The War of Wrath: How Morgoth Finally Fell | Silmarillion Explained

The War of Wrath was the most catastrophic conflict in Middle-earth history and the final reckoning of the First Age. After six hundred years of hopeless resistance against Morgoth, the half-elven mariner Earendil sailed to Valinor bearing a Silmaril and pleaded with the Valar to intervene. They assembled the mightiest host ever seen, led by Eonwe and joined by the Vanyar Elves who left paradise for the only time. The forty-two-year war culminated when Morgoth unleashed winged dragons led by Ancalagon the Black, only for Earendil to descend from the sky and slay the great wyrm. Morgoth was captured, bound, and cast into the Timeless Void. But victory cost everything: Beleriand sank beneath the sea, the last two Silmarils were lost as Feanor s final sons met their tragic ends, and Sauron refused redemption to become the Dark Lord of the Second Age.