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Timeline Event

Sam finds Frodo in the Tower of Cirith Ungol

Event Type: Military/Strategic

Age: 3rd Age - Ring War

Date: March 14, 3019

Description:

Sam ran to the figure huddled on the floor....

He was naked, lying as if in a swoon on a heap of filthy rags: his arm was flung up, shielding his head, and across his side there ran an ugly whip-weal....

'Mr. Frodo, my dear!' cried Sam, tears almost blinding him. 'It's Sam, I've come!'.... Frodo opened his eyes.

'Am I still dreaming?' he muttered. 'But the other dreams were horrible.'

'You're not dreaming at all...,' said Sam.... 'I've come.'

'I can hardly believe it,' said Frodo, clutching him. 'There was an orc with a whip, and then it turns into Sam! Then I wasn't dreaming after all when I heard that singing down below...? Was it you?'

'It was indeed, Mr. Frodo. I'd given up hope, almost. I couldn't find you.'

'Well, you have now, Sam, dear Sam,' said Frodo....

Sam felt that he could sit like that in endless happiness; but... he had still to try and save [Frodo].... 'Come! Wake up Mr. Frodo!' he said....

Frodo... sat up. 'Where are we? How did I get here?' he asked.

'There's no time for tales...,' said Sam. 'But you're in the top of that tower you and me saw from away down by the tunnel before the orcs got you. How long ago that was I don't know. More than a day, I guess.'....

'It seems weeks. You must tell me all about it, if we get a chance. Something hit me, didn't it? And I fell into darkness and foul dreams, and woke and found that waking was worse. Orcs were all round me. I think they had just been pouring some horrible burning drink down my throat. My head grew clear, but I was aching and weary. They stripped me of everything; and then two great brutes came and... questioned me until I thought I should go mad, standing over me, gloating, fingering their knives. I'll never forget their claws and eyes.'....

'[If] we don't want to see them again, the sooner we get going the better. Can you walk?'

'Yes, I can walk,' said Frodo, getting up slowly. 'I am not hurt Sam. Only I feel very tired, and I've a pain here.' He put his hand to the back of his neck.... He stood up, and it looked to Sam as if he was clothed in flame: his naked skin was scarlet in the light of the lamp above. Twice he paced across the floor.

'That's better!' he said, his spirits rising a little. 'I didn't dare to move when I was left alone, or one of the guards came. Until the yelling and fighting began. The two big brutes: they quarrelled, I think....'

'Yes, they quarrelled, seemingly,' said Sam.... 'But they've done all the killing of themselves. That's lucky, but it's too long to make a song about, till we're out of here. Now what's to be done? You can't go walking in the Black Land in naught but your skin, Mr. Frodo.'

'They've taken everything, Sam,' said Frodo.... 'Do you understand? Everything!' He cowered on the floor again with bowed head, as... despair overwhelmed him....

'No, not everything, Mr. Frodo.... I took it, Mr. Frodo, begging your pardon. And I've kept it safe.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 1, The Tower of Cirith Ungol

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 14Mar07

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