Chapter 6 MANY PARTINGS When the days of rejoicing were over at last the Companions thought of returning to their own homes. And Frodo went to the King as he was sitting with the Queen Arwen by the fountain, and she sang a song of Valinor, while the Tree grew and blossomed. They welcomed Frodo and rose to greet him; and Aragorn said: ‘I know what you have come to say, Frodo: you wish to return to your own home. Well, dearest friend, the tree grows best in the land of its sires; but for you in all the lands of the West there will ever be a welcome. And though your people have had little fame in the legends of the great, they will now have more renown than many wide realms that are no more.’ ‘It is true that I wish to go back to the Shire,’ said Frodo. ‘But first I must go to Rivendell. For if there could be anything wanting in a time so blessed, I missed Bilbo; and I was grieved when among all the household of Elrond I saw that he was not come.’ ‘Do you wonder at that, Ring-bearer?’ said Arwen. ‘For you know the power of that thing which is now destroyed; and all that was done by that power is now passing away. But your kinsman possessed this thing longer than you. He is ancient in years now, according to his kind; and he awaits you, for he will not again make any long journey save one.’ “Then I beg leave to depart soon,’ said Frodo. ‘In seven days we will go,’ said Aragorn. ‘For we shall ride with you far on the road, even as far as the country of Rohan. In three days now Eomer will return hither to bear Théoden back to rest in the Mark, and we shall ride with him to honour the fallen. But now before you go I will confirm the words that Faramir spoke to you, and you are made free for ever of the realm of Gondor; and all your companions likewise. And if there were any gifts that I could give to match with your deeds you should have them; but whatever you desire you shall take with you, and you shall ride in honour and arrayed as princes of the land.’ But the Queen Arwen said: ‘A gift I will give you. For I am the daughter of Elrond. I shall not go with him now when he departs to the Havens; for mine is the choice of Luthien, and as she so have I chosen, both the sweet and the bitter. But in my stead you shall go, Ring-bearer, when the time comes, and if you then desire it. If your hurts grieve you still and the memory of your burden is heavy, then
第六章 許多離別 當歡慶的日子終於結束時，夥伴們想著要回到自己的家園。佛羅多來到國王身邊，當時國王正與亞玟皇后坐在噴泉旁，她唱著一首關於維林諾的歌，而那棵樹正在生長開花。他們歡迎佛羅多並起身迎接他；亞拉岡說：「佛羅多，我知道你來是想說什麼：你希望回到自己的家。好吧，我最親愛的朋友，樹木在它祖先的土地上生長得最好；但在西方所有的土地上，你永遠都會受到歡迎。儘管你的族人在偉大的傳說中鮮為人知，但他們現在將比許多已不復存在的廣闊王國擁有更高的聲譽。」佛羅多說：「我確實想回到夏爾。但首先我必須去瑞文戴爾。因為如果在這個如此蒙福的時刻還有什麼遺憾的話，那就是我思念比爾博；當我在愛隆的整個家族中沒有看到他時，我感到很悲傷。」亞玟說：「你對此感到驚訝嗎，持戒者？因為你知道那件現已被摧毀之物的力量；所有由那力量所做之事現在都正在消逝。但你的親戚擁有這件東西的時間比你更長。他現在年事已高，按照他的族類來說；他正在等你，因為他不會再進行任何長途旅行，除了那一次。」佛羅多說：「那麼我請求盡快離開。」亞拉岡說：「七天後我們就走。因為我們將與你同行很長一段路，甚至遠至洛汗國。三天後，伊歐墨將回到這裡，將希優頓帶回馬克安息，我們將與他同行，以紀念逝者。但在你離開之前，我將證實法拉墨對你說過的話，你和你的所有夥伴都將永遠脫離剛鐸的統治。如果我有任何禮物可以與你的功績相匹配，你都應該擁有；但無論你想要什麼，你都可以帶走，你將榮耀地騎行，並像這片土地的王子一樣盛裝。」但亞玟皇后說：「我會給你一份禮物。因為我是愛隆的女兒。他現在前往港口時，我不會與他同行；因為我選擇了露西安的命運，就像她一樣，我選擇了甜與苦。但當時間到來時，如果你願意，你將代替我前往，持戒者。如果你的傷痛仍然讓你悲傷，你所承受的重擔記憶猶新，那麼
MANY PARTINGS 975 you may pass into the West, until all your wounds and weariness are healed. But wear this now in memory of Elfstone and Evenstar with whom your life has been woven!’ And she took a white gem like a star that lay upon her breast hanging upon a silver chain, and she set the chain about Frodo’s neck. ‘When the memory of the fear and the darkness troubles you,’ she said, ‘this will bring you aid.’ In three days, as the King had said, Eomer of Rohan came riding to the City, and with him came an éored of the fairest knights of the Mark. He was welcomed; and when they sat all at table in Merethrond, the Great Hall of Feasts, he beheld the beauty of the ladies that he saw and was filled with great wonder. And before he went to his rest he sent for Gimli the Dwarf, and he said to him: ‘Gimli Gloin’s son, have you your axe ready?’ ‘Nay, lord,’ said Gimli, ‘but I can speedily fetch it, if there be need.’ “You shall judge,’ said Eomer. ‘For there are certain rash words concerning the Lady in the Golden Wood that lie still between us. And now I have seen her with my eyes.’ ‘Well, lord,’ said Gimli, ‘and what say you now?’ ‘Alas!’ said Eomer. ‘I will not say that she is the fairest lady that lives.’ “Then I must go for my axe,’ said Gimli. ‘But first I will plead this excuse,’ said Eomer. ‘Had I seen her in other company, I would have said all that you could wish. But now I will put Queen Arwen Evenstar first, and I am ready to do battle on my own part with any who deny me. Shall I call for my sword?’ Then Gimli bowed low. ‘Nay, you are excused for my part, lord,’ he said. ‘You have chosen the Evening; but my love is given to the Morning. And my heart forebodes that soon it will pass away for ever.’ At last the day of departure came, and a great and fair company made ready to ride north from the City. Then the kings of Gondor and Rohan went to the Hallows and they came to the tombs in Rath Dinen, and they bore away King Théoden upon a golden bier, and passed through the City in silence. Then they laid the bier upon a great wain with Riders of Rohan all about it and his banner borne before; and Merry being Théoden’s esquire rode upon the wain and kept the arms of the king. For the other Companions steeds were furnished according to their stature; and Frodo and Samwise rode at Aragorn’s side, and Gandalf rode upon Shadowfax, and Pippin rode with the knights of
許多離別 975 你可以前往西方，直到你所有的傷痛與疲憊都痊癒。但現在請佩戴此物，以紀念與你生命交織的精靈寶鑽和暮星！她取下一顆如星辰般的白色寶石，那寶石掛在她胸前的一條銀鍊上，她將鍊子戴在佛羅多的頸項。她說：「當恐懼與黑暗的記憶困擾你時，這會為你帶來幫助。」三天後，正如國王所言，洛汗的伊歐墨騎馬來到聖城，與他同來的還有馬克區最英勇的騎士團。他受到歡迎；當他們齊聚在梅瑞松德，那座盛宴大廳的餐桌旁時，他見到了他所見的女士們的美貌，心中充滿了極大的驚奇。在他休息之前，他派人去請矮人金靂，並對他說：「葛羅音之子金靂，你的斧頭準備好了嗎？」金靂說：「不，大人，但如果需要，我可以很快去取。」伊歐墨說：「你來判斷吧。因為關於黃金森林中的那位女士，我們之間還有一些魯莽的言辭未曾解決。而現在，我已親眼見過她了。」「那麼，大人，」金靂說，「你現在怎麼說？」伊歐墨說：「唉！我不會說她是世上最美的女士。」金靂說：「那我必須去拿我的斧頭了。」伊歐墨說：「但首先，我會提出這個藉口：如果我是在其他場合見到她，我會說出你所希望的一切。但現在，我會將亞玟暮星女王放在首位，我已準備好為我自己與任何否認我的人戰鬥。我該叫人拿我的劍來嗎？」金靂於是深深鞠躬。他說：「不，大人，就我而言，你已被原諒了。你選擇了黃昏；但我的愛屬於黎明。而我的心預感到，它很快就會永遠消逝。」最終，啟程之日到來，一支龐大而莊嚴的隊伍準備好從聖城向北行進。剛鐸和洛汗的國王們前往聖塚，來到拉司迪能的墓穴，他們將希優頓國王抬上黃金靈柩，默默地穿過聖城。隨後，他們將靈柩放在一輛大馬車上，洛汗的騎士們環繞四周，他的旗幟在前引導；而身為希優頓侍從的梅里則騎在馬車上，保管著國王的武器。至於其他夥伴，他們的駿馬則根據各自的身分提供；佛羅多和山姆衛斯騎在亞拉岡身旁，甘道夫騎著影疾，而皮聘則與騎士們一同騎行。
976 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Gondor; and Legolas and Gimli as ever rode together upon Arod. In that riding went also Queen Arwen, and Celeborn and Galadriel with their folk, and Elrond and his sons; and the princes of Dol Amroth and of Ithilien, and many captains and knights. Never had any king of the Mark such company upon the road as went with Theoden Thengel’s son to the land of his home. Without haste and at peace they passed into Anorien, and they came to the Grey Wood under Amon Din; and there they heard a sound as of drums beating in the hills, though no living thing could be seen. Then Aragorn let the trumpets be blown; and heralds cried: ‘Behold, the King Elessar is come! The Forest of Druadan he gives to Ghan-buri-Gh4an and to his folk, to be their own for ever; and hereafter let no man enter it without their leave!’ Then the drums rolled loudly, and were silent. At length after fifteen days of journey the wain of King Theoden passed through the green fields of Rohan and came to Edoras; and there they all rested. The Golden Hall was arrayed with fair hangings and it was filled with light, and there was held the highest feast that it had known since the days of its building. For after three days the Men of the Mark prepared the funeral of Théoden; and he was laid in a house of stone with his arms and many other fair things that he had possessed, and over him was raised a great mound, covered with green turves of grass and of white evermind. And now there were eight mounds on the east-side of the Barrowfield. Then the Riders of the King’s House upon white horses rode round about the barrow and sang together a song of Théoden Thengel’s son that Gléowine his minstrel made, and he made no other song after. The slow voices of the Riders stirred the hearts even of those who did not know the speech of that people; but the words of the song brought a light to the eyes of the folk of the Mark as they heard again afar the thunder of the hooves of the North and the voice of Eorl crying above the battle upon the Field of Celebrant; and the tale of the kings rolled on, and the horn of Helm was loud in the mountains, until the Darkness came and King Theoden arose and rode through the Shadow to the fire, and died in splendour, even as the Sun, returning beyond hope, gleamed upon Mindolluin in the morning. Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day’s rising he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing. Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended; over death, over dread, over doom lifted out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.
976 魔戒 剛鐸；勒苟拉斯和金靂一如往常地騎著亞羅德同行。同行者還有亞玟女王、凱勒鵬和凱蘭崔爾與他們的族人，以及愛隆和他的兒子們；還有多爾安羅斯和伊西立安的王子們，以及許多將領和騎士。從未有任何一位洛汗國王在路上擁有如此的隨行隊伍，如同塞奧頓·辛格爾之子前往他的故鄉。他們不疾不徐、安然無恙地進入了亞諾瑞恩，來到了亞蒙丁下的灰林；在那裡，他們聽到了彷彿是群山中鼓聲陣陣的聲音，儘管看不到任何活物。接著亞拉岡命人吹響號角；傳令官高喊：「看哪，亞爾薩王駕到！他將德魯亞丹森林賜予甘布利甘和他的族人，永遠歸他們所有；從今以後，未經他們允許，任何人不得進入！」隨後鼓聲隆隆作響，然後歸於沉寂。經過十五天的旅程，塞奧頓國王的靈車終於穿過洛汗的青翠平原，抵達伊多拉斯；他們都在那裡歇息。黃金廳堂裝飾著華麗的掛毯，充滿了光明，舉行了自建成以來最盛大的宴會。三天後，洛汗人為塞奧頓準備了葬禮；他被安放在一座石屋中，身旁放著他的武器和許多他曾擁有的珍貴物品，上方隆起一座大墳塚，覆蓋著翠綠的草皮和白色的永念花。現在，在墓塚地的東側共有八座墳塚。隨後，王室的騎士們騎著白馬繞著墳塚，齊聲唱起葛雷歐溫為塞奧頓·辛格爾之子所作的歌，此後他再未創作其他歌曲。騎士們低沉的歌聲感動了那些甚至不懂洛汗人語言的人們；但歌中的詞句卻讓洛汗人的眼中閃爍著光芒，因為他們彷彿又遠遠地聽到了北方馬蹄的雷鳴，以及伊歐爾在慶典平原戰役中高聲吶喊的聲音；國王們的故事不斷傳頌，海爾姆的號角在群山中迴盪，直到黑暗降臨，塞奧頓國王奮起，穿過陰影走向烈火，在榮耀中死去，正如那超越希望重現的太陽，在清晨照耀著明多路因山。他從疑慮中、從黑暗中，迎向黎明，在陽光下歌唱著策馬前行，拔劍出鞘。他重燃了希望，並在希望中結束；他超越了死亡、超越了恐懼、超越了厄運，從失落中、從生命中解脫，走向永恆的榮耀。
MANY PARTINGS 977 But Merry stood at the foot of the green mound, and he wept, and when the song was ended he arose and cried: “Théoden King, Théoden King! Farewell! As a father you were to me, for a little while. Farewell!’ When the burial was over and the weeping of women was stilled, and Théoden was left at last alone in his barrow, then folk gathered to the Golden Hall for the great feast and put away sorrow; for Theoden had lived to full years and ended in honour no less than the greatest of his sires. And when the time came that in the custom of the Mark they should drink to the memory of the kings, Eowyn Lady of Rohan came forth, golden as the sun and white as snow, and she bore a filled cup to Eomer. Then a minstrel and loremaster stood up and named all the names of the Lords of the Mark in their order: Eorl the Young; and Brego builder of the Hall; and Aldor brother of Baldor the hapless; and Fréa, and Fréawine, and Goldwine, and Déor, and Gram; and Helm who lay hid in Helm’s Deep when the Mark was overrun; and so ended the nine mounds of the west-side, for in that time the line was broken, and after came the mounds of the east-side: Fréalaf, Helm’s sister-son, and Léofa, and Walda, and Folca, and Folcwine, and Fengel, and Thengel, and Théoden the latest. And when Theoden was named Eomer drained the cup. Then Eowyn bade those that served to fill the cups, and all there assembled rose and drank to the new king, crying: ‘Hail, Eomer, King of the Mark!’ At the last when the feast drew to an end Eomer arose and said: ‘Now this is the funeral feast of Théoden the King; but I will speak ere we go of tidings of joy, for he would not grudge that I should do so, since he was ever a father to Eowyn my sister. Hear then all my guests, fair folk of many realms, such as have never before been gathered in this hall! Faramir, Steward of Gondor, and Prince of Ithilien, asks that Eowyn Lady of Rohan should be his wife, and she grants it full willing. Therefore they shall be trothplighted before you all.’ And Faramir and Eowyn stood forth and set hand in hand; and all there drank to them and were glad. “Thus,” said Eomer, ‘is the friendship of the Mark and of Gondor bound with a new bond, and the more do I rejoice.’ ‘No niggard are you, Eomer,’ said Aragorn, ‘to give thus to Gondor the fairest thing in your realm!’ Then Eowyn looked in the eyes of Aragorn, and she said: ‘Wish me joy, my liege-lord and healer!’ And he answered: ‘I have wished thee joy ever since first I saw thee. It heals my heart to see thee now in bliss.’ oS oS A
許多離別 977 但梅里站在綠色土丘腳下，他哭了，當歌聲結束時，他站起來喊道：「希優頓國王，希優頓國王！永別了！您曾是我的父親，雖然只是短暫的時光。永別了！」當葬禮結束，婦女的哭泣聲平息，希優頓最終獨自留在他的墓塚中時，人們聚集到金色大廳舉行盛宴，並放下悲傷；因為希優頓享盡天年，榮譽絲毫不遜於他最偉大的先祖。當按照洛汗的習俗，他們應該為國王們的記憶舉杯時，洛汗的伊歐玟女士走了出來，她金髮如陽光，潔白如雪，她將斟滿的酒杯遞給伊歐墨。然後一位吟遊詩人和博學者站起來，按順序念出了洛汗領主們的所有名字：年輕的伊歐爾；大廳的建造者布雷戈；不幸的巴爾多之兄奧爾多；以及弗雷亞、弗雷亞溫、戈爾德溫、迪歐、格拉姆；還有當洛汗被攻陷時，藏身於聖盔谷的赫爾姆；西側的九座墓塚就此結束，因為那時血脈斷絕了，之後是東側的墓塚：赫爾姆的外甥弗雷亞拉夫、利歐法、瓦爾達、福爾卡、福爾克溫、芬格爾、芬格爾和最新的希優頓。當希優頓的名字被念到時，伊歐墨一飲而盡。然後伊歐玟吩咐侍者斟滿酒杯，所有在場的人都站起來，向新國王敬酒，高喊：「萬歲，伊歐墨，洛汗之王！」最後，當宴會接近尾聲時，伊歐墨站起來說：「現在這是希優頓國王的葬禮盛宴；但在我們離開之前，我將說一些喜悅的消息，因為他不會介意我這樣做，因為他永遠是我妹妹伊歐玟的父親。那麼，請各位賓客，來自許多王國的貴客們，聽我說，如此盛會前所未有地聚集在這大廳裡！剛鐸的宰相，伊西力安的親王法拉墨，請求洛汗的伊歐玟女士成為他的妻子，而她也欣然應允。因此，他們將在你們所有人面前訂下婚約。」法拉墨和伊歐玟走上前，手牽著手；所有人都為他們舉杯，並感到高興。「因此，」伊歐墨說，「洛汗和剛鐸的友誼將以新的紐帶結合，我為此更加歡欣。」「你可不是個吝嗇鬼，伊歐墨，」亞拉岡說，「竟將你王國中最美好的事物贈予剛鐸！」然後伊歐玟望著亞拉岡的眼睛，她說：「願我幸福，我的君主和醫治者！」他回答說：「自從我第一次見到你，我就一直希望你幸福。看到你現在如此幸福，我的心也得到了治癒。」
978 THE LORD OF THE RINGS When the feast was over, those who were to go took leave of King Eomer. Aragorn and his knights, and the people of Lorien and of Rivendell, made ready to ride; but Faramir and Imrahil remained at Edoras; and Arwen Evenstar remained also, and she said farewell to her brethren. None saw her last meeting with Elrond her father, for they went up into the hills and there spoke long together, and bitter was their parting that should endure beyond the ends of the world. At the last before the guests set out Eomer and Eowyn came to Merry, and they said: ‘Farewell now, Meriadoc of the Shire and Holdwine of the Mark! Ride to good fortune, and ride back soon to our welcome!’ And Eomer said: ‘Kings of old would have laden you with gifts that a wain could not bear for your deeds upon the fields of Mundburg; and yet you will take naught, you say, but the arms that were given to you. This I suffer, for indeed I have no gift that is worthy; but my sister begs you to receive this small thing, as a memorial of Dernhelm and of the horns of the Mark at the coming of the morning.’ Then Eowyn gave to Merry an ancient horn, small but cunningly wrought all of fair silver with a baldric of green; and wrights had engraven upon it swift horsemen riding in a line that wound about it from the tip to the mouth; and there were set runes of great virtue. ‘This is an heirloom of our house,’ said Eowyn. ‘It was made by the Dwarves, and came from the hoard of Scatha the Worm. Eorl the Young brought it from the North. He that blows it at need shall set fear in the hearts of his enemies and joy in the hearts of his friends, and they shall hear him and come to him.’ Then Merry took the horn, for it could not be refused, and he kissed Eowyn’s hand; and they embraced him, and so they parted for that time. Now the guests were ready, and they drank the stirrup-cup, and with great praise and friendship they departed, and came at length to Helm’s Deep, and there they rested two days. Then Legolas repaid his promise to Gimli and went with him to the Glittering Caves; and when they returned he was silent, and would say only that Gimli alone could find fit words to speak of them. ‘And never before has a Dwarf claimed a victory over an Elf in a contest of words,’ said he. ‘Now therefore let us go to Fangorn and set the score right!’ From Deeping-coomb they rode to Isengard, and saw how the Ents had busied themselves. All the stone-circle had been thrown down and removed, and the land within was made into a garden filled with orchards and trees, and a stream ran through it; but in the midst of all there was a lake of clear water, and out of it the
978 《魔戒》 宴會結束後，那些將要離開的人向伊歐墨國王告辭。亞拉岡和他的騎士們，以及羅瑞安和瑞文戴爾的人們，都準備啟程；但法拉墨和伊姆拉希爾則留在伊多拉斯；亞玟·暮星也留了下來，她向她的兄弟們告別。沒有人看到她與父親愛隆的最後一次會面，因為他們走進山中，在那裡長談，他們的離別是如此痛苦，將會持續到世界盡頭。最後，在賓客啟程前，伊歐墨和伊歐玟來到梅里面前，他們說：「再會了，夏爾的梅里雅達克和洛汗的霍德溫！祝你們一路順風，並儘快回來接受我們的歡迎！」伊歐墨說：「古老的國王們會因為你們在蒙德堡平原上的功績，而贈予你們連馬車都載不下的禮物；然而你們卻說什麼也不要，除了那些已經給你們的武器。我允許這樣，因為我確實沒有什麼值得的禮物；但我妹妹懇求你收下這件小東西，作為德恩赫爾姆和洛汗號角在黎明時分響起的紀念。」接著伊歐玟給了梅里一個古老的號角，它雖小卻以精湛的技藝用純銀打造，並配有一條綠色的肩帶；工匠們在上面刻畫了疾馳的騎士隊伍，從號角尖端盤繞到吹口；上面還刻有具有強大魔力的符文。「這是我們家族的傳家寶，」伊歐玟說。「它是由矮人打造的，來自巨蟲史卡薩的寶藏。年輕的伊歐爾將它從北方帶來。凡在需要時吹響它的人，將使敵人心中充滿恐懼，朋友心中充滿喜悅，他們將聽到他的召喚並前來。」梅里接過號角，因為它無法被拒絕，他親吻了伊歐玟的手；他們擁抱了他，於是他們暫時告別。賓客們都準備好了，他們喝了餞行酒，帶著讚美和友誼離開，最終抵達聖盔谷，在那裡休息了兩天。接著勒苟拉斯兌現了他對金靂的承諾，與他一同前往閃耀洞窟；當他們回來時，他沉默不語，只說只有金靂才能找到合適的詞語來描述它們。「從未有矮人在文字的較量中戰勝過精靈，」他說。「所以現在讓我們去法貢森林，把這筆帳算清楚！」他們從深谷騎馬前往艾辛格，看到樹人是如何忙碌的。所有的石圈都被推倒移除了，裡面的土地變成了一個種滿果園和樹木的花園，一條小溪流經其中；然而在所有這些的中央，有一個清澈的湖泊，從湖中
MANY PARTINGS 979 Tower of Orthanc rose still, tall and impregnable, and its black rock was mirrored in the pool. For a while the travellers sat where once the old gates of Isengard had stood, and there were now two tall trees like sentinels at the beginning of a green-bordered path that ran towards Orthanc; and they looked in wonder at the work that had been done, but no living thing could they see far or near. But presently they heard a voice calling hoom-hom, hoom-hom; and there came Treebeard striding down the path to greet them with Quickbeam at his side. ‘Welcome to the Treegarth of Orthanc!’ he said. ‘I knew that you were coming, but I was at work up the valley; there is much still to be done. But you have not been idle either away in the south and the east, I hear; and all that I hear is good, very good.’ Then Treebeard praised all their deeds, of which he seemed to have full knowledge; and at last he stopped and looked long at Gandalf. ‘Well, come now!’ he said. ‘You have proved mightiest, and all your labours have gone well. Where now would you be going? And why do you come here?’ “To see how your work goes, my friend,’ said Gandalf, ‘and to thank you for your aid in all that has been achieved.’ ‘Hoom, well, that is fair enough,’ said Treebeard; ‘for to be sure Ents have played their part. And not only in dealing with that, hoom, that accursed tree-slayer that dwelt here. For there was a great inrush of those, burarum, those evileyed-blackhanded-bowlegged-flinthearted-clawfingered-foulbellied-bloodthirsty, morimaite-sincahonda, hoom, well, since you are hasty folk and their full name is as long as years of torment, those vermin of orcs; and they came over the River and down from the North and all round the wood of Laurelindorenan, which they could not get into, thanks to the Great ones who are here.’ He bowed to the Lord and Lady of Lorien. ‘And these same foul creatures were more than surprised to meet us out on the Wold, for they had not heard of us before; though that might be said also of better folk. And not many will remember us, for not many escaped us alive, and the River had most of those. But it was well for you, for if they had not met us, then the king of the grassland would not have ridden far, and if he had there would have been no home to return to.’ ‘We know it well,’ said Aragorn, ‘and never shall it be forgotten in Minas Tirith or in Edoras.’ ‘Never is too long a word even for me,’ said Treebeard. ‘Not while your kingdoms last, you mean; but they will have to last long indeed to seem long to Ents.’ “The New Age begins,’ said Gandalf, ‘and in this age it may well prove that the kingdoms of Men shall outlast you, Fangorn my friend.
許多離別 979 歐散克塔依然高聳堅固，其黑色的岩石倒映在水池中。旅者們暫時坐在昔日艾辛格老門所在之處，那裡現在有兩棵高大的樹木，如同哨兵般矗立在通往歐散克塔的綠邊小徑起點；他們驚訝地看著已完成的工程，但無論遠近都看不到任何活物。但很快地，他們聽到一個聲音呼喚著「呼姆—轟，呼姆—轟」；樹鬍與快枝在他身旁，大步沿著小徑走來迎接他們。「歡迎來到歐散克的樹園！」他說。「我知道你們會來，但我一直在山谷裡工作；還有很多事情要做。但我聽說你們在南方和東方也沒有閒著；我聽到的一切都很好，非常好。」接著樹鬍讚揚了他們所有的功績，他似乎對此瞭若指掌；最後他停下來，久久地看著甘道夫。「嗯，現在過來吧！」他說。「你們已經證明了自己是最強大的，你們所有的努力都進行得很順利。你們現在要去哪裡？為什麼來這裡？」「來看看你們的工作進展如何，我的朋友，」甘道夫說，「並感謝你們在所有成就中所提供的幫助。」「呼姆，嗯，這很公平，」樹鬍說，「因為可以肯定，樹人已經盡了他們的本分。而且不只是處理那個，呼姆，那個住在這裡的該死的伐樹者。因為有一大群，布拉隆，那些邪眼黑手、弓腿石心、爪指惡腹、嗜血成性的，魔力麥特—辛卡宏達，呼姆，嗯，既然你們是性急的種族，而他們的全名長得像折磨的歲月一樣，那些半獸人害蟲；他們從河上過來，從北方下來，圍繞著羅瑞林多瑞南的樹林，但他們進不去，多虧了這裡的偉大者。」他向羅瑞安的領主和夫人鞠躬。「而這些同樣的邪惡生物在沃爾德遇到我們時，更是大吃一驚，因為他們以前從未聽說過我們；儘管這話也可以用來形容更好的人。而且沒有多少人會記得我們，因為沒有多少人能活著逃脫我們，而河水帶走了他們中的大多數。但這對你們來說是好事，因為如果他們沒有遇到我們，那麼草原之王就不會騎行太遠，即使他騎行了，也沒有家可回了。」「我們深知這一點，」亞拉岡說，「在米那斯提力斯或伊多拉斯，這永遠不會被遺忘。」「『永遠』這個詞對我來說也太長了，」樹鬍說。「你的意思是，只要你的王國存在；但它們確實必須存在很久，才能讓樹人覺得長久。」「新紀元開始了，」甘道夫說，「在這個紀元中，人類的王國很可能比你，我的朋友方剛，更長久。」
980 THE LORD OF THE RINGS But now come tell me: what of the task that I set you? How is Saruman? Is he not weary of Orthanc yet? For I do not suppose that he will think you have improved the view from his windows.’ Treebeard gave Gandalf a long look, almost a cunning look, Merry thought. ‘Ah!’ he said. ‘I thought you would come to that. Weary of Orthanc? Very weary at last; but not so weary of his tower as he was weary of my voice. Hoom! I gave him some long tales, or at least what might be thought long in your speech.’ “Then why did he stay to listen? Did you go into Orthanc?’ asked Gandalf. ‘Hoom, no, not into Orthanc!’ said Treebeard. ‘But he came to his window and listened, because he could not get news in any other way, and though he hated the news, he was greedy to have it; and I saw that he heard it all. But I added a great many things to the news that it was good for him to think of. He grew very weary. He always was hasty. That was his ruin.’ ‘I observe, my good Fangorn,’ said Gandalf, ‘that with great care you say dwelt, was, grew. What about zs? Is he dead?’ ‘No, not dead, so far as I know,’ said Treebeard. ‘But he is gone. Yes, he is gone seven days. I let him go. There was little left of him when he crawled out, and as for that worm-creature of his, he was like a pale shadow. Now do not tell me, Gandalf, that I promised to keep him safe; for I know it. But things have changed since then. And I kept him until he was safe, safe from doing any more harm. You should know that above all I hate the caging of live things, and I will not keep even such creatures as these caged beyond great need. A snake without fangs may crawl where he will.’ “You may be right,’ said Gandalf; ‘but this snake had still one tooth left, I think. He had the poison of his voice, and I guess that he persuaded you, even you Treebeard, knowing the soft spot in your heart. Well, he is gone, and there is no more to be said. But the Tower of Orthanc now goes back to the King, to whom it belongs. Though maybe he will not need it.’ “That will be seen later,’ said Aragorn. ‘But I will give to Ents all this valley to do with as they will, so long as they keep a watch upon Orthanc and see that none enter it without my leave.’ ‘It is locked,’ said Treebeard. ‘I made Saruman lock it and give me the keys. Quickbeam has them.’ Quickbeam bowed like a tree bending in the wind and handed to Aragorn two great black keys of intricate shape, joined by a ring of steel. ‘Now I thank you once more,’ said Aragorn, ‘and I bid you farewell. May your forest grow again in peace. When this valley is filled there is room and to spare west of the mountains, where once you walked long ago.’
980 《魔戒》 但現在，快告訴我：我交給你的任務怎麼樣了？薩魯曼如何了？他還沒厭倦歐散克塔嗎？因為我想他不會認為你改善了他窗外的景色。』樹鬍對甘道夫投以長久的一瞥，梅里心想，那幾乎是狡黠的一瞥。『啊！』他說，『我就知道你會問這個。厭倦歐散克塔？他終於非常厭倦了；但他厭倦他的塔，還不如厭倦我的聲音。呼姆！我給他講了一些冗長的故事，或者至少在你們的語言中，那會被認為是冗長的。』『那他為什麼還留下來聽？你進了歐散克塔嗎？』甘道夫問道。『呼姆，不，沒進歐散克塔！』樹鬍說，『但他來到窗邊聽著，因為他無法透過其他方式得到消息，儘管他討厭那些消息，他卻貪婪地想知道；我看到他把一切都聽進去了。但我又在消息中添了許多對他有益的思考內容。他變得非常疲憊。他總是那麼急躁。那就是他的毀滅。』『我注意到，我的好方根，』甘道夫說，『你非常小心地用了「住過」、「是過」、「長大過」這些詞。那「是」呢？他死了嗎？』『不，據我所知，他沒死，』樹鬍說，『但他走了。是的，他走了七天了。我讓他走了。他爬出來的時候，幾乎什麼都沒剩下，至於他那個蟲子般的生物，他就像個蒼白的影子。現在別告訴我，甘道夫，說我承諾要保他安全；因為我知道。但自那以後情況變了。我一直留著他，直到他安全了，安全到不會再造成任何傷害。你應該知道，我最討厭囚禁活物，即使是這樣的生物，我也絕不會在沒有極大必要的情況下將其囚禁。一條沒有毒牙的蛇，可以隨心所欲地爬行。』『你或許說得對，』甘道夫說；『但我認為這條蛇還留有一顆牙齒。他有他聲音的毒性，我猜他勸服了你，甚至是你，樹鬍，因為他知道你心裡的軟肋。好吧，他走了，也沒什麼好說的了。但歐散克塔現在歸還給國王，它本來就屬於國王。儘管或許他並不需要它。』『那以後再說吧，』亞拉岡說，『但我會把這整個山谷都給樹人，讓他們隨心所欲地使用，只要他們看守好歐散克塔，確保沒有我的允許，任何人都不得進入。』『它鎖著呢，』樹鬍說，『我讓薩魯曼把它鎖上，並把鑰匙交給我了。快枝拿著呢。』快枝像一棵在風中彎曲的樹般鞠躬，然後將兩把形狀複雜的巨大黑鑰匙交給亞拉岡，它們由一個鋼環連接著。『現在我再次感謝你，』亞拉岡說，『我向你告別。願你的森林在和平中再次生長。當這個山谷被填滿時，在山脈以西還有足夠的空間，那裡曾是你們很久以前漫步的地方。』
MANY PARTINGS 981 Treebeard’s face became sad. ‘Forests may grow,’ he said. “Woods may spread. But not Ents. There are no Entings.’ “Yet maybe there is now more hope in your search,’ said Aragorn. ‘Lands will lie open to you eastward that have long been closed.’ But Treebeard shook his head and said: ‘It is far to go. And there are too many Men there in these days. But I am forgetting my manners! Will you stay here and rest a while? And maybe there are some that would be pleased to pass through Fangorn Forest and so shorten their road home?’ He looked at Celeborn and Galadriel. But all save Legolas said that they must now take their leave and depart either south or west. ‘Come, Gimli!’ said Legolas. ‘Now by Fangorn’s leave I will visit the deep places of the Entwood and see such trees as are nowhere else to be found in Middle-earth. You shall come with me and keep your word; and thus we will journey on together to our own lands in Mirkwood and beyond.’ To this Gimli agreed, though with no great delight, it seemed. ‘Here then at last comes the ending of the Fellowship of the Ring,’ said Aragorn. ‘Yet I hope that ere long you will return to my land with the help that you promised.’ ‘We will come, if our own lords allow it,’ said Gimli. ‘Well, farewell, my hobbits! You should come safe to your own homes now, and I shall not be kept awake for fear of your peril. We will send word when we may, and some of us may yet meet at times; but I fear that we shall not all be gathered together ever again.’ Then Treebeard said farewell to each of them in turn, and he bowed three times slowly and with great reverence to Celeborn and Galadriel. ‘It is long, long since we met by stock or by stone, A vanimar, vanimdlion nostari!’ he said. ‘It is sad that we should meet only thus at the ending. For the world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air. I do not think we shall meet again.’ And Celeborn said: ‘I do not know, Eldest.’ But Galadriel said: ‘Not in Middle-earth, nor until the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again. Then in the willow-meads of Tasarinan we may meet in the Spring. Farewell!’ Last of all Merry and Pippin said good-bye to the old Ent, and he grew gayer as he looked at them. ‘Well, my merry folk,’ he said, ‘will you drink another draught with me before you go?’ ‘Indeed we will,’ they said, and he took them aside into the shade of one of the trees, and there they saw that a great stone jar had been set. And Treebeard filled three bowls, and they drank; and they saw his strange eyes looking at them over the rim of his bowl. “Take care, take care!’ he said. ‘For you have already grown since I saw you last.’ And they laughed and drained their bowls.
許多離別 981 樹鬍的臉變得悲傷。「森林會生長，」他說，「樹林會蔓延。但樹人不會。沒有小樹人。」「然而，或許你們的尋找現在有了更多希望，」亞拉岡說，「東方那些長期封閉的土地將向你們敞開。」但樹鬍搖了搖頭說：「路途遙遠。而且這些日子那裡有太多人類。但我忘了禮數！你們願意在這裡休息一會兒嗎？或許有些人會樂意穿過法貢森林，縮短回家的路？」他看向凱勒鵬和凱蘭崔爾。但除了勒苟拉斯之外，所有人都說他們現在必須告辭，往南或往西離開。「來吧，金靂！」勒苟拉斯說，「現在，經法貢允許，我將去探訪樹人林深處，看看中土世界其他地方都找不到的樹木。你應當與我同行並遵守你的諾言；這樣我們就能一同前往我們在幽暗密林及更遠處的家園。」金靂同意了，儘管他似乎沒有多大的喜悅。「那麼，魔戒遠征隊的終結終於來臨了，」亞拉岡說，「但我希望你們不久之後能帶著你們承諾的幫助回到我的土地。」「如果我們的領主允許，我們會來的，」金靂說。「那麼，再見了，我的哈比人朋友們！你們現在應該能平安回到自己的家園了，我也不必再為你們的安危而徹夜難眠。我們會在可能的時候傳話，我們中的一些人或許還會不時相見；但我擔心我們將永遠無法再次齊聚一堂。」然後樹鬍依次向他們每個人告別，他緩慢而恭敬地向凱勒鵬和凱蘭崔爾鞠了三次躬。「自從我們在樹樁旁或石頭邊相遇以來，已經過了漫長歲月，A vanimar, vanimdlion nostari！」他說，「可悲的是，我們只能在終結之時如此相見。因為世界正在改變：我在水中感受到它，我在大地上感受到它，我在空氣中聞到它。我不認為我們還會再見面。」凱勒鵬說：「我不知道，最年長的。」但凱蘭崔爾說：「不在中土世界，直到那些沉沒在波濤之下的土地再次升起。那時，在塔薩里南的柳樹草甸，我們或許會在春天相遇。再見！」最後，梅里和皮聘向老樹人告別，他看著他們時變得更開心了。「那麼，我的快樂朋友們，」他說，「你們走之前願意再和我喝一杯嗎？」他們說：「當然願意。」他把他們帶到一棵樹的陰涼處，他們看到那裡放著一個大石罐。樹鬍倒滿了三碗，他們喝了；他們看到他奇特的眼睛從碗邊望著他們。「小心，小心！」他說，「因為自從我上次見到你們以來，你們已經長大了。」他們笑了，喝光了碗裡的酒。
982 THE LORD OF THE RINGS ‘Well, good-bye!’ he said. ‘And don’t forget that if you hear any news of the Entwives in your land, you will send word to me.’ Then he waved his great hands to all the company and went off into the trees. The travellers now rode with more speed, and they made their way towards the Gap of Rohan; and Aragorn took leave of them at last close to that very place where Pippin had looked into the Stone of Orthanc. The Hobbits were grieved at this parting; for Aragorn had never failed them and he had been their guide through many perils. ‘I wish we could have a Stone that we could see all our friends in,’ said Pippin, ‘and that we could speak to them from far away!’ ‘Only one now remains that you could use,’ answered Aragorn; ‘for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Palantir of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget, Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also in the North, and I shall come there one day.’ Then Aragorn took leave of Celeborn and Galadriel; and the Lady said to him: ‘Elfstone, through darkness you have come to your hope, and have now all your desire. Use well the days!’ But Celeborn said: ‘Kinsman, farewell! May your doom be other than mine, and your treasure remain with you to the end!’ With that they parted, and it was then the time of sunset; and when after a while they turned and looked back, they saw the King of the West sitting upon his horse with his knights about him; and the falling Sun shone upon them and made all their harness to gleam like red gold, and the white mantle of Aragorn was turned to a flame. Then Aragorn took the green stone and held it up, and there came a green fire from his hand. Soon the dwindling company, following the Isen, turned west and rode through the Gap into the waste lands beyond, and then they turned northwards, and passed over the borders of Dunland. The Dunlendings fled and hid themselves, for they were afraid of Elvish folk, though few indeed ever came to their country; but the travellers did not heed them, for they were still a great company and were well provided with all that they needed; and they went on their way at their leisure, setting up their tents when they would. On the sixth day since their parting from the King they journeyed through a wood climbing down from the hills at the feet of the Misty Mountains that now marched on their right hand. As they came out
982 《魔戒》 「那麼，再見了！」他說。「別忘了，如果你在你的土地上聽到任何關於樹人妻子的消息，請務必通知我。」接著他向所有同伴揮了揮他那巨大的雙手，然後走進樹林裡。旅者們現在加快了速度，朝著羅翰隘口前進；亞拉岡最終在皮聘曾凝視歐散克之石的那個地方與他們告別。哈比人對這次離別感到悲傷；因為亞拉岡從未讓他們失望，並且在許多危險中引導著他們。「我希望我們能有一塊石頭，可以看到我們所有的朋友，」皮聘說，「而且我們可以從遠方與他們交談！」 「現在只剩下一個你可以使用的了，」亞拉岡回答道，「因為你不會想看到米那斯提力斯之石會向你展示什麼。但歐散克真知晶球，國王將會保留，以查看他的領土上發生了什麼，以及他的僕人們正在做什麼。因為別忘了，皮瑞格林·圖克，你是剛鐸的騎士，我並未解除你的職務。你現在是休假，但我可能會召回你。而且請記住，夏爾的親愛朋友們，我的領土也位於北方，我有一天會去那裡。」接著亞拉岡向凱勒鵬和加拉德麗爾告別；女士對他說：「精靈石，你已穿越黑暗來到你的希望之處，現在你所有的願望都已實現。好好利用這些時光吧！」但凱勒鵬說：「親戚，再會了！願你的命運與我不同，願你的珍寶伴你直到最後！」說完他們便分開了，當時正是日落時分；過了一會兒，他們轉身回望，看見西方之王騎在馬上，騎士們環繞在他身邊；落日照耀著他們，使他們所有的盔甲閃耀如紅金，亞拉岡的白色斗篷也化作火焰。接著亞拉岡拿起那塊綠色的石頭，將它舉起，一道綠色的火焰從他手中發出。很快地，這支逐漸減少的隊伍沿著艾辛河向西轉，穿過隘口進入了前方的荒地，然後他們轉向北方，越過了登蘭德的邊界。登蘭德人逃跑並躲藏起來，因為他們害怕精靈族，儘管確實很少有精靈來到他們的國家；但旅者們沒有理會他們，因為他們仍然是一支龐大的隊伍，並且裝備齊全；他們悠閒地繼續前進，隨時搭建帳篷。在與國王分別後的第六天，他們穿過一片從山丘上延伸下來的樹林，這些山丘位於迷霧山脈的山腳下，而迷霧山脈此時正位於他們的右手邊。當他們出來時
MANY PARTINGS 983 again into the open country at sundown they overtook an old man leaning on a staff, and he was clothed in rags of grey or dirty white, and at his heels went another beggar, slouching and whining. ‘Well Saruman!’ said Gandalf. ‘Where are you going?’ ‘What is that to you?’ he answered. ‘Will you still order my goings, and are you not content with my ruin?’ “You know the answers,’ said Gandalf: ‘no and no. But in any case the time of my labours now draws to an end. The King has taken on the burden. If you had waited at Orthanc, you would have seen him, and he would have shown you wisdom and mercy.’ “Then all the more reason to have left sooner,’ said Saruman; ‘for I desire neither of him. Indeed if you wish for an answer to your first question, I am seeking a way out of his realm.’ ‘Then once more you are going the wrong way,’ said Gandalf, ‘and I see no hope in your journey. But will you scorn our help? For we offer it to you.’ “To me?’ said Saruman. ‘Nay, pray do not smile at me! I prefer your frowns. And as for the Lady here, I do not trust her: she always hated me, and schemed for your part. I do not doubt that she has brought you this way to have the pleasure of gloating over my poverty. Had I been warned of your pursuit, I would have denied you the pleasure.’ ‘Saruman,’ said Galadriel, ‘we have other errands and other cares that seem to us more urgent than hunting for you. Say rather that you are overtaken by good fortune; for now you have a last chance.’ ‘If it be truly the last, I am glad,’ said Saruman; ‘for I shall be spared the trouble of refusing it again. All my hopes are ruined, but I would not share yours. If you have any.’ For a moment his eyes kindled. ‘Go!’ he said. ‘I did not spend long study on these matters for naught. You have doomed yourselves, and you know it. And it will afford me some comfort as I wander to think that you pulled down your own house when you destroyed mine. And now, what ship will bear you back across so wide a sea?’ he mocked. ‘It will be a grey ship, and full of ghosts.’ He laughed, but his voice was cracked and hideous. ‘Get up, you idiot!’ he shouted to the other beggar, who had sat down on the ground; and he struck him with his staff. “Turn about! If these fine folk are going our way, then we will take another. Get on, or I’ll give you no crust for your supper!’ The beggar turned and slouched past whimpering: ‘Poor old Grima! Poor old Grima! Always beaten and cursed. How I hate him! I wish I could leave him!’ “Then leave him!’ said Gandalf. But Wormtongue only shot a glance of his bleared eyes full of
許多離別 983 黃昏時分，他們再次來到開闊的鄉間，追上了一位拄著拐杖的老人，他身穿灰色或髒白色的破爛衣衫，身後跟著另一個乞丐，弓著背，哼哼唧唧地抱怨著。「啊，薩魯曼！」甘道夫說道。「你要去哪裡？」「那與你何干？」他回答。「你還要繼續指使我的行動嗎？難道你還不滿足於我的毀滅嗎？」「你心知肚明答案，」甘道夫說：「不，都不是。但無論如何，我勞碌的時日如今已近尾聲。國王已承擔起重擔。如果你當時待在歐散克，你就會見到他，他會向你展現智慧與仁慈。」「那麼，這更說明我早該離開了，」薩魯曼說：「因為我對他毫無所求。事實上，如果你想知道你第一個問題的答案，我正在尋找一條離開他領地的方法。」「那麼你又一次走錯了路，」甘道夫說，「我看不到你的旅程有任何希望。但你會鄙視我們的幫助嗎？因為我們正向你提供幫助。」「對我？」薩魯曼說。「不，請別對我微笑！我寧願看到你皺眉。至於這位女士，我不信任她：她一直恨我，並為你出謀劃策。我毫不懷疑她帶你們來這裡，是為了享受幸災樂禍地嘲笑我貧困的樂趣。如果我早被警告你們的追蹤，我會讓你們無法得逞。」「薩魯曼，」凱蘭崔爾說，「我們有其他差事和其他顧慮，對我們來說比追捕你更為緊急。不如說你是被好運追上了；因為現在你有了最後一次機會。」「如果這真是最後一次，我很高興，」薩魯曼說：「因為我將省去再次拒絕的麻煩。我所有的希望都破滅了，但我不會分享你們的。如果你們還有任何希望的話。」他的眼睛瞬間燃起了光芒。「走！」他說。「我沒有白費工夫長期研究這些事情。你們已經自取滅亡了，而且你們也知道。當我流浪時，想到你們在摧毀我的家園時也毀掉了自己的家園，這會給我帶來一些慰藉。那麼現在，什麼船會載你們渡過如此廣闊的海洋呢？」他嘲諷道。「那將是一艘灰色的船，滿載著幽靈。」他笑了，但聲音沙啞而可憎。「起來，你這白痴！」他對另一個坐在地上的乞丐喊道；他用拐杖打了那個乞丐。「轉身！如果這些高貴的人要走我們的路，那我們就走另一條。快走，不然你的晚餐就沒有麵包屑了！」乞丐轉過身，弓著背，嗚咽著走過去：「可憐的老葛力馬！可憐的老葛力馬！總是挨打受罵。我多麼恨他！我真希望我能離開他！」「那就離開他！」甘道夫說。但「蟲舌」葛力馬只是用他那雙模糊不清的眼睛瞥了一眼，充滿了
984 THE LORD OF THE RINGS terror at Gandalf, and then shuffled quickly past behind Saruman. As the wretched pair passed by the company they came to the hobbits, and Saruman stopped and stared at them; but they looked at him with pity. ‘So you have come to gloat too, have you, my urchins?’ he said. “You don’t care what a beggar lacks, do you? For you have all you want, food and fine clothes, and the best weed for your pipes. Oh yes, I know! I know where it comes from. You would not give a pipeful to a beggar, would you?’ ‘I would, if I had any,’ said Frodo. “You can have what I have got left,’ said Merry, ‘if you will wait a moment.’ He got down and searched in the bag at his saddle. Then he handed to Saruman a leather pouch. “Take what there is,’ he said. “You are welcome to it; it came from the flotsam of Isengard.’ ‘Mine, mine, yes and dearly bought!’ cried Saruman, clutching at the pouch. “This is only a repayment in token; for you took more, I'll be bound. Still, a beggar must be grateful, if a thief returns him even a morsel of his own. Well, it will serve you right when you come home, if you find things less good in the Southfarthing than you would like. Long may your land be short of leaf!’ “Thank you!’ said Merry. ‘In that case I will have my pouch back, which is not yours and has journeyed far with me. Wrap the weed in a rag of your own.’ ‘One thief deserves another,’ said Saruman, and turned his back on Merry, and kicked Wormtongue, and went away towards the wood. ‘Well, I like that!’ said Pippin. ‘Thief indeed! What of our claim for waylaying, wounding, and orc-dragging us through Rohan?’ ‘Ah!’ said Sam. ‘And bought he said. How, I wonder? And I didn’t like the sound of what he said about the Southfarthing. It’s time we got back.’ ‘I’m sure it is,’ said Frodo. ‘But we can’t go any quicker, if we are to see Bilbo. I am going to Rivendell first, whatever happens.’ “Yes, I think you had better do that,’ said Gandalf. ‘But alas for Saruman! I fear nothing more can be made of him. He has withered altogether. All the same, I am not sure that Treebeard is right: I fancy he could do some mischief still in a small mean way.’ Next day they went on into northern Dunland, where no men now dwelt, though it was a green and pleasant country. September came in with golden days and silver nights, and they rode at ease until they reached the Swanfleet river, and found the old ford, east of the falls where it went down suddenly into the lowlands. Far to the west in a haze lay the meres and eyots through which it wound its way to the Greyflood: there countless swans housed in a land of reeds.
984 《魔戒》薩魯曼身後，甘道夫嚇得瑟瑟發抖，然後迅速地挪了過去。當這對可憐的搭檔經過隊伍時，他們來到了哈比人面前，薩魯曼停下來盯著他們；但哈比人卻帶著憐憫的眼神看著他。「所以你們也來幸災樂禍了，是嗎，我的小鬼們？」他說。「你們才不在乎乞丐缺少什麼，是嗎？因為你們應有盡有，食物、華服，還有最好的菸草供你們的菸斗使用。哦，是的，我知道！我知道它是從哪裡來的。你們連一菸斗的菸草都不會給乞丐，是嗎？」佛羅多說：「如果我有，我會給的。」梅里說：「我剩下的你可以拿去，如果你願意等一下。」他下馬，在馬鞍旁的袋子裡翻找。然後他遞給薩魯曼一個皮袋。「拿去吧，」他說，「你儘管拿；這是從艾辛格的殘骸中找到的。」「我的，我的，是的，而且是花大價錢買來的！」薩魯曼叫道，緊緊抓住那個袋子。「這只不過是象徵性的償還；因為你們拿走了更多，我敢說。不過，如果小偷連自己的一點點東西都還給乞丐，乞丐也必須心存感激。好吧，等你們回家時，如果發現南區的情況不如你們所願，那你們就活該了。願你們的土地永遠貧瘠！」梅里說：「謝謝你！既然如此，我要把我的袋子拿回來，那不是你的，而且它跟我走了很遠的路。把菸草包在你自己的破布裡吧。」薩魯曼說：「一個賊配得上另一個賊。」然後他轉身背對梅里，踢了葛力馬一下，朝著樹林走去。「嗯，我喜歡這樣！」皮聘說。「真是個賊！那我們被伏擊、受傷，以及被半獸人拖著穿過羅翰的帳怎麼算？」山姆說：「啊！他說是買來的。我真好奇是怎麼買的？而且我不喜歡他對南區說的那些話。是時候我們該回去了。」佛羅多說：「我確定是這樣。但如果我們要見比爾博，我們就不能走得更快。無論如何，我都要先去瑞文戴爾。」甘道夫說：「是的，我想你最好這麼做。但可憐的薩魯曼啊！我恐怕他再也沒什麼用了。他已經徹底枯萎了。儘管如此，我不確定樹鬍是不是對的：我猜他仍然能以一種卑鄙的小手段製造一些麻煩。」第二天，他們繼續前往北方的登蘭，那裡現在已無人居住，儘管那是一片綠意盎然、令人愉悅的鄉村。九月在金色的白天和銀色的夜晚中到來，他們輕鬆地騎行，直到抵達天鵝河，找到了舊的淺灘，位於瀑布東邊，那裡河水突然流入低地。在遙遠的西方，一片薄霧中躺臥著湖泊和小島，河水蜿蜒穿過它們，流向灰水河：那裡有無數的天鵝棲息在蘆葦叢生的土地上。
MANY PARTINGS 985 So they passed into Eregion, and at last a fair morning dawned, shimmering above gleaming mists; and looking from their camp on a low hill the travellers saw away in the east the Sun catching three peaks that thrust up into the sky through floating clouds: Caradhras, Celebdil, and Fanuidhol. They were near to the Gates of Moria. Here now for seven days they tarried, for the time was at hand for another parting which they were loth to make. Soon Celeborn and Galadriel and their folk would turn eastward, and so pass by the Redhorn Gate and down the Dimrill Stair to the Silverlode and to their own country. They had journeyed thus far by the west-ways, for they had much to speak of with Elrond and with Gandalf, and here they lingered still in converse with their friends. Often long after the hobbits were wrapped in sleep they would sit together under the stars, recalling the ages that were gone and all their joys and labours in the world, or holding council, concerning the days to come. If any wanderer had chanced to pass, little would he have seen or heard, and it would have seemed to him only that he saw grey figures, carved in stone, memorials of forgotten things now lost in unpeopled lands. For they did not move or speak with mouth, looking from mind to mind; and only their shining eyes stirred and kindled as their thoughts went to and fro. But at length all was said, and they parted again for a while, until it was time for the Three Rings to pass away. Quickly fading into the stones and the shadows the grey-cloaked people of Lorien rode towards the mountains; and those who were going to Rivendell sat on the hill and watched, until there came out of the gathering mist a flash; and then they saw no more. Frodo knew that Galadriel had held aloft her ring in token of farewell. Sam turned away and sighed: ‘I wish I was going back to Lorien!’ At last one evening they came over the high moors, suddenly as to travellers it always seemed, to the brink of the deep valley of Rivendell and saw far below the lamps shining in Elrond’s house. And they went down and crossed the bridge and came to the doors, and all the house was filled with light and song for joy at Elrond’s homecoming. First of all, before they had eaten or washed or even shed their cloaks, the hobbits went in search of Bilbo. They found him all alone in his little room. It was littered with papers and pens and pencils; but Bilbo was sitting in a chair before a small bright fire. He looked very old, but peaceful, and sleepy. He opened his eyes and looked up as they came in. ‘Hullo, hullo!’ he said. ‘So you’ve come back? And tomorrow’s my birthday, too. How clever of you! Do you know, I shall be one hundred and
許多離別 985 於是他們進入了伊瑞詹，終於，一個晴朗的早晨破曉了，在閃爍的薄霧上方閃耀著光芒；旅人們從他們在低矮山丘上的營地望去，看見東方太陽照耀著三座山峰，它們穿透浮雲，直插天際：卡拉茲拉斯、西利斯鐸和法努多爾。他們已接近摩瑞亞之門。他們在此逗留了七天，因為又一次離別的時刻即將到來，而他們卻不願面對。很快地，凱勒鵬和凱蘭崔爾以及他們的族人將轉向東方，經過紅角隘口，沿著黯溪階梯而下，抵達銀光河，然後回到他們自己的國度。他們一路從西邊而來，因為他們有許多事要與愛隆和甘道夫談論，此刻他們仍在此地與朋友們交談。哈比人們入睡許久之後，他們仍常一同坐在星空下，回憶逝去的歲月，以及他們在世間所有的歡樂與辛勞，或者召開會議，商議未來的日子。如果當時有任何流浪者偶然經過，他幾乎不會看到或聽到什麼，他只會覺得自己看到了一些灰色的石像，雕刻而成，是那些如今已在無人之地失落的被遺忘之物的紀念碑。因為他們不曾移動，也不曾開口說話，而是心靈相通；只有他們閃爍的眼睛隨著思緒的流轉而閃動發光。但最終，一切都已說盡，他們再次暫時分離，直到三枚戒指消逝的時刻來臨。羅瑞安那些身披灰袍的人們迅速地融入岩石與陰影之中，朝著群山騎去；而那些前往瑞文戴爾的人則坐在山丘上觀望，直到聚集的薄霧中閃過一道光芒；此後他們便什麼也看不見了。佛羅多知道凱蘭崔爾舉起了她的戒指，作為告別的象徵。山姆轉過身，嘆了口氣：「我真希望我能回到羅瑞安！」終於，一個傍晚，他們翻過了高地沼澤，對旅人來說，這總是如此突然，他們來到了瑞文戴爾深谷的邊緣，看見下方愛隆的屋子裡燈火通明。他們走下山，過了橋，來到門前，整個屋子都充滿了燈光和歌聲，慶祝愛隆的歸來。首先，在他們還沒吃飯、洗漱，甚至還沒脫下斗篷之前，哈比人們就去尋找比爾博了。他們發現他獨自一人在他的小房間裡。房間裡散落著紙張、鋼筆和鉛筆；但比爾博正坐在椅子上，面前生著一堆小小的明亮爐火。他看起來非常蒼老，卻又安詳，帶著睡意。他們進來時，他睜開眼睛，抬頭望去。「哈囉，哈囉！」他說。「你們回來了？而且明天也是我的生日。你們真聰明！你們知道嗎，我就要一百歲了，而且
986 THE LORD OF THE RINGS twenty-nine? And in one year more, if I am spared, I shall equal the Old Took. I should like to beat him; but we shall see.’ After the celebration of Bilbo’s birthday the four hobbits stayed in Rivendell for some days, and they sat much with their old friend, who spent most of his time now in his room, except at meals. For these he was still very punctual as a rule, and he seldom failed to wake up in time for them. Sitting round the fire they told him in turn all that they could remember of their journeys and adventures. At first he pretended to take some notes; but he often fell asleep; and when he woke he would say: ‘How splendid! How wonderful! But where were we?’ Then they went on with the story from the point where he had begun to nod. The only part that seemed really to rouse him and hold his attention was the account of the crowning and marriage of Aragorn. ‘I was invited to the wedding, of course,’ he said. ‘And I have waited for it long enough. But somehow, when it came to it, I found I had so much to do here; and packing is such a bother.’ When nearly a fortnight had passed Frodo looked out of his window and saw that there had been a frost in the night, and the cobwebs were like white nets. Then suddenly he knew that he must go, and say good-bye to Bilbo. The weather was still calm and fair, after one of the most lovely summers that people could remember; but October had come, and it must break soon and begin to rain and blow again. And there was still a very long way to go. Yet it was not really the thought of the weather that stirred him. He had a feeling that it was time he went back to the Shire. Sam shared it. Only the night before he had said: ‘Well, Mr. Frodo, we’ve been far and seen a deal, and yet I don’t think we’ve found a better place than this. There’s something of everything here, if you understand me: the Shire and the Golden Wood and Gondor and kings’ houses and inns and meadows and mountains all mixed. And yet, somehow, I feel we ought to be going soon. ’m worried about my gaffer, to tell you the truth.’ “Yes, something of everything, Sam, except the Sea,’ Frodo had answered; and he repeated it now to himself: ‘Except the Sea.’ That day Frodo spoke to Elrond, and it was agreed that they should leave the next morning. To their delight Gandalf said: ‘I think I shall come too. At least as far as Bree. I want to see Butterbur.’ In the evening they went to say good-bye to Bilbo. ‘Well, if you must go, you must,’ he said. ‘I am sorry. I shall miss you. It is nice just to know that you are about the place. But I am getting very sleepy.’ Then he gave Frodo his mithril-coat and Sting, forgetting
986 《魔戒》二十九歲？如果我能活下來，再過一年我就能和老圖克一樣長壽了。我真想超越他；但我們走著瞧吧。』比爾博生日慶祝活動結束後，四位哈比人留在瑞文戴爾住了幾天，他們花了很多時間陪伴他們的老朋友，這位老朋友現在除了用餐時間，大部分時間都待在自己的房間裡。至於用餐，他通常還是非常準時，而且他很少會錯過起床時間。他們圍坐在火堆旁，輪流告訴他他們旅程和冒險中所有能記起來的事情。起初他假裝做筆記；但他經常睡著；當他醒來時，他會說：「多麼精彩！多麼美妙！但我們講到哪裡了？」然後他們從他開始打瞌睡的地方繼續講故事。唯一真正能喚醒他並吸引他注意力的部分，是關於亞拉岡加冕和婚禮的敘述。「我當然被邀請參加婚禮了，」他說。「而且我已經等了很久。但不知怎麼的，到了時候，我發現這裡有太多事情要做；而且打包真是太麻煩了。」將近兩週過去了，佛羅多望向窗外，看到夜裡結了霜，蜘蛛網像白色的網。然後他突然知道他必須離開，去向比爾博告別。天氣依然平靜宜人，經歷了人們記憶中最美好的夏天之一；但十月已經來臨，很快就會變天，開始下雨刮風。而且還有很長的路要走。然而，真正觸動他的並不是天氣。他有一種感覺，是時候回到夏爾了。山姆也有同感。就在前一天晚上他說：「嗯，佛羅多先生，我們走了很遠，也見識了很多，但我認為我們還沒有找到比這裡更好的地方。這裡什麼都有，如果你明白我的意思：夏爾、黃金森林、剛鐸、國王的宮殿、旅館、草地和山脈，全都混雜在一起。然而，不知怎麼的，我覺得我們應該很快就出發了。說實話，我擔心我的老爹。」「是的，什麼都有，山姆，除了大海。」佛羅多回答道；他現在又對自己重複了一遍：「除了大海。」那天佛羅多和愛隆說了話，他們同意第二天早上離開。令他們高興的是，甘道夫說：「我想我也會去。至少到布理。我想見見巴利曼。」傍晚，他們去向比爾博告別。「嗯，如果你非走不可，那就走吧。」他說。「我很抱歉。我會想念你們的。知道你們就在附近，感覺很好。但我現在很想睡覺。」然後他把他的秘銀甲和刺針劍給了佛羅多，卻忘了
MANY PARTINGS 987 that he had already done so; and he gave him also three books of lore that he had made at various times, written in his spidery hand, and labelled on their red backs: Translations from the Elvish, by B.B. To Sam he gave a little bag of gold. ‘Almost the last drop of the Smaug vintage,’ he said. ‘May come in useful, if you think of getting married, Sam.’ Sam blushed. ‘I have nothing much to give to you young fellows,’ he said to Merry and Pippin, ‘except good advice.’ And when he had given them a fair sample of this, he added a last item in Shire-fashion: ‘Don’t let your heads get too big for your hats! But if you don’t finish growing up soon, you are going to find hats and clothes expensive.’ ‘But if you want to beat the Old Took,’ said Pippin, ‘I don’t see why we shouldn’t try and beat the Bullroarer.’ Bilbo laughed, and he produced out of a pocket two beautiful pipes with pearl mouth-pieces and bound with fine-wrought silver. “Think of me when you smoke them!’ he said. “The Elves made them for me, but I don’t smoke now.’ And then suddenly he nodded and went to sleep for a little; and when he woke up again he said: ‘Now where were we? Yes, of course, giving presents. Which reminds me: what’s become of my ring, Frodo, that you took away?’ ‘I have lost it, Bilbo dear,’ said Frodo. ‘I got rid of it, you know.’ ‘What a pity!’ said Bilbo. ‘I should have liked to see it again. But no, how silly of me! That’s what you went for, wasn’t it: to get rid of it? But it is all so confusing, for such a lot of other things seem to have got mixed up with it: Aragorn’s affairs, and the White Council, and Gondor, and the Horsemen, and Southrons, and oliphaunts — did you really see one, Sam? — and caves and towers and golden trees, and goodness knows what besides. ‘I evidently came back by much too straight a road from my trip. I think Gandalf might have shown me round a bit. But then the auction would have been over before I got back, and I should have had even more trouble than I did. Anyway it’s too late now; and really I think it’s much more comfortable to sit here and hear about it all. The fire’s very cosy here, and the food’s very good, and there are Elves when you want them. What more could one want? The Road goes ever on and on Out from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, Let others follow it who can! Let them a journey new begin, But I at last with weary feet Will turn towards the lighted inn, My evening-rest and sleep to meet.’
許多告別 987 他已經這麼做了；他還給了他三本他不同時期寫的知識之書，用他那蜘蛛般的筆跡寫成，紅色的書脊上標著：「精靈語譯文，B.B.著」。他給山姆一個小金袋。「幾乎是史矛革陳釀的最後一滴了，」他說。「如果你考慮結婚，山姆，這或許會派上用場。」山姆臉紅了。「我沒什麼能給你們這些年輕人，」他對梅里和皮聘說，「除了好建議。」當他給了他們一個足夠的例子後，他又以夏爾的方式補充了最後一項：「別讓你們的頭大到帽子戴不下！但如果你們不快點長大，你們會發現帽子和衣服都很貴。」「但如果你想打敗老圖克，」皮聘說，「我不明白我們為什麼不該試著打敗吼牛。」比爾博笑了，他從口袋裡掏出兩支漂亮的煙斗，它們有珍珠煙嘴，並用精緻的銀絲纏繞。「抽它們的時候想想我！」他說。「精靈為我製作了它們，但我現在不抽了。」然後他突然點了點頭，小睡了一會兒；當他再次醒來時，他說：「我們剛才說到哪兒了？哦，當然，送禮物。這讓我想起：我的戒指怎麼了，佛羅多，你把它帶走了？」 「我把它弄丟了，親愛的比爾博，」佛羅多說。「你知道，我把它處理掉了。」「真可惜！」比爾博說。「我本來想再看看它。但是不，我多麼傻啊！你就是為此而去的，不是嗎：為了擺脫它？但這一切都太混亂了，因為許多其他事情似乎都與它混雜在一起：亞拉岡的事務，白道會，剛鐸，騎兵，南方人，還有猛獁——山姆，你真的見過一隻嗎？——還有洞穴、高塔和金色的樹木，以及天知道還有什麼。「我顯然是從我的旅程中走了一條太過筆直的路回來了。我想甘道夫本該帶我四處轉轉的。但那樣的話，在我回來之前拍賣會就結束了，我會遇到比現在更多的麻煩。反正現在太晚了；而且說真的，我覺得坐在這裡聽這一切更舒服。這裡的爐火很舒適，食物也很好，而且當你需要時，精靈就在這裡。還有什麼可奢求的呢？ 路途綿延無盡頭， 始於門前向外走。 如今路已遠方去， 能者隨行莫停留！ 讓他們開啟新旅程， 而我終將疲憊足， 轉向燈火通明的客棧， 迎接我的晚安與安眠。
988 THE LORD OF THE RINGS And as Bilbo murmured the last words his head dropped on his chest and he slept soundly. The evening deepened in the room, and the firelight burned brighter; and they looked at Bilbo as he slept and saw that his face was smiling. For some time they sat in silence; and then Sam looking round at the room and the shadows flickering on the walls, said softly: ‘I don’t think, Mr. Frodo, that he’s done much writing while we’ve been away. He won’t ever write our story now.’ At that Bilbo opened an eye, almost as if he had heard. Then he roused himself. “You see, I am getting so sleepy,’ he said. ‘And when I have time to write, I only really like writing poetry. I wonder, Frodo my dear fellow, if you would very much mind tidying things up a bit before you go? Collect all my notes and papers, and my diary too, and take them with you, if you will. You see, I haven’t much time for the selection and the arrangement and all that. Get Sam to help, and when you’ve knocked things into shape, come back, and I’ll run over it. I won’t be too critical.’ ‘Of course Pll do it!’ said Frodo. ‘And of course Pll come back soon: it won’t be dangerous any more. There is a real king now, and he will soon put the roads in order.’ “Thank you, my dear fellow!’ said Bilbo. ‘That really is a very great relief to my mind.’ And with that he fell asleep again. The next day Gandalf and the hobbits took leave of Bilbo in his room, for it was cold out of doors; and then they said farewell to Elrond and all his household. As Frodo stood upon the threshold, Elrond wished him a fair journey, and blessed him, and he said: ‘I think, Frodo, that maybe you will not need to come back, unless you come very soon. For about this time of the year, when the leaves are gold before they fall, look for Bilbo in the woods of the Shire. I shall be with him.’ These words no one else heard, and Frodo kept them to himself.
988 《魔戒》 當比爾博低聲說完最後幾個字時，他的頭垂到胸前，沉沉地睡去了。房間裡的夜色漸濃，爐火燒得更亮了；他們看著熟睡中的比爾博，發現他臉上帶著微笑。他們靜靜地坐了一會兒；然後山姆環顧房間，看著牆上搖曳的影子，輕聲說道：「佛羅多先生，我想我們離開的這段時間，他並沒有寫多少東西。他現在永遠也不會寫我們的故事了。」就在這時，比爾博睜開了一隻眼睛，幾乎就像他聽到了似的。然後他振作起來。「你看，我真是太睏了，」他說，「而且當我有時間寫作時，我只喜歡寫詩。佛羅多，我親愛的朋友，不知道你介不介意在你離開前幫我整理一下東西？把我所有的筆記、文件，還有我的日記都收集起來，如果你願意的話，就把它們帶走吧。你看，我沒有太多時間來挑選、整理這些東西。讓山姆幫忙，等你把東西整理好之後，再回來，我會過目一遍。我不會太挑剔的。」「我當然會做！」佛羅多說，「我當然會很快回來：這裡不會再有危險了。現在有了一位真正的國王，他很快就會讓道路恢復秩序。」「謝謝你，我親愛的朋友！」比爾博說，「這真是讓我鬆了一大口氣。」說完，他又睡著了。第二天，甘道夫和哈比人因為外面寒冷，在比爾博的房間裡向他告別；然後他們向愛隆和他的全家道別。當佛羅多站在門檻上時，愛隆祝他一路順風，並祝福他，然後說道：「佛羅多，我想你可能不需要再回來了，除非你很快就回來。因為大約在每年的這個時候，當樹葉在落下之前變成金色時，你可以在夏爾的樹林裡尋找比爾博。我會和他在一起的。」這些話沒有其他人聽到，佛羅多將它們藏在心裡。