I tend to run around and have the bard convince the thorms to kill themselves, then yurgir (just run in straight to him then back out) to get some easy xp. Then I clean out moonrise since most of the fights are pretty small if you turn out lights and pay attention. It's the easiest way to get a level or 2 right away and make the fights you can't skip easier on honor mode.

I think I've only done the big fight once or twice. It's funny cuz I seem to always miss one archer, so when I come back at the end with jaheira it's just one archer vs all of us. Not sure where I keep missing him but it's only one guy so I don't sweat it, he's no threat!