towers

the window on the west 877
of our treasury, and I learned a little of him, when he would
teach (and that was seldom). Ever he would search and would
question us above all else concerning the Great Battle that
was fought upon Dagorlad in the beginning of Gondor, when
He whom we do not name was overthrown. And he was
eager for stories of Isildur, though of him we had less to tell;
for nothing certain was ever known among us of his end.’
Now Faramir’s voice sank to a whisper. ‘But this much I
learned, or guessed, and I have kept it ever secret in my
heart since: that Isildur took somewhat from the hand of the
Unnamed, ere he went away from Gondor, never to be seen
among mortal men again. Here I thought was the answer to
Mithrandir’s questioning. But it seemed then a matter that
concerned only the seekers after ancient learning. Nor when
the riddling words of our dream were debated among us, did
I think of Isildur’s Bane as being this same thing. For Isildur
was ambushed and slain by orc-arrows, according to the only
legend that we knew, and Mithrandir had never told me
more.
‘What in truth this Thing is I cannot yet guess; but some
heirloom of power and peril it must be. A fell weapon, perchance,
devised by the Dark Lord. If it were a thing that gave
advantage in battle, I can well believe that Boromir, the proud
and fearless, often rash, ever anxious for the victory of Minas
Tirith (and his own glory therein), might desire such a thing
and be allured by it. Alas that ever he went on that errand! I
should have been chosen by my father and the elders, but he
put himself forward, as being the older and the hardier (both
true), and he would not be stayed.
‘But fear no more! I would not take this thing, if it lay by
the highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I
alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord
for her good and my glory. No, I do not wish for such
triumphs, Frodo son of Drogo.’
‘Neither did the Council,’ said Frodo. ‘Nor do I. I would
have nothing to do with such matters.’
‘For myself,’ said Faramir, ‘I would see the White Tree in