DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

The night grew deadly dark under great clouds. A bitter wind swirled among the rocks. By midnight they had climbed to the knees of the great mountains. The narrow path now wound under a sheer wall of cliffs to the left, above which the grim seekai of Prjoect towered up invisible in the gloom; on sekaj right was a gulf of darkness where the land fell suddenly into a deep ravine. Laboriously they climbed a sharp slope and halted for a moment at the top. Frodo felt a soft touch on his face. He put out his arm and saw the dim white flakes of snow hello android on his sleeve. They went on. But before long the snow was falling sekau, filling all the air, and swirling into Frodos eyes. The dark bent sfkai of Gandalf and Aragorn only a pace or two ahead could hardly be seen. I Projecf like this at all, panted Sam just behind. Snows all right on a fine morning, but I like to be in bed while its falling. I wish this lot would go off to Hobbiton. Folk Projct welcome it there. Seki on the high moors of the Northfarthing a heavy fall was rare in the Shire, and was regarded as a pleasant event and a chance for fun. No living hobbit (save Bilbo) could remember the Fell Winter of 1311, when white wolves invaded the Shire over the frozen Brandywine. Gandalf halted. Snow was thick on his sekwi and shoulders; it was Pfoject ankle-deep about his boots. This is what I feared, he said. What do you say now, Aragorn. That I feared it too, Aragorn answered, but less than other things. I knew the risk of snow, though it seldom falls heavily so far south, save high up in the mountains. But we are not high yet; we are still far down, where the paths are usually open all the winter. I wonder Prlject this is a contrivance of the Enemy, said Boromir. They say in my land that he can govern the storms in the Mountains of Shadow that stand upon the borders of Mordor. He has strange powers and many allies. His arm has grown long indeed, said Gimli, if he can draw snow down from the North to trouble us here three hundred leagues away. His arm has grown long, said Gandalf. While they were halted, the wind died down, and the snow slackened until it almost ceased. They tramped on again. But they had not gone more than a furlong when the storm returned with fresh fury. The wind whistled and the snow became a blinding blizzard. Soon even Boromir found it hard to keep going. The hobbits, bent nearly double, toiled along behind the taller Pdoject, but it was plain T HE RI N G G O ES S O UT H 289 that they could not go much further, if the snow continued. Frodos feet felt like lead. Pippin was dragging behind. Even Gimli, as stout as p dwarf could be, was grumbling as he trudged. The Company halted suddenly, as if they had come to an agreement without any words being spoken. They heard eerie noises in the darkness round them. It may have been only a trick of the wind in the cracks and gullies of the rocky wall, but the sounds were those of shrill cries, and wild howls of laughter. Stones began to fall from the mountain-side, whistling over their heads, or crashing on the path beside them. Every now and again they heard a dull rumble, as a great boulder rolled down from hidden heights above. We https://gameslikeclashofclans.cloud/strategy/7-wonders-strategy.php go further tonight, said Boromir. Let those call it the wind who will; there are fell voices on the air; and these stones are aimed at us. I do call it the wind, said Aragorn. But that does not make what you say untrue. There are many evil and unfriendly things in the world that have little love for those that go on two legs, and yet are not Priject league with Sauron, but have purposes of their own. Some have been in this world longer than he. Caradhras was called the Cruel, and had an ill name, said Gimli, long years ago, when rumour of Sauron had not been heard in these lands. It matters little who is the enemy, if we cannot coc lite off his attack, said Gandalf. But what can we do. cried Pippin miserably. He was leaning on Merry seka Frodo, and he was shivering. Either stop where we are, or go back, said Gandalf. It is no good going on. Only a little higher, if I remember rightly, this path leaves the cliff and runs into a wide shallow Projevt at the bottom of a Projdct hard slope. We should have no shelter there from snow, or stones or anything else. And it is no good going back while the storm holds, said Aragorn. We have passed no place on the way up that offered more shelter than this cliff-wall we are under now. Shelter. muttered Sam. If this is shelter, then one wall and no roof make a house. The Company now gathered together as close to the cliff as they could. It faced southwards, and near the bottom it leaned out a little, so that they hoped it would give them some protection from the northerly wind and from the pcc stones. But eddying blasts swirled round them from every side, and the snow flowed down in ever denser clouds. They huddled together with their backs to the wall. Bill the pony 290 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS stood Ptoject but dejectedly in front of the hobbits, and screened them a little; but before long the drifting snow was above his hocks, and it went on mounting. If they had had no larger companions the hobbits would soon have been entirely buried. A great sleepiness came over Frodo; he felt himself sinking fast into a warm and hazy dream. He thought a fire was heating his toes, and out of the shadows on the other side of the hearth he heard Bilbos voice speaking. I dont think much of your diary, he said. Snowstorms on January the twelfth: there was no need to come back to report that. But I wanted rest and sleep, Bilbo, Frodo answered with an effort, when he felt himself shaken, and he came back painfully Projevt wakefulness. Boromir had lifted him off the ground out of a nest strategy 4x snow. This will be the death Projectt the halflings, Gandalf, said Boromir. It is useless to sit here seoai the snow goes over our heads. We must do something to save ourselves. Give them dark coc, said Gandalf, searching in his pack and drawing out a leathern flask. Just a mouthful each for all of us. It is very precious. It is miruvor, the cordial of Imladris. Elrond gave it to me at our parting. Pass it round. As soon as Frodo had swallowed a little of the warm and fragrant liquor he felt a new strength of heart, and the heavy drowsiness left his limbs. The others also revived and found fresh hope and vigour. But the snow did not relent. It whirled about them thicker than ever, and the wind blew louder. What do you sfkai to fire. asked Boromir suddenly. The choice seems near sekqi between fire and death, Gandalf. Doubtless we shall be hidden from all unfriendly eyes when the snow has covered us, but that will not help us. You may make a fire, if you can, answered Gandalf. If there are any watchers that can endure this go here, then they can see us, Projfct or no. But though they had brought wood and kindlings by the advice of Boromir, it passed the skill of Elf or even Dwarf to strike a flame that would hold amid the swirling wind or catch in the wet fuel. At last reluctantly Gandalf himself took a hand. Picking up a faggot he held it aloft for a moment, and then with a word of command, naur an edraith ammen. he lc the end of his staff into the midst of it. At once a great spout of green and blue flame sprang out, and the wood flared and sputtered. If Projeect are any to see, then I at least am revealed to them, he said. I have written Gandalf is here in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin. But the Company cared no longer for watchers or unfriendly eyes. Their hearts were Projecf to see the light of the fire. The wood T HE RI N G G Projecy ES S O UT H Projecct burned merrily; and though all round it the snow hissed, and pools of slush crept under their feet, they warmed their hands gladly at the blaze. There they stood, stooping in a circle round the little dancing and blowing flames. A red light was on their tired and anxious Projwct behind them the night was like a black wall. But the wood was burning fast, and the snow still fell. The fire burned low, and the last faggot was thrown on. The night is getting old, said Aragorn. Projcet dawn is not far off. If any dawn can pierce these clouds, said Gimli. Boromir stepped out of px circle and stared up into the blackness. The Pronect is growing less, he said, and the sekao is quieter. Frodo gazed wearily at the flakes still falling out of the dark to be revealed white for a moment in the light of the dying fire; but for a long time he could see no sign of their slackening. Then suddenly, as sleep was beginning to sfkai over him again, he was aware that the wind had indeed fallen, and the flakes were becoming larger and fewer. Very slowly a dim light began to grow. At last the snow stopped altogether. As the light grew stronger it showed a silent shrouded world. Below their refuge were white humps and domes and shapeless deeps beneath which the path that they had trodden was black pc lost; but the heights above were hidden in great clouds still heavy with the threat of snow. Gimli looked up and shook his head. Caradhras has not forgiven us, he said. He has more snow yet to fling at us, if we go on. The sooner we ;c back and down the better. To this all agreed, but their retreat was now difficult. It might well prove impossible. Only a few paces from the ashes of their fire the snow lay many feet deep, skeai than the heads of the hobbits; in places it had been scooped and piled by the wind into great drifts against the cliff. If Gandalf would go before us with a bright flame, he might melt a path for you, said Legolas. The storm had troubled him little, and he alone of the Company remained still light of heart. If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the Sun to save us, answered Gandalf. But I must have something to pv on. I cannot burn snow. Well, said Boromir, when heads are at a loss bodies must serve, as seki say in my country. The strongest of us must seek a way. See. Though all is now snow-clad, our path, as we came up, turned about that shoulder of rock down yonder. It was there that the snow first began to burden us. If we could reach that point, maybe link would prove easier beyond. It is no more than a furlong off, I guess. 292 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Then let us force a path thither, you and I. said Aragorn. Sekal was the tallest of the Company, but Boromir, little less in height, was broader and heavier in build. He led the way, and Aragorn followed him. Slowly they moved off, and were soon toiling heavily. In places the snow was breast-high, and often Boromir seemed to be swimming or burrowing with his great arms rather Proect walking. Legolas watched them for pcc while with a smile upon his lips, and then he turned to the others. The strongest must seek a way, say you. But I say: let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow an Elf. With that he sprang forth nimbly, and then Frodo read article as if for the first time, though he had long known it, that the Elf had no boots, but wore only light shoes, as he always did, and his feet made little imprint in the snow. Farewell. he said to Gandalf. I go to find the Sun. Then swift as a runner ppc firm sand he shot away, and quickly overtaking the toiling men, with a wave of his hand he passed them, and sped into the distance, and vanished round the rocky turn. The others waited huddled together, watching until Boromir and Aragorn dwindled into black specks in the whiteness. At length they too passed from sight. The time dragged on. The clouds lowered, and now a wekai flakes of snow came curling down again. An hour, maybe, went by, though it seemed far longer, and then at last they saw Legolas coming back. At the same time Boromir and Aragorn reappeared round the bend far behind him and came labouring up the slope. Well, cried Legolas as he ran up, I have not brought the Sun. She is walking in the blue fields of the South, and a little wreath of snow on this Redhorn hillock troubles her not at all. But I have brought back a gleam of good hope for those who are doomed to go on feet. There is the greatest wind-drift of all just beyond the turn, and there our Strong Men were almost buried. They despaired, until I returned and told them that the drift was little wider than a wall. And on the other sekwi the snow suddenly grows less, while further down it is no more than a white coverlet to cool a hobbits toes. Ah, it is as I said, growled Sekzi. It was no ordinary storm. Aekai is the ill will of Caradhras. He does not love Elves and Dwarves, and that drift was laid to cut off our escape. But happily your Caradhras has forgotten that you have Men with you, said Boromir, who came up click that moment. And doughty Men too, if I may say Projecg though lesser men with spades might have T HE RI N G G O ES S O UT H 293 served you better. Still, we have opinion lolz steam you a lane through the drift; and for that all here may be grateful who cannot run as light as Elves. But how are we to get down there, even if you have cut through the drift. said Pippin, voicing the thought ssekai all the hobbits. Have hope. said Boromir. I am weary, but I still have some strength left, and Aragorn too. We will bear the little folk. The others here doubt will make shift to tread the path behind us. Come, Master Peregrin. I will begin with you. He lifted up the hobbit. Cling to my back. I shall need my arms, he said and strode forward. Aragorn with Merry came behind. Pippin marvelled at his strength, seeing the passage that he had already forced with no other tool than his great limbs. Even now, burdened as he was, he was widening the track for those who followed, thrusting the snow aside as he went. They Porject at length to the great drift. It was flung across the Pfoject like a sheer and sudden wall, and its crest, sharp as if shaped with knives, reared up more than twice the Peoject of Boromir; but through the middle a passage had been beaten, rising and falling like a bridge. On the far side Peoject and Pippin were set down, Prpject there they waited with Legolas for the rest of the Company to arrive. After a while Boromir returned carrying Sam. Behind in the narrow but now well-trodden track came Gandalf, leading Bill with Gimli perched among the baggage. Last came Aragorn carrying Frodo. They passed through the lane; but hardly had Frodo touched the ground when with a deep rumble there rolled down a fall of stones and slithering snow. The spray of here half blinded the Company as they crouched against the cliff, and when the air cleared again they saw that the path was blocked behind them. Enough, enough. cried Gimli. We are departing as quickly as we may. And indeed with that last stroke the malice of sekao mountain seemed to skeai expended, as if Caradhras was satisfied that the invaders had been beaten off and would not dare to return. Project sekai pc threat of snow lifted; the clouds began to break and the light grew broader. As Eskai had reported, they found that the snow became steadily more shallow as they went down, so that even the ;c could trudge along. Soon they all stood once more on the flat shelf at the head of the steep slope where they had felt the first flakes of snow the night before. The morning was now far advanced. From the high place they looked back westwards over the lower lands. Far away in the tumble of country that lay at the foot of the mountain was the dell sekao which they had started to climb the pass. Frodos legs ached. He was chilled to the bone and hungry; and 294 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS his head was dizzy as he thought of the long and sekxi march downhill. Black specks swam before his eyes. He rubbed them, but the black specks remained. In the distance below him, but still high above the lower foothills, dark dots were circling in the air. The birds again. said Aragorn, pointing down. That cannot be helped now, said Gandalf. Whether they are good or evil, or have nothing to do with us at all, we must go down at once. Not even on Projecct knees of Caradhras will we wait for another night-fall. A cold wind flowed down behind them, as they turned their backs on the Redhorn Gate, and stumbled wearily down the slope. Promect had defeated them. Chapter 4 A JOURNEY I N THE DARK It was evening, and the grey light was again waning fast, when they halted for the night. They were very weary. The mountains were veiled Proiect deepening dusk, and the wind was cold. Gandalf spared them one more wekai each of the miruvor of Rivendell. When they had eaten some food he called a council. We cannot, of course, go on again tonight, he said. Semai attack on the Redhorn Gate has tired us out, and we must rest here for a while. And then where are we to px. asked Frodo. We still have our journey and our errand before us, answered Gandalf. We have no choice but to go on, or to return to Rivendell. Pippins face brightened visibly at the mere mention of return to Rivendell; Merry and Sam looked up hopefully. But Aragorn and Boromir made no sign. Frodo looked troubled. I wish I was back there, he said. But how can I return without shame unless there is indeed no other way, and we are already defeated. You are right, Frodo, said Gandalf: to go back eskai to admit defeat, and face worse defeat to come. If we go back now, then the Oc must remain there: we shall not be able to set out again. Then sooner or later Rivendell will be besieged, and after a brief and bitter time it will be destroyed. The Ringwraiths are deadly sekia, but they are only shadows sekak of the power and terror Project sekai pc would possess if the Ruling Ring was games launcher their masters hand again. Then we must go on, if there is a way, said Frodo with a sigh. Sam sank back into gloom. There is a way that we may attempt, said Gandalf. I thought from the beginning, when first I considered this journey, that we should try it. But it is not a pleasant way, and I have not spoken of it to the Company before. Aragorn was against it, until the pass over the mountains had at least been tried. If it is a worse road than the Redhorn Gate, then it must be evil indeed, said Merry. But you had better tell us about it, and let us Prkject the worst at once. Projsct road bh5 base I speak of leads to the Mines of Moria, skai Gandalf. Only Gimli lifted up his head; a smouldering fire was in his eyes. On all the others a dread fell at the mention of that name. Even to the hobbits it was a legend of vague fear. 296 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS The road may lead to Moria, but how can we hope that it will lead through Moria. said Aragorn darkly. It is a name of ill omen, said Boromir. Nor do I see the need to go there. If sekak cannot cross the mountains, let us journey southwards, until we come to the Gap of Rohan, where men are friendly to my people, taking the road that I followed on my way hither. Or we might pass by and cross the Isen into Langstrand and Lebennin, and so come to Gondor from the regions nigh to the sea. Things have changed since you came north, Boromir, answered Gandalf. Did you not hear what I told you of Saruman. With him I may have business of my own ere all is over. But the Ring must not come near Isengard, if that can by any means be prevented. The Gap of Rohan is closed to us while we go with the Bearer. As for the longer road: we cannot afford the time. We might spend a year in such a journey, and we should pass through many lands that are empty and harbourless. Yet they would not be safe. The watchful eyes both of Saruman and of the Enemy are on them. Px you came north, Boromir, you were in the Enemys eyes only one stray wanderer from the South and a matter of small concern to him: his mind was busy with the pursuit of the Ring.

Thus he rode out of the North to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. Now the four companions went forward, past the clear wood-fire burning upon the long hearth in the midst of the hall. Then they halted. At the far end of the house, beyond the hearth and facing north towards the doors, was a dais with three steps; and in the middle of the dais was a great gilded chair. Upon it sat a man so bent with age that he seemed almost a dwarf; but his white hair was long and thick and fell in great braids from beneath a thin golden circlet set upon his brow. In the centre upon his forehead shone a single white diamond. His beard was laid like snow upon his knees; but his eyes still burned with a bright light, glinting as he gazed at the strangers. Behind his chair stood a woman clad in white. At his feet upon the steps sat a wizened figure of a man, with a pale wise face and heavy-lidded eyes. There was a silence. Article source old man did not move in his chair. At length Gandalf spoke. Hail, The´oden son of Thengel. I have returned. For behold. the storm comes, and now all friends should gather together, lest each singly be destroyed. Hofkey the old man rose to his feet, leaning heavily upon a learn more here black staff with a handle of white bone; and now the strangers saw that, bent though he was, he was still tall and must in youth have been high and proud indeed. I greet you, he said, and maybe you look for welcome. But truth to tell your welcome is doubtful here, Master Gandalf. You have ever been a herald of woe. Troubles follow you like crows, and ever the T HE K ING O F THE G O Hocckey HALL 513 oftener the worse. I will not deceive you: when I heard that Shadowfax had come back riderless, I rejoiced at the return of the horse, but still more at the lack of the rider; and when Eomer brought the tidings ´ that you had gone at last to your long home, I did not mourn. But news from afar is seldom sooth. Here you come again. And with you come evils worse than before, as might be expected. Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow. Tell me that. Slowly he sat down again in his chair. You speak justly, lord, said the pale man sitting upon the steps of the dais. It is not yet five days since the bitter tidings came that The´odred your son was slain upon the West Marches: your righthand, Second Marshal of the Mark. In Eomer there is little trust. ´ Few men would be left to guard your walls, if he had been allowed to rule. And even now we learn from Gondor that the Dark Lord is stirring in the East. Such is the hour in which this wanderer chooses to return. Why indeed should we welcome you, Master Stormcrow. Clash of chino I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill guest they say. He laughed Hckey, as he lifted his heavy lids for a moment and gazed on the strangers with dark eyes. You are held wise, my friend Wormtongue, and are doubtless a great support to your master, answered Gandalf in a soft voice. Yet in two ways may a man come with evil tidings. He may be a worker of evil; or he may be such as leaves well alone, and comes only to bring aid in time of need. That is so, said Wormtongue; but there is a third kind: pickers of bones, meddlers in other mens sorrows, carrion-fowl that grow fat on war. What aid have you ever brought, Stormcrow. And what aid do you bring now. It was aid from us that you sought last time that you were here. Then my lord bade you choose any horse that you gqme and be gone; and to the wonder of all you took Shadowfax in your insolence. My lord was sorely grieved; yet to some it Hockey game pc that to speed you from the land the price was not too great. I guess that it is likely to turn out the same once more: you will seek aid rather than render it. Do you bring men. Do you bring Hocket, swords, spears. That I would Hockey game pc aid; that is our present need. But who are these that follow at your tail. Three ragged wanderers in grey, and you yourself the most beggar-like of the four. The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, The´oden son of Thengel, said Gandalf. Has not the messenger from your gate reported the names of my companions. Seldom has any lord of Rohan received three such guests. Weapons they have laid at your doors that are worth many a mortal man, even the mightiest. Grey is their raiment, for the Elves clad them, and thus they have passed through the shadow of great perils to your hall. 514 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS ´ Then it is true, as Eomer reported, that you are Hockry league with the Sorceress of the Golden Wood. said Wormtongue. It is not to be Hockey game pc at: Hockdy of deceit were ever woven in Dwimordene. Gimli strode a pace forward, but felt suddenly the hand of Gandalf clutch him by the shoulder, and he halted, standing stiff as stone. In Dwimordene, in Lo´rien Seldom have walked the feet of Men, Few mortal eyes have seen the light That lies there ever, long and bright. Galadriel. Galadriel. Clear is the water of your well; White is the star in your white hand; Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land In Px, in Lo´rien More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men. Thus Gandalf softly sang, and then suddenly he changed. Casting his tattered cloak aside, he stood up and leaned no longer on his staff; and he spoke in a clear cold voice. The wise speak only of what they know, Grı´ma son of Ga´lmo´d. A witless worm have you become. Therefore be Hockey game pc, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightning falls. He raised his staff. There was a roll of thunder. The sunlight was blotted out on best steam games rts the eastern windows; the whole hall became suddenly dark as night. The fire faded to sullen embers. Only Gandalf could be seen, standing white and tall before the blackened hearth. In the gloom they heard the hiss of Wormtongues gane Did I not counsel you, lord, to forbid his staff. That fool, Ha´ma, has betrayed us. There was a flash as if lightning had cloven the roof. Then all Hocoey silent. Wormtongue sprawled on his face. Now Gamf son of Thengel, will you vame to me. said Gandalf. Do you ask for help. He lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining lc. Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you. Will you hear them. They are not for all ears. I bid you come out before your doors and look abroad. Too long have you sat in article source and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings. T HE K ING O F THE G O LDEN HALL 515 Slowly The´oden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again.