Although still fearful, Faramir does his best to help Frodo and Sam. He gives them food for the journey, as well as good walking staves, and he advises them that the water of Morgul Vale is poisonous. While they continue along the southern road, a stifling brown cloud spreads from Mordor, hiding the dawn and making even noon seem like evening. At one point, while the hobbits rest, Gollum disappears for several hours without an explanation. After three days, they reach a crossroads marked by the statue of an ancient king. Although the statue's head has been replaced by a rock painted with the Eye of Sauron, Frodo discovers the king's head at the side of the road, crowned with blooming flowers. A ray of sunlight escapes from the west at the edge of the dreadful cloud, and then the sun sets and pitch-black darkness falls.
With the turn toward Mordor, Frodo finds the burden of the Ring much heavier, a weight dragging him down. They are forced to use the main road into Morgul Vale, leading straight toward the terrifying city of the Ringwraiths. Compelled by a force beyond himself, Frodo hurries along the road toward the city. Sam catches him just before he reaches an exposed bridge and they turn aside to a hidden path. Frodo feels the Ring resist, pulling him backward. Before they go far on the path, the towers of the city flash with lightning, and an enormous army emerges from the gates, led by a Black Rider, the Witchking himself. The Wraith pauses on the bridge, and Frodo feels the overwhelming command to put on the Ring. Although his own will denies the command, he watches his hand reach for the Ring. He forces himself to grasp instead the phial of Galadriel, and the urge passes. Soon the Witchking moves on, and the hobbits resume their climb.
