Battle of Erebor

The Battle of Erebor was a major conflict and precursor to the War of. The battle served as a precedent for future Wood-Elf interventions and campaigns in the Northlands and Rhovanion, as the Wood-Elves saw the extent of their influence in Dale, Erebor and Dorwinion. The battle also weakened the Dwarves for almost a full year, after which they would rise again to avenge their losses against the Easterlings.

Prelude
After Thranduil ordered the closing of the Woodland Realm's borders, a company of Dwarves snuck into the Woodland Realm. Due to a misunderstanding in communication, the Wood-Elves loosed arrows at the Dwarves, who in turn slew an Elven Lord. After being captured, seven dwarves escaped and the remaining dwarves were tortured for information, and it was revealed their motive was to assassinate Thranduil to compel Dáin into a scouring of the Woodland Realm. As the escaped assassins reached Erebor first, they managed to fool Dáin into believing the Dwarves had been mercilessly killed, and the Dwarves met the Wood-Elves on the outskirts of Erebor to battle.

Battle
The battle began with the Wood-Elves, which were comprised of a majority of Wood-Elven scouts, delivered many volleys which killed a few Dwarves before Dáin and Gimli closed the distance between them, slaying many Elves. Legolas barely escaped with his life, and was almost run down when Reinwald charged in with a band of Rohirrim, slaying many Dwarves. Legolas was then reinforced by Thranduil's armies and the Wood-Elves/Rohirrim slowly pushed back the Dwarves, who fell back to set up a defense on a hill. Yet from behind their flank charged an army of Easterlings, led by Sathk, an Easterling Warlord, as well as Khamûl, the Nazgûl of Dol Guldur. The vast majority of the Dwarves died, before Legolas, Thranduil and Reinwald reinforced Dáin and Gimli's position, repelling the Easterling attack.

Aftermath
Though the battle is considered to have been won by the Wood-Elves and Rohirrim, casualties were widespread. There were no feasts or celebrations, and the Wood-Elves left after paying their respects to the Dwarven dead. Dáin surrendered to the Wood-Elves and agreed to execute the surviving Dwarven assassins, which coupled with the severe loss of life on the Dwarven front, dealt a serious and near-permanent blow to the morale of the Dwarves of Erebor. In bitter hatred for the East they would rise again, massacring many innocent Easterlings in later wars. Dol Guldur and Rhûdel quickly retreated, yet were met by a Mordor legion, whom directed them towards the retreating Wood-Elves.