Fuck yeah, I did it! Picked my FE12 H3 save back up after a long break and I got through this forest of Hell getting all the drops, and all it cost me was two rescue uses (wish it had only been one, but one thief's pathing would not comply). Now the reinforcements are done too so I'm free to finish it up leisurely. Still have to trigger the dragon and I will see what I can farm off Astram's men, but they look a lot more daunting than Jeorge's were.