Battle of the Black Gate

The **Battle of the Black Gate**, also known as the **Battle of the Morannon**, was the final major battle of the War of the Ring, fought before the Black Gate It resulted in the ultimate defeat of Sauron not by victory on the battlefield, but by means of the destruction of the One Ring by the hobbit Frodo.

## History

### Background

After the victory of the Free Peoples in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the enemy retreated to Mordor. Sauron was defeated but he still had thousands of Orcs and evil men at his disposal in Mordor. He was aware that the One Ring was somewhat close to the vicinity of his territory, but he did not know that the Hobbit Frodo Baggins and his companion Samwise Gamgee had entered Mordor via Morgul Vale with the intention of destroying the Ring.

### Plot against the Dark Lord

After the Last Debate, the Men of the West assembled the Host of the West, 10,000 strong, led by Aragorn, who marched on the Black Gate as a diversionary feint to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo and Sam, who were carrying the One Ring through Mordor to be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. It was hoped that Sauron would think Aragorn had the Ring and was now trying to use it to overthrow him in Mordor. The Mouth is portrayed as a disfigured emissary, rather than a soldier, and he appears at the Gate alone. He first seems angered by what Gandalf says, but then regains his stature and speaks in a mock-friendly manner, calling him "Old Greybeard". He tells Gandalf that he has "a token he was bidden to show" and then takes out Frodo's mithril vest and throws it at Gandalf. He seems to be getting enjoyment out of seeing the shocked and horrified faces of Frodo's friends. Seeking to hurt Gandalf more, he begins lying about how Frodo suffered greatly before dying.

At this, Aragorn approaches on his horse. The Mouth immediately recognizes him as Isildur's heir and says, "It takes more to make a king than a broken elvish blade". At this Aragorn beheads him, which shocks Gimli, causing him to say sarcastically, "Well, I guess that concludes negotiations!" Aragorn turns around, saying he does not believe Frodo is dead. At this point, Sauron's eye moves towards the Black Gate

In the movie, during the last debate, Gandalf makes it clear that there is a force of ten thousand Orcs at the Black Gate, but the Host of the West is unquantified - they appear to be a few hundred. After slaying the Mouth of Sauron, before facing the host of Mordor that has come out and surrounded them, Aragorn gives his speech.

The Host of the West then charges bravely into the Orcs. Despite having only about 300 soldiers of Gondor and 200 Rohirrim they kill many Orcs while sustaining light casualties, although it later becomes clear that unless the Ring is destroyed they will be completely wiped out as their casualties start getting heavy.

    When all seemed lost as the forces were brought down and individuals such as Aragorn nearly being killed by a Mountain Troll, the One Ring was thrown in the fires of Mount Doom when Gollum and Frodo struggled over destroyed and the forces of Mordor were almost completely destroyed; for without Sauron power to substain them the forces of Mordor; the Barad-dûr and the Black Gate of Mordor, the ground under them collapses sending these structures and nearly all the Orc/Trolls deep into the middle earths depths. Only the Host of the West of Gondor and Rohirrim survive.

## References

1. ↑ The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)]]