We passed through the ruined lands and finally reached the foot of Caradhras. When we began the climb, we each carried a bundle of firewood, as Aragorn estimated that it would take at least two nights to traverse the Pass. However, late in the night of our first march we encountered a fierce snowstorm, and were forced to halt for the remainder of the night. When day dawned, it became clear that we could go no higher, as the snow was already much too deep for the rest of the Fellowship. After much debate over alternate routes, it has been decided to pass through the Mines of Moria. Gandalf is quite pleased. I wonder if he caused the blizzard...
--------------------
Frodo felt a soft touch on his face. He put out his arm and saw the dim white flakes of snow settling on his sleeve.
..."I don't like this at all," panted Sam just behind. "Snow's all right on a fine morning, but I like to be in bed while it's falling. I wish this lot would go off to Hobbiton! Folk might welcome it there."
...Gandalf halted. Snow was thick on his hood and shoulders..."This is what I feared," he said. "What do you say now, Aragorn?"
"That I feared it too," Aragorn answered, "but less than other things."
...Very slowly a dim light began to grow. At last the snow stopped altogether...Gimli looked up and shook his head. "Caradhras has not forgiven us," he said. "He has more snow yet to fling at us, if we go on. The sooner we go back and down the better."
...A cold wind flowed down behind them, as they turned their backs on the Redhorn Gate, and stumbled wearily down the slope. Caradhras had defeated them.
__________________
"It's impossible to have Frodo without Sam, or Sam without Frodo. They're like two halves of one heart..."
"If your hurts grieve you still and the memory of your burden is heavy, then you may pass into the West..."
|