Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Passing of the Grey Company
Thekingwasalreadythere,andassoonastheyenteredhecalledforMerryandhadaseatsetforhimathisside.‘ItisnotasIwouldhaveit,’saidThéoden;‘forthisislittlelikemyfairhouseinEdoras.Andyourfriendisgone,whoshouldalsobehere.Butitmaybelongerewesit,youandI,atthehightableinMeduseld;therewillbenotimeforfeastingwhenIreturnthither.Butcomenow!Eatanddrink,andletusspeaktogetherwhilewemay.Andthenyoushallridewithme.’
‘MayI?’saidMerry,surprisedanddelighted.‘Thatwouldbesplendid!’Hehadneverfeltmoregratefulforanykindnessinwords.‘IamafraidIamonlyineverybody’sway,’hestammered;‘butIshouldliketodoanythingIcould,youknow.’
‘Idoubtitnot,’saidtheking.‘Ihavehadagoodhill-ponymadereadyforyou.Hewillbearyouasswiftasanyhorsebytheroadsthatweshalltake.ForIwillridefromtheBurgbymountainpaths,notbytheplain,andsocometoEdorasbywayofDunharrowwheretheLadyÉowynawaitsme.Youshallbemyesquire,ifyouwill.Istheregearofwarinthisplace,Éomer,thatmysword-thaincoulduse?’
‘Therearenogreatweapon-hoardshere,lord.’answeredÉomer.‘Maybealighthelmmightbefoundtofithim;butwehavenomailorswordforoneofhisstature.’
‘Ihaveasword,’saidMerry,climbingfromhisseat,anddrawingfromitsblacksheathhissmallbrightblade.Filledsuddenlywithloveforthisoldman,hekneltononeknee,andtookhishandandkissedit.
