a little Gimli looked back； the pany of Jomer were already small and far
away。 Aragorn did not look back： he was watching the trail as they sped on
their way； bending low with his head beside the neck of Hasufel。 Before long
they came to the borders of the Entwash； and there they met the other trail
of which Jomer had spoken； ing down from the East out of the Wold。
Aragorn dismounted and surveyed the ground； then leaping back into the
saddle； he rode away for some distance eastward； keeping to one side and
taking care not to override the footprints。 Then he again dismounted and
examined the ground； going backwards and forwards on foot。
'There is little to discover；' he said when he returned。 'The main
trail is all confused with the passage of the horsemen as they came back；
their outward course must have lain nearer the river。 But this eastward
trail is fresh and clear。 There is no sign there of any feet going the other
way； back towards Anduin。 Now we must ride slower； and make sure that no
trace or footstep branches off on either side。 The Orcs must have been aware
from this point that they were pursued； they may have made some attempt to
get their captives away before they were overtaken。'
As they rode forward the day was overcast。 Low grey clouds came over
the Wold。 A mist shrouded the sun。 Ever nearer the tree…clad slopes of
Fangorn loomed； slowly darkling as the sun went west。 They saw no sign of
any trail to right or left； but here and there they passed single Orcs；
fallen in their tracks as they ran； with grey…feathered arrows sticking in
back or throat。
At last as the afternoon was waning they came to the eaves of the
forest； and in an open glade among the first trees they found the place of
the great burning： the ashes were still hot and smoking。 Beside it was a
great pile of helms and mail； cloven shields； and broken swords； bows and
darts and other gear of war。 Upon a stake in the middle was set a great
goblin head； upon its shattered helm the white badge could still be seen。
Further away； not far from the river； where it came streaming out from the
edge of the wood； there was a mound。 It was newly raised： the raw earth was
covered with fresh…cut turves： about it were planted fifteen spears。
Aragorn and his panions searched far and wide about the field of
battle； but the light faded； and evening soon drew down； dim and misty。 By
nightfall they had discovered no trace of Merry and Pippin。
'We can do no more；' said Gimli sadly。 'We have been set many riddles
since we came to Tol Brandir； but this is the hardest to unravel。 I would
guess that the burned bones of the hobbits are now mingled with the Orcs'。
It will be hard news for Frodo； if he lives to hear it； and hard too for the
old hobbit who waits in Rivendell。 Elrond was against their ing。'
'But Gandalf was not；' said Legolas。
'But Gandalf chose to e himself； and he was the first to be lost '
answered Gimli。 'His foresight failed him。'
'The counsel of Gandalf was not founded on foreknowledge of safety； for
himself or for others；' said Aragorn。 'There are some things that it is
better to begin than to refuse； even though the end may be dark。 But I shall
not depart from this place yet。 In any case we must here await the
morning…light。'
A little way beyond the battle…field they made their camp under a
spreading tree： it looked like a chestnut； and yet it still bore many broad
brown leaves of a former year； like dry hands with long splayed fingers；
they rattled mournfully in the night…breeze。
Gimli shivered。 They had brought only one blanket apiece。 'Let us light
a fire；' he said。 'I care no longer for the danger。 Let the Orcs e as
thick as summer…moths round a candle！'
'If those unhappy hobbits are astray in the woods； it might draw them
hither；' said Legolas。
'And it might draw other things； neither Orc nor Hobbit；' said Aragorn。
'We are near to the mountain…marches of the traitor Saruman。 Also we are on
the very edge of Fangorn； and it is perilous to touch the trees of that
wood； it is said。'
'But the Rohirrim made a great burning here yesterday；' said Gimli；
'and they felled trees for the fire； as can be seen。 Yet they passed the
night after safely here； when their labour was ended。'
'They were many；' said Aragorn； 'and they do not heed the wrath of
Fangorn； for they e here seldom； and they do not go under the trees。 But
our paths are likely to lead us into the very forest itself。 So have a care！
Cut no living wood！'
'There is no need；' said Gimli。 'The Riders have left chip and bough
enough； and there is dead wood lying in plenty。' He went off to gather fuel；
and busied himself with building and kindling a fire； but Aragorn sat silent
with his back to the great tree； deep in thought； and Legolas stood alone in
the open； looking towards the profound shadow of the wood； leaning forward；
as one who listens to voices calling from a distance。
When the Dwarf had a small bright blaze going； the three panions
drew close to it and sat together； shrouding the light with their hooded
forms。 Legolas looked up at the boughs of the tree reaching out above them。
'Look！' he said。 'The tree is glad of the fire！'
It may have been that the dancing shadows tricked their eyes； but
certainly to each of the panions the boughs appeared to be bending this
way and that so as to e above the flames； while the upper branches were
stooping down； the brown leaves now stood out stiff； and rubbed together
like many cold cracked hands taking fort in the warmth。
There was a silence； for suddenly the dark and unknown forest； so near
at hand； made itself felt as a great brooding presence； full of secret
purpose。 After a while Legolas spoke again。
'Celeborn warned us not to go far into Fangorn；' he said。 'Do you know
why； Aragorn？ What are the fables of the forest that Boromir had heard？'
'I have heard many tales in Gondor and elsewhere；' said Aragorn； 'but
if it were not for the words of Celeborn I should deem them only fables that
Men have made as true knowledge fades。 I had thought of asking you what was
the truth of the matter。 And if an Elf of the Wood does not know； how shall
a Man answer？'
'You have journeyed further than I；' said Legolas。 'I have heard
nothing of this in my own land； save only songs that tell how the Onodrim；
that Men call Ents； dwelt there long ago； for Fangorn is old； old even as
the Elves would reckon it。'
'Yes； it is old；' said Aragorn； 'as old as the forest by the
Barrow…downs； and it is far greater。 Elrond says that the two are akin； the
last strongholds of the mighty woods of the Elder Days； in which the
Firstborn roamed while Men still slept。 Yet Fangorn holds some secret of its
own。 What it is I do not know。'
'And I do not wish to know