Sirion

The River Sirion was the greatest river of Beleriand in the First Age, flowing from the northern heights of the Ered Wethrin to the southern coasts. It was often called the “great river” of Beleriand and served as a central feature in the geography and history of the Elves and Edain in that land.

The Sirion rose at Eithel Sirion, a spring on the slopes of the Ered Wethrin beneath the fortress of Barad Eithel. It flowed southwards through the land of Dor-lómin, and then passed through the guarded Pass of Sirion between the Ered Wethrin and Dorthonion. Below this pass, the river wound through western Beleriand, running between highlands and eventually through the Gates of Sirion — a series of hills and cliffs opening onto the southern plains. From there it emptied into the sea through a wide delta.

The most important tributary of the Sirion was the Narog, flowing north from Nargothrond. The river’s lower course was also fed by streams from the forests of Brethil and Ossiriand.

The Pass of Sirion was one of the few natural openings between Morgoth’s stronghold in the north and the southern lands of Beleriand. For centuries it was guarded by a tower raised by Finrod Felagund on the isle of Tol Sirion. During the Battle of Sudden Flame, the pass came under direct assault, and in I 457 Sauron himself captured the tower. He turned Tol Sirion into Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of Werewolves, from which he commanded orcs and wolves until defeated by Lúthien and her faithful hound.

After the Fall of Gondolin and the destruction of Nargothrond, many survivors of the wars of Beleriand fled south to the mouths of the Sirion. There they established the Havens of Sirion, settlements that became the last refuge of the free peoples of Beleriand. The Havens were ruled by Eärendil and Elwing, who bore the Silmaril recovered by Beren and Lúthien. It was here that their twin sons Elrond and Elros were born.

The Havens were later attacked in the Third Kinslaying by the surviving sons of Fëanor, who sought to reclaim the Silmaril. Elwing cast herself into the sea with the jewel rather than surrender it, but was borne to Eärendil, who then sailed to Valinor and secured the aid of the Valar.

The Sirion valley, like all of Beleriand, was devastated during the War of Wrath. When the lands were broken and drowned, the Sirion fell under the waves of Belegaer. The remnants of the people of Sirion and their descendants continued into the Second Age, carrying on the bloodlines of Elves, Men, and Maiar through the children of Eärendil and Elwing.