The Lord of the Rings tells the story of many different groups coming together to protect Middle-earth. The armies of Elves, Gondor, and Rohan stand against Sauron and play a crucial role in defeating him. However, they are not the only ones fighting.
Hobbits usually live simple and peaceful lives in the Shire, but four of them leave their home and join the Fellowship. They become unexpected heroes in the battle against darkness.
Even the Ents, ancient tree-like beings who prefer to stay in their forests, take action when they realize the threat Sauron poses. They march on Isengard and destroy Saruman’s army.
However, one important group seems to be missing from the films. Dwarves, one of the most powerful races in Middle-earth, do not appear in the main battles of The Lord of the Rings. Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) is the only Dwarf with a major role in the films.
Dwarves are a proud and strong people, well-known for their skills in mining and craftsmanship. The Hobbit films introduce several Dwarves and show them as valuable allies, but The Lord of the Rings does not focus on them.
Dwarves and Elves do not have a friendly history. They have a long-standing rivalry and often refuse to work together. However, this should not matter when all of Middle-earth is in danger. In the past, only a small number of Dwarves joined The Last Alliance of Elves and Men when they fought Sauron for the first time.
This sets a precedent for their absence in the War of the Ring. Some may assume that Dwarves chose to avoid the war, or worse, that they sided with Sauron. However, this is not true. The Dwarves did not run from the battle. They fought against Sauron, just not in direct alliance with the Fellowship or the other armies.
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Dwarves Fought Sauron’s Forces in Their Own Lands
During the War of the Ring, the Dwarves were engaged in their own struggle. After reclaiming Erebor in The Hobbit, the Dwarves established a powerful kingdom in the north. This made them a target for Sauron.
One of Sauron’s messengers traveled to Erebor, asking about “Baggins.” The Dwarves did not betray Bilbo (Ian Holm). Instead, they refused to give any information and warned Bilbo about the danger.
This moment is significant because it shows the Dwarves’ loyalty. Gimli’s presence in the Fellowship is further proof of their commitment. He does not appear in Rivendell by chance. He is there to warn of the threat Sauron poses and to offer help.
His willingness to fight proves that the Dwarves stand against Sauron. However, the Dwarves of Erebor do much more than simply send Gimli. Even though the films do not show them, they fight with great courage.
After the events of The Hobbit, the Dwarves and the Men of Dale form a strong alliance. Both kingdoms refuse to serve Sauron, which makes them enemies of the Dark Lord.
In response, Sauron sends an army of Easterlings from Rhûn to attack them. This leads to The Battle of Dale, which takes place around the same time as the final events of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
In the extended edition of the film, Gimli expresses his wish for Dwarven reinforcements. Legolas (Orlando Bloom) responds by saying that the Dwarves cannot come because they are already fighting their own battle. Legolas is an Elf, and Elves do not usually defend Dwarves.
However, even he does not doubt the Dwarves’ courage. This short moment confirms that the Dwarves are fighting just as hard as the other free peoples of Middle-earth.
Dwarves Indirectly Help the Fellowship’s Mission
Even though the films do not show the Dwarves’ battle, their efforts make a big difference in the war. The Battle of Dale weakens Sauron’s forces by forcing him to send a large portion of his army to the north. This prevents him from using the Easterlings in the battles that take place in the south.
The Easterlings are powerful warriors, and they greatly increase Sauron’s army size. If they had been available to fight against Gondor and Rohan, the war would have been much harder for the heroes.
The Dwarves’ decision to resist Sauron forces him to fight on multiple fronts. This unexpected resistance benefits the Fellowship and all those fighting for Middle-earth’s freedom.
At the final battle, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) leads the armies of the West to challenge Sauron. His goal is to distract the enemy and draw attention away from Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin), who are making their way through Mordor. At the same time, the Dwarves of Erebor are doing something similar.
According to J. R. R. Tolkien’s timeline, The Battle of Dale begins nearly two weeks before the Battle of Morannon, where Aragorn fights Sauron’s army. The battle in Dale lasts two days longer than the one at the Black Gate. This means that, even though they do not coordinate with Aragorn, the Dwarves are helping to divide Sauron’s focus.
Sauron is a powerful enemy, but even he cannot fight everywhere at once. The war against the Dwarves forces him to send troops to the north, reducing the number of forces he has in the south. This creates a better chance for the Fellowship and the other armies to succeed. The films do not show this, but it is an important part of the full war.
The Dwarves’ Role Deserves Recognition
The Lord of the Rings films focus on the battles that directly involve the Fellowship. Because of this, many fans do not realize that the Dwarves play a big role in the war. Their decision to resist Sauron helps Middle-earth in ways that are not immediately obvious.
Gimli is an important character in the films, and his presence alone represents the loyalty of the Dwarves. However, his people are fighting their own battle, even if the audience does not see it. The Dwarves do not run from the war, and they do not ignore the danger. They fight back with the same courage as any other group.
If the Dwarves had not resisted Sauron, the War of the Ring could have turned out differently. Their battle prevents the Easterlings from reinforcing Sauron’s armies. This weakens the enemy and makes victory possible for the heroes.
Even though the films do not show them fighting, the Dwarves deserve recognition for their bravery. Their unseen battle plays an essential part in the defeat of Sauron and the protection of Middle-earth.
