Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)

2006-09-20T00:31:49Z

192.138.89.235:

'''Gothmog''' was a lieutenant of [[Minas Morgul]], second-in-command to the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], lord of the [[Nazgûl]], at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, at which he commanded the forces of Morgul after the Lord of the Nazgûl was slain by [[Éowyn]].

''(See also [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]])''
{{Pronounce|Gothmog.mp3|Ardamir}}

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Gothmog.jpg|thumb|left|Gothmog in [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]]]

==The Books==
The information given above is the only reference in "The Lord of the Rings" to Gothmog, and his fate is not recorded, although it is strongly implied that he and almost all of the servants of Sauron that fought before the gates of [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]] were destroyed.

[[Image:John Howe - Gothmog.jpg|thumb|''Gothmog'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Almost nothing is known of Gothmog, not even what type of beings he was. [[Tolkienist]]s speculate that he might have been one of the [[Nazgûl]], an [[Orcs|Orc]] or a [[Men|Man]] (in which case he was probably a [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] like the [[Mouth of Sauron]], the [[Lieutenant of the Tower of Barad-dûr]]). Since Tolkien never specifically refers to Gothmog as a Nazgûl, something that would be of prime importance to the story, it is less likely that Gothmog was a [[Ringwraiths|Ringwraith]]. The possibility, however, is still a valid one. It is also possible that he was in fact a [[Boldog]] (a fallen [[Maiar|Maia]] in Orc form).

Gothmog shared his name with a much earlier character, [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]]. The original Gothmog was clearly a different character than the Gothmog of [[The Lord of the Rings]] despite having shared the same name. It would seem that the Gothmog of the Third Age had taken, or been given, the name in memory of [[Morgoth|Morgoth's]] captain; an interesting choice, since Sauron and the Lord of Balrogs were presumably rivals for Morgoth's favor during the Elder Days.

==The Films ==
===Appearances===
* [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]
===Portrayal===
In Peter Jackson's The Return of the King film, Gothmog is portrayed as an Orc with a misshapen face, and is played by [[Lawrence Makoare]], a [[New Zealand]] actor. Peter Jackson wanted to, for the first time in the trilogy, show a hideously deformed orc, one that would aptly convey the "ugliness" of [[Mordor]]. The upper right side of Gothmog's body is swollen and pock-marked from a disease of some sort, as described by the design department. His pale, yellow skin may also be a consequence of this illness. Gothmog's intelligence is far above that of the common orc and, understandably, would be the perfect link between the Witch-King and the other planners of the siege of [[Minas Tirith]] (most likely men in Sauron's service) and the mindless mass of orc infantry on the front lines. While Gothmog likely did not have the intelligence to design the attack on the [[White City]] he certainly would have been able to ensure orders were carried out. Gothmog is clearly a brutal commander, but also an over-confident one. Peter Jackson comments that Gothmog feels powerful with Mordor's massive army behind him, but in reality is a crippled orc, as seen in his failed dismount from a [[Warg]] in [[Scene 36: The Siege of Gondor]]. Gothmog does, however, seem to be a capable warrior, though somewhat inhibited by his crippled right side.

It is not necessary to assume that Gothmog was THE lieutenant of Minas Morgul. Tolkien says he was "Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul". He may have been one of several. What is clear is that he was second-in-command at Pelennor. In the film, Gothmog begins his campaign by leading a fleet of rafts, carrying Morgul orcs, across the [[River Anduin]] towards the west side of Osgiliath. Gothmog's orcs easily conquer Osgiliath, where Gothmog kills [[Madril]], [[Faramir]]'s second-in-command. Gothmog halts the attack to await orders from the Witch-King. The Witch-King soon arrives and orders the beginning of the attack. Gothmog leads his legions towards Minas Tirith atop his Warg. He orders catapults fired, bearing the heads of fallen [[Gondorians]] and heavy boulders. The Gondorians fire trebuchets in return, bearing heavy pieces of masonry. One piece nearly hits proud Gothmog, who steps aside just in time, proving his prowess in survival. When Gothmog orders an attack on the [[Great Gate]] of Minas Tirith, his orcs suffer incredible casualties to the Gondorian archers above. He orders the "Wolf's Head", Grond brought forward. After Grond breaks down the city gates, Gothmog orders his orcs to move into the city, killing any and all in their path. The orcs take over the city's first level and begin taking the upper levels when the [[Rohirrim]] arrive, at the command of [[King Théoden]]. At this point Gothmog is caught entirely off guard but, being the able commander that he is, takes charge like no other orc would be able to. He orders his northern ranks of orcs to turn and face the Rohirrim, with pikesmen in front and archers behind. The Rohirrim charge and the orcs are helpless, run over by the ferocity of the [[Riders of Rohan]]. For the first time, Gothmog comes close to death.Once the Rohirrim has broken through the orc legions, chaos ensues. Gothmog calls the reserves of [[Easterlings]], [[Variags of Khand]],

* In the film, Gothmog calls in the reserves after the Rohirrim's charge, but before the death of the Witch-King.

[[Southrons]] and [[Haradrim]] in from Osgiliath. In the midst of the chaos, Gothmog is forced into hand-to-hand combat. He sees a pocket of particularly stiff resistance, primarily from Théoden and [[Eowyn]], and decides to take on Eowyn. She is a more skilled figher than he, however, and soon injurs him on his crippled leg, rendering him essentially unable to walk and useless Mordor's army as a whole. Gothmog's confidence and ambitions have been destroyed. After Eowyn has killed the Witch-King, in an act of revenge, Gothmog attempts to kill her with a mace he finds nearby. He is, however, killed in the nick of time by Aragorn and Gimli. As he is about to strike, Aragorn cuts off his armored arm but Gothmog persists and Gimli hits him in the abdomen with his axe. Aragorn must turn again and cut through Gothmog's armor on his left side with his sword to finally bring the orc down.

* Gothmog's hand-to-hand combat takes place only in the [[extended cut]] of the film.

Gothmog belongs to a subset of orcs bred and trained in Mordor that are larger and more intelligent that most others, the orcs typically referred to as "[[uber-orcs]]". Like the majority of this orcs, Gothmog wears a distinctive, mass produced type of spiked, plate iron armor. He carries a typical orc sword at his side and seemingly prefers to ride on Wargs.

From a brief still at the moment of Gothmog's death, one can see a distinctive type of footwear being worn by the orc commander. Perhaps a new piece of equipment utilized by the uber-orcs of Mordor, these flaps, covering the soles of the foot, are ridged, presumably to give better friction and aid in long marches or extended battles. The flaps are covered, in the case of Gothmog, with a perimeter of fabric, extended from the leggings.

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul

2006-09-19T23:31:27Z

192.138.89.235: /* Portrayal */

{{battle|
image=[[Image:Fotr1117.jpg|300px]] The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul as depicted in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]|
name=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
conflict=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
date=January 15, 3019 T.A.|
place=The [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] in [[Khazad-dûm]]|
result= no victory for either side|
side1=The [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|
side2= The hordes of Moria, the [[Balrog of Moria]]|
commanders1=[[Gandalf]]|
commanders2=The [[Balrog of Moria]]|
forces1=9 combatants|
forces2=Unknown total strength, over 14 [[Moria orcs]] and [[Uruks]], but probably not many more, at least one [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]], the Balrog of Moria|
casualties1=
[[Frodo Baggins]] skewered with a spear and thought dead, though he suffers a mere bruise, [[Samwise Gamgee]] receives small head injury|
casualties2=
14 orcs killed, Cave-troll injured in foot
}}

A skirmish between the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and the hordes of Moria in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]].

==The Books==
===Description===
The Fellowship, having just read fragments of the [[Book of Mazarbul]] inside the Mazarbul chamber, hear the sounds of an approaching band of [[orcs]]. This group includes both [[Moria orcs]] and large, black [[Uruks]] of Mordor. The Fellowship tries to shut the doors to the chamber, but the orcs are already trying to force their way in. A large [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]] beats on the door and forces its foot thru. [[Frodo]] stabs the foot with [[Sting]], causing the troll to withdraw. Orcs shoot arrows through the door, but they bounce uselessly off the walls of the chamber. At last, the orcs manage to burst their way through the chamber door. A fierce skirmish ensues.

[[Legolas]] shoots two orcs through the throat. [[Gimli]] hews the legs from under one. [[Aragorn]] and [[Boromir]] slay "many" (no exact number is given). During the fight, [[Sam]] receives a small head injury but kills an orc himself. When the Fellowship has killed 13 orcs, the rest of the orcs flee shrieking. But just as the Fellowship is about to leave the chamber, a large orc-chieftain jumps in and pins Frodo to the wall with a spear. Thinking him dead, the Fellowship carries Frodo away, after Aragorn kills the orc. It is later revealed that Frodo received a mere bruise, having been protected by his shirt of [[mithril]] mail.

Gandalf remains in the chamber while the rest of the Fellowship flees and faces the [[Balrog of Moria]] for the first time. Gandalf sets a shutting spell on the chamber door but cannot hold it. The spell is broken and Gandalf follows the Fellowship out of the chamber, down the [[Stairs of Khazad-dûm]].

===References===
[[The Lord of the Rings]]: [[The Fellowship of the Ring]] Book II: Chapter 5: [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

==The Films==

===Appearances===
* [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[Scene 35: Balin's Tomb]] and [[Scene 36: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

===Portrayal===
* The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul is expanded a great deal in the films, to aid the movie's dramatic flow and pacing, and to make the battle something more meaningful for the Fellowship on screen. The entire Fellowship takes part in the skirmish.
The battle begins when a large group of Moria orcs breaks through the chamber door, after Legolas and Aragorn have shot a few orcs outside the room through holes in the closed door. A furious, fairly prolonged battle ensues. The cave-troll enters the scene early on, breaking into the chamber and nearly killing Sam, who ducks under the troll's legs just in time. The fighting continues, with Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli killing many orcs. Sam is able to kill (or at least knock out) a few with one of his iron pans and kills at least one with his sword, along with Merry, early on in the battle. Frodo and Pippin seem to be participating in the fight as well. Peter Jackson likely wanted to involve the entire Fellowship in the skirmish to make it something meaningful to each member, as well as to the group as a whole, it being the Fellowship's first real battle together (in the book, the Fellowship never fights together like this). At one point during the fight, Legolas climbs up onto the Cave-troll's shoulders and shoots its head with two arrows, but to no avail. While swinging madly around the chamber, the Cave-troll smashes [[Balin's Tomb]].
* It is source of debate as to whether or not the "black Uruks of Mordor" described by Tolkien are present in the film.
There are a few orcs that physically look slightly different from the rest, though they wear the same armor. Some have argued that perhaps the Mordor Uruks sent to Moria by Sauron had taken up the Moria orcs' way of life, adopting their armor and weaponry and, thus, have a similar appearance (see [[Moria orcs]]).
* In the film, it is the Cave-troll that chases after Frodo and hits him with a spear (despite Aragorn's brave stand against the troll in an attempt to protect the hobbit), rather than an orc-chieftain.
Jackson likely wanted to bring the Cave-troll into the center of the action, adding greater interest to the battle. It is Legolas who at last kills the Cave-troll by shooting it thru the throat with an arrow.

Following a momentary victory, when most of the orcs have been killed or fled the chamber, the Fellowship hears the sound of more orcs approaching and flees through a break in the eastern wall of the chamber, running back thru the [[Twenty-first Hall]] (see [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] for notes on geographical changes). The action is extended further in the film, as the Fellowship are soon surrounded by hundreds of Moria orcs, before the Balrog enters the hall.
* Gandalf never has his encounter with the Balrog in the Mazarbul chamber in the movie.
Jackson likely wanted to reserve the revelation of the Balrog for a more dramatic moment on film.

In the [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended Edition|extended cut]] of the film, an important character moment is added to the fight, in which Aragorn saves Boromir from an attacking Moria orc. This further develops the relationship between the two men.
Another moment is also only found in the longer cut, in which the troll continues to chase Sam after nearly hitting him with its giant club, and almost steps on the hobbit before Aragorn pulls the troll away with its chain.

===Behind the Scenes===
Coming soon....

===References===
Coming soon....

==Related Links==
Site of Battle: [[Khazad-dûm]] | [[North End]] | [[Seventh Level]] | [[Twenty-first Hall]] | [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]

*[[Balin's Tomb]]

[[Category:Battles]]

Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul

2006-09-19T23:30:24Z

192.138.89.235: /* Portrayal */

{{battle|
image=[[Image:Fotr1117.jpg|300px]] The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul as depicted in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]|
name=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
conflict=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
date=January 15, 3019 T.A.|
place=The [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] in [[Khazad-dûm]]|
result= no victory for either side|
side1=The [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|
side2= The hordes of Moria, the [[Balrog of Moria]]|
commanders1=[[Gandalf]]|
commanders2=The [[Balrog of Moria]]|
forces1=9 combatants|
forces2=Unknown total strength, over 14 [[Moria orcs]] and [[Uruks]], but probably not many more, at least one [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]], the Balrog of Moria|
casualties1=
[[Frodo Baggins]] skewered with a spear and thought dead, though he suffers a mere bruise, [[Samwise Gamgee]] receives small head injury|
casualties2=
14 orcs killed, Cave-troll injured in foot
}}

A skirmish between the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and the hordes of Moria in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]].

==The Books==
===Description===
The Fellowship, having just read fragments of the [[Book of Mazarbul]] inside the Mazarbul chamber, hear the sounds of an approaching band of [[orcs]]. This group includes both [[Moria orcs]] and large, black [[Uruks]] of Mordor. The Fellowship tries to shut the doors to the chamber, but the orcs are already trying to force their way in. A large [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]] beats on the door and forces its foot thru. [[Frodo]] stabs the foot with [[Sting]], causing the troll to withdraw. Orcs shoot arrows through the door, but they bounce uselessly off the walls of the chamber. At last, the orcs manage to burst their way through the chamber door. A fierce skirmish ensues.

[[Legolas]] shoots two orcs through the throat. [[Gimli]] hews the legs from under one. [[Aragorn]] and [[Boromir]] slay "many" (no exact number is given). During the fight, [[Sam]] receives a small head injury but kills an orc himself. When the Fellowship has killed 13 orcs, the rest of the orcs flee shrieking. But just as the Fellowship is about to leave the chamber, a large orc-chieftain jumps in and pins Frodo to the wall with a spear. Thinking him dead, the Fellowship carries Frodo away, after Aragorn kills the orc. It is later revealed that Frodo received a mere bruise, having been protected by his shirt of [[mithril]] mail.

Gandalf remains in the chamber while the rest of the Fellowship flees and faces the [[Balrog of Moria]] for the first time. Gandalf sets a shutting spell on the chamber door but cannot hold it. The spell is broken and Gandalf follows the Fellowship out of the chamber, down the [[Stairs of Khazad-dûm]].

===References===
[[The Lord of the Rings]]: [[The Fellowship of the Ring]] Book II: Chapter 5: [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

==The Films==

===Appearances===
* [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[Scene 35: Balin's Tomb]] and [[Scene 36: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

===Portrayal===
* The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul is expanded a great deal in the films, to aid the movie's dramatic flow and pacing, and to make the battle something more meaningful for the Fellowship on screen. The entire Fellowship takes part in the skirmish.
The battle begins when a large group of Moria orcs breaks through the chamber door, after Legolas and Aragorn have shot a few orcs outside the room through holes in the closed door. A furious, fairly prolonged battle ensues. The cave-troll enters the scene early on, breaking into the chamber and nearly killing Sam, who ducks under the troll's legs just in time. The fighting continues, with Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli killing many orcs. Sam is able to kill (or at least knock out) a few with one of his iron pans and kills at least one with his sword, along with Merry, early on in the battle. Frodo and Pippin seem to be participating in the fight as well. Peter Jackson likely wanted to involve the entire Fellowship in the skirmish to make it something meaningful to each member, as well as to the group as a whole, it being the Fellowship's first real battle together (in the book, the Fellowship never fights together like this). At one point during the fight, Legolas climbs up onto the Cave-troll's shoulders and shoots its head with two arrows, but to no avail. While swinging madly around the chamber, the Cave-troll smashes [[Balin's Tomb]].
* It is source of debate as to whether or not the "black Uruks of Mordor" described by Tolkien are present in the film.
There are a few orcs that physically look slightly different from the rest, though they wear the same armor. Some have argued that perhaps the Mordor Uruks sent to Moria by Sauron had taken up the Moria orcs' way of life, adopting their armor and weaponry and, thus, have a similar appearance (see [[Moria orcs]]).
* In the film, it is the Cave-troll that chases after Frodo and hits him with a spear (despite Aragorn's brave stand against the troll in an attempt to protect the hobbit), rather than an orc-chieftain.
Jackson likely wanted to bring the Cave-troll into the center of the action, adding greater interest to the battle. It is Legolas who at last kills the Cave-troll by shooting it thru the throat with an arrow.

Following a momentary victory, when most of the orcs have been killed or fled the chamber, the Fellowship hears the sound of more orcs approaching and flees through a break in the eastern wall of the chamber, running back thru the Twenty-first Hall (see [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] for notes on geographical changes). The action is extended further in the film, as the Fellowship are soon surrounded by hundreds of Moria orcs, before the Balrog enters the hall.
* Gandalf never has his encounter with the Balrog in the Mazarbul chamber in the movie.
Jackson likely wanted to reserve the revelation of the Balrog for a more dramatic moment on film.

In the [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended Edition|extended cut]] of the film, an important character moment is added to the fight, in which Aragorn saves Boromir from an attacking Moria orc. This further develops the relationship between the two men.
Another moment is also only found in the longer cut, in which the troll continues to chase Sam after nearly hitting him with its giant club, and almost steps on the hobbit before Aragorn pulls the troll away with its chain.

===Behind the Scenes===
Coming soon....

===References===
Coming soon....

==Related Links==
Site of Battle: [[Khazad-dûm]] | [[North End]] | [[Seventh Level]] | [[Twenty-first Hall]] | [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]

*[[Balin's Tomb]]

[[Category:Battles]]

Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul

2006-09-19T23:26:30Z

192.138.89.235:

{{battle|
image=[[Image:Fotr1117.jpg|300px]] The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul as depicted in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]|
name=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
conflict=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
date=January 15, 3019 T.A.|
place=The [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] in [[Khazad-dûm]]|
result= no victory for either side|
side1=The [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|
side2= The hordes of Moria, the [[Balrog of Moria]]|
commanders1=[[Gandalf]]|
commanders2=The [[Balrog of Moria]]|
forces1=9 combatants|
forces2=Unknown total strength, over 14 [[Moria orcs]] and [[Uruks]], but probably not many more, at least one [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]], the Balrog of Moria|
casualties1=
[[Frodo Baggins]] skewered with a spear and thought dead, though he suffers a mere bruise, [[Samwise Gamgee]] receives small head injury|
casualties2=
14 orcs killed, Cave-troll injured in foot
}}

A skirmish between the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and the hordes of Moria in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]].

==The Books==
===Description===
The Fellowship, having just read fragments of the [[Book of Mazarbul]] inside the Mazarbul chamber, hear the sounds of an approaching band of [[orcs]]. This group includes both [[Moria orcs]] and large, black [[Uruks]] of Mordor. The Fellowship tries to shut the doors to the chamber, but the orcs are already trying to force their way in. A large [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]] beats on the door and forces its foot thru. [[Frodo]] stabs the foot with [[Sting]], causing the troll to withdraw. Orcs shoot arrows through the door, but they bounce uselessly off the walls of the chamber. At last, the orcs manage to burst their way through the chamber door. A fierce skirmish ensues.

[[Legolas]] shoots two orcs through the throat. [[Gimli]] hews the legs from under one. [[Aragorn]] and [[Boromir]] slay "many" (no exact number is given). During the fight, [[Sam]] receives a small head injury but kills an orc himself. When the Fellowship has killed 13 orcs, the rest of the orcs flee shrieking. But just as the Fellowship is about to leave the chamber, a large orc-chieftain jumps in and pins Frodo to the wall with a spear. Thinking him dead, the Fellowship carries Frodo away, after Aragorn kills the orc. It is later revealed that Frodo received a mere bruise, having been protected by his shirt of [[mithril]] mail.

Gandalf remains in the chamber while the rest of the Fellowship flees and faces the [[Balrog of Moria]] for the first time. Gandalf sets a shutting spell on the chamber door but cannot hold it. The spell is broken and Gandalf follows the Fellowship out of the chamber, down the [[Stairs of Khazad-dûm]].

===References===
[[The Lord of the Rings]]: [[The Fellowship of the Ring]] Book II: Chapter 5: [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

==The Films==

===Appearances===
* [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[Scene 35: Balin's Tomb]] and [[Scene 36: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

===Portrayal===
* The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul is expanded a great deal in the films, to aid the movie's dramatic flow and pacing, and to make the battle something more meaningful for the Fellowship on screen. The entire Fellowship takes part in the skirmish.
The battle begins when a large group of Moria orcs breaks through the chamber door, after Legolas and Aragorn have shot a few orcs outside the room through holes in the closed door. A furious, fairly prolonged battle ensues. The cave-troll enters the scene early on, breaking into the chamber and nearly killing Sam, who ducks under the troll's legs just in time. The fighting continues, with Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli killing many orcs. Sam is able to kill (or at least knock out) a few with one of his iron pans and kills at least one with his sword, along with Merry, early on in the battle. Frodo and Pippin seem to be participating in the fight as well. Peter Jackson likely wanted to involve the entire Fellowship in the skirmish to make it something meaningful to each member, as well as to the group as a whole, it being the Fellowship's first real battle together (in the book, the Fellowship never fights together like this). At one point during the fight, Legolas climbs up onto the Cave-troll's shoulders and shoots its head with two arrows, but to no avail. While swinging madly around the chamber, the Cave-troll smashes [[Balin's Tomb]].
* It is source of debate as to whether or not the "black Uruks of Mordor" described by Tolkien are present in the film.
There are a few orcs that physically look slightly different from the rest, though they wear the same armor. Some have argued that perhaps the Mordor Uruks sent to Moria by Sauron had taken up the Moria orcs' way of life, adopting their armor and weaponry and, thus, have a similar appearance (see [[Moria orcs]]).
* In the film, it is the Cave-troll that chases after Frodo and hits him with a spear (despite Aragorn's brave stand against the troll in an attempt to protect the hobbit), rather than an orc-chieftain.
Jackson likely wanted to bring the Cave-troll into the center of the action, adding greater interest to the battle. It is Legolas who at last kills the Cave-troll by shooting it thru the throat.

Following a momentary victory, when most of the orcs have been killed or fled the chamber, the Fellowship hears the sound of more orcs approaching and flees through a break in the eastern wall of the chamber, running back thru the Twenty-first Hall (see [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] for notes on geographical changes). The action is extended further in the film, as the Fellowship are soon surrounded by hundreds of Moria orcs, before the Balrog enters the hall.
* Gandalf never has his encounter with the Balrog in the Mazarbul chamber in the movie.
Jackson likely wanted to reserve the revelation of the Balrog for a more dramatic moment on film.

In the [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended Edition|extended cut]] of the film, an important character moment is added to the fight, in which Aragorn saves Boromir from an attacking Moria orc. This further develops the relationship between the two men.
Another moment is also only found in the longer cut, in which the troll continues to chase Sam after nearly hitting him with its giant club, and almost steps on the hobbit before Aragorn pulls the troll away with its chain.

===Behind the Scenes===
Coming soon....

===References===
Coming soon....

==Related Links==
Site of Battle: [[Khazad-dûm]] | [[North End]] | [[Seventh Level]] | [[Twenty-first Hall]] | [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]

*[[Balin's Tomb]]

[[Category:Battles]]

Battle of the Morannon

2006-09-15T19:18:46Z

192.138.89.235:

The '''Battle of the Morannon''' also known as the '''Battle of the Black Gate''' ("[[Morannon]]" is the [[Sindarin]] ([[Elvish]]) word for "Black Gate").

This was the final major battle against [[Sauron]] in the [[War of the Ring]], fought at the Black Gate of [[Mordor]]. The army of the West, 6,000 strong by now, led by [[Aragorn]] marched on the gate as a diversionary feint to distract [[Sauron]]'s attention from [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], who were carrying the [[One Ring]] through Mordor. It was hoped that Sauron would think [[Aragorn]] had the Ring and was now trying to use it to overthrow Mordor.

Initially, the Army of the West had been composed of 7,000 men, but as they approached Dagorlad near the Black Gate Aragorn dismissed the faint of heart, ordering them to liberate [[Cair Andros]] on the river Anduin. This resulted in the departure of maybe 500 men.

Before the battle began, Sauron sent one of his servants, the [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] called the [[Mouth of Sauron]], to speak with the Captains of the West. He tried to trick [[Gandalf]] into believing Sauron held Frodo captive, displaying as evidence items that had belonged to Frodo and Sam (Sam's sword, an [[Elves|Elven]] cloak, and Frodo's ''[[Mithril]]'' shirt.) The Mouth threatened that Frodo would be tortured if the West did not agree to Sauron's terms of surrender. (It is clear that while Sauron knew there was a Hobbit in Mordor, he did not know why.) Gandalf, however, refused to be swayed, took the items from the Mouth of Sauron, and sent him away. Amazed and angered, the Mouth of Sauron rode back to the Black Gate, let it be opened, and the forces of Sauron marched out. At the same time, more of Sauron's forces that had been hidden in the hills around the Black Gate came forth, thus surrounding the Men of the West. Sauron's army outnumbered that of the West by at least ten to one.

Against Aragorn's army was arrayed Sauron's hordes of [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], and barbarian [[Men|Mannish]] allies such as the [[Easterlings]] and Southrons ([[Haradrim]]). An exact count is not given of the number of Sauron's forces, and though they numbered in the tens of thousands at least, the battle is said to not have been as quite large as the preceding [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

During the course of the battle, the eight [[Nazgûl]] still alive attacked the army of the West. The [[Eagles]] of the [[Misty Mountains]], led by [[Gwaihir]] the Windlord, arrived and attacked the Ringwraiths. At that moment, when all hope seemed lost, Frodo put on the One Ring and Sauron realized that Frodo was inside [[Mount Doom]]. The Nazgûl immediately left the battle to intercept Frodo. However, [[Gollum]] bit the Ring off Frodo's finger and then accidentally fell into the [[Crack of Doom]], and Sauron's power was overthrown.

The Nazgûl had been flying over Mount Doom just as it underwent a gigantic volcanic eruption, and they were all destroyed in the firestorm. [[Barad-dûr]], the Black Gate and, the Towers of Teeth collapsed to ruin. The Orcs and other creatures of Sauron were completely directionless with the Dark Lord's demise and were easily decimated by the army of the West. The Easterlings fought on stalwartly, though eventually many threw down their weapons and surrendered (later to be sent home in peace by Aragorn King [[Elessar]]).

Fighting against Sauron's remaining forces would continue in the northern theater of the War of the Ring for several weeks, notably at [[Dol Guldur]] in [[Mirkwood]] and at [[Erebor]], but the power of the Dark Lord of Mordor was no more.

Months later, the [[Battle of Bywater]] in the [[Shire]] against ruffians led by [[Saruman]], and the subsequent killing of Saruman and [[Wormtongue]] on the very doorstep of [[Bag End]], ended the [[War of the Ring]].

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[[Category:Battles|Morannon]]