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mount doom 1225
morrow till it came; he could do no more. Dream and waking
mingled uneasily. He saw lights like gloating eyes, and dark
creeping shapes, and he heard noises as of wild beasts or the
dreadful cries of tortured things; and he would start up to
find the world all dark and only empty blackness all about
him. Once only, as he stood and stared wildly round, did it
seem that, though now awake, he could still see pale lights
like eyes; but soon they flickered and vanished.
The hateful night passed slowly and reluctantly. Such daylight
as followed was dim; for here as the Mountain drew
near the air was ever mirky, while out from the Dark Tower
there crept the veils of Shadow that Sauron wove about himself.
Frodo was lying on his back not moving. Sam stood
beside him, reluctant to speak, and yet knowing that the word
now lay with him: he must set his master’s will to work
for another effort. At length, stooping and caressing Frodo’s
brow, he spoke in his ear.
‘Wake up, Master!’ he said. ‘Time for another start.’
As if roused by a sudden bell, Frodo rose quickly, and
stood up and looked away southwards; but when his eyes
beheld the Mountain and the desert he quailed again.
‘I can’t manage it, Sam,’ he said. ‘It is such a weight to
carry, such a weight.’
Sam knew before he spoke, that it was vain, and that such
words might do more harm than good, but in his pity he
could not keep silent. ‘Then let me carry it a bit for you,
Master,’ he said. ‘You know I would, and gladly, as long as
I have any strength.’
A wild light came into Frodo’s eyes. ‘Stand away! Don’t
touch me!’ he cried. ‘It is mine, I say. Be off !’ His hand
strayed to his sword-hilt. But then quickly his voice changed.
‘No, no, Sam,’ he said sadly. ‘But you must understand. It is
my burden, and no one else can bear it. It is too late now,
Sam dear. You can’t help me in that way again. I am almost
in its power now. I could not give it up, and if you tried to
take it I should go mad.’