Try spamming refresh for like 5 minutes and then try and direct connect. Or just wait it out like the rest of us or get a better isengard dammed connection
i have been trying to get on this server for the past week and i have tried every thing and it always comes up with the connection lost message that Duck_grater posted
mc.empirewar.org (hub)
lotr.empirewar.org (siege)
version: 1.7.10 or 1.8 (use 1.7.10 if 1.8 dont work)
no modifications! that could mess you up.
not a strong enough wifi signal also.