Хоббит
The Gathering of the Clouds
ButBilbo’sheartfell,bothatthesongandthetalk:theysoundedmuchtoowarlike.Thenextmorningearlyacompanyofspearmenwasseencrossingtheriver,andmarchingupthevalley.TheyborewiththemthegreenbanneroftheElvenkingandthebluebanneroftheLake,andtheyadvanceduntiltheystoodrightbeforethewallattheGate.AgainThorinhailedtheminaloudvoice:"WhoareyouthatcomearmedforwartothegatesofThorinsonofThrain,KingundertheMountain?"Thistimehewasanswered.
Atallmanstoodforward,darkofhairandgrimofface,andhecried:
"HailThorin!Whydoyoufenceyourselflikearobberinhishold?Wearenotyetfoes,andwerejoicethatyouarealivebeyondourhope.Wecameexpectingtofindnonelivinghere;yetnowthatwearemetthereismatterforaparleyandacouncil."
"Whoareyou,andofwhatwouldyouparley?"
"IamBard,andbymyhandwasthedragonslainandyourtreasuredelivered.Isthatnotamatterthatconcernsyou?MoreoverIambyrightdescenttheheirofGirionofDale,andinyourhoardismingledmuchofthewealthofhishallsandtown,whichofoldSmaugstole.Isnotthatamatterofwhichwemayspeak?FurtherinhislastbattleSmaugdestroyedthedwellingsofthemenofEsgaroth,andIamyettheservantoftheirMaster.Iwouldspeakforhimandaskwhetheryouhavenothoughtforthesorrowandmiseryofhispeople.Theyaidedyouinyourdistress,andinrecompenseyouhavethusfarbroughtruinonly,thoughdoubtlessundesigned."
