Amid the Powers and Chances of the World: 36. When Spring
Unfolds the Beechen Leaf  Reader Toolbox   Log in for more tools
36. When Spring Unfolds the Beechen Leaf  "Mother, I'm back! ...
Another visitor?" Rowanna, ducking gladly from the blinding
afternoon light of the Rath Míriel into the shade of the
Annúmellyrn mansion's courtyard, could see nothing for a moment;
but she recognised Míranna's voice in conversation with a
deeper, unfamiliar one, and the clinking of glass and pouring of
liquid.  It was over a fortnight since the momentous day when,
after the earthquake and the darkening of the sun, a great Eagle
had descended on the City with the news beyond anyone's hope;
Sauron was defeated, the Dark Tower thrown down, and the King
victorious. Only Pippin and Rowanna, it seemed, who knew full
well that not even Aragorn could have broken the Black Gate by
force of arms, had remained on tenterhooks.  "What of Frodo and
Sam?" Merry had protested. "I heard the Eagle, he said nothing
of Hobbits, or the Ring! T