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Old 07-20-2014, 12:51 PM   #24
denethorthefirst
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I wrote that the Dwarves of DURIN at least definitely fought on the good side. That is supported by Tolkien.

Unfinished Tales, History of Galadriel and Celeborn, Page 229, about the War of the Elves and Sauron:
Quote:
In black anger he (Sauron) turned back to battle; and bearing as a banner Celebrimbors body hung upon a pole, shot through with Orc-arrows, he turned upon the forces of Elrond. Elrond had gathered such few of the Elves of Eregion as had escaped, but he had no force to withstand the onset. He would indeed have been overwhelmed had not Saurons host been attacked in the rear; for Durin sent out a force of Dwarves from Khazad-Dum, and with them came Elves of Lorinand led by Amroth. Elrond was able to extricate himself, but he was forced away northwards ... and (Sauron) turned upon the Dwarves ... whom he drove back; but the gates of Moria were shut, and he could not enter. Ever afterwards Moria had Saurons hate, and all the Orcs were commanded to harry Dwarves whenever they might.
This is a bit contradictory; by "harry Dwarves" Tolkien probably meant "Dwarves of Durins Folk" because Sauron gave away rings to the other clans afterwards so at least tried to subdue them "diplomatically" at first. Of course that failed, and the hatred he felt for Durins Folk must have been extended to all the other Dwarves as well.
We know that by the End of the third Age he had recaptured 3 of the 7 Rings (probably through war): so its only logical to assume that at least by the time of the Third Age the relationship between Sauron and the rest of the Clans was as broken as that between Sauron and Durins Folk. The fact that the Dwarves of ALL seven Houses fought a massive war of annihilation against the Orcs of the Misty Mountains from III 2793-2999 is further proof that at least by the time of the late Third Age Sauron had absolutely no control over the Dwarves.
Because of the close relationship between Eregion and Khazad-Dum the Dwarves of Moria also probably knew of the danger of their Ring and (just like the Elves) never wore it during the Second Age while Sauron had the One (so even IF the Dwarves of Moria could somehow be dominated through their ring, Sauron would not have been able to achieve that because they refused to wear it). And maybe they passed their knowledge on to the other Houses (i think thats rather likely).

The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power, Page 266:
Quote:
The Dwarves indeed proved tough and hard to tame; they ill endure the domination of others, and the thoughts of their hearts are hard to fathom, nor can they be turned to shadows. They used their rings only for the getting of wealth; but wrath and an overmastering greed of gold were kindled in their hearts, of wich evil enough after came to the profit of Sauron.
So Sauron failed to directly dominate the Dwarves, he only profited indirectly. Maybe this wrath lead to infighting, or it was this greed that pushed the dwarves to dig ever deeper for mithril (and awaken/release the balrog) and maybe this greed also lead to the massive wealth of erebor that eventually attracted smaug.
But while the Dwarven Rings indirectly lead to evil, the Dwarves certainly did not bow to Sauron and become his servants, they are just too stubborn and proud.

Page 271, about the Battle of Dagorlad:
Quote:
Of the Dwarves few fought upon either side; but the kindred of Durin of Moria fought against Sauron.
Again: Even IF (big if) Sauron dominated the eastern Houses of the Dwarves during the second Age, how come so few were willing to fight for him? I guess those few were either mercenaries or small detachments sent for political/diplomatic reasons. The Dwarves cant always take the moral high road of the Elves because they are not immortal and dont have a valinorean "safety ticket" that would allow them to fall back on the Valar, they have to live, stay and die in Middle-earth and are forced to compromise.

Im sure there more quotes to be found, but i think thats enough for now.

Last edited by denethorthefirst; 07-27-2014 at 03:31 AM.
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