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seven thousands； scarce as many as the vanguard of its army in the days of its power； to assail the
mountains and the impenetrable gate of the Black Land！ So might a child threaten a mail…clad
knight with a bow of string and green willow！ If the Dark Lord knows so much as you say；
Mithrandir； will he not rather smile than fear； and with his little finger crush us like a fly that tries
to sting him？'
'No； he will try to trap the fly and take the sting；' said Gandalf。 'And there are names among us
that are worth more than a thousand mail…clad knights apiece。 No； he will not smile。'
'Neither shall we；' said Aragorn。 'If this be jest； then it is too bitter for laughter。 Nay； it is the last
move in a great jeopardy； and for one side or the other it will bring the end of the game。' Then he
drew Andúril and held it up glittering in the sun。 'You shall not be sheathed again until the last
battle is fought；' he said。
_Chapter 10_
The Black Gate Opens
Two days later the army of the West was all assembled on the Pelennor。 The host of Orcs and
Easterlings had turned back out of Anórien； but harried and scattered by the Rohirrim they had
broken and fled with little fighting towards Cair Andros； and with that threat destroyed and new
strength arriving out of the South the City was as well manned as might be。 Scouts reported that no
enemies remained upon the roads east as far as the Cross…roads of the Fallen King。 All now was
ready for the last throw。
Legolas and Gimli were to ride again together in the pany of Aragorn and Gandalf； who
went in the van with the Dúnedain and the sons of Elrond。 But Merry to his shame was not to go
with them。
'You are not fit for such a journey；' said Aragorn。 'But do not be ashamed。 If you do no more in
this war； you have already earned great honour。 Peregrin shall go and represent the Shirefolk； and
do not grudge him his chance of peril； for though he has done as well as his fortune allowed him； he
has yet to match your deed。 But in truth all now are in like danger。 Though it may be our part to
find bitter end before the Gate of Mordor； if we do so； then you will e also to a last stand； either
here or wherever the black tide overtakes you。 Farewell！'
And so despondently Merry now stood and watched the mustering of the army。 Bergil was with
him； and he also was downcast； for his father was to march leading a pany of the Men of the
City： he could not rejoin the Guard until his case was judged。 In that same pany Pippin was
also to go； as a soldier of Gondor。 Merry could see him not far off； a small but upright figure
among the tall men of Minas Tirith。
At last the trumpets rang and the army began to move。 Troop by troop； and pany by
pany； they wheeled and went off eastward。 And long after they had passed away out of sight
down the great road to the Causeway； Merry stood there。 The last glint of the morning sun on spear
and helm twinkled and was lost； and still he remained with bowed head and heavy heart； feeling
friendless and alone。 Everyone that he cared for had gone away into the gloom that hung over the
distant eastern sky； and little hope at all was left in his heart that he would ever see any of them
again。
As if recalled by his mood of despair； the pain in his arm returned； and he felt weak and old； and
the sunlight seemed thin。 He was roused by the touch of Bergil's hand。
'e； Master Perian！' said the lad。 'You are still in pain； I see。 I will help you back to the
Healers。 But do not fear！ They will e back。 The Men of Minas Tirith will never be overe。
And now they have the Lord Elfstone； and Beregond of the Guard too。'
Ere noon the army came to Osgiliath。 There all the workers and craftsmen that could be spared
were busy。 Some were strengthening the ferries and boat…bridges that the enemy had made and in
part destroyed when they fled； some gathered stores and booty； and others on the eastern side
across the River were throwing up hasty works of defence。
The vanguard passed on through the ruins of Old Gondor； and over the wide River； and on up
the long straight road that in the high days had been made to run from the fair Tower of the Sun to
the tall Tower of the Moon； which now was Minas Morgul in its accursed vale。 Five miles beyond
Osgiliath they halted； ending their first day's march。
But the horsemen pressed on and ere evening they came to the Cross…roads and the great ring of
trees； and all was silent。 No sign of any enemy had they seen； no cry or call had been heard； no
shaft had sped from rock or thicket by the way； yet ever as they went forward they felt the
watchfulness of the land increase。 Tree and stone； blade and leaf were listening。 The darkness had
been dispelled； and far away westward sunset was on the Vale of Anduin； and the white peaks of
the mountains blushed in the blue air； but a shadow and a gloom brooded upon the Ephel Dúath。
Then Aragorn set trumpeters at each of the four roads that ran into the ring of trees； and they
blew a great fanfare； and the heralds cried aloud： 'The Lords of Gondor have returned and all this
land that is theirs they take back。' The hideous orc…head that was set upon the carven figure was
cast down and broken in pieces； and the old king's head was raised and set in its place once more；
still crowned with white and golden flowers： and men laboured to wash and pare away all the foul
scrawls that orcs had put upon the stone。
Now in their debate some had counselled that Minas Morgul should first be assailed； and if they
might take it； it should be utterly destroyed。 'And； maybe；' said Imrahil； 'the road that leads thence
to the pass above will prove an easier way of assault upon the Dark Lord than his northern gate。'
But against this Gandalf had spoken urgently； because of the evil that dwelt in the valley； where
the minds of living men would turn to madness and horror； and because also of the news that
Faramir had brought。 For if the Ring…bearer had indeed attempted that way； then above all they
should not draw t