The Muster of Rohan

           NowallroadswererunningtogethertotheEasttomeetthecomingofwarandtheonsetoftheShadow.AndevenasPippinstoodattheGreatGateoftheCityandsawthePrinceofDolAmrothrideinwithhisbanners,theKingofRohancamedownoutofthehills.

           Daywaswaning.InthelastraysofthesuntheRiderscastlongpointedshadowsthatwentonbeforethem.Darknesshadalreadycreptbeneaththemurmuringfir-woodsthatclothedthesteepmountain-sides.Thekingrodenowslowlyattheendoftheday.Presentlythepathturnedroundahugebareshoulderofrockandplungedintothegloomofsoft-sighingtrees.Down,downtheywentinalongwindingfile.Whenatlasttheycametothebottomofthegorgetheyfoundthateveninghadfalleninthedeepplaces.Thesunwasgone.Twilightlayuponthewaterfalls.

           Alldayfarbelowthemaleapingstreamhadrundownfromthehighpassbehind,cleavingitsnarrowwaybetweenpine-cladwalls;andnowthroughastonygateitflowedoutandpassedintoawidervale.TheRidersfollowedit,andsuddenlyHarrowdalelaybeforethem,loudwiththenoiseofwatersintheevening.TherethewhiteSnowbourn,joinedbythelesserstream,wentrushing,fumingonthestones,downtoEdorasandthegreenhillsandtheplains.AwaytotherightattheheadofthegreatdalethemightyStarkhornloomedupaboveitsvastbuttressesswathedincloud;butitsjaggedpeak,clothedineverlastingsnow,gleamedfarabovetheworld,blue-shadowedupontheEast,red-stainedbythesunsetintheWest.