return

1270 the return of the king
and in the service of him for whom you risked all, to save
him from death.’
And then Beregond, perceiving the mercy and justice of the
King, was glad, and kneeling kissed his hand, and departed in
joy and content. And Aragorn gave to Faramir Ithilien to be
his princedom, and bade him dwell in the hills of Emyn
Arnen within sight of the City.
‘For,’ said he, ‘Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly
destroyed, and though it may in time to come be made clean,
no man may dwell there for many long years.’
And last of all Aragorn greeted Éomer of Rohan, and they
embraced, and Aragorn said: ‘Between us there can be no
word of giving or taking, nor of reward; for we are brethren.
In happy hour did Eorl ride from the North, and never has
any league of peoples been more blessed, so that neither has
ever failed the other, nor shall fail. Now, as you know, we
have laid Théoden the Renowned in a tomb in the Hallows,
and there he shall lie for ever among the Kings of Gondor, if
you will. Or if you desire it, we will come to Rohan and bring
him back to rest with his own people.’
And Éomer answered: ‘Since the day when you rose before
me out of the green grass of the downs I have loved you, and
that love shall not fail. But now I must depart for a while to
my own realm, where there is much to heal and set in order.
But as for the Fallen, when all is made ready we will return
for him; but here let him sleep a while.’
And Éowyn said to Faramir: ‘Now I must go back to my
own land and look on it once again, and help my brother in
his labour; but when one whom I long loved as father is laid
at last to rest, I will return.’
So the glad days passed; and on the eighth day of May the
Riders of Rohan made ready, and rode off by the North-way,
and with them went the sons of Elrond. All the road was
lined with people to do them honour and praise them, from
the Gate of the City to the walls of the Pelennor. Then all
others that dwelt afar went back to their homes rejoicing; but