towers

646 the two towers
‘What do you wish to know?’ said Aragorn. ‘All that has
happened since we parted on the bridge would be a long tale.
Will you not first give us news of the hobbits? Did you find
them, and are they safe?’
‘No, I did not find them,’ said Gandalf. ‘There was a
darkness over the valleys of the Emyn Muil, and I did not
know of their captivity, until the eagle told me.’
‘The eagle!’ said Legolas. ‘I have seen an eagle high and
far off: the last time was four days ago, above the Emyn
Muil.’
‘Yes,’ said Gandalf, ‘that was Gwaihir the Windlord, who
rescued me from Orthanc. I sent him before me to watch the
River and gather tidings. His sight is keen, but he cannot see
all that passes under hill and tree. Some things he has seen,
and others I have seen myself. The Ring now has passed
beyond my help, or the help of any of the Company that set
out from Rivendell. Very nearly it was revealed to the Enemy,
but it escaped. I had some part in that: for I sat in a high
place, and I strove with the Dark Tower; and the Shadow
passed. Then I was weary, very weary; and I walked long in
dark thought.’
‘Then you know about Frodo!’ said Gimli. ‘How do things
go with him?’
‘I cannot say. He was saved from a great peril, but many
lie before him still. He resolved to go alone to Mordor, and
he set out: that is all that I can say.’
‘Not alone,’ said Legolas. ‘We think that Sam went with
him.’
‘Did he!’ said Gandalf, and there was a gleam in his eye
and a smile on his face. ‘Did he indeed? It is news to me, yet
it does not surprise me. Good! Very good! You lighten my
heart. You must tell me more. Now sit by me and tell me the
tale of your journey.’
The companions sat on the ground at his feet, and Aragorn
took up the tale. For a long while Gandalf said nothing, and
he asked no questions. His hands were spread upon his knees,