A Middle-earth Murder Mystery! Quiz

Answer: Sauron

Gil-Galad was slain at the Battle of the Dagorlad and, more specifically, the Siege of Barad-Dur, along with Elendil. Gil-Galad's death scene was deleted from all but the extended versions of the film, though he does make a brief appearance as he is fighting a group of orcs with his spear, Aeglos. After his death, the title of High King of the Noldor was abandoned in Middle-earth.

Answer: Fingolfin

After maintaining the Siege of Angband, the fastness of Morgoth, for nearly 400 years following the Dagor Aglareb (Glorious Battle), Morgoth and a great host of orcs broke through in what would come to be called the Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame).

It was then that Fingolfin, the High-King of the Noldor, faced Morgoth in single combat. He was able to wound Morgoth seven times with his sword Ringil before finally being broken.

Answer: Finwe

After the captivity of Melkor in the Halls of Mandos, he was actually allowed a hint of freedom in Valinor. But he was ever whispering lies to the Noldor (and others) on what they were missing out on back in Middle-earth. It was for this reason that the Noldor began to horde their riches, with which they were before giving and free, the Silmarils included. They were the greatest treasures made by the hand of an Elf; it is no wonder, then, that Melkor really wanted them.

"But Melkor was also there, and he came to the house of Fëanor and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark. "
-J.R.R. Tolkien: "The Silmarillion", Of the Flight of the Noldor

It was after this event that Melkor came to be known as Morgoth, the "Black Foe".

Answer: Maedhros

Maedhros and Maglor stole the two remaining Silmarils in Morgoth's possession. However, because of the evil the two had committed in their retrieval, the Silmarils burned their hands. Maedhros was unable to bear the suffering and threw himself into a great pit. Maglor threw just the Silmaril into the sea.

Therefore, the only remaining Silmaril is the one that Earendil has bound to his brow as he sails across the night sky.

Answer: Maeglin

During the Siege of Gondolin, everyone inside the city was ordered to remain within. However, Maeglin disobeyed and was captured and tortured. On the promise that he would be allowed to keep both Gondolin and Idril (Tuor's wife), he returned to the city.

It was he that counseled Turgon to remain within the walls. Once the battle had gotten heated, he tried to kill Earendil, Tuor's son, and claim Idril. Needless to say, Tuor was not pleased. They fought upon the wall and Maeglin was cast down to his death.

Answer: Beorn

The goblins and orcs had had a long history prior to the Battle of Five Armies at the base of the Lonely Mountain. Bolg's father Azog had previously been chieftain of a great many orcs out of Moria, but was slain by Dain Ironfoot at the Battle of Azanulbizar. Since that time (nearly 150 years prior to the start of The Hobbit) Bolg had been biding his time and building his armies.

The events under the Misty Mountains in which the Great Goblin were slain also helped to spur on Bolg. At the Battle of Five Armies, Bolg was toppled and crushed to death by Beorn, but not before Thorin was mortally wounded.

Answer: He was shot by an orcish arrow.

Arathorn had gone hunting orcs when one shot him through the eye from behind a rock. Aragorn, the future king of Gondor and Arnor reunited, was only three at the time. After the death of her husband, Gilraen sought to have Aragorn fostered in Rivendell, under the cognomen 'Estel', which means "hope" in the Sindarin tongue.

The truth about his heritage was not revealed until he came of age.

Answer: Beleg Cuthalion

When Túrin left Doriath, Beleg got permission from Thingol to follow him into exile. Beleg found Túrin at Amon Rûdh, leading a group of outlaws and was tortured by them until Túrin found and released him. The land in which they dwelt became known as the Land of Helm and Bow.

When Túrin was captured by Morgoth, Beleg followed the orcs. He met the escaped thrall Gwindor in Taur-nu-Fuin and together they rescued Túrin, but as Beleg cut the bonds from Túrin's wrists and ankles he slipped, accidentally cutting Túrin with the Black Sword Anglachel. Túrin awoke and did not recognize Beleg in the darkness, assuming the shape bent over him with a blade was an orc, and that he was to be tortured again.

In a sudden fit of rage, and in self-defense, Turin wrested the sword from his "captor" and slew him, finding out afterwards that it was Beleg he had killed! Turin wrote the 'Laer Cu Beleg', the Song of the Great Bow, in his honor.

Answer: Alqualonde

All three Kinslaying were perpetrated by the Noldor in their quest for the Silmarils. Alqualonde is where the Teleri kept their ships. The Noldor, seeking to leave Aman, sought the ships of the Teleri, who refused them. What followed was a fairly evenly matched battle between the hosts of Feanor and the Teleri. The tides turned in favor of the Noldor, however, when the second host of the Noldor under Fingolfin came upon the battle and joined the fray, not realizing what was happening. It was for this reason that the Noldor came under the 'Doom of Mandos':

"Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains. On the House of Fëanor the wrath of the Valar lieth from the West unto the uttermost East, and upon all that will follow them it shall be laid also. Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue. To evil end shall all things turn that they begin well; and by treason of kin unto kin, and the fear of treason, shall this come to pass. The Dispossessed shall they be for ever..."

- J. R. R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion (1977)

Answer: Carcharoth

Huan had been the Hound of both Orome the Vala, and Feanor's son Celegorm, before joining up with Beren and Luthien. Beren and Luthien had sought out Morgoth's stronghold of Angband in the hopes of retrieving a Silmaril. Entering in the disguises of Draugluin (a wolf) and Thuringwethil (a bat creature) they were successful. They were chased by Carcharoth, the greatest wolf to ever have lived, who took Beren's hand, Silmaril and all! Beren, Huan, Thingol, Beleg Cuthalion, and Mablung went on a great hunt in which Huan both slew, but was mortally wounded, by the wolf.

Gothmog was the lord of the Balrogs.