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the battle of the pelennor fields 1103
Théoden opened his eyes, and they were clear, and he spoke
in a quiet voice though laboured.
‘Farewell, Master Holbytla!’ he said. ‘My body is broken.
I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall
not now be ashamed. I felled the black serpent. A grim morn,
and a glad day, and a golden sunset!’
Merry could not speak, but wept anew. ‘Forgive me, lord,’
he said at last, ‘if I broke your command, and yet have done
no more in your service than to weep at our parting.’
The old king smiled. ‘Grieve not! It is forgiven. Great heart
will not be denied. Live now in blessedness; and when you
sit in peace with your pipe, think of me! For never now shall
I sit with you in Meduseld, as I promised, or listen to your
herb-lore.’ He closed his eyes, and Merry bowed beside him.
Presently he spoke again. ‘Where is Éomer? For my eyes
darken, and I would see him ere I go. He must be king after
me. And I would send word to Éowyn. She, she would not
have me leave her, and now I shall not see her again, dearer
than daughter.’
‘Lord, lord,’ began Merry brokenly, ‘she is——’; but at
that moment there was a great clamour, and all about them
horns and trumpets were blowing. Merry looked round: he
had forgotten the war, and all the world beside, and many
hours it seemed since the king rode to his fall, though in truth
it was only a little while. But now he saw that they were in
danger of being caught in the very midst of the great battle
that would soon be joined.
New forces of the enemy were hastening up the road from
the River; and from under the walls came the legions of
Morgul; and from the southward fields came footmen of
Harad with horsemen before them, and behind them rose the
huge backs of the mûmakil with war-towers upon them. But
northward the white crest of Éomer led the great front of the
Rohirrim which he had again gathered and marshalled; and
out of the City came all the strength of men that was in it,
and the silver swan of Dol Amroth was borne in the van,
driving the enemy from the Gate.