Chapter 23 Section 10: The expedition falls apart

Aragorn led the people to the right fork of the river.In the shadow to the west of Mount Torbranda there was a vast meadow stretching from the water's edge to the foot of Mount Amon Hen, and after that came the gentle slopes of Amon Hen, covered with trees, which also All the way to the lake.A trickling spring falls from the hill to nourish this meadow. "Here we rest to-night," said Aragorn; "this is Pasgalan, one of the ancient beauties, and may no evil come here." They dragged the boat up to the green bank, and pitched camp beside it.They set up a night watch, but saw no enemy.If Gollum persisted in following them, he must be well hidden.

But Aragorn was very restless that night, and tossed and turned both awake and asleep.He awoke not long after, and ran to speak to Frodo, who happened to be on the night watch. "Why are you awake?" asked Frodo. "This is not your night's watch." "I do not know," answered Aragorn, "but I feel that there is a menace and a shadow that has been lurking about us in my sleep, and that you should be safer with your sword drawn." "Why?" said Frodo, "are there enemies near?" "Let us see how the needle reacts," answered Aragorn.

Frodo drew the Elf's sword from its sheath, and was astonished to see that the edge of the blade gleamed in the darkness. "Orcs!" he said. "Not very close, but it still looks worryingly close." "I am worried, too," said Aragorn, "but perhaps they are not on this side of the river, and the light of the needles is weak, and perhaps it only points to the spies of Mordor in the mountains of Amonro. I have never heard Orcs once dared to invade the mountains of Amon Hen. But who knows what will happen in the troubled times? Not even Minas Tirith can hold the entrance of Anduin, what else will happen! We We must be especially vigilant tomorrow.”

Early the next morning, they thought they were surrounded by flames and smoke.The clouds in the east were as black as smoke from a great fire, and the sun rose from behind the mountains and shone red on the smoke, and the top of Torbranda was tinged with gold.Frodo looked east again at the solitary mountain, which was surrounded on all sides by the rushing river, and there were still many trees growing on the cliff, one after another inserted into the cliff, and it was impossible to climb on it. The mountain wall is mixed with jagged and strange peaks.Many birds fly around the peak, but otherwise there is no sign of other living creatures.

When they had finished their meal, Aragorn called them all together: "The day has come at last!" He said: "We have been putting off this day of decision. What will the expedition, which has seen so much, and How shall we proceed? Shall we go west with Boromir, and join the war in Gondor? Or shall we go east, into fear and shadow; or shall we disperse, and break up into squads at our own will? Whatever Either way, we all have to decide quickly. We know the enemy is on the east bank, but I fear half people may have entered this side of the river as well." The crowd fell silent, and no one spoke.

"Well, Frodo," said Aragorn at last, "it appears that the burden has fallen upon you. You are the Bearer of the Ring, as you were appointed in a previous council, and you must choose your own path, I can't give you any advice on this matter. I'm still not Gandalf, though I've tried to take over his responsibilities, and I don't know what he's going to do at this moment. Most likely, he'll still want to watch what you do , the key may still lie in your choice, this is your destiny.” Frodo did not answer at once, but said slowly, "I know I cannot delay any longer, but I

cannot choose between.The responsibility is too great.Give me an hour to think about it, please leave me alone! " Aragorn looked at him sympathetically. "Very well, Frodo son of Drogo," he said, "just an hour to you alone, and we all stay here, but don't go too far lest you hear Don't see our call." Frodo bowed his head in thought for a moment.Sam kept looking at his master with concern, but finally shook his head and muttered, "Actually, the answer is obvious, but there is no place for Sam to intervene here." Frodo got up and went away.Sam looked at the others and deliberately looked away, not daring to look at him.Boromir's eyes followed Frodo till he entered the wood at the foot of Amon Hen.

At first Frodo wandered aimlessly through the forest, but at last he found that his feet were leading him up the hill.He came to a path, the ruins of a road many years ago.In the steep places, there are many remaining stone steps. After years of wind and rain, these steps have become crumbling due to disrepair, and have become disintegrated under the expansion of tree roots.He climbed for a while, and finally came to a meadow.There are many rowan trees growing all around, and there is a large flat rock in the middle.Facing the east, this small grassland is fully bathed in the sunlight, giving people a sense of vitality.Frodo stopped, and looked down upon the great river, and the splendor and isolation of Mount Tolbranda, and the birds circling in the sky.The sound of Laros Falls was now a rhythmic boom, a relentless pounding.

He sat on the rock with his chin resting on one hand, looking eastward, and all the things that had happened since Bilbo left the Shire were running through his mind, and he recalled all the advice Gandalf had given him.Time passed slowly, but he still couldn't find the answer. Suddenly, he became alert as if he had just woken up from a dream. Something appeared behind him, and some unfriendly creature was nearby.He jumped up and turned his head suddenly; but he was surprised to find that Boromir was just smiling and seemed to be in a good mood. "I fear for you, Frodo," he said, stepping forward. "If Aragorn is right, and the Goblins are indeed near, then no one should be left alone. You should be especially careful, many The fate of people is closely related to you, and my heart is also heavy. Now that I have found you, is it convenient for me to sit down and talk with you? This will make me feel better. As long as we talk down there, we will Will quarrel endlessly for the future, but maybe two people can find wisdom in each other."

"You are very kind," replied Frodo, "but I don't think talk will help me now, for I know what to do and I dare not do it. I dare not, Boromir!" Boromir stood silent, and Lalos continued to thunder.Frodo shivered involuntarily as the wind blew through the treetops. Boromir sat down beside him suddenly. "Are you sure this isn't unfounded worry?" he said, "I hope I can help you. You need someone to give you a different perspective. Would you accept my advice?" "I think I know what you are going to say, Boromir," said Frodo, "and I would indeed find it good advice if I had not been troubled in my heart."

"Uneasy? Uneasy about what?" Boromir turned sharply and stared at Frodo. "The unease about procrastination, the unease about the apparently easier path, the unease about refusing to take responsibility... well, I have to be honest, I have unease about trusting in the strength and truth of human beings." "However, unbeknownst to you, human power has protected your little home from darkness since ancient times." "I do not question the bravery of your people, but the world is changing. The walls of Minas Tirith may be strong, but they are not strong enough. What if it falls?" "We will all die in battle, but there is still hope that we will win." "As long as the Ring is there is no hope," said Frodo. "Ah! Lord of the Rings!" Boromir's eyes sparkled. "Lord of the Rings! Isn't it strange that we should go to such lengths and fear for such a small thing? Such a small thing! I am I have only seen it once in Elrond's abode, may I see it again?" Frodo looked up.He suddenly felt cold all over.He noticed a strange gleam in Boromir's eyes; but his expression was still friendly and caring. "It's better not to take it out," he replied. "Whatever you want, I don't care." Boromir said, "but, can't I even mention it? Because you can only think of the damage it will cause in the hands of the devil: only think of its evil side, but don't think of it." Ignoring its good side. You say the world is changing, and if the Ring lasts, Minas Tirith will fall. But, why? If the Ring is in the hand of the Lord, I can understand, but, What if it's in our hands?" "Did you not attend the council?" replied Frodo, "for we cannot use it, and any attempt to use it will be turned evil." Boromir stood up, pacing impatiently: "Go ahead and argue!" he shouted, "Gandalf, Elrond, these fellows teach you to say that over and over again. Perhaps they are right, perhaps these Elves, half-elves, and wizards can't use him; but, I've often wondered if these people are wise or old-fashioned, maybe each one is caught in his own blind spot and doesn't know it. Sincerely human beings are not corrupted, We, the residents of Minas Tirith, have survived many trials. We don't want the magic power of wizards. We just want to have the opportunity to defend ourselves and have the power to execute justice. Just think about it! Just when we need it most In helping, the Ring of Power came into being. It was a gift, I thought, a gift to the enemies of Mordor. It would be foolish not to seize the opportunity, and use the power of the Demon Lord to destroy him. By fearlessness, Is fearlessness enough to win? What should a great leader, a great warrior do at this time? Why can't Aragorn do it? If he refuses to do it, why not leave it to Boromir? The Ring will give Give me the power to rule the world. I will expel the dark army of Mordor, and people who love freedom and justice all over the world will be invincible!" Boromir walked anxiously, his words louder than his words.He had almost forgotten Frodo, and was absorbed in describing his walls, his weapons, and his strategy.He paints great victories and covenants never before seen, he crushes Mordor and becomes great king, wise and beloved by his people.Suddenly, he stopped and waved his hands. "They're telling us to give it all up!" he yelled. "Maybe there's a point in their opinion, if only I could see where the hope is. I can't. The only plan we have, To let a dwarf walk blindly into Mordor with the Ring, to give the Lord the chance to regain the Ring. Stupid!" "You see, my friend?" He turned abruptly to Frodo. "You say you are frightened. If so, brave men should forgive your actions. But what disturbs you should be Isn't it your reason?" "I am afraid not," said Frodo. "I am only afraid, but I am glad to hear you speak what is in your heart, and you make up my mind." "So you are going to Minas Tirith?" Boromir cried, his eyes twinkling and his face looking eager. "You have misunderstood me," said Frodo. "But, are you willing to come here at least for a while?" Boromir refused to give up: "My city is not far from here, and it is closer to Mordor from there. We have been in the wilderness for a long time, you It is necessary to know about the Lord of the Devils in order to be able to decide what to do next. Come with me, Frodo!" he said: "If you insist on going, at least take a rest before going." He put his hand on the on the hobbit's shoulder; but Frodo could feel his hand, trembling slightly with pent-up excitement.He immediately avoided it, and looked at the tall human being vigilantly; the opponent was almost twice his height, and his strength was many times stronger than his. "Why do you still suspect me?" Boromir said, "I am a sincere man, not a liar or a robber. I need the Lord of the Rings, and you know it now. But I promise you, I will never give it to you." Keep it for yourself. At least let me try my plan? Lend me the Ring!" "No! No!" cried Frodo. "It was the Council that decided that I should keep it!" "The Enemy also defeats us through our follies," cried Boromir, "and it makes me so angry! Stupid! Self-righteous fool! Killing yourself and ruining our last hope. If any living being should have the Ring , that must be the Son of Númenor, and not you dwarf. You are only lucky, it may be mine, it should be mine, give it to me!" Frodo did not answer, He moved back carefully until the big rock was the only barrier between them. "Be good, my friend, be good!" said Boromir, in a softer voice. "Why don't you throw it away? Why don't you let go of your doubts and fears? You can put the blame on me if you want, you can say I was the one who insisted on taking it away. For I am so much stronger than you, Little One," he cried, leaping over the rock to catch Frodo.His originally handsome and friendly face became very ugly, with raging anger in his eyes. Frodo ducked, again using the rock to block him.He had but one choice left: Frodo drew out the Ring with trembling hands, and put it on quickly.Now Boromir even leaped at him again, and the man took a moment, looked at the sight in bewilderment, and then began to scurry about, searching rocks and woods. "Damn fellow!" he yelled, "better not let me catch you! I know what you're thinking now. You want to send the Ring to Sauron's door, betray us all, and you've been Find a chance to abandon us all. All short people go to hell!" Then, he accidentally kicked the rock and fell to the ground with a thud.He lay on his stomach in a daze, as if he had been victimized by his own curse.Suddenly, he began to sob loudly. He stood up, wiping away tears. "What did I just say?" He cried, "What did I just do? Frodo, Frodo!" He cried, "Come back! I was Frustrated, it's over now. Come back!" There was no answer, and Frodo did not even hear his call, and in blind terror he ran up the hill.Boromir's crazy words and that ferocious face kept appearing in front of him, forcing him to keep running forward. He quickly ran to the top of Amon Hen, stopped and began to pant continuously.In the mist, he seemed to see a circle made of many flags, with a collapsed fortification in the middle; on the four central pillars, there was a tall throne, which could be reached through many steps. .He walked up without looking back, and sat on the throne in a daze, as if a lost child who accidentally came to the throne of the king of the mountain was at a loss. At first he could see nothing, he seemed to be in a mist full of shadows, for he wore the ring.Then, slowly, the fog lifted in many places, allowing him to see a multitude of images.These images are very small, making him feel as if he is reading the books on the table, but they are far away, there is no sound at all, only the constantly changing images, the whole world seems to have shrunk and become extremely silent, he sits On the Seat of the All-Seeing, on the hill that was of old called the Eye of Númenor.He looked to the east at many unknown lands, uninhabited wastelands, and unexplored forests; he looked to the north, where the great rivers were like ribbons under his feet, and the Misty Mountains were as small as the broken teeth of wild beasts; Looking to the west, he could see the endless grasslands of Rohan, and Orthank Tower, which was like a black thorn, in the center of Isengard; to the south, he saw the great river falling like waves into the deep pit under the waterfall of Raros and he saw Ither Anduin, the mighty great delta of the Anduin, where sea-birds flew about like white dust in the sun, and beneath them was blue and blue Interlaced green, rough sea. However, there are signs of war everywhere. The Misty Mountains are like disturbed anthills. Countless orcs are crawling out of hundreds of caves; The beasts fought desperately; the homeland of the Bion was in flames, and the clouds covered Moria; the border of Lorien was ablaze with wolf smoke... The cavalry galloped across the grasslands of Rohan, and the wolves poured out from Isengard.Warships swarmed out of Harad's harbor, and the troops from the east kept moving: swordsmen, spearmen, archers on horseback, chieftains' wagons and wagons laden with supplies.All the forces of the Dark Lord came out, and he surrounded Minas Tirith.It looks very beautiful from a distance, with high white walls and many towers, proudly located at the foot of a mountain that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Various banners.He felt a glimmer of hope, but against Minas Tirith was another, stronger fortress.His eyes moved east involuntarily. It crossed the broken bridge of Osgiliath, entered the hideous gate of Minas Morgul, passed through the terrifying mountains, and entered the Gorgoroth Basin, which is the very center of Mordor. A large amount of thick smoke billowed from Mount Doom.Finally, his eyes finally settled down.Layers of walls, moats, black terror, mountains of swords, fortresses of steel, towers of pure gold, this is the fortress Baladur, the base of Sauron, and all hope has been deprived. Suddenly, he felt the magic eye moving. There was a never-resting eye in the evil black tower. He knew that the other party had noticed his stare, which was a hunger and strong will.The will was running towards him, seeking him almost like a physical finger, and soon it would settle on the object, and know where Frodo was.It touched Amonro, swept Torbranda... Frodo sprang from his seat at once, and drew his cloak over himself. He heard himself shouting: Never, never!Or: Surrender, I surrender to you!He couldn't tell the difference at all.Then, a wave of thoughts entered his mind from another powerful force: Take it off!take it down!madness!take it off!Take the ring! Two forces wrestled within him.For a brief moment the two powers balanced each other, and Frodo suffered so much, that suddenly he regained consciousness.He was Frodo, not the Voice, nor the Eye; for one brief moment he had the power to choose his own destiny.After he took off the ring, he found himself kneeling before the throne in broad daylight.A black shadow seemed to pass over him, leap over Amon Hen, and reach out to the west, and then the sky returned to its original blue, and birds began to sing in every tree. Frodo rose to his feet.He felt very tired, but made up his mind, and even felt lighter inside.He said aloud to himself, "I must do what is right!" He said, "At least I can be sure of this, the power of the ring is also beginning to affect the members of the expedition, and it must go before it does more damage , I must go alone. There are people I cannot trust, and those I can trust cannot lose them. Poor Sam, and Merry and Pippin, and the Strider, who wants to go to Minas Tiri Well, even Boromir has turned to evil, and his power is really needed there now. I will leave alone, and set off at once." He walked quickly back to where Boromir had found him, and then he stopped and listened, and he thought he could hear shouts from the shore of the lake and in the woods below. "They must be looking for me," he said. "I don't know how long I've been missing? I think it's been a few hours." He hesitated for a moment. "What can I do?" He murmured to himself, " If I don't leave now, I will never leave, and I won't have another chance like this in the future. I don't want to leave them, let alone like this, but they will understand, Sam will, or what else can I do ?” Slowly he took out the Ring and put it on again.Immediately he disappeared from mortal sight, running down the hill like a breeze. The others waited a long time by the river, and they were silent for a while, walking around restlessly.But now, they are discussing in a circle.Though they tried to talk about other things, like their long journeys and adventures, asking Aragorn about the ancient history of Gondor, and the great ruins still to be seen near Emin Mawr, the rock-carved colossi of kings , the throne on Amon Hen and Amonro, the stairs by the waterfall of Ralos, etc., but their thoughts always turn back to Frodo and the Lord of the Rings, what will Frodo choose?Why is he still hesitating? "I think he may be pondering which way is more urgent," said Aragorn. "As it is, the expedition is now more hopeless in its journey to the East; since we are pursued by Gollum, I fear it will A supposedly secret adventure has been revealed; but Minas Tirith is not an easier place, and farther from destruction." "We might hold out there for a while, but King Denethor and all his men could not do what Elrond could not do: keep the secret, or prevent the Lord from taking the Ring. If we were in Frodo What choice will we make in our position? I don't know. We really need Gandalf's guidance most now." "We have lost much indeed," said Legolas, "but we must decide without his aid. Why should we not make up our minds and help Frodo? Let us bring him back , Vote! I vote for Minas Tirith." "I think so too," Gimli said, "Of course, we were only sent to assist the Lord of the Rings along the way, and finally go where we wanted to go. There was no oath or order forcing us to go to the Doomsday Rift. I was very sorry to leave Lothlorien alone. But I have come so far that I must say this: when it came time to make the decision, it was clear to me that I could not leave Frodo. I would Choose Minas Tirith, but if Frodo refuses, I will follow him." "I would follow him, too," said Legolas, "and it is not enough friends to leave now." "If we all forsake him, it shall be called treason," said Aragorn, "but if he goes east, there is no need for everyone to follow him. It is a very hopeless journey, whether eight , three or two, or even one. If you had to give me a choice, I would pick three members: Sam, because he couldn't bear to leave Frodo; Gimli and myself Boromir must go back to his native land, he is needed by his father and his people; the others should follow, at least, if Legolas will not go with him, Pippin and Merry should go with him." "It's not fair at all!" said Merry. "We cannot abandon Frodo! Pippin and I would follow him to the ends of the earth, as we do now. Though we did not know what such a promise meant at first, when we were The promise was not so heavy in the far Shire, or in Rivendell. But it would be cruel to leave Frodo to go to Mordor alone. Why can't we stop him?" "We've got to stop him," said Pippin. "That's what he's worried about, I'm sure. He knows we must not let him go east. He doesn't want anyone to go with him, poor fellow. You Think about it: going to Mordor alone!" Pippin shuddered. "That stupid hobbit, he should know he doesn't need to talk. If we can't stop him, we won't leave him." "Let me interrupt," said Sam, "I don't think you understand my master, who is not hesitating and unable to decide which way to go. Of course not! How can he go to Minas Tirith to help I mean to him, sorry Mr Boromir," he added, turning his head to apologize.At this time, they realized that Boromir, who was sitting silently on the outer edge at first, had disappeared. "Where's this guy?" Sam exclaimed worriedly. "I think he's been kind of weird lately, but, anyway, he doesn't have much to do with our discussion. Like he said, he has to go home. We don't blame him. But Mr. Frodo knew he would find the Doom Rift if he had the chance. But he was afraid. That's the point--he was afraid. Of course, he, like us, was on the journey He learned a lot; otherwise he might have thrown the ring into the river and found a place to hide. But he was still too scared to make up his mind to go. He didn't worry about us, whether we wanted to be with him or not. He's going with him. He knows we'll go with him. That's another reason for his concern. If he makes up his mind, he'll want to go alone. Mark what I said! When he comes back, we'll He will hesitate, because he will definitely make up his mind.” "Sam, you analyze better than any of us," said Aragorn, "and what shall we do if you are right?" "Stop him! Don't let him go!" shouted Pippin. "I don't know if it is right to do so?" said Aragorn. "He is the Bearer of the Ring, destined to bear the burden, and I don't think we should force him to make any decisions. Even if we try , and I don't think we'll succeed either, there are many far greater forces at work than us." "Well, I hope Frodo will make up his mind when he comes back, and let no one be troubled any longer," said Pippin. "What a waiting! The time must be coming soon?" "Yes," said Aragorn, "an hour has passed long ago, and we are almost dead, and we must go to him." At that moment, Boromir came back, and he came out of the wood, and walked towards the crowd without a word.His expression looked solemn and sad.He paused, as if taking stock of everyone present; then sat down dejectedly, staring at the ground. "Where have you been, Boromir?" asked Aragorn anxiously. "Have you seen Frodo?" Boromir hesitated for a moment. "Yes, and no," he replied slowly, "Yes, I did find him on the hillside, and I spoke to him. I begged him to go to Minas Tirith, Don't go to Mordor. I couldn't help being angry, and he left me. He disappeared. Although I have heard it in legends, I have never seen this scene with my own eyes. He must have put on the Lord of the Rings. I can't find him either, I thought he would come back to you." "Is that what you say?" Aragorn looked at Boromir mercilessly. "Yes," he replied, "that's all for now." "This is terrible!" Sam jumped up. "I don't know what this man is up to. Why does Mr. Frodo wear the Ring? He doesn't need it! If it is urgent enough for him to wear the Ring, God knows what happened!" "He needn't wear it all the time, though," said Merry. "Like old Bilbo, he'll take it off when he's out of trouble." "But where will he go? Where is the other?" Pippin cried out in disbelief. "He has not been seen for a long time." "Borromir, when was the last time you saw Frodo?" asked Aragorn. "Half an hour!" he replied, "maybe an hour, and then I wandered around for a while. I don't know! Don't ask me!" He put his head in his hands and shook his body as if in extreme distress. "He's been missing for an hour!" Sam yelled. "We've got to find him right now, everyone!" "Wait!" cried Aragorn, "We must search in teams of two. Wait, wait! Wait!" It was useless, they ignored him at all.Sam rushed out first, followed by Merry and Pippin.In a few seconds they were rushing into the wood, and were shouting at the top of their voices: Frodo!Frodo!Legolas and Gimli also ran wildly, and the members of the expedition seemed to suddenly go crazy. "We'll all get scattered like this and get lost!" Aragorn yelled uselessly. "Borromir! I don't know what you've done, but you better help! Go after that Two hobbits, if you can't find Frodo, at least keep them safe. If you find him, or find any clue, come back here, and I'll be right back." Aragorn ran, trying to catch up with Sam; and when he rushed into the rowan bush, Aragorn caught up with him.Sam was still panting up the hill, calling Frodo! "Sam, come with me!" he said. "We must not be alone. There must be a conspiracy here. I can feel it. I am going to the top of the mountain, to the throne of Amon Hen, to see what is going on. Look! Frodo is going this way, as I guessed. Come with me, keep your eyes bright!" said he, as he galloped up the hill. Sam tried his best, but he couldn't keep up with the Scud Strider, and soon began to lag behind.Not long after, Aragorn's back disappeared before his eyes.Sam stopped breathlessly, and suddenly he slapped himself on the head. "Wait! Sam Gange!" he said loudly. "Your legs are too short, so use your brains! Let me see! Boromir didn't lie, he wouldn't lie; but he didn't tell us The whole truth. Something came astonished Mr. Frodo, and made up his mind suddenly. At last he decided to go. Where? To the East! Without Sam? Yes, he was in such a hurry. Sam didn't even want to take it. It's so cruel, so cruel!" Sam wiped the tears from his face. "Hold your emotions, Sam!" He said, "Use your brains! He can't fly over the river, and he can't jump off the waterfall. He doesn't have any equipment, so he will definitely come back. Get to the boat. Back to the boat! Run back to the boat, Sam!" Sam turned around and ran back like hell.He fell several times and cut his knees, and at last, at last, in the Pasgarland Meadows on the banks of the river, where the boats had been pulled ashore, there seemed to be no one there.There was a sound of someone shouting in the woods behind him, but he didn't turn his head. He stared blankly at the scene in front of him, panting, and a boat slipped into the river on its own.With a cry, Sam rushed to the lake, and the boat fell into the river. "I'm coming, Mr. Frodo! I'm coming!" Sam threw himself off the bank and tried to catch the side of the boat, but he missed by several yards.With a scream, Sam fell headfirst into the deep water, and the river flooded his little head mercilessly. There was an exclamation from the empty ship, and a prize turned the ship around.Frodo grabbed Sam by the hair at the nick of time and pulled the faithful servant out of the water, struggling and spitting.There was fear in Sam's eyes. "Come up soon! Good boy Sam!" said Frodo. "Take my hand!" "Help me, Mr. Frodo!" cried Sam. "I'm drowning. I can't see your hands!" "Here, don't pinch me, brat! I won't let go. Don't kick around, or you'll capsize the boat. Come on, grab the sides and let me paddle!" After a few strokes Frodo brought the boat back to shore, and Sam climbed ashore, dripping wet, at last.Frodo took off the ring and stepped ashore again. "Sam, you're the biggest troublemaker ever!" he said. "Oh, Mr. Frodo, it's cruel of you to say that!" said Sam, trembling. "You're not going to take me away? What would you be now if I hadn't been clever?" "Get out of here safely." "Safe?" Sam said. "Alone, without my help? I can't let this happen. I'll be worried to death." "Sam, if you go with me, you will really die," said Frodo. "I will not allow such a thing to happen." 「我宁愿死也不愿意被留下来。」山姆说。 「可是我要去魔多耶！」 「佛罗多先生，我当然知道。你本来就要去魔多，还会带我一起去。」 「山姆，」佛罗多说：「别惹麻烦了！其他人随时都会回来。如果他们发现我人在这里，我又必须要大费周章的辩解和解释，恐怕就再也狠不下心舍弃大家，但是，我必须立刻离开，这是唯一的选择。」 「当然应该这样，」山姆回答：「但不是一个人走，我一定要跟你走，如果你不让我跟，我就把每艘船都打洞。」 佛罗多忍不住哈哈大笑，他突然间觉得有股暖流冲进他心底。「至少留一船下来！」他说：「我们会需要船的，不过，你可不能连食物和装备都不带就准备跟来啊。」 「等我一秒钟，我把东西全部都收好！」山姆兴高采烈地大喊：「一切都准备好了，我本来就以为今天大家会出发的。」他冲到营地旁边，从佛罗多清出来的行李中找到他的背包，多拿了一条毯子，以及一些食物，又跑了回来。 「这样我的计画全完蛋了！」佛罗多说：「恐怕躲不过你了。但是，山姆， 我真的很高兴，我没办法解释我有多高兴。来吧！很明显我们注定要在一起。 我们一起走，希望其他人能够平安！神行客会照顾他们的，我想我们这辈子可都不会再见了。」 「话不要说得太早，佛罗多先生，未来充满各种可能的！」山姆说。 佛罗多和山姆，就这样一起踏上了任务的最后一阶段。佛罗多划离岸边，大河就带著他们漂向溪边的支流，越过托尔布兰达的峭壁。瀑布声越来越接近， 即使在山姆的帮助下，他们还是使尽浑身解数才越过孤峰南边的激流，航到东岸去。 最后，他们好不容易才停靠在阿蒙罗山的斜坡旁，他们在那里找到了一个平坦的河岸，上岸之后尽可能隐密地将小舟藏在大石头后面。然后，他们扛起背包，开始寻找能够让他们穿越艾明莫尔光秃的山丘，进入魔影之地的道路。 魔戒圣战历史的第一部曲就此完结。 第二部分被称作「双城奇谋」，因为故事环绕著萨鲁曼的堡垒欧散克，和守护魔多秘密入口的暗黑之城米那斯魔窟。第二部曲描述的，是分崩离析的魔戒远征队，如何在黑暗降临之前努力对抗邪恶的故事。 第三部分则是描述对抗魔影的最后防御，以及魔戒持有者的最后考验，它被称为「王者再临」。 (第一部完)