Only after dawn did the orcs discover that not a single one of the Poison Needles they had been so wary of remained on the ground in Big Gourd Belly. Instead, colorful Linen Strips lay everywhere.
The Orc Chieftain was deeply disappointed. He had hoped that after storming Big Gourd Belly and driving the elves away, he could discover the secrets and patterns behind the placement of the Poison Needles from the needle formations they left behind.
But that hope had fallen through as well. He looked up toward the elves' position in Small Gourd Belly, where colorful Linen Strips also fluttered in the wind. Who knew whether there were any Poison Needles there?
For three straight days, the orcs did not attack, and the elves did not dare cross over either. The two sides stared at one another across the narrow stretch of Gourd Waist.
At first, they still exchanged the occasional arrow to show that they remained hostile and engaged in battle. Later, the orcs grew lazy, and so did the elves. Neither side bothered with the other.
Shoot one over, and I'll pick it up and put it in my quiver. That shows I've seen your sincerity and am keeping it as a treasured gift. But you'd better not give me a chance to send it back. It wouldn't be good if I accidentally delivered it into your body-or one of your comrades'.
After playing this game of exchanging arrows with the elves a few times, the orcs discovered that they always came off worse, so they lost their enthusiasm for it. There was one elf who looked like an officer whom the orc archers particularly hated.
Not only did this fellow shoot far, but his aim was incredibly accurate and his shots came in rapid succession.