towers

the white rider 659
the banks were lower, he waded the river, and then led them
away due south into a flat land, treeless and wide. The wind
went like grey waves through the endless miles of grass. There
was no sign of road or track, but Shadowfax did not stay or
falter.
‘He is steering a straight course now for the halls of
Théoden under the slopes of the White Mountains,’ said
Gandalf. ‘It will be quicker so. The ground is firmer in the
Eastemnet, where the chief northward track lies, across the
river, but Shadowfax knows the way through every fen and
hollow.’
For many hours they rode on through the meads and riverlands.
Often the grass was so high that it reached above the
knees of the riders, and their steeds seemed to be swimming
in a grey-green sea. They came upon many hidden pools,
and broad acres of sedge waving above wet and treacherous
bogs; but Shadowfax found the way, and the other horses
followed in his swath. Slowly the sun fell from the sky down
into the West. Looking out over the great plain, far away the
riders saw it for a moment like a red fire sinking into the
grass. Low upon the edge of sight shoulders of the mountains
glinted red upon either side. A smoke seemed to rise up and
darken the sun’s disc to the hue of blood, as if it had kindled
the grass as it passed down under the rim of earth.
‘There lies the Gap of Rohan,’ said Gandalf. ‘It is now
almost due west of us. That way lies Isengard.’
‘I see a great smoke,’ said Legolas. ‘What may that be?’
‘Battle and war!’ said Gandalf. ‘Ride on!’