Timeline Event
Dagor-nuin-Giliath: 2nd Battle of Beleriand
Meaning: Battle-under-Stars
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: Time of the Trees
Year: 1497
Description:
Table of Contents: The Combatants
The Combatants
— Attacking Forces
— Defensive Forces
The Timeline
The Prelude
The Battle
The Aftermath
Etymology
Attacking Forces
"the host of [Morgoth], Orcs and werewolves"
The War of the Jewels, HoME Vol 11, Part 1, The Grey Annals
Morgothhad two armies involved, "the host of Morgoth" that came through passes of the Mountains of Shadow, and a second force "that had passed south into the Vale of Sirion and beleaguered Círdan in the Havens of the Falas"
"Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs"
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 13, Of the Return of the Noldor
Defensive Forces
"The Noldor… the light of Aman was not yet dimmed in their eyes, and they were strong and swift, and deadly in anger, and their swords were long and terrible."
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 13, Of the Return of the Noldor
The Timeline
"Ten days that battle lasted"
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 13, Of the Return of the Noldor
1497 Time of the Trees.
The War of the Jewels, HoME Vol 11, Part 1, The Grey Annals
The Prelude
"Now the flames of that burning were seen not only by Fingolfin, whom Fëanor had deserted, but also by the Orcs and the watchers of Morgoth. No tale hath told what Morgoth thought in his heart at the tidings that Fëanor his bitterest foe had brought a host out of the West. Maybe he feared him little, for he had not yet had proof of the swords of the Noldor, and soon it was seen that he purposed to drive them back into the Sea."
The War of the Jewels, HoME Vol 11, Part 1, The Grey Annals
"Under the cold stars before the rising of the Moon the host of Fëanor went up the long Firth of Drengist that pierced the Echoing Hills of Ered Lómin, and passed thus from the shores into the great land of Hithlum; and they came at length to the long lake of Mithrim, and upon its northern shore made their encampment in the region that bore the same name."
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 13, Of the Return of the Noldor
The Battle
"But the host of Morgoth, aroused by the tumult of Lammoth and the light of the burning at Losgar, came through the passes of Ered Wethrin, the Mountains of Shadow, and assailed Fëanor on a sudden, before his camp was full-wrought or put in defence; and there on the grey fields of Mithrim [the battle] was fought…. The Noldor, outnumbered and taken at unawares, were yet swiftly victorious.. The Orcs fled before them, and they were driven forth from Mithrim with great slaughter, and hunted over the Mountains of Shadow into the great plain of Ard-galen, that lay northward of Dorthonion. There the armies of Morgoth that had … beleaguered Círdan in the Havens of the Falas came up to their aid, and were caught in their ruin. For Celegorm, Fëanor's son… waylaid them with a part of the Elven-host, and coming down upon them out of the hills near Eithel Sirion drove them into the Fen of Serech. Evil indeed were the tidings that came at last to Angband, and Morgoth was dismayed."
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 13, Of the Return of the Noldor
The Aftermath
"…from it returned of all the hosts that he [Morgoth] had prepared for the conquest of Beleriand no more than a handful of leaves.
Yet cause he had for great joy, though it was hidden from him for a while. For Fëanor, in his wrath against the Enemy, would not halt, but pressed on behind the remnant of the Orcs, thinking so to come at Morgoth himself… Thus it was that he drew far ahead of the van of his host; and seeing this the servants of Morgoth turned to bay, and there issued from Angband Balrogs to aid them. … Fëanor was surrounded… at the last he was smitten to the ground by Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, whom Ecthelion after slew in Gondolin. There he would have perished, had not his sons in that moment come up with force to his aid…
Then his sons … bore him back towards Mithrim… Fëanor bade them halt; for his wounds were mortal, and he knew that his hour was come. … he … laid it upon his sons to hold to their oath, and to avenge their father. "
"But even in the hour of the death of Fëanor an embassy came to his sons from Morgoth, acknowledging defeat, and offering terms, even to the surrender of a Silmaril. … Wherefore each embassy came with greater force than was agreed; but Morgoth sent the more... Maedhros … was taken alive by the command of Morgoth, and brought to Angband."
" Then all the Elves of Beleriand were filled with wonder and with hope at the coming of their mighty kindred, who thus returned unlocked-for from the West in the very hour of their need, believing indeed at first that they came as emissaries of the Valar to deliver them."
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 13, Of the Return of the Noldor
Etymology
NDAK- slay. ON ndakie to slay, pa.t. ndanke; ndagno slain (as noun), corpse; ndakro slaughter, battle. N degi to slay; daen corpse; dangen slain, cf. Haudi Ndengin; dagr, dagor battle; dagro to battle, make war. *ndako warrior, soldier…
NU- Cf. NDU. Q nun adv. down below, underneath; no prep. under. N no under, with article nui (Dagor nuin Giliath)…
GIL- (cf. GAL., KAL.; SIL., THIL.; GUL., KUL.) shine (white or pale). *gilya: N gil star (pl. giliath). [This original entry was retained, with the addition to gil: 'pl. geil, collective pl. giliath', and the following also added:] gael pale, glimmering; gilgalad starlight; Gilbrennil, Gilthoniel = Varda. Q Ilma starlight (cf. Ilmare), N [?Gilwen] or Gilith; Ilmen region above air where stars are…
The Lost Road and Other Writings, HoME Vol 5, Part 3, The Etymologies
Contributors:
Lyllyn 12Aug03, reformatted, quotes and links added 7Mar05
