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1018 the return of the king
‘There are no great weapon-hoards here, lord,’ answered
Éomer. ‘Maybe a light helm might be found to fit him; but
we have no mail or sword for one of his stature.’
‘I have a sword,’ said Merry, climbing from his seat, and
drawing from its black sheath his small bright blade. Filled
suddenly with love for this old man, he knelt on one knee,
and took his hand and kissed it. ‘May I lay the sword of
Meriadoc of the Shire on your lap, Théoden King?’ he cried.
‘Receive my service, if you will!’
‘Gladly will I take it,’ said the king; and laying his long old
hands upon the brown hair of the hobbit, he blessed him.
‘Rise now, Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan of the household of
Meduseld!’ he said. ‘Take your sword and bear it unto good
fortune!’
‘As a father you shall be to me,’ said Merry.
‘For a little while,’ said Théoden.
They talked then together as they ate, until presently
Éomer spoke. ‘It is near the hour that we set for our going,
lord,’ he said. ‘Shall I bid men sound the horns? But where
is Aragorn? His place is empty and he has not eaten.’
‘We will make ready to ride,’ said Théoden; ‘but let word
be sent to the Lord Aragorn that the hour is nigh.’
The king with his guard and Merry at his side passed
down from the gate of the Burg to where the Riders were
assembling on the green. Many were already mounted. It
would be a great company; for the king was leaving only a
small garrison in the Burg, and all who could be spared were
riding to the weapontake at Edoras. A thousand spears had
indeed already ridden away at night; but still there would be
some five hundred more to go with the king, for the most
part men from the fields and dales of Westfold.
A little apart the Rangers sat, silent, in an ordered company,
armed with spear and bow and sword. They were clad
in cloaks of dark grey, and their hoods were cast now over
helm and head. Their horses were strong and of proud bearing,
but rough-haired; and one stood there without a rider,