In the aftermath of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Orcs pile together the bodies of Elves and Men, which become a hill called Haudh-en-Nirnaeth over time. Fingon’s former lands are lost, as are those of the House of Fëanor. Morgoth imprisons the Elves captured in battle and grants the Easterlings who had served him Hador’s territories in Hithlum. However, the hidden cities of Doriath and Nargothrond remain spared from Morgoth’s wrath.

Obsessed with finding Turgon, Morgoth tortures Húrin to reveal Gondolin’s location. When Húrin resists, Morgoth threatens his wife and child, who live in Morgoth’s newly won realm. Húrin answers that he alone knows Turgon’s secrets. Morgoth then curses Húrin and his lineage, promising, “The shadow of my thought shall lie upon them wherever they go, and my hate shall pursue them to the ends of the world” (63). Húrin taunts him with the limits of his powers. Morgoth reminds him of his true nature as the oldest and strongest of the Valar, affirming the power of his curse. He promises that Húrin’s children will be hounded by evil and ill will wherever they go and that their lives will end hopelessly.

Húrin is unaffected, assured by the history of his ancestors that Morgoth’s strength is not as great as he claims.