"GL4" - читать интересную книгу автора (vol12)

'Why, those who have heard the call of the name, of course,'
answered Saelon unperturbed. 'They are not many yet, to set
against all the people of Gondor, but the number is growing.
Not all are content since the Great King died, and fewer now are
afraid.'
'So I have guessed,' said Borlas, 'and it is that thought that
chills the warmth of summer in my heart. For a man may have
a garden with strong walls, Saelon, and yet find no peace or con-
tent there. There are some enemies that such walls will not keep
out; for his garden is only part of a guarded realm after all. It is
to the walls of the realm that he must look for his real defence.
But what is the call? What would they do?' he cried, laying his
hand on the young man's knee.

'I will ask you a question first before I answer yours,' said
Saelon; and now he looked searchingly at the old man. 'How
have you, who sit here in the Emyn Arnen and seldom go now
even to the City - how have you heard the whispers of this
name?'
Borlas looked down on the ground and clasped his hands
between his knees. For some time he did not answer. At last he
looked up again; his face had hardened and his eyes were more
wary. 'I will not answer that, Saelon,' he said. 'Not until I have
asked you yet another question. First tell me,' he said slowly,
'are you one of those who have listened to the,call?'
A strange smile flickered about the young man's mouth.
'Attack is the best defence,' he answered, 'or so the Captains tell
us; but when both sides use this counsel there is a clash of battle.
So I will counter you. I will not answer you, Master Borlas, until
you tell me: are you one of those who have listened, or no?'
'How can you think it?' cried Borlas.
'And how can you think it?' asked Saelon.
'As for me,' said Borlas, 'do not all my words give you the
answer?'
'But as for me, you would say,' said Saelon, 'my words might
make me doubtful? Because I defended a small boy who threw
unripe apples at his playmates from the name of Orc? Or
because I spoke of the suffering of trees at the hands of men?
Master Borlas, it is unwise to judge a man's heart from words
spoken in an argument without respect for your opinions. They
may be meant to disturb you. Pert maybe, but possibly better
than a mere echo.(12) I do not doubt that many of those we spoke
of would use words as solemn as yours, and speak reverently of
the Great Theme and such things - in your presence. Well, who
shall answer first?'
'The younger it would have been in the courtesy of old,' said
Borlas; 'or between men counted as equals, the one who was
first asked. You are both.'
Saelon smiled. 'Very well,' he said. 'Let me see: the first
question that you asked unanswered was: what is the call, what