It had begun with a distant tremor in the Earth. Breathless messengers arrived from the East Bight. Smoke in the South,’ they panted, weariness and fear on their faces. ‘On the plains of Rhovanion…’ More messengers came. ‘It is not smoke but dust, lord. From legions of iron-shod feet marching, spilling out of Dol Guldûr like plague. Warg-riders fly over the wilderness, hunting.’ 

In the council of the Woodelves’ King, Laethron, oldest, unbegotten, the Singer and Dreamer, said ‘They are the vanguard and Sauron’s legions follow in their wake. They bring fire and steel.’

Whilst Legolas rides with Aragorn on the Paths of the Dead and to his own fate, Mirkwood too is besieged and Thranduil fights for his people, his land, his home in The Battle Under the Trees.