Властелин колец: Две башни
The King of the Golden Hall
LastofallhescannedThéoden’sfaceandopenedhismouthasiftospeak.Thensuddenlyhedrewhimselfup.Hishandsworked.Hiseyesglittered.Suchmalicewasinthemthatmensteppedbackfromhim.Hebaredhisteeth;andthenwithahissingbreathhespatbeforetheking’sfeet,anddartingtooneside,hefleddownthestair.
’Afterhim!’saidThéoden.’Seethathedoesnoharmtoany,butdonothurthimorhinderhim.Givehimahorse,ifhewishesit.’
’Andifanywillbearhim,’saidÉomer.
Oneoftheguardsrandownthestair.Anotherwenttothewellatthefootoftheterraceandinhishelmdrewwater.WithithewashedcleanthestonesthatWormtonguehaddefiled.
’Nowmyguests,come!’saidThéoden.’Comeandtakesuchrefreshmentashasteallows.’
Theypassedbackintothegreathouse.Alreadytheyheardbelowtheminthetowntheheraldscryingandthewar-hornsblowing.Forthekingwastorideforthassoonasthemenofthetownandthosedwellingnearcouldbearmedandassembled.
Attheking’sboardsatÉomerandthefourguests,andtherealsowaitinguponthekingwastheladyÉowyn.Theyateanddrankswiftly.TheothersweresilentwhileThéodenquestionedGandalfconcerningSaruman.
’Howfarbackhistreacherygoes,whocanguess?’saidGandalf.’Hewasnotalwaysevil.OnceIdonotdoubtthathewasthefriendofRohan;andevenwhenhisheartgrewcolder,hefoundyouusefulstill.Butforlongnowhehasplottedyourruin,wearingthemaskofFriendship,untilhewasready.
