now was that great fight of the stony ford ... ... nigh to naugladur , for even though naugladur and his captains led their bands stoutly never might they grip their foe , and death fell like rain upon their ranks until the most part broke and fled , and a noise of clear laughter echoed from the elves thereat , and they forebore to shoot more , for the illshapen figures of the dwarves as they fled , their white beards tornby the wind , filled them [ with ] mirth .