Elendil's face stared grimly from the globe. "Oh, my son, these are terrible tidings indeed," he said at last.
"Father, I knew the importance of our mission here. What hope would we have trying to attack Minas Ithil with but three thousand men, even with the help of the Elves? I deemed it essential that Barathor ride with us, even though it left Pelargir stripped bare. And loëndë was fast approaching. Cirdan's ships could guard the River, but we could not wait for him. Father, did I do wrong?"
"No, Isildur," said Elendil. "You did not do wrong. It was a desperate gamble, indeed, but necessary. I suppose I would have done the same in your place. It is a token of the love and loyalty of Barathor that he would even consider leaving Pelargir undefended. But you were correct: if you do not have sufficient force to take Minas Ithil, the entire plan will fail, and we shall be certainly lost. What is the situation now?"
"We have just learned of the attack, and Barathor is returning to Pelargir. I urged him to remain, but he would fly to Pelargir at once and I didn't feel that I could in conscience try to prevent him."
"No, of course not."
"He wishes me to go with him, to take the whole army back to Pelargir. And as he only left at my repeated pleading, I feel responsible for the people he left behind."
Elendil looked at his son with compassion in his eyes. "And you are torn as to what you should do?"
"Yes. If I stay here, Pelargir is almost certain to fall if it has not already."
"And if you go with Barathor, Sauron could choose that moment to attack Osgiliath."
"Yes. If Pelargir is taken, the Corsairs will be at our gates in a few days. They could attack while we are on the road back to Pelargir. Either choice could bring disaster." Elendil nodded his head, a humorless tight smile on his lips.
"It is at such times that the crown wears heavy on the head, does it not?" he said. "What do you intend to do?"
"I will bid him go, but I shall remain here with the rest of my men. We shall continue with the plan as best we can."
"Yes, that is probably the best. You should not leave Osgiliath unguarded now. You could find Pelargir sacked and return to find Osgiliath burning, and probably Minas Anor as well. But it is not easy to stand idly by and see our friends fall." He shook his head sadly. "May the Powers be with you, and with the Pelargrim."
"My lord," said Galadriel. "Is Gil-galad nigh? I would speak with him on a different matter, though no less grave."
"Aye, he is here." A proud and stately Elf appeared, clad in silver mail and a long blue cloak. "Galadriel," he said with a smile. "Greetings to you, cousin. You grow more beautiful as the yén flow by."
"Elen síla lúmenn omentilmo," she replied. "It is good to see you well. My king, I have done as you bade me." And she held up her hand. Nenya glinted like the Evenstar on her hand. "And Elrond Halfelven is here, with your Vilya. We expect Cirdan any day with Narya."
"Good. Then the Three are gathered together at last, as has never been since the day Sauron's treachery was revealed."
"That is my concern," said Galadriel. "Perhaps you are right and the time has come to use the Three against him. But is it wise to bring them all together? Was this not Sauron's whole purpose in this war: to draw them to him so he could take them all together?"
"It may well be so, Lady. But we know not if we still have the strength to oppose him. All our force of arms, great as it is, we fear insufficient to stop him if he emerges from the Tower in his full strength. We shall have need of all our weapons if that should occur."
"But if we should fail; if he were to take the Three?"
"Then all would be lost and the West would be helpless against him."
"Exactly. Can any reward be worth such a risk?"
"We have long debated just this question, Lady. Our thought was that if he knew the Three were near, he would be drawn out of his fortress and we could at last test our strength against his. We are sick and weary of this waiting. It has been too long, especially for our allies the Men."
"You would risk all for this one confrontation?"
"We cannot hope to defeat him by waiting here. He is in no hurry. He can wait until we are so weakened and dispirited that our alliance founders. We must draw him out now. It is that or withdraw."
"But would not one of the Three be sufficient? I will bring Nenya and we shall fight together, shoulder-to-shoulder as we did against Morgoth. But let Vilya and Narya remain here in case we fall."
Gil-galad shook his head. "We considered that path as well. We fear that any single ring might prove insufficient against the One. And perhaps be insufficient bait, as well."
"But to reveal the Three! This is a desperate chance."
"It is indeed. A desperate chance for desperate times."
Galadriel bowed her head. "We have great reservations about this course you have chosen, Gil-galad. But we will do as you bid."
"Thank you, Lady. And thank you, Lord Celeborn. I well know what you are risking by bringing your rings here."
Celeborn bowed his head grimly. "Yes. All the good that we have done in Middle-earth could be undone in a moment. Lothlórien would cease to exist. But we defer to your judgement, O king."
"Elrond, a word," said Gil-galad.
"Sire?" answered Elrond, stepping forward.
"I would have you bring Vilya to me here. But I caution you against its use except in the most critical need. It is the mightiest of all the Three, and I fear lest any wear it save myself."
"It shall be done as you say, Sire," replied Elrond.
Trumpets sounded from without. "Barathor is preparing to depart," said Isildur. "We must go."
"Yes," said Gil-galad. "And you must come to us here as quickly as you can. Orodruin's rumblings increase with each passing day. We suspect Sauron is preparing to attack. May Eru be with you."
"And with you, Lords. Goodbye."
The stone grew cloudy again and the light faded. Isildur covered it again, his face grave.
"It is as I thought," he said to Elrond. "My duty must be here in Osgiliath. Yet if I were free I would fly to Pelargir as fast as Fleetfoot could run."
They returned to the Dome of Stars and thence to the portico that fronted the Great Hall. The dark clouds they had seen at sunrise were now covering the sky, though here and there light slanted down, highlighting a gilded dome here, a white tower there. Just as they emerged, Barathor rode into the square with Arador and some others of the captains of Pelargir. They rode to the foot of the steps.
"We are ready to ride, Sire," called Barathor from his saddle. "Will you not come with us? We need your strength."
Isildur looked sadly at the Lord of Pelargir. "My friend, I fear your choice is ill. The attack on Pelargir may well prove to be but the first stroke of Sauron's attack on Gondor. If so, it will not be long before the plains yonder will be black with orcs. Then will Osgiliath in turn need your strength. I would have you here when that attack comes. But I cannot stay you against your will. In your place I would no doubt do the same.
"I love you as a brother, Barathor son of Boromir, but I cannot ride with you. My place is here. If you must go, I beg you to part as friends and allies still. And when your task in Pelargir be finished, whether relief or revenge, I ask you to return to us. For the mind that directed the attack on Pelargir is not in that city, but there before us, in the east."
"I understand, Sire," said Barathor. "And I shall return when I can. Farewell, Isildur Elendilson."
"Farewell, Barathor. Ride faster than the wind, and may you find the sea-blue pennant still fluttering from the walls of Pelargir."