Властелин колец: Две башни
The Black Gate is Closed
Inittherewasasinglegateofiron,anduponitsbattlementsentinelspacedunceasingly.Beneaththehillsoneithersidetherockwasboredintoahundredcavesandmaggot-holes:thereahostoforcslurked,readyatasignaltoissueforthlikeblackantsgoingtowar.NonecouldpasstheTeethofMordorandnotfeeltheirbite,unlesstheyweresummonedbySauron,orknewthesecretpasswordsthatwouldopentheMorannon,theblackgateofhisland.
Thetwohobbitsgazedatthetowersandthewallindespair.Evenfromadistancetheycouldseeinthedimlightthemovementoftheblackguardsuponthewall,andthepatrolsbeforethegate.Theylaynowpeeringovertheedgeofarockyhollowbeneaththeout-stretchedshadowofthenorthmostbuttressofEphelDúath.Wingingtheheavyairinastraightflightacrow,maybe,wouldhaveflownbutafurlongfromtheirhiding-placetotheblacksummitofthenearertower.Afaintsmokecurledaboveit,asiffiresmoulderedinthehillbeneath.
Daycame,andthefallowsunblinkedoverthelifelessridgesofEredLithui.Thensuddenlythecryofbrazen-throatedtrumpetswasheard:fromthewatch-towerstheyblared,andfarawayfromhiddenholdsandoutpostsinthehillscameansweringcalls;andfurtherstill,remotebutdeepandominous,thereechoedinthehollowlandbeyondthemightyhornsanddrumsofBarad-dûr.AnotherdreadfuldayoffearandtoilhadcometoMordor;andthenight-guardsweresummonedtotheirdungeonsanddeephalls,andtheday-guards,evil-eyedandfell,weremarchingtotheirposts.
