Dagor Bragollach:
The Battle of Flame. In this battle, Morgoth sent out rivers of fire. At the
same time, Glaurung attacked along with Balrogs and Orcs. It was after the
first defeat in this battle that Fingolfin challenged Morgoth to single combat.
In this battle, Fingolfin wounded Morgoth seven times, and ever after, Morgoth
walked with a limp due to one of the the wounds. Fingolfin was slain and
the plain of Ard-galen remained barren after.
Therefore Morgoth came, climbing slowly from
his subterranean throne, and the rumor of his feet was like thunder
underground. And he issued forth clad in black armour; and he
stood before the King like a tower, iron-crowned, and his vast
shield, sable unblazoned, cast a shadow over him like a stormcloud.
But Fingolfin gleamed beneath it as a star; for his mail was
overlaid with silver, and his blue shield was set with crystals;
and he drew his sword Ringil, that glittered like ice.
Then Morgoth hurled aloft Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld, and swung it
down like a bolt of thunder. But Fingolfin sprang aside, and Grond rent a mighty
pit in the earth whence smoke and fire darted. Many times Morgoth essayed to
smite him, and each time Fingolfin leaped away, as a lighting shoots from under
a dark cloud; and he wounded Morgoth with seven wounds, and seven times Morgoth
gave a cry of anguish, whereat the hosts of Angband fell upon their faces in
dismay, and the cries echoed in the Northlands.
But at last the King grew weary, and Morgoth bore down his shield upon him.
Thrice he was crushed to his knees, and thrice arose again and bore up his
broken shield and stricken helm. But the earth was all rent and pitted about
him, and he stumbled and fell backward before the feet of Morgoth; and Morgoth
set his left foot upon his neck, and the weight of it was like a fallen hill.
Yet with his last and desperate stroke Fingolfin hewed the foot with Ringil,
and the blood gushed forth black and smoking and filled the pits of Grond.
Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the
Elven-Kings of old. The Orcs made no boast of that duel at the gate; neither
do the Elves sing of it, for their sorrow is too deep. (S.184-185)
In this battle, the Noldor lost the plain of Ard-galen and the forests of Dorthonion,
which became known as the Forests of Night afterwards.
The Silmarillion
Related Entries:
Morgoth |
Fingolfin | Ringil | Grond,
the Hammer of the Underworld | Beleriand | The
First Age of the Sun |
 |