towers

594 the two towers
could tell to satisfy the Questioner, indeed you will: quite
soon. We shan’t hurry the enquiry. Oh dear no! What do you
think you’ve been kept alive for? My dear little fellows, please
believe me when I say that it was not out of kindness: that’s
not even one of Uglúk’s faults.’
‘I find it quite easy to believe,’ said Merry. ‘But you haven’t
got your prey home yet. And it doesn’t seem to be going your
way, whatever happens. If we come to Isengard, it won’t be
the great Grishnákh that benefits: Saruman will take all that
he can find. If you want anything for yourself, now’s the time
to do a deal.’
Grishnákh began to lose his temper. The name of Saruman
seemed specially to enrage him. Time was passing and the
disturbance was dying down. Uglúk or the Isengarders might
return at any minute. ‘Have you got it – either of you?’ he
snarled.
‘Gollum, gollum!’ said Pippin.
‘Untie our legs!’ said Merry.
They felt the Orc’s arms trembling violently. ‘Curse you,
you filthy little vermin!’ he hissed. ‘Untie your legs? I’ll untie
every string in your bodies. Do you think I can’t search you to
the bones? Search you! I’ll cut you both to quivering shreds. I
don’t need the help of your legs to get you away – and have
you all to myself !’
Suddenly he seized them. The strength in his long arms
and shoulders was terrifying. He tucked them one under each
armpit, and crushed them fiercely to his sides; a great stifling
hand was clapped over each of their mouths. Then he sprang
forward, stooping low. Quickly and silently he went, until he
came to the edge of the knoll. There, choosing a gap between
the watchers, he passed like an evil shadow out into the night,
down the slope and away westward towards the river that
flowed out of the forest. In that direction there was a wide
open space with only one fire.
After going a dozen yards he halted, peering and listening.
Nothing could be seen or heard. He crept slowly on, bent
almost double. Then he squatted and listened again. Then