Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Houses of Healing
ThenGandalfwentoutinhaste,andalreadythefireintheskywasburningout,andthesmoulderinghillswerefading,whileash-greyeveningcreptoverthefields.
NowasthesunwentdownAragornandÉomerandImrahildrewneartheCitywiththeircaptainsandknights;andwhentheycamebeforetheGateAragornsaid:
‘BeholdtheSunsettinginagreatfire!Itisasignoftheendandfallofmanythings,andachangeinthetidesoftheworld.ButthisCityandrealmhasrestedinthechargeoftheStewardsformanylongyears,andIfearthatifIenteritunbidden,thendoubtanddebatemayarise,whichshouldnotbewhilethiswarisfought.Iwillnotenterin,normakeanyclaim,untilitbeseenwhetherweorMordorshallprevail.Menshallpitchmytentsuponthefield,andhereIwillawaitthewelcomeoftheLordoftheCity.’
ButÉomersaid:‘AlreadyyouhaveraisedthebanneroftheKingsanddisplayedthetokensofElendil’sHouse.Willyousufferthesetobechallenged?’
‘No,’saidAragorn.‘ButIdeemthetimeunripe;andIhavenomindforstrifeexceptwithourEnemyandhisservants.’
AndthePrinceImrahilsaid.Yourwords,lord,arewise,ifonewhoisakinsmanoftheLordDenethormaycounselyouinthismatter.Heisstrong-willedandproud,butold;andhismoodhasbeenstrangesincehissonwasstrickendown.YetIwouldnothaveyouremainlikeabeggaratthedoor.’
‘Notabeggar,’saidAragorn.‘SayacaptainoftheRangers,whoareunusedtocitiesandhousesofstone.’
