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counsel。 We have not the Ring。 In wisdom or great folly it has been sent away to be destroyed； lest
it destroy us。 Without it we cannot by force defeat his force。 But we must at all costs keep his Eye
from his true peril。 We cannot achieve victory by arms； but by arms we can give the Ring…bearer
his only chance； frail though it be。
'As Aragorn has begun； so we must go on。 We must push Sauron to his last throw。 We must call
out his hidden strength； so that he shall empty his land。 We must march out to meet him at once。
We must make ourselves the bait； though his jaws should close on us。 He will take that bait； in hope
and in greed； for he will think that in such rashness he sees the pride of the new Ringlord： and he
will say： 〃So！ he pushes out his neck too soon and too far。 Let him e on； and behold I will have
him in a trap from which he cannot escape。 There I will crush him； and what he has taken in his
insolence shall be mine again for ever。〃
'We must walk open…eyed into that trap； with courage； but small hope for ourselves。 For； my
lords； it may well prove that we ourselves shall perish utterly in a black battle far from the living
lands； so that even if Barad…d？r be thrown down； we shall not live to see a new age。 But this； I
deem； is our duty。 And better so than to perish nonetheless – as we surely shall； if we sit here – and
know as we die that no new age shall be。'
They were silent for a while。 At length Aragorn spoke。 'As I have begun； so I will go on。 We
e now to the very brink； where hope and despair are akin。 To waver is to fall。 Let none now
reject the counsels of Gandalf； whose long labours against Sauron e at last to their test。 But for
him all would long ago have been lost。 Nonetheless I do not yet claim to mand any man。 Let
others choose as they will。'
Then said Elrohir： 'From the North we came with this purpose； and from Elrond our father we
brought this very counsel。 We will not turn back。'
'As for myself；' said éomer； 'I have little knowledge of these deep matters； but I need it not。 This
I know； and it is enough； that as my friend Aragorn succoured me and my people； so I will aid him
when he calls。 I will go。'
'As for me；' said Imrahil； 'the Lord Aragorn I hold to be my liege…lord； whether he claim it or no。
His wish is to me a mand。 I will go also。 Yet for a while I stand in the place of the Steward of
Gondor； and it is mine to think first of its people。 To prudence some heed must still be given。 For
we must prepare against all chances； good as well as evil。 Now； it may be that we shall triumph；
and while there is any hope of this； Gondor must be protected。 I would not have us return with
victory to a City in ruins and a land ravaged behind us。 And yet we learn from the Rohirrim that
there is an army still unfought upon our northern flank。'
'That is true；' said Gandalf。 'I do not counsel you to leave the City all unmanned。 Indeed the
force that we lead east need not be great enough for any assault in earnest upon Mordor； so long as
it be great enough to challenge battle。 And it must move soon。 Therefore I ask the Captains： what
force could we muster and lead out in two days' time at the latest？ And they must be hardy men that
go willingly； knowing their peril。'
'All are weary； and very many have wounds light or grievous；' said éomer； 'and we have
suffered much loss of our horses； and that is ill to bear。 If we must ride soon； then I cannot hope to
lead even two thousands； and yet leave as many for the defence of the City。'
'We have not only to reckon with those who fought on this field ' said Aragorn。 'New strength is
on the way from the southern fiefs； now that the coasts have been rid。 Four thousands I sent
marching from Pelargir through Lossarnach two days ago； and Angbor the fearless rides before
them。 If we set out in two days more； they will draw nigh ere we depart。 Moreover many were
bidden to follow me up the River in any craft they could gather； and with this wind they will soon
be at hand； indeed several ships have already e to the Harlond。 I judge that we could lead out
seven thousands of horse and foot； and yet leave the City in better defence than it was when the
assault began。'
'The Gate is destroyed；' said Imrahil； 'and where now is the skill to rebuild it and set it up anew？'
'In Erebor in the Kingdom of Dáin there is such skill；' said Aragorn； 'and if all our hopes do not
perish； then in time I will send Gimli Glóin's son to ask for wrights of the Mountain。 But men are
better than gates； and no gate will endure against our Enemy if men desert it。'
This then was the end of the debate of the lords： that they should set forth on the second
morning from that day with seven thousands； if these might be found； and the great part of this
force should be on foot； because of the evil lands into which they would go。 Aragorn should find
some two thousands of those that he had gathered to him in the South； but Imrahil should find three
and a half thousands； and éomer five hundreds of the Rohirrim who were unhorsed but themselves
warworthy； and he himself should lead five hundreds of his best Riders on horse； and another
pany of five hundred horse there should be； among which should ride the sons of Elrond with
the Dúnedain and the knights of Dol Amroth： all told six thousand foot and a thousand horse。 But
the main strength of the Rohirrim that remained horsed and able to fight； some three thousand
under the mand of Elfhelm； should waylay the West Road against the enemy that was in
Anórien。 And at once swift riders were sent out to gather what news they could northwards； and
eastwards from Osgiliath and the road to Minas Morgul。
And when they had reckoned up all their strength and taken thought for the journeys they should
make and the roads they should choose； Imrahil suddenly laughed aloud。
'Surely；' he cried； 'this is the greatest jest in all the history of Gondor： that we should ride with
seven thousands； scarce as many as the vanguard of its army in the days of its power； to assail the
mountain