Book VI
The Tower of Cirith Ungol
Samrousedhimselfpainfullyfromtheground.Foramomenthewonderedwherehewas,andthenallthemiseryanddespairreturnedtohim.Hewasinthedeepdarkoutsidetheunder-gateoftheorcs"stronghold;itsbrazendoorswereshut.Hemusthavefallenstunnedwhenhehurledhimselfagainstthem;buthowlonghehadlaintherehedidnotknow.Thenhehadbeenonfire,desperateandfurious;nowhewasshiveringandcold.Hecrepttothedoorsandpressedhisearsagainstthem.
Farwithinhecouldhearfaintlythevoicesoforesclamouring,butsoontheystoppedorpassedoutofhearing,andallwasstill.Hisheadachedandhiseyessawphantomlightsinthedarkness,buthestruggledtosteadyhimselfandthink.Itwasclearatanyratethathehadnohopeofgettingintotheorc-holdbythatgate;hemightwaittherefordaysbeforeitwasopened,andhecouldnotwait:timewasdesperatelyprecious.Henolongerhadanydoubtabouthisduty:hemustrescuehismasterorperishintheattempt.
"Theperishingismorelikely,andwillbealoteasieranyway,"hesaidgrimlytohimself,ashesheathedStingandturnedfromthebrazendoors.Slowlyhegropedhiswaybackinthedarkalongthetunnel,notdaringtousetheelven-light;andashewenthetriedtofittogethertheeventssinceFrodoandhehadlefttheCross-roads.Hewonderedwhatthetimewas.Somewherebetweenonedayandthenext,hesupposed;butevenofthedayshehadquitelostcount.
