The Glorious Battle

Around year 20 Fingolfin, now King of the Noldor, made a great feast. It was known as Mereth Aderthad the Feast of Reuniting. It was so named because nearly all Elves in Middle-earth were represented: Fingolfin's folk, Maedhros and Maglor represented the remnant of Feanor, Grey-elves, Cirdan and his folk from the Havens, even the secretive Green-elves of Ossiriand. Yet, Thingol sent only two representatives (Mablung and Daeron) from Doriath. This feast was often recalled with joy. I liken it to the fellowship of brothers in my life. Those special few men whom I can only see but a few times a year but my life is all the richer for it. And I look back on those times with fond memories.

Around year 50 Turgon, son of Fingolfin, sought his friend Finrod. They traveled together for a season. One night, as they camped by the river Sirion, Ulmo gave them dreams of foresight. Each was troubled but not saying a word to the other: "...it seemed that each was bidden to prepare for a day of evil, and to establish a retreat, lest Morgoth should burst from Angband and overthrow the armies of the North" (p. 114, The Silmarillion). Several years later Finrod and his sister Galadriel were guests of Thingol in Doriath being kinsmen and each would be overcome. Finrod by the splendor and might of Menegroth. He confessed his dream to Thingol whom helped him find a suitable place to build: within a deep gorge of the River Narog within hidden caves that few knew of.

Aided by the Dwarves, Finrod erected Nargothrond. The Dwarves were paid well for their work as Finrod brought the most treasure of any Noldor from Valinor. The Dwarves made Nauglamir, Necklace of the Dwarves, their greatest work of the Elder Days as a gift to Finrod Felegund (Hewer of Caves in the Dwarven tongue). In Nargothrond Finrod made his home. "Galadriel his sister went not with him to Nargothrond, for in Doriath dwelt Celeborn, kinsman of Thingol, and there was great love between them. Therefore she remained in the Hidden Kingdom, and abode with Melian, and of her learned great lore and wisdom" (p. 115, The Silmarillion). Turgon, meanwhile, did not find a suitable place to build his retreat and stayed idle. Ulmo himself appeared to him and led him into a hidden vale within the Encircling Mountains. Speaking to none upon his return to Nevrast by the Sea Turgon began planning the city he would build.

After roughly 60 years of peace Morgoth tested his foes once again thinking they had become idle. But Fingolfin and Maedhros were not. From either side of the Orc advance each attacked and crushed the enemy and pursued them within sight of Angband. Thus ended Dagor Aglareb, the Glorious Battle. It was the Third Battle of Beleriand. Though victorious the Elves tightened their defenses for they had not the strength to overthrow Thangorodrim. Fingolfin felt that only by treason from within could Morgoth breach their lines and he was correct. Morgoth was able to send out spies and sow seeds of dissension and learn about his enemies. "Thus Morgoth learned much of all that had befallen since the rebellion of Feanor, and he rejoiced, seeing therein the seed of man dissensions among his foes" (p. 116, The Silmarillion). Still the Siege of Angband would hold a fragile peace for the next 400 years or so.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age 20-60
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 113-116 and Unfinished Tales, page 233
Relevant map: Beleriand