Last Alliance of Elves and Men
| Last Alliance of Elves and Men | |
|---|---|
| Organisation | |
 | |
| "The Last Alliance" by Jenny Dolfen | |
| Date founded | S.A. 3430 |
| Founder | Gil-galad and Elendil |
| Purpose | Prevent conquest by Sauron |
| Notable members | Men of Arnor, Men of the Vales of Anduin, Elves of Lindon, Forces of Imladris, Elves of Mirkwood, Elves of Lórinand, Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, birds and beasts[1] |
| Location | Imladris, drawn from all parts of northwestern Middle-earth |
| Disbanded | S.A. 3441 |
| Notable for | Defeating Sauron |
| Gallery | Images of the Last Alliance |
The Last Alliance of Elves and Men was the great league formed in response to the threat of conquest by the Dark Lord Sauron.[2] The collective-army that eventually set out to war was sometimes called the Host of the Alliance.
Structure
The great host was generally divided into hosts commanded by Gil-galad and Elendil:
Gil-galad
- Elves of Lindon (with Círdan)
- Elrond
- Oropher (with Thranduil)
Elendil
The army of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm and the "beasts and birds" are not said to have belonged to either host. Anárion and the Gondorians are not said to have joined the Alliance; however, it is known that Anárion fought at the Siege of Barad-dûr where he met his end.
Background
Sauron had been contending with the Elves for mastery of Middle-earth for over 1200 years. Fearing the establishment of the powerful Realms in Exile by his hated enemies, the Númenóreans, and the ever-growing influence of Gil-galad in the Westlands, Sauron launched a pre-emptive attack on Gondor in S.A. 3429.
The first strike of the War was against Isildur's fortress of Minas Ithil, which guarded Mordor's western borders. This Sauron captured, but Isildur and his family were able to escape by ship, sailing down the Anduin to its Mouths, and then by sea northward to seek out the High King Elendil. Meanwhile Sauron continued his assault, attempting to take Osgiliath, but Isildur's brother Anárion was prepared for him. The forces of Mordor were driven back through Ithilien, and held at the line of the Ephel Dúath; but Sauron gathered his strength again, and Anárion knew that unless help should come Gondor would fall.
History
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]
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?]
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.
See also
- War of the Last Alliance (Military information)
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 144, (dated 25 April 1954)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
