Nirnaeth Arnoediad

Morgoth sent a vanguard of some 100,000 orcs to the foot of the Ered Wethrin, to coax the Elvish Army to attack. King Fingon (standing on the parapets of his fortress Barad Eithel, seen in the lower right-center of photo), with his Western Army planned on waiting for Maedros and his Eastern Army to advance up from the south first and then to attack with combined forces. So while the orcs stood at the base of the Mountains of Shadow, the Elves and their Edain allies bided their time...

To bring more pressure to bear on the Elves, Morgoth's orcs brought forth a prisoner they took at the Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flames). He was the Elf Gelmir, brother of Gwindor of Nargothrond. He was tortured by having his hands and feet cut off, then finally beheaded (note the center orc)...

The view towards the Ered Wethrin, from Angband. That is Barad Eithel in the center (you can see King Fongon a little right of center), with the Edain on the left, Elves from Hithlum in center; those from Nargothrond right of center; Elves from Falas on right; and Morgoth's orcs in foreground)...

Unfortunately for Fingon's plans, the Elves stationed under cover, directly in front of the execution of Gelmir, was none other than Gwindor, his brother! Unable to withstand the gruesome murder of Gelmir, Gwindor, followed by his men, charged the orc herald! The battle was on!

The view southward across the Anfauglith towards Himring (left) and the passage of the Sirion (right). The fires of Dagor Bragollach had burned more of the land, but I wanted some contrast for my field and so left some of the plain only browned...

View towards Angband (upper edge, and right of center) ) with the Fens of Serech in the lower right. The right flank of Fingon's Western Army is seen to the left of the Fens...