[Mithadan]

Mithadan halted Piosenniel and grasped her wrist so that he might examine her wound. Then he stripped off his left vambrace and handed it to her. "Tie it tightly," he instructed. "It will staunch the flow of blood."

They continued back down the tunnel. From behind them came shouts. Guards were attempting to enter the tunnel either from the Locks or the smithy. They reached the Elven guard at the mouth of the tunnel and warned them of the coming onslaught. Two Elves crouched down holding their spears at ready. Two bowmen stood behind them, ready to let loose their arrows. Elves wielding axes stood to the sides. Mithadan and Piosenniel took up positions next to the bowmen with Bird and the Hobbits behind.

Several guards came racing down the tunnel. Two fell with arrows in their throats. The next two were impaled upon the spears. One burst through, knocking over a crouching Elf, only to be slain by a blow from an axe. Then the melee spilt out into the perimeter tunnel.

The encounter was quick but deadly. Another guard fell with an arrow in his chest. Heavy blows were dealt by the axemen as the spearmen retreated and drew their swords. Piosenniel advanced into the fray, her sword clashing against that of a Numenorean. Gamba and Azraph slashed at a Man who had leapt upon the toppled Elf. Mithadan grappled with an opponent armed with two knives. He threw the guard to the floor and silenced him with a blow to the head. The last remaining Man fled back up the tunnel shouting for help. Weary but whole, the Elves resumed their positions.

Mithadan leaned against a wall, breathing heavily. His cloak was tattered and his clothing covered with blood. A red gash had been opened on his right arm. "We cannot hold them long if many more come," he panted. "I hope all goes well at the Guards Quarters Tunnel."

"If we played candlestones, then many of the guards would have been in the Main Cave," said Gamba. A fey light was in his eyes, but he held his knife high. "We might be harder pressed here than there."

The guards' bodies were piled into the mouth of the tunnel while they awaited the next assault. They did not wait long. More Men charged their position. This time, after the Elves let their arrows fly, Piosenniel lit a pot of dragonfire and threw it at the feet of the advancing guards. The Elves averted their eyes from the carnage and stepped back as heat and foul smoke poured from the tunnel. Piosenniel lit a second pot and threw it into the fiery opening. The piled bodies caught and burned as well.

Mithadan and Piosenniel stepped into the North end of the cave. There, the battle had subsided and of the few Hobbits that remained, all were moving to the River Tunnel. They looked to the West. No Hobbits could be seen entering from the annexes there.

"I think it is time to begin our withdrawal," said Piosenniel. "It appears that all who are able are escaping."

"We must check the annexes," cried Azraph. She and Gamba raced off before they could be restrained. Mithadan turned back towards the flame-filled tunnel. Shouts could be heard there, but none could approach the conflagration. Soon the Hobbits returned. "We can find no one there alive," said Gamba.

"Then we must retreat," cried Piosenniel. She turned to the Elves. "Proceed down the perimeter to the Front Prison Tunnel. Give your fellows aid there if it is needed. Then block the tunnel with fire as here and retreat to the Graveyard Tunnel. Wait there until we signal. We shall set dragonfire in the Main Cave when it is time to go. If you see no signal but guards come from the East, go on to the River Tunnel and escape."

The Elves nodded and turned to go. Piosenniel took another bag of dragonfire and threw it into the Locks passageway. The flames erupted even higher. Then a rumbling could be heard and a portion of the tunnel collapsed.

"Let us go," cried the Elf. She led the way
around to the East followed by Mithadan, Bird and the Hobbits.