Exactly. Mind you, I like Arondir, I like his relation with Bronwyn, I love how they did the Orcs, and I can't help but enjoy those spectacular leaps the elves

Exactly. Mind you, I like Arondir, I like his relation with Bronwyn, I love how they did the Orcs, and I can't help but enjoy those spectacular leaps the elves make. The individual parts are fine. It's just how they tie everything together, dragging characters by their hair to wherever the plot wants them to be, that makes the whole thing make no sense. And I don't see why any of this is necessary. Couldn't they have Arondir meet Adar before the escape attempt, make the escape attempt succeed, and when the Orcs pursue him, he manages to steal some weapons from the first Orcs he defeats with his bare hands. It wouldn't be the most inspired writing, but at least the decisions the characters make, would make more sense.