MIDDANGARD (A Lord of the Rings Fan Fiction)

Chapter 8: Don't Drink The Wine

Despite the meeting being held on "neutral" ground, each ethnic group brought their own protection. A solid half of the “Guests” were actually security forces.

The Irish had six men with bows, in addition to the three skilled archers in the Wedding Party.

The "I-ties" fielded nine tough warriors dressed in Brooklyn Dodger uniforms, all sporting fire-hardened wooden baseball clubs. They would disperse into highly effective 3 man units at the first sign of trouble.

 Six Russian youngbloods, dressed in Viking attire - wolf fur vests and leather headgear - ranged protectively around the Wedding Party - Luke, Carmellita, Wil and a rather perplexed Snowflake. The huge clubs they carried had crunched many an unsuspecting gobler.

Malcolm’s Bedford-Sty 'Homeboys' consisted of nine very large, karate-adept, fighters; their loose fitting white robes held tight by brown or black belts.

 The BoroPark Jews contributed two fierce looking former IRS accountants...

In addition to SnowXX’s [Double X] wedding party members - JohnsonX, Snowflake and ChubbyX - the Manhattan Black Muslims brought a force of fifteen men, sprinkled throughout the hall. ChubbyX, 275 lbs with 2% body fat, was there solely to protect Snowflake.

The Puerto Ricans were led by the Maid of Honor, Carmellita, and her Honor Guardian, Enrico. The 24 year old Enrico, second in command to PR leader 'El Hefty', had been ordered to shadow the young and delectable Carmellita. She, in reality, needed no protection at all, being for years a highly decorated TunnelRat. Enrico also commanded a group of 5 black clad tunnel fighters - all small, light and lethal. The young, diminutive Puerto Ricans were remarkably relaxed, looking for all-the-world like carefree sprites or mischievous wood elves. The tension of daily searching and combating Goblers in the subway tunnels, below the city, seemed to lessen their concern of possible conflict during the light of day. "TunnelRats" they named themselves. Carmellita wore the name like a medal.

Black Muslim sub-commander, JohnsonX, walked the reception hall with the confidence of a deadly swordsman, his Samurai Sword attached to his left hip with a white silk sash. The scattered Black Muslim cadre constantly 'eyed' him for potential instructions.

Many of the remaining "Guests" were actually observers from the smaller ethnic communities located in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn. These more vulnerable “minor” cultural groups, with fewer fighters - the French, the English, the Dutch, the Portuguese, the Scots, the few remaining Germans, the Croatians etc - known as the Euros, were tucked in a safe area of Brooklyn in between and protected by stronger, larger clans.

Very few women were present. The number of men and women had been relatively equal on Day One. But women had suffered large devastating deletions in their numbers during the early, chaotic years after the initial ‘Vanishings’. Weddings were rare and no children had been born in five years. Thus, the Wedding Reception was more like a somber Affair of State than a social event; more like a trial balloon being tested to see if this political union would rise to greater heights or deflate shortly after take-off.

"We should compare notes with Fredo and Ian O’Dale," JohnsonX whispered to Snow.

“Good idea, ‘Number One’. We need more information before taking another step. Pass the word to all the guests, not to eat or drink anything until we give the OK," Snow ordered.

“That makes sense,” JohnsonX agreed. “I’ve noticed neither Fredo nor his Irish brothers have approached the bar."

SnowXX chuckled at that.

“That’s a sure sign they are on high alert. Fredo usually has a glass in either hand when he's around Ian and the Irish. Even then he can't keep up with those wonderful fair skinned, hollow-legged, sod farmers.