The Lord of the Rings-指环王(英文版)-第82部分

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t　upon　them；　and　still　they　preserved　through　the　suns　and　rains　of　fotten　years　the　mighty　likenesses　in　which　they　had　been　hewn。　Upon　great　pedestals　founded　in　the　deep　waters　stood　two　great　kings　of　stone：　still　with　blurred　eyes　and　crannied　brows　they　frowned　upon　the　North。　The　left　hand　of　each　was　raised　palm　outwards　in　gesture　of　warning；　in　each　right　hand　there　was　an　axe；　upon　each　head　there　was　a　crumbling　helm　and　crown。　Great　power　and　majesty　they　still　wore；　the　silent　wardens　of　a　long　vanished　kingdom。　Awe　and　fear　fell　upon　Frodo；　and　he　cowered　down；　shutting　his　eyes　and　not　daring　to　look　up　as　the　boat　drew　near。　Even　Boromir　bowed　his　head　as　the　boats　whirled　by。　frail　and　fleeting　as　little　leaves；　under　the　enduring　shadow　of　the　sentinels　of　Númenor。　So　they　passed　into　the　dark　chasm　of　the　Gates。

Sheer　rose　the　dreadful　cliffs　to　unguessed　heights　on　either　side。　Far　off　was　the　dim　sky。　The　black　waters　roared　and　echoed；　and　a　wind　screamed　over　them。　Frodo　crouching　over　his　knees　heard　Sam　in　front　muttering　and　groaning：　'What　a　place！　What　a　horrible　place！　Just　let　me　get　out　of　this　boat；　and　I'll　never　wet　my　toes　in　a　puddle　again；　let　alone　a　river！'

'Fear　not！'　said　a　strange　voice　behind　him。　Frodo　turned　and　saw　Strider；　and　yet　not　Strider；　for　the　weatherworn　Ranger　was　no　longer　there。　In　the　stern　sat　Aragorn　son　of　Arathorn；　proud　and　erect；　guiding　the　boat　with　skilful　strokes；　his　hood　was　cast　back；　and　his　dark　hair　was　blowing　in　the　wind；　a　light　was　in　his　eyes：　a　king　returning　from　exile　to　his　own　land。

'Fear　not！'　he　said。　'Long　have　I　desired　to　look　upon　the　likenesses　of　Isildur　and　Anárion；　my　sires　of　old。　Under　their　shadow　Elessar；　the　Elfstone　son　of　Arathorn　of　the　House　of　Valandil　Isildur's　son　heir　of　Elendil；　has　nought　to　dread！'

Then　the　light　of　his　eyes　faded；　and　he　spoke　to　himself：　'Would　that　Gandalf　were　here！　How　my　heart　yearns　for　Minas　Anor　and　the　walls　of　my　own　city！　But　whither　now　shall　I　go？'

The　chasm　was　long　and　dark；　and　filled　with　the　noise　of　wind　and　rushing　water　and　echoing　stone。　It　bent　somewhat　towards　the　west　so　that　at　first　all　was　dark　ahead；　but　soon　Frodo　saw　a　tall　gap　of　light　before　him；　ever　growing。　Swiftly　it　drew　near；　and　suddenly　the　boats　shot　through；　out　into　a　wide　clear　light。

The　sun；　already　long　fallen　from　the　noon；　was　shining　in　a　windy　sky。　The　pent　waters　spread　out　into　a　long　oval　lake；　pale　Nen　Hithoel；　fenced　by　steep　grey　hills　whose　sides　were　clad　with　trees；　but　their　heads　were　bare；　coldgleaming　in　the　sunlight。　At　the　far　southern　end　rose　three　peaks。　The　midmost　stood　somewhat　forward　from　the　others　and　sundered　from　them；　an　island　in　the　waters；　about　which　the　flowing　River　flung　pale　shimmering　arms。　Distant　but　deep　there　came　up　on　the　wind　a　roaring　sound　like　the　roll　of　thunder　heard　far　away。

'Behold　Tol　Brandir！'　said　Aragorn；　pointing　south　to　the　tall　peak。　'Upon　the　left　stands　Amon　Lhaw；　and　upon　the　right　is　Amon　Hen　the　Hills　of　Hearing　and　of　Sight。　In　the　days　of　the　great　kings　there　were　high　seats　upon　them；　and　watch　was　kept　there。　But　it　is　said　that　no　foot　of　man　or　beast　has　ever　been　set　upon　Tol　Brandir。　Ere　the　shade　of　night　falls　we　shall　e　to　them。　I　hear　the　endless　voice　of　Rauros　calling。'

The　pany　rested　now　for　a　while；　drifting　south　on　the　current　that　flowed　through　the　middle　of　the　lake。　They　ate　some　food；　and　then　they　took　to　their　paddles　and　hastened　on　their　way。　The　sides　of　the　westward　hills　fell　into　shadow；　and　the　Sun　grew　round　and　red。　Here　and　there　a　misty　star　peered　out。　The　three　peaks　loomed　before　them；　darkling　in　the　twilight。　Rauros　was　roaring　with　a　great　voice。　Already　night　was　laid　on　the　flowing　waters　when　the　travellers　came　at　last　under　the　shadow　of　the　hills。

The　tenth　day　of　their　journey　was　over。　Wilderland　was　behind　them。　They　could　go　no　further　without　choice　between　the　eastway　and　the　west。　The　last　stage　of　the　Quest　was　before　them。

Chapter　10
The　Breaking　of　the　Fellowship
　

Aragorn　led　them　to　the　right　arm　of　the　River。　Here　upon　its　western　side　under　the　shadow　of　Tol　Brandir　a　green　lawn　ran　down　to　the　water　from　the　feet　of　Amon　Hen。　Behind　it　rose　the　first　gentle　slopes　of　the　hill　clad　with　trees；　and　trees　marched　away　westward　along　the　curving　shores　of　the　lake。　A　little　spring　fell　tumbling　down　and　fed　the　grass。

'Here　we　will　rest　tonight；'　said　Aragorn。　'This　is　the　lawn　of　Parth　Galen：　a　fair　place　in　the　summer　days　of　old。　Let　us　hope　that　no　evil　has　yet　e　here。'

They　drew　up　their　boats　on　the　green　banks；　and　beside　them　they　made　their　camp。　They　set　a　watch；　but　had　no　sight　nor　sound　of　their　enemies。　If　Gollum　had　contrived　to　follow　them；　he　remained　unseen　and　unheard。　Noheless　as　the　night　wore　on　Aragorn　grew　uneasy；　tossing　often　in　his　sleep　and　waking。　In　the　small　hours　he　got　up　and　came　to　Frodo；　whose　turn　it　was　to　watch。

'Why　are　you　waking？　'　asked　Frodo。　'It　is　not　your　watch。'

'I　do　not　know；'　answered　Aragorn；　'but　a　shadow　and　a　threat　has　been　growing　in　my　sleep。　It　would　be　well　to　draw　your　sword。'

'Why？　'　said　Frodo。　'Are　enemies　at　hand？　'

'Let　us　see　what　Sting　may　show；'　answered　Aragorn。

Frodo　then　drew　the　elfblade　from　its　sheath。　To　his　dismay　the　edges　gleamed　dimly　in　the　night。　'Orcs！'　he　said。　'Not　very　near；　and　yet　too　near；　it　seems。'

'I　feared　as　much；'　said　Aragorn。　'But　maybe　they　are　not　on　this　side　of　the　River。　The　light　of　Sting　is　faint；　and　it　may　point　to　no　more　than　spies　of　Mordor　roaming　on　the　slopes　of　Amon　Lhaw。　I　have　never　heard　before　of　Orcs　upon　Amon　Hen。　Yet　who　knows　what　may　happen　in　these　evil　days；　now　that　Minas　Tirith　no　longer　holds　secure　the　passages　of　Anduin。　We　must　go　warily　tomorrow。'

The　day　came　like　fire　and　smoke。　Low　in　the　East　there　were　black　bars　of　cloud　like　the　fumes　of　a　great　burning。　The　rising　sun　lit　them　from　beneath　with　flames　of　murky　red；　but　soon　it　climbed　above　them　into　a　clear　sky。　The　summit　of　Tol　Brandir　was　tipped　with　gold。　Frodo　looked　out　eastward　and　gazed　at　the　tall　island。　Its　sides　sprang　sheer　out　of　the　running　water。　High　up　above　the　tall　cliffs　were　steep　slopes　upon　which　trees　climbed；　mounting　one　head　above　another；　and　above　them　again　were　grey　faces　of　inaccessible　rock；　crowned　by　a　great　spire　of　stone。　Many　birds　were　circling　about　it；　but　no　sign　of　other　living　things　could　be　seen。

When　they　had　eaten；　Aragorn　called　the　pany　together。　'The　day　has　e　at　last；'　he　said：　'the　day　of　choice　which　we　have　long　delayed。　What　shall　now　bee　of　our　pany　that　has　travelled　so　far　in　fellowship？　Shall　we　turn　west　with　Boromir　and　go　to　the　wars　of　Gondor；　or　turn　east　to　the　Fear　and　Shadow；　or　shall　we　break　our　fellowship　and　go　this　way　and　that　as　each　may　choose？　Whatever　we　do　must　be　done　soon。　We　cannot　long　halt　here。　The　enemy　is　on　the　eastern　shore；　we　know；　but　I　fear　that　the　Orcs　may　already　be　on　this　side　of　the　water。'

There　was　a　long　silence　in　which　no　one　spoke　or　moved。

'Well；　Frodo；'　said　Aragorn　at　last。　'I　fear　that　the　burden　is　laid　upon　you。　You　are　the　Bearer　appointed　by　the　Council。　Your　own　way　you　alone　can　choose。　In　this　matter　I　cannot　advise　you。　I　am　not　Gandalf；　and　though　I　have　tried　to　bear　his　part；　I　do　not　know　what　design　or　hope　he　had　for　this　hour；　if　indeed　he　had　any。　Most　likely　it　seems　that　if　he　were　here　now　the　choice　would　still　wait　on　you。　Such　is　your　fate。'

Frodo　did　not　answer　at　once。　Then　he　spoke　slowly。　'I　know　that　haste　is　needed；　yet　I　cannot　choose。　The　burden　is　heavy。　Give　me　an　hour　longer；　and　I　will　speak。　Let　me　be　alone！'

Aragorn　looked　at　him　with　kindly　pity。　'Very　well；　Frodo　son　of　Drogo；'　he　said。　'You　shall　have　an　hour；　and　you　shall　be　alone。　We　will　stay　here　for　a　while。　But　do　not　stray　far　or　out　of　call。'

Frodo　sat　for　a　moment　with　his　head　bowed。　Sam；　who　had　been　watching　his　master　with　great　concern；　shook　his　head　and　muttered：　'Plain　as　a　pikestaff　it　is；　but　it's　no　good　Sam　Gamgee　putting　in　his　spoke　just　now。'　；

Presently　Frodo　got　up　and　walked　away；　and　Sam　saw　that　while　the　others　restrained　themselves　and　did　not　stare　at　him；　the　eyes　of　Boromir　followed　Frodo　intently；　until　he　passed　out　of　sight　in　the　trees　at　the　foot　of　Amon　Hen。

Wandering　aimlessly　at　first　in　the　wood；　Frodo　found　that　his　feet　were　leading　him　up　towards　the　slopes　of　the　hill。　He　came　to　a　path；　the　dwindling　ruins　of　a　road　of　long　ago。　In　steep　places　stairs　of　stone　had　been　hewn；　but　now　they　were　cracked　and　worn；　and　split　by　the　roots　of　trees。　For　some　while　he　climbed；　not　caring　which　way　he　went；　until　he　came　to　a　grassy　place。　Rowantrees　grew　about　it；　and　in　the　midst　was　a　wide　flat　stone。　The　little　upland　lawn　was　open　upon　the　East　and　was　filled　now　with　the　early　sunlight。　Frodo　halted　and　looked　out　over　the　River；　far　below　him；　to　Tol　Brandir　and　the　birds　wheeling　in　the　great　gulf　of　air　between　him　and　the　untrodden　isle。　The　voice　of　Rauros　was　a　mighty　roaring　mingled　with　a　deep　throbbing　boom。

He　sat　down　upon　the　stone　and　cupped　his　chin　in　his　hands；　staring　eastwards　but　seeing　little　with　his　eyes。　All　that　had　happened　since　Bilbo　left　the　Shire　was　passing　through　his　mind；　and　he　recalled　and　pondered　everything　that　he　could　remember　of　Gandalf's　words。　Time　went　on；　and　still　he　was　no　nearer　to　a　choice。

Suddenly　he　awoke　from　his　thoughts：　a　strange　feeling　came　to　him　that　something　was　behind　him；　that　unfriendly　eyes　were　upon　him。　He　sprang　up　and　turned；　but　all　that　he　saw　to　his　surprise　was　Boromir；　and　his　face　was　smiling　and　kind。

'I　was　afraid　for　you；　Frodo；'　he　said；　ing　forward。　'If　Aragorn　is　right　and　Orcs　are　near；　then　none　of　us　should　wander　alone；　and　you　least　of　all：　so　much　depends　on　you。　And　my　heart　too　is　heavy。　May　I　stay　now　and　talk　for　a　while；　since　I　have　found　you？　It　would　fort　me。　Where　there　are　so　many；　all　speech　bees　a　debate　without　end。　But　two　together　may　perhaps　find　wisdom。'

'You　are　kind；'　answered　Frodo。　'But　I　do　not　think　that　any　speech　will　help　me。　For　I　know　what　I　should　do；　but　I　am　afraid　of　doing　it；　Boromir：　afraid。'

Boromir　stood　silent。　Rauros　roared　endlessly　on。　The　wind　murmured　in　the　branches　of　the　trees。　Frodo　shivered。

Suddenly　Boromir　came　and　sat　beside　him。　'Are　you　sure　that　you　do　not　suffer　needlessly？　'　he　said。　'I　wish　to　help　you。　You　need　counsel　in　your　hard　choice。　Will　you　not　take　mine？　'

'I　think　I　know　already　what　counsel　you　would　give；　Boromir；'　said　Frodo。　'And　it　would　seem　like　wisdom　but　for　the　warning　of　my　heart。'

'Warning？　Warning　against　what？　'　said　Boromir　sharply。

'Against　delay。　Against　the　way　that　seems　easier。　Against　refusal　of　the　burden　that　is　laid　on　me。　Againstwell；　if　it　must　be　said；　against　trust　in　the　strength　and　truth　of　Men。'

'Yet　that　strength　has　long　protected　you　far　away　in　your　little　country；　though　you　knew　it　not。'

'I　do　not　doubt　the　valour　of　your　people。　But　the　world　is　changing。　The　walls　of　Minas　Tirith　may　be　strong；　but　they　are　not　strong　enough。　If　they　fail；　what　then？　'