return

1146 the return of the king
Sea; for wide was the water in the darkness, and sea-birds
innumerable cried on its shores. Alas for the wailing of the
gulls! Did not the Lady tell me to beware of them? And now
I cannot forget them.’
‘For my part I heeded them not,’ said Gimli; ‘for we came
then at last upon battle in earnest. There at Pelargir lay the
main fleet of Umbar, fifty great ships and smaller vessels
beyond count. Many of those that we pursued had reached
the havens before us, and brought their fear with them; and
some of the ships had put off, seeking to escape down the
River or to reach the far shore; and many of the smaller craft
were ablaze. But the Haradrim, being now driven to the
brink, turned at bay, and they were fierce in despair; and they
laughed when they looked on us, for they were a great army
still.
‘But Aragorn halted and cried with a great voice: ‘‘Now
come! By the Black Stone I call you!’’ And suddenly the
Shadow Host that had hung back at the last came up like a
grey tide, sweeping all away before it. Faint cries I heard, and
dim horns blowing, and a murmur as of countless far voices:
it was like the echo of some forgotten battle in the Dark Years
long ago. Pale swords were drawn; but I know not whether
their blades would still bite, for the Dead needed no longer
any weapon but fear. None would withstand them.
‘To every ship they came that was drawn up, and then
they passed over the water to those that were anchored; and
all the mariners were filled with a madness of terror and
leaped overboard, save the slaves chained to the oars. Reckless
we rode among our fleeing foes, driving them like leaves,
until we came to the shore. And then to each of the great
ships that remained Aragorn sent one of the Dúnedain, and
they comforted the captives that were aboard, and bade them
put aside fear and be free.
‘Ere that dark day ended none of the enemy were left to
resist us; all were drowned, or were flying south in the hope
to find their own lands upon foot. Strange and wonderful I
thought it that the designs of Mordor should be overthrown