Chapter 6 THE KING OF THE GOLDEN BALL; They rode on through sunset, and slow dusk, and gathering night. When at last they halted and dismounted, even Aragorn was stiff and weary. Gandalf only allowed them a few hours’ rest. Legolas and Gimli slept, and Aragorn lay flat, stretched upon his back; but Gandalf stood, leaning on his staff, gazing into the darkness, east and west. All was silent, and there was no sign or sound of living thing. The night was barred with long clouds, fleeting on a chill wind, when they arose again. Under the cold moon they went on once more, as swift as by the light of day. Hours passed and still they rode on. Gimli nodded and would have fallen from his seat, if Gandalf had not clutched and shaken him. Hasufel and Arod, weary but proud, followed their tireless leader, a grey shadow before them hardly to be seen. The miles went by. The waxing moon sank into the cloudy West. A bitter chill came into the air. Slowly in the East the dark faded to a cold grey. Red shafts of light leapt above the black walls of the Emyn Muil far away upon their left. Dawn came clear and bright; a wind swept across their path, rushing through the bent grasses. Suddenly Shadowfax stood still and neighed. Gandalf pointed ahead. ‘Look!’ he cried, and they lifted their tired eyes. Before them stood the mountains of the South: white-tipped and streaked with black. The grass-lands rolled against the hills that clustered at their feet, and flowed up into many valleys still dim and dark, untouched by the light of dawn, winding their way into the heart of the great mountains. Immediately before the travellers the widest of these glens opened like a long gulf among the hills. Far inward they glimpsed a tumbled mountain-mass with one tall peak; at the mouth of the vale there stood like a sentinel a lonely height. About its feet there flowed, as a thread of silver, the stream that issued from the dale; upon its brow they caught, still far away, a glint in the rising sun, a glimmer of gold. ‘Speak, Legolas!’ said Gandalf. “Tell us what you see there before us!” Legolas gazed ahead, shading his eyes from the level shafts of the new-risen sun. ‘I see a white stream that comes down from the snows,’ he said. ‘Where it issues from the shadow of the vale a green hill
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 507 rises upon the east. A dike and mighty wall and thorny fence encircle it. Within there rise the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there stands aloft a great hall of Men. And it seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold. The light of it shines far over the land. Golden, too, are the posts of its doors. There men in bright mail stand; but all else within the courts are yet asleep.’ ‘Edoras those courts are called,’ said Gandalf, ‘and Meduseld is that golden hall. There dwells Théoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan. We are come with the rising of the day. Now the road lies plain to see before us. But we must ride more warily; for war is abroad, and the Rohirrim, the Horse-lords, do not sleep, even if it seem so from afar. Draw no weapon, speak no haughty word, I counsel you all, until we are come before Théoden’s seat.’ The morning was bright and clear about them, and birds were singing, when the travellers came to the stream. It ran down swiftly into the plain, and beyond the feet of the hills turned across their path in a wide bend, flowing away east to feed the Entwash far off in its reed-choked beds. The land was green: in the wet meads and along the grassy borders of the stream grew many willow-trees. Already in this southern land they were blushing red at their fingertips, feeling the approach of spring. Over the stream there was a ford between low banks much trampled by the passage of horses. The travellers passed over and came upon a wide rutted track leading towards the uplands. At the foot of the walled hill the way ran under the shadow of many mounds, high and green. Upon their western sides the grass was white as with a drifted snow: small flowers sprang there like countless stars amid the turf. ‘Look!’ said Gandalf. ‘How fair are the bright eyes in the grass! Evermind they are called, stmbelmyné in this land of Men, for they blossom in all the seasons of the year, and grow where dead men rest. Behold! we are come to the great barrows where the sires of Theoden sleep.’ ‘Seven mounds upon the left, and nine upon the right,’ said Aragorn. ‘Many long lives of men it is since the golden hall was built.’ ‘Five hundred times have the red leaves fallen in Mirkwood in my home since then,’ said Legolas, ‘and but a little while does that seem to us.’ ‘But to the Riders of the Mark it seems so long ago,’ said Aragorn, ‘that the raising of this house is but a memory of song, and the years before are lost in the mist of time. Now they call this land their home, their own, and their speech is sundered from their northern kin.’ Then he began to chant softly in a slow tongue unknown to the
黃金宮殿之王 507 在東方升起。一道堤壩、一堵巨牆和帶刺的柵欄環繞著它。圍牆內屋頂林立；在中央，坐落於一片綠色台地上方，高聳著一座屬於凡人的宏偉大廳。在我眼中，它彷彿以黃金為茅草鋪頂，其光芒遠照大地。它門柱的柱子也是金色的。那裡站著身穿明亮鎖子甲的衛士；但庭院內的其他一切都還在沉睡。」「那些庭院叫做伊多拉斯，」甘道夫說，「而那座黃金大廳是梅杜西廳。希優頓，炎格之子，洛汗國的國王，就住在那裡。我們隨著日出而來。現在前方的路清晰可見。但我們必須更加謹慎地騎行；因為戰事四起，而洛汗人，那些馬王們，即便從遠處看來似乎如此，也並未沉睡。我勸告各位，在我們抵達希優頓的王座前，不要拔出武器，不說傲慢之語。」當旅人們來到溪邊時，周遭的早晨明亮而晴朗，鳥兒正在歌唱。溪水迅速地流入平原，在山腳之外轉了一個大彎，橫過他們的路，向東流去，匯入遠方那長滿蘆葦的樹沐河河床。大地一片翠綠：在濕潤的草地上，沿著溪流長滿青草的岸邊，生長著許多柳樹。在這片南方土地上，它們的枝頭末梢已經泛著紅暈，感受著春天的臨近。溪流之上，在被馬蹄頻繁踩踏而變低的河岸之間，有一處淺灘。旅人們渡過淺灘，踏上了一條通往高地的寬闊車轍路。在有圍牆的山丘腳下，道路行經許多高大翠綠的墳塚的陰影之下。在它們的西側，青草白得像是積雪：無數小花在草皮中綻放，宛如點點繁星。「看！」甘道夫說。「草叢中那明亮的眼睛多麼美麗！它們被稱為『永在心頭』，在這片凡人的土地上則叫做『辛貝爾繆奈』，因為它們一年四季都會開花，並且生長在亡者安息之處。看啊！我們來到了希優頓先祖們長眠的偉大墳塚。」「左邊七座，右邊九座，」亞拉岡說。「自從那黃金宮殿建成以來，已經過了許多凡人漫長的一生。」「自那時起，在我家鄉幽暗密林，紅葉已飄落五百次，」勒苟拉斯說，「而那對我們來說，不過是須臾片刻。」「但對洛汗驃騎而言，那已是如此久遠，」亞拉岡說，「以至於這座殿堂的建立僅是歌謠中的記憶，而此前的歲月已迷失在時間的迷霧中。如今他們稱這片土地為家園，為己有，他們的語言也已與北方的親族斷絕。」然後他開始用一種緩慢的、無人知曉的語言輕聲吟唱起來。
508 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Elf and Dwarf; yet they listened, for there was a strong music in it. “That, I guess, is the language of the Rohirrim,’ said Legolas; ‘for it is like to this land itself; rich and rolling in part, and else hard and stern as the mountains. But I cannot guess what it means, save that it is laden with the sadness of Mortal Men.’ ‘It runs thus in the Common Speech,’ said Aragorn, ‘as near as I can make it. Where now the horse and the rider? Where 1s the horn that was blowing? Where 1s the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? Where 1s the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing? Where 1s the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow; The days have gone down 1n the West behind the hills into shadow. Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning, Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning? Thus spoke a forgotten poet long ago in Rohan, recalling how tall and fair was Eorl the Young, who rode down out of the North; and there were wings upon the feet of his steed, Felardf, father of horses. So men still sing in the evening.’ With these words the travellers passed the silent mounds. Following the winding way up the green shoulders of the hills, they came at last to the wide wind-swept walls and the gates of Edoras. There sat many men in bright mail, who sprang at once to their feet and barred the way with spears. ‘Stay, strangers here unknown!’ they cried in the tongue of the Riddermark, demanding the names and errand of the strangers. Wonder was in their eyes but little friendliness; and they looked darkly upon Gandalf. ‘Well do I understand your speech,’ he answered in the same language; ‘yet few strangers do so. Why then do you not speak in the Common Tongue, as is the custom in the West, if you wish to be answered?’ ‘It is the will of Théoden King that none should enter his gates, save those who know our tongue and are our friends,’ replied one of the guards. ‘None are welcome here in days of war but our own folk, and those that come from Mundburg in the land of Gondor. Who are you that come heedless over the plain thus strangely clad, riding horses like to our own horses? Long have we kept guard here, and we have watched you from afar. Never have we seen other riders so strange, nor any horse more proud than is one of these that bear you. He is one of the Mearas, unless our eyes are cheated by some spell.
精靈與矮人聽不懂；但他們仍舊聆聽，因為那語言中蘊含著強烈的音樂性。「我猜，那是洛汗人的語言，」勒苟拉斯說；「因為它就像這片土地本身；時而豐饒起伏，時而又如山脈般堅硬嚴峻。但我猜不出它的意思，只感覺到它滿載著凡人的悲傷。」「用通用語來說，」亞拉岡說，「盡我所能轉述，是這樣的：『如今良駒與騎士何在？那曾吹響的號角何在？頭盔與鎧甲，與那飄揚的亮髮何在？撫琴的手，與那熾熱的紅火何在？春天與收穫，與那高長的穀物何在？它們已逝，如山間之雨，如草原之風；歲月已沉入西方，隱沒於山後的陰影。誰能拾起那枯木焚燒的青煙，或目睹流年自大海歸返？』很久以前，洛汗一位被遺忘的詩人如此吟唱，追憶著那從北方南下的年輕伊歐是何等高大俊美；他的坐騎，眾馬之父費拉羅夫，蹄上彷彿生有雙翼。所以人們至今仍在晚間傳唱。」說著這些話，旅人們經過了那些沉寂的墳塚。沿著蜿蜒的小路登上翠綠的山肩，他們終於來到伊多拉斯那風勢強勁的寬闊城牆與城門前。那裡坐著許多身穿光亮鎧甲的士兵，他們立刻跳起來，用長矛擋住去路。「站住，陌生的異鄉人！」他們用驃騎國的語言喊道，要求陌生人報上姓名與來意。他們眼中充滿了驚奇，但沒什麼友善之意；他們不懷好意地打量著甘道夫。「你的話我完全聽得懂，」他用同樣的語言回答；「但很少有外人能懂。若想得到回答，為何不像西方慣例那樣，說通用語呢？」「希優頓王的旨意是，除了通曉我國語言且是我們朋友的人之外，任何人都不得進入他的城門。」其中一名守衛回答。「在戰爭時期，這裡不歡迎任何人，除了我們自己人，以及那些來自剛鐸之地蒙德堡的人。你們是誰，竟如此不顧一切地穿越平原，穿著這般奇異，騎的馬又與我們的馬如此相像？我們在此守衛已久，也已遠遠觀察你們多時。我們從未見過如此奇怪的騎士，也未見過比你們所騎的這匹更驕傲的馬。除非我們的眼睛被什麼法術欺騙了，否則牠是影疾之一。」
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 509 Say, are you not a wizard, some spy from Saruman, or phantoms of his craft? Speak now and be swift!’ ‘We are no phantoms,’ said Aragorn, ‘nor do your eyes cheat you. For indeed these are your own horses that we ride, as you knew well ere you asked, I guess. But seldom does thief ride home to the stable. Here are Hasufel and Arod, that Eomer, the Third Marshal of the Mark, lent to us, only two days ago. We bring them back now, even as we promised him. Has not Eomer then returned and given warning of our coming?’ A troubled look came into the guard’s eyes. ‘Of Eomer I have naught to say,’ he answered. ‘If what you tell me is truth, then doubtless Théoden will have heard of it. Maybe your coming was not wholly unlooked-for. It is but two nights ago that Wormtongue came to us and said that by the will of Théoden no stranger should pass these gates.’ “‘Wormtongue?’ said Gandalf, looking sharply at the guard. ‘Say no more! My errand is not to Wormtongue, but to the Lord of the Mark himself. I am in haste. Will you not go or send to say that we are come?’ His eyes glinted under his deep brows as he bent his gaze upon the man. “Yes, I will go,’ he answered slowly. ‘But what names shall I report? And what shall I say of you? Old and weary you seem now, and yet you are fell and grim beneath, I deem.’ ‘Well do you see and speak,’ said the wizard. ‘For I am Gandalf. I have returned. And behold! I too bring back a horse. Here is Shadowfax the Great, whom no other hand can tame. And here beside me is Aragorn son of Arathorn, the heir of Kings, and it is to Mundburg that he goes. Here also are Legolas the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf, our comrades. Go now and say to your master that we are at his gates and would have speech with him, if he will permit us to come into his hall.’ ‘Strange names you give indeed! But I will report them as you bid, and learn my master’s will,’ said the guard. ‘Wait here a little while, and I will bring you such answer as seems good to him. Do not hope too much! These are dark days.’ He went swiftly away, leaving the strangers in the watchful keeping of his comrades. After some time he returned. ‘Follow me!’ he said. “Théoden gives you leave to enter; but any weapon that you bear, be it only a staff, you must leave on the threshold. The doorwardens will keep them.’ The dark gates were swung open. The travellers entered, walking in file behind their guide. They found a broad path, paved with hewn stones, now winding upward, now climbing in short flights of well-laid steps. Many houses built of wood and many dark doors they passed.
「說，你們是不是巫師，薩魯曼派來的間諜，還是他法術變出來的幻影？快說！」 「我們不是幻影，」亞拉岡說，「你的眼睛也沒騙你。我們騎的確實是你們的馬，我想你在問之前就知道了。但小偷很少會把馬騎回馬廄。這是哈蘇費爾和亞羅德，是驃騎國第三元帥伊歐墨兩天前借給我們的。我們現在依約歸還。難道伊歐墨還沒回來，也沒預告我們會來嗎？」 衛兵眼中閃過一絲不安。「關於伊歐墨，我無可奉告。」他回答。「如果你說的是實話，那希優頓想必已經聽說了。或許你們的到來並非完全出乎意料。就在兩天前，巧言來找我們，說奉希優頓之命，任何陌生人不得通過這些大門。」 「巧言？」甘道夫說，銳利地看著衛兵。「別再說了！我不是來找巧言的，而是要見驃騎王本人。我很趕時間。你不能去通報或派人說我們到了嗎？」他深邃的眉毛下，雙眼閃著光芒，目光緊盯著那人。 「是的，我會去。」他緩緩回答。「但我該回報什麼名字？我該怎麼形容你們？你們現在看起來又老又累，但我認為你們骨子裡既兇猛又嚴峻。」 「你看得透徹，說得也好。」巫師說。「因為我就是甘道夫。我回來了。而且你看！我也帶回一匹馬。這是影疾，無人能馴服的駿馬。我身邊這位是亞拉松之子亞拉岡，眾王之嗣，他正要前往蒙德堡。這裡還有精靈勒苟拉斯和矮人金靂，我們的同伴。現在去告訴你的主人，我們已在他門前，若他允許，希望能進殿與他一談。」 「你們報上的名字確實很奇怪！但我會照你說的去回報，並探詢我主人的意願。」衛兵說。「在這裡稍等片刻，我會帶回他認為合適的答覆。別抱太大希望！這世道很黑暗。」他迅速離開，將陌生人留給同伴們看守。過了一會兒，他回來了。 「跟我來！」他說。「希優頓准許你們進入；但你們攜帶的任何武器，哪怕只是一根法杖，都必須留在門檻外。門衛會保管它們。」 黑暗的大門敞開了。旅人們跟在嚮導身後，排成一列走了進去。他們走上了一條寬闊的道路，路面由鑿切的石頭鋪成，時而蜿蜒向上，時而化為一段段鋪設精良的短階梯。他們經過了許多木造房屋和許多深色的門。
510 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Beside the way in a stone channel a stream of clear water flowed, sparkling and chattering. At length they came to the crown of the hill. There stood a high platform above a green terrace, at the foot of which a bright spring gushed from a stone carved in the likeness of a horse’s head; beneath was a wide basin from which the water spilled and fed the falling stream. Up the green terrace went a stair of stone, high and broad, and on either side of the topmost step were stone-hewn seats. There sat other guards, with drawn swords laid upon their knees. Their golden hair was braided on their shoulders; the sun was blazoned upon their green shields, their long corslets were burnished bright, and when they rose taller they seemed than mortal men. “There are the doors before you,’ said the guide. ‘I must return now to my duty at the gate. Farewell! And may the Lord of the Mark be gracious to you!’ He turned and went swiftly back down the road. The others climbed the long stair under the eyes of the tall watchmen. Silent they stood now above and spoke no word, until Gandalf stepped out upon the paved terrace at the stair’s head. Then suddenly with clear voices they spoke a courteous greeting in their own tongue. ‘Hail, comers from afar!’ they said, and they turned the hilts of their swords towards the travellers in token of peace. Green gems flashed in the sunlight. Then one of the guards stepped forward and spoke in the Common Speech. ‘I am the Doorward of Théoden,’ he said. ‘Hama is my name. Here I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter.’ Then Legolas gave into his hand his silver-hafted knife, his quiver, and his bow. ‘Keep these well,’ he said, ‘for they come from the Golden Wood and the Lady of Lothlorien gave them to me.’ Wonder came into the man’s eyes, and he laid the weapons hastily by the wall, as if he feared to handle them. ‘No man will touch them, I promise you,’ he said. Aragorn stood a while hesitating. ‘It is not my will,’ he said, ‘to put aside my sword or to deliver Anduril to the hand of any other man.’ ‘It is the will of Théoden,’ said Hama. ‘It is not clear to me that the will of Théoden son of Thengel, even though he be lord of the Mark, should prevail over the will of Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elendil’s heir of Gondor.’ “This is the house of Théoden, not of Aragorn, even were he King of Gondor in the seat of Denethor,’ said Hama, stepping swiftly before the doors and barring the way. His sword was now in his hand and the point towards the strangers. “This is idle talk,’ said Gandalf. ‘Needless is Théoden’s demand,
勒苟拉斯於是將他那把銀柄小刀、箭袋和弓交到他手中。「好好保管這些，」他說，「它們來自黃金森林，是羅斯洛立安的夫人贈予我的。」那人眼中流露出驚奇之色，他趕忙將武器靠牆放好，彷彿害怕觸碰它們。「我向你保證，沒有人會碰它們的，」他說。亞拉岡猶豫地站了一會兒。「我無意放下我的劍，也無意將安都瑞爾聖劍交到任何其他人手中。」他說。「這是希優頓的意志，」哈瑪說。「我並不清楚，希優頓，塞哲爾之子的意志，即便他是驃騎國之主，是否應凌駕於亞拉岡，亞拉松之子，剛鐸的伊蘭迪爾繼承人的意志之上。」「這裡是希優頓的殿堂，不是亞拉岡的，即便他坐上了迪耐瑟的位子，成為了剛鐸之王。」哈瑪說著，迅速跨步到門前，擋住了去路。他的劍已握在手中，劍尖指向這群陌生人。「這是空談，」甘道夫說。「希優頓的要求是沒有必要的，
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL SII but it is useless to refuse. A king will have his way in his own hall, be it folly or wisdom.’ ‘Truly,’ said Aragorn. ‘And I would do as the master of the house bade me, were this only a woodman’s cot, if I bore now any sword but Anduril.’ ‘Whatever its name may be,’ said Hama, ‘here you shall lay it, if you would not fight alone against all the men in Edoras.’ ‘Not alone!’ said Gimli, fingering the blade of his axe, and looking darkly up at the guard, as if he were a young tree that Gimli had a mind to fell. “Not alone!’ ‘Come, come!’ said Gandalf. ‘We are all friends here. Or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward, if we quarrel. My errand is pressing. Here at least is my sword, goodman Hama. Keep it well. Glamdring it is called, for the Elves made it long ago. Now let me pass. Come, Aragorn!’ Slowly Aragorn unbuckled his belt and himself set his sword upright against the wall. ‘Here I set it,’ he said; ‘but I command you not to touch it, nor to permit any other to lay hand on it. In this Elvish sheath dwells the Blade that was Broken and has been made again. Telchar first wrought it in the deeps of time. Death shall come to any man that draws Elendil’s sword save Elendil’s heir.’ The guard stepped back and looked with amazement on Aragorn. ‘It seems that you are come on the wings of song out of the forgotten days,’ he said. ‘It shall be, lord, as you command.’ ‘Well,’ said Gimli, ‘if it has Anduril to keep it company, my axe may stay here, too, without shame’; and he laid it on the floor. ‘Now then, if all is as you wish, let us go and speak with your master.’ The guard still hesitated. ‘Your staff,’ he said to Gandalf. ‘Forgive me, but that too must be left at the doors.’ ‘Foolishness!’ said Gandalf. ‘Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another. I am old. If I may not lean on my stick as I go, then I will sit out here, until it pleases Théoden to hobble out himself to speak with me.’ Aragorn laughed. ‘Every man has something too dear to trust to another. But would you part an old man from his support? Come, will you not let us enter?’ “The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age,’ said Hama. He looked hard at the ash-staff on which Gandalf leaned. ‘Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honour, who have no evil purpose. You may go in.’ The guards now lifted the heavy bars of the doors and swung them slowly inwards grumbling on their great hinges. The travellers
「……但拒絕是沒有用的。國王在自己的殿堂裡，無論是愚蠢還是明智，都會堅持己見。」「確實如此，」亞拉岡說。「若這只是一間樵夫小屋，我也會遵從主人的吩咐，只要我帶的不是安都瑞爾這把劍。」「不管它叫什麼名字，」哈瑪說，「你都得把它放在這裡，除非你想獨自對抗伊多拉斯所有的人。」「不是獨自一人！」金靂說，他撫摸著斧刃，陰沉地抬頭看著衛兵，彷彿對方是一棵他想砍倒的小樹。「不是獨自一人！」「好了，好了！」甘道夫說。「我們在這裡都是朋友。或者說應該是；如果我們爭吵，魔多的嘲笑將是我們唯一的獎賞。我的任務很緊急。哈瑪好漢，至少我的劍在這裡。好好保管它。它叫格蘭瑞，是精靈在很久以前打造的。現在讓我過去吧。來吧，亞拉岡！」亞拉岡緩緩解下腰帶，親手將劍豎立靠在牆上。「我把它放在這裡，」他說，「但我命令你不得觸碰它，也不許任何人動它。在這精靈劍鞘中，住著那把曾斷裂又重鑄的聖劍。泰爾查在遠古時代首次鑄造了它。除了伊蘭迪爾的繼承人，任何拔出伊蘭迪爾之劍的人都將迎來死亡。」衛兵後退一步，驚訝地看著亞拉岡。「看來您是乘著歌聲的翅膀，從被遺忘的歲月裡走來的，」他說。「大人，一切將如您所吩咐。」「好吧，」金靂說，「如果有安都瑞爾作伴，我的斧頭待在這裡也不算丟臉了。」說著他便把斧頭放在地上。「那麼，如果一切都如你所願，讓我們去和你的主人談談吧。」衛兵仍然猶豫不決。「您的法杖，」他對甘道夫說。「請原諒我，但那也必須留在門口。」「胡鬧！」甘道夫說。「謹慎是一回事，無禮是另一回事。我年紀大了。如果我走路時不能拄著拐杖，那我就坐在這裡，直到希優頓大王自己願意跛著腳出來跟我說話。」亞拉岡笑了。「每個人都有自己珍愛到不願託付給他人的東西。但你要把一位老人的支撐物拿走嗎？來吧，你還不讓我們進去嗎？」「法杖在巫師手中，可能不只是年長者的支撐物，」哈瑪說。他凝視著甘道夫倚靠的白蠟木法杖。「然而，在疑惑之時，有價值的人會相信自己的智慧。我相信你們是值得尊敬的朋友和人們，沒有任何惡意。你們可以進去了。」衛兵們現在抬起沉重的門閂，緩緩地將門向內推開，巨大的門軸發出嘎吱作響的聲音。旅人們
512 THE LORD OF THE RINGS entered. Inside it seemed dark and warm after the clear air upon the hill. The hall was long and wide and filled with shadows and half lights; mighty pillars upheld its lofty roof. But here and there bright sunbeams fell in glimmering shafts from the eastern windows, high under the deep eaves. Through the louver in the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing smoke, the sky showed pale and blue. As their eyes changed, the travellers perceived that the floor was paved with stones of many hues; branching runes and strange devices intertwined beneath their feet. They saw now that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and half-seen colours. Many woven cloths were hung upon the walls, and over their wide spaces marched figures of ancient legend, some dim with years, some darkling in the shade. But upon one form the sunlight fell: a young man upon a white horse. He was blowing a great horn, and his yellow hair was flying in the wind. The horse’s head was lifted, and its nostrils were wide and red as it neighed, smelling battle afar. Foaming water, green and white, rushed and curled about its knees. ‘Behold Eorl the Young!’ said Aragorn. “Thus he rode out of the North to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant.’ Now the four companions went forward, past the clear wood-fire burning upon the long hearth in the midst of the hall. Then they halted. At the far end of the house, beyond the hearth and facing north towards the doors, was a dais with three steps; and in the middle of the dais was a great gilded chair. Upon it sat a man so bent with age that he seemed almost a dwarf; but his white hair was long and thick and fell in great braids from beneath a thin golden circlet set upon his brow. In the centre upon his forehead shone a single white diamond. His beard was laid like snow upon his knees; but his eyes still burned with a bright light, glinting as he gazed at the strangers. Behind his chair stood a woman clad in white. At his feet upon the steps sat a wizened figure of a man, with a pale wise face and heavy-lidded eyes. There was a silence. The old man did not move in his chair. At length Gandalf spoke. ‘Hail, Théoden son of Thengel! I have returned. For behold! the storm comes, and now all friends should gather together, lest each singly be destroyed.’ Slowly the old man rose to his feet, leaning heavily upon a short black staff with a handle of white bone; and now the strangers saw that, bent though he was, he was still tall and must in youth have been high and proud indeed. ‘I greet you,’ he said, ‘and maybe you look for welcome. But truth to tell your welcome is doubtful here, Master Gandalf. You have ever been a herald of woe. Troubles follow you like crows, and ever the
他們走了進去。相較於山丘上清新的空氣，大廳內部顯得既黑暗又溫暖。廳堂既長且寬，充滿了陰影與半明半暗的光線；宏偉的石柱支撐著高聳的屋頂。但東邊高窗，在深深的屋簷下，不時有明亮的陽光穿透，投下一道道閃爍的光束。透過屋頂上方的天窗，在裊裊升起的縷縷炊煙之上，天空呈現出淡藍色。當他們的眼睛適應光線後，旅人們察覺到地板是由各色石塊鋪成的；分岔的盧恩文字和奇特的圖案在他們腳下交織。他們現在看到，那些柱子上雕刻著繁複的圖案，閃爍著黃金與半明半暗的色彩。牆上掛著許多織錦，寬闊的布面上行進著古代傳說中的人物，有些因歲月而模糊，有些在陰影中變得黯淡。但陽光正好落在其中一幅畫像上：一位騎著白馬的年輕人。他正吹著一個巨大的號角，黃色的頭髮在風中飛揚。馬兒的頭高高揚起，鼻孔又寬又紅，彷彿聞到了遠方的戰意而嘶鳴。綠白相間的泡沫般的水花在牠的膝蓋周圍奔騰捲曲。「看，那就是年輕的伊歐！」亞拉岡說。「他就是這樣從北方出發，奔赴凱勒布蘭特平原之戰。」現在，四位夥伴繼續前行，經過大廳中央長長的爐床上燃燒著的明亮柴火。然後他們停下了腳步。在大廳的盡頭，爐床的另一邊，正對著北面大門的地方，有一個三級的台階；台階中央擺著一張巨大的鍍金椅子。椅子上坐著一個因年老而極度佝僂的男人，他看起來幾乎像個矮人；但他那白色的長髮既長又濃密，從他額頭上戴著的一個細細的金環下垂落，編成巨大的辮子。在他額頭中央，一顆白色的鑽石閃閃發光。他的鬍鬚像雪一樣鋪在膝上；但他的眼睛依然燃燒著明亮的光芒，當他凝視著陌生人時，眼中閃爍著精光。他的椅子後面站著一位身穿白衣的女子。在他腳邊的台階上，坐著一個面容枯槁的男人，臉色蒼白而睿智，雙眼眼皮沉重。一片寂靜。老人坐在椅子上一動也不動。終於，甘道夫開口了。「向您致敬，炎格之子希優頓！我回來了。因為看啊！暴風雨即將來臨，現在所有的朋友都應該聚集在一起，以免被逐一摧毀。」老人緩緩地站起身，沉重地倚靠著一根鑲有白骨握柄的短黑手杖；現在陌生人們才看到，他雖然身體佝僂，但仍然很高，年輕時必定是高大而驕傲的。「我向你們致意，」他說，「也許你們期待著歡迎。但說實話，你們在這裡的受歡迎程度是可疑的，甘道夫大師。你向來是個帶來災禍的信使。麻煩像烏鴉一樣跟著你，而且總是⋯⋯」
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 513 oftener the worse. I will not deceive you: when I heard that Shadowfax had come back riderless, I rejoiced at the return of the horse, but still more at the lack of the rider; and when Eomer brought the tidings that you had gone at last to your long home, I did not mourn. But news from afar is seldom sooth. Here you come again! And with you come evils worse than before, as might be expected. Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow? Tell me that.’ Slowly he sat down again in his chair. “You speak justly, lord,’ said the pale man sitting upon the steps of the dais. ‘It is not yet five days since the bitter tidings came that Théodred your son was slain upon the West Marches: your righthand, Second Marshal of the Mark. In Eomer there is little trust. Few men would be left to guard your walls, if he had been allowed to rule. And even now we learn from Gondor that the Dark Lord is stirring in the East. Such is the hour in which this wanderer chooses to return. Why indeed should we welcome you, Master Stormcrow? Lathspell I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill guest they say.’ He laughed grimly, as he lifted his heavy lids for a moment and gazed on the strangers with dark eyes. “You are held wise, my friend Wormtongue, and are doubtless a great support to your master,’ answered Gandalf in a soft voice. ‘Yet in two ways may a man come with evil tidings. He may be a worker of evil; or he may be such as leaves well alone, and comes only to bring aid in time of need.’ “That is so,’ said Wormtongue; ‘but there is a third kind: pickers of bones, meddlers in other men’s sorrows, carrion-fowl that grow fat on war. What aid have you ever brought, Stormcrow? And what aid do you bring now? It was aid from us that you sought last time that you were here. Then my lord bade you choose any horse that you would and be gone; and to the wonder of all you took Shadowfax in your insolence. My lord was sorely grieved; yet to some it seemed that to speed you from the land the price was not too great. I guess that it is likely to turn out the same once more: you will seek aid rather than render it. Do you bring men? Do you bring horses, swords, spears? That I would call aid; that is our present need. But who are these that follow at your tail? Three ragged wanderers in grey, and you yourself the most beggar-like of the four!’ “The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden son of Thengel,’ said Gandalf. ‘Has not the messenger from your gate reported the names of my companions? Seldom has any lord of Rohan received three such guests. Weapons they have laid at your doors that are worth many a mortal man, even the mightiest. Grey is their raiment, for the Elves clad them, and thus they have passed through the shadow of great perils to your hall.’
金殿之王 513 頁，往往是越糟。我不會欺騙你：當我聽說影疾獨自歸來，馬背上不見騎士時，我為馬匹的回歸而高興，但更為騎士的缺席而欣喜；而當伊歐墨帶來你終於魂歸長眠之所的消息時，我並未哀悼。但遠方來的消息很少是真的。你又回來了！而且如預料中地，你帶來了比以往更糟的災禍。我為何要歡迎你，甘道夫・風暴烏鴉？告訴我。」他緩緩地在椅子上坐下。「您說得公正，我主。」坐在王座台階上的那個臉色蒼白的男人說。「傳來您兒子希優德在西邊界陣亡的噩耗至今還不到五天，他是您的得力助手，驃騎國的第二元帥。伊歐墨此人不太可信。若讓他掌權，恐怕就沒幾個人留下來守衛您的城牆了。而就在此刻，我們從剛鐸得知，黑暗魔君正在東方蠢蠢欲動。這位流浪者卻偏偏選在這種時刻回來。我們確實為何要歡迎您呢，風暴烏鴉大師？我稱你為『惡耗』(Lathspell)，也就是壞消息；而俗話說，壞消息就是不受歡迎的客人。」他陰森地笑了，抬起沉重的眼皮，用陰暗的眼睛瞪著那些陌生人。「你被認為是明智的，我的朋友巧言，而且無疑是你主人的重要支柱。」甘道夫用柔和的聲音回答。「然而，一個人帶來壞消息，可能有兩種情況。他可能是個作惡之人；或者，他可能是那種不願多事，只在需要時才前來援助的人。」「確實如此。」巧言說，「但還有第三種：撿拾屍骨的人，插手他人悲傷的閒人，靠戰爭養肥自己的食腐鳥。你帶來過什麼援助，風暴烏鴉？你現在又帶來了什麼援助？上次你在這裡時，尋求的是我們的援助。當時我主命你任選一匹馬然後離開；而你竟傲慢地挑走了影疾，讓眾人驚訝不已。我主為此傷心欲絕；但在一些人看來，為了將你盡速送離此地，這個代價並不算太高。我猜這次情況可能還是一樣：你會尋求援助，而非提供援助。你帶來了人嗎？你帶來了馬、劍、矛嗎？那才是我所謂的援助；那才是我們當前的需要。但跟在你身後的這些人是誰？三個衣衫襤褸的灰色流浪者，而你自己則是四人中最像乞丐的一個！」「希優頓，塞哲爾之子，你大廳的禮數近來有些衰減了。」甘道夫說。「難道你城門的信使沒有報告我同伴的名字嗎？洛汗的領主很少接待過這樣三位貴客。他們在門口放下的武器，其價值遠勝許多凡人，即便是最強大的凡人。他們的衣袍是灰色的，因為那是精靈為他們所製，他們也因此得以穿過重重巨大危險的陰影，來到你的大廳。
514 THE LORD OF THE RINGS ‘Then it is true, as Eomer reported, that you are in league with the Sorceress of the Golden Wood?’ said Wormtongue. ‘It is not to be wondered at: webs of deceit were ever woven in Dwimordene.’ Gimli strode a pace forward, but felt suddenly the hand of Gandalf clutch him by the shoulder, and he halted, standing stiff as stone. In Dwimordene, in Lorien Seldom have walked the feet of Men, Few mortal eyes have seen the light That lies there ever, long and bright. Galadriel! Galadriel! Clear is the water of your well; White 1s the star in your white hand; Unmarred, unstained ts leaf and land In Dwimordene, in Lorien More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men. Thus Gandalf softly sang, and then suddenly he changed. Casting his tattered cloak aside, he stood up and leaned no longer on his staff; and he spoke in a clear cold voice. “The wise speak only of what they know, Grima son of Galmod. A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightning falls.’ He raised his staff. There was a roll of thunder. The sunlight was blotted out from the eastern windows; the whole hall became suddenly dark as night. The fire faded to sullen embers. Only Gandalf could be seen, standing white and tall before the blackened hearth. In the gloom they heard the hiss of Wormtongue’s voice: ‘Did I not counsel you, lord, to forbid his staff? That fool, Hama, has betrayed us!’ There was a flash as if lightning had cloven the roof. Then all was silent. Wormtongue sprawled on his face. ‘Now Théoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me?’ said Gandalf. ‘Do you ask for help?’ He lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining sky. ‘Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you. Will you hear them? They are not for all ears. I bid you come out before your doors and look abroad. Too long have you sat in shadows and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings.’
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 515 Slowly Théoden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again. The woman hastened to the king’s side, taking his arm, and with faltering steps the old man came down from the dais and paced softly through the hall. Wormtongue remained lying on the floor. They came to the doors and Gandalf knocked. ‘Open!’ he cried. “The Lord of the Mark comes forth!’ The doors rolled back and a keen air came whistling in. A wind was blowing on the hill. ‘Send your guards down to the stairs’ foot,’ said Gandalf. ‘And you, lady, leave him a while with me. I will care for him.’ ‘Go, Eowyn sister-daughter!’ said the old king. ‘The time for fear is past.’ The woman turned and went slowly into the house. As she passed the doors she turned and looked back. Grave and thoughtful was her glance, as she looked on the king with cool pity in her eyes. Very fair was her face, and her long hair was like a river of gold. Slender and tall she was in her white robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a daughter of kings. Thus Aragorn for the first time in the full light of day beheld Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, and thought her fair, fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood. And she now was suddenly aware of him: tall heir of kings, wise with many winters, greycloaked, hiding a power that yet she felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swiftly she was gone. ‘Now, lord,’ said Gandalf, ‘look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!’ From the porch upon the top of the high terrace they could see beyond the stream the green fields of Rohan fading into distant grey. Curtains of wind-blown rain were slanting down. The sky above and to the west was still dark with thunder, and lightning far away flickered among the tops of hidden hills. But the wind had shifted to the north, and already the storm that had come out of the East was receding, rolling away southward to the sea. Suddenly through a rent in the clouds behind them a shaft of sun stabbed down. The falling showers gleamed like silver, and far away the river glittered like a shimmering glass. ‘It is not so dark here,’ said Théoden. ‘No,’ said Gandalf. ‘Nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders as some would have you think. Cast aside your prop!’ From the king’s hand the black staff fell clattering on the stones. He drew himself up, slowly, as a man that is stiff from long bending over some dull toil. Now tall and straight he stood, and his eyes were blue as he looked into the opening sky. ‘Dark have been my dreams of late,’ he said, ‘but I feel as one
希優頓緩緩地離開他的座椅。大廳裡再次亮起微光。那名女子趕緊來到國王身邊，扶著他的手臂，老人步履蹣跚地走下高台，輕輕地穿過大廳。巧言依舊躺在地板上。他們來到門前，甘道夫敲了敲門。「開門！」他喊道。「驃騎王要出來了！」門向後滾開，一股清冽的空氣呼嘯而入。山丘上正颳著風。「派你的衛兵到階梯腳下，」甘道夫說。「而您，女士，讓他與我獨處片刻。我會照顧他。」「去吧，伊歐玟，我姊姊的女兒！」老國王說。「恐懼的時刻已經過去了。」那名女子轉身，緩緩走進屋內。經過門口時，她轉過身回望。她的眼神莊重而若有所思，眼中帶著一絲冷靜的憐憫看著國王。她的容顏極其美麗，長長的金髮宛如一條黃金的河流。她身穿白色長袍，繫著銀色腰帶，身形纖細而高挑；但她看起來既堅強又如鋼鐵般嚴峻，不愧為王者之女。就這樣，亞拉岡第一次在光天化日之下，見到了羅翰的女士伊歐玟，覺得她美麗，美麗而冰冷，宛如一個尚未成熟的早春清晨。而她此刻也突然注意到了他：身形高大，是君王的繼承人，歷經無數寒冬而充滿智慧，身披灰袍，隱藏著一股她卻能感受到的力量。她像石頭一樣靜立了片刻，然後迅速轉身離去。「好了，吾主，」甘道夫說，「看看您的國土吧！再次呼吸自由的空氣！」從高台頂端的門廊上，他們可以越過溪流，看到羅翰的綠色田野逐漸消失在遠方的灰色之中。被風吹拂的雨幕斜斜地落下。上方和西方的天空仍因雷聲而昏暗，遠處的閃電在隱蔽的山頂間閃爍。但風已轉向北方，那場來自東方的風暴正在退去，向南滾滾而去，朝著大海。突然，他們身後雲層的一道裂縫中，一束陽光猛地刺下。落下的陣雨如銀光閃爍，遠處的河流像閃閃發光的玻璃般晶瑩。「這裡不那麼暗了，」希優頓說。「是的，」甘道夫說。「歲月也並不像某些人想讓您以為的那樣沉重地壓在您的肩上。丟掉您的支柱吧！」那根黑色的手杖從國王手中噹啷一聲掉在石頭上。他挺直身子，動作緩慢，像一個因長期彎腰做著乏味苦工而身體僵硬的人。現在他站得又高又直，當他望向漸開的天空時，他的眼睛是藍色的。「我近來的夢境一直很黑暗，」他說，「但我覺得自己彷彿……
516 THE LORD OF THE RINGS new-awakened. I would now that you had come before, Gandalf. For I fear that already you have come too late, only to see the last days of my house. Not long now shall stand the high hall which Brego son of Eorl built. Fire shall devour the high seat. What is to be done?’ ‘Much,’ said Gandalf. ‘But first send for Eomer. Do I not guess rightly that you hold him prisoner, by the counsel of Grima, of him that all save you name the Wormtongue?’ ‘It is true,’ said Théoden. ‘He had rebelled against my commands, and threatened death to Grima in my hall.’ ‘A man may love you and yet not love Wormtongue or his counsels,’ said Gandalf. “That may be. I will do as you ask. Call Hama to me. Since he proved untrusty as a doorward, let him become an errand-runner. The guilty shall bring the guilty to judgement,’ said Theoden, and his voice was grim, yet he looked at Gandalf and smiled and as he did so many lines of care were smoothed away and did not return. When Hama had been summoned and had gone, Gandalf led Théoden to a stone seat, and then sat himself before the king upon the topmost stair. Aragorn and his companions stood nearby. “There is no time to tell all that you should hear,’ said Gandalf. “Yet if my hope is not cheated, a time will come ere long when I can speak more fully. Behold! you are come into a peril greater even than the wit of Wormtongue could weave into your dreams. But see! you dream no longer. You live. Gondor and Rohan do not stand alone. The enemy is strong beyond our reckoning, yet we have a hope at which he has not guessed.’ Quickly now Gandalf spoke. His voice was low and secret, and none save the king heard what he said. But ever as he spoke the light shone brighter in Théoden’s eye, and at the last he rose from his seat to his full height, and Gandalf beside him, and together they looked out from the high place towards the East. ‘Verily,’ said Gandalf, now in a loud voice, keen and clear, ‘that way lies our hope, where sits our greatest fear. Doom hangs still on a thread. Yet hope there is still, if we can but stand unconquered for a little while.’ The others too now turned their eyes eastward. Over the sundering leagues of land, far away they gazed to the edge of sight, and hope and fear bore their thoughts still on, beyond dark mountains to the Land of Shadow. Where now was the Ring-bearer? How thin indeed was the thread upon which doom still hung! It seemed to Legolas, as he strained his farseeing eyes, that he caught a glint of white: far away perchance the sun twinkled on a pinnacle of the Tower of
516《魔戒》新生。我真希望你早點來，甘道夫。因為我怕你已經來得太遲，只能見證我王室的末日了。伊奧之子布雷哥所建的高聳宮殿將不久於世。火焰將吞噬王座。我們該怎麼辦？」「能做的很多，」甘道夫說。「但首先，派人去找伊歐墨。我猜得沒錯吧，你聽從了葛力馬——那個除了你以外，所有人都稱之為『蠕舌』的傢伙——的建議，把他囚禁了？」「沒錯，」希優頓說。「他違抗我的命令，還在我的大殿上威脅要殺死葛力馬。」「一個人可以愛戴您，卻不愛戴蠕舌或他的計謀。」甘道夫說。「或許吧。我會照你說的做。叫哈瑪來見我。既然他當門衛不可信，就讓他去做個跑腿的。讓有罪之人將有罪之人帶來審判。」希優頓說，聲音嚴峻，但他看著甘道夫笑了，這一笑，他臉上許多憂慮的皺紋都舒展開來，不再復現。哈瑪被召來並離開後，甘道夫領著希優頓到一個石凳上坐下，然後自己坐在國王面前最高的台階上。亞拉岡和他的同伴們站在附近。「沒有時間告訴你所有該聽的事了，」甘道夫說。「不過，如果我的希望沒有落空，不久之後就會有時間讓我更詳盡地說明。看啊！你所陷入的危險，甚至比蠕舌的巧智能夠編織進你夢中的還要巨大。但是你看！你不再做夢了。你活著。剛鐸和羅翰並非孤軍奮戰。敵人強大到超乎我們的估計，但我們擁有一個他未曾料到的希望。」甘道夫迅速地說著。他的聲音低沉而隱密，除了國王，沒有人聽見他說了什麼。但隨著他說話，希優頓眼中的光芒越來越亮，最後他從座位上站起來，挺直了身軀，甘道夫也站在他身旁，他們一起從高處向東方望去。「誠然，」甘道夫說，聲音變得響亮、銳利而清晰，「我們的希望就在那個方向，那裡也坐鎮著我們最大的恐懼。厄運依然懸於一線。但只要我們能屹立不敗片刻，希望就依然存在。」其他人也將目光轉向東方。越過那分隔開來的無數里格的土地，他們遙望至視線的盡頭，希望與恐懼帶著他們的思緒繼續前行，越過黑暗的山脈，到達那魔影之地。魔戒持有者現在在哪裡？那懸掛著厄運的絲線，究竟是何等纖細！在勒苟拉斯看來，當他竭力使用他那遠視的雙眼時，他似乎捕捉到一絲白光：或許是遠方的太陽，在一座高塔的尖頂上閃爍。
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 517 Guard. And further still, endlessly remote and yet a present threat, there was a tiny tongue of flame. Slowly Théoden sat down again, as if weariness still struggled to master him against the will of Gandalf. He turned and looked at his great house. ‘Alas!’ he said, ‘that these evil days should be mine, and should come in my old age instead of that peace which I have earned. Alas for Boromir the brave! The young perish and the old linger, withering.’ He clutched his knees with his wrinkled hands. ‘Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped a sword-hilt,’ said Gandalf. Theoden rose and put his hand to his side; but no sword hung at his belt. ‘Where has Grima stowed it?’ he muttered under his breath. “Take this, dear lord!’ said a clear voice. ‘It was ever at your service.’ Two men had come softly up the stair and stood now a few steps from the top. Eomer was there. No helm was on his head, no mail was on his breast, but in his hand he held a drawn sword; and as he knelt he offered the hilt to his master. ‘How comes this?’ said Théoden sternly. He turned towards Eomer, and the men looked in wonder at him, standing now proud and erect. Where was the old man whom they had left crouching in his chair or leaning on his stick? ‘It is my doing, lord,’ said Hama, trembling. ‘I understood that Eomer was to be set free. Such joy was in my heart that maybe I have erred. Yet, since he was free again, and he a Marshal of the Mark, I brought him his sword as he bade me.’ ‘To lay at your feet, my lord,’ said Eomer. For a moment of silence Théoden stood looking down at Eomer as he knelt still before him. Neither moved. ‘Will you not take the sword?’ said Gandalf. Slowly Théoden stretched forth his hand. As his fingers took the hilt, it seemed to the watchers that firmness and strength returned to his thin arm. Suddenly he lifted the blade and swung it shimmering and whistling in the air. Then he gave a great cry. His voice rang clear as he chanted in the tongue of Rohan a call to arms. Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden! Dire deeds awake, dark 1s it eastward. Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded! Forth Eorlingas! The guards, thinking that they were summoned, sprang up the stair. They looked at their lord in amazement, and then as one man they drew their swords and laid them at his feet. ‘Command us!’ they said.
衛兵。而在更遠處，無盡遙遠卻又迫在眉睫的威脅，是一小撮火焰的舌尖。希優頓緩緩地坐下，彷彿疲憊感仍在對抗甘道夫的意志，試圖將他征服。他轉身望著自己的宏偉殿堂。「唉！」他說，「想不到這些邪惡的日子竟會是我的，竟在我理應安享和平的晚年到來。唉，為勇敢的波羅莫哀悼！年輕人殞命，而年老者卻苟延殘喘，日漸凋零。」他用佈滿皺紋的雙手緊抓著膝蓋。「如果您的手指握住劍柄，它們會更快地憶起往昔的力量。」甘道夫說。希優頓站起身，將手伸向腰側；但他的皮帶上並未掛著劍。「葛力馬把它藏到哪裡去了？」他低聲咕噥。「請收下這個，我親愛的主君！」一個清晰的聲音說道。「它永遠為您效勞。」兩個人已悄悄走上階梯，此刻正站在離頂端幾步遠的地方。伊歐墨在那裡。他頭上未戴頭盔，胸前也無鎖子甲，但手中卻握著一把出鞘的劍；他跪下的同時，將劍柄獻給他的主人。「這是怎麼回事？」希優頓嚴厲地說。他轉向伊歐墨，而眾人驚奇地看著他，此刻的他站得驕傲而挺拔。那個他們留下的、蜷縮在椅子上或拄著拐杖的老人在哪裡？「是我的主意，主君。」哈瑪顫抖地說。「我以為伊歐墨將被釋放。我心中充滿喜悅，或許因此犯了錯。然而，既然他重獲自由，而他又是驃騎王的元帥，我便照他的吩咐為他取來了劍。」「是為了將它置於您的腳下，我的主君。」伊歐墨說。在片刻的沉默中，希優頓站著，低頭看著仍跪在他面前的伊歐墨。兩人皆一動不動。「您不願拿起劍嗎？」甘道夫說。希優頓緩緩伸出手。當他的手指握住劍柄時，在旁觀者看來，堅定與力量似乎回到了他那瘦削的手臂上。他突然舉起劍刃，在空中揮舞，劍光閃爍，呼嘯作響。然後他發出一聲大喊。他用羅翰語吟唱著戰鬥的號召，聲音清晰嘹亮。「甦醒吧，立即甦醒，希優頓的騎兵！可怕的惡行已驚醒，東方一片黑暗。馬匹上鞍，號角吹響！伊歐子民，前進！」衛兵們以為自己被召喚，紛紛衝上階梯。他們驚訝地看著自己的主君，然後如一人般拔出劍，將它們置於他腳下。「請指揮我們！」他們說。
518 THE LORD OF THE RINGS ‘Westu Théoden hdl! cried Eomer. ‘It is a joy to us to see you return into your own. Never again shall it be said, Gandalf, that you come only with grief!’ “Take back your sword, Eomer, sister-son!’ said the king. ‘Go, Hama, and seek my own sword! Grima has it in his keeping. Bring him to me also. Now, Gandalf, you said that you had counsel to give, if I would hear it. What is your counsel?’ “You have yourself already taken it,’ answered Gandalf. “To put your trust in Eomer, rather than in a man of crooked mind. To cast aside regret and fear. To do the deed at hand. Every man that can ride should be sent west at once, as Eomer counselled you: we must first destroy the threat of Saruman, while we have time. If we fail, we fall. If we succeed — then we will face the next task. Meanwhile your people that are left, the women and the children and the old, should fly to the refuges that you have in the mountains. Were they not prepared against just such an evil day as this? Let them take provision, but delay not, nor burden themselves with treasures, great or small. It is their lives that are at stake.’ “This counsel seems good to me now,’ said Théoden. ‘Let all my folk get ready! But you my guests — truly you said, Gandalf, that the courtesy of my hall is lessened. You have ridden through the night, and the morning wears away. You have had neither sleep nor food. A guest-house shall be made ready: there you shall sleep, when you have eaten.’ ‘Nay, lord,’ said Aragorn. “There is no rest yet for the weary. The men of Rohan must ride forth today, and we will ride with them, axe, sword, and bow. We did not bring them to rest against your wall, Lord of the Mark. And I promised Eomer that my sword and his should be drawn together.’ ‘Now indeed there is hope of victory!’ said Eomer. ‘Hope, yes,’ said Gandalf. ‘But Isengard is strong. And other perils draw ever nearer. Do not delay, Théoden, when we are gone. Lead your people swiftly to the Hold of Dunharrow in the hills!’ ‘Nay, Gandalf!’ said the king. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself will go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better.’ “Then even the defeat of Rohan will be glorious in song,’ said Aragorn. The armed men that stood near clashed their weapons, crying: “The Lord of the Mark will ride! Forth Eorlingas!’ ‘But your people must not be both unarmed and shepherdless,’ said Gandalf. ‘Who shall guide them and govern them in your place?’ ‘I will take thought for that ere I go,’ answered Theoden. ‘Here comes my counsellor.’
「希優頓萬歲！」伊歐墨喊道。「我們很高興看到您重拾自我。甘道夫，再也不會有人說您只帶來壞消息了！」「拿回你的劍，伊歐墨，我的外甥！」國王說。「哈瑪，去找我的劍來！葛力馬保管著它。也把他帶到我面前。好了，甘道夫，你說過若我願意聽，你有些忠告要給我。你的忠告是什麼？」「您自己已經採納了。」甘道夫回答。「信任伊歐墨，而非那個心思不正的人。拋開悔恨與恐懼。完成眼前的任務。所有能騎馬的人都該如伊歐墨建議的，立刻派往西方：我們必須趁還有時間，先摧毀薩魯曼的威脅。若我們失敗，我們便滅亡。若我們成功——我們再去面對下一個任務。與此同時，您留下的人民，婦女、兒童和老人，應該趕往你們在山中的避難所。那些地方不正是為了應對今日這樣的凶險之日而準備的嗎？讓他們帶上糧食，但不要耽擱，也別讓自己被任何財寶拖累，無論大小。他們危在旦夕。」「這忠告現在聽來甚好。」希優頓說。「讓我所有的人民準備好！但我的貴客們——甘道夫，你說得沒錯，我大廳的禮數確實不周。你們徹夜騎行，上午也快過去了。你們沒睡也沒吃。我會準備好一間客房：你們用過餐後，可以在那裡休息。」「不，大人。」亞拉岡說。「疲憊之人尚無安歇之時。洛汗的將士今日必須出征，我們將與他們同行，帶著斧頭、劍與弓。我們帶這些武器來，並非是為了讓它們靠在您的牆邊休息，驃騎王。而且我已向伊歐墨承諾，我的劍將與他的一同出鞘。」「現在勝利確實有望了！」伊歐墨說。「希望，是的。」甘道夫說。「但艾辛格很強大。而且其他的危險也正步步逼近。希優頓，我們離開後，切勿耽擱。迅速帶領你的人民到山中的登哈洛要塞去！」「不，甘道夫！」國王說。「你不知道自己療癒的本事有多大。事情不會那樣發展。我本人將要出征，若命中注定，我將戰死在最前線。那樣我才能睡得更安穩。」「那麼即使洛汗戰敗，也將在詩歌中永垂不朽。」亞拉岡說。站在附近的武裝士兵敲擊著他們的武器，高喊著：「驃騎王將要出征！伊歐家族，前進！」「但你的人民不能既無武裝又無人帶領。」甘道夫說。「誰來代替你引導和治理他們？」「在我走之前我會考慮這件事。」希優頓回答。「我的顧問來了。」
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 519 At that moment Hama came again from the hall. Behind him cringing between two other men, came Grima the Wormtongue. His face was very white. His eyes blinked in the sunlight. Hama knelt and presented to Théoden a long sword in a scabbard clasped with gold and set with green gems. ‘Here, lord, is Herugrim, your ancient blade,’ he said. ‘It was found in his chest. Loth was he to render up the keys. Many other things are there which men have missed.’ “You lie,’ said Wormtongue. ‘And this sword your master himself gave into my keeping.’ ‘And he now requires it of you again,’ said Théoden. ‘Does that displease you?’ ‘Assuredly not, lord,’ said Wormtongue. ‘I care for you and yours as best I may. But do not weary yourself, or tax too heavily your strength. Let others deal with these irksome guests. Your meat is about to be set on the board. Will you not go to it?’ ‘I will,’ said Théoden. ‘And let food for my guests be set on the board beside me. The host rides today. Send the heralds forth! Let them summon all who dwell nigh! Every man and strong lad able to bear arms, all who have horses, let them be ready in the saddle at the gate ere the second hour from noon!’ ‘Dear lord!’ cried Wormtongue. ‘It is as I feared. This wizard has bewitched you. Are none to be left to defend the Golden Hall of your fathers, and all your treasure? None to guard the Lord of the Mark?’ ‘If this is bewitchment,’ said Théoden, ‘it seems to me more wholesome than your whisperings. Your leechcraft ere long would have had me walking on all fours like a beast. No, not one shall be left, not even Grima. Grima shall ride too. Go! You have yet time to clean the rust from your sword.’ ‘Mercy, lord!’ whined Wormtongue, grovelling on the ground. ‘Have pity on one worn out in your service. Send me not from your side! I at least will stand by you when all others have gone. Do not send your faithful Grima away!’ “You have my pity,’ said Theoden. ‘And I do not send you from my side. I go myself to war with my men. I bid you come with me and prove your faith.’ Wormtongue looked from face to face. In his eyes was the hunted look of a beast seeking some gap in the ring of his enemies. He licked his lips with a long pale tongue. ‘Such a resolve might be expected from a lord of the House of Eorl, old though he be,’ he said. ‘But those who truly love him would spare his failing years. Yet I see that I come too late. Others, whom the death of my lord would perhaps grieve less, have already persuaded him. If I cannot undo their
金殿之王 519 此刻，哈馬再度從大殿中走出。在他身後，葛力馬．巧言被另外兩人夾著，畏畏縮縮地跟了出來。他的臉色慘白，眼睛在陽光下不停眨動。哈馬跪下，向希優頓呈上一把長劍，劍鞘上鑲著黃金和綠色寶石。「主公，這是赫魯格林，您的古老寶劍。」他說。「是在他的箱子裡找到的。他很是不情願交出鑰匙。那裡還有許多其他人丟失的東西。」「你說謊，」巧言說。「而且這把劍是主人您親自交給我保管的。」「而他現在要你還回來，」希優頓說。「這讓你很不高興嗎？」「當然不，主公，」巧言說。「我盡我所能地關心您和您的一切。但請別讓自己太勞累，也別過度消耗您的體力。讓其他人去對付這些討厭的客人吧。您的餐點就要擺上桌了。您不去享用嗎？」「我會去的，」希優頓說。「也為我的客人在我身旁擺上食物。大軍今日出征。派出傳令官！讓他們召集所有住在附近的居民！每個能拿起武器的男人和壯丁，所有有馬的人，讓他們在午時過後兩小時前，備好馬鞍在門口集合！」「親愛的主公！」巧言哭喊道。「真如我所擔憂的。這個巫師迷惑了您。難道不留任何人來保衛您祖先的黃金宮殿和您所有的財寶嗎？不留任何人來守護驃騎國之主嗎？」「如果這就是迷惑，」希優頓說，「在我看來，這比你的竊竊私語要健康多了。你的醫術再過不久就要讓我像野獸一樣四腳爬行了。不，一個都不會留下，連葛力馬也不例外。葛力馬也要騎馬出征。去吧！你還有時間把劍上的鐵鏽清乾淨。」「饒命啊，主公！」巧言哀嚎著，卑躬屈膝地趴在地上。「可憐可憐這個為您服務而筋疲力竭的人吧。別把我從您身邊趕走！至少當所有人都離開時，我還會站在您這邊。別把您忠誠的葛力馬趕走！」「我同情你，」希優頓說。「而且我沒有把你從我身邊趕走。我要親自和我的部下上戰場。我命令你跟我一起來，證明你的忠誠。」巧言的目光在每個人的臉上掃過。他的眼神就像一頭被獵人包圍的野獸，在敵人的包圍圈中尋找缺口。他用他那蒼白而細長的舌頭舔了舔嘴唇。「這樣的決心，對於一位伊歐家族的領主來說，雖年邁卻不意外，」他說。「但那些真正愛他的人會讓他衰老的身體好好休息。然而我看得出來我來得太晚了。其他人，那些或許對我主之死不那麼悲傷的人，已經說服了他。如果我無法挽回他們……
520 THE LORD OF THE RINGS work, hear me at least in this, lord! One who knows your mind and honours your commands should be left in Edoras. Appoint a faithful steward. Let your counsellor Grima keep all things till your return — and I pray that we may see it, though no wise man will deem it hopeful.’ Eomer laughed. ‘And if that plea does not excuse you from war, most noble Wormtongue,’ he said, ‘what office of less honour would you accept? To carry a sack of meal up into the mountains — if any man would trust you with it?’ ‘Nay, Eomer, you do not fully understand the mind of Master Wormtongue,’ said Gandalf, turning his piercing glance upon him. ‘He is bold and cunning. Even now he plays a game with peril and wins a throw. Hours of my precious time he has wasted already. Down, snake!’ he said suddenly in a terrible voice. ‘Down on your belly! How long is it since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price? When all the men were dead, you were to pick your share of the treasure, and take the woman you desire? Too long have you watched her under your eyelids and haunted her steps.’ Eomer grasped his sword. “That I knew already,’ he muttered. ‘For that reason I would have slain him before, forgetting the law of the hall. But there are other reasons.’ He stepped forward, but Gandalf stayed him with his hand. ‘Eowyn is safe now,’ he said. ‘But you, Wormtongue, you have done what you could for your true master. Some reward you have earned at least. Yet Saruman is apt to overlook his bargains. I should advise you to go quickly and remind him, lest he forget your faithful service.’ “You lie,’ said Wormtongue. “That word comes too oft and easy from your lips,’ said Gandalf. ‘I do not lie. See, Theoden, here is a snake! With safety you cannot take it with you, nor can you leave it behind. To slay it would be just. But it was not always as it now is. Once it was a man, and did you service in its fashion. Give him a horse and let him go at once, wherever he chooses. By his choice you shall judge him.’ ‘Do you hear this, Wormtongue?’ said Théoden. “This is your choice: to ride with me to war, and let us see in battle whether you are true; or to go now, whither you will. But then, if ever we meet again, I shall not be merciful.’ Slowly Wormtongue rose. He looked at them with half-closed eyes. Last of all he scanned Théoden’s face and opened his mouth as if to speak. Then suddenly he drew himself up. His hands worked. His eyes glittered. Such malice was in them that men stepped back from him. He bared his teeth; and then with a hissing breath he spat before the king’s feet, and darting to one side, he fled down the stair.
「陛下，就算我的建議沒用，至少在這件事上請聽我一言！應該留一個了解您心思、並尊重您命令的人在伊多拉斯。任命一位忠誠的總管吧。讓您的顧問葛力馬在您回來前掌管一切——我祈禱我們能看到您歸來，雖然沒有智者會認為這有希望。」伊歐墨笑了。「最高貴的巧言，如果這個請求不能讓你免於戰爭，」他說，「那你願意接受什麼比較不光榮的職位呢？把一袋麵粉背上山——如果有人信得過你的話？」「不，伊歐墨，你還不完全了解巧言大師的心思，」甘道夫說，將他銳利的目光轉向葛力馬。「他既大膽又狡猾。即使是現在，他仍在險境中博弈並贏了一局。他已經浪費了我好幾個小時的寶貴時間。趴下，你這條蛇！」他突然用可怕的聲音說。「趴在地上！薩魯曼收買你多久了？承諾的代價是什麼？等所有人都死了，你就可以分一杯羹，然後帶走你渴望的女人？你覬覦她、如影隨形地跟著她已經太久了。」伊歐墨握住他的劍。「這我早就知道了，」他喃喃道。「就是因為這個原因，我之前就想殺了他，忘了大殿的法規。但還有其他理由。」他向前一步，但甘道夫用手攔住了他。「伊歐玟現在安全了，」他說。「但是你，巧言，你已經為你真正的主人盡力了。至少你贏得了一些獎賞。然而，薩魯曼常常會忽略他的交易。我建議你趕快去提醒他，免得他忘了你忠誠的服務。」「你撒謊，」巧言說。「『謊言』這個詞從你嘴裡說出來未免太過頻繁和輕易了，」甘道夫說。「我沒有撒謊。您看，希優頓，這裡有條蛇！您帶著牠不安全，也不能把牠留下。殺了牠是公正的。但牠並非向來如此。牠曾經是個人，也曾以牠的方式為您效力。給他一匹馬，讓他立刻走，去任何他想去的地方。從他的選擇中，您將能判斷他。」「你聽見了嗎，巧言？」希優頓說。「這是你的選擇：與我一同出征，讓我們在戰鬥中看看你是否忠誠；或者現在就離開，去任何你想去的地方。但若我們再相見，我將不會仁慈。」巧言緩緩地站起來。他用半瞇的眼睛看著他們。最後，他審視著希優頓的臉，張開嘴彷彿要說話。接著他突然挺直了身子。他的雙手扭動著。他的眼睛閃著光。那其中的惡意是如此之深，以至於人們都從他身邊退開。他齜牙咧嘴；然後伴隨著一聲嘶嘶的吐息，他在國王的腳前吐了口唾沫，接著猛地衝向一邊，逃下了樓梯。
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 521 ‘After him!’ said Théoden. ‘See that he does no harm to any, but do not hurt him or hinder him. Give him a horse, if he wishes it.’ ‘And if any will bear him,’ said Eomer. One of the guards ran down the stair. Another went to the well at the foot of the terrace and in his helm drew water. With it he washed clean the stones that Wormtongue had defiled. ‘Now my guests, come!’ said Theoden. ‘Come and take such refreshment as haste allows.’ They passed back into the great house. Already they heard below them in the town the heralds crying and the war-horns blowing. For the king was to ride forth as soon as the men of the town and those dwelling near could be armed and assembled. At the king’s board sat Eomer and the four guests, and there also waiting upon the king was the lady Eowyn. They ate and drank swiftly. The others were silent while Théoden questioned Gandalf concerning Saruman. ‘How far back his treachery goes, who can guess?’ said Gandalf. ‘He was not always evil. Once I do not doubt that he was the friend of Rohan; and even when his heart grew colder, he found you useful still. But for long now he has plotted your ruin, wearing the mask of friendship, until he was ready. In those years Wormtongue’s task was easy, and all that you did was swiftly known in Isengard; for your land was open, and strangers came and went. And ever Wormtongue’s whispering was in your ears, poisoning your thought, chilling your heart, weakening your limbs, while others watched and could do nothing, for your will was in his keeping. ‘But when I escaped and warned you, then the mask was torn, for those who would see. After that Wormtongue played dangerously, always seeking to delay you, to prevent your full strength being gathered. He was crafty: dulling men’s wariness, or working on their fears, as served the occasion. Do you not remember how eagerly he urged that no man should be spared on a wildgoose chase northward, when the immediate peril was westward? He persuaded you to forbid Eomer to pursue the raiding Orcs. If Eomer had not defied Wormtongue’s voice speaking with your mouth, those Orcs would have reached Isengard by now, bearing a great prize. Not indeed that prize which Saruman desires above all else, but at the least two members of my Company, sharers of a secret hope, of which even to you, lord, I cannot yet speak openly. Dare you think of what they might now be suffering, or what Saruman might now have learned to our destruction?’ ‘I owe much to Eomer,’ said Théoden. ‘Faithful heart may have froward tongue.’
金殿之王 521「跟著他！」希優頓說。「確保他不會傷害任何人，但別傷他或阻攔他。如果他想要，就給他一匹馬。」「如果還有馬肯載他的話。」伊歐墨說。一名衛兵跑下階梯。另一名走到平台底下的井邊，用頭盔汲水。他用水洗淨了被巧言玷污的石階。「現在，我的貴客們，請進！」希優頓說。「來，在匆忙之中盡量補充點體力吧。」他們回到大殿裡。他們已經聽見山下城鎮裡傳令官的呼喊和戰號的吹響。因為國王將在城鎮及附近居民武裝集結完畢後，即刻出征。在國王的餐桌上，坐著伊歐墨和四位客人，侍立在國王身旁的還有伊歐玟女士。他們迅速地吃喝。當希優頓向甘道夫詢問關於薩魯曼的事情時，其他人則保持沉默。「他的背叛可以追溯到多久以前，誰能猜到呢？」甘道夫說。「他並非一直都是邪惡的。我毫不懷疑，他曾經是洛汗的朋友；即使後來他的心變得冷酷，他仍然覺得你們很有用。但長久以來，他一直戴著友誼的面具，圖謀毀滅你們，直到他準備就緒。那些年裡，巧言的任務很輕鬆，你們所做的一切都迅速地傳到了艾辛格；因為你們的土地是開放的，陌生人來來去去。而巧言的低語總是在你耳邊，毒害你的思想，冰凍你的心，削弱你的四肢，而其他人只能眼睜睜看著，無能為力，因為你的意志已由他掌控。「但當我逃脫並警告你時，對於那些願意看清真相的人來說，面具已經被撕下了。在那之後，巧言的行事就更加危險，總是想方設法拖延你，阻止你集結全部的力量。他很狡猾：視情況削弱人們的警覺心，或利用他們的恐懼。你難道不記得嗎？當眼前的危險在西方時，他多麼熱切地敦促不應分派任何人手去北方進行那場徒勞無功的追逐？他說服你禁止伊歐墨追擊那群劫掠的半獸人。如果伊歐墨沒有違抗那藉由你口中說出的巧言之聲，那些半獸人現在早已抵達艾辛格，帶著一份大禮。雖然不是薩魯曼最渴望的那份獎賞，但至少是我遠征隊的兩名成員，他們共享一個秘密的希望，關於這個希望，即使是對您，大人，我也還不能公開說明。您敢想像他們現在可能在遭受什麼樣的折磨，或者薩魯曼可能已經學到了什麼足以毀滅我們的秘密嗎？」「我欠伊歐墨太多了。」希優頓說。「忠誠的心，也可能配上一張忤逆的嘴。」
522 THE LORD OF THE RINGS ‘Say also,’ said Gandalf, ‘that to crooked eyes truth may wear a wry face.’ ‘Indeed my eyes were almost blind,’ said Théoden. ‘Most of all I owe to you, my guest. Once again you have come in time. I would give you a gift ere we go, at your own choosing. You have only to name aught that is mine. I reserve now only my sword!’ ‘Whether I came in time or not is yet to be seen,’ said Gandalf. ‘But as for your gift, lord, I will choose one that will fit my need: swift and sure. Give me Shadowfax! He was only lent before, if loan we may call it. But now I shall ride him into great hazard, setting silver against black: I would not risk anything that is not my own. And already there is a bond of love between us.’ “You choose well,’ said Théoden; ‘and I give him now gladly. Yet it is a great gift. There is none like to Shadowfax. In him one of the mighty steeds of old has returned. None such shall return again. And to you my other guests I will offer such things as may be found in my armoury. Swords you do not need, but there are helms and coats of mail of cunning work, gifts to my fathers out of Gondor. Choose from these ere we go, and may they serve you welll’ Now men came bearing raiment of war from the king’s hoard, and they arrayed Aragorn and Legolas in shining mail. Helms too they chose, and round shields: their bosses were overlaid with gold and set with gems, green and red and white. Gandalf took no armour; and Gimli needed no coat of rings, even if one had been found to match his stature, for there was no hauberk in the hoards of Edoras of better make than his short corslet forged beneath the Mountain in the North. But he chose a cap of iron and leather that fitted well upon his round head; and a small shield he also took. It bore the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of Eorl. ‘May it keep you well!’ said Théoden. ‘It was made for me in Thengel’s day, while still I was a boy.’ Gimli bowed. ‘I am proud, Lord of the Mark, to bear your device,’ he said. ‘Indeed sooner would I bear a horse than be borne by one. I love my feet better. But, maybe, I shall come yet where I can stand and fight.’ ‘It may well be so,’ said Theoden. The king now rose, and at once Eowyn came forward bearing wine. ‘Ferthu Théoden hal! she said. ‘Receive now this cup and drink in happy hour. Health be with thee at thy going and coming!’ Theoden drank from the cup, and she then proffered it to the guests. As she stood before Aragorn she paused suddenly and looked upon him, and her eyes were shining. And he looked down upon her
「甘道夫說：『還要說，在扭曲的眼睛裡，真相也會顯得面目可憎。』」「我的雙眼確實幾近失明，」希優頓說。「我最虧欠的就是您，我的貴客。您再一次及時趕到。在我們出發前，我想送您一份禮物，任您挑選。只要是我所擁有的，您儘管開口。我現在只留下我的劍！」「我是否及時趕到，尚待分曉，」甘道夫說。「但至於您的禮物，國王，我會選擇一個符合我需求的：既迅速又可靠。請把影疾賜給我吧！之前祂只是借給我，如果那能稱之為借的話。但現在我將騎著祂深入巨大的危險，以銀白對抗墨黑：我不想冒險使用任何不屬於我自己的東西。而且我們之間已經有了情誼。」「你選得很好，」希優頓說；「我現在很樂意將祂贈予你。然而，這是一份厚禮。沒有任何一匹馬能與影疾相比。在祂身上，古代一匹神駒彷彿重現人間。這樣的神駒不會再有了。至於我其他的貴客，我會提供我軍械庫裡能找到的東西。你們不需要劍，但這裡有頭盔和做工精巧的鎖子甲，是我父輩們從剛鐸得來的贈禮。在我們出發前，從中挑選吧，願它們能好好保護你們！」這時，僕人們從國王的寶庫中搬來了戰爭用的衣甲，為亞拉岡和勒苟拉斯穿上閃亮的鎖子甲。他們也挑選了頭盔和圓盾：盾中央的圓飾鍍了金，並鑲嵌著綠、紅、白色的寶石。甘道夫沒有拿任何盔甲；金靂也不需要鎖子甲，即使有找到合他身材的，因為伊多拉斯寶庫中沒有任何一件長鎖子甲，能比得上他在北方山脈下鍛造的短身護甲。但他選了一頂很合他圓頭的鐵皮帽；也拿了一面小盾牌。盾上是伊歐皇室的徽記：綠底白色的奔馬。「願它能好好保護你！」希優頓說。「這是在聖盔王時代為我做的，那時我還是個孩子。」金靂鞠躬道：「我很榮幸，驃騎王，能佩戴您的徽記。說實話，我寧願扛著一匹馬，也不願被馬扛著。我更愛我自己的雙腳。不過，或許我終將去到一個能站穩腳跟戰鬥的地方。」「很可能如此。」希優頓說。國王這時站起身，伊歐玟立刻上前來，端著酒。「希優頓王萬安！」她說。「請接過此杯，在吉時飲下。願您出入平安！」希優頓飲盡杯中酒，她接著將酒杯呈給其他賓客。當她站在亞拉岡面前時，她突然停下，凝視著他，雙眼閃閃發光。而他則低頭看著她。
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 523 fair face and smiled; but as he took the cup, his hand met hers, and he knew that she trembled at the touch. ‘Hail Aragorn son of Arathorn!’ she said. ‘Hail Lady of Rohan!’ he answered, but his face now was troubled and he did not smile. When they had all drunk, the king went down the hall to the doors. There the guards awaited him, and heralds stood, and all the lords and chiefs were gathered together that remained in Edoras or dwelt nearby. ‘Behold! I go forth, and it seems like to be my last riding,’ said Théoden. ‘I have no child. Théodred my son is slain. I name Eomer my sister-son to be my heir. If neither of us return, then choose a new lord as you will. But to some one I must now entrust my people that I leave behind, to rule them in my place. Which of you will stay?’ No man spoke. ‘Is there none whom you would name? In whom do my people trust?’ ‘In the House of Eorl,’ answered Hama. ‘But Eomer I cannot spare, nor would he stay,’ said the king; ‘and he is the last of that House.’ ‘I said not Eomer,’ answered Hama. ‘And he is not the last. There is Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, his sister. She is fearless and highhearted. All love her. Let her be as lord to the Eorlingas, while we are gone.’ ‘It shall be so,’ said Théoden. ‘Let the heralds announce to the folk that the Lady Eowyn will lead them!’ Then the king sat upon a seat before his doors, and Eowyn knelt before him and received from him a sword and a fair corslet. ‘Farewell sister-daughter!’ he said. ‘Dark is the hour, yet maybe we shall return to the Golden Hall. But in Dunharrow the people may long defend themselves, and if the battle go ill, thither will come all who escape.’ ‘Speak not so!’ she answered. ‘A year shall I endure for every day that passes until your return.’ But as she spoke her eyes went to Aragorn who stood nearby. “The king shall come again,’ he said. ‘Fear not! Not West but East does our doom await us.’ The king now went down the stair with Gandalf beside him. The others followed. Aragorn looked back as they passed towards the gate. Alone Eowyn stood before the doors of the house at the stair’s head; the sword was set upright before her, and her hands were laid upon the hilt. She was clad now in mail and shone like silver in the sun. Gimli walked with Legolas, his axe on his shoulder. ‘Well, at last we set off!’ he said. ‘Men need many words before deeds. My axe is
黃金大廳之王 523 她美麗的臉龐上露出微笑；但當他接過杯子時，他的手碰到了她的手，他感覺到她因觸碰而顫抖。「向您致敬，亞拉松之子亞拉岡！」她說。「向您致敬，洛汗女士！」他回答，但此刻他的臉上卻充滿憂慮，沒有一絲笑容。眾人飲畢，國王走下大廳，來到門口。衛兵在那裡等候他，傳令官肅立，所有留在伊多拉斯或住在附近的領主和酋長都已聚集。「看啊！我就要出征了，這似乎會是我最後一次騎行。」希優頓說。「我沒有孩子。我的兒子希優德已經戰死。我指定我的外甥伊歐墨為我的繼承人。如果我們倆都沒回來，那麼就隨你們的意願選一位新領主吧。但我現在必須將我留下的人民託付給某人，代我統治他們。你們誰願意留下？」沒有人說話。「沒有你們想提名的人嗎？我的人民信任誰？」「伊歐的家系。」哈瑪回答。「但我不能讓伊歐墨留下，他自己也不會願意，」國王說，「而且他是那個家系的最後一人了。」「我說的不是伊歐墨，」哈瑪回答。「而且他不是最後一人。還有伊歐蒙的女兒，他的妹妹伊歐玟。她無畏且高尚。所有人都愛戴她。讓我們不在時，由她來做伊歐子民的領主吧。」「就這麼辦吧，」希優頓說。「讓傳令官向人民宣布，伊歐玟女士將領導他們！」於是國王在門前的一張椅子上坐下，伊歐玟跪在他面前，從他手中接過一把劍和一件精美的胸甲。「再會了，我的外甥女！」他說。「此刻雖然黑暗，但或許我們還能回到黃金大廳。但在登哈洛，人民可以長久地防禦自己，如果戰況不利，所有逃脫的人都會去那裡。」「別這麼說！」她回答。「在您回來之前，每過一天，對我來說都像一年那樣難熬。」但她說話時，眼神卻飄向了站在一旁的亞拉岡。「國王會再回來的，」他說。「別擔心！我們的命運不在西方，而在東方等著我們。」國王現在與甘道夫並肩走下階梯。其他人跟在後面。當他們走向大門時，亞拉岡回頭望去。伊歐玟獨自站在階梯頂端、屋子門前；劍直立在她面前，她的雙手放在劍柄上。她現在身穿鎖子甲，在陽光下像銀子般閃耀。金靂和勒苟拉斯走在一起，斧頭扛在肩上。「嗯，總算要出發了！」他說。「人類在行動前總要說很多話。我的斧頭已經
524 THE LORD OF THE RINGS restless in my hands. Though I doubt not that these Rohirrim are fell-handed when they come to it. Nonetheless this is not the warfare that suits me. How shall I come to the battle? I wish I could walk and not bump like a sack at Gandalf’s saddlebow.’ ‘A safer seat than many, I guess,’ said Legolas. ‘Yet doubtless Gandalf will gladly put you down on your feet when blows begin; or Shadowfax himself. An axe is no weapon for a rider.’ ‘And a Dwarf is no horseman. It is orc-necks I would hew, not shave the scalps of Men,’ said Gimli, patting the haft of his axe. At the gate they found a great host of men, old and young, all ready in the saddle. More than a thousand were there mustered. Their spears were like a springing wood. Loudly and joyously they shouted as Théoden came forth. Some held in readiness the king’s horse, Snowmane, and others held the horses of Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli stood ill at ease, frowning, but Eomer came up to him, leading his horse. ‘Hail, Gimli Gloin’s son!’ he cried. ‘I have not had time to learn gentle speech under your rod, as you promised. But shall we not put aside our quarrel? At least I will speak no evil again of the Lady of the Wood.’ ‘I will forget my wrath for a while, Eomer son of Eomund,’ said Gimli; ‘but if ever you chance to see the Lady Galadriel with your eyes, then you shall acknowledge her the fairest of ladies, or our friendship will end.’ ‘So be it!’ said Eomer. ‘But until that time pardon me, and in token of pardon ride with me, I beg. Gandalf will be at the head with the Lord of the Mark; but Firefoot, my horse, will bear us both, if you will.’ ‘I thank you indeed,’ said Gimli greatly pleased. ‘I will gladly go with you, if Legolas, my comrade, may ride beside us.’ ‘It shall be so,’ said Eomer. ‘Legolas upon my left, and Aragorn upon my right, and none will dare to stand before us!’ ‘Where is Shadowfax?’ said Gandalf. ‘Running wild over the grass,’ they answered. ‘He will let no man handle him. There he goes, away down by the ford, like a shadow among the willows.’ Gandalf whistled and called aloud the horse’s name, and far away he tossed his head and neighed, and turning sped towards the host like an arrow. ‘Were the breath of the West Wind to take a body visible, even so would it appear,’ said Eomer, as the great horse ran up, until he stood before the wizard. “The gift seems already to be given,’ said Theoden. ‘But hearken all! Here now I name my guest, Gandalf Greyhame, wisest of counsel
在我手中蠢蠢欲動。不過我毫不懷疑，這些洛汗國人一旦動起手來，必定是心狠手辣。儘管如此，這不是適合我的作戰方式。我該如何上戰場？我真希望我能用走的，而不是像個麻袋一樣在甘道夫的馬鞍弓上顛簸。」「我想，那已經比很多座位都安全了。」勒苟拉斯說。「不過，當戰鬥開始時，甘道夫肯定會很樂意把你放下來的；或者影疾自己也會。斧頭不是騎手的武器。」「而矮人也不是騎手。我想砍的是半獸人的脖子，不是剃人類的頭皮。」金靂說著，輕拍他的斧柄。在城門口，他們看到一大群人馬，男女老少皆有，都已備好馬鞍。集結在此的超過一千人。他們的長矛林立，如初生的樹林。當希優頓現身時，他們高興地大聲歡呼。有些人備妥了國王的馬，雪鬃，其他人則牽著亞拉岡和勒苟拉斯的馬。金靂侷促不安地站著，皺著眉頭，但伊歐墨牽著他的馬向他走來。「你好，金靂，葛羅音之子！」他喊道。「我還沒來得及如你所承諾的，在你的棍棒下學會溫文爾雅的言辭。但我們何不擱置爭執呢？至少我不會再說森林女王的壞話了。」「我會暫時忘記我的怒氣，伊歐墨，伊歐蒙之子。」金靂說。「但如果你有機會親眼見到凱蘭崔爾女王，你就必須承認她是所有女士中最美麗的一位，否則我們的友誼就此告終。」「就這麼辦！」伊歐墨說。「但在那之前，請原諒我，並且作為和解的表示，我懇求你與我共乘。甘道夫將與驃騎王一同在隊伍最前頭；但如果你願意，我的馬火足可以載我們兩人。」「我由衷感謝你。」金靂非常高興地說。「我很樂意與你同行，如果我的戰友勒苟拉斯可以騎在我們旁邊的話。」「就這麼辦。」伊歐墨說。「勒苟拉斯在我左邊，亞拉岡在我右邊，將無人敢擋在我們面前！」「影疾在哪裡？」甘道夫問。「在草地上恣意奔馳呢。」他們回答。「牠不讓任何人駕馭。牠在那兒，沿著淺灘跑遠了，像柳樹林中的一道影子。」甘道夫吹了聲口哨，大聲呼喚馬的名字，遠處的牠揚起頭，嘶鳴一聲，然後轉身如箭一般朝著大軍飛奔而來。「倘若西風的氣息能化為有形之軀，那看起來就是這副模樣。」伊歐墨說道，看著那匹駿馬跑來，直到牠停在巫師面前。「這份禮物看來已經送出了。」希優頓說。「但各位聽著！我現在在此為我的客人命名，灰袍甘道夫，最有智慧的顧問……
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN HALL 525 lors, most welcome of wanderers, a lord of the Mark, a chieftain of the Eorlingas while our kin shall last; and I give to him Shadowfax, prince of horses.’ ‘I thank you, Théoden King,’ said Gandalf. Then suddenly he threw back his grey cloak, and cast aside his hat, and leaped to horseback. He wore no helm nor mail. His snowy hair flew free in the wind, his white robes shone dazzling in the sun. ‘Behold the White Rider!’ cried Aragorn, and all took up the words. ‘Our King and the White Rider!’ they shouted. ‘Forth Eorlingas!’ The trumpets sounded. The horses reared and neighed. Spear clashed on shield. Then the king raised his hand, and with a rush like the sudden onset of a great wind the last host of Rohan rode thundering into the West. Far over the plain Eowyn saw the glitter of their spears, as she stood still, alone before the doors of the silent house.
「……流浪者中最受歡迎的貴客、驃騎國的領主、伊歐家族的酋長，只要我族血脈尚存，您就享有此等尊榮；我將馬中之王影疾贈予他。」「我感謝您，希優頓王。」甘道夫說。接著他突然向後一甩灰色斗篷，扔掉帽子，一躍跨上馬背。他沒戴頭盔，也沒穿鎖子甲。他雪白的頭髮在風中自由飛揚，他的一身白袍在陽光下閃耀奪目。「看啊，白袍騎士！」亞拉岡大喊，眾人也跟著複誦。「我們的國王與白袍騎士！」他們高呼。「前進，伊歐家族！」號角響起。馬匹人立嘶鳴。長矛敲擊著盾牌。然後國王舉起手，洛汗最後的軍隊便如一陣驟起的狂風，雷鳴般地向西方馳去。伊歐玟靜靜地獨自站在寂靜殿堂的門前，望著他們遠去的長矛在平原上閃爍的光芒。