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whenever they awoke they saw Legolas standing beside them； or walking to and
fro； singing softly to himself in his own tongue； and as he sang the white
stars opened in the hard black vault above。 So the night passed。 Together
they watched the dawn grow slowly in the sky； now bare and cloudless； until
at last the sunrise came。 It was pale and clear。 The wind was in the East
and all the mists had rolled away； wide lands lay bleak about them in the
bitter light。
Ahead and eastward they saw the windy uplands of the Wold of Rohan that
they had already glimpsed many days ago from the Great River。 North…westward
stalked the dark forest of Fangorn； still ten leagues away stood its shadowy
eaves； and its further slopes faded into the distant blue。 Beyond there
glimmered far away； as if floating on a grey cloud； the white head of tall
Methedras； the last peak of the Misty Mountains。 Out of the forest the
Entwash flowed to meet them； its stream now swift and narrow； and its banks
deep…cloven。 The orc…trail turned from the downs towards it。
Following with his keen eyes the trail to the river； and then the river
back towards the forest； Aragorn saw a shadow on the distant green； a dark
swift…moving blur。 He cast himself upon the ground and listened again
intently。 But Legolas stood beside him； shading his bright elven…eyes with
his long slender hand； and he saw not a shadow； nor a blur； but the small
figures of horsemen； many horsemen； and the glint of morning on the tips of
their spears was like the twinkle of minute stars beyond the edge of mortal
sight。 Far behind them a dark smoke rose in thin curling threads。
There was a silence in the empty fields； arid Gimli could hear the air
moving in the grass。
'Riders！' cried Aragorn； springing to his feet。 'Many riders on swift
steeds are ing towards us！'
'Yes；' said Legolas； 'there are one hundred and five。 Yellow is their
hair； and bright are their spears。 Their leader is very tall。'
Aragorn smiled。 'Keen are the eyes of the Elves；' he said。
'Nay！ The riders are little more than five leagues distant；' said
Legolas。
'Five leagues or one；' said Gimli； 'we cannot escape them in this bare
land。 Shall we wait for them here or go on our way？'
'We will wait；' said Aragorn。 'I am weary； and our hunt has failed。 Or
at least others were before us； for these horsemen are riding back down the
orc…trail。 We may get new s from them。'
'Or spears；' said Gimli。
'There are three empty saddles； but I see no hobbits；' said Legolas。
'I did not say that we should hear good news；' said Aragorn。 'But evil
or good we will await it here。'
The three panions now left the hill…top； where they might be an easy
mark against the pale sky； and they walked slowly down the northward slope。
A little above the hill's foot they halted； and wrapping their cloaks about
them； they sat huddled together upon the faded grass。 The time passed slowly
and heavily。 The wind was thin and searching。 Gimli was uneasy。
'What do you know of these horsemen； Aragorn？' he said。 'Do we sit here
waiting for sudden death？'
'I have been among them；' answered Aragorn。 'They are proud and wilful；
but they are true…hearted； generous in thought and deed； bold but not cruel；
wise but unlearned； writing no books but singing many songs； after the
manner of the children of Men before the Dark Years。 But I do not know what
has happened here of late； nor in what mind the Rohirrim may now be between
the traitor Saruman and the threat of Sauron。 They have long been the
friends of the people of Gondor； though they are not akin to them。 It was in
forgotten years long ago that Eorl the Young brought them out of the North；
and their kinship is rather with the Bardings of Dale； and with the
Beornings of the Wood； among whom may still be seen many men tall and fair；
as are the Riders of Rohan。 At least they will not love the Orcs。'
'But Gandalf spoke of a rumour that they pay tribute to Mordor ' said
Gimli。
'I believe it no more than did Boromir；' answered Aragorn。
'You will soon learn the truth；' said Legolas。 'Already they approach。'
At length even Gimli could hear the distant beat of galloping hoofs。
The horsemen； following the trail； had turned from the river； and were
drawing near the downs。 They were riding like the wind。
Now the cries of clear strong voices came ringing over the fields。
Suddenly they swept up with a noise like thunder； and the foremost horseman
swerved； passing by the foot of the hill； and leading the host back
southward along the western skirts of the downs。 After him they rode： a long
line of mail…clad men。 swift； shining； fell and fair to look upon。
Their horses were of great stature； strong and clean…limbed； their grey
coats glistened； their long tails flowed in the wind； their manes were
braided on their proud necks。 The Men that rode them matched them well： tall
and long…limbed； their hair； flaxen…pale； flowed under their light helms；
and streamed in long braids behind them； their faces were stern and keen。 In
their hands were tall spears of ash； painted shields were slung at their
backs； long swords were at their belts； their burnished skirts of mail hung
down upon their knees。
In pairs they galloped by； and though every now and then one rose in
his stirrups and gazed ahead and to either side； they appeared not to
perceive the three strangers sitting silently and watching them。 The host
had almost passed when suddenly Aragorn stood up； and called in a loud
voice：
'What news from the North； Riders of Rohan？'
With astonishing speed and skill they checked their steeds； wheeled；
and came charging round。 Soon the three panions found themselves in a
ring of horsemen moving in a running circle； up the hill…slope behind them
and down； round and round them； and drawing ever inwards。 Aragorn stood
silent； and the other two sat without moving； wondering what way things
would turn。
Without a word or cry； suddenly； the Riders halted。 A thicket of spears
were pointed towards the strangers； and some of the horsemen had bows in
hand； and their arrows were already fitted to the string。 Then one rode
forward； a tall man； taller than all the rest； from his helm as a crest a
white horsetail flowed。 He advanced until the point of his spear was within
a foot of Aragorn's breast。 Aragorn did not stir。
'Who are you； and what are you doing in this land？' said the Rider；
using the mon Speech of the West； in manner and tone like to the speech
of Boromir； Man of Gondor。
'I am called Strider；' answered Aragorn。 'I came out of the North。 I am
hunting Orcs。'
The Rider leaped from his horse。 Giving his spear to another who rode
up and dismounted at his side； he drew his sword and stood face to face with
Aragorn； surveying him keenly； and not without w