[Anguirel]

Votes

Uldor & co.-5
Mandos, Doom of-3
Azaghal-1
Hurin-1
Glaurung-1

RESULTS OF DAY FIVE (M-e)

Caranthir was strolling off to visit his vassal Uldor one evening. He entered the door into the chief's hall, but, hearing a whispered conversation, waited in the semi-darkness, listening intensely.

Uldor and his brothers were talking to a black-robed, hooded figure.

"Yes, yes," Uldor said, "absolutely. Easily done. I'll just keep Maedhros delaying until the army of Hithlum is wellnigh destroyed..."

"Good," said the cloaked man, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the phantom. "That is...acceptable." Suddenly he changed into a hideous bat, and flew out into the night through one of the windows.

Caranthir did not wait for an explanation. He rushed forward with a drawn broadsword and hacked the sons of Ulfang into pieces...

RESULTS OF THE CHALLENGE

Ulfang had sworn he had known nothing of his sons' treachery, and so was permitted to march to war beside Caranthir. The Union of Maedhros was drawing rich fruit. Fingon of Hithlum had answered; Azaghal of Belegost; Hurin of Dor-Lomin; Idril of Gondolin...

When Idril and Maeglin had returned from the Bragollach, Maeglin had been so severely burnt by dragon-fire that it seemed unlikely he could live. His face was a charred, black wreck. On seeing his son, Eol had fallen on Anguirel. But Aredhel had taken Maeglin and nursed him, though Idril assured her he was doomed.

He was not. He returned to life, and crafted a silver mask, with which he hid his ruined face. Then he returned to Idril's side; but she avoided him. He returned to the solitude of Nan Elmoth, and practised the art of combat. And Aredhel died of grief.

So it was that Idril did not bring her cousin to the Nirnaeth.

And so the battle began. The killing of Gelmir goaded Fingon and Hurin into battle; and they faced Eonwe, the Dark Herald. Numbers began to overpower them; but still Maedhros' host did not come...his scheme revealed, Ulfang had resorted to darker means, and had turned on the Sons of Feanor with all his men to delay them by force of arms, reinforced by many Orcs.

Glaurung now charged Maedhros' line; but Azaghal defied him, and though he was slain and the Dwarves bore him away, the Dragon fled.

Now Sauron and a band of werewolves hurled themselves deep into Hurin's army, hiding themselves. The Men of Dor-Lomin managed to lynch enough to drive them back, however...

As Idril's troops arrived to reinforce Fingon, Eonwe struck him down; and Beleg and Mablung, the only fighters of Doriath present, assumed command temporarily. Eonwe retreated, his army battered, but a new one forayed from Angband...

On the right flank where Maedhros fought, Caranthir fell, stabbed in the back, to the vengeance of Ulfang. Maglor avenged him speedily. Bor and his sons had also perished in the press. Overwhelmed by numbers, the four remaning sons of Feanor cut their way from the fray.

Now Hurin and Huor, determined to save the army of Gondolin, fought a last stand while it retreated; and at last defied Morgoth's hosts alone.

But now came unexpected aid at the last; a new force of Dwarves, from Nogrod, with an Elf at their head, in a strange silver mask...Morgoth was forced to send out Eonwe once more; and Hurin and the masked Elf slew him together. The Elf's sword shone gleaming black...as the Orcs fell back in dismay, the Elf and the Dwarves retired. But Hurin pressed on, seized by victory; till Huor fell, and Hurin was surrounded...

The contestants:

Tribes

VALAR

Elbereth
Ulmo
Mandos, Doom of

NOLDOR

Maedhros
Maglor
Celegorm
Celebrimbor
Curufin
Ereinion
Idril
Maeglin
Orodreth
Finduilas

TELERI/SINDAR

Olwe
Thingol
Celeborn
Galadriel
Mablung
Beleg
Eol

MAIA/ELF

Luthien

MAIA

Melian
Uinen
Tilion (with Moon)
Arien (with Sun)

DWARVES

Telchar of Nogrod
Mim the Petty-dwarf
Khim
Ibun

MEN

Beren
Dior
Hurin
Tuor
Morwen
Turin
Nienor
Haldir
Handir

FORCES OF EVIL

Morgoth
Sauron
Glaurung
Ancalagon (adolescent...)
Morgoth, Curse of

No new challenge till Wednesday.