The Black Gate Opens

           TwodayslaterthearmyoftheWestwasallassembledonthePelennor.ThehostofOrcsandEasterlingshadturnedbackoutofAnórien,butharriedandscatteredbytheRohirrimtheyhadbrokenandfledwithlittlefightingtowardsCairAndros;andwiththatthreatdestroyedandnewstrengtharrivingoutoftheSouththeCitywasaswellmannedasmightbe.ScoutsreportedthatnoenemiesremainedupontheroadseastasfarastheCross-roadsoftheFallenKing.Allnowwasreadyforthelastthrow.

           LegolasandGimliweretorideagaintogetherinthecompanyofAragornandGandalf,whowentinthevanwiththeDúnedainandthesonsofElrond.ButMerrytohisshamewasnottogowiththem.

           ‘Youarenotfitforsuchajourney,’saidAragorn.‘Butdonotbeashamed.Ifyoudonomoreinthiswar,youhavealreadyearnedgreathonour.PeregrinshallgoandrepresenttheShirefolk;anddonotgrudgehimhischanceofperil,forthoughhehasdoneaswellashisfortuneallowedhim,hehasyettomatchyourdeed.Butintruthallnowareinlikedanger.ThoughitmaybeourparttofindbitterendbeforetheGateofMordor,ifwedoso,thenyouwillcomealsotoalaststand,eitherhereorwherevertheblacktideovertakesyou.Farewell!’

           AndsodespondentlyMerrynowstoodandwatchedthemusteringofthearmy.Bergilwaswithhim,andhealsowasdowncast;forhisfatherwastomarchleadingacompanyoftheMenoftheCity:hecouldnotrejointheGuarduntilhiscasewasjudged.InthatsamecompanyPippinwasalsotogo,asasoldierofGondor.