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There were three who followed the wizard. An Elf, a Dwarf and a Man.
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No, from the North. One of the Dunedain Rangers I thought he was. His cloth was poor. And yet he bore a strange ring. Two serpents with emerald eyes. One devouring the other crowned with golden flowers.
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Theoden will not stay at Edoras. It's vulnerable. He knows this. He will expect an attack on the city. They will flee to Helm's Deep, the great fortress of Rohan. It is a dangerous road to take through the mountains. They will be slow. They will have women and children with them.
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Helm's Deep has one weakness. Its outer wall is solid rock but for a small culvertat its base, which is little more than a drain.
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How? How can fire undo stone?
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What kind of device could bring down the wall?
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Even if it is breached, it would takea number beyond reckoning......thousands, to storm the Keep.
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But, my lord, there is no such force.
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Oh, he must have died sometime in the night. What a tragedy for the king, to lose his only son and heir.
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That is a lie. Saruman the White has ever been our friend and ally.
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I understand. His passing is hard to accept. Especially now that your brother has deserted you.
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Oh, but you are alone. Who knows what you've spoken to the darkness......in the bitter watches of the night......when all your life seems to shrink. The walls of your bower closing in about you. A hutch to trammel some wild thing in. So fair. So cold. Like a morning of pale spring......still clinging to winter's chill.
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My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe.
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A just question, my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.
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Why do you lay these troubles on an already troubled mind? Can you not see? Your uncle is wearied by your malcontent, your warmongering.
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You see much, Eomer, son of Eomund.
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Too much. You are banished forthwith from the kingdom of Rohan and all its domains under pain of death.
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His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!
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This order does not come from me.It comes from the king.He signed it this morning.
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Send me not from your sight.
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I've only ever served you, my lord.
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