Властелин колец: Две башни
Shelob’s Lair
Whichshouldtheytake,theleft,ortheright?Theyknewofnothingtoguidethem,yetafalsechoicewouldalmostcertainlybefatal.
`WhichwayhasGollumgone?’pantedSam.’Andwhydidn’thewait?’
`Sméagol!’saidFrodo,tryingtocall.’Sméagol!’Buthisvoicecroaked,andthenamefelldeadalmostasitlefthislips.Therewasnoanswer,notanecho,notevenatremoroftheair.
`He’sreallygonethistime,Ifancy,’mutteredSam.`Iguessthisisjustexactlywherehemeanttobringus.Gollum!IfeverIlayhandsonyouagain,you’llbesorryforit.’
Presently,gropingandfumblinginthedark,theyfoundthattheopeningontheleftwasblocked:eitheritwasablind,orelsesomegreatstonehadfalleninthepassage.’Thiscan’tbetheway,’Frodowhispered.’Rightorwrong,wemusttaketheother.’
’Andquick!’Sampanted.’There’ssomethingworsethanGollumabout.Icanfeelsomethinglookingatus.’
Theyhadnotgonemorethanafewyardswhenfrombehindthemcameasound,startlingandhorribleintheheavypaddedsilence:agurgling,bubblingnoise,andalongvenomoushiss.Theywheeledround,butnothingcouldbeseen.Stillasstonestheystood,staring,waitingfortheydidnotknowwhat.
`It’satrap!’saidSam,andhelaidhishanduponthehiltofhissword;andashedidso,hethoughtofthedarknessofthebarrowwhenceitcame.’IwisholdTomwasnearusnow!’hethought.Thenashestood,darknessabouthimandablacknessofdespairandangerinhisheart.
