The sentinel hailed him as he went by, and he recognized the
voice of Beregond.
‘Whither do you run, Master Peregrin?’ he cried.
‘To find Mithrandir,’ Pippin answered.
‘The Lord’s errands are urgent and should not be hindered
by me,’ said Beregond; ‘but tell me quickly, if you may: what goes forward?
Whither has my Lord gone? I have just come on duty, but I heard that he passed
towards the Closed Door, and men were bearing Faramir before him.’
‘Yes,’ said Pippin, ‘to the Silent Street.’
Beregond bowed his head to hide his tears. ‘They said that
he was dying,’ he sighed, ‘and now he is dead.’
‘No,’ said Pippin, ‘not yet. And even now his death
might be prevented, I think. But the Lord of the City, Beregond, has fallen
before his city is taken. He is fey and dangerous.’ Quickly he told of
Denethor’s strange words and deeds. ‘I must find Gandalf at once.’
‘Then you must go down to the battle.’
-
Pippin is fitting into his armor. He's found his voice.
Earlier he was ordering men around-- telling them not to do anything until
Gandalf comes. He's determined that he must get Gandalf-- fight his fears
and go down to the battle. Pippin is acting more like a leader here than a
mere soldier. I am reminded of other members of the fellowship who go from
follower to leader. Can you think of any other similar examples?
-
In the subject heading of this post, I allude to Rath Dínen
or the silent street. How long is this street? I am reminded of the
Paths of the Dead Aragorn is facing at this same time. Is Denethor's walk
into the tombs of the Stewards and Kings of Gondor a way for Tolkien
to contrast the two leaders? Any other comments/observations on Rath Dínen?
Forcing himself on against a gust of fear and horror that
shook him almost to his knees. Pippin turned a corner opening on the wide place
behind the City Gate. He stopped dead. He had found Gandalf; but he shrank back,
cowering into a shadow.
-
I include this section because my heart always stops for
both Pippin and Gandalf. I've tried breaking this down to see why these
lines get to me so much. The only thing I pick out is the short chopping
phrases starting with he stopped dead. No real question on this. I just want
to pick your brains a bit here...
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To
Reverend:
Alas,
we cry for us today--
A
dearest friend has gone away.
As
we recall his words we read
And
weep for words not to be said--
Remember
what our eyes enclose:
The
lasting imprints of his prose.
The
purest tribute our heart rends
Is
written within minds of friends.
~ CA Jolin
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