return

the siege of gondor 1069
ever, looked north and counted the leagues to Théoden in
Rohan. ‘Will he come? Will he remember our old alliance?’
they said.
‘Yes, he will come,’ said Gandalf, ‘even if he comes too
late. But think! At best the Red Arrow cannot have reached
him more than two days ago, and the miles are long from
Edoras.’
It was night again ere news came. A man rode in haste
from the fords, saying that a host had issued from Minas
Morgul and was already drawing nigh to Osgiliath; and it
had been joined by regiments from the South, Haradrim,
cruel and tall. ‘And we have learned,’ said the messenger,
‘that the Black Captain leads them once again, and the fear
of him has passed before him over the River.’
With those ill-boding words the third day closed since
Pippin came to Minas Tirith. Few went to rest, for small
hope had any now that even Faramir could hold the fords
for long.
The next day, though the darkness had reached its full and
grew no deeper, it weighed heavier on men’s hearts, and
a great dread was on them. Ill news came soon again. The
passage of Anduin was won by the Enemy. Faramir was
retreating to the wall of the Pelennor, rallying his men to the
Causeway Forts; but he was ten times outnumbered.
‘If he wins back at all across the Pelennor, his enemies will
be on his heels,’ said the messenger. ‘They have paid dear
for the crossing, but less dearly than we hoped. The plan
has been well laid. It is now seen that in secret they have
long been building floats and barges in great number in East
Osgiliath. They swarmed across like beetles. But it is the
Black Captain that defeats us. Few will stand and abide even
the rumour of his coming. His own folk quail at him, and
they would slay themselves at his bidding.’
‘Then I am needed there more than here,’ said Gandalf,
and rode off at once, and the glimmer of him faded soon