return

the last debate 1143
and rest under the morning high up in the windy circles of
the City. Then when Merry became weary, they went and
sat upon the wall with the greensward of the Houses of Healing
behind them; and away southward before them was the
Anduin glittering in the sun, as it flowed away, out of the
sight even of Legolas, into the wide flats and green haze of
Lebennin and South Ithilien.
And now Legolas fell silent, while the others talked, and
he looked out against the sun, and as he gazed he saw white
sea-birds beating up the River.
‘Look!’ he cried. ‘Gulls! They are flying far inland. A
wonder they are to me and a trouble to my heart. Never in
all my life had I met them, until we came to Pelargir, and
there I heard them crying in the air as we rode to the battle
of the ships. Then I stood still, forgetting war in Middle-earth;
for their wailing voices spoke to me of the Sea. The Sea!
Alas! I have not yet beheld it. But deep in the hearts of all
my kindred lies the sea-longing, which it is perilous to stir.
Alas! for the gulls. No peace shall I have again under beech
or under elm.’
‘Say not so!’ said Gimli. ‘There are countless things still to
see in Middle-earth, and great works to do. But if all the fair
folk take to the Havens, it will be a duller world for those
who are doomed to stay.’
‘Dull and dreary indeed!’ said Merry. ‘You must not go to
the Havens, Legolas. There will always be some folk, big or
little, and even a few wise dwarves like Gimli, who need you.
At least I hope so. Though I feel somehow that the worst of
this war is still to come. How I wish it was all over, and well
over!’
‘Don’t be so gloomy!’ cried Pippin. ‘The Sun is shining,
and here we are together for a day or two at least. I want to
hear more about you all. Come, Gimli! You and Legolas have
mentioned your strange journey with Strider about a dozen
times already this morning. But you haven’t told me anything
about it.’
‘The Sun may shine here,’ said Gimli, ‘but there are