Chapter 8 THE HOUSES OF HEALING A mist was in Merry’s eyes of tears and weariness when they drew near the ruined Gate of Minas Tirith. He gave little heed to the wreck and slaughter that lay about all. Fire and smoke and stench was in the air; for many engines had been burned or cast into the fire-pits, and many of the slain also, while here and there lay many carcases of the great Southron monsters, half-burned, or broken by stone-cast, or shot through the eyes by the valiant archers of Morthond. The flying rain had ceased for a time, and the sun gleamed up above; but all the lower city was still wrapped in a smouldering reek. Already men were labouring to clear a way through the jetsam of battle; and now out from the Gate came some bearing litters. Gently they laid Eowyn upon soft pillows; but the king’s body they covered with a great cloth of gold, and they bore torches about him, and their flames, pale in the sunlight, were fluttered by the wind. So Théoden and Eowyn came to the City of Gondor, and all who saw them bared their heads and bowed; and they passed through the ash and fume of the burned circle, and went on and up along the streets of stone. To Merry the ascent seemed agelong, a meaningless journey in a hateful dream, going on and on to some dim ending that memory cannot seize. Slowly the lights of the torches in front of him flickered and went out, and he was walking in a darkness; and he thought: “This is a tunnel leading to a tomb; there we shall stay for ever.’ But suddenly into his dream there fell a living voice. ‘Well, Merry! Thank goodness I have found you!’ He looked up and the mist before his eyes cleared a little. There was Pippin! They were face to face in a narrow lane, and but for themselves it was empty. He rubbed his eyes. ‘Where is the king?’ he said. ‘And Eowyn?’ Then he stumbled and sat down on a doorstep and began to weep again. “They have gone up into the Citadel,’ said Pippin. ‘I think you must have fallen asleep on your feet and taken the wrong turning. When we found that you were not with them, Gandalf sent me to look for you. Poor old Merry! How glad I am to see you again! But you are worn out, and I won’t bother you with any talk. But tell me, are you hurt, or wounded?’ ‘No,’ said Merry. ‘Well, no, I don’t think so. But I can’t use my
第八章 療傷院 當他們靠近米那斯提力斯那殘破的城門時，梅里因淚水與疲憊而眼前一片迷濛。他幾乎沒注意到周遭的殘骸與殺戮。空氣中瀰漫著火、煙與惡臭；因為許多攻城器械被燒毀或扔進火坑，許多戰死者也是；而四處還躺著南方巨獸的屍骸，有的半焦，有的被投石擊碎，有的則被來自摩頌的英勇弓箭手射穿了眼睛。紛飛的雨暫時停了，陽光在上空閃耀；但整個下城區仍籠罩在悶燒的煙霧中。人們已在奮力清理戰場的殘骸，開出一條路；此時，一些抬著擔架的人從城門出來。他們輕柔地將伊歐玟放在軟枕上；但國王的遺體，他們用一塊巨大的金布覆蓋，並在他周圍舉著火把，那蒼白的火焰在陽光下隨風搖曳。就這樣，希優頓和伊歐玟來到了剛鐸之城，所有看見他們的人都脫帽鞠躬；他們穿過焚毀區的灰燼與濃煙，沿著石板街道一路向上。對梅里來說，這段上坡路彷彿永無止境，像一場可憎夢境中的無意義旅程，不斷前行，走向某個記憶無法捕捉的模糊終點。慢慢地，他前方的火把光芒閃爍著熄滅了，他走入一片黑暗；他心想：「這是一條通往墳墓的隧道；我們將永遠待在這裡。」但突然，一個真實的聲音闖入他的夢境。「喂，梅里！謝天謝地我找到你了！」他抬起頭，眼前的迷霧稍微散去。是皮聘！他們在一條窄巷裡臉對著臉，除了他們倆，巷子空無一人。他揉了揉眼睛。「國王在哪裡？」他說。「還有伊歐玟呢？」然後他絆了一下，坐在一戶人家的門階上，又哭了起來。「他們上到聖白城去了，」皮聘說。「我想你一定是站著睡著了，走錯了路。我們發現你沒跟上時，甘道夫派我來找你。可憐的梅里！真高興又見到你！但你累壞了，我不會多說話來煩你。不過告訴我，你受傷了嗎？」「沒有，」梅里說。「嗯，不，我想沒有。但我沒辦法用我的……
THE HOUSES OF HEALING 859 right arm, Pippin, not since I stabbed him. And my sword burned all away like a piece of wood.’ Pippin’s face was anxious. ‘Well, you had better come with me as quick as you can,’ he said. ‘I wish I could carry you. You aren’t fit to walk any further. They shouldn’t have let you walk at all; but you must forgive them. So many dreadful things have happened in the City, Merry, that one poor hobbit coming in from the battle is easily overlooked.’ ‘It’s not always a misfortune being overlooked,’ said Merry. ‘I was overlooked just now by — no, no, I can’t speak of it. Help me, Pippin! It’s all going dark again, and my arm is so cold.’ ‘Lean on me, Merry lad!’ said Pippin. ‘Come now! Foot by foot. It’s not far.’ ‘Are you going to bury me?’ said Merry. ‘No, indeed!’ said Pippin, trying to sound cheerful, though his heart was wrung with fear and pity. ‘No, we are going to the Houses of Healing.’ They turned out of the lane that ran between tall houses and the outer wall of the fourth circle, and they regained the main street climbing up to the Citadel. Step by step they went, while Merry swayed and murmured as one in sleep. ‘T'll never get him there,’ thought Pippin. ‘Is there no one to help me? I can’t leave him here.’ Just then to his surprise a boy came running up behind, and as he passed he recognized Bergil Beregond’s son. ‘Hullo, Bergil!’ he called. ‘Where are you going? Glad to see you again, and still alive!’ ‘I am running errands for the Healers,’ said Bergil. ‘I cannot stay.’ ‘Don’t!’ said Pippin. ‘But tell them up there that I have a sick hobbit, a perian mind you, come from the battle-field. I don’t think he can walk so far. If Mithrandir is there, he will be glad of the message.’ Bergil ran on. ‘I'd better wait here,’ thought Pippin. So he let Merry sink gently down on to the pavement in a patch of sunlight, and then he sat down beside him, laying Merry’s head in his lap. He felt his body and limbs gently, and took his friend’s hands in his own. The right hand felt icy to the touch. It was not long before Gandalf himself came in search of them. He stooped over Merry and caressed his brow; then he lifted him carefully. ‘He should have been borne in honour into this city,’ he said. ‘He has well repaid my trust; for if Elrond had not yielded to me, neither of you would have set out; and then far more grievous would the evils of this day have been.’ He sighed. ‘And yet here is
「療養院 859 右臂，皮聘，自從我刺傷他之後就沒感覺了。我的劍像塊木頭一樣燒光了。」皮聘滿臉焦慮。「好吧，你最好盡快跟我來，」他說。「真希望我能背你。你身體不適合再走了。他們根本不該讓你走路的；但你得原諒他們。城裡發生了太多可怕的事了，梅里，一個從戰場回來的可憐哈比人很容易被忽略。」「被忽略不見得是壞事，」梅里說。「我剛才就被——不，不，我不能說。幫幫我，皮聘！眼前又開始發黑了，我的手臂好冰。」「靠在我身上，梅里老弟！」皮聘說。「來吧！一步一步走。不遠了。」「你要把我埋了嗎？」梅里說。「不，當然不！」皮聘試著讓自己聽起來開朗些，儘管他的心因恐懼和憐憫而揪緊。「不，我們要去療養院。」他們轉出那條介於高聳房舍和第四環外牆之間的小巷，回到通往大城堡的主街上。他們一步步地走著，梅里搖搖晃晃，像在睡夢中喃喃自語。「我永遠沒辦法把他帶到那裡，」皮聘想。「沒有人能幫我嗎？我不能把他丟在這裡。」就在這時，令他驚訝的是，一個男孩從後面跑了上來，經過時他認出是貝瑞貢的兒子柏吉爾。「哈囉，柏吉爾！」他喊道。「你要去哪裡？很高興又見到你，而且還活著！」「我正在為醫者跑腿，」柏吉爾說。「我不能久留。」「別走！」皮聘說。「但請告訴上面的人，我這裡有個生病的哈比人，一個『半身人』，你懂嗎，剛從戰場回來。我想他走不了那麼遠。如果米斯蘭達在那裡，他會很高興聽到這個消息的。」柏吉爾繼續跑走了。「我最好在這裡等，」皮聘想。於是他讓梅里輕輕地倒在人行道上的一片陽光裡，然後坐在他身邊，把梅里的頭放在自己的腿上。他輕輕地觸摸他的身體和四肢，並將朋友的手握在自己手中。那隻右手摸起來冰冷刺骨。沒過多久，甘道夫親自來找他們了。他彎下腰看著梅里，輕撫他的額頭；然後小心翼翼地將他抱起。「他本該被榮耀地抬進這座城的，」他說。「他沒有辜負我的信任；因為如果當初愛隆沒有對我讓步，你們兩個都不會出發；那麼今日的災禍將會更加慘重。」他嘆了口氣。「然而這裡卻是
860 THE LORD OF THE RINGS another charge on my hands, while all the time the battle hangs in the balance.’ So at last Faramir and Eowyn and Meriadoc were laid in beds in the Houses of Healing; and there they were tended well. For though all lore was in these latter days fallen from its fullness of old, the leechcraft of Gondor was still wise, and skilled in the healing of wound and hurt, and all such sickness as east of the Sea mortal men were subject to. Save old age only. For that they had found no cure; and indeed the span of their lives had now waned to little more than that of other men, and those among them who passed the tale of five score years with vigour were grown few, save in some houses of purer blood. But now their art and knowledge were baffled; for there were many sick of a malady that would not be healed; and they called it the Black Shadow, for it came from the Nazgtl. And those who were stricken with it fell slowly into an ever deeper dream, and then passed to silence and a deadly cold, and so died. And it seemed to the tenders of the sick that on the Halfling and on the Lady of Rohan this malady lay heavily. Still at whiles as the morning wore away they would speak, murmuring in their dreams; and the watchers listened to all that they said, hoping perhaps to learn something that would help them to understand their hurts. But soon they began to fall down into the darkness, and as the sun turned west a grey shadow crept over their faces. But Faramir burned with a fever that would not abate. Gandalf went from one to the other full of care, and he was told all that the watchers could hear. And so the day passed, while the great battle outside went on with shifting hopes and strange tidings; and still Gandalf waited and watched and did not go forth; till at last the red sunset filled all the sky, and the light through the windows fell on the grey faces of the sick. Then it seemed to those who stood by that in the glow the faces flushed softly as with health returning, but it was only a mockery of hope. Then an old wife, Ioreth, the eldest of the women who served in that house, looking on the fair face of Faramir, wept, for all the people loved him. And she said: ‘Alas! if he should die. Would that there were kings in Gondor, as there were once upon a time, they say! For it is said in old lore: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer. And so the rightful king could ever be known.’ And Gandalf, who stood by, said: ‘Men may long remember your words, Ioreth! For there is hope in them. Maybe a king has indeed returned to Gondor; or have you not heard the strange tidings that have come to the City?’ ‘I have been too busy with this and that to heed all the crying and
「我手上又多了一個重擔，而戰局卻依然懸而未決。」於是，法拉墨、伊歐雯和梅里雅達克最終被安置在療養院的病床上；他們在那裡得到了妥善的照料。因為儘管在這些末世裡，所有的知識已不如往昔那般完備，但剛鐸的醫術依然充滿智慧，擅長治療創傷、傷痛，以及大海以東的凡人所會罹患的各種疾病。唯獨對於衰老，他們束手無策。他們尚未找到治癒老化的方法；事實上，他們族人的壽命如今已縮短到與其他人相差無幾，那些能活力充沛地活過百歲的人，除了在一些血統更純正的家族外，已是寥寥無幾。但現在，他們的技藝與知識也束手無策；因為有許多人染上了一種無法治癒的怪病；他們稱之為「黑影病」，因為它來自納茲古。染上此病的人會緩緩陷入更深的夢境，然後歸於沉寂與死寂的冰冷，就此死去。在照料病患的人看來，這種病似乎沉重地壓在半身人和洛汗女士的身上。隨著上午時光緩慢流逝，他們仍不時在夢中低語；看守者們聽著他們說的每一句話，希望能從中了解有助於理解他們傷勢的線索。但他們很快開始墜入黑暗，當太陽西斜時，一層灰影悄悄爬上他們的臉龐。而法拉墨則發著不退的高燒。甘道夫滿懷憂慮地在病床間來回走動，聽取了看守者們所能聽到的所有訊息。一天就這樣過去了，外面的大戰在希望與絕望的交替和各種奇怪的消息中持續著；甘道夫依然等待、觀察，沒有離去；直到最後，血紅的夕陽染滿了整個天空，窗外的光線落在病患灰敗的臉上。那時，在旁的人看來，那光暈似乎讓病患的臉龐泛起健康的柔和紅潤，但這只是希望的假象。接著，一位老婦人，伊歐瑞絲，是那屋裡服務的婦人中最年長的一位，看著法拉墨俊美的臉龐，哭了起來，因為所有人都愛戴他。她說：「唉！要是他死了該怎麼辦。要是剛鐸還有國王就好了，就像他們說的，古時候那樣！因為古老的傳說中說：『君王之手，即療愈之手。』所以，真正的國王總能因此而被辨認出來。」站在一旁的甘道夫說：「伊歐瑞絲，人們可能會長久記住妳的話！因為其中有希望。也許一位國王真的已經回到剛鐸了；或者妳沒有聽說傳到城裡的那些奇特消息嗎？」「我忙於這些那些事，沒能理會所有的喧嚷。」
THE HOUSES OF HEALING 861 shouting,’ she answered. ‘All I hope is that those murdering devils do not come to this House and trouble the sick.’ Then Gandalf went out in haste, and already the fire in the sky was burning out, and the smouldering hills were fading, while ashgrey evening crept over the fields. Now as the sun went down Aragorn and Eomer and Imrahil drew near the City with their captains and knights; and when they came before the Gate Aragorn said: ‘Behold the Sun setting in a great fire! It is a sign of the end and fall of many things, and a change in the tides of the world. But this City and realm has rested in the charge of the Stewards for many long years, and I fear that if I enter it unbidden, then doubt and debate may arise, which should not be while this war is fought. I will not enter in, nor make any claim, until it be seen whether we or Mordor shall prevail. Men shall pitch my tents upon the field, and here I will await the welcome of the Lord of the City.’ But Eomer said: ‘Already you have raised the banner of the Kings and displayed the tokens of Elendil’s House. Will you suffer these to be challenged?’ ‘No,’ said Aragorn. ‘But I deem the time unripe; and I have no mind for strife except with our Enemy and his servants.’ And the Prince Imrahil said: ‘Your words, lord, are wise, if one who is a kinsman of the Lord Denethor may counsel you in this matter. He is strong-willed and proud, but old; and his mood has been strange since his son was stricken down. Yet I would not have you remain like a beggar at the door.’ ‘Not a beggar,’ said Aragorn. ‘Say a captain of the Rangers, who are unused to cities and houses of stone.’ And he commanded that his banner should be furled; and he did off the Star of the North Kingdom and gave it to the keeping of the sons of Elrond. Then the Prince Imrahil and Eomer of Rohan left him and passed through the City and the tumult of the people, and mounted to the Citadel; and they came to the Hall of the Tower, seeking the Steward. But they found his chair empty, and before the dais lay Theoden King of the Mark upon a bed of state; and twelve torches stood about it, and twelve guards, knights both of Rohan and Gondor. And the hangings of the bed were of green and white, but upon the king was laid the great cloth of gold up to his breast, and upon that his unsheathed sword, and at his feet his shield. The light of the torches shimmered in his white hair like sun in the spray of a fountain, but his face was fair and young, save that a peace lay on it beyond the reach of youth; and it seemed that he slept.
「療養院 861 喊叫聲，」她回答。「我只希望那些殺人魔鬼不要來這棟房子打擾病人。」然後甘道夫匆匆離去，此時天空的火光已漸熄滅，悶燒的山丘也逐漸黯淡，灰濛濛的暮色悄悄籠罩田野。當太陽西下時，亞拉岡、伊歐墨和印拉希爾帶著他們的將領與騎士們靠近了城池；來到城門前，亞拉岡說：「看哪，太陽在熊熊大火中落下！這預示著許多事物的終結與殞落，以及世界潮流的轉變。但這座城池與王國已由宰相們掌管多年，我擔心若我不請自入，恐怕會引發疑慮與爭論，在戰事未歇之際，這是不該發生的。我不會進城，也不會提出任何權力主張，直到我們與魔多之間誰勝誰負塵埃落定。人們將在平原上為我搭起帳篷，我會在此等候城主的歡迎。」但伊歐墨說：「您已經升起了諸王之旗，展示了伊蘭迪爾家族的信物。您願意讓這些受到質疑嗎？」「不，」亞拉岡說。「但我認為時機未到；除了我們的敵人及其僕從，我無意與任何人爭鬥。」印拉希爾親王則說：「大人，您的話很明智，如果迪耐瑟大人的親屬可以在此事上向您進言的話。他意志堅強且驕傲，但年事已高；自從他的兒子倒下後，他的情緒就一直很古怪。然而，我也不願您像個乞丐一樣留在門口。」「不是乞丐，」亞拉岡說。「就說是個遊俠隊長，不習慣城市與石造的房屋。」他下令將他的旗幟捲起；並卸下北方王國之星，交由愛隆的兒子們保管。然後印拉希爾親王和羅翰的伊歐墨離開他，穿過城裡喧鬧的人群，登上城塞；他們來到高塔大廳，尋找宰相。但他們發現他的椅子是空的，而在講台前，洛汗國王希優頓躺在一張華麗的靈床上；周圍立著十二支火炬，十二名衛兵，皆是羅翰與剛鐸的騎士。床的帷幔是綠白相間的，但國王身上蓋著一塊巨大的金布，直到胸前，上面放著他出鞘的劍，腳邊是他的盾牌。火炬的光芒在他白髮上閃爍，如同陽光灑在噴泉的水霧中，但他的面容俊美而年輕，只是臉上帶著一種超越青春所能及的平靜；他彷彿睡著了。
862 THE LORD OF THE RINGS When they had stood silent for a time beside the king, Imrahil said: ‘Where is the Steward? And where also is Mithrandir?’ And one of the guards answered: “The Steward of Gondor is in the Houses of Healing.’ But Eomer said: ‘Where is the Lady Eowyn, my sister; for surely she should be lying beside the king, and in no less honour? Where have they bestowed her?’ And Imrahil said: ‘But the Lady Eowyn was yet living when they bore her hither. Did you not know?’ Then hope unlooked-for came so suddenly to Eomer’s heart, and with it the bite of care and fear renewed, that he said no more, but turned and went swiftly from the hall; and the Prince followed him. And when they came forth evening had fallen and many stars were in the sky. And there came Gandalf on foot and with him one cloaked in grey; and they met before the doors of the Houses of Healing. And they greeted Gandalf and said: ‘We seek the Steward, and men say that he is in this House. Has any hurt befallen him? And the Lady Eowyn, where is she?’ And Gandalf answered: ‘She lies within and is not dead, but is near death. But the Lord Faramir was wounded by an evil dart, as you have heard, and he is now the Steward; for Denethor has departed, and his house is in ashes.’ And they were filled with grief and wonder at the tale that he told. But Imrahil said: ‘So victory is shorn of gladness, and it is bitter bought, if both Gondor and Rohan are in one day bereft of their lords. Eomer rules the Rohirrim. Who shall rule the City meanwhile? Shall we not send now for the Lord Aragorn?’ And the cloaked man spoke and said: ‘He is come.’ And they saw as he stepped into the light of the lantern by the door that it was Aragorn, wrapped in the grey cloak of Lorien above his mail, and bearing no other token than the green stone of Galadriel. ‘I have come because Gandalf begs me to do so,’ he said. ‘But for the present I am but the Captain of the Dunedain of Arnor; and the Lord of Dol Amroth shall rule the City until Faramir awakes. But it is my counsel that Gandalf should rule us all in the days that follow and in our dealings with the Enemy.’ And they agreed upon that. Then Gandalf said: ‘Let us not stay at the door, for the time is urgent. Let us enter! For it is only in the coming of Aragorn that any hope remains for the sick that lie in the House. Thus spake Ioreth, wise-woman of Gondor: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known.’ Then Aragorn entered first and the others followed. And there at the door were two guards in the livery of the Citadel: one tall, but
862《魔戒》 他們在國王身旁默立了一會兒，印拉希爾開口說：「宰相在哪裡？米斯蘭達又在哪裡？」其中一名衛兵回答：「剛鐸的宰相在醫護所裡。」但伊歐墨說：「我姊姊伊歐玟女士在哪裡？她理應躺在國王身邊，享有同等的榮耀。他們把她安置在何處？」印拉希爾說：「但伊歐玟女士被抬到這裡時還活著。你不知道嗎？」這突如其來的希望，以及隨之而來的憂慮與恐懼的刺痛，猛然攫住伊歐墨的心，他一語不發，轉身快步離開大廳；王子跟在他身後。他們出來時，夜幕已降臨，繁星滿天。甘道夫徒步走來，身旁跟著一個披著灰色斗篷的人；他們在醫護所門前相遇。他們向甘道夫致意，說：「我們在找宰相，人們說他在這棟房子裡。他受傷了嗎？還有伊歐玟女士，她在哪裡？」甘道夫回答：「她躺在裡面，還沒死，但已瀕臨死亡。至於法拉墨大人，如你們所聽說的，他被一支邪惡的飛鏢所傷，他現在是宰相了；因為迪耐瑟已經離世，他的家系已化為灰燼。」聽完他所說的故事，他們心中充滿了悲傷與驚奇。但印拉希爾說：「如此一來，勝利便失去了喜悅，而且代價慘痛，如果剛鐸和羅翰在同一天都失去了他們的統治者。伊歐墨統治羅希林。那在此期間誰來統治這座城市？我們現在是否該派人去請亞拉岡大人？」那披著斗篷的人開口說：「他已經來了。」當他步入門邊燈籠的光線中時，他們才看見那是亞拉岡，他在鎧甲外套著羅瑞安的灰色斗篷，除了凱蘭崔爾的綠色寶石外，沒有佩戴任何其他標記。「我來是因為甘道夫請我這麼做，」他說。「但目前我僅是亞爾諾的登丹人隊長；在法拉墨甦醒之前，將由多爾安羅斯的大人統治這座城市。但我建議，在接下來的日子裡，以及在我們與敵人交涉時，應由甘道夫來統領我們所有人。」他們對此表示同意。然後甘道夫說：「我們別在門口耽擱了，時間緊迫。我們進去吧！因為只有亞拉岡的到來，才能為躺在醫護所裡的病患帶來一線希望。正如剛鐸的智者伊歐瑞絲所言：君王之手乃療癒之手，依此便可認出正統之君。」於是亞拉岡首先進入，其他人跟在後面。門口站著兩名穿著城塞號衣的衛兵：一個高大，但是
THE HOUSES OF HEALING 863 the other scarce the height of a boy; and when he saw them he cried aloud in surprise and joy. ‘Strider! How splendid! Do you know, I guessed it was you in the black ships. But they were all shouting corsairs and wouldn’t listen to me. How did you do it?’ Aragorn laughed, and took the hobbit by the hand. ‘Well met indeed!’ he said. ‘But there is not time yet for travellers’ tales.’ But Imrahil said to Eomer: ‘Is it thus that we speak to our kings? Yet maybe he will wear his crown in some other name!’ And Aragorn hearing him, turned and said: ‘Verily, for in the high tongue of old I am Elessar, the Elfstone, and Envinyatar, the Renewer’: and he lifted from his breast the green stone that lay there. ‘But Strider shall be the name of my house, if that be ever established. In the high tongue it will not sound so ill, and Telcontar I will be and all the heirs of my body.’ And with that they passed into the House; and as they went towards the rooms where the sick were tended Gandalf told of the deeds of Eowyn and Meriadoc. ‘For,’ he said, ‘long have I stood by them, and at first they spoke much in their dreaming, before they sank into the deadly darkness. Also it is given to me to see many things far off.’ Aragorn went first to Faramir, and then to the Lady Eowyn, and last to Merry. When he had looked on the faces of the sick and seen their hurts he sighed. ‘Here I must put forth all such power and skill as is given to me,’ he said. ‘Would that Elrond were here, for he is the eldest of all our race, and has the greater power.’ And Eomer seeing that he was both sorrowful and weary said: ‘First you must rest, surely, and at the least eat a little?’ But Aragorn answered: ‘Nay, for these three, and most soon for Faramir, time is running out. All speed is needed.’ Then he called to Ioreth and he said: ‘You have store in this House of the herbs of healing?’ “Yes, lord,’ she answered; ‘but not enough, I reckon, for all that will need them. But I am sure I do not know where we shall find more; for all things are amiss in these dreadful days, what with fires and burnings, and the lads that run errands so few, and all the roads blocked. Why, it is days out of count since ever a carrier came in from Lossarnach to the market! But we do our best in this House with what we have, as I am sure your lordship will know.’ ‘I will judge that when I see,’ said Aragorn. ‘One thing also is short, time for speech. Have you athelas?’ ‘I do not know, I am sure, lord,’ she answered, ‘at least not by that name. I will go and ask of the herb-master; he knows all the old names.’
療養院 863 另一位則幾乎不到一個男孩高；當他看見他們時，又驚又喜地大叫起來。「神行客！太棒了！你知道嗎，我猜到黑船上的人就是你。但他們都喊著是海盜，不肯聽我的。你是怎麼辦到的？」亞拉岡笑了，握住哈比人的手。「確實是久違了！」他說。「但現在還不是講述旅行故事的時候。」但印拉希爾對伊歐墨說：「我們就是這樣對我們的君王說話的嗎？不過，也許他會以別的稱號戴上王冠！」亞拉岡聽見了，轉過身說：「誠然，因為在上古高等精靈語中，我是埃萊薩，精靈寶石，也是恩文雅塔，再生者。」他從胸前舉起那塊掛在那裡的綠色寶石。「但『神行客』將是我家族的稱號，如果我的家族得以建立的話。用高等精靈語說，聽起來不會太差，我將是泰爾康泰，我身體所出的所有繼承人也將如此。」說完，他們走進了療養院；在他們走向照料病患的房間時，甘道夫講述了伊歐玟和梅里雅達的功績。「因為，」他說，「我長久守在他們身邊，起初他們在夢中說了很多話，之後才沉入致命的黑暗。此外，我還被賦予了能看見遠方許多事物的能力。」亞拉岡先去看法拉墨，然後是伊歐玟女士，最後是梅里。當他看過病患們的臉龐，檢視了他們的傷勢後，他嘆了口氣。「在這裡，我必須施展所有賦予我的力量與技巧，」他說。「要是愛隆在此就好了，因為他是我族中最年長者，擁有更強大的力量。」伊歐墨見他又悲傷又疲憊，便說：「你肯定得先休息，至少吃點東西吧？」但亞拉岡回答：「不，對這三個人來說，尤其是法拉墨，時間已經不多了。必須分秒必爭。」然後他叫來伊歐瑞絲說：「妳們這療養院裡有儲備療傷草藥嗎？」「是的，大人，」她回答；「但我估計，不夠所有需要的人用。我也不知道該去哪裡找更多；在這些可怕的日子裡，一切都亂了套，又是火災又是焚燒的，跑腿的小夥子又這麼少，所有的路都被堵住了。哎呀，從洛斯阿爾那赫來的貨車進市場，已經是數不清多少天前的事了！但我們在這療養院裡，已經用現有的東西盡力了，我相信大人您會明白的。」「我看到後自有判斷，」亞拉岡說。「還有一樣東西也很短缺，就是說話的時間。妳們有阿夕拉斯嗎？」「我不確定，大人，」她回答，「至少不叫這個名字。我會去問問草藥師傅；他知道所有古老的名稱。」
864 THE LORD OF THE RINGS ‘It is also called kingsfoil,’ said Aragorn; ‘and maybe you know it by that name, for so the country-folk call it in these latter days.’ ‘Oh that!’ said Ioreth. ‘Well, if your lordship had named it at first I could have told you. No, we have none of it, I am sure. Why, I have never heard that it had any great virtue; and indeed I have often said to my sisters when we came upon it growing in the woods: “‘kingsfoil’’, I said, “‘’tis a strange name, and I wonder why ’tis called so; for if I were a king, I would have plants more bright in my garden’’. Still it smells sweet when bruised, does it not? If sweet is the right word: wholesome, maybe, is nearer.’ ‘Wholesome verily,’ said Aragorn. ‘And now, dame, if you love the Lord Faramir, run as quick as your tongue and get me kingsfoil, if there is a leaf in the City.’ ‘And if not,’ said Gandalf, ‘I will ride to Lossarnach with Ioreth behind me, and she shall take me to the woods, but not to her sisters. And Shadowfax shall show her the meaning of haste.’ When Ioreth was gone, Aragorn bade the other women to make water hot. Then he took Faramir’s hand in his, and laid the other hand upon the sick man’s brow. It was drenched with sweat; but Faramir did not move or make any sign, and seemed hardly to breathe. ‘He is nearly spent,’ said Aragorn turning to Gandalf. ‘But this comes not from the wound. See! that is healing. Had he been smitten by some dart of the Nazgul, as you thought, he would have died that night. This hurt was given by some Southron arrow, I would guess. Who drew it forth? Was it kept?’ ‘I drew it forth,’ said Imrahil, ‘and staunched the wound. But I did not keep the arrow, for we had much to do. It was, as I remember, just such a dart as the Southrons use. Yet I believed that it came from the Shadows above, for else his fever and sickness were not to be understood; since the wound was not deep or vital. How then do you read the matter?’ ‘Weariness, grief for his father’s mood, a wound, and over all the Black Breath,’ said Aragorn. ‘He is a man of staunch will, for already he had come close under the Shadow before ever he rode to battle on the out-walls. Slowly the dark must have crept on him, even as he fought and strove to hold his outpost. Would that I could have been here sooner!’ Thereupon the herb-master entered. ‘Your lordship asked for kingsfoil, as the rustics name it,’ he said; ‘or athelas in the noble tongue, or to those who know somewhat of the Valinorean...’ ‘I do so,’ said Aragorn, ‘and I care not whether you say now aséa aranion or kingsfoil, so long as you have some.’
「它也叫『王之葉』，」亞拉岡說；「也許妳知道這個名字，因為鄉下人這些日子都這麼稱呼它。」「喔，那個啊！」伊歐瑞絲說。「哎呀，要是大人您一開始就說那個名字，我早就告訴您了。不，我們沒有那東西，我敢肯定。怎麼說呢，我從沒聽說它有什麼了不起的功效；說真的，我跟姊妹們在林子裡看到它時，我還常說：『「王之葉」，我說，「這名字真怪，不知為何這麼叫；要是我當國王，我花園裡肯定會種些更鮮豔的植物」。』不過，把它揉碎了聞起來挺香的，不是嗎？如果『香』這個詞用得對的話：『心安』，或許更貼切。」「確實是心安，」亞拉岡說。「那麼，夫人，如果您敬愛法拉墨大人，就請用您舌頭一樣快的速度跑起來，為我找些王之葉來，只要城裡還有一片葉子。」「如果沒有，」甘道夫說，「我就載著伊歐瑞絲騎馬去洛斯阿納赫，她會帶我到樹林裡，但不是去找她的姊妹。然後，影疾會讓她見識什麼叫作『火速』。」伊歐瑞絲離開後，亞拉岡吩咐其他婦人去燒熱水。然後他握住法拉墨的一隻手，另一隻手放在病人的額頭上。額頭上滿是汗水；但法拉墨一動也不動，沒有任何反應，似乎連呼吸都快停止了。「他快耗盡了，」亞拉岡轉向甘道夫說。「但這不是因為傷口。看！傷口正在癒合。如果他像你所想的，是被戒靈的飛鏢所傷，他當晚就死了。這傷口我想是南方人的箭造成的。是誰拔出來的？箭留著嗎？」「我拔出來的，」印拉希爾說，「也止住了血。但我沒留著那支箭，因為我們當時有太多事要忙。我記得，那就像是南方人用的那種鏢。但我當時相信它來自上方的幽影，否則他的高燒和病況無法解釋；因為傷口不深也不致命。那麼您對此事有何看法？」「疲憊、為他父親的態度而悲傷、一道傷口，以及最重要的，黑之息，」亞拉岡說。「他是個意志堅定的人，因為在騎馬到外牆作戰之前，他早已接近幽影的籠罩之下。在他奮戰並努力守住崗哨時，黑暗必定已悄悄地侵蝕他。要是我能早點到這裡就好了！」這時，藥草師進來了。「大人您要的是王之葉，鄉下人這麼稱呼它，」他說；「或是用高貴的語言稱為阿夕拉斯，或是對那些略知維林諾語的人來說…」「我知道，」亞拉岡說，「我不在乎你現在說是 aséa aranion 還是王之葉，只要你有就行。」
THE HOUSES OF HEALING 865 “Your pardon lord!’ said the man. ‘I see you are a lore-master, not merely a captain of war. But alas! sir, we do not keep this thing in the Houses of Healing, where only the gravely hurt or sick are tended. For it has no virtue that we know of, save perhaps to sweeten a fouled air, or to drive away some passing heaviness. Unless, of course, you give heed to rhymes of old days which women such as our good Toreth still repeat without understanding. When the black breath blows and death’s shadow grows and all lights pass, come athelas! come athelas! Life to the dying In the king’s hand lying! It is but a doggrel, I fear, garbled in the memory of old wives. Its meaning I leave to your judgement, if indeed it has any. But old folk still use an infusion of the herb for headaches.’ “Then in the name of the king, go and find some old man of less lore and more wisdom who keeps some in his house!’ cried Gandalf. Now Aragorn knelt beside Faramir, and held a hand upon his brow. And those that watched felt that some great struggle was going on. For Aragorn’s face grew grey with weariness; and ever and anon he called the name of Faramir, but each time more faintly to their hearing, as if Aragorn himself was removed from them, and walked afar in some dark vale, calling for one that was lost. And at last Bergil came running in, and he bore six leaves in a cloth. ‘It is kingsfoil, Sir,’ he said; ‘but not fresh, I fear. It must have been culled two weeks ago at the least. I hope it will serve, Sir?’ Then looking at Faramir he burst into tears. But Aragorn smiled. ‘It will serve,’ he said. “The worst is now over. Stay and be comforted!’ Then taking two leaves, he laid them on his hands and breathed on them, and then he crushed them, and straightway a living freshness filled the room, as if the air itself awoke and tingled, sparkling with joy. And then he cast the leaves into the bowls of steaming water that were brought to him, and at once all hearts were lightened. For the fragrance that came to each was like a memory of dewy mornings of unshadowed sun in some land of which the fair world in spring is itself but a fleeting memory. But Aragorn stood up as one refreshed, and his eyes smiled as he held a bowl before Faramir’s dreaming face. ‘Well now! Who would have believed it?’ said Ioreth to a woman that stood beside her. “The weed is better than I thought. It reminds
「請原諒我，大人！」那人說。「我看得出來您是位知識大師，不僅僅是位戰爭將領。但唉！先生，我們療養院裡沒有這種東西，這裡只照料重傷或重病的人。因為據我們所知，它沒有任何療效，除了或許能讓污濁的空氣變得清新，或驅散一時的沉悶。當然，除非您在意那些古老歌謠，像我們的好托瑞絲那樣的女人們，至今仍在不明所以地傳誦著。『當黑氣吹拂，死影滋長，所有光明盡逝，來吧，阿夕拉斯！來吧，阿夕拉斯！為垂死者帶來生命，在王者之手中安躺！』恐怕這只不過是首劣詩，在老婦們的記憶中被弄得亂七八糟。它的意思就留給您判斷了，如果它真有任何意思的話。不過老人家們還是會用這種草藥的浸泡液來治頭痛。」「『那麼，以國王之名，去找個知識較少但智慧較多的老人，他家裡會存有一些！』甘道夫喊道。此時，亞拉岡跪在法拉墨身旁，將一隻手放在他的額頭上。觀看的人都感覺到一場巨大的掙扎正在進行。因為亞拉岡的臉因疲憊而變得灰白；他不時地呼喚法拉墨的名字，但每一次在他們聽來都更加微弱，彷彿亞拉岡本人已遠離他們，獨自行走在某個黑暗的山谷中，呼喚著一個迷失的人。最後，貝爾吉爾跑了進來，用一塊布包著六片葉子。「是王之葉，先生，」他說；「但恐怕不新鮮了。它至少是兩週前採摘的。希望它能派上用場，先生？」然後他看著法拉墨，突然哭了起來。但亞拉岡微笑了。「它會派上用場的，」他說。「最糟的已經過去了。留下來，寬心吧！」接著，他拿起兩片葉子，放在手心上，對著它們呼氣，然後將它們壓碎，頓時一股活生生的清新充滿了整個房間，彷彿空氣本身甦醒過來，興奮地顫動，閃爍著喜悅的光芒。然後他將葉子丟進端來的幾碗蒸氣騰騰的熱水中，所有人的心立刻都輕鬆了起來。因為那飄到每個人鼻中的香氣，就像是對某片土地上無影陽光下的露濕清晨的回憶，而我們這個春天般美麗的世界，與那片土地相比，本身也只不過是個短暫的記憶。但亞拉岡站了起來，彷彿煥然一新，他將碗端到法拉墨沉睡的臉前，眼中帶著微笑。「哎呀！誰能相信呢？」伊歐瑞絲對身旁的女人說。「這野草比我想的還好。它讓我想起……
866 THE LORD OF THE RINGS me of the roses of Imloth Melui when I was a lass, and no king could ask for better.’ Suddenly Faramir stirred, and he opened his eyes, and he looked on Aragorn who bent over him; and a light of knowledge and love was kindled in his eyes, and he spoke softly. ‘My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?’ ‘Walk no more in the shadows, but awake!’ said Aragorn. ‘You are weary. Rest a while, and take food, and be ready when I return.’ ‘I will, lord,’ said Faramir. ‘For who would lie idle when the king has returned?’ ‘Farewell then for a while!’ said Aragorn. ‘I must go to others who need me.’ And he left the chamber with Gandalf and Imrahil; but Beregond and his son remained behind, unable to contain their joy. As he followed Gandalf and shut the door Pippin heard Ioreth exclaim: ‘King! Did you hear that? What did I say? The hands of a healer, I said.’ And soon the word had gone out from the House that the king was indeed come among them, and after war he brought healing; and the news ran through the City. But Aragorn came to Eowyn, and he said: ‘Here there is a grievous hurt and a heavy blow. The arm that was broken has been tended with due skill, and it will mend in time, if she has the strength to live. It is the shield-arm that is maimed; but the chief evil comes through the sword-arm. In that there now seems no life, although it is unbroken. ‘Alas! For she was pitted against a foe beyond the strength of her mind or body. And those who will take a weapon to such an enemy must be sterner than steel, if the very shock shall not destroy them. It was an evil doom that set her in his path. For she is a fair maiden, fairest lady of a house of queens. And yet I know not how I should speak of her. When I first looked on her and perceived her unhappiness, it seemed to me that I saw a white flower standing straight and proud, shapely as a lily, and yet knew that it was hard, as if wrought by elf-wrights out of steel. Or was it, maybe, a frost that had turned its sap to ice, and so it stood, bitter-sweet, still fair to see, but stricken, soon to fall and die? Her malady begins far back before this day, does it not, Eomer?” ‘I marvel that you should ask me, lord,’ he answered. ‘For I hold you blameless in this matter, as in all else; yet I knew not that Eowyn, my sister, was touched by any frost, until she first looked on you. Care and dread she had, and shared with me, in the days of Wormtongue and the king’s bewitchment; and she tended the king in growing fear. But that did not bring her to this pass!’
THE HOUSES OF HEALING 867 ‘My friend,’ said Gandalf, ‘you had horses, and deeds of arms, and the free fields; but she, born in the body of a maid, had a spirit and courage at least the match of yours. Yet she was doomed to wait upon an old man, whom she loved as a father, and watch him falling into a mean dishonoured dotage; and her part seemed to her more ignoble than that of the staff he leaned on. “Think you that Wormtongue had poison only for Théoden’s ears? Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll on the floor among their dogs? Have you not heard those words before? Saruman spoke them, the teacher of Wormtongue. Though I do not doubt that Wormtongue at home wrapped their meaning in terms more cunning. My lord, if your sister’s love for you, and her will still bent to her duty, had not restrained her lips, you might have heard even such things as these escape them. But who knows what she spoke to the darkness, alone, in the bitter watches of the night, when all her life seemed shrinking, and the walls of her bower closing in about her, a hutch to trammel some wild thing in?’ Then Eomer was silent, and looked on his sister, as if pondering anew all the days of their past life together. But Aragorn said: ‘I saw also what you saw, Eomer. Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man’s heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned. Sorrow and pity have followed me ever since I left her desperate in Dunharrow and rode to the Paths of the Dead; and no fear upon that way was so present as the fear for what might befall her. And yet, Eomer, I say to you that she loves you more truly than me; for you she loves and knows; but in me she loves only a shadow and a thought: a hope of glory and great deeds, and lands far from the fields of Rohan. ‘I have, maybe, the power to heal her body, and to recall her from the dark valley. But to what she will awake: hope, or forgetfulness, or despair, I do not know. And if to despair, then she will die, unless other healing comes which I cannot bring. Alas! for her deeds have set her among the queens of great renown.’ Then Aragorn stooped and looked in her face, and it was indeed white as a lily, cold as frost, and hard as graven stone. But he bent and kissed her on the brow, and called her softly, saying: ‘Eowyn Eomund’s daughter, awake! For your enemy has passed away!’ She did not stir, but now she began again to breathe deeply, so that her breast rose and fell beneath the white linen of the sheet. Once more Aragorn bruised two leaves of athelas and cast them into steaming water; and he laved her brow with it, and her right arm lying cold and nerveless on the coverlet.
「我的朋友，」甘道夫說，「你擁有馬匹、武功和自由的原野；但她，雖生為女兒身，卻有著至少與你相匹配的精神和勇氣。然而，她注定要侍候一位她視如父親的老人，看著他陷入卑劣可恥的老糊塗狀態；在她看來，自己的角色似乎比他倚靠的拐杖還要卑微。『你以為巧言的毒藥只針對希優頓的耳朵嗎？老糊塗！伊歐的家系不過是個茅草穀倉，強盜在臭氣中飲酒，他們的小鬼在狗群間的地板上打滾？你以前沒聽過這些話嗎？這是薩魯曼說的，巧言的老師。雖然我不懷疑巧言在家裡會用更狡猾的詞語包裝它們的意思。我的領主，若不是你妹妹對你的愛，以及她仍屈從於職責的意志約束了她的嘴唇，你或許會聽到這樣的話從她口中溜出。但誰又知道，在夜裡痛苦的守望時刻，當她覺得自己的一生都在萎縮，閨房的牆壁向她逼近，像個束縛野生之物的籠子時，她獨自對著黑暗說了些什麼？』」然後伊歐墨沉默了，他看著他的妹妹，彷彿在重新思索他們過去共同生活的歲月。但亞拉岡說：「伊歐墨，我也看到了你所看到的。在這世間的厄運中，很少有什麼悲傷能比目睹一位如此美麗勇敢的女士的愛無法得到回報，更讓一個男人的心感到苦澀和羞愧。自從我將絕望的她留在登哈洛，踏上亡者之道後，悲傷和憐憫就一直跟隨著我；在那條路上，沒有任何恐懼比得上我對她可能遭遇不測的恐懼。然而，伊歐墨，我告訴你，她愛你比愛我更真實；因為她愛你，也了解你；但在我身上，她愛的只是一個影子和一個念頭：一個對榮耀和偉業的期盼，以及遠離洛汗原野的土地。「我也許有能力治癒她的身體，將她從黑暗山谷中喚回。但她將會甦醒到什麼樣的境地：是希望、遺忘，還是絕望，我不知道。如果她甦醒到絕望，那麼她將會死去，除非有我無法帶來的其他療癒。唉！因為她的功績已使她名列赫赫有名的女王之中。」然後亞拉岡彎下腰，看著她的臉，那張臉確實像百合一樣潔白，像霜一樣冰冷，像雕刻的石頭一樣堅硬。但他彎下腰親吻她的額頭，輕聲呼喚她說：「伊歐玟，伊歐蒙之女，醒來吧！因為你的敵人已經逝去了！」她沒有動，但現在她又開始深深地呼吸，胸膛在白色的亞麻床單下起伏。亞拉岡再次揉碎了兩片阿夕拉斯葉，把它們扔進冒著蒸氣的水中；他用那水沖洗她的額頭，以及她那冰冷無力地放在床罩上的右臂。
868 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Then, whether Aragorn had indeed some forgotten power of Westernesse, or whether it was but his words of the Lady Eowyn that wrought on them, as the sweet influence of the herb stole about the chamber it seemed to those who stood by that a keen wind blew through the window, and it bore no scent, but was an air wholly fresh and clean and young, as if it had not before been breathed by any living thing and came new-made from snowy mountains high beneath a dome of stars, or from shores of silver far away washed by seas of foam. ‘Awake, Eowyn, Lady of Rohan!’ said Aragorn again, and he took her right hand in his and felt it warm with life returning. ‘Awake! The shadow is gone and all darkness is washed clean!’ Then he laid her hand in Eomer’s and stepped away. ‘Call her!’ he said, and he passed silently from the chamber. ‘Eowyn, Eowyn!’ cried Eomer amid his tears. But she opened her eyes and said: ‘Eomer! What joy is this? For they said that you were slain. Nay, but that was only the dark voices in my dream. How long have I been dreaming?’ ‘Not long, my sister,’ said Eomer. ‘But think no more on it!’ ‘I am strangely weary,’ she said. ‘I must rest a little. But tell me, what of the Lord of the Mark? Alas! Do not tell me that that was a dream; for I know that it was not. He is dead as he foresaw.’ ‘He is dead,” said Eomer, ‘but he bade me say farewell to Eowyn, dearer than daughter. He lies now in great honour in the Citadel of Gondor.’ “That is grievous,’ she said. ‘And yet it is good beyond all that I dared hope in the dark days, when it seemed that the House of Eorl was sunk in honour less than any shepherd’s cot. And what of the king’s esquire, the Halfling? Eomer, you shall make him a knight of the Riddermark, for he is valiant!’ ‘He lies nearby in this House, and I will go to him,’ said Gandalf. ‘Eomer shall stay here for a while. But do not speak yet of war or woe, until you are made whole again. Great gladness it is to see you wake again to health and hope, so valiant a lady!’ ‘To health?’ said Eowyn. ‘It may be so. At least while there is an empty saddle of some fallen Rider that I can fill, and there are deeds to do. But to hope? I do not know.’ Gandalf and Pippin came to Merry’s room, and there they found Aragorn standing by the bed. ‘Poor old Merry!’ cried Pippin, and he ran to the bedside, for it seemed to him that his friend looked worse and a greyness was in his face, as if a weight of years of sorrow lay on him; and suddenly a fear seized Pippin that Merry would die. ‘Do not be afraid,’ said Aragorn. ‘I came in time, and I have called
然後，無論是亞拉岡確實擁有某些被遺忘的西方皇族之力，還是僅僅是他對伊歐玟女士的話語對他們產生了作用，當那草藥的甜美氣息在室內瀰漫開來時，在旁守候的人們彷彿感覺到一股銳利的風從窗外吹入，那風不帶任何氣味，而是一股全然清新、潔淨、年輕的空氣，彷彿從未被任何生物呼吸過，是剛從星穹下高聳的雪山，或從遙遠的、由泡沫海洋沖刷的銀色海岸新造而來。「醒來吧，伊歐玟，羅翰的女士！」亞拉岡再次說道，他將她的右手握在自己手中，感覺到生命回歸的溫暖。「醒來吧！闇影已去，所有黑暗皆已洗淨！」然後他將她的手放入伊歐墨的手中，轉身退開。「呼喚她吧！」他說，然後靜靜地離開了房間。「伊歐玟，伊歐玟！」伊歐墨在淚水中呼喊。但她睜開了眼睛說：「伊歐墨！這是何等的喜悅？他們說你陣亡了。不，但那只是我夢中的黑暗聲音。我夢了多久？」「不久，我的妹妹，」伊歐墨說。「別再想它了！」「我感到異常疲憊，」她說。「我必須稍作休息。但告訴我，驃騎王怎麼樣了？唉！別告訴我那也是一場夢；因為我知道那不是。他如自己所預見的，死了。」「他死了，」伊歐墨說，「但他囑咐我向伊歐玟，比女兒還親的妳，道別。他現在安息在剛鐸的聖城，備極哀榮。」「那真令人悲痛，」她說。「但這已遠超我在黑暗日子裡所敢奢望的美好，那時伊歐的家系似乎已名譽掃地，比任何牧羊人的小屋還不如。那國王的侍從，那個半身人呢？伊歐墨，你應當封他為驃騎國的騎士，因為他很英勇！」「他就在這療養院的附近，我正要去看他，」甘道夫說。「伊歐墨會在這裡待一會兒。但在妳完全康復之前，先別談論戰爭或悲傷。見到妳如此英勇的女士再次甦醒，重獲健康與希望，真是天大的喜悅！」「健康？」伊歐玟說。「或許吧。至少只要還有某位陣亡騎士留下的空馬鞍讓我填補，還有未竟之事等我完成。但希望呢？我不知道。」甘道夫和皮聘來到梅里的房間，發現亞拉岡正站在床邊。「可憐的老梅里！」皮聘大喊，跑到床邊，因為在他看來，他的朋友看起來更糟了，臉色灰敗，彷彿承受了歲月的悲傷重擔；皮聘突然一陣恐懼，害怕梅里會死去。「別害怕，」亞拉岡說。「我及時趕到，而且我已經呼喚了他。
THE HOUSES OF HEALING 869 him back. He is weary now, and grieved, and he has taken a hurt like the Lady Eowyn, daring to smite that deadly thing. But these evils can be amended, so strong and gay a spirit is in him. His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.’ Then Aragorn laid his hand on Merry’s head, and passing his hand gently through the brown curls, he touched the eyelids, and called him by name. And when the fragrance of athelas stole through the room, like the scent of orchards, and of heather in the sunshine full of bees, suddenly Merry awoke, and he said: ‘I am hungry. What is the time?’ ‘Past supper-time now,’ said Pippin; ‘though I daresay I could bring you something, if they will let me.’ “They will indeed,’ said Gandalf. ‘And anything else that this Rider of Rohan may desire, if it can be found in Minas Tirith, where his name is in honour.’ ‘Good!’ said Merry. “Then I would like supper first, and after that a pipe.’ At that his face clouded. ‘No, not a pipe. I don’t think Pll smoke again.’ ‘Why not?’ said Pippin. ‘Well,’ answered Merry slowly. ‘He is dead. It has brought it all back to me. He said he was sorry he had never had a chance of talking herb-lore with me. Almost the last thing he ever said. I shan’t ever be able to smoke again without thinking of him, and that day, Pippin, when he rode up to Isengard and was so polite.’ ‘Smoke then, and think of him!’ said Aragorn. ‘For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning. Though your service to him was brief, it should be a memory glad and honourable to the end of your days.’ Merry smiled. ‘Well then,’ he said, ‘if Strider will provide what is needed, I will smoke and think. I had some of Saruman’s best in my pack, but what became of it in the battle, I am sure I don’t know.’ ‘Master Meriadoc,’ said Aragorn, ‘if you think that I have passed through the mountains and the realm of Gondor with fire and sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear, you are mistaken. If your pack has not been found, then you must send for the herb-master of this House. And he will tell you that he did not know that the herb you desire had any virtues, but that it is called westmansweed by the vulgar, and galenas by the noble, and other names in other tongues more learned, and after adding a few half-forgotten rhymes that he does not understand, he will regretfully inform you that there is none in the House, and he will leave you to reflect on
他現在很疲憊，也很悲傷，而且他受了傷，就像伊歐雯女士一樣，因為他膽敢去攻擊那個致命之物。但這些創傷是可以治癒的，他有著如此堅強又開朗的靈魂。他的悲傷他不會忘記；但那不會使他的心黯淡，反而會教導他智慧。」然後亞拉岡將手放在梅里的頭上，輕柔地穿過他棕色的捲髮，觸碰他的眼皮，並呼喚他的名字。當阿西拉斯的香氣像果園的芬芳、像灑滿陽光與蜜蜂的石楠花香般悄然瀰漫整個房間時，梅里突然醒了過來，他說：「我餓了。現在幾點了？」「已經過了晚餐時間了，」皮聘說，「不過我想我能幫你拿點東西來，如果他們准許的話。」「他們當然會准許，」甘道夫說。「這位羅翰騎士想要的任何東西，只要在米那斯提力斯能找到，都會為他奉上，他的名字在此地備受尊崇。」「太好了！」梅里說。「那我想先吃晚餐，然後來一斗菸草。」說到這裡，他的臉色沉了下來。「不，不要菸草了。我想我再也不會抽菸了。」「為什麼不？」皮聘問。「嗯，」梅里緩緩地回答。「他死了。這讓我想起了一切。他說他很遺憾從來沒有機會和我聊聊菸草的學問。這幾乎是他說的最後一句話。我以後再也沒辦法抽菸而不想到他，也沒辦法不想起那天，皮聘，當他騎馬到艾辛格，那麼地彬彬有禮。」「那就抽吧，並思念著他！」亞拉岡說。「因為他有一顆溫柔的心，是一位偉大的國王，並且信守了他的誓言；他從闇影中奮起，迎向最後一個光明的早晨。雖然你為他效力的時間很短暫，但這份記憶應當是光榮且喜悅的，直到你生命終結。」梅里笑了。「好吧，」他說，「如果神行客願意提供需要的東西，我就抽菸，並且思念。我的行囊裡本來有一些薩魯曼最好的菸草，但在戰鬥中變成怎樣了，我真的不知道。」「梅里雅達克師傅，」亞拉岡說，「如果你以為我帶著火與劍，穿越群山和剛鐸王國，是為了一個把裝備亂丟的粗心士兵帶來藥草，那你就錯了。如果你的行囊找不回來，那你就得去請這座療養院的藥草師。然後他會告訴你，他不知道你想要的藥草有任何功效，但平民稱之為『西境草』，貴族稱之為『加勒那』，在其他更博學的語言中還有別的名字，然後他會加上幾句他自己也不懂的、半遺忘的詩謠，最後他會很遺憾地通知你，療養院裡一株也沒有，然後他會離開，讓你獨自反思。
870 THE LORD OF THE RINGS the history of tongues. And so now must I. For I have not slept in such a bed as this, since I rode from Dunharrow, nor eaten since the dark before dawn.’ Merry seized his hand and kissed it. ‘I am frightfully sorry,’ he said. ‘Go at once! Ever since that night at Bree we have been a nuisance to you. But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say too much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place.’ ‘I know that well, or I would not deal with you in the same way,’ said Aragorn. ‘May the Shire live for ever unwithered!’ And kissing Merry he went out, and Gandalf went with him. Pippin remained behind. ‘Was there ever anyone like him?’ he said. ‘Except Gandalf, of course. I think they must be related. My dear ass, your pack is lying by your bed, and you had it on your back when I met you. He saw it all the time, of course. And anyway I have some stuff of my own. Come on now! Longbottom Leaf it is. Fill up while I run and see about some food. And then let’s be easy for a bit. Dear me! We Tooks and Brandybucks, we can’t live long on the heights.’ ‘No,’ said Merry. ‘I can’t. Not yet, at any rate. But at least, Pippin, we can now see them, and honour them. It is best to love first what you are fitted to love, I suppose: you must start somewhere and have some roots, and the soil of the Shire is deep. Still there are things deeper and higher; and not a gaffer could tend his garden in what he calls peace but for them, whether he knows about them or not. I am glad that I know about them, a little. But I don’t know why I am talking like this. Where is that leaf? And get my pipe out of my pack, if it isn’t broken.’ Aragorn and Gandalf went now to the Warden of the Houses of Healing, and they counselled him that Faramir and Eowyn should remain there and still be tended with care for many days. ‘The Lady Eowyn,’ said Aragorn, ‘will wish soon to rise and depart; but she should not be permitted to do so, if you can in any way restrain her, until at least ten days be passed.’ ‘As for Faramir,’ said Gandalf, ‘he must soon learn that his father is dead. But the full tale of the madness of Denethor should not be told to him, until he is quite healed and has duties to do. See that Beregond and the perian who were present do not speak to him of these things yet!’ ‘And the other perian, Meriadoc, who is under my care, what of him?’ said the Warden. ‘It is likely that he will be fit to arise tomorrow, for a short while,’
《魔戒》870頁，關於語言的歷史。而我現在也必須如此。因為自從我離開登哈洛後，就再也沒睡過這樣的床，也自黎明前的黑暗後就沒再進食了。」梅里抓住他的手親吻。「我真的非常抱歉，」他說。「請立刻去吧！自從在布理那一夜起，我們就一直在給您添麻煩。但我們族人的習慣就是，在這種時候說些無關痛癢的話，而且言不由衷。我們害怕說得太多。當玩笑不合時宜時，這反而讓我們找不到合適的詞語。」「我很清楚，否則我也不會用同樣的方式對待你們，」亞拉岡說。「願夏爾永不凋零！」他親吻了梅里後便走了出去，甘道夫也與他同行。 皮聘留了下來。「除了甘道夫，曾有過像他這樣的人嗎？」他說。「我想他們肯定有親戚關係。我親愛的傻瓜，你的背包就在你床邊，我遇見你的時候你還背在背上呢。他當然一直都看見了。而且我自己也有些存貨。來吧！是長谷煙葉。趁我跑去看看有什麼食物的時候，你先裝滿煙斗。然後讓我們輕鬆一下。天啊！我們圖克家和烈酒鹿家的人，在高處待不久。」 「是啊，」梅里說。「我不能。至少現在還不能。但至少，皮聘，我們現在能看見他們，並尊敬他們。我想，最好是先愛你適合去愛的事物：你總得從某處開始，得有些根基，而夏爾的土壤是深厚的。不過，仍有更深、更高遠的事物；若沒有他們，沒有一個老爹能在他所謂的和平中照料他的花園，無論他知不知道。我很高興我對這些事略知一二。但我不知道自己為什麼會說這些話。煙葉在哪？順便幫我從背包裡拿出我的煙斗，如果它沒破的話。」 亞拉岡和甘道夫現在去找療養院的院長，他們建議他，法拉墨和伊歐玟應該留在那裡，並在接下來的許多天裡繼續受到細心照料。「伊歐玟女士，」亞拉岡說，「很快就會想起身離開；但如果妳們能用任何方式約束她，在至少十天過去之前，不應允許她這麼做。」 「至於法拉墨，」甘道夫說，「他很快就必須得知他父親的死訊。但在他完全康復並有職責在身之前，不應告訴他迪耐瑟瘋狂的全部詳情。確保當時在場的貝瑞貢和那個半身人還不要對他說這些事！」「那另一個由我照顧的半身人，梅里雅達，他怎麼樣了？」院長問。「他明天大概就能起來一會兒了。」
THE HOUSES OF HEALING 871 said Aragorn. ‘Let him do so, if he wishes. He may walk a little in the care of his friends.’ “They are a remarkable race,’ said the Warden, nodding his head. ‘Very tough in the fibre, I deem.’ At the doors of the Houses many were already gathered to see Aragorn, and they followed after him; and when at last he had supped, men came and prayed that he would heal their kinsmen or their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt or wound, or who lay under the Black Shadow. And Aragorn arose and went out, and he sent for the sons of Elrond, and together they laboured far into the night. And word went through the City: “The King is come again indeed.’ And they named him Elfstone, because of the green stone that he wore, and so the name which it was foretold at his birth that he should bear was chosen for him by his own people. And when he could labour no more, he cast his cloak about him, and slipped out of the City, and went to his tent just ere dawn and slept for a little. And in the morning the banner of Dol Amroth, a white ship like a swan upon blue water, floated from the Tower, and men looked up and wondered if the coming of the King had been but a dream.
「讓他去吧，如果他想的話。有朋友照看著，他可以稍微走動一下。」亞拉岡說。「他們真是個了不起的種族，」院長點點頭說。「我認為他們本質非常堅韌。」在療養院門口，許多人早已聚集，想見亞拉岡一面，並跟隨在他身後；當他終於用完晚餐，人們前來祈求他醫治那些因受傷或創傷而生命垂危的親友，或是那些籠罩在黑影之下的人。於是亞拉岡起身外出，派人去請愛隆的兒子們，他們一同辛勞直到深夜。城裡傳開了消息：「王者真的歸來了。」人們稱他為「伊力薩」，因為他佩戴著那顆綠寶石，就這樣，他出生時預言他將擁有的名字，由他自己的人民為他選定了。當他再也無力勞作時，他披上斗篷，悄悄溜出城，在黎明前回到自己的帳篷裡睡了一會兒。到了早晨，多爾安羅斯的旗幟——一艘在藍色水面上的天鵝狀白船——飄揚在塔樓上，人們抬頭仰望，不禁懷疑王者的到來是否只是一場夢。