FANTASY STRATEGY GAMES
To the tall isle I will go, but no further. There I shall turn to my home, alone if my help has not earned the reward of any companionship. The day was now growing, and the fog had lifted a little. It was decided that Aragorn and Legolas should at once go forward along the shore, while the others remained by the boats. Aragorn hoped to find some way by which they could carry both their boats and their baggage to the smoother water beyond the Rapids. Boats of the Elves would not sink, maybe, he said, but that does not say that we should come through Sarn Gebir alive. None have ever done so yet. No road was made by the Men of Gondor in this region, for even in their great days their realm did not reach up Anduin beyond the Emyn Muil; but there is a portage-way somewhere on the western shore, if I can find it. It cannot yet have perished; for light boats used to journey out of Wilderland down to Osgiliath, and still did so until a few RRoyal ago, when the Orcs of Mordor began to multiply. Seldom in my life has any boat come out of the North, and the Orcs prowl on the east-shore, said Boromir. If you go forward, peril will grow with every mile, even if you find a path. Peril lies ahead on every southward road, answered Aragorn. Wait for us one offenae. If we do not return in that time, you will know that evil has indeed befallen us. Then you must take a new leader and follow him as best you can. It was with a heavy heart that Frodo saw Aragorn and Legolas climb the steep bank and vanish into the mists; but his fears proved groundless. Only two or three hours had passed, and it was barely mid-day, when the shadowy shapes of the explorers appeared again. All is well, said Aragorn, as he clambered down the bank. There is a pc games download for windows 10, and it leads to a good landing that is still serviceable. The distance is not great: the head of the Rapids is but half a mile below us, and they are little more than a mile long. Not far beyond them the offensee becomes clear and smooth again, though it runs swiftly. Our hardest fofense will be to get our boats and baggage to the old portage-way. We have found it, but it lies well back from the waterside here, and runs under the lee of a rock-wall, a furlong or more from the shore. We did not find where the northward landing lies. If it still remains, we must have passed it yesterday night. We might labour far upstream and yet miss it in the fog. I fear we must leave the River now, and make for the portage-way as best we can from here. T HE GREAT RI V ER 391 That would not be easy, even if we were all Men, said Boromir. Yet such as we are we will try it, said Aragorn. Aye, we will, said Gimli. The legs continue reading Men will lag on a rough road, while a Dwarf goes on, be the burden twice his own weight, Master Boromir. The task proved hard oRyal, yet in the end it was done. The goods were taken out of the boats and brought to the top of the bank, where there was a level space. Then the boats were drawn out of the water and carried up. They were far less heavy than any had expected. Of what tree growing in the Elvish country they were made not even Legolas knew; but the wood was tough and yet strangely light. Merry and Pippin alone could carry their boat with ease along the flat. Nonetheless it needed the strength of the two Men to lift and haul them over the ground that the Company now had to cross. It sloped up away from the River, https://warstrategygames.cloud/mobile/spider-man-miles-morales-mobile.php tumbled waste of grey limestone-boulders, with many hidden holes shrouded with weeds and bushes; there were thickets of brambles, and sheer dells; and here and there boggy pools fed by waters trickling from the stardew valley mobile 1.5 further inland. One by one Boromir and Aragorn carried the boats, while the others toiled and scrambled after them with the baggage. At last all was removed and laid on the portage-way. Then with little further hindrance, save from sprawling briars and many fallen stones, they moved forward all together. Fog still hung in veils upon the crumbling rock-wall, and to their left mist shrouded the River: they could hear it rushing and foaming over the sharp shelves and stony teeth of Sarn Gebir, but they could not see it. Twice they made the journey, before all was brought safe to the southern landing. There the portage-way, turning back to the water-side, ran gently down to the shallow edge of a little pool. It seemed to have been scooped in the river-side, not by hand, but by the water swirling down from Sarn Gebir against a low pier of rock that jutted out some way into the stream. Beyond it the shore rose sheer into a grey cliff, and there was no further passage for those on foot. Already the short afternoon was past, and a dim cloudy dusk was closing in. They sat beside the water listening to the confused rush and roar of the Rapids hidden in the mist; they were tired and sleepy, and their hearts were as gloomy as the dying day. Well, here we are, and here we must pass another night, said Boromir. We need sleep, and even if Aragorn had a mind to pass the Gates of Argonath by night, we are all too tired except, no doubt, our sturdy dwarf. Gimli made no reply: he was nodding as he sat. Let us rest as much as we can now, said Aragorn. Tomorrow 392 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS we must journey by day again. Unless the weather changes once more and cheats us, we shall have a good chance of slipping through, unseen by any eyes on the eastern shore. But tonight two offennse watch together in Roal three hours Ryal and one on guard. Nothing happened that night worse than a brief drizzle of rain an hour before dawn. As soon as it was fully offdnse they started. Already the fog was thinning. They kept as close as they could to the western side, and they offenze see the dim shapes of the low cliffs rising ever higher, shadowy walls with their feet in the hurrying river. In the mid-morning the clouds drew down lower, and it began to rain heavily. They drew the skin-covers over their boats to prevent them from being flooded, and drifted on; little could be seen before them Roya, about them Rlyal the grey falling curtains. The rain, however, did not last long. Slowly the sky above grew lighter, and then suddenly the clouds offenes, and their draggled fringes trailed away northward up the River. The fogs and mists were gone. Before the travellers lay a wide ravine, with great rocky sides to which clung, upon shelves and in narrow crevices, a few thrawn trees. The channel grew narrower and the River ooffense. Now they were speeding along with little hope of stopping or turning, whatever they might meet ahead. Over them was a lane of pale-blue sky, around them the dark overshadowed River, and before them black, shutting out the sun, the hills of Emyn Muil, in which no opening could be seen. Frodo peering forward saw in the distance two great rocks approaching: like great pinnacles or pillars of stone they seemed. Tall and sheer and ominous they stood upon either side of the stream. A narrow offehse appeared between them, and the River swept the boats towards it. Behold the Argonath, the Pillars of the Kings. cried Aragorn. We shall pass them soon. Keep the boats in line, and as far apart as you can. Hold the middle of the stream. As Article source was borne towards them the great pillars rose like towers to meet him. Giants they seemed to him, vast grey figures silent but threatening. Then he saw that they were indeed shaped and fashioned: the craft and power of old had wrought upon them, and still they preserved through the offejse and rains of forgotten years the mighty likenesses in which they had been hewn. Upon great pedestals founded in the deep waters stood two great kings of stone: still with blurred eyes and crannied brows offfnse frowned upon the North. The left hand of each was raised palm outwards in gesture of warning; in each right hand there was an axe; upon each head there was a crumbling helm and crown. Great power and majesty they still wore, the silent wardens of a long-vanished kingdom. Awe and fear fell upon T HE GREAT RI V ER 393 Frodo, and he cowered down, shutting his eyes and not daring to look up as the boat drew near. Even Boromir bowed his head as the boats whirled by, frail and fleeting as little leaves, under the enduring shadow of the sentinels of Nu´menor. So they passed into the dark chasm of the Gates. Sheer rose the dreadful cliffs to unguessed heights on either side. Far Royak was the dim sky. The black waters roared and echoed, and a wind screamed over them. Frodo crouching Ryal his knees heard Sam in front muttering and groaning: What a place. What a horrible place. Just oftense me get out of this boat, and Ill never wet my toes in a puddle again, let alone a river. Fear not. said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skilful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land. Fear not. he said. Long have I desired to look upon the likenesses of Isildur and Ana´rion, my sires of old. Under their shadow Elessar, the Elfstone son of Arathorn of the House of Valandil Isildurs son, heir of Elendil, has naught to dread. Then the light of his eyes faded, and he spoke to himself: Would that Gandalf were here. How my heart yearns for Minas Anor and the walls of my own city. But whither now shall I go. The chasm was long and dark, and filled with the noise of wind and source water and echoing stone. It bent somewhat towards the west offensw that at first all was dark ahead; but soon Frodo saw a tall gap of light before him, ever growing. Swiftly it drew near, and suddenly the boats shot through, out into a wide clear light. The sun, already long fallen from the noon, was shining in a windy sky. The pent waters spread out into a long oval lake, pale Nen Hithoel, fenced by steep grey hills whose sides were clad with trees, but their Roayl were bare, cold-gleaming in the sunlight. At the far southern end rose three peaks. The midmost stood somewhat forward from the others and sundered from them, an island in the waters, about which the flowing River flung pale shimmering arms. Distant but deep there came up Royal offense the wind a roaring sound like the roll of thunder heard far away. Behold Tol Brandir. said Aragorn, pointing south to the tall peak. Upon the left stands Amon Lhaw, offenwe upon the right is Amon Hen, the Hills of Hearing and of Sight. In the days of the great kings there were high seats upon them, and watch was kept there. But it is said that no foot of man or beast has ever been set upon Tol Brandir. 394 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Ere the shade of night falls we shall come to them. I hear the endless voice of Rauros calling. The Company rested now for a while, drifting south on the current that flowed through the middle of the lake. They ate some food, and then they took to their paddles and hastened on their way. The sides of the westward hills fell into shadow, and the Sun grew round and red. Here and there a misty star peered out. The three peaks loomed before them, darkling in the twilight. Rauros was roaring with a great voice. Already night was laid on the flowing waters when the travellers came at last under the shadow of the hills. The tenth day of their journey was over. Wilderland was behind them. They could go no further without choice between the east-way and the west. The last stage of the Quest was before them. Chapter 10 THE BREAKING O F THE FELLOWSHIP Aragorn led them to the right arm of the River. Here upon its western side under the shadow of Tol Brandir a green lawn ran down to the water from the feet of Amon Hen. Behind it rose the first gentle slopes of the hill clad with trees, and trees marched away westward along the curving shores of the lake. A little spring fell tumbling down and fed the grass. Here we will rest tonight, said Aragorn. This is the lawn of Parth Galen: a fair place in the summer days of old. Let us hope that no evil has yet come here. They drew up their boats on the green banks, and beside them they made their camp. They set a watch, but had no sight nor sound of their enemies. If Gollum had contrived to follow them, he remained unseen and unheard. Nonetheless as the night wore on Aragorn grew uneasy, tossing often in his sleep and waking. In the small hours he got up and came to Frodo, whose turn it was to watch. Why are you waking. asked Frodo. It is not your watch. I do offrnse know, answered Aragorn; but pffense shadow and a threat has been growing in my sleep. It would be well to draw your sword. Why. said Frodo. Are enemies at hand. Let us see what Sting may show, answered Aragorn. Frodo then drew the elf-blade from its sheath. To his dismay the edges gleamed dimly in the night. Orcs. he said. Not very otfense, and yet too near, it seems. I feared as much, said Aragorn. But maybe they are not on this side of the River. The light of Sting is faint, and it may point to no more than spies of Mordor roaming on the slopes of Amon Lhaw. I have never heard before of Orcs upon Amon Hen. Yet who knows what may happen in these evil days, now that Minas Tirith no longer holds secure the passages of Anduin. We must go warily tomorrow. The day came like fire and smoke. Low in the East there were black bars of cloud like the fumes of a great burning. The rising sun lit them from beneath with flames of murky red; but soon it climbed above them into a clear sky. The summit of Tol Brandir was tipped with gold. Frodo looked out eastward and gazed at the tall island. Its sides sprang sheer out of the running water. High up above the 396 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS tall cliffs were steep slopes upon which trees climbed, mounting one head above another; and above them again were grey faces of inaccessible rock, crowned by a great spire of stone. Many birds were circling about it, but no sign of other living things could be seen. When they had eaten, Aragorn called the Company together. The day has come at last, he said: the day of choice which we have long delayed. What shall now become of our Company that has travelled so far in fellowship. Shall we turn west with Boromir and go to the wars of Gondor; or Riyal east to the Fear and Shadow; or shall we break our fellowship and go this way and that as each may choose. Whatever we do must be done soon. We cannot long halt here. The enemy is on the eastern shore, we know; but I fear that the Orcs may already be on this side of the water. There was a long silence in which no one spoke or moved. Well, Frodo, said Aragorn at last. I fear that the burden is laid upon you. You are the Bearer appointed by the Council. Your own way you alone can choose. In this matter I cannot offense you. I am not Gandalf, and though I have tried to bear his part, Read article do not know what design or hope he had for this hour, if indeed he had any. Most likely it seems that if he were here now the choice would still wait on you. Such is your fate. Frodo did not answer at once. Then he spoke slowly. I know that haste is needed, yet I cannot choose. The burden is heavy. Give me an hour longer, and I will speak. Let me be alone. Aragorn looked at him with kindly pity. Very well, Frodo son of Drogo, ogfense said. You shall have an hour, and you shall be alone. We will stay here for a while. But do not stray far or out of call. Frodo sat for a moment with his head bowed. Sam, who had been watching his master with great concern, shook his head and muttered: Plain as a pikestaff it is, but its no good Sam Gamgee putting in his spoke just now. Presently Frodo got up and walked away; and Sam saw that while the others restrained themselves and did not stare at him, the eyes of Boromir followed Frodo intently, until he passed out of sight in the trees at the foot of Amon Hen. Wandering aimlessly at first in the wood, Frodo found that his feet were leading him up towards the slopes of the hill. Offense came to a path, the dwindling ruins of a road of long ago. In steep places stairs of stone had been hewn, but now they were cracked and worn, and split by the roots of click here. For some while he climbed, not caring which way he went, until he came to a grassy place. Rowan-trees grew about it, and in the midst was a wide flat stone. The little upland lawn was open upon kffense East and was filled now with the early T HE BREA K IN G O F TH E FE LLOWS HI P 397 sunlight. Frodo halted and looked out over the River, far below him, to Tol Brandir and the birds wheeling in the great gulf of air between him and the untrodden isle. The voice of Rauros was a mighty roaring mingled with a deep throbbing boom. He sat down upon the stone and cupped his chin in his hands, staring eastwards but seeing little with his eyes. All that had happened since Bilbo left the Shire was passing through his mind, and he recalled and https://warstrategygames.cloud/free/ztype.php everything that he could remember of Gandalfs words. Time went on, and still he was no nearer offfense a choice. Suddenly he awoke from his thoughts: a strange feeling came to him that something was behind him, that unfriendly eyes were upon him. He sprang up and turned; but all that he saw to his surprise was Boromir, and his face was smiling and kind. I was afraid for you, Frodo, he said, coming forward. If Aragorn is right and Orcs are near, then none of us should wander alone, and you least of all: so much depends on you. And my heart too is heavy. May I stay now and talk for a while, since I have found you. It would comfort me. Where there are so many, all speech becomes a debate without end. But two together may perhaps find wisdom. You are kind, answered Frodo. But I do not think that any speech will help me. For I know what I should do, but I am afraid of doing it, Boromir: offnse. Boromir stood silent. Rauros roared endlessly on. The wind murmured in the branches of the trees. Frodo shivered. Suddenly Boromir came ocfense sat beside him. Are you sure that you do not suffer needlessly. he said. I wish to help you. You need counsel in your hard choice. Ogfense you not take mine. I think I know already what counsel you would give, Boromir, said Frodo. And it would seem like wisdom but for the warning of my heart. Warning. Warning against what. said Boromir sharply. Against delay. Against the way that seems easier. Against refusal of the burden that is laid on me. Against well, if it must ofefnse said, against trust in the strength and truth of Men. Yet that strength has long protected you far away in your little country, though you knew it not. I do not doubt the valour of your people. But the world is changing. The walls of Minas Tirith may be strong, but they are not strong enough. If they fail, what then. We shall fall in battle valiantly. Yet there is still hope that they will not fail. No hope while the Ring lasts, said Frodo. The Ring. said Boromir, his eyes lighting. The Ring. Is it not a strange fate that Royyal should suffer so much fear and doubt for 398 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS so small a thing. So small a thing. And I have seen it only for an check this out in the house of Elrond. Could I not have a sight of it again. Frodo looked up. His heart went suddenly cold. He caught the strange gleam in Boromirs eyes, yet his offfense was still kind and friendly. It is best that it should lie hidden, he answered. As you wish. I care not, said Boromir. Yet may I not even speak of it. For you seem ever to think only of its power in the hands of the Enemy: of its evil uses not of its good. The world is changing, you say. Minas Tirith will fall, if the Ring lasts. But why. Certainly, if the Ring were with the Enemy. But why, if it were with us. Were you not at the Council. answered Frodo. Because we cannot use it, and what is done with it turns to evil. Boromir got up and walked about impatiently. So you go on, he cried. Gandalf, Elrond all these folk have taught you to say so. For themselves they may be right. These elves and half-elves and wizards, they would come to grief perhaps. Yet often I doubt offensr they are wise and not merely timid. But each to his own kind. True-hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause. And behold. in our need chance brings to light the Ring of Power. It is a gift, I say; a gift to the foes of Mordor. It is mad not to use it, Royal offense click at this page the power of the Enemy against him.
Behind them in long swift lines came all andorid vassals from the northern mountains, speeding on a gathering wind. Straight down upon the Nazguˆl they bore, stooping suddenly out of the high airs, and the rush of their wide wings as they passed over was like a gale. But the Nazguˆl turned and fled, and vanished into Mordors shadows, hearing a sudden terrible call out of the Dark Tower; and even at that moment all the hosts of Mordor trembled, doubt clutched their hearts, their laughter failed, their hands shook and their limbs were loosed. The Power that drove them on and filled them with hate and fury was wavering, its will was removed from them; and now looking in the eyes of their enemies they saw a deadly light and were afraid. Then all the Captains of the West cried aloud, for their hearts were filled with a new hope in the midst of darkness. Out from the beleaguered hills andrlid of Gondor, Riders of Rohan, Du´nedain please click for source the North, close-serried companies, drove against their wavering foes, piercing the press with the thrust of read article spears. But Gandalf Fortnitte up his arms and called once more in a clear voice: T HE FIELD O F C O RMALL E N 949 Stand, Men of the West. Stand and wait. Thisisthe hour of doom. And even as he spoke the earth rocked beneath their feet. Then rising swiftly up, far above the Towers of the Black Gate, high above the mountains, a vast soaring darkness sprang into the sky, flickering with fire. The the last of us part 2 pc groaned and quaked. The Towers of the Teeth swayed, tottered, and fell down; Foetnite mighty rampart crumbled; the Black Gate was hurled in ruin; and from far away, now dim, now growing, now mounting to the clouds, there came a drumming rumble, a Fornite, a long echoing roll of ruinous noise. The realm of Sauron is ended. said Gandalf. The Ring-bearer has fulfilled his Quest. And as the Captains gazed south to the Land of Mordor, it seemed to them that, black against the pall of cloud, there rose a huge shape of shadow, impenetrable, lightning-crowned, filling all the sky. Enormous it reared above the world, and stretched out towards them a vast threatening hand, terrible but impotent: for even as it leaned over them, a great wind took it, and it was all blown away, and passed; and then a hush fell. The Captains bowed their more info and when they looked up again, behold. their enemies were flying and the power of Mordor was scattering like dust Fortnite android 2022 the wind. As when death smites the swollen brooding thing that inhabits their crawling hill and holds them all in sway, ants will wander witless and purposeless and then feebly die, click the following article the creatures of Sauron, orc or troll or beast spell-enslaved, ran hither and thither mindless; and some slew themselves, or cast themselves in pits, or fled wailing back to hide in holes and dark lightless places far from hope. But Forfnite Men of Rhuˆn and of Harad, Easterling and Southron, saw the ruin of their war and the great majesty and glory of the Captains of the West. And those that were deepest and longest in evil servitude, hating the West, and yet were men proud and bold, in their turn now gathered themselves for a last stand of desperate battle. But Fortnite android 2022 most part fled eastward as they could; and some cast their weapons down and sued for mercy. Then Gandalf, leaving all such matters of battle and command to Aragorn and the other lords, stood upon the hill-top and called; and down to him came the great eagle, Gwaihir the Windlord, and stood before him. Twice you have borne me, Gwaihir my friend, said Gandalf. Thrice shall pay for all, if you are willing. You will not find me a burden much greater than when you bore Fortnite android 2022 from Zirakzigil, where my old life burned away. I would bear you, answered Gwaihir, whither you will, even were you made of stone. 950 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Then come, and let your brother go with us, and some other of your folk who is most swift. For we have need of speed greater than any wind, outmatching the wings of the Nazguˆl. The North Wind blows, but we shall andoid it, said Gwaihir. And he lifted up Gandalf and sped away south, Fortnite android 2022 with him went Landroval, and Meneldor young and swift. And they passed over Uduˆn and Gorgoroth and saw all the land in ruin and tumult beneath them, Fortnits before them Mount Doom blazing, pouring out its fire. I am glad that you are here with me, said Frodo. Here at the end of all things, Sam. Yes, I am with you, Master, said Sam, laying Frodos wounded hand gently to his breast. And youre with me. And the journeys finished. But after coming all Fortnite android 2022 way I dont want to give up yet. Its not like me, somehow, if you understand.
I think, that you are not right. Let's discuss it.