the fellowship of the ring-第65章

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After　a　while　Boromir　returned　carrying　Sam。　Behind　in　the　narrow　but　nowwell…trodden　track　came　Gandalf；　leading　Bill　with　Gimli　perched　among　thebaggage。　Last　came　Aragorn　carrying　Frodo。　They　passed　through　the　lane；　buthardly　had　Frodo　touched　the　ground　when　with　a　deep　rumble　there　rolled　downa　fall　of　stones　and　slithering　snow。　The　spray　of　it　half　blinded　the　panyas　they　crouched　against　the　cliff；　and　when　the　air　cleared　again　they　sawthat　the　path　was　blocked　behind　them。　
‘Enough；　enough！'　cried　Gimli。　'We　are　departing　as　quickly　as　we　may！'　
And　indeed　with　that　last　stroke　the　malice　of　the　mountain　seemed　to　be　　
expended；　as　if　Caradhras　was　satisfied　that　the　invaders　had　been　beaten　offand　would　not　dare　to　return。　The　threat　of　snow　lifted；　the　clouds　began　tobreak　and　the　light　grew　broader。　
As　Legolas　had　reported；　they　found　that　the　snow　became　steadily　moreshallow　as　they　went　down；　so　that　even　the　hobbits　could　trudge　along。　Soonthey　all　stood　once　more　on　the　flat　shelf　at　the　head　of　the　steep　slopewhere　they　had　felt　the　first　flakes　of　snow　the　night　before。　
The　morning　was　now　far　advanced。　From　the　high　place　they　looked　backwestwards　over　the　lower　lands。　Far　away　in　the　tumble　of　country　that　lay　atthe　foot　of　the　mountain　was　the　dell　from　which　they　had　started　to　climb　thepass。　
Frodo's　legs　ached。　He　was　chilled　to　the　bone　and　hungry；　and　his　headwas　dizzy　as　he　thought　of　the　long　and　painful　march　downhill。　Black　specksswam　before　his　eyes。　He　rubbed　them；　but　the　black　specks　remained。　In　thedistance　below　him；　but　still　high　above　the　lower　foothills；　dark　dots　werecircling　in　the　air。　
‘The　birds　again！'　said　Aragorn；　pointing　down。　
'That　cannot　be　helped　now；'　said　Gandalf。　‘Whether　they　are　good　orevil；　or　have　nothing　to　do　with　us　at　all；　we　must　go　down　at　once。　Not　evenon　the　knees　of　Caradhras　will　we　wait　for　another　night…fall！'　
A　cold　wind　flowed　down　behind　them；　as　they　turned　their　backs　on　theRedhorn　Gate；　and　stumbled　wearily　down　the　slope。　Caradhras　had　defeatedthem。　　
_Chapter　4_　
A　Journey　in　the　Dark　
　
It　was　evening；　and　the　grey　light　was　again　waning　fast；　when　theyhalted　for　the　night。　They　were　very　weary。　The　mountains　were　veiled　indeepening　dusk；　and　the　wind　was　cold。　Gandalf　spared　them　one　more　mouthfuleach　of　the　miruvor　of　Rivendell。　When　they　had　eaten　some　food　he　called　acouncil。　　
'We　cannot；　of　course；　go　on　again　tonight；'　he　said。　‘The　attack　on　theRedhorn　Gate　has　tired　us　out；　and　we　must　rest　here　for　a　while。'　
‘And　then　where　are　we　to　go？　'　asked　Frodo。　
'We　still　have　our　journey　and　our　errand　before　us；'　answered　Gandalf。　
‘We　have　no　choice　but　to　go　on；　or　to　return　to　Rivendell。'　
Pippin's　face　brightened　visibly　at　the　mere　mention　of　return　toRivendell；　Merry　and　Sam　looked　up　hopefully。　But　Aragorn　and　Boromir　made　nosign。　Frodo　looked　troubled。　
‘I　wish　I　was　back　there；'　he　said。　‘But　how　can　I　return　without　shame　–　
unless　there　is　indeed　no　other　way；　and　we　are　already　defeated？　'　
‘You　are　right；　Frodo；'　said　Gandalf：　‘to　go　back　is　to　admit　defeat　andface　worse　defeat　to　e。　If　we　go　back　now；　then　the　Ring　must　remain　there：　
we　shall　not　be　able　to　set　out　again。　Then　sooner　or　later　Rivendell　will　bebesieged；　and　after　a　brief　and　bitter　time　it　will　be　destroyed。　TheRingwraiths　are　deadly　enemies；　but　they　are　only　shadows　yet　of　the　power　andterror　they　would　possess　if　the　Ruling　Ring　was　on　their　master's　handagain。'　
'Then　we　must　go　on；　if　there　is　a　way；'　said　Frodo　with　a　sigh。　Sam　sankback　into　gloom。　
‘There　is　a　way　that　we　may　attempt；'　said　Gandalf。　‘I　thought　from　thebeginning；　when　first　I　considered　this　journey；　that　we　should　try　it。　But　itis　not　a　pleasant　way；　and　I　have　not　spoken　of　it　to　the　pany　before。　
Aragorn　was　against　it；　until　the　pass　over　the　mountains　had　at　least　beentried。'　　
‘If　it　is　a　worse　road　than　the　Redhorn　Gate；　then　it　must　be　evilindeed；'　said　Merry。　‘But　you　had　better　tell　us　about　it；　and　let　us　know　theworst　at　once。'　　
'The　road　that　I　speak　of　leads　to　the　Mines　of　Moria；'　said　Gandalf。　
Only　Gimli　lifted　up　his　head；　a　smouldering　fire　was　in　his　eyes。　On　all　theothers　a　dread　fell　at　the　mention　of　that　name。　Even　to　the　hobbits　it　was　a　　
legend　of　vague　fear：　
‘The　road　may　lead　to　Moria；　but　how　can　we　hope　that　it　will　leadthrough　Moria？　'　said　Aragorn　darkly。　
‘It　is　a　name　of　ill　omen；'　said　Boromir。　‘Nor　do　I　see　the　need　to　gothere。　If　we　cannot　cross　the　mountains；　let　us　journey　southwards；　until　wee　to　the　Gap　of　Rohan；　where　men　are　friendly　to　my　people；　taking　the　roadthat　I　followed　on　my　way　hither。　Or　we　might　pass　by　and　cross　the　Isen　intoLangstrand　and　Lebennin；　and　so　e　to　Gondor　from　the　regions　nigh　to　thesea。'　　
'Things　have　changed　since　you　came　north；　Boromir；'　answered　Gandalf。　
'Did　you　not　hear　what　I　told　you　of　Saruman？　With　him　I　may　have　business　ofmy　own　ere　all　is　over。　But　the　Ring　must　not　e　near　Isengard；　if　that　canby　any　means　be　prevented。　The　Gap　of　Rohan　is　closed　to　us　while　we　go　withthe　Bearer。　　
'As　for　the　longer　road：　we　cannot　afford　the　time。　We　might　spend　a　yearin　such　a　journey；　and　we　should　pass　through　many　lands　that　are　empty　andharbourless。　Yet　they　would　not　be　safe。　The　watchful　eyes　both　of　Saruman　andof　the　Enemy　are　on　them。　When　you　came　north；　Boromir；　you　were　in　theEnemy's　eyes　only　one　stray　wanderer　from　the　South　and　a　matter　of　smallconcern　to　him：　his　mind　was　busy　with　the　pursuit　of　the　Ring。　But　you　returnnow　as　a　member　of　the　Ring's　pany；　and　you　are　in　peril　as　long　as　youremain　with　us。　The　danger　will　increase　with　every　league　that　we　go　southunder　the　naked　sky。　
‘Since　our　open　attempt　on　the　mountain…pass　our　plight　has　bee　more　　
　
desperate；　I　fear。　I　see　now　little　hope；　if　we　do　not　soon　vanish　from　sightfor　a　while；　and　cover　our　trail。　Therefore　I　advise　that　we　should　go　neitherover　the　mountains；　nor　round　them；　but　under　them。　That　is　a　road　at　any　ratethat　the　Enemy　will　least　expect　us　to　take。'　
‘We　do　not　know　what　he　expects；'　said　Boromir。　‘He　may　watch　all　roads；　
likely　and　unlikely。　In　that　case　to　enter　Moria　would　be　to　walk　into　a　trap；　
hardly　better　than　knocking　at　the　gates　of　the　Dark　Tower　itself。　The　name　ofMoria　is　black。'　　
‘You　speak　of　what　you　do　not　know；　when　you　liken　Moria　to　thestronghold　of　Sauron；'　answered　Gandalf。　‘I　alone　of　you　have　ever　been　in　thedungeons　of　the　Dark　Lord；　and　only　in　his　older　and　lesser　dwelling　in　DolGuldur。　Those　who　pass　the　gates　of　Barad…d。r　do　not　return。　But　I　would　notlead　you　into　Moria　if　there　were　no　hope　of　ing　out　again。　If　there　areOrcs　there；　it　may　prove　ill　for　us；　that　is　true。　But　most　of　the　Orcs　of　theMisty　Mountains　were　scattered　or　destroyed　in　the　Battle　of　Five　Armies。　TheEagles　report　that　Orcs　are　gathering　again　from　afar；　but　there　is　a　hopethat　Moria　is　still　free。　　
‘There　is　even　a　chance　that　Dwarves　are　there；　and　that　in　some　deephall　of　his　fathers；　Balin　son　of　Fundin　may　be　found。　However　it　may　prove；　
one　must　tread　the　path　that　need　chooses！'　
'I　will　tread　the　path　with　you；　Gandalf！　'　said　Gimli。　'I　will　go　andlook　on　the　halls　of　Durin；　whatever　may　wait　there…if　you　can　find　the　doorsthat　are　shut。'　　
'Good；　Gimli！　'　said　Gandalf。　‘You　encourage　me。　We　will　seek　the　hiddendoors　together。　And　we　will　e　through。　In　the　ruins　of　the　Dwarves；　adwarf's　head　will　be　less　easy　to　bewilder　than　Elves　or　Men　or　Hobbits。　Yetit　will　not　be　the　first　time　that　I　have　been　to　Moria。　I　sought　there　longfor　Thráin　son　of　Thrór　after　he　was　lost。　I　passed　through；　and　I　came　outagain　alive！　'　
‘I　too　once　passed　the　Dimrill　Gate；'　said　Aragorn　quietly；　'but　though　Ialso　came　out　again；　the　memory　is　very　evil。　I　do　not　wish　to　enter　Moria　asecond　time。'　　
'And　I　don't　wish　to　enter　it　even　once；'　said　Pippin。　
'Nor　me；'　muttered　Sam。　
‘Of　course　not！　'　said　Gandalf。　'Who　would？　But　the　question　is：　who　willfollow　me；　if　I　lead　you　there？　'　
'I　will；'　said　Gimli　eagerly。　
'I　will；'　said　Aragorn　heavily。　‘You　followed　my　lead　almost　to　disasterin　the　snow；　and　have　said　no　word　of　blame。　I　will　follow　your　lead　now　–　ifthis　last　warning　does　not　move　you。　It　is　not　of　the　Ring；　nor　of　us　othersthat　I　am　thinking　now；　but　of　you；　Gandalf。　And　I　say　to　you：　if　you　pass　thedoors　of　Moria；　beware！　'　
‘I　will　_not_　go；'　said　Boromir；　'not　unless　the　vote　of　the　wholepany　is　against　me。　What　do　Legolas　and　the　little　folk　say？　The　Ring…　
bearer's　voice　surely　should　be　heard？　'　
'I　do　not　wish　to　go　to　Moria；'　said　Legolas。　
The　hobbits　said　nothing。　Sam　looked　at　Frodo。　At　last　Frodo　spoke。　‘I　donot　wish　to　go；'　he　said；　‘but　neither　do　I　wish　to　refuse　the　advice　ofGandalf。　I　beg　that　there　should　be　no　vote；　until　we　have　slept　on　it。　
Gandalf　will　get　votes　easier　in　the　light　of　the　morning　than　in　this　coldgloom。　How　the　wind　howls！　'　
At　these　words　all　fell　into　silent　thought。　They　heard　the　wind　hissingamong　the　rocks　and　trees；　and　there　was　a　howling　and　wailing　round　them　inthe　empty　spaces　of　the　night。　
Suddenly　Aragorn　leapt　to　his　feet。　'How　the　wind　howls！　'　he　cried。　'Itis　howling　with　wolf…voices。　The　Wargs　have　e　west　of　the　Mountains！　'　
'Need　we　wait　until　morning　then？　'　said　Gandalf。　‘It　is　as　I　said。　Thehunt　is　up！　Even　if　we　live　to　see　the　dawn；　who　now　will　wish　to　journeysouth　by　night　with　the　wild　wolves　on　his　trail？　'　
'How　far　is　Moria？　'　asked　Boromir。　　
　
‘There　was　a　door　south…west　of　Caradhras；　some　fifteen　miles　as　the　crowflies；　and　maybe　twenty　as　the　wolf　runs；'　answered　Gandalf　grimly。　
'Then　let　us　start　as　soon　as　it　is　light　tomorrow；　if　we　can；'　saidBoromir。　'The　wolf　that　one　hears　is　worse　than　the　orc　that　one　fears。'　　
‘True！'　said　Aragorn；　loosening　his　sword　in　its　sheath。　‘But　where　thewarg　howls；　there　also　the　orc　prowls。'　
‘I　wish　I　had　taken　Elrond's　advice；'　muttered　Pippin　to　Sam。　‘I　am　nogood　after　all。　There　is　not　enough　of　the　breed　of　Bandobras　the　Bullroarerin　me：　these　howls　freeze　my　blood。　I　don't　ever　remember　feeling　sowretched。'　　
'My　heart's　right　down　in　my　toes；　Mr。　Pippin；'　said　Sam。　'But　we　aren'tetten　yet；　and　there　are　some　stout　folk　here　with　us。　Whatever　may　be　instore　for　old　Gandalf；　I'll　wager　it　isn't　a　wolf's　belly。'　
For　their　defence　in　the　night　the　pany　climbed　to　the　top　of　thesmall　hill　under　which　they　had　been　sheltering。　it　was　crowned　with　a　knot　ofold　and　twisted　trees；　about　which　lay　a　broken　circle　of　boulder　stones。　Inthe　midst　of　this　they　lit　a　fire；　for　there　was　no　hope　that　darkness　andsilence　would　keep　their　trail　from　discovery　by　the　hunting　packs。　
Round　the　fire　they　sat；　and　those　that　were　not　on　guard　dozed　uneasily。　
Poor　Bill　the　pony　trembled　and　sweated　where　he　stood。　The　howling　of　thewolves　was　now　all　round　them；　sometimes　nearer　and　sometimes　further　off。　Inthe　dead　of　the　night　many　shining　eyes　were　seen　peering　over　the　brow　of　thehill。　Some　advanced　almost　to　the　ring　of　stones。　At　a　gap　in　the　circle　agreat　dark　wolf…shape　could　be　seen　halted；　gazing　at　them。　A　shuddering　howlbroke　from　him；　as　if　he　were　a　captain　summoning　his　pack　to　the　assault。　
Gandalf　stood　up　and　strode　forward；　holding　his　staf