The Goblins cleared off and an Elven Caravan arrived. I opened the main gates for (I hoped) just long enough for the Caravan to get inside. It was so close, but one Goblin Spearman got inside with the last Yak. Although the Yak gored him to death rapidly, the remaining Elves insisted on leaving.
I tried to reason with them - I pointed out the 2 dozen Goblins outside, but the arrogant fool wasn't having any of it. Fighting his guards would be a futile waste of my own Dwarfpower, so I bid him farewell, sealed the Inner gate and pulled the lever to release the outer gates. To his credit, he did take down 7 goblins before succumbing to the inevitable weight of numbers.
I hastily resealed the Outer gate, and almost by reflex unsealed the Inner gate.
Immediately my Dwarves sprang for the bodies. Aside from the goblinite, two of the Yaks had died just short of the Outer gate, fully loaded. While most of their goods were useless fripperies, there were 3 barrels of elven alcohol and two of surface plant seeds, plus several bales of much needed cloth and thread for the Hospital.
Corpse looting is degrading, but it's better than becoming one.
Stalemate resumed. The Goblins can't get past the walls, and we can't get out. The Caravan from the Mountains will be better equipped than those arrogant Elves though, and once that happens the Charcoal supply will resume.
Next time, I'm putting 10 tonnes of steel into a reserve store.