Chapter 8 THE ROAD TO ISENGARD So it was that in the light of a fair morning King Théoden and Gandalf the White Rider met again upon the green grass beside the Deeping-stream. There was also Aragorn son of Arathorn, and Legolas the Elf, and Erkenbrand of Westfold, and the lords of the Golden House. About them were gathered the Rohirrim, the Riders of the Mark: wonder overcame their joy in victory, and their eyes were turned towards the wood. Suddenly there was a great shout, and down from the Dike came those who had been driven back into the Deep. There came Gamling the Old, and Eomer son of Eomund, and beside them walked Gimli the dwarf. He had no helm, and about his head was a linen band stained with blood; but his voice was loud and strong. ‘Forty-two, Master Legolas!’ he cried. ‘Alas! My axe is notched: the forty-second had an iron collar on his neck. How is it with you?’ “You have passed my score by one,’ answered Legolas. ‘But I do not grudge you the game, so glad am I to see you on your legs!’ ‘Welcome, Eomer, sister-son!’ said Théoden. ‘Now that I see you safe, I am glad indeed.’ ‘Hail, Lord of the Mark!’ said Eomer. ‘The dark night has passed, and day has come again. But the day has brought strange tidings.’ He turned and gazed in wonder, first at the wood and then at Gandalf. ‘Once more you come in the hour of need, unlooked-for,’ he said. ‘Unlooked-for?’ said Gandalf. ‘I said that I would return and meet you here.’ ‘But you did not name the hour, nor foretell the manner of your coming. Strange help you bring. You are mighty in wizardry, Gandalf the White!’ “That may be. But if so, I have not shown it yet. I have but given good counsel in peril, and made use of the speed of Shadowfax. Your own valour has done more, and the stout legs of the Westfold-men marching through the night.’ Then they all gazed at Gandalf with still greater wonder. Some glanced darkly at the wood, and passed their hands over their brows, as if they thought their eyes saw otherwise than his. Gandalf laughed long and merrily. ‘The trees?’ he said. ‘Nay, I see the wood as plainly as do you. But that is no deed of mine. It is a thing beyond the counsel of the wise. Better than my design, and better even than my hope the event has proved.’
第八章 艾辛格之路 就這樣，在一個晴朗的早晨，希優頓王與白袍聖手甘道夫在深溪旁的綠草地上再次相會。同行的還有亞拉松之子亞拉岡、精靈勒苟拉斯、西谷的鄂肯布蘭，以及金殿的領主們。他們周圍聚集了洛汗人，即驃騎國的騎士們：勝利的喜悅被驚奇所取代，他們的目光都轉向了那片樹林。突然間，一聲大喊傳來，那些先前被逼退回深隘的人從迪克上衝了下來。來者是老加姆林、伊歐蒙之子伊歐墨，他們身旁走著矮人金靂。他沒戴頭盔，頭上纏著一條染血的麻布繃帶；但他的聲音宏亮而有力。「四十二個，勒苟拉斯大師！」他喊道。「唉！我的斧頭都砍出缺口了：第四十二個脖子上戴著鐵環。你那邊怎麼樣？」「你比我的紀錄多一個，」勒苟拉斯回答。「但我可不嫉妒你這場競賽，看到你還能站著，我真是太高興了！」「歡迎你，伊歐墨，我姊姊的兒子！」希優頓說。「看到你安然無恙，我真的很高興。」「向您致敬，驃騎國之王！」伊歐墨說。「黑夜已過，白晝重臨。但白晝卻帶來了奇異的消息。」他轉過身，驚奇地凝視著，先是看著樹林，然後看著甘道夫。「您又一次在危急時刻不期而至，」他說。「不期而至？」甘道夫說。「我說過我會回來，在這裡與你們會合。」「但您沒有說是什麼時候，也沒預言您會以何種方式到來。您帶來了奇異的援助。您的巫術真是強大，白袍甘道夫！」「或許吧。但即便如此，我也還沒展現出來。我不過是在危險中提供了好的建議，並利用了影疾的速度。你們自己的英勇，以及西谷人徹夜行軍的強健雙腿，貢獻更大。」於是，他們都以更加驚奇的目光注視著甘道夫。有些人不安地瞥了一眼樹林，用手撫過額頭，彷彿認為自己的眼睛所見與他不同。甘道夫開懷大笑起來。「那些樹嗎？」他說。「不，我跟你們一樣清楚地看到了那片樹林。但那不是我的傑作。那是一件超乎智者謀略的事。事實證明，結果比我的計畫更好，甚至比我所希望的還要好。
544 THE LORD OF THE RINGS “Then if not yours, whose is the wizardry?’ said Théoden. ‘Not Saruman’s, that is plain. Is there some mightier sage, of whom we have yet to learn?’ ‘It is not wizardry, but a power far older,’ said Gandalf: ‘a power that walked the earth, ere elf sang or hammer rang. Ere iron was found or tree was hewn, When young was mountain under moon; Ere ring was made, or wrought was woe, It walked the forests long ago.’ ‘And what may be the answer to your riddle?’ said Théoden. ‘If you would learn that, you should come with me to Isengard,’ answered Gandalf. “To Isengard?’ they cried. ‘Yes,’ said Gandalf. ‘I shall return to Isengard, and those who will may come with me. There we may see strange things.’ ‘But there are not men enough in the Mark, not if they were all gathered together and healed of wounds and weariness, to assault the stronghold of Saruman,’ said Théoden. ‘Nevertheless to Isengard I go,’ said Gandalf. ‘I shall not stay there long. My way lies now eastward. Look for me in Edoras, ere the waning of the moon!’ ‘Nay!’ said Théoden. ‘In the dark hour before dawn I doubted, but we will not part now. I will come with you, if that is your counsel.’ ‘I wish to speak with Saruman, as soon as may be now,’ said Gandalf, ‘and since he has done you great injury, it would be fitting if you were there. But how soon and how swiftly will you ride?’ ‘My men are weary with battle,’ said the King; ‘and I am weary also. For I have ridden far and slept little. Alas! My old age is not feigned nor due only to the whisperings of Wormtongue. It is an ill that no leech can wholly cure, not even Gandalf.’ “Then let all who are to ride with me rest now,’ said Gandalf. ‘We will journey under the shadow of evening. It is as well; for it is my counsel that all our comings and goings should be as secret as may be, henceforth. But do not command many men to go with you, Theoden. We go to a parley not to a fight.’ The King then chose men that were unhurt and had swift horses, and he sent them forth with tidings of the victory into every vale of the Mark; and they bore his summons also, bidding all men, young and old, to come in haste to Edoras. There the Lord of the Mark would hold an assembly of all that could bear arms, on the third day after the full moon. To ride with him to Isengard the King chose Eomer and twenty men of his household. With Gandalf would go
「那麼，如果這不是你的巫術，那是誰的？」希優頓說。「顯然不是薩魯曼的。難道還有某位我們尚未聽聞的、更強大的賢者嗎？」 「這不是巫術，而是一種更古老的力量，」甘道夫說：「一種在精靈歌唱或鐵鎚敲響之前，就已行走於大地上的力量。在鐵器被發現或樹木被砍伐之前，當山脈在月光下尚屬年輕；在魔戒被鑄造，或災禍被造成之前，它早已在遠古的森林中行走。」 「那你這個謎語的答案是什麼？」希優頓問。 「如果你想知道，就該跟我去艾辛格。」甘道夫回答。 「去艾辛格？」他們驚呼。 「是的，」甘道夫說。「我將返回艾辛格，願意的人可以跟我來。在那裡我們或許會看到奇異之事。」 「但是馬克國的人手不夠，」希優頓說，「就算把所有人都聚集起來，治好他們的傷、消除他們的疲憊，也不足以攻擊薩魯曼的要塞。」 「即便如此，我還是要去艾辛格。」甘道夫說。「我不會在那裡待太久。我接下來的路是往東。在月虧之前，到伊多拉斯找我吧！」 「不！」希優頓說。「在黎明前的黑暗時刻我曾懷疑，但我們現在不會分開。如果你這樣建議，我就跟你去。」 「我希望盡快跟薩魯曼談談，」甘道夫說，「既然他對你造成了巨大的傷害，你在場會很合適。但你打算多快、多迅速地出發？」 「我的手下因戰鬥而疲憊不堪，」國王說，「我也很疲倦。我長途跋涉，睡眠甚少。唉！我的年邁並非偽裝，也不僅是巧言的讒言所致。這是一種病，沒有任何醫生能完全治癒，即使是甘道夫也不行。」 「那麼，所有要跟我一起騎馬的人現在都休息吧，」甘道夫說。「我們將在傍晚的陰影下啟程。這樣也好；因為我建議，從今以後我們所有的來去都應盡可能保密。但是，希優頓，不要命令太多人跟你去。我們是去談判，不是去打仗。」 國王於是挑選了未受傷且有快馬的人，派他們到馬克國的每個山谷去傳達勝利的消息；他們也帶著國王的召集令，命令所有男女老少，盡速趕到伊多拉斯。馬克國之王將在滿月後的第三天，在那裡召集所有能持械作戰的人。國王選擇了伊歐墨和他家中的二十名護衛，與他一同前往艾辛格。跟甘道夫同行的有
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 545 Aragorn, and Legolas, and Gimli. In spite of his hurt the dwarf would not stay behind. ‘It was only a feeble blow and the cap turned it,’ he said. ‘It would take more than such an orc-scratch to keep me back.’ ‘I will tend it, while you rest,’ said Aragorn. The king now returned to the Hornburg, and slept, such a sleep of quiet as he had not known for many years, and the remainder of his chosen company rested also. But the others, all that were not hurt or wounded, began a great labour; for many had fallen in the battle and lay dead upon the field or in the Deep. No Orcs remained alive; their bodies were uncounted. But a great many of the hillmen had given themselves up; and they were afraid, and cried for mercy. The Men of the Mark took their weapons from them, and set them to work. ‘Help now to repair the evil in which you have joined,’ said Erkenbrand; ‘and afterwards you shall take an oath never again to pass the Fords of Isen in arms, nor to march with the enemies of Men; and then you shall go free back to your land. For you have been deluded by Saruman. Many of you have got death as the reward of your trust in him; but had you conquered, little better would your wages have been.’ The men of Dunland were amazed; for Saruman had told them that the men of Rohan were cruel and burned their captives alive. In the midst of the field before the Hornburg two mounds were raised, and beneath them were laid all the Riders of the Mark who fell in the defence, those of the East Dales upon one side, and those of Westfold upon the other. But the men of Dunland were set apart in a mound below the Dike. In a grave alone under the shadow of the Hornburg lay Hama, captain of the King’s guard. He fell before the Gate. The Orcs were piled in great heaps, away from the mounds of Men, not far from the eaves of the forest. And the people were troubled in their minds; for the heaps of carrion were too great for burial or for burning. They had little wood for firing, and none would have dared to take an axe to the strange trees, even if Gandalf had not warned them to hurt neither bark nor bough at their great peril. ‘Let the Orcs lie,’ said Gandalf. “The morning may bring new counsel.’ In the afternoon the King’s company prepared to depart. The work of burial was then but beginning; and Théoden mourned for the loss of Hama, his captain, and cast the first earth upon his grave.
亞拉岡、勒苟拉斯和金靂。儘管負傷，那名矮人卻不肯留下。「那不過是微不足道的一擊，帽子擋掉了。」他說。「想讓我退下，光憑這種半獸人的抓傷可還不夠。」 「你休息時，我來為你處理傷口。」亞拉岡說。 國王現在回到了號角堡，睡著了，那樣安穩的睡眠是他多年未曾有過的，他其餘的親選護衛也同樣歇息了。但其他人，所有未受傷的人，開始了一項浩大的工作；因為許多人在戰鬥中倒下，屍體躺在戰場上或聖盔谷深處。沒有半獸人存活；牠們的屍體多到數不清。但有許多山地人投降了；他們心懷恐懼，哭喊著請求憐憫。 洛汗國的人們收繳了他們的武器，並派他們工作。「來幫忙彌補你們曾參與的惡行吧，」鄂肯布蘭德說；「之後，你們將發誓再也不會武裝渡過艾辛河渡口，也不會與人類的敵人同行；然後你們就可以自由返回你們的土地。因為你們被薩魯曼蒙蔽了。你們許多人因信任他而得到死亡的報償；但就算你們當初得勝了，你們的報酬也好不到哪裡去。」 登蘭德人感到驚訝；因為薩魯曼曾告訴他們，洛汗人殘酷無情，會活活燒死他們的俘虜。 在號角堡前的戰場中央，堆起了兩座土塚，埋葬著所有在防禦戰中犧牲的洛汗驃騎，東谷的戰士在一邊，西谷的在另一邊。但登蘭德人則被分開埋在堤壩下方的一座土塚裡。國王護衛隊長哈瑪獨自葬在號角堡陰影下的一座墳墓裡。他倒在城門前。 半獸人的屍體被堆成巨大的屍堆，遠離人類的墳塚，離森林的邊緣不遠。人們心中感到不安；因為那堆腐肉實在太多，無法掩埋也無法焚燒。他們沒有多少木柴可用於生火，而且即使甘道夫沒有警告他們傷害樹木枝幹會招致巨大危險，也沒人敢對那些奇特的樹木動斧頭。 「讓半獸人躺著吧，」甘道夫說。「早晨或許會有新的辦法。」 下午，國王的隊伍準備出發。此時埋葬的工作才剛開始；希優頓為他的隊長哈瑪的逝去而哀悼，並在他的墳上撒下第一抔土。
546 THE LORD OF THE RINGS ‘Great injury indeed has Saruman done to me and all this land,’ he said; ‘and I will remember it, when we meet.’ The sun was already drawing near the hills upon the west of the Coomb, when at last Théoden and Gandalf and their companions rode down from the Dike. Behind them were gathered a great host, both of the Riders and of the people of Westfold, old and young, women and children, who had come out from the caves. A song of victory they sang with clear voices; and then they fell silent, wondering what would chance, for their eyes were on the trees and they feared them. The Riders came to the wood, and they halted; horse and man, they were unwilling to pass in. The trees were grey and menacing, and a shadow or a mist was about them. The ends of their long sweeping boughs hung down like searching fingers, their roots stood up from the ground like the limbs of strange monsters, and dark caverns opened beneath them. But Gandalf went forward, leading the company, and where the road from the Hornburg met the trees they saw now an opening like an arched gate under mighty boughs; and through it Gandalf passed, and they followed him. Then to their amazement they found that the road ran on, and the Deeping-stream beside it; and the sky was open above and full of golden light. But on either side the great aisles of the wood were already wrapped in dusk, stretching away into impenetrable shadows; and there they heard the creaking and groaning of boughs, and far cries, and a rumour of wordless voices, murmuring angrily. No Orc or other living creature could be seen. Legolas and Gimli were now riding together upon one horse; and they kept close beside Gandalf, for Gimli was afraid of the wood. ‘It is hot in here,’ said Legolas to Gandalf. ‘I feel a great wrath about me. Do you not feel the air throb in your ears?’ ‘Yes,’ said Gandalf. ‘What has become of the miserable Orcs?’ said Legolas. “That, I think, no one will ever know,’ said Gandalf. They rode in silence for a while; but Legolas was ever glancing from side to side, and would often have halted to listen to the sounds of the wood, if Gimli had allowed it. “These are the strangest trees that ever I saw,’ he said; ‘and I have seen many an oak grow from acorn to ruinous age. I wish that there were leisure now to walk among them: they have voices, and in time I might come to understand their thought.’ ‘No, no!’ said Gimli. ‘Let us leave them! I guess their thought already: hatred of all that go on two legs; and their speech is of crushing and strangling.’
「薩魯曼確實對我和這整片土地造成了莫大的傷害，」他說；「等我們見面時，我會記住這筆帳的。」當希優頓、甘道夫和他們的同伴終於從堤壩上騎下來時，太陽已經接近深谷西邊的山丘。他們身後聚集了一大群人，有驃騎，也有西谷的男女老幼，他們都從洞穴裡出來了。他們用清亮的嗓音唱起勝利之歌；但隨後又陷入沉默，揣想著接下來會發生什麼事，因為他們的目光都注視著那些樹木，心生畏懼。驃騎們來到樹林前，停下了腳步；無論是人是馬，都不願意進去。樹木呈灰色，充滿威脅，周圍籠罩著一層陰影或薄霧。它們長長垂下的枝條末端像在摸索的手指，盤根錯節的樹根從地面拱起，如同奇異怪物的肢體，底下還敞開著黑暗的洞穴。但甘道夫走上前去，引領著隊伍。在從號角堡延伸出來的道路與樹林交會處，他們看到一個由巨大樹枝構成的拱門般的開口；甘道夫穿了過去，眾人也跟著他。接著他們驚訝地發現，道路繼續向前延伸，深溪就在一旁流淌；頭頂的天空開闊，充滿金色的光芒。但在道路兩旁，樹林深處的宏偉走廊已籠罩在暮色之中，延伸至無法穿透的陰影裡；他們在那裡聽見樹枝嘎吱作響和呻吟的聲音、遠方的哭喊，以及無言話語的低語，憤怒地喃喃自語。看不見任何半獸人或其他活物。勒苟拉斯和金靂現在同騎一匹馬；他們緊緊跟在甘道夫身邊，因為金靂害怕這片樹林。「這裡好熱，」勒苟拉斯對甘道夫說。「我感覺到周遭有極大的憤怒。你沒感覺到空氣在你耳邊悸動嗎？」「是的，」甘道夫說。「那些可憐的半獸人下場如何？」勒苟拉斯問。「我想，這件事永遠不會有人知道了。」甘道夫說。他們沉默地騎了一會兒；但勒苟拉斯總是左右張望，如果金靂允許，他很可能會時常停下來聆聽樹林的聲音。「這是我見過最奇特的樹了，」他說；「我看過許多橡樹從橡實長成頹敗的老樹。我真希望現在有閒暇能在它們之間走走：它們有自己的聲音，假以時日，我也許能理解它們的想法。」「不，不！」金靂說。「我們還是離它們遠點吧！我已經猜到它們的想法了：憎恨所有用兩條腿走路的生物；它們的語言就是碾碎和勒死。」
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 547 ‘Not of all that go on two legs,’ said Legolas. “There I think you are wrong. It is Orcs that they hate. For they do not belong here and know little of Elves and Men. Far away are the valleys where they sprang. From the deep dales of Fangorn, Gimli, that is whence they come, I guess.’ “Then that is the most perilous wood in Middle-earth,’ said Gimli. ‘I should be grateful for the part they have played, but I do not love them. You may think them wonderful, but I have seen a greater wonder in this land, more beautiful than any grove or glade that ever grew: my heart is still full of it. ‘Strange are the ways of Men, Legolas! Here they have one of the marvels of the Northern World, and what do they say of it? Caves, they say! Caves! Holes to fly to in time of war, to store fodder in! My good Legolas, do you know that the caverns of Helm’s Deep are vast and beautiful? There would be an endless pilgrimage of Dwarves, merely to gaze at them, if such things were known to be. Aye indeed, they would pay pure gold for a brief glance!’ ‘And I would give gold to be excused,’ said Legolas; ‘and double to be let out, if I strayed in!’ “You have not seen, so I forgive your jest,’ said Gimli. ‘But you speak like a fool. Do you think those halls are fair, where your King dwells under the hill in Mirkwood, and Dwarves helped in their making long ago? They are but hovels compared with the caverns I have seen here: immeasurable halls, filled with an everlasting music of water that tinkles into pools, as fair as Kheled-zaram in the starlight. ‘And, Legolas, when the torches are kindled and men walk on the sandy floors under the echoing domes, ah! then, Legolas, gems and crystals and veins of precious ore glint in the polished walls; and the light glows through folded marbles, shell-like, translucent as the living hands of Queen Galadriel. There are columns of white and saffron and dawn-rose, Legolas, fluted and twisted into dreamlike forms; they spring up from many-coloured floors to meet the glistening pendants of the roof: wings, ropes, curtains fine as frozen clouds; spears, banners, pinnacles of suspended palaces! Still lakes mirror them: a glimmering world looks up from dark pools covered with clear glass; cities, such as the mind of Durin could scarce have imagined in his sleep, stretch on through avenues and pillared courts, on into the dark recesses where no light can come. And plink! a silver drop falls, and the round wrinkles in the glass make all the towers bend and waver like weeds and corals in a grotto of the sea. Then evening comes: they fade and twinkle out; the torches pass on into another chamber and another dream. There is chamber after chamber, Legolas; hall opening out of hall, dome after dome, stair beyond stair; and still the winding paths lead on into the mountains’ heart. Caves!
548 THE LORD OF THE RINGS The Caverns of Helm’s Deep! Happy was the chance that drove me there! It makes me weep to leave them.’ ‘Then I will wish you this fortune for your comfort, Gimli,’ said the Elf, ‘that you may come safe from war and return to see them again. But do not tell all your kindred! There seems little left for them to do, from your account. Maybe the men of this land are wise to say little: one family of busy dwarves with hammer and chisel might mar more than they made.’ ‘No, you do not understand,’ said Gimli. ‘No dwarf could be unmoved by such loveliness. None of Durin’s race would mine those caves for stones or ore, not if diamonds and gold could be got there. Do you cut down groves of blossoming trees in the springtime for firewood? We would tend these glades of flowering stone, not quarry them. With cautious skill, tap by tap — a small chip of rock and no more, perhaps, in a whole anxious day — so we could work, and as the years went by, we should open up new ways, and display far chambers that are still dark, glimpsed only as a void beyond fissures in the rock. And lights, Legolas! We should make lights, such lamps as once shone in Khazad-dtim; and when we wished we would drive away the night that has lain there since the hills were made; and when we desired rest, we would let the night return.’ “You move me, Gimli,’ said Legolas. ‘I have never heard you speak like this before. Almost you make me regret that I have not seen these caves. Come! Let us make this bargain — if we both return safe out of the perils that await us, we will journey for a while together. You shall visit Fangorn with me, and then I will come with you to see Helm’s Deep.’ “That would not be the way of return that I should choose,’ said Gimli. ‘But I will endure Fangorn, if I have your promise to come back to the caves and share their wonder with me.’ “You have my promise,’ said Legolas. ‘But alas! Now we must leave behind both cave and wood for a while. See! We are coming to the end of the trees. How far is it to Isengard, Gandalf?’ ‘About fifteen leagues, as the crows of Saruman make it,’ said Gandalf: ‘five from the mouth of Deeping-coomb to the Fords; and ten more from there to the gates of Isengard. But we shall not ride all the way this night.’ ‘And when we come there, what shall we see?’ asked Gimli. ‘You may know, but I cannot guess.’ ‘I do not know myself for certain,’ answered the wizard. ‘I was there at nightfall yesterday, but much may have happened since. Yet I think that you will not say that the journey was in vain — not though the Glittering Caves of Aglarond be left behind.’ * * *
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 549 At last the company passed through the trees, and found that they had come to the bottom of the Coomb, where the road from Helm’s Deep branched, going one way east to Edoras, and the other north to the Fords of Isen. As they rode from under the eaves of the wood, Legolas halted and looked back with regret. Then he gave a sudden cry. “There are eyes!’ he said. ‘Eyes looking out from the shadows of the boughs! I never saw such eyes before.’ The others, surprised by his cry, halted and turned; but Legolas started to ride back. ‘No, no!’ cried Gimli. ‘Do as you please in your madness, but let me first get down from this horse! I wish to see no eyes!’ ‘Stay, Legolas Greenleaf!’ said Gandalf. ‘Do not go back into the wood, not yet! Now is not your time.’ Even as he spoke, there came forward out of the trees three strange shapes. As tall as trolls they were, twelve feet or more in height; their strong bodies, stout as young trees, seemed to be clad with raiment or with hide of close-fitting grey and brown. Their limbs were long, and their hands had many fingers; their hair was stiff, and their beards grey-green as moss. They gazed out with solemn eyes, but they were not looking at the riders: their eyes were bent northwards. Suddenly they lifted their long hands to their mouths, and sent forth ringing calls, clear as notes of a horn, but more musical and various. The calls were answered; and turning again, the riders saw other creatures of the same kind approaching, striding through the grass. They came swiftly from the North, walking like wading herons in their gait, but not in their speed; for their legs in their long paces beat quicker than the heron’s wings. The riders cried aloud in wonder, and some set their hands upon their sword-hilts. “You need no weapons,’ said Gandalf. “These are but herdsmen. They are not enemies, indeed they are not concerned with us at all.’ So it seemed to be; for as he spoke the tall creatures, without a glance at the riders, strode into the wood and vanished. ‘Herdsmen!’ said Théoden. ‘Where are their flocks? What are they, Gandalf? For it is plain that to you, at any rate, they are not strange.’ “They are the shepherds of the trees,’ answered Gandalf. ‘Is it so long since you listened to tales by the fireside? There are children in your land who, out of the twisted threads of story, could pick the answer to your question. You have seen Ents, O King, Ents out of Fangorn Forest, which in your tongue you call the Entwood. Did you think that the name was given only in idle fancy? Nay, Theoden, it is otherwise: to them you are but the passing tale; all the years from Eorl the Young to Theoden the Old are of little count to them; and all the deeds of your house but a small matter.’ The king was silent. ‘Ents!’ he said at length. ‘Out of the shadows
終於，隊伍穿過了樹林，發現他們已來到山谷（Coomb）的底部。從聖盔谷來的路在這裡分岔，一條向東通往伊多拉斯，另一條向北通往艾辛河渡口。當他們從林蔭下騎出時，勒苟拉斯停下馬，帶著一絲遺憾回望。然後他突然驚呼。「有眼睛！」他說。「有眼睛從樹枝的陰影中窺看！我從未見過那樣的眼睛。」其他人被他的叫聲嚇了一跳，也停下來轉身；但勒苟拉斯卻開始騎馬回去。「不，不！」金靂喊道。「你發瘋隨你，但先讓我從這匹馬上下來！我可不想看見什麼眼睛！」「站住，綠葉勒苟拉斯！」甘道夫說。「別回到森林裡去，還不是時候！現在不是你的時機。」他話音剛落，三個奇特的形體便從樹林中走了出來。他們像食人妖一樣高大，身高有十二英尺或更高；他們強壯的身體，像小樹一樣粗壯，似乎包裹在緊身的灰棕色衣物或獸皮之中。他們的四肢修長，手有許多手指；頭髮僵硬，鬍鬚像苔蘚一樣灰綠。他們用莊嚴的眼睛凝視著遠方，但並未看著騎士們：他們的目光朝向北方。突然，他們將長手舉到嘴邊，發出響亮的呼喚，像號角聲一樣清晰，卻更富音樂感且多變化。呼喚得到了回應；騎士們再次轉身，看見其他同類的生物正大步穿過草地走來。他們從北方迅速趕來，步態像涉水的鷺鳥，速度卻不然；因為他們長長的步伐比鷺鳥的翅膀拍動得還快。騎士們驚奇地大叫起來，有些人把手按在了劍柄上。「你們不需要武器，」甘道夫說。「他們只不過是牧人。他們不是敵人，事實上，他們根本不在乎我們。」看來確實如此；因為他說話時，那些高大的生物連看都沒看騎士們一眼，便大步走進森林消失了。「牧人！」希優頓說。「他們的羊群在哪裡？他們是什麼，甘道夫？因為很明顯，至少對你來說，他們並不陌生。」「他們是樹的牧者，」甘道夫回答。「你有多久沒在爐邊聽故事了？在你這片土地上，有些孩子能從交織的故事線索中，找出你問題的答案。你見到的是樹人，國王啊，來自法貢森林的樹人，在你們的語言中，你們稱之為樹人森林。你以為那名字只是隨意取的嗎？不，希優頓，並非如此：對他們而言，你不過是個過客傳說；從年輕的伊歐到年老的希優頓，所有這些歲月對他們來說都微不足道；你王室的所有功績也不過是件小事。」國王沉默了。「樹人！」他許久之後才說。「從陰影中……
550 THE LORD OF THE RINGS of legend I begin a little to understand the marvel of the trees, I think. I have lived to see strange days. Long we have tended our beasts and our fields, built our houses, wrought our tools, or ridden away to help in the wars of Minas Tirith. And that we called the life of Men, the way of the world. We cared little for what lay beyond the borders of our land. Songs we have that tell of these things, but we are forgetting them, teaching them only to children, as a careless custom. And now the songs have come down among us out of strange places, and walk visible under the Sun.’ “You should be glad, Theoden King,’ said Gandalf. ‘For not only the little life of Men is now endangered, but the life also of those things which you have deemed the matter of legend. You are not without allies, even if you know them not.’ ‘Yet also I should be sad,’ said Théoden. ‘For however the fortune of war shall go, may it not so end that much that was fair and wonderful shall pass for ever out of Middle-earth?’ ‘It may,’ said Gandalf. “The evil of Sauron cannot be wholly cured, nor made as if it had not been. But to such days we are doomed. Let us now go on with the journey we have begun!’ The company turned then away from the Coomb and from the wood and took the road towards the Fords. Legolas followed reluctantly. The sun had set, already it had sunk behind the rim of the world; but as they rode out from the shadow of the hills and looked west to the Gap of Rohan the sky was still red, and a burning light was under the floating clouds. Dark against it there wheeled and flew many black-winged birds. Some passed overhead with mournful cries, returning to their homes among the rocks. “The carrion-fowl have been busy about the battle-field,’ said Eomer. They rode now at an easy pace and dark came down upon the plains about them. The slow moon mounted, now waxing towards the full, and in its cold silver light the swelling grass-lands rose and fell like a wide grey sea. They had ridden for some four hours from the branching of the roads when they drew near to the Fords. Long slopes ran swiftly down to where the river spread in stony shoals between high grassy terraces. Borne upon the wind they heard the howling of wolves. Their hearts were heavy, remembering the many men that had fallen in battle in this place. The road dipped between rising turf-banks, carving its way through the terraces to the river’s edge, and up again upon the further side. There were three lines of flat stepping-stones across the stream, and between them fords for horses, that went from either brink to a bare eyot in the midst. The riders looked down upon the crossings,
我想，我開始有點理解傳說中樹木的奇妙之處了。我活著見證了這些奇特的時日。長久以來，我們照料牲畜與田地，建造房舍，打造工具，或遠赴米那斯提力斯協助作戰。我們稱之為凡人的生活，世界運作的方式。我們很少關心疆域之外的事物。我們有些歌謠傳唱這些事，但我們正逐漸遺忘，只當作一個不經意的習俗教給孩子們。而如今，這些歌謠從奇異之地來到我們當中，活生生地行走在陽光之下。」 「你應該感到高興，希優頓王，」甘道夫說。「因為現在不僅是凡人短暫的生命受到威脅，那些你曾視為傳說之物的生命也同樣處於危險之中。你並非沒有盟友，即便你尚不知曉。」 「然而我也應當悲傷，」希優頓說。「因為無論戰事的命運如何，難道結局不會是許多美好奇妙的事物將從中土大陸永遠消逝嗎？」 「或許吧，」甘道夫說。「索倫的邪惡無法被徹底根除，也無法當作從未發生過。但我們注定要面對這樣的時代。讓我們繼續我們已開始的旅程吧！」 隊伍於是轉身離開溪谷與樹林，踏上前往渡口的道路。勒苟拉斯不情願地跟隨著。太陽已經下山，沉入了地平線之後；但當他們騎出山丘的陰影，向西望向羅翰隘口時，天空依舊赤紅，浮雲下透著燃燒般的光芒。許多黑翼的鳥兒在暗色的天幕下盤旋飛翔。一些鳥帶著哀傷的啼叫從他們頭頂飛過，返回岩間的巢穴。 「食腐鳥在戰場附近可忙了。」伊歐墨說。 他們以悠閒的步伐騎行，夜色降臨在周圍的平原上。緩慢的月亮升起，正逐漸趨向滿月，在它冰冷的銀光下，起伏的草原宛如一片遼闊的灰色海洋。他們從岔路口出發騎了約四個小時後，接近了渡口。長長的斜坡迅速向下延伸，直到河流在長滿青草的高聳河階之間，散開成一片滿是石頭的淺灘。隨風傳來了狼群的嚎叫。他們心情沉重，憶起許多在此地戰死的將士。 道路在隆起的草岸之間向下凹陷，穿過河階，直抵河邊，然後在對岸再次爬升。溪流中有三排平坦的踏腳石，石頭之間是供馬匹通行的渡口，從兩岸延伸至中央一個光禿禿的河中小島。騎士們俯瞰著這些渡河點。
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 551 and it seemed strange to them; for the Fords had ever been a place full of the rush and chatter of water upon stones; but now they were silent. The beds of the stream were almost dry, a bare waste of shingles and grey sand. ‘This is become a dreary place,’ said Eomer. ‘What sickness has befallen the river? Many fair things Saruman has destroyed: has he devoured the springs of Isen too?’ ‘So it would seem,’ said Gandalf. ‘Alas!’ said Theoden. ‘Must we pass this way, where the carrionbeasts devour so many good Riders of the Mark?’ “This is our way,’ said Gandalf. ‘Grievous is the fall of your men; but you shall see that at least the wolves of the mountains do not devour them. It is with their friends, the Orcs, that they hold their feast: such indeed is the friendship of their kind. Come!’ They rode down to the river, and as they came the wolves ceased their howling and slunk away. Fear fell on them seeing Gandalf in the moon, and Shadowfax his horse shining like silver. The riders passed over to the islet, and glittering eyes watched them wanly from the shadows of the banks. ‘Look!’ said Gandalf. ‘Friends have laboured here.’ And they saw that in the midst of the eyot a mound was piled, ringed with stones, and set about with many spears. ‘Here lie all the Men of the Mark that fell near this place,’ said Gandalf. ‘Here let them rest!’ said Eomer. ‘And when their spears have rotted and rusted, long still may their mound stand and guard the Fords of Isen!’ ‘Is this your work also, Gandalf, my friend?’ said Théoden. ‘You accomplished much in an evening and a night!’ ‘With the help of Shadowfax — and others,’ said Gandalf. ‘I rode fast and far. But here beside the mound I will say this for your comfort: many fell in the battles of the Fords, but fewer than rumour made them. More were scattered than were slain; I gathered together all that I could find. Some men I sent with Grimbold of Westfold to join Erkenbrand. Some I set to make this burial. They have now followed your marshal, Elfhelm. I sent him with many Riders to Edoras. Saruman I knew had despatched his full strength against you, and his servants had turned aside from all other errands and gone to Helm’s Deep: the lands seemed empty of enemies; yet I feared that wolf-riders and plunderers might ride nonetheless to Meduseld, while it was undefended. But now I think you need not fear: you will find your house to welcome your return.’ ‘And glad shall I be to see it again,’ said Théoden, ‘though brief now, I doubt not, shall be my abiding there.’
他們覺得很奇怪；因為艾辛河渡口向來是水流奔騰、沖刷石頭而喧鬧不休的地方；但此刻卻一片死寂。河床幾乎乾涸，成了一片光禿禿的礫石與灰沙荒地。「這裡變得真荒涼，」伊歐墨說。「這條河遭遇了什麼不幸？薩魯曼摧毀了許多美好的事物：難道他也吞噬了艾辛河的源頭嗎？」「看來是如此，」甘道夫說。「唉！」希優頓說。「我們非得走這條路嗎？這裡有食腐獸吞噬了這麼多洛汗國的優秀騎士。」「這是我們的路，」甘道夫說。「你的人的犧牲令人悲痛；但你會看到，至少山中的狼群沒有吞噬他們。牠們是和牠們的朋友——半獸人——一同享用盛宴：這就是他們那類生物的友誼。來吧！」他們騎馬下到河邊，當他們走近時，狼群停止了嚎叫，偷偷溜走了。牠們在月光下看見甘道夫，以及他那匹像銀光一樣閃耀的坐騎影疾，恐懼攫住了牠們。騎士們渡過河來到小島上，一雙雙閃爍的眼睛從岸邊的陰影中虛弱地注視著他們。「看！」甘道夫說。「朋友們在這裡勞動過。」他們看見，在河中小島的中央堆起了一座土墳，四周用石頭圍著，還插了許多長矛。「所有在此地陣亡的洛汗國戰士都長眠於此，」甘道夫說。「讓他們在此安息吧！」伊歐墨說。「當他們的長矛腐朽生鏽之後，願他們的墳塚仍能長久矗立，守護著艾辛河渡口！」「這也是你的傑作嗎，甘道夫，我的朋友？」希優頓說。「您在一日一夜之間就完成了這麼多事！」「在影疾——還有其他人的幫助下，」甘道夫說。「我策馬疾馳，行了很遠的路。但在這墳塚旁，為了安慰你，我要說：在渡口之戰中陣亡的人很多，但比謠言所說的要少。失散的比陣亡的多；我把能找到的人都聚集起來了。我派了一些人跟著西境的葛林伯去與鄂肯布蘭德會合。我派了一些人建造這座墳墓。他們現在已經跟隨你的將軍艾夫海姆去了。我派他與眾多騎士前往伊多拉斯。我知道薩魯曼已派出全部兵力來對付你們，他的僕人已放下所有其他任務，前往聖盔谷：這片土地上似乎已沒有敵人；但我擔心狼騎士和掠奪者仍可能趁梅杜西金殿無人防守時前去襲擊。不過現在我想你不用擔心了：你會發現你的家園會歡迎你的歸來。」「能再見到它我會很高興，」希優頓說，「雖然我毫不懷疑，我這次在那裡停留的時間將會很短暫。」
552 THE LORD OF THE RINGS With that the company said farewell to the island and the mound, and passed over the river, and climbed the further bank. Then they rode on, glad to have left the mournful Fords. As they went the howling of the wolves broke out anew. There was an ancient highway that ran down from Isengard to the crossings. For some way it took its course beside the river, bending with it east and then north; but at the last it turned away and went straight towards the gates of Isengard; and these were under the mountain-side in the west of the valley, sixteen miles or more from its mouth. This road they followed but they did not ride upon it; for the ground beside it was firm and level, covered for many miles about with short springing turf. They rode now more swiftly, and by midnight the Fords were nearly five leagues behind. Then they halted, ending their night’s journey, for the King was weary. They were come to the feet of the Misty Mountains, and the long arms of Nan Curunir stretched down to meet them. Dark lay the vale before them, for the moon had passed into the West, and its light was hidden by the hills. But out of the deep shadow of the dale rose a vast spire of smoke and vapour; as it mounted, it caught the rays of the sinking moon, and spread in shimmering billows, black and silver, over the starry sky. ‘What do you think of that, Gandalf?’ asked Aragorn. ‘One would say that all the Wizard’s Vale was burning.’ ‘There is ever a fume above that valley in these days,’ said Eomer: ‘but I have never seen aught like this before. These are steams rather than smokes. Saruman is brewing some devilry to greet us. Maybe he is boiling all the waters of Isen, and that is why the river runs dry.’ ‘Maybe he is,’ said Gandalf. “Tomorrow we shall learn what he is doing. Now let us rest for a while, if we can.’ They camped beside the bed of the Isen river; it was still silent and empty. Some of them slept a little. But late in the night the watchmen cried out, and all awoke. The moon was gone. Stars were shining above; but over the ground there crept a darkness blacker than the night. On both sides of the river it rolled towards them, going northward. ‘Stay where you are!’ said Gandalf. ‘Draw no weapons! Wait! and it will pass you by!’ A mist gathered about them. Above them a few stars still glimmered faintly; but on either side there arose walls of impenetrable gloom; they were in a narrow lane between moving towers of shadow. Voices they heard, whisperings and groanings and an endless rustling sigh; the earth shook under them. Long it seemed to them that they sat and were afraid; but at last the darkness and the rumour passed, and vanished between the mountain’s arms. BS
於是，一行人告別了那座小島和土丘，渡過河流，爬上了對岸。然後他們繼續策馬前行，很高興能離開那令人哀傷的渡口。他們前行時，狼嚎聲再度爆發。有一條古老的大道從艾辛格一直通往渡口。這條路有一段沿著河岸，隨河道先向東再轉北；但最後它轉離河邊，筆直地朝艾辛格的大門而去；大門位於山谷西側的山腳下，距離谷口有十六英里或更遠。他們沿著這條路走，但沒有騎在路上；因為路旁的地面堅實平坦，方圓數英里都覆蓋著短而富有彈性的草皮。他們現在騎得更快了，到了午夜，渡口已經在將近五里格之後。接著他們停了下來，結束了夜間的旅程，因為國王累了。他們已來到迷霧山脈的山腳下，庫茹尼爾之谷的長臂伸展下來迎接他們。黑暗籠罩著眼前的山谷，因為月亮已經西沉，月光被山丘遮蔽了。但從深邃的山谷陰影中，升起一道巨大的煙霧和蒸氣柱；它向上攀升時，捕捉到沉月的光芒，化作閃爍的黑銀色波濤，鋪展在繁星點點的夜空之上。「你覺得那是怎麼回事，甘道夫？」亞拉岡問。「任誰都會說整個巫師之谷都在燃燒。」「這些日子以來，那山谷上空總是有煙霧，」伊歐墨說：「但我從未見過像這樣的情景。這與其說是煙，不如說是蒸氣。薩魯曼正在醞釀什麼鬼計來迎接我們。也許他把艾辛河所有的水都煮沸了，所以河水才會乾涸。」「也許吧，」甘道夫說。「明天我們就會知道他在做什麼了。現在，如果可以的話，我們先休息一會兒。」他們在艾辛河的河床上紮營；河床依舊寂靜空蕩。他們之中有些人小睡了一會兒。但深夜時，守夜人突然大喊，所有人都驚醒了。月亮不見了。星星在頭頂閃耀；但地面上卻有一片比黑夜更深沉的黑暗悄然蔓延。它從河的兩岸向他們滾滾而來，一路向北。「待在原地！」甘道夫說。「不要拔出武器！等著！它會從你們身邊經過的！」一陣迷霧在他們周圍聚集。他們頭頂上，幾顆星星仍在微弱地閃爍；但兩側卻升起了無法穿透的陰森高牆；他們身處一條狹窄的通道中，兩旁是移動的暗影高塔。他們聽見了聲音，有低語、呻吟和無盡的沙沙嘆息聲；他們腳下的大地在震動。他們似乎坐了很久，滿心恐懼；但最終，那片黑暗和嘈雜聲過去了，消失在群山的懷抱之間。
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 553 Away south upon the Hornburg, in the middle night men heard a great noise, as a wind in the valley, and the ground trembled; and all were afraid and no one ventured to go forth. But in the morning they went out and were amazed; for the slain Orcs were gone, and the trees also. Far down into the valley of the Deep the grass was crushed and trampled brown, as if giant herdsmen had pastured great droves of cattle there; but a mile below the Dike a huge pit had been delved in the earth, and over it stones were piled into a hill. Men believed that the Orcs whom they had slain were buried there; but whether those who had fled into the wood were with them, none could say, for no man ever set foot upon that hill. The Death Down it was afterwards called, and no grass would grow there. But the strange trees were never seen in Deeping-coomb again; they had returned at night, and had gone far away to the dark dales of Fangorn. Thus they were revenged upon the Orcs. The king and his company slept no more that night; but they saw and heard no other strange thing, save one: the voice of the river beside them suddenly awoke. There was a rush of water hurrying down among the stones; and when it had passed, the Isen flowed and bubbled in its bed again, as it had ever done. At dawn they made ready to go on. The light came grey and pale, and they did not see the rising of the sun. The air above was heavy with fog, and a reek lay on the land about them. They went slowly, riding now upon the highway. It was broad and hard, and welltended. Dimly through the mists they could descry the long arm of the mountains rising on their left. They had passed into Nan Curunir, the Wizard’s Vale. That was a sheltered valley, open only to the South. Once it had been fair and green, and through it the Isen flowed, already deep and strong before it found the plains; for it was fed by many springs and lesser streams among the rain-washed hills, and all about it there had lain a pleasant, fertile land. It was not so now. Beneath the walls of Isengard there still were acres tilled by the slaves of Saruman; but most of the valley had become a wilderness of weeds and thorns. Brambles trailed upon the ground, or clambering over bush and bank, made shaggy caves where small beasts housed. No trees grew there; but among the rank grasses could still be seen the burned and axe-hewn stumps of ancient groves. It was a sad country, silent now but for the stony noise of quick waters. Smokes and steams drifted in sullen clouds and lurked in the hollows. The riders did not speak. Many doubted in their hearts, wondering to what dismal end their journey led. After they had ridden for some miles, the highway became a wide street, paved with great flat stones, squared and laid with skill; no
554 THE LORD OF THE RINGS blade of grass was seen in any joint. Deep gutters, filled with trickling water, ran down on either side. Suddenly a tall pillar loomed up before them. It was black; and set upon it was a great stone, carved and painted in the likeness of a long White Hand. Its finger pointed north. Not far now they knew that the gates of Isengard must stand, and their hearts were heavy; but their eyes could not pierce the mists ahead. Beneath the mountain’s arm within the Wizard’s Vale through years uncounted had stood that ancient place that Men called Isengard. Partly it was shaped in the making of the mountains, but mighty works the Men of Westernesse had wrought there of old; and Saruman had dwelt there long and had not been idle. This was its fashion, while Saruman was at his height, accounted by many the chief of Wizards. A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again. One entrance only was there made in it, a great arch delved in the southern wall. Here through the black rock a long tunnel had been hewn, closed at either end with mighty doors of iron. They were so wrought and poised upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven into the living stone, that when unbarred they could be moved with a light thrust of the arms, noiselessly. One who passed in and came at length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim. Once it had been green and filled with avenues, and groves of fruitful trees, watered by streams that flowed from the mountains to a lake. But no green thing grew there in the latter days of Saruman. The roads were paved with stone-flags, dark and hard; and beside their borders instead of trees there marched long lines of pillars, some of marble, some of copper and of iron, joined by heavy chains. Many houses there were, chambers, halls, and passages, cut and tunnelled back into the walls upon their inner side, so that all the open circle was overlooked by countless windows and dark doors. Thousands could dwell there, workers, servants, slaves, and warriors with great store of arms; wolves were fed and stabled in deep dens beneath. The plain, too, was bored and delved. Shafts were driven deep into the ground; their upper ends were covered by low mounds and domes of stone, so that in the moonlight the Ring of Isengard looked like a graveyard of unquiet dead. For the ground trembled. The shafts ran down by many slopes and spiral stairs to caverns far under; there Saruman had treasuries, store-houses, armouries, smithies, and great furnaces. Iron wheels revolved there endlessly, and hammers thudded. At night plumes of vapour steamed from the
《魔戒》554頁 任何接縫處都看不到一根草葉。深邃的溝渠裡，涓涓細流順著兩側向下流淌。突然，一根高大的柱子在他們面前赫然聳現。柱子是黑色的，上面立著一塊巨石，雕刻並漆成一隻長長的白手模樣。它的手指指向北方。他們知道，艾辛格的大門想必不遠了，心情也沉重起來；但他們的雙眼無法穿透前方的迷霧。 在巫師谷的山脈臂彎中，那被世人稱為艾辛格的古老之地已屹立了無數歲月。它部分是在山脈形成時塑造而成，但西方皇族的先民們曾在古時於此地完成了宏偉的工程；而薩魯曼已在此居住許久，並且從未閒著。 這便是薩魯曼權勢鼎盛之時的模樣，當時許多人將他視為眾巫師之首。一道由巨石構成的巨大環牆，宛如高聳的懸崖，從山腰的庇護中伸出，環繞一圈後又回到原處。牆上僅有一處入口，是開在南牆上的一座巨大拱門。在此，一條長長的隧道從黑色的岩石中開鑿而出，兩端都用巨大的鐵門封閉。這些門的做工與平衡都極其精巧，它們的巨大樞紐和鋼製門柱都深嵌在活石之中，以至於只要門閂一開，用手臂輕輕一推，便能無聲地移動。 凡是穿過這道門，最終走出迴響不絕的隧道之人，都會看到一片平原，一個巨大的圓形，像一個巨大的淺碗般微微下凹：其直徑達一英里。這裡曾一度綠意盎然，遍布林蔭大道與結實纍纍的樹林，由從山中流向湖泊的溪流所灌溉。但在薩魯曼的末期，此地已無任何綠色植物生長。道路鋪著深色堅硬的石板；路旁取代樹木的，是長長的柱列，有些是大理石，有些是銅和鐵，由沉重的鎖鏈相連。 那裡有許多房屋、廳室、大廳和走廊，都是從環牆內側向後挖掘和開鑿而成，因此整個開闊的圓環都被無數的窗戶和黑暗的門戶所俯瞰。數千人可居住於此，有工人、僕役、奴隸，以及儲備大量武器的戰士；狼群則被餵養和圈禁在下方的深穴中。平原本身也被鑽探和挖掘。豎井深入地下；其上端被低矮的土丘和石製穹頂覆蓋，因此在月光下，艾辛格之環看起來像一座不得安寧的死者墳場。因為地面在顫抖。豎井沿著許多斜坡和螺旋樓梯通往地底深處的洞穴；薩魯曼在那裡設有寶庫、倉庫、軍械庫、鐵匠鋪和巨大的熔爐。鐵輪在那裡無休止地轉動，鐵鎚聲沉重地敲擊著。到了夜晚，一縷縷蒸汽從中冒出。
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 555 vents, lit from beneath with red light, or blue, or venomous green. To the centre all the roads ran between their chains. There stood a tower of marvellous shape. It was fashioned by the builders of old, who smoothed the Ring of Isengard, and yet it seemed a thing not made by the craft of Men, but riven from the bones of the earth in the ancient torment of the hills. A peak and isle of rock it was, black and gleaming hard: four mighty piers of many-sided stone were welded into one, but near the summit they opened into gaping horns, their pinnacles sharp as the points of spears, keen-edged as knives. Between them was a narrow space, and there upon a floor of polished stone, written with strange signs, a man might stand five hundred feet above the plain. This was Orthanc, the citadel of Saruman, the name of which had (by design or chance) a twofold meaning; for in the Elvish speech orthanc signifies Mount Fang, but in the language of the Mark of old the Cunning Mind. A strong place and wonderful was Isengard, and long it had been beautiful; and there great lords had dwelt, the wardens of Gondor upon the West, and wise men that watched the stars. But Saruman had slowly shaped it to his shifting purposes, and made it better, as he thought, being deceived — for all those arts and subtle devices, for which he forsook his former wisdom, and which fondly he imagined were his own, came but from Mordor; so that what he made was naught, only a little copy, a child’s model or a slave’s flattery, of that vast fortress, armoury, prison, furnace of great power, Barad-dutr, the Dark Tower, which suffered no rival, and laughed at flattery, biding its time, secure in its pride and its immeasurable strength. This was the stronghold of Saruman, as fame reported it; for within living memory the men of Rohan had not passed its gates, save perhaps a few, such as Wormtongue, who came in secret and told no man what they saw. Now Gandalf rode to the great pillar of the Hand, and passed it; and as he did so the Riders saw to their wonder that the Hand appeared no longer white. It was stained as with dried blood; and looking closer they perceived that its nails were red. Unheeding Gandalf rode on into the mist, and reluctantly they followed him. All about them now, as if there had been a sudden flood, wide pools of water lay beside the road, filling the hollows, and rills went trickling down among the stones. At last Gandalf halted and beckoned to them; and they came, and saw that beyond him the mists had cleared, and a pale sunlight shone. The hour of noon had passed. They were come to the doors of Isengard. But the doors lay hurled and twisted on the ground. And all about,
556 THE LORD OF THE RINGS stone, cracked and splintered into countless jagged shards, was scattered far and wide, or piled in ruinous heaps. The great arch still stood, but it opened now upon a roofless chasm: the tunnel was laid bare, and through the cliff-like walls on either side great rents and breaches had been torn; their towers were beaten into dust. If the Great Sea had risen in wrath and fallen on the hills with storm, it could have worked no greater ruin. The ring beyond was filled with steaming water: a bubbling cauldron, in which there heaved and floated a wreckage of beams and spars, chests and casks and broken gear. Twisted and leaning pillars reared their splintered stems above the flood, but all the roads were drowned. Far off, it seemed, half veiled in winding cloud, there loomed the island rock. Still dark and tall, unbroken by the storm, the tower of Orthanc stood. Pale waters lapped about its feet. The king and all his company sat silent on their horses, marvelling, perceiving that the power of Saruman was overthrown; but how they could not guess. And now they turned their eyes towards the archway and the ruined gates. There they saw close beside them a great rubbleheap; and suddenly they were aware of two small figures lying on it at their ease, grey-clad, hardly to be seen among the stones. There were bottles and bowls and platters laid beside them, as if they had just eaten well, and now rested from their labour. One seemed asleep; the other, with crossed legs and arms behind his head, leaned back against a broken rock and sent from his mouth long wisps and little rings of thin blue smoke. For a moment Théoden and Eomer and all his men stared at them in wonder. Amid all the wreck of Isengard this seemed to them the strangest sight. But before the king could speak, the small smokebreathing figure became suddenly aware of them, as they sat there silent on the edge of the mist. He sprang to his feet. A young man he looked, or like one, though not much more than half a man in height; his head of brown curling hair was uncovered, but he was clad in a travel-stained cloak of the same hue and shape as the companions of Gandalf had worn when they rode to Edoras. He bowed very low, putting his hand upon his breast. Then, seeming not to observe the wizard and his friends, he turned to Eomer and the king. ‘Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!’ he said. ‘We are the doorwardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! is overcome with weariness’ — here he gave the other a dig with his foot — ‘is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the House of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable guests.’
石頭裂開，碎成無數尖銳的碎片，四散各處，或堆積成毀壞的土堆。巨大的拱門依然矗立，但現在通向一個沒有屋頂的深淵：隧道被完全揭露，兩側懸崖般的牆壁上被撕開了巨大的裂口和缺口；他們的塔樓被打成了塵土。即使大海在憤怒中掀起滔天巨浪，帶著暴風雨襲擊山丘，也不可能造成更大的毀滅。遠處的環形區域充滿了冒著蒸氣的水：一個沸騰的大鍋，裡面起伏漂浮著橫梁、圓材、箱子、木桶和破損裝備的殘骸。扭曲傾斜的柱子將其碎裂的柱身伸出洪水之上，但所有的道路都被淹沒了。遠處，似乎半遮在繚繞的雲霧中，那座島嶼岩石若隱若現。歐散克塔依然矗立，黑暗而高聳，未被風暴摧毀。蒼白的水波輕拍著它的基座。國王和他所有的隨從都靜靜地坐在馬背上，驚嘆不已，意識到薩魯曼的力量已被推翻；但他們猜不出是怎麼回事。現在他們把目光轉向拱門和毀壞的大門。在那裡，他們看到身旁有一大堆碎石；突然間，他們注意到兩個小小的身影悠閒地躺在上面，身穿灰衣，在石頭中幾乎看不見。他們身旁放著瓶子、碗和盤子，彷彿他們剛飽餐一頓，現在正從勞動中休息。一個似乎睡著了；另一個翹著二郎腿，雙手枕在腦後，靠在一塊破裂的岩石上，從嘴裡吐出長長的煙絲和一圈圈細細的藍煙。一時間，希優頓、伊歐墨和他們所有的人都驚奇地盯著他們。在艾辛格所有的殘骸中，這對他們來說似乎是最奇怪的景象。但在國王開口之前，那個吐著煙的小身影突然意識到了他們，他們正靜靜地坐在迷霧的邊緣。他跳了起來。他看起來像個年輕人，或者說像一個，雖然身高不到普通人的一半；他那頭棕色捲髮的腦袋沒有遮蓋，但他穿著一件滿是旅途塵土的斗篷，顏色和形狀與甘道夫的同伴們騎馬去伊多拉斯時穿的一樣。他深深地鞠躬，把手放在胸前。然後，他似乎沒有注意到巫師和他的朋友們，轉向伊歐墨和國王。「歡迎，我的大人們，來到艾辛格！」他說。「我們是門衛。我的名字是梅里雅達克，薩拉達克之子；而我的同伴，唉！他被疲勞征服了」——說到這裡，他用腳輕輕踢了另一個人一下——「是培瑞格林，派拉丁之子，來自圖克家族。我們的家在遙遠的北方。薩魯曼大人在裡面；但此刻他正和一個叫葛力馬的人密談，否則他無疑會在這裡歡迎如此尊貴的客人。」
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 557 ‘Doubtless he would!’ laughed Gandalf. ‘And was it Saruman that ordered you to guard his damaged doors, and watch for the arrival of guests, when your attention could be spared from plate and bottle?’ ‘No, good sir, the matter escaped him,’ answered Merry gravely. ‘He has been much occupied. Our orders came from Treebeard, who has taken over the management of Isengard. He commanded me to welcome the Lord of Rohan with fitting words. I have done my best.’ ‘And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me?’ cried Gimli, unable to contain himself longer. ‘You rascals, you woolly-footed and wool-pated truants! A fine hunt you have led us! Two hundred leagues, through fen and forest, battle and death, to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and idling — and smoking! Smoking! Where did you come by the weed, you villains? Hammer and tongs! I am so torn between rage and joy, that if I do not burst, it will be a marvel!’ “You speak for me, Gimli,’ laughed Legolas. “Though I would sooner learn how they came by the wine.’ ‘One thing you have not found in your hunting, and that’s brighter wits,’ said Pippin, opening an eye. ‘Here you find us sitting on a field of victory, amid the plunder of armies, and you wonder how we came by a few well-earned comforts!’ ‘Well-earned?’ said Gimli. ‘I cannot believe that!’ The Riders laughed. ‘It cannot be doubted that we witness the meeting of dear friends,’ said Theoden. ‘So these are the lost ones of your company, Gandalf? The days are fated to be filled with marvels. Already I have seen many since I left my house; and now here before my eyes stand yet another of the folk of legend. Are not these the Halflings, that some among us call the Holbytlan?’ ‘Hobbits, if you please, lord,’ said Pippin. ‘Hobbits?’ said Theoden. ‘Your tongue is strangely changed; but the name sounds not unfitting so. Hobbits! No report that I have heard does justice to the truth.’ Merry bowed; and Pippin got up and bowed low. ‘You are gracious, lord; or I hope that I may so take your words,’ he said. ‘And here is another marvel! I have wandered in many lands, since I left my home, and never till now have I found people that knew any story concerning hobbits.’ ‘My people came out of the North long ago,’ said Théoden. ‘But I will not deceive you: we know no tales about hobbits. All that is said among us is that far away, over many hills and rivers, live the halfling folk that dwell in holes in sand-dunes. But there are no legends of their deeds, for it is said that they do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to vanish in a twinkling; and they can change
「那他肯定會的！」甘道夫笑道。「難道是薩魯曼命令你們看守他那扇破損的大門，並在你們能從盤子和瓶子旁分神的時候，留意客人的到來嗎？」「不，好先生，這件事他沒注意到，」梅里嚴肅地回答。「他一直很忙。我們的命令來自樹鬍，他已經接管了埃辛加的管理。他吩咐我用合適的言辭來歡迎洛汗國王。我已經盡力了。」「那你的同伴呢？勒苟拉斯和我呢？」金靂再也忍不住，大喊起來。「你們這些小無賴，你們這些毛腳毛頭的逃學者！你們可真讓我們好找啊！兩百里格的路，穿過沼澤和森林，歷經戰鬥與死亡，就為了救你們！結果卻發現你們在這裡大吃大喝、遊手好閒——還在抽菸！抽菸！你們這些壞蛋，菸草是從哪弄來的？天啊！我又氣又喜，要是我沒氣炸，那真是奇蹟了！」「金靂，你說出我的心聲了，」勒苟拉斯笑道。「不過我倒比較想知道他們的酒是怎麼來的。」「你們在追獵中有一樣東西沒找到，那就是更靈光的腦袋，」皮聘睜開一隻眼睛說。「你們看見我們坐在勝利的戰場上，身處大軍的戰利品之中，卻還好奇我們是怎麼弄到一些理所應得的享受！」「理所應得？」金靂說。「我才不信！」騎士們笑了起來。「無疑地，我們正目睹摯友的重逢，」希優頓說。「所以，甘道夫，這些就是你隊伍中失散的成員？這些日子注定充滿奇蹟。自我離開家門以來，我已見過許多奇事；而現在，我眼前又站著另一位傳說中的子民。他們不就是半身人嗎？我們有些人稱之為『霍比特拉』？」「陛下，如果您不介意的話，請稱我們為哈比人，」皮聘說。「哈比人？」希優頓說。「你的口音變得很奇怪；但這名字聽起來倒也合適。哈比人！我聽過的任何報告都未能如實反映真相。」梅里鞠了一躬；皮聘也站起來深深一鞠躬。「您太仁慈了，陛下；或者我希望可以這麼理解您的話，」他說。「這裡還有另一個奇蹟！自從我離家以來，我曾在許多地方流浪，但直到現在，我從未遇到過知道任何關於哈比人故事的人。」「我的子民很久以前從北方來，」希優頓說。「但我不會欺騙你：我們不知道關於哈比人的傳說。我們之間流傳的說法是，在遙遠的地方，越過許多山丘和河流，住著半身人，他們住在沙丘的洞穴裡。但沒有關於他們事蹟的傳說，因為據說他們無所作為，並且躲避人類的視線，能夠在一眨眼間消失；而且他們可以改變
558 THE LORD OF THE RINGS their voices to resemble the piping of birds. But it seems that more could be said.’ ‘It could indeed, lord,’ said Merry. ‘For one thing,’ said Théoden, ‘I had not heard that they spouted smoke from their mouths.’ “That is not surprising,’ answered Merry; ‘for it is an art which we have not practised for more than a few generations. It was Tobold Hornblower, of Longbottom in the Southfarthing, who first grew the true pipe-weed in his gardens, about the year 1070 according to our reckoning. How old Toby came by the plant...’ “You do not know your danger, Théoden,’ interrupted Gandalf. “These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, or the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue patience. Some other time would be more fitting for the history of smoking. Where is Treebeard, Merry?’ ‘Away on the north side, I believe. He went to get a drink — of clean water. Most of the other Ents are with him, still busy at their work — over there.’ Merry waved his hand towards the steaming lake; and as they looked, they heard a distant rumbling and rattling, as if an avalanche was falling from the mountain-side. Far away came a hoom-hom, as of horns blowing triumphantly. ‘And is Orthanc then left unguarded?’ asked Gandalf. “There is the water,’ said Merry. ‘But Quickbeam and some others are watching it. Not all those posts and pillars in the plain are of Saruman’s planting. Quickbeam, I think, is by the rock, near the foot of the stair.’ “Yes, a tall grey Ent is there,’ said Legolas, ‘but his arms are at his sides, and he stands as still as a door-tree.’ ‘It is past noon,’ said Gandalf, ‘and we at any rate have not eaten since early morning. Yet I wish to see Treebeard as soon as may be. Did he leave me no message, or has plate and bottle driven it from your mind?’ ‘He left a message,’ said Merry, ‘and I was coming to it, but I have been hindered by many other questions. I was to say that, if the Lord of the Mark and Gandalf will ride to the northern wall they will find Treebeard there, and he will welcome them. I may add that they will also find food of the best there, it was discovered and selected by your humble servants.’ He bowed. Gandalf laughed. “That is better!’ he said. ‘Well, Théoden, will you ride with me to find Treebeard? We must go round about, but it is not far. When you see Treebeard, you will learn much. For Treebeard is Fangorn, and the eldest and chief of the Ents, and when you speak with him you will hear the speech of the oldest of all living things.’
他們的聲音模仿鳥鳴。但看來還有更多可說的。」「確實如此，大人。」梅里說。「舉例來說，」希優頓說，「我從未聽說他們會從嘴裡噴出煙霧。」「那不奇怪，」梅里回答道，「因為這門技藝我們也不過實踐了幾代人而已。是南區長谷的老托博德・吹號角，大約在我們紀年的1070年，第一個在他的花園裡種出真正的煙斗草。至於老托比是怎麼得到那植物的……」「你不知道你的危險，希優頓，」甘道夫打斷他。「如果你用不必要的耐心去縱容他們，這些哈比人會坐在毀滅的邊緣，討論餐桌上的樂趣，或是他們父輩、祖輩、曾祖輩的瑣事，甚至遠到九代的遠房表親。菸草的歷史還是改天再談比較合適。樹鬍在哪裡，梅里？」「我想他在北邊。他去喝點東西——喝點乾淨的水。大多數其他的樹人都跟他在一起，還在忙著他們的工作——在那邊。」梅里朝著冒著蒸氣的湖泊揮了揮手；他們望過去時，聽到遠方傳來隆隆和嘎啦聲，彷彿山崩自山腰滑落。遠處傳來「轟—鳴」的聲音，像是號角在勝利地吹響。「那麼歐散克就沒人看守了嗎？」甘道夫問。「有水在啊，」梅里說。「不過快枝和其他一些樹人正看著它。平原上那些柱子和石墩不全是薩魯曼種的。我想，快枝就在那塊岩石旁，靠近階梯腳下。」「是的，那裡有個高大的灰色樹人，」勒苟拉斯說，「但他的手臂垂在兩側，站著像門柱一樣紋風不動。」「已經過了中午了，」甘道夫說，「而我們無論如何從一大早就沒吃東西了。但我希望能盡快見到樹鬍。他沒給我留話嗎？還是盤子和瓶子把這事從你腦中趕走了？」「他留了話，」梅里說，「我正要說到那裡，但被好多其他問題給耽擱了。他要我說，如果驃騎王和甘道夫騎馬到北牆，他們會在那裡找到樹鬍，他會歡迎他們。我還可以補充一句，他們在那裡也會找到最好的食物，是由您卑微的僕人們發現並挑選的。」他鞠了一躬。甘道夫笑了。「那好多了！」他說。「那麼，希優頓，你願意和我一起騎馬去找樹鬍嗎？我們得繞點路，但不會太遠。當你見到樹鬍，你會學到很多。因為樹鬍就是法貢，是樹人中最年長、也是他們的領袖，當你與他說話時，你將會聽到所有現存生物中最古老的語言。」
THE ROAD TO ISENGARD 559 ‘I will come with you,’ said Théoden. ‘Farewell, my hobbits! May we meet again in my house! There you shall sit beside me and tell me all that your hearts desire: the deeds of your grandsires, as far as you can reckon them; and we will speak also of Tobold the Old and his herb-lore. Farewell!’ The hobbits bowed low. ‘So that is the King of Rohan!’ said Pippin in an undertone. ‘A fine old fellow. Very polite.’
「我跟你們一起去。」希優頓說。「再會了，我的哈比人朋友們！願我們能在我的殿堂中重逢！屆時你們將坐在我身旁，告訴我你們心中渴望的一切：你們祖輩的豐功偉業，盡你們所能回憶的；我們還要聊聊老托伯和他關於菸葉的知識。再會了！」哈比人們深深一鞠躬。「原來這就是洛汗國王啊！」皮聘低聲說。「真是個不錯的老先生。非常有禮貌。」