnowstretchedonhisside.Gollumwasnottobeseen.VariousreproachfulnamesforhimselfcametoSam’smind,drawnfromtheGaffer’slargepaternalword-hoard;thenitalsooccurredtohimthathismasterhadbeenright:there

hadforthepresentbeennothingtoguardagainst.Theywereatanyratebothaliveandunthrottled.

‘Poorwretch!’hesaidhalfremorsefully.‘NowIwonderwherehe’sgotto?’

‘Notfar,notfar!’saidavoiceabovehim.HelookedupandsawtheshapeofGollum’slargeheadandearsagainsttheeveningsky.

‘Here,whatareyou

doing?’criedSam,hissuspicionscomingbackassoonashesawthatshape.

‘Sméagolishungry,’saidGollum.‘Bebacksoon.’

‘Comebacknow!’shoutedSam.‘Hi!Comeback!’ButGollumhadvanished.

FrodowokeatthesoundofSam’sshoutandsatup,rubbinghiseyes.‘Hullo!’hesaid.‘Anythingwrong?

What’sthetime?’‘Idunno,’saidSam.

‘Aftersundown,Ireckon.Andhe’sgoneoff.Sayshe’shungry.’

‘Don’tworry!’saidFrodo.‘There’snohelpforit.Buthe’llcomeback,you’llsee.Thepromisewillholdyetawhile.Andhewon’tleavehisPrecious,anyway.’

Frodomadelightofitwhenhelearnedthattheyhad

sleptsoundlyforhourswithGollum,andaveryhungryGollumtoo,loosebesidethem.‘Don’tthinkofanyofyourgaffer’shardnames,’hesaid.‘Youwerewornout,andithasturnedoutwell:wearenowbothrested.Andwehaveahardroadahead,theworstroadofall.’

‘Aboutthefood,’saidSam.‘Howlong’sitgoingtotakeustodothisjob?And

whenit’sdone,whatarewegoingtodothen?Thiswaybreadkeepsyouonyourlegsinawonderfulway,thoughitdoesn’tsatisfytheinnardsproper,asyoumightsay:nottomyfeelinganyhow,meaningnodisrespecttothemasmadeit.Butyouhavetoeatsomeofiteveryday,anditdoesn’tgrow.Ireckonwe’vegotenoughtolast,say,three

weeksorso,andthatwithatightbeltandalighttooth,mindyou.We’vebeenabitfreewithitsofar.’

‘Idon’tknowhowlongweshalltaketo–tofinish,’saidFrodo.‘Weweremiserablydelayedinthehills.ButSamwiseGamgee,mydearhobbit–indeed,Sammydearesthobbit,friendoffriends–Idonotthinkweneedgivethoughttowhat

comesafterthat.Todothejobasyouputit–whathopeistherethatweevershall?Andifwedo,whoknowswhatwillcomeofthat?IftheOnegoesintotheFire,andweareathand?Iaskyou,Sam,areweeverlikelytoneedbreadagain?Ithinknot.IfwecannurseourlimbstobringustoMountDoom,thatisallwecando.MorethanIcan,Ibegintofeel.’

Samnoddedsilently.Hetookhismaster’shandandbentoverit.Hedidnotkissit,thoughhistearsfellonit.Thenheturnedaway,drewhissleeveoverhisnose,andgotup,andstampedabout,tryingtowhistle,andsayingbetweentheefforts:‘Where’sthatdrattedcreature?’

ItwasactuallynotlongbeforeGollumreturned;buthecamesoquietlythatthey

didnothearhimtillhestoodbeforethem.Hisfingersandfaceweresoiledwithblackmud.Hewasstillchewingandslavering.Whathewaschewing,theydidnotaskorliketothink.

‘Wormsorbeetlesorsomethingslimyoutofholes,’thoughtSam.‘Brr!Thenastycreature;thepoorwretch!’

Gollumsaidnothingto

them,untilhehaddrunkdeeplyandwashedhimselfinthestream.Thenhecameuptothem,lickinghislips.‘Betternow,’hesaid.‘Arewerested?Readytogoon?Nicehobbits,theysleepbeautifully.TrustSméagolnow?Very,verygood.’

Thenextstageoftheirjourneywasmuchthesame

asthelast.Astheywentonthegullybecameevershallowerandtheslopeofitsfloormoregradual.Itsbottomwaslessstonyandmoreearthy,andslowlyitssidesdwindledtomerebanks.Itbegantowindandwander.Thatnightdrewtoitsend,butcloudswerenowovermoonandstar,andtheyknewofthecomingofdayonlybytheslowspreadingofthethin

greylight.Inachillhourtheycame

totheendofthewater-course.Thebanksbecamemoss-grownmounds.Overthelastshelfofrottingstonethestreamgurgledandfelldownintoabrownbogandwaslost.Dryreedshissedandrattledthoughtheycouldfeelnowind.

Oneithersideandinfrontwidefensandmiresnowlay,stretchingawaysouthwardandeastwardintothedimhalf-light.Mistscurledandsmokedfromdarkandnoisomepools.Thereekofthemhungstiflinginthestillair.Faraway,nowalmostduesouth,themountain-wallsofMordorloomed,likeablackbarofruggedcloudsfloatingaboveadangerousfog-bound

sea.

ThehobbitswerenowwhollyinthehandsofGollum.Theydidnotknow,andcouldnotguessinthatmistylight,thattheywereinfactonlyjustwithinthenorthernbordersofthemarshes,themainexpanseofwhichlaysouthofthem.Theycould,iftheyhad

knownthelands,withsomedelayhaveretracedtheirstepsalittle,andthenturningeasthavecomeroundoverhardroadstothebareplainofDagorlad:thefieldoftheancientbattlebeforethegatesofMordor.Notthattherewasgreathopeinsuchacourse.Onthatstonyplaintherewasnocover,andacrossitranthehighwaysoftheOrcsandthesoldiersoftheEnemy.Not

eventhecloaksofLórienwouldhaveconcealedthemthere.

‘Howdoweshapeourcoursenow,Sméagol?’askedFrodo.‘Mustwecrosstheseevil-smellingfens?’

‘Noneed,noneedatall,’saidGollum.‘NotifhobbitswanttoreachthedarkmountainsandgotoseeHimveryquick.Backalittle,androundalittle’–hisskinny

armwavednorthandeast–‘andyoucancomeonhardcoldroadstotheverygatesofHiscountry.LotsofHispeoplewillbetherelookingoutforguests,verypleasedtotakethemstraighttoHim,Oyes.HisEyewatchesthatwayallthetime.ItcaughtSméagolthere,longago.’Gollumshuddered.‘ButSméagolhasusedhiseyessincethen,yes,yes:I’veused

eyesandfeetandnosesincethen.Iknowotherways.Moredifficult,notsoquick;butbetter,ifwedon’twantHimtosee.FollowSméagol!Hecantakeyouthroughthemarshes,throughthemists,nicethickmists.FollowSméagolverycarefully,andyoumaygoalongway,quitealongway,beforeHecatchesyou,yesperhaps.’

Itwasalreadyday,awindlessandsullenmorning,andthemarsh-reekslayinheavybanks.Nosunpiercedthelowcloudedsky,andGollumseemedanxioustocontinuethejourneyatonce.Soafterabriefresttheysetoutagainandweresoonlostinashadowysilentworld,cutofffromallviewofthelandsabout,eitherthehillsthattheyhadleftorthemountains

thattheysought.Theywentslowlyinsinglefile:Gollum,Sam,Frodo.

Frodoseemedthemostwearyofthethree,andslowthoughtheywent,heoftenlagged.Thehobbitssoonfoundthatwhathadlookedlikeonevastfenwasreallyanendlessnetworkofpools,andsoftmires,andwindinghalf-strangledwater-courses.Amongtheseacunningeye

andfootcouldthreadawanderingpath.Gollumcertainlyhadthatcunning,andneededallofit.Hisheadonitslongneckwaseverturningthiswayandthat,whilehesniffedandmutteredallthetimetohimself.Sometimeshewouldholduphishandandhaltthem,whilehewentforwardalittle,crouching,testingthegroundwithfingersortoes,or

merelylisteningwithoneearpressedtotheearth.

Itwasdrearyandwearisome.Coldclammywinterstillheldswayinthisforsakencountry.Theonlygreenwasthescumoflividweedonthedarkgreasysurfacesofthesullenwaters.Deadgrassesandrottingreedsloomedupinthemistslikeraggedshadowsoflong-forgottensummers.

Asthedayworeonthelightincreasedalittle,andthemistslifted,growingthinnerandmoretransparent.FarabovetherotandvapoursoftheworldtheSunwasridinghighandgoldennowinaserenecountrywithfloorsofdazzlingfoam,butonlyapassingghostofhercouldtheyseebelow,bleared,pale,givingnocolourandnowarmth.Butevenatthisfaint

reminderofherpresenceGollumscowledandflinched.Hehaltedtheirjourney,andtheyrested,squattinglikelittlehuntedanimals,inthebordersofagreatbrownreed-thicket.Therewasadeepsilence,onlyscrapedonitssurfacesbythefaintquiverofemptyseed-plumes,andbrokengrass-bladestremblinginsmallair-movementsthattheycould

notfeel.‘Notabird!’saidSam

mournfully.‘No,nobirds,’said

Gollum.‘Nicebirds!’Helickedhisteeth.‘Nobirdshere.Therearesnakeses,wormses,thingsinthepools.Lotsofthings,lotsofnastythings.Nobirds,’heendedsadly.Samlookedathimwithdistaste.

SopassedthethirddayoftheirjourneywithGollum.Beforetheshadowsofeveningwerelonginhappierlands,theywentonagain,alwaysonandonwithonlybriefhalts.ThesetheymadenotsomuchforrestastohelpGollum;fornowevenhehadtogoforwardwithgreatcare,andhewassometimesatalossforawhile.Theyhadcometotheverymidstofthe

DeadMarshes,anditwasdark.

Theywalkedslowly,stooping,keepingcloseinline,followingattentivelyeverymovethatGollummade.Thefensgrewmorewet,openingintowidestagnantmeres,amongwhichitgrewmoreandmoredifficulttofindthefirmerplaceswherefeetcouldtreadwithoutsinkingintogurgling

mud.Thetravellerswerelight,ormaybenoneofthemwouldeverhavefoundawaythrough.

Presentlyitgrewaltogetherdark:theairitselfseemedblackandheavytobreathe.WhenlightsappearedSamrubbedhiseyes:hethoughthisheadwasgoingqueer.Hefirstsawonewiththecornerofhislefteye,awispofpalesheenthat

fadedaway;butothersappearedsoonafter:somelikedimlyshiningsmoke,somelikemistyflamesflickeringslowlyaboveunseencandles;hereandtheretheytwistedlikeghostlysheetsunfurledbyhiddenhands.Butneitherofhiscompanionsspokeaword.

AtlastSamcouldbearitnolonger.‘What’sallthis,Gollum?’hesaidina

whisper.‘Theselights?They’reallroundusnow.Arewetrapped?Whoarethey?’

Gollumlookedup.Adarkwaterwasbeforehim,andhewascrawlingontheground,thiswayandthat,doubtfuloftheway.‘Yes,theyareallroundus,’hewhispered.‘Thetricksylights.Candlesofcorpses,yes,yes.Don’tyouheedthem!Don’tlook!Don’t

followthem!Where’sthemaster?’

SamlookedbackandfoundthatFrodohadlaggedagain.Hecouldnotseehim.Hewentsomepacesbackintothedarkness,notdaringtomovefar,ortocallinmorethanahoarsewhisper.SuddenlyhestumbledagainstFrodo,whowasstandinglostinthought,lookingatthepalelights.Hishandshungstiffat

hissides;waterandslimeweredrippingfromthem.

‘Come,Mr.Frodo!’saidSam.‘Don’tlookatthem!Gollumsayswemustn’t.Let’skeepupwithhimandgetoutofthiscursedplaceasquickaswecan–ifwecan!’

‘Allright,’saidFrodo,asifreturningoutofadream.‘I’mcoming.Goon!’

Hurryingforwardagain,Samtripped,catchinghisfoot

insomeoldrootortussock.Hefellandcameheavilyonhishands,whichsankdeepintostickyooze,sothathisfacewasbroughtclosetothesurfaceofthedarkmere.Therewasafainthiss,anoisomesmellwentup,thelightsflickeredanddancedandswirled.Foramomentthewaterbelowhimlookedlikesomewindow,glazedwithgrimyglass,through

whichhewaspeering.Wrenchinghishandsoutofthebog,hesprangbackwithacry.‘Therearedeadthings,deadfacesinthewater,’hesaidwithhorror.‘Deadfaces!’

Gollumlaughed.‘TheDeadMarshes,yes,yes:thatistheirname,’hecackled.‘Youshouldnotlookinwhenthecandlesarelit.’

‘Whoarethey?Whatare

they?’askedSamshuddering,turningtoFrodo,whowasnowbehindhim.

‘Idon’tknow,’saidFrodoinadreamlikevoice.‘ButIhaveseenthemtoo.Inthepoolswhenthecandleswerelit.Theylieinallthepools,palefaces,deepdeepunderthedarkwater.Isawthem:grimfacesandevil,andnoblefacesandsad.Manyfacesproudandfair,andweedsin

theirsilverhair.Butallfoul,allrotting,alldead.Afelllightisinthem.’Frodohidhiseyesinhishands.‘Iknownotwhotheyare;butIthoughtIsawthereMenandElves,andOrcsbesidethem.’

‘Yes,yes,’saidGollum.‘Alldead,allrotten.ElvesandMenandOrcs.TheDeadMarshes.Therewasagreatbattlelongago,yes,sotheytoldhimwhenSméagolwas

young,whenIwasyoungbeforethePreciouscame.Itwasagreatbattle.TallMenwithlongswords,andterribleElves,andOrcsesshrieking.TheyfoughtontheplainfordaysandmonthsattheBlackGates.ButtheMarsheshavegrownsincethen,swallowedupthegraves;alwayscreeping,creeping.’

‘Butthatisanageandmoreago,’saidSam.‘The

Deadcan’tbereallythere!IsitsomedevilryhatchedintheDarkLand?’

‘Whoknows?Sméagoldoesn’tknow,’answeredGollum.‘Youcannotreachthem,youcannottouchthem.Wetriedonce,yes,precious.Itriedonce;butyoucannotreachthem.Onlyshapestosee,perhaps,nottotouch.Noprecious!Alldead.’

Samlookeddarklyathim

andshudderedagain,thinkingthatheguessedwhySméagolhadtriedtotouchthem.‘Well,Idon’twanttoseethem,’hesaid.‘Neveragain!Can’twegetonandgetaway?’

‘Yes,yes,’saidGollum.‘Butslowly,veryslowly.Verycarefully!OrhobbitsgodowntojointheDeadonesandlightlittlecandles.FollowSméagol!Don’tlook

atlights!’

Hecrawledawaytotheright,seekingforapathroundthemere.Theycameclosebehind,stooping,oftenusingtheirhandsevenashedid.‘ThreepreciouslittleGollumsinarowweshallbe,ifthisgoesonmuchlonger,’thoughtSam.

Atlasttheycametothe

endoftheblackmere,andtheycrossedit,perilously,crawlingorhoppingfromonetreacherousislandtussocktoanother.Oftentheyfloundered,steppingorfallinghands-firstintowatersasnoisomeasacesspool,tilltheywereslimedandfouledalmostuptotheirnecksandstankinoneanother’snostrils.

Itwaslateinthenight

whenatlengththeyreachedfirmergroundagain.Gollumhissedandwhisperedtohimself,butitappearedthathewaspleased:insomemysteriousway,bysomeblendedsenseoffeel,andsmell,anduncannymemoryforshapesinthedark,heseemedtoknowjustwherehewasagain,andtobesureofhisroadahead.

‘Nowonwego!’hesaid.

‘Nicehobbits!Bravehobbits!Veryveryweary,ofcourse;soweare,myprecious,allofus.Butwemusttakemasterawayfromthewickedlights,yes,yes,wemust.’Withthesewordshestartedoffagain,almostatatrot,downwhatappearedtobealonglanebetweenhighreeds,andtheystumbledafterhimasquicklyastheycould.Butinalittlewhilehestopped

suddenlyandsniffedtheairdoubtfully,hissingasifhewastroubledordispleasedagain.

‘Whatisit?’growledSam,misinterpretingthesigns.‘What’stheneedtosniff?Thestinknearlyknocksmedownwithmynoseheld.Youstink,andmasterstinks;thewholeplacestinks.’

‘Yes,yes,andSam

stinks!’answeredGollum.‘PoorSméagolsmellsit,butgoodSméagolbearsit.Helpsnicemaster.Butthat’snomatter.Theair’smoving,changeiscoming.Sméagolwonders;he’snothappy.’

Hewentonagain,buthisuneasinessgrew,andeverynowandagainhestooduptohisfullheight,craninghis

neckeastwardandsouthward.Forsometimethehobbitscouldnothearorfeelwhatwastroublinghim.Thensuddenlyallthreehalted,stiffeningandlistening.ToFrodoandSamitseemedthattheyheard,faraway,alongwailingcry,highandthinandcruel.Theyshivered.Atthesamemomentthestirringoftheairbecameperceptibletothem;anditgrewverycold.

Astheystoodstrainingtheirears,theyheardanoiselikeawindcominginthedistance.Themistylightswavered,dimmed,andwentout.

Gollumwouldnotmove.Hestoodshakingandgibberingtohimself,untilwitharushthewindcameuponthem,hissingandsnarlingoverthemarshes.Thenightbecamelessdark,lightenoughforthemtosee,

orhalfsee,shapelessdriftsoffog,curlingandtwistingasitrolledoverthemandpassedthem.Lookinguptheysawthecloudsbreakingandshredding;andthenhighinthesouththemoonglimmeredout,ridingintheflyingwrack.

Foramomentthesightofitgladdenedtheheartsofthehobbits;butGollumcowereddown,mutteringcursesonthe

WhiteFace.ThenFrodoandSamstaringatthesky,breathingdeeplyofthefresherair,sawitcome:asmallcloudflyingfromtheaccursedhills;ablackshadowloosedfromMordor;avastshapewingedandominous.Itscuddedacrossthemoon,andwithadeadlycrywentawaywestward,outrunningthewindinitsfellspeed.

Theyfellforward,grovellingheedlesslyonthecoldearth.Buttheshadowofhorrorwheeledandreturned,passinglowernow,rightabovethem,sweepingthefen-reekwithitsghastlywings.Andthenitwasgone,flyingbacktoMordorwiththespeedofthewrathofSauron;andbehinditthewindroaredaway,leavingtheDeadMarshesbareandbleak.

Thenakedwaste,asfarastheeyecouldpierce,eventothedistantmenaceofthemountains,wasdappledwiththefitfulmoonlight.

FrodoandSamgotup,rubbingtheireyes,likechildrenwakenedfromanevildreamtofindthefamiliarnightstillovertheworld.ButGollumlayonthegroundasifhehadbeenstunned.Theyrousedhimwithdifficulty,

andforsometimehewouldnotlifthisface,butkneltforwardonhiselbows,coveringthebackofhisheadwithhislargeflathands.

‘Wraiths!’hewailed.‘Wraithsonwings!ThePreciousistheirmaster.Theyseeeverything,everything.Nothingcanhidefromthem.CursetheWhiteFace!AndtheytellHimeverything.Hesees,Heknows.Ach,gollum,

gollum,gollum!’Itwasnotuntilthemoonhadsunk,westeringfarawaybeyondTolBrandir,thathewouldgetupormakeamove.

FromthattimeonSamthoughtthathesensedachangeinGollumagain.Hewasmorefawningandwould-befriendly;butSamsurprisedsomestrangelooks

inhiseyesattimes,especiallytowardsFrodo;andhewentbackmoreandmoreintohisoldmannerofspeaking.AndSamhadanothergrowinganxiety.Frodoseemedtobeweary,wearytothepointofexhaustion.Hesaidnothing,indeedhehardlyspokeatall;andhedidnotcomplain,buthewalkedlikeonewhocarriesaload,theweightof

whichiseverincreasing;andhedraggedalong,slowerandslower,sothatSamhadoftentobegGollumtowaitandnottoleavetheirmasterbehind.

InfactwitheverysteptowardsthegatesofMordorFrodofelttheRingonitschainabouthisneckgrowmoreburdensome.Hewasnowbeginningtofeelitasanactualweightdragginghimearthwards.Butfarmorehe

wastroubledbytheEye:sohecalledittohimself.ItwasthatmorethanthedragoftheRingthatmadehimcowerandstoopashewalked.TheEye:thathorriblegrowingsenseofahostilewillthatstrovewithgreatpowertopierceallshadowsofcloud,andearth,andflesh,andtoseeyou:topinyouunderitsdeadlygaze,naked,immovable.Sothin,sofrail

andthin,theveilswerebecomethatstillwardeditoff.Frodoknewjustwherethepresenthabitationandheartofthatwillnowwas:ascertainlyasamancantellthedirectionofthesunwithhiseyesshut.Hewasfacingit,anditspotencybeatuponhisbrow.

Gollumprobablyfeltsomethingofthesamesort.Butwhatwentoninhis

wretchedheartbetweenthepressureoftheEye,andthelustoftheRingthatwassonear,andhisgrovellingpromisemadehalfinthefearofcoldiron,thehobbitsdidnotguess.Frodogavenothoughttoit.Sam’smindwasoccupiedmostlywithhismaster,hardlynoticingthedarkcloudthathadfallenonhisownheart.HeputFrodoinfrontofhimnow,andkept

awatchfuleyeoneverymovementofhis,supportinghimifhestumbled,andtryingtoencouragehimwithclumsywords.

Whendaycameatlastthehobbitsweresurprisedtoseehowmuchclosertheominousmountainshadalreadydrawn.Theairwasnowclearerandcolder,andthoughstillfar

off,thewallsofMordorwerenolongeracloudymenaceontheedgeofsight,butasgrimblacktowerstheyfrownedacrossadismalwaste.Themarsheswereatanend,dyingawayintodeadpeatsandwideflatsofdrycrackedmud.Thelandaheadroseinlongshallowslopes,barrenandpitiless,towardsthedesertthatlayatSauron’sgate.

Whilethegreylightlasted,theycoweredunderablackstonelikeworms,shrinking,lestthewingedterrorshouldpassandspythemwithitscrueleyes.Theremainderofthatjourneywasashadowofgrowingfearinwhichmemorycouldfindnothingtorestupon.Fortwomorenightstheystruggledonthroughthewearypathlessland.Theair,asitseemedto

them,grewharsh,andfilledwithabitterreekthatcaughttheirbreathandparchedtheirmouths.

Atlast,onthefifthmorningsincetheytooktheroadwithGollum,theyhaltedoncemore.Beforethemdarkinthedawnthegreatmountainsreacheduptoroofsofsmokeandcloud.Outfromtheirfeetwereflunghugebuttressesandbroken

hillsthatwerenowatthenearestscarceadozenmilesaway.Frodolookedroundinhorror.DreadfulastheDeadMarsheshadbeen,andthearidmoorsoftheNoman-lands,moreloathsomefarwasthecountrythatthecrawlingdaynowslowlyunveiledtohisshrinkingeyes.EventotheMereofDeadFacessomehaggardphantomofgreenspring

wouldcome;buthereneitherspringnorsummerwouldevercomeagain.Herenothinglived,noteventheleprousgrowthsthatfeedonrottenness.Thegaspingpoolswerechokedwithashandcrawlingmuds,sicklywhiteandgrey,asifthemountainshadvomitedthefilthoftheirentrailsuponthelandsabout.Highmoundsofcrushedandpowderedrock,greatconesof

earthfire-blastedandpoison-stained,stoodlikeanobscenegraveyardinendlessrows,slowlyrevealedinthereluctantlight.

TheyhadcometothedesolationthatlaybeforeMordor:thelastingmonumenttothedarklabourofitsslavesthatshouldendurewhenalltheirpurposesweremadevoid;alanddefiled,diseasedbeyond

allhealing–unlesstheGreatSeashouldenterinandwashitwithoblivion.‘Ifeelsick,’saidSam.Frododidnotspeak.

Forawhiletheystoodthere,likemenontheedgeofasleepwherenightmarelurks,holdingitoff,thoughtheyknowthattheycanonlycometomorningthroughtheshadows.Thelightbroadenedandhardened.Thegasping

pitsandpoisonousmoundsgrewhideouslyclear.Thesunwasup,walkingamongcloudsandlongflagsofsmoke,buteventhesunlightwasdefiled.Thehobbitshadnowelcomeforthatlight;unfriendlyitseemed,revealingthemintheirhelplessness–littlesqueakingghoststhatwanderedamongtheash-heapsoftheDarkLord.

Toowearytogofurthertheysoughtforsomeplacewheretheycouldrest.Forawhiletheysatwithoutspeakingundertheshadowofamoundofslag;butfoulfumesleakedoutofit,catchingtheirthroatsandchokingthem.Gollumwasthefirsttogetup.Splutteringandcursingherose,andwithoutawordoraglanceatthehobbitshecrawledaway

onallfours.FrodoandSamcrawledafterhimuntiltheycametoawidealmostcircularpit,high-bankeduponthewest.Itwascoldanddead,andafoulsumpofoilymany-colouredoozelayatitsbottom.Inthisevilholetheycowered,hopinginitsshadowtoescapetheattentionoftheEye.

Thedaypassedslowly.Agreatthirsttroubledthem,but

theydrankonlyafewdropsfromtheirbottles–lastfilledinthegully,whichnowastheylookedbackinthoughtseemedtothemaplaceofpeaceandbeauty.Thehobbitstookitinturntowatch.Atfirst,tiredastheywere,neitherofthemcouldsleepatall;butasthesunfarawaywasclimbingdownintoslowmovingcloud,Samdozed.ItwasFrodo’sturnto

beonguard.Helaybackontheslopeofthepit,butthatdidnoteasethesenseofburdenthatwasonhim.Helookedupatthesmoke-streakedskyandsawstrangephantoms,darkridingshapes,andfacesoutofthepast.Helostcountoftime,hoveringbetweensleepandwaking,untilforgetfulnesscameoverhim.

SuddenlySamwokeupthinkingthatheheardhismastercalling.Itwasevening.Frodocouldnothavecalled,forhehadfallenasleep,andhadsliddownnearlytothebottomofthepit.Gollumwasbyhim.ForamomentSamthoughtthathewastryingtorouseFrodo;thenhesawthatitwasnotso.Gollumwastalkingtohimself.Sméagolwas

holdingadebatewithsomeotherthoughtthatusedthesamevoicebutmadeitsqueakandhiss.Apalelightandagreenlightalternatedinhiseyesashespoke.

‘Sméagolpromised,’saidthefirstthought.

‘Yes,yes,myprecious,’cametheanswer,‘wepromised:tosaveourPrecious,nottoletHimhaveit–never.Butit’sgoingto

Him,yes,nearereverystep.What’sthehobbitgoingtodowithit,wewonders,yeswewonders.’

‘Idon’tknow.Ican’thelpit.Master’sgotit.Sméagolpromisedtohelpthemaster.’

‘Yes,yes,tohelpthemaster:themasterofthePrecious.Butifwewasmaster,thenwecouldhelpourselfs,yes,andstillkeeppromises.’

‘ButSméagolsaidhewouldbeveryverygood.Nicehobbit!HetookcruelropeoffSméagol’sleg.Hespeaksnicelytome.’

‘Veryverygood,eh,myprecious?Let’sbegood,goodasfish,sweetone,buttoourselfs.Nothurtthenicehobbit,ofcourse,no,no.’

‘ButthePreciousholdsthepromise,’thevoiceofSméagolobjected.

‘Thentakeit,’saidtheother,‘andlet’sholditourselfs!Thenweshallbemaster,gollum!Maketheotherhobbit,thenastysuspicioushobbit,makehimcrawl,yes,gollum!’

‘Butnotthenicehobbit?’‘Ohno,notifitdoesn’t

pleaseus.Stillhe’saBaggins,myprecious,yes,aBaggins.ABagginsstoleit.Hefounditandhesaid

nothing,nothing.WehatesBagginses.’

‘No,notthisBaggins.’‘Yes,everyBaggins.All

peoplesthatkeepthePrecious.Wemusthaveit!’

‘ButHe’llsee,He’llknow.He’lltakeitfromus!’

‘Hesees.Heknows.Heheardusmakesillypromises–againstHisorders,yes.Musttakeit.TheWraithsaresearching.Musttakeit.’

‘NotforHim!’‘No,sweetone.See,my

precious:ifwehasit,thenwecanescape,evenfromHim,eh?Perhapswegrowsverystrong,strongerthanWraiths.LordSméagol?GollumtheGreat?TheGollum!Eatfisheveryday,threetimesaday,freshfromthesea.MostPreciousGollum!Musthaveit.Wewantsit,wewantsit,wewantsit!’

‘Butthere’stwoofthem.They’llwaketooquickandkillus,’whinedSméagolinalasteffort.‘Notnow.Notyet.’

‘Wewantsit!But’–andheretherewasalongpause,asifanewthoughthadwakened.‘Notyet,eh?Perhapsnot.Shemighthelp.Shemight,yes.’

‘No,no!Notthatway!’wailedSméagol.

‘Yes!Wewantsit!Wewantsit!’Eachtimethatthesecondthoughtspoke,Gollum’slonghandcreptoutslowly,pawingtowardsFrodo,andthenwasdrawnbackwithajerkasSméagolspokeagain.Finallybotharms,withlongfingersflexedandtwitching,clawedtowardshisneck.

Samhadlainstill,fascinatedbythisdebate,butwatchingeverymovethatGollummadefromunderhishalf-closedeye-lids.Tohissimplemindordinaryhunger,thedesiretoeathobbits,hadseemedthechiefdangerinGollum.Herealizednowthatitwasnotso:GollumwasfeelingtheterriblecalloftheRing.TheDarkLordwasHe,ofcourse;butSamwondered

whoShewas.Oneofthenastyfriendsthelittlewretchhadmadeinhiswanderings,hesupposed.Thenheforgotthepoint,forthingshadplainlygonefarenough,andweregettingdangerous.Agreatheavinesswasinallhislimbs,butherousedhimselfwithaneffortandsatup.Somethingwarnedhimtobecarefulandnottorevealthathehadoverheardthedebate.

Heletoutaloudsighandgaveahugeyawn.

‘What’sthetime?’hesaidsleepily.

Gollumsentoutalonghissthroughhisteeth.Hestoodupforamoment,tenseandmenacing;andthenhecollapsed,fallingforwardontoallfoursandcrawlingupthebankofthepit.‘Nicehobbits!NiceSam!’hesaid.‘Sleepyheads,yes,sleepy

heads!LeavegoodSméagoltowatch!Butit’sevening.Duskiscreeping.Timetogo.’

‘Hightime!’thoughtSam.‘Andtimeweparted,too.’YetitcrossedhismindtowonderifindeedGollumwasnotnowasdangerousturnedlooseaskeptwiththem.‘Cursehim!Iwishhewaschoked!’hemuttered.Hestumbleddownthebankand

rousedhismaster.Strangelyenough,Frodo

feltrefreshed.Hehadbeendreaming.Thedarkshadowhadpassed,andafairvisionhadvisitedhiminthislandofdisease.Nothingremainedofitinhismemory,yetbecauseofithefeltgladandlighterofheart.Hisburdenwaslessheavyonhim.Gollumwelcomedhimwithdog-likedelight.Hechuckledand

chattered,crackinghislongfingers,andpawingatFrodo’sknees.Frodosmiledathim.

‘Come!’hesaid.‘Youhaveguideduswellandfaithfully.Thisisthelaststage.BringustotheGate,andthenIwillnotaskyoutogofurther.BringustotheGate,andyoumaygowhereyouwish–onlynottoourenemies.’

‘TotheGate,eh?’Gollumsqueaked,seemingsurprisedandfrightened.‘TotheGate,mastersays!Yes,hesaysso.AndgoodSméagoldoeswhatheasks,Oyes.Butwhenwegetscloser,we’llseeperhaps,we’llseethen.Itwon’tlookniceatall.Ono!Ono!’

‘Goonwithyou!’saidSam.‘Let’sgetitover!’

Inthefallingdusktheyscrambledoutofthepitandslowlythreadedtheirwaythroughthedeadland.Theyhadnotgonefarbeforetheyfeltoncemorethefearthathadfallenonthemwhenthewingedshapesweptoverthemarshes.Theyhalted,coweringontheevil-smellingground;buttheysawnothinginthegloomyeveningskyabove,andsoonthemenace

passed,highoverhead,goingmaybeonsomeswifterrandfromBarad-dûr.AfterawhileGollumgotupandcreptforwardagain,mutteringandshaking.

Aboutanhouraftermidnightthefearfellonthemathirdtime,butitnowseemedmoreremote,asifitwerepassingfarabovetheclouds,rushingwithterriblespeedintotheWest.Gollum,

however,washelplesswithterror,andwasconvincedthattheywerebeinghunted,thattheirapproachwasknown.

‘Threetimes!’hewhimpered.‘Threetimesisathreat.Theyfeelushere,theyfeelthePrecious.ThePreciousistheirmaster.Wecannotgoanyfurtherthisway,no.It’snouse,nouse!’

Pleadingandkindwordswerenolongerofanyavail.It

wasnotuntilFrodocommandedhimangrilyandlaidahandonhissword-hiltthatGollumwouldgetupagain.Thenatlastherosewithasnarl,andwentbeforethemlikeabeatendog.

Sotheystumbledonthroughthewearyendofthenight,anduntilthecomingofanotherdayoffeartheywalkedinsilencewithbowedheads,seeingnothing,and

hearingnothingbutthewindhissingintheirears.

Chapter3

THEBLACKGATEISCLOSED

BeforethenextdaydawnedtheirjourneytoMordorwasover.Themarshesandthedesertwerebehindthem.Beforethem,darklingagainstapallidsky,thegreat

mountainsrearedtheirthreateningheads.

UponthewestofMordormarchedthegloomyrangeofEphelDúath,theMountainsofShadow,anduponthenorththebrokenpeaksandbarrenridgesofEredLithui,greyasash.Butastheserangesapproachedoneanother,beingindeedbutpartsofonegreatwallaboutthemournfulplainsofLithlad

andofGorgoroth,andthebitterinlandseaofNúrnenamidmost,theyswungoutlongarmsnorthward;andbetweenthesearmstherewasadeepdefile.ThiswasCirithGorgor,theHauntedPass,theentrancetothelandoftheEnemy.Highcliffslowereduponeitherside,andthrustforwardfromitsmouthweretwosheerhills,black-bonedandbare.Uponthemstood

theTeethofMordor,twotowersstrongandtall.IndayslongpasttheywerebuiltbytheMenofGondorintheirprideandpower,aftertheoverthrowofSauronandhisflight,lestheshouldseektoreturntohisoldrealm.ButthestrengthofGondorfailed,andmenslept,andforlongyearsthetowersstoodempty.ThenSauronreturned.Nowthewatch-towers,whichhad

fallenintodecay,wererepaired,andfilledwitharms,andgarrisonedwithceaselessvigilance.Stony-facedtheywere,withdarkwindow-holesstaringnorthandeastandwest,andeachwindowwasfullofsleeplesseyes.

Acrossthemouthofthepass,fromclifftocliff,theDarkLordhadbuiltarampartofstone.Inittherewasasinglegateofiron,andupon

itsbattlementsentinelspacedunceasingly.Beneaththehillsoneithersidetherockwasboredintoahundredcavesandmaggot-holes;thereahostoforcslurked,readyatasignaltoissueforthlikeblackantsgoingtowar.NonecouldpasstheTeethofMordorandnotfeeltheirbite,unlesstheyweresummonedbySauron,orknewthesecretpasswordsthatwouldopenthe

Morannon,theblackgateofhisland.

Thetwohobbitsgazedatthetowersandthewallindespair.Evenfromadistancetheycouldseeinthedimlightthemovementoftheblackguardsuponthewall,andthepatrolsbeforethegate.Theylaynowpeeringovertheedgeofarockyhollowbeneaththeoutstretchedshadowofthe

northmostbuttressofEphelDúath.Wingingtheheavyairinastraightflightacrow,maybe,wouldhaveflownbutafurlongfromtheirhiding-placetotheblacksummitofthenearertower.Afaintsmokecurledaboveit,asiffiresmoulderedinthehillbeneath.

Daycame,andthefallow

sunblinkedoverthelifelessridgesofEredLithui.Thensuddenlythecryofbrazen-throatedtrumpetswasheard:fromthewatch-towerstheyblared,andfarawayfromhiddenholdsandoutpostsinthehillscameansweringcalls;andfurtherstill,remotebutdeepandominous,thereechoedinthehollowlandbeyondthemightyhornsanddrumsofBarad-dûr.Another

dreadfuldayoffearandtoilhadcometoMordor;andthenight-guardsweresummonedtotheirdungeonsanddeephalls,andtheday-guards,evil-eyedandfell,weremarchingtotheirposts.Steelgleameddimlyonthebattlement.

‘Well,hereweare!’saidSam.‘Here’stheGate,andit

lookstomeasifthat’saboutasfarasweareevergoingtoget.Myword,buttheGafferwouldhaveathingortwotosay,ifhesawmenow!OftensaidI’dcometoabadend,ifIdidn’twatchmystep,hedid.ButnowIdon’tsupposeI’lleverseetheoldfellowagain.He’llmisshischanceofItold’eeso,Sam:more’sthepity.Hecouldgoontellingmeaslongashe’dgot

breath,ifonlyIcouldseehisoldfaceagain.ButI’dhavetogetawashfirst,orhewouldn’tknowme.

‘Isupposeit’snogoodasking‘‘whatwaydowegonow?’’Wecan’tgonofurther–unlesswewanttoasktheOrcsforalift.’

‘No,no!’saidGollum.‘Nouse.Wecan’tgofurther.Sméagolsaidso.Hesaid:we’llgototheGate,andthen

we’llsee.Andwedosee.Oyes,myprecious,wedosee.Sméagolknewhobbitscouldnotgothisway.Oyes,Sméagolknew.’

‘Thenwhattheplaguedidyoubringusherefor?’saidSam,notfeelinginthemoodtobejustorreasonable.

‘Mastersaidso.Mastersays:BringustotheGate.SogoodSméagoldoesso.Mastersaidso,wisemaster.’

‘Idid,’saidFrodo.Hisfacewasgrimandset,butresolute.Hewasfilthy,haggard,andpinchedwithweariness,buthecowerednolonger,andhiseyeswereclear.‘Isaidso,becauseIpurposetoenterMordor,andIknownootherway.ThereforeIshallgothisway.Idonotaskanyonetogowithme.’

‘No,no,master!’wailed

Gollum,pawingathim,andseemingingreatdistress.‘Nousethatway!Nouse!Don’ttakethePrecioustoHim!He’lleatusall,ifHegetsit,eatalltheworld.Keepit,nicemaster,andbekindtoSméagol.Don’tletHimhaveit.Orgoaway,gotoniceplaces,andgiveitbacktolittleSméagol.Yes,yes,mastergiveitback,eh?Sméagolwillkeepitsafe;he

willdolotsofgood,especiallytonicehobbits.Hobbitsgohome.Don’tgototheGate!’

‘IamcommandedtogotothelandofMordor,andthereforeIshallgo,’saidFrodo.‘Ifthereisonlyoneway,thenImusttakeit.Whatcomesaftermustcome.’

Samsaidnothing.The

lookonFrodo’sfacewasenoughforhim;heknewthatwordsofhiswereuseless.Andafterallheneverhadanyrealhopeintheaffairfromthebeginning;butbeingacheerfulhobbithehadnotneededhope,aslongasdespaircouldbepostponed.Nowtheywerecometothebitterend.Buthehadstucktohismasteralltheway;thatwaswhathehadchieflycome

for,andhewouldstillsticktohim.HismasterwouldnotgotoMordoralone.Samwouldgowithhim–andatanyratetheywouldgetridofGollum.

Gollum,however,didnotintendtobegotridof,yet.HekneltatFrodo’sfeet,wringinghishandsandsqueaking.‘Notthisway,master!’hepleaded.‘Thereisanotherway.Oyesindeedthereis.Anotherway,darker,

moredifficulttofind,moresecret.ButSméagolknowsit.LetSméagolshowyou!’

‘Anotherway!’saidFrododoubtfully,lookingdownatGollumwithsearchingeyes.

‘Yess!Yessindeed!Therewasanotherway.Sméagolfoundit.Let’sgoandseeifit’sstillthere!’

‘Youhavenotspokenofthisbefore.’

‘No.Masterdidnotask.

Masterdidnotsaywhathemeanttodo.HedoesnottellpoorSméagol.Hesays:Sméagol,takemetotheGate–andthengood-bye!Sméagolcanrunawayandbegood.Butnowhesays:IpurposetoenterMordorthisway.SoSméagolisveryafraid.Hedoesnotwanttolosenicemaster.Andhepromised,mastermadehimpromise,tosavethePrecious.

ButmasterisgoingtotakeittoHim,straighttotheBlackHand,ifmasterwillgothisway.SoSméagolmustsavethemboth,andhethinksofanotherwaythattherewas,onceuponatime.Nicemaster.Sméagolverygood,alwayshelps.’

Samfrowned.IfhecouldhaveboredholesinGollum

withhiseyes,hewouldhavedone.Hismindwasfullofdoubt.ToallappearancesGollumwasgenuinelydistressedandanxioustohelpFrodo.ButSam,rememberingtheoverhearddebate,foundithardtobelievethatthelongsubmergedSméagolhadcomeoutontop:thatvoiceatanyratehadnothadthelastwordinthedebate.Sam’s

guesswasthattheSméagolandGollumhalves(orwhatinhisownmindhecalledSlinkerandStinker)hadmadeatruceandatemporaryalliance:neitherwantedtheEnemytogettheRing;bothwishedtokeepFrodofromcapture,andundertheireye,aslongaspossible–atanyrateaslongasStinkerstillhadachanceoflayinghandsonhis‘Precious’.Whether

therereallywasanotherwayintoMordorSamdoubted.

‘Andit’sagoodthingneitherhalfoftheoldvillaindon’tknowwhatmastermeanstodo,’hethought.‘IfheknewthatMr.FrodoistryingtoputanendtohisPreciousforgoodandall,there’dbetroubleprettyquick,Ibet.AnyhowoldStinkerissofrightenedoftheEnemy–andhe’sunder

ordersofsomekindfromhim,orwas–thathe’dgiveusawayratherthanbecaughthelpingus;andratherthanlethisPreciousbemelted,maybe.Atleastthat’smyidea.AndIhopethemasterwillthinkitoutcarefully.He’saswiseasany,buthe’ssoft-hearted,that’swhatheis.It’sbeyondanyGamgeetoguesswhathe’lldonext.’

Frododidnotanswer

Gollumatonce.WhilethesedoubtswerepassingthroughSam’sslowbutshrewdmind,hestoodgazingouttowardsthedarkcliffofCirithGorgor.Thehollowinwhichtheyhadtakenrefugewasdelvedinthesideofalowhill,atsomelittleheightabovealongtrenchlikevalleythatlaybetweenitandtheouterbuttressesofthemountain-wall.Inthemidst

ofthevalleystoodtheblackfoundationsofthewesternwatch-tower.Bymorning-lighttheroadsthatconvergedupontheGateofMordorcouldnowbeclearlyseen,paleanddusty;onewindingbacknorthwards;anotherdwindlingeastwardsintothemiststhatclungaboutthefeetofEredLithui;andathirdthatrantowardshim.Asitbentsharplyroundthetower,

itenteredanarrowdefileandpassednotfarbelowthehollowwherehestood.Westward,tohisright,itturned,skirtingtheshouldersofthemountains,andwentoffsouthwardsintothedeepshadowsthatmantledallthewesternsidesofEphelDúath;beyondhissightitjourneyedonintothenarrowlandbetweenthemountainsandtheGreatRiver.

AshegazedFrodobecameawarethattherewasagreatstirandmovementontheplain.Itseemedasifwholearmieswereonthemarch,thoughforthemostparttheywerehiddenbythereeksandfumesdriftingfromthefensandwastesbeyond.Buthereandtherehecaughtthegleamofspearsandhelmets;andoverthelevelsbesidetheroadshorsemen

couldbeseenridinginmanycompanies.HerememberedhisvisionfromafaruponAmonHen,sofewdaysbefore,thoughnowitseemedmanyyearsago.Thenheknewthatthehopethathadforonewildmomentstirredinhisheartwasvain.Thetrumpetshadnotrunginchallengebutingreeting.ThiswasnoassaultupontheDarkLordbythemenof

Gondor,risenlikeavengingghostsfromthegravesofvalourlongpassedaway.ThesewereMenofotherrace,outofthewideEastlands,gatheringtothesummonsoftheirOverlord;armiesthathadencampedbeforehisGatebynightandnowmarchedintoswellhismountingpower.Asifsuddenlymadefullyawareoftheperiloftheirposition,

alone,inthegrowinglightofday,soneartothisvastmenace,Frodoquicklydrewhisfrailgreyhoodcloseuponhishead,andsteppeddownintothedell.ThenheturnedtoGollum.

‘Sméagol,’hesaid,‘Iwilltrustyouoncemore.IndeeditseemsthatImustdoso,andthatitismyfatetoreceivehelpfromyou,whereIleastlookedforit,andyourfateto

helpmewhomyoulongpursuedwithevilpurpose.Sofaryouhavedeservedwellofmeandhavekeptyourpromisetruly.Truly,Isayandmean,’headdedwithaglanceatSam,‘fortwicenowwehavebeeninyourpower,andyouhavedonenoharmtous.Norhaveyoutriedtotakefrommewhatyouoncesought.Maythethirdtimeprovethebest!ButIwarn

you,Sméagol,youareindanger.’

‘Yes,yes,master!’saidGollum.‘Dreadfuldanger!Sméagol’sbonesshaketothinkofit,buthedoesn’trunaway.Hemusthelpnicemaster.’

‘Ididnotmeanthedangerthatweallshare,’saidFrodo.‘Imeanadangertoyourselfalone.YousworeapromisebywhatyoucallthePrecious.

Rememberthat!Itwillholdyoutoit;butitwillseekawaytotwistittoyourownundoing.Alreadyyouarebeingtwisted.Yourevealedyourselftomejustnow,foolishly.GiveitbacktoSméagolyousaid.Donotsaythatagain!Donotletthatthoughtgrowinyou!Youwillnevergetitback.Butthedesireofitmaybetrayyoutoabitterend.Youwillnever

getitback.Inthelastneed,Sméagol,IshouldputonthePrecious;andthePreciousmasteredyoulongago.IfI,wearingit,weretocommandyou,youwouldobey,evenifitweretoleapfromaprecipiceortocastyourselfintothefire.Andsuchwouldbemycommand.Sohaveacare,Sméagol!’

Samlookedathismasterwithapproval,butalsowith

surprise:therewasalookinhisfaceandatoneinhisvoicethathehadnotknownbefore.IthadalwaysbeenanotionofhisthatthekindnessofdearMr.Frodowasofsuchahighdegreethatitmustimplyafairmeasureofblindness.Ofcourse,healsofirmlyheldtheincompatiblebeliefthatMr.Frodowasthewisestpersonintheworld(withthepossibleexception

ofOldMr.BilboandofGandalf).Golluminhisownway,andwithmuchmoreexcuseashisacquaintancewasmuchbriefer,mayhavemadeasimilarmistake,confusingkindnessandblindness.Atanyratethisspeechabashedandterrifiedhim.Hegrovelledonthegroundandcouldspeaknoclearwordsbutnicemaster.

Frodowaitedpatientlyfor

awhile,thenhespokeagainlesssternly.‘Comenow,GollumorSméagolifyouwish,tellmeofthisotherway,andshowme,ifyoucan,whathopethereisinit,enoughtojustifymeinturningasidefrommyplainpath.Iaminhaste.’

ButGollumwasinapitiablestate,andFrodo’sthreathadquiteunnervedhim.Itwasnoteasytoget

anyclearaccountoutofhim,amidhismumblingsandsqueakings,andthefrequentinterruptionsinwhichhecrawledonthefloorandbeggedthembothtobekindto‘poorlittleSméagol’.Afterawhilehegrewalittlecalmer,andFrodogatheredbitbybitthat,ifatravellerfollowedtheroadthatturnedwestofEphelDúath,hewouldcomeintimetoa

crossinginacircleofdarktrees.OntherightaroadwentdowntoOsgiliathandthebridgesoftheAnduin;inthemiddletheroadwentonsouthwards.

‘On,on,on,’saidGollum.‘Weneverwentthatway,buttheysayitgoesahundredleagues,untilyoucanseetheGreatWaterthatisneverstill.Therearelotsoffishesthere,andbigbirdseatfishes:nice

birds:butweneverwentthere,alasno!weneverhadachance.Andfurtherstilltherearemorelands,theysay,buttheYellowFaceisveryhotthere,andthereareseldomanyclouds,andthemenarefierceandhavedarkfaces.Wedonotwanttoseethatland.’

‘No!’saidFrodo.‘Butdonotwanderfromyourroad.Whatofthethirdturning?’

‘Oyes,Oyes,thereisathirdway,’saidGollum.‘Thatistheroadtotheleft.Atonceitbeginstoclimbup,up,windingandclimbingbacktowardsthetallshadows.Whenitturnsroundtheblackrock,you’llseeit,suddenlyyou’llseeitaboveyou,andyou’llwanttohide.’

‘Seeit,seeit?Whatwillyousee?’

‘Theoldfortress,veryold,

veryhorriblenow.WeusedtoheartalesfromtheSouth,whenSméagolwasyoung,longago.Oyes,weusedtotelllotsoftalesintheevening,sittingbythebanksoftheGreatRiver,inthewillow-lands,whentheRiverwasyoungertoo,gollum,gollum.’Hebegantoweepandmutter.Thehobbitswaitedpatiently.

‘TalesoutoftheSouth,’

Gollumwentonagain,‘aboutthetallMenwiththeshiningeyes,andtheirhouseslikehillsofstone,andthesilvercrownoftheirKingandhisWhiteTree:wonderfultales.Theybuiltverytalltowers,andonetheyraisedwassilver-white,andinittherewasastoneliketheMoon,androunditweregreatwhitewalls.Oyes,thereweremanytalesabouttheTowerofthe

Moon.’‘ThatwouldbeMinas

IthilthatIsildurthesonofElendilbuilt,’saidFrodo.‘ItwasIsildurwhocutoffthefingeroftheEnemy.’

‘Yes,HehasonlyfourontheBlackHand,buttheyareenough,’saidGollumshuddering.‘AndHehatedIsildur’scity.’

‘Whatdoeshenothate?’saidFrodo.‘Butwhathasthe

ToweroftheMoontodowithus?’

‘Well,master,thereitwasandthereitis:thetalltowerandthewhitehousesandthewall;butnotnicenow,notbeautiful.

Heconquereditlongago.Itisaveryterribleplacenow.Travellersshiverwhentheyseeit,theycreepoutofsight,theyavoiditsshadow.Butmasterwillhavetogothat

way.Thatistheonlyotherway.Forthemountainsarelowerthere,andtheoldroadgoesupandup,untilitreachesadarkpassatthetop,andthenitgoesdown,down,again–toGorgoroth.’Hisvoicesanktoawhisperandheshuddered.

‘Buthowwillthathelpus?’askedSam.‘SurelytheEnemyknowsallabouthisownmountains,andthatroad

willbeguardedascloseasthis?Thetowerisn’tempty,isit?’

‘Ono,notempty!’whisperedGollum.‘Itseemsempty,butitisn’t,Ono!Verydreadfulthingslivethere.Orcs,yesalwaysOrcs;butworsethings,worsethingslivetheretoo.Theroadclimbsrightundertheshadowofthewallsandpassesthegate.Nothing

movesontheroadthattheydon’tknowabout.Thethingsinsideknow:theSilentWatchers.’

‘Sothat’syouradviceisit,’saidSam,‘thatweshouldgoanotherlongmarchsouth,tofindourselvesinthesamefixoraworseone,whenwegetthere,ifweeverdo?’

‘No,noindeed,’saidGollum.‘Hobbitsmustsee,musttrytounderstand.He

doesnotexpectattackthatway.HisEyeisallround,butitattendsmoretosomeplacesthantoothers.Hecan’tseeeverythingallatonce,notyet.Yousee,HehasconqueredallthecountrywestoftheShadowyMountainsdowntotheRiver,andHeholdsthebridgesnow.HethinksnoonecancometotheMoontowerwithoutfightingbigbattleat

thebridges,orgettinglotsofboatswhichtheycannothideandHewillknowabout.’

‘YouseemtoknowalotaboutwhatHe’sdoingandthinking,’saidSam.‘HaveyoubeentalkingtoHimlately?OrjusthobnobbingwithOrcs?’

‘Notnicehobbit,notsensible,’saidGollum,givingSamanangryglanceandturningtoFrodo.‘Sméagol

hastalkedtoOrcs,yesofcourse,beforehemetmaster,andtomanypeoples:hehaswalkedveryfar.Andwhathesaysnowmanypeoplesaresaying.It’shereintheNorththatthebigdangerisforHim,andforus.HewillcomeoutoftheBlackGateoneday,onedaysoon.Thatistheonlywaybigarmiescancome.ButawaydownwestHeisnotafraid,andtherearethe

SilentWatchers.’‘Justso!’saidSam,notto

beputoff.‘Andsowearetowalkupandknockattheirgateandaskifwe’reontherightroadforMordor?Oraretheytoosilenttoanswer?It’snotsense.Wemightaswelldoithere,andsaveourselvesalongtramp.’

‘Don’tmakejokesaboutit,’hissedGollum.‘Itisn’tfunny,Ono!Notamusing.

It’snotsensetotryandgetintoMordoratall.ButifmastersaysImustgoorIwillgo,thenhemusttrysomeway.Buthemustnotgototheterriblecity,Ono,ofcoursenot.ThatiswhereSméagolhelps,niceSméagol,thoughnoonetellshimwhatitisallabout.Sméagolhelpsagain.Hefoundit.Heknowsit.’

‘Whatdidyoufind?’

askedFrodo.Gollumcroucheddown

andhisvoicesanktoawhisperagain.‘Alittlepathleadingupintothemountains;andthenastair,anarrowstair,Oyes,verylongandnarrow.Andthenmorestairs.Andthen’–hisvoicesankevenlower–‘atunnel,adarktunnel;andatlastalittlecleft,andapathhighabovethemainpass.Itwasthatway

thatSméagolgotoutofthedarkness.Butitwasyearsago.Thepathmayhavevanishednow;butperhapsnot,perhapsnot.’

‘Idon’tlikethesoundofitatall,’saidSam.‘Soundstooeasyatanyrateinthetelling.Ifthatpathisstillthere,it’llbeguardedtoo.Wasn’titguarded,Gollum?’Ashesaidthis,hecaughtorfanciedhecaughtagreen

gleaminGollum’seye.Gollummutteredbutdidnotreply.

‘Isitnotguarded?’askedFrodosternly.‘Anddidyouescapeoutofthedarkness,Sméagol?Wereyounotratherpermittedtodepart,uponanerrand?ThatatleastiswhatAragornthought,whofoundyoubytheDeadMarshessomeyearsago.’

‘It’salie!’hissedGollum,

andanevillightcameintohiseyesatthenamingofAragorn.‘Heliedonme,yeshedid.Ididescape,allbymypoorself.IndeedIwastoldtoseekforthePrecious;andIhavesearchedandsearched,ofcourseIhave.ButnotfortheBlackOne.ThePreciouswasours,itwasmineItellyou.Ididescape.’

Frodofeltastrangecertaintythatinthismatter

Gollumwasforoncenotsofarfromthetruthasmightbesuspected;thathehadsomehowfoundawayoutofMordor,andatleastbelievedthatitwasbyhisowncunning.Foronething,henotedthatGollumusedI,andthatseemedusuallytobeasign,onitsrareappearances,thatsomeremnantsofoldtruthandsinceritywereforthemomentontop.Buteven

ifGollumcouldbetrustedonthispoint,FrododidnotforgetthewilesoftheEnemy.The‘escape’mayhavebeenallowedorarranged,andwellknownintheDarkTower.AndinanycaseGollumwasplainlykeepingagooddealback.

‘Iaskyouagain,’hesaid:‘isnotthissecretwayguarded?’ButthenameofAragornhadputGolluminto

asullenmood.Hehadalltheinjuredairofaliarsuspectedwhenforoncehehastoldthetruth,orpartofit.Hedidnotanswer.

‘Isitnotguarded?’Frodorepeated.

‘Yes,yes,perhaps.Nosafeplacesinthiscountry,’saidGollumsulkily.‘Nosafeplaces.Butmastermusttryitorgohome.Nootherway.’Theycouldnotgethimtosay

more.Thenameoftheperilousplaceandthehighpasshecouldnottell,orwouldnot.

ItsnamewasCirithUngol,anameofdreadfulrumour.Aragorncouldperhapshd,butitattendsmoretosomeplacesthantoothers.Hecan’tseeeverythingallatonce,notyet.Yousee,Hehasconqueredallthecountry

westoftheShadowyMountainsdowntotheRiver,andHeholdsthebridgesnow.HethinksnoonecancometotheMoontowerwithoutfightingbigbattleatthebridges,orgettinglotsofboatswhichtheycannothideandHewillknowabout.’

‘YouseemtoknowalotaboutwhatHe’sdoingandthinking,’saidSam.‘HaveyoubeentalkingtoHim

lately?OrjusthobnobbingwithOrcs?’

‘Notnicehobbit,notsensible,’saidGollum,givingSamanangryglanceandturningtoFrodo.‘SméagolhastalkedtoOrcs,yesofcourse,beforehemetmaster,andtomanypeoples:hehaswalkedveryfar.Andwhathesaysnowmanypeoplesaresaying.It’shereintheNorththatthebigdangerisforHim,

andforus.HewillcomeoutoftheBlackGateoneday,onedaysoon.Thatistheonlywaybigarmiescancome.ButawaydownwestHeisnotafraid,andtherearetheSilentWatchers.’

‘Justso!’saidSam,nottobeputoff.‘Andsowearetowalkupandknockattheirgateandaskifwe’reontherightroadforMordor?Oraretheytoosilenttoanswer?It’s

notsense.Wemightaswelldoithere,andsaveourselvesalongtramp.’

‘Don’tmakejokesaboutit,’hissedGollum.‘Itisn’tfunny,Ono!Notamusing.It’snotsensetotryandgetintoMordoratall.ButifmastersaysImustgoorIwillgo,thenhemusttrysomeway.Buthemustnotgototheterriblecity,Ono,ofcoursenot.Thatiswhere

Sméagolhelps,niceSméagol,thoughnoonetellshimwhatitisallabout.Sméagolhelpsagain.Hefoundit.Heknowsit.’

‘Whatdidyoufind?’askedFrodo.

Gollumcroucheddownandhisvoicesanktoawhisperagain.‘Alittlepathleadingupintothemountains;andthenastair,anarrowstair,Oyes,verylong

andnarrow.Andthenmorestairs.Andthen’–hisvoicesankevenlower–‘atunnel,adarktunnel;andatlastalittlecleft,andapathhighabovethemainpass.ItwasthatwaythatSméagolgotoutofthedarkness.Butitwasyearsago.Thepathmayhavevanishednow;butperhapsnot,perhapsnot.’

‘Idon’tlikethesoundofitatall,’saidSam.‘Sounds

tooeasyatanyrateinthetelling.Ifthatpathisstillthere,it’llbeguardedtoo.Wasn’titguarded,Gollum?’Ashesaidthis,hecaughtorfanciedhecaughtagreengleaminGollum’seye.Gollummutteredbutdidnotreply.

‘Isitnotguarded?’askedFrodosternly.‘Anddidyouescapeoutofthedarkness,Sméagol?Wereyounot

ratherpermittedtodepart,uponanerrand?ThatatleastiswhatAragornthought,whofoundyoubytheDeadMarshessomeyearsago.’

‘It’salie!’hissedGollum,andanevillightcameintohiseyesatthenamingofAragorn.‘Heliedonme,yeshedid.Ididescape,allbymypoorself.IndeedIwastoldtoseekfor

thePrecious;andIhave

searchedandsearched,ofcourseIhave.ButnotfortheBlackOne.ThePreciouswasours,itwasmineItellyou.Ididescape.’

FrodofeltastrangecertaintythatinthismatterGollumwasforoncenotsofarfromthetruthasmightbesuspected;thathehadsomehowfoundawayoutofMordor,andatleastbelievedthatitwasbyhisown

cunning.Foronething,henotedthatGollumusedI,andthatseemedusuallytobeasign,onitsrareappearances,thatsomeremnantsofoldtruthandsinceritywereforthemomentontop.ButevenifGollumcouldbetrustedonthispoint,FrododidnotforgetthewilesoftheEnemy.The‘escape’mayhavebeenallowedorarranged,andwellknownin

theDarkTower.AndinanycaseGollumwasplainlykeepingagooddealback.

‘Iaskyouagain,’hesaid:‘isnotthissecretwayguarded?’ButthenameofAragornhadputGollumintoasullenmood.Hehadalltheinjuredairofaliarsuspectedwhenforoncehehastoldthetruth,orpartofit.Hedidnotanswer.

‘Isitnotguarded?’Frodo

repeated.‘Yes,yes,perhaps.No

safeplacesinthiscountry,’saidGollumsulkily.‘Nosafeplaces.Butmastermusttryitorgohome.Nootherway.’Theycouldnotgethimtosaymore.Thenameoftheperilousplaceandthehighpasshecouldnottell,orwouldnot.

ItsnamewasCirithUngol,anameofdreadful

rumour.Aragorncouldperhapshllum.‘Hobbitsmustsee,musttrytounderstand.Hedoesnotexpectattackthatway.HisEyeisallround,butitattendsmoretosomeplacesthantoothers.Hecan’tseeeverythingallatonce,notyet.Yousee,HehasconqueredallthecountrywestoftheShadowyMountainsdowntotheRiver,andHeholdsthebridges

now.HethinksnoonecancometotheMoontowerwithoutfightingbigbattleatthebridges,orgettinglotsofboatswhichtheycannothideandHewillknowabout.’

‘YouseemtoknowalotaboutwhatHe’sdoingandthinking,’saidSam.‘HaveyoubeentalkingtoHimlately?OrjusthobnobbingwithOrcs?’

‘Notnicehobbit,not

sensible,’saidGollum,givingSamanangryglanceandturningtoFrodo.‘SméagolhastalkedtoOrcs,yesofcourse,beforehemetmaster,andtomanypeoples:hehaswalkedveryfar.Andwhathesaysnowmanypeoplesaresaying.It’shereintheNorththatthebigdangerisforHim,andforus.HewillcomeoutoftheBlackGateoneday,onedaysoon.Thatistheonly

waybigarmiescancome.ButawaydownwestHeisnotafraid,andtherearetheSilentWatchers.’

‘Justso!’saidSam,nottobeputoff.‘Andsowearetowalkupandknockattheirgateandaskifwe’reontherightroadforMordor?Oraretheytoosilenttoanswer?It’snotsense.Wemightaswelldoithere,andsaveourselvesalongtramp.’

‘Don’tmakejokesaboutit,’hissedGollum.‘Itisn’tfunny,Ono!Notamusing.It’snotsensetotryandgetintoMordoratall.ButifmastersaysImustgoorIwillgo,thenhemusttrysomeway.Buthemustnotgototheterriblecity,Ono,ofcoursenot.ThatiswhereSméagolhelps,niceSméagol,thoughnoonetellshimwhatitisallabout.Sméagolhelps

again.Hefoundit.Heknowsit.’

‘Whatdidyoufind?’askedFrodo.

Gollumcroucheddownandhisvoicesanktoawhisperagain.‘Alittlepathleadingupintothemountains;andthenastair,anarrowstair,Oyes,verylongandnarrow.Andthenmorestairs.Andthen’–hisvoicesankevenlower–‘atunnel,a

darktunnel;andatlastalittlecleft,andapathhighabovethemainpass.ItwasthatwaythatSméagolgotoutofthedarkness.Butitwasyearsago.Thepathmayhavevanishednow;butperhapsnot,perhapsnot.’

‘Idon’tlikethesoundofitatall,’saidSam.‘Soundstooeasyatanyrateinthetelling.Ifthatpathisstillthere,it’llbeguardedtoo.

Wasn’titguarded,Gollum?’Ashesaidthis,hecaughtorfanciedhecaughtagreengleaminGollum’seye.Gollummutteredbutdidnotreply.

‘Isitnotguarded?’askedFrodosternly.‘Anddidyouescapeoutofthedarkness,Sméagol?Wereyounotratherpermittedtodepart,uponanerrand?ThatatleastiswhatAragornthought,who

foundyoubytheDeadMarshessomeyearsago.’

‘It’salie!’hissedGollum,andanevillightcameintohiseyesatthenamingofAragorn.‘Heliedonme,yeshedid.Ididescape,allbymypoorself.IndeedIwastoldtoseekforthePrecious;andIhavesearchedandsearched,ofcourseIhave.ButnotfortheBlackOne.ThePreciouswasours,itwasmineItell

you.Ididescape.’Frodofeltastrange

certaintythatinthismatterGollumwasforoncenotsofarfromthetruthasmightbesuspected;thathehadsomehowfoundawayoutofMordor,andatleastbelievedthatitwasbyhisowncunning.Foronething,henotedthatGollumusedI,andthatseemedusuallytobeasign,onitsrareappearances,

thatsomeremnantsofoldtruthandsinceritywereforthemomentontop.ButevenifGollumcouldbetrustedonthispoint,FrododidnotforgetthewilesoftheEnemy.The‘escape’mayhavebeenallowedorarranged,andwellknownintheDarkTower.AndinanycaseGollumwasplainlykeepingagooddealback.

‘Iaskyouagain,’hesaid:

‘isnotthissecretwayguarded?’ButthenameofAragornhadputGollumintoasullenmood.Hehadalltheinjuredairofaliarsuspectedwhenforoncehehastoldthetruth,orpartofit.Hedidnotanswer.

‘Isitnotguarded?’Frodorepeated.

‘Yes,yes,perhaps.Nosafeplacesinthiscountry,’saidGollumsulkily.‘Nosafe

places.Butmastermusttryitorgohome.Nootherway.’Theycouldnotgethimtosaymore.Thenameoftheperilousplaceandthehighpasshecouldnottell,orwouldnot.

ItsnamewasCirithUngol,anameofdreadfulrumour.Aragorncouldperhapshavetoldthemthatnameanditssignificance;Gandalfwouldhavewarned

them.Buttheywerealone,andAragornwasfaraway,andGandalfstoodamidtheruinofIsengardandstrovewithSaruman,delayedbytreason.YetevenashespokehislastwordstoSaruman,andthepalantírcrashedinfireuponthestepsofOrthanc,histhoughtwaseveruponFrodoandSamwise,overthelongleagueshismindsoughtfortheminhope

andpity.MaybeFrodofeltit,not

knowingit,ashehaduponAmonHen,eventhoughhebelievedthatGandalfwasgone,goneforeverintotheshadowinMoriafaraway.Hesatuponthegroundforalongwhile,silent,hisheadbowed,strivingtorecallallthatGandalfhadsaidtohim.Butforthischoicehecouldrecallnocounsel.Indeed

Gandalf’sguidancehadbeentakenfromthemtoosoon,toosoon,whiletheDarkLandwasstillveryfaraway.HowtheyshouldenteritatthelastGandalfhadnotsaid.Perhapshecouldnotsay.IntothestrongholdoftheEnemyintheNorth,intoDolGuldur,hehadonceventured.ButintoMordor,totheMountainofFireandtoBarad-dûr,sincetheDarkLordrosein

poweragain,hadheeverjourneyedthere?Frododidnotthinkso.AndherehewasalittlehalflingfromtheShire,asimplehobbitofthequietcountryside,expectedtofindawaywherethegreatonescouldnotgo,ordarednotgo.Itwasanevilfate.Buthehadtakenitonhimselfinhisownsitting-roominthefar-offspringofanotheryear,soremotenowthatitwaslike

achapterinastoryoftheworld’syouth,whentheTreesofSilverandGoldwerestillinbloom.Thiswasanevilchoice.Whichwayshouldhechoose?Andifbothledtoterroranddeath,whatgoodlayinchoice?

Thedaydrewon.Adeepsilencefelluponthelittlegreyhollowwheretheylay,

soneartothebordersofthelandoffear:asilencethatcouldbefelt,asifitwereathickveilthatcutthemofffromalltheworldaboutthem.Abovethemwasadomeofpaleskybarredwithfleetingsmoke,butitseemedhighandfaraway,asifseenthroughgreatdeepsofairheavywithbroodingthought.

Notevenaneaglepoisedagainstthesunwouldhave

markedthehobbitssittingthere,undertheweightofdoom,silent,notmoving,shroudedintheirthingreycloaks.ForamomenthemighthavepausedtoconsiderGollum,atinyfiguresprawlingontheground:thereperhapslaythefamishedskeletonofsomechildofMen,itsraggedgarmentstillclingingtoit,itslongarmsandlegsalmost

bone-whiteandbone-thin:nofleshworthapeck.

Frodo’sheadwasbowedoverhisknees,butSamleanedback,withhandsbehindhishead,staringoutofhishoodattheemptysky.Atleastforalongwhileitwasempty.ThenpresentlySamthoughthesawadarkbird-likefigurewheelintothecircleofhissight,andhover,andthenwheelawayagain.

Twomorefollowed,andthenafourth.Theywereverysmalltolookat,yetheknew,somehow,thattheywerehuge,withavaststretchofpinion,flyingatagreatheight.Hecoveredhiseyesandbentforward,cowering.ThesamewarningfearwasonhimashehadfeltinthepresenceoftheBlackRiders,thehelplesshorrorthathadcomewiththecryinthewind

andtheshadowonthemoon,thoughnowitwasnotsocrushingorcompelling:themenacewasmoreremote.Butmenaceitwas.Frodofeltittoo.Histhoughtwasbroken.Hestirredandshivered,buthedidnotlookup.Gollumhuddledhimselftogetherlikeacorneredspider.Thewingedshapeswheeled,andstoopedswiftlydown,speedingbackto

Mordor.Samtookadeepbreath.

‘TheRidersareaboutagain,upintheair,’hesaidinahoarsewhisper.‘Isawthem.Doyouthinktheycouldseeus?Theywereveryhighup.AndiftheyareBlackRiders,sameasbefore,thentheycan’tseemuchbydaylight,canthey?’

‘No,perhapsnot,’saidFrodo.‘Buttheirsteedscould

see.Andthesewingedcreaturesthattheyrideonnow,theycanprobablyseemorethananyothercreature.Theyarelikegreatcarrionbirds.Theyarelookingforsomething:theEnemyisonthewatch,Ifear.’

Thefeelingofdreadpassed,buttheenfoldingsilencewasbroken.Forsometimetheyhadbeencutofffromtheworld,asifinan

invisibleisland;nowtheywerelaidbareagain,perilhadreturned.ButstillFrododidnotspeaktoGollumormakehischoice.Hiseyeswereclosed,asifheweredreaming,orlookinginwardintohisheartandmemory.Atlasthestirredandstoodup,anditseemedthathewasabouttospeakandtodecide.But‘hark!’hesaid.‘Whatisthat?’

Anewfearwasuponthem.Theyheardsingingandhoarseshouting.Atfirstitseemedalongwayoff,butitdrewnearer:itwascomingtowardsthem.ItleapedintoalltheirmindsthattheBlackWingshadspiedthemandhadsentarmedsoldierstoseizethem:nospeedseemedtoogreatfortheseterribleservantsofSauron.Theycrouched,listening.The

voicesandtheclinkofweaponsandharnesswereveryclose.FrodoandSamloosenedtheirsmallswordsintheirsheaths.Flightwasimpossible.

Gollumroseslowlyandcrawledinsect-liketothelipofthehollow.Verycautiouslyheraisedhimselfinchbyinch,untilhecouldpeeroveritbetweentwobrokenpointsofstone.He

remainedtherewithoutmovingforsometime,makingnosound.Presentlythevoicesbegantorecedeagain,andthentheyslowlyfadedaway.FaroffahornblewontherampartsoftheMorannon.ThenquietlyGollumdrewbackandslippeddownintothehollow.

‘MoreMengoingtoMordor,’hesaidinalowvoice.‘Darkfaces.Wehave

notseenMenlikethesebefore,no,Sméagolhasnot.Theyarefierce.Theyhaveblackeyes,andlongblackhair,andgoldringsintheirears;yes,lotsofbeautifulgold.Andsomehaveredpaintontheircheeks,andredcloaks;andtheirflagsarered,andthetipsoftheirspears;andtheyhaveroundshields,yellowandblackwithbigspikes.Notnice;verycruel

wickedMentheylook.AlmostasbadasOrcs,andmuchbigger.SméagolthinkstheyhavecomeoutoftheSouthbeyondtheGreatRiver’send:theycameupthatroad.TheyhavepassedontotheBlackGate;butmoremayfollow.AlwaysmorepeoplecomingtoMordor.Onedayallthepeopleswillbeinside.’

‘Werethereany

oliphaunts?’askedSam,forgettinghisfearinhiseagernessfornewsofstrangeplaces.

‘No,nooliphaunts.Whatareoliphaunts?’saidGollum.

Samstoodup,puttinghishandsbehindhisback(ashealwaysdidwhen‘speakingpoetry’),andbegan:

Greyasamouse,Bigasahouse,Noselikeasnake,Imaketheearthshake,AsItrampthroughthegrass;TreescrackasIpass.WithhornsinmymouthIwalkintheSouth,Flappingbigears.

BeyondcountofyearsIstumproundandround,Neverlieontheground,Noteventodie.OliphauntamI,Biggestofall,Huge,old,andtall.Ifeveryou’dmetmeYouwouldn’tforget

me.Ifyouneverdo,Youwon’tthinkI’mtrue;ButoldOliphauntamI,AndIneverlie.

‘That,’saidSam,whenhehadfinishedreciting,‘that’sarhymewehaveintheShire.Nonsensemaybe,andmaybenot.Butwehaveourtales

too,andnewsoutoftheSouth,youknow.Intheolddayshobbitsusedtogoontheirtravelsnowandagain.Notthatmanyevercameback,andnotthatalltheysaidwasbelieved:newsfromBree,andnotsureasShiretalk,asthesayingsgo.ButI’veheardtalesofthebigfolkdownawayintheSunlands.Swertingswecall’eminourtales;andthey

rideonoliphaunts,’tissaid,whentheyfight.Theyputhousesandtowersontheoliphauntsesbacksandall,andtheoliphauntsthrowrocksandtreesatoneanother.Sowhenyousaid‘‘MenoutoftheSouth,allinredandgold,’’Isaid‘‘werethereanyoliphaunts?’’Foriftherewas,Iwasgoingtotakealook,riskorno.ButnowIdon’tsupposeI’lleverseean

oliphaunt.Maybethereain’tnosuchabeast.’Hesighed.

‘No,nooliphaunts,’saidGollumagain.‘Sméagolhasnotheardofthem.Hedoesnotwanttoseethem.Hedoesnotwantthemtobe.Sméagolwantstogoawayfromhereandhidesomewheresafer.Sméagolwantsmastertogo.Nicemaster,won’thecomewithSméagol?’

Frodostoodup.Hehad

laughedinthemidstofallhiscareswhenSamtrottedouttheoldfiresiderhymeofOliphaunt,andthelaughhadreleasedhimfromhesitation.‘IwishwehadathousandoliphauntswithGandalfonawhiteoneattheirhead,’hesaid.‘Thenwe’dbreakawayintothisevilland,perhaps.Butwe’venot;justourowntiredlegs,that’sall.Well,Sméagol,thethirdturnmay

turnthebest.Iwillcomewithyou.’

‘Goodmaster,wisemaster,nicemaster!’criedGollumindelight,pattingFrodo’sknees.‘Goodmaster!Thenrestnow,nicehobbits,undertheshadowofthestones,closeunderthestones!Restandliequiet,tilltheYellowFacegoesaway.Thenwecangoquickly.Softandquickasshadowswe

mustbe!’

Chapter4

OFHERBSANDSTEWEDRABBIT

Forthefewhoursofdaylightthatwerelefttheyrested,shiftingintotheshadeasthesunmoved,untilatlasttheshadowofthewesternrimoftheirdellgrewlong,and

darknessfilledallthehollow.Thentheyatealittle,anddranksparingly.Gollumatenothing,butheacceptedwatergladly.

‘Soongetmorenow,’hesaid,lickinghislips.‘GoodwaterrunsdowninstreamstotheGreatRiver,nicewaterinthelandswearegoingto.Sméagolwillgetfoodtheretoo,perhaps.He’sveryhungry,yes,gollum!’Heset

histwolargeflathandsonhisshrunkenbelly,andapalegreenlightcameintohiseyes.

Theduskwasdeepwhenatlengththeysetout,creepingoverthewestwardrimofthedell,andfadinglikeghostsintothebrokencountryonthebordersoftheroad.Themoonwasnow

threenightsfromthefull,butitdidnotclimboverthemountainsuntilnearlymidnight,andtheearlynightwasverydark.AsingleredlightburnedhighupintheTowersoftheTeeth,butotherwisenosigncouldbeseenorheardofthesleeplesswatchontheMorannon.

Formanymilestheredeyeseemedtostareatthemastheyfled,stumbling

throughabarrenstonycountry.Theydidnotdaretotaketheroad,buttheykeptitontheirleft,followingitslineaswellastheycouldatalittledistance.Atlast,whennightwasgrowingoldandtheywerealreadyweary,fortheyhadtakenonlyoneshortrest,theeyedwindledtoasmallfierypointandthenvanished:theyhadturnedthedarknorthernshoulderofthe

lowermountainsandwereheadingsouthwards.

Withheartsstrangelylightenedtheynowrestedagain,butnotforlong.TheywerenotgoingquickenoughforGollum.ByhisreckoningitwasnearlythirtyleaguesfromtheMorannontotheCross-roadsaboveOsgiliath,andhehopedtocoverthatdistanceinfourjourneys.Sosoontheystruggledononce

more,untilthedawnbegantospreadslowlyinthewidegreysolitude.Theyhadthenwalkedalmosteightleagues,andthehobbitscouldnothavegoneanyfurther,eveniftheyhaddared.

Thegrowinglightrevealedtothemalandalreadylessbarrenandruinous.Themountainsstill

loomedupominouslyontheirleft,butnearathandtheycouldseethesouthwardroad,nowbearingawayfromtheblackrootsofthehillsandslantingwestwards.Beyonditwereslopescoveredwithsombretreeslikedarkclouds,butallaboutthemlayatumbledheathland,grownwithlingandbroomandcornel,andothershrubsthattheydidnotknow.Hereand

theretheysawknotsoftallpine-trees.Theheartsofthehobbitsroseagainalittleinspiteofweariness:theairwasfreshandfragrant,anditremindedthemoftheuplandsoftheNorthfarthingfaraway.Itseemedgoodtobereprieved,towalkinalandthathadonlybeenforafewyearsunderthedominionoftheDarkLordandwasnotyetfallenwhollyintodecay.

Buttheydidnotforgettheirdanger,northeBlackGatethatwasstillalltoonear,hiddenthoughitwasbehindthegloomyheights.Theylookedaboutforahiding-placewheretheycouldshelterfromevileyeswhilethelightlasted.

Thedaypasseduneasily.Theylaydeepintheheather

andcountedouttheslowhours,inwhichthereseemedlittlechange;fortheywerestillundertheshadowsoftheEphelDúath,andthesunwasveiled.Frodosleptattimes,deeplyandpeacefully,eithertrustingGollumortootiredtotroubleabouthim;butSamfounditdifficulttodomorethandoze,evenwhenGollumwasplainlyfastasleep,whifflingandtwitchinginhis

secretdreams.Hunger,perhaps,morethanmistrustkepthimwakeful:hehadbeguntolongforagoodhomelymeal,‘somethinghotoutofthepot’.

Assoonasthelandfadedintoaformlessgreyundercomingnight,theystartedoutagain.InalittlewhileGollumledthemdownontothesouthwardroad;andafterthattheywentonmorequickly,

thoughthedangerwasgreater.Theirearswerestrainedforthesoundofhooforfootontheroadahead,orfollowingthemfrombehind;butthenightpassed,andtheyheardnosoundofwalkerorrider.

Theroadhadbeenmadeinalonglosttime,andforperhapsthirtymilesbelowtheMorannonithadbeennewlyrepaired,butasitwent

souththewildencroacheduponit.ThehandiworkofMenofoldcouldstillbeseeninitsstraightsureflightandlevelcourse:nowandagainitcutitswaythroughhillsideslopes,orleapedoverastreamuponawideshapelyarchofenduringmasonry;butatlastallsignsofstoneworkfaded,saveforabrokenpillarhereandthere,peeringoutofbushesatthe

side,oroldpaving-stonesstilllurkingamidweedsandmoss.Heatherandtreesandbrackenscrambleddownandoverhungthebanks,orsprawledoutoverthesurface.Itdwindledatlasttoacountrycart-roadlittleused;butitdidnotwind:itheldonitsownsurecourseandguidedthembytheswiftestway.

SotheypassedintothenorthernmarchesofthatlandthatMenoncecalledIthilien,afaircountryofclimbingwoodsandswift-fallingstreams.Thenightbecamefineunderstarandroundmoon,anditseemedtothehobbitsthatthefragranceoftheairgrewastheywentforward;andfromtheblowingandmutteringofGollumitseemedthathe

noticedittoo,anddidnotrelishit.Atthefirstsignsofdaytheyhaltedagain.Theyhadcometotheendofalongcutting,deep,andsheer-sidedinthemiddle,bywhichtheroadcloveitswaythroughastonyridge.Nowtheyclimbedupthewestwardbankandlookedabroad.

Daywasopeninginthesky,andtheysawthatthemountainswerenowmuch

furtheroff,recedingeastwardinalongcurvethatwaslostinthedistance.Beforethem,astheyturnedwest,gentleslopesrandownintodimhazesfarbelow.Allaboutthemweresmallwoodsofresinoustrees,firandcedarandcypress,andotherkindsunknownintheShire,withwidegladesamongthem;andeverywheretherewasawealthofsweet-smelling

herbsandshrubs.ThelongjourneyfromRivendellhadbroughtthemfarsouthoftheirownland,butnotuntilnowinthismoreshelteredregionhadthehobbitsfeltthechangeofclime.HereSpringwasalreadybusyaboutthem:frondspiercedmossandmould,larchesweregreen-fingered,smallflowerswereopeningintheturf,birdsweresinging.Ithilien,the

gardenofGondornowdesolatekeptstilladishevelleddryadloveliness.

SouthandwestitlookedtowardsthewarmlowervalesofAnduin,shieldedfromtheeastbytheEphelDúathandyetnotunderthemountain-shadow,protectedfromthenorthbytheEmynMuil,opentothesouthernairsandthemoistwindsfromtheSeafaraway.Manygreattrees

grewthere,plantedlongago,fallingintountendedageamidariotofcarelessdescendants;andgrovesandthicketstherewereoftamariskandpungentterebinth,ofoliveandofbay;andtherewerejunipersandmyrtles;andthymesthatgrewinbushes,orwiththeirwoodycreepingstemsmantledindeeptapestriesthehiddenstones;sagesofmany

kindsputtingforthblueflowers,orred,orpalegreen;andmarjoramsandnew-sproutingparsleys,andmanyherbsofformsandscentsbeyondthegarden-loreofSam.Thegrotsandrockywallswerealreadystarredwithsaxifragesandstonecrops.Primerolesandanemoneswereawakeinthefilbert-brakes;andasphodelandmanylily-flowersnodded

theirhalf-openedheadsinthegrass:deepgreengrassbesidethepools,wherefallingstreamshaltedincoolhollowsontheirjourneydowntoAnduin.

Thetravellersturnedtheirbacksontheroadandwentdownhill.Astheywalked,brushingtheirwaythroughbushandherb,sweetodoursroseaboutthem.Gollumcoughedandretched;butthe

hobbitsbreatheddeep,andsuddenlySamlaughed,forheart’seasenotforjest.Theyfollowedastreamthatwentquicklydownbeforethem.Presentlyitbroughtthemtoasmallclearlakeinashallowdell:itlayinthebrokenruinsofanancientstonebasin,thecarvenrimofwhichwasalmostwhollycoveredwithmossesandrose-brambles;iris-swordsstoodinranks

aboutit,andwater-lilyleavesfloatedonitsdarkgently-ripplingsurface;butitwasdeepandfresh,andspilledeversoftlyoutoverastonylipatthefarend.

Heretheywashedthemselvesanddranktheirfillatthein-fallingfreshet.Thentheysoughtforaresting-place,andahiding-place;forthisland,fair-seemingstill,wasnonetheless

nowterritoryoftheEnemy.Theyhadnotcomeveryfarfromtheroad,andyeteveninsoshortaspacetheyhadseenscarsoftheoldwars,andthenewerwoundsmadebytheOrcsandotherfoulservantsoftheDarkLord:apitofuncoveredfilthandrefuse;treeshewndownwantonlyandlefttodie,withevilrunesorthefellsignoftheEyecutinrudestrokesontheirbark.

Samscramblingbelowtheoutfallofthelake,smellingandtouchingtheunfamiliarplantsandtrees,forgetfulforthemomentofMordor,wasremindedsuddenlyoftheirever-presentperil.Hestumbledonaringstillscorchedbyfire,andinthemidstofithefoundapileofcharredandbrokenbonesandskulls.Theswiftgrowthofthewildwithbriarand

eglantineandtrailingclematiswasalreadydrawingaveiloverthisplaceofdreadfulfeastandslaughter;butitwasnotancient.Hehurriedbacktohiscompanions,buthesaidnothing:theboneswerebestleftinpeaceandnotpawedandroutedbyGollum.

‘Let’sfindaplacetolieupin,’hesaid.‘Notlowerdown.Higherupforme.’

Alittlewaybackabovethelaketheyfoundadeepbrownbedoflastyear’sfern.Beyonditwasathicketofdark-leavedbay-treesclimbingupasteepbankthatwascrownedwitholdcedars.Heretheydecidedtorestandpasstheday,whichalreadypromisedtobebrightandwarm.Agooddayforstrollingontheirwayalongthegrovesandgladesof

Ithilien;butthoughOrcsmayshunthesunlight,thereweretoomanyplacesherewheretheycouldliehidandwatch;andotherevileyeswereabroad:Sauronhadmanyservants.Gollum,inanycase,wouldnotmoveundertheYellowFace.SoonitwouldlookoverthedarkridgesoftheEphelDúath,andhewouldfaintandcowerinthelightandheat.

Samhadbeengivingearnestthoughttofoodastheymarched.NowthatthedespairoftheimpassableGatewasbehindhim,hedidnotfeelsoinclinedashismastertotakenothoughtfortheirlivelihoodbeyondtheendoftheirerrand;andanywayitseemedwisertohimtosavethewaybreadoftheElvesforworsetimesahead.Sixdaysormorehad

passedsincehereckonedthattheyhadonlyabaresupplyforthreeweeks.

‘IfwereachtheFireinthattime,we’llbeluckyatthisrate!’hethought.‘Andwemightbewantingtogetback.Wemight!’

Besides,attheendofalongnight-march,andafterbathinganddrinking,hefeltevenmorehungrythanusual.Asupper,orabreakfast,by

thefireintheoldkitchenatBagshotRowwaswhathereallywanted.AnideastruckhimandheturnedtoGollum.Gollumhadjustbeguntosneakoffonhisown,andhewascrawlingawayonallfoursthroughthefern.

‘Hi!Gollum!’saidSam.‘Whereareyougoing?Hunting?Well,seehere,oldnoser,youdon’tlikeourfood,andI’dnotbesorryfor

achangemyself.Yournewmotto’salwaysreadytohelp.Couldyoufindanythingfitforahungryhobbit?’

‘Yes,perhaps,yes,’saidGollum.‘Sméagolalwayshelps,iftheyasks–iftheyasksnicely.’

‘Right!’saidSam.‘Idoesask.Andifthatisn’tniceenough,Ibegs.’

Gollumdisappeared.Hewasawaysometime,andFrodoafterafewmouthfulsoflembassettleddeepintothebrownfernandwenttosleep.Samlookedathim.Theearlydaylightwasonlyjustcreepingdownintotheshadowsunderthetrees,buthesawhismaster’sfaceveryclearly,andhishands,too,lyingatrestonthegroundbesidehim.Hewasreminded

suddenlyofFrodoashehadlain,asleepinthehouseofElrond,afterhisdeadlywound.ThenashehadkeptwatchSamhadnoticedthatattimesalightseemedtobeshiningfaintlywithin;butnowthelightwasevenclearerandstronger.Frodo’sfacewaspeaceful,themarksoffearandcarehadleftit;butitlookedold,oldandbeautiful,asifthechiselling

oftheshapingyearswasnowrevealedinmanyfinelinesthathadbeforebeenhidden,thoughtheidentityofthefacewasnotchanged.NotthatSamGamgeeputitthatwaytohimself.Heshookhishead,asiffindingwordsuseless,andmurmured:‘Ilovehim.He’slikethat,andsometimesitshinesthrough,somehow.ButIlovehim,whetherorno.’

GollumreturnedquietlyandpeeredoverSam’sshoulder.LookingatFrodo,heshuthiseyesandcrawledawaywithoutasound.Samcametohimamomentlaterandfoundhimchewingsomethingandmutteringtohimself.Onthegroundbesidehimlaytwosmallrabbits,whichhewasbeginningtoeyegreedily.

‘Sméagolalwayshelps,’

hesaid.‘Hehasbroughtrabbits,nicerabbits.Butmasterhasgonetosleep,andperhapsSamwantstosleep.Doesn’twantrabbitsnow?Sméagoltriestohelp,buthecan’tcatchthingsallinaminute.’

Sam,however,hadnoobjectiontorabbitatall,andsaidso.Atleastnottocookedrabbit.Allhobbits,ofcourse,cancook,fortheybeginto

learntheartbeforetheirletters(whichmanyneverreach);butSamwasagoodcook,evenbyhobbitreckoning,andhehaddoneagooddealofthecamp-cookingontheirtravels,whentherewasachance.Hestillhopefullycarriedsomeofhisgearinhispack:asmalltinder-box,twosmallshallowpans,thesmallerfittingintothelarger;insidethema

woodenspoon,ashorttwo-prongedforkandsomeskewerswerestowed;andhiddenatthebottomofthepackinaflatwoodenboxadwindlingtreasure,somesalt.Butheneededafire,andotherthingsbesides.Hethoughtforabit,whilehetookouthisknife,cleanedandwhettedit,andbegantodresstherabbits.HewasnotgoingtoleaveFrodoalone

asleepevenforafewminutes.

‘Now,Gollum,’hesaid,‘I’veanotherjobforyou.Goandfillthesepanswithwater,andbring’emback!’

‘Sméagolwillfetchwater,yes,’saidGollum.‘Butwhatdoesthehobbitwantallthatwaterfor?Hehasdrunk,hehaswashed.’

‘Neveryoumind,’saidSam.‘Ifyoucan’tguess,

you’llsoonfindout.Andthesooneryoufetchthewater,thesooneryou’lllearn.Don’tyoudamageoneofmypans,orI’llcarveyouintomincemeat.’

WhileGollumwasawaySamtookanotherlookatFrodo.Hewasstillsleepingquietly,butSamwasnowstruckmostbytheleannessofhisfaceandhands.‘Toothinanddrawnheis,’he

muttered.‘Notrightforahobbit.IfIcangettheseconeyscooked,I’mgoingtowakehimup.’

Samgatheredapileofthedriestfern,andthenscrambledupthebankcollectingabundleoftwigsandbrokenwood;thefallenbranchofacedaratthetopgavehimagoodsupply.Hecutoutsometurvesatthefootofthebankjustoutside

thefern-brake,andmadeashallowholeandlaidhisfuelinit.Beinghandywithflintandtinderhesoonhadasmallblazegoing.Itmadelittleornosmokebutgaveoffanaromaticscent.Hewasjuststoopingoverhisfire,shieldingitandbuildingitupwithheavierwood,whenGollumreturned,carryingthepanscarefullyandgrumblingtohimself.

Hesetthepansdown,andthensuddenlysawwhatSamwasdoing.Hegaveathinhissingshriek,andseemedtobebothfrightenedandangry.‘Ach!Sss–no!’hecried.‘No!Sillyhobbits,foolish,yesfoolish!Theymustn’tdoit!’

‘Mustn’tdowhat?’askedSaminsurprise.

‘Notmakethenasstyredtongues,’hissedGollum.

‘Fire,fire!It’sdangerous,yesitis.Itburns,itkills.Anditwillbringenemies,yesitwill.’

‘Idon’tthinkso,’saidSam.‘Don’tseewhyitshould,ifyoudon’tputwetstuffonitandmakeasmother.Butifitdoes,itdoes.I’mgoingtoriskit,anyhow.I’mgoingtostewtheseconeys.’

‘Stewtherabbits!’

squealedGollumindismay.‘SpoilbeautifulmeatSméagolsavedforyou,poorhungrySméagol!Whatfor?Whatfor,sillyhobbit?Theyareyoung,theyaretender,theyarenice.Eatthem,eatthem!’Heclawedatthenearestrabbit,alreadyskinnedandlyingbythefire.

‘Now,now!’saidSam.‘Eachtohisownfashion.Ourbreadchokesyou,andraw

coneychokesme.Ifyougivemeaconey,theconey’smine,see,tocook,ifIhaveamind.AndIhave.Youneedn’twatchme.Goandcatchanotherandeatitasyoufancy–somewhereprivateandouto’mysight.Thenyouwon’tseethefire,andIshan’tseeyou,andwe’llbothbethehappier.I’llseethefiredon’tsmoke,ifthat’sanycomforttoyou.’

Gollumwithdrewgrumbling,andcrawledintothefern.Sambusiedhimselfwithhispans.‘Whatahobbitneedswithconey,’hesaidtohimself,‘issomeherbsandroots,especiallytaters–nottomentionbread.Herbswecanmanage,seemingly.’

‘Gollum!’hecalledsoftly.‘Thirdtimepaysforall.Iwantsomeherbs.’Gollum’sheadpeepedoutofthefern,

buthislookswereneitherhelpfulnorfriendly.‘Afewbay-leaves,somethymeandsage,willdo–beforethewaterboils,’saidSam.

‘No!’saidGollum.‘Sméagolisnotpleased.AndSméagoldoesn’tlikesmellyleaves.Hedoesn’teatgrassesorroots,noprecious,nottillhe’sstarvingorverysick,poorSméagol.’

‘Sméagol’llgetintoreal

truehotwater,whenthiswaterboils,ifhedon’tdoashe’sasked,’growledSam.‘Sam’llputhisheadinit,yesprecious.AndI’dmakehimlookforturnipsandcarrots,andtaterstoo,ifitwasthetimeo’theyear.I’llbetthere’sallsortsofgoodthingsrunningwildinthiscountry.I’dgivealotforhalfadozentaters.’

‘Sméagolwon’tgo,Ono

precious,notthistime,’hissedGollum.‘He’sfrightened,andhe’sverytired,andthishobbit’snotnice,notniceatall.Sméagolwon’tgrubforrootsandcarrotsesand–taters.What’staters,precious,eh,what’staters?’

‘Po–ta–toes,’saidSam.‘TheGaffer’sdelight,andraregoodballastforanemptybelly.Butyouwon’tfindany,

soyouneedn’tlook.ButbegoodSméagolandfetchmetheherbs,andI’llthinkbetterofyou.What’smore,ifyouturnoveranewleaf,andkeepitturned,I’llcookyousometatersoneofthesedays.Iwill:friedfishandchipsservedbyS.Gamgee.Youcouldn’tsaynotothat.’

‘Yes,yeswecould.Spoilingnicefish,scorchingit.Givemefishnow,and

keepnasstychips!’‘Ohyou’rehopeless,’said

Sam.‘Gotosleep!’

Intheendhehadtofindwhathewantedforhimself;buthedidnothavetogofar,notoutofsightoftheplacewherehismasterlay,stillsleeping.ForawhileSamsatmusing,andtendingthefiretillthewaterboiled.The

daylightgrewandtheairbecamewarm;thedewfadedoffturfandleaf.Soontherabbitscutuplaysimmeringintheirpanswiththebunchedherbs.AlmostSamfellasleepasthetimewentby.Heletthemstewforcloseonanhour,testingthemnowandagainwithhisfork,andtastingthebroth.

Whenhethoughtallwasreadyheliftedthepansoff

thefire,andcreptalongtoFrodo.FrodohalfopenedhiseyesasSamstoodoverhim,andthenhewakenedfromhisdreaming:anothergentle,unrecoverabledreamofpeace.

‘Hullo,Sam!’hesaid.‘Notresting?Isanythingwrong?Whatisthetime?’

‘Aboutacoupleofhoursafterdaybreak,’saidSam,‘andnighonhalfpasteight

byShireclocks,maybe.Butnothing’swrong.Thoughitain’tquitewhatI’dcallright:nostock,noonions,notaters.I’vegotabitofastewforyou,andsomebroth,Mr.Frodo.Doyougood.You’llhavetosupitinyourmug;orstraightfromthepan,whenit’scooledabit.Ihaven’tbroughtnobowls,nornothingproper.’

Frodoyawnedand

stretched.‘Youshouldhavebeenresting,Sam,’hesaid.‘Andlightingafirewasdangerousintheseparts.ButIdofeelhungry.Hmm!CanIsmellitfromhere?Whathaveyoustewed?’

‘ApresentfromSméagol,’saidSam:‘abraceo’youngconeys;thoughIfancyGollum’sregrettingthemnow.Butthere’snaughttogowiththembutafewherbs.’

Samandhismastersatjustwithinthefern-brakeandatetheirstewfromthepans,sharingtheoldforkandspoon.TheyallowedthemselveshalfapieceoftheElvishwaybreadeach.Itseemedafeast.

‘Wheew!Gollum!’Samcalledandwhistledsoftly.‘Comeon!Stilltimetochangeyourmind.There’ssomeleft,ifyouwanttotry

stewedconey.’Therewasnoanswer.

‘Ohwell,Isupposehe’sgoneofftofindsomethingforhimself.We’llfinishit,’saidSam.

‘Andthenyoumusttakesomesleep,’saidFrodo.

‘Don’tyoudropoff,whileI’mnodding,Mr.Frodo.Idon’tfeeltoosureofhim.There’sagooddealofStinker–thebadGollum,if

youunderstandme–inhimstill,andit’sgettingstrongeragain.NotbutwhatIthinkhe’dtrytothrottlemefirstnow.Wedon’tseeeyetoeye,andhe’snotpleasedwithSam,Onoprecious,notpleasedatall.’

Theyfinished,andSamwentofftothestreamtorinsehisgear.Ashestoodupto

return,helookedbackuptheslope.Atthatmomenthesawthesunriseoutofthereek,orhaze,ordarkshadow,orwhateveritwas,thatlayevertotheeast,anditsentitsgoldenbeamsdownuponthetreesandgladesabouthim.Thenhenoticedathinspiralofblue-greysmoke,plaintoseeasitcaughtthesunlight,risingfromathicketabovehim.Withashockherealized

thatthiswasthesmokefromhislittlecooking-fire,whichhehadneglectedtoputout.

‘Thatwon’tdo!Neverthoughtitwouldshowlikethat!’hemuttered,andhestartedtohurryback.Suddenlyhehaltedandlistened.Hadheheardawhistleornot?Orwasitthecallofsomestrangebird?Ifitwasawhistle,itdidnotcomefromFrodo’sdirection.There

itwentagainfromanotherplace!Sambegantorunaswellashecoulduphill.

Hefoundthatasmallbrand,burningawaytoitsouterend,hadkindledsomefernattheedgeofthefire,andthefernblazinguphadsettheturvessmouldering.Hastilyhestampedoutwhatwasleftofthefire,scatteredtheashes,andlaidtheturvesonthehole.Thenhecrept

backtoFrodo.‘Didyouhearawhistle,

andwhatsoundedlikeananswer?’heasked.‘Afewminutesback.Ihopeitwasonlyabird,butitdidn’tsoundquitelikethat:morelikesomebodymimickingabird-call,Ithought.AndI’mafraidmybitoffire’sbeensmoking.NowifI’vegoneandbroughttrouble,I’llneverforgivemyself.Norwon’t

haveachance,maybe!’‘Hush!’whisperedFrodo.

‘IthoughtIheardvoices.’

Thetwohobbitstrussedtheirsmallpacks,putthemonreadyforflight,andthencrawleddeeperintothefern.Theretheycrouchedlistening.

Therewasnodoubtofthevoices.Theywerespeaking

lowandfurtively,buttheywerenear,andcomingnearer.Thenquitesuddenlyonespokeclearlycloseathand.

‘Here!Hereiswherethesmokecamefrom!’itsaid.‘’Twillbenighathand.Inthefern,nodoubt.Weshallhaveitlikeaconeyinatrap.Thenweshalllearnwhatkindofthingitis.’

‘Aye,andwhatitknows!’

saidasecondvoice.Atoncefourmencame

stridingthroughthefernfromdifferentdirections.Sinceflightandhidingwerenolongerpossible,FrodoandSamsprangtotheirfeet,puttingbacktobackandwhippingouttheirsmallswords.

Iftheywereastonishedatwhattheysaw,theircaptorswereevenmoreastonished.

FourtallMenstoodthere.Twohadspearsintheirhandswithbroadbrightheads.Twohadgreatbows,almostoftheirownheight,andgreatquiversoflonggreen-featheredarrows.Allhadswordsattheirsides,andwerecladingreenandbrownofvariedhues,asifthebettertowalkunseeninthegladesofIthilien.Greengauntletscoveredtheirhands,andtheir

faceswerehoodedandmaskedwithgreen,exceptfortheireyes,whichwereverykeenandbright.AtonceFrodothoughtofBoromir,fortheseMenwerelikehiminstatureandbearing,andintheirmannerofspeech.

‘Wehavenotfoundwhatwesought,’saidone.‘Butwhathavewefound?’

‘NotOrcs,’saidanother,releasingthehiltofhis

sword,whichhehadseizedwhenhesawtheglitterofStinginFrodo’shand.

‘Elves?’saidathird,doubtfully.

‘Nay!NotElves,’saidthefourth,thetallest,andasitappearedthechiefamongthem.‘ElvesdonotwalkinIthilieninthesedays.AndElvesarewondrousfairtolookupon,orso’tissaid.’

‘Meaningwe’renot,Itake

you,’saidSam.‘Thankyoukindly.Andwhenyou’vefinisheddiscussingus,perhapsyou’llsaywhoyouare,andwhyyoucan’tlettwotiredtravellersrest.’

Thetallgreenmanlaughedgrimly.‘IamFaramir,CaptainofGondor,’hesaid.‘Buttherearenotravellersinthisland:onlytheservantsoftheDarkTower,oroftheWhite.’

‘Butweareneither,’saidFrodo.‘Andtravellersweare,whateverCaptainFaramirmaysay.’

‘Thenmakehastetodeclareyourselvesandyourerrand,’saidFaramir.‘Wehaveaworktodo,andthisisnotimeorplaceforriddlingorparleying.Come!Whereisthethirdofyourcompany?’

‘Thethird?’‘Yes,theskulkingfellow

thatwesawwithhisnoseinthepooldownyonder.Hehadanill-favouredlook.SomespyingbreedofOrc,Iguess,oracreatureoftheirs.Buthegaveustheslipbysomefox-trick.’

‘Idonotknowwhereheis,’saidFrodo.‘Heisonlyachancecompanionmetuponourroad,andIamnotanswerableforhim.Ifyoucomeonhim,sparehim.

Bringhimorsendhimtous.Heisonlyawretchedgangrelcreature,butIhavehimundermycareforawhile.Butasforus,weareHobbitsoftheShire,fartotheNorthandWest,beyondmanyrivers.FrodosonofDrogoismyname,andwithmeisSamwisesonofHamfast,aworthyhobbitinmyservice.Wehavecomebylongways–outofRivendell,or

Imladrisassomecallit.’HereFaramirstartedandgrewintent.‘Sevencompanionswehad:onewelostatMoria,theothersweleftatParthGalenaboveRauros:twoofmykin;aDwarftherewasalso,andanElf,andtwoMen.TheywereAragorn;andBoromir,whosaidthathecameoutofMinasTirith,acityintheSouth.’

‘Boromir!’allthefour

menexclaimed.‘BoromirsonoftheLord

Denethor?’saidFaramir,andastrangesternlookcameintohisface.‘Youcamewithhim?Thatisnewsindeed,ifitbetrue.Know,littlestrangers,thatBoromirsonofDenethorwasHighWardenoftheWhiteTower,andourCaptain-General:sorelydowemisshim.Whoareyouthen,andwhathadyoutodo

withhim?Beswift,fortheSunisclimbing!’

‘AretheriddlingwordsknowntoyouthatBoromirbroughttoRivendell?’Frodoreplied.

SeekfortheSwordthatwasBroken.InImladrisitdwells.

‘Thewordsareknownindeed,’saidFaramirinastonishment.‘Itissometokenofyourtruththatyoualsoknowthem.’

‘AragornwhomInamedisthebeareroftheSwordthatwasBroken,’saidFrodo.‘AndwearetheHalflingsthattherhymespokeof.’

‘ThatIsee,’saidFaramirthoughtfully.‘OrIseethatitmightbeso.Andwhatis

Isildur’sBane?’‘Thatishidden,’answered

Frodo.‘Doubtlessitwillbemadeclearintime.’

‘Wemustlearnmoreofthis,’saidFaramir,‘andknowwhatbringsyousofareastundertheshadowofyonder—,’hepointedandsaidnoname.‘Butnotnow.Wehavebusinessinhand.Youareinperil,andyouwouldnothavegonefarbyfieldorroadthis

day.Therewillbehardhandstrokesnighathanderethedayisfull.Thendeath,orswiftflightbacktoAnduin.Iwillleavetwotoguardyou,foryourgoodandformine.Wisemantrustsnottochance-meetingontheroadinthisland.IfIreturn,Iwillspeakmorewithyou.’

‘Farewell!’saidFrodo,bowinglow.‘Thinkwhatyouwill,Iamafriendofall

enemiesoftheOneEnemy.Wewouldgowithyou,ifwehalflingfolkcouldhopetoserveyou,suchdoughtymenandstrongasyouseem,andifmyerrandpermittedit.Maythelightshineonyourswords!’

‘TheHalflingsarecourteousfolk,whateverelsetheybe,’saidFaramir.‘Farewell!’

Thehobbitssatdownagain,buttheysaidnothingtooneanotheroftheirthoughtsanddoubts.Closeby,justunderthedapplingshadowofthedarkbay-trees,twomenremainedonguard.Theytookofftheirmasksnowandagaintocoolthem,astheday-heatgrew,andFrodosawthattheyweregoodlymen,pale-skinned,darkofhair,withgreyeyes

andfacessadandproud.Theyspoketogetherinsoftvoices,atfirstusingtheCommonSpeech,butafterthemannerofolderdays,andthenchangingtoanotherlanguageoftheirown.Tohisamazement,ashelistenedFrodobecameawarethatitwastheelven-tonguethattheyspoke,oronebutlittledifferent;andhelookedatthemwithwonder,forhe

knewthenthattheymustbeDúnedainoftheSouth,menofthelineoftheLordsofWesternesse.

Afterawhilehespoketothem;buttheywereslowandcautiousinanswering.TheynamedthemselvesMablungandDamrod,soldiersofGondor,andtheywereRangersofIthilien;fortheyweredescendedfromfolkwholivedinIthilienatone

time,beforeitwasoverrun.FromsuchmentheLordDenethorchosehisforayers,whocrossedtheAnduinsecretly(howorwhere,theywouldnotsay)toharrytheOrcsandotherenemiesthatroamedbetweentheEphelDúathandtheRiver.

‘Itiscloseontenleagueshencetotheeast-shoreofAnduin,’saidMablung,‘andweseldomcomesofarafield.

Butwehaveanewerrandonthisjourney:wecometoambushtheMenofHarad.Cursethem!’

‘Aye,cursetheSouthrons!’saidDamrod.‘’TissaidthatthereweredealingsofoldbetweenGondorandthekingdomsoftheHaradintheFarSouth;thoughtherewasneverfriendship.Inthosedaysourboundswereawaysouth

beyondthemouthsofAnduin,andUmbar,thenearestoftheirrealms,acknowledgedoursway.Butthatislongsince.’TismanylivesofMensinceanypassedtoorfrobetweenus.NowoflatewehavelearnedthattheEnemyhasbeenamongthem,andtheyaregoneovertoHim,orbacktoHim–theywereeverreadytoHiswill–ashavesomanyalsointhe

East.IdoubtnotthatthedaysofGondorarenumbered,andthewallsofMinasTiritharedoomed,sogreatisHisstrengthandmalice.’

‘ButstillwewillnotsitidleandletHimdoallasHewould,’saidMablung.‘ThesecursedSouthronscomenowmarchinguptheancientroadstoswellthehostsoftheDarkTower.Yea,uptheveryroadsthatcraftofGondor

made.Andtheygoevermoreheedlessly,welearn,thinkingthatthepoweroftheirnewmasterisgreatenough,sothatthemereshadowofHishillswillprotectthem.Wecometoteachthemanotherlesson.Greatstrengthofthemwasreportedtoussomedaysago,marchingnorth.Oneoftheirregimentsisduebyourreckoningtopassby,sometimeerenoon–uponthe

roadabove,whereitpassesthroughtheclovenway.Theroadmaypass,buttheyshallnot!NotwhileFaramirisCaptain.Heleadsnowinallperilousventures.Buthislifeischarmed,orfatespareshimforsomeotherend.’

Theirtalkdieddownintoalisteningsilence.Allseemedstillandwatchful.

Sam,crouchedbytheedgeofthefern-brake,peeredout.Withhiskeenhobbit-eyeshesawthatmanymoreMenwereabout.Hecouldseethemstealinguptheslopes,singlyorinlongfiles,keepingalwaystotheshadeofgroveorthicket,orcrawling,hardlyvisibleintheirbrownandgreenraiment,throughgrassandbrake.Allwerehoodedand

masked,andhadgauntletsontheirhands,andwerearmedlikeFaramirandhiscompanions.Beforelongtheyhadallpassedandvanished.ThesunrosetillitnearedtheSouth.Theshadowsshrank.

‘IwonderwherethatdrattedGollumis?’thoughtSam,ashecrawledbackintodeepershade.‘HestandsafairchanceofbeingspittedforanOrc,orofbeing

roastedbytheYellowFace.ButIfancyhe’lllookafterhimself.’HelaydownbesideFrodoandbegantodoze.

Hewoke,thinkingthathehadheardhornsblowing.Hesatup.Itwasnowhighnoon.Theguardsstoodalertandtenseintheshadowofthetrees.Suddenlythehornsrangoutlouderandbeyondmistakefromabove,overthetopoftheslope.Samthought

thatheheardcriesandwildshoutingalso,butthesoundwasfaint,asifitcameoutofsomedistantcave.Thenpresentlythenoiseoffightingbrokeoutnearathand,justabovetheirhiding-place.Hecouldhearplainlytheringinggrateofsteelonsteel,theclangofswordonironcap,thedullbeatofbladeonshield;menwereyellingandscreaming,andoneclearloud

voicewascallingGondor!Gondor!

‘Itsoundslikeahundredblacksmithsallsmithyingtogether,’saidSamtoFrodo.‘They’reasnearasIwantthemnow.’

Butthenoisegrewcloser.‘Theyarecoming!’criedDamrod.‘See!SomeoftheSouthronshavebrokenfrom

thetrapandareflyingfromtheroad.Theretheygo!Ourmenafterthem,andtheCaptainleading.’

Sam,eagertoseemore,wentnowandjoinedtheguards.Hescrambledalittlewayupintooneofthelargerofthebay-trees.Foramomenthecaughtaglimpseofswarthymeninredrunningdowntheslopesomewayoffwithgreen-clad

warriorsleapingafterthem,hewingthemdownastheyfled.Arrowswerethickintheair.Thensuddenlystraightovertherimoftheirshelteringbank,amanfell,crashingthroughtheslendertrees,nearlyontopofthem.Hecametorestinthefernafewfeetaway,facedownward,greenarrow-feathersstickingfromhisneckbelowagoldencollar.

Hisscarletrobesweretattered,hiscorsletofoverlappingbrazenplateswasrentandhewn,hisblackplaitsofhairbraidedwithgoldweredrenchedwithblood.Hisbrownhandstillclutchedthehiltofabrokensword.

ItwasSam’sfirstviewofabattleofMenagainstMen,andhedidnotlikeitmuch.Hewasgladthathecouldnot

seethedeadface.Hewonderedwhattheman’snamewasandwherehecamefrom;andifhewasreallyevilofheart,orwhatliesorthreatshadledhimonthelongmarchfromhishome;andifhewouldnotreallyratherhavestayedthereinpeace–allinaflashofthoughtwhichwasquicklydrivenfromhismind.ForjustasMablungsteppedtowards

thefallenbody,therewasanewnoise.Greatcryingandshouting.AmidstitSamheardashrillbellowingortrumpeting.Andthenagreatthuddingandbumping,likehugeramsdinningontheground.

‘Ware!Ware!’criedDamrodtohiscompanion.‘MaytheValarturnhimaside!Mûmak!Mûmak!’

Tohisastonishmentand

terror,andlastingdelight,Samsawavastshapecrashoutofthetreesandcomecareeringdowntheslope.Bigasahouse,muchbiggerthanahouse,itlookedtohim,agrey-cladmovinghill.Fearandwonder,maybe,enlargedhiminthehobbit’seyes,buttheMûmakofHaradwasindeedabeastofvastbulk,andthelikeofhimdoesnotwalknowinMiddle-earth;

hiskinthatlivestillinlatterdaysarebutmemoriesofhisgirthandmajesty.Onhecame,straighttowardsthewatchers,andthenswervedasideinthenickoftime,passingonlyafewyardsaway,rockingthegroundbeneaththeirfeet:hisgreatlegsliketrees,enormoussail-likeearsspreadout,longsnoutupraisedlikeahugeserpentabouttostrike,his

smallredeyesraging.Hisupturnedhornliketuskswereboundwithbandsofgoldanddrippedwithblood.Histrappingsofscarletandgoldflappedabouthiminwildtatters.Theruinsofwhatseemedaverywar-towerlayuponhisheavingback,smashedinhisfuriouspassagethroughthewoods;andhighuponhisneckstilldesperatelyclungatiny

figure–thebodyofamightywarrior,agiantamongtheSwertings.

Onthegreatbeastthundered,blunderinginblindwraththroughpoolandthicket.Arrowsskippedandsnappedharmlesslyaboutthetriplehideofhisflanks.Menofbothsidesfledbeforehim,butmanyheovertookandcrushedtotheground.Soonhewaslosttoview,still

trumpetingandstampingfaraway.WhatbecameofhimSamneverheard:whetherheescapedtoroamthewildforatime,untilheperishedfarfromhishomeorwastrappedinsomedeeppit;orwhetherheragedonuntilheplungedintheGreatRiverandwasswallowedup.

Samdrewadeepbreath.

‘AnOliphauntitwas!’hesaid.‘SothereareOliphaunts,andIhaveseenone.Whatalife!Butnooneathomewilleverbelieveme.Well,ifthat’sover,I’llhaveabitofsleep.’

‘Sleepwhileyoumay,’saidMablung.‘ButtheCaptainwillreturn,ifheisunhurt;andwhenhecomesweshalldepartswiftly.Weshallbepursuedassoonas

newsofourdeedreachestheEnemy,andthatwillnotbelong.’

‘Goquietlywhenyoumust!’saidSam.‘Noneedtodisturbmysleep.Iwaswalkingallnight.’

Mablunglaughed.‘IdonotthinktheCaptainwillleaveyouhere,MasterSamwise,’hesaid.‘Butyoushallsee.’

Chapter5

THEWINDOWONTHEWEST

ItseemedtoSamthathehadonlydozedforafewminuteswhenheawoketofindthatitwaslateafternoonandFaramirhadcomeback.Hehadbroughtmanymenwith

him;indeedallthesurvivorsoftheforaywerenowgatheredontheslopenearby,twoorthreehundredstrong.Theysatinawidesemicircle,betweenthearmsofwhichFaramirwasseatedontheground,whileFrodostoodbeforehim.Itlookedstrangelylikethetrialofaprisoner.

Samcreptoutfromthefern,butnoonepaidany

attentiontohim,andheplacedhimselfattheendoftherowsofmen,wherehecouldseeandhearallthatwasgoingon.Hewatchedandlistenedintently,readytodashtohismaster’saidifneeded.HecouldseeFaramir’sface,whichwasnowunmasked:itwassternandcommanding,andakeenwitlaybehindhissearchingglance.Doubtwasinthegrey

eyesthatgazedsteadilyatFrodo.

SamsoonbecameawarethattheCaptainwasnotsatisfiedwithFrodo’saccountofhimselfatseveralpoints:whatparthehadtoplayintheCompanythatsetoutfromRivendell;whyhehadleftBoromir;andwherehewasnowgoing.InparticularhereturnedoftentoIsildur’sBane.Plainlyhesawthat

Frodowasconcealingfromhimsomematterofgreatimportance.

‘ButitwasatthecomingoftheHalflingthatIsildur’sBaneshouldwaken,orsoonemustreadthewords,’heinsisted.‘IfthenyouaretheHalflingthatwasnamed,doubtlessyoubroughtthisthing,whateveritmaybe,totheCouncilofwhichyouspeak,andthereBoromirsaw

it.Doyoudenyit?’Frodomadenoanswer.

‘So!’saidFaramir.‘Iwishthentolearnfromyoumoreofit;forwhatconcernsBoromirconcernsme.Anorc-arrowslewIsildur,sofarasoldtalestell.Butorc-arrowsareplenty,andthesightofonewouldnotbetakenasasignofDoombyBoromirofGondor.Hadyouthisthinginkeeping?Itis

hidden,yousay;butisnotthatbecauseyouchoosetohideit?’

‘No,notbecauseIchoose,’answeredFrodo.‘Itdoesnotbelongtome.Itdoesnotbelongtoanymortal,greatorsmall;thoughifanycouldclaimit,itwouldbeAragornsonofArathorn,whomInamed,theleaderofourCompanyfromMoriatoRauros.’

‘Whyso,andnotBoromir,princeoftheCitythatthesonsofElendilfounded?’

‘BecauseAragornisdescendedindirectlineage,fathertofather,fromIsildurElendil’ssonhimself.AndtheswordthathebearswasElendil’ssword.’

Amurmurofastonishmentranthroughalltheringofmen.Somecried

aloud:‘TheswordofElendil!TheswordofElendilcomestoMinasTirith!Greattidings!’ButFaramir’sfacewasunmoved.

‘Maybe,’hesaid.‘Butsogreataclaimwillneedtobeestablished,andclearproofswillberequired,shouldthisAragornevercometoMinasTirith.Hehadnotcome,noranyofyourCompany,whenIsetoutsixdaysago.’

‘Boromirwassatisfiedofthatclaim,’saidFrodo.‘Indeed,ifBoromirwerehere,hewouldanswerallyourquestions.AndsincehewasalreadyatRaurosmanydaysback,andintendedthentogostraighttoyourcity,ifyoureturn,youmaysoonlearntheanswersthere.MypartintheCompanywasknowntohim,astoalltheothers,foritwasappointedto

mebyElrondofImladrishimselfbeforethewholeCouncil.OnthaterrandIcameintothiscountry,butitisnotminetorevealtoanyoutsidetheCompany.YetthosewhoclaimtoopposetheEnemywoulddowellnottohinderit.’

Frodo’stonewasproud,whateverhefelt,andSamapprovedofit;butitdidnotappeaseFaramir.

‘So!’hesaid.‘Youbidmemindmyownaffairs,andgetmebackhome,andletyoube.Boromirwilltellall,whenhecomes.Whenhecomes,sayyou!WereyouafriendofBoromir?’

VividlybeforeFrodo’smindcamethememoryofBoromir’sassaultuponhim,andforamomenthehesitated.Faramir’seyeswatchinghimgrewharder.

‘BoromirwasavaliantmemberofourCompany,’saidFrodoatlength.‘Yes,Iwashisfriend,formypart.’

Faramirsmiledgrimly.‘ThenyouwouldgrievetolearnthatBoromirisdead?’

‘Iwouldgrieveindeed,’saidFrodo.ThencatchingthelookinFaramir’seyes,hefaltered.‘Dead?’hesaid.‘Doyoumeanthatheisdead,andthatyouknewit?Youhave

beentryingtotrapmeinwords,playingwithme?Orareyounowtryingtosnaremewithafalsehood?’

‘Iwouldnotsnareevenanorcwithafalsehood,’saidFaramir.

‘Howthendidhedie,andhowdoyouknowofit?SinceyousaythatnoneoftheCompanyhadreachedthecitywhenyouleft.’

‘Astothemannerofhis

death,Ihadhopedthathisfriendandcompanionwouldtellmehowitwas.’

‘Buthewasaliveandstrongwhenweparted.AndhelivesstillforallthatIknow.Thoughsurelytherearemanyperilsintheworld.’

‘Manyindeed,’saidFaramir,‘andtreacherynottheleast.’

Samhadbeengettingmoreandmoreimpatientandangryatthisconversation.Theselastwordsweremorethanhecouldbear,andburstingintothemiddleofthering,hestrodeuptohismaster’sside.

‘Beggingyourpardon,Mr.Frodo,’hesaid,‘butthishasgoneonlongenough.He’snorighttotalktoyouso.Afterallyou’vegone

through,asmuchforhisgoodandallthesegreatMenasforanyoneelse.

‘Seehere,Captain!’HeplantedhimselfsquarelyinfrontofFaramir,hishandsonhiships,andalookonhisfaceasifhewasaddressingayounghobbitwhohadofferedhimwhathecalled‘sauce’whenquestionedaboutvisitstotheorchard.Therewassomemurmuring,

butalsosomegrinsonthefacesofthemenlookingon:thesightoftheirCaptainsittingonthegroundandeyetoeyewithayounghobbit,legswellapart,bristlingwithwrath,wasonebeyondtheirexperience.‘Seehere!’hesaid.‘Whatareyoudrivingat?Let’scometothepointbeforealltheOrcsofMordorcomedownonus!Ifyouthinkmymastermurdered

thisBoromirandthenranaway,you’vegotnosense;butsayit,andhavedone!Andthenletusknowwhatyoumeantodoaboutit.Butit’sapitythatfolkastalkaboutfightingtheEnemycan’tletothersdotheirbitintheirownwaywithoutinterfering.He’dbemightypleased,ifhecouldseeyounow.Thinkhe’dgotanewfriend,hewould.’

‘Patience!’saidFaramir,butwithoutanger.‘Donotspeakbeforeyourmaster,whosewitisgreaterthanyours.AndIdonotneedanytoteachmeofourperil.Evenso,Ispareabrieftime,inordertojudgejustlyinahardmatter.WereIashastyasyou,Imighthaveslainyoulongago.ForIamcommandedtoslayallwhomIfindinthislandwithoutthe

leaveoftheLordofGondor.ButIdonotslaymanorbeastneedlessly,andnotgladlyevenwhenitisneeded.NeitherdoItalkinvain.Sobecomforted.Sitbyyourmaster,andbesilent!’

Samsatdownheavilywitharedface.FaramirturnedtoFrodoagain.‘YouaskedhowdoIknowthatthesonofDenethorisdead.Tidingsofdeathhavemany

wings.Nightoftbringsnewstonearkindred,’tissaid.Boromirwasmybrother.’

Ashadowofsorrowpassedoverhisface.‘DoyourememberaughtofspecialmarkthattheLordBoromirborewithhimamonghisgear?’

Frodothoughtforamoment,fearingsomefurthertrap,andwonderinghowthisdebatewouldturnintheend.

HehadhardlysavedtheRingfromtheproudgraspofBoromir,andhowhewouldfarenowamongsomanymen,warlikeandstrong,hedidnotknow.YethefeltinhisheartthatFaramir,thoughhewasmuchlikehisbrotherinlooks,wasamanlessself-regarding,bothsternerandwiser.‘IrememberthatBoromirboreahorn,’hesaidatlast.

‘Yourememberwell,andasonewhohasintruthseenhim,’saidFaramir.‘Thenmaybeyoucanseeitinyourmind’seye:agreathornofthewildoxoftheEast,boundwithsilver,andwrittenwithancientcharacters.Thathorntheeldestsonofourhousehasborneformanygenerations;anditissaidthatifitbeblownatneedanywherewithinthebounds

ofGondor,astherealmwasofold,itsvoicewillnotpassunheeded.

‘FivedaysereIsetoutonthisventure,elevendaysagoataboutthishouroftheday,Iheardtheblowingofthathorn:fromthenorthwarditseemed,butdim,asifitwerebutanechointhemind.Abodingofillwethoughtit,myfatherandI,fornotidingshadweheardofBoromir

sincehewentaway,andnowatcheronourbordershadseenhimpass.Andonthethirdnightafteranotherandastrangerthingbefellme.

‘IsatatnightbythewatersofAnduin,inthegreydarkundertheyoungpalemoon,watchingtheever-movingstream;andthesadreedswererustling.SodoweeverwatchtheshoresnighOsgiliath,whichourenemies

nowpartlyhold,andissuefromittoharryourlands.Butthatnightalltheworldsleptatthemidnighthour.ThenIsaw,oritseemedthatIsaw,aboatfloatingonthewater,glimmeringgrey,asmallboatofastrangefashionwithahighprow,andtherewasnonetoroworsteerit.

‘Anawefellonme,forapalelightwasroundit.ButIroseandwenttothebank,

andbegantowalkoutintothestream,forIwasdrawntowardsit.Thentheboatturnedtowardsme,andstayeditspace,andfloatedslowlybywithinmyhand’sreach,yetIdurstnothandleit.Itwadeddeep,asifitwereheavilyburdened,anditseemedtomeasitpassedundermygazethatitwasalmostfilledwithclearwater,fromwhichcamethelight;

andlappedinthewaterawarriorlayasleep.

‘Abrokenswordwasonhisknee.Isawmanywoundsonhim.ItwasBoromir,mybrother,dead.Iknewhisgear,hissword,hisbelovedface.OnethingonlyImissed:hishorn.OnethingonlyIknewnot:afairbelt,asitwereoflinkedgoldenleaves,abouthiswaist.Boromir!Icried.Whereisthyhorn?

Whithergoestthou?OBoromir!Buthewasgone.Theboatturnedintothestreamandpassedglimmeringonintothenight.Dreamlikeitwas,andyetnodream,fortherewasnowaking.AndIdonotdoubtthatheisdeadandhaspasseddowntheRivertotheSea.’

‘Alas!’saidFrodo.‘That

wasindeedBoromirasIknewhim.ForthegoldenbeltwasgiventohiminLothlórienbytheLadyGaladriel.Sheitwasthatclothedusasyouseeus,inelven-grey.Thisbroochisofthesameworkmanship.’Hetouchedthegreenandsilverleafthatfastenedhiscloakbeneathhisthroat.

Faramirlookedcloselyatit.‘Itisbeautiful,’hesaid.

‘Yes,’tisworkofthesamecraft.SothenyoupassedthroughtheLandofLórien?Laurelindórenanitwasnamedofold,butlongnowithaslainbeyondtheknowledgeofMen,’headdedsoftly,regardingFrodowithanewwonderinhiseyes.‘MuchthatwasstrangeaboutyouIbeginnowtounderstand.Willyounottellmemore?Foritisabitter

thoughtthatBoromirdied,withinsightofthelandofhishome.’

‘NomorecanIsaythanIhavesaid,’answeredFrodo.‘Thoughyourtalefillsmewithforeboding.Avisionitwasthatyousaw,Ithink,andnomore,someshadowofevilfortunethathasbeenorwillbe.UnlessindeeditissomelyingtrickoftheEnemy.Ihaveseenthefacesoffair

warriorsofoldlaidinsleepbeneaththepoolsoftheDeadMarshes,orseemingsobyhisfoularts.’

‘Nay,itwasnotso,’saidFaramir.‘Forhisworksfilltheheartwithloathing;butmyheartwasfilledwithgriefandpity.’

‘Yethowcouldsuchathinghavehappenedintruth?’askedFrodo.‘Fornoboatcouldhavebeencarried

overthestonyhillsfromTolBrandir;andBoromirpurposedtogohomeacrosstheEntwashandthefieldsofRohan.Andyethowcouldanyvesselridethefoamofthegreatfallsandnotfounderintheboilingpools,thoughladenwithwater?’

‘Iknownot,’saidFaramir.‘Butwhencecametheboat?’

‘FromLórien,’saidFrodo.

‘InthreesuchboatsweroweddownAnduintotheFalls.Theyalsowereofelven-work.’

‘YoupassedthroughtheHiddenLand,’saidFaramir,‘butitseemsthatyoulittleunderstooditspower.IfMenhavedealingswiththeMistressofMagicwhodwellsintheGoldenWood,thentheymaylookforstrangethingstofollow.For

itisperilousformortalmantowalkoutoftheworldofthisSun,andfewofoldcamethenceunchanged,’tissaid.

‘Boromir,OBoromir!’hecried.‘Whatdidshesaytoyou,theLadythatdiesnot?Whatdidshesee?Whatwokeinyourheartthen?WhywentyouevertoLaurelindórenan,andcamenotbyyourownroad,uponthehorsesofRohanridinghomeinthe

morning?’Thenturningagainto

Frodo,hespokeinaquietvoiceoncemore.‘TothosequestionsIguessthatyoucouldmakesomeanswer,FrodosonofDrogo.Butnothereornow,maybe.Butlestyoustillshouldthinkmytaleavision,Iwilltellyouthis.ThehornofBoromiratleastreturnedintruth,andnotinseeming.Thehorncame,but

itwasclovenintwo,asitwerebyaxeorsword.Theshardscameseverallytoshore:onewasfoundamongthereedswherewatchersofGondorlay,northwardsbelowtheinfallsoftheEntwash;theotherwasfoundspinningonthefloodbyonewhohadanerrandonthewater.Strangechances,butmurderwillout,’tissaid.

‘Andnowthehornofthe

eldersonliesintwopiecesuponthelapofDenethor,sittinginhishighchair,waitingfornews.Andyoucantellmenothingofthecleavingofthehorn?’

‘No,Ididnotknowofit,’saidFrodo.‘Butthedaywhenyouhearditblowing,ifyourreckoningistrue,wasthedaywhenweparted,whenIandmyservantlefttheCompany.Andnowyour

talefillsmewithdread.ForifBoromirwastheninperilandwasslain,Imustfearthatallmycompanionsperishedtoo.Andtheyweremykindredandmyfriends.

‘Willyounotputasideyourdoubtofmeandletmego?Iamweary,andfullofgrief,andafraid.ButIhaveadeedtodo,ortoattempt,beforeItooamslain.Andthemoreneedofhaste,ifwetwo

halflingsareallthatremainofourfellowship.

‘Goback,Faramir,valiantCaptainofGondor,anddefendyourcitywhileyoumay,andletmegowheremydoomtakesme.’

‘Formethereisnocomfortinourspeechtogether,’saidFaramir;‘butyousurelydrawfromitmoredreadthanneedbe.UnlessthepeopleofLórien

themselvescametohim,whoarrayedBoromirasforafuneral?NotOrcsorservantsoftheNameless.SomeofyourCompany,Iguess,livestill.

‘ButwhateverbefellontheNorthMarch,you,Frodo,Idoubtnolonger.IfharddayshavemademeanyjudgeofMen’swordsandfaces,thenImaymakeaguessatHalflings!Though,’andnow

hesmiled,‘thereissomethingstrangeaboutyou,Frodo,anElvishair,maybe.ButmoreliesuponourwordstogetherthanIthoughtatfirst.IshouldnowtakeyoubacktoMinasTirithtoanswertheretoDenethor,andmylifewilljustlybeforfeit,ifInowchooseacoursethatprovesillformycity.SoIwillnotdecideinhastewhatistobedone.Yetwemustmove

hencewithoutmoredelay.’Hesprangtohisfeetand

issuedsomeorders.Atoncethemenwhoweregatheredroundhimbrokeupintosmallgroups,andwentoffthiswayandthat,vanishingquicklyintotheshadowsoftherocksandtrees.SoononlyMablungandDamrodremained.

‘Nowyou,FrodoandSamwise,willcomewithme

andmyguards,’saidFaramir.‘Youcannotgoalongtheroadsouthwards,ifthatwasyourpurpose.Itwillbeunsafeforsomedays,andalwaysmorecloselywatchedafterthisaffraythanithasbeenyet.Andyoucannot,Ithink,gofartodayinanycase,foryouareweary.Andsoarewe.Wearegoingnowtoasecretplacewehave,somewhatlessthantenmiles

fromhere.TheOrcsandspiesoftheEnemyhavenotfoundityet,andiftheydid,wecouldholditlongevenagainstmany.Therewemaylieupandrestforawhile,andyouwithus.InthemorningIwilldecidewhatisbestformetodo,andforyou.’

Therewasnothingfor

Frodotodobuttofallinwiththisrequest,ororder.Itseemedinanycaseawisecourseforthemoment,sincethisforayofthemenofGondorhadmadeajourneyinIthilienmoredangerousthanever.

Theysetoutatonce:MablungandDamrodalittleahead,andFaramirwithFrodoandSambehind.Skirtingthehithersideofthe

poolwherethehobbitshadbathed,theycrossedthestream,climbedalongbank,andpassedintogreen-shadowedwoodlandsthatmarchedeverdownwardsandwestwards.Whiletheywalked,asswiftlyasthehobbitscouldgo,theytalkedinhushedvoices.

‘Ibrokeoffourspeechtogether,’saidFaramir,‘notonlybecausetimepressed,as

MasterSamwisehadremindedme,butalsobecauseweweredrawingneartomattersthatwerebetternotdebatedopenlybeforemanymen.ItwasforthatreasonthatIturnedrathertothematterofmybrotherandletbeIsildur’sBane.Youwerenotwhollyfrankwithme,Frodo.’

‘Itoldnolies,andofthetruthallIcould,’saidFrodo.

‘Idonotblameyou,’saidFaramir.‘Youspokewithskillinahardplace,andwisely,itseemedtome.ButIlearnedorguessedmorefromyouthanyourwordssaid.YouwerenotfriendlywithBoromir,oryoudidnotpartinfriendship.You,andMasterSamwise,too,Iguesshavesomegrievance.NowIlovedhimdearly,andwouldgladlyavengehisdeath,yetI

knewhimwell.Isildur’sBane–IwouldhazardthatIsildur’sBanelaybetweenyouandwasacauseofcontentioninyourCompany.Clearlyitisamightyheirloomofsomesort,andsuchthingsdonotbreedpeaceamongconfederates,notifaughtmaybelearnedfromancienttales.DoInothitnearthemark?’

‘Near,’saidFrodo,‘but

notinthegold.TherewasnocontentioninourCompany,thoughtherewasdoubt:doubtwhichwayweshouldtakefromtheEmynMuil.Butbethatasitmay,ancienttalesteachusalsotheperilofrashwordsconcerningsuchthingsas–heirlooms.’

‘Ah,thenitisasIthought:yourtroublewaswithBoromiralone.HewishedthisthingbroughttoMinas

Tirith.Alas!itisacrookedfatethatsealsyourlipswhosawhimlast,andholdsfrommethatwhichIlongtoknow:whatwasinhisheartandthoughtinhislatesthours.Whetherheerredorno,ofthisIamsure:hediedwell,achievingsomegoodthing.Hisfacewasmorebeautifuleventhaninlife.

‘But,Frodo,IpressedyouhardatfirstaboutIsildur’s

Bane.Forgiveme!Itwasunwiseinsuchanhourandplace.Ihadnothadtimeforthought.Wehadhadahardfight,andtherewasmorethanenoughtofillmymind.ButevenasIspokewithyou,Idrewnearertothemark,andsodeliberatelyshotwider.ForyoumustknowthatmuchisstillpreservedofancientloreamongtheRulersofthecitythatisnotspreadabroad.

WeofmyhousearenotofthelineofElendil,thoughthebloodofNúmenorisinus.ForwereckonbackourlinetoMardil,thegoodsteward,whoruledintheking’ssteadwhenhewentawaytowar.AndthatwasKingEa¨rnur,lastofthelineofAnárion,andchildless,andhecameneverback.Andthestewardshavegovernedthecitysincethatday,thoughitwasmany

generationsofMenago.‘AndthisIrememberof

Boromirasaboy,whenwetogetherlearnedthetaleofoursiresandthehistoryofourcity,thatalwaysitdispleasedhimthathisfatherwasnotking.‘‘Howmanyhundredsofyearsneedsittomakeastewardaking,ifthekingreturnsnot?’’heasked.‘‘Fewyears,maybe,inotherplacesoflessroyalty,’’my

fatheranswered.‘‘InGondortenthousandyearswouldnotsuffice.’’Alas!poorBoromir.Doesthatnottellyousomethingofhim?’

‘Itdoes,’saidFrodo.‘YetalwayshetreatedAragornwithhonour.’

‘Idoubtitnot,’saidFaramir.‘IfheweresatisfiedofAragorn’sclaim,asyousay,hewouldgreatlyreverencehim.Butthepinch

hadnotyetcome.TheyhadnotyetreachedMinasTirithorbecomerivalsinherwars.

‘ButIstray.WeinthehouseofDenethorknowmuchancientlorebylongtradition,andtherearemoreoverinourtreasuriesmanythingspreserved:booksandtabletswritonwitheredparchments,yea,andonstone,andonleavesofsilverandofgold,indivers

characters.Somenonecannowread;andfortherest,feweverunlockthem.Icanreadalittleinthem,forIhavehadteaching.ItwastheserecordsthatbroughttheGreyPilgrimtous.IfirstsawhimwhenIwasachild,andhehasbeentwiceorthricesincethen.’

‘TheGreyPilgrim?’saidFrodo.‘Hadheaname?’

‘Mithrandirwecalledhim

inelf-fashion,’saidFaramir,‘andhewascontent.Manyaremynamesinmanycountries,hesaid.MithrandiramongtheElves,TharkûntotheDwarves;OlórinIwasinmyyouthintheWestthatisforgotten,intheSouthIncánus,intheNorthGandalf;totheEastIgonot.’

‘Gandalf!’saidFrodo.‘Ithoughtitwashe.GandalftheGrey,dearestofcounsellors.

LeaderofourCompany.HewaslostinMoria.’

‘Mithrandirwaslost!’saidFaramir.‘Anevilfateseemstohavepursuedyourfellowship.Itishardindeedtobelievethatoneofsogreatwisdom,andofpower–formanywonderfulthingshedidamongus–couldperish,andsomuchlorebetakenfromtheworld.Areyousureofthis,andthathedidnotjust

leaveyouanddepartwherehewould?’

‘Alas!yes,’saidFrodo.‘Isawhimfallintotheabyss.’

‘Iseethatthereissomegreattaleofdreadinthis,’saidFaramir,‘whichperhapsyoumaytellmeintheevening-time.ThisMithrandirwas,Inowguess,morethanalore-master:agreatmoverofthedeedsthataredoneinourtime.Hadhe

beenamongustoconsultconcerningthehardwordsofourdream,hecouldhavemadethemcleartouswithoutneedofmessenger.Yet,maybe,hewouldnothavedoneso,andthejourneyofBoromirwasdoomed.Mithrandirneverspoketousofwhatwastobe,nordidherevealhispurposes.HegotleaveofDenethor,howIdonotknow,tolookatthe

secretsofourtreasury,andIlearnedalittleofhim,whenhewouldteach(andthatwasseldom).EverhewouldsearchandwouldquestionusaboveallelseconcerningtheGreatBattlethatwasfoughtuponDagorladinthebeginningofGondor,whenHewhomwedonotnamewasoverthrown.AndhewaseagerforstoriesofIsildur,thoughofhimwehadlessto

tell;fornothingcertainwaseverknownamongusofhisend.’

NowFaramir’svoicesanktoawhisper.‘ButthismuchIlearned,orguessed,andIhavekeptiteversecretinmyheartsince:thatIsildurtooksomewhatfromthehandoftheUnnamed,erehewentawayfromGondor,nevertobeseenamongmortalmenagain.HereIthoughtwasthe

answertoMithrandir’squestioning.Butitseemedthenamatterthatconcernedonlytheseekersafterancientlearning.Norwhentheriddlingwordsofourdreamweredebatedamongus,didIthinkofIsildur’sBaneasbeingthissamething.ForIsildurwasambushedandslainbyorc-arrows,accordingtotheonlylegendthatweknew,andMithrandir

hadnevertoldmemore.‘WhatintruththisThing

isIcannotyetguess;butsomeheirloomofpowerandperilitmustbe.Afellweapon,perchance,devisedbytheDarkLord.Ifitwereathingthatgaveadvantageinbattle,IcanwellbelievethatBoromir,theproudandfearless,oftenrash,everanxiousforthevictoryofMinasTirith(andhisown

glorytherein),mightdesiresuchathingandbealluredbyit.Alasthateverhewentonthaterrand!Ishouldhavebeenchosenbymyfatherandtheelders,butheputhimselfforward,asbeingtheolderandthehardier(bothtrue),andhewouldnotbestayed.

‘Butfearnomore!Iwouldnottakethisthing,ifitlaybythehighway.NotwereMinasTirithfallinginruin

andIalonecouldsaveher,so,usingtheweaponoftheDarkLordforhergoodandmyglory.No,Idonotwishforsuchtriumphs,FrodosonofDrogo.’

‘NeitherdidtheCouncil,’saidFrodo.‘NordoI.Iwouldhavenothingtodowithsuchmatters.’

‘Formyself,’saidFaramir,‘IwouldseetheWhiteTreeinfloweragainin

thecourtsofthekings,andtheSilverCrownreturn,andMinasTirithinpeace:MinasAnoragainasofold,fulloflight,highandfair,beautifulasaqueenamongotherqueens:notamistressofmanyslaves,nay,notevenakindmistressofwillingslaves.Warmustbe,whilewedefendourlivesagainstadestroyerwhowoulddevourall;butIdonotlovethe

brightswordforitssharpness,northearrowforitsswiftness,northewarriorforhisglory.Iloveonlythatwhichtheydefend:thecityoftheMenofNúmenor;andIwouldhaveherlovedforhermemory,herancientry,herbeauty,andherpresentwisdom.Notfeared,saveasmenmayfearthedignityofaman,oldandwise.

‘Sofearmenot!Idonot

askyoutotellmemore.IdonotevenaskyoutotellmewhetherInowspeaknearerthemark.Butifyouwilltrustme,itmaybethatIcanadviseyouinyourpresentquest,whateverthatbe–yes,andevenaidyou.’

Frodomadenoanswer.Almostheyieldedtothedesireforhelpandcounsel,totellthisgraveyoungman,whosewordsseemedsowise

andfair,allthatwasinhismind.Butsomethingheldhimback.Hisheartwasheavywithfearandsorrow:ifheandSamwereindeed,asseemedlikely,allthatwasnowleftoftheNineWalkers,thenhewasinsolecommandofthesecretoftheirerrand.Bettermistrustundeservedthanrashwords.AndthememoryofBoromir,ofthedreadfulchangethatthelure

oftheRinghadworkedinhim,wasverypresenttohismind,whenhelookedatFaramirandlistenedtohisvoice:unliketheywere,andyetalsomuchakin.

Theywalkedoninsilenceforawhile,passinglikegreyandgreenshadowsundertheoldtrees,theirfeetmakingnosound;abovethemmany

birdssang,andthesunglistenedonthepolishedroofofdarkleavesintheevergreenwoodsofIthilien.

Samhadtakennopartintheconversation,thoughhehadlistened;andatthesametimehehadattendedwithhiskeenhobbitearstoallthesoftwoodlandnoisesaboutthem.Onethinghehadnoted,thatinallthetalkthenameofGollumhadnotoncecome

up.Hewasglad,thoughhefeltthatitwastoomuchtohopethathewouldneverhearitagain.Hesoonbecameawarealsothatthoughtheywalkedalone,thereweremanymencloseathand:notonlyDamrodandMablungflittinginandoutoftheshadowsahead,butothersoneitherside,allmakingtheirswiftsecretwaytosomeappointedplace.

Once,lookingsuddenlyback,asifsomeprickleoftheskintoldhimthathewaswatchedfrombehind,hethoughthecaughtabriefglimpseofasmalldarkshapeslippingbehindatree-trunk.Heopenedhismouthtospeakandshutitagain.‘I’mnotsureofit,’hesaidtohimself,‘andwhyshouldIremindthemoftheoldvillain,iftheychoosetoforgethim?IwishI

could!’

Sotheypassedon,untilthewoodlandsgrewthinnerandthelandbegantofallmoresteeply.Thentheyturnedasideagain,totheright,andcamequicklytoasmallriverinanarrowgorge:itwasthesamestreamthattrickledfaraboveoutoftheroundpool,nowgrowntoa

swifttorrent,leapingdownovermanystonesinadeep-clovenbed,overhungwithilexanddarkbox-woods.Lookingwesttheycouldsee,belowtheminahazeoflight,lowlandsandbroadmeads,andglintingfaroffinthewesteringsunthewidewatersoftheAnduin.

‘Here,alas!Imustdoyouadiscourtesy,’saidFaramir.‘Ihopeyouwillpardonitto

onewhohassofarmadehisordersgivewaytocourtesyasnottoslayyouortobindyou.Butitisacommandthatnostranger,notevenoneofRohanthatfightswithus,shallseethepathwenowgowithopeneyes.Imustblindfoldyou.’

‘Asyouwill,’saidFrodo.‘EventheElvesdolikewiseatneed,andblindfoldedwecrossedthebordersoffair

Lothlórien.Gimlithedwarftookitill,butthehobbitsenduredit.’

‘ItistonoplacesofairthatIshallleadyou,’saidFaramir.

‘ButIamgladthatyouwilltakethiswillinglyandnotbyforce.’

HecalledsoftlyandimmediatelyMablungandDamrodsteppedoutofthetreesandcamebacktohim.

‘Blindfoldtheseguests,’saidFaramir.‘Securely,butnotsoastodiscomfortthem.Donottietheirhands.Theywillgivetheirwordnottotryandsee.Icouldtrustthemtoshuttheireyesoftheirownaccord,buteyeswillblink,ifthefeetstumble.Leadthemsothattheydonotfalter.’

Withgreenscarvesthetwoguardsnowboundupthehobbits’eyes,anddrewtheir

hoodsdownalmosttotheirmouths;thenquicklytheytookeachonebythehandandwentontheirway.AllthatFrodoandSamknewofthislastmileoftheroadtheylearnedfromguessinginthedark.Afteralittletheyfoundthattheywereonapathdescendingsteeply;soonitgrewsonarrowthattheywentinsinglefile,brushingastonywalloneitherside;

theirguardssteeredthemfrombehindwithhandslaidfirmlyontheirshoulders.Nowandagaintheycametoroughplacesandwereliftedfromtheirfeetforawhile,andthensetdownagain.Alwaysthenoiseoftherunningwaterwasontheirrighthand,anditgrewnearerandlouder.Atlengththeywerehalted.QuicklyMablungandDamrodturned

themabout,severaltimes,andtheylostallsenseofdirection.Theyclimbedupwardsalittle:itseemedcoldandthenoiseofthestreamhadbecomefaint.Thentheywerepickedupandcarrieddown,downmanysteps,androundacorner.Suddenlytheyheardthewateragain,loudnow,rushingandsplashing.Allroundthemitseemed,and

theyfeltafinerainontheirhandsandcheeks.Atlasttheyweresetontheirfeetoncemore.Foramomenttheystoodso,halffearful,blindfold,notknowingwheretheywere;andnoonespoke.

ThencamethevoiceofFaramirclosebehind.‘Letthemsee!’hesaid.Thescarveswereremovedandtheirhoodsdrawnback,andtheyblinkedandgasped.

Theystoodonawetfloorofpolishedstone,thedoorstep,asitwere,ofarough-hewngateofrockopeningdarkbehindthem.Butinfrontathinveilofwaterwashung,sonearthatFrodocouldhaveputanoutstretchedarmintoit.Itfacedwestward.Thelevelshaftsofthesettingsunbehindbeatuponit,andtheredlightwasbrokeninto

manyflickeringbeamsofever-changingcolour.Itwasasiftheystoodatthewindowofsomeelven-tower,curtainedwiththreadedjewelsofsilverandgold,andruby,sapphireandamethyst,allkindledwithanunconsumingfire.

‘Atleastbygoodchancewecameattherighthourto

rewardyouforyourpatience,’saidFaramir.‘ThisistheWindowoftheSunset,HennethAnnûn,fairestofallthefallsofIthilien,landofmanyfountains.Fewstrangershaveeverseenit.Butthereisnokinglyhallbehindtomatchit.Enternowandsee!’

Evenashespokethesunsank,andthefirefadedintheflowingwater.Theyturned

andpassedunderthelowforbiddingarch.Atoncetheyfoundthemselvesinarock-chamber,wideandrough,withanunevenstoopingroof.Afewtorcheswerekindledandcastadimlightontheglisteningwalls.Manymenwerealreadythere.Otherswerestillcominginbytwosandthreesthroughadarknarrowdoorononeside.Astheireyesgrewaccustomed

tothegloomthehobbitssawthatthecavewaslargerthantheyhadguessedandwasfilledwithgreatstoreofarmsandvictuals.

‘Well,hereisourrefuge,’saidFaramir.‘Notaplaceofgreatease,buthereyoumaypassthenightinpeace.Itisdryatleast,andthereisfood,thoughnofire.Atonetimethewaterfloweddownthroughthiscaveandoutof

thearch,butitscoursewaschangedfurtherupthegorge,byworkmenofold,andthestreamsentdowninafallofdoubledheightovertherocksfarabove.Allthewaysintothisgrotwerethensealedagainsttheentryofwateroraughtelse,allsaveone.Therearenowbuttwowaysout:thatpassageyonderbywhichyouenteredblindfold,andthroughtheWindow-curtain

intoadeepbowlfilledwithknivesofstone.Nowrestawhile,untiltheeveningmealisset.’

Thehobbitsweretakentoacornerandgivenalowbedtolieon,iftheywished.Meanwhilemenbusiedthemselvesaboutthecave,quietlyandinorderlyquickness.Lighttableswere

takenfromthewallsandsetupontrestlesandladenwithgear.Thiswasplainandunadornedforthemostpart,butallwellandfairlymade:roundplatters,bowlsanddishesofglazedbrownclayorturnedbox-wood,smoothandclean.Hereandtherewasacuporbasinofpolishedbronze;andagobletofplainsilverwassetbytheCaptain’sseatinthemiddle

oftheinmosttable.Faramirwentabout

amongthemen,questioningeachashecamein,inasoftvoice.SomecamebackfromthepursuitoftheSouthrons;others,leftbehindasscoutsneartheroad,cameinlatest.AlltheSouthronshadbeenaccountedfor,saveonlythegreatmûmak:whathappenedtohimnonecouldsay.Oftheenemynomovementcouldbe

seen;notevenanorc-spywasabroad.

‘Yousawandheardnothing,Anborn?’Faramiraskedofthelatestcomer.

‘Well,no,lord,’saidtheman.‘NoOrcatleast.ButIsaw,orthoughtIsaw,somethingalittlestrange.Itwasgettingdeepdusk,whentheeyesmakethingsgreaterthantheyshouldbe.Soperhapsitmayhavebeenno

morethanasquirrel.’Samprickeduphisearsatthis.‘Yetifso,itwasablacksquirrel,andIsawnotail.’Twaslikeashadowontheground,anditwhiskedbehindatree-trunkwhenIdrewnighandwentupaloftasswiftasanysquirrelcould.Youwillnothaveusslaywildbeastsfornopurpose,anditseemednomore,soItriednoarrow.Itwastoo

darkforsureshootinganyway,andthecreaturewasgoneintothegloomoftheleavesinatwinkling.ButIstayedforawhile,foritseemedstrange,andthenIhastenedback.IthoughtIheardthethinghissatmefromhighaboveasIturnedaway.Alargesquirrel,maybe.PerhapsundertheshadowoftheUnnamedsomeofthebeastsof

Mirkwoodarewanderinghithertoourwoods.Theyhaveblacksquirrelsthere,’tissaid.’

‘Perhaps,’saidFaramir.‘Butthatwouldbeanillomen,ifitwereso.WedonotwanttheescapesofMirkwoodinIthilien.’Samfanciedthathegaveaswiftglancetowardsthehobbitsashespoke;butSamsaidnothing.Forawhileheand

Frodolaybackandwatchedthetorchlight,andthemenmovingtoandfrospeakinginhushedvoices.ThensuddenlyFrodofellasleep.

Samstruggledwithhimself,arguingthiswayandthat.‘Hemaybeallright,’hethought,‘andthenhemaynot.Fairspeechmayhideafoulheart.’Heyawned.‘Icouldsleepforaweek,andI’dbebetterforit.Andwhat

canIdo,ifIdokeepawake,meallalone,andallthesegreatMenabout?Nothing,SamGamgee;butyou’vegottokeepawakeallthesame.’Andsomehowhemanagedit.Thelightfadedfromthecavedoor,andthegreyveiloffallingwatergrewdimandwaslostingatheringshadow.Alwaysthesoundofthewaterwenton,neverchangingitsnote,morningor

eveningornight.Itmurmuredandwhisperedofsleep.Samstuckhisknucklesinhiseyes.

Nowmoretorcheswerebeinglit.Acaskofwinewasbroached.Storagebarrelswerebeingopened.Menwerefetchingwaterfromthefall.Somewerelavingtheirhandsinbasins.Awidecopperbowlandawhiteclothwere

broughttoFaramirandhewashed.

‘Wakeourguests,’hesaid,‘andtakethemwater.Itistimetoeat.’

Frodosatupandyawnedandstretched.Sam,notusedtobeingwaitedon,lookedwithsomesurpriseatthetallmanwhobowed,holdingabasinofwaterbeforehim.

‘Putitontheground,master,ifyouplease!’he

said.‘Easierformeandyou.’ThentotheastonishmentandamusementoftheMenheplungedhisheadintothecoldwaterandsplashedhisneckandears.

‘Isitthecustominyourlandtowashtheheadbeforesupper?’saidthemanwhowaitedonthehobbits.

‘No,beforebreakfast,’saidSam.‘Butifyou’reshortofsleepcoldwateronthe

neck’slikerainonawiltedlettuce.There!NowIcankeepawakelongenoughtoeatabit.’

TheywereledthentoseatsbesideFaramir:barrelscoveredwithpeltsandhighenoughabovethebenchesoftheMenfortheirconvenience.Beforetheyate,Faramirandallhismenturnedandfacedwestinamomentofsilence.Faramir

signedtoFrodoandSamthattheyshoulddolikewise.

‘Sowealwaysdo,’hesaid,astheysatdown:‘welooktowardsNúmenorthatwas,andbeyondtoElvenhomethatis,andtothatwhichisbeyondElvenhomeandwilleverbe.Haveyounosuchcustomatmeat?’

‘No,’saidFrodo,feelingstrangelyrusticanduntutored.‘Butifweare

guests,webowtoourhost,andafterwehaveeatenweriseandthankhim.’

‘Thatwedoalso,’saidFaramir.

Aftersolongjourneyingandcamping,anddaysspentinthelonelywild,theeveningmealseemedafeasttothehobbits:todrinkpaleyellowwine,cooland

fragrant,andeatbreadandbutter,andsaltedmeats,anddriedfruits,andgoodredcheese,withcleanhandsandcleanknivesandplates.NeitherFrodonorSamrefusedanythingthatwasoffered,norasecond,norindeedathirdhelping.Thewinecoursedintheirveinsandtiredlimbs,andtheyfeltgladandeasyofheartastheyhadnotdonesincetheyleft

thelandofLórien.Whenallwasdone

Faramirledthemtoarecessatthebackofthecave,partlyscreenedbycurtains;andachairandtwostoolswerebroughtthere.Alittleearthenwarelampburnedinaniche.

‘Youmaysoondesiretosleep,’hesaid,‘andespeciallygoodSamwise,whowouldnotclosehiseyes

beforeheate–whetherforfearofbluntingtheedgeofanoblehunger,orforfearofme,Idonotknow.Butitisnotgoodtosleeptoosoonaftermeat,andthatfollowingafast.Letustalkawhile.OnyourjourneyfromRivendelltheremusthavebeenmanythingstotell.Andyou,too,wouldperhapswishtolearnsomethingofusandthelandswhereyounoware.Tellme

ofBoromirmybrother,andofoldMithrandir,andofthefairpeopleofLothlórien.’

Frodonolongerfeltsleepyandhewaswillingtotalk.Butthoughthefoodandwinehadputhimathisease,hehadnotlostallhiscaution.Samwasbeamingandhummingtohimself,butwhenFrodospokehewasatfirstcontenttolisten,onlyoccasionallyventuringto

makeanexclamationofagreement.

Frodotoldmanytales,yetalwayshesteeredthematterawayfromthequestoftheCompanyandfromtheRing,enlargingratheronthevaliantpartBoromirhadplayedinalltheiradventures,withthewolvesofthewild,inthesnowsunderCaradhras,andintheminesofMoriawhereGandalffell.Faramirwas

mostmovedbythestoryofthefightonthebridge.

‘ItmusthaveirkedBoromirtorunfromOrcs,’hesaid,‘orevenfromthefellthingyouname,theBalrog–eventhoughhewasthelasttoleave.’

‘Hewasthelast,’saidFrodo,‘butAragornwasforcedtoleadus.HealoneknewthewayafterGandalf’sfall.Buthadtherenotbeenus

lesserfolktocarefor,IdonotthinkthateitherheorBoromirwouldhavefled.’

‘Maybe,itwouldhavebeenbetterhadBoromirfallentherewithMithrandir,’saidFaramir,‘andnotgoneontothefatethatwaitedabovethefallsofRauros.’

‘Maybe.Buttellmenowofyourownfortunes,’saidFrodo,turningthematterasideonceagain.‘ForI

wouldlearnmoreofMinasIthilandOsgiliath,andMinasTiriththelong-enduring.Whathopehaveyouforthatcityinyourlongwar?’

‘Whathopehavewe?’saidFaramir.‘Itislongsincewehadanyhope.TheswordofElendil,ifitreturnsindeed,mayrekindleit,butIdonotthinkthatitwilldomorethanputofftheevilday,unlessotherhelpunlooked-foralso

comes,fromElvesorMen.FortheEnemyincreasesandwedecrease.Weareafailingpeople,aspringlessautumn.

‘TheMenofNúmenorweresettledfarandwideontheshoresandseawardregionsoftheGreatLands,butforthemostparttheyfellintoevilsandfollies.ManybecameenamouredoftheDarknessandtheblackarts;someweregivenoverwholly

toidlenessandease,andsomefoughtamongthemselves,untiltheywereconqueredintheirweaknessbythewildmen.

‘ItisnotsaidthatevilartswereeverpractisedinGondor,orthattheNamelessOnewasevernamedinhonourthere;andtheoldwisdomandbeautybroughtoutoftheWestremainedlongintherealmofthesons

ofElendiltheFair,andtheylingertherestill.YetevensoitwasGondorthatbroughtaboutitsowndecay,fallingbydegreesintodotage,andthinkingthattheEnemywasasleep,whowasonlybanishednotdestroyed.

‘Deathwaseverpresent,becausetheNúmenóreansstill,astheyhadintheiroldkingdom,andsolostit,hungeredafterendlesslife

unchanging.Kingsmadetombsmoresplendidthanhousesoftheliving,andcountedoldnamesintherollsoftheirdescentdearerthanthenamesofsons.Childlesslordssatinagedhallsmusingonheraldry;insecretchamberswitheredmencompoundedstrongelixirs,orinhighcoldtowersaskedquestionsofthestars.Andthelastkingofthelineof

Anárionhadnoheir.‘Butthestewardswere

wiserandmorefortunate.Wiser,fortheyrecruitedthestrengthofourpeoplefromthesturdyfolkofthesea-coast,andfromthehardymountaineersofEredNimrais.AndtheymadeatrucewiththeproudpeoplesoftheNorth,whooftenhadassailedus,menoffiercevalour,butourkinfromafar

off,unlikethewildEasterlingsorthecruelHaradrim.

‘SoitcametopassinthedaysofCiriontheTwelfthSteward(andmyfatheristhesixandtwentieth)thattheyrodetoouraidandatthegreatFieldofCelebranttheydestroyedourenemiesthathadseizedournorthernprovinces.ThesearetheRohirrim,aswenamethem,

mastersofhorses,andwecededtothemthefieldsofCalenardhonthataresincecalledRohan;forthatprovincehadlongbeensparselypeopled.Andtheybecameourallies,andhaveeverprovedtruetous,aidingusatneed,andguardingournorthernmarchesandtheGapofRohan.

‘Ofourloreandmannerstheyhavelearnedwhatthey

would,andtheirlordsspeakourspeechatneed;yetforthemostparttheyholdbythewaysoftheirownfathersandtotheirownmemories,andtheyspeakamongthemselvestheirownNorthtongue.Andwelovethem:tallmenandfairwomen,valiantbothalike,golden-haired,bright-eyed,andstrong;theyremindusoftheyouthofMen,astheywereintheElderDays.

Indeeditissaidbyourlore-mastersthattheyhavefromofoldthisaffinitywithusthattheyarecomefromthosesameThreeHousesofMenasweretheNúmenóreansintheirbeginning;notfromHadortheGoldenhaired,theElf-friend,maybe,yetfromsuchofhispeopleaswentnotoverSeaintotheWest,refusingthecall.

‘ForsowereckonMenin

ourlore,callingthemtheHigh,orMenoftheWest,whichwereNúmenóreans;andtheMiddlePeoples,MenoftheTwilight,suchasaretheRohirrimandtheirkinthatdwellstillfarintheNorth;andtheWild,theMenofDarkness.

‘Yetnow,iftheRohirrimaregrowninsomewaysmoreliketous,enhancedinartsandgentleness,wetoohave

becomemoreliketothem,andcanscarceclaimanylongerthetitleHigh.WearebecomeMiddleMen,oftheTwilight,butwithmemoryofotherthings.ForastheRohirrimdo,wenowlovewarandvalourasthingsgoodinthemselves,bothasportandanend;andthoughwestillholdthatawarriorshouldhavemoreskillsandknowledgethanonlythecraft

ofweaponsandslaying,weesteemawarrior,nonetheless,abovemenofothercrafts.Suchistheneedofourdays.Soevenwasmybrother,Boromir:amanofprowess,andforthathewasaccountedthebestmaninGondor.Andveryvaliantindeedhewas:noheirofMinasTirithhasforlongyearsbeensohardyintoil,soonwardintobattle,orblownamightiernoteon

theGreatHorn.’Faramirsighedandfellsilentforawhile.

‘Youdon’tsaymuchinallyourtalesabouttheElves,sir,’saidSam,suddenlypluckingupcourage.HehadnotedthatFaramirseemedtorefertoElveswithreverence,andthisevenmorethanhiscourtesy,andhisfoodand

wine,hadwonSam’srespectandquietedhissuspicions.

‘Noindeed,MasterSamwise,’saidFaramir,‘forIamnotlearnedinElven-lore.Butthereyoutouchuponanotherpointinwhichwehavechanged,decliningfromNúmenortoMiddle-earth.Forasyoumayknow,ifMithrandirwasyourcompanionandyouhavespokenwithElrond,the

Edain,theFathersoftheNúmenóreans,foughtbesidetheElvesinthefirstwars,andwererewardedbythegiftofthekingdominthemidstoftheSea,withinsightofElven-home.ButinMiddle-earthMenandElvesbecameestrangedinthedaysofdarkness,bytheartsoftheEnemy,andbytheslowchangesoftimeinwhicheachkindwalkedfurther

downtheirsunderedroads.MennowfearandmisdoubttheElves,andyetknowlittleofthem.AndweofGondorgrowlikeotherMen,likethemenofRohan;foreventhey,whoarefoesoftheDarkLord,shuntheElvesandspeakoftheGoldenWoodwithdread.

‘YetthereareamongusstillsomewhohavedealingswiththeElveswhenthey

may,andeverandanononewillgoinsecrettoLórien,seldomtoreturn.NotI.ForIdeemitperilousnowformortalmanwilfullytoseekouttheElderPeople.YetIenvyyouthathavespokenwiththeWhiteLady.’

‘TheLadyofLórien!Galadriel!’criedSam.‘Youshouldseeher,indeedyoushould,sir.Iamonlyahobbit,andgardening’smy

jobathome,sir,ifyouunderstandme,andI’mnotmuchgoodatpoetry–notatmakingit:abitofacomicrhyme,perhaps,nowandagain,youknow,butnotrealpoetry–soIcan’ttellyouwhatImean.Itoughttobesung.You’dhavetogetStrider,Aragornthatis,oroldMr.Bilbo,forthat.ButIwishIcouldmakeasongabouther.Beautifulsheis,sir!

Lovely!Sometimeslikeagreattreeinflower,sometimeslikeawhitedaffadowndilly,smallandslenderlike.Hardasdi’monds,softasmoonlight.Warmassunlight,coldasfrostinthestars.Proudandfar-offasasnow-mountain,andasmerryasanylassIeversawwithdaisiesinherhairinspringtime.Butthat’saloto’nonsense,andall

wideofmymark.’‘Thenshemustbelovely

indeed,’saidFaramir.‘Perilouslyfair.’

‘Idon’tknowaboutperilous,’saidSam.‘ItstrikesmethatfolktakestheirperilwiththemintoLórien,andfindsittherebecausethey’vebroughtit.Butperhapsyoucouldcallherperilous,becauseshe’ssostronginherself.You,youcoulddash

yourselftopiecesonher,likeashiponarock;ordrowndyourself,likeahobbitinariver.Butneitherrocknorriverwouldbetoblame.NowBoro—’Hestoppedandwentredintheface.

‘Yes?NowBoromiryouwouldsay?’saidFaramir.‘Whatwouldyousay?Hetookhisperilwithhim?’

‘Yessir,beggingyourpardon,andafinemanas

yourbrotherwas,ifImaysayso.Butyou’vebeenwarmonthescentallalong.NowIwatchedBoromirandlistenedtohim,fromRivendellalldowntheroad–lookingaftermymaster,asyou’llunderstand,andnotmeaninganyharmtoBoromir–andit’smyopinionthatinLórienhefirstsawclearlywhatIguessedsooner:whathewanted.Fromthemomenthe

firstsawithewantedtheEnemy’sRing!’

‘Sam!’criedFrodoaghast.Hehadfallendeepintohisownthoughtsforawhile,andcameoutofthemsuddenlyandtoolate.

‘Saveme!’saidSamturningwhite,andthenflushingscarlet.‘ThereIgoagain!WheneveryouopenyourbigmouthyouputyourfootinittheGafferusedto

saytome,andrightenough.Odear,Odear!

‘Nowlookhere,sir!’Heturned,facinguptoFaramirwithallthecouragethathecouldmuster.‘Don’tyougotakingadvantageofmymasterbecausehisservant’snobetterthanafool.You’vespokenveryhandsomeallalong,putmeoffmyguard,talkingofElvesandall.Buthandsomeisashandsome

doeswesay.Now’sachancetoshowyourquality.’

‘Soitseems,’saidFaramir,slowlyandverysoftly,withastrangesmile.‘Sothatistheanswertoalltheriddles!TheOneRingthatwasthoughttohaveperishedfromtheworld.AndBoromirtriedtotakeitbyforce?Andyouescaped?Andranalltheway–tome!AndhereinthewildIhaveyou:

twohalflings,andahostofmenatmycall,andtheRingofRings.Aprettystrokeoffortune!AchanceforFaramir,CaptainofGondor,toshowhisquality!Ha!’Hestoodup,verytallandstern,hisgreyeyesglinting.

FrodoandSamsprangfromtheirstoolsandsetthemselvessidebysidewiththeirbackstothewall,fumblingfortheirsword-

hilts.Therewasasilence.Allthemeninthecavestoppedtalkingandlookedtowardstheminwonder.ButFaramirsatdownagaininhischairandbegantolaughquietly,andthensuddenlybecamegraveagain.

‘AlasforBoromir!Itwastoosoreatrial!’hesaid.‘Howyouhaveincreasedmysorrow,youtwostrangewanderersfromafarcountry,

bearingtheperilofMen!ButyouarelessjudgesofMenthanIofHalflings.Wearetruth-speakers,wemenofGondor.Weboastseldom,andthenperform,ordieintheattempt.NotifIfounditonthehighwaywouldItakeitIsaid.EvenifIweresuchamanastodesirethisthing,andeventhoughIknewnotclearlywhatthisthingwaswhenIspoke,stillIshould

takethosewordsasavow,andbeheldbythem.

‘ButIamnotsuchaman.OrIamwiseenoughtoknowthattherearesomeperilsfromwhichamanmustflee.Sitatpeace!Andbecomforted,Samwise.Ifyouseemtohavestumbled,thinkthatitwasfatedtobeso.Yourheartisshrewdaswellasfaithful,andsawclearerthanyoureyes.Forstrange

thoughitmayseem,itwassafetodeclarethistome.Itmayevenhelpthemasterthatyoulove.Itshallturntohisgood,ifitisinmypower.Sobecomforted.Butdonotevennamethisthingagainaloud.Onceisenough.’

Thehobbitscamebacktotheirseatsandsatveryquiet.Menturnedbacktotheir

drinkandtheirtalk,perceivingthattheircaptainhadhadsomejestorotherwiththelittleguests,andthatitwasover.

‘Well,Frodo,nowatlastweunderstandoneanother,’saidFaramir.‘Ifyoutookthisthingonyourself,unwilling,atothers’asking,thenyouhavepityandhonourfromme.AndImarvelatyou:tokeepithidandnottouseit.

Youareanewpeopleandanewworldtome.Areallyourkinoflikesort?Yourlandmustbearealmofpeaceandcontent,andtheremustgardenersbeinhighhonour.’

‘Notalliswellthere,’saidFrodo,‘butcertainlygardenersarehonoured.’

‘Butfolkmustgrowwearythere,evenintheirgardens,asdoallthingsundertheSunofthisworld.

Andyouarefarfromhomeandwayworn.Nomoretonight.Sleep,bothofyou–inpeace,ifyoucan.Fearnot!Idonotwishtoseeit,ortouchit,orknowmoreofitthanIknow(whichisenough),lestperilperchancewaylaymeandIfalllowerinthetestthanFrodosonofDrogo.Gonowtorest–butfirsttellmeonly,ifyouwill,whitheryouwishtogo,and

whattodo.ForImustwatch,andwait,andthink.Timepasses.Inthemorningwemusteachgoswiftlyonthewaysappointedtous.’

Frodohadfelthimselftremblingasthefirstshockoffearpassed.Nowagreatwearinesscamedownonhimlikeacloud.Hecoulddissembleandresistnolonger.

‘Iwasgoingtofindaway

intoMordor,’hesaidfaintly.‘IwasgoingtoGorgoroth.ImustfindtheMountainofFireandcastthethingintothegulfofDoom.Gandalfsaidso.IdonotthinkIshallevergetthere.’

Faramirstaredathimforamomentingraveastonishment.Thensuddenlyhecaughthimasheswayed,andliftinghimgently,carriedhimtothebedandlaidhim

there,andcoveredhimwarmly.Atoncehefellintoadeepsleep.

Anotherbedwassetbesidehimforhisservant.Samhesitatedforamoment,thenbowingverylow:‘Goodnight,Captain,mylord,’hesaid.‘Youtookthechance,sir.’

‘DidIso?’saidFaramir.‘Yessir,andshowedyour

quality:theveryhighest.’

Faramirsmiled.‘Apertservant,MasterSamwise.Butnay:thepraiseofthepraiseworthyisaboveallrewards.Yettherewasnaughtinthistopraise.IhadnolureordesiretodootherthanIhavedone.’

‘Ahwell,sir,’saidSam,‘yousaidmymasterhadanElvishair;andthatwasgoodandtrue.ButIcansaythis:youhaveanairtoo,sir,that

remindsmeof,of–well,Gandalf,ofwizards.’

‘Maybe,’saidFaramir.‘MaybeyoudiscernfromfarawaytheairofNúmenor.Goodnight!’

Chapter6

THEFORBIDDENPOOL

FrodowoketofindFaramirbendingoverhim.Forasecondoldfearsseizedhimandhesatupandshrankaway.

‘Thereisnothingtofear,’

saidFaramir.‘Isitmorningalready?’saidFrodoyawning.

‘Notyet,butnightisdrawingtoanend,andthefullmoonissetting.Willyoucomeandseeit?AlsothereisamatteronwhichIdesireyourcounsel.Iamsorrytorouseyoufromsleep,butwillyoucome?’

‘Iwill,’saidFrodo,risingandshiveringalittleasheleft

thewarmblanketandpelts.Itseemedcoldinthefirelesscave.Thenoiseofthewaterwasloudinthestillness.HeputonhiscloakandfollowedFaramir.

Sam,wakingsuddenlybysomeinstinctofwatchfulness,sawfirsthismaster’semptybedandleapttohisfeet.Thenhesawtwodarkfigures,Frodoandaman,framedagainstthe

archway,whichwasnowfilledwithapalewhitelight.Hehurriedafterthem,pastrowsofmensleepingonmattressesalongthewall.Ashewentbythecave-mouthhesawthattheCurtainwasnowbecomeadazzlingveilofsilkandpearlsandsilverthread:meltingiciclesofmoonlight.Buthedidnotpausetoadmireit,andturningasidehefollowedhismaster

throughthenarrowdoorwayinthewallofthecave.

Theywentfirstalongablackpassage,thenupmanywetsteps,andsocametoasmallflatlandingcutinthestoneandlitbythepalesky,gleaminghighabovethroughalongdeepshaft.Fromheretwoflightsofstepsled:onegoingon,asitseemed,upontothehighbankofthestream;theotherturning

awaytotheleft.Thistheyfollowed.Itwounditswayuplikeaturret-stair.

Atlasttheycameoutofthestonydarknessandlookedabout.Theywereonawideflatrockwithoutrailorparapet.Attheirright,eastwards,thetorrentfell,splashingovermanyterraces,andthen,pouringdowna

steeprace,itfilledasmooth-hewnchannelwithadarkforceofwaterfleckedwithfoam,andcurlingandrushingalmostattheirfeetitplungedsheerovertheedgethatyawnedupontheirleft.Amanstoodthere,nearthebrink,silent,gazingdown.

Frodoturnedtowatchthesleeknecksofthewaterastheycurvedanddived.Thenheliftedhiseyesandgazed

faraway.Theworldwasquietandcold,asifdawnwerenear.FaroffintheWestthefullmoonwassinking,roundandwhite.Palemistsshimmeredinthegreatvalebelow:awidegulfofsilverfume,beneathwhichrolledthecoolnight-watersoftheAnduin.Ablackdarknessloomedbeyond,andinitglinted,hereandthere,cold,sharp,remote,whiteasthe

teethofghosts,thepeaksofEredNimrais,theWhiteMountainsoftherealmofGondor,tippedwitheverlastingsnow.

ForawhileFrodostoodthereonthehighstone,andashiverranthroughhim,wonderingifanywhereinthevastnessofthenightlandshisoldcompanionswalkedorslept,orlaydeadshroudedinmist.Whywashebrought

hereoutofforgetfulsleep?Samwaseagerforan

answertothesamequestionandcouldnotrefrainhimselffrommuttering,forhismaster’searaloneashethought:‘It’safineview,nodoubt,Mr.Frodo,butchillytotheheart,nottomentionthebones!What’sgoingon?’

Faramirheardandanswered.‘MoonsetoverGondor.FairIthil,ashegoes

fromMiddle-earth,glancesuponthewhitelocksofoldMindolluin.Itisworthafewshivers.ButthatisnotwhatIbroughtyoutosee–thoughasforyou,Samwise,youwerenotbrought,anddobutpaythepenaltyofyourwatchfulness.Adraughtofwineshallamendit.Come,looknow!’

Hesteppedupbesidethesilentsentinelonthedark

edge,andFrodofollowed.Samhungback.Healreadyfeltinsecureenoughonthishighwetplatform.FaramirandFrodolookeddown.Farbelowthemtheysawthewhitewaterspourintoafoamingbowl,andthenswirldarklyaboutadeepovalbasinintherocks,untiltheyfoundtheirwayoutagainthroughanarrowgate,andflowedaway,fumingand

chattering,intocalmerandmorelevelreaches.Themoonlightstillslanteddowntothefall’sfootandgleamedontheripplesofthebasin.PresentlyFrodowasawareofasmalldarkthingonthenearbank,butevenashelookedatit,itdivedandvanishedjustbeyondtheboilandbubbleofthefall,cleavingtheblackwaterasneatlyasanarroworanedgewisestone.

Faramirturnedtothemanathisside.‘Nowwhatwouldyousaythatitis,Anborn?Asquirrel,orakingfisher?Arethereblackkingfishersinthenight-poolsofMirkwood?’

‘’Tisnotabird,whateverelseitbe,’answeredAnborn.‘Ithasfourlimbsanddivesmanwise;aprettymasteryofthecraftitshows,too.Whatisitat?SeekingawayupbehindtheCurtaintoour

hidings?Itseemswearediscoveredatlast.Ihavemybowhere,andIhavepostedotherarchers,nighasgoodmarksmenasmyself,oneitherbank.Wewaitonlyforyourcommandtoshoot,Captain.’

‘Shallweshoot?’saidFaramir,turningquicklytoFrodo.

Frododidnotanswerforamoment.Then‘No!’hesaid.

‘No!Ibegyounotto.’IfSamhaddared,hewouldhavesaid‘Yes,’quickerandlouder.Hecouldnotsee,butheguessedwellenoughfromtheirwordswhattheywerelookingat.

‘Youknow,then,whatthisthingis?’saidFaramir.‘Come,nowyouhaveseen,tellmewhyitshouldbespared.Inallourwordstogetheryouhavenotonce

spokenofyourgangrelcompanion,andIlethimbeforthetime.Hecouldwaittillhewascaughtandbroughtbeforeme.Isentmykeenesthuntsmentoseekhim,butheslippedthem,andtheyhadnosightofhimtillnow,saveAnbornhere,onceatduskyesterevening.Butnowhehasdoneworsetrespassthanonlytogoconey-snaringintheuplands:hehasdaredto

cometoHennethAnnûn,andhislifeisforfeit.Imarvelatthecreature:sosecretandsoslyasheis,tocomesportinginthepoolbeforeourverywindow.Doeshethinkthatmensleepwithoutwatchallnight?Whydoesheso?’

‘Therearetwoanswers,Ithink,’saidFrodo.‘Foronething,heknowslittleofMen,andslythoughheis,yourrefugeissohiddenthat

perhapshedoesnotknowthatMenareconcealedhere.Foranother,Ithinkheisalluredherebyamasteringdesire,strongerthanhiscaution.’

‘Heisluredhere,yousay?’saidFaramirinalowvoice.‘Canhe,doeshethenknowofyourburden?’

‘Indeedyes.Heboreithimselfformanyyears.’

‘Heboreit?’saidFaramir,

breathingsharplyinhiswonder.‘Thismatterwindsitselfeverinnewriddles.Thenheispursuingit?’

‘Maybe.Itisprecioustohim.ButIdidnotspeakofthat.’

‘Whatthendoesthecreatureseek?’

‘Fish,’saidFrodo.‘Look!’

Theypeereddownatthe

darkpool.Alittleblackheadappearedatthefarendofthebasin,justoutofthedeepshadowoftherocks.Therewasabriefsilverglint,andaswirloftinyripples.Itswamtotheside,andthenwithmarvellousagilityafroglikefigureclimbedoutofthewaterandupthebank.Atonceitsatdownandbegantognawatthesmallsilverthingthatglitteredasitturned:the

lastraysofthemoonwerenowfallingbehindthestonywallatthepool’send.

Faramirlaughedsoftly.‘Fish!’hesaid.‘Itisalessperiloushunger.Ormaybenot:fishfromthepoolofHennethAnnûnmaycosthimallhehastogive.’

‘NowIhavehimatthearrow-point,’saidAnborn.‘ShallInotshoot,Captain?Forcomingunbiddentothis

placedeathisourlaw.’‘Wait,Anborn,’said

Faramir.‘Thisisahardermatterthanitseems.Whathaveyoutosaynow,Frodo?Whyshouldwespare?’

‘Thecreatureiswretchedandhungry,’saidFrodo,‘andunawareofhisdanger.AndGandalf,yourMithrandir,hewouldhavebiddenyounottoslayhimforthatreason,andforothers.Heforbadethe

Elvestodoso.Idonotknowclearlywhy,andofwhatIguessIcannotspeakopenlyouthere.Butthiscreatureisinsomewayboundupwithmyerrand.Untilyoufoundusandtookus,hewasmyguide.’

‘Yourguide!’saidFaramir.‘Thematterbecomeseverstranger.Iwoulddomuchforyou,Frodo,butthisIcannotgrant:toletthissly

wanderergofreeathisownwillfromhere,tojoinyoulaterifitpleasehim,ortobecaughtbyorcsandtellallheknowsunderthreatofpain.Hemustbeslainortaken.Slain,ifhebenottakenveryswiftly.Buthowcanthisslipperythingofmanyguisesbecaught,savebyafeatheredshaft?’

‘Letmegodownquietlytohim,’saidFrodo.‘You

maykeepyourbowsbent,andshootmeatleast,ifIfail.Ishallnotrunaway.’

‘Gothenandbeswift!’saidFaramir.‘Ifhecomesoffalive,heshouldbeyourfaithfulservantfortherestofhisunhappydays.LeadFrododowntothebank,Anborn,andgosoftly.Thethinghasanoseandears.Givemeyourbow.’

Anborngruntedandled

thewaydownthewindingstairtothelanding,andthenuptheotherstair,untilatlasttheycametoanarrowopeningshroudedwiththickbushes.Passingsilentlythrough,Frodofoundhimselfonthetopofthesouthernbankabovethepool.Itwasnowdarkandthefallswerepaleandgrey,reflectingonlythelingeringmoonlightofthewesternsky.Hecouldnotsee

Gollum.HewentforwardashortwayandAnborncamesoftlybehindhim.

‘Goon!’hebreathedinFrodo’sear.‘Haveacaretoyourright.Ifyoufallinthepool,thennoonebutyourfishingfriendcanhelpyou.Andforgetnotthattherearebowmennearathand,thoughyoumaynotseethem.’

Frodocreptforward,usinghishandsGollum-liketofeel

hiswayandtosteadyhimself.Therockswereforthemostpartflatandsmoothbutslippery.Hehaltedlistening.Atfirsthecouldhearnosoundbuttheunceasingrushofthefallbehindhim.Thenpresentlyheheard,notfarahead,ahissingmurmur.

‘Fissh,nicefissh.WhiteFacehasvanished,myprecious,atlast,yes.Nowwe

caneatfishinpeace.No,notinpeace,precious.ForPreciousislost;yes,lost.Dirtyhobbits,nastyhobbits.Goneandleftus,gollum;andPreciousisgone.OnlypoorSméagolallalone.NoPrecious.NastyMen,they’lltakeit,stealmyPrecious.Thieves.Wehatesthem.Fissh,nicefissh.Makesusstrong.Makeseyesbright,fingerstight,yes.Throttle

them,precious.Throttlethemall,yes,ifwegetschances.Nicefissh.Nicefissh!’

Soitwenton,almostasunceasingasthewaterfall,onlyinterruptedbyafaintnoiseofslaveringandgurgling.Frodoshivered,listeningwithpityanddisgust.Hewisheditwouldstop,andthatheneverneedhearthatvoiceagain.Anbornwasnotfarbehind.Hecould

creepbackandaskhimtogetthehuntsmentoshoot.Theywouldprobablygetcloseenough,whileGollumwasgorgingandoffhisguard.Onlyonetrueshot,andFrodowouldberidofthemiserablevoiceforever.Butno,Gollumhadaclaimonhimnow.Theservanthasaclaimonthemasterforservice,evenserviceinfear.Theywouldhavefounderedinthe

DeadMarshesbutforGollum.Frodoknew,too,somehow,quiteclearlythatGandalfwouldnothavewishedit.

‘Sméagol!’hesaidsoftly.‘Fissh,nicefissh,’saidthe

voice.‘Sméagol!’hesaid,alittle

louder.Thevoicestopped.‘Sméagol,Masterhas

cometolookforyou.Masterishere.Come,Sméagol!’

Therewasnoanswerbutasofthiss,asofintakenbreath.

‘Come,Sméagol!’saidFrodo.‘Weareindanger.Menwillkillyou,iftheyfindyouhere.Comequickly,ifyouwishtoescapedeath.CometoMaster!’

‘No!’saidthevoice.‘NotniceMaster.LeavespoorSméagolandgoeswithnewfriends.Mastercanwait.Sméagolhasn’tfinished.’

‘There’snotime,’saidFrodo.‘Bringfishwithyou.Come!’

‘No!Mustfinishfish.’‘Sméagol!’saidFrodo

desperately.‘Preciouswillbeangry.IshalltakePrecious,andIshallsay:makehimswallowthebonesandchoke.Nevertastefishagain.Come,Preciousiswaiting!’

Therewasasharphiss.Presentlyoutofthedarkness

Gollumcamecrawlingonallfours,likeanerringdogcalledtoheel.Hehadahalf-eatenfishinhismouthandanotherinhishand.HecameclosetoFrodo,almostnosetonose,andsniffedathim.Hispaleeyeswereshining.Thenhetookthefishoutofhismouthandstoodup.

‘NiceMaster!’hewhispered.‘Nicehobbit,comebacktopoorSméagol.

GoodSméagolcomes.Nowlet’sgo,goquickly,yes.Throughthetrees,whiletheFacesaredark.Yes,come,let’sgo!’

‘Yes,we’llgosoon,’saidFrodo.‘Butnotatonce.IwillgowithyouasIpromised.Ipromiseagain.Butnotnow.Youarenotsafeyet.Iwillsaveyou,butyoumusttrustme.’

‘WemusttrustMaster?’

saidGollumdoubtfully.‘Why?Whynotgoatonce?Whereistheotherone,thecrossrudehobbit?Whereishe?’

‘Awayupthere,’saidFrodo,pointingtothewaterfall.‘Iamnotgoingwithouthim.Wemustgobacktohim.’Hisheartsank.Thiswastoomuchliketrickery.HedidnotreallyfearthatFaramirwouldallow

Gollumtobekilled,buthewouldprobablymakehimprisonerandbindhim;andcertainlywhatFrododidwouldseematreacherytothepoortreacherouscreature.ItwouldprobablybeimpossibleevertomakehimunderstandorbelievethatFrodohadsavedhislifeintheonlywayhecould.Whatelsecouldhedo?–tokeepfaith,asnearasmightbe,withbothsides.

‘Come!’hesaid.‘OrthePreciouswillbeangry.Wearegoingbacknow,upthestream.Goon,goon,yougoinfront!’

Gollumcrawledalongclosetothebrinkforalittleway,snufflingandsuspicious.Presentlyhestoppedandraisedhishead.‘Something’sthere!’hesaid.‘Notahobbit.’Suddenlyheturnedback.Agreenlight

wasflickeringinhisbulgingeyes.‘Masster,masster!’hehissed.‘Wicked!Tricksy!False!’Hespatandstretchedouthislongarmswithwhitesnappingfingers.

AtthatmomentthegreatblackshapeofAnbornloomedupbehindhimandcamedownonhim.Alargestronghandtookhiminthenapeoftheneckandpinnedhim.Hetwistedroundlike

lightning,allwetandslimyashewas,wrigglinglikeaneel,bitingandscratchinglikeacat.Buttwomoremencameupoutoftheshadows.

‘Holdstill!’saidone.‘Orwe’llstickyouasfullofpinsasahedgehog.Holdstill!’

Gollumwentlimp,andbegantowhineandweep.Theytiedhim,nonetoogently.

‘Easy,easy!’saidFrodo.

‘Hehasnostrengthtomatchyou.Don’thurthim,ifyoucanhelpit.He’llbequieter,ifyoudon’t.Sméagol!Theywon’thurtyou.I’llgowithyou,andyoushallcometonoharm.Notunlesstheykillmetoo.TrustMaster!’

Gollumturnedandspatathim.Themenpickedhimup,putahoodoverhiseyes,andcarriedhimoff.

Frodofollowedthem,

feelingverywretched.Theywentthroughtheopeningbehindthebushes,andback,downthestairsandpassages,intothecave.Twoorthreetorcheshadbeenlit.Menwerestirring.Samwasthere,andhegaveaqueerlookatthelimpbundlethatthemencarried.‘Gothim?’hesaidtoFrodo.

‘Yes.Wellno,Ididn’tgethim.Hecametome,because

hetrustedmeatfirst,I’mafraid.Ididnotwanthimtieduplikethis.Ihopeitwillbeallright;butIhatethewholebusiness.’

‘SodoI,’saidSam.‘Andnothingwilleverbeallrightwherethatpieceofmiseryis.’

Amancameandbeckonedtothehobbits,andtookthemtotherecessatthebackofthecave.Faramirwas

sittingthereinhischair,andthelamphadbeenrekindledinitsnicheabovehishead.Hesignedtothemtositdownonthestoolsbesidehim.‘Bringwinefortheguests,’hesaid.‘Andbringtheprisonertome.’

Thewinewasbrought,andthenAnborncamecarryingGollum.HeremovedthecoverfromGollum’sheadandsethimonhisfeet,

standingbehindhimtosupporthim.Gollumblinked,hoodingthemaliceofhiseyeswiththeirheavypalelids.Averymiserablecreaturehelooked,drippinganddank,smellingoffish(hestillclutchedoneinhishand);hissparselockswerehanginglikerankweedoverhisbonybrows,hisnosewassnivelling.

‘Looseus!Looseus!’he

said.‘Thecordhurtsus,yesitdoes,ithurtsus,andwe’vedonenothing.’

‘Nothing?’saidFaramir,lookingatthewretchedcreaturewithakeenglance,butwithoutanyexpressioninhisfaceeitherofanger,orpity,orwonder.‘Nothing?Haveyouneverdoneanythingworthyofbindingorofworsepunishment?However,thatisnotformeto

judge,happily.Buttonightyouhavecomewhereitisdeathtocome.Thefishofthispoolaredearlybought.’

Gollumdroppedthefishfromhishand.‘Don’twantfish,’hesaid.

‘Thepriceisnotsetonthefish,’saidFaramir.‘Onlytocomehereandlookonthepoolbearsthepenaltyofdeath.IhavesparedyousofarattheprayerofFrodo

here,whosaysthatofhimatleastyouhavedeservedsomethanks.Butyoumustalsosatisfyme.Whatisyourname?Whencedoyoucome?Andwhitherdoyougo?Whatisyourbusiness?’

‘Wearelost,lost,’saidGollum.‘Noname,nobusiness,noPrecious,nothing.Onlyempty.Onlyhungry;yes,wearehungry.Afewlittlefishes,nastybony

littlefishes,forapoorcreature,andtheysaydeath.Sowisetheyare;sojust,soveryjust.’

‘Notverywise,’saidFaramir.‘Butjust:yesperhaps,asjustasourlittlewisdomallows.UnloosehimFrodo!’Faramirtookasmallnail-knifefromhisbeltandhandedittoFrodo.Gollummisunderstandingthegesture,squealedandfelldown.

‘Now,Sméagol!’saidFrodo.‘Youmusttrustme.Iwillnotdesertyou.Answertruthfully,ifyoucan.Itwilldoyougoodnotharm.’HecutthecordsonGollum’swristsandanklesandraisedhimtohisfeet.

‘Comehither!’saidFaramir.‘Lookatme!Doyouknowthenameofthisplace?Haveyoubeenherebefore?’

SlowlyGollumraisedhiseyesandlookedunwillinglyintoFaramir’s.Alllightwentoutofthem,andtheystaredbleakandpaleforamomentintotheclearunwaveringeyesofthemanofGondor.Therewasastillsilence.ThenGollumdroppedhisheadandshrankdown,untilhewassquattingonthefloor,shivering.‘Wedoesn’tknowandwedoesn’twantto

know,’hewhimpered.‘Nevercamehere;nevercomeagain.’

‘Therearelockeddoorsandclosedwindowsinyourmind,anddarkroomsbehindthem,’saidFaramir.‘ButinthisIjudgethatyouspeakthetruth.Itiswellforyou.Whatoathwillyouswearnevertoreturn;andnevertoleadanylivingcreaturehitherbywordorsign?’

‘Masterknows,’saidGollumwithasidelongglanceatFrodo.‘Yes,heknows.WewillpromiseMaster,ifhesavesus.We’llpromisetoIt,yes.’HecrawledtoFrodo’sfeet.‘Saveus,niceMaster!’hewhined.‘SméagolpromisestoPrecious,promisesfaithfully.Nevercomeagain,neverspeak,nonever!No,precious,no!’

‘Areyousatisfied?’saidFaramir.

‘Yes,’saidFrodo.‘Atleast,youmusteitheracceptthispromiseorcarryoutyourlaw.Youwillgetnomore.ButIpromisedthatifhecametome,heshouldnotbeharmed.AndIwouldnotbeprovedfaithless.’

Faramirsatforamoment

inthought.‘Verygood,’hesaidatlast.‘Isurrenderyoutoyourmaster,toFrodosonofDrogo.Lethimdeclarewhathewilldowithyou!’

‘But,LordFaramir,’saidFrodobowing,‘youhavenotyetdeclaredyourwillconcerningthesaidFrodo,anduntilthatismadeknown,hecannotshapehisplansforhimselforhiscompanions.Yourjudgementwas

postponeduntilthemorning;butthatisnowathand.’

‘ThenIwilldeclaremydoom,’saidFaramir.‘Asforyou,Frodo,insofarasliesinmeunderhigherauthority,IdeclareyoufreeintherealmofGondortothefurthestofitsancientbounds;saveonlythatneitheryounoranythatgowithyouhaveleavetocometothisplaceunbidden.Thisdoomshallstandfora

yearandaday,andthencease,unlessyoushallbeforethattermcometoMinasTirithandpresentyourselftotheLordandStewardoftheCity.ThenIwillentreathimtoconfirmwhatIhavedoneandtomakeitlifelong.Inthemeantime,whomsoeveryoutakeunderyourprotectionshallbeundermyprotectionandundertheshieldofGondor.Areyouanswered?’

Frodobowedlow.‘Iamanswered,’hesaid,‘andIplacemyselfatyourservice,ifthatisofanyworthtoonesohighandhonourable.’

‘Itisofgreatworth,’saidFaramir.‘Andnow,doyoutakethiscreature,thisSméagol,underyourprotection?’

‘IdotakeSméagolundermyprotection,’saidFrodo.Samsighedaudibly;andnot

atthecourtesies,ofwhich,asanyhobbitwould,hethoroughlyapproved.IndeedintheShiresuchamatterwouldhaverequiredagreatmanymorewordsandbows.

‘ThenIsaytoyou,’saidFaramir,turningtoGollum,‘youareunderdoomofdeath;butwhileyouwalkwithFrodoyouaresafeforourpart.YetifeveryoubefoundbyanymanofGondor

astraywithouthim,thedoomshallfall.Andmaydeathfindyouswiftly,withinGondororwithout,ifyoudonotwellservehim.Nowanswerme:whitherwouldyougo?Youwerehisguide,hesays.Whitherwereyouleadinghim?’Gollummadenoreply.

‘ThisIwillnothavesecret,’saidFaramir.‘Answerme,orIwillreversemyjudgement!’StillGollum

didnotanswer.‘Iwillanswerforhim,’

saidFrodo.‘HebroughtmetotheBlackGate,asIasked;butitwasimpassable.’

‘ThereisnoopengateintotheNamelessLand,’saidFaramir.

‘Seeingthis,weturnedasideandcamebytheSouthwardroad,’Frodocontinued;‘forhesaidthatthereis,ortheremaybe,a

pathneartoMinasIthil.’‘MinasMorgul,’said

Faramir.‘Idonotknowclearly,’

saidFrodo;‘butthepathclimbs,Ithink,upintothemountainsonthenorthernsideofthatvalewheretheoldcitystands.Itgoesuptoahighcleftandsodownto–thatwhichisbeyond.’

‘Doyouknowthenameofthathighpass?’saidFaramir.

‘No,’saidFrodo.‘ItiscalledCirithUngol.’

Gollumhissedsharplyandbeganmutteringtohimself.‘Isnotthatitsname?’saidFaramirturningtohim.

‘No!’saidGollum,andthenhesquealed,asifsomethinghadstabbedhim.‘Yes,yes,weheardthenameonce.Butwhatdoesthenamemattertous?Mastersayshemustgetin.Sowemusttry

someway.Thereisnootherwaytotry,no.’

‘Nootherway?’saidFaramir.‘Howdoyouknowthat?Andwhohasexploredalltheconfinesofthatdarkrealm?’HelookedlongandthoughtfullyatGollum.Presentlyhespokeagain.‘Takethiscreatureaway,Anborn.Treathimgently,butwatchhim.Anddonotyou,Sméagol,trytodiveintothe

falls.Therockshavesuchteeththereaswouldslayyoubeforeyourtime.Leaveusnowandtakeyourfish!’

AnbornwentoutandGollumwentcringingbeforehim.Thecurtainwasdrawnacrosstherecess.

‘Frodo,Ithinkyoudoveryunwiselyinthis,’saidFaramir.‘Idonotthinkyou

shouldgowiththiscreature.Itiswicked.’

‘No,notaltogetherwicked,’saidFrodo.

‘Notwholly,perhaps,’saidFaramir;‘butmaliceeatsitlikeacanker,andtheevilisgrowing.Hewillleadyoutonogood.Ifyouwillpartwithhim,Iwillgivehimsafe-conductandguidancetoanypointonthebordersofGondorthathemayname.’

‘Hewouldnottakeit,’saidFrodo.‘Hewouldfollowaftermeashelonghasdone.AndIhavepromisedmanytimestotakehimundermyprotectionandtogowhereheled.Youwouldnotaskmetobreakfaithwithhim?’

‘No,’saidFaramir.‘Butmyheartwould.Foritseemslesseviltocounselanothermantobreaktroththantodosooneself,especiallyifone

seesafriendboundunwittingtohisownharm.Butno–ifhewillgowithyou,youmustnowendurehim.ButIdonotthinkyouareholdentogotoCirithUngol,ofwhichhehastoldyoulessthanheknows.ThatmuchIperceivedclearlyinhismind.DonotgotoCirithUngol!’

‘WherethenshallIgo?’saidFrodo.‘BacktotheBlackGateanddeliver

myselfuptotheguard?Whatdoyouknowagainstthisplacethatmakesitsnamesodreadful?’

‘Nothingcertain,’saidFaramir.‘WeofGondordonoteverpasseastoftheRoadinthesedays,andnoneofusyoungermenhaseverdoneso,norhasanyofussetfootupontheMountainsofShadow.Ofthemweknowonlyoldreportandthe

rumourofbygonedays.ButthereissomedarkterrorthatdwellsinthepassesaboveMinasMorgul.IfCirithUngolisnamed,oldmenandmastersoflorewillblanchandfallsilent.

‘ThevalleyofMinasMorgulpassedintoevilverylongago,anditwasamenaceandadreadwhilethebanishedEnemydweltyetfaraway,andIthilienwasstill

forthemostpartinourkeeping.Asyouknow,thatcitywasonceastrongplace,proudandfair,MinasIthil,thetwinsisterofourowncity.ButitwastakenbyfellmenwhomtheEnemyinhisfirststrengthhaddominated,andwhowanderedhomelessandmasterlessafterhisfall.ItissaidthattheirlordsweremenofNúmenorwhohadfallenintodarkwickedness;

tothemtheEnemyhadgivenringsofpower,andhehaddevouredthem:livingghoststheywerebecome,terribleandevil.AfterhisgoingtheytookMinasIthilanddweltthere,andtheyfilledit,andallthevalleyabout,withdecay:itseemedemptyandwasnotso,forashapelessfearlivedwithintheruinedwalls.NineLordstherewere,andafterthereturnoftheir

Master,whichtheyaidedandpreparedinsecret,theygrewstrongagain.ThentheNineRidersissuedforthfromthegatesofhorror,andwecouldnotwithstandthem.Donotapproachtheircitadel.Youwillbeespied.Itisaplaceofsleeplessmalice,fulloflidlesseyes.Donotgothatway!’

‘Butwhereelsewillyoudirectme?’saidFrodo.‘You

cannotyourself,yousay,guidemetothemountains,noroverthem.ButoverthemountainsIambound,bysolemnundertakingtotheCouncil,tofindawayorperishintheseeking.AndifIturnback,refusingtheroadinitsbitterend,wherethenshallIgoamongElvesorMen?WouldyouhavemecometoGondorwiththisThing,theThingthatdroveyourbrother

madwithdesire?WhatspellwoulditworkinMinasTirith?ShalltherebetwocitiesofMinasMorgul,grinningateachotheracrossadeadlandfilledwithrottenness?’

‘Iwouldnothaveitso,’saidFaramir.

‘Thenwhatwouldyouhavemedo?’

‘Iknownot.OnlyIwouldnothaveyougotodeathorto

torment.AndIdonotthinkthatMithrandirwouldhavechosenthisway.’

‘Yetsinceheisgone,ImusttakesuchpathsasIcanfind.Andthereisnotimeforlongsearching,’saidFrodo.

‘Itisaharddoomandahopelesserrand,’saidFaramir.‘Butattheleast,remembermywarning:bewareofthisguide,Sméagol.Hehasdonemurder

beforenow.Ireaditinhim.’Hesighed.

‘Well,sowemeetandpart,FrodosonofDrogo.Youhavenoneedofsoftwords:IdonothopetoseeyouagainonanyotherdayunderthisSun.Butyoushallgonowwithmyblessinguponyou,anduponallyourpeople.Restalittlewhilefoodispreparedforyou.

‘Iwouldgladlylearnhow

thiscreepingSméagolbecamepossessedoftheThingofwhichwespeak,andhowhelostit,butIwillnottroubleyounow.Ifeverbeyondhopeyoureturntothelandsofthelivingandwere-tellourtales,sittingbyawallinthesun,laughingatoldgrief,youshalltellmethen.Untilthattime,orsomeothertimebeyondthevisionoftheSeeing-stonesofNúmenor,

farewell!’Heroseandbowedlowto

Frodo,anddrawingthecurtainpassedoutintothecave.

Chapter7

JOURNEYTOTHECROSS-ROADS

FrodoandSamreturnedtotheirbedsandlaythereinsilencerestingforalittle,whilemenbestirredthemselvesandthebusinessofthedaybegan.Aftera

whilewaterwasbroughttothem,andthentheywereledtoatablewherefoodwassetforthree.Faramirbrokehisfastwiththem.Hehadnotsleptsincethebattleonthedaybefore,yethedidnotlookweary.

Whentheyhadfinishedtheystoodup.‘Maynohungertroubleyouontheroad,’saidFaramir.‘Youhavelittleprovision,but

somesmallstoreoffoodfitfortravellersIhaveorderedtobestowedinyourpacks.YouwillhavenolackofwaterasyouwalkinIthilien,butdonotdrinkofanystreamthatflowsfromImladMorgul,theValleyofLivingDeath.ThisalsoImusttellyou.Myscoutsandwatchershaveallreturned,evensomethathavecreptwithinsightoftheMorannon.Theyallfinda

strangething.Thelandisempty.Nothingisontheroad,andnosoundoffoot,orhorn,orbowstringisanywheretobeheard.AwaitingsilencebroodsabovetheNamelessLand.Idonotknowwhatthisportends.Butthetimedrawsswiftlytosomegreatconclusion.Stormiscoming.Hastenwhileyoumay!Ifyouareready,letusgo.TheSunwillsoonrise

abovetheshadow.’Thehobbits’packswere

broughttothem(alittleheavierthantheyhadbeen),andalsotwostoutstavesofpolishedwood,shodwithiron,andwithcarvenheadsthroughwhichranplaitedleathernthongs.

‘Ihavenofittinggiftstogiveyouatourparting,’saidFaramir;‘buttakethesestaves.Theymaybeof

servicetothosewhowalkorclimbinthewild.ThemenoftheWhiteMountainsusethem;thoughthesehavebeencutdowntoyourheightandnewlyshod.Theyaremadeofthefairtreelebethron,belovedofthewoodwrightsofGondor,andavirtuehasbeensetuponthemoffindingandreturning.MaythatvirtuenotwhollyfailundertheShadowintowhichyougo!’

Thehobbitsbowedlow.‘Mostgracioushost,’saidFrodo,‘itwassaidtomebyElrondHalfelventhatIshouldfindfriendshipupontheway,secretandunlookedfor.CertainlyIlookedfornosuchfriendshipasyouhaveshown.Tohavefounditturnseviltogreatgood.’

Nowtheymadereadyto

depart.Gollumwasbroughtoutofsomecornerorhiding-hole,andheseemedbetterpleasedwithhimselfthanhehadbeen,thoughhekeptclosetoFrodoandavoidedtheglanceofFaramir.

‘Yourguidemustbeblindfolded,’saidFaramir,‘butyouandyourservantSamwiseIreleasefromthis,ifyouwish.’

Gollumsquealed,and

squirmed,andclutchedatFrodo,whentheycametobindhiseyes;andFrodosaid:‘Blindfoldusallthree,andcoverupmyeyesfirst,andthenperhapshewillseethatnoharmismeant.’Thiswasdone,andtheywereledfromthecaveofHennethAnnûn.Aftertheyhadpassedthepassagesandstairstheyfeltthecoolmorningair,freshandsweet,aboutthem.Still

blindtheywentonforsomelittletime,upandthengentlydown.AtlastthevoiceofFaramirorderedthemtobeuncovered.

Theystoodundertheboughsofthewoodsagain.Nonoiseofthefallscouldbeheard,foralongsouthwardslopelaynowbetweenthemandtheravineinwhichthestreamflowed.Tothewesttheycouldseelightthrough

thetrees,asiftheworldcametheretoasuddenend,atabrinklookingoutonlyontosky.

‘Hereisthelastpartingofourways,’saidFaramir.‘Ifyoutakemycounsel,youwillnotturneastwardyet.Gostraighton,forthusyouwillhavethecoverofthewoodlandformanymiles.Onyourwestisanedgewherethelandfallsintothegreat

vales,sometimessuddenlyandsheer,sometimesinlonghillsides.Keepneartothisedgeandtheskirtsoftheforest.Inthebeginningofyourjourneyyoumaywalkunderdaylight,Ithink.Thelanddreamsinafalsepeace,andforawhilealleviliswithdrawn.Fareyouwell,whileyoumay!’

Heembracedthehobbitsthen,afterthemannerofhis

people,stooping,andplacinghishandsupontheirshoulders,andkissingtheirforeheads.‘Gowiththegoodwillofallgoodmen!’hesaid.

Theybowedtotheground.Thenheturnedandwithoutlookingbackheleftthemandwenttohistwoguardsthatstoodatalittledistanceaway.Theymarvelledtoseewithwhatspeedthesegreen-cladmen

nowmoved,vanishingalmostinthetwinklingofaneye.TheforestwhereFaramirhadstoodseemedemptyanddrear,asifadreamhadpassed.

Frodosighedandturnedbacksouthward.Asiftomarkhisdisregardofallsuchcourtesy,Gollumwasscrabblinginthemouldatthe

footofatree.‘Hungryagainalready?’thoughtSam.‘Well,nowforitagain!’

‘Havetheygoneatlast?’saidGollum.‘NasstywickedMen!Sméagol’sneckstillhurtshim,yesitdoes.Let’sgo!’

‘Yes,letusgo,’saidFrodo.‘Butifyoucanonlyspeakillofthosewhoshowedyoumercy,keepsilent!’

‘NiceMaster!’said

Gollum.‘Sméagolwasonlyjoking.Alwaysforgives,hedoes,yes,yes,evenniceMaster’slittletrickses.Ohyes,niceMaster,niceSméagol!’

FrodoandSamdidnotanswer.Hoistingtheirpacksandtakingtheirstavesinhand,theypassedonintothewoodsofIthilien.

Twicethatdaytheyrestedandtookalittleofthefood

providedbyFaramir:driedfruitsandsaltedmeat,enoughformanydays;andbreadenoughtolastwhileitwasstillfresh.Gollumatenothing.

Thesunroseandpassedoverheadunseen,andbegantosink,andthelightthroughthetreestothewestgrewgolden;andalwaystheywalkedincoolgreenshadow,andallaboutthemwas

silence.Thebirdsseemedalltohaveflownawayortohavefallendumb.

Darknesscameearlytothesilentwoods,andbeforethefallofnighttheyhalted,weary,fortheyhadwalkedsevenleaguesormorefromHennethAnnûn.Frodolayandsleptawaythenightonthedeepmouldbeneathanancienttree.Sambesidehimwasmoreuneasy:hewoke

manytimes,buttherewasneverasignofGollum,whohadslippedoffassoonastheothershadsettledtorest.Whetherhehadsleptbyhimselfinsomeholenearby,orhadwanderedrestlesslyprowlingthroughthenight,hedidnotsay;buthereturnedwiththefirstglimmeroflight,androusedhiscompanions.

‘Mustgetup,yesthey

must!’hesaid.‘Longwaystogostill,southandeast.Hobbitsmustmakehaste!’

Thatdaypassedmuchasthedaybeforehadgone,exceptthatthesilenceseemeddeeper;theairgrewheavy,anditbegantobestiflingunderthetrees.Itfeltasifthunderwasbrewing.Gollumoftenpaused,sniffing

theair,andthenhewouldmuttertohimselfandurgethemtogreaterspeed.

Asthethirdstageoftheirday’smarchdrewonandafternoonwaned,theforestopenedout,andthetreesbecamelargerandmorescattered.Greatilexesofhugegirthstooddarkandsolemninwidegladeswithhereandthereamongthemhoaryash-trees,andgiant

oaksjustputtingouttheirbrown-greenbuds.Aboutthemlaylonglaundsofgreengrassdappledwithcelandineandanemones,whiteandblue,nowfoldedforsleep;andtherewereacrespopulouswiththeleavesofwoodlandhyacinths:alreadytheirsleekbell-stemswerethrustingthroughthemould.Nolivingcreature,beastorbird,wastobeseen,butin

theseopenplacesGollumgrewafraid,andtheywalkednowwithcaution,flittingfromonelongshadowtoanother.

Lightwasfadingfastwhentheycametotheforest-end.Theretheysatunderanoldgnarledoakthatsentitsrootstwistinglikesnakesdownasteepcrumblingbank.Adeepdimvalleylaybeforethem.Onitsfurthersidethe

woodsgatheredagain,blueandgreyunderthesullenevening,andmarchedonsouthwards.TotherighttheMountainsofGondorglowed,remoteintheWest,underafire-fleckedsky.Totheleftlaydarkness:thetoweringwallsofMordor;andoutofthatdarknessthelongvalleycame,fallingsteeplyinanever-wideningtroughtowardstheAnduin.

Atitsbottomranahurryingstream:Frodocouldhearitsstonyvoicecomingupthroughthesilence;andbesideitonthehithersidearoadwentwindingdownlikeapaleribbon,downintochillgreymiststhatnogleamofsunsettouched.ThereitseemedtoFrodothathedescriedfaroff,floatingasitwereonashadowysea,thehighdimtopsandbroken

pinnaclesofoldtowersforlornanddark.

HeturnedtoGollum.‘Doyouknowwhereweare?’hesaid.

‘Yes,Master.Dangerousplaces.ThisistheroadfromtheToweroftheMoon,Master,downtotheruinedcitybytheshoresoftheRiver.Theruinedcity,yes,verynastyplace,fullofenemies.Weshouldn’thave

takenMen’sadvice.Hobbitshavecomealongwayoutofthepath.Mustgoeastnow,awayupthere.’Hewavedhisskinnyarmtowardsthedarklingmountains.‘Andwecan’tusethisroad.Ohno!Cruelpeoplescomethisway,downfromtheTower.’

Frodolookeddownontotheroad.Atanyratenothingwasmovingonitnow.Itappearedlonelyandforsaken,

runningdowntoemptyruinsinthemist.Buttherewasanevilfeelingintheair,asifthingsmightindeedbepassingupanddownthateyescouldnotsee.Frodoshudderedashelookedagainatthedistantpinnaclesnowdwindlingintonight,andthesoundofthewaterseemedcoldandcruel:thevoiceofMorgulduin,thepollutedstreamthatflowedfromthe

ValleyoftheWraiths.‘Whatshallwedo?’he

said.‘Wehavewalkedlongandfar.Shallwelookforsomeplaceinthewoodsbehindwherewecanliehidden?’

‘Nogoodhidinginthedark,’saidGollum.‘It’sindaythathobbitsmusthidenow,yesinday.’

‘Ohcome!’saidSam.‘Wemustrestforabit,evenifwe

getupagaininthemiddleofthenight.There’llstillbehoursofdarkthen,timeenoughforyoutotakeusalongmarch,ifyouknowtheway.’

Gollumreluctantlyagreedtothis,andheturnedbacktowardsthetrees,workingeastwardforawhilealongthestragglingedgesofthewood.Hewouldnotrestonthegroundsoneartheevilroad,

andaftersomedebatetheyallclimbedupintothecrotchofalargeholm-oak,whosethickbranchesspringingtogetherfromthetrunkmadeagoodhiding-placeandafairlycomfortablerefuge.Nightfellanditgrewaltogetherdarkunderthecanopyofthetree.FrodoandSamdrankalittlewaterandatesomebreadanddriedfruit,butGollumatoncecurledupandwentto

sleep.Thehobbitsdidnotshuttheireyes.

ItmusthavebeenalittleaftermidnightwhenGollumwokeup:suddenlytheywereawareofhispaleeyesunliddedgleamingatthem.Helistenedandsniffed,whichseemed,astheyhadnoticedbefore,hisusualmethodofdiscoveringthe

timeofnight.‘Arewerested?Havewe

hadbeautifulsleep?’hesaid.‘Let’sgo!’

‘Wearen’t,andwehaven’t,’growledSam.‘Butwe’llgoifwemust.’

Gollumdroppedatoncefromthebranchesofthetreeontoallfours,andthehobbitsfollowedmoreslowly.

Assoonastheywere

downtheywentonagainwithGollumleading,eastwards,upthedarkslopingland.Theycouldseelittle,forthenightwasnowsodeepthattheywerehardlyawareofthestemsoftreesbeforetheystumbledagainstthem.Thegroundbecamemorebrokenandwalkingwasmoredifficult,butGollumseemedinnowaytroubled.Heledthemthroughthicketsand

wastesofbrambles;sometimesroundthelipofadeepcleftordarkpit,sometimesdownintoblackbush-shroudedhollowsandoutagain;butifevertheywentalittledownward,alwaysthefurtherslopewaslongerandsteeper.Theywereclimbingsteadily.Attheirfirsthalttheylookedback,andtheycoulddimlyperceivetheroofsofthe

foresttheyhadleftbehind,lyinglikeavastdenseshadow,adarkernightunderthedarkblanksky.ThereseemedtobeagreatblacknessloomingslowlyoutoftheEast,eatingupthefaintblurredstars.Laterthesinkingmoonescapedfromthepursuingcloud,butitwasringedallaboutwithasicklyyellowglare.

AtlastGollumturnedto

thehobbits.‘Daysoon,’hesaid.‘Hobbitsmusthurry.Notsafetostayintheopenintheseplaces.Makehaste!’

Hequickenedhispace,andtheyfollowedhimwearily.Soontheybegantoclimbupontoagreathog-backofland.Forthemostpartitwascoveredwithathickgrowthofgorseandwhortleberry,andlowtoughthorns,thoughhereandthere

clearingsopened,thescarsofrecentfires.Thegorse-bushesbecamemorefrequentastheygotnearerthetop;veryoldandtalltheywere,gauntandleggybelowbutthickabove,andalreadyputtingoutyellowflowersthatglimmeredinthegloomandgaveafaintsweetscent.Sotallwerethespinythicketsthatthehobbitscouldwalkuprightunderthem,passing

throughlongdryaislescarpetedwithadeeppricklymould.

Onthefurtheredgeofthisbroadhill-backtheystayedtheirmarchandcrawledforhidingunderneathatangledknotofthorns.Theirtwistedboughs,stoopingtotheground,wereoverriddenbyaclamberingmazeofoldbriars.Deepinsidetherewasahollowhall,rafteredwith

deadbranchandbramble,androofedwiththefirstleavesandshootsofspring.Theretheylayforawhile,tootiredyettoeat;andpeeringoutthroughtheholesinthecoverttheywatchedfortheslowgrowthofday.

Butnodaycame,onlyadeadbrowntwilight.IntheEasttherewasadullredglareundertheloweringcloud:itwasnottheredofdawn.

Acrossthetumbledlandsbetween,themountainsoftheEphelDúathfrownedatthem,blackandshapelessbelowwherenightlaythickanddidnotpassaway,abovewithjaggedtopsandedgesoutlinedhardandmenacingagainstthefieryglow.Awaytotheirrightagreatshoulderofthemountainsstoodout,darkandblackamidtheshadows,thrustingwestward.

‘Whichwaydowegofromhere?’askedFrodo.‘Isthattheopeningof–oftheMorgulValley,awayovertherebeyondthatblackmass?’

‘Needwethinkaboutityet?’saidSam.‘Surelywe’renotgoingtomoveanymoretoday,ifdayitis?’

‘Perhapsnot,perhapsnot,’saidGollum.‘Butwemustgosoon,totheCross-roads.Yes,

totheCross-roads.That’sthewayoverthere,yes,Master.’

TheredglareoverMordordiedaway.ThetwilightdeepenedasgreatvapoursroseintheEastandcrawledabovethem.FrodoandSamtookalittlefoodandthenlaydown,butGollumwasrestless.Hewouldnoteatanyoftheirfood,buthe

drankalittlewaterandthencrawledaboutunderthebushes,sniffingandmuttering.Thensuddenlyhedisappeared.

‘Offhunting,Isuppose,’saidSamandyawned.Itwashisturntosleepfirst,andhewassoondeepinadream.HethoughthewasbackintheBagEndgardenlookingforsomething;buthehadaheavypackonhisback,

whichmadehimstoop.Itallseemedveryweedyandranksomehow,andthornsandbrackenwereinvadingthebedsdownnearthebottomhedge.

‘Ajobofworkforme,Icansee;butI’msotired,’hekeptonsaying.Presentlyherememberedwhathewaslookingfor.‘Mypipe!’hesaid,andwiththathewokeup.

‘Silly!’hesaidtohimself,asheopenedhiseyesandwonderedwhyhewaslyingdownunderthehedge.‘It’sinyourpackallthetime!’Thenherealized,firstthatthepipemightbeinhispackbuthehadnoleaf,andnextthathewashundredsofmilesfromBagEnd.Hesatup.Itseemedtobealmostdark.Whyhadhismasterlethimsleeponoutofturn,righton

tillevening?‘Haven’tyouhadno

sleep,Mr.Frodo?’hesaid.‘What’sthetime?Seemstobegettinglate!’

‘Noitisn’t,’saidFrodo.‘Butthedayisgettingdarkerinsteadoflighter:darkeranddarker.AsfarasIcantell,itisn’tmiddayyet,andyou’veonlysleptforaboutthreehours.’

‘Iwonderwhat’sup,’said

Sam.‘Isthereastormcoming?Ifsoit’sgoingtobetheworstthereeverwas.Weshallwishweweredownadeephole,notjuststuckunderahedge.’Helistened.‘What’sthat?Thunder,ordrums,orwhatisit?’

‘Idon’tknow,’saidFrodo.‘It’sbeengoingonforagoodwhilenow.Sometimesthegroundseemstotremble,sometimesitseemstobethe

heavyairthrobbinginyourears.’

Samlookedround.‘Where’sGollum?’hesaid.‘Hasn’thecomebackyet?’

‘No,’saidFrodo.‘There’snotbeenasignorsoundofhim.’

‘Well,Ican’tabidehim,’saidSam.‘Infact,I’venevertakenanythingonajourneythatI’dhavebeenlesssorrytoloseontheway.Butit

wouldbejustlikehim,aftercomingallthesemiles,togoandgetlostnow,justwhenweshallneedhimmost–thatis,ifhe’severgoingtobeanyuse,whichIdoubt.’

‘YouforgettheMarshes,’saidFrodo.‘Ihopenothinghashappenedtohim.’

‘AndIhopehe’suptonotricks.AndanywayIhopehedoesn’tfallintootherhands,asyoumightsay.Becauseif

hedoes,weshallsoonbeinfortrouble.’

Atthatmomentarollingandrumblingnoisewasheardagain,loudernowanddeeper.Thegroundseemedtoquiverundertheirfeet.‘Ithinkweareinfortroubleanyhow,’saidFrodo.‘I’mafraidourjourneyisdrawingtoanend.’

‘Maybe,’saidSam;‘butwherethere’slifethere’shope,asmygafferusedto

say;andneedofvittles,ashemostwaysusedtoadd.Youhaveabite,Mr.Frodo,andthenabitofsleep.’

Theafternoon,asSamsupposeditmustbecalled,woreon.Lookingoutfromthecoverthecouldseeonlyadun,shadowlessworld,fadingslowlyintoafeatureless,colourlessgloom.

Itfeltstiflingbutnotwarm.Frodosleptunquietly,turningandtossing,andsometimesmurmuring.TwiceSamthoughtheheardhimspeakingGandalf’sname.Thetimeseemedtodraginterminably.SuddenlySamheardahissbehindhim,andtherewasGollumonallfours,peeringatthemwithgleamingeyes.

‘Wakeup,wakeup!Wake

up,sleepies!’hewhispered.‘Wakeup!Notimetolose.Wemustgo,yes,wemustgoatonce.Notimetolose!’

Samstaredathimsuspiciously:heseemedfrightenedorexcited.‘Gonow?What’syourlittlegame?Itisn’ttimeyet.Itcan’tbetea-timeeven,leastwaysnotindecentplaceswherethereistea-time.’

‘Silly!’hissedGollum.

‘We’renotindecentplaces.Time’srunningshort,yes,runningfast.Notimetolose.Wemustgo.Wakeup,Master,wakeup!’HeclawedatFrodo;andFrodo,startledoutofsleep,satupsuddenlyandseizedhimbythearm.Gollumtorehimselflooseandbackedaway.

‘Theymustn’tbesilly,’hehissed.‘Wemustgo.Notimetolose!’Andnothingmore

couldtheygetoutofhim.Wherehehadbeen,andwhathethoughtwasbrewingtomakehiminsuchahurry,hewouldnotsay.Samwasfilledwithdeepsuspicion,andshowedit;butFrodogavenosignofwhatwaspassinginhismind.Hesighed,hoistedhispack,andpreparedtogooutintotheever-gatheringdarkness.

VerystealthilyGollumled

themdownthehillside,keepingundercoverwhereveritwaspossible,andrunning,almostbenttotheground,acrossanyopenspace;butthelightwasnowsodimthatevenakeen-eyedbeastofthewildcouldscarcelyhaveseenthehobbits,hooded,intheirgreycloaks,norheardthem,walkingaswarilyasthelittlepeoplecan.Withoutthecrack

ofatwigortherustleofaleaftheypassedandvanished.

Foraboutanhourtheywenton,silently,insinglefile,oppressedbythegloomandbytheabsolutestillnessoftheland,brokenonlynowandagainbythefaintrumblingasofthunderfarawayordrumbeatsinsome

hollowofthehills.Downfromtheirhiding-placetheywent,andthenturningsouththeysteeredasstraightacourseasGollumcouldfindacrossalongbrokenslopethatleaneduptowardsthemountains.Presently,notfarahead,loominguplikeablackwall,theysawabeltoftrees.Astheydrewnearertheybecameawarethatthesewereofvastsize,very

ancientitseemed,andstilltoweringhigh,thoughtheirtopsweregauntandbroken,asiftempestandlightning-blasthadsweptacrossthem,buthadfailedtokillthemortoshaketheirfathomlessroots.

‘TheCross-roads,yes,’whisperedGollum,thefirstwordsthathadbeenspokensincetheylefttheirhiding-place.‘Wemustgothatway.’

Turningeastwardnow,heledthemuptheslope;andthensuddenlythereitwasbeforethem:theSouthwardRoad,windingitswayabouttheouterfeetofthemountains,untilpresentlyitplungedintothegreatringoftrees.

‘Thisistheonlyway,’whisperedGollum.‘Nopathsbeyondtheroad.Nopaths.WemustgototheCross-roads.Butmakehaste!Be

silent!’Asfurtivelyasscouts

withinthecampmentoftheirenemies,theycreptdownontotheroad,andstolealongitswestwardedgeunderthestonybank,greyasthestonesthemselves,andsoft-footedashuntingcats.Atlengththeyreachedthetrees,andfoundthattheystoodinagreatrooflessring,openinthemiddletothesombresky;

andthespacesbetweentheirimmenseboleswerelikethegreatdarkarchesofsomeruinedhall.Intheverycentrefourwaysmet.BehindthemlaytheroadtotheMorannon;beforethemitranoutagainuponitslongjourneysouth;totheirrighttheroadfromoldOsgiliathcameclimbingup,andcrossing,passedouteastwardintodarkness:thefourthway,theroadthey

weretotake.Standingtherefora

momentfilledwithdreadFrodobecameawarethatalightwasshining;hesawitglowingonSam’sfacebesidehim.Turningtowardsit,hesaw,beyondanarchofboughs,theroadtoOsgiliathrunningalmostasstraightasastretchedribbondown,down,intotheWest.There,faraway,beyondsadGondor

nowoverwhelmedinshade,theSunwassinking,findingatlastthehemofthegreatslow-rollingpallofcloud,andfallinginanominousfiretowardstheyetunsulliedSea.Thebriefglowfelluponahugesittingfigure,stillandsolemnasthegreatstonekingsofArgonath.Theyearshadgnawedit,andviolenthandshadmaimedit.Itsheadwasgone,andinitsplacewas

setinmockeryaroundrough-hewnstone,rudelypaintedbysavagehandsinthelikenessofagrinningfacewithonelargeredeyeinthemidstofitsforehead.Uponitskneesandmightychair,andallaboutthepedestal,wereidlescrawlsmixedwiththefoulsymbolsthatthemaggot-folkofMordorused.

Suddenly,caughtbythelevelbeams,Frodosawthe

oldking’shead:itwaslyingrolledawaybytheroadside.‘Look,Sam!’hecried,startledintospeech.‘Look!Thekinghasgotacrownagain!’

Theeyeswerehollowandthecarvenbeardwasbroken,butaboutthehighsternforeheadtherewasacoronalofsilverandgold.Atrailingplantwithflowerslikesmallwhitestarshadbounditself

acrossthebrowsasifinreverenceforthefallenking,andinthecrevicesofhisstonyhairyellowstone-cropgleamed.

‘Theycannotconquerforever!’saidFrodo.Andthensuddenlythebriefglimpsewasgone.TheSundippedandvanished,andasifattheshutteringofalamp,blacknightfell.

Chapter8

THESTAIRSOFCIRITHUNGOL

GollumwastuggingatFrodo’scloakandhissingwithfearandimpatience.‘Wemustgo,’hesaid.‘Wemustn’tstandhere.Makehaste!’

ReluctantlyFrodoturnedhisbackontheWestandfollowedashisguideledhim,outintothedarknessoftheEast.Theylefttheringoftreesandcreptalongtheroadtowardsthemountains.Thisroad,too,ranstraightforawhile,butsoonitbegantobendawaysouthwards,untilitcamerightunderthegreatshoulderofrockthattheyhadseenfromthedistance.Black

andforbiddingitloomedabovethem,darkerthanthedarkskybehind.Crawlingunderitsshadowtheroadwenton,androundingitsprangeastagainandbegantoclimbsteeply.

FrodoandSamwereploddingalongwithheavyhearts,nolongerabletocaregreatlyabouttheirperil.Frodo’sheadwasbowed;hisburdenwasdragginghim

downagain.AssoonasthegreatCross-roadshadbeenpassed,theweightofit,almostforgotteninIthilien,hadbeguntogrowoncemore.Now,feelingthewaybecomesteepbeforehisfeet,helookedwearilyup;andthenhesawit,evenasGollumhadsaidthathewould:thecityoftheRingwraiths.Hecoweredagainstthestonybank.

Along-tiltedvalley,adeepgulfofshadow,ranbackfarintothemountains.Uponthefurtherside,somewaywithinthevalley’sarms,highonarockyseatupontheblackkneesoftheEphelDúath,stoodthewallsandtowerofMinasMorgul.Allwasdarkaboutit,earthandsky,butitwaslitwithlight.Nottheimprisonedmoonlightwellingthroughthemarble

wallsofMinasIthillongago,ToweroftheMoon,fairandradiantinthehollowofthehills.

Palerindeedthanthemoonailinginsomesloweclipsewasthelightofitnow,waveringandblowinglikeanoisomeexhalationofdecay,acorpse-light,alightthatilluminatednothing.Inthewallsandtowerwindowsshowed,likecountlessblack

holeslookinginwardintoemptiness;butthetopmostcourseofthetowerrevolvedslowly,firstonewayandthenanother,ahugeghostlyheadleeringintothenight.Foramomentthethreecompanionsstoodthere,shrinking,staringupwithunwillingeyes.Gollumwasthefirsttorecover.Againhepulledattheircloaksurgently,buthespokenoword.Almosthe

draggedthemforward.Everystepwasreluctant,andtimeseemedtoslowitspace,sothatbetweentheraisingofafootandthesettingofitdownminutesofloathingpassed.

Sotheycameslowlytothewhitebridge.Heretheroad,gleamingfaintly,passedoverthestreaminthemidstofthevalley,andwenton,windingdeviouslyuptowardsthecity’sgate:ablackmouth

openingintheoutercircleofthenorthwardwalls.Wideflatslayoneitherbank,shadowymeadsfilledwithpalewhiteflowers.Luminoustheseweretoo,beautifulandyethorribleofshape,likethedementedformsinanuneasydream;andtheygaveforthafaintsickeningcharnel-smell;anodourofrottennessfilledtheair.Frommeadtomeadthebridgesprang.Figures

stoodthereatitshead,carvenwithcunninginformshumanandbestial,butallcorruptandloathsome.Thewaterflowingbeneathwassilent,anditsteamed,butthevapourthatrosefromit,curlingandtwistingaboutthebridge,wasdeadlycold.Frodofelthissensesreelingandhisminddarkening.Thensuddenly,asifsomeforcewereatworkotherthanhisownwill,he

begantohurry,totteringforward,hisgropinghandsheldout,hisheadlollingfromsidetoside.BothSamandGollumranafterhim.Samcaughthismasterinhisarms,ashestumbledandalmostfell,rightonthethresholdofthebridge.

‘Notthatway!No,notthatway!’whisperedGollum,butthebreathbetweenhisteethseemedtoteartheheavy

stillnesslikeawhistle,andhecoweredtothegroundinterror.

‘Holdup,Mr.Frodo!’mutteredSaminFrodo’sear.‘Comeback!Notthatway.Gollumsaysnot,andforonceIagreewithhim.’

Frodopassedhishandoverhisbrowandwrenchedhiseyesawayfromthecityonthehill.Theluminoustowerfascinatedhim,andhe

foughtthedesirethatwasonhimtorunupthegleamingroadtowardsitsgate.Atlastwithaneffortheturnedback,andashedidso,hefelttheRingresistinghim,draggingatthechainabouthisneck;andhiseyestoo,ashelookedaway,seemedforthemomenttohavebeenblinded.Thedarknessbeforehimwasimpenetrable.

Gollum,crawlingonthe

groundlikeafrightenedanimal,wasalreadyvanishingintothegloom.Sam,supportingandguidinghisstumblingmaster,followedafterhimasquicklyashecould.Notfarfromthenearbankofthestreamtherewasagapinthestone-wallbesidetheroad.Throughthistheypassed,andSamsawthattheywereonanarrowpaththatgleamedfaintlyat

first,asthemainroaddid,untilclimbingabovethemeadsofdeadlyflowersitfadedandwentdark,windingitscrookedwayupintothenorthernsidesofthevalley.

Alongthispaththehobbitstrudged,sidebyside,unabletoseeGolluminfrontofthem,exceptwhenheturnedbacktobeckonthemon.Thenhiseyesshonewithagreen-whitelight,reflecting

thenoisomeMorgul-sheenperhaps,orkindledbysomeansweringmoodwithin.OfthatdeadlygleamandofthedarkeyeholesFrodoandSamwerealwaysconscious,everglancingfearfullyovertheirshoulders,andeverdraggingtheireyesbacktofindthedarkeningpath.Slowlytheylabouredon.Astheyroseabovethestenchandvapoursofthepoisonousstreamtheir

breathbecameeasierandtheirheadsclearer;butnowtheirlimbsweredeadlytired,asiftheyhadwalkedallnightunderaburden,orhadbeenswimminglongagainstaheavytideofwater.Atlasttheycouldgonofurtherwithoutahalt.

Frodostoppedandsatdownonastone.Theyhadnowclimbeduptothetopofagreathumpofbarerock.

Aheadofthemtherewasabayinthevalley-side,androundtheheadofthisthepathwenton,nomorethanawideledgewithachasmontheright;acrossthesheersouthwardfaceofthemountainitcrawledupwards,untilitdisappearedintotheblacknessabove.

‘Imustrestawhile,Sam,’whisperedFrodo.‘It’sheavyonme,Samlad,veryheavy.I

wonderhowfarIcancarryit?AnywayImustrestbeforeweventureontothat.’Hepointedtothenarrowwayahead.

‘Sssh!ssh!’hissedGollumhurryingbacktothem.‘Sssh!’Hisfingerswereonhislipsandheshookhisheadurgently.TuggingatFrodo’ssleeve,hepointedtowardsthepath;butFrodowouldnotmove.

‘Notyet,’hesaid,‘notyet.’Wearinessandmorethanwearinessoppressedhim;itseemedasifaheavyspellwaslaidonhismindandbody.‘Imustrest,’hemuttered.

AtthisGollum’sfearandagitationbecamesogreatthathespokeagain,hissingbehindhishand,asiftokeepthesoundfromunseenlistenersintheair.‘Nothere,

no.Notresthere.Fools!Eyescanseeus.Whentheycometothebridgetheywillseeus.Comeaway!Climb,climb!Come!’

‘Come,Mr.Frodo,’saidSam.‘He’srightagain.Wecan’tstayhere.’

‘Allright,’saidFrodoinaremotevoice,asofonespeakinghalfasleep.‘Iwilltry.’Wearilyhegottohisfeet.

Butitwastoolate.Atthatmomenttherockquiveredandtrembledbeneaththem.Thegreatrumblingnoise,louderthaneverbefore,rolledinthegroundandechoedinthemountains.Thenwithsearingsuddennesstherecameagreatredflash.Farbeyondtheeasternmountainsitleaptintotheskyandsplashedtheloweringcloudswithcrimson.Inthat

valleyofshadowandcolddeathlylightitseemedunbearablyviolentandfierce.PeaksofstoneandridgeslikenotchedknivessprangoutinstaringblackagainsttheuprushingflameinGorgoroth.Thencameagreatcrackofthunder.

AndMinasMorgulanswered.Therewasaflareoflividlightnings:forksofblueflamespringingupfrom

thetowerandfromtheencirclinghillsintothesullenclouds.Theearthgroaned;andoutofthecitytherecameacry.Mingledwithharshhighvoicesasofbirdsofprey,andtheshrillneighingofhorseswildwithrageandfear,therecamearendingscreech,shivering,risingswiftlytoapiercingpitchbeyondtherangeofhearing.Thehobbitswheeledround

towardsit,andcastthemselvesdown,holdingtheirhandsupontheirears.

Astheterriblecryended,fallingbackthroughalongsickeningwailtosilence,Frodoslowlyraisedhishead.Acrossthenarrowvalley,nowalmostonalevelwithhiseyes,thewallsoftheevilcitystood,anditscavernousgate,shapedlikeanopenmouthwithgleamingteeth,

wasgapingwide.Andoutofthegateanarmycame.

Allthathostwascladinsable,darkasthenight.AgainstthewanwallsandtheluminouspavementoftheroadFrodocouldseethem,smallblackfiguresinrankuponrank,marchingswiftlyandsilently,passingoutwardsinanendlessstream.Beforethemwentagreatcavalryofhorsemenmovinglike

orderedshadows,andattheirheadwasonegreaterthanalltherest:aRider,allblack,savethatonhishoodedheadhehadahelmlikeacrownthatflickeredwithaperilouslight.Nowhewasdrawingnearthebridgebelow,andFrodo’sstaringeyesfollowedhim,unabletowinkortowithdraw.SurelytherewastheLordoftheNineRidersreturnedtoearthtoleadhis

ghastlyhosttobattle?Here,yeshereindeedwasthehaggardkingwhosecoldhandhadsmittendowntheRing-bearerwithhisdeadlyknife.TheoldwoundthrobbedwithpainandagreatchillspreadtowardsFrodo’sheart.

Evenasthesethoughtspiercedhimwithdreadandheldhimboundaswithaspell,theRiderhalted

suddenly,rightbeforetheentranceofthebridge,andbehindhimallthehoststoodstill.Therewasapause,adeadsilence.MaybeitwastheRingthatcalledtotheWraith-lord,andforamomenthewastroubled,sensingsomeotherpowerwithinhisvalley.Thiswayandthatturnedthedarkheadhelmedandcrownedwithfear,sweepingtheshadows

withitsunseeneyes.Frodowaited,likeabirdattheapproachofasnake,unabletomove.Andashewaited,hefelt,moreurgentthaneverbefore,thecommandthatheshouldputontheRing.Butgreatasthepressurewas,hefeltnoinclinationnowtoyieldtoit.HeknewthattheRingwouldonlybetrayhim,andthathehadnot,evenifheputiton,thepowertoface

theMorgul-king–notyet.Therewasnolongeranyanswertothatcommandinhisownwill,dismayedbyterrorthoughitwas,andhefeltonlythebeatinguponhimofagreatpowerfromoutside.Ittookhishand,andasFrodowatchedwithhismind,notwillingitbutinsuspense(asifhelookedonsomeoldstoryfaraway),itmovedthehandinchbyinch

towardsthechainuponhisneck.Thenhisownwillstirred;slowlyitforcedthehandbackandsetittofindanotherthing,athinglyinghiddennearhisbreast.Coldandharditseemedashisgripclosedonit:thephialofGaladriel,solongtreasured,andalmostforgottentillthathour.Ashetouchedit,forawhileallthoughtoftheRingwasbanishedfromhismind.

Hesighedandbenthishead.Atthatmomentthe

Wraith-kingturnedandspurredhishorseandrodeacrossthebridge,andallhisdarkhostfollowedhim.Maybetheelven-hoodsdefiedhisunseeneyes,andthemindofhissmallenemy,beingstrengthened,hadturnedasidehisthought.Buthewasinhaste.Alreadythehourhadstruck,andathis

greatMaster’sbiddinghemustmarchwithwarintotheWest.

Soonhehadpassed,likeashadowintoshadow,downthewindingroad,andbehindhimstilltheblackrankscrossedthebridge.SogreatanarmyhadneverissuedfromthatvalesincethedaysofIsildur’smight;nohostsofellandstronginarmshadyetassailedthefordsof

Anduin;andyetitwasbutoneandnotthegreatestofthehoststhatMordornowsentforth.

Frodostirred.AndsuddenlyhisheartwentouttoFaramir.‘Thestormhasburstatlast,’hethought.‘ThisgreatarrayofspearsandswordsisgoingtoOsgiliath.WillFaramirgetacrossin

time?Heguessedit,butdidheknowthehour?AndwhocannowholdthefordswhentheKingoftheNineRiderscomes?Andotherarmieswillcome.Iamtoolate.Allislost.Itarriedontheway.Allislost.Evenifmyerrandisperformed,noonewilleverknow.TherewillbenooneIcantell.Itwillbeinvain.’Overcomewithweaknesshewept.Andstillthehostof

Morgulcrossedthebridge.Thenatagreatdistance,

asifitcameoutofmemoriesoftheShire,somesunlitearlymorning,whenthedaycalledanddoorswereopening,heheardSam’svoicespeaking.‘Wakeup,Mr.Frodo!Wakeup!’Hadthevoiceadded:‘Yourbreakfastisready,’hewouldhardlyhavebeensurprised.CertainlySamwasurgent.‘Wakeup,Mr.Frodo!

They’regone,’hesaid.Therewasadullclang.

ThegatesofMinasMorgulhadclosed.Thelastrankofspearshadvanisheddowntheroad.Thetowerstillgrinnedacrossthevalley,butthelightwasfadinginit.Thewholecitywasfallingbackintoadarkbroodingshade,andsilence.Yetstillitwasfilledwithwatchfulness.

‘Wakeup,Mr.Frodo!

They’regone,andwe’dbettergotoo.There’ssomethingstillaliveinthatplace,somethingwitheyes,oraseeingmind,ifyoutakeme;andthelongerwestayinonespot,thesooneritwillgetontous.Comeon,Mr.Frodo!’

Frodoraisedhishead,andthenstoodup.Despairhadnotlefthim,buttheweaknesshadpassed.Heevensmiledgrimly,feelingnowasclearly

asamomentbeforehehadfelttheopposite,thatwhathehadtodo,hehadtodo,ifhecould,andthatwhetherFaramirorAragornorElrondorGaladrielorGandalforanyoneelseeverknewaboutitwasbesidethepurpose.Hetookhisstaffinonehandandthephialinhisother.Whenhesawthattheclearlightwasalreadywellingthroughhisfingers,hethrustitintohis

bosomandhelditagainsthisheart.ThenturningfromthecityofMorgul,nownomorethanagreyglimmeracrossadarkgulf,hepreparedtotaketheupwardroad.

Gollum,itseemed,hadcrawledoffalongtheledgeintothedarknessbeyond,whenthegatesofMinasMorgulopened,leavingthehobbitswheretheylay.Henowcamecreepingback,his

teethchatteringandhisfingerssnapping.‘Foolish!Silly!’hehissed.‘Makehaste!Theymustn’tthinkdangerhaspassed.Ithasn’t.Makehaste!’

Theydidnotanswer,buttheyfollowedhimontotheclimbingledge.Itwaslittletothelikingofeitherofthem,notevenafterfacingsomanyotherperils;butitdidnotlastlong.Soonthepathreacheda

roundedanglewherethemountain-sideswelledoutagain,andthereitsuddenlyenteredanarrowopeningintherock.TheyhadcometothefirststairthatGollumhadspokenof.Thedarknesswasalmostcomplete,andtheycouldseenothingmuchbeyondtheirhands’stretch;butGollum’seyesshonepale,severalfeetabove,asheturnedbacktowardsthem.

‘Careful!’hewhispered.‘Steps.Lotsofsteps.Mustbecareful!’

Carewascertainlyneeded.FrodoandSamatfirstfelteasier,havingnowawalloneitherside,butthestairwaywasalmostassteepasaladder,andastheyclimbedupandup,theybecamemoreandmoreawareofthelongblackfallbehindthem.Andthestepswere

narrow,spacedunevenly,andoftentreacherous:theywerewornandsmoothattheedges,andsomewerebroken,andsomecrackedasfootwassetuponthem.Thehobbitsstruggledon,untilatlasttheywereclingingwithdesperatefingerstothestepsahead,andforcingtheirachingkneestobendandstraighten;andeverasthestaircutitswaydeeperintothesheermountainthe

rockywallsrosehigherandhigherabovetheirheads.

Atlength,justastheyfeltthattheycouldendurenomore,theysawGollum’seyespeeringdownatthemagain.‘We’reup,’hewhispered.‘Firststair’spast.Cleverhobbitstoclimbsohigh,verycleverhobbits.Justafewmorelittlestepsandthat’sall,yes.’

DizzyandverytiredSam,andFrodofollowinghim,crawledupthelaststep,andsatdownrubbingtheirlegsandknees.Theywereinadeepdarkpassagethatseemedstilltogoupbeforethem,thoughatagentlerslopeandwithoutsteps.Gollumdidnotletthemrestlong.

‘There’sanotherstairstill,’hesaid.‘Muchlonger

stair.Restwhenwegettothetopofnextstair.Notyet.’

Samgroaned.‘Longer,didyousay?’heasked.

‘Yes,yess,longer,’saidGollum.‘Butnotsodifficult.HobbitshaveclimbedtheStraightStair.NextcomestheWindingStair.’

‘Andwhatafterthat?’saidSam.

‘Weshallsee,’saidGollumsoftly.‘Oyes,we

shallsee!’‘Ithoughtyousaidthere

wasatunnel,’saidSam.‘Isn’tthereatunnelorsomethingtogothrough?’

‘Oyes,there’satunnel,’saidGollum.‘Buthobbitscanrestbeforetheytrythat.Iftheygetthroughthat,they’llbenearlyatthetop.Verynearly,iftheygetthrough.Oyes!’

Frodoshivered.Theclimb

hadmadehimsweat,butnowhefeltcoldandclammy,andtherewasachilldraughtinthedarkpassage,blowingdownfromtheinvisibleheightsabove.Hegotupandshookhimself.‘Well,let’sgoon!’hesaid.‘Thisisnoplacetositin.’

Thepassageseemedtogoonformiles,andalwaysthe

chillairflowedoverthem,risingastheywentontoabitterwind.Themountainsseemedtobetryingwiththeirdeadlybreathtodauntthem,toturnthembackfromthesecretsofthehighplaces,ortoblowthemawayintothedarknessbehind.Theyonlyknewthattheyhadcometotheend,whensuddenlytheyfeltnowallattheirrighthand.Theycouldseevery

little.Greatblackshapelessmassesanddeepgreyshadowsloomedabovethemandaboutthem,butnowandagainadullredlightflickeredupundertheloweringclouds,andforamomenttheywereawareoftallpeaks,infrontandoneitherside,likepillarsholdingupavastsaggingroof.Theyseemedtohaveclimbedupmanyhundredsoffeet,ontoawideshelf.A

cliffwasontheirleftandachasmontheirright.

Gollumledthewaycloseunderthecliff.Forthepresenttheywerenolongerclimbing,butthegroundwasnowmorebrokenanddangerousinthedark,andtherewereblocksandlumpsoffallenstoneintheway.Theirgoingwasslowandcautious.Howmanyhourshadpassedsincetheyhad

enteredtheMorgulValeneitherSamnorFrodocouldanylongerguess.Thenightseemedendless.

Atlengththeywereoncemoreawareofawallloomingup,andoncemoreastairwayopenedbeforethem.Againtheyhalted,andagaintheybegantoclimb.Itwasalongandwearyascent;butthisstairwaydidnotdelveintothemountain-side.Herethe

hugecliff-faceslopedbackwards,andthepathlikeasnakewoundtoandfroacrossit.Atonepointitcrawledsidewaysrighttotheedgeofthedarkchasm,andFrodoglancingdownsawbelowhimasavastdeeppitthegreatravineattheheadoftheMorgulValley.Downinitsdepthsglimmeredlikeaglow-wormthreadthewraith-roadfromthedeadcitytothe

NamelessPass.Heturnedhastilyaway.

Stillonandupthestairwaybentandcrawled,untilatlastwithafinalflight,shortandstraight,itclimbedoutagainontoanotherlevel.Thepathhadveeredawayfromthemainpassinthegreatravine,anditnowfolloweditsownperilous

courseatthebottomofalessercleftamongthehigherregionsoftheEphelDúath.Dimlythehobbitscoulddiscerntallpiersandjaggedpinnaclesofstoneoneitherside,betweenwhichweregreatcrevicesandfissuresblackerthanthenight,whereforgottenwintershadgnawedandcarvedthesunlessstone.Andnowtheredlightintheskyseemedstronger;though

theycouldnottellwhetheradreadfulmorningwereindeedcomingtothisplaceofshadow,orwhethertheysawonlytheflameofsomegreatviolenceofSauroninthetormentofGorgorothbeyond.Stillfarahead,andstillhighabove,Frodo,lookingup,saw,asheguessed,theverycrownofthisbitterroad.Againstthesullenrednessoftheeasternskyacleftwas

outlinedinthetopmostridge,narrow,deep-clovenbetweentwoblackshoulders;andoneithershoulderwasahornofstone.

Hepausedandlookedmoreattentively.Thehornupontheleftwastallandslender;andinitburnedaredlight,orelsetheredlightinthelandbeyondwasshiningthroughahole.Hesawnow:itwasablacktowerpoised

abovetheouterpass.HetouchedSam’sarmandpointed.

‘Idon’tlikethelookofthat!’saidSam.‘Sothissecretwayofyoursisguardedafterall,’hegrowled,turningtoGollum.‘Asyouknewallalong,Isuppose?’

‘Allwaysarewatched,yes,’saidGollum.‘Ofcoursetheyare.Buthobbitsmusttry

someway.Thismaybeleastwatched.Perhapsthey’veallgoneawaytobigbattle,perhaps!’

‘Perhaps,’gruntedSam.‘Well,itstillseemsalongwayoff,andalongwayupbeforewegetthere.Andthere’sstillthetunnel.Ithinkyououghttorestnow,Mr.Frodo.Idon’tknowwhattimeofdayornightitis,butwe’vekeptgoingforhours

andhours.’‘Yes,wemustrest,’said

Frodo.‘Letusfindsomecorneroutofthewind,andgatherourstrength–forthelastlap.’Forsohefeltittobe.Theterrorsofthelandbeyond,andthedeedtobedonethere,seemedremote,toofaroffyettotroublehim.Allhismindwasbentongettingthroughoroverthisimpenetrablewallandguard.

Ifoncehecoulddothatimpossiblething,thensomehowtheerrandwouldbeaccomplished,orsoitseemedtohiminthatdarkhourofweariness,stilllabouringinthestonyshadowsunderCirithUngol.

Inadarkcrevicebetweentwogreatpiersofrocktheysatdown:FrodoandSama

littlewaywithin,andGollumcroucheduponthegroundneartheopening.TherethehobbitstookwhattheyexpectedwouldbetheirlastmealbeforetheywentdownintotheNamelessLand,maybethelastmealtheywouldevereattogether.SomeofthefoodofGondortheyate,andwafersofthewaybreadoftheElves,andtheydrankalittle.Butof

theirwatertheyweresparingandtookonlyenoughtomoistentheirdrymouths.

‘Iwonderwhenwe’llfindwateragain?’saidSam.‘ButIsupposeevenovertheretheydrink?Orcsdrink,don’tthey?’

‘Yes,theydrink,’saidFrodo.‘Butdonotletusspeakofthat.Suchdrinkisnotforus.’

‘Thenallthemoreneedto

fillourbottles,’saidSam.‘Butthereisn’tanywateruphere:notasoundoratricklehaveIheard.AndanywayFaramirsaidwewerenottodrinkanywaterinMorgul.’

‘NowaterflowingoutofImladMorgul,werehiswords,’saidFrodo.‘Wearenotinthatvalleynow,andifwecameonaspringitwouldbeflowingintoitandnotoutofit.’

‘Iwouldn’ttrustit,’saidSam,‘nottillIwasdyingofthirst.There’sawickedfeelingaboutthisplace.’Hesniffed.‘Andasmell,Ifancy.Doyounoticeit?Aqueerkindofasmell,stuffy.Idon’tlikeit.’

‘Idon’tlikeanythinghereatall,’saidFrodo,‘steporstone,breathorbone.Earth,airandwaterallseemaccursed.Butsoourpathis

laid.’‘Yes,that’sso,’saidSam.

‘Andweshouldn’tbehereatall,ifwe’dknownmoreaboutitbeforewestarted.ButIsupposeit’softenthatway.Thebravethingsintheoldtalesandsongs,Mr.Frodo:adventures,asIusedtocallthem.Iusedtothinkthattheywerethingsthewonderfulfolkofthestorieswentoutandlookedfor,

becausetheywantedthem,becausetheywereexcitingandlifewasabitdull,akindofasport,asyoumightsay.Butthat’snotthewayofitwiththetalesthatreallymattered,ortheonesthatstayinthemind.Folkseemtohavebeenjustlandedinthem,usually–theirpathswerelaidthatway,asyouputit.ButIexpecttheyhadlotsofchances,likeus,ofturning

back,onlytheydidn’t.Andiftheyhad,weshouldn’tknow,becausethey’dhavebeenforgotten.Wehearaboutthoseasjustwenton–andnotalltoagoodend,mindyou;atleastnottowhatfolkinsideastoryandnotoutsideitcallagoodend.Youknow,cominghome,andfindingthingsallright,thoughnotquitethesame–likeoldMr.Bilbo.Butthosearen’t

alwaysthebesttalestohear,thoughtheymaybethebesttalestogetlandedin!Iwonderwhatsortofatalewe’vefalleninto?’

‘Iwonder,’saidFrodo.‘ButIdon’tknow.Andthat’sthewayofarealtale.Takeanyonethatyou’refondof.Youmayknow,orguess,whatkindofataleitis,happy-endingorsad-ending,butthepeopleinitdon’t

know.Andyoudon’twantthemto.’

‘No,sir,ofcoursenot.Berennow,heneverthoughthewasgoingtogetthatSilmarilfromtheIronCrowninThangorodrim,andyethedid,andthatwasaworseplaceandablackerdangerthanours.Butthat’salongtale,ofcourse,andgoesonpastthehappinessandintogriefandbeyondit–andthe

SilmarilwentonandcametoEa¨rendil.Andwhy,sir,Ineverthoughtofthatbefore!We’vegot–you’vegotsomeofthelightofitinthatstar-glassthattheLadygaveyou!Why,tothinkofit,we’reinthesametalestill!It’sgoingon.Don’tthegreattalesneverend?’

‘No,theyneverendastales,’saidFrodo.‘Butthepeopleinthemcome,andgo

whentheirpart’sended.Ourpartwillendlater–orsooner.’

‘Andthenwecanhavesomerestandsomesleep,’saidSam.Helaughedgrimly.‘AndImeanjustthat,Mr.Frodo.Imeanplainordinaryrest,andsleep,andwakinguptoamorning’sworkinthegarden.I’mafraidthat’sallI’mhopingforallthetime.Allthebigimportantplans

arenotformysort.Still,Iwonderifweshalleverbeputintosongsortales.We’reinone,ofcourse;butImean:putintowords,youknow,toldbythefireside,orreadoutofagreatbigbookwithredandblackletters,yearsandyearsafterwards.Andpeoplewillsay:‘‘Let’shearaboutFrodoandtheRing!’’Andthey’llsay:‘‘Yes,that’soneofmyfavouritestories.

Frodowasverybrave,wasn’the,dad?’’‘‘Yes,myboy,thefamousestofthehobbits,andthat’ssayingalot.’’’

‘It’ssayingalottoomuch,’saidFrodo,andhelaughed,alongclearlaughfromhisheart.SuchasoundhadnotbeenheardinthoseplacessinceSauroncametoMiddle-earth.ToSamsuddenlyitseemedasifallthestoneswerelisteningand

thetallrocksleaningoverthem.ButFrododidnotheedthem;helaughedagain.‘Why,Sam,’hesaid,‘tohearyousomehowmakesmeasmerryasifthestorywasalreadywritten.Butyou’veleftoutoneofthechiefcharacters:Samwisethestouthearted.‘‘IwanttohearmoreaboutSam,dad.Whydidn’ttheyputinmoreofhistalk,dad?That’swhatIlike,

itmakesmelaugh.AndFrodowouldn’thavegotfarwithoutSam,wouldhe,dad?’’’

‘Now,Mr.Frodo,’saidSam,‘youshouldn’tmakefun.Iwasserious.’

‘SowasI,’saidFrodo,‘andsoIam.We’regoingonabittoofast.YouandI,Sam,arestillstuckintheworstplacesofthestory,anditisalltoolikelythatsomewill

sayatthispoint:‘‘Shutthebooknow,dad;wedon’twanttoreadanymore.’’’

‘Maybe,’saidSam,‘butIwouldn’tbeonetosaythat.Thingsdoneandoverandmadeintopartofthegreattalesaredifferent.Why,evenGollummightbegoodinatale,betterthanheistohavebyyou,anyway.Andheusedtoliketaleshimselfonce,byhisownaccount.Iwonderif

hethinkshe’stheheroorthevillain?

‘Gollum!’hecalled.‘Wouldyouliketobethehero–nowwhere’shegottoagain?’

Therewasnosignofhimatthemouthoftheirshelternorintheshadowsnear.Hehadrefusedtheirfood,thoughhehad,asusual,acceptedamouthfulofwater;andthenhehadseemedtocurlupfora

sleep.Theyhadsupposedthatoneatanyrateofhisobjectsinhislongabsencethedaybeforehadbeentohuntforfoodtohisownliking;andnowhehadevidentlyslippedoffagainwhiletheytalked.Butwhatforthistime?

‘Idon’tlikehissneakingoffwithoutsaying,’saidSam.‘Andleastofallnow.Hecan’tbelookingforfooduphere,notunlessthere’ssome

kindofrockhefancies.Why,thereisn’tevenabitofmoss!’

‘It’snogoodworryingabouthimnow,’saidFrodo.‘Wecouldn’thavegotsofar,notevenwithinsightofthepass,withouthim,andsowe’llhavetoputupwithhisways.Ifhe’sfalse,he’sfalse.’

‘Allthesame,I’dratherhavehimundermyeye,’said

Sam.‘Allthemoreso,ifhe’sfalse.Doyourememberheneverwouldsayifthispasswasguardedorno?Andnowweseeatowerthere–anditmaybedeserted,anditmaynot.Doyouthinkhe’sgonetofetchthem,Orcsorwhatevertheyare?’

‘No,Idon’tthinkso,’answeredFrodo.‘Evenifhe’suptosomewickedness,andIsupposethat’snotunlikely.I

don’tthinkit’sthat:nottofetchOrcs,oranyservantsoftheEnemy.Whywaittillnow,andgothroughallthelabouroftheclimb,andcomesonearthelandhefears?HecouldprobablyhavebetrayedustoOrcsmanytimessincewemethim.No,ifit’sanything,itwillbesomelittleprivatetrickofhisownthathethinksisquitesecret.’

‘Well,Isupposeyou’re

right,Mr.Frodo,’saidSam.‘Notthatitcomfortsmemightily.Idon’tmakenomistake:Idon’tdoubthe’dhandmeovertoOrcsasgladlyaskisshishand.ButIwasforgetting–hisPrecious.No,Isupposethewholetimeit’sbeenThePreciousforpoorSméagol.That’stheoneideainallhislittleschemes,ifhehasany.Buthowbringingusupherewillhelp

himinthatismorethanIcanguess.’

‘Verylikelyhecan’tguesshimself,’saidFrodo.‘AndIdon’tthinkhe’sgotjustoneplainschemeinhismuddledhead.IthinkhereallyisinparttryingtosavethePreciousfromtheEnemy,aslongashecan.Forthatwouldbethelastdisasterforhimselftoo,iftheEnemygotit.Andintheotherpart,

perhaps,he’sjustbidinghistimeandwaitingonchance.’

‘Yes,SlinkerandStinker,asI’vesaidbefore,’saidSam.‘ButthenearertheygettotheEnemy’slandthemorelikeStinkerSlinkerwillget.Markmywords:ifeverwegettothepass,hewon’tletusreallytakethepreciousthingovertheborderwithoutmakingsomekindoftrouble.’

‘Wehaven’tgotthereyet,’saidFrodo.

‘No,butwe’dbetterkeepoureyesskinnedtillwedo.Ifwe’recaughtnapping,Stinkerwillcomeoutontopprettyquick.Notbutwhatitwouldbesafeforyoutohaveawinknow,master.Safe,ifyoulayclosetome.I’dbedearlygladtoseeyouhaveasleep.I’dkeepwatchoveryou;andanyway,ifyoulaynear,with

myarmroundyou,noonecouldcomepawingyouwithoutyourSamknowingit.’

‘Sleep!’saidFrodoandsighed,asifoutofadeserthehadseenamirageofcoolgreen.‘Yes,evenhereIcouldsleep.’

‘Sleepthen,master!Layyourheadinmylap.’

AndsoGollumfoundthemhourslater,whenhereturned,crawlingandcreepingdownthepathoutofthegloomahead.Samsatproppedagainstthestone,hisheaddroppingsidewaysandhisbreathingheavy.InhislaplayFrodo’shead,drowneddeepinsleep;uponhiswhiteforeheadlayoneofSam’sbrownhands,andtheotherlaysoftlyuponhismaster’s

breast.Peacewasinboththeirfaces.

Gollumlookedatthem.Astrangeexpressionpassedoverhisleanhungryface.Thegleamfadedfromhiseyes,andtheywentdimandgrey,oldandtired.Aspasmofpainseemedtotwisthim,andheturnedaway,peeringbackuptowardsthepass,shakinghishead,asifengagedinsomeinterior

debate.Thenhecameback,andslowlyputtingoutatremblinghand,verycautiouslyhetouchedFrodo’sknee–butalmostthetouchwasacaress.Forafleetingmoment,couldoneofthesleepershaveseenhim,theywouldhavethoughtthattheybeheldanoldwearyhobbit,shrunkenbytheyearsthathadcarriedhimfarbeyondhistime,beyondfriendsand

kin,andthefieldsandstreamsofyouth,anoldstarvedpitiablething.

ButatthattouchFrodostirredandcriedoutsoftlyinhissleep,andimmediatelySamwaswideawake.ThefirstthinghesawwasGollum–‘pawingatmaster,’ashethought.

‘Heyyou!’hesaidroughly.‘Whatareyouupto?’

‘Nothing,nothing,’saidGollumsoftly.‘NiceMaster!’

‘Idaresay,’saidSam.‘Butwherehaveyoubeento–sneakingoffandsneakingback,youoldvillain?’

Gollumwithdrewhimself,andagreenglintflickeredunderhisheavylids.Almostspider-likehelookednow,crouchedbackonhisbentlimbs,withhisprotrudingeyes.Thefleetingmoment

hadpassed,beyondrecall.‘Sneaking,sneaking!’hehissed.‘Hobbitsalwayssopolite,yes.Onicehobbits!Sméagolbringsthemupsecretwaysthatnobodyelsecouldfind.Tiredheis,thirstyheis,yesthirsty;andheguidesthemandhesearchesforpaths,andtheysaysneak,sneak.Verynicefriends,Oyesmyprecious,verynice.’

Samfeltabitremorseful,

thoughnotmoretrustful.‘Sorry,’hesaid.‘I’msorry,butyoustartledmeoutofmysleep.AndIshouldn’thavebeensleeping,andthatmademeabitsharp.ButMr.Frodo,he’sthattired,Iaskedhimtohaveawink;andwell,that’showitis.Sorry.Butwherehaveyoubeento?’

‘Sneaking,’saidGollum,andthegreenglintdidnotleavehiseyes.

‘Overywell,’saidSam,‘haveityourownway!Idon’tsupposeit’ssofarfromthetruth.Andnowwe’dbetterallbesneakingalongtogether.What’sthetime?Isittodayortomorrow?’

‘It’stomorrow,’saidGollum,‘orthiswastomorrowwhenhobbitswenttosleep.Veryfoolish,verydangerous–ifpoorSméagolwasn’tsneakingaboutto

watch.’‘Ithinkweshallgettired

ofthatwordsoon,’saidSam.‘Butnevermind.I’llwakemasterup.’GentlyhesmoothedthehairbackfromFrodo’sbrow,andbendingdownspokesoftlytohim.

‘Wakeup,Mr.Frodo!Wakeup!’

Frodostirredandopenedhiseyes,andsmiled,seeingSam’sfacebendingoverhim.

‘Callingmeearlyaren’tyou,Sam?’hesaid.‘It’sdarkstill!’

‘Yesit’salwaysdarkhere,’saidSam.‘ButGollum’scomeback,Mr.Frodo,andhesaysit’stomorrow.Sowemustbewalkingon.Thelastlap.’

Frododrewadeepbreathandsatup.‘Thelastlap!’hesaid.‘Hullo,Sméagol!Foundanyfood?Haveyouhadany

rest?’‘Nofood,norest,nothing

forSméagol,’saidGollum.‘He’sasneak.’

Samclickedhistongue,butrestrainedhimself.

‘Don’ttakenamestoyourself,Sméagol,’saidFrodo.‘It’sunwise,whethertheyaretrueorfalse.’

‘Sméagolhastotakewhat’sgivenhim,’answeredGollum.‘Hewasgiventhat

namebykindMasterSamwise,thehobbitthatknowssomuch.’

FrodolookedatSam.‘Yessir,’hesaid.‘Ididusetheword,wakingupoutofmysleepsuddenandallandfindinghimathand.IsaidIwassorry,butIsoonshan’tbe.’

‘Come,letitpassthen,’saidFrodo.‘Butnowweseemtohavecometothe

point,youandI,Sméagol.Tellme.Canwefindtherestofthewaybyourselves?We’reinsightofthepass,ofawayin,andifwecanfinditnow,thenIsupposeouragreementcanbesaidtobeover.Youhavedonewhatyoupromised,andyou’refree:freetogobacktofoodandrest,whereveryouwishtogo,excepttoservantsoftheEnemy.AndonedayI

mayrewardyou,Iorthosethatrememberme.’

‘No,no,notyet,’Gollumwhined.‘Ono!Theycan’tfindthewaythemselves,canthey?Onoindeed.There’sthetunnelcoming.Sméagolmustgoon.Norest.Nofood.Notyet.’

Chapter9

SHELOB’SLAIR

Itmayindeedhavebeendaytimenow,asGollumsaid,butthehobbitscouldseelittledifference,unless,perhaps,theheavyskyabovewaslessutterlyblack,morelikeagreatroofofsmoke;while

insteadofthedarknessofdeepnight,whichlingeredstillincracksandholes,agreyblurringshadowshroudedthestonyworldaboutthem.Theypassedon,Golluminfrontandthehobbitsnowsidebyside,upthelongravinebetweenthepiersandcolumnsoftornandweatheredrock,standinglikehugeunshapenstatuesoneitherhand.Therewasno

sound.Somewayahead,amileorso,perhaps,wasagreatgreywall,alasthugeupthrustingmassofmountain-stone.Darkeritloomed,andsteadilyitroseastheyapproached,untilittowereduphighabovethem,shuttingouttheviewofallthatlaybeyond.Deepshadowlaybeforeitsfeet.Samsniffedtheair.

‘Ugh!Thatsmell!’he

said.‘It’sgettingstrongerandstronger.’

Presentlytheywereundertheshadow,andthereinthemidstofittheysawtheopeningofacave.‘Thisisthewayin,’saidGollumsoftly.‘Thisistheentrancetothetunnel.’Hedidnotspeakitsname:TorechUngol,Shelob’sLair.Outofitcameastench,notthesicklyodourofdecayinthemeadsof

Morgul,butafoulreek,asiffilthunnameablewerepiledandhoardedinthedarkwithin.

‘Isthistheonlyway,Sméagol?’saidFrodo.

‘Yes,yes,’heanswered.‘Yes,wemustgothiswaynow.’

‘D’youmeantosayyou’vebeenthroughthishole?’saidSam.‘Phew!Butperhapsyoudon’tmindbad

smells.’Gollum’seyesglinted.

‘Hedoesn’tknowwhatweminds,doeshe,precious?No,hedoesn’t.ButSméagolcanbearthings.Yes.He’sbeenthrough.Oyes,rightthrough.It’stheonlyway.’

‘Andwhatmakesthesmell,Iwonder,’saidSam.‘It’slike–well,Iwouldn’tliketosay.SomebeastlyholeoftheOrcs,I’llwarrant,with

ahundredyearsoftheirfilthinit.’

‘Well,’saidFrodo,‘Orcsorno,ifit’stheonlyway,wemusttakeit.’

Drawingadeepbreaththeypassedinside.Inafewstepstheywereinutterandimpenetrabledark.NotsincethelightlesspassagesofMoriahadFrodoorSam

knownsuchdarkness,andifpossiblehereitwasdeeperanddenser.There,therewereairsmoving,andechoes,andasenseofspace.Heretheairwasstill,stagnant,heavy,andsoundfelldead.Theywalkedasitwereinablackvapourwroughtofveritabledarknessitselfthat,asitwasbreathed,broughtblindnessnotonlytotheeyesbuttothemind,sothateventhememoryof

coloursandofformsandofanylightfadedoutofthought.Nightalwayshadbeen,andalwayswouldbe,andnightwasall.

Butforawhiletheycouldstillfeel,andindeedthesensesoftheirfeetandfingersatfirstseemedsharpenedalmostpainfully.Thewallsfelt,totheirsurprise,smooth,andthefloor,saveforastepnowand

again,wasstraightandeven,goingeverupatthesamestiffslope.Thetunnelwashighandwide,sowidethat,thoughthehobbitswalkedabreast,onlytouchingtheside-wallswiththeiroutstretchedhands,theywereseparated,cutoffaloneinthedarkness.

Gollumhadgoneinfirstandseemedtobeonlyafewstepsahead.Whiletheywere

stillabletogiveheedtosuchthings,theycouldhearhisbreathhissingandgaspingjustinfrontofthem.Butafteratimetheirsensesbecameduller,bothtouchandhearingseemedtogrownumb,andtheykepton,groping,walking,onandon,mainlybytheforceofthewillwithwhichtheyhadentered,willtogothroughanddesiretocomeatlasttothehighgate

beyond.Beforetheyhadgonevery

far,perhaps,buttimeanddistancesoonpassedoutofhisreckoning,Samontheright,feelingthewall,wasawarethattherewasanopeningattheside:foramomenthecaughtafaintbreathofsomeairlessheavy,andthentheypasseditby.

‘There’smorethanonepassagehere,’hewhispered

withaneffort:itseemedhardtomakehisbreathgiveanysound.‘It’sasorc-likeaplaceasevertherecouldbe!’

Afterthat,firstheontheright,andthenFrodoontheleft,passedthreeorfoursuchopenings,somewider,somesmaller;buttherewasasyetnodoubtofthemainway,foritwasstraight,anddidnotturn,andstillwentsteadilyup.Buthowlongwasit,how

muchmoreofthiswouldtheyhavetoendure,orcouldtheyendure?Thebreathlessnessoftheairwasgrowingastheyclimbed;andnowtheyseemedoftenintheblinddarktosensesomeresistancethickerthanthefoulair.Astheythrustforwardtheyfeltthingsbrushagainsttheirheads,oragainsttheirhands,longtentacles,orhanginggrowthsperhaps:theycould

nottellwhattheywere.Andstillthestenchgrew.Itgrew,untilalmostitseemedtothemthatsmellwastheonlyclearsenselefttothem,andthatwasfortheirtorment.Onehour,twohours,threehours:howmanyhadtheypassedinthislightlesshole?Hours–days,weeksrather.Samleftthetunnel-sideandshranktowardsFrodo,andtheirhandsmetandclasped,and

sotogethertheystillwenton.AtlengthFrodo,groping

alongtheleft-handwall,camesuddenlytoavoid.Almosthefellsidewaysintotheemptiness.Herewassomeopeningintherockfarwiderthananytheyhadyetpassed;andoutofitcameareeksofoul,andasenseoflurkingmalicesointense,thatFrodoreeled.AndatthatmomentSamtoolurchedandfell

forwards.Fightingoffboththe

sicknessandthefear,FrodogrippedSam’shand.‘Up!’hesaidinahoarsebreathwithoutvoice.‘Itallcomesfromhere,thestenchandtheperil.Nowforit!Quick!’

Callinguphisremainingstrengthandresolution,hedraggedSamtohisfeet,andforcedhisownlimbstomove.

Samstumbledbesidehim.Onestep,twosteps,threesteps–atlastsixsteps.Maybetheyhadpassedthedreadfulunseenopening,butwhetherthatwassoornot,suddenlyitwaseasiertomove,asifsomehostilewillforthemomenthadreleasedthem.Theystruggledon,stillhandinhand.

Butalmostatoncetheycametoanewdifficulty.The

tunnelforked,orsoitseemed,andinthedarktheycouldnottellwhichwasthewiderway,orwhichkeptnearertothestraight.Whichshouldtheytake,theleft,ortheright?Theyknewofnothingtoguidethem,yetafalsechoicewouldalmostcertainlybefatal.

‘WhichwayhasGollumgone?’pantedSam.‘Andwhydidn’thewait?’

‘Sméagol!’saidFrodo,tryingtocall.‘Sméagol!’Buthisvoicecroaked,andthenamefelldeadalmostasitlefthislips.Therewasnoanswer,notanecho,notevenatremoroftheair.

‘He’sreallygonethistime,Ifancy,’mutteredSam.‘Iguessthisisjustexactlywherehemeanttobringus.Gollum!IfeverIlayhandsonyouagain,you’llbesorry

forit.’Presently,gropingand

fumblinginthedark,theyfoundthattheopeningontheleftwasblocked:eitheritwasablind,orelsesomegreatstonehadfalleninthepassage.‘Thiscan’tbetheway,’Frodowhispered.‘Rightorwrong,wemusttaketheother.’

‘Andquick!’Sampanted.‘There’ssomethingworse

thanGollumabout.Icanfeelsomethinglookingatus.’

Theyhadnotgonemorethanafewyardswhenfrombehindthemcameasound,startlingandhorribleintheheavypaddedsilence:agurgling,bubblingnoise,andalongvenomoushiss.Theywheeledround,butnothingcouldbeseen.Stillasstonestheystood,staring,waitingfortheydidnotknowwhat.

‘It’satrap!’saidSam,andhelaidhishanduponthehiltofhissword;andashedidso,hethoughtofthedarknessofthebarrowwhenceitcame.‘IwisholdTomwasnearusnow!’hethought.Then,ashestood,darknessabouthimandablacknessofdespairandangerinhisheart,itseemedtohimthathesawalight:alightinhismind,almostunbearablybrightat

first,asasun-raytotheeyesofonelonghiddeninawindowlesspit.Thenthelightbecamecolour:green,gold,silver,white.Faroff,asinalittlepicturedrawnbyelven-fingers,hesawtheLadyGaladrielstandingonthegrassinLórien,andgiftswereinherhands.Andyou,Ring-bearer,heheardhersay,remotebutclear,foryouIhavepreparedthis.

Thebubblinghissdrewnearer,andtherewasacreakingasofsomegreatjointedthingthatmovedwithslowpurposeinthedark.Areekcameonbeforeit.‘Master,master!’criedSam,andlifeandurgencycamebackintohisvoice.‘TheLady’sgift!Thestar-glass!Alighttoyouindarkplaces,shesaiditwastobe.Thestar-glass!’

‘Thestar-glass?’mutteredFrodo,asoneansweringoutofsleep,hardlycomprehending.‘Whyyes!WhyhadIforgottenit?Alightwhenallotherlightsgoout!Andnowindeedlightalonecanhelpus.’

Slowlyhishandwenttohisbosom,andslowlyheheldaloftthePhialof

Galadriel.Foramomentitglimmered,faintasarisingstarstrugglinginheavyearthwardmists,andthenasitspowerwaxed,andhopegrewinFrodo’smind,itbegantoburn,andkindledtoasilverflame,aminuteheartofdazzlinglight,asthoughEa¨rendilhadhimselfcomedownfromthehighsunsetpathswiththelastSilmariluponhisbrow.Thedarkness

recededfromit,untilitseemedtoshineinthecentreofaglobeofairycrystal,andthehandthathelditsparkledwithwhitefire.

Frodogazedinwonderatthismarvellousgiftthathehadsolongcarried,notguessingitsfullworthandpotency.Seldomhadheremembereditontheroad,untiltheycametoMorgulVale,andneverhadheusedit

forfearofitsrevealinglight.AiyaEa¨rendilElenionAncalima!hecried,andknewnotwhathehadspoken;foritseemedthatanothervoicespokethroughhis,clear,untroubledbythefoulairofthepit.

ButotherpotenciesthereareinMiddle-earth,powersofnight,andtheyareoldandstrong.AndShethatwalkedinthedarknesshadheardthe

Elvescrythatcryfarbackinthedeepsoftime,andshehadnotheededit,anditdidnotdaunthernow.EvenasFrodospokehefeltagreatmalicebentuponhim,andadeadlyregardconsideringhim.Notfardownthetunnel,betweenthemandtheopeningwheretheyhadreeledandstumbled,hewasawareofeyesgrowingvisible,twogreatclustersofmany-windowedeyes–the

comingmenacewasunmaskedatlast.Theradianceofthestar-glasswasbrokenandthrownbackfromtheirthousandfacets,butbehindtheglitterapaledeadlyfirebegansteadilytoglowwithin,aflamekindledinsomedeeppitofevilthought.Monstrousandabominableeyestheywere,bestialandyetfilledwithpurposeandwithhideous

delight,gloatingovertheirpreytrappedbeyondallhopeofescape.

FrodoandSam,horror-stricken,beganslowlytobackaway,theirowngazeheldbythedreadfulstareofthosebalefuleyes;butastheybackedsotheeyesadvanced.Frodo’shandwavered,andslowlythePhialdrooped.

Thensuddenly,releasedfromtheholdingspelltorunalittlewhileinvainpanicfortheamusementoftheeyes,theybothturnedandfledtogether;butevenastheyranFrodolookedbackandsawwithterrorthatatoncetheeyescameleapingupbehind.Thestenchofdeathwaslikeacloudabouthim.

‘Stand!stand!’hecrieddesperately.‘Runningisno

use.’Slowlytheeyescrept

nearer.‘Galadriel!’hecalled,and

gatheringhiscourageheliftedupthePhialoncemore.Theeyeshalted.Foramomenttheirregardrelaxed,asifsomehintofdoubttroubledthem.ThenFrodo’sheartflamedwithinhim,andwithoutthinkingwhathedid,whetheritwasfollyor

despairorcourage,hetookthePhialinhislefthand,andwithhisrighthanddrewhissword.Stingflashedout,andthesharpelven-bladesparkledinthesilverlight,butatitsedgesabluefireflickered.Thenholdingthestaraloftandthebrightswordadvanced,Frodo,hobbitoftheShire,walkedsteadilydowntomeettheeyes.

Theywavered.Doubt

cameintothemasthelightapproached.Onebyonetheydimmed,andslowlytheydrewback.Nobrightnesssodeadlyhadeverafflictedthembefore.Fromsunandmoonandstartheyhadbeensafeunderground,butnowastarhaddescendedintotheveryearth.Stillitapproached,andtheeyesbegantoquail.Onebyonetheyallwentdark;they

turnedaway,andagreatbulk,beyondthelight’sreach,heaveditshugeshadowinbetween.Theyweregone.

‘Master,master!’criedSam.Hewasclosebehind,hisownsworddrawnandready.‘Starsandglory!ButtheElveswouldmakeasongofthat,ifevertheyheardofit!AndmayIlivetotellthem

andhearthemsing.Butdon’tgoon,master!Don’tgodowntothatden!Now’souronlychance.Nowlet’sgetoutofthisfoulhole!’

Andsobacktheyturnedoncemore,firstwalkingandthenrunning;forastheywentthefloorofthetunnelrosesteeply,andwitheverystridetheyclimbedhigherabovethestenchesoftheunseenlair,andstrengthreturnedto

limbandheart.ButstillthehatredoftheWatcherlurkedbehindthem,blindforawhile,perhaps,butundefeated,stillbentondeath.Andnowtherecameaflowofairtomeetthem,coldandthin.Theopening,thetunnel’send,atlastitwasbeforethem.Panting,yearningforarooflessplace,theyflungthemselvesforward;andthenin

amazementtheystaggered,tumblingback.Theoutletwasblockedwithsomebarrier,butnotofstone:softandalittleyieldingitseemed,andyetstrongandimpervious;airfilteredthrough,butnotaglimmerofanylight.Oncemoretheychargedandwerehurledback.

HoldingaloftthePhialFrodolookedandbeforehim

hesawagreynesswhichtheradianceofthestar-glassdidnotpierceanddidnotilluminate,asifitwereashadowthatbeingcastbynolight,nolightcoulddissipate.Acrossthewidthandheightofthetunnelavastwebwasspun,orderlyasthewebofsomehugespider,butdenser-wovenandfargreater,andeachthreadwasasthickasrope.

Samlaughedgrimly.‘Cobwebs!’hesaid.‘Isthatall?Cobwebs!Butwhataspider!Haveat’em,downwith’em!’

Inafuryhehewedatthemwithhissword,butthethreadthathestruckdidnotbreak.Itgavealittleandthensprangbacklikeapluckedbowstring,turningthebladeandtossingupbothswordandarm.ThreetimesSam

struckwithallhisforce,andatlastonesinglecordofallthecountlesscordssnappedandtwisted,curlingandwhippingthroughtheair.OneendofitlashedSam’shand,andhecriedoutinpain,startingbackanddrawinghishandacrosshismouth.

‘Itwilltakedaystocleartheroadlikethis,’hesaid.‘What’stobedone?Havethoseeyescomeback?’

‘No,nottobeseen,’saidFrodo.‘ButIstillfeelthattheyarelookingatme,orthinkingaboutme:makingsomeotherplan,perhaps.Ifthislightwerelowered,orifitfailed,theywouldquicklycomeagain.’

‘Trappedintheend!’saidSambitterly,hisangerrisingagainabovewearinessanddespair.‘Gnatsinanet.MaythecurseofFaramirbitethat

Gollumandbitehimquick!’‘Thatwouldnothelpus

now,’saidFrodo.‘Come!LetusseewhatStingcando.Itisanelven-blade.TherewerewebsofhorrorinthedarkravinesofBeleriandwhereitwasforged.Butyoumustbetheguardandholdbacktheeyes.Here,takethestar-glass.Donotbeafraid.Holditupandwatch!’

ThenFrodosteppeduptothegreatgreynet,andheweditwithawidesweepingstroke,drawingthebitteredgeswiftlyacrossaladderofclose-strungcords,andatoncespringingaway.Theblue-gleamingbladeshorethroughthemlikeascythethroughgrass,andtheyleapedandwrithedandthenhungloose.Agreatrentwasmade.

Strokeafterstrokehedealt,untilatlastallthewebwithinhisreachwasshattered,andtheupperportionblewandswayedlikealooseveilintheincomingwind.Thetrapwasbroken.

‘Come!’criedFrodo.‘On!On!’Wildjoyattheirescapefromtheverymouthofdespairsuddenlyfilledallhismind.

Hisheadwhirledaswitha

draughtofpotentwine.Hesprangout,shoutingashecame.

Itseemedlightinthatdarklandtohiseyesthathadpassedthroughthedenofnight.Thegreatsmokeshadrisenandgrownthinner,andthelasthoursofasombredaywerepassing;theredglareofMordorhaddiedawayinsullengloom.YetitseemedtoFrodothathelookedupon

amorningofsuddenhope.Almosthehadreachedthesummitofthewall.Onlyalittlehighernow.TheCleft,CirithUngol,wasbeforehim,adimnotchintheblackridge,andthehornsofrockdarklingintheskyoneitherside.Ashortrace,asprinter’scourse,andhewouldbethrough!

‘Thepass,Sam!’hecried,notheedingtheshrillnessof

hisvoice,thatreleasedfromthechokingairsofthetunnelrangoutnowhighandwild.‘Thepass!Run,run,andwe’llbethrough–throughbeforeanyonecanstopus!’

Samcameupbehindasfastashecouldurgehislegs;butgladashewastobefree,hewasuneasy,andasheran,hekeptonglancingbackatthedarkarchofthetunnel,fearingtoseeeyes,orsome

shapebeyondhisimagining,springoutinpursuit.ToolittledidheorhismasterknowofthecraftofShelob.Shehadmanyexitsfromherlair.

Thereagelongshehaddwelt,anevilthinginspider-form,evensuchasonceofoldhadlivedintheLandoftheElvesintheWestthatis

nowundertheSea,suchasBerenfoughtintheMountainsofTerrorinDoriath,andsocametoLúthienuponthegreenswardamidthehemlocksinthemoonlightlongago.HowShelobcamethere,flyingfromruin,notaletells,foroutoftheDarkYearsfewtaleshavecome.Butstillshewasthere,whowastherebeforeSauron,andbeforethe

firststoneofBarad-dûr;andsheservednonebutherself,drinkingthebloodofElvesandMen,bloatedandgrownfatwithendlessbroodingonherfeasts,weavingwebsofshadow;foralllivingthingswereherfood,andhervomitdarkness.Farandwideherlesserbroods,bastardsofthemiserablemates,herownoffspring,thatsheslew,spreadfromglentoglen,

fromtheEphelDúathtotheeasternhills,toDolGuldurandthefastnessesofMirkwood.Butnonecouldrivalher,ShelobtheGreat,lastchildofUngolianttotroubletheunhappyworld.

Already,yearsbefore,Gollumhadbeheldher,Sméagolwhopriedintoalldarkholes,andinpastdayshehadbowedandworshippedher,andthe

darknessofherevilwillwalkedthroughallthewaysofhiswearinessbesidehim,cuttinghimofffromlightandfromregret.Andhehadpromisedtobringherfood.Butherlustwasnothislust.Littlesheknewoforcaredfortowers,orrings,oranythingdevisedbymindorhand,whoonlydesireddeathforallothers,mindandbody,andforherselfaglutoflife,

alone,swollentillthemountainscouldnolongerholdherupandthedarknesscouldnotcontainher.

Butthatdesirewasyetfaraway,andlongnowhadshebeenhungry,lurkinginherden,whilethepowerofSaurongrew,andlightandlivingthingsforsookhisborders;andthecityinthevalleywasdead,andnoElforMancamenear,onlythe

unhappyOrcs.Poorfoodandwary.Butshemusteat,andhoweverbusilytheydelvednewwindingpassagesfromthepassandfromtheirtower,evershefoundsomewaytosnarethem.Butshelustedforsweetermeat.AndGollumhadbroughtittoher.

‘We’llsee,we’llsee,’hesaidoftentohimself,whentheevilmoodwasonhim,ashewalkedthedangerousroad

fromEmynMuiltoMorgulVale,‘we’llsee.ltmaywellbe,Oyes,itmaywellbethatwhenShethrowsawaythebonesandtheemptygarments,weshallfindit,weshallgetit,thePrecious,arewardforpoorSméagolwhobringsnicefood.Andwe’llsavethePrecious,aswepromised.Oyes.Andwhenwe’vegotitsafe,thenShe’llknowit,Oyes,thenwe’llpay

Herback,myprecious.Thenwe’llpayeveryoneback!’

Sohethoughtinaninnerchamberofhiscunning,whichhestillhopedtohidefromher,evenwhenhehadcometoheragainandhadbowedlowbeforeherwhilehiscompanionsslept.

AndasforSauron:heknewwhereshelurked.Itpleasedhimthatsheshoulddwelltherehungrybut

unabatedinmalice,amoresurewatchuponthatancientpathintohislandthananyotherthathisskillcouldhavedevised.AndOrcs,theywereusefulslaves,buthehadtheminplenty.IfnowandagainShelobcaughtthemtostayherappetite,shewaswelcome:hecouldsparethem.Andsometimesasamanmaycastadaintytohiscat(hiscathecallsher,but

sheownshimnot)Sauronwouldsendherprisonersthathehadnobetterusesfor:hewouldhavethemdriventoherhole,andreportbroughtbacktohimoftheplayshemade.

Sotheybothlived,delightingintheirowndevices,andfearednoassault,norwrath,noranyendoftheirwickedness.Neveryethadanyflyescaped

fromShelob’swebs,andthegreaternowwasherrageandhunger.

ButnothingofthisevilwhichtheyhadstirredupagainstthemdidpoorSamknow,exceptthatafearwasgrowingonhim,amenacewhichhecouldnotsee;andsuchaweightdiditbecomethatitwasaburdentohimto

run,andhisfeetseemedleaden.

Dreadwasroundhim,andenemiesbeforehiminthepass,andhismasterwasinafeymoodrunningheedlesslytomeetthem.Turninghiseyesawayfromtheshadowbehindandthedeepgloombeneaththecliffuponhisleft,helookedahead,andhesawtwothingsthatincreasedhisdismay.Hesawthatthe

swordwhichFrodostillheldunsheathedwasglitteringwithblueflame;andhesawthatthoughtheskybehindwasnowdark,stillthewindowinthetowerwasglowingred.

‘Orcs!’hemuttered.‘We’llneverrushitlikethis.There’sOrcsabout,andworsethanOrcs.’Thenreturningquicklytohislonghabitofsecrecy,heclosedhis

handaboutthepreciousPhialwhichhestillbore.Redwithhisownlivingbloodhishandshoneforamoment,andthenhethrusttherevealinglightdeepintoapocketnearhisbreastanddrewhiselven-cloakabouthim.Nowhetriedtoquickenhispace.Hismasterwasgainingonhim;alreadyhewassometwentystridesahead,flittingonlikeashadow;soonhewouldbe

losttosightinthatgreyworld.

HardlyhadSamhiddenthelightofthestar-glasswhenshecame.Alittlewayaheadandtohislefthesawsuddenly,issuingfromablackholeofshadowunderthecliff,themostloathlyshapethathehadeverbeheld,horriblebeyondthehorrorof

anevildream.Mostlikeaspidershewas,buthugerthanthegreathuntingbeasts,andmoreterriblethantheybecauseoftheevilpurposeinherremorselesseyes.Thosesameeyesthathehadthoughtdauntedanddefeated,theretheywerelitwithafelllightagain,clusteringinherout-thrusthead.Greathornsshehad,andbehindhershortstalk-likeneckwasherhuge

swollenbody,avastbloatedbag,swayingandsaggingbetweenherlegs;itsgreatbulkwasblack,blotchedwithlividmarks,butthebellyunderneathwaspaleandluminousandgaveforthastench.Herlegswerebent,withgreatknobbedjointshighaboveherback,andhairsthatstuckoutlikesteelspines,andateachleg’sendtherewasaclaw.

Assoonasshehadsqueezedhersoftsquelchingbodyanditsfoldedlimbsoutoftheupperexitfromherlair,shemovedwithahorriblespeed,nowrunningonhercreakinglegs,nowmakingasuddenbound.ShewasbetweenSamandhismaster.EithershedidnotseeSam,orsheavoidedhimforthemomentasthebearerofthelight,andfixedallher

intentupononeprey,uponFrodo,bereftofhisPhial,runningheedlessupthepath,unawareyetofhisperil.Swiftlyheran,butShelobwasswifter;inafewleapsshewouldhavehim.

Samgaspedandgatheredallhisremainingbreathtoshout.‘Lookoutbehind!’heyelled.‘Lookout,master!I’m’–butsuddenlyhiscrywasstifled.

Alongclammyhandwentoverhismouthandanothercaughthimbytheneck,whilesomethingwrappeditselfabouthisleg.Takenoffhisguardhetoppledbackwardsintothearmsofhisattacker.

‘Gothim!’hissedGolluminhisear.‘Atlast,myprecious,we’vegothim,yes,thenasstyhobbit.Wetakesthisone.She’llgettheother.Oyes,Shelobwillgethim,

notSméagol:hepromised;hewon’thurtMasteratall.Buthe’sgotyou,younasstyfilthylittlesneak!’HespatonSam’sneck.

Furyatthetreachery,anddesperationatthedelaywhenhismasterwasindeadlyperil,gavetoSamasuddenviolenceandstrengththatwasfarbeyondanythingthatGollumhadexpectedfromthisslowstupidhobbit,ashe

thoughthim.NotGollumhimselfcouldhavetwistedmorequicklyormorefiercely.HisholdonSam’smouthslipped,andSamduckedandlungedforwardagain,tryingtotearawayfromthegriponhisneck.Hisswordwasstillinhishand,andonhisleftarm,hangingbyitsthong,wasFaramir’sstaff.Desperatelyhetriedtoturnandstabhisenemy.But

Gollumwastooquick.Hislongrightarmshotout,andhegrabbedSam’swrist:hisfingerswerelikeavice;slowlyandrelentlesslyhebentthehanddownandforward,tillwithacryofpainSamreleasedtheswordanditfelltotheground;andallthewhileGollum’sotherhandwastighteningonSam’sthroat.

ThenSamplayedhislast

trick.Withallhisstrengthhepulledawayandgothisfeetfirmlyplanted;thensuddenlyhedrovehislegsagainstthegroundandwithhiswholeforcehurledhimselfbackwards.

NotexpectingeventhissimpletrickfromSam,GollumfelloverwithSamontop,andhereceivedtheweightofthesturdyhobbitinhisstomach.Asharphiss

cameoutofhim,andforasecondhishanduponSam’sthroatloosened;buthisfingersstillgrippedthesword-hand.Samtorehimselfforwardandaway,andstoodup,andthenquicklyhewheeledawaytohisright,pivotedonthewristheldbyGollum.Layingholdofthestaffwithhislefthand,Samswungitup,anddownitcamewithawhistlingcrack

onGollum’soutstretchedarm,justbelowtheelbow.

WithasquealGollumletgo.ThenSamwadedin;notwaitingtochangethestafffromlefttorighthedealtanothersavageblow.QuickasasnakeGollumslitheredaside,andthestrokeaimedathisheadfellacrosshisback.Thestaffcrackedandbroke.Thatwasenoughforhim.Grabbingfrombehindwasan

oldgameofhis,andseldomhadhefailedinit.Butthistime,misledbyspite,hehadmadethemistakeofspeakingandgloatingbeforehehadbothhandsonhisvictim’sneck.Everythinghadgonewrongwithhisbeautifulplan,sincethathorriblelighthadsounexpectedlyappearedinthedarkness.Andnowhewasfacetofacewithafuriousenemy,littlelessthan

hisownsize.Thisfightwasnotforhim.Samsweptuphisswordfromthegroundandraisedit.Gollumsquealed,andspringingasideontoallfours,hejumpedawayinonebigboundlikeafrog.BeforeSamcouldreachhim,hewasoff,runningwithamazingspeedbacktowardsthetunnel.

SwordinhandSamwentafterhim.Forthemomenthe

hadforgotteneverythingelsebuttheredfuryinhisbrainandthedesiretokillGollum.Butbeforehecouldovertakehim,Gollumwasgone.Thenasthedarkholestoodbeforehimandthestenchcameouttomeethim,likeaclapofthunderthethoughtofFrodoandthemonstersmoteuponSam’smind.Hespunround,andrushedwildlyupthepath,callingandcallinghis

master’sname.Hewastoolate.SofarGollum’splothadsucceeded.

Chapter10

THECHOICESOFMASTERSAMWISE

Frodowaslyingfaceupwardonthegroundandthemonsterwasbendingoverhim,sointentuponhervictim

thatshetooknoheedofSamandhiscries,untilhewascloseathand.AsherusheduphesawthatFrodowasalreadyboundincords,woundabouthimfromankletoshoulder,andthemonsterwithhergreatforelegswasbeginninghalftolift,halftodraghisbodyaway.

Onthenearsideofhimlay,gleamingontheground,hiselven-blade,whereithad

fallenuselessfromhisgrasp.Samdidnotwaittowonderwhatwastobedone,orwhetherhewasbrave,orloyal,orfilledwithrage.Hesprangforwardwithayell,andseizedhismaster’sswordinhislefthand.Thenhecharged.Noonslaughtmorefiercewaseverseeninthesavageworldofbeasts,wheresomedesperatesmallcreaturearmedwithlittleteeth,alone,

willspringuponatowerofhornandhidethatstandsaboveitsfallenmate.

Disturbedasifoutofsomegloatingdreambyhissmallyellsheturnedslowlythedreadfulmaliceofherglanceuponhim.Butalmostbeforeshewasawarethatafurywasuponhergreaterthananyshehadknownincountlessyears,theshiningswordbituponherfootand

shoreawaytheclaw.Samsprangin,insidethearchesofherlegs,andwithaquickupthrustofhisotherhandstabbedattheclusteredeyesuponherloweredhead.Onegreateyewentdark.

Nowthemiserablecreaturewasrightunderher,forthemomentoutofthereachofherstingandofherclaws.Hervastbellywasabovehimwithitsputrid

light,andthestenchofitalmostsmotehimdown.Stillhisfuryheldforonemoreblow,andbeforeshecouldsinkuponhim,smotheringhimandallhislittleimpudenceofcourage,heslashedthebrightelven-bladeacrossherwithdesperatestrength.

ButShelobwasnotasdragonsare,nosofterspothadshesaveonlyhereyes.

Knobbedandpittedwithcorruptionwasherage-oldhide,buteverthickenedfromwithinwithlayeronlayerofevilgrowth.Thebladescoreditwithadreadfulgash,butthosehideousfoldscouldnotbepiercedbyanystrengthofmen,notthoughElforDwarfshouldforgethesteelorthehandofBerenorofTúrinwieldit.Sheyieldedtothestroke,andthenheavedup

thegreatbagofherbellyhighaboveSam’shead.Poisonfrothedandbubbledfromthewound.Nowsplayingherlegsshedroveherhugebulkdownonhimagain.Toosoon.ForSamstillstooduponhisfeet,anddroppinghisownsword,withbothhandsheheldtheelven-bladepointupwards,fendingoffthatghastlyroof;andsoShelob,withthedrivingforce

ofherowncruelwill,withstrengthgreaterthananywarrior’shand,thrustherselfuponabitterspike.Deep,deepitpricked,asSamwascrushedslowlytotheground.

NosuchanguishhadShelobeverknown,ordreamedofknowing,inallherlongworldofwickedness.NotthedoughtiestsoldierofoldGondor,northemostsavageOrcentrapped,had

everthusenduredher,orsetbladetoherbelovedflesh.Ashudderwentthroughher.Heavingupagain,wrenchingawayfromthepain,shebentherwrithinglimbsbeneathherandsprangbackwardsinaconvulsiveleap.

SamhadfallentohiskneesbyFrodo’shead,hissensesreelinginthefoulstench,histwohandsstillgrippingthehiltofthesword.

ThroughthemistbeforehiseyeshewasawaredimlyofFrodo’sface,andstubbornlyhefoughttomasterhimselfandtodraghimselfoutoftheswoonthatwasuponhim.Slowlyheraisedhisheadandsawher,onlyafewpacesaway,eyeinghim,herbeakdrabblingaspittleofvenom,andagreenoozetricklingfrombelowherwoundedeye.Thereshecrouched,her

shudderingbellysplayedupontheground,thegreatbowsofherlegsquivering,asshegatheredherselfforanotherspring–thistimetocrushandstingtodeath:nolittlebiteofpoisontostillthestrugglingofhermeat;thistimetoslayandthentorend.

EvenasSamhimselfcrouched,lookingather,seeinghisdeathinhereyes,athoughtcametohim,asif

someremotevoicehadspoken,andhefumbledinhisbreastwithhislefthand,andfoundwhathesought:coldandhardandsoliditseemedtohistouchinaphantomworldofhorror,thePhialofGaladriel.

‘Galadriel!’hesaidfaintly,andthenheheardvoicesfaroffbutclear:thecryingoftheElvesastheywalkedunderthestarsinthe

belovedshadowsoftheShire,andthemusicoftheElvesasitcamethroughhissleepintheHallofFireinthehouseofElrond.

GilthonielAElbereth!

Andthenhistonguewasloosedandhisvoicecriedinalanguagewhichhedidnotknow:

AElberethGilthonielomenelpalan-diriel,lenallonsídi’nguruthos!Atironin,Fanuilos!

AndwiththathestaggeredtohisfeetandwasSamwisethehobbit,Hamfast’sson,again.

‘Nowcome,youfilth!’he

cried.‘You’vehurtmymaster,youbrute,andyou’llpayforit.We’regoingon;butwe’llsettlewithyoufirst.Comeon,andtasteitagain!’

Asifhisindomitablespirithadsetitspotencyinmotion,theglassblazedsuddenlylikeawhitetorchinhishand.Itflamedlikeastarthatleapingfromthefirmamentsearsthedarkairwithintolerablelight.Nosuchterroroutofheaven

hadeverburnedinShelob’sfacebefore.Thebeamsofitenteredintoherwoundedheadandscoreditwithunbearablepain,andthedreadfulinfectionoflightspreadfromeyetoeye.Shefellbackbeatingtheairwithherforelegs,hersightblastedbyinnerlightnings,hermindinagony.Thenturninghermaimedheadaway,sherolledasideandbeganto

crawl,clawbyclaw,towardstheopeninginthedarkcliffbehind.

Samcameon.Hewasreelinglikeadrunkenman,buthecameon.AndShelobcowedatlast,shrunkenindefeat,jerkedandquiveredasshetriedtohastenfromhim.Shereachedthehole,andsqueezingdown,leavingatrailofgreen-yellowslime,sheslippedin,evenasSam

hewedalaststrokeatherdragginglegs.Thenhefelltotheground.

Shelobwasgone;andwhethershelaylonginherlair,nursinghermaliceandhermisery,andinslowyearsofdarknesshealedherselffromwithin,rebuildingherclusteredeyes,untilwithhungerlikedeathshespun

oncemoreherdreadfulsnaresintheglensoftheMountainsofShadow,thistaledoesnottell.

Samwasleftalone.Wearily,astheeveningoftheNamelessLandfellupontheplaceofbattle,hecrawledbacktohismaster.

‘Master,dearmaster,’hesaid,butFrododidnotspeak.Ashehadrunforward,eager,rejoicingtobefree,Shelob

withhideousspeedhadcomebehindandwithoneswiftstrokehadstunghimintheneck.Helaynowpale,andheardnovoice,anddidnotmove.

‘Master,dearmaster!’saidSam,andthroughalongsilencewaited,listeninginvain.

Thenasquicklyashecouldhecutawaythebindingcordsandlaidhisheadupon

Frodo’sbreastandtohismouth,butnostiroflifecouldhefind,norfeelthefaintestflutteroftheheart.Oftenhechafedhismaster’shandsandfeet,andtouchedhisbrow,butallwerecold.

‘Frodo,Mr.Frodo!’hecalled.‘Don’tleavemeherealone!It’syourSamcalling.Don’tgowhereIcan’tfollow!Wakeup,Mr.Frodo!Owakeup,Frodo,medear,

medear.Wakeup!’

Thenangersurgedoverhim,andheranabouthismaster’sbodyinarage,stabbingtheair,andsmitingthestones,andshoutingchallenges.Presentlyhecameback,andbendinglookedatFrodo’sface,palebeneathhiminthedusk.Andsuddenlyhesawthathewas

inthepicturethatwasrevealedtohiminthemirrorofGaladrielinLórien:Frodowithapalefacelyingfastasleepunderagreatdarkcliff.Orfastasleephehadthoughtthen.‘He’sdead!’hesaid.‘Notasleep,dead!’Andashesaidit,asifthewordshadsetthevenomtoitsworkagain,itseemedtohimthatthehueofthefacegrewlividgreen.

Andthenblackdespaircamedownonhim,andSambowedtotheground,anddrewhisgreyhoodoverhishead,andnightcameintohisheart,andheknewnomore.

Whenatlasttheblacknesspassed,Samlookedupandshadowswereabouthim;butforhowmanyminutesorhourstheworld

hadgonedraggingonhecouldnottell.Hewasstillinthesameplace,andstillhismasterlaybesidehimdead.Themountainshadnotcrumblednortheearthfallenintoruin.

‘WhatshallIdo,whatshallIdo?’hesaid.‘DidIcomeallthiswaywithhimfornothing?’Andthenherememberedhisownvoicespeakingwordsthatatthe

timehedidnotunderstandhimself,atthebeginningoftheirjourney:Ihavesomethingtodobeforetheend.Imustseeitthrough,sir,ifyouunderstand.

‘ButwhatcanIdo?NotleaveMr.Frododead,unburiedonthetopofthemountains,andgohome?Orgoon?Goon?’herepeated,andforamomentdoubtandfearshookhim.‘Goon?Is

thatwhatI’vegottodo?Andleavehim?’

Thenatlasthebegantoweep;andgoingtoFrodohecomposedhisbody,andfoldedhiscoldhandsuponhisbreast,andwrappedhiscloakabouthim;andhelaidhisownswordatoneside,andthestaffthatFaramirhadgivenattheother.

‘IfI’mtogoon,’hesaid,‘thenImusttakeyoursword,

byyourleave,Mr.Frodo,butI’llputthisonetoliebyyou,asitlaybytheoldkinginthebarrow;andyou’vegotyourbeautifulmithrilcoatfromoldMr.Bilbo.Andyourstar-glass,Mr.Frodo,youdidlendittomeandI’llneedit,forI’llbealwaysinthedarknow.It’stoogoodforme,andtheLadygaveittoyou,butmaybeshe’dunderstand.Doyouunderstand,Mr.

Frodo?I’vegottogoon.’

Buthecouldnotgo,notyet.HekneltandheldFrodo’shandandcouldnotreleaseit.Andtimewentbyandstillheknelt,holdinghismaster’shand,andinhisheartkeepingadebate.

Nowhetriedtofindstrengthtotearhimselfawayandgoonalonelyjourney–

forvengeance.Ifoncehecouldgo,hisangerwouldbearhimdownalltheroadsoftheworld,pursuing,untilhehadhimatlast:Gollum.ThenGollumwoulddieinacorner.Butthatwasnotwhathehadsetouttodo.Itwouldnotbeworthwhiletoleavehismasterforthat.Itwouldnotbringhimback.Nothingwould.Theyhadbetterbothbedeadtogether.Andthat

toowouldbealonelyjourney.

Helookedonthebrightpointofthesword.Hethoughtoftheplacesbehindwheretherewasablackbrinkandanemptyfallintonothingness.Therewasnoescapethatway.Thatwastodonothing,noteventogrieve.Thatwasnotwhathehadsetouttodo.‘WhatamItodothen?’hecriedagain,

andnowheseemedplainlytoknowthehardanswer:seeitthrough.Anotherlonelyjourney,andtheworst.

‘What?Me,alone,gototheCrackofDoomandall?’Hequailedstill,buttheresolvegrew.‘What?MetaketheRingfromhim?TheCouncilgaveittohim.’

Buttheanswercameatonce:‘AndtheCouncilgavehimcompanions,sothatthe

errandshouldnotfail.AndyouarethelastofalltheCompany.Theerrandmustnotfail.’

‘IwishIwasn’tthelast,’hegroaned.‘IwisholdGandalfwashere,orsomebody.WhyamIleftallalonetomakeupmymind?I’msuretogowrong.Andit’snotformetogotakingtheRing,puttingmyselfforward.’

‘Butyouhaven’tputyourselfforward;you’vebeenputforward.Andasfornotbeingtherightandproperperson,why,Mr.Frodowasn’t,asyoumightsay,norMr.Bilbo.Theydidn’tchoosethemselves.’

‘Ahwell,Imustmakeupmyownmind.Iwillmakeitup.ButI’llbesuretogowrong:that’dbeSamGamgeeallover.

‘Letmeseenow:ifwe’refoundhere,orMr.Frodo’sfound,andthatThing’sonhim,well,theEnemywillgetit.Andthat’stheendofallofus,ofLórien,andRivendell,andtheShireandall.Andthere’snotimetolose,orit’llbetheendanyway.Thewar’sbegun,andmorethanlikelythingsareallgoingtheEnemy’swayalready.NochancetogobackwithItand

getadviceorpermission.No,it’ssitheretilltheycomeandkillmeovermaster’sbody,andgetsIt;ortakeItandgo.’Hedrewadeepbreath.‘ThentakeIt,itis!’

Hestooped.VerygentlyheundidtheclaspattheneckandslippedhishandinsideFrodo’stunic;thenwithhisotherhandraisingthehead,

hekissedthecoldforehead,andsoftlydrewthechainoverit.Andthentheheadlayquietlybackagaininrest.Nochangecameoverthestillface,andbythatmorethanbyallothertokensSamwasconvincedatlastthatFrodohaddiedandlaidasidetheQuest.

‘Good-bye,master,mydear!’hemurmured.‘ForgiveyourSam.He’llcomebackto

thisspotwhenthejob’sdone–ifhemanagesit.Andthenhe’llnotleaveyouagain.RestyouquiettillIcome;andmaynofoulcreaturecomeanighyou!AndiftheLadycouldhearmeandgivemeonewish,Iwouldwishtocomebackandfindyouagain.Goodbye!’

Andthenhebenthisownneckandputthechainuponit,andatoncehisheadwas

bowedtothegroundwiththeweightoftheRing,asifagreatstonehadbeenstrungonhim.Butslowly,asiftheweightbecameless,ornewstrengthgrewinhim,heraisedhishead,andthenwithagreateffortgottohisfeetandfoundthathecouldwalkandbearhisburden.

AndforamomentheliftedupthePhialandlookeddownathismaster,andthe

lightburnedgentlynowwiththesoftradianceoftheevening-starinsummer,andinthatlightFrodo’sfacewasfairofhueagain,palebutbeautifulwithanElvishbeauty,asofonewhohaslongpassedtheshadows.AndwiththebittercomfortofthatlastsightSamturnedandhidthelightandstumbledonintothegrowingdark.

Hehadnotfartogo.Thetunnelwassomewaybehind;theCleftacoupleofhundredyardsahead,orless.Thepathwasvisibleinthedusk,adeeprutworninagesofpassage,runningnowgentlyupinalongtroughwithcliffsoneitherside.Thetroughnarrowedrapidly.SoonSamcametoalongflightofbroadshallowsteps.Nowtheorc-towerwasrightabovehim,

frowningblack,andinittheredeyeglowed.Nowhewashiddeninthedarkshadowunderit.HewascomingtothetopofthestepsandwasintheCleftatlast.

‘I’vemadeupmymind,’hekeptsayingtohimself.Buthehadnot.Thoughhehaddonehisbesttothinkitout,whathewasdoingwasaltogetheragainstthegrainofhisnature.‘HaveIgotit

wrong?’hemuttered.‘WhatoughtItohavedone?’

AsthesheersidesoftheCleftclosedabouthim,beforehereachedtheactualsummit,beforehelookedatlastonthepathdescendingintotheNamelessLand,heturned.Foramoment,motionlessinintolerabledoubt,helookedback.Hecouldstillsee,likeasmallblotinthegatheringgloom,

themouthofthetunnel;andhethoughthecouldseeorguesswhereFrodolay.Hefanciedtherewasaglimmeronthegrounddownthere,orperhapsitwassometrickofhistears,ashepeeredoutatthathighstonyplacewhereallhislifehadfalleninruin.

‘IfonlyIcouldhavemywish,myonewish,’hesighed,‘togobackandfindhim!’Thenatlastheturned

totheroadinfrontandtookafewsteps:theheaviestandthemostreluctanthehadevertaken.

Onlyafewsteps;andnowonlyafewmoreandhewouldbegoingdownandwouldneverseethathighplaceagain.Andthensuddenlyheheardcriesandvoices.Hestoodstillasstone.

Orc-voices.Theywerebehindhimandbeforehim.Anoiseoftrampingfeetandharshshouts:OrcswerecominguptotheCleftfromthefarside,fromsomeentrytothetower,perhaps.Trampingfeetandshoutsbehind.Hewheeledround.Hesawsmallredlights,torches,winkingawaybelowthereastheyissuedfromthetunnel.Atlastthehuntwas

up.Theredeyeofthetowerhadnotbeenblind.Hewascaught.

Nowtheflickerofapproachingtorchesandtheclinkofsteelaheadwasverynear.Inaminutetheywouldreachthetopandbeonhim.Hehadtakentoolonginmakinguphismind,andnowitwasnogood.Howcouldheescape,orsavehimself,orsavetheRing?TheRing.He

wasnotawareofanythoughtordecision.HesimplyfoundhimselfdrawingoutthechainandtakingtheRinginhishand.Theheadoftheorc-companyappearedintheCleftrightbeforehim.Thenheputiton.

Theworldchanged,andasinglemomentoftimewasfilledwithanhourofthought.

Atoncehewasawarethathearingwassharpenedwhilesightwasdimmed,butotherwisethaninShelob’slair.Allthingsabouthimnowwerenotdarkbutvague;whilehehimselfwasthereinagreyhazyworld,alone,likeasmallblacksolidrock,andtheRing,weighingdownhislefthand,waslikeanorbofhotgold.Hedidnotfeelinvisibleatall,buthorribly

anduniquelyvisible;andheknewthatsomewhereanEyewassearchingforhim.

Heheardthecrackofstone,andthemurmurofwaterfaroffinMorgulVale;anddownawayundertherockthebubblingmiseryofShelob,groping,lostinsomeblindpassage;andvoicesinthedungeonsofthetower;andthecriesoftheOrcsastheycameoutofthetunnel;

anddeafening,roaringinhisears,thecrashofthefeetandtherendingclamouroftheOrcsbeforehim.Heshrankagainstthecliff.Buttheymarcheduplikeaphantomcompany,greydistortedfiguresinamist,onlydreamsoffearwithpaleflamesintheirhands.Andtheypassedhimby.Hecowered,tryingtocreepawayintosomecrannyandtohide.

Helistened.TheOrcsfromthetunnelandtheothersmarchingdownhadsightedoneanother,andbothpartieswerenowhurryingandshouting.Heheardthembothclearly,andheunderstoodwhattheysaid.PerhapstheRinggaveunderstandingoftongues,orsimplyunderstanding,especiallyoftheservantsofSauronitsmaker,sothatifhegave

heed,heunderstoodandtranslatedthethoughttohimself.CertainlytheRinghadgrowngreatlyinpowerasitapproachedtheplacesofitsforging;butonethingitdidnotconfer,andthatwascourage.AtpresentSamstillthoughtonlyofhiding,oflyinglowtillallwasquietagain;andhelistenedanxiously.Hecouldnottellhownearthevoiceswere,the

wordsseemedalmostinhisears.

‘Hola!Gorbag!Whatareyoudoinguphere?Hadenoughofwaralready?’

‘Orders,youlubber.Andwhatareyoudoing,Shagrat?Tiredoflurkingupthere?Thinkingofcomingdowntofight?’

‘Orderstoyou.I’min

commandofthispass.Sospeakcivil.What’syourreport?’

‘Nothing.’‘Hai!hai!yoi!’Ayell

brokeintotheexchangesoftheleaders.TheOrcslowerdownhadsuddenlyseensomething.Theybegantorun.Sodidtheothers.

‘Hai!Hola!Here’ssomething!Lyingrightintheroad.Aspy,aspy!’There

wasahootofsnarlinghornsandababelofbayingvoices.

WithadreadfulstrokeSamwaswakenedfromhiscoweringmood.Theyhadseenhismaster.Whatwouldtheydo?HehadheardtalesoftheOrcstomakethebloodruncold.Itcouldnotbeborne.Hesprangup.HeflungtheQuestandallhis

decisionsaway,andfearanddoubtwiththem.Heknewnowwherehisplacewasandhadbeen:athismaster’sside,thoughwhathecoulddotherewasnotclear.Backherandownthesteps,downthepathtowardsFrodo.

‘Howmanyarethere?’hethought.‘Thirtyorfortyfromthetoweratleast,andalotmorethanthatfromdownbelow,Iguess.Howmany

canIkillbeforetheygetme?They’llseetheflameofthesword,assoonasIdrawit,andthey’llgetmesoonerorlater.Iwonderifanysongwillevermentionit:HowSamwisefellintheHighPassandmadeawallofbodiesroundhismaster.No,nosong.Ofcoursenot,fortheRing’llbefound,andthere’llbenomoresongs.Ican’thelpit.MyplaceisbyMr.Frodo.

Theymustunderstandthat–ElrondandtheCouncil,andthegreatLordsandLadieswithalltheirwisdom.Theirplanshavegonewrong.Ican’tbetheirRing-bearer.NotwithoutMr.Frodo.’

ButtheOrcswereoutofhisdimsightnow.Hehadhadnotimetoconsiderhimself,butnowherealized

thathewasweary,wearyalmosttoexhaustion:hislegswouldnotcarryhimashewished.Hewastooslow.Thepathseemedmileslong.Wherehadtheyallgottointhemist?

Theretheywereagain!Agoodwayaheadstill.Aclusteroffiguresroundsomethinglyingontheground;afewseemedtobedartingthiswayandthat,

bentlikedogsonatrail.Hetriedtomakeaspurt.

‘Comeon,Sam!’hesaid,‘oryou’llbetoolateagain.’Heloosenedtheswordinitssheath.Inaminutehewoulddrawit,andthen—

Therewasawildclamour,hootingandlaughing,assomethingwasliftedfromtheground.‘Yahoi!Yaharrihoi!Up!Up!’

Thenavoiceshouted:

‘Nowoff!Thequickway.BacktotheUndergate!She’llnottroubleustonightbyallthesigns.’Thewholebandoforc-figuresbegantomove.Fourinthemiddlewerecarryingabodyhighontheirshoulders.‘Yahoi!’

TheyhadtakenFrodo’sbody.Theywereoff.Hecouldnotcatchthemup.Still

helabouredon.TheOrcsreachedthetunnelandwerepassingin.Thosewiththeburdenwentfirst,andbehindthemtherewasagooddealofstrugglingandjostling.Samcameon.Hedrewthesword,aflickerofblueinhiswaveringhand,buttheydidnotseeit.Evenashecamepantingup,thelastofthemvanishedintotheblackhole.

Foramomenthestood,

gasping,clutchinghisbreast.Thenhedrewhissleeveacrosshisface,wipingawaythegrime,andsweat,andtears.‘Cursethefilth!’hesaid,andsprangafterthemintothedarkness.

Itnolongerseemedverydarktohiminthetunnel,ratheritwasasifhehadsteppedoutofathinmistinto

aheavierfog.Hiswearinesswasgrowingbuthiswillhardenedallthemore.Hethoughthecouldseethelightoftorchesalittlewayahead,buttryashewould,hecouldnotcatchthemup.Orcsgofastintunnels,andthistunneltheyknewwell;forinspiteofShelobtheywereforcedtouseitoftenastheswiftestwayfromtheDeadCityoverthemountains.Inwhatfar-off

timethemaintunnelandthegreatroundpithadbeenmade,whereShelobhadtakenupherabodeinagespast,theydidnotknow;butmanybywaystheyhadthemselvesdelvedaboutitoneitherside,soastoescapethelairintheirgoingstoandfroonthebusinessoftheirmasters.Tonighttheydidnotintendtogofardown,butwerehasteningtofindaside-

passagethatledbacktotheirwatch-toweronthecliff.Mostofthemweregleeful,delightedwithwhattheyhadfoundandseen,andastheyrantheygabbledandyammeredafterthefashionoftheirkind.Samheardthenoiseoftheirharshvoices,flatandhardinthedeadair,andhecoulddistinguishtwovoicesfromamongalltherest:theywerelouder,and

nearertohim.Thecaptainsofthetwopartiesseemedtobebringinguptherear,debatingastheywent.

‘Can’tyoustopyourrabblemakingsucharacket,Shagrat?’gruntedtheone.‘Wedon’twantShelobonus.’

‘Goon,Gorbag!Yoursaremakingmorethanhalfthe

noise,’saidtheother.‘Butlettheladsplay!NoneedtoworryaboutShelobforabit,Ireckon.She’ssatonanail,itseems,andweshan’tcryaboutthat.Didn’tyousee:anastymessallthewaybacktothatcursedcrackofhers?Ifwe’vestoppeditonce,we’vestoppeditahundredtimes.Solet’emlaugh.Andwe’vestruckabitofluckatlast:gotsomethingthat

Lugbúrzwants.’‘Lugbúrzwantsit,eh?

Whatisit,d’youthink?Elvishitlookedtome,butundersized.What’sthedangerinathinglikethat?’

‘Don’tknowtillwe’vehadalook.’

‘Oho!Sotheyhaven’ttoldyouwhattoexpect?Theydon’ttellusalltheyknow,dothey?Notbyhalf.Buttheycanmakemistakes,eventhe

TopOnescan.’‘Sh,Gorbag!’Shagrat’s

voicewaslowered,sothatevenwithhisstrangelysharpenedhearingSamcouldonlyjustcatchwhatwassaid.‘Theymay,butthey’vegoteyesandearseverywhere;someamongmylot,aslikeasnot.Butthere’snodoubtaboutit,they’retroubledaboutsomething.TheNazgûldownbeloware,byyour

account;andLugbúrzistoo.Somethingnearlyslipped.’

‘Nearly,yousay!’saidGorbag.

‘Allright,’saidShagrat,‘butwe’lltalkofthatlater.WaittillwegettotheUnder-way.There’saplacetherewherewecantalkabit,whiletheladsgoon.’

ShortlyafterwardsSamsawthetorchesdisappear.Thentherewasarumbling

noise,andjustashehurriedup,abump.AsfarashecouldguesstheOrcshadturnedandgoneintotheveryopeningwhichFrodoandhehadtriedandfoundblocked.Itwasstillblocked.

Thereseemedtobeagreatstoneintheway,buttheOrcshadgotthroughsomehow,forhecouldheartheirvoicesontheotherside.Theywerestillrunningalong,deeperand

deeperintothemountain,backtowardsthetower.Samfeltdesperate.Theywerecarryingoffhismaster’sbodyforsomefoulpurposeandhecouldnotfollow.Hethrustandpushedattheblock,andhethrewhimselfagainstit,butitdidnotyield.Thennotfarinside,orsohethought,heheardthetwocaptains’voicestalkingagain.Hestoodstilllisteningforalittle,

hopingperhapstolearnsomethinguseful.PerhapsGorbag,whoseemedtobelongtoMinasMorgul,wouldcomeout,andhecouldthenslipin.

‘No,Idon’tknow,’saidGorbag’svoice.‘Themessagesgothroughquickerthananythingcouldfly,asarule.ButIdon’tenquirehowit’sdone.Safestnotto.Grr!ThoseNazgûlgivemethe

creeps.Andtheyskinthebodyoffyouassoonaslookatyou,andleaveyouallcoldinthedarkontheotherside.ButHelikes’em;they’reHisfavouritesnowadays,soit’snousegrumbling.Itellyou,it’snogameservingdowninthecity.’

‘YoushouldtrybeingupherewithShelobforcompany,’saidShagrat.

‘I’dliketotrysomewhere

wherethere’snoneof’em.Butthewar’sonnow,andwhenthat’soverthingsmaybeeasier.’

‘It’sgoingwell,theysay.’‘Theywould,’grunted

Gorbag.‘We’llsee.Butanyway,ifitdoesgowell,thereshouldbealotmoreroom.Whatd’yousay?–ifwegetachance,youandme’llslipoffandsetupsomewhereonourownwitha

fewtrustylads,somewherewherethere’sgoodlootniceandhandy,andnobigbosses.’

‘Ah!’saidShagrat.‘Likeoldtimes.’

‘Yes,’saidGorbag.‘Butdon’tcountonit.I’mnoteasyinmymind.AsIsaid,theBigBosses,ay,’hisvoicesankalmosttoawhisper,‘ay,eventheBiggest,canmakemistakes.Somethingnearly

slipped,yousay.Isay,somethinghasslipped.Andwe’vegottolookout.AlwaysthepoorUrukstoputslipsright,andsmallthanks.Butdon’tforget:theenemiesdon’tloveusanymorethantheyloveHim,andiftheygettopsidesonHim,we’redonetoo.Butseehere:whenwereyouorderedout?’

‘Aboutanhourago,justbeforeyousawus.A

messagecame:Nazgûluneasy.SpiesfearedonStairs.Doublevigilance.PatroltoheadofStairs.Icameatonce.’

‘Badbusiness,’saidGorbag.‘Seehere–ourSilentWatcherswereuneasymorethantwodaysago,thatIknow.Butmypatrolwasn’torderedoutforanotherday,noranymessagesenttoLugbúrzeither:owingtothe

GreatSignalgoingup,andtheHighNazgûlgoingofftothewar,andallthat.Andthentheycouldn’tgetLugbúrztopayattentionforagoodwhile,I’mtold.’

‘TheEyewasbusyelsewhere,Isuppose,’saidShagrat.‘Bigthingsgoingonawaywest,theysay.’

‘Idaresay,’growledGorbag.‘Butinthemeantimeenemieshavegotupthe

Stairs.Andwhatwereyouupto?You’resupposedtokeepwatch,aren’tyou,specialordersorno?Whatareyoufor?’

‘That’senough!Don’ttryandteachmemyjob.Wewereawakeallright.Weknewtherewerefunnythingsgoingon.’

‘Veryfunny!’‘Yes,veryfunny:lights

andshoutingandall.But

Shelobwasonthego.MyladssawherandherSneak.’

‘HerSneak?What’sthat?’‘Youmusthaveseenhim:

littlethinblackfellow;likeaspiderhimself,orperhapsmorelikeastarvedfrog.He’sbeenherebefore.CameoutofLugbúrzthefirsttime,yearsago,andwehadwordfromHighUptolethimpass.He’sbeenuptheStairsonceortwicesincethen,butwe’ve

lefthimalone:seemstohavesomeunderstandingwithHerLadyship.Isupposehe’snogoodtoeat:shewouldn’tworryaboutwordsfromHighUp.Butafineguardyoukeepinthevalley:hewasuphereadaybeforeallthisracket.Earlylastnightwesawhim.AnywaymyladsreportedthatHerLadyshipwashavingsomefun,andthatseemedgoodenoughforme,untilthe

messagecame.IthoughtherSneakhadbroughtheratoy,orthatyou’dperhapssentherapresent,aprisonerofwarorsomething.Idon’tinterferewhenshe’splaying.NothinggetsbyShelobwhenshe’sonthehunt.’

‘Nothing,sayyou!Didn’tyouuseyoureyesbackthere?

ItellyouI’mnoteasyinmymind.WhatevercameuptheStairs,didgetby.Itcut

herwebandgotcleanoutofthehole.That’ssomethingtothinkabout!’

‘Ahwell,butshegothimintheend,didn’tshe?’

‘Gothim?Gotwho?Thislittlefellow?Butifhewastheonlyone,thenshe’dhavehadhimofftoherlarderlongbefore,andtherehe’dbenow.AndifLugbúrzwantedhim,you’dhavetogoandgethim.Niceforyou.Butthere

wasmorethanone.’AtthispointSambeganto

listenmoreattentivelyandpressedhisearagainstthestone.

‘Whocutthecordsshe’dputroundhim,Shagrat?Sameoneascuttheweb.Didn’tyouseethat?AndwhostuckapinintoHerLadyship?Sameone,Ireckon.Andwhereishe?Whereishe,Shagrat?’

Shagratmadenoreply.‘Youmaywellputyour

thinkingcapon,ifyou’vegotone.It’snolaughingmatter.Noone,noonehaseverstuckapininShelobbefore,asyoushouldknowwellenough.There’snogriefinthat;butthink–there’ssomeoneloosehereaboutsasismoredangerousthananyotherdamnedrebelthateverwalkedsincethebadold

times,sincetheGreatSiege.Somethinghasslipped.’

‘Andwhatisitthen?’growledShagrat.

‘Byallthesigns,CaptainShagrat,I’dsaythere’salargewarriorloose,Elfmostlikely,withanelf-swordanyway,andanaxeaswellmaybe;andhe’slooseinyourbounds,too,andyou’veneverspottedhim.Veryfunnyindeed!’Gorbagspat.

Samsmiledgrimlyatthisdescriptionofhimself.

‘Ahwell,youalwaysdidtakeagloomyview,’saidShagrat.‘Youcanreadthesignshowyoulike,buttheremaybeotherwaystoexplainthem.Anyhow,I’vegotwatchersateverypoint,andI’mgoingtodealwithonethingatatime.WhenI’vehadalookatthefellowwehavecaught,thenI’llbeginto

worryaboutsomethingelse.’‘It’smyguessyouwon’t

findmuchinthatlittlefellow,’saidGorbag.‘Hemayhavehadnothingtodowiththerealmischief.Thebigfellowwiththesharpsworddoesn’tseemtohavethoughthimworthmuchanyhow–justlefthimlying:regularElvishtrick.’

‘We’llsee.Comeonnow!We’vetalkedenough.Let’s

goandhavealookattheprisoner!’

‘Whatareyougoingtodowithhim?Don’tforgetIspottedhimfirst.Ifthere’sanygame,meandmyladsmustbeinit.’

‘Now,now,’growledShagrat,‘Ihavemyorders.Andit’smorethanmybelly’sworth,oryours,tobreak’em.Anytrespasserfoundbytheguardistobeheldatthe

tower.Prisoneristobestripped.Fulldescriptionofeveryarticle,garment,weapon,letter,ring,ortrinketistobesenttoLugbúrzatonce,andtoLugbúrzonly.Andtheprisoneristobekeptsafeandintact,underpainofdeathforeverymemberoftheguard,untilHesendsorcomesHimself.That’splainenough,andthat’swhatI’mgoingtodo.’

‘Stripped,eh?’saidGorbag.‘What,teeth,nails,hair,andall?’

‘No,noneofthat.He’sforLugbúrz,Itellyou.He’swantedsafeandwhole.’

‘You’llfindthatdifficult,’laughedGorbag.‘He’snothingbutcarrionnow.WhatLugbúrzwilldowithsuchstuffIcan’tguess.Hemightaswellgointhepot.’

‘Youfool,’snarled

Shagrat.‘You’vebeentalkingveryclever,butthere’salotyoudon’tknow,thoughmostotherfolkdo.You’llbeforthepotorforShelob,ifyoudon’ttakecare.Carrion!IsthatallyouknowofHerLadyship?Whenshebindswithcords,she’saftermeat.Shedoesn’teatdeadmeat,norsuckcoldblood.Thisfellowisn’tdead!’

Samreeled,clutchingatthestone.Hefeltasifthewholedarkworldwasturningupsidedown.Sogreatwastheshockthathealmostswooned,butevenashefoughttokeepaholdonhissenses,deepinsidehimhewasawareofthecomment:‘Youfool,heisn’tdead,andyourheartknewit.Don’ttrustyourhead,Samwise,itisnotthebestpartofyou.The

troublewithyouisthatyouneverreallyhadanyhope.Nowwhatistobedone?’Forthemomentnothing,buttoprophimselfagainsttheunmovingstoneandlisten,listentothevileorc-voices.

‘Garn!’saidShagrat.‘She’sgotmorethanonepoison.Whenshe’shunting,shejustgives’emadabinthe

neckandtheygoaslimpasbonedfish,andthenshehasherwaywiththem.D’yourememberoldUfthak?Welosthimfordays.Thenwefoundhiminacorner;hanginguphewas,buthewaswideawakeandglaring.Howwelaughed!She’dforgottenhim,maybe,butwedidn’ttouchhim–nogoodinterferingwithHer.Nar–thislittlefilth,he’llwakeup,

inafewhours;andbeyondfeelingabitsickforabit,he’llbeallright.Orwouldbe,ifLugbúrzwouldlethimalone.Andofcourse,beyondwonderingwhereheisandwhat’shappenedtohim.’

‘Andwhat’sgoingtohappentohim,’laughedGorbag.‘Wecantellhimafewstoriesatanyrate,ifwecan’tdoanythingelse.Idon’tsupposehe’severbeenin

lovelyLugbúrz,sohemayliketoknowwhattoexpect.ThisisgoingtobemorefunnythanIthought.Let’sgo!’

‘There’sgoingtobenofun,Itellyou,’saidShagrat.‘Andhe’sgottobekeptsafe,orwe’reallasgoodasdead.’

‘Allright!ButifIwereyou,I’dcatchthebigonethat’sloose,beforeyousendinanyreporttoLugbúrz.It

won’tsoundtooprettytosayyou’vecaughtthekittenandletthecatescape.’

Thevoicesbegantomoveaway.Samheardthesoundoffeetreceding.Hewasrecoveringfromhisshock,andnowawildfurywasonhim.‘Igotitallwrong!’hecried.‘IknewIwould.Nowthey’vegothim,thedevils!

thefilth!Neverleaveyourmaster,never,never:thatwasmyrightrule.AndIknewitinmyheart.MayIbeforgiven!NowI’vegottogetbacktohim.Somehow,somehow!’

Hedrewhisswordagainandbeatonthestonewiththehilt,butitonlygaveoutadullsound.Thesword,however,blazedsobrightlynowthathecouldseedimly

initslight.Tohissurprisehenoticedthatthegreatblockwasshapedlikeaheavydoor,andwaslessthantwicehisownheight.Aboveitwasadarkblankspacebetweenthetopandthelowarchoftheopening.ItwasprobablyonlymeanttobeastopagainsttheintrusionofShelob,fastenedontheinsidewithsomelatchorboltbeyondthereachofhercunning.Withhis

remainingstrengthSamleapedandcaughtthetop,scrambledup,anddropped;andthenheranmadly,swordblazinginhand,roundabendandupawindingtunnel.

Thenewsthathismasterwasstillaliverousedhimtoalasteffortbeyondthoughtofweariness.Hecouldnotseeanythingahead,forthisnewpassagetwistedandturnedconstantly;buthethoughthe

wascatchingthetwoOrcsup:theirvoicesweregrowingneareragain.Nowtheyseemedquiteclose.

‘That’swhatI’mgoingtodo,’saidShagratinangrytones.‘Puthimrightupinthetopchamber.’

‘Whatfor?’growledGorbag.‘Haven’tyouanylock-upsdownbelow?’

‘He’sgoingoutofharm’sway,Itellyou,’answeredShagrat.‘See?He’sprecious.Idon’ttrustallmylads,andnoneofyours;noryouneither,whenyou’remadforfun.He’sgoingwhereIwanthim,andwhereyouwon’tcome,ifyoudon’tkeepcivil.Uptothetop,Isay.He’llbesafethere.’

‘Willhe?’saidSam.‘You’reforgettingthegreat

bigElvishwarriorthat’sloose!’Andwiththatheracedroundthelastcorner,onlytofindthatbysometrickofthetunnel,orofthehearingwhichtheRinggavehim,hehadmisjudgedthedistance.

Thetwoorc-figureswerestillsomewayahead.Hecouldseethemnow,blackandsquatagainstaredglare.Thepassageranstraightat

last,upanincline;andattheend,wideopen,weregreatdoubledoors,leadingprobablytodeepchambersfarbelowthehighhornofthetower.AlreadytheOrcswiththeirburdenhadpassedinside.GorbagandShagratweredrawingnearthegate.

Samheardaburstofhoarsesinging,blaringofhornsandbangingofgongs,ahideousclamour.Gorbagand

Shagratwerealreadyonthethreshold.

SamyelledandbrandishedSting,buthislittlevoicewasdrownedinthetumult.Nooneheededhim.

Thegreatdoorsslammedto.Boom.Thebarsofironfellintoplaceinside.Clang.Thegatewasshut.Samhurledhimselfagainsttheboltedbrazenplatesandfellsenselesstotheground.He

wasoutinthedarkness.FrodowasalivebuttakenbytheEnemy.

MAPS

WORKSBYJ.R.R.TOLKIENTheHobbit

LeafbyNiggleOnFairy-Stories

FarmerGilesofHamTheHomecomingof

BeorhtnothTheLordoftheRingsTheAdventuresofTom

BombadilTheRoadGoesEverOn(withDonaldSwann)

SmithofWoottonMajor

WORKSPUBLISHEDPOSTHUMOUSLY

SirGawainandtheGreenKnight,PearlandSirOrfeoTheFatherChristmasLetters

TheSilmarillionPicturesbyJ.R.R.Tolkien

UnfinishedTalesTheLettersofJ.R.R.Tolkien

FinnandHengestMrBliss

TheMonstersandtheCritics&OtherEssays

RoverandomTheChildrenofHúrin

TheLegendofSigurdandGudrún

THEHISTORYOFMIDDLE-EARTH–BYCHRISTOPHERTOLKIENITheBookofLostTales,

PartOneIITheBookofLostTales,

PartTwoIIITheLaysofBeleriandIVTheShapingofMiddle-

earthVTheLostRoadandOther

WritingsVITheReturnoftheShadowVIITheTreasonofIsengardVIIITheWaroftheRingIXSauronDefeatedXMorgoth’sRing

XITheWaroftheJewelsXIIThePeoplesofMiddle-

earth

COPYRIGHT

HarperCollinsPublishers77–85FulhamPalaceRoad,Hammersmith,LondonW68JB

www.tolkien.co.ukwww.tolkienestate.com

PublishedbyHarperCollinsPublishers2008

1

Thiseditionisbasedonthereseteditionfirstpublished2004

FirstpublishedinGreatBritainbyGeorgeAllen&Unwin1954SecondEdition1966

Copyright©TheTrusteesoftheJ.R.R.Tolkien1967Settlement1954,1966

and‘Tolkien’®areregisteredtrademarksofTheJ.R.R.TolkienEstateLimited

EpubEditionMarch2009ISBN:978-0-007-32250-3

AllrightsreservedunderInternational

andPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenon-exclusive,non-transferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,down-loaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.

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*SeeTheReturnoftheKing,AppendixFunderEnts.

*Everymonthinthe

Shire-calendarhad30days.