Battle under the trees
Prelude: Attack on the Woodland Realm – Sauron's assault on Osgiliath – Skirmish at Weathertop – Battle at Amon Hen – War commences: – First Battle of the Fords of Isen – Ambush of the Rohirrim – Second Battle of the Fords of Isen – Battle of the Hornburg – Last march of the Ents – Battle of Ithilien – Battle of Osgiliath – Siege of Gondor – Battle of the Pelennor Fields – Battle of Dale – Battles of Lórien and invasion of eastern Rohan – Battle under the trees – Quarrel – Ambush in Ithilien – Battle of the Morannon – Destruction of Dol Guldur – Battle of Bywater
A battle under the trees of Mirkwood took place during the War of the Ring, between the forces of the Woodland Realm, under the command of the Elvenking Thranduil, and the forces of Sauron from Dol Guldur.
History
On March 15, 3019, the realm of Thranduil was invaded by the forces of Dol Guldur. The majority of the Orcs were sent to attack Lothlórien, with the remainder attacking the Woodland Realm, trying to secure the Elvenking's flank. Easterlings were supposed to arrive and overwhelm the Elves, but they were bogged down in battle with the Dwarves and the Dale-men at Erebor. The Elvenking marshalled his forces and marched to meet the invaders. Upon doing so, there was a long and vicious battle from which ensued a "great ruin of fire" among the woods. The Elves however had the advantages of superior discipline and tactics and their intimate knowledge of their forested home territory. In the end, King Thranduil and his people emerged as victors, and he announced a New Year of the Elves.
Aftermath
On the day of the New Year, Thranduil and Celeborn met in the forest where they renamed Mirkwood as Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of the Greenleaves. Thranduil gave the southern part of his realm to Celeborn, and kept the northern part as far as the mountains for himself and his people. The woodlands in between were given to the Beornings and the Woodmen of Western Mirkwood.
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References
Location: Mirkwood