Defence of the North

Sauron never turned his gaze completely away from the northern kingdoms -?even during the close of the Third Age, the forces of Evil closed in on Dale, Erebor, Mirkwood, and Lothlorien. Across the lands of Rhovanion, the forces of Good rallied to defend their homes, their acts of heroism tying up armies Sauron so badly needed as the War of the Ring raged to the south.