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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
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 d