Final Battles in the War of the Ring

Gondor was not the only region attacked by Sauron during the War of the Ring. Lorien, Mirkwood, and Dale were also assailed. However, when Sauron was destroyed his servants and allies could not sustain their attacks. Lorien was assaulted three times by Sauron's forces in Dol Guldur. "Though grievous harm was done to the fair woods on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow passed Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lorien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed" (p. 375, The Return of the King). That's a cool image--Galadriel throwing down the walls of Dol Guldur.

"In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire, but in the end Thranduil had the victory" (p. 375, The Return of the King). Thranduil and Celeborn met and renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, Wood of the Greenleaves. Thranduil took the Northern parts of the forest while Celeborn ruled the Southern parts. In between the land was given to the Beornings. Celeborn stayed there for a few years before going to live in Rivendell with Elrond's sons. 

Dale was also attacked during the latter battles of the War of the Ring. King Brand was driven to the Lonely Mountain but was aided by the Dwarves of Erebor in a desperate battle. "It lasted three days, but in the end both King Brand and King Dain Ironfoot were slain, and the Easterlings had the victory" (p. 376, The Return of the King). But the Easterlings could only lay siege to the Mountain as Men and Dwarves withstood inside. With the passing of Sauron Bard II, son of Brand and now King, along with Thorin III Stonehelm, Dain's son and King, issued forth from the Mountain and routed their enemies. And ever after they had the friendship and protection of the King Elessar. 

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 375-376