towers

756 the two towers
away is your home and small concern of yours are the
troubles of this land. But it was not by design of your own
that you became embroiled in them, and so I will not blame
such part as you have played – a valiant one, I doubt not.
But I pray you, allow me first to speak with the King of
Rohan, my neighbour, and once my friend.
‘What have you to say, Théoden King? Will you have
peace with me, and all the aid that my knowledge, founded
in long years, can bring? Shall we make our counsels together
against evil days, and repair our injuries with such good will
that our estates shall both come to fairer flower than ever
before?’
Still Théoden did not answer. Whether he strove with
anger or doubt none could say. Éomer spoke.
‘Lord, hear me!’ he said. ‘Now we feel the peril that we
were warned of. Have we ridden forth to victory, only to
stand at last amazed by an old liar with honey on his forked
tongue? So would the trapped wolf speak to the hounds, if
he could. What aid can he give to you, forsooth? All he desires
is to escape from his plight. But will you parley with this
dealer in treachery and murder? Remember Théodred at the
Fords, and the grave of Háma in Helm’s Deep!’
‘If we speak of poisoned tongues what shall we say of
yours, young serpent?’ said Saruman, and the flash of his
anger was now plain to see. ‘But come, Éomer, Éomund’s
son!’ he went on in his soft voice again. ‘To every man his
part. Valour in arms is yours, and you win high honour
thereby. Slay whom your lord names as enemies, and be
content. Meddle not in policies which you do not understand.
But maybe, if you become a king, you will find that he must
choose his friends with care. The friendship of Saruman and
the power of Orthanc cannot be lightly thrown aside, whatever
grievances, real or fancied, may lie behind. You have
won a battle but not a war – and that with help on which you
cannot count again. You may find the Shadow of the Wood
at your own door next: it is wayward, and senseless, and has
no love for Men.