But for one exception: the Thane.
The Thane had long bided his time, unwilling to fully commit himself. As he had confided to Doc and Finli in private, he had intended to give the King and his followers time to show their true colours, so that many remaining whose loyalties were undecided would be able to make up their minds.
When the King’s Goblin army finally moved openly against His own people, the Thane sent most of his captains, including Loriman and Dornal, to lead several companies of defectors in a slow retreat, putting up only token resistance and sustaining as few casualties as possible. All the while, the remaining uncommitted soldiers spread across the Kingdom, now turned against the King, joining the growing ranks of defectors.
In this manner, the advance of the King’s Goblin army began to grind to a standstill. Having overestimated their chances of quick success, their supplies, which were inadequate for sustaining an extended campaign, began running low, and the King’s army was forced to withdraw. It was at this time that the remainder of the Elf soldiers from Valerian, most of whom were mercenaries, met with the defector’s army and sued for peace, after finally realising they had been betrayed. They were given but one choice; to turn and face the real enemy as the front line, or die.