They found Merry and Pippin at the Houses of Healing and walked and talked for a while until Merry needed to rest. They stood near the top of the City overlooking the fields and Legolas heard the calls of the seagulls. He had travelled near the Sea while following Aragorn and the sea-longing caught his heart; Legolas knew he would never be fully content under the trees of Middle-earth. This dismayed his friends, particularly Gimli. Pippin changed the subject wanting to know all about their journey with Aragorn. Gimli refused to speak of the Paths of the Dead saying Aragorn's will held him to the path. (Legolas reminded Gimli that the dwarf's love for Aragorn also kept him going). Legolas, who did not fear ghosts of Men, told the tale quickly: There journey under the mountain, four days and nights of hard travel with the Dead following, and the Dawnless Day. It was then that the Dead almost overtook them until Aragorn commanded them to follow. Near the mouth of the Gilrain they encountered the fiefs of Gondor and servants of Mordor doing battle but all fled at the sight of the Dead army.
Those that could withstand the sight were commanded to regroup and meet Aragorn at Pelargir for the Heir of Isildur needed them. On they travelled until they reached Pelargir and the main host of the Corsairs of Umbar. Caught between Aragorn and the River the Haradrim who had been fleeing stood and made a final stand. It was then that Aragorn released the Dead to fight and before nightfall of that day all their enemy were destroyed. Legolas told them: "'In that hour I looked on Aragorn and thought how great and terrible a Lord he might have become in the strength of his will, had he taken the Ring to himself. Not for naught does Mordor fear him. But nobler is his spirit than the understanding of Sauron; for is he not of the children of Lúthien? Never shall that line fail, though the years may lengthen beyond count'" (p. 152, The Return of the King). Gimli chimed in adding that after the fighting Aragorn released the Dead from the oath bidding them to be at peace. "And thereupon the King of the Dead stood out before the host and broke his spear and cast it down'" (p. 153, The Return of the King).
As they rested that night many came to Pelargir hearing the rumor that the Heir of Isildur had come. Again Aragorn drove his host forth knowing if they did not arrive in Gondor the next day it would be too late. It was in this last journey that the wind began to change. Gimli was encouraged by the words of Legolas: "'Up with your beard, Durin's son!' he said. 'For thus is it spoken: Oft hope is born, when all is forlorn'" (p. 153, The Return of the King). And thus they arrived at Pelennor as the hobbits already knew. They turned to talking about the counsel that was happening below them on the fields with Gimli hoping to represent the folk of the Lonely Mountain and Legolas the folk of the Great Wood in whatever they would decide.
Imrahil had found Eomer and together they met with Aragorn, Gandalf, and the sons of Elrond. All listened to Gandalf's assessment of the situation. He recounted one of the last things Denethor said regarding the host of Mordor--that even if they won Pelennor they could not withstand Sauron's great armies. The Wizard explained the palantiri do not lie so what he said was true it may not be the full truth for Sauron would be able to control what other's saw in the Seeing Stone. Still, he did not doubt that Sauron had a much larger force at his disposal. It seemed to Gandalf that the War was in doubt and strength of arms could not defeat Sauron and the prudent thing would be to prepare for another siege. Imrahil was flabbergasted by this idea. Gandalf answered, "'I said this would be prudent. I do not counsel prudence'" (p. 155, The Return of the King).
He began to tell the Eomer and Imrahil of the Ring of Power. How their hope was in destruction of the Ring. Indeed Gandalf felt they must do all they could to see this Thing destroyed. "'Other evils there are that may come; for Sauron is himself but a servant or emissary. Yet it is not our part to master all the tides in the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule'" (p. 155, The Return of the King). This reminds of something Gandald said to Frodo and it's no less wise. In fact, I may print this out to place in my office. I love the idea of thinking about those who will till after I am gone. What kind of soil will I leave them?
Gandalf went on to explain that Sauron would be in doubt. For he does not know where the Ring is (so Gandalf hoped) and yet he did know that some among his enemies could wield the Ring. For he guessed that Aragorn revealed himself to Sauron through the Seeing Stone of Orthanc. Aragorn confirmed that he had done so. Sauron would be reading the signs which would further his doubt: the Sword that cut the Ring from him re-made, the changing of the winds, the Black Captain's death, the defeat of his first assault. "'This, then, is my counsel. We have not the Ring. In wisdom or great folly it has been sent away to be destroyed, lest it destroys us. Without it we cannot by force defeat his force. But we must at all costs keep his Eye from his true peril. We cannot achieve victory by arms, but by arms we can give the Ring-bearer his only chance, frail though it be'" (p. 156, The Return of the King). Gandalf proposed they march forth, causing Sauron to think they had the Ring and the confidence to attack Mordor, and hopefully emptying all the Black Land of it's fighting force to clear a path for Frodo and Sam. "'We must walk open-eyed into that trap, with courage, but small hope for ourselves. For, my lords, it may well prove that we ourselves shall perish utterly in a black battle far from living lands; so that even if Barad-dur be thrown down, we shall not live to see a new age. But this, I deem, is our duty. And better so than to perish nonetheless--as we surely shall, if we sit here--and know as we die that no new age shall be'" (p. 156, The Return of the King).
Sam and Frodo, meanwhile, had woken up and they to began planning the next move. Sam was refreshed but Frodo still troubled but strengthened a bit. They struggled to the top of the ravine and saw the barren plains of Gorgoroth filled with thousands of Men and Orcs. Some forty miles away was Mount Doom. "The Dark Power was deep in thought, and the Eye turned inward, pondering tidings of doubt and danger: a bright sword, and a stern and kingly face it saw, and for a while it gave little thought to other things...'" (p. 200, The Return of the King). Dismayed but dutiful Frodo and Sam began finding a way toward their final destination. They backtracked until they found a path to travel but soon it led by an orc-hold. They went as quickly and quietly as possible and made it by. They did not get far before hearing orc voices. Two came quickly by, different breeds: one a tracker and the other a fighter. The hobbits were able to hide and listen to the orcs talk. It was clear they were looking for Sam and Frodo but had lost the trail. They also spoke of news of the war and it seemed things did go well. One quote made the hobbits' ears perk: "'But what's that black sneak got to do with it all? That gobbler with the flapping hands?'" (p. 202, The Return of the King).
Sam and Frodo knew they meant Gollum. He was alive and had been seen and it was clear Sauron wanted him captured alive. Indeed, it seemed that he had thrown off the tracker's scent as he tracked the hobbits. Soon the orc conversation transitioned into an argument and the tracker orc killed the big fighting orc with his bow and left. The hobbits dared not move until it was dark and late. Sam had thought Gollum alive but it did not please him to find out he was right. To pass the time Frodo asked Sam what had befallen after he blacked out. Sam told of Gollum's betrayal, his battle with Shelob, and the rescue of Frodo. As night began to set in Frodo asked Sam to keep Galadriel's light safe for him but Sting he gave to Sam for he felt he would not need a weapon anymore.
Those at Gandalf's counsel had remained silent for a long while. Aragorn finally spoke agreeing to the Wizard's plan and encouraging the others to as well. The sons of Elrond agreed saying that they had been sent by their father with the same counsel. "'As for myself,' said Eomer, 'I have little knowledge of these deep matters; but I need it not. This I know, and it is enough, that as my friend Aragorn succoured me and my people, so I will aid him when he calls. I will go'" (p. 157, The Return of the King). Ah, I just love the people of Rohan. Imrahil agreed as well but he also, being acting Steward, had to prepare the defense of Minis Tirith if they should fail. In particular the enemy force to the North that was barring the way against Rohan could attack their flank. Gandalf asked how many could be mustered in two days time. They did not need a large force (for numbers would not matter). In the end it was decided that 7,000 would be called. Aragorn could summon 2,000 from the South; Imrahil could find 3,500, Eomer had 500 unhorsed Rohirrim and another 500 horsed soldiers. Plus the 500 other horseman from the knights of Dol Amroth and the Dúnedain. The greater strength of Rohan, some 3,000 riders led by Elfhelm, would attack the enemies on the Northern flank.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 16th
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 148-156; 199-204; 156-158
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