towers

836 the two towers
and helmets; and over the levels beside the roads horsemen
could be seen riding in many companies. He remembered
his vision from afar upon Amon Hen, so few days before,
though now it seemed many years ago. Then he knew that
the hope that had for one wild moment stirred in his heart
was vain. The trumpets had not rung in challenge but in
greeting. This was no assault upon the Dark Lord by the
men of Gondor, risen like avenging ghosts from the graves
of valour long passed away. These were Men of other race,
out of the wide Eastlands, gathering to the summons of their
Overlord; armies that had encamped before his Gate by night
and now marched in to swell his mounting power. As if
suddenly made fully aware of the peril of their position, alone,
in the growing light of day, so near to this vast menace, Frodo
quickly drew his frail grey hood close upon his head, and
stepped down into the dell. Then he turned to Gollum.
‘Sméagol,’ he said, ‘I will trust you once more. Indeed it
seems that I must do so, and that it is my fate to receive help
from you, where I least looked for it, and your fate to help
me whom you long pursued with evil purpose. So far you
have deserved well of me and have kept your promise truly.
Truly, I say and mean,’ he added with a glance at Sam, ‘for
twice now we have been in your power, and you have done
no harm to us. Nor have you tried to take from me what you
once sought. May the third time prove the best! But I warn
you, Sméagol, you are in danger.’
‘Yes, yes, master!’ said Gollum. ‘Dreadful danger! Sméagol’s
bones shake to think of it, but he doesn’t run away. He
must help nice master.’
‘I did not mean the danger that we all share,’ said Frodo.
‘I mean a danger to yourself alone. You swore a promise by
what you call the Precious. Remember that! It will hold you
to it; but it will seek a way to twist it to your own undoing.
Already you are being twisted. You revealed yourself to me
just now, foolishly. Give it back to Sméagol you said. Do not
say that again! Do not let that thought grow in you! You will
never get it back. But the desire of it may betray you to a bitter