Battle of Nanduhirion

In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Battle of Nanduhirion was the last battle in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. It was later said that the memory of the battle still causes "Orcs to shudder and Dwarves to weep."

The Battle of Nanduhirion, also called the Battle of Azanulbizar after the Khuzdul name, was fought in the year 2799 of the Third Age at the eastern gate of Moria between the Dwarves of at least several of the Dwarf houses, and the Orcs of the Misty Mountains.

It was the greatest battle of the War of Dwarves and Orcs, and was a decisive victory for the Dwarves, though not without price. An account of the Battle is found in Appendix A Part III of The Lord of the Rings. The battle initially went against the Dwarves, for the Orcs had the high ground and the greater numbers, and being a dark day in winter there was no sun to bother the orcs. The tide was only turned when a last contingent of fresh warriors from the Iron Hills arrived to reinforce the wavering Dwarves.

However, the battle claimed the lives of many; including Frerin the second son of Thráin II, and the younger brother of Thorin Oakenshield. His kinsman Fundin also fell. Both Thráin and Thorin were injured (Thráin lost an eye). Náin son of Grór was slain in a fight with Azog the Goblin right outside the East Gate. Azog was then slain by Náin's son Dáin Ironfoot.

Thráin II, heir of Durin, wished to enter and reclaim Moria after the War. However, the battle had been too costly: "Barely half the number of the Dwarves could stand or had hope of healing." The Dwarves of Durin's folk were too few and the Dwarves of other six houses refused to remain in Khazad-dûm and contest with Durin's Bane. For the Orcs it was more costly, as told in the History of Middle-earth, 10,000 Orcs were slain.

See also

• Middle-earth warfare