ght on the other side of the water,
nigh to where the hills break off into the sheer cliffs that are called
the Kites' Nest, and the water runneth under them, coming from the east:
and before him lieth the easy ground of the eastern heaths where he is
minded to wend to-morrow betimes in the morning: and if ye do your best
ye shall be there before he is upon the road, and sure it is that your
tidings shall hasten him."

"Thou sayest sooth," saith Geirbald, "tarry we no longer; here sunder our
ways; farewell!"

"Farewell," said he, "and thou, Viglund, take this word in parting, that
belike thou shalt yet see the Romans, and strike a stroke, and maybe be
smitten. For indeed they be most mighty warriors."

Then made they no delay but rode their ways either side. And Geirbald
and Viglund rode over rough and smooth all night, and were out of the
thick wood by day-dawn: and whereas they rode hard, and Viglund knew the
ways well, they came to Mirkwood-water before the day was old, and saw
that the host was stirring, but not yet on the way. And or ever they
came to the water's edge, they were met by Wolfkettle of the Wolfings,
and Hiarandi of the Elkings, and three others who were but just come from
the place where the hurt men lay down in a dale near the Great Ridge;
there had Wolfkettle and Hiarandi been tending Toti of the Beamings,
their fellow-in-arms, who had been sorely hurt in the battle, but was
doing well, and was like to live. So when they saw the messengers, they
came up to them and hailed them, and asked them if the tidings were good
or evil.

"That is as it may be," said Geirbald, "but they are short to tell; the
Romans are in Mid-mark, and Otter rideth on the spur to meet them, and
sendeth us to bid Thiodolf wend the heaths to fall in on them also. Nor
may we tarry one minute ere we have seen Thiodolf."

Said Wolfkettle, "We will lead you to him; he is on the east side of the
water, with all his host, and they are hard on departing."

So they went down the ford, which was not very deep; and Wolfkettle rode
the ford behind Geirbald, and another man behind Viglund; but Hiarandi
went afoot with the others beside the horses, for he was a very tall man.

But as they rode amidst the clear water Wolfkettle lifted up his voice
and sang:

"White horse, with what are ye laden as ye wade the shallows warm,
But with tidings of the battle, and the fear of the fateful storm?
What loureth now behind us, wh