Властелин колец: Братство кольца
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
Isthatenough?Youcandoasyoulikeaboutmyreward:takemeasaguideornot.ButImaysaythatIknowallthelandsbetweentheShireandtheMistyMountains,forIhavewanderedoverthemformanyyears.IamolderthanIlook.Imightproveuseful.Youwillhavetoleavetheopenroadaftertonight;forthehorsemenwillwatchitnightandday.YoumayescapefromBree,andbeallowedtogoforwardwhiletheSunisup;butyouwon’tgofar.Theywillcomeonyouinthewild,insomedarkplacewherethereisnohelp.Doyouwishthemtofindyou?Theyareterrible!’
Thehobbitslookedathim,andsawwithsurprisethathisfacewasdrawnasifwithpain,andhishandsclenchedthearmsofhischair.Theroomwasveryquietandstill,andthelightseemedtohavegrowndim.ForawhilehesatwithunseeingeyesasifwalkingindistantmemoryorlisteningtosoundsintheNightfaraway.
‘There!’hecriedafteramoment,drawinghishandacrosshisbrow.‘PerhapsIknowmoreaboutthesepursuersthanyoudo.Youfearthem,butyoudonotfearthemenough,yet.Tomorrowyouwillhavetoescape,ifyoucan.Stridercantakeyoubypathsthatareseldomtrodden.Willyouhavehim?’
Therewasaheavysilence.Frodomadenoanswer;hismindwasconfusedwithdoubtandfear.Samfrowned,andlookedathismaster;andatlasthebrokeout:
‘Withyourleave,Mr.Frodo,I’dsayno!ThisStriderhere,hewarnsandhesaystakecare;andIsayyestothat,andlet’sbeginwithhim.HecomesoutoftheWild,andIneverheardnogoodofsuchfolk.
