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the siege of gondor 1073
with red banners, shouting with harsh tongues, surging up,
overtaking the retreat. And with a piercing cry out of the dim
sky fell the winged shadows, the Nazgûl stooping to the kill.
The retreat became a rout. Already men were breaking
away, flying wild and witless here and there, flinging away
their weapons, crying out in fear, falling to the ground.
And then a trumpet rang from the Citadel, and Denethor
at last released the sortie. Drawn up within the shadow of the
Gate and under the looming walls outside they had waited
for his signal: all the mounted men that were left in the City.
Now they sprang forward, formed, quickened to a gallop,
and charged with a great shout. And from the walls an
answering shout went up; for foremost on the field rode the
swan-knights of Dol Amroth with their Prince and his blue
banner at their head.
‘Amroth for Gondor!’ they cried. ‘Amroth to Faramir!’
Like thunder they broke upon the enemy on either flank
of the retreat; but one rider outran them all, swift as the wind
in the grass: Shadowfax bore him, shining, unveiled once
more, a light starting from his upraised hand.
The Nazgûl screeched and swept away, for their Captain
was not yet come to challenge the white fire of his foe. The
hosts of Morgul intent on their prey, taken at unawares in
wild career, broke, scattering like sparks in a gale. The outcompanies
with a great cheer turned and smote their pursuers.
Hunters became the hunted. The retreat became an
onslaught. The field was strewn with stricken orcs and men,
and a reek arose of torches cast away, sputtering out in
swirling smoke. The cavalry rode on.
But Denethor did not permit them to go far. Though the
enemy was checked, and for the moment driven back, great
forces were flowing in from the East. Again the trumpet rang,
sounding the retreat. The cavalry of Gondor halted. Behind
their screen the out-companies re-formed. Now steadily they
came marching back. They reached the Gate of the City
and entered, stepping proudly; and proudly the people of
the City looked on them and cried their praise, and yet they