[Mithadan]

When the last of the guards that had forced their way into the perimeter tunnel had been slain, Mithadan fell to one knee, his breath coming in painful gasps. Azraph looked at him with concern, thinking the Man to be sorely hurt, but could see only trickles of blood issuing from wounds on his arms. After a moment, he hauled himself to his feet and, without a word, entered the path into the guards' quarters, following the course that Piosenniel and Gamba had taken.

He approached the stairwell and gasped, seeing the Elf crumpled on the floor lying in the arms of the Hobbit. Coming to her side, he found she was breathing heavily and grimacing in pain. Her cloak and tunic had been gashed at her side and he pushed the cloth away, seeking a wound. Instead, his hands touched her mithril shirt, and, finding it unblemished, he sighed with relief.

Piosenniel sat up, clutching her side, and accepted his help in coming to her feet. Gamba lifted her sword and knife from the ground and accompanied the two as they shuffled towards the Main Cave. As they passed through the mouth of the tunnel, Angara hissed upon seeing the Elf leaning so heavily upon the Man. Piosenniel raised a hand to assure the wyrm. "Nothing but a bruise," she said with a grin. "No cause for alarm."

Bird shrunk back to her human form and took the Elf from Mithadan. He passed through the circle of Elves and looked into the Main Cavern. While shouting could still be heard to the North, the Cave was free of any sign of life. He withdrew his last bag of dragonsfire and, first lighting it, threw the container into the open space. As it caught and burned, he saw Elves peering from openings on the West side of the Cavern. He waved, then gestured to the South. The remaining rescuers began their final retreat to the River Tunnel...

[ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]