towers

570 the two towers
‘I had forgotten that,’ said Éomer. ‘It is hard to be sure of
anything among so many marvels. The world is all grown
strange. Elf and Dwarf in company walk in our daily fields;
and folk speak with the Lady of the Wood and yet live; and
the Sword comes back to war that was broken in the long
ages ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark! How
shall a man judge what to do in such times?’
‘As he ever has judged,’ said Aragorn. ‘Good and ill have
not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among
Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man’s
part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his
own house.’
‘True indeed,’ said Éomer. ‘But I do not doubt you, nor
the deed which my heart would do. Yet I am not free to do
all as I would. It is against our law to let strangers wander at
will in our land, until the king himself shall give them leave,
and more strict is the command in these days of peril. I have
begged you to come back willingly with me, and you will not.
Loth am I to begin a battle of one hundred against three.’
‘I do not think your law was made for such a chance,’ said
Aragorn. ‘Nor indeed am I a stranger; for I have been in this
land before, more than once, and ridden with the host of the
Rohirrim, though under other name and in other guise. You
I have not seen before, for you are young, but I have spoken
with Éomund your father, and with Théoden son of Thengel.
Never in former days would any high lord of this land have
constrained a man to abandon such a quest as mine. My duty
at least is clear, to go on. Come now, son of Éomund, the
choice must be made at last. Aid us, or at the worst let us go
free. Or seek to carry out your law. If you do so there will be
fewer to return to your war or to your king.’
Éomer was silent for a moment, then he spoke. ‘We both
have need of haste,’ he said. ‘My company chafes to be away,
and every hour lessens your hope. This is my choice. You
may go; and what is more, I will lend you horses. This only
I ask: when your quest is achieved, or is proved vain, return
with the horses over the Entwade to Meduseld, the high