return

1250 the return of the king
overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in
thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together
and tears are the very wine of blessedness.
And at the last, as the Sun fell from the noon and the
shadows of the trees lengthened, he ended. ‘Praise them
with great praise!’ he said and knelt. And then Aragorn
stood up, and all the host arose, and they passed to pavilions
made ready, to eat and drink and make merry while the day
lasted.
Frodo and Sam were led apart and brought to a tent, and
there their old raiment was taken off, but folded and set
aside with honour; and clean linen was given to them. Then
Gandalf came and in his arms, to the wonder of Frodo, he
bore the sword and the elven-cloak and the mithril-coat that
had been taken from him in Mordor. For Sam he brought a
coat of gilded mail, and his elven-cloak all healed of the soils
and hurts that it had suffered; and then he laid before them
two swords.
‘I do not wish for any sword,’ said Frodo.
‘Tonight at least you should wear one,’ said Gandalf.
Then Frodo took the small sword that had belonged to
Sam, and had been laid at his side in Cirith Ungol. ‘Sting I
gave to you Sam,’ he said.
‘No, master! Mr. Bilbo gave it to you, and it goes with
his silver coat; he would not wish anyone else to wear it
now.’
Frodo gave way; and Gandalf, as if he were their esquire,
knelt and girt the sword-belts about them, and then rising he
set circlets of silver upon their heads. And when they were
arrayed they went to the great feast; and they sat at the King’s
table with Gandalf, and King Éomer of Rohan, and the
Prince Imrahil and all the chief captains; and there also were
Gimli and Legolas.
But when, after the Standing Silence, wine was brought
there came in two esquires to serve the kings; or so they
seemed to be: one was clad in the silver and sable of the