Властелин колец: Две башни
The King of the Golden Hall
Iwouldgiveyouagifterewego,atyourownchoosing.Youhaveonlytonameaughtthatismine.Ireservenowonlymysword!’
’WhetherIcameintimeornotisyettobeseen,’saidGandalf.’Butasforyourgift,lord,Iwillchooseonethatwillfitmyneed:swiftandsure.GivemeShadowfax!Hewasonlylentbefore,ifloanwemaycallit.Butnowshallridehimintogreathazard,settingsilveragainstblack:Iwouldnotriskanythingthatisnotmyown.Andalreadythereisabondoflovebetweenus.’
’Youchoosewell,’saidThéoden;’andIgivehimnowgladly.Yetitisagreatgift.ThereisnoneliketoShadowfax.Inhimoneofthemightysteedsofoldhasreturned.Nonesuchshallreturnagain.AndtoyoumyotherguestsIwilloffersuchthingsasmaybefoundinmyarmoury.Swordsyoudonotneed,buttherearehelmsandcoatsofmailofcunningwork,giftstomyfathersoutofGondor.Choosefromtheseerewego,andmaytheyserveyouwell!’
Nowmencamebearingraimentofwarfromtheking’shoardandtheyarrayedAragornandLegolasinshiningmail.Helmstootheychose,androundshields:theirbosseswereoverlaidwithgoldandsetwithgems,greenandredandwhite.Gandalftooknoarmour;andGimlineedednocoatofrings,evenifonehadbeenfoundtomatchhisstature,fortherewasnohauberkinthehoardsofEdorasofbettermakethanhisshortcorsletforgedbeneaththeMountainintheNorth.Buthechoseacapofironandleatherthatfittedwelluponhisroundhead;andasmallshieldhealsotook.
