The Atlas of Middle-earth Read online

  A drawing by Tolkien17 was coupled with the original map and analysis of similar landforms in our world.18 Amon Gwareth has been shown four hundred feet high. It appears to have been flat-topped. The Tower of the King was equally high, with its turret standing eight hundred feet above the Vale. Down through the hill and far north under the plain, Idril directed the excavation of an escape route.19 In 511, after four hundred years of peace, Gondolin fell. Through the secret way Idril and Tuor led all that remained of the Gondolindrim.20

  Thangorodrim and Angband

  ANGBAND, THE “HELLS OF IRON,” was built in the Ered Engrin in the northwest of Middle-earth after the establishment of Valinor as an outpost closer to Aman than Utumno.21 Its labyrinthine tunnels and dungeons, pits and stairs lay below the fence of the Ered Engrin, with a great tunnel opening beneath the three great smoking peaks: the ‘towers’ of Thangorodrim.22

  Thangorodrim, the “oppression mountain group,”23 was built of slag from the furnaces, and rubble from the redelving of Angband.24 The hills were solid enough to nail Maedhros to a cliff25 and imprison Húrin on a terrace.26 Yet its smoking tops were the highest of the Iron Mountains around Angband—indeed even “the greatest of the hills of the [hither] world.”27 The Silmarillion map excluded Thangorodrim and the Ered Engrin, but the “Second ‘Silmarillion’ Map” illustrates Thangorodrim almost as an ‘island’ of foothills around the three tall peaks, jutting out one hundred miles from where the curve of the Iron Mountains must lie.28 Prior to The History the only references were the text and a drawing by Tolkien that showed the central peak in the distance.29 The text stated that these were the “mightiest towers of Middle-earth.”30 The precipice above the gate stood a thousand feet31—two-thirds that of our tallest modern building.32 In the drawing, the central tower, as seen from the Pass of Sirion,33 appeared immense—far higher than the Ered Engrin. It would have to have been at least five miles in diameter at the base and some 35,000 feet high!14

  The History gives the best close range detail available for the interior of Angband: the Lay of Leithian. The gates were no simple tunnel opening: “they came, as to a sombre court / walled with great towers, fort on fort / of cliffs embattled . . . the gigantic shadow of his gates.”35 Beyond, Beren and Lúthien descended the corridors of the “labyrinthine pyramid”—which rang with the blows of 10,000 smiths, passed vaults filled with Noldor-thralls, marked at every turn by “shapes like carven trolls . . . entombed,” and came at last to the “grinning portals” of Morgoth’s nethermost hall: “upheld by horror, lit by fire, and filled with weapons of death and torment;“ where he held feast beneath “The pillars . . . devil-carven . . . towered like trees . . . boughs like serpents” and across the hall “Beneath a monstrous column loomed . . . the throne of Morgoth” and Fëanor’s doom.36

  Upper: THE HIDDEN KINGDOM Cross Section: WEST-EAST Inset: GONDOLIN Lower: THANGORODRIM Cross Section: NORTH-SOUTH

  COMING OF MEN INTO THE WEST

  Coming of Men

  WITH THE RISING OF THE SUN IN THE WEST, mortal Men awoke1 and over three hundred years later they were discovered by Finrod Felagund near the River Thalos.2 Three tribes originally crossed into Beleriand in three consecutive years: the Three Houses of the Edain.3 The first to arrive was Bëor, who moved his people north from Ossiriand into the fields of Amrod and Amras. The land became known as Estolad, the Encampment, and was constantly occupied for about one hundred fifty years.4 Two years later Bëor’s people were joined by the third and largest tribe—that of Marach—who settled to their south and east.5 Meanwhile the Haladin, the Second House, being sundered in speech and attitude, had colonized southern Thargelion.6

  During the next fifty years, many of the folk of Bëor and Marach chose to leave Estolad. Some grew disenchanted and were led away south and east out of knowledge.7 The Noldor, seeking allies, shared their lands, but King Thingol forbade any to settle in the south.8 Bëor’s folk moved to Dorthonion and later were given the land of Ladros in which to dwell.9 Many of the host of Marach allied with the House of Fingolfin. Some moved to Hithlum, while others remained in the vales south of the Ered Wethrin until they were reunited under Hador, lord of Dor-lómin.10 The Second House, the Haladin, finally moved to Estolad after having been attacked by Ores, but passed on through Nan Dungortheb to Talath Dirnen, and then to the Forest of Brethil.11

  The Edain were not the only mortals to enter Beleriand, however. In about 457, after Dagor Bragollach, the Swarthy Easterlings first appeared.12 The sons of Féanor gained their alliance: Those under Bór located in Himring with Maedhros and Maglor, while those under Ulfang lived near Amon Ereb with Caranthir, Amrod, and Amras.13 During the Fifth Battle, Unnumbered Tears, the folk of Bór remained faithful and were probably forced to relocate with Maedhros to Ossiriand. The sons of Ulfang were traitorous, and with other Easterlings under Morgoth they were later sent to occupy Hithlum, where they preyed upon the families of the valiant Men of Dor-lómin who had fallen around Húrin and Huor.14

  Travels of Beren and Lúthien

  BEREN’S LIFE AFTER DAGOR BRAGOLLACH was a series of journeys. His fame—• and Lúthien’s—arose from those travels and the related quests. Beren made six important trips, with Lúthien having gone on three: (1) in Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion) from Tarn Aeluin to Rivil’s Well, 460; (2) through the Ered Gorgoroth and Nan Dungortheb to Doriath, 464–465; (3) from Doriath to Tol-in-Guarloth via Nargothrond, 466; (4) back to Doriath, then on to Thangorodrim and back, 467; (5) on the Hunting of the Wolf, 467; and (6) to and from the Houses of the Dead, and on to Tol Galen.1

  After leaving the refuge at Tarn Aeluin, where his father and companions had been slain, Beren tracked the murderous Ores to their camp at Rivil’s Well and retrieved the ring of Finrod Felagund.2 For the next four years (460–464) he sortied from the highlands, until he was forced to leave during the winter of 464. He looked south to Doriath, and travelled unknown ways to reach it, passing through the enchanted Girdle, even as Melian had foretold.3 There he wandered for a year, and there he met Lúthien. In summer, 465, she led him before Thingol, her father. Angered by their love, Thingol demanded Beren present a Silmaril as dowry for Lúthien’s hand.4 The ‘Tale of Tinuviel’ gives an early form of the story, but that in The Silmarillion is condensed from the ‘Lay of Leithian.’5

  Beren went out of Doriath, passing above the falls of Sirion to Nargothrond.6 Then Finrod fulfilled the oath given to Beren’s father during Dagor Bragollach.7 That autumn, he and ten companions travelled north to Ivrin with Beren. They routed a band of Ores and arrayed themselves in their gear. In the Pass of Sirion, however, Sauron spied them, and they were imprisoned on Tol-in-Guarloth.8

  Lúthien learned of their predicament; and escaping from her house near Menegroth, she passed west (probably across the bridge of Sirion) into Nivrim. There she was abducted by Celegorm and Curufin, who imprisoned her in Nargothrond.9 Huan, hound of Celegorm, grew to love Lúthien and helped her escape the deep caverns and reach Sauron’s Isle. Between them they defeated Sauron. Then Lúthien bared the pits of the fortress—too late for Finrod.10

  Huan returned to Celegorm and was with him and Curufin later in the winter when they happened upon Beren and Lúthien in the Forest of Brethil. When the brothers assailed the couple, Huan abandoned Celegorm and drove him and Curufin from the wood.11 Lúthien healed the wound Beren had received in the affray, and they returned to a glade in Doriath. Yet the quest was not achieved, so Beren set out again—only to be followed by Huan and Lúthien. As Beren stood on the skirts of Taur-nu-Fuin, they approached him in the forms they had taken on at Sauron’s Isle—a wolf and bat.12 Beren then was arrayed as the wolf, and Huan returned to the south. Thus disguised, Beren and Lúthien crossed to the Gate of Thangorodrim. There Lúthien enchanted the great wolf Carcaroth, and later, Morgoth. Beren cut a Silmaril from the iron crown and in terror they fled. At the gate Carcaroth had awakened, and engulfed both Beren’s hand and the jewel it held. The jewel flamed, and the ravening beast ran wildly
away south. The lovers were still not free, for Beren swooned and the hosts of Morgoth had awakened. Then Thorondor and two of his vassals raced north and rescued the valiant pair. The mighty eagles returned them to the glade in Doriath from which they had departed, and there Lúthien ministered to Beren until spring (467). Upon his recovery they returned to Menegroth. Thingol softened, and they were wed.13

  Meanwhile, Carcaroth had continued his tortuous passage toward Doriath and, at last, was approaching Menegroth. So Beren went forth once more with the Hunting of the Wolf. North along Esgalduin, Carcaroth had stopped by a waterfall. Huan battled the mighty beast, and both fell. So, too, did Beren, whose chest was torn while he defended Thingol. The companions bore him to Menegroth, where he died. At his death, Lúthien withered, and her spirit departed to Valinor. There she was granted the choice of mortality, and Beren was released. They were permitted to return to Menegroth. From thence they went forth to Tol Galen, where they lived the rest of their mortal lives, and that land came to be known as Dor Firn-I-Guinar: the Land of the Dead that Live.14

  Travels of Túrin and Nienor

  WHEN HÚRIN, FATHER OF TÚRIN AND NIENOR, was captured at the Fen of Serech during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears in 473, he defied Morgoth. Then the Dark Lord set a curse upon Húrin and his entire family.1 So it was that the paths of the children’s lives were set, for Morgoth ever sought opportunities to prove his curse.

  Túrin’s life covered five stages: (1) with Morwen and Húrin in Dor-lómin, 465–473; (2) with Thingol in Doriath, 473–485; (3) with the outlaw band in the woods near Teiglin, and then on Amon Rûdh, 485—487; (4) with Orodreth in Nargothrond, 487–496; and (5) with the Haladin in the Forest of Brethil, 497–501.2 The pathways shown on the map are those by which he passed from one life stage to the next. Most of the changes resulted directly or indirectly from Morgoth’s curse.

  The first move was made when Morwen feared that Túrin was endangered by the Easterlings who occupied Dor-lómin after the fall of Hithlum. She sent him to Menegroth, where Thingol fostered him in his youth. On reaching early manhood Túrin helped Beleg guard the northern marches for three years. When he was twenty, however, he fled Doriath after the accidental death of Saeros.3 In Nivrim he came upon an outlaw band with whom he allied. For a year they bivouacked in the woods near Teiglin, but wishing safer quarters they removed to Amon Rûdh. There Beleg joined them and their land became a haven amongst the Ruin of Beleriand—Dor-Cuarthol, the Land of the Bow and Helm.4 Unfortunately, the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin worn by Túrin revealed his whereabouts to Morgoth. Then Túrin was captured, and all his company except Beleg slain. In leisurely fashion, the Ores travelled up their newly built road through the Pass of Anach and north through Taur-nu-Fuin. On the edge of the northern slopes Gwindor was found, Túrin rescued, and Beleg slain.5

  Gwindor led Túrin back to Nargothrond, walking through the Pass of Sirion to Ivrin and south along Narog.6 In Nargothrond Túrin became a great captain and King Orodreth heeded his counsels, even to the building of a mighty bridge and openly pursuing Morgoth’s servants. So West Beleriand was freed, allowing Morwen and Nienor to reach Menegroth seeking Túrin.7 The respite was brief, however. Glaurung led an onslaught against Nargothrond, knowing full well the identity of the great warrior. The dragon taunted Túrin that his family were forsaken.8 Being deceived, Túrin raced north to Dor-lómin, only to find them gone. Thinking them safe with Thingol, he sought in vain for Finduilas, his love, who had been taken from Nargothrond. Encountering some Men of Brethil, he learned that she had been slain by Ores and her body lay at Brethil. He stayed with the Haladin, and once more his deeds did not remain secret, though he hid his name.9

  The evil of the curse had not run its course, for Morwen and Nienor had meanwhile gone west toward Nargothrond. Morwen was lost on the road, and Nienor, standing on Amon Ethir, was bewitched by Glaurung. Her guides led her back to the guarded bridge, but she escaped them during an Ore attack. She ran to the Crossings of Teiglin and was found in Brethil by Túrin. Unaware of her true identity, he named her Níniel. The two eventually wed, and were happy.10 Then Glaurung came—drawn once more by Túrin’s fame. The dragon entered Brethil at Cabed-en-Aras, a narrow gorge of the Teiglin (evidently upstream from the confluence with Dimrost and the ravines shown on The Silmarillion map). Túrin reached Dimrost (Nen Girith) at sunset and went on to Cabed-en-Aras in the dark. There he and a companion crossed the treacherous waters and climbed the cliff beyond. At midnight Glaurung made his move—only to be attacked by Túrin. When Túrin recrossed the river to regain his sword, he fainted from the dragon-stench and evil glare.11

  Meanwhile, Níniel, unable to await news, followed the path to Nen Girith and saw afar the dragon’s fire. When Brandir sought to lead her away to the Crossings of Teiglin, she fled. She did not recross Dimrost, but instead dashed south along Teiglin’s bank. Soon she reached Glaurung, with Túrin lying beside him—and she thought her love to be dead. Then Glaurung, with his final stroke of malice, released her memory. In despair she cast herself into the water.12 With the death of the worm Túrin awoke and returned to Dimrost. There Brandir told him of Nienor’s death and her true identity. In rage he killed Brandir, then went to the Crossings of Teiglin. There, in a chance meeting with Mablung, Brandir’s story was confirmed, and Túrin rushed back to the ravine, where he slew himself.13 Then the folk of Brethil raised a stone to the hapless: monument of Túrin and Nienor—twice beloved.14

  Upper: BEREN AND LÚTHIEN Lower: TÚRIN AND NIENOR Inset: DEATH-SITE

  The Battles of Beleriand

  THROUGHOUT THE MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED YEARS Morgoth occupied Angband,1 he strove to master those who lived in northwestern Middle-earth: Elves, Men, and Dwarves. Five major battles and one Great Battle took place in that span of time. Tolkien gave little information about the numbers of troops, and often there were only passing references to the lesser skirmishes. The necessary estimates, therefore, were based upon scattered comments about numbers and location of the populace; and upon knowledge of the topography, existing roads, bridges, and fords. The object is for the reader to gain an impression of the peoples involved, troop sizes and losses, and the ebb and flow of battle. It would be helpful to note that lines of varying width symbolize either increasing numbers marching to the field, or increasing losses during the battle—depending upon the direction of flow. Lines that are superimposed indicate that the action took place later in the battle.

  The First Battle

  Shortly before the return of the Noldor to Middle-earth, Morgoth assailed the Sindar, thinking to gain the mastery of the area quickly. His great army broke into two hosts, which passed west down Sirion and east betweeen Aros and Gelion. Some of the bands may even have climbed the passes of Anach and Aglon, for the Ores were said to have “passed silently into the highlands of the north.”2

  In the east, King Thingol took the offensive, leading out the folk of Menegroth and the Forest of Region. He called upon Denethor of Ossiriand, who attacked simultaneously from the east. The Ores, beset on two fronts, must have turned back-to-back to counter. The east-facing companies of Ores prevailed over Denethor and encircled him on Amon Ereb, where he fell, before he could be rescued by Thingol’s host. When help arrived, the Elves routed the thralls of Morgoth. Of the few Ores who escaped, most fell later to the axes of the Dwarves of Mount Dolmed.

  The bulk of the Western Host camped on the plain between Narog and Sirion, harrying throughout West Beleriand. Led by Círdan, the forces of Brithombar and Eglarest countered but were driven back within their walls and besieged. Thus, the Western Host overran West Beleriand and Falas, while the Eastern Host of Morgoth was destroyed. Each of the opponents had only partial victory. Doriath stood untouched, and thereafter was ringed by the enchanted Girdle of Melian.

  The Second Battle

  (Dagor-nuin-Giliath, the Battle-under-Stars)

  While the Noldor toiled through Araman, Morgoth had already raised Thangorodrim, rebuilt his forces, and fought
the battle against the Sindar to establish his dominance. Ores still beset the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest when Fëanor’s host arrived unexpectedly at the Firth of Drengist, and encamped on the north shores of Lake Mithrim.

  Morgoth hoped to destroy the Noldor before they became firmly established, so he sent his army through the passes of the Ered Wethrin.3 Although Morgoth’s troops outnumbered the Elves, the Ores were quickly defeated. (It was often so when slaves opposed those filled with righteous wrath.) So the remnant of the Ores retreated through the passes into the plain of Ard-galen, followed closely by the Noldor.

  The forces that had been besieging the Havens marched north to aid in the affray, but Celegorm ambushed them near Eithel Sirion. Trapped between the forces of Celegorm and Fëanor, the Ores fought for ten days. Gradually they must have been encircled and forced into the Fens of Serech, where all but a few perished. In wrath the host pressed on across Ard-galen, pursuing even this small troop. Hoping to complete his victory and possibly even come against Morgoth himself, Fëanor raced ahead with only a small group. Soon, at the edge of Dor Daedeloth, the hunter became the hunted. Not only did the Ores turn in bay, but they were joined by Balrogs from Thangorodrim. There Fëanor fought on alone, and finally—fell. With the arrival of his sons, Fëanor was saved; and the Balrogs and remaining Ores returned to Angband. Yet they evidently did so by choice, knowing that the wounds of Fëanor were mortal (immortal though he was). Victory was incomplete, and was shorn of glory.