Властелин колец: Братство кольца
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
‘Idon’tthinkyouintroducedhim?’
‘Him?’saidthelandlordinanansweringwhisper,cockinganeyewithoutturninghishead.‘Idon’trightlyknow.Heisoneofthewanderingfolk–Rangerswecallthem.Heseldomtalks:notbutwhathecantellararetalewhenhehasthemind.Hedisappearsforamonth,orayear,andthenhepopsupagain.Hewasinandoutprettyoftenlastspring;butIhaven’tseenhimaboutlately.WhathisrightnameisI’veneverheard:buthe’sknownroundhereasStrider.Goesaboutatagreatpaceonhislongshanks;thoughhedon’ttellnobodywhatcausehehastohurry.Butthere’snoaccountingforEastandWest,aswesayinBree,meaningtheRangersandtheShire-folk,beggingyourpardon.Funnyyoushouldaskabouthim.’ButatthatmomentMr.Butterburwascalledawaybyademandformorealeandhislastremarkremainedunexplained.
FrodofoundthatStriderwasnowlookingathim,asifhehadheardorguessedallthathadbeensaid.Presently,withawaveofhishandandanod,heinvitedFrodotocomeoverandsitbyhim.AsFrododrewnearhethrewbackhishood,showingashaggyheadofdarkhairfleckedwithgrey,andinapalesternfaceapairofkeengreyeyes.
‘IamcalledStrider,’hesaidinalowvoice.‘Iamverypleasedtomeetyou,Master–Underhill,ifoldButterburgotyournameright.’
‘Hedid,’saidFrodostiffly.Hefeltfarfromcomfortableunderthestareofthosekeeneyes.
