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Old 12-28-2003, 06:13 PM   #1
Lefty Scaevola
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Chapter 18: "On the ruin of Beleriand and the fall of Fingolfin"

Synopsis

The chapter starts with Morgoth under siege in the fortified area, and the Noldorin Princes except for Fingolfin, Angrod, and Aegnor, lulled into security and comfort in the four century old kingdoms. Morgoth is so ticked off at this point, that he not only want to defeat the Noldor and take their Kingdoms, but also “to destroy and defile the lands that they had taken and made fair”.

He has the strategic advantages of central position, and lack one of the disadvantages, having a wide back door for communications and supply. He launches his battle, starting with a devastating technological surprise attack, the sudden flame, incinerating the close besiegers and the support on the Ard-galen, eliminating a large part of the full time and best warrior of the Noldor. The fires thus generated also disorganize the perimeter defenses of Dorthonion when the forest on the forward slopes of this plateau are ignited. The rest of the besieging armies and their support are swept from the plain (soon to be called Anfauglith {the choking dust}), by Morgoth’s armies, lead by Glaurung and the Balrogs. Vast armies of Orcs are mentioned. Presumably there are also troll, wargs, werewolves, and other forces, but they are not expressly mentioned. The Noldor are driven back to their fortified hill and mountain chains defending their kingdoms.
With clear strategy he severs communication between the wings of Noldorin forces by first destroying Dorthonion and Ladros, in the center. This means that the remaining power centers of the Noldor and their Allies are separated by many miles of enemy territory. Much of this isolation is only because of Thingol’s obstruction; refusing to coordinated Morgoth policy with the Noldor and their allies, and barring them from traveling through Doriath, and because of the horror of the Nan Dungorthreb.
Barahir saves Finrod, who makes his oath of gratitude and succor.
In the east, The pass of Aglon is forced and Celegorm and Curufin lose their lands and flee to Nargothrond, of all places. The Oathtakers’ forces are driven from the plains of Lothlann, Maglor’s gap, Mt Rerir, Lake Helevorn, and Thargelion, and East Beleriand between Thargelion and Doriath. Maglor joins Maedhros upon Himring, as do various other displace forces. Amrod, Amras, and Caranthir retreat south to Amon Ereb and hold there.
The high king Fingolfin goes berserk with rage and despair, and shining so much of his blazing spirit through, that what enemies he encounters flee, rides to the Gates of Angband, duels Morgoth, wounding him, and is slain. Fingon is now high King.
The remaining warriors of the first house of the Edain fight guerilla warfare, in Dorthonion, being driven back into its wilder areas, , and their women and children flee through the mountains to Brethil and Dor-Lomin.
Two years later, Sauron leads an army against the pass of Sirion and Minas Tirith on Tol Sirion, drives out Orodreth and takes it, using, it is implied, much sorcery. Using the passes open to him, he send raiding parties, spies, and covert agents into Beleriand. He has suffered so many casualties, that he cannot continued into Beleriand by main force and mass armies.
Morgoth summons men from east of the Ered Luin, and other come as well.. They ally with the Oathtakers, some are loyal, some not.
The Haladin and with aid from Doriath smack down an orc army in Northern Brethil, and stem the dark advance there. Maedhros manages to seal of the Pass of Aglon again.
Hurin and Huor, young princes of the Dor-Lomin, were in Brethil under the care of their uncle, Halmir Lord of the Haladin, at this time. While fighting the Orcs north of Brethil, they were cut off and driven across the Sirion into Dimbar. From here they were rescued by the Eagles and taken to Gondolin, and were taken into King Turgon’s household. After about a year Turgon released them under pledge of secrecy, and the eagles took them to Dor-Lomin. Some guess at their adventure and rumors reach Morgoth.
Turgon attempts to send messengers to Valinor, but the can not penetrate the enchantments defending it. Morgoth recalls his main forces for rebuilding and send forth yet more spies, in particular seeking information on Finrod’s and Turgon’s Kingdoms.
7 years after the Bragollach, Morgoth attacks Hithlum from the east and from the north, but is driven back with heavy loss by Hurin and Fingon, with aid from Cirdan.

Last edited by Lefty Scaevola : 12-29-2003 at 07:19 PM.
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