Board Thread:Fun and Games/@comment-26852710-20160121212453/@comment-26094355-20160217083643

The Southern Alliance & The Gulduril War

Of Northern Mirkwood A century after the great wars of the bygone ages, Angmar was vanquished, Amon Lanc laid in ruin, and Mordor left destroyed by the Northern Alliance and Free-peoples of Middle-earth. The Battle of Amon Lanc, the last great alliance between the kingdoms of the North for years, drove many fell creatures from Mirkwood, which made the northern part of the forest clear of corruption. At last, after centuries, the Elvenking had found a way to lift a portion of the shadow near his kingdom. The Woodland Realm had not seen an invasion from the fell creatures of Mirkwood for many years, and thus the Wood-elves eased their watch on their borders and the affairs of Middle-earth.

Evil Silently Returns

As the watch of the Elves lessened over time, evil found its way back into the world, and crept into the fallen kingdom of Angmar. Orcs and Trolls returned to the land, under the watch of the kingdoms of good. With their forces once again assembled and slowly growing in strength, the Orcs decided that after the long era of peace, it was time again to march upon the kingdoms of the north. They sent out a sizable force of Orcs to attack the Lonely Mountain, who they had taken by surprise in the bygone ages. The Orcs marched from Angmar, with the cover of night, and streamed onto the plains of Erebor with numbers not seen in centuries. The Dwarves of Erebor, who were taken aback by this swift attack, sent a desperate distress call to the Elvenking. Honoring the alliance made during the Battle of Amon Lanc, the Elvenking rallied a force of Woodland Elves, and marched to the Lonely Mountain to aid his former allies.

When the Elvenking arrived, he was taken aback at the enemy before him. Under his watch, the Orcs had grown considerably in numbers, and marched in formation to the Lonely Mountain like a sea of darkness, illuminated by menacing torches. The Elvenking moved his army down the western hills near Erebor, and positioned them at the front of the great Dwarven gates of Erebor. The Orcs broke into a charge, and the Elvenking let his arrows fly. Before long, the battle had begun, with Elves and Orcs clashing on the plains of Erebor, much like the Attack on Erebor in the bygone ages. However, the battle would play out much different than the days of old.

The Might of the Dwarves Fails

As the Dwarves looked over the battle, memories of their fallen kin from the past attack swayed their morale to fight, which caused them to hold back their armies. The Elvenking and his army fought valiantly outside, fending off Orcs trying to reach the gate of Erebor. As the battle raged on, the Elves searched the plains for the Dwarven forces that sent out the distress call. But the great gates of the Dwarves remained sealed shut, and in this moment, the Elvenking knew: no help would come from the Dwarves that day. In a mighty rage, the Elvenking rallied his army and slew the majority of the Orcs in combat. What was left of the Orc attack force fled to the nearby watchtower of Ravenhill, who the Elvenking pursued alone, while his army drove back the scattered Orcs on the plains of Erebor.

A Mysterious Foe

The Elvenking rode swiftly to Ravenhill, in hopes of pursuing the captains of the Orc attack force and identifying where they had come from. As he maneuvered through the weaving tunnels of the watchtower, he reached the center, where he soon found himself surrounded by armour-clad Orc captains. They charged at the Elvenking with swords glistening, but swiftly met their end. The Elvenking searched the captains, and not to his surprise, they bore the mark of Angmar. But something caught his eye that he did not intend. They also carried another mark, a mark not seen since the fall of the Witch-king: the mark of Rhudaur, and of Men. Troubled by this discovery, the Elvenking decided that it was time once again to pay a visit to the seemingly defeated enemy.

The Elvenking returned to his realm, and sent out scouts to the silent land of Angmar. Of the numbers that went, few returned, and spoke of Orc numbers not seen for a century. With the Dwarves reluctant to fight and no other allies to call on nearby, the Elvenking assembled the largest army of Woodland Elves to ever walk Middle-earth in the Second Age. This took a sizable population from his realm, but the Elvenking knew it was necessary, if he was to ensure victory over the Orcs and their new mysterious ally, which he had discovered at Ravenhill. The army of Elves passed over the Misty Mountains to Mount Gram, and when they reached the overlook of Angmar, saw that evil had indeed returned. Fell creatures: Orcs, Trolls, Wargs; roamed the plains, and great weapon forges sent out smoke and fire from below. With little time to waste, the Elvenking charged down the mountain side into battle.

The Clouds Burst

No sooner had the Wood-elves met the darkness in battle, that the emergence of the Orcs’ ally made itself known. Out of great wooden halls and houses, hidden behind thickets of forestry, flooded out the fearsome Hillmen of Rhudaur. With better coordination and weapons than their Orc allies, the Hillmen broke through the Elven ranks. It was in this moment that a great number of the Elvenkings’ army was slain. With darkness closing in all around them and the Elven numbers slowly dwindling, the Elvenking and his army fought desperately to drive the enemy back.

The Wood-elves battled the forces of darkness around them for many days, and through much fighting and bloodshed, countered the Orcs and the surprise attack of the Hillmen of Rhudaur. Regaining their momentum, the Elves soon reached the heart of Angmar. To their horror, the plains were flattened of trees, and filled with tents of black. The Orcs of Angmar were preparing for another war, and had the Elvenking come much later, it would have been too late to wipe out the impending army alone. The Elven army swept through the camps of the Orcs, lit their tents ablaze, and destroyed their great weapon forges. Through much bloodshed, the Elves experienced triumph over the enemy, but one that would be short lived.

The Discovery of Evil Artifacts

In a tent heavily guarded during the battle, now reduced to a formless heap, the Elvenking searched the rubble and discovered a chest that contained artifacts of an ancient evil. They were Gulduril Crystals; their uses are unknown to creatures of light, but are thought to hold a dark and fearsome power. Their greatest danger perhaps was against the Dwarves, for their love of precious gems left them vulnerable to the influence of evil. How the Orcs managed to bring forth such artifacts, after being powerless for a century, was a marvel in itself; and the Elvenking realized that through the emergence of these artifacts, evil was stirring throughout Middle-earth once more. The Gulduril Crystals’ origin could have been only from one place: The Morgul Vale, for they were forged in the waters therein, and only there could they be destroyed.

New Alliances Formed

The Elvenking went south from Angmar with the Gulduril Crystals to Rivendell, and summoned a meeting to all available allies. No help came from the Dwarves of Erebor, for they continued to delve deeper into the earth; and the Horse-lords of Rohan remained silent as well. The Elvenking soon recognized, to his dismay, that the alliances of old were all but broken. When it seemed like most of the Free-peoples cared little of the impending darkness, it was at this time that an unfamiliar ally came into the tale. Faenor of the Silver Laurel, the Lord of Lothlorien, answered the Elvenking’s plea, and together they met at the highest point of Imladris. The Lord of the Galadhrim brought troubling news that only further confirmed the Elvenking’s suspicions: that evil was once again stirring in Middle-earth, and that a dark power was once again stirring at the heart of Southern Mirkwood. The Elvenking revealed the Gulduril Crystals that had been found, and the two began to discuss the possible meanings of all these signs.

Raid on Rivendell

As the meeting progressed, word soon reached their council that a pack of Gundabad Orcs had dared to cross the Bruinen. The Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord rushed to the ford of the Bruinen with their respective scout forces, unaware of the imminent danger waiting for them at the borders of Rivendell. They stormed out of Imladris, horns blazing, with the might and splendor of the Sindar; never before had the forces of darkness witnessed a united fury of green and grey. The great Wardens of Lorien struck where no Orc could see, and the Woodland Scouts zipped through the Orc ranks like autumn winds through beech leaves. The pack of Gundabad Orcs swiftly met their end at the hands of the combined Sindarin forces, but the attack was far from over. The Elven lords’ short-lived victory swiftly dwindled, as they realized that the raid was merely a scout force. Out of the distance, a host of many more Gundabad Orcs, and a sizable pack of Wargs, charged straight towards the border of Imladris. It is in this moment that the battle took a dangerous turn. The Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord were driven back to the border of Imladris, as the sheer number of charging Wargs forced them to fall back.

In wake of this surge of enemy troops, the Galadhrim Lord halted his force within the borders of Imladris, in an effort to prevent further bloodshed, and jumped into the fray of fell creatures alone. The Elvenking hesitated to join the skirmish, fearing further loss to his kin as well. But he knew all too well the feeling of fighting alone, and with the last of his Woodland Scouts at his side, the Elvenking joined in on the assault. The resilience of both Elven lords proved too great, and together they wiped out the Wargs and the Orcs, and claimed a hard fought victory over the fell assailants.

The Rise of the Enemy

Soon after the battle on the borders of Imladris, it became more apparent to the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord that the consecutive events: from the discovery of the Gulduril Crystals, to the ominous stirring in Southern Mirkwood, to the daring attack on the borders of Imladris; were no accidental coincidence. They began to examine what they knew, and eventually came to a startling culmination: the possibility of the Enemy's return. This alarming suspicion prompted the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord to set out to the one place their assumptions could be confirmed: The High Fells of Rhudaur. If the Enemy had indeed returned, the tombs of the Nine would be empty, for they would never slumber at the return of their master.

They travelled light, without reinforcements, and rode boats up the Hoarwell River into the former realm of Rhudaur, now the Ettenmoors. They soon reached the slopes of the High Fells, and proceeded to climb the seemingly empty foothills of Rhudaur. Once they reached the top, however, they unknowingly set off a deadly trap. To their dismay, a host of Hillmen and Gundabad Orcs were stationed at the foothills of the High Fells; at the arrival of the Elven lords, they soon blocked their way down from the High Fells, and sprang into action against them. The Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord were able to hold them off from the top of the mountain, and quickly climbed up into the tombs for shelter, and for answers.

The Elven lords carefully made their way across the narrow, elevated walkways inside the tombs, and the eventual sights that greeted the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord sent chills down their spines. For near the entrance of the High Fells lay the most ominous, vile grave of a number of tombs: one of nine. It was indeed empty, as were the others, and the powerful spells of imprisonment all but broken. It was in this moment that they realized—the Enemy. Had indeed returned.

They rushed out of the tombs, alarmed by their findings, only to be greeted by even more resistance. At the foothills of the High Fells gathered a large pack of Wargs, snarling and eager to ensnare the Elven lords. The Bright Lords charged into the fell creatures below, and the forces of darkness met their shining blades. They fled the fallen realm of Rhudar back to the fair, protected borders of Lothlorien, and there, anxiously discussed the now-apparent return of the Enemy, and how to counter the impending rise of darkness.

Silvan Hosts Unite

It soon became clear to the Elvenking and the Lord of the Galadhrim that not only had darkness returned to Middle-earth, but that a Shadow had once more returned to Southern Mirkwood, now revealed to be the Enemy of the Free-peoples. These startling revelations prompted the Elvenking and the Lord of the Galadhrim to assemble a mighty gathering of Woodland and Galadhrim Elves, to counter this rising threat. And so, under the golden mellyrn of Caras Galadhon, the great armies of the Woodland Realm and Lothlorien united, and set out to destroy the threat in the Southern Forest.

They crossed over the Anduin on a mid-summer’s eve, and were immediately met by resistance; for packs of Gundabad Orcs awaited them on the shores of the Anduin Vales, intent on potentially preventing the forces of good from ever reaching the forest. The Silvan hosts made a rough landing in the Anduin Vales, and effortlessly wiped out the opposing forces, for their splendor and might were unmatched by any petty Gundabad Orc that came forth. The Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord continued their march towards the Southern Forest despite the opposition, and their mere footsteps could be heard for miles and miles.

An Unlikely Ally

It was during this grand march that the echoing Elven footsteps attracted the attention of an unfamiliar ally: Captain Faramir of Gondor, who scouted with a force of Ithilien Rangers nearby. The news of the darkness growing in Southern Mirkwood had also reached the realms of Men, and he met up with the hosts of the Elvenking and the Lord of the Galadhrim, bringing news of the lands to the south and other tidings of the darkening Southern Forest. The Captain of Gondor decided to pledge his force of Rangers towards the ongoing conquest, and he set out ahead of the slow-moving Elven armies, to scout the dangerous roads ahead and eventually meet them at the edge of the Southern Forest.

The Elven hosts marched evermore, following the apparent trail of arrows and Orc corpses the Rangers of Ithilien were leaving behind. And after many days of traveling, the Elven armies indeed reached the edge of the Southern Forest. But to their dismay, there was no sign of the Rangers of Ithilien, despite their agreement to meet at the edge of the forest. The Elvenking and the Lord of the Galadhrim decided to set up camp outside the forest, and gave the Rangers of Ithilien a gracious window of time to reach the Elven encampment.

Into the Forest

Days went by, and no sign of the whereabouts of the Captain of Gondor ever came, which troubled the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord. Soon, they began to ponder entering the forest without him, and it was during the final day of waiting that this decision was forcefully made the apparent choice. For the tranquil encampment of Sindarin Elves suddenly experienced a taste of the fellness of the Southern Forest. From out of the Anduin Vales came hosts of Gundabad Orcs and Wargs from the North, which charged right into the heart of the Elven encampment. A battle was soon underway between the Silvan Elves and the Orcs of the North, ravaging the clearing outside the forest. When it seemed like the Elves were gaining the upper hand, the hammer of the raid fell swiftly, and it came from within the Southern Forest.

From under the twisted beech trees came a host of fell creatures: monstrous trolls, giant spiders, malicious dark Orcs, and other evil forms, that swarmed into the Elven encampment, and drove the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord back. But the might of the Eldar would not be so easily dissuaded, and it soon became clear that the darkness was no match for the light. The forces of the Woodland Realm and Lothlorien wiped out the assailing forces, and claimed victory over the seemingly ill-fated raid.

And though a sweet victory, this was a short-lived victory none the less. A decision became clear to the Elvenking and the Lord of the Galadhrim: they must to march into the forest without the Captain of Gondor, before more packs of fell creatures from the North and from within the Southern Forest attacked once more. They readied their respective hosts, and proceeded to march into the depths of the Southern Forest.

Battle Under the Beech

Their march into the forest was met by opposition by the great spiders that dwelled under the corrupted oak and beech, but were no match for the united Silvan hosts. After many days of marching under the twisted branches and tense air, they soon reached the edge of the heart of the Southern Forest. The sight that greeted the Elvenking shook him to the core; for legions of Orcs and many monstrous trolls had once more multiplied under the watch of his people.

In a mighty wrath, the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord charged towards the forces of evil that dwelled therein. They fought long and hard through the fell creatures that opposed them, until at last they arrived at the ruined fortress of the Shadow: Amon Lanc. The battle took to the plains outside the fortress, and it is here that the Elves fought with swords gleaming, until the fell creatures of the Southern Forest were all but destroyed. The Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord surrounded Amon Lanc with their armies, and proceeded alone into the depths of the fortress.

The Enemy Revealed

The Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord weaved through the intricate maze-like pathways of the fortress, until they finally reached the center, which emanated a dark and fearsome presence. From out of the very foundations of the fortress came the Nameless Shadow like in the days of old, but the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord were not so easily deceived. The two Sindarin lords channelled the inherent light of Elbereth within themselves, and together, they dismantled the concealment spell that was upon this dark entity.

What soon followed did indeed strike fear into the very hearts of the Elven lords; for under the Shadow sprang forth an entity, wreathed in flame. Its full form was not fully constructed, for it had not yet regained its full strength. None the less, one thing was unmistakable: it was the apparition of the Enemy of the Free-peoples. Sauron: the Dark Lord, and The Deceiver. The unveiling of his presence shook the very fortress and the plains around. The sky darkened, and thunder rumbled above the fortress. The Elven lords were taken aback with horror, but none the less, had come too far to give darkness the upper hand.

It was in this moment that the Galadhrim Lord brought forth the mighty weapon of his people, and one that the Enemy knew all too well from the days of old. It was The Light of Earendil, and the Lord of the Galadhrim wielded its power with a fearsome and glorious display. Together with the Elvenking’s channeled inherent light, they met the dark powers of the Enemy with a light so brilliant, the surrounding forest was illuminated for the first time since darkness corrupted the forest of the Elvenking. The Elven lords stood tall and brilliant against the Darkness, and after grand displays of power from both sides, the Enemy’s weak form could not contend with the power of the Eldar.

With a final blast of light, the weak apparition of the Enemy was once more destroyed by the forces of light, and cast out of the ruined fortress. The release of energy was so powerful, it thrust both the Elven lords back with detrimental force. The Galadhrim Lord was deprived of much of his energy, and the Elvenking was knocked unconscious. When the Elvenking awoke, he was helped up by the Lord of the Galadhrim, and together they journeyed north to the secluded realm of the Woodland Elves, spent from the battle with the Enemy and shaken by the prospect of the return of darkness.

Alliance Reunited

The Elven lords took refuge within the guarded halls of the Woodland Realm, and together discussed the return of the Enemy, and the other task at hand: the Gulduril Crystals. The Elvenking revealed that the Enemy had shown him a glimpse of his plan during the expulsion of his apparition, which fatefully involved a connection with the Gulduril Crystals. He further explained his vision, and spoke of a single, solitary peak which lay in ruin, and the Gulduril Crystals gleamed from within. This startled the Elven lords once more, for the Enemy’s plan became truly apparent: he aimed to wipe out the Dwarves of Erebor, who were a great power to contend with in the East. If they were to fall, the gateway to the North would be thrown wide open, and the Elvenking would not have the strength to counter the influx of dark powers from the East alone. As long as the Gulduril Crystals remained in existence, the Enemy would never cease to seek them, which lead the Elven lords to only one conclusion: that they must be taken back into the waters from whence they came.

During this dark hour, an unlikely reemergence lightened the dark prospects of recent days. Captain Faramir of Gondor surprisingly emerged through the gates of the Elvenking, and brought great news of the outside world. He explained his sudden disappearance on the eve of the charge into the Southern Forest, and confessed that he was pulled north tracking a pack of Orc spies. And it was in this daring move when something happened that he did not expect. To the Elven lords’ amazement, the Captain of Gondor revealed that he had stumbled across an army of Dwarves, lead by none other than the King Under the Mountain. He went on to explain that they lead an attack on the hidden Orc stronghold of Gundabad (not to be confused with Mount Gundabad), which would have potentially sent more reinforcements to the Southern Forest where the Elven lords were fighting a battle of their own.

As his story came to a close, he revealed a “gracious gift” that the King Under the Mountain had given him, found in the rubble of Gundabad. To the Captain of Gondor, the “precious jewel” appeared to be a mere emerald, but the eyes of the Elves saw through the weak concealment spell. The Elvenking took the gem from the Gondorian Captain and uncovered its true nature: it was, to their horror, one of the seven Gulduril Crystals, crafted in the waters of the Morgul Vale to wipe out the Dwarves of the North. The Captain of Gondor wasted no time in revealing that the King Under the Mountain had kept the rest, which prompted the reunited Southern Alliance to turn their eyes to the Lonely Mountain, and attempt to take possession of the remaining Gulduril Crystals, before it corrupted and destroyed one of the last Dwarven realms in Middle-earth.

Trials and Settlements

The Southern Alliance marched together towards Erebor, and stopped at the Northern state of Men: the city of Dale. The Elvenking harbored a slight grudge towards the Dwarves, due to their unwillingness to lend their aid to the him at the start of the conquest; but the Lord of the Galadhrim bore a much deeper feud, for he had slain the company of Dwarves that killed the last high Sindarin king many ages ago. It was because of these reasons, and more precautionary measures, that the Elven lords brought along their entire armies, while the Captain of Gondor merely brought a force of Rangers for safety.

Though the Elven lords had ill feelings towards the King Under the Mountain, they knew all too well the potential danger of revealing their presence too quickly in the face of a Dwarven realm. So, in an effort to pursue diplomacy, the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord sent in the Gondorian Captain to try and reason with the King Under the Mountain, for they knew he had acquired much favor in the eyes of the Dwarves. He set out on foot towards Erebor, but soon came back with an ill-fated response to the Elven lords’ plea to hand over the remaining Gulduril Crystals. Outraged by the stubbornness of Dwarves, the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord rallied their armies, and marched out of Dale in a glorious splendor, with the force of Ithilien Rangers trailing reluctantly behind; for the Gondorian Captain had gained quite a favorable reputation with the King Under the Mountain during their attack on Gundabad, which made him hesitant to march against the Dwarves.

The Southern Alliance quickly arrived at the doorstep of Erebor, with horns blazing and armour glistening. To their surprise, the King Under the Mountain, from atop the ramparts of Erebor, fired a warning shot from a Dwarven crossbow at the feet of the Elven lords. This enthralled the Elvenking, but more so the Galadhrim Lord, and thus a great exchange of words echoed throughout the plains of Erebor. The King Under the Mountain soon became irritated by the large Elven hosts at his doorstep, and descended from the ramparts with heavy footsteps and audible grumbles.

Suddenly, from within the Mountain, a thundering horn blew, and out emerged the King Under the Mountain in regal, golden-trimmed armour, and an army of Erebor Dwarves at his back. The Elvenking was instantly alarmed by this sight, and proceeded to command his host into a defensive formation, but the Galadhrim Lord was not so easily dissuaded, and he broke into a charge towards the emerging Dwarves. It is in this moment that the Captain of Gondor took a stand in between both agitated races, stopping the charge of the Galadhrim and the Dwarves. In a sincere outreach, he spoke of the real Enemy to the South and the quest at hand.

As the Captain of Gondor occupied the attention of the King Under the Mountain, the Elvenking began to notice something different about him, and soon realized that the Gulduril Crystals may be having an effect on the King and his Dwarves. He swiftly rode forth from the defensive formation of his army and proceeded to speak words of light towards the King Under the Mountain.

Im Aran Calanon, telin lethaed. Lasto beth nin, tolo dan nan galad

I am King Calanon, I am here to help. Here my voice, come back to the light!

The Elvenking radiated with a brilliant light, and no sooner did he utter these words, that the remaining Gulduril Crystals left the King Under the Mountain, and the Elvenking collected them amongst the other remaining Crystals. The Elven lords and the Captain of Gondor stared on at the King Under the Mountain, who froze in realization, as if the clouds of a storm had finally dissipated. To their relief, he returned to a much more sensible nature, and apologized for the conflict he nearly started between the Dwarves and the Elves. He understood that the grudges between their peoples had to be set aside for the real threat: the Gulduril Crystals, which endangered his people and the realms of the North. And so, the King Under the Mountain invited the Southern Alliance into the great halls of Erebor, to discuss plans of attack in the South.

The High Elves of Imladris Awaken

After much conversation, the Galadhrim Lord and the Captain of Gondor decided to return to their respective realms to prepare for war, while the Elvenking set out to rally what allies remained in the North. He returned west to Imladris with his army, where he hoped to seek the aid and council of the High Elves therein. It is in these events that a new ally remarkably joined the tale.

Itallie, Lady of Rivendell, emerged through the gate of Imladris, and into the courtyard with a force of mounted lancers at her back. The Elvenking fondly greeted her, but she wasted little time in explaining her absence from her position of power in the Hidden Valley. With an alarmed tone in her soft voice, she stated that her people too, had received news of the return of the Enemy, and she had just returned from bringing this message to the fair western lands of Lindon. Together, they walked towards the highest point in Imladris, discussing the recent events of the Southern Forest and the Gulduril Crystals, and her possible aid to the quest. His description of the conquest and the alliance going into the Vale soon lead to the prospect of the Dwarves, which the Lady of Rivendell highly disapproved of. The Elvenking hoped to reach fair settlement with the High Elves of Imladris, for they would be a highly valuable ally in the conquest to the South. In an effort to achieve such a settlement, the Elvenking sent out messengers to the King Under the Mountain, requesting his presence at the Hidden Valley.

The next day, the Elvenking and the Lady of Rivendell were greeted by an thundering horn, and an army of Dwarves marching towards the courtyard. Agitated by this large, sudden, Dwarven presence, the Lady of Rivendell rallied her riders in an effort to keep them outside of Imladris, until further explanation could be given as to why a Dwarven army was at her door. The King Under the Mountain furiously took this as a sign of hostility, and readied his Dwarves for an attack. Once again, there was a long exchange of words, which rang through the entire valley, until the Lady of Imladris forced the King Under the Mountain to leave her valley with his army. He did not hesitate to withdraw, and at the Elvenking’s discontent, the Dwarves of Erebor marched out of Imladris towards the Lone-lands.

The Hidden Valley Attacked

The Lady of Rivendell, despite her victory in the heated dispute, was unsure that the Dwarves had fully left the vicinity. In addition, the Elvenking informed her of the past attack on the Hidden Valley, which he and the Lord of the Galadhrim defended at the cost of many lives. She was intrigued as to how the pack of Orcs crossed the Bruinen, and soon asked the Elvenking to show her the spot where the battle took place, as well as to scout the borders of the valley, for any signs of the Dwarves she now harbored a grudge against.

Though the threat of Gundabad was vanquished by The King Under the Mountain and the Captain of Gondor, the Elvenking knew all too well the potential ill-fated surprises of the Lone-lands, and proceeded to bring his army in caution. The Lady of Rivendell rode without her lancers alongside the Elvenking, and together they patrolled the borders of the Hidden Valley. To their surprise, an Orc camp lay at the very spot where the Elvenking and the Lord of the Galadhrim defended the Hidden Valley, which they wasted no time in destroying. What was a minuscule threat to the Lady of Rivendell, was a much more startling prospect for the Elvenking; the very placement of the camp, at the spot of the former battle, meant one thing: they were being scouted, and watched.

This prospect compelled the Elvenking to check the other entrances to the Hidden Valley and ensure their security. The Lady of Rivendell was indifferent, but none the less, they marched around the borders until they reached the Hidden Pass, the final stop on their patrol around Imladris. After marching around the entire Valley, there were no hints of anymore Orc presences around the border. Just as the Lady of Rivendell began to doubt the Elvenking’s cautious nature, the patrol around Imladris suddenly took a dark turn.

From out of the Trollshaws in the distance, emerged legions of Gundabad Orcs and Wargs. To the Elvenking’s amazement, hosts of fell creatures from the North had survived the attack on Gundabad, and had fled to the Trollshaws, remaining hidden under the vast, dark trees. They had plotted to attack Rivendell at the return of the Lady, and planned to potentially destroy one of the last remaining High Elven realms in Middle-earth. The Woodland Army was soon overwhelmed not only by the surprise attack by the Orcs, but also by the addition of Rhudaur Hillmen pouring down from the North. Before long, the Lady of Rivendell and the Elvenking were forced to retreat within Imladris, while the outer valley was utterly surrounded by the opposing forces. It did not take long for the Lady of Rivendell to realize that she and the Elvenking were alone, for they could not send for aid, as all the exits of Rivendell were surrounded and watched. She came to the further conclusion that if they did not attack now, it would not be long before the Orcs pushed through the magic of the Elves and poured into Imladris.

With a force of lancers at the ready and the Woodland Army prepared for battle, the Elvenking and the Lady of Rivendell charged through the northern passage of the Valley, horns blaring, and met the Orcs and Hillmen in battle. They managed to clear the northern entrance, and push the dark forces back towards the Hidden Pass. But no sooner did they repel the forces of evil to the Hidden Pass, that the Elvenking and the Lady of Rivendell met, perhaps, their darkest hour of the attack. For the remaining legions of fell creatures lay in wait at the Hidden Pass for their attack, and found this opportunity the ripe time to strike.

The tide of the battle soon turned in favor of the Orcs, for the Woodland Army was once more overwhelmed by the opposing forces, and Lady Itallie was completely surrounded by the forces of darkness. It was in this hour of need, that an unlikely ally entered the battle. The King Under the Mountain, on his way out of the Lone-lands, heard Elven horns in the distance, and knew that it was a sign of danger. He turned his host around, marched back to Imladris, and charged into the battle with his Dwarven army, with shields raised and axes glistening. The forces of darkness, completely caught off-guard, were utterly destroyed by the combined Elven and Dwarven might. And thus, the invasion of Rivendell was once again averted, and the borders were made safe.

Relics Reforged

Lady Itallie, taken aback by this unlikely aid by the Dwarves, granted the King Under the Mountain her favor, but only for the sake of the conquest. She welcomed him and his host into the fair realm of Imladris, and lead the King Under the Mountain and the Elvenking to a round courtyard with many chairs, and a table of stone at the center. It is here that the allies from distant lands gathered (and where another Fellowship would gather in an Age to come). They talked anxiously about the impending war to the South, the fate of the Gulduril Crystals, and the prospect of Men, who had so far played a major role in the conquest, by preventing open war between Dwarves and Elves. It soon became clear to them, through all the signs and prospects of the conquest, that the strength of Men must be restored.

For many ages, the Lady of Rivendell housed an ancient relic of Men; a relic so powerful and grand, it could summon forth the armies of Men from far and wide. Through the council of the Elvenking, the Lady of Rivendell perceived that the hour had indeed come: to forge the blade that was only ever conceived in the dreams of Men. Bearing this relic with the uttermost care, the Lady of Rivendell, the Elvenking, and the King Under the Mountain travelled south with their hosts to the great city of Minas Tirith, to seek aid from the Gondorians in the dark hour of need, and to bestow the great relic, thought to be lost and forgotten.

The White City

When they arrived at Minas Tirith, they were greeted by the King of Gondor, who welcomed them into the White City and up into the throne room. The Galadhrim Lord and the Captain of Gondor had also arrived with their hosts as well. The King of Gondor was informed of the conquest, and asked by the Elvenking to rally Gondor’s armies to aid in the conquest of the Gulduril Crystals. The King of Gondor lowered his head, and stated that the armies of Men would only rally around the Sword of the King, which was long lost in ages forgotten.

No sooner did he say this, that the Lady of Imladris unveiled the great heirloom of Men in a glorious splendor! “Narsil” it was called in the days of old, and for that she called called it also: by its rightful name. She bestowed it to the King, but he was once more reluctant. He came to the decision that it was not his place to meet the darkness in battle, but to defend his people from the rising powers to the East. It is in this decision that he passed on the sword to the Captain of Gondor, Faramir, for he believed, like the rest of the Alliance, he had a part to play in the coming conquest. The fate of Gondor’s armies were set by the King, and the Captain of Gondor went hence forth around the White City rallying what troops he could spare, wielding the Sword of the King, while the Elven lords and Lady readied their hosts below. As the Southern Alliance prepared for war, their efforts were suddenly staggered by a devastating attack.

From out of the distance, on the horizon of the Pelennor Fields, marched a host of fell creatures from the Morgul Vale. Legions of Orcs, and numerous armoured Olog-hai, soon broke into a charge towards the White City. The first to notice and address the threat was the Lord of the Galadhrim, who blew his Elven horn and charged first into the forces of darkness. He was soon followed by the Elvenking and the Lady of Rivendell, and on the Pelennor Fields, the three Elven houses fought in the defense of Minas Tirith. Such detrimental blows were dealt that day, to both sides, but in the end, the forces of darkness fled the outer border of the White City towards the Ithilien wilds. The Elven hosts regrouped at the entrance of Minas Tirith, carrying many loses; the Galadhrim Elves bearing the most, followed by the lancers of Rivendell. The Captain of Gondor emerged with the army that was promised, but to his dismay, had come too late. To add to the already dark prospect, it seemed that the King Under the Mountain was nowhere to be seen, for the Dwarves remained indifferent and unmoved towards the battle and the forces of darkness at the doorstep.

Outraged by this daring move by the Enemy, and blinded by rage, the Elvenking, Galadhrim Lord, Lady of Rivendell, and the Captain of Gondor rallied their forces after the forces of darkness, and pursued them all the way towards the Ithilien wilds. They met the remainder of the attack force in battle, but ever they pushed until they reached the border of the Morgul Vale. It is during this hour that the host of Orcs received reinforcements from the guard of the Vale, which all but overwhelmed the forces of good with innumerable odds. None the less, they were able to lay waste to much of the defense of the Morgul Vale, but at a heavy cost. Nearly the entire army that the Galadhrim Lord had rallied with him were lost in battle, as well as many Woodland Elves, and High Elves of Imladris. But, more sadly, the Lady of Rivendell herself, was slain in battle fighting the legions of Olog-hai that surrounded her. The losses were indeed great for both sides, but the loss of a companion in the Southern Alliance prompted the surviving lords to pull out their forces in great haste.

Battered and bruised, the heavily diminished forces of Elves and Men retreated to Osgiliath, where they recounted the losses and mourned the death of Lady Itallie. There were indeed melodies, sang by the surviving Elves, that day, but not those of bliss, but laments for the victorious dead. The Captain of Gondor sent for what aid was left from Minas Tirith, while the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord rode swiftly north to Imladris, to shortly grieve the loss of the great Lady of Rivendell. But, as the conquest lay unfinished, they too returned to Osgiliath, with what troops they could yet spare from their already waning realms.

The Final Assault

The Elven lords and the Captain of Gondor rallied once more within the walls of Osgiliath, with the remainder of troops their respective realms could yet send. Though the attack in the Ithilien wilds greatly weakened the defense of the Morgul Vale, the Elvenking, Galadhrim Lord, and the Captain of Gondor feared the odds were still to great to achieve success by strength of arms. None the less, they were intent on avenging Lady Itallie’s death, and so they devised an elaborate plan to strike swift and hard to the very heart of the Vale. And so, they waited for the conditions, the time of day, and the positions of Orc patrols outside the Vale, to shift ever so perfectly, before they set out for the final assault. The Lord of the Galadhrim set out alone to scout the borders of the Vale, while the Captain of Gondor patrolled the borders of Osgiliath for safe passage; and the Elvenking stayed behind to prepare the troops with the plan of attack.

At last, the Captain of Gondor and the Lord of the Galadhrim returned with tidings that the conditions were indeed ripe to launch the final assault against the Vale. Determined and ready for vengeance, the hosts of Elves and Men began to march towards the eastern gate of Osgiliath, when they heard a familiar thunderous horn in the distance. It was the King Under the Mountain, and in their dire hour of need, he had come once more to commit his troops to the conquest. By chance, he had missed the battle outside Minas Tirith and the charge into the Ithilien wilds, at the cause of drinking many ales the night before, and falling into a deep sleep as a result. But, he claimed he made a promise, a promise to stay true in fellowship, and a promise he intended to see through to whatever end. With the entire Southern Alliance (save for the Lady of Rivendell) armed and at the ready, they set out from Osgiliath and swiftly marched towards the Morgul Vale.

The Southern Alliance stopped for nothing, marching quick and sharp towards the Morgul Vale. And so it was, the heads of the assault were the Elvenking and the Galadhrim Lord, while the Captain of Gondor and the King Under the Mountain followed behind. The hosts of Silvan Elves charged into the Vale first, and were met by legions of Orcs and Olog-hai. The Elven armies sliced through the opposition, and cut to the very heart of the Vale until they reached the valley where the waters of Minas Morgul resided. The Elven lords blocked the entrance to the valley with their armies, cutting off any fell creatures from entering, until the task of destroying the Gulduril Crystals had been finished. They also sent a fraction of their armies to surround Minas Morgul, which kept watch over the dark powers that dwelt therein. For the Elvenking felt the presence of the Nazgul emanating from within the fortress, but they dared not venture out to meet the Elven lords who cast out their master.

The Elven lords soon saw the Captain of Gondor in the distance, but only for a brief moment, for their view was quickly obstructed by the fell creatures trying to break through the Elven lines of defense. When their sight on the horizon was again restored, they looked in horror, for the Captain of Gondor had seemingly fallen, his host was slowly outnumbered, and many Gulduril crystals were scattered across the ground from his fall. In a desperate last effort, the Elvenking broke from his defensive line, rallied his army with him, and recovered what Gulduril crystals lay on the ground, and returned to the entrance of the valley to the Galadhrim Lord.

With what strength the Elvenking could yet muster, he took the accursed Crystals in his hands and cast them into the fell waters of Minas Morgul. To his relief, the Gulduril crystals he cast in let off a dying green glow, and dissipated in the murky waters from whence they came. But the conquest was not yet over, for the Elvenking merely cast two of the seven Gulduril Crystals into the waters of the Vale. The remaining Gulduril Crystals, the Elvenking assumed, were still with the fallen Captain of Gondor, who was too far away from the defensive perimeter of the Elves to reach.

No sooner did the Elvenking turn to the entrance of the valley to seek the remaining Crystals, that he was greeted with an astonishing sight. To his complete shock, the Dwarves of Erebor were rallying around the remaining Gondorian soldiers, and the King of the Mountain desperately limped with the Captain of Gondor, who still lived, towards the entrance of the valley! The Elves, immediately after seeing this, frantically assembled at the entrance of the valley, and with a flowing draw of their bows, fired a rain of arrows at the Orcs and Olog-hai pursuing the battered Dwarven and Gondorian hosts, which sent the fell creatures in pursuit painfully back into the Abyss.

The Elves opened up their defensive perimeter, and welcomed their weary allies into the safety of their hosts, which they quickly closed once more to fend off more fell creatures that continued to attack. With the last ounces of strength the Captain of Gondor could muster, he cast the remaining Gulduril Crystals into the waters of Minas Morgul, which also dissipated in the mirk of the Vale. Minas Morgul, which seemed to feel the destruction of all the Gulduril crystals, sent forth a beam of blazing green light into the sky, so fearsome and terrible, the fell creatures of the Vale fled at its very sight, for they knew they had suffered defeat. The very valley began to tremble, which was a clear sign for the last alliance to withdraw.

In this seemingly hour of victory for the Southern Alliance, Minas Morgul had one more trick yet to play on the forces of good. The gates of Minas Morgul swung open behind the forces of good, and fell creatures of many sorts poured out towards the Southern Alliance. With very few troops to spare for the journey out, it was in this hour that the King Under the Mountain made the choice to stay behind, to hold off the remaining forces that yet remained in the Morgul Vale, while the rest of the Southern Alliance would make the desperate journey back. With barely any strength left or time to spare to argue with the Dwarven King’s decision, the Elvenking turned away from the King Under the Mountain, and did not look back, as he could not bear the prospect of losing another companion from the Southern Alliance. The Elvenking lead what remained of the Southern Alliance out of the Morgul Vale, and back to the safety of the White City. No sooner had they reached the gate of Minas Tirith, that the Elvenking felt a great presence go out in the East, and for this, a tear left him and somberly hit the ground, for in that moment he knew that the last great line of Dwarven kings had come to an end, and that he had lost a great ally who had aided him through many trials.

The Conquest’s End

Through perseverance, determination, and fate, the fellowship between the Elvenking, the Lord of the Galadhrim, and the Captain of Gondor stood the test of many trials, dangers and evil. And in the throne room of Minas Tirith, they gathered once more together to hail the victorious dead, as well as celebrate the fellowship that started, had gone through ranges and rivers, that had been separated and reunited, and one that stood together at the end of it all. Before they descended from atop Minas Tirith, the Captain of Gondor had so graciously prepared gifts for the Elven lords, and gave to the Elvenking a sapling from distant lands, to plant in remembrance of the fellowship, the conquest, those who were lost, and as a reminder that there is indeed good left in the world, and it is worth fighting for.

What remained of the Southern Alliance proceeded to the gate of Minas Tirith, and prepared to part ways. Thanks were given, gratitude was made known, and farewells were said, before each of the lords went their separate ways. The Elvenking took his leave first, looking back at his companions altogether one last time, before sorrowfully marching out with the remainder of the Woodland Army.

And so, a watchful peace was restored to Middle-earth once more. The Elvenking returned to his realm to the North, weary of war, as did the Galadhrim Lord to his respective realm; and the Captain of Gondor set out to make the lands of the South beautiful once again. The Elvenking arrived at his forest, which lay in a tranquil but watchful state; he was unusually tense at this sight, for the prospect of peace had become a foreign concept to him from the long conquest, and a prospect he would have to get used to once again. He planted the sapling given to him by the Capain of Gondor, which grew and thrived in the days that followed. And so it stood, reminding the Elvenking of the good, the bad, those who survived, those that did not, and ever so often, sparked the thought of new adventures yet to come.