The Glorious and Majestic Citadel of Guard

[Envin]

{My bad =P}

As Darre walked out of the doors, Aragorn quietly spoke behind him, hoping that the hardened Dwarf heart might hear him. "If Arwen falls, so too does the will of Aragorn, and in my heart I know that my life shall perish. Gondor bereft of a King, and my son too young to take up the mantle? A wayward kingdom is what shall await my realm should my wife die. Mayhap this seemeth selfishness to many, but it is sense and sooth to me and to my advisors. And I am no dwarf to sit stubborn in my hills while others fight the inevitable battles of their time, barking that another will take the place of whatever foe is their target. Indeed another foe may rise if Alcorad is to fall, but so say all who live to see such times. But the choice is not theirs to make - all that is required of them is that they wisely use the time they have for the betterment of Arda. And if this means that I defeat evil merely to have it rise again in later years, then so be it. At least my conscience will be clear. Not so that of Dwarves. Mayhap is there was gold to hoard next to their already laden chests Ered Luin would be easier persuaded."

The doors boomed behind Darre, and Aragorn sighed. With one eye open he listened to Morsereg's goadings, and snapped this in reply:

"Ye have my army, snake - now do not attempt steer me with subtleties and humor! I am no Orc that a cunning drow may steer to his liking. Give me thy battle-plans, for we are following thy lead in this endeavor. I think it unwise to attack without Enedwaith and Rohan as well, but mayhap such will be our course. Alcorad has allies, does he not? Those of Arnor? Aught else? Lancir, I would have the stay, if such would be thy pleasure. Thy realm has a place in this council. We have our four realms allied, and what has Alcorad? Would it be possible to send Lancir north to occupy Arnor while we three devastate Mordor?"

[King Darre]

Twas only a few moments later when the Dwarfking returned to stand in the frame of an ajar doorway, gazing inside. Two stern-looking advisors gaited inside past him, for clearly they had pursuaded the stubborn king elsewise. The two Dwarves strutted formally over to the King of Gondor and his assembled counsel. "Fair King Elessar... Forgive our well-meaning King. However you must see our point of view. It is only through Dwarven customs and way does he speak. As do all of us. Though in these hard times it is time to put away those culturistic characteristics away and join as one. Thus, we must inform thee- In our long, winding journey here, we passed through Rohan. The villagers there informed us that just north of the realm, in Isengard, the tainted King of Arnor now holds reign. We are also grim to report that our Dwarven merchants trading in Mirkwood and the Erebor region have said that this treasonous snake now also resides in Mirkwood.... Erebor, Arnor, Isengard and Mirkwood. Four realms. Alcorad has connections to Moria as well as Mordor and Aule knows where this creature in Harad's strength lies.... Ered Luin will kindly offer all of it's support in this war for two things... You see, sire, Erebor was taken over by Murazor... We have lost royal contact with the realm some time ago, and we have heard nor seen from it's elder ruler Orre ever since the battle took place. We were devastated when the attack occured, and the only contacts we have with the realm are from the drunken merchants that pass through the area reguarly. We wish for Erebor back under the control of the Dwarves after it is taken. Furthermore, though certainly not pushing it, we request for the additional realm of Arnor. If under our control, we promise to appoint a Duke to rule the realm under King Darre. A man-Duke, would be most appropriate we believe. It shall always be loyal to Gondor, as it once has. We only wish to bring prosperity to the realm, sire. While it would be ultimately yours to decide, King Aragorn, we suggest Isengard be turned over to Rohan and Mirkwood to the fairest Majesty Ashuron since both original leaders seem to have failed at their duty of protection for their realms. Each rulers hereof would be an appropriate appointment. Do you... accept this offer, Lord?" The two advisors did not mean any greed by their words, and it was quite known that the Dwarves were always seeking to gain in return. Aragorn could not get angry with them for attempting reason, for their speech was just and of good intention.

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

"I see only one fault in your plan, Wise Dwarves," Morsereg interjected, looking upon them. "We strike upon Mordor, not upon the realms of Bauglir's Son. If he falls in the battle, then I see no reason for you not to follow through with your plans, however we can not be certain this will happen. With the realms he has, he has no reason for my brother. In this case, he may fail to even participate in the battle."

"I ask naught of the bounty save Mordor. Call it inheritance if you must." His eyes drifted toward a window idly. "Lancir, I ask that your forces follow the Dimlokhi to Mordor's southern boundaries, your attack will commence there. The armies of Angmar, Ered Luin, and Gondor will strike at the Morannon. If he so consents, Aragorn, Myself, and a small band of allies shall sneak into Mordor through the Morgul Pass to bring the battle straight to Alcorad. We will have to travel with the swiftness of the bat and the wolf, of Chi'Gandir and of Núrutyáve, but we can do it."

[King Darre]

The Dwarven King still felt uneasy with allying himself, even momentarily with Morsereg... However his advisors spoke the truth. From his place in the doorway he now strode back into the session. He approached his map that remained pinned on the table around the group-

www.splicedonline.com/01galleries/lotr1_b03_maplrg_.jpg


"Very well. I shall appoint a general to lead the forces of Angmar and Gondor at the Morannon. Lancir will attack through the South, and you and Aragorn will march through the open Morgul Mountainsector. Meanwhile, I shall lead an assult on Moria to hold his forces there. If Murazor does not enter the battle, then in Arnor and Erebor's stead, I ask for the realm of Moria."

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

Morsereg nodded, "The mines are yours." His eyes glanced over the map quietly. "Your general shall not be alone, my top servants have their own squads to take care of. Maugrim, Dwar, and Akhorahil have their own troops to command, and in my stead will be Alucard of the Vampires. With Lancir shall ride Karasu and Ithilwen."

[King Darre]

Darre nodded gruffly. "Though I shall need more men. I will draw six thousend Gondorians from Morannon to aid in the assult... Ered Luin alone cannot match the strength under Moria, so this will be nesessary. More than enough will be left at the gates." The Dwardlord was grimfaced. He knew his rule under Moria would be shortlived, for the viles of the North would soon come in claim of this territory after the deals were done. Everything would return to normal afterward....

[Faron]

"And what of Lorien?" Ashuron asked, stepping forward once more. "Do you suggest that Arda's greatest archers fight at the Morannon, or would it be wise to send the agile elves through passes and over mountains to assault the Tree-Killer's Keep itself? Unfortunately, the Golden Woods do not fight as well underground, or I would send my army to the aid of the Ered Luin."

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

Morsereg's eyes rose to Ashuron, nodding slightly, "While we assault them at the Morannon, I suggest another path for the Elves. Hide in the mountains, and assault his army as it marches to meet us upon the Morannon. Kill as many as you may while they march in Udun. When they have passed, assault Barad-Dur. Myself and Aragorn will take Alcorad, but we will need to be covered so that we are not destroyed by Orcs."

[Envin]

Aragorn nodded his assent to the wise words of the Dwarves of Ered Luin, and with a weary smile welcomed Darre into the council, offering the proud King a seat. And he harkened to all of the plans which were presented, nodding often, but scowling at other thoughts. When the others had finished speaking, and glanced his direction, he had this to say:

"I concur with much, but also I disagree with much. We focus on Mordor alone, and yet as the Dwarves have said, Mordor has allies in the North. To focus solely upon Mordor and leave our flanks undefended would not be wise, I am fearing. Ah, would that we had word from Enedwaith! We could employ their service well. But as it is, we must press our attack now ere Alcorad learns of it. Morsereg's plan of a large diversion before the Black Gate is a good one, to my mind, but also good to my mind are the sentiments of Ashuron - Lorien's warriors would be ill-suited for a pitched battle upon open ground, whereas those of Gondor would be, and Lorien would be better equipped for a treacherous crossing of the Morgul-pass. Therefore, I say let Gondor and Ered Luin lead the charge upon the Morannon, while Lorien and Angmar attack through the pass. I shall lead the former assault, while Morsereg shall lead the latter. And three thousands from each realm shall be stationed upon the Dagorlad, to intercept any assault that may come upon us from the rear. Half of Lancir's force shall be in my control upon the Morannon battlefield, and the other half shall bolster the rearguard - Lancir shall be in command of those troops arrayed for our northern defense."

He bent down to the map before them, and with swift strokes of a quill outlined his suggested arrangements.

"What say ye to this?"

{Love the reference, BTW Tony!}

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

He nodded, "The King speaks truth." Morsereg eyed each of the rooms occupants slowly, "Ashuron, I see you will get your chance to strike at my brother for your woods. While we attack through the pass we shall fight our way to Barad-Dur, there we will confront him and strike him down. Lancir, I am leaving the Dimlokhi and the Guards of Karna in your care, do not fail me. Karasu and Ithilwen shall fight with the men of Gondor, for they are better suited to open plains than my other men. When do we strike?"

[Envin]

"My force, and that of Angmar are in Gondor, obviously - witless, so thou and I can mobilize at once. As for the others, AShuron can arrive the swiftest, and Darre may have free use of my ports to bring up his troops. How quickly will Khand be able to arrive? I suggest that in any event we assault the Morannon prior to the attack through the Morgul Vale, that in this wise Mordor may perchance be distracted to the north."

[King Darre]

Darre sighed and shook his head.

"Moria... What of Moria? My armies, the Dwarves, are best suited for an underground battle. They must be the ones to assult the Mines. As I have said, though, we will need reinforcements. Naturally, we would prefer Gondorians... Closer allies, as you would understand, Dindaedel. I suggest... Lancir's forces lead an attack from the south, and pillage the encampments near Nurn, taking out Alcorad's flanking reinforcements. Gondor and Angmar assult from the Morannon while Ashuron leads his forces through the Morgul Pass. During this, I shall lead my armies through Moria with sixthousend Gondorians and assult there."

The King looked to his advisors. Triumphant at their gain of the Misty Mountains, they were hurrying off to inform the camp of their prize.

"But what if these allies come to his aid and siege one of our realms while we press the attack? I suggest any newcomming members of this alliance stay on reserve. There is no reason to rally all of Middle-Earth. Even four armies already is highly overkil. Alcorad, while powerful, has not the might to stand against four realms."

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

"He has the might to stand against four realms if Murazor aids him. You see, we may not think in the same way as you, but us Dark Lords of Arda have some sort of honor. We would forsake the chance in most cases to bring a new realm under our sway to save an ally. Murazor is no more than Alcorad's pet, if he partakes in this war it will be to aid Alcorad. As smart as your strategems are, Master Dwarf, I must say I side with Aragorn in this matter. Murazor is no friend of mine, when this is done then you may strike Moria and I will sit out. However, we need our strength at Mordor. I will not strike at the Morannon, Angmar and Lorien will travel through the Morgul Pass. My brother will fall at my blade, and no one elses." Morsereg looked to Darre slightly.

"There is no such thing as overkill in war." He let loose a malicious grin for a fraction of a second before regaining his composure.

[King Darre]

"I shall not leave my realm defenceless, Dindaedel. If a counter attack on Moria is not part of this battle, then I shall not partake in the battle on the Morannon. There is no need for it. A moment ago you said that this war was not with Murazor, but now you say he will aid Alcorad? You suggest leaving Moria open during the battle when it is such a large threat for a counter-attack? No. I refuse to join in an indeed overkilled battle when there are other places that need watching. Ered Luin will not join in before the Gates of Mordor."

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

"Darre, I did not ask you to leave your realm defenseless. You do not need to bring all yout soldiers out to the battle. This war is not with Murazor, but he often takes part in things that don't concern him. This war is against Alcorad, but just as if you were to think of striking me in a war against me, Lancir here would aid. The war would not be with him, but he would be there. There is no such thing as overkill in war, especially against Mordor. Moria is an encampment of Alcorad, he will call reinforcements from there to AID him, not to strike out. I think it is I, not you, who knows my brother better, Darre."