Barahir Betrayed

Morgoth was unsettled by the rumors he heard of Húrin and Huor. And he desired more than anything to know the fate of Finrod and Turgon. For he knew they were not dead but also vanished out of knowledge. Morgoth heard of Nargothrond but did not know where to find it and of Gondolin he knew nothing at all. Morgoth began withdrawing his hosts to build up more strength. He had miscalculated the strength of the Noldor and Men and did not know the strength. Although, he did send out more and more spies to learn what he could.

To his lieutenant Sauron Morgoth gave the command to find and destroy Barahir and his twelve companions. Barahir would not forsake his homeland of Dorhonion even though it was overrun by the enemy. One of his companions Gorlim was very desperate of he greatly loved his wife Eilinel. He knew not whether she was killed, captured, or fled. Often he would return to the ruins of his home hoping to find her. On such a time he he saw a light and her likeness in the window. Gorlim called to her and Sauron's hunters captured him and took him to their master.

He was tortured and for long revealed nothing. Finally, he relented when told he would be reunited with Eilinel being weary of pain and longing for his wife. Sauron assured Gorlim he would be reunited if he told everything. Intimidated by Sauron Gorlim complied. Sauron then revealed the vision of his wife had been an enchantment and she was dead, "'Nonetheless I will grant thy prayer,' said Sauron; 'and thou shalt go to Eilinel, and be set free from my service.' Then he put him cruelly to death." (p. 163, The Silmarillion).

Knowing the location of the outlaws Sauron's Orcs entrapped Barahir and his band and killed them all, save one. Beren, Barahir's son, was away from camp scouting the enemy. At night in a dream he was warned by a wraith of Gorlim of the betrayal of his father. He did not make it back to camp in time. He buried Barahir and tracked his killers. Beren was an excellent woodsman and made his way close to the Orc camp and killed their captain who boasted of the killings and held aloft Barahir's hand still bearing the ring of Finrod. Beren was able to retrieve the ring and escape being defended by fate. For Beren's fate will be crucial to the survival of Middle-earth.

Around 462 First Age Morgoth once again invaded Beleriand this time attacking Hithlum. The fighting was bitter but the Orcs could not take the pass into Dor-lómin. Galdor the tall, Lord of Dor-lómin and son of Hador Lórindol was killed. His son, Húrin defeated the Orcs and drove them out of Ered Wethrin. Húrin was now Lord of the House of Hador (originally Marach) and his wife, Morwen was of the house of Bëor, which was now almost destroyed. Fingon, now King of the Noldor, was outnumbered and on the verge of defeat by the latest onslaught of Angband. Fortuntaely Círdan rallied the Elves of Falas to come to his aid. They sailed up the Firth of Drengist and routed the Orcs.

About a year later more men entered into Beleriand from the East. These new come Easterlings were not loved by the Edain. Still Maedhros, knowing the inexhaustible supply of Angband, was quick to make an alliance with these new Men and their two chieftans were Bór and Ulfang. While Men's hearts were ever set toward the West during these days some of the Easterlings were in the service of Morgoth. Bór and his house served Maedhros and Maglor and would prove to be faithful. Ulfang's house served Caranthir and would prove to be faithless.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 460-463

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 160, 162-164, & 157
Relevant map: Beleriand