The Captains Crazy of Middle-earth

the cavalry it needed to drive Morgoth's armies back, but the fortresses in the mountains withstood all assaults, and doubtless the influx of Beorians helped keep the battlements manned, even if most of their warriors were either dead or staying with Barahir. And the Marachians, led by Hador, were both numerous and indomitable in battle. So, when the main thrust of the battle had died down, and it was clear that Dorthonion had been lost and the March of Maedhros at least partially overrun, Hithlum must have looked like a lonely island in a stormy sea of foes. And unlike when the Noldor first arrived in Middle-earth, the enemy forces were wary and well aware of whom they faced. Looking out upon the charred plain of Ard-galen (now called Anfauglith), Fingolfin must have felt a deeper despair than anything he could have experienced in Aman when he realized Feanor had left him to face whatever doom the Valar had in mind for the Noldor. Part of Fingolfin's problem may have been the fact that nothing had been heard of from Turgon for centuries. When Dorthonion was falling Turgon had not arrived with help. So Fingolfin didn't know where his younger son was, or even if Turgon was still alive. The Elves of Nevrast had simply vanished 350 years before, and even Finrod, Turgon's closest friend, knew nothing about the hidden city of Gondolin. So Fingolfin's decision to rush out to Angband and challenge Morgoth to single combat doesn't necessarily qualify as a blunder. He was desperate, perhaps, but I think he was also moved by the very real fear that his people were threatened with extinction. A large part of Finrod's realm had been lost, and with it many Men and Elves. Nargothrond might still exist, but its northern marches were now home to enemy armies. It was only a matter of time before those armies began the crushing march toward Finrod. And once Finrod was gone, Hithlum would be cut off from all but the Falas. If the Falas went, Hithlum would be surrounded by enemies on three sides with the sea at its back. Yet the charge across Anfauglith is portrayed as anything but a coldly calculated risk. Fingolfin was in a rage so great he seemed to reveal the power of a Vala. People thought he looked like Orome galloping toward Angband. The action was therefore neither born of desperation nor a cunning

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