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1154 the return of the king
seven thousands, if these might be found; and the great part
of this force should be on foot, because of the evil lands
into which they would go. Aragorn should find some two
thousands of those that he had gathered to him in the South;
but Imrahil should find three and a half thousands; and
Éomer five hundreds of the Rohirrim who were unhorsed
but themselves warworthy, and he himself should lead five
hundreds of his best Riders on horse; and another company
of five hundred horse there should be, among which
should ride the sons of Elrond with the Dúnedain and the
knights of Dol Amroth: all told six thousand foot and a
thousand horse. But the main strength of the Rohirrim that
remained horsed and able to fight, some three thousand
under the command of Elfhelm, should waylay the West
Road against the enemy that was in Anórien. And at once
swift riders were sent out to gather what news they could
northwards; and eastwards from Osgiliath and the road to
Minas Morgul.
And when they had reckoned up all their strength and
taken thought for the journeys they should make and
the roads they should choose, Imrahil suddenly laughed
aloud.
‘Surely,’ he cried, ‘this is the greatest jest in all the history
of Gondor: that we should ride with seven thousands, scarce
as many as the vanguard of its army in the days of its power,
to assail the mountains and the impenetrable gate of the Black
Land! So might a child threaten a mail-clad knight with a
bow of string and green willow! If the Dark Lord knows so
much as you say, Mithrandir, will he not rather smile than
fear, and with his little finger crush us like a fly that tries to
sting him?’
‘No, he will try to trap the fly and take the sting,’ said
Gandalf. ‘And there are names among us that are worth more
than a thousand mail-clad knights apiece. No, he will not
smile.’
‘Neither shall we,’ said Aragorn. ‘If this be jest, then it is
too bitter for laughter. Nay, it is the last move in a great