The Last Alliance

After the attack on Gondor Elendil and Gil-galad took counsel together and formed the Last Alliance in an attempt to defeat Sauron before he became too powerful. Gathering all the troops they could they marched to Imladris to join forces with Elrond. There are some unclear notes from Tolkien concerning Galadriel and Celeborn, but it seems clear that a small force from Lorien, led by Amdir came to the summons of Gil-galad. Also joining the Alliance was Oropher, King of the Silvan Elves. "Despite the desire of the Silvan Elves to meddle as little as might be in the affairs of the Noldor and Sindar, or of any other peoples, Dwarves, Men, or Orcs, Oropher had the wisdom to foresee that peace would not return unless Sauron was overcome" (p. 258, Unfinished Tales). Oropher linked his numerous warriors with the smaller host of Lorien and Malgalad (who is most likely the same Elf as Amdir).

From their they crossed over the Misty Mountains and march along the River Anduin. The host engaged Sauron's forces at Dagorlad, the Battle Plain. "All living things were divided that day, and some of every kind, even beasts and birds, were found in either host, save the Elves only. They alone were undivided and followed Gil-galad" (p. 294, The Silmarillion). Even the Dwarves joined with the folk of Durin, from Moria, fighting against Sauron. The battle was fierce but few could withstand the spear of Gil-galad, Aeglos and the sword of Elendil, Narsil. Victory against Sauron was near at hand.

However, the Alliance suffered many losses as well. The Silvan Elves, being independent, did not wholly place themselves under the command of Gil-galad which proved ill for them and the force from Lorien that followed them. "Malgalad and more than half his following perished in the great battle of Dagorlad, being cut off from the main host and driven into the Dead Marshes. Oropher was slain in the first assault of Mordor, rushing forward at the head of his most doughty warriors before Gil-galad had given the signal for advance" (p. 258, Unfinished Tales). Thranduil became King and after the war led back a third of the warriors who had originally set out to aid against Sauron.

But mastery of the field was obtained by Gil-galad and Elendil and they laid siege to Mordor for seven years. In that time many more perished, including Anárion, son of Elendil. "But at last the siege was so strait that Sauron himself came forth; and he wrestled with Gil-galad and Elendil, and both were slain, and the sword of Elendil broke under him as he fell" (p. 294, The Silmarillion). And in that bleak moment Isildur, son of the King, took up his father's sword (I love that line from Peter Jackson's adaptation). With the hilt-shard of Narsil Isildur cut off the One Ring from Sauron's hand. "Then Sauron was for that time vanquished, and he forsook his body, and his spirit fled far away and hid in waste places; and he took no visible shape again for many long years" (p. 294, The Silmarillion).

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age 3430-3441

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 293-294 and Unfinished Tales, page 258