towers

the window on the west 891
The hobbits came back to their seats and sat very quiet.
Men turned back to their drink and their talk, perceiving that
their captain had had some jest or other with the little guests,
and that it was over.
‘Well, Frodo, now at last we understand one another,’ said
Faramir. ‘If you took this thing on yourself, unwilling, at
others’ asking, then you have pity and honour from me. And
I marvel at you: to keep it hid and not to use it. You are a
new people and a new world to me. Are all your kin of like
sort? Your land must be a realm of peace and content, and
there must gardeners be in high honour.’
‘Not all is well there,’ said Frodo, ‘but certainly gardeners
are honoured.’
‘But folk must grow weary there, even in their gardens, as
do all things under the Sun of this world. And you are far
from home and wayworn. No more tonight. Sleep, both of
you – in peace, if you can. Fear not! I do not wish to see it,
or touch it, or know more of it than I know (which is enough),
lest peril perchance waylay me and I fall lower in the test
than Frodo son of Drogo. Go now to rest – but first tell me
only, if you will, whither you wish to go, and what to do. For
I must watch, and wait, and think. Time passes. In the morning
we must each go swiftly on the ways appointed to us.’
Frodo had felt himself trembling as the first shock of fear
passed. Now a great weariness came down on him like a
cloud. He could dissemble and resist no longer.
‘I was going to find a way into Mordor,’ he said faintly. ‘I
was going to Gorgoroth. I must find the Mountain of Fire
and cast the thing into the gulf of Doom. Gandalf said so.
I do not think I shall ever get there.’
Faramir stared at him for a moment in grave astonishment.
Then suddenly he caught him as he swayed, and lifting him
gently, carried him to the bed and laid him there, and covered
him warmly. At once he fell into a deep sleep.
Another bed was set beside him for his servant. Sam hesitated
for a moment, then bowing very low: ‘Good night,
Captain, my lord,’ he said. ‘You took the chance, sir.’