Chapter 97

At the spur of the mountain where the rumbling is coming from, massive worms, hundreds of feet long and dozens of feet thick, break through the rocks. Their mouths are essentially giant drilling machines, strong enough to crush the toughest rocks in their jaws. The human, Elf, and dwarf armies look on in shock. Dain yelled, "Oh, come on!"

The worms suddenly retreat into the tunnels they'd made through the mountains approaching the Lonely Mountain. As the mist clears, we see Azog and a few other Orcs standing atop a hill. Behind them are several massive contraptions made of wood, rope, and cloth, meant as signaling devices. "Come forth my Armies!" As Azog gives a sign, one of the wooden structures opens up in a particular position, and a horn sounds. Immediately, legions of Orcs begin pouring out of the were-worm tunnels.

Dain yelled, "The hordes of hell are upon us! To battle! To battle, sons of Durin!" Dain and part of his army turn and rush toward the oncoming Orcs.

Fili yelled, "I'm going over the wall! Who's coming with me?" The other dwarves cheer and agree, preparing to climb down.

Thorin yelled, "Stand down!"

"What?"

Fili asked, "Are we to do nothing?"

Thorin yelled louder, "I said STAND DOWN!" As Thorin walks away, the other look on in shock and surprise. Meanwhile, as Dain and a company of his dwarves rush toward the oncoming Orcs, the Elves stay right where they are. The dwarves are clearly outnumbered by the Orcs.

Bilbo asked, "The elves, will they not fight?"

Gandalf yelled, "Thranduil! This is madness!" Thranduil looks back at the Iron Hills dwarves, who have stopped and built a shield wall with their massive spears pointed outward, led by the chants of the leader. The orcs are fast approaching the shield wall. Suddenly, right as the Orcs reach the dwarves, the Elves leap up over the shield wall from behind, wielding their swords, and begin raining down blows on the Orcs. As the Elves press forward, the dwarvish shield wall is raised and the dwarves rush forward, cutting down Orcs with their spears. Dain rides furiously through the Orcs, smashing them left and right with his hammer.

As the remaining elves march toward the battle, Gandalf, St. Anel and Bilbo are standing in one place. Bilbo asked, "Eh, Gandalf - Is this a good place to stand?"

St. Anel said, "Depending."

At the top of the hill, Azog commands his Orcs. Azog yelled, "Send in the War Beasts!"

The wooden signaling devices change their position to show a new signal. Gandalf, seeing the signal, looks toward the tunnels to see new legions of Orcs, including massive trolls and other monsters, come out. Thranduil shouts to his troops and the Elves stop and pull out their bows.