The great alliance formed at the end of the Second Age between the Elves under Gil-galad and the Men of Gondor and Arnor under Elendil, in response to Sauron's military aggression. Their combined forces fought the Battle of Dagorlad before the gates of Mordor and laid siege to Barad-dur for seven years. Both Gil-galad and Elendil fell in the final combat with Sauron, but Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand, ending his dominion for a time.