Ogres?

[Angry Brandybuck]

It is just a metaphore used to emphasize the semblance of chaos.

In an 'ordinary' book, then yeah, this would have to be a metaphor. But it is hard in Tolkein to distinguish between imagery and actual things. I cite the long going debate over whether Balrogs have wings or not as a precedent of sorts.

Its good to bare in mind that Ogre can just be used to mean a big, ugly man. Don't know what that adds to the debate.