the return of the king-µÚ50ÕÂ
°´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£¡
the¡¡latter¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Warden¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡her¡£¡¡Tall¡¡she¡¡stood¡¡there£»¡¡her¡¡eyes¡¡bright¡¡in¡¡her¡¡white¡¡face£»¡¡her¡¡hand¡¡
clenched¡¡as¡¡she¡¡turned¡¡and¡¡gazed¡¡out¡¡of¡¡his¡¡window¡¡that¡¡opened¡¡to¡¡the¡¡East¡£¡¡He¡¡sighed¡¡and¡¡shook¡¡
his¡¡head¡£¡¡After¡¡a¡¡pause¡¡she¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡him¡¡again¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Is¡¡there¡¡no¡¡deed¡¡to¡¡do£¿'¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡'Who¡¡mands¡¡in¡¡this¡¡City£¿'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡rightly¡¡know£»'¡¡he¡¡answered¡£¡¡'Such¡¡things¡¡are¡¡not¡¡my¡¡care¡£¡¡There¡¡is¡¡a¡¡marshal¡¡over¡¡the¡¡
Riders¡¡of¡¡Rohan£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Lord¡¡H¨²rin£»¡¡I¡¡am¡¡told£»¡¡mands¡¡the¡¡men¡¡of¡¡Gondor¡£¡¡But¡¡the¡¡Lord¡¡
Faramir¡¡is¡¡by¡¡right¡¡the¡¡Steward¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Where¡¡can¡¡I¡¡find¡¡him£¿'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'In¡¡this¡¡house£»¡¡lady¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡sorely¡¡hurt£»¡¡but¡¡is¡¡now¡¡set¡¡again¡¡on¡¡the¡¡way¡¡to¡¡health¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡
know¡'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Will¡¡you¡¡not¡¡bring¡¡me¡¡to¡¡him£¿¡¡Then¡¡you¡¡will¡¡know¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Lord¡¡Faramir¡¡was¡¡walking¡¡alone¡¡in¡¡the¡¡garden¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Houses¡¡of¡¡Healing£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡sunlight¡¡
warmed¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡felt¡¡life¡¡run¡¡new¡¡in¡¡his¡¡veins£»¡¡but¡¡his¡¡heart¡¡was¡¡heavy£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡looked¡¡out¡¡over¡¡
the¡¡walls¡¡eastward¡£¡¡And¡¡ing£»¡¡the¡¡Warden¡¡spoke¡¡his¡¡name£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡turned¡¡and¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡Lady¡¡
¨¦owyn¡¡of¡¡Rohan£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡was¡¡moved¡¡with¡¡pity£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡hurt£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡clear¡¡sight¡¡
perceived¡¡her¡¡sorrow¡¡and¡¡unrest¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'My¡¡lord£»'¡¡said¡¡the¡¡Warden£»¡¡'here¡¡is¡¡the¡¡Lady¡¡¨¦owyn¡¡of¡¡Rohan¡£¡¡She¡¡rode¡¡with¡¡the¡¡king¡¡and¡¡was¡¡
sorely¡¡hurt£»¡¡and¡¡dwells¡¡now¡¡in¡¡my¡¡keeping¡£¡¡But¡¡she¡¡is¡¡not¡¡content£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡wishes¡¡to¡¡speak¡¡to¡¡the¡¡
Steward¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Do¡¡not¡¡misunderstand¡¡him£»¡¡lord£»'¡¡said¡¡¨¦owyn¡£¡¡'It¡¡is¡¡not¡¡lack¡¡of¡¡care¡¡that¡¡grieves¡¡me¡£¡¡No¡¡houses¡¡
could¡¡be¡¡fairer£»¡¡for¡¡those¡¡who¡¡desire¡¡to¡¡be¡¡healed¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡cannot¡¡lie¡¡in¡¡sloth£»¡¡idle£»¡¡caged¡£¡¡I¡¡looked¡¡for¡¡
death¡¡in¡¡battle¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡have¡¡not¡¡died£»¡¡and¡¡battle¡¡still¡¡goes¡¡on¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡a¡¡sign¡¡from¡¡Faramir£»¡¡the¡¡Warden¡¡bowed¡¡and¡¡departed¡£¡¡'What¡¡would¡¡you¡¡have¡¡me¡¡do£»¡¡lady£¿'¡¡
said¡¡Faramir¡£¡¡'I¡¡also¡¡am¡¡a¡¡prisoner¡¡of¡¡the¡¡healers¡£'¡¡He¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡her£»¡¡and¡¡being¡¡a¡¡man¡¡whom¡¡pity¡¡
deeply¡¡stirred£»¡¡it¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡him¡¡that¡¡her¡¡loveliness¡¡amid¡¡her¡¡grief¡¡would¡¡pierce¡¡his¡¡heart¡£¡¡And¡¡she¡¡
looked¡¡at¡¡him¡¡and¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡grave¡¡tenderness¡¡in¡¡his¡¡eyes£»¡¡and¡¡yet¡¡knew£»¡¡for¡¡she¡¡was¡¡bred¡¡among¡¡men¡¡
of¡¡war£»¡¡that¡¡here¡¡was¡¡one¡¡whom¡¡no¡¡Rider¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Mark¡¡would¡¡outmatch¡¡in¡¡battle¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡wish£¿'¡¡he¡¡said¡¡again¡£¡¡'If¡¡it¡¡lies¡¡in¡¡my¡¡power£»¡¡I¡¡will¡¡do¡¡it¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡would¡¡have¡¡you¡¡mand¡¡this¡¡Warden£»¡¡and¡¡bid¡¡him¡¡let¡¡me¡¡go£»'¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡but¡¡though¡¡her¡¡words¡¡
were¡¡still¡¡proud£»¡¡her¡¡heart¡¡faltered£»¡¡and¡¡for¡¡the¡¡first¡¡time¡¡she¡¡doubted¡¡herself¡£¡¡She¡¡guessed¡¡that¡¡this¡¡
tall¡¡man£»¡¡both¡¡stern¡¡and¡¡gentle£»¡¡might¡¡think¡¡her¡¡merely¡¡wayward£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡child¡¡that¡¡has¡¡not¡¡the¡¡
firmness¡¡of¡¡mind¡¡to¡¡go¡¡on¡¡with¡¡a¡¡dull¡¡task¡¡to¡¡the¡¡end¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡myself¡¡am¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Warden's¡¡keeping£»'¡¡answered¡¡Faramir¡£¡¡'Nor¡¡have¡¡I¡¡yet¡¡taken¡¡up¡¡my¡¡authority¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡City¡£¡¡But¡¡had¡¡I¡¡done¡¡so£»¡¡I¡¡should¡¡still¡¡listen¡¡to¡¡his¡¡counsel£»¡¡and¡¡should¡¡not¡¡cross¡¡his¡¡will¡¡in¡¡
matters¡¡of¡¡his¡¡craft£»¡¡unless¡¡in¡¡some¡¡great¡¡need¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'But¡¡I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡desire¡¡healing£»'¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡'I¡¡wish¡¡to¡¡ride¡¡to¡¡war¡¡like¡¡my¡¡brother¡¡¨¦omer£»¡¡or¡¡better¡¡like¡¡
Th¨¦oden¡¡the¡¡king£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡died¡¡and¡¡has¡¡both¡¡honour¡¡and¡¡peace¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'It¡¡is¡¡too¡¡late£»¡¡lady£»¡¡to¡¡follow¡¡the¡¡Captains£»¡¡even¡¡if¡¡you¡¡had¡¡the¡¡strength£»'¡¡said¡¡Faramir¡£¡¡'But¡¡death¡¡
in¡¡battle¡¡may¡¡e¡¡to¡¡us¡¡all¡¡yet£»¡¡willing¡¡or¡¡unwilling¡£¡¡You¡¡will¡¡be¡¡better¡¡prepared¡¡to¡¡face¡¡it¡¡in¡¡your¡¡
own¡¡manner£»¡¡if¡¡while¡¡there¡¡is¡¡still¡¡time¡¡you¡¡do¡¡as¡¡the¡¡Healer¡¡manded¡£¡¡You¡¡and¡¡I£»¡¡we¡¡must¡¡
endure¡¡with¡¡patience¡¡the¡¡hours¡¡of¡¡waiting¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡did¡¡not¡¡answer£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡he¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡her¡¡it¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡him¡¡that¡¡something¡¡in¡¡her¡¡softened£»¡¡as¡¡
though¡¡a¡¡bitter¡¡frost¡¡were¡¡yielding¡¡at¡¡the¡¡first¡¡faint¡¡presage¡¡of¡¡Spring¡£¡¡A¡¡tear¡¡sprang¡¡in¡¡her¡¡eye¡¡and¡¡
fell¡¡down¡¡her¡¡cheek£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡glistening¡¡rain¡drop¡£¡¡Her¡¡proud¡¡head¡¡drooped¡¡a¡¡little¡£¡¡Then¡¡quietly£»¡¡more¡¡
as¡¡if¡¡speaking¡¡to¡¡herself¡¡than¡¡to¡¡him£º¡¡'But¡¡the¡¡healers¡¡would¡¡have¡¡me¡¡lie¡¡abed¡¡seven¡¡days¡¡yet£»'¡¡she¡¡
said¡£¡¡'And¡¡my¡¡window¡¡does¡¡not¡¡look¡¡eastward¡£'¡¡Her¡¡voice¡¡was¡¡now¡¡that¡¡of¡¡a¡¡maiden¡¡young¡¡and¡¡sad¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Faramir¡¡smiled£»¡¡though¡¡his¡¡heart¡¡was¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡pity¡£¡¡'Your¡¡window¡¡does¡¡not¡¡look¡¡eastward£¿'¡¡he¡¡
said¡£¡¡'That¡¡can¡¡be¡¡amended¡£¡¡In¡¡this¡¡I¡¡will¡¡mand¡¡the¡¡Warden¡£¡¡If¡¡you¡¡will¡¡stay¡¡in¡¡this¡¡house¡¡in¡¡our¡¡
care£»¡¡lady£»¡¡and¡¡take¡¡your¡¡rest£»¡¡then¡¡you¡¡shall¡¡walk¡¡in¡¡this¡¡garden¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sun£»¡¡as¡¡you¡¡will£»¡¡and¡¡you¡¡
shall¡¡look¡¡east£»¡¡whither¡¡all¡¡our¡¡hopes¡¡have¡¡gone¡£¡¡And¡¡here¡¡you¡¡will¡¡find¡¡me£»¡¡walking¡¡and¡¡waiting£»¡¡
and¡¡also¡¡looking¡¡east¡£¡¡It¡¡would¡¡ease¡¡my¡¡care£»¡¡if¡¡you¡¡would¡¡speak¡¡to¡¡me£»¡¡or¡¡walk¡¡at¡¡whiles¡¡with¡¡me¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡she¡¡raised¡¡her¡¡head¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡him¡¡in¡¡the¡¡eyes¡¡again£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡colour¡¡came¡¡in¡¡her¡¡pale¡¡face¡£¡¡
'How¡¡should¡¡I¡¡ease¡¡your¡¡care£»¡¡my¡¡lord£¿'¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡'And¡¡I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡desire¡¡the¡¡speech¡¡of¡¡living¡¡men¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Would¡¡you¡¡have¡¡my¡¡plain¡¡answer£¿'¡¡he¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡would¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Then£»¡¡¨¦owyn¡¡of¡¡Rohan£»¡¡I¡¡say¡¡to¡¡you¡¡that¡¡you¡¡are¡¡beautiful¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡valleys¡¡of¡¡our¡¡hills¡¡there¡¡are¡¡
flowers¡¡fair¡¡and¡¡bright£»¡¡and¡¡maidens¡¡fairer¡¡still£»¡¡but¡¡neither¡¡flower¡¡nor¡¡lady¡¡have¡¡I¡¡seen¡¡till¡¡now¡¡in¡¡
Gondor¡¡so¡¡lovely£»¡¡and¡¡so¡¡sorrowful¡£¡¡It¡¡may¡¡be¡¡that¡¡only¡¡a¡¡few¡¡days¡¡are¡¡left¡¡ere¡¡darkness¡¡falls¡¡upon¡¡
our¡¡world£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡it¡¡es¡¡I¡¡hope¡¡to¡¡face¡¡it¡¡steadily£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡would¡¡ease¡¡my¡¡heart£»¡¡if¡¡while¡¡the¡¡Sun¡¡
yet¡¡shines£»¡¡I¡¡could¡¡see¡¡you¡¡still¡£¡¡For¡¡you¡¡and¡¡I¡¡have¡¡both¡¡passed¡¡under¡¡the¡¡wings¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Shadow£»¡¡and¡¡
the¡¡same¡¡hand¡¡drew¡¡us¡¡back¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Alas£»¡¡not¡¡me£»¡¡lord£¡'¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡'Shadow¡¡lies¡¡on¡¡me¡¡still¡£¡¡Look¡¡not¡¡to¡¡me¡¡for¡¡healing£¡¡¡I¡¡am¡¡a¡¡
shieldmaiden¡¡and¡¡my¡¡hand¡¡is¡¡ungentle¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡thank¡¡you¡¡for¡¡this¡¡at¡¡least£»¡¡that¡¡I¡¡need¡¡not¡¡keep¡¡to¡¡my¡¡
chamber¡£¡¡I¡¡will¡¡walk¡¡abroad¡¡by¡¡the¡¡grace¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Steward¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡£'¡¡And¡¡she¡¡did¡¡him¡¡a¡¡courtesy¡¡
and¡¡walked¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡house¡£¡¡But¡¡Faramir¡¡for¡¡a¡¡long¡¡while¡¡walked¡¡alone¡¡in¡¡the¡¡garden£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡
glance¡¡now¡¡strayed¡¡rather¡¡to¡¡the¡¡house¡¡than¡¡to¡¡the¡¡eastward¡¡walls¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡returned¡¡to¡¡his¡¡chamber¡¡he¡¡called¡¡for¡¡the¡¡Warden£»¡¡and¡¡heard¡¡all¡¡that¡¡he¡¡could¡¡tell¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
Lady¡¡of¡¡Rohan¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'But¡¡I¡¡doubt¡¡not£»¡¡lord£»'¡¡said¡¡the¡¡Warden£»¡¡'that¡¡you¡¡would¡¡learn¡¡more¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Halfling¡¡that¡¡is¡¡with¡¡
us£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡was¡¡in¡¡the¡¡riding¡¡of¡¡the¡¡king£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡the¡¡Lady¡¡at¡¡the¡¡end£»¡¡they¡¡say¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡so¡¡Merry¡¡was¡¡sent¡¡to¡¡Faramir£»¡¡and¡¡while¡¡that¡¡day¡¡lasted¡¡they¡¡talked¡¡long¡¡together£»¡¡and¡¡
Faramir¡¡learned¡¡much£»¡¡more¡¡even¡¡than¡¡Merry¡¡put¡¡into¡¡words£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡that¡¡he¡¡understood¡¡
now¡¡something¡¡of¡¡the¡¡grief¡¡and¡¡unrest¡¡of¡¡¨¦owyn¡¡of¡¡Rohan¡£¡¡And¡¡in¡¡the¡¡fair¡¡evening¡¡Faramir¡¡and¡¡
Merry¡¡walked¡¡in¡¡the¡¡garden£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡did¡¡not¡¡e¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡in¡¡the¡¡morning£»¡¡as¡¡Faramir¡¡came¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Houses£»¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡her£»¡¡as¡¡she¡¡stood¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡walls£»¡¡
and¡¡she¡¡was¡¡clad¡¡all¡¡in¡¡white£»¡¡and¡¡gleamed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sun¡£¡¡And¡¡he¡¡called¡¡to¡¡her£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡came¡¡down£»¡¡
and¡¡they¡¡walked¡¡on¡¡the¡¡grass¡¡or¡¡sat¡¡under¡¡a¡¡green¡¡tree¡¡together£»¡¡now¡¡in¡¡silence£»¡¡now¡¡in¡¡speech¡£¡¡And¡¡
each¡¡day¡¡after¡¡they¡¡did¡¡likewise¡£¡¡And¡¡the¡¡Warden¡¡looking¡¡from¡¡his¡¡window¡¡was¡¡glad¡¡in¡¡heart¡£¡¡for¡¡
he¡¡was¡¡a¡¡healer¡£¡¡and¡¡his¡¡care¡¡was¡¡lightened£»¡¡and¡¡certain¡¡it¡¡was¡¡that£»¡¡heavy¡¡as¡¡was¡¡the¡¡dread¡¡and¡¡
foreboding¡¡of¡¡those¡¡days¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡hearts¡¡of¡¡men£»¡¡still¡¡these¡¡two¡¡of¡¡his¡¡charges¡¡prospered¡¡and¡¡grew¡¡
daily¡¡in¡¡strength¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡so¡¡the¡¡fifth¡¡day¡¡came¡¡since¡¡the¡¡Lady¡¡¨¦owyn¡¡went¡¡first¡¡to¡¡Faramir£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡now¡¡
together¡¡once¡¡more¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡walls¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡out¡£¡¡No¡¡tidings¡¡had¡¡yet¡¡e£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡
hearts¡¡were¡¡darkened¡£¡¡The¡¡weather£»¡¡too£»¡¡was¡¡bright¡¡no¡¡longer¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡cold¡£¡¡A¡¡wind¡¡that¡¡had¡¡sprung¡¡
up¡¡in¡¡the¡¡night¡¡was¡¡blowing¡¡now¡¡keenly¡¡from¡¡the¡¡North£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡was¡¡rising£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡lands¡¡about¡¡
looked¡¡grey¡¡and¡¡drear¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡were¡¡clad¡¡in¡¡warm¡¡raiment¡¡and¡¡heavy¡¡cloaks£»¡¡and¡¡over¡¡all¡¡the¡¡Lady¡¡¨¦owyn¡¡wore¡¡a¡¡great¡¡
blue¡¡mantle¡¡of¡¡the¡¡colour¡¡of¡¡deep¡¡summer¡night£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡was¡¡set¡¡with¡¡silver¡¡stars¡¡about¡¡hem¡¡and¡¡
throat¡£¡¡Faramir¡¡had¡¡sent¡¡for¡¡this¡¡robe¡¡and¡¡had¡¡wrapped¡¡it¡¡about¡¡her£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡that¡¡she¡¡looked¡¡
fair¡¡and¡¡queenly¡¡indeed¡¡as¡¡she¡¡stood¡¡there¡¡at¡¡his¡¡side¡£¡¡The¡¡mantle¡¡was¡¡wrought¡¡for¡¡his¡¡mother£»¡¡
Finduilas¡¡of¡¡Amroth£»¡¡who¡¡died¡¡untimely£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡to¡¡him¡¡but¡¡a¡¡memory¡¡of¡¡loveliness¡¡in¡¡far¡¡days¡¡
and¡¡of¡¡his¡¡first¡¡grief£»¡¡and¡¡her¡¡robe¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡him¡¡raiment¡¡fitting¡¡for¡¡the¡¡beauty¡¡and¡¡sadness¡¡of¡¡
¨¦owyn¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡she¡¡now¡¡shivered¡¡beneath¡¡the¡¡starry¡¡mantle£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡looked¡¡northward£»¡¡above¡¡the¡¡grey¡¡
hither¡¡lands£»¡¡into¡¡the¡¡eye¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cold¡¡wind¡¡where¡¡far¡¡away¡¡the¡¡sky¡¡was¡¡hard¡¡and¡¡clear¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡look¡¡for£»¡¡¨¦owyn£¿'¡¡said¡¡Faramir¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Does¡¡not¡¡the¡¡Black¡¡Gate¡¡lie¡¡yonder£¿'¡¡said¡¡she¡£¡¡'And¡¡must¡¡he¡¡not¡¡now¡¡be¡¡e¡¡thither£¿¡¡It¡¡is¡¡
seven¡¡days¡¡since¡¡he¡¡rode¡¡away¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Seven¡¡days£»'¡¡said¡¡Faramir¡£¡¡'But¡¡think¡¡not¡¡ill¡¡of¡¡me£»¡¡if¡¡I¡¡say¡¡to¡¡you£º¡¡they¡¡have¡¡brought¡¡me¡¡both¡¡a¡¡
joy¡¡and¡¡a¡¡pain¡¡that¡¡I¡¡never¡¡thought¡¡to¡¡know¡£¡¡Joy¡¡to¡¡see¡¡you£»¡¡but¡¡pain£»¡¡because¡¡now¡¡the¡¡fear¡¡and¡¡
doubt¡¡of¡¡this¡¡evil¡¡time¡¡are¡¡grown¡¡dark¡¡indeed¡£¡¡¨¦owyn£»¡¡I¡¡would¡¡not¡¡have¡¡this¡¡world¡¡end¡¡now£»¡¡or¡¡lose¡¡
so¡¡soon¡¡what¡¡I¡¡have¡¡found¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Lose¡¡what¡¡you¡¡have¡¡found£»¡¡lord£¿'¡¡she¡¡answered£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡him¡¡gravely¡¡and¡¡her¡¡eyes¡¡
were¡¡kind¡£¡¡'I¡¡know¡¡not¡¡what¡¡in¡¡these¡¡days¡¡you¡¡have¡¡found¡¡that¡¡you¡¡could¡¡lose¡£¡¡But¡¡e£»¡¡my¡¡friend£»¡¡
let¡¡us¡¡not¡¡speak¡¡of¡¡it£¡¡¡Let¡¡us¡¡not¡¡speak¡¡at¡¡all£¡¡¡I¡¡stand¡¡upon¡¡some¡¡dreadful¡¡brink£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡is¡¡utterly¡¡dark¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡abyss¡¡before¡¡my¡¡feet£»¡¡but¡¡whether¡¡there¡¡is¡¡any¡¡light¡¡behind¡¡me¡¡I¡¡cannot¡¡tell¡£¡¡For¡¡I¡¡cannot¡¡turn¡¡
yet¡£¡¡I¡¡wait¡¡for¡¡some¡¡stroke¡¡of¡¡doom¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Yes£»¡¡we¡¡wait¡¡for¡¡the¡¡stroke¡¡of¡¡doom£»'¡¡said¡¡Faramir¡£¡¡And¡¡they¡¡said¡¡no¡¡more£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡
them¡¡as¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡wall¡¡that¡¡the¡¡wind¡¡died£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡light¡¡failed£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Sun¡¡was¡¡bleared£»¡¡
and¡¡all¡¡sounds¡¡in¡¡the¡¡City¡¡or¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lands¡¡about¡¡were¡¡hushed£º¡¡neither¡¡wind£»¡¡nor¡¡voice£»¡¡nor¡¡bird¡call£»¡¡
nor¡¡rustle¡¡of¡¡leaf£»¡¡nor¡¡their¡¡own¡¡breath¡¡could¡¡be¡¡heard£»¡¡the¡¡very¡¡beating¡¡of¡¡their¡¡hearts¡¡was¡¡stilled¡£¡¡
Time¡¡halted¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡as¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡so£»¡¡their¡¡hands¡¡met¡¡and¡¡clasped£»¡¡though¡¡they¡¡did¡¡not¡¡know¡¡it¡£¡¡And¡¡still¡¡they¡¡
waited¡¡for¡¡they¡¡knew¡¡not¡¡what¡£¡¡Then¡¡presently¡¡it¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡them¡¡that¡¡above¡¡the¡¡ridges¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
distant¡¡mountains¡¡another¡¡vast¡¡mountain¡¡of¡¡darkness¡¡rose£»¡¡towering¡¡up¡¡like¡¡a¡¡wave¡¡that¡¡should¡¡
engulf¡¡the¡¡world£»¡¡and¡¡about¡¡it¡¡lightnings¡¡flickered£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡a¡¡tremor¡¡ran¡¡through¡¡the¡¡earth£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡
felt¡¡the¡¡walls¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡¡quiver¡£¡¡A¡¡sound¡¡like¡¡a¡¡sigh¡¡went¡¡up¡¡from¡¡all¡¡the¡¡lands¡¡about¡¡them£»¡¡and¡¡
their¡¡hearts¡¡beat¡¡suddenly¡¡again¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'It¡¡reminds¡¡me¡¡of¡¡N¨²menor£»'¡¡said¡¡Faramir£»¡¡and¡¡wondered¡¡to¡¡hear¡¡himself¡¡speak¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Of¡¡N¨²menor£¿'¡¡said¡¡¨¦owyn¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Yes£»'¡¡said¡¡Faramir£»¡¡'of¡¡the¡¡land¡¡of¡¡Westernesse¡¡that¡¡foundered¡¡and¡¡of¡¡the¡¡great¡¡dark¡¡wave¡¡
climbing¡¡over¡¡the¡¡green¡¡lands¡¡and¡¡above¡¡the¡¡hills£»¡¡and¡¡ing¡¡on£»¡¡darkness¡¡unescapable¡£¡¡I¡¡often¡¡
dream¡¡of¡¡it¡£'
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Then¡¡you¡¡think¡¡that¡¡the¡¡Darkness¡¡is¡¡ing£¿'¡¡said¡¡¨¦owyn¡£¡¡'Darkness¡¡Unescapable£¿'¡¡And¡¡
suddenly¡¡she¡¡drew¡¡close¡¡to¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'No£»'¡¡said¡¡Faramir£»¡¡looking¡¡into¡¡her¡¡face¡£¡¡'It¡¡was¡¡but¡¡a¡¡picture¡¡in¡¡the¡¡mind¡£¡¡I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡know¡¡what¡¡is¡¡
happening¡£¡¡The¡¡reason¡¡of¡¡my¡¡waking¡¡mind¡¡tells¡¡me¡¡that¡¡great¡¡evil¡¡has¡¡befallen¡¡and¡¡we¡¡stand¡¡at¡¡the¡¡
end¡¡of¡¡days¡£¡¡But¡¡my¡¡heart¡¡says¡¡nay£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡my¡¡limbs¡¡are¡¡light£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡hope¡¡and¡¡joy¡¡are¡¡e¡¡to¡¡me¡¡
that¡¡no¡¡reason¡¡can¡¡deny¡£¡¡¨¦owyn£»¡¡¨¦owyn£»¡¡White¡¡Lady¡¡of¡¡Rohan£»¡¡in¡¡this¡¡hour¡¡I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡believe¡¡that¡¡
any¡¡darkness¡¡will¡¡endure£¡'¡¡And¡¡he¡¡stooped¡¡and¡¡kissed¡¡her¡¡brow¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡so¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡on¡¡the¡¡walls¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡¡of¡¡Gondor£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡great¡¡wind¡¡rose¡¡and¡¡blew£»¡¡and¡¡their¡¡
hair£»¡¡raven¡¡and¡¡golden£»¡¡streamed¡¡out¡¡mingling¡¡in¡¡the¡¡air¡£¡¡And¡¡the¡¡Shadow¡¡departed£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Sun¡¡
was¡¡unveiled£»¡¡and¡¡light¡¡leaped¡¡forth£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡waters¡¡of¡¡Anduin¡¡shone¡¡like¡¡silver£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡all¡¡the¡¡
houses¡¡of¡¡the¡¡City¡¡men¡¡sang¡¡for¡¡the¡¡joy¡¡that¡¡welled¡¡up¡¡in¡¡their¡¡hearts¡¡from¡¡what¡¡s