Thus Men, Giants, and Dwarves, beside Gods, and those among Fairy Beasts who were still loyal to their masters, were victorious over the rebel creatures. The fall of the great Fairy Beasts brought about the end of the Second Age.
The Third Age saw the flourishing of mortal Kingdoms. The Kings of Men, Giants, and Dwarves, having subdued their ancient masters, at first devoted to civil progress, but then had to face the necessity to establish the precise boundaries of their Nations, which once more triggered the deadly clockwork of war. Great warlords rose, and the hosts came to battle again. Vain was the anguish of Elves, who repeatedly prayed the Bright Gods to intercede for the healing of the ambitious, fallen heart of mortal Kings. For the first time, though, the answer to those prayers
