[Aerin]

Is there a book in the HOME that deals with the defense of Mirkwood and the dealings with the Necromancer? I amattempting to begin an actual LotR fic, and I need a little assistance with this part. I know the Hobbit is probably the best source on Mirkwood in general, but I am wanting to focus on what is happening in Mirkwood at the time of the War of the Ring. Forgive me if there is some specific passage in the LOTR directly, I was not a very good reader when I read it the first time, I am re-reading, but, it is taking a while. I intend to miss much less this time around!

[Elennare]

I can't comment about HOME, I'm trying to find time among the many other books that are demanding my attention.

I do remember at least one reference to battles in the north - hardships suffered by the Men of Dale and Durin's folk (and also, presumably, the Elves of Eastern Mirkwood), either at the end of Return of the King or in it's Appendices.

I hope my comments can be elaborated on by those with better memories...

[Aerin]

Yea, I remember that, I was looking for a little bit more. Thanks though.

[daw]

There's a bit near the end of the section of the Appendix on "Durin's Folk," in which Gandalf is speaking:

'I grieved at the fall of Thorin,' said Gandalf; 'and now we hear that Dáin has fallen, fighting in Dale again, even while we fought here. I should call that a heavy loss, if it was not a wonder rather that in his great age he could still wield his axe as mightily as they say that he did, standing over the body of King Brand before the Gate of Erebor until the darkness fell.
'Yet things might have gone far otherwise and far worse. When you think of the great Battle of the Pelennor, do not forget the battles in Dale and the valour of Durin's Folk.

Then in the Tale of the Years, we read of these events on March 15-17:

15 In the early hours the Witch-king breaks the Gates of the City. Denethor
burns himself on a pyre. The horns of the Rohirrim are heard at cockcrow.
Battle of the Pelennor. Théoden is slain. Aragorn raises the standard of
Arwen. Frodo and Samwise escape and begin their journey north along the
Morgai. Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of
Dol Guldur. Second assault on Lórien.
16 Debate of the commanders. Frodo from the Morgai looks out over the camp to Mount Doom.
17 Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot fall. Many Dwarves and
Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. Shagrat brings Frodo's cloak,
mail-shirt, and sword to Barad-dûr.

and then

In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was
invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire;
but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they
renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his
realm; and Celeborn took the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lórien; all the wide forest between was given to the Beornings and the
Woodmen.

That's all I can find off the top of my head.

daw

[daw]

Wait. Just found some more in the same place:

At the same time as the great armies besieged Minas Tirith a host of the
allies of Sauron that had long threatened the borders of King Brand crossed
the River Carnen, and Brand was driven back to Dale. There he had the aid of the Dwarves of Erebor; and there was a great battle at the Mountain's feet
It lasted three days, but in the end both King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot
were slain, and the Easterlings had the victory. But they could not take the
Gate and many, both Dwarves and Men, took refuge in Erebor, and there
withstood a siege.
When news came of the great victories in the South, then Sauron's northern
army was filled with dismay; and the besieged came forth and routed them,
and the remnant fled into the East and troubled Dale no more. Then Bard II,
Brand's son, became King in Dale, and Thorin III Stonehelm, Dáin's son,
became King under the Mountain. They sent their ambassadors to the crowning of King Elessar; and their realms remained ever after, as long as they lasted, in friendship with Gondor; and they were under the crown and protection of the King of the West.

[Aerin]

Thanks!

This is great, thank you for writing so much down, I am in your debt!
(that was in the Unfinished Tales?)
Aerin

[daw]

It's all in the appendix to ROTK. You're very welcome

[Aerin]

And I thought I'd read the apendix more closely than the books. I've been using it a lot for an RPG, so, I have been flipping thru it almost daily.

*Face Palm*

I guess I was hoping Tolkien had expanded on it in one of the Unfinished tales so I wouldn't have to be flying blind into the tactical stuff.