Wargs

The Wargs are the evil wolves that dwell beyond the Edge of the Wild, in the shadow of the goblin-infested mountains. They are not ordinary wolves but a distinct breed, named in the dreadful language of their kind, and they serve as the fierce allies of the goblins. Their presence is first felt when the company, having escaped the goblin tunnels, finds themselves surrounded by a pack in a forest glade. The Wargs' howling at the moon signals a gathering, and they quickly surround the trees where the dwarves and Bilbo have taken refuge, their eyes blazing and tongues hanging out. The Wargs are not merely beasts; they are intelligent and organized, capable of coordinated attacks and communication with goblins. They are described as having a keen sense of smell, even keener than goblins, and they do not need to see their prey to catch it. This makes them particularly dangerous, as even Bilbo's magic ring offers little protection against them. The Wargs' role in the story is to serve as the goblins' vanguard and hunting companions, often riding them into battle. During the Battle of Five Armies, the Wargs are part of the goblin host, and they are described as ravening, with a host of them coming with the bodyguard of Bolg. Their presence adds to the terror and chaos of the battle, and they are ultimately scattered or killed by the combined forces of elves, men, and dwarves, as well as by the intervention of Beorn and the eagles. The Wargs' defeat marks a significant victory, as they had long terrorized the lands near the Misty Mountains, and their disappearance allows men to travel abroad without fear.