[Mithadan]

Gravlox and three of his scouts watched from across the river as Merisu and her company attempted again and again to launch their "vessel". Buzzcut roared with laughter as the current pushed the raft back to shore no matter how its crew struggled to guide it into the rushing water. Even Gravlox began to giggle when, during the fifteenth attempt, one of the "warriors" fell into the river and splashed frantically until he realized the water was only hip deep.

When two days later, the raft finally got under way, Gravlox organized his band and they began to trot along after Merisu and Co. ( Oh, we are the Uruks, the mighty mighty Uruks, and everywhere we go... splash, splash... NO SINGING! ).

The assault of the river pirates caught even Gravlox unawares. He watched intently as they looted the raft of its goods (giggling a bit at the "prowess" of Halfullion and Etceteron) and then with alarm as the pirates took Merisu and the others hostage.

"Well, that's that," proclaimed Buzzcut. "We'll have to find someone else to play with." But Gravlox urged his Uruks into a double-time march (one broke a leg trying to keep time) and as night fell, they were camped a half mile from the pirate outpost. When asked, he responded that the pirates were now their target.

Following traditional Orcish custom, they made their wounded comrade comfortable. Then they ate him.