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the steward and the king 1261
And as they stood so, their hands met and clasped, though
they did not know it. And still they waited for they knew not
what. Then presently it seemed to them that above the ridges
of the distant mountains another vast mountain of darkness
rose, towering up like a wave that should engulf the world,
and about it lightnings flickered; and then a tremor ran
through the earth, and they felt the walls of the City quiver.
A sound like a sigh went up from all the lands about them;
and their hearts beat suddenly again.
‘It reminds me of Númenor,’ said Faramir, and wondered
to hear himself speak.
‘Of Númenor?’ said Éowyn.
‘Yes,’ said Faramir, ‘of the land of Westernesse that foundered,
and of the great dark wave climbing over the green
lands and above the hills, and coming on, darkness unescapable.
I often dream of it.’
‘Then you think that the Darkness is coming?’ said Éowyn.
‘Darkness Unescapable?’ And suddenly she drew close to
him.
‘No,’ said Faramir, looking into her face. ‘It was but a
picture in the mind. I do not know what is happening. The
reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen
and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and
all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me
that no reason can deny. Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of
Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will
endure!’ And he stooped and kissed her brow.
And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor, and
a great wind rose and blew, and their hair, raven and golden,
streamed out mingling in the air. And the Shadow departed,
and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the
waters of Anduin shone like silver, and in all the houses of
the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts
from what source they could not tell.
And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of
the East there came a great Eagle flying, and he bore tidings
beyond hope from the Lords of the West, crying: