The Lord of the Rings-指环王(英文版)-第15部分

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　away。　Sam　refused　to　leave　his　master。　When　Pippin　had　gone；　he　came　and　sat　curled　up　at　Frodo's　feet；　where　at　last　he　nodded　and　closed　his　eyes。　Frodo　remained　long　awake；　talking　with　Gildor。

They　spoke　of　many　things；　old　and　neuch　about　happenings　in　the　wide　world　outside　the　Shire。　The　tidings　were　mostly　sad　and　ominous：　of　gathering　darkness；　the　wars　of　Men；　and　the　flight　of　the　Elves。　At　last　Frodo　asked　the　question　that　was　nearest　to　his　heart：

'Tell　me；　Gildor；　have　you　ever　seen　Bilbo　since　he　left　us？'

Gildor　smiled。　'Yes；'　he　answered。　'Twice。　He　said　farewell　to　us　on　this　very　spot。　But　I　saw　him　once　again；　far　from　here。'　He　would　say　no　more　about　Bilbo；　and　Frodo　fell　silent。

'You　do　not　ask　me　or　tell　me　much　that　concerns　yourself；　Frodo；'　said　Gildor。　'But　I　already　know　a　little；　and　I　can　read　more　in　your　face　and　in　the　thought　behind　your　questions。　You　are　leaving　the　Shire；　and　yet　you　doubt　that　you　will　find　what　you　seek；　or　acplish　what　you　intend；　or　that　you　will　ever　return。　Is　not　that　so？'

'It　is；'　said　Frodo；　'but　I　thought　my　going　was　a　secret　known　only　to　Gandalf　and　my　faithful　Sam。'　He　looked　down　at　Sam；　who　was　snoring　gently。

'The　secret　will　not　reach　the　Enemy　from　us；'　said　Gildor。

'The　Enemy？'　said　Frodo。　'Then　you　know　why　I　am　leaving　the　Shire？'

'I　do　not　know　for　what　reason　the　Enemy　is　pursuing　you；'　answered　Gildor；　'but　I　perceive　that　he　is　。　strange　indeed　though　that　seems　to　me。　And　I　warn　you　that　peril　is　now　both　before　you　and　behind　you；　and　upon　either　side。'

'You　mean　the　Riders？　I　feared　that　they　were　servants　of　the　Enemy。　What　are　the　Black　Riders？'

'Has　Gandalf　told　you　nothing？'

'Nothing　about　such　creatures。'

'Then　I　think　it　is　not　for　me　to　say　more　。　lest　terror　should　keep　you　from　your　journey。　For　it　seems　to　me　that　you　have　set　out　only　just　in　time；　if　indeed　you　are　in　time。　You　must　now　make　haste；　and　neither　stay　nor　turn　back；　for　the　Shire　is　no　longer　any　protection　to　you。'

'I　cannot　imagine　what　information　could　be　more　terrifying　than　your　hints　and　warnings；'　exclaimed　Frodo。　'I　knew　that　danger　lay　ahead；　of　course；　but　I　did　not　expect　to　meet　it　in　our　own　Shire。　Can't　a　hobbit　walk　from　the　Water　to　the　River　in　peace？'

'But　it　is　not　your　own　Shire；'　said　Gildor。　'Others　dwelt　here　before　hobbits　were；　and　others　will　dwell　here　again　when　hobbits　are　no　more。　The　wide　world　is　all　about　you：　you　can　fence　yourselves　in；　but　you　cannot　for　ever　fence　it　out。'

'I　know　。　and　yet　it　has　always　seemed　so　safe　and　familiar。　What　can　I　do　now？　My　plan　was　to　leave　the　Shire　secretly；　and　make　my　way　to　Rivendell；　but　now　my　footsteps　are　dogged；　before　ever　I　get　to　Buckland。'

'I　think　you　should　still　follow　that　plan；'　said　Gildor。　'I　do　not　think　the　Road　will　prove　too　hard　for　your　courage。　But　if　you　desire　clearer　counsel；　you　should　ask　Gandalf。　I　do　not　know　the　reason　for　your　flight；　and　therefore　I　do　not　know　by　what　means　your　pursuers　will　assail　you。　These　things　Gandalf　must　know。　I　suppose　that　you　will　see　him　before　you　leave　the　Shire？'

'I　hope　so。　But　that　is　another　thing　that　makes　me　anxious。　I　have　been　expecting　Gandalf　for　many　days。　He　was　to　have　e　to　Hobbiton　at　the　latest　two　nights　ago；　but　he　has　never　appeared。　Now　I　am　wondering　what　can　have　happened。　Should　I　wait　for　him？'

Gildor　was　silent　for　a　moment。　'I　do　not　like　this　news；'　he　said　at　last。　'That　Gandalf　should　be　late；　does　not　bode　well。　But　it　is　said：　Do　not　meddle　in　the　affairs　of　Wizards；　for　they　are　subtle　and　quick　to　anger。　The　choice　is　yours：　to　go　or　wait。'

'And　it　is　also　said；'　answered　Frodo：　'Go　not　to　the　Elves　for　counsel；　for　they　will　say　both　no　and　yes。'

'Is　it　indeed？'　laughed　Gildor。　'Elves　seldom　give　unguarded　advice；　for　advice　is　a　dangerous　gift；　even　from　the　wise　to　the　wise；　and　all　courses　may　run　ill。　But　what　would　you？　You　have　not　told　me　all　concerning　yourself；　and　how　then　shall　I　choose　better　than　you？　But　if　you　demand　advice；　I　will　for　friendship's　sake　give　it。　I　think　you　should　now　go　at　once；　without　delay；　and　if　Gandalf　does　not　e　before　you　set　out；　then　I　also　advise　this：　do　not　go　alone。　Take　such　friends　as　are　trusty　and　willing。　Now　you　should　be　grateful；　for　I　do　not　give　this　counsel　gladly。　The　Elves　have　their　own　labours　and　their　own　sorrows；　and　they　are　little　concerned　with　the　ways　of　hobbits；　or　of　any　other　creatures　upon　earth。　Our　paths　cross　theirs　seldom；　by　chance　or　purpose。　In　this　meeting　there　may　be　more　than　chance；　but　the　purpose　is　not　clear　to　me；　and　I　fear　to　say　too　much。'

'I　am　deeply　grateful；'　said　Frodo；　'but　I　wish　you　would　tell　me　plainly　what　the　Black　Riders　are。　If　I　take　your　advice　I　may　not　see　Gandalf　for　a　long　while；　and　I　ought　to　know　what　is　the　danger　that　pursues　me。'

'Is　it　not　enough　to　know　that　they　are　servants　of　the　Enemy？'　answered　Gildor。　'Flee　them！　Speak　no　words　to　them！　They　are　deadly。　Ask　no　more　of　me！　But　my　heart　forbodes　that；　ere　all　is　ended；　you；　Frodo　son　of　Drogo；　will　know　more　of　these　fell　things　than　Gildor　Inglorion。　May　Elbereth　protect　you！'

'But　where　shall　I　find　courage？'　asked　Frodo。　'That　is　what　I　chiefly　need。'

'Courage　is　found　in　unlikely　places；'　said　Gildor。　'Be　of　good　hope！　Sleep　now！　In　the　morning　we　shall　have　gone；　but　we　will　send　our　messages　through　the　lands。　The　Wandering　panies　shall　know　of　your　journey；　and　those　that　have　power　for　good　shall　be　on　the　watch。　I　name　you　Elffriend；　and　may　the　stars　shine　upon　the　end　of　your　road！　Seldom　have　we　had　such　delight　in　strangers；　and　it　is　fair　to　hear　words　of　the　Ancient　Speech　from　the　lips　of　other　wanderers　in　the　world。'

Frodo　felt　sleep　ing　upon　him；　even　as　Gildor　finished　speaking。　'I　will　sleep　now；'　he　said；　and　the　Elf　led　him　to　a　bower　beside　Pippin；　and　he　threw　himself　upon　a　bed　and　fell　at　once　into　a　dreamless　slumber。

Chapter　04
A　Short　Cut　to　Mushrooms
　

In　the　morning　Frodo　woke　refreshed。　He　was　lying　in　a　bower　made　by　a　living　tree　with　branches　laced　and　drooping　to　the　ground；　his　bed　was　of　fern　and　grass；　deep　and　soft　and　strangely　fragrant。　The　sun　was　shining　through　the　fluttering　leaves；　which　were　still　green　upon　the　tree。　He　jumped　up　and　went　out。

Sam　was　sitting　on　the　grass　near　the　edge　of　the　wood。　Pippin　was　standing　studying　the　sky　and　weather。　There　was　no　sign　of　the　Elves。

'They　have　left　us　fruit　and　drink；　and　bread；'　said　Pippin。　'e　and　have　your　breakfast。　The　bread　tastes　almost　as　good　as　it　did　last　night。　I　did　not　want　to　leave　you　any；　but　Sam　insisted。'

Frodo　sat　down　beside　Sam　and　began　to　eat。　'What　is　the　plan　for　today？'　asked　Pippin。

'To　walk　to　Bucklebury　as　quickly　as　possible；'　answered　Frodo；　and　gave　his　attention　to　the　food。

'Do　you　think　we　shall　see　anything　of　those　Riders？'　asked　Pippin　cheerfully。　Under　the　morning　sun　the　prospect　of　seeing　a　whole　troop　of　them　did　not　seem　very　alarming　to　him。

'Yes；　probably；'　said　Frodo；　not　liking　the　reminder。　'But　I　hope　to　get　across　the　river　without　their　seeing　us。'

'Did　you　find　out　anything　about　them　from　Gildor？'

'Not　much　。　only　hints　and　riddles；'　said　Frodo　evasively。　'Did　you　ask　about　the　sniffing？'

'We　didn't　discuss　it；'　said　Frodo　with　his　mouth　full。

'You　should　have。　I　am　sure　it　is　very　important。'

'In　that　case　I　am　sure　Gildor　would　have　refused　to　explain　it；'　said　Frodo　sharply。　'And　now　leave　me　in　peace　for　a　bit！　I　don't　want　to　ans　eating。　I　want　to　think！'

'Good　heavens！'　said　Pippin。　'At　breakfast？'　He　walked　away　towards　the　edge　of　the　green。

From　Frodo's　mind　the　bright　morning　。　treacherously　bright；　he　thought　。　had　not　banished　the　fear　of　pursuit；　and　he　pondered　the　words　of　Gildor。　The　merry　voice　of　Pippin　came　to　him。　He　was　running　on　the　green　turf　and　singing。

'No！　I　could　not！'　he　said　to　himself。　'It　is　one　thing　to　take　my　young　friends　walking　over　the　Shire　with　me；　until　we　are　hungry　and　weary；　and　food　and　bed　are　sweet。　To　take　them　into　exile；　where　hunger　and　weariness　may　have　no　cure；　is　quite　another　。　even　if　they　are　willing　to　e。　The　inheritance　is　mine　alone。　I　don't　think　I　ought　even　to　take　Sam。'　He　looked　at　Sam　Gamgee；　and　discovered　that　Sam　was　watching　him。

'Well；　Sam！'　he　said。　'What　about　it？　I　am　leaving　the　Shire　as　soon　as　ever　I　can　。　in　fact　I　have　made　up　my　mind　now　not　even　to　wait　a　day　at　Crickhollow；　if　it　can　be　helped。'

'Very　good；　sir！'

'You　still　mean　to　e　with　me？'

'I　do。'

'It　is　going　to　be　very　dangerous；　Sam。　'It　is　already　dangerous。　Most　likely　neither　of　us　will　e　back。'

'If　you　don't　e　back；　sir；　then　I　shan't；　that's　certain；'　said　Sam。　'Don't　you　leave　him！　they　said　to　me。　Leave　him！　I　said。　I　never　mean　to。　I　am　going　with　him；　if　he　climbs　to　the　Moon；　and　if　any　of　those　Black　Rulers　try　to　stop　him；　they'll　have　Sam　Gamgee　to　reckon　with；　I　said。　They　laughed。'

'Who　are　they；　and　what　are　you　talking　about？'

'The　Elves；　sir。　We　had　some　talk　last　night；　and　they　seemed　to　know　you　were　going　away；　so　I　didn't　see　the　use　of　denying　it。　Wonderful　folk；　Elves；　sir！　Wonderful！'

'They　are；'　said　Frodo。　'Do　you　like　them　still；　now　you　have　had　a　closer　view？'

'They　seem　a　bit　above　my　likes　and　dislikes；　so　to　speak；'　answered　Sam　slowly。　'It　don't　seem　to　matter　what　I　think　about　them。　They　are　quite　different　from　what　I　expected　。　so　old　and　young；　and　so　gay　and　sad；　as　it　were。'

Frodo　looked　at　Sam　rather　startled；　half　expecting　to　see　some　outward　sign　of　the　odd　change　that　seemed　to　have　e　over　him。　It　did　not　sound　like　the　voice　of　the　old　Sam　Gamgee　that　he　thought　he　knew。　But　it　looked　like　the　old　Sam　Gamgee　sitting　there；　except　that　his　face　was　unusually　thoughtful。

'Do　you　feel　any　need　to　leave　the　Shire　now　。　now　that　your　wish　to　see　them　has　e　true　already？'　he　asked。

'Yes；　sir。　I　don't　know　how　to　say　it；　but　after　last　night　I　feel　different。　I　seem　to　see　ahead；　in　a　kind　of　way。　I　know　we　are　going　to　take　a　very　long　road；　into　darkness；　but　I　know　I　can't　turn　back。　It　isn't　to　see　Elves　now；　nor　dragons；　nor　mountains；　that　I　want　。　I　don't　rightly　know　what　I　want：　but　I　have　something　to　do　before　the　end；　and　it　lies　ahead；　not　in　the　Shire。　I　must　see　it　through；　sir；　if　you　understand　me。'

'I　don't　altogether。　But　I　understand　that　Gandalf　chose　me　a　good　panion。　I　am　content。　We　will　go　together。'

Frodo　finished　his　breakfast　in　silence。　Then　standing　up　he　looked　over　the　land　ahead；　and　called　to　Pippin。

'All　ready　to　start？'　he　said　as　Pippin　ran　up。　'We　must　be　getting　off　at　once。　We　slept　late；　and　there　are　a　good　many　miles　to　go。'

'You　slept　late；　you　mean；'　said　Pippin。　'I　was　up　long　before；　and　we　are　only　waiting　for　you　to　finish　eating　and　thinking。'

'I　have　finished　both　now。　And　I　am　going　to　make　for　Bucklebury　Ferry　as　quickly　as　possible。　I　am　not　going　out　of　the　way；　back　to　the　road　we　left　last　night：　I　am　going　to　cut　straight　across　country　from　here。'

'Then　you　are　going　to　fly；'　said　Pippin。　'You　won't　cut　straight　on　foot　anywhere　in　this　country。'

'We　can　cut　straighter　than