As Aragorn is crowned the King of Gondor, the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth begin to explore the lands of Mordor which were closed to them for over a thousand years. Assisting Gandalf, the player learns of the Gúrzyul - powerful servants of the Enemy which unlike the Nazgûl did not perish with him and continue to pose a danger to the people of Middle-Earth. One of the Gúrzyul known as Karazgar the Weeping Warrior has been suspiciously absent from the power struggle in Mordor, having escaped into the northern lands. The player character and Gandalf give chase after him, through the ruins of Dol Guldur into the halls of King Thranduil, eventually leading to the Kingdom Under the Mountain, now rules by Dain's son Thorin III. While running an errand for Thorin III in the Iron Hills, the player comes upon an artifact from Mordor - a Black Book which they deliver to Gandalf for safekeeping. Karazgar's forces assault Erebor but are repelled and a company of dwarves departs to reclaim their ancient strongholds in Ered Mithrin, believing them to be safe after the defeat of Sauron. They battle against Karazgar until Gandalf's reveals his weakness and learns that Karazgar desires the very book that he carries. Gandalf departs to the lands of Beornings in the Vales of Andiuin, where he and the player meet with the entourage of Lord Elrond who accompany Lady Arwen to her wedding in Minas Tirith.