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those that are named the Black Númenóreans； for they established their dwellings in Middle…earth
during the years of Sauron's domination； and they worshipped him； being enamoured of evil
knowledge。 And he entered the service of the Dark Tower when it first rose again； and because of
his cunning he grew ever higher in the Lord's favour； and he learned great sorcery； and knew much
of the mind of Sauron； and he was more cruel than any orc。
He it was that now rode out； and with him came only a small pany of black…harnessed
soldiery； and a single banner； black but bearing on it in red the Evil Eye。 Now halting a few paces
before the Captains of the West he looked them up and down and laughed。
'Is there anyone in this rout with authority to treat with me？' he asked。 'Or indeed with wit to
understand me？ Not thou at least！' he mocked； turning to Aragorn with scorn。 'It needs more to
make a king than a piece of elvish glass； or a rabble such as this。 Why； any brigand of the hills can
show as good a following！'
Aragorn said naught in answer； but he took the other's eye and held it； and for a moment they
strove thus； but soon； though Aragorn did not stir nor move hand to weapon； the other quailed and
gave back as if menaced with a blow。 'I am a herald and ambassador； and may not be assailed！' he
cried。
'Where such laws hold；' said Gandalf； 'it is also the custom for ambassadors to use less insolence。
But no one has threatened you。 You have naught to fear from us； until your errand is done。 But
unless your master has e to new wisdom； then with all his servants you will be in great peril。'
'So！' said the Messenger。 'Then thou art the spokesman； old greybeard？ Have we not heard of
thee at whiles； and of thy wanderings； ever hatching plots and mischief at a safe distance？ But this
time thou hast stuck out thy nose too far； Master Gandalf； and thou shalt see what es to him
who sets his foolish webs before the feet of Sauron the Great。 I have tokens that I was bidden to
show to thee – to thee in especial； if thou shouldst dare to e。' He signed to one of his guards；
and he came forward bearing a bundle swathed in black cloths。
The Messenger put these aside； and there to the wonder and dismay of all the Captains he held
up first the short sword that Sam had carried； and next a grey cloak with an elven…brooch； and last
the coat of mithril…mail that Frodo had worn wrapped in his tattered garments。 A blackness came
before their eyes； and it seemed to them in a moment of silence that the world stood still； but their
hearts were dead and their last hope gone。 Pippin who stood behind Prince Imrahil sprang forward
with a cry of grief。
'Silence！' said Gandalf sternly； thrusting him back； but the Messenger laughed aloud。
'So you have yet another of these imps with you！' he cried。 'What use you find in them I cannot
guess； but to send them as spies into Mordor is beyond even your accustomed folly。 Still； I thank
him； for it is plain that this brat at least has seen these tokens before； and it would be vain for you to
deny them now。'
'I do not wish to deny them；' said Gandalf。 'Indeed； I know them all and all their history； and
despite your scorn； foul Mouth of Sauron； you cannot say as much。 But why do you bring them
here？'
'Dwarf…coat； elf…cloak； blade of the downfallen West； and spy from the little rat…land of the
Shire…nay； do not start！ We know it well – here are the marks of a conspiracy。 Now； maybe he that
bore these things was a creature that you would not grieve to lose； and maybe otherwise： one dear
to you； perhaps？ If so； take swift counsel with what little wit is left to you。 For Sauron does not
love spies； and what his fate shall be depends now on your choice。'
No one answered him； but he saw their faces grey with fear and the horror in their eyes； and he
laughed again； for it seemed to him that his sport went well。 'Good； good！' he said。 'He was dear to
you； I see。 Or else his errand was one that you did not wish to fail？ It has。 And now he shall endure
the slow torment of years； as long and slow as our arts in the Great Tower can contrive； and never
be released； unless maybe when he is changed and broken； so that he may e to you； and you
shall see what you have done。 This shall surely be…unless you accept my Lord's terms。'
'Name the terms；' said Gandalf steadily； but those nearby saw the anguish in his face； and now
he seemed an old and wizened man； crushed； defeated at last。 They did not doubt that he would
accept。
'These are the terms；' said the Messenger； and smiled as he eyed them one by one。 'The rabble of
Gondor and its deluded allies shall withdraw at once beyond the Anduin； first taking oaths never
again to assail Sauron the Great in arms； open or secret。 All lands east of Anduin shall be Sauron's
for ever； solely。 West of the Anduin as far as the Misty Mountains and the Gap of Rohan shall be
tributary to Mordor； and men there shall bear no weapons； but shall have leave to govern their own
affairs。 But they shall help to rebuild Isengard which they have wantonly destroyed； and that shall
be Sauron's； and there his lieutenant shall dwell： not Saruman； but one more worthy of trust。'
Looking in the Messenger's eyes they read his thought。 He was to be that lieutenant； and gather
all that remained of the West under his sway； he would be their tyrant and they his slaves。
But Gandalf said： 'This is much to demand for the delivery of one servant： that your Master
should receive in exchange what he must else fight many a war to gain！ Or has the field of Gondor
destroyed his hope in war； so that he falls to haggling？ And if indeed we rated this prisoner so high；
what surety have we that Sauron the Base Master of Treachery； will keep his part？ Where is this
prisoner？ Let him be brought forth and yielded to us； and then we will consider these demands。'
It seemed then to Gandalf； intent； watching him as a man engaged in fencing with a deadly foe；
that for the taking of a breath the Messenger was at a loss； yet swiftly he laughed again。
'Do not bandy words in your insolence with the Mouth of Sauron！' he cried。 'Surety you crave！
Sauron gives none。 If you sue for his clemency you must first do his bidding。 These are his terms。
Take them or leave them！'
'These we will take！' said Gandalf suddenly。 He cast aside his cloak and a white light shone forth
like a sword in that black place。 Before his upraised hand the foul Messenger recoiled； and Gandalf
ing seized and took from him the tokens： coat； cloak； and sword。 'These we will take in
memory of our friend；' he cried。 'But as for your terms； we reject them utterly。 Get you gone； for
your embassy is over and death is near to you。 We did not e here to waste words in treating
with Sauron； faithless and accursed； still less with one of his slaves。 Begone！'
Then the Messenger of Mordor laughed no more。 His face was twisted with amazement and
anger to the likeness of some wild beast that； as it crouches on its prey； is smitten on the muzzle
with a stinging rod。 Rage filled