The White Council

Reasons Sauron Lost at Pellenor Feilds

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

Pellenor Fields was not a standard battle by any means for several reasons. Sauron probably knew that Saruman had Theoden and Rohan bottled up, which Saruman did. He, and Saruman didn't count on Treebeard and his ents showing up and crushing Isengard. Further, if Gandalf (newly returned from the dead) hadn't suggested the use of the Huorns then the Battle of Helm's Deep wouldn't have gone quite as well. This fortunate victory meant that Aragorn, not slain, could go on to the Paths of the Dead and collect his oath-breakers, while Theoden and Rohirrim (also not slain) could ride for Gondor. They arrived in time to rout the enemy while the Witch King was confronting Gandalf (lucky he was back from the dead, eh?) at the newly shattered gates. If the Rohan hadn't arrived at the moment (thanks to Gandalf, the Ents and the Huorns), then Gandalf and the Nazgul would have thrown down, and Gondor's fate may have ended differently. As it was the Witch King confronted Theoden and slew him. In turn, he was confronted by Eowyn dressed as a man. He, in his confidence didn't think that Eowyn could harm him, even after she was revealed he seems in triumph until Merry stabbed him in the back. Even this was not enough for the army that Sauron sent to be crushed. They still held the field and the day certainly seemed to be there until Aragorn arrived with the Black Fleet, something that Sauron certainly couldn't have predicted. Aragorn had walked the Paths of the Dead and used that army to drive through and take the Black Ships, and then sailed up to arrive at Gondor in time to make the decisive blow.

Even for a Dark Lord (as if there were more then one) this is quit a bit to have to overcome in a simple strategy meeting. I mean it goes a little like this:

Sauron: On the agenda for today is the attack of Gondor. All give a collectve groan. Sauron: I know, we had to move the timetable up, but I think we will be able to pull it off. Ok, we have a good army here, and it should be plenty to take down Gondor. Oh, tell Saruman that there have been some rumbling in Fangorn and he may want to hold some of his forces there in case the Ents, who were mostly lost to legend, decide to crush Isengard to rubble. Oh, and inform the Uruk-hai to watch out for those Huorns, even if they seem to be assured of victory at Helm's Deep. And tell the Witch King to get some guard on those Paths of the Dead. No mortal can walk them, and no one has even thought about them in centuries, but just in case. And while we are at it, let's make some kinna deal with the Great Eagles. They have a tendancy to show up at the most inopportune times. Oh, and if the Hirohito decides to attack Pearl Harbor, then let's make damn sure that we make a treaty with the United States. Don't want them showing up at the wrong time, eh? Eh? Shall we huddle and break it?

Sauron seemed to have had to move a bit earlier then he wanted, but the forces he sent nearly took Gondor. No one could have had the forsight to predict Gandalf returned from the grave, which seems to be the turning point to a number of battle being won from Helm's Deep to Pellenor Fields. While Sauron may be accused of not having enough forsight to think that the Valar would send him back, he certainly is not a "pillock" (I don't even know what that is) because so many forces came together in a choreographed series of attacks that would rival any contemporary military attack. Ever.

-RR