towers

the white rider 639
content with the capture of Merry and Pippin? They did not
seek out the rest of us, nor attack our camp; but instead they
went with all speed towards Isengard. Did they suppose they
had captured the Ring-bearer and his faithful comrade? I
think not. Their masters would not dare to give such plain
orders to Orcs, even if they knew so much themselves; they
would not speak openly to them of the Ring: they are not
trusty servants. But I think the Orcs had been commanded
to capture hobbits, alive, at all costs. An attempt was made
to slip out with the precious prisoners before the battle.
Treachery perhaps, likely enough with such folk; some large
and bold Orc may have been trying to escape with the prize
alone, for his own ends. There, that is my tale. Others might
be devised. But on this we may count in any case: one at least
of our friends escaped. It is our task to find him and help
him before we return to Rohan. We must not be daunted by
Fangorn, since need drove him into that dark place.’
‘I do not know which daunts me more: Fangorn, or the
thought of the long road through Rohan on foot,’ said Gimli.
‘Then let us go to the forest,’ said Aragorn.
It was not long before Aragorn found fresh signs. At one
point, near the bank of the Entwash, he came upon footprints:
hobbit-prints, but too light for much to be made of them.
Then again beneath the bole of a great tree on the very edge
of the wood more prints were discovered. The earth was bare
and dry, and did not reveal much.
‘One hobbit at least stood here for a while and looked back;
and then he turned away into the forest,’ said Aragorn.
‘Then we must go in, too,’ said Gimli. ‘But I do not like
the look of this Fangorn; and we were warned against it. I
wish the chase had led anywhere else!’
‘I do not think the wood feels evil, whatever tales may say,’
said Legolas. He stood under the eaves of the forest, stooping
forward, as if he were listening, and peering with wide eyes
into the shadows. ‘No, it is not evil; or what evil is in it is far
away. I catch only the faintest echoes of dark places where