Властелин колец: Две башни
Helm’s Deep
’YettherearemanythatcryintheDunlandtongue,’saidGamling.’Iknowthattongue.Itisanancientspeechofmen,andoncewasspokeninmanywesternvalleysoftheMark.Hark!Theyhateus,andtheyareglad;forourdoomseemscertaintothem.’Thekingtheking!’theycry.’Wewilltaketheirking.DeathtotheForgoil!DeathtotheStrawheads!DeathtotherobbersoftheNorth!’Suchnamestheyhaveforus.NotinhalfathousandyearshavetheyforgottentheirgrievancethatthelordsofGondorgavetheMarktoEorltheYoungandmadealliancewithhim.ThatoldhatredSarumanhasinflamed.Theyarefiercefolkwhenroused.Theywillnotgivewaynowforduskordawn,untilThéodenistaken,ortheythemselvesareslain.’
’Nonethelessdaywillbringhopetome,’saidAragorn.’IsitnotsaidthatnofoehasevertakentheHornburg,ifmendefendedit?’
’Sotheminstrelssay,’saidÉomer.
’Thenletusdefendit,andhope!’saidAragorn.
Evenastheyspoketherecameablareoftrumpets.Thentherewasacrashandaflashofflameandsmoke.ThewatersoftheDeeping-streampouredouthissingandfoaming:theywerechokednolonger,agapingholewasblastedinthewall.Ahostofdarkshapespouredin.
’DevilryofSaruman!’criedAragorn.’Theyhavecreptintheculvertagain,whilewetalked,andtheyhavelitthefireofOrthancbeneathourfeet.Elendil,Elendil!’heshouted,asheleapeddownintothebreach;butevenashedidsoahundredladderswereraisedagainstthebattlements.
