Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Siege of Gondor
Withahandfulofhorsemenhecameinthemiddlemorning,ridingasescorttoalineofwains.Theywerefilledwithwoundedmen,allthatcouldbesavedfromthewreckoftheCausewayForts.AtoncehewenttoDenethor.TheLordoftheCitysatnowinahighchamberabovetheHalloftheWhiteTowerwithPippinathisside;andthroughthedimwindows,northandsouthandeast,hebenthisdarkeyes,asiftopiercetheshadowsofdoomthatringedhimround.Mosttothenorthhelooked,andwouldpauseatwhilestolistenasifbysomeancientarthisearsmighthearthethunderofhoofsontheplainsfaraway.
‘IsFaramircome?’heasked.
‘No,’saidGandalf.‘ButhestilllivedwhenIlefthim.Yetheisresolvedtostaywiththerearguard,lesttheretreatoverthePelennorbecomearout.Hemay,perhaps,holdhismentogetherlongenough,butIdoubtit.Heispittedagainstafoetoogreat.ForonehascomethatIfeared.’
‘Not-theDarkLord?’criedPippin,forgettinghisplaceinhisterror.
Denethorlaughedbitterly.‘Nay,notyet,MasterPeregrin!Hewillnotcomesaveonlytotriumphovermewhenalliswon.Heusesothersashisweapons.Sodoallgreatlords,iftheyarewise,MasterHalfling.OrwhyshouldIsithereinmytowerandthink,andwatch,andwait,spendingevenmysons?ForIcanstillwieldabrand.’
Hestoodupandcastopenhislongblackcloak,andbehold!hewascladinmailbeneath,andgirtwithalongsword,great-hiltedinasheathofblackandsilver.
