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ach 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 round shield 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。 Trumpets called men and elves to arms。 Before long the dwarves could be seen ing 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 pany。 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 e； 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 e 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！〃 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 e 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 e 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。
〃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 e upon you all！ Alas！ it has e more swiftly than I guessed。 The Goblins are upon you！ Bolg of the North is ing。 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！〃 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。
〃e！〃 called Gandalf。 〃There is yet time for council。 Let Dain son of Nain e swiftly to us！〃
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 ing 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。
This is the plan that he made in council with the Elvenking and with Bard； and with Dain； for the dwarf…lord now joined them： the Goblins were the foes of all； and at their ing 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 for make any other plan； or to summon any help。 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。 〃To the Mount