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the tower of cirith ungol 1193
over his aching brow. The hideous vision had seemed so real
to him, half bemused as he was still with wound and fear.
Sam had changed before his very eyes into an orc again,
leering and pawing at his treasure, a foul little creature with
greedy eyes and slobbering mouth. But now the vision had
passed. There was Sam kneeling before him, his face wrung
with pain, as if he had been stabbed in the heart; tears welled
from his eyes.
‘O Sam!’ cried Frodo. ‘What have I said? What have I
done? Forgive me! After all you have done. It is the horrible
power of the Ring. I wish it had never, never, been found.
But don’t mind me, Sam. I must carry the burden to the end.
It can’t be altered. You can’t come between me and this
doom.’
‘That’s all right, Mr. Frodo,’ said Sam, rubbing his sleeve
across his eyes. ‘I understand. But I can still help, can’t I?
I’ve got to get you out of here. At once, see! But first you
want some clothes and gear, and then some food. The clothes
will be the easiest part. As we’re in Mordor, we’d best dress
up Mordor-fashion; and anyway there isn’t no choice. It’ll
have to be orc-stuff for you, Mr. Frodo, I’m afraid. And for
me too. If we go together, we’d best match. Now put this
round you!’
Sam unclasped his grey cloak and cast it about Frodo’s
shoulders. Then unslinging his pack he laid it on the floor.
He drew Sting from its sheath. Hardly a flicker was to be
seen upon its blade. ‘I was forgetting this, Mr. Frodo,’ he
said. ‘No, they didn’t get everything! You lent me Sting, if
you remember, and the Lady’s glass. I’ve got them both still.
But lend them to me a little longer, Mr. Frodo. I must go
and see what I can find. You stay here. Walk about a bit and
ease your legs. I shan’t be long. I shan’t have to go far.’
‘Take care, Sam!’ said Frodo. ‘And be quick! There may
be orcs still alive, lurking in wait.’
‘I’ve got to chance it,’ said Sam. He stepped to the trapdoor
and slipped down the ladder. In a minute his head
reappeared. He threw a long knife on the floor.