That was as well, for the night was bitter and miserable. Shelters
could be contrived for few (the Master had one) and there was little
food (even the Master went short). Many took ill of wet and cold and
sorrow that night, and afterwards died, who had escaped uninjured from
the ruin of the town; and in the days that followed there was much
sickness and great
     Meanwhile Bard took the lead, and ordered things as he wished, though
always in the Master’s name, and he had a hard task to govern the
people and direct the preparations for their protection and housing.
Probably most of them would have perished in the winter that now
hurried after autumn, if help had not been to hand. But help came
swiftly; for Bard at once had speedy messengers sent up the river to
the Forest to ask the aid of the King of the Elves of the Wood, and
these messengers had found a host already on
     The Elvenking had received news from his own messengers and from the
birds that loved his folk, and already knew much of what had happened.
Very great indeed was the commotion among all things with wings that
dwelt on the borders of the Desolation of the Dragon. The air was
filled with circling flocks, and their swift-flying messengers flew
here