The Lord of the Rings-指环王(英文版)-第46部分

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'I　think　we　will　not　speak　of　it；　at　least　not　yet；'　said　Frodo　politely。

He　guessed　that　even　in　Elrond's　house　the　matter　of　the　Ring　was　not　one　for　casual　talk；　and　in　any　case　he　wished　to　fet　his　troubles　for　a　time。　'But　I　am　equally　curious；'　he　added；　'to　learn　what　brings　so　important　a　dwarf　so　far　from　the　Lonely　Mountain。'

Glóin　looked　at　him。　'If　you　have　not　heard；　I　think　we　will　not　speak　yet　of　that　either。　Master　Elrond　will　summon　us　all　ere　long；　I　believe；　and　then　we　shall　all　hear　many　things。　But　there　is　much　else　that　may　be　told。'

Throughout　the　rest　of　the　meal　they　talked　together；　but　Frodo　listened　more　than　he　spoke；　for　the　news　of　the　Shire；　apart　from　the　Ring；　seemed　small　and　faraway　and　unimportant；　while　Glóin　had　much　to　tell　of　events　in　the　northern　regions　of　Wilderland。　Frodo　learned　that　Grimbeorn　the　Old；　son　of　Beorn；　was　now　the　lord　of　many　sturdy　men；　and　to　their　land　between　the　Mountains　and　Mirkwood　neither　orc　nor　wolf　dared　to　go。

'lndeed；'　said　Glóin；　'if　it　were　not　for　the　Beornings；　the　passage　from　Dale　to　Rivendell　would　long　ago　have　bee　impossible。　They　are　valiant　men　and　keep　open　the　High　Pass　and　the　Ford　of　Carrock。　But　their　tolls　are　high；'　he　added　with　a　shake　of　his　head；　'and　like　Beorn　of　old　they　are　not　over　fond　of　dwarves。　Still；　they　are　trusty；　and　that　is　much　in　these　days。　Nowhere　are　there　any　men　so　friendly　to　us　as　the　Men　of　Dale。　They　are　good　folk；　the　Bardings。　The　grandson　of　Bard　the　Bowman　rules　them；　Brand　son　of　Bain　son　of　Bard。　He　is　a　strong　king；　and　his　realm　now　reaches　far　south　and　east　of　Esgaroth。'

'And　what　of　your　own　people？'　asked　Frodo。

'There　is　much　to　tell；　good　and　bad；'　said　Glóin；　'yet　it　is　mostly　good：　we　have　so　far　been　fortunate；　though　we　do　not　escape　the　shadow　of　these　times。　If　you　really　wish　to　hear　of　us；　I　will　tell　you　tidings　gladly。　But　stop　me　when　you　are　weary！　Dwarves'　tongues　run　on　when　speaking　of　their　handiwork；　they　say。'

And　with　that　Glóin　embarked　on　a　long　account　of　the　doings　of　the　Dwarfkingdom。　He　was　delighted　to　have　found　so　polite　a　listener；　for　Frodo　showed　no　sign　of　weariness　and　made　no　attempt　to　change　the　subject；　though　actually　he　soon　got　rather　lost　among　the　strange　names　of　people　and　places　that　he　had　never　heard　of　before。　He　was　interested；　however；　to　hear　that　Dáin　was　still　King　under　the　Mountain；　and　was　now　old　（having　passed　his　two　hundred　and　fiftieth　year）；　venerable；　and　fabulously　rich。　Of　the　ten　panions　who　had　survived　the　Battle　of　Five　Armies　seven　were　still　with　him：　Dwalin；　Glóin；　Dori；　Nori；　Bifur；　Bofur；　and　Bombur。　Bombur　was　now　so　fat　that　he　could　not　move　himself　from　his　couch　to　his　chair　at　table；　and　it　took　six　young　dwarves　to　lift　him。

'And　what　has　bee　of　Balin　and　Ori　and　óin？'　asked　Frodo。

A　shadow　passed　over　Glóin's　face。　'We　do　not　know；'　he　answered。　'It　is　largely　on　account　of　Balin　that　I　have　e　to　ask　the　advice　of　those　that　dwell　in　Rivendell。　But　tonight　let　us　speak　of　merrier　things！'

Glóin　began　then　to　talk　of　the　works　of　his　people；　telling　Frodo　about　their　great　labours　in　Dale　and　under　the　Mountain。　'We　have　done　well；'　he　said。　'But　in　metalwork　we　cannot　rival　our　fathers；　many　of　whose　secrets　are　lost。　We　make　good　armour　and　keen　swords；　but　we　cannot　again　make　mail　or　blade　to　match　those　that　were　made　before　the　dragon　came。　Only　in　mining　and　building　have　we　surpassed　the　old　days。　You　should　see　the　waterways　of　Dale；　Frodo；　and　the　fountains；　and　the　pools！　You　should　see　the　stonepaved　roads　of　many　colours！　And　the　halls　and　cavernous　streets　under　the　earth　with　arches　carved　like　trees；　and　the　terraces　and　towers　upon　the　Mountain's　sides！　Then　you　would　see　that　we　have　not　been　idle。'

'I　will　e　and　see　them；　if　ever　I　can；'　said　Frodo。　'How　surprised　Bilbo　would　have　been　to　see　all　the　changes　in　the　Desolation　of　Smaug！'

Glóin　looked　at　Frodo　and　smiled。　'You　were　very　fond　of　Bilbo　were　you　not？'　he　asked。

'Yes；'　answered　Frodo。　'I　would　rather　see　him　than　all　the　towers　and　palaces　in　the　world。'

At　length　the　feast　came　to　an　end。　Elrond　and　Arwen　rose　and　went　down　the　hall；　and　the　pany　followed　them　in　due　order。　The　doors　were　thrown　open；　and　they　went　across　a　wide　passage　and　through　other　doors；　and　came　into　a　further　hall。　In　it　were　no　tables；　but　a　bright　fire　was　burning　in　a　great　hearth　between　the　carven　pillars　upon　either　side。

Frodo　found　himself　walking　with　Gandalf。　'This　is　the　Hall　of　Fire'　said　the　wizard。　'Here　you　will　hear　many　songs　and　talesif　you　can　keep　awake。　But　except　on　high　days　it　usually　stands　empty　and　quiet；　and　people　e　here　who　wish　for　peace；　and　thought。　There　is　always　a　fire　here；　all　the　year　round；　but　there　is　little　other　light。'

As　Elrond　entered　and　went　towards　the　seat　prepared　for　him；　elvish　minstrels　began　to　make　sweet　music。　Slowly　the　hall　filled；　and　Frodo　looked　with　delight　upon　the　many　fair　faces　that　were　gathered　together；　the　golden　firelight　played　upon　them　and　shimmered　in　their　hair。　Suddenly　he　noticed；　not　far　from　the　further　end　of　the　fire；　a　small　dark　figure　seated　on　a　stool　with　his　back　propped　against　a　pillar。　Beside　him　on　the　ground　was　a　drinkingcup　and　some　bread。　Frodo　wondered　whether　he　was　ill　（if　people　were　ever　ill　in　Rivendell）；　and　had　been　unable　to　e　to　the　feast。　His　head　seemed　sunk　in　sleep　on　his　breast；　and　a　fold　of　his　dark　cloak　was　drawn　over　his　face。

Elrond　went　forward　and　stood　beside　the　silent　figure。　'Awake　little　master。　he　said；　with　a　smile。　Then；　turning　to　Frodo；　he　beckoned　to　him。

'Now　at　last　the　hour　has　e　that　you　have　wished　for；　Frodo；'　he　said。　'Here　is　a　friend　that　you　have　long　missed。'

The　dark　figure　raised　its　head　and　uncovered　its　face。

'Bilbo！'　cried　Frodo　with　sudden　recognition；　and　he　sprang　forward。

'Hullo；　Frodo　my　lad！'　said　Bilbo。　'So　you　have　got　here　at　last。　I　hoped　you　would　manage　it。　Well；　well！　So　all　this　feasting　is　in　your　honour；　I　hear。　I　hope　you　enjoyed　yourself？'

'Why　weren't　you　there？'　cried　Frodo。　'And　why　haven't　I　been　allowed　to　see　you　before？'

'Because　you　were　asleep；　I　have　seen　a　good　deal　of　you。　I　have　sat　by　your　side　with　Sam　each　day。　But　as　for　the　feast’　I　don't　go　in　for　such　things　much　now。　And　I　had　something　else　to　do。'

'What　were　you　doing？'

'Why；　sitting　and　thinking。　I　do　a　lot　of　that　nowadays；　and　this　is　the　best　place　to　do　it　in；　as　a　rule。　Wake　up；　indeed！'　he　said；　cocking　an　eye　at　Elrond。　There　was　a　bright　twinkle　in　it　and　no　sign　of　sleepiness　that　Frodo　could　see。　'Wake　up！　I　was　not　asleep。　Master　Elrond。　If　you　want　to　know；　you　have　all　e　out　from　your　feast　too　soon；　and　you　have　disturbed　mein　the　middle　of　making　up　a　song。　I　was　stuck　over　a　line　or　two；　and　was　thinking　about　them；　but　now　I　don't　suppose　I　shall　ever　get　them　right。　There　will　be　such　a　deal　of　singing　that　the　ideas　will　be　driven　clean　out　of　my　head。　I　shall　have　to　get　my　friend　the　Dúnadan　to　help　me。　Where　is　he？'

Elrond　laughed。　'He　shall　be　found；'　he　said。　'Then　you　two　shall　go　into　a　corner　and　finish　your　task；　and　we　will　hear　it　and　judge　it　before　we　end　our　merrymaking。'　Messengers　were　sent　to　find　Bilbo's　friend；　though　none　knew　where　he　was；　or　why　he　had　not　been　present　at　the　feast。

In　the　meanwhile　Frodo　and　Bilbo　sat　side　by　side；　and　Sam　came　quickly　and　placed　himself　near　them。　They　talked　together　in　soft　voices；　oblivious　of　the　mirth　and　music　in　the　hall　about　them。　Bilbo　had　not　much　to　say　of　himself。　When　he　had　left　Hobbiton　he　had　wandered　off　aimlessly；　along　the　Road　or　in　the　country　on　either　side；　but　somehow　he　had　steered　all　the　time　towards　Rivendell。　'I　got　here　without　much　adventure；'　he　said；　'and　after　a　rest　I　went　on　with　the　dwarves　to　Dale：　my　last　journey。　I　shan't　travel　again。　Old　Balin　had　gone　away。　Then　I　came　back　here；　and　here　I　have　been。　I　have　done　this　and　that。　I　have　written　some　more　of　my　book。　And；　of　course；　I　make　up　a　few　songs。　They　sing　them　occasionally：　just　to　please　me；　I　think；　for；　of　course；　they　aren't　really　good　enough　for　Rivendell。　And　I　listen　and　I　think。　Time　doesn't　seem　to　pass　here：　it　just　is。　A　remarkable　place　altogether。

'I　hear　all　kinds　of　news；　from　over　the　Mountains；　and　out　of　the　South；　but　hardly　anything　from　the　Shire。　I　heard　about　the　Ring；　of　course。　Gandalf　has　been　here　often。　Not　that　he　has　told　me　a　great　deal；　he　has　bee　closer　than　ever　these　last　few　years。　The　Dúnadan　has　told　me　more。　Fancy　that　ring　of　mine　causing　such　a　disturbance！　It　is　a　pity　that　Gandalf　did　not　find　out　more　sooner。　I　could　have　brought　the　thing　here　myself　long　ago　without　so　much　trouble。　I　have　thought　several　times　of　going　back　to　Hobbiton　for　it；　but　I　am　getting　old；　and　they　would　not　let　me：　Gandalf　and　Elrond；　I　mean。　They　seemed　to　think　that　the　Enemy　was　looking　high　and　low　for　me；　and　would　make　mincemeat　of　me；　if　he　caught　me　tottering　about　in　the　Wild。

'And　Gandalf　said：　〃The　Ring　has　passed　on；　Bilbo。　It　would　do　no　good　to　you　or　to　others；　if　you　tried　to　meddle　with　it　again。〃　Odd　sort　of　remark；　just　like　Gandalf。　But　he　said　he　was　looking　after　you；　so　I　let　things　be。　I　am　frightfully　glad　to　see　you　safe　and　sound。'　He　paused　and　looked　at　Frodo　doubtfully。

'Have　you　got　it　here？'　he　asked　in　a　whisper。　'I　can't　help　feeling　curious；　you　know；　after　all　I've　heard。　I　should　very　much　like　just　to　peep　at　it　again。'

'Yes；　I've　got　it；'　answered　Frodo；　feeling　a　strange　reluctance。　'It　looks　just　the　same　as　ever　it　did。'

'Well；　I　should　just　like　to　see　it　for　a　moment；'　said　Bilbo。

When　he　had　dressed；　Frodo　found　that　while　he　slept　the　Ring　had　been　hung　about　his　neck　on　a　new　chain；　light　but　strong。　Slowly　he　drew　it　out。　Bilbo　put　out　his　hand。　But　Frodo　quickly　drew　back　the　Ring。　To　his　distress　and　amazement　he　found　that　he　was　no　longer　looking　at　Bilbo；　a　shadow　seemed　to　have　fallen　between　them；　and　through　it　he　found　himself　eyeing　a　little　wrinkled　creature　with　a　hungry　face　and　bony　groping　hands。　He　felt　a　desire　to　strike　him。

The　music　and　singing　round　them　seemed　to　falter　and　a　silence　fell。　Bilbo　looked　quickly　at　Frodo's　face　and　passed　his　hand　across　his　eyes。　'I　understand　now；'　he　said。　'Put　it　away！　I　am　sorry：　sorry　you　have　e　in　for　this　burden：　sorry　about　everything。　Don't　adventures　ever　have　an　end？　I　suppose　not。　Someone　else　always　has　to　carry　on　the　story。　Well；　it　can't　be　helped。　I　wonder　if　it's　any　good　trying　to　finish　my　book。　But　don't　let's　worry　about　it　nowlet's　have　some　real　News！　Tell　me　all　about　the　Shire！'

Frodo　hid　the　Ring　away；　and　the　shadow　passed　leaving　hardly　a　shred　of　memory。　The　light　and　music　of　Rivendell　was　about　him　again。　Bilbo　smiled　and　laughed　happily。　Every　item　of　news　from　the　Shire　that　Frodo　could　tellaided　and　corrected　now　and　again　by　Samwas　of　the　greatest　interest　to　him；　from　the　felling　of　the　least　tree　to　the　pranks　of　the　smallest　child　in　Hobbiton。　They　were　so　deep　in　the　doings　of　the　Four　Farthings　that　they　did　not　notice　the　arrival　of　a　man　clad　in　dark　green　cloth。　For　many　mi