The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien Read Free Book Online

likely to be beset both east and west.
    ‘It is ill dealing with such a foe: he is a wizard both cunning and dwimmer-crafty, having many guises. He walks here and
     there, they say, as an old man hooded and cloaked, very like to Gandalf, as many now recall. His spies slip through every
     net, and his birds of ill omen are abroad in the sky. I do not know how it will all end, and my heart misgives me; for it
     seems to me that his friends do not all dwell in Isengard. But if you come to the king’s house, you shall see for yourself.
     Will you not come? Do I hope in vain that you have been sent to me for a help in doubt and need?’
    ‘I will come when I may,’ said Aragorn.
    ‘Come now!’ said Éomer. ‘The Heir of Elendil would be a strength indeed to the Sons of Eorl in this evil tide. There is battle
     even now upon the Westemnet, and I fear that it may go ill for us.
    ‘Indeed in this riding north I went without the king’s leave, for in my absence his house is left with little guard. But scouts
     warned me of the orc-host coming down out of the East Wall four nights ago, and among them they reported that some bore the
     white badges of Saruman. So suspecting what I most fear, a league between Orthanc and the Dark Tower, I led forth my
éored
, men of my own household; and we overtook the Orcs at nightfall two days ago, near to the borders of the Entwood. There we
     surrounded them, and gave battle yesterday at dawn. Fifteen of my men I lost, and twelve horses alas! For the Orcs were greater in number than we counted on.
     Others joined them, coming out of the East across the Great River: their trail is plain to see a little north of this spot.
     And others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of Isengard: that kind is stronger and more
     fell than all others.
    ‘Nonetheless we put an end to them. But we have been too long away. We are needed south and west. Will you not come? There
     are spare horses as you see. There is work for the Sword to do. Yes, and we could find a use for Gimli’s axe and the bow of
     Legolas, if they will pardon my rash words concerning the Lady of the Wood. I spoke only as do all men in my land, and I would
     gladly learn better.’
    ‘I thank you for your fair words,’ said Aragorn, ‘and my heart desires to come with you; but I cannot desert my friends while
     hope remains.’
    ‘Hope does not remain,’ said Éomer. ‘You will not find your friends on the North-borders.’
    ‘Yet my friends are not behind. We found a clear token not far from the East Wall that one at least of them was still alive
     there. But between the wall and the downs we have found no other trace of them, and no trail has turned aside, this way or
     that, unless my skill has wholly left me.’
    ‘Then what do you think has become of them?’
    ‘I do not know. They may have been slain and burned among the Orcs; but that you will say cannot be, and I do not fear it.
     I can only think that they were carried off into the forest before the battle, even before you encircled your foes, maybe.
     Can you swear that none escaped your net in such a way?’
    ‘I would swear that no Orc escaped after we sighted them,’ said Éomer. ‘We reached the forest-eaves before them, and if after
     that any living thing broke through our ring, then it was no Orc and had some Elvish power.’
    ‘Our friends were attired even as we are,’ said Aragorn; ‘and you passed us by under the full light of day.’
    ‘I had forgotten that,’ said Éomer. ‘It is hard to be sure of anything among so many marvels. The world is all grown strange.
     Elf and Dwarf in company walk in our daily fields; and folk speak with the Lady of the Wood and yet live; and the Sword comes
     back to war that was broken in the long ages ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark! How shall a man judge what
     to do in such times?’
    ‘As he ever has judged,’ said Aragorn. ‘Good and ill have not changed