The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2)

by J.R.R. Tolkien

I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory.

falling by degrees into dotage, and thinking that the Enemy was asleep, who was only banished not destroyed. ‘Death was ever present,

‘They cannot conquer for ever!’

Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually – their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn’t. And if they had, we shouldn’t know, because they’d have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on – and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end.

‘Don’t leave me here alone! It’s your Sam calling. Don’t go where I can’t follow! Wake up,