We were just wondering where it would be safe to lie and get some sleep, when the most amazing thing of all happened. There

We were just wondering where it would be safe to lie and get some sleep, when the most amazing thing of all happened. There was the sound of a rider coming swiftly up the road. Merry and I lay quiet, and Treebeard hid himself in the shadows under the arch. Suddenly a great horse came striding up, like a flash of silver. It was already dark, but I could see the rider’s face clearly: it seemed to shine, and all his clothes were white. I just sat up, staring, with my mouth open. I tried to call out, and couldn’t. There was no need. He halted just by us and looked down at us. ‘Gandalf!’ I said at last, but my voice was only a whisper. Did he say: ‘Hullo, Pippin! This is a pleasant surprise!’? No, indeed! He said: ‘Get up, you tom-fool of a Took! Where, in the name of wonder, in all this ruin is Treebeard? I want him. Quick!’

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