I tell thee that hadst thou been there, thou wouldst have thought of it as if the world were coming to an end." "Well," said Wolfkettle, "let it be as it may! Yet at least I will not be led away from the field by the foemen.

Oft may a man be hindered of victory, but never of death if he willeth it." Therewith he handled a knife that hung about his neck, and went on to say: "But indeed, I do much marvel that no word came into the mouth of the Hall-Sun yestereven or this morning, but such as any woman of the kindred might say." Therewith fell their talk awhile, and as they rode they came to where the wood drew nigher to the river, and thus the Mid-mark had an end; for there was no House had a dwelling in the Mid-mark higher up the water than the Elkings, save one only, not right great, who mostly fared to war along with the Elkings: and this was the Oselings, whose banner bore the image of the Wood-ousel, the black bird with the yellow neb; and they had just fallen into the company of the greater House.
So now Mid-mark was over and past, and the serried trees of the wood came down like a wall but a little way from the lip of the water; and scattered trees, mostly quicken-trees grew here and there on the very water side.

But Mirkwood-water ran deep swift and narrow between high clean-cloven banks, so that none could dream of fording, and not so many of swimming its dark green dangerous waters.

And the day wore on towards evening and the glory of the western sky was unseen because of the wall of high trees.

And still the host made on, and because of the narrowness of the space between river and wood it was strung out longer and looked a very great company of men.