return

1062 the return of the king
Pippin knew that Gandalf, Gandalf himself, was troubled,
even afraid. The air of the room was close and still. At last
when Faramir spoke of his parting with the travellers, and of
their resolve to go to Cirith Ungol, his voice fell, and he shook
his head and sighed. Then Gandalf sprang up.
‘Cirith Ungol? Morgul Vale?’ he said. ‘The time, Faramir,
the time? When did you part with them? When would they
reach that accursed valley?’
‘I parted with them in the morning two days ago,’
said Faramir. ‘It is fifteen leagues thence to the vale of
the Morgulduin, if they went straight south; and then they
would be still five leagues westward of the accursed Tower.
At swiftest they could not come there before today, and
maybe they have not come there yet. Indeed I see what you
fear. But the darkness is not due to their venture. It began
yestereve, and all Ithilien was under shadow last night. It is
clear to me that the Enemy has long planned an assault on
us, and its hour had already been determined before ever the
travellers left my keeping.’
Gandalf paced the floor. ‘The morning of two days ago,
nigh on three days of journey! How far is the place where
you parted?’
‘Some twenty-five leagues as a bird flies,’ answered
Faramir. ‘But I could not come more swiftly. Yestereve I lay
at Cair Andros, the long isle in the River northward which
we hold in defence; and horses are kept on the hither bank.
As the dark drew on I knew that haste was needed, so I rode
thence with three others that could also be horsed. The rest
of my company I sent south to strengthen the garrison at the
fords of Osgiliath. I hope that I have not done ill?’ He looked
at his father.
‘Ill?’ cried Denethor, and his eyes flashed suddenly. ‘Why
do you ask? The men were under your command. Or do you
ask for my judgement on all your deeds? Your bearing is
lowly in my presence, yet it is long now since you turned
from your own way at my counsel. See, you have spoken
skilfully, as ever; but I, have I not seen your eye fixed on