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But many Men remained in Estolad； and there was still a mingled people living there long years after； until in the
ruin of Beleriand they were overwhelmed or fled back into the East。 For beside the old who deemed that their wandering
days were over there were not a few who desired to go their own ways； and they feared the Eldar and the light of their
eyes； and then dissensions awoke among the Edain； in which the shadow of Morgoth may be discerned； for certain it is
that he knew of the ing of Men into Beleriand and of their growing friendship with the Elves。
The leaders of discontent were Bereg of the house of B？or； and Amlach； one of the grandsons of Marach； and
they said openly： 'We took long roads； desiring to escape the perils of Middle…earth and the dark things that dwell there；
for we heard that there was Light in the West。 But now we learn that the Light is beyond the Sea。 Thither we cannot
e where the Gods dwell in bliss。 Save one； for the Lord of the Dark is here before us； and the Eldar； wise but fell；
who make endless war upon him。 In the North he dwells； they say； and there is the pain and death from which we fled。
We will not go that way。'
Then a council and assembly of Men was called； and great numbers came together。 And the Elf…friends answered
Bereg； saying： 'Truly from the Dark King e all the evils from which we fled； but he seeks dominion over all Middle…
earth； and whither now shall we turn and he will not pursue us？ Unless he be vanquished here； or at least held in leaguer。
Only by the valour of the Eldar is he restrained； and maybe it was for this purpose； to aid them at need； that we were
brought into this land。'
To this Bereg answered： 'Let the Eldar look to it！ Our lives are short enough。' But there arose one who seemed to
all to be Amlach son of Imlach； speaking fell words that shook the hearts of all who heard him： 'All this is but Elvish
lore； tales to beguile newers that are unwary。 The Sea has no shore。 There is no Light in the West。 You have
followed a fool…fire of the Elves to the end of the world！ Which of you has seen the least of the Gods？ Who has beheld
the Dark King in the North？ Those who seek the dominion of Middle…earth are the Eldar。 Greedy for wealth they have
delved in the earth for its secrets and have stirred to wrath the things that dwell beneath it； as they have ever done and
ever shall。 Let the Orcs have the realm that is theirs； and we will have ours。 There is room in the world； if the Eldar will
let us be！'
Then those that listened sat for a while astounded； and a shadow of fear fell on their hearts； and they resolved to
depart far from the lands of the Eldar。 But afterwards Amlach returned among them； and denied that he had been present
at their debate or had spoken such words as they reported； and there was doubt and bewilderment among Men。 Then the
Elf…friends said： 'You will now believe this at least： there is indeed a Dark Lord； and his spies and emissaries are among
us； for he fears us； and the strength that we may give to his foes。'
But some still answered： 'He hates us； rather； and ever the more the longer we dwell here； meddling in his quarrel
with the Kings of the Eldar； to no gain of ours。' Many therefore of those that yet remained in Estolad made ready to
depart； and Bereg led a thousand of the people of B？or away southwards； and they passed out of the songs of those days。
But Amlach repented； saying： 'I have now a quarrel of my own with this Master of Lies； which will last to my life's end'；
and he went away north and entered the service of Maedhros。 But those of his people who were of like mind with Bereg
chose a new leader； and they went back over the mountains into Eriador； and are forgotten。
During this time the Haladin remained in Thargelion and were content。 But Morgoth； seeing that by lies and
deceits he could not yet wholly estrange Elves and Men； was filled with wrath； and endeavoured to do Men what hurt he
could。 Therefore he sent out an Orc…raid； and passing east it escaped the leaguer； and came in stealth back over Ered
Lindon by the passes of the Dwarf…road； and fell upon the Haladin in the southern woods of the land of Caranthir。
Now the Haladin did not live under the rule of lords or many together； but each homestead was set apart and
governed its own affairs； and they were slow to unite。 But there was among them a man named Haldad； who was
masterful and fearless； and he gathered all the brave men that he could find； and retreated to the angle of land between
Ascar and Gelion； and in the utmost er he built a stockade across from water to water； and behind it they led all the
women and children that they could save。 There they were besieged； until their food was gone。
Haldad had twin children： Haleth his daughter； and Haldar his son； and both were valiant in the defence； for
Haleth was a woman of great heart and strength。 But at last Haldad was slain in a sortie against the Orcs； and Haldar；
who rushed out to save his father's body from their butchery； was hewn down beside him。 Then Haleth held the people
together； though they were without hope； and some cast themselves in the rivers and were drowned。 But seven days later；
as the Orcs made their last assault and had already broken through the stockade； there came suddenly a music of
trumpets； and Caranthir with his host came down from the north and drove the Orcs into the rivers。
Then Caranthir looked kindly upon Men and did Haleth great honour； and he offered her repense for her
father and brother。 And seeing； over late； what valour there was in the Edain； he said to her： 'If you will remove and
dwell further north； there you shall have the friendship and protection of the Eldar； and free lands of your own。'
But Haleth was proud； and unwilling to be guided or ruled； and most of the Haladin were of like mood。 t
Therefore she thanked Caranthir； but answered： 'My mind is now set； lord； to leave the shadow of the mountains； and go
west； whither others of our kin have gone。' When therefore the Haladin had gathered all whom they could find alive of
their folk who had fled wild into the woods before the Orcs； and had gleaned what remained of their goods in their
burned homesteads； they took Haleth for their chief； and she led them at last to Estolad； and there dwelt for a time。 But
they remained a people apart； and were ever after known to Elves and Men as the People of Haleth。 Haleth remained
their chief while her days lasted； but she did not wed； and the headship afterwards passed to Haldan son of Haldar her
brother。 Soon however Haleth desired to move westward again； and though most of her people were against this counsel；
she led them forth once more； and they went without help or guidance of the Eldar； and passing over Celon and Aros
they journeyed in the perilous land between the Mountains of Terror and the Girdle of Melian。 That land was even then
not yet so evil as it after became； but it was no road for mortal Men to take without aid； and Haleth only brought her
people through it with hardship and loss； constraining them to go forward by the strength of her will。 At last they crossed
over the Brithiach； and many bitterly repented of their journey； but there was now no returning。 Therefore in new lands
they went back to their old life as best they could； and they dwelt in free homesteads in the woods of Talath Dirnen
beyond Teiglin； and some wandered far into the realm of Nargothrond。 But there were many who loved the Lady Haleth
and wished to go whither she would； and dwell under her rule； and these she led into the Forest of Brethil； between
Teiglin and Sirion。 Thither in the evil days that followed many of her scattered folk returned。
Now Brethil was claimed as part of his realm by King Thingol； though it was not within the Girdle of Melian； and
he would have denied it to Haleth； but Felagund； who had the friendship of Thingol； hearing of all that had befallen the
People of Haleth； obtained this grace for her： that she should dwell free in Brethil； upon the condition only that her
people should gu