return

1028 the return of the king
her lips and drank a little, wishing them good speed; and then
she gave the cup to Aragorn, and he drank, and he said:
‘Farewell, Lady of Rohan! I drink to the fortunes of your
House, and of you, and of all your people. Say to your
brother: beyond the shadows we may meet again!’
Then it seemed to Gimli and Legolas who were nearby
that she wept, and in one so stern and proud that seemed the
more grievous. But she said: ‘Aragorn, wilt thou go?’
‘I will,’ he said.
‘Then wilt thou not let me ride with this company, as I
have asked?’
‘I will not, lady,’ he said. ‘For that I could not grant without
leave of the king and of your brother; and they will not return
until tomorrow. But I count now every hour, indeed every
minute. Farewell!’
Then she fell on her knees, saying: ‘I beg thee!’
‘Nay, lady,’ he said, and taking her by the hand he raised
her. Then he kissed her hand, and sprang into the saddle,
and rode away, and did not look back; and only those who
knew him well and were near to him saw the pain that he
bore.
But Éowyn stood still as a figure carven in stone, her hands
clenched at her sides, and she watched them until they passed
into the shadows under the black Dwimorberg, the Haunted
Mountain, in which was the Door of the Dead. When they
were lost to view, she turned, stumbling as one that is blind,
and went back to her lodging. But none of her folk saw this
parting, for they hid themselves in fear and would not come
forth until the day was up, and the reckless strangers were
gone.
And some said: ‘They are Elvish wights. Let them go where
they belong, into the dark places, and never return. The times
are evil enough.’
The light was still grey as they rode, for the sun had not
yet climbed over the black ridges of the Haunted Mountain
before them. A dread fell on them, even as they passed