The Two Towers Read Online Free PDF Page B

kinship is rather
     with the Bardings of Dale, and with the Beornings of the Wood, among whom may still be seen many men tall and fair, as are
     the Riders of Rohan. At least they will not love the Orcs.’
    ‘But Gandalf spoke of a rumour that they pay tribute to Mordor,’ said Gimli.
    ‘I believe it no more than did Boromir,’ answered Aragorn. ‘You will soon learn the truth,’ said Legolas. ‘Already they approach.’
    At length even Gimli could hear the distant beat of galloping hoofs. The horsemen, following the trail, had turned from the
     river, and were drawing near the downs. They were riding like the wind.
    Now the cries of clear strong voices came ringing over the fields. Suddenly they swept up with a noise like thunder, and the
     foremost horseman swerved, passing by the foot of the hill, and leading the host back southward along the western skirts of
     the downs. After him they rode: a long line of mail-clad men, swift, shining, fell and fair to look upon.
    Their horses were of great stature, strong and clean-limbed; their grey coats glistened, their long tails flowed in the wind, their manes were braided on their proud necks. The Men that
     rode them matched them well: tall and long-limbed; their hair, flaxen-pale, flowed under their light helms, and streamed in
     long braids behind them; their faces were stern and keen. In their hands were tall spears of ash, painted shields were slung
     at their backs, long swords were at their belts, their burnished shirts of mail hung down upon their knees.
    In pairs they galloped by, and though every now and then one rose in his stirrups and gazed ahead and to either side, they
     appeared not to perceive the three strangers sitting silently and watching them. The host had almost passed when suddenly
     Aragorn stood up, and called in a loud voice:
    ‘What news from the North, Riders of Rohan?’
    With astonishing speed and skill they checked their steeds, wheeled, and came charging round. Soon the three companions found
     themselves in a ring of horsemen moving in a running circle, up the hill-slope behind them and down, round and round them,
     and drawing ever inwards. Aragorn stood silent, and the other two sat without moving, wondering what way things would turn.
    Without a word or cry, suddenly, the Riders halted. A thicket of spears were pointed towards the strangers; and some of the
     horsemen had bows in hand, and their arrows were already fitted to the string. Then one rode forward, a tall man, taller than
     all the rest; from his helm as a crest a white horsetail flowed. He advanced until the point of his spear was within a foot
     of Aragorn’s breast. Aragorn did not stir.
    ‘Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?’ said the Rider, using the Common Speech of the West, in manner and tone
     like to the speech of Boromir, Man of Gondor.
    ‘I am called Strider,’ answered Aragorn. ‘I came out of the North. I am hunting Orcs.’
    The Rider leaped from his horse. Giving his spear to another who rode up and dismounted at his side, he drew his sword and stood face to face with Aragorn, surveying him keenly,
     and not without wonder. At length he spoke again.
    ‘At first I thought that you yourselves were Orcs,’ he said; ‘but now I see that it is not so. Indeed you know little of Orcs,
     if you go hunting them in this fashion. They were swift and well-armed, and they were many. You would have changed from hunters
     to prey, if ever you had overtaken them. But there is something strange about you, Strider.’ He bent his clear bright eyes
     again upon the Ranger. ‘That is no name for a Man that you give. And strange too is your raiment. Have you sprung out of the
     grass? How did you escape our sight? Are you Elvish folk?’
    ‘No,’ said Aragorn. ‘One only of us is an Elf, Legolas from the Woodland Realm in distant Mirkwood. But we have passed through
     Lothlórien, and the gifts and favour of the Lady go with us.’
    The Rider looked at