[Legendarium, The Silmarillion] – Background Information Lord of the Rings – History of the Legendarium Part 8 - Dagor Bragollach, Duel of Morgoth and Fingolfin, Death of Fingolfin
Years of the Sun – First Age
Birth of Hurin, Huor and Beren
Beren the main character of Beren and Luthien from House of Beor was born from Barahir and mother Emeldeir. Barahir was the chieftain of House Beor and the original bearer of the Ring of Barahir which was a gift from Finrod, the king of the Realm of Nargothrond that he shall receive for saving Finrod during Dargor Bragollach.
Hurin iis the main character of The Children of Hurin and he was born from House of Hador from his paternal side while his mother was from House of Harleth. Huor was the younger brother of Hurin. The fate of Middle Earth was vigorously shifted by the birth of Hurin and Beren.
Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of Sudden Flame
During the Siege of Angband, while men have been continuously migrating into Beleriand and the elves couldn’t break through the fortresses of Angband. Morgoth has been continuously preparing for war and initiates a surprise attack on the elves by the eruption of the Thangrodorim and the volcanoes of the Iron Mountains.
The eruption of the volcanoes onto the elves marked the start of Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of Sudden Flame and numerous elves were killed by the lava and flames while it also burned the plains of Ard-Galen(Anfauglith)The balrogs and Glaurung would lead endless numbers of orcs and marched south.
Dagor Bragollach – Fall of Dorthonion and the Ring of Barahir
Dorthonion was the gateway to Beleriand and the strategic stronghold that linked the Noldor elves of House of Feanor located at the east and the Noldor elves of House of Fingolfin located at the west. Morgoth’s top priority for his conquest was Dorthonion and endless waves of the dark armies of Morgoth invaded Dorthonion.
Finrod from Realm of Nargothrond attempted to relief Dorthonion which was guarded by his own brothers Aegnon and Angrod who were also the brothers of Galadriel.
However, Finrod himself was trapped and surrounded by the orcs, trolls and the dark armies of Morgoth on his path. Barahir, the chieftain of House of Beor and his men came to the rescue of Finrod. Barahir successfully rescued Finrod and evacuated him from the orcs.
Finrod has gifted the Ring of Barahir and promised the friendship of the Noldor House of Finarfin to the members of House Beor.
However, Dorthonion fell into the hands of Morgoth and Aegnon and Angrod the younger brother of Finrod and older brothers of Galadriel of House Finarfin were both killed in action as well.
Dagor Bragollach – Gil-Galad is sent to Cirdan
Orodreth who was the son of Angrond of House Finarfin, was the father of Gil-Galad. While Orodreth was guarding Minas Tirith(This is not the Minas Tirith of Gondor), Orodreth would send Gil-Galad to the west coasts of Beleriand to Cirdan for his safety.
Gil-Galad would later become the final Noldor elf king of Middle-Earth, as the king of Lindon. Gil-Galad was the wielder of the Ring of Air Vilya and Gil-Galad was the Noldor elf king that led the Last Alliance of Elves and Men against Sauron.
Elrond was the lieutenant of Gil-Galad and took Gil-Galad’s place as Gil-Galad has died together with Sauron(In the novel, Gil-Galad and Elendil together defeated Sauron while the in the movie, Isildur does)
Dagor Bragollach – The Feanrorians and the Pass of Aglon
There were a total of seven sons of Feanor from the eldest to the youngest, Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, and the twins Amrod and Amras(There is dispute over Amrod and Amras with contradicting stories that they’ve remained in the boats when Feanor burned the boats on Beleriand while both appear in the upcoming third kinslaying. Nevertheless)
Maedhros’s land Himring was at the northeast of Beleriand and was the frontline against Morgoth. Maglor was defending the east of Himring while Caranthir was defending the rear of Maglor.
Celegorm and Curufin was defending the Pass of Aglon which was the most important strategic point among the Feanorian’s territory.
The Pass of Aglon was the only passage to Beleriand from the east. Morgoth’s forces hit the Pass of Aglon hard and successfully took over the Pass of Aglon.
Celegorm and Curufin had to escape and retreat to the Realm of Nargothrond. Maglor also had to retreat and he joined Maedhros at Himring. Maedhros showed unbelievable might by himself and successfully warded off the forces of Morgoth.
However, Morgoth acquired the Pass of Aglon which was the gateway into Beleriand.
Dagor Bragollach – Wrath of Fingolfin and the Duel of Morgoth and Fingolfin, Death of the Noldor elf king Fingolfin
Fingolfin the king of the Noldor elves on Middle Earth receives reports of the fall of Dorthonion and the breakthrough of the easter front that were guarded by the sons of Feanor. Even Hador, the chieftain of House of Hador that served Fingolfin was killed in action.
The Siege of Angband collapsed and Morgoth turned to tides against the elves and the elves were vulnerable to the full-scale invasion by the dark armies of Morgoth. Fingolfin was consumed with wrath by the endless casualties of the Edain and Noldor elves and heads to Angband alone.
The garrison of Morgoth feared to halt Fingolfin and described Fingolfin looked like the Valar Orome himself. Fingolfin declared a single combat against Morgoth and challenged Morgoth to a duel at the gates of Angband. Morgoth had no choice but to face Fingolfin by himself as he couldn’t embarrass himself in front of his whole army.
Morgoth held his mace/hammer Grond also called the Hammer of the Underworld. The giant siege weapon Grond during the Battle of Minas Tirith during Lord of the Rings Return of the King was named after this hammer of Morgoth.
Fingolfin left seven wounds onto Morgoth and took a final blow onto heel of Morgoth when Morgoth finally crushed Fingolfin to death.
Morgoth attempted to feed Fingolfin’s corpses to the wolves. However, the king of the Great Eagles, Thorondor struck Morgoth’s face while he dived and scooped the corpse of Fingolfin. Throndor has gave the corpse of Fingolfin to his second son Turgon at Gondolin.
Fingon would inherit Fingolfin’s place as the Noldor King of Middle Earth. Fingolfin was called both reckless and courageous as he was able to match the power of Morgoth, a former Valar while some would blame Fingolfin’s recklessness caused a gap of leadership among the Noldor elves when leadership was desperate.
Dagor Bragollach – Morgoth halts advances
Morgoth withdraws his forces to Angband as he didn’t expect so much damage. Sauron and some of the orcs would continue sporadic attacks where Sauron was able to secure the rivers of Sirion by defeating Orodreth.
