Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Houses of Healing
Andwhenthefragranceofathelasstolethroughtheroom,likethescentoforchards,andofheatherinthesunshinefullofbees,suddenlyMerryawoke,andhesaid:
‘Iamhungry.Whatisthetime?’
‘Pastsupper-timenow,’saidPippin;‘thoughIdaresayIcouldbringyousomething,iftheywillletme.’
‘Theywillindeed,’saidGandalf.‘AndanythingelsethatthisRiderofRohanmaydesire,ifitcanbefoundinMinasTirith,wherehisnameisinhonour.’
‘Good!’saidMerry.‘ThenIwouldlikesupperfirst,andafterthatapipe.’Atthathisfaceclouded.‘No,notapipe.Idon’tthinkI’llsmokeagain.’
‘Whynot?’saidPippin.
‘Well,’answeredMerryslowly.‘Heisdead.Ithasbroughtitallbacktome.Hesaidhewassorryhehadneverhadachanceoftalkingherb-lorewithme.Almostthelastthingheeversaid.Ishan’teverbeabletosmokeagainwithoutthinkingofhim,andthatday,Pippin,whenherodeuptoIsengardandwassopolite.’
‘Smokethen,andthinkofhim!’saidAragorn.‘Forhewasagentleheartandagreatkingandkepthisoaths;andheroseoutoftheshadowstoalastfairmorning.Thoughyourservicetohimwasbrief,itshouldbeamemorygladandhonourabletotheendofyourdays.’
Merrysmiled.‘Wellthen,’hesaid,‘ifStriderwillprovidewhatisneeded,Iwillsmokeandthink.IhadsomeofSaruman’sbestinmypack,butwhatbecameofitinthebattle,IamsureIdon’tknow.’
