Властелин колец: Две башни
The Choices of Master Samwise
Stillhisfuryheldforonemoreblow,andbeforeshecouldsinkuponhim,smotheringhimandallhislittleimpudenceofcourage,heslashedthebrightelven-bladeacrossherwithdesperatestrength.
ButShelobwasnotasdragonsare,nosofterspothadshesaveonlyhereyes.Knobbedandpittedwithcorruptionwasherage-oldhide,buteverthickenedfromwithinwithlayeronlayerofevilgrowth.Thebladescoreditwithadreadfulgash,butthosehideousfoldscouldnotbepiercedbyanystrengthofmen,notthoughElforDwarfshouldforgethesteelorthehandofBerenorofTúrinwieldit.Sheyieldedtothestroke,andthenheavedupthegreatbagofherbellyhighaboveSam’shead.Poisonfrothedandbubbledfromthewound.Nowsplayingherlegsshedroveherhugebulkdownonhimagain.Toosoon.ForSamstillstooduponhisfeet,anddroppinghisownsword,withbothhandsheheldtheelven-bladepointupwards,fendingoffthatghastlyroof;andsoShelob,withthedrivingforceofherowncruelwill,withstrengthgreaterthananywarrior’shand,thrustherselfuponabitterspike.Deep,deepitpricked,asSamwascrushedslowlytotheground.
NosuchanguishhadShelobeverknown,ordreamedofknowing,inallherlongworldofwickedness.NotthedoughtiestsoldierofoldGondor,northemostsavageOrcentrapped,hadeverthusenduredher,orsetbladetoherbelovedflesh.Ashudderwentthroughher.Heavingupagain,wrenchingawayfromthepain,shebentherwrithinglimbsbeneathherandsprangbackwardsinaconvulsiveleap.
