Властелин колец: Возвращение короля
The Passing of the Grey Company
ForIamwearyofskulkinginthehills,andwishtofaceperilandbattle.’
‘Yourdutyiswithyourpeople,’heanswered.
‘ToooftenhaveIheardofduty,’shecried.‘ButamInotoftheHouseofEorl,ashieldmaidenandnotadry-nurse?Ihavewaitedonfalteringfeetlongenough.Sincetheyfalternolonger,itseems,mayInotnowspendmylifeasIwill?’
‘Fewmaydothatwithhonour,’heanswered.‘Butasforyou,lady:didyounotacceptthechargetogovernthepeopleuntiltheirlord’sreturn?Ifyouhadnotbeenchosen,thensomemarshalorcaptainwouldhavebeensetinthesameplace,andhecouldnotrideawayfromhischarge,werehewearyofitorno.’
‘ShallIalwaysbechosen?’shesaidbitterly.‘ShallIalwaysbeleftbehindwhentheRidersdepart,tomindthehousewhiletheywinrenown,andfindfoodandbedswhentheyreturn?’
‘Atimemaycomesoon,’saidhe,‘whennonewillreturn.Thentherewillbeneedofvalourwithoutrenown,fornoneshallrememberthedeedsthataredoneinthelastdefenceofyourhomes.Yetthedeedswillnotbelessvaliantbecausetheyareunpraised.’
Andsheanswered:‘Allyourwordsarebuttosay:youareawoman,andyourpartisinthehouse.Butwhenthemenhavediedinbattleandhonour,youhaveleavetobeburnedinthehouse,forthemenwillneeditnomore.ButIamoftheHouseofEorlandnotaserving-woman.Icanrideandwieldblade,andIdonotfeareitherpainordeath.’
