Властелин колец: Две башни
Journey to the Cross-roads
Onitsfurthersidethewoodsgatheredagain,blueandgreyunderthesullenevening,andmarchedonsouthwards.TotherighttheMountainsofGondorglowed,remoteintheWest,underafire-fleckedsky.Totheleftlaydarkness:thetoweringwallsofMordor;andoutofthatdarknessthelongvalleycame,fallingsteeplyinanever-wideningtroughtowardstheAnduin.Atitsbottomranahurryingstream:Frodocouldhearitsstonyvoicecomingupthroughthesilence;andbesideitonthehithersidearoadwentwindingdownlikeapaleribbon,downintochillgreymiststhatnogleamofsunsettouched.ThereitseemedtoFrodothathedescriedfaroff,floatingasitwereonashadowysea,thehighdimtopsandbrokenpinnaclesofoldtowersforlornanddark.
HeturnedtoGollum.`Doyouknowwhereweare?’hesaid.
’Yes,Master.Dangerousplaces.ThisistheroadfromtheToweroftheMoon,Master,downtotheruinedcitybytheshoresoftheRiver.Theruinedcity,yes,verynastyplace,fullofenemies.Weshouldn’thavetakenMen’sadvice.Hobbitshavecomealongwayoutofthepath.Mustgoeastnow,awayupthere.’Hewavedhisskinnyarmtowardsthedarklingmountains.`Andwecan’tusethisroad.Ohno!Cruelpeoplescomethisway,downfromtheTower.’
Frodolookeddownontotheroad.Atanyratenothingwasmovingonitnow.Itappearedlonelyandforsaken,runningdowntoemptyruinsinthemist.Buttherewasanevilfeelingintheair,asifthingsmightindeedbepassingupanddownthateyescouldnotsee.
