Bali loaded his belt with fresh hatchets and knives. Shouldering his axe, the dwarf hurried to a fairly strategic position above one of the main stairwells. Next to him was a large bucket, filled with old kitchen oil. When lit, it would effectively explode.
Bali listened to the sound of conflict. He picked out the war cries of the Dunedain, along with those of elves and dwarves. "Baruk Ak Kazad! Kazad Ai Menu! Elendil!"
But soon a dreadful silence came, followed by the pounding of footsteps coming up the stairs. Bali lit a small candle and held it burning in his hand. When he saw that the maker of the noise was not a friend but sadly a Uruk, Bali dropped the candle into the bucket, slammed the lid, and kicked it down the stairs; knocking over the Uruk as it tumbled downwards. Seconds later, an explosion from below rocked the cavern.
The Uruks came up the stairwell fiercely. Bali caught the first with his axe and fliped the creature over it, then hurled a hatchet at a second. After slaying two more, Burzdol and Astarielle appeared, launching arrows from above him; and giving Bali enough time to run to safety. He threw a knife and two more hatchets before slamming the door and running up into another passageway with his companions.
"We must keep them moving, popping up at intersections and confusing them. We must bide time. The Gondorian army should arrive soon, and then the tide will turn." The three hurried off to their next ambush point.
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