A History of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, Part 2: Response to discussion with Kharan

» proudfoot - Response to discussion with Kharan

The account sounds a bit confusing & vague, because Tolkien, in his assumed role of translating or transcribing a pseudo-historical saga, is describing the "highlights" of a hand-to-hand combat. Hand-to-hand combat in the old days was very confusing and disorienting. The opposing lines inevitably became ragged as warriors fell on either side, and it was nearly all most could do to keep fighting their opposing opponents in the line. There was often little room or time for the fancy maneuvers so beloved of Hollywood films. Often, they just exchanged blows and counter-blows until someone got an attack past another's guard. Warriors often grappled with each other, trying to wrestle opponents into a vulnerable position for a thrust from a dagger or short sword. A champion with superior arms and some comrades to watch his back could fight with some confidence, but even he could be vulnerable to a sudden strike from beyond his perception. (How many quarterback sacks have you seen at football games where the QB gets slammed from his off-hand side despite his clear view of the struggle before and around him?)

Reading with this in mind, the final fight between Sauron, Gil-galad, and Elendil, plus Isildur's sudden coda, became clearer. Sauron didn't bother with any fancy moves which would get him highlight time in Peter Jackson's films. (Don't worry, they will probably give him a few moves for the sake of stage combat aficionados such as myself. ^_^) He quickly and mercilessly engaged Gil-galad and Elendil in close combat, overpowering them with the power channeled through the Ring (the "heat" that overcame the Elven king)and his own supernatural strength. The sword Narsil broke under Elendil when he fell, which was a realistic touch in itself. (Any sword, no matter the quality, will break if it suddenly bent the wrong way with great force.) Isildur, fighting close by Elendil, quickly struck at Sauron's right flank while the Dark Lord was focussed on achieving his victory, and stunned & knocked him down. Isildur knew about the One Ring (all the Last Alliance leaders would have), so he acted quickly to literally cut Sauron's chief source of power away from him. (Plus it made a great trophy! ^_^) He used the hilt-shard of Narsil, which was shorter than a normal sword. The shard was still sharp, so it made an excellent cleaver with which to amputate Sauron's finger and secure the Ring. (I have handled cruciform swords of varying sizes in stage combat class, and nearly all of them were too long for fine cutting work like that. If Isildur had swung at Sauron's hand with his own sword, he would likely have removed ALL the fingers!) Sauron, shocked by pain and sudden seperation from his Ring, literally gave up the ghost as his spirit de-materialized and left the battle. His followers fled, and the Dunedain and Elves were left with their dear-bought victory.

-- posted by proudfoot