Властелин колец: Две башни
The Voice of Saruman
’Thereisonewhomayclaimitbyright.ForthisassuredlyisthepalantírofOrthancfromthetreasuryofElendil,setherebytheKingsofGondor.Nowmyhourdrawsnear.Iwilltakeit.’
GandalflookedatAragorn,andthen,tothesurpriseoftheothers,heliftedthecoveredStone,andbowedashepresentedit.
’Receiveit,lord!’hesaid:’inearnestofotherthingsthatshallbegivenback.ButifImaycounselyouintheuseofyourown,donotuseit-yet!Bewary!’
’WhenhaveIbeenhastyorunwary,whohavewaitedandpreparedforsomanylongyears?’saidAragorn.
’Neveryet.Donotthenstumbleattheendoftheroad,’answeredGandalf.’Butattheleastkeepthisthingsecret.You,andallothersthatstandhere!Thehobbit,Peregrin,aboveallshouldnotknowwhereitisbestowed.Theevilfitmaycomeonhimagain.Foralas!hehashandleditandlookedinit,asshouldneverhavehappened.HeoughtnevertohavetoucheditinIsengard,andthereIshouldhavebeenquicker.ButmymindwasbentonSaruman,andIdidnotatonceguessthenatureoftheStone.ThenIwasweary,andasIlayponderingit,sleepovercameme.NowIknow!’
’Yes,therecanbenodoubt,’saidAragorn.’Atlastweknowthelink’betweenIsengardandMordor,andhowitworked.Muchisexplained.’’Strangepowershaveourenemies,andstrangeweaknesses!’saidThéoden.’Butithaslongbeensaid:oftevilwillshallevilmar.’
’Thatmanytimesisseen,’saidGandalf.’Butatthistimewehavebeenstrangelyfortunate.
