A Journey in the Dark

           Itwasevening,andthegreylightwasagainwaningfast,whentheyhaltedforthenight.Theywereveryweary.Themountainswereveiledindeepeningdusk,andthewindwascold.GandalfsparedthemonemoremouthfuleachofthemiruvorofRivendell.Whentheyhadeatensomefoodhecalledacouncil.

           "Wecannot,ofcourse,goonagaintonight,"hesaid."TheattackontheRedhornGatehastiredusout,andwemustresthereforawhile."

           "Andthenwherearewetogo?"askedFrodo.

           "Westillhaveourjourneyandourerrandbeforeus,"answeredGandalf."Wehavenochoicebuttogoon,ortoreturntoRivendell."

           Pippin’sfacebrightenedvisiblyatthemerementionofreturntoRivendell;MerryandSamlookeduphopefully.ButAragornandBoromirmadenosign.Frodolookedtroubled.

           "IwishIwasbackthere,"hesaid."ButhowcanIreturnwithoutshame-unlessthereisindeednootherway,andwearealreadydefeated?"

           "Youareright,Frodo,"saidGandalf:"togobackistoadmitdefeatandfaceworsedefeattocome.Ifwegobacknow,thentheRingmustremainthere:weshallnotbeabletosetoutagain.ThensoonerorlaterRivendellwillbebesieged,andafterabriefandbittertimeitwillbedestroyed.TheRingwraithsaredeadlyenemies,buttheyareonlyshadowsyetofthepowerandterrortheywouldpossessiftheRulingRingwasontheirmaster’shandagain."

           "Thenwemustgoon,ifthereisaway,"saidFrodowithasigh.