Sack of Eregion

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This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
Sack of Eregion
The Lord of the Rings (film series) - City of Ost-in-Edhil mural.jpg
Conflict: War of the Elves and Sauron
Date: S.A. 1697
Place: Eregion
Outcome: Victory for Sauron
Combatants

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

Forces of Sauron

Commanders

Celebrimbor
Elrond
Celeborn
Amroth
Durin III

Sauron

Strength

Unknown

Unknown, greater than the Elves

Casualties

Heavy

Unknown

The sack of Eregion was the destruction of the Noldorin realm Eregion by the armies of Sauron in the Second Age. Sauron invaded Eregion to claim the Rings of Power, including the Three Rings, which were crafted without his knowledge.

Background[edit | edit source]

See also: Rings of Power

In S.A. 1200, Sauron came to Eregion in disguise, claiming to be an emissary of the Valar sent to offer aid to the Eldar. Although rejected by Gil-galad, he was able to win over Celebrimbor and the smiths of Eregion. The brotherhood of smiths, the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, profited from his knowledge,[1] and around S.A. 1500 they began forging the Rings of Power, finishing them in S.A. 1590.[2] Unbeknownst to them, Sauron (who had returned to Mordor) created a master Ring to rule the others. However, when the Elves perceived the designs of Sauron, they took off their Three Rings and gave them into the safekeeping of Elven bearers, preventing the use of the Three Rings which Sauron craved most.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

Prelude[edit | edit source]

Infuriated by Celebrimbor's defiance, Sauron led his host out of Mordor and invaded Eriador in S.A. 1695.[2] In response to the attack, Gil-galad sent out a force under the command of Elrond to aid Celebrimbor, as well as send word to Númenor for assistance.[1] Sauron also sought to recruit some Haradrim, but because two Wizards had influence among them, Sauron's dominance was not entirely successful, and he took a long time to attack Eregion.[4]

Battle[edit | edit source]

Celeborn led a sortie from Eregion and drove back the vanguard of Sauron's host, later combining forces with Elrond and the reinforcements from Lindon. As Sauron's host drew closer, the defenders of Eregion could no longer hold him off, because their forces were greatly outnumbered. Sauron's forces surrounded Eregion, thus preventing Elrond and Celeborn from returning there.[1]

In S.A. 1697,[2] Ost-in-Edhil fell, with Celebrimbor himself making a last desperate stand on the steps of the House of the Mírdain. He was taken captive by the Orcs. Sauron took the Nine Rings, and had Celebrimbor tormented into revealing the location of the Seven Rings. Afterwards, Celebrimbor was shot through with Orc-arrows, and by some accounts, Sauron used Celebrimbor's body as a banner as he turned to face the host of Elrond.[1]

Elrond would have been overwhelmed, but the host of Sauron was attacked from the rear by the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm and the Elves of Lórinand led by Amroth. Sauron halted his pursuit of Elrond and turned on the Dwarves and Elves at his rear, quickly defeating them, though this allowed Elrond and his forces to escape.[1]

Aftermath[edit | edit source]

Elrond was able to gather what remained of the Elves of Eregion and retreated northward and established a refuge, Imladris.[1] Other survivors escaped into Khazad-dûm[1] and were granted passage by their friends the Dwarves, eventually coming through the Mountains to the woodlands that would long afterwards be called Lothlórien. The Gates of Moria were shut and remained so until the Fellowship of the Ring came there thousands of years later.[source?]

Sauron had obtained all the Rings of Power save the Three Rings, which he perceived were given to Elvish guardians: Gil-galad and Galadriel. The host of Sauron ravaged much of Eriador, pressing west to Lindon, where Sauron hoped to seize one of the Three. Furthermore, Sauron sent a bulk of his forces to besiege Elrond, in order to prevent him from assailing his rear.[1]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2009: The Lord of the Rings Online:

In the skirmish instance, "Doom of Caras Gelebren", the player takes part defending the city against Sauron's forces.

2014: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor:

Sauron's attack on Eregion can be seen in a flashback when the player interacts with Celebrimbor's heirlooms. Celebrimbor is seen fighting orcs before being defeated by Sauron.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XVIII. Note on the Delay of Gil-galad and the Númenóreans"