Utumno

Info: Also known as Udûn (Sindarin: "hell"), this was the first fortress of Melkor in the far north of Middle-earth. The name Udûn was also given to a valley in north-west Mordor, shown on the map in The Lord of the Rings. Utumno was built by Melkor after his return following his first expulsion from Arda. The Valar had by this time created the Two Lamps, and Utumno was built around Valian Year 3400 under the Ered Engrin, where the light of the Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, was very dim.

Utumno was his base of operations for 1149 Valian Years, and from here he assaulted the Two Lamps and began corrupting Arda. It was also here that the first captured Elves were taken, and breeding of the Orcs began. Utumno was laid waste in the Years of the Trees, Valian Year 1099, in the War that the Valar began against Melkor for the sake of the Elves. Melkor was chained and dragged as a captive to Valinor.

Melkor also gathered and bred Orcs, giant spiders, and other creatures in his fortress. Utumno was besieged and destroyed during the Battle of the Powers. Although not all sections were totally destroyed, Melkor never returned there.
Melkor established a second fortress at the western end of the Ered Engrin, known as Angband: this was originally held by Sauron. In the Third Age, Gandalf would refer to the Balrog of Moria as "Flame of Udûn!", using the less common variant of the name. (wikipedia)

Original design

The dragon is Ancalagon the Black, in original design too, hope you like it! ^^

Many thanks for faving! Please comment if you like it!

---TOLKIEN FANART---