Illustrations to "The Lord of the Rings"
by J.R.R. Tolkien
 

He [Gandalf] was smoking in silence, for Frodo was sitting still, deep in thought. Even in the light of morning he felt the dark shadow of the tidings that Gandalf had brought.

One of the best Lee's work as for me

And in the glade a light was seen
      Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinuviel was dancing there
      To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
      And in her rainment glimmering.

Strider walked forward unconcernedly, 'Get up, old stone!' he said, and broke his stick upon the stooping troll.

'Well, here we are at last!' said Gandalf. 'Here the Elven-way from Hollin ended. Holly was the token of the people of the land, and they planted it here to mark the end of their domain; for the West-door was made chiefly for their use in their traffic with the Lords of Moria. Those were happier days, when there was still close friendship at times between folk of different race, even between Dwarves and Elves.'

The air was very still, and the dell was dark, and the Elf-lady beside him tall and pale. 'What shall we look for, and what shall we see?' asked Frodo, filled with awe.

The little upland lawn was open upon the East and filled now with the early sunlight. Frodo halted and looked out over the River, far below him, to Tol Brandir and the birds wheeling in the great gulf of air between him and the untrodden isle.

'Then what shall we do now?' said Gimli. 'We cannot pursue them through the fastness of Fangorn. We have come ill supplied. If we do not find them soon, we shall be of no use to them, except to sit down beside them and show our friendship by starving together.'

Stern now was Eomer's mood, and his mind clear again. He let blow the horns to rally all men to his banner that could come thither; for he thought to make a great shield-wall at the last, and stand, and fight there on foot till all fell, and do deeds of song on the fields of Pelennor, thought no man should be left in the West to remember the last King of the Mark.

In the dreadful light Sam stood aghast, for not, looking to his left, he could see the Tower of Cirith Ungol in all its strength.

He looked back, and then he looked up; and he was amazed to see how far his last effort had brought him. The Mountain standing ominous and alone had looked taller than it is.