Хоббит
On the Doorstep
Itsbankwasbareandrocky,tallandsteepabovethestream;andgazingoutfromitoverthenarrowwater,foamingandsplashingamongmanyboulders,theycouldseeinthewidevalleyshadowedbytheMountain’sarmsthegreyruinsofancienthouses,towers,andwalls.
"ThereliesallthatisleftofDale,"saidBalin."Themountain’ssidesweregreenwithwoodsandalltheshelteredvalleyrichandpleasantinthedayswhenthebellsranginthattown."Helookedbothsadandgrimashesaidthis:hehadbeenoneofThorin’scompanionsonthedaytheDragoncame.Theydidnotdaretofollowtherivermuchfurtherto.wardstheGate;buttheywentonbeyondtheendofthesouthernspur,untillyinghiddenbehindarocktheycouldlookoutandseethedarkcavernousopeninginagreatcliff-wallbetweenthearmsoftheMountain.OutofitthewatersoftheRunningRiversprang;andoutofittootherecameasteamandadarksmoke.Nothingmovedinthewaste,savethevapourandthewater,andeverynowandagainablackandominouscrow.Theonlysoundwasthesoundofthestonywater,andeverynowandagaintheharshcroakofabird.Balinshuddered."Letusreturn!"hesaid."Wecandonogoodhere!-AndIdon’tlikethesedarkbirds,theylooklikespiesofevil."
"ThedragonisstillaliveandinthehallsundertheMountainthen-orIimaginesofromthesmoke,"saidthehobbit.
"Thatdoesnotproveit,"saidBalin,"thoughIdon’tdoubtyouareright.
