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...and white banners broke
and fluttered from the battlements in the morning breeze, and high
and far he heard a clear ringing as of silver trumpets. |
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He turned and saw her as a
glimmer in the night, for she was clad in white, but here eyes were
on fire. |
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'What do you fear, lady?',
he asked.
'A cage,' she said. 'To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept
them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or
desire.' |
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He longed to shut out the
immensity in a quiet room by a fire. |
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And then all the host of Rohan
burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle
was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible
came even to the City. |
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...and the drawing of the
scimitars of the Southrons was like a glitter of stars. |
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It seemed that Dernhelm laughed,
and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. 'But no living man
am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund's daughter. You stand
between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For
living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.' |
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But the helm of her secrecy
had fallen from her, and her bright hair, released from its bonds,
gleamed with pale gold upon her shoulders. Her eyes grey as the sea
were hard and fell, and yet tears were on her cheek. A sword was in
her hand, and she raised her shield against the horror of her enemy's
eyes. |
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Pity filled his heart and
great wonder, and suddenly the slow kindled courage of his race awoke.
He clenched his hand. She should not die, so fair, so desperate! At
least she should not die alone, unaided. |
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