Chapter 1 MANY MEETINGS Frodo woke and found himself lying in bed. At first he thought that he had slept late, after a long unpleasant dream that still hovered on the edge of memory. Or perhaps he had been ill? But the ceiling looked strange; it was flat, and it had dark beams richly carved. He lay a little while longer looking at patches of sunlight on the wall, and listening to the sound of a waterfall. ‘Where am I, and what is the time?’ he said aloud to the ceiling. ‘In the house of Elrond, and it is ten o’clock in the morning,’ said a voice. ‘It is the morning of October the twenty-fourth, if you want to know.’ ‘Gandalf!’ cried Frodo, sitting up. There was the old wizard, sitting in a chair by the open window. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I am here. And you are lucky to be here, too, after all the absurd things you have done since you left home.’ Frodo lay down again. He felt too comfortable and peaceful to argue, and in any case he did not think he would get the better of an argument. He was fully awake now, and the memory of his journey was returning: the disastrous ‘short cut’ through the Old Forest; the ‘accident’ at The Prancing Pony; and his madness in putting on the Ring in the dell under Weathertop. While he was thinking of all these things and trying in vain to bring his memory down to his arriving in Rivendell, there was a long silence, broken only by the soft puffs of Gandalf’s pipe, as he blew white smoke-rings out of the window. ‘Where’s Sam?’ Frodo asked at length. ‘And are the others all right?’ “Yes, they are all safe and sound,’ answered Gandalf. ‘Sam was here until I sent him off to get some rest, about half an hour ago.’ ‘What happened at the Ford?’ said Frodo. ‘It all seemed so dim, somehow; and it still does.’ “Yes, it would. You were beginning to fade,’ answered Gandalf. “The wound was overcoming you at last. A few more hours and you would have been beyond our aid. But you have some strength in you, my dear hobbit! As you showed in the Barrow. That was touch and go: perhaps the most dangerous moment of all. I wish you could have held out at Weathertop.’ “You seem to know a great deal already,’ said Frodo. ‘I have not spoken to the others about the Barrow. At first it was too horrible,
「你似乎已經知道很多事了，」佛羅多說。「我還沒跟其他人說過古塚的事。一開始那實在太可怕了，」
220 THE LORD OF THE RINGS and afterwards there were other things to think about. How do you know about it?’ “You have talked long in your sleep, Frodo,’ said Gandalf gently, ‘and it has not been hard for me to read your mind and memory. Do not worry! Though I said ‘‘absurd’’ just now, I did not mean it. I think well of you — and of the others. It is no small feat to have come so far, and through such dangers, still bearing the Ring.’ ‘We should never have done it without Strider,’ said Frodo. ‘But we needed you. I did not know what to do without you.’ ‘I was delayed,’ said Gandalf, ‘and that nearly proved our ruin. And yet I am not sure: it may have been better so.’ ‘I wish you would tell me what happened!’ ‘All in good time! You are not supposed to talk or worry about anything today, by Elrond’s orders.’ ‘But talking would stop me thinking and wondering, which are quite as tiring,’ said Frodo. ‘I am wide awake now, and I remember so many things that want explaining. Why were you delayed? You ought to tell me that at least.’ “You will soon hear all you wish to know,’ said Gandalf. ‘We shall have a Council, as soon as you are well enough. At the moment I will only say that I was held captive.’ ‘You?’ cried Frodo. “Yes, I, Gandalf the Grey,’ said the wizard solemnly. “There are many powers in the world, for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. Against some I have not yet been measured. But my time is coming. The Morgul-lord and his Black Riders have come forth. War is preparing!’ “Then you knew of the Riders already — before I met them?’ “Yes, I knew of them. Indeed I spoke of them once to you; for the Black Riders are the Ringwraiths, the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings. But I did not know that they had arisen again or I should have fled with you at once. I heard news of them only after I left you in June; but that story must wait. For the moment we have been saved from disaster, by Aragorn.’ ‘Yes,’ said Frodo, ‘it was Strider that saved us. Yet I was afraid of him at first. Sam never quite trusted him, I think, not at any rate until we met Glorfindel.’ Gandalf smiled. ‘I have heard all about Sam,’ he said. ‘He has no more doubts now.’ ‘I am glad,’ said Frodo. ‘For I have become very fond of Strider. Well, fond is not the right word. I mean he is dear to me; though he is strange, and grim at times. In fact, he reminds me often of you. I didn’t know that any of the Big People were like that. I thought, well, that they were just big, and rather stupid: kind and stupid like
「你在睡夢中說了很多話，佛羅多，」甘道夫溫柔地說，「要讀懂你的心思和記憶對我來說並不難。別擔心！雖然我剛才說了『荒謬』，但我不是那個意思。我對你——以及其他人——評價很高。能走到這麼遠，歷經如此多的危險，還一直帶著魔戒，這絕非易事。」「要是沒有神行客，我們絕對辦不到，」佛羅多說。「但我們需要你。我不知道沒有你該怎麼辦。」「我被耽擱了，」甘道夫說，「那幾乎讓我們毀於一旦。不過我也不確定：或許這樣反而更好。」「我真希望你能告訴我發生了什麼事！」「時候到了自然會說！根據愛隆的命令，你今天不該說話或擔心任何事。」「可是說話能讓我停止思考和猜測，那也同樣累人，」佛羅多說。「我現在完全清醒了，而且我想起了好多需要解釋的事情。你為什麼被耽擱了？你至少該告訴我這個。」「你很快就會聽到所有你想知道的事，」甘道夫說。「等你身體好些，我們就會召開一場會議。此刻我只能說，我被囚禁了。」「你？」佛羅多叫道。「是的，我，灰袍甘道夫，」巫師莊嚴地說。「這世上有很多力量，無論是善是惡。有些比我更強大。有些我還未曾與之較量過。但我的時刻即將到來。魔窟之王和他的黑騎士已經現身。戰爭正在醞釀！」「那麼你早就知道那些騎士了——在我遇到他們之前？」「是的，我知道他們。事實上我還曾對你提起過；因為黑騎士就是戒靈，魔戒之主的九個僕人。但我不知道他們已經再次崛起，否則我會立刻和你一起逃亡。我是在六月離開你之後才聽到他們的消息；但那故事得等等再說。目前我們能從災難中倖存，多虧了亞拉岡。」「是的，」佛羅多說，「是神行客救了我們。但我一開始很怕他。我想，山姆從來沒完全信任過他，至少在我們遇見葛羅芬戴爾之前是這樣。」甘道夫笑了。「我聽說了所有關於山姆的事，」他說。「他現在沒有任何懷疑了。」「我很高興，」佛羅多說。「因為我變得很喜歡神行客。嗯，喜歡這個詞不太對。我的意思是他對我很重要；雖然他有時很古怪、很嚴肅。事實上，他常常讓我想起你。我不知道『大個兒』裡面也有這樣的人。我以為，嗯，他們就是個子大，而且有點笨：像是善良又愚蠢那樣
MANY MEETINGS 221 Butterbur; or stupid and wicked like Bill Ferny. But then we don’t know much about Men in the Shire, except perhaps the Bree-landers.’ “You don’t know much even about them, if you think old Barliman is stupid,’ said Gandalf. ‘He is wise enough on his own ground. He thinks less than he talks, and slower; yet he can see through a brick wall in time (as they say in Bree). But there are few left in Middleearth like Aragorn son of Arathorn. The race of the Kings from over the Sea is nearly at an end. It may be that this War of the Ring will be their last adventure.’ ‘Do you really mean that Strider is one of the people of the old Kings?’ said Frodo in wonder. ‘I thought they had all vanished long ago. I thought he was only a Ranger.’ ‘Only a Ranger!’ cried Gandalf. ‘My dear Frodo, that is just what the Rangers are: the last remnant in the North of the great people, the Men of the West. They have helped me before; and I shall need their help in the days to come; for we have reached Rivendell, but the Ring is not yet at rest.’ ‘I suppose not,’ said Frodo. ‘But so far my only thought has been to get here; and I hope I shan’t have to go any further. It is very pleasant just to rest. I have had a month of exile and adventure, and I find that has been as much as I want.’ He fell silent and shut his eyes. After a while he spoke again. ‘I have been reckoning,’ he said, ‘and I can’t bring the total up to October the twenty-fourth. It ought to be the twenty-first. We must have reached the Ford by the twentieth.’ “You have talked and reckoned more than is good for you,’ said Gandalf. ‘How do the side and shoulder feel now?’ ‘I don’t know,’ Frodo answered. “They don’t feel at all: which is an improvement, but’ — he made an effort — ‘I can move my arm again a little. Yes, it is coming back to life. It is not cold,’ he added, touching his left hand with his right. ‘Good!’ said Gandalf. ‘It is mending fast. You will soon be sound again. Elrond has cured you: he has tended you for days, ever since you were brought in.’ ‘Days?’ said Frodo. ‘Well, four nights and three days, to be exact. The Elves brought you from the Ford on the night of the twentieth, and that is where you lost count. We have been terribly anxious, and Sam has hardly left your side, day or night, except to run messages. Elrond is a master of healing, but the weapons of our Enemy are deadly. To tell you the truth, I had very little hope; for I suspected that there was some fragment of the blade still in the closed wound. But it could not be found until last night. Then Elrond removed a splinter. It was deeply buried, and it was working inwards.’
「如果你覺得老巴利曼很笨，那表示你連他們都不太了解，」甘道夫說。「他在自己的地盤上是夠聰明的。他思考得比說話少，也比較慢；但他終究能看穿磚牆（這是布理的說法）。但在中土，像亞拉岡，亞拉松之子這樣的人已經所剩無幾了。來自大海彼端的王者之族已瀕臨滅絕。或許這次的魔戒戰爭將是他們最後的冒險。」 「你的意思真的是說，神行客是古代王者一族的人嗎？」佛羅多驚奇地問。「我以為他們很久以前就都消失了。我以為他只是一個遊俠。」 「只是一個遊俠！」甘道夫叫道。「我親愛的佛羅多，那正是遊俠的真實身份：他們是偉大民族，西方之民，在北方的最後遺民。他們以前幫助過我；在未來的日子裡，我也需要他們的幫助；因為我們雖然抵達了瑞文戴爾，但魔戒尚未安息。」 「我想也是，」佛羅多說。「但到目前為止，我唯一的念頭就是來到這裡；我希望我不用再走下去了。光是休息就非常愉快。我經歷了一個月的流亡與冒險，我發現那已經是我想要的全部了。」 他沉默下來，閉上了眼睛。過了一會兒，他又開口了。「我一直在算，」他說，「但我怎麼也算不到十月二十四日。應該是二十一日才對。我們一定是在二十日那天到達渡口的。」 「你說話和計算都超出了對你有益的程度，」甘道夫說。「現在側腹和肩膀感覺如何？」 「我不知道，」佛羅多回答。「完全沒感覺：這算是一種進步，但是——」他努力了一下——「我的手臂又能稍微動一下了。是的，它正在恢復知覺。它不冷了，」他用右手摸了摸左手，補充道。 「很好！」甘道夫說。「它正在快速癒合。你很快就會痊癒的。愛隆治好了你：自從你被送進來後，他已經照顧你好幾天了。」 「好幾天？」佛羅多問。 「嗯，準確地說，是四個晚上和三個白天。精靈們在二十日晚上把你從渡口帶回來，你就是從那時起算錯了。我們一直非常焦慮，而山姆幾乎日夜不離你身邊，除非是去傳話。愛隆是治療的大師，但我們敵人的武器是致命的。說實話，我本來不抱什麼希望；因為我懷疑有刀刃的碎片還留在封閉的傷口裡。但直到昨晚才找到。然後愛隆取出了一塊碎片。它深埋在裡面，而且正往內部移動。」
222 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Frodo shuddered, remembering the cruel knife with notched blade that had vanished in Strider’s hands. ‘Don’t be alarmed!’ said Gandalf. ‘It is gone now. It has been melted. And it seems that Hobbits fade very reluctantly. I have known strong warriors of the Big People who would quickly have been overcome by that splinter, which you bore for seventeen days.’ ‘What would they have done to me?’ asked Frodo. ‘What were the Riders trying to do?’ “They tried to pierce your heart with a Morgul-knife which remains in the wound. If they had succeeded, you would have become like they are, only weaker and under their command. You would have become a wraith under the dominion of the Dark Lord; and he would have tormented you for trying to keep his Ring, if any greater torment were possible than being robbed of it and seeing it on his hand.’ “Thank goodness I did not realize the horrible danger!’ said Frodo faintly. ‘I was mortally afraid, of course; but if I had known more, I should not have dared even to move. It is a marvel that I escaped!’ “Yes, fortune or fate have helped you,’ said Gandalf, ‘not to mention courage. For your heart was not touched, and only your shoulder was pierced; and that was because you resisted to the last. But it was a terribly narrow shave, so to speak. You were in gravest peril while you wore the Ring, for then you were half in the wraith-world yourself, and they might have seized you. You could see them, and they could see you.’ ‘I know,’ said Frodo. “They were terrible to behold! But why could we all see their horses?’ ‘Because they are real horses; just as the black robes are real robes that they wear to give shape to their nothingness when they have dealings with the living.’ “Then why do these black horses endure such riders? All other animals are terrified when they draw near, even the elf-horse of Glorfindel. The dogs howl and the geese scream at them.’ ‘Because these horses are born and bred to the service of the Dark Lord in Mordor. Not all his servants and chattels are wraiths! There are orcs and trolls, there are wargs and werewolves; and there have been and still are many Men, warriors and kings, that walk alive under the Sun, and yet are under his sway. And their number is growing daily.’ ‘What about Rivendell and the Elves? Is Rivendell safe?’ “Yes, at present, until all else is conquered. The Elves may fear the Dark Lord, and they may fly before him, but never again will they listen to him or serve him. And here in Rivendell there live still some of his chief foes: the Elven-wise, lords of the Eldar from beyond the furthest seas. They do not fear the Ringwraiths, for those who
佛羅多打了個寒顫，憶起那把曾在史傳德手中消失、帶有鋸齒的殘酷刀子。「別驚慌！」甘道夫說。「它現在已經沒了，已經被熔毀了。而且看來，哈比人要『凋零』是極不情願的。我認識一些『大個兒』中的強壯戰士，他們要是中了那樣一塊碎片，很快就會被擊垮，而你卻帶著它撐了十七天。」「他們本來想對我做什麼？」佛羅多問。「那些騎士到底想做什麼？」「他們試圖用一把會留在傷口裡的魔窟劍刺穿你的心。如果他們成功了，你就會變得和他們一樣，只是更弱小，並且受他們指揮。你會變成一個在黑暗魔君統治下的幽靈；而他會因為你試圖保留他的魔戒而折磨你，如果還有什麼折磨比被奪走戒指、眼睜睜看著它戴在他手上更痛苦的話。」「謝天謝地我當時沒意識到這可怕的危險！」佛羅多微弱地說。「我當然是怕得要死；但如果我知道得更多，我恐怕連動都不敢動了。我能逃出來真是個奇蹟！」「是的，運氣或命運幫了你，」甘道夫說，「更別提你的勇氣了。因為你的心沒有被碰到，只有肩膀被刺穿；那是因為你抵抗到了最後。但可以說，那真是一次驚險萬分的死裡逃生。你戴著魔戒時處於最嚴重的危險中，因為那時你半個身子已在幽靈世界，他們本可以抓住你。你看得見他們，他們也看得見你。」「我知道，」佛羅多說。「他們看起來太可怕了！但為什麼我們都能看見他們的馬？」「因為那是真的馬；就像他們穿的黑袍是真的袍子一樣，用來在他們與生者打交道時，為他們的虛無賦予形體。」「那為什麼這些黑馬能忍受那樣的騎士？所有其他的動物，就連葛羅芬戴爾的精靈馬，在他們靠近時都會感到恐懼。狗會對他們嚎叫，鵝會對他們尖叫。」「因為這些馬是在魔多為服侍黑暗魔君而生、而養的。不是他所有的僕人和財產都是幽靈！還有半獸人和食人妖，有座狼和狼人；而且過去和現在都還有許多人類，戰士和國王，活生生地走在陽光下，卻仍在他的影響之下。而且他們的人數還在日益增長。」「那瑞文戴爾和精靈們呢？瑞文戴爾安全嗎？」「是的，目前是，在所有其他地方被征服之前。精靈們或許會懼怕黑暗魔君，他們或許會在他面前逃跑，但他們絕不會再聽從他或服侍他。而在瑞文戴爾這裡，還住著他的一些主要敵人：精靈中的智者，來自最遠海洋彼岸的艾爾達領主。他們不懼怕戒靈，因為那些……
MANY MEETINGS 223 have dwelt in the Blessed Realm live at once in both worlds, and against both the Seen and the Unseen they have great power.’ ‘I thought that I saw a white figure that shone and did not grow dim like the others. Was that Glorfindel then?’ “Yes, you saw him for a moment as he is upon the other side: one of the mighty of the Firstborn. He is an Elf-lord of a house of princes. Indeed there is a power in Rivendell to withstand the might of Mordor, for a while: and elsewhere other powers still dwell. There is power, too, of another kind in the Shire. But all such places will soon become islands under siege, if things go on as they are going. The Dark Lord is putting forth all his strength. ‘Still,’ he said, standing suddenly up and sticking out his chin, while his beard went stiff and straight like bristling wire, ‘we must keep up our courage. You will soon be well, if I do not talk you to death. You are in Rivendell, and you need not worry about anything for the present.’ ‘I haven’t any courage to keep up,’ said Frodo, ‘but I am not worried at the moment. Just give me news of my friends, and tell me the end of the affair at the Ford, as I keep on asking, and I shall be content for the present. After that I shall have another sleep, I think; but I shan’t be able to close my eyes until you have finished the story for me.’ Gandalf moved his chair to the bedside and took a good look at Frodo. The colour had come back to his face, and his eyes were clear, and fully awake and aware. He was smiling, and there seemed to be little wrong with him. But to the wizard’s eye there was a faint change, just a hint as it were of transparency, about him, and especially about the left hand that lay outside upon the coverlet. ‘Still that must be expected,’ said Gandalf to himself. ‘He is not half through yet, and to what he will come in the end not even Elrond can foretell. Not to evil, I think. He may become like a glass filled with a clear light for eyes to see that can.’ “You look splendid,’ he said aloud. ‘I will risk a brief tale without consulting Elrond. But quite brief, mind you, and then you must sleep again. This is what happened, as far as I can gather. The Riders made straight for you, as soon as you fled. They did not need the guidance of their horses any longer: you had become visible to them, being already on the threshold of their world. And also the Ring drew them. Your friends sprang aside, off the road, or they would have been ridden down. They knew that nothing could save you, if the white horse could not. The Riders were too swift to overtake, and too many to oppose. On foot even Glorfindel and Aragorn together could not withstand all the Nine at once. ‘When the Ringwraiths swept by, your friends ran up behind.
224 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Close to the Ford there is a small hollow beside the road masked by a few stunted trees. There they hastily kindled fire; for Glorfindel knew that a flood would come down, if the Riders tried to cross, and then he would have to deal with any that were left on his side of the river. The moment the flood appeared, he rushed out, followed by Aragorn and the others with flaming brands. Caught between fire and water, and seeing an Elf-lord revealed in his wrath, they were dismayed, and their horses were stricken with madness. Three were carried away by the first assault of the flood; the others were now hurled into the water by their horses and overwhelmed.’ ‘And is that the end of the Black Riders?’ asked Frodo. ‘No,’ said Gandalf. “Their horses must have perished, and without them they are crippled. But the Ringwraiths themselves cannot be so easily destroyed. However, there is nothing more to fear from them at present. Your friends crossed after the flood had passed and they found you lying on your face at the top of the bank, with a broken sword under you. The horse was standing guard beside you. You were pale and cold, and they feared that you were dead, or worse. Elrond’s folk met them, carrying you slowly towards Rivendell.’ ‘Who made the flood?’ asked Frodo. ‘Elrond commanded it,’ answered Gandalf. “The river of this valley is under his power, and it will rise in anger when he has great need to bar the Ford. As soon as the captain of the Ringwraiths rode into the water the flood was released. If I may say so, I added a few touches of my own: you may not have noticed, but some of the waves took the form of great white horses with shining white riders; and there were many rolling and grinding boulders. For a moment I was afraid that we had let loose too fierce a wrath, and the flood would get out of hand and wash you all away. There is great vigour in the waters that come down from the snows of the Misty Mountains.’ “Yes, it all comes back to me now,’ said Frodo: ‘the tremendous roaring. I thought I was drowning, with my friends and enemies and all. But now we are safe!’ Gandalf looked quickly at Frodo, but he had shut his eyes. ‘Yes, you are all safe for the present. Soon there will be feasting and merrymaking to celebrate the victory at the Ford of Bruinen, and you will all be there in places of honour.’ ‘Splendid!’ said Frodo. ‘It is wonderful that Elrond, and Glorfindel and such great lords, not to mention Strider, should take so much trouble and show me so much kindness.’ ‘Well, there are many reasons why they should,’ said Gandalf, smiling. ‘I am one good reason. The Ring is another: you are the Ring-bearer. And you are the heir of Bilbo, the Ring-finder.’ ‘Dear Bilbo!’ said Frodo sleepily. ‘I wonder where he is. I wish he
在渡口附近，路邊有個小凹地，被幾棵發育不良的樹木遮蔽著。他們在那裡匆忙地點燃了火；因為葛羅芬戴爾知道，如果騎士們試圖渡河，洪水將會奔湧而下，屆時他必須對付任何留在河這邊的敵人。洪水出現的那一刻，他便衝了出去，亞拉岡和其他人手持燃燒的火把緊隨其後。他們被夾在火與水之間，又看見一位精靈領主顯現出他的盛怒，於是驚慌失措，他們的馬匹也陷入瘋狂。三名騎士在洪水的第一波衝擊中被捲走；其餘的則被他們的馬匹甩入水中，被洪水吞沒。」「這就是黑騎士的結局嗎？」佛羅多問道。「不，」甘道夫說。「他們的馬匹想必已經死了，沒有了馬，他們就等於殘廢了。但戒靈本身沒那麼容易被摧毀。不過，目前已無需再害怕他們了。你的朋友們在洪水退去後過了河，發現你面朝下躺在河岸頂上，身下壓著一把斷劍。那匹馬守衛在你身邊。你臉色蒼白，身體冰冷，他們還以為你已經死了，或者更糟。愛隆的子民遇見了他們，將你緩緩地抬往瑞文戴爾。」「是誰製造了那場洪水？」佛羅多問。「是愛隆命令的，」甘道夫回答。「這條山谷的河流在他的力量掌控之下，當他有極大需要封鎖渡口時，河水便會憤怒地高漲。就在戒靈隊長踏入水中的那一刻，洪水便被釋放了。如果我可以這麼說，我還自己加了點料：你可能沒注意到，有些浪頭化成了帶著閃亮白騎士的巨大白馬；還有許多滾動和碾磨的巨石。有那麼一刻，我還擔心我們釋放的怒火太過猛烈，洪水會失控，把你們全都沖走。從迷霧山脈的雪水而來的河水，蘊含著巨大的活力。」「是的，我現在全都想起來了，」佛羅多說：「那巨大的轟鳴聲。我以為我快要淹死了，跟我的朋友、敵人一起。但現在我們安全了！」甘道夫迅速地看了佛羅多一眼，但他已經閉上了眼睛。「是的，你們目前是安全的。很快就會有盛宴與狂歡，慶祝在布魯南渡口的勝利，你們都會坐在榮譽席上。」「太棒了！」佛羅多說。「真是不可思議，愛隆、葛羅芬戴爾和這麼多偉大的領主，更不用說神行客，竟然會為我費這麼多心思，對我這麼好。」「嗯，他們這麼做有很多原因，」甘道夫微笑著說。「我就是一個好理由。魔戒是另一個：你是持戒人。而且你是比爾博的繼承人，他是魔戒的發現者。」「親愛的比爾博！」佛羅多睡意朦朧地說。「不知道他在哪裡。我希望他
MANY MEETINGS 225 was here and could hear all about it. It would have made him laugh. The cow jumped over the Moon! And the poor old troll!’ With that he fell fast asleep. Frodo was now safe in the Last Homely House east of the Sea. That house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, ‘a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all’. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness. As the evening drew on, Frodo woke up again, and he found that he no longer felt in need of rest or sleep, but had a mind for food and drink, and probably for singing and story-telling afterwards. He got out of bed and discovered that his arm was already nearly as useful again as it ever had been. He found laid ready clean garments of green cloth that fitted him excellently. Looking in a mirror he was startled to see a much thinner reflection of himself than he remembered: it looked remarkably like the young nephew of Bilbo who used to go tramping with his uncle in the Shire; but the eyes looked out at him thoughtfully. “Yes, you have seen a thing or two since you last peeped out of a looking-glass,’ he said to his reflection. ‘But now for a merry meeting!’ He stretched out his arms and whistled a tune. At that moment there was a knock on the door, and Sam came in. He ran to Frodo and took his left hand, awkwardly and shyly. He stroked it gently and then he blushed and turned hastily away. ‘Hullo, Sam!’ said Frodo. ‘It’s warm!’ said Sam. ‘Meaning your hand, Mr. Frodo. It has felt so cold through the long nights. But glory and trumpets!’ he cried, turning round again with shining eyes and dancing on the floor. ‘It’s fine to see you up and yourself again, sir! Gandalf asked me to come and see if you were ready to come down, and I thought he was joking.’ ‘I am ready, party!’ ‘I can take you to them, sir,’ said Sam. ‘It’s a big house this, and very peculiar. Always a bit more to discover, and no knowing what you'll find round a corner. And Elves, sir! Elves here, and Elves there! Some like kings, terrible and splendid; and some as merry as children. And the music and the singing — not that I have had the time or the heart for much listening since we got here. But I’m getting to know some of the ways of the place.’ ‘I know what you have been doing, Sam,’ said Frodo, taking his arm. ‘But you shall be merry tonight, and listen to your heart’s content. Come on, guide me round the corners!’ 3: said Frodo. ‘Let’s go and look for the rest of the
在這裡，而且能聽到所有相關的事情。他聽了肯定會笑的。母牛跳過了月亮！還有那可憐的老食人妖！』說完，他就沉沉睡去了。佛羅多此刻身處大海以東的最後家園，安然無恙。正如比爾博很久以前所說，那棟房子是『一棟完美的房子，無論你喜歡的是食物、睡眠、聽故事、唱歌，或者只是靜坐思考，又或是以上所有活動的美妙結合』。僅僅是待在那裡，就足以療癒疲憊、恐懼與悲傷。傍晚時分，佛羅多再度醒來，發現自己不再需要休息或睡眠，反而一心只想著吃喝，之後或許還想唱歌聽故事。他下了床，發現自己的手臂幾乎已恢復如初。他看到一套為他準備好的乾淨綠色衣物，尺寸恰到好處。他看著鏡子，驚訝地發現鏡中的倒影比他記憶中瘦了許多：看起來極像當年常與比爾博叔叔在夏爾四處遊蕩的年輕姪子；但那雙眼睛卻若有所思地凝視著他。「是啊，自從你上次探頭看鏡子以來，你可真是見過一兩件事了。」他對自己的倒影說。「不過現在，是時候來場愉快的會面了！」他伸展雙臂，吹起一首曲子。就在此刻，門上傳來敲門聲，山姆走了進來。他跑到佛羅多身邊，笨拙又害羞地握住他的左手。他輕輕地撫摸著，隨即滿臉通紅，匆忙轉過身去。「哈囉，山姆！」佛羅多說。「好溫暖！」山姆說。「我是說您的手，佛羅多先生。在那些漫長的夜裡，它摸起來好冰冷。不過，榮耀與號角！」他大喊著，轉過身來，雙眼發亮，在地上跳起舞來。「能看到您又起身、恢復原狀，真是太好了，先生！甘道夫要我來看看您是否準備好下樓，我還以為他在開玩笑呢。」「我準備好了，山姆！」「我可以帶您去找他們，先生，」山姆說。「這房子真大，而且非常奇特。總有更多地方可以探索，而且你永遠不知道轉角會發現什麼。還有精靈，先生！這裡有精靈，那裡也有精靈！有些像國王，威嚴而華麗；有些則像孩子一樣快樂。還有那音樂和歌聲——不是說我們到這裡後我有時間或心情去聽。但我正慢慢了解這個地方的一些規矩。」「我知道你一直在做什麼，山姆，」佛羅多說，挽起他的手臂。「但今晚你該好好快活一下，聽個盡興。來吧，帶我繞過那些轉角吧！」「好的，」佛羅多說。「我們去找其他人吧。」
226 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Sam led him along several passages and down many steps and out into a high garden above the steep bank of the river. He found his friends sitting in a porch on the side of the house looking east. Shadows had fallen in the valley below, but there was still a light on the faces of the mountains far above. The air was warm. The sound of running and falling water was loud, and the evening was filled with a faint scent of trees and flowers, as if summer still lingered in Elrond’s gardens. ‘Hurray!’ cried Pippin, springing up. ‘Here is our noble cousin! Make way for Frodo, Lord of the Ring!’ ‘Hush!’ said Gandalf from the shadows at the back of the porch. ‘Evil things do not come into this valley; but all the same we should not name them. The Lord of the Ring is not Frodo, but the master of the Dark Tower of Mordor, whose power is again stretching out over the world. We are sitting in a fortress. Outside it is getting dark.’ ‘Gandalf has been saying many cheerful things like that,’ said Pippin. ‘He thinks I need keeping in order. But it seems impossible, somehow, to feel gloomy or depressed in this place. I feel I could sing, if I knew the right song for the occasion.’ ‘I feel like singing myself,’ laughed Frodo. “Though at the moment I feel more like eating and drinking.’ ‘That will soon be cured,’ said Pippin. ‘You have shown your usual cunning in getting up just in time for a meal.’ ‘More than a meal! A feast!’ said Merry. ‘As soon as Gandalf reported that you were recovered, the preparations began.’ He had hardly finished speaking when they were summoned to the hall by the ringing of many bells. The hall of Elrond’s house was filled with folk: Elves for the most part, though there were a few guests of other sorts. Elrond, as was his custom, sat in a great chair at the end of the long table upon the dais; and next to him on the one side sat Glorfindel, on the other side sat Gandalf. Frodo looked at them in wonder; for he had never before seen Elrond, of whom so many tales spoke; and as they sat upon his right hand and his left, Glorfindel, and even Gandalf, whom he thought he knew so well, were revealed as lords of dignity and power. Gandalf was shorter in stature than the other two; but his long white hair, his sweeping silver beard, and his broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of ancient legend. In his aged face under great snowy brows his dark eyes were set like coals that could leap suddenly into fire. Glorfindel was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of joy; his eyes were bright
山姆領著他穿過幾條走廊，走下許多階梯，來到河邊陡峭堤岸上方的一座高處花園。他發現朋友們正坐在屋側的門廊上，望向東方。下方的山谷已籠罩在陰影中，但遠方高山的峰巒上仍有光芒。空氣很溫暖。流水奔騰跌落的聲音十分響亮，傍晚的空氣中充滿了樹木與花朵的淡淡香氣，彷彿夏天仍在愛隆的花園裡流連。「太棒了！」皮聘跳起來大喊。「我們尊貴的表親來了！為魔戒持有者佛羅多讓路！」「噓！」甘道夫從門廊後方的陰影中說。「邪惡之物進不了這個山谷；但我們還是不該提起它們的名字。魔戒之主不是佛羅多，而是魔多黑暗魔塔的主人，他的力量正再度伸向全世界。我們正坐在一座堡壘裡。外面天色漸暗了。」「甘道夫一直在說這類振奮人心的話，」皮聘說。「他覺得我需要被管教一下。但不知怎地，在這個地方似乎不可能感到憂鬱或沮喪。我覺得我能高歌一曲，如果我知道適合此情此景的歌。」「我自己也想唱歌，」佛羅多笑道。「不過此刻我更想大吃大喝。」「那很快就能治好，」皮聘說。「你展現了你一貫的精明，正好趕在飯點起床。」「不只一頓飯！是盛宴！」梅里說。「甘道夫一回報你康復了，準備工作就開始了。」他話音未落，陣陣鐘聲便召喚他們前往大廳。愛隆的廳堂裡滿是人：大部分是精靈，不過也有一些其他種類的賓客。愛隆照例坐在長桌盡頭高台上的大椅子裡；他的一邊坐著葛羅芬戴爾，另一邊則是甘道夫。佛羅多驚奇地看著他們；因為他從未見過傳說中鼎鼎大名的愛隆；而當葛羅芬戴爾和甘道夫——他自以為很了解的甘道夫——坐在愛隆的左右手邊時，他們都顯露出尊貴與力量的領主氣質。甘道夫的身材比另外兩人矮小；但他長長的白髮、飄逸的銀色鬍鬚，以及寬闊的肩膀，使他看起來像古代傳說中的某位智慧國王。在他蒼老的臉上，濃密的雪白眉毛下，他深邃的眼睛宛如能突然燃起火焰的煤炭。葛羅芬戴爾高大挺拔；他的頭髮是閃亮的金色，他的臉龐俊美、年輕、無畏且充滿喜悅；他的雙眼明亮。
MANY MEETINGS 227 and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was strength. The face of Elrond was ageless, neither old nor young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful. His hair was dark as the shadows of twilight, and upon it was set a circlet of silver; his eyes were grey as a clear evening, and in them was a light like the light of stars. Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fulness of his strength. He was the Lord of Rivendell and mighty among both Elves and Men. In the middle of the table, against the woven cloths upon the wall, there was a chair under a canopy, and there sat a lady fair to look upon, and so like was she in form of womanhood to Elrond that Frodo guessed that she was one of his close kindred. Young she was and yet not so. The braids of her dark hair were touched by no frost; her white arms and clear face were flawless and smooth, and the light of stars was in her bright eyes, grey as a cloudless night; yet queenly she looked, and thought and knowledge were in her glance, as of one who has known many things that the years bring. Above her brow her head was covered with a cap of silver lace netted with small gems, glittering white; but her soft grey raiment had no ornament save a girdle of leaves wrought in silver. So it was that Frodo saw her whom few mortals had yet seen; Arwen, daughter of Elrond, in whom it was said that the likeness of Luthien had come on earth again; and she was called Undomiel, for she was the Evenstar of her people. Long she had been in the land of her mother’s kin, in Lorien beyond the mountains, and was but lately returned to Rivendell to her father’s house. But her brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, were out upon errantry; for they rode often far afield with the Rangers of the North, forgetting never their mother’s torment in the dens of the orcs. Such loveliness in living thing Frodo had never seen before nor imagined in his mind; and he was both surprised and abashed to find that he had a seat at Elrond’s table among all these folk so high and fair. Though he had a suitable chair, and was raised upon several cushions, he felt very small, and rather out of place; but that feeling quickly passed. The feast was merry and the food all that his hunger could desire. It was some time before he looked about him again or even turned to his neighbours. He looked first for his friends. Sam had begged to be allowed to wait on his master, but had been told that for this time he was a guest of honour. Frodo could see him now, sitting with Pippin and Merry at the upper end of one of the side-tables close to the dais. He could see no sign of Strider.
他的目光敏銳而仁慈，聲音悅耳如樂音；智慧凝於他眉宇，力量集於他掌中。愛隆的面容不見歲月痕跡，不老也不年輕，卻銘刻著無數或喜或悲的記憶。他的頭髮深如暮色幽影，髮上戴著一頂銀製頭環；他的雙眼灰如澄澈的黃昏，眼中閃爍著星辰般的光芒。他看似一位歷經無數寒冬加冕的君王，德高望重，卻又如一名身經百戰、正值巔峰的戰士般精力充沛。他是瑞文戴爾的領主，在精靈與人類之中都聲威顯赫。在長桌中央，靠著牆上織錦掛毯的位置，華蓋下設有一張座椅，上面坐著一位容貌絕美的女士。她的身形氣韻與愛隆如此相像，佛羅多猜想她必是他的近親。她看似年輕，卻又不僅如此。她烏黑的髮辮不見一絲霜白；她潔白的手臂與清麗的臉龐完美無瑕，光滑細膩，明亮的雙眸中閃爍著星光，灰濛如無雲的夜空；然而她神態高貴，宛如女王，眼神中流露著思慮與學識，彷彿一位盡知歲月所帶來的一切。她的額上戴著一頂銀絲蕾絲軟帽，網著閃閃發亮的白色小寶石；但她柔軟的灰色衣袍除了腰間一條銀製葉形飾帶外，再無其他裝飾。佛羅多就這樣見到了那位鮮有凡人得見的女士：愛隆的女兒亞玟，傳說中露西安的絕世風華在她身上重現人間；她被稱為暮星，因為她是她子民的「暮光之星」。她長年居住在山脈彼端母親的故土羅瑞安，最近才剛返回瑞文戴爾父親的家中。但她的兄長，伊萊丹與伊羅何，正在外遊歷；他們時常與北方遊俠一同遠征，從未忘記母親在半獸人巢穴中所受的苦難。佛羅多從未見過、也從未想像過如此動人的絕世之美；他驚訝又羞愧地發現，自己竟能在愛隆的餐桌上，與這些高貴美麗的人物同席。雖然他有張合適的椅子，還墊高了好幾個坐墊，他仍覺得自己非常渺小，有些格格不入；但那種感覺很快就消失了。宴會充滿歡聲笑語，食物也完全滿足了他的飢腸轆轆。過了一會兒，他才再次環顧四周，甚至轉向鄰座的人。他首先尋找他的朋友們。山姆曾懇求讓他侍候主人，但被告知這次他是貴賓。佛羅多現在能看見他，和皮聘、梅里一起坐在靠近主賓席的一張側桌上端。他沒看到任何神行客的蹤影。
228 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Next to Frodo on his right sat a dwarf of important appearance, richly dressed. His beard, very long and forked, was white, nearly as white as the snow-white cloth of his garments. He wore a silver belt, and round his neck hung a chain of silver and diamonds. Frodo stopped eating to look at him. ‘Welcome and well met!’ said the dwarf, turning towards him. Then he actually rose from his seat and bowed. ‘Gloin at your service,’ he said, and bowed still lower. ‘Frodo Baggins at your service and your family’s,’ said Frodo correctly, rising in surprise and scattering his cushions. ‘Am I right in guessing that you are the Gloin, one of the twelve companions of the great Thorin Oakenshield?’ ‘Quite right,’ answered the dwarf, gathering up the cushions and courteously assisting Frodo back into his seat. ‘And I do not ask, for I have already been told that you are the kinsman and adopted heir of our friend Bilbo the renowned. Allow me to congratulate you on your recovery.’ “Thank you very much,’ said Frodo. “You have had some very strange adventures, I hear,’ said Gloin. ‘I wonder greatly what brings four hobbits on so long a journey. Nothing like it has happened since Bilbo came with us. But perhaps I should not inquire too closely, since Elrond and Gandalf do not seem disposed to talk of this?’ ‘I think we will not speak of it, at least not yet,’ said Frodo politely. He guessed that even in Elrond’s house the matter of the Ring was not one for casual talk; and in any case he wished to forget his troubles for a time. ‘But I am equally curious,’ he added, ‘to learn what brings so important a dwarf so far from the Lonely Mountain.’ Gloin looked at him. ‘If you have not heard, I think we will not speak yet of that either. Master Elrond will summon us all ere long, I believe, and then we shall all hear many things. But there is much else that may be told.’ Throughout the rest of the meal they talked together, but Frodo listened more than he spoke; for the news of the Shire, apart from the Ring, seemed small and far-away and unimportant, while Gldoin had much to tell of events in the northern regions of Wilderland. Frodo learned that Grimbeorn the Old, son of Beorn, was now the lord of many sturdy men, and to their land between the Mountains and Mirkwood neither orc nor wolf dared to go. ‘Indeed,’ said Gloin, ‘if it were not for the Beornings, the passage from Dale to Rivendell would long ago have become impossible. They are valiant men and keep open the High Pass and the Ford of Carrock. But their tolls are high,’ he added with a shake of his head; ‘and like Beorn of old they are not over fond of dwarves. Still, they
佛羅多右邊坐著一位看起來很重要、衣著華麗的矮人。他的鬍子很長，分了岔，顏色是白的，幾乎和他雪白的衣袍一樣白。他繫著一條銀色腰帶，脖子上掛著一條銀和鑽石的項鍊。佛羅多停下吃東西，看著他。「歡迎，幸會！」那矮人轉向他說。然後他竟然從座位上站起來，鞠了一躬。「葛羅因，為您效勞。」他說，並把腰彎得更低了。「佛羅多·巴金斯，為您和您的家族效勞。」佛羅多驚訝地站起來，把坐墊弄得四散，正確地回應道。「我猜得沒錯的話，您就是葛羅因，偉大的索林·橡木盾的十二夥伴之一？」「完全正確。」矮人回答，一面撿起坐墊，一面有禮地扶佛羅多坐回位子。「而我就不用問了，因為我已經聽說，您是我們著名的朋友比爾博的親戚和養子。請允許我祝賀您康復。」「非常感謝您。」佛羅多說。「我聽說您經歷了一些非常奇特的冒險。」葛羅因說。「我非常好奇是什麼事讓四位哈比人踏上這麼長的旅程。自從比爾博跟我們一起那次之後，就再也沒發生過這樣的事了。不過，既然愛隆和甘道夫似乎都不願意談論此事，或許我不該問得太仔細？」「我想我們還是別談這件事，至少現在不要。」佛羅多禮貌地說。他猜想，即使在愛隆的家裡，魔戒也不是能隨便閒聊的話題；而且無論如何，他也想暫時忘掉自己的煩惱。「但我同樣好奇，」他補充道，「想知道是什麼事讓一位如此重要的矮人遠從孤山而來。」葛羅因看著他。「如果你還沒聽說，我想我們也先別談那件事。我相信，愛隆大師很快就會召集我們大家，到時候我們都會聽到很多事情。但還有很多其他事可以說。」在接下來的用餐時間裡，他們一起交談，但佛羅多聽得多，說得少；因為夏爾的消息，除了魔戒之外，似乎都微不足道、遙遠而不重要，而葛羅因則有很多關於荒原北部地區的事件可以講述。佛羅多得知，老葛林伯恩，也就是比翁的兒子，現在是許多強壯之人的領主，在他們那片位於山脈和幽暗密林之間的土地上，半獸人或狼都不敢踏足。「的確，」葛羅因說，「要不是有比翁一族，從河谷鎮到瑞文戴爾的通道早就變得無法通行了。他們是英勇的人，維持著高隘口和卡洛克渡口的開放。但他們的過路費很高，」他搖搖頭補充道；「而且就像以前的比翁一樣，他們對矮人不是特別喜愛。不過，他們……
MANY MEETINGS 229 are trusty, and that is much in these days. Nowhere are there any men so friendly to us as the Men of Dale. They are good folk, the Bardings. The grandson of Bard the Bowman rules them, Brand son of Bain son of Bard. He is a strong king, and his realm now reaches far south and east of Esgaroth.’ ‘And what of your own people?’ asked Frodo. ‘There is much to tell, good and bad,’ said Gloin; ‘yet it is mostly good: we have so far been fortunate, though we do not escape the shadow of these times. If you really wish to hear of us, I will tell you tidings gladly. But stop me when you are weary! Dwarves’ tongues run on when speaking of their handiwork, they say.’ And with that Gloin embarked on a long account of the doings of the Dwarf-kingdom. He was delighted to have found so polite a listener; for Frodo showed no sign of weariness and made no attempt to change the subject, though actually he soon got rather lost among the strange names of people and places that he had never heard of before. He was interested, however, to hear that Dain was still King under the Mountain, and was now old (having passed his two hundred and fiftieth year), venerable, and fabulously rich. Of the ten companions who had survived the Battle of Five Armies seven were still with him: Dwalin, Gloin, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. Bombur was now so fat that he could not move himself from his couch to his chair at table, and it took six young dwarves to lift him. ‘And what has become of Balin and Ori and Oin?’ asked Frodo. A shadow passed over Gldin’s face. ‘We do not know,’ he answered. ‘It is largely on account of Balin that I have come to ask the advice of those that dwell in Rivendell. But tonight let us speak of merrier things!’ Gloin began then to talk of the works of his people, telling Frodo about their great labours in Dale and under the Mountain. ‘We have done well,’ he said. ‘But in metal-work we cannot rival our fathers, many of whose secrets are lost. We make good armour and keen swords, but we cannot again make mail or blade to match those that were made before the dragon came. Only in mining and building have we surpassed the old days. You should see the waterways of Dale, Frodo, and the fountains, and the pools! You should see the stone-paved roads of many colours! And the halls and cavernous streets under the earth with arches carved like trees; and the terraces and towers upon the Mountain’s sides! Then you would see that we have not been idle.’ ‘I will come and see them, if ever I can,’ said Frodo. ‘How surprised Bilbo would have been to see all the changes in the Desolation of Smaug!’
「他們是可信賴的，這在如今這世道已相當難得。沒有哪裡的人比河谷鎮的人對我們更友善了。他們是好人，是『神射手』巴德的後裔。統治他們的是巴德之子拜恩之子布蘭德。他是位強大的國王，他的王國如今已向南和東方延伸，遠遠超過了長湖鎮。」 「那您自己的人民呢？」佛羅多問道。 「說來話長，有好有壞，」葛羅因說，「不過多半是好的：儘管我們未能躲過這個時代的陰影，但至今運氣還算不錯。如果你真的想聽我們的事，我很樂意告訴你一些消息。不過你累了就阻止我！人家說，矮人的舌頭一談起自己的手藝就停不下來。」 說著，葛羅因便開始滔滔不絕地講述矮人王國的種種事蹟。他很高興找到一位如此有禮貌的聽眾；因為佛羅多絲毫沒有露出疲態，也沒試圖轉移話題，雖然他很快就在那些從未聽過的人名和地名中迷失了方向。不過，他很有興趣地聽說丹恩仍是山下國王，現已年邁（超過了兩百五十歲），德高望重，且富可敵國。在五軍之戰中倖存的十位夥伴中，有七位仍與他同在：德瓦林、葛羅因、多力、諾力、畢佛、波佛和龐伯。龐伯現在胖到無法自己從沙發移動到餐桌旁的椅子上，需要六個年輕矮人才能把他抬起來。 「那巴林、歐力和歐音後來怎麼樣了？」佛羅多問道。 一抹陰影掠過葛羅因的臉龐。「我們不知道，」他回答。「我這次來尋求瑞文戴爾居民的建議，很大程度上就是為了巴林。但今晚，我們還是說些愉快的事吧！」 葛羅因接著開始談論他族人的工程，向佛羅多講述他們在河谷鎮和山下的偉大勞作。「我們做得很好，」他說。「但在金屬工藝上，我們無法與我們的祖先媲美，他們的許多秘密都已失傳。我們能製造精良的盔甲和鋒利的劍，但再也造不出能與惡龍來臨前那些相提並論的鎖子甲或刀刃了。只有在採礦和建築方面，我們超越了往昔。佛羅多，你應該看看河谷鎮的水道、噴泉和池塘！你應該看看那由多色石頭鋪成的道路！還有地下那些拱頂雕刻如樹木的大廳和洞穴街道；以及山腰上的平台和高塔！那樣你就會看到我們可沒閒著。」 「如果可以，我一定會去看看的，」佛羅多說。「比爾博要是看到史矛革荒蕪之地上的所有變化，不知會有多驚訝！」
230 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Gloin looked at Frodo and smiled. ‘You were very fond of Bilbo were you not?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ answered Frodo. ‘I would rather see him than all the towers and palaces in the world.’ At length the feast came to an end. Elrond and Arwen rose and went down the hall, and the company followed them in due order. The doors were thrown open, and they went across a wide passage and through other doors, and came into a further hall. In it were no tables, but a bright fire was burning in a great hearth between the carven pillars upon either side. Frodo found himself walking with Gandalf. “This is the Hall of Fire,’ said the wizard. ‘Here you will hear many songs and tales — if you can keep awake. But except on high days it usually stands empty and quiet, and people come here who wish for peace, and thought. There is always a fire here, all the year round, but there is little other light.’ As Elrond entered and went towards the seat prepared for him, Elvish minstrels began to make sweet music. Slowly the hall filled, and Frodo looked with delight upon the many fair faces that were gathered together; the golden firelight played upon them and shimmered in their hair. Suddenly he noticed, not far from the further end of the fire, a small dark figure seated on a stool with his back propped against a pillar. Beside him on the ground was a drinking-cup and some bread. Frodo wondered whether he was ill Gf people were ever ill in Rivendell), and had been unable to come to the feast. His head seemed sunk in sleep on his breast, and a fold of his dark cloak was drawn over his face. Elrond went forward and stood beside the silent figure. ‘Awake, little master!’ he said, with a smile. Then, turning to Frodo, he beckoned to him. ‘Now at last the hour has come that you have wished for, Frodo,’ he said. ‘Here is a friend that you have long missed.’ The dark figure raised its head and uncovered its face. ‘Bilbo!’ cried Frodo with sudden recognition, and he sprang forward. ‘Hullo, Frodo my lad!’ said Bilbo. ‘So you have got here at last. I hoped you would manage it. Well, well! So all this feasting is in your honour, I hear. I hope you enjoyed yourself?’ ‘Why weren’t you there?’ cried Frodo. ‘And why haven’t I been allowed to see you before?’ ‘Because you were asleep. I have seen a good deal of you. I have sat by your side with Sam each day. But as for the feast, I don’t go in for such things much now. And I had something else to do.’
葛羅因看著佛羅多，微笑道。「你以前非常喜歡比爾博，是嗎？」他問道。「是的，」佛羅多回答。「我寧願見到他，勝過見到世界上所有的塔樓和宮殿。」盛宴終於結束了。愛隆和亞玟起身，走下大廳，眾人依序跟在他們身後。大門被推開，他們穿過一條寬闊的通道，又經過了幾扇門，來到另一個更深處的大廳。廳內沒有桌子，但在兩側雕刻的柱子之間，一個巨大的壁爐裡正燃燒著明亮的火焰。佛羅多發現自己正和甘道夫並肩而行。「這裡是火廳，」巫師說。「在這裡你會聽到許多歌曲和故事——如果你還能保持清醒的話。不過，除了在重要的日子，這裡通常是空著且安靜的，人們來此是為了尋求平靜與思索。這裡一年到頭總是有火，但除此之外幾乎沒有別的光線。」當愛隆走進來，朝為他準備的座位走去時，精靈的吟遊詩人開始演奏起甜美的音樂。大廳慢慢地坐滿了人，佛羅多欣喜地看著聚集在此的許多美麗臉龐；金色的火光在他們身上舞動，在他們的頭髮上閃爍。突然，他注意到，在火堆遠端不遠處，有個矮小的黑色身影，背靠著一根柱子，坐在一張凳子上。他身旁的地上放著一個酒杯和一些麵包。佛羅多心想他是不是生病了（如果瑞文戴爾的人會生病的話），所以才沒能參加宴會。他的頭似乎垂在胸前睡著了，臉上蓋著一角深色的斗篷。愛隆走上前，站在那個沉默的身影旁邊。「醒來吧，小朋友！」他笑著說。然後，他轉向佛羅多，向他招手。「佛羅多，你所期盼的時刻終於來到了，」他說。「這裡有位你思念已久的朋友。」那個黑影抬起頭，揭開了臉。「比爾博！」佛羅多猛然認出他，驚喜地叫著，向前撲去。「哈囉，我的孩子佛羅多！」比爾博說。「你總算到這裡了。我一直希望你能辦到。好啦，好啦！我聽說這整場盛宴都是為了你。希望你玩得開心？」「你為什麼不在那裡？」佛羅多喊道。「為什麼之前不讓我見你？」「因為你睡著了。我可見了你不少次。我每天都和山姆一起坐在你身邊。至於宴會嘛，我現在對那些事不太感興趣了。而且我還有別的事要做。」
MANY MEETINGS 231 ‘What were you doing?’ ‘Why, sitting and thinking. I do a lot of that nowadays, and this is the best place to do it in, as a rule. Wake up, indeed!’ he said, cocking an eye at Elrond. There was a bright twinkle in it and no sign of sleepiness that Frodo could see. ‘Wake up! I was not asleep, Master Elrond. If you want to know, you have all come out from your feast too soon, and you have disturbed me — in the middle of making up a song. I was stuck over a line or two, and was thinking about them; but now I don’t suppose I shall ever get them right. There will be such a deal of singing that the ideas will be driven clean out of my head. I shall have to get my friend the Dunadan to help me. Where is he?’ Elrond laughed. ‘He shall be found,’ he said. “Then you two shall go into a corner and finish your task, and we will hear it and judge it before we end our merrymaking.’ Messengers were sent to find Bilbo’s friend, though none knew where he was, or why he had not been present at the feast. In the meanwhile Frodo and Bilbo sat side by side, and Sam came quickly and placed himself near them. They talked together in soft voices, oblivious of the mirth and music in the hall about them. Bilbo had not much to say of himself. When he had left Hobbiton he had wandered off aimlessly, along the Road or in the country on either side; but somehow he had steered all the time towards Rivendell. ‘I got here without much adventure,’ he said, ‘and after a rest I went on with the dwarves to Dale: my last journey. I shan’t travel again. Old Balin had gone away. Then I came back here, and here I have been. I have done this and that. I have written some more of my book. And, of course, I make up a few songs. They sing them occasionally: just to please me, I think; for, of course, they aren’t really good enough for Rivendell. And I listen and I think. Time doesn’t seem to pass here: it just is. A remarkable place altogether. ‘I hear all kinds of news, from over the Mountains, and out of the South, but hardly anything from the Shire. I heard about the Ring, of course. Gandalf has been here often. Not that he has told me a great deal, he has become closer than ever these last few years. The Dunadan has told me more. Fancy that ring of mine causing such a disturbance! It is a pity that Gandalf did not find out more sooner. I could have brought the thing here myself long ago without so much trouble. I have thought several times of going back to Hobbiton for it; but I am getting old, and they would not let me: Gandalf and Elrond, I mean. They seemed to think that the Enemy was looking high and low for me, and would make mincemeat of me, if he caught me tottering about in the Wild.
「你在做什麼？」「嗯，坐著想事情啊。我現在常常這樣，而且這裡通常是做這件事最好的地方。說我睡著，真是的！」他對愛隆斜眼一瞥說。佛羅多能看見他眼中閃爍著明亮的光芒，沒有一絲睡意。「醒醒！我才沒睡著呢，愛隆大師。跟你說吧，你們都太早結束宴會了，還打擾了我——我正在寫一首歌呢。我卡在一兩句詞上，正在思考；但現在我想我永遠也寫不好了。這裡會有那麼多歌唱，我的靈感會被驅趕得一乾二淨。我得找我的朋友登丹人幫忙了。他在哪裡？」愛隆笑了。「會找到他的，」他說。「到時候你們兩個就到角落去完成你們的傑作，我們在結束歡慶前會聆聽並評判。」信使被派去找比爾博的朋友，雖然沒人知道他在哪裡，也沒人知道他為何沒有出席宴會。與此同時，佛羅多和比爾博並肩坐著，山姆也很快地過來，在他們身邊坐下。他們輕聲交談，對大廳裡的歡笑與音樂渾然不覺。比爾博對自己的事沒說太多。他離開哈比屯後，便漫無目的地遊蕩，沿著大路或兩旁的鄉間小徑走；但不知怎的，他一直朝著瑞文戴爾的方向前進。「我沒遇到什麼大冒險就到這裡了，」他說，「休息一陣子後，我跟著矮人們去了河谷鎮：那是我最後一次旅行了。我不會再遠行了。老巴林已經離開了。然後我就回到這裡，一直待到現在。我做了些這這那那的事。我多寫了些我的書。當然，我也作了幾首曲子。他們偶爾會唱：我想只是為了取悅我；因為，當然，那些歌還不夠好，配不上瑞文戴爾。我聆聽，我思考。時間在這裡似乎不會流逝：它就只是存在著。這地方真是非同凡響。『我聽到各種消息，從山脈的另一邊，從南方，但幾乎沒有來自夏爾的。我當然聽說了魔戒的事。甘道夫常來這裡。倒不是他告訴我很多，這幾年他變得比以往任何時候都更加守口如瓶。登丹人告訴我的還比較多。真沒想到我那枚戒指竟然引起這麼大的騷動！真可惜甘道夫沒有早點發現更多事。我很久以前就可以自己把那東西帶來這裡，省去這麼多麻煩。我好幾次想過回哈比屯去拿它；但我越來越老了，而且他們不會讓我去：我是說甘道夫和愛隆。他們似乎認為敵人正在到處搜捕我，如果抓到我在荒野中步履蹣跚地亂晃，會把我剁成肉醬。」
232 THE LORD OF THE RINGS ‘And Gandalf said: ‘““The Ring has passed on, Bilbo. It would do no good to you or to others, if you tried to meddle with it again.” Odd sort of remark, just like Gandalf. But he said he was looking after you, so I let things be. I am frightfully glad to see you safe and sound.’ He paused and looked at Frodo doubtfully. “Have you got it here?’ he asked in a whisper. ‘I can’t help feeling curious, you know, after all P’'ve heard. I should very much like just to peep at it again.’ “Yes, I’ve got it,’ answered Frodo, feeling a strange reluctance. ‘It looks just the same as ever it did.’ ‘Well, I should just like to see it for a moment,’ said Bilbo. When he had dressed, Frodo found that while he slept the Ring had been hung about his neck on a new chain, light but strong. Slowly he drew it out. Bilbo put out his hand. But Frodo quickly drew back the Ring. To his distress and amazement he found that he was no longer looking at Bilbo; a shadow seemed to have fallen between them, and through it he found himself eyeing a little wrinkled creature with a hungry face and bony groping hands. He felt a desire to strike him. The music and singing round them seemed to falter, and a silence fell. Bilbo looked quickly at Frodo’s face and passed his hand across his eyes. ‘I understand now,” he said. ‘Put it away! I am sorry: sorry you have come in for this burden; sorry about everything. Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story. Well, it can’t be helped. I wonder if it’s any good trying to finish my book? But don’t let’s worry about it now - let’s have some real News! Tell me all about the Shire!’ Frodo hid the Ring away, and the shadow passed leaving hardly a shred of memory. The light and music of Rivendell was about him again. Bilbo smiled and laughed happily. Every item of news from the Shire that Frodo could tell — aided and corrected now and again by Sam — was of the greatest interest to him, from the felling of the least tree to the pranks of the smallest child in Hobbiton. They were so deep in the doings of the Four Farthings that they did not notice the arrival of a man clad in dark green cloth. For many minutes he stood looking down at them with a smile. Suddenly Bilbo looked up. ‘Ah, there you are at last, Dunadan!’ he cried. ‘Strider!’ said Frodo. ‘You seem to have a lot of names.’ ‘Well, Strider is one that I haven’t heard before, anyway,’ said Bilbo. ‘What do you call him that for?’ “They call me that in Bree,’ said Strider laughing, ‘and that is how I was introduced to him.’
「甘道夫說：『『戒指已經傳下去了，比爾博。如果你再試圖插手，對你或對任何人都沒有好處。』』真是奇怪的說法，いかにも甘道夫的風格。但他說他會照顧你，所以我就隨它去了。看到你安然無恙，我真是高興極了。」他頓了一下，懷疑地看著佛羅多。「你把它帶在身上嗎？」他低聲問道。「你知道，聽了這麼多事，我忍不住感到好奇。我很想再看它一眼。」「是的，我帶著它，」佛羅多回答，感到一種奇怪的抗拒。「它看起來和以前一模一樣。」「嗯，我只想看它一下下，」比爾博說。佛羅多穿好衣服後，發現他睡著時，戒指已經被串在一條新的鍊子上，掛在他的脖子上，鍊子很輕但很堅固。他慢慢地把它抽出來。比爾博伸出手。但佛羅多迅速將戒指縮了回去。令他苦惱和驚訝的是，他發現自己看到的不再是比爾博；一道陰影似乎落在他們之間，透過陰影，他發現自己正盯著一個滿臉飢渴、有著一雙瘦骨嶙峋摸索著的手的矮小皺縮生物。他有股想揍他的衝動。他們周圍的音樂和歌聲似乎減弱了，四周陷入一片寂靜。比爾博迅速看了看佛羅多的臉，用手撫過自己的眼睛。「我現在明白了，」他說。「把它收起來！我很抱歉：抱歉你得承受這個重擔；為所有事感到抱歉。難道冒險就沒有結束的一天嗎？我想沒有吧。總得有別人來繼續這個故事。唉，這也沒辦法。我在想，試著寫完我的書還有沒有用？但我們先別擔心這個了——來點真正的新聞吧！告訴我所有關於夏爾的事！」佛羅多把戒指藏了起來，那道陰影隨之消散，幾乎沒留下一絲記憶。瑞文戴爾的光與樂再次環繞著他。比爾博開心地笑了起來。佛羅多能說出的每一件夏爾新聞——山姆不時從旁協助和糾正——都讓他極感興趣，從砍掉最不起眼的一棵樹，到哈比屯最小的孩子的惡作劇。他們如此沉浸在四區的種種事務中，以至於沒注意到一個穿著深綠色衣服的男人到來。他站在那裡，微笑地俯視他們好幾分鐘。突然，比爾博抬起頭。「啊，你終於來了，登丹人！」他喊道。「神行客！」佛羅多說。「你的名字好像很多。」「嗯，『神行客』這個名字我倒是從沒聽過，」比爾博說。「你為什麼那樣叫他？」「他們在布理那樣叫我，」神行客笑著說，「我就是這樣被介紹給他的。」
MANY MEETINGS 233 ‘And why do you call him Dunadan?’ asked Frodo. ‘The Dunadan,’ said Bilbo. ‘He is often called that here. But I thought you knew enough Elvish at least to know dun-adan: Man of the West, Numenorean. But this is not the time for lessons!’ He turned to Strider. ‘Where have you been, my friend? Why weren’t you at the feast? The Lady Arwen was there.’ Strider looked down at Bilbo gravely. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘But often I must put mirth aside. Elladan and Elrohir have returned out of the Wild unlooked-for, and they had tidings that I wished to hear at once.’ ‘Well, my dear fellow,’ said Bilbo, ‘now you’ve heard the news, can’t you spare me a moment? I want your help in something urgent. Elrond says this song of mine is to be finished before the end of the evening, and I am stuck. Let’s go off into a corner and polish it up!’ Strider smiled. ‘Come then!’ he said. ‘Let me hear it!’ Frodo was left to himself for a while, for Sam had fallen asleep. He was alone and felt rather forlorn, although all about him the folk of Rivendell were gathered. But those near him were silent, intent upon the music of the voices and the instruments, and they gave no heed to anything else. Frodo began to listen. At first the beauty of the melodies and of the interwoven words in elven-tongues, even though he understood them little, held him in a spell, as soon as he began to attend to them. Almost it seemed that the words took shape, and visions of far lands and bright things that he had never yet imagined opened out before him; and the firelit hall became like a golden mist above seas of foam that sighed upon the margins of the world. Then the enchantment became more and more dreamlike, until he felt that an endless river of swelling gold and silver was flowing over him, too multitudinous for its pattern to be comprehended; it became part of the throbbing air about him, and it drenched and drowned him. Swiftly he sank under its shining weight into a deep realm of sleep. There he wandered long in a dream of music that turned into running water, and then suddenly into a voice. It seemed to be the voice of Bilbo chanting verses. Faint at first and then clearer ran the words. Edrendil was a mariner that tarried in Arvernien; he built a boat of timber felled in Nimbrethil to journey in;
「你為什麼叫他登丹人？」佛羅多問。「是『那個』登丹人，」比爾博說。「在這裡大家常這麼叫他。我還以為你至少懂一點精靈語，知道 dun-adan 是『西方之人』，努曼諾爾人的意思。不過現在可不是上課的時候！」他轉向史特萊德。「我的朋友，你到哪兒去了？為什麼沒來參加宴會？亞玟女士也在場呢。」史特萊德嚴肅地低頭看著比爾博。「我知道，」他說。「但我時常必須把歡樂拋在一旁。伊萊丹和伊羅何出乎意料地從野外回來了，他們帶來了我希望能立刻聽到的消息。」「噢，我親愛的朋友，」比爾博說，「既然你已經聽完消息了，就不能抽點時間給我嗎？我有件急事需要你幫忙。愛隆說我這首詩歌必須在今晚結束前完成，但我卡住了。我們到角落去把它潤飾一下吧！」「來吧！」史特萊德笑著說。「讓我聽聽看！」佛羅多獨自一人待了一會兒，因為山姆已經睡著了。他孤身一人，感到相當孤苦伶仃，儘管瑞文戴爾的居民都聚集在他周圍。但他身邊的人都很安靜，專注於人聲與樂器交織的音樂，對其他事物毫不理會。佛羅多開始傾聽。起初，即使他聽不太懂，那些精靈語的旋律與交織的詞語之美，就在他一開始專注聆聽時，便將他深深迷住。那些詞語幾乎像是化為實體，他從未想像過的遙遠國度和璀璨事物的景象在他眼前展開；爐火通明的廳堂變成了一片金色的迷霧，籠罩在於世界邊緣嘆息的泡沫海洋之上。接著，那股魔力變得越來越如夢似幻，直到他感覺到一條無盡的、由漲溢的金銀組成的河流正流過他身上，其紋路繁複到無法理解；它成為他周遭悸動空氣的一部分，將他浸透、淹沒。他迅速地在那閃耀的重壓下沉入深沉的睡眠國度。在那裡，他在一場音樂之夢中漫遊良久，夢境化為流動的溪水，然後突然變成一個聲音。那似乎是比爾博吟誦詩句的聲音。詞句起初微弱，而後漸漸清晰。埃蘭迪爾是位水手，曾在亞爾佛尼恩逗留；他用寧布瑞希爾砍下的木材造船遠航；
234 THE LORD OF THE RINGS her sails he wove of silver fair, of silver were her lanterns made, her prow he fashioned like a swan, and light upon her banners laid. In panoply of ancient kings, in chainéd rings he armoured him; his shining shield was scored with runes to ward all wounds and harm from him; his bow was made of dragon-horn, his arrows shorn of ebony, of silver was his habergeon, his scabbard of chalcedony; his sword of steel was valiant, of adamant his helmet tall, an eagle-plume upon his crest, upon his breast an emerald. Beneath the Moon and under star he wandered far from northern strands, bewildered on enchanted ways beyond the days of mortal lands. From gnashing of the Narrow Ice where shadow lies on frozen hills, from nether heats and burning waste he turned in haste, and roving still on starless waters far astray at last he came to Night of Naught, and passed, and never sight he saw of shining shore nor light he sought. The winds of wrath came driving him, and blindly in the foam he fled from west to east, and errandless, unheralded he homeward sped. There fiying Elwing came to him, and flame was in the darkness lit; more bright than light of diamond the fire upon her carcanet. The Silmaril she bound on him and crowned him with the living light, and dauntless then with burning brow he turned his prow; and in the night from Otherworld beyond the Sea
他為她織就美麗銀帆，她的燈籠以白銀打造，他將船首雕琢如天鵝，光芒灑落在她的旗幟上。他身披古代君王的全副盔甲，穿上環環相扣的鎖子甲；他閃亮的盾牌上刻滿盧恩文字，為他抵禦一切創傷與禍害；他的弓由龍角製成，他的箭矢以黑檀木削就，他的無袖鎖子甲是白銀所鑄，他的劍鞘是玉髓所造；他的鋼劍英勇無畏，他的高盔由金剛石鑄成，盔頂飾有鷹羽，胸前佩著綠寶石。在月下星空，他遠離北方海岸流浪，在魔法之徑上迷惘，超越了凡人國度的時光。從狹窄冰灣的磨擦聲中，那裡陰影籠罩著冰封山丘，從地底的酷熱與燃燒的荒原，他匆匆轉身，仍舊漂泊，在無星的海上遠遠迷航，他終於來到空虛之夜，穿越而過，未曾見到閃亮彼岸，也未尋得所求之光。憤怒的狂風驅趕著他，他在浪花中盲目奔逃，從西向東，漫無目的，默默無聞地向家鄉飛馳。飛翔的愛爾溫來到他身邊，黑暗中燃起了火焰；比鑽石之光更明亮的，是她項鏈上的光輝。她將精靈寶鑽繫於他身，以生命之光為他加冕，於是，他無畏地，額頭燃燒著光芒，調轉船頭；在夜色中，從大海彼端的異世界
MANY MEETINGS there strong and free a storm arose, a wind of power in Tarmenel; by paths that seldom mortal goes his boat it bore with biting breath as might of death across the grey and long-forsaken seas distressed: from east to west he passed away. Through Evernight he back was borne on black and roaring waves that ran o’er leagues unlit and foundered shores that drowned before the Days began, until he heard on strands of pearl where ends the world the music long, where ever-foaming billows roll the yellow gold and jewels wan. He saw the Mountain silent rise where twilight les upon the knees of Valinor, and Eldamar beheld afar beyond the seas. A wanderer escaped from night to haven white he came at last, to Elvenhome the green and fair where keen the air, where pale as glass beneath the Hill of Ilmarin a-glimmer in a valley sheer the lamplit towers of Tirion are mirrored on the Shadowmere. He tarried there from errantry, and melodies they taught to him, and sages old him marvels told, and harps of gold they brought to him. They clothed him then in elven-white, and seven lights before him sent, as through the Calacirian to hidden land forlorn he went. He came unto the timeless halls where shining fall the countless years, and endless reigns the Elder King in Ilmarin on Mountain sheer; and words unheard were spoken then of folk of Men and Elven-kin, 235
在塔門尼爾，一場風暴猛烈地颳起，強勁的自由之風；他的船循著凡人罕至的路徑，被凜冽如死亡氣息的狂風帶走，穿越那受苦、灰色且久遭遺棄的海洋：他自東向西，悄然遠航。他被帶回，穿越永夜，行經在漆黑咆哮的浪濤上，那浪濤奔騰過無光之境與沉沒的海岸——那是在「時日」之初便已淹沒的地方，直到他在珍珠海岸聽見悠揚樂音，在那世界邊緣之處，在那泡沫永不休止的波濤翻滾著黃金與黯淡珠寶的地方。他看見聖山靜靜聳立，那裡暮光停駐在維林諾的膝上，他遠遠望見了大海彼端的埃爾達瑪。一位自黑夜逃離的流浪者，終於來到潔白的港灣，來到那青翠美麗的精靈家園，那裡空氣清冽，那裡伊爾瑪林山下，提理安城燈火通明的塔樓，在純淨山谷中微光閃爍，如蒼白玻璃般倒映在影之湖上。他在那裡停下了漂泊的腳步，他們教他旋律，古老的智者告訴他奇聞，他們為他帶來黃金的豎琴。他們為他換上精靈白袍，在他面前送上七盞明燈，當他穿越卡拉克雅，走向那片孤寂的隱匿之地。他來到那永恆的殿堂，無數的歲月在此閃耀流逝，永恆的長上之王在伊爾瑪林山巔上無盡地統治；在那裡，人們說起了前所未聞的話語，關於人類與精靈親族的故事。
236 THE LORD OF THE RINGS beyond the world were visions showed forbid to those that dwell therein. A ship then new they built for him of mithril and of elven-glass with shining prow; no shaven oar nor sail she bore on silver mast: the Silmaril as lantern light and banner bright with living flame to gleam thereon by Elbereth herself was set, who thither came and wings immortal made for him, and laid on him undying doom, to sail the shoreless skies and come behind the Sun and light of Moon. From Evereven’s lofty hills where softly silver fountains fall his wings him bore, a wandering light, beyond the mighty Mountain Wall. From World’s End then he turned away, and yearned again to find afar his home through shadows journeying, and burning as an island star on high above the mists he came, a distant flame before the Sun, a wonder ere the waking dawn where grey the Norland waters run. And over Middle-earth he passed and heard at last the weeping sore of women and of elven-maids in Elder Days, in years of yore. But on him mighty doom was laid, till Moon should fade, an orbéd star to pass, and tarry never more on Hither Shores where mortals are; for ever still a herald on an errand that should never rest to bear his shining lamp afar, the Flammufer of Westernesse. The chanting ceased. Frodo opened his eyes and saw that Bilbo was seated on his stool in a circle of listeners, who were smiling and applauding.
在世界之外，異象展現，禁止塵世居民窺看。他們為他新建了一艘船，由秘銀與精靈水晶打造，船首閃亮；銀色的船桅上，不見刨光的船槳，也未掛上船帆：那顆精靈寶鑽，由伊爾碧綠絲親手安放，作為明燈與旗幟，在其上閃耀著活生的火焰。她來到那裡，為他造了不朽的雙翼，並賦予他永恆的宿命，去航行無岸的天際，追隨於日月之後。自永暮城的巍峨山丘，銀泉潺潺之處，他的雙翼載著他，化作一道流光，越過雄偉的環山。他自世界盡頭轉身，渴望在遠方再次尋覓家園，穿越暗影，如孤星燃燒。他高懸於迷霧之上，是日出前的一道遙遠火焰，是黎明破曉前的一個奇蹟，在那北方灰濛的流水之上。他飛越中土大陸，終於聽見了遠古時代、往昔歲月裡，女人與精靈少女們的悲泣。但他身負偉大的宿命，直到月亮消逝，他將化作一顆繞軌運行的星辰，永不再停留於凡人所居的此岸；永遠作為一名信使，執行永不停歇的任務，將他閃亮的明燈帶向遠方，那西方大陸的擎火者。歌聲停止了。佛羅多睜開眼睛，看見比爾博坐在他的凳子上，周圍圍著一圈聽眾，他們正微笑著鼓掌。
MANY MEETINGS 237 ‘Now we had better have it again,’ said an Elf. Bilbo got up and bowed. ‘I am flattered, Lindir,’ he said. ‘But it would be too tiring to repeat it all.’ ‘Not too tiring for you,’ the Elves answered laughing. ‘You know you are never tired of reciting your own verses. But really we cannot answer your question at one hearing!’ ‘What!’ cried Bilbo. “You can’t tell which parts were mine, and which were the Dunadan’s?’ ‘It is not easy for us to tell the difference between two mortals,’ said the Elf. ‘Nonsense, Lindir,’ snorted Bilbo. ‘If you can’t distinguish between a Man and a Hobbit, your judgement is poorer than I imagined. They’re as different as peas and apples.’ ‘Maybe. To sheep other sheep no doubt appear different,’ laughed Lindir. ‘Or to shepherds. But Mortals have not been our study. We have other business.’ ‘I won’t argue with you,’ said Bilbo. ‘I am sleepy after so much music and singing. TP’ll leave you to guess, if you want to.’ He got up and came towards Frodo. ‘Well, that’s over,’ he said in a low voice. ‘It went off better than I expected. I don’t often get asked for a second hearing. What did you think of it?’ ‘I am not going to try and guess,’ said Frodo smiling. ‘You needn’t,’ said Bilbo. ‘As a matter of fact it was all mine. Except that Aragorn insisted on my putting in a green stone. He seemed to think it important. I don’t know why. Otherwise he obviously thought the whole thing rather above my head, and he said that if I had the cheek to make verses about Earendil in the house of Elrond, it was my affair. I suppose he was right.’ ‘I don’t know,’ said Frodo. ‘It seemed to me to fit somehow, though I can’t explain. I was half asleep when you began, and it seemed to follow on from something that I was dreaming about. I didn’t understand that it was really you speaking until near the end.’ ‘It zs difficult to keep awake here, until you get used to it,’ said Bilbo. ‘Not that hobbits would ever acquire quite the Elvish appetite for music and poetry and tales. They seem to like them as much as food, or more. They will be going on for a long time yet. What do you say to slipping off for some more quiet talk?’ ‘Can we?’ said Frodo. ‘Of course. This is merrymaking not business. Come and go as you like, as long as you don’t make a noise.’ They got up and withdrew quietly into the shadows, and made for the doors. Sam they left behind, fast asleep still with a smile on his face. In spite of his delight in Bilbo’s company Frodo felt a tug
「我們最好再聽一次，」一位精靈說。比爾博站起來鞠了個躬。「林迪爾，你太抬舉我了，」他說。「但要把全部重複一遍也太累了。」「對你來說可不累，」精靈們笑著回答。「你知道的，你從來不厭倦朗誦自己的詩句。但說真的，只聽一次我們無法回答你的問題！」「什麼！」比爾博叫道。「你們分不出哪些部分是我寫的，哪些是那個杜內丹人寫的？」「對我們來說，要分辨兩個凡人的區別並不容易，」那精靈說。「胡說，林迪爾，」比爾博哼了一聲。「如果你連人類和哈比人都分不出來，那你的判斷力比我想像的還差。他們倆就像豌豆和蘋果一樣天差地別。」「也許吧。對綿羊來說，其他的綿羊想必看起來也各不相同，」林迪爾笑道。「或者對牧羊人來說也是。但凡人並非我們的研究對象。我們有別的事務。」「我不跟你爭了，」比爾博說。「聽了這麼多音樂和歌唱，我睏了。如果你們想猜，就留給你們去猜吧。」他站起來，朝佛羅多走去。「嗯，總算結束了，」他低聲說。「結果比我預期的好。我不常被要求再表演一次。你覺得怎麼樣？」「我可不打算猜，」佛羅多笑著說。「你也不需要，」比爾博說。「事實上，全都是我寫的。除了亞拉岡堅持要我加進一顆綠寶石。他似乎覺得那很重要。我不知道為什麼。除此之外，他顯然覺得整件事對我來說太過高深了，他說如果我厚著臉皮敢在愛隆的家裡創作關於埃蘭迪爾的詩歌，那是我自己的事。我想他說的對。」「我不知道，」佛羅多說。「我覺得不知怎地還挺合適的，雖然我也解釋不清。你開始的時候我半睡半醒，感覺它好像接續著我正在做的夢。直到快結束時，我才意識到真的是你在說話。」「在這裡很難保持清醒，直到你習慣為止，」比爾博說。「倒不是說哈比人能學會精靈那種對音樂、詩歌和故事的胃口。他們似乎像喜歡食物一樣喜歡這些，甚至更喜歡。他們還會繼續很久呢。我們溜出去找個地方安靜聊聊，你說怎麼樣？」「我們可以嗎？」佛羅多問。「當然。這是在尋歡作樂，不是在辦公事。只要不弄出聲響，你想來就來，想走就走。」他們站起來，悄悄退入陰影中，朝門口走去。他們把山姆留在了後面，他仍然睡得正香，臉上還帶著微笑。儘管佛羅多很享受與比爾博的相伴，他仍感到一陣牽動。
238 THE LORD OF THE RINGS of regret as they passed out of the Hall of Fire. Even as they stepped over the threshold a single clear voice rose in song. A Elbereth Gilthoniel, silivren penna miriel o menel aglar elenath! Na-chaered palan-diriel o galadhremmin ennorath, Fanuilos, le linnathon nef aear, si nef aearon! Frodo halted for a moment, looking back. Elrond was in his chair and the fire was on his face like summer-light upon the trees. Near him sat the Lady Arwen. To his surprise Frodo saw that Aragorn stood beside her; his dark cloak was thrown back, and he seemed to be clad in elven-mail, and a star shone on his breast. They spoke together, and then suddenly it seemed to Frodo that Arwen turned towards him, and the light of her eyes fell on him from afar and pierced his heart. He stood still enchanted, while the sweet syllables of the Elvish song fell like clear jewels of blended word and melody. ‘It is a song to Elbereth,’ said Bilbo. ‘They will sing that, and other songs of the Blessed Realm, many times tonight. Come on!’ He led Frodo back to his own little room. It opened on to the gardens and looked south across the ravine of the Bruinen. There they sat for some while, looking through the window at the bright stars above the steep-climbing woods, and talking softly. They spoke no more of the small news of the Shire far away, nor of the dark shadows and perils that encompassed them, but of the fair things they had seen in the world together, of the Elves, of the stars, of trees, and the gentle fall of the bright year in the woods. At last there came a knock on the door. ‘Begging your pardon,’ said Sam, putting in his head, ‘but I was just wondering if you would be wanting anything.’ ‘And begging yours, Sam Gamgee,’ replied Bilbo. ‘I guess you mean that it is time your master went to bed.’ ‘Well, sir, there is a Council early tomorrow, I hear, and he only got up today for the first time.’ ‘Quite right, Sam,’ laughed Bilbo. ‘You can trot off and tell Gandalf that he has gone to bed. Good night, Frodo! Bless me, but it has been good to see you again! There are no folk like hobbits after all for a real good talk. I am getting very old, and I began to wonder if I should live to see your chapters of our story. Good night! T’ll take a walk, I think, and look at the stars of Elbereth in the garden. Sleep welll’
當他們走出火之廳時，心中都帶著一絲遺憾。就在他們踏過門檻時，一個清澈的歌聲獨自響起。 A Elbereth Gilthoniel, silivren penna miriel o menel aglar elenath! Na-chaered palan-diriel o galadhremmin ennorath, Fanuilos, le linnathon nef aear, si nef aearon! 佛羅多停下腳步，回頭望去。愛隆坐在他的椅子上，爐火映照在他的臉上，如同夏日陽光灑在樹上。在他身旁坐著的是亞玟女士。令佛羅多驚訝的是，他看到亞拉岡站在她旁邊；他深色的斗篷向後敞開，似乎穿著精靈的鎖子甲，胸前有一顆星星閃耀。他們一同交談，然後佛羅多突然覺得，亞玟轉向了他，她眼中的光芒從遠處落在他身上，刺入了他的心。他著迷地站著不動，而精靈歌曲甜美的音節如同融合了詞語與旋律的清澈寶石般落下。「這是唱給埃爾伯雷斯的歌，」比爾博說。「今晚他們會唱很多次這首歌，以及其他關於至福之境的歌曲。來吧！」他帶著佛羅多回到自己的小房間。房間的門通向花園，朝南望去，可以俯瞰布魯南河的峽谷。他們在那裡坐了一會兒，透過窗戶望著陡峭攀升的樹林上方明亮的星辰，輕聲交談。他們不再談論遙遠夏爾的瑣事，也不再談論包圍他們的黑暗陰影與危險，而是談論他們一同在世上見過的美好事物，談論精靈、星辰、樹木，以及林中燦爛年歲的溫柔流逝。最後，門上傳來一陣敲門聲。「請您原諒，」山姆把頭探進來說，「我只是想知道您是否需要什麼東西。」「我也請你原諒，山姆·詹吉，」比爾博回答說。「我猜你的意思是，你的主人該上床睡覺了。」「嗯，先生，我聽說明天一早有個會議，而他今天才第一次下床。」「說得對，山姆，」比爾博笑道。「你可以小跑步去告訴甘道夫，他已經上床睡覺了。晚安，佛羅多！天哪，能再見到你真是太好了！說到底，沒有什麼人比得上哈比人，可以好好地聊上一場。我越來越老了，開始懷疑自己是否能活著看到你寫的我們故事的篇章。晚安！我想我會去散個步，看看花園裡埃爾伯雷斯的星辰。好好睡吧！」