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the tower of cirith ungol 1197
side of the gate through which the glare of Mordor dimly
showed. As they threaded their way among the hideous
bodies of the orcs each step became more difficult. Before
they even reached the archway they were brought to a stand.
To move an inch further was a pain and weariness to will
and limb.
Frodo had no strength for such a battle. He sank to the
ground. ‘I can’t go on, Sam,’ he murmured. ‘I’m going to
faint. I don’t know what’s come over me.’
‘I do, Mr. Frodo. Hold up now! It’s the gate. There’s some
devilry there. But I got through, and I’m going to get out. It
can’t be more dangerous than before. Now for it!’
Sam drew out the elven-glass of Galadriel again. As if to
do honour to his hardihood, and to grace with splendour his
faithful brown hobbit-hand that had done such deeds, the
phial blazed forth suddenly, so that all the shadowy court was
lit with a dazzling radiance like lightning; but it remained
steady and did not pass.
‘Gilthoniel, A Elbereth! ’ Sam cried. For, why he did not
know, his thought sprang back suddenly to the Elves in the
Shire, and the song that drove away the Black Rider in
the trees.
‘Aiya elenion ancalima! ’ cried Frodo once again behind
him.
The will of the Watchers was broken with a suddenness
like the snapping of a cord, and Frodo and Sam stumbled
forward. Then they ran. Through the gate and past the great
seated figures with their glittering eyes. There was a crack.
The keystone of the arch crashed almost on their heels, and
the wall above crumbled, and fell in ruin. Only by a hair did
they escape. A bell clanged; and from the Watchers there
went up a high and dreadful wail. Far up above in the darkness
it was answered. Out of the black sky there came dropping
like a bolt a winged shape, rending the clouds with a
ghastly shriek.