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the line of the Great Gate it went through an arched tunnel； piercing a vast pier of rock whose huge
out…thrust bulk divided in two all the circles of the City save the first。 For partly in the primeval
shaping of the hill； partly by the mighty craft and labour of old； there stood up from the rear of the
wide court behind the Gate a towering bastion of stone； its edge sharp as a ship…keel facing east。 Up
it rose； even to the level of the topmost circle； and there was crowned by a battlement； so that those
in the Citadel might； like mariners in a mountainous ship； look from its peak sheer down upon the
Gate seven hundred feet below。 The entrance to the Citadel also looked eastward； but was delved in
the heart of the rock； thence a long lamp…lit slope ran up to the seventh gate。 Thus men reached at
last the High Court； and the Place of the Fountain before the feet of the White Tower： tall and
shapely； fifty fathoms from its base to the pinnacle； where the banner of the Stewards floated a
thousand feet above the plain。
A strong citadel it was indeed； and not to be taken by a host of enemies； if there were any within
that could hold weapons； unless some foe could e behind and scale the lower skirts of
Mindolluin； and so e upon the narrow shoulder that joined the Hill of Guard to the mountain
mass。 But that shoulder； which rose to the height of the fifth wall； was hedged with great ramparts
right up to the precipice that overhung its western end； and in that space stood the houses and
domed tombs of bygone kings and lords； for ever silent between the mountain and the tower。
Pippin gazed in growing wonder at the great stone city； vaster and more splendid than anything
that he had dreamed of； greater and stronger than Isengard； and far more beautiful。 Yet it was in
truth falling year by year into decay； and already it lacked half the men that could have dwelt at
ease there。 In every street they passed some great house or court over whose doors and arched gates
were carved many fair letters of strange and ancient shapes： names Pippin guessed of great men and
kindreds that had once dwelt there； and yet now they were silent； and no footsteps rang on their
wide pavements； nor voice was heard in their halls； nor any face looked out from door or empty
window。
At last they came out of shadow to the seventh gate； and the warm sun that shone down beyond
the river； as Frodo walked in the glades of Ithilien； glowed here on the smooth walls and rooted
pillars； and the great arch with keystone carven in the likeness of a crowned and kingly head。
Gandalf dismounted； for no horse was allowed in the Citadel； and Shadowfax suffered himself to
be led away at the soft word of his master。
The Guards of the gate were robed in black； and their helms were of strange shape； high…
crowned； with long cheek…guards close…fitting to the face； and above the cheek…guards were set the
white wings of sea…birds； but the helms gleamed with a flame of silver； for they were indeed
wrought of _mithril_； heirlooms from the glory of old days。 Upon the black surcoats were
embroidered in white a tree blossoming like snow beneath a silver crown and many…pointed stars。
This was the livery of the heirs of Elendil； and none wore it now in all Gondor； save the Guards of
the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree once had grown。
Already it seemed that word of their ing had gone before them： and at once they were
admitted； silently； and without question。 Quickly Gandalf strode across the white…paved court。 A
sweet fountain played there in the morning sun； and a sward of bright green lay about it； but in the
midst。 drooping over the pool； stood a dead tree； and the falling drops dripped sadly from its barren
and broken branches back into the clear water。
Pippin glanced at it as he hurried after Gandalf。 It looked mournful； he thought； and he
wondered why the dead tree was left in this place where everything else was well tended。
_Seven stars and seven stones and one white tree。_
The words that Gandalf had murmured came back into his mind。 And then he found himself at
the doors of the great hall beneath the gleaming tower； and behind the wizard he passed the tall
silent door…wardens and entered the cool echoing shadows of the house of stone。
They walked down a paved passage； long and empty； and as they went Gandalf spoke softly to
Pippin。 'Be careful of your words； Master Peregrin！ This is no time for hobbit pertness。 Théoden is
a kindly old man。 Denethor is of another sort； proud and subtle； a man of far greater lineage and
power； though he is not called a king。 But he will speak most to you； and question you much； since
you can tell him of his son Boromir。 He loved him greatly： too much perhaps； and the more so
because they were unlike。 But under cover of this love he will think it easier to learn what he
witches from you rather than from me。 Do not tell him more than you need； and leave quiet the
matter of Frodo's errand。 I will deal with that in due time。 And say nothing about Aragorn either；
unless you must。'
'Why not？ What is wrong with Strider？' Pippin whispered。 'He meant to e here； didn't he？
And he'll be arriving soon himself anyway。'
'Maybe； maybe；' said Gandalf。 'Though if he es； it is likely to be in some way that no one
expects； not even Denethor。 It will be better so。 At least he should e unheralded by us。'
Gandalf halted before a tall door of polished metal。 'See； Master Pippin； there is no time to
instruct you now in the history of Gondor； though it might have been better； if you had learned
something of it； when you were still birds…nesting and playing truant in the woods of the Shire。 Do
as I bid！ It is scarcely wise when bringing the news of the death of his heir to a mighty lord to speak
over much of the ing of one who will； if he es； claim the kingship。 Is that enough？'
'Kingship？' said Pippin amazed。
'Yes；' said Gandalf。 'If you have walked all these days with closed ears and mind asleep； wake
up now！' He knocked on the door。
The door opened； but no one could be seen to open it。 Pippin looked into a great hall。 It was lit
by deep windows in the wide aisles at either side； beyond the rows of tall pillars that upheld the
roof。 Monoliths of black marble； they rose to great capitals carved in many strange figures of beasts
and leaves； and far above in shadow the wide vaulting gleamed with dull gold； inset with flowing
traceries of many colours。 No hangings nor storied webs； nor any things of woven stuff or of wood；
were to be seen in that long solemn hall； but between the pillars there stood a silent pany of tall
images graven in cold stone。
Suddenly Pippin was reminded of the hewn rocks of Argonath； and awe fell on him； as he
looked down that avenue of kings long dead。 At the far end upon a dais of many steps was set a
high throne under a canopy of marble shaped like a crowned helm； behind it was carved upon the
wall and set with gems an image of a tree in flower。 But the throne was empty。 At the foot of the
dais； upon