Chapter 19 Section 4 Spices and Rabbit Stew

They seized the last light of the day and began to rest.The sun drove the shadows between the rocks, and finally the shadows in the west grew longer and longer, and finally completely covered the inside of the pit.Then, they ate something casually and drank some water in small sips.Gollum ate nothing, but happily shared water with them all. "We'll have plenty of water soon," he said, licking his lips. "Clean water comes from the great river, and there's good water where we're going, and Sméagol will find food there too. He's hungry." Yes, indeed, Gollum!"

He caressed his sunken belly with a pair of big hands, and his eyes glowed green. When they finally set off, the twilight was quite deep, and the last ray of sunlight sneaked out of the valley, quietly leaving this dead land like ghosts.The moon will be full in about three days, but the night that follows is still very dark.There was a faint red light on the Tower of Fang, but other than that, there was no movement at the gate of Mordor. This eye seemed to watch them all the way as they trekked across the desolate land. They dared not take the risk of taking the main road, but kept it on the left side of the crowd, and at the same time kept a distance to avoid getting lost.Finally, when the night was getting dark and they felt tired, those eyes disappeared into the night sky shaking.They had circled the northern valley of the mountains and were heading south.

After feeling a sense of relief, they found a place to rest again, but it was not long, and their speed was not fast enough for Gollum's expectation.From the gates of Mordor to the crossroads of Osgiliath, by his calculation, was about ninety miles, and he intended four days to reach it; , until it gets darker.They had then covered almost twenty-four miles, and the hobbit would have run out of it, had he ventured. The gradually revealed morning light revealed a piece of land that was not so desolate and broken.On the left is still a very sinister mountain range, but they can clearly see the road in front of them that goes around the foot of the mountain and slant slightly to the west.Beyond the road were slopes of gloomy woods that looked as if they were clouded over, with heather, gorse, dogwood, and other shrubs they didn't know.Besides, they could see clumps of tall pines growing here and there.The hobbits were very weary, but their spirits were lightened: the air here was fresh and full of fragrance, reminding them of the sights of their far away home in the North Shire.For them, it was a real pleasure to be able to walk on a land that had only been conquered by the Dark Lord for a few years and had not been corrupted by that dark air.But they did not forget that they were still in danger, nor that the gates of Mordor, though blocked by mountains, were still very near.They scoured for a hiding place that would allow them to hide from the evil eye during the day.

They felt quite uneasy, and they hid their bodies in the bushes as much as possible, waiting for the time to pass by.In their eyes, everything seems to be slow to make people anxious, they are still under the shadow of Iferdus, and the sun is always hidden in the clouds and mists.Frodo sometimes fell into a drowsiness, whether it was because he believed in Gollum so much, or because he was too tired to worry about all this; but Sam couldn't sleep, even though Gollum was already uttering various sounds in his sleep. He still tossed and turned for such a strange sound. Hunger, perhaps more effective than doubt, kept him awake, and he began to miss the tastes of his hometown and normal meals, those "hot things that came out of the pot."

After the earth turned into a gray darkness in the night, they continued to move forward.It was not long before Gollum led them on the way to the South, and after that they traveled more quickly, even though the danger was greater.Their ears are always on guard against the wind and grass coming from the roadside, which may be the southerners who are coming or the pursuers sent from behind.However, the night passed peacefully, without any abnormality. The road in front of me was built in a very ancient era, and it is about thirty miles below the gate of Mordor, which is the newly restored road section. However, when it continues to move south, the wilderness begins to fight with it. There is a fight for dominance.The achievements of ancient man can still be seen in the flat and direct path that occasionally cuts through the side slopes of mountains, or jumps over a stream by some delicate arched bridge.But in the end, all traces of the craftsmen disappeared, only broken stone pillars remained here and there, sticking out their heads from the bushes by the roadside, and the stone slabs used for paving the road in ancient times were still mixed among the wild vines.All kinds of plants grow on both sides of the road, and sometimes they even hang down on the road. In the end, this road becomes a country road with few people. Lead them across the land in the fastest way.

Thus they passed over what was once called Ithilien, a land of lush vegetation and fair streams.The night became very comfortable under the full moon and stars, and it seemed to the hobbits that the scent in the air became more pronounced the further they walked.From Gollum's non-stop muttering, it seemed that he could feel this change too, and it didn't feel comfortable.They stopped as soon as the morning light broke, they came to a very steep grab, the road cut along the edge of the rock, and now they continued along the west side of the road. The sky gradually became brighter, and they could see that the mountains that were approaching before were now getting farther and farther away, and more than half of the mountains to the east had been hidden in the distant clouds and mist.As the crowd turned to the west, a gentle slope could be seen cutting into the distant mist.Now, all around them were trees of every kind, cedars, cedars, cypresses, and other plants that had never been seen in the Shire, and there was a wide prairie in between, and sweet scents could be seen everywhere. herbs and shrubs.The long journey from Rivendell brought them far south from their homeland, but it was not until here that they really felt the change in the climate.Here, spring is already at work, with ferns breaking through much of the moss on the ground, green shoots emerging from the tops of larch, small flowers blooming in the meadows, and birds singing.Ithilien was once the garden of Gondor, and it still barely maintains a lovable posture.To the west and south, faced the warm valley of the Anduin, the land to the east was protected by the mountains of Iphirdus, but not yet polluted by its shadow; Beneath the screen of the highlands, it is thus exposed to warm and humid air from the far south.Here grows many tall trees, planted long ago, and left untended by careless posterity, and began to grow of their own accord.Among the many bushes are tamarisks, cypresses, and olives and laurels; juniper, myrtle, and thyme are all clustered together, or pushing their foliage deep into the branches.The sagebrush, too, was in many blooms, blue, red, or turquoise; and mint and freshly sprouted basilit flourished, and all kinds of herbs and spices beyond Sam's knowledge.The uneven mountain walls here are also dotted with many saxifrage and sedum flowers, anemones grow from the gaps in the hazel trees, and sunflowers and various lilies tremble in the grass. Budding flowers.These dark green grasses grew beside the many little pools where the brooks that ran to the river Anduin rested between the valleys.

A group of people turned their backs to the road and walked down the hill. As they pushed aside the various herbs around them, the sweet aroma came to their nostrils.Gollum coughed and spat, but the hobbits breathed deeply and joyously, and suddenly Sam laughed, feeling that he would be living up to the good surroundings if he didn't smile at this moment.They followed a stream which soon brought them to a pond in a shallow valley; Covered with roses, beside it grows many calamuses, and on its deep, unruffled surface floats lotus leaves.However, the water in the small pool is very clear, and occasionally overflows from the edge of the basin to the grass next to it.

They freshened up here, drank the clear water well, and then they wanted to find a place where they could rest and hide.Because although this land looks very beautiful, it is still the territory of the Demon King.They did not stray too far from the main road, and even here they could find the scars of old battles, and the new devastation wrought by Orcs and other evil minions of the Enemy: a pit full of rubbish and excrement , Randomly felled trees, with the magic eye logo engraved on the bark. Sam walked to the edge of the pond, sniffing and touching the unfamiliar plants and trees, forgetting the threat of Mordor for a moment, but was awakened by the sudden sign.He stepped onto a circle of grass scorched by fire, and found a pile of charred and broken bones right in the middle.The vigorous vitality of this wilderness has allowed many weeds to overgrow, covering up the traces of the massacre, but this is not a tragedy that happened in ancient times, it can be seen that it happened not long ago.He hastened back to his companions, but said nothing of the matter: he did not want Gollum to mess around with these bones.

"Let's find a place to lie down," he said, "preferably a higher place." Not far from the pond they found soft brown ground of last year's dead ferns, and beyond that laurel with dark green leaves, bordered by a slope of cedars.Here they decided to rest for what looked to be a bright, warm day.The weather is good for roaming the meadows and forests of Ithilien, but unfortunately, although the orcs hate the sun, there are still too many places for them to hide and watch, and there are many other Saurons with mixed eyes and ears. Here; of course, Gollum would not be willing to act under the yellow face, even if he had no other considerations.Soon the sun would pass over the shadowy ridge of Ifildus, and he would pass out in the light and heat, lying motionless on the ground.

Food had been on Sam's mind all the way, and now, after passing through the dark, hopeless gate at last, he wasn't going to stop thinking about life after the mission, as his master had said; Save the elf's dry food for later when things get worse.Counting from the day when he estimated that the dry food was only enough for three weeks, six days had passed in a hurry. "If you look at this speed, it's good luck to reach the volcano in three weeks!" He thought: "Also, we might want to come back, it's really possible!" In addition to these considerations, after a long night's journey and morning wash and water, he was hungry.What he really wanted was a breakfast or dinner, to be enjoyed sitting by the fire in the old kitchen on Bagby Road.A flash of light struck him, and he turned to Gollum, who was just about to slip away when he was sprawled on all fours.

"Hey! Gollum!" said Sam. "Where are you going? Hunting? Come on, listen to me, old man, you don't like our food, and I'd love a change. Your new catchphrase is called At your service, then, can you find something to eat for a hungry hobbit?" "Yes, perhaps, yes," said Gollum, "Sméagol will help if they ask, if they ask Sméagol nicely to do it." "Of course!" said Sam, "I'm just asking you to do it, and if that's not polite, let me beg you to do it." Gollum disappeared.He was away for a long time, and Frodo, after taking a few morsels of the Elves' food, fell asleep on the dry fern.Sam watched him. The morning light had just slipped into the shadows under the leaves, but he could still see his Master's face clearly and the hands on his chest.He suddenly remembered Frodo lying on his bed in Elrond's house after being badly wounded.As Sam continued to watch him, he noticed that there seemed to be some kind of light shining within him, and this light became clearer and stronger than before.Frodo's expression was very peaceful, and all traces of fear and worry were gone; but the face still looked old and old and beautiful.It seems that the traces of the previous years are usually hidden and only revealed now, but others can still see whose face this face belongs to, at least, Sam thinks so.He shook his head, seeming to have a thousand words, but he didn't know how to express it, so he could only murmur, "I adore him, he's like this, and sometimes the light shines through. But, with or without the light, I don't know what to say." Love him!" Gollum slid back quietly, watching from behind Sam, soundlessly.He looked at Frodo, closed his eyes at last, and walked away without a sound.Sam walked up to him some time later and found him chewing something and talking to himself.There were two little rabbits on the ground, and Gulu's eyes had been looking at them greedily. "Sméagol is willing to oblige," he said, "and he has brought little rabbits, good rabbits. But the master is asleep, and perhaps Sam wants to sleep too. Want more rabbits? Sméagol would like to help, but there is no way." Caught so many things." Sam, however, was not at all against eating rabbit, and he had told Sméagol plainly that at least cooked rabbit was all right.All hobbits know how to cook, and it's a great science that they learn long before they learn to write (which many probably never have time to learn).But even by hobbit standards, Sam was a good cook, and he often showed his skills in the wild whenever he could.Even today, he still carries some kitchen utensils in his backpack: a small tinder box, two small saucepans, the small pots can fit into the large pot, a wooden spoon and a short handle double-ended fork and a few spare forks.Hidden at the bottom of the pack was another locket containing a priceless treasure of seasoning: salt, but he still needed fire and a few other things.He took out his knife, sharpened it, and began skinning the rabbit, thinking about it.He could not leave sleeping Frodo here, not even for a few minutes. "Listen, Gollum," said he, "I have another task for you. Go and fill these pots with water and bring them back!" "Sméagol will fetch water, yes," said Gollum, "but what does the hobbit want so much water for? He has drunk it and washed his face." "Don't worry so much," said Sam, "if you don't guess, you'll soon see for yourself. The sooner you get the water back, the sooner you'll know. Don't break my pot, Otherwise, I'll chop you into meat paste." After Gollum had left, Sam looked at Frodo again.He was still sleeping peacefully, but suddenly Sam noticed that his face and hands seemed to be nothing but skin and bones. "He's too skinny," he muttered, "not a hobbit, and if I can cook these rabbits I'll wake him up." Sam collected a heap of the driest fern leaves, and went to find a heap of twigs and dead wood nearby, and the nearby cedar tree gave him a lot of firewood.He dug a little hole on the bank of the river not far from Frodo, and threw all the firewood into it.After being fiddled with by his skillful hands, a small fire was quickly lit up. It only emitted a faint green smoke, but it had a strong fragrance.He bent over to blow on the small fire, and prepared to insert larger branches to make the fire hotter.Gollum was just returning with the pan carefully, and muttering to himself, he put it down, and only then did he realize what Sam was doing.He exclaimed under his breath, as if frightened and angry. "Ah! Hiss—don't!" he yelled. "No! Stupid hobbits, stupid hobbits, yes, stupid! They mustn't do that!" "What can't be done?" Sam asked in surprise. "Don't make that horrible red tongue," hissed Gollum. "Fire, it's fire! It's dangerous, yes, it's dangerous, it burns or kills, and it calls Come on, yes it will!" "I don't think so," said Sam, "as long as you don't put something wet on it and make a lot of smoke, I don't think it'll be noticeable. But I don't care if it smokes, I Prepare to take the risk—I want to stew rabbit!" "Rabbit stew!" said Gollum despondently. "Having spoiled the good meat Sméagol left you, poor Sméagol is hungry! For what? Stupid hobbit, for what? They are small and the meat is Tender and sweet. Eat 'em, eat 'em!" He poked his hand at the skinned rabbit carcass near the fire. "Don't make a fuss, don't make a fuss!" Sam said. "Everyone's taste is different. Our bread will make you puke, and the raw meat will make me puke. If you give me the rabbit, it's mine. I love it and love it." Cooking is none of your business. And I cook too, so you don't have to look at me all the time. You can catch rabbits yourself and eat them as you like—wait, preferably not in front of me. That way you You don't need to see the fire, and I don't need to see you, both of us will be more comfortable. If you are worried, I will take care of keeping this flame from smoking." Gollum retreated, muttering, into the nearby forest.Sam was busy moving the pan. "The hobbit gets the rabbit," he said to himself, "for spices and roots, especially potatoes, not to mention bread of course, and it looks like we might be able to conjure up some spices." "Gollum!" he whispered, "for the third and last time to trouble you, I want some spices." Gollum poked his head out of the nearby forest, looking neither friendly nor willing. help. "A few bay leaves, some thyme, a few sage sprigs will do, please get them back before the water boils," Sam said. "No!" said Gollum. "Sméagol doesn't like it, and Sméagol doesn't like smelly leaves. He doesn't eat grass or roots, no, dear. Unless he's very hungry or very sick." Comfortable, poor Sméagol." "If Sméagol doesn't listen, he'll be splashed with very, very hot water when the water boils," Sam threatened. "Sam's gonna put his head in there himself, yes, baby. If now If it's in season, I'll ask him to find turnips and radishes and potatoes too, and I bet there's a lot of good wild stuff out there, and I'd pay a lot for five or six potatoes." "Sméagol won't go, oh, no, baby, not this time," hissed Gollum, "he's scared and very tired, and the hobbit is no good, not at all, Sméagol no Go dig some roots and radishes and potatoes. What's a potato, baby, uh, what's a potato?" "Ya-taro," Sam said, "is my father's favorite food, and a good food for filling your stomach. But you can't find it, so don't look at it either. Be good, Sméagol, and find these spices for me, and I'll trust you more. And, if you find the yams I want, bring them back, and I'll cook them for you in a few days. Seriously: Jen Chef Ji’s fried fish and chips are an irresistible temptation!” "No, no, we can. Burn good fish, waste. Give me the fish now and save the stinky chips!" "Hmph, you're doomed," Sam said, "Go to sleep!" In the end, he still had to find what he needed to cook.But he didn't need to go very far, at least not where he would lose sight of his sleeping master.Sam sat thinking for a moment, waiting for the water to boil.It was getting brighter and warmer, and the dew on the grass was fading.Soon, the chopped rabbit was bubbling in the pan.Sam nearly fell asleep while the rabbit meat was cooking, which he simmered for nearly an hour, constantly testing the meat for doneness with a meat fork and tasting the broth. When he thought all was ready, he took the cauldron from the fire, and crept up to Frodo.Frodo half opened his eyes to look at Sam beside him, and at once awoke from the dream: another peaceful, peaceful dream. "Hi Sam!" he said, "you up? What's wrong? What time is it?" "A few hours after dawn," said Sam, "perhaps nine-thirty in the Shire, and everything was fine, though I wouldn't say it was perfect: no stock, no onions, no potatoes I have just stewed a pot for you, and a little soup, Mr. Frodo, for your health. But you must drink it from a cup, or eat it from the pot when it is colder. I did not Bring bowls and other utensils." Frodo yawned, stretched himself, and said, "Sam, you ought to be well rested," and he said, "it's dangerous to light a fire in these parts, but I'm really hungry, too. Hmmm! I smell What does it taste like? What did you cook?" "A present from Sméagol," said Sam. "A pair of little rabbits, though Gollum probably regrets it now. It's a pity we only have a few spices to go with, and nothing else." Sam and his master just sat on the ground, sharing forks and spoons and sharing the stew.They ate another half of the elf dry food, which made them feel like eating delicacies from mountains and seas in their hometown. "Huh! Gollum!" Sam whistled and called softly, "Come on! There's still time to change your mind, and if you want to try rabbit stew, there's still some left in the pot!" There was no reply. "Oh well, I think he's looking for something to eat, let's finish it," Sam said. "And then you will have a good sleep," said Frodo. "Don't doze off, Mr. Frodo, while I rest. I don't quite believe him, there's still a part of the filth in him—oh, I mean that bad Gollum, and his The power is more obvious again. I think he might want to get rid of me first, we don't see each other well, and he has some issues with Sam, oh yeah, baby, a lot." So they finished, and Sam went to the creek to wash the dishes, and when he got up to walk back, he looked back at the scene on the slope.Then he noticed the sun rising from some poisonous gas, or mist, or shadow that had condensed in the east, and the golden rays fell on the trees and grass all around him; , glaring in the sun, emerged from the bushes in front of him, and he was shocked to discover that it was from a campfire he had forgotten to put out. "No way! I didn't expect it to be so conspicuous!" He muttered and ran back to camp.Suddenly, he stopped and listened carefully.Did he hear the whistle?Or was that the sound of some strange bird?If that was the whistle, it was certainly not coming from Frodo's direction.Then the voice came from another place again!Sam started running back as fast as he could. He found that a part of the tongue of fire had burned to the edge of the hole, igniting some dry fern fronds, and the burning fern fronds made the wet grass smoke again.Hastily he stomped out the flames, scattered the ashes, covered the hole with leaves, and slipped back quietly to Frodo. "Did you hear the whistle, and what sounded like a response?" he asked. "About a few minutes ago. I was hoping it was just a bird chirping, but it didn't sound like it. More like someone imitating a bird." Screaming. Also, my campfire seemed to be smoking just now. If I get into trouble again this time, I will never forgive myself, and I might never have a chance to regret it!" "Hush!" whispered Frodo, "I think I hear something." The two hobbits put on their little knapsacks, ready to run; then they crept noiselessly into the thick fern, where they lay listening, motionless. Undoubtedly, there was a voice. The other party was talking in a low voice and carefully. They were not far away, and they were still approaching; then, suddenly, a voice appeared from the side. "Here! This is where the smoke is coming from!" said the voice, "They must be nearby, I guess hiding in those bushes, they won't be able to fly this time, and then we can find out what these guys are People." "Yeah, and what do they know!" said the second voice. Immediately, the four men walked towards the hiding place of the two from different directions.There was no way of escape, and no further hiding, Sam and Frodo stood up, their backs to their backs, and drew the short swords at their belts.They were very surprised, but the person who came was even more surprised—four tall humans surrounded them, two of them held spears with bright broad sides in their hands, and two of them held huge bows that were almost as tall as their bodies. They also carried a large bag of long arrows with green feathers on their backs, and everyone wore long swords around their waists, and they all wore clothes in various shades of green and brown, which seemed to be specially designed to hide their tracks in the green fields of Ithilien .They wear green gloves on their hands, their heads are covered by hoods, and they also wear green masks on their faces. A pair of bright, sharp eyes.Frodo thought of Boromir at once, for the Men were very like him in manner and accent. "What we found was much different than what we imagined," said one person. "I don't know what kind of creature is in front of us." "Not Orcs," said the other, who had first drawn his sword when he saw the thorn in Frodo's hand, and now let go of the hilt. "Is that Elf?" said a third suspiciously. "No! It's not an elf," said the fourth tallest, who, by all appearances, seemed to be the eldest of the four. "Elves do not haunt Ithilien in these days; and according to legend, the Elves look very beautiful." "What you mean is that we don't look pretty!" Sam said. "Thanks for the compliment, and after you've discussed who we are, maybe you'd like to share with me where you all came from and why you don't let two weary Passengers rest." The tall green man smiled. "I am Faramir, General of Gondor," said he; "but there will be no travelers in this land at all, but servants of the Black Tower and soldiers of the White Keep." "We are neither," said Frodo. "Whatever General Faramir may think, we are travelers passing by." "Then tell us why and who you are here quickly," Faramir said. "We still have tasks to perform, so we don't have time to chat with you. Hurry up! Where's your third companion?" "The third place?" "Yeah, we saw a sneaky guy sticking his nose into the pool a while ago, he didn't look very human, I'm guessing it's some kind of scouting variant of the orcs, or maybe they bred animal, he disappeared in a flash.” "I don't know where he is," said Frodo. "He was just a companion we happened to meet on the road. I can't take responsibility for him. If you meet him later, don't kill him. Take him away." Come, or send him to us; he is a poor creature, and I must take care of him for a while. As for us, we are hobbits from the Shire in the far north-west, with many rivers to cross, I am Frodo, son of Drogo, and this is Samwise, son of Hamfast, is my faithful assistant. We came from Rivendell--some people call Imlatri there, and we came through many difficulties to here." Faramir suddenly changed his expression and became very focused. "We had seven companions, one of whom died in Moria, and the other parted at Pasgalan above the falls of Laros: two of my countrymen, and a dwarf, An Elf and two Men, they are Aragorn and Boromir, and he said he was from Minas Tirith, a city in the South." "Borromir!" the four men exclaimed simultaneously. "Borromir, son of King Denethor?" said Faramir, and the seriousness returned to his face. "You came with him? If it is true, that is unexpected news. Little strangers, Boromir, son of Denethor, was the gatekeeper of the White Keep and our commander-in-chief, whom we miss dearly." Him. Who are you and why are you involved with him? The sun is starting to rise, you better hurry up!" "Have you heard the riddle that Boromir brought to Rivendell?" Frodo answered. Where does the holy sword go when it breaks? Emla Cui appeared. "I have indeed heard these two lines," said Faramir in amazement. "Since you have heard them too, it means that what you say is at least partially true." "Aragorn, of whom I spoke before, is the bearer of the Broken Sword," said Frodo. "We are the halflings of whom the poem speaks." "I guessed it too," said Faramir thoughtfully. "At least I can see it. What is Isildur's nemesis?" "It is still unknown," Frodo replied, "I believe time will give everyone a clear answer." "We have to know more," said Faramir, "and we also want to know what brought you so far to the east, to go into that—" He pointed in that direction, unwilling to say. name. "However, not now. We have more urgent tasks. You are in danger. I'm afraid you won't be able to go too far today. There will be a big battle near Zhongshi, and then there will be death, or A swift journey back to Anduin. For your sake, and for ours, I will leave two of you behind to protect you. A wise man in these parts will not trust a mate who chances upon the road. If I survive, I will Will talk to you again.” "Farewell!" Frodo bowed deeply. "Whatever you think, I am an ally of all who stand against the Lord of the Devils. We little halflings can help you tall and strong, if my task allows it." I will be willing to go with you at any favor of the humans. May the light shine on your swords!" "At any rate, these halflings are very polite," said Faramir. "Farewell!" The hobbits sat down again, but this time they did not pour out their worries and doubts to each other.In the shadows just under the laurel trees, two humans watched over them.Occasionally they took off their masks to cool off as the temperature rose, and Frodo took the opportunity to observe them.He found that these two people had pale complexion, dark hair, gray eyes, and expressions of pride and sadness.They spoke to each other in low voices, at first in the Common Tongue, but with an ancient accent, and then in their own.Frodo was then surprised to find that they spoke the Elvish tongue, though there was a slight difference in it; and now he began to look at each other more carefully, for he had only now been sure that they were descended from the Western Kings in the South, It is also a Dundan people. After a while he began to strike up conversations with them, but the men answered very carefully.They called themselves Mabelon and Damra, soldiers of Gondor, and rangers stationed in the vicinity of Ithilien, for their ancestors had dwelt there before the fall of Ithilien.From among the descendants of these people, King Denethor selected a group of death squads, secretly crossed the Anduin River (from where and the way of crossing the river, they are unwilling to disclose), and raided the area around Iphirdus and the Great River Valley. Orcs and other enemies. "It's about thirty miles from the east bank of the Anduin River," Mabelon said. "We rarely come this far. This time we have a new mission. We are here to attack Harald's troops. guy!" "Yeah, curse these damned southerners!" Damra said, "It is said that since ancient times, Gondor and the Harad Empire in the south have had contacts, but it has never been the type of friendship. At that time, our边境远达安都因河的出海口，他们省分中最靠近我们的昂巴也承认我们的统治权，不过，那已经是很久以前的事情了，我们之间已经有几百年没有任何的往来。现在，我们得知魔王和他们结盟，他们准备投靠他，或是重回他的怀抱──我们怀疑这些人一直和魔王有所牵连。在看到他这么强大的力量和部队之后，我知道刚铎的末日已近，米那斯提力斯的高墙终将陷落。」 「不过，我们可不愿意坐以待毙，听任魔王为所欲为，」马伯龙说：「这些该死的南方人从大路过来，准备加入邪黑塔的部队。是啊，他们所践踏的正是刚铎所铺设的道路，而且他们还毫无警觉地走在上面，以为新主人的力量无比强大，光是这些山脉的阴影就足以保护他们。我们是来给他们一个教训的，许多天以前，我们得到情报，他们集结了大量的兵力往北进发，其中一支部队，根据我们的侦察，将会在中什左右经过这里，也就是上方那个隘口。鸟兽或许可以在这条路上自由奔跑，但他们可是个例外！只要法拉墨领导我们，这些人就逃不掉。这段时间他经常自愿执行最危险的任务。不过，他的命运似乎受到上天的眷顾，再不然就是他的时候还未到。」 他们的交谈最后沉默下来，众人都开始仔细地倾听著，一切似乎都冻结了起来。山姆趴在树丛边，小心翼翼地往外看。藉著哈比人锐利的眼睛，他注意到四周还有许多人类埋伏著，他可以看见这些人悄悄地爬上斜坡，有时单枪匹马，有时成群结队，唯一的共通点，就是都保持在浓密的树丛中；他们身上所穿著的迷彩衣物，更让他们天衣无缝地混入地形地物中，极难被发现。每个人都戴著兜帽和面具，手上带著手套，身上携带著和法拉墨一行人一样的武器。不久之后，他们就全部通过山姆的眼前，消失了。太阳持续高升，阴影开始往后退缩。 「不知道那个该死的咕鲁在哪里？」山姆躲回阴影中，一边想著。「他有很大的机会被误认为半兽人，或者是被大黄脸烤死。不过，我想他会照顾自己的。」他在佛罗多的身边躺了下来，开始打瞌睡。 他醒了过来，似乎觉得刚刚听见号角的声音。他坐直身子，现在已经是正什了，两名守卫紧张地站在树木的阴影下。突然间，号角声变得更清楚，毫无疑问是从上面传来的。山姆认为他也听见了狂乱的呼喊声，但那声音十分的微弱，彷佛是从洞穴中传出来的。然后，战斗的声音就在靠近他们躲藏之处的上头传来过来，他可以清楚的听见金铁交鸣之声，听见刀剑击打盾牌的闷哼声、敲打在头盔上的清脆声响，人们惨叫、大吼的声音，还有一个人声清楚地大喊刚铎万岁！刚铎万岁！ 「听起来像是几百个铁匠一起在打铁，」山姆对佛罗多说：「他们实在很靠近我们。」 但那声音越来越靠近。「他们来了！」丹姆拉大喊道：「你们看！有些南方人从陷阱中逃了出来，正往外跑。他们往那边跑了！我们的同志正在将军的率领之下追杀他们。」 山姆好奇地想要看得更仔细，于是跑到守卫们身边去，他爬上了一株月桂树上，想要看得更清楚些。他依稀看见有一大群肤色黝黑的人穿著红衣，沿著斜坡往下跑，穿著绿色衣服的人则紧追在后，毫不留情地砍杀落队的敌人，满天的箭雨更让那些红衣人损失惨重。突然间，有一个人从他们所躲藏的地方附近滚了进来，一路撞开小树，最后倒在羊齿植物中，差点撞上众人。他倒在地上，金色项圈底下的脖子上插了一支绿色的羽箭。他红色的袍子破烂不堪，身上层层的黄铜胸甲也弯折破碎，用黄金挽著的长发则沾满了鲜血，褐色的双手依旧紧抓著一柄破碎的长剑。这是山姆第一次看见人类彼此间的作战，他实在不喜欢眼前的景象，他很高兴自己没看见死人的面孔，他开始想要知道那人的名字以及他的家乡。不知道这个人是不是真正的邪恶，或是有什么人威胁他千里迢迢地从家乡跑到这边来送死；或许，他宁愿选择静静地在家乡终老一生。不过，这纷纷涌进他脑海中的杂乱念头都在一瞬间消失了。因为正当马伯龙走到尸体旁边时，附近又传来了一种新的声响、刺耳的吼叫声。在这一团混乱中，山姆听见了某种低沈的吼叫声或是号角吹动的声音，然后是一连串沉重的撞击和踏步声，彷佛大型的破城锤不停地敲打著地面。 「小心！小心！」丹姆拉对同伴大喊。「希望瓦拉赶走他！姆马克！姆马克！」 山姆起初十分恐惧和惊讶，不过稍后这种情绪却转为兴奋，他看见一个巨大的形体撞穿树丛，沿著斜坡滑了下来；在他的眼中，那是一只比屋子还要大的怪物，是座会移动的灰色小山。或许，这是因为恐惧和惊奇，让它在哈比人的眼中放大了数倍，但哈拉德的姆马克的确是体型无比庞大的一种生物，今天中土世界中已经失去了它的踪迹，少数侥幸生存下来的远亲，则完全无法和它过去的尊荣和骄傲相提并论。它直接朝著旁观者冲过来，在千钧一发之际转了个弯，让他们脚下的大地为之震动。它巨大的腿如同树桩一样粗壮，像是风帆的耳朵不停地搧动，长长的鼻子高举，如同即将出击的蟒蛇一般，红色的双眼中闪动著怒火。它那双上扬的獠牙上有著黄金的环饰，同时还沾染著大量人类的血液，它身上原先披挂著的红色和金色的布幔都已经破烂不堪。它本来背上似乎搭载著一座高大的攻城塔，也在它凶暴的穿越森林时被撞个稀烂；在它的脖子上还挂著一个仓皇无助的人，他是黑人之中体型最高大的战士，相形之下却显得无比的渺小。 这只巨兽继续不停地往前冲，盲目冲过池塘和树丛，箭矢无力地从它厚重的皮肤上纷纷滚落下。两个阵营的战士都在它面前四散奔逃，许多依旧被它追上，在脚下踩成肉酱，很快的它就消失在众人面前，依旧嘶鸣著冲向远方。一直到很久以后，山姆都没有再听说过它的消息，不知道它是否在野外生活了一段时间，在远离家园的地方怡享天年；还是它被困在某个深坑中，或者是在狂怒中奔入大河中，从此不知所踪。 Sam took a deep breath. 「那就是我说的猛！」他说：「这世界上果然有猛，我今天就看到了一只。这真是让人兴奋！可惜，家乡的人永远不会相信我的。好吧，如果这一切结束了，我想要休息一下了。」 「把握时机好好休息吧，」马伯龙说：「将军如果没受伤，不久之后就会回来的。在他回来之后，我们会很快出发的。只要这消息一被魔王知道，他马上会派兵来搜捕我们，而且这不会拖延太久的。」 山姆说：「你们离开的时候请安静一点！没必要把我吵醒，我已经走了一整晚的路。」 马伯龙笑了：「山姆卫斯先生，我不认为将军会把你们留在这边的，」他说：「我们到时候就知道了。」