Alright, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.

Chapter 5- Declaration of War

(March 18, 2017)

Just inside the front entrance of the US Capitol building, President Trump goes over his notes for the speech he is about to give.

Ever since the attack yesterday morning on Dallas, the nation has been clamoring for answers to what happened. Trump had ordered a presidential news conference for today. However, partly because of the reasons for it, he had decided to give his speech from the steps of the Capitol building.

Hearing footsteps, he looks up to Ingil walking up to him. Trump had decided to have Ingil accompany him out, so that he could introduce the race of Elves, and lend further credibility to his story.

"Are you ready?" Ingil asks.

"Definitely," Trump says.

"Alright. Let's go," Ingil says.

Trump nods, and the two walk out of the door, walking down the steps of the Capitol. There is some applause from waiting journalists and onlookers as he approaches the podium.

Knowing the seriousness of the situation, Trump doesn't give any kind of greeting to America or the journalists. Instead he goes straight into his speech as he says, "Yesterday morning, the city of Dallas in Texas suffered the worst attack on American soil in our country's history. Almost 4 and half thousand people died, with tens of billions of dollars in damages. Many of you by now have seen the footage, and it defies explanation. This afternoon, I come before you, my fellow Americans, to finally give you the explanation you desire. This information has been verified by multiple sources in the American government and intelligence services."

"Several weeks ago, I found myself faced with the surprise of a lifetime when two men appeared out of thin air on the front lawn of the White House. After meeting with them, I learned that the two of them, came from another world, a world now connected to ours through a series of breaches, or portals, that have opened with no explanation yet as to why. One of them is the man standing beside me. Or rather, I should not call him a man. He is an Elf, and hails from this other world."

"After confirming the existence of this other world and truth of their story, we learned that the free peoples of this other world are embroiled in a bitter war against an evil and powerful tyrant known as Morgoth, who possesses an army larger than any army on Earth. Faced with losing this war, the free lands of this new world were preparing a final assault, led by their gods themselves, when they discovered our world and came here, requesting aid."

"However, it seems that the Dark Lord Morgoth has discovered the portals between this world and our country, it seems. And just yesterday, in a date which will forever remain engrained in our memories, he launched an attack on the city of Dallas through one of those portals. Monsters of a race known as the Orcs flooded through the portal and massacred everyone in their path. However, thanks to the brave policemen of Dallas, armed civilians, and National Guard soldiers, assisted by the Army and Air Force hours into the fighting, the attack was stopped and the attackers driven off, but at a terrible cost. Many of our fellow Americans lie dead in the ruined streets of Dallas, and we must not let this attack go unpunished."

"I have already ordered that a division of the US Army be made ready to go to this new world and assist the free lands against Morgoth. However, this will not be enough. With millions of creatures under his command, Morgoth poses a threat to not only the remaining free lands of this new world, but also to our own country. I therefore ask this day that Congress declare a state of war between the United States of America and the forces of the Dark Lord Morgoth, so that we might avenge our fallen brothers and sisters and restore peace to this new world!"

The crowd before them erupts in applause. Around the country, people watching this news conference wildly cheer the President. A handful of people alive in 1941 feel a rush of nostalgia to President Roosevelt's speech following Pearl Harbor.

(March 20, 2017)

Wearing bright smiles, Manwe and Ingil walk into the Oval Office. Already seated on couches and chairs are President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary Tillerson, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Yesterday, the United States Congress has assembled to vote Trump's call for a declaration of war against Morgoth. In one of the cleanest votes in recent history, the motion to issue a declaration of war on Morgoth passed with a 91-9 vote in the Senate and a 422-13 vote in the House. Later that day, Trump had held a news conference with both houses of Congress to announce the declaration of war.

That same day, Trump announced that the US was instituting a draft to build up the military, with most of the draftees expected to go to the Army or Marine Corps, as the Navy and Air Force were not expected to need much build up as of the moment.

Today's meeting that Manwe and Ingil have been summoned to are to discuss the particulars of the military build up as well as outline the deployment to Arda.

Many in the government had been surprised at the reaction from the American public. Despite the divisions in American society, Americans had united with a shared anger for the attack on Dallas and a determination to see Morgoth defeated. Over 120,000 people had already shown up to military recruiting officers to enlist.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Please have a seat," Trump says. Manwe and Ingil step forward and take their seats.

"Thank you for coming today. As you now, we are beginning a massive buildup of our army. For that reason, we need an estimate from you to confirm the size of Morgoth's forces, or at least a reasonable estimate," Trump says.

"We have no way of knowing the true size of Morgoth's forces. However, from what I have been able to see from the peak of Taniquetil, he possesses at least 15 million Orcs, with many more creatures numbering several million more," Manwe says.

"And all of his troops are equipped with no more than medieval weaponry?" General Mark Milley, the Army Chief of Staff, asks.

"What you refer to as medieval weaponry, yes," Manwe responds.

Milley nods in response. After a few moments, he says, "With naval and air support, along with all of our vehicles, I would suggest an overall total of 2 million men between the Army and Marines. I recommend at least 40 divisions be raised and deployed to Arda, with at least 10 more to remain here at home for defense of American and service around the world."

"I think we can all agree that most draftees will be used to reach those numbers required for the Army and Marines, with few going to the Navy or Air Force. However, what I do wish to know is what would the Navy require?" Trump asks, turning to Admiral John Richardson, the Chief of Naval Operations.

"From what I've already seen, I would recommend 4 to 6 carriers be sent to Arda to able to provide air support for the initial landings, and a minimum of 4 from that point on to provide continued air support," Richardson says.

At this point, General Robert Neller, commandant of Marine Corps, speaks up and says, "I would also like to address something. From what I have already seen of maps of Beleriand and situation reports, my Marines will have to make at least one, maybe two major landings, with possibly massive resistance. We are going to need heavy gunfire support from the Navy. For that reason, I would like to submit a proposal to look into returning an Iowa class battleship to service."

Everyone is quiet for a few moments before Trump says, "We can look into that in the coming month. However, what I wish to know is a timeline."

"Mr. President, I would recommend at least 15 months to allow for training of new soldiers, raising the divisions we will need, and producing all of the weapons and vehicles we will need," General Milley says.

"If we have to reactivate ships, especially a battleship, we may need a few more than 15 months," Richardson adds.

At this point, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Joseph Dunford, speaks up and says, "Mr. President, with regards to the time needed to train and equip such a large army, it's clear that late next year is the time. My recommendation is to set the date for the start of the landings to be sometime in October. This gives us up to 19 months to prepare for hostilities."

Trump is quiet for a moment before nodding and saying, "I agree. I want all efforts made to meet that deadline."

The officers all nod. As they do, Manwe and Ingil feel a slight sense of anticipation. At last, a date has been set. Now, the countdown to the final war with Morgoth begins.

And, I'll end there.

Hope you liked this chapter.

Next chapter will show the first units deploying to Arda, and even preliminary airstrikes. It's gonna start getting exciting. The next chapter will be up soon. Until then, please leave a review, and stay tuned!