Glaurung
laur=Golden (Sindarin)

Called "The worm of Morgoth," "The great worm," and "The father of dragons."

Glaurung was the first dragon of Morgoth, the first of the Urulóki. When scarcely half-grown he was sent from the gates of Angband as a new match for the Noldor. Glaurung made the Elves flee to Ered Wethrin and Dorthonion. He then destroyed the fields of Ard-galen. But, when Fingon, Prince of Hithlum, rode against him with archers, Glaurung fled back to Morgoth. His armoury was not yet strong enough to endure their arrows. Glaurung was not seen again for many years.

He was first seen again in The Battle of Sudden Flame, Dagor Bragollach, the fourth of the great battles. Glauring, golden and mighty, lead the way of an attack on the Noldor, leading Balrogs and armies of Orcs. This attack was strong and many of the Noldor were slain. Though war never fully ended in Beleriand, The Battle of Sudden Flame ended with the coming of spring.

Then, when Glaurung came through Maglor's Gap he destroyed all the land between the arms of Gelion. Because of Glaurung's mighty strength the Orcs of Morgoth were able to take the fortress upon the west slopes of Mount Rerir. They spread their filth over all of Thargelion and defiled lake Helevorn.

In the fifth battle again Glaurung came to the scene. This time his strength was greater and he came with other dragons of his brood. But the Naugrim(Dwarves) withstood fire better then Elves or Men and they fought with strong axes. If not for them Glaurung and the other dragons would have killed all the Noldor. The Naugrim were smart and surrounded the dragons, attacking them with their axes. Even Glaurung's armoury, now stronger then ever before, was not strong enough against them and, in rage, he struck down the Lord of Belegost, called Azaghâl. Glaurung then crawled over him, to crush him. Yet, as Azaghâl died he drove a knife into Glaurung's belly.

Wounded, Glaurung fled. The other beasts of Angband followed. But it was not ther last of the great worm. He was seen again. Túrin, son of Húrin, sped to save Findulias from the ruin of Felagung. Glaurung was there with his host of Orcs. They had begun to sack the city and take captives. Findulias was among them. Túrin rode across the bridge to save them but was met by Glaurung. The following is the first account of Glaurung speaking, saying: "Hail, son of Húrin. Well met!"

But Túrin could do nothing as Glaurung cast a spell upon him that made Túrin like stone. Glaurung then taunted him and kept him still until all the captives were taken. Findulias even called to Túrin, but he could not answer. When Glaurung released him from his glance Túrin pierced him in the eye. But Glaurung replied by threatening and cursing him. So Túrin fled, helpless.

Glaurung continued the work of Morgoth for some time after this, becoming a dire threat to all. He performed countless acts of evil, such as casting his spell upon Túrin's lost sister, Nienor. Because of this Nienor lost all memory and even forgot her own name. Later in life, because of this, she unknowingly wed Túrin, her own brother.

But in the end, Glaurung was at last slain by Túrin. Túrin was avenged but as Glaurung was stabbed the black venom in his blood put Túrin into anguish. Even more he was looked upon by Glaurung with such malice and hate that he was thrown into a dark sleep.

Then Glaurung died and though his spell was lifted from Nienor she cast herself off Cabed-en-Aras, thinking Túrin was dead and realizing she had wed her brother (and held his child in her womb). Then, after Túrin finally awoke he realized that all Glaurung had once said about him was true, "a stabber in the dark, treacherous to foes, faithless to friends, and a curse onto his kin." Túrin then took his own life.

And so the evil of Glaurung had at last ended. His body was then burnt to ashes by the Elves and Men.

 

References:
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

First image by Ted Nasmith

Second image by John Howe

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