Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin

"We have a long way to go, and there is time ahead for thought." — Treebeard This article or section is in the early stages of construction and should not be viewed as complete, or even close to being finished.

The Silmarillion chapters

Ainulindalë Valaquenta Quenta Silmarillion Of the Beginning of Days Of Aulë and Yavanna Of the Coming of the Elves Of Thingol and Melian Of Eldamar Of Fëanor Of the Silmarils Of the Darkening of Valinor Of the Flight of the Noldor Of the Sindar Of the Sun and Moon Of Men Of the Return of the Noldor Of Beleriand and its Realms Of the Noldor in Beleriand Of Maeglin Of the Coming of Men Of the Ruin of Beleriand Of Beren and Lúthien Of the Fifth Battle Of Túrin Turambar Of the Ruin of Doriath Of the Fall of Gondolin Of the Voyage of Eärendil Akallabêth Of the Rings of Power

Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin is the eighteenth chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion section within The Silmarillion.

Synopsis

Fingolfin's wrath by Ted Nasmith

After the tribes of the Edain had entered Beleriand and strengthened the forces of the Noldor, Fingolfin began trying to rally the Noldor and Edain together for an attack against the fortress of Morgoth. He was met with resistance, however, for the Noldor had grown complacent, loving their new realms and power. They were also fearful of the wrath of Morgoth, knowing that even a victory would come at heavy cost.

At last, during winter, Morgoth attacked the Noldor. Great fires erupted out of the Iron Mountains and burned the great plains of Ard-galen, forever scarring them into a vast desert. Many Noldor were killed in the blaze, which reached as far down as Dorthonion before stopping.

Great armies poured forth from Angband as well, led by the great dragon, Glaurung. The combined strength of these armies was enough to break the power of the elves, ending the Siege of Angband forever.

Many of the Sindar fled to the realms of Doriath or Ossirand. Others took refuge in the realm of Nargothrond. The king, Finrod Felagund, went north to aid his brothers Angrod and Aegnor. But he was too late, as they were both killed. And he himself soon came into peril, being saved only by the timely intervention of the man Barahir of the house of Beor, who intervened at the Fen of Serech to stop the Orcs. Finrod gave Barahir his emerald eyed ring in gratitude. and swore to aid the house of Barahir should they need it.

In the northwest, Hithlum was hard pressed by the Orcs as well. Hador Golden-head was slain, leaving his house to his son Galdor. Due to their strength, and the strength of the Elves, Hithlum remained in the face of Morgoth's attack. But they were cut off from the rest of the Elves by legions of Orcs.

The Sons of Fëanor suffered a catastrophic defeat as well. Celegorm and Curufin were driven to seek refuge in Nargothrond. Maedhros led a defense and stopped the Orcs for a small time, but soon Glaurung attacked and opened Maglor's Gap, forcing the Fëanorian elves south. Caranthir, Amrod, and Amras were all driven south and joined with the Green-elves of Ossirand. Maedhros and Maglor eventually joined on the hill of Himling and defended against the onslaught as best they could.

Word would reach Fingolfin of all of these catastrophes, causing him to perceive the complete devastation of the Noldor. In madness and grief, he mounted his horse and rode out from Hithlum across Dor-nu-Fauglith. His rage was so great that he was mistaken for Oromë, the huntsman of the Valar. Fingolfin rode up to the very gates of Angband, challenging Morgoth to single combat.

And Morgoth came.

Fingolfin openly insulted Morgoth, calling him a coward and a tyrant. Morgoth had no choice but to answer Fingolfin's challenge, lest his own captains think him unfit to lead. Taking the great hammer of the underworld called Grond, Morgoth emerged from the black depths of Angband and attacked Fingolfin.

Fingolfin's great sword Ringil wounded Morgoth seven times, and whenever Morgoth attacked, Fingolfin would leap out of the way, causing the great hammer to leave a massive rend in the earth where the elf-king once stood. This duel raged on, and the forces of Morgoth quailed, their cries filling the North.

But Fingolfin was an Incarnate, and Morgoth was an Ainu. Fingolfin could grow tired, where as Morgoth did not. And grow tired, Fingolfin did. At last, his strength failed, and Morgoth struck Fingolfin, smashing him with his great hammer. Morgoth placed his boot onto Fingolfin, intending to crush him to pieces, but with his last stroke, Fingolfin stabbed the foot of Morgoth with Ringil. The hurt was so great that Morgoth would limp forever after, and the pain of his wounds would never subside.

Fingolfin died after this, but Morgoth could not even exact revenge, for Thorondor swept down from the heavens and clawed at his face, scarring it forever. Thorondor grabbed the king's body and flew away, taking it to Gondolin, where Turgon would build a great carin (or tomb) that no Orcs could ever pass by while Gondolin endured. Fingolfin would be succeeded by his son Fingon as High-King of the Noldor.

=External links

• Chapter discussion at Entmoot.com=