Phillip, yes, I was thinking of that conversation, too! That's the closest Tolkien gets to showing us what the orcs would do on their own, and it's still rather 'plunder, loot, burn' but has a bit more of a village and less of a military vibe.
Of course, the speakers then fight to the death over Frodo's mithril coat, so....
It would be interesting if we could have one of the Valar have something like Sam's epiphany regarding the dead Southron...but concerning orcs:
It was Sam's first view of a battle of Men against Men, and he did not like it much. He was glad that he could not see the dead face. He wondered what the man's name was and where he came from; and if he was really evil of heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home; and if he would not really rather have stayed there in peace - all in a flash of thought that was quickly driven from his mind.
Interestingly, the Valar are mentioned in this very passage, as Damrod says 'May the Valar turn him aside!' about the rampaging war oliphant.
Another insight of Sam's is applicable to our conversation concerning the passive nature of Manwë. This was at the Black Gate, when Frodo has warned Gollum not to even think that he might get the Precious back some day - and followed up with a threat.
"You will never get it back. In the last need, Sméagol, I should put on the Precious; and the Precious mastered you long ago. If I, wearing it, were to command you, you would obey, even if it were to leap from a precipice or to cast yourself into the fire. And such would be my command. So have a care, Sméagol!"
Sam looked at his master with approval, but also with surprise: there was a look on his face and a tone in his voice that he had not known before. It had always been a notion of his that the kindness of dear Mr. Frodo was of such a high degree that it must imply a fair measure of blindness. Of course, he also firmly held the incompatible belief that Mr. Frodo was the wisest person in the world (with the possible exception of Old Mr. Bilbo and of Gandalf). Gollum in his own way, and with much more excuse, as his acquaintance was much briefer, may have made a similar mistake, confusing kindness and blindness. At any rate this speech abashed and terrified him. He grovelled on the ground and could speak no clear words but nice master.
We must show that Manwë is not blind; that he does not miss the obvious problems under his nose. His willingness to grant another chance, to try so hard for peace, is not because he is unaware of Melkor's wrong-doing. If he is accused of 'blindness' or inaction, he should speak in such a way that makes it quite clear he is aware of the situation.
