Dagor Bragollach

The Dagor Bragollach, which is Sindarin for Battle of the Sudden Flame, was among the most significant fights in the War of the Jewels. It was the prelude of the advances of Morgoth versus the Men of Beleriand and the Elves. It was also the conclusion of the Siege of Angband. [1]

Four centuries have passed since the Dagor Aglareb, [2] the Noldor successfully restrained the forces of Morgoth, within Angband. Beleriand [3] savored harmony and abundance, that the lush greeneries thrived, up to the entryway of Angband. The might of the Elf realms, as well as the strength of their Edain comrades, were so immense that even the High King Fingolfin of Noldor thought that the hold persists endlessly. Although the Elves and the Edain restrained the armies of Morgoth, their forces were no match to the strength of Morgoth, and so they had no power enough to destroy Angband. And so Morgoth strived ceaselessly within the siege of Angband in which he produced innumerable hordes of Orcs and many vile beasts. In Angband, he also brought to life the prime Dragon. He meant to control the ferocious, magnificent beast to decimate all who defy him. But in his rage, he rashly began his attack, although his creations were unfinished. He proudly belittled the strength of the Elves and completely disregarded the Edain. For this reason, the alliance retaliated against Morgoth and persisted even after the outcome of the battle. Had Morgoth made sure of the completion of his plans and armies, then his adversaries would most likely be obliterated.

It began in the winter, on a snowy evening, the Elven guard station was not fully alert. Morgoth spread torrents of fire and toxic vapor into the Iron Mountains and Thangorodrim. It smoldered the fields of Ard-galen and turned into an ashen desert, later known as the Gasping Dust or Anfauglith. It startled the Elves as they had never encountered fires such as this. Countless died in the blaze as some of them escaped. From the fires emerged Glaurung, the father of Dragons, the Balrogs, and hordes of Orcs as far as the eye can see. The strategy of Morgoth was through an incursion so fleeting that the realms of the Elves will have no time to join efforts or send help to one another. Hence, all of the Elven realms faced the armies of Morgoth by themselves.

The Orcs teemed the slopes of Dorthonion and slaughtered Aegnor and Angrod. They set ablaze the riders of Maglor in the fields of Lothlann. Then, they captured Maglor's Gap, which served as the passage of Morgoth into Beleriand. Maglor and his remaining forces escaped towards Himring, in which he fought to protect the citadel of Maedhros. The fortress stood firm even though the enemies profoundly surrounded them. Maedhros achieved heroic feats and valiantly endured in the battle. The enemies had taken over the Pass of Aglon while Curufin and Celegorm escaped in northern Doriath towards Nargothrond. The Orcs of Morgoth plagued the woods of Mount Rerir and spoiled the waters of Lake Helevorn, which spread south across Thargelion and towards East Beleriand. Caranthir escaped to Amon Ereb, in which he established strongholds together with Amrod.

The two gradually liberated East Beleriand from the Orcs. Meanwhile, Maedhros and Maglor defended the boundaries in the north. Later on, Maedhros successfully reclaimed the Pass of Aglon, halting the passage of the armies of Morgoth from the area. In the West, Orodreth defended Minas Tirith within the Pass of Sirion. Afterward, Lord Finrod Felagund, uncle of Orodreth, arrived out of Nargothrond with a legion. But they were attacked by numerous soldiers of Morgoth at the Fen of Serech. The enemies cornered the Noldorin and almost killed Finrod, But Barahir and his men saved them as they came down from Dorthonion. Many of the companions of Finrod died, but Barahir saved Finrod the Orcs.

In heartfelt appreciation, Finrod gifted his ring to Barahir. Afterward, the ring acquired the new name Ring of Barahir. Finrod promised to help Barahir and his people whenever they needed it. Finrod and his companion escaped to the south towards Nargothrond. Barahir persisted in protecting Dorthonion, but they were overcome and killed by the enemies. The armies of Morgoth devastated the strongholds in the mountain range of Ered Wethrin near Hithlum. But with the natural defense provided by the mountains, they endured the flames of Morgoth spread from Thangorodrim. With all these, the forces of Morgoth broke the alliance's hold on them in Angmar. The Sons of Feanor dispersed. Hence, Morgoth transgressed his terror to the North realms of Middle-earth.

Upon receiving the news of grave damages and deaths in the Elven realms, the High King Fingolfin of the Noldor charged to Angband in great fury, from the ashes of Anfauglith. He dared Morgoth into a duel, and in the entrance of Angband, Fingolfin and Morgoth battled. Fingolfin slashed Morgoth seven times. Still, Morgoth's strength is beyond him, and so Morgoth defeated him. He stomped on Fingolfin and held him under his foot. Fingolfin struck Morgoth on his ankle one last time, and Morgoth killed him. The king of the Great Eagles named Thorondor picked up Fingolfin's lifeless body and lacerated the face of Morgoth. Morgoth's bruises were never cured and went lame for the rest of his days. Therefore, Morgoth and his army triumphed over the realms of Elves and Men.

Although he achieved a triumph in his conquest, Morgoth's enemies struck him with injuries and damages as much as he had given them, and so he remained wary. As the impact of his first conquest subsided, his enemies started to regain their strength, creating disturbances in the periphery of his subdued dominion. He underestimated the persistence of the Elves, and the help of the Edain remained unnoticed in his schemes. And so he considered his gains and summoned back his legion of Orcs into Angband. Two years have passed since Morgoth's victory, Sauron, the atrocious, most powerful follower of Morgoth, attacked the Isle of Tol Sirion. Orodreth, Finrod's nephew, defended it. Sauron's arrival brought a shadow of terror to the protectors of Isle of Tol Sirion, and he captured the tower of Minas Tirith that stood within. And so Morgoth took hold of the west passage in the River Sirion. Five years later, Morgoth attacked Hithlum and almost brought it to destruction. The new High King Fingon of the Noldor, received help from Cirdan's army and so their combined forces drove off the army of the Orcs.

1. ^The Siege of Angband.
2. ^Dagor Aglareb.
3. ^Ruin of Beleriand.