The Fantasy Review: The Sack of Eregion Explained.
Eregion literally means holly-region in Sindarin, because the land in Eriador had many holly trees. This is not relevant to the Sack of Eregion, but it is a fun introduction to quite a tragic tale.
Settled in about 750 of the Second Age by the Gwaith-i-Mírdain (Elven-smiths), led by Celebrimbor so he might work on his projects away from High King Gil-galad. Although, the elven realm of Eregion was originally founded in 700 by Galadriel and Celeborn.
The main city in Eregion was Ost-in-Edhil, which had a direct road to Khazad-dûm along the river Sirannon. Ost-in-Edhil means Fortress of the Eldar in Sindarin.
Sauron Demands the Return of His Rings
As Lord of Gifts/Annatar, Sauron manipulated Celebrimbor and the Gwaith-i-Mírdain into crafting the Rings of Power. When the Rings were made, he forged the One Ring in secret and then demanded the Elves give him the Three Elven Rings they had made without his knowledge, and also tell him where the Seven Dwarven Rings were.
When the Elves refused, Sauron marched on Eriador in 1695 S.A. and was met by Gil-galad’s army, led by Elrond, as well as Eriador’s army, led by Celeborn.
The Sack of Eregion
Although Tolkien never gave this event an official name, it has become known as the Siege of Eregion, or the Sack of Eregion. It marks the beginning of the War of the Elves and Sauron.
Celeborn’s army was greatly outnumbered by Sauron’s force from Mordor, even with the reinforcements of Elrond’s army from Lindon. Celeborn and Elrond marched out together to meet Sauron’s army on the battlefield, driving the enemy forces back, however Sauron eventually surrounded Eregion and prevented Elrond and Celeborn from returning there.
The Dwarves of Khazad-dûm and another army of Elves, this one led by Amroth from the woods of Lórinand (later called Lothlórien), attacked Sauron’s army from the rear. This prevented the Dark Lord from overwhelming Elrond’s forces and saved the Half-elven, allowing him to escape to Imladris.
Sauron’s Victory in the Face of Defeat
Despite it looking like a defeat for the Dark Lord, Sauron lays waste to the Elven realm of Eregion and captures Celebrimbor. The Elven-smith, grandson of Fëanor, is tortured for information on the location of the Seven Dwarven Rings and the Three Elven Rings.
Sauron discovered the whereabouts of the Dwarven Rings from Celebrimbor, but the Elf refused to tell him where the Elven Rings were. Due to the stress of the torture on his body, Celebrimbor died at the hands of his captors.
Celebrimbor’s body was then shot with arrows and hung on a pole. Sauron even used the body as a banner when he attacked the Grey Havens.
At the end of the Sack of Eregion, Ost-in-Edhil was destroyed and never rebuilt. Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring walk along the road between Ost-in-Edhil and Khazad-dum (then called Moria) 47 centuries later, and Ost-in-Edhil is in ruins.
