Lyrd Of The Ryngs - The Homies

[Grey_Wolf]

After the Cola competion was concluded Bergond and Pippin went down to the Gates after hearing some terrific hullaballoo down there.
When they reached the Gates a big crowd of people had gathered and among them Gandalf.
"The Enemy troops has broken through our Osgiliath defences and Faramir and his men is heading this way." Beregond och Pippin was informed.

[Acalewia]

Suddenly Pippen heard the cry of the Lawyers and saw their Black Hawk helicopters coming toward a small group of men on bikes.
"Black Lawyers!" he cried. Suddenly a bugal sounded.
"Its Framir! The Lord Framir! That is his call!" cried Beregond. "Brave heart! How can he hope to get to the Gates with these hell-hawks attacking? Will no one help them?" With that Beregond took off. Pippin peered out and saw Gandalf riding out to the rescue. All but one of the men had fallen off their bikes and were running to the Gate. One of the helicopters wheeled toward him. Gandalf stopped and started rumaging through his robes.
"That's not it. No. Nope. Ah there it is!" He pulled out a flashlight and pointed it into the Lawyers face. A 1000 watt beam blinded him
"Ahhhhhhhh. I cant see!" He turned the Black Hawk away. the others followed.

[Butterbeer]

"Boy that coca-cola was Good!" shouted gandalf, literally humming away.

he had swiped another as he had gone to the gates, and with a long straw he took some hearty slurps as he playfully shined the high powereed laser torch at the hell hawk copter

Doing some fancy moves and wheelies while he blitzed light at the Black hawk, he began to sing,

" i feel GOOOD! , deh deh dunna dunn ado! I feeel Good! ..."

as the black hawk wheeled away, gandalf sprung theatrically off his Bike...

slurping away at "the real thing" Gandalf was impregnable and fearless, and really quite a good mover when he had a mind...

Up on the walls his dancing was getting a very warm reception. Much Clapping, whooping and shouts of "Mithrandir! Mithrandir!"

"The white Dancer!" cried Pippin, taking a sip of Coca-cola himself, and foot starting to tap ...

[Grey_Wolf]

Having driven off the Nazgûl Black Hawk helicopters with his high powered laser flash light Gandalf escorted Faramir and his men to the Gates where they were met by a cheering crowd.

"Faramir! Faramir! Mithrandir! Mithrandir! Cheers! Cheers!" shouted the enthusiastic crowd.

Pippin joined in in the cheering."Faramir! Faramir!"

On hearing a foreign accent among the shouting voices Faramir turned to Pippin. His eyes widened at the sight of the Hobbit in Gondorian black and silver Body armour.

"A halfling, in the livery of the Tower? Hence come you?" Faramir asked, bewildered.

[EarthBound]

Pippin looked to Gandalf. Then in a mocking mimicking tone replied, " Oh, I 'Henced' into Tower-Town a bit ago, thy Lord, I often do, go a hencing..."

Gandalf promptly nugied Pippin on the head and asked Faramir with a more respectful tone, "This is not the first hobbit you've seen?"

[Grey_Wolf]

Then Faramir told of the meeting with Frodo and Sam outside the Secret Ithilian Hide-out.

[EarthBound]

"How went the battle for Osgiliath ?" Gandalf asked Faramir.

"Awful. I played 15 rounds of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' with the Dark Lord's General before he bested me Rock to my scissors...I'll never quit recover."

[Butterbeer]

"would that i had been there" replied gandalf solemnly.

" i'd a taken i'm on at calypso-dancin' and whooped his bony butt!"

showing some pretty nifty moves, gandalf again got some hearty cheers ... he sure was good for morale this Gandalf bloke ...

[Grey_Wolf]

By this time the Army of Darkness was beginning to file out onto the Fields of Pelennor, dragging their feet, 'cause most of the guys now wanted to go back to their holes for in Mordor, where HD-tv's, Football and huge amounts of cold beer awaited them.

[EarthBound]

"...and Cut!", suddenly a short fat bearded fellow wearing shorts & large glasses walked amongst the heroes.

"That was really great guys, but lets try it again and this time, Faramir, I need you to do more [raises hands and does quotation thing] "melancholy exasperation"...I think it's what Tolkien would have wanted...maybe some panting would help..."

Gandalf looks at Faramir...

Faramir looks at Pippin...

"Ahem," Gandalf cleared his throat and quietly said to the others, "Just ignore him, friends, his kind and evil feed on attention...so lets move quickly and find ourselves more suitable surroundings for much needed council."

"And for getting something to eat." Pippin piped up.

*The man in shorts was latter seen trying to direct a street cleaner and a mailman to be more "Aggressive in their manner" and to try and convey "fortitude" to their audience.....

*The light had turned grey and dull…

*A horse coughed…

* A bird was lost for a moment…

*Shillow, the Bar Bouncer ate an orange in a messy way then wiped his sticky hands on his newly washed Levi jeans…

*Some of this was important…Citrusly speaking.

[Grey_Wolf]

After PJ had made his point, however confusing it was to have a 20th Century Fox amongst the medieval Tolkienite characters, Faramir, Gandalf and Pippin went up to the Reception Chamber at the top of Tower of Minas Tirith.

[Grey_Wolf]

So at length they came to the private chamber of the CA of the City. There IKEA Poäng armchairs with foot-stools were set in front of a infra red radiator; and wine was brought; and there Pippin, hardly noticed, stood behind the chair of Denethor and felt his weariness little, so eagerly did he listen to all that was said.

When Faramir had taken white bread and drunk a draught of wine, he sat upon the chair at his father's left hand. Removed a little upon the other side sat Gandalf in the other chair; and he seemed at first to be asleep. For at the beginning Faramir spoke only of the errand upon which he had been sent out ten days before, and he brought tidings of Ithilien and of movements of the Enemy and his allies; and he told of the fight on the road when the men of Harad and their great beast were overthrown: a captain reporting to his master such matters as had often been heard before, small things of border-war that now seemed useless and petty, shorn of their renown.

Then suddenly Faramir looked at Pippin. "But now we come to strange matters," he said. "For this is not the first halfling that I have seen walking out of northern legends into the Southlands."

At that Gandalf sat up and gripped the arms of his chair; but he said nothing, and with a look stopped the exclamation on Pippin's lips. Denethor looked at their faces and nodded his head, as though in sign that he had read much there before it was spoken. Slowly, while the others sat silent and still, Faramir told his tale, with his eyes for the most part on Gandalf, though now and again his glance strayed to Pippin, as if to refresh his memory of others that he had seen.

As his story was unfolded of his meeting with Frodo and his servant and of the events at Henneth Annûn, Pippin became aware that Gandalf's hands were trembling as they clutched the wooden armrests. White they seemed now and very old, and as he looked at them, suddenly with a thrill of fear Pippin knew that Gandalf, Gandalf himself, was troubled, even afraid. The air of the room was close and still. At last when Faramir spoke of his parting with the travellers, and of their resolve to go to Cirith Ungol, his voice fell, and he shook his head and sighed. Then Gandalf sprang up.
"Cirith Ungol? Morgul Vale?" he said. "The time, Faramir, the time? When did you part with them? When would they reach that accursed valley?"
"I parted with them in the morning two days ago," said Faramir. "It is fifteen leagues thence to the vale of the Morgulduin, if they went straight south; and then they would be still five leagues westward of the accursed Tower. At swiftest they could not come there before today, and maybe they have not come there yet. Indeed I see what you fear. But the darkness is not due to their venture. It began yestereve, and all Ithilien was under shadow last night. It is clear to me that the Enemy has long planned an assault on us, and its hour had already been determined before ever the travellers left my keeping."

[Grey_Wolf]

Gandalf paced the floor. "The morning of two days ago, nigh on three days of journey! How far is the place where you parted?"
"Some twenty-five leagues as a bird flies," answered Faramir. "But I could not come more swiftly. Yestereve I lay at Cair Andros, the long isle in the River northward which we hold in defence; and dirtbikes are kept on the hither bank. As the dark drew on I knew that haste was needed, so I drove thence with three others that also had bikes. The rest of my company I sent south to strengthen the garrison at the fords of Osgiliath. I hope that I have not done ill?" He looked at his father.
"Ill?" cried Denethor, and his eyes flashed suddenly. "Why do you ask? The men were under your command. Or do you ask for my judgement on all your deeds? Your bearing is lowly in my presence, yet it is long now since you turned from your own way at my counsel. See, you have spoken skilfully, as ever; but I, have I not seen your eye fixed on Mithrandir, seeking whether you said well or too much? He has long had your heart in his keeping.
My son, your father is old but not yet dotard. I can see and hear, as was my wont; and little of what you have half said or left unsaid is now hidden from me. I know the answer to many riddles. Alas, alas for Boromir!"
"If what I have done displeases you, my father," said Faramir quietly, "I wish I had known your counsel before the burden of so weighty a judgement was thrust on me."
"Would that have availed to change your judgement?" said Denethor. "You would still have done just so, I deem. I know you well. Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, gracious, gentle. That may well befit one of high race, if he sits in power and peace. But in desperate hours gentleness may be repaid with death."
"So be it," said Faramir.
"So be it!" cried Denethor. "But not with your death only, Lord Faramir: with the death also of your father, and of all your people, whom it is your part to protect now that Boromir is gone."
"Do you wish then," said Faramir, "that our places had been exchanged?"
"Yes, I wish that indeed," said Denethor. "For Boromir was loyal to me and no wizard's pupil. He would have remembered his father's need, and would not have squandered what fortune gave. He would have brought me a mighty gift."

For a moment Faramir's restraint gave way. "I would ask you, my father, to remember why it was that I, not he, was in Ithilien. On one occasion at least your counsel has prevailed, not long ago. It was the CA of the City that gave the errand to him."
"Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed for myself," said Denethor. "Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs? As now indeed I find. Would it were not so! Would that this thing had come to me!"
"Comfort yourself!" said Gandalf. "In no case would Boromir have brought it to you. He is dead, and died well; may he sleep in peace! Yet you deceive yourself. He would have stretched out his hand to this thing, and taking it he would have fallen. He would have kept it for his own, and when he returned you would not have known your son."

[Grey_Wolf]

The face of Denethor set hard and cold. "You found Boromir less apt to your hand, did you not?" he said softly. "But I who was his father say that he would have brought it to me. You are wise, maybe, Mithrandir, yet with all your subtleties you have not all wisdom. Counsels may be found that are neither the webs of wizards nor the haste of fools. I have in this matter more lore and wisdom than you deem. "
"What then is your wisdom?" said Gandalf.
"Enough to perceive that there are two follies to avoid. To use this thing is perilous. At this hour, to send it in the hands of a witless halfling into the land of the Enemy himself, as you have done, and this son of mine, that is madness."
"And the Lord Denethor what would he have done?"
"Neither. But most surely not for any argument would he have set this thing at a hazard beyond all but a fool's hope, risking our utter ruin, if the Enemy should recover what he lost. Nay, it should have been kept, hidden, hidden dark and deep. Not used, I say, unless at the uttermost end of need, but set beyond his grasp, save by a victory so final that what then befell would not trouble us, being dead."
"You think, as is your wont, my lord, of Gondor only," said Gandalf. "Yet there are other men and other lives, and time still to be. And for me, I pity even his slaves."
"And where will other men look for help, if Gondor falls?" answered Denethor. "If I had this thing now in the deep vaults of this citadel, we should not then shake with dread under this gloom, fearing the worst, and our counsels would be undisturbed. If you do not trust me to endure the test, you do not know me yet."
"Nonetheless I do not trust you," said Gandalf. "Had I done so, I could have sent this thing hither to your keeping and spared myself and others much anguish. And now hearing you speak I trust you less, no more than Boromir. Nay, stay your wrath! I do not trust myself in this, and I refused this thing, even as a freely given gift. You are strong and can still in some matters govern yourself, Denethor; yet if you had received this thing, it would have overthrown you. Were it buried beneath the roots of Mindolluin, still it would burn your mind away, as the darkness grows, and the yet worse things follow that soon shall come upon us."

For a moment the eyes of Denethor glowed again as he faced Gandalf, and Pippin felt once more the strain between their wills; but now almost it seemed as if their glances were like blades from eye to eye, flickering as they fenced. Pippin trembled fearing some dreadful stroke. But suddenly Denethor relaxed and grew cold again. He shrugged his shoulders.
"If I had! If you had!" he said. "Such words and ifs are vain. It has gone into the Shadow, and only time will show what doom awaits it and us. The time will not be long. In what is left, let all who fight the Enemy in their fashion be at one, and keep hope while they may, and after hope still the hardihood to die free." He turned to Faramir. "What think you of the garrison at Osgiliath?"
"It is not strong," said Faramir. "I have sent the company of Ithilien to strengthen it, as I have said."
"Not enough, I deem," said Denethor. "It is there that the first blow will fall. They will have need of some stout captain there."
"There and elsewhere in many places," said Faramir, and sighed. "Alas for my brother, whom I too loved!" He rose. "May I have your leave, father?" And then he swayed and leaned upon his father's chair.
"You are weary, I see," said Denethor. "You have ridden fast and far, and under shadows of evil in the air, I am told."
"Let us not speak of that!" said Faramir.
"Then we will not," said Denethor. "Go now and rest as you may. Tomorrow's need will be sterner."

[Grey_Wolf]

All now took leave of the CA of the City and went to rest while they still could. Outside there was a starless blackness as Gandalf with Pippin beside him bearing a small torch, made his way to their lodging. They did not speak until they were behind closed doors. Then at last Pippin took Gandalf's hand.
"Tell me," he said, "is there any hope? For Frodo, I mean; or at least mostly for Frodo."

Gandalf put his hand on Pippin's head. "There never was much hope," he answered. "Just a fool's hope, as I have been told. And when I heard of Cirith Ungol---" He broke off and strode to the window as if his eyes could pierce the night in the East. "Cirith Ungol!" he muttered. "Why that way, I wonder?" He turned. "Just now, Pippin, my heart almost failed me, hearing that name. And yet in truth I believe that the news that Faramir brings has some hope in it. For it seems clear that our Enemy has opened his war at last and made the first move while Frodo was still free. So now for many days he will have his eye turned this way and that, away from his own land. And yet, Pippin, I feel from afar his haste and fear. He has begun sooner than he would. Something has happened to stir him."

Gandalf stood for a moment in thought. "Maybe," he muttered. "Maybe even your foolishness helped, my lad. Let me see: some five days ago now he would discover that we had thrown down Saruman and had taken the Stone. Still what of that? We could not use it to much purpose, or without his knowing. Ah! I wonder. Aragorn? His time draws near. And he is strong and stern underneath, Pippin; bold, determined, able to take his own counsel and dare great risks at need. That may be it. He may have used the Stone and shown himself to the Enemy, challenging him, for this very purpose. I wonder. Well, we shall not know the answer till the Bikers of Rohan come, if they do not come too late. There are evil days ahead. To sleep while we may!"
"But," said Pippin.
"But what?" said Gandalf. "Only one but will I allow tonight."
"Gollum," said Pippin. "How on earth could they be going about with him, even following him? And I could see that Faramir did not like the place he was taking them to any more than you do. What is wrong?"
"I cannot answer that now," said Gandalf. "Yet my heart guessed that Frodo and Gollum would meet before the end. For good, or for evil. But of Cirith Ungol I will not speak tonight. Treachery, treachery I fear; treachery of that miserable creature. But so it must be. Let us remember that a traitor may betray himself and do good that he does not intend. It can be so, sometimes. Good night! "

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V
Book 5.5-7: The Ride of the Rohirrim, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields and The Pyre of Denethor

[Butterbeer]

"good night!" thought pippin ... oh yeah, thanks gandalf old bud ... that'll really help me sleep well....

pippin tried to doze off pondering how a treacherous gollum might do good through treachery ... mmm .... maybe he ... nah! that was way too far fetched he thought ... besides ... where would he get an umbrella stand from?

[EarthBound]

The Rohirrim drove along in haste, but were suddenly hailed by a short bearded man wearing sandals, a StarTrek T-shirt, and a friendship bracelet. He was munching on caramel popcorn and drinking a turbo-size cup of diet pepsi which he set down to flag the convoy.

"We are the Wild Men of Nerdopia, and we would help you cross safely and swiftly to battle the growing darkness."

Denethor questioned the man. "And what would ask in return for such guidance?"

"Well...[kicks the dirt nervously with his foot] we were wondering [cough] if you could, uh, get us dates." [looks away quickly, appearing to notice a tree].

"With women?"

The man glares at the king. "Of course!"

The king smiled and held up his hand and declared, "I declare."

[awkward moment of silence]

"Uh, what do you declare?" asked the aging nerd.

"Hmmm?" Asked the king. "Oh, that you forever forth these woods shall be yours to rule and no one shall ever take authority over you!"

"We'd rather have dates."

The king sighs, "Fine, we'll set you up with some gals when we get back...Ok?"

The small nerdish man picked up his drink, "It's a deal, now follow me upon our secret and swift forest passage."

The Rohirrim followed and after a time it became apparent to the king that they were following a long and forgotten bike path. Long since used it was cracked and rippled from roots and weather. Onward the rode as swiftly as the small man lead them, fortunately he’d picked up a scooter and the began to make better time.

[Grey_Wolf]

The next day came with a morning like a brown dusk, and the hearts of men, lifted for a while by the return of Faramir, sank low again. The winged Shadows were not seen again that day, yet ever and anon, high above the city, a faint cry would come, and many who heard it would stand stricken with a passing dread, while the less stout-hearted quailed and wept.

And now Faramir was gone again. "They give him no rest," some murmured. "The Lord drives his son too hard, and now he must do the duty of two, for himself and for the one that will not return." And ever men looked northward, asking: "Where are the Riders of Rohan?"

In truth Faramir did not go by his own choosing. But the CA of the City was master of his Council, and he was in no mood that day to bow to others. Early in the morning the Council had been summoned. There all the captains judged that because of the threat in the South their force was too weak to make any stroke of war on their own part, unless perchance the Riders of Rohan yet should come. Meanwhile they must man the walls and wait.
"Yet," said Denethor, "we should not lightly abandon the outer defences, the Rammas made with so great a labour. And the Enemy must pay dearly for the crossing of the River. That he cannot do, in force to assail the City, either north of Cair Andros because of the marshes, or southwards towards Lebennin because of the breadth of the River, that needs many boats. It is at Osgiliath that he will put his weight, as before when Boromir denied him the passage."
"That was but a trial," said Faramir. "Today we may make the Enemy pay ten times our loss at the passage and yet rue the exchange. For he can afford to lose a host better than we to lose a company. And the retreat of those that we put out far afield will be perilous, if he wins across in force."
"And what of Cair Andros?" said the Prince. "That, too, must be held, if Osgiliath is defended. Let us not forget the danger on our left. The Rohirrim may come, and they may not. But Faramir has told us of great strength drawing ever to the Black Gate. More than one host may issue from it, and strike for more than one passage."
"Much must be risked in war," said Denethor. "Cair Andros is manned and no more can be sent so far. But I will not yield the River and the Pelennor unfought - not if there is a captain here who has still the courage to do his lord's will."

Then all were silent, but at length Faramir said: "I do not oppose your will, sire. Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will go and do what I can in his stead - if you command it."
"I do so," said Denethor.
"Then farewell!" said Faramir. "But if I should return, think better of me!"
"That depends on the manner of your return," said Denethor.

Gandalf it was that last spoke to Faramir ere he rode east. "Do not throw your live away rashly or in bitterness," he said. "You will be needed here, for other things than war. Your father loves you, Faramir, and will remember it ere the end. Farewell!"

So now the Lord Faramir had gone forth again, and had taken with him such strength of men as were willing to go or could be spared. On the walls some gazed through the gloom towards the ruined city, and they wondered what chanced there, for nothing could be seen. And others, as ever, looked north and counted the leagues to Théoden in Rohan. "Will he come? Will he remember our old alliance?" they said.
"Yes, he will come," said Gandalf, "even if he comes too late. But think! At best the Red Computor Pad cannot have reached him more than two days ago, and the miles are long from Edoras."

[Grey_Wolf]

It was night again ere news came. A man rode in haste from the fords, saying that a host had issued from Minas Morgul and was already drawing nigh to Osgiliath; and it had been joined by regiments from the South, Haradrim, cruel and tall. "And we have learned " said the messenger, "that the Black Lawyer leads them once again, and the fear of him has passed before him over the River."

With those ill-boding words the third day closed since Pippin came to Minas Tirith. Few went to rest, for small hope had any now that even Faramir could hold the fords for long.

The next day, though the darkness had reached its full and grew no deeper, it weighed heavier on men's hearts, and a great dread was on them. Ill news came soon again. The passage of Anduin was won by the Enemy. Faramir was retreating to the wall of the Pelennor, rallying his men to the Causeway Forts; but he was ten times outnumbered.
"If he wins back at all across the Pelennor, his enemies will be on his heels," said the messenger. "They have paid dear for the crossing but less dearly than we hoped. The plan has been well laid. It is now seen that in secret they have long been building poontoon brigdes in great numbers in East Osgiliath. They drove across like rhinos. But it is the Black Lawyer that defeats us. Few will stand and abide even the rumour of his coming. His own folk quail at him, and they would slay themselves at his bidding."
"Then I am needed there more than here," said Gandalf, and rode off at once, and the glimmer of him faded soon from sight. And all that night Pippin alone and sleepless stood upon the wall and gazed eastward.

The bells of day had scarcely rung out again, a mockery in the unlightened dark, when far away he saw fires spring up, across in the dim spaces where the walls of the Pelennor stood. The watchmen cried aloud, and all men in the City stood to arms. Now ever and anon there was a red flash, and slowly through the heavy air dull rumbles could be heard.
"They have taken the wall!" men cried. "They are blasting breaches in it. They are coming!"
"Where is Faramir?" cried Beregond in dismay. "Say not that he has fallen!"

It was Gandalf that brought the first tidings. With a handful of Armoured Cavary Troopers he came in the middle morning, driving as escort to a line of lorries. They were filled with wounded men, all that could be saved from the wreck of the Causeway Forts. At once he went to Denethor. The Lord of the City sat now in a high chamber above the Hall of the White Tower with Pippin at his side; and through the dim windows, north and south and east, he bent his dark eyes, as if to pierce the shadows of doom that ringed him round. Most to the north he looked, and would pause at whiles to listen as if by some ancient art his ears might hear the thunder of hoofs on the plains far away.
"Is Faramir come?" he asked.
"No," said Gandalf. "But he still lived when I left him. Yet he is resolved to stay with the rearguard, lest the retreat over the Pelennor become a rout. He may, perhaps, hold his men together long enough, but I doubt it. He is pitted against a foe too great. For one has come that I feared."
"Not - the Dark Lord?" cried Pippin, forgetting his place in his terror.

Denethor laughed bitterly. "Nay, not yet, Master Peregrin! He will not come save only to triumph over me when all is won. He uses others as his weapons. So do all great lords, if they are wise, Master Halfling. Or why should I sit here in my tower and think, and watch, and wait, spending even my sons? For I can still wield a brand."

[Grey_Wolf]

He stood up and cast open his long black cloak, and behold! he was clad in body ar´mour beneath, and held up a Stoner sniper rifle, of black and silver. "Thus have I walked, and thus now for many years have I slept," he said, "lest with age the body should grow soft and timid."
"Yet now under the Head Lawyer of Barad-dûr the most fell of all his captains is already master of your outer walls," said Gandalf. "King of Angmar long ago, Sorcerer, Ringwraith, Lord of the Nazgûl, a spear of terror in the hand of Sauron, shadow of despair."
"Then, Mithrandir, you had a foe to match you," said Denethor. "For myself, I have long known who is the chief captain of the hosts of the Dark Tower. Is this all that you have returned to say? Or can it be that you have withdrawn because you are overmatched?"

Pippin trembled, fearing that Gandalf would be stung to sudden wrath, but his fear was needless. "It might be so," Gandalf answered softly. "But our trial of strength is not yet come. And if words spoken of old be true, not by the hand of man shall he fall, and hidden from the Wise is the doom that awaits him. However that may be, the Captain of Despair does not press forward, yet. He rules rather according to the wisdom that you have just spoken, from the rear, driving his slaves in madness on before.
"Nay, I came rather to guard the hurt men that can yet be healed; for the Rammas is breached far and wide, and soon the host of Morgul will enter in at many points. And I came chiefly to say this. Soon there will be battle on the fields. A sortie must be made ready. Let it be of mounted men. In them lies our brief hope, for in one thing only is the enemy still poorly provided: he has few horsemen."
"And we also have few. Now would the coming of Rohan be in the nick of time," said Denethor.
"We are likely to see other newcomers first," said Gandalf. "Fugitives from Cair Andros have already reached us. The isle has fallen. Another army is come from the Black Gate, crossing from the north-east."
"Some have accused you, Mithrandir, of delighting to bear ill news," said Denethor, "but to me this is no longer news: it was known to me ere nightfall yesterday. As for the sortie, I had already given thought to it. Let us go down."

Time passed. At length watchers on the walls could see the retreat of the out-companies. Small bands of weary and often wounded men came first with little order; some were running wildly as if pursued. Away to the eastward the distant fires flickered; and now it seemed that here and there they crept across the plain. Houses and garages were burning. Then from many points little rivers of red flame came hurrying on, winding through the gloom, converging towards the line of the broad road that led from the City-gate to Osgiliath.
"The enemy," men murmured. "The dike is down. Here they come pouring through the breaches! And they carry torches, it seems. Where are our own folk?"