[Nogrod]

The AKM @ Lothlórien, part 2

The elves of Lothlórien had a dilemma concerning the game between Erebor and FC Valinor. They would have all cheered for FC Valinor without doubt were there not the three brothers, but even if Erebor had some of their local favourites like Thranduil and Bard the Bowman, and the Great Eagles, the presence of Smaug, Bolg and a Nazgûl kind of made that team even more unbearable. So it seemed the majority of them had in fact turned into supporting the Valinor team.

But but to balance that Erebor had a sturdy bunch of supporters from the north: wood-elves, men from the Laketown-area, Dwarves from the Lonely Mountain and even farther… and beornings and eagles… even a load of orcs from both Misty Mountains and Moria, some from Mordor itself.

There had been a discussion on the general policies concerning the guests for the games as some had maintained that all the traditional “no strangers, especially no dwarves” –rules should apply, football or not. But it was seen as impossible to maintain unless Lothlórien wished to share the fate of the Blessed Realm and not be able to host any games in the future. Most elves seemed not too bothered by the men or even the dwarves as long as they stayed only for the game and were guided in and out via particular paths, but orcs were a tougher deal to sell for the common elves.

Now Galadriel had managed that promising the orcs would be under 24/7 surveillance and from the first provocation or breaking a set of visitor-rules, laid carefully before all the tourists with the ticket, they would be sent off and banned from Lothlórien for eternity – whatever games they would hold in the future. But the case of the Nazgûls was a real challenge.

For the eight had announced they were intent in coming to see their mate play – as their teams had already dropped from the games. The thought of the Nazgûl wandering through the precious Lórien seemed just blasphemy to the elves. Why had they defended their realm for millenia if they then willingly let the ringwraiths come and corrupt the holy forest just like that? Should they invite Sauron and Melkor next, some asked trying to hammer in the point. Even Celeborn was reserved and thought it better the Nazgûl would not step into the precious soil of Lórien.

But Galadriel had her way with this as well. When doesn’t she get it her way?

”If that is the requirement, then so be it: the Nazgûl will not step on Lórien’s soil. I can promise you that. But they will attend. This is PR, you know, and I know how to handle it.”

And so the Nazgûl were told they could come to follow the game with a few conditions. Firstly they would not be allowed to put their feet on Lórien’s soil which meant they would have to fly in. Also, to avoid stepping on Lórien soil, they would need to land on top of the stadium where they could take their seats. And thirdly, they would have to suffer the company of a great fleet of Great Eagles who were going to have their seats up high as well – and if there was any malice or even an intention of breaking any rules of conduct indicated by their tickets, the Eagles would have the authority to get rid of them. If they behaved, they would have a chance to meet their fellow after the game so long as they didn’t exit the stadium. The only exit from the stadium for them was by air and out from Lothlórien.