All the while in this speech there is the repeating commentary that "The North will burst forth and Reconquer what was lost. "
Every time this slogan is repeated, the assembled goblins - as if a cue were given - stamp and cheer. It soon becomes apparent to all the Company that this is a message that has been circulating for some time with these minions.
These goblins are being given a Grand Plan. Tonight is a last rehearsal: a practice assembly before the first move in a series of steps to create a strong and united base further south. The goblin horde needs to get into marching order, and move off. This will be practised tonight before returning to the barrack-dungeons under Mt Gram before the Sun rises. The Horde will make one circuit of the mountain and reassemble here again.
But tomorrow.
Tomorrow night, they set off to the First Objective. The army will march south and east, closing into the foothills of the Misty Mountains. It seems there is an enclave of five Hillman tribes in two great canyons that back into the main mountains. In days long gone, these Hillmen fought Arthedain and Cardolan; but nigh on a thousand years since the Witch King was banished by the Elves of the Sea, these tribes now fight among themselves, and also attack any outsiders. Even the goblins are despised by these savage and unruly Men.
The First objective is to either overwhelm these descendants of Rhudaur Hillmen; or to get them to join the Dread Army of the North. They will be promised that they will be given the Kingdom of Rhudaur, resurrected and allied (i.e. vassal to) the new Kingdom of the North.
The Second Objective is straightforward: The rest of the year will then be set aside to build a new fortress in the same canyons; where recruits of further orcs - and trolls - from the Misty Mountains will swell the army anew.
After the thaw, but still in Spring, the goblin horde will sweep down south once more; to find the concealed cess pit that the Accursed elves, with their tark allies, inhabit.
The Dread Leader nods as he declares that "a great path" is being prepared to make this invasion southwards fully possible to an Army, and to get close to the elves very quickly!
When this Third Objective is realised, the High Pass of the mountains will be closed forever to the foes of the Dark Lord. And new forces will arrive from the strongholds of Mirkwood. Up the Anduin and over the Pass.
New armies will be concentrated together then to clear all Eriador finally.
And with this comment the Leader lowers his voice and forces a cackle "As a particular Reward to the Fighting Forces of Gram - the halflings will all become your property - every goblin will have a peasant slave!"
The Fourth and Final Objective will be to push the elves into the cursed Sea, and then march along the coast, removing all folk who oppose the new rule. When that is done all of the North will be clear of the elves. The newly reinstated Hillmen of Rhudaur will then be the Kings of Men, to rule the North as vassals of the Orcs and their leaders. The dwarves will be subject to the orcs; and the halflings will be slaves or food!
