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LotR Nargothrond

Nargothrond, also referred to as the Caverns of Narog, was an underground Elven fortress that was delved into the banks of the river Narog in West Beleriand during the First Age. It was built and ruled by the Ñoldorin king Finrod Felagund, son of Finarfin.

Similar to the structures of many underground Dwarven cities, Nargothrond consisted of many miles of caves and tunnels of various shapes and sizes carved through the rock, which was possibly limestone. There were three Great Halls centered around the other tunnels and caves, where the King of the city no doubt sat. The deepest of the caves was the innermost chamber where Glaurung later hoarded up the remaining treasures of Nargothrond and sat upon them until he left. Lúthien lived in a southwestern cave chamber during her stay there. The realms armouries were in several chambers south of the great halls. The main entrance through the Doors of Felagund to Nargothrond facing river Narog one came into a large chamber, which was about five-hundred feet from the Great Halls of Felagund.


The Fall of Nargothrond

Since its foundation by Finrod, the Elves of Nargothrond had pursued a secretive war against Morgoth, hunting his forces by stealth and ambush rather than going to open war. When Túrin was led there by Gwindor, however, he grew high in the esteem of Orodreth, King of Nargothrond, and counseled a different strategy.

Túrin Turambar became one of the chief captains, persuading the people to abandon their long standing policy and instead fight openly against Morgoth.

Túrin persuaded Orodreth to build the Bridge of Nargothrond to allow speedy passage of forces into the field. Orodreth built the bridge from his doors across the Narog, and went to open war with Morgoth. In centuries of searching, Morgoth had been unable to find the fortress of Nargothrond, but now not only was its location revealed, but the new bridge removed the defence of the River Narog. Glaurung the dragon was sent out from Angband with an army of Orcs to capture the city. After the defeat of the army of Nargothrond at the field of Tumhalad in FA 495, Glaurung and his army of Orcs came south, crossed the bridge, and sacked the city, killing or selling some of the inhabitants into slavery. The survivors then went to seek refuge in Doriath, leading to Thingol’s knowledge of the fall of Nargothrond.

Glaurung remained there as the Dragon-king of Nargothrond until FA 499 when he went northeast to Brethil, to confront Túrin Turambar who eventually slew him. Though the realm was no more, Mîm the Petty-dwarf took up residence in caves claiming it and its treasures as his own in payment for the sufferings of his people, until Húrin came and slew him for his betrayal of his son. The treasure, including the Nauglamír, was then brought to the Elven Kingdom of Doriath and given to King Thingol. Afterwards, the caves were destroyed during the War of Wrath, along with all of Beleriand.

Artwork by Petea Machree and Jonathan Guzi