Властелин колец: Возвращение короля

           Forwhenyouareolder,youwilllearnthatfolkarenotalwayswhattheyseem;andthoughyoumayhavetakenmeforasoftstranger-ladandeasyprey,letmewarnyou:Iamnot,Iamahalfling,hard,bold,andwicked!’Pippinpulledsuchagrimfacethattheboysteppedbackapace,butatoncehereturnedwithclenchedfistsandthelightofbattleinhiseye.

           ‘No!’Pippinlaughed.‘Don’tbelievewhatstrangerssayofthemselveseither!Iamnotafighter.Butitwouldbepoliterinanycaseforthechallengertosaywhoheis.’

           Theboydrewhimselfupproudly.‘IamBergilsonofBeregondoftheGuards,’hesaid.

           ‘SoIthought,’saidPippin,‘foryoulooklikeyourfather.Iknowhimandhesentmetofindyou.’

           ‘Thenwhydidyounotsaysoatonce?’saidBergil,andsuddenlyalookofdismaycameoverhisface.‘Donottellmethathehaschangedhismind,andwillsendmeawaywiththemaidens!Butno,thelastwainshavegone.’

           ‘Hismessageislessbadthanthat,ifnotgood.’saidPippin.‘Hesaysthatifyouwouldpreferittostandingmeonmyhead,youmightshowmeroundtheCityforawhileandcheermyloneliness.Icantellyousometalesoffarcountriesinreturn.’

           Bergilclappedhishands,andlaughedwithrelief.‘Alliswell,’hecried.‘Comethen!WeweresoongoingtotheGatetolookon.Wewillgonow.’

           ‘Whatishappeningthere?’

           ‘TheCaptainsoftheOutlandsareexpecteduptheSouthRoaderesundown.Comewithusandyouwillsee.’