towers

650 the two towers
Saruman does not know of this new shape in which the
Ringwraiths have been clad. His thought is ever on the Ring.
Was it present in the battle? Was it found? What if Théoden,
Lord of the Mark, should come by it and learn of its power?
That is the danger that he sees, and he has fled back to
Isengard to double and treble his assault on Rohan. And all
the time there is another danger, close at hand, which he
does not see, busy with his fiery thoughts. He has forgotten
Treebeard.’
‘Now you speak to yourself again,’ said Aragorn with a
smile. ‘Treebeard is not known to me. And I have guessed
part of Saruman’s double treachery; yet I do not see in what
way the coming of two hobbits to Fangorn has served, save
to give us a long and fruitless chase.’
‘Wait a minute!’ cried Gimli. ‘There is another thing that
I should like to know first. Was it you, Gandalf, or Saruman
that we saw last night?’
‘You certainly did not see me,’ answered Gandalf, ‘therefore
I must guess that you saw Saruman. Evidently we look
so much alike that your desire to make an incurable dent in
my hat must be excused.’
‘Good, good!’ said Gimli. ‘I am glad that it was not you.’
Gandalf laughed again. ‘Yes, my good Dwarf,’ he said,
‘it is a comfort not to be mistaken at all points. Do I not know
it only too well! But, of course, I never blamed you for your
welcome of me. How could I do so, who have so often
counselled my friends to suspect even their own hands when
dealing with the Enemy. Bless you, Gimli, son of Glóin!
Maybe you will see us both together one day and judge
between us!’
‘But the hobbits!’ Legolas broke in. ‘We have come far to
seek them, and you seem to know where they are. Where are
they now?’
‘With Treebeard and the Ents,’ said Gandalf.
‘The Ents!’ exclaimed Aragorn. ‘Then there is truth in the
old legends about the dwellers in the deep forests and the
giant shepherds of the trees? Are there still Ents in the world?