the return of the king-µÚ49ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
glory¡¡and¡¡splendour£¡¡¡And¡¡all¡¡my¡¡wishes¡¡have¡¡e¡¡true£¡'¡¡And¡¡then¡¡he¡¡wept¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡all¡¡the¡¡host¡¡laughed¡¡and¡¡wept£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡the¡¡midst¡¡of¡¡their¡¡merriment¡¡and¡¡tears¡¡the¡¡clear¡¡voice¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡minstrel¡¡rose¡¡like¡¡silver¡¡and¡¡gold£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡men¡¡were¡¡hushed¡£¡¡And¡¡he¡¡sang¡¡to¡¡them£»¡¡now¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
Elven¡tongue£»¡¡now¡¡in¡¡the¡¡speech¡¡of¡¡the¡¡West£»¡¡until¡¡their¡¡hearts£»¡¡wounded¡¡with¡¡sweet¡¡words£»¡¡
overflowed£»¡¡and¡¡their¡¡joy¡¡was¡¡like¡¡swords£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡passed¡¡in¡¡thought¡¡out¡¡to¡¡regions¡¡where¡¡pain¡¡
and¡¡delight¡¡flow¡¡together¡¡and¡¡tears¡¡are¡¡the¡¡very¡¡wine¡¡of¡¡blessedness¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡at¡¡the¡¡last£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡Sun¡¡fell¡¡from¡¡the¡¡noon¡¡and¡¡the¡¡shadows¡¡of¡¡the¡¡trees¡¡lengthened£»¡¡he¡¡ended¡£¡¡
'Praise¡¡them¡¡with¡¡great¡¡praise£¡'¡¡he¡¡said¡¡and¡¡knelt¡£¡¡And¡¡then¡¡Aragorn¡¡stood¡¡up£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡the¡¡host¡¡arose£»¡¡
and¡¡they¡¡passed¡¡to¡¡pavilions¡¡made¡¡ready£»¡¡to¡¡eat¡¡and¡¡drink¡¡and¡¡make¡¡merry¡¡while¡¡the¡¡day¡¡lasted¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Frodo¡¡and¡¡Sam¡¡were¡¡led¡¡apart¡¡and¡¡brought¡¡to¡¡a¡¡tent£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡their¡¡old¡¡raiment¡¡was¡¡taken¡¡off£»¡¡
but¡¡folded¡¡and¡¡set¡¡aside¡¡with¡¡honour£»¡¡and¡¡clean¡¡linen¡¡was¡¡given¡¡to¡¡them¡£¡¡Then¡¡Gandalf¡¡came¡¡and¡¡in¡¡
his¡¡arms£»¡¡to¡¡the¡¡wonder¡¡of¡¡Frodo£»¡¡he¡¡bore¡¡the¡¡sword¡¡and¡¡the¡¡elven¡cloak¡¡and¡¡the¡¡mithril¡coat¡¡that¡¡
had¡¡been¡¡taken¡¡from¡¡him¡¡in¡¡Mordor¡£¡¡For¡¡Sam¡¡he¡¡brought¡¡a¡¡coat¡¡of¡¡gilded¡¡mail£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡elven¡cloak¡¡
all¡¡healed¡¡of¡¡the¡¡soils¡¡and¡¡hurts¡¡that¡¡it¡¡had¡¡suffered£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡he¡¡laid¡¡before¡¡them¡¡two¡¡swords¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡wish¡¡for¡¡any¡¡sword£»'¡¡said¡¡Frodo¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Tonight¡¡at¡¡least¡¡you¡¡should¡¡wear¡¡one£»'¡¡said¡¡Gandalf¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡Frodo¡¡took¡¡the¡¡small¡¡sword¡¡that¡¡had¡¡belonged¡¡to¡¡Sam£»¡¡and¡¡had¡¡been¡¡laid¡¡at¡¡his¡¡side¡¡in¡¡
Cirith¡¡Ungol¡£¡¡'Sting¡¡I¡¡gave¡¡to¡¡you¡¡Sam£»'¡¡he¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'No£»¡¡master£¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Bilbo¡¡gave¡¡it¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡goes¡¡with¡¡his¡¡silver¡¡coat£»¡¡he¡¡would¡¡not¡¡wish¡¡anyone¡¡
else¡¡to¡¡wear¡¡it¡¡now¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Frodo¡¡gave¡¡way£»¡¡and¡¡Gandalf£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡were¡¡their¡¡esquire£»¡¡knelt¡¡and¡¡girt¡¡the¡¡sword¡belts¡¡about¡¡
them£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡rising¡¡he¡¡set¡¡circlets¡¡of¡¡silver¡¡upon¡¡their¡¡heads¡£¡¡And¡¡when¡¡they¡¡were¡¡arrayed¡¡they¡¡
went¡¡to¡¡the¡¡great¡¡feast£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡sat¡¡at¡¡the¡¡King's¡¡table¡¡with¡¡Gandalf£»¡¡and¡¡King¡¡¨¦omer¡¡of¡¡Rohan£»¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡Prince¡¡Imrahil¡¡and¡¡all¡¡the¡¡chief¡¡captains£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡also¡¡were¡¡Gimli¡¡and¡¡Legolas¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡when£»¡¡after¡¡the¡¡Standing¡¡Silence£»¡¡wine¡¡was¡¡brought¡¡there¡¡came¡¡in¡¡two¡¡esquires¡¡to¡¡serve¡¡the¡¡
kings£»¡¡or¡¡so¡¡they¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡be£º¡¡one¡¡was¡¡clad¡¡in¡¡the¡¡silver¡¡and¡¡sable¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Guards¡¡of¡¡Minas¡¡Tirith£»¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡other¡¡in¡¡white¡¡and¡¡green¡£¡¡But¡¡Sam¡¡wondered¡¡what¡¡such¡¡young¡¡boys¡¡were¡¡doing¡¡in¡¡an¡¡army¡¡
of¡¡mighty¡¡men¡£¡¡Then¡¡suddenly¡¡as¡¡they¡¡drew¡¡near¡¡and¡¡he¡¡could¡¡see¡¡them¡¡plainly£»¡¡he¡¡exclaimed£º
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Why£»¡¡look¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Frodo£¡¡¡Look¡¡here£¡¡¡Well£»¡¡if¡¡it¡¡isn't¡¡Pippin¡£¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Peregrin¡¡Took¡¡I¡¡should¡¡say£»¡¡and¡¡
Mr¡£¡¡Merry£¡¡¡How¡¡they¡¡have¡¡grown£¡¡¡Bless¡¡me£¡¡¡But¡¡I¡¡can¡¡see¡¡there's¡¡more¡¡tales¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡than¡¡ours¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'There¡¡are¡¡indeed£»'¡¡said¡¡Pippin¡¡turning¡¡towards¡¡him¡£¡¡'And¡¡we'll¡¡begin¡¡telling¡¡them£»¡¡as¡¡soon¡¡as¡¡this¡¡
feast¡¡is¡¡ended¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡meantime¡¡you¡¡can¡¡try¡¡Gandalf¡£¡¡He's¡¡not¡¡so¡¡close¡¡as¡¡he¡¡used¡¡to¡¡be£»¡¡though¡¡he¡¡
laughs¡¡now¡¡more¡¡than¡¡he¡¡talks¡£¡¡For¡¡the¡¡present¡¡Merry¡¡and¡¡I¡¡are¡¡busy¡£¡¡We¡¡are¡¡knights¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡¡
and¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Mark£»¡¡as¡¡I¡¡hope¡¡you¡¡observe¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡last¡¡the¡¡glad¡¡day¡¡ended£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡the¡¡Sun¡¡was¡¡gone¡¡and¡¡the¡¡round¡¡Moon¡¡rode¡¡slowly¡¡above¡¡
the¡¡mists¡¡of¡¡Anduin¡¡and¡¡flickered¡¡through¡¡the¡¡fluttering¡¡leaves£»¡¡Frodo¡¡and¡¡Sam¡¡sat¡¡under¡¡the¡¡
whispering¡¡trees¡¡amid¡¡the¡¡fragrance¡¡of¡¡fair¡¡Ithilien£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡talked¡¡deep¡¡into¡¡the¡¡night¡¡with¡¡Merry¡¡
and¡¡Pippin¡¡and¡¡Gandalf£»¡¡and¡¡after¡¡a¡¡while¡¡Legolas¡¡and¡¡Gimli¡¡joined¡¡them¡£¡¡There¡¡Frodo¡¡and¡¡Sam¡¡
learned¡¡much¡¡of¡¡all¡¡that¡¡had¡¡happened¡¡to¡¡the¡¡pany¡¡after¡¡their¡¡fellowship¡¡was¡¡broken¡¡on¡¡the¡¡evil¡¡
day¡¡at¡¡Parth¡¡Galen¡¡by¡¡Rauros¡¡Falls£»¡¡and¡¡still¡¡there¡¡was¡¡always¡¡more¡¡to¡¡ask¡¡and¡¡more¡¡to¡¡tell¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Orcs£»¡¡and¡¡talking¡¡trees£»¡¡and¡¡leagues¡¡of¡¡grass£»¡¡and¡¡galloping¡¡riders¡£¡¡and¡¡glittering¡¡caves£»¡¡and¡¡
white¡¡towers¡¡and¡¡golden¡¡halls£»¡¡and¡¡battles£»¡¡and¡¡tall¡¡ships¡¡sailing£»¡¡all¡¡these¡¡passed¡¡before¡¡Sam's¡¡mind¡¡
until¡¡he¡¡felt¡¡bewildered¡£¡¡But¡¡amidst¡¡all¡¡these¡¡wonders¡¡he¡¡returned¡¡always¡¡to¡¡his¡¡astonishment¡¡at¡¡the¡¡
size¡¡of¡¡Merry¡¡and¡¡Pippin£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡made¡¡them¡¡stand¡¡back¡¡to¡¡back¡¡with¡¡Frodo¡¡and¡¡himself¡£¡¡He¡¡
scratched¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡'Can't¡¡understand¡¡it¡¡at¡¡your¡¡age£¡'¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡'But¡¡there¡¡it¡¡is£º¡¡you're¡¡three¡¡inches¡¡
taller¡¡than¡¡you¡¡ought¡¡to¡¡he£»¡¡or¡¡I'm¡¡a¡¡dwarf¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'That¡¡you¡¡certainly¡¡are¡¡not£»'¡¡said¡¡Gimli¡£¡¡'But¡¡what¡¡did¡¡I¡¡say£¿¡¡Mortals¡¡cannot¡¡go¡¡drinking¡¡ent¡
draughts¡¡and¡¡expect¡¡no¡¡more¡¡to¡¡e¡¡of¡¡them¡¡than¡¡of¡¡a¡¡pot¡¡of¡¡beer¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Ent¡draughts£¿'¡¡said¡¡Sam¡£¡¡'There¡¡you¡¡go¡¡about¡¡Ents¡¡again£»¡¡but¡¡what¡¡they¡¡are¡¡beats¡¡me¡£¡¡Why£»¡¡it¡¡
will¡¡take¡¡weeks¡¡before¡¡we¡¡get¡¡all¡¡these¡¡things¡¡sized¡¡up£¡'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Weeks¡¡indeed£»'¡¡said¡¡Pippin¡£¡¡'And¡¡then¡¡Frodo¡¡will¡¡have¡¡to¡¡be¡¡locked¡¡up¡¡in¡¡a¡¡tower¡¡in¡¡Minas¡¡
Tirith¡¡and¡¡write¡¡it¡¡all¡¡down¡£¡¡Otherwise¡¡he¡¡will¡¡forget¡¡half¡¡of¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡poor¡¡old¡¡Bilbo¡¡will¡¡be¡¡
dreadfully¡¡disappointed¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡length¡¡Gandalf¡¡rose¡£¡¡'The¡¡hands¡¡of¡¡the¡¡King¡¡are¡¡hands¡¡of¡¡healing£»¡¡dear¡¡friends£»'¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡'But¡¡
you¡¡went¡¡to¡¡the¡¡very¡¡brink¡¡of¡¡death¡¡ere¡¡he¡¡recalled¡¡you£»¡¡putting¡¡forth¡¡all¡¡his¡¡power£»¡¡and¡¡sent¡¡you¡¡
into¡¡the¡¡sweet¡¡forgetfulness¡¡of¡¡sleep¡£¡¡And¡¡though¡¡you¡¡have¡¡indeed¡¡slept¡¡long¡¡and¡¡blessedly£»¡¡still¡¡it¡¡
is¡¡now¡¡time¡¡to¡¡sleep¡¡again¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡not¡¡only¡¡Sam¡¡and¡¡Frodo¡¡here£»¡¡said¡¡Gimli£»¡¡but¡¡you¡¡too£»¡¡Pippin¡£¡¡I¡¡love¡¡you£»¡¡if¡¡only¡¡because¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡pains¡¡you¡¡have¡¡cost¡¡me£»¡¡which¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡never¡¡forget¡£¡¡Nor¡¡shall¡¡I¡¡forget¡¡finding¡¡you¡¡on¡¡the¡¡hill¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡last¡¡battle¡£¡¡But¡¡for¡¡Gimli¡¡the¡¡Dwarf¡¡you¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡lost¡¡then¡£¡¡But¡¡at¡¡least¡¡I¡¡know¡¡now¡¡the¡¡
look¡¡of¡¡a¡¡hobbit's¡¡foot£»¡¡though¡¡it¡¡be¡¡all¡¡that¡¡can¡¡be¡¡seen¡¡under¡¡a¡¡heap¡¡of¡¡bodies¡£¡¡And¡¡when¡¡I¡¡heaved¡¡
that¡¡great¡¡carcase¡¡off¡¡you£»¡¡I¡¡made¡¡sure¡¡you¡¡were¡¡dead¡£¡¡I¡¡could¡¡have¡£¡¡torn¡¡out¡¡my¡¡beard¡£¡¡And¡¡it¡¡is¡¡
only¡¡a¡¡day¡¡yet¡¡since¡¡you¡¡were¡¡first¡¡up¡¡and¡¡abroad¡¡again¡£¡¡To¡¡bed¡¡now¡¡you¡¡go¡£¡¡And¡¡so¡¡shall¡¡I¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'And¡¡I£»'¡¡said¡¡Legolas£»¡¡'shall¡¡walk¡¡in¡¡the¡¡woods¡¡of¡¡this¡¡fair¡¡land£»¡¡which¡¡is¡¡rest¡¡enough¡£¡¡In¡¡days¡¡to¡¡
e£»¡¡if¡¡my¡¡Elven¡lord¡¡allows£»¡¡some¡¡of¡¡our¡¡folk¡¡shall¡¡remove¡¡hither£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡we¡¡e¡¡it¡¡shall¡¡be¡¡
blessed£»¡¡for¡¡a¡¡while¡£¡¡For¡¡a¡¡while£º¡¡a¡¡month£»¡¡a¡¡life£»¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡years¡¡of¡¡Men¡£¡¡But¡¡Anduin¡¡is¡¡near£»¡¡and¡¡
Anduin¡¡leads¡¡down¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Sea¡£¡¡To¡¡the¡¡Sea£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡_To¡¡the¡¡Sea£»¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Sea£¡¡¡The¡¡white¡¡gulls¡¡are¡¡crying£»
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡wind¡¡is¡¡blowing£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡white¡¡foam¡¡is¡¡flying¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡West£»¡¡west¡¡away£»¡¡the¡¡round¡¡sun¡¡is¡¡falling¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Grey¡¡ship£»¡¡grey¡¡ship£»¡¡do¡¡you¡¡hear¡¡them¡¡calling¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡voices¡¡of¡¡my¡¡people¡¡that¡¡have¡¡gone¡¡before¡¡me£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡will¡¡leave£»¡¡I¡¡will¡¡leave¡¡the¡¡woods¡¡that¡¡bore¡¡me£»
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡our¡¡days¡¡are¡¡ending¡¡and¡¡our¡¡years¡¡failing¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡will¡¡pass¡¡the¡¡wide¡¡waters¡¡lonely¡¡sailing¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Long¡¡are¡¡the¡¡waves¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Last¡¡Shore¡¡falling£»
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sweet¡¡are¡¡the¡¡voices¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Lost¡¡Isle¡¡calling£»
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡Eress£¿a£»¡¡in¡¡Elvenhome¡¡that¡¡no¡¡man¡¡can¡¡discover£»
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Where¡¡the¡¡leaves¡¡fall¡¡not£º¡¡land¡¡of¡¡my¡¡people¡¡for¡¡ever£¡'_
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡so¡¡singing¡¡Legolas¡¡went¡¡away¡¡down¡¡the¡¡hill¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡the¡¡others¡¡also¡¡departed£»¡¡and¡¡Frodo¡¡and¡¡Sam¡¡went¡¡to¡¡their¡¡beds¡¡and¡¡slept¡£¡¡And¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
morning¡¡they¡¡rose¡¡again¡¡in¡¡hope¡¡and¡¡peace£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡spent¡¡many¡¡days¡¡in¡¡Ithilien¡£¡¡For¡¡the¡¡Field¡¡of¡¡
Cormallen£»¡¡where¡¡the¡¡host¡¡was¡¡now¡¡encamped¡¡was¡¡near¡¡to¡¡Henneth¡¡Ann£¿n£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡stream¡¡that¡¡
flowed¡¡from¡¡its¡¡falls¡¡could¡¡be¡¡heard¡¡in¡¡the¡¡night¡¡as¡¡it¡¡rushed¡¡down¡¡through¡¡its¡¡rocky¡¡gate£»¡¡and¡¡
passed¡¡through¡¡the¡¡flowery¡¡meads¡¡into¡¡the¡¡tides¡¡of¡¡Anduin¡¡by¡¡the¡¡Isle¡¡of¡¡Cair¡¡Andros¡£¡¡The¡¡hobbits¡¡
wandered¡¡here¡¡and¡¡there¡¡visiting¡¡again¡¡the¡¡places¡¡that¡¡they¡¡had¡¡passed¡¡before£»¡¡and¡¡Sam¡¡hoped¡¡
always¡¡in¡¡some¡¡shadow¡¡of¡¡the¡¡woods¡¡or¡¡secret¡¡glade¡¡to¡¡catch£»¡¡maybe£»¡¡a¡¡glimpse¡¡of¡¡the¡¡great¡¡
Oliphaunt¡£¡¡And¡¡when¡¡he¡¡learned¡¡that¡¡at¡¡the¡¡siege¡¡of¡¡Gondor¡¡there¡¡had¡¡been¡¡a¡¡great¡¡number¡¡of¡¡these¡¡
beasts¡¡but¡¡that¡¡they¡¡were¡¡all¡¡destroyed£»¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡it¡¡a¡¡sad¡¡loss¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Well£»¡¡one¡¡can't¡¡be¡¡everywhere¡¡at¡¡once£»¡¡I¡¡suppose£»'¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡'But¡¡I¡¡missed¡¡a¡¡lot£»¡¡seemingly¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡meanwhile¡¡the¡¡host¡¡made¡¡ready¡¡for¡¡the¡¡return¡¡to¡¡Minas¡¡Tirith¡£¡¡The¡¡weary¡¡rested¡¡and¡¡the¡¡
hurt¡¡were¡¡healed¡£¡¡For¡¡some¡¡had¡¡laboured¡¡and¡¡fought¡¡much¡¡with¡¡the¡¡remnants¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Easterlings¡¡and¡¡
Southrons£»¡¡until¡¡all¡¡were¡¡subdued¡£¡¡And£»¡¡latest¡¡of¡¡all£»¡¡those¡¡returned¡¡who¡¡had¡¡passed¡¡into¡¡Mordor¡¡
and¡¡destroyed¡¡the¡¡fortresses¡¡in¡¡the¡¡north¡¡of¡¡the¡¡land¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡at¡¡the¡¡last¡¡when¡¡the¡¡month¡¡of¡¡May¡¡was¡¡drawing¡¡near¡¡the¡¡Captains¡¡of¡¡the¡¡West¡¡set¡¡out¡¡again£»¡¡
and¡¡they¡¡went¡¡aboard¡¡ship¡¡with¡¡all¡¡their¡¡men£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡sailed¡¡from¡¡Cair¡¡Andros¡¡down¡¡Anduin¡¡to¡¡
Osgiliath£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡they¡¡remained¡¡for¡¡one¡¡day£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡day¡¡after¡¡they¡¡came¡¡to¡¡the¡¡green¡¡fields¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡Pelennor¡¡and¡¡saw¡¡again¡¡the¡¡white¡¡towers¡¡under¡¡tall¡¡Mindolluin£»¡¡the¡¡City¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Men¡¡of¡¡Gondor£»¡¡
last¡¡memory¡¡of¡¡Westernesse£»¡¡that¡¡had¡¡passed¡¡through¡¡the¡¡darkness¡¡and¡¡fire¡¡to¡¡a¡¡new¡¡day¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡there¡¡in¡¡the¡¡midst¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fields¡¡they¡¡set¡¡up¡¡their¡¡pavilions¡¡and¡¡awaited¡¡the¡¡morning£»¡¡for¡¡it¡¡
was¡¡the¡¡Eve¡¡of¡¡May£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡King¡¡would¡¡enter¡¡his¡¡gates¡¡with¡¡the¡¡rising¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Sun¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡_Chapter¡¡5_
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Steward¡¡and¡¡the¡¡King
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Over¡¡the¡¡city¡¡of¡¡Gondor¡¡doubt¡¡and¡¡great¡¡dread¡¡had¡¡hung¡£¡¡Fair¡¡weather¡¡and¡¡clear¡¡sun¡¡had¡¡seemed¡¡
but¡¡a¡¡mockery¡¡to¡¡men¡¡whose¡¡days¡¡held¡¡little¡¡hope£»¡¡and¡¡who¡¡looked¡¡each¡¡morning¡¡for¡¡news¡¡of¡¡doom¡£¡¡
Their¡¡lord¡¡was¡¡dead¡¡and¡¡burned£»¡¡dead¡¡lay¡¡the¡¡King¡¡of¡¡Rohan¡¡in¡¡their¡¡citadel£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡new¡¡king¡¡that¡¡
had¡¡e¡¡to¡¡them¡¡in¡¡the¡¡night¡¡was¡¡gone¡¡again¡¡to¡¡a¡¡war¡¡with¡¡powers¡¡too¡¡dark¡¡and¡¡terrible¡¡for¡¡any¡¡
might¡¡or¡¡valour¡¡to¡¡conquer¡£¡¡And¡¡no¡¡news¡¡came¡£¡¡After¡¡the¡¡host¡¡left¡¡Morgul¡¡Vale¡¡and¡¡took¡¡the¡¡
northward¡¡road¡¡beneath¡¡the¡¡shadow¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mountains¡¡no¡¡messenger¡¡had¡¡returned¡¡nor¡¡any¡¡rumour¡¡of¡¡
what¡¡was¡¡passing¡¡in¡¡the¡¡brooding¡¡East¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡the¡¡Captains¡¡were¡¡but¡¡two¡¡days¡¡gone£»¡¡the¡¡Lady¡¡¨¦owyn¡¡bade¡¡the¡¡women¡¡who¡¡tended¡¡her¡¡to¡¡
bring¡¡her¡¡raiment£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡would¡¡not¡¡be¡¡gainsaid£»¡¡but¡¡rose£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡they¡¡had¡¡clothed¡¡her¡¡and¡¡set¡¡
her¡¡arm¡¡in¡¡a¡¡sling¡¡of¡¡linen£»¡¡she¡¡went¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Warden¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Houses¡¡of¡¡Healing¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Sir£»'¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡'I¡¡am¡¡in¡¡great¡¡unrest£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡cannot¡¡lie¡¡longer¡¡in¡¡sloth¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Lady£»'¡¡he¡¡answered£»¡¡'you¡¡are¡¡not¡¡yet¡¡healed£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡was¡¡manded¡¡to¡¡tend¡¡you¡¡with¡¡especial¡¡
care¡£¡¡You¡¡should¡¡not¡¡have¡¡risen¡¡from¡¡your¡¡bed¡¡for¡¡seven¡¡days¡¡yet£»¡¡or¡¡so¡¡I¡¡was¡¡bidden¡£¡¡I¡¡beg¡¡you¡¡to¡¡
go¡¡back¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡am¡¡healed£»'¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡'healed¡¡at¡¡least¡¡in¡¡body£»¡¡save¡¡my¡¡left¡¡arm¡¡only£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡is¡¡at¡¡ease¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡
shall¡¡sicken¡¡anew£»¡¡if¡¡there¡¡is¡¡naught¡¡that¡¡I¡¡can¡¡do¡£¡¡Are¡¡there¡¡no¡¡tidings¡¡of¡¡war£¿¡¡The¡¡women¡¡can¡¡tell¡¡
me¡¡nothing¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'There¡¡are¡¡no¡¡tidings£»'¡¡said¡¡the¡¡Warden£»¡¡'save¡¡that¡¡the¡¡Lords¡¡have¡¡ridden¡¡to¡¡Morgul¡¡Vale£»¡¡and¡¡
men¡¡say¡¡that¡¡the¡¡new¡¡captain¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡North¡¡is¡¡their¡¡chief¡£¡¡A¡¡great¡¡lord¡¡is¡¡that£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡healer£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡
is¡¡a¡¡thing¡¡passing¡¡strange¡¡to¡¡me¡¡that¡¡the¡¡healing¡¡hand¡¡should¡¡also¡¡wield¡¡the¡¡sword¡£¡¡It¡¡is¡¡not¡¡thus¡¡in¡¡
Gondor¡¡now£»¡¡though¡¡once¡¡it¡¡was¡¡so£»¡¡if¡¡old¡¡tales¡¡be¡¡true¡£¡¡But¡¡for¡¡long¡¡years¡¡we¡¡healers¡¡have¡¡only¡¡
sought¡¡to¡¡patch¡¡the¡¡rents¡¡made¡¡by¡¡the¡¡men¡¡of¡¡swords¡£¡¡Though¡¡we¡¡should¡¡still¡¡have¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡do¡¡
without¡¡them£º¡¡the¡¡world¡¡is¡¡full¡¡enough¡¡of¡¡hurts¡¡and¡¡mischances¡¡without¡¡wars¡¡to¡¡multiply¡¡them¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡needs¡¡but¡¡one¡¡foe¡¡to¡¡breed¡¡a¡¡war£»¡¡not¡¡two£»¡¡Master¡¡Warden£»¡¡answered¡¡¨¦owyn¡£¡¡'And¡¡those¡¡who¡¡
have¡¡not¡¡swords¡¡can¡¡still¡¡die¡¡upon¡¡them¡£¡¡Would¡¡you¡¡have¡¡the¡¡folk¡¡of¡¡Gondor¡¡gather¡¡you¡¡herbs¡¡only£»¡¡
when¡¡the¡¡Dark¡¡Lord¡¡gathers¡¡armies£¿¡¡And¡¡it¡¡is¡¡not¡¡always¡¡good¡¡to¡¡be¡¡healed¡¡in¡¡body¡£¡¡Nor¡¡is¡¡it¡¡
always¡¡evil¡¡to¡¡die¡¡in¡¡battle£»¡¡even¡¡in¡¡bitter¡¡pain¡£¡¡Were¡¡I¡¡permitted£»¡¡in¡¡this¡¡dark¡¡hour¡¡I¡¡would¡¡choose¡¡
the¡¡latter¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Warden¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡her¡£¡¡Tall¡¡she¡¡stood¡¡t