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while behind them walked Pippin with downcast head。 But the servants of the Lord stood gazing as
stricken men at the house of the dead； and even as Gandalf came to the end of Rath Dínen there
was a great noise。 Looking back they saw the dome of the house crack and smokes issue forth； and
then with a rush and rumble of stone it fell in a flurry of fire； but still unabated the flames danced
and flickered among the ruins。 Then in terror the servants fled and followed Gandalf。
At length they came back to the Steward's Door； and Beregond looked with grief at the porter。
'This deed I shall ever rue；' he said； 'but a madness of haste was on me； and he would not listen； but
drew sword against me。' Then taking the key that he had wrested from the slain man he closed the
door and locked it。 'This should now be given to the Lord Faramir；' he said。
'The Prince of Dol Amroth is in mand in the absence of the Lord；' said Gandalf； 'but since
he is not here； I must take this on myself。 I bid you keep the key and guard it； until the City is set in
order again。'
Now at last they passed into the high circles of the City； and in the light of morning they went
their way towards the Houses of Healing； and these were fair houses set apart； for the care of those
who were grievously sick； but now they were prepared for the tending of men hurt in battle or
dying。 They stood not far from the Citadel…gate； in the sixth circle； nigh to its southward wall； and
about them was a garden and a greensward with trees； the only such place in the City。 There dwelt
the few women that had been permitted to remain in Minas Tirith； since they were skilled in
healing or in the service of the healers。
But even as Gandalf and his panions came carrying the bier to the main door of the Houses；
they heard a great cry that went up from the field before the Gate and rising shrill and piercing into
the sky passed； and died away on the wind。 So terrible was the cry that for a moment all stood still；
and yet when it had passed； suddenly their hearts were lifted up in such a hope as they had not
known since the darkness came out of the East； and it seemed to them that the light grew clear and
the sun broke through the clouds。
But Gandalf's face was grave and sad； and bidding Beregond and Pippin to take Faramir into the
Houses of Healing； he went up on to the walls nearby； and there like a figure carven in white he
stood in the new sun and looked out。 And he beheld with the sight that was given to him all that had
befallen； and when éomer rode out from the forefront of his battle and stood beside those who lay
upon the field； he sighed； and he cast his cloak about him again； and went from the walls。 And
Beregond and Pippin found him standing in thought before the door of the Houses when they came
out。
They looked at him； and for a while he was silent。 At last he spoke。 'My friends；' he said； 'and all
you people of this city and of the Western lands！ Things of great sorrow and renown have e to
pass。 Shall we weep or be glad？ Beyond hope the Captain of our foes has been destroyed； and you
have heard the echo of his last despair。 But he has not gone without woe and bitter loss。 And that I
might have averted but for the madness of Denethor。 So long has the reach of our Enemy bee！
Alas！ but now I perceive how his will was able to enter into the very heart of the City。
'Though the Stewards deemed that it was a secret kept only by themselves； long ago I guessed
that here in the White Tower； one at least of the Seven Seeing Stones was preserved。 In the days of
his wisdom Denethor did not presume to use it； nor to challenge Sauron； knowing the limits of his
own strength。 But his wisdom failed； and I fear that as the peril of his realm grew he looked in the
Stone and was deceived： far too often； I guess； since Boromir departed。 He was too great to be
subdued to the will of the Dark Power； he saw nonetheless only those things which that Power
permitted him to see。 The knowledge which he obtained was； doubtless； often of service to him； yet
the vision of the great might of Mordor that was shown to him fed the despair of his heart until it
overthrew his mind。'
'Now I understand what seemed so strange to me！' said Pippin shuddering at his memories as he
spoke。 'The Lord went away from the room where Faramir lay； and it was only when he returned
that I first thought he was changed； old and broken。'
'It was in the very hour that Faramir was brought to the Tower that many of us saw a strange
light in the topmost chamber；' said Beregond。 'But we have seen that light before； and it has long
been rumoured in the City； that the Lord would at times wrestle in thought with his Enemy。'
'Alas！ then I have guessed rightly；' said Gandalf。 'Thus the will of Sauron entered into Minas
Tirith； and thus I have been delayed here。 And here I shall still be forced to remain； for I shall soon
have other charges； not Faramir only。
'Now I must go down to meet those who e。 I have seen a sight upon the field that is very
grievous to my heart； and greater sorrow may yet e to pass。 e with me； Pippin！ But you；
Beregond； should return to the Citadel and tell the chief of the Guard there what has befallen。 It will
be his duty； I fear； to withdraw you from the Guard； but say to him that； if I may give him counsel；
you should be sent to the Houses of Healing； to be the guard and servant of your captain； and to be
at his side when he awakes – if that shall ever be again。 For by you he was saved from the fire。 Go
now！ I shall return soon。'
With that he turned away and went with Pippin down towards the lower city。 And even as they
hastened on their way the wind brought a grey rain； and all the fires sank； and there arose a great
smoke before them。
_Chapter 8_
The Houses of Healing
A mist was in Merry's eyes of tears and weariness when they drew near the ruined Gate of
Minas Tirith。 He gave little heed to the wreck and slaughter that lay about all。 Fire and smoke and
stench was in the air； for many engines had been burned or cast into the fire…pits； and many of the
slain also； while here and there lay many carcases of the great Southron monsters； half…burned； or
broken by stone…cast； or shot through the eyes by the valiant archers of Morthond。 The flying rain
had ceased for a time； and the sun gleamed up above； but all the lower city was still wrapped in a
smouldering reek。
Already men were labouring to clear a way through the jetsam of battle； and now out from the
Gate came some bearing litters。 Gently they laid éowyn upon soft pillows； but the king's body they
covered with a great cloth of gold； and they bore torches about him； and their flames； pale in the
sunlight； were fluttered by the wind。
So Théoden and éowyn came to the City of Gondor； and all who saw them bared their heads
and bowed； and they passed through the ash and fume of the burned circle； and went on and up
along the streets of stone。 To Merry the ascent seemed agelong； a meaningless journey in a hateful
dream； going on and on to some dim ending that memory cannot seize。
Slowly the lights of the torches in front of him flickered and went out； and he was walking in a
darkness； and he thought： 'This is a tunnel leading to a tomb； there we shall stay forever。' But
suddenly into his dream there fell a living voice。
'Well； Merry！ Thank goodness I have found you！'
He looked up and the mist before his eyes cleared a little。 There was Pippin！ They were face to
face in a narrow lane； and but for themselves it was empty。 He rubbed his eyes。
'Where is the king？' he said。 'And éowyn？' Then he stumbled and sat down on a doorstep and
began to weep again。
'They have gone up into the Citadel；' said Pippin。 'I think you must have fallen asleep on your
feet and taken the wrong turning。 When we found that you were not with them； Gandalf sent me to
look for you。 Poor old Merry！ How glad I am to see you again！ But you are worn out； and I won't
bother you with any talk。 But tell me；