"GL3" - читать интересную книгу автора (vol07)

out, or I may not. Anyway I have done the job I came to do.'
'Not yet, I think,' said Frodo. 'Not yet. I do not think that we
part here, dear friend.'
'Well then, master, tell me how.'
'Let me think,' said Frodo. 'I have a plan,' he said at last. 'A
risk, but it may work. Have you still got your sword?'
'I have,' said Sam, 'and Sting too, and your glass of light. I
was a-going to lay them by you under the stones,' he stam-
mered, 'when the murdering Orcs came on us. I thought you
were dead - until you cried out as they gripped you.'
Frodo smiled and took back his treasures. He drew Sting half
from its sheath and the pale blue light of it flickered from the
blade. 'Not surprising,' he said, 'that Sting should shine in
Minas Morgul! Well now, Sam, get away over there - where
you will be behind the door when it opens. Draw your sword. I
will lie on the floor as I was. Then you can start your song again
- and that should bring in an orc soon enough. Let us hope it is
not many more than one.'
'But the whips, master, the murdering hounds will fetch you
one for me, and I cannot abide it.'
'You won't have to abide it if you are quick with your sword,'
said Frodo. 'But you need not worry! They have not had time to
search me - not that Orcs dare touch the Ring that is for none
less than servants of the Ring or for Sauron himself. They made
sure that I had no sword and flung me on the floor. So I have

still my mithril-coat. That lash you heard as you came in was
laid well across my side and back - but I don't think you would
find any weal.'
Sam was much relieved. 'Very well, what's the idea, Mr.
Frodo?' he asked.
'You must do your best to kill the Orc that comes in,' said
Frodo. 'If there is more than one I must leap up and help, and
maybe we shall have to try and fight our way out. But to get
someone to come in seems our only way of getting out.'
Frodo now began again to sing 0 Elbereth (a few lines). With
an oath the door was flung open and in strode the orc-captain,
cracking his lash. 'Lie quiet, you dog,' he shouted, and raised his
whip. But even as he did so, Sam leapt from behind the door and
stabbed at his throat. He fell with a gurgle. Frodo sprang up,
pushed the door gently to, and crouched waiting for any other
orc that might come. The sound of harsh voices far off up the
further stairs came to them, but no other sounds.
'Now's our chance,' said Frodo. 'Get into his gear as quick as
you can.' Swiftly they stripped the orc, peeling off his coat of
black scale-like mail, unbuckling his sword, and unslinging the
small round shield at his back. The black iron cap was too large
for Sam (for orcs have large heads for their size), but he slipped
on the mail. It hung a little loose and long. He cast the black
hooded cloak about him, took the whip and scimitar, and slung