War of the Elves and Sauron: Difference between revisions

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{{War
{{War
|previous=[[Wars of Beleriand]]
|previous=[[Wars of Beleriand]]
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|end={{SA|1701}}
|end={{SA|1701}}
|place=[[Eriador]]
|place=[[Eriador]]
|result=Eregion destroyed, Sauron defeated and driven from Eriador
|result=Victory for the [[Elves]] and allies
*[[Eregion]] destroyed
*[[Sauron]] defeated and driven from Eriador
*Founding of [[Imladris]]
|battles=[[Sack of Eregion]], [[First Siege of Imladris]], [[Battle of the Gwathló]]
|battles=[[Sack of Eregion]], [[First Siege of Imladris]], [[Battle of the Gwathló]]
|side1=[[Elves of Eregion]], [[Elves of Lindon]], [[Galadhrim]], [[Númenóreans]], and [[Dwarves of Khazad-dum]]
|side1=[[Elves of Eregion]]<br />[[Elves of Lindon]]<br />[[Galadhrim|Elves of Lórinand]]<br />[[Númenor]]<br />[[Dwarves of Khazad-dum]]<br />
|side2=[[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness|Evil Men]], and other creatures of Sauron
|side2=Forces of [[Sauron]]
|commanders1=
|commanders1={{Gil-galad blazon}}<br />{{Celebrimbor blazon|died}} <br />[[Elrond]]<br />[[Celeborn]]<br />[[Amroth]]<br />[[Tar-Minastir]]<br />[[Ciryatur]] <br />[[Durin III]]<br />
{{Gil-galad blazon}}
{{Celebrimbor blazon|died}}  
*[[Elrond]]
*[[Celeborn]]
*[[Amroth]]
*[[Ciryatur]]  
*[[Durin III]]
|commanders2=
|commanders2=
{{Sauron blazon}}
{{Sauron blazon}}
}}  
}}  
The '''War of the Elves and Sauron''' was a great war fought in the [[Second Age]].
The '''War of the Elves and Sauron''' was a great war fought in the [[Second Age]] between the forces of [[Sauron]] and the Elves in [[Eriador]] and their allies.


==Background==
==Background==
During the Second Age, [[Sauron]] planned to take control of the Elves through the power of his [[One Ring]]. In his guise as [[Annatar]], he instructed the [[Elves of Eregion]] in the making of [[Rings of Power]], and then secretly constructed a Ruling Ring of his own to enslave the bearers of the Rings.<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref> Unknown to him, the Elves had made [[Three Rings]] of their own, so that when Sauron took up his own Ring, they understood his intentions and his centuries of planning came to nothing.
{{seealso|Rings of Power}}
During the Second Age, [[Sauron]] planned to corrupt the Elves and put them under his dominion. In his guise as [[Annatar]], he instructed the [[Elves of Eregion]] in the making of the [[Rings of Power]]. He returned to Mordor and then secretly constructed the [[One Ring]] of his own to enslave the bearers of the Rings.<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref> Unknown to him, the Elves had made [[Three Rings]] of their own, so that when Sauron took up his own Ring, they understood his intentions and his centuries of planning came to nothing.<ref name=rings>{{S|V}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
What he could not control by subtlety, Sauron resolved to destroy by force, and so began the War of the Elves and Sauron. At first, Sauron's victories came quickly: vast armies emerged from [[Mordor]] and,<ref name="Galadriel"/> over the next six years, overran [[Eriador]].<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> Eregion was destroyed, and Sauron claimed the remaining Rings of Power (except for the Three Rings, which had been sent far from Eregion at the beginning of the war).
What he could not control by subtlety, Sauron resolved to destroy by force, and so began the War of the Elves and Sauron. In {{SA|1695}}<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> Sauron's vast armies emerged from [[Mordor]] and invaded Eriador passing through [[Calenardhon]] and turning north to Eregion.<ref name="Galadriel"/>
[[File:Kimberly - Celebrimbor.jpg|left|200px|thumb|''Celebrimbor'' by [[:Category:Images by Kimberly|Kimberly]]]]
[[File:Kimberly - Celebrimbor.jpg|left|200px|thumb|''Celebrimbor'' by [[:Category:Images by Kimberly|Kimberly]]]]
The Elves of Eregion did not stand alone against Sauron. From [[Lindon]], [[Gil-galad]] sent a force commanded by [[Elrond]] to lend them aid. Before Elrond could come to Eregion, the Dark Lord demanded that the Rings of Power be turned over to him, and when he was refused he brought his full force against Eregion. In {{SA|1697}}, [[Ost-in-Edhil]] fell, with [[Celebrimbor]] himself leading a last desperate defence on the steps of the Jewel-smiths' guild house. He was taken captive by the [[Orcs]], then shot through with Orc-arrows, and by some accounts, Sauron used Celebrimbor's body as a banner as he turned to face Elrond's army approaching from the north.
When news of the invasion arrived to [[Gil-galad]] he sent a force commanded by [[Elrond]] from [[Lindon]] to reinforce Eregion as well as word to [[Númenor]] for aid.<ref name="Galadriel"/> Elrond's forces were held back by Sauron's greater host and Eregion was devastated. In {{SA|1697}}, [[Ost-in-Edhil]] fell, with [[Celebrimbor]] himself leading a last desperate defence on the steps of the [[House of the Mírdain]]. He was taken captive by the [[Orcs]] and Dark Lord demanded that the Rings of Power be turned over to him as well as the Three Rings. Later Celebrimbor was shot through with Orc-arrows, and by some accounts, Sauron used Celebrimbor's body as a banner as he turned to face Elrond's host.<ref name="Galadriel"/>


Sauron gathered up the Rings of Power that remained, and laid waste the land of Eregion, bringing an end to its people. The surviving Elves of Eregion seem to have scattered, as there are various accounts of their fates. Some fled northward to join Elrond's host, and that host was itself forced into retreat; some of these Elves of Eregion settled at [[Rivendell]] when Elrond founded it shortly afterwards.<ref name="Galadriel"/> They were joined there by others of their kind who had escaped into the [[Rhovanion|Wild]], and only later found their way to safety. Many of these people seem to have later abandoned [[Middle-earth]] and sailed into the [[West]].<ref name="Galadriel"/>
Sauron gathered up the Rings of Power that remained, except for the Three Rings, which had been sent far from Eregion at the beginning of the war and laid waste the land of Eregion, bringing an end to its people. The surviving Elves of Eregion seem to have scattered, as there are various accounts of their fates. Some fled northward to join Elrond's host, and that host was itself forced into retreat; some of these Elves of Eregion settled at [[Imladris]] when Elrond founded it shortly afterwards.<ref name="Galadriel"/> They were joined there by others of their kind who had escaped into the [[Rhovanion|Wild]], and only later found their way to safety. Many of these people seem to have later abandoned [[Middle-earth]] and sailed into the [[West]].<ref name="Galadriel"/>


Still, other survivors escaped into [[Khazad-dûm]] and were granted passage by their friends the [[Dwarves]], coming eventually through the [[Misty Mountains|Mountains]] to the woodlands that would long afterwards be called [[Lórien]].<ref name="Galadriel"/> The [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]] indeed did more than simply allow the Elves to pass through their mansions; they went out against Sauron's armies along with a force of [[Galadhrim]] under [[Amroth]].<ref name="Galadriel"/> It was through their aid that the beleaguered Elrond was able to escape into the north and thus save many of the Elves of Eregion.<ref name="Galadriel"/> Once the Dwarves returned to Khazad-dûm, the [[Doors of Durin]] were shut and remained so until the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] came there thousands of years later.<ref name="Galadriel"/>
Other survivors escaped into [[Khazad-dûm]] and were granted passage by their friends the [[Dwarves]], coming eventually through the [[Misty Mountains|Mountains]] to the woodlands that would long afterwards be called [[Lórien]]. The [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]] indeed did more than simply allow the Elves to pass through their mansions; they went out against Sauron's armies along with a force of [[Galadhrim]] under [[Amroth]]. It was through their aid that the beleaguered Elrond was able to escape into the north and thus save many of the Elves of Eregion. Once the Dwarves returned to Khazad-dûm, the [[Doors of Durin]] were shut and remained so until the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] came there thousands of years later.<ref name="Galadriel"/>


Just as Sauron's victory looked secure, a great navy appeared in the north, carrying the forces of [[Númenor]] sent by [[Tar-Minastir|King Tar-Minastir]]. The [[Númenóreans]] put Sauron's armies to rout, and forced them back out of the [[Westlands]].<ref name="SA"/> So Eriador was saved, but Celebrimbor's kingdom of Eregion had been wiped out, and a great many of the Rings of Power had fallen into the hands of Sauron.
Over the next six years, Sauron's armies overran [[Eriador]], and they moved west aiming to take Lindon and claim one of the Three Rings. Just as Sauron's victory looked secure, a great navy appeared in the north, carrying the forces of [[Númenor]] sent by [[Tar-Minastir|King Tar-Minastir]]. The [[Númenóreans]] put Sauron's armies to rout, and forced them back out of the [[Westlands]].<ref name="SA"/> So Eriador was saved, but Celebrimbor's kingdom of Eregion had been wiped out, and a great many of the Rings of Power had fallen into the hands of Sauron.


Given the devastation of Eregion, it was decided that Imladris should become the new Elvish stronghold in eastern Eriador. In recognition of his efforts, Gil-galad bestowed the ring [[Vilya]] upon Elrond at this time and made him his vice-regent.<ref name="Galadriel"/>
Given the devastation of Eregion, it was decided that Imladris should become the new Elvish stronghold in eastern Eriador. In recognition of his efforts, Gil-galad bestowed the ring [[Vilya]] upon Elrond at this time and made him his vice-regent.<ref name="Galadriel"/>

Revision as of 15:51, 8 August 2020

"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
This article or section needs expansion and/or modification. Please help the wiki by expanding it.
Previous war: Wars of Beleriand
Next war: War of the Last Alliance
War of the Elves and Sauron
Peter Xavier Price - Celebrimbor's Death.jpg
Beginning: S.A. 1693End: S.A. 1701
Place: Eriador
Outcome: Victory for the Elves and allies
Major battles: Sack of Eregion, First Siege of Imladris, Battle of the Gwathló
Combatants

Elves of Eregion
Elves of Lindon
Elves of Lórinand
Númenor
Dwarves of Khazad-dum

Forces of Sauron

Commanders

Template:Gil-galad blazon
Template:Celebrimbor blazon
Elrond
Celeborn
Amroth
Tar-Minastir
Ciryatur
Durin III

Template:Sauron blazon

The War of the Elves and Sauron was a great war fought in the Second Age between the forces of Sauron and the Elves in Eriador and their allies.

Background

See also: Rings of Power

During the Second Age, Sauron planned to corrupt the Elves and put them under his dominion. In his guise as Annatar, he instructed the Elves of Eregion in the making of the Rings of Power. He returned to Mordor and then secretly constructed the One Ring of his own to enslave the bearers of the Rings.[1] Unknown to him, the Elves had made Three Rings of their own, so that when Sauron took up his own Ring, they understood his intentions and his centuries of planning came to nothing.[2]

History

What he could not control by subtlety, Sauron resolved to destroy by force, and so began the War of the Elves and Sauron. In S.A. 1695[3] Sauron's vast armies emerged from Mordor and invaded Eriador passing through Calenardhon and turning north to Eregion.[1]

Celebrimbor by Kimberly

When news of the invasion arrived to Gil-galad he sent a force commanded by Elrond from Lindon to reinforce Eregion as well as word to Númenor for aid.[1] Elrond's forces were held back by Sauron's greater host and Eregion was devastated. In S.A. 1697, Ost-in-Edhil fell, with Celebrimbor himself leading a last desperate defence on the steps of the House of the Mírdain. He was taken captive by the Orcs and Dark Lord demanded that the Rings of Power be turned over to him as well as the Three Rings. Later Celebrimbor was shot through with Orc-arrows, and by some accounts, Sauron used Celebrimbor's body as a banner as he turned to face Elrond's host.[1]

Sauron gathered up the Rings of Power that remained, except for the Three Rings, which had been sent far from Eregion at the beginning of the war and laid waste the land of Eregion, bringing an end to its people. The surviving Elves of Eregion seem to have scattered, as there are various accounts of their fates. Some fled northward to join Elrond's host, and that host was itself forced into retreat; some of these Elves of Eregion settled at Imladris when Elrond founded it shortly afterwards.[1] They were joined there by others of their kind who had escaped into the Wild, and only later found their way to safety. Many of these people seem to have later abandoned Middle-earth and sailed into the West.[1]

Other survivors escaped into Khazad-dûm and were granted passage by their friends the Dwarves, coming eventually through the Mountains to the woodlands that would long afterwards be called Lórien. The Dwarves of Khazad-dûm indeed did more than simply allow the Elves to pass through their mansions; they went out against Sauron's armies along with a force of Galadhrim under Amroth. It was through their aid that the beleaguered Elrond was able to escape into the north and thus save many of the Elves of Eregion. Once the Dwarves returned to Khazad-dûm, the Doors of Durin were shut and remained so until the Fellowship of the Ring came there thousands of years later.[1]

Over the next six years, Sauron's armies overran Eriador, and they moved west aiming to take Lindon and claim one of the Three Rings. Just as Sauron's victory looked secure, a great navy appeared in the north, carrying the forces of Númenor sent by King Tar-Minastir. The Númenóreans put Sauron's armies to rout, and forced them back out of the Westlands.[3] So Eriador was saved, but Celebrimbor's kingdom of Eregion had been wiped out, and a great many of the Rings of Power had fallen into the hands of Sauron.

Given the devastation of Eregion, it was decided that Imladris should become the new Elvish stronghold in eastern Eriador. In recognition of his efforts, Gil-galad bestowed the ring Vilya upon Elrond at this time and made him his vice-regent.[1]

References