Властелин колец: Братство кольца
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
Fromtheashesafireshallbewoken,
Alightfromtheshadowsshallspring;
Renewedshallbebladethatwasbroken,
Thecrownlessagainshallbeking.
PPPS.IhopeButterbursendsthispromptly.Aworthyman,buthismemoryislikealumber-room:thingwantedalwaysburied.Ifheforgets,Ishallroasthim.
FareWell!
Frodoreadthelettertohimself,andthenpassedittoPippinandSam.‘ReallyoldButterburhasmadeamessofthings!’hesaid.‘Hedeservesroasting.IfIhadgotthisatonce,wemightallhavebeensafeinRivendellbynow.ButwhatcanhavehappenedtoGandalf?Hewritesasifhewasgoingintogreatdanger.’
‘Hehasbeendoingthatformanyyears,’saidStrider.
Frodoturnedandlookedathimthoughtfully,wonderingaboutGandalf’ssecondpostscript.‘Whydidn’tyoutellmethatyouwereGandalf’sfriendatonce?’heasked.‘Itwouldhavesavedtime.’
‘Wouldit?Wouldanyofyouhavebelievedmetillnow?’saidStrider.‘Iknewnothingofthisletter.ForallIknewIhadtopersuadeyoutotrustmewithoutproofs,ifIwastohelpyou.Inanycase,Ididnotintendtotellyouallaboutmyselfatonce.Ihadtostudyyoufirst,andmakesureofyou.TheEnemyhassettrapsformebeforenow.AssoonasIhadmadeupmymind,Iwasreadytotellyouwhateveryouasked.ButImustadmit,’headdedwithaqueerlaugh,‘thatIhopedyouwouldtaketomeformyownsake.Ahuntedmansometimesweariesofdistrustandlongsforfriendship.Butthere,Ibelievemylooksareagainstme.’
