SWG Reread: "Of the Fifth Battle" Discussion Post

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Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad

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Welcome this fortnight's chapter discussion! (And this post is much shorter than last time!)

Important: This is not a spoiler-free zone. It is hard to discuss any chapter in depth without referring to things that happen in later chapters. Proceed at your own risk! Furthermore, it’s perfectly fine to jump in, even if you haven’t participated in previous discussions. We don’t bite!


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Summary

Beren and Lúthien return to life in Doriath, and Lúthien travels to Menegroth to visit her parents. Melian especially grieves over Lúthien’s mortality. Beren and Lúthien then travel to Ossiriand and dwell on Tol Galen.

Maedhros, hearing of Beren and Lúthien’s deeds, realizes that Morgoth is not unassailable and begins preparations for the Union of Maedhros. However, the oath and its consequences hinder him. Nargothrond refuses to fight, though a small company follows Gwindor and pledges themselves to Fingon. Due to messages from the sons of Fëanor to Thingol (Melian counseled him to surrender the Silmaril) and threats from Celegorm and Curufin, Doriath fortifies its borders and only Mablung and Beleg join, again under Fingon. Maedhros has the help of the Dwarves, and the Eldar also have the support of their mortal allies. Turgon somehow hears of this plan.

However, Maedhros moves too soon, and while he drives the Orcs out of northern Beleriand, Morgoth is warned. He sends more spies and makes more use of his secret allies among the Men following the Fëanorians.

Maedhros is unaware of Morgoth’s preparations and resolves to assault Angband. He will entice the armies out of Angband by crossing the Anfauglith, while Fingon marches in from Hithlum to come behind them, in order to trap Morgoth’s army between them.

It begins on Midsummer day. Fingon’s armies are large-- all of Hithlum is there, along with the Elves of the Falas, Gwindor’s company, Húrin and Huor’s Men, as well as Haldir of Brethil’s. However, Fingon does not know that Maedhros’ armies are delayed due to treachery by Uldor. Suddenly, Turgon’s army of ten thousand appears, giving hope to Fingon’s army.

Morgoth chooses his time well and sends part of his army towards Hithlum. Being well camouflaged, they are not spotted until they have crossed a good portion of Anfauglith. Húrin urged the armies not to attack, guessing it to be a feint. Morgoth’s men reach Sirion, and despite taunts, cannot draw out Fingon’s men. Finally, they bring out Gelmir Gwindor’s brother and hack him to pieces-- by ill-luck, directly in front of Gwindor’s position.

Gwindor breaks ranks and leads many riders after the Orcs. Fingon and his army ride after them, nearly ruining Morgoth’s plan. Gwindor and his men make it to Angband itself and break down the gates. Gwindor is the only one not slain, and he is captured. Morgoth lets out the main part of his force, beating back Fingon’s army. Thus begins, four days into the war, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad: the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.

Fingon’s army is forced to retreat, and is at one point surrounded. But Turgon’s force comes and wins their way through the Orcs. It is at that point that Maedhros’ armies finally march forth. (Some even say that the battle could have been won had it not been for Morgoth’s secret allies.) Morgoth empties Angband, sending forth wolves and their riders, Balrogs and dragons, and Glaurung himself. Glaurung comes between Fingon’s and Maedhros’ armies.

Uldor’s plot comes to fruition: they suddenly turn on the sons of Fëanor, come near to killing Maedhros, and the secret force they’d summoned comes forth and attacks Maedhros’ army. Maglor kills Uldor, the leader, but Maedhros’ army breaks under assault from three sides. The sons of Bór kill Ulfast and Ulwarth before dying themselves. All the Fëanorians survive, and draw the remnants of their army together with the Dwarves and flee eastward.

The Dwarves are the only reason the dragons did not kill all the Noldor. They encircle the dragons, their axes strong enough to wound them despite the dragons’ armor. Glaurung strikes down Azaghâl, Lord of Belegost, and Azaghâl wounds him badly enough that he flees back to Angband and the rest of the dragons follow him. The Lord of Belegost dies and the Dwarves remove him from the field singing a dirge. No one dares to strike against them.

Fingon’s army is likewise in trouble. Gothmog, the Lord of Balrogs, drove his army and separated the Elven armies. Turgon and Húrin are forced toward the Fen of Serech. Fingon is left alone to face Gothmog. He is only defeated when another Balrog ensnares him with its whip, allowing Gothmog to strike Fingon dead.

Húrin urges Turgon to retreat back to Gondolin. Turgon says that Gondolin cannot remain hidden for long. Huor tells Turgon that the hope of Men and Elves will come from both their Houses if Gondolin stands for just a little while longer. Turgon retreats with the remnants of both his men and Fingon’s. The Men of Dor-lómin fight as the rearguard, thus redressing Uldor’s wrongs and becoming renowned for it. On the evening of the sixth day of battle, Huor falls along with the rest of the Men, leaving Húrin the only survivor. He is captured and brought to Morgoth. Thus ends the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

Morgoth’s designs of driving a wedge between Elves and Men, save for the three Houses of the Edain, were succesful. Fingon’s realm is no more and the sons of Fëanor end up living in Ossiriand. The Easterlings Morgoth shut in Hithlum, denying them Beleriand: They harass the remnants of Hador’s people and the remaining Eldar there end up as thralls. Orcs wander freely, and the only safe places are Doriath, Nargothrond, Ossiriand, and Círdan’s Havens. However, the next year, the Havens are destroyed and the remnants flee to the Isle of Balar and keep a stronghold at the mouths of Sirion. (Gil-galad is among the refugees.) Turgon urges Círdan to send messengers to the West, which he does. The only survivor of the fleet is Voronwë, who is shipwrecked on the shores of Nevrast.

Morgoth is troubled by Turgon’s escape, because Turgon is now the High King of the Noldor and is of Fingolfin’s House. Morgoth has always been wary of Turgon, even in Valinor, due to a foreboding that his ruin would somehow come from him. Therefore he questions Húrin, but Húrin will not betray Turgon. Therefore, Morgoth curses Húrin, Morwen, and their children and binds Húrin to a stone chair. He further curses Húrin to see with Morgoth’s eyes and hear with Morgoth’s ears and to not move until everything is ended. Húrin never begs for mercy or asks for death, either for himself or his family.

Finally, Morgoth orders his Orcs to build a mound of the dead in the midst of the Anfauglith. It is large enough to be a hill and the Elves call it Haudh-en-Ndgenin (the Hill of the Slain) and Haudh-en-Nirnaeth (the Hill of Tears). It is the only place in Anfauglith where grass grows and no follower of Morgoth dares to step foot on it.

Our Favorite Quotes

~ “In those days Maedhros son of Fëanor lifted up his heart, perceiving that Morgoth was not unassailable; for the deeds of Beren and Lúthien were sung in many songs throughout Beleriand. Yet Morgoth would destroy them all, one by one, if they could not again unite, and make new league and common council; and he began those counsels for the raising of the fortunes of the Eldar that are called the Union of Maedhros.”

~ “On the appointed day, on the morning of Midsummer, the trumpet of the Eldar greeted the rising of the sun; and in the east was raised the standard of the sons of Fëanor, and in the west the standard of Fingon, High King of the Noldor.”

~ “Then Fingon looked towards Thangorodrim, and there was a dark cloud about it, and a black smoke went up; and he knew that the wrath of Morgoth was aroused, and that their challenge was accepted.”

~ “Then when Fingon heard afar the great trumpet of Turgon his brother, the shadow passed and his heart was uplifted, and he shouted aloud: Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë! The Day has come! Behold, people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!' And all those who heard his great voice echo in the hills answered crying: 'Auta i lómë! The night is passing!'"

~ “The light of the drawing of the swords of the Noldor was like a fire in a field of reeds; and so swift and fell was their onset that almost the designs of Morgoth went astray.”

~ “Now [Turgon] hastened to the aid of his brother; and the Gondolindrim were strong and clad in mail, and their ranks shone like a river of steel in the sun.”

~ “Then the Dwarves raised up the body of Azaghâl and bore it away; and with slow steps they walked behind singing a dirge in deep voices, as it were funeral pomp in their own country, and gave no more heed to their foes; and none dared to stay them.”

~ “Then Gothmog hewed [Fingon] with his black axe, and a white flame sprang up from the helm of Fingon as it was cloven. 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 into the mire of his blood.”

~ “Then Huor spoke and said, ‘Yet if [Gondolin] 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!’”

~ “Last of all Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin cried: 'Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!' Seventy times he uttered that cry; but they took him at last alive, by the command of Morgoth, for the Orcs grappled him with their hands, which clung to him still though he hewed off their arms; and ever their numbers were renewed, until at last he fell buried beneath them. Then Gothmog bound him and dragged him to Angband with mockery.”

~ “The realm of Fingon was no more; and the sons of Fëanor wandered as leaves before the wind. Their arms were scattered, and their league broken; and they took to a wild and woodland life beneath the feet of the Ered Lindon, mingling with the Green-elves of Ossiriand, bereft of their power and glory of old.”

~ “Then the Havens were laid in ruin, and the tower of Barad Nimras cast down; and the most part of Círdan’s people were slain or enslaved. But some went aboard ship and escaped by sea; and among them was Ereinion Gil-galad, the son of Fingon, whom his father had sent to the Havens after the Dagor Bragollach. This remnant sailed with Círdan south to the Isle of Balar, and they made a refuge for all that could come thither; for they kept a foothold also at the Mouths of Sirion, and there many light and swift ships lad hid in creeks and waters where the reeds were as dense as a forest.”

~ “But grass came there and grew again long and green upon that hill, alone in all the desert that Morgoth made; and no creature of Morgoth trod thereafter upon the earth beneath which the swords of the Eldar and the Edain crumbled into rust.”

Alternate Versions

~ A “Battle of Unnumbered Tears” occurs even in the earliest drafts of the Silmarillion material, but the details are hugely different. “Gilfanon's Tale” suggests that it happened shortly (i.e., a few years) after Maedhros' return from captivity. The only Men involved in the battle appear to be the people of Úrin (Húrin). Turgon and his host cut their way out of the battlefield, rescueing “part of the women and children” . They are pursued, and there is mention of “Mablon the Ilkorin's sacrifice”, but no elaboration. Maidros (Maedhros) and his brother quarrel with Turgon (about the leadership) and depart to the South. All who remain behind “swore allegiance to Melko”, presumably becoming slaves. The outline concludes with the building of Gondolin. (1)

~ The later outline of “Gilfanon's Tale” adds further information. An Elven king is now slain in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, but it is Nólemë (Finwë) rather than his grandson who dies. The Orcs cut out his heart, but Turgon rescues it. In this version it is made clear that other Men than the “sons of Úrin” were initially involved, but they fled. The sons of Úrin are slain, but Úrin is taken alive. In one outline, Tolkien planned to have Melko himself appear on the battlefield for this purpose. Turgon and the other survivors are now not merely pursued, but pursued by Balrogs. Mablon the Ilkorin dies to save the rest, who aided by the magic of Sirion “escaped into a secret place”. The sons of Fëanor no longer quarrel with Turgon, but they come too late; they can only kill the spoilers, and bury Nólemë and the fallen Gnomes under the “greatest cairn in the world”. (2)

~ The first Elvish name for the Battle of Unnumbered Tears is mentioned in “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”, where it is given as Nínin Unothradrin. Men do not merely flee, but betray the Elves, except for Húrin Thalion, who fights to the end and is taken alive. Here, Morgoth has twice reason to capture Húrin, because he suspects that Húrin knows where Turgon has fled, leading to Húrin's torment and the curse upon his offspring. “The Lay of the Children of Húrin” also first mentions the green grass growing upon the Hill of the Slain, and the death of the Elven king Finweg, now a son of Fingolfin. He falls “in flame of swords” - no Balrogs appear to be involved. (3)

~ A later version of the “Children of Húrin” introduces Beleg Strongbow, who was not present for the Battle of Unnumbered Tears (now translated as Nirnaith Ornoth) but has heard about the bravery of the house of Húrin. (4)

~ The “Lay of Leithian” first places the Battle of Unnumbered Tears after Lúthien's and Beren's quest for the Silmaril. It is suggested that Men are less cooperative to the Elven cause than they should be because they remember Curufin's and Celegorm's attack on Beren. (5, Canto X) Gondolin must now have been built before the Nirnaeth, as Beren and Lúthien pass above it on Thorondor's back when they are retured to Doriath. (5, The Unwritten Cantos)

~ “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'” introduces more politics. It is now made explicit that Maidros is the instigator of the union against Morgoth, fearing that otherwise Morgoth will destroy them one by one. The Gnomes of Nargothrond, dispatched by Celegorm and Curufin (who do not send as many as they could, so they are partly responsible for the disastrous outcome of the battle), refuse to follow Finweg (Fingon), so they join the forces of Maidros and Maglor. Doriath sends no army for a variety of reasons (ranging from Melian's counsel to Thingol's resentment because Maidros demanded his Silmaril), but volunteers are permitted to join the Gnomish forces. Finweg is slain and his blue and silver banner is prosaically “destroyed”. After Turgon has escaped into the hills with his host, Maidros, Curufin and Celegorm finally arrive, too late for the main battle but in time to save the remaining Gnomes and Ilkorins still fighting the Orcs. They are beaten back and forced to retreat into the South-east “and did not go back to Nargothrond”, where now Orodreth rules over the remnant. The Hill of the Slain is now built by the Orcs, and is now the only place where grass grows. (6)

~ “The Quenta” explains that Maidros forms the union because he sees hope that Morgoth can be assailed after the deeds of Lúthien and Beren. For the first time, the Dwarves are involved, though only by crafting weapons and armours for payment: “We are friends of neither side – until it hath the mastery”. Orodreth is now lord of Nargothrond at his point. He sends no army because of the deeds of Celegorm and Curufin, but those who want to fight are permitted to go. They are led by Flinding (later Gwindor), who already made an appearance in “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”. From Doriath, only Mablung and Beleg come; Thingol sends Maidros' messengers back in scorn. Maidros shrugs it off, but Celegorm and Curufin vow to slay Thingol or any of his folk should they meet them. Maidros takes too long gathering his forces, giving Morgoth time to corrupt Men. The battle goes much as we know it from the published version. Finweg's banners are white, but they are already trodden under foot although there are still no Balrogs. (7)

~ The “Earliest Annals of Beleriand” sum up the events as recorded in “The Quenta” and assign dates to the events: The Union of Maedhros is assembled from 165 to 170. The Nirnaeth Arnoediad is in 172 (though there is no mention of Midsummer yet). The fate of the mortal traitors becomes known: Caranthir slays Uldor, but Uldor's sons kill Bor, his sons and other Men who remained faithful to Maidros. Fingon is now “smitten down by the Balrogs”. (8)

~ In the “Later Annals of Beleriand,” more detail has been added, though Caranthir still kills Uldor and Fingon is killed by several Balrogs. There is no mention of the Havens falling. (9)

~ In the Quenta Silmarillion, Morgoth’s treachery is more effective. Due to Maedhros’ delay, Fingon sends heralds to sound trumpets to challenge Morgoth’s army. It’s successful, and in order to prevent Húrin’s advice about waiting to attack from working, Morgoth’s army executes in full view of the army one of the heralds they’d captured, which draws them into battle. Caranthir still kills Uldor; however, Ulfast and Ulwarth are now killed by the sons of Bór rather than the reverse. There is no mention of Gothmog or the Havens. (10) The Dwarves still refuse to take part in the battle despite them making weapons for it, as they don’t know which side is correct-- but a later note by Tolkien said that it wasn’t true Dwarvish attitude. (10, §3 and Commentary) Tolkien had, by virtue of combining previous versions of the story, a confused account of Turgon’s arrival-- in one part of the chapter, he arrives early enough (though still unlooked for) to participate in the final planning. In another part, he arrives suddenly to help Fingon. (10, Turgon’s Part in the Battle) There were no changes made to this manuscript (save a place name) in the Later Quenta Silmarillion. (11)

~ Much of the material in “The Grey Annals” makes up this chapter in the published Silmarillion. The Dwarves now fight; the confusion about Turgon is fixed (to the sudden arrival); Gelmir is now the bait for Fingon’s army; and Maglor slays Uldor. The conversation among Húrin, Huor, and Turgon has been added, as has the Haven’s fall. Gothmog killing Fingon is nonexistent, as is the Quenya rallying cry. (12) However, a later manuscript, deriving closely from “The Grey Annals,” was also used to provide some detail, including the Quenya cry. (13)

~ In Narn I Hîn Húrin, there is a section devoted to Húrin’s conversation with Morgoth. The conversation there takes place on the Hill of the Slain, and Húrin does indeed mock Morgoth, calling him a thrall of the Valar and that he has wasted his power. Morgoth claims that the only reason is that he is not the Lord of Men beyond the Circles of the World is that there is Nothing beyond them. After Húrin tells Morgoth he lies, Húrin is bound in the chair on Thangorodrim. (14) Further details about the Nirnaeth Arnoediad from the Narn have been included in the published Silmarillion, including Gothmog. (13)

Food for Thought

~ Do you think it would have been possible for the Union of Maedhros to work had all gone according to plan?

~ We're all aware that had the battle occurred differently, outcomes would have been different, too. So why the constant reminder that the Noldor could have won the field if not for…? Is it to make the treachery of Men more bitter and/or to maybe show the Curse of the Noldor at work?

~ If the Fëanorians, especially Celegorm and Curufin, hadn’t demanded the Silmaril, do you think Doriath would have joined the Union? How would that have affected the outcome?

~ How do you think Turgon learned of the Union?

~ Despite the ban on Quenya, many people responded to Fingon's Quenya cry with Quenya. Moreover Húrin, born long after the ban, utters a Quenya battle-cry too. What do you think this means for the effectiveness of the ban?

Works Cited

~ (1) The Book of Lost Tales 1. “Gilfanon's Tale: The Travail of the Noldoli and the Coming of Mankind”, The History of the Exiled Gnomes according to the earlier outlines.
~ (2) The Book of Lost Tales 1. “Gilfanon's Tale: The Travail of the Noldoli and the Coming of Mankind”, The History of the Exiled Gnomes according to the later outlines.
~ (3) The Lays of Beleriand. “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”, Túrin son of Húrin and Glorund the Dragon.
~ (4) The Lays of Beleriand. “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”, The Second Version of The Children of Húrin.
~ (5) The Lays of Beleriand. “The Lay of Leithian”, Canto X & The Unwritten Cantos.
~ (6) The Shaping of Middle-earth. “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'”, 11.
~ (7) The Shaping of Middle-earth. “The Quenta”, 11.
~ (8) The Shaping of Middle-earth. “The Earliest Annals of Beleriand”, 165-170; 172.
~ (9) The Lost Road, The Later Annals of Beleriand, 265-70 through 273
~ (10) The Lost Road, Quenta Silmarillion, 16 Of the Fourth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnediad
~ (11) The War of the Jewels, The Later Quenta Silmarillion, The Last Chapters of the Quenta Silmarillion
~ (12) The War of the Jewels, The Grey Annals, §212--250 and §255--257
~ (13) The War of the Jewels, The Grey Annals, Note 2: A Further Account of the Battle of Unnumbered Tears
~ (14) Unfinished Tales, Part One: The First Age, Narn I Hîn Húrin, “The Words of Húrin and Morgoth”

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“Of Túrin Turambar” is due October 5.