The Choices of Master Samwise

           Frodowaslyingfaceupwardonthegroundandthemonsterwasbendingoverhim,sointentuponhervictimthatshetooknoheedofSamandhiscries,untilhewascloseathand.AsherusheduphesawthatFrodowasalreadyboundincords,woundabouthimfromankletoshoulder,andthemonsterwithhergreatforelegswasbeginninghalftolift,halftodraghisbodyaway.

           Onthenearsideofhimlay,gleamingontheground,hiselven-blade,whereithadfallenuselessfromhisgrasp.Samdidnotwaittowonderwhatwastobedone,orwhetherhewasbrave,orloyal,orfilledwithrage.Hesprangforwardwithayell,andseizedhismaster’sswordinhislefthand.Thenhecharged.Noonslaughtmorefiercewaseverseeninthesavageworldofbeasts;wheresomedesperatesmallcreaturearmedwithlittleteethalone,willspringuponatowerofhornandhidethatstandsaboveitsfallenmate.

           Disturbedasifoutofsomegloatingdreambyhissmallyellsheturnedslowlythedreadfulmaliceofherglanceuponhim.Butalmostbeforeshewasawarethatafurywasuponhergreaterthananyshehadknownincountlessyears,theshiningswordbituponherfootandshoreawaytheclaw.Samsprangin,insidethearchesofherlegs,andwithaquickupthrustofhisotherhandstabbedattheclusteredeyesuponherloweredhead.Onegreateyewentdark.

           Nowthemiserablecreaturewasrightunderher,forthemomentoutofthereachofherstingandofherclaws.Hervastbellywasabovehimwithitsputridlight,andthestenchofitalmostsmotehimdown.