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the ride of the rohirrim 1093
‘We need no further guidance,’ said Elfhelm; ‘for there are
riders in the host who have ridden down to Mundburg in
days of peace. I for one. When we come to the road it will
veer south, and there will lie before us still seven leagues ere
we reach the wall of the townlands. Along most of that way
there is much grass on either side of the road. On that stretch
the errand-riders of Gondor reckoned to make their greatest
speed. We may ride it swiftly and without great rumour.’
‘Then since we must look for fell deeds and the need of all
our strength,’ said Éomer, ‘I counsel that we rest now, and
set out hence by night, and so time our going that we come
upon the fields when tomorrow is as light as it will be, or
when our lord gives the signal.’
To this the king assented, and the captains departed. But
soon Elfhelm returned. ‘The scouts have found naught to
report beyond the Grey Wood, lord,’ he said, ‘save two men
only: two dead men and two dead horses.’
‘Well?’ said Éomer. ‘What of it?’
‘This, lord: they were errand-riders of Gondor; Hirgon
was one maybe. At least his hand still clasped the Red Arrow,
but his head was hewn off. And this also: it would seem by
the signs that they were fleeing westward when they fell. As I
read it, they found the enemy already on the out-wall, or
assailing it, when they returned – and that would be two
nights ago, if they used fresh horses from the posts, as is their
wont. They could not reach the City and turned back.’
‘Alas!’ said Théoden. ‘Then Denethor has heard no news
of our riding and will despair of our coming.’
‘Need brooks no delay, yet late is better than never,’ said
Éomer. ‘And mayhap in this time shall the old saw be proved
truer than ever before since men spoke with mouth.’
It was night. On either side of the road the host of Rohan
was moving silently. Now the road passing about the skirts of
Mindolluin turned southward. Far away and almost straight
ahead there was a red glow under the black sky and the sides
of the great mountain loomed dark against it. They were