“What do you think we’ll find?” asked one of my peers. There were six warriors amongst us, with two hundred Uruks of Mordor in tow. Black Iron plate armour from the forges of Barad-Dur, with black iron longswords at our hip. I turned my gaze to look upon the man over. I did not bother responding, as we were finally leaving Rhun. We were marching north, to tread into the frozen waste, and wheel west, to head straight for Gundabad. “Could be that there is a war amongst themselves. Gundabad and Gram have been silent for years. The only reports we’ve gotten were from the hordes in the mountains, and Moria.” Said only lasping ino silence. I breathed in deeply through my nose, “Regardless of how they are in their current state, it is our duty, to reign over them, and lay conquest to Eriador.” I spoke up, silence quickly washing over those within earshot.
It has been a month, since I was told to take a small force and march to Gundabad to mobilize the orc forces. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t honored. But the fact stands, that it was an order, with no promise of position. No promise of reward. I turned slightly in my saddle to look at the present company, the men seemed in a grim mood. But I would have sooner had more Numenoreans with us. One of the Variag chieftains gave us gifts, gold, wine. I have the wine under lock and key, to use for a desperate day.
The more north we marched, the more colder it seemed to get. I personally enjoy, the cold. This lifeless territory. The force kept onward, starting to veer westward. We made sure to steer clear of the dwarvern lands, not enjoying the prospect of fighting them, not just yet. Haradrim and Rhunic folk were mustering for a great campaign. A war to cover the world..And me, having my own part. “Personally, I do not think Dale, or Erebor will survive too long against the combined force of Rhun and Harad. They have known peace for too long. Sauron has seen this war coming.” Said one of the men, “Right. Though we can’t forget the Battle of Five Armies. Our forces were crushed, even with certain victory.” I grunted at the talk, turning my head to look the men over, “Orc rabble from caves everywhere joined under an Orc chieftain. They were not properly armed, they were not ready for war. What those orcs wanted, was to raid, and plunder. They were not ready for organized resistance. And much less so an army of elves.” I said curtly, “Things are different now. Umbar, Harad, Khand, Rhun, and all of the might of Mordor, marches to crush Gondor, Dale, Erebor, for the glory of Sauron. Sauron who will enshroud the world in his black embrace. We shall add ourselves as one of those mighty powers, as the Lords of Angmar. Leading the legions of Gundabad and Gram, Litash, and any other holding. From the North, we shall display our strength, to honor the Great Eye.” I finished, holding the horses reigns firmly, as we began to tread upon rougher, rocky terrain. The cold air filled ones lungs, with what felt like grim pride.
“Few more days, Lord. Gundabad will be reached.” Said the Uruk captain, a large, ugly brute, but strong, and straight to the point. I bowed my head, “We will press on. But we will linger at a distance, we will strike, a fierce and sudden blow, and demand the allegiance of the local chieftains. They have been silent. It is time we make them roar.”
