Властелин колец: Возвращение короля

           Intheinnerpartofthepavilionwasasmallspace,curtainedoffwithbroideredhangings,andstrewnwithskins:andthereatasmalltablesatThéodenwithÉomerandÉowyn,andDúnhere,lordofHarrowdale.Merrystoodbesidetheking’sstoolandwaitedonhimtillpresentlytheoldman,comingoutofdeepthought,turnedtohimandsmiled.

           ‘Come,MasterMeriadoc!’hesaid.‘Youshallnotstand.Youshallsitbesideme,aslongasIremaininmyownlands,andlightenmyheartwithtales.’

           Roomwasmadeforthehobbitattheking’slefthand,butnoonecalledforanytale.Therewasindeedlittlespeech,andtheyateanddrankforthemostpartinsilence,untilatlast,pluckingupcourage,Merryaskedthequestionthatwastormentinghim.

           ‘Twicenow,lord,IhaveheardofthePathsoftheDead,’hesaid.‘Whatarethey?AndwherehasStrider,ImeantheLordAragornwherehashegone?’

           Thekingsighed,butnooneanswered,untilatlastÉomerspoke.‘Wedonotknow,andourheartsareheavy,’hesaid.‘ButasforthePathsoftheDead,youhaveyourselfwalkedontheirfirststeps.Nay.Ispeaknowordsofillomen!TheroadthatwehaveclimbedistheapproachtotheDoor,yonderintheDimholt.Butwhatliesbeyondnomanknows.’

           ‘Nomanknows,’saidThéoden:‘yetancientlegend,nowseldomspoken,hassomewhattoreport.IftheseoldtalesspeaktruethathavecomedownfromfathertosonintheHouseofEorl,thentheDoorunderDwimorbergleadstoasecretwaythatgoesbeneaththemountaintosomeforgottenend.