"J.R.R. Tolkien - The Unfinished Tales Of Middle-Earth And Nu" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tolkien J.R.R)

"But fear not," said Gelmir: "a great doom is written upon your brow, and it shall lead you far from
these lands, far indeed from Middle-earth, as I guess."
Then Tuor followed the Noldor down the steps and waded in the cold water, until they passed into the
shadow beyond the arch of stone. And then Gelmir brought forth one of those lamps for which the Noldor
were renowned; for they were made of old in Valinor, and neither wind nor water could quench them, and
when they were unhooded they sent forth a clear blue light from a flame imprisoned in white crystal. 2 Now
by the light that Gelmir held above his head Tuor saw that the river began to go suddenly down a smooth
slope into a great tunnel, but beside its rock-hewn course there ran long flights of steps leading on and
downward into a deep gloom beyond the beam of the lamp.
When they had come to the foot of the rapids they stood under a great dome of rock, and there the
river rushed over a steep fall with a great noise that echoed in the vault, and it passed then on again beneath
another arch into a further tunnel. Beside the falls the Noldor halted, and bade Tuor farewell.
"Now we must return and go our ways with all speed," said Gelmir; "for matters of great peril are
moving in Beleriand."
"Is then the hour come when Turgon shall come forth?" said Tuor.
Then the Elves looked at him in amazement. "That is a matter which concerns the Noldor rather than
the sons of Men." said Arminas. "What know you of Turgon?"
"Little," said Tuor; "save that my father aided his escape from the Nirnaeth, and that in his hidden
stronghold dwells the hope of the Noldor. Yet, though I know not why, ever his name stirs in my heart, and
comes to my lips. And had I my will, I would go in search of him, rather than tread this dark way of dread.
Unless, perhaps, this secret road is the way to his dwelling?"
"Who shall say?" answered the Elf. "For since the dwelling of Turgon is hidden, so also are the ways
thither. I know them not, though I have sought them long. Yet if I knew them, I would not reveal them to
you, nor to any among Men."
But Gelmir said: "Yet I have heard that your House has the favour of the Lord of Waters. And if his
counsels lead you to Turgon, then surely shall you come to him, withersoever yon turn. Follow now the road
to which the water has brought you from the hills, and fear not! You shall not walk long in darkness.
Farewell! And think not that our meeting was by chance; for the Dweller in the Deep moves many things in
this land still. Anar kaluva tielyanna?!" 3
With that the Noldor turned and went back up the long stairs; but Tuor stood still, until the light of
their lamp was lost, and he was alone in a darkness deeper than night amid the roaring of the falls. Then
summoning his courage he set his left hand to the rock-wall, and felt his way forward, slowly at first, and
then more quickly, as he became more used to the darkness and found nothing to hinder him. And after a
great while, as it seemed to him, when he was weary and yet unwilling to rest in the black tunnel, he saw far
before him a light; and hastening on he came to a tall and narrow cleft, and followed the noisy stream
between its leaning walls out into a golden evening. For he was come into a deep ravine with tall sheer sides,
and it ran straight towards the West; and before him the setting sun, going down through a clear sky, shone
into the ravine and kindled its walls with yellow fire, and the waters of the river glittered like gold as they
broke and foamed upon many gleaming stones.
In that deep place Tuor went on now in great hope and delight, finding a path beneath the southern
wall, where there lay a long and narrow strand. And when night came, and the river rushed on unseen, save
for a glint of high stars mirrored in dark pools, then he rested, and slept; for he felt no fear beside that water,
in which the power of Ulmo ran.
With the coming of day he went on again without haste. The sun rose behind his back and set before
his face, and where the water foamed among the boulders or rushed over sudden falls, at morning and
evening rainbows were woven across the stream. Wherefore he named that ravine Cirith Ninniach.
Thus Tuor journeyed slowly for three days, drinking the cold water but desiring no food, though there
were many fish that shone as gold and silver, or gleamed with colours like to the rainbows in the spray
above. And on the fourth day the channel grew wider, and its walls lower and less sheer; but the river ran
deeper and more strongly, for high hills now marched on either side, and fresh waters spilled from them into