Beleriand sloped southward to this point and then for a while was plain； and the flood of Sirion was stayed。 But south of
Aelin…uial the land fell suddenly and steeply； and all the lower fields of Sirion were divided from the upper fields by this
fall； which to one looking from the south northward appeared as an endless chain of hills running from Eglarest beyond
Narog in the west to Amon Ereb in the east； within far sight of Gelion。 Narog came through these hills in a deep gorge；
and flowed over rapids bat had no fall； and on its western bank the land rose into the great wooded highlands of Tauren…
Faroth。 On the west side of this gorge； where the short and foaming stream Ringwil tumbled headlong into Narog from
the High Faroth； Finrod established Nargothrond。 But some twenty…five leagues east of the gorge of Nargothrond Sirion
fell from the north in a mighty fall below the Meres； and then he plunged suddenly underground into great tunnels that
the weight of his falling waters delved； and he issued again three leagues southward with great noise and smoke through
rocky arches at the foot of the hills which were called the Gates of Sirion。
This dividing fall was named Andram； the Long Wall； from Nargothrond to Ramdal； the Wall's End； in East
Beleriand。 But in the east it became ever less sheer； for the vale of Gelion sloped steadily southward； and Gelion had
neither fall nor rapids throughout his course； but was ever swifter than was Sirion。 Between Ramdal and Gelion there
stood a single hill of great extent and gentle slopes； but seeming mightier than it was； for it stood alone； and that hill was
named Amon Ereb。 Upon Amon Ereb died Denethor； lord of the Nandor that dwelt in Ossiriand； who marched to the aid
of Thingol against Morgoth in those days when the Orcs first came down in force； and broke the starlit peace of
Beleriand； and upon that hill Maedhros dwelt after the great defeat。 But south of the Andram； between Sirion and
Gelion； was a wild land of tangled forest in which no folk went； save here and there a few Dark Elves wandering； Taur…
im…Duinath it was named； the Forest between the Rivers。
Gelion was a great river； and he rose in two sources and had at first two branches； Little Gelion that came from
the Hill of Himring； and Greater Gelion that came from Mount Rerir。 From the meeting of his arms he flowed south for
forty leagues before he found his tributaries； and before he found the sea he was twice as long as Sirion； though less
wide and full； for more rain fell in Hithlum and Dorthonion； whence Sirion drew his waters； than in the east。 From Ered
Luin flowed the six tributaries of Gelion： Ascar （that was after named Rathlóriel）； Thalos； Legolin； Brilthor； Duilwen；
and Adurant； swift and turbulent streams； falling steeply from the mountains； and between Ascar in the north and
Adurant in the south； and between Gelion and Ered Luin； lay the far green country of Ossiriand； the Land of Seven
Rivers。 Now at a point nearly midway in its course the stream of Adurant divided and then joined again； and the island
that its waters enclosed was named Tol Galen； the Green Isle。 There Beren and Lúthien dwelt after their return。
In Ossiriand dwelt the Green…elves； in the protection of their rivers； for after Sirion Ulmo loved Gelion above all
the waters of the western world。 The woodcraft of the Elves of Ossiriand was such that a stranger might pass through
their land from end to end and see none of them。 They were clad in green in spring and summer； and the sound of their
singing could be heard even across the waters of Gelion； wherefore the Noldor named that country Lindon； the land of
music； and the mountains beyond they named Ered Lindon； for they first saw them from Ossiriand。
East of Dorthonion the marches of Beleriand were most open to attack； and only hills of no great height guarded
the vale of Gelion from the north。 In that region； upon the March of Maedhros and in the lands behind； dwelt the sons of
F？anor with many people； and their riders passed often over the vast northern plain； Lothlann the wide and empty； east
of Ard…galen； lest Morgoth should attempt any sortie towards Bast Beleriand。 The chief citadel of Maedhros was upon
the Hill of Himring； the Ever…cold； and that was wide…shouldered； bare of trees； and flat upon its summit； surrounded by
many lesser hills。 Between Himring and Dorthonion there was a pass； exceeding steep upon the west； and that was the
Pass of Aglon； and was a gate unto Doriath； and a bitter wind blew ever through it from the north。 But Celegorm and
Curufin fortified Aglon and held it with great strength； and all the land of Himlad southward between the River Aros that
rose in Dorthonion and his tributary Celon that came from Himring。
Between the arms of Gelion was the ward of Maglor； and here in one place the hills failed altogether： there it was
that the Orcs came into East Beleriand before the Third Battle。 Therefore the Noldor held strength of cavalry In the
plains at that place； and the people of Caranthir fortified the mountains to the east of Maglor's Gap。 There Mount Rerir；
and about it many lesser heights； stood out from the main range of Ered Lindon westward； and in the angle between
Rerir and Ered Lindon there was a lake； shadowed by mountains on all sides save the south。 That was Lake Helevorn；
deep and dark； and beside it Caranthir had his abode； but all the great land between Gelion and the mountains； and
between Rerir and the River Ascar； was called by the Noldor Thargelion； which signifies the Land beyond Gelion； or
Dor Caranthir； the Land of Caranthir； and it was here that the Noldor first met the Dwarves。 But Thargelion was before
called by the Grey…elves Talath Rhúnen； the East Vale。
Thus the sons of F？anor under Maedhros were the lords of East Beleriand； but their people were in that time
mostly in the north of the land； and southward they rode only to hunt in the greenwoods。 But there Amrod and Amras
had their abode； and they came seldom northward while the Siege lasted； and there also other of the Elf…lords would ride
at times； even from afar； for the land was wild but very fair。 Of these Fin…rod Felagund came most often； for he had great
love of wandering and he came even into Ossiriand； and won the friendship of the Green…elves。 But none of the Noldor
went ever over Ered Lindon； while their realm lasted； and little news and late came into Beleriand of what passed in the
regions of the East。
Chapter 15
Of the Noldor in Beleriand
It has been told how by the guidance of Ulmo Turgon of Nevrast discovered the hidden vale of Tumladen； and that （as
was after known） lay east of the upper waters of Sirion； in a ring of mountains tall and sheer； and no living thing came
there save the eagles of Thorondor。 But there was a deep way under the mountains delved in the darkness of the world
by waters that flowed out to join the streams of Sirion； and this way Turgon found； and so came to the green plain amid
the mountains； and saw the island…hill that stood there of hard smooth stone； for the va