Page 2 (1/2)

The Passing of the Grey Co hoofs of Shadoere lost in the night, when Merry caht bundle, for he had lost his pack at Parth Galen, and all he had was a few useful things he had picked up aard Hasufel was already saddled Legolas and Gimli with their horse stood close by

&039;So four of the Coorn &039;We will ride on together But we shall not go alone, as I thought The king is now detered shadow, he desires to return to the hills under cover of night&039;

&039;And then whither?&039; said Legolas

&039;I cannot say yet,&039; Aragorn answered &039;As for the king, he will go to the hts fros of war, and the Riders of Rohan will go down to Minas Tirith But for o with olas &039;And Gimli with him!&039; said the Dwarf

&039;Well, for orn, &039;it is dark before o down also to Minas Tirith, but I do not yet see the road An hour long prepared approaches&039;

&039;Don&039;t leave me behind!&039; said Merry &039;I have not been of gage to be called for when all is over I don&039;t think the Riders ant to be bothered withdid say that I was to sit by him when he came to his house and tell him all about the Shire&039;

&039;Yes,&039; said Aragorn, &039;and your road lies with hi It will be long, I fear, ere Theoden sits at ease again in Meduseld Many hopes ither in this bitter Spring&039;

Soon all were ready to depart: twenty-four horses, with Giorn Presently they were riding swiftly through the night They had not long passed the alloped up from the rear of their line

&039;My lord,&039; he said to the king, &039;there are horseht that I heard the hard&039;

Theoden at once called a halt The Riders turned about and seized their spears Aragorn dis his sword he stood by the king&039;s stirrup eomer and his esquire rode back to the rear Merry felt e than ever, and he wondered, if there was a fight, what he should do Supposing the king&039;s small escort was trapped and overcome, but he escaped into the darkness �C alone in the wild fields of Rohan with no idea of where he was in all the endless ht He drew his sword and tightened his belt

The sinkingcloud, but suddenly it rode out clear again Then they all heard the sound of hoofs, and at the sa swiftly on the path frolinted here and there on the points of spears The number of the pursuers could not be told, but they see&039;s escort, at the least

When they were some fifty paces off, eomer cried in a loud voice: &039;Halt! Halt! Who rides in Rohan?&039;

The pursuers brought their steeds to a sudden stand A silence followed: and then in theslowly forward His hand shohite as he held it up, palripped their weapons At ten paces theshadow Then his clear voice rang out

&039;Rohan? Rohan did you say? That is a glad word We seek that land in haste fro afar&039;

&039;You have found it,&039; said eomer &039;When you crossed the fords yonder you entered it But it is the real None ride here save by his leave Who are you? And what is your haste?&039;

&039;Halbarad Dunadan, Ranger of the North I aorn son of Arathorn, and we heard that he was in Rohan&039;

&039;And you have found hi his reins to Merry, he ran forward and embraced the newcomer &039;Halbarad!&039; he said &039;Of all joys this is the least expected!&039;

Merry breathed a sigh of relief He had thought that this was so while he had only a few men about him; but it seemed that there would be no need to die in Theoden&039;s defence, not yet at any rate He sheathed his sword

&039;All is well,&039; said Aragorn, turning back &039;Here are some of my own kin from the far land where I dwelt But why they come, and how many they be, Halbarad shall tell us&039;

&039;I have thirty with me,&039; said Halbarad &039;That is all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste; but the brethren Elladan and Elrohir have ridden with us, desiring to go to the war We rode as swiftly as we ht when your summons came&039;

&039;But I did not suorn, &039;save only in wish My thoughts have often turned to you, and seldoht; yet I have sent no word But co in haste and danger Ride with us now, if the king will give his leave&039;

Theoden was indeed glad of the news &039;It is well!&039; he said &039;If these kinsorn, thirty such knights will be a strength that cannot be counted by heads&039;

Then the Riders set out again, and Aragorn for a while rode with the Dunedain; and when they had spoken of tidings in the North and in the South, Elrohir said to hi word to you from my father: The days are short If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead&039;

&039;Always my days have seeorn &039;But great indeed will be my haste ere I take that road&039;

&039;That will soon be seen,&039; said Elrohir &039;But let us speak no s upon the open road!&039;

And Aragorn said to Halbarad: &039;What is that that you bear, kinsman?&039; For he saw that instead of a spear he bore a tall staff, as it were a standard, but it was close-furled in a black cloth bound about withyou from the Lady of Rivendell,&039; answered Halbarad &039;She wrought it in secret, and long was theBut she also sends word to you: The days now are short Either our hope cometh, or all hopes end Therefore I send thee what I have made for thee Fare well, Elfstone! &039;

And Aragorn said: &039;Now I knohat you bear Bear it still for me a while!&039; And he turned and looked away to the North under the great stars, and then he fell silent and spoke no ht&039;s journey lasted

The night was old and the East grey when they rode up at last fro There they were to lie and rest for a brief while and take counsel

Merry slept until he was roused by Legolas and Giolas &039;All others are up and doing Coard, and look at this place while you may!&039;

&039;There was a battle here three nights ago,&039; said Giale orc Come and see hoas! And there are caves, Merry, caves of wonder! Shall we visit theolas, do you think?&039;

&039;Nay! There is no time,&039; said the Elf &039;Do not spoil the wonder with haste! I have given you my word to return hither with you, if a day of peace and freedoain But it is now near to noon, and at that hour we eat, and then set out again, I hear&039;

Merry got up and yawned His few hours&039; sleep had not been nearly enough; he was tired and rather dismal He missed Pippin, and felt that he was only a burden, while everybody wasplans for speed in a business that he did not fully understand &039;Where is Aragorn?&039; he asked

&039;In a high chaolas &039;He has neither rested nor slept, I think He went thither soht, and only his kinsman, Halbarad, ith him; but some dark doubt or care sits on hie company, these newcomers,&039; said Gimli &039;Stout men and lordly they are, and the Riders of Rohan look alrim men of face, worn like weathered rocks for the orn himself; and they are silent&039;

&039;But even as Aragorn they are courteous, if they break their silence&039; said Legolas &039;And have you marked the brethren Elladan and Elrohir? Less soear than the others&039;, and they are fair and gallant as Elven-lords; and that is not to be wondered at in the sons of Elrond of Rivendell&039;

&039;Why have they come? Have you heard?&039; asked Merry He had now dressed, and he flung his grey cloak about his shoulders; and the three passed out together towards the ruined gate of the Burg

&039;They answered a summons, as you heard,&039; said Giorn has need of his kindred Let the Dunedain ride to hie cauess&039;

&039;Nay, Galadriel,&039; said Legolas &039;Did she not speak through Gandalf of the ride of the Grey Company from the North?&039;

&039;Yes, you have it,&039; said Gimli &039;The Lady of the Wood! She read many hearts and desires Nohy did not ish for soolas stood before the gate and turned his bright eyes away north and east, and his fair face was troubled &039;I do not think that any would come,&039; he answered &039;They have no need to ride to ar already marches on their own lands&039;

For a while the three co of this and that turn of the battle, and they went down froate, and passed the reensward beside the road, until they stood on Helm&039;s Dike and looked into the Coomb The Death Down already stood there, black and tall and stony, and the great trarass by the Huorns could be plainly seen The Dunlendings andwere at work on the Dike or in the fields and about the battered walls behind; yet all seereat storm Soon they turned back and went to thewas already there, and as soon as they entered he called for Merry and had a seat set for him at his side &039;It is not as I would have it,&039; said Theoden, &039;for this is little like one, who should also be here But it h table in Meduseld; there will be no ti when I return thither But coether while we may And then you shall ride with me&039;

&039;May I?&039; said Merry, surprised and delighted &039;That would be splendid!&039; He had never felt rateful for any kindness in words &039;I am afraid I am only in everybody&039;s way,&039; he sta I could, you know&039;

&039;I doubt it not,&039; said the king &039;I have had a good hill-pony made ready for you He will bear you as swift as any horse by the roads that we shall take For I will ride fro by mountain paths, not by the plain, and so come to Edoras by way of Dunharrohere the Lady eoaits ear of war in this place, eomer, that my sword-thain could use?&039;

&039;There are no great weapon-hoards here, lord&039; answered eoht be found to fit him; but we have no mail or sword for one of his stature&039;

&039;I have a sword,&039; said Merry, cli froht blade Filled suddenly with love for this old man, he knelt on one knee, and took his hand and kissed it &039;May I lay the sword of Meriadoc of the Shire on your lap Theoden King?&039; he cried &039;Receive my service, if you will!&039;

&039;Gladly will I take it,&039; said the king; and laying his long old hands upon the brown hair of the hobbit; he blessed him &039;Rise now, Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan of the household of Meduseld!&039; he said &039;Take your sword and bear it unto good fortune!&039;

&039;As a father you shall be to me,&039; said Merry

&039;For a little while,&039; said Theoden

They talked then together as they ate, until presently eo, lord,&039; he said &039;Shall I bid orn? His place is empty and he has not eaten&039;

&039;We will make ready to ride,&039; said Theoden, &039;but let word be sent to the Lord Aragorn that the hour is nigh&039;

The king with his guard and Merry at his side passed down fro on the green Many were alreadyonly a s, and all who could be spared were riding to the weapontake at Edoras A thousand spears had indeed already ridden away at night; but still there would be so, for the most part men from the fields and dales of Westfold

A little apart the Rangers sat, silent, in an ordered company, armed with spear and bow and sword They were clad in cloaks of dark grey, and their hoods were cast now over hel, but rough-haired; and one stood there without a rider, Aragorn&039;s own horse that they had brought froleaear and harness: nor did their riders bear any badge or token, save only that each cloak was pinned upon the left shoulder by a brooch of silver shaped like a rayed star

The king mounted his horse, Snowmane, and Merry sat beside him on his pony; Stybba was his naate, and with hireat staff close-furled in black, and two tallnor old, so much alike were they, the sons of Elrond, that few could tell therey-eyed, and their faces elven-fair, clad alike in bright olas and Gi was the change that he saw in hiht rey-hued and weary

&039;I a&039;s horse &039;I have heard strange words, and I see new perils far off I have laboured long in thought, and now I fear that I e my purpose Tellwill it be ere you come there?&039;

&039;It is now a full hour past noon,&039; said eoht of the third day from noe should coht past his full, and thecommanded will be held the day after More speed we cannot athered&039;

Aragorn was silent for a moment &039;Three days,&039; he un But I see that it cannot now be hastened&039; He looked up, and it seemed that he had made some decision; his face was less troubled &039;Then, by our leave, lord, I must take new counsel for er in secret For me the time of stealth has passed I will ride east by the swiftest way, and I will take the Paths of the Dead&039;

&039;The Paths of the Dead!&039; said Theoden, and trembled &039;Why do you speak of theorn, and it seemed to Merry that the faces of the Riders that sat within hearing turned pale at the words &039;If there be in truth such paths,&039; said Theoden, &039;their gate is in Dunharrow; but no living orn my friend!&039; said eoether; but if you seek the Paths of the Dead, then our parting is coain under the Sun&039;

&039;That road I will take, nonetheless,&039; said Aragorn &039;But I say to you, eoh all the hosts of Mordor should stand between&039;

&039;You will do as you will, orn,&039; said Theoden &039;It is your dooe paths that others dare not This parting grieves th is lessened by it; but now I er Farewell!&039;

&039;Farewell, lord!&039; said Aragorn &039;Ride unto great renown! Farewell, Merry! I leave you in good hands, better than we hoped e hunted the orcs to Fangorn Legolas and Giet you&039;

&039;Good-bye!&039; said Merry He could find no more to say He felt very sloomy words More than ever he missed the unquenchable cheerfulness of Pippin The Riders were ready, and their horses were fidgeting; he wished they would start and get it over

Now Theoden spoke to eomer, and he lifted up his hand and cried aloud, and with that word the Riders set forth They rode over the Dike and down the Coo swiftly eastwards, they took a path that skirted the foothills for athe hills and disappeared fro&039;s men were far down the Cooo three that I love, and the smallest not the least,&039; he said &039;He knows not to what end he rides; yet if he knew, he still would go on&039;

&039;A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk,&039; said Halbarad &039;Little do they know of our long labour for the safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not&039;

&039;And now our fates are woven together,&039; said Aragorn &039;And yet, alas! here we must part Well, I must eat a little, and then we also olas and Giether they went back into the Burg; yet for soorn sat silent at the table in the hall, and the others waited for hiolas at last &039;Speak and be comforted, and shake off the shadow! What has happened since we ca?&039;

&039;A struggle so,&039; answered Aragorn &039;I have looked in the Stone of Orthanc, my friends&039;

&039;You have looked in that accursed stone of wizardry!&039; exclaimed Gimli with fear and astonishht to �C him? Even Gandalf feared that encounter&039;

&039;You forget to wholinted &039;Did I not openly proclaim my title before the doors of Edoras? What do you fear that I should say to hirimness left his face, and he looked like one who has laboured in sleepless pain for hts &039;Nay, my friends, I aht and the strength to use it, or so I judged The right cannot be doubted The strength was enough �C barely&039;

He drew a deep breath &039;It was a bitter struggle, and the weariness is slow to pass I spoke no word to him, and in the end I wrenched the Stone to my oill That alone he will find hard to endure And he beheld uise than you see me here If that will aid him, then I have done ill But I do not think so To know that I lived and walked the earth was a blow to his heart, I deem; for he knew it not till now The eyes in Orthanc did not see through the arotten Isildur and the sword of Elendil Now in the very hour of his great designs the heir of Isildur and the Sword are revealed; for l showed the blade re-forged to hihty yet that he is above fear; nay, doubt ever gnaws hireat dominion, nonetheless,&039; said Gimli, &039;and noill strike oes oft astray,&039; said Aragorn &039;We er wait upon him for the move See my friends, when I had rave peril I saw co unlooked-for upon Gondor froth from the defence of Minas Tirith If it is not countered swiftly, I deeone&039;

&039;Then lost it must be,&039; said Gimli &039;For what help is there to send thither, and how could it come there in time?&039;

&039;I have no help to send, therefore I orn &039;But there is only one way through theme to the coastlands before all is lost That is the Paths of the Dead&039;

&039;The Paths of the Dead!&039; said Gi to the Men of Rohan, as I saw Can the living use such a road and not perish? And even if you pass that ill so few avail to counter the strokes of Mordor?&039;

&039;The living have never used that road since the coorn, &039;for it is closed to them But in this dark hour the heir of Isildur may use it, if he dare Listen! This is the word that the sons of Elrond bring to orn remember the words of the seer, and the Paths of the Dead&039;

&039;And what olas

"Thus spoke Malbeth the Seer, in the days of Arvedui, last king at Fornost,&039; said Aragorn:

Over the land there lies a long shadow,

ard reaching wings of darkness

The Tower tres

doom approaches The Dead awaken;