Timeline Event
Frodo, Sam, and Gollum leave Henneth Annûn
Event Type: General
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: March 8, 3019
Description:
An event in the prelude to the Siege of Minas Tirith; see that entry for an overview:
'Well, so we meet and part, Frodo son of Drogo.... [You] shall go now with my blessing upon you.... Rest a little while food is prepared for you.
'I would gladly learn how this creeping Sméagol became possessed of the Thing of which we speak, and how he lost it, but I will not trouble you now. If ever beyond hope you return to the lands of the living and we retell our tales..., you shall tell me then. Until that time, or some other time beyond the vision of the Seeing-stones of Númenor, farewell!'
[Faramir] rose and bowed low to Frodo, and drawing the curtain passed out into the cave.
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 4, Ch 6, The Forbidden Pool
Frodo and Sam returned to their beds and lay there in silence resting for a little.... After a while... they were led to a table where food was set for three. Faramir broke his fast with them. He had not slept since the battle on the day before, yet he did not look weary.
When they had finished they stood up. 'May no hunger trouble you on the road,' said Faramir. 'You have little provision, but some small store of food fit for travellers I have ordered to be stowed in your packs. You will have no lack of water as you walk in Ithilien, but do not drink of any stream that flows from Imlad Morgul.... This also I must tell you. My scouts and watchers have all returned, even some that have crept within sight of the Morannon. They all find a strange thing. The land is empty. Nothing is on the road, and no sound of foot, or horn, or bowstring is anywhere to be heard. A waiting silence broods above the Nameless Land. I do not know what this portends. But the time draws swiftly to some great conclusion. Storm is coming. Hasten while you may! If you are ready, let us go....'
The hobbits' packs were brought to them (a little heavier than they had been)....
'I have no fitting gifts to give you at our parting,' said Faramir; 'but take these staves. They may be of service to those who walk or climb in the wild.... [These] have been cut down to your height and newly shod.... [A] virtue has been set upon them of finding and returning. May that virtue not wholly fail under the Shadow into which you go!'
The hobbits bowed low. 'Most gracious host,' said Frodo, 'it was said to me by Elrond Halfelven that I should find friendship upon the way, secret and unlooked for.... To have found it turns evil to great good.'
Now they made ready to depart. Gollum was brought out of some corner... he kept close to Frodo and avoided the glance of Faramir.
'Your guide must be blindfolded,' said Faramir, 'but you and your servant Samwise I release from this, if you wish.'
Gollum squealed, and... clutched at Frodo, when they came to bind his eyes; and Frodo said: 'Blindfold us all three, and cover up my eyes first, and then perhaps he will see that no harm is meant.' This was done, and they were led from the cave of Henneth Annûn. After they had passed the passages and stairs they felt the cool morning air.... Still blind they went on for some little time, up and then gently down. At last the voice of Faramir ordered them to be uncovered.
They stood under the boughs of the woods again. No noise of the falls could be heard.... To the west they could see light through the trees....
'Here is the last parting of our ways,' said Faramir. 'If you take my counsel, you will not turn eastward yet. Go straight on, for thus you will have the cover of the woodland for many miles. On your west is an edge where the land falls into the great vales.... Keep near to this edge and the skirts of the forest. In the beginning of your journey you may walk under daylight, I think. The land dreams in a false peace, and for a while all evil is withdrawn. Fare you well, while you may!'
He embraced the hobbits then, after the manner of his people, stooping, and placing his hands upon their shoulders, and kissing their foreheads. 'Go with the good will of all good men!' he said.
They bowed to the ground. Then he turned and without looking back he left them....
Frodo sighed and turned back southward....
'Have they gone at last?' said Gollum. 'Nassty wicked Men! Sméagol's neck still hurts him, yes it does. Let's go!'
'Yes, let us go,' said Frodo. 'But if you can only speak ill of those who showed you mercy, keep silent!'
'Nice Master!' said Gollum. 'Sméagol was only joking. Always forgives, he does, yes, yes, even nice Master's little trickses. Oh yes, nice Master, nice Sméagol!'
Frodo and Sam did not answer. Hoisting their packs and taking their staves in hand, they passed on into the woods of Ithilien.
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 4, Ch 7, Journey to the Cross-roads
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 5Mar07
