Gundabad

Naugrim however are able to conceal and seal their sacred halls before the orcs breach the defences. Soon after

the capture, construction of the dungeon complex with the Chamber of the Ulûkai begins.

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south of the Ered Mithrin and west of the Emyn Engrin) are considered lands of their mannish allies. The Men provide foodstuffs, husbandry, animals and mounted warriors while the Dwarves contribute their marvellous works of craftsmanship, finished products and the finest heavy infantry. The relationship sometimes even grows into friendship between the two people.

The skill of Skorg combined with a few sorcerers dispatched from Sauron soon give him complete control of his forces and forms the mass of goblins into a quite capable and effective fighting machine. The relative vicinity of Sauron wearing the One Ring further motivates the Orcs to an unheard-of discipline.

Seeing the strength of the Northman cavalry Skorg is also given the service of a sizable force of mannish cavalry from territories under Sauron’s control. Prepared in this manner he marches to battle with the Dwarf-Northman alliance. The latter have mustered their forces as well and meet their foes in the field rather than waiting for them to come and forsaking the initiative.

Sauron’s forces, headquartered in the eastern Emyn Engrin wait for their chance to crush the well-organized defence.

dwarven army from Khazad-dûm accompanied by Elves from Lorinand fall upon Sauron’s rear. Elrond perceives his chance and is able to extricate his forces from Sauron’s encirclement (although with heavy

losses). Furious, Sauron turns towards the Dwarves and defeats them in a few minor engagements. Their host is able to retreat to Khazad-dûm in good order with only minimal losses. The gates of Moria are shut.

Elrond retreats with remnants of the Noldor and founds the refuge of Imladris.

To enable this attack upon Sauron’s army Durin III of Khazad-dûm is forced to thin out his forces in the North. Skorg perceives his chance and attacks with great strength. Because of his thorough planning, treachery and sheer numbers he is able to overwhelm the defenders in a great battle at the Narrows between Greenwood and the Ered Mithrin. The remaining Dwarves retreat to the main citadel at Mount Gundabad with the remnants of their allies’ forces while the remaining Northmen (mostly the old, women and children) are scattered throughout the land. The siege of Gundabad is begun.

of a secret passage revealed by a traitor (the name of this Dwarf is cursed among the Naugrim and not known to other races). The valiant defenders are slain to the man. The holy halls of the Naugrim are so well protected by enchantments and clever craftsmanship that the orcs are unable to enter them. These protective measures were undertaken for just this worst case when the war began. Skorg appoints himself as Ruler of the North. The Ered Mithrin and Hithaeglir are secured by the founding of Orc-strongholds along

all strategic locations. The most prominent of these new orc settlements is Goblin-gate at the High Pass above Imladris.

Mount Gundabad being the only major conquest not lost after Sauron’s defeat in Eriador is strengthened by the Dark Lord with what forces are left at his disposal. The ancient dwarven alliance with the Northmen is gone beyond revival with the destruction of most mannish settlements and the killing of their inhabitants.

This situation keeps the Dwarves constantly plotting for revenge against the goblins. They start

reconnaissance missions instead of fruitless assaults. Eventually the Dwarves are able to establish communication with slaves of the Goblin King. This gives them good intelligence of the situation in Mount Gundabad.

The remnants of the Orcish population retreat to the surviving orc-holds in the Ered Mithrin and wait for a chance to re-claim Mount Gundabad. The Crypt of Skorg remains undetected however.

Once again the site of Awakening of the Longbeards is in dwarven hands. The orcish infestation of the Hithaeglir and Ered Mithrin cannot be removed completely though. And there is a price to this victory: As we are told in the Silmarillion the Seven Rings of the Dwarves have a malevolent influence on their wearers

(though not according to Sauron’s original intentions). This is also true for Durin’s Ring. The power and wealth of Khazad-dûm reaches unheard-of heights in this time but the Naugrim become more jealous and reclusive.

Additionally their number begins to dwindle. Slowly at first but it is felt nonetheless. From that time onward Mount Gundabad is still revered as a sacred site but the number of its inhabitants remains relatively small because of the King’s decision to use his resources primarily otherwise (clearly an effect of Durin’s ring). They remain vigilant however and are able to repulse any attacks the orcs make.

The new orcish installations (like the Drake Gate) are sealed and/or demolished as far as possible to reestablish the original dwarven character of the place.

The rest of the Second Age Mount Gundabad remains in dwarven hands though the influence of Durin’s Ring in Moria and the Ulûkai in Gundabad slowly erodes the Naugrim’s strength in Gundabad over the years and enables the orcs to hold other settlements (e.g. like Goblin-gate). There are still meetings of delegations of all the dwarven tribes in Gundabad, though less frequently than in past times.