hobbit

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. 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.
"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.
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 folks, 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.
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.
"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. Dwarfmail
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!"
But the Elvenking said: "Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold. The dwarves
cannot press 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."
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.
Suddenly without a signal they sprang silently forward to attack. Bows twanged and
arrows whistled; battle was about to be joined.
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.