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the last debate 1147
by such wraiths of fear and darkness. With its own weapons
was it worsted!’
‘Strange indeed,’ said Legolas. ‘In that hour I looked on
Aragorn and thought how great and terrible a Lord he might
have become in the strength of his will, had he taken the Ring
to himself. Not for naught does Mordor fear him. But nobler
is his spirit than the understanding of Sauron; for is he not
of the children of Lúthien? Never shall that line fail, though
the years may lengthen beyond count.’
‘Beyond the eyes of the Dwarves are such foretellings,’ said
Gimli. ‘But mighty indeed was Aragorn that day. Lo! all the
black fleet was in his hands; and he chose the greatest ship
to be his own, and he went up into it. Then he let sound a
great concourse of trumpets taken from the enemy; and the
Shadow Host withdrew to the shore. There they stood silent,
hardly to be seen, save for a red gleam in their eyes that
caught the glare of the ships that were burning. And Aragorn
spoke in a loud voice to the Dead Men, crying:
‘ ‘‘Hear now the words of the Heir of Isildur! Your oath is
fulfilled. Go back and trouble not the valleys ever again!
Depart and be at rest!’’
‘And thereupon the King of the Dead stood out before the
host and broke his spear and cast it down. Then he bowed
low and turned away; and swiftly the whole grey host drew
off and vanished like a mist that is driven back by a sudden
wind; and it seemed to me that I awoke from a dream.
‘That night we rested while others laboured. For there were
many captives set free, and many slaves released who had
been folk of Gondor taken in raids; and soon also there was
a great gathering of men out of Lebennin and the Ethir, and
Angbor of Lamedon came up with all the horsemen that he
could muster. Now that the fear of the Dead was removed
they came to aid us and to look on the Heir of Isildur; for the
rumour of that name had run like fire in the dark.
‘And that is near the end of our tale. For during that
evening and night many ships were made ready and manned;
and in the morning the fleet set forth. Long past it now seems,