Timeline Event
Mouth of Sauron reveals the tokens of Frodo's capture at the parley
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: March 25, 3019
Description:
An event in the immediate prelude to the Battle of the Morannon; see that entry for an overview:
'So!' said the Messenger. 'Then thou art the spokesman, old greybeard? ... I have tokens that I was bidden to show to thee - to thee in especial, if thou shouldst dare to come.' He signed to one of his guards, and he came forward bearing a bundle swathed in black cloths.
The Messenger put these aside, and there to the wonder and dismay of all the Captains he held up first the short sword that Sam had carried, and next a grey cloak with an elven-brooch, and last the coat of mithril-mail that Frodo had worn wrapped in his tattered garments. A blackness came before their eyes, and it seemed to them in a moment of silence that the world stood still, but their hearts were dead and their last hope gone. Pippin who stood behind Prince Imrahil sprang forward with a cry of grief.
'Silence!' said Gandalf sternly, thrusting him back; but the Messenger laughed aloud.
'So you have yet another of these imps with you!' he cried. 'What use you find in them I cannot guess; but to send them as spies into Mordor is beyond even your accustomed folly. Still, I thank him, for it is plain that this brat at least has seen these tokens before, and it would be vain for you to deny them now.'
'I do not wish to deny them,' said Gandalf. 'Indeed, I know them all and all their history, and despite your scorn, foul Mouth of Sauron, you cannot say as much.'The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 10, The Black Gate Opens
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 4Aug06