Tidbits of Curiosity

[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by Urwen

However, it is possible to free Dor-Lomin, and the Beleriand as a whole too. All one needs is the element of surprise, and a champion whose destiny is to kill Morgoth himself. And guess who has both of those? People of Dor-Lomin do!

And I am now imagining a guerilla force ambushing Orcs and then retreating to safety, until their numbers are low enough that the remaining ones could be picked off. Then a small force infiltrates Angband and distracts the beasties still left there, while a slightly larger force, led by Turin, confronts Morgoth himself, and Turin stabs him dead. Throw in some Ents as back-up and Morgoth won't stand a chance.

Heyyyy now, don't go taking your prophecies out of order. The Second Prophecy of Mandos was given after the War of Wrath, "when Fionwe and the sons of the Valar returned to Valmar and told of all the things that had been done" (HoME V). According to my research, the only Turin-prophecy available during his lifetime was the one made by Andreth of the Beorings: that he would return from death at the Last Battle - in context apparently the War of Wrath - and kill Ancalagon.

Which is probably just as well; it would be pretty embarassing if Turin's shenanigans managed to bring about the end of the world on accident.

That said, you're right that retaking Dor-lomin is feasible - or rather, retaking Hithlum. Start with Turin not revealing his presence to Brodda, but waiting until Aerin was... anywhere other than right next to him. She can put him in touch with the Underground, and Turin can merrily build up an outlaw army. Let's assume he learnt the lesson of the Nirnaeth - don't reveal your hand too early, and never trust an Easterling. So the Outlaws 2.0 stay undercover until they are ready. Then, all at once, they strike.

Practically every Easterling hall in Dor-lomin goes on fire in a single night, largely at the hands of their slave-wives. There are a lot of casualties from Hadorian women letting themselves burn with their 'husbands', because this is still a Turin story and we need angst; but the fighting strength of the Outlaws is not affected. Turin's host sweeps the Easterlings from Dor-lomin, out through Hithlum (which is just as afflicted, because of course they've been trading slaves around), and out onto Anfauglith. And then... Turin retakes Barad Eithel and fortifies Eithel Sirion against Morgoth.

The only time Barad Eithel was taken was when the army defending it left its walls because of Gwindor. Turin knows that story very well. He will not let his men leave the castle, and therefore, Hithlum will be secure.

Though come to think of it, Gwin was brought down by the surprise reveal that his kinsman was a prisoner in Angband. Hmmm... does Morgoth have any of Turin's close kin captive? ^_~

hS