Journey to the Cross-roads

           FrodoandSamreturnedtotheirbedsandlaythereinsilencerestingforalittle,whilemenbestirredthemselvesandthebusinessofthedaybegan.Afterawhilewaterwasbroughttothem,andthentheywereledtoatablewherefoodwassetforthree.Faramirbrokehisfastwiththem.Hehadnotsleptsincethebattleonthedaybefore,yethedidnotlookweary.

           Whentheyhadfinishedtheystoodup.`Maynohungertroubleyouontheroad,’saidFaramir.`Youhavelittleprovision,butsomesmallstoreoffoodfitfortravellersIhaveorderedtobestowedinyourpacks.YouwillhavenolackofwaterasyouwalkinIthilien,butdonotdrinkofanystreamthatflowsfromImladMorgul,theValleyofLivingDeath.ThisalsoImusttellyou.Myscoutsandwatchershaveallreturned,evensomethathavecreptwithinsightoftheMorannon.Theyallfindastrangething.Thelandisempty.Nothingisontheroad,andnosoundoffoot,orhorn,orbowstringisanywheretobeheard.AwaitingsilencebroodsabovetheNamelessLand.Idonotknowwhatthisportends.Butthetimedrawsswiftlytosomegreatconclusion.Stormiscoming.Hastenwhileyoumay!Ifyouareready,letusgo.TheSunwillsoonriseabovetheshadow.’

           Thehobbits’packswerebroughttothem(alittleheavierthantheyhadbeen),andalsotwostoutstavesofpolishedwood,shodwithiron,andwithcarvenheadsthroughwhichranplaitedleathernthongs.

           ’Ihavenofittinggiftstogiveyouatourparting,’saidFaramir;`buttakethesestaves.