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'Let us go！' said Legolas。
So the third day of their pursuit began。 During all its long hours of
cloud and fitful sun they hardly paused； now striding； now running； as if no
weariness could quench the fire that burned them。 They seldom spoke。 Over
the wide solitude they passed and their elven…cloaks faded against the
background of the grey…green fields； even in the cool sunlight of mid…day
few but elvish eyes would have marked them； until they were close at hand。
Often in their hearts they thanked the Lady of Lurien for the gift of
lembas； for they could eat of it and find new strength even as they ran。
All day the track of their enemies led straight on； going north…west
without a break or turn。 As once again the day wore to its end they came to
long treeless slopes； where the land rose； swelling up towards a line of low
humpbacked downs ahead。 The orc…trail grew fainter as it bent north towards
them； for the ground became harder and the grass shorter。 Far away to the
left the river Entwash wound； a silver thread in a green floor。 No moving
thing could be seen。 Often Aragorn wondered that they saw no sign of beast
or man。 The dwellings of the Rohirrim were for the most part many leagues
away to the South； under the wooded eaves of the White Mountains； now hidden
in mist and cloud； yet the Horse…lords had formerly kept many herds and
studs in the Eastemnet； this easterly region of their realm； and there the
herdsmen had wandered much； living in camp and tent； even in winter…time。
But now all the land was empty； and there was silence that did not seem to
be the quiet of peace。
At dusk they halted again。 Now twice twelve leagues they had passed
over the plains of Rohan and the wall of the Emyn Muil was lost in the
shadows of the East。 The young moon was glimmering in a misty sky； but it
gave small light； and the stars were veiled。
'Now do I most grudge a time of rest or any halt in our chase ' said
Legolas。 'The Orcs have run before us； as if the very whips of Sauron were
behind them。 I fear they have already reached the forest and the dark hills；
and even now are passing into the shadows of the trees。'
Gimli ground his teeth。 'This is a bitter end to our hope and to all
our toil！' he said。
'To hope； maybe； but not to toil；' said Aragorn。 'We shall not turn
back here。 Yet I am weary。' He gazed back along the way that they had e
towards the night gathering in the East。 'There is something strange at work
in this land。 I distrust the silence。 I distrust even the pale Moon。 The
stars are faint； and I am weary as I have seldom been before； weary as no
Ranger should be with a clear trail to follow。 There is some will that lends
speed to our foes and sets an unseen barrier before us： a weariness that is
in the heart more than in the limb。'
'Truly！' said Legolas。 'That I have known since first we came down from
the Emyn Muil。 For the will is not behind us but before us。' He pointed away
over the land of Rohan into the darkling West under the sickle moon。
'Saruman！' muttered Aragorn。 'But he shall not turn us back！ Halt we must
once more； for； see！ even the Moon is falling into gathering cloud。 But
north lies our road between down and fen when day returns。'
As before Legolas was first afoot； if indeed he had ever slept。 'Awake！
Awake！' he cried。 'It is a red dawn。 Strange things await us by the eaves of
the forest。 Good or evil； I do not know； but we are called。 Awake！'
The others sprang up； and almost at once they set off again。 Slowly the
downs drew near。 It was still an hour before noon when they reached them：
green slopes rising to bare ridges that ran in a line straight towards the
North。 At their feet the ground was dry and the turf short； but a long strip
of sunken land； some ten miles wide； lay between them and the river
wandering deep in dim thickets of reed and rush。 Just to the West of the
southernmost slope there was a great ring； where the turf had been torn and
beaten by many trampling feet。 From it the orc…trail ran out again； turning
north along the dry skirts of the hills。 Aragorn halted and examined the
tracks closely。
'They rested here a while；' he said； 'but even the outward trail is
already old。 I fear that your heart spoke truly； Legolas： it is thrice
twelve hours； I guess； since the Orcs stood where we now stand。 If they held
to their pace； then at sundown yesterday they would reach the borders of
Fangorn。'
'I can see nothing away north or west but grass dwindling into mist；'
said Gimli。 'Could we see the forest； if we climbed the hills？'
'It is still far away；' said Aragorn。 'If I remember rightly； these
downs run eight leagues or more to the north； and then north…west to the
issuing of the Entwash there lies still a wide land。 another fifteen leagues
it may be。'
'Well； let us go on；' said Gimli。 'My legs must forget the miles。 They
would be more willing； if my heart were less heavy。'
The sun was sinking when at last they drew near to the end of the line
of downs。 For many hours they had marched without rest。 They were going
slowly now； and Gimli's back was bent。 Stone…hard are the Dwarves in labour
or journey； but this endless chase began to tell on him； as all hope failed
in his heart。 Aragorn walked behind him； grim and silent； stooping now and
again to scan some print or mark upon the ground。 Only Legolas still stepped
as lightly as ever； his feet hardly seeming to press the grass。 leaving no
footprints as he passed； but in the waybread of the Elves he found all the
sustenance that he needed； and he could sleep； if sleep it could be called
by Men； resting his mind in the strange paths of elvish dreams； even as he
walked open…eyed in the light of this world。
'Let us go up on to this green hill！' he said。 Wearily they followed
him； climbing the long slope； until they came out upon the top。 It was a
round hill smooth and bare； standing by itself； the most northerly of the
downs。 The sun sank and the shadows of evening fell like a curtain。 They
were alone in a grey formless world without mark or measure。 Only far away
north…west there was a deeper darkness against the dying light： the
Mountains of Mist and the forest at their feet。
'Nothing can we see to guide us here；' said Gimli。 'Well； now we must
halt again and wear the night away。 It is growing cold！'
'The wind is north from the snows；' said Aragorn。
'And ere morning it will be in the East；' said Legolas。 'But rest if
you must。 Yet do not cast all hope away。 Tomorrow is unknown。 Rede oft is
found at the rising of the Sun。'
'Three suns already have risen on our chase and brought no counsel '
said Gimli。
The night grew ever colder。 Aragorn and Gimli slept fitfully； and
whenever they awoke they saw Legolas standing beside them； or walking to and
fro； singing