Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Black Gate Opens
ThevanguardpassedonthroughtheruinsofOldGondor,andoverthewideRiver,andonupthelongstraightroadthatinthehighdayshadbeenmadetorunfromthefairToweroftheSuntothetallToweroftheMoon,whichnowwasMinasMorgulinitsaccursedvale.FivemilesbeyondOsgiliaththeyhalted,endingtheirfirstday’smarch.
ButthehorsemenpressedonandereeveningtheycametotheCross-roadsandthegreatringoftrees,andallwassilent.Nosignofanyenemyhadtheyseen,nocryorcallhadbeenheard,noshafthadspedfromrockorthicketbytheway,yeteverastheywentforwardtheyfeltthewatchfulnessofthelandincrease.Treeandstone,bladeandleafwerelistening.Thedarknesshadbeendispelled,andfarawaywestwardsunsetwasontheValeofAnduin,andthewhitepeaksofthemountainsblushedintheblueair;butashadowandagloombroodedupontheEphelDúath.
ThenAragornsettrumpetersateachofthefourroadsthatranintotheringoftrees,andtheyblewagreatfanfare,andtheheraldscriedaloud:‘TheLordsofGondorhavereturnedandallthislandthatistheirstheytakeback.’Thehideousorc-headthatwassetuponthecarvenfigurewascastdownandbrokeninpieces,andtheoldking’sheadwasraisedandsetinitsplaceoncemore,stillcrownedwithwhiteandgoldenflowers:andmenlabouredtowashandpareawayallthefoulscrawlsthatorcshadputuponthestone.
NowintheirdebatesomehadcounselledthatMinasMorgulshouldfirstbeassailed,andiftheymighttakeit,itshouldbeutterlydestroyed.
