Dwarves vs Elves

[Groin Redbeard]

OK, everyone's beginning to act screwy!

Originally Posted by Morthoron

You missed my point entirely, I am not judging Azaghal in regards to his brave last stand; however, I do question the Dwarves under his command who cared more for taking his body off the field and retiring from battle than finishing the fight (and avenging their Lord, which has a precedent elsewhere in Dwarvish history).

Good point here, but vengeance can be dealt out in more ways than one. My theory would be that the anger of the Dwarves was so great that it could not be directed at just the Orcs, actually I think it would be more out of love for Azagha but I'll let you decide. It was the Elves who led them to this battle and in the end they are blaming the Elves for something they couldn't prevent, therefore the best way to avenge their king is to leave the Elves to their own fate. A rather rash decision on their part but logic almost never prevails when you are overcome with grief.

Originally Posted by Morthoron

As far as Thingol, he was rude and brash and behaved like any absolute monarch (which is not usually a good thing), but the Dwarves had already decided to steal the Silmaril and Thingol divined their purpose. Killing a king was long considered reprehensible even among kingdoms who were at war with each other (Tolkien, seemingly an avid monarchist, would most likely be appalled by such an act of lese-majesty). A truly sly King would have seemed to acquiesce; but as soon as he was able, call his guards and slaughter each and every Dwarf without mercy. It doesn't really matter, it would have led to war in any case.

True it would eventually have led to war, but both parties were in the wrong. You forget that it was Thingol who lusted to the necklace of the Naugrim as well as the Silmaril.