return

minas tirith 1005
Denethor; and they thanked him for coming among them,
and hung on his words and stories of the outlands, and gave
him as much food and ale as he could wish. Indeed his only
trouble was to be ‘wary’ according to the counsel of Gandalf,
and not to let his tongue wag freely after the manner of a
hobbit among friends.
At length Beregond rose. ‘Farewell for this time!’ he said.
‘I have duty now till sundown, as have all the others here, I
think. But if you are lonely, as you say, maybe you would
like a merry guide about the City. My son would go with you
gladly. A good lad, I may say. If that pleases you, go down
to the lowest circle and ask for the Old Guesthouse in the
Rath Celerdain, the Lampwrights’ Street. You will find him
there with other lads that are remaining in the City. There
may be things worth seeing down at the Great Gate ere the
closing.’
He went out, and soon after all the others followed. The
day was still fine, though it was growing hazy, and it was hot
for March, even so far southwards. Pippin felt sleepy, but
the lodging seemed cheerless, and he decided to go down
and explore the City. He took a few morsels that he had saved
to Shadowfax, and they were graciously accepted, though the
horse seemed to have no lack. Then he walked on down
many winding ways.
People stared much as he passed. To his face men were
gravely courteous, saluting him after the manner of Gondor
with bowed head and hands upon the breast; but behind him
he heard many calls, as those out of doors cried to others
within to come and see the Prince of the Halflings, the companion
of Mithrandir. Many used some other tongue than
the Common Speech, but it was not long before he learned
at least what was meant by Ernil i Pheriannath and knew that
his title had gone down before him into the City.
He came at last by arched streets and many fair alleys and
pavements to the lowest and widest circle, and there he was
directed to the Lampwrights’ Street, a broad way running