Battle of Angmar
The Conflict
Prelude
A major development at this point would be the coming victory in the Second Dragon War combined with the hubris mentioned above. This would be Balin or Thror attempting to recolonize Moria. Remember, it was the dispossession of their home by Smaug that led to the War of Dwarves and Orcs. So that war never happens in this timeline as it does in the books. But now, it would. The Ring Wraith in Moria could not allow this colonization to happen. It would lead to the loss of the balrog, major armaments, troops and a strategic base of operations. Meanwhile, this strategic crossing in the Misty Mountains, the resources and base would flow to Mordor's enemies. This would be a major problem. Therefore, the result would be much the same. The colonists would be killed. The bodies would be mutilated and displayed at the Eastern Gates to intimidate the dwarves. But this of course would backfire. The rage would produce a massive dwarf mobilization in order to avenge the losses and retake the Misty Mountains. Thus the start of the War of Dwarves and Orcs. At the same time this is going on, there would be a growing conflict between Weathertop and Angmar. Sauron's actions with Smaug's attack and call for resistance in the Grey Mountains would also tip off Gandalf that something is up. Dragons mobilizing all at once and fighting in coordination with orcs would not be common. Similarly, normal orc attacks everywhere would probably be increasing. So Gandalf would up his game, attempting to develop his base of operations at Weathertop. But Angmar would naturally see that something is going on. Gandalf's attempts to be covert would probably lead to the Witch King not fully realizing what is going on. But the Witch King would suspect something. So a series of escalating small scale actions would occur as forces loyal to these hostile powers would occur. Each side would be attempting to hide the full extent of their own mobilization. Which then would lead to massacres - those who escape can report back to their superiors what happened. This intelligence might prove damaging. Meanwhile, prisoners would be valuable for interrogations. This would moderate both sides.
Deployment
But the start of the War of Dwarves and Orcs had a major problem for the rest of Middle Earth. Namely, all the dwarf clans were involved. That means the Blue Mountains. The possibility of reclaiming Moria, the glory of the apparently resurgent eastern dwarven realms and the desire for revenge would make it unlikely they would stay out of the fight. This means a huge dwarven army would be marching towards the Misty Mountains from the west. With the intent of clearing and retaking the entire area. Keep in mind that three of the Ring Wraiths would be put in jeopardy. Including Angmar - which Gandalf's Weathertop base is likely to be the most directly challenging. In the canon War of Dwarves and Orcs, the invasion started in the norther reaches and moved south. This again puts Angmar first in line to fall.
This then sees two camps emerge. First, a coalition of the Free People. The dwarven kingdoms, including the Blue Mountains as noted above, would be in play. The Lonely Mountain and Iron hills would be the largest contingents. Next would be Weathertop. This would be a small collection of Northern Rangers, Hobbitry in Arms, elven advisers/ trainers and dwarf mercenaries.
On the other side would be the Wraiths of the Misty Mountains - Angmar, Gundaband and Moria. Their armies would primarily be orcs of the Misty Mountains. Moria's Wraith would likely be able to gather some support from Durin's Bane too.
Battlefield
But here is the thing. In order for all these forces to meet up, they would have to cross the Misty Mountains. The easiest place to do this would be Gundaband in the far north of the Mountains. They would then move south. The result is a more coordinated and larger force able to clear all the orcs from the area. Then, Moria can be taken. But this would jeopardize Angmar.
The Engagement
Given the Cult of the Offensive, this would mean Angmar would not be idle. He would send his armies out to intercept the dwarves of the Blue Mountains. Ideally he would crush Weathertop in the process. But, as this would be forced on him rather than a war of choice, it is unlikely that the Witch King would have all the forces he would want. The Rangers we can expect would also give Gandalf the warning needed. We also know that if you kill orc commanders, the entire army will flee. The battle will take place in the open, where rangers and hobbits would seek to kill the leader. The Dwarves would use their phalanx to battle the orcs, but would have a hard time as the phalanx is not good in open terrain. So, this would likely be nearly defeated.
One of two things would happen. First, the orc commander will get killed in time, forcing the remainder of the orcs to retreat. Or there will be a defeat of the dwarves and their retreat to Weathertop. In this second case, the orc armies would be worn down in the battle and the stealth based units available can kill the leader then. This would again lead to a rout. But either way it would be a close battle that swings towards the Weathertop forces.
Hot pursuit of this force would lead them to Angmar. Hobbits, being more able to infiltrate, would be deployed to open the gate from the inside. Gandalf's scouting operations before would have likely identified the best locations to attack and the rough layout of the rebuilt fort. But it would likely be that while inside, the first official confirmation of the commander in chief for this theater would be a wraith. We must remember that the Wraiths would be trying to hide their direct involvement to prevent outsiders from discovering their identities. Clearly that would provoke an even harsher reaction from the Free People. So, the wraith would consider this intrusion a major emergency and throw himself into finding and attempting to kill the hobbit intruders.
In an act of desperation, the hobbit force would have to directly confront the Wraith. Due to their unconventional fighting style, fighting for their lives and an enemy that underestimates them, they would likely kill it. Yes, that would be bloody. But yes it would be possible. It is literally only men that can't kill them. After this, Angmar would fall. But this fall would likely hinge on the loss of forces outside Weathertop and the death of the Wraith. Then, dwarf skill in siege craft would go a long way as well.
Outcome
After the defeat of Angmar, the attack on Mt. Gundabad can take place. This would allow for the uniting of the eastern and western dwarven armies. Then, they would move south, crushing everything in their path. This is partly because two of the wraiths would have been booted from their bases of operation. Also, the dwarves would again be fighting in territory their fighting style is suited for. Then, Elven aid would probably be increasingly available the closer they get to Moria.
But an important other event would take place on this southern journey. Remember, Goblin-town is near Rivendell. It would naturally be a target for dwarven armies. Its orc population would also be of interest to Mordor's agents. But this is also where Gollum lives - with the One Ring. This is where Bilbo finds it. In my redone story, this is where the One Ring would be found. Obviously, in this context, luck is everything. It would be so easy to have either side stumble on it at this stage. For the sake of argument, lets say Bilbo finds it.
This series of battles would also fully confirm what Sauron is up to. Especially after the Witch King is identified and killed. The elves would no longer be able to sit back. They would recognize the threat of Sauron and his proxies in the area. They would probably therefore mobilize their troops to aid in the war. But, the resurgence of dwarves would threaten Lothlorien and Mirkwood. So, it is possible that they might use a form of bloodletting. This would mean all the training, financial assistance, arms, medical care, bases and even commanders that the dwarves could use. So long as the dwarves carry out as much of the fighting as possible. The threat of Mordor means they would do as much as possible to see a dwarven victory - but also want to see the dwarves lose as high of a proportion of the allied troops as possible. The waning and already weakened elves would need all their strength for later.
Another important impact of this would be the Rangers of the North. These are based in Arnor - the region that the fighting thus far has been taking place in. So there is practically no way they would not be involved. And which side they would be on is quite clear too. Angmar and the Witch King are literally what wiped out the Kingdom of Arnor. The elimination of them would bring security to their homes and defeat their longest running (and honestly only) major threat. The orcs and trolls that are constant annoyances to them would be knocked back in the process. There is clear logic to them going to war against the Ring Wraiths here.
It is also worth mentioning that Aragorn would be the leader of the Rangers of the North. Granted, the Battle of Five Armies took place ten years before Aragorn took over as Chieftain. In this version I propose here, Smaug's attack would be coming under Sauron's direct orders. But this more covert and cautious plan that I see being used would mean that only when things are fully in place would the attack take place. Gandalf would not want to be hasty either, so he might take his time too in preparing his forces. Nor would the dwarven colonization actions lead to instant continental wide war. All this to say that a 10 year gap between Battle of Five Armies and the War of Dwarves and Orcs in my proposed revisions would not be unreasonable to assume.
This means that Aragorn would be thrust directly into the center of events for the first time. And given the context of his involvement, it would make him well known and respected by the Dwarves before many others. Especially by those who will come to later settle Moria - an event that will come later.
Aftermath
The death of the Witch King alone would prove a major setback to Sauron. It would confirm to Gandalf to what he already likely suspects - that the Wraiths are active and thus this war is managed by Sauron. More important is the fact this one death reveals how Wraiths can be killed. The fact that it was the Witch King also costs Mordor the most powerful Wraith as well. Keep in mind that even with the power of Grond, the magic of the Witch King was needed for Mordor to breach the gates of Minas Tirith. The Witch King was also so powerful he was able to defeat (movie) Gandalf. Not even Durin's Bane was that good. So the loss of the Witch King would cost Mordor its most powerful asset outside the One Ring.
Hobbits would then be the core of a new fighting force effectively. Their mission would be to hunt down and kill the rest of the Wraiths. Possibly also assassinating other leaders, such as ship captains in Umbar. It would also mean that the rest of the wraiths would learn that such a fate could befall them. When their kingdoms are threatened, they would probably recognize that the game is up and retreat. This operation was never meant to be the endgame. They would retreat under pressure further down the Misty Mountains, then to Dol Goldur and eventually be forced back to Mordor.
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