Хоббит
Barrels Out of Bond
Bilbohadallhecoulddotokeepupwiththetorches,fortheelvesweremakingthedwarvesgoasfastasevertheycould,sickandwearyastheywere.Thekinghadorderedthemtomakehaste.Suddenlythetorchesstopped,andthehobbithadjusttimetocatchthemupbeforetheybegantocrossthebridge.Thiswasthebridgethatledacrosstherivertotheking’sdoors.Thewaterfloweddarkandswiftandstrongbeneath;andatthefarendweregatesbeforethemouthofahugecavethatranintothesideofasteepslopecoveredwithtrees.Therethegreatbeechescamerightdowntothebank,tilltheirfeetwereinthestream.Acrossthisbridgetheelvesthrusttheirprisoners,butBilbohesitatedintherear.Hedidnotatalllikethelookofthecavern-mouthandheonlymadeuphismindnottodeserthisfriendsjustintimetoscuttleoverattheheelsofthefastelves,beforethegreatgatesofthekingclosedbehindthemwithaclang.Insidethepassageswerelitwithredtorch-light,andtheelf-guardssangastheymarchedalongthetwisting,crossing,andechoingpaths.Thesewerenotlikethoseofthegoblin-cities:theyweresmaller,lessdeepunderground,andfilledwithacleanerair.InagreathallwithpillarshewnoutofthelivingstonesattheElvenkingonachairofcarvenwood.Onhisheadwasacrownofberriesandredleaves,fortheautumnwascomeagain.Inthespringheworeacrownofwoodlandflowers.Inhishandheheldacarvenstaffofoak.
