return

1094 the return of the king
drawing near the Rammas of the Pelennor; but the day was
not yet come.
The king rode in the midst of the leading company, his
household-men about him. Elfhelm’s éored came next; and
now Merry noticed that Dernhelm had left his place and in
the darkness was moving steadily forward, until at last he was
riding just in rear of the king’s guard. There came a check.
Merry heard voices in front speaking softly. Out-riders had
come back who had ventured forward almost to the wall.
They came to the king.
‘There are great fires, lord,’ said one. ‘The City is all set
about with flame, and the field is full of foes. But all seem
drawn off to the assault. As well as we could guess, there are
few left upon the out-wall, and they are heedless, busy in
destruction.’
‘Do you remember the Wild Man’s words, lord?’ said
another. ‘I live upon the open Wold in days of peace; Wídfara
is my name, and to me also the air brings messages. Already
the wind is turning. There comes a breath out of the South;
there is a sea-tang in it, faint though it be. The morning will
bring new things. Above the reek it will be dawn when you
pass the wall.’
‘If you speak truly, Wídfara, then may you live beyond this
day in years of blessedness!’ said Théoden. He turned to the
men of his household who were near, and he spoke now in a
clear voice so that many also of the riders of the first éored
heard him:
‘Now is the hour come, Riders of the Mark, sons of
Eorl! Foes and fire are before you, and your homes far
behind. Yet, though you fight upon an alien field, the glory
that you reap there shall be your own for ever. Oaths ye have
taken: now fulfil them all, to lord and land and league of
friendship!’
Men clashed spear upon shield.
‘Éomer, my son! You lead the first éored,’ said Théoden;
‘and it shall go behind the king’s banner in the centre.
Elfhelm, lead your company to the right when we pass the