If you would learn that, you should come with me to Isengard answered Gandalf
The king now returned to the Hornburg, and slept, such a sleep of quiet as he had not known for many years, and the remainder of his chosen company rested also But the others, all that were not hurt or wounded, began a great labour for many had fallen in the battle and lay dead upon the field or in the Deep
When young was mountain under moon
Ere ring was made, or wrought was woe,
It walked the forests long ago
And what may be the answer to your riddle? said Thjoden
No Orcs remained alive their bodies were uncounted But a great many of the hillmen had given themselves up and they were afraid, and cried for mercy
The sun was already drawing near the hills upon the west of the Coomb, when at last Thjoden and Gandalf and their companions rode down from the Dike Behind them were gathered a great host, both of the Riders and of the people of Westfold, old and young, women and children, who had come out from the caves A song of victory they sang with clear voices and then they fell silent, wondering what would chance, for their eyes were on the trees and they feared them
Then let all who are to ride with me rest now, said Gandalf We will journey under the shadow of evening It is as well for it is my counsel that all our comings and goings should be as secret as may be, henceforth But do not command many men to go with you, Thjoden We go to a parley not to a fight
Nevertheless to Isengard I go, said Gandalf I shall not stay there long My way lies now eastward Look for me in Edoras, ere the waning of the moon
The Men of the Mark took their weapons from them, and set them to work
The sun was already drawing near the hills upon the west of the Coomb, when at last Thjoden and Gandalf and their companions rode down from the Dike Behind them were gathered a great host, both of the Riders and of the people of Westfold, old and young, women and children, who had come out from the caves A song of victory they sang with clear voices and then they fell silent, wondering what would chance, for their eyes were on the trees and they feared them
It is hot in here, said Legolas to Gandalf I feel a great wrath about me Do you not feel the air throb in your ears?
The Orcs were piled in great heaps, away from the mounds of Men, not far from the eaves of the forest And the people were troubled in their minds for the heaps of carrion were too great for burial or for burning They had little wood for firing, and none would have dared to take an axe to the strange trees, even if Gandalf had not warned them to hurt neither bark nor bough at their great peril
I wish to speak with Saruman, as soon as may be now, said Gandalf, and since he has done you great injury, it would be fitting if you were there But how soon and how swiftly will you ride?
It walked the forests long ago
It walked the forests long ago
The king now returned to the Hornburg, and slept, such a sleep of quiet as he had not known for many years, and the remainder of his chosen company rested also But the others, all that were not hurt or wounded, began a great labour for many had fallen in the battle and lay dead upon the field or in the Deep
Nay said Thjoden In the dark hour before dawn I doubted, but we will not part now I will come with you, if that is your counsel
My men are weary with battle, said the King and I am weary also For I have ridden far and slept little Alas My old age is not feigned nor due only to the whisperings of Wormtongue It is an ill that no leech can wholly cure, not even Gandalf
My men are weary with battle, said the King and I am weary also For I have ridden far and slept little Alas My old age is not feigned nor due only to the whisperings of Wormtongue It is an ill that no leech can wholly cure, not even Gandalf
The Orcs were piled in great heaps, away from the mounds of Men, not far from the eaves of the forest And the people were troubled in their minds for the heaps of carrion were too great for burial or for burning They had little wood for firing, and none would have dared to take an axe to the strange trees, even if Gandalf had not warned them to hurt neither bark nor bough at their great peril
The King then chose men that were unhurt and had swift horses, and he sent them forth with tidings of the victory into every vale of the Mark and they bore his summons also, bidding all men, young and old, to come in haste to Edoras There the Lord of the Mark would hold an assembly of all that could bear arms, on the second day after the full moon To ride with him to Isengard the King chose Jomer and twenty men of his household With Gandalf would go Aragorn, and Legolas, and Gimli In spite of his hurt the dwarf would not stay behind
No Orcs remained alive their bodies were uncounted But a great many of the hillmen had given themselves up and they were afraid, and cried for mercy
I wish to speak with Saruman, as soon as may be now, said Gandalf, and since he has done you great injury, it would be fitting if you were there But how soon and how swiftly will you ride?
In the afternoon the Kings company prepared to depart The work of burial was then but beginning and Thjoden mourned for the loss of Hbma, his captain, and cast the first earth upon his grave Great injury indeed has Saruman done to me and all this land, he said and I will remember it, when we meet
To Isengard? they cried
Nay said Thjoden In the dark hour before dawn I doubted, but we will not part now I will come with you, if that is your counsel
The sun was already drawing near the hills upon the west of the Coomb, when at last Thjoden and Gandalf and their companions rode down from the Dike Behind them were gathered a great host, both of the Riders and of the people of Westfold, old and young, women and children, who had come out from the caves A song of victory they sang with clear voices and then they fell silent, wondering what would chance, for their eyes were on the trees and they feared them