"GL4" - читать интересную книгу автора (vol06)

in that council. Many of them were known already to Frodo.
Gandalf spoke long, making clear to those who did not already
know the tale in full the ancient history of the Ring, and the
reasons why the Dark Lord so greatly desired it. Bilbo then gave
an account of the finding of the Ring in the cave of the Misty
Mountains, and Trotter described his search for Gollum that he
had made with Gandalf's help, and told of his perilous adventures
in Mordor. Thus it was that Frodo learned how Trotter had
tracked Gollum as he wandered southwards, through Fangorn
Forest, and past the Dead Marshes,(19) until he had himself been
caught and imprisoned by the Dark Lord. 'Ever since I have worn
shoes,' said Trotter with a shudder, and though he said no more
Frodo knew that he had been tortured and his feet hurt in some
way. But he had been rescued by Gandalf and saved from death.(20)
In this way the tale was brought slowly down to the spring
morning when Gandalf had revealed the history of the Ring to
Frodo. Then Frodo was summoned to take up the tale, and he
gave a full account of all his adventures from the moment of his
flight from Hobbiton. Step by step they questioned him, and
every detail that he could tell concerning the Black Riders was
examined.(21)
Elrond was also deeply interested in the events in the Old Forest
and on the Barrow-downs. 'The Barrow-wights I knew of,' he
said, 'for they are closely akin to the Riders; and I marvel at your
escape from them. But never before have I heard tell of this
strange Bombadil. I would like to know more of him. Did you
know of him, Gandalf?'
'Yes,' answered the wizard. 'And I sought him out at once, as
soon as I found that the hobbits had disappeared from Buckland.
When I had chased the Riders from Crickhollow I turned back to
visit him. I daresay he would have kept the travellers longer in his
home, if he had known that I was near. But I am not sure of it: he
is a strange creature, and follows his own counsels, which few can
fathom.'(23)
'Could we not even now send messages to him and obtain his
help?' asked Erestor. 'It seems that he has a power even over the
Ring.'
'That is not quite the way of it,' said Gandalf. 'The Ring has no

power over him or for him: it can neither harm nor serve him: he is
his own master. But he has no power over it, and he cannot alter
the Ring itself, not break its power over others. And I think that
the mastery of Tom Bombadil is seen only on his own ground -
from which he has never stepped within my memory.'(24)
'But on his own ground nothing seems to dismay him,' said
Erestor. 'Would he not perhaps take the Ring and keep it there for
ever harmless?'
'He would, perhaps, if all the free folk of the world begged him
to do so,' said Gandalf. 'But he would not do so willingly. For it
would only postpone the evil day. In time the Lord of the Ring