towers

the forbidden pool 903
‘Then I will declare my doom,’ said Faramir. ‘As for you,
Frodo, in so far as lies in me under higher authority, I declare
you free in the realm of Gondor to the furthest of its ancient
bounds; save only that neither you nor any that go with you
have leave to come to this place unbidden. This doom shall
stand for a year and a day, and then cease, unless you shall
before that term come to Minas Tirith and present yourself
to the Lord and Steward of the City. Then I will entreat him
to confirm what I have done and to make it lifelong. In the
meantime, whomsoever you take under your protection shall
be under my protection and under the shield of Gondor. Are
you answered?’
Frodo bowed low. ‘I am answered,’ he said, ‘and I place
myself at your service, if that is of any worth to one so high
and honourable.’
‘It is of great worth,’ said Faramir. ‘And now, do you take
this creature, this Sméagol, under your protection?’
‘I do take Sméagol under my protection,’ said Frodo. Sam
sighed audibly; and not at the courtesies, of which, as any
hobbit would, he thoroughly approved. Indeed in the Shire
such a matter would have required a great many more words
and bows.
‘Then I say to you,’ said Faramir, turning to Gollum, ‘you
are under doom of death; but while you walk with Frodo you
are safe for our part. Yet if ever you be found by any man of
Gondor astray without him, the doom shall fall. And may
death find you swiftly, within Gondor or without, if you do
not well serve him. Now answer me: whither would you go?
You were his guide, he says. Whither were you leading him?’
Gollum made no reply.
‘This I will not have secret,’ said Faramir. ‘Answer me, or
I will reverse my judgement!’ Still Gollum did not answer.
‘I will answer for him,’ said Frodo. ‘He brought me to the
Black Gate, as I asked; but it was impassable.’
‘There is no open gate into the Nameless Land,’ said
Faramir.
‘Seeing this, we turned aside and came by the Southward