The Great River

           FrodowasrousedbySam.Hefoundthathewaslying,wellwrapped,undertallgrey-skinnedtreesinaquietcornerofthewoodlandsonthewestbankoftheGreatRiver,Anduin.Hehadsleptthenightaway,andthegreyofmorningwasdimamongthebarebranches.Gimliwasbusywithasmallfirenearathand.

           Theystartedagainbeforethedaywasbroad.NotthatmostoftheCompanywereeagertohurrysouthwards:theywerecontentthatthedecision,whichtheymustmakeatlatestwhentheycametoRaurosandtheTindrockIsle,stilllaysomedaysahead;andtheylettheRiverbearthemonatitsownpace,havingnodesiretohastentowardstheperilsthatlaybeyond,whichevercoursetheytookintheend.Aragornletthemdriftwiththestreamastheywished,husbandingtheirstrengthagainstwearinesstocome.Butheinsistedthatatleasttheyshouldstartearlyeachdayandjourneyonfarintotheevening;forhefeltinhisheartthattimewaspressing,andhefearedthattheDarkLordhadnotbeenidlewhiletheylingeredinLorien.

           Nonethelesstheysawnosignofanenemythatday,northenext.Thedullgreyhourspassedwithoutevent.Asthethirddayoftheirvoyageworeonthelandschangedslowly:thetreesthinnedandthenfailedaltogether.