Властелин колец: Две башни
The King of the Golden Hall
DoInotguessrightlythatyouholdhimprisoner,bythecounselofGríma,ofhimthatallsaveyounametheWormtongue?’
’Itistrue,’saidThéoden.’Hehadrebelledagainstmycommands,andthreateneddeathtoGrímainmyhall.’
’AmanmayloveyouandyetnotloveWormtongueorhiscounsels’saidGandalf.
’Thatmaybe.Iwilldoasyouask.CallHámatome.Sinceheproveduntrustyasadoorward,lethimbecomeanerrand-runner.Theguiltyshallbringtheguiltytojudgement,’saidThéoden,andhisvoicewasgrim,yethelookedatGandalfandsmiledandashedidsomanylinesofcareweresmoothedawayanddidnotreturn.
WhenHámahadbeensummonedandhadgone,GandalfledThéodentoastoneseat,andthensathimselfbeforethekinguponthetopmoststair.Aragornandhiscompanionsstoodnearby.
’Thereisnotimetotellallthatyoushouldhear,’saidGandalf.’Yetifmyhopeisnotcheated,atimewillcomeerelongwhenIcanspeakmorefully.Behold!youarecomeintoaperilgreatereventhanthewitofWormtonguecouldweaveintoyourdreams.Butsee!youdreamnolonger.Youlive.GondorandRohandonotstandalone.Theenemyisstrongbeyondourreckoning,yetwehaveahopeatwhichhehasnotguessed.’
QuicklynowGandalfspoke.Hisvoicewaslowandsecret,andnonesavethekingheardwhathesaid.ButeverashespokethelightshonebrighterinThéoden’seye,andatthelastherosefromhisseattohisfullheight,andGandalfbesidehim,andtogethertheylookedoutfromthehighplacetowardstheEast.
