the fellowship of the ring-第80章

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rkness　fell。　The　sea　rose　and　raged　in　a　greatstorm。　Then　he　saw　against　the　Sun；　sinking　blood…red　into　a　wrack　of　clouds；　
the　black　outline　of　a　tall　ship　with　torn　sails　riding　up　out　of　the　West。　
Then　a　wide　river　flowing　through　a　populous　city。　Then　a　white　fortress　withseven　towers。　And　then　again　a　ship　with　black　sails；　but　now　it　was　morningagain；　and　the　water　rippled　with　light；　and　a　banner　bearing　the　emblem　of　awhite　tree　shone　in　the　sun。　A　smoke　as　of　fire　and　battle　arose；　and　againthe　sun　went　down　in　a　burning　red　that　faded　into　a　grey　mist；　and　into　themist　a　small　ship　passed　away；　twinkling　with　lights。　It　vanished；　and　Frodosighed　and　prepared　to　draw　away。　
But　suddenly　the　Mirror　went　altogether　dark；　as　dark　as　if　a　hole　hadopened　in　the　world　of　sight；　and　Frodo　looked　into　emptiness。　In　the　blackabyss　there　appeared　a　single　Eye　that　slowly　grew。　until　it　filled　nearly　allthe　Mirror。　So　terrible　was　it　that　Frodo　stood　rooted；　unable　to　cry　out　orto　withdraw　his　gaze。　The　Eye　was　rimmed　with　fire；　but　was　itself　glazed；　
yellow　as　a　cat's；　watchful　and　intent；　and　the　black　slit　of　its　pupil　openedon　a　pit；　a　window　into　nothing。　
Then　the　Eye　began　to　rove；　searching　this　way　and　that；　and　Frodo　knewwith　certainty　and　horror　that　among　the　many　things　that　it　sought　he　himselfwas　one。　But　he　also　knew　that　it　could　not　see　him…not　yet；　not　unless　hewilled　it。　The　Ring　that　hung　upon　its　chain　about　his　neck　grew　heavy；　
heavier　than　a　great　stone；　and　his　head　was　dragged　downwards。　The　Mirrorseemed　to　be　growing　hot　and　curls　of　steam　were　rising　from　the　water。　He　was　　
　
slipping　forward。　
‘Do　not　touch　the　water！'　said　the　Lady　Galadriel　softly。　The　visionfaded；　and　Frodo　found　that　he　was　looking　at　the　cool　stars　twinkling　in　thesilver　basin。　He　stepped　back　shaking　all　over　and　looked　at　the　Lady。　
‘I　know　what　it　was　that　you　last　saw；'　she　said；　‘for　that　is　also　in　mymind。　Do　not　be　afraid！　But　do　not　think　that　only　by　singing　amid　the　trees；　
nor　even　by　the　slender　arrows　of　elven…bows；　is　this　land　of　Lothlórienmaintained　and　defended　against　its　Enemy。　I　say　to　you；　Frodo；　that　even　as　Ispeak　to　you；　I　perceive　the　Dark　Lord　and　know　his　mind；　or　all　of　his　mindthat　concerns　the　Elves。　And　he　gropes　ever　to　see　me　and　my　thought。　Butstill　the　door　is　closed！　'　　
She　lifted　up　her　white　arms；　and　spread　out　her　hands　towards　the　Eastin　a　gesture　of　rejection　and　denial。　E。rendil；　the　Evening　Star；　most　belovedof　the　Elves；　shone　clear　above。　So　bright　was　it　that　the　figure　of　theElven…lady　cast　a　dim　shadow　on　the　ground。　Its　rays　glanced　upon　a　ring　abouther　finger；　it　glittered　like　polished　gold　overlaid　with　silver　light；　and　awhite　stone　in　it　twinkled　as　if　the　Even…star　had　e　down　to　rest　upon　herhand。　Frodo　gazed　at　the　ring　with　awe；　for　suddenly　it　seemed　to　him　that　heunderstood。　　
‘Yes；'　she　said；　divining　his　thought；　‘it　is　not　permitted　to　speak　ofit；　and　Elrond　could　not　do　so。　But　it　cannot　be　hidden　from　the　Ring…bearer；　
and　one　who　has　seen　the　Eye。　Verily　it　is　in　the　land　of　Lórien　upon　thefinger　of　Galadriel　that　one　of　the　Three　remains。　This　is　Nenya；　the　Ring　ofAdamant；　and　I　am　its　keeper。　
‘He　suspects；　but　he　does　not　know　–　not　yet。　Do　you　not　see　nowwherefore　your　ing　is　to　us　as　the　footstep　of　Doom？　For　if　you　fail；　thenwe　are　laid　bare　to　the　Enemy。　Yet　if　you　succeed；　then　our　power　isdiminished；　and　Lothlórien　will　fade；　and　the　tides　of　Time　will　sweep　itaway。　We　must　depart　into　the　West；　or　dwindle　to　a　rustic　folk　of　dell　andcave；　slowly　to　forget　and　to　be　forgotten。'　
Frodo　bent　his　head。　‘And　what　do　you　wish？　'　he　said　at　last。　
‘That　what　should　be　shall　be；'　she　answered。　‘The　love　of　the　Elves　fortheir　land　and　their　works　is　deeper　than　the　deeps　of　the　Sea；　and　theirregret　is　undying　and　cannot　ever　wholly　be　assuaged。　Yet　they　will　cast　allaway　rather　than　submit　to　Sauron：　for　they　know　him　now。　For　the　fate　ofLothlórien　you　are　not　answerable　but　only　for　the　doing　of　your　own　task。　YetI　could　wish；　were　it　of　any　avail；　that　the　One　Ring　had　never　been　wrought；　
or　had　remained　for　ever　lost。'　　
'You　are　wise　and　fearless　and　fair；　Lady　Galadriel；'　said　Frodo。　‘I　willgive　you　the　One　Ring；　if　you　ask　for　it。　It　is　too　great　a　matter　for　me。'　
Galadriel　laughed　with　a　sudden　clear　laugh。　‘Wise　the　Lady　Galadriel　maybe；'　she　said；　‘yet　here　she　has　met　her　match　in　courtesy。　Gently　are　yourevenged　for　my　testing　of　your　heart　at　our　first　meeting。　You　begin　to　seewith　a　keen　eye。　I　do　not　deny　that　my　heart　has　greatly　desired　to　ask　whatyou　offer。　For　many　long　years　I　had　pondered　what　I　might　do；　should　theGreat　Ring　e　into　my　hands；　and　behold！　it　was　brought　within　my　grasp。　Theevil　that　was　devised　long　ago　works　on　in　many　ways；　whether　Sauron　himselfstands　or　falls。　Would　not　that　have　been　a　noble　deed　to　set　to　the　credit　of　　
his　Ring；　if　I　had　taken　it　by　force　or　fear　from　my　guest？　
‘And　now　at　last　it　es。　You　will　give　me　the　Ring　freely！　In　place　ofthe　Dark　Lord　you　will　set　up　a　Queen。　And　I　shall　not　be　dark；　but　beautifuland　terrible　as　the　Morning　and　the　Night！　Fair　as　the　Sea　and　the　Sun　and　theSnow　upon　the　Mountain！　Dreadful　as　the　Storm　and　the　Lightning！　Stronger　thanthe　foundations　of　the　earth。　All　shall　love　me　and　despair！　'　
She　lifted　up　her　hand　and　from　the　ring　that　she　wore　there　issued　agreat　light　that　illuminated　her　alone　and　left　all　else　dark。　She　stoodbefore　Frodo　seeming　now　tall　beyond　measurement；　and　beautiful　beyondenduring；　terrible　and　worshipful。　Then　she　let　her　hand　fall；　and　the　lightfaded；　and　suddenly　she　laughed　again；　and　lo！　she　was　shrunken：　a　slenderelf…woman；　clad　in　simple　white；　whose　gentle　voice　was　soft　and　sad。　　
　
'I　pass　the　test；'　she　said。　‘I　will　diminish；　and　go　into　the　West　andremain　Galadriel。'　　
They　stood　for　a　long　while　in　silence。　At　length　the　Lady　spoke　again。　
‘Let　us　return！　'　she　said。　‘In　the　morning　you　must　depart　for　now　we　havechosen；　and　the　tides　of　fate　are　flowing。'　
‘I　would　ask　one　thing　before　we　go；'　said　Frodo；　‘a　thing　which　I　oftenmeant　to　ask　Gandalf　in　Rivendell。　I　am　permitted　to　wear　the　One　Ring：　whycannot　I　see　all　the　others　and　know　the　thoughts　of　those　that　wear　them？　'　
‘You　have　not　tried；'　she　said。　‘Only　thrice　have　you　set　the　Ring　uponyour　finger　since　you　knew　what　you　possessed。　Do　not　try！　It　would　destroyyou。　Did　not　Gandalf　tell　you　that　the　rings　give　power　according　to　themeasure　of　each　possessor？　Before　you　could　use　that　power　you　would　need　tobee　far　stronger；　and　to　train　your　will　to　the　domination　of　others。　Yeteven　so；　as　Ring…bearer　and　as　one　that　has　borne　it　on　finger　and　seen　thatwhich　is　hidden；　your　sight　is　grown　keener。　You　have　perceived　my　thoughtmore　clearly　than　many　that　are　accounted　wise。　You　saw　the　Eye　of　him　thatholds　the　Seven　and　the　Nine。　And　did　you　not　see　and　recognize　the　ring　uponmy　finger？　Did　you　see　my　ring？　'　she　asked　turning　again　to　Sam。　
'No；　Lady；'　he　answered。　‘To　tell　you　the　truth；　I　wondered　what　you　weretalking　about。　I　saw　a　star　through　your　finger。　But　if　you'll　pardon　myspeaking　out；　I　think　my　master　was　right。　I　wish　you'd　take　his　Ring。　You'dput　things　to　rights。　You'd　stop　them　digging　up　the　gaffer　and　turning　himadrift。　You'd　make　some　folk　pay　for　their　dirty　work。'　
‘I　would；'　she　said。　‘That　is　how　it　would　begin。　But　it　would　not　stopwith　that；　alas！　We　will　not　speak　more　of　it。　Let　us　go！'　　
_Chapter　8_　
Farewell　to　Lórien　　
That　night　the　pany　was　again　summoned　to　the　chamber　of　Celeborn；　andthere　the　Lord　and　Lady　greeted　them　with　fair　words。　At　length　Celeborn　spokeof　their　departure。　
‘Now　is　the　time；'　he　said；　‘when　those　who　wish　to　continue　the　Questmust　harden　their　hearts　to　leave　this　land。　Those　who　no　longer　wish　to　goforward　may　remain　here；　for　a　while。　But　whether　they　stay　or　go；　none　can　besure　of　peace。　For　we　are　e　now　to　the　edge　of　doom。　Here　those　who　wishmay　await　the　oning　of　the　hour　till　either　the　ways　of　the　world　lie　openagain。　or　we　summon　them　to　the　last　need　of　Lórien。　Then　they　may　return　totheir　own　lands；　or　else　go　to　the　long　home　of　those　that　fall　in　battle。'　
There　was　a　silence。　‘They　all　resolved　to　go　forward；'　said　Galadriellooking　in　their　eyes。　
‘As　for　me；'　said　Boromir；　‘my　way　home　lies　onward　and　not　back。'　
‘That　is　true；'　said　Celeborn；　‘but　is　all　this　pany　going　with　you　toMinas　Tirith？　'　　
‘We　have　not　decided　our　course；'　said　Aragorn。　'Beyond　Lothlórien　I　donot　know　what　Gandalf　intended　to　do。　Indeed　I　do　not　think　that　even　he　had　　
any　clear　purpose。'　
‘Maybe　not；'　said　Celeborn；　‘yet　when　you　leave　this　land；　you　can　nolonger　forget　the　Great　River。　As　some　of　you　know　well；　it　cannot　be　crossedby　travellers　with　baggage　between　Lórien　and　Gondor；　save　by　boat。　And　arenot　the　bridges　of　Osgiliath　broken　down　and　all　the　landings　held　now　by　the　
Enemy？　
‘On　which　side　will　you　journey？　The　way　to　Minas　Tirith　lies　upon　thisside；　upon　the　west；　but　the　straight　road　of　the　Quest　lies　east　of　theRiver；　upon　the　darker　shore。　Which　shore　will　you　now　take？　'　
‘If　my　advice　is　heeded；　it　will　be　the　western　shore；　and　the　way　toMinas　Tirith；'　answered　Boromir。　‘But　I　am　not　the　leader　of　the　pany。'　Theothers　said　nothing；　and　Aragorn　looked　doubtful　and　troubled。　
‘I　see　that　you　do　not　yet　know　what　to　do；'　said　Celeborn。　‘It　is　not　my　　
　
part　to　choose　for　you；　but　I　will　help　you　as　I　may。　There　are　some　among　youwho　can　handle　boats：　Legolas；　whose　folk　know　the　swift　Forest　River；　andBoromir　of　Gondor；　and　Aragorn　the　traveller。'　
‘And　one　Hobbit！　'　cried　Merry。　‘Not　all　of　us　look　on　boats　as　wildhorses。　My　people　live　by　the　banks　of　the　Brandywine。'　
‘That　is　well；'　said　Celeborn。　‘Then　I　will　furnish　your　pany　withboats。　They　must　be　small　and　light；　for　if　you　go　far　by　water；　there　areplaces　where　you　will　be　forced　to　carry　them。　You　will　e　to　the　rapids　ofSarn　Gebir；　and　maybe　at　last　to　the　great　falls　of　Rauros　where　the　Riverthunders　down　from　Nen　Hithoel；　and　there　are　other　perils。　Boats　may　makeyour　journey　less　toilsome　for　a　while。　Yet　they　will　not　give　you　counsel：　inthe　end　you　must　leave　them　and　the　River；　and　turn　west…or　east。'　
Aragorn　thanked　Celeborn　many　times。　The　gift　of　boats　forted　himmuch；　not　least　because　there　would　now　be　no　need　to　decide　his　course　forsome　days。　The　others；　too；　looked　more　hopeful。　Whatever　perils　lay　ahead；　itseemed　better　to　float　down　the　broad　tide　of　Anduin　to　meet　them　than　to　plodforward　with　bent　backs。　Only　Sam　was　doubtful：　he　at　any　rate　still　thoughtboats　as　bad　as　wild　horses；　or　worse；　and　not　all　the　dangers　that　he　hadsurvived　made　him　think　better　of　them。　　
‘All　shall　be　prepared　for　you　and　await　you　at　the　haven　before　noontomorrow；'　said　Celeborn。　'I　will　send　my　people　to　you　in　the　morning　to　helpyou　make　ready　for　the　journey。　Now　we　will　wish　you　all　a　fair　night　anduntroubled　sleep。'　
'Good　night；　my　friends！　'　said　Galadriel。　'Sleep　in　peace！　Do　nottrouble　your　hearts　overmuch　with　thought　of　the　road　tonight。　Maybe　the　pathsthat　you　each　shall　tread　are　already　laid　before　your　feet；　though　you　do　notsee　them。　Good　night！　'　
The　pany　now　took　their　leav