And now we come to the great battle of the First Age: Nirnaeth Arnoediad, The Battle of Unnumbered Tears. The strength of the Elves, Men and Dwarves is mustered and a plan devised. Maedhros would lead a host over the open plains of Anfauglith to draw out Morgoth's forces. Then Fingon, hiding in the hills, would ambush the armies of Angband. Together they would break Morgoth's army "...as between anvil and hammer" (p. 190, The Silmarillion).
On midsummer's day the battle began. Fingon beheld his great force hidden in the hills including the host of Dor-lómin led by brothers Húrin and Huor. Still Fingon's heart was troubled and he could see no sign of Maedhros' advance. Unbeknownst to Fingon Maedhros' force had been stalled by false reports spread by Uldor and his Men secretly in the service of Morgoth. Unlooked for, raising the spirits of Fingon, came his brother Turgon leading an army of 10,000 strong from Gondolin. Morgoth knowing much of his enemies plans had issued a secret force to meet Fingon's army to draw them out of the hills by whatever means. They marched to even within eyesight of Fingon's outposts but no attack came. Húrin spoke against leaving the hills to fight warning "'...them beware of the guile if Morgoth, whose strength was always greater then it seemed, and his purpose other than he revealed'" (p. 191, The Silmarillion).
The hosts of Morgoth brought forth a prisoner, Gelmir of Nargothrond, whom had been blinded. "...they hewed off Gelmir's hands and feet, and his head last, within sight of the Elves, and left him" (p. 191, The Silmarillion). Only one company had issued forth from Nargothrond for the battle and they were led by Gwindor brother of Gelmir. He saw the slaying of his brother and his rage could not be contained. He flew after the Orcs on horse followed by his troops and Fingon released his soldiers as well. The rage and strength of Fingon's troops almost broke Morgoth on the spot. Gwindor fought all the way to the gates of Angband. Morgoth issued forthhist greatest force composed of Balrog's, wolves, dragons and Glaurung. Haldir, Lord of the people of Haleth was killed in the fighting along with most of the Men of Brethil. Gwindor's companions were killed but he was taken as captive into Angband. Turgon, wishing to aid Fingon his brother, issued his army into the battle.
Turgon and his guard hewed their way to Fingon and there a great reunion took place. For Húrin and Huor fought beside Fingon and Turgon was overjoyed to meet the brothers again. In that desperate hour Maedhros' army joined the fray. Things were looking hopeful yet Glaurung stood in between the two allied forces keeping them from joining as had been the plan. "Yet neither by wolf, nor by Balrog, nor by Dragon, would Morgoth have achieved his end, but for the treachery of Men" (p. 192, The Silmarillion). Ulfang betrayed Maedhros' force attacking it from the rear while summoning hidden soldiers in the eastern hills. There, assailed by three sides, Maedhros' army broke. Though all the sons of Fëanor were wounded none were killed and they fled from battle.
The Dwarves with Maedhros stood firm. Being a hardy folk and wearing armor that protected them they withstood the dragon onslaught. Glaurang finally struck Azaghâl, their leader, and crawled over him. Yet even near death Azaghâl stabbed his knife into the fell beast's underbelly sending Glaurang wounded from battle. The dwarves ceased fighting, lifting up the body of their leader, singing a dirge, and left the war. Meanwhile Fingon and Turgon were outnumbered and outmatched by Orcs and Balrogs. Fingon became cut off from Turgon and Húrin and he was killed by Gothmog Lord of Balrogs. "Thus fell the High King of the Noldor; and they beat him into the dust with their maces, and his banner, blue and silver, they trod in the mire of his blood" (p. 193-194, The Silmarillion). The battle was lost.
Húrin and Huor implored Turgon to escape to Gondolin. They knew his escape would cause doubt in Morgoth and give hope to his enemies. But Turgon felt it would not be long before Gondolin too was discovered. Huor responded, "'Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and from me a new star shall arise. Farewell!'" (p. 194, The Silmarillion). Maeglin heard those words but said nothing. Fingon heeded the counsel of the brothers and retreated into the hills and out of Morgoth's grasp and sight. Ecthelion and Glorfindel guarded Turgon's flanks on the retreat. While Húrin and Huor and what men they could muster defended the rear guard.
"Thus the treachery of Uldor redressed; and of all the deeds of the war that the fathers of Men fought in behalf of the Eldar, the last stand of the Men of Dor-lómin is most renowned" (p. 194, The Silmarillion). I literally tear up every time I read those words. At the Fen of Serech by the stream Rivil they stood there ground against the onslaught to allow Turgon time to escape. Huor died by a poisoned arrow through the eye. The others died one by one. Finally, only Húrin remained, wielding a two-handed axe fought valiantly. Seventy times Hurin swung his axe and each time Hurin cried out: "'Aure entuluva! Day shall come again!'" (p. 195, The Silmarillion). Finally he was overtaken and by Morgoth's command kept alive and brought to Angband.
Great was the victory by Morgoth. Men and Elves were estranged (only the Three Houses of the Edain were ever after trusted by Elves), Fingon was dead and his realm destroyed, the sons of Fëanor were like leaves blown in the wind. Men, Elves, and Dwarves lost many a valiant soldier. To the Easterlings that betrayed the alliance Morgoth gave the land of Hithlum where the People of Hador resided and not the rich lands of Beleriand that were promised. Orcs and wolves roamed Beleriand freely save the forest of Ossiriand where the Green Elves resided and Doriath which was still protected by the Girdle of Melian.
Many Elves fled to the Havens and there Círdan put up a last defense. Eventually Morgoth assailed the Havens and many of his people were killed and retreated to the Island of Balar. Among these were Gil-Galad, son of Fingon, who had been living in the Havens since Dagor Bragollach. Círdan could only hold a small port at the mouth of the Sirion river to aid the escape of those who might come. This was an utter defeat and Morgoth's reign over Middle-earth never looked more secure.
I've really latched on to the picture of Húrin swinging his two-headed axe before being captured. For me it's a very vivid analogy for my life. As I struggle through personal failures, added responsibilities, and the overwhelmingly mundane of life I think of Húrin. He could have escaped and ran for his life to live the rest of his days in the shadows. But he didn't. could have given up. It was a hopeless situation so why keep fighting? But he didn't. He could have faltered in fear with the forces of darkness all around him and his friends gone. But he didn't. Rather he swung his axe. Again and again. Seventy times over crying out: "'Aure entuluva! Day shall come again!'" (p. 195, The Silmarillion). It's a picture of violent persistence. I will not give up. I will not go down with out a fight. This has been my battle cry in life in the hard times in the last few years of my life. And though darkness is around me and can seem unconquerable I hold on hope, estel, that day shall come again.
Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 472
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 190-196
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