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absence his house is left with little guard。 But scouts warned me of the
orc…host ing down out of the East Wall three nights ago； and among them
they reported that some bore the white badges of Saruman。 So suspecting what
I most fear； a league between Orthanc and the Dark Tower； I led forth my
jored； men of my own household； and we overtook the Orcs at nightfall two
days ago； near to the borders of the Entwood。 There we surrounded them； and
gave battle yesterday at dawn。 Fifteen of my men I lost； and twelve horses
alas！ For the Orcs were greater in number than we counted on。 Others joined
them。 ing out of the East across the Great River： their trail is plain to
see a little north of this spot。 And others； too； came out of the forest。
Great Orcs； who also bore the White Hand of Isengard： that kind is stronger
and more fell than all others。
'Nonetheless we put an end to them。 But we have been too long away。 We
are needed south and west。 Will you not e？ There are spare horses as you
see。 There is work for the Sword to do。 Yes； and we could find a use for
Gimli's axe and the bow of Legolas； if they will pardon my rash words
concerning the Lady of the Wood。 I spoke only as do all men in my land； and
I would gladly learn better。'
'I thank you for your fair words；' said Aragorn； 'and my heart desires
to e with you； but I cannot desert my friends while hope remains。'
'Hope does not remain；' said Jomer。 'You will not find your friends on
the North…borders。'
'Yet my friends are not behind。 We found a clear token not far from the
East Wall that one at least of them was still alive there。 But between the
wall and the downs we have found no other trace of them； and no trail has
turned aside； this way or that； unless my skill has wholly left me。'
'Then what do you think has bee of them？'
'I do not know。 They may have been slain and burned among the Orcs； but
that you will say cannot be； and I do not fear it。 I can only think that
they were carried off into the forest before the battle； even before you
encircled your foes； maybe。 Can you swear that none escaped your net in such
a way？'
'I would swear that no Orc escaped after we sighted them；' said Jomer。
'We reached the forest…eaves before them； and if after that any living thing
broke through our ring； then it was no Orc and had some elvish power。'
'Our friends were attired even as we are；' said Aragorn； 'and you
passed us by under the full light of day。'
'I had forgotten that；' said Jomer。 'It is hard to be sure of anything
among so many marvels。 The world is all grown strange。 Elf and Dwarf in
pany walk in our daily fields； and folk speak with the Lady of the Wood
and yet live； and the Sword es back to war that was broken in the long
ages ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark！ How shall a man
judge what to do in such times？'
'As he ever has judged；' said Aragorn。 'Good and ill have not changed
since yesteryear； nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves ？and
another among Men。 It is a man's part to discern them； as much in the Golden
Wood as in his own house。'
'True indeed；' said Jomer。 'But I do not doubt you； nor the deed which
my heart would do。 Yet I am not free to do all as I would。 It is against our
law to let strangers wander at will in our land； until the king himself
shall give them leave； and more strict is the mand in these days of
peril。 I have begged you to e back willingly with me； and you will not。
Loth am I to begin a battle of one hundred against three。'
'I do not think your law was made for such a chance；' said Aragorn。
'Nor indeed am I a stranger； for I have been in this land before； more than
once； and ridden with the host of the Rohirrim； though under other name and
in other guise。 You I have not seen before； for you are young； but I have
spoken with Jomund your father； and with Thjoden son of Thengel。 Never in
former days would any high lord of this land have constrained a man to
abandon such a quest as mine。 My duty at least is clear； to go on。 e now；
son of Jomund； the choice must be made at last。 Aid us； or at the worst let
us go free。 Or seek to carry out your law。 If you do so there will be fewer
to return to your war or to your king。'
Jomer was silent for a moment； then he spoke。 'We both have need of
haste；' he said。 'My pany chafes to be away； and every hour lessens your
hope。 This is my choice。 You may go； and what is more； I will lend you
horses。 This only I ask： when your quest is achieved； or is proved vain；
return with the horses over the Entwade to Meduseld； the high house in
Edoras where Thjoden now sits。 Thus you shall prove to him that I have not
misjudged。 In this I place myself； and maybe my very life； in the keeping of
your good faith。 Do not fail。'
'I will not；' said Aragorn。
There was great wonder； and many dark and doubtful glances； among his
men； when Jomer gave orders that the spare horses were to be lent to the
strangers； but only Jothain dared to speak openly。
'It may be well enough for this lord of the race of Gondor； as he
claims；' he said； 'but who has heard of a horse of the Mark being given to a
Dwarf？'
'No one；' said Gimli。 'And do not trouble： no one will ever hear of it。
I would sooner walk than sit on the back of any beast so great； free or
begrudged。'
'But you must ride now； or you will hinder us；' said Aragorn。
'e； you shall sit behind me； friend Gimli； said Legolas。 Then all
will be well； and you need neither borrow a horse nor be troubled by one。'
A great dark…grey horse was brought to Aragorn； and he mounted it。
'Hasufel is his name；' said Jomer。 'May he bear you well and to better
fortune than Gbrulf； his late master！'
A smaller and lighter horse； but restive and fiery； was brought to
Legolas。 Arod was his name。 But Legolas asked them to take off saddle and
rein。 'I need them not；' he said； and leaped lightly up； and to their wonder
Arod was tame and willing beneath him； moving here and there with but a
spoken word： such was the elvish way with all good beasts。 Gimli was lifted
up behind his friend。 and he clung to him； not much more at ease than Sam
Gamgee in a boat。
'Farewell； and may you find what you seek！' cried Jomer。 'Return with
what speed you may； and let our swords hereafter shine together！'
'I will e；' said Aragorn。
'And I will e； too；' said Gimli。 'The matter of the Lady Galadriel
lies still between us。 I have yet to teach you gentle speech。 '
'We shall see；' said Jomer。 'So many strange things have chanced that
to learn the praise of a fair lady under the loving strokes of a Dwarf's axe
will seem no great wonder。 Farewell！'
With that they parted。 Very swift were the horses of Rohan。 When after
a little Gimli looked back； the pany of Jomer were already small and far
away。 Aragorn