Of the necessity of the Noldor

[Lhunithiliel]

I give you here the excellent essay written by gate on my request.
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Of the necessity of the Noldor

The First Battle took place soon after the return of Morgoth to Middle Earth and before the host of the Noldor reached the north-western coast of Lammoth. Morgoth’s purpose was to quickly gain the mastery of the area. But as he often did later, he underestimated the valour of the Elves. The eastern host of Orcs was defeated by Thingol and the Green-Elves, while the western host was victorious over Círdan. The outcome of the battle was balanced, since none of the two opposing sides could claim mastery on Beleriand.
Should we try to speculate on the future of the area? With the Green-Elves never coming to war openly again (after their heavy loses in the First Battle) and the Elves of Falas (ruled by Círdan) being mostly mariners than warriors, the guardianship of the lands fell on the Grey Elves of Doriath. But Thingol had shown from the start an inclination towards isolation inside the Girdle of Melian, rather than open war; the rest of Beleriand should protect themselves. Morgoth probably was loath of not gaining the mastery on this first attempt, but his cunning would guide him to wait for his strength to rise more (while the numbers of the Elves showed a much less rate of increase) and renew his attacks in Beleriand. Doriath would become an isolated island in the angry sea of the Orcs of Morgoth. There is no doubt that they would eventually fall.
But what spoiled the plan of Morgoth (or better what changed the course of events) was undoubtedly the Return of the Noldor. In view of the events that followed the coming of the two hosts in Hithlum, the Noldor with better physical strength and skills, better arms and a fearful sight, would have managed to defeat all the hosts of Morgoth’s Orcs, had the battle continued. But as it is known, the raising of the Sun dismayed the Orcs that fled and hided in the deepest pits of Angband, waiting for their fear to diminish and come out again in the open.
Let us here examine whether this event was eventually in favour of the Noldor. In the period of 60 years (from the Battle under the stars to the Glorious Battle), the Noldor managed to resolve the feud between the two hosts (by Fingon’s valiant action). They established their realms in peace and made connections with the other Elvish realms of Beleriand. They probably dealt more with survival problems in the new lands, building their houses and cities, rather than concerned themselves with martial issues. Mereth Aderthad (F.A. 21) showed the mood of the Noldor that was mostly towards establishing new realms and controlling new lands rather than fighting Morgoth for vengeance or for regaining the jewels.
On the other hand, Morgoth all these years had the time to regain his strength and increase the numbers of his hosts to oppose to the unexpected arrival of the Noldor. No doubt, he bred more Orcs, less vulnerable to light, as well as other fell creatures. The losses of the first two battles should have been much greater for him than the losses of the Elves, since especially at the Battle Under the Stars, the host of Fëanor had caused much destruction to its enemy.
It seems that both sides used the time of peace for their organization. But while Morgoth had gathered all his strength in the enforcement of his troops for the imminent battle, the Noldor dealt also with the establishment of their new cities (without neglecting the strengthening of their army). We should also keep in mind the great powers and wisdom of Morgoth, as well as the fact that the Elves were under different princes, each one with his own strategy, making thus the coordination more difficult to be achieved. The logical assumption is that Morgoth managed to organize his army much better during these 60 years of peace.
And then we reach the Third Battle (Glorious Battle) that happened after this short time of peace. The outcome of this battle was victorious for the Elves, for the first and last time in the First Age. They managed to defeat the hosts of Morgoth and besiege Angband for almost 400 years. The question that comes in mind is what would have happened if the battle had taken place 60 years ago, just after the coming of the second host (under the leadership of Fingolfin). Since those 60 years, Morgoth’s army was much strengthened as opposed to the Elves, a third battle at that time might have proven much more glorious, possibly tightening the siege of Angband, or even attacking the fortress.
Instead of this, the battle was put off for 60 years, giving the time to Morgoth to prepare his hosts better (which even so did not prove enough) and making the Elves less eager to get involved in an uncertain war with the Black Foe, attacking him at his stronghold. Thus, they stopped outside Angband, without attempting to attack it. Of course, the outcome of such an effort might not be victorious for the Noldor, but in the end, they gave another chance to Morgoth to regain his strength and unleash his uncountable hosts in Dagor Bragollach (repeating the pattern of Morgoth preparing endlessly for a war and the Elves dealing mostly with their domestic affairs). With a third battle happening as soon as Fingolfin arrived (and assuming that the feud would somehow be resolved), the Noldor would be more eager to deal with Morgoth once and for all, not stopping outside his stronghold – something which Fëanor attempted, but blindly and without the correct organization. And with a battle at Angband, the course of events would be much different, possibly in favour of the Elves.



tbc

[Lhunithiliel]

in continuation...........


Of the dragons
Just around the middle of the Siege of Angband (260 F.A.), appeared the Great Worm. Glaurung was one of the most important personalities (if we accept him as a sentient being) of the Wars of Beleriand, only after Sauron and Gothmog in deeds and cunningness. He played a most important role in both victorious battles (Bragollach and Nirnaeth), and destroyed Nargothrond. Yet, his first appearance proved premature and might have destroyed Morgoth’s plans, revealing a great weapon too early. But either because the Elves did not realize this new danger, or because they were unable to figure a way to counter him, the dragon was unmatchable during the following victorious battles, and only the armoury of the Dwarves stayed his destructiveness. Could the Elves find a way to counter the great worms? The Dwarves could, so it should be possible for the Elves too. But the fact is that Glaurung was not stopped until he had caused much destruction and most Beleriand laid in waste.
Judging by the first dragon, we can assume that the other dragons too were of equal stature or even better, if Morgoth bettered his skill. And by the short account of the War of Wrath, Ancalagon and his winged dragons must have been far too powerful, since they even stayed the assault of the Valarin host. Morgoth must have reached a high level of skill in breeding his fell beasts. He had lost most of his other skills, as well as much of his former wisdom in evaluating the situations (as seen by his surprise at the Valarin host), but he had spent much of his power in breeding his servants, which had become of monstrous stature and power (Ancalagon destroyed Thangorodrim with his fall after the battle with Eärendil). Those perils the Elves could not possibly ever face alone. They would have been destroyed all and every one of them, trying the impossible. But still, they might have been in a better situation, had they not let Morgoth in peace, breeding his dragons and planning his next moves.


Of the Fifth Battle
Quoting from the Silmarillion: “Some have said that even then the Eldar might have won the day, had all their hosts proved faithful”. The above quote gives room for some speculation. Is this a statement with some weight or is it just a poetic expression to show the valour of the Eldar? The hosts of the Orcs were uncountable; in almost every battle three time the numbers of the Eldar and their allies. Glaurung and the Balrogs were of mythical strength and powers, almost unstoppable from all but the most valiant warriors. And still, the forces of Morgoth had other creatures, werewolves and trolls. But the above quote claims that still the Eldar might have won the day…
The original plan of the Eldar was to divide into two hosts the eastern under Maedhros, the Swarthy Men and the Naugrim; and the western under Fingon and the Edain. Turgon’s unexpected arrival probably doubled the western host, bringing thus new hope. The eastern host would drive the forces of Morgoth out and then western host would encircle the enemy coming from behind. It proved wrong for two basic reasons. First Morgoth was aware of his enemies’ moves, while the Eldar had little knowledge of their enemy’s plan. Thus, they easily fell in the trap of being divided in various hosts (Gwindor’s, Fingon’s and Turgon’s). Second, because of the treachery of Men that stayed Maedhros five days who never came to help the western host. And so, divided the hosts fell. And only by the valiance of the Naugrim and the Húrin and Huor did some of the two hosts leave the battlefield, otherwise they would all have fallen.
But was the treachery of Men the main fault? Would they have won otherwise? None can know, but there are some strong objections. The Eldar failed miserably in the espionage of their enemy, moving blindly by their own plan, without knowing the movements of Morgoth. Their old feuds were never healed. Most people from Nargothrond would not march in war remembering the deeds of Caranthir and Celegorm. And from Menegroth only two came. If all of them had been united against the common enemy, the forces would be much greater, regarding that Doriath was one of the biggest realms. Also Morgoth would have found other cunning ways of dividing the forces of the Eldar. He managed to do so with Gwindor, he would have done it to Maedhros without the aid of faithless Men. Of course, the western host would not have to fight in two sides, but still Morgoth’s malice would have found some weak spots to exploit. And lastly, even if everything had gone well for the hosts of the Eldar, they would have to counter the last wave of forces that Morgoth unleashed which comprised of the Balrogs of Gothmog and the dragons of Glaurung.

Were there any Valar in the War of Wrath?
The War of Wrath is one of the least developed battles, with only a short account that goes back in the first years of the writing of the history of Middle Earth. One detail that is not answered clearly is whether any of the Valar actually took part in the last battle with the fallen Vala. The text leaves room for speculation and assumptions since there is no reference to any of the Valar, but the host is continuously called the host of the Valar.
One important element that suggests there were no Valar, is that Eönwë is the leader of the host and the vassal of Manwë. It would be peculiar that a Maia would be above some Valar, even if this Maia was considered the greatest in arms. Tulkas seems at first a better choice, but considering that he was a champion with great skill in strength and little in wisdom, he might be considered inappropriate for the leadership. Maybe Eönwë was considered the best Ainu for the leadership combining those skills needed for a leader. But another important element is that Eönwë also took the Silmarils, as a herald of Manwë. Any Vala that was there, should have the right to deal with this important issue, since the Silmarils had nothing to do with the battle which was over and the military skills of Eönwë were not necessary in this subject. The evidence suggest that no Vala came to Beleriand in the War of Wrath.
What does this assumption tell us about the Valar? There were a few from the male ones (Tulkas, Oromë) that normally would have taken part in this war. But they didn’t (assuming we are right). The Valar at the time of the War of Wrath had been diminished as ruling powers of Arda. They were mostly watching the course of events. The raising of the Pelóri was their last attempt to reform Arda. They were already “weary” of their long dwelling in Arda and the continuous wars with Melkor. Manwë sitting on his throne on the white peak of Taniquetil understood that the fate of Arda was no longer in their hands. The vision of the future was almost running out, which would also mean the end of the foresight of the Valar.
Morgoth in the end of the First Age is the last danger that the Valar will have to deal with. And they know they are not even needed. Eönwë with his host of Maiar, Elves, Eagles can sweep the fallen Vala. They will of course continue to aid and guide the peoples of Middle Earth in the Ages to come, but there are distant Powers, far from the place of events, old rumours of the past, angels that do not appear anymore to mortals. Their guidance and advice will pass through emissaries and indirect ways and also they will leave the initiative to the free peoples.
Morgoth on the other side, chose the exactly opposite way. Not to move off, leaving the initiative to his servants. And how could he, when his purpose was chaos? Looking how the two mighty Valar Manwë and Morgoth differ in the end of the First Age, we understand better the great distance that exists between these two minds. Morgoth dispersed his immense powers to control all Beleriand (thus being called Morgoth’s Ring). He would not stop spending his inner strength to fulfill his nihilistic plan. He would not even trust his own servants. He would cast his powers on them, so that he would know all their secret thoughts and move them like puppets to follow the plan strictly. Manwë would sit back and give the opportunity to the good people to act; he would only interfere as a tutor to advice them.
If the Valar wanted to defeat Morgoth, they had to deal with all Morgoth’s Ring, the dispersed powers that had rooted in Beleriand. This was not the case for example with Sauron. It was not only the immense inherent strength of Morgoth. The whole Beleriand had to be unrooted for the war to end. When all his dispersed evil had been defeated, when the legions of Orcs and the Dragons had been scattered, Morgoth had been diminished in a shadow of malice, just like Sauron when his ring was destroyed. His final death and casting in the Void was typical. But in the process of ripping off his branches of power, the Valar had to destroy the foundations of Beleriand. This was the price of getting rid of the Evil at its roots (since the offshoots would continue to trouble the world in the ages to come). And it explains the hesitation of the Valar to openly attack Melkor in the old ages when Arda was young.