Fingolfin challenges Morgoth at the Gates of Angband, by Pete Amachree

Re-sharing this stunning depiction by artist Pete Amachree, paired with the passage it brings to life — a glimpse of the high, mythic tone that runs through Tolkien’s writings beyond The Lord of the Rings.

Digital artwork inspired by Fingolfin’s final ride and his courage meeting shadow at the very gates of darkness. This scene shows the Elven king confronting the powerful dark ruler at the gates of his fortress, one of the most legendary moments from Tolkien’s early tales, set long before The Lord of the Rings.

“Now news came to Hithlum that Dorthonion was lost and the sons of Finarfin overthrown, and that the sons of Fëanor were driven from their lands. Then Fingolfin beheld (as it seemed to him) the utter ruin of the Noldor, and the defeat beyond redress of all their houses; and filled with wrath and despair he mounted upon Rochallor his great horse and rode forth alone, and none might restrain him. He passed over Dor-nu-Fauglith like a wind amid the dust, and all that beheld his onset fled in amaze, thinking that Oromë himself was come: for a great madness of rage was upon him, so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar. Thus he came alone to Angband’s gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat. And Morgoth came.

“That was the last time in those wars that he passed the doors of his stronghold, and it is said that he took not the challenge willingly; for though his might was greatest of all things in this world, alone of the Valar he knew fear. But he could not now deny the challenge before the face of his captains; for the rocks rang with the shrill music of Fingolfin’s horn, and his voice came keen and clear down into the depths of Angband; and Fingolfin named Morgoth craven, and lord of slaves. Therefore Morgoth came, climbing slowly from his subterranean throne, and the rumour of his feet was like thunder underground. And he issued forth clad in black armour; and he stood before the King like a tower, iron-crowned, and his vast shield, sable unblazoned, cast a shadow over him like a stormcloud. But Fingolfin gleamed beneath it as a star; for his mail was overlaid with silver, and his blue shield was set with crystals; and he drew his sword Ringil, that glittered like ice.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion, “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin,” ed. Christopher Tolkien (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1977), pp. 154–156 (≈181–183 in HarperCollins editions)

Source: ArtStation – Fingolfin challenges Morgoth at the Gates of Angband, Pete Amachree