return

1180 the return of the king
For a second Sam halted, for suddenly things seemed clear
to him, almost as if he had seen them with his eyes. The
mithril coat! Of course, Frodo was wearing it, and they would
find it. And from what Sam had heard Gorbag would covet
it. But the orders of the Dark Tower were at present Frodo’s
only protection, and if they were set aside, Frodo might be
killed out of hand at any moment.
‘Come on, you miserable sluggard!’ Sam cried to himself.
‘Now for it!’ He drew Sting and ran towards the open gate.
But just as he was about to pass under its great arch he felt
a shock: as if he had run into some web like Shelob’s, only
invisible. He could see no obstacle, but something too strong
for his will to overcome barred the way. He looked about,
and then within the shadow of the gate he saw the Two
Watchers.
They were like great figures seated upon thrones. Each had
three joined bodies, and three heads facing outward, and
inward, and across the gateway. The heads had vulture-faces,
and on their great knees were laid clawlike hands. They
seemed to be carved out of huge blocks of stone, immovable,
and yet they were aware: some dreadful spirit of evil vigilance
abode in them. They knew an enemy. Visible or invisible
none could pass unheeded. They would forbid his entry, or
his escape.
Hardening his will Sam thrust forward once again, and
halted with a jerk, staggering as if from a blow upon his breast
and head. Then greatly daring, because he could think of
nothing else to do, answering a sudden thought that came to
him, he drew slowly out the phial of Galadriel and held it up.
Its white light quickened swiftly, and the shadows under the
dark arch fled. The monstrous Watchers sat there cold and
still, revealed in all their hideous shape. For a moment Sam
caught a glitter in the black stones of their eyes, the very
malice of which made him quail; but slowly he felt their will
waver and crumble into fear.
He sprang past them; but even as he did so, thrusting the
phial back into his bosom, he was aware, as plainly as if a bar