[Nogrod]

The star reporter Ugr Nogrendale is back! He has settled any financial issues there could have been and continues now with a highly special report direct from Utumnno.


I must say I was a bit nervous waiting for Melkor himself in His personal lobby of the newly dug stronghold of Utumno. Getting in was already quite intimidating and my head was turning a somersault every second whether to leave or stay. In the dimly lit hall only the cracks of fire soothed me as the special orc-guards twice the height and triple the strength of me stood grimly at the shadows around the exits and the strong Utumno-gin I had been left with burned my innards. I have been in tough places but this truly was one I would remember as an old man - if there was to be such longevity for me. It was creepy.

Finally the great doors opened pulled by two giant trolls and Morgoth himself entered the hall. How was he? I can't say. He was big and commanding, he was overpowering but yet smiling. With his orders a great jug of gin was brought to me while he sat down opposite of me and called for some mead.

Suddenly there was a beat of wings and a current of air nailed me to the red-leather comfychair I was sitting in. Thuringwethil appeared from nowhere, it seemed to me, and landed on Melkor's knee turning her seducing but dreadful eyes on me. I almost wetted myself.

Melkor: So Mr. Nogrendale, you represent the AKM and had some questions for me, right?

I nodded in haste but couldn't keep my eyes away from the vampire seduceress.

Melkor: Does it bother you if my aid Thurinwethil will stand by me during the interview?

My brain yelled that she did but how could I say that aloud? A salty drop of sweat dropped from my nose to my lip and I bit it. I could see Thuringwethil becoming aware of the blood and gazing at me even more intensively... It was a nightmare. I had no other chance but to shook my head,. What would have followed if I'd said her presence killed me? So I took a deep breath.

Melkor: Let's go on with it then Mr. N.?

U.N.: Oh yes... let's... Well... erm...

Thuringwethil: Speak now Mr. Handsome, speak...

I was totally panicking. This was not good. It was terrifying but also enticing. Her soft voice lured me totally while I realised her tone of voice was ice cold.

U.N.: Congratulations for the newly built stronghold master Melkor. Did you do this all because of football?

Melkor: *laughs from the belly* Heh, I thought you were afraid little-one but it seems you have a head that still works... Well now as you ask it, I can not but say yes. It is all for the football. My efforts to reawaken the age old fortification of Utumno, building it all over again, digging deeper we ever did before, is only for the football fans of Arda to enjoy.

U.N.: Great... But well... there have been some concerns about the safety of the visitors...

Thuringwethil: Safety?! Where was the safety of those dragons calculatedly killed by Valimar organisers? Or the fairness of all those restrictions of attendance? You know these Vala try to boast they're nice and what not, but they are calculating bastards who rather see their friends going through instead of playing it fair.

Melkor hushed his pet, who to me was the goddess. I was so freaked out that I had to fill my glass and empty it immediately.

Melkor: There will be no safety problems, let me assure you. I brought order into the games at Misty Mountains and I sure am cabable of securing my own dwelling.

I had to pull myself together and luckily I had thought of a few questions beforehand.

U.N.: Some media are advertising this game as the one where Beren and Luthien will re-visit your fortress... and they predict success, especially now that you don't have Carcaroth in your team. How would you comment on that?

Melkor: *bellows with laughter* Oh, the petty youngsters! Had I lived here in Utumno instead of Angband their destiny would have been completely different. It was sad I had only a second class fortress by then. But I do welcome them both to Utumno. Let's see who gets the last word now shall we?

U.N.: Is that a threat?

Thuringwethil rose up to her wings and screamed revealing her vampire teeth. I was stuck in my chair and my heart-rate was above all the recommendations for a healthy life. I took a deep draught of the gin and filled the goblet just to stay in my senses.

Melkor: Oh no. *laughter* Let's say it's an invitation to a rematch between us, shall we?

I had to nod only as the Utumno-Gin burned my throat. There were tears in my eyes, for several reasons, but I had to concentrate.

U.N.: So what would you say about your opponents, the team Gelion?

Melkor: Like ever before, the're worthy adversaries. I will admit that much. But then again we will just outpower them and our real goal is the game against Valimar. We have quite a few things to settle with them, especially after the games at their homeside and all that happened there, and on that road Gelion is a mouthpiece we just have to do away with.

U.N.: So you don't think Gelion has a chance?

Melkor: None whatsoever! They can defend against poorly attacking sides but we shall show them the tempest!

U.N.: Tilion has been responsible of two thirds of your goals. What if Tilion has a bad day?

This time it was Melkor who clearly grew in size and stature. I had to swallow the drink I was just sipping and went lame back in my chair.

Melkor: We are a team! I know you media-guys like to rip-off things from our past but Tilion works for me and for the team now. And mind you, we have others to decide the games as well; like Gothmog the slayer of Fëanor, Fingon and Ecthelion; we haveTevildo and my dear Thuringwethil here. What chance you think those runaways and misfits have against us, especially in here, in front of our homecrowds?

I had to concentrate on sweet-talkin' but with Melkor in fury and Thuringwethil piercing my eyes with her stare it was harder I could have imagined.

U.N.: Yes, thanks Master Melkor... thanks for the interview.

I will not describe my exit from Utumno as that would be too embarrassing. But I got out of there alive and that is a feat.