A few days have passed, and now the Witch King is making his official visit to the North Barrow Downs.

Basikov tells Dorwen "The Witch King is making an official visit today, so make sure nobody enters the Palace interrupted."

Dorwen says "I understand. Also, I have done what you asked. I have captured Lartuen's affiliates."

Basikov says "Show me."

Dorwen and Colonel Basikov go right outside the palace. Dorwen leads him to an area behind where Madaw members have the affiliates on their knees.

Dorwen says "I didn't know what you wanted me to do with them sir, so I waited for your input."

Basikov says "There are no affiliates." At that moment, the military ended the lives of the affiliates. Basikov tells Dorwen "If you find Lartuen's supporters, send them to our work camps. If they are uncooperative, then life will be uncooperative"

Colonel Basikov walks off, and gets ready for the arrival for the Witch King.

The Witch King makes his official arrival to the North.

"Greetings" says Basikov. "I take that I successfully completed the mission?"

The Witch King says "Yes, you have. The influence of the free peoples has successfully diminished. We have a lot of important things to talk about."

They both take a seat in the room of the leader. The room was approximately the size of an average mound. It was more extravagant, with the new shelves Basikov put in place for his collection of relics which contained his old books. The leader's seat was not extravagant, but the stone black chair was perfect for thinking. The walls of the palace were stone like traditional mounds, but much more laid out and stable.

The Witch King says "It is excellent that the plan went through. You have just made history. But, you may be asking one thing, which is that you are questioning the purpose of the tough challenges that I have placed in front of you before you were leader."

Basikov says "I could see it paying off in the future but it was not very critical for me taking over North Barrow Downs."

Witch King says "I anticipated that, but that training is now going to come vital to you. Tell me what is something that every Barrow Wight wants?"

Basikov says "The desire of every Barrow Wight is to take over South Barrow Downs."

The Witch King says "Correct, and who lives in the South?"

Basikov said "The elves, who are skilled and agile fighters." "I see why you had put me through those challenges."

The Witch King says "You catch on well. I have trained you to be a skilled fighter against elves. Orcs can overwhelm them, but elven agility usually grants the elves victory. They lack the intelligence to win against elves. With the elves in the way, North Barrow Downs and allies will never have the opportunity to thrive once more."

Basikov says "So the attack on the South is going to happen?"

The Witch King says "It is going to happen, but failure can not be an option. You must be a skilled fighter against elves to rally your people for the reconquest. I shall have you and your Madaw fighters take down a Mirkwood outpost and then we shall launch the attack on Mirkwood. But before, I send you to your first real battle, you have a final challenge to complete. Past weaknesses can not ruin a leader in the making."

The Witch King has left the North Barrow Downs Palace, but he is not leaving North Barrow Downs just yet. The Witch King heads to the Military Complex where the new leader started his services. He says "I am here to meet the Commander who had Basikov. The Barrow Wights did not stand opposed, for it was the Witch King who helped them acquire North Barrow Downs, and it was him who trained the Barrow Wights for many ages.

The commander honored and bows. "What can I do?"

"I need you to tell me Basikov's weaknesses" says the Witch King.

"I would say that it was my underestimation that was my weakness" says the Captain.

"I need his, not yours" says the Witch King.

Chet says "Ah yes, he was a lot less of brute strength, but that seems to have served him well." "There was his interest in Middle Earth cultures and history."

The Witch King says "That is not a weakness, but an ally to him now and in the future."

The Captain says "There was also this girl he was in love with."

The Witch King says "Are they in love?" "if both are in love than I am not opposed to Basikov having a companion, as long as he does not forget his purpose."

The Captain says "It is nothing like that at all. I keep an eye on all my cadets and make sure those with close connections are not detrimental. I keep an eye on all my students, and students that I see as very good or very bad even more so. He does love her, but I see she does not love him back. She uses him for anything convenient to her. She would stroke up conversation with him and imply that she loves him. Basikov is in love with her as he sees the two as a perfect match. Her kindness is as fake as Lartuen's neutrality. I think the only reason he still loves her is because of two things. Their personalities at times feel close. The other thing was that he was shy and elusive so it is unlikely that he will want to switch. Even though, she is keeping him back one way or the other."

The Witch King says "That is a weakness, and one that will not serve your leader well. I want you to send a letter to invite her over to the palace."

Chet says in a confused voice "I am lost. You agree it is his weakness, but you are saying to send her to him. He does not need someone who uses him, only to crush him."

The Witch King says "Just do it. I will worry about the details."

The Witch King leaves the military complex and boards his Fell Beast. He flies off, back to Minas Morgul.

Chapter Twelve

The White Council in Rivendell has set up a meeting to discuss the situation in North Barrow Downs.

Elrond said "We have just heard the news that Lartuen was overthrown in violent coup"

Gandalf said "I have a feeling Sauron was behind the attack. Let us not forget that North Barrow Downs was once a stronghold of the Witch King of Angmar."

Sarurman responded with "Let is not forget that the Lartuen leadership was never popular among the Barrow Wights. An overthrow was not a question of it but when. Is Sauron involved? Possibly, but I object that there is no proof and what happened was just a will of the people. Are we really going to intervene anywhere just because they are not on the same page as us? A war is pointless and only encourages the cause of the enemy."

Galadriel said in calm voice "Let us, have a vote if one of us disagrees then the plan of intervention is cancelled."

Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf votes for intervention but the plan was vetoed by Saruman.