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gazed in wonder at the hobbit that sat before him and at the horse that bore him。 For the people of
the City used horses very little and they were seldom seen in their streets； save only those ridden by
the errand…riders of their lord。 And they said： 'Surely that is one of the great steeds of the King of
Rohan？ Maybe the Rohirrim will e soon to strengthen us。' But Shadowfax walked proudly up
the long winding road。
For the fashion of Minas Tirith was such that it was built on seven levels； each delved into the
hill； and about each was set a wall； and in each wall was a gate。 But the gates were not set in a line：
the Great Gate in the City Wall was at the east point of the circuit； but the next faced half south；
and the third half north； and so to and fro upwards； so that the paved way that climbed towards the
Citadel turned first this way and then that across the face of the hill。 And each time that it passed
the line of the Great Gate it went through an arched tunnel； piercing a vast pier of rock whose huge
out…thrust bulk divided in two all the circles of the City save the first。 For partly in the primeval
shaping of the hill； partly by the mighty craft and labour of old； there stood up from the rear of the
wide court behind the Gate a towering bastion of stone； its edge sharp as a ship…keel facing east。 Up
it rose； even to the level of the topmost circle； and there was crowned by a battlement； so that those
in the Citadel might； like mariners in a mountainous ship； look from its peak sheer down upon the
Gate seven hundred feet below。 The entrance to the Citadel also looked eastward； but was delved in
the heart of the rock； thence a long lamp…lit slope ran up to the seventh gate。 Thus men reached at
last the High Court； and the Place of the Fountain before the feet of the White Tower： tall and
shapely； fifty fathoms from its base to the pinnacle； where the banner of the Stewards floated a
thousand feet above the plain。
A strong citadel it was indeed； and not to be taken by a host of enemies； if there were any within
that could hold weapons； unless some foe could e behind and scale the lower skirts of
Mindolluin； and so e upon the narrow shoulder that joined the Hill of Guard to the mountain
mass。 But that shoulder； which rose to the height of the fifth wall； was hedged with great ramparts
right up to the precipice that overhung its western end； and in that space stood the houses and
domed tombs of bygone kings and lords； for ever silent between the mountain and the tower。
Pippin gazed in growing wonder at the great stone city； vaster and more splendid than anything
that he had dreamed of； greater and stronger than Isengard； and far more beautiful。 Yet it was in
truth falling year by year into decay； and already it lacked half the men that could have dwelt at
ease there。 In every street they passed some great house or court over whose doors and arched gates
were carved many fair letters of strange and ancient shapes： names Pippin guessed of great men and
kindreds that had once dwelt there； and yet now they were silent； and no footsteps rang on their
wide pavements； nor voice was heard in their halls； nor any face looked out from door or empty
window。
At last they came out of shadow to the seventh gate； and the warm sun that shone down beyond
the river； as Frodo walked in the glades of Ithilien； glowed here on the smooth walls and rooted
pillars； and the great arch with keystone carven in the likeness of a crowned and kingly head。
Gandalf dismounted； for no horse was allowed in the Citadel； and Shadowfax suffered himself to
be led away at the soft word of his master。
The Guards of the gate were robed in black； and their helms were of strange shape； high…
crowned； with long cheek…guards close…fitting to the face； and above the cheek…guards were set the
white wings of sea…birds； but the helms gleamed with a flame of silver； for they were indeed
wrought of _mithril_； heirlooms from the glory of old days。 Upon the black surcoats were
embroidered in white a tree blossoming like snow beneath a silver crown and many…pointed stars。
This was the livery of the heirs of Elendil； and none wore it now in all Gondor； save the Guards of
the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree once had grown。
Already it seemed that word of their ing had gone before them： and at once they were
admitted； silently； and without question。 Quickly Gandalf strode across the white…paved court。 A
sweet fountain played there in the morning sun； and a sward of bright green lay about it； but in the
midst。 drooping over the pool； stood a dead tree； and the falling drops dripped sadly from its barren
and broken branches back into the clear water。
Pippin glanced at it as he hurried after Gandalf。 It looked mournful； he thought； and he
wondered why the dead tree was left in this place where everything else was well tended。
_Seven stars and seven stones and one white tree。_
The words that Gandalf had murmured came back into his mind。 And then he found himself at
the doors of the great hall beneath the gleaming tower； and behind the wizard he passed the tall
silent door…wardens and entered the cool echoing shadows of the house of stone。
They walked down a paved passage； long and empty； and as they went Gandalf spoke softly to
Pippin。 'Be careful of your words； Master Peregrin！ This is no time for hobbit pertness。 Théoden is
a kindly old man。 Denethor is of another sort； proud and subtle； a man of far greater lineage and
power； though he is not called a king。 But he will speak most to you； and question you much； since
you can tell him of his son Boromir。 He loved him greatly： too much perhaps； and the more so
because they were unlike。 But under cover of this love he will think it easier to learn what he
witches from you rather than from me。 Do not tell him more than you need； and leave quiet the
matter of Frodo's errand。 I will deal with that in due time。 And say nothing about Aragorn either；
unless you must。'
'Why not？ What is wrong with Strider？' Pippin whispered。 'He meant to e here； didn't he？
And he'll be arriving soon himself anyway。'
'Maybe； maybe；' said Gandalf。 'Though if he es； it is likely to be in some way that no one
expects； not even Denethor。 It will be better so。 At least he should e unheralded by us。'
Gandalf halted before a tall door of polished metal。 'See； Master Pippin； there is no time to
instruct you now in the history of Gondor； though it might have been better； if you had learned
something of it； when you were still birds…nesting and playing truant in the woods of the Shire。 Do
as I bid！ It is scarcely wise when bringing the news of the death of his heir to a mighty lord to speak
over much of the ing of one who will； if he es； claim the kingship。 Is that enough？'
'Kingship？' said Pippin amazed。
'Yes；' said Gandalf。 'If you have walked all these days with closed ears and mind asleep； wake
up now！' He knocked on the door。
The door opened； but no one could be seen to open it。 Pippin looked into a great hall。 It was lit
by deep windows in the wide aisles at either side； beyond the rows of tall pillars that upheld the
roof。 Monoliths of black marble； they rose to great capitals carved in many strange figures of beasts
and leaves； and far above in shadow the wide vaulting gleamed with dull gold； inset with flowing
traceries of many colours。 No hangings nor storied webs； nor any things of woven stuff or of wood；
were to be seen in that long solemn hall； but between the pillars there stood a silent pany of tall
images graven in cold stone。
Suddenly Pippin was reminded of the hewn rocks of Argonath； and awe fell on him； as he
looked down that avenue of kings long dead。 At the far end upon a dais of many steps was set a
high throne under a canopy of marble shaped like a crowned helm； behind it was carved upon the
wall and set with gems an image of a tree in flower。 But the throne was empty。 At the foot of the
dais； upon the lowest step which was broad and deep； there was a stone chair； black and unadorned；
and on it sat an old man gazing at his lap。 In his hand was a white rod with a golden knob。 He did
not look up。 Solemnly they paced the long floor towards him； until they stood three paces from his
footstool。 Then Gandalf spoke。
'Hail； Lord and Steward of Minas Tirith； Denethor son of Ecthelion！ I am e with counsel
and tidings in this dark hour。'
Then the old man looked up。 Pippin saw his carven face with its proud bones and skin like ivory；
and the long curved nose between the dark deep eyes； and he was reminded not so much of
Boromir as of Aragorn。 'Dark indeed is the hour；' said the old man； 'and at such times you are wont
to e； Mithrandir。 But though all the signs forebode that the doom of Gondor is drawing nigh；
less now to me is that darkness than my own darkness。 It has been told to me that you bring with
you one who saw my son die。 Is this he？'
'It is；' said Gandalf。 'One of the twain。 The other is with Théoden of Rohan and may e
hereafter。 Halflings they are； as you see； yet this is not he of whom the omens spoke。'
'Yet a Halfling still；' said Denethor grimly； 'and little love do I bear the name； since those
accursed words came to trouble our counsels and drew away my son on the wild errand to his death。
My Boromir！ Now we have need of you。 Faramir should have gone in his stead。'
'He would have gone；' said Gandalf。 'Be not unjust in your grief！ Boromir claimed the errand
and would not suffer any other to have it。 He was a masterful man； and one to take what he desired。
I journeyed far with him and learned much of his mood。 But you speak of his death。 You have had
news of that ere we came？'
'I have received this；' said Denethor； and laying down his rod he lifted from his lap the thing that
he had been gazing at。 In each hand he held up one half of a great horn cloven through the middle：
a wild…ox horn bound with silver。
'That is the horn that Boromir always wore！' cried Pippin。
'Verily；' said Denethor。 'And in my turn I bore it； and so did each eldest son of our house； far
back into the vanished years before the failing of the kings； since Vorondil father of Mardil hunted
the wild kine of Araw in the far fields of Rh？n。 I heard it blowing dim upon the northern marches
thirteen days ago； and the River brought it to me； broken： it will wind no more。' He paused and
there was a heavy silence。 Suddenly he turned his black glance upon Pippin。 'What say you to that；
Halfling？'
'Thirteen； thirteen days；' faltered Pippin。 'Yes； I think that would be so。 Yes； I stood beside him；
as he blew the horn。 But no help came。 Only more orcs。'
'So；' said Denethor； looking keenly at Pippin's face。 'You were there？ Tell me more！ Why did no
help e？ And how did you escape； and yet he did not； so mighty a man as he was； and only orcs
to withstand him？'
Pippin flushed and forgot his fear。 'The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow；' he said； 'and
Boromir was pierced by many。 When last I saw him he sank beside a tree and plucked a black…
feathered shaft from his side。 Then I swooned and was made captive。 I saw him no more； and know
no more。 But I honour his memory； for he was very valiant。 He died to save us； my kinsman
Meriadoc and myself； waylaid in the woods by the soldiery of the Dark Lord； and though he fell
and failed； my gratitude is none the less。'
Then Pippin looked the old man in the eye； for pride stirred strangely within him； still stung by
the scorn and suspicion in that cold voice。 'Little service； no doubt； will so great a lord of Men think
to find in a hobbit； a halfling from the northern Shire； yet such as it is； I will offer it； in payment of
my debt。' Twitching aside his grey cloak； Pippin drew forth his small sword and laid it at
Denethor's feet。
A pale smile； like a gleam of cold sun on a winter's evening； passed over the old man's face； but
he bent his head and held out his hand； laying the shards of the horn aside。 'Give me the weapon！'
he said。
Pippin lifted it and presented the hilt to him。 'Whence came this？' said Denethor。 'Many； many
years lie on it。 Surely this is a blade wrought by our own kindred in the North in the deep past？'
'It came out of the mounds that lie on the borders of my country ' said Pippin。 'But only evil
wights dwell there now； and I will not willingly tell more of them。'
'I see that strange tales are woven about you；' said Denethor； 'and once again it is shown that
looks may belie the man – or the halfling。 I accept your service。 For you are not daunted by words；
and you have courteous speech； strange though the sound of it may be to us in the South。 And we
shall have need of all folk of courtesy； be they great or small； in the days to e。 Swear to me
now！'
'Take the hilt；' said Gandalf； 'and speak after the Lord； if you are resolved on this。'
'I am；' said Pippin。
The old man laid the sword along his lap； and Pippin put his hand to the hilt； and said slowly
after Denethor：
'Here