Attack of the Wargs

History

Following their escape from Goblin-town, Thorin and Company were set upon by a pack of wargs in woods east of the Misty Mountains. The wargs had been travelling to meet a band of orcs in order to carry out a great raid on the homes of the Woodmen nearby and were surprised at the company of Dwarves coming upon their meeting-place. The wargs forced Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, and the rest of the company into the trees until being repelled by burning pinecones which Gandalf supplied to the Dwarves. The goblins who had planned to meet the wargs then arrived, and intended to recapture the members of the company, but were denied this when the company was rescued by the Great Eagles and taken to the Great Shelf.

In adaptations

The Hobbittrilogy

In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the event differs from the book due to the inclusion of Azog and his Hunter Orcs. After Bilbo rejoins the group once outside Goblin-town, the moment of triumph is cut short as they are ambushed by Azog, Fimbul and his Hunter Orcs army. After taking refuge in cliff side trees before the Wargs uproot most of them, the final tree is partially uprooted, leaving most of Thorin's Company hanging over the cliffside. Gandalf uses his staff to set some pinecones on fire and the Company throw them at the Orcs. Unfortunately, it doesn't help much. Thorin then charges towards Azog in an attempt to save the others but is badly wounded and knocked to the ground. Bilbo defends Thorin from being killed, and Azog and other Orcs move in, trying to kill the Hobbit. Then Fíli, Kíli, and Dwalin rush in and attack them, while the others follow and a fight ensues. The group is then saved by the eagles, who fly them to safety on the Carrock. Azog then continues his hunt with the rest of his Orc army.

The scene was shot at Fiordland National Park.

LEGO adaptations

LEGO 79002 Attack of the Wargs is a set depicting this scene. It includes Thorin Oakenshield, Bifur, Yazneg, two Hunter Orcs and two Wargs; a total of 5 minifigures and 2 animal figures. This set has a burning, rotatable tree and a small rock ledge.

This battle transpires in the eighth level of LEGO The Hobbit: The Video Game.

References