Battles of the Third Age: Part Two

 Battle of Azanulbizar

When Smaug took over Erebor, Thror wanted to see the ancient city of Khazad-dum for himself. So he and his companion, named Nar, journeyed for the entrance to Moria at the plain of Azanulbizar. Thror went into the city, while Nar waited outside the gates. After three days, Thror’s beheaded corpse was thrown out the gates with the word “Azog” carved onto his head. When Nar saw this, he rushed to the Dwarves and told them the news. Over the course of three years, the Dwarves had readied all of their armies. This included the Longbeards led by Thror’s son, Thrain. The Dwarven forces began to attack the goblins under the Misty Mountains. Because of this many goblins sought the leadership of  Azog the Defiler, who led the Orcs in Moria and killed Thror. Azog took all of his army and brought them to Azanulbizar. The Dwarves found out and moved to attack.

   The Orcs had the advantage at the beginning of the battle. Thrain’s first attack was thrown back. Thrain lost his eye and suffered severe injuries in his leg. Many of his warriors were killed, including his son, Frerin. The course of the battle was changed when Dwarves from the Iron Hills, led by Nain, arrived late to the battle. Nain challenged Azog to a duel, and Azog accepted. Nain was exhausted from the battle, so Azog was able to break his neck. After killing Nain, Azog saw that his Orcs were losing. Azog tried to run back inside Moria, but Nain’s son, Dain, cut his head off at Moria’s gates, and the fight was won. The Dwarves suffered heavy losses, and did not seek to retake Moria. Azog’s son, Bolg, later attempted to avenge his father by leading the goblins at the Battle of Five Armies.