霍比特人：奇變驟生 The Clouds Burst

THE CLOUDS BURST

奇變驟生

Next day the trumpets rang early in the camp. Soon a single runner was seen hurrying along the narrow path. At a distance he stood and hailed them, asking whether Thorin would now listen to another embassy, since new tidings had come to hand, and matters were changed.

第二天，對面的營盤中早早地便響起了號角聲。不多久，便見一位信使沿著狹窄的小路向他們奔來。在一段距離之外，信使站定向他們揮手示意，問他們索林是否愿意再次接見來使，因為傳來了新的消息，令事情發(fā)生了改變。

“That will be Dain!” said Thorin when he heard. “They will have got wind of his coming. I thought that would alter their mood! Bid them come few in number and weaponless, and I will hear,” he called to the messenger.

“準(zhǔn)是戴因來了!”索林一聽完就如此說道，“他們一定風(fēng)聞了他正趕來的消息。哼，我就知道這會讓他們改變態(tài)度!叫他們少來幾個人，不準(zhǔn)帶武器，我會見他們的。”索林對著信使喊道。

About midday the banners of the Forest and the Lake were seen to be borne forth again. A company of twenty was approaching. At the beginning of the narrow way they laid aside sword and spear, and came on towards the Gate. Wondering, the dwarves saw that among them were both Bard and the Elvenking, before whom an old man wrapped in cloak and hood bore a strong casket of iron-bound wood.

大約中午時，森林與長湖聯(lián)軍的旗幟再度出陣，大約二十人的一支隊伍朝他門走過來。在窄道的頭上他們就放下了刀劍與長矛，然后繼續(xù)朝著宮殿大門走來。矮人們正有點摸不著頭腦，卻看見巴德和精靈國王都在隊伍中，走在他們前面的是一名渾身裹著斗篷與兜帽的老者，手里捧一只箍著鐵環(huán)的木匣。

“Hail Thorin!” said Bard. “Are you still of the same mind?”

“你好，索林!”巴德說，“你的心意依然不改嗎?”

“My mind does not change with the rising and setting of a few suns,” answered Thorin. “Did you come to ask me idle questions? Still the elf-host has not departed as I bade! Till then you come in vain to bargain with me.”

“我的心意不會在區(qū)區(qū)幾次日升日落之間就更改!”索林回答道，“你就是跑來問我這種無聊問題的嗎?精靈部隊還是沒有按照我的要求撤退!不撤兵，你們就別白費力氣跑來找我談。”

“Is there then nothing for which you would yield any of your gold?”

“難道就沒有任何東西可以讓你割舍一點點黃金嗎?”

“Nothing that you or your friends have to offer.”

“你或者你的朋友沒有什么能讓我動心的。”

“What of the Arkenstone of Thrain?” said he, and at the same moment the old man opened the casket and held aloft the jewel. The light leapt from his hand, bright and white in the morning.

“那么瑟萊因的阿肯寶鉆呢?”他話音剛落，老者便打開木匣的蓋子，把寶石高高舉起，只見熠熠的光芒從他手中躍出，在晨光中顯出一片亮白。索林一下子又驚又呆，啞口無言，大家也都沉默了許多。

Then Thorin was stricken dumb with amazement and confusion. No one spoke for a long while. Thorin at length broke the silence, and his voice was thick with wrath. “That stone was my father’s, and is mine,” he said. “Why should I purchase my own?” But wonder overcame him and he added: “But how came you by the heirloom of my house—if there is need to ask such a question of thieves?”

最終還是索林先打破了寂靜，只聽他怒氣沖沖地質(zhì)問道：“這顆寶石是我父親的，因而也是我的，我為什么要以黃金來換取自己的東西呢?”不過好奇心戰(zhàn)勝了他，讓他忍不住追問了一句：“你們是怎么得到我家的傳家之寶的——如果還需要問一下誰是小偷的話?”

“We are not thieves,” Bard answered. “Your own we will give back in return for our own.”

“我們不是小偷，”巴德回答道，“只要我們得了我們應(yīng)得的，便會把你應(yīng)得的還給你。”

“How came you by it?” shouted Thorin in gathering rage.

“你們到底是怎么弄到的?”索林吼道，他的火氣被撩撥得越來越大了。

“I gave it to them!” squeaked Bilbo, who was peering over the wall, by now in a dreadful fright.

“是我給他們的!”比爾博尖聲叫道，正偷窺墻外的他至此已經(jīng)害怕到了極點。

“You! You!” cried Thorin, turning upon him and grasping him with both hands. “You miserable hobbit! You undersized—burglar!” he shouted at a loss for words, and he shook poor Bilbo like a rabbit.

“你!你!”索林轉(zhuǎn)身來到他跟前，伸出雙手揪住了他。“你這個該死的霍比特人!你這個小矬——飛賊!”他急切間想不出適當(dāng)?shù)脑~來罵，只能抓住可憐的比爾博把他像只兔子一樣死命搖晃。

“By the beard of Durin! I wish I had Gandalf here! Curse him for his choice of you! May his beard wither! As for you I will throw you to the rocks!” he cried and lifted Bilbo in his arms.

“以我祖先都林的胡子起誓!我真希望甘道夫就在這里!我要為他選擇了你而詛咒他!愿他的胡子全掉光!至于你，我要把你扔到下面的石頭上去!”他大喊著振臂將比爾博高高舉起。

“Stay! Your wish is granted!” said a voice. The old man with the casket threw aside his hood and cloak. “Here is Gandalf! And none too soon it seems. If you don’t like my Burglar, please don’t damage him. Put him down, and listen first to what he has to say!”

“住手!你的愿望可以實現(xiàn)了!”一個聲音傳來。拿著木匣的老者一把扯下了兜帽和斗篷。“甘道夫在此!而且看來來得正是時候。如果你不喜歡我挑選的飛賊，請你也不要傷害他。把他放下，聽聽他想說些什么!”

“You all seem in league!” said Thorin dropping Bilbo on the top of the wall. “Never again will I have dealings with any wizard or his friends. What have you to say, you descendant of rats?”

“看來你們都串通好了!”索林說著把比爾博扔在了墻頭上，“我以后再也不跟巫師或是巫師的朋友打交道了。你這個鼠輩，還有什么話好說?”

“Dear me! Dear me!” said Bilbo. “I am sure this is all very uncomfortable. You may remember saying that I might choose my own fourteenth share? Perhaps I took it too literally—I have been told that dwarves are sometimes politer in word than in deed. The time was, all the same, when you seemed to think that I had been of some service. Descendant of rats, indeed! Is this all the service of you and your family that I was promised, Thorin? Take it that I have disposed of my share as I wished, and let it go at that!”

“哎喲媽呀!哎喲媽呀!”比爾博說，“我就知道會很不舒服的。你還記得自己曾經(jīng)說過，我可以自己挑選我那份十四分之一的財寶吧?也許我把這話太當(dāng)真了——有人告訴過我，矮人們的客氣只是口頭上的，行動上卻未必!看來這話只是你在認(rèn)為我還有利用價值時才說的。鼠輩?說得好啊!這難道就是你許下的你和你家人世世代代要還我的人情嗎，索林?就把這當(dāng)做是我按自己的意愿處置了我應(yīng)得的那份，這事兒就這樣算了吧!”

“I will,” said Thorin grimly. “And I will let you go at that—and may we never meet again!” Then he turned and spoke over the wall. “I am betrayed,” he said. “It was rightly guessed that I could not forbear to redeem the Arkenstone, the treasure of my house. For it I will give one fourteenth share of the hoard in silver and gold, setting aside the gems; but that shall be accounted the promised share of this traitor, and with that reward he shall depart, and you can divide it as you will. He will get little enough, I doubt not. Take him, if you wish him to live; and no friendship of mine goes with him.

“可以，”索林用陰沉的聲音說道，“我也可以放過你，希望我們以后再也不要再見了!”接著他轉(zhuǎn)身對墻外說：“我被出賣了!你們的估計沒錯，我不可能不贖回我的阿肯寶鉆。為了換回這顆寶石，我愿意付出寶藏中金銀的十四分之一，寶石除外。不過這應(yīng)該算成是我承諾給這個叛徒的分成，拿了這份報酬后他必須離開，你們想怎么分就怎么分。他不會分到多少的，我對此毫不懷疑。把他帶走吧，如果你們想要讓他活著的話，我從此跟他義斷情絕!

“Get down now to your friends!” he said to Bilbo, “or I will throw you down.”

“滾到你的朋友那兒去吧!”他對比爾博說，“不然我會把你扔下去。”

“What about the gold and silver?” asked Bilbo.

“那你答應(yīng)的黃金和白銀呢?”比爾博問。

“That shall follow after, as can be arranged,” said he. “Get down!”

“等安排好了隨后就送到。”他說，“滾吧!”

“Until then we keep the stone,” cried Bard.

“在那之前，阿肯寶鉆由我們保管。”巴德大喊道。

“You are not making a very splendid figure as King under the Mountain,” said Gandalf. “But things may change yet.”

“對于擁有山下之王稱號的人來說，你的所作所為可真是有損形象啊，”甘道夫說，“不過，事情還沒到無法改變的地步。”

“They may indeed,” said Thorin. And already, so strong was the bewilderment of the treasure upon him, he was pondering whether by the help of Dain he might not recapture the Arkenstone and withhold the share of the reward.

“的確還有可能會改變。”索林說。由于對財寶的執(zhí)念已經(jīng)迷亂了他的本性，所以他心中想的其實是，依靠著戴因的幫助，他或許能重新奪回阿肯寶鉆，而且還能扣下他已經(jīng)應(yīng)承給比爾博的酬勞。

And so Bilbo was swung down from the wall, and departed with nothing for all his trouble, except the armour which Thorin had given him already. More than one of the dwarves in their hearts felt shame and pity at his going.

于是，比爾博從高墻上被吊了下來。在經(jīng)歷了這么多的磨難之后，他除了索林已經(jīng)給了他的那身盔甲之外，兩手空空地離開了。有好幾個矮人對他的離去在心中感到羞愧和惋惜。

“Farewell!” he cried to them. “We may meet again as friends.”

“再見啦!”他對矮人們喊道，“我們還會以朋友的身份再見的!”

“Be off!” called Thorin. “You have mail upon you, which was made by my folk, and is too good for you. It cannot be pierced by arrows; but if you do not hasten, I will sting your miserable feet. So be swift!”

“快滾!”索林喝道，“你身上穿著我同胞打造的盔甲，這盔甲你實在是不配用。雖然弓箭射不穿它，可要是你不趕快消失，我就要射你該死的腳了?？鞚L!”

“Not so hasty!” said Bard. “We will give you until tomorrow. At noon we will return, and see if you have brought from the hoard the portion that is to be set against the stone. If that is done without deceit, then we will depart, and the elf-host will go back to the Forest. In the meanwhile farewell!”

“別這么著急!”巴德說，“我們給你的最后期限是明天。我們明天中午會回來，確認(rèn)你是否從寶藏中拿出了與寶石價值相等的金銀。如果你沒有玩花樣，我們就會離開，精靈部隊也會回到森林?，F(xiàn)在，我們先告退了!”

With that they went back to the camp; but Thorin sent messengers by Roäc telling Dain of what had passed, and bidding him come with wary speed.

說完，他們就回營地去了，但索林通過羅阿克派遣信使，將發(fā)生的一切告訴戴因，并請他火速趕來。

That day passed and the night. The next day the wind shifted west, and the air was dark and gloomy. The morning was still early when a cry was heard in the camp. Runners came in to report that a host of dwarves had appeared round the eastern spur of the Mountain and was now hastening to Dale. Dain had come. He had hurried on through the night, and so had come upon them sooner than they had expected. Each one of his folk was clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to his knees, and his legs were covered with hose of a fine and flexible metal mesh, the secret of whose making was possessed by Dain’s people. The dwarves are exceedingly strong for their height, but most of these were strong even for dwarves. In battle they wielded heavy two-handed mattocks; but each of them had also a short broad sword at his side and a roundshield slung at his back. Their beards were forked and plaited and thrust into their belts. Their caps were of iron and they were shod with iron, and their faces were grim.

那一天連同晚上很快就過去了。第二天吹起了西風(fēng)，天空變得晦暗而又陰沉。天還蒙蒙亮的時候，營地里便響起一聲叫喊，傳信的士兵跑來報告，說有一群矮人出現(xiàn)在了孤山的東角，正往山谷突進。戴因已經(jīng)到了!他經(jīng)過了一夜的急行軍，在對手預(yù)料的時間之前趕到了山谷。每名矮人都披掛著長及膝蓋的純鋼鎖子甲，腿部則用精致而有彈性的金屬網(wǎng)格軟甲覆蓋，這種軟甲只有戴因一族矮人才打造得出來。矮人相對他們的身高來說已經(jīng)是不同尋常的健碩了，可這些矮人的強壯程度在矮人中都是佼佼者。他們在戰(zhàn)場上作戰(zhàn)時雙手持沉重的鶴嘴鋤，但每人腰間還別了一柄短劍，背上掛一面小圓盾。他們的胡子都分成幾股，編成辮子，然后塞進腰帶中。所有人都頭戴鐵盔、腳蹬鐵靴，一臉肅殺之氣。

Trumpets called men and elves to arms. Before long the dwarves could be seen coming up the valley at a great pace. They halted between the river and the eastern spur; but a few held on their way, and crossing the river drew near the camp; and there they laid down their weapons and held up their hands in sign of peace. Bard went out to meet them, and with him went Bilbo.

號角聲響起，精靈和人類紛紛拿起武器，沒過多久，他們就可以看見矮人急行以極快的速度向山谷走來。部隊在河邊和孤山的東坡之間停了下來，但有一小部分繼續(xù)前進，渡過河流向營地走近。到了營地面前時，他們放下武器，高舉雙手以示和平。巴德出來接見他們，比爾博也一起跟了出來。

“We are sent from Dain son of Nain,” they said when questioned. “We are hastening to our kinsmen in the Mountain, since we learn that the kingdom of old is renewed. But who are you that sit in the plain as foes before defended walls?” This, of course, in the polite and rather old-fashioned language of such occasions, meant simply: “You have no business here. We are going on, so make way or we shall fight you!” They meant to push on between the Mountain and the loop of the river; for the narrow land there did not seem to be strongly guarded.

“納因之子戴因派我們前來，”在被問到身份的時候，他們這樣答道，“我們急著趕去和山中的同胞會合，因為我們聽說昔日的國度已經(jīng)被收復(fù)了?？墒牵銈冞@些在平原以敵人的姿態(tài)擺出攻城陣勢的人又是誰呢?”當(dāng)然，這只是這種情形下雙方老掉牙的客套話，說白了就是：“這兒沒你們什么事兒，我們要過路，你們最好乖乖讓路，不然我們就不客氣了!”他們想要在山脈與河曲之間繼續(xù)推進，因為那片狹窄土地的防守似乎并不堅固。

Bard, of course, refused to allow the dwarves to go straight on to the Mountain. He was determined to wait until the gold and silver had been brought out in exchange for the Arkenstone; for he did not believe that this would be done, if once the fortress was manned with so large and warlike a company. They had brought with them a great store of supplies; for the dwarves can carry very heavy burdens, and nearly all of Dain’s folk, in spite of their rapid march, bore huge packs on their backs in addition to their weapons. They would stand a siege for weeks, and by that time yet more dwarves might come, and yet more, for Thorin had many relatives. Also they would be able to reopen and guard some other gate, so that the besiegers would have to encircle the whole mountain; and for that they had not sufficient numbers.

巴德理所當(dāng)然地拒絕讓這些矮人直接進山，他決定要固守到山中的矮人送出交換寶鉆的金銀之后才讓步，因為他不相信一旦堡壘中駐進了這么一大幫好斗的戰(zhàn)士后，這筆交易還能達成。這群矮人隨身攜帶了大量的給養(yǎng)。矮人們能背很重的東西，戴因的這批手下雖然剛經(jīng)過急行軍，但幾乎個個都除了武器之外還背著巨大的背包。光這些就足夠他們支撐好幾星期的圍困了，而在此期間又會有更多的矮人會趕來，此后又會有更多，因為索林有許多的親族。人多了之后就可以重新打開其他的山門并派兵防守，屆時圍困方就必須要將整座大山團團圍住才行，而這樣一來他們的兵力就捉襟見肘了。

These were, in fact, precisely their plans (for the raven-messengers had been busy between Thorin and Dain); but for the moment the way was barred, so after angry words the dwarf-messengers retired muttering in their beards. Bard then sent messengers at once to the Gate; but they found no gold or payment. Arrows came forth as soon as they were within shot, and they hastened back in dismay. In the camp all was now astir, as if for battle; for the dwarves of Dain were advancing along the eastern bank.

這其實正是矮人們的計劃(因為渡鴉信使一直在索林和戴因之間頻繁傳信)，但眼下去路被擋了，于是矮人信使們在扔下一些氣話后，也只好在胡子里嘀咕著退回去了。巴德接下來馬上派使者到大門口去看，結(jié)果什么黃金財寶都沒發(fā)現(xiàn)。他們一踏進射程，箭矢就飛了過來，逼得他們只好失望地逃回來。此時營地里也全都騷動起來，似乎開戰(zhàn)在即，因為戴因的矮人部隊正沿河?xùn)|岸推進。

“Fools!” laughed Bard, “to come thus beneath the Mountain’s arm! They do not understand war above ground, whatever they may know of battle in the mines. There are many of our archers and spearmen now hidden in the rocks upon their right flank. Dwarf-mail may be good, but they will soon be hard put to it. Let us set on them now from both sides, before they are fully rested!”

“愚蠢的家伙!”巴德笑道，“竟然在山坡下行軍!不管他們對于礦井里的戰(zhàn)斗懂得多少，但他們對地面上的戰(zhàn)斗可真是一無所知。我們有許多弓箭手和長矛兵都埋伏在他們右側(cè)的巖石后面。矮人的盔甲也許很棒，可一會還是有得他們夠受的?，F(xiàn)在讓我們趁他們立足未穩(wěn)，給他們來個兩面夾攻!”

But the Elvenking said: “Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold. The dwarves cannot pass us, unless we will, or do anything that we cannot mark. Let us hope still for something that will bring reconciliation. Our advantage in numbers will be enough, if in the end it must come to unhappy blows.”

但精靈國王卻說：“在開始這場為黃金而打的戰(zhàn)爭之前，我寧愿一等再等。除非我們愿意，否則矮人們沒有辦法從我們這兒過去，或是做出任何我們注意不到的事情來。我們還是寄希望于出現(xiàn)妥協(xié)的契機，即便最后無法避免兵刃相見，我們在人數(shù)上的優(yōu)勢也還是足夠大的。”

But he reckoned without the dwarves. The knowledge that the Arkenstone was in the hands of the besiegers burned in their thoughts; also they guessed the hesitation of Bard and his friends, and resolved to strike while they debated.

可是他只考慮了自己這一邊，卻沒把矮人們的想法給考慮進去。阿肯寶鉆落在圍困者手上的消息讓他們怒火中燒，而且他們也推斷出巴德和他的朋友們猶豫不決的理由，決定趁他們意見不統(tǒng)一的時候發(fā)起進攻。

Suddenly without a signal they sprang silently forward to attack. Bows twanged and arrows whistled; battle was about to be joined.

于是突然間，沒有任何信號，矮人部隊悄無聲息地發(fā)起了沖鋒。弓弦哐哐，箭雨嗖嗖，看來不消片刻，雙方就要接上火了。

Still more suddenly a darkness came on with dreadful swiftness! A black cloud hurried over the sky. Winter thunder on a wild wind rolled roaring up and rumbled in the Mountain, and lightning lit its peak. And beneath the thunder another blackness could be seen whirling forward; but it did not come with the wind, it came from the North, like a vast cloud of birds, so dense that no light could be seen between their wings.

然而更為突然的是，一陣黑暗以可怕的速度掩了過來，黑云瞬間便布滿了天空，冬雷挾著狂風(fēng)在大山里隆隆翻滾，閃電照亮了山峰。在雷聲隆隆之中，另一團黑影旋轉(zhuǎn)著急奔而至，但它不是被風(fēng)卷來的，而是來自北方，如一團鳥類構(gòu)成的巨大的云，稠密得沒有光線能夠穿透它們的翅翼。

“Halt!” cried Gandalf, who appeared suddenly, and stood alone, with arms uplifted, between the advancing dwarves and the ranks awaiting them. “Halt!” he called in a voice like thunder, and his staff blazed forth with a flash like the lightning. “Dread has come upon you all! Alas! it has come more swiftly than I guessed. The Goblins are upon you! Bolg* of the North is coming, O Dain! whose father you slew in Moria. Behold! the bats are above his army like a sea of locusts. They ride upon wolves and Wargs are in their train!”

“停!”隨著一聲大喝，甘道夫驟然出現(xiàn)，獨自一人站著，雙臂高舉，攔在了正在推進的矮人和嚴(yán)陣以待的聯(lián)軍中間。“停!”他發(fā)出一聲炸雷般的大吼，手中魔杖迸出閃電般一道耀目的白光。“可怕的東西已然降臨到你們頭上!啊!它來得比我估計的還要快。半獸人正在向你們襲來!北方的半獸人王，阿佐格之子波爾格正向此而來!戴因，他的父親正是被你在墨瑞亞殺死?？茨?蝙蝠正聚集在他們隊伍的上空，如同漫天的蝗蟲。他們的坐騎是經(jīng)他們訓(xùn)練過的普通狼和座狼!”

Amazement and confusion fell upon them all. Even as Gandalf had been speaking the darkness grew. The dwarves halted and gazed at the sky. The elves cried out with many voices.

一時之間，所有人都感到無比驚愕與茫然。就在甘道夫說話間，黑暗變得更濃了。矮人們停下腳步，仰望著天空，精靈們則發(fā)出一片驚呼。

“Come!” called Gandalf. “There is yet time for council. Let Dain son of Nain come swiftly to us!”

“來吧!”甘道夫說，“我們還有時間商量對策，請納因之子戴因快快隨我們同來!”

So began a battle that none had expected; and it was called the Battle of Five Armies, and it was very terrible. Upon one side were the Goblins and the Wild Wolves, and upon the other were Elves and Men and Dwarves. This is how it fell out. Ever since the fall of the Great Goblin of the Misty Mountains the hatred of their race for the dwarves had been rekindled to fury. Messengers had passed to and fro between all their cities, colonies and strongholds; for they resolved now to win the dominion of the North. Tidings they had gathered in secret ways; and in all the mountains there was a forging and an arming. Then they marched and gathered by hill and valley, going ever by tunnel or under dark, until around and beneath the great mountain Gundabad of the North, where was their capital, a vast host was assembled ready to sweep down in time of storm unawares upon the South. Then they learned of the death of Smaug, and joy was in their hearts; and they hastened night after night through the mountains, and came thus at last on a sudden from the North hard on the heels of Dain. Not even the ravens knew of their coming until they came out in the broken lands which divided the Lonely Mountain from the hills behind. How much Gandalf knew cannot be said, but it is plain that he had not expected this sudden assault.

于是，一場意料之外的戰(zhàn)斗開始了，這場戰(zhàn)斗被后世稱為“五軍之戰(zhàn)”，整個過程異常慘烈。一邊是半獸人和野狼所組成的部隊，另一邊則是精靈、人類和矮人們所組成的聯(lián)軍。事情的緣由是這樣的：在迷霧山脈的半獸人頭領(lǐng)被殺死之后，他們對矮人的仇恨重又熊熊燃起，信使們不停地往來于他們所占據(jù)的城市、殖民地和要塞，最終他們決定這次要征服整個北方大陸。半獸人們以極其秘密的方式搜集情報，在所有的大山里鍛造兵器，武裝人員，然后在丘陵與山谷間行軍、聚集，或走地底隧道，或以夜色為掩護，直到最后在北方的貢達巴德大山之下(那里也是他們的都城所在)集結(jié)了一支大軍，準(zhǔn)備趁著暴風(fēng)雨季出其不意地橫掃南方。這時，他們得知了惡龍史矛革的死訊，心中不由得大喜，接著便在群山間夜復(fù)一夜地急行軍，幾乎是踩著戴因的腳后跟突然間便從北方殺到了此地。就連渡鴉也是直到他們踏上孤山與其他丘陵之間的平地后，才發(fā)覺他們的行跡。甘道夫?qū)Υ酥蓝嗌俨缓谜f，但顯然這場突然襲擊也出乎他的意料。

This is the plan that he made in council with the Elven-king and with Bard; and with Dain, for the dwarf-lord now joined them: the Goblins were the foes of all, and at their coming all other quarrels were forgotten. Their only hope was to lure the goblins into the valley between the arms of the Mountain; and themselves to man the great spurs that struck south and east. Yet this would be perilous, if the goblins were in sufficient numbers to overrun the Mountain itself, and so attack them also from behind and above; but there was no time to make any other plan, or to summon any help.

因此，他便與精靈國王和巴德一起商討作戰(zhàn)計劃，當(dāng)然也有戴因，因為這位矮人的首領(lǐng)現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)與他們?yōu)槲榱?。由于半獸人是大家的公敵，因此他們在大兵壓境之時，把所有的爭執(zhí)都拋到九霄云外去了。聯(lián)軍惟一的希望是引誘半獸人深入孤山兩個支脈之間的谷地，而他們自己則把兵力布置在山脈的東坡和南坡上。然而這樣的策略也是很危險的，如果半獸人人數(shù)眾多，沖出包圍圈殺進了山里，便可以從背后和上方同時向守軍發(fā)起進攻，令守軍腹背受敵。然而，已經(jīng)沒有時間再去擬訂其他的作戰(zhàn)計劃，或去召集任何援兵了。

Soon the thunder passed, rolling away to the South-East; but the bat-cloud came, flying lower, over the shoulder of the Mountain, and whirled above them shutting out the light and filling them with dread.

很快，雷聲隆隆滾向東南方去了，而蝙蝠云則飛得更低，朝著山嶺逼近，在他們的頭頂盤旋，遮蔽了所有的光線，讓他們心中充滿了恐懼。

“To the Mountain!” called Bard. “To the Mountain! Let us take our places while there is yet time!”

“到山上去!”巴德大聲喊道，“到山上去!趁著還有時間，趕快進入我們的防御陣地!”

On the Southern spur, in its lower slopes and in the rocks at its feet, the Elves were set; on the Eastern spur were men and dwarves. But Bard and some of the nimblest of men and elves climbed to the height of the Eastern shoulder to gain a view to the North. Soon they could see the lands before the Mountain’s feet black with a hurrying multitude. Ere long the vanguard swirled round the spur’s end and came rushing into Dale. These were the swiftest wolf-riders, and already their cries and howls rent the air afar. A few brave men were strung before them to make a feint of resistance, and many there fell before the rest drew back and fled to either side. As Gandalf had hoped, the goblin army had gathered behind the resisted vanguard, and poured now in rage into the valley, driving wildly up between the arms of the Mountain, seeking for the foe. Their banners were countless, black and red, and they came on like a tide in fury and disorder.

在南坡，精靈們在山腳的巖石間與稍微上面一點的斜坡上布置好了兵力;在東坡設(shè)伏的是人類和矮人。但巴德和一些最靈活敏捷的人類及精靈，則爬到東邊的山嶺上去偵察北面的情況。很快他們就看見山腳下的平原上黑壓壓的全是快速行進的半獸人。不久之后，敵方的前鋒就涌過了谷口，向著山谷內(nèi)沖來。這些前鋒都是速度最快的狼騎兵，他們的呼喝聲與野狼的狂嗥已經(jīng)撕裂了遠處的空氣。一小部分勇敢散開在他們的正面，佯作抵抗。許多人倒下了，其余的人則后撤，逃向了兩邊的山坡。正如同甘道夫所希望的那樣，半獸人大軍集結(jié)在遭遇抵抗的前鋒后面，狂怒地沖進了山谷，在東坡和南坡之間狼奔豕突，尋找著敵人。他們紅黑色的旗幟多到難以計數(shù)，部隊像一股怒潮般雜亂無章地奔涌著。

It was a terrible battle. The most dreadful of all Bilbo’s experiences, and the one which at the time he hated most—which is to say it was the one he was most proud of, and most fond of recalling long afterwards, although he was quite unimportant in it. Actually I may say he put on his ring early in the business, and vanished from sight, if not from all danger. A magic ring of that sort is not a complete protection in a goblin charge, nor does it stop flying arrows and wild spears; but it does help in getting out of the way, and it prevents your head from being specially chosen for a sweeping stroke by a goblin swordsman.

這是一場慘烈無比的戰(zhàn)斗。它是比爾博有生以來經(jīng)歷過的最可怕的一場戰(zhàn)斗，也是當(dāng)時讓他最痛恨的一場——也就是說這是最令他感到驕傲、最喜歡在日后回憶起的一場戰(zhàn)斗，盡管他在其中所起的作用很不重要。事實上，我可以說他在戰(zhàn)斗剛一打響就戴上了他的戒指，躲過了所有人的視線，不過卻不見得躲過了所有的危險。在半獸人部隊的沖鋒中，這樣的魔戒并不能夠提供完全的保護，也無法阻擋住飛來的箭矢和胡亂戳來的長矛，不過，魔戒還是可以讓他不擋著對戰(zhàn)雙方的路，以防他的腦袋成為半獸人劍手有心挑選的劈刺目標(biāo)。

The elves were the first to charge. Their hatred for the goblins is cold and bitter. Their spears and swords shone in the gloom with a gleam of chill flame, so deadly was the wrath of the hands that held them. As soon as the host of their enemies was dense in the valley, they sent against it a shower of arrows, and each flickered as it fled as if with stinging fire. Behind the arrows a thousand of their spearmen leapt down and charged. The yells were deafening. The rocks were stained black with goblin blood.

精靈們是守軍中首先發(fā)起進攻的。他們和半獸人之間的宿怨十分深重。他們的長矛和刀劍在一片昏暗中閃動著寒光，而緊握著這些武器的手又是如此充滿殺氣。在敵人的部隊密集地涌進谷地之后，他們立刻射出了如雨的箭矢，每一支箭仿佛都帶著刺人的火焰，閃爍著微光。箭雨過后，一千名精靈長矛兵一躍而下，發(fā)起了沖鋒。他們喊聲震天，巖石立時便被半獸人的血給染黑了。

Just as the goblins were recovering from the onslaught and the elf-charge was halted, there rose from across the valley a deep-throated roar. With cries of “Moria!” and “Dain, Dain!” the dwarves of the Iron Hills plunged in, wielding their mattocks, upon the other side; and beside them came the men of the Lake with long swords.

就在精靈部隊停止了沖鋒，半獸人從受到的猛攻中稍稍穩(wěn)住陣腳時，山谷間響起了一片低沉的吼聲。隨著一聲聲“墨瑞亞!”和“戴因!戴因!”的呼喊，鐵丘陵的矮人們又揮舞著鶴嘴鋤從另外一邊躍入了戰(zhàn)團，在他們身邊與他們并肩作戰(zhàn)的則是手拿長劍來自長湖鎮(zhèn)的人類。

Panic came upon the Goblins; and even as they turned to meet this new attack, the elves charged again with renewed numbers. Already many of the goblins were flying back down the river to escape from the trap; and many of their own wolves were turning upon them and rending the dead and the wounded. Victory seemed at hand, when a cry rang out on the heights above.

半獸人陷入了恐慌，而就在他們掉轉(zhuǎn)身來迎接新的攻擊時，精靈們在補充兵力后再次發(fā)起了沖鋒。許多半獸人已經(jīng)開始朝河邊拼命逃竄，想要逃出陷阱，許多他們自己的野狼也獸性爆發(fā)，撕扯起半獸人的死尸和傷兵來。勝利眼看便唾手可得，孰料這時，從山頂上傳來了一陣令人心寒的呼喊。

Goblins had scaled the Mountain from the other side and already many were on the slopes above the Gate, and others were streaming down recklessly, heedless of those that fell screaming from cliff and precipice, to attack the spurs from above. Each of these could be reached by paths that ran down from the main mass of the Mountain in the centre; and the defenders had too few to bar the way for long. Victory now vanished from hope. They had only stemmed the first onslaught of the black tide.

原來半獸人已經(jīng)從另外一邊爬上了山頂，許多半獸人已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)在了矮人宮殿大門上方的斜坡，其他的半獸人則不顧生死地直沖下來，居高臨下地對兩面山坡上的守軍發(fā)起攻擊，哪怕有同伴從懸崖失足落下也不管不顧。其實，從位于正中的孤山主峰各有小道可以抵達兩面山坡，而守軍沒有足夠的兵力，無法長時間固守這兩條通道。這樣一來，勝利的希望瞬間化作了泡影，守軍只能勉強抵擋住黑色潮水的第一波猛攻。

Day drew on. The goblins gathered again in the valley. There a host of Wargs came ravening and with them came the bodyguard of Bolg, goblins of huge size with scimitars of steel. Soon actual darkness was coming into a stormy sky; while still the great bats swirled about the heads and ears of elves and men, or fastened vampire-like on the stricken. Now Bard was fighting to defend the Eastern spur, and yet giving slowly back; and the elf-lords were at bay about their king upon the southern arm, near to the watch-post on Ravenhill.

時間慢慢地流逝，半獸人們再度在谷地中集結(jié)，一大隊座狼沖進山谷啃咬起尸體，跟著進來的則是半獸人王波爾格的一隊貼身衛(wèi)兵，他們?nèi)际巧聿漠惓８叽?，手持圓月彎刀的半獸人。不久以后，真正的夜色開始漸漸覆滿烏云密布的天空。巨大的蝙蝠依舊在精靈與人類的頭上和耳邊飛舞，或者像吸血鬼那樣牢牢地叮住受傷流血的人。巴德拼死守衛(wèi)著東坡陣地，但還是被迫慢慢后退;精靈們在南坡也陷入了困境，退卻到了靠近渡鴉嶺瞭望臺的地方，精靈國王被保護他的精靈貴族們簇擁在中心。

Suddenly there was a great shout, and from the Gate came a trumpet call. They had forgotten Thorin! Part of the wall, moved by levers, fell outward with a crash into the pool. Out leapt the King under the Mountain, and his companions followed him. Hood and cloak were gone; they were in shining armour, and red light leapt from their eyes. In the gloom the great dwarf gleamed like gold in a dying fire.

突然，人們聽見了一聲大叫，接著從矮人宮殿的大門里傳來了號角的聲音——大家都把索林給忘記了!只見高墻的一段在杠桿的推動下轟然塌落進護城池中。山下之王一馬當(dāng)先沖了出來，他的伙伴們緊跟在后。斗篷與兜帽都不見了，換成了閃耀的盔甲，每個人眼中都噴出紅紅的怒火。在黑暗中，這群矮人看起來像火焰余燼中的黃金一般耀眼。

Rocks were hurled down from on high by the goblins above; but they held on, leapt down to the falls’ foot, and rushed forward to battle. Wolf and rider fell or fled before them. Thorin wielded his axe with mighty strokes, and nothing seemed to harm him.

位于山上高處的半獸人丟下大量的石塊攻擊他們，但他們奮不顧身地朝著瀑布腳下沖去，殺向戰(zhàn)場。在他們的沖殺下，狼騎兵們不是被砍倒就是四散奔逃。索林揮舞著戰(zhàn)斧奮力砍殺，似乎沒有任何兵器能傷得了他。

“To me! To me! Elves and Men! To me! O my kinsfolk!” he cried, and his voice shook like a horn in the valley.

“跟我來!跟我來!精靈和人類!跟我來!同胞們，沖啊!”他的喊聲在山谷中如同號角一般震蕩著。

Down, heedless of order, rushed all the dwarves of Dain to his help. Down too came many of the Lake-men, for Bard could not restrain them; and out upon the other side came many of the spearmen of the elves. Once again the goblins were stricken in the valley; and they were piled in heaps till Dale was dark and hideous with their corpses. The Wargs were scattered and Thorin drove right against the bodyguard of Bolg. But he could not pierce their ranks.

戴因旗下所有的矮人全都拋卻了隊列順序，沖下來援助索林。許多長湖鎮(zhèn)的人類也狂奔而來，連巴德都攔阻不住他們，而另一邊的精靈長矛兵也沖了過來。半獸人們又被壓回到山谷里，谷地中因為堆滿了半獸人的尸體而變得黑暗可怕。座狼群完全被沖散，索林直向著波爾格的貼身衛(wèi)兵們沖去，但他無法突破這些衛(wèi)兵組成的防線。

Already behind him among the goblin dead lay many men and many dwarves, and many a fair elf that should have lived yet long ages merrily in the wood. And as the valley widened his onset grew ever slower. His numbers were too few. His flanks were unguarded. Soon the attackers were attacked, and they were forced into a great ring, facing every way, hemmed all about with goblins and wolves returning to the assault. The bodyguard of Bolg came howling against them, and drove in upon their ranks like waves upon cliffs of sand. Their friends could not help them, for the assault from the Mountain was renewed with redoubled force, and upon either side men and elves were being slowly beaten down.

此時在他身后，在半獸人的尸體中間，已經(jīng)倒下了許多人類和矮人，許多本可以在森林中頤享長生的精靈也獻出了他們的生命。隨著山谷的地形漸漸開闊，他的攻擊速度變得越來越慢了。他的兵力太少，側(cè)翼又沒有保護，于是很快，發(fā)起攻擊的一方遭到了反攻，他們被迫縮成了一個大圈，承受來自四面八方的打擊，被回過頭來的半獸人和惡狼緊緊包圍。波爾格的衛(wèi)兵們狂嚎著殺了進來，像潮水推倒沙崖一般沖破了他們的陣線。包圍圈外他們的朋友也無法施以援手，因為從山上往下攻的半獸人們又成倍添加了兵力，東坡和南坡上的人類與精靈正被慢慢打下山來。

On all this Bilbo looked with misery. He had taken his stand on Ravenhill among the Elves—partly because there was more chance of escape from that point, and partly (with the more Tookish part of his mind) because if he was going to be in a last desperate stand, he preferred on the whole to defend the Elvenking. Gandalf, too, I may say, was there, sitting on the ground as if in deep thought, preparing, I suppose, some last blast of magic before the end.

面對眼前這一切，比爾博只能哀傷地看著。他是和精靈們一起守渡鴉嶺陣地的，之所以選擇那里，部分是因為從那里逃脫的幾率比較大，部分是因為(當(dāng)然，這是他血管內(nèi)的圖克家族血統(tǒng)在起作用)如果難逃一死的話，他相對更愿意為保護精靈國王而戰(zhàn)死。甘道夫也在那里，坐在地上仿佛陷入了沉思，也許是準(zhǔn)備在結(jié)局到來前施出最后的魔法。

That did not seem far off. “It will not be long now,” thought Bilbo, “before the goblins win the Gate, and we are all slaughtered or driven down and captured. Really it is enough to make one weep, after all one has gone through. I would rather old Smaug had been left with all the wretched treasure, than that these vile creatures should get it, and poor old Bombur, and Balin and Fili and Kili and all the rest come to a bad end; and Bard too, and the Lake-men and the merry elves. Misery me! I have heard songs of many battles, and I have always understood that defeat may be glorious. It seems very uncomfortable, not to say distressing. I wish I was well out of it.”

而這一時刻看來已經(jīng)不遠了。“不會再有多久了。”比爾博想道，“半獸人很快就會攻下宮殿大門，我們要么慘遭屠殺，要么就是被趕下山去束手就擒。在經(jīng)歷了這么多事情之后，這景況還是會讓我想哭。我寧愿老史矛革還活著在守護那些該死的寶藏，也不愿意看到寶藏落入那些卑鄙家伙之手，而可憐的老邦伯、巴林、菲力、奇力和所有的人都落得個悲慘的結(jié)局。還有巴德、湖區(qū)的人類和快樂的精靈們也是一樣。我真是可憐!我聽過了這么多關(guān)于戰(zhàn)爭的歌曲，一直都明白雖敗猶榮的道理。然而戰(zhàn)敗看來是很不舒服的，簡直就是令人痛苦至極。要是我沒摻和進來就好了!”

The clouds were torn by the wind, and a red sunset slashed the West. Seeing the sudden gleam in the gloom Bilbo looked round. He gave a great cry: he had seen a sight that made his heart leap, dark shapes small yet majestic against the distant glow.

烏云被風(fēng)吹散了，一抹紅紅的落日狠狠地砍破了西方的黑暗。借著這驟然出現(xiàn)的光亮，比爾博打量了一下四周的情形，隨即發(fā)出一聲大喊，他看到的景象令他的心臟加速了跳動：在遠方光亮的映襯下，出現(xiàn)了一群黑色的身影，雖然暫時還是小小的，卻顯出了一種鎊礴的氣勢。

“The Eagles! The Eagles!” he shouted. “The Eagles are coming!”

“大鷹!大鷹!”他大叫道，“大鷹們來了!”

Bilbo’s eyes were seldom wrong. The eagles were coming down the wind, line after line, in such a host as must have gathered from all the eyries of the North.

比爾博看東西很少出錯。大鷹們乘著風(fēng)勢，一行接著一行，數(shù)量之多，似乎把整個北方鷹巢中的鷹都集結(jié)到了一起。

“The Eagles! the Eagles!” Bilbo cried, dancing and waving his arms. If the elves could not see him they could hear him. Soon they too took up the cry, and it echoed across the valley. Many wondering eyes looked up, though as yet nothing could be seen except from the southern shoulders of the Mountain.

“大鷹來了!大鷹來了!”比爾博大喊大叫，一邊雀躍著，揮舞著手臂。精靈們雖然看不見他，卻能聽得見他的喊聲。很快，他們也跟著喊了起來，喊聲響遍了山谷。許多好奇的目光朝空中望去，但什么也望不見，因為此時還只有從孤山的南坡頂上才能望見鷹群的蹤影。

“The Eagles!” cried Bilbo once more, but at that moment a stone hurtling from above smote heavily on his helm, and he fell with a crash and knew no more.

“大鷹來了!”比爾博又喊了一聲，但就在這時，一塊石頭呼嘯著從上面落下，重重地砸在他的頭盔上。他轟然倒地，失去了知覺。