This is a story of long ago when the great beasts that roam our lands could still speak there dwelt amongst us beings sent by the Lords of the West to guide, protect, and govern our lands. Many rumored that they were immortal Maiar, the spirits that forever serve the Valar in the undying lands beyond the sea and into the west. This tale accounts of their rise and of their departure from these lands back into the west passing beyond the sea into myth and legend.
The Prologue:
After the demise of Sauron many years of peace followed in the lands of Middle-Earth, under the rule of Elessar King of Gondor and Éomer King of Rohan. After the deaths of Elessar, his son Eldarion and of Éomer King of Rohan their decedents fell into ruin. They reverted to the ways of the heathen kings before the rule Elessar counting the names of their fathers dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry, and so the kingdoms fell into ruin the lines of kings failed. The rule of the kingdoms was given over to lesser men once again. This came about under the councils of a dark priest of Morgoth that arose in the void of the great evil. Gomulous he was named rumored by some to be the "son" of Sauron the forger of the one ring. He came in fair guise to the courts of the kings counseling them in matters concerning their lands. Being full of dark magic and powerful in speech the lords of Middle Earth came to be seduced under his power.
Of Ecthelion and the fall of Gondor
Through all of this not all hope faded from this world. Ecthelion king of Gondor and descendant of Elessar did not heed the black speech of Gomulous and so saved his line. Minas Tirith flourished and Gondor with it. Ecthelion massed fresh armies to strike at Gomulous in the dark land of Mordor, which the dark priest had rebuilt. But he was too late for words had reached Gomulous of Ecthelion's plan and so Gomulous struck Minas Tirith. He crossed the Pelennor with an army of 200,000 Orcs and all things that were fowl in this earth to eradicate Minas Tirith from this world. Ecthelion fought him with all his might holding Minas Tirith nearly two years under siege. All of this was in the summer of the sixth age of Middle Earth. Gomulous finally broke through the great gates of Minas Tirith massacring all within the city. At last he reached the citadel carrying a mace named Grond the hammer of the underworld so named by all in memory of the weapon of Morgoth of old. Written upon its shaft in the black runes of Mordor was:
I AM GROND THE HAMMER OF THE UNDERWORLD, MORGOTH OF OLD IS MY MASTER
Upon the threshold of the citadel Ecthelion made his final stand brandishing Andúril the Flame of the West. Fierce was the battle between Gomulous and Ecthelion but in the end Ecthelion was slain and along with him his entire house. Minas Tirith was razed to the ground its banners were no longer caught high in the morning breeze and its gleaming white tower of pearl and silver was dimmed.
Upon the river Anduin, Uinen, the servant of Ulmo the Vala of the seas, had been watching the battle from far off. She wept aloud when a fleeing soldier told her of Ecthelion's fall. She sang a lament in honor of the fallen king in honor of his defiance of Gomulous' evil council:
Greatest of the noble lords of Middle Earth!
How short was your reign! Gondor is lost without you!
How greatly was Andúril brandished in your hand?
Gomulous shall not prevail oh greatest of western Kings!
Your death shall not be in vain!
After having sung her lament Uinen went up out of the river and climbed the ruins of Minas Tirith to the threshold of the citadel. She found Ecthelion's body burned and desecrated. She gathered up his body and Andúril his mighty sword and took them to the river to rest in the seas of Ulmo forevermore.
Of Éomund and the fall of Rohan
One by one the lines of kings failed in the lands. Éomund now sat upon the throne of his fathers. Unlike his Ecthelion to the south Éomund heeded the words of Gomulous and allowed lesser men, rumored to have been descendants of Grima Wormtounge, to rule the fair lands of Rohan. Fair was the city of Edoras and the golden hall of Meduseld gleamed and shimmered in the morning sun until Gomulous came to the lands of the Rohirrim. Now Éomund had appointed a man of mixed blood named Galmod, who was rumored to be in league with the dark powers, to oversee the lands of Rohan as his Prime Minister. Éomund was advanced in age but still had a young hue about him. Gomulous being full of deceit and malice ordered Galmod to strike Éomund down in his sleep and thus it was done.
Galmod wishing to appear innocent testified that he had seen Éomund's sons kill their father to gain the throne. A great persecution arose against Éomund's sons forcing them to flee Edoras. For in truth they had discovered Galmod slaying their father. Gomulous arrived with a large entourage and many fair banners waving in the breeze. "What has transpired here?" asked the Dark Priest. Galmod stepped forth and said "My lord Gomulous we are in mourning for Éomund King was slain in the night by his sons." Gomulous appearing to be wise and fair said "Galmod son of Runyacul kneel before me" "I Gomulous Lord of Mordor appoint thee to the throne of Rohan rise now Lord of the Mark". Gomulous swore before the people that he would hunt down the treacherous sons of Éomund and bring them to justice for their father's betrayal. A great cheer went up amongst the people though they did not know the great evil that was behind the plot. Yet even then some of the people doubted the words of Gomulous and his puppet king, Galmod.
Gomulous rode forth from Edoras and went south towards Isengard the ancient fortress of Saruman the treacherous wizard of old. Now Éomund's sons had fled Edoras as soon as they knew what had transpired with Galmod and they fled to Isengard for they had good relations with the Ents of the Great Forest, Fangorn. Gomulous gathered together the wild men, the Orcs of the misty mountains and the standing armies of Rohan to march on Isengard and so destroy the last of Éomer's descendants. The sons of Éomund had gathered an army for themselves as well. They gathered together the Elves of Noldor, The Great Forest and of Rhun with them came the three of seven dwarf clans that were scattered living as nomads along the roots of the Misty Mountains, with the Dwarves came three regiments of the Rohirrim that remained loyal to them. Gomulous reached Isengard in the month of Solmath by Shire reckoning. A great battle in sued and the force of Mordor overwhelmed the defenders and slew the sons of Éomund. The surviving Ents, Elves and Dwarves all fled Isengard the last of the loyal Rohirrim were executed by order of Gomulous and all traces of Éomund and his sons were erased from the history of Rohan. Thus Rohan came under the iron grip of Mordor and was lost to the dark powers.
Of the fall of the Dwarf Clans
After the fall of Sauron the Dwarves went into their mountains once more locking themselves within neither caring nor looking into the troubles of others. Now after the beginning of the Fourth age of Middle Earth the Dwarves began to become scarcer and scarcer. Thus they decided to divide themselves into seven clans one for each of their fathers. When Gomulous began to seduce the lands the Dwarves held council at Orodbeleg, the mighty mountain, where the clan of Durin made its abode. There present was Gomulous Lord of Mordor and the Seven Dwarf lords. Gomulous appealed to the natural greed that all Dwarves possess. He said to them "I shall give you the mountains and I shall drive forth from them the Orcs with which you have never had peace." "I shall give to you the seven rings of power that were possessed by your fathers in the time of peace under Sauron the giver of gifts." Four of the Dwarf clans were seduced by these promises of power and peace but the other three clans could see through Gomulous and his lies.
The three clans left in anger and in shame for their brethren. They became nomads evading all business with Gomulous and his malice. This led to civil war amongst the Clans those that followed Gomulous and those who followed the old ways of their father Durin the Deathless. Thus the three clans fled away to the misty mountains seeking shelter in the ancient roots of the mountains. They came there upon the ancient Rohan refuge of Helm's Deep. There had been whispers in the ancient days of Gimli son of Gloin who had founded a great dwarf colony there and so the nomadic tribes sought out this fabled stronghold that would provide them with a shelter from Gomulous and the other dwarf clans.
They did indeed find the refuge of Helm's deep and amongst its shattered remains they found the entrance to the Glittering Caves where Gimli son of Gloin had founded his dwarf colony. Sadly they found none of their kin amongst the ruins for they had all fled the caves. Some whispered that it was the Orcs and goblins of the mountain still others rumored that the Balrog of Morgoth still lurked within the mountains of mist.
In ancient days after the battle of the Hornburg the Rohirrim had not rebuilt Helm's deep since Sauron the deceiver was no more and the Orcs had all fled into the darkness of the Misty Mountains. Thus Helm's Deep was given to Gimli and his Dwarven colony in the early days of the Fourth Age. Now in the days of Éomund the men of Rohan were friendly towards the other races in Middle-Earth and extended hospitality to all, which would prove to be their downfall. The Dwarves of the three noble clans sent emissaries to Éomund; king of Rohan, to acquire the lands and mountains of Helm's deep so that they could build amongst the Rohirrim a vast Dwarven kingdom. Éomund was reluctant at first knowing of the rich history of Helm's Deep but he knew that the Dwarves were mighty in strength and industrious workers and that a good system of trade could be established from this. Éomund granted them the lands and mountains of Helm's deep a thus the Dwarves began to build their vast kingdom in and amongst the ruins of Helm's Deep.
The three clans soon found themselves at home rebuilding the ancient fortress and mining the great river of Mithril that ran deep within the Glittering caves. The Dwarves united under one king named Aranog, a dwarf of the clan of Durin. They christened their rebuilt kingdom Khazad Dûm in memory of Moria of old. Vast were the dwarf halls that were built in the mountains of Helm's Deep and rich did the Dwarves become under Aranog. Thus the Dwarves lived in bliss for many years until when chance came the other four clans discovered the sanctuary of Helm's Deep. The four clans who had sworn allegiance to Gomulous gathered together their armies; and under the council of Gomulous the four clans waged war against the noble clans. The newly built defenses of Khazad Dûm held and the Dwarves remained safe deep within the Hornburg. At long last the four clans gathered together their forces and charged the Hornburg with a massive offensive and broke through the great gates of the fortress.
While this was transpiring at Helm's Deep the fall of Rohan was underway. When the Dwarves heard word of Galmod's treachery from the sons of Éomund they amassed a small army and marched with them to Isengard. Although almost all of the Dwarven army was slain a few survived to return to Helm's Deep. When they arrived they saw their fortress and king being held under siege. Great was their anger and swift was their wrath. They rode behind the invaders and with their axes they cut a path through the masses of the four clans to the Hornburg and Aranog, their king. The Dwarves within the walls were all starving and near death the armies of the three nobles were greatly depleted and were no match for the armies of the Four.
Aranog, King of Khazad Dûm, rode forth and challenged the nobles of the four clans. Aranog said "If one of you can defeat me in single combat then the fortress of Helm's Deep shall surrender to you". "If you cannot defeat me your armies must disband never to return." The four nobles agreed to his challenge. Being full of Gomulous' malice the nobles attacked Aranog at once. Aranog was not surprised by their actions and managed to destroy three of the nobles before being slain by the greatest of the four. A great lament went up from Helm's Deep for Aranog the noble king under the mountains.
Aranog oh noblest of Dwarven lords!
Long days would Khazad Dûm have seen!
Riches beyond count would have been!
Oh noblest of Dwarven kings!
You who withstood the malice of the Shadow!
You who withstood the fury of the four!
How great was your axe blade in the morning sun!
Now we are lost! Oh noblest of Dwarven lords!
The noble that survived moved quickly to subdue the three noble clans. Now united under the banner of Gomulous the Fire-beard clan subdued the noble clans of Durin, Thorin, and Dain. Naurfang the lord of the Fire-beard clan was named Lord of the seven dwarf clans. He was a cruel tyrant and placed the three noble clans in slavery. Thus he became a pawn of Mordor and with him the dwarf clans fell into ruin under the grip of Gomulous.
Of the fall of the Elves of Noldor, Rhun, and The Great Forest
After the fall of Sauron the elves like the Dwarves became scarce. For many of them sailed into the west beyond the sea becoming only myth and legend. Yet not all the elves left these lands for the immortality of the undying lands of the Valar. For two ages of peace the elves dwelt in relative harmony with the rest of the peoples of Middle-Earth. Seeing that their number became few they divided into clans as the dwarves had done. In memory of the ancient rings of power the divided into three clans the clan of Noldor, the clan of Rhun, and the Clan of Mirkwood. The three clans rebuilt ancient cities in the lands such as Gondolin in the north. The elves of Rhun built Amon Din on the edge of the sea of Rhun. The Elves of the clan of Mirkwood convinced the trees of the three great forests of Lothlorien, Mirkwood, and Fangorn to join together and form the Great Forest. In the midst of the Great Forest they built Caras Galathon in memory of the city of light, the dwelling place of the Lady Galadriel, the wisest of all the elves. All this was accomplished by the elves before the dark times before the dark priest Gomulous.
The elves were the only ones that saw through his guise and warned the other peoples of his treachery but they scarcely listened. For all the collective wisdom of the elves one of the clans was foolish and full of love for temporal things. Gomulous used this foolish clan to his advantage and thus he supplanted the clans. The lord of the elves of Rhun was a foolish being for he full of trust towards the other races of the lands and welcomed Gomulous with open arms. He was named Anardil for he was brilliant as the sun but as slow as the most ancient of the Ents. Gomulous promised to unite the elves of Rhun and gave to them three rings of power like the rings of old but these rings had no magical power, except that of corrupting its wearer and his people to the service of Gomulous, other than these magical properties it was of no further use than that of an ordinary ring. The elves of Rhun being the youngest of all the elves were seduced quickly to the service of Gomulous. Gomulous sent a vast army of men, Dwarves, and elves of Rhun to the north to the fair land of Noldor where the clan of Noldor dwelt in peace with the hobbits. Teldahir the lord of Noldor and Arahad lord of the Great Forest knew that Gomulous would come for they would not submit to his will. Anticipating Gomulous' tactic Teldahir and Arahad assembled their armies upon the fields of Gondolin. From the south they saw the great army of Mordor moving across the plains like a cloud of darkness ready to devour all in its path. Teldahir and Arahad knew that the time had come for the elves to make their final stand against this evil.
The armies met one another upon the fair green fields of Gondolin. Gomulous called for a parley with Teldahir and said "Teldahir son of Aranhir why do you wish so much blood be spilt upon these fields?" Teldahir replied to him "It is not I who has set upon these fair lands this great army. I have seen what you have done in Rohan, Gondor, and Khazad Dûm. I have seen how you have supplanted the elves with promises of peace and power. I have seen what you did to Ecthelion and I tell you now that when your carcass is burnt and I see all of your evils depart from this land we shall have peace." Teldahir turned his horse around and prepared the army of the Eldar to face the enemy. The two armies then charged one another. A light rain began to fall as the Valar bean to weep over the children of Iluvitar that were going to die because of what was begun by Morgoth so long ago.
Teldahir and the elves of Gondolin fought bravely alongside the Halflings that joined them on the battlefield. With them also were the elves of the Great Forest. The battle lasted all day well into the evening the green fields were turned red with the blood of the Eldar that were slain. The battle had no clear victor until Gomulous himself stepped forward to do battle with Teldahir. Teldahir fought bravely against him but like Ecthelion he was slain along with Arahad lord of the Great Forest. During the battle with Teldahir and Arahad Gomulous's fair guise melted away and the true nature of his being was revealed. The army of the Eldar surrendered to Gomulous soon after the defeat Teldahir and Arahad; for without their lords the armies of the Eldar lost all hope. Thus the clans of the Eldar were destroyed and doomed to serve under the power of Gomulous.
Of the Dark Deeds of Gomulous and the End of this Prologue
It was at this, the defeat of the mighty Elven lords that Gomulous began a new age of evil and tyranny. His loyal followers in the lands ruled the lands in his name though now they were trapped not knowing what they were they became as the ancient kings of men, the nine, the Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. All the lands felt the iron fist of Gomulous tighten for over a century. Thus it was the age of peace was ended and a new era of evil and tyranny was begun. He set all the people to work to raise for him once more Barad Dur in the land of Mordor and to seek the fabled Silmarils. It was during all of theses evil deeds that Gomulous himself rose up in the south a range of mountains that were nearly impossible to climb save the great iron gate that he placed in the center of the range of the mountains, and he named that country Angband in memory of his master's former kingdom. Gomulous ruled the lands of Middle-Earth from atop Barad Dur and he was cruel to any living remnant of the old ways. To the elves Gomulous showed no mercy mutilating them and by the dark arts making them into Orcs. To the old Dwarves he would cut off their beards and set them to work in the mud pits that spawned his hideous Orcs.
To the remnant of Rohan and Gondor he destroyed their ancient past. In Rohan he destroyed the tapestries of the Golden Hall and burnt the fair golden fields of those loyal to the Valar. In Gondor he burned the white tree. Minas Tirith was left to ruin. Out of all the races of the lands he feared men the most using some to create hideous creatures that did not fear sunlight yet these were not Uruk Hai but hideous creatures that knew naught what they were or what they had been. Not finding all the Silmarils Gomulous became harder and harder with the people. To his fortune the people uncovered many of the ancient Valarukar or Balrogs in the common tongue. Upon waking them the Balrogs would slay thousands of innocents. He built a vast coliseum in the lands of Mordor and there he would release a Balrog allowing it to slay countless of those loyal to the Valar and the old ways.
Yet hope remained in this dark time. A small number of each race escaped the downfall of their people and gathered secretly on the shores of the sea near the ruins of the Grey Havens. They cried out to the Valar and the Valar heard their cries. The Valar held council in Aman and each called to him a Maiar that served them. Manwë said "The evil that now dwells in Middle-Earth has to be dealt with even though we cannot go ourselves." Ulmo and Aulë concurred with him. Oromë the Vala stood next and said "For Rohan I will go for they tend well the horses of Middle-Earth." Tulkas said "The Maia should be commissioned as ambassadors amongst the peoples to lead them in their struggle against the Shadow of Gomulous." Mandos said "I disagree with you Tulkas nevertheless I will send a Maia as my ambassador." The Valar each chose a Maiar to represent them in the lands and each was sent to Middle-Earth from across the sea.
In Middle-Earth the pain and suffering of the peoples grew under the iron grip of Gomulous. It took Gomulous twenty years to conquer the whole of Middle-Earth and his pride grew ever stronger, for no other dark lord or priest had yet conquered all of Middle-Earth, yet he had done so. His reign was in its hundredth year when the people wondered if Valar had heard their cries. They received an answer upon a crystal morning in the spring of the sixth age of Middle-Earth.
Chapter 1: Of the Coming of Wizards
Out of the waters of the sea came a great beast across the sea. It was like a lion and yet it had the head of a great eagle and its wings as well. It was a golden brown in color and its eyes were like amber. Upon its back there was a saddle and bridle, and upon the saddle sat a figure robed in white. He was young in appearance and had no sword but a staff in his hand. His boots were worn white and his belt was of black leather with a silver buckle. His robes had a trim of silver, and he wore a surcoat that had upon it a sun, on either side of the sun there was a crescent moon, and about this there were seven stars surrounding the sun and crescent moons. His hair was raven black and his eyes were like two onyx stones. All of the populace of the Grey Havens came to meet this being. He landed on the ruin of the ancient dock that once harbored the ships of the Eldar that were to sail into the west. He dismounted the great beast upon which he rode and stood to his full height. The inhabitants did not have time to compose themselves for beyond the sea they heard a great thundering of hoofs and wings. More great beasts were coming across the sea with beings riding upon them. The next being that came up onto the dock was rather strange for he rode upon a great panther its eyes blazed like twin emeralds and its coat was like onyx. The being that sat upon the great beast was small in stature. When he dismounted he was seen to be a dwarf. He wore armor of the deepest black and he had at his sides' twin broadswords. A staff of deep black was in his hand and a shield was strapped to his back. His staff was like a sapling but in the deepest black and upon his staff there was written his symbol, which is the dwarfish rune for the letter "E", and combined within this there was the rune of protection. His helm had four wings on it and it was also the deepest black. He was a bit taller the other Dwarves and his beard was the deepest crimson. After the dwarf there came a mighty winged horse to the harbor. The sound of its wings was mighty and it caused a great gale to swirl around the harbor. Upon the horse there was also a saddle and bridle and upon the saddle sat an Eldar robed in robes of royal blue. His hair was brown as were his eyes. His boots were a worn brown in color, and in his hand there was no staff but a great Elven spear. Upon it was written many phrases in the mode of Fëanor and it seemed to some the spear was shaped like an icicle.
Over the sea there came next a great horse the color of Mithril, a figure robed in robes of the deepest crimson red sat upon the horse. His boots and belt were brown and he wore at his side a sword of ancient design liken to the swords made in the once proud Númenor. In his hand he carried a staff that was almost red in color. It had upon it great runes and upon its shaft was what was perceived to be the white tree of Gondor. His hair was chestnut in color and his eyes were green. Then came the most wondrous of the great beasts for out of the western sky there came a great green dragon! And upon its saddle it carried a figure robed in robes of emerald green. Many now saw him and said that he was indeed a Valar for he was great in stature and appearance. His hair was like the sunshine and his eyes were the lightest shade of gray. At his side he wore a sword like those made in Gondolin of Old, and in his hand he had a staff that was made of yew wood and about its crown there were scenes carved into it of the history of the Eldar. Then all at once there was upon the horizon yet another horse, the color of the sun and its eyes were green, and upon it sat a rider robed in robes of golden yellow. His hue was likening to that of an Eldar and his hair and eyes were the deepest brown. At his side he also wore an Elven sword with an ornate scabbard, and in his hand he held a staff that appeared to some to be made of a fair wood not known to the lands of Middle-Earth.
Thus it was that six great beings and beasts came through the mists of the sea to the ruins of the Grey Havens. Still the people wondered who were these mysterious beings were and of their purpose in the lands of Middle Earth. All of the beings dismounted their steeds and gathered together before the crowd that had gathered to greet them. "Hail peoples of Middle-Earth" said the first being that came to the harbor. "We are sent by the Valar, the everlasting lords of the west" for he knew that the crowd wondered of their purpose. "Each of us is sent by the Valar to aid your lands and destroy Gomulous" "I am sent by Manwë, the lord of Arda. I am called Galadhir." At this the dwarf broke in and said "I am sent by Aulë, master smith of the Valar. I am called Ferru." Seeing thus that this was they way that their names were to be known the other beings proceeded to speak as follows. The Eldar robed in blue said "I am sent by Ulmo, the lord of the seas. I am called Legolas." The Dúnedain (for this is what the figure robed in red was perceived to be) spoke next saying "I am sent by Mandos, the lord of the halls of death. I am called Radagast." The Eldar robed in green spoke after him saying "Tulkas lord of laughter has sent me to these lands. I am called Luminous." Finally the Eldar robed in golden yellow spoke and said "I am sent by Lorien, lord of golden wood. Gil-Galad I am called." Thus it was that the mysterious beings were first known to the peoples of Middle-Earth and thus began their mission.
Of the Wizards' Purpose
Thus it was that the six ambassadors of the Valar were come to the Grey Havens. They were warmly welcomed by the remnant of the peoples of Middle-Earth and in the ruins of the great hall of the Grey Havens the beings held council to plan and tell of their purpose. Each was named according to the color of their robes or armor. "People of Middle-Earth" said Galadhir the White "We have said we have been sent by the Valar to help reclaim your lands and destroy the evil created by Gomulous." "That is why we ask that you help us by going to your brethren and seek all those who remain loyal to the Valar and to the old ways." Unanimously the crowd said, "Hail! Lords of Middle-Earth" and thus the people went secretly to the prisons that were made by Gomulous and gathered together all those who remained loyal to the Valar and the old ways. The beings remained at the Grey Havens for they did not wish Gomulous to know of their presence. They held long council in the great hall and each had brought with him a palantír, a seeing stone forged by the Valar so one could communicate across vast distances in thought. During this time the beings became known as wizards and beings of terrible power, but all was not true for the beings could not use their power to destroy the good people of Middle-Earth but rather they could only use their magic to aid the people. The council of wizards met and elected Galadhir to be their chief. It was at this time in the month of Foreyule in the winter of the sixth age of Middle-Earth by shire reckoning that the scouting parties of the remnant returned to the Grey Havens. With them came vast companies of loyal elves, men, and Dwarves even the great shepherds of the forests, the Ents came with them.
Ferru taught the Dwarves new smith craft handed down to Ferru by Aulë himself. They forged armor and weapons for the battalions of the remnant. For Galadhir who had come with no armor from the Undying Lands Ferru forged new armor and weapons for him. The armor that Ferru forged for him was grand indeed and was worthy of a king. Upon the helm that he made for him he placed motifs and styles of Rohan a great flowing crest was atop the helm and the figure of a horse was its nose guard. There were other kingdoms that were conquered by Gomulous that did not play a significant role in the shaping of the age of Wizard until later in this tale that is why they have not yet been mentioned. Thus it was that all the wizards rallied together the remnant of the free peoples of Middle-Earth
Of the first campaign against Gomulous
Now the wizards knew full well that the tattered Army of the Remnant could not assault the great walls of Mordor in its condition. And so in this knowledge the wizards chose amongst the people leaders that would eventually become great lords among their people. Together with these the wizards took council in the Grey Havens and labored long days in their council but decided that they would take the lands one at a time and thus placing pressure on Gomulous to retreat south towards Angband. First they would take back Noldor and its capital city of Gondolin for now Gondolin was in ruin and overrun with Orcs and all manner of foul things. From there they would proceed to liberate the Halflings settlement of Hobbiton and then the great beacon of knowledge, the ancient refuge of Imladris. Thus it was done for in the month of Afteryule the army of remnant as it was now known set forth from the Gray Havens towards the north and Gondolin. For the first time in a hundred years a vast army united under one banner set forth from the Havens. All manner of warriors came to the banner of the remnant Dwarves with their axes. Elves with their bows; Men with sword and shield and even the great giants of the forest, the Ents came to destroy Gomulous's evil.
Of the Recapture of the Kingdom of Noldor
Now in the days and years after Gomulous overtook the kingdom of Noldor he set up Anardil, the lord of Rhun, as high king in Noldor and over all the elf clans. He sat high upon the throne of Teldahir and dictated his evil influenced by Gomulous through the rings that he had given Anardil and his lords. The Grey Havens were near Gondolin, Anardil received word of the arrival of the wizards before Gomulous. He fortified the city and gathered together his lords. "We must act upon this" he said. "For if we allow these foreigners to complete the task for which they were sent Gomulous will destroy us and our power." His lords concurred with him and the three of them went out to the cities outer walls to oversee the preparations for war.
Now the wizards were wise and did not attack Gondolin first instead they routed the city and went east towards the settlement of the Halflings. They easily took this with less than half of the army, for Arandil's regent was a weak lord and fell easily with the first sight of the wizards. Now with this done they turned back towards the west and the glittering city of Gondolin. They rode across the delta that made up the settlement of the Halflings and came to the Brandywine river that is the river that flanks the great city of the elves. Anardil saw the great Army of the Remnant assembling before the city and his courage left him, for the Army of the Remnant was vast in size now that the Halflings had been liberated. The Army of the Remnant laid siege to the city and within a day of their arrival had broken through the great gates and were well on the way to reaching the citadel and the treacherous Anardil. Most valiant of the wizards in the battle for Gondolin was Luminous his sword flashed like the sun struck as fast as the lightning bolt. Luminous and his company of Noldorian elves were the first to reach the citadel of Gondolin and upon that citadel Luminous fought with Anardil for his courage was restored to him. In the end Anardil was slain and with him his two lords; though they were not so easily defeated. Their Elven forms destroyed a black mist went up from them quickly disappearing in the direction of Mordor.
From Gondolin the wizards turned east once more and headed towards the Iron Mountains where Orodbeleg was and then to the ancient Elven refuge of Imladris. For in the absence of the Dwarves the elves had moved the great library of Elrond to the Iron Mountains and there made a refuge after the departure of Lord Elrond. The wizards easily recaptured the refuge and its vast library. Galadhir, who was counted as the wisest of the wizards, wept over the ancient refuge for Gomulous had destroyed a vast part of the library of Elrond and thus destroying vast portions of the history of Middle-Earth. Thus it was that the Army of the Remnant took back the kingdom of Noldor and all of its provinces. The elves of Noldor hailed the wizards for the recapture of their kingdom and even made Luminous High King over all of Noldor. Thus was liberated the kingdom of Noldor.
Of the Recapture of Rohan
After the triumphant campaign against Gomulous in Noldor the wizards took council in Gondolin. During the council they reached the decision that from Noldor the would next recapture Rohan and Khazad Dûm for these two kingdoms were close to each other almost within each others dominions. The Rohirrim were uplifted by the decision for they longed for revenge against Galmod and his brood. Now also with them were Ferru and the Dwarves who thirsted for battle against Naurfang and the other lords that he had set up under him who usurped the thrones of the noble dwarf lords that had once ruled under Aranog. Now the rings that Gomulous had given to the lords that followed him during his conquest stretched out their wearers lives and kept them hale and young. Thus it was that all the lords that followed Gomulous were still living even after a hundred years of Gomulous's tyrannical reign. They numbered nineteen in total seven Dwarves, nine men and three elves all had now become wraiths deep within themselves influenced by the black magic of Gomulous. Now the Army of the Remnant departed Noldor after about three weeks of rest and re-supply and Galadhir led the campaign against Galmod in Rohan and with him was Ferru the dwarf who was to lead the campaign against Naurfang in Khazad Dûm.
Now Galmod of Rohan heard that a vast army of Men, Dwarves, and Elves was riding south towards Edoras and he felt great fear. He sent dispatches with all haste to Mordor and the throne of Gomulous. Gomulous then burned with anger against Galmod and sent him word and reinforcements of Orcs, Uruk Hai, Mountain Trolls, and Balrogs that numbered nearly 10,000 in number. Galmod seeing the vast army that Gomulous sent to reinforce him felt his courage grow and prepared to meet the Army of the Remnant upon the fields of Edoras. Now the Army of the Remnant numbered nearly 8,000 in number. Galadhir had sent scouts ahead of the army to spy out what Gomulous had done to fortify Edoras, the capital of Rohan. The scouts brought back word to Galadhir and Ferru saying "They mass in numbers greater than our own." "Gomulous has sent an army that crept across the field like a black cloud and with that army he has sent Balrogs, Trolls and Uruk Hai." Galadhir knew no fear of the vast armies of Mordor for he had within him the very essence of the great lords of the west.
With Galadhir came nearly 3,000 of the Rohirrim who remained loyal to Éomund and the West. Now Ferru had acquired the fellowship of the great eagles that protected the pass of Lossengil, that formed the entrance to the great city of Gondolin and the ring of mountains in whose midst the city had been built, and within their talons they carried Dwarves chosen by Ferru to be the greatest archers of their race to fly with the great eagles of the north and so they would rain down volleys of arrows and hurl stones at the enemy. Galmod arranged his forces upon the fields of Edoras and awaited the arrival of the Army of the Remnant. Galadhir and his host arrived upon the fields in the month of Astron, and Galmod feared for his life but kept his command about him for he did not wish to face the wrath of his master. Galmod sized up the Army of the Remnant and saw that he could easily defeat them but what he did not expect was that Ferru and his Dwarves lay in wait for Galadhir's signal to spring upon them from the sky with the aid of the eagles. Galmod seeing the small Army of the Remnant grew confidant and struck too soon for whence his army attacked a volley of arrows struck down his charge and from the sky great stones and more volleys of arrows rained down upon his army. Many an Uruk Hai and Troll were killed in this manner. The Army of the Remnant had almost cut the army of Mordor in half when Galmod sent forth the Balrogs of Morgoth. Galadhir saw the Balrogs advancing and he charged forward his sword blazing in the radiant morning sun against the Balrogs. "Look to the Orcs and Uruk Hai!" he called out. He and Ferru charged the Balrogs of Morgoth for there were only fifty in number but their size and power were great. Ferru slew many a Balrog and after him Galadhir like Fëanor of old. The remaining Balrogs were destroyed by Luminous, Radagast, Gil-Galad, and Legolas, who had been sent in secret round the enemy position to flank Galmod and his brood. The battle with the Balrogs lasted nearly four days until all of them had been slain and it was on the fifth day that Galadhir and his personal guard then fought their way to Galmod and his eight lords and slew them all. Like Anardil in Noldor a black mist went up from them and quickly disappeared in the direction of Mordor. Galadhir then rode his great griffon into the golden city of Edoras. Galadhir then rode to the great hall of Meduseld and paid homage to the great fallen lords of Rohan who had withstood the might of Sauron. The loyal Rohirrim were so overjoyed at the liberation of Rohan that they took up the crown of Théoden that had been placed upon Galmod's brow and placed it now upon Galadhir's brow and crowned him High King of Rohan and all its dominions. Thus it was that Rohan was liberated from Mordor and Galmod.
Of the Recapture of Khazad Dûm
Thus it was that Rohan had a new king and a new age of peace. Galadhir and the Army of the Remnant marched forth from Edoras after rest and re-supply. To the east they marched towards the Misty Mountains and Helm's Deep. Ferru and the other Dwarves thirsted for revenge against Naurfang and the dwarf lords that had allied themselves with Gomulous. The Dwarves named Ferru's great panther Beor, and his twin broadswords they named, Beast and Bain. For more than a week the army marched until they came upon the valley of Helm's Deep. Now Helm's Deep was locked up tight because Naurfang had heard of the other lord's fall and did not wish to share their fate. He and his six dwarf lords were clad in armor and mail and were ready to face the Army of the Remnant. Ferru and the 2,000 Dwarves that followed him requested they be sent in first to lead the charge against Naurfang and his wretched army. Galadhir now clad in armor made for the noblest of the kings of Rohan refused to give in. The Dwarves were angered by this but consented to Galadhir. Now Naurfang awaited the Army of the Remnant before the mighty gates of Helm's Deep and with him were 3,000 dark Dwarves and nearly 15,000 Orcs and Uruk Hai. The army of Khazad was vast and black against the valley of Helm's Deep and the glistening tower of the Hornburg.
Galadhir gave the order and 1,000 elf archers loosed their golden arrows upon the armies of Naurfang. Each arrow found its victim with a hiss of the air before striking. The elf archers loosed volley after volley and the enemy would not break. At this Naurfang saw his opportunity and sent out the Warg riders of Mordor to lead the first charge against the battle. Galadhir allowed the Dwarves to be in front of the Army of the Remnant and they held their ground against the first charge with long spears of iron that they had made in Edoras. The Wargs and their riders fell dead to the ground when they ran into the rows of Dwarves and those who did not die with the spear died by the swords and axes of the dwarf warriors. It was at this moment that Naurfang saw that the Dwarves were rushing towards him and with him the entire Army of the Remnant. He gave the order to charge and charge they did. The two armies clashed upon the field one clad in light the other clad in darkness. The noble horses of the Rohirrim running with anger the Rohirrim's spears glistening bright and golden, for some rumored that in those days the spears of the Rohirrim were made of solid gold, the Dwarves hacking with their swords and axes, the elves gracefully slicing away at the enemies. In moments the battle had turned in favor of the Army of the Remnant and Naurfang was running with his personal escort behind him into the sanctuary of Helm's Deep.
Galadhir and the army followed him up the bridge that led to Helm's Deep but they were stopped by a volley of arrows that came from the dwarf archers that were stationed atop the battlements of Helm's Deep. Galadhir was struck by an arrow though not mortally wounded his guard took him back to the army's encampment at the entrance of the valley. Ferru and the Dwarves tried to push forward towards the gates but were shot down volley after volley of arrows. Ferru lost nearly 200 good Dwarves that way he regretted it ever after. Galadhir was back on the field within the hour for he was skilled in all the old healing magic known by Master Elrond himself. While he had been away from the field Galadhir called to him Beleghir and Nimadan the two mortals that he had chosen to be great lords amongst the people and commissioned them as lords of his household.
The battle raged on for many days the Army of the Remnant broke upon the battlements like a wave against the shore. Ferru caused a great tree to grow up out of the ground and together with Radagast who was skilled in many forms of mechanical magic hewed the great tree and made a massive battering ram to knock down the great gates of Helm's Deep. It was like a great forest tree fifty feet in length it was carried by the mightiest of the Ents. The ram as a whole was in the shape of a mighty bull it was named Mundomir or Jeweled Bull in the Sindarian tongue of the elves. The Ents wielded it once and the gates did not budge they drew the ram back once more and the gates were shaken but they did not fall. At this the Dwarves that were upon the battlements let loose volleys of arrows that were on fire and they burnt the Ents and so they dropped the ram and ran franticly back to the stream that ran from the mountain down into the valley to put out the flames.
Galadhir and the other wizards held council in his tent that night. All were concerned that the siege of Helm's Deep was into its fifth month now and all were wondering if they were ever going to take back Rhun, Gondor, and the Great Forest, Lothlorien. Galadhir suggested that they fool the Dwarves of Naurfang into thinking that they had retreated to Edoras. Once this was done he would create an Uruk Hai with the dark arts to plant the fire of Saruman in the culvert at the base of the battlements. Luminous was angered at this and said that they must never venture into the dark arts as Saruman did. Ferru suggested that they use the fire of Saruman but that they make a trail of the fine powder a fair distance away from the wall and light the fire from a safe distance. All agreed and Galadhir left to Isengard to search deep within the library of Saruman for the spells that would create the fire. Meanwhile the battle raged each day the Army of the Remnant lost more and more soldiers by now they were down to only 13,000 infantry and mounted cavalry.
Galadhir returned from Isengard within a fortnight and was soon making the fire of Saruman. Now the wizards held council once more in the tent of Galadhir. Galadhir gave his remarks and excused himself for even thinking about venturing into the dark arts even for good. Luminous forgave him and with him Radagast who was most interested in this fabled fire of Saruman. All consented to retreat out of the valley and up the mountain that flanked Helm's Deep and so it was done. Ferru and his guard went up to the gates in the dead of night and planted the charge of Saruman's fire. During this time the Army of the Remnant broke camp and left the valley of Helm's Deep. Only Ferru and his guard camped there that night. In the morning under the white banner of truce the approached the battlements and asked to parley with Naurfang.
Naurfang ventured from his throne in the Hornburg and asked "What is it you want of me noble lord of the west?" "I come to give you justice for what you have done to my people!" said Ferru. "Justice?" said Naurfang with a hint of laughter. "What is Justice?" he asked again. Ferru answered him sternly, "Justice for the noble lord you slew when you gained your power here under the black flag of Mordor!" At this Ferru and his guard were moving away from the wall with a lit torch in hand. "What do you pretend to do?" asked Naurfang. Ferru answered him, "I pretend to enact justice and retribution upon your household Naurfang son of Mordor!" At this moment Naurfang saw the trail of powder leading from Ferru to the culvert at the base of the wall where he was standing! Ferru said in a loud voice, "I am Ferru ambassador of Aulë your lord and creator! In his name despair and die!" At this Ferru dropped the torch onto the trail and ran. "Noooooooooooooooo!" Exclaimed Naurfang "Curse you Ferru!" he said before the fire of Saruman consumed him. Again a black mist went up from him and quickly disappeared in the direction of Mordor.
Seeing that there was now an opening in the wall the Army of the Remnant charged down from the mountain with the waking sun. Ferru mounted Beor and charged alongside Galadhir and his griffon that had been named Baransul which means Golden-Brown Wind in Elvish. The battle was over in minutes the Dwarves that were deep within the mines working in slavery picked up their tools and joined the battle. All six dwarf lords were killed in the battle and their spirits too went up from them quickly disappearing in the direction of Mordor. The crown of Thorin Oakenshield was discovered in the treasure vaults of Helm's Deep and was brought to Ferru. The Dwarves rejoiced at the discovery and placed the crown of Thorin Oakenshield upon the head of Ferru and named him Lord of Khazad Dûm. Thus it was that Ferru the dwarf became king of Khazad Dûm.
Of the Recapture of Rhun and the Great Forest, Lothlorien
After the victory at Helm's Deep the Army of the Remnant rejoiced and celebrated for a week. After the celebration was over the wizards held council once more in the tent of Galadhir. "We must head east into Rhun and Lothlorien" said Legolas. "I agree with Legolas" said Gil-Galad. "I suggest that we head south into Gondor and Mordor" said Radagast. All had their own ideas of where to go next but the three wizards who had been named king concurred with Legolas and Gil-Galad. "We are not yet strong enough to destroy the black gates of Mordor" said Galadhir. "I suggest that we take Rhun's capital city of Amon Din" said Ferru. "I agree" said Galadhir. Galadhir continued by saying "I suggest that we proceed from Amon Din to Lothlorien's capital of Caras Galathon which was also an Elven territory of Noldor." Thus it was done.
They journeyed through the mountains in the great realm of Khazad Dûm, for the dwarves are industrious creatures who build vast halls of stone deep within the mountains of the world. These great halls were not at all dark and damp but lit and full of life. Ferru was proud of all his brethren's work. At last the Army of the Remnant came to the other side of the mountain and beheld the vast sea of Rhun and on the other side of the sea stood proud and in all its glory Amon Din capital of the kingdom of Rhun. To the north the wizards saw the great forest Lothlorien and to the utter north they saw the great Iron Mountains flanking the great forest. The vast sea of Rhun was before the city of Amon Din. The Army of the Remnant made camp on the western shore of the sea and waited for the spies of the elves to return with information about the defense of Amon Din.
Now Amon Din was shut tight because of the rumors that had reached the city concerning the vast army that marched towards them. When Anardil was defeated the lands of Rhun and Lothlorien were liberated from his dark dominion but Gomulous had sent a vast reinforcements his already numerous battalions that were stationed in these noble lands. Now the Orcs of Amon Din knew of the Elven spies once they entered the city for they did not smell or look of Orc kind. So the Orc chieftain laid out false plans for his defense of Amon Din. And thus he let the Elven spies escape under the cover of darkness across the sea to the Camp of the Remnant. The spies returned to the camp and reported what they had found to Galadhir and the council.
Now the Orc Chieftain of Amon Din was named Gorthkir for he was cruel and malice dwelt in his heart like in the heart of his master. His true plans were to deceive the wizards into believing that he was going to stay within the walls of the city but his true intent was to travel across the sea of Rhun in the dead of night and slay the army of the Remnant. Now the council was alert and aware of the possibility of an attack by night and so they enveloped the camp of the remnant in an invisible shield to keep out the darkness of the Orcs. Gorthkir being full of pride and malice thought that he could take the wizards unawares. He secretly lit the city and all its lights to fool the remnant into thinking that they were still within the city and sailed across the sea of Rhun to the camp of the remnant. Much to his surprise their troops could not advance more than a few meters inland before being stopped by some invisible force. "Out of my way you worthless scum!" cried out Gorthkir as he moved forward on his Warg to see what the delay was. "Useless Maggots drive through this sorcery!" As he said this Orc shamans came forward and began chanting their spells in the black speech of Mordor trying to undo the Council's magic. At that moment an arrow whizzed through the air right into Gorthkir's shoulder the Orcs heard the cries of the Elf archers in the night. The night sky was lit with the flaming arrows of the elves and the full moon was no longer visible with the volleys of arrows that were fired from the Elven archers. With the volleys of arrows came the screeching and wailing of the thousands of Orcs who were instantly killed as an arrow found its target. The Orcs fled the camp of the remnant and quickly climbed into their boats and tried desperately to row across the sea to Amon Din but their flight was cut short as the riders of Rohan descended upon them and with them the panther riders of Khazad Dûm all of the Orcs were slain within minutes. When the sun arose the next morning Gorthkir was brought before Galadhir and the council. "What is your name son of Mordor?" asked Galadhir. "What is that to you Galadhir the White, ambassador of the west?" responded Gorthkir. "It is by what we shall call you and by which name you shall be dealt justice son of Mordor" responded Galadhir. "My name is Gorthkir captain the armies of Gomulous, Lord of Middle-Earth" said Gorthkir. At this Ferru was outraged and stepped forth to dispose of him, Galadhir stopped him. "Then Gorthkir captain the armies of Gomulous, Dark Lord of Mordor; Return to your master in peace for we shall not harm you and we shall give you safe conduct out of our camp." Thus it was that the mercy of Galadhir was shown to an Orc of Mordor and the kingdom of Rhun was liberated from the grip of Mordor.
After these things Lothlorien was freed from Mordor. Gomulous had burnt a great part of the forest and so the Ents wept aloud for the forest and their tears fell to the ground and as if Yavanna herself was there for the forest began to heal itself and the trees began to once again blossom. The east of Middle-Earth was now free from the dominion of Gomulous but the south was still in captivity and from there Gomulous still held on to his power.
Of the Campaign in the South and Gondor
Now after all of these events much of Middle-Earth now stood free from the never ending plains of Rohan to the green fields of Noldor and the Shire, but there still remained the south of Middle-Earth. There dwelt Gomulous and his queen Sheogordriel, the maiden of Madness. The wizards held council in Amon Din after their triumphant campaign against Gomulous in Rhun. Galadhir opened the council by saying "Fellow members of the Wizards order. We have been sent here by the Lords of the West to establish peace here in Middle-Earth" "Here Here!" responded the wizards. "But our task is not yet complete for Gomulous still dwells in these lands and the lords of Mordor still live. The North and East of Middle-Earth is free, but there still remains the south and the once proud kingdom of Gondor." "I say that we should recruit as many troops as we can here in Rhun and in Lothlorien and march our armies upon Gondor and from that position of strength strike out against Mordor." All agreed with him and set out each to his own land to recruit more troops for the army of the remnant. All of the wizards agreed to reunite the army of the remnant within three months and meet at Isengard. Radagast accompanied Galadhir to Edoras and helped him recruit more forces in Rohan.
Three months went by and all the wizards returned to Isengard with fresh troops and the army of the remnant had swelled in numbers before the battle of Amon Din the remnant had about 13,000 troops with them now their numbers had swelled to at least 200,000 each race was represented from the littlest Hobbit to the noblest Elf from the stockiest Dwarf to the mightiest of the riders of Rohan. All converged upon Isengard and its iron gates and the courtyard of the fortress was covered with campfires and tents and in their midst stood the mighty tower of Orthanc the once proud tower of Saruman, the fallen wizard. The wizards held council that night atop the tower of Orthanc where wise men once watched the stars. They each took their staff or spear and raised it in front of him and said a new oath that was the soul of the new order: "United we stand, now and forever, in Truth. Divided we fall, hand upon Hand, brother to Brother no one shall be greater than all." "I say that we strike out against Mordor now!" said Ferru speaking out of turn. "Patience my Dwarven friend, Minas Tirith was not built in a day you know" said Radagast who was one of the calmer wizards. "I feel that we should wait and bide our time here in Isengard" said Luminous. Then Gil-Galad and Legolas said "We should take Minas Tirith, what is left of that proud city and then approach Mordor from the west after taking the valley of Minas Morgul." "I say that we should just wait here and destroy Gomulous from a place of Strength!" said Luminous. "Patience Luminous, I agree with the young wizards for we must all hear the opinions of others. We shall put this to a vote." said Galadhir. Thus they agreed and at the bidding of Galadhir they were to wait three months and forge new weapons and armor for the new recruits and then they would strike out against Minas Tirith and then to Mordor. Thus it was that the three months passed and the Army of the Remnant refreshed and renewed set out for the dark land of Mordor and the ruins of Gondor.
Gomulous would have no part of this. For Gorthkir had returned to Mordor broken and defeated. He had related to Gomulous all that had occurred in Rhun and his master tortured him until he passed from this world. Thus when Gorthkir was disposed of Gomulous went up to a chamber in the uppermost part of the Barad Dur, there he produced forth two glistening gems that shone with the light of the trees of the Valar. He went to the center of the chamber and with the help of Sheogordriel his queen he spoke in the black speech this incantation:
Come forth spirits of the fallen kings!
Come forth!
Come forth the spirits of my servants
Come forth!
Anardil, Naurfang, Galmod come forth!
Come forth you nameless lords!
Of Noldor, Rohan, and Khazad Dûm!
Be now enslaved to my will and dominion!
Be now reborn in the shadows!
Return through the shadows, their flesh and their blood!
Come forth spirits of the wraiths
Come forth!
At this a whirling shadow enveloped the room and moved like a mist. Twenty black robed and hooded figures whose breath misted as they breathed now stood around the dark lord of Mordor. "Hail Gomulous, Lord of Mordor!" They said in voices that sounded like chilling winds. Yet the wizards had no knowledge of this shadow that was growing in the Mordor. So Gomulous sought to destroy the army of the remnant with his wraiths, who are neither living nor dead, slaves to his will and dominion.