Sack of Eregion
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 | |
---|---|
Conflict: War of the Elves and Sauron | |
Date: S.A. 1697 | |
Place: Eregion | |
Outcome: Victory for Sauron
| |
Combatants | |
Elves of Eregion |
Forces of Sauron |
Commanders | |
Strength | |
Unknown |
Unknown, greater than the Elves |
Casualties | |
Heavy |
Unknown |
The Sack of Eregion was the destruction of the Noldorin realm by the armies of Sauron in the Second Age. Sauron invaded Eregion to claim the Rings of Power including the Three Rings which was crafted without his knowledge.
Background
- 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, Celebrimbor perceived the designs of Sauron and warned the bearers of the Elven rings, preventing use of the Three Rings which Sauron craved most.
History
Prelude
Infuriated by Celebrimbor's defiance, Sauron led a 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]
Battle
Celeborn led a sortie from Eregion and drove back the vanguard of Sauron's host, and later combined forces with Elrond and the reinforcements from Lindon. As Sauron's host drew closer Elrond was forced to retreat as his forces were greatly outnumbered by Sauron and he prevented Elrond from returning to Eregion.[1]
In S.A. 1697,[2] Ost-in-Edhil fell, with Celebrimbor himself leading a last desperate defence on the steps of the House of the Mírdain. He was taken captive by the Orcs, tormented into revealing the location of the Rings of Power, then 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 lead by Amroth. Sauron halted his pursuit of Elrond and turned to the Dwarves and Elves in his rear and quickly defeat them.[1]
Aftermath
Elrond was able to gather what remained of the Elves of Eregion and retreated northward and established a refuge, Imladris. Other survivors escaped into Khazad-dûm and were granted passage by their friends the Dwarves, coming eventually 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.[1]
Sauron claimed the Rings of Power except for the Three Rings which he perceived were sent to Elvish guardians meaning 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 to prevent him assailing his rear.[1]
Portrayal in adaptations
2014: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor:
- In flashbacks, the player watches Celebrimbor fighting Orcs when Sauron invades Eregion.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"