Lost in the Tunnels of Misty Mountains

"How long has passed since we entered these tunnels?.. Will we find a way back to the surface?.. Will I ever see another sunrise?..."

Berweuli shook her head slowly to clear the dark thoughts from her mind. Her elven companions were so quiet, she had to keep reminding herself that she was not alone...

Her attention snapped back to the present as Eleinin raised his hand to stop the party. “What's wrong?” she whispered, surprised at how loud her voice sounded. Thyra and Shayen remained silent as Gilraen took a step forward, but Eleinin said nothing. Reiven looked at him, searching his face for clues; his bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle against the darkness like newly-forged steel. He frowned with concentration for several moments then, pausing only to tell his companions to wait, he slipped silently into the darkness.

The elves exchanged glances. Berweuli moved to follow him until Reiven stopped her. “I'll be quieter and..” she paused. “I can see better in the dark..” Berweuli nodded slowly, but looked unsettled as Reiven disappeared from view.

Although she could not see him, or hear his footsteps, there was only one direction to travel, and Reiven did not hesitate. The tunnel twisted one way and then another, but as she rounded a sharp bend she had to stop quickly to avoid bumping into him. Eleinin gave her a reproachful glance for ignoring his instructions, but he said simply “Goblins.. They are here.”

Reiven looked puzzled. “But.. how..”
He shrugged his shoulders and began to lead her back the way they had come.
“But.. How do you know?”, she asked again.
Looking back over his shoulder, he whispered “What do you mean?”
“Goblins.. How did you sense them from so far? I didn't hear anything..” Her words trailed off, fading into the silence.
Eleinin stopped abruptly, and turned toward her, a hint of a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. “Their smell.. I would know it anywhere..”
Reiven raised her eyebrows in disbelief. He smirked and said “I know your hearing is sharp, but perhaps your nose is not..”
Reiven blushed and bit her lip gently, ashamed. Eleinin looked at her and for a moment, emotion overcame him and he stared at her, transfixed.

The twang of a bowstring was followed swiftly by the whistling of an arrow. It flew between them, grazing Reiven's cheek and leaving a faint red streak across her pale skin. Eleinin grabbed her and pushed her in front of him as another arrow struck his armour and deflected harmlessly to the side.

As they ran, they could hear the foul speech of the goblins echoing in the tunnels behind them. Time seemed to slow down, and Reiven wondered how they could be so far from their companions. Just as she began to despair, the tunnel opened out into a narrow chamber, and she saw her friends standing ready to fight.
“Run!” Eleinin cried loudly. “Now! Hurry!”

But the other elves were ready with their bows, and loosed a deadly volley into the darkness.,The sound of howling showed their arrows had struck true, but the delay proved costly; a blood-spattered goblin rushed from the tunnel, leaping at Gilraen and slashing wildly with its crudely-forged black sword. Berweuli spun round and slew the goblin with one mighty swing of her sword, but it was too late...

As Gilraen slumped to the ground, blood flowing copiously from the wound in his side, Eleinin scowled and muttered under his breath. He didn't need to examine the wound to know it was fatal.
“We need to move, now!” Thyra cried frantically, gesturing toward the tunnel behind them.
Reiven turned to him, shaking her head. “We can't leave him behind!”
“Don't be a fool!” he argued. “He's already dead!”
Reiven clenched her fists, but her voice remained calm. “No.. not yet.. Just give me some time...”

Although they recognised the wisdom in Thyra's words, the other members of the party turned resolutely toward the entrance of the chamber. Taking position just inside, Berweuli steadied her shield to block the first wave of attackers. But as the goblins rushed down the tunnel, they were met by a furious hail of arrows from the bows of Eleinin and Shayen, preventing any of them from reaching the entrance.

Reiven meanwhile stood with her palms pressing against the cold tunnel walls. Closing her eyes, she began to whisper long-forgotten words, calling on ancient powers of stone and earth to aid them in their desperate plight. A low rumbling sound rose from the depths of the mountain, growing louder with each passing second; dust and small pieces of stone began to fall from the ceiling. “Fall back!” shouted Eleinin, but at that moment a troll emerged from the darkness of the tunnel, roaring and brandishing a huge stone club. Berweuli grinned when she saw the beast, steeling herself for the challenge...

Goblins rushed in panic to get out of the way as the creature emerged from the entrance. As Berweuli moved forward, Eleinin drew back his supple bow, a look of intent concentration on his face as he took careful aim. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. The bow sang and the deadly arrow flew straight and true, striking the creature in the throat. As it slumped to its knees, the ceiling collapsed on top of it, blocking the entrance and hiding everything with a thick cloud of dust...

After the dust had settled, Shayen looked up from Gilraen's side and smiled with relief. “He's still breathing!”
Waves of relief and elation washed over the whole party as they struggled to catch their breath. Berweuli grinned, but Thyra looked away in shame. Reiven leaned gently on Eleinin's arm, drained from her exertions.
“So stubborn.. yet so fragile..” he thought, as she smiled weakly at him. “Well done..” he whispered. “Well done...”