Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Siege of Gondor
YestereveIlayatCairAndros,thelongisleintheRivernorthwardwhichweholdindefence;andhorsesarekeptonthehitherbank.AsthedarkdrewonIknewthathastewasneeded,soIrodethencewiththreeothersthatcouldalsobehorsed.TherestofmycompanyIsentsouthtostrengthenthegarrisonatthefordsofOsgiliath.IhopethatIhavenotdoneill?’Helookedathisfather.
‘Ill?’criedDenethor,andhiseyesflashedsuddenly.‘Whydoyouask?Themenwereunderyourcommand.Ordoyouaskformyjudgementonallyourdeeds?Yourbearingislowlyinmypresence,yetitislongnowsinceyouturnedfromyourownwayatmycounsel.See,youhavespokenskilfully,asever;butI,haveInotseenyoureyefixedonMithrandir,seekingwhetheryousaidwellortoomuch?Hehaslonghadyourheartinhiskeeping.
‘Myson,yourfatherisoldbutnotyetdotard.Icanseeandhear,aswasmywont;andlittleofwhatyouhavehalfsaidorleftunsaidisnowhiddenfromme.Iknowtheanswertomanyriddles.Alas,alasforBoromir!’
‘IfwhatIhavedonedispleasesyou,myfather,’saidFaramirquietly,‘IwishIhadknownyourcounselbeforetheburdenofsoweightyajudgementwasthrustonme.’
‘Wouldthathaveavailedtochangeyourjudgement?’saidDenethor.‘Youwouldstillhavedonejustso,Ideem.Iknowyouwell.Everyourdesireistoappearlordlyandgenerousasakingofold,gracious,gentle.Thatmaywellbefitoneofhighrace,ifhesitsinpowerandpeace.Butindesperatehoursgentlenessmayberepaidwithdeath.’
