What if Fingolfin Defeated Morgoth?

The question of what would have happened if Fingolfin defeated Morgoth is a fascinating one. While Morgoth's ultimate destruction seems inevitable in The Silmarillion, a close yet incomplete victory for Fingolfin would have dramatically altered the landscape of the First Age. Here we explore the potential consequences and ramifications of such an outcome.

The Fallout of an Incomplete Victory

The duel between Fingolfin and Morgoth would have been a brutal battle, with Morgoth emerging with grievous wounds that would certainly have killed a mortal. Yet, Morgoth, being a Dark Lord, would not have been killed outright. Instead, he would have been left with severe injuries that would linger and cause him constant pain, humiliation, and an unwavering hate for the Noldor. These wounds would serve as a constant reminder of his defeat, fuelling his desire for revenge and vengeance.

Psychological Impact and Renewed Desire for Revenge

The psychological toll on Morgoth would be immense. His mind would be consumed by three primary emotions: pain, humiliation, and an intensified lust for vengeance. He would be unable to fully cease his activities, as his desire to wipe the Noldor off the face of Arda would be a constant driving force. However, his ability to act on these desires would be heavily constrained.

The Aftermath and Power Dynamics

Fingolfin's victory, while incomplete, would have significant implications for the First Age. Firstly, Morgoth, despite his injuries, would still possess a substantial portion of his minions, including the Dragons and Balrogs. However, his ability to mount major attacks and invasions, such as the sacking of Gondolin, would be severely hampered. Morgoth would need to summon all his Balrogs for such an effort, and he would need to rebuild his forces, which would take time.

This newfound limitation would create new power dynamics and challenges for both Morgoth and the remaining Valar and Maiar. Morgoth's ability to control and manipulate his subordinates, such as Sauron and Gothmog, would become increasingly difficult. These lieutenants might start to question Morgoth's ability to lead and might even decide to break away and operate independently. This would leave Morgoth in a weakened state, unable to fully exert his influence over his own forces.

Extended Duration of the First Age

Given his weakened state and the challenges of reassembling his forces, Fingolfin would likely find himself in a prolonged and tumultuous period of resistance against Morgoth. This could extend the duration of the First Age, as Fingolfin and his allies would continue to hold the balance to some extent. However, the fundamental plot and eventual fate of the Noldor and the wars against Morgoth would remain largely unchanged.

Critical Events and Plot Twists

Some critical events from the legendarium could be altered by this new scenario. For example, Beren and Luthien might have had a different outcome if Morgoth’s pain kept him more alert and hard to defeat, or if his injuries made him more vulnerable to Beren's prowess. The act of Beren and Luthien stealing a Silmaril might have an alternative result. Nevertheless, the overall plot would likely converge on familiar trajectories, and the sons of Feanor would still be driven by their hatred and would continue to participate in key conflicts.

Conclusion

In summary, if Fingolfin had defeated Morgoth, the First Age would have been significantly changed, with a more extended period of resistance and a weakened Morgoth finding it increasingly difficult to achieve his goals. Despite these changes, the fundamental dynamics of the conflicts and the eventual fate of the Noldor would remain largely the same, aligning with the overarching narrative of the legendarium. The story of the First Age would have taken a different path, but the overall arc and the heroic tales would have remained in place, driven by the will of Fingolfin and the strength of the Noldor.