Five Ways from One

Author’s Note: This started out in response to a challenge have a character make a different choice at a single moment in canon and see what came of it. I changed one thing and then wrote out five different consequences. It was also an attempt to try and write in the style of Tolkien’s Silmarillion, which is very hard!

Then Fëanor cursed the name of Melkor, whom he called Morgoth, and averred he would recover the light of the Silmarils from his grasp, no matter how long the fight or high the price. But Fingolfin stepped forward before the crowd, and he spoke against Fëanor, and accused him, saying that for all his show of grief it was not the death of his father that moved him most but the loss of his gems, and it was to regain them only he went forth. And Fëanor cried aloud that it was not so, and in the great square of Tirion he swore a terrible oath, and his seven sons, leaping to his side, swore the oath also, even by the name of Ilúvater, which none should call on so. They swore to pursue Morgoth in hatred and vengeance and to cease not until the death of Finwë were avenged.

Fingolfin spoke again against Fëanor and named his words blasphemy, but the greater part of the Noldor cried out for vengeance and would lose no time in setting forth….

One

Then Fëanor came to Alqualondë, and he spoke with Olwë and sought to persuade the Teleri to join in the rebellion, or at least to lend ships that the Noldor host might pass across the Sea. But the Teleri wished not to return to Middle-earth and Olwë leant him but a cold hearing, yet when Fëanor spoke of his grief at the death of Finwë, then Olwë was moved, for Finwë had been his dear friend. Still he thought the marching forth to be an act of foolish haste, against the wishes of the Valar, and he said unto Fëanor that the white ships of the Teleri were their dearest works whose like they would not make again, yet he did not refuse him utterly but said he would give thought to what was asked. Then Fëanor withdrew from Alqualondë, although his heart was hot and he was in great haste to go forth.

But Finarfin came up from the rear of the host, and when he heard what had passed between Olwë and Fëanor his heart still spoke against the venture, yet he did not wish to be thought backward in love for his father. Finarfin went therefore to Olwë and told him the venture was not forbidden by the Valar, and he spoke to him of those kinsfolk of the Teleri who dwelt still whence Morgoth had fled and undertook moreover to see the ships of the Teleri returned in safety. Olwë did then consent to lend the ships and the Noldor embarked and passed across the Sea to Middle-earth….

~~~

Then Morgoth withdrew his forces behind the wars of Angband, for he saw that the Noldor would not easily be overcome. Among the Noldor there was then debate, and Fingolfin wished to build up strong places, and nurse the strength of the Noldor, for he saw that the towers of Angband would not easily fall, however great the valour with which they were assailed. But Fëanor would hear of no delay or pause in fighting, and as before he swayed the hearts of the Noldor with his words so they were resolved to pour all their strength against Angband until they should overthrow its towers or perish.

Then Morgoth laughed in his heart, for he saw his enemies come on hastily and with but little preparation. And he held his hand as though in fear, but when the Noldor drew close to his walls then he released his hordes upon their camp, and the Noldor were surrounded and surprised. There Fëanor fell in the forefront of battle, and Fingolfin fell beside him and many other princes also were slain. Those of the Noldor who fell not were scattered and fled far away, or else they were taken captive by Morgoth and became his thralls, walking in fear of him forever after. So the rule of Morgoth lay heavy on all Beleriand and when in later times Men who had renounced Morgoth came there from the East then they found no escape from the Shadow, nor hope of it, and the paths of Eldar and Men drew not together, while none were left to sing of the fate of the Noldor….

Two

Then Finrod spoke before his people and he recalled his oath to Barahir and declared that he was bound to aid the son of Barahir in his need. Celegorm and Curufin spoke in answer, and they recalled the strength of Angband, which not all the Elf-kingdoms could assail.

And Finrod said unto them: “Your words are just, and no Silmaril shall be gained by strength of war nor will I waste the lives of my people. Yet my oath holds still, therefore will I go forth from my people to aid the son of Barahir as best I may.”

Then many stood forth and would have gone with him, yet he chose but ten companions, for the hope must lie in stealth not in strength. And he gave his silver crown into the keeping of Orodreth, but laid it on his kinsmen Celegorm and Curufin also to guard his folk….

~~~

Orodreth received Lúthien with honour, but he would not permit her to go forth from Nargothrond, for he feared to earn the wrath of Thingol, and he sent messengers unto Doriath to tell Thingol his daughter was in safe keeping. But Lúthien spoke unto Huan the hound of Celegorm who pitied her love….

~~~

Then Gwindor was kindled to madness and he leapt forth and many riders with him and drove into the main host. And seeing there was no restraining those who followed Gwindor, Orodreth caused the trumpets to be sounded and with Celegorm and Curufin led forth the whole host of Nargothrond. And the company of Gwindor burst through the Gate and slew the guards upon the very stair, there they came close to being trapped, but the host of Nargothrond came up in time, and Morgoth’s servants could not bar the doors.

Seeing this Fingon the King put on his white helm, and the whole host of Hithlum leapt forth from the hills and swept down unto the walls of Angband. Then Morgoth sent forth the hosts that he had held in waiting, and they issued forth from secret passages, and the Elf-host wavered. But Turgon with the host of Gondolin came down from the pass of Sirion, and still the battle roiled before the very walls of Angband, and the gates stood open although the Elves could spare not the strength to press within.

At last in the morning the trumpets of Maedhros were heard, coming up from the east. Then Morgoth loosed his last strength, and there came forth wolves, and Balrogs and Glaurung father of dragons. Yet one part of his plan miscarried for the men of Uldor the traitor were dismayed when they saw the gates of Angband breeched, and fled without striking blow. So the host from the east held firm, and the forces of Morgoth were assailed from two sides, and at last they broke and fled the field. Then the elves entered Angband in triumph, but Morgoth they found not, for his spirit had left his body and fled eastward, weakened and in fear, and his throne and iron crown were left abandoned. But the elves recovered the Silmarils and they freed the captives that were held in Angband and razed its great walls in triumph….

Three

Then Ulmo spoke a last time to Tuor in the falling of the rain, and he bade him carry a final warning to Turgon, that if he would not abandon his city then he should prepare instead for war and battle with Morgoth, and march on Angband with all that could be summoned. The feud with the sons of Fëanor should be healed, for this would be the last hope of the Noldor, and every sword should count. Ulmo foretold terrible and mortal strife, but victory if Turgon would dare it.

So Tuor spoke before the council of Gondolin and Turgon harkened and sat a long time in thought, for Tuor had become dear to him, and Idril his daughter had spoken to support of her husband also. At last Turgon said “Be it so!” and sent forth his messengers.

In the east the sons of Fëanor gathered from their long wandering, and not all were willing to march at Turgon’s bidding, but at last the will of Maedhros the eldest prevailed, and they set forth. Then the strength that they gathered was greater than Turgon had thought; for many elves of Hithlum had fled east when their lands were overrun, knowing not the way to Gondolin, and the Dwarves of Belegost marched with them to avenge the death of Azaghâl their lord.

Tuor also went forth from Gondolin to Doriath and spoke unto Dior Eluchil and claimed kinship through his mother’s descent from the folk of Barahir. Dior was not moved easily to abandon the long isolation of his people, but he and Tuor spoke together for a long time, and at last he agreed to join the alliance, if his folk not be placed by the sons of Fëanor in the battle to come. To this Tuor agreed.

And so on the day assembled the hosts came together, and Ulmo sent great mists to cover the land as they marched on Angband. Turgon the king had his banner in the centre, and the folk of the Noldor that had fled to the isle of Balar joined with him, and those of the Edain that yet remained marched behind the banner of Tuor. On the left was Dior with the host of Doriath, and Círdan’s folk joined with them and the Green-elves of the south, but those of the Laiquendi that dwelled nearer to Angband marched with the sons of Fëanor on the right. In silence the host came on without song or trumpet, and they fell on Angband from the south before Morgoth could prepare against their coming.

There great and mortal indeed was the battle, and the losses of the host that assailed Angband were beyond count, and the losses of the princes and the leaders most of all. For Morgoth summoned all of his strength, but that strength was not as great as it had been, and at the last the host that assailed him had the victory, although too dear bought for songs of joy. Long would streets in Gondolin stand silent and wind blow through empty glades in Doriath. Yet at last the power of Angband was no more, and these tidings were received across the Sea in wonder. Then it is said that for their valour against Morgoth the Noldor were offered pardon by the Valar, and the chance to sail again into the West, yet those that remained refused the pardon, for their hearts were bitter at their losses….

Four

Yet Morgoth sent against Doriath, for the Girdle of Melian was no more and he wished to attack whilst the Sindar were weakened still from their battles with the dwarves. Then Dior looked for aid, but Nargothrond was no more and the folk of Círdan were too far removed to come in time. But the sons of Fëanor, although they loved not the Sindar, remembered their old quarrel with Morgoth, and when the host of Angband sought to surround Doriath then they rallied such force as they could summon and kept the trap from closing in the east a while.

There Dior fell, defending the land to the last, and there fell Nimloth his wife, and of the fate of his young sons no tale tells. And on the east marches of Doriath there fell Celegorm and Curufin and dark Caranthir, and so the old grudge between the kin of Fëanor and the kin of Thingol was assuaged. And Menegroth was taken and plundered, but a few of the people escaped, and they had with them the Silmaril, and Elwing, daughter of Dior….

~~~

Whilst Eärendil was gone, then Morgoth assailed Sirion in force and he sought the Silmaril again. And the sons of Fëanor, who had withdrawn from the East of Beleriand, and dwelt in hiding in the wild lands near Sirion, sent to the aid of its people and Amrod and Amras were killed, yet all was in vain, for Morgoth’s host was great and dragons and Balrogs marched with it. Then the township of Sirion was overwhelmed and laid waste, and Elwing it is said was taken captive, and with her the Silmaril, which Morgoth wore now in his crown as before….

Now all that was left of the free folk of Beleriand dwelt in refuge on Balar. There for a time they had respite, for Morgoth had yet no power by sea. Yet the malice of Morgoth was not spent, and at last he built ships and he made his servants man them. And Ossë sent great storms to hinder Morgoth, but for every ship that was lost there was another to follow and winged dragons came and at Morgoth’s bidding drew the ships across the sea.

Of the Fall of Balar no tales are told, for there none remained to tell, and it is said Morgoth did not take captives but had ordered all should be slain. Then there was fire and waste in Beleriand, and the servants of Morgoth went to and fro, destroying without hindrence. Of the Sindar and the Edain some had fled west across the mountains before the last end, but of the Noldor none remained, save such as had been earlier taken by Morgoth and become his thralls.

By the eagles the news of the last fall of Beleriand was carried east to Valinor, and the elves who heard it assembled in grief. Then there was conference among them, for still the Valar held aloof, and at last in grief for their kindred the Vanyar and the Noldor who had remained in Aman took up arms and fared forth against the wishes of the Valar. The Teleri would not join them in battle, but their ships they leant to bear their kindred to Middle-earth.

The banners of the elf-host were fair, and their trumpets clear and their swords cold. And Morgoth’s armies were dismayed for they had thought all their foes destroyed. The losses of the elf-host were grievous indeed, but their enemies at last were overwhelmed, and Morgoth fared forth from Beleriand as a dark spirit of hatred.

But the fair realms of Beleriand were ruined utterly and nothing would grow there after, and no good thing nor memory of it remained. No Men had come to the aid of the Elves for fear, and after for shame they would have no dealings with them, but fled their approach and the friendship that had been between the races was no more. The Silmarils were lost, it is said, in the wreck of Angband, and such thralls as were freed were a people broken. Never again did any fair elf-realms arise in Middle-earth.

The Elves that remained withdrew to Tol Eressëa, for to Eldamar they might not return again and in Middle-earth the very memory of them was forgotten.

It is said also by some that Eärendil the Mariner did cross the sea at last, and he came to Alqualondë but the white ships were gone and he walked the streets of Tirion and found them deserted. Then he knew his errand was vain, and returned to his ship and set sail again for home. But when he came to Sirion he found it burned and destroyed and none remained to tell of Elwing’s fate. Then Eärendil turned again to the sea, and some say he wanders still, and will do until the world ends…

Five

Then many of the Noldor and Sindar took ship and sailed westwards, but others remained still in the lands of Middle-earth, and amongst them were all of the line of Finwë that yet lived. Gil-galad the High-king dwelt in Lindon and the greater part of the Noldor that remained dwelt with him, but Maedhros and Maglor with their brother’s son Celebrimbor and some others chose to go east across the mountains. Then in time they came to Eregion, by the west gate of Moria, and there they dwelt and they made friendship with the Dwarves of Moira and each people learned of the other.

It is said that in that time Sauron the servant of Morgoth took shape again, and he came to the elves in a form that was fair, and named himself Annatar. He went first to Lindon, and some elves were inclined to him, but Círdan the Wise distrusted the stranger, and Gil-galad heeded him and gave Sauron cold welcome. In Evendim there dwelt then Galadriel, daughter of Finarfin, with her husband Celeborn, but she also mistrusted Sauron, not believing that the Valar would send an emissary to the Noldor who had refused their pardon.

Last of all Sauron came to Eregion, and there his eagerness betrayed him, for Maedhros recalled the spirit of Sauron from his time of torment, and although he had assumed a new shape the eyes of Maedhros were not deceived. Sauron fled then from Eregion and passed at last into the east, and there he found Men to heed him, but the elves he remembered with hatred.

Then, when he judged the time right, he came unto Númenor, and that was in the time when the Shadow had fallen already on the hearts of its people and they spoke openly against the Ban. Then Sauron came unto the king in fair guise, and inflamed the hearts of the Men of Númenor against the West and against the Eldar who dwelt still in Middle-earth….

Author’s notes on the AUs

1.

This one could have worked out in several ways, but what I wanted to do was explore the question of why Tolkien killed Fëanor when he did. Basically I believe he had to. Fëanor was simply not the type to settle down to a long siege, and he was too charismatic and influential for the rest of the Noldor to do so without him. Once Tolkien had decided he wanted a long siege, therefore, Fëanor either had to die, or he had to change fairly drastically, otherwise the war would have been over much more quickly. Although he decided not to pursue it, Tolkien may have briefly considered the ‘change’ option, since in early notes it is Fëanor, not Maedhros, who is captured and maimed by Morgoth (anyone feel like exploring that AU?).

Some of the details here are from The Book of Lost Tales.

2.

The first question here is what would have happened if Celegorm and Curufin had not whipped up trouble against Finrod. My conclusion was that Finrod would still have ended up going off with a small band of companions (and getting killed) because really Nargothrond wouldn’t stand a chance attacking Angband alone.

The major change, therefore, would be that Celegorm and Curufin would not have given Orodreth reason to kick them out of Nargothrond and Orodreth would not have a reason to refuse to join the Union. With the whole host of Nargothrond present might the Elves have won the battle? Perhaps.

3.

Parts of this came from some of Tolkien’s pre LOTR writings, where Ulmo does indeed advise Turgon to heal the feud with the Fëanorians and march on Angband. A much later annal entry seems to contain the same idea “Ulmo sends a last warning to Gondolin… but Turgon will have no alliance with any after the kinslaying of Doriath.” Raising the possibility that without the Second Kinslaying there might yet have been a final alliance, and according to Ulmo a victory.

I deliberately didn’t name any of those killed in the final battle, allowing readers to make their own minds up.

4.

If the Fëanorians had not attacked Doriath, and later Sirion, I feel sure that Morgoth would have, and having no doubt greater forces at his disposal he might well have got the Silmaril back – in which case would Eärendil have reached Valinor? And would the Valar have acted if he had not?

Oddly enough in Tolkien’s earliest version of the legends Sirion (although not Doriath) is sacked by Morgoth. I ended up following that version quite closely here.

5.

The backstory to this one is the same as the last, except that Eärendil’s errand turns out as in canon. What happens next is entirely up to the reader’s imagination….

Return