Aragorn went first to Faramir, and then to the Lady Éowyn, and last to Merry. When he had looked on the faces of the sick and seen their hurts he sighed. ‘Here I must put forth all such power and skill as is given to me,’ he said. ‘Would that Elrond were here, for he is the eldest of all our race, and has the greater power.’ And Éomer seeing that he was both sorrowful and weary said: ‘First you must rest, surely, and at the least eat a little?’ But Aragorn answered: ‘Nay, for these three, and most soon for Faramir, time is running out. All speed is needed.’
