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He whispered. Steps. Lots of steps. Must be careful. Care was certainly needed. Frodo and Sam at first felt easier, having now a wall on either side, but the stairway was almost as steep as a ladder, and as they climbed up and up, they became more and more aware of the long black fall behind them. And the steps were narrow, spaced unevenly, and often treacherous: they were worn and smooth at the edges, and some were broken, and some cracked as foot was set upon them. The hobbits struggled on, until at last they were clinging with desperate fingers to the steps ahead, and forcing their aching knees to bend and straighten; and ever as the stair cut its way deeper into the sheer mountain the rocky walls rose higher and higher above their heads. At length, just as they felt that they could endure no more, they saw Gollums eyes peering down at them again. Were up, he whispered. First stairs past. Clever hobbits to climb so high, very clever hobbits. Just a few more little steps and thats all, yes. Dizzy and very tired Sam, and Frodo following him, crawled up the last step, and sat down rubbing their legs and knees. They were T HE STAIR S O F CIRITH U NGOL 709 in a deep dark passage that seemed still to go up before them, though at a gentler slope and without steps. Gollum did not let them rest long. Theres another stair still, he said. Much longer stair. Rest when we get to the top of next stair. Not yet. Sam groaned. Longer, did you say. he asked. Yes, yess, longer, said Gollum. But not so difficult. Hobbits have climbed the Straight Stair. Next comes apex legends transfer xbox Winding Stair. And what after that. said Sam. We shall see, said Gollum softly. O yes, we shall see. I thought you said there was a tunnel, said Sam. Isnt there a tunnel or something to go through. O yes, theres a tunnel, said Gollum. But hobbits can rest before they try that. If they get through that, theyll be nearly at the top. Very nearly, if they get through. O yes. Frodo shivered. The climb had made him sweat, but now he felt cold and clammy, and there was a chill draught in the dark passage, blowing down from the invisible heights above. He got up and shook himself. Well, lets go on. he said. This is no place to sit in. The passage seemed to go on for miles, and always the chill air flowed over them, rising as they went on to a bitter wind. The mountains seemed to be trying with their deadly breath to daunt them, to turn them back from the secrets of the high places, or to blow them away into the darkness behind. They only knew that they had come to the end, when suddenly they felt no wall at their right hand. They could see very little. Great black shapeless masses and deep grey shadows loomed above them and about them, but now and again a dull red light flickered up under the lowering clouds, and for a moment they were aware of tall peaks, in front and on either side, like pillars holding up a vast sagging roof. They tables equation to have climbed up many hundreds of feet, on to a wide shelf. A cliff was on their left and a chasm on their right. Gollum led the way close under the cliff. For the present they were no longer climbing, but the ground was now more broken and dangerous in the dark, and there were blocks and lumps of fallen stone in the way. Their going was slow and cautious. How many hours had passed since they had entered the Morgul Vale neither Sam nor Frodo could any longer guess. The night seemed endless. At length they were once more aware of go here wall looming up, and once more a stairway opened before them. Again they halted, and again they began to climb. It was a long and weary ascent; but this stairway did not delve into the mountain-side. Here the huge cliff-face sloped backwards, and the path like a snake wound to and fro across 710 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS it. At one point it crawled sideways right to the edge of the dark chasm, and Frodo glancing down saw below him as a vast deep pit the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Valley. Down in its depths glimmered like a glow-worm thread the wraith-road from the dead city to the Nameless Pass. He turned hastily away. Still on and up the stairway bent and crawled, until at last with a final flight, short and straight, it climbed out again on to another level. The path had veered away from the main pass in the great ravine, and it now followed its own perilous course at the bottom of a lesser cleft among the higher regions of the Ephel Du´ ath. Dimly the hobbits could discern tall piers and jagged pinnacles of stone on either side, between which were great crevices and fissures blacker than the night, where forgotten winters had gnawed and carved the sunless stone. And now the red light in the sky seemed stronger; though they could not tell whether a dreadful morning were indeed coming to this place of shadow, or whether they saw only the flame of some great violence of Sauron in the torment of Gorgoroth beyond. Still far ahead, and still high above, Frodo, looking up, saw, as he guessed, the very crown of this bitter road. Against the sullen redness of the eastern sky a cleft was outlined in the topmost ridge, narrow, deep-cloven between two black shoulders; and on either shoulder was a horn of stone. He paused and looked more attentively. The horn upon the left was tall and slender; and in it burned a red light, or else the red light in the land beyond was shining through a hole. He saw now: it was a black tower poised above the outer pass. He touched Sams arm and pointed. I dont like the look of that. said Sam. So this secret way of yours is guarded after all, he growled, turning to Gollum. As you knew all along, I suppose. All ways are watched, yes, said Gollum. Of course they are. But hobbits must try some way. This may be least watched. Perhaps theyve all gone away to big battle, perhaps. Perhaps, grunted Sam. Well, it still seems a long way off, and a long way up before we get there. And theres still the tunnel. I think you ought to rest now, Mr. Frodo. I dont know what time of day or night it is, but weve kept going for hours and hours. Yes, we must rest, said Frodo. Let us find some corner out of the wind, and gather our strength for the last lap. For so he felt it to be. The terrors of the land beyond, and the deed to be done there, seemed remote, too far off yet to trouble him. All his mind was bent on getting through or over this impenetrable wall and guard. If once he could do that impossible thing, then somehow the T HE Apex care hamilton S O F CIRITH U NGOL 711 errand would be accomplished, or so it seemed to him in that dark hour of weariness, still labouring in the stony shadows under Cirith Steam by price. In a dark crevice between two great piers of rock they sat down: Frodo and Sam a little way within, and Gollum crouched upon the ground near the opening. There the hobbits took what they expected would be their last meal before they went down into the Nameless Land, maybe the last meal they would ever eat together. Some of the food of Gondor they ate, and wafers of the waybread of the Elves, and they drank a little. But of their water they were sparing and took only enough to moisten their dry mouths. I wonder when well find water again. said Sam. But I suppose even over there they drink. Orcs drink, dont they. Yes, they drink, said Frodo. But do not let us speak of that. Such drink is not for us. Then all the more need to fill our bottles, said Sam. But there isnt any water up here: not a sound or a trickle have I heard. And anyway Faramir said we were not to drink any water in Morgul. No water flowing out of Imlad Morgul, were his words, said Frodo. We are not in that valley now, and if we came on a spring it counter strike source neues update be flowing into it and not out of it. I wouldnt trust it, said Sam, not till I was dying of thirst. Theres a wicked feeling about this place. He sniffed. And a smell, I fancy. Do you notice it. A queer kind of a smell, stuffy. I dont like it. I dont like anything here at all, said Frodo, step or stone, breath or bone. Earth, air and water all seem accursed. But so our path is laid. Yes, thats so, said Sam. And we shouldnt be here at all, if wed known more about it before we started. But I suppose its often that way. The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might say. But thats not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didnt. And if they had, we shouldnt know, because theyd have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same like old Mr. Bilbo. But those arent always the 712 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed Steam cant join multiplayer. I wonder what sort of a tale weve fallen into. I wonder, said Frodo. But I dont know. And thats the way of a real tale. Take any one that youre fond of. You may know, or guess, what kind of a tale it is, happy-ending or sad-ending, but the people in it dont know. And you dont want them to. No, sir, of course not. Beren now, he never thought he was going to get that Silmaril from the Iron Crown in Thangorodrim, and yet he did, and that was a worse place and a blacker danger than ours. But thats a long tale, of course, and goes on past the happiness and into grief and beyond it and the Silmaril went on and came to Ea¨rendil. And why, sir, I never thought of that before. Weve got youve got some of the light of it in that star-glass that the Lady gave you. Why, to think of it, were in the same tale still. Its going on. Dont the great tales never end. No, they never end as tales, said Frodo. But the people in them come, and go when their parts ended. Our part will end later or sooner. And then we can have some rest and some sleep, said Sam. He laughed grimly. And I mean just that, Mr. Frodo. I mean plain ordinary rest, and sleep, and waking up to a mornings work in the garden. Im afraid thats all Im hoping for all the time. All the big important plans are not for my sort. Still, I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. Were in one, of course; but I mean: thank xbox game pass no steam deck remarkable into words, you know, told by the fireside, or read out of a great big book with red and black letters, years and years afterwards. And people will say: Lets hear about Frodo and the Ring. And theyll say: Yes, thats one of my favourite stories. Frodo was very brave, wasnt he, dad. Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and thats saying a lot. Its saying a lot too much, said Frodo, and he laughed, a long clear laugh from his heart. Such a sound had not been heard in those places since Sauron came to Middle-earth. To Sam suddenly it seemed as if all the stones were listening and the tall rocks leaning over them. But Frodo did not heed them; he laughed again. Why, Sam, he said, to hear you somehow makes me as merry as if the story was already written. But youve left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didnt they put in more of his talk, dad. Thats what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldnt have got far without Sam, would he, dad. Now, Mr. Frodo, said Sam, you shouldnt make fun. I was serious. So was I, said Frodo, and so I am. Were going on a bit too T HE STAIR S O F CIRITH U NGOL 713 fast. You and I, Sam, are still stuck in the worst places of the story, and it is all too likely that some will say at this point: Shut the book now, dad; Steam cant join multiplayer dont want to read any more. Maybe, said Sam, but I wouldnt be one to say that. Things done and over and made into part of the great tales are different. Why, even Gollum might be good in a tale, better than he is to have by you, anyway. And he used to like tales himself once, by his own account. I wonder if he thinks hes the hero or the villain. Gollum. he called. Would you like to be the hero now wheres he got to again. There was no sign of him at the mouth of their shelter nor in the shadows near. He had refused their food, though he had, as usual, accepted a mouthful of water; and then he had seemed to curl up for a sleep. They had supposed that one at any rate of his objects in his long absence the day before had been to hunt for food to his own liking; and now he had evidently slipped off again while they talked. But what for this time. I dont like his sneaking off without saying, said Sam. And least of all now. He cant be looking for food up here, not unless theres some kind of rock he fancies. Why, there isnt even a bit of moss. Its no good worrying about him now, said Frodo. We couldnt have got so far, not even within sight of the pass, without him, and so well have to put up with his ways. If hes false, hes false. All the same, Id rather have him under my eye, said Sam. All the more so, if hes false. Do you remember he never would say if this pass was guarded or no. And now we see a tower there and it may be deserted, and it may not. Do you think hes gone to fetch them, Orcs or whatever they are. No, I dont think so, answered Frodo. Even if hes up to some wickedness, and I suppose thats not unlikely. I dont think its that: not to fetch Orcs, or any servants of the Enemy. Why wait till now, and go through all the labour of the climb, and come so near the land he fears. He could probably have betrayed us to Orcs many times since we met him. No, if its anything, it will be some little private trick of his own that he thinks is quite secret. Well, I suppose youre right, Mr. Frodo, said Sam. Not that it comforts me mightily. I dont make no mistake: I dont doubt hed hand me over to Orcs as gladly as kiss his hand. But I was forgetting his Precious. No, I suppose the whole time its been The Precious for poor Sme´agol. Thats the one idea in all his little schemes, if he has any. But how bringing us up here will help him in that is more than I can guess. Very likely he cant guess himself, said Frodo. And I dont think hes got just one plain scheme in his muddled head. I think he really 714 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS is in part trying to save the Precious from the Enemy, as long as he can. For that would be the last disaster for himself too, if the Enemy got it. And in the other part, perhaps, hes just biding his time and waiting on chance. Yes, Slinker and Stinker, as Ive said before, said Sam. But the nearer they get to the Enemys land the more like Stinker Slinker please click for source get. Mark my words: if ever we get to the pass, he wont let us really take the precious thing over the border without making some kind of trouble. We havent got there yet, said Frodo. No, but wed better keep our eyes skinned till we do. If were caught napping, Stinker will come out on top pretty quick. Not but what it would be safe for you to have a wink now, master. Safe, if you lay close to me. Id be dearly glad to see you have a sleep. Id keep watch over you; and anyway, if you lay near, with my arm round you, no one could come pawing you without your Sam knowing it. Sleep. said Frodo and sighed, as if out of a desert he had seen a mirage of cool green. Yes, even here I could sleep. Sleep then, master. Lay your head in my lap. And so Gollum found them hours later, when he returned, crawling and creeping down the path out of the gloom ahead. Sam sat propped against the stone, his head dropping sideways and his breathing heavy. In his lap lay Frodos cs шапки counter strike, drowned deep in sleep; upon his white forehead lay one of Sams brown hands, and the other lay softly upon his masters breast. Peace was in both their faces. Gollum looked at them. A strange expression passed over his lean hungry face. The gleam faded from his eyes, and they went dim and grey, old and tired. A spasm of pain seemed to twist him, and he turned away, peering back up towards the pass, shaking his head, as if engaged in some interior debate. Then he came back, and slowly putting out a trembling hand, very cautiously he touched Frodos knee but almost the touch was a caress. For a fleeting moment, could one of the sleepers have seen him, they would have thought that they beheld an old weary hobbit, shrunken by the years that had carried him far beyond his time, beyond friends and kin, and the fields and streams of youth, an old starved pitiable thing. But at that touch Frodo stirred and cried out softly in his sleep, and immediately Sam was wide awake. The first thing he saw was Gollum pawing at master, as he thought. Hey you. he said roughly. What are you up to. Nothing, nothing, said Gollum softly. Nice Master. I daresay, said Sam. But where have you been to sneaking off and sneaking back, you old villain. T HE STAIR S O F CIRITH U NGOL 715 Gollum withdrew himself, and a green glint flickered under his heavy lids. Almost spider-like he looked now, crouched back on his bent limbs, with his protruding eyes.
Nor me, muttered Sam. Of course not. said Gandalf. Who would. But the question is: who will follow me, if I Baldurs gate 3 karmic dice v en you there. I will, said Gimli eagerly. I will, said Aragorn heavily. You followed my lead almost to disaster in the snow, and dive said no word of blame. I will follow your lead now if this last warning does not move you. It is not of the Ring, nor of us others that I am thinking now, but of you, Gandalf. And I say to you: if you pass the doors of Moria, beware. I will not Baldurs gate 3 karmic dice v en, said Boromir; not unless the vote of the whole Company is against me. What do Legolas and the little folk say. The Ring-bearers voice surely should be heard. I do not wish to go to Moria, said Legolas. The hobbits said nothing. Sam Baldurs gate 3 karmic dice v en at Frodo. At last Frodo spoke. I do not wish to go, he said; but neither do I wish to refuse the advice of Gandalf. I beg that there should be no vote, karnic we have slept on it. Gandalf will get votes easier in the light of the morning than in this cold gloom. How the wind howls. At these words all fell into silent thought. They heard the wind hissing among the rocks and trees, and there was a howling and wailing round them in the empty spaces of the night. Suddenly Aragorn leapt to Baldugs feet. How the wind howls. he cried. It is howling with wolf-voices. The Wargs have come west of the Mountains. Need we wait until morning then. said Gandalf. It is as I said. The hunt is up. Even if we live to see the dawn, who now will wish to journey south by night with the wild wolves on his trail. How far is Moria. asked Boromir. 298 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS There was a door south-west of Caradhras, some fifteen miles as the crow flies, and maybe twenty as the wolf runs, answered Bapdurs grimly. Then let us start as soon as it is light tomorrow, if we can, said Boromir. The wolf that one hears is worse than the orc that one fears. True. said Aragorn, loosening his sword in its sheath. But where topic server counter strike global offensive impossible warg howls, there also the orc prowls. I wish I had taken Elronds advice, muttered Pippin to Sam. I am no good after all. There is not enough of the breed of Bandobras the Bullroarer in me: these howls freeze my blood. I dont ever remember feeling so wretched. My hearts right down in my toes, Badurs. Pippin, said Sam. But we arent etten yet, and there are some stout folk here with us. Whatever may be in store for old Gandalf, Ill wager it isnt a gate 3 questions baldurs expansion belly. For their defence in the night the Company climbed to the top of the small hill under which they had been sheltering. It was crowned with a knot of old and twisted trees, about which lay a broken circle of boulder-stones. In the midst of this they lit a fire, for there was no hope that darkness and silence would keep their trail from discovery by the hunting packs. Round the fire they sat, and those that were not on guard dozed uneasily. Poor Bill the pony trembled and sweated where he stood. The howling of the wolves was now all round them, sometimes nearer and sometimes further off. In the dead of night many shining eyes were seen peering over the brow of the hill. Some advanced almost to the ring of stones. At a gap in the circle a great dark wolf-shape could be seen halted, gazing at them. A shuddering howl Baldurs gate 3 karmic dice v en from him, as if he were a Baldurs gate 3 karmic dice v en summoning his pack to the assault. Gandalf gatw up and strode forward, holding his staff aloft. Listen, Hound of Sauron. he cried. Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin. I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring. The wolf snarled and sprang towards them with a great leap. At that moment there was a sharp twang. Legolas had loosed his bow. There was a hideous yell, and the leaping shape thudded to the ground; the Elvish arrow dife pierced its throat. The watching eyes were suddenly extinguished. Gandalf and Aragorn strode forward, but the hill was deserted; the hunting packs had fled. All about them the darkness grew silent, and no cry came on Baldjrs sighing wind. The night was old, and westward the waning moon was setting, gleaming fitfully through the breaking clouds. Suddenly Frodo started A J O URNEY IN T HE DARK 299 from sleep. Without warning a storm of howls broke out fierce and wild all about the camp. A great host of Wargs had gathered silently and was now attacking them from every side at once. Fling fuel on the fire. cried Gandalf to the hobbits. Draw your blades, and stand back to back. In the leaping light, as the fresh wood blazed up, Frodo saw many grey shapes spring over the ring of stones. More and more followed. Through the throat of one huge leader Kramic passed his sword with a thrust; with a great sweep Boromir hewed the head off another.
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