Властелин колец: Братство кольца
A Knife in the Dark
Evenastheydidso,theysawonthetopofthehillsomethingsmallanddarkagainsttheglimmerofthemoonrise.Itwasperhapsonlyalargestoneorjuttingrockshownupbythepalelight.
SamandMerrygotupandwalkedawayfromthefire.FrodoandPippinremainedseatedinsilence.Striderwaswatchingthemoonlightonthehillintently.Allseemedquietandstill,butFrodofeltacolddreadcreepingoverhisheart,nowthatStriderwasnolongerspeaking.Hehuddledclosertothefire.AtthatmomentSamcamerunningbackfromtheedgeofthedell.
‘Idon’tknowwhatitis,’hesaid,‘butIsuddenlyfeltafraid.Idurstn’tgooutsidethisdellforanymoney;Ifeltthatsomethingwascreepinguptheslope.’
‘Didyouseeanything?’askedFrodo,springingtohisfeet.
‘No,sir.Isawnothing,butIdidn’tstoptolook.’
‘Isawsomething,’saidMerry;‘orIthoughtIdid–awaywestwardswherethemoonlightwasfallingontheflatsbeyondtheshadowofthehill-tops,Ithoughtthereweretwoorthreeblackshapes.Theyseemedtobemovingthisway.’
‘Keepclosetothefire,withyourfacesoutward!’criedStrider.‘Getsomeofthelongersticksreadyinyourhands!’
Forabreathlesstimetheysatthere,silentandalert,withtheirbacksturnedtothewood-fire,eachgazingintotheshadowsthatencircledthem.Nothinghappened.Therewasnosoundormovementinthenight.Frodostirred,feelingthathemustbreakthesilence:helongedtoshoutoutaloud.
‘Hush!’whisperedStrider.