Хоббит
Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire
Hewantedtoknowhowthewizardhadturnedupagain,andwheretheyhadallgottonow.Thewizard,totellthetruth,nevermindedexplaininghisclevernessmorethanonce,sonowhehadtoldBilbothatbothheandElrondhadbeenwellawareofthepresenceofevilgoblinsinthatpartofthemountains.Buttheirmaingateusedtocomeoutonadifferentpass,onemoreeasytotravelby,sothattheyoftencaughtpeoplebenightedneartheirgates.Evidentlypeoplehadgivenupgoingthatway,andthegoblinsmusthaveopenedtheirnewentranceatthetopofthepassthedwarveshadtaken,quiterecently,becauseithadbeenfoundquitesafeuptonow.
"ImustseeifIcan’tfindamoreorlessdecentgianttoblockitupagain,"saidGandalf,"orsoontherewillbenogettingoverthemountainsatall."
AssoonasGandalfhadheardBilbo’syellherealizedwhathadhappened.Intheflashwhichkilledthegoblinsthatweregrabbinghimhehadnippedinsidethecrack,justasitsnappedto.Hefollowedafterthedriversandprisonersrighttotheedgeofthegreathall,andtherehesatdownandworkedupthebestmagichecouldintheshadows.
"Averyticklishbusiness,itwas,"hesaid."Touchandgo!"But,ofcourse,Gandalfhadmadeaspecialstudyofbewitchmentswithfireandlights(eventhehobbithadneverforgottenthemagicfireworksatOldTook’smidsummer-eveparties,asyouremember).Therestweallknow-exceptthatGandalfknewallabouttheback-door,asthegoblinscalledthelowergate,whereBilbolosthisbuttons.Asamatteroffactitwaswellknowntoanybodywhowasacquaintedwiththispartofthemountains;butittookawizardtokeephisheadinthetunnelsandguidethemintherightdirection.
"Theymadethatgateagesago,"hesaid,"partlyforawayofescape,iftheyneededone;partlyasawayoutintothelandsbeyond,wheretheystillcomeinthedarkanddogreatdamage.
