Battle of Fornost

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Battle of Fornost
Conflict: Angmar War
Date: 1975 TA
Place: In the plain Between the Nenuial and Fornost, and later somewhere near the lands of Angmar
Outcome: decisive victory for the Allies, and the complete destruction of Angmar's forces
Combatants

Elves, and Men

Orcs, Evil Men, Trolls, other creatures

Commanders
Strength

A large host. Est. 10-20,000 soldiers from Gondor, Cavalry from the Anduin Vales, Elves from Lindon, Rivendell, and Lothlorien, and some of the remnants of Arnor

A great host. Est. 25-30,000 Orcs, Evil Men, Trolls, and other evil creatures

Casualties

Unknown, possibly thousands

Total destruction of Angmars' forces, all killed save the Witch-king

The Battle of Fornost was the climatic battle that defeated the Witch-king of Angmar, and his armies.


Leading Up to the Battle

By the year 1975, the kingdom of Arnor had been at war with the land of Angmar for six hundred nineteen years, and In the previous year of 1974, Arnor was destroyed in the Fall of Fornost by the Witch-king's armies. The remnants of it's forces fled west over the river Lune to the realm of Lindon, and it's last king, Arvedui, perished in the Icebay of Forochel in 1975. Although two years previous, in 1973 Arnor sent a message to King Eärnil II of Gondor that they were in great straits, and that Angmar was preparing it final assault . The King sent his son Prince Eärnur, with a fleet of ships to Lindon to aid Arnor. But it was too late. Before the fleet reached Lindon, which was two years later, Arnor had fallen and its people were taking refuge in the Grey Havens. When Eärnur reached the Havens there was much joy and wonder among Elves and Men. Because there were so many ships that the fleet could barely find harbourage, even after filling Forlond, Harlond, and the Havens; and from them came a large host of Gondor. Which to the Elves and Men seemed like a vast host, when in fact it was just a small force compared to the full might of Gondor. Not just Gondorian soldiers came, many were actually from the realm of Rhovanion with there fare horses from the Anduin Vales. Círdan who was the Lord of Lindon, summoned all who would from both his realm and the remnants of the Dúnedain of the North. When all the preparations were finished this allied host of Gondor, Lindon, and Arnor marched north across the river Lune, to challenge Witch-king. Who was now dwelling in Fornost, which was populated with his minions, usurping the house and rule of the kings.


The Battle

It didn't take long before news of their march came to the Witch-king. And in his pride he sent his men out to meet them instead of waiting for battle behind his fortress-like city, thinking he could drive them back over the Lune as before. The Allies had past of over the southern Hills of Evendim when they were met by the forces of Angmar in the plains between Nenuial and Fornost. A great battle began, and when Angmars' forces began to retreat back to Fornost. When out of the north came the main body of the Allies' horsemen which had past around the hills came down and scattered in a rout. The Witch-king, with all that he could rally, fled north to the lands of Angmar. But before he could make it to the safety of his old fortress of Carn Dûm he was overtaken by the cavalry of Gondor with Prince Eärnur at its head. At the same time a force led by Glorfindel came up out of Rivendell. Then so utterly was Angmar defeated that not single a Man or Orc of that realm remained west of the Misty Mountains. When all was lost the Witch-king appeared and singled out Eärnur with all of his hatred, and rode upon him with a cry. The Prince could have withstood him but his horse was so frightened that, while baring him, fled far away before he could master it. As the Witch-king laughed at this, Glorfindel rode up on his white horse, and in mid laugh the Witch-king fled into the darkenss of the night. After hundreds of years the war was over. Eärnur returned, and the Elf-lord said "Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall".


Aftermath

Thus the North was freed from the evil of realm of Angmar, but Arnor was no more. Those Dúnedain that remained became the Rangers of the North, their first chieftain being Aranath son of King Arvedui.

The Witch-king eventually made it to Mordor in 1980, where he gathered the Nazgûl to later in 2000 siege Minas Ithil. In 2043, a challenge was issued to King Eärnur who had become king that same year, but the challenge he ignored. Years later in 2050 a second challenge was sent, and this time Eärnur excepted. He rode alone to Minas Ithil now Minas Morgul, and was never seen again.