towers

flotsam and jetsam 743
than we have done in many a long year before. But it is nearly
finished. When night falls do not linger near this gate or in
the old tunnel! Water may come through – and it will be foul
water for a while, until all the filth of Saruman is washed
away. Then Isen can run clean again.’’ He began to pull
down a bit more of the walls, in a leisurely sort of way, just
to amuse himself.
‘We were just wondering where it would be safe to lie and
get some sleep, when the most amazing thing of all happened.
There was the sound of a rider coming swiftly up the road.
Merry and I lay quiet, and Treebeard hid himself in the
shadows under the arch. Suddenly a great horse came striding
up, like a flash of silver. It was already dark, but I could see
the rider’s face clearly: it seemed to shine, and all his clothes
were white. I just sat up, staring, with my mouth open. I tried
to call out, and couldn’t.
‘There was no need. He halted just by us and looked down
at us. ‘‘Gandalf !’’ I said at last, but my voice was only a
whisper. Did he say: ‘‘Hullo, Pippin! This is a pleasant surprise!’’?
No, indeed! He said: ‘‘Get up, you tom-fool of a
Took! Where, in the name of wonder, in all this ruin is
Treebeard? I want him. Quick!’’
‘Treebeard heard his voice and came out of the shadows
at once; and there was a strange meeting. I was surprised,
because neither of them seemed surprised at all. Gandalf
obviously expected to find Treebeard here; and Treebeard
might almost have been loitering about near the gates on
purpose to meet him. Yet we had told the old Ent all about
Moria. But then I remembered a queer look he gave us at the
time. I can only suppose that he had seen Gandalf or had
some news of him, but would not say anything in a hurry.
‘‘Don’t be hasty’’ is his motto; but nobody, not even Elves,
will say much about Gandalf ’s movements when he is not
there.
‘ ‘‘Hoom! Gandalf !’’ said Treebeard. ‘‘I am glad you have
come. Wood and water, stock and stone, I can master; but
there is a Wizard to manage here.’’