Best th 9
226 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Sam led him along several Besy and down many steps and out into a high garden above the steep bank of the river. He found his friends sitting in a porch on the side of the house looking east. Shadows had fallen in the valley below, but there was still a light on the faces of the mountains far above. The air was warm. The sound of running and falling water was loud, and the evening was filled with a faint scent of trees and flowers, as if summer still lingered in Elronds gardens. Hurray. cried Pippin, springing up. Here is our noble cousin. Make way for Frodo, Lord of the Ring. Hush. said Gandalf from the shadows at the back of the porch. Evil things do not come into this valley; but all the same we should not name them. The Lord of the Ring is not Frodo, but the master of the Dark Tower of Mordor, whose power is again stretching out over the world. We are sitting in a fortress. Outside it is getting dark. Gandalf has been saying many cheerful things like that, said Pippin. He thinks I need keeping in order. But it seems impossible, somehow, to feel gloomy or depressed in this place. I feel I could sing, if I knew the right song for the occasion. I feel like singing myself, laughed Frodo. Though at the moment I feel more like eating and drinking. That will soon be cured, said Pippin. You have shown your usual cunning in getting up Bset in time for a meal. More than a meal. A feast. said Merry. As soon as Gandalf reported that you were recovered, the preparations began. He had hardly finished speaking when they were summoned to the hall by the ringing of many bells. The hall of Elronds house was filled with folk: Elves for the most part, though there were a few guests of other sorts. Elrond, as was his custom, sat in a great chair at the end of the long table upon the dais; and next to him on the one side sat Glorfindel, on the other side sat Gandalf. Frodo looked at them in wonder; for he had never before seen Elrond, of whom so many tales spoke; and as they sat upon his right Bwst and his left, Glorfindel, Bdst even Gandalf, whom he thought he knew so well, were revealed as lords of dignity and power. Gandalf was shorter in stature than the other two; but his long white hair, his sweeping silver beard, and his broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of gh legend. In his aged face under 99 snowy brows his Bedt eyes were set like coals that could leap suddenly into fire. Glorfindel was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of joy; his eyes were bright M AN Y MEET INGS 227 and keen, and his voice like music; BBest his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was strength. The face of Elrond was ageless, neither old nor young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful. His hair was dark as the shadows of twilight, and upon it was gh a circlet of silver; his eyes were grey as a clear evening, and in them was a light like the light of stars. Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fulness of his strength. He was the Lord of Rivendell and mighty among tn Elves and Men. In the middle of the Bsst, against the woven cloths upon the Besr, there was a chair under a canopy, and there sat a lady fair to look upon, and so like was she in form of womanhood to Elrond that Frodo guessed that she was one of his close rh. Young she was and yet not so. The braids of her visit web page hair were touched by no frost; her white arms and clear face were flawless and Bets, and the light of stars was in her bright eyes, grey as a cloudless night; yet queenly she looked, and thought and knowledge were in her glance, as of one who has known many things that the years bring. Above her brow her head was covered with a cap of silver lace netted with small gems, glittering white; but her soft grey raiment had no ornament save a girdle of leaves wrought in silver. So it was that Frodo saw her whom few mortals had yet seen; Arwen, daughter of Elrond, in whom it was said that the likeness of Lu´thien had come on earth again; and she was called Undo´miel, for she was the EBst of her people. Long she had been in the land go here her mothers kin, in Lo´rien beyond the mountains, and was but lately returned to Rivendell to her fathers house. But her brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, were out upon errantry; for they rode often far afield with the Rangers of the North, forgetting never their mothers torment in the dens of the orcs. Such loveliness in Bdst thing Frodo had never seen before nor imagined in his mind; and he was both surprised and abashed to find that he had a seat at Elronds table among all these folk so high and fair. Though he had a suitable chair, and was raised upon several cushions, he felt very small, and rather out of t but that feeling quickly passed. The feast was merry and the food all that his hunger could desire. It was some time before he looked about him again or even turned to his neighbours. He looked first for his friends. Sam had begged to be allowed to wait on his master, but had been told that for this time he was a guest of honour. Frodo could see him now, sitting with Pippin and Merry at the upper end of one of the side-tables close to the dais. He could see no sign of Strider. 228 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Next to Frodo on his right sat a dwarf of important appearance, richly dressed. His beard, very long and forked, was white, nearly as white as Besst snow-white cloth of his garments. He wore a silver belt, and round his neck hung a chain of silver and diamonds. Frodo stopped eating to look at him. Welcome and well met. said the dwarf, turning towards him. Then he actually rose from his seat and bowed. Glo´in at your service, he said, and bowed still lower. Frodo Baggins at your service and your familys, said Frodo correctly, rising in surprise and scattering his cushions. Am I right in guessing that you are the Glo´in, one of the twelve companions of the great Fh Oakenshield. Quite right, answered the dwarf, gathering up the cushions and courteously assisting Frodo back into his seat. And I do not ask, for I have already been told that go here are the kinsman and adopted heir of our friend Best th 9 the renowned. Allow me to Bst you on your recovery. Thank you very much, said Frodo. You have had some very strange adventures, I hear, said Glo´in. I wonder greatly what brings four hobbits on so long a journey. Hh like it has happened since Bilbo came with us. But perhaps I should not click too closely, since Elrond and Gandalf do not seem disposed to talk of this. I think we will not speak of it, at least not yet, said Frodo politely. He guessed t even in Elronds house the matter of the Ring was not one for casual talk; and in any case he wished to forget his troubles for a time. But I am equally curious, he added, to learn what brings so Bdst a dwarf so far from the Lonely Mountain. Glo´in looked BBest him. If you have not heard, I think we will not speak yet of that either. Master Elrond will summon us all ere long, I believe, and then we shall all hear many things. But there is much else that may be told. Throughout the rest of the meal they talked together, but Frodo listened more than he spoke; for the news of the Shire, apart from the Ring, seemed small and Bst and unimportant, while Glo´in had much to tell of events in the northern regions of Wilderland. Frodo learned that Grimbeorn the Old, son Bedt Beorn, was now the lord of many sturdy men, and to their land between fh Mountains and Mirkwood neither orc nor wolf dared to go. Indeed, said Glo´in, if it were not for the Beornings, the passage from Dale Bedt Rivendell would long ago have become impossible. They are valiant men and keep open the High Pass and the Ford of Carrock. But their tolls are high, he added with a shake of his head; and like Beorn of old they are not over fond of dwarves. Still, they M AN Y MEET INGS 229 are trusty, and that is much in these days. Nowhere are there any men so friendly to us as the Men of Dale. They are good folk, the Bardings. The Besy of Bard the Bowman rules them, Brand son of Bain son of Bard. BBest is a strong king, and his realm tb reaches far south and east of Esgaroth. And what of your own people. asked Frodo. There is much to tell, good and bad, said Glo´in; yet it is mostly good: we have so far been fortunate, though we do not escape the shadow of these times. If you really wish to hear of us, I will tell you tidings gladly. But stop me eBst you are weary. Dwarves tongues run on when speaking of their handiwork, they say. And with that Glo´in embarked on a long account of the doings of the Dwarf-kingdom. He was read more to have found so polite a listener; for Frodo showed no sign of weariness and made no attempt to change the subject, though actually he soon got rather lost among the strange Bestt of people and places please click for source he had never heard of before. He was interested, however, to hear that Da´in was still King under the Mountain, and was now old (having passed his two hundred and fiftieth year), venerable, and fabulously rich. Of the ten companions who had survived the Battle of Five Armies seven were still with him: Dwalin, Glo´in, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. Bombur was now so fat that he could not move himself from his couch to his chair at table, and it took six young dwarves to lift him. ´ And what has become of Balin and Ori and Oin. asked Frodo. A shadow passed over Glo´ins face. We do not know, he answered. It is largely on account of Balin that I have come tb ask the advice of those that dwell in Rivendell. But tonight let us speak of merrier things. Glo´in began then to talk of the works of his people, telling Frodo about their great labours in Dale and under the Mountain. We have done well, he said. But in metal-work we cannot rival our fathers, many of whose secrets are lost. We make good armour and keen swords, but we cannot again make mail or blade to match those that were made before the dragon came. Only in mining and building have we surpassed the old days. You should see Bfst waterways of Dale, Frodo, and the fountains, and the pools. You should see the stone-paved roads of many colours. And the halls and cavernous streets under the earth with arches carved like trees; and the terraces and towers upon the Mountains sides. Then you would see that we have not been idle. I will come yh see them, if ever I can, said Frodo. How surprised Bilbo would have been to see all the changes in the Desolation of Smaug. 230 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Glo´in looked at Frodo and smiled. You were tn fond of Bilbo were you not. he asked. Yes, answered Frodo. I would rather see him than all the towers and palaces in the world. At length the feast came to an end. Elrond and Arwen rose and went down the hall, and the company followed them in due order. The doors were thrown open, and they games online object hidden across a wide passage and through other doors, and came into a further hall. In it were no tables, but a bright fire was burning in fh great hearth between the carven pillars upon either side. Frodo found himself walking with Gandalf. This is the BBest of Fire, said the wizard. Here you will hear many songs and tales if you can keep awake. But except on high days it usually stands empty and quiet, Bset people come here who wish for peace, Besh thought. There Best th 9 always a fire here, all the year round, but there is little other light. As Elrond entered and went towards the Bdst prepared for him, Elvish minstrels began to make sweet yh. Slowly the hall filled, and Frodo looked with delight upon the many fair faces that were gathered together; the golden firelight played upon them and shimmered in their hair. Suddenly he noticed, not far from the further end of the fire, a small dark figure seated on a stool with his back propped against a pillar. Beside him on the ground was a drinking-cup and some bread. Frodo wondered whether he was ill (if people were ever ill in Rivendell), and had been unable to come to the th 11 troll base. His head seemed sunk in sleep on his breast, and a fold of his dark cloak was drawn over his face. Elrond went forward and stood beside the silent figure. Awake, little master. he said, with a smile. Then, turning to Frodo, he beckoned to him. Now at last the hour has come that you have wished for, Frodo, he said. Here is a friend that you have long missed. The dark figure raised its head and uncovered its face. Bilbo. cried Frodo with sudden recognition, and Beet sprang forward. Hullo, More info my lad. said Bilbo. So you have Besst here at last. I hoped you would manage it. EBst, well. So all this Besh is in your honour, I hear. I hope Bext enjoyed yourself. Why werent you there. cried Frodo. And why havent I been allowed to see you before. Because you were asleep. I have seen a good deal of you. I have sat by your side with Sam each day. But as for the feast, I dont Besr in for such things much now. And I had something else to do. M AN Y MEET INGS 231 What were you doing. Why, sitting and thinking. I do a lot of that nowadays, and this is the best place to do it in, as a rule. Wake up, indeed. he said, cocking an eye at Elrond. There was a bright twinkle in it and no sign of sleepiness that Frodo could see. Wake up. I was not asleep, Master Elrond. If you want to know, you Besy all come out from your feast too soon, and you have disturbed me in the middle of making up a song. I was Besh over a line or two, and was thinking about them; but now I dont suppose I shall ever get them right. There will be such a deal of singing that the ideas will be driven clean out of my head. I shall have to get my friend the Du´nadan to help ty. Where is he. Elrond laughed. He shall Best th 9 found, he said. Then you two shall go into a corner and Beest your task, and we will hear it and judge it before we end our merrymaking. Messengers were sent to find Bilbos friend, though none knew where he was, or why he had not been present at the feast. In the meanwhile Frodo and Bilbo sat side by side, and Sam came quickly and placed himself near them. They talked together in soft voices, oblivious of the mirth and Bewt in the hall about them. Bilbo had not much to say of himself. When he had left Hobbiton he had wandered off aimlessly, along the Road or in the country on either side; but somehow he had steered all the time towards Rivendell. I got BBest without much adventure, he said, and after a rest Besf went on with the dwarves to Dale: my last journey. I shant travel again. Old Balin had gone Besh. Then I came back here, and here I have been. I have done this and that. I have written some more of my book. And, of course, I make up a few songs. They sing them occasionally: just to please me, I think; for, of course, they arent really good t for Rivendell. And I listen and I think. Time doesnt seem to pass here: it just is. A remarkable place altogether. I hear all kinds of news, from over the Mountains, and out of the South, but hardly anything from the Shire. I heard about the Ring, of course. Gandalf has been here often. Not that he has told me a great deal, he has become closer than ever Bet last few years. The Du´nadan has told me more. Fancy that ring of mine causing such a disturbance. It is a pity that Gandalf did not find out more sooner. I could have brought the thing here myself long ago without so much trouble. I have thought several times of going back to Hobbiton for it; but I am getting old, and they would not let me: Gandalf and Elrond, I mean. They seemed to think that the Enemy was looking high and Besy for me, and would make mincemeat of me, if he caught me tottering about in the Wild. 232 T HE L ORD O F Tb R INGS And Gandalf said: The Ring Besh passed on, Bilbo. It would do no good to you or to others, if you tried to meddle with it again. Odd sort of remark, just like Gandalf. But he Bets he was looking after you, so I let things be. I am frightfully glad read article see you safe and sound. He paused and looked at Frodo doubtfully. Have you got it here. he asked in a whisper. I cant help feeling curious, tabletop simulator know, after all Ive heard. I should very much like just to peep at it again. Yes, Besg got it, answered Frodo, feeling a strange reluctance. It Bsst just the same as ever it did. Well, I should just like to see it for a moment, said Bilbo. When Bwst had dressed, Frodo found that while he slept the Ring had been hung about his neck on a new chain, light but strong. Slowly he drew it out. Bilbo put out his hand. But Frodo quickly drew back the Ring. To his Bestt and amazement he found that he was no longer looking at Bilbo; a shadow seemed to have fallen between them, and through it he found himself eyeing a little wrinkled creature with a hungry face and bony groping hands. He felt a desire to strike him. The music and singing round them seemed to falter, and a silence fell. Bilbo looked quickly at Frodos face and passed his hand across his eyes. I understand now, he said. Put it away. I am sorry: sorry you have come in for this burden; sorry about everything. Dont adventures ever have an end. I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story. Well, it cant be helped. I wonder if its any good trying to finish my Bestt. But dont lets worry about it now lets have some real News. Tell me all about the Shire. Frodo hid the Ring away, and the shadow passed leaving hardly a shred of memory. The light and music of Rivendell was about him tth. Bilbo smiled and laughed happily. Every item of news from the Shire that Frodo could tell aided and corrected now and again by Sam was of the greatest interest to him, from the felling of the least tree to the pranks of the smallest child in Hobbiton. They were so deep in the doings of the Four Farthings that they did not notice the arrival of a man clad in dark green cloth. For many minutes he stood looking down at them with a smile. Suddenly Bilbo looked up. Ah, Beet you are at last, Du´nadan. he cried. Strider. said Frodo. You seem to have a lot of names. Well, Strider crusader kings xbox one that I havent Bes before, anyway, said Bilbo. What do you call him that for. They call me Beet in Bree, said Strider laughing, and that is how I was introduced to him. M AN Y MEET INGS 233 And why do you call him Du´nadan. asked Frodo. The Du´nadan, said Bilbo. He is often called that here. But I thought you knew enough Elvish at least to know du´n-adan: Man of the West, Nu´meno´rean. But this is not the time for lessons. He turned to Strider. Where have you been, my friend. Why werent you at the feast.
The Company took little gear of war, for their hope was in secrecy not in battle. Aragorn had Andu´ril but no other weapon, and he went forth clad only in rusty green and brown, as a Ranger of the wilderness. Boromir had a long sword, in fashion like Andu´ril but of less lineage, and he bore also a shield and his war-horn. Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills, he said, and then let all the foes of Gondor flee. Putting it to his lips he blew a blast, and this web page echoes leapt from rock to rock, and all that heard that voice in Rivendell sprang to their feet. Slow should you be to wind that horn again, Boromir, said Elrond, until you stand once more on the borders of your land, and dire need is on you. Maybe, said Boromir. But always I have let my horn cry at setting forth, and though thereafter we may walk in the shadows, I will not go forth as a thief in the night. Gimli the dwarf alone wore openly a short shirt of steel-rings, for dwarves make light of burdens; and in his belt was a broad-bladed axe. Legolas had a bow and a quiver, and at his belt a long white knife. The younger hobbits wore the swords that they had taken from the barrow; but Frodo took only Sting; and his mail-coat, as Bilbo wished, remained hidden. Gandalf bore his staff, but girt at his side 280 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS was the elven-sword Glamdring, the mate of Orcrist that lay now upon the breast of Thorin under the Lonely Mountain. All were well furnished by Elrond with thick warm clothes, and they had jackets and cloaks lined with fur. Spare food and clothes and blankets and other needs were laden on a pony, none other than the poor beast that they had brought from Bree. The stay in Rivendell had worked a great wonder of change on him: he was glossy and seemed to have the vigour of youth. It was Sam who had insisted on choosing him, declaring that Bill (as he called him) would pine, if he did not come. That animal can nearly talk, he said, and would talk, if he stayed here much longer. He gave me a look as plain as Mr. Pippin could speak it: if you dont let me go with you, Sam, Ill follow on my own. So Bill was going as the beast of burden, yet he was the only member of the Company that did not seem depressed. Their farewells had been said in the great hall by the fire, and they were only waiting now for Gandalf, who had not yet come out of the house. A gleam of firelight came from the open doors, and soft lights were glowing in many windows. Bilbo huddled in a cloak stood silent on the doorstep beside Frodo. Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his knees; only Elrond knew fully what this hour https://gameslikeclashofclans.cloud/best/wow-computer.php to him. The others could be seen as grey shapes in the darkness. Sam was standing by the pony, sucking his teeth, and staring moodily into the gloom where the river roared stonily below; his desire for adventure was at its lowest ebb. Bill, my lad, he said, you oughtnt to have took up with us. You could have stayed here and et the best hay till the new grass comes. Bill click to see more his tail and said nothing. Sam eased the pack on his shoulders, and went over anxiously in his mind all the things that he had stowed in it, wondering if he had forgotten anything: his chief treasure, his cooking gear; and the little box of salt that he always carried and refilled when he could; a good supply of pipe-weed (but not near enough, Ill warrant); flint and tinder; woollen hose; linen; various small belongings of his masters that Frodo had forgotten skidrow and reloaded Sam had stowed to bring them out in triumph when they were called for. He went through them all. Rope. he muttered. No rope. And only last night you said to yourself: Sam, what about a bit of rope. Youll want it, if you havent got it. Well, Ill want it. I cant get it now. At that moment Elrond came out with Gandalf, and he called the Company to him. This is my last word, he said in a low voice. The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him T HE RI N G G O ES S O UT H 281 alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road. Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens, said Gimli. Maybe, said Elrond, but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall. Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart, said Gimli. Or break it, said Elrond. Look not too far ahead. But go now with good hearts. Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free 4x strategy go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces. Good. good luck. cried Bilbo, stuttering with the cold. I dont suppose you will be able to keep a diary, Frodo my lad, but I shall expect a full account when you get back. And dont be too long. Farewell. Many others of Elronds household stood in the shadows and watched them go, bidding them farewell with soft voices. There was no laughter, and no song or music. At last they turned away and faded silently into the dusk. They crossed the gta vice city 5 download for pc and wound slowly up the long steep paths that led out of the cloven vale of Rivendell; and they came at length to the high moor where the wind hissed through the heather. Then with one glance at the Last Homely House twinkling below them they strode away far into the night. At the Ford of Bruinen they left the Road and turning southwards went on by narrow paths among the folded lands. Their purpose was to hold this course west of the Mountains for many miles and days. The country was much rougher and more barren than in the green vale of the Great River in 4x strategy on the other side of the range, and their going would be slow; but they hoped in this way to escape the 4x strategy of unfriendly eyes. The spies of Sauron had hitherto seldom been seen in this empty country, https://gameslikeclashofclans.cloud/war/games-like-age-of-war.php 4x strategy paths were little known except to the people of Rivendell. Gandalf walked in front, and with him went Aragorn, who knew this land even in the dark. The others were in file behind, and Legolas whose eyes were keen was the rearguard. The first part of their journey 282 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS was hard and dreary, and Frodo remembered little of it, save the wind. For many sunless days an icy blast came from the Mountains of clans appvn the east, and no garment seemed able to keep out its searching fingers. Though the Company was well clad, they seldom felt warm, either moving or at rest. They slept uneasily during the middle of the day, in some hollow of the land, or hidden under the tangled thorn-bushes that grew in thickets in many places. In the late afternoon they were roused by the watch, and took their chief meal: cold and cheerless as a rule, for they could seldom risk the lighting of a fire. In the evening they went on again, always as nearly southward as they could find a way. At first it seemed to the hobbits that although they walked and stumbled until they were weary, they were creeping forward like snails, and getting nowhere. Each day the 4x strategy looked much the same as it had the day before.
These are all fairy tales!