Book 6, Chapter 5
THE STEWARD AND THE KING
Over the city of Gondor doubt and great dread had hung.
Fair weatherand clear sun had seemed but a mockery to men whose days
heldlittle hope, and who looked each morning for news of doom. Theirlord
was dead and burned, dead lay the King of Rohan in their citadel,and the new
king that had come to them in the night was gone againto a war with powers
too dark and terrible for any might or valourto conquer. And no news came.
After the host left Morgul Vale andtook the northward road beneath the
shadow of the mountains nomessenger had returned nor any rumour of what was
passing in thebrooding East.When the Captains were but two days gone,
the Lady Éowyn badethe women who tended her to bring her raiment, and she
would notbe gainsaid, but rose; and when they had clothed her and set her
armin 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
insloth.'`Lady,' he answered, `you are not yet healed, and I was
commandedto tend you with especial care. You should not have risen from
yourbed 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 armonly, and
that is at ease. But I shall sicken anew, if there is naughtthat I can do.
Are there no tidings of war? The women can tell menothing.''There are no
tidings,' said the Warden, `save that the Lords haveridden to Nlorgul Vale;
and men say that the new captain out of theNorth is their chief. A great
lord is that, and a healer; and it is athing passing strange to me that the
healing hand should also wieldthe sword. It is not thus in Gondor now,
though once it was so, ifold tales be true. But for long years we healers
have only sought topatch the rents made by the men of swords. Though we
should stillhave enough to do without them : the world is full enough of
hurtsand mischances without wars to multiply them.'It needs but one foe
to breed a war, not two, Master Warden,answered Éowyn. `And those who have
not swords can still die uponthem. Would you have the folk of Gondor gather
you herbs only,when the Dark Lord gathers armies? And it is not always good
tobe healed in body. Nor is it always evil to die in battle, even in
bitterpain. Were I permitted, in this dark hour I would choose
thelatter.'The Warden looked at her. Tall she stood there, her eyes
brightin her white face, her hand clenched as she turned and gazed outof
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
commands 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
Hśrin,I am told, commands the men of Gondor. But the Lord Faramir is
byright the Steward of the City.'`Where can I find him ? '`In this
house, lady. He was sorely hurt, but is now set again onthe 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
Housesof Healing, and the sunlight warmed him, and he felt life run new
inhis veins; but his heart was heavy, and he looked out over the
wallseastward. And coming, the Warden spoke his name, and he turnedand
saw the Lady Éowyn of Rohan; and he was moved with pity, forhe saw that she
was hurt, and his clear sight perceived her sorrow andunrest.`My lord,'
said the Warden, 'here is the Lady Éowyn of Rohan. Sherode 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 theCity.'`Do not misunderstand
him, lord,' said Éowyn. `It is not lack ofcare that grieves me. No houses
could be fairer, for those who desireto be healed. But I cannot lie in
sloth, idle, caged. I looked for death inbattle. But I have not died, and
battle still goes on.'At a sign from Faramir, the Warden bowed and departed.
`Whatwould you have me do, lady ? ' said Faramir. 'I also am a prisoner
ofthe healers.' He looked at her, and being a man whom pity
deeplystirred, it seemed to him that her loveliness amid her grief
wouldpierce his heart. And she looked at him and saw the grave
tendernessin his eyes, and yet knew, for she was bred among men of war,
thathere 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
willdo it.'`I would have you command 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 talIman, both
stern and gentle, might think her merely wayward, like achild that has not
the firmness of mind to go on with a dull task tothe end.'I myself am in
the Warden's keeping,' answered Faramir. `Norhave I yet taken up my
authority in the City. But had I done so, Ishould still listen to his
counsel, and should not cross his will inmatters of his craft, unless in
some great need.''But I do not desire healing,' she said. `I wish to ride to
war likemy brother Éomer, or better like Théoden the king, for he died
andhas both honour and peace.''It is too late, lady, to follow the
Captains, even if you had thestrength,' said Faramir. 'But death in battle
may come to us all yet,willing or unwilling. You will be better prepared to
face it in yourown manner, if while there is still time you do as the Healer
com-manded. You and I, we must endure with patience the hours of
wait-ing.'She did not answer, but as he looked at her it seemed to him
thatsomething in her softened, as though a bitter frost were yielding
atthe first faint presage of Spring. A tear sprang in her eye and
felldown her cheek, like a glistening rain-drop. Her proud head droopeda
little. Then quietly, more as if speaking to herself than to him :`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 ofa maiden young and
sad.Faramir smiled, though his heart was filled with pity. 'Your
windowdoes not look eastward ? ' he said. 'That can be amended. In this
Iwill command the Warden. If you will stay in this house in ourcare,
lady, and take your rest, then you shall walk in this garden inthe sun, as
you will; and you shall look east, whither all our hopeshave gone. And here
you will find me, walking and waiting, and alsolooking east. It would ease
my care, if you would speak to me, orwalk at whiles with me.'Then she
raised her head and looked him in the eyes again; and acolour 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, Éowyn of Rohan, I say to you that you are
beautiful. Inthe valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and
maidensfairer still; but neither flower nor lady have I seen till now in
Gondorso lovely, and so sorrowful. It may be that only a few days are
leftere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to
faceit 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
wingsof the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back.'`Alas, not me, lord
! ' she said. `Shadow lies on me still. Look notto 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 shedid him a courtesy and walked back to the house. But
Faramir for along while walked alone in the garden, and his glance now
strayedrather to the house than to the eastward walls.When he
returned to his chamber he called for the Warden, andheard all that he could
tell of the Lady of Rohan.`But I doubt not, lord,' said the Warden, `that
you would learn morefrom 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 theytalked long together, and
Faramir learned much, more even thanMerry put into words; and he thought
that he understood now some-thing of the grief and unrest of Éowyn of Rohan.
And in the fairevening Faramir and Merry walked in the garden, but she did
notcome.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
gleamedin the sun. And he called to her, and she came down, and they
walkedon the grass or sat under a green tree together, now in silence, now
inspeech. And each day after they did likewise. And the Warden
lookingfrom his window was glad in heart. for he was a healer. and
hiscare was lightened; and certain it was that, heavy as was the dread
andforeboding of those days upon the hearts of men, still these two of
hischarges prospered and grew daily in strength.And so the fifth day
came since the Lady Éowyn went first toFaramir; and they stood now together
once more upon the walls ofthe City and looked out. No tidings had yet come,
and all heartswere darkened. The weather, too, was bright no longer. It was
cold.A wind that had sprung up in the night was blowing now keenly
fromthe North, and it was rising; but the lands about looked grey
anddrear.They were clad in warm raiment and heavy cloaks, and over all
theLady Éowyn wore a great blue mantle of the colour of deep
summer-night, and it was set with silver stars about hem and throat.
Faramirhad sent for this robe aad had wrapped it about her; and he
thoughtthat she looked fair and queenly indeed as she stood there at
hisside. The mantle was wrought for his mother, Finduilas of Amroth,who
died untimely, and was to him but a memory of loveliness infar days and of
his first grief; and her robe seemed to him raimentfitting for the beauty
and sadness of Éowyn.But she now shivered beneath the starry mantle, and she
lookednorthward, above the grey hither lands, into the eye of the cold
windwhere far away the sky was hard and clear.'What do you look for,
Éowyn ? ' said Faramir.`Does not the Black Gate lie yonder ? ' said she.
`And must he not nowbe come thither ? It is seven days since he rode
away.'`Seven days,' said Faramir. `But think not ill of me, if I say to you
:they have brought me both a joy and a pain that I never thought toknow.
Joy to see you; but pain, because now the fear and doubt ofthis evil time
are grown dark indeed. Éowyn, I would not have thisworld end now, or lose so
soon what I have found.''Lose what you have found, lord ? ' she answered;
but she looked athim gravely and her eyes were kind. 'I know not what in
these daysyou have found that you could lose. But come, my friend, let us
notspeak of it ! Let us not speak at all ! I stand upon some
dreadfulbrink, and it is utterly dark in the abyss before my feet, but
whetherthere is any light behind me I cannot tell. For I cannct turn yet. I
waitfor some stroke of doom.'`Yes, we wait for the stroke of doom,' said
Faramir. And they saidno more; and it seemed to them as they stood upon the
wall that thewind died, and the light failed, and the Sun was bleared, and
all soundsin the City or in the lands about were hushed: neither wind,
norvoice, nor bird-call, nor rustle of leaf, nor their own breath
couldbe heard; the very beating of their hearts was stilled. Time
halted.And as they stood so, their hands met and clasped, though theydid
not know it. And still they waited for they knew not what. Thenpresently it
seemed to them that above the ridges of the distantmountains another vast
mountain of darkness rose, towering up likea 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 theCity quiver. A sound like a sigh went
up from all the lands aboutthem; and their hearts beat suddenly
again.'It reminds me of Nśmenor,' said Faramir, and wondered to
hearhimself speak.`Of NÅ›menor ? ' said Éowyn.`Yes,' said Faramir,
'of the land of Westernesse that founderedand of the great dark wave
climbing over the green lands and abovethe hills, and coming on, darkness
unescapable. I often dream of it.'`Then you think that the Darkness is
coming ? ' said Éowyn. 'Dark-ness Unescapable ? ' And suddenly she drew
close to him.`No,' said Faramir, looking into her face. `It was but a
picture inthe mind. I do not know what is happening. The reason of my
wakingmind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end
ofdays. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hopeand
joy are come to me that no reason can deny. Éowyn, Éowyn,White Lady of
Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darknesswill endure ! ' And he
stooped and kissed her brow.And so they stood on the walls of the City of
Gondor, and a greatwind rose and blew, and their hair, I-aven and golden,
streamed outmingling in the air. And the Shadow departed, and the Sun
wasunveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of Anduin shone
likesilver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy
thatwelled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell.And
before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the Eastthere came a
great Eagle flying, and he bore tidings beyond hope fromthe Lords of the
West, crying :Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor,for the Realm
of Sauron is ended for ever,and the Dark Tower is thrown down.Sing
and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard,for your watch hath not been in
vain,and the Black Gate is broken,and your King hath passed
through,and he is victorious.Sing and be glad, all ye children of
the West,for your King shall come again,and he shall dwell among
youall the days of your life.And the Tree that was withered shall be
renewed,and he shall plant it in the high places,and the City shall be
blessed.Sing all ye people!And the people sang in all the ways
of the City.The days that followed were golden, and Spring and Summer
joinedand made revel together in the fields of Gondor. And tidings now
cameby swift riders from Cair Andros of all that was done, and the
Citymade ready for the coming of the King. Merry was summoned androde
away with the wains that took store of goods to Osgiliath andthence by ship
to Cair Andros; but Faramir did not go, for now beinghealed he took upon him
his authority and the Stewardship, althoughit was only for a little while,
and his duty was to prepare for one whoshould replace him.And Éowyn did
not go, though her brother sent word begging herto come to the field of
Cormallen. And Faramir wondered at this,but he saw her seldom, being busy
with many matters; and she dweltstill in the Houses of Healing and walked
alone in the garden, andher face grew pale again, and it seemed that in all
the City she onlywas ailing and sorrowful. And the Warden of the Houses was
troubled,and he spoke to Faramir.Then Faramir came and sought her, and
once more they stood onthe walls together; and he said to her : `Éowyn, why
do you tarry here,and do not go to the rejoicing in Cormallen beyond Cair
Andros.where your brother awaits you ? 'And she said : 'Do you not know
? 'But he answered : `Two reasons there may be, but which is true, ldo
not know.'And she said : 'I do not wish to play at riddles. Speak plainer !
'`Then if you will have it so, lady,' he said : 'you do not go,
becauseonly your brother called for you, and to look on the Lord
Aragorn,Elendil's heir, in his triumph would now bring you no joy.
Orbecause I do not go, and you desire still to be near me. And maybefor
both these reasons, and you yourself cannot choose betweenthem. Éowyn, do
you not love me, or will you not ? '`I wished to be loved by another,' she
answered. `But I desire noman's pity.'`That I know,' he said. `You
desired to have the love of the LordAragorn. Because he was high and
puissant, and you wished to haverenown and glory and to be lifted far above
the mean things thatcrawl on the earth. And as a great captain may to a
young soldier heseemed to you admirable. For so he is, a lord among men, the
greatestthat now is. But when he gave you only understanding and pity,
thenyou desired to have nothing, unless a brave death in battle. Look at
me,Éowyn ! 'And Éowyn looked at Faramir long and steadily; and Faramir
said :'Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn ! But I
donot offer you my pity. For you are a lady high and valiant and
haveyourself won renown that shall not be forgotten; and you are a
ladybeautiful, I deem, beyond even the words of the Elven-tongue to
tell.And I love you. Once I pitied your sorrow. But now, were
yousorrowless, without fear or any lack, were you the blissful Queen
ofGondor, still I would love you. Éowyn, do you not love me I 'Then the
heart of Éowyn changed, or else at last she understood it.And suddenly her
winter passed, and the sun shone on her.I stand in Minas Anor, the Tower of
the Sun, she said; and beholdthe Shadow has departed! I will be a
shieldmaiden no longer, norvie with the great Riders, nor take joy only in
the songs of slaying.I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and
are not barren.' Andagain she looked at Faramir. `No longer do I desire to
be a queen,' shesaid.Then Faramir laughed merrily. `That is well,' he
said; `for I am not aking. Yet I will wed with the White Lady of Rohan, if
it be her will.And if she will, then let us cross the River and in happier
days letus dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden. All things
willgrow with joy there, if the White Lady comes.'`Then must I leave my
own people, man of Gondor ? ' she said.`And would you have your proud folk
say of you : "There goes a lordwho tamed a wild shieldmaiden of the
North ! Was there no womanof the race of Nśmenor to choose ? " '`I
would,' said Faramir. And he took her in his arms and kissed herunder the
sunlit sky, and he cared not that they stood high uponthe walls in the sight
of many. And many indeed saw them and thelight that shone about them as they
came down from the walls andwent hand in hand to the Houses of
Healing.And to the Warden of the Houses Faramir said : `Here is the
LadyÉowyn of Rohan, and now she is healed.'And the Warden said : `Then I
release her from my charge and bidher farewell, and may she suffer never
hśrt nor sickness again. Icommend her to the care of the Steward of the
City, until her brotherreturns.'But Éowyn said : `Yet now that I have
leave to depart, I wouldremain. For this House has become to me of all
dwellings the mostblessed.' And she remained there until King Éomer
came.All things were now made ready in the City; and there was
greatconcourse of people, for the tidings had gone out into all parts
ofGondor, from Min-Rimmon even to Pinnath Gelin and the far coastsof the
sea; and all that could come to the City made haste to come.And the City was
filled again with women and fair children thatreturned to their homes laden
with flowers; and from Dol Amrothcame the harpers that harped most skilfully
in all the land; and therewere players upon viols and upon flutes and upon
horns of silver, andclear-voiced singers from the vales of Lebennin.At
last an evening came when from the walls the pavilions couldbe seen upon the
field, and all night lights were burning as menwatched for the dawn. And
when the sun rose in the clear morningabove the mountains in the East, upon
which shadows lay no more,then all the bells rang, and all the banners broke
and flowed in thewind; and upon the White Tower of the citadel the standard
of theStewards, brrght argent like snow in the sun, bearing no charge
nordevice, was raised over Gondor for the last time.Now the Captains of
the West led their host towards the City, andfolk saw them advance in line
upon line, flashing and glinting in thesunrise and rippling like silver. And
so they came before the Gatewayand halted a furlong from the walls. As yet
no gates had been set upagain, but a barrier was laid across the entrance to
the City, andthere stood men at arms in silver and black with long swords
drawn.Before the barrier stood Faramir the Steward, and Hśrin Warden
ofthe Keys, and other captains of Gondor, and the Lady Éowyn ofRohan
with Elfhelm the Marshal and many knights of the Mark; andupon either side
of the Gate was a great press of fair people in raimentof many colours and
garlands of flowers.So now there was a wide space before the walls of Minas
Tirith,and it was hemmed in upon all sides by the knights and the
soldiersof Gondor and of Rohan, and by the people of the City and of
allparts of the land. A hush fell upon all as out from the host
steppedthe Dśnedain in silver and grey; and before them came walking
slowthe Lord Aragorn. He was clad in black mail girt with silver, and
hewore a long mantle of pure white clasped at the throat with a
greatjewel of green that shone from afar; but his head was bare save for
astar upon his forehead bound by a slender fillet of silver. With
himwere Éomer of Rohan, and the Prince Imrahil, and Gandalf robed allin
white, and four small figures that many men marvelled to see.`Nay, cousin!
they are not boys,' said Ioreth to her kinswomanfrom Imloth Melui, who stood
beside her. 'Those are Periain, out ofthe far country of the Halflings,
where they are princes of great fame,it is said. I should know, for I had
one to tend in the Houses. Theyare small, but they are valiant. Why, cousin,
one of them went withonly his esquire into the Black Country and fought with
the DarkLord all by himself, and set fire to his Tower, if you can believe
it. Atleast that is the tale in the City. That will be the one that walks
withour Elfstone. They are dear friends, I henr. Now he is a marvel,
theLord Elfstone : not too soft in his speech, mind you, but he has
agolden heart, as the saying is; and he has the healing hands. "The
handsof the king are the hands of a healer", I said; and that was how
it wasall discovered. And Mithrandir, he said to me : "Ioreth, men will
longremember your words", and -----'But loreth was not permitted to
continue the instruction of herkinswoman from the country, for a single
trumpet rang, and a deadsilence followed. Then forth from the Gate went
Faramir with Hśrinof the Keys, and no others, save that behind them walked
four menin the high helms and armour of the Citadel, and they bore a
greatcasket of black lebethron bound with silver.Faramir met Aragorn in
the midst of those there assembled, andhe knelt, and said : `The last
Steward of Gondor begs leave to sur-render his office.' And he held out a
white rod; but Aragorn took therod and gave it back, saying : `That office
is not ended, and it shallbe thine and thy heirs' as long as my line shall
last. Do now thyoffice ! 'Then Faramir stood up and spoke in a clear
voice : `Men of Gondorhear now the Steward of this Realm ! Behold ! one has
come to claimthe kingship again at last. Here is Aragorn son of Arathorn,
chieftainof the Dśnedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West,
bearerof the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged,
victoriousin battle, whose hands bring healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the
lineof Valandil, Isildur's son, Elendil's son of Nśmenor. Shall he be
kingand enter into the City and dwell there ? 'And all the host and all
the people cried yea with one voice.And loreth said to her kinswoman : 'This
is just a ceremony suchas we have in the City, cousin; for he has already
entered, as I wastelling you; and he said to me---' And then again she was
obligedto silence, for Faramir spoke again.`Men of Gondor, the
loremasters tell that it was the custom of oldthat the king should receive
the crown from his father ere he died;or if that might not be, that he
should go alone and take it from thehands of his father in the tomb where he
was laid. But since thingsmust now be done otherwise, using the authority of
the Steward, Ihave today brought hither from Rath Dínen the crown of
Eärnurthe last king, whose days passed in the time of our longfathers
ofold.'Then the guards stepped forward, and Faramir opened the
casket,and he held up an ancient crown. It was shaped like the helms of
theGuards of the Citadel, save that it was loftier, and it was all
white,and the wings at either side were wrought of pearl and silver in
thelikeness of the wings of a sea-bird, for it was the emblem of
kingswho came over the Sea; and seven gems of adamant were set in
thecirclet, and upon its summit was set a single jewel the light of
whichwent up like a flame.Then Aragorn took the crown and held it up and
said :Et Eärello Endorenna utÅ›lien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar
tenn'Ambar-metta!And those were the words that Elendil spoke when he
came up outof the Sea on the wings of the wind : `Out of the Great Sea to
Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto
theending of the world.'Then to the wonder of many Aragorn did not put
the crown uponhis head, but gave it back to Faramir, and said : `By the
labour andvalour of many I have come into my inheritance. In token of this
Iwould have the Ring-bearer bring the crown to me, and let Mithrandirset
it upon my head, if he will; for he has been the mover of all thathas been
accomplished, and this is his victory.'Then Frodo came forward and took the
crown from Faramir andbore it to Gandalf; and Aragorn knelt, and Gandalf set
the WhiteCrown upon his head, and said :`Now come the days of the King,
and may they be blessed while thethrones of the Valar endure ! 'But when
Aragorn arose all that beheld him gazed in silence, forit seemed to them
that he was revealed to them now for the first time.Tall as the sea-kings of
old, he stood above all that were near; ancientof days he seemed and yet in
the flower of manhood; and wisdom satupon his brow, and strength and healing
were in his hands, and a lightwas about him. And then Faramir cried
:`Behold the King ! 'And in that moment all the trumpets were blown, and
the KingElessar went forth and came to the barrier, and Hśrin of the
Keysthrust it back; and amid the music of harp and of viol and of flute
andthe singing of clear voices the King passed through the
flower-ladenstreets, and came to the Citadel, and entered in; and the banner
ofthe Tree and the Stars was unfurled upon the topmost tower, and
thereign of King Elessar began, of which many songs have told.In his
time the City was made more fair than it had ever been, evenin the days of
its first glory; and it was filled with trees and with foun-tains, and its
gates were wrought of mithril and steel, and its streetswere paved with
white marble; and the Folk of the Mountain labouredin it, and the Folk of
the Wood rejoiced to come there; and all washealed and made good, and the
houses were filled with men andwomen and the laughter of children, and no
window was blind norany courtyard empty; and after the ending of the Third
Age of theworld into the new age it preserved the memory and the glory uÅ»
theyears that were gone.In the days that followed his crowning the
King sat on his thronein the Hall of the Kings and pronounced his
judgements. And embassiescame from many lands and peoples, from the East and
the South,and from the borders of Mirkwood, and from Dunland in the
west.And the King pardoned the Easterlings that had given themselves
up,and sent them away free, and he made peace with the peoples ofHarad;
and the slaves of Mordor he released and gave to them all thelands about
Lake Nśrnen to be their own. And there were brough;before him many to
receive his praise and reward for their valour; andlast the captain of the
Guard brought to him Beregond to be judged.Ä„ And the King said to Beregond :
`Beregond, by your sword bloodwas spilled in the Hallows, where that is
forbidden. Also you leftyour post without leave of Lord or of Captain. For
these things, ofold, death was the penalty. Now therefore I must pronounce
yourdoom.`All penalty is remitted for your valour in battle, and still
morebecause all that you did was for the love of the Lord Faramir.
None-theless you must leave the Guard of the Citadel, and you must
goforth from the City of Minas Tirith.'Then the blood left Beregond's
face, and he was stricken to the heartand bowed his head. But the King said.
:`So it must be, for you are appointed to the White Company, theGuard of
Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, and you shall be its captain anddwell in Emyn
Arnen in honour and peace, and in the service of himfor whom you risked all,
to save him from death.'And then Beregond, perceiving the mercy and justice
of the King,was glad, and kneeling kissed his hand, and departed in joy
andcontent. And Aragorn gave to Faramir Ithilien to be his princedom,and
bade him dwell in the hills of Emyn Arnen within sight of theCity.`For,'
said he, `Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly des-troyed, and though
it may in time to come be made clean, no manmay dwell there for many long
years.'And last of all Aragorn greeted Éomer of Rohan, and they
em-braced, and Aragorn said : 'Between us there can be no word of
givingor taking, nor of reward; for we are brethren. In happy hour
didEorl ride from the North, and never has any league of peoples
beenmore blessed, so that neither has ever failed the other, nor shall
fail.Now, as you know, we have laid Théoden the Renowned in a tombin the
Hallows, and there he shall lie for ever among the Kings ofGondor, if you
will. Or if you desire it, we will come to Rohan andbring him back to rest
with his own people.'And Éomer answered : `Since the day when you rose
before me outof the green grass of the downs I have loved you, and that love
shallnot fail. But now I must depart for a while to my own realm,
wherethere is much to heal and set in order. But as for the Fallen,
whenallis made ready we will return for him; but here let him sleep
awhile.'And Éowyn said to Faramir : `Now I must go back to my own
landand look on it once again, and help my brother in his labour;
butwhen one whom I long loved as father is laid at last to rest, I wilI
re-turn.'So the glad days passed; and on the eighth day of May the
Ridersof Rohan made ready, and rode off by the North-way, and with
themwent the sons of Elrond. All the road was lined with people to do
themhonour and praise them, from the Gate of the City to the walls ofthe
Pelennor. Then all others that dwelt afar went back to their homesrejoicing;
but in the City there was labour of many willing hands to.rebuild and renew
and to remove all the scars of war and the memoryof the darkness.The
hobbits still remained in Minas Tirith, with Legolas and Gimli;for Aragorn
was loth for the fellowship to be dissolved. `At last allsuch things must
end,' he said, 'but I would have you wait a little whilelonger : for the end
of the deeds that you have shared in has not yetcome. A day draws near that
I have looked for in all the years of mymanhood, and when it comes I would
have my friends beside me.'But of that day he would say no more.In those
days the Companions of the Ring dwelt together in a fairhouse with Gandalf,
and they went to and fro as they wished. AndFrodo said to Gandalf : `Do you
know what this day is that Aragornspeaks of? For we are happy here, and I
don't wish to go; but thedays are running away, and Bilbo is waiting; and
the Shire is myhome.''As for Bilbo,' said Gandalf, `he is waiting for
the same day, andhe knows what keeps you. And as for the passing of the
days, it isnow only May and high summer is not yet in; and though all
thingsmay seem changed, as if an age of the world had gone by, yet to
thetrees and the grass it is less than a year since you set
out.''Pippin,' said Frodo, 'didn't you say that Gandalf was less
closethan of old? He was weary of his labours then, I think. Now he
isrecovering.'And Gandalf said : 'Many folk like to know beforehand what
is tobe set on the table; but those who have laboured to prepare the
feastlike to keep their secret; for wonder makes the words of praise
louder.And Aragorn himself waits for a sign.'There came a day when
Gandalf could not be found, and the Com-panions wondered what was going
forward. But Gandalf took Aragornout from the City by night, and he brought
him to the southern feetof Mount Mindolluin; and there they found a path
made in ages pastthat few now dared to tread. For it led up on to the
mountain to ahigh hallow where only the kings had been wont to go. And they
wentup by steep ways, until they came to a high field below the snows
thatclad the lofty peaks, and it looked down over the precipice that
stoodbehind the City. And standing there they surveyed the lands, for
themorning was come; and they saw the towers of the City far belowthem
like white pencils touched by the sunlight, and all the Valeof Anduin was
like a garden, and the Mountains of Shadow were veiledin a golden mist. Upon
the one side their sight reached to the greyEmyn Muil, and the glint of
Rauros was like a star twinkling far off;and upon the other,side they saw
the River like a ribbon laid downto Pelargir, and beyond that was a light on
the hem of the sky thatspoke of the Sea.And Gandalf said : `This is your
realm, and the heart of the greaterrealm that shall be. The Third Age of the
world is ended, and the newage is begun; and it is your task to order its
beginning and to preservewhat may be preserved. For though much has been
saved, much mustnow pass away; and the power of the Three Rings also is
ended. Andall the lands that you see, and those that lie round about them,
shallbe dwellings of Men. For the time comes of the Dominion of Men,and
the Elder Kindred shall fade or depart.'`I know it well, dear friend,' said
Aragorn; `but I would still haveyour counsel.'`Not for long now,' said
Gandalf. `The Third Age was my age. I wasthe Enemy of Sauron; and my work is
finished. I shall go soon. Theburden must lie now upon you and your
kindred.'`But I shall die,' said Aragorn. 'For I am a mortal man,
andthough being what I am and of the race of the West unmingled, Ishall
have life far longer than other men, yet that is but a little while;and when
those who are now in the wombs of women are born andhave grown old, I too
shall grow old. And who then shall govern Gon-dor and those who look to this
City as to their queen, if my desirebe not granted? The Tree in the Court of
the Fvuntain is still witheredand barren. When shall I see a sign that it
will ever be other-wise ? ''Turn your face from the green world, and
look where all seemsbarren and cold ! ' said Gandalf.Then Aragorn
turned. and there was a stony slope behind him run-ning down from the skirts
of the snow; and as he looked he was awarethat alone there in the waste a
growing thing stood. And he climbedto it, and saw that out of the very edge
of the snow there sprang asapling tree no more than three foot high. Already
it had put forthyoung leaves long and shapely, dark above and silver
beneath, ana'upon its slender crown it bore one small cluster of flowers
whosewhite petals shone like the sunlit snow.Then Aragorn cried : 'Yé!
utśvienyes! I have found it ! Lo ! here isa scion of the Eldest of Trees !
But how comes it here ? For it is notitself yet seven years old.'And
Gandalf coming looked at it, and said : `Verily this is a saplingof the line
of Nimloth the fair; and that was a seedling of Galathilion,and that a fruit
of Telperion of many names, Eldest of Trees. Whoshall say how it comes here
in the appointed hour? But this is anancient hallow, and ere the kings
failed or the Tree withered in thecourt, a fruit must have been set here.
For it is said that, though thefruit of the Tree comes seldom to ripeness,
yet the life within maythen lie sleeping through many long years, and none
can foretell thetime in which it will awake. Remember this. For if ever a
fruit ripens,it should be planted, lest the line die out of the world. Here
it haslain. hidden on the mountain, even as the race of Elendil lay hidden
inthe wastes of the North. Yet the line of Nimloth is older far than
yourline, King Elessar.Then Aragorn laid his hand gently to the sapling,
and lo ! it seemedto hold only lightly to the earth, and it was removed
without hurtĄand Aragorn bore it back to the Citadel. Then the withered tree
wasuprooted, but with reverence; and they did not burn it, but laid itto
rest in the silence of Rath Dínen. And Aragorn planted the newtree in the
court by the fountain, and swiftly and gladly it began togrow; and when the
month of June entered in it was laden withblossom.'The sign has been
given,' said Aragorn, 'and the day is not far off'And he set watchmen upon
the walls.It was the day before Midsummer when messengers came
fromAmon Dm to the City, and they said that there was a riding of fair
folkout of the North, and they drew near now to the walls of the
Pelen-nor. And the King said : `At last they have come. Let all the City
bemade ready ! 'Upon the very Eve of Midsummer, when the sky was blue as
sapĄphire and white stars opened in the East, but the West was still
goldenand the air was cool and fragrant, the riders came down the
North-way to the gates of Minas Tirith. First rode Elrohir and Elladan
witha banner of silver, and then came Glorfindel and Erestor and all
thchousehold of Rivendell, and after them came the Lady Galadriel
andCeleborn, Lord of Lothlórien, riding upon white steeds and with
themmany fair folk of their land, grey-cloaked with white gems in
theirhair; and last came Master Elrond, mighty among Elves and Men,
bear-ing the sceptre of Annśminas, and beside him upon a grey
palfreyrode Arwen his daughter, Evenstar of her people.And Frodo when he
saw her come glimmering in the evening, withstars on her brow and a sweet
fragrance about her, was moved withgreat wonder, and he said to Gandalf :
`At last I understand why wehave waited ! This is the ending. Now not day
only shall be beloved,but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all
its fear passaway ! 'Then the King welcomed his guests, and they
alighted; and Elrondsurrendered the sceptre, and laid the hand of his
daughter in the handof the King, and together they went up into the High
City, and allthe stars flowered in the sky. And Aragorn the King Elessar
weddedArwen Undómiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of
Mid-summer, and the tale of their long waiting and labours was come
tofulfilment.
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