It is a cold Autumn morning on the desolate plains outside the Black Gate. A cold wind slowly descends 
from the Ash Mountains and swept through Barad-dûr, sending chills down the spines of the orcs that guard
the dark tower. 


Uruloki and Grishnahk rest on their throne, cackling maliciously as they watch two orcs severing the head
of a Silvan elf. The black doors of the dark throne suddenly slams open. Silence crept into the dim 
chamber as all activities came to a halt. A red light emerges from the shadows of the entrance and 
proceed toward the stairs of the throne. With a gesture from his hand, Grishnahk dismissed the two orcs. 
The two orcs nodded in comprehension and drags the severed body of the elf away. 


"What brings you to the throne room of your dark lords, Uglúk, son of Dark Numenorean?", Grishnahk asked. 
"Speak wisely, minion, because your life now hangs on a thread for disrupting my entertainment..."


Grishnahk spoke in his normal tone with a certain eeriness that make elves, dwarves and men cringe upon 
hearing it. The Witchking was, however, highly amused at what the balrog had to say.


"My dreadful lords, I assure you the business I bring forth is more urgent than watching an elf being 
tortured", answered Uglúk, without no sign of fear or intimidation in his tone.


"What is this urgent business you talk about and is foolishly willing to risk your life over, minion?"


"My lords, I have carry out your orders. The construction of the new stronghold to the west of Moria is 
underway. However, there is one problem standing in our way..."


"You mean with the goblins of the Misty Mountains", said Uruloki, reading the balrog’s mind.


"Yes, my lord, that is true. Our relations with the goblins of the Misty Mountains are exacerbating every
 day. They had been ambushing our labor orcs for the last few weeks despite our warnings. The labor orcs
 can not pass through the Misty Mountains without having casualties--"


"Then why not take the path around Fangorn Forest, and through the ruins of Isengard?", Uruloki 
interrupted. "My minions can not be dispose through battling with the goblins in vain. The labor orcs are
 not even trained for combat."


"You are right, my lord Uruloki, we do not have minions to spare for the spears and arrows of the goblins
 but the path you mentioned is too far", answered Uglúk. "Using that way will waste time and cause even 
more casualties. We can not risk going through the land of Rohan. The Rohirrim will use gorilla tactics 
and the lay of the land to their advantage. The labor orcs would be vanquish before they even reach the
 ruins of Isengard. Mordor have enough to deal with already, my lord, we can not afford to wage another 
war on the goblins. If we wage war on the goblins, our list of allies will grew even thin while our list 
of enemies will become longer and longer. No, we must restore our relations with the goblins before their 
status change from hostile to belligerent. We must act now, my lord."


The tone of the balrog changed drastically; rising almost to the brink of shouting but then calm once 
again. Uglúk pants as he gasp for breathe and cleared his throat for it have became parched. His gaze was 
fixed directly at the two dark lords.


"We can always restore our relations with the dwarves and then vanquish the goblins, my lord..."


"No", answered Uruloki in a sharp tone. "The alliance between Mordor and Khazad-dûm are long gone. The 
reign of Isembard are over, another alliance can not possibly exist. Very well, travel to the Misty 
Mountains and confront the goblins. Let see if your tongue will be persuading enough to convince them as 
you were at convincing us. Take the best regiment of uruk-hais you can find, but no more. We will be 
anticipating your return, balrog. May Melkor grant you success. Now begone from our presence..."


Uruloki dismissed Uglúk with a gesture from his hand. The balrog bow down in respect before leaving the 
throne room. The two orcs returned and the "entertainment" continues. Screams and pleads echoes through 
the chamber once again.