The Hobbit Title
With the third and final installment of The Hobbit just around the corner, many fans of Tolkien and Middle-earth are both anxious to see and dreading the events to come. With the cliffhanger we were left with at the end of The Desolation Of Smaug, there is no doubt the next movie will be filled with death and destruction. As if to emphasize this, the title of the final film is The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies. However, most people are unfamiliar with what exactly “The Battle Of The Five Armies” is or what the “Five Armies” are. Before it can be explained, beware! Many potential spoilers lurk ahead.

The Battle of The Five ArmiesNow, anyone that is familiar with The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings knows what transpires with Smaug the dragon. Though, most average folk probably don’t know what happens after that. Based off of the title and the trailers that have been released thus far, it seems clear that dealing with Smaug will most likely be a small part of the movie and will probably be taken care of at the beginning of the film. The fallout of the battle, on the other hand, seems to be the main focus of the movie and rightfully so. Bard and the surviving humans of Lake-town are furious that their city was destroyed, so there is little to no surprise at the fact that they approach the mountain and demand payment from Thorin, the leader of the Dwarves. After all, it was the people of Lake-town that had to pay the price for the Dwarves reclaiming the mountain.

Meanwhile, Thranduil and the Elves of Mirkwood arrive and demand the treasure they mentioned in the second film. As is well-known in Tolkien’s world, Elves and Dwarves are not very fond of each other. Combine that with the fact that Thorin and his company were taken prisoner by Thranduil when Thorin refused the Elf King’s demands for said treasure during The Desolation of Smaug. Now that the mountain is free from Smaug with no one to defend it, the Elves can take what they want by force.

With war imminent, Thorin, now in possession of the Arkenstone, calls for the aid of his Dwarven kin and they answer the call by sending a massive Dwarven Army to the mountain. Unfortunately for everyone, there is still a massive army of Goblins marching for Thorin’s head. All of these armies are crossing each others paths right at the doorstep of Erebor, the Lonely Mountain.

But, wait! Isn’t that only four armies? There are the armies of the Dwarves, Humans, Elves, and Goblins. What about the fifth? Well, the fifth army is supposed to be Gandalf’s ever convenient giant eagles, but everyone will have to wait to see what Peter Jackson has in store. One thing can be counted on for sure and that is, no matter what happens, it will be epic. The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies will hit theaters on December 17.