though it may touch them sorely ere the year is much older,' said
Aragorn. 'But when the great fall, the less must lead. My part it has
been to guide our Company on the long road from Moria. Through L?rien
we came – of which it were well that you should learn the truth ere
you speak of it again – and thence down the leagues of the Great River
to the falls of Rauros. There Boromir was slain by the same Orcs whom
you destroyed.'
     'Your news is all of woe!' cried ?omer in dismay. 'Great harm is this
death to Minas Tirith, and to us all. That was a worthy man! All spoke
his praise. He came seldom to the Mark, for he was ever in the wars on
the East-borders; but I have seen him. More like to the swift sons of
Eorl than to the grave Men of Gondor he seemed to me, and likely to
prove a great captain of his people when his time came. But we have
had no word of this grief out of Gondor. When did he fall?'
     'It is now the fourth day since he was slain,' answered Aragorn, 'and
since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol
Brandir.'
     'On foot?' cried ?omer.
     'Yes, even as you see us.'
     Wide wonder came into ?omer's eyes. 'Strider is too poor a name, son