‘Peace!’ said Gandalf. ‘The news of that grief should have been told
first to the father.’
     ‘It has been guessed already,’ said Ingold; ‘for there have been
strange portents here of late. But pass on now quickly! For the Lord
of Minas Tirith will be eager to see any that bear the latest tidings
of his son, be he man or—‘
     ‘Hobbit,’ said Pippin. ‘Little service can I offer to your lord, but
what I can do, I would do, remembering Boromir the brave.’
     ‘Fare you well!’ said Ingold; and the men made way for Shadow fax, and
he passed through a narrow gate in the wall. ‘May you bring good
counsel to Denethor in his need, and to us all, Mithrandir!’ Ingold
cried. ‘But you come with tidings of grief and danger, as is your
wont, they say.’
     ‘Because I come seldom but when my help is needed,’ answered Gandalf.
‘And as for counsel, to you I would say that you are over-late in
repairing the wall of the Pelennor. Courage will now be your best
defence against the storm that is at hand - that and such hope as I
bring. For not all the tidings that I bring are evil. But leave your
trowels and sharpen your swords!’
     ‘The work will be finished ere evening,’ said Ingold. ‘This is the