The Atlas of Middle-Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad

Author:Karen Wynn Fonstad [Fonstad, Karen Wynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

LONELY MOUNTAIN Cross Section: WEST-EAST

The Battle of Five Armies

THE NEWS OF SMAUG’S DEMISE spread quickly, and within days much of the north was on the move seeking to gain the unguarded treasure. The Goblins and wolves had already mustered great forces at Gundabad after the slaying of the Great Goblin and were well prepared to utilize the unexpected advantage. Immediately they started east through the Grey Mountains, observed secretly by the watchful eagles.1 The Elvenking also was marching east but turned toward Lake-town on Bard’s plea. Eleven days after Smaug’s fall their combined forces passed the north end of Long Lake.2 Meanwhile, Thorin had sent raven messengers to his “kin in the mountains of the North” and especially to his cousin Dáin in the Iron Hills,3 some two hundred fifty miles away. Bard and the Elvenking arrived first, and in response to Thorin’s grim refusals they besieged the Mountain. The length of the siege was not given, but it ended upon Dáin’s arrival: possibly about ten days later. The battle was about to be joined as Dáin attempted to reach the gate, when the Goblins and wolves suddenly appeared out of the broken lands to the north.4

Quickly the Elves, Men, and Dwarves allied against the oncoming enemies. They were hopelessly outnumbered: Dáin had brought “five hundred grim dwarves”;5 the Elvenking commanded at least a thousand spearmen, plus archers;6 and while Bard’s forces were uncertain, they may have been as few as two hundred, judging from the size of the town. In contrast, the enemy had “a vast host.”7 According to Gandalf’s plan, the Elves manned the southwestern spur, and the Dwarves and Men, the southeastern. The Goblins poured into the valley, seeking the gate, and were attacked from both sides. First the Elves charged from the west, then allowing no respite, Dáin and the Lake-men plunged in from the east, and the Elves reattacked. The strategy was working successfully, with the Goblins pinned in the head of the valley fighting on two fronts; when the ambushers were ambushed. Goblins had scaled a mountain path that divided just above the gate and had gained the higher ground on both spurs of the mountains. From that vantage they attacked the rear of the allied armies from above, allowing the Goblins in the valley to regroup and bring in fresh troops, including Bolg and his powerful bodyguard.8

The Elves had been pushed back near Ravenhill, and Dáin and Bard were losing ground east of the river when Thorin broke the newly built gate wall and leapt into the affray. He thundered “To me! O my kinsfolk!” and to him they went: all Dáin’s forces and many Men and Elves as well.9 Together they thrust into the heart of the enemy, right up to Bolg’s bodyguard; but they had no rearguard and gradually they were encircled. The defenders who had not left the spurs faced new assaults and could not help. Just in time the eagles swooped in from the west, casting off the Goblins from the upper ridges.

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