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the passing of the grey company 1015
‘I bring word to you from my father: The days are short. If
thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead.’
‘Always my days have seemed to me too short to achieve
my desire,’ answered Aragorn. ‘But great indeed will be my
haste ere I take that road.’
‘That will soon be seen,’ said Elrohir. ‘But let us speak no
more of these things upon the open road!’
And Aragorn said to Halbarad: ‘What is that that you bear,
kinsman?’ For he saw that instead of a spear he bore a tall
staff, as it were a standard, but it was close-furled in a black
cloth bound about with many thongs.
‘It is a gift that I bring you from the Lady of Rivendell,’
answered Halbarad. ‘She wrought it in secret, and long was
the making. But she also sends word to you: The days now
are short. Either our hope cometh, or all hope’s end. Therefore I
send thee what I have made for thee. Fare well, Elfstone! ’
And Aragorn said: ‘Now I know what you bear. Bear it
still for me a while!’ And he turned and looked away to the
North under the great stars, and then he fell silent and spoke
no more while the night’s journey lasted.
The night was old and the East grey when they rode up at
last from Deeping-coomb and came back to the Hornburg.
There they were to lie and rest for a brief while and take
counsel.
Merry slept until he was roused by Legolas and Gimli.
‘The Sun is high,’ said Legolas. ‘All others are up and doing.
Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you
may!’
‘There was a battle here three nights ago,’ said Gimli,
‘and here Legolas and I played a game that I won only by a
single orc. Come and see how it was! And there are caves,
Merry, caves of wonder! Shall we visit them, Legolas, do you
think?’
‘Nay! There is no time,’ said the Elf. ‘Do not spoil the
wonder with haste! I have given you my word to return hither
with you, if a day of peace and freedom comes again. But it