I took my kids on a recruitment performance tour of the feeding elementary schools. Things were going well, but then about half way through I found myself almost laughing. What the hell is the point? Why recruit when the decision to enroll has been taken out of everyone's hands?
I'm back at school for not ten minutes when my cel phone goes off. It's one of the choir parents who has been a particularly ardent supporter. She tells me that parents have been talking. She tells me that they want to meet with Palpatine. She tells me that it would be best if I stay clear... and just go back to being a teacher.
I do not know what I did to deserve this community... but you see now why I don't want to leave.
"You cannot enter here," said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. "Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!"
The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
"Old fool!" he said. "Old Fool! This is my hour. Do you not know death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind the same courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, reckoning nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.
And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.
