Earendil, You asked; "Can anyone tell me more about Dagor Dagorath (battle of the end of the world?" It is a topic which has been debated and speculated. Its importance has been edited out as the finale of the Silmarillion and who actually participates varies from volume to volume of Tolkien's work and who edits it. What do we know of the Last Battle called Dagor Dagorath? From the net; Dagor Dagorath, is Sindarin for 'Final Battle'.(or 'Battle of Battles'). At the end Morgoth will discover how to break the Door of Night, and will destroy the Sun and the Moon. For the love of these, Eärendil will return from the sky and shall meet Tulkas, Manwë (or Eönwë his herald) and Túrin Turambar on the plains of Valinor. All the Free Peoples of Middle-earth will participate in this final battle, Elves, Men and Dwarves alike. Great heroes, like Beren and Turin, will return from the shadows to participate in this battle Fallen enemies shall return to fight on Morgoth's side as well. Sauron, whose ruined spirit fled to the Void after the destruction of the Ring, will be present at Dagor Dagorath. It is said that Morgoth's creations will return. Orcs, Trolls, Dragons, will return. Balrogs shall fight for him. Creatures such as the Nazgul, Ancalagon the Black, Glaurung, and Gothmog Cheiftain of the Balrogs will return as do Scatha, Smaug, and Durin's Bane. There the forces of the Valar shall fight with Melkor. Tulkas will wrestle with him, but it will be by the hand of Túrin that finally death and destruction will be dealt to Melkor. Túrin will run his black sword Gurthang (Iron of Death) through Melkor's heart, thus avenging the Children of Húrin (Sind: Hîn Húrin), and the Pelori Mountains will be levelled. The three Silmarils will be recovered from the Earth, sea, and sky, and Fëanor's spirit shall be released from the halls of Mandos to give them to Yavanna, who will break them and rekindle the light of the Two Trees. The battle will end and renew Arda's existence: all the Elves shall awaken and the Powers will be young again.
Just a quick look at a couple references in Tolkien's works: In the Silmarillion; "Of Aule and Yavanna" The Dwarves concerning their afterlife, say that at the end of the world, they will have a place among the other children of Illuvatar. "Then their part shall be to serve Aule and to aid him in the remaking of Arda after the Last Battle." In the "Akallabeth" it says, "Ar-Pharazon the King and the mortal warriors that had set foot upon the land of Aman were buried under falling hills: there it is said that they lie imprisoned in the Caves of the Forgotten, until the Last Battle and the Day of Doom." "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor" it is told that Varda set the constellation, Menelmacar, "with his shining belt, that forebodes the Last Battle that shall be at the end of days." In Lord of the Rings Gandalf at least believes that the Witch-King of Angmar and the others of the Nazgul shall not die but be thrown into the Void with Sauron at the destruction of the One Ring (The Return of the King V: Siege of Gondor). This suggests that if Sauron becomes free of the Void they may also be.
There is much more to be discovered of the Dagor Dagorath. But much of it must be discovered in our exploration of Tolkien's other works and characters where the "Dagor Dagorath" is a sidebar reference or an editorial note. I am sure that the Forum's lore masters can add a better and more comprehensive explanation ...they might even have a role playing game hidden somewhere.
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
Just to add on the name: I note Dagorlad 'Battle-plain' and the repetition Dagor Dagor-ath (not that it isn't obvious!).
Argonath contains the same collective suffix: 'the suffix -ath (originally a collective noun-suffix) was used as a group plural, embracing all things of the same name, or those associated in some special arrangement or organization.'
-- Edited by Galin on Thursday 4th of November 2010 01:53:13 AM
