After Dagor Bragollach

Turgon learned of Dagor Bragollach but did not allow his people to go to war. Though Gondolin was strong he did not think the time was right to reveal that strength. He did send some of the Gondolindrim secretely to the Isle of Balar for he saw the downfall of the Noldor in the breaking of the Siege of Angband. There his servants built ships and attempted to sail to Valinor to seek pardon and aid from the Valar. None found their way.

For two years after Dagor Bragollach the Noldor still held the western passes of the Sirion River because of the power of Ulmo that remained in the waters. Eventually Morgoth's chief lieutenant, Sauron, attacked Minis Tirith and took it. "Sauron was become now a sorcerer of dreadful power, master of shadows and of phantoms, foul in wisdom, cruel in strength, misshaping what he touched, twisting what he ruled, lord of werewolves; his dominion was torment" (p. 156, The Silmarillion). In Sauron's possession the stronghold became known as the Isle of Werewolves.

As Morgoth's victories continued Orcs went further abroad and pursued their enemies relentlessly. Holding the western passes he could now search the woods of Beleriand. He sent his spies across the land to spread fear and lies. And because of the Kinslaying long ago the lies were too readily believed and the Elves began to doubt one another. Fear and despair reigned among the Noldor. They most feared their own kin who had been captured by Morgoth. Often he let captives free after their wills were chained to his own purposes by torture. Those that came out of Angband could not be trusted even those who truly won escape from Morgoth and they were forced to live as outlaws and exiles.

I like the background of Sauron that Tolkien gives. He is growing in power and will become the feared foe of Middle-earth in due time. I believe we are starting to see a major Tolkien theme fleshed out here: hope verses despair. Much of the backdrop of Middle-earth is bleak. Yet the truly memorable characters from this landscape are the ones who do not give up hope and continue to move forward. Indeed, what makes many of Tolkien's characters so accessible, be they Elves, Men, Hobbits, or Dwarves is that they know suffering just as you and I do.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 456-458
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 159 & 155-156