Quenta 18 — Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin
Chapter 18 of the Quenta Silmarillion
Summary
In the fourth age of the captivity of Morgoth, Thangorodrim burst into flame and rivers of fire poured down upon Ard-galen, and with that the Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of Sudden Flame, broke the Long Peace and scattered the leaguer of Angband. Angrod and Aegnor were slain in the ruin of Dorthonion, and Barahir, holding the Fen of Serech with a small band, saved Finrod Felagund from death and so earned the gift of the Ring of Barahir. The Orcs poured through every pass, and the ruin of Beleriand began in earnest as the fires consumed the northern plains. Fingolfin, in wrath and despair, rode alone to the gates of Angband and defied Morgoth to single combat, striking him with such fury that the Dark Lord was wounded and limped thereafter evermore. But the Lord of the North was the stronger, and Fingolfin fell; Thorondor bore his body from the wreck, and the eagles fought the wolves for the honour of the fallen king. The chapter closes with the Noldor staggered and their towers burning, and the beginning of the long ruin of the age.