Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Black Gate Opens
Merrycouldseehimnotfaroff,asmallbutuprightfigureamongthetallmenofMinasTirith.
Atlastthetrumpetsrangandthearmybegantomove.Troopbytroop,andcompanybycompany,theywheeledandwentoffeastward.AndlongaftertheyhadpassedawayoutofsightdownthegreatroadtotheCauseway,Merrystoodthere.Thelastglintofthemorningsunonspearandhelmtwinkledandwaslost,andstillheremainedwithbowedheadandheavyheart,feelingfriendlessandalone.Everyonethathecaredforhadgoneawayintothegloomthathungoverthedistanteasternsky;andlittlehopeatallwasleftinhisheartthathewouldeverseeanyofthemagain.
Asifrecalledbyhismoodofdespair,thepaininhisarmreturned,andhefeltweakandold,andthesunlightseemedthin.HewasrousedbythetouchofBergil’shand.
‘Come,MasterPerian!’saidthelad.‘Youarestillinpain,Isee.IwillhelpyoubacktotheHealers.Butdonotfear!Theywillcomeback.TheMenofMinasTirithwillneverbeovercome.AndnowtheyhavetheLordElfstone,andBeregondoftheGuardtoo.’
ErenoonthearmycametoOsgiliath.Therealltheworkersandcraftsmenthatcouldbesparedwerebusy.Somewerestrengtheningtheferriesandboat-bridgesthattheenemyhadmadeandinpartdestroyedwhentheyfled;somegatheredstoresandbooty;andothersontheeasternsideacrosstheRiverwerethrowinguphastyworksofdefence.
