Snippet #2471704

Mount Gundabad, the dark mountain at the top of the world. This fould pit of Orcs and Goblins was rarely visited by the more noble races of Middle-Earth, mostly because of its reputation of 'A fozen Mordor.' Whilst the dark land of ash to the south fell into disarray with The Last Alliance of Men and Elves's attack, Gundabad flourished like never before. The only real blip on its history was the failed Battle of Five Armies, where the dark forces were crushed.

It was through these dark and croweded halls Deranan strode. His brass mask was tied to his hip so that all could see his grim face. In front of him a small contingent of Orc guards were pushing him a path. Black Numenors always held a higher place over the mud-born Orcs. The few Numenors present in Gundabad were usually those in charge of controlling its multiple legions of Orcs and Goblins, after their wild attack on Erabor they were no longer trusted to lead their own armies.

Eventually he came to a chamber in the heart of the mountain, these were the council chambers. Pushing open the dark iron doors he calmly strode into the now silenced hall. The Orcs, Goblins and Numenorians sat around a large table in the center all turned to see their unannouned, though not unexpected, guest. He took three steps into the hall then paused, his eyes scanning the room. He turned and stepped up to an Orcish captain, the captain of the scouts and drawing a dagger plunged it into its eye just enough to blind it. The Orc guards quickly jumped up and made to attack Deranan when the head of the council shouted at them to stand down, which they reluctantly did.

Deranan then took the further steps to reach the council table and stood over it, making most of the Elders of Gundabad nervous, he had a bit of a reputation as the scout captain discovered. "Captain Deranan." The head Elder began. "We had expected you day ago, what is the reason for your delay?" He turned his grim gaze to the aging man. "I would have overshot the mountain completely, had one of your scouts not attacked me. I hope my recent message was enough to tell them to be more careful from now on?" Meaning the blinding of the captain. "I trust you are aware of why I am here?" The Numenorian Elders nodded whilst the Orcish Elders seemed slightly confused, the head Elder explained for them. "You were sent by Carn Dum to discover the truth of the rumours of Saurons return." Here the Orcs became excited, which needed a call for silence to calm them. "Of course this is only one part of your mission, the other is to return our lord the Witch King to us, so that he may once more lead us into the golden days of old." Though this was hundreds of years ago some of the Elders nodded as if they fondly remembered the days when Angmar ruled the north. Here Deranan nodded his own confirmation. "Indeed, though these lands are strange to me, I am unsure where to procced next, unless I am to head straight through Lothlorian?" The head Elder shook his head and gestured so a map of the world east of the Misty Mountains was brought over, he pointed at Gundabad. "The mountain is bordered from the south by Lothlorian and to the east Mirkwood, both of these woods are home to Elves, to head south is to risk the attention of Galadriel. That would mean death. No, though the Necromancer has long since vanished from Dol Guldur we have recieved word from captured woodsmen that dark forces loyal to Sauron now dwell there. You should venture through Mirkwood, avoiding the Carrock at all costs and following the spiders, whether they are feral is unknown to us. Though to send you into the deep woods alone would be foolish. A contingent of Orcs must be sent with you." It was here that one Orc captain by the name of Grishnahk stood up, Grishnahk was by birth a Mordor Orc. "Me and my Orcs shall venture with you My Lord." He gave a small bow that would have pleased any if they were not Deranan. "Very well." Answered the Elder for him. "You leave in a week, provisions will be made for you. And on behalf of the council of Gundabad I urge you to move with haste, the Witch King must return to us."