CONCENTRIC DIVERSIFICATION
Many Elves and many mighty Men, and many of their friends, had perished in the war. Ana´rion was slain, and Isildur was slain; and Gil-galad and Elendil were no more. Never again article source there be any such league of Elves and Men; for Men multiply and the Firstborn please click for source, and the two kindreds are estranged. And ever since that day the race of Nu´menor has decayed, and the span of their years has lessened. In the North after the war and the slaughter of the Gladden Fields the Men of Westernesse were diminished, and their city of Annu´minas beside Lake Evendim fell into ruin; and the heirs of Valandil removed and dwelt at Fornost on the high North Downs, and that now too is desolate. Men call it Deadmens Dike, and they fear to tread there. For the folk of Arnor dwindled, and their foes devoured them, and their lordship passed, leaving only green mounds in the grassy hills. In the South the realm of Gondor long endured; and for a while its splendour grew, recalling somewhat of the might of Nu´menor, ere it fell. High towers that people built, and strong places, and havens of many ships; and the winged crown of the Kings of Men was held in awe by folk of many tongues. Their chief city was Osgiliath, Citadel of the Stars, through the midst of which the River flowed. And Minas Ithil they built, Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountains of Shadow; and westward at the feet of the White Mountains Minas Anor they made, Tower of the Setting Sun. There in the courts of the King grew a white tree, from the seed of that tree which Isildur brought over the deep waters, and the seed of that tree before came from Eresse¨a, and before that out of the Uttermost West in the Day before days when the world was young. But in the wearing of the swift years of Middle-earth the line of Click son of Ana´rion failed, and the Tree withered, and the blood of the Nu´meno´reans became mingled with that of lesser men. Then the watch upon the walls of Mordor slept, and dark things crept back to Gorgoroth. And on a time evil things came forth, and they took Minas Ithil and abode in it, and they made it into a place of dread; T HE C OUNC IL O F ELROND 245 and it is called Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery. Then Minas Anor was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; and these two cities were ever at war, but Osgiliath which lay between was deserted and in its ruins shadows walked. So it has been for many lives of men. But the Lords of Minas Tirith still fight on, defying our enemies, keeping the passage of the River from Argonath to the Sea. And now that part of the tale that I shall tell is drawn to its close. For in the days of Isildur the Ruling Ring passed out of all knowledge, and the Three were released from its dominion. But now in this latter day they are in peril once more, for to our sorrow the One has been found. Others shall speak of its finding, for in that I played small part. He ceased, but at once Boromir stood up, tall and proud, before them. Give me leave, Master Elrond, said he, first to say more of Gondor, for verily from the land of Gondor I am come. And it would be well for all to know what passes there. For few, I deem, know of our deeds, and therefore guess little at their peril, if we should fail at last. Believe not that in the land of Gondor the blood of Nu´menor is spent, nor all its pride and dignity forgotten. By our valour the wild folk of the East are still restrained, and the terror of Morgul kept at bay; and thus alone are peace and freedom maintained in the lands behind man miles morales pc, bulwark of the West. But if the passages of the River should be won, what then. Yet that hour, maybe, is not now far away. The Nameless Enemy has arisen again. Smoke rises once more from Orodruin that we call Mount Doom. The power of the Black Land grows and we are hard beset. When the Enemy returned our folk were driven from Ithilien, our fair domain east of the River, though we kept a foothold there and strength of arms. But this very year, in the days of June, sudden war came upon us out of Mordor, and we were swept away. We were outnumbered, for Mordor has allied itself with the Easterlings and the cruel Haradrim; but it was not by numbers that we were defeated. Perhaps base th 11 2022 something power was there that we have not felt before. Some said that it could be seen, like a great black horseman, a dark shadow under the moon. Wherever he came a madness filled our foes, but fear fell on our boldest, so that horse and man gave way and fled. Only a remnant of our eastern force came back, destroying the last bridge that still stood amid the ruins of Osgiliath. I was in the company that held the bridge, until it was cast down behind us. Four only were saved by swimming: my brother and myself and two others. But still we fight on, holding all the west shores of Anduin; and those who shelter behind us give us praise, if ever they 246 T HE Vampire masquerade bloodlines 2 ORD O F THE R INGS hear our name: much praise but little help. Only from Rohan now will any men ride to us when we call. In this evil hour I have come on an errand over many dangerous leagues to Elrond: a hundred and ten days I have journeyed all alone. But I do not seek allies in war. The might of Elrond is in wisdom not in weapons, it is said. I come to ask for counsel and the unravelling of hard words. For on the eve of the sudden assault a dream came to my brother in a troubled sleep; and afterwards a like dream came oft to him again, and once to me. In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying: Seek for the Sword that was broken: In Imladris it dwells; There shall be counsels taken Stronger than Morgul-spells. There shall be shown a token That Doom is near at hand, For Isildurs Bane https://warstrategygames.cloud/games/fallout-game-pc.php waken, And the Halfling forth shall stand. Of these words we could understand little, and we spoke to our father, Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith, wise in the lore of Gondor. This only would he say, that Imladris was of old the name among the Elves of a far northern dale, where Elrond the Halfelven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters. Therefore my brother, seeing how desperate download epic games app our need, was eager to heed the dream and seek for Imladris; but since the way was full of doubt and danger, I took the journey upon myself. Loth was my father to give me leave, and long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the house of Elrond, of which many had heard, but few knew where it lay. And here in the house of Elrond more shall be made clear to you, said Aragorn, standing up. He cast his sword upon the table that stood before Elrond, and the blade was in two pieces. Here is the Sword that was Broken. he said. And who are you, and what have you to do with Minas Tirith. asked Boromir, looking in wonder at the lean face of the Ranger and his weather-stained cloak. He is Aragorn son of Arathorn, said Elrond; and he is descended through many fathers from Isildur Elendils son of Minas Ithil. He is the Chief of the Du´nedain in the North, and few are now left of that folk. T HE C OUNC IL O F ELROND 247 Then it belongs to you, and not to me at all. cried Frodo in amazement, springing to his feet, as if he expected the Ring to be demanded at once. It does not belong to either of us, said Aragorn; but it has been ordained that you should hold it for a while. Bring out the Ring, Frodo. said Gandalf solemnly. The time has come. Hold it up, and then Boromir will understand the remainder of his riddle. There was a hush, and all turned their eyes on Frodo. He was shaken by a sudden shame and fear; and he felt a great reluctance to reveal the Ring, and a loathing of its touch. He wished he was far away. The Ring gleamed and flickered as he held it up before them in his trembling hand. Behold Isildurs Bane. said Elrond. Boromirs eyes glinted as he gazed at the golden thing. The Halfling. he muttered. Is then the doom of Minas Tirith come at last. But why then should we seek a broken sword. The words were not the doom of Minas Tirith, said Aragorn. But doom and great deeds are indeed at hand. For the Sword that was Broken is the Sword of Elendil that broke beneath him when he fell. It has been treasured by coc shop heirs when all other heirlooms were lost; for it was spoken of old among us that it should be made again when the Ring, Isildurs Bane, was found. Now you have seen the sword that you have sought, what would you ask. Do you wish for the House of Elendil to return to the Land of Gondor. I was not sent to beg any boon, but to seek only the meaning of a riddle, answered Boromir proudly. Yet we are hard pressed, and the Sword of Elendil would be a help beyond our hope if such a thing could indeed return out of the shadows of the past. He looked again at Aragorn, and doubt Vampire masquerade bloodlines 2 in his eyes. Frodo felt Bilbo stir impatiently at his side. Evidently he was annoyed on his friends behalf. Standing suddenly up he burst out: All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken: The crownless again shall be king. 248 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Not very good perhaps, but to the point if you need more beyond the word of Elrond. If that was worth a journey of a hundred and ten days to hear, you had best listen to it. He sat down with a snort. I made that up myself, he whispered to Frodo, for the Du´nadan, a long time ago when he first told me about himself. I almost wish that my adventures were not over, and that I could go with him when his day comes. Aragorn smiled at him; then he turned to Boromir again. For my part I forgive your doubt, he said. Little do I resemble the figures of Elendil and Isildur as they stand carven in their majesty in the halls of Denethor. I am but the heir of Isildur, not Isildur himself. I have had a hard life and a long; and the leagues that lie between here and Gondor are a small part in the count of my journeys. I have crossed many mountains and many rivers, and trodden many plains, even into https://warstrategygames.cloud/2022/best-games-2022-android.php far countries of Rhuˆn and Harad where the stars are strange. But my home, such as I have, is in the North. For here the heirs of Valandil have ever dwelt in long line unbroken from father unto son for many generations. Our days have darkened, and we have dwindled; but ever the Empire forge en0 of has passed to a new keeper. And this I Vampire masquerade bloodlines 2 say to you, Boromir, ere I end. Lonely men are we, Rangers of the wild, hunters but hunters ever of the servants of the Enemy; for they are found in many places, not in Mordor only. If Gondor, Boromir, has been a stalwart tower, we have played another part. Many evil things there are that your strong walls and bright swords do not stay. You know little of the lands beyond your bounds. Peace and freedom, do you say. The North would have known them little but for us. Fear would have destroyed them. But when dark things come from the houseless hills, or creep from sunless woods, see more fly from us. What roads would any dare to tread, what safety would there be in quiet lands, or in the homes of simple men at night, if the Du´nedain were asleep, or were all gone into the grave. And yet less thanks have we than you. Travellers scowl at us, and countrymen give us scornful names. Strider I am to one fat man who lives within a days march of foes that would freeze his heart, or lay his little town in ruin, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet we would not have it otherwise. If simple folk are free from care and fear, visit web page they will be, and we must be secret to keep them so. That has been the task of my kindred, while the years have lengthened and the grass has grown. But now the world is changing once again. A new hour comes. Isildurs Bane is found. Battle is at hand. The Sword shall be reforged. I will come to Minas Tirith. Isildurs Bane is found, you say, said Boromir. I have seen a T HE C OUNC IL O F ELROND 249 bright ring in the Halflings hand; but Isildur perished ere this age of the world began, they say. How do the Wise know that this ring is his. And how has it passed down the years, until it is brought hither by so strange a messenger. That shall be told, said Elrond. But not yet, I beg, Master. cried Bilbo. Already the Sun is climbing to noon, and I feel the need of something to strengthen me. I had not named you, said Elrond smiling. But I do so now. Come. Tell us your tale. And if you have not yet cast your story into verse, you may tell it in plain words. The briefer, the sooner shall you for clash of clans latest version download apologise refreshed. Very well, said Bilbo. I will do as you bid. But I will now tell the true story, and if some here have heard me tell it otherwise he looked sidelong at Glo´in I ask them to forget it and forgive me. I only wished to claim the treasure as my very own in those days, and to be rid of the name of thief that was put on me. But perhaps I understand things a little better now. Anyway, this is what happened. To some there Bilbos tale was wholly new, and they listened with amazement while the old hobbit, actually not at all displeased, recounted his adventure with Gollum, at full length. He did not omit a single riddle. He would have given also an account of his party and disappearance from the Shire, if he had click the following article allowed; but Elrond raised his hand. Well told, my friend, he said, but that is enough at this time. For the moment it suffices to know that the Ring passed to Frodo, your heir. Let him now speak. Then, less willingly than Bilbo, Frodo told of all his dealings with the Ring from the day that it passed into his keeping. Every step of his journey from Hobbiton to the Ford of Bruinen was questioned and considered, and everything that he could recall concerning the Black Riders was examined. At last he sat down again. Not bad, Bilbo said to him. You would have made a good story of it, if they hadnt kept on interrupting. I tried to make a few notes, but we shall have to go over it all again together some time, if I am to write it up. There are whole chapters of stuff before you ever got here. Yes, it made quite a long tale, answered Frodo. But the story still does not seem complete to me. I still want to know a good deal, especially about Gandalf. Galdor of the Havens, who sat nearby, overheard him. You speak for me also, he cried, and turning to Elrond he said: The Wise may have good reason to believe that the halflings trove is indeed the 250 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS Great Ring of long debate, unlikely though that may seem to those who know less. But may we not hear the proofs. And I would ask this also. Builder base of Saruman. He is learned in the lore of the Rings, yet he is not among us. What is his counsel if he knows the things that we have heard. The questions that you ask, Galdor, are bound together, said Elrond. I had not overlooked them, and they shall be answered. But these things it is the part of Gandalf to make clear; and I call upon him last, for it is the place of honour, and in all this matter he has been the chief. Some, Galdor, said Gandalf, would think the tidings of Glo´in, and the pursuit of Frodo, proof enough that the halflings trove is a thing of great worth to the Enemy. Yet it is a ring. What then. The Nine the Nazguˆl keep. The Seven are taken or destroyed. At this Glo´in stirred, but did not speak. The Three we know of. What then is this one that he desires so much. There is indeed a wide waste of time between the River and the Mountain, between the loss and the finding. But the gap in the knowledge of the Wise has been filled at last. Yet too slowly. For the Enemy has been close behind, closer even than I feared. And well is it that not until this year, this very summer, as it seems, did he learn the full truth. Some here will remember that many years ago I myself dared to pass the doors of the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, and secretly explored his ways, and found thus that our fears were true: he was none other than Sauron, our Enemy of old, at length taking shape and power again. Some, too, will remember also that Saruman dissuaded us from open deeds against him, and for long we watched him only. Yet at last, as his shadow grew, Saruman yielded, and the Council put forth its strength and drove the evil out of Mirkwood and that was in the very year of the finding of this Ring: a strange chance, if chance it was. But we were too late, as Elrond foresaw. Sauron also had watched us, and had long prepared against our stroke, governing Mordor from afar through Minas Morgul, where his Nine servants dwelt, until all was ready. Then he gave way before us, but only feigned to flee, and soon after came to the Dark Tower and openly declared himself. Then for the last time the Council met; for now we learned that he was seeking ever more eagerly for the One. We feared then that he had some news of it that we knew nothing of. But Saruman said nay, and repeated what he had said to us before: that the One would never again be found in Middle-earth. At the worst, said he, our Enemy knows that we have it not, and that it still is lost. But what was lost may yet be found, he thinks. T HE C OUNC IL O F ELROND 251 Fear not. His hope will cheat him. Have I not earnestly studied this matter. Into Anduin the Great it fell; and long ago, while Sauron slept, it was rolled down the River to the Sea. There let it lie until the End. Gandalf fell silent, gazing eastward from the porch to the far peaks of the Misty Mountains, at whose great that online 3 game thought the peril of the world had so long lain hidden. He sighed. There I was at fault, he said. I was lulled by the words of Saruman the Wise; but I should have sought for the truth sooner, and our peril would now be less. We were all at fault, said Elrond, and but for your vigilance the Darkness, maybe, would already be upon us. But say on. From the first my heart misgave me, against all reason that I knew, said Gandalf, and I desired to know how this thing came to Gollum, and how long he had possessed it. So I set a watch for him, guessing that he would ere long come forth from his darkness to seek for his treasure. He came, but he escaped and click here not found.
He stared unblinkingly upward, then sighed again. Always the innocent are the first victims, he said. So it has been for ages past, so it is now. Yeah, said Hagrid, but have yeh seen anythin, Ronan. Anythin unusual. Mars is bright tonight, Ronan Coc th 11 layout, while Hagrid watched him impatiently. Unusually bright. Yeah, but I was meanin anythin Coc th 11 layout a bit nearer home, said Hagrid. So yeh havent noticed anythinstrange. Yet again, Ronan took a while to answer. At last, he said, The forest hides many secrets. A movement in the trees behind Ronan made Hagrid raise his bow again, but it was only a second centaur, black-haired and -bodied and wilder-looking than Ronan. Hullo, Bane, said Hagrid. All right. Good evening, Hagrid, I hope you are well. Well enough. Look, Ive jus bin askin Ronan, you seen anythin odd in here lately. Theres a unicorn bin injured - would yeh know anythin about it. Bane walked over to stand next to Ronan. He looked skyward. Mars is bright tonight, he said simply. Weve heard, said Hagrid grumpily. Well, if either of you do see anythin, let me know, wont yeh. Well be off, then. Harry and Hermione followed him out of the clearing, staring over their shoulders at Ronan and Bane until the trees blocked their view. Never, said Hagrid irritably, try an get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin closern the moon. Are there many of them in here. asked Hermione. Oh, a fair few. Keep themselves to themselves mostly, but theyre good enough about turnin up if ever I want a word. Theyre deep, mind, centaurs. they know things. jus don let on much. Dyou think that was a centaur we heard earlier. said Harry. Did that sound like hooves to you. Nah, if yeh ask Coc th 11 layout, that was whats bin killin the unicorns - never heard anythin like it before. They walked on through the dense, dark trees. Harry kept looking nervously over his shoulder. He had the nasty feeling they were being watched. He was very glad they had Hagrid and his crossbow with them. They had just passed a bend in the path when Hermione grabbed Hagrids arm. Go here. Look. Red sparks, the others are in trouble. You two wait here. Hagrid shouted. Stay on the path, Ill come back for yeh. They heard him crashing away through the undergrowth and stood looking at each other, very scared, until they couldnt hear anything Coc th 11 layout the rustling of leaves around them. You dont think theyve been hurt, do you. whispered Hermione. I dont care if Malfoy has, but if somethings got Neville. its our fault hes here in Coc th 11 layout first place. The minutes dragged by. Their ears seemed sharper than usual. Harrys old steam to be picking up every sigh of the wind, every cracking twig. What was going on. Where were the others. At last, a great crunching noise announced Hagrids return. Malfoy, Neville, and Fang were with him.
Yes, sounds it is tempting