Gandalf was gone, and the thudding hoofs of Shadowfax were lost in the night, when Merry came back to Aragorn. He had only a light bundle, for he had lost his pack at Parth Galen, and all he had was a few useful things he had picked up among the wreckage of Isengard. Hasufel was already saddled. Legolas and Gimli with their horse stood close by.
甘道夫走了，影疾的马蹄声消失在夜空中。梅里走回到亚拉冈身边，他的行李很轻，因为背包早就在帕斯加兰弄丢了，他身上只带着在艾辛格废墟中捡到的几样东西而已。哈苏风已经安上了马鞍。勒苟拉斯、金雳和他们的座骑也在旁边待命。
“And then whither?” said Legolas.
“然后又怎么样呢？”勒苟拉斯问道。
“I for one!” cried Legolas.
“我跟你一起走！”勒苟拉斯说。
“So four of the Company still remain,” said Aragorn. “We will ride on together. But we shall not go alone, as I thought. The king is now determined to set out at once. Since the coming of the winged shadow, he desires to return to the hills under cover of night.”
“远征队还剩下四名成员，”亚拉冈说：“我们一起出发吧！我本来以为只会有我们四人，但看来不会是这样了，骠骑王已经决定立刻离开此地。在那飞行的黑影出现之后，他希望藉着夜色的掩护赶回山中。”
“I cannot say yet,” Aragorn answered. “As for the king, he will go to the muster that he commanded at Edoras, four nights from now. And there, I think, he will hear tidings of war, and the Riders of Rohan will go down to Minas Tirith. But for myself, and any that will go with me…”
“我现在还不确定，”亚拉冈回答：“至于骠骑王的部分，他准备在四天之后在伊多拉斯集结所有的部队。在那里，我想他会先研判有关这场战争的情报，然后带着骠骑军团前往米那斯提力斯，除了我和愿意与我同行的人例外。”
“And Gimli with him!” said the Dwarf.
“金雳也是！”矮人跟着说。
“Well, for myself,” said Aragorn, “it is dark before me. I must go down also to Minas Tirith, but I do not yet see the road. An hour long prepared approaches.”
“这对我来说已经够了，”亚拉冈回答：“我眼前还有非常黑暗的道路，我也必须赶去米那斯提力斯，但我还不确定该怎么做。我们还有一个小时就要出发了。”
Soon all were ready to depart: twenty-four horses, with Gimli behind Legolas, and Merry in front of Aragorn. Presently they were riding swiftly through the night. They had not long passed the mounds at the Fords of Isen, when a Rider galloped up from the rear of their line.
很快的，所有人都已经做好了出发的准备，金雳坐在勒苟拉斯之后，梅里则坐在亚拉冈之前，他们把握夜色飞快赶路。不久之后，一行人就越过了艾辛河渡口的山丘，一名骑士从后面赶了上来。
“Don’t leave me behind!” said Merry. “I have not been of much use yet; but I don’t want to be laid aside, like baggage to be called for when all is over. I don’t think the Riders will want to be bothered with me now. Though, of course, the king did say that I was to sit by him when he came to his house and tell him all about the Shire.”
“别把我丢下来！”梅里说：“我一直没派上什么用场，但我也不想被抛在一边，像是行李一样到结束的时候才被想起来。我不认为骠骑们还会花时间照顾我，但国王的确说过，当我们到达他的皇宫时，我要在他身边告诉他夏尔的状况。”
“Yes,” said Aragorn, “and your road lies with him, I think, Merry. But do not look for mirth at the ending. It will be long, I fear, ere Théoden sits at ease again in Meduseld. Many hopes will wither in this bitter Spring.”
“是的，”亚拉冈说，“梅里，我认为你该待在他身边，但是，不要预期会有快乐的结局，我担心希优顿王可能要很久之后才能够安心重回他的王宫。在这萧瑟的春天里，恐怕会有很多希望跟着消逝。”
Théoden at once called a halt. The Riders turned about and seized their spears. Aragorn dismounted and set Merry on the ground, and drawing his sword he stood by the king’s stirrup. Éomer and his esquire rode back to the rear. Merry felt more like unneeded baggage than ever, and he wondered, if there was a fight, what he should do. Supposing the king’s small escort was trapped and overcome, but he escaped into the darkness — alone in the wild fields of Rohan with no idea of where he was in all the endless miles? “No good!” he thought. He drew his sword and tightened his belt.
希优顿立刻下令全军停止，骠骑们调转马头，擎起长枪。亚拉冈跳下马，把梅里抱下来，同时间拔出宝剑，在骠骑王身边站定，伊欧墨和他的贴身护卫也从队伍前头赶回来。梅里这时更觉得自己是丝毫派不上用场的行李，如果真的开打了，他也不知道自己该做些什么；万一骠骑王单薄的兵力被包围、击败，就算他孤身一人逃入黑暗中，在一望无际的洛汗原野中，他根本不知该如何是好。“这样不行！”他想。他决定拔出宝剑，把腰带勒紧。
“My lord,” he said to the king, “there are horsemen behind us. As we crossed the fords I thought that I heard them. Now we are sure. They are overtaking us, riding hard.”
“大人，”他对骠骑王说：“我们身后还有其他骑士，当我们渡过河口时，我想我听见他们的马蹄声了，我等到完全确定才敢来向您报告。他们正马不停蹄地赶上来。”
When they were some fifty paces off, Éomer cried in a loud voice: “Halt! Halt! Who rides in Rohan?”
当他们来到五十步的距离时，伊欧墨大喊道：“停步！停步！是谁在洛汗国土上策马奔驰？”
The sinking moon was obscured by a great sailing cloud, but suddenly it rode out clear again. Then they all heard the sound of hoofs, and at the same moment they saw dark shapes coming swiftly on the path from the fords. The moonlight glinted here and there on the points of spears. The number of the pursuers could not be told, but they seemed no fewer than the king’s escort, at the least.
西沉的月亮渐渐被云雾遮掩，但突然间又穿透遮蔽，射出万丈银光。然后，他们都听见了马蹄的声音，同时也可以看见黑暗的身影从渡口的方向急驰而来。月光反射在枪尖上，流露出一股肃杀气氛；追兵的人数难以判定，但他们看起来并不比骠骑王的卫队少。
The pursuers brought their steeds to a sudden stand. A silence followed; and then in the moonlight, a horseman could be seen dismounting and walking slowly forward. His hand showed white as he held it up, palm outward, in token of peace; but the king’s men gripped their weapons. At ten paces the man stopped. He was tall, a dark standing shadow. Then his clear voice rang out.
追兵们以高超的马术让马匹煞住冲势，接着是一阵让人喘不过气的沉寂；然后，在月光下，众人看见一名骑士跳下马，缓缓走向前。他对着众人露出掌心，这是和平的手势，但骠骑王的手下仍然禁不住抓紧了武器。到了十步之外，那人停了下来，他十分的高大，全身都包围在阴影中。然后，他清澈的声音响起：
“Rohan? Rohan did you say? That is a glad word. We seek that land in haste from long afar.”
“洛汗？你们刚刚说的是洛汗国吗？这真是太好了，我们从很远的地方赶来，就是要找寻这个国度。”
“You have found it,” said Éomer. “When you crossed the fords yonder you entered it. But it is the realm of Théoden the King. None ride here save by his leave. Who are you? And what is your haste?”
“你们找到了，”伊欧墨说：“在你们越过渡口之后就进了我们的国境，这是骠骑王希优顿的国度。未经他同意，无人可以在骠骑国中奔驰。你是谁？为什么这么仓促？”
Merry breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that this was some last trick of Saruman’s, to waylay the king while he had only a few men about him; but it seemed that there would be no need to die in Théoden’s defence, not yet at any rate. He sheathed his sword.
梅里松了一口气，他本来以为这是萨鲁曼的最后伏兵，趁骠骑王身边兵力薄弱的时候偷袭他。幸好，看来他这次不用为了保卫希优顿而牺牲了，至少暂时是如此，他将宝剑收回剑鞘中。
“And you have found him also!” cried Aragorn. Giving his reins to Merry, he ran forward and embraced the newcomer. “Halbarad!” he said. “Of all joys this is the least expected!”
“你们也找到他了！”亚拉冈大喊道。他把缰绳交给梅里，冲上前去热情地拥抱来客。“贺尔巴拉！”他激动地说：“这真是个意外惊喜！”
“Halbarad Dúnadan, Ranger of the North I am,” cried the man. “We seek one Aragorn son of Arathorn, and we heard that he was in Rohan.”
“贺尔巴拉—登纳丹，北方游侠。”那人大喊道：“我们要找一个叫作亚拉冈的人，听说他在洛汗国。”
“But I did not summon you,” said Aragorn, “save only in wish. My thoughts have often turned to you, and seldom more than tonight; yet I have sent no word. But come! All such matters must wait. You find us riding in haste and danger. Ride with us now, if the king will give his leave.”
“可是，我没有召集你们啊，”亚拉冈说：“或许我在心中想过，我经常想到你们的处境，今夜更是如此。来吧！这些事情都先放到一边去。我们正冒着绝大的危险赶路，如果骠骑王同意，你们可以加入我们一起走。”
“All is well,” said Aragorn, turning back. “Here are some of my own kin from the far land where I dwelt. But why they come, and how many they be, Halbarad shall tell us.”
“太好了！”亚拉冈转回头说：“这是我从远方故乡来的同胞。他们为什么会来此，人数有多少，我想，就交给贺尔巴拉说明了。”
“I have thirty with me,” said Halbarad. “That is all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste; but the brethren Elladan and Elrohir have ridden with us, desiring to go to the war. We rode as swiftly as we might when your summons came.”
“我带了三十个人，”贺尔巴拉说：“匆忙中我们只能集结这么多同胞，但我们的好兄弟伊莱丹和伊罗何也和我们一起赶过来，他们等不及想要打仗哪！我们一接到你的召集令，立刻就披星戴月的赶过来。”
Théoden was indeed glad of the news. “It is well!” he said. “If these kinsmen be in any way like to yourself, my lord Aragorn, thirty such knights will be a strength that cannot be counted by heads.”
希优顿听到这消息确实感到很高兴。“好极了！”他说：“亚拉冈大人，如果你的同胞都和你一样，三十名的骑士就足以力抗千军了！”
Then the Riders set out again, and Aragorn for a while rode with the Dúnedain; and when they had spoken of tidings in the North and in the South, Elrohir said to him:
骠骑们不再拖延，立刻上路，亚拉冈和登丹人一起骑了一阵子。当他们讨论到北方和南方的消息时，伊罗何对他说：
“Always my days have seemed to me too short to achieve my desire,” answered Aragorn. “But great indeed will be my haste ere I take that road.”
“这一阵子我的时间总是不够用，没有一刻能休息，”亚拉冈回答：“但是，局势必须真的很紧迫，我才会走上那条路。”
“That will soon be seen,” said Elrohir. “But let us speak no more of these things upon the open road!”
“我们很快就会知道了，”伊罗何说，“先别在公开场合讨论吧！”
And Aragorn said to Halbarad: “What is that that you bear, kinsman?” For he saw that instead of a spear he bore a tall staff, as it were a standard, but it was close-furled in a black cloth bound about with many thongs.
接着，亚拉冈对贺尔巴拉说：“兄弟，你带的那是什么东西？”他注意到对方没有携带长枪，反而背着一根长棍，似乎是根旗杆，但长棍的尾端却又用黑布包裹，以绳子紧密缠起来。
“I bring word to you from my father: The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead.”
“我从我父处带口信来给你：‘时机紧迫，若汝盼望争取时间，勿忘亡者之道。’”
“It is a gift that I bring you from the Lady of Rivendell,” answered Halbarad. “She wrought it in secret, and long was the making. But she also sends word to you: The days now are short. Either our hope cometh, or all hope’s end. Therefore I send thee what I have made for thee. Fare well, Elfstone!”
“这是我替瑞文戴尔之星辰准备给你的礼物，”贺尔巴拉回答道：“她花了很多时间秘密编织了这东西。她同时也请我带几句口信给你：‘末日将临。如果我们的希望之火熄灭，一切都将陷入黑暗。我将这亲手为你做的东西送给你，再会了，精灵宝石！’”
“There was a battle here three nights ago,” said Gimli, “and here Legolas and I played a game that I won only by a single orc. Come and see how it was! And there are caves, Merry, caves of wonder! Shall we visit them, Legolas, do you think?”
“三天之前的晚上这里有过一场血战，”金雳说，“我和勒苟拉斯在这边打了个小赌，我的斩获只是一颗半兽人脑袋。快过来看看吧！梅里，这里还有很多洞穴，绝美的洞穴！勒苟拉斯，我们要不要去看看？”
And Aragorn said: “Now I know what you bear. Bear it still for me a while!” And he turned and looked away to the North under the great stars, and then he fell silent and spoke no more while the night’s journey lasted.
亚拉冈说：“我知道你背着什么东西了。先暂时替我保管吧！”他转过头，看着北方众多星辰下的大地，在剩下的旅程中都不再开口。
The night was old and the East grey when they rode up at last from Deeping-coomb and came back to the Hornburg. There they were to lie and rest for a brief while and take counsel.
当他们终于来到号角堡时，东方已经泛白。他们在那边休息片刻，同时讨论目前的处境。
Merry slept until he was roused by Legolas and Gimli. “The Sun is high,” said Legolas. “All others are up and doing. Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you may!”
梅里呼呼大睡，直到被勒苟拉斯和金雳叫醒为止。“太阳晒屁股了！”勒苟拉斯说：“其他人都起床了，睡虫先生，赶快起来啦！把握机会欣赏眼前的风景吧！”
“Nay! There is no time,” said the Elf. “Do not spoil the wonder with haste! I have given you my word to return hither with you, if a day of peace and freedom comes again. But it is now near to noon, and at that hour we eat, and then set out again, I hear.”
“不行了！我们没时间啦，”精灵说：“不要在仓促间破坏了它的美丽！我已经答应你，如果世界再度恢复和平与自由，我会和你一起回来。现在已经快中午了，听说到时我们会先用餐，然后就立刻开拔。”
“In a high chamber of the Burg,” said Legolas. “He has neither rested nor slept, I think. He went thither some hours ago, saying that he must take thought, and only his kinsman, Halbarad, went with him; but some dark doubt or care sits on him.”
“在堡顶的房间里，”勒苟拉斯说：“我想他可能没吃也没睡。他大概三小时之前离开，说他必须好好思考一下，只有他的同胞贺尔巴拉和他一起去，看得出来他似乎心事重重。”
“They are a strange company, these newcomers,” said Gimli. “Stout men and lordly they are, and the Riders of Rohan look almost as boys beside them; for they are grim men of face, worn like weathered rocks for the most part, even as Aragorn himself; and they are silent.”
“这些新来的家伙看起来实在奇怪，”金雳说，“他们看起来饱经风霜，却又有种王者之气，洛汗国的骠骑在他们身边像是小孩子一样。他们全都脸色阴沉，看起来像是海边经历大风大浪的岩石一样深不可测，连亚拉冈也是一样，而且他们全都一言不发。”
“But even as Aragorn they are courteous, if they break their silence,” said Legolas. “And have you marked the brethren Elladan and Elrohir? Less sombre is their gear than the others’, and they are fair and gallant as Elven-lords; and that is not to be wondered at in the sons of Elrond of Rivendell.”
“不过，如果他们打破这沉默，应该也和亚拉冈一样英勇，”勒苟拉斯说：“你注意到伊莱丹和伊罗何兄弟吗？他们的行李比较简单，像是精灵贵族一样散发着尊贵的气息。他们都是瑞文戴尔的爱隆亲生的儿子，难怪有这种气派。”
Merry got up and yawned. His few hours’ sleep had not been nearly enough; he was tired and rather dismal. He missed Pippin, and felt that he was only a burden, while everybody was making plans for speed in a business that he did not fully understand. “Where is Aragorn?” he asked.
梅里打着哈欠，爬了起来。几个小时的睡眠实在不够，他觉得心情低落，浑身酸痛。他想念皮聘，觉得自己只是个没用的负担，其他人都在忙着思考要如何加快速度，去处理一件他搞不清楚的事情。“亚拉冈呢？”他问道。
“Why have they come? Have you heard?” asked Merry. He had now dressed, and he flung his grey cloak about his shoulders; and the three passed out together towards the ruined gate of the Burg.
“你打听到他们是从哪里来的吗？”梅里问道。他现在已经穿好衣服，披上灰色的斗篷，三人一起走向号角堡破损的大门。
“They answered a summons, as you heard,” said Gimli. “Word came to Rivendell, they say: Aragorn has need of his kindred. Let the Dúnedain ride to him in Rohan! But whence this message came they are now in doubt. Gandalf sent it, I would guess.”
“就像你听到的一样，他们是来回应召集的，”金雳说。“他们说瑞文戴尔收到了消息：亚拉冈需要同胞的支援，请所有登丹人立刻前往洛汗！但他们现在也不清楚这消息是怎么来的。我猜多半是甘道夫通知的。”
Legolas stood before the gate and turned his bright eyes away north and east, and his fair face was troubled. “I do not think that any would come,” he answered. “They have no need to ride to war; war already marches on their own lands.”
勒苟拉斯站在门前，明亮的双眼转向北方和东方，脸上露出忧虑的表情。“我想他们不会来了，”他回答道：“他们不须要赶来参战，战火已经延烧到我们的家门前了！”
“Nay, Galadriel,” said Legolas. “Did she not speak through Gandalf of the ride of the Grey Company from the North?”
“不，我猜是凯兰崔尔，”勒苟拉斯说，“她不是透过甘道夫告诉我们，北方会有一群灰衣人出现吗？”
“Yes, you have it,” said Gimli. “The Lady of the Wood! She read many hearts and desires. Now why did not we wish for some of our own kinsfolk, Legolas?”
“对了，我想你说的没错，”金雳说。“是森林女皇！她能够理解许多人的内心。勒苟拉斯，我们干脆来设法请同胞前来支援吧？”
For a while the three companions walked together, speaking of this and that turn of the battle, and they went down from the broken gate, and passed the mounds of the fallen on the greensward beside the road, until they stood on Helm’s Dike and looked into the Coomb. The Death Down already stood there, black and tall and stony, and the great trampling and scoring of the grass by the Huorns could be plainly seen. The Dunlendings and many men of the garrison of the Burg were at work on the Dike or in the fields and about the battered walls behind; yet all seemed strangely quiet: a weary valley resting after a great storm. Soon they turned back and went to the midday meal in the hall of the Burg.
三人就这样走着，天南地北地聊，讨论战况的变化。他们穿越了破碎的大门，越过道路两旁的千人冢，最后来到了俯瞰平原的圣盔渠，黑而阴沉的死亡丘矗立在该处，胡恩日前践踏和破坏的痕迹依旧相当清晰。登兰德的俘虏和许多当地的守军有些在渠中、有些在墙后工作；但是，每个人都一反常态地一声不出，这是座在血战之后正在休养生息的山谷。很快的，他们转回头，去堡垒中的大厅准备吃午餐。
The king was already there, and as soon as they entered he called for Merry and had a seat set for him at his side. “It is not as I would have it,” said Théoden; “for this is little like my fair house in Edoras. And your friend is gone, who should also be here. But it may be long ere we sit, you and I, at the high table in Meduseld; there will be no time for feasting when I return thither. But come now! Eat and drink, and let us speak together while we may. And then you shall ride with me.”
骠骑王已经到了，他们一走进去，他就下令替梅里在他身边安排一个位置。“这跟我原来想的不一样，”希优顿说：“这里和我在伊多拉斯的美丽宫殿差远了，而你本来该在这边的朋友也离开了，不过，距离你我能够一起安心坐在皇宫中的时刻恐怕还要很久，在我出征回来前不可能有时间大宴宾客。你先来吧！边吃边说，让我们把握时间聊聊，然后你就跟我骑同一匹马走。”
“May I?” said Merry, surprised and delighted. “That would be splendid!” He had never felt more grateful for any kindness in words. “I am afraid I am only in everybody’s way,” he stammered; “but I should like to do anything I could, you know.”
“我有这个荣幸吗？”梅里又惊又喜地说：“这实在太好了！”他这辈子从来没有这么感动过。“我担心我只是每个人的负担，”他结巴地说：“但您知道的，我愿意尽我所能协助您。”
“I doubt it not,” said the king. “I have had a good hill-pony made ready for you. He will bear you as swift as any horse by the roads that we shall take. For I will ride from the Burg by mountain paths, not by the plain, and so come to Edoras by way of Dunharrow where the Lady Éowyn awaits me. You shall be my esquire, if you will. Is there gear of war in this place, Éomer, that my sword-thain could use?”
“我可不怀疑你的好意，”骠骑王说：“我已经替你特别准备好了一匹小马，在我们的旅途上，它会用不逊于任何骏马的速度载着你前进。我们已经决定要从号角堡走山路前往伊多拉斯，和在登哈洛等待我们的王女伊欧玟会合。如果你愿意的话，可以担任我的随扈。伊欧墨，此地有任何的武装可以让我的贴身侍从使用的吗？”
“Gladly will I take it,” said the king; and laying his long old hands upon the brown hair of the hobbit, he blessed him. “Rise now, Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan of the household of Meduseld!” he said. “Take your sword and bear it unto good fortune!”
“我很荣幸地接受，”骠骑王将苍老的双手放在哈比人的褐发上，对他施以王家的祝福。“骠骑王室的侍从梅里雅达克，平身！”他说：“取回你的宝剑，愿你战无不胜！”
They talked then together as they ate, until presently Éomer spoke. “It is near the hour that we set for our going, lord,” he said. “Shall I bid men sound the horns? But where is Aragorn? His place is empty and he has not eaten.”
他们边吃边聊天，伊欧墨不久之后才打断这温馨的场面。“王上，我们出发的时间快到了，”他说：“我可以命令手下吹响号角了吗？可是，亚拉冈呢？他的座位一直是空的，他也没有和我们一起用餐。”
“I have a sword,” said Merry, climbing from his seat, and drawing from its black sheath his small bright blade. Filled suddenly with love for this old man, he knelt on one knee, and took his hand and kissed it. “May I lay the sword of Meriadoc of the Shire on your lap, Théoden King?” he cried. “Receive my service, if you will!”
“我自己有柄宝剑，”梅里从位子上跳下来，将锐利的短剑从黑色的剑鞘中抽出。他对眼前的老人不禁升起了无比的敬爱之情，于是单膝跪下，虔诚的亲吻对方的手。“希优顿王，夏尔的梅里雅达克愿将它置于您的膝上，您能够恩准吗？”他大喊道：“请接受我的效忠！”
“There are no great weapon-hoards here, lord,” answered Éomer. “Maybe a light helm might be found to fit him; but we have no mail or sword for one of his stature.”
“王上，这里的武器库并不完备，”伊欧墨回答道：“或许我们可以找到一顶轻装头盔给他，但恐怕没有适合他体型的刀剑和盔甲。”
“For a little while,” said Théoden.
“至少暂时如此，”希优顿回答。
“As a father you shall be to me,” said Merry.
“我将视您如父，”梅里说。
“We will make ready to ride,” said Théoden; “but let word be sent to the Lord Aragorn that the hour is nigh.”
“我们立刻准备出发，”希优顿说：“派人通知亚拉冈大人，让他知道开拔的时候快到了。”
A little apart the Rangers sat, silent, in an ordered company, armed with spear and bow and sword. They were clad in cloaks of dark grey, and their hoods were cast now over helm and head. Their horses were strong and of proud bearing, but rough-haired; and one stood there without a rider, Aragorn’s own horse that they had brought from the North; Roheryn was his name. There was no gleam of stone or gold, nor any fair thing in all their gear and harness; nor did their riders bear any badge or token, save only that each cloak was pinned upon the left shoulder by a brooch of silver shaped like a rayed star.
游侠们井然有序，沉默地坐在离其他人一段距离的空地上，每个人都佩戴宝剑、长枪和弓箭，他们披着暗灰色斗篷，兜帽遮住了他们的面孔和头盔。他们的座骑全都精神抖擞、抬头挺胸，但毛发却没有整理，十分杂乱。有一匹骏马暂时还没有骑士，那是他们从北方千里迢迢带来的亚拉冈座骑，它的名字叫作洛赫林。游侠们的装备没有任何闪闪发光的宝石或是黄金，甚至可说是平淡无奇，身上也没有任何的徽章或是印记，唯一的例外，是每个人的斗篷都用一枚星形的银色领针别在左胸。
The king with his guard and Merry at his side passed down from the gate of the Burg to where the Riders were assembling on the green. Many were already mounted. It would be a great company; for the king was leaving only a small garrison in the Burg, and all who could be spared were riding to the weapontake at Edoras. A thousand spears had indeed already ridden away at night; but still there would be some five hundred more to go with the king, for the most part men from the fields and dales of Westfold.
骠骑王带着梅里以及贴身护卫走到号角堡的门口，骠骑们正在翠绿的平原上集结，许多战士已经上马了。这将会是个庞大的队伍，骠骑王只留下极少部分守军看守号角堡，其余所有的兵力全都前往伊多拉斯。昨晚已经有一千名枪兵连夜策马赶去，但这时还有五百名左右的骠骑准备和国王一起出发，他们大部分都是西谷一带的战士。
“I am troubled in mind, lord,” he said, standing by the king’s horse. “I have heard strange words, and I see new perils far off. I have laboured long in thought, and now I fear that I must change my purpose. Tell me, Théoden, you ride now to Dunharrow, how long will it be ere you come there?”
“王上，我觉得十分担忧，”他站在骠骑王的骏马旁说道：“我听说了一些诡异的消息，发现在远方出现了新的危机。我苦思许久，恐怕此刻我必须要改变目标了。希优顿，告诉我，你们现在赶往登哈洛大概需要多少时间？”
The king mounted his horse, Snowmane, and Merry sat beside him on his pony: Stybba was his name. Presently Éomer came out from the gate, and with him was Aragorn, and Halbarad bearing the great staff close-furled in black, and two tall men, neither young nor old. So much alike were they, the sons of Elrond, that few could tell them apart: dark-haired, grey-eyed, and their faces elven-fair, clad alike in bright mail beneath cloaks of silver-grey. Behind them walked Legolas and Gimli. But Merry had eyes only for Aragorn, so startling was the change that he saw in him, as if in one night many years had fallen on his head. Grim was his face, grey-hued and weary.
骠骑王登上座骑雪鬃，梅里坐在小马史戴巴上，在一旁等候。伊欧墨从门内走出，亚拉冈在他身边，贺尔巴拉距离两人一步之遥，依旧扛着那根绑着黑布的长杆，身后则是两名无法分辨年纪的高大男子。他们正是爱隆的儿子，几乎没有任何人可以分辨他们之间的不同。他们都是黑发灰眸，拥有精灵般俊美的脸孔，银灰色的斗篷下穿着闪亮的练甲，金雳和勒苟拉斯紧跟在身后。梅里的眼光无法从亚拉冈的身上移开，他彷佛一夜之间经历了十年的岁月，他的神情凝重，面色灰败，彷佛十分的疲倦。
“It is now a full hour past noon,” said Éomer. “Before the night of the third day from now we should come to the Hold. The Moon will then be two nights past his full, and the muster that the king commanded will be held the day after. More speed we cannot make, if the strength of Rohan is to be gathered.”
“现在大约是正午之后一小时，”伊欧墨说：“我们在三天之后的傍晚就应该可以抵达，那时大概是月圆之后一天，骠骑王下令全军集结的时间是在那之后一天。如果我们想要集结洛汗的所有兵力，时间不能再提早了。”
“The Paths of the Dead!” said Théoden, and trembled. “Why do you speak of them?” Éomer turned and gazed at Aragorn, and it seemed to Merry that the faces of the Riders that sat within hearing turned pale at the words. “If there be in truth such paths,” said Théoden, “their gate is in Dunharrow; but no living man may pass it.”
“亡者之道！”希优顿打了个寒颤。“你为什么会提到这地方？”伊欧墨转过头瞪着亚拉冈，梅里注意到，所有在一旁听见这几个字的骠骑，脸色似乎都变得十分苍白。“如果真的有这条路，”希优顿说：“它的入口应该是在登哈洛，但没有任何活人可以通过那个地方。”
“Alas! Aragorn my friend!” said Éomer. “I had hoped that we should ride to war together; but if you seek the Paths of the Dead, then our parting is come, and it is little likely that we shall ever meet again under the Sun.”
“真可惜！吾友亚拉冈！”伊欧墨说，“我本来希望我们可以一起在战场上驰骋；可是，如果你所寻找的是亡者之道，那我们就必须分别了，而且，恐怕永无机会在阳间会面了。”
Aragorn was silent for a moment. “Three days,” he murmured, “and the muster of Rohan will only be begun. But I see that it cannot now be hastened.” He looked up, and it seemed that he had made some decision; his face was less troubled. “Then, by your leave, lord, I must take new counsel for myself and my kindred. We must ride our own road, and no longer in secret. For me the time of stealth has passed. I will ride east by the swiftest way, and I will take the Paths of the Dead.”
亚拉冈沉默了片刻。“三天，”他喃喃道：“那时洛汗的兵力才开始集结。我了解这是急不得的…”他抬起头，看来已经下定了决心，表情不再显得那么犹疑不定。“那么，王上，请您见谅，我和同胞们必须采取不同的策略了，我们必须踏上自己的道路，不再隐藏行踪。对我来说，低调隐匿的时刻已经结束了，我们会以最短的路往东疾行，而我准备前往亡者之道。”
“Farewell, lord!” said Aragorn. “Ride unto great renown! Farewell, Merry! I leave you in good hands, better than we hoped when we hunted the orcs to Fangorn. Legolas and Gimli will still hunt with me, I hope; but we shall not forget you.”
“王上，再会！”亚拉冈说：“骑向您的胜利！梅里，再会！这比我们追猎半兽人时希望的下场好多了，他们会好好照顾你的。勒苟拉斯和金雳会和我同行，但我们不会忘记你的。”
“Good-bye!” said Merry. He could find no more to say. He felt very small, and he was puzzled and depressed by all these gloomy words. More than ever he missed the unquenchable cheerfulness of Pippin. The Riders were ready, and their horses were fidgeting; he wished they would start and get it over.
“再会！”梅里说。他找不出其他的话好说，他觉得自己非常渺小，对方阴郁的话语更让他一头雾水，觉得心情莫名的沉重。这时他比任何时刻都更怀念皮聘永远乐天、不知死活的态度。骠骑们已经准备好了，马匹不安地跃动；他希望大家赶快开始，把一切做个结束。
“You will do as you will, my lord Aragorn,” said Théoden. “It is your doom, maybe, to tread strange paths that others dare not. This parting grieves me, and my strength is lessened by it; but now I must take the mountain-roads and delay no longer. Farewell!”
“亚拉冈大人，这是你的选择，”希优顿说：“或许，踏上他人不敢前往的地方，就是你自己选择的末日。这样的分离让我觉得非常遗憾，我的战力也会因为你们离去而大幅削减；但是，我不能够再拖延，我们必须马上向山径出发！再会了！”
“That road I will take, nonetheless,” said Aragorn. “But I say to you, Éomer, that in battle we may yet meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor should stand between.”
“无论如何，我都必须走那条路，”亚拉冈说：“不过，伊欧墨，请记住我的话：即使魔多的千军万马阻挡我们，我们也必定会在战场上会面的。”
Now Théoden spoke to Éomer, and he lifted up his hand and cried aloud, and with that word the Riders set forth. They rode over the Dike and down the Coomb, and then, turning swiftly eastwards, they took a path that skirted the foothills for a mile or so, until bending south it passed back among the hills and disappeared from view. Aragorn rode to the Dike and watched till the king’s men were far down the Coomb. Then he turned to Halbarad.
希优顿对伊欧墨说了几个字，元帅举起手大喊一声，骠骑们同时间一起进发，构成十分壮观的景象。他们通过圣盔渠，越过山谷，往东一转踏上沿着山脚蜿蜒一哩左右的小径；然后往南转进山中，消失在众人的目光中。亚拉冈骑向圣盔渠，看着骠骑王的部属全都进入山谷，然后转过身对贺尔巴拉说道：
Together they went back into the Burg; yet for some time Aragorn sat silent at the table in the hall, and the others waited for him to speak. “Come!” said Legolas at last. “Speak and be comforted, and shake off the shadow! What has happened since we came back to this grim place in the grey morning?”
三人一起走回号角堡，亚拉冈在大厅中依然沉默了好一段时间，其他人等着他开口。“说吧！”勒苟拉斯说终于忍不住了：“说出来会好一点，可以让你摆脱心中的阴影！从我们清晨来到这里之后，到底发生了什么事情？”
“A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk,” said Halbarad. “Little do they know of our long labour for the safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not.”
“夏尔的人们身材虽小，却扮演十分重要的角色，”贺尔巴拉说：“他们不知道我们为了捍卫他们的安全付出了多少代价，但我并不感到后悔。”
“There go three that I love, and the smallest not the least,” he said. “He knows not to what end he rides; yet if he knew, he still would go on.”
“三名我关心的人离开了，身体最小的那个是我最关心的人，”他说：“他不明白自己正骑向什么样的结局；但，即使他知道，他还是会坚持向前的。”
“And now our fates are woven together,” said Aragorn. “And yet, alas! here we must part. Well, I must eat a little, and then we also must hasten away. Come, Legolas and Gimli! I must speak with you as I eat.”
“我们的命运现在也跟着交织在一起，”亚拉冈说：“未来也是一样！唉！我们必须在这里暂时分离。好啦，我必须先吃点东西，然后也和他们一样快马加鞭离开。来吧，勒苟拉斯和金雳！我吃饭的时候有些话要和你们说。”
“You have looked in that accursed stone of wizardry!” exclaimed Gimli with fear and astonishment in his face. “Did you say aught to — him? Even Gandalf feared that encounter.”
“你竟然使用了那个被诅咒的巫术之石！”金雳惊讶地大呼小叫，脸上露出担心的表情。“你把所有事情都告诉──他了吗？甘道夫说过千万不能这么做的！”
“A struggle somewhat grimmer for my part than the battle of the Hornburg,” answered Aragorn. “I have looked in the Stone of Orthanc, my friends.”
“比我们在号角堡所经历的恶战，还要艰苦的奋斗，”亚拉冈回答：“两位好友，我使用了欧散克的真知晶石。”
“You forget to whom you speak,” said Aragorn sternly, and his eyes glinted. “What do you fear that I should say to him? Did I not openly proclaim my title before the doors of Edoras? Nay, Gimli,” he said in a softer voice, and the grimness left his face, and he looked like one who has laboured in sleepless pain for many nights. “Nay, my friends, I am the lawful master of the Stone, and I had both the right and the strength to use it, or so I judged. The right cannot be doubted. The strength was enough — barely.”
“你忘记你面前的人是谁了，”亚拉冈声色俱厉地说，他的眼中闪动着光芒。“我在伊多拉斯的子民之前，不是已经揭露了我的真实身份吗？不，金雳，”他用比较柔和的声音说，脸上的表情也变得轻松了些，他看起来像是许多天辛苦工作没睡的人，“不，朋友们，我是晶石名正言顺的主人，我本来就拥有使用它的资格和实力，至少我是这样认为的，没有人可以质疑我的资格。至于实力，我也并不缺少，至少勉强足够。”
He drew a deep breath. “It was a bitter struggle, and the weariness is slow to pass. I spoke no word to him, and in the end I wrenched the Stone to my own will. That alone he will find hard to endure. And he beheld me. Yes, Master Gimli, he saw me, but in other guise than you see me here. If that will aid him, then I have done ill. But I do not think so. To know that I lived and walked the earth was a blow to his heart, I deem; for he knew it not till now. The eyes in Orthanc did not see through the armour of Théoden; but Sauron has not forgotten Isildur and the sword of Elendil. Now in the very hour of his great designs the heir of Isildur and the Sword are revealed; for I showed the blade re-forged to him. He is not so mighty yet that he is above fear; nay, doubt ever gnaws him.”
他深吸一口气。“那是场艰难的挣扎，疲倦的身心很难这么快就恢复。我和他没有交谈，最后还将晶石的使用权夺了回来，光是这样就让他难以忍受了，而且，他也发现我了。是的，金雳先生，他看见我了，但并非是我展现在你们面前的形貌，如果这对他有帮助，那么我算是做错了。但我并不这么认为，光是知道我还活着，在这世间对抗他，我认为对他来说就是很沉重的打击了，因为，在此之前他并不知道这件事。欧散克之眼看不穿希优顿的盔甲，但索伦则无法忘怀埃西铎和圣剑安都瑞尔。就在他苦心擘画，准备发动最后攻势的这一刻，埃西铎的后裔和圣剑出现在他眼前，我刻意让他看见了重铸的圣剑。他还没有强大到足以摆脱恐惧的威胁，不，他现在会寝食难安！”
“Then lost it must be,” said Gimli. “For what help is there to send thither, and how could it come there in time?”
“那这就是它的命运了，”金雳说：“我们哪里还有多余的力量，又哪有可能即时抵达呢？”
“But he wields great dominion, nonetheless,” said Gimli; “and now he will strike more swiftly.”
“但他还是拥有无比的势力，”金雳说，“现在他下手会更不留情，不会再有任何迟疑。”
“The hasty stroke goes oft astray,” said Aragorn. “We must press our Enemy, and no longer wait upon him for the move. See my friends, when I had mastered the Stone, I learned many things. A grave peril I saw coming unlooked-for upon Gondor from the South that will draw off great strength from the defence of Minas Tirith. If it is not countered swiftly, I deem that the City will be lost ere ten days be gone.”
“忙中必定会出错，”亚拉冈说：“我们必须对魔王施压，不再被动的等待他出击。两位，当我掌控了晶石之后，我知道了很多情报。我发现敌人在刚铎南方发动了强大的攻势，这将会拖住米那斯提力斯大部分的援军，如果不赶快对付这场攻势，我估计主城将会在十天以内陷落。”
“The Paths of the Dead!” said Gimli. “It is a fell name; and little to the liking to the Men of Rohan, as I saw. Can the living use such a road and not perish? And even if you pass that way, what will so few avail to counter the strokes of Mordor?”
“亡者之道！”金雳说，“这是个被诅咒的名字，我看得出来洛汗的人民也不喜欢这名字。活人能够踏上这条道路，安全离开吗？即使你通过了这条路，仅仅数十人又要如何击退魔多的大军？”
“I have no help to send, therefore I must go myself,” said Aragorn. “But there is only one way through the mountains that will bring me to the coastlands before all is lost. That is the Paths of the Dead.”
“我派不出任何援军，因此我必须亲自前往，”亚拉冈说：“但是，只有一条路可以穿越这些山脉，让我在一切无法挽回前即时抵达海岸，那就是亡者之道。”
“And what may be the words of the seer?” said Legolas.
“先知是怎么说的？”勒苟拉斯说。
The heir of him to whom the oath they swore.
是他们立誓效忠者的子嗣。
“Thus spoke Malbeth the Seer, in the days of Arvedui, last king at Fornost,” said Aragorn:
“在佛诺斯特的最后一任国王，亚帆都任内，先知马尔贝斯是这么说的──”亚拉冈说：
doom approaches. The Dead awaken;
末日迫近。亡者苏醒；
“The living have never used that road since the coming of the Rohirrim,” said Aragorn, “for it is closed to them. But in this dark hour the heir of Isildur may use it, if he dare. Listen! This is the word that the sons of Elrond bring to me from their father in Rivendell, wisest in lore: Bid Aragorn remember the words of the seer, and the Paths of the Dead.”
“自从骠骑们来到这块土地之后，就再也没有活人用过这条道路了，”亚拉冈说：“因为对他们来说，这是条封印的道路。但是，在这黑暗的时刻，埃西铎的子嗣只要有勇气，就可以使用它。听我说！这是爱隆之子带给我的口信，它出自于天下最博学的爱隆之口：“请亚拉冈记得先知的预言，以及亡者之道。”
westward reaching wings of darkness.
黑暗之翼展向西方。
The Tower trembles; to the tombs of kings
高塔颤动，王之陵寝
at the Stone of Erech they shall stand again
在伊瑞奇之石，众将再起
from the grey twilight, the forgotten people?
离开灰朦，被遗忘之民啊！
for the hour is come for the oathbreakers:
毁诺者的时刻将临。
Whose shall the horn be? Who shall call them
是谁吹响号角？谁将召唤他们
and hear there a horn in the hills ringing.
聆听山中的号角回汤
From the North shall he come, need shall drive him:
他将自北方而来，危机迫切：
Over the land there lies a long shadow,
大地被暗影笼罩，
he shall pass the Door to the Paths of the Dead.
他将进入亡者之道的大门。
“I will go with you even on the Paths of the Dead, and to whatever end they may lead,” said Gimli.
“我愿意和你一起踏上亡者之道，前往任何它通往的地方，”金雳说。
“Dark ways, doubtless,” said Gimli, “but no darker than these staves are to me.”
“毫无疑问的，这是条黑暗的道路，”金雳说：“但在我眼中，这预言更为黑暗。”
“I also will come,” said Legolas, “for I do not fear the Dead.”
“我也愿意！”勒苟拉斯说：“我并不害怕亡者。”
“If you would understand them better, then I bid you come with me,” said Aragorn; “for that way I now shall take. But I do not go gladly; only need drives me. Therefore, only of your free will would I have you come, for you will find both toil and great fear, and maybe worse.”
“如果你想要更了解这个预言，请你和我一起来，”亚拉冈说：“因为这就是我准备踏上的道路。但我并非是心甘情愿的，这只因危机迫切，别无选择。因此，你们也必须是自愿的才行；在这条道路上将会遭遇到恐惧和挑战，甚至是更糟糕的事情。”
“I hope that the forgotten people will not have forgotten how to fight,” said Gimli; “for otherwise I see not why we should trouble them.”
“我希望被遗忘之民没有忘记如何战斗，”金雳说：“否则我就很难明白为什么要去打搅他们。”
“That we shall know if ever we come to Erech,” said Aragorn. “But the oath that they broke was to fight against Sauron, and they must fight therefore, if they are to fulfil it. For at Erech there stands yet a black stone that was brought, it was said, from Númenor by Isildur; and it was set upon a hill, and upon it the King of the Mountains swore allegiance to him in the beginning of the realm of Gondor. But when Sauron returned and grew in might again, Isildur summoned the Men of the Mountains to fulfil their oath, and they would not: for they had worshipped Sauron in the Dark Years.”
“如果我们能赶到伊瑞奇，应该就可以明白了，”亚拉冈说：“他们所立下的誓言是对抗索伦，如果他们不背弃誓言，他们就必须要作战才行。因为，在伊瑞奇置放着一座黑色巨岩，据说那是埃西铎从努曼诺尔带来中土大陆的，它被安放在一座山丘上。山中之王在刚铎创建时于该处向他宣誓效忠，可是，当索伦再起，邪恶蔓延时，埃西铎依照承诺召唤山中的子民，但他们却拒绝了，因为在那黑暗的年代中，他们反而开始敬拜索伦。”
“Then Isildur said to their king: ‘Thou shalt be the last king. And if the West prove mightier than thy Black Master, this curse I lay upon thee and thy folk: to rest never until your oath is fulfilled. For this war will last through years uncounted, and you shall be summoned once again ere the end.’ And they fled before the wrath of Isildur, and did not dare to go forth to war on Sauron’s part; and they hid themselves in secret places in the mountains and had no dealings with other men, but slowly dwindled in the barren hills. And the terror of the Sleepless Dead lies about the Hill of Erech and all places where that people lingered. But that way I must go, since there are none living to help me.”
“埃西铎对他们的国王说：‘汝将为最后一王，若西方胜过闇王，吾将此诅咒赐与汝等：若不履诺，汝等将永无安息之日。战火将蔓延无数岁月，在终曲之前，汝等将再度接受召唤。’他们在埃西铎的怒火前逃窜，不敢为索伦作战；他们躲在山中，自此与世隔绝，在荒凉的山中人数也渐渐变少。不过，在伊瑞奇以及其他这些人们居住的地方，无法安息的亡者依旧四处游荡。由于没有任何的活物可以伸出援手，我只能朝这个方向前进。”
Legolas and Gimli made no answer, but they rose and followed Aragorn from the hall. On the green there waited, still and silent, the hooded Rangers. Legolas and Gimli mounted. Aragorn sprang upon Roheryn. Then Halbarad lifted a great horn, and the blast of it echoed in Helm’s Deep: and with that they leapt away, riding down the Coomb like thunder, while all the men that were left on Dike or Burg stared in amaze.
勒苟拉斯和金雳没有回答，只是跟着亚拉冈一起离开大厅，沉默的游侠们依旧戴着兜帽等待着。勒苟拉斯和金雳一起上马，亚拉冈跳上洛赫林，哈尔巴拉拿出巨大的号角，雄浑的号角声在圣盔谷中回汤着；众人立刻如同奔雷一般越过谷地，留守的部队则是敬畏地看着他们的身影。
He stood up. “Come!” he cried, and drew his sword, and it flashed in the twilit hall of the Burg. “To the Stone of Erech! I seek the Paths of the Dead. Come with me who will!”
他站了起来。“来吧！”亚拉冈拔出宝剑大喊，剑刃在号角堡的晨光中闪动着冷冽的剑芒。“前往伊瑞奇之石！我准备踏上亡者之道，愿意的跟我来！”
But at last she said: “Lords, you are weary and shall now go to your beds with such ease as can be contrived in haste. But tomorrow fairer housing shall be found for you.”
最后，她说：“诸位大人们，你们都已经累了，请先到我仓促中为诸位准备的地方休息。明天我们将会替你们安排更豪华的地方。”
The Lady Éowyn greeted them and was glad of their coming; for no mightier men had she seen than the Dúnedain and the fair sons of Elrond; but on Aragorn most of all her eyes rested. And when they sat at supper with her, they talked together, and she heard of all that had passed since Théoden rode away, concerning which only hasty tidings had yet reached her; and when she heard of the battle in Helm’s Deep and the great slaughter of their foes, and of the charge of Théoden and his knights, then her eyes shone.
王女伊欧玟亲自迎接，很高兴见到他们，因为她从来没有见过像是登丹人和爱隆之子这么威猛的战士，但在众人之中，她的目光还是停留在亚拉冈的身上。当众人和她一起用餐的时候，她从这些人口中听到了希优顿御驾亲征之后所发生的事情；在此之前，她所知道的仅有极少数的片段。当她听见圣盔谷的大胜、敌人的惨败和希优顿与骑士的冲锋时，她的眼中闪起了光芒。
But Aragorn said: “Nay, lady, be not troubled for us! If we may lie here tonight and break our fast tomorrow, it will be enough. For I ride on an errand most urgent, and with the first light of morning we must go.”
但是，亚拉冈回答：“不，王女，不用替我们操心！我们只要能够在这边躺一晚，明天早上用餐就够了。我们的任务不能有丝毫拖延，明天天一亮就必须立刻出发。”
And while Théoden went by slow paths in the hills, the Grey Company passed swiftly over the plain, and on the next day in the afternoon they came to Edoras; and there they halted only briefly, ere they passed up the valley, and so came to Dunharrow as darkness fell.
在希优顿从山脉间的小道缓慢前进时，灰衣部队则是在平原上日夜不休地急驰。第二天中午他们就抵达了伊多拉斯，在进入山谷前于该处暂停了片刻，天黑的时候正好抵达登哈洛。
“Nay, lady,” said he, “I am not astray; for I walked in this land ere you were born to grace it. There is a road out of this valley, and that road I shall take. Tomorrow I shall ride by the Paths of the Dead.”
“不，王女，”他回答说：“我并没有走错路，在你美丽的容颜照耀此地之前，我就已经来过这里。有一条路可以离开这座山谷，我要走的就是那条路，明天我准备进入亡者之道。”
She smiled on him and said: “Then it was kindly done, lord, to ride so many miles out of your way to bring tidings to Éowyn, and to speak with her in her exile.”
她对他露出迷人的微笑，说道：“大人，您真好心，愿意不远千里赶来此地，将消息告诉伊欧玟，让她知道外界所发生的事情。”
And she answered as one that likes not what is said: “Then, lord, you are astray; for out of Harrowdale no road runs east or south; and you had best return as you came.”
从她的回答中听来，她似乎被触怒了。“那么，大人，您走错路了；哈洛谷没有任何往东或是往南的路，看来您必须回头了。”
Then she stared at him as one that is stricken, and her face blanched, and for long she spoke no more, while all sat silent. “But, Aragorn,” she said at last, “is it then your errand to seek death? For that is all that you will find on that road. They do not suffer the living to pass.”
她回看他的眼光似乎受到极大的打击，双颊泛着红晖，有很长一段时间说不出话来。“可是，亚拉冈，”她最后终于说：“难道你的任务是去送死吗？你在那条路上只会遇到死亡。它们不会愿意让生人通过的！”
“Indeed no man would count such a journey wasted,” said Aragorn; “and yet, lady, I could not have come hither, if it were not that the road which I must take leads me to Dunharrow.”
“的确，没有人会认为我们的努力是徒劳无功的，”亚拉冈说：“不过，王女，如果不是因为我们未来的道路，我们也无法抽空前来登哈洛。”
“They may suffer me to pass,” said Aragorn; “but at the least I will adventure it. No other road will serve.”
“或许它们愿意让我通过，”亚拉冈说：“至少我得冒这个险，其他的路都不行。”
“It is not madness, lady,” he answered; “for I go on a path appointed. But those who follow me do so of their free will; and if they wish now to remain and ride with the Rohirrim, they may do so. But I shall take the Paths of the Dead, alone, if needs be.”
“王女，这并非是疯狂的行为，”他回答道：“我踏上的是预言中的道路，跟随我的人们都是自愿的，如果他们希望留下来和骠骑一起进军，我不会阻止他们。但就算单枪匹马，我也必须要踏上亡者之道。”
“But this is madness,” she said. “For here are men of renown and prowess, whom you should not take into the shadows, but should lead to war, where men are needed. I beg you to remain and ride with my brother; for then all our hearts will be gladdened, and our hope be the brighter.”
“这太疯狂了，”她说：“跟在你身边的都是骁勇善战、以一当百的勇士，你不该带他们沦入黑暗之中，应该指挥他们踏上战场，支援我们人力最薄弱的防线。我请求你留下来，和我的兄长一起策马；如此一来，我们的希望才会更加光明，斗志才会更加昂扬。”
But as Aragorn came to the booth where he was to lodge with Legolas and Gimli, and his companions had gone in, there came the Lady Éowyn after him and called to him. He turned and saw her as a glimmer in the night, for she was clad in white; but her eyes were on fire.
当亚拉冈和勒苟拉斯及金雳来到房门口，在两名同伴先走进去之后，王女伊欧玟叫住了他。他转过身去，看见她像是夜色中的一道闪光；她穿着白衣，眼中彷佛有着火焰。
Then they said no more, and they ate in silence; but her eyes were ever upon Aragorn, and the others saw that she was in great torment of mind. At length they arose, and took their leave of the Lady, and thanked her for her care, and went to their rest.
他们的讨论就这样结束了，一群人沉默地用餐；但她的双眼一直在亚拉冈的身上游移，其他人注意到她内心似乎陷入无比的挣扎。最后，众人站了起来，向王女告退，感谢她的照顾，准备把握机会好好休息。
“Your duty is with your people,” he answered.
“你的责任是照顾你的子民。”他回答道。
“Because I must,” he said. “Only so can I see any hope of doing my part in the war against Sauron. I do not choose paths of peril, Éowyn. Were I to go where my heart dwells, far in the North I would now be wandering in the fair valley of Rivendell.”
“因为我别无选择，”他说：“只有这样做，我才能够在对抗索伦的战斗中，扮演好自己的角色。伊欧玟，我并非刻意选择危险的道路，如果我能够随心所欲，那么我早就回到北方美丽的瑞文戴尔。”
“Too often have I heard of duty,” she cried. “But am I not of the House of Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse? I have waited on faltering feet long enough. Since they falter no longer, it seems, may I not now spend my life as I will?”
“不要再说什么责任了！”她大喊道：“难道我不是伊欧的子嗣？我是个女战士，不是奶妈或佣人！我受够了只能置身事外，苦苦等待。我已经下定了决心，为什么不能照着自己希望的生活？”
“Few may do that with honour,” he answered. “But as for you, lady: did you not accept the charge to govern the people until their lord’s return? If you had not been chosen, then some marshal or captain would have been set in the same place, and he could not ride away from his charge, were he weary of it or no.”
“很少人能够因此获得荣耀，”他回答。“至于你，王女，你不是同意在国王回来之前管理这些人民吗？如果不是你挺身而出，那么就会是其他的元帅或将军替代你的职务。不管他愿不愿意，他都不能够驰骋在沙场上。”
“Aragorn,” she said, “why will you go on this deadly road?”
“亚拉冈，”她说：“你为什么选择这死亡的道路？”
For a while she was silent, as if pondering what this might mean. Then suddenly she laid her hand on his arm. “You are a stern lord and resolute,” she said; “and thus do men win renown.” She paused. “Lord,” she said, “if you must go, then let me ride in your following. For I am weary of skulking in the hills, and wish to face peril and battle.”
她沉默了片刻，似乎在思索着这句话的意义。然后，她突然将手放到他的肩头。“你是个意志坚定、不苟言笑的君王，”她说：“这样的人才会争取到荣誉。”她暂停片刻，“大人，”她说：“如果你坚持要走，请让我跟随你；我已经厌倦了在山中躲躲藏藏，一心想要光明正大的和敌人决战。”
“What do you fear, lady?” he asked.
“你害怕什么，王女？”他问道。
“A time may come soon,” said he, “when none will return. Then there will be need of valour without renown, for none shall remember the deeds that are done in the last defence of your homes. Yet the deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”
“这次很有可能，”他说：“再也不会有人生还。他们的荣耀将会无人传颂，因为再也没人会记得为了保卫你们家园所付出的牺牲。但是，任何工作都不会因为无人赞美而损及其重要性。”
“Shall I always be chosen?” she said bitterly. “Shall I always be left behind when the Riders depart, to mind the house while they win renown, and find food and beds when they return?”
“为什么总是我必须挺身而出？”她不情愿地说：“当骠骑出征的时候，为什么总是我必须处理家务，等待他们赢得荣耀，回来之后又必须照料他们的生活？”
And she answered: “All your words are but to say: you are a woman, and your part is in the house. But when the men have died in battle and honour, you have leave to be burned in the house, for the men will need it no more. But I am of the House of Eorl and not a serving-woman. I can ride and wield blade, and I do not fear either pain or death.”
她回答道：“你说了这么多，话中的含意只不过在强调：你是个女人，就应该待在家里。当男人们战死沙场的时候，你就必须留在屋内被活活烧死，因为男人们已经不需要你了。我是伊欧王室的成员，不是什么女仆。我能骑善战，不畏惧死亡和痛苦。”
“A cage,” she said. “To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire.”
“我害怕的是牢笼，”她说：“害怕经年累月被关在牢笼中，直到最后垂垂老去，害怕习惯这种被禁锢的生活，再也不想要开创丰功伟业，也不再有任何的体力冲锋陷阵。”
“And yet you counselled me not to adventure on the road that I had chosen, because it is perilous?”
“但你竟然建议我不要踏上我所选择的道路，只因为上面充满了危险？”
“So may one counsel another,” she said. “Yet I do not bid you flee from peril, but to ride to battle where your sword may win renown and victory. I would not see a thing that is high and excellent cast away needlessly.”
“我当然可以这样建议别人，”她说：“但我并没有建议你逃避危险，而是希望你能够挑选刀剑和勇气能够获得战功的地方，我不愿意见到人们平白无故放弃生命。”
“Neither have those others who go with thee. They go only because they would not be parted from thee — because they love thee.” Then she turned and vanished into the night.
“和你一起前往的人也是一样，他们只是因为敬爱你、不愿意和你分开，才愿意和你同往。”然后，她就消失在夜色之中。
When the light of day was come into the sky but the sun was not yet risen above the high ridges in the East, Aragorn made ready to depart. His company was all mounted, and he was about to leap into the saddle, when the Lady Éowyn came to bid them farewell. She was clad as a Rider and girt with a sword. In her hand she bore a cup, and she set it to her lips and drank a little, wishing them good speed; and then she gave the cup to Aragorn, and he drank, and he said: “Farewell, Lady of Rohan! I drink to the fortunes of your House, and of you, and of all your people. Say to your brother: beyond the shadows we may meet again!”
天色渐亮，但太阳尚未从东方山间跃出，亚拉冈就已经做好了出发的准备。他的同伴全都已经上马，正当他也准备翻身上马时，王女伊欧玟前来道别。她穿着如同骠骑的装饰，腰间佩戴着长剑。她手中拿着一个酒杯，喝了少许，祝他们一路顺风，然后她将杯子递给亚拉冈；他仰头一饮而尽，说道：“再会，洛汗之女！我祝你王室绵延不绝，愿你和你的子民都幸福快乐。对你的兄长说：我们会在黑暗之后再相聚的！”
“Nor would I,” he said. “Therefore I say to you, lady: Stay! For you have no errand to the South.”
“我也一样，”他说：“因此，王女，我必须对你说：留下来！南方没有你挥洒的空间。”
Then it seemed to Gimli and Legolas who were nearby that she wept, and in one so stern and proud that seemed the more grievous. But she said: “Aragorn, wilt thou go?”
最靠近她的金雳和勒苟拉斯，发现她似乎流下了眼泪，在一张如此坚强、自傲的面孔衬托下，它显得更是无比沉重。她开口问道：“亚拉冈，你还是决定要去吗？”
“I will not, lady,” he said. “For that I could not grant without leave of the king and of your brother; and they will not return until tomorrow. But I count now every hour, indeed every minute. Farewell!”
“不，王女，”他说：“在获得骠骑王和你兄长的恩准前，我不能够同意，而他们要到明天才会回来。我必须把握每一分每一秒的时间，再会了！”
“Then wilt thou not let me ride with this company, as I have asked?”
“你还是不愿同意我的请求，让我和你一起去吗？”
But Éowyn stood still as a figure carven in stone, her hands clenched at her sides, and she watched them until they passed into the shadows under the black Dwimorberg, the Haunted Mountain, in which was the Door of the Dead. When they were lost to view, she turned, stumbling as one that is blind, and went back to her lodging. But none of her folk saw this parting, for they hid themselves in fear and would not come forth until the day was up, and the reckless strangers were gone.
伊欧玟如同石雕一般，双手握拳动也不动地站在那边，她看着他们的身影，直到众人都消失在丁默山，亦即亡灵之山的阴影中，那儿也正是亡者之门座落之处。接着，她转过身，如同瞎子一般地蹒跚而行，脚步踉跄回到屋中。她的同胞没有人目睹他们的离去，因为众人全都畏惧地躲了起来，准备等到天亮，这些鲁莽的陌生人都离开之后再出现。
“I will,” he said.
“是的，”他说。
Then she fell on her knees, saying: “I beg thee!”
她跪了下来大声说：“求求你！”
“Nay, lady,” he said, and taking her by the hand he raised her. Then he kissed her hand, and sprang into the saddle, and rode away, and did not look back; and only those who knew him well and were near to him saw the pain that he bore.
“不，王女，”他拉着她的手，扶她站了起来。然后他亲吻着她的手，随即跃上马鞍，头也不回地离开了。只有那些靠近他、熟识他的人，才看得出他脸上的痛苦之色。
“My blood runs chill,” said Gimli, but the others were silent, and his voice fell dead on the dank fir-needles at his feet. The horses would not pass the threatening stone, until the riders dismounted and led them about. And so they came at last deep into the glen; and there stood a sheer wall of rock, and in the wall the Dark Door gaped before them like the mouth of night. Signs and figures were carved above its wide arch too dim to read, and fear flowed from it like a grey vapour.
“我觉得血液都快结冰了！”金雳说，其他人都沉默不语，他所发出的声响完全被脚底下潮湿的松针给吸收了。马匹不愿意经过这看来十分恐怖的岩石，骑士们只好下马亲自领着他们通过。又经过好一段时间之后，他们终于来到了岩壁前，黑暗之门就深陷在岩壁上，像是黑夜的开口一般瞪视着众人。巨大的拱门上雕刻着许多模糊难辨的符号，恐惧的气息如同灰雾一般从其中源源流出。
The light was still grey as they rode, for the sun had not yet climbed over the black ridges of the Haunted Mountain before them. A dread fell on them, even as they passed between the lines of ancient stones and so came to the Dimholt. There under the gloom of black trees that not even Legolas could long endure they found a hollow place opening at the mountain’s root, and right in their path stood a single mighty stone like a finger of doom.
当一行人策马离开时，天色依旧灰蒙蒙的，太阳尚未脱离亡灵之山的阴影。他们穿越了两旁罗列的古老岩石，在凝重的恐怖气氛中来到了丁祸，在这黑暗的树林中，连勒苟拉斯也无法久待。众人在山脚下发现了一块空地，有一枚巨石像是死神的手指一般正好挡住了他们的去路。
And some said: “They are Elvish wights. Let them go where they belong, into the dark places, and never return. The times are evil enough.”
有些人说：“他们都是精灵变成的妖怪，就让他们前往那些属于他们的黑暗角落，再也不要回来。这年头已经够坏了！”
“This is an evil door,” said Halbarad, “and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless; but no horse will enter.”
“这是个邪恶的入口，”贺尔巴拉说：“我想，死亡就在门的另一边，但不论如何，我还是会进入；只是，没有任何马匹能够忍受这种气息。”
The Company halted, and there was not a heart among them that did not quail, unless it were the heart of Legolas of the Elves, for whom the ghosts of Men have no terror.
众人停了下来，每个人都不禁觉得胆寒；唯一的例外是精灵勒苟拉斯，因为人类的幽灵对他来说并没有任何威胁。
“But we must go in, and therefore the horses must go too,” said Aragorn. “For if ever we come through this darkness, many leagues lie beyond, and every hour that is lost there will bring the triumph of Sauron nearer. Follow me!”
“我们必须进去，这些马也一样，”亚拉冈说：“如果我们能够通过这一片黑暗，之后还有很远的距离才能抵达目的地。我们浪费的每一分每一秒，都让索伦更快迈向胜利。跟我来！”
Then Aragorn led the way, and such was the strength of his will in that hour that all the Dúnedain and their horses followed him. And indeed the love that the horses of the Rangers bore for their riders was so great that they were willing to face even the terror of the Door, if their masters’ hearts were steady as they walked beside them. But Arod, the horse of Rohan, refused the way, and he stood sweating and trembling in a fear that was grievous to see. Then Legolas laid his hands on his eyes and sang some words that went soft in the gloom, until he suffered himself to be led, and Legolas passed in. And there stood Gimli the Dwarf left all alone.
就在亚拉冈的带领和坚强的意志力控制之下，所有的登丹人和座骑都跟着他一起进入。这些马匹们对主人的敬爱是如此的深沉，只要主人们能够无所畏惧的领着它们进入大门，它们就不会有任何的迟疑。但是，洛汗国的骏马阿罗德退却了，它在那肉眼所不能见的压力和恐惧下浑身冒汗，不停发抖。勒苟拉斯遮住它的眼睛，柔声吟唱着人耳不能理解的歌曲，说服它勉强走了进去，勒苟拉斯也跟在它身边，门外只剩下矮人金雳。
His knees shook, and he was wroth with himself. “Here is a thing unheard of!” he said. “An Elf will go underground and a Dwarf dare not!” With that he plunged in. But it seemed to him that he dragged his feet like lead over the threshold; and at once a blindness came upon him, even upon Gimli Glóin’s son who had walked unafraid in many deep places of the world.
他的双膝打颤，对自己的反应感到极端愤怒。“从来没有发生过这种事情！”他说：“精灵愿意进入地底，而矮人竟然不敢！”话一说完他就一头冲了进去，但他觉得自己的双脚如同铅块一般的沉重，一走进去，连他都被扑天盖地的黑暗所笼罩。这是极端诡异不寻常的！身为葛罗音之子的金雳，曾经探索过无数的地下通道，却从来没有过这样的感觉。
So time unreckoned passed, until Gimli saw a sight that he was ever afterwards loth to recall. The road was wide, as far as he could judge, but now the Company came suddenly into a great empty space, and there were no longer any walls upon either side. The dread was so heavy on him that he could hardly walk. Away to the left something glittered in the gloom as Aragorn’s torch drew near. Then Aragorn halted and went to look what it might be.
时间就这样不知不觉流逝，金雳眼前出现了一个让他以后都不愿意回想的景象：道路十分的宽广，但队伍却突然来到了空旷的地方，两边都没有任何的墙壁，让人不寒而栗的气息飘移在四周，让他几乎没有办法移动。随着亚拉冈的火把越来越近，在他的左边出现了一样闪闪发亮的东西，亚拉冈停下脚步，前往调查这到底是怎么一回事。
Aragorn had brought torches from Dunharrow, and now he went ahead bearing one aloft; and Elladan with another went at the rear, and Gimli, stumbling behind, strove to overtake him. He could see nothing but the dim flame of the torches; but if the Company halted, there seemed an endless whisper of voices all about him, a murmur of words in no tongue that he had ever heard before.
亚拉冈从登哈洛带了许多火把过来，现在他正拿着火把走在最前面，伊莱丹则是走在后面押阵。金雳踉跄地跟在后面，想要赶上大家，除了火把微弱的光芒之外，他什么都看不见；但如果众人停了下来，四面八方又会传来那种永无止境的呢喃声，那种语言是他从来没有听过的。
Nothing assailed the Company nor withstood their passage, and yet steadily fear grew on the Dwarf as he went on: most of all because he knew now that there could be no turning back; all the paths behind were thronged by an unseen host that followed in the dark.
没有任何力量或是任何事物阻止众人的前进，但矮人的恐惧越来越深沉，这是因为他可以清楚感觉到：他们只能继续前进，已经没有退路了！众人的身后已经挤满了无形无影的队伍。
Nonetheless he drew near, and saw Aragorn kneeling, while Elladan held aloft both torches. Before him were the bones of a mighty man. He had been clad in mail, and still his harness lay there whole; for the cavern’s air was as dry as dust, and his hauberk was gilded. His belt was of gold and garnets, and rich with gold was the helm upon his bony head face downward on the floor. He had fallen near the far wall of the cave, as now could be seen, and before him stood a stony door closed fast: his finger-bones were still clawing at the cracks. A notched and broken sword lay by him, as if he had hewn at the rock in his last despair.
即使如此，他还是越走越近，看见亚拉冈跪在那边，伊莱丹则是拿着两支火把替他照明，在他眼前是一名勇士的骸骨。他原先似乎穿着练甲，骨架也完好无缺，多半是因为这座洞穴十分的干燥，而它的练甲也没有破损；它的黄金腰带上镶着拓榴石，趴在地上的头骨上戴着黄金打造的头盔。现在众人才发现，他倒在洞壁之前，尸体前方正好是一扇紧闭的石门，白森森的指骨依旧抓着门缝。一柄断折破碎的宝剑丢在一旁，彷佛他绝望中用尽最后一丝力气来敲打这扇门。
Aragorn did not touch him, but after gazing silently for a while he rose and sighed. “Hither shall the flowers of simbelmynë come never unto world’s end,” he murmured. “Nine mounds and seven there are now green with grass, and through all the long years he has lain at the door that he could not unlock. Whither does it lead? Why would he pass? None shall ever know!
亚拉冈并没有碰触尸体，在沉默地观察了片刻之后，他站起身道：“愿心贝铭花永不凋谢！”他喃喃道：“总共十六座的墓丘已经长满了青草，在这么漫长的岁月中，他就这样躺在一扇打不开的门前。这到底通往哪里？他又为什么想要过去？恐怕都不会有人知道了！”
“Does he feel no fear?” muttered the Dwarf. “In any other cave Gimli Glóin’s son would have been the first to run to the gleam of gold. But not here! Let it lie!”
“他难道都不害怕吗？”矮人咕哝道。“若是在其他的洞穴中，金雳绝对是第一个冲去调查黄金反光的人，但绝不是在这里！就让它留在那边吧！”
“For that is not my errand!” he cried, turning back and speaking to the whispering darkness behind. “Keep your hoards and your secrets hidden in the Accursed Years! Speed only we ask. Let us pass, and then come! I summon you to the Stone of Erech!”
“因为这并非是我的任务！”他转过身，对着身后不断低语的黑暗大喊道：“把你们的宝藏和秘密留在那被诅咒的年代中！我们只想要尽快通过。让我们走，跟着过来！我召唤你们前往伊瑞奇之石！”
Suddenly he heard the tinkle of water, a sound hard and clear as a stone falling into a dream of dark shadow. Light grew, and lo! the Company passed through another gateway, high-arched and broad, and a rill ran out beside them; and beyond, going steeply down, was a road between sheer cliffs, knife-edged against the sky far above. So deep and narrow was that chasm that the sky was dark, and in it small stars glinted. Yet as Gimli after learned it was still two hours ere sunset of the day on which they had set out from Dunharrow; though for all that he could then tell it might have been twilight in some later year, or in some other world.
突然间，他听见水滴落下的声响，那如同岩石落进黑暗阴影中一样清楚的声音，四周逐渐变亮，终于！众人穿越另一扇拱门，一条小河在他们身旁奔流着。在拱门之外是一条夹在陡峭山崖间的向下斜坡，山崖如同锐利的刀尖一样直入云霄。这一线天的景象让底下的众人勉强看见天空是黑暗的，上面有许多的星斗闪耀。不过，稍后金雳才知道，这还是他们从登哈洛出发那天，距离日落还有两小时。不过，对他来说，这似乎是置身另一个世界、另一个年代的黄昏。
There was no answer, unless it were an utter silence more dreadful than the whispers before; and then a chill blast came in which the torches flickered and went out, and could not be rekindled. Of the time that followed, one hour or many, Gimli remembered little. The others pressed on, but he was ever hindmost, pursued by a groping horror that seemed always just about to seize him; and a rumour came after him like the shadow-sound of many feet. He stumbled on until he was crawling like a beast on the ground and felt that he could endure no more: he must either find an ending and escape or run back in madness to meet the following fear.
没有任何回答，除非这较之前的低语还要恐怖的沉默算是答案。一阵寒风吹来，火把的火焰瞬间被吹熄，再也无法点燃。接下来的时间，不管是一小时还是许多天，金雳都记不起来确实的遭遇。其他人拼命赶路，但他总是最后一个，那彷佛就要将他吞没的阴影一直紧追在后，低语声像是远处的闷响一样不停地朝他进逼。他踉跄地往前，直到最后，他开始像是只野兽一样四脚着地的往前爬。他再也忍受不了这种状况了！如果他不能够结束这一切，他就要转过身去面对那紧追不舍的邪灵。
The Company now mounted again, and Gimli returned to Legolas. They rode in file, and evening came on and a deep blue dusk; and still fear pursued them. Legolas turning to speak to Gimli looked back and the Dwarf saw before his face the glitter in the Elf’s bright eyes. Behind them rode Elladan, last of the Company, but not the last of those that took the downward road.
众人再度上马，金雳回到勒苟拉斯身边。他们排成一列，夜色逐渐深沉，恐惧依旧紧追着他们。勒苟拉斯转回头准备和金雳说话，对方只能看见他面前有一双闪闪发亮的眼睛。在他们身后是伊莱丹，他是负责押阵的人，但却不是这个队伍的最后一人。
“Yes, the Dead ride behind. They have been summoned,” said Elladan.
“是的，亡者紧追在后，他们已经听到了召唤！”伊莱丹说。
The Company came at last out of the ravine, as suddenly as if they had issued from a crack in a wall; and there lay the uplands of a great vale before them, and the stream beside them went down with a cold voice over many falls.
他们离开了小径，地形的转变就如同突然间从墙缝中钻出来一样，眼前是一个巨大的山谷，身边的小河则是融入许多冰冷的瀑布中。
“Where in Middle-earth are we?” said Gimli; and Elladan answered: “We have descended from the uprising of the Morthond, the long chill river that flows at last to the sea that washes the walls of Dol Amroth. You will not need to ask hereafter how comes its name: Blackroot men call it.”
“我们到底在什么地方？”金雳说，伊莱丹回答道：“我们脚下的是摩颂河的源头，这条冰冷的河川一路流向大海，洗刷多尔安罗斯的城墙。以后，你就不须要问别人河名的由来了，人类叫它黑根河。”
“The Dead are following,” said Legolas. “I see shapes of Men and of horses, and pale banners like shreds of cloud, and spears like winter-thickets on a misty night. The Dead are following.”
“亡者跟在后面，”勒苟拉斯说：“我看见人类和马匹的影子，苍白的旗帜像是云雾一样捉摸不定，枪尖则是如同迷雾中的影像一样模糊，亡者正跟在我们后面…”
Bells were ringing far below, and all men fled before the face of Aragorn; but the Grey Company in their haste rode like hunters, until their horses were stumbling with weariness. And thus, just ere midnight, and in a darkness as black as the caverns in the mountains, they came at last to the Hill of Erech.
远方的警钟不停地响着，在亚拉冈面前所有的人类都惊慌地逃窜。灰衣部队毫不迟疑地向前冲刺，到了最后，连马匹也因为过度疲倦而脚步蹒跚。因此，在午夜之前，众人沐浴在如同漆黑洞穴中的夜色下，来到了伊瑞奇丘陵。
Then without turning Aragorn cried aloud so that all could hear: “Friends, forget your weariness! Ride now, ride! We must come to the Stone of Erech ere this day passes, and long still is the way.” So without looking back they rode the mountain-fields, until they came to a bridge over the growing torrent and found a road that went down into the land.
亚拉冈头也不回地大喊，让所有人都听得清清楚楚：“朋友们，忘记你们的疲倦！策马向前，向前！在今天结束之前我们必须抵达伊瑞奇之石，眼前还有很长的道路。”众人头也不回地越过山中的平原，最后来到一座横越汹涌激流的桥梁，发现了一条通往外界的道路。
The Morthond Vale made a great bay that beat up against the sheer southern faces of the mountains. Its steep slopes were grass-grown; but all was grey in that hour, for the sun had gone, and far below lights twinkled in the homes of Men. The vale was rich and many folk dwelt there.
摩颂谷是个倚靠着山脉陡峭南壁的宽广平地，它陡峭的斜坡上长满了绿草；但在这个时候，太阳已经下山，一切看起来都灰蒙蒙的。在底下人类居住的房屋中透露着点点火光，这是座土地肥沃的山谷，有许多居民住在这里。
Lights went out in house and hamlet as they came, and doors were shut, and folk that were afield cried in terror and ran wild like hunted deer. Ever there rose the same cry in the gathering night: “The King of the Dead! The King of the Dead is come upon us!”
当他们靠近的时候，屋中的灯火纷纷熄灭，大门紧闭，在室外的人们惊慌大喊，像是被猎杀的动物一般仓皇逃逸，在夜色中，人们不停地重复一句话：“亡者之王！亡者之王来了！”
To that Stone the Company came and halted in the dead of night. Then Elrohir gave to Aragorn a silver horn, and he blew upon it; and it seemed to those that stood near that they heard a sound of answering horns, as if it was an echo in deep caves far away. No other sound they heard, and yet they were aware of a great host gathered all about the hill on which they stood; and a chill wind like the breath of ghosts came down from the mountains. But Aragorn dismounted, and standing by the Stone he cried in a great voice:
众人来到巨岩之旁，在夜色中停了下来。伊罗何递给亚拉冈一具银号角，他奋力一吹；对周遭的旁观者来说，远方的洞穴彷佛传来了回音。他们没有听见任何其他的声响，却可以感觉到一大群庞大的部队聚集在山丘周围，如同幽灵呼吸一般的寒风从山脉间吹下。亚拉冈从马上跳下，站在巨岩旁用宏亮的声音喝问道：
Long had the terror of the Dead lain upon that hill and upon the empty fields about it. For upon the top stood a black stone, round as a great globe, the height of a man, though its half was buried in the ground. Unearthly it looked, as though it had fallen from the sky, as some believed; but those who remembered still the lore of Westernesse told that it had been brought out of the ruin of Númenor and there set by Isildur at his landing. None of the people of the valley dared to approach it, nor would they dwell near; for they said that it was a trysting-place of the Shadow-men and there they would gather in times of fear, thronging round the Stone and whispering.
亡灵所带来的恐惧气息在山丘间流连，窜入四周的空地。在山丘顶上矗立着一座黑岩，它圆得像是颗球体，露出来的部分大约和人一样高，一半被埋在土里。它看起来并不属于人间，正如同某些人认为的一样，是从天空中落下；但没有忘怀西方皇族传说的人们都知道，这是埃西铎从努曼诺尔的废墟中带出，登陆之后将它立在这里作为纪念。山谷中的居民都不敢靠近，当然更不敢把家园建造在附近；因为他们说这是阴影之人聚会的地方，他们会在众人恐惧的时候聚集，在这里呢喃着邪恶的阴谋。
But when the dawn came, cold and pale, Aragorn rose at once, and he led the Company forth upon the journey of greatest haste and weariness that any among them had known, save he alone, and only his will held them to go on. No other mortal Men could have endured it, none but the Dúnedain of the North, and with them Gimli the Dwarf and Legolas of the Elves.
当冰冷苍白的曙光破晓，亚拉冈匆忙起身，领着众人十万火急地赶路。众人经历了无比的疲倦，这种只有他曾经承受过的经验，这次，也同样凭藉着他的意志力敦促众人向前。除了北方的登丹人、矮人金雳和精灵勒苟拉斯之外，根本没有任何凡人能够承受这种折磨。
“Oathbreakers, why have ye come?”
“毁诺者们，你们为何前来？”
Then Aragorn said: “The hour is come at last. Now I go to Pelargir upon Anduin, and ye shall come after me. And when all this land is clean of the servants of Sauron, I will hold the oath fulfilled, and ye shall have peace and depart for ever. For I am Elessar, Isildur’s heir of Gondor.”
亚拉冈回答：“时候终于到了。我现在要前往大河安都因旁的佩拉格，你们必须紧跟着我。当这块大地上所有索伦的奴仆都被消灭之后，我将会视同你们的誓言已经实现，诸位就可以永久的安息。我是伊力萨王，埃西铎的子嗣，刚铎的继承人！”
And a voice was heard out of the night that answered him, as if from far away: “To fulfil our oath and have peace.”
一个彷佛从远方传来的声音穿透夜色，回答了他：“为了实现我们的誓言，获得安息的权利。”
And with that he bade Halbarad unfurl the great standard which he had brought; and behold! it was black, and if there was any device upon it, it was hidden in the darkness. Then there was silence, and not a whisper nor a sigh was heard again all the long night. The Company camped beside the Stone, but they slept little, because of the dread of the Shadows that hedged them round.
话一说完，他就命令哈尔巴拉展开他带来的旗帜。看哪！那是面黑色的旗帜，如果上面有任何的花纹，在黑暗中也无法分辨。四周立刻陷入一片沉默，在漫长的黑夜中，再也没有人听见任何的喘息或是叹气。众人在巨岩旁扎营，但由于四周的阴寒之气，他们并没有睡着。
They passed Tarlang’s Neck and came into Lamedon; and the Shadow Host pressed behind and fear went on before them, until they came to Calembel upon Ciril, and the sun went down like blood behind Pinnath Gelin away in the West behind them. The township and the fords of Ciril they found deserted, for many men had gone away to war, and all that were left fled to the hills at the rumour of the coming of the King of the Dead. But the next day there came no dawn, and the Grey Company passed on into the darkness of the Storm of Mordor and were lost to mortal sight; but the Dead followed them.
他们越过了塔龙之颈，来到了拉密顿。幽影大军紧跟在后，恐惧的寒气在他们之前飞快地蔓延。最后，他们来到了西瑞尔河上的卡伦贝尔，血一般鲜红的太阳落入众人身后的皮那斯杰林山。西瑞尔渡口的城镇空无一人，许多男子都已经前往参战，留在当地的人则是听到亡者之王前来的传言，全都躲入附近的丘陵中。第二天，黎明并未出现，灰衣部队策马骑入魔多策动的风暴中，就此消失在凡人的眼中，亡者的幽影依旧紧跟在后。
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