[Mithadan]

Angóre's ploy attracted the attention of many of the Orcs but some continued to follow the other Elves. Twice, they were forced to turn and defend themselves but none of the Orcs that had pursued them lived to report the route they were taking. Eventually, there were no sounds of pursuit behind them and they were able to halt and rest for a time.

Elladan sat next to his mother and draped his grey cloak about her shoulders. "Amme", he said quietly. "Are you wounded? Have they harmed you?" She looked back at her son with dull eyes. "My body has taken no harm..." she answered quietly, yet both knew that she had left things unsaid. He held her close, then stood as Vanimorén, who had gone ahead, returned to the group.

"I have found it!" he cried excitedly. "The great hall of the Second Deep! It is but a ways farther to the left. The Gates are not far now!"

"At last," sighed Elrohir. But even as he spoke, the sound of beating drums echoed in the tunnels. They cowered in the shadows until the sound stopped. Then they all rose and made their way down the passage, following close behind Vanimorén who led the way. Fingil spoke quietly to Elladan as they walked. "The Gates will be held against us now, will they not? The drums were an alarm." Elladan did not respond, and they continued on through the darkness.

Just as Vanimorén had said, a large and lofty hall opened on their left. It was lit dimly by faint and distant daylight that entered through shafts high above. Keeping to the walls and dodging from pillar to pillar, they made their way to the end of the hall and found a broad stairway leading upward. At the top of the stairs, they halted and Elladan peeked out carefully. They had reached yet another hall, more massive than the one a level below, lined with great columns of carved stone. To the left, the hall ran on back towards Moria. But to the right, light entered through the Gates of Durin and illuminated a narrow span over a black chasm. The bridge had no railings and was broad enough only for one person to pass at a time. And it was guarded.

On the near side of the chasm was a group of Uruks, nearly twenty in number. They wore mail and carried black spears tipped with steel blades that were painted red. On the far side of the bridge were ten more similarly arrayed Uruks. Both groups stood facing inwards, peering into the hall for a glimpse of the Elves.

Fingil raised his sword as Elladan returned. "The bridge is held against us," he said tiredly. "There are two dozen Orcs, some on each end of the span."

"Then we must fight our way out," said Fingil.

"No," answered Elladan. "They are too many and the bridge is easily defended. While we could defeat them, it will be dangerous and they will raise the alarm. We may find ourselves quickly surrounded."

"Then we must play Angóre's game," interjected Torfithien. "We must lead them away on a merry chase."

"Perhaps..." replied Elladan. Then he and Elrohir huddled together and whispered, debating what course they should take...

[ November 04, 2003: Message edited by: Mithadan ]