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the siege of gondor 1065
you speak I trust you less, no more than Boromir. Nay, stay
your wrath! I do not trust myself in this, and I refused this
thing, even as a freely given gift. You are strong and can still
in some matters govern yourself, Denethor; yet if you had
received this thing, it would have overthrown you. Were it
buried beneath the roots of Mindolluin, still it would burn
your mind away, as the darkness grows, and the yet worse
things follow that soon shall come upon us.’
For a moment the eyes of Denethor glowed again as
he faced Gandalf, and Pippin felt once more the strain between
their wills; but now almost it seemed as if their glances
were like blades from eye to eye, flickering as they fenced.
Pippin trembled fearing some dreadful stroke. But suddenly
Denethor relaxed and grew cold again. He shrugged his
shoulders.
‘If I had! If you had!’ he said. ‘Such words and ifs are vain.
It has gone into the Shadow, and only time will show what
doom awaits it, and us. The time will not be long. In what is
left, let all who fight the Enemy in their fashion be at one,
and keep hope while they may, and after hope still the hardihood
to die free.’ He turned to Faramir. ‘What think you of
the garrison at Osgiliath?’
‘It is not strong,’ said Faramir. ‘I have sent the company
of Ithilien to strengthen it, as I have said.’
‘Not enough, I deem,’ said Denethor. ‘It is there that the
first blow will fall. They will have need of some stout captain
there.’
‘There and elsewhere in many places,’ said Faramir, and
sighed. ‘Alas for my brother, whom I too loved!’ He rose.
‘May I have your leave, father?’ And then he swayed and
leaned upon his father’s chair.
‘You are weary, I see,’ said Denethor. ‘You have ridden
fast and far, and under shadows of evil in the air, I am told.’
‘Let us not speak of that!’ said Faramir.
‘Then we will not,’ said Denethor. ‘Go now and rest as
you may. Tomorrow’s need will be sterner.’
* * *