Thargelion

The land beyond Gelion

Thargelion lay between the river Gelion on the west and the Blue Mountains on the east, north of the Ascar and the road of the Dwarves and south of Mount Rerir, where the northern arm of Gelion rose. Beneath Rerir lay the dark lake Helevorn, and on its shore Caranthir, fourth son of Fëanor, built his stronghold. His people held the hills there as the easternmost part of the March of Maedhros, guarding the passes that led north around the mountains.

Thargelion was the country through which the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost came down into Beleriand, and Caranthir, though he was proud and quick to anger and the Dwarves disliked him, grew rich on the tolls and trade of the road. From him the Noldor learned much of the Dwarves' craft. The land was also the first refuge of the Haladin, the second house of the Edain, who crossed the mountains and settled in its southern part. They lived apart until an orc-raid came through the passes and besieged them in a stockade between the Ascar and Gelion; Haleth held out for seven days until Caranthir's riders came. He offered her lands and protection, but she led her people west instead, and they went at last to Brethil.

In the Dagor Bragollach Glaurung and the orcs broke through Maglor's Gap and turned east into Thargelion. The fortress on Helevorn was taken and the land laid waste; Caranthir escaped south with a remnant and joined Amrod and Amras at Amon Ereb. Thargelion was never retaken and was drowned with the rest of Beleriand at the end of the Age.