She signals her lieutenants with an subtle inclination of her chin, and the elves move in to bind the hapless company's wrists with strong elven rope.
"Tuli malral mel" she instructs as this is occurring, indicating the packs and sacks, and several more elves jump to collect the fallen packs and swiftly divide the contents into a dozen smaller sacks to distribute the load. Leudigar's spilled loot is partially recovered; though he notes with satisfaction that the last few dozen coins are left behind. Too much trouble.
"Now we run," she states bluntly, in common for the captive's benefit. The whole party of elves springs fleetly to foot, seemingly unencumbered by the treasure. Our heroes are towed along on short leads, always with elves ahead and behind them. They would keep pace if they were not so weary, but as it is their central motivation is the elvish arrow and spear tips that goad them along.
Where Leudigar's course would have steered them west, the elves instead set a north-easterly course, intermittently trotting and running into the rolling grasslands, and toward who knows what end. They pause for water and the briefest rests only when our heroes (other than the ranger) are on the verge of collapsing. And then they are off again, setting an urgent pace. Perhaps an hour before dusk, they top a grassy ridge and pause again. Leudigar reckons they may have covered 10 miles, and even he is almost spent. The elves seem to be looking ahead for someone, or something, but they give no clue what... until eventually he spots a company of riders approaching; more elves! And these with swift mounts.
Soon enough the two parties meet, and it is immediately apparent it is a planned rendezvous. Several of those in the saddle dismount and the Captain among them exchanges brief words with those already afoot. Glances toward the captives, and an explanation is made. There is a short discourse, and they seem to agree. Then orders are issued.
Several of the riders dismount and pass their snorting mounts over to those who were on foot, so that the captives can be mounted onto the horses, with their saddles tied together. Our heroes treasure trove, now divided into a dozen smaller sacks, is packed into saddle bags, and the mounted elves with their prisoners, turns the horses about to ride once more into the north and the west.
On the distant horizon... our heroes see the shadow of the Wild Wood brooding as they are jolted along.
[f=32]
Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak,
lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges;
torch[/f]