What Happened in the North During the War of the Ring?

The lands in the north should not be forgotten in the lore of the Third Age of Middle-earth, for the folks of those lands aided greatly in the downfall of Sauron during the events of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Thank you all so much for watching, let me know your thoughts about what happened in the north during the War of the Ring in the comments below! As always, a great thanks to the online artists whose visual works made this video possible! If you are one of the artists, please let me know and I will post your name and a link to your work in this description!
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[@thedunadan8021]

It almost seems as if the battles of North could be worth a movie. 🤔

[@AdrianMartinez-ho6db]

They most definitely would be worth it

[@roxanneranchhand1245]

(almost????) You made the comment of the day, imho

[@Damorann]

It definitely does. Truly, the Tolkien world deserves many movies.

[@ingothebetrayer7277]

@@Damorann truly, my lord !

[@peterchristensen2528]

It'd be a great movie!!!

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

The Battle of Dale would have been something to see! Dain's red axe, the valiant but cruel Easterlings and the implacable Dwarves of Erebor standing side by side with the men of Dale! There is a battle worthy of song!

[@geviesanta3631]

The dwarves would be chanting in battle like: "For the grace and the might of the Lord!!!"🎶🎶🎶

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

@@geviesanta3631 Your Sabaton reference is noted and appreciated

[@arderon5]

Don’t forget Thranduil and Grimbeorn and their domains. Also Attack on Lorien and demolition of Dol-Guldur

[@Apollo1989V]

Something that the Amazon series should do.

[@randysavage1]

Depending on whos directing it and acting in it yes.

[@xtremeranger30]

Dain and Brand sure didn't go down easily against the Easterlings in a last stand. A hard fought pyrrhic victory at the Battle of Dale for the Dwarves and Men of Dale.

[@madambutterfly1997]

Don't forget the battle under the trees either. Thranduil was notably badass in the war of North as well

[@shadowofchaos8932]

Glorfindel being left out of the movies is a tragedy. He has such a great story.

[@hazbojangles2681]

It’s a shame. Arwen barely did anything in the movies anyways but I guess normal viewers who don’t love lotr wouldn’t understand

[@ChiaraSiasat]

I love Glorfindel, he’s one of my favorite characters in the legendarium but since we literally only see him for such a short bit in the book it made sense to not have him in the movie.. he wasn’t even in the Bashki version.

[@Longshanks1690]

Yes. Just not in the books.

[@gregwillams8324]

I just have to say shadowodchaos I like your cowboy bebop sticker

[@shadowofchaos8932]

@@gregwillams8324 spike is my boy! Went out they way he wanted.

[@orrointhewise87]

"The battle for middle earth is about to begin" Easy to forget the northern campaigns; war of the ring was truly a world war. Now if they covered this section in a certain tv show I'd definitely be pleased. 😁 Seeing the attacks on the woodland realm and Lorien, seeing Galadriel throw down Dol Guldur....... Good times haha

[@CrissCHG]

What.? Galadriel ?

[@orrointhewise87]

@@CrissCHG Yeah!! I believe it was after Sauron was defeated, torn down the ruined fortress Clearly I'm fanboying rn Haha

[@ashtonhaggitt216]

Doubtful honestly. They already said they're centering it around a young aragorn which displeases me.

[@mosa3712]

@@ashtonhaggitt216 your wrong lmao where do you get that information? The Amazon lord of the rings series will be based in the second age and the fall of Numenor

[@nathandomke2721]

Keep dreaming XD

[@melkhiordarkfell4354]

I know I have mentioned before but just in case. I'd like to suggest a series of "Not so epic character histories" that cover the very minor characters in the various stories. For example characters like Elfhelm, Beregond and Erkenbrand in Lord of the Rings. So like "Not so Epic characters of The Children of Hurin" and go into people like Sador and Brandir. Or "Not so Epic characters of Ankallabeth" and discuss the various uneventful Kings of Numenor.

[@endermanwithalowercasee]

I understand why none of this was in The Return of the King movie, only mentioned in the extended version, but these battles would've still been neat to see, if only briefly

[@corruptangel6793]

They're mentioned? When, I never caught that

[@endermanwithalowercasee]

@@corruptangel6793 in the extended version of The Return of the King, Legolas does mention to Gimli that war marches on his kin's homelands as Rohan first leaves for Gondor

[@corruptangel6793]

@@endermanwithalowercasee no kidding? I just watched the extended edition less than a week ago😅

[@jrad410]

Battle for Middle Earth 2 did a great adaptation of this

[@MenoftheWest]

Absolutely! I was very inspired by that game while making this video!

[@acrustykrab]

I miss those games.

[@Ilkvomit]

@@MenoftheWest absolutely love playing that game,still play it from time to time on my Xbox 360

[@jrad410]

@@acrustykrab yea they were great and the Edain mod made gave it so much more

[@arderon5]

@@acrustykrab you can play Edain and Age of the ring mods. Also there is a project called Battle for the Middle Earth Reforged. It’s noncommercial project relying on donations. Check out their KZbin channel. You will definitely like it.

[@basilforth]

The war in the north also subtly emphasizes Bilbo's story and choices. Not only Bilbo's choice to take pity on, Gollum but also his choice to surrender the Arkenstone.

[@geviesanta3631]

Honestly, I wish they could've included the scene where the Battle of Dale took place. It would've been very interesting to see how the Dwarves of Erebor and the Men of Dale manage to fight off their invaders of Easterlings during that battle.

[@benbrown8258]

"A "Chance" meeting as we say in Middle Earth." Indeed! In the West we believe Illuvatar inspires unexpected harmonies!

[@ChiaraSiasat]

Cut backs of these fights would have been quite interesting to see in the movies. Another great video Yoystan!

[@Baelcumba]

Wow, I was just reading the Third Age Unfinished Tales today. How timely, and very well done as always!

[@TehSkullKid]

I would have loved to see a Tolkien book focusing on the War in the North. Maybe from the perspective of the Iron Hill dwarves or some of the men of Lake-Town or the dúnedain. It's such an important part of the Lord of the Rings, and we only ever hear about it in the appendices and unfinished tales.

[@theshyguy4932]

@@noahshreve5237 Beorn wasn't alive then.

[@theshyguy4932]

@@noahshreve5237 I checked Tolkien gateway and it said he presumably died before the War of The Ring. Also he was still a man just with the power to change skin. There is about 77 year gap between The Hobbit and The war of the rings he would be at least in his late 90s but probably older.

[@guitarfee6521]

Wow love your content man! Just discovered you and am hooked, so nice to watch! Gonna smoke and chill to your vids

[@fabricatorgeneralchadius1114]

Your videos have come a long way thank you for still making these they are very enjoyable

[@MenoftheWest]

Thank you my friend! And equally, thank you for still watching! I appreciate it so much!

[@fabricatorgeneralchadius1114]

@@MenoftheWest I'm probably gonna to watch them until you stop making them

[@paulayers1111]

I love your content. I just discovered you on New Year’s Day. Great way to kick off 2021

[@Steel-101]

North: Never East: Eat South: Sour West: Watermelon 🍉 (Lol 😂 couldn’t resist) Awesome video Mr. West!!!!! 😎👍🏼

[@Anaris10]

NorthEastWestSouth=NEWS

[@elrond8100]

I was always interested in this part.

[@legendsofthebravebard]

Keep up the great work, Yoystan!

[@srimadhumithra2330]

I always wanted to know about this part.. Thanks Mellon. May the stars shine over you always!

[@hazbojangles2681]

I was researching this subject and this video has arrived at a perfect time.

[@Dare_To_Game]

I have always wanted an open world RPG set in this region during the war of the ring. Its such an under represented region and conflict, and it would be amazing to explore it in a proper single player RPG.

[@brianmessemer2973]

Have wondered about much of this for years. Wonderful work as always 🙏

[@kazorbrooks3980]

I have always been interested in this part of the battles and I have been wondering when you would be covering this. Love the video so far. I also think the people making a certain tv. Show should consult your expertise on a sertain subject.

[@jenglerj1090]

The War in the north video game is my favorite lord of the rings game.

[@Ilkvomit]

Super underrated

[@IWillYeah]

Loved WITN too, great combat. Its tied with BFME2:ROTWK for me.

[@xxxhalo4everxxx]

I still have PTSD when i hear the word "inner gate" "Their attacking the inner gate! The inner gate is weakening! NO they breached the inner gate nordinbad is doomed!"

[@soul6180]

always been interested in what was going on around Erebor during the war of the ring

[@raylo1635]

This is no chance meeting is it, Gandalf? Gandalf: No, it is not

[@JoshyMitsu95]

Another great video :P Ps when the Gollum game comes out I think a Yoystan playthrough is much needed 👀

[@andrewvincent7299]

Friendship and loyalty is such a big part of Tolkien's work. You could even see it here between King Dain and King Brand. Dain stayed by his fallen friend's side defending his body until he himself fell with a grieving heart. Besides Elrond and Durin the fourth, the Rings of Power TV show is sorely missing that. The characters seem cold, bitter, and angry. There are no organic bonds forming between the characters. Though they are knocking it out of the park with Elrond and Durin. Their friendship is most certainly the spirit of Tolkien and it's the only real plotline I'm invested in.

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

This is Great!!! Just keep going with more and more videos! Ps. I have a question about the Witch king please help! I dont understand, In the 'Desolation of Smaug' when Gandalf and Radagast found the tombs of the Nazgul, if the Nazgul's were wraith's how could the tombs even exists, if they were invincible and they dont have the body, did Peter Jackson added that to the movie or what?

[@MenoftheWest]

Thank you Ranger! To answer your question, that is something Jackson added in! The Wraiths never had graves, and at the end of the Angmar War, the Witch-king fled the north, thus, there was nothing to even be buried.

[@johnpatricktan5545]

Nice video yostan!!!

[@MenoftheWest]

Thanks John!

[@shanenolan8252]

Thanks always a pleasure to watch your videos

[@Bluemilk92]

I thought I saw you show up in one of Arachîr Galudirithon streams. IDK why I was surprised, but it still made me happy that you're into Tolkien content whilst running a lore channel.

[@stellabonet-downie1002]

It would be really cool to see a movie about the battle of Dale

[@thehighguarduk4820]

Fantastic video, really well explained and discussed. Its wonderful to see the events leading to the War of the Ring, during and after laid out in a fascinating timeline of critical events as the war and great events were happening else where in the south. As Gandalf said so many thing might have been different had it not been for his chance meeting in Bree with Thorin and how much may have been different and darker had it not been for the bravery and stead fast forces of Good in the North of Middle Earth. Wonderful video!

[@mikewalker6218]

love these videos. keep them up. You have a great narration voice. I thoroughly enjoying learning about the tales i don't really have time to sit and read about.

[@celestejohnston6613]

Yoystan!! Thank you so much for this video! I am currently writing a fanfiction called "Reunion in Mirkwood" and much of it will deal with the wars in the North during the Ring War. You have set up a useful timeline for my story, better than I have been able to create! I shall re-read the "Unfinished Tales" for bits of info. Thanks again. This is really helpful!

[@greybennett2335]

Been waiting for this vid forever, but he always hooks me up.

[@jameswest981]

Amazing work, my favorite line from galadriel, go back to the void from which you came.

[@codycoffman2932]

Oh! I have been waiting for this! Thank you

[@jasonmiller659]

Finally I'm early to an awesome video from (in my opinion) the best LOTR youtuber

[@MenoftheWest]

Thanks Jason, much love, my friend!

[@jasonmiller659]

@@MenoftheWest much love friend keep up the good work it always makes my day better

[@sethmiller2534]

In the North they looked up at the stars, dreaming of a man of valor and juicy biceps of which they could caress closely, falling asleep in bliss in that fellows arms. This man no doubt is you, Yoystan. A dream made flesh

[@MusicMOTW]

wow

[@hgwells2837]

I played BMFE2 not that long ago and seeing this video was insta-watch for me

[@MusicMOTW]

BMFE2 is a legendary game

[@Sactown15]

Thanks so much for this. I've been wanting to see what the dwarves where up to during the war of the ring

[@Arthog627]

I always look forward to your videos. Great work as always!

[@khamul64]

Well always happy to hear anything about Easterlings. They are by far one of my favourites in Middle Earth and I collect all theories and tales about them whenever possible. For those of you who would like to experience battles in the North on your own I highly recommend these games: Battle for Middle Earth II (RTS in wich you lead elves and dwarves - yes you will defend Dale and Erebor) War in the North (Action RPG like game focused more on Eriador. It takes some creative liberties and creates story of its own but its good story that fits narrative). But you will have to search for these games outside steam if you know what I mean ;)

[@andrewwesley1946]

Loved this episode. Thank you Yoystan.

[@Uphier]

Awe yessss, a wonder start to the new week :)

[@marionbaggins]

Well, it's true, Gandalf had helped in all different areas of Middle Earth before they took on Sauron's Army in Different Areas!!! A Simple action causes many Great Deeds to spread elsewhere, kind of like your Channel Mellon! Thanks, Mellon for this Video, It's really interesting what happens in the story but we don't see what Happens until later on!!! Until *Updated* Glorfindel ECH (Hey I finished The Fall of Gondolin, How Funny) Marion Baggins Out, Having Luncheon!!!

[@MenoftheWest]

Always good to hear from you Marion! Thank you so much as always for the kind words. Enjoy your luncheon!

[@marionbaggins]

@@MenoftheWest Thanks Mellon so Much, because so soon it will feel like Mount Doom where I am!!!

[@madambutterfly1997]

In One instance, George RR Martin mentioned how he didn't like how when Gandalf came back to life he came back relatively the same person. The wide belief is you lose something when you die, but in Gandalf's case he gained something

[@palemoonlight96]

show version Jon Snow says hi

[@FireLordJohn3191]

Gandalf is somewhat representative of Christ rising from the dead on the third day.

[@stephensmith3111]

Despite their outward appearances in Middle-earth, within Prof Gandalf and the Istari were still Maiar, angellc spirits given corporal forms, not Men. And, of courser, it's all subcreation (a.k.a. make-believe) anyway. Most excellent subcreation to be sure, but not reality.

[@kingoffire9373]

Well, I would like to believe that when Gandalf went to the Halls of Mandos, the Valar saw that he resisted Saruman and was working swiftly and closely with the fellowship to destroy the ring, so they brought him back quickly and with great power. He essentially died and was resurrected in the middle of a war to destroy the very evil that the Valar had been fighting from the beginning, so he was essentially doing gods work. I would like to know, and I may be missing something, just what the conversation was like between Gandalf and the Valar. What if Eru actually intervened and told them that Gandalf was the chosen one. I'm not sure how much they knew of Saruman's deeds at that point, he likely told them everything.

[@JM-dw8eq]

@@kingoffire9373 I dont think that maiar go to mandos

[@therealdarkwhale7977]

Great video! Wish we knew what happened in the battle of the Beornings when Frodo saw their land from Amon Hen.

[@adamreinhardt9135]

Now this story would make one hell of a tv series

[@Longshanks1690]

Well first of all, the Mouth of Sauron led two Nazgul and a horde of goblins to sack Lothlorien, driving Galadriel into exile. Then a fleet of Corsairs, assisted by the Goblin King Gorkil riding his giant scorpion, sacked the Elven port of the Grey Havens to prevent the Elves to escape to the West. Afterwards, Gorkil moved to avenge his ancestors and sack The Shire, removing the region's Dunedin protectors and driving the Hobbits into slavery and resisting Grima Wormtongue's attempt to seize The Shire for himself. As a final measure of securing Eriador, Gorkil's Goblin army claimed the ruins of Fornost, driving the Dwarves and Dunedin there into the wilderness. Moving into Mirkwood, the Mouth of Sauron drove Thranduil's elves out of the Old Forest Road with the help of Shelob's spiders. Before taking the Dwarven fortress of Erebor, the Mouth of Sauron elicited the aid of Drogoth the Dragon Lord by rescuing the drakes taken captive by the Dwarves and using his help, burnt Dale to the ground and took Erebor from the Dwarves. Finally, the city of Rivendell was taken by a combined host of orcs and goblins, with assistance from the Dark Lord Sauron, who reclaimed the Ring following the death of Frodo. And that's how it happened; That's how the War in the North went down. "Um, that doesn't sound quite accurate to the canon of-" *I HAVE SPOKEN!*

[@MenoftheWest]

LOL! Good ole BFME 2!

[@GreenHavoc]

I learned a lot from this video! Thank you :D

[@crazykids2004]

The Reclaiming of Erebor really set things into motion if Sauran set his attack on the north then the West would have lost but the Fall of Kings Brr and Dain "Iron foot" really set the stage of a New Era in Middle earth Amazing video as always 💓

[@LandStrider23]

I would love a well done adaptation of the War in the North. Have Lee Pace reprise his role as Thandruil and watch as he leads the Silvan elves to victory in the Woodland Realm. Akin to his son's assistance in the campaign in the South.

[@matthaeusprime6343]

These videos are so good. I love watching them. I fear the Amazon show is going to dilute these tales in a very bad way.

[@samlivingston4130]

This might have made a great sequel to two well done Hobbit movies. It would have explained what the Elves and Dwarves were doing during the Lord of the Rings movies. And it would also help explain why it was important to take out Smaug.

[@francissellerdude]

So Battle for Middle Earth II Campaign did a great job!

[@the_lomax]

I live just up the road from where they are filming the Amazon lotr series. There's some epic looking sets. From elven villages to a complete port they've built in a town called kumeu.

[@Relics_of_Arda]

Epic video!

[@JeffYPbPr]

What a great tale. So informative.

[@pureevil29]

With the upcoming Amazon Second Age LOTR TV Series, could you do a "What Happened in the North During the War of the Last Alliance?" video? Thank you very much these are awesome! Subscribed!

[@andreifabia8519]

This battle could be worth a movie 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@endermanwithalowercasee]

I'm hoping that if The War of the Rohirrim does well then this might be made into a film after it.

[@DarthAndrew520]

I hope one day a talented director and script wirte can make this into either a show or movie. I'd love to see the battle in the north and I've wanted to since playing battle for middle earth2

[@IronDragon-2143]

An Elf, a Man and a Dwarf fought against a Black Numenorean who planned on conquering all of the North including Imladris from the dark and terrible fortress and former capital of the Kingdom of Angmar. The seat of power of the Witch King himself. Carn Dum.

[@MenoftheWest]

Love me some War in the North!

[@IronDragon-2143]

@@MenoftheWest It really was a great game

[@t.c.bramblett617]

Just having re-read LOTR for the millionth time... I am still impressed how Tolkien makes Gollum so freaking irritating, and yet makes you realize that he had to be kept alive throughout. Any one of us would probably have throttled him.

[@KTChamberlain]

Gotta admired Gandalf's forward thinking.

[@hughgedney3393]

A extremely great video as Men of the West.

[@sokandueler9578]

Theory idea: what if Sauron hadn’t been able to corrupt the kings of Numenor?

[@dabus922]

Bro this a whole nother movieeeee

[@evannesbitt7852]

Thorin doesn't get enough credit, without his quest, Smaug would still live, because the very presence of dwarves in Erebor again drove him mad and errant, he exposed himself and was careless of his weaknesses, and ofc it was a raven informed by Bilbo who told Bard of Smaugs weakness. And then we have the Battle of the Five Armies, which were would've seen the War in the North started 60 years earlier and far far too soon for the free folk to be prepared. Thorin was perhaps the greatest king that never was.

[@HighGround-rx1lr]

The battles here in the northern parts would be so cool to see in a movie

[@Richwiking318]

Tomorrow I have an exam... But this video cant wait.. I want to know what happened in north

[@Mellowcanuck33]

This whole video could be the backbone of a really kick ass ten episode series. A whole series of "Meanwhile,..." Everyone would know the context, would be able to follow along.

[@Mwahaha105]

We need a movie on this!

[@donavancasson7291]

Hey do you think there was good orcs? I mean I read a passage about the War of the Last Alliance and it said only the Elves weren`t on both sides so do you think good orcs existed?

[@AkodoNoEyes]

Saw the title of the video and for a few seconds I was trying to figure out what a ring had to do with the North during the civil war.... I’m so exhausted. Hahah

[@denniscleary7580]

Lord of the rings war in the north was a great game on the PS3

[@benland3713]

Where can I find the podcast?

[@dkarukas]

The War in the North should have been adapted by Amazon for the series.

[@SantomPh]

No.

[@dkarukas]

@@SantomPh YES! You've been out voted.

[@ihateprimus702]

Crazy idea for a theories video. What if the war in the north was lost, or.... didnt happen at all. That my friend is a big ol can of wurms lol. Great vid as always

[@mr.s2005]

did consider that there was some logic in Sauron's strategy. I think his main goal was to keep the free people from uniting since that is how he was defeated the first time. He had more then enough soldiers to conquer or at least keep the separate nations from uniting. This insured the North couldn't unite their forces or come to the aid of Gondor, which Sauron may have viewed as his biggest threat considering his history with that country and know that Aragorn was coming.

[@toxicswedes6355]

I wonder how saruon would have gotten the orcs of moria to give moria to the dwarfs if he would have just given the order to the orcs there or if he would just have sent a army to clear it out or if he just would be like "alright you can go and take it now, I won't try to stop you", if the dwarfs would have accepted sarons offer.

[@kidpeligro7878]

Sauron could have well been planning to attack the North first before focusing on dealing Gondor the death blow. But the defeat of Saruman in Rohan and Aragorn revealing himself changed his plans to how they came to be

[@Halbared]

I don't think Sauron spread himself thin. He had the resources seemingly of a continent. 80,000 (I think) troops at the black gate, the yuge army that sat between Gondor and Rohan and all the troops he had lost already, at the Pelennor, also the armies that besieged the elves. His power had grown long! That passage from Unfinished Tales is one of my favourites, I can imagine how Gandalf tells it.

[@roberthofmann8403]

Good vid.

[@Jessica-dx7ki]

I love how at the end of your videos you usually talk about how this ties to things we can take away from Tolkien's works. "Those that move it for good, even in an unknown way, deserve praise and remembrance," was what you said at the end of this video. It really adds to why I love your videos so much!

[@TheKulu42]

If the dwarves had not reclaimed the Lonely Mountain, Sauron would have had access to the vast wealth there. With all that money, he could have bought allies--probably to the East--and financed a larger war machine.

[@Samuel-ke1wu]

Love you man.

[@eastsidahboy]

PJ Should adapt another trilogy that retell the story of the north in war of the ring in the third age!

[@TheRyanLynch]

Someone inform Peter Jackson, that there needs to be a new trilogy!! This story would be perfect!

[@jamesplunkett8912]

I would have paid to see a background story of Dain Ironfoot in flashbacks till we see him take his last stand before the gates of Erebor.

[@jeremy1860]

For a conflict supposedly as vast as the War of the Ring, there's probably no end of interesting stories to tell from the parts of Middle Earth we never saw 😊

[@morgangrey4020]

I disagree on a dew things here- 1-Having a Larger army does not mean that you can have more things fighting at the same time. Doubtful if Erebor could have ever been taken without a Balrog or a Dragon assisting. The Main Gate to the inside was small....no matter how many they have , only so many can enter at one time. 2-Say that the armies were not spread out and was more focused on Minas Tirith, even then the armies of the dark lord may have caused some more destruction but would have lost anyway when Aragorn showed up with his army of the dead. 3- I honestly as a strategist would look at the battle map and say The other attacks look more like a delaying action against men and their allies instead of a real attack to try and conquer (though let it be said if they did succeed the dark lord would be happy.)

[@Seriously_Unserious]

From a strategic standpoint, it seems Sauron allowed his fear of the Men of the West joining forces could is judgement. Though is forces were vast, even vaster still were the lands he'd have to cover to conquer the west. As Yoysten said, Mordor's armies were spread too thin, trying to fight on too many fronts. Yes, that did force the Men of the West to spread their forces too, but the Men of the West were the defenders in the early battles, and an army entrenched and defending is a tough army to defeat. Further, even if Mordor had won victories, they'd still need to keep their forces spread out, as they'd need to leave behind large garrisons to guard every enemy they'd defeated, otherwise they'd win the battle, only to have an uprising overthrow them soon after. If I were commanding the armies of Mordor, I'd have a smaller force in the north, taking up defensive positions, and concentrate more of my forces on Gondor and Rohan. I'd enter the war on the assumption they'd join their armies and if they couldn't, great, but I'd have my war plans assume they would. The northern armies would be there to prevent a counter invasion of Mordor from Dale, Lonely Mountain and the elves of Mirkwood. Dul Goldur I'd use to menace Lothlorian, and create a military barrier between the Northern nations and the southern. I'd also assume Lothlorien may also join with Rohan and Gondor, also drawing up my plans accordingly. I'd also assume Rivendell could and would join either the nations of the North, South or both. Now, on the other side, if leading the Men of the West, I'd have also planned for the possibility of Gondor's defeat. I'd have all armies have rallying points set at Isengaard, and other passes through the Misty Mountains, and have engineers reinforcing all defenses guarding the passes. If Gondor falls, orders would be to rally at the mountains and prepare to hold the passes as the next line of defense. Gondor, Lonely Mountain and Rohan only barely held, any combination of them could well have fallen, and without a contingency for that eventuality, that would spell disaster.

[@erichoss5684]

good stuff

[@fullcomicalchemist2195]

I've always wondered who the messenger Sauron sent north was. My friend believes it was the mouth of Sauron, or possibly a Nazgul I however believe both are unlikely. I thought maybe it could be a black Numenorian like the mouth but more a general or commander of orc legions. Possibly it could've been a very high ranking Easterling or Harradrim and I don't believe it could've been an orc. Some of these unexplained moments are frustrating but enthralling at the same time. Gothmog for example I tend to think Gothmog was a man as well but I picture something like evil Ash from Army Of Darkness appearance wise not personalty wise, we can see Orcs have a hard Tim working together and getting along so I think that is why Sauron and Morgoth used Balrog's, Dragon's, Nazgul etc. as commanders. I wonder if Tolkien left out specifics on certain characters and events so that we readers could fill them in ourselves, and thus have a small part in telling the story as we read.