The Seleucids wrote:Hmm... Never saw anything about that...
It's a bit of an obscure source, but:
"When did Glorfindel return to Middle-earth? This must probably have occurred before the end of the Second Age, and the ’Change of the World’ and the Drowning of Numenor, after which no living embodied creature, ’humane’ or of lesser kinds, could return from the Blessed Realm which had been ’removed from the Circles of the World’. This was according to a general ordinance proceeding from Eru Himself; and though, until the end of the Third Age, when Eru decreed that the Dominion of Men must begin, Manwe could have supposed to have received the permission of Eru to make an exception in [Glorfindel’s] case, and to have devised some means for the transportation of Glorfindel to Middle-earth, this is improbable and would make Glorfindel of greater power and importance than seems fitting.
We may then best suppose that Glorfindel returned during the Second Age, before the ’shadow’ fell on Numenor, and while the Numenoreans were welcomed by the Eldar as powerful allies. His return must have been for the purpose of strengthening Gil-galad and Elrond, when the growing evil of the intentions of Sauron were at last perceived by them. It might, therefore, have been as early as Second Age 1200, when Sauron in person came to Lindon, and attempted to deceive Gil-galad, but was rejected and dismissed. But it may have been, perhaps more probably, as late as c.1600, the Year of Dread, when Barad-Dur was completed and the One Ring forged, and Celebrimbor at last became aware of the trap into which he had fallen."
- (HoME XII: The Peoples of Middle-earth, Last Writings (Glorfindel)
Essentially, after the drowning of Numenor, no living creature could return from the Blessed Realm by decree of Eru. The Elves could take the Straight Road if they wished to leave Middle-Earth, but could not return. According to Tolkien, at any rate.
Sure, but we don't know anything about the Blue Mountains either.... But well, we will never know so i guess we could go for and back forever on that one.
A fair point. I would simply note that Moria was the greatest realm of the Dwarves at its height, and deployed 50k; the Blue Mountains would necessarily be lesser, but even after a part of their folk were joined to the Iron Hills + remnants of Grey Mountain Holds + remnants of Moria, Erebor mustered 18k. Even if every single Dwarf was a soldier, not merely a militiaman or new willing recruit due to the danger, that argues for a more standard hold compared to Moria having a population capable of deploying less than 18k soldiers.
I dunno, maybe yes, maybe no...
I suppose Durin's Folk might have been overconfident in their defense, but that seems unlikely given the loss of Dale. All other things equal, it would make the most sense that Dain mobilized as many soldiers as he could give the dire need of his army and allies.
