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'''The Last Alliance of Elves and Men''' was an alliance, formed in {{SA|3430}}, of the armies of [[Elves]], [[Men]], and [[Dwarves]] that united together against Sauron for the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=SA>{{App|SA}}</ref>
{{organization infobox
| name=Last Alliance of Elves and Men
| image=[[File:Jenny Dolfen - The Last Alliance.jpg|250px]]
| caption="The Last Alliance" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded={{SA|3430}}
| founder=[[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]]
| purpose=Prevent conquest by [[Sauron]]
| members=[[Dúnedain]]; [[Elves of Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], [[Elves of Mirkwood|Mirkwood]], and [[Galadhrim|Lothlórien]]; [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]]; birds and beasts<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>
| location=[[Imladris]], drawn from all parts of northwestern [[Middle-earth]]
| disbanded={{SA|3441}}
| notablefor=Defeating [[Sauron]]
| gallery=the Last Alliance
}}
'''The Last Alliance of Elves and Men''' was formed in {{SA|3430|n}} of the [[Second Age]] in response to the threat of conquest by the Dark Lord [[Sauron]].<ref name=SA>{{App|SA}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Sauron had been contending with the [[Elves]] for mastery of Middle-earth for over 1200 years. Fearing the establishment of the powerful kingdoms in exile &mdash; [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]] &mdash; by his hated enemies, the [[Dúnedain]], Sauron launched a pre-emptive attack on Gondor in {{SA|3429}}.<ref name=SA/>
Sauron had been contending with the [[Elves]] for mastery of Middle-earth for over 1200 years. Fearing the establishment of the powerful kingdoms in exile &mdash; [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]] &mdash; by his hated enemies, the [[Dúnedain]], Sauron launched a pre-emptive attack on Gondor in {{SA|3429}}.


In response, [[Elendil]] and [[Gil-galad]] made that League which is called the Last Alliance, and they marched east, gathering a great host of Elves and Men; and they halted for a while at [[Imladris]]. It is said that the host that was there assembled was fairer and more splendid in arms than any that has since been seen in [[Middle-earth]], and none greater has been mustered since the [[host of the Valar|Host of the Valar]] [[War of Wrath|went against Thangorodrim]].<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>
[[Isildur]] left [[Minas Ithil]] for the north to meet his father and [[High King of the Dúnedain]] [[Elendil]], whilst [[Anárion]], Elendil's younger son, defended [[Osgiliath]] against the hosts of [[Mordor]].<ref name=SA/>


It is said that Elendil bound the Alliance with an oath and invoked the name of [[Eru]] to witness it.<ref name=Cirion>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths, and among the [[Númenóreans]] it was held that only the King could call upon Him. This would happen again only thousands of years later during the [[Oath of Cirion]].<ref name=Cirion/>  
In response, Elendil formed an alliance with [[Gil-galad]], the [[High King of the Noldor]], to repel Sauron's assault in {{SA|3430}}.<ref name=SA/> [[Durin's Folk]] also joined. It is said that Elendil bound the Alliance with an oath and invoked the name of [[Eru]] to witness it.<ref name=Cirion>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths, and among the [[Númenóreans]] it was held that only the King could call upon Him. This would happen again only thousands of years later during the [[Oath of Cirion]].<ref name=Cirion/>  


The hosts of Gil-galad and Elendil met at [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]] and marched towards Imladris where they camped for three years, forging armour and making plans whilst [[Anárion]], Elendil's younger son, defended [[Osgiliath]] against the hosts of [[Mordor]].
It is said that the hosts of Gil-galad joined Elendil at [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]]<Ref name=Knife>{{FR|Knife}}</ref> and marched towards Imladris in {{SA|3431}} where they camped for three years,<ref name=SA/> forging armour and making plans.{{fact}}
[[File:Angel Falto - Elf Last Alliance.jpg|200px|thumb|left|''Last Alliance'' by [[:Category:Images by Angel Falto|Angel Falto]]]]
Finally in {{SA|3434}} the armies crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] at various locations; Gil-galad and [[Isildur]] crossed the [[Pass of Imladris]] and the [[Pass of Caradhras]], and they were so large, that the [[Orcs of Mordor]] sent by Sauron to harry them, hid themselves.<ref>{{UT|Gladden}}</ref> Their forces were strengthened in the [[Vales of Anduin]] by Elves from [[Lothlórien]] and [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] under the command of [[Oropher]] and [[Amdír]] and by the Dwarves of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].


The armies crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] at various locations and their forces were strengthened in the [[Vale of Anduin]] by Elves from [[Lothlórien]] and [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] under the command of [[Oropher]] and [[Amdír]] and by the Dwarves of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].
When Sauron learned of their advance, he burned the former [[Brown Lands|Gardens]] of the [[Entwives]] to hinder them down the [[Anduin]].<ref>{{L|144}}</ref>


Despite the desire of the [[Silvan Elves]] to meddle as little as might be in the affairs of any other peoples, Oropher had the wisdom to foresee that peace would not return unless Sauron was overcome. He, therefore, assembled a great army of his now numerous people and joining with the lesser army of  Amdír of [[Lórien]] he led the host of the Silvan Elves to battle. The Silvan Elves were hardy and valiant, but ill-equipped with armour or weapons in comparison with the [[Elves of Lindon|Eldar of the West]]; also they were independent, and not disposed to place themselves under the supreme command of Gil-galad.<ref name="Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>
Soon they reached [[Dagorlad]] where they met and defeated Sauron's army in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], breached the [[Morannon]] into [[Mordor]], and besieged the Dark Lord's fortress of [[Barad-dûr]]. The siege lasted for seven years, during which [[Anárion]] was slain. It culminated in Sauron leaving his fortress and engaging in direct combat.<ref name=SA/>  


All living things were divided in that day, and some of every kind, even of beasts and birds, were found in either host, save the Elves only. They alone were undivided and followed Gil-galad.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>  
Sauron was felled by Gil-galad and Elendil, who both perished in the assault themselves.<ref name=SA/> Isildur cut the Ring from Sauron's finger.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref> Bereft of the power of the One Ring, Sauron's spirit dissipated and would not take form again in Middle-earth for a thousand years.


Of the Dwarves, few fought upon either side; but the kindred of [[Durin]] of [[Moria]] fought against [[Sauron]].<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>
With the victory over Sauron and the death of Gil-galad and Elendil, the Last Alliance was dissolved. The remaining Númenóreans resettled their [[Realms in Exile|kingdoms]].
 
In {{SA|3434}} they defeated Sauron's army in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], breached the [[Morannon]] into [[Mordor]], and besieged the Dark Lord's fortress of [[Barad-dûr]]. The siege lasted for seven years, during which [[Anárion]] was slain. It culminated in Sauron leaving his fortress and engaging in direct combat. There were three objectives to this war; to unmake [[the One Ring]], to destroy [[Sauron]], and to destroy the foundation of the [[Barad-dûr|Dark Tower]].<ref name=SA/>
 
Sauron was felled by Gil-galad and Elendil, who both perished in the assault themselves. Elendil broke his sword [[Narsil]] as he fell. Using the hilt-shard of the sword, Isildur cut the Ring from Sauron's finger.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref> Bereft of the power of the One Ring, Sauron's spirit dissipated and would not take form again in Middle-earth for a thousand years.
 
With the victory over Sauron and the death of Gil-galad and Elendil, the Last Alliance was dissolved. The remaining Númenóreans and Elves resettled their kingdoms.
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Armies]]
[[Category:Armies]]
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==See also==
==See also==
* '''[[War of the Last Alliance]]''' (Military information)
* '''[[War of the Last Alliance]]''' (Military information)
*[[Union of Maedhros]], a similar alliance of the [[First Age]]


[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:Elves]]
[[de:Letztes Bündnis]]
[[de:Letztes Bündnis]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:2a:derniere_alliance_des_elfes_et_des_hommes]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:2a:derniere_alliance_des_elfes_et_des_hommes]]
[[fi:Haltioiden ja Ihmisten Viimeinen Liitto]]
[[fi:Haltioiden ja Ihmisten Viimeinen Liitto]]

Revision as of 07:13, 23 November 2020

Last Alliance of Elves and Men
Organisation
Jenny Dolfen - The Last Alliance.jpg
"The Last Alliance" by Jenny Dolfen
Date foundedS.A. 3430
FounderGil-galad and Elendil
PurposePrevent conquest by Sauron
Notable membersDúnedain; Elves of Lindon, Rivendell, Mirkwood, and Lothlórien; Dwarves of Khazad-dûm; birds and beasts[1]
LocationImladris, drawn from all parts of northwestern Middle-earth
DisbandedS.A. 3441
Notable forDefeating Sauron
GalleryImages of the Last Alliance

The Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed in 3430 of the Second Age in response to the threat of conquest by the Dark Lord Sauron.[2]

History

Sauron had been contending with the Elves for mastery of Middle-earth for over 1200 years. Fearing the establishment of the powerful kingdoms in exile — Arnor and Gondor — by his hated enemies, the Dúnedain, Sauron launched a pre-emptive attack on Gondor in S.A. 3429.

Isildur left Minas Ithil for the north to meet his father and High King of the Dúnedain Elendil, whilst Anárion, Elendil's younger son, defended Osgiliath against the hosts of Mordor.[2]

In response, Elendil formed an alliance with Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor, to repel Sauron's assault in S.A. 3430.[2] Durin's Folk also joined. It is said that Elendil bound the Alliance with an oath and invoked the name of Eru to witness it.[3] Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths, and among the Númenóreans it was held that only the King could call upon Him. This would happen again only thousands of years later during the Oath of Cirion.[3]

It is said that the hosts of Gil-galad joined Elendil at Amon Sûl[4] and marched towards Imladris in S.A. 3431 where they camped for three years,[2] forging armour and making plans.[source?]

Last Alliance by Angel Falto

Finally in S.A. 3434 the armies crossed the Misty Mountains at various locations; Gil-galad and Isildur crossed the Pass of Imladris and the Pass of Caradhras, and they were so large, that the Orcs of Mordor sent by Sauron to harry them, hid themselves.[5] Their forces were strengthened in the Vales of Anduin by Elves from Lothlórien and Greenwood the Great under the command of Oropher and Amdír and by the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm.

When Sauron learned of their advance, he burned the former Gardens of the Entwives to hinder them down the Anduin.[6]

Soon they reached Dagorlad where they met and defeated Sauron's army in the Battle of Dagorlad, breached the Morannon into Mordor, and besieged the Dark Lord's fortress of Barad-dûr. The siege lasted for seven years, during which Anárion was slain. It culminated in Sauron leaving his fortress and engaging in direct combat.[2]

Sauron was felled by Gil-galad and Elendil, who both perished in the assault themselves.[2] Isildur cut the Ring from Sauron's finger.[7] Bereft of the power of the One Ring, Sauron's spirit dissipated and would not take form again in Middle-earth for a thousand years.

With the victory over Sauron and the death of Gil-galad and Elendil, the Last Alliance was dissolved. The remaining Númenóreans resettled their kingdoms.

References

See also