[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.My lord, if your sister's love for you, and her will still bent toher duty, had not restrained her lips; you might have heard even such thingsas these escape them.But who knows what she spoke to the darkness, alone,in the bitter watches of the night, when all her life seemed shrinking, andthe walls of her bower closing in about her, a hutch to trammel some wildthing in?'Then Jomer was silent, and looked on his sister, as if pondering anewall the days of their past life together.But Aragorn said: 'I saw also whatyou saw, Jomer.Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world havemore bitterness and shame for a man's heart than to behold the love of alady so fair and brave that cannot be returned Sorrow and pity have followedme ever since I left her desperate in Dunharrow and rode to the Paths of theDead; and no fear upon that way was so present as the fear for what mightbefall her.And yet, Jomer, I say to you that she loves you more truly thanme; for you she loves and knows; but in me she loves only a shadow and athought: a hope of glory and great deeds, and lands far from the fields ofRohan.'I have, maybe, the power to heal her body, and to recall her from thedark valley.But to what she will awake: hope, or forgetfulness, or despair,I do not know.And if to despair, then she will die, unless other healingcomes which I cannot bring.Alas! for her deeds have set her among thequeens of great renown.'Then Aragorn stooped and looked in her face, and it was indeed white asa lily, cold as frost, and hard as graven stone.But he bent and kissed heron the brow, and called her softly, saying:'Jowyn Jomund's daughter, awake! For your enemy has passed away!'She did not stir, but now she began again to breathe deeply, so thather breast rose and fell beneath the white linen of the sheet.Once moreAragorn bruised two leaves of athelas and cast them into steaming water; andhe laved her brow with it, and her right arm lying cold and nerveless on thecoverlet.Then, whether Aragorn had indeed some forgotten power of Westernesse,or whether it was but his words of the Lady Jowyn that wrought on them, as the sweet influence of the herb stole about the chamber it seemed to thosewho stood by that a keen wind blew through the window, and it bore no scent,but was an air wholly fresh and clean and young, as if it had not beforebeen breathed by any living thing and came new-made from snowymountainshigh beneath a dome of stars, or from shores of silver far away washed byseas of foam.'Awake, Jowyn, Lady of Rohan!' said Aragorn again, and he took herright hand in his and felt it warm with life returning.'Awake! The shadowis gone and all darkness is washed clean!' Then he laid her hand in Jomer'sand stepped away.'Call her!' he said, and he passed silently from thechamber.'Jowyn, Jowyn!' cried Jomer amid his tears.But she opened her eyes andsaid: 'Jomer! What joy is this? For they said that you were slain.Nay, butthat was only the dark voices in my dream.How long have I been dreaming?''Not long, my sister,' said Jomer.'But think no more on it!'' I am strangely weary,' she said.'I must rest a little.But tell me,what of the Lord of the Mark? Alas! Do not tell me that that was a dream forI know that it was not.He is dead as he foresaw.''He is dead,' said Jomer, 'but he bade me say farewell to Jowyn dearerthan daughter.He lies now in great honour in the Citadel of Gondor.''That is grievous,' she said.'And yet it is good beyond all that Idared hope in the dark days, when it seemed that the House of Eorl was sunkin honour less than any shepherd's cot.And what of the king's esquire, theHalfling? Jomer, you shall make him a knight of the Riddermark, for he isvaliant!''He lies nearby in this House, and I will go to him,' said Gandalf.'Jomer shall stay here for a while.But do not speak yet of war or woe,until you are made whole again.Great gladness it is to see you wake againto health and hope, so valiant a lady!''To health?' said Jowyn.'It may be so.At least while there is anempty saddle of some fallen Rider that I can fill, and there are deeds todo.But to hope? I do not know.'Gandalf and Pippin came to Merry's room, and there they found Aragornstanding by the bed.'Poor old Merry!' cried Pippin, and he ran to thebedside, for it seemed to him that his friend looked worse, and a greynesswas in his face, as if a weight of years of sorrow lay on him; and suddenly a fear seized Pippin that Merry would die.'Do not be afraid,' said Aragorn.'I came in time, and I have calledhim back.He is weary now, and grieved, and he has taken a hurt like theLady Jowyn, daring to smite that deadly thing.But these evils can beamended, so strong and gay a spirit is in him.His grief he will not forget;but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.'Then Aragorn laid his hand on Merry's head, and passing his hand gentlythrough the brown curls, he touched the eyelids, and called him by name.Andwhen the fragrance of athelas stole through the room, like the scent oforchards, and of heather in the sunshine full of bees, suddenly Merry awoke,and he said:'I am hungry.What is the time?''Past supper-time now,' said Pippin; 'though I daresay I could bringyou something, if they will let me.''They will indeed,' said Gandalf.'And anything else that this Rider ofRohan may desire, if it can be found in Minas Tirith, where his name is inhonour.''Good!' said Merry.'Then I would like supper first, and after that apipe.' At that his face clouded.'No, not a pipe.I don't think I'll smokeagain.''Why not?' said Pippin.'Well,' answered Merry slowly.'He is dead.It has brought it all backto me.He said he was sorry he had never had a chance of talking herb-lorewith me.Almost the last thing he ever said.I shan't ever be able to smokeagain without thinking of him, and that day, Pippin, when he rode up toIsengard and was so polite.''Smoke then, and think of him!' said Aragorn.'For he was a gentleheart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows toa last fair morning.Though your service to him was brief, it should be amemory glad and honourable to the end of your days.'Merry smiled.'Well then,' he said, 'if Strider will provide what isneeded, I will smoke and think.I had some of Saruman's best in my pack, butwhat became of it in the battle, I am sure I don't know.''Master Meriadoc,' said Aragorn, 'if you think that I have passedthrough the mountains and the realm of Gondor with fire and sword to bringherbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear, you are mistaken.Ifyour pack has not been found, then you must send for the herb-master of this House.And he will tell you that he did not know that the herb you desirehad any virtues, but that it is called westmansweed by the vulgar, andgalenas by the noble, and other names in other tongues more learned, andafter adding a few half-forgotten rhymes that he does not understand, hewill regretfully inform you that there is none in the House, and he willleave you to reflect on the history of tongues.And so now must I [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]