[Mithadan]

Piosenniel and Mithadan led the three teams cautiously through the tunnels on the western perimeter of the caverns. To their east, in the Main Cavern, there was considerable noise and cheering as the Hobbits distracted the guards with a game of candlestones, whatever that was. A single Hobbit guided the rescuers through the paths leading toward the two exit tunnels and the Locks. They avoided the light which flickered in from openings to their right. The tunnels they walked through were otherwise dark.

Their guide halted abruptly, holding up a silent hand in warning. Then he waved them forward. Just ahead, a group of Hobbits stood over a body. One held a knife and others held what appeared to be a visor with one side sharpened to a wicked edge. They struggled to move the body into a nearby alcove. As the rescue teams passed, they looked up with smiles and hopeful eyes. Mithadan waved to them and continued.

Soon after, their guide gestured that they should avoid a puddle on the tunnel floor. It was a small pool of dark fluid from which a trail led off to the east as if something had been dragged through it. They passed two more such puddles before they reached the entrance to the Graveyard Tunnel which led off to the West. Several Elves broke off from their group and melted into the black mouth of that tunnel.

A few minutes later they passed the second entrance into the caverns; the Front Prison Tunnel. There they found another group of Hobbits labouring to move a guard's body. The Elves assigned to guard that opening split off and aided the Hobbits in moving the dead weight. Unable to resist, one Hobbit maiden came forward and briefly embraced Piosenniel, who smiled then sent the Halfling back to her team.

The perimeter tunnel widened as they moved forward. Just ahead, they saw light entering from openings to their left. Groups of Hobbits were exiting from these caves and making their way either into other tunnels or toward the Main Cavern. Their guide stopped one group and asked that some of the lights in the annexes be extinguished. Soon the perimeter path was again dim. Two groups of Hobbits exited as they passed and headed back down the path which the rescuers had taken, moving towards the River Tunnel.

Soon the remaining team followed their guide to a place where the tunnel forked. The right hand fork appeared to lead off to the southeast. The guide quietly explained that this path led back along the east side of the Main Cavern towards the Guards' Quarters and ultimately the River Tunnel again. The fork to the left led to the Locks.

Piosenniel and Mithadan, joined by Kali, stepped into this tunnel. They left behind them six Elves to hold the tunnel entrance against any unexpected intruders. For a moment they stood still. All that could be heard was a steady murmur from they Main Cave punctuated occaisionally by a cheer or loud groan. But all else was calm. No alarm had been raised yet. Mithadan looked briefly at Piosenniel, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then, moving as one, they slid quietly up the tunnel towards the Locks.