towers

760 the two towers
to leave its refuge. For a second he hesitated, and no one
breathed. Then he spoke, and his voice was shrill and cold.
Pride and hate were conquering him.
‘Will I come down?’ he mocked. ‘Does an unarmed man
come down to speak with robbers out of doors? I can hear
you well enough here. I am no fool, and I do not trust you,
Gandalf. They do not stand openly on my stairs, but I know
where the wild wood-demons are lurking, at your command.’
‘The treacherous are ever distrustful,’ answered Gandalf
wearily. ‘But you need not fear for your skin. I do not wish
to kill you, or hurt you, as you would know, if you really
understood me. And I have the power to protect you. I am
giving you a last chance. You can leave Orthanc, free – if you
choose.’
‘That sounds well,’ sneered Saruman. ‘Very much in the
manner of Gandalf the Grey: so condescending, and so very
kind. I do not doubt that you would find Orthanc commodious,
and my departure convenient. But why should I wish to
leave? And what do you mean by ‘‘free’’? There are conditions,
I presume?’
‘Reasons for leaving you can see from your windows,’
answered Gandalf. ‘Others will occur to your thought. Your
servants are destroyed and scattered; your neighbours you
have made your enemies; and you have cheated your new
master, or tried to do so. When his eye turns hither, it will be
the red eye of wrath. But when I say ‘‘free’’, I mean ‘‘free’’:
free from bond, of chain or command: to go where you will,
even, even to Mordor, Saruman, if you desire. But you will
first surrender to me the Key of Orthanc, and your staff.
They shall be pledges of your conduct, to be returned later,
if you merit them.’
Saruman’s face grew livid, twisted with rage, and a red
light was kindled in his eyes. He laughed wildly. ‘Later!’ he
cried, and his voice rose to a scream. ‘Later! Yes, when you
also have the Keys of Barad-dûr itself, I suppose; and the
crowns of seven kings, and the rods of the Five Wizards, and
have purchased yourself a pair of boots many sizes larger