The Wolves were four-legged carnivorous wild dogs which lived in Middle-earth.

Contents 1 Species 2 Society 3 History 4 Portrayal in adaptations 5 In other media 6 References 7 External link

SpeciesEdit

There were many types of wolves in Middle-earth like, and usually they lived in a pack in the wild and were one of the many different beasts in the world of Arda, these types included groups like White Wolves. However, wolves were sometimes dark beasts often used by agents of evil like the related Wargs and Werewolves. Sauron, during his service to Morgoth, took the shape of a wolf at least once.

SocietyEdit

Wolves, like many other animals in Arda (dragons, crows, bats, burden beasts, mumakil, etc.) naturally have nothing to do with forces of darkness and it's strange that they served the Dark Powers at times. Although it is known how they came into service. Carcharoth, Draugluin and the other evil wolves of the first age were just normal wolves possessed by evil spirits and the Wargs may have been descended from them.

HistoryEdit

It is unknown if wolves were created just as the other middle-earth beasts were created, or if they were created by Morgoth. During the first age, the only known time they fought for Morgoth was During the War of Wrath, most of the wolves were slain, but a few survived and fled to safety. During the third age the wolves who lived in Angmar pledged loyalty to The Witch King.  It is unknown if they joined by their own will or if they were forced to join the armies of Angmar against their will. They fought in many battles against Arnor and presumably continued to thrive in Angmar after its final defeat. After Sauron's final defeat, wolves most likely continued to survive, and most likely survived to this day.

Portrayal in adaptationsEdit

The Fellowship of the Ring, in the book, was attacked by a pack of wild wolves the night after they came down from Caradhras. Gandalf, who addressed the first wolf to attack as "Hound of Sauron" said after the fight was over, that the wolves weren't ordinary wolves because there were no bodies left nor any sign of the wolves at all. During the time of the War of the Ring, Saruman kept some wolves in Isengard. Also Gandalf sees Saruman's wolves while he is Saruman's prisoner at Orthanc.

In Peter Jackson's film trilogy, Wargs are present in The Two Towers. They attack the fleeing citizens of Edoras as they make for Helm's Deep, killing several soldiers of Rohan's small army before returning to Isengard. This attack only happens in the movie and is not used in the book.

In other mediaEdit

In The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king there are also Dire wolves in the Angmar faction.

ReferencesEdit

• The Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

External linkEdit

• Wolves at Tolkien Gateway