There was a deep silence, ...

There was a deep silence, only scraped on its surfaces by the faint quiver of empty seed-plumes, and broken grass-blades trembling in small air-movements they could not feel. \'Not a bird!\' said Sam mournfully. \'No, no birds,\' said Gollum. \'Nice birds!\' He licked his teeth. \'No birds here. There are snakeses, wormses, things in the pools. Lots of things, lots of nasty things. No birds,\' he ended sadly. Sam looked at him with distaste.
There was a deep silence, only scraped on its surfaces by the faint quiver of empty seed-plumes, and broken grass-blades trembling in small air-movements they could not feel. 'Not a bird!' said Sam mournfully. 'No, no birds,' said Gollum. 'Nice birds!' He licked his teeth. 'No birds here. There are snakeses, wormses, things in the pools. Lots of things, lots of nasty things. No birds,' he ended sadly. Sam looked at him with distaste.
 J. R. R. Tolkien

Quotes from the same author

Not all those who wander are lost.
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 J. R. R. Tolkien
War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.
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 J. R. R. Tolkien
He was as noble and fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer.
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 J. R. R. Tolkien
Outside the ring of dancing warriors with spears and axes stood wolves at a respectful distance, watching and waiting.
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 J. R. R. Tolkien
Of the twelve companions of Thorin, ten remained. Fili and Kili had fallen defending him with shield and body, for he was their mother’s elder brother.
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 J. R. R. Tolkien