that I heard them, even as I lay on the ground in sleep, and they
troubled my dreams: horses galloping, passing in the West. But now
they are drawing ever further from us, riding northward. I wonder what
is happening in this land!'
     'Let us go!' said Legolas.
     So the third day of their pursuit began. During all its long hours of
cloud and fitful sun they hardly paused, now striding, now running, as
if no weariness could quench the fire that burned them. They seldom
spoke. Over the wide solitude they passed and their elven-cloaks faded
against the background of the grey-green fields; even in the cool
sunlight of mid-day few but elvish eyes would have marked them, until
they were close at hand. Often in their hearts they thanked the Lady
of L?rien for the gift of lembas, for they could eat of it and find
new strength even as they ran.
     All day the track of their enemies led straight on, going north-west
without a break or turn. As once again the day wore to its end they
came to long treeless slopes, where the land rose, swelling up towards
a line of low humpbacked downs ahead. The orc-trail grew fainter as it
bent north towards them, for the ground became harder and the grass
shorter. Far away to the left the river Entwash wound, a silver thread