[Himaran]

The dwarves continued to stumble through the tunnels for over an hour. Progress was slow, and the single torch was repeatedly being dropped or snuffed out. The company tried to keep their hopes up by talking about Erebor or their other home, but the general morale was low. Most believed they were lost.

Then, however, they began to see signs of recent movement in the tunnel. Streaks of blood stained the floor, and weapons lay along the walls. The path itself seemed suddenly larger, and the air more fresh. "We must be near the entrance, "Bali said happily. "Not much farther now!"

So they hurried. Through the widening passage, up the roughly hewn stairs, and straight into a room filled with the very enemies they had hoped to leave behind.