Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Black Gate Opens
ForastrongforceofOrcsandEasterlingsattemptedtotaketheirleadingcompaniesinanambush;andthatwasintheveryplacewhereFaramirhadwaylaidthemenofHarad,andtheroadwentinadeepcuttingthroughanout-thrustoftheeastwardhills.ButtheCaptainsoftheWestwerewellwarnedbytheirscouts,skilledmenfromHennethAnnûnledbyMablung;andsotheambushwasitselftrapped.Forhorsemenwentwideaboutwestwardandcameupontheflankoftheenemyandfrombehind,andtheyweredestroyedordriveneastintothehills.
Butthevictorydidlittletoenheartenthecaptains.‘Itisbutafeint,’saidAragorn;‘anditschiefpurpose,Ideem,wasrathertodrawusonbyafalseguessofourEnemy’sweaknessthantodousmuchhurt,yet.’AndfromthateveningonwardtheNazgûlcameandfollowedeverymoveofthearmy.TheystillflewhighandoutofsightofallsaveLegolas,andyettheirpresencecouldbefelt,asadeepeningofshadowandadimmingofthesun;andthoughtheRingwraithsdidnotyetstooplowupontheirfoesandweresilent,utteringnocry,thedreadofthemcouldnotbeshakenoff.
Sotimeandthehopelessjourneyworeaway.UponthefourthdayfromtheCross-roadsandthesixthfromMinasTiriththeycameatlasttotheendofthelivinglands,andbegantopassintothedesolationthatlaybeforethegatesofthePassofCirithGorgor;andtheycoulddescrythemarshesandthedesertthatstretchednorthandwesttotheEmynMuil.
