towers

the uruk-hai 597
that we are not Orcs after we are dead.’ He got up and
stamped his feet. ‘Those cords have cut me like wires; but
my feet are getting warm again. I could stagger on now. What
about you, Merry?’
Merry got up. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I can manage it. Lembas does
put heart into you! A more wholesome sort of feeling, too,
than the heat of that orc-draught. I wonder what it was made
of. Better not to know, I expect. Let’s get a drink of water to
wash away the thought of it!’
‘Not here, the banks are too steep,’ said Pippin. ‘Forward
now!’
They turned and walked side by side slowly along the line
of the river. Behind them the light grew in the East. As they
walked they compared notes, talking lightly in hobbit-fashion
of the things that had happened since their capture. No
listener would have guessed from their words that they had
suffered cruelly, and been in dire peril, going without hope
towards torment and death; or that even now, as they knew
well, they had little chance of ever finding friend or safety
again.
‘You seem to have been doing well, Master Took,’ said
Merry. ‘You will get almost a chapter in old Bilbo’s book, if
ever I get a chance to report to him. Good work: especially
guessing that hairy villain’s little game, and playing up to
him. But I wonder if anyone will ever pick up your trail and
find that brooch. I should hate to lose mine, but I am afraid
yours is gone for good.
‘I shall have to brush up my toes, if I am to get level with
you. Indeed Cousin Brandybuck is going in front now. This
is where he comes in. I don’t suppose you have much notion
where we are; but I spent my time at Rivendell rather better.
We are walking west along the Entwash. The butt-end of the
Misty Mountains is in front, and Fangorn Forest.’
Even as he spoke the dark edge of the forest loomed up
straight before them. Night seemed to have taken refuge
under its great trees, creeping away from the coming Dawn.
‘Lead on, Master Brandybuck!’ said Pippin. ‘Or lead back!