Chapter 19 Section Six: Roselorien

"Alas! we cannot stay here to mourn any longer," said Aragorn.He turned to the direction of the mountains, holding the holy sword high. "Farewell, Gandalf!" he cried. "I told you, be careful if you enter the gates of Moria! My premonition came true! Without you, what would we have?" What about hope?" He turned to the members of the expedition and said, "Even if there is no hope, we must persevere," he said, "At least we have a chance of revenge. Be strong and wipe away your tears! Come on! There is still hope before us." There's a long way and a lot to do." They stood up and looked around.The north of the valley stretched into the shadow between two mountains, and above them were three shining peaks: Serabdir, Farudhor, and Calahoras, and these were the three that made up the appearance of Moria. big mountain peaks.At the foot of the mountain between the shadows the vapors swirled like tulle around a cascade of cascading cascades rising like stairs.

"That is the Dimrill Stairs!" said Aragorn, pointing to the waterfall. "If our fate hadn't been so perverse, we should have entered this valley along those waterfalls." "If only Calahoras hadn't been so cruel!" Jinli couldn't help but said, "It can still sneer Facing the sun, watch our torments!" He cursed at the farthest ice peaks, and finally turned his head too excited to look at them again. Looking to the east, the extension of the mountains suddenly stopped, and everyone could see the blurred outline of the terrain in the distance, and to the south was the endless misty mountains that could be seen as far as the eye could see.Less than a mile away, and slightly below their feet, was another lake, a large, round lake that looked like the point of a spear piercing the northern valleys.The southern half of the lake has escaped the shadow cast by the mountains and is exposed to the sun.But the lake was still very dark, as if looking out at the cloudless twilight from a brightly lit room.There are beautiful grasslands around the lake, which surrounds it into a complete arc.

"This is the Mirror Lake, the deep Khaled-Salem!" Gimli said sadly, "I still remember him telling me: May you find peace and joy when you see it! But we can't help it Delayed there for too long. □ Now, I think I will never have peace and joy again for a long time. It is me who cannot be delayed, but he must stay in that ghost place forever.” Everyone continued to walk down the path outside the gate.The trails are narrow and broken up due to disrepair, and many places are covered in weeds.However, it can still be seen that this was once a main road leading to the dwarf kingdom.There are also rock carvings in many places along the road, as well as verdant birches and windswept firs.A big turn to the east brought them to the meadow next to Mirror Mirror Lake. Not far from the path, there stood a stone pillar with a broken top.

"This is the foundation stone of Turin!" Gimli shouted, "Before I leave, I must see the beauty here again!" "Then hurry up!" Aragorn looked back at the gate of Moria: "The sun is setting quickly in the west, maybe those half-orcs will not appear before dark, but we must stay away from this place before sunset It will be a new moon tonight, and the earth will be very dark." "Come with me, Frodo!" cried the Dwarf, leaving the path. "I cannot let you go without seeing Khaled-Salem." He ran down the long green slope, Even though Frodo was tired and sad, he was still attracted by the blue lake, and Sam followed him.

Beside the foundation stone of Turin, Jinli stopped and looked up.The stone pillars have been weathered, and the runes on them have become unreadable. "This stone pillar commemorates the first time Turin overlooked the Mirror Lake." The dwarf said, "Before we leave, we must not miss this sight!" They bent over the black lake, seeing nothing at first, then slowly, they saw the majestic mountains reflected in the blue mirror, the peaks were as majestic as if their tops were covered with white flames, besides And a big blue sky.Even though the sun was still hot in the sky, they could still see stars twinkling in the deep lake water, and they couldn't see any shadows from their bowed figures.

"Oh, beautiful and majestic Khaled-Salem!" said Gimli. "In it lies the crown of Turin, until he wakes. Farewell!" He bowed, and hurried up the hill, back on the road again. "What do you see?" Pippin asked Sam, but Sam, lost in thought, had no time to answer him. The road now turned south and began to descend sharply through the closing arms of the valley.Not far from Mirror Mirror Lake, they found another pool of clear water that was as clear as crystal. They trickled down from the edge of the pool and fell into a deep and rocky river. "This is the source of the Yinguang River," Jin Li said, "Don't rush to drink it, it's very cold!"

"Soon it will become a swift river, and gather many other springs," said Aragorn. "Our way and its path coincide for a long distance. For I must obey Gandalf I will lead you along the Silver River to the forest, to the place where it meets the great river Anduin." Looking at the direction he pointed, they noticed that the stream leaped into the valley, and flowed all the way to the distant place glowing with golden light. the other side. "There is the Forest of Lothlorien!" exclaimed Legolas. "It is the most beautiful place where my people live, and nowhere else do trees grow like this. Even in autumn the leaves are only It turns golden and does not fall. Only when new leaves grow in spring, these old leaves will fall, so that the branches are covered with yellow flowers, and the ground of the forest is golden. A magnificent sight of gold and silver pillars. Our Mirkwood songs still sing about this place, and if we could stand under those trees in the spring, my heart would leap for joy!"

"Even in winter I shall be glad!" said Aragorn. "But we have many miles to go. Let us begin!" At first Frodo and Sam could barely keep up with the crowd, but Aragorn's pace grew faster and faster, and before long they began to fall out of line.They haven't eaten anything since this morning.Sam's cut was burning like fire, and he felt light-headed.Even with the sun high in the sky, the air seemed icy after the sweltering heat of Moria, and he couldn't help shivering.Frodo felt that every step was very reluctant, and he had to take a deep breath to keep up.

Finally, Legolas turned his head and saw that they were far behind, so he hurried forward to speak to Aragorn.The others stopped after him, and Aragorn bade Boromir run back with him. "I am sorry, Frodo," he said with great concern, "so much has happened today, and we are in such a hurry, that I had forgotten that you and Sam were wounded. Even though all the Orcs of Moria were after us, Nor should we forget this. Come! There is a place ahead where we can rest temporarily, and I will do my best to help you there. Come, Boromir, let us carry them away." Soon, they came across another brook coming from the west to join the rushing Silver River.They flowed down a green-glowing waterfall into a small valley.There were many crooked, low fir trees in the valley, and wild berries and moss grew on the steep sides of the creek.There is a flat area at the bottom of the river valley, and the small river flows by noisy, and everyone stops in that area to rest.It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and they were only a few miles from the gates of Moria, and the sun was already setting.

Gimli and two other hobbits built a fire in the bushes and firs of the place, and drew water from the brook, and Aragorn looked after Sam and Frodo.Sam's wound wasn't deep, but looked pretty bad.When Aragorn checked the wound, his expression was very serious. After a while, the expression on his face eased and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Sam, you are lucky!" he said. "Many people have been wounded many times worse than you in order to kill the first orc. Fortunately, the other's sword was not poisoned like ordinary orcs. In the After I've treated it, it should heal easily. After Gimli boils the water, you first rinse the wound with hot water."

He opened his backpack and took out some withered leaves: "These have dried up, and some of the medicinal effects have become weaker." He said, "But I still have these Axilas that I found near Weathertop. Tear one piece in the water, and wash the wound, and I may bind it up. Now it is your turn, Frodo!" "I'm all right," said Frodo, not wanting his clothes to be touched, for fear that their secrets should be discovered. "I just need to eat and get some rest." "No!" insisted Aragorn. "We must see what you said the hammer and anvil did to you. I'm still amazed you survived." He carefully took off the Frodo's old jacket and torn shirt, and he gasped, and he smiled, the silver waistcoat undulating in his eyes like the silver waves of the sea.He carefully took off the vest, and held up the chain mail studded with star-like white gems. As long as it was shaken, he could hear the crisp sound of metal crashing like rain falling into a pool. "Look, my friends!" he cried. "This beautiful hobbit skin can be used to adorn elves! If people knew that hobbits have such skins, hunters all over the world would surely rush to catch them." to the Shire." "Of course the bows and arrows of those hunters are all useless!" Jin Li stared at the spectacle before him in disbelief: "This is a mithril armor, mithril! I have never seen or heard of such a beautiful armor. Is this the chain mail that Gandalf spoke of? He must have underestimated its true value. Fortunately you have it on!" "I've often wondered what you and Bilbo were doing in that little room?" said Merry. "That's what it is! Bless the old hobbit! I'm dying to love him, and I wish we had a chance tell him about it. Frodo's waist and right breast were covered with black and purple bruises.There was a layer of soft leather under the chain mail, but at one point the chain mail could not withstand the strange force, and it bit into the flesh.Frodo's left side was also covered with scrapes and bruises from hitting the wall.While the others were preparing their meals, Aragorn bathed their wounds in the hot water in which Aciras had soaked.A refreshing aroma filled the valley, and people surrounded by the boiling water felt refreshed and energized.Soon Frodo felt the wound no longer hurt, and he did not need to breathe so hard; but the bruised place was stiff and sore for days to come, and Aragorn was on either side of him again. Some soft cloth was tied around the waist. "This chain mail is incredibly light!" he said. "If you can stand it, you can put it on again. I'm glad you're wearing this protection. Don't take it off, even when you're sleeping, unless You have come to a place where you can rest easy for a while. However, as long as your mission continues, the possibility of this is very low." After eating, the expedition team packed up their things and prepared to continue on the road.They put out the fire, covered up all traces, and then climbed out of the valley to continue their previous journey.They did not go far when the sun sank into the mountains in the west and shadows covered the land.Dusk covered the ground beneath their feet, and mist began to drift over the valley.The faint light of the east in the night shines on the endless plains and forests.Sam and Frodo felt at last that their bodies were much better, and they could keep up with everyone's speed with proper steps.Aragorn led everyone to drive for three hours in such a merciless manner, with only a short rest in the middle. It was getting very dark.It is now late at night.Many clear stars appeared in the sky, but a crescent moon did not appear until very late.Gimli and Frodo walked lightly in the rear, not daring to talk casually to each other, but listening carefully to all sounds on the roadside.After a long time, Gimli broke the silence. "Nothing but the sound of the wind," he said, "unless my ears are made of wood, I don't think there should be any enemies near at all. It will be enough to hope that the goblins drive us out of Moria. Perhaps, it has been That is their purpose, not our Ring. But if the Goblins avenge the Chieftain, they will hunt their enemies for miles and miles across the plains." Frodo made no answer.He looked at the needle, and the sword was dull, but he thought he heard something.As the shadow fell and darkness fell behind him, he heard the sound of bare feet running fast again.Even when the two were talking, he could still hear the voice.Turning his head sharply, he thought he saw two tiny light sources, but they disappeared quickly. "What happened?" asked the dwarf. "I don't know," answered Frodo. "I thought I heard footsteps, and saw lights like eyes. I have often heard the voice, and seen it, since we entered Moria." This scene." Jinli stopped and looked around. "All I hear is the sound of the wind blowing the treetops and the rocks talking to the earth," he said. "Come on, let's go fast, the others will be gone." A cool night breeze blew into the valley to meet them.Before them was the gray outline of a vast forest, and they could hear the endless rustle of leaves in the sea of ​​trees. "Loslorien!" cried Legolas joyfully. "Lothlorien! We are at last in the Golden Forest. What a pity it is winter!" In the night, those towering ancient trees look very peaceful, like a high wall that absorbs the stream water into the forest.In the faint starlight the trees were gray in outline and their leaves were slightly gilded. "Lothlorien!" said Aragorn, "I am glad to hear again the music of the wind blowing through the treetops here! We are but fifteen miles from the gates of Moria, and we cannot go further to-night. We can only camp here, and may the power of the elves protect us from evil." "The premise is that the elves will still live here in troubled times..." Jin Li said. "It has been a long time since my brethren have returned to this place that was their homeland," said Legolas, "but we have heard that Lothlorien, who was It has a mysterious power to drive away evil forces. Of course, very few people have seen the residents, and they may all live in the center of the forest, which is still far away from the northern border.” "They do live far away," said Aragorn, and he sighed, as if recalling some beautiful memory: "We must take care of ourselves to-night. We must go on for some distance into the forest. until the trees surround us. Then we will leave the trail and find a safe place to spend the night." He took a few steps forward, but Boromir stood hesitantly, not following. "Is there no other way?" he asked. "Which more beautiful place would you like to go?" asked Aragorn. "I don't need beauty, I just want it to be an ordinary road, even through the mountains of swords and the sea of ​​swords, I am willing to walk." Boromo said: "But so far, the expedition team has set foot on a different road every time, Doom is the end. We have all stepped into Moria, despite my objections, and lost our best friend. Now you say, we must enter the Golden Forest again. But we have heard of this place in Gondor; You have to go out or not, even if you manage to escape, you will suffer considerable damage.” "Don't say harm, it should be change, which is closer to the truth." Aragorn said: "Borromir, if the once wise Gundor now regards Lothlorien as a place of evil, what will your legend be? It's really gone. No matter what you think, there's no other road ahead of us. Unless you're willing to go back to Moria, or climb the steep mountains, or even swim all the way along the great river." "Then lead the way!" said Boromir, "but I still think it's dangerous." "Dangerous indeed!" said Aragorn. "Beautiful and dangerous. But only evil, or one who brings in evil powers, needs to be afraid. Come with me!" They went a little more than a mile before they came upon another brook that ran down a green, wooded hillside.They heard the sound of a waterfall in the shadows to their right, and the torrent of water rushed past them before them, joining the Silver River under the roots of the trees. "This is Nimrodale!" said Legolas. "The elves of the forest made many songs about this river, and we in the north still remember the beautiful iridescence here, and the golden petals floating in the air, so we still sing these songs. But in this troubled world, rather than Dale The bridge of the river has been broken. I want to soak my feet here, it is said that the river water has a miraculous effect on curing fatigue." He jumped off the bank and stepped into the river first. "Come with me!" he yelled, "The water is not deep, we can directly wade across the river! We can rest on the opposite side of the river later, and the sound of the waterfall may make us temporarily forget our sorrow and fatigue." One by one they scrambled down the bank and followed Legolas.Frodo stood in the brook and let the water rush over his little feet.The water was very cold, but also very clear; as he walked, the water rose slowly to his knees.He felt that the dust and fatigue from the journey along the way were washed away in this heart-cooling ice water. After all had crossed the creek, they sat down, and after eating some food, Legolas told them the many tales of the Mirkwood Elves that were still attached to them.At that time, before humans appeared, the sun and stars shone freely on the grasslands on both sides of the great river Anduril. After a long time they fell silent and listened to the sweet music of the water flowing in the shadows.Frodo almost thought he could hear voices singing in unison with the sound of the water. "Have you heard the voice of the Nymrodale?" Legolas asked. "I sing about Miss Nymrodale, who lived long ago by the stream that bears her name. So beautiful is this in the language of the forest that I have translated it into Western, as the people of Rivendell used to sing it." Over the rustling of the leaves, he began to sing in a very soft voice: Elven beauties of old, like stars shining in the day, Wearing silver-gray silk shoes; Cloaked in a white cloak trimmed with gold, he appeared in the morning. Stars twinkled between her brows, The light shines on her hair, The sun shines on the trunk like amber, In that fair Lorien Rose. Her long hair flows, her hands are white, free and beautiful; She swayed like a breeze in the wind, As graceful as the leaves of a linden tree. By Nymrodale Falls, By the clear and cold water, Her voice rings like silver bells, Fall on the edge of the shining pool. Today no one knows where she roamed, whether in the sun or in the shadow; Because rather than Dale being lost, disappeared into the mountains. Elves' ships appeared on the shores of Gray Havens, Under the mysterious mountains, Waited for many days but no one came, The waves on the coast beat relentlessly. When the night wind blows from the north, Waking up with an inexplicable cry, Blowing ships off shore, Out of the gray harbour. The dawn has just come out and the land is lost, The mountains sink slowly, The turbulent waves splashed the clothes wet, The waves also crashed in mid-air. Amroth looked at the far shore, It's out of reach now, Curse this merciless ship for leaving the shore, Let him stay away from Ning Ruodele. In ancient times he was the king of elves, Lord of the valleys and trees, The trees flourish in spring, In the fair land of Lothlorien. They saw him jump into the sea, Like an arrow from the string, For the love of those two, Escaping into the sea has never had a chance. The wind blows his flying hair, The spray glistened on him; They saw him strong and beautiful, Like a flying horse galloping across the sea. There is no news of him from the West, There is no sound on the coast, The elves never heard his breath again, Andros was heartbroken ever since. Legolas choked up and couldn't sing anymore. "I can't sing any more!" said he. "This is only part of it, and I have forgotten much. It is a long, sad ballad, and it describes how tragedy came to Rose after the Dwarves awakened evil in the mountains. Lorien, come to Lorien, who is full of flowers." "But that evil wasn't the dwarf's fault," Gimli said. "I did not say so, but the evil has come," Legolas replied mournfully. "Many of Nirandale's brethren have left their homes, and she was lost in the White Mountains far south, never to go to her lover again. On the boat where Amros waited. But we can still hear her voice from her namesake waterfall when the wind blows on these new leaves in spring, and when the south wind blows, Amros's voice will Floating from the sea. Nir the Dale flows into the Silverlight, which the Elves call the Celebrant, and the Celebrant flows into the great river Anduin, and Anduin flows into the Elves of Lórien The Bay of Belfala that sailed out to sea. Neither Nirandale nor Amros have ever returned.” "It is said that she once built a house in a tree near the waterfall; because this is the habit of the Lorien elves, they build a tree house and live in it, and perhaps they still do so now. Therefore, people call them Kailan. Trim, the tree people. In the depths of the forest there are very tall monsters, and the people living in the forest don’t dig the ground to live like dwarves, and they don’t build stone fortresses before the phantoms appear.” "Even after those days, living in a tree is probably safer than sitting on the ground," Kimli said.He looked back at the water that flowed all the way from the Dimrill Dale, and up at the dark treetops. "Gimli, you have a good point," said Aragorn. "We don't build tree houses, but if we can, we can live in trees tonight like tree people. We are already here by the road." It's been too long." The crowd turned away from the trail now, and began to walk further into the shadows of the woods, westward, away from the main stream of the Silverlight River.They found several clustered trees not far from Nymrodale Falls.These giant trees are so huge that they can't even see their tops. "I will climb it," said Legolas, "under the tree and above it is my home. Although these trees are strange to me, only in the records of the songs. They are called plums. Takashi means that they bear yellow flowers. But I have never climbed such trees, let me see their shape and the direction of growth first.” "Whatever tree they are," said Pippin, "it would be queer if one could sleep on them, but only birds! I'm not going to sleep in trees!" "Then you can dig a hole in the ground," said Legolas gruffly. "If you prefer that, then go ahead. But if you want to escape the goblins, you'll have to be sharp." Point." He jumped up easily, grabbed the branch, and swung to the upper branch with a flick.But just as he was shaking his body and wanted to continue to put the soup up, a voice suddenly came from the shadow of the tree. "Aro!" a voice ordered, and Legolas jumped back to the ground with a surprised, terrified expression on his face, leaning against the tree trunk without moving. "Don't move at all!" he whispered to the others. "Don't talk, don't move!" There was a chuckle from the treetops above them, and another voice with an elf accent.Frodo could not quite understand what the other was saying, for the Forest Elves on the east side of the Misty Mountains spoke a different language than the Elves on the west side.Legolas looked up, and answered in the same language. (Note 1) "Who are they and what are they talking about?" Merry asked. "They're elves!" said Sam. "Can't you hear their voices?" "Yes, they are elves," Legolas said, "and they say you breathe so loudly that they can target you in the dark." Sam put his hand over his mouth hastily. "But they also say you need not be afraid, for they have seen us a long time. They heard my voice on the other side of Nymrodale, and knew that I was their countryman to the north, and therefore they did not prevent us from crossing; He heard me singing again after that. Now, they asked me to climb up with Frodo, because they seemed to have some news about him and our adventure. He asked the others to wait under the tree for a while, and wait for them decide what to do." Note 1: Please see Appendix F: Wizard From the shadows descended a rope ladder made of a silver-gray material that shone in the dark.Although it looks slender, it can hold the weight of several people.Legolas climbed swiftly, and Frodo followed cautiously.Sam followed very cautiously, holding his breath.The branches of the melon tree are almost perpendicular to the tree itself, so they must be careful not to be hit by the branches when going up.At the top, however, the branches diverged and formed a flat area of ​​many branches, and on this area they saw that someone had made a wooden platform, which used to be called a watchtower, and the elves It is called Taran.They came in and out through a hole in the center of the platform from which the rope ladder hung. When Frodo at last reached the lookout, he found Legolas sitting with three other elves.These elves were all dressed in dark gray, and unless they moved suddenly they were completely invisible in the shadow of the trees.They stood up, and one of them produced a silvery oil lamp.He held the lamp up to the faces of Sam and Frodo.Then he switched off the lamp, and greeted them in Elvish, and Frodo answered them with some hesitation. "Welcome!" The elves then switched to Common, speaking very slowly: "We rarely use foreign languages ​​other than our own, because we usually live deep in the forest and don't want to have any communication with outsiders." Even our Northern compatriots have been separated from us for a long time. Fortunately, some of us still have to go out to gather intelligence and monitor our enemies, so we understand the language of the outside world. I am one of them, and my name is Halda, my brothers Lumir and Orofen, do not know your language well." "But we have heard of your coming, for Elrond's messengers passed this way on the way back from the Dimrill Stairs. We have not heard of hobbits, halflings, and such races for many years and it is not known whether they still inhabit this world. You do not look evil! Since you come with our fellow elves, we would like to be friends with you at Elrond's request. We generally come Said that it is not usual to lead strangers across this land, and this time we will make an exception for you. However, you must live here tonight. How many of you are there?" "Eight," said Legolas, "I, four hobbits, and two Men, one of whom was Aragorn, of the royal blood of the West from the Friends of the Elves." "We were in Lórien, and we heard the name of Aragorn son of Arathorn," said Haldar. "Our queen trusts him, and everything seems all right. But why do you mention only seven? " "The eighth is a dwarf," said Legolas reluctantly. "Dwarves!" said Halda in shock. "This is not good. We have not dealt with Dwarves since the Dark Ages. We do not allow Dwarves to set foot on this land, and I cannot let him pass." "But he came from the Lonely Mountain, a sure-footed son of Dann, and a friend to Elrond," said Frodo. human courage." The three forest elves whispered to each other for a while, questioning Legolas in their own language. "Well!" said Haldar reluctantly at last, "though we do not like the result, it seems we have no choice. If Aragorn and Legolas will supervise him and take responsibility for his actions, He can go through, but we have to cover his eyes." Legolas showed a hesitant expression. "Arguing no more, you must stay here. This place has been much more guarded since many days ago, when we saw a great pack of orcs marching northward toward Moria, along the edge of the mountains. How dare the wolf Howling at the edge of the forest worries us. If you are really from Moria, then the crisis is not far away from you, and you must leave early tomorrow morning. "The four hobbits can climb up and sleep with us, for we don't worry about them. There is another watchtower in a tree next to it, and the others must stay there. You, Legolas, must be there for you. Our friends are responsible for our actions. If anything goes wrong, just call us! Keep an eye out for that dwarf!" Legolas immediately climbed down the stairs, bearing Haldar's message.Merry and Pippin climbed up the rope as soon as they heard the good news, and when they had climbed they seemed a little frightened and out of breath. "Where!" gasped Merry, "we brought up your share of blankets and our own, and the Strider hid the rest of his luggage under thick dry leaves." "You don't need to bring those heavy things up here," Halda said. "It's true that the tops of the trees are a bit cold in winter, but tonight there is a warm southerly wind. Besides, we have food and drink to drive away the cold, Besides, we have plenty of cloaks and clothing to lend you." The hobbits accepted the second, richer meal unceremoniously, and then they wrapped themselves tightly in elf cloaks and blankets they had brought, and tried to sleep.But though they were terribly tired, only Sam fell asleep easily.Hobbits are afraid of heights and never sleep on the second floor even if there are stairs in their house.This watchtower is really different from their ideal bedroom - there are no walls, not even railings, only a thin curtain on one side, which can be adjusted according to the wind direction. Pippin went on babbling on for some time, in fear: "I hope if I fall asleep here, I won't roll off," said he. "Once I fall asleep," Sam said, "whether I roll or not, I will continue to sleep. Ahem, the more I talk, the less I sleep. I hope you understand my hint." Frodo lay for a while longer, looking at the bright stars beyond the thin leaves on top of the trees.Before he could close his eyes, Sam was snoring.He could vaguely see two elves sitting cross-legged, motionless, talking in low voices.The third elf climbed to the lower level of branches to continue watching.At last he fell asleep under the whispers of Nymrodale and the breeze, and seemed to hear Legolas singing in his ears. He awoke suddenly a little later, while the other hobbits were still asleep, and the elves had vanished.A new moon shone through the gaps in the leaves, and the wind died down.He could hear hoarse laughter and many footsteps not far away, mixed with the sound of metal clashing.The sound gradually disappeared, and it seemed to be continuing to go south into the forest. A head popped out of the hole in the middle of the watchtower.Frodo sat up alertly, and saw that it was a gray elf looking at the hobbit. "Who is it?" asked Frodo. "Yrch!" whispered the elf, leaping up to the lookout, reeling up the rope ladder. "Orcs!" said Frodo, "what are they doing?" But the Elf was gone. There was no further sound, and even the sound of falling leaves seemed to have stopped, quietly waiting for the change to happen.Frodo, shivering and curled up in his cloak, was grateful to the elves, for otherwise he might have been caught by these monsters on the ground now; but he felt that the trees could do nothing but hide their tracks. What protection is offered.根据传说，半兽人的鼻子和猎犬一样灵，而且也会爬树。他拔出了宝剑刺针，看著它发出如同蓝焰一样的光芒，接著又缓缓黯淡下去。即使宝剑不再对他示警，但那种不安的感觉依旧没有离开佛罗多心头，甚至还变得更强烈。他爬到了望台的开口往下看，几乎可以确定自己听见了树下传来低微的脚步声。 这不是精灵，因为这些森林的居民行动时几乎不会发出任何声音；然后他听到一种动物嗅闻时发出的声音，彷佛有什么东西在搔爬著树干的声响。他屏住呼吸，凝视黑暗中。 底下有某种东西正在缓缓往上爬，对方的呼气声透过紧闭的牙关发出嘶嘶声。接著，佛罗多看见一双苍白的眼睛越来越靠近，它们停了下来，眨也不眨地看著上方；突然间，它们转了开来，一个影子溜下树，消失在黑暗中。 哈尔达随即手脚俐落地爬上了望台：「刚刚我在树上看到了一种从来没见过的生物！」他说：「那不是半兽人，我一碰到树干他就马上逃跑了，他看起来很小心，似乎又对爬树很在行；否则我还真会以为他是你们哈比人的一员。」 「我没有用箭射他，因为我不敢弄出任何不必要的声响，我们可不敢和敌人正面作战。刚刚才有一大队半兽人通过，他们越过了宁若戴尔河--诅咒那些玷污河水的脏脚！接著沿河往下走。他们似乎闻到了什么味道，因为他们在你们所在的地方停了一下子，好像在搜寻些什么。我们三人无法对抗近百名的敌人，所以我们溜到他们前方，制造出一些诱敌的声音，吸引他们进入森林。」 「欧洛芬现在已经赶回聚落警告我们的同胞，这些半兽人再也无法走出这座森林一步。在明晚之前，森林的北方边界就会有更多的精灵驻守，不过，在此之前，你们还是必须天一亮就往南走。」 东方露出曙光，阳光照过梅隆树黄色的叶子，让哈比人们以为这是一个夏天清爽的清晨。蓝色的天光透过摇曳的枝枒展露笑颜，佛罗多从了望台的一边看去，发现整个银光河像是流经一片金黄色大地一般的壮观。 当众人再度出发的时候，天色尚早，空气中也还有股冰冷的气息。这次， 他们是在哈尔达和卢米尔的带领下前进。「再会了，甜美的宁若戴尔！」勒苟拉斯回头大喊。佛罗多回头一看，从掩映的枝枒中可以看见白色的水沫，「再会！」 他不由自主地也跟著说。在他看来，这辈子可能再也无法看见这么美丽，能够将百变的音符融合进水流声中的溪水。 他们回到原先的小径，继续沿著银光河西岸前进，有很长的一段道路，他们都是沿著河往南走。地面上还有许多半兽人的脚印。但很快地，哈尔达就转身走进树林中，在被阴影笼罩的河岸边停了下来。 「河对面有一名我的同胞，」他说：「虽然你们可能看不见他，」他发出如同鸟叫声的呼喊，从一株小树之中出现了一名精灵，他也是穿著灰色的衣服， 但褪去的兜帽下金发闪闪发光。哈尔达露了一手将灰色绳子轻易丢到对岸的绝技，对方抓住这绳子，将它绑在靠近河岸的树上。 「正如你们所见的一样，赛勒布兰特河从这里开始已经相当的湍急，」哈尔答说：「它流得很急，河水深而且非常冰冷，除非有必要，否则我们根本不敢在这么北边的地方涉足这条河。不过，在这种必须小心提防的日子中，我们又不敢架设桥梁。这就是我们过河的方法！跟我来！」他将绳子的另一头绑在另一株树上，轻巧地跳上绳子，如履平地跑到对面又跑回来。 「我可以这么走，」勒苟拉斯说：「但其他人可不行，难道要他们游泳吗？」 「当然不是！」哈尔达说，「我们还有两条绳索。一条绑在第二条上面， 大概在肩膀左右的高度，另一条则绑在两者之前固定，这样这些外地来的客人就可以顺利通过了。」 当这座简便的绳桥做好以后，远征队的成员这才能够通过；有些人小心翼翼、缓缓地通过，其他人则是更为轻松地通过。在哈比人之中竟然是皮聘表现最好，他只用一只手扶著绳子，眼睛直盯著对岸，头也不回地走过去。山姆则是笨手笨脚，不停看著底下的河水，彷佛那是万丈深渊一般。 当他终于安全通过时，总算松了一口气：「我老爸常说，活到老学到老，不过，他多半是指种菜这方面，可没想到儿子将来会要飞檐走壁、学鸽子睡树上、 学蜘蛛爬网子啊，连我的安迪舅舅都没玩过这种把戏！」 过了不久，所有的队员终于全都集合在银光河的对岸。精灵们收好两条绳子，拉回第三条。留在河对岸的卢米尔将绳子缠好，背在肩膀上，一挥手，就头也不回地继续进行他的了望工作了。 「来吧，朋友们！」哈尔达说：「你们已经进入了罗瑞安的核心，或者你们可以称呼这里为三角洲，因为这是夹在银光河和安都因大河之间的箭头形土地。我们不准备让任何陌生人知道核心中的秘密，平常外人甚至根本不能进来。」 「我要像之前所同意的一样，蒙住矮人金雳的眼睛，其他人暂时可以自由行动，直到我们靠近位在箭头部位的居所为止。」 金雳一点也不喜欢这样。「你们的讨论可没经过我的同意！」他说：「我不愿意像是乞丐或是囚犯一样蒙著眼睛走路，而且我也不可能是间谍，我的同胞从来没有和任何魔王的爪牙打过交道，他们也从来没有伤害过精灵。我和勒苟拉斯，以及所有的同伴一样，都不可能出卖你们。」 「我并不是怀疑你，」哈尔达说：「但这就是我们的律法，我不是制订法律的人，也不可能将规定视为无物，光是让你踏上赛勒布兰特平原，就已经让我承担了很多责任。」 金雳非常坚持己见，他顽固地站著不肯动，一只手拍著斧柄：「我不愿意在被人怀疑的状况下前进，」他说：「不然我宁愿回到我出发的地方，或许我会死在荒郊野外，但至少人们会认为我是说到做到的人。」 「你不能回头，」哈尔达严厉地说：「你已经走到这里，我们必须带你去谒见陛下夫妇，由他们来决定是要留下你们，还是让你们走。你不能够再度越过银光河，身后也已经布下了许多秘密的守卫，他们不会让你通过的，在你看见他们之前就会被杀死。」 气氛一时间剑拔弩张，甚至比之前遭遇到半兽人时还凶险。 金雳将斧头抽出，哈尔达和同伴弯弓搭箭僵持著。「该死的硬颈矮人！」勒苟拉斯说。 「各位不要动气！」亚拉冈说：「如果各位还认同我这个领导者的话，你们就必须照我说的做。对于矮人来说，只把他挑出来太不公平，我们都愿意蒙住眼，连勒苟拉斯也不例外。虽然这样会让我们的旅程无聊而缓慢，但这样是最好的。」 金雳突然笑了：「我们看起来会像是一群傻蛋出门旅行！哈尔达愿意担任领著一群乞丐的导盲犬吗？不过，如果勒苟拉斯和我一样蒙眼，我就愿意接受这条件。」 「我是精灵，四周都是我的同胞！」这次换勒苟拉斯生气了。 「这回我们该说□该死的顽固精灵□吗？」亚拉冈说：「不要孩子气了， 远征队所有的成员都应该同甘共苦。来吧，哈尔达，蒙起我们的眼睛！」 「如果我弄伤脚或是摔倒，我会要求你们补偿的。」金雳被蒙住眼睛时还是不停嘴地抱怨。 「你不会拿到补偿的，」哈尔达说：「因为我不会让你们走错路，而那道路也都是宽敝平坦的。」 「真可惜，这种愚行真是浪费了大好时光！」勒苟拉斯说：「这里所有的人都是魔王的敌人，但我却必须蒙著眼睛，无法欣赏外面的阳光和金叶的美景！」 「或许这看来是愚行，」哈尔达表示：「的确，魔王可能正看著我们彼此猜疑的动作而哈哈大笑。可是，我们近日来对罗斯洛立安以外的人物实在不敢报信任，或许只有瑞文戴尔例外，而我们更不敢因为自己的大意危及全族的安危。我们现在居住在一片黑暗之海中的孤岛上，我们的手抚摸弓弦的时间，要远远多于抚摸琴弦的时间。」 「这些河流保护我们，但它们已经不再安全了，因为魔影已经往北移动， 将我们团团包围。有些人开始认为应该迁徙，但这似乎已经太晚了。西方的山脉被邪气所侵，东方的大地一片荒芜，布满了索伦的爪牙，据说我们现在甚至无法安全通过洛汗；连安都因河口都在魔王的监视之下，即使我们可以来到海岸边，也找不到安居的地方。据说高等精灵依旧居住在世外桃源，但那些地方远在西北方，甚至是超过这些半身人居住的地方。而且，它们真正所在的地方只有陛下夫妇知道，我无缘得知。」 「既然你都看到了我们，你或许应该猜猜看，」梅里说：「我所居住的夏尔西边，就有这种精灵的庇护所。」 「哈比人能够居住的这么靠近大海真是好！」哈尔达说：「我的同胞已经有好多年没有看过海，只在歌谣中纪念它们，等下你可以告诉我这些庇护所的故事。」 「我没办法，」梅里说：「我从来没看过这些地方，我之前从来没有离开过自己家的土地。如果我早知道外界是什么样子，我可能就没胆子出来了。」 「即使你可以看到美丽的罗斯洛立安也不愿意吗？」哈尔达惊讶地说：「这世界的确充满了险恶，也有许多黑暗的地方；但这里依旧有很多美丽的地方， 正因为许多地方夹杂著哀伤，也才更让这里变得更加壮丽。」 「有些同胞吟唱著黑暗终将失败，和平将再临的歌声，但我不认为四周的世界会恢复跟古时候一样的状况，最多也只是到达一个互相信任的状态，精灵们可以不受阻碍地渡海，永远离开中土世界。啊！我锺爱的罗斯洛立安啊！如果没有梅隆树，那生活还有什么意义呢？不过，我到目前为止没听说，有人回来通报海外仙境没有梅隆树的坏消息。」 当他们谈话时，一行人在哈尔达的带领下不停地沿著道路往前走，其他的精灵则走在后面。他们可以感觉到脚下的土地十分厚实松软，过了一会儿之后， 他们放宽心胸，开始不担心摔倒或是受伤的问题。由于被剥夺了视力，佛罗多发现自己其他的感官相对强化了。他闻得到树木和新鲜草地的味道，他可以听见许多种不同音调的树叶摩擦声，河水在他的右方潺潺流著，天空中有著鸟儿清朗的婉转声，他可以感觉到走在草地上时，阳光照在身上和手上的感觉。 自从他一踏上银光河岸之后，就有一种诡异的感觉一直跟著他，等到进了森林核心之后，这种感觉更强烈。他觉得自己似乎踏上了时光之桥，走入了远古时代，现在正在一个过去的世界中游历。瑞文戴尔只有保留这些古老事物的回忆，但是在这里，这些古老事物都是活生生地运作著、呼吸著。他们听说过邪恶的势力，知道悲伤的滋味；精灵们害怕、怀疑外界，森林的边境有著野狼嗥叫的声音，但是，在罗瑞安的土地上没有任何的阴影。 队伍整整走了一天，直到他们可以感觉到暮色渐临，凉爽的冷风也渐渐逼近。然后，他们安心地在地面上休息，因为哈尔达不准他们拿下蒙眼布，而他们又没办法爬树。到了第二天早上，他们继续毫不著急地漫步。时至中什，他们又停了下来，佛罗多可以感觉到他们现在站在阳光下，四周突然间出现许多声音。 一整队的精灵悄然无声地出现，他们急著赶向森林的北边边界，抵御摩瑞亚可能的攻击。他们也带来很多消息，哈尔达跟他们分享了其中一些。之前大胆入侵的半兽人部队，几乎全部被歼灭，剩余的逃向西方，正被一路追杀。他们也目睹一只诡异的生物弯著腰，双手几乎垂到地上的四处奔跑；他看起来像是野兽，但却不是野兽。他躲过了层层的追捕，由于没人知道他是什么生物，也没人敢贸然射杀他，他就这么消失在银光河南边的地方。 「除此之外，」哈尔达表示：「他们也带来了我族陛下夫妇的旨意。诸位可以自由行动，连矮人金雳也不例外。看来女皇大人知道你们每一位的身份， 或许是瑞文戴尔的信差，已经把消息送到她那边了吧！」 他首先移下金雳眼上的蒙眼布，「向您致歉！」他深深的一鞠躬。「请用友善的眼光看著我们！您应该感到高兴，因为您是自从都灵的时代以来，第一位得以目睹罗斯洛立安森林核心美景的矮人！」 当佛罗多的蒙眼布也被拿掉之后，眼前的美景让他屏息以对。他们站在一个开阔的地方，左边是个大土丘，上面有各种各样远古时代欣欣向荣的茂密青草，在其上，如同皇冠一样的是两圈树木。外圈的树木拥有雪白的树皮，连一片树叶都没有，但却给人一种优雅的感觉；内圈则是非常高的梅隆树，依旧笼罩在黄金色之中。在这些参天的古木之上，有一座白色的了望台。在山丘上的众多青草中，有许多都长著黄色星状的花朵，在它们瘦削的茎叶之间，有许多其他的白色、绿色的花朵，在这一片翠绿之中显得格外突出。天空则是蔚蓝的颜色，什后的太阳照在山丘上，让这些树木拖出长长的阴影。 「注意！你们来到了瑟林?安罗斯，」哈尔达说：「这就是远古王国的核心，这山丘是安罗斯之丘，在和平的年代中也是他建造宫殿的地方。在这里， 永远翠绿的青草上开著永不凋谢的花朵；黄色的伊拉诺，白色的宁芙瑞迪尔会在这边停留一段时间，到晚上再进入树民的城市。」 其他人在这香气四溢的草地上坐下来，只有佛罗多依旧震惊于眼前的美景，不知如何是好，他觉得自己似乎是来到了一扇看著早已失落世界的窗口。 阳光照在他无法用言语描述的环境中。他看到的一切都美得无与伦比，但那美丽似乎是永远不会变更的，从他一睁眼的时候就已经决定，不会再有任何的变化。他眼中所见的颜色没有过去未见过的颜色，但在这里似乎变得更为饱满、 丰润，彷佛就是因为它们出现在这里而有了新的名字和意义。没有任何的晦暗、 变形或疾病可以沾染这块土地上的生物，在罗瑞安的大地上没有任何的污迹。 他转过身，看见山姆站在他身边，脸上挂著疑惑的表情，不停地揉著眼睛， 彷佛想要确定这是否是真的。「这的确是在阳光下，」他说：「我本来以为精灵都是在月亮和星光下的，但这比我所曾听过的都还要更为精灵化。我觉得自己彷佛身处在歌谣中，如果您能够了解我的意思。」 哈尔达看著他们，似乎的确可以理解他们所想、所见。他笑著说：「你们感觉到的是树民之女皇的力量，」他说：「诸位愿意和我一起爬上瑟林?安罗斯吗？」 他们跟著他一起踏上绿草遍布的小丘。佛罗多觉得自己的一呼一吸和所有的行动，都被包围在一种同样不受时间影响的空气中，让人永远不能忘怀这如梦一般的处境；即使后来当他离开了这里，他还是会常在梦中回到这个地方， 观看著这个长满了伊拉诺和宁芙瑞迪尔的罗斯洛立安。 他们踏入了白树的内围，此时南风吹进白树间，发出悠远的叹息声，佛罗多感觉自己听到了远方海洋的浪潮声，以及早已绝种的海鸟鸣叫声。 哈尔达现在已经爬上了了望台，佛罗多准备紧跟其后，当他刚把手放到梯旁树上时，突然间无比清晰地感受到树木生命力，和它细致的纹理。他觉得自己很高兴能够摸到这株森林中的树，这和伐木工人和木匠的感受不一样，他是为了这株活生生的树而高兴。 最后，他终于来到这高挂天空的了望台。哈尔达拉住他的手，将他引向南边：「先看看这个方向！」 佛罗多看见一段距离之外，有一座长有许多高大树木的山丘，或者那是一个拥有绿色高塔的城市？他看不出来，他只能够感受到似乎一切守护此地的光明和力量，都是从其中溢流而出。他突然间想要长出翅膀，赶快飞到那个绿色的城市中休息。然后，他看向东方，看见罗瑞安的领土一路延伸到安都因大河的河光之下。他将目光移过大河，却发现所有的光芒都消失了。在河的另外一边， 大地看来十分的平坦、空旷，没有任何的特徵；但更远处，它却像是一个深井一样升起，流露出黝黑的外表，照耀在罗斯洛立安上的阳光无力照亮该处。 「那就是幽暗密林南方的边境，」哈尔达说：「它是个长满了黑暗枞树的地方，那里一株接一株枞树紧接著生长，也一起腐烂、枯萎。在其中的一块岩石高地上是加尔哥多，也就是魔王许多以前蛰伏的地方。我们担心邪恶势力可> 能再度滋长，而且其力量不只增加了七八倍。进来它的上空经常飘浮著黑色的云朵。 在这里，你们可以看见光明与黑暗彼此争斗的过程，但即使光明感应到了黑暗的内心，它自己真正的秘密尚未被揭露，时候还没到。」他转身，快速地爬下绳梯，其他人紧跟在后。 在土丘底下，佛罗多看见亚拉冈楞楞地站在那里，如同树木一样沈默；但他手中拿著一朵小小的金色[HTPH]伊拉诺[HT]，眼中闪烁著光芒，他似乎陷入了美丽的回忆中。佛罗多看著他脸上露出迷蒙的表情，那神行客才有的浪迹天涯之沧桑，都在这美丽的环境中被抚平；他似乎穿著白袍，恢复成一名高大英挺的王者， 他似乎对一名佛罗多看不见的人说著精灵语。亚玟vanimelda， namarie ! 呢喃著，然后深吸一口气，突然间回到现实世界，看著眼前的佛罗多，露出微笑。 「这是世界上精灵国度的正中心，」他说：「我的心永远停驻在此地。除非，你我的黑暗的旅程之后还有光明，否则恐怕是没有机会再看到此景。跟我来吧！」他牵著佛罗多的手，离开瑟林?安罗斯的山丘，从此再也没有活著回来过。 译注一：在天地初开之时，许多精灵为了更接近创造世界的主神，决定往西迁徙，搬迁到神的故乡。在这一群精灵中有些在安都因河停了下来，拒绝继续前进，因此被称为「南多精灵」（在精灵语中为回头之人），而部分最先抵达神的居所的，则被称做高等精灵。因此，许多精灵就在罗斯洛立安和翠绿森林定居下来。由于他们并没有高等精灵一般超脱凡尘的力量，因此他们为了在中土世界的乱世中生存，转而研究如何于敌人眼前隐匿行踪，和与森林和平共处的学问。 据说，世界上没有任何种族，在森林中的行动力能与木精灵相比。 稍后，翠绿森林被改称为幽暗密林，勒苟拉斯就是来自幽暗密林的森林精灵， 也被称作木精灵，因此，他自然对森林精灵的歌谣知之甚详。