The Atlas of Middle-earth Page 4

  Ered Luin

  The Ered Luin were more important as a barrier to westward migration and as the source for the tributaries of Gelion than they were as population centers. In the mountains themselves, only the Dwarves dwelt, carving the cities of Nogrod and Belegost, and mining the iron, copper, and related ores throughout most of the history of Middle-earth.54 The mountains, as shown in The Silmarillion map, seemed to have been folded in places. The appearance of eroded upfolds ("breached anticlines") indicate sedimentary rock, which often holds lodes of iron. Copper, however, is more commonly found in crystalline rock, so the geology was evidently complex, as could be expected in any large range. The area around Mt. Rerir was fairly high and may have supported glaciers in the past. Lake Helevorn was “dark and deep,”55 and appeared to lie in a trough thrusting into the mountains, similar to a finger lake. The rest of the range must have been fairly worn down, with its former peaks eroded and washed down to form the alluvial plains to the west. The mountains were not snow-capped, and the Elves had far less difficulty crossing them than, for example, they did the Misty Mountains.

  The western slopes captured the moist winds of Belegaer and the Bay of Balar and fed the seven rivers. North of Ascar the winds would have been drier (having passed over a larger land area), and there were no tributaries for forty leagues. The lands of Ossiriand were warm and gentle, with the seven rivers flowing rapidly in valleys such as that of the Thalos where Finrod first discovered mortal Men.56

  BELERIAND Cross Section: NORTH-SOUTH

  LANDS TO THE NORTH Cross Section: WEST-EAST

  THE GREAT MARCH

  The Great March

  AFTER THE VALAR had broken Utumno and imprisoned Melkor, the Elves were free to travel west to the Blessed Realm. When Oromë returned to Cuiviénen, the birthplace of the Elves, with the three leaders he had chosen as heralds, most of the people chose to take the western road. Those who refused the journey and shunned the light became known as the Avari, the Unwilling.1 Those who accepted were arranged in three hosts:

  1) Ingwë’s kin—all went west, yet they were still the smallest, but foremost, group. In Valinor they drew closest to the Valar, and became known as the Vanyar, the Fair Elves.

  2) Finwë’s kin—some stayed, but most travelled always just behind the Vanyar. They became known as the Noldor, the Deep Elves.

  3) Elwë’s kin—the largest assemblage, and the most reticent on the road. Many never departed, and some turned back very early. Still the numbers were so large that the Host required two leaders, and with Elwë governed Olwë, his brother. Since they always tarried behind, they were dubbed the Teleri.2

  Oromë guided the great mass along the north of the Inland Sea of Helcar. Seeing the great black clouds that still persisted near Utumno, some grew afraid and departed. They may have returned to Cuiviénen and rejoined the Avari. Whether any or all later trod the western path was not told.3 Those who continued moved slowly across the uncounted leagues, often stopping for long periods until Oromë returned. In this way they eventually came to those now familiar lands—possibly along the very path that later became the Old Forest Road. They passed through a forest, probably Greenwood the Great; and to the eastern shores of a Great River, later known as the Anduin.4 Across its waters they could see the towering Mountains of Mist. The Teleri, always the slowest and most reluctant, camped long on the eastern shore. The Vanyar and the Noldor pressed on across the river, climbed the mountain passes, and descended into Eriador. Their path must have been far enough south to allow comfortably warm travel and far enough north to require passing through the mountains instead of around them, to be free of the southern forests, and to allow fording the major rivers. In short, it was most likely that the Great East Road had its origins in this path of great antiquity.

  The Noldor and Vanyar continued west until they reached the Great Sea on the coasts between the Bay of Balar and the Firth of Drengist,5 after crossing the Sirion.6 The Elves were awed by the world of water and drew back to the more familiar hills and woods—especially those of Neldoreth and Region where Finwë encamped.7 There they stayed for long years.

  Meanwhile, Lenwë had led some Teleri south down the Anduin; and they afterwards became known as the Nandor: “those who turn back.”8 Some stayed along the Great River, some went to the sea, and some eventually must have passed through the Gap of Rohan into Eriador.9 Vast forests surrounded them, so they became Wood-elves: possibly the ancestors of the Silvan Elves who inhabited Mirkwood,10 and Lórien.11 The people of Denethor, son of Lenwë, at last crossed the western mountains from Eriador into Ossiriand,12 and eventually were renamed the Laiquendi, Green-elves.13 The bulk of the Teleri had continued west ages earlier than Denethor, while the Vanyar and Noldor still waited in Beleriand; but once again the Teleri had stopped—this time east of the River Gelion.

  At Ulmo’s bidding, Ossë grounded an island in the Bay of Balar and drew the Noldor and Vanyar to Valinor (the same isle, according to one tale, that had ferried the Valar to Valinor.)14 The Teleri were much disconcerted to have been once more left behind, and many of them moved west to the mouths of Sirion. After long years of the sundering, Ulmo returned the island ferry, but many were no longer willing to go. Some had grown to love the Hither Shore, and became the Falathrim, the coast-people—including Círdan the Shipwright, ruler of the Havens of Elgarest and Brithombar.15 Elwë had vanished in Nan Elmoth,16 and many of his people returned to the woods, calling themselves the Eglath, the Forsaken People;17 but upon his reappearance they became the Sindar, the Grey-elves.18

  The bulk of the Teleri did go forward, but regretted the loss of their familiar land. Upon their wish, Ulmo rooted the island in the Bay, and there it stood through the ages: Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle.19 The Valar opened the Calacirya so that the Teleri could receive the glow from the Pass of Light. Within the pass, the city of Tirion was fashioned and in it dwelt the Noldor and also the Vanyar (until they chose to return to the plain of Valinor).20 At last the Teleri were drawn to the light. Then Ossë taught them shipbuilding and drew them ashore, where they lived in Alqualondë.

  THE FLIGHT Inset: ALQUALONDË

  The Flight of the Noldor

  ON MANWË’S ORDERS Fëanor was on Taniquetil1 when Melkor and Ungoliant quenched the light of the Trees and swept through Formenos, taking the Silmarils and slaying Finwë, his father. After the Valar requested the Silmarils Fëanor’s anger grew, and he broke his exile and returned to Tirion. In spite of arguments of his half-brothers, his will prevailed over all but a tithe of the Noldor; and with only hasty preparations the Noldor marched forth. Fëanor’s host led, followed by the greater host of Fingolfin, with Finarfin in the rear.2 The way north was long and evil, and the great sea lay beyond; so Fëanor sought to persuade the Teleri to join them, or at least to lend their great ships. Being unsuccessful, he waited until most of his following had arrived, then led them to the harbor and began manning the vessels. The Teleri repulsed them until Fingon arrived, the leading part of Fingolfin’s host. His strength was added to the affray, and the Noldor at last won to the ships and departed before most of Fingolfin’s host had even arrived. They were left to toil slowly up the rocky coast while the Noldor rowed just offshore in the rough seas.3

  Long they journeyed, and both the sea and the land were evil enemies. Then, far in the north as they climbed in Araman, they were arrested by a powerful voice that prophesied the Doom of the Noldor. Then Finarfin and his following, least willing from the start, returned to Tirion; but most of the people continued. The hosts neared the Helcaraxë, and while they debated the path to take, Fëanor’s folk slipped aboard and abandoned Fingolfin. Sailing east and south, they landed at Losgar, and burned the white ships. Climbing east into Hithlum to the north shore of Lake Mithrim,4 they were beset by an onslaught from Angband, and Fëanor was slain.5 Fingolfin’s host, angered by the desertion, braved the Grinding Ice floes. Weeks may have passed before they touched the solid ground of Middle-earth with the rising of the moon.
After seven days the sun rose just as Fingolfin marched into Mithrim.6 On he marched to the very gates of Angband, but his challenge went unanswered. He returned to Mithrim, where those who remained of Fëanor’s following withdrew to the south shore, avoiding further disturbance.7

  REALMS

  Realms—Before the Great Defeat

  AS WAS TOLD, some of the Teleri never left the Hither Shore. They were scattered through Beleriand, but most lived in one of three areas: on the coast, the Falathrim under Círdan; in Ossiriand, the Green-elves; and in the Guarded Realm of Doriath, the Sindar, kin of Elwé/Thingol. The bulk of Thingol’s realm lay inside the Girdle of Melian:1 the Forests of Neldoreth, Region, and part of Nivrim, the west march across Sirion. Outside the Girdle was Brethil, a less populous area. All the Teleri eventually came to acknowledge Thingol as Lord, and so were loosely grouped with the Sindar.

  When the Noldor returned from the West Thingol decreed: “In Hithlum the Noldor have leave to dwell, and in the highlands of Dorthonion, and in the lands east of Doriath that are empty and wild . . . for I am the Lord of Beleriand.”2 The Noldor accordingly settled those areas—not only because it was Thingol’s wish, but also because it allowed them to beleaguer Morgoth’s realm in the north. In the west dwelt: Fingolfin, the high king, in Hithlum; his elder son Fingon, in the subregion of Dor-lómin; and Turgon, in Nevrast.3 In the center were the sons of Finarfin: Finrod and Orodreth in the Pass of Sirion, and Angrod and Aegnor in northern Dorthonion.4 The east was guarded by the seven sons of Fëanor: Celegorm and Curufin, at the Pass of Aglon and behind into Himlad; Maedhros, on the Hill of Himring;5 Maglor, across the gap and into the land between the arms of Gelion;6 Caranthir, on Mount Rerir and behind into Thargelion.7 Only Amrod and Amras were set back from the buffer, in the open areas south of the hills.8

  Fifty years after these lands had been settled, Ulmo spoke to Turgon and Finrod in a dream, suggesting hidden kingdoms.9 Finrod delved the mansions of Nargothrond, and eventually his lordship was acknowledged by all west of Sirion. Turgon completed building Gondolin in 104.10 After he moved his people there, Nevrast was left empty.

  All these realms survived through the Long Peace until 455, when the Siege of Angband ended. In the short fifty years following, they were overrun one by one until the remaining Elves were pushed to the brink of the Sea.11

  MENEGROTH

  Menegroth, the Thousand Caves

  MENEGROTH WAS DELVED for Thingol and Melian by the Dwarves of Belegost.1 It is uncertain, however, whether the caves were hewn from the solid rock of the hill beside Esgalduin; or whether they were preexisting passages that were simply widened. If the latter were the case, the correct bedrock (such as that found at Nargothrond) would have been necessary for development of a cavern system—but Menegroth was far north of Andram. It has been assumed, therefore, that these were not large natural caverns but were primarily hand-cut. At first thought this might seem unlikely, until one remembers Khazad-dûm, the zenith of the Dwarves’ mining achievements. Then anything seems possible!

  The hill of stone must have run to the very edge of Esgalduin, for only by crossing the stone bridge could the gates be entered.2 Near the gates stood a great beech tree whose roots roofed the thronehall: Hírilorn. In it a house was built to prevent Lúthien’s escape to rescue Beren.3 A beech was an excellent choice, for they commonly have no protruding branches tor up to half their height.4 The largest have trunks up to five feet in diameter, and their drip line may be twenty times that.5

  Countless rooms and paths (many more than have been shown) would have been possible in a square-mile area—especially when delved at several subterranean levels, as these undoubtedly were. Little specific information was given, however. Of the innumerable “high halls and chambers”6 only three specific locations were mentioned: (1) the Great Hall of Thingol, where Beren came before the throne;7 (2) the deep smithies, where the Naugrim slay Thingol;8 and (3) the guarded treasury, where Mablung fell when the Dwarves returned to take the Nauglamír.9

  Twice Menegroth was the site of battle within the caves. Both were attempts to take the Nauglamír with its Silmaril. About 50510 the Dwarves returned to avenge the deaths of their kin who fell when Thingol was slain. They succeeded in stealing the necklace, but it was later regained.11 Four years later, the seven sons of Fëanor, still holding to the accursed oath, initiated the Second Kinslaying, when they fought and killed Dior. They were unsuccessful in their quest, however, for Elwing fled from Menegroth with a remnant of the people, and with them went the Silmaril.12

  NARGOTHROND

  Nargothrond

  IN A DREAM ULMO SPOKE to Turgon and Finrod, suggesting that each build a hidden fortress. Soon after, Finrod visited Thingol and was inspired to build a stronghold like Menegroth. He learned of the Caverns of Narog and initiated his construction.1 The area lay south and west of the confluence of the Ringwil and Narog, where those rivers cut through the Andram. The Long Wall was evidently soluble rock, most possibly limestone.2 That formation, combined with an entrenched river, such as Narog, would have produced ideal conditions for cavern development.3 Before the return of the Noldor, the caverns were found and widened by the Petty-Dwarves,4 who called them the Nulukkizdîn.5 Finrod employed the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains to continue the work. So great was the task that the Dwarves named him “Felagund”—Hewer of Caves.6

  All that was really necessary to the tale was that the reader envision a complex system of caves, such as those of Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, or Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.7 Such a system would provide a wide variety of sizes and shapes of rooms; would be sufficiently extensive to completely hide a large population; and, after widening, would have had several hallways large enough to allow passage of the dragon. In Nargothrond there were: several rooms used as armouries;8 a series of great halls in which Finrod, Celegorm, and Curufin addressed the populace;9 a small, deep chamber in which Lúthien was placed; a secret exit through which she escaped with Huan;10 and a great inner hall where Glaurung amassed his golden bed.11

  Tolkien illustrated the entrance to Nargothrond in three separate drawings: Two of those showed three doors; the third, only one.12 The text always referred in the plural to the Doors of Felagund,13 so three have been included here. Before the doors was a terrace—broad enough to allow Glaurung to lie upon while the captives were herded away.14 From there he could see clearly a league east to Amon Ethir, the fateful spot where Nienor fell under his spell.15 Below the terrace a steep cliff-wall fell to Narog’s rapids. Originally, the Elves were forced to go twenty-five miles north to ford the river,16 but after Túrin came in 487,17 he persuaded Orodreth to build a mighty bridge. As it could not be lifted to prevent passage, the bridge proved to be their downfall.

  Gondolin

  GONDOLIN, THE HIDDEN ROCK, was the result of Turgon’s long efforts to establish a secret city.1 Ulmo revealed the location of the Hidden Vale of Tumladen,2 and after fifty-two years of toil the city was completed.3 The Echoriath have been shown as a gigantic volcanic caldera, and Amon Gwareth a secondary cone.4 After extinction, a lake could have formed, similar to Oregon’s Crater Lake.5 Through the towering mountain walls “the hands of the Valar themselves . . . had wrestled the great mountains asunder, and the sides of the rift were sheer as if axe-cloven.”6 In the original tale the river was not yet dry, but ran through a tunnel, and the rift was still to come.7 Through that rift, the lake eventually emptied, leaving a flat plain, a steep ravine, a tunnel, and the Dry River. When the city was occupied in about 104,8 these physical properties were well-utilized. The Hidden Way was comprised of the river’s abandoned tunnel and ravine. The Way was blocked by a series of seven gates, constantly guarded: built of wood, stone, bronze, wrought iron, silver, gold, and steel.9 The Dark (Outer) Gate lay within the tunnel; while the ravine contained the remaining gates, and became known as the Orfalch Echor.10 Once in the Vale, the city could be reached only by climbing the stairs to the main gate,11 for the hillsides were steep—especially on the nort
h at the precipice of Caragdûr where Eöl died.12

  The Tale vividly describes Gondolin’s many squares and roadways,13 and adds a second gate in the north through which Maeglin led Morgoth’s forces.14 Scaling the hill was impossible as springs wet the steep, glassy bedrock.15 The springs inspired Gondolin’s original name: Ondolinde, the Rock of the Music of Water.16