Chapter 2 Section Two: Shadows of the Past

Discussions about this event lasted not just a week, but more than three months.The second mysterious disappearance of Bilbo Baggins had been discussed in Hobbiton for over a year, and haunted for a long time.This became a favorite after-dinner topic for young hobbits.In the end, when all the truth had been lost to history, the character of "Mad Baggins" became the most famous character in the folk tale.In the story, he disappears with a bang and a bright light, and reappears with a bag full of jewels and gold. But at the same time, his neighbors saw him very differently.They all thought that this old man, who was already a little bit crazy, had finally collapsed and might have gone to the wilderness.There he might have fallen into some pond or creek and ended up like that.Most people blamed this on Gandalf.

"If only that pesky wizard had stopped haunting Frodo, perhaps he would have had time to appreciate hobbit ways," they said.From all clues, the wizard did not bother Frodo anymore, and the young man really settled down.As for the hobbit's behavior, I'm afraid I still can't see it clearly.True, he had inherited Bilbo's idiosyncrasy almost at once.He refused to mourn Bilbo, and the following year he threw a centenary party in honor of Bilbo's one hundred and twelveth birthday.Twenty guests were invited to this banquet. According to the hobbits, the meals in the banquet can be said to be "a mountain of vegetables and a sea of ​​wine", which is very rich.

Some people found it rather surprising, but Frodo continued to hold feasts year after year, until everyone saw it too.He says he doesn't think Bilbo is dead.When people questioned him about Bilbo's whereabouts, he could only shrug his shoulders. He lived alone, like Bilbo, but he still had many young harpy friends. (Old Took's children and grandchildren mostly.) These people liked Bilbo very much when they were children, and often liked to find reasons to run to Bag End.Fargo Boffin and Frederick Borg are two typical examples.His closest friends, though, were Peregrine Took (often called Pippin anonymously), and Merry Brandybuck (his real name was Meriadoc, but none of them could quite remember).Frodo often wandered about the Shire with them, but more often he wandered about alone.To the astonishment of ordinary people, Frodo would sometimes walk away from his home by starlight in the nearby hills and woods.Merry and Pippin suspected that he, like Bilbo, would visit the elves in secret.

As time went by, people began to notice that Frodo seemed to have inherited the secret of "healthy health".He still looks like an energetic teenager. "Some men are just blessed," they said; but it was not really strange to them until Frodo was fifty. After initial unease, Frodo began to enjoy inheriting the Baggins family and Bag End.For several years, he lived comfortably without worrying about the future.But slowly, he began to regret not leaving with Bilbo.Images would come to his mind sometimes, especially in the late autumn, when he would begin to think of the wilderness outside, and he would dream of mountains and mountains he had never seen before.He began to say to himself, "Maybe one day I should cross the river and see for myself." Another part of his mind would reply, "Not yet."

The day went on like this.In the blink of an eye, his fiftieth birthday is approaching.The number fifty struck him as special (or "too" special) at the age at which Bilbo suddenly had many adventures.Frodo began to feel restless, and the paths he used to walk in became tiresome.When he reads a map he thinks about what lies beyond its borders: maps drawn in the Shire are likely to leave the borders blank.His walks became wider and wider, and he ran around more often alone.Merry and the other friends were worried about him.They often saw him walking briskly, or chatting with the strange travelers who began to appear in the Shire at this time.

＊＊＊ It is said that there have been many changes in the outside world, and rumors have followed, and there has been no news of Gandalf for many years; Frodo had to gather all the information he could by himself.The elves, who seldom set foot in the Shire, now pass here in the evening, heading west along the forest without looking back.They were about to leave Middle-earth and never intervene in mortal disputes.In addition, there are more dwarves on the road than usual.The historic West-Eastern Road runs through the Shire to the shores of Grayhaven, the road the Dwarves used to trek to the mines in the Blue Mountains.

They are any hobbit's most reliable source of information on the outside world.Generally speaking, dwarves are reluctant to talk, and hobbits do not press questions.Now, however, Frodo often encountered dwarves coming from far away lands, preparing to take refuge in the West.Each of them was preoccupied, and occasionally someone mentioned news about the Demon King and the realm of Mordor. These are names that only appear in the dark past, and seem to the hobbit like long lost memories: but such ominous news is indeed disturbing.It appears that the enemies driven from Mirkwood by the White Council are now reborn in stronger form within the strongholds of Mordor.According to rumors, the Dark Tower has been rebuilt.With the evil black tower as the center, the evil forces spread outward like wildfire, and the flames of war and fear in the extreme east and extreme south continued to spread.Orcs once again ravaged the mountains.Traces of trolls reappeared, and this time they were no longer the stupid carnivorous beasts in the legend, but transformed into cunning armed warriors.There were more ghastly whispers of creatures more terrifying than these, but none of them had names.

Of course, it is impossible for a normal hobbit to know these rumors.But even the most reclusive hobbits are beginning to hear strange stories, and hobbits whose work requires them to travel to the frontier see spooky signs.One evening in the spring of Frodo's fiftieth year, conversations in the "Green Dragon Inn" in the waterfront area made it clear that even in the isolated area of ​​​​the Shire these rumors began to circulate; Most hobbits still sniffed. Sam Gange was sitting by the fire, and across from him was Ted Sandiman, the miller's son.There were many idle hobbits listening to their conversation.

"If you listen carefully, you hear a lot of strange things these days," Sam said. "Ah," said Ted, "there's going to be plenty of rumours, if you're smart. But if all I want are bedtime stories and fairy tales, I can get them at home." "Of course you can go home and listen," Sam said disdainfully. "I bet there are more facts in there than you understand. Who made up these stories? Let's take dragons as an example." "Well, it's better to avoid it," Ted said. "I'm not flattering that. I've heard stories of dragons since I was a kid, and I have no reason to believe them now. There's only one dragon in Waterfront, and that's the Green Dragon Inn," his audience laughed.

"Okay," Sam laughed, along with the others. "What about these tree men, or the giants you mentioned? There are indeed people nearby who say that they saw this kind of creature taller than a tree in the wasteland to the north." "Who are they?" "My relative Hal was one of them. He was working for Mr. Boffin and went hunting in the North End. He saw one of these creatures." "That's what he said. How do we know it's true? Your Hal keeps saying he saw something, and it might not be true." "But he sees things as tall as elms, and walks! Seven yards at a step!"

"I bet he saw it wrong. It was just an elm tree he saw." "As I said, this tree can walk, and there are no elms at all in the wastelands to the north." "Then Hal couldn't have seen the elms either," Thad said.Some of the bystanders started laughing and clapping: they thought Ted had the upper hand this time. "Whatever," said Sam, "you can't deny that besides our Hal, there are other people who have seen a lot of weird characters crossing the Shire, pay attention, it is crossing. There are more people on the border. Blocked. Border guards have never been so busy." "I also heard that the elves began to migrate to the west. They said they were going to the port, not outside the White Tower yet." Sam waved his arms vaguely. He and the others did not know to leave the Shire West How far to the sea after the border and the old tower.They only knew that there was a place called the Gray Haven, from which the ships of the Elves never came back. "After they left the port, they sailed far away, kept going west, and left us here," Sam recited with dreamy eyes, shaking his head and showing a sad expression.But Ted laughed instead. "If you believe the ancient legends, this is nothing new. I don't see how it has anything to do with you and me. Just let them sail away! I guarantee that neither you nor the rest of the Shire will see this. situation." "I'm not so sure," Sam said thoughtfully.He thought he had seen an elf in the forest before, and hoped to see it again in the future.Of all the tales he had heard as a boy (as far as hobbits knew so little about elves), he was moved by the story of each elf. "Even here there are people who know the noble race," he said. "My boss, Baggins, is an example. He told me stories of their voyages, and he knew a good deal about elves. Old Mr. Bilbo knew a lot more: I heard a lot from him when I was a boy. " "Oh, both of these guys have brain problems," Ted said. "At least old Bilbo who passed away had a problem with his head, and Frodo is still slowly falling apart. If your sources are these two fellows, then there is nothing strange about it. Well, friends, I will return I'm home. I wish you health!" He drank the drink in his glass in one gulp, and walked out the door swaggeringly. Sam sat in silence, saying nothing more.He has a lot to think about.For example, he still has a lot of work in the garden at Bag End, and if the weather is better tomorrow, he may be busy all day.The turf has been growing fast recently.It wasn't just gardening and mowing that bothered Sam, though.He continued to ponder for a while, finally sighed, and quietly walked out the door. Today is only the beginning of April, and the sky after the heavy rain looks extraordinarily clear.The sun was about to set, and the cool twilight was slowly being replaced by night.He walked across Hobbiton and up the hill under the bright starlight, whistling and thinking. At the same time, Gandalf, who had disappeared for a long time, reappeared.He disappeared for three years after the feast, and then he visited Frodo for a short while; after a good look at his old friend, he traveled again.In the following year or two, he would appear frequently, usually visiting unexpectedly after dark, and disappearing silently before dawn.He was tight-lipped about his work and journeys, and seemed to care only about little things about Frodo's health and behavior. Without warning, he suddenly disappeared.Frodo had heard nothing of him for nine years, and he began to think that the wizard had lost interest in hobbits, and would never appear again.But just as Sam was walking home in the twilight, there was a familiar tap at the window of Frodo's study. Frodo was a little surprised, but very happy to welcome his old friend to visit again.They looked at each other for a long time. "Is everything all right?" said Gandalf. "Frodo, you don't look changed at all!" "You too," said Frodo politely; but in his heart the wizard seemed older, and seemed more weather-beaten than ever.He couldn't wait to ask the wizard to tell the news from the outside world, and the two soon chatted like no one else, until late at night. At noon the next day, the two who got up late sat down by the bright window of the study after having breakfast.There was a raging fire in the fireplace, the sun was very warm, and a warm south wind was blowing outside.Everything looks so perfect, spring brings a thriving greenery, dotted with flowers and trees. Gandalf was thinking of a spring nearly eighty years ago when Bilbo had walked out of Bag End with him, forgetting his handkerchief.His hair may have been grayer than then, his beard and eyebrows may have been longer, and his face has many more wrinkles accumulated by worry and wisdom.But his eyes are still bright, his technique of exhaling smoke rings is still admirable, and his face also has an expression of joy. At this moment he was smoking silently, watching Frodo meditating motionlessly.Even in the bright morning light he was overwhelmed by the bad news Gandalf had brought.At last he finally broke the silence. "Last night you told me about the peculiarity of the ring, Gandalf," he said. "Then you seem to hold back, because you say it's best to save this topic for the day. Why don't you finish it now? You said last night that this ring is dangerous, more so than I guessed. It Where is the danger?" "It is extremely dangerous in many ways," replied the wizard. "I never imagined that this ring would have such power. Its power is strong enough to conquer any mortal who possesses it. It will occupy him physically and mentally." "Long, long ago, the Elves forged Elvish rings in Erejan. What you call magic rings, and they were of many different kinds: some more powerful, some less powerful. Lesser rings were They were created when the technology was immature, and they were just insignificant decorations for elf craftsmen. However, in my opinion, they are still extremely dangerous for mortals. But there are more advanced unified The Lord of the Rings is also called the Ring of Power and the Ring of Strength, and their dangers cannot be described in words.” "Frodo, a mortal man who bears the Lordship Ring may live forever, but he does not live longer or grow; he only lives on in body until every moment is a torment to him, but Still can't escape this fate. If he uses the ring often to make himself invisible, he will gradually fade; finally he will be invisible forever, forced to walk in the nether world under the evil power that governs the ring. Yes, Sooner or later, he will come to this end. If his intentions are good and his will is strong, it will take longer; but neither goodness nor strength can save him. Sooner or later the power of darkness will swallow him up." "It is dreadful!" said Frodo.The two were silent for a long time.Outside the window only the sound of Sam mowing the grass continued. "How long have you known about it?" asked Frodo at last. "And how much does Bilbo know?" "I'm sure Bilbo knows no more than you do," said Gandalf. "He will never give you something dangerous. Even if I promise to take care of you, I will not be able to convince him. He just thinks that this ring is beautiful and useful at critical times; even if something is wrong, it's just him His own problem. He said the thing seemed to "occupy his mind" and he was getting more and more worried about it. But he didn't think the ring was the culprit. All he knew was that the thing needed special care; its size It will shrink and grow in weird ways, and it may even suddenly fall off your fingers." "Yes, he warned me in his last letter to me," said Frodo, "so I have kept it bound with the old tie." "You are very clever," said Gandalf. "As for Bilbo's longevity, he never made any associations between the two. He thought it was because of his strong body, so he was very proud of it. But he felt that his emotions were getting more and more fluctuating and uneasy. He said he was 'a little dry, getting drained'. That was a sign that the Ring was starting to take hold of him." "How long have you known this?" asked Frodo again. "How long?" said Gandalf. "Much of what I know is secrets that only the sages know, Frodo. But if you mean how well you know the ring, you can say I don't know enough. I don't know One final test is required to be absolutely certain. But I no longer doubt my guess." "When did I start to doubt?" He pondered, searching for memories in his mind. "Let me see, in the year the White Council drove out the evil in Mirkwood, just before Bilbo found the ring in the Battle of the Five Armies. I felt a little uneasy then, But I don't know what I'm afraid of. I've often wondered how Gollum could have gotten the Ring of Ruler so easily, at least at first. Then I heard Bilbo say how he "won ’ The weird story about the ring, I didn’t believe it from the start. When I finally got the truth out of him, I knew right away that he wanted the ring for himself. Just as Gollum claimed it was Same as his "birthday present". The proximity of the two lies made me more and more uneasy. It was clear that the Ring possessed some power over its bearer. I warned Bilbo that it would be best not to use this the Ring, but he ignored it, and was even soon enraged. There was nothing I could do about it. There was no way I could force the Ring out of his hands and leave him unscathed, and I had no position to do so. I could only To be able to sit back and wait for the time to come. I should have gone to ask for Saruman the White Robe, but my sixth sense held me back." "Who is he?" asked Frodo. "I've never heard of this guy before." "Perhaps you really do not know," replied Gandalf. "He didn't care much about hobbits, at least until now. But he was high among the sages. He was the leader of my generation and the speaker of the council. He had great knowledge, but with it came pride. Breeding. He hates anyone who meddles in his affairs. Elven rings, big and small, are his field of expertise. He has studied this field for a long time, hoping to regain the knowledge of forging them. But when we are in council against the ring When the power was arguing, the information he was willing to reveal about the Lord of the Rings was exactly the opposite of what I was afraid of. My doubts were buried deep, but the anxiety never faded away. I still observe the changes in the world and wait." "Bilbo seemed unaffected, too. Year after year, his appearance remained uncorrupted. Again the shadow fell upon me again. But I said to myself, 'After all his mother's Have a long-lived lineage. There is still time. Be patient!"" "I continued to wait like this. Until he left the house that night. What he did filled me with a fear that Saruman's words could not suppress. I finally confirmed that there was a deadly evil at work. .Since then I have spent most of my time seeking the truth behind it.” "Will it do permanent harm?" asked Frodo nervously. "He'll recover slowly, right? I mean he can at least live a peaceful life?" "He felt better at once," said Gandalf. "But there is only one power in the world who knows all about the ring and its effects; and as far as I know, no power in the world has a thorough understanding of hobbits. Among the sages, I am the only one willing to study hobbits Their history, though considered trivial, is full of surprises. Sometimes they are as weak as water, and sometimes as hard as steel. I think this race may be greater than the sages expected, enough to resist the influence of the Lord of the Rings A long time. I don't think you need worry about Bilbo." "It is true that he has held the Ring for many years and has used it; the aftereffects may take a long time to wear off. For example, it is best not to let him see the ring again, to avoid serious repercussions. In this way, he should be able to live happily for many years, no longer like when he gave up the Lord of the Rings. Because he gave up the Lord of the Rings by his own willpower, which is very important. After he let go, I Don't worry about Bilbo any more. I feel a responsibility to you." "I've been worried about you since Bilbo left here, and I can't worry about you gay, playful, helpless hobbits. If the dark powers conquer the Shire; if you're thoughtful, understanding, What if the innocent Borgs, Hornblowers, Boffins, Bellybugs, not to mention the famous Bagginses are all enslaved by evil forces?" Frodo shuddered. "How is that possible?" he asked. "Why would he want slaves like us?" "To tell the truth," replied Gandalf, "I believe he has neglected the hobbits so far, remember, so far. You should be grateful for that. But your days of living in peace are past. He Indeed, he does not need you, he has all kinds of cruel and fierce servants, but he will not forget your existence. Painful hobbit slaves will be more in line with his heart than free and happy hobbits. There are indeed in this world With pure evil heart and obsession with revenge!" "Revenge?" asked Frodo. "Revenge for what? I still don't see what it has to do with Bilbo and me, and our rings." "It all began with that ring," said Gandalf. "You haven't encountered a real crisis yet, but it's coming soon. I wasn't sure when I was here last time, but the evolution of the situation proves everything. Give me the ring first." Frodo drew from the pocket of his trousers the ring which hung by a chain at his waist.He let go of the drill, and slowly handed it to the wizard.The ring was suddenly very heavy, as if either it or Frodo did not want Gandalf to touch it. Gandalf took the ring.It looks like something made of pure gold. "Can you see any markings on it?" he asked. "No," said Frodo. "There's nothing on it. It's a simple design, and it's never going to get scratched or faded." "Then watch!" Frodo was shocked by what happened next, and the wizard threw the ring into the furnace suddenly.Frodo exclaimed, and hurried to pick up the pokers to pick up the ring, but Gandalf stopped him. "Wait!" he said, in a voice of immense authority, with a glare at Frodo. There are no noticeable changes to the ring.After a while Gandalf got up, shut the window, and drew the sash.The room became dark and silent for a moment; the only sound was the working of Sam's tree shears getting closer and closer to the window.The wizard looked at the fire, and took it out with the pokers.Frodo gasped. "It is as cold as ever," said Gandalf. "Take it!" Frodo's little hand took the ring: it seemed much thicker than ever. "Take it!" said Gandalf. "watch carefully!" As Frodo did so, he saw traces on the inside and outside of the ring, finer than any man's brush; and the fiery writing seemed to form some flying writing.They emit a dazzling light, but they are far away, as if they are flames emanating from the depths of the earth. (To the editor: here is the elf text) "I cannot read the bright writing," said Frodo in a trembling voice. "I know," said Gandalf, "but I can read it. These are the Elvish scripts, but they are written in the dialect of Mordor, and I will not pronounce them here. But the translation into the Common Speech is this: mean: *The Lord of the Rings belongs to the Supreme Lord, The Supreme Guide the Rings, The One Ring calls the Rings, All precepts are united in darkness, * These are four excerpts from the poems handed down by the elves since ancient times. The original poems are: ＊The Three Commandments belong to the Elf King Guangtian, The Seven Commandments belong to the Underground Dwarf Emperor, Nine Precepts and Shou Ding ordinary people, The One Ring belongs to the King of Darkness, Mordor Demon Realm Shadow Volt. The Lord of the Rings belongs to the Supreme, The Supreme Guide the Rings, The One Ring calls the Rings, All the precepts are united in the darkness, Mordor Demon Realm Shadow Volt. * He paused for a moment, and then said in an extremely deep voice: "This is the Lord of the Rings, the Great Ring of all Rings. This is the Ring which he lost countless ages ago, and which greatly weakened his power .He is bound to get the Ring, but we must not let him have it." Frodo said nothing, and sat quite still.Fear seemed to seize him in great hands, and surrounded him like a cloud rising from the east. "This...the ring!" he stammered. "Why, how could it fall into my hands?" "Ah!" said Gandalf, "that's a long story. The story begins in the Dark Ages, and is now remembered only by the most learned historians. If I were to tell the whole story, we might Sitting here from spring to winter." "However, last night I told you about Sauron, the Dark Lord. The rumors you have heard are true: he has indeed risen again, and left his abode in Mirkwood to return to his ancient stronghold of Mordor, the Dark Lord. Tower. I believe even you hobbits have heard of this name, it is like the evil place that contains all the darkness in the legend. No matter how many times you are defeated, the phantom will reincarnate into other forms and start to thrive again." "I wish nothing like this should ever happen to me in my life," said Frodo. "And I hope not," said Gandalf, "and all who are forced into this age never wish it to be. But it is not for them to decide how things turn out. We can only decide what to do with our hands. Precious time to prepare. Frodo, a shadow has begun to hang over the long river of history. The power of the Demon King is increasing. I think that his plot is not mature yet, but it is not far away. We must Do everything possible to prevent this from happening. Even if we do not grasp this terrible opportunity, we must do everything possible to prevent him.” "To destroy all opponents, break down the last line of defense, and let darkness fall on the land again, the Demon King lacks only one treasure that can give him knowledge and power. The Supreme Lord of the Rings is not in his hand yet." "The three elf kings with incomparable beauty and virtue and the three ruling magic rings are not in his sphere of influence, and his evil spirit and ambition have never polluted them. The dwarf royal family has seven magic rings, and he has recovered them Three, and the others were devoured by the dragon. He bestowed the other nine rings on nine men of great deeds, thereby imprisoning them. In ancient times, they succumbed to the power of the One Ring and became The ring spirits, that is, the ghosts who obey the orders of the devil, are also his most terrifying and powerful servants. The nine ring spirits have disappeared from this world for a long time. But who can determine their whereabouts? At this time of expansion, they may reincarnate. Don't talk about this topic again! Don't mention their names lightly, even in the morning light of the Shire." "The current situation is as follows: he has taken back the nine rings, and the remaining seven rings have also been taken in by him. The three elves are still out of his control. But this problem no longer bothers him, he It is only necessary to retrieve the Supreme Lord of the Rings, which he forged with his own hands, which belonged to him; when he cast it, he poured most of the magic power into the ring, so that he can rule all other rings. If he retrieves Once he has acquired the Supreme Lord of the Rings, he will be able to command the rings again; even the three rings of the Elf King are no exception; all their power and deployment will be presented to him nakedly, and he will gain unprecedented and unprecedented power.” "This is the crisis before us, and the turning point, Frodo. He believed that the One Ring had been destroyed by the Elves; and I hoped it was true. But now, he knew that the One Ring had not been destroyed, and He also reappeared in this world. He spent all his time trying to find this ring, and all his thoughts were devoted to it. This is his greatest opportunity and our greatest crisis.” "Why, why didn't they destroy the Ring?" cried Frodo. "If the Demon King is so powerful and so precious to him, why did he lose the ring?" He clutched the ring tightly, as if he had seen the claws of darkness reaching out to him. "The Ring was taken from him," said Gandalf. "In ancient times, the elves were stronger against him than they are now, and not all humans were alienated from the elves. The humans of the royal family of the West came to support them against the demon king. This is a history worth remembering, although the darkness was looming and the flames of war The sky is full, but great achievements, heroic struggles and deeds are enough to turn the corner. Perhaps, one day I will tell you the full story, or let someone who knows this history tell it to you personally." "I'll tell you everything you need to know, which will save you a lot of time. It was Gilgalad the Elf King and Elendil, the royal family of the West, who overthrew the tyranny of Sauron, but both of them died in the battle. Yi Isildur, the son of Randyr, cut off Sauron's ring and took it back to himself. Sauron's body was wiped out, and his soul hid for a long time before he was reincarnated in the Mirkwood." "But the Ring was lost at the same time. It fell into the river Anduin and disappeared without a trace. Isildur was marching along the river bank at that time, and when he came to the plains of Graton, he was attacked by half An ambush by an Orc force, and nearly all his men died instantly. He jumped into the river, but the Ring slipped off while he was swimming, and the Orcs who found him shot him instantly on the spot." Gandalf stopped. "In this way, the Lord of the Rings fell into the dark river mud of the Gladden Plains," he said, "and stepped down from the stage of history and legend. Only a few people were left who knew how it came about, and the Council of Wise Men could no longer know it. More information. But at least, I think I can continue the story." "A long time later, but still a long time ago, there lived a group of nimble little guys on the banks of the big river and the big wilderness. I guess they should be close to the hobbit blood, and the ancestors of Stoor may be the same Because they love rivers, they often swim in them and build small boats or bamboo rafts to sail on them. Among them there is a family with high status. This family is not only prosperous in population, but also incomparable in financial resources. According to legend, The ruler of the family is a wise, serious old grandmother. The most curious boy in the family is named Sméagol. He likes to find out about everything; he will dive into deep pools, he will Burrowing under roots and plants, he explored various caves. His eyes were no longer on hilltops, on trees, or on the scent of flowers in the air: his eyes and attention were on Sole." "He had a friend like him, Dego, who had a sharp eye, but no speed or strength like Sméagol. One day they took the boat and went out on the plains of Gladden. Sméagol went to the shore. Exploring around while Dego was sitting in the boat fishing. Suddenly a big fish swallowed Dego's hook and before he had time to react, the big fish dragged him to the bottom of the river. He seemed to be on the river bed Saw something shiny so he let go and held his breath to pick it up." "Then, his head was covered with water plants and mud, and he swam ashore in embarrassment. To his surprise, when he washed off the mud in his hands, he found that it was a beautiful gold ring, which reflected a seductive light in the sun, making him My heart was moved. But at this moment, Smeagol hid behind the tree and looked at him, when De Ge stared blankly at the ring, Smeagol walked behind him silently." "'Give me that, friend Doggle,' said Sméagol to his friend." "'Why?' Dego said." "'Since it's my birthday, I want a present,' said Sméagol." "'I don't care about you,' Dego said. 'I've spent a lot of money on presents for you. I found it, and it's mine.'" "'Oh, really, old friend,' and Sméagol grabbed Dego and strangled him to death. Finally, he put the ring on his hand." "No one ever knew what happened to Dergo; he was killed far from home, and his body was well hidden. Sméagol came home alone and found no one was looking when he was wearing the ring.得见他。这让他十分高兴，因此没有对任何人透露这件事。他利用这能力来打听一切可以让他获利的秘密和消息。他的眼睛和耳朵开始对其他人的把柄无比灵敏。魔戒按照他的天性赐给他对等的力量。难怪，不久之后他就变得极不受欢迎，被所有亲戚排挤（当他没有隐形的时候）。他们会用脚踢他，而他则会咬他们。他开始偷窃，自言自语，在喉中发出怪声。他们叫他咕鲁，恶狠狠的诅咒他，斥责他滚远一点。他的祖母为了避免冲突，于是将他赶出了家族居住的地方。」 「他孤单的流浪著，偶尔为了这世间的残酷而啜泣。他沿著大河漫步，最后来到一条从山上流下的小溪边，继续沿著小溪前进。他利用隐形的手指在池子中捕捉鲜鱼，生吃它们来充饥。有一天，天气很热，他正在池中捕鱼；热辣辣的阳光照在他背上，池中的反光让他眼泪直流。由于长期在黑暗中生活，他几乎忘记了阳光这档子事。他举起拳头，最后一次咒骂著太阳。」 「当他低下头时，他发现眼前就是溪流发源的迷雾山脉。他突然间想到：『在山底下一定很阴凉。太阳就不会再照到我了。山底下一定有很多从来没有被人发现的秘密。』」 「就这样，他昼伏夜出的赶往高地，发现了溪水流出的山洞。他像是蛆虫一样的钻进山中，消失在历史的记载中。魔戒也跟著一起隐入黑暗。即使他的铸造者此时已经重生，也无法感应到它的存在。」 「咕鲁！」佛罗多大喊道。「是咕鲁？你说的该不会就是比尔博遇到的那个咕鲁吧？这太邪恶了！」 「我觉得这是个哀伤的故事，」巫师说，「这故事可能发生在其他人身上，甚至是我所认识的哈比人身上。」 「不管血缘关系有多远，我都不相信咕鲁和哈比人有关连，」佛罗多有些激动的说。「这太污辱人了！」 「真相就是真相，」甘道夫回答。「我比哈比人还要了解他们自己的历史。连比尔博自己的故事都提到了这种可能性。他们的心思和记忆中有很大部分的相同。他们对彼此相当了解，和哈比人与矮人、半兽人或是精灵之间的关系完全不同。你还记得吧，他们竟然听过同样的谜语。」 「我记得，」佛罗多。「但其他的人种也会猜谜，谜题也多半大同小异。而且哈比人不会作弊。咕鲁满脑子都是作弊的念头。他一心只想要攻个比尔博措手不及。我敢打赌，这种输亦无伤，赢却有利的消遣一定让咕鲁高兴的不得了。」 「我想你说的很对，」甘道夫说。「但还有一些事情是你没有注意到的。即使是咕鲁也没有完全失去本性。他的意志力比贤者们的推断还要坚强；这又是一个哈比人的特性。他的心智中依旧有一个角落是属于他自己的，微弱的光明依旧可以穿越这黑暗。那是来自过去的微光。事实上，我认为，比尔博友善的声音让他回忆起了花草树木、阳光和微风的甜美过去。」 「不过，当然，这只让他心中邪恶的部分变得更愤怒。除非，我们能压抑这种邪恶，能够治好这种邪恶。」甘道夫叹了一口气。「可惜！他已经没有多少希望了。但还不是完全绝望。如果他从过去到现在都一直戴著魔戒的话，那就真的毫无希望了。幸好在阴暗的地底不太需要魔戒，他也不常配戴它。他还没有达到跨入幽界的地步，只是变得十分扭曲。但那东西还是继续在吞蚀他的心智，这对他来说是无比痛苦的折磨。」 「他之前期待的『山中秘密』其实只是空虚和荒芜。再也没有什么好发现的，没有什么可做的。只有残酷的猎食和悔恨的记忆。他在这里受尽折磨。他痛恨黑暗，但更害怕光亮。他痛恨魔戒更甚于一切。」 「你这是什么意思？」佛罗多问。「魔戒应该是他的宝贝，也是他唯一在意的东西吧？但如果他恨这戒指，为什么不把它丢掉就好，或者是单纯逃开呢？」 「佛罗多，在你听了那么多历史之后，你应该可以明白才是，」甘道夫说。「他对它又恨又爱，就如同他对待自己的看法一样。在这件事情上他的自由意志已经被消磨殆尽。」 「统御魔戒会照顾自己，佛罗多。它可能会自己滑下主人的手指，但持有者绝不可能丢弃它。至多，他只能考虑将它交给别人保管。而这还必须在被魔戒控制的最初期才行。就我所知，比尔博是史上唯一将其付诸行动的人。当然，他也需要我的帮助才办的到。即使是这样，他也不可能就这样把魔戒丢到一旁。佛罗多，决定一切的不是咕鲁，而是魔戒。是魔戒决定离开他。」 「难道是为了迎接比尔博吗？」佛罗多问。「难道半兽人不会是更好的对象吗？」 「这可不是开玩笑的，」甘道夫说。「特别是对你来说。这是魔戒悠久历史中最诡异的一次变化：比尔博正好出现，在黑暗中盲目戴上了它！」 「佛罗多，在历史幕后运作的不只一方的力量。魔戒试图要回到主人身边。它挣脱埃西铎的掌握，出卖了他。然后当机会来临时，它又抓住了可怜的德戈，害得他惨遭杀害。在那之后是咕鲁，魔戒将他彻底的吞蚀。但他对魔戒失去了进一步的利用价值：他太微不足道、太狡诈了。只要魔戒一直在他身边，他就永不可能离开那座地底湖。因此，当魔戒之主再度苏醒，并且将邪气射出幽暗密林时，它决定舍弃咕鲁。却被最不恰当的人选，来自夏尔的比尔博给拾得了！」 「这背后有一股超越魔戒铸造者的力量在运作著。我只能说，比尔博注定要接收魔戒，而这不是铸戒者所能掌控的。同样的，你也是注定要拥有魔戒。从这角度想应该会让人安心些。」 「我一点都不觉得安心，」佛罗多说。「我甚至不确定自己是否明白你所说的。但你又是怎么知道这有关魔戒和咕鲁的过去？你真的确定这些事情吗？或者你只是在瞎猜？」 甘道夫看著佛罗多，眼中露出光芒。「很多事我本来就知道，也有不少是调查来的，」他回答。「但我不准备对你解释这一切。人皇伊兰迪尔和埃西铎以及至尊魔戒的历史是每个贤者都知道的事情。光是靠著那火焰文字就可以证明你所拥有的是至尊魔戒，不需要任何其它的证据。」 「你是什么时候发现这一切的？」佛罗多插嘴道。 「当然是刚刚才在这里发现的，」巫师毫不客气的回答。「但这在我的预料之中。我经历了漫长黑暗的旅程，就是为了要执行这最后的试炼。这是最后的铁证，一切都已真相大白了。不过，要构思出咕鲁的过去，填补进历史的空白中需要一些气力。或许一开始我只是推测咕鲁的过去。但现在不一样了。我见过他了，我知道我所说的是事实。」 「你见过咕鲁了？」佛罗多吃惊的问。 「是的。我想只要有可能，这是每个人会采取的作法吧。我很久以前就开始尝试，最后才终于找到他。」 「那在比尔博逃出他的巢穴之后发生了什么事情吗？你打听出来了吗？」 「不是很清楚。我刚刚告诉你的是咕鲁愿意说的部分。不过，当然不是像我描述的那么有条理。咕鲁是个天生的说谎家，你得要仔细推敲他的一言一语。举例来说，他坚持魔戒是他的生日礼物。他说这是他祖母给他的礼物，而他的祖母拥有很多这样的宝物。这太可笑了。我可以确信史麦戈的祖母是个有权有势的女性；但若说她拥有很多精灵戒指？这实在让人难以置信。还可以把戒指送给别人？这就绝对是个谎言。但谎言之中依旧有真实的蛛丝马迹。」 「杀害德戈的罪行一直让咕鲁感到不安。他编出了一个理由，在黑暗中一遍又一遍的对他的『宝贝』覆诵，直到他自己也几乎相信为止。那的确是他的生日，德戈本来就该把戒指给他。戒指这么突然的出现，本来就是要给他的礼物。戒指就是他的生日礼物等等，等等。他不停的这么说著。」 「我尽可能的容忍他，但真相的重要性让我不得不动用非常手段。我让他陷入恐惧中，一点一滴的在他的挣扎下榨出真相。他认为自己受到虐待和误解。但是，当他最后终于透露出真相时，也只到比尔博逃跑为止。在那之后他就不愿意多说了。有其它、比我所煽起更炙烈的恐惧之火在威胁著他。他嘀咕著要取回过去的一切。他会让人们知道这次他绝不平白受辱，他会让其它人付出代价。咕鲁现在有了好朋友，很厉害的好朋友。他们会帮助他的。巴金斯会付出代价的。他脑中只想著这些东西。他痛恨比尔博，不停的诅咒他。更糟糕的是，他知道比尔博来自何处。」 「但他怎么会知道的呢？」佛罗多问。 「都是名字惹的祸。比尔博非常不智的告诉了对方自己的名字。一旦咕鲁来到地面，要找到比尔博的家乡就不算是件难事。喔，没错，他已经离开了地底。他对于魔戒的执念胜过了对半兽人甚至是对光明的恐惧。在事件发生之后一两年，他就离开了山底的洞穴。你仔细分析之后就会明白了，虽然他依旧抵抗不了魔戒的吸引力，但魔戒已经不再吞蚀他的心智，让他又恢复了部分的理智。他觉得自己无比的衰老，却不再畏惧外界。而且开始觉得极度的饥渴。」 「他依旧痛恨和恐惧由太阳和月亮制造出来的光明，我想这点是永远无法改变的。但他相当的聪明。他发现自己可以昼伏夜出，躲过月光和阳光，藉著那双习于黑暗的大眼在深夜中行动，甚至可以藉机捕捉那些倒楣的食物。在获得了新的食物和新鲜空气之后，他变得更强壮、更大胆。果不其然，他接著就进入了幽暗密林。」 「你就是在那里找到他的吗？」佛罗多问。 「我的确在那边看到他的踪迹，」甘道夫回答。「但在那之前他已经追著比尔博的足迹漫游了很长一段时间。他所说的话经常被咒骂给打断，我很难从他口中问清楚确实的情形。他会说：『它口袋里有什么？不，宝贝，我猜不出来。作弊。这不公平。是它先作弊的，没错。是它破坏规则的。我们应该把它捏死的，对吧，宝贝。我们一定会报仇的，宝贝！』」 「他三不五时就会冒出这样的话语。我猜你也不想继续听下去。我为了获得情报，可是忍受了很长的一段时间。不过，从他那言不及义，断断续续的诅咒中，我还是挤出了足够的情报。我推断，他那双带蹼的小脚至少曾经让他进入长湖上的伊斯加，甚至让他混入河谷镇的街道上，让他偷偷摸摸的聆听人们的对话。当时发生的事件在大荒原上可是传颂一时，或许他就是在那边打听到比尔博的家乡。我们当时并没有对于比尔博的去向特别保密。咕鲁那双灵敏的耳朵应该很快就可以听到他想要的消息。」 「那为什么他不继续追踪比尔博呢？」佛罗多说。「为什么他没有来夏尔呢？」 「啊，」甘道夫说，「这才是重点。我认为咕鲁的确想要这样做。他离开河谷镇之后往西走，至少到了大河边。但那时他突然间转了方向。我很确定，他不是因为距离遥远才这样做的。不，有什么东西吸引了他的注意力。那些替我追捕他的朋友也是这样认为的。」 「是木精灵先找到他的；由于他的足迹很明显，所以对精灵们来说不是难事。他的足迹带领精灵们进出幽暗密林，精灵们一时却无法抓住他。森林中充满了有关他的谣言，甚至连飞禽和走兽都听说过关于他的恐怖传闻。那里的居民认为森林中出现了一名生饮鲜血的鬼魅。它会爬上高树，找寻鸟巢，深入洞穴，补食幼兽。它甚至更会爬进窗户，找寻摇篮的位置。」 「接著，他的足迹在幽暗密林的西边转向了。他似乎往南走，摆脱了木精灵的跟踪。那时，我犯了个大错。是的，佛罗多，那不是我犯的第一个错误，却可能是最要命的错误。我没有继续追踪。我让他就这么走了。因为当时我还有许多其它的任务要完成，我也依旧相信萨鲁曼的解释。」 「那是好多年以前的事了。从那以后，我为了弥补这错误，进行了多次危险的探索。在比尔博离开此地之后，我再度开始追踪咕鲁；但他所留下的痕迹早已被破坏。如果不是有吾友亚拉冈的帮助，这次可能就前功尽弃了。他是目前这世界上狩猎和追踪的第一好手。我们两人在大荒原上漫无目的的追踪咕鲁，心中不抱太大的希望。但最后，在我已经放弃这道路，转而思索其它的解决方案时，吾友终于找到了咕鲁。我朋友历经艰难，才将这可怜的家伙带回来。」 「他不愿意透露自己之前经历了什么。他只是不停的哭泣，指责我们残酷，喉中还发出咕鲁咕鲁的声音。当我们追问时，他会不停的哀嚎和扭动，甚至揉搓著自己的双手，舔著细长的手指，彷佛它们承受了极大的痛苦一般。这似乎就是他对过去某些酷刑的回忆。虽然我很不想要这样说，但一切的线索都指出：他慢慢的、悄悄的往南走，最后终于进入了魔王的根据地。」 室内沈寂的彷佛空气为之凝结。静的让佛罗多可以听见自己的心跳。似乎连屋外的一切也跟著冻结了，山姆剪草的声音也跟著消失了。 「是的，正是魔多这个地方，」甘道夫说。「唉！魔多会吸引一切拥有邪心的生物，黑暗的势力更不计一切代价召唤它们在该处会师。魔戒会在持有者身上留下烙印，让他无法抵抗对方的召唤。各地的人们那时就开始流传南方崛起的新威胁，以及它对西方势力的痛恨。原来这就是他的好朋友，就是会协助他复仇的新朋友！」 「愚蠢的家伙！在那里他学到了教训，让他后悔不已。迟早，当他在魔多的边境鬼祟行动时，他会被捕，并且接受盘查。恐怕这就是它们的作法。当他被我们找到的时候，他已经在魔多待了很长的一段时间，正准备离开。或者是去执行某项邪恶的任务。不过，这一切都已经不重要了。他对这世界最大的破坏已经造成了。」 「是的，唉！魔王透过他知道了魔戒已经再度现身。他知道埃西铎战死的位置。他更知道咕鲁找到戒指的位置。由于它拥有让人长生不死的能力，他确定这是一枚统御魔戒。他又推断出这不可能是精灵王的三枚魔戒，因为魔戒尚在他们手中；而他们的魔戒绝不可能容忍任何形式的邪恶。他也确信那不是矮人七戒和人类九戒之一，因为这些魔戒的踪迹都在他的掌握之中。最后，他明白这就是至尊魔戒。我想，那时他才终于听说了＊夏尔的哈比人＊。」 「即使魔王还没有确认夏尔的位置，他现在也可能正在寻找此地。是的，佛罗多，恐怕他已经开始注意到巴金斯这个姓氏了。」 「这太恐怖了！」佛罗多大喊。「比我之前从你的暗示和警告中所猜测的要糟糕太多了。喔，甘道夫，我最好的朋友！我该怎么办？我现在真的觉得害怕了。我能怎么办？比尔博当时没有趁机杀死这家伙真是太可惜了！」 「可惜？就正是对人命的怜惜阻止他下手。怜惜和同情：不要妄动杀机。佛罗多，而这也给他带来了善报。他能够在邪恶的影响下未受大害，最后还得以侥幸逃离，这都是因为他拥有魔戒的动念起自于此：怜悯。」 「对不起，」佛罗多说。「可是我真的很害怕，我实在没办法怜悯咕鲁。」 「你并没有见过他，」甘道夫插嘴道。 「没错，但我也不想见他，」佛罗多说。「我实在不懂你。难道你刚刚的意思是咕鲁在作了这么多恶行之后，你和精灵竟然还让他活著离开？不管从什么角度来看他都和半兽人一样邪恶，都是我们的敌人。他被杀是罪有应得。」 「罪有应得！我可不这么认为。许多苟活世上的人其实早该一死；许多命不当绝的人却已逝于人世。你能够让他们起死回生吗？如果不行，就不要这么轻易论断他人的生死。即使是最睿智的人也无法考虑周详。我并不认为咕鲁在死前可以被治好，但这机会依旧是存在的。而且，他的命运早已和魔戒紧紧相系。我的第六感告诉我，他在一切终局之前还有戏份，只是不能确定是邪恶或是正义的一方。当那时刻到来时，比尔博的恻隐之心可能决定许多人的命运，你绝对是其中之一。总之，我们并没有杀死他：他已经十分的苍老，内心也无比的扭曲。木精灵们将他关在监狱中，尽可能的厚待他。」 「不管怎么说，」佛罗多道，「即使比尔博不该动手杀死咕鲁，我也希望他当时没有藏起魔戒。喔，但愿他当时没有找到魔戒，我也没继承这诅咒！你为什么要让我收下它？你为什么不叫我丢掉它，或者，或者是摧毁它？」 「叫你？让你？」法师说。「难道你刚刚都没有在听吗？你这些话都未及深思就脱口而出。如果要把魔戒丢掉，这绝对是不智的行为。这些魔戒能够让自己在特殊的时机为人寻获。在邪恶势力的手中它可能会造成更大的破坏。更糟糕的是，它甚至可能落入魔王的手中。这是无法避免的，因为它是至尊魔戒，是魔王费尽心思，势在必得的决战关键。」 「当然了，亲爱的佛罗多，这对你来说很危险；我也为此感到极端困扰。但在面临这绝大危机的状况下，我必须冒点险；每当我远离夏尔的时候，必定有人接手看管这地方。只要你不使用魔戒，我不认为它会对你产生任何后遗症，即使有也不会影响你太久。你也不要忘记，当我九年前和你分别时，我对魔戒的所知少之又少。」 「但为什么不摧毁魔戒呢？你说许多年前早就该这样做了！」佛罗多又再度大声说。「如果你预先警告我，甚至送个口信过来，我就可以自己处理掉它。」 「是吗？你要怎么做？你试过吗？」 「我没试过。但我猜应该可以把它搥烂或是烧融掉。」 「去啊！」甘道夫说。「去试试看啊！」 佛罗多从口袋中掏出魔戒，打量著它。它现在看来十分的朴实光滑，上面没有任何肉眼可见的痕迹。金质的戒指看来非常纯净美丽，佛罗多觉得它的颜色好美、好华丽；这枚戒指的外型圆滑的近乎完美。这是个应该让人欣赏的宝物。当他刚把戒指掏出时，他本来准备一把将它丢进烈焰中。但他发现除非自己咬紧牙关，否则根本做不到。他玩弄著戒指，迟疑著，强迫自己回忆甘道夫刚刚说的一切。然后他下定决心，手一动，本来准备要将它丢开，却发现自己不由自主的将戒指放回了口袋。 甘道夫露出凝重的笑容。「你明白了吧？佛罗多，你也同样的无法舍弃它或是破坏它。我也无法『强迫』你这样做，除非我用强，而这将会摧毁你的意志。就算你能够鼓起勇气破坏它，凡人之力也无法对它造成任何损伤。你尽管可以用大锤拼命敲打它，上面绝不会留下任何痕迹。不管是你或我，都无法毁灭这枚魔戒。」 「当然，你这个炉火的确无法融熔一般的黄金。这枚魔戒已经毫发无伤的通过火焰的试炼，甚至连表面温度都没有提高。不过，就算你找遍全夏尔，也不可能有任何铁匠的鼓风炉能够损及它分毫。连矮人的熔炉和铁砧都对它束手无策。据说巨龙的火焰可以融化统御魔戒，但现在这世界上已经没有任何拥有够热真火的巨龙，历史上也从来没有任何巨龙可以摧毁统御天下的至尊魔戒，包括黑龙安卡拉钢也不例外。因为，这是由黑暗魔君索伦亲手铸造的至宝。」 「如果你真心想要摧毁魔戒，让魔王再也无法染指；那只有一个方法：深入欧洛都因，找到末日裂隙火山，将魔戒丢入其中。」 「我是真心想要摧毁魔戒的！」佛罗多大喊。「喔，说精确一点，我是真心想要让它被摧毁的。可是我又不是那种为民除害的料。我真希望我从来没见过魔戒！它为什么要找我？为什么选上我？」 「这样的问题是无法回答的，」甘道夫说。「你应该也明白，这不是因为你拥有其他人没有的德行：既不是力量也不是智慧。但你既然已经中选，你就必须善用你的一切优点和力量。」 「但我的优点和力量都那么微不足道！你既睿智又有力量。你为什么不接收魔戒呢？」 「不行！」甘道夫猛地跳了起来。「如果我拥有了魔戒，我的力量将会大的超乎想像。魔戒更会从我身上得到更恐怖、更惊人的力量。」他眼中精光闪烁，彷佛被发自体内的火焰所照亮。「别诱惑我！我不想要成为黑暗魔君再世。魔戒渗透我心的方式是透过怜悯，怜悯弱者的心意和想要获得改善世界的力量。不要诱惑我！我不敢收下它，即使只是保管它，不使用它，我都不敢。想要持有它的诱惑将会瓦解我的力量。我还需要力量，在我面前还有重重的难关与险阻。」 他走到窗边，拉开窗廉，推开遮板。阳光再度流泄进屋内。山姆吹著口哨走过窗外。「现在，」巫师转身面对佛罗多，「选择权在你。不论如何，我都会支持你。」他将手放在佛罗多的肩膀上。「只要这重担属于你一天，我就会和你一同扛起这责任。但我们必须尽快作出决定。魔王绝不会甘于按兵不动。」 众人沈默了很长的一段时间。甘道夫再度坐下来，抽著烟斗，彷佛迷失在思绪当中。他似乎闭上了眼，但眼角的余光依旧灼灼的注视著佛罗多。佛罗多看著壁炉内的余烬，直到他全部的视线都被遮档，彷佛陷入一片火墙中为止。他正思索著传说中的末日裂隙和那火山的恐怖情景。 「好吧！」甘道夫最后终于说。「你刚刚在想些什么？你决定该怎么作了吗？」 「还没有！」佛罗多这才从黑暗中回过神，惊讶的发现现在还没天黑，窗外依旧是阳光普照的花园。「再想一想，也许我已经决定了吧。就我对你的理解，我想至少目前，不管它会对我造成什么样的影响，我都必须要保有魔戒，并且守护它。」 「不管它会造成什么样的影响，如果你以这样的意念持有它，它将只能缓慢的步向邪恶。」 「但愿如此，」佛罗多说。「但我也希望您可以尽快找到一个更称职的守护者。不过，此时我对周遭的一切人事物似乎都带有极大的危险。如果我要持有魔戒，就不能继续待在这里。我一定得离开袋底洞，离开夏尔，舍弃现有的一切远走高飞。」他叹气道。 「如果可能的话，我还是希望能够让夏尔免于劫难。虽然有时我觉得此地的居民冥顽不灵，蒙眛无知，只有当世局的变动或是恶龙的威胁真正临头时，才会让他们清醒过来。但我现在不这样想了。我觉得只要夏尔祥和的继续存在著，我的历险就不会那么难以忍受：即使我可能再也无法踏入夏尔，但知道有个地方是不随时局改变的总是让我安心。」 「当然，我以前也曾经想过要离开，但在我的想像中那不过只是个假日，就像比尔博精彩的冒险一样，可以安详的结束。但这次是流放，我必须远离危险，却又诱引著它紧追在后。如果要挽救夏尔，这次我必须孤身一人离开。但我觉得好渺小、好不安，甚至可以说是绝望。魔王太强、太恐怖了。」 虽然佛罗多没有告诉甘道夫，但当他慷慨激昂的表白时，他心中跟随比尔博脚步的热情突然间燃烧起来：效法比尔博，甚至是再度和他相见！这念头强烈到克服了他的恐惧：他几乎想要连帽子也不带就冲出门外，就像比尔博多年以前的行径一样。 「亲爱的佛罗多！」甘道夫如释重负的说。「就像我之前说的一样，哈比人真是充满惊奇的生物。只要一个月，你就可以自认为透彻的了解它们，但即使再过一百年，他们还是会让人大吃一惊。即使是你，我本来也不期望会有这样的答案。比尔博挑选继承人的眼光果然不错，只是当初恐怕他没有想到会有这么大的责任。我想你是对的。魔戒不可能继续没没无闻的隐身在夏尔中，为了你自己和别人好，你最好离开这里，不要再用巴金斯这个名字。不管是在夏尔或是在荒野中，这名字都不再安全。我现在就帮你取个化名。从现在开始，你就叫做山下先生。」 「但我不认为你一定要独自前往。如果你可以找到你能够信赖、愿意和你一起出生入死、冒险犯难的伙伴，你没有理由要单枪匹马的冒险。但你必须千万小心！即使是面对最亲密的朋友，也不可以掉以轻心！我们的敌人爪牙遍布，无孔不入。」 他突然间停了下来，似乎在侧耳倾听著什么。佛罗多这才意识到室内和室外忽然一片沈寂。甘道夫蹑手蹑脚的走到窗边。接著，他一个箭步冲向前，伸出手往窗外一抓。外面发出一声惊叫，倒楣的山姆被抓著耳朵拎了起来。 「哼哼，运气真不错！」甘道夫说，「是山姆?詹吉吧？你在这里到底干什么？」 「老天保佑你啊，甘道夫大人！」山姆说。「什么事都没有！如果你了解我的工作，我刚刚只是在窗外面剪草而已。」他拿起花草剪证明自己的无辜。 「我不了解，」甘道夫面色凝重的说。「我已经有一段时间没有听过你动剪的声音了。你倒底偷听了多长的一段时间？」 「大人，你说我偷听？我不懂耶。我们夏尔这里不偷东西的。」 「别装傻了！你倒底听到些什么，又为什么要这样做？」甘道夫眼中异光暴射，伸出的眉毛开始微微颤动。 「佛罗多先生！」山姆一脸无辜的大喊。「不要让他伤害我！不要让他把我变成怪物！我老爹会受不了打击的。我发誓，我没有恶意，大人！」 「他不会伤害你的，」虽然佛罗多有些惊讶和困惑，但还是强忍住笑说。「他和我一样都知道你没有恶意。但你最好赶快老老实实回答人家的问题！」 「好吧，大人，」山姆终于比较镇定一些。「我听到了一大堆不了解的东西，有关什么王和戒指的，还有比尔博先生，还有龙，还有什么火山，而且，大人，我还听到了精灵！如果大人知道我的嗜好的话，你应该知道我实在忍不住要偷听。天哪，大人，可是我真的好喜欢这种故事。大人，不管泰德那家伙怎么说，我都真心相信它们！我好想要见见他们。大人，你走的时候愿不愿意带我一起去看精灵？」 甘道夫突然哈哈大笑。「快进来！」他大喊一声，接著双手一使劲，把吃惊的山