[piosenniel]

It was a slow procession down the perimeter road heading west to the front prison entrance. Anee with Daisy and Kali led the band of Hobbits and Men back down the tunnel. The more able of the freed band lent arms for support to their fellow prisoners. The frail, old hobbit lady clung to Khelek’s free arm, and often stared up at him with her rheumy eyes, shaking her head in disbelief. ‘An Elf!’ she murmured to herself, as she patted his arm to assure herself that he was real. ‘And a lordly one, at that! I never thought to see the day that old Pansy would see such a sight.’

They had reached the front entrance tunnel to the prison. One of the Noldor, his spear laid aside, sword drawn, challenged them, as he saw the Men approaching. Pio stepped forward and spoke briefly with him. He told her that the Hobbits with the aid of several Teleri had tenuously secured the northwestern section of the caverns outside the main cave. One of the Hobbit warriors within the main cave had come recently to say they feared an influx of guards coming west through the tunnel that lead in from the Locks area.

A sudden commotion, growing louder as it approached from the south, caused them all to become silent. The freed prisoners were put behind them, Kali and Daisy as their guard, as the Elves and Mithadan prepared to meet this new challenge. Daisy quickly passed out the once hidden knives from her cell to the abler Hobbits. Two men came round the bend in the road, and Pio stepped forth with her blade to stop them. She stayed her hand and bade the others do the same. ‘They bear no weapons!’ she said. It was then that a familiar figure came running into view, followed by two Hobbits. ‘Damn their long legs!’ she heard the woman mutter. Pio burst out laughing, and Bird smiled wryly at her.

The two Men, Gilrain and Rumil, joined the small band of the Faithful, who wept to see them safe again. Gamba and Azraph went to stand with Daisy and the other Hobbits. They stared curiously at Kali, then Gamba offered his hand in greeting saying, ‘You are one of the Hobbrim that Cami told us would come to aid us. We thank you.’ Azraph smiled at Daisy, noting how Kali clasped her hand, keeping close beside her.

Pio motioned Mithadan forward. ‘We cannot take the Men through the main cave and out through the river tunnel. They are defenseless. There will be too much confusion, and the probability is that in the heat of battle they will be mistaken for guards and slain.’ He nodded his head in agreement. ‘Let us send Khelek and one of the Noldor to lead them and the freed Hobbits down the perimeter road to the river. They can board the ships from there.’

She gathered the group about her and told them what they must do. Gamba and Azraph looked at one another, and Gamba shook his head ‘no’ at this plan. ‘We cannot abandon our family and friends who fight in the main cave.’ he told her firmly. She smiled at his resolve, and drew the knives from her boots, handing one to each of them. ‘Then you will come.’ she said, ‘and fight with us beside them.’

Mithadan moved toward the small group of Men, and took Isilmir aside for a few moments. They stood close together, speaking softly, Mithadan’s hand resting on the other’s shoulder. Isilmir nodded when they were done, and rejoined the others. She could not see his face, noting only that he carried himself with the same gentle strength and grace as did her belovéd. She smiled to see them walk away from each other. ‘Root and branch.’ she thought. A small plea escaped her lips that Mithadan might live to see his own children as they branched out from him.

Khelek led the remainder of the Hobbits and the Men south toward the graveyard entrance. The Noldor warrior brought up the rear.

Mithadan led the way through the front prison tunnel to the main cave, followed closely by Bird, Kali, Daisy, Anee, Gamba, and Azraph. Pio, sword drawn, a long knife held in the opposite hand came last.

She entered the cave quickly, and took in the scene. The Hobbit warriors and the Teleri held the main entrance in the north, giving cover to the Hobbit groups struggling to get into the cave and then pass through the tunnel in its southern wall to the river. The tunnel from the Locks was barely secured, though as yet she saw no fighting at its entrance into the cave. There would be heavy fighting in all this area and soon, she noted grimly.

She sighed, and went forward toward the Locks’ tunnel.

[ October 30, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]