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the rock far above. None can force an entrance against determined
men. They may hold out long.’
‘But the Orcs have brought a devilry from Orthanc,’ said
Aragorn. ‘They have a blasting fire, and with it they took the
Wall. If they cannot come in the caves, they may seal up
those that are inside. But now we must turn all our thought
to our own defence.’
‘I fret in this prison,’ said Théoden. ‘If I could have set a
spear in rest, riding before my men upon the field, maybe I
could have felt again the joy of battle, and so ended. But I
serve little purpose here.’
‘Here at least you are guarded in the strongest fastness of
the Mark,’ said Aragorn. ‘More hope we have to defend you
in the Hornburg than in Edoras, or even at Dunharrow in
the mountains.’
‘It is said that the Hornburg has never fallen to assault,’
said Théoden; ‘but now my heart is doubtful. The world
changes, and all that once was strong now proves unsure.
How shall any tower withstand such numbers and such reckless
hate? Had I known that the strength of Isengard was
grown so great, maybe I should not so rashly have ridden
forth to meet it, for all the arts of Gandalf. His counsel seems
not now so good as it did under the morning sun.’
‘Do not judge the counsel of Gandalf, until all is over,
lord,’ said Aragorn.
‘The end will not be long,’ said the king. ‘But I will not
end here, taken like an old badger in a trap. Snowmane and
Hasufel and the horses of my guard are in the inner court.
When dawn comes, I will bid men sound Helm’s horn, and
I will ride forth. Will you ride with me then, son of Arathorn?
Maybe we shall cleave a road, or make such an end as will
be worth a song – if any be left to sing of us hereafter.’
‘I will ride with you,’ said Aragorn.
Taking his leave, he returned to the walls, and passed
round all their circuit, enheartening the men, and lending aid
wherever the assault was hot. Legolas went with him. Blasts
of fire leaped up from below shaking the stones. Grappling-