Ithrynluin
06-28-2004, 02:52 AM
1.
Now Fingolfin, King of the North, and High King of the Noldor, seeing that his people were become numerous and strong, and that the Men allied to them were many and valiant, pondered once more an assault upon Angband; for he knew that they lived in danger while the circle of the siege was incomplete, and Morgoth was free to labour in his deep mines, devising what evils none could foretell ere he should reveal them. This counsel was wise according to the measure of his knowledge; for the Noldor did not yet comprehend the fullness of the power of Morgoth, nor understand that their unaided war upon him was without final hope, whether they hasted or delayed. What would it have taken for the Noldor to realize the futility of their war with Melko? Had it occured, would this realization have changed anything. How?
2.
But because the land was fair and their kingdoms wide, most of the Noldor were content with things as they were, trusting them to last, and slow to begin an assault in which many must surely perish were it in victory or in defeat Therefore they were little disposed to hearken to Fingolfin, and the sons of Fëanor at that time least of all. Among the chieftains of the Noldor Angrod and Aegnor alone were of like mind with the King; Finrod is deemed the wisest of the Exiles. Why was he not of like mind with Fingolfin regarding Melko? Or did his wisdom show exactly in his reluctance to wage war upon Angband? Could Finrod have known it was all hopeless without the aid of the Valar?
3.
In the front of that fire came Glaurung the golden, father of dragons, in his full might;IIRC, Smaug's moniker was also 'the golden'. What do you think is the meaning of this? Merely the colour of their hides? Or a nickname of superiority (Ar-Pharazôn, last king of Númenor, was also called 'the golden')?
4.
Glaurung the golden, father of dragons, in his full might; and in his train were Balrogs, That the Balrogs were Glaurung's 'train', so to speak, seems to imply Glaurung's superiority to the Balrogs. Do you think this was actually true, or is this only so because at the time of the writing of this chapter, Balrogs were perhaps only considered to be beasts and demons, and not yet elevated into Maiar?
5.
Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the Elven-kings of old. Most valiant? Sure! Most proud? Debatable! How about Fëanor?!
6.
Now Morgoth's power overshadowed the Northlands; but Barahir would not flee from Dorthonion, and remained contesting the land foot by foot with his enemies. Then Morgoth pursued his people to the death, until few remained; and all the forest of the northward slopes of that land was turned little by little into a region of such dread and dark enchantment that even the Orcs would not enter it unless need drove them, and it was called Deldúwath, and Taur-nu-Fuin, The Forest under Nightshade. The trees that grew there after the burning were black and grim, and their roots were tangled, groping in the dark like claws; and those who strayed among them became lost and blind, and were strangled or pursued to madness by phantoms of terror. It is said of Sauron/Gorthaur that he was 'master of shadows and phantoms'. Do you think he could be held accountable for the 'phantoms of terror' that haunted Taur-nu-Fuin?
7.
But ever the Noldor feared most the treachery of those of their own kin, who had been thralls in Angband; for Morgoth used some of these for his evil purposes, and feigning to give them liberty sent them abroad, but their wills were chained to his, and they strayed only to come back to him again. Therefore if any of his captives escaped in truth, and returned to their own people, they had little welcome, and wandered alone outlawed and desperate.
Did this unhappy fate of mistrust and solitude befall Gwindor then as well?
8.
Thus it was that the sons of Galdor were fostered in Brethil by Haldir their uncle, according to the custom of Men in that time; There is a Haldir of Lórien in the Third Age, and as far as I recall, Mannish names are not given to the Eldar, rather the other way around. Of course, it may be that Haldir of Lórien was born before Haldir of Brethil, or that there was another Elven Haldir living in the First Age, after whom Haldir of Brethil got his name...
9.
And Húrin said to Turgon: "Lord, we are but mortal Men, and unlike the Eldar. They may endure for long years awaiting battle with their enemies in some far distant day; but for us the time is short, and our hope and strength soon wither. Moreover we did not find the road to Gondolin, and indeed we do not know surely where this city stands; for we were brought in fear and wonder by the high ways of the air, and in mercy our eyes were veiled.' How do you interpret this veiling of eyes - literally or metaphorically?
10.
But King Fingon was hard put to it to hold back the army of Angband that came down from the north; and battle was Joined upon the very plains of Hithlum. There Fingon was outnumbered; but the ships of Círdan sailed in great strength up the Firth of Drengist, and in the hour of need the Elves of the Falas came upon the host of Morgoth from the west. Then the Orcs broke and fled, and the Eldar had the victory, and their horsed archers pursued them even into the Iron Mountains.
More proof of the outstanding foresight Círdan had received for his sacrifice (lingering in Middle-Earth against his desire to go to Aman, see HoME XII)?
Let's discuss!
Comments, opinions and theories of any sort, more than welcome! :)
Now Fingolfin, King of the North, and High King of the Noldor, seeing that his people were become numerous and strong, and that the Men allied to them were many and valiant, pondered once more an assault upon Angband; for he knew that they lived in danger while the circle of the siege was incomplete, and Morgoth was free to labour in his deep mines, devising what evils none could foretell ere he should reveal them. This counsel was wise according to the measure of his knowledge; for the Noldor did not yet comprehend the fullness of the power of Morgoth, nor understand that their unaided war upon him was without final hope, whether they hasted or delayed. What would it have taken for the Noldor to realize the futility of their war with Melko? Had it occured, would this realization have changed anything. How?
2.
But because the land was fair and their kingdoms wide, most of the Noldor were content with things as they were, trusting them to last, and slow to begin an assault in which many must surely perish were it in victory or in defeat Therefore they were little disposed to hearken to Fingolfin, and the sons of Fëanor at that time least of all. Among the chieftains of the Noldor Angrod and Aegnor alone were of like mind with the King; Finrod is deemed the wisest of the Exiles. Why was he not of like mind with Fingolfin regarding Melko? Or did his wisdom show exactly in his reluctance to wage war upon Angband? Could Finrod have known it was all hopeless without the aid of the Valar?
3.
In the front of that fire came Glaurung the golden, father of dragons, in his full might;IIRC, Smaug's moniker was also 'the golden'. What do you think is the meaning of this? Merely the colour of their hides? Or a nickname of superiority (Ar-Pharazôn, last king of Númenor, was also called 'the golden')?
4.
Glaurung the golden, father of dragons, in his full might; and in his train were Balrogs, That the Balrogs were Glaurung's 'train', so to speak, seems to imply Glaurung's superiority to the Balrogs. Do you think this was actually true, or is this only so because at the time of the writing of this chapter, Balrogs were perhaps only considered to be beasts and demons, and not yet elevated into Maiar?
5.
Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the Elven-kings of old. Most valiant? Sure! Most proud? Debatable! How about Fëanor?!
6.
Now Morgoth's power overshadowed the Northlands; but Barahir would not flee from Dorthonion, and remained contesting the land foot by foot with his enemies. Then Morgoth pursued his people to the death, until few remained; and all the forest of the northward slopes of that land was turned little by little into a region of such dread and dark enchantment that even the Orcs would not enter it unless need drove them, and it was called Deldúwath, and Taur-nu-Fuin, The Forest under Nightshade. The trees that grew there after the burning were black and grim, and their roots were tangled, groping in the dark like claws; and those who strayed among them became lost and blind, and were strangled or pursued to madness by phantoms of terror. It is said of Sauron/Gorthaur that he was 'master of shadows and phantoms'. Do you think he could be held accountable for the 'phantoms of terror' that haunted Taur-nu-Fuin?
7.
But ever the Noldor feared most the treachery of those of their own kin, who had been thralls in Angband; for Morgoth used some of these for his evil purposes, and feigning to give them liberty sent them abroad, but their wills were chained to his, and they strayed only to come back to him again. Therefore if any of his captives escaped in truth, and returned to their own people, they had little welcome, and wandered alone outlawed and desperate.
Did this unhappy fate of mistrust and solitude befall Gwindor then as well?
8.
Thus it was that the sons of Galdor were fostered in Brethil by Haldir their uncle, according to the custom of Men in that time; There is a Haldir of Lórien in the Third Age, and as far as I recall, Mannish names are not given to the Eldar, rather the other way around. Of course, it may be that Haldir of Lórien was born before Haldir of Brethil, or that there was another Elven Haldir living in the First Age, after whom Haldir of Brethil got his name...
9.
And Húrin said to Turgon: "Lord, we are but mortal Men, and unlike the Eldar. They may endure for long years awaiting battle with their enemies in some far distant day; but for us the time is short, and our hope and strength soon wither. Moreover we did not find the road to Gondolin, and indeed we do not know surely where this city stands; for we were brought in fear and wonder by the high ways of the air, and in mercy our eyes were veiled.' How do you interpret this veiling of eyes - literally or metaphorically?
10.
But King Fingon was hard put to it to hold back the army of Angband that came down from the north; and battle was Joined upon the very plains of Hithlum. There Fingon was outnumbered; but the ships of Círdan sailed in great strength up the Firth of Drengist, and in the hour of need the Elves of the Falas came upon the host of Morgoth from the west. Then the Orcs broke and fled, and the Eldar had the victory, and their horsed archers pursued them even into the Iron Mountains.
More proof of the outstanding foresight Círdan had received for his sacrifice (lingering in Middle-Earth against his desire to go to Aman, see HoME XII)?
Let's discuss!
Comments, opinions and theories of any sort, more than welcome! :)