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.