In the end, Lord Elrond said no more. The words of Kaen and Thranduil left him without rebuttal.
Rivendell, since its founding, had enjoyed five or six millennia of peace, guarded by Elrond and Glorfindel. Yet Kaen and Thranduil lived different truths. Their kingdoms had been scarred deeply by the powers of Darkness, so much so that only war—bloody and sacrificial—could quench their wrath.
Elrond knew he could not forbid this war. But as a teacher, he must do something for Kaen, or at least offer counsel.
"If your will is set," he said gravely, "then I will not stand in your way. Rivendell will not commit its host to this war, but I myself shall march with you, and face Sauron beside you."
Kaen and Thranduil nodded.
Unlike the populous realms of their allies, Rivendell had long kept its numbers around ten thousand, with scarcely three thousand warriors it could call upon. In the struggle for the High Pass and now the battle for Tusgar, Elrond had already lost half of the thousand Noldor he brought. They could not hope to stand in a war of such magnitude.
So, after counsel, Elrond resolved to station the five hundred surviving Noldor at the High Pass, in exchange for the release of its heavy infantry to reinforce Kaen.
Thus was the campaign against Dol Guldur settled. The next step was to muster the armies.
During the Battle of the Lonely Mountain, the northern realms of the East had sworn an alliance of defense. Now that pact was awakened.
When tidings of Tusgar's ruin reached Dale, Erebor, and the Iron Hills, Bard, Thorin Oakenshield, and Dáin Ironfoot were filled with fury. For Kaen was a man of renown in the North.
It was through him that Dale and Erebor had risen anew. He had placed the crowns upon Bard and Thorin's brows, and bound himself to them in friendship. By letter he had often instructed them—as Elrond had taught him—in the arts of kingship. Even Dáin, gruff and stubborn, had benefited greatly, and regarded him with profound respect.
Now, to hear that Tusgar had been laid waste by northern Orcs, half its city reduced to rubble—how could these kings not be enraged? Each sent word: they would march in person, leading their hosts to war.
But before the hosts arrived, much work was needed. The Orc-corpses were cleared, the land purified with spells. Fallen heroes were laid to rest. Citizens began the rebuilding of the western city.
Kaen took all the burden of supply upon his shoulders. In Eowenría, the land yielded thrice a year. Grain and goods were never wanting. Soldiers of the realm jested that there were only two ways to die in Kaen's kingdom: to be slain in battle, or to be stuffed to death with food.
Beyond this, Kaen prepared to offer the Woodland Realm a great treasury, to make recompense for the grievous losses they had borne in the siege. But Thranduil refused.
"My warriors died resisting the Dark—that is their honor," he said firmly. "If I took your gold, their sacrifice would be reduced to mere transaction. I know your heart does not mean so, yet I cannot accept it."
Kaen considered, then yielded. "If you will not take my gold, then for your fallen I must offer something else. After Dol Guldur is taken, I shall grant your realm a portion of my radiance."
At this, Thranduil's eyes lit. "Gladly will I accept. Your light is worth more to Elves than all the treasures of the earth. I know its worth."
For Kaen's radiance could stir life itself, and banish the stains of Shadow. When last Thranduil had permitted five thousand Elves to serve with Kaen, Kaen had gifted him a white gem infused with his light. Its glow had stirred in Thranduil the memory of the Silmarils of old. Though it dimmed after almost two years had passed, its effects lingered.
Under its blessing, in a single year more than ten thousand Elven couples of the Woodland Realm had been blessed with children. A miracle, for Elves are slow to bear children—three years to carry, six more to recover.
Now Kaen offered a portion of his light itself. Thranduil knew what this meant: his realm would flourish, perhaps even regain its ancient glory.
….
A month passed. Armies well-armed and ordered gathered in Tusgar.
From Erebor and the Iron Hills came thirty thousand dwarven heavy infantry.
From Dale came ten thousand warriors.
From the Woodland Realm came fifteen thousand Silvan Elves and five thousand Sindar.The full might of the Kingdom of Wood Elves.
From Eowenría came two thousand heavy cavalry, two thousand heavy infantry, ten thousand mounted archers, ten thousand foot-archers, and ten thousand Caladhîn.
In all, a host nearing one hundred thousand had assembled.
At the heart of Tusgar, beneath the Tower, Kaen convened the war council. The kings who had come from afar looked upon the devastation of the Western Tusgar, and their faces were grave.
"Kaen," Thorin spoke first, voice deep and regretful. "Forgive us. We did not come in time for the battle. Had we known sooner, perhaps this city would not be a ruin."
"It is no fault of yours," Kaen said, shaking his head. "Your realms lie too far, and the storm came too suddenly. Even had I foreseen it, there was no time to summon you."
Bard bowed his head. "Still, it was our failing, that we did not honor our bond as allies as Thranduil did."
Dáin drained his cup, then rose with fire in his eyes. "We missed the battle, aye—but we shall not miss the next. We'll ride at the fore, and smash those Orc-skulls to dust!"
Hearing the three kings speak thus, Elrond gave a quiet nod. He saw now that his pupil bore a renown unmatched, his words carried weight as a king of kings.
Then Elrond stood and said: "Our hosts are gathered in Tusgar. Such a vast host must be united under one command. Who do you deem worthy?"
At once, all eyes turned to Kaen.
Thranduil spoke: "Among us all, each is king or war-leader. But one who is both, and excels in both, none here surpasses Lord Kaen. I believe he alone can lead us to victory."
"I agree," Thorin said at once.
"As do I," Bard affirmed.
"If it is Lord Kaen," Dáin thundered, "then my warriors will follow his banner."
None gainsaid it, not even Elrond, who bore no host but his wisdom, and who was glad to see it so.
Thus Kaen was named Supreme Commander of the Host.
At the feast that followed, Kaen stood before the assembled kings and spoke:
"Angmar is broken. Now our task is to strike Dol Guldur, to cleanse the Shadowed Wood. This is not one man's war, nor one realm's, nor one race's—it is the war of all the North.
"If we win, no dark stronghold will remain in the northern lands. We shall trade freely, prosper freely, grow strong together. The tragedy of Tusgar will not be repeated. The servants of Darkness shall be driven forth.
"For this, no price is too dear."
Elrond lifted his voice: "For the North,victory!"
And all the host answered in thunder:
"For the North,victory!"