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the ride of the rohirrim 1095
wall. And Grimbold shall lead his towards the left. Let the
other companies behind follow these three that lead, as they
have chance. Strike wherever the enemy gathers. Other plans
we cannot make, for we know not yet how things stand upon
the field. Forth now, and fear no darkness!’
The leading company rode off as swiftly as they could,
for it was still deep dark, whatever change Wídfara might
forebode. Merry was riding behind Dernhelm, clutching with
the left hand while with the other he tried to loosen his sword
in its sheath. He felt now bitterly the truth of the old king’s
words: in such a battle what would you do, Meriadoc? Just this,’
he thought: ‘encumber a rider, and hope at best to stay in my
seat and not be pounded to death by galloping hoofs!’
It was no more than a league to where the out-walls had
stood. They soon reached them; too soon for Merry. Wild
cries broke out, and there was some clash of arms, but it was
brief. The orcs busy about the walls were few and amazed,
and they were quickly slain or driven off. Before the ruin of
the north-gate in the Rammas the king halted again. The first
éored drew up behind him and about him on either side.
Dernhelm kept close to the king, though Elfhelm’s company
was away on the right. Grimbold’s men turned aside and
passed round to a great gap in the wall further eastward.
Merry peered from behind Dernhelm’s back. Far away,
maybe ten miles or more, there was a great burning, but
between it and the Riders lines of fire blazed in a vast crescent,
at the nearest point less than a league distant. He could make
out little more on the dark plain, and as yet he neither saw any
hope of morning, nor felt any wind, changed or unchanged.
Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the
field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily, like the rising
tide through breaches in a dike that men have thought secure.
But the mind and will of the Black Captain were bent wholly
on the falling city, and as yet no tidings came to him warning
that his designs held any flaw.