Fall of the Falas

Fall of the Falas
Conflict: Wars of Beleriand
Date: F.A. 473
Place: Falas
Outcome: Destruction of the Falas
Combatants
Morgoth's armies of orcs and balrogs	Noldor, Sindar, and Falathrim.
Commanders
Unknown	Círdan
Strength
"Great strength"	Scattered elves from inland and the mariners of the Falathrim.
Casualties
Unknown	The greater part

The Fall of the Falas was a great battle that followed the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, when Morgoth launched his attack on the elvish lands in northern Beleriand. It ended in the destruction of the Falas and the death of many elves.

History

After the Nírnaeth, orcs and wolves roamed Beleriand freely, while Morgoth prepared for a final assault to seize all the north. The Falas, commonly known as the Havens, was a popular place for refugees. Círdan, the great lord of the Falas, sent mariners to harass enemy units, knowing the battle that was coming. The twin cities of the Falas, Brithombar and Eglarest, were strong, and their walls were high.

A year later, in the autumn, Morgoth invaded from Hithlum and Nevrast. The armies ravaged the countryside as they went, laying siege to Brithombar and Eglarest. The elves resisted valiantly, but in the armies of Morgoth were skilled engineers who built mighty siege-engines which broke the walls. Barad Nimras was cast down, and most of the elves were killed. But Círdan himself escaped with a remnant, including the Noldorin prince Rodnor Gil-galad, aboard the ships. They sailed to the Isle of Balar and continued to welcome refugees, but the Falas were no more.

References

• The Silmarillion, Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad