Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Black Gate Opens
‘And,maybe,’saidImrahil,‘theroadthatleadsthencetothepassabovewillproveaneasierwayofassaultupontheDarkLordthanhisnortherngate.’
ButagainstthisGandalfhadspokenurgently,becauseoftheevilthatdweltinthevalley,wherethemindsoflivingmenwouldturntomadnessandhorror,andbecausealsoofthenewsthatFaramirhadbrought.ForiftheRing-bearerhadindeedattemptedthatway,thenabovealltheyshouldnotdrawtheEyeofMordorthither.Sothenextdaywhenthemainhostcameup,theysetastrongguardupontheCross-roadstomakesomedefence,ifMordorshouldsendaforceovertheMorgulPass,orshouldbringmoremenupfromtheSouth.ForthatguardtheychosemostlyarcherswhoknewthewaysofIthilienandwouldliehidinthewoodsandslopesaboutthemeetingoftheways.ButGandalfandAragornrodewiththevanguardtotheentranceofMorgulValeandlookedontheevilcity.
Itwasdarkandlifeless;fortheOrcsandlessercreaturesofMordorthathaddwelttherehadbeendestroyedinbattle,andtheNazgûlwereabroad.Yettheairofthevalleywasheavywithfearandenmity.Thentheybroketheevilbridgeandsetredflamesinthenoisomefieldsanddeparted.
Thedayafter,beingthethirddaysincetheysetoutfromMinasTirith,thearmybeganitsnorthwardmarchalongtheroad.
