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e on now！ Longbottom Leaf it is。 Fill up while I run and see about some food。 And then let's
be easy for a bit。 Dear me！ We Tooks and Brandybucks； we can't live long on the heights。'
'No；' said Merry。 'I can't。 Not yet； at any rate。 But at least； Pippin； we can now see them； and
honour them。 It is best to love first what you are fitted to love； I suppose： you must start somewhere
and have some roots； and the soil of the Shire is deep。 Still there are things deeper and higher； and
not a gaffer could tend his garden in what he calls peace but for them； whether he knows about
them or not。 I am glad that I know about them； a little。 But I don't know why I am talking like this。
Where is that leaf？ And get my pipe out of my pack； if it isn't broken。'
Aragorn and Gandalf went now to the Warden of the Houses of Healing； and they counselled
him that Faramir and éowyn should remain there and still be tended with care for many days。
'The Lady éowyn；' said Aragorn； 'will wish soon to rise and depart； but she should not be
permitted to do so； if you can in any way restrain her； until at least ten days be passed。'
'As for Faramir；' said Gandalf； 'he must soon learn that his father is dead。 But the full tale of the
madness of Denethor should not be told to him； until he is quite healed and has duties to do。 See
that Beregond and the _perian_ who were present do not speak to him of these things yet！'
And the other _perian_ Meriadoc who is under my care； what of him？' said the Warden。
'It is likely that he will be fit to arise tomorrow； for a short while；' said Aragorn。 'Let him do so；
if he wishes。 He may walk a little in the care of his friends。'
'They are a remarkable race；' said the Warden； nodding his head。 'Very tough in the fibre； I
deem。'
At the doors of the Houses many were already gathered to see Aragorn； and they followed after
him； and when at last he had supped； men came and prayed that he would heal their kinsmen or
their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt or wound； or who lay under the Black Shadow。
And Aragorn arose and went out； and he sent for the sons of Elrond； and together they laboured far
into the night。 And word went through the City： 'The King is e again indeed。' And they named
him Elfstone； because of the green stone that he wore； and so the name which it was foretold at his
birth that he should bear was chosen for him by his own people。
And when he could labour no more； he cast his cloak about him； and slipped out of the City； and
went to his tent just ere dawn and slept for a little。 And in the morning the banner of Dol Amroth； a
white ship like a swan upon blue water； floated from the Tower； and men looked up and wondered
if the ing of the King had been but a dream。
_Chapter 9_
The Last Debate
The morning came after the day of battle； and it was fair with light clouds and the wind turning
westward。 Legolas and Gimli were early abroad； and they begged leave to go up into the City； for
they were eager to see Merry and Pippin。
'It is good to learn that they are still alive；' said Gimli； 'for they cost us great pains in our march
over Rohan； and I would not have such pains all wasted。'
Together the Elf and the Dwarf entered Minas Tirith； and folk that saw them pass marvelled to
see such panions； for Legolas was fair of face beyond the measure of Men； and he sang an
elven…song in a clear voice as he walked in the morning； but Gimli stalked beside him； stroking his
beard and staring about him。
'There is some good stone…work here；' he said as he looked at the walls； 'but also some that is
less good； and the streets could be better contrived。 When Aragorn es into his own； I shall offer
him the service of stonewrights of the Mountain； and we will make this a town to be proud of。'
'They need more gardens；' said Legolas。 'The houses are dead； and there is too little here that
grows and is glad。 If Aragorn es into his own； the people of the Wood shall bring him birds that
sing and trees that do not die。'
At length they came to the Prince Imrahil； and Legolas looked at him and bowed low； for he saw
that here indeed was one who had elven…blood in his veins。 'Hail； lord！' he said。 'It is long since the
people of Nimrodel left the woodlands of Lórien； and yet still one may see that not all sailed from
Amroth's haven west over water。'
'So it is said in the lore of my land；' said the Prince； 'yet never has one of the fair folk been seen
there for years beyond count。 And I marvel to see one here now in the midst of sorrow and war。
What do you seek？'
'I am one of the Nine panions who set out with Mithrandir from Imladris； said Legolas and
with this Dwarf； my friend； I came with the Lord Aragorn。 But now we wish to see our friends。
Meriadoc and Peregrin； who are in your keeping； we are told。'
'You will find them in the Houses of Healing； and I will lead you thither；' said Imrahil。
'It will be enough if you send one to guide us； lord；' said Legolas。 'For Aragorn sends this
message to you。 He does not wish to enter the City again at this time。 Yet there is need for the
captains to hold council at once； and he prays that you and éomer of Rohan will e down to his
tents； as soon as may be。 Mithrandir is already there。'
'We will e；' said Imrahil； and they parted with courteous words。
'That is a fair lord and a great captain of men；' said Legolas。 'If Gondor has such men still in
these days of fading； great must have been its glory in the days of its rising。'
'And doubtless the good stone…work is the older and was wrought in the first building；' said
Gimli。 'It is ever so with the things that Men begin： there is a frost in Spring； or a blight in Summer；
and they fail of their promise。'
'Yet seldom do they fail of their seed；' said Legolas。 'And that will lie in the dust and rot to
spring up again in times and places unlooked…for。 The deeds of Men will outlast us； Gimli。'
'And yet e to naught in the end but might…have…beens； I guess；' said the Dwar