Chapter 10
The City of Tharbad
The morning sun rose quickly during the late hour of morning during these close to winter months. The wind had chilled them as they slept the night before in the overhang of the cave. Yet hard, the cave had given them protection against the blazing wind that never seamed to cease. Sam had awaked that morning and went out in search for firewood that had died back in time and now had dried enough to burn. He climbed down the rough terrain, which took him quite a while, he but managed to accomplish his goal. When he reached an area that was plentiful with trees, he went around searching the barren ground for a tree branch that had fell from the strength of the wind. He managed to find a few but he knew it would not be enough to support a fire to cook a meal. His mind became discouraged but decided to find dried grass instead.
His hands were full as he made his journey back up the mountain to his companions that were still sleeping soundly on the rock floor. He set the materials on the floor of the cave and arranged it into a circle. Two rocks were found lying on the floor and he rubbed them together to produce a spark of light.
The fire crackled, awakening his friends. They yawned with displeasure. Although tired, they seemed awakened from the vicious smoke and blazing flame. They each stood, one by one, and stretched their arms high in the air getting ready to travel.
Sam picked up his knapsack and slung it over his back as a sign of preparation to them all.
"Your not meaning to leave already are you. It's nearly sun-up and already your leaving us behind?" Pippin exclaimed.
"Yes I do intend to leave. Remember what Gandalf said? He said 'the ring will not wait for us and if we do not take action, it will be found by its true master.' Common'." Sam waived his arm towards the opening of the cave.
They all ventured out into the morning to start the new day like they had in many days in the past. In every one of their hearts there was pain and loneliness. The pain and loneliness was not only physical, but also internal. Their backs were strong, but yet weakened and their minds full of anxiety. As they trod down the mountainside, they could feel the taunting of evil around them. The evil spirits that came up from the underworld in search of the ring. Their pounding footsteps echoed in their ears and their hearts beat with excitement. Sam stopped suddenly and listened. A low rumble had now surrounded them since they stepped foot on the open prairies.
"Don't you feel it?" Sam asked looking at his companions.
"Feel what?" Farill had turned and looked behind her. "Those?"
A heard of wild horses came running swiftly behind them. Each ones mane glittered in the sunlight and the wind sang soundly through their long tails. Their sounds moved longingly in the wind that trailed behind them. They followed their leader, a mare that's mane dazzled black in the sun. He was stern and intended for no company at this hour, but when they approached the treading company he neighed and slowed to a trot, guiding his herd to circle around them.
The alliance looked stern and afraid of the surrounding horses that never obeyed mans command. All of them but Farill. She stepped out amongst them and walked up to the mare. Her words were soothing to his ears as she stroked his mane. Slowly his hoofs stepped back, sending puffs of dust up into the air. He neighed once more, and still words escaped Farill's mouth. Finally the mare was out of the circle of wild horses and Farill turned to the hobbits.
"We ride." She said, a smile creeping on to her face. With that she walked to the horse closest to her tall body and mounted it with great pride. She flung back her dark hair, which matched the color of her horses mane, and her sword sheathe stuck out from her apparel and hung down. She grabbed its mane tightly and kicked hard at its side. The three hobbits did the same in her image, mounting a horse, each one of different color. Their stubby legs barley reached the horses side and with great difficulty they managed to strike the horse, just as Farill had done before.
The great herd still watched as some of their company treaded away slowly and then turned to their leader. He stood there, staring strait into the eyes of Farill, who also stared at him. Over her shoulder her eyes glanced back and forth from him to the sky and finally she turned her horse around and dismounted it. She slowly walked back toward the mare and stroking its mane said a short 'thank you' to its kind face.
The hobbits watched as she communicated to the mare and yet they said nothing worth hearing. Their frightened minds were alert up on the high mount of hair and muscle. They were apprehensive about heights and never seemed to care for them much. But they knew their journey had and would again take them to much greater heights and levels. They minded much, and wanted to continue forth on this journey, for the thought of evil still lingered in their minds and they feared even the tinniest of winds that blew through the grasses that surrounded them. They watched her in disbelief as she raised her hand to the horses and quickly ran back to her mare. She jumped on her horse shortly to see the herd dash off into the distance following their vigorous leader. Great clouds of dust were left in their trails and they rode north towards the Weather Hills and the Lost Realm of Arnor. They watched until they could see no more of the pack, only a speck in the distance.
Farill then kicked her horse, alerting the others who had gotten caught in the beauty of the day and the marvel of the earth. They did the same, following her lead towards the city of Tharbad.
They did not know what this city would be like, for none of them had gone in this direction to the destination of their choosing, which indeed was the shameful place of Mordor. The direction in which they traveled at this time of day was to the southeast towards the river of Gwathld (Greyflood).
They rode next to each other in groups of two, first Farill and Sam, then Merry and Pippin following. They rode swiftly through the tall grasses and small shrubs that brushed the warm ground beneath their feet. The wind blew through their shaggy hair that had not been groomed for many days since their departing from Hobbiton. Their least of their worries was their appearance, for who was to care what their face looked like to others on the road with them, for they all looked the same to each other. None of them cared the least and concentrated on the quest that lay ahead and that was already beginning to come upon them.
"Merry, have we got anything to eat in that immensely large pouch?" asked Pippin as his stomach gave off a rude growl. "I don't know how farther I can last without another bite of food."
"I am sorry Pip, but if we want to keep from starving at the end of our journey, we must save our provisions and eat when the time is crucial." Said Merry. "We can't risk it."
"Merry is right." Heeded Farill over her shoulder. "We must save it, for our stomach will not agree with us when there is little food and only dark puddles of poisonous water in the land of Mordor. We must ration ourselves for that time."
Pippin carefully thought about her words and looked back down at his stomach high upon the horse's posterior. He did not agree with this train of thought and wished that he had had the decision of carrying the large bag. Then there would have been no denying him of the food. He sat quietly as his brain storming ideas raced through his mind and the horse bounced him up and down at a slow trot.
Sam had been sitting quietly upon his horse, not saying a word and only thinking to himself of the beautiful landscape of Redell. He could only imagine what it would look like, the beautiful buildings and calm waters. The sweet sound of chirping birds and the quiet wind blowing through the golden trees. O how he wished his time would end here so he could pass into the realm of the Undying, but he knew that he could not go there unless he was beckoned by those much grater than he. Those who's power was unlimited and who knew and could see all. Only by the Queen Galadriel could he enter to the Undying Lands. But first he had to prove to her and himself that he was worthy of entering that perfect place. First he had to finish the task he was asked to do. First he had to find the ring and destroy it. "Where is this city of Tharbad?" asked Sam. "Its whereabouts can not be far from here. My horse grows tired by the minute and I can not risk him getting weak."
"It is not far from here. Only a few leagues more and we shall enter the boundary of Dwaith. We will see the city from this mountain we are about to encounter and from there we will take the less steep journey down so our horses will not stumble and fall down the side of the mountain. It is on their behalf that we travel this way."
"What shall happen when we come to places where our horses can not follow?" Asked Pippin. "What shall we do then?"
"Set them free of course, 'member Pip, with Sam's old horse. When we reached the gate of Moria it was set free and never seen again. Isn't that right Sam, you never saw that old chap again did you!"
"I'm afraid I didn't. I wonder what ever happened to him." Sam uttered.
"Probably loosed out in the wilderness somewhere, and later killed by some foul orc. Shame. He was worth the keepin' if we had the choice." Said Pippin thinking rather rudely out loud. "But really, the choice was not for us to make. He would have been killed any way in the caves of Moria."
"Yes you are right." Said Sam thoughtfully to him. "He wouldn't have lasted much longer."
Dark clouds filled the sky and the wind blew them in the direction of the South as they progressed up the mountain. The wind chilled their bones and the day seemed to change to night. The sky grew darker and the fluffy clouds turned into giant villains ready to pour down upon them with all their might and send them deep into the earth. They kicked their horses driving them up the steepness of the cold cliff. Swiftly they hurried as not to be caught in the upcoming siege. When they reached the top they looked over the boundary to see the city below. Its great stone structures stretched high into the sky and great towers protected the city. A vast wall surrounded the city and a massive gate guarded the entry. The river Gwathld traveled directly beside the city, and the North-South Road traveled through it. A large bridge could be seen from the opposite side of the city that crossed the great river and landed on the bank behind the city. It was immensely large and seemed to stretch for miles in range but they knew it couldn't.
"Come, let us ride, for the king of Dwaith will let us dwell here until the foul weather passes and we are able to ride again," said Farill. "We shall not be caught out in the storm when it is at it's worst."
She rode alongside the mountain face until they reached a pathway that had been carved into the mountainside by the people of Tharbad so trade could enter the city. It led down the mountainside to the front of the city where the gate lay. This road was not as steep and coarse sand was laid upon it as to make it easier to travel on. Farill led the way intending to make it down the mountain before heavy drops poured upon their heads like an ant in morning dew. The horses traveled quickly down the path, aware of the storms high above their heads. The soft sand skidded beneath their hoofs and they sometimes slipped due to their fast pace.
When they reached the bottom the shadow of clouds surrounded them as they made their way into the city. As they approached the large wooden doors, they heard shouts of men from above inside the rock walls. The horses kept riding with out delay at the gate and as they approached the big doors creaked as they opened to greet them on their arrival. In the companions rode to the city that was deserted by mostly everyone that lived there. For they wanted to escape the expected storm that continually hovered above their city.
Farill led the hobbits to the great fortress where the king sat upon his throne. They dismounted their horses, leaving them in the stables next to the great stairway and entered the palace made of rock and stone. Farill lifted her dress as she trod up the stairway outside the fortress. She warned them carefully as she walked. "Do not give any clues of the ring and where its whereabouts are. For we do not know of which side this king belongs. He could be an enemy, for we can not trust any one. He may kill us at sight if he perceives that we know where the ring is hidden. So keep still and quiet and let me speak."
She turned and walked up to the door as the guards opened it. They walked inside and saw the king sitting there upon his throne gazing into an object much like one of them had seen before. He covered it quickly with a cloak when he saw the visitors approaching. He looked up sternly as if not welcoming guests at this time. An evil eye spied the halflings as they walked up to the throne to greet him. He quickly put on a phony smile and pretended to greet them with pleasure.
"Welcome friends." The king said. "What brings you, an Egmil and three halflings to me on such a turbulent night?" he questioned them as he rubbed his chin. His eyes burned fire and his angry heart was hidden by his joyful face expression.
"We come to ask of shelter from the storm that is quickly approaching. It is nothing much that we ask of. Just some safety until the storm passes." Said Farill.
He sat there and thought, looking into the eyes of each one of them, searching for an answer that he could not find.
"Where might your destination lead?" he asked them.
"We plan to travel to Rohan to meet our friend. We have plans with him in that city." Farill spoke.
The king turned to the hobbits, in particular Sam and looked him straight in the eye. "Where have you traveled from?" the king asked him.
Farill answered quickly "Hobbiton." But the king said to himself. "Let the halfling speak. He has a voice has he not." He eyed her out of the corner of his eye and then turned back to Sam. "Where are you from?"
He turned to Farill and she just looked at him, waiting to hear what his answer might be. He turned back to the king. "I am from the Shire, and my name is Samwise Gamgee." Sam looked at his feet once he had said this, too afraid to look into the eyes of the king.
The king's eyes widened as Sam had mentioned the word Shire. He had heard this word before, long ago, when the evil one was searching for one ring. It was heard to be in the hands of a hobbit from the Shire.
"Where at in the Shire did you say, Samwise Gamgee?"
"Hobbiton." He answered calmly, for he knew what this man was getting to. He had to hide his identity but he had already told the king exactly who he was. There was no escaping now.
"I see." The king said. "Yes, I shall grant you one night and more if you wish. But, see to it that I know of your departure and that is not kept a secret from me also." An evil smile crept upon his face, and the companions turned to leave from that place. They raced out the door in an unnoticeable fashion as not to let the king see their flee out of the throne room. When they reached outside Farill let out a big breath and yet she did not speak. She walked down the stairs into the main part of the city with the hobbits following close behind.
They reached a room that was open to their use and once they had all entered Farill quickly locked the door behind them.
"He is evil!" she exclaimed. "His eyes burned like fire and I could tell that he knew about the ring. He knew you Sam! He had heard about the ring and the hobbits that traveled with it to Barad-dur. He is in union with the evil Sauron and now will try to get any information out of you Sam to find the ring."
"Then we must leave immediately after the storm ceases. We cannot risk staying here tonight."
"Yes I agree." Merry replied.
"After of course we get a bit to eat." Pippin exclaimed immediately. "I could not live with out a bite of food."
They ate and finally slept for the rest of the night, one always staying awake to watch for unwanted guests and for the storm to cease. And long into the night they watched but the storm continued without stop and finally they all slept, not soundly for they feared the approaching men that would kill them if they with held any information from them about the ring. But finally they could not help it and all fell asleep, with the storm raging outside in the city of Tharbad.
((
The City of Tharbad
The morning sun rose quickly during the late hour of morning during these close to winter months. The wind had chilled them as they slept the night before in the overhang of the cave. Yet hard, the cave had given them protection against the blazing wind that never seamed to cease. Sam had awaked that morning and went out in search for firewood that had died back in time and now had dried enough to burn. He climbed down the rough terrain, which took him quite a while, he but managed to accomplish his goal. When he reached an area that was plentiful with trees, he went around searching the barren ground for a tree branch that had fell from the strength of the wind. He managed to find a few but he knew it would not be enough to support a fire to cook a meal. His mind became discouraged but decided to find dried grass instead.
His hands were full as he made his journey back up the mountain to his companions that were still sleeping soundly on the rock floor. He set the materials on the floor of the cave and arranged it into a circle. Two rocks were found lying on the floor and he rubbed them together to produce a spark of light.
The fire crackled, awakening his friends. They yawned with displeasure. Although tired, they seemed awakened from the vicious smoke and blazing flame. They each stood, one by one, and stretched their arms high in the air getting ready to travel.
Sam picked up his knapsack and slung it over his back as a sign of preparation to them all.
"Your not meaning to leave already are you. It's nearly sun-up and already your leaving us behind?" Pippin exclaimed.
"Yes I do intend to leave. Remember what Gandalf said? He said 'the ring will not wait for us and if we do not take action, it will be found by its true master.' Common'." Sam waived his arm towards the opening of the cave.
They all ventured out into the morning to start the new day like they had in many days in the past. In every one of their hearts there was pain and loneliness. The pain and loneliness was not only physical, but also internal. Their backs were strong, but yet weakened and their minds full of anxiety. As they trod down the mountainside, they could feel the taunting of evil around them. The evil spirits that came up from the underworld in search of the ring. Their pounding footsteps echoed in their ears and their hearts beat with excitement. Sam stopped suddenly and listened. A low rumble had now surrounded them since they stepped foot on the open prairies.
"Don't you feel it?" Sam asked looking at his companions.
"Feel what?" Farill had turned and looked behind her. "Those?"
A heard of wild horses came running swiftly behind them. Each ones mane glittered in the sunlight and the wind sang soundly through their long tails. Their sounds moved longingly in the wind that trailed behind them. They followed their leader, a mare that's mane dazzled black in the sun. He was stern and intended for no company at this hour, but when they approached the treading company he neighed and slowed to a trot, guiding his herd to circle around them.
The alliance looked stern and afraid of the surrounding horses that never obeyed mans command. All of them but Farill. She stepped out amongst them and walked up to the mare. Her words were soothing to his ears as she stroked his mane. Slowly his hoofs stepped back, sending puffs of dust up into the air. He neighed once more, and still words escaped Farill's mouth. Finally the mare was out of the circle of wild horses and Farill turned to the hobbits.
"We ride." She said, a smile creeping on to her face. With that she walked to the horse closest to her tall body and mounted it with great pride. She flung back her dark hair, which matched the color of her horses mane, and her sword sheathe stuck out from her apparel and hung down. She grabbed its mane tightly and kicked hard at its side. The three hobbits did the same in her image, mounting a horse, each one of different color. Their stubby legs barley reached the horses side and with great difficulty they managed to strike the horse, just as Farill had done before.
The great herd still watched as some of their company treaded away slowly and then turned to their leader. He stood there, staring strait into the eyes of Farill, who also stared at him. Over her shoulder her eyes glanced back and forth from him to the sky and finally she turned her horse around and dismounted it. She slowly walked back toward the mare and stroking its mane said a short 'thank you' to its kind face.
The hobbits watched as she communicated to the mare and yet they said nothing worth hearing. Their frightened minds were alert up on the high mount of hair and muscle. They were apprehensive about heights and never seemed to care for them much. But they knew their journey had and would again take them to much greater heights and levels. They minded much, and wanted to continue forth on this journey, for the thought of evil still lingered in their minds and they feared even the tinniest of winds that blew through the grasses that surrounded them. They watched her in disbelief as she raised her hand to the horses and quickly ran back to her mare. She jumped on her horse shortly to see the herd dash off into the distance following their vigorous leader. Great clouds of dust were left in their trails and they rode north towards the Weather Hills and the Lost Realm of Arnor. They watched until they could see no more of the pack, only a speck in the distance.
Farill then kicked her horse, alerting the others who had gotten caught in the beauty of the day and the marvel of the earth. They did the same, following her lead towards the city of Tharbad.
They did not know what this city would be like, for none of them had gone in this direction to the destination of their choosing, which indeed was the shameful place of Mordor. The direction in which they traveled at this time of day was to the southeast towards the river of Gwathld (Greyflood).
They rode next to each other in groups of two, first Farill and Sam, then Merry and Pippin following. They rode swiftly through the tall grasses and small shrubs that brushed the warm ground beneath their feet. The wind blew through their shaggy hair that had not been groomed for many days since their departing from Hobbiton. Their least of their worries was their appearance, for who was to care what their face looked like to others on the road with them, for they all looked the same to each other. None of them cared the least and concentrated on the quest that lay ahead and that was already beginning to come upon them.
"Merry, have we got anything to eat in that immensely large pouch?" asked Pippin as his stomach gave off a rude growl. "I don't know how farther I can last without another bite of food."
"I am sorry Pip, but if we want to keep from starving at the end of our journey, we must save our provisions and eat when the time is crucial." Said Merry. "We can't risk it."
"Merry is right." Heeded Farill over her shoulder. "We must save it, for our stomach will not agree with us when there is little food and only dark puddles of poisonous water in the land of Mordor. We must ration ourselves for that time."
Pippin carefully thought about her words and looked back down at his stomach high upon the horse's posterior. He did not agree with this train of thought and wished that he had had the decision of carrying the large bag. Then there would have been no denying him of the food. He sat quietly as his brain storming ideas raced through his mind and the horse bounced him up and down at a slow trot.
Sam had been sitting quietly upon his horse, not saying a word and only thinking to himself of the beautiful landscape of Redell. He could only imagine what it would look like, the beautiful buildings and calm waters. The sweet sound of chirping birds and the quiet wind blowing through the golden trees. O how he wished his time would end here so he could pass into the realm of the Undying, but he knew that he could not go there unless he was beckoned by those much grater than he. Those who's power was unlimited and who knew and could see all. Only by the Queen Galadriel could he enter to the Undying Lands. But first he had to prove to her and himself that he was worthy of entering that perfect place. First he had to finish the task he was asked to do. First he had to find the ring and destroy it. "Where is this city of Tharbad?" asked Sam. "Its whereabouts can not be far from here. My horse grows tired by the minute and I can not risk him getting weak."
"It is not far from here. Only a few leagues more and we shall enter the boundary of Dwaith. We will see the city from this mountain we are about to encounter and from there we will take the less steep journey down so our horses will not stumble and fall down the side of the mountain. It is on their behalf that we travel this way."
"What shall happen when we come to places where our horses can not follow?" Asked Pippin. "What shall we do then?"
"Set them free of course, 'member Pip, with Sam's old horse. When we reached the gate of Moria it was set free and never seen again. Isn't that right Sam, you never saw that old chap again did you!"
"I'm afraid I didn't. I wonder what ever happened to him." Sam uttered.
"Probably loosed out in the wilderness somewhere, and later killed by some foul orc. Shame. He was worth the keepin' if we had the choice." Said Pippin thinking rather rudely out loud. "But really, the choice was not for us to make. He would have been killed any way in the caves of Moria."
"Yes you are right." Said Sam thoughtfully to him. "He wouldn't have lasted much longer."
Dark clouds filled the sky and the wind blew them in the direction of the South as they progressed up the mountain. The wind chilled their bones and the day seemed to change to night. The sky grew darker and the fluffy clouds turned into giant villains ready to pour down upon them with all their might and send them deep into the earth. They kicked their horses driving them up the steepness of the cold cliff. Swiftly they hurried as not to be caught in the upcoming siege. When they reached the top they looked over the boundary to see the city below. Its great stone structures stretched high into the sky and great towers protected the city. A vast wall surrounded the city and a massive gate guarded the entry. The river Gwathld traveled directly beside the city, and the North-South Road traveled through it. A large bridge could be seen from the opposite side of the city that crossed the great river and landed on the bank behind the city. It was immensely large and seemed to stretch for miles in range but they knew it couldn't.
"Come, let us ride, for the king of Dwaith will let us dwell here until the foul weather passes and we are able to ride again," said Farill. "We shall not be caught out in the storm when it is at it's worst."
She rode alongside the mountain face until they reached a pathway that had been carved into the mountainside by the people of Tharbad so trade could enter the city. It led down the mountainside to the front of the city where the gate lay. This road was not as steep and coarse sand was laid upon it as to make it easier to travel on. Farill led the way intending to make it down the mountain before heavy drops poured upon their heads like an ant in morning dew. The horses traveled quickly down the path, aware of the storms high above their heads. The soft sand skidded beneath their hoofs and they sometimes slipped due to their fast pace.
When they reached the bottom the shadow of clouds surrounded them as they made their way into the city. As they approached the large wooden doors, they heard shouts of men from above inside the rock walls. The horses kept riding with out delay at the gate and as they approached the big doors creaked as they opened to greet them on their arrival. In the companions rode to the city that was deserted by mostly everyone that lived there. For they wanted to escape the expected storm that continually hovered above their city.
Farill led the hobbits to the great fortress where the king sat upon his throne. They dismounted their horses, leaving them in the stables next to the great stairway and entered the palace made of rock and stone. Farill lifted her dress as she trod up the stairway outside the fortress. She warned them carefully as she walked. "Do not give any clues of the ring and where its whereabouts are. For we do not know of which side this king belongs. He could be an enemy, for we can not trust any one. He may kill us at sight if he perceives that we know where the ring is hidden. So keep still and quiet and let me speak."
She turned and walked up to the door as the guards opened it. They walked inside and saw the king sitting there upon his throne gazing into an object much like one of them had seen before. He covered it quickly with a cloak when he saw the visitors approaching. He looked up sternly as if not welcoming guests at this time. An evil eye spied the halflings as they walked up to the throne to greet him. He quickly put on a phony smile and pretended to greet them with pleasure.
"Welcome friends." The king said. "What brings you, an Egmil and three halflings to me on such a turbulent night?" he questioned them as he rubbed his chin. His eyes burned fire and his angry heart was hidden by his joyful face expression.
"We come to ask of shelter from the storm that is quickly approaching. It is nothing much that we ask of. Just some safety until the storm passes." Said Farill.
He sat there and thought, looking into the eyes of each one of them, searching for an answer that he could not find.
"Where might your destination lead?" he asked them.
"We plan to travel to Rohan to meet our friend. We have plans with him in that city." Farill spoke.
The king turned to the hobbits, in particular Sam and looked him straight in the eye. "Where have you traveled from?" the king asked him.
Farill answered quickly "Hobbiton." But the king said to himself. "Let the halfling speak. He has a voice has he not." He eyed her out of the corner of his eye and then turned back to Sam. "Where are you from?"
He turned to Farill and she just looked at him, waiting to hear what his answer might be. He turned back to the king. "I am from the Shire, and my name is Samwise Gamgee." Sam looked at his feet once he had said this, too afraid to look into the eyes of the king.
The king's eyes widened as Sam had mentioned the word Shire. He had heard this word before, long ago, when the evil one was searching for one ring. It was heard to be in the hands of a hobbit from the Shire.
"Where at in the Shire did you say, Samwise Gamgee?"
"Hobbiton." He answered calmly, for he knew what this man was getting to. He had to hide his identity but he had already told the king exactly who he was. There was no escaping now.
"I see." The king said. "Yes, I shall grant you one night and more if you wish. But, see to it that I know of your departure and that is not kept a secret from me also." An evil smile crept upon his face, and the companions turned to leave from that place. They raced out the door in an unnoticeable fashion as not to let the king see their flee out of the throne room. When they reached outside Farill let out a big breath and yet she did not speak. She walked down the stairs into the main part of the city with the hobbits following close behind.
They reached a room that was open to their use and once they had all entered Farill quickly locked the door behind them.
"He is evil!" she exclaimed. "His eyes burned like fire and I could tell that he knew about the ring. He knew you Sam! He had heard about the ring and the hobbits that traveled with it to Barad-dur. He is in union with the evil Sauron and now will try to get any information out of you Sam to find the ring."
"Then we must leave immediately after the storm ceases. We cannot risk staying here tonight."
"Yes I agree." Merry replied.
"After of course we get a bit to eat." Pippin exclaimed immediately. "I could not live with out a bite of food."
They ate and finally slept for the rest of the night, one always staying awake to watch for unwanted guests and for the storm to cease. And long into the night they watched but the storm continued without stop and finally they all slept, not soundly for they feared the approaching men that would kill them if they with held any information from them about the ring. But finally they could not help it and all fell asleep, with the storm raging outside in the city of Tharbad.
((
