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hearts were darkened。 The weather； too； was bright no longer。 It was cold。 A wind that had sprung
up in the night was blowing now keenly from the North； and it was rising； but the lands about
looked grey and drear。
They were clad in warm raiment and heavy cloaks； and over all the Lady éowyn wore a great
blue mantle of the colour of deep summer…night； and it was set with silver stars about hem and
throat。 Faramir had sent for this robe and had wrapped it about her； and he thought that she looked
fair and queenly indeed as she stood there at his side。 The mantle was wrought for his mother；
Finduilas of Amroth； who died untimely； and was to him but a memory of loveliness in far days
and of his first grief； and her robe seemed to him raiment fitting for the beauty and sadness of
éowyn。
But she now shivered beneath the starry mantle； and she looked northward； above the grey
hither lands； into the eye of the cold wind where far away the sky was hard and clear。
'What do you look for； éowyn？' said Faramir。
'Does not the Black Gate lie yonder？' said she。 'And must he not now be e thither？ It is
seven days since he rode away。'
'Seven days；' said Faramir。 'But think not ill of me； if I say to you： they have brought me both a
joy and a pain that I never thought to know。 Joy to see you； but pain； because now the fear and
doubt of this evil time are grown dark indeed。 éowyn； I would not have this world end now； or lose
so soon what I have found。'
'Lose what you have found； lord？' she answered； but she looked at him gravely and her eyes
were kind。 'I know not what in these days you have found that you could lose。 But e； my friend；
let us not speak of it！ Let us not speak at all！ I stand upon some dreadful brink； and it is utterly dark
in the abyss before my feet； but whether there is any light behind me I cannot tell。 For I cannot turn
yet。 I wait for some stroke of doom。'
'Yes； we wait for the stroke of doom；' said Faramir。 And they said no more； and it seemed to
them as they stood upon the wall that the wind died； and the light failed； and the Sun was bleared；
and all sounds in the City or in the lands about were hushed： neither wind； nor voice； nor bird…call；
nor rustle of leaf； nor their own breath could be heard； the very beating of their hearts was stilled。
Time halted。
And as they stood so； their hands met and clasped； though they did not know it。 And still they
waited for they knew not what。 Then presently it seemed to them that above the ridges of the
distant mountains another vast mountain of darkness rose； towering up like a wave that should
engulf the world； and about it lightnings flickered； and then a tremor ran through the earth； and they
felt the walls of the City quiver。 A sound like a sigh went up from all the lands about them； and
their hearts beat suddenly again。
'It reminds me of Númenor；' said Faramir； and wondered to hear himself speak。
'Of Númenor？' said éowyn。
'Yes；' said Faramir； 'of the land of Westernesse that foundered and of the great dark wave
climbing over the green lands and above the hills； and ing on； darkness unescapable。 I often
dream of it。'
'Then you think that the Darkness is ing？' said éowyn。 'Darkness Unescapable？' And
suddenly she drew close to him。
'No；' said Faramir； looking into her face。 'It was but a picture in the mind。 I do not know what is
happening。 The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the
end of days。 But my heart says nay； and all my limbs are light； and a hope and joy are e to me
that no reason can deny。 éowyn； éowyn； White Lady of Rohan； in this hour I do not believe that
any darkness will endure！' And he stooped and kissed her brow。
And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor； and a great wind rose and blew； and their
hair； raven and golden； streamed out mingling in the air。 And the Shadow departed； and the Sun
was unveiled； and light leaped forth； and the waters of Anduin shone like silver； and in all the
houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could
not tell。
And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the East there came a great Eagle flying；
and he bore tidings beyond hope from the Lords of the West； crying：
_Sing now； ye people of the Tower of Anor；
for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever；
and the Dark Tower is thrown down。
Sing and rejoice； ye people of the Tower of Guard；
for your watch hath not been in vain；
and the Black Gate is broken；
and your King hath passed through；
and he is victorious。
Sing and be glad； all ye children of the West；
for your King shall e again；
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life。
And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed；
and he shall plant it in the high places；
and the City shall be blessed。
Sing all ye people！_
And the people sang in all the ways of the City。
The days that followed were golden； and Spring and Summer joined and made revel together in
the fields of Gondor。 And tidings now came by swift riders from Cair Andros of all that was done；
and the City made ready for the ing of the King。 Merry was summoned and rode away with the
wains that took store of goods to Osgiliath and thence by ship to Cair Andros； but Faramir did not
go； for now being healed he took upon him his authority and the Stewardship； although it was only
for a little while； and his duty was to prepare for one who should replace him。
And éowyn did not go； though her brother sent word begging her to e to the field of
Cormallen。 And Faramir wondered at this； but he saw her seldom； being busy with many matters；
and she dwelt still in the Houses of Healing and walked alone in the garden； and her face grew pale
again； and it seemed that in all the City she only was ailing and sorrowful。 And the Warden of the
Houses was troubled； and he spoke to Faramir。
Then Faramir came and sought her； and once more they stood on the walls together； and he said
to her： 'éowyn； why do you tarry here； and do not go to the rejoicing in Cormallen beyond Cair
Andros； where your brother awaits you？'
And she said： 'Do you not know？'
But he answered： 'Two reasons there may be； but which is true； l do not know。'
And she said： 'I do not wish to play at riddles。 Speak plainer！'
'Then if you will have it so； lady；' he said： 'you do not go； because only your brother called for
you； and to look on the Lord Aragorn； Elendil's heir； in his triumph would now bring you no joy。
Or because I do not go； and you desire still to be near me。 And maybe for both these reasons； and
you yourself cannot choose between them。 éowyn； do you not love me； or will you not？'
'I wished to be loved by another；' she answered。 'But I desire no man's pity。'
'That I know；' he said。 'You desired to have the love of the Lord Aragorn