Nargothrond

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Nargothrond
J.R.R. Tolkien - Nargothrond (II) (Colored by H.E. Riddett).jpg
General information
LocationThe meeting of the rivers Ringwil and Narog, beneath the High Faroth
CapitalNargothrond
People
LanguageSindarin
GalleryImages of Nargothrond

Nargothrond was the stronghold built by Finrod Felagund to dwell in, delved into the banks of the river Narog in Beleriand. This was the base of Felagund's realm that included the lands to the north (the Talath Dirnen) and surrounding.

History

Creation

The Caverns of Narog beneath the forested hills of Taur-en-Faroth on the western bank of the river were known as Nulukkhizdîn, first inhabited by the Petty-dwarves before they were driven out.

Inspired by Menegroth in Doriath, and seeking a hidden place from which to be safe from the forces of Morgoth, Finrod established Nargothrond in the caves in the early years of the First Age. He was aided by the Dwarves of the Ered Luin, who also made for him the Nauglamír, the Necklace of the Dwarves.

Days of Power

Finrod ruled Nargothrond until he joined Beren in his quest for the Silmaril and handed rule to Orodreth. However, since the Dagor Bragollach Celegorm and Curufin, the sons of Fëanor, were defeated and retreated to Nargothrond where they were received as one of them. Although the city grew stronger because of this, the influence of the sons of Feänor became higher. Celegorm and Curufin lived in Nargothrond at the time Finrod departed with Beren and were more powerful than Orodreth until Finrod's death was reported, at which time they were exiled.

Fall

Túrin in Nargothrond by Alan Lee

(Main article: Fall of Nargothrond)

Túrin Turambar later came to Nargothrond and became one of its chief fighters, but he also persuaded the people to fight openly against Morgoth (the bridge was built at this time), which eventually led to its sack by the army of the dragon Glaurung.

Afterwards

Glaurung stayed there for about five more years guarding his stolen hoard until he went northeast to Brethil to assail Túrin and was killed by him at Cabed-en-Aras. Then, Mîm the Petty-dwarf settled there reclaiming his people's ancient home until he was killed by Húrin. The realm remained deserted for the rest of the First Age until the War of Wrath when it went down with the rest of Beleriand.

Etymology

From its first conception, the name Nargothrond means "Underground fortress on the river Narog". Its Petty-dwarvish name was Nulukkhizdîn (erronously spelled Nulukkizdîn in the published works).[1]

However, in his later life, Tolkien devised the Dwarvish name Nar(u)kathan instead, to which the Elves suffixed -rond, "vaulted dome".[2]

In Eriol's Old English translations, Nargothrond is referred as Hlydingaburg "City of the Hlydingas" or Stangaldor(burg).[3]

See also

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Two. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Siege of Angband (Chapter 10)"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 47
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: Appendix 1: Fragments of a translation of The Quenta Noldorinwa into Old English, made by Ælfwine or Eriol; together with Old English equivalents of Elvish names"