The Last Debate

           Themorningcameafterthedayofbattle,anditwasfairwithlightcloudsandthewindturningwestward.LegolasandGimliwereearlyabroad,andtheybeggedleavetogoupintotheCity;fortheywereeagertoseeMerryandPippin.

           ‘Itisgoodtolearnthattheyarestillalive,’saidGimli;‘fortheycostusgreatpainsinourmarchoverRohan,andIwouldnothavesuchpainsallwasted.’

           TogethertheElfandtheDwarfenteredMinasTirith,andfolkthatsawthempassmarvelledtoseesuchcompanions;forLegolaswasfairoffacebeyondthemeasureofMen,andhesanganelven-songinaclearvoiceashewalkedinthemorning;butGimlistalkedbesidehim,strokinghisbeardandstaringabouthim.

           ‘Thereissomegoodstone-workhere,’hesaidashelookedatthewalls;‘butalsosomethatislessgood,andthestreetscouldbebettercontrived.WhenAragorncomesintohisown,IshallofferhimtheserviceofstonewrightsoftheMountain,andwewillmakethisatowntobeproudof.’

           ‘Theyneedmoregardens,’saidLegolas.‘Thehousesaredead,andthereistoolittleherethatgrowsandisglad.IfAragorncomesintohisown,thepeopleoftheWoodshallbringhimbirdsthatsingandtreesthatdonotdie.’

           AtlengththeycametothePrinceImrahil,andLegolaslookedathimandbowedlow;forhesawthathereindeedwasonewhohadelven-bloodinhisveins.‘Hail,lord!’hesaid.‘ItislongsincethepeopleofNimrodelleftthewoodlandsofLórien,andyetstillonemayseethatnotallsailedfromAmroth’shavenwestoverwater.’