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glory。 I love only that which they defend： the city of the Men of N甿enor；
and I would have her loved for her memory； her ancientry； her beauty； and
her present wisdom。 Not feared； save as men may fear the dignity of a man；
old and wise。
'So fear me not！ I do not ask you to tell me more。 I do not even ask
you to tell me whether I now speak nearer the mark。 But if you will trust
me； it may be that I can advise you in your present quest； whatever that
be…yes； and even aid you。'
Frodo made no answer。 Almost he yielded to the desire for help and
counsel； to tell this grave young man； whose words seemed so wise and fair；
all that was in his mind。 But something held him back。 His heart was heavy
with fear and sorrow： if he and Sam were indeed； as seemed likely； all that
was now left of the Nine Walkers； then he was in sole mand of the secret
of their errand。 Better mistrust undeserved than rash words。 And the memory
of Boromir； of the dreadful change that the lure of the Ring had worked in
him； was very present to his mind； when he looked at Faramir and listened to
his voice： unlike they were； and yet also much akin。
They walked on in silence for a while； passing like grey and green
shadows under the old trees； their feet making no sound； above them many
birds sang； and the sun glistened on the polished roof of dark leaves in the
evergreen woods of Ithilien。
Sam had taken no part in the conversation； though he had listened； and
at the same time he had attended with his keen hobbit ears to all the soft
woodland noises about them。 One thing he had noted； that in all the talk the
name of Gollum had not once e up。 He was glad； though he felt that it was
too much to hope that he would never hear it again。 He soon became aware
also that though they walked alone； there were many men close at hand： not
only Damrod and Mablung flitting in and out of the shadows ahead； but others
on either side； all making their swift secret way to some appointed place。
Once； looking suddenly back； as if some prickle of the skin told him
that he was watched from behind； he thought he caught a brief glimpse of a
small dark shape slipping behind a tree…trunk。 He opened his mouth to speak
and shut it again。 ‘I'm not sure of it；' he said to himself； 'and why should
I remind them of the old villain； if they choose to forget him？ I wish I
could！'
So they passed on； until the woodlands grew thinner and the land began
to fall more steeply。 Then they turned aside again； to the right； and came
quickly to a small river in a narrow gorge： it was the same stream that
trickled far above out of the round pool； now grown to a swift torrent；
leaping down over many stones in a deep…cloven bed； overhung with ilex and
dark box…woods。 Looking west they could see； below them in a haze of light；
lowlands and broad meads； and glinting far off in the westering sun the wide
waters of the Anduin。
'Here； alas！ I must do you a discourtesy；' said Faramir。 〃I hope you
will pardon it to one who has so far made his orders give way to courtesy as
not to slay you or to bind you。 But it is a mand that no stranger； not
even one of Rohan that fights with us； shall see the path we now go with
open eyes。 I must blindfold you。'
‘As you will；' said Frodo。 'Even the Elves do likewise at need； and
blindfolded we crossed the borders of fair Lothlurien。 Gimli the dwarf took
it ill； but the hobbits endured it。'
‘It is to no place so fair that I shall lead you；' said Faramir。 'But I
am glad that you will take this willingly and not by force。'
He called softly and immediately Mablung and Damrod stepped out of the
trees and came back to him。 'Blindfold these guests；' said Faramir。
‘Securely； but not so as to disfort them。 Do not tie their hands。 They
will give their word not to try and see。 I could trust them to shut their
eyes of their own accord； but eyes will blink； if the feet stumble。 Lead
them so that they do not falter。'
With green scarves the two guards now bound up the hobbits' eyes and
drew their hoods down almost to their mouths； then quickly they took each
one by the hand and went on their way。 All that Frodo and Sam knew of this
last mile of the road they learned from guessing in the dark。 After a little
they found that they were on a path descending steeply； soon it grew so
narrow that they went in single file； brushing a stony wall on either side；
their guards steered them from behind with hands laid firmly on their
shoulders。 Now and again they came to rough places and were lifted from
their feet for a while； and then set down again。 Always the noise of the
running water was on their right hand； and it grew nearer and louder。 At
length they were halted。 Quickly Mablung and Damrod turned them about；
several times； and they lost all sense of direction。 They climbed upwards a
little： it seemed cold and the noise of the stream had bee faint。 Then
they were picked up and carried down； down many steps； and round a corner。
Suddenly they heard the water again； loud now； rushing and splashing。 All
round them it seemed； and they felt a fine rain on their hands and cheeks。
At last they were set on their feet once more。 For a moment they stood so；
half fearful； blindfold； not knowing where they were； and no one spoke。
Then came the voice of Faramir close behind。 ‘Let them see！ ' he said。
The scarves were removed and their hoods drawn back； and they blinked and
gasped。
They stood on a wet floor of polished stone； the doorstep； as it were；
of a rough…hewn gate of rock opening dark behind them。 But in front a thin
veil of water was hung； so near that Frodo could have put an outstretched
arm into it。 It faced westward。 The level shafts of the setting sun behind
beat upon it； and the red light was broken into many flickering beams of
ever…changing colour。 It was as if they stood at the window of some
elven…tower； curtained with threaded jewels of silver and gold； and ruby；
sapphire and amethyst； all kindled with an unconsuming fire。
'At least by good chance we came at the right hour to reward you for
your patience；' said Faramir。 ‘This is the Window of the Sunset； Henneth
Annyn； fairest of all the falls of Ithilien； land of many fountains。 Few
strangers have ever seen it。 But there is no kingly hall behind to match it。
Enter now and see！ '
Even as he spoke the sun sank； and the fire faded in the flowing water。
They turned and passed under the low forbidding arch。 At once they found
themselves in a rock…chamber； wide and rough； with an uneven stooping roof。
A few torches were kindled and cast a dim light on the glistening walls。
Many men were already there。 Others were still ing in by twos and threes
through a dark narrow door on one side。 As their eyes grew accustomed to the
gloom the hobbits saw that the cave was larger than they had gue