No man not that hard just it just about time once you get decent equipment then fight will be piece of cake. And for the darkness you can try with 3 ways (forgive me 4 my poor English) 1. Go with walls stick with them and remembered the direction. 2.you can draw the map of cave on paper that way too will understand the path of den but ( i don't think so anyone would it 3. my fav ( look in the ground in any size of space there will be dark grey stones so will get the good idea of space and try different ways.
Or it's been while since I played it but in the cave I have little bit idea of direction go ( northwest then cave change or whatever that is then noth east then bridge part go east and I am right then northwest or north sorry for this👍