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little life of Men is now endangered； but the life also of those things
which you have deemed the matter of legend。 You are not without allies； even
if you know them not。'
'Yet also I should be sad；' said Thjoden。 'For however the fortune of
war shall go； may it not so end that much that was fair and wonderful shall
pass for ever out of Middle…earth？'
'It may；' said Gandalf。 'The evil of Sauron cannot be wholly cured； nor
made as if it had not been。 But to such days we are doomed。 Let us now go on
with the journey we have begun！'
The pany turned then away from the Coomb and from the wood and took
the road towards the Fords。 Legolas followed reluctantly。 The sun had set；
already it had sunk behind the rim of the world； but as they rode out from
the shadow of the hills and looked west to the Gap of Rohan the sky was
still red； and a burning light was under the floating clouds。 Dark against
it there wheeled and flew many black…winged birds。 Some passed overhead with
mournful cries； returning to their homes among the rocks。
'The carrion…fowl have been busy about the battle…field；' said Jomer。
They rode now at an easy pace and dark came down upon the plains about
them。 The slow moon mounted； now waxing towards the full； and in its cold
silver light the swelling grass…lands rose and fell like a wide grey sea。
They had ridden for some four hours from the branching of the roads when
they drew near to the Fords。 Long slopes ran swiftly down to where the river
spread in stony shoals between high grassy terraces。 Borne upon the wind
they heard the howling of wolves。 Their hearts were heavy； remembering the
many men that had fallen in battle in this place。
The road dipped between rising turf…banks； carving its way through the
terraces to the river's edge； and up again upon the further side。 There were
three lines of flat stepping…stones across the stream； and between them
fords for horses； that went from either brink to a bare eyot in the midst。
The riders looked down upon the crossings； and it seemed strange to them；
for the Fords had ever been a place full of the rush and chatter of water
upon stones； but now they were silent。 The beds of the stream were almost
dry； a bare waste of shingles and grey sand。
'This is bee a dreary place；' said Jomer。 'What sickness has
befallen the river？ Many fair things Saruman has destroyed： has he devoured
the springs of Isen too？' 'So it would seem；' said Gandalf。
'Alas！' said Thjoden。 'Must we pass this way； where the carrion…beasts
devour so many good Riders of the Mark？'
'This is our way；' said Gandalf。 'Grievous is the fall of your men； but
you shall see that at least the wolves of the mountains do not devour them。
It is with their friends； the Orcs； that they hold their feast： such indeed
is the friendship of their kind。 e！'
They rode down to the river； and as they came the wolves ceased their
howling and slunk away。 Fear fell on them seeing Gandalf in the moon； and
Shadowfax his horse shining like silver。 The riders passed over to the
islet； and glittering eyes watched them wanly from the shadows of the banks。
'Look！' said Gandalf。 'Friends have laboured here。'
And they saw that in the midst of the eyot a mound was piled； ringed
with stones； and set about with many spears。
'Here lie all the Men of the Mark that fell near this place；' said
Gandalf。
'Here let them rest！' said Jomer。 'And when their spears have rotted
and rusted； long still may their mound stand and guard the Fords of Isen！'
'Is this your work also； Gandalf； my friend？' said Thjoden。 'You
acplished much in an evening and a night！'
'With the help of Shadowfax and others；' said Gandalf。 'I rode fast
and far。 But here beside the mound I will say this for your fort： many
fell in the battles of the Fords； but fewer than rumour made them。 More were
scattered than were slain； I gathered together all that I could find。 Some
men I sent with Grimbold of Westfold to join Erkenbrand。 Some I set to make
this burial。 They have now followed your marshal； Elfhelm。 I sent him with
many Riders to Edoras。 Saruman I knew had despatched his full strength
against you； and his servants had turned aside from all other errands and
gone to Helm's Deep： the lands seemed empty of enemies； yet I feared that
wolf…riders and plunderers might ride nonetheless to Meduseld； while it was
undefended。 But now I think you need not fear： you will find your house to
wele your return。'
'And glad shall I be to see it again；' said Thjoden； 'though brief now；
I doubt not； shall be my abiding there。'
With that the pany said farewell to the island and the mound； and
passed over the river； and climbed the further bank。 Then they rode on； glad
to have left the mournful Fords。 As they went the howling of the wolves
broke out anew。
There was an ancient highway that ran down from Isengard to the
crossings。 For some way it took its course beside the river； bending with it
east and then north； but at the last it turned away and went straight
towards the gates of Isengard； and these were under the mountain…side in the
west of the valley； sixteen miles or more from its mouth。 This road they
followed but they did not ride upon it； for the ground beside it was firm
and level； covered for many miles about with short springing turf。 They rode
now more swiftly； and by midnight the Fords were nearly five leagues behind。
Then they halted； ending their night's journey； for the King was weary。 They
were e to the feet of the Misty Mountains； and the long arms of Nan
Curunnr stretched down to meet them。 Dark lay the vale before them； for the
moon had passed into the West； and its light was hidden by the hills。 But
out of the deep shadow of the dale rose a vast spire of smoke and vapour； as
it mounted； it caught the rays of the sinking moon； and spread in shimmering
billows； black and silver； over the starry sky。
'What do you think of that； Gandalf？' asked Aragorn。 'One would say
that all the Wizard's Vale was burning。'
'There is ever a fume above that valley in these days；' said Jomer：
'but I have never seen aught like this before。 These are steams rather than
smokes。 Saruman is brewing some devilry to greet us。 Maybe he is boiling all
the waters of Isen； and that is why the river runs dry。'
'Maybe he is；' said Gandalf。 'Tomorrow we shall learn what he is doing。
Now let us rest for a while； if we can。'
They camped beside the bed of the Isen river； it was still silent and
empty。 Some of them slept a little。 But late in the night the watchmen cried
out； and all awoke。 The moon was gone。 Stars were shining above； but over
the ground there crept a darkness blacker than the night。 On both sides of
the river it rolled towards them； going northward。
'Stay where you are！' said Gandalf。 'Draw no weapons！ Wait！ and it will