Chapter 29 New orders

Darken seized the apple before him, scrutinizing it from every angle before forcefully hurling it against the wall in anger. Several fruits were crushed, their juices staining the carpets and trickling between the stones of the wall. Farewell had been watching for several minutes, perplexed and evidently sorry for the wasted food. Pillows quivered with each fruit—apple, pear, or grape—that smashed against the stone surface. Darken was in a foul mood, and he made it a point for everyone to know. Nienor was absent; she had failed, and the ring still adorned the finger of the half-elf.

'Lord Darken,' Farewell attempted to interject.

'Do not interrupt me, Farewell!' exclaimed Darken, tossing yet another apple against the wall. 'I am contemplating.'

'They are waiting, My Lord,' Farewell ventured nonetheless.

Darken set down the fruit he was about to launch and rose from his seat. He walked directly to his balcony, gazing down at the white stone garden beneath him. Aradan was there, practicing archery at a target several meters away. Farewell followed him and looked at the young man.

'What are you going to do with him?'

'Leave him be,' said Darken.

'But, Lord... You must kill him. Let it serve as a lesson to Nienor!'

'Not now, Farewell. Not now. He may be useful to me as he already have been'

'Then she must not know he is still alive. Your reputation is at stake, Darken.'

'No, she must not know... And if she ever finds out, it will be on your account, Farewell.' The young elf below had just shot an arrow dead center into the target; Darken began to applaud, a smile on his lips. 'Is that clear, my dear friend?' Darken murmured, his gaze fixed on Aradan's exploits. 'Any news from Rohan?' he exclaimed, turning on his heel.

'They hold for now; the elves are with them. Rest assured, our men are sturdy; they will eventually take the city.'

'I trust you, Farewell. And what of the elves of Mirkwood?'

'They have retreated into their forest; they will not fight Unless threatened. Darken... If the elves and their magic unite against us, we may not be sure of holding. We need the rings; we must strike before they rise.'

Darken's gaze clouded as he delved into his thoughts. Farewell was right. If he depleted his forces with men, he would not be able to withstand the elves.

'You may summon the Council now and meet me here as soon as possible, and bring Aradan as well,' ordered Darken.

'Are you sure it's a good idea?'

Darken's dark look was enough to convince Farewell, who exited hastily and hurried to gather everyone. In a short time, they were all assembled at the table where a relief map of Middle-earth had been engraved.

'We have an honored guest among us who has traveled from afar to meet us,' Darken said, rising once everyone was in their places. He gestured to an orc with a face covered in swellings and wounds. 'This is General Grome; he fought during the last War of the Ring. Grome,' he addressed him directly, 'you are welcome to this council.'

Grome nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

'Now, everyone, take your seats. Assal, I am listening to you.'

An elf with shaved hair stood at the end of the table and greeted the rest of the council. 'Gondor is weakening, Master. I have tightened the siege; we intercepted boats with elvish appearances floating down the river. They contained provisions.'

'Anyone on board?'

'No one, but it is probably aid from Lothlorien.'

'Good. Once you have taken possession of the city, I will send you my orders.' Darken then turned to a man of tall and massive stature, motioning for him to stand and continue the report.

'Dale has fallen, as you know; it was a close call. The elves of Mirkwood did not lift a finger. They are afraid, hiding. Perhaps we could propose an alliance that would benefit them?'

'Vorath,' Farewell laughed, 'do you really think Thranduil is foolish enough to ally himself with the enemy of Lothlorien and Rivendell? As stubborn and extravagant as he is, he would not do it unless he had a good reason. He fought against Sauron's forces during the War of the Ring, and you believe he would switch sides for Darken?'

'Yet he would make a valuable ally in this war. Sylvan elves are formidable warriors.'

'No more than the Noldor.' Grome's voice echoed throughout the room. Everyone turned to listen. 'Men are nothing; they are strong but represent nothing compared to the ferocity of the elves. Burn their forest, and they will descend upon us tomorrow morning, slashing your throats before you finish your breakfast.'

Darken laughed, 'And what do you propose, then?'

'Force them out of their nest. Imladriss, Lothlorien, Mirkwood—strongholds, open fortresses hard to enter, even harder to leave. No, what is needed is to push them out, kill them one by one. I heard that the half-elf from Imladriss sent military resources to Rohan. Eliminate them. Attack elsewhere, a weak, unimportant place—Hobbits, for example, in their peaceful pasture. Elves or others will come, and you repeat the process until only these Lords remain in their wooden and foliate abode'

Darken listened attentively, a smile on his lips. 'Are your troops with us?' Darken sought confirmation for his request. He saw the orc's predatory smile widen.

'As agreed, the price has not changed.'

'Send them to Hobbiton; make prisoners of them and send them here; they will serve as labor for me.'

Grome nodded and resumed his seat.

'If I may,' Assal's voice rose first as a whisper, then, seeing that Darken was listening, he continued confidently, 'isn't this a waste of time and effort? When we see that our men are struggling to take Rohan... Why not divide the orc army? Marching on Hobbiton would be child's play; a handful of orcs would suffice.'

'And if the dwarves of Ered Luin come out of their mountain?' retorted Grome. 'I would need my men to face a dwarf army.'

'Grome, you take Hobbiton. It is a vast territory better kept under surveillance and well-controlled. Bring the hobbits down here for my use. Assal, fall back, leave Rohan and concentrate all forces on Gondor; I want to make it my secondary residence. And you, Vorath, annihilate Dale, plunder what remains to take in Erebor. Beware of the elves of Mirkwood, even if they appear silent. Keep an eye on them afterward; you will descend to Gondor, from there we will see. Go now; the following orders will reach you later.'