Page 6 (1/2)

The King of the Golden Hall

They rode on through sunset, and slow dusk, and gathering night When at last they halted and disorn was stiff and weary Gandalf only allowed theorn lay flat, stretched upon his back; but Gandalf stood, leaning on his staff, gazing into the darkness, east and west All was silent, and there was no sign or sound of living thing The night was barred with long clouds, fleeting on a chill wind, when they arose again Under the cold ht of day

Hours passed and still they rode on Gimli nodded and would have fallen from his seat, if Gandalf had not clutched and shaken him Hasufel and Arod, weary but proud, followed their tireless leader, a grey shadow before the moon sank into the cloudy West

A bitter chill carey Red shafts of light leapt above the black walls of the Eht; a wind swept across their path, rushing through the bent grasses Suddenly Shadowfax stood still and neighed Gandalf pointed ahead

&039;Look!&039; he cried, and they lifted their tired eyes Before them stood the mountains of the South: white-tipped and streaked with black The grass-lands rolled against the hills that clustered at their feet, and flowed up into ht of dainding their way into the heart of the great mountains Ilens opened like a long gulf alimpsed a tumbled mountain-mass with one tall peak; at the ht About its feet there flowed, as a thread of silver, the streaht, still far away, a glint in the rising sun, a gliolas!&039; said Gandalf &039;Tell us what you see there before us!&039;

Legolas gazed ahead, shading his eyes from the level shafts of the new-risen sun &039;I see a white stream that comes down from the snows,&039; he said &039;Where it issues froreen hill rises upon the east A dike and hty wall and thorny fence encircle it Within there rise the roofs of houses; and in the reat hall of Men And it seeht of it shines far over the land Golden, too, are the posts of its doors There ht mail stand; but all else within the courts are yet asleep&039;

&039;Edoras those courts are called,&039; said Gandalf, &039;and Meduseld is that golden hall There dwells Theoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan We are co of the day Now the road lies plain to see before us But we must ride more warily; for war is abroad, and the Rohirrim, the Horse-lords, do not sleep, even if it seehty word, I counsel you all, until we are co was bright and clear about the, when the travellers came to the stream It ran doiftly into the plain, and beyond the feet of the hills turned across their path in a wide bend, flowing away east to feed the Entwash far off in its reed-choked beds The land was green: in the wet rew many -trees Already in this southern land they were blushing red at their fingertips, feeling the approach of spring Over the stream there was a ford between low banks e of horses The travellers passed over and ca towards the uplands

At the foot of the walled hill the way ran under the shadow of rass hite as with a drifted snow: s there like countless stars amid the turf

&039;Look!&039; said Gandalf &039;How fair are the bright eyes in the grass! Evermind they are called, simbelmyne in this land of Men, for they blossorohere dead reat barrohere the sires of Theoden sleep&039;

&039;Seven orn &039;Many long lives of olden hall was built&039;

&039;Five hundred times have the red leaves fallen in Mirkwood in olas, &039;and but a little while does that seem to us&039;

&039;But to the Riders of the Mark it see of this house is but a , and the years before are lost in the mist of time Now they call this land their home, their own, and their speech is sundered froan to chant softly in a slow tongue unknown to the Elf and Dwarf; yet they listened, for there was a strong e of the Rohirriolas; &039;for it is like to this land itself; rich and rolling in part, and else hard and stern as the uess what it means, save that it is laden with the sadness of Mortal Men&039;

&039;It runs thus in the Coorn, &039;as near as I can make it

Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?

Where is the hel?

Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?

Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?

They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the one down in the West behind the hills into shadow

Who shall gather the s,

Or behold the flowing years frootten poet long ago in Rohan, recalling how tall and fair was Eorl the Young, who rode down out of the North; and there ings upon the feet of his steed, Felarof, father of horses So &039;

With these words the travellers passed the silent reen shoulders of the hills, they caates of Edoras

There satat once to their feet and barred the ith spears &039;Stay, strangers here unknown!&039; they cried in the tongue of the Ridderers Wonder was in their eyes but little friendliness; and they looked darkly upon Gandalf

&039;Well do I understand your speech,&039; he answered in the saers do so Why then do you not speak in the Coue, as is the custom in the West, if you wish to be answered?&039;

&039;It is the will of Theoden King that none should enter his gates, save those who know our tongue and are our friends,&039; replied one of the guards &039;None are welcome here in days of war but our own folk, and those that co in the land of Gondor Who are you that co horses like to our own horses? Long have we kept guard here, and we have watched you froe, nor any horse more proud than is one of these that bear you He is One of the Mearas, unless our eyes are cheated by some spell Say, are you not a wizard, some spy from Saruman, or phantoms of his craft? Speak now and be swift!&039;

&039;We are no phantoorn, &039;nor do your eyes cheat you For indeed these are your own horses that we ride, as you kneell are you asked, I guess But seldom does thief ride home to the stable Here are Hasufel and Arod, that Eomer, the Third Marshal of the Mark, lent to us, only two days ago We bring them back now, even as we pro of our couard&039;s eyes &039;Of Eoht to say,&039; he answered &039;If what you tell me is truth, then doubtless Theoden will have heard of it Maybe your coo that Worue caer should pass these gates&039;

&039;Woruard &039;Say no ue, but to the Lord of the Mark hio or send to say that we are colinted under his deep brows as he bent his gaze upon the o,&039; he answered slowly &039;But what names shall I report? And what shall I say of you? Old and weary you seerim beneath, I deem&039;

&039;Well do you see and speak,&039; said the wizard &039;For I a back a horse Here is Shadowfax the Great, whoorn son of Arathorn, the heir of Kings, and it is to Mundburg that he goes Here also are Legolas the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf, our coates and would have speech with him, if he will pere naive indeed! But I will report theuard &039;Wait here a little while, and I will bring you such answer as seeood to him Do not hope toothe strangers in the watchful keeping of his comrades After some time he returned &039;Follow ives you leave to enter; but any weapon that you bear; be it only a staff, you must leave on the threshold The doorwardens will keep the open The travellers entered, walking in file behind their guide They found a broad path, paved with hewn stones, noinding upward, now clihts of well-laid steps Many houses built of wood and many dark doors they passed Beside the way in a stone channel a streath they cah platfor gushed from a stone carved in the likeness of a horse&039;s head; beneath was a wide basin fro streah and broad, and on either side of the topuards, with draords laid upon their knees Their golden hair was braided on their shoulders the sun was blazoned upon their green shields, their long corslets were burnished bright, and when they rose taller they seemed than mortal men

&039;There are the doors before you,&039; said the guide &039;I ate Farewell! And racious to you!&039;

He turned and went swiftly back down the road The others cli stair under the eyes of the tall watchmen Silent they stood now above and spoke no word, until Gandalf stepped out upon the paved terrace at the stairs head Then suddenly with clear voices they spoke a courteous greeting in their own tongue

&039;Hail, comers from afar!&039; they said, and they turned the hilts of their swords towards the travellers in token of peace Green geuards stepped forward and spoke in the Common Speech

&039;I am the Doorward of Theoden,&039; he said &039;Hama is my name Here I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter&039;

Then Legolas gave into his hand his silver-hafted knife, his quiver and his bow &039;Keep these well,&039; he said, &039;for they coave them to me&039;

Wonder came into the man&039;s eyes, and he laid the weapons hastily by the wall, as if he feared to handle them &039;No man will touch theorn stood a while hesitating &039;It is not my will,&039; he said, &039;to put aside my sword or to deliver Anduril to the hand of any other man&039;

&039;It is the will of Theoden,&039; said Hama

&039;It is not clear to h he be lord of the Mark, should prevail over the will of Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elendil&039;s heir of Gondor&039;

&039;This is the house of Theoden, not of Aragorn, even were he King of Gondor in the seat of Denethor,&039; said Ha the way His sas now in his hand and the point towards the strangers

&039;This is idle talk,&039; said Gandalf &039;Needless is Theoden&039;s de will have his way in his own hall, be it folly or wisdoorn &039;And I would do as the master of the house bade me, were this only a woodman&039;s cot, if I bore now any sword but Anduril&039;

&039;Whatever its name may be,&039; said Haht alone against all the men in Edoras&039;

&039;Not alone!&039; said Gi darkly up at the guard, as if he were a young tree that Gimli had a mind to fell &039;Not alone!&039;

&039;Come, come!&039; said Gandalf &039;We are all friends here Or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward, if we quarrel My errand is pressing Here at least isit is called, for the Elves orn!&039;

Slowly Aragorn unbuckled his belt and hiainst the wall &039;Here I set it,&039; he said, &039;but I command you not to touch it, nor to permit any other to lay hand on it In this elvish heath dwells the Blade that was Broken and has been ht it in the deeps of time Death shall come to any man that draws Elendil&039;s sword save Elendil&039;s heir&039;

The guard stepped back and looked with aorn &039;It seeotten days he said It shall be, lord, as you command&039;

&039;Well,&039; said Gimli, &039;if it has Anduril to keep it company, my axe may stay here, too, without shame,&039; and he laid it on the floor &039;Now then, if all is as you wish, let us go and speak with your uard still hesitated &039;Your staff,&039; he said to Gandalf &039;Forgive me, but that too must be left at the doors&039;

&039;Foolishness!&039; said Gandalf &039;Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another I ao, then I will sit out here, until it pleases Theoden to hobble out hihed &039;Everytoo dear to trust to another But would you part an old man from his support? Come, will you not let us enter?&039;

&039;The staff in the hand of a wizard e,&039; said Hama He looked hard at the ash-staff on which Gandalf leaned &039;Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his oisdom I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honour, who have no evil purpose You uards now lifted the heavy bars of the doors and swung thees The travellers entered Inside it seemed dark and war and wide and filled with shadows and half lights; ht sunbeah under the deep eaves Through the louver in the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing sed, the travellers perceived that the floor was paved with stones of e devices intertwined beneath their feet They sa that the pillars were richly carved, gleaold and half-seen colours Many woven cloths were hung upon the walls, and over their wide spaces end, so in the shade But upon one for reat horn, and his yellow hair was flying in the wind The horse&039;s head was lifted, and its nostrils ide and red as it neighed, sreen and white, rushed and curled about its knees

&039;Behold Eorl the Young!&039; said Aragorn &039;Thus he rode out of the North to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant&039;

Now the four co upon the long hearth in the midst of the hall Then they halted At the far end of the house, beyond the hearth and facing north towards the doors, was a dais with three steps; and in the ilded chair Upon it sat a e that he see and thick and fell in great braids froolden circle set upon his brow In the centre upon his forehead shone a single white diamond His beard was laid like snow upon his knees; but his eyes still burned with a bright light, glinting as he gazed at the strangers Behind his chair stood a woman clad in white At his feet upon the steps sat a wizened figure of a man, with a pale wise face and heavy-lidded eyes

There was a silence The old th Gandalf spoke &039;Hail, Theoden son of Thengel! I have returned For behold! the storether, lest each singly be destroyed&039;

Slowly the oldheavily upon a short black staff with a handle of white bone; and now the strangers saw that, bent though he was, he was still tall and h and proud indeed

&039;I greet you,&039; he said, &039;and maybe you look for welcome But truth to tell your welcome is doubtful here, Master Gandalf You have ever been a herald of woe Troubles follow you like crows, and ever the oftener the worse I will not deceive you: when I heard that Shadowfax had come back riderless, I rejoiced at the return of the horse, but still ht the tidings that you had gone at last to your long home, I did not ain! And with you coht be expected Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Storain in his chair

&039;You speak justly, lord,&039; said the paleupon the steps of the dais &039;It is not yet five days since the bitter tidings came that Theodred your son was slain upon the West Marches: your right hand, Second Marshal Of the Mark In Eouard your walls, if he had been allowed to rule And even noe learn fro in the East Such is the hour in which this wanderer chooses to return Why indeed should elcome you, Master Stormcrow? Lathspell I nauest they say&039; He laughed griazed on the strangers with dark eyes

&039;You are held wise, reat support to your master,&039; answered Gandalf in a soft voice &039;Yet in tays s He may be a worker of evil; or heaid in time of need&039;

&039;That is so,&039; said Worue; &039;but there is a third kind: pickers of bones, row fat on war What aid have you ever brought, Stor now? It was aid froht last time that you were here Then one; and to the wonder of all you took Shadowfax in your insolence My lord was sorely grieved; yet to some it seereat I guess that it is likely to turn out the same oncehorses, swords, spears? That I would call aid; that is our present need But who are these that follow at your tail? Three ragged wanderers in grey, and you yourself the ar-like of the four!&039;

&039;The courtesy of your hall is soel,&039; said Gandalf &039;Has not the ate reported the names of my couests Weapons they have laid at your doors that are worth htiest Grey is their raiment, for the Elves clad thereat perils to your hall&039;

&039;Then it is true, as Eoue with the Sorceress of the Golden Wood?&039; said Worue &039;It is not to be wondered at: webs of deceit were ever woven in Dwimordene&039;

Gimli strode a pace forward, but felt suddenly the hand of Gandalf clutch hi stiff as stone

In Dwimordene, in Lorien

Seldom have walked the feet of Men,

Few ht

That lies there ever, long and bright

Galadriel! Galadriel!

Clear is the water of your well;

White is the star in your white hand;

Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land

In Dwihts of Mortal Men

Thus Gandalf softly sang, and then suddenly he changed Casting his tattered cloak aside, he stood up and leaned no longer on his staff; and he spoke in a clear cold voice &039;The wise speak only of what they know, Grima son of Galmod A witless worm have you becoue behind your teeth I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving- falls&039; He raised his staff There was a roll of thunder The sunlight was blotted out from the eastern s; the whole hall becaht The fire faded to sullen e white and tall before the blackened hearth

In the glooue&039;s voice: &039;Did I not counsel you, lord, to forbid his staff? That fool, Ha had cloven the roof Then all was silent Worue sprawled on his face

&039;Now Theoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me?&039; said Gandalf &039;Do you ask for help?&039; He lifted his staff and pointed to a highThere the darkness seeh and far, a patch of shining sky &039;Not all is dark Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not find No counsel have I to give to those that despair Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you Will you hear them? They are not for all ears I bid you co have you sat in shadows and trusted to twisted tales and crooked pros&039;

Slowly Theoden left his chair A faint light grew in the hall again The wo his ar steps the old h the hall Wor on the floor They came to the doors and Gandalf knocked

&039;Open!&039; he cried &039;The Lord of the Mark comes forth!&039;

The doors rolled back and a keen air ca on the hill &039;Send your guards down to the stairs foot,&039; said Gandalf &039;And you, lady, leave him a while with me I will care for hihter!&039; said the old king &039;The time for fear is past&039;

The woman turned and went slowly into the house As she passed the doors she turned and looked back Grave and thoughtful was her glance, as she looked on the king with cool pity in her eyes Very fair was her face, and her long hair was like a river of gold Slender and tall she was in her white robe girt with silver; but strong she seeorn for the first tiht of day beheld Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, and thought her fair, fair and cold, like athat is not yet come to womanhood And she noas suddenly aware of hireycloaked Hiding a power that yet she felt For aswiftly she was gone

&039;Now, lord,&039; said Gandalf, &039;look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!&039;

Froh terrace they could see beyond the strearey Curtains of wind-blown rain were slanting down The sky above and to the as still dark with thunder, and lightning far away flickered a the tops of hidden hills But the wind had shifted to the north, and already the stor away southward to the sea Suddenly through a rent in the clouds behind thelealittered like a shilass

&039;It is not so dark here,&039; said Theoden

&039;No,&039; said Gandalf &039;Nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders as some would have you think Cast aside your prop!&039;

Fro on the stones He drew hi over soht he stood, and his eyes were blue as he looked into the opening sky

&039;Dark have been my dreams of late,&039; he said, &039;but I feel as one neakened I would now that you had come before, Gandalf For I fear that already you have co now shall stand the high hall which Brego son of Eorl built Fire shall devour the high seat What is to be done?&039;

&039;Much,&039; said Gandalf &039;But first send for Eohtly that you hold him prisoner, by the counsel of Griue?&039;

&039;It is true,&039; said Theoden &039;He had rebelled against my commands, and threatened death to Grima in my hall&039;

&039;A ue or his counsels,&039; said Gandalf

&039;That may be I will do as you ask Call Hama to me Since he proved untrusty as a doorward, let hiuilty to judgerim, yet he looked at Gandalf and smiled and as he did so many lines of care were smoothed away and did not return