📖 Chapter 12 🇬🇧 – The Years of Long Peace

After the Dagor Aglareb, the hosts of Morgoth were driven back within the gates of Angband, and the Noldor began a long siege. Around the mountains fortresses and watchtowers were raised, and throughout the lands of Beleriand a new order was set: beneath the stars there came peace, lasting for more than four centuries. Among Men it was called the Long Peace.—The Strongholds of the NoldorFingolfin dwelt in the mountains of Hithlum, and his warriors guarded the western plains.Finrod built his hidden stronghold upon the river Narog: this became Nargothrond.And Turgon, guided by the dreams of Ulmo, withdrew and founded the secret city of Gondolin.Thus the Noldor were strengthened in three great centers, and all believed that Morgoth’s power was broken.—The Houses of MenBy this time the race of Men had fully settled in Beleriand.The House of Bëor bound themselves to Finrod; many entered his service and swore loyalty.The House of Hador became the greatest warriors under the banner of Fingolfin.The House of Haleth dwelt in the woods of Brethil, proud and stern, walking their own path.And whenever quarrels, fears, or doubts arose among them, there often appeared one figure: the White Wanderer. He strengthened their hearts, pointed out the stars above, and from his words courage sprang. They did not know who he truly was, but his name was carried in legend.—The Guardians of DoriathMeanwhile Doriath remained inviolate, for an unseen power girded its borders. Melian the Maia, and Talion, stood together in its defense. If Melian’s enchantment was the wall, then Talion’s Light was its forged spirit.And because they were so often seen together, many believed that some secret bond-or even more-joined them. Whispers arose: „Talion and Melian summon the Light together… perhaps they are hidden lovers?”Yet the truth was this: between them there was nothing, save the joined strength of two mighty spirits.—The Secret Works of MorgothWhile the peoples of Beleriand lived in peace, Morgoth did not rest. In the deep pits of Angband a new host was bred: Balrogs, Dragons, and endless legions of Orcs. The Long Peace was but an illusion, for each day the Dark Lord gathered his strength anew.And thus, though beneath the starlight joy and hope endured, the day drew ever nearer when peace would end in flame.

📖 Chapter 13 🇬🇧 – The Battle of Sudden Flame

For centuries the Long Peace endured, and the peoples of Beleriand began to believe that Morgoth’s power was broken forever. Yet in the deep pits of Angband the Dark Lord gathered strength, and the day came when peace was shattered in fire.From the bowels of the mountains sudden fire burst forth: rivers of flame and choking smoke poured across the plains, and with them the endless legions of Orcs. Glaurung the Dragon came forth in his full might for the first time, his scales aflame, his breath consuming whole valleys. Thus began the Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of Sudden Flame.—The Fall of the NoldorThe strongholds of the Noldor fell one by one.- Angrod and Aegnor, brothers of Finrod, perished in the fire.- Fingolfin’s armies were driven back, and the lands of Hithlum were drowned in blood and ash.- Many of the Houses of Men were destroyed, and some, in fear, turned traitor to Morgoth.Despair took root in the hearts of the Noldor: the Long Peace had ended in ruin.—The Deeds of ÆrronsAnd among them walked Talion, whom Men named the White Wanderer. Though forbidden by Eru to unleash the full measure of his divine strength, yet by sword and by voice he saved countless lives.It was he who led the remnants of the House of Bëor out of the flames when Glaurung’s fire consumed their camp. It was he who for a moment stayed the dragon’s charge: driving his spear into the earth, he raised a shield of starlight above the fleeing host.Yet he knew he could not turn the tide of the battle. All he could do was save as many as might be preserved from the ruin.—The Guardians of DoriathWhile all the world was aflame, the forests of Doriath remained inviolate. Melian’s song and Talion’s light together upheld the barrier, and even the shadow of Glaurung could not pierce it.The people saw them together in the deep woods, hands raised in shining power, and the whispers grew louder:”They are inseparable.””Melian the Lady and Talion… surely they guard more than just the realm.”And though in truth nothing passed between them, the appearance lived on, etched into memory as if they had been secret lovers.—A Moment by the WatersAfter the battle, when the night was heavy with smoke, Talion withdrew to a hidden pool in the forest, washing the blood and fire from his body. His back bore wounds seared by flame, and the water grew dark with his blood.There Melian found him. She spoke no word, but sat beside him, cleansing his wounds with a white cloth, binding them with gentle hands.Starlight fell upon the water; the forest hushed. Their faces drew close, and for a breath it seemed that a kiss might pass between them.But then sudden voices broke the silence: a patrol of Elves calling in the distance, or the horns of Men, or the harsh cries of Orcs still wandering near. The moment was gone.Melian rose, laying her cloak upon his shoulders.”The world still watches,” she whispered.And though nothing had ever passed between them, those who glimpsed them from afar remembered only the sight: the Maia tending the wounds of the naked Light-bearer, as though secret lovers had met in the forest.Thus the rumor grew ever stronger.—The End of the BattleWhen the Dagor Bragollach ended, the world was changed forever.- The Noldor had lost many of their greatest heroes.- The Houses of Men were divided: some faithful, some treacherous.- Morgoth’s power spread once more over the lands of Beleriand.Only Doriath remained untouched, held by the Girdle of Melian and the Light of Talion. And the chroniclers wrote: „When the world was aflame, Melian and Talion stood side by side and guarded Beleriand.”And so the shadow of rumor endured, to echo in later days – and long after, an Elven prince with golden hair would rage with jealousy at the tales.Fingolfin’s ChallengeWhen the Dagor Bragollach was ended, and the hosts of the Noldor were scattered in ruin, Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, rose in wrath and despair. He mounted his steed Rochallor and rode alone to the very gates of Angband.The earth trembled as Morgoth came forth in black armor, wielding his mighty hammer. He loomed like a mountain set in motion, and each of his steps broke the ground beneath him.Yet Fingolfin did not falter. Starlight glimmered upon his sword, and his cry rang across the world:”Come then, Morgoth! Face the High King!”—The DuelLong they fought, and the earth shook beneath their blows. Seven times Morgoth struck, and seven times the ground split asunder. Yet seven times Fingolfin wounded him, and Morgoth’s black blood ran smoking upon the ground, never to be healed.At last, however, the might of the Dark Lord overcame the mortal king: with his hammer he smote Fingolfin down, and the High King fell.—The Shadow of TalionThough forbidden by Eru to intervene, Talion stood upon the high places and beheld the combat, his heart breaking within him. It was he who, with words and light, accompanied Fingolfin’s spirit as it passed into death.And it is said that even the stars shone brighter that night, for Morgoth knew fear for the first and last time, wounded by the hand of a mortal king.—The Whisper EnduresYet among the people the whispers grew again:- „Talion was not upon the battlefield, for he stood beside Melian.”- „Fingolfin fought alone, while those two together guarded Doriath.”Though it was not so-for Talion labored wherever he might to save lives-the appearance proved stronger than truth.

📖 Chapter 14 🇬🇧 – Beren and Lúthien