War+of+the+Last+Alliance

War between Sauron and an alliance of Elves and Men at the end of the Second Age. The war was fought in and around Mordor between 3434 and 3441 of the Second Age. The Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed in 3430 by Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor. They united to oppose Sauron who had attacked and captured Minas Ithil - a stronghold of Gondor. Elendil's son Isildur escaped from Minas Ithil and fled to Arnor in the north where his father lived. Elendil's other son Anarion remained to defend Gondor. Anarion managed to drive Sauron's forces back to Mordor for the time being, but he did not have sufficient strength to defeat Sauron. Elendil took counsel with his friend and ally Gil-galad, and they realized that their races needed to unite. Gil-galad set out with an army of Elves. Elendil gathered an army of Men. Together they traveled to Rivendell, the home of Elrond. A great host of Elves and Men was assembled at Rivendell, the likes of which was never seen again in Middle-earth. The army of the Last Alliance set out for Mordor. They were joined by Elves of Lothlorien and Elves from Greenwood. Some Dwarves also joined them. In 3434, the armies of the Last Alliance and Sauron met in the battle outside the Black Gate of Mordor. The army of Last Alliance was joined by the Men of Gondor who had been defending their borders. Sauron's forces consisted of Orcs and Men. The Men who fought for Sauron came from Rhun and Harad. A small number of Dwaves fought for Sauron. Sauron also had Trolls and the Nazgul on his side. The Elves of Lorien fared poorly. They were cut off from their allies and were driven into the marshland. More than half of them were killed. Sauron and his forces coudn't withstand the united front of Elves and Men of the Last Alliance. Sauron retreated to mordor and barricaded himself in the Dark Tower. The army of the Last Alliance entered Mordor and surrounded the Dark Tower, but they could not break it's defenses. Sauron sent our many sorties from the tower and also attacked from above with fire. Many Elves and Men were killed during this. Finally Sauron came from his tower and made his way to Mount Doom. Where he was confronted by Gil-galad and Elendil. The three fought but then Gil-galad and Elendil were killed by Sauron. Then Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. Elrond advised him to destroy it immediately in the fires of Mount Doom, but Isildur refused and kept the Ring for himself. "Battles of Middle-earth" http://tuckborough.net/battles.html#Last-Alliance "lastalliance.jpg" http://www.tuckborough.net/images/lastalliance.jpg "sauron.jpg" http://www.tuckborough.net/images/sauron.jpg