The Battle of the Last Alliance: Elendil, Gil-Galad, and the Fall of Sauron

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion, the battle between Elendil and Gil-Galad against Sauron is depicted as a catastrophic turning point in the history of Middle-earth. This confrontation highlights the tragic yet heroic nature of their struggle and sets the stage for the critical events that follow.

Sauron Kills Elendil and Gil-Galad

Elendil and Gil-Galad were key figures in the last alliance against Sauron. They led the Númenórean and Elvish forces against the Dark Lord during the War of the Last Alliance. Their bravery and strength were immense, but they ultimately paid the ultimate price for their defiance.

During the climactic battle on the slopes of Orodruin, Sauron engaged Elendil and Gil-Galad in a fierce duel. Despite Elendil and Gil-Galad's valiance, Sauron managed to injure them grievously. Gil-Galad was incinerated by Sauron's black flame, while Elendil fell, his sword Narsil breaking under his body. This moment is a poignant reminder of the high stakes of their war.

Isildur's Role and the Cutting of the Ring

Following the deaths of Elendil and Gil-Galad, Isildur, their son, took up the mantle of leadership. He confronted a weakened Sauron, who was still suffering from his battle injuries. This confrontation was perilous, as Sauron, though diminished, was far from defeated. The One Ring was a symbol of Sauron's power and the struggle to remove it was intense.

In the final moments, Isildur bravely moved to retrieve the Ring. With the hilt-shard of Narsil, he cut the Ring from Sauron's finger, thus destroying Sauron's physical form. This act was critical, as Sauron's defeat led to the loss of his bodily form and the temporary end of his evil presence in Middle-earth.

The Silmarillion goes into great detail about this battle. According to Tolkien's narrative, the alliance of Elves, Dwarves, and Númenóreans marched into Mordor, facing Sauron directly. The One Ring gave Sauron immense power, but this very power became his undoing. Elendil and Gil-Galad delivered fatal blows to Sauron, causing him to retreat. Sauron was then forced to relinquish the Ring, which Isildur claimed for his own.

Conclusion

In summary:

Elendil and Gil-Galad were killed by Sauron in the battle but mortally wounded him in the process. Isildur did cut the Ring from a diminished Sauron, reflecting the ongoing struggle of his father and Gil-Galad. This moment was critical for the downfall of Sauron and the safety of Middle-earth.

The battle of the Last Alliance was a watershed moment in Tolkien's legendarium, demonstrating the delicate balance of power and the heroic sacrifice of key figures in the fight against Sauron's tyranny.